Dudley Dursley and the Knights of Walpurgis

Monday, August 20, 2018

Dear Daphne,

My mother and I spent the weekend with Mrs Violet Norman who gave me your name. She says you're a Muggleborn wizard like me (except you're a witch of course), but the Ladies of Belnos didn't pair you with anybody because you have wizard relatives. (Is that witch relatives?) She explained how you can be a Muggleborn with wizard relatives but I didn't really understand.

Anyway, she said I should write you. I'm not sure why. It's kind of weird writing a girl.

I suppose we'll see each other next Saturday. I'm so excited!

Sincerely yours,

Matthew Mitchell

Dear Matt,

I've been sending lots of letters to boys this summer, so it doesn't feel so weird any more.

Daddy and Mum are both Muggles, so I'm a Muggleborn (which I think is a silly name). Gran's sister, my Great-Aunt Lily, married a purebred wizard, James Potter. Their son, Uncle Harry, and his family, Aunt Ginny, James, Al and Lily (they're not really my aunt and uncle, but we're calling them that) are all wizards and witches and they've been helping. It's very exciting. Except for Daddy, we didn't know magic was real until I got my letter. Something happened between Gran and Gramps and Uncle Harry when he was little so they don't get along very well. He's really nice, though, so I don't really know what could have happened. So, that's how a Muggleborn has wizard relatives.

I met Mrs. Norman at the Quidditch match on Saturday. She seems kind of strict. If she can't answer any of your questions, let me know and I'll ask Uncle Harry. (Or Al, since he's a boy almost your age.)

What are the Ladies of Belnos? Do you have to be a grown-up to join?

See you next Saturday!

Daphne

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

When finally seated comfortably in the Weasleys' parlour, with tea and biscuits in front of her, Tori opened her briefcase. "I know the next meeting isn't until the week after next, but I thought it would be good to have some things set up first."

Hermione nodded. "I think that's an excellent idea. Did you know that Violet Norman gave Matt Mitchell Daphne's name and address and suggested he write her? He mentioned the Ladies of Belenos, too."

Tori sighed. "I still insist that there are good reasons for her to work with the Mitchells. Did it cause any trouble?"

"No," Hermione said. "Fortunately, Daphne likes writing and talking with people, so she just thinks she has a new friend. Well, she's making a new friend, which won't hurt Matt either. However, Sophie had some things to say about it."

It took Tori a minute to remember who Sophie was. "Just that Violet's a bit on the nosy side," she said, thinking that she was going to have to talk with Violet. "I'm sure she didn't mean any offence." When Hermione just raised her eyebrows, Tori shrugged. "She doesn't mean it. She may cause it, but she doesn't mean it."

To Tori's relief, that made Hermione chuckle. "You might want to warn her that Sophie's very protective of her family. Now," she reached over to a stack of paper on an end table, "I had some ideas.

Tori eyed the stack warily. "Before we get started on your list, I have two things I wanted to discuss," she said. When Hermione didn't jump right in, Tori continued with, "First, I think we need hard numbers about abuse. There's three groups we need to check. Muggles, wizards, and Muggleborns."

"Four," Hermione said. "We should include Squibs as well."

"Why?" Tori asked.

"Because they're in the same type of category as the Muggleborns, they have even fewer protections and I know I've heard of specific abuse."

Feeling her cheeks heat, Tori nodded. "You're right; I just hadn't thought of it." She made a note. "How do we get the numbers?"

"I ask my brother-in-law," Hermione said with a grin. "This is just the sort of project Percy loves to sink his teeth into." She reached over to her stack and shuffled papers around for a few minutes before pulling out a good percentage of them and put them aside. "What's the other one?"

That made Tori grin. If they were already thinking on the same lines, this would work even better than she'd thought it would. "All right, this is something I think we'll want to discourage, but I've heard it mentioned by a couple of different people in a couple of different ways." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "There are some people who think we ought to be contacting the Muggleborns earlier."

"In and of itself, that's not a bad idea," Hermione said. "Something tells me I won't like where it's headed."

"Probably not," Tori agreed. "The most extreme suggestions I've heard are to remove the Muggleborns from their family immediately and place them with a wizarding family." She wasn't going to mention that that was her sister's idea.

To Tori's surprise, Hermione didn't shout. Instead, her eyes narrowed. "Which will make it so much easier to put a more reasonable solution in place," she said, her mouth twisted.

Tori winced. "That hadn't occurred to me," she said.

"This isn't the first dirty fight I've been in," Hermione said. "Anything put in place with Muggle families has to be put in place for wizard families as well. Otherwise, I will fight it with everything I have."

Tori thought for a moment. The solution she'd come up with, and she thought it both reasonable and fair, wouldn't work for wizard families. Unless they included Squibs, an issue she hadn't even considered. "My original proposal was going to be to send an envoy to the families once we see the child's name in the register. Provide information, assistance, communication and whatever else is needed."

"Including surveillance," Hermione said, her brows drawing in. "Look, I know it sounds reasonable on the surface--"

"But I hadn't considered Squibs," Tori continued before the battle could begin. "So, perhaps we should do the same for wizarding children who aren't in the register."

That stopped the Muggleborn witch. "There's still so much room for abuse," she said after a few minutes, but she didn't sound nearly as ready to fight.

"All right," Tori said, hauling out her quill. "Let's refine it. If we don't have something sensible ready to suggest, people will polarise too quickly for any good to be done."

Looking impressed, Hermione nodded. "I agree." Pulling out several of her own papers, she started discussing possibilities.

Tori just hoped it would work. She'd watched her world descend into horror once; no more.

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Dear Ginny,

Is Lily feeling any better? I hate these summer colds; at least Pepper-Up works a little more quickly than the Muggle remedies.

Tori and I had a meeting yesterday about an agenda for the Ladies of Belenos. That seems to be the name that's sticking. I'm still not sure about that; too much like the Knights of Walpurgis to me and you know what I think about that.

Tori's not too bad, though. Prejudiced towards purebloods, of course, but I think that's more because that's what she knows than any real animosity. It means that she'll be likely to accept solutions that sound reasonable on the surface without realising the problems under the surface.

It's never occurred to me to look below the surface, but how do most wizards view Squibs? I know they're looked down on, but they are still viewed as human, aren't they? Are they still welcome in their families, or are they essentially outcast? Tori seemed so surprised when I mentioned Squibs and she seemed more than a bit guilty as well.

My love to everyone. What do you think about a picnic on Friday?

Love,

Hermione

Dear Hermione,

Lily's fine but Harry's going to make himself ill. He's been working almost non-stop this month. He keeps saying that he has a really bad feeling, but he can't tell me what he thinks is going to happen. I wish he'd rest up so he's ready to fight whatever-it-is, but, well, he's Harry.

What happened with Hugo? I ran into Ron on Diagon Alley the other day and he said something about taking him to the Healer. Is he all right?

A picnic sounds great. The whole family or what?

Squibs. That's a tough one. No one likes to talk about them, because it's viewed as a failing on the part of the family. Even though we know they're born that way, having a Squib in the family is considered something to be ashamed of. My understanding is that most families hide them away; you won't see Squibs at family functions or such. Beyond that, I just don't know. (Mr Filch is the only Squib I've ever met, at least that I know of.)

Let me know if I can help out.

Love,

Ginny

Thursday, August 23, 2018

At precisely five minutes past the hour, Lucius cast a bell-like tone loud enough to be heard throughout the hall. After giving those present a few minutes to get settled, he walked to the podium and cast Sonorus on his throat.

"Good evening, gentlemen," he began, "and thank you for coming to the inaugural meeting of the Knights of Walpurgis for this new age." Harry watched the older wizard look around the room, a superior smile on his face. "I see that we have a full representation of the wizards of our community; I hope those who could not be here tonight will be present at future meetings."

He looked down at the scroll he'd brought to the podium with him. Looking around the room, Harry noticed that Malfoy's son, Draco, was seated at the back of the room, near the door. He looked like he was ready to bolt.

Lucius then went into a long speech about the history of the Knights, what they used to do, what they could do now, and why they should be reinstated. Implicit, although he was careful never to say it, was that Lucius should be the Head Knight.

Finally, after nearly an hour, he suggested that they take a break and open the floor for discussions. Harry stood up and stretched. Before he could move, Ron caught up to him. "I don't like this. Dad's saying the same thing; the Knights of Walpurgis were always trouble. What do you think he's up to?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. Look, I'm going to see if I can talk with Draco--"

"First name basis?" Ron looked annoyed.

"Sort of," Harry answered. "Otherwise it gets confusing. I want to see how he's reacting to this."

It didn't take very long to find Draco. He was standing near the open bar, holding a glass of something and looking forbidding. Harry ignored the glare and walked up to him. "Malfoy," he said, "Al asked if Scorpius could visit next Friday. Ron and Hermione are having a picnic to celebrate the end of summer and beginning of school."

Draco's face relaxed a little. "Offhand, I don't see why not, but I'd better ask Tori before committing him. Even if he can't come, thanks for inviting him. Will there be a more formal invitation?"

"Probably," Harry said with a grin, nodding at a Ministry official he didn't know very well who was glaring at him. "Hermione's running it, so . . .'

"Understood," Draco said. "I'll talk with Tori tonight and let you know by tomorrow morning. Or should I contact Mrs Weasley directly."

"Me, please," Harry said. "Otherwise, Al will pester me to keep Flooing her."

Draco chuckled. "Sure. Now, do you expect me to believe that was the only reason you came over here?"

Rolling his eyes, Harry said, "No. Should I be worried?"

"I am," Draco said, "although I can't give a good reason for it. I'm not going to turn my back on him, he's my father, but that doesn't mean I trust this idea of his. He's got a reason to do this." Draco grimaced. "Actually, he probably is doing it for the Wizarding world; it's just that he has a very limited idea of what's good for us."

"I'm not asking you to turn on him," Harry said. "I just don't want to see us polarised again. If he's doing it for the overall good, let's just make sure the definition is right."

With a thin smile, Draco raised his glass. "Here's to proper definition."

Harry raised his empty hand, which made Draco laugh. "All right, Potter," he said, his voice pitched to carry a little, "go get yourself something to drink and rejoin your family. They're all over there and I think they're planning your rescue. Merlin knows what that would entail."

"Behave," Harry said laughing, as he made his way to the bar.

When he'd joined the Weasleys, Ron asked, "So what did he say?"

"Pretty much what he said before," Harry said. "I don't think Malfoy's trying to usher in a new Dark Lord. I think he's just trying to get a little of his old power back." He looked around. "Where's Arthur?"

"Talking to the man himself," George said, nodding to where Malfoy was standing. Harry hadn't noticed before, but Arthur Weasley was standing next to him. The conversation looked intense, it didn't look like they were agreeing, but it seemed to be staying civilised. Remembering the brawl in Flourish & Blotts before his second year, Harry thought this was encouraging.

Arthur returned right before Lucius started the meeting again, so they couldn't really talk. Then, Lucius said, "Now, I know some of you are concerned about my motives. I know they're," he paused a moment before saying, "well-intentioned, but there's an understandable scepticism. In order to demonstrate my intentions, I thought I'd ask someone of impeccable credentials to take us through the process of recreating ourselves. Arthur Weasley, will you accept this charge?" With a nod in Arthur's direction, Lucius stepped back from the podium.

Arthur stood and walked to the podium, standing very straight. He nodded politely at Lucius as he passed Malfoy and stepped up to the podium. "Well," he said, after a minute, "I've never tried to create something like this, and I don't think anyone else has, so let's see what we can do."

Lucius quietly stepped off the podium to a chair nearby, picked up a glass, and sat back. He looked completely in control as Arthur carefully began the process of organising the group. At one point, when one of his old fellow Death Eaters began to argue, he looked about to stand, only to sit back again when Arthur calmly cut the other man off.

By the end of the evening, the basics of the new Knights of Walpurgis had been settled, with elections to be held at the next biweekly meeting. As Arthur returned, Harry heard his in-laws discussing the probability that it would be Arthur, not Lucius Malfoy, running the organisation. In spite of his complete trust in Arthur Weasley, Harry still felt uneasy about it. Looking over, he could see the same unease in Draco Malfoy.

Friday, August 24, 2018

After his father answered his knock, Scorpius walked into his father's study, a bright smile on his face. Standing before the desk, Scorpius stood tall and handed his father the invitation. "May I go?" he asked, anticipating the approval. The invitation had been mentioned at breakfast that morning; both of his parents had agreed that there was no reason Scorpius couldn't attend.

"As we discussed this morning," his father said, looking over the invitation. He tapped the invitation on his desk a few times, looking thoughtful. "Has your grandfather said anything to you about this?"

"No, sir," Scorpius answered, puzzled. "Grandmother told Mother that dress should have been included on the invitation, but nothing else."

His father chuckled. "Unless otherwise stated, a Weasley or Potter get-together is 'Casual'." He shook his head. "I assume that was your mother's assumption."

"Yes, sir," Scorpius said, keeping his face solemn and dignified with some effort. Mother's response had been funnier. "The note Asp included implied as much, and that I should bring a swim suit."

Father smiled. "Good. Scorpius," his father started and then didn't continue. Scorpius was confused; his father was never indecisive. "If anything is said about the Knights of Walpurgis or Arthur Weasley, don't become involved. These are adult matters and not something about which you should concern yourself."

"Er, Mr Weasley will probably be there," Scorpius said. Mr Weasley was nice; lots of fun and relaxed, like a grandfather in a storybook. He didn't want to have to avoid him.

Fortunately, Father shook his head. "No, of course you can socialise with him. As appropriate," he said with a stern look. "I just meant you should steer clear of political discussions. You're still a child; you shouldn't concern yourself in these matters."

That wasn't as easy as it sounded. "Father, in the letter Asp enclosed, he mentioned a discussion about the meeting last night. His parents, well, all of the adults in his family, were . . ." Scorpius thought of how to politely word the suspicions Asp had repeated. "They were concerned about Grandfather's motives. What if they ask?"

"Will Asp ask?" His father looked thoughtful.

Scorpius shrugged before he remembered that that was not fitting behaviour for a Malfoy. His father raised an eyebrow as Scorpius felt himself blush. "He'll probably want to talk to me about it. He's curious. He said . . ." Again, he tried to find a diplomatic way of phrasing Asp's comments.

"Sit down, son," his father said. Scorpius smiled as he did; his father rarely asked him to sit when he was in his office. "First, you aren't to worry about this. You are a child, and you should not be burdened with these matters for years yet." Scorpius was happy his father's scowl wasn't directed at him; he looked angry, which Father rarely was. "However, I do want you to understand the undercurrents. I would wish you didn't have to, at least, not yet, but you do." After a moment, he continued, "In the Voldemort Wars, both of them, both the Weasley and Malfoy families were heavily involved, and on opposite sides. In the end," his father's expression had turned rueful, "the Weasleys clearly chose the right side. Now, it's over, reparations have been made and punishments have been served. However, it does mean that our motives are questioned any time we make any political moves."

"Like Grandfather forming the Knights of Walpurgis," Scorpius said, letting his father know that he understood. He thought his father was being pretty silly; of course he knew all this. He and Asp had decided when they first met that they were going to ignore the family politics and just be friends. "Asp asked if I knew anything; I was just going to tell him what I know, which isn't much."

"What you and Asp choose to discuss," his father said, still looking grave, "is up to you, as long as you remain appropriately respectful. However, if any of the adults at the gathering ask you questions, refer them to your mother or me. Do you understand?"

Before he thought about it, Scorpius said, "Didn't they let you alone when you were a kid?"

His father sighed and looked down at the desk. "Things were very different," he said after a minute. His voice was so soft that Scorpius had to strain to hear him. "Hogwarts should never have been a battlefield."

Scorpius didn't know what to say to that. He'd seen the memorial at the school, with the names of everyone who'd died there that day, but it never seemed real before. "May I ask?" he started, not knowing how to continue.

His father stood and poured himself a drink. Of firewhiskey, before supper! Then he poured Scorpius a glass of pumpkin juice. "I would prefer you not discuss with your friends. That includes Asp. If he asks you questions, let me know; I'll want to discuss it with his parents. Do you understand? These are adult matters, and his parents may not want him to know all of it."

Scorpius agreed, even though he knew Asp's father had described the entire battle to him. Father didn't need to know that.

"Your grandfather believed in the Dark Lord's agenda," his father said. "In some ways, I think he was relieved when he was defeated when I was a baby; I don't know for certain as we've never discussed it." He took a deep drink and sighed. "When he returned, I was a couple of years older than you are now, but I'd already made my allegiance known. Potter, Asp's father, and I were already . . . Merlin, enemies sounds melodramatic, but that's the way we thought of each other. There was a battle, in the Department of Mysteries. Something the Dark Lord wanted was there, and he lured Potter there to liberate it. It was unsuccessful and your grandfather was caught and imprisoned."

Scorpius was on the edge of his seat. He'd never heard any of this!

"In order to redeem our family, the Dark Lord gave me an assignment. I was to kill Albus Dumbledore, the head of the Order of the Phoenix." Father sighed. "I was a bloody fool, but I tried. After a year of attempts that I can now see were juvenile, I had him cornered on the Astronomy Tower." His father glanced at Scorpius, his shoulders hunched. "I couldn't do it. I'm not brave, Scorpius; don't ever tell yourself otherwise." He finished his drink and poured another and drank about half of it in one long swallow. "The details, they don't matter." He looked at Scorpius, his grey eyes hard. "Harry Potter had the opportunity to destroy us. We'd done nothing but try to destroy him for years. And yet, Asp's father, granted us mercy. In his version of the story, there were good reasons to do so, but I know that, if the positions had been reversed, I would not have given him that same mercy. So, if any of the adults there ask you, tell them that . . ." His father stood and stared into empty air. "Tell them to ask me, but I will never be able to repay the debt I owe him. And I'll never be able to look him in the eye and say so." He looked over at Scorpius. "I'm not brave, Scorpius." Returning to the decanter, his father poured another drink. "Go to the picnic. Enjoy yourself. Be a child, make friends, don't destroy yourself before you're out of your teens." When Scorpius didn't move, his father looked at him. "Go on," he said softly, "I'll see you at supper. You're a good boy, son. Make me proud."

Scorpius left, walked at a dignified pace to his bedroom, closed the door, threw himself on his bed, and tried to decide if crying would make him feel worse or better.

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Dear Matt,

Hey, kid. Your mum told me that you'll be going to that Hogwarts school after all. I'm glad; I know how much you wanted to go. But no more telling stories; that's no way to get what you want.

I'm writing to let you know that I'm going to be away longer than I thought initially. The company's opening a couple of branches in the United States and they're sending me there. I hope to be back by the end of your school year. That's sometime in June, right?

I've enclosed the address and phone number you can reach me at. Phone calls are better than letters; I'll be moving around a lot.

Have fun and do what your mum tells you.

Dad

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Scorpius,

Daphne's after me to write this Matt Mitchell kid. I'm not sure, except he's a Muggleborn first year. I thought if he got a letter from you too he'd feel better when he starts. He missed the tour, Daphne didn't tell me why.

It's fantastic that you're going to be able to come to the picnic next week. If anybody asks you about this night stuff, just ignore 'em. Uncle Percy disapproves and he's being a pain about it.

If you can think of any Wheezes we should get with the standard stuff, let me know. I'll see if I can't wangle a special trip to load up.

Got to go now. James is being a prick.

Asp

Dear Matthew,

My cousin Daphne asked me to write you so you'll know people when you start Hogwarts next week. It's exciting, isn't it?

I don't know what she wants me to say. So, I'm Asp Potter. My real name's Albus, I was named for one of the old headmasters, my family call's me Al and my friends call me Asp. I'm a second year Slytherin. (Don't worry too much about the houses, but if it really matters to you, talk to the Hat.)

I can't think of anything else to say, so

See on the Express!

Asp

Dear Matt,

I understand that you are one of the new first years, and that you were not raised in a magical household. I also understand that you were unable to take part in the Hogwarts tour this summer. I would like to extend my assistance to you in any way you should need it.

(Father dictated that; he says it's important to sound dignified even in letters. I'm just glad he doesn't try to dictate my letters to Asp, he'd never stop "taking the mickey" out of me.)

Since you asked Daphne for help, I think you get all of the Weasleys. Mostly, if you see a red head, they're a Weasley. There's a lot of them. They're almost all in Gryffindor. Gryffindor's where all the idiotic heroes are. Slytherins, which is the traditional House of the Malfoys, including me, are sensible and work out how to get what they want. Asp and Rose (she's a Weasley and Asp's cousin. He has a lot of cousins.) are both Slytherins as well. If you want to ride with us you can. (That's assuming Rose doesn't object, but she's nice so she probably won't.)

What else do you want to know?

Sincerely,

Scorpius Malfoy

Dear Asp,

Thanks. It's nice to think I know some people before I get on the train. It's all really exciting.

What's the deal with the name? And what's the deal with Malfoy? He seems nice, but kinda stuck-up.

I'll see you next Saturday!

Matt

Dear Scorpius,

Thanks. It's nice that I'm going to know people before school starts.

And can you say "Hi" to your dad? He was really nice this summer when things got tough.

Matt

Dear Daphne,

Well, Asp and Scorpius have written to poor Matt Mitchell. He's going to be so confused! They're all such boys!

We'll have to keep an eye on things and make sure they all don't do anything stupid. Are you coming on Friday?

Rose