Chapter 9: Magic is Might

Tabeca Wormwood was having a relatively ordinary morning. She woke up, took a nice long shower, and was dressed and ready for work before the sun rose. However, she received a letter from a regal Owl, telling her that her colleague, Rebecca Rockwork, needed to switch shifts with her, as she had an appointment at Saint Mungo's in the afternoon.

Tabeca was delighted to have the morning off and visited the nearby magical cafe, exclusively for Witches and Wizards. There she had a scolding cup of tea, four sugar, three cream, and a hot buttered scone. Tabeca knew she shouldn't drink so much sugar in her tea, but it was so dammed delicious. She drank this while reading the Daily Prophet. She still couldn't believe The Boy Who Lived was responsible for the death of Albus Dumbledore but supposed the signs had been there for a while.

It was tragic when the Minister of Magic succumbed to his secret illness. Dragon's disease, though not contagious, was always fatal. It was a miracle he lived to become Minister of Magic, but Tabeca suspected the illness weighed on his decisions, including his obsession with the terrorist, You-Know-Who. The daily prophet declared that the hunt for the Dark Lord was still ongoing, but the murder of Dumbledore was the more pressing concern.

Speaking of Dumbledore, after finishing the prophet, which included a titillating story on the Muggleborn phenomena and the puff piece of the new Minister of Magic, Pius Thicknesse, an upstanding Wizard of the purest blood. Tabeca then began reading The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore by Rita Skeeter. She could not believe that the Supposed Leader of Light was arrested for vanishing a Muggle's clothes in the middle of Winter. The Young Wizard had only received a fine as he, unlike his Father, had acted in defense of his sister. Albus had been embarrassed and ashamed but seemed to show no remorse for the Muggles.

Tabeca wondered what could have changed Albus into an advocate of Muggles and Muggle-born when his family seemed to hate them. Albus's Father died in prison for his assault on three muggles. One of them had died from his injuries, while the other two were...well, if they had assaulted Albus' sister in the way the book implied, they never would again. Good riddance. As far as Tabeca was concerned, she thought the dirty muggles deserved it. If anything happened to her daughter (Merlin willing she had one), she'd have done the same.

The Book and the Prophet showed how nefarious Muggles could be, and Tabeca thanked her lucky stars she was of magical blood. The Ministry slogan appeared across the prophet, Magic is Might, and as far as she was concerned, that made everything right.

Speaking of Magic, Tabeca was late. She gulped down her tea and devoured her scone as she bolted out the door. Tabeca had just been promoted, and showing up late for work this early into her new position would not bode well for her. Tabeca was running down the street when she paused. She had the most peculiar feeling that she was being watched. Wormwood shrugged, and she kept running, muttering about perverted muggles.

Tabeca ran as fast as she could, so fast that she didn't see the young lady until she ran right into her. "Oh, I'm so terribly sorry. I didn't mean to run into you. I'm in such a rush...Do I know you?"

"Probably." This was the last word Tabeca Wormwood heard before a red light flashed before her eyes, and everything went black.

The young lady dragged the unconscious Wormwood into the nearby alley before turning to her companions. "Merlin, this feels wrong."

"We're outlaws, Ginny. You better get used to it." Ron moaned as he stared at the four magical's lying side by side. "This does feel wrong."

Hermione plucked a hair from Wormwood's hair before placing it in a vial of a muddy liquid. "Get dressed before drinking this, or it will rip your clothes."

Ginny nodded and waited. When the Golden trio didn't move, she twirled her wand in a circle. The three blushed as they turned away. To be safe, Ginny conjured two privacy screens before undressing the poor unconscious witch. Yep, this felt very wrong. She was committing a massive violation of privacy, and Ginny wasn't a fan of that. It reminded her too much of the Diary and Riddle.

When Ginny was finished, she vanished the screens. Seeing the others were ready, Harry spoke. "Once we drink this, we only have 1 hour. We have a plan, but we will need to improvise with our luck. I don't know what we'll find there, but our job is to find and steal the Horcrux from Umbridge and get out. There's no time to play the hero. All of you, please...stay safe."

It wasn't lost on anyone that Harry was looking at Ginny as he said this. Ginny nodded, knowing how futile that statement was, considering what they were about to do. Ginny raised her polyjuice towards the three and gave her toast. "See you on the other side."

The Golden trio exchanged looks before bringing their potion vials together, lightly clanging against Ginny's before gulping down their Polyjuice. Ginny nearly vomited from the flavor. This was her first time consuming the potion and to call it vile was a massive understatement. Ginny wretched in agony as her skin began to bubble, her bones bent, and her face contorted. Her nose grew from her face like the wooden puppet Luna was fond of, Pinocchio. Her eyes bulged from her head, becoming more insect-like, and her hair turned a dirty brown.

When the potion finished, Ginny was left gasping for breath against the wall. Turning to the others, she noticed they were waiting for her, their experience with Polyguise leading to a slightly swifter recovery, though Ron still looked nauseous. She could easily see who was who just by looking into their eyes, and it also helped that Hermione remained the soul Wich of the group. Ginny wiped the drool from her chin and uttered. "I'm fine, Merlin. That was awful."

In a matter of minutes, Ginny and Hermione were waiting in line in the women's facility in the underground. Hermione was behind Ginny, as she hadn't used this entrance before. Ginny entered the cubicle and stepped into the toilet bowl. In the adjacent stall, Ginny swore she heard Hermione curse. "Bloody Wizards."

With the pull of the leaver, Ginny held her breath and nose ass she was flushed down the toilet and sent through an impossibly tight pipe. Ginny found herself agreeing with Hermione; this was no way to travel.

Suddenly she was stepping out of a toilet and waltzing right into the Atrium of the Ministry of magic. Ginny could help but stare in horror at the changes around her. Where there once was a slightly bigoted fountain of magical creatures heralding a Wizard, now stood a grotesque statue of a Wizard sitting on a throne of Muggles. Above it was a big banner with bold letters, declaring "Magic is Might!"

Ginny looked around and found imposing Aurors standing guard throughout the Atrium, and Ginny wondered if these were the Aurors who cut Rufus down. Ginny noticed that many Witches and Wizards had their eyes down, refusing to meet anyone's eyes. Whether it was out of fear or merely trying to ignore the monstrosity of a statue was anyone's guess. Those who looked up would strut around with a superior air to them. The Aurors seemed to leave these people alone, instead harassing the meek and feeble.

"There are the others," Hermione whispered from behind Ginny, startling the young witch. Ginny spotted them, and they convened in the center of the Atrium before heading towards the nearest elevator shaft. Before they reached it, they were stopped by an Auror, who frowned as he looked at them. "Well, isn't this an odd sight, a Muggle lover, A Mud-blood, and two upstanding Magicals?"

The four of them blanched as they looked at each over. This was the problem with impersonating strangers. Who were the Muggle Born, the Bloodtraitor, and the purebloods? As the Auror's scowl deepened, Ginny did what she did best, improvise. "I hope you aren't calling me a Mudbood, officer."

Ginny was half expecting the Auror to arrest her on the spot, but instead, he laughed. "Very funny, Miss Wormwood. Have these two malcontents been giving you problems?"

To Ginny's relief, the Auror gestured to Ron and Hermione. Well, that narrowed things down. Ginny immediately picked up her role and put her acting to the test. "I hardly find that is any of your business."

Ginny turned to leave, but a heavy hand clamped on her shoulder. "Everything is my business, Wormwood. The Ministry demands total transparency, with no exceptions. We can't be too careful. Even the purest of blood will betray their own. I would hate to discover you were a dirty blood traitor or, worse, a Mudblood yourself."

Ginny remained stiff as the Auror turned to Harry. "Mr. Runcorn, I expected better from you, skulking around with a Mudblood."

"I was just investigating the situation." Harry declared, not half bad at improvising himself. "It seemed these two were bothering Miss Wormwood. Rest assured, it won't happen again."

"Killweed!" A sinister voice snipped, and Ginny's blood turned cold as Yaxley approached. The Death Eater turned Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, glared at them with black beady eyes before hissing. "You are wasting Wormwood's valuable time. The latest batch of hearings begin within the next half hour, and I need the cells empty for the next batch of convicted Mudbloods."

Yaxley then turned to Ron and sneered. "It's bad enough your wife is a Mudblood, but to show up to her hearing with another one will find you shipped to Azkaban with the latest batch!"

"I...I.." Ron began to stutter.

"Doesn't know me." Hermione quickly interjected. Improvising was not Ron's strong suit, not that Hermione was much better. "I was just pleading my case to Wormwood-"

"That's Miss Wormwood!" Yaxley barked, striking Hermione with the back of his hand. "The insolence! To dare approach upstanding Witches and Wizards, let alone address them as your equals."

Hermione glared at the Death Eater as blood dripped from her mouth, causing Yaxley to sneer. "And I half expected your blood to be brown."

"My blood is no different from yours, Sir." Hermione hissed with defiance.

"We shall see," Yaxley uttered before turning to the others. Only Ginny's sudden grip on Ron's and Harry's wrists stopped curses from being throne, but there was no mistaking the hatred in their eyes. Something Yaxley noticed. "Do my methods displease you, Mr. Runcorn."

"No sir," Harry uttered with contempt. "Only I tire of this company. So, with your permission, I will carry out my business."

"I quite agree. The stench is revolting. How about you join me in my office for tea until our duties begin? I fear this will be another long and tedious day of hearings for the both of us." Yaxley declared as he as he rolled his eyes. "I tire of the cries and please of Mudblood's."

"I'm afraid I'm rather busy..."

"I insist." Yaxley countered, leaving no room for argument. "Cattermole, I understand your shame to discover the mother of your children is of dirty blood. However, you will be at the hearing. Whether you speak in her defense is your choice, but know this, more than your career is at stake. Between you and me, the Minister is working on a bill to begin investigating the children of Mudbloods as we speak."

Yaxley then turned to Ginny. "Mrs. Wormwood, the cells better be empty by the time the hearing is finished, or I will be most displeased."

"Be on your way, way then." Killweed barked out. The group quickly turned to leave, but his voice cut in coldly. "Not you."

Ginny could only watch in horror as Killweed extended his hand to Hermione and asked. "Your wand?"

Hermione slowly handed over her stolen wand. Killweed snorted as he waved his wand over it. "Mrs. Cunningham, a Muggle name if I ever heard one. You're under arrest for-"

"Don't bother arresting her. One of the Mudbloods was found dead in the holding cell, leaving a vacancy in the hearing. I'm sure Cunningham will fill the void. Mr. Cattermole can escort her there. After all, his wife will be waiting for him. Now about that drink."

Before Harry could do anything, Yaxley already had him by the wrist and dragged him away, talking about their drink. Killweed pointed his wand to Ron and Hermione and drawled. "On your way."

Ginny gave her companions a leading look as they quickly took off. Ginny noticed the scrutiny she was suddenly under and promptly excused herself. "Good day?"

The Auror suddenly raised his wand in a salute reminiscent of Hermione's old Muggle history textbooks before yelling. "MAGIC IS MIGHT!"

Ginny blanched before hastily mirroring the Auror. "Magic is Mighty- I mean-Might."

Ginny's feet began moving as fast as possible without running. She didn't know where she was going. As the daughter of Author Weasley, she was no stranger to the Ministry, but the place was unrecognizable. Where ever she went, more Magic is Might banners hung in the air. Ginny felt she was being watched, and she knew she was. Everyone was being felt herself start to hyperventilate when she stumbled upon the lift. Ginny sighed in relief as she announced her destination, and the lift doors began to close. Then at the last second, a hand shot between them, holding the door open. Ginny's breath stopped in her throat as the Minister of Magic stepped into the lift. "Good morning Miss Wormwood."

"Morning." Ginny squeaked out, trying not to panic as the Minister cleared his throat and uttered. "Department of Ministries."

Ginny looked out of the corner of her eye as the Minister examined her. "Do not be afraid, your among friends, Tabeca."

"It... it's not you, Minister." Ginny lied as she ran her hand through her hair, fumbling as she realized it was tied in a bun. "A M...Muggle Born accosted me..."

"You do not need to sound civil in front of me." Minister sneered with disgust. "We all know what they are. Mudblood is and always was the correct term for these muggles. For too long, we have pretended that Muggles and their ilk deserve our compassion and recognition. If you knew half of what I know about the danger of Muggles, you'd probably faint."

Ginny nodded stiffly as the Minister's grin turned predatory. "You need not lie to me. I understand these are scary times, and I am your superior. However, I've also seen the way you look upon me."

"Look?" Ginny uttered with growing dread. No, this could not be happening.

"You need not be afraid." The Minister uttered smoothly as he grabbed Ginny's hand and gently caressed it with his lips. "You must know I would never hurt you, my darling."

"That's nice...I mean I...Merlin..." Ginny stuttered, hoping her bewilderment hid her disgust and horror. Of all the bloody luck, this could not be happening to her.

Then the Minister said something that made her blood run cold.

"I have seen your heart, and it's mine."

Ginny was overwhelmed by horror as she remembered where she had last heard those words and who had uttered them. She tried to tell herself it was just a coincidence, but the Minister's following comment removed all doubt. "No one will ever love you as I do, my dear Tabeca."

Time froze, and Ginny realized with who she was sharing the lift. She could see it now, the body was Pius Thicknesse's, but when she looked into his eyes, she saw only Tom Riddle.

It had been suspected the Minister was under the imperius curse, but not who was behind it. It seemed Tom didn't trust anyone else to wield such authority as himself. Although Ginny doubted Tom could help himself, the allure of such power would be too great to ignore, even if he had no interest in the actual politics.

Ginny thought all this in two seconds. But, of course, they were fleeting thoughts compared to the overwhelming terror of being locked in a lift with Tom Riddle. It took all her willpower not to start screaming, but Riddle frowned. "My dear, your trembling."

Ginny realized that she was indeed shaking with fear. She knew if she didn't do something, she would give herself away. So Ginny closed her eyes, summoned all of her Gryffindor courage, and whispered. "You really mean it?"

Riddle smiled arrogantly through Thicknesse's shell, and suddenly, he leaned forward, his lips descending towards hers. Ginny had said she would do anything for Harry, but there was no way in bloody hell she would do this. Ginny subtly reached for her wand as the Minister's breath chilled her face. Bile rose into Ginny's mouth, and revulsion consumed her entire being. Then miraculously, the lips moved past hers, over her cheeks, and reached her ear, whispering. "Can you do something for me?"

Suddenly Ginny understood, of course. Riddle was not interested in this witch any more than he was 11-year-old Ginny's friend. Ginny wasn't sure Riddle desired anyone, ever. Tom's only use for people was to use them for his own gain. Ginny hardened her heart and whispered in what she hoped was her most convincing voice. "Anything."

"Excellent." Riddle crooned before hissing. "I need you to speak with the Unspeakables. They have information vital to the Ministry and, more importantly, to me. You will convince them to grant me total access to their research and records by any means necessary. Do you understand what I'm asking?"

Ginny didn't trust herself to speak, less she vomited all over the Minister's robes. Riddle smiled and uttered. "I promise I will reward you for your cooperation. Since madam Umbridge will be promoted above the Undersecretary position, there shall be a vacancy waiting to be filled. And that is the least I can promise you. Remember, by any means necessary. Nothing is unforgivable if you understand me, dear Tabeca."

Ginny nodded. "I understand, sir."

"We shall not speak until the task is done. Unless, of course, you disappoint me." Riddle's eyes darkened as he uttered sinisterly. "You don't want to disappoint me, do you Tabeca."

Ginny was reminded just how small this lift was as she stared into the eyes that haunted her nightmares. "Never."

"I know you won't. Those who disappoint never do it twice. Riddle declared before giving an elegant bow. "Till we meet again, my dear." Suddenly the light left the Minister's eyes as he stood there stupidly, like a puppet with its strings cut. The lift door opened as the Minister departed, his movements stiff and robust like an animated statue. Ginny knew that Riddle had left before the Minister had, and when the doors shut, she gasped in relief as a strangled sob escaped her.

He hasn't changed a bit. It was more than 50 years since he created the diary, but Riddle still used his charm and charisma to manipulate others. Ginny suspected she understood Belatrix's devotion to the Dark Lord, she probably believed herself to be beyond Riddle's manipulation, seeing the Dark Lord for what he really was, but she was wrong. Ginny had fallen for Riddle's charm as well. When she realized what was happening, Riddle dropped the charade and revealed who he was. Behind Riddle's cold black eyes was nothing but emptiness.

Ginny was broken from her reverie when a disembodied voice declared. "Level ten, department of detainment."

Ginny frowned with confusion as she stepped off the lift; as far as she was concerned, there was no Department of Detainment. Level 10 was on the same floor the court hearings took place, but her Father had told her there was only a tiny cell where dangerous prisoners awaited their trial. Otherwise, they would be locked in Azkaban or a small makeshift prison at Aurors headquarters.

Ginny reckoned she could find the trails from here. Though she was not present for Harry's trial for underage magic, her Father had taken her to a minor hearing where he was questioned as Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office.

Ginny remembered the time his Father testified that he had arrested the accused after seizing his explosive rubber ducks to be used against the Muggles. The Wizard in question was sentenced to life in Azkaban. His rubber monstrosities had resulted in the deaths of 9 muggles, but her Father was still furious at how the crime was treated. The fact that Ginny was allowed to attend was a symptom of the lack of respect the Ministry of Magic had for the crime against Muggles, and the Daily Prophet had a field day over the "Attack of the Rubber Ducks."

It was all a joke to them, the abuse of muggles, the mistreatment of the less fortunate, ignorant of the magical world by Wizard's design. How many Magical's abused the Muggle's imposed ignorance against them? Her Father would long rant into the night about how Muggles were mistreated and maimed, even robbed and killed. Some Muggles even lost their minds as a result of nefarious Wizards. But, for every sadistic criminal her Father brought in, most of them were just fools who found the whole thing to be a joke. Ginny still remembered how furious her Father had been when the twins pranked Harry's cousin Dudley. Harry had seen her Father's livid reaction but was ignorant of the rest. It had been one of the rare times Author took a hand to his sons, tanning their behinds. Ginny knew her Father hated doing it, but he made it clear that it was never ok to prank Muggles, no matter how deserving they may be.

Of course, even her muggle-loving Father was not immune to the Muggle bigotry. Though he held not an ounce of malice in his heart for them, he was an ignorant wizard who had seen no wrong in gifting Ron and Ginny his childhood comic, The Adventures of Martin Miggs, The Mad Muggle. It was only after hearing Ron speak of the comic did he bother to give it another read, and what had seemed harmless in childhood now appalled him.

It was all a joke. The Wizarding world laughed at Arthur and his love for those not blessed with magic. They laughed as he struggled to support his large family while pouring his blood, sweat, and tears into a department the Ministry had no respect for. Every year his department's funding would get smaller, and Author's paychecks dwindled further. The Weasleys' poverty was built on muggle sympathies in a world that views muggles as a joke.

"You'll be next Mudblood's." Malfoy roared with glee as Riddle's bloody message was found written on the wall. No one dared speak against his foul comment, not even the teachers. Ginny knew most of them found Draco's views repugnant, but they still let this threat go without question. Maybe it was fear for their jobs, as Lucius Malfoy was on the board of governors. Perhaps they felt it was wrong for professors to get involved in politics, even though Malfoy was openly cheering for a hate crime. Maybe it was just a part of the culture, and the word Mudblood though uncivilized, was viewed as no more harmful than any other curse word.

Maybe they learned to live with it. They averted their eyes from an uncomfortable truth swept under the rug. But that was the truth. No one dared to stand out from the crowd and offend. Politicians either supported the bigotry or were too afraid of alienating their voters. Professors were afraid of receiving ire from irate parents. If Hogwarts began to punish discrimination, how many students from affluent, pureblood families would enroll in Durmstrang instead? Bigotry was not only tolerated but excepted by magical society. To do otherwise was to be a social pariah like her Father. Even the now-former Minister had outright called Ginny and her family "White trash."

"You'd be surprised what people are willing to tolerate and turn a blind eye to when they fear for the safety of their families." Minister's words came echoed in the back of her mind. They tolerated the bigotry like a wound left to fester beneath a concealing charm. They pretended the problem wasn't there, while the disease spread until it was too late, and the infection destroyed their way of life.

Ginny shivered as she approached two metal doors guarded by two Dementors. Images of the Chamber of Secrets flashed through her mind, but the Dementors were obedient, and Ginny did not feel the worse of their effects. They parted as Ginny reached the door, and Ginny wondered if they were there to keep people out or inside. Ginny opened the door and readied herself for the worse. However, Ginny could not prepare herself for what she found within those doors.

Screams echoed through the pitch-black room, as did the pitiful cries and sobbing. Ginny lifted her wand and called Lumos, revealing emaciated arms and legs and reaching out from behind prison bars. As Ginny raised her wand, more people either pressed against the bars or fled from the light like cockroaches. All of them begged and pleaded mercy, though their prayers were drowned out by the cacophony they all made. Ginny grimaced at the horrible smell from within this one big cage overstuffed with poor souls, and she realized they were wallowing in their waste. What was not all that caused the scent as Ginny found bodies lying still, unmoving by the bars?

Ginny recoiled in horror at this atrocity before her eyes, and she couldn't help but vomit on the floor. When Ginny was finished, she vanished from the mess before turning her wand back to the big cage, for that is what it was. Ginny found the big cage doors and a sign that read Mud-bloods. Ginny pointed her wand upwards, and sure enough, there was a big banner with the Ministry Slogan, "Magic is Might!"

They had all laughed, it was all just a silly joke, and muggles were the punchline, even though they were the Mothers and Fathers of our Sons and Daughters. Even though occasionally we fathered Muggles and laughed as they were cast aside. No one cried for the Muggles. They once burned Witches at the steak. The Muggles deserved it anyway. It was just a harmless prank, a silly bit of fun. Even the word Muggle was a demeaning insult. What's the worse that could happen?

The atrocity before her was the culmination of years of ignorance, hate, and fear—decades of passiveness and inaction of tolerating the intolerable. Ginny had hated the Dursleys and the bigotry they held for their ward, and she still did, but now she understood. Why would the Muggles want anything to do with a world that would let this happen? Surely they knew what the magical world thought of them. When to even be related to a Muggle led to such inhuman atrocities. For too long had the Purebloods turned away and thanked their stars it wasn't them, never understanding, it already was.

This Genocide was a beat that could not be quenched, and it was only the beginning. When they ran out of Muggleborn, it would devour the Muggles, then the Magical creatures, and when there was nothing else left, the purebloods would feast upon themselves, like the mighty ouroboros. It already was, for Ginny didn't see Muggles or Muggle-Born Witches and Wizards locked in this cage. Ginny, all only people, Men women, and children, suffering and dying. To what aim, to what purpose but hatred itself?

How could this have happened? The answer was simple, the Wizarding world let it happen, and now their maggots had come home to feast. The day they proclaimed that Magic is Might was the day the magic died.

Everyone had laughed at them, but no one was laughing now.

This story is rated M now. It's tough to keep a Deathly Hallows Fanfic T, especially with how I write. Sorry if you are all depressed by the end of this chapter. I write what I see, and some things need to be said. I'll make it up to you in the next chapter.