Chapter 44: My Vision Is True, But Are My Thoughts Not Betraying Me?
Clearance: Isabella = Hermione, Ben = Draco
2nd of April 1997, Great Hall, Hogwarts, Hogsmeade grounds, Scotland, United Kingdom
POV: Minerva McGonagall
It is a horror to watch.
Young men and women, being displayed in shame as traitors of the wizarding race.
I watch as those young ones are marked with scars that will be visible for the rest of their lives.
I cannot look at it, I keep thinking of the young royal children being the ones who are scarred instead.
It doesn't make any difference, they are children! It doesn't matter that they help those who are different, at least they are not biased beyond reason.
I wished this view wouldn't remind me of Wilfred Owen's poetry, the horrifying things that is war.
I never wanted this to happen, I am a teacher to children I wish to see become responsible adults.
War is horrible, but Dumbledore is blinded.
Why can't he see?
Oh my, and here I thought we had learned from all the battles that were fought by the Rebel Alliance before the establishing of the Jedi Kingdom.
2nd of April 1997, Great Hall, Hogwarts, Hogsmeade grounds, Scotland, United Kingdom
POV: Katie Bell
Flocking, cutting skin, burning skin... the worst methods of interrogation.
And it was done in front of 11-year-olds!
To 'scare' us.
Seriously, when people see this, they gain reason to rebel against what you do.
At least... those who know better.
There are always these children who were raised with this view, who don't know the other side of the story to form their own opinion individually.
I too care about my family, but I wouldn't kill to keep them safe if the possible killers have a reasonable motive.
One of my aunts, the one we do not talk about, I know she is a Archiver in the Jedi Temple. I never met her, my father deems her as lowlife scum unworthy to carry our family name. Yet I carry her name as my middle name... rather curious, no?
4th of April 1997, Weapon Arsenal, Gryffindor Knight HQ, Jedi Temple Coruscant
POV: Arcturus Black
For days we have been polishing our swords and armour, making ourselves ready for battle. The only ones we can talk to are the people of our own squadron, existing of both Gryffindor Knights and Protectors of Wisdom.
In my own squadron are the Weasley twins Fred and George, Anastasia Vance, Iris Amadeus and Crevens.
Crevens is an old man who lived in America during the Second Salem days, his suppressed magic made him an Obscurus. He was lucky to receive help from Mr. and Mrs. Scamander back then, or he would have been killed by Aurors of MACUSA, the American Ministry of Magic.
Four of us are Knights, two are protectors. We are rather unusual as we have only one senior member, and he's no Knight.
Fred looked at me. "Are you ready for all this?"
"We have barely any choice, we have to or our home will be lost to us."
"You speak of no choice, but isn't there truly something to stop this madness?"
I shook my head. "No, Dumbledore is much to stubborn. He wishes us gone from the Galaxy, no more Force and only magic ruling the game."
"The 'game'?" this was asked by George, who had just entered the private room.
"It's always a game, the game of war and victory." I explained. "At least, that's how I see it all. We're all military, we are Knights, we were born and raised for the war. We possess our loyalty and bravery, we'll survive."
"You're an optimist, you know?" it was a playful question, complete with the playful smirk on Fred's face.
I smiled back at him. "It's what has kept me alive at Hogwarts, and it will now."
6th of April 1997, Royal training grounds, outside the Eastern Wing, Jedi Temple Yavin IV
POV: Charlie Weasley
Training, training, training... that is the only thing I have been doing for a long time. I am regaining my shape through a hard diet, long hours of meditation with the disciplinarian masters and loads of sparring with various Royal Guards who have been deemed the strongest.
Masters Kam and Tionne Solusar have been overseeing my re-training, they are the Grand Masters at this location.
After another hard spar, I sat down to catch my breath.
"Not overworked?" one of the guards asked.
"Need... to catch... my breath." I slowly spoke. I drank half a bottle of water and ate a muesli bar.
My former figure is slowly coming back to me, through I know that this type of training is rather unhealthy, it is necessary for me as I was appointed to Princess Anna's personal guard. And the King doesn't let many young men near his daughters...
The guard I had just been sparring with, a 21-year-old young man named Lucas Castle, sat down next to me. He too had been in Hogwarts, I knew him as he was around my own age.
"Ready for the fight?" I asked.
"I'm unsure, though I am ready physically, my mental state can be questioned."
"Feel that bad?"
"I don't wish to die, nobody does, but that happens in war. And that fact scares me... I might never see my family again, my parents, my girlfriend, I don't wish them to be sad." Lucas told, looking up to the sky.
I sighed. "Indeed. Some of us are just not ready for it."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "You came here to shape yourself for battle, do you really want that?"
"If I die, I wish to die for a cause. I'm not heroic, I won't claim that. But if my death will make the King a victor, I shall lay down my life."
"Your statement makes it seem like you want to die!" Lucas had gone hysterical. "Isn't there anyone, anybody, whom you love? No boy or girl you wish to marry one day?"
"The girl I wish to marry might not love me back, through I have been giving her courtship gifts for almost a decade. Her father knows, yet I'm unsure if I'm her choice for a partner. She is high born, I am not."
"God help us."
10th of April 1997, Jedi Archives, Public library, Jedi Temple New Alderaan
POV: Sirius Black
The Jedi Temple of New Alderaan is rather... closed off. Through it can be visited by everyone and everything, nobody truly ever does.
The only visitors they get here are members of the Royal family and their closest associates.
Currently, I am visiting this place with my daughter Anne-Thea as she wishes to become an Archiver if pursuing a career in magic doesn't work out for her.
Well, at least I am happy that she considers all sorts of options available.
My little darling is now touring through the depths of well-kept secrets as I am up here, waiting.
"Sirius, nice to see you here."
I turned around to find Georgina Bell, one of the few women I never tried to pursue a relationship with. "Hello Georgina, you work here?"
"I've always worked here, it's the only place I could call home after my brother kicked me out! Even after naming his daughter after me, partly."
"I hope you've been well." I said.
The brunette smiled. "I've been here for 17 years, I'm alright."
"Has life been treating you well around here?"
"Quite normal, at least no biased statements are being flung to my head."
"That is rather unfortunate." I commented. I do feel sorry for her, for having grown up in such a biased family.
"I don't care for it now, I'm good here."
"At least you've been fortunate. I can tell of others who haven't been so."
12th of April 1997, Muggle London, Starbucks cafe near the Millennium bridge
POV: Aragon Palpatine
You won't be recognized when you're sitting in the corner of such a public place, it's quite ideal if you're on the run and stuff.
My hair is now dyed orange-red. Totally not my colour, but I can't afford to be recognized by anyone who might be an ally of Dumbledore.
Sipping my coffee, I read some of those documents on battle strategies dad send me.
It was my job to create a plan for the final battle that would occur between our forces. It would be a test of my tactical abilities and also testing my leadership.
I can tell it won't be easy, as I have to think about everything Dumbledore may plan. Things I need to counter with my own forces.
We're lucky to have various divisions within the Order itself, or it would've been a mess. As each division has his own speciality and abilities.
The Knights have a thing for silent attacks, slipping through the shadows. And some Knights are more the heavy type of fighter, relying on brute force.
The Protectors are proficient shielders and can redirect an attack.
Soon the battle will begin, we have to be prepared.
14th of April 1997, Hogwarts, Hogsmeade grounds, Scotland
POV: Ronald Weasley
War against the Jedi Order has been declared, Headmaster Dumbledore announced it today.
Those who have loyalty to the Jedi have been locked up in the dungeons, in one of the spare potion cabinets.
We are now being prepared for battle, the first battle between full forces.
All of us are being devided in teams and given our targets.
I'm partnered with Lavender Brown, Taylor Aberdeen, Ricky Burnall & Olivia Ellacott. Together, we have to take out some of the most dangerous Jedi Order members.
The Crown Prince is our prime target, but we have no doubt he shall be very well shielded from fire. Our agility is what got us assigned to this mission.
Yes, several new characters are from Fantastic Beasts or Rogue One movies. Though some are confirmed dead, they didn't for this story. If you have tips on how to write certain characters, just send me a message or leave a review.
I received many ideas of what to write in the Battle of Hogwarts, and I am definitely going to use some of them as they fit quite well into the plot. Thank you everyone for taking the time to suggest!
Warning! New characters will appear and some will die! And no, I won't spoiler.
Please leave a review if you have any time, I really want more reviews on one chapter than only 3 or 4.
~ Artemis Hunter 441
