Chapter Eighteen
“Welcome back from winter break,” Hermione said at the next meeting of Hogwarts Army. “We have shirts in all sizes, enough for everyone as well as sweaters and notebooks on a first come first serve basis.”
“Today we are going to be working on hand to hand fighting, sword fighting and archery in our groups. I’ll be with Group One. Ron will be with Group Two. Harry will be with Group Three and Hermione will be with Group Four. In the last ten minutes, we’ll distribute shirts,” I said.
“Also, please remember that we are having an informative session after the meeting for anybody, particularly muggleborns, who want more information of options about leaving the country and moving to Europa,” Harry said as everyone got up and moved about.
“Alright, who here has taken a self defense or martial arts class?” I asked the group of first and second years. A handful of them raised their hands.
“So, wixen fight with primarily with spells. Most wixen are not expecting you to use a physical attack such as punching somebody, especially not Death Eaters who are mainly upper class snobbish elites. So knowing how to throw a punch can be helpful. It also helps build up body muscle and any sort of exercise is super helpful for your health.”
“The most important thing is to keep track of where you feet are. It sounds stupid, but it’s actually really important. Look at my feet, they are diagonal and my left foot is in front of my left foot. Can I get a volunteer?” I asked.
One girl in a headband raised her hand.
“Yes, you. Now come and shove me as hard as you can. It’s okay, you won’t hurt my feelings,” I encouraged.
The gryffindor girl came and shoved me with both hands. I swayed but maintained my balance.
“Good, now I’m going to move my feet so they’re right next to each other. Now shove me again,” I said.
She did and I stumbled backwards, regaining my balance by waving my arms.
“So, keeping your feet apart distributes your center of balance. Basically, it’s harder to get knocked over. If your feet are together, you can trip and fall easily. I was expecting to get shoved and I was still put off balance. Now, everyone line up and move your feet into a ready stance, diagonal to each other like mine,” I instructed.
“Now make a fist. It’s important that your thumb is on the outside of your fist, otherwise you will end up breaking your thumb by punching something. Don’t clench your muscles too tightly, but not too loosely either- that’s good,” I said, moving around the younger children.
By the time we ended, most of the little kids could punch the cushions their partners held up with decent form. We passed out the shirts, which many of the older kids viewed as tacky. I was pleased to note that many students decided to stay for the information session, even if they weren’t muggleborn.
“Current estimates are that Voldemort will likely return to full power near the end of this school year. As you know, one of Voldemort’s aims is to kill all muggleborns. In the last war, this happened as random terrorist attacks, targeting one household and retreating to strike again. However if Voldemort at any point succeeds in taking over the Ministry, which we believe he will at least temporarily, he would likely begin a more systematic genocide of muggleborns,” Hermione said.
“To that end, we have several options to provide safety, not just for muggleborns, but for any student who wishes our help. Zo has purchased several warded safehouses and I also am rich and have a bunch of empty properties so any student who wishes to move to one of those, with or without their family is welcome to. It would be mainly over the summer and if there are those with muggle families, they can stay full year,” Harry said.
Ron was writing down the bullet points on a piece of paper that was magically projected onto the wall for everyone to see.
“For those who wish to leave England whether temporarily or permanently, we have, with help from another generous party who wishes to remain unnamed, organized a path for people to move to Europa. For those not familiar with magical geography, that’s southwest Europe including France, Switzerland, Greece, Rome, Spain and a few other countries. Their school is Beuaxbatons. Your families, muggle or magical, would be able to move. Transport to Europa would be handled by us. Housing, legal matters and enrollment in Beauxbatons would be handled by our anonymous allies. At least one of your parents would need to get a job in the magical world, but that’s the only stipulation. We’ll need at least a week’s notice if you wish to move abroad. Personally, I would recommend moving over the summer, no disruption to the school year and time to get settled in before September,” I said.
“Now, if you do not wish to move abroad or move into a safehouse, we would like to get a list of names and addresses of all muggleborns. Should Voldemort take over the Ministry, he will have access to the government’s tracking system and be able to easily find and kill people. With this list, we would immediately go to alert people and get them to safety once Voldemort takes over the Ministry,” Hermione said.
“We also have informational pamphlets saying everything we went over for you to send to your families. You can send an owl or talk to one of us at any time once you reach a decision with your families,” Harry said.
“If you would like to sign up to move into a safehouse or move to Europa, please see Hermione. If you would like to put your name on our alert list for if Voldemort takes over, please see Ron. If you would like to take an informational pamphlet, please see Harry. If you would like to get more information or have any questions, please see me,” I said.
“Rita’s article is quite provocative,” Hermione said, reading the newspaper over breakfast on Sunday morning, the heading reading House Elves or Slaves?
“It’ll definitely stir up a controversy,” I agreed.
“I think I’ll wait a week, then talk to Rita about the general population’s opinion on the issue, then decide where to go from there,” Hermione decided.
“Good plan,” I said.
“Want to see if we can gather up some people for a game of Quidditch?” Ron asked Harry.
“We’re working on the bubblehead charm today, you can do Quidditch tomorrow after class,” Hermione frowned.
“Oh very well,” Ron said, finishing up his food.
“I’m still not sure if muggle flippers are a good idea,” Harry said as we walked out of the Great Hall.
“All of your swimming experience has just been playing around in the Lake or a pool or the river by the Burrow, not actually trying to swim fast. Flippers will propel you faster,” Hermione pointed out.
“Using a muggle item will send a positive message of -DOWN” I cried out, ducking to avoid a stunner and throwing up a shield charm.
“CONSTANT VIGILANCE!”
“Professor, I was wondering if you have any opinions on potential candidates for Head of Aurors?” I asked politely as I turned around.
“Why? Do you think Scrimgeour is going to be targeted by Death Eaters?” Moody asked suspiciously.
“No. Well I mean, obviously he will be, but that’s not why I’m asking. Fudge is obviously incompetent and will be either persuaded to retire and save face or forcibly outed. Madam Bones is the obvious best choice for Minister, and then Scrimgeour will likely be promoted to Head of the DMLE which leaves an opening as Head Auror and it is a rather important job in this period of time. Since you’re an Auror I thought you might have opinions on who would be best for the job?”
“Shacklebolt. Boy’s got a good head on his shoulders. Bit too unwilling to bend the law for my taste, but he’s smart and would be a solid choice,” Moody grunted after consideration, before unceremoniously stalking off.
“I hate it when Moody does that,” Ron grumbled.
“It’s good practice. You never know when you might be attacked and it’s helping our reflexes,” I pointed out.