DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER.

Abhimanyu, sitting under the same beech tree as the previous time, said, "Come on, it can't be true! It's not true, is it? I mean, is it really true that there's a new dark lord called Voldemort?"

Bellatrix who was sitting with him, had just explained the rumors, the incidents and the fact that Lord Voldemort really existed and was gathering followers for his 'greater good'.

Bellatrix spoke, "Like it or not, it's true. He really does exist."

Abhimanyu said, "Can he be reasoned with? Maybe…"

Bellatrix said, "Don't even think about it. He's not like me whom you can convince. That would be like walking into the lion's den. From what I've heard, he is bent upon war soon."

Abhimanyu looked at the lake and threw a stone as far as he could.

He then turned to Bellatrix and said, "So, he basically wants to make it a rule that Muggleborns are nothing but slaves, or untouchables for that matter! It's pretty much like all those tyrants in India! Ghori, Ghazni, Ala-ud-din Khilji, and of course, the one we can all never forget, Aurangzeb! That's pretty much what they did to those who refused to walk their path, who were not like them for that matter!"

Bellatrix asked, "Who were those people?"

Abhimanyu explained, "India is known for its vast resources and its sacred culture. Since ancient times, there have been cruel rulers trying to eradicate its values and rob us of our resources. Mahmud Ghazni was a cruel Muslim ruler who pulled out the gems of the Somnath temple in Gujarat and stole them away for glory. Ghori was also another cruel one. He invaded India and blinded the Hindu king of Delhi, Prithviraj Chauhan. Ala-ud-din Khilji was also one of those cruel rulers who exploited Hindus. A lot of those cruel kings in India said that if we wanted to follow our own path of Sanatana Dharma instead of converting to their religion, we had to pay a special tax called Jaziya. Later on, there were some good rulers like Akbar who abolished Jaziya and had some respect for other religions, but his great grandson Aurangzeb was a tyrant. He persecuted Hindus in the worst possible ways. He had many of them tortured using stuff like hot coals, boiling oil, etc, and he destroyed several temples. One of the Hindu rulers of his time, Chhattrapati Shivaji, stood up against him and gave him hell, but later on, his son Shambhaji was betrayed and captured. Aurangzeb had his eyes gouged out, his tongue slit, and his nails pulled out. Shambhaji had refused to convert to Islam and abandon Sanatana Dharma. And Aurangzeb wanted revenge. Finally, Shambhaji was flayed and he was killed by tiger claws and beheading."

Hearing all this, Bellatrix was horrified and looked like she wanted to vomit. She had already covered her mouth with her hands in horror.

Some moments later, she said, "That sounds cruel! How could they be that vile?!"

Abhimanyu stated, "I don't have any prejudice towards any religion. I respect all religions, but these are facts of Indian history that we need to be aware of."

Bellatrix said, "You know, my father always says that Muggles are causing war and destruction in this world."

Abhimanyu replied bitterly, "If he's referring to those rulers, and of course, people like Adolf Hitler, Mussolini, General Dyer, etc, then he's absolutely right."

They were silent for a few moments.

Then Bellatrix spoke, "He is right about that, but he also tells us all the time that the blood of Muggles does not belong with ours. He insists on powerful bloodlines being maintained."

Abhimanyu replied, "That, I don't agree with. I mean, my parents are Muggles, not just any Muggles, but also really nice people."

Bellatrix said, "Perhaps we do need to know more before making conclusions, but I don't think my father would approve of me trying to know Muggles better."

Abhimanyu said, "Well, there are people everywhere who do not approve of their children's choices, even if they actually are for the better. Ultimately, it's our choice to make."

Bellatrix turned to Abhimanyu and said, "Oh, I forgot to tell you. Narcissa wants to know when you are free next time. She says she wants to speak to you. And I think she wants you to speak to Lucius Malfoy."

Abhimanyu asked, "Is it the guy with long blonde hair?"

Bellatrix replied, "And in Slytherin, third year, yes. His family is an ancient pureblood family, and he holds himself in high regard."

Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Narcissa was speaking to Lucius.

Lucius spoke, "Narcissa, I don't understand. Why is this Muggleborn wizard so important that your sister has started hanging out with him?"

Narcissa spoke, "Lucius, you really should speak to him. He is quite a good friend. He's caring, kind, and he never gave up trying to be our friend."

Lucius asked, envy evident in his voice, "Are you going out with him or something?"

Narcissa replied, "No, he's a good friend, but we're not into each other romantically. Anyway, you should speak to him."

Lucius said, "I don't see the point of this. I am from the Noble House of Malfoy. My father has great expectations of me. I can't waste my time with these lowly Muggleborns, products of Muggles who are against our world!"

Narcissa pleaded, "Lucius, at least give him a chance. He tries to understand things from other people's view."

Lucius thought for a while and finally said, "Alright, but I'm coming with you, and you are not leaving me with him."

Narcissa replied, "Of course not."

A few days later….

Abhimanyu, Narcissa and Lucius were sitting under a tree near the lake in an area with plenty of trees.

Narcissa and Abhimanyu had smiles on their faces. Lucius however had a very indifferent expression on his face.

Abhimanyu spoke, "It's nice to meet you Lucius Malfoy."

Lucius shook Abhimanyu's hand and said, "Good to meet you, but I am from the Noble House of Malfoy."

Abhimanyu simply smiled. Narcissa had pre-warned him of Lucius' snobbishness and his negative views, so he didn't feel any resentment upon hearing Lucius' tone.

He spoke, "Pleased to know that. So, Narcissa said you had some things to say."

Lucius replied, "Yes, first of all, I personally do not approve of you hanging out with Bellatrix. She is a pureblood and from the most Ancient and Noble House of Black. And you are a common Muggleborn."

Abhimanyu replied, "Friendship does not depend on status. It's not what family you are from, but what you do that matters. And there have been unlikely friendships formed in the past."

Lucius said, "Even so, that does not overrule the fact that we wizards are where we are because of the attitude of Muggles, and you are a product of them."

Abhimanyu looked at Lucius and spoke, "The problem is that Muggles no longer understand our world."

Lucius spoke, "Yes, but more than that, they are against us. They fear magic. What about all the witch burnings that used to happen in medieval ages? Why did that happen? Because the Muggles believed that we were all evil and should be wiped out from the face of the earth."

Abhimanyu said, "I can understand. But not every Muggle is a bad person, and not every villain is a Muggle. What about Grindelwald? He committed so many crimes in the name of the greater good. He even attempted to destroy the entire city of Paris once. So we can't say that we have never had villains amongst us wizards and witches, can we?"

Lucius was about to say something, but closed his mouth.

Narcissa spoke, "It's true that we have to be hidden from Muggles, but as Abhimanyu said, not every Muggle is a bad person, and not every bad person is a Muggle."

Abhimanyu said, "There have existed great Muggles like Mahatma Gandhi, Oscar Schindler, etc."

Lucius replied, "Mahatma Gandhi may have been able to free India through non-violence, but now it is out of question. Look at the wars that have been going on since the 1950s, caused by Muggles."

Abhimanyu said, "It's true, a lot of wars have been caused by Muggles, but it's not like there haven't been wizarding wars before."

Narcissa replied, "You're quite right over there Abhimanyu."

Lucius snorted and said, "Pandey, I hope you know what you are doing."

Abhimanyu replied, "Lucius, since you are Narcissa's friend, I will see you as one. Let us cast our differences aside. Let's not be enemies and fight. Let's be friends."

Narcissa turned to Lucius and said, "Come on Lucius, he's a good person. And he does try to understand others' perspectives."

Lucius said, "Why would I be friends with a Muggleborn such as you?"

Abhimanyu replied, "Why not? We wouldn't be enemies for sure."

Narcissa looked into Lucius' eyes and said, "Lucius please, just give him a chance. You'll like him. He's friendly, and he never ever gives up."

Lucius sat in his spot for a few moments and then got up saying, "I've got to go. I'll think about this. Don't think I've accepted just yet Pandey."

As Lucius walked away, Narcissa said, "Don't worry about him Abhimanyu. He can be really stubborn."

Abhimanyu smilingly replied, "At least I've got you, Andromeda and Bell."