Prologue I: Mortimer

Mortimer hated Tom Riddle. Not necessarily for all the bloodshed and murder. While he despised such pointless loss of life, it had been in service of a noble ideal, simply taken too far. No, he hated Riddle for his legacy. After the war, the Ministry changed course and did whatever it could to include Muggleborns and protect Muggles. And that was wonderful, of course. However, in their eagerness, the Ministry was forgetting what it meant to be a wizard. Ancient wizarding culture was discarded and anyone who dared to raise the point that maybe Muggleborns should be properly integrated, taught traditional wizarding values, was branded a Death Eater.

It was, in short, infuriating. During the summer, Muggleborns went home and played with their electronic toys and watched movies rather than read wizarding books. They didn't go to the Quidditch World Cup but instead went to the European Football Championship. And when they walked in Diagon Alley, they wore designer suits rather than proper robes. Wizarding culture was on the verge of dying. What had made them great was now disregarded. Mortimer would not permit it. He could not permit it.

And that was why he had come here today, together with several prominent wizards of all origins. Even some Muggleborns had seen the light, such as the woman at his right. Diana Hawke, professor Muggle Studies at Hogwarts and together with Mortimer, co-author of the Wizarding Culture Manifesto.

Mortimer couldn't help but smile when he saw her. She wore wizarding robes with an ease and dignity not even the haughtiest Pure-blood could surpass. That was what they were fighting for. Not the elimination of Muggleborns and Muggles. They were not as foolish or murderous or Riddle. No, perfect integration, that is what they sought. Enter our society, but adapt was their credo.

Diana smiled at Mortimer when she saw him staring and then gestured at the head of the table, reminding him to pay attention. Mortimer grimaced and focused back on the tall Witch speaking in front. Quinn Fowler was an engaging speaker and an extremely talented witch, but sometimes she was just a bit long-winded. Still, Mortimer was glad that he had focused back on her because that was the moment when she passed the word to him.

"On the second of September, I will present the Wizarding Culture Manifesto I wrote together with our two talented colleagues over there. Mister Dawson, could you please give everyone a brief summary of the finished work? The full copy will be available for everyone's perusal afterwards, naturally, but a brief introduction could do no harm."

Dawson chuckled slightly as he pushed his chair back and rose. Of course he had to give a summary. Fowler might claim to be the co-author, but her only contribution had been the title and her signature at the end. She had been too busy for such menial work as actually writing it and had thus delegated it to Mortimer and Diana. He didn't mind, it had strengthened his position in the group, but her desire to claim equal credit was maddening

Still, he could hardly divulge that detail today. The nine other present here were his strongest allies in this struggle. All of them would sign the Manifesto and support their cause. They were respected members of society. Ministry officials, Hogwarts professors and other renowned wizards. All beyond approach, all in no way associated with Death Eaters. If he attacked Fowler now, they might reconsider their support. Therefore, he gave everyone a genial smile and raised his hands for silence.

"Friends. I am so proud to stand here today before you. But before I speak, allow me to clarify one thing. I no longer bear the name Dawson. I have finally reclaimed my rightful heritage and am now officially called Mortimer Le Fay," he declared.

As expected, some chuckled and others frowned in annoyance. Many clearly doubted his ancestry but it was all Mortimer had. Apart from writing the Manifesto, he was a wizard of little renown. If his new surname inspired respect in even one of them, it was worth it. After all, he was truly related to Morgana Le Fay. Most of them were for that matter, that's what you get with Pure-Blood inbreeding, but Mortimer had a more direct tie. Or so he believed at least, family trees were easily enough manipulated so there was no telling if he was truly a descendant.

"Now, for the Manifesto. It is five pages long and divided in three parts. In the first part, we acknowledge the need for change after Riddle's fall. We praise the Ministry for its accomplishments. In the second part, we list our grievances and concerns in the most conciliatory tone possible. I know many of you have strong feelings on the topic, but I have been instructed to not be provoking. If we are too headstrong, people will compare us to Death Eaters and our cause shall be marginalised. In the third part, we propose a list of solutions, all rather benign. I remind all of you, this Manifesto is but a first step. We all want to leap forward and change the world before it is too late, but haste can only bring our downfall in this matter. We need to be stronger first," he concluded as he sat down again.

A polite applause followed but quickly ended once Fowler rose again. Mortimer sighed. He still lacked their respect. He was young, unproven. They'd realise the errors of their ways eventually though.

"Thank you Mortimer," Fowler said, "and your conclusion nicely ties back into my next point. We are not strong enough. Few wish to associate with us and many who wish to join forces are not desirable allies. Former Death Eaters such as the Malfoys will do more harm than good. I know some of you," she said with a pointed glare at Mortimer, "have advocated more drastic measures. Nonetheless, the majority of us believe a cautious and non-confrontational approach is the preferred alternative. I therefore urge all of you to not do anything rash and wait. I firmly believe the Manifesto will suffice to incite change."

Mortimer smiled and nodded. Fowler was showing her usual reticence, she'd regret it eventually. Once he had The Elder Wand, she'd understand what power she had missed out. It is not as if he had wanted it to himself. He had offered to find it and give it to her, all too aware the Elder Wand was a lodestone for trouble. However, after her rejection, he had no choice but to claim it for himself. If she was unwilling to take the necessary risks, he would.