Following the whirlwind court trial of our own non-magical inventor, Ronno Schavez has decided to keep his name in the papers by announcing another major event. Thanks to the success of both Scrapwitch and the Scolla Stone, MajTech is finally expanding to be more than a one-man operation.
“I want to give others the opportunity to join me in my goal to improve improve upon the magical world, and maybe the non-magical one as well. Become an innovator.”
It was announced yesterday in a rather public display that Mr Schavez will be opening offices and opportunities for employment to those interested in inventions and the integration of technologies. MajTech’s first device, the Scolla Stone, can expect a second version to be in development as well as a few other revolutionary ideas that Mr. Schavez is currently keeping pretty hush-hush about.
We’ve been given a brief look into the space the young inventor plans to fill and are impressed with the scale at which he things MajTech can grow. Of course, at the moment it remains a start-up company and culture, but he has big plans for the little company and we have big expectations.
The roll-call is out. MajTech will be hiring shortly and we can’t wait to see their first product as a full-fledged company!
Ronno didn’t waste much time setting out to right the wrongs done to him thanks to the laws on the secrecy of the wizarding world. But who would listen to a regular, unimportant, non-magical felon under house-arrest in a sleepy little town near a school? He needed to come up with a way to sway those in power to actually pay attention. His first attempt, a website that people could post pictures to called Scrapwitch, wasn’t going to be the latest fad if nobody could get on it, so he decided to fix that too. The Scolla Stone was his second attempt and when it came out people scrambled to get their hands on it. In no time at all, Ronno had gone from nobody to the next Steve Jobs of the wizarding world, and finally got some people to listen.
After winning his freedom in court to be permitted to travel between the magical and non-magical worlds, Ronno went back to his old home to reconnect with his family and friends. Unfortunately the damage done to their memories had been permanent. Though it hurt, Ronno realized that the life he’d been forced to leave was no longer an option, but the life he had now was well worth maintaining and living. He’d keep living it and slowly fighting for non-magical rights within the community he was now apart of. With his newfound income from The Scolla Stone, Ronno bought a place in London and a large office space he would consider the new base of operations for MajTech.
Planning. It always came down to planning. What to wear, where to be, how to start into conversation, how to direct it, and every scenario in between. It was a while since he had won his freedom. A few weeks that felt like an eternity while he gathered himself and his supplies. The phone was the trickiest part as he set it up and tried to fill it with things to engage him while he waited for his parents at the pub.
Date night. A Schavez parental tradition that went back as far as the young boy could remember when he was yet being saddled with babysitters. It was always at the same pub; their favorite. All the waiters knew them and all would greet them favorably, and each time they would sit at the bar and hope to make a few new friends along the way. Knowing the other regulars was one of the few ways they got out anymore and enjoyed things. Ronno was planning on being one of their ‘younger’ new friends and get under their noses to trigger some memories.
Though he knew very little about memory charms and how they all worked, he’d been informed by a hopeful young enthusiast that they weren’t always done right. Mistakes were made and sometimes they could be reversed or triggered. Due to his situation and how important he was in their lives, it was likely that the memory charm used would be extremely difficult to perform effectively. Given the right prompts and bits of information, they could come to remember their only son that was so suddenly ripped from their lives.
So here he sat, a beer in one hand and a phone in the other. They’d not yet shown up, but he had also arrived early with all the giddiness sitting in his belly. Oh to hear the sounds of normal conversations, phones going off, people bustling about and not using magic. It was like a quaint sense of home that he’d always read about and yet never experienced. And yet, something was missing from the world by knowing the other side of things. Something wonderful in knowing that dragons and hippogriffs and fairies truly existed just on the other side of a veil of lies. But yes, it was home. Chinga-ling! The door chime went off and Ronno attempted to casually glance over as any bored patron would do. And there they were.
Two years, it seemed, and nothing had changed them. They were never perfect and he was more often than not a spoiled child, but they were still his parents. He owed a lot to them and only in his struggles and time without them did he realize how much he had missed them, including all their annoying habits. They made their way over and through careful planning and a lot of luck they sat down near him. Ronno could have jumped for joy.
“Whoah! Nice new gadget you have there. Is it nosey if I ask what it is?” His dad said, leaning over. Ronno looked up and smiled.
“Yeah, it’s the new Nexus from Android. Why, looking to buy a new model?” His dad paused and nodded, which was odd, but Ronno held out hope for any and all pauses. Maybe that meant things were working?
“Absolutely. Mine seems to die so quickly on charge. Time to get a new one, really. Oh! Sorry to be rude, this is my wife, Camelia. My name is Jim.”
His mother reached out her hand for a shake and Ronno returned it, “Pleasure to meet you.”
“Ronno.” He expected a pause, a reaction, or something. Nothing. They went on smiling without a single pause.
“So what do you do, Ronno? Young man like you hanging out at a bar mid week alone? Waiting on a girl?”
“No, not really. Just enjoying the evening and the company.”
“Oh us too, dear!” His mother cooed smiling, “Well actually this is our date night. No idea why this night in particular, but habits, you know?”
“Hope I’m not interrupting, then.” he said, slowly becoming worried as to whether or not they’d recognize him. “And I’m in entertainment. Well… online entertainment, actually. I did videos on popular websites and I get sponsored.”
His father’s eyebrows raised and he prayed for recognition. They had both been so proud when he’d been active. His mother’s ‘wonderfully talented little boy.’ They had to pair his name with what he used to do, didn’t they?
“Good job, is it?” His father asked. “Bet you’re inside a lot though.”
“Bachelor pad of the tech man.” His mother said with a grin.
“Yeah, something like that. I was living with my parents for a while. They were alright with it, but initially they had worried about my health. All worked out in the end though.”
“Oh I should say they would be. I’d certainly be.” His mother said, “But then again I never was a mother so what would I know?” she laughed, “we enjoy our freedom a bit much for all that.”
That hurt. And solidified how good a job those at the ministry had done on his two loving parents. He knew when he had first been whisked away from his home and his life it had started when he had been forced to flee his own home. His parents called the cops after a long drawn-out argument about how he did actually live there. And yet, it was so long ago and so fresh he had hoped that the memory spell had somehow… worn off or something. Fat chance. Perhaps his separation from them had only made it stronger, or persist longer. The weight of that was quickly starting to come crashing down.
“Ah, I’m sorry to cut you two off especially since we just met but... “ he checked his phone, “...apparently I’m needed by a friend for a problem.”
“Well, nice meeting you then, dear. Good luck with your friend.” Camelia said, all cheer that he would probably never see again. He wasn’t an overly sentimental sort of guy, but even Ronno’s chest ached at her words and ached again as he paid his tab and waved goodbye to them. It was most likely his last goodbye, and it was as empty and cold as he felt.
The crisp night air around him made for a good reason to walk around the block and calm down. Ronno’s eyes were feeling red and stinging with the promise of tears. His hopes and dreams felt crushed at the feet of the patrons in that bar and his throat threatened to close from the panic of it all. He let his feet walk where they would while his head swam with fear, sorrow, and disappointment and all sorts of other feelings about his situation. He walked and walked, unaware of where he was going until he had arrived in the dim lighting of the park.
The Park. It was the first place he had run to when his parents called the cops, thinking he was a robber breaking into their home. Under those bright lights he first met members of the Wizarding Law Enforcement. Over by that bridge he was informed that he had violated some unknown law. By that path he was forced to come with them and magically teleported to his new residence.
Ronno felt himself frown as he stared down at his feet with a pout. What was he to do? His own parents didn’t recognize him, despite how hopeful he had been that they would. If they didn’t, it was unlikely that any of his friends did. What was there even left for him here? What could there possibly be for him if nobody remembered his name and his own family couldn’t recognize him? He was so used to fame and recognition ever since he was fourteen that he wasn’t sure what to do now that he didn’t have it. That same feeling persisted after the memories were wiped and he hated it.
Ronno sighed, looking once more at his feet and finding he really didn’t want to walk anymore. What was the point? He might as well fade back into anonymity. Who cared for the non-magical boy without family or friends?
He held out a ticket stub, magically enchanted, along the side streets of London. It didn’t take long for the Knight Bus to find him and whip around the corner to stop right before his feet. It was a marvel, really. Though he didn’t have a wand or any magical talents, the round-trip ticket seemed to do the trick.
The young man stepped forth from the step and looked at the non-magical boy with a look of confusion. “Help you, sir?” he asked.
“Yeah. Heading back to Hogsmeade, or however close this takes me.” He responded, stepping into the light of the bus windows and holding out his ticket. Ronno didn’t feel so great and though the ride was bumpy it was better than walking. He’d done enough of that and he didn’t want any more extended time to think on things now that everything was ruined.
“Hey, don’t I know you?” The bus boy asked, curiously eyeing the young man’s face.
“I dunno.” Ronno replied, rolling his eyes.
“Yeah I do! Oh hell! You’re Ronno Schavez! The-the inventor of the Scolla and Scrapwitch, yeah? Hey! Charlie, guess who we got ridin’ in back?” The old man grumbled curiously, “It’s Ronno Schavez! The kid who did the stone thing? This thing.” He pulled it out of his pocket and showed the old man. A look between the device and the non-magical boy happened before the older driver nodded his head like he was impressed. The bus-boy looked back and grinned, “Hey, mind if I ask for an autograph?”
Ronno nearly fell over. His eyes darted back and forth between everyone involved as the situation unfolded. “Ugh… yeah, sure, dude.” He said, nodding and taking the outstretched piece of paper and the pen. “Who am I… making it out to?” His head swam. He was autographing something. He was being asked for his signature due to his face. He was being recognized.
The signature itself was nothing pretty, nor was the paper, but the boy seemed over the moon thrilled to have it. A quick tuck into his jacket and he graciously let Ronno up onto the bus. The dark-skinned boy’s head was wrapped in confusion and realization all at once. That empty feeling that had been there had magically dispersed, if only a little. Why? What happened that made it go away? Why had a signature somehow make it disappear, if only a little?
Because you are recognized. People do know you, and they like you. Just not here anymore.
It hit. It felt like a ton of bricks and stone and concrete, but it made so much sense that he was left stricken. He wasn’t known where he had come from, but he certainly made a name for himself where he had gone. So much so that he even revolutionized how they used technology. And that wasn’t all, he could continue doing it. He was known, considered smart, popular, and well respected. Sure he didn’t have his family, but he’d focused so hard on getting back home due to the fame he’d lost that he nearly ignored the fame he had.
Why should he go back to the non-magical world and live there? Why not simply stay in the magical one, continuing to be Ronno Schavez, the non-magical inventor who changed the course of wizarding history? Ronno sat down on one of the beds within the bus and swallowed, his brow furrowed in thought. What if… he stayed where he was? He had his freedom, so it wasn’t as if the world was banned to him.
Those two long years of planning and working hard were wasted on something he’d lost forever, but that didn’t mean his future was taken from him. He still had one, and it was even brighter than his old one.
Ronno took a deep breath, expecting something in between awful and just kinda aggravating. He was surprised when he shook her hand she immediately called it his success and seemed to mean it. “Heya, Holley. Yeah, tired of interviews for the moment, but I’m alright just chatting with a fan. Not on the record, by the way.” He stipulated, aware of how this worked. Even in the muggle world he was a successful enough person to remember to say what was and wasn’t on the record. Ronno hated it when soundbytes were taken out of context and manipulated… or… taken in context.
“Want to grab some coffee or tea, Holley? I think that’s a better way to chat. Gives the hands something to do.”
“Well, I’m not a reporter or anything so nothing to worry about with me,” she laughed. “I’m honestly just a big fan and also a bit of a techie myself! And, yea sure coffee would be great if you have the time for it. I know you’re a busy person, so I don’t want to detract you from your agenda.” She couldn’t believe that she had managed to track down and find Ronno Shavez! And that she was going to be having coffee with him? Her mind was blowing up and she was trying very hard to remain composed. “Can I just start off with saying how amazing your work is? It’s honestly just so revolutionary in this world. I have never seen anything like it.”
She was like the Energizer bunny, but better. Ronno couldn’t help but feel that warm glow of flattery hit him as he grinned back at her and nearly puffed out his chest a bit. “Yes, you certainly can start off that way.” It was cocky, sure, but who cared?
Ronno gestured out of the shop and toward the cafe nearby, walking slow enough she could catch up. “Well thanks. Always nice to hear someone gets how revolutionary something is, especially a witch or wizard. I made it with those kids who had trouble contacting their non-aggressive parents in mind. Also with my own scrapwitch site, which had only limited users at first. Found out that was because wizards we’re horribly incapable of reaching the web. So… Invention.”
“But enough about that. Tell me what’s so nifty that you’re working on? What makes you giddy about tech?” He had to ask her. That was just good publicity, and if she turned out to be good enough maybe he’d consider a new hire.
“Asked around?” Not that she wasn’t interested in the present, but this was…surprising. He had not only gone to the effort of getting her a present, he had actually actively worked to find out when her birthday was so he could give it to her. She couldn’t think who he would have asked to find out. It was hard to think around the surprise of him doing it at all.
As she stared at the phone, she grinned slowly. It was such a him present - practical and also self promoting. But at his music options, she snorted, giving him a look. “Fuck you too.” Good Charlotte covers. Goddamn. My Chemical Romance wasn’t that bad, but, it wasn’t her favorite by any means. And somehow, she felt the need to cover up the depth of the sentiment with something light hearted.
Ronno shrugged, “Yeah, it was surprisingly easy. Figured you had to have been born at some point. I really doubt aurors just climb out of an icy lake ready for duty.”
Her response to his jest was exactly what he expected and a grin spread wider on his face. “Favorite song, I take it? If so, Hairy Soul Man miiiight just be up your alley.”
Just as she had finished asked the clerk the same “Have you seen Ronno Shavez” question for the past few hours, she whipped her head at the person behind her. A smile spread across her lips as she fought the urge to run up to him. “Holley. Holley Shiftwell,” she introduced herself, extending her hand out to him. “I’ve been hoping to run into you and, well, talk to you about your successes! I’m sure you must be tired of the interviews and whatnot, but I’d love it if you had a moment or two to spare,” she beamed.
Ronno took a deep breath, expecting something in between awful and just kinda aggravating. He was surprised when he shook her hand she immediately called it his success and seemed to mean it. “Heya, Holley. Yeah, tired of interviews for the moment, but I’m alright just chatting with a fan. Not on the record, by the way.” He stipulated, aware of how this worked. Even in the muggle world he was a successful enough person to remember to say what was and wasn’t on the record. Ronno hated it when soundbytes were taken out of context and manipulated... or... taken in context.
“Want to grab some coffee or tea, Holley? I think that’s a better way to chat. Gives the hands something to do.”
It was all over the newspaper and while it wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, Holley was impressed that a muggle infiltrated that magical world and that the same muggle was the one who brought innovative technology to this world. She herself was an avid user of the Scolla and the Scrapwitch social media, and thought highly of its creator.
While Holley liked to tinker with these things once in a while, she always found it was simply easier to dive into this hobby of hers in the muggle world. The magical world, she quickly learned, had a million obstacles that made development or even simply tinkering a little more difficult. Eager to learn a little from this guy, she headed out to Hogsmeade, hoping to run into him. Given the recent court case, however, she figured she might not run into him wandering around but she kept her fingers crossed anyways. Thus, she had staked out for a few days in Hogsmeade, asking around in cafes and restaurants if they had seen Ronno Shavez come by.
Ronno felt as if he were floating for hours at a time. He had so much to plan and to prepare for meeting his parents again. Where would he meet them? How would he explain things? Would their lives be any different? It was all so exciting, on top of all the cameras and reporters that clamored for his words.
However, a man needs time to himself to do shopping, and that was exactly what Ronno was doing when he stepped into one of his many regular stores within the sleepy town and heard someone asking for him. The man behind the counter exchanged a curious glance at the boy before giving a grumble and a gesture toward him. Hiding, it seemed, was not an option.
“Heya, can I help ya?” He asked , one eyebrow cocked and his feet ready to run in case it was someone upset with him for his trial.
As soon as Ronno approached, she smiled slightly and shook her head. She’d spent enough time in his flat to recognize his scent immediately, even when it wasn’t as strong as it was now. So it didn’t come as much of a surprise when the present dropped down in front of her and she looked up at him as he sat across from her.
“Yeah that’s true enough. I guess you’re here to fix that huh? I’m impressed you’re this prepared, I didn’t think I mentioned it.” She had so few people who would care enough to celebrate, it hadn’t seemed worth it. But she didn’t waste any time unwrapping the present, her smile becoming a little bit more natural as she had something else to focus on.
“You didn’t.” He said, pointing at her with a grin, leaning back in his seat overly proud of himself and his detective skills, “I actually asked around. Played your role for you.” He smirked as he watched her open it up and peer at the newest custom finish on his fun little invention.
“Like it? You can play several games on there, and go on the internet. Maybe now you can get a scrapwitch too and take some photos. Somehow... I envision black roses and Good Charlotte covers. Am I right? Or are you more of a My Chemical Romance fan?” Of course he was making fun of her, but what good friend wouldn’t?
Groundbreaking news as a court trail concluded yesterday evening in the Ministry of Magic’s courthouse regarding the case of Mr. Schavez, the head of Magitech and inventor of the Scolla Stone as well as Scrapwitch.com.
Mr. Schavez went to court to settle an account of wrongdoings with his trial in 2015 on his infringement upon the Statute of Secrecy law. The young inventor is a non-magical citizen of the UK and after his trial was brought to the sleepy town of Hogsmeade to live under house arrest until the Ministry of Magic saw fit to release him.
Mr. Schavez argued in court the serious harm and detriment this ruling caused him and the upheaval it had brought upon his life. His argument was heard loud and clear and after many hours the court decided to rule in his favor.
As of today, Mr. Schavez is a free man, able to travel between both the magical and the non-magical worlds as our own non-magical born students and residents. While the damage done to the memories his parents, friends, and the non-magical community as a whole cannot be undone, he appears hopeful about his future and his newfound freedom. Earlier today we managed to get a hold of the young inventor for his comment on the trial.
“I hope this day goes down not only well for me, but for all non-magical people out there as well. Toying with our lives the way mine was is inhumane and cruel. I hope it doesn’t happen to anyone else again.”
Due to the importance of this trial and with the promises of our Minister of Magic during his campaigning for non-magical inclusion, we went to his office for a quote as well. Minister Otepa was unfortunately unable to comment, but his staff expressed their support in the court’s decision and for the precedent it sets for the future.
As much as we wish him well, we all hope the young inventor returns to the magical world and continues his work on magical and non-magical technology and expand on Magitech’s line of products.
With flashing lights cornering him in all directions on the steps of the Ministry of Magic courthouse, Ronno was shoved past a series of people as a few court-appointed security guards attempted to clear the way. He felt shocked, still reeling from the verdict presented to him. His mind replayed the event over and over, touching on each aspect and each sensation.
Looking down in the middle of the crowd, he realized that his fists were still clenched and his hands were still clammy from the encounter. Slowly, he pried them open with a shooting pain in his joints. The calls from the crowd began to become less background noise as words stood out to him.
Schavez. Ruling. Favor. Comment. Muggle.
His eyes looked up to the reporters ready to have their magical quills take note of what was happening while others recorded him on a mixture of old wizard tech and his new scolla. Ronno’s big brown eyes crossed over them all as he squared his shoulders and fixed them with a gaze.
“It’s non-magical, actually. Muggle is a dirty word used against me rather than for me. I’d rather not have it serve as my identity.” Surprisingly, his voice ringing out quieted them, to a degree, before an uproar of questions came issuing forth. He struggled to hear them as the security guards pushed back and glared at him for commenting in the first place. Ronno didn’t care. He tried to pick a voice out of the crowd.
Comment. The case. The ruling. How did it go?
“Things went well. They… actually went really well. The courts… they ruled in my favor, and beyond just being able to return to the non-magical world, I’m permitted to travel back and forth between the magical and non-magical at will, as many of the non-magical born wizards do.” A slow smile began to creep onto his face as he gazed out at the crowd. This was what he lived for, wasn’t it? This was the news that he had wanted and fought for and yearned all those many months? He got to see his parents again. He got to go home! “I actually plan to take a trip very soon to return there, see how things are, and to finally see my family after so long.”
There were a ton more questions, but with a raise of his hand he silenced a few of them, and toned down the others. The power was wonderful. He smiled wider. “I hope this day goes down not only well for me, but for all non-magical people out there as well. Toying with our lives the way mine was is inhumane and cruel. I hope it doesn’t happen to anyone else again, and that this ruling serves as a new president for dealing with the non-magical community as a whole. It’s not always us that has to suffer just because we aren’t able to make chairs dance with a stick or create water from thin air.”
It was a tad insulting, but it got the message across. There were more questions that began cropping up, but Ronno had decided that he was done. It was best to leave before his mouth overloaded his good will and he was back in the hot-seat. The security team thought the same as they shuffled him off into a ministry car, waiting for him outside, and the faces of the various reporters stuck up against the glass attempting to snap a few more photos of the hispanic boy.
Ronno felt the car start, moving down the street a ways before it could get going and lift off. He had so much to pack and so much to plan. But most importantly, he had actually won! He won his freedom!
Of fucking course her birthday was going to fall on a full moon. Just her goddamn luck. All she wanted was to eat some huge slice of chocolate cake, and if she did, she would be sick as hell. Or sick as a dog if she wanted to be particular haha so funny. Sitting grumpily in the cafe, idly stirring the tea she allowed herself on these days, she muttered, “Birthdays are fucking stupid.”
Ronno Schavez wasn’t the best friend in the world. Hell, most people probably wouldn’t even consider him even a friend to start with, but there was one thing he was able to do right and that was be at least attentive to the day of birth of the few people he would admit to caring about. One such person, apparently hated birthdays.
“Hrm... they kinda are, aren’t they? Still, always made worse by a lack of presents and people to fucking hang out with” He said, shrugging and plopping a small package down in front of her before taking the seat across. “Well, go on. Open it! And if you call that stupid I might just have to whup your ass in Titanfall.”
stormshoots A little tease. Got to hang and shoot with Carlos Valdes @tha_los of the @cwtheflash last month. There was good stories, good songs and good company. LA misses you bud! Can’t wait to do it again. 🌞
Styling // @caitlineucker
Hair // @hairbyrigoortiz [x]
He heard her words, and let out the smallest of smiles as he rolled his eyes, “Oh really? Well, I mean, if you super want me to I can…” He joked back, finding that she was surprisingly easy to joke around with. He did like sassy waitresses who joked around more than others. When she mentioned the rest of the patrons, however, he made a face, “Yikes. Did they really? Fuck. Well, I’m just looking for a meal. The most vandalism I might commit is like a salt or crumb issue where I’m sitting. I could push it around to make a little smiley face, but that’s about the extent of my plans.”
Originally posted by 2009wasagoodyear
“Honey, with the day I had, I wouldn’t even push it with fake vandalism,” she remarked, but there was still a jovial tone about her. She wasn’t seriously mad at this kid - honestly, she wasn’t mad at him at all - but he seemed like the type who appreciated a little bit of banter.
“Just here for a meal, hm? Well, then, what will it be? Hopefully something without too many crumbs for you to push around into that smiley face, don’t want any hooligan behaviour, now, do I?” Mia replied with a smirk.
Ronno smirked. Today might be a good day after all. "Drat. Not even something smiley face salt crumbs can help. I worked retail once at a hot topic, so trust me, I can relate to the aggravation. Hope it gets a tad better." He chuckled, "but... As far as food... Hrm... Want to suggest something that isn't made of like... Weird wizard stuff? I accidentally ate some candy yesterday and found out they were roaches." He made a face, "Just... Something normal."
Their immediate instinct was to flare up in rage and retort, but they held back. They believed so strongly in their roots and where they came from, relating and believing in that world much more than they did the one they were currently in. They hated their magic and as far as they were concerned, they weren’t going to continue being magical if everything worked out according to plan. Should everything fall into place, within months they would be on the exact same level as Ronno. Without magic, but still with the knowledge of the wizarding world and its awful practices.
But as they were currently standing right now, his point was valid. They sighed curtly. “Alright, fine, yes. Since I have magic, in this context and this world, I hold a position of privilege that you don’t have,” they relented before taking a deep breath, “But considering you are one of the few non-magical people to actually make it into this world without your mind being forcibly altered without your consent, there isn’t much point in parsing identity. The people who are going to relate and understand your experiences the most are non-magical born students who know where you come from and are put under the same oppressive umbrella. So that if anything ever does happen, you’ll have support from a wider community than just a pureblood who is trying to kick you out. That’s why having advocacy groups are so important. Maybe the reason no one else has been able to help you is because no one knows how to find you or talk to you.”
“As for Cherie, I’m not saying you should confront her. Just the opposite in fact if you want to keep the bones in your legs. I’m just trying to warn you that she isn’t helping you out of the goodness of her heart and she kind of, you know, advocates for the persecution of you and your people. So no, I won’t be giving her a chance, especially considering she tried to hex me just for daring to sit at the same table as her and breathing her precious pureblood air, or something like that.” Really, Cherie had just been having a particularly awful day and Jane could not imagine the things that were going on in her life at the time, but it never gives someone else a right to threaten and attack other students.
“As for a change of subject, well, the reason I knew about you in the first place was because of the Scolla Stone…I’ve actually been quite interested in how you managed to combine the use of technology and magic. You seem to be the first in the wizarding world to make any technological advancements with magic since the 18th century. Of course, that sort of innovation would only come from a non-magical person,” they chortled, shaking their head.
Ronno rolled his eyes, but he was quickly losing interest in their little debate. Despite desiring a larger group who could understand, he wasn’t about to let a bunch of witches and wizards--non-magical born or not--begin speaking for him. He certainly didn’t want them using him or his name to get what they wanted either. It was just another form of being used by the people who were currently causing oppression.
“You don’t know that about her, because you never asked, and you probably won’t get a right answer even if you did because clearly she doesn’t like you if she tried to hex you.” He said, willing to let it end there.
Thankfully, the subject changed to something he enjoyed speaking about and his posture became greatly more comfortable. “Oh yeah?” He said, a small smile working up after the headache about social justice, “I worked with a... uhm... alchemist? Y’know like F-M-A? Whatever. He knew the chemistry behind it, I knew the hardware behind it. The big part about it that allows it to work is that it doesn’t use electricity. Non-magical objects freak out and don’t work because electric tends to do weird things around magic.” he smiled, “So, I worked out a way around that. Checked out some older tech and fiddled around with an alchemist, and bam. Scolla Stone that doesn’t run on it.”
Ronno watched their smirk fade as they began questioning Cherie. His eyebrow raised in confusion as they seemed to find the idea that Cherie was helping him absolutely insane. Despite how he knew the Slytherin girl felt about him, their interactions almost made him consider that they made exceptions for one another. Small exceptions not meant to be shared in public, but exceptions none the less. “We?” He asked, raising an eyebrow, but shaking his head and letting it drop. “Nevermind. I don’t know what she says at school, but I don’t know that it matters. So far she’s the only person willing to help and has been actually really good at it.” he shrugged, crossing his arms defensively, “She’s the one who not only explained the magical world I was dumped into, but she set up meetings with lawyers and court dates with the ministry for me to give an appeal for my case. Bastards didn’t even give me a trial when they decided I’d be locked up here, and she’s the one who’s giving me the chance to possibly get out.”
Ronno knew it was likely the fact Cherie didn’t want him tainting up the same air–or that’s what she claimed–but there was something deep down in him that thought they were truly beginning to bond in some weird way. “I think she’s doing a great job of it, and I appreciate it despite what she may say in your magic school. Maybe she’s just playing the part she’s told to play? We already said the social structure around here is fucked, and those who want to stay at the top tend to need to play the game. Probably what she’s doing.”
Originally posted by polybarry
Jane however, caught the comment and did not let it drop. “Yes, we. I was raised non-magical, have non-magical family, and live in the non-magical world. The only reason I’m here is to make sure I don’t end off being magical–” It was the most they’d ever revealed about their plan. Maybe it was because they were comfortable around Ronno but more likely it was because they knew he wouldn’t be able to figure out their plan or try to stop them in any meaningful way. In the end they merely shook their head as well. “Nevermind–”
“Look, I have no doubts she’s doing everything in her power to get rid of you. I’m sure having a ‘filthy mudblood’,” they emphasized the words in Cherie’s tone of voice, knowing the boy’s distaste for slurs, “In her world is an outright crime to her. But unfortunately, even if she’s just ‘playing a part’, it still has consequences. Muggleborn students are still getting hexed by her, eleven year olds are still made to feel like their culture is somehow inferior, and she’s perpetuating myths and stereotypes that have you trapped in here in the first place. Her words and actions have real effects, even if it’s just the things she says in school.”
They huffed and crossed their arms. “It’s great that you’re getting help and I really do hope that you get to get out of this blasted hellhole, but you need to know that Cherie isn’t your ally, not really. She’s trying to get rid of you by any means necessary just short of whatever would get her thrown into Azkaban. Or who knows! Maybe she’s suddenly turned around her entire bigoted worldview, social structure, and way of life because she’s just that good of a person now.” They ended off sarcastically, with raised skeptical eyebrows. As was with most of their interactions, it had all turned south pretty quickly.
Ronno felt a small prick of his temper, "No, not we. You're still magical, remember? Yeah, you grew up in a non-magical, but see the difference is that you've still got it in you. You're still accepted more than someone who has no magic. So, no. Not we." He sighed, trying to remember whatever social justice warrior nonsense he could, as he worked up a halfway point to meet them, "Look, you're a great ally and a good person to help others get why it sucks, but you still got 'upgraded'. It's not the same."
They had to understand that argument, right? It was like if a white kid was adopted by a black family. Sure, they understood the culture and starting out they may be well aware of what their family goes though, but in the end they're still more privileged. It was the same in the wizarding world. Non-magical born students were still wizards, and while they had slurrs made for their heritage they still had more rights and were treated better than entirely non-magical people. With all their knowledge of social justice, Jane had to get that.
All the same, her contempt for Cherie was forcing out an eye roll as Ronno just sighed, "Yeah, well I'm not in the school. I don't know what she does on her free time, and I'm not about to confront her about it if it means losing the one shot I have at getting home. Honestly? She's never been more than mildly abrasive, and most of that is purely her personality." He shrugged, "Just try to give her a chance, or avoid her as a subject of conversation... Like... I dunno... Videogames? Books? TV shows?"
“Oh, yes. I think I heard about that.” She hadn’t bothered to get one as she had no one she would be interested in calling. But her father would have liked it. It was the kind of thing he would have wanted to buy just so he could take it apart and figure out how to put it back together again.
Ronno felt his chest puff out with pride as he grinned, “yup! Working on version two already, in between making other little bits that can plug into it or help people charge it better and faster. Y’know. Accessories.” he said, twiddling his fingers in the air, “What you been up to?”
Anna watched him wide eyed as he yelled. Unsure of what to say and puzzled by his words. Oppression? What did that have to do with muggles? “I don’t understand. Aren’t you a wizard too?”
