Catching a Rat, Hatching a Bird, Learning Magic
*Sunday 1 May 1988*
With Sirius acquitted of charges, the hunt was on for Peter Pettigrew. Knowing he was a rat animagus was a surprise, to many. So were Sirius and my father James. Greasing a few palms, and the records were changed. Basically the application was submitted, but never approved. A clerical error on the Ministry's part. They can't seem to catch a break can they?
The Weasleys' came forward with the information that they had a rat which lived for a long time. He had disappeared a few weeks ago. The wanted posters were all over the place. With pictures of both his previous appearance and his animagus transformation. The public was informed as to the counter measures against animagi. A Homenum Revelio and Finite Transformata (animagus reversal spell) charm in quick conjunction will assist any wizard or witch in detecting and hopefully capturing not only Peter Pettigrew but other unregistered animagi.
The original purpose of the animagi registration was to keep witches and wizards safe. A few centuries ago the aurors were the most likely people to be animagi to assist them with their investigations. With the development of new spells and potions, as well as dueling techniques, the animagus transformation fell out of favour, and over time out of the public conscious.
Now due to public interest, there were articles on how one becomes an animagus, and how to do so safely. There were also counters to having a transformed animagus running around. it was to stun them, and report to the aurors.
Speaking of aurors, their plight was also brought to light. Over the years the Bagnold administration has continuously cut funding and resources for the auror department. The ratio of public to aurors in 1960 was 500:1 for every 500 people there was 1 auror. During the terror of Voldemort it was 1000:1. Now it is at 1200:1, the reason it was unnoticeable was due to the gradual decline of the DMLE.
A statement made to the press by Millicent Bagnold stated very clearly the repercussions of the Wizarding War. The DMLE was in decline due to the inadequate candidates coming from Hogwarts. The option now is that the DMLE set up their own academy, or Hogwarts revamps their curriculum. It is not financially feasible for training lacking candidates in the areas they lack. The most glaring shortcomings are the Dark Arts, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions, Dueling and Runes. There is just not that many students that are adequately proficient in these areas to be admitted into the Auror training academy. The amount of things an auror needs to learn in a short amount of time, and be ready for active duty, is quite substantial. Not only that but the amount of competent Hit-Wizards has also decreased.
This was when Cornelius Fudge was inciting the public and asking for Bagnold to resign. He was the most likely candidate for Minister. One thick docket on all his dealings and cover up whilst being a junior minister at the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes to all news outlets, and his termination was swift and without any significant fallout.
It was as if the floor was pulled from his feet. The man had nowhere to go. All his supporters jumped ship so fast, he wasn't able to find any of them. In his despair and desperation, he released all files of his previous benefactors.
This is why you either stick with your allies, or make sure they are dead before moving on. The can of worms Fudge opened detracted attention from Pettigrew. It was a bit infuriating for me, but as long as people are aware it is fine. I really wanted Pettigrew dead. Not imprisoned, dead. Brief memories of that and subsequent films outlined the role Pettigrew would play in service of Voldemort. He would be the lynchpin to hold everything together. Someone else would eventually find a way to resurrect the Dark Lord, before or after I destroy the Horcruxes is left to be seen.
After writing my journal I took a nap. Naps are awesome, I also have to make up for all the missed naps in my last life.
*Hampstead 23:00*
A rat is crawling along the border of a fence. Looking for a safe place to rest. He is Peter Pettigrew. He has been on the move for the last 12 days. Constantly on the look out for dangers faced by such small creatures. Years of pampered life have led to him becoming soft. He can't turn back into a man because the muggle police is also on the look out for him. Not changing back for 8 years has had a profound effect on him. He is fat, skittish and smelly. Not even bothering to change his original clothes, he attracts attention in the wrong way. He needs to get to one of the safe houses in London.
'Just a little farther, and I will be safe.' He thought to himself.
Unaware of the fact that Lord Murphy was prowling the streets around his new home. Pettigrew stopped under a tree in the park. He read the sign 'Willow Road' getting his bearings he decided to head into the hedgerow and have a little rest.
Lord Murphy, upon seeing a rat bold enough to be out in the open on a full moon night, was intrigued. Closer inspection of the resting rat gave Lord Murphy all the information he needed.
*Monday 2 May 1988*
"Peter Pettigrew Killed by a Cat"
"All Praise our New Saviour: Lord Murphy"
"A Muggle Cat Kills Wizard Animagus"
"The Dangers of Animagus Transformation"
I was greeted by these headlines as I sat down at the counter and ordered breakfast. I can honestly say that they made my day.
Pettigrew's body was found in a hedgerow in Hampstead at 06:00 by an elderly couple on their morning walk, looking like he had been mauled by a tiger. The Metropolitan Police officers on site called into ask if the zoo had any missing lions of tigers. Identification of the body took a little time. Upon identification, the DMLE was contacted.
After the Wizarding War, a liaison was established with the police forces across the country. The most prominent one being Scotland Yard.
The aurors arrived and took custody of the body. Their investigation of the scene led them to a blood trail. Following the trail they arrived at the Granger residence.
Hermione had not displayed any accidental magic yet. So there was no way for the aurors to tell if she was a future witch. Anyway, they did some digging and found the culprit to be napping by the window. They took pictures and left.
By 08:00 the news was released to the public. The papers had enough time to reformat their printers and publish the new exciting news and corresponding articles. The public was in a very joyous mood. The relief that washed over the populous was palpable.
The celebrations woke me up at 11:20. I was a bit disgruntled. I mean I had barely gotten any sleep the night before. Too preoccupied with trying to hatch the egg I'd been given. I also looked into what could hatch, if anything from such an egg. That led me down a rabbit hole of magical creatures. I really wanted something to hatch now. The possibilities were: an eagle of the species that laid the egg, a mutated Phoenix, an Augury, a Sphinx, and finally a shadowbird.
I was excited for any of these prospects, but if I'm honest, I was hoping for either a phoenix or shadowbird. Shadowbirds were extremely rare, according to the third volume of The Truth of Magic. Rarely seen, they inhabit the warm to temperate regions of the world. Extremely intelligent and vindictive, these birds are usually mistaken for eagles or vultures. They keep their distance form humans. They are the complete opposites of phoenixes. Where the phoenix embodies rebirth and healing, the shadowbird embodies death and malice. They are loyal to no one but themselves. Young shadowbirds are usually left alone when they develop their flight feathers, with a meal on the next vantage point. They either survive their attempts at flight, or become food for their parents.
'Damn, nature is harsh.'
The reason why I'm so excited about it being a shadowbird is that no wizard has had one as a familiar. Phoenixes, dragons, basilisks, griffons, thunderbirds even, have all been reduced to cattle by the wizarding world. I want something unique. I'll be happy with whatever hatches but I have preferences.
Getting showered and dressed, I walk over to the incubator. I examine the egg and settings. Seeing nothing new from last night, I take out my wand Samael's Glory, and inject my magic, will and intent into the egg. About 30 seconds later I feel drowsy, that gives me the sign to stop.
I still cannot access my magic without the wand and even with the wand it is difficult to sense the flow of magic. The only indicator I have is feeling drowsy or energized. Baby steps, I suppose. The magi in South-Eastern Asia spend hours a day trying to not only feel the magic within, but also to make it flow as they wish. I brought a manual from the shop. It was 100 galleons, but covered everything in a concise manner. With a step-by-step walkthrough of what each step of the process should result in. I was only 100 pages but worth every knut I spent on the thing. I mean, my progress was not only delayed by the abuse and malnutrition, but the healing would also sap at my magic for a while. The manual clearly stated the practitioner should relax and heal from all previous ailments if any, before trying to go beyond step one, which is sensing the magical core/reservoir.
*Saturday 21 May 1988*
"Echoes of the British Wizarding War"
The papers were reporting the misdeeds of the purebloods throughout the past century. Emboldened by Grindlewald, Voldemort or Tom Riddle, setup his own personal crusade. His reasons yet unknown, but the self-proclaimed Heir Slytherin, a halfblood from the now extinct Gaunt line, rallied the support of the purebloods in his time at Hogwarts. His reign of terror, not only affected the people living at the time, but generations to come.
The systematic oppression and exclusion of muggleborn and halfblood wizards and witches from actively pursuing jobs and careers not only in the Ministry itself, but also in Magical Britain overall.
The fallout is going to fuck with the status quo, and I will use that to make my and by extent ion my houses' position irrefutable. I will be both the tyrant and the saint of Magical Britain. For now I must be the tyrant. Dumbledore's position is solid internationally. There was speculation that he should give up the Supreme Mugwump position and focus on matters closer to home. Specifically, Hogwarts, it is no longer the epitome of magical education in the world. A home schooled wizard or witch can outperform an average Hogwarts graduate without too much trouble. If you bring dueling into the mix, forget it, Hogwarts graduates, are beaten 9 times out of 10. The rare few who are taught dueling at home are the only ones to eek out a victory.
Honestly, I wonder if I should even attend Hogwarts. It offers me nothing at the moment. Perhaps I can use the mismanagement to my advantage. I'll need more information on Hogwarts itself, and everything hidden within the ancient castle. I will decide closer to September 1991.
Now I have an egg to hatch. Over the past two weeks the egg has been getting darker and darker. I remember Vantablack. It was now that dark. The settings had also changed on the incubator. The temperature was now 32.5° C. I have been injecting as much of my magic into it as possible. I usually inject magic into the egg, then meditate. Trying to feel my magic reserves filling up. Once filled up, another injection of magic. Inject, meditate, repeat. Other than attending to business matters, that has been my life for the last two weeks. I am hoping it hatched soon.
I read in one of the books that holding the egg/baby makes it easier for a familiar bond to form. I try and do that while meditating sometimes. But so far, no result. Well, it has been stated the longer a magical creature takes to hatch, the more powerful it usually is. Under correct conditions of course. An unincubated dragon egg that has been out for a days even, will obviously take more time and magic to hatch. It will also hatch with the normal characteristics. But a continuously incubated egg taking longer to hatch means a stronger specimen.
I also received a reply from Sirius. I am to go see him tomorrow. With that thought, I head off to the shower.