The Good Slytherin Chapter 3

Outline

Three weeks have passed at Hogwarts since the Sorting Ceremony. Albert Lau and Arihana Hallenstein are attending a Muggle Studies class taught by Charity Burbage. There is a heated standoff between Professor Burbage and Professor Dolores Umbridge while Albert and Arihana reconcile over a common cause: homework. I have decided to have a story scene involving Muggle Studies since it hasn't been well covered in the novels and the film series. In the books, Muggle Studies is an elective that is taught from third year onwards. For the purposes of this story, I have made it a compulsory first year class. I have also decided to explore the wizarding world's involvement in World War II and to emphasize the comparison between the Nazis and the Death Eaters. I also wanted to show Burbage in action as an advocate for Muggles, something which leads to her death much latter. World War II is briefly mentioned in the W.O.M.B.A.T tests, which were available on the official Harry Potter website until 2012. I also borrowed the tale about the Dragon of Kinabalu from Owen Rutter's book The Dragon of Kinabalu and other Borneo Stories. As always, all recognisable Harry Potter characters, concepts, and locations rightfully belong to J.K. Rowling.

Homework

It was quarter past ten in the morning at Hogwarts, which meant that it was the morning break time. It was a warm autumn day and many students were out enjoying the sunshine while catching a quick snack. But not Albert Lau who was an avid reader and was lounging in the Dragon Section of the Hogwarts Library. Albert was reading a fat hardcover book called Dragons of the Orient by Professor Wan Li Tzu, an avid dragonologist who had devoted his entire career to studying dragons. Like many other magical book, the book contained several illustrations which came to life. Albert was reading a chapter on the dragon of Mount Kinabalu, a mountain in the Malaysian state of Sabah. This dragon guarded a fabled carbuncle that was as red as a sunset and the size of a peacock's egg. Centuries ago, a Chinese Emperor had sent his three sons to claim the treasure. The two older brothers had failed miserably but the youngest brother succeeded in his quest. In the end, the dragon had met his demise when he swallowed a ship in a desperate attempt to recover his treasure. The youngest brother then presented his treasure to his father who added it to his numerous treasures in the Imperial Palace of the Son of Heaven in Beijing, the capital of the Muggle country of China. The moral of that story was that the dragon's greed had brought about his demise. So unwilling to be parted from his treasure that he lost his life in a vain attempt to recover it.

Suddenly, a flustered and anxious Arihana burst into the room, carrying a quill and an exercise book under her left arm. She was panting and out of breath. She had a panicked look on her face.

"Albert, help me," panted Arihana "I forgot to write my essay for Muggle Studies and it's due this afternoon. Oh no, I'm going to fail."

Professor Charity Burbage was a short, straw-haired lady who served as the Muggle Studies teacher at Hogwarts. Muggle Studies was a course at Hogwarts which taught about Muggles and how Muggle society and technology worked. Muggle Studies was one of Albert's favourite classes at Hogwarts, an enthusiasm that was not shared by his fellow Slytherin classmates who tried their best not to pay attention and almost rarely passed up their assignments. There been calls by Slytherin parents to make the class optional due to their hatred for "Mud Bloods." The previous Wednesday, Professor Burbage had given her first-year students a 400-word essay assignment on "Why do Muggles fight wars?". Albert had taken two and a half days including Saturday morning to finish the essay. When he was still growing up in Malaysia, his parents had bought him and his siblings numerous books on Muggle history and technology.

Albert was surprised that Arihana, who had a Muggle parent, would have fallen behind on such an assignment. However, Arihana had been over the moon since she had been accepted into the Gryffindor Quidditch team a week ago. Quidditch was a popular wizarding sports that was played with broomsticks. The objective of the game was to score more points than your opponents. It was rare for First Years to be allowed to join their house's Quidditch teams. Five years ago, Harry Potter had joined the Gryffindor Quidditch team instead of being punished for joy-riding on a broomstick.

"Calm down. Is it the one on why do Muggles fight wars?," asked Albert

"Yes, I have been so busy with Quidditch practices that I forgot about it," replied Arihana in a panicked and flustered voice "It's something that I know at my finger-tips. But I left all too the last minute. Oh bother homework, I'm so stupid!"

"Calm down, I'll help you," said Albert calmly "Lucky you found out now since Muggle Studies is after lunch. We can work on it at lunchtime."

Arihana sat down on the chair beside Albert and placed her scroll and quill on the table. She then asked, "Why are you helping me after all that I said to you after the Sorting Ceremony?"

"I don't let life drag me down," replied Albert "That's what my parents taught me. No matter what life throws at you, don't let it drag you down. Plus, I could never forget how you befriended me on the Hogwarts Express on my very first trip to Hogwarts."

"I thought that all Slytherins are bad and hate Muggles," said Arihana "But you seem to be different."

"My parents taught me that while Muggles did persecute us wizarding folk," said Albert "That not all of them were bad. Without them, there would be fewer wizards and witches around. Plus, we're all human beings at the end of the day despite the amount of magic in our blood."

"That's the same thing my parents taught us," replied Arihana "I've never imagined that I'll meet such an open-minded Slytherin. I grew up being taught that all Slytherins are bad and wicked."

"Okay, let's get back to business, "said Albert, gesturing to the parchment and quill "With essays, remember what you need is an intro, a body, and a conclusion. Think of it like a sandwich."

Muggle Studies

"During World War Two, a secret task force of wizards and Muggles led by none other than Albus Dumbledore made contact with the Allies and helped defeat the Dark Wizard Grindelwald and his Nazi minions," explained Professor Burbage, as she flicked her wand at the white board.

Immediately, images flickered across the white board. There was a flowing, black-and-white photo of Dumbledore shaking hands with the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the American President Franklin Roosevelt. The photo was then replaced by a map of occupied Europe showing Grindelwald's secret bases throughout Europe.

"Grindelwald wanted to create a world empire that was controlled by wizards. To do this, he wanted to unite the Deathly Hallows, which he believed would make him and his followers invincible. Grindelwald also formed an alliance with the German dictator Adolf Hitler."

Burbage tapped her wand against the whiteboard and there emerged another grainy black-and-white picture of Grindelwald meeting Hitler. One of Hitler's lieutenant's Heinrich Himmler, the leader of the SS was also present.

"What were the Deathly Hallows?," asked Arihana, raising her hand

Before, Professor Burbage could explain, the door of the classroom opened and in strode Professor Umbridge, who had recently been appointed by the Ministry of Magic as Hogwart's High Inquisitor. Her job was to make sure that Hogwarts' teachers and curriculm complied with the Ministry's new Education Decrees.

"Hem, hem. My apologies for interrupting," said Umbridge, beaming a forced smile on her face "I'm here to inspect your teaching and to ensure that you are complying with the Ministry's expectations."

"Oh, good afternoon Professor Umbridge," responded Burbage, trying hard to hide her annoyance at Umbridge's intrusion "I was just teaching them about the role wizards and witches played in the Muggle Second World War."

"Now, I hope that you aren't filling their heads with the mumbo jumbo that Muggles are not too different from us witches and wizards," said Umbridge "It's important that youngsters learn about the world around them but we must remember that we are not part of this world. We witches and wizards are better than them."

"I'm sorry but I have to disagree," replied Professor Burbage, raising her voice sharply "Whether we like it or not, we witches and wizards are part of this world. Without Muggles around, our kind would have died out centuries ago. The only difference between us and them is that we can tap into magic and they…"

"This discussion is certainly too sensitive for young minds to digest," interjected Umbridge "Mixing with Muggles dilutes the blood purity of our kind. Magical knowledge should be kept within a small group. If left in the wrong hands, in the hands of lesser beings, it will be a catastrophe."

"Now, Professor Umbridge," Burbage spoke sharply "You will not challenge me in front of my students. If you are here to inspect my teaching, I would suggest that you get along with it rather than banter about politics."

"Excuse me, Professor Umbridge," said Arihana, raising her hand knowing that was expected from Umbridge "Permission to speak freely. My father is a Muggle and he's the best dad that I have ever had. Mixing with Muggles doesn't make us dumber and uglier as you think. Plus, they don't steal from us. Me, my mum, and my sisters learnt a lot from our Muggle father about the world."

"I pity your mother for not being able to find a better suitor among her kind," replied Umbridge, still trying to maintain her sweet, girlish voice "You must be one of the lucky specimens…"

"That's enough, Professor Umbridge," snapped Professor Burbage "You will not insult any of my students in front of me. If this is your idea of an inspection, I will file a complaint with the Ministry. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, making fun of one my students."

"Go ahead and try your luck with the Ministry," said Professor Umbridge "They'll more likely take an interest in allegations about you corrupting young minds. I would suggest you watch your back next time."

"Get out, out now!," shouted Professor Burbage in a fierce voice "I'll have a word with Professor Dumbledore this evening."

After Professor Umbridge had left, Professor Burbage took a deep breath to regain her composure.

"There, as if the Ministry had nothing better to do," grumbled Burbage "I wonder what Mrs Umbridge thinks we are. Toddlers in a kindergarten. All this nonsense about blood purity and muggles stealing magic. It sounds very much like the sort of rubbish put out by "he who must not be named."

"Is it true then?," asked Albert, raising his hand "Is it true that you know who has returned?"

"Professor Dumbledore is not a man who has been known to lie," replied Burbage "What you must learn is that sometimes telling the truth is not the most popular thing to do. What matters is doing the right thing. Keep that in mind, if you have to remember any of my lessons. Always remember that it is important to tell the truth and nothing more."

After class was dismissed, Albert and Arihana walked down the corridor. Their next class was Potions with Professor Severus Snape, the grumpy Head of Slytherin House. Despite being a Slytherin, Albert felt uncomfortable around Snape, who exuded an austere and grim aura. Yesterday, he had made Albert and another fellow Malaysian Noraina Othman of Hufflepuff stay back and clean-up his laboratory as punishment for accidentally breaking a cauldron. On the bright side, thought Albert, he doesn't use punishment quills as Professor Umbridge does. Albert had heard rumours of Harry Potter being forced to write for five days with a punishment quill. These quills left a permanent scar on one's hand.

"Are all these rumours about "you know who" coming back true," whispered Albert

"They are not rumours," replied Arihana sharply "The Ministry is just too craven and proud to accept the truth. It's just like the ongoing debate that Muggles are having about climate change. That's some of the stuff my dad has to put up with."

"I can't help noticing a similarity between Umbridge's comments and all those things that the Death Eaters have been saying about Muggles," commented Albert "It's quite hard for it to be a coincidence."

"I agree, but we must be careful," whispered Arihana back.