May 1939
London
Isobel climbed to where the clock face was in Big Ben.
"Could you have picked a place a little less visible?"
"It is easier to get lost among the crowds," Josephine said.
There were two dozen witches and no wizards. More than half of them came from muggle families. All of them were under the age of forty. Everyone was wearing muggle attire. Their leader was Veronica Dawlish, a softspoken woman with mousy blond hair and eyes the color of ice.
The space was not as cramped as it appeared as Dawlish had ordered extendable charm to expand the space. A chalkboard was in place with the rules that were drilled in their heads since they started meeting.
Save muggles only when witnesses can be obliviated.
Do not kill Hitler or any high-ranking official as described in your manual.
Unless authorized, do not enter the death camps.
Use miniaturization magic to ensure your wand is always nearby.
Check in with your superior every three days unless otherwise specified.
Telling other people is not in your legend is prohibited.
It is up to you to maintain your cover story.
When in doubt, obliviate.
Veronica addressed them.
"We have gone over the memory charm, enough that I am satisfied everyone can perform it well. How is the secretarial pool doing in mastering the muggle machines?"
"Well, enough," Diedre said. "The wands cause the typing machines the malfunction so we have learned to hide them in our shoes."
"The babel books are helping us learn German fast," Clare said. "I also have the accent down."
"I have devised work histories, that should get us close to seats of power while difficult to find the truth about," Grace said.
"Nurses?" Veronica said.
"Muggle medicine is primitive," Jane said dismissively. "The only thing hard will be not using a wand to fix basic things like a broken bone."
"I don't like the idea of being in the presence of an amputation," Mary said.
"I will only say this one more time," Veronica said with a hint of anger. "If you do not feel you can witness muggle medicine now is the time to leave."
"No," Mary said. "I have numbing potions to ease the pain."
"Be careful not to become dependent on them," Veronica said. "This could be a long war."
"I know. I also know there are healthier alternatives."
"Moving on. How is the Polyjuice brewing?"
"We have several liters brewing and stable for a year at a time," Rose said.
"How secure is our base of German operations?"
"The catacombs beneath the church are secure," Josephine said. "It will operational by July."
"Good, now we play apparition games. I want a sari from India, a sand dollar from the United State, a taco from South America, Vodka from Russia, and a bonsai plant from Japan. Starting three…two…one. NOW!"
Isobel felt something preventing her from apparating. Veronica grabbed her by the shoulder and they apparated.
She found herself looking at the New York City skyline. The height made her slightly nervous.
"This is said to be the future of muggle architecture," Veronica said.
"Where are we?"
"The empire state building. Marvelous, isn't it?"
"That's one word for it."
Veronica let out a brief chuckle.
"What did you want to discuss?" Isobel asked.
"Beatrice has volunteered to get the puppet master out in the open, then we will see exactly what we're facing."
"But that sounds like a death sentence!"
"It is," Veronica said calmly.
"Is it really necessary?"
Veronica sighed. "I thought I was getting through to you witches. Not many of us are going to survive. This war these muggles plotting is going to make their first one look like child's play. Magic is not miraculous. At best we may manage to shave a million off the body count, but we're going to be part of that statistic."
"But my child!"
"Isobel, you are the only hope. This puppet master, will not be content with muggle genocide if he is not stopped and may even make a pact with Grindelwald to rule humanity together."
"I'm a powerful witch, but not Dumbledore," Isobel said.
"You fell in love with a muggle and were willing to walk away from magic for good. You love muggles. Few things are more powerful than that."
"Tell me more about the plan."
Isobel knew this was only the beginning.
…
September 2000
Hogwarts
The classroom Verity was using was completely full when Minerva, in her animagi form, entered. Kids were whispering excitedly and many had history textbooks with them. What shocked her was how there were even some seventh years among the group. Whatever Verity was saying was resonating with the students.
Verity stepped forward in a red argyle sweater and jeans. Her shoulder-length red hair looked more brown than red at certain angles.
"Was the destruction of Pompei caused by a volcano, dragons, or a pair of dueling wizards? Was the great Chicago fire caused by dragons or a cow? Was the San Francisco earthquake caused by giants in the area? Are hurricanes caused by wars among mer-people? But you are not going to find answers in the textbooks. Because history is not what you think it is. There is nothing factual about history. History is designed to control the story of what happened to meet the needs of those who are currently in power."
Many students clapped.
One thing that was obvious to Minerva, was that this child was most likely ahead of her peers in muggle schooling. Another thing was how her parents clearly influenced her.
"Look at what happened in the last ten years," she said. "Harry Potter was declared deranged and unstable by the general public when a student was killed during Voldemort's resurrection. Anyone who defied the ministry was subject to penalties. But then the truth came out but at the sacrifice of Sirius Black. How many people will be sacrificed the next time the truth is suppressed?"
A student Minerva recognized as a fifth-year Slytherin stood up.
"Who are you to say what the truth is? Are you even twelve yet?"
Minerva was ready to defend human form but Verity did not look afraid.
"Harry Potter is trying to make the case that not all Slytherins are evil because of Snape's sacrifice. I see the way kids sidestep anyone wearing green. It can't be fun being judged as evil the minute the sorting hat announces the house name. How many stories good do you think have been buried to paint your house as the only one with bad apples?"
The Slytherin sat down without saying another word.
A Ravenclaw raised his hand.
"Did you buy out the history section at Flourish and Blotts to learn all this stuff?"
Verity smiled. "My dad was an investor in something called the internet and is very wealthy. We exchanged a lot of money so I could read. I also read at three hundred words per minute."
"What is the point of this club?" a Hufflepuff asked.
"Every time we meet, I want everyone to come up with an alternative story about what happened. In the muggle news, Witch Weekly, look for a story that can be explained differently with magic. We will then publish a magazine with the best alternative articles at the end of the term."
Another student raised her hand, but Verity waved it down.
"Imagine how useful being a cat could be for spy work. Even with unique markings, they can get into tight spots and listen in on conversations from trees, and other espionage work. Were you a cold war spy, Professor McGonagall?"
The classroom turned silent as McGonagall assumed her human form.
"That is a very entertaining idea, Miss. Bruin, but it is not based in fact."
"Then let's go over some facts. You were in a four-way-duel-with Voldemort and emerged with minimal injuries. You survived being hit by four stun spells to the chest when it takes only takes six to stun a dragon. Are you hiding anything, Professor?"
Heads turned towards her. McGonagall tried not to let anger show and took a deep breath.
"You have a vibrant imagination, Miss. Bruin. Your thirst for knowledge is truly insatiable. I highly encourage you to focus your energy on your studies, avoid getting into arguments with Professor Binns while he is teaching, and not let curiosity distract you from what is important."
"But my parent's favorite saying comes from Mark Twain: 'I never let my schooling interfere with my education.'"
"If you do not abide by the rules and teachings of Hogwarts, your house will start losing points, and you will face punishment."
"Understood, Headmistress," she said nodding her head even as there was a smirk on her face.
McGonagall walked out of the classroom and turned a corner. She then augmented her hearing with a spell.
"The system needs to be broken, but not now and not by a kid my age. This is a 'pick my battles' situation. Now is the time to play by their rules. I will not interrupt Binns again and I encourage everyone to stop, especially if it is the only time your friends have to sleep. Binns only knows how to tell a truth that is broken. Do not expect anything from him. Now go out and start looking for how history was written."
McGonagall turned off her augmented hearing and quickly made her way to her office.
She sighed heavily as she plopped into a chair.
"What troubles you, Minerva?" Dumbledore asked.
"How can a first-year figure out something wizards who have known me for decades, never considered?"
"Sometimes it just takes another set of eyes. Look at how the golden trio managed with protections on the Philosopher's Stone."
"Her parents seem like they consume too much American literature. Binns was right, this girl is trouble."
"Are you afraid of the truth coming out?"
"I do not need a child or any club member digging into my past. What's private is private."
"Do you ever worry about it?"
Only Dumbledore knew the truth. Minerva preferred it that way.
"No," she said firmly.
Even as an awful feeling lingered in the back of her skull.