Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters and settings from the Harry Potter world, which is trademarked by J. K. Rowling. I do not claim any ownership over them or the world of Harry Potter and will not receive any money or other financial profit for presenting the work on this site. The story I tell here as well as certain original characters are my own invention, and are not purported or believed to be part of J.K. Rowling's story canon.

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Chapter 36

The next two days flew by in a blink of an eye. Sage and Neville didn't cross paths again, though she couldn't resist to risk one or two stolen glances in his direction around the Great Hall. Luckily, her lessons with the DA would finally resume, starting tomorrow. Though the attention on him, Ginny and Luna hadn't exactly died down, there was no point in postponing them any further. There was far too little time left anyway.

As Sage prepared to head to the Headmaster's office, she paused for a moment to think. The entire situation was still incredibly surreal to her. No matter how much she actually knew about teaching, trying to justify about anything in accordance to the twisted logic of blood purists was ridiculous, to say the least. But then again, could something really be labelled ridiculous during times like this?

With a steady and confident gait, Sage made her way to the office, notes in hand and fully prepared. She knew that she was about to take a risk, but there was a realistic chance that she could bring some positive change to this school. No matter how things would eventually turn out, it was at least worth a try.

"Miss Selwyn," Snape greeted her upon her arrival, leading her towards the chair in front of him.

Sage took a seat, trying to not seem phased by the angry glares each of the Carrows was giving her from either side. At this point, she she was completely clueless on their opinion of her. Sometimes they would treat her with respect, as an equal even, but sometimes.. they simply seemed to tolerate her.

"Well, you've been with us for over a month now. As we've discussed before, I'd like to hear your suggestions on.. turning the public opinion amongst students to be in favour of our cause," Snape explained, seemingly struggling with the last part of his announcement. How odd.

"Would you like me to be nice or would you like me to be honest?" Sage asked bluntly, opting for a somewhat challenging look. Now it was her turn to stand her ground.

"I demand your full honesty, Miss Selwyn."

"The situation at Hogwarts is more precarious than I had expected. For one, I do not think that using violence against students is expedient. In fact, I think it is safe to assume that it will drive them further away not only from this school but also the ideology that is represented by it. A shame in my eyes, as most of the students left are purebloods."

"These students need to be disciplined and a simple philippic certainly won't do the trick," Amycus Carrow claimed, sounding rather defensive.

Sage resisted a sigh. The pair of siblings had every potential to be the very first people she had ever met that were truly unteachable. To describe them as downright obstinate, would've been the understatement of the century.

"I agree, they need to be disciplined, but not tortured. It is reasonable to work with fear, as it is the one emotion closest to our survival instinct. However, it should not be you they are afraid of," she explained, doing her best to sound serene.

"Of whom else then? The Dark Lord?"

"No, Professor. You need to make them fear the muggles and muggle-borns."

"This is ridiculous! They are supposed to despise them, not fear them!"

It took everything Sage had in her to remain calm and professional. How could a grown man be so dull, yet so magically skilled? It didn't make sense to her. Listening to him speak was as if listening to prattling of a two-year-old, but watching him work with his wand? Even Neville had caught himself gazing in awe at his exceptional skills.

"If I may draw from wizarding history again: There had always been witches in Salem, deeply appreciated by local muggles for their ability to heal the sick, even as they seemed to have already knocked on death's door. However, some, only a few at the beginning, became concerned, scared even, after they realised all the power a single witch would wield. They started to speak ill of them, declared them as a threat to the muggle society. The thing is, these few became more and more, as time passed until finally the entirety of Salem's muggles contemned witches and their magical abilities. I expect you are familiar with how this story ended for us," Sage reminded the three of them.

"So you are suggesting we fan fear of muggles amongst our body of pupils to finally get the public opinion on our side?" Snape asked for confirmation.

"Exactly. You need to present yourself as the safe haven they need against the concept of the enemy you previously fostered within their mind."

"And how exactly are we supposed to do that?" Alecto Carrow asked.

"As I've said before, you need to cut back on the acts of violence against students. It makes you look cruel and unreasonable. Then you need to-"

"-but how will they respect us if we cannot punish them adequately?" Amycus Carrow interrupted her.

"The emphasis lies on adequately. Threatening students with a knife or an unforgivable curse for talking back is not adequate."

This remark certainly earned Sage dirty looks from both Alecto and Amycus Carrow. They had a twisted sense of authority, basing it on anguish rather than respect.

"I would further focus on Muggle Studies," Sage continued, not caring to further entertain the Carrows' egotism, "Making it a mandatory class for the entire school was a cunning move but its execution worries me. By describing muggles like wild animals you are simply ridiculing yourself. These people know how muggles are, they have been to school with them long enough. Therefore, you need to discredit them alongside the wizards, troublemakers such as Longbottom like to idolise. Tell them about all the wrongs they have done to the wizarding community, in as much cruel detail as possible. Point out lies the likes of Potter and Dumbledore have told the public in order to make them look less credible. Even make something up, if you must, just make it convincing. If they start to question what they believe to know about their allies and heroes, they will eventually start to question what they believe to know about you and the Dark Lord."

Snape nodded at her explanations, though not letting any of his thoughts on, not even in the slightest. Both Carrows remained quiet, not exactly seeming pleased, but not entirely disinclined either. She wasn't finished yet, though. She had planned to flood them with proposals, occupying their mind enough, to shift their focus away from Neville and the rest of the DA.

"Furthermore, we have to constantly keep them on their tracks. We need to make the purebloods feel like they are being targeted by muggles and mudbloods. I suggest a daily news-report handed out at breakfast, stating statistics and figures as well as lengthy articles about attacks on purebloods by the scum of the wizarding society. It might take a while, but eventually they will become paranoid enough for us to properly get a grip on their minds," Sage rambled on. No matter how much she told herself that all of her actions were done in favour of a good cause, talking like this about muggles and halfbloods made her stomach twist into a thousand tight knots.

"Well.." Snape ultimately stopped her, seemingly sensing that she was nowhere near to stopping, "You certainly have given us a lot to think about, Miss Selwyn. We'll see how much of it will be viable."

Now here was to waiting if her plan would bear fruits.

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Author's note: Sage finally sharing some piece of her mind!! Though she isn't being entirely honest with Snape and the Carrows. ;-)

Thanks for the heads up, hope you have a good time until you return!! :-)

Wishing you all the best and hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you'd like, maybe leave me some of your thoughts. It truly helps me a great deal!! :-)