Brand Thy Wand
“May the session on The War begin,” Chief Warlock Smith declared. The whispers between colleagues and faction members stopped.
The members of the Wizengamot were meeting today to discuss the issues of the country. Matters of education, social care and, most importantly, the biggest foe of Britain — the war against Lord Voldemort.
Just two days before the current session a Muggle village close to Northallerton was attached in a raid by Death Eaters. It was reported that 26 Muggles died, and several more were injured.
The news of the attached came the day after and left the Wizarding World in a frenzy. More and more magical families — especially those of muggle-borns and half-bloods — were thinking of leaving Britain altogether, if nothing was done against the Dark Lord and his vassals.
Of course, the loss of dozens — if not hundreds — of families, left the Ministry in a uproar. The effect of such an event would make the country extremely vulnerable, both economically and in the number of wands available to fight a foreign adversary.
Tension was the most present feeling between all of the wizards and witches in the room. All members, including some purebloods, were already calculating the possible increase in prices — as well as the possible economic crisis resulting from a loss of people to neighbouring countries.
“I'm quite aware of the difficulty in planning a response for the troubles You-Know-Who and his war has caused —” Chief Warlock Smith told the Wizengamot, causing many of its lords and ladies to become even more anxious “— However, it is this council's duty to elaborate laws and a plan to deal with this hurdle.”
At the words of the Chief Warlock, an old lord stood up from his seat. Lorcan Moody is a man from a family known for their tendency to produce witches and wizards who swore their wands to work as Aurors. The man's face was stern even at his advanced age, and his presence was known in the Wizengamot as being one that always drew respect — even from some dark wizards and witches.
“My fellow colleagues of this honourable institution,” the old man began, signalling to his peers with his cane. “We are at a moment of reckoning, I fear. The efforts of the Ministry to crush You-Know-Who and his Army of Evil have proven, again and again, fruitless. So I speak with you now, with great regret, to bring to the attention of the Wizengamot the necessity of, perhaps, fighting fire with fire.”
Many of the people in the chamber began to whisper to each other. Lord Moody, of course, had already brought this issue up in the past, but it was squashed vehemently as a disgrace to even consider.
Today, however, with the Death Eaters taking more lives with each new raid, the parliamentarians were — maybe — more susceptible to the idea. One doesn't win a war with Expelliarmus, was a thought that many present in the chamber shared.
“Therefore, it is most necessary — for both the protection of our citizens, as well as the survival of our Auror Force — that those who guard and protect this nation can utilise all repertoire of spells possible to win this war, against the evil that ravages our country.”
Some members of the Light Faction started to open their mouths to protest the idea, but Lorcan Moody quickly hit his cane against the floor — silencing all of them before a word was even uttered.
“Yes. I'm quite aware of what I am proposing before some of you question me. Yet, this changes nothing!” he said as he hit his cane against the floor once more, startling the people closer to his chair. “I'd like to remember all of you who are the ones giving their lives for this war. The good witches and wizards of this country face Death every time they come across a Death Eater, and yet this body dares to forbid them from using all means necessary to protect not only themselves but the innocents being targeted by those lunatics. So, my fellow lawmakers, my fellow law enforcers, will you once more cast the needs of our fighters aside or will you finally join hands with them in this war?”
No one said a thing. Every person in the chamber got lost in thought. Thinking about the pros and cons of supporting Lord Moody's proposal.
“Perhaps —” Lord Edgard Bones was the first to break the silence “— It would be wise to allow the Aurors the usage of more... unusual spells.”
Some nods of agreement were seen, especially in the Grey Faction. Though most light wixen were still apprehensive.
“I'm afraid I'll have to agree with Lord Moody's proposal,” Lord Peverell spoke. Some eyebrows shot up, shocked by the agreement of a lord from the Dark Faction. The dark wixen were obviously quiet during Lorcan Moody's speech. Most people will interpret Hedwyn Peverell's siding with someone from the Light Faction as a distancing from the Dark Lord.
The witches and wizards from the Dark Faction were tense. Having someone who, in thesis, was a part of them going against Lord Voldemort so openly could never mean something good.
“With the toll of dead Aurors mounting more and more, it is clear than never the need for more, let's say, vicious spells to be used was as necessary as now. If not, I fear the number of Aurors will go down every month until we become completely defenceless.”
Many wixen of the Grey Faction were openly agreeing now, with the more lords openly supporting the proposal. Some in the Light Faction were still not sure, while the Dark was as quiet as ever.
“I believe the honourable gentlemen to be correct,” Lord Arcturus Black spoke, making several of the members of the Dark Faction forget all manners and have their mouths open and eyes widen. The Lord of the Black Family, the oldest and historically dark family in Britain, positioning himself against the Dark Lord in front of the entire Wizengamot was unpredictable. “The frenzied terrorists have opposed this body for too long. It has come the time of penalty in this country. We, as the ones responsible for our nation's safety and security, must take back control over Wizarding Britain from the grips of those radicals.”
Lord Black's voice echoes through the silent chamber. The authority of a name like Arcturus Black was undeniable in moments such as this. No one voice of disagreement was heard. There was opposition, of course, but no one would dare to question Lord Black openly.
“I believe it's time for the voting,” the Chief Warlock said after a minute of silence “Unless someone desires to make their voice heard.”
No one said a thing. The members of the Light Faction were too shy to go against Lord Moody, and the Dark Faction was too afraid of the repercussions that could come if they spoke against Lord Black.
“Very, well. I will give time for consideration, and when I come back the voting will resume. I ask Lord Moody to present to the members of this institution a written proposal that, if passed, shall be made into law,” Chief Warlock Smith said.
Lorcan Moody then took a roll of parchment from his robes “This is the motion I wish to be ayed by your, honourable ladies and lords,” with a movement of his wand, the parchment started to copy and the copies flew to each wixen present. “In this proposal, you will see the list of spells that I deemed necessary for our Aurors to use.” With that, Lord Moody nodded to his fellow Wizengamot members.
Sounds of parchment being handled started to go around, and whispers began soon after. Many people, especially the light wixen, were shocked by the spells in the list. Most were concerned with the Unforgivables being mentioned.
Seeing the thoughtful faces of the Wizengamot members, Chief Warlock Smith said nothing while getting up from his chair. Some eyes accompanied him as he left. The moment the doors closed the talking began.
Lord Moody went to talk with his allies, along with Lords Prewett and Longbottom. Convincing so many light wixen of siding with this proposal would be hard, but the talks occurred even then.
In the Grey Faction, Lords Shafiq, Greengrass and Bones started a debate with their colleagues about the need for such measures in times of war. The Grey wizards and witches were a lot more open to these talks than the light ones.
Silence ruled the Dark Faction. No one dared to speak up. With a powerful and influential as Lord Black and a rich one as Lord Peverell supporting the motion, it became clear that any voice of opposition would not be welcomed with open arms.
The tension was clear in Lords Malfoy and Nott's, even if they tried to hide it. Their stiff shoulders and slightly furrowed brows showed their real feelings. If the proposal passed, a certain self-proclaimed lord would not be very happy. The lords could practically feel the punishment they'd receive.
Once a few minutes had passed, the door to the chamber opened and the Chief Warlock entered — going straight to his seat and not looking at anyone.
“Attention lords and ladies of the Wizengamot. It starts now the voting for Lord Lorcan Moody's — ‘War Effort Spells’ Act. May the voting start.”
As soon as those words were uttered, several wands started rising. A majority of them coming from the Grey Faction.
In the light wixen's side of the chamber, many were still reluctant, but one look from Lord Moody made many wands rise.
The Dark Faction had the most numbers of people opposers. Not even Lord Black gave them more fear than Voldemort. Some, however, did put the wands up — none connected to the Dark Lord, though.
“I see...” The Chief Warlock said.
Anxiety went through all in the room. A change such as this could, potentially, give the Ministry the upper hand against the Death Eaters. The more trained Aurors, using more ruthless spells, could be a force to be reckoned with.
A paper with the number of votes appeared in front of the Chief Warlock. All eyes were on the paper, even though no one could read it from afar.
“The ‘War Effort Spells’ Act is therefore passed. The ayes have it!” Exclaimed Chief Warlock Smith “The ayes have it.”
Tension both left and came into the room once more. Some members breathed out and relaxed, while others, became stiffer than they already were.
Some would've said they saw Lord Malfoy sweating, and Lords Nott and Lestrange looked constipated.
Two things were clear, the Ministry no longer would allow the Death Eaters to go unharmed; and, for some members of the Wizengamot, their lord would punish them severely for today's event.
------------------------------------------------------
Screams echoed in the room and travelled through the corridors of the manor.
In the room that once was a library, hooded figures stood still. The fear of a small movement attracting the attention of the man in the middle sitting on a big white chair was enough to keep them quiet.
The man in question, with pale white skin, a face that seemed as if it was melting — features distorted beyond the point of saving —, and dark red eyes, continued to point his yew wood wand to the man at his feet.
His face was impassive, but the magic around him told another story — he was angry. He was angrier than he had been in a long time.
Abraxas Malfoy writhe on the floor of Lestrange Manor. The pain so strong he was considering death at every second, just so his suffering had an end. But he new, the Dark Lord would never give him such mercy.
The Cruciatus Curse that made Abraxas feel like his blood had turned into molten iron stopped, a sigh escaping his lips.
“How have you disappointed me, Abraxas,” Voldemort said in a hissing voice.
A whimper came from the man on the floor, making some more courageous Death Eaters laugh. Slowly Malfoy got up, hands shaking and legs weak. Once standing, with his head lowered in submission, Lord Malfoy remained in silence — waiting for his lord to speak again.
“You couldn't even oppose that bill openly, Abraxas. Too afraid of what? The old Lord Arcturus Black?” A cackling was heard somewhere in the room. The Dark Lord's disdain for Arcturus Black being amusing to Bellatrix Lestrange. None paid attention to her madness. “Is he the lord you serve, Abraxas?”
A shiver went through Malfoy's body. His hands started to shake even more.
“N-No, my lord,” Lord Malfoy said in a fearful tone. “I have always only served you, my lord.”
The tall pale man got closer to Abraxas, putting a dead like cold hand on Malfoy's face. It took everything in Abraxas to not flinch at the touch.
“Yesss,” the almost Parseltongue making everyone in the room stiffen. “You have served me so, so well, Abraxas. A friend that has been by my side for decades, isn't that correct?”
Malfoy quickly nodded to his lord “O-Of course, m-my lord. I'll always stand by your side.”
A eyebrow rose on Voldemort's disturbing face “Is that so? Then how come you didn't serve me tonight, Abraxas?”
Too afraid to say anything that could anger the Dark Lord, Abraxas Malfoy decide to stay quiet and wait for his punishment.
Lord Voldemort, seeing his servant behaviour, only tutted. His hand tightened on Malfoy's face, making his sharp nails break through Abraxas' pale skin. The Malfoy Lord let out a small cry, the pain not unexpected and not unfamiliar to him.
“You have wronged your lord today,“ Lord Voldemort said at he let go of Abraxas' face with force, forcing the man to fall to the floor again. “All of you! All I see today is disappointment. Powerful, prideful lords and yet none on you dared to go against and old man. How pathetic,” The Dark Lord spitted the last word in disdain.
The Death Eaters all bowed their heads in shame. They expected this, of course. The Dark Lord hardly would let them go unscaved.
“The mistake of today will not be forgiven! You will remember who is your real lord,” Voldemort pointed his wand at Lord Raphaël Rosier while he spoke. No one could see, because of his mask, but Rosier's face went white with fear.
“Crucio.”
The screams started again in the room. Every Death Eater, while Lord Rosier was being tortured, was with their heads down and hands clenched. For now it was only Raphaël Rosier who suffered under their lord's wrath, but in minutes so would they.