Daily Prophet Special Edition
The Century of Strife
Today marks the 49th anniversary of the Treaty of Kings Cross 9 ¾ of 1945, this day marks the end of the great conflagration that consumed both the Muggle and Magical worlds. For the Muggles the war ended when cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima were consumed by nuclear fire. For us the Magical Community it marks the end of an 8 year long conflict with Gellert Grindelwald and his supporters. It marks the end of an age, the end of isolation from the muggle world.
The Treaty of Kings Cross 9 ¾ was penned by then Minister of Magic Leonard Spencer-moon and Prime Minister of Britain Winston Churchill. In attendance were all the headmasters and mistresses of notable schools of magic, Headmistress Naomi Nagama of Mahoutokoro, Headmistress Alliet Chastain of Beauxbatons, Headmaster Viktor Aleksandrov of Drumstrang and many others. One however stood above the rest, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore of Hogwarts, known to Muggles as a friend and ally. The wake of the great conflagration left many wounds and scars in both worlds. Even now almost 50 years on, the old wounds still ache and the scars of that war casts long shadows across the decades. The tensions were high at that table, the Muggles have lost 75 million souls to that conflict and the magical world suffered 4 million deaths. An entire generation decimated in 8 years, it was said half the women in Diagon Alley were widows during that time. Whether that is an exaggeration or not we may never know, but that war changed everything.
Gellert Grindelwald's war against the ministry and the Muggles drew the attention of the Muggle governments. Soon Muggle soldiers armed with their weapons known as guns met witches and wizards on the field of battle. The fighting was brutal and merciless, quarter was rarely requested nor given. The Muggles proving their efficacy in war traded many lives for every victory, no sacrifice was too great and no victory was too costly. Grindelwald's forces were beaten back, his minions Adolf Hitler and Hideki Tojo were defeated. It was obvious at that stage that the magical community started this war and the Muggles paid the blood price.
So at the table in the middle of Kings Cross 9 ¾ the Muggles made their demands. They would seek no reparations but they wanted informants in the magical world, lest this catastrophe happen again. The magical community would share their knowledge so that the muggles may defend against it. It was said many delegates from the magical community chafed at this demand, many voices spoke in protest. However, two voices were silent, Headmistress Naomi Nagama and Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. The japanese people were swayed by the forces of Grindelwald, a mixture of curses and potions in the water system turned the population into zealot soldiers. Naomi Nagama the headmistress of Mahoutokoro was later quoted to have said she could only watch as the people of her home islands were turned into rabid dogs. The deadlock at the table was only broken when Albus Dumbledore admitted the fault of the magical community. A decision that is still hotly debated on whether this had been a correct course of action. Albus Dumbledore spoke on how the failings of the wizarding world had doomed 75 million muggle souls and how that is not a debt that is easily paid.
In the end on the threat of full scale war against the magical community, the ministry agreed. Now muggle observers walk the halls of the ministry, Muggle Studies is a compulsory subject across all wizarding schools, the Muggles learned the knowledge of magic even though they could not cast it. They learned the weaknesses and the strengths. From that treaty was born Section 10 a Muggle organisation completely devoted to defense against the magical world. Even with tensions high both worlds were hopeful perhaps a new era of peace was upon them. Sadly we all know how wrong they were.
It is almost as if fate was mocking us and our hopes of peace. For 1938 was not only the year that the Great Conflagration ignited in earnest, it was also the year he who must not be named joined Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. 1945 was also the year he who must not be named graduated from Hogwarts. His schooling was cast in the shadow of the greatest war in history. Though the wizarding world knew peace for a time, the muggle world was still locked in strife and war. Once again fate mocks us, as we sat peacefully in our homes, the dark lord was rising. In 1970 he who must not be named began the second wizarding war and once again the conflict pooled into the muggle world. This time Section 10 was ready for this, the muggles showed how much more effective they were at waging war against wizards and witches as compared to the years before 1945. The Magical Amplifier was invented, increasing the lethality of magic combat, Thermal Void goggles were created allowing Muggles to see Dementors, the Patronus Gun was created weaponizing happiness into a tool to kill Dementors, Nullfite an anti- magic metal was invented that could deflect even the killing curse.
Although the muggles were better prepared for this war, they were also facing a stronger opponent. The peace held in the muggle world but in the magical world, the flames of war raged. The battle of Diagon Alley of 1974 shook the magical world to its core, where Section 10 soldiers and Ministry Aurors battled Death Eaters in narrow paths of Diagon Alley. It was there the magical world finally got a good look at what the Treaty of Kings Cross 9 ¾ has wrought. It was not the Aurors who beat the Death Eaters back, it was the soldiers of Section 10. Their weapons smashing right through shield charms and their tactics promoting hand to hand combat against the Death Eaters. Armed with Nullfite blades and Magitech rifles the soldiers of Section 10 proved to the world that day that Muggles were far better at war than those of the Magical Community. The Death Eaters would never again attempt such an assault.
This display of power in all its irony made more flock to He Who Must Not Be Named's service. The fear of Muggles and Section 10 now known as X-Sec, drove many into the path of darkness. It was plain to see for all, the magical community was tearing itself apart. In those dark years many wondered would they even be able to rebuild what was lost even if they won? All the while battles raged in every corner of British Isles, from Ireland to London, more blood was spilt and the flames of war roared ever higher, threatening to consume all that we held dear.
Then as quickly as it began it ended on 31st October in Godric's Hallow, where He Who Must Not Be Named met The Boy Who Lived. It was there the greatest dark wizard history has ever seen was bested by a one year old boy. With He Who Must Not Be Named gone, the Death Eaters crumbled in short order. In light of the limited impact this war had on the Muggle World, Section 10 allowed the Ministry of Magic to handle the surviving Death Eaters. Many claimed to be under the sway of the Imperious curse and many walked free.
Now the young boy who bested He Who Must Not Be Named, attends Hogwarts like many in this country. Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, it is said Section 10 still holds great interest in the young man. Especially in light of recent events, with the attempted theft of the philosophers stone in his first year, the reopening of the Chamber of Secrets and the defeat of a Basilisk by the young Harry Potter in his second year and finally the escape of wanted criminal Sirius Black from Azkaban in his third year. The same vile criminal that sold out James and Lily Potter to He Who Must Be Named, who in turn lost everything the night the Dark Lord met his match.
On this day we ask all our readers to remember the sacrifice of all those who laid down their lives to win our peace. Remember the 75 million muggles and the 4 million witches and wizards who died in the First Wizarding war. Remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice of those who passed from this world against He Who Must Not Be Named. Remember Lily and James Potter the last casualties of the Second Wizarding War. Remember them when you hear talk of Mudbloods and Muggle filth, for it is in hatred that strife is born. To stoke the flames of war is to spit on the graves of those who won our peace.
Remember the fallen and hopefully the Century of Strife can end that night in Godric's Hollow. Where young Harry Potter lost his parents but won us our peace. May we learn from our mistakes and let the Century of Strife end.
Harry put down the newspaper as he sat in the Weasley's family home the Burrow. Thoughtfully he placed the newspaper this time devoid of moving pictures, just a sheet of paper with the text written on one side onto the white table cloth.
Harry looked down at his plate and saw his eggs and bacon were getting cold on the fine porcelain plate. He looked up and saw the Weasleys sitting around the nice table laughing and joking.
"Are you alright Harry dear?" Harry turned to see the mother of the Weasleys wearing her usual apron and simple robes. Gazing at him concern colouring her eyes.
"Does Master Potter not like the eggs?" a squeaky voice said from below.
Harry looked down to see Dobby the house elf peering up at him from below, his big eyes wide in concern, his ears drooping.
"No Dobby, the eggs are excellent." Harry said kindly as he smiled at the small house elf.
"But you haven't eaten it." Dobby replied.
"I've been eating it for the past week, I know it's good." Harry replied with a laugh. At those words he saw relief flood Dobby's eyes and once again he was so happy that he managed to free Dobby from that slimeball Lucius Malfoy.
"Don't let that paper get to you Harry, they send that every year. Although the message is good I can't help but find it a bit morbid." Mr Weasley said as he read his own copy of the Special Edition.
"Yeah it's just a bit mind boggling, how many were lost those years ago." Harry replied.
"Yes 75 million is a bit hard to wrap your head around but as long as we don't partake in any of the Muggle hate speech, we won't dishonour their sacrifice." Mr Weasley said kindly.
"Come on Harry, cheer up, if you get worked up by that, you're going to look like Snape before long." Ron said with a mouthful of eggs.
"Don't talk with your mouth open young man!" Mrs Weasley said as she swatted Ron over the head with a nearby newspaper.
"Ow! Alright alright, sorry mum." Ron said as he looked back down at his plate.
"Typical…" Hermione replied as she shook her head disapprovingly.
"What?" Ron asked.
"Leave it to you to down play the biggest event in both Muggle and Wizard history." Hermione replied with a huff.
"What? That's ancient history. Now those Death Eaters wouldn't have a great time if they came back judging by what I see from those X-Sec blokes outside Gringotts." Ron replied.
"Yes, we are more secure than we ever were before, but that doesn't mean we can downplay the tragedy of the wars." Hermione said irritably.
"Alright alright, jeez keep this up you're going to look like Snape" Ron replied, for which he earned another swat over the head from Mrs Weasley.
Harry looked at those at the table and thought about Mr Weasley's job in the Ministry in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office. It paid very well, although it is a dangerous job. The Magitech artefacts are always the most dangerous ones, seeing as most of the highly sought after artefacts are remnants from the second wizarding war. Which were all weapons without exception, the Muggles aren't very good at healing but they are very good at blowing stuff up.
"Mr Weasley, have you run into any interesting Muggle Artifacts recently?" Harry asked curiously.
"Can't tell you about the interesting ones but I can tell you that last week some fools tried to make their own Magic Amplifier and ended up blowing up their house. It's every other week now that some idiot tries to play with Magitech and ends up being reduced to paste." Mr Weasley replied with a sigh.
"Of course, there is a reason why Magitech engineers need to pass a board exam after their NEWTS. It's dangerous stuff." Hermione added.
"Right you are Hermione, if the rest of the Wizarding World had your good sense maybe my job would be easier." Mr Weasley replied.
"Then again if that was the case I would probably be out of a job, or at least not as well paid..." Mr Weasley added as an afterthought.
"Arthur!" Mrs Weasley chided.
"Yes, yes sorry Molly, I just wished maybe the rest of them out there would at least avoid the most dangerous things. Sadly it's the explodey ones that draw the most interest." Mr Weasley said with a sigh.
"Well who wouldn't want a Magic Amp, it's wicked isn't it. You stick your wand in you cast a Reductor Curse and BOOM! Giant hole in the wall." Fred said with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"And that is exactly why we heavily control those." Mr Weasley replied with a scowl, which was soon added by another swat from Mrs Weasley onto Fred's head.
Harry picked up his fork and took a bite of his eggs. As usual they were perfect, Mrs Weasley's and Dobby's cooking never fails to disappoint. They would be leaving for the Quidditch World Cup soon and Harry was most definitely looking forward to that. The Weasleys have been invited to sit in the VIP box along with six other guests. Mr Weasely was granted this privilege due to his good work at the Muggle Artifacts Office, him being a Magitech engineer himself was a highly sought after individual. This combined with his natural interest in the Muggle world made him one of the best on site investigators in the ministry. So Mr Weasley had invited Harry, Hermione, the Diggorys and the Lovegoods to join them. They were leaving soon in a few hours via a Portkey that was given directly to the household for easy transport. All they had to do was wait for the Diggory's and the Lovegoods to arrive.
Harry polished off the rest of his eggs and bacon from his plate. He rose from his chair and instinctively began to walk over to the sink to wash his plate but as usual felt the familiar tug on his pant leg. He looked down to see Dobby with one hand on his pant leg and the other outstretched towards his plate.
"Sorry Dobby, old habits die hard." Harry said with a smile as he handed his plate to Dobby. When he stayed with the Dursleys, he had to do all the dishes and the cleaning. He had to cook breakfast as well, although lunch and dinner was prepared by his Aunt Petunia. The Dursley never did trust him with anything beyond the most menial of labour.
"Actually Harry, why do you always do that? I don't see you doing that in Hogwarts." Ron asked as the pair walked over to the couch and took a seat.
Harry reached for his packed bag and checked his things, making sure he had everything he needed for the few days at the Quidditch World Cup.
"I don't know, I guess this place just reminds me of the Privet Drive I suppose." Harry replied thoughtfully. Realising what he said he turned to see the slightly hurt expression on Ron's face.
"Not in a bad way, it's just… Hogwarts is so… magical I suppose. It's like living in a different world. The Burrow seems more, homely in comparison, I mean there's still a sink, tables don't seat a few hundred people. The staircases don't move and you don't see ghosts floating around. I suppose the Burrow just feels more normal and seeing as the Dursley's pride themselves on being so unremarkably normal, I guess I just drew the connection." Harry said.
"Oh…" Ron replied, his features softening as he listened to Harry's explanation.
"I guess, the Burrow is what the Dursleys could have been I suppose…" Harry added wistfully.
Harry then felt an arm wrap around his neck and he was pulled off the side and he found his head trapped under Fred's arm.
"Why so glum Harry, we're going to the Quidditch World Cup, I heard Bulgaria has a wicked seeker." Fred said with a smirk.
"Yeah, Viktor Krum, he's the youngest Seeker to ever play professionally. I heard he's the best seeker in the league this season." Ron added excitement rising out of him like a lit flame.
Harry laughed as he joined in the pleasant conversation as they waited for their guests. It was nice to relax in good company. Maybe this year would be a peaceful one, no Voldemort, no ancient chamber being opened, no international manhunt. Maybe this year he can just study in peace.
It was an hour before they were due to set off when they heard a knock on the door.
"I'll get it!" George said as he rose from his seat.
Harry looked over to see a man with a long mane of unkempt silver blonde hair enter followed by a girl with the same straggly waist length silver blonde hair. Her skin was pale like porcelain and she had big silver eyes with faint eyebrows giving her a look of being permanently surprised. Her build was thin and lanky, the way she stood and looked around the room gave her an aura of dreaminess. She was also dressed extremely strangely, even by wizard standards, around her neck was a necklace that seemed to consist of butterbeer corks and she wore a set of strange earrings that looked like they were made of a strange type of dried plum.
"Xenophillius, how are you?" Mr Weasley greeted with a wide beaming smile.
"Superb as always, thank you Arthur for your most gracious invitation." Xenophillius replied with a dramatic bow.
"Think nothing of it, the best things in life are meant to be shared. Besides I had extra tickets and I'm not exactly going to invite Lucius Malfoy." Mr Weasley replied with a laugh.
"Knowing him and his plot with the goblins he would probably find his own way to weasel himself in." Xenophilius replied darkly.
At those words, Mr Weasley seemed to visibly deflate as his shoulder slumped.
"Yes I expect we will be running into him at the VIP box. Malfoy's pride would not allow him to be second place to a muggle conspirator after all." Mr Weasley replied with a sigh.
"At least you earned your place there dad, unlike Malfoy who just buys his way in." Fred said, crossing his arms.
"Like that greasy haired Draco who had to buy his way into the Slytherin Quidditch team." George added.
"Yes, but try to be civil in the box yes? The Minister of Magic will be in attendance as well." Mr Weasley.
"No promises if that slime Draco is there." Ron muttered under his breath. This was apparently still loud enough for the sharp eared Mrs Weasley to hear.
"Ron!" Mrs Weasley snapped as he earned himself another swat over the head.
"Ow! Alright, alright I'll be nice." Ron replied as he tried to smooth his hair back into shape.
"Hello Mr Weasley, it's always a pleasure to meet you." the girl said abruptly.
"Hello Luna, you've grown taller." Mr Weasley said kindly.
"I would hope so it would be terribly odd if I didn't grow." Luna replied dreamily, her eyes wandering across the room before locking onto Harry.
"You must be Harry Potter." Luna said as her eyes darted to the scar on Harry's forehead.
"Yeah, Luna right?" Harry greeted awkwardly with a nod.
"Yes, Luna Lovegood, pleased to make your acquaintance Harry Potter." Luna replied with a dreamy smile.
"Just Harry is fine, erm what house are you in? I've never seen you in Hogwarts." Harry asked.
"Oh I don't mix with crowds that much, I mostly keep to myself. Most students find me strange. Do you find me strange Harry?" Luna asked bluntly, cocking her head.
"No, not particularly, then again everything in the wizarding world seems strange to me to a greater or lesser extent." Harry joked with a smile.
"You're very kind Harry." Luna replied with another dreamy smile.
"The Lovegoods are family friends, the Diggory as well, we've lived near each other ever since I could remember." Ron explained from the side.
"Couldn't ask for better neighbours." Xenophillius added with a wide smile.
"Come come come have a seat, the Diggorys should be arriving soon." Mrs Weasley said beckoning everyone to sit down.
Harry took a seat on the couch and found Luna sitting to his right on a nearby arm chair. To say Harry was curious about this girl was an understatement, she may seem air headed but her replies spoke of an acute level of self awareness. There was an intelligence hidden under her dreamy exterior.
"Hey Luna, I never heard what house you're from." Harry asked.
"Oh I'm in Ravenclaw, I'm in my third year." Luna replied.
"I see, what did you mean by you don't mix in crowds?" Harry asked, realising his bluntness a moment too late.
"If you don't mind me asking that is." Harry added hurriedly.
"Oh I don't mind, I don't have many friends in school you see, most find me strange. Except maybe Ginny, she's nice." Luna replied dreamily.
"Well any friend of the Weasley's is a friend of mine, you let me know if you need any help in Hogwarts alright?" Harry replied kindly. Harry knew very well what it was like to be ostracized, Dudley had a game called Hunting Harry after all. Dudley compared it to hunting foxes, the only saving grace to this was that Dudley was fat and slow and he didn't have horses or hounds to help him. Well he got an English Bulldog when Aunt Marge was visiting, but like Dudley that dog was fat and slow as well.
"I don't want to come to you only when I need something Harry, that would be rude." Luna replied, her smile fading ever so slightly.
"Don't worry about it, I just… well I know what it's like to be ostracised, I lived with my Muggle relatives for eleven years and well… let's just say they were my family in name only." Harry replied.
"Do you hate Muggles then?" Luna asked bluntly.
"No, I wouldn't say that, I mean yes my birthday gifts from my relatives amounted to broken coat hangers, toothpicks and dog biscuits… but in my second year Dumbledore told me something. He told me we are who we choose to be, yes my relatives are nasty but Hermione is a muggle born and she's great. Not all wizards are good either, there's great wizards like Albus Dumbledore but there's also wizards like Voldemort." Harry said, as he watched Luna visibly flinch at Voldemort's name.
"Sorry." Harry added sheepishly.
"You are very brave to say You Know Who's Name Harry Potter." Luna said seriously.
"Nah Harry's just crazy like that." George said as his head popped in from behind between the pair.
"And why wouldn't he be?" Fred laughed as he popped up in front of them.
"In his first year, young Harry Potter, the boy who lived, defended the philosopher's stone overcoming all the defenses erected by all the professors in the school." George said dramatically.
"Technically not all the professors, I don't think Professor Burbage could contribute much to the defense seeing as she teaches muggle studies." Ron added.
"Might be best she didn't, I don't want to walk into a room filled with trip wires, bombs and rifles." Harry replied with a frown.
"Your ruining your dramatic introduction Harry." Fred said, with a smirk.
Before Harry could reply he was saved by another knock on the door.
"That must be the Diggorys." Mr Weasley said.
Harry welcoming the abrupt end to the Weasley twins speech on his supposed exploits decided to stay silent and wait. It was then did he realise Luna was looking at him intently with great interest. Before either of them said anything they heard boisterous greetings at the door.
"Arthur! Good to see you old friend!" Mr Diggory greeted the door.
"Amos, always a pleasure." Mr Weasley said as they traded a firm handshake.
"Merlin's beard is that Cedric? Come let me have a good look at you." Mrs Weasley said as she approached Cedric whom Harry recognised from the disastrous quidditch match last year.
"Look at you, it's been years since I last saw you , I still remember when you were as tall as my knee." Mrs Weasley said beaming.
"Nice to see you too Mrs Weasley." Cedric said with a laugh as he awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
"Come, come we have about half an hour before the Portkey goes off." Mrs Weasley said as he beckoned the pair into the living room. Mr Diggory paused when he caught sight of Harry.
"My word if it isn't Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived." Mr Diggory said as he approached Harry, who internally winced at the moniker. He never liked being held up at a pedestal for something which he had no memory of, for something that orphaned him…
"Hello Mr Diggory." Harry greeted putting a smile on his face.
"It is an honor, I heard about you from my son Cedric." Mr Diggory said as he vigorously shook his hand.
"I met Cedric last year during a quidditch match." Harry replied with a polite smile.
"Harry's a great seeker dad, that match could have gone either way if it wasn't for the… interruption." Cedric said with a grimace.
"But you still won didn't you my boy, the better seeker won didn't he!" Mr Diggory said happily, a proud smile on his face stretching from ear to ear.
"Dad, Harry only fell off his broom because of the dementors…" Cedric began.
"Oh but you didn't fall off now did you my boy? Always humble you are Cedric, I'm sure Harry isn't a sore loser, aren't you Harry?" Mr Diggory said as he turned back to Harry.
"Of course not… Cedric's good, no one in Hogwarts can deny that." Harry replied, his smile growing more strained.
"Amos, come we must have a toast before we set off, come Xenophilius." Mr Weasley said hurriedly as he attempted to drag Mr Diggory away.
Once Mr Diggory was with the men of the other two households, Cedric let out an audible sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Sorry…" Cedric said sheepishly.
"Don't worry about it, you won fair and square." Harry said.
"That match never felt right, I heard rumors later about what you see when dementors go near you. That just made the victory feel more hollow." Cedric said, his head lowering slightly.
"What did you hear about what I see?" Harry asked furrowing his brows.
"Well there's two versions that everyone agrees it's either this one or the other. One is You Know Who, the other is your… parents that night." Cedric finished softly.
At those words Harry was silent, as Harry looked at Cedric's face he knew his silence was all the answer Cedric needed.
"Don't worry about it, we can have a rematch this year, there's not more dementors at Hogwarts." Harry said a wry look in his eye.
"Yeah that would be great, don't expect any mercy on quidditch pitch Potter." Cedric replied with a smile, perking up immediately.
"Right back at you Diggory." Harry said with a grin of his own. Harry stood up and offered a hand to Cedric, which Cedric took gratefully.
"Later this year, man to man." Harry said.
"Hold nothing back." Cedric replied.
"You got it." Harry said as he shook Cedric's arm firmly.
Now Cedric looking much better joined the Weasleys in pleasant conversation. Harry seeing the older Hufflepuff prefect was feeling much better sat back down.
"You don't like the things they call you." Luna said suddenly.
"Sorry?" Harry replied surprised.
"The Boy Who Lived. You don't like people calling you that." Luna stated matter of factly.
"No not particularly." Harry replied with a sigh.
"I don't like people calling me other things too." Luna said.
"What do people call you besides Luna?" Harry asked, growing more perplexed.
"Mean things, I rather not say what." Luna replied as she looked away and began absentmindedly scanning the room again.
"Well you won't hear any from me." Harry replied as he shifted his gaze from the peculiar girl and back to the living room abuzz with laughter and cheer.
"The Dabberblimps were right, you are kind Harry." Luna replied.
Dabberblimps?
Authors Notes:
This is the first chapter of my second every fanfic, I tried to keep the personalities of the various characters as close to canon as possible. However, due to the changes in this world their outlook will change slightly. This AU is generally a darker world than canon, with muggle racism much more pronounced in this version. Fear, distrust and hate will be at the fore of this fic, with bits of levity sprinkled in between.
This is a Luna Harry fic, I always felt this was the better pairing (pls don't flame me for this), the Ginny relationship in canon was too abrupt in my opinion. The events will largely be consistent with canon, I'll probably split this fanfic into the school years if I do decide to write past the Goblet of Fire, the story plan so far reaches the Order of the Phoenix in more concrete terms while the later books are vaguer.
So leave a review if you would like to see more. Any review is welcome, praise and criticism alike. I'm still rather new to writing and this fic is supposed to help me practice writing character relationships while maintaining character consistency. Hopefully it doesn't get too cringy, no promises though...