July, 2017
Chapter 12: Now or Never
"Never rebel for the sake of rebelling, but always rebel for the sake of truth."
― Criss Jami, Killosophy
Hazel folded the newspaper, letting out a slow breath as she processed the information. It'd been...quiet, but only as the calm before the storm was quiet. Storm, indeed. Smiling briefly at Mitsy, she wondered what would happen next. In the morning paper, the Daily Prophet had announced the return of the infamous Muggleborn Registration Act; it was, supposedly, a way to protect those targeted by the 'Soulless', but the witch knew it was partially to prevent Ridgeway from gaining additional support….not that he needed it. At this point, the public opinion of Marcus Ridgeway and his cause were at an all-time-high. Every week, supporters would offer aid to those in need of food or medicine on behalf of the cause. Even Cormac Lawrence, a cocky but talented healer at the Lodge, had made waves in the community when he'd suggested sending healers to muggle hospitals to heal children. Despite her personal dislike for the wizard - he'd always given her strange looks when he thought she wasn't looking, and had avoided her since Kestis had arrived - Hazel had to admit the Irish wizard knew more healing spells than she'd learnt in three years.
It was two days before the next rally, and she was...nervous. Tim had made a valid point when he'd mentioned that the rallies didn't have the best record, often ending in chaos...or worse. To make matters more complicated, Miranda and Henry had been bickering over Miranda's attendance; at six months pregnant, her husband did not want her in a potentially dangerous scene. When they were alone, the dark-haired witch had admitted to Hazel that Henry was right...but she would be damned if she wasn't going to come along. Besides, Miranda had commented with a smirk, she knew how to protect herself. Remembering the damage inflicted to the practice dummies, Hazel found herself silently agreeing.
To her surprise, both Kestis and Tim had decided to go. Although they had assimilated to the Lodge's schedule, there were still moments where she was taken aback by their presence and willingness to stay. The boys joined the classes taught by the Corre, and Tim was now running the community greenhouse for potion ingredients. In particular, Miranda was still frosty with Kestis, who, in return, was passive aggressive. She still blamed him for Markus. Henry himself had been fairly friendly after he'd convinced Kestis to swim in the freezing waters in Iceland as "payback", though was still ever-so-slightly distant. On behalf of his wife, of course. While Edward had been nice enough - as friendly as the Ravenclaw could be to a near stranger - Hazel couldn't help but notice that she'd hardly seen Mason since Kes's arrival. She knew perfectly well why it bothered her, but couldn't fully admit it, even to herself. When they did interact, Mason was polite….to the point of being rude. Only to Kestis, however.
Waving goodbye to the house elves, Hazel left the kitchen to search for the pale-haired wizard. Kes was currently out of the village with Tim, another one of their increasingly frequent 'wizard only' trips. She had resisted the urge to remind them the term 'wizards' included women, too. She tried to ignore the lingering dread, foreboding of what was to come. As the brunette turned the corner, she could hear familiar voices through a door; Henry and Miranda were arguing over the rally again. It was going to be fine, wasn't it? She tried to convince herself, it was a peaceful protest, nothing more. After searching the entirety of the second floor, Hazel knew she wasn't going to find Mason. Not tonight, at least. She tried to ignore the disappointment, and guilt. She'd gotten good at that, nowadays.
As the sun rose on July 31, 2017, the morning found Hazel sitting by the window in thought. And worry, and fear, and so much more. The Corre, Hazel, and a few others began arriving at Diagon Alley before some of the shops had even opened. Booths started to pop up in front of Gringotts, which was now, for the first time, closed. Staring up at the dark windows of the bank, Hazel remembered the proud smile on Carly's face when a small group had returned from Gringotts to 'talk'. Hazel hadn't told Kestis what she realized, knew it would only make matters worse. She knew enough about Carly, and Ridgeway, to discern that a certain memory charm had been involved when the goblins had announced their 'neutrality' between the two sides, between Ridgeway's followers and the Ministry.
Around her, witches and wizards moved blankets and potions, carrying various items to different stations, all marked with a familiar sign. Although the scene was fairly colorful, the symbol - Ridgeway's symbol - was a simple black and white banner with a raven across it. How fitting. It was strange to feel uneasy at the sight of her own mentor's sign. Sighing, Hazel moved to help two women carry small boxes to their tent. To her dismay, she spotted Cormac doing the same.
There was a steadily growing crowd when Hazel slipped away, meeting Kes near one of the robe shops. They exchanged small smiles, and something caught Hazel's eyes as the wizard had opened his mouth. "Magne! Isolde!" She called out with a grin, moving forwards to greet the pair without thinking. Kes trailed behind her, and she turned to introduce him after the trio had embraced each other enthusiastically. "Kes, these two lovely wizards are old friends from when I lived in -" "Sweden, I remember," Kes interrupted, smiling as he held his hand out, "Nice to finally meet you. I'm Kestis, Hazel's boyfriend." Hazel swallowed at the look Magne shot her before he returned the handshake with a polite smile. It had been awhile since her last letter.
Ignoring the slightly disappointed expression on Kes's face, Hazel had immediately invited the duo to explore Knockturn Alley with them. It had been awhile since they had a proper date, but...it was Magne and Isolde. She just missed her friends, and that's all there was to it...right? As they walked, the blonde siblings filled Hazel in on their adventures since they last spoke. It was nice catching up with them, though Hazel had felt distinctly uncomfortable when Isolde mentioned how hot Ambrose had become during her time in Romania. That was something she could've gone her entire life without knowing. She'd nearly fallen against Kes when two, small witches ran past her, giggling. Right...it was the beginning of a new school year at Hogwarts. Kes had taken her hand, matching nostalgia in their smiles. Still, with her boyfriend and friends around her, it was easy to forget why they were there to begin with. She grinned at the small Niffler on Kes's shoulder who, occasionally, would reach towards her. Or, more accurately, towards the gold necklace hanging on her neck.
Just before noon, people streamed towards a stage set in front of the bank. The chatter of the crowd seemed to quiet as Marcus Ridgeway stood above them, wand raised. For a moment, Hazel found it difficult to breath; just like Paris, black cloth began to stream out of the Elder wand, lifting into the sky to cover the surrounding buildings. For a moment, she could hear Jack's voice call out as a flash of green hit Markus in the chest….Kes glanced down at the witch as she covered her face in her hands, hand on her shoulder as he leaned over. "Are you okay?" He whispered, eyes flickering up to the wizard on the stage. Letting out a shaky sigh, she tried to smile and squeeze his hand comfortingly, "Yeah, just...deja vu." From the corner of her eye, Henry beckoned her over, to where the rest of the Corre stood. "I'll be back in a bit, alright?" Reluctantly, Hazel moved away from Kestis to join the Corre in their place beside Ridgeway.
On the stage, she could see there were a lot more people than she'd expected. Some were dressed in muggle clothing, while others wore tall hats that blocked shorter figures. Hazel recognized the majority of the Lodge, including Mason, Ben, and Carly, towards the front of the platform. Kes stood beside Magne, Isolde, and Tim in the middle; the half-giant easily stood out amongst the other wizards.
"Muggleborn, half-blood, pureblood," As soon as Ridgeway began to speak, hands now tucked behind his back, Diagon Alley was silent. He had a way with words, she'd give him that. "It does not matter. We are all gifted with magic. Should we not, then, be united? There are those who say we are better than the Muggles...then, should we not be more united than they?" Hazel's eyes met Mason's for a split second before she returned her attention to Ridgeway. "We hold no prejudice over color, sex, or orientation, but on the status of one's blood. We, who call ourselves witches and wizards, gifted with magic, should strive to be more than we are." Ridgeway turned his head to scan the rapt audience with a smile, "The Old Ways have protected us when those without the Gift would hunt us, but the Old Ways serve us no more." At the familiar words, Hazel resisted the small shiver that crept down her back. No more.
"The attacks that plague this nation spread hatred and fear. Yet, we who are peaceful are branded criminals. We, who have defended those who would hate us. We who, as the goblins chose neutrality-" The witch couldn't help but grimace at the reminder. Had it really been a choice? "-have spread food, helped to ease the burdens, whilst those who carry out these attacks or share their ideals live in peace. I say no more." They were doing the right thing, weren't they? Ridgeway lifted a hand as he spoke, voice growing in volume and intensity, "The Ministry," he paused, "says we should register, that we should be branded like cattle. They spew hatred of the Muggles, but follow the most vile of ideals. No more." From somewhere in the front, she could hear someone call out the infamous words. No more.
"So, I say this. Let us go to them. They would call upon us, so...let them have us." Looks of confusion, and a low chatter seemed to rise from the audience. "Let us go together, my brothers and sisters, through the world. They hate us for coming, so let us march to their registration. Then, when they see us together, when they see that we are not the few, when they see that we are not frightened, not violent. We will show the unity that they would hate us for. We will show that tolerance of the intolerant...is no more." With the drop of his hand, the staircase beside the stage transformed into a ramp. Slowly, Ridgeway stepped down into the crowd, smiling at the countless witches and wizards. She watched him interact with the masses, nothing but smiles and handshakes and soft conversation.
As he passed, Edward gently nudged the witch, breaking her focus from the dark-haired man. As the Corre followed behind him, she lost count of how many eyes watched them. To an extent, it was almost eerie how easily the crowd had parted for the five of them. Behind her, those who'd been living in the Lodge filled the empty space as they walked. Those less...invested in the cause followed behind them, and together, the crowd moved in unison.
In the streets of London, Henry pointed out a muggle bar he'd taken Markus and Edward to; both Hazel and Miranda were soon laughing as Henry waved his hands in the air, describing the turn of events that led them to getting banned from the bar. Around them, easy conversation filled the air despite the underlying tension visible in subtle movements and expressions. Kes and Tim had moved forward in the crowd to slightly behind her, and even saw Ben and Carly talking with Mohinder.
It grew quiet once more as they reached the heart of the city, where an old and unassuming telephone box sat on a street corner. From her view at the front, Hazel saw the bits of red paint that flaked off the sides and the vibrant graffiti that outlined the box. This was the visitors' entrance to the Ministry…? Exchanging a shrug with Henry, Hazel turned as someone lightly nudged her other shoulder. To her left, Mason sent her a small smile, eyebrows raised as if to say Ready?. Not trusting her voice, Hazel nodded before watching Marcus Ridgeway stride towards the telephone box. It was time.