Chapter 24
Two Months Later
On the end of her desk was a stack of parchment papers, the proof of labor after blood, sweat, tears, and sleepless nights of writing and re-writing when she had new ideas of what to write and didn't want to put it off until the morning. In front of her were two parchment papers, each with their own distinct differences that would drastically change the direction of the introduction to the conclusion of the report. The left read:
From research, it is logical to conclude that the Second Wizarding War is actually similar to the Muggles' World War II in a way that Lord Voldemort and Adolf Hitler, both the leaders of the widely-viewed erring side of their respective war, had the right ideology but wrong method of execution. Hitler's regime had the right idea that the human race can be superior in a way that everyone should have a positive contribution to society, but erred with the fact that he believed genocide was the solution. Lord Voldemort made the mistake of not learning a thing or two from his Muggle parentage, and he would have known that his goal of controlling Muggles for their benefit and regulating Muggle-borns would have been successful if he managed to persuade the Wizarding Community of why his ideals were for the greater good of Wizards and beneficial to Muggles, instead of forcing his beliefs on the Wizarding Community.
I believe that if Lord Voldemort had tried a different method of changing the system—one with a more humane means and with majority of the community agreeing to it— it would have been successful. His views are viewed as radical, almost the counterpart of Muggle racism and bigotry, but had he planned his campaign in a more convincing way, things would have been a lot different. While he had the right idea, the Dark Arts is never the answer.
The right read:
In conclusion, the point of Death Eaters' ideology is one of self-interest and pureblood supremacy. Generally speaking, the origins of a wizard has never affected a Wizard's ability to perform magic, and the only time blood status has been a hindrance to the Wizarding Community is when others prejudice half-bloods, Muggle-borns, and half-breeds on their parentage or ancestry. Muggles, on the other hand, have survived independently after the Statute of Secrecy, and it is most definite that they are capable of surviving in the following years without Magic. They have the evolution of technology, among other things, and both the Wizarding and Muggle Community can benefit from what the future has for both factions.
The Second Wizarding War, however, gives future generations an insight of why the Dark Arts must be combated. Throughout 1995 until 1998, Lord Voldemort, the Death Eaters, and all their allies have shown enough Dark Arts that have harmed countless Wizards and Muggles. Future generations should use this history as a basis as to why Dark Arts must be combated, subdued, and suppressed from being used and abused in order to maintain the peace that came after the said war.
The left was honest, the right was what Gemini knew would get her into the Auror Training Program, and Gemini had been debating about what was more important. It was a difficult choice. It was an obvious choice. Gemini placed the left parchment above a candle, dropping it to the floor as it warped and turned to ash.
"It's for the best." She muttered as she watched it. Looking at the remaining parchment in front of her, she picked up her quill and began to write. She wrote, and then she wrote some more, and she finished her report as if she were a different person.
Finally, her report was done. Gemini groaned loudly as she stacked the parchment papers together, going through her report one last time. It seemed good enough, and there was nothing written that would suggest she agreed with anything about Lord Voldemort. But something still felt missing from the report. She had her sources cited, proper formatting, and it was written formally, but she thought there was still something missing.
When she realized what it was, Gemini quickly headed downstairs to the fireplace at the parlor. It was almost ten in the morning, and Hermione had given her the day-off to work on her report. Arnold had already left, and the Leaky Cauldron was bustling with customers having their breakfast. She was too distracted on her way down that she nearly bumped into Professor Longbottom.
"Woah, where's the fire Gemini?" Professor Longbottom said as he steadied himself. "How's that report going?"
"Just finished." Gemini said breathlessly. "But I have to talk to Harry Potter on the Floo Network."
"I was just on my way to the parlour." Professor Longbottom said, extending an arm to let her go ahead. "Heading back to Hogwarts for the day. The Chinese Chomping Cabbages should be getting antsy around this time, and Mr. Filch does a horrible job at pruning their extra teeth out."
"If I recall correctly, one of them bit me during fifth year, so I hope you'll excuse me if I feel no sympathy for their teeth."
"You're not the first one. The biting comes with the job of Herbology professor." Professor Longbottom chuckled. "If you don't mind me asking…how are you and Arnold?"
"We're…going steady." Gemini said politely.
"Anything exclusive?"
"We are, actually. But that's more because we're both too busy to find anyone else."
Professor Longbottom smiled at her. In his mid-thirties, Professor Longbottom began showing signs of ageing, with strands of fading brown hair and the faintest signs of wrinkles on the side of his eyes. He looked almost like Arnold, and when he wasn't in his protective Herbology robes looked like a regular dad. "Arnold's a good guy. If he's serious about you, you'd know. And he's not the most subtle young man, so I guess you know." Professor Longbottom grinned. "And he'll kill me for telling you this, but he often talks about you in the apartment. What about you, though?"
"I…are you planning on telling him anything? You're not very good at keeping secrets, now that I notice." Gemini pointed out. Professor Longbottom laughed and shook his head. "I like your son, like, a lot. And…I don't know, but I'm just happier around him, even if we've been together for just two months."
"That's good to hear," Professor Longbottom said, "but don't let my wife hear you. She was practically preparing a wedding dress when she heard Arnold got his first girlfriend. There she is right now. Hannah, dear!"
"Neville! Gemini!" Hannah greeted them from behind the counter. "Off to the parlour? You're pretty late today, Gemini."
"I'm not going to the Ministry today, just going to talk to Harry on the Floo Network, Mrs. Longbottom." Gemini said.
"Hannah, please. We've talked about this last Saturday, dear." Hannah chided. "Because apparently mom was too embarrassing for Arnie…"
"Hannah!" Professor Longbottom chided, but affectionately kissed her on the forehead. "I'll see you later, love. Try not to traumatize the two."
"I make no promises," she said haughtily, her nose in the air. She turned to Gemini. "Since you're not leaving, I'll go put some tea on for you."
Gemini had lived with the Longbottoms long enough to know that it was impossible refusing Hannah Longbottom with anything. She was tall with messy blonde hair always tied back in a ponytail. She looked a shade plump, and Gemini had rarely seen her spend a day without working in the Leaky Cauldron, but Hannah was still so hardworking and hospitable to everyone on a daily basis. "Thank you—er, Hannah."
Hannah beamed at her and disappeared into the kitchen. Gemini went with Professor Longbottom to the parlour, where she let him take the Floo Network first before she used it to contact the Auror Office.
"Hello?" Harry's head popped on the fire.
"Harry?" Gemini called. "It's Gemini Ridley. The intern."
"Oh of course I'd remember you, Gemini. How's the internship going?"
"It went great, actually. One question first…do you still have that map thing?"
"Sure do. You need me to check something?"
"I just..." Gemini looked up to make sure she was alone. "I just want to check if I still have a trace or something."
"Oh sure, I can check." Harry said. His face disappeared from the fire, but Gemini could hear him looking around his office. "I heard from Ron that you live in the Leaky Cauldron now, right? Well, there's no green dot anywhere there. So unless you're calling me from a fireplace in Knockturn Alley, you're clean."
"That's great." Gemini sighed in relief. "But, there's something else."
"Anything you need."
She took a deep breath. "Do you mind if I interview a Death Eater?"
Harry's head flinched. "I'm sorry…did you say interview a Death Eater?"
"I just think my report would be so much better if not all my sources came from the library and I'd like to have a first-hand source of my report."
"If you're looking for first-hand source…"
"I need a Death Eater, Harry. My report is about the point-of-view of Death Eaters." Gemini cringed. "I met Draco Malfoy once—he was offering me a job and everything but I turned it down—but I think it might be insulting for him if I ask him questions about his…his past."
"Right...I followed up on the theory that he was still into the Dark Arts, but during the raid I saw that he was clean. You're right." Harry bit his lip. "But Gemini, the thing is, it's been seventeen years. All but one of the Death Eaters already passed away, and the only one surviving slips in and out of Dementia that I can't guarantee that you'll get a proper interview from him. I can take you to Azkaban today, but I can't assure you that you'll get anything worth adding."
Gemini pursed her lips. It's worth a shot. "What time can you take me?"
Harry sighed. "After lunch break. Meet me here at the Auror's Office. There's only one way to get to Azkaban."
She pulled away from the fireplace but an idea popped in her head and quickly went back. "Harry wait!"
"Yes?" Harry went back as well.
"Who's the Death Eater? I might do a bit of research about him so I'd know what to ask."
He nodded. "Sure. It's Rodolphus Lestrange." He said, "But mind you, dress for cold weather."
Gemini looked outside the parlour window. The sun was shining brightly outside. "Right. Until then, Harry."