Author's Note
Many thanks to my amazing beta, AuthorSteph, for all of her help and guidance.
Nothing from the wizarding world of Harry Potter is mine.
~ Refictionista, September 3, 2016
§ Prologue §
The Importance of Ancient Rome
The wizarding world in Ancient Rome matters greatly to our world today. It was (and still is) my favorite historical period in wizarding history, though I never paid attention to it in Professor Binns's class.
Well, not quite true. I do remember the following:
Muggle Rome was a very powerful and very large empire that lasted quite a long time. In its prime it could go toe to toe with any other empire out there. This was largely due to the achievements of magic, which was practiced openly during these times.
The beginning of his lecture was likely the only interesting part of it. Not even one moment after I wrote those three short sentences, he named the birthdates and lineage of important wizards and witches during the era. His monotone voice and all those numbers put the students in our class to sleep, including myself.
Admittedly, I'm a Slytherin; we bore easily... this isn't much of an excuse if I'm forced to be honest about it.
Anyway, Rome controlled the vast majority of Europe, and so understandably a vast portion of European wizarding culture and customs date back to Roman times. One could even say the modern magic of Europe was developed during the Roman Era.
Or did you think the Latin phrases used in our spells were mere coincidence?
Oh, you did?
How utterly... plebeian. Merlin's beard, this is why we need better teachers.
Let's return to the point on topic, now that, apparently, I need to start at the beginning. First, Ancient Rome is important. Second, it is important because it provides the foundation for our culture. When we understand their society, we understand ourselves.
Third, understanding history will teach us to recognize certain warning signs. Had we understood and recognized the factors leading to the Liberators' Civil War, then perhaps He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would not have shepherded his own movement that lead directly to the First and Second Wizarding Wars.
Finally captured your attention, didn't I?
There are several highly entertaining stories from this period that students, or simply young people in particular, would love to learn about (were Professor Binns not in charge). When our children take this knowledge with them into adulthood, then they are less likely to join the ranks of Death Eaters.
This doesn't happen when you are sleeping—deeper than a dragon high on pixie dust—since your instructor is being unequivocally boring.
I digress. Merlin's beard, where was I? Oh, yes...
Which is why I have decided to share with you the account of a wizard and one particular witch during the aforementioned period. I hope I will convey their tale in a way both entertaining and educational. If, by any unfortunate means, you still harbor the currently unfashionable opinions on blood purity, then perhaps you will learn something even more valuable than the typical reader.
It all comes down to what we learn and, therefore, who teaches us. We cannot succeed as a culture if we are taught history is boring. History is full of epic adventures with wizarding duels fought, scandals to be gossiped about, and wizarding, magical creature (and even Muggle) rights to be protected. It can be comic and tragic, and it exhibits both the best and the worst of our nature. Our history is all about witches and wizards doing extraordinary things.
In my humble opinion, Professor Cuthbert Binns needs to be sacked or go to... well, wherever it is ghosts go when they retire.
~ Elladora Greengrass ~
Hogwarts Parent/Teacher Association President