Disclaimer: I own nothing; just frolicking in the world of HP.
It started getting dark outside and Alice continued to type away. As her mini netbook slowly overheated, its tiny fan failing and sputtering, she cursed at the fact that they stole her laptop. Connecting her printer, which luckily was left on her desk, she printed out one of the small articles she wrote.
Knowledge is power, is it not? Otherwise, my knowledge of your world would not be a threat to your security. What is the reason you keep those of us not blessed or cursed with magical abilities in the dark? Is it for our safety or yours? There is one world with two distinct realities. Your reality professes an ideology of domination over the other, controlling knowledge of magic and tampering with the brains of non-magical people as your see fit. We are but cattle, made to pass through the filter of your world view. Is it a courtesy providing us such ignorance of your dubious machinations? Or do you provide yourself that same courtesy? The non-magical human race has evolved, through science and reason. We have cured disease, put a man on the moon, mapped the entire human genome, cloned an animal. Alternatively, we have also harnessed the devastating power of the atom and created viruses capable of eradicating life on this planet. And while you have the ability to erase memories, we know exactly which part of the brain conducts this task and have the medical capabilities to eradicate it as well. Media has the peculiar ability to shed light on societal bias and yours, from my scant samples, shows little positives for "muggles," as you call us. We are backward, filthy, and ignorant. But consider for a moment that it is you who are ignorant of our world. One world, two realities, but an entire lack of mutual respect. Take my knowledge, but do not take my dignity!
Alice McNally
"Strident!" Alice mused; it has been awhile since her emotions took hold of her writing. She stared at the freshly printed commentary and then searched for her recently acquired edition of The Daily Prophet. There was an open comments section on the back page and she wondered how one sends in such commentary. Scanning the page she found a small note on the bottom: Owl all questions and comments to The Daily Prophet Main Office. "Owl? What do they mean by owl?" she thought.
She had already folded her paper and placed it in a crisp white envelope, writing "The Daily Prophet Main Office" on the outside. She opened an internet search engine; though she knew it would be a pointless task. Suddenly, she heard a tap on her window making her heart skip a beat. She turned quickly and her eyes met a brown owl sitting on the outside windowsill's edge. It tapped again. "Owl!" Her mind clicked, grabbing the letter; she proceeded to unlock the latch and open the window. The cool spring breeze hit her face as she slowly and cautiously outstretched the letter in her hand, it was as if she was feeding a whole chicken to an alligator. The brown owl's horned beak snatched it, his feet hobbled around and with a quick flap of wings, it had taken off, letter still in tow.
Alice watched in amazement and accomplishment. If they were to eradicate her memory, as they had done to her publisher, Mr. Mylton Jr., she would at least have had her say about their despicable practices.
Turning around from the window she found her overnight travelling bag, unzipped it and started to fill it with a few clothes and other necessities. At the same time, she had acquired her mobile phone from her bag and dialed her aunt and uncle's number.
"Aunt Marla? Hi, it's Alice… They are fumigating the apartment tonight and I was wondering if I could stay there? I apologize for the late notice but I only just found the memo." Her father's brother and his wife lived just outside the city and were always happy to have Alice as a guest. They were without children and were fond of spoiling their nieces and nephews when they had the chance. Alice figured it was wiser to go there for the night; at the very least she may be able to get some sleep.
Opening the top drawer of her desk she pulled out a small black aerosol can of pepper spray, which her father coerced her into buying the moment she mentioned she would be moving to London. She had not given it much thought until today and suddenly saw its utility. With everything packed and her netbook safely stowed in her bag, she left her small flat to go to the train station.
The brown owl quickly flapped its way to Diagon Alley and to the main office of The Daily Prophet. The editor, Barnabas Cuffe, lounged in a large red leather chair at his desk with a cup of tea in his hand. A magical quill furiously dictating notes above him, as he leisurely laid out the main article for tomorrow's morning edition: Magic Mushrooms Abound Due to Recent Increase in Rain. He casually sipped his tea in between his carefully composed sentences.
A young office assistant came in with a bleached white envelope. "Sir," he said, trying not to be too disruptive, "We've received an odd letter."
The quill immediately stopped its motion and slowly nestled itself on Cuffe's desk. The distinguished editor peered through his half spectacles at the boy.
"Well, bring it here boy," He said haughtily, motioning with his hand.
The boy apprehensively gave Cuffe the letter, knowing very well it came from a muggle. The envelope and typed print gave it away. Cuffe was amused at the novelty of it, a muggle sending a letter to The Daily Prophet? Outrageous! Glancing over the text he was suddenly taken aback by its shrillness and sweeping attack on the wizarding world. It was written with purpose, but what purpose?
"Boy, get me Barkley and Eisenhorn in here immediately, we have new story for the morning edition." His orders made the boy spring to life. It has been a few weeks since The Daily Prophet meddled in the internal business of the Minstry's Department of Magical Law Enforcement and such leaks sold papers. He was determined to make this letter into an even odder story. He could smell scandal brewing. Two of his best journalists walked through the door, their eyes hungry for some unique news to gather. Before the long night started, one thing was certain, the main story on magic mushroom growth would be bumped to page 8, in the weather section.