March, 2018

Chapter 20: Resistance

"Choose your friends carefully. Your enemies will choose you."

―Yassir Arafat

"Brothers, sisters, fellow wizards," Marcus Ridgeway's voice cut across the muted whispers and applause, a smile on his lips as he spoke to the crowded room, "We are at the turn of a new era in the wizarding world. We have changed, new practices taking form as the rest of the world clings to the Old Ways. We evolve, adapting to the new world that we live in." Hazel noticed Mason grip his cane tighter, a slight downward tug on his lips as he watched. Turning her attention back to her mentor, she wished she could feel...happier, at the sight of her beloved professor, now Minister of Magic. So much had changed in so little time.

"This speech was going to be a thank-you, to all who stood by me," Dark eyes met hers briefly as he turned his head, "to those who allowed these changes to take place. Unfortunately, that is not to be," The wizard appeared to sigh, shoulders dropping before he straightened, "but I do thank you from the bottom of my heart. Sadly, dark wings carry dark words. There is a group in our community...While we have carved out the cancer in the Ministry, it festers in our world still." Her eyebrows furrowed at this. Was he talking about…? "They call themselves the Order of the Phoenix," Sweet Merlin. "Old followers of Albus Dumbledore. They claim to act for the betterment of society, of the wizarding community, but what have they done? Nothing." Her attention was abruptly pulled from the pounding in her ears and Ridgeway's speech as her right hand began to hurt. Kestis was staring at Ridgeway with a tense expression; gently tugging the sore appendage away from his unconscious grasp, Hazel moved her hand to rest on top of his. Their eyes met before turning to the dark-haired man, who continued to speak in a low, clear voice.

"They would decree me a Dark Lord," Almost immediately, cries and boos broke the silence of the crowd; again, Hazel noticed that it was mostly the Lodge's residents that instigated the noise. Beside her, Tim paled, and her mouth felt dry. "Because I have changed the world they know, this group believes me to be some dark creature, a nightmare to tell children." For a moment, Hazel thought she saw a smirk on the wizard's lips, but his expression seemed somber as his gaze swept across the masses. "I can understand it, partially, because it is natural to be afraid of the unknown. I do not mean to keep any secrets," He paused, hands tucked behind his back, "I am an Obscurial, a design of the worst muggle kind." The brunette's eyes widened in shock as chatter broke across the space once more. Merlin, he just...announced it, to everyone. What was he doing?

"The Order would blame me for this, would call me a Dark Lord because I hold the memories of great teachers...of information everyone has access to. They would blame me for studying the grimoire of Gellert Grindelwald." Lips parting, Hazel wondered what exactly the man was up to. It would've looked worse if the Order had spread the news, but still...it was a risk. She had to trust that he knew what he was doing, she tried to remind herself, Mason almost mirroring her own expression, they had to trust that he was doing the right thing. "I ask all of you...Who has read the book by Rita Skeeter?" At this, Ridgeway raised one of his hands in the air.

Ben, Carly, and other familiar faces raised their hands first. Slowly, hesitantly, Hazel raised her own. She'd been much more interested in the book after she learned about the man behind Ridgeway's extra memories, after her...disastrous conversation with the professor. A smile grew on Marcus's lips as he nodded, "In that case, the Order of the Phoenix would decree you all dark wizards. At least, they do with me." Merlin, that was actually fairly clever of him. It was with a strange mix of pride and dread that Hazel lowered her hand, watching her mentor as quiet chuckles rose from the audience.

"We are better, however. So we will not name names -" He probably already knew, didn't need to. "and investigations will be carried out into each member." Hazel kept her eyes trained on Ridgeway to keep from looking at Tim. She hoped everything would turn out alright, that no one else would be hurt. "That is not the only reason why this meeting is so sad, so hollow." Ridgeway frowned, pausing. "The muggle British government has decreed that they are leaving the European Union. As the Minister of Magic, they demanded that we follow suit, that we follow their example and leave the International Conference of Wizards. They demanded that we, as wizards, pave the way for these changes, that we help their stagnant currency with our own Galleons, that we pay tax they claim are owed for the past 700 years."

His expression darkened, and from her position, Hazel could see the glances shared between members of the Wizarding Parliament. As Ridgeway spoke, his voice seemed to border on anger, or something similar, darker, "They demanded this. They did not ask, or even request. Who are they to demand from us? They, who had us scuttling like rats in a gutter. And now, as we recover ourselves, they turn to us and make demands."

"We are happy to aid the muggle world, happy to help those in need. The Cormac Contingency is proof enough of this." Ridgeway nodded with a small smile at the Irish wizard. The witch nearly smiled herself at the surprise on the man's face. He deserved the recognition. Thanks to his suggestion, muggle children were secretly being treated using the best magical care available. "I say no more should we cower in fear. No more should we bow to every whim and demand. No more -" Hazel resisted a shiver at the words. Something in his voice had changed, but she couldn't recognize what. "Should we be their proxy, so…" He trailed off, and she wasn't sure if she liked the smile that settled on his lips.

"As of this day, March 9th, 2018, as Minister of Magic in Great Britain," Marcus Ridgeway called, lifting one of his hands in the air. Hazel leaned forward, hardly aware of Kes's hand falling away from hers. "I decree that the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy is...no more." What? Could he even do that? Ridgeway's voice had to rise as sound immediately erupted in the room. "Muggleborn are allowed to practice around muggle families in the know, as well as halfblood and pureblood families." Had this ever been attempted before? She couldn't remember. She stared in shock as Kes and Tim whispered furiously, vaguely aware of Mason's eyes on her. Across the room, the Parliament was shifting in their section, wizards turning to discuss the shocking news with wide eyes. Some people were smiling, she noticed, though it was mostly those that already followed the Minister's cause.

"I do not do this out of anger, as a response to their demands." He called as the noise settled, but only just enough for his voice to carry. "I do this because, annually, there are over 27,000 obliviations that must take place. This number grows each year." Merlin, she wasn't sure if she should be shocked or saddened by that. "This is not accidental magic that causes this number to increase. Muggles can see us." The dark-eyed wizard lifted his chin, "They can spy on Diagon Alley or find Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. With new and constantly evolving technologies and machines, the muggle can see the wizarding world." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw figures leaving the room quietly. One of them was the blonde witch Tim had been talking to.

"Fellow witches and wizards, times are changing. It is time that we must change, too. This is the first step out of the shadows….and into the light." Ridgeway bowed his head to the crowd, and the room burst into applause once more. Hazel found she could only sit as people stood around them, blocking her view of the professor. Was this the right thing to do? It seemed...drastic, even with the knowledge that muggle technologies can recognize magic now. Starting in soft voices, a chant made its way across the space, chilling the witch to her core. "No more, no more, no more…" Looking over at the boys, Hazel found similar expressions of concern. Shouldn't she be happy? More muggles could receive magical treatment, the Cormac Contingency could grow, and so much more. But….She couldn't help but think back to the night she'd confronted Ridgeway about Grindelwald's influence over him.

She hadn't realized how quiet the usually talkative wizard had been until he suddenly let out a cry of pain as people began to leave. "Cormac?" Hazel turned to the man, who was now bent over in his seat, clutching his head. He continued to groan as he sat up, and the witch gasped at the sight. Blood was dripping...everywhere. From his nose, his ears, even his eyes. Bloody hell...literally. What happened to him? "Tim, get over here! Leon, we need you!" She quickly stood as the moans of pain grew in volume, attracting further attention.

Cormac fell to the ground as she kneeled, waving diagnostic and blood-slowing charms over the man. Heart pounding in her ears, Hazel pulled Tim down beside her, ignoring the voices around them. Merlin, she had no idea what happened to him, but he looked like he was dying, as if something was killing him from the inside out. Where the hell was that bloody phoenix when she needed him? He should've been here by now. Her knees and hands were stained red as the pair tried to help the struggling, groaning man.

She was scarcely aware of the Aurors that moved around them as Leon finally appeared, landing on her shoulder with a quiet flap. "Tim, where do we take him? St. Mungos?" Panicked, Hazel looked up at the wizard beside her. While he wasn't an official healer like Cormac, he was a damn good at potions and herbology; that should be enough, for now. Besides, he had connections through the Slug Club. Tim shook his head, looking down at the writhing man. Like hers, his own hands and knees were covered in blood. Cormac was bleeding...too much. He was dying, sweet Merlin, why did someone always die at these rallies? "No," Tim grimaced, "I know someplace better." Another time, another situation, she might've questioned the strange look on his face, or the flash of recognition on Kestis's. Now, she simply nodded as Leon moved to sit on Tim's outstretched arm. With the wizard holding onto both Cormac and Kes, Hazel grabbed his wrist. Like hell she wasn't coming along. She might not be of much help, but she hadn't apprenticed three years under Madam Pomfrey for nothing. Just as the phoenix lifted its wings, ready to apparate, she met Mason's eyes. The wizard raised his hand, eyes pleading, and Hazel quickly grabbed his hand before she could consider otherwise.

To her surprise, they landed in...a forest? Tim knelt down beside the wizard, waving the witch over. He handed her a small amber vial, already smudged with the man's blood. He spoke in a low voice, green eyes intense, "I can only take one or two people at a time. The location is...secret, but I have more potions and access to healers there. Give him this while I warn the others." Nodding, Hazel automatically moved to where Cormac lay. Warn the others? Was he taking Cormac to….to the Order? Someone had already cast a spell to keep the man still, though blood still trickled from his nose, eyes rolling underneath the closed lids. Her stomach flipped, but the brunette gently held the wizard's mouth open, massaging his throat to ease the blood-replenishing potion down. What...or who had done this to him? She hadn't seen any spells cast. One minute he was fine, a bit quiet, and the next…

Hazel hardly noticed the boys around her as she tried to slow the bleeding and clean the stains across Cormac's face. Merlin, her hands were covered in blood, his blood. If she hadn't worked with Madam Pomfrey, she might've puked at the sight. After what felt like ages, Tim reappeared in the forest with a pop, quickly scooping up Cormac's unconscious body with surprising ease. "I'll send an owl, I promise." Hazel scrambled to her feet, "Wait, what do you -" The wizard disappeared once more with an apologetic grimace before she could finish her sentence. Bloody hell, why couldn't they come along? She could've helped...well, maybe, she wasn't sure what the cause had been, but to leave them like that? Dark eyes flashed in her mind's eye. Oh, right, her alliance with Ridgeway. Their alliance, she corrected herself as she glanced over at the two remaining wizards.

With Tim and Cormac gone - she hoped Cormac didn't die, he was a damn good Healer and deserved more than this - Hazel realized it was just her, Mason, and Kestis. Just her luck, of course. Her fiance and the man she'd cheated on him with, the man who was the true father of her child. For Merlin's sake. A heavy sigh left her lips, shoulders slumping as she glanced down at where Cormac had been. Blood darkened the soil and matted grass; her own hands were disturbingly sticky, and she was sure her jeans were completely ruined. Not that it was important, but it was better than thinking about Cormac dying.

Her fiance bent down beside her, gingerly removing the stains from her hands with a flick of his wand. Her hands were shaking. With a muted thanks, he helped his fiance to her feet. Glancing up at Mason, Hazel blinked in confusion. Ever since the Ministry battle, the wizard had struggled to stay on his feet for long periods of time, or conduct basic spells without the incantation. It'd nearly broken her heart the first time she saw him scarred and shaking, on that night..Now, however, the pale-haired man stood tall and proud, the cane hanging loosely, unused, in his right hand. When had he…? With both pairs of eyes on him, Mason rolled his head to one side slowly, a smirk growing across his face.

"Kestis Jackson," He called across the clearing, "On the order of the Minister of Magic, you're under arrest." The brunette's mouth dropped open. "Please come quietly, Kestis. You are wanted for questioning," Mason's eyes flickered to her before he spoke again, "as a member of the Order of the Phoenix." What? No, he couldn't, he wouldn't...Kes was already looking at her as she turned, and she found it increasingly difficult to breath properly. It made sense, the constant time spent with Tim, the strange looks during the rally, the wizard that had greeted him...For Merlin's sake, was nothing as it appeared?

His mismatched eyes seemed to follow her as she took an unconscious step back, hands covering her mouth. Nearly forgetting that those same hands were just covered in someone else's blood. Without looking at Mason, Kestis replied, "Not anymore." Mason merely shrugged, the smirk slipping from his features, "Even so...Come quietly."

The grey-eyed man moved closer slowly; it was clear he could walk on his own, the cane simply hanging limply in his grasp. "You didn't trust him, did you?" Something in his expression changed as he approached the half-giant, "Be honest." Kestis finally tore his eyes away from her to meet Mason's challenging gaze, "I wanted to know both sides." She watched as Mason scowled, voice dropping, "Playing both sides? You used Hazel to get to Ridgeway in Paris. You got a man that I knew well killed." Neither wizard had moved for their wands, but Mason was tensed, ready at a moment's notice. Kestis appeared...almost defeated. Something inside her chest ached as she struggled to figure out what to say, what to do.

"That was Jack." was her fiance's only reply, clenched hands dropped to his sides. A flicker of black burned within the blue flames as the couple stepped through. Kestis lifted his wand with a determined expression at Ridgeway as Hazel stepped between them, seeing Jack's wand light a sinister green. "It might as well have been you." Mason's expression darkened, gripping his cane tighter, "If you hadn't drawn your wand, well…" The pale-haired wizard continued, interrupting whatever Kes's response was, "You're just as guilty, and now you've got a choice. Come quietly."

Her fiance was being charged with conspiring against the man who taught her everything she knew, a man who seemed to be changing into something...darker, as time passed. Her fiance was about to be arrested by the man she'd cheated on him with...not that he knew. How the bloody hell was this her life? Hazel let out a shaky breath, feeling confused and betrayed and guilty and torn, all at once .

"If it is true, if you're no longer a member of the Order," Mason tilted his head, a cold smile on his face, "then you will be asked about the members and their plans then shortly released." Kes shot one last glance at her - what was he thinking? - and slowly raised both hands in the air. "Okay," He nodded slowly. Hazel nearly jumped at the loud whistle from Mason's lips; thunderous cracks filled the silence as seven wizards popped into being around her fiance. "Take him away," Mason nodded at the man before them. Should she stop them? Why was she so bloody indecisive? She felt frozen, helpless….and hated it. She moved forward just as they disappeared with Kestis; her hand hung, outstretched, in the empty space where they'd been before she let it drop to her side limply. What would she do, now?