Rose hadn’t felt excited for something since the trip to Hogsmeade had been announced. She’d immediately gone out to find the perfect dress and had spent hours trying to make her own flower crown by hand before giving up and using magic. She lightly curled her hair and gently applied some glitter to accentuate the slight fairy look she was going for.
She was just so excited to see an actual Shakespearean play be performed in front of her she couldn’t control her excitement. As she looked around at everyone that had gathered and the food stands before turning to someone that walked by her. “Is this just fantastic? Seeing everyone so dressed up and excited!”
Whatever this sounds like a complete surprise, the confirmation of a rumour or something you knew all along, it is now official. The Dumbledore’s Army is no more a myth, or a long forgotten thing of the past, but a reality between our walls as it is the presence of Aurors and Death Eaters.
While it’s not my place to pass judgement on this organisation, here, on the Hogwarts Gazette, I think we should all reflect on our past to understand what it means for the Dumbledore’s Army to be back now.
In 1995, it was founded to ensure that students would receive a proper training in Defence Against the Dark Arts during a time where it was clear young people needed to know how to defend themselves and the Ministry was unwilling to teach them. It takes one look at the headlines of The Prophet in the past months to know that, indeed, this is a time where knowing how to defend oneself can make a difference between life and death. People of all ages, but especially children and teens, have been kidnapped, tortured and killed. Some between these very walls.
If we have to assume the goals of the D.A. are the same as those of 28 years ago, what does this tell us about what a portion of the students thinks of the state of their own education? Not to mention, of their own safety within and outside of Hogwarts? As dark as this thought is maybe it is time for all of us---and the faculty in particular---to start reflecting upon these things.
Trigger Warnings: Torture, Blood, Mentions of Death/Minor Character Death
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The ballroom was in utter chaos. Some people attempted to flee to other parts of the manor through the large doors, but Lily knew they would be met with locked doors and probably even more Death Eaters. She was only focused on one thing. She had to make sure everyone she loved was alright. That was all she ever cared about, really.
Pressed up against the wall, she scanned the room, keeping her eyes out for members of her family, the DA, anyone. A curse flew towards her and she ducked behind an overturned hors d'oeuvres table just in time to avoid it. She took a deep breath and then peaked her head out over the top of the table to look again. It was then that, from across the ballroom, she saw a flash of blonde hair that was undeniably Anna’s. That was it. No more hiding. She launched herself into the fray, wand first, but barely made it two steps before she was forcibly pulled backwards by her hair.
Screaming out in shock, Lily raged against whoever it was that had their hands on her. She was once again yanked upwards by her red locks, this time, however, she was pulled violently against someone’s body. “The smallest Potter, all alone,” an older male’s voice hissed in her ear as she continued to squirm against him. Pulling her wand backwards, she aimed the tip towards the man as best she could. “Stupef-” she began, but her captor threw her whole body forward and towards the ground before she could finish her spell.
Crashing into the floor, she tried her best to steady her fall with her hands outstretched in front of her. She turned herself over and onto her back in an attempt to stand back up, but the man got there first. He pushed his boot against her stomach, pinning her to the ground. Before she could do anything else, he muttered a disarming spell that sent her wand flying across the ballroom floor. She watched as it rolled and then stopped against the limp, lifeless body of a young man she didn’t know. She could see the whites of his wide eyes, his face permanently stuck in an expression of dismay and horror. She tore her gaze away, looking back up at the man who had attacked her. She could see his hooded form more clearly now. Long black robes, a mask. Death Eater.
Before she could gather the strength to try and struggle again, the looming figure’s boot pressed itself harder against her abdomen, causing her to cough and sputter. She attempted to grab at his ankle to push him off but before she could, he pointed his wand downward, sending a white hot curse with a light that blinded her eyes. A deep slash cut it’s way across her cheekbone and she involuntarily cried out in agony. Blood seeped it’s way into her mouth and she began to spit and choke all over again. She fought against the pain, however, and slowly closed her mouth, keeping her eyes open. Even if she couldn’t look her attacker in the face, she wanted to make sure he could still see her glaring at him.
That only seemed to antagonize him even more, however, and before she could truly recognize what was happening she heard the word “Crucio!” escape his lips, with his wand pointed directly at her heart. Her whole body convulsed as the shock-like pain wracked it’s way through her limbs. Her eyes were certainly no longer open. The agony was so intense that she barely registered when her assaulter removed his foot from her body. Her first thought was of course Why? Why was this happening to her? But she knew why. She was a Potter. He wasn’t just going to kill her, he was going to have some fun first.
Another severing curse was shot down at her, this time slashing a deep laceration through her gut. Her blue ballgown was suddenly stained with the ruby red blood that poured it’s way out of the wound. Tears welled in her shut eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
On top of the pain, she began to feel light headed and as though she could lose consciousness at any moment. This was most likely due to the loss of blood, but that thought didn’t register with her. The misery and pain was so much that there was a part of her that wished it would just be over already. But another voice in her head told her that wasn’t an option. She couldn’t die here. Her family and friends were in trouble. Her job wasn’t done until they were all safe. And she certainly wouldn’t let this Death Eater have the satisfaction of her begging for death.
She mustered as much strength and courage as she could before beginning to move. With her left arm, she attempted to push herself up and off the floor. She was suffering, but she would endure. For the people she loved. She managed to pull herself about an inch off of the ground before another Cruciatus curse sent her back down. Her head collided with the hard flooring, and that was it.
The last thing she could hear was a ringing in her ears, and then everything went black.
The flash of green light. That all too familiar flash. That all too familiar shriek of pure terror. Daniel knew it all too well, hi mind flooding with memories. Bloody memories; horrible memories. His father, Harrison, Falon…Merlin above! Where were they? Were they safe?
Daniel panicked.
Not another attack. Not another night of death. Not this time.
Immediately, Daniel pulled out his wand, yelling as many jixes as he could remember in the moment, seeking out anyone with a mask. Anyone attacking. Anyone that was Pureblood at this point. And when that same green light came hurtling, Daniel ducked quickly, putting up a shield spell. Falling over, he realized he was safe, but it didn’t mean his family was; friends were - those he loved and cared for. Hitting the floor, he stumbled to get up.
Morena was not exactly thrilled to be reunited with a large part of her family, it made her feel uneasy. The only comfort to her during these gatherings had been the presence of her brother - unfortunately he had not been able to make it this time. As she stood quietly, leaning against the wall she spotted her cousin Avery approaching, looking more beautiful than ever. A surge of jealousy ran through her mind. Morena had always walked in her cousin’s shadow. Avery was clever, beautiful and most importantly more involved in the ‘family business’.
“Avery,” Morena greeted distantly, gracing her cousin with one of her most diplomatic smiles. “Always a pleasure.”
Morena was resting her head on her hands. She’d been invited to have a drink with some of the daughters and sons of her family’s close relations. She didn’t know any of them particularly well. Penelope Travers came from a long line of Death Eaters and that seemed to be the only thing she ever spoke about. Her twin brother Warren was her similitude in both looks and personality. They’d used to be good friends, the three of them, when they were little and affiliations had not been a defining part of their friendship - but that seemed like centuries ago. They’d grown apart since they had started attending Hogwarts. Morena had grown apart from most of her childhood friends. Most of them considered her to be a laughing stock, for ending up in Hufflepuff. Some of them, like the Travers twins, still acknowledged her sporadically.
Morena hadn’t been listening to their conversation for quite a while – for about fifteen minutes she had been dazing off in her own thoughts whilst admiring the beautiful couples on the dance floor. Why would she bother talking about matters that she had no interest in? Why waste such a wonderful event that should bring people closer together, talking about differences in blood purity. Penelope had never been one to air her opinions in private surroundings, thus it was perfectly clear for all the neighbouring tables to overhear their conversation.
“How about you Morena?” Hearing her own name had brought Morena back to the conversation, lifting her head off her hands and glancing around the table in confusion.
“Sorry?” She uttered.
Penelope rolled her eyes. “What do you say about the proposal to relocate all mudbloods and the associated commons to a remote area, so that we will not have to interact with them,” she repeated, gesturing at the nearest table to them, where a group of students seemed to be innocently enjoying their time. Morena envied them. “It is a policy my grandfather suggested back in the day, but his approach was considered to be too soft,” Penelope added.
Morena kept fidgeting with the fabric of her dress, it felt comforting, clenching it between her fists as she entered the manor. She was extremely nervous for the ball for several reasons. Firstly, as much as she enjoyed interacting with other beings, she preferred it to be one on one, rather than everyone gathered together. Large gatherings reminded her of the gatherings her parents organized when she was little. Although she’d been far too young to understand what was happening, the assemblages seemed daunting. The other reason was that if she misbehaved or made a single bad move, someone would surely report it back to her father. Being the only daughter of a highly esteemed pureblood family surely put some pressure on her. Putting on a brave and friendly smile, she scanned the room, looking for a friendly face as she made her way through the crowd.
She didn’t want to be here. Didn’t want any of this at all, really, but what could she do? She was Avery Pucey, and she’d have had to attend this ball one way or another. She should be smiling, at least, pretending to be having a good time like everything’s normal. Tonight, though, it’s just not working out for her. So yes, she’s going to hide in the corner and hope no one notices until midnight. What could possibly go wrong with that?
