Fairy Tales

by Perceval23

Harry failed to learn the Power the Dark Lord Knows Not, so he, with Luna's guidance, must undertake a journey to learn the true history of the Wizarding world, and find himself in the process. Multi-crossover.

24. The Old Ways

A/N: Since Dora's Hogwarts house wasn't mentioned in the books, just an interview, I'm putting her into the house that I think makes the most sense within the context of the books. In the books, Dora mentioned having an especially strict Head of House, which doesn't fit the later JKR interview. A further explanation at the end.

Also, some of you will notice some Joseph McCarthy references, here.

Back in Chapter 17, I went into some detail about the Tonks and Black family histories, including Marius Black's wife, Athena Charles, and their daughter, Helen Anne Black. Now, we go into how all that relates to our main cast. Helen and her husband made their first appearance in the story back in Chapter 8.

St. Brigid was introduced in Chapter 2, with a bit more on her in Chapter 8. Papa Legba introduced in Chapter 16 in a scene set in Dallas which also mentioned a Gothic cathedral in that city dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe. We've referred to how magic developed differently in the U.S. than how it's done by the British wizards, and there's been references to the time the Tonkses spent in New Orleans and what Andromeda learned, there. You might want to re-read the first scene in that one, since Lulu will be back, next chapter.

Now, we'll start to see what all that was about. For example, just how is Morgan visiting Dumbledore? Also, back in Chapter 15, we went into the connections between King Solomon, the Ark of the Covenant, St. Mary, and the Holy Grail, which is coming up again, here. In Chapter 20, we mentioned a great historic battle the Knights of Walpurgis won on a Walpurgis Night, and we covered the persecution and destruction of the Knights Templar.

While I realize some may be bothered by all the Judeo-Christian stuff, one really can't write a story featuring both Alchemy and Avalon, at least if one wants to be true to them, without the Judeo-Christian underpinnings. Avalon is where the Holy Grail is, after all. :)

Since JKR used creatures and beings from several different mythologies in the HP books, I needed a cosmology that could incorporate all of them. Fortunately, the history of the development of Alchemy was nice enough to provide it. I love it when things work out that way.

Also, one of my pet peeves in HP fic is the assumption that the magical U.S. is just like magical Britain, including having a "Ministry of Magic." Why would it? They don't have Ministries in the U.S., they have Departments. While the two countries share the same language, they are very different cultures, and their magical communities would reflect that. Same goes for any country that isn't Britain. Another thing that bugs me is writers having British wizards refer to the U.S. as "the colonies." While they're certainly out of touch with the world outside their little magical bubble, they'd be aware that the U.S. exists and hasn't been a British colony for well over two centuries. They're always having to deal with other countries, so they'd know who they were having meetings with at the ICW and so forth. Especially, having Snape do it... He was raised in the muggle world, so it would require plenty of memory charms for him to forget about the U.S.'s existence.

And, once again, the history, mythology, legends, and rituals described, except for the involvement of Harry Potter type witches and wizards, is real, though history and legend gets blurred. That's real, too.

Fantasia belongs to Disney.

---

Chapter Twenty-Four

The Old Ways

"The Eternal Feminine
Draws us heavenward."

—Goethe

---

Thelema, Glastonbury, Somerset, England, UK, July 17, 1996

For the longest time, Nymphadora Perenelle Rosier Tonks hated her name.

It wasn't really because Charlie Weasley teased her about it when they were in school. Charlie, Dora had reasoned, was just mad because she made a fool of him in their first DADA class. And, of course, there was her team winning all those Quidditch Cups. Plus, there was that little matter of her mother's family. For someone who, along with his family, always said bloodlines meant nothing, Charlie Weasley certainly took exception to hers. Admittedly, she didn't help matters when she pointed out that she not only knew how to pronounce the word 'telephone', but her home had some.

Besides, the Weasleys had such plain, dull, names. They did become quite close, after a while, when he grew up a bit. He was just teasing, after all. He didn't mean any harm. Never did. The Weasley boys could be insensitive jerks, sometimes, but their hearts were always in the right place.

Nymphadora was an old Black family name, and obviously so to anyone who knew anything about the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. That was part of the issue. Oh, she liked her grandparents well enough, and her squib great-great-uncle Marius was a good man. But, to Dora's generation, the Black family name had been disgraced. Her cousin Sirius and her aunt Bellatrix, along with Dora's uncle by marriage Rabastan Lestrange, were in Azkaban, and her aunt Narcissa and uncle by marriage Lucius Malfoy barely stayed out of there. Another cousin, Regulus, was a Death Eater who was killed. If that wasn't enough, her maternal grandmother's side of the family gave Dora another cousin and uncle who had perished in the service of Voldemort.

Dora's real problem with her name was what it represented. Her mother was Andromeda Black, and the Blacks were always very careful when naming their children. In their family, names had a magic, all their own. As Dora's mother had taught her, most spells involved incantations, the use of words. Humans needed words to communicate their thoughts to each other, as most couldn't communicate thoughts directly. Words were a code with which we communicated. The ancient Egyptians used symbols called hieroglyphs to put words in writing, and also used them to channel magic, the symbols channeling power. It would serve as the basis for magical spellwork, from then on. So, in magical families, names were spells, continually cast whenever the name was used, shaping who that person would be.

Her full name, Nymphadora Perenelle Rosier Tonks, had quite a few meanings packed into it, meaning quite a bit of magic shaping her.

Several of her... less classically educated fellow Hogwarts students made sexually related comments regarding her name. It didn't help that she actually did desire more sex than most, and multiple partners at that. But, that didn't come from her first name, but with her very special gift she and her mother had inherited from her maternal grandmother's family. And, this was something she was, despite all her efforts to deny it, just going to have to accept.

And with what Hermione clearly had planned for tonight, and what Harry clearly wanted, and Luna's obvious desire for them to emulate their respective mothers, acceptance of herself would be a good thing. Dora really loved all three of them, and they loved her and each other.

Nymphadora meant Gift of the Nymphs. To the ancient Greeks, nymphs were female nature entities, generally connected to water. Europeans would identify them with the Fae.

And, a gift from the Fae was considered something to beware.

---

Dora was born in the Fairyland of Avalon. Her parents weren't from there, but from the outer planes. Her godmother, Morgan le Fay, was the Queen of Avalon. Dora's mother first encountered Morgan just before she started Hogwarts, with Lord Voldemort during a misty twilight near the pond at her family's home, Eden. Morgan accompanied her and Dora's father to their first visit to a Fairyland, Wonderland, in December of 1966 where the Fae were planning the Summer of Love, the following year. Morgan brought Andy and Ted to her own land of Avalon after they finished Hogwarts, along with Morgan's husband, Xeno Lovegood.

They'd come for a variety of reasons. One was to study Fairy Magic. Another was that, during that fateful trip to Wonderland, Andy had come into possession of the Book of Abraham the Jew, the book that taught Nicolas Flamel how to create the Philosopher's Stone. After confirming with Flamel that the book was authentic, and offering to return it to him, Flamel had told her that if it came to her, she was meant to have it. But, he added, she needed to be somewhere quiet and secure to properly study it, and since Morgan had invited her, anyway...

Despite how it would appear in the outer planes, they didn't conceive Dora immediately. Time passes differently in the Fairylands. One can spend years there with little or even no time at all passing in the mortal world.

They'd maintained contacts with the outer planes. The Sidhe had always had friends, out there. While they had officially withdrawn from the outer planes, centuries before, they never entirely left. There were many stories of them in the outer planes, many legends. They'd planted their seed, and now, many generations later, everyone in the world had a little of the Sidhe in them, though most didn't realize it.

That said, the Sidhe didn't like being driven from the outer planes, didn't like being exiled, didn't like what had been done to their former home.

There had been a split among the Sidhe regarding what to do about those in the outer planes. Those with a more benevolent view became the Seelie Court. Among the Court were various creatures, such as blue caps, brownies, boggarts, hobgoblins, pixies, sprites, and leprechauns. Those with a more malevolent view became the Unseelie Court. Their Court included the goblins, bogies, brags, recaps, and other creatures that terrorized the outer planes. But, while the Seelie were kind, generally, they were mischievous and unpredictable. The price for offending the Seelie Court was often quite dear. But, one didn't even have to offend the Unseelie Court to feel their wrath.

Then, one day, those on the outer planes calling themselves wizards took it upon themselves to make changes. They'd decided to isolate themselves from those they called muggles, and decided that all that was magical must join them in isolation. This, the Seelie Court thought, was impossible. All life in the world had some magic, after all. It couldn't be completely contained. But, the wizards insisted, passing their Statutes of Secrecy. All magical species would have to abide by the Statutes, whether they wanted to, or not.

The Seelie Court refused to accept this, and the wizards couldn't force them. The Seelie did agree to abide by the wizards' laws where the wizards had jurisdiction, but the wizards couldn't force them to not have contact with muggles if they wished to. Besides, there were some long term commitments the Seelie Court had made in the outer planes.

The Unseelie Court, not surprisingly, reacted violently. The Seelie Court couldn't reasonably argue with the wizards' response, as they had every right to defend themselves.

Victory over the Unseelie Court, though, made the wizards arrogant.

While they couldn't contain the Sidhe of the Seelie Court, the wizards were quite capable of containing the Court's other beings. Those in the outer planes were forced to submit to the Ministry of Magic's laws. This was especially distressing for the brownies, who enjoyed helping muggle as well as wizard. They would enter a home, at night, and help around the house, wherever they could. All they wanted, in return, was a small portion of quality food left for them. It was also wise not to offend them, or criticize their work. They were quite accomplished tricksters, after all, and could cause all sorts of mischief.

The Ministry's solution to the problem of control was to magically enslave the brownies. No more would they expose the magic of the world to muggles. No longer would wizards have to worry about offending them. Now, the brownies would be slaves, house elves, property of the best wizarding families, with no free will of their own. Well, they still had a bit of free will, but it would be especially painful for them to exercise it, so they would learn to accept their status. The wizards justified doing this to an intelligent species on the basis that the brownies weren't human.

The Seelie Court, needless to say, was quite offended. They protested, and were rebuffed. Representatives of the Ministry of Magic told them that they had been driven from these planes, so their concerns need not be considered. The Ministry would do what they wished with their world.

Other Divine races found themselves in the same boat as the Sidhe as the European powers expanded their dominance over most of the world, especially Britain. They sought to exterminate the Naga in their various forms throughout the world. The British Ministry of Magic sent a task force to Australia to kill the Rainbow Serpent, despite warnings from the Aborigines that such an undertaking would be disastrous. With their usual contempt for native cultures, even magical ones, the British wizards ignored the warnings. Most of the task force was consumed by the land, itself. The survivors were catatonic, their minds... somewhere from which they never returned.

Needless to say, the British Ministry of Magic never made another attempt on the life of the Rainbow Serpent. They did, however, succeed in removing the ability of the Naga to take their human forms, trapping them in their snake forms. This did, of course, anger the gods of India, as well as the native magi, whose protests were dismissed by the British Ministry of Magic as unimportant, these "backward" people's concerns not worth considering.

Meanwhile, the non-magical mortal humans were poisoning the land, sea, and air. There were places in the outer planes that were strong with Sidhe magic, places that were passageways between the Fairylands and outer planes. These places were steadily becoming smaller, the green disappearing, more and more.

The situation had become intolerable.

The Sidhe had always planned to reclaim the outer planes. The Seelie Court had intended to achieve this peacefully, letting the seeds they had planted bloom, and influencing both magical and non-magical mortals. They had done that a great deal, over the years, inspiring Eleanor of Aquitaine's Courts of Love, and many artists and thinkers in many fields. Shakespeare wrote of them. An Oxford Professor of the 20th Century would, through study of languages, rediscover the Sidhe tongues. Intervention from the Ministry of Magic would force him to allow non-magicals to think the languages were fictional, but his path would inevitably cross that of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black.

The Unseelie Court intended to take back the outer planes by force. They were unsuccessful, and badly beaten, though they did scheme to gain control of Wizarding finances, the wizards, in their arrogance, thinking they had taught the not quite human goblins their proper place.

What both Courts came to realize was that neither of them were accomplishing much, that their division had been taken advantage of by the wizards. Divide and conquer had been wizard strategy. So, the Courts resolved their differences, and would now act as one.

Very few in the wizarding community were aware of this development. One who was was Lord Voldemort. He explained this to his young pupil, Andromeda Black, on the evening she first saw the Sidhe. He'd warned her that they were attracted to beauty and potential, but assured her that she was safe from them, as long as she was with him. Within a year and a half, she met Morgan le Fay, formally.

Morgan would tell her that there was no coincidence, only synchronicity.

---

Hermione was nervous.

The next two days were big. Tomorrow was the Wizengamot session, where Dumbledore would try to remove the Seelie Court from Wizarding Britain, and, she and her friends were certain, try to remove Harry from the custody of the Tonkses, setting himself up as Guardian, where he could then violate Harry's mind and will, as well as force him to take the most powerful love potion to make him fall "in love" with Ginny Weasley.

She'd told her parents of the situation, last night. They decided on the spot that she wasn't going to return to Hogwarts. She convinced them of a compromise, that she wouldn't return to Hogwarts while Albus Dumbledore was Headmaster, which, she said, was something they were working on. Her mother helped her pick an appropriate outfit for the Wizengamot session.

They had a strategy, but, Hermione wondered, could they anticipate Dumbledore? The man was a noted strategist, himself. Surely, she thought, he had something up his sleeve. Or, given the convoluted nature of his usual planning, maybe he couldn't plan on the fly, very well?

Ozma, however, was very reassuring that everything would go well, that they had the situation completely under control. And, when it was Ozma reassuring her, she couldn't help but completely believe everything was going to be OK.

Everything was under control. Hermione wasn't going to let worry ruin tonight. One only loses their virginity once, and she was determined not to let anything ruin this night with Dora.

So, she did some deep breathing exercises and stretches to help her relax, and went to have breakfast with her parents before they left for work. It was during breakfast, as usual, that the morning Prophet arrived. Hermione put it aside to read after breakfast was done and her parents had left for the day.

After all, if there were any emergencies, she'd be phoned. The morning paper could wait.

She was glad she'd waited until her parents had left before reading the front page. Since they weren't there, she wouldn't have to explain why she yelled out the "F" word.

She knew Morgan Lovegood was Morgan le Fay, since that information was in the advance copy of Andromeda's autobiography. But, how did the Prophet find out?

At least the main article was balanced, with information that even Hermione didn't know, like Morgan's and Dorothy's involvement in the final battle with Grindelwald.

The opinion piece by Elphias Doge, however, was anything but balanced. It was yellow journalism that made last year's campaign against Harry seem supportive by comparison. Doge fully demonized not only Morgan, but Luna, calling her a "dangerous dark creature that should not be allowed loose among our innocent children," like she was some sort of succubus. He further declared that there were 81 Seelie Court sympathizers in the Ministry of Magic, including Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and that these "traitors" needed to be rooted out.

Naturally, he announced that Nymphadora Tonks was a Seelie Court Fae, daughter of a "dark" witch and wizard who also happened to be Fae. And, of course, he played up Andy's past as a protege of Voldemort, completely ignoring the fact that she was married to a wizard from a non-magical family, and didn't abide by this Pureblood nonsense.

After all, why let the truth get in the way of attempting to rouse hysteria?

It took Hermione a moment to recall where she knew the name of Elphias Doge. He was one of the oldest members of the Order of the Phoenix, part of the group that retrieved Harry from the Dursley house, last year. He went to school with Albus Dumbledore, and was a close friend of the Headmaster.

So, that was Dumbledore's plan of attack, or part of it, at least.

Rita Skeeter's piece was a different animal. Hermione wondered how they were going to deal with that. "ROYALTY AT HOGWARTS?" was the title, followed by what was essentually a celebrity fluff piece, naturally mentioning Luna's friendship with Hogwart's other celebrity student, and how that friendship led to Skeeter's exclusive interview with Harry that told the truth about "You-Know-Who's" return. Hermione scoffed, remembering how she forced Skeeter to conduct that interview. But, well... They could count their blessings that Skeeter was directing her poison pen at Doge and, by extention, Dumbledore, for the campaign against "such a sweet girl who put her life at risk to expose the real threat to our world."

Hermione called Dora, after.

"Have you seen the Prophet?" she asked.

"Yeah, we saw it. Doesn't change anything, though."

"How's Luna taking it?"

"She's, in her words, 'quite cross' with Doge and Dumbledore. She's handling it OK, though, with Harry and the rest of us here."

"Especially Harry..."

"Yeah..."

"How's he handling it?"

"The same way he handles any attacks on people he cares about. Dad convinced him not to hunt down Doge and curse him into the next century."

"Thanks. As cathartic as that would have been, we need to not give Dumbledore anything he can use against us."

"We expected the Headbastard would try something like this. We figured he'd come after us in the press directly, though, not go after Luna. I guess we overestimated his sense of decency."

"That was pretty low, I agree... I'm on my way. Do I need to be wearing anything, or should I just pack clothes for today with what I'll be wearing, tomorrow?"

"None of us are dressed... And naked is my favorite outfit for you."

"Thanks! I'll be right over as soon as I'm undressed. Love you."

"Love you, too."

After disconnecting, Hermione stripped, put what she had been wearing into her overnight bag, grabbed the outfit she'd be wearing to the Wizengamot tomorrow, and activated the pendant with the Granger Coat of Arms that transported her to Thelema.

When she arrived, she was immediately embraced, and kissed, by Dora. She was enjoying this, but then felt another nude body embrace her from behind, very clearly male.

"Harry!"

"What, I can't hug my best friend who always hugs me?"

"I feel like I'm the middle of a sandwich."

"A very tasty sandwich, I'm sure," he said before releasing her.

She turned her head to face Harry, remaining in Dora's embrace, and said, "Impressive erection, Harry."

Before Harry could respond, Hermione found herself embraced by a naked blonde.

"You don't expect me to miss out on the groping, do you?" said Luna.

"She's all mine, tonight," said Dora.

Hermione stepped back and said, "As much as I was enjoying this, I'm afraid I have to break the mood."

"This is about the article about Mother," said Luna.

"Yeah... How are you doing?"

Luna shrugged, and said, "At least she's getting some recognition for her World War II service."

You always find the silver lining. And as much as I hate to say something nice about Rita Skeeter, I liked how she used that in the article about you, bringing up the Department of Mysteries and saying 'Heroism runs in the family.'"

Harry said, "I'm guessing Dumbledore isn't too happy about that."

---

In the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore was not a happy man. He was currently on the floo venting his anger at Rowena Vane, Publisher of the Daily Prophet.

"Once again, Rowena, you have betrayed me!"

"I didn't realize I was your subordinate, Professor. I know for certain that I haven't sold you my shares in the Lestrange Group, and I can safely bet neither of my brothers have, even if they were in a position to do so."

"Do you serve the Light or the Dark?"

"What's Light and Dark seems to be a matter of perspective. Not everyone seems to consider you to embody the Light."

How dare she, Dumbledore thought. He took a deep breath, and continued.

"I thought I made it very clear what I wanted in this morning's edition."

"And you got it. We even printed Doge's rant."

"The whole thing was supposed to be like that! And you obviously confuse ranting with passionate discourse! I thought we had an understanding!"

"We do. But, need I remind you we also have an understanding with the Minister?"

The Minister... Damn him! He needed to remove Bones as soon as possible, so Kingsley could move further up the ladder. Then, well... Rufus Scrimgeour's death would be tragic, but necessary for the greater good.

His voice weighed with disappointment, Dumbledore said, "I had hoped you had learned something from your mistakes last year, Rowena."

"I did, Albus," she said with a touch of a malicious smile. "I learned not to take sides between you and the Minister for Magic. So, our coverage of any disputes between you will now be fair and balanced."

"I see..." He hoped he wasn't shaking enough for Vane to see even through the flames of the floo.

"Will there be anything else, Professor?"

Dumbledore sighed, and said, "For now, no."

"Have a nice day, then," she said as she ended the connection.

"Have a nice day, she says..." Dumbledore stood and turned to Doge. "Unbelievable!"

"She does have the Minister to answer to," replied Doge.

"Well, we just need to make sure tomorrow goes our way. We know the votes we can absolutely count on."

"Yes, and I'll be visiting the Gryffindor members we're not so sure about, and impress on them the danger of the situation."

"Good... good... I'll visit some of the members of the other houses, and insure their loyalty."

"Do you think you'll be able to?"

"Of course, old friend," Dumbledore said, picking up a bag of his special lemon drops. "I can be very persuasive."

Yes, with his favorite method, an Imperius Curse to force them to consume the lemon drop laced with a potion that would make them very suggestive, followed by a memory charm to make them forget the Unforgivable had been cast, followed by guiding them while they were under the potion's effect would win votes that might not otherwise be cast for the greater good.

So focused was he on his plans that he didn't notice the portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black leave his frame to visit a family member.

At the offices of the Daily Prophet, Rowena Vane shook her head.

"Well," said Rita Skeeter, who had watched the conversation along with Barnabas Cuffe, the Prophet's editor, "he's certainly upset."

"He wasn't even that mad, last year," Vane replied.

"Mad may be the key word. He's starting to crack, I think. I guess all his jobs are catching up with him."

"Well, that may be going a bit far..."

"Be that as it may, he'll be even angrier with tomorrow's article from me."

"Have you read it, Barney?" Vane asked Cuffe.

"Yes," he replied. "And Rita isn't exaggerating."

Skeeter said, "I'd thought Harry seemed a bit... malnourished. Now I know why. It seems our great and wise Chief Warlock placed a one-year-old Harry Potter in an abusive home. Physical and emotional abuse, starvation... Almost fifteen years of it."

"Did Dumbledore know?" asked Vane.

"Not only did he know, he insisted on sending the boy right back to that abusive family, every Summer."

"What? My daughter goes to Hogwarts! This man is in charge of her well being!"

"You might want to ask her what really goes on, there."

"Oh, I will. Barney, are the stories about the Tonkses and Princess Dorothy halting the Death Eater attacks ready for tomorrow's edition?"

"They will be," he replied.

"Good."

---

One of Dora's middle names was Perenelle, after Nicolas Flamel's wife, and a friend and mentor of Andy and Ted.

While Albus Dumbledore's Chocolate Frog card called Nicolas Flamel Dumbledore's Alchemy partner, in truth it was Nicolas Flamel who was the world's leading Alchemist, and Prerenelle who was his true partner, in Alchemy and life. Only together, were they able to create the Philosopher's Stone.

There was a piece of property close to Glastonbury Tor. None of the locals knew for sure who owned it, but there were local legends that it belonged to the Fae of Avalon. A large house began being constructed there, finished in 1973, just in time for the Tonkses to move in when they returned to the outer planes. They returned with a newborn baby.

They also returned with a great deal of gold, as master Alchemists were never without gold, and had already made arrangements with Gringotts. They bought some properties, mostly in Devon. Where they bought their properties was strong in Sidhe magic, places where the division between the Fairylands and the outer planes was weakest. There were already a great many witches in the area, and not all of them the kind that Andy had grown up with. Some were even what would be called muggles by Andy's culture. But, they had all been touched by the Sidhe. Andy and Ted had first met some of them during the magical Summer of Love in 1967, including their close friend Emily Serendipity Piper, who was now a Fae, herself, having spent a considerable time in Wonderland. The Thelema Circle grew.

Their new home was very much like Eden, the one she grew up in, except for the modern non-magical conveniences, of course, and the indoor swimming pool, which could be used, year round. Dora's mother loved to swim, and did it, every day, when possible.

"Water's your mother's element," her father told Dora.

There were reunions with those with which they had kept in contact, such as the Flamels, Uncle Marius and his ever growing family, and Remus Lupin. Remus was an old friend from Hogwarts. Even though he was five years younger than Andy, she had taken him under her wing. She knew she had to do so when she first heard the name "Lupin" called for the Sorting Ceremony at Hogwarts. Much to Andy's frustration, Remus wasn't sorted into Ravenclaw or Slytherin, but Gryffindor. This had been doubly frustrating for Andy, as her cousin Sirius had somehow been sorted into Gryffindor, earlier in the evening. But, as the non-magicals say, when given lemons, make lemonade. So, Andy informed her cousin that he would befriend his new housemate. Remus would become her first protege, the first of many, over the years.

Dora had a practically perfect nanny, Mary Poppins. There was also much travelling around the world, as Dora's parents still had so much to do and learn. A pact that Glinda the Good of Oz made between the Seelie Court and the Naga would bring another addition to the family, Seth of the Boa Naga of Brazil.

There was a war still raging, of course, so the Thelema Circle made their properties Unplottable. They placed every defense that they had learned from their families on them, along with some they had learned elsewhere, or invented. The Sidhe were also watching over them and their families, both the Seelie and Unseelie Courts. Andy had written her theory on magical genetics, that she knew would revolutionize how their culture saw themselves, and the world. They went to the Lestrange Group to publish it in one of their many periodicals.

They found they were quite unwelcome.

It wasn't a Blood Purity issue for the Lestranges, at least the ones running the company. It wasn't even because of her marriage, with them, except for her brother-in-law's expected reaction. No, most of the Lestranges had no issue with muggleborns, being only recently considered Pureblood, themselves. Ironically, the elder Lestranges had the same complaint about the Thelema Circle that they had with their son Rodolphus, and Andy's sister, Bellatrix.

They were too radical. They were too disrupting. Andy thought the senior Lestranges suspected just how disrupting Bella's and Roddy's activities were, but were keeping quiet about it, even to themselves. Andy had halfway expected, knowing those two so well, that they'd have landed themselves in Azkaban by the time she returned.

She was relieved they hadn't. Yet.

Sirius, at least, didn't condemn her for marrying Ted, but admired her for it. He'd finally gotten fed up with things at home, and had run away, now living with the Potters. However... Sirius was being rather distant with her, as if even he didn't trust her. He even complained about the name she'd given her daughter.

"How could you name her that?" he demanded.

"It's an old family name, Sirius."

"I know it's an old family name! That's just it!"

"You're losing me, Sirius."

"Did I ever have you?" he asked, bitterly.

What had gotten into him?

"Remus told me you'd formed a band," she told him. "Looking forward to seeing you play. Love the alias, by the way, Stubby." She smiled as she said this, then turned serious. "You haven't been indulging in certain chemicals, have you? Because, you're sounding rather paranoid."

"Of course I'm paranoid! We're in a war! You don't know who you can trust! And, I'm not abusing... chemicals!"

"Sirius, I would think my choice of husband makes it clear enough that I'm not serving the Dark Lord."

"And yet, you still call him that."

"Well, I could call him Tom, I suppose... But what does that have to do with what I named my daughter?"

"Dammit, Andy! How could you give her a Black name? You know what the family is! That's why we left! Are you going to raise her like we were raised?"

Oh dear...

"Sirius, as the muggles say, don't throw out the baby with the bathwater."

"What?"

"I'll raise her as I was raised, yes. I had a different upbringing than you did, remember? It'll be without the anti-muggle prejudices, of course, but I'm keeping what was good."

"There was nothing good!"

"For you, maybe..."

Our family were dark wizards!"

"And witches. Don't be sexist."

"I'm not being... Dammit, that's not the point! What, are you going to teach your daughter the Dark Arts?"

"I'll teach her a lot of things."

"Why did you marry Ted, then? Why aren't you with them?"

Well, there were a lot of ways to answer those questions. She was tempted to remind him that Ted was quite well versed in the Dark Arts, but that wasn't what was bugging her, not really.

"Sirius, you're as reactionary as Bella."

"Wha... Don't you dare compare me to her!"

"Why not? Weren't you doing the same to me?"

"I'm... I'm fighting for the Light! You're either on one side or the other, and I've chosen mine! What about you?"

"I'm opposed to Lord Voldemort. I would think that was obvious."

"But, who's side are you on?"

Ah.

"Sirius, what has Dumbledore been telling you?"

"Actually, it was Bella who told me part of it. Voldemort told her. Dumbledore just filled in the gaps."

"And Dumbledore thinks Lord Voldemort is trying to recruit the Seelie Court?"

Sirius's silence answered that question.

"Do you really think we're waiting for the best offer, Sirius?"

"We?"

"We. And, you may tell Dumbledore that we share a common goal. A few common goals, actually." She smiled like the Cheshire Cat. "Though, we don't have the greatest of patience where some of those goals are concerned. Ask him about it. It will take us some time to see some of those goals through, though, years, in fact. He has some time."

With that, she left him.

Oh well, she still had her parents, Uncle Marius, Ted and Dora, and Morgan & Xeno. They'd still be published, too. They began their own publishing company, Quibbler Press, to serve as a home for blacklisted writers in magical Britain.

Thelema had frequent guests, some of whom Dora learned she was expected to wear clothing when they were around, others not. Among them were two of her parents' old teachers at Hogwarts, Horace Slughorn and Filius Flitwick. Horace taught Potions, though he retired before Dora began attending Hogwarts. She thought that unfortunate, because Horace seemed a lot more fun than his replacement was.

Not that it took a lot to be more fun than Severus Snape, mind you.

While Potions Master was Horace's official job, his unofficial job was something similar to what non-magicals would come to call a Lifestyle Coach, though he never really thought of it that way, if he thought about it at all. He taught students his methods and world view to those that he thought would both be receptive and would be able to help him maintain the lifestyle he enjoyed.

When Hogwarts wasn't in session, Horace traveled. He and Dora's parents would share stories about where they had been and what they'd done since they last saw each other, places to go and people to meet, and ones to avoid if at all possible.

Years passed, and Dora grew. She loved showing off her shape changing skills, taking delight in tricking people. She could never fool her parents or godparents, though.

Her mother had begun making trips outside Thelema. She often had, of course, but she had usually told Dora all about where she'd gone, and what she'd done, during the day. Dora loved to hear her mother's stories. But, when Dora was six, she wouldn't tell Dora anything about where she had gone or what she'd been doing. Her mother seemed worried about something. So did Daddy, and Morgan and Xeno. Daddy wouldn't let Mommy go wherever she was going without one of them going with her. And, no one would tell Dora what was going on. Dora knew about the war, of course. Was mother doing something dangerous?

One night, her mother brought someone home with her, and Dora was introduced to her cousin Regulus. Dora was happy to meet a new family member. He and her mother went into another room to talk. Dora tried to listen in, but her mother had charmed the door to prevent her from doing so. Daddy and her godparents wouldn't tell her anything, other than Regulus was doing something dangerous, trying to help stop the bad people who were hurting and killing others.

Then, the news came. Regulus was dead. If that wasn't bad enough, that same year, Dora's grandfather on her mother's side died. So did an uncle Dora never met.

But, before the year was out, there'd be a new life.

That December, Uncle Marius invited the Tonkses to a family Christmas party. Marius's family had grown quite large, and, in September, he'd become a grandfather, his daughter Helen having married a man named Apollo, of all things. It was time to meet the newest addition to the family.

Dora loved Uncle Marius. Andy, meanwhile, felt something special, something familiar, when she was close to Marius's granddaughter. Marius's family had maintained his wife's family's tradition of girls named for their ancient Greek ancestors. The baby was given an especially beautiful name, Andy thought, Hermione Jean Granger.

"She'll be getting a letter delivered by an owl in a few years," she told Marius.

"Well, it was only a matter of time, wasn't it?"

"You raised your children to be very studious, Uncle. Though, I like to think a little of that brilliance is in the blood."

"You think she'll do all right, then?"

Andy was sure of it. She'd be watching this girl.

When Dora was seven, she experienced her first crush.

Her parents had decided it was time for Dora to have a tutor. Dora didn't think she needed one. Her mother explained that there were some things she needed to learn that she wouldn't learn when she went to Hogwarts in a few years. Andy said she had a tutor, herself, when she was a child. Dora still stubbornly insisted she didn't need one.

She changed her mind when she saw her tutor was her parents' old friend, Remus. Remus was embarrassed, but Andy was amused, remembering her own crush on her especially handsome tutor when she was young.

Too bad her big sister never grew out of hers.

There was one person not pleased that Remus was teaching Dora, though, as she learned, one night, when her mother was stomping around the house, quite angrily.

"Andy," Dora's father asked, "Can't you contain the famous Black temper, a bit?"

"No, I can't!"

"That was a silly question, Ted," Xeno informed him.

"Well, I can always hope for miracles, can't I?"

"Hope springs eternal, as they say."

"Why is Mummy so mad?" Dora asked Morgan, who was looking on, amused.

"Do you remember your cousin Sirius?"

"A little."

"Well, Sirius said some very mean things to Remus."

"What? He's a poopyhead!"

"A very big poopyhead, yes. So, your mother has declared war on him. Oh, don't worry, she won't really hurt him. The fairies, sometimes, would declare wars on one another, but they wouldn't want to really hurt each other, so they'd throw food. Your mother intends to carry on that tradition."

Andy was seething.

"He's going to pay, that son of a-" Remembering her daughter was there, she said "That S. O. B!"

"Well, those are his initials," Xeno pointed out.

"His band's playing tonight... Should his review be eggs, or tomatoes?" Andy wondered.

Ted sighed, and asked, "And how do you intend to sneak eggs or tomatoes into a crowded place without them getting crushed?"

"Oh... Yeah..." Andy said, downhearted. But, before Ted could congratulate himself for another triumph of Ravenclaw logic, Andy's eyes lit back up.

"I'll just have to take something more solid! Yes, this will do..." she said, picking up a turnip.

Ted sighed, again.

"Xeno, could you go along, and make sure she gets out safely, when the inevitable riot happens?"

"Of course," Xeno replied, and off they went to make magical rock'n'roll history.

Sirius's issues with Andy now extended to Remus. Sirius saw Andy as a dark, manipulative, witch with her own agenda, which, to be fair, she was. Still, that was no excuse to treat Dora's mum or tutor like that. Sirius's distrust of Remus would have fatal consequences, soon. For many years, only Sirius would know that.

On October 31, 1980, there was a new addition to the family. Morgan and Xeno named her Luna Sophia de Avalon Lovegood.

Luna's first birthday would be a memorable one for the magical world. Lord Voldemort decided to celebrate the occasion by murdering the Potters. It went badly for him.

He'd been successful with James and Lily Potter, much less so with their year and three month old son, Harry. The attempted Killing Curse backfired. Magical Britain celebrated, thinking the Dark Lord dead.

The Thelema Circle knew better. Regulus had told Andy that the Dark Lord had a method of surviving, even if he was apparently killed, though he didn't tell her what it was.

The first thing the Tonkses did was try to find Harry Potter. When they learned the baby was safe with Dumbledore, they immediately offered to adopt him. The Dark Lord would return, Andy said, and the boy would need to be ready. He needed the knowledge and safe environment the Thelema Circle could provide. What she didn't tell Dumbledore was that any baby that could do this to the Dark Lord might have tremendous potential in the Dark Arts, and could become someone for those so inclined to rally behind. Perhaps, Andy could stop her older sister from doing something really stupid, as she was bound to do something really stupid.

Cissy, it seemed, had thought the same thing. The Malfoys also offered to adopt Harry, along with many other families. Dumbledore would hear none of it, though. He made a point of telling Andy that Harry's new home would be watched, in case anyone should think of visiting and taking the baby off his new family's hands.

The nerve!

The Tonkses immediately had a new concern, though. Sirius had been arrested, for the murders of Peter Pettigrew, along with a number of muggles, and betraying the Potters to Voldemort.

Sirius.

Impossible, Andy knew. At least Sirius would be cleared at the trial...

Except, there was no trial. Crouch simply chucked Sirius into Azkaban.

Andy protested this miscarriage of justice, quite loudly, to the point that she was threatened with Azkaban, herself. Dumbledore, to her shock, didn't support her. Andy was outraged. Surely, even if Dumbledore thought Sirius guilty, he'd agree he deserved a trial.

Even Remus told her she was just overcome with grief. Meanwhile, her sisters, and their husbands, were under investigation. They were cleared.

Then, as Andy predicted, Bella did something really stupid. In desperation to find the Dark Lord, she, her husband Rodolphus, his brother Rabastan, and, of all people, Crouch's son tortured Frank and Alice Longbottom into madness. Neville Longbottom was left another baby who would have to grow up without his parents, though, unlike Harry Potter, he at least still had his grandparents.

At least Crouch Sr. gave Bella and her cohorts the benefit of a trial, Andy thought, bitterly.

---

Dora's second middle name, the clan name so she was told, was Rosier, her maternal grandmother's maiden name.

The Rosier family dated to ancient times, the first to have that name having served King Solomon, assisting in building the Temple.

Andy was still, in her Naga form, meditating, with Seth watching over her, lovingly. Fae had much better memory than most mortal humans, needed because of their long lifespans. As a Naga, Andy could enhance that using a meditation Seth taught her that allowed to access any memories she desired, and today she'd need to recall a lot of details.

She opened her eyes, gazed at Seth, and smiled. They nuzzled, and she wanted nothing more than to stay like this with him for a while. But, she had a meeting to take and a protege to teach. So, she shifted into her human form, wrapped Seth around her, and set off to collect Hermione.

They found her in the game room where Ted and Dora were teaching Harry how to play pool. She, Seth, and Hermione then went to the study for their meeting with Phineas. Andy thanked Phineas for the latest information on Dumbledore's activities.

"And how is my great-granddaughter?" Phineas asked Hermione.

"Nervous about tomorrow," she answered.

"Don't be. You're surrounded by brilliant people who have their own plans, back-up plans, and back-up plans for those back-up plans. Simply concentrate on your studies and your happiness, for today."

"I know, and I will. I suppose I'm nervous because I'm usually the one making the plans."

"Yes, I remember. A pity I didn't know you were family, until recently."

"I didn't know, either. I didn't even suspect until I read Andy's book, and there was someone who had the same name as my grandfather on my mother's side. He died before I got my Hogwarts letter. But Mum never mentioned she was from a magical family. She didn't know until I told her."

"Yes, the Statutes forbid Squibs from telling anyone outside of the Wizarding world, even those they marry. Still, it would be best if the Ministry kept records of births in Squib families. Then, you would have learned of your heritage, sooner."

"It doesn't make a difference to me."

"It's always good to know where you come from. Andromeda has said that your mother's side of the family has an interesting history, as well."

"That's... old family legend."

Andy said, "Not according to your grandfather's records, it's not."

"Well, while I accept that Helen of Troy was a real person, and I might be descended from her..."

"Not might be. You are descended from her."

"All right... But, the myth of her birth..."

"Is it the swan part or Zeus you're having trouble accepting?"

"Both."

"Yes, you're descended from Zeus, who impregnated Helen of Troy's mother while they were both swans."

"So... I have an ancestor who hatched from an egg."

"Well, we all do if you go back far enough, since mammals evolved from reptiles. And you've seen me and Dora shape shift into reptiles."

"True."

Phineas said, "Since you're descended fro me, you're also descended from Ishtar, through Godric Gryffindor."

Andy added, "That's why Gryffindor's symbol is a lion. Lions were associated with Ishtar."

"So," Hermione said, "Lilith is a very old enemy of the family, then."

"Yes. Godric even made eternally opposing Lilith one of the central causes of the Knights of Walpurgis. You had to swear yourself to do that."

"So, Voldemort broke a vow when he... changed the direction?"

"No, actually. He's still very much about destroying Lilith and the Black Coats. That's actually one of his main goals."

"What's that have to do with his Pureblood beliefs?"

"He doesn't actually have those beliefs. Whipping up those that do and using them is a means to an end."

"What end?"

"I'm not sure. He always talked of building a better world, but he never told me the details of how he would achieve it, or what his idea of a better world would be. Given that he's a murderous sadistic psychopath, it's likely different from my idea of a better world, and his methods of getting to it are certainly not ones I can accept as necessary."

"So... He's a lot like Dumbledore, in the 'sacrificing' lots of people for his vision of the greater good?"

"Yes, only worse."

"Another thing... Since you mentioned that I'm descended from both Zeus and Ishtar... You're a Christian."

"Yes."

"How do you reconcile all these different gods, and different Pantheons?"

"Well, Aslan didn't mind Bacchus being in Narnia. They're very close, in fact. I suppose the best explanation is how the Gnostic Christians applied the Pythagorean concept of the Monad."

"The Pythagoreans... Followers of Pythagoras, who I would be learning about by now if they taught math at Hogwarts. The Agrippan method that is used in Arithmency is sometimes called Pythagorean, but has nothing to do with Pythagoras."

"Yes, one of the biggest flaws in our educational system that we need to correct. A basic understanding of Algebra and Geometry will help your work with Arithmency and Runes a great deal, and especially your Alchemical work. I've already spoken with Ted about teaching you that, along with Mirana when we get to Avalon."

"Won't she be teaching us Potions?"

"Yes, but, as a Queen of Wonderland, she's also a Mathematician. Wonderland is very much about Math. The whole place is built on Math puzzles."

"Thank you."

"I'm glad you asked your question, because we were going to be covering the Pythagoreans and the Monad concept in your lesson, today. I like how you tend to ask questions about a subject before we cover it. You're already thinking about your lesson before we start."

"Well... I didn't realize this was going to be a lesson."

"Even better."

Phineas's portrait spoke, asking "If I may observe this lesson?"

Andy smiled, and replied, "Still wanting to learn new things?"

"My curse, I'm afraid."

"Of course you may observe."

"Thank you."

"I think Harry should be at this lesson, too."

So, after summoning Harry, who, of course, brought Dora and Luna with him, and explaining what they'd be doing, Andy adjusted the lighting, and she and the others sat on the large throw pillows on the floor with Seth, as usual, at Andy's side. Dora and Luna knew what Andy would be teaching already, but they chose to stay with their loved ones.

"We'll begin," said Andy, "as we often do, with a question. What have you been taught about the the events that led to the International Statute of Secrecy?"

Harry knew very little of this, given his tendency to sleep through Binns's classes. But, since Andy was bringing it up, and with everything Harry had learned the last few weeks, he had the feeling that he was about to be told that Binns's teaching on the subject wasn't entirely accurate. Still, someone needed to answer. Fortunately, Hermione could.

"We're taught that, in the late 17th Century, witches and wizards were being severely persecuted. The British wizards asked King William III for help, which he didn't provide. So, the wizards took it upon themselves to hide all magic in the world from the non-magical, instituting the International Statute of Secrecy," Hermione answered.

Harry noticed the "We're taught" qualification. Just weeks ago, she'd never have questioned what she was told in that class. But then, just weeks ago, the two of them wouldn't have been taking a lesson while casually nude.

Andy replied, "I would say that's a half-truth, but it's not even that. There's a tiny bit of truth there, around which the web of lies is spun. What's a basic flaw in the official, as has been taught for generations at Hogwarts, reason for the Statute?"

"Remember," Luna prompted, "it's the International Statute of Secrecy."

Harry almost had it figured out when Hermione, the more logical and analytical of the two of them, got there first.

"British wizards are having a problem with the British king, so every magi on Earth goes into hiding. What did an issue on this one little island have to do with the rest of the world?"

"Exactly," said Andy. "The other European magi had their own reasons for adopting the Statute. The magi of the Ottoman Empire had already done this. It also took quite some time to get the rest of the world to agree to it. The European magi needed to be in a position to be able to say, 'Do this, or else'".

"And some," Phineas interjected, "were looser in their applications of the Statute than we were, or at least tried to be, such as the Americans."

"The British weren't as successful as they sought to be, either," Andy replied.

"True," Phineas said with amusement. "The Seelie Court just kept refusing to understand the intent. I suspect they took the Statute as a challenge. As long as the muggles continued to initiate contact with them in one way or another, there was little the Ministry of Magic could do about it. The Americans simply didn't bother trying to stop it. The Seelie could have simply not responded to the muggles."

"No, they couldn't. There are very ancient covenants that supersede any laws magi might make for themselves. Sure, the Ministry of Magic could abandon the Old Ways, but they couldn't force the people of Britain who weren't magi to, nor could they force magi in other countries to give them up."

"Such as the Americans."

"Among others, yes, but especially in the New World."

Hermione asked, "Is this why the United States is considered such a haven for the Dark Arts?"

"Yes. Their system of magic is built on the Old Ways, with their own innovations that were developed for their unique culture. Most of it is what the British Ministry defines as the Dark Arts, though they certainly don't consider it such."

Harry asked, "What would be these Old Ways?"

Luna smiled, and answered, "What you've been learning."

"I thought so. Don't Voldemort's people go on about the Old Ways? From what I've seen, none of them seem to know any of this stuff we've been doing."

"They know little, if anything," Phineas answered. "I knew very little in my lifetime, though the Blacks kept a few of the Old Ways."

Andy said, "Some British magi have an extensive knowledge. You'll find most of them in Knockturn Alley, though they won't have anything to do with Voldemort. Voldemort himself knows quite a bit, though he mostly uses the worst aspects. Professor Trelawney at Hogwarts knows a lot, but she'd have to. And, of course, there's Dumbledore."

"Dumbledore?" Hermione asked. "Isn't he the one trying to suppress knowledge of the Old Ways the most?"

"He was an Alchemist, and Alchemy is all about the Old Ways. He couldn't let go of his fears and prejudices, though. That's why he couldn't master Alchemy. It's also why he became such a reactionary control freak. Knowledge of the Old Ways means access to a lot of magical power, so much that even non-magi can do it, though not to the extent that magi can, if they know how. Dumbledore thinks only those he considers can be trusted with such knowledge and power should have it."

"And," said Harry, "the only person he thinks can be trusted is himself."

"Exactly. Now, as for your question of exactly what the Old Ways are... That's complicated. The Old Ways go as far back as Humanity. But, for our purposes, we'll start our story in the 12th Century."

Hermione said, "The time of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, her Courts of Love, and the founding of Beauxbatons."

"Very good, Hermione. As I'm sure you've noticed with this house, I'm very into architecture and design. It both reflects the soul of a culture and helps shape it. The 12th century saw a major innovation in architecture that would impact Europe on a massive scale, on many levels, including the magical. It was called the Gothic style.

"Prior to this was Romanesque architecture, which used round arches, with the walls buttressing the roof. The walls had to be very thick to do this, and the windows had to be small. The results were squat, heavy, buildings that looked like military fortresses, with gloomy interiors. No fun, and the lack of decent windows really put the dark in the Dark Ages."

Dora said, "I think that's part of why Snapey's so gloomy and grouchy all the time, never leaving the dungeon except when he absolutely has to. I used to tell 'im, 'You need to get more sun! It'll cheer you up!'"

Hermione laughed and said, "I'm sure that went over really well."

Andy replied, "Especially calling him 'Snapey.'"

"You actually called him 'Snapey?'" a shocked Hermione asked.

Andy replied, "She did. He wrote me and Ted a very angry letter about it, and the suggestion that he get more sun."

"How did you respond?"

"With a letter helpfully explaining the connection between light deprivation and depression. He never wrote us again about her antics after that."

Dora said, "I also hit him with cheering charms, once. Made Potions that day fun. Got me Detention. Also kept me from being a Prefect, not that I wanted that job, anyway."

"Must have cost you a lot of house points, too," said Hermione.

"Nope. You know how Snapey is about the House Cup. He was depending on me to win it every year, especially since a lot of my fellow Slyths weren't the brightest candles on the alter."

Harry hadn't known Dora's Hogwarts house, but thought Slytherin suited her. Ambitious, cunning, and having a certain disregard for the rules, Dora was what Harry thought a Slytherin should be. It was nice to have confirmation that Slytherin still produced some worthwhile people.

He said, "Detention with Snape must have been miserable, though."

"Not really. I just made a point of being my usual bubbly self... More than usual, actually. It took all the pleasure out of it for him."

"Misery loves company," said Andy.

Luna said, "He only gave me Detention, once. I took the opportunity to discuss magical creatures that are outside the normal human visual spectrum and their effect on human moods and actions, but it seemed he developed a headache and let me leave early. But enough about our moody Goth professor. Let's get back to Gothic architecture, and how it affected moods."

"Thank you," said Andy. "Gothic architecture used pointed arches. This allowed roofs to be raised to any desired height. Flying buttresses were used so the walls were no longer having to hold the building up. The thinner walls that weren't having to support the structure could now have large windows. In the cathedrals, this meant beautiful windows of stained glass. The slender pillars and piers serving as support allowed for buildings that could hold thousands of people at once, yet give them airiness, grace, and ease.

"The harmony of line and color led Goethe to describe Gothic architecture as frozen music. Its methods and principles were then applied to all manner of things, like bridges, walls, homes, art, ornamentation, dress, and household utensils.

"The greatest of the Gothic buildings were the cathedrals. Those are what have survived for all these centuries, since war and other upheavals destroyed the rest, but the cathedrals were considered more or less inviolable. As these were complicated structures to build, they required rare skill, knowledge difficult to acquire, and a compact organization of men.

"Back then, craftsmen were organized into guilds. Guilds were usually stationary, forbidden by law to practice their trade outside the limits of their own communities. But, given the specialized skills needed for the Gothic cathedrals, the builders, or masons, of the guilds that worked on them needed to be able to travel from place to place. So, those guilds were given certain privileges and immunities, and came to be called Freemasons."

"Freemasons..." said Harry. "My dear uncle Vernon goes on about them, says they're part of some conspiracy to rule the world."

"Sounds like him, from what I've been told. Does he also hate Jewish people?"

"Yeah, they're part of the conspiracy, according to him."

"And the Catholics and brown skinned people?"

"Them, too. He especially hates the Irish."

"Your uncle believes the propaganda put out by the Black Coats. He's just the kind of person who'd buy into their garbage."

"So, my magic hating uncle's beliefs were given to him by dark wizards, then?" Harry asked, amused at the irony.

"Mm hmm. The Black Coats have always found people like your uncle very useful, people who are terrified of anything that isn't exactly like them, especially those who fly into rage and hysteria at the drop of a hat."

"That'd be him."

"Voldemort takes advantage of magi that are like that. 'Mindless brutes have their uses,' were his exact words."

"But why would people think cathedral builders were trying to rule the world?"

"Well, it's not like your uncle is the most rational person in the world. You'll understand by the end of our lesson.

"When one joined a guild, there was a ceremony, oaths taken, and so on. When the Freemasons began a new project, they'd build a temporary building to be to be their lodge-room, store-room, work-room, and so forth. Here's where they'd hold their lodge meetings. They were governed by a Master and wardens, had secretaries, treasurers, constitutions, by-laws. When a youth was taken into the Craft, he was vouched for by a Master Mason and became an apprentice. He then learned the secrets of the trade. Given how specialized and detailed their work was, one was an apprentice for seven years. After that, he was brought into the lodge and made a Fellow of the Craft, a Master Mason. They used tools and building secrets as emblems and symbols to instruct members in thinking and moral conduct. Guilds possessed traditional histories of the Craft, which were read or recited to candidates when they were initiated, called the 'Ancient Charges' or 'Ancient Constitutions.'"

"The Craft..." said Hermione. "Is that where our term 'witchcraft' comes from?"

"Yes."

"But Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was founded over a century before."

"It used to be called Hogwarts School of the Magical Arts. The name was changed after the Statute of Secrecy went into effect, along with changing the names of the Ravenclaw and the Blessed Hufflepuff."

"Is there anything in Hogwarts, a History that's accurate?"

"You're pretty safe with anything after the Statute of Secrecy, though it'll be slanted, of course. Those in charge of the magi in Britain sought to eliminate or at least obscure anything relating to the Old Ways, especially the Celts. Having two very Celtic founders of Hogwarts presented a problem with that. Of course, this obscuring of history created some major problems down the line, like the mess we have now because people don't know the real reason Salazar Slytherin left Hogwarts, which brings us to our next 12th Century development.

"In the 700s, the Muslims conquered Hispania and invaded Gaul. Their goal was to conquer the world for Islam. As you'd expect, the Christians in Europe weren't fond of that idea. So, they set about retaking Hispania. It was called the Reconquista. It took several centuries of taking it back, piece by piece, but in 1491 we finished the job, and two nations were born!" Andy said, a bit enthusiastically.

"We?" asked Hermione.

An amused Phineas said, "You'll have to excuse Andromeda. The Blacks have some Spanish blood, and it tends to come to the surface whenever the Reconquista is mentioned."

An equally amused Hermione replied, "It seems to be close to the surface all the time with Andy and Dora."

Luna said, "That could just as easily be their Irish or Scottish blood. The Irish were originally from the Iberian Peninsula, you know, Before they took Ireland from the Tuatha De Danann and drove them to the Fairylands."

"And then the Irish made them their gods. How does that work?"

Andy replied, "We'll be getting into that in a bit. But first, the Reconquista... Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin were in Spain fighting the Moor and Arab wizards when they were called back to England to deal with the situation with the Ravenclaw at the border with Scotland. Of course, we know what that led to: Hogwarts. The Ravenclaw and Blessed Hufflepuff supported the Reconquista, and Gryffindor would send the Knights of Walpurgis to Spain. For Slytherin, though, this was very personal. His family was from there. So, knowing that Hogwarts was in good hands, he eventually left Hogwarts for Spain to continue the fight."

"How do you know all this?" asked Harry.

"From the records and journals I liberated from the Chamber of Secrets."

"Of course."

Hermione said, "We'd have been saved a lot of trouble if that had been in Hogwarts, a History."

Harry added, "Would have kept Voldemort from being able to use the reason Slytherin left as his recruiting tool, at least. So why is that kept secret?"

Andy answered, "You're taught that the founders of Hogwarts were the greatest witches and wizards of their time, and they were, at least in Britain. What you're not told is what they did besides found a school. That, alone, wouldn't have given them their reputations. The problem for the Ministry is three things they've been trying to erase since the Statute of Secrecy was introduced: Knowledge of the Old Ways, the importance of people who weren't magi to the development of magic, and our Celtic heritage, especially relating to the Fae. The founders of Hogwarts were involved in all three.

"Towards the end of the 11th Century, the conflict between the Christians and the Muslims grew beyond Spain. The Byzantines in the east were being hard pressed by the Muslims. This led the European Christians to respond to the Islamic Jihad with a holy war of their own. This was met with resistance from some of the priests and monks who saw the idea of a holy war as against Christian principles, but given the situation, I think the prevailing view was understandable. The goal was to capture and keep the Holy Land. It was called the Crusades."

Harry asked, "Were the Knights of Walpurgis involved in this, too?"

"Very much, yes."

"Is that why magic carpets are banned in Britain?"

"No, that's entirely the broom lobby."

"Damn lobbyists... Um, Hermione?"

Hermione replied, "I'll add it to the list of laws that need changed."

"Thanks."

Andy said, "A major figure in both the First Crusade and the Reconquista was Duke William IX of Aquitaine, called William the Troubadour. He was descended from the Grail family by way of the Merovingians. He was a very controversial figure, excommunicated twice. He was notorious for his sexual conquests. Rather than downplay the scandals he often found himself in, he enjoyed. But what he was best known for were his songs."

"So," said Hermione, "he was the 12th Century version of a rock star, then."

"That's a good description. He was the first Troubadour. A good thing that came out of this bloody conflict was the cross-influence of cultures. The Sufi are the esoteric branch of Islam. They would greatly influence the Troubadours and vice versa. The great Sufi poets Omar Khayyam and Rumi called themselves Troubadours, as did St. Francis of Assisi. Dante was heavily influenced by them.

"Another major influence was Celtic Christian spirituality. The Jewish esoteric system of Kabbalah would be one of the biggest influences on what was developing. What we call the Old Was is structured around Kabbalah. There was also the influence of the Gnostic Christians, who drew heavily from the Mystery schools of ancient Egypt and Greece, and the Pythagoreans. Some aspects of esoteric Hinduism and Buddhism found their way into the mix, as well.

"To the Pythagoreans, everything was about numbers and math. Pythagoras was inspired by Kabbalah, and in turn, the Pythagoreans inspired the Kabbalists, which, in turn, led to the development of Alchemy and the Western magical system as we know it.

"Originally, according to the Pythagoreans, there was the Monad, or the One, meaning without division. The Monad was the first being, and is the totality of all beings, all Creation, and the Ineffable Parent. The Jews call this being Yahweh, the Hindus, Brahman, the Muslims, Allah, and the Voodooists, Bondye.

"From the Monad evolved the Dyad, representing twoness or otherness. Pythagoras gave the name of Monad to God, and the name of Dyad to matter. From the Dyad came numbers, from numbers came points, from points came lines, from lines came entities, and so on, culminating in the Four Elements from which the Ancients believed our world is built from.

"Now, there were many different views of the Dyad. Some believed the Dyad to be the demiurge. While the demiurge was not the Creator, it assisted the Creator with fashioning and was responsible for maintaining the physical universe, sort of a cosmic artisan. Over time, according to many Myths, the demiurge became corrupt, lacking the purity of the One.

"The demiurge has been given many names, one of them being Samael. Not all of the myths have Samael as pure evil, though they all have him seeking to tempt Humanity into selfish and evil acts. Some of the Gnostic Christians argued that the demiurge was the wrathful God of the Old Testament, and that Christ was the son of the true God, the perfect, loving, One, but Christ never made any such distinction, so I just see that as an early form of anti-Semitism. Lilith is, in these myths, Samael's consort, or possibly Samael's female form, as both Lilith and Samael are shape shifters. If that's the case, you see what we're up against with her."

"What has she said about her origins?" asked Harry.

"Nothing, to my knowledge. She may not even know, herself. Samael translates to 'Blind God', who doesn't know his true origins and has lost his original purpose. But, let's put the demiurge and all the contradictory views of it aside for now, and get back to the One.

"In Christian Gnosticism, the One is, of course, the one God, the Creator. The One created lesser gods, or elements, in addition to the demiurge, beings that embodied certain forces of Nature and concepts. The Fae would be an example of this. During my first trip to Wonderland, I met two Greek deities for the first time, Aphrodite and Pan, and they were very much what they represented. When you study Hinduism, you'll notice that sometimes it refers to various gods, and sometimes a singular God with a capital G. This Monotheistic name isn't a contradiction. The Devi, including the Naga, are these lesser Divine beings, for the most part. Others are avatars of the one God, various personas, distinct from each other yet still God. Depending on which Hindu sect it is, there are three to five of these. In Christianity, it's the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all distinct persons, yet all God."

"Too bad it's all so patriarchal," said Hermione.

"It's not, exactly. The ancient Hebrews didn't see God as gender specific, though certain aspects were masculine. 'He', 'Him', and 'Father' were just, well, better than calling God 'It'. The embodiment of God's Wisdom is Sophia, always depicted as female. In some of the older traditions, Sophia gave birth to the demiurge. It's the Creator aspect that's seen as male. One of the Jews' names for God is Shekhinah, which is female, and one we'll be getting into in a bit, what that aspect is, one that Harry and Luna have recently been intimate with."

"We have?" asked Harry, though he felt he knew what Andy was referring to.

"Oh yes," answered Luna.

Andy continued, "To the Celtic Christians, the nurturing aspect of God was female. Of course, ancient Hebrew society was patriarchal, but so were most at the time, with a few exceptions like the Celts.

"So, we have these various gods and goddesses, and in some cases entire races of Divine beings, that each represent some force of Nature or concept or emotion. Since there were so many cultures, you had several gods, goddesses, angels, and so on in different places with much the same functions. An interesting thing that happened over the centuries was that these gods and goddesses from different pantheons would influence one another. Remember how we discussed how our names magically shape us?"

"Yes," said Hermione.

"It works the same way in magic with archetypes. Part of Voldemort's quest for godhood involves identifying with various Divine archetypes and trying to magically become them. Gods and goddesses are archetypes, of course. So, a god or goddess or saint that serves the same function as a previous one will often take on aspects of the earlier one. Our friend, Queen Alice of Wonderland, has a lot of aspects of Ishtar. She's the modern version of Ishtar's most famous myth. One of Ishtar's titles was Queen of Heaven. That was her title with the ancient Hebrews, even though they didn't worship her as a goddess like the Akkadians, Assyrians, and Babylonians, since they just had the one all-encompassing God. To the ancient Hebrews, Ishtar was first a mortal woman who was incorruptible, and was thus ascended by God to be Queen of Heaven. Lilith, as corrupted immortal and Queen of Hell, was naturally her opposite even with the Hebrews, just as she was Ishtar's adversary in the cultures that did worship her as a goddess."

"Incorruptible," said Phineas. "Toujours Pur. That was Godric Gryffindor's motto, which the Blacks inherited. Too bad we didn't live up to it."

"Even more, too bad so much of the family misunderstood its meaning."

"In defense of my generation, we were no different than our muggle counterparts in England at the time. Social classes and the correct bloodlines were important to them, too."

Hermione replied, "And you no longer consider that important?"

"The survival of the House of Black is far more important to me, and only Andromeda can make that happen."

Andy said, "And I thank you for seeing that and assisting. We'd previously mentioned the great Sufi poet Rumi. He wrote, 'Woman is the radiance of God; she is not your beloved. She is the Creator - you could say she is not created.'" The Sufi see God as having both masculine and feminine qualities. The Sufi saint Muyiddin ibn al-Arabi said, 'To know woman is to know oneself,' and 'Whoso knoweth his self, knoweth his Lord.' He also wrote, 'The contemplation of Allah in woman is the highest form of contemplation possible. As the Divine Reality is inaccessible in respect of the Essence, and there is contemplation only in a substance, the contemplation of God in women is the most intense and the most perfect; and the union which is the most intense (in the sensible order, which serves in support for this contemplation) is the conjugal act.' Allah as the Beloved in Sufi literature is always depicted with female iconography."

Harry said softly, "I know what he means."

Luna smiled and said, "Thank you, Harry."

Andy continued, "Something few in the West know is how the contact with the Sufi influenced the rise of the importance of St. Mary during the 12th Century. Muhammad described Mary as the most marvelous of all women, a high adept and a living example of the pure and just life. When he retook Mecca and removed the pagan influences from the Kaaba, he left a fresco of St. Mary and the baby Jesus. Muhammad praised Jews and Christians, so these bigoted fanatics calling themselves Muslims you see today are ignoring the Prophet's teachings the same way the bigots that call themselves Christians ignore Christ's. But enough about those people for now...

"In the early 12th Century, another important group entered the picture, the Knights of the Temple, more commonly called the Knights Templar. When the Europeans captured Jerusalem the first time around, pilgrims began visiting. But, it was a dangerous journey, with not only the war but bandits. The Templars were formed to protect people traveling to the Holy Land. They won great admiration, even from the Muslims, because of both their bravery and skill in battle, and their piety. The Knights of Walpurgis helped with their formation and development, and worked closely with them, as they embodied Godric Gryffindor's ideals. The goblins revere the Templars, and it's very rare for them to admire a group of humans that much.

"But physically wasn't the only way they safeguarded people travelling to the Holy Land. The Holy Land wasn't the only place you were in danger. There were bandits in every forest, and some even controlled entire towns and villages. It was hard enough to transport yourself safely from one part of the region to another, let alone large amounts of money. So, the Templars worked a solution. If a merchant in England, for example, wanted to make a financial transaction in France, he'd deposit a sum of money in the Templar establishment in his own town. He'd be given a promissory note written in cipher, which would be no use to a robber. The merchant would then go to the Templar headquarters at his destination, produce the note and proof of his identity, and receive the money in the local currency, minus a small handling fee."

Hermione said, "So, the Templars invented the letter of credit."

"They also lent large sums to kings and popes. Crusading loans were their most common financial transactions in the 12th Century, but eventually their services included protecting important documents important documents like treaties, charters, and wills, and guard the funds and precious objects, since a pilgrim or crusader might be away for several years, or die in the Holy Land and never return. They were as scrupulous with money as they were valiant on the battlefield. You can see why a warrior people like the goblins looked to the Templars for inspiration when they took up banking.

"One of their main interests was, as their name suggests, the Temple of Solomon, which the first Rosier helped build, from whom my mother, daughter, and I inherited our legacy, our shape shifting gifts, our powers of seduction, and, of course, our voracious sexual appetites. The Temple was famous for its magnificence, and it's an important symbol in Kabbalah, and all that has come from it, including the structure of our magical system. The Temple symbolizes the human life occupied in the search for divine truth or spiritual wisdom. We're each building a spiritual temple of ourselves. We each survey the 'land' on which the temple is to be built. We're each the architect of the temple, and its builder. We're each the high priest or priestess in our temple. Our minds and thoughts make up the bricks and stones.

"Solomon's name means 'sun man,' and he represents divine wisdom. He's the Solar Initiate, in the state of mind that is established in consciousness when the soul is united with wisdom and love. The Temple faced east, where the sun rises."

Harry was reminded of the sun rune that was the scar on his forehead that Voldemort had accidentally given him, and the magical energy it had been channeling into him, ever since.

Andy continued, "The Templars were devoted to St. Mary, and like the Troubadours, learned from the Muslims they came in contact with in the Holy Land and Spain, learning a lot about mathematics, architecture, and sacred geometry. Then, they started designing and building, having Masons among them. These buildings used the pointed arches of what would shortly be the Gothic style. Soon, Gothic cathedrals would be built all over Europe, all of them dedicated to St. Mary, the most famous being Notre Dame de Paris, 'Notre Dame' meaning literally 'Our Lady.'

"You may be wondering how an interest in Solomon's Temple led to all these cathedrals dedicated to Mary. The answer is in what was contained in the Temple, the Ark of the Covenant.

"The Ark contained a few things. There were the Tablets of Stone that Moses brought down with the Ten Commandments. There was Aaron's staff, and the gold jar of Manna. Most important, though, was it was where Shekhinah manifested."

Hermione said, "That female aspect of God you mentioned, earlier."

"Yes, the Holy Spirit, also identified with Sophia. Shekhinah means God-who-indwells. Lilith fears Her. All of her actions have been as a result of that fear, from the time she had the Babylonians destroy the Temple, carry off the Ark, and take the Jews into captivity. Of course, any of the Babylonians that opened the Ark would have learned the hard way not to treat Shekhinah disrespectfully. It would have been very painful and messy. Faces melting, that sort of thing."

Harry asked, "Does anyone know if the Ark still exists, and if it does, where it is, now?"

"There are a lot of theories about that, lots of places people think it is."

Luna said, "The Department of Mysteries."

Hermione gasped, and asked, "Are you sure?"

"Algie confirmed it without actually saying so. They really need to put the lid back on it so it isn't... radiating all the time. How we responded to it, especially Ronald, matched the Biblical descriptions of the consecration of the Temple of Solomon, where the whole place was filled with the glory of the Holy Spirit, so much that the priests couldn't stand to minister."

"So," said Harry, "if we'd been able to open that door, we'd have had a lot of Death Eater faces melted?"

"Probably."

Phineas said, "Dumbledore thinks it's a fountain of Amortentia."

"Figures," said Andy. "Now, as you'll recall from our discussions about the Holy Grail, Mary possessed a sanctifying grace from the moment of her conception, the Holy Spirit, Shekinah, always indwelling. She was called the new Ark of the Covenant. The Grail, like Mary, contained the blood of Jesus and was filled with the Holy Spirit. So, when the Fae Sisterhood in Avalon built a shrine to house the Grail, they dedicated it to Mary, the living Grail. Among the High Priestesses in charge of protecting the Grail was the Queen of Avalon, my mentor, friend, and lover, and Luna's mother, Morgan le Fay."

Luna closed her eyes and bowed her head. Harry placed a comforting arm around her.

After pausing for her own moment of reflection, Andy continued. "Buddhism and Christianity are Universalist religions, as opposed to the earlier religions that were based on tribe, race, and nation. The word 'catholic' means 'universal.' The idea is that a Universalist religion isn't to replace the earlier religions, but fulfill them. The Celtic Church really took that to heart.

"Being Universalist, Buddhism and Christianity took many different forms, depending on the culture where it was being practiced. The Roman Church was, as its name indicates, Roman. It therefore reflected the culture it developed in. Its structure and world view were the same as pre-Christian Rome, which was a very military ordered and Patriarchal, society. Yes, the Roman pantheon had goddesses as well as gods, but Juno was in no way anywhere close to being Jupiter's equal. Women couldn't vote or hold political power. The only women who had any official authority were in religion, the Vestal Virgins, who took vows of chastity and performed functions not done by the male priests. In other words, they were the nuns of pre-Christian Rome. Things actually improved for women in Roman society under their form of Christianity, since in pre-Christian Rome it was legal for a man to murder his wife if he was annoyed with her.

"The Romans picked this up from the Athenians. A strange thing about the Athenian men was their apparent fear of this." Andy held one of her, in Harry's opinion, very nice boobs. "From the start in Athens, women had to keep their boobs covered. Then, it was the legs that had to be completely covered by robes to the floor. Any liberties other women enjoyed in Greece, like owning property, were taken away in Athens. Finally, they were forbidden to leave their homes unless accompanied by their fathers or husbands."

Hermione replied, "In a city named for Athena?"

"Ironic, isn't it? It seems the time the city was attacked by a tribe of Amazons left the Athenian men paranoid about their own women."

"They had a lot more wars with male armies led by kings. Shouldn't they have been even more paranoid about themselves?"

"Now, Hermione," said Luna, "you know logic and rationality have nothing to with bigotry and paranoia."

Andy said, "To illustrate the Roman pagan attitude towards women, we have Juvenal, who wrote a 'satire' about the remaining goddess rituals that the Empire hadn't managed to stamp out, yet. He described it as frenzied howls, throbbing lusts, and, if they couldn't find a man to sate them, they'd use a donkey. Basically, he knew that sex was somehow involved in the rites, so his imagination supplied the details on how perverted these women were. Of course, this was a culture where the idea of proper entertainment was people fighting to the death and feeding Christians to lions in the arena.

"The Celtic culture in Britain and Ireland was different. There, Christianity developed according to Celtic society and culture. Women had equality in Celtic society. They could hold property. They could initiate divorce. They could rule, and lead armies into battle. Christ was simply added to what they already had. The Tuatha De Danann would become the Fae, still having pretty much their old functions, and they would continue to evolve, creating such magical races as goblins, pixies, and brownies in their Courts.

"So, it was this unique culture that made women like Morgan le Fay and St. Brigid possible.

"The Celtic Church started in Glastonbury with the arrival of the Grail and the planting of the Holy Thorn. When the Roman Empire shifted to Christianity, the Roman Church was surprised to find how well Christianity was already flourishing in Britain.

"The Christians viewed the Druids as practicing a form of Christianity centuries before Christ. St. Augustine said of them, 'That which is called the Christian religion existed among the Ancients, and never did not exist, from the beginning of the Human Race until Christ came in the flesh, at which time true religion, which had already existed began to be called Christianity.'

"The big issue between St. Patrick and the Druids, for example, was over who could light the ritual fires for the full moon following the Vernal Equinox. The Druids maintained that all the fires had to be lit from the High King's fire at Tara, while Patrick maintained that anyone could do it. They finally settled the issue with a contest of magic, where Patrick proved himself."

"Wait," said Harry. "St. Patrick was a wizard?"

"Judging from how powerful his magic was, we have to conclude that he was a very powerful magi, yes. People didn't tend to make such distinctions, back then. The basis for his spells was in Kabbalah, using the Psalms."

"The Psalms work as spells?"

"I'll let Hermione answer that, since she's studying Kabbalah."

Hermione said, "They're some of the most powerful spells you can do. Think about the power you're calling on, there, the primary source of... everything."

Luna added, "Certainly beats relying only on your own magical core, like we're told to do if we don't want to be considered dark witches and wizards."

"So," said Harry, "using the Bible and calling on God to assist you is considered the Dark Arts?"

"Yes," Luna said, smiling. "Ironic, isn't it?"

Dora said, "You notice how British magi always say 'Merlin,' the way most people say 'God' or 'Jesus' or 'Christ?' That's because unless you're using those names specifically in a religious ceremony or context, you're suspected of practicing the Old Ways, and doing a spell right then and there."

Hermione said, "That explains my first year at Hogwarts, then."

"Huh?" asked Harry. "What happened that I don't know about?"

"You remember how I didn't have any friends until you and Ron rescued me from the troll? First week, I was frustrated with the quill feathers and ink bottles, and said, 'God, I could use a proper ball point pen, right now!' The Purebloods around me gasped and backed away from me. I just assumed they were really serious about not taking the Lord's name in vain, or really loved their quill feathers."

"Yes," said Andy, "they thought you were into the sort of magic that allowed a very powerful and wise magi to part the Red Sea."

"But most magi in this country are Christian. Why would it have been OK then, but not now?"

Harry said, "You're the one who said wizards didn't have any common sense."

Luna added, "Common sense is an uncommon thing to have in our culture. How often have you seen British magi really think something through?"

"Very rarely," Hermione conceded.

"St. Brigid was a Christian ban-drui, or female druid, and is called the greatest Irish woman, ever. She's one of the patroon saints of Ireland, as well as being the patron of abused children, blacksmiths, cattle, dairy workers, fugitives, infants, midwives, poets, the poor, poultry farmers, printing presses, sailors, scholars, travelers, and other things. She is the Light-Bringer. Her name means bright or fiery arrow. She is called Mary of the Gael.

"The Celts didn't think in terms of duality, but trinity. Instead of black and white, it was black, white, and gray. There were the poles, and what was in between.

"St. Brigid was born at the break of dawn, in a doorway. Her father was a pagan chieftain, her mother a Christian Pict who had been brought to Ireland as a slave and converted by St. Patrick. Before she was named, her father was told in a dream to name her Brigid, after one of the Tuatha De Danann, a goddess of fire and smiths. They were having trouble feeding her, so her father brought a white cow with red ears to sustain her. In addition to the white cow with red ears, the white wolf is associated with her. Faoilleach, which, in the old days, was an agricultural period running from late January to early February, has the wolf as the source of its name.

"She would perform many miracles, and was generous to the poor. Once, she gave away her mother's entire store of butter, only for it to be miraculously replenished. She founded a double monastery in Kildare, where men and women served together. She founded more around Ireland, creating a network of self sustaining religious communities. She founded a school of the arts and one for smiths. She was a renowned healer and brewer."

"Brewer?" asked Harry.

"Beer."

"A saint was known for her beer?"

"The best beer and wine in the old days was made by the monasteries. They took the time and made the effort to do it right. At the time, beer and wine were safer to drink than water. Three of the miracles associated with St. Brigid involved supplying beer. She even wrote a prayer on the subject...

"'I would like the angels of Heaven to be among us. I would like an abundance of peace. I would like the full vessels of charity. I would like rich treasures of mercy. I would like cheerfulness to preside over all. I would like Jesus to be present. I would like the three Marys of illustrious renown to be with us. I would like the friends of Heaven to be gathered around us from all parts. I would like myself to be a rent payer to the Lord; that I should suffer distress, that he would bestow a good blessing upon me. I would like a great lake of beer for the King of Kings. I would like to be watching Heaven's family drinking it through all eternity.'"

"In Kildare, Brigid maintained a religious rite in honor of her Tuatha De Danann namesake, Brigid's Fire, a perpetual flame that had been lit since pagan times. This was a sacred feminine space. No men were allowed to enter, and supplies were brought by the women from the town. During a twenty day cycle, nineteen sisters would each attend the flame each night, with Brigid attending it on the twentieth night. This continued centuries after her death. On the twentieth night, the nineteenth sister would leave wood and say, 'Brigid, it is your turn to mind the fire.' It would still be alight, the next day.

"England's King Henry VIII, during his persecution of the Irish, had the flame snuffed out. But, the fire couldn't die, forever. In 1993, the Brigidine Sisters re-lit the flame, and it has been kept burning, ever since.

"She has sacred healing wells in Ireland, which pilgrimages are made to on Imbolc, February 1, her Feast Day and the beginning of the Celtic Spring, and on August 1, Lughnasadh, the start of the Celtic Autumn. While being the the patron of babies and midwives, she's also the guardian of graves and helps those at the end of their time in this world. She brings us into Spring and Autumn, Seed and Harvest, Birth and Death.

"On Imbolc Eve, Brigid was said to visit homes to bless the inhabitants as they slept. It was traditional to leave a piece of clothing or a strip of cloth outside the door for Brigid to bless. The ashes from the fireplace would be raked, looking for signs that Brigid had visited, while the strips of cloth or clothes would be brought inside and were believed now to have powers of healing and protection. It was also traditional to make little corn dollies representing her that young girls would carry from house to house.

"Eventually, the Roman Church returned to Britain with the Saxons and, in time, supplanted the Celtic Church. Despite this, the Celtic approach to Christianity didn't go away, entirely. The Celts maintained their ties to the Fae. The Celtic magi maintained Glastonbury and Kildare as their spiritual centers. And the bards kept the tales of King Arthur and his knights alive. Which brings us back to the 12th Century, the Troubadours, and William the Troubadour's granddaughter, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine.

"Eleanor was an amazing woman, and I'm proud that my parents gave me one of my middle names in her honor. I hope the magic of names has worked, and I have taken after her."

Luna replied, "I think it's safe to say that you have."

"Thank you. It was during Eleanor's reign that the Queen in chess went from being the weakest piece to the strongest as homage to her. At nineteen, during the Second Crusade, she won recruits by riding through the crowds on a white horse dressed as an amazon. She took three hundred of her ladies, all dressed in armor and carrying lances, to the Holy Land to tend to the wounded."

Hermione asked, "And the Church was OK with that?"

"They weren't going to argue the point with the queen providing thousands of fighting men. The legend that she rode to the Crusades bare breasted is, I hate to say, probably untrue, but it does sound just like her.

"She and her daughter, Princess Marie, presided over the Courts of Love. Here, the Troubadours demonstrated what they learned from the Sufi poets. The Code of Chivalry and Courtly Love developed here."

"Chivalry," said Harry. "Gryffindors are supposed to be chivalrous. Were the Knights of Walpurgis involved in this, too?"

"Of course. How could they not be?"

"So, in addition to everything else, Voldemort destroyed one of great legacies. Have you considered reviving the true Knights of Walpurgis?"

"I'm a St. Brigid girl rather than a St. Walpurga devotee. May 1 is more about Mary, the May Queen, to me than it is Walpurga.

"The Troubadours, like the Templars, revered St. Mary. The idea was to revere one's Lady as one revered Our Lady, and through her, all other women. The goal was to create a more noble and civilized soldier. The Code was based on King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table and the Grail Quest. This was a favorite of Eleanor's.

"The duties of the chivalrous knight were to protect the innocent, champion good against evil, and be generous. His virtues were mercy, courage, valor, and protecting the weak and the poor. The Lady, as an earthly representative of St. Mary, and therefore the Shekhinah, inspired the Knight to great quests and love poetry. Through these acts of devotion, he hoped to gain his Lady's favor."

Luna said, "One of Harry's dorm mates, Dean Thomas, models himself on that. He's not a poet, but he's a very good artist."

"Does he have a specific muse and object of his affections?"

"Ginny Weasley."

"How did she feel about it? Did he win her favor?"

Hermione answered, "She said she'd chosen, her exact words, Dean as her boyfriend."

Harry said, "But then... Dumbledore..."

"I see," said Andy. "Well, we're not going to let a miserable, sexually repressed, megalomaniac prevent the chivalrous knight from courting his lady. We will assist him in his quest to rescue the fair damsel from the evil wizard, once he knows he needs to do that."

Phineas commented, "You're such a romantic, Andromeda."

"Blame my parents for naming me both Andromeda and Eleanor."

"I often do."

"Better than being named Bellatrix or Narcissa."

"I won't argue that."

"Anyway... The ideal object of Courtly Love was a married woman. Back then, especially among the nobility, marriage was about political alliances and producing heirs, not the best circumstances for producing true romantic love. Certain Pureblood families still practice that, to a degree."

Phineas asked, "You're still angry at Arcturus for suggesting you marry Lucius and produce an heir and a spare, then take Ted as a lover? He meant well, and it wasn't as though he knew about what Lucius was getting involved with."

"I'm not angry about it, any more. I'm just using it to illustrate."

"Of course. Continue."

"The Celtic High Kings and Queens were free to take lovers after doing their duty with heir production, so this became the model for the Troubadours. Lancelot and Guinevere were popular in Troubadour poetry and song. Eleanor herself was quite the beauty, and the subject of many of these poems and songs."

Luna sang, "I would give the whole world, from the Red Sea to the Rhine, if the Queen of England tonight, in my bed were mine."

"That was one. Another was, 'The verse has been composed fully so that not a word is wanting, beyond the Norman land and the deep wild sea; and though I am far from my lady, she attracts me like a magnet, the fair one whom may God protect. If the English king and the Norman duke will, I shall see her before the winter surprise us.'

"One of the most... interesting of the Troubadours was Pierre Vidal, who wrote, 'I think I see God when I look upon my lady nude.'"

Luna replied, "The Lovegoods are descended from him. He was quite the brilliant songwriter, though he did tend to get himself into a lot of scrapes. He tended to fall in love with every woman he met. One time, he fell for a lady named Loba de Pennautier. Because her name meant 'wolf,' he decided to approach her wearing a wolf's skin. The disguise was so successful that he was attacked by a pack of dogs and barely escaped with his life. Then, there was when he married a Greek woman and was persuaded that she was the daughter of the Emperor of Constantinople, so he, therefore, had a claim to the throne of Greece. He assumed royal state, added a throne to his possessions, and began to raise a fleet for the conquest of his kingdom. Nothing came of that, though."

"The Templars also drew inspiration from Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and the Grail, making protecting it one of their charges. Eleanor founded Beauxbatons, and it reflected the cultural renewal. It was a revolution in the development of Western magic, this blending of Celtic, Kabbalah, Sufi, Egyptian, and Greek ways.

"This cultural renewal, however, wasn't to last. Lilith, in the Carpathians, founded her own college of magical instruction called the Scholomance. It was from here that what we now know as the Black Coats emerged. Their first act was the Albigensian Crusade.

"What was claimed to be a crusade against a group called the Cathars was, in reality, a brutal grab for power in what one writer called the worst atrocity in history before the invention of Progress.

"The so-called 'Crusade' saw entire towns massacred, Cathari and Catholic alike. You see, many orthodox Catholics, including priests, especially in the areas being invaded, saw this for what it was, the French kings expanding their power and authority, folks looking to gain favor and rewards from the king and Pope, and people who were in it for the opportunity for loot and plunder.

"It was here that the Black Coats created what would be one of their most effective tools, the Inquisition.

"Lilith always seeks to corrupt and destroy, and the Black Coats carry out her will through infiltration. The Inquisition both stamped out any perceived challenges to Roman doctrine of the moment, and was the tool the local monarchs used to eliminate anyone they wanted to dispose of, usually ethnic groups and political opponents. It was in the latter capacity that they did most of their work, as they were mainly under the authority of the kings. They were filled with men as sexually repressed as Dumbledore and as sadistic as Voldemort.

"While the Cathars had some very unorthodox views like endorsing celibacy even within marriage, most of the so-called heretics did not. But, like the Cathars, they condemned the corruption in Rome and were translating the Bible into the local languages."

Dora said, "Can't have just anybody able to read and understand Scripture and deciding for themselves what it all means, you know."

"Then there was the Roman attitude towards women that was a holdover from the pre-Christian Roman culture. This position was articulated by Gratian, who wrote, 'Man, but not woman, is made in the image of God. It is plain from this that women should be subject to their husbands, and should be as slaves.'

"The destruction from the Albigensian Crusade put an end to the Troubadours but, to the annoyance of the Black Coats, not their ideas. There was the Beguines, an independent Christian order of women who didn't take the monastic vows and weren't cloistered like the nuns. They were laywomen from all walks of life who took no permanent vows, followed no prescribed rule, supported themselves through their own labors, and involved themselves with the world, directly. They drew heavily from St. Bernard, who had a lot to do with the founding and the establishment of the Knights Templar. Bernard had made the Song of Solomon, the Biblical book of love songs about Solomon and Bilquis, the Queen of Sheba, into an allegory of the relationship between the individual and God as a sacred marriage."

"Ah," said Hermione, "and here is where everything comes together."

"In more ways than one," Andy replied with an amused smile. "To the Sufi poets, simultaneous orgasm was the ideal goal, though what was most important was the Lady's climax."

Luna replied, "Harry and I always have simultaneous orgasms, except when one of us is ministering to the other with our mouths or hands."

"I'm impressed. It took Ted and I a while to master that. But yes, this is where Western Alchemy began taking shape.

"Bernard's friend, William of St. Thierry, called the 'reasonable mystic' and the 'learned lover.' described the human desire to know God in perfect love. He was from Liege, the birthplace of the Beguine movement. In the Letter of Paul to the Galatians it is written, 'There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.' You can see why certain men in positions of authority objected to the Bible being translated into the everyday languages. Here were these supposed religious authorities going on about how women were inferior mentally and morally, more susceptible to temptation and more likely to be a source of temptation than men, needed to be slaves, locked up, etcetera, and here was annoying Bible giving people counter arguments. The Beguines simply refused to see themselves the way the misogynists did."

Harry said, "Just like how Hermione refuses to see herself as either intellectually or magically inferior to Crabbe and Goyle just because they're Purebloods."

"Are they as stupid as their fathers are? Well, was, in Goyle Senior's case since Ozma's tiger ate him..."

"Stupider, from what I've seen."

"Well, there you go. So, with this old Roman attitude toward their gender, the Beguines had to authorize themselves to communicate with God.

"It started with Mary d'Oignies, one of the first women to receive the stigmata. She tended to lepers and developed a following of both women and men. Her piety impressed a bishop enough to get him to champion her despite his own established misogyny. He was unable to get the Beguines established as an official new order, but was able to get approval from the Pope for religious women to live in communal houses and do good works.

"The Beguines wrote in the languages of wherever they happened to be, and at their height produced two of the greatest mystics of the Middle Ages, Hadewijch of Antwerp and Mechthild of Magdeburg. They had visions, and wrote quite a bit of poetry and letters. Mechthild's visions and dialogues with God were transcribed as The Flowing Light of the Godhead.

"They viewed prophesy and imitating Christ as something anyone in contact with the spiritual world could do, gender distinctions being earthly and temporal. They combined St. Bernard's use of the Song of Solomon as a metaphor for the sacred marriage with the Divine with the Courtly Love language of the Troubadours to describe union with the Godhead. For example, Hadewijch's description of the Eucharist...

"'With that he came in the form and clothing of a Man, as he was on the day he gave us his Body for the first time; looking like a Human being and a Man, wonderful, and beautiful, and with glorious face, he came to me as humbly as anyone who wholly belongs to another. Then he gave himself to me in the shape of the Sacrament, in its outward form, as the custom is; and then he gave me to drink from the chalice, in form and taste, as the custom is. After he came himself to me, took me entirely in his arms, and pressed me to him; and all my members felt in his full felicity, in accordance with the desire of my heart and my humanity. So I was outwardly satisfied and fully transported.'"

Harry said, thoughtfully, "She drank from the Grail."

"Yes, she did. And I trust you understand what she experienced."

"I didn't drink from it, just... bathed a little while in its waters... And I wasn't fully submerged like Luna was, but yeah... I understand."

Hermione said, "Her description sounded rather... erotic."

Andy replied, "No more so than the Sufi description of union with the Divine Feminine. It's fitting that a heterosexual woman influenced by them would describe union with the Divine Masculine in similar terms. In Hinduism and Buddhism, a Yogini is considered an aspect of the Great Mother, so treat Ozma with that level of respect, since she's who's teaching it to you."

"I do."

"At the beginning of the 13th Century, the Black Coats decided to strike again through the French Crown and the Inquisition. The Beguines were persecuted, with things coming to a head in 1310. One of them, Margueritte Porete, had written a book called The Mirror of Simple Souls. Here she used the Courtly Love imagery and the sacred marriage to symbolize union with the Divine, describing a seven stage process to achieve it, to bring one's will closer to the Divine will."

Hermione said, "Seven stages of the great work in Alchemy leading to the Sacred Marriage of Sol and Luna, Shakti ascending through seven chakras to unite with Shiva..."

"Very good, Hermione. To make matters worse for the Black Coats, she was freely going around preaching, instead of staying in what they had decided was her place. With King Phillip IV's support, they burned her at the stake and suppressed the Beguines. Of course, for Phillip and the Black Coats, this was just the warm up act for his real targets, the people whose money and properties he coveted, the Jews and the Knights Templar.

"She was very calm when she faced her end, and the crowd was moved to tears. The Black Coats sought to make an example of the Beguines and Templars of the price of freedom, defiance, and independent thought, and yes, people were terrified, but all they ultimately accomplished was creating martyrs.

Hermione asked, "Was this when the witch hunts really took off?"

"No. The Inquisition was mainly concerned about heresy and pleasing the monarch of whichever country they were in. Witchcraft charges would be added to heresy charges sometimes, but then, it wouldn't get you burned at the stake on its own. The German pagans had witch hunts, which the Roman Catholics put a stop to. The Roman Catholic Church's position during Medieval times divided magic into two forms: what they called 'natural magic,' which was just using the powers of nature which were created by God, and therefore acceptable, and what they called 'demonic magic,' which invoked dark powers and did harm, and therefore disapproved of. It came down to whether you were helping or harming your neighbor. And, in the case of the latter, the degree of punishment depended on the degree of harm caused. For minor offences, it meant public penance or a day in the stocks. For major offences, the prison stay would obviously be longer, but, as bad as prisons were then, they didn't have soul sucking ghouls floating around. So, a dark magi was actually better off in the jails of the time than one is in Azkaban, today. If any local lords decided to start a witch hunt, the Church would put a stop to it, immediately, and admonish the local lord in question for reverting to his people's old pagan ways."

"So, what we're taught at Hogwarts about when the school was founded being a time when we were greatly persecuted was... well..."

"The usual anti-muggle bullshit, yes. At the time, they didn't give a damn about us as long as we behaved ourselves. Of course, those among us who liked 'muggle hunting,' or thought that, as magi, they weren't answerable to the laws that governed ordinary people, thought they were being persecuted.

"That's not to say the founders didn't have concerns about the possibility of persecution in the future, concerns that would prove to be well founded, and had their disagreements on how to prevent it, but that came centuries after the school was founded. As for what happened and how...

"The Black Coats had suppressed the Troubadours, Beguines, and Knights Templar, but they couldn't destroy the ideas. They were very disappointed to discover that the Templars had moved their most important treasures and knowledge to places they would never find. The Knights of Walpurgis had a major hand in that, and Lilith knew it. The Troubadours would be the primary influence on all romantic and spiritual poetry and song. To this day, romantic and spiritual poetry and song is ultimately rooted in the Troubadours. And, the people weren't about to give up their devotion to St. Mary. The Queen of Heaven would maintain the presence of the Divine Feminine within Catholicism from then on. As for the mysticism, and the ritual magic that came with it, it didn't go away, just went underground.

"People known as cunning folk and wise women appeared who practiced folk magic derived from the esoteric Christians, both magi and not. The cunning folk and wise women were consulted by the common people as healers and midwives, and for protection against harmful magic. The Alchemists and other Hermeticists that were more ceremonial in their practices than the folk magic people were advisers to kings. The Romany, a nomadic people more commonly known as gypsies, traveled throughout Europe making their livings performing song and dance and telling fortunes using Tarot. Tarot and Alchemy developed out of esoteric Christianity. Tarot is based on Kabbalah, how the Sephiroth manifest in the four planes. Its imagery comes from the Temple of Solomon and the Grail Quest."

Harry said, "That wasn't mentioned in our Divination class at Hogwarts."

"The Divination Professors aren't allowed to teach the background and science of it. A knowledge of Kabbalah helps considerably when using Tarot. If your teacher had her way, you'd study Kabbalah before covering the cards, though I understand they still don't let you do any practical work with them, or the I-Ching."

"No, just tea leaves and crystal balls, mainly."

"Which allows Dumbledore to go on about what a useless subject it is, even though he's basing all of his actions on a prophesy made by the very seer whose class he dismisses. Whenever she uses the methods of Divination, she's very accurate."

"Well, she got one wrong when she saw a big black dog in my tea leaves and thought it was a Grim in my Third Year."

"Did you encounter any big black dogs that year? I'm sure you did," Andy said with a knowing smile.

"Yeah, Sirius. But it wasn't a Grim, just his Animagus form."

"But, there was a big black dog in your immediate future. She didn't know the recently escaped convict was an animagus and what his animal form was, so she went with the symbolic interpretation. How one can interpret signs is limited to how much one knows about the situation.

"Lilith was furious, but was unable to do anything about it until the Renaissance, and the invention of the printing press. The Black Coats' tool would be a bitter and hateful little man named Heinrich Kramer. He wanted to be in the Inquisition, but they wouldn't let him. In 1484, he made his first attempt at persecuting witches in the Tyrol region. The result was the local bishop kicking him out of town, calling him a 'senile old man.'"

"Sounds like somebody we know," said Harry.

"He swore revenge. To that end, he and James Sprenger convinced the Pope to issue a bull authorizing the Inquisition to investigate allegations of infanticide in Satanic rituals. They 'misunderstood' this as giving them, specifically, the official go ahead to go after anyone practicing magic.

"To that end, they wrote the Malleus Maleficarum in 1486 and published it in 1487. The book claimed endorsement from the University of Cologne's Faculty of Theology, which, in fact, condemned it.

"As we'd expect from this sort, it trotted out that old Roman argument that women were mentally and morally weak, and randier than men, the latter of which I'm sure doesn't match the experiences of anyone in this room."

Harry replied, "We need some time to recharge our batteries, but that's not from lack of desire. We're ready to go again as soon as we physically can."

"I suppose these men were like Dumbledore, but also thought that most guys were like that, or could and should be, at least. Among the things they accused us of doing was stealing men's penises. Things didn't quite go the way they'd hoped, though. Three years after it was published, the Catholic Church condemned it as false. Even the Spanish Inquisition warned against it.

"Also working against everything Lilith was trying to accomplish were the artists of the Renaissance. The bare breast had returned to art, along with other body parts. Michelangelo's sculpture of King David, for example. We'd see this in the Vatican, itself, when Michelangelo painted the frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The Sistine Chapel is, of course, dedicated to St. Mary. It's where the College of Cardinals meet to elect a new pope.

"Then came the Protestant Reformation, and the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation. This was a revolution in Christianity, with many innovations in theology and practice. Unfortunately, it also led to wars and persecutions as various sects sought dominance in different regions. This gave Lilith the opportunity she'd been impatiently waiting for.

"Plan A was the Apocalypse. Now, why she wants to carry out the Book of Revelation I don't know, considering it doesn't end well for her."

Luna replied, "She thinks she can change the ending."

"If she doesn't want that ending, she should avoid setting the events into motion in the first place."

"No one has ever accused Lilith of being rational, especially at that time. As you said, she'd been enraged for several decades by that point."

"True. If she'd been thinking rationally, she wouldn't have started her campaign in Eastern Europe. Sure, that's where the Scholomance was, but that's also where Baba Yaga was. Baba Yaga realized this was beyond even her power to handle alone, so she summoned the other two most powerful women in Europe for help: Frau Holda and Morgan le Fay.

"Baba Yaga would be described in modern terminology as bi-polar. She'd either help you or try to eat you, depending on her mood that day. The latter habit has been very bad for our image."

Luna said, "Mum called her, and I quote, 'that fucking psychopathic cannibalistic old hag.'"

"Morgan le Fay was not a woman to mince words. Frau Holda was a German Fairy Queen who was very wise and benevolent, but was loyal to Odin, so she disapproved of Morgan and Avalon. She especially didn't like how popular Avalon and the Grail had become with the Germans. Morgan, meanwhile, took issue with the Wild Hunt. And, well... The Celts and Germans had never been the best of friends."

"Mum respected her, and said she was very nice for a barbarian."

"Lilith managed to do the one thing that would unite these three. They each brought forces loyal to them. In addition to Avalon's troops, Morgan brought the Knights of Walpurgis and the great Irish sorcerer Yed Sid."

"Mum prophesied that one of his descendants would build a magic kingdom in the New World."

"Lilith summoned Chernobog, the black god, who, in turn, summoned a host of demons and dark spirits to unleash on an unsuspecting Europe while her magi dealt with their opposite number. She, meanwhile, would face the three upstarts who dared to challenge her.

"And this is where she overreached. Any one of them, maybe two, she would have trounced. All three at once? They were able to keep her hard pressed long enough for Morgan's strategy to work. The Knights of Walpurgis considered that Walpurgis Night their finest hour. They overcame the Black Coats in a hard fought battle, allowing Yen Sid, who had been lent the Holy Grail for this purpose, to deal with the biggest threat: Chernobog and the demons and dark spirits he had raised.

"Yen Sid was the greatest and most powerful wizard of his time. He used the Grail to invoke Mary. When a wizard as powerful as Yen Sid invokes the power of Shekhinah, the feminine aspect of God, even Chernobog couldn't stand against him. The black god reacted to Her presence the way vampires react to a cross. He and the dark forces he had raised retreated. Lilith, with all her forces either beaten or withdrawn, was forced to retreat. The Apocalypse would just have to wait.

"Though beaten, and feeling humiliated, Lilith still had, as she always does, Plan B.

"Plan B was to use the battle that she had brought about to create mass hysteria across Europe about magic and the people who did it. While the Malleus Maleficarum had been an utter failure when it was first published, the Black Coats kept reprinting it, and the climate of the religious wars, with various sects trying to stamp out the others in their respective regions, finally created the atmosphere of fear and paranoia to make the book popular for those seeking to take advantage of things. Lilith feeds on life energy. Her servants crafted rituals that allow her to harvest the energy from sacrifices, and she had her priests stationed everywhere the Black Coats were creating mass hysteria, to make every killing a sacrifice to her.

"The Trier witch trials in Germany were typical of the pattern. 368 people were burned alive. Two villages each wound up with only one female inhabitant. Many were nobles or people in positions of church, government, or administration, with, of course, supporters of the witch trials swooping into these suddenly open positions. Anyone who dared suggest that there was something other than religion as motive for the accusers or questioned the guilt of the victims were burned to death, themselves.

"Meanwhile, people were becoming very rich from this, like notaries, copyists, and innkeepers. The executioner rode around like a noble of the court, clad in gold and silver, with his wife dressed to rival the noblest ladies. The children of the victims were sent into exile, their properties and goods confiscated. But, with the area now severely depopulated, the crops and vineyards failing because too many of the people who knew how to work them were gone, and now massive poverty, the witch hunt was no longer profitable. So, the persecutors suddenly lost their zeal.

"After they'd gotten all the sacrifices for their Mistress they could get out of a region, the Black Coats moved on to another town ripe for harvest. Sometimes, this would backfire on their servants. For example, in Fulda, the main persecutor, after three years and 350 sacrifices to Lilith, not to mention enriching himself, wound up imprisoned and beheaded for his crimes. Lilith abandons her servants when they are no longer useful to her, as Gellert Grindelwald learned, centuries later."

"What about Britain?" asked Hermione

"It wasn't a big thing in England. They were mostly concerned with persecuting Catholics, especially the Irish. Elizabeth I had John Dee as one of her major advisers, after all. So, she wasn't about to persecute him, or any Alchemists, magi, cunning folk, or wise women. There was a brief craze in Scotland under James VI, later James I of England. Cromwell and his Puritans wanted us dead, but had their hands full with rebellions and trying to destroy the Irish. During the decade Cromwell was in power, between slaughtering entire towns and selling men, women, and children into slavery, Ireland's population was cut in half. Morgan, Brigid, and the Knights of Walpurgis put an end to Cromwell's regime.

"This placed Charles II, grandson of James I, on the throne, but now the Stuart Dynasty was in debt to the magi. There was another major consequence of Cromwell's actions, but that wouldn't be felt for some time. It's what led directly to the ritual we'll be doing, tonight.

"What really brought about the decline of the witch hunts in the mid-17th Century was the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment philosophers stressed reason and individualism over tradition. As European monarchs embraced these ideas, the witch hunts were reduced to the fringes like Scandinavia and parts of the American colonies controlled by the Puritans like Salem, before disappearing, completely.

"And now, those who had kept the legacies of the Templars and Troubadours could come out of hiding. They were a group of Alchemists and sages called the Rosicrucians, dedicated to transforming the world. The cunning folk, wise women, and gypsies continued their work. The folk magic practitioners had their own books they used, such as the Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses and the Black Pullet. The most important grimoire was the Bible, which was also a powerful talisman.

"This brings us to magical Britain in the late 17th Century, and the Statute of Secrecy. You're taught at Hogwarts that one of the necessary acts was to round up all the magical species and put them in reservations. From the way they our official histories make it sound, you'd think that in the late 17th Century dragons were flying and centaurs were galloping around all over Europe. Yet, as those of you raised outside of magi culture will notice, there were no reported sightings of centaurs since the days of Heracles and Jason, nor of harpies, hydras, none of the species we associate with ancient Greece. There was the occasional dragon sighting in some remote place, but those were very rare. The average person who knew about magic didn't see any difference between us and the village wise woman since we generally didn't pull out our wands or go around flying on broomsticks in front of them. Most magical species had long before withdrawn to remote places to avoid contact with humans."

Hermione said, "So, the magical world had been pretty much hidden for centuries, already. Why the Statute of Secrecy, then?"

Harry had an idea why, and answered, "Power and authority. Somebody wanted something."

Andy replied, "On our side of the fence, yes. You know our culture's attitude towards both not completely human magical species and humans who aren't magi. That's nothing new. We've always had people like that among us. They just weren't in a position to be able to institutionalize it, yet.

"We'd also been managing our own affairs for centuries, for the most part. The Wizengamot has been around since the Anglo-Saxons. But, it only had autonomy over England and Wales, not Scotland or Ireland, which had their own councils. Hogwarts, meanwhile, teaching students from all over Britain, was its own independent entity. This didn't sit well with the group that had come to dominate the Wizengamot. They hated their Celtic neighbors, and sought dominance over them."

Hermione asked, "Why the hatred of the Celts?"

"Racism. The Celts weren't considered white people, you see. This viewpoint became quite popular in both Parliament and the Wizengamot in the 17th Century. One of Parliament's leaders, John Hare, expressed this when he wrote, 'Our progenitors that transplanted themselves from Germany hither did not commixe themselves with the ancient inhabitants of the country of the Britain's, but totally expelling them, they took the sole possession of the land to themselves, thereby preserving their blood, laws and languages uncorrupted.' That wasn't actually true, of course. The English are of mixed blood, but then, so are the Germans. But, no telling the racists that.

"Even well into Victorian times, English writers would describe the Irish exactly the same way the Nazis described the Jews, the next century. John Beddoe, President of the the Anthropological Institute, wrote that the Celts weren't even modern, fully evolved, homo sapiens, but more cro-magnon and, quote, 'Africanoid.' Nassau, Victoria's economist, wrote that existing policies, quote, 'will not kill more than one million Irish in 1848 and that will scarcely be enough to do much good.' Even Charles Kingsley, who was progressive in almost every way but race, wrote of the Irish, 'I am haunted by the human chimpanzees I saw along that hundred miles of horrible country...to see white chimpanzees is dreadful; if they were black one would not see it so much, but their skins, except where tanned by exposure, are as white as ours.' A 19th Century French writer wrote that the Celt was poetic, light-hearted and imaginative, highly emotional, playful, passionate, and sentimental. The Victorian English racists took that as demonstrating that the Irish were everything that needed to be suppressed, being poetic being feminine rather than masculine, like children rather than being mature. That's, of course, if one identifies masculinity and maturity with brutality, and considers that a good thing."

Luna said, "What happened after World War I came as quite the shock to that element of the English, those inferior, feminine, Irish kicking them out."

"Indeed it did. They were genuinely offended that the Irish didn't appreciate their rule and know their place. If that wasn't enough, the Australians and New Zealanders were pissed off at England over Gallipoli, and rightfully so, but that's their story to tell. Of course, World War I soured many English towards their German heritage, and we saw an increase in interest in Britain's Celtic roots. World War II increased the popularity of being British rather than German. The atrocities of the Nazis also woke the Western world to its long held bigotries, and we've seen progress in human rights, ever since. The process has been slower than I'd like, but it was an awakening.

"But, you can now understand the views of this group in the Wizengamot at the end of the 17th Century, why they hated the Celts and did what they did.

"Finally, there were the forms of magic we've been discussing. This group's primary concern was expanding and maintaining their power and authority. So, they wanted to limit what magic the average magi could learn. They called any magic that's energy wasn't only from one's own core 'muggle,' 'Irish,' and 'Catholic,' never mind how many Protestants practiced it or only some of it being Irish in origin.

"The opportunity finally came with William of Orange's ambitions to take the English throne. King James II had granted religious freedom to all British subjects. Naturally, Parliament was outraged. What excuse would they have to persecute the Irish if it was OK for them to be Catholic? William was Dutch, but James's nephew. He was Protestant, but didn't want to persecute Catholics. He needed Catholic allies for his constant wars with France's Louis XIV. That said, he was an opportunist, so he was willing to champion the Protestant cause in Britain if it got him the throne, which it did.

"But, the Scots and Irish weren't so welcoming, the Scots because they didn't like their own hereditary king being deposed by the Dutch and English, and the Irish because they didn't want to go back to being oppressed. They rebelled in favor of restoring James in 1689."

Hermione said, "The year the Statute of Secrecy was established."

"Yes. The only part of what they teach at Hogwarts about it that's correct is representatives of English wizards had a meeting with King William and the Statute was the result. What they offered William was a deal, their assistance against the Scottish and Irish magi who were supported the rebellion in exchange for being given full authority over the magi of the British Isles. William agreed, but with conditions. Full authority meant full responsibility. No non-magi were to be harmed or endangered by magi or magical creatures. The Wizengamot and the newly formed Ministry of Magic would ultimately be answerable to the Crown, which would step in if we couldn't manage our own affairs.

"The first law passed by the Wizengamot under the new order was the Statute of Secrecy. They convinced other magi in Europe to set up similar laws, since they'd been doing it for so long for their own various reasons, so why not make it official with an international agreement? The International Confederation of Wizards... note the gender bias in the name... was formed mainly to enforce the Statute.

"To conquer the Celtic magi, the Ministry aligned itself with the Dementors. They gave vampires rights in magical Britain in exchange for their assistance. When English magi protested their new government's actions, they were told it was, and I quote, 'for the greater good.' For two years, the Irish and Scottish magi resisted, while Hogwarts was closed. They were driven back to their last fortress on the island of Azkaban, which fell after a long, difficult siege. The fortress was turned into a prison, where the surviving rebels that weren't fed to the Dementors outright were imprisoned.

"Mentioning how useful Dementors were against the Irish and Scots during meetings with other European magi sped the process of ratification of the Statute with the countries that weren't so sure.

"The Ministry was now able to impose its will. They wanted to eradicate the Celtic influence as much as possible. This was when they Anglicized the Ravenclaw's and Blessed Hufflepuff's names, and began obscuring our history when they couldn't flat out re-write it. So, most modern British magi are constantly saying 'Merlin this, Merlin that,' without knowing a damn thing about him. And you know what they say about Morgan and Avalon.

"What Hogwarts taught was changed into roughly what it is, now. Magi would be taught to use only their own magical cores, channeled through their wands, with spells that they would learn by rote. They wouldn't be taught ritual magic, as that involves drawing on power from outside one's magical core. They classified all ritual magic as the Dark Arts. Muggleborns were discouraged from maintaining any ties with where they came from, lest they stumble onto things the Ministry didn't want them to know, like real history not fitting what they wanted taught or one of the cunning folk, wise women, or Hermeticists teaching them their ways.

"But, they quickly ran into a variety of problems. The Asians were refusing to cooperate. At home, there was the issue of the Statute only being enforceable to magi and whatever races and species were declared magical, meaning the humans that weren't magi were free to keep practicing what now was called 'the Old Ways,' complete with meetings with the Seelie Court. The Unseelie reacted as they usually did to magi telling them what to do: violently. Then there were the Freemasons."

Hermione said, "I was wondering when they were going to turn up, again."

"When great Gothic cathedrals fell out of favor, the Freemasons found work building great houses for the landed gentry. They kept their traditions and were loyal to their landmarks. But, their numbers had dwindled. Having been working for years with the educated and rich upper class, they started admitting men who weren't actual builders but who were interested in the ancient Craft, its traditions, and its symbols.

"This began speculative Masonry, which was built around the knowledge and legacies of the Templars via the Rosicrucians. This included, as you might expect, plenty of wizards. After the Statute of Secrecy, this presented the Ministry of Magic with a problem. The wizards among the Freemasons didn't see a conflict, since the people they were working with knew about magic, already. They refused to violate the oaths they had taken, even when the Wizingamot passed a law forbidding any wizard in Britain from being a Freemason. So, the Ministry sent them into exile in the North American colonies."

Dora said, "And boy, did that backfire."

"Yes, it did. But before we go into North America, we need to cover India. In 1750, Britain's Ministry of Magic pushed through an addition to the Statute, Clause 73. 'Each wizarding governing body will be responsible for the concealment, care and control of all magical beasts, beings, and spirits dwelling within its territory borders. Should any such creature cause harm to, or draw the notice of, the Muggle community, that nation's wizarding governing body will be subject to discipline by the International Confederation of Wizards.'

"The other European countries didn't see the need for the clause since they were keeping their magical creatures hidden, anyway, but making it official seemed harmless enough, so they ratified it."

Hermione said, "I take it there was a hidden motive."

"Yes, and it was all in the wording. While the Ministry went on about not having anything to do with muggles, they were very happy to use Britain's expanding empire to expand their own reach. In 1757, the British conquered India, which made the Ministry of Magic the dominant magical power, there. And now the world learned why they insisted on that clause being added. The word 'spirits' was the key. This, they chose to interpret, included races of deities in what they called backward civilizations. So, they performed a dark ritual to trap the Naga in their snake forms. It seems ritual magic was fine and dandy when it was the Ministry doing it.

"In North America, meanwhile, there was increasing discontent in the colonies with Britain on both sides of the magical fence. Britain imposed taxes on the colonists, who objected on the basis that they had no representation in Parliament, and therefore no say in this. This was, they felt, violating their rights as Englishmen and illegal. Demonstrations began, some of them violent. Calls for colonial representation in Parliament went unheeded, as did requests and petitions for King George III to intervene on their behalf. Boycotts of British imports followed, along with more demonstrations and riots. Britain sent in the army."

Harry said, "That can't end well."

"In Boston in 1770, a crowd expressed its displeasure by throwing snowballs, rocks, and debris at the soldiers. All but one of the soldiers fired into the crowd, hitting eleven, killing five, in what came to be known as the Boston Massacre. This, needless to say, made tensions worse.

"More incidents followed, including an East India Company ship being raided and its shipment of tea being dumped into Boston Harbor. Parliament then passed what became known as the Intolerable Acts. These were even protested in London, so you can imagine how well they went over in the colonies. These included things like restricting town meetings, closing the port of Boston, and allowing British troops to be housed in the homes of citizens without permission of the owner. The British Government was subsequently perplexed about why even more colonists became hostile.

"The Ministry of Magic, meanwhile, had its own concerns. Magi in the colonies were still practicing the Old Ways. The Salem schools had been established, following the new guidelines established for Hogwarts, but no one outside of New England went to them. Most young magi were still being taught as they used to be. Also, many of the leaders of the rebels were Freemasons, and here the Ministry had shipped all these magi who were Freemasons over there."

"Oops," said Hermione.

"So, the Wizengamot decided to imitate Parliament and pass a bunch of restrictive laws against the magi in the colonies, and send forces to harass them. This went over as well with the magi colonists as it did with the non-magi ones."

Harry said, "So, the Ministry made it both a magical and non-magical conflict."

"Yes. In 1775, full scale war finally broke out. The Continental Congress made a final appeal to King George, wanting to govern themselves while remaining part of the British Empire. He responded by declaring the colonies in rebellion and the Continental Congress traitors.

"Well, that was it, then. The Americans decided to get rid of the Monarchy and the aristocracy, altogether. It was a magi couple that had immigrated from England, Leo and Mary Black, a Slytherin and Hufflepuff respectfully, that designed the rebel flag, yellow with a black snake and the words 'Don't tread on me.' As Leo was both a Black and a Knight of Walpurgis, and the Knights had refused to join the fight against the colonists, there were some repercussions back home."

Phineas explained, "Some circles always regarded both us and the Knights with suspicion, after that."

"Salem was the first major magical battleground. The British forces were far better trained and organized than their American counterparts, but they'd been taught for generations by this point to only use their wands and magical cores, while the enemy was using the Old Ways and drawing on power outside of themselves. They also refused to follow the 'rules' of magical combat, one on one duels. The non-magical British forces were running into the same problem. They'd march onto the battlefield in formation, sometimes with a band playing, and the Yanks would just start shooting at them from trees and behind rocks. They'd never had to deal with guerrilla warfare, before. Of course, years later, the British commanders would complain about Napoleon not following 'the rules of war' with his tactics. Even Voldemort and his Death Eaters automatically go into one on one duels in battle. There are only two real rules in war: survive and win. Use whatever means at your disposal, regardless of whether or not it's what they teach you in Auror training. Am I making myself clear?" Andy asked, looking pointedly at Dora.

"Yes, Mum," Dora said, sheepishly. "Mad-Eye says the same thing... Well, he yells it, then yells 'Constant vigilance!'"

"Moody hasn't survived as an Auror as long as he has playing by the rules. He's damn smart, if paranoid."

"He admires the most secure magical fortress in Britain that you live in, by the way."

"It's not paranoia when both Dumbledore and Voldemort really are out to get you."

"I know. Do we have enough supplies for a prolonged siege in case things go south, tomorrow?"

"Your father, Xeno, and Jeeves have taken care of that, though Dorothy is sure it won't come to that."

"Good."

"The British magi were driven out of Salem, while the British army was driven out of Boston. With British officials driven out of all positions of government, the revolutionaries were now in full control of all thirteen colonies, and in July of 1776 declared their independence and formed a sovereign nation called the United States of America. In New York City, King George's statue was torn down. The British found themselves in the position of an invading army.

"The British decided to open peace negotiations. As these negotiations consisted of demanding total surrender, the Americans found the peace terms unacceptable. So, the Empire struck back. Cue dramatic John Williams score."

"Huh?" asked Harry.

Luna looked to Hermione and said, "Add those to the list."

"Will do," replied Hermione. "We're revolutionizing Muggle Studies, here, or whatever we'll rename the class when the time comes. Harry, you don't mind us using you as our test subject, do you?"

Harry replied, "Not the watching movies part, no. We'll see regarding whatever else you have planned."

"Fair enough."

Andy continued, "The British gained territory, lost territory, and despite their obvious advantages, were being outmatched in tactics by General George Washington and the other major American commanders. This was in part due to how officers were commissioned in the British army at the time. Rather than promoting based on merit, commissions were bought and sold, and were in especially high demand among the aristocracy. The rank of captain or major sold for thousands of pounds, and could be resold when an officer bought a higher rank or left the service."

Hermione said, "Doesn't seem like a very good way to run an army."

"Indeed. It's a wonder we still managed to build the Empire on which the sun never set. We can thank the Royal Navy for that. They didn't buy and sell their commissions.

"In 1778, things really went south when Ben Franklin successfully negotiated with the French, who were happy to do Britain a bad turn and involve themselves on the side of the Americans. The next year, Spain allied with France, as did the Dutch the year after that. Britain now found herself facing a global war with all of her overseas possessions in danger. The war was proving costly, and opposition increased at home, contributing to the Gordon Riots in London. Finally, in 1781, came the inevitable: Yorktown, and total defeat. After the surrender, the British army band played 'The World Turned Upside Down,' which was how it seemed.

"At home, everyone accepted this... except King George III, who was determined to send another invading army. His supporters lost control of Parliament, though, and peace negotiations began, with the Treaty of Paris signed in 1783, the independence of the U.S. recognized, and Florida, which Britain had taken at one point, returned to Spain. If this wasn't bad enough, two of his sons died in infancy during this time. He restored stability in Parliament during a subsequent crisis, and with that settled, he went mad, becoming deranged, speaking for several hours at a time without pause, and foaming at the mouth."

Hermione asked, "He waited until he'd resolved the current crisis to go mad?"

"Yes. Interesting, that. Hung on to his ability to function long enough to be sure the country was in good hands before he was incapacitated. Whatever else you may think of him, you have to respect that.

"In the U.S., President George Washington named Leo Black the first Secretary of Magic. Many of that country's founders were Freemasons, such as Washington and Franklin; Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence and was the third President; James Madison, who wrote the Bill of Rights and was the fourth President, and James Monroe, the fifth President. This, and Leo's own support, meant the magical system in the new country would be based on the Old Ways and there would be a great deal of freedom in its practices This led to much immigration from Europe.

"There were already a lot of gods and spirits in North America before the Europeans came. And every people that came to North America, willingly or otherwise, brought their own gods, spirits, and saints with them. All these beings intermingled, as did their respective peoples and their magical practices. All of them used the books used by the European cunning folk and wise women, with a good helping of their own cultural flavor. The result was a group of distinct but overlapping and interconnected systems that are collectively called American Traditional Magic.

"First came St. Mary, as always, leading the way. She manifested as an apparition in what is now Mexico in 1531 as Our Lady of Guadalupe, was mysterious and enigmatic, performed some miracles... You know, her usual thing."

Phineas said, "Her usual thing almost caused an international incident in 1917. The Wizengamot wanted to impose sanctions on Portugal for violations of the Statute of Secrecy over that Fatima business."

"What did they expect them to do, arrest her?"

"That's what I asked. This was one of the times the Crown stepped in and ordered the Ministry to leave it alone. While being spanked by the muggle King left some bruised egos and bitterness, it prevented us from doing something stupid and embarrassing."

"Mary does as she pleases, when and where she pleases. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the Queen of Mexico, Patron of the United States, and Empress of the Americas. It was her image on the rebel banners during the Mexican Revolution, and she who was credited for its success."

Hermione asked, "Were the Mexican magi involved in that like the ones in the U.S. were?"

"Of course. North America was a major headache for the ICW in those days. Dumbledore thinks they still are. You'd think a World War II veteran like him would realize the U.S. and France are Britain's closest allies, now, not the enemy."

"Molly Weasley seems to think we're still at war with France."

"Not surprising. A folk magic system was built around Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Saints blending Spanish and Aztec elements that scares the hell out of unprepared British magi when they step into a Catholic botanica in the U.S. or Mexico and see the statues of St. Muerte."

"St. Muerte?" asked Hermoine.

"Holy Death."

"That's a Catholic saint?"

"If you mean officially recognized by the Vatican, no. Before the Catholic Church started their Canonization process, one became a saint by popular consent. If enough people decided you were a saint and treated you as such, you were. Significant folk saints from before they started the official process were recognized by the Church. That's how St. Brigid got in even though she was from the Celtic Church instead of the Catholic one. Joan of Arc was considered a saint for centuries before she was officially canonized.

"North America has a lot of folk saints that are invoked, some are real people, some embody natural forces. St. Muerte is of the latter category. From her name, you know what she represents. The idea is that death is nothing to fear or hate, just a part of life's cycle. She helps the outcasts and downtrodden. Criminals also revere her because they know she'll never abandon them, no matter what. An important thing to remember about the Americas is while the languages are European, they are not Europeans. It's a very different culture, there.

"The magic system built around Our Lady of Guadalupe centers on candles, herbs and other plants, and healers and shamen called curanderos. Given her dominion over North America, we'll be seeing her influence in much of the other systems we'll be discussing. It should be noted here that, in these systems, the Saints are not only the officially recognized Catholic ones and the folk ones, but pre-Christian Biblical figures highly regarded by the Freemasons, such as Moses, Queen Esther, and, of course, King Solomon.

"The Dutch and German Protestants, mostly Lutherans, in Pennsylvania in the U.S. blended European folk magic with what they learned from the native medicine men and called it Pow Wow. They produced a book called The Long Lost Friend, instructions for their techniques. This would be a huge influence on the other related paths. Even today, you'll find barns, homes, and other buildings and structures in Pennsylvania and the American south decorated with pentacles and hexagrams called hex signs.

"The Irish slaves brought with them the Fae and the saints, especially their beloved Brigid. The African slaves brought with them various beings from different parts of the continent. They wound up adding elements from the various African tribal religions, native American practices, and Freemasonry to Catholicism to create a system called Vodou in Haiti. This centers on the One, the Good God. He is assisted by various beings that can be petitioned for help like angels, saints, and spirits called the Loa, kind of mostly African cousins of the Fae. In New Orleans, it mixed with the other magical systems and became Voodoo. Aside from the ones that originated in the New World, the Loa are rooted in Africa... except two. People often make the mistake of thinking the Loa are gods and Voodooists worship them. Voodooists consider themselves good Catholics. They worship God as the Holy Trinity. They venerate and petition the Loa as they and other Catholics do the Saints. This is an important distinction to make if you don't want to offend them.

"The Loa, like the angelic orders, are divided into different groups, called Nations. These groupings relate to origin and function. We'll start with the Rada. They're generally the older, nicer spirits, guardians of morals and principles.

"Papa Legba is the intermediary between the spirits and humanity. He's the most important Loa because he's who grants or denies permission to speak with the spirits. In Vodou and Voodoo, he opens and closes the gates to the spirit worlds. He's also a teacher, and can be met at a crossroads, a trait he picked up from the Fae in the New World. I learned a lot from him. He appears as an old man with either a cane or crutch, and wears a wide brimmed straw hat. He's rooted in the African Ellegua and is connected to and identified with St. Peter.

"Loco is a Loa of vegetation and patron of healers, and, of course, healing plants. His wife is Ayizan, Loa of commerce and herbal healing, and is connected to St. Clare. They're considered the first priest and priestess, and are associated with the mysteries and initiation.

"Of particular importance to me and Dora for reasons that will be obvious are Damballa Wedo and Ayida Wedo."

"They're snakes," said Dora with a smile.

"Further, given that Harry is going to be a white python Naga, I expect Damballa will appoint himself his patron. He's a white snake, you see."

"Mmmmm..." said Luna.

Harry sighed, and asked, "What is it with girls and big white snakes?"

Hermione snickered and said, "It's part of the eternal mystery that is Woman, Harry." Then, she chuckled.

Andy said, "If you two are done confusing Harry for the moment-"

Luna said, "We'll never be done with that."

"Which is why I said for the moment. Damballa is the wise and loving father of all the Loa and is connected to Moses and St. Patrick. His wife is Ayida Wedo, loa of fertility, rainbows, and snakes. She's sometimes called the Rainbow Serpent, but is not to be confused with her much larger Australian cousin. I had the very interesting experience of channeling her in New Orleans... That happens during rituals sometimes when they want to speak to us or teach us something. Naturally, she's rainbow colored."

Hermione asked, "Were you... rainbow colored when you channeled her?"

"Yes."

"Would you... um..."

"You'd like to see it?"

"Yes."

"Only if Seth promises to behave himself."

Seth paused, then said, "I'll do my best."

"That'll have to do."

She then transformed into a beautiful, radiant, rainbow colored serpent.

Harry was transfixed, and said, "You're... glowing."

"That's what rainbows do," she replied, her Naga voice being slightly huskier than her human one. "To truly be Avida Wedo, I can't just have the colors. I have to be the rainbow. You like?"

"Yes," Harry said, and he could only imagine what must have been feeling.

"In Voodoo, women often dance with snakes to represent balance. Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, and one of those folk saints I mentioned earlier, did the snake dance during the annual event she hosted on St. John's Eve, where members of 'polite society' even attended, including reporters, prominent citizens, and the police. St. John's Eve is the biggest day on the voodoo calendar, the Summer Solstice being when voodoo magic is at its strongest."

Hermione said, looking at Dora, "I need to learn the snake dance."

Andy paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "You will. Continuing, Erzulie Freda is the Loa of romantic love. Her very presence nullifies poison and evil magic. La Sirene represents the sea, and is seen as a beautiful mermaid."

"A mermaid?" asked Hermione. "Aren't they part of the Seelie Court?"

"Yes. She's one of the two Loa that isn't rooted in either Africa or the New World. How the Seelie Court wound up involved with the Loa, we'll get to in a bit.

"Our next Nation is the Petro. Their origins are in the New World. They're more aggressive and warlike than the Rada, due to their beginnings under slavery. Their rites feature whip cracking, whistles, and ignited gunpowder. The drumbeats are faster and more syncopated in their rituals.

"Erzulie Dantor is the mother of the Petro, the patron of women's finances and of New Orleans. She's a mulatto woman with tragic origins. She fought during the Haitian revolution, only for her own people to cut out her tongue so she wouldn't spill their secrets if she was captured. So, she's mute, often accompanied by her daughter Anais, who serves as her interpreter. She supports independent businesswomen and is the patron of women's finances. She's also the patron of lesbians and fierce protector of women and children experiencing domestic violence, as well as the patron of New Orleans. She's connected to the Our Lady of Perpetual Help aspect of Mary. She loves knives. She's both highly respected and feared.

"Another Loa originating in the New World is Mademoiselle Charlotte, the spirit of the first French woman to practice Vodou. No matter where you're from or what your background is, if you channel her, you'll speak perfect French. She can speak all languages, though, and represents culture and the French Mysteries. She enjoys the finer things in life, and those who treat her in a fine and upscale manner. She works with those she favors and who have achieved her high standards of service. Picture Fleur as a powerful Voodoo Loa and how one would go about winning her favor, and you'll have an idea how to approach Charlotte. For offerings, she likes very elegant drinks and foods.

"Then we have Marinette, the spirit of the priestess that sacrificed the black pig to start the Haitian Revolution. She's a powerful and very violent Petro Loa, but a strong fighter for liberty and justice."

Hermione said, "The American Revolution, Mexican Revolution, Haitian Revolution... A lot of that going around there, then."

"Yes, it can truthfully be said that in the late 18th and early 19th Centuries, the North Americans were revolting. Then, we have who is not only the darkest of the Petro, but all the Loa: Kalfu, also known as Carrefour.

"He's Papa Legba's opposite. Like Legba, he controls the crossroads, but he controls the shadow forces of the spirit world. He allows the crossing of bad luck, deliberate destruction, misfortune, and injustice. While Legba controls the positive spirits, Kalfu rules the negative ones. He's tall and muscular, and Voodooists don't speak in his presence. Literally, if he appears at a ceremony, everyone stops talking because he'll allow evil forces in.

"He claims that most of the important Loa know him and collaborate with him. He says some claim he's a demon, but he denies this. He's respected, but disliked. He's a grand master of charms and sorceries and is associated with black magic. Ceremonies for him are often held at the crossroads."

Harry asked, "Why does he identify himself when he sneaks into a ceremony he hasn't been invited to? I assume he does, if everyone knows he's there and stops talking."

"He has no choice. The structure of a properly done Voodoo ceremony generally prevents dark forces from entering, and binds those that manage to get in enough to where those performing the ritual can safely deal with the situation. These are Catholics, remember. One thing the Catholics do better than anybody is ritual. Plus, when someone is channeling him, they're often stricken with black, weeping eyes, swollen muscles, and a need to show off how tall and strong they are. He lacks subtlety, and seems to have a bit of a complex because the crippled old man with a cane is more powerful and respected than he is."

"Have you had any encounters with him?"

"Not directly. He was responsible for our confrontation with Bella and the Death Eaters that Mardi Gras in New Orleans."

"He was helping Voldemort?"

"No... No, he definitely wasn't. He was having his idea of fun at their expense. You see, Voldemort made the same assumptions most British magi do about the North Americans, that they were all dark magi in the same sense he was. Further, he assumed the North American magi would automatically subjugate themselves to him. Really, the ICW meetings should make it clear that the North Americans aren't just going to follow our lead, nor will the South Americans, Africans, Asians, Australians, and the other Europeans, for that matter.

"Voldemort made contact with one of Kalfu's servants, who invited them to Louisiana. Bella led the group, and they met Kalfu at a crossroads. He told them where to meet the Voodooists they were hoping to recruit. They barged in right in the middle of a ceremony. Very rude.

"The rudeness of their actions was explained to them... They're very big on good manners in the southern U.S., you know, and I mean very big... And, it was explained that they had no interest in this Voldemort upstart, whoever he was."

Harry laughed and said, "That must have gone over well with Bellatrix Lestrange."

"The fanatic decided to take an attitude, not remembering she was somewhere she had a distinct disadvantage. Then, the Death Eaters had the shock of the rainbow colored serpent in the middle of the interrupted ceremony started speaking to them in English. It took Bella a moment to recognize the voice, but her expression when she did? Priceless.

"If they hadn't figured out yet that Kalfu had sent them into a bad situation, they did when I bit one of them and showed that I was a venomous snake. Wasn't anyone I knew. Most of them escaped, and returned to the crossroads to confront Kalfu.

"They still hadn't figured out that they were in over their heads. He laughed and told them he did exactly as they asked, helped them meet the Voodooists. He then told them to deliver a message to their master... but he only needed one of them to do it. The rest...

"There are some truly horrifying things in the Bayou. There are things there where the very sight of them has driven people mad. People think Azkaban made Bella what she is, today. I know that not to be true. That night, she saw and experienced things no mortal ever should.

"Kalfu chose her as the survivor and messenger because she was my sister, and while I appreciate the gesture, he shouldn't have. I would have mourned, yes. But the things she's done and will continue to do... This isn't the only time I've had her at my mercy and spared her life. When I see her, I see the loving and protective big sister she was, not who she's become.

"When you see her, don't hesitate, because she won't. She'll show you no mercy, even if you're family. Do what you need to do to save lives, especially your own."

Dora said, "Before you ask, yes, you've made yourself clear."

"Good, and that goes for all of you. Kalfu creates confusion and disorder wherever he goes. Since he stands at the crossroads, he'll sometimes impersonate Papa Legba or follow him to nullify his good deeds. He sees himself as a necessary evil, a balance to Legba, balance of light and dark, eternal conflict, blah blah blah...

"The third Nation, though they can better be described as a family, is the Ghede. They're in charge of the dead, transporting spirits to the Afterlife. As strange as it might sound, because of their job, they're the most fun of the Loas. They're loud, rude, crass, sexual, like to party, and tell dirty jokes, so the transition into the next world is enjoyable. They're led by Baron Samedi and Maman Brigitte, a married couple, and the rest are their adopted family. They're very much into living life to its fullest."

Harry said, "Dumbledore said that death was the next great adventure to the well organized mind. He might appreciate this bunch."

Andy paused again, then said, "No, I don't think he will."

Harry noticed that there was something different about Andy since she shifted into this rainbow serpent form.

She continued, "Baron Samedi is the Loa of death and resurrection. He usually wears a tuxedo jacket and top hat, with a cane, and white skull shaped face paint. He's known for disruption, debauchery, and his love for tobacco and rum, rarely seen without a cigar in his mouth or holding a glass. He swears a lot and continually tells filthy jokes to the other spirits."

"OK," said Harry, "sounds more like someone Sirius would have appreciated taking him to the Afterlife. Too bad he wouldn't have gotten this guy."

Andy paused again, and said, "Don't be so sure. Sirius has loved ones who know the Baron and his Bride. He's also a dancer. Picture a black, raunchy, Fred Astaire, and you have a good idea of Baron Samedi."

"I'm not familiar with Fred Astaire."

Luna said, "We'll add the Astaire and Rogers movies to the list, then."

Andy continued, "He can heal those who are near death, as he's the only one for voodoo practitioners who can accept someone into the Afterlife.

"His wife, Maman Brigitte, is the Loa of transitions of life and death, major life changes, cemateries, money, and children. If she's called for that purpose, she can heal those near death from magical curses. She assists pregnant women, is known to be very wise, and quick to respond to petitions for help. She is the guardian of graves as long as they're properly adorned with a cross. In Haiti, the first woman buried in a cemetery is dedicated to Maman Brigitte. While she guards the grave, the Baron quickly decomposes the body so no one will violate by raising it as a zombie. She likes cigarettes, dark chocolate, rum spiked with hot peppers, and coffee. She'll sometimes rub her private parts with peppers, so that is used as a test to be certain someone isn't faking channeling her in voodoo rituals. She has a robust sexuality and dances wildly. Her skill in the banda dance is legendary. Her animal is a black rooster.

"If her name and functions sound familiar, they should. Maman Brigitte is described in voodoo song and folklore as light skinned, red haired, green eyed, and from the British Isles."

Harry and Hermione were both startled, though for different reasons.

"St. Brigid?" asked Hermione. "But how?"

"The English slave owners bred their African slave men with their Irish slave women, creating mulattoes. When they mixed with the purely African slaves, they brought the Irish saints and the Fae with them. Brigid made quite the impression, and they made her one of their primary Loa when they developed Vodou. But then, her mother was a slave. Poppets, more commonly called voodoo dolls, originated with the Brigid dolls from Imbolc.

"As Vodou was a marriage of Catholicism and African folk traditions, the marriage of Baron Samedi and Maman Brigitte was appropriately symbolic. She's as sarcastic, witty, and potty mouthed as her husband."

Hermione said, "That doesn't sound like I'd expect St. Brigid to behave."

"And it isn't when she's being mellow, gentle, beer loving St. Brigid. Beings such as this are perceived differently by different cultures, even when they are, in essence, the same being with the same functions. Maman Brigitte is how she is perceived by the Voodooists. Brigid warned me before we went to the States that she'd be very different, there. Nevertheless, she was still my dear friend and patron, even if she was wilder than usual.

"While the Ghede embody the powers of death, they also relate to sex and fertility. The others in the family are Samedi's and Brigitte's adopted children. One is Ghede Nibo, a handsome young man who was killed violently. He's the patron of those who die young. He's an effeminate dandy who wears a black riding coat or drag. When people channel him, they're inspired to lascivious sexuality of all kinds. He especially likes to turn girls lesbian.

There's one of the Ghede that's not so fun, though, and that's Baron Kriminel. You can tell from his name which spirits he's in charge of. He's the spirit of a murderer who was condemned to death. He's one of the most feared Loa, and you invoke him at your own risk. He works for pay, and must be paid by November 2, All Souls Day, or else. If he's being channeled, he'll try to stab anyone nearby, and if he doesn't like the food offering, he'll start biting chunks out of the person channeling him's arms. He's the only Loa that sometimes demands blood sacrifice. He especially likes black chickens to be doused in petrol and set alight. He likes to hear the shrieks as they burn.

"The other Ghede don't like him, for obvious reasons. Samedi and Brigitte consider him their problem child. They can reign him in if they choose, but the way they see it, he has a job to do, and whoever invokes him knows the risks."

"Besides," said Luna, "the sort of people who would invoke him aren't people they usually want to deal with, anyway."

"There's that, too. With Voodoo established in Louisiana, with an influence from the Guadalupe centered candle and herb magic in neighboring Texas, African American Baptists and Methodists drew from it and Pow Wow to create yet another magical tradition called Conjure, Rootwork, or, more famously, Hoodoo. Being Baptists and Methodists, Hoodoo is more about practical magic without all the ritual and invocation, the saints and loa removed as that's, well, a Catholic thing. It also doesn't have the rules that Voodoo imposes regarding performing harmful magic. You have Hoodooists who do good, ones that do harm, those who do both. It's a morally neutral system.

"Naturally, it would influence all the other systems in America in turn. That's why, to truly understand any one of these systems, you need a working knowledge of the others. Historians and folklorists kept running into roadblocks while researching these traditions because they kept finding things the white people did that they couldn't trace to Europe, and things the black people did that couldn't be traced to Africa. They didn't consider that folk, religious, and magical traditions in the region would be as syncretic as the food, music, dance, and everything else there was.

"Something the Hoodooists picked up from the Jewish Kabbalists in the region, which the Voodooists, in turn, picked up from them, was a book called The Secrets of the Psalms by Godfrey Selig, which uses the Biblical Psalms as spells and conjurations, with each Psalm being used for a specific result. This is vital to both traditions, to the point that you're not considered a true conjurer if you're not incorporating them into your practice. The Guadalupe based practices added their system of different colored candles for each Psalm, though with that the different colored candles aren't necessary. They just enhance the spell, but white will work for anything. Oh, another thing... Most of these people weren't well to do. They couldn't afford all the expensive items or large spaces that could be dedicated specifically to elaborate rituals like Britain's Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. So, they used what was available, simple household items, oils and perfumes they could buy at the local market or things they'd order by mail from a catalog, plants they'd grow in their gardens, and so on.

"The Hoodooists were also influenced by the Gypsies who had come to the U.S., maintaining their nomadic lifestyle, which they continue to this day. Female root workers were sometimes called black gypsies, so when you hear the terms 'black gypsy' or 'gypsy woman' in old American blues songs, you'll know what they're referring to.

"Now, while the Hoodooists, being Protestant, didn't know the Saints and Loa, that didn't mean the Saints and Loa didn't know them. There would be many meetings at the crossroads. Who you met there depended on what you wanted to learn, and the precautions you took. If you just wanted to learn something useful, like playing a musical instrument or something that would help people, and you said 'In the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost,' or recited Psalm 36 and 136, you'd get Papa Legba, even if you didn't recognize him for who he was. If not... If your intentions weren't good and you didn't take those precautions, you got someone else. The Hoodooists usually said he was the Devil, but some disputed that. What they knew for sure was he was a tall, muscular, black man."

"Kalfu," said Hermione.

Harry said, "No wonder they weren't impressed with Voldemort."

"He's pretty mundane compared to a lot of what's there. Some of those coastal towns in New England, for example... And then there's the Hellmouths..."

"Hellmouths?"

"Hopefully something you never have to deal with. Anyway, yes, it was Kalfu, though, I wouldn't be surprised if Jareth got in on some of that crossroads action. Since we now know he's responsible for that Deathly Hallows business."

Luna said, "Married life has mellowed him."

"As much as it ever will. We don't want him to be too mellow. And speaking of the Sidhe Courts, we next come to the Scottish and Irish settlers in the Appalachian and Ozark Mountains and their Granny women and Power Doctors."

"The Scots were still Highlanders even in the New World."

"Yes, and they brought their traditions and the Fae with them. They also discovered that the native Cherokee had their own spirits that were very much like the Fae. So, they incorporated their magical system into their own. Having Cherokee blood in your veins was something to be proud of. Everyone in the Appalachians claimed to have it, so they had both their Celtic and their Cherokee spirits to call on. Whether they actually did or not, it was certainly part of their cultural heritage. The term 'Power Doctor' is a corruption of 'Pow Wow Doctor,' indicating the influence of the Pow Wow traditions from Pennsylvania. The Granny women held the power and respect, though. Back in the old days, and by 'old days,' I mean into the 1930s, they were often the only practitioners of health care in the area. They were the healers and midwives, and seldom expected or received payment. They were very religious, their theology being part mysticism, part fatalism, and a deep understanding of life. They were shrewd judges of character, and their advice was sought in pretty much everything.

"They also used the Psalms and passages from the Book of Ezekiel in their spellwork. Another important book was the annual Farmers Almanac, as when to plant and harvest specific crops was based on the moon phases and signs of the Zodiac. For example, crops where the part you eat is above ground would be planted when the moon was waxing, crops where the part you eat is below ground, like potatoes and carrots, would be planted when the moon was waning."

Luna said, "The native spirits can be quite interesting. I met Br'er Rabbit when we visited America. He's quite fun, even though he got us in a bit of trouble."

"I knew you two would hit it off. They also had those meetings at the crossroads with the big black guy that some thought was the Devil and others thought was, to quote a Hoodooist, 'some something or other.'

"The next major influence was the Spiritual Church movement. This spun out of Spiritualism and the Pentecostal movement, involved spirit guides and channeling, and included the Saints and those previously mentioned Biblical heroes and heroines like Moses, Esther, and Solomon. The African and native tribes had a long history of ancestor worship and trance possession, so the mediumship of the Spiritual churches was right at home in New Orleans. One of their major spirit guides was Black Hawk, a native war chief. In New Orleans, the Spiritual Church picked up some ideas and practices from Voodoo, though without the Loa. Black Hawk, would, in turn, become a prominent figure in Louisiana Voodoo.

"Then, in 1918, in New Orleans, the Chapel of St. Anthony of Padua was renamed and dedicated to, guess who, Our Lady of Guadalupe. It's popular with the Voodooists, who seek her to overcome fear and for protection from dark magic. Directly behind the Chapel is St. Louis Cemetery #1, where Marie Laveau, the legendary Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, is buried. Visitors to her tomb will sometimes draw an 'X' on it, turn around three times, knock on the tomb, yell out a wish, and if it's granted, return, circle the 'X,' and leave her an offering.

"Finally, we have the last big influence on the development of the magical system in the U.S., and the most controversial: Santeria. Some confuse it with Voodoo because of their similar roots in merging Catholicism, especially veneration of the Saints, with African practices, but they are very different systems, though with the usual overlap and cross-influence that characterizes the American magical practices. Like the Voodooists, they consider themselves good Catholics, regardless of the elements from outside Catholicism.

"Santeria developed in Cuba. Rather than the Loa, in addition to the Saints is the Seven African Powers, though some of them have connections to some Loa. Eleggua and Papa Legba are the same being, but have different personalities in Santeria and Voodoo."

Hermione said, "Like St. Brigid and Maman Brigitte."

"Yes. When Santeria arrived in the U.S. and Mexico, it, as you might expect, wound up with Our Lady of Guadalupe and all her associated traditions as a major part of it. In turn, a lot of Santeria practices found their way into the Guadalupe and Voodoo ones, aside from the really controversial aspects."

"Is she part of everything magical, there?"

"If it's Catholic, yes, and frequently even if it's not Catholic. A long time ago, a Hoodooist described their practice as 'a little of this, a little of that,' and that's what it has become there with the American magical system. People feel free to draw from one of the other systems as long as the can reconcile it with their own. A Protestant that uses spirit guides, for example, doesn't revere the Saints, but will accept them as guides. Wiccans in that part of the world will often have Our Lady of Guadalupe in the center of their home shrines, because she represents their Mother Goddess to them. If that sounds strange, consider what image of the Divine Mother it's easiest to build an emotional connection with: the one that you've seen since childhood and has been central to a living tradition for two thousand years, or one like Isis that you have no real connection to beyond having read about her? With that in mind, you can see how these American Wiccans have better results with Our Lady than with anyone else.

"And that's what it all comes down to with American magic: results. One non-Catholic practitioner credited Our Lady for his birth. His mother had been unable to have children and was distressed about it. She was visiting Mexico, saw a group of pilgrims headed to the Guadalupe shrine, and felt this need to go with them. Once at the shrine, she lit the ritual candle and made her petition, and shortly after, her son was born. When asked why he credited Our Lady with his birth if he didn't believe in that, he answered, 'Well, it worked, didn't it?'

"This viewpoint gives America it's 'all of the above' approach to magic, which now includes Hindu and Buddhist elements with everything else. The main controversy with Santeria is the animal sacrifice. Blood sacrifices are forbidden in most American systems like New Orleans Voodoo, though Haitian Vodou still sees some animal 's more about economics, though, as there's a lot of poverty and hunger in Haiti. When an animal is sacrificed there, it's supper, after.

"Sacrifice of chickens and goats, however, is a part of Santeria. It ended up being settled by the Supreme Court, who ruled that outlawing the practice violated their freedom of religion. Animal rights groups are still fighting to get it outlawed, though.

"The Voodoo Traditionalists don't object to the newer Voodooists bringing Santeria elements into their practice. It's a syncretic system, after all. But, like the traditionalists of the Guadalupe practices, they object to bringing the animal sacrifice into it. For one thing, Catholic doctrine says that Christ's sacrifice made all subsequent blood sacrifices unnecessary. That's why no one does the old Yule rituals, any more."

Luna said, "That, and the clean up. The old Yule practice was to sacrifice the animal, smear its blood all over the walls, and sprinkle it all over the guests."

"Ewww!" said Hermione.

"I know. Can you imagine cleaning all that off your walls and the floor and out of your clothes? Mum and Frau Holda had a big argument over what was appropriate seasonal practices."

"I can see why your mum called her a barbarian."

"But a very nice one."

Andy said, "The other objections the Traditionalists have to the blood sacrifices is the animal cruelty, and that while they have every legal right to do it, it makes everyone else look bad by association. It also should be noted that not everyone in Santeria practices blood sacrifice. Many object to it for the same reasons as everyone else.

"I met Eleggua in Dallas, where Santeria is very big and out in the open, as in you can get your Eleggua and Seven African Powers candles at your local supermarket out in the open. I walked into a shop and there he was with his straw hat, enjoying a cigar and a cup of coffee. We chatted. He remembered me as Papa Legba. It can be a bit strange encountering these beings in their different personas. In Santeria, they know Kalfu, as well, but they call him Eshu. The rule with them is not to let him into the house, though since he likes to eat, they might leave food outside for him hoping it'll calm him down.

"In the magic schools in North America, they teach all of this in addition to our wand waving. They don't do the really dark stuff, of course, or anything involving harming animals beyond the harvesting potions ingredients that we do, but they do cover how it's done for completion's sake. They want their students to have knowledge across the board."

Harry, reminded of his least favorite teacher, said, "In our first Potions class, Snape used the term 'wand waving,' negatively. Does he know this stuff?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if he's picked up a few things here and there."

Hermione said, "You said the American schools teach across the board. Draco Malfoy said they teach the dark arts at Durmstrang, not just Defence like at Hogwarts. Are they teaching how to do curses, like Malfoy implied, or is it more like what you said the Americans do?"

"As I understand, my nephew is an idiot."

"He is," Luna confirmed.

"Durmstrang has added old Eastern European magic to their curriculum since they started taking students from there on during the Cold War, which includes a bit of the Old Ways, but nothing too controversial. As far as curses are concerned, it's just like at Hogwarts, except with more consistent instruction since they don't change the teacher every year to my knowledge. You learn all those curses before you're taught the counters, if there are any. You'll be learning the Unforgivables, this year."

Harry said, "We already covered that, Fourth Year."

"Third for us," added Luna.

"So," said Hermione, "Malfoy would have been very disappointed if his father had actually sent him there like he said he originally planned."

Andy snorted, which was a strange sound from a snake, and said, "Right... Lucius would never have sent him there. No way the brat would have been able to handle the winters. It gets cold enough at Hogwarts even with all the fireplaces and warming charms. They only light fires at Durmstrang for magical purposes, never for warmth."

"Why is that, anyway?"

"They're stupid."

"Ah."

"Now, while the American system of magic is considered the Dark Arts here in Britain, you can see why I found it so advantageous. It incorporates so much from the rest of the world, and is continuing mutating and evolving. Here, we have isolated ourselves from the world around us. We're not progressing as the rest of Britain has.

"In one of my earliest discussions with Hermione, we discussed the consequences of this isolation and relying only on our own magical cores. We've lost touch with the world, in more ways than one. It's not just about the extra magical power you can draw on. We've lost our connections with our fellow humans and with Nature. Rather than evolving, our culture is stagnant and decaying.

"Voldemort knows some of the Old Ways, but has only been able to master the darkest, most destructive, of them. He lacks what is needed to understand, and benefit from them, fully. While you'll never be able to catch up with his expertise in wand magic, you will learn to do what he can't, which will more than level the playing field. Dumbledore is limited by thinking what he knows is all there is important to know. He thinks straight up duels with wands are the only way one can fight. His contempt for the Old Ways will prove his undoing, starting tonight."

Hermione turned to Harry and said, "I've been working on something the last few days with Andy's supervision. It'd be nice if I had some of Dumbledore's hairs for it, but it'll still work."

---

Molly Weasley was frantic.

Amelia Bones and some Aurors, none of whom were members of the Order of the Phoenix, had come to the Burrow to continue their investigation of the events that led to Harry being taken by that dark witch Tonks to her wicked family's den of sin. Bones was acting as though she was the one at fault for simply trying to help Harry realize that her daughter Ginny was who he should marry by giving him a nudge in the right direction with Amortentia, the most powerful love potion known to Man. But, of course, Bones was corrupt, beholden to the evil family that had taken Harry, where could be seduced by that Fae monster, Luna Lovegood, just as her oldest son, Bill, had been seduced by that French Veela scarlet woman who had worked to prevent Harry from recognizing that he belonged with Ginny. Bill and Harry needed to be rescued, and Bones was here interrogating her! No wonder You-Know-Who was gaining ground, with this level of corruption at the very top of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

Dumbledore promised, though, that Bill and Harry would be saved, and the damage done to them healed. In Dumbledore, their savior, she had complete faith. All would be well.

But, the enemy had just taken snips of her and Ginny's hair, Bones saying they'd be working with "the Yard" to learn if there was something in their systems that shouldn't be. What kind of fool did they take her for? Everyone knew that the only possible use for their hair could be dark magic. She fought, of course, for herself and for Ginny, but they stunned her and she woke up in a Ministry holding cell. What a time for Arthur to be at work and Ron visiting the twins!

Percy arranged for her release, but her hopes that he had at last seen the light and returned to the fold were quickly dashed when he told her that she wasn't going to stay locked up because Bones had reason to believe that she wasn't fully responsible for her actions, so they weren't pressing charges pending the test results. They'd planned to place her in St. Mungo's for observation, but Percy cited the children at home. He added that the Prophet had decided not to publish a story of her arrest as a personal favor to him, and to please not put him in that position, again.

She needed to speak to Dumbledore, immediately! Who knew what those dark wizards at that "Yard" were doing with her and Ginny's hair? She flooed Dumbledore's office, but he wasn't there! Where was he?

---

Back in his office at Hogwarts, Dumbledore thought things had mostly gone well, though not as well as he would have liked. He couldn't get the complete privacy with some of the members of the Wizengemot he required to be able to use his combination of the Imperius Curse, potion laced lemon drops, and memory charms to insure they voted the right way. Why, it was as if they didn't trust him! He was saddened by this reminder of how corrupt so many members of that body had become. After all, if they were truly of the Light, they would follow him without question.

At least he was able to win some to serve the greater good. Elphias did well with his visits. Augusta Longbottom promised she would "do the right thing." Tomorrow's vote would be close, but the greater good would prevail.

He was told by one of the portraits that Molly Weasley had flooed, and that it was an emergency. He then spoke with her, and assured her that whatever that trecherous Bones planned, it would be for naught. Of that, he thought after disconnecting with Molly, he was certain. Once the potions from the lemon drops he'd given Molly and Ginny took effect, there was no magical means of discovering they'd been administered. Bones and this "Yard," whoever they were, would find nothing.

As he relaxed, he felt that hated presence, again.

"Hello, Albus," she said, pleasantly.

"Morgan," he growled.

Like the previous day, the apparition was nude, radiant, and surrounded by blue light.

She said, "Someone's grumpy."

"Yes, well, that's what comes when you're having an unwelcome visit by a shameless, naked... whatever you are, since you're not a ghost!"

"Ascended being. Honestly, I would have thought you'd know something about Mary's apparitions, with the color indicating she's not a ghost and the blue aura. That means I'm either an ascended being or a Jedi."

"A what?"

"Never mind," she huffed as she flopped into a chair. "Hmm... I just noticed... Even though I'm incorporeal, my boobs still bounce. Marilyn said that would happen..."

"Marilyn?"

"An American love goddess.. You really have been living in a bubble... Not that you'd appreciate such things, but Merlin... He composed songs about my boobs. Godric Gryffindor loved them as well, though his favorites were the Ravenclaw's. He wrote at length about them, and her -"

"I... know about that," Dumbledore said through gritted teeth. He had to read Gryffindor's journals when he became Headmaster, and couldn't understand why the man felt the need to write so much about his activities with that woman who had seduced him into sin. "I have no interest in such disgusting things."

"Oh, but you've been worrying a great deal about my and my descendants' lovemaking skills, especially my daughter's. You've set out to destroy her life, as well as her beloved's. We will not allow that. Haven't you wondered how I'm able to visit you? How you gave me access?"

"I most certainly did not give permission to harass me!"

"Think about it, Albus. What came recently into your possession that involves just what we're doing, right now?"

Dumbledore thought back over recent events, then looked at the Resurrection Stone in the ring he'd been wearing. But, it couldn't be.

"I didn't summon you," he said.

"And yet, here I am."

He quickly removed the ring, threw it into a drawer in his desk, and closed the drawer with a slam.

She was still there, looking far too amused.

Perhaps he needed to banish her to get her to leave. He re-opened the drawer, took the ring back out, put it back on his finger, and shouted, "I BANISH YOU!"

She was still there, looking even more amused. Damn that woman!

"BEGONE! LEAVE THIS PLACE! RETURN TO... ah..."

She prompted, "The Astral Plane."

"Yes, THE ASTRAL PLANE! Blast it, WHY WON'T YOU LEAVE?"

"As you said, you didn't summon me. All your little ring did was provide the bridge. Someone else opened the gate. You see, you've offended a lot more than the Fae. You know those North Americans you hate, so much?"

Dumbledore felt a chill. There were many supernatural beings in North America besides the Fae, and one group in particular that was associated with the term "open the gate."

Morgan said, "A friend of mine can heal that curse that's killing you. She specializes in healing people from curses that kill, slowly. Oh, and since her husband, the Baron, has taken an interest, you're not going to get that martyr's death you so want. You're not going to pass from this plane until he allows you to."

"We're in Scotland. He has no dominion, here."

"Have you forgotten who his wife is? She certainly has dominion, here. Haven't you ever wondered how Lily Potter protected her baby from the Killing Curse?"

"While I don't know the details, it's obvious that Lily's love and willingness to sacrifice her life for her son's saved Harry's."

Morgan scoffed and said, "The Death Eaters wiped out entire families with the Killing Curse. Didn't you ever consider that those mothers might have valued their children's lives more than their own, so we should have a bunch of kids running around with lightning shaped scars? No, of course you didn't."

"Then... how?"

"I told you, a long time ago that with us, family takes care of family. Do you know how the Vodouists describe Maman Brigitte? Beautiful, light skinned, red hair, green eyes... Lily invoked a relative and her husband on a night that is dedicated to them to protect her child."

"No... no... You lie! She would never..."

"Never what? Put the life of her child over the approval of Albus Dumbledore?"

"I had placed protections on that house! She didn't need to resort to the Dark Arts!"

"And a fat lot of good those 'protections' of yours did. If she hadn't used the Old Ways, Harry would be dead, and Tom wouldn't have had his big setback. And who are you to be so offended over her using what you call the Dark Arts to save her son and harm no one but her murderer while you're casually using the Imperius Curse left and right?"

"As I said before, I am simply guiding them to the right and good path. Of course, I wouldn't expect a dark creature like you to understand such things. Still, it matters little. After tomorrow, your kind will be banished from magical Britain."

"Really? Some mortals casting a vote is somehow going to keep me from visiting you? Oh, and before you say it, exorcism only works on ghosts and demons, or spirits possessing someone or something, none of which applies here."

"We'll see about that."

"That'll be fun. How are you going to explain what you're needing to your Ministry? 'I need an exorcism performed! Morgan le Fey is haunting my office! And she's naked!'"

"I am more than capable of doing this, myself."

She laughed and said, "I come and go as I please, Albus. Even the protections against the Fae no longer work on me."

Enraged, and with a snarl, he drew the Elder Wand and cast a blasting curse. Since she was incorporeal, it passed through her harmlessly, but damaged the wall behind her.

"Hey!" yelled a previous Headmaster's portrait, "be careful, there!"

Morgan said, "See you later, Albus," then vanished, leaving a fuming Headmaster alone in an office he'd now need to repair.

---

Arthur Weasley met Kingsley Shacklebolt in a break room at the Ministry of Magic.

Arthur asked, "Did you learn anything about this 'Yard' that Bones is working with against us?"

"Scotland Yard. They're best described as the muggle version of the Aurors."

"Muggles? What use are they to her? They're clever for... what they are, but they're like children, or..."

"Chimpanzees, yes."

"Well, that just proves Bones is either a fool or mad, in addition to being corrupt and evil. She'll pay for attacking my family."

"Indeed. Tomorrow, she will fall, along with the rest of the traitors."

"How did a duffer of a Hufflepuff get into such an important position, anyway?"

"I don't know. They're almost as stupid as muggles."

"Maybe that's why she's working with this 'Yard.' I feel sorry for her niece, though, raised by that woman on top of being a Hufflepuff."

"There is still time to recondition her. Trust in Dumbledore."

"Yes. It's like Hermione Granger. We'd hoped we'd broken her from her muggle family, but it looks like we've still got a ways to go to break her from those primitives. Still, I'm glad she's been kept safe from this mess. She'd be so worried about Harry, right now. She'd be wanting to rescue him. There's one girl we don't have to worry about being seduced by the Fae."

"She is loyal to Dumbledore and the Light, then?"

"Absolutely. She'd never dabble in the Dark Arts."

---

Dora's last name was Tonks, meaning "to strike."

After their lovemaking, Luna prepared what she told Harry was a purifying ritual bath. It was certainly relaxing, he thought. As they dried themselves, she explained the ritual they'd be doing.

During this, Jeeves brought them the robes they'd be wearing for the ceremony, larger versions of the purple one he, himself, was wearing. After putting them on, they went downstairs to a large room Harry hadn't spent time in before, the shrine.

After familiarizing himself with the layout, and listening to Emily and a larger version of her band play a couple of songs he wasn't familiar with, one about loving a girl named Lucy, he and Luna set out to find Hermione and Dora, who Jeeves said was in the study.

Hermione was making out with Dora when Harry and Luna arrived. They were wearing the same purple robes he and Luna were.

Harry said, "Luna's gone over the ritual with me, but I'm not sure about when to do the responses."

Dora said, "Don't worry about it. Mum's doing the main part. Just follow our lead like with the Javacrucian ritual."

Luna said, "Emily has the band set up, with extra drummers and horn sections Lulu brought with her. They just played the 'I Love Lucy' theme, followed by 'Babalu.'

Dora said, "But, we're not even summoning him, or doing any of that!"

"They know, but it's a great warm up for the drummers."

"True."

"So," Harry said to Hermione, "Let's see it, then."

Hermione smiled and showed him what she'd been working on. The small doll was crude, but with the pointed hat, gown, and long white beard, it was obvious who it represented.

She said "Albus Dumbledore and his followers have been manipulating us for years. Now, he's outright attacking us. Tonight," she said, looking at the doll, "we take the offensive."

---

A/N:

We did say back in Chapter 8 that Hermione was learning the Dark Arts, at least how magical Britain defines it.

And, the main reason I made Dora a Slytherin: It's just more fun having her there as Snape's star pupil that he won't punish too much because he needs her to win the House Cup.

Babalu-Aye is one of the major spirits in Santeria, made famous in the U.S. as a hit song by Cuban born Desi Arnaz, which later became his signature song on the landmark 1950s sitcom, I Love Lucy, as well as the name of his character's nightclub on the show. So, I gave it a little shoutout. Look up the song "Babalu" on Youtube. It's very cool.

Aside from the books mentioned in the chapter, I'd like to acknowledge the following which helped so much in the research...

The Mystical Qabalah by Dion Fortune

Ozark Superstitions by Vance Randolph

Symbolic Masonry by H. L. Heywood

The Templars and the Grail: Knights of the Quest by Karen Ralls

The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook by Denise Alvarado

And the following articles...

The Centrality of the Divine Feminine in Sufism by Laurence Galian

Folk Magic and Protestant Christianity in Appalachia by John Richards

King Solomon's Temple by Ian Ellis-Jones