A Question of Heroics

A Question of Heroics
By LadyAlariel
AU
Chapter Two: The First Question

Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter Fandom


Brethany removed two pieces of parchment from her desk and handed one to each boy. “On the parchment are a list of questions, rather controversial questions that I wish for each of you two to answer, and the rest of you to think about. When I ask the question, Mr. Malfoy, you will answer first by reading the parchment. Mr. Weasley will then read the answer that appears on his own parchment, and we will discuss the answers.” She waited to see if they would react, but neither spoke up.

“The first question: What is a Muggleborn witch or wizard, and what is his or her place in the Wizarding World?” There was immediately a stir of interest, and Brethany barely restrained herself from smirking; she had expected such a reaction. A hand rose into the air from the girls’ side, and she nodded. “Yes, Miss…”

“Hermione Granger. What does that question have to do with the Dark Arts, Professor Lewis?” Brethany grinned; she had expected that, as well.

“Any of you may answer this question in turn: Under what cause does Voldemort make himself known?” She pointed to another girl. “Yes, Miss…”

“Zabini,” the dark-haired Slytherin identified herself, “The Dark Lord fights in order to keep wizarding blood pure and thus the magic of the world balanced.”

“That’s a very comprehensive answer. Could I get an answer from one of the Muggleborn here? Yes, Mister…”

“Dean Thomas,” the dark-skinned teenager replied nervously. “Ah…doesn’t You-Know-Who fight because he’s racist? I mean, isn’t he just like Hitler? He thinks that purebloods are more powerful and better than halfbloods or Muggleborns. That can’t be right because Hermione Granger gets the best grades in the whole school!” There was a mutter of agreement from the Gryffindors, while most of the Slytherins looked as though they’d bitten a lemon.

Brethany chuckled. “There are some definite similarities between Hitler and Voldemort, yes, and while I would agree with you about Miss Granger’s prowess, I do not think that makes her extremely powerful, at least magically.” She paused. “Magical power is not something that shows itself much here in school. Grades, while very important, show almost primarily learning skills only, which have very little to do with the magic itself. But we haven’t uncovered any other information about the question as to what Muggleborns have to do with the Dark Arts. Mr. Potter,” the entire class looked at the teenage boy, “What connection do you see between Muggleborns and the Dark Arts?”

“Well…because Voldemort and the Death Eaters use the excuse of exterminating any witch or wizard not of pure blood, Muggleborns are supposedly at the greatest risk of being killed by some use of the Dark Arts.”

“Anything else, Mr. Potter?” Brethany asked casually, noting the tightening of his jaw.

“I...yes, there is something else.” Harry squared his shoulders and took a deep breath. “Because he grew up in a muggle orphanage where he was abused, Voldemort bears a grudge against muggles that has nothing to do with magical power and everything to do with revenge. Voldemort himself is a half blood, and he tried to get my mother, who was Muggleborn, to join him.” In the ensuing shocked silence, Brethany smiled.

“Precisely, Mr. Potter. Voldemort’s campaign for pureblood supremacy is not only hypocritical, but is also one of the greatest paradoxes known in the Wizarding World. Many would say that you, Mr. Potter, are closer to being a pureblood than Voldemort, because both your parents were magical.” She grinned. “But that’s a discussion for another day. For now, though, I think we all understand how the issue of Muggleborns is related to the Dark Arts.” There were grudging nods from the majority of the class. “Very well, then! Mr. Malfoy, since you’ve had ample time to scan the answer, would you be so kind as to give one view on what a Muggleborn witch or wizard is, and what his or her place is in the Wizarding World?”

In the silence, Draco Malfoy breathed in slowly, his face a mask of indifference, and his eyes cool. He began to slowly read off the parchment in his hand. “A Muggleborn is a witch or wizard who was born of non-magical people, often squibs of the second or third generation.” There was a stir from a few Gryffindors, the Muggleborns of that house and year. “Muggleborns are predominantly of average magical power, with a small percentage reaching the same level of power as the more powerful Purebloods.” Malfoy’s voice faltered slightly, then steadied. “The Laws of Magic, as originally proclaimed by Merlin himself, state that each Muggleborn witch or wizard is to be formally adopted by a pureblood family, thus ensuring that magical blood would be occasionally cleansed and strengthened by fresh blood. This law, though now ignored and largely unknown, has never been officially revoked.” The entire room was in shocked silence. Brethany knew quite well that the law had been buried several hundred years previously; no one had noticed it in almost as long.

“The modern laws of the Wizarding World state that the Muggleborn witch or wizard has as many rights and privileges as Purebloods do. In 1853, Wilhelm Charmichael, who held a powerful position in the Wizengamot, put forth the proposal that Muggleborns be granted higher rights and privileges than Purebloods. He believed that this would not only give a minority group a better possibility of surviving, but also heighten the possibility of purebloods and Muggleborns intermarrying, thus dramatically strengthening the bloodlines. The proposal was denied.” Malfoy let out a long breath as he laid the parchment down on the desk, looking as shell-shocked as his fellow students.

“Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. Ten points to Slytherin,” Brethany spoke quietly, her face serious. “Now, Mr. Weasley, would you please give your answer?” The redheaded Gryffindor swallowed, his horror apparent on his face. “Go ahead, Mr. Weasley,” the teacher ordered him.

“Muggleborns a-are the genetic anomalies of the Wizarding World. Although some are the product of squibs intermarrying, there are also some that cannot possibly be so, such as Negro Muggleborn.” Several faces screwed up in confusion until Dean Thomas spoke quietly,

“He means black people. Like me and Lee Jordan.”

Ron Weasley looked questioningly at the Defense teacher, who nodded silently for him to continue. “Because of this abnormal origin of a good percentage of Muggleborn, many purebloods consider the entire group to be of ‘dirty blood’. Because it is unknown where or how or even what kind of magic comes from and into Muggleborns, it is considered dangerous to mix blood with them, lest the magic that the Wizarding World was built upon become mutated into some different, more dangerous, or less powerful form of magic.” Several faces had gone pale. Dean Thomas and Hermione Granger looked rather as though they were going to be sick, likely because they had understood everything being said. The muggle science of genetics cast a great deal of light on the straits the Wizarding World was currently in, and it was obvious the two were familiar with the science.

“However, because no formal studies have been made, there is also a small faction among purebloods that believes that those Muggleborn not of squib descent are the only magical anomalies. Negro Muggleborn that may have the lingering traces of the Dark Magic Voodoo from their ancient ancestors, somehow are born with the vastly different magic of the Wizarding World. This, while disturbing to many, is not so important as may be expected, because of the minute chances of Negroid blood mixing with the normal Wizarding blood.” Several people bristled at that and opened their mouths to protest, but Brethany spoke up.

“Before any of you decide to make a scene, please realize that these are facts being stated, not personal views.” She paused as she watched them settle back down. “Also, be reminded that my warning still stands for those who speak out of turn.” Several mouths clamped shut at that, and Brethany nodded in approval. “Mr. Weasley,” she nodded for him to continue.

“Until such a time as it is proven that the magic of any Muggleborn is the same as, or not harmful to the magic of the Wizarding World, Muggleborn witches or wizards will be largely ignored in Wizarding society and politics. While they are legally granted the rights and privileges of citizenship, they lack the knowledge of and power in the Wizarding World that would permit them any social standing there. As such, they are the lowest class and least recognized in the Wizarding World.” As the Weasley boy’s voice faded into silence, the tension in the room rose.

“Thank you, Mr. Weasley,” Brethany spoke briskly, “Take ten points for your house.” She walked back to her desk and picked up her own list of the questions. “I had initially thought that I could introduce another question into discussion today, but I think that this one has provided enough food for thought. Now, does anyone strictly disagree with either of the two answers?” For a long moment, the students simply exchanged glances, then several hands rose. The DADA teacher indicated one. “Miss…”

“Patil. I- doesn’t it seem as though both answers are correct? I mean, both answers are made up of facts…some of them are facts about speculations, but they both make sense, don’t they?” The Indian girl’s voice trailed off into uncertainty, but many faces showed agreement.

“Certainly,” Brethany nodded. “I don’t know if any of you noticed, but both answers left a lot to be desired. The second answer, in particular, made it clear that there was a lack of evidence to definitively support that particular position. Both answers in and of themselves, however, neither contradict nor confirm each other. We are left with simple speculation.” She grinned; none of them seemed to like that.

“As your first homework assignment, then, I want the two people at each desk to choose a question off this list.” The young woman banished a copy of the list to every desk. “Each pair of you will work together at research, one of you from the point of view of a Pureblood elitist and the other from that of a Muggleborn sympathizer. I want each pair to write six inches on the answers, three inches from each point of view. Keep in mind,” she warned them, “That for every offensive word I read, ten points will be deducted from the overall grade, and you will find yourselves in detention very quickly.” She smiled slightly as a few students blanched.

“Very well, then. If you need help for anything, feel free to visit me in my office. Also, fourth through seventh years have the same homework assignment, so you may compare notes so long as you do not copy from each other’s work. This assignment will be due exactly one week from today. You are dismissed early, so don’t disrupt any other class.” There was an instant clambering for the door. “Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Weasley, and Mr. Potter, could I speak with you three for a moment?” The three boys halted half way to the door, then moved towards her. “Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Weasley, I trust that there will be no great problem with my arrangement?” The two stared at her blankly for a moment, then cast glares at each other. “I see,” Brethany said softly, then sighed.

“The reason I put you two together is because you have a great deal in common,” she noted with humor the exchanged look of horror, “And I thought it would do you good to be forced to work together for once.” The young woman gave them her coldest stare. “The feud between the Weasleys and the Malfoys is well known, but the fact that your fathers hate each other has nothing to do with how the two of you act here at school.” The Weasley boy’s gaze dropped to the floor, but Malfoy just looked at her emotionlessly. Brethany sighed. “I put the two of you together, in front of everyone else, because you are the leaders of your generation here at Hogwarts.” Both boys gazed at her in shock and she smiled grimly.

“You are both purebloods from old, influential families. You are both classmates in the newest group of warriors, politicians and artisans. It will be your year that will be put down in the history books, because it is your year that will be targeted for the coming war, whether as potential enemies or for potential allies, it doesn’t matter. You will be targeted.” They both looked stunned at her blunt relation of facts. “I want your classmates to see you both as the leaders you should be. If that means that have to contact your mothers to tell them that you need to be re-taught etiquette and social behavior, then will gleefully do so, and take great delight in listening to the howlers I know would arrive at breakfast in the Great Hall.” Brethany took perverse pleasure in the undisguised horror on their faces.

“So,” she continued calmly, “The two of you will be working together, and will be sitting in front of the entire class to give your answers, not ones I have written out for you. Mr. Malfoy, if you must have further incentive to work well, then consider how your high rank among the Slytherins will be hurt if you do a sub-standard job.” The Slytherin boy gave a curt nod. “Mr. Weasley, just think how your fellow Gryffindors will treat you if you let a Slytherin best you. Use that Gryffindor pigheadedness, oh, excuse me, I meant bravery,” she corrected herself wryly, “To ensure that the task does not prove too daunting for you. Is that enough for you two to agree to not act like a couple of squabbling little boys rolling around in the mud?” That brought out winces and sullen nods from the both of them. Brethany nodded. “Good. You are dismissed.”

Malfoy instantly went for the door, but Ron Weasley hesitated, looking back at his best friend. “Go on, Ron, I’ll be along in a while,” Harry told him reassuringly. The redhead left immediately, obviously rankling a bit over what Brethany had said.


----------------Finis

Author's Note: OK, so I finally put up the important part! This goes a fair bit into the main idea of the plot, and introduces several sub-plots as well, such as Draco and Ron being forced to work with each other. I saw no need to pair the male students up Gryffindor and Slytherin for the simple fact that having to watch Draco and Ron work together in semi-peace gets the point across extremely well without constant fights breaking out between each pair. The girls, however, because they are less likely to get into physical contests, will probably be forced to work out some manner of peace between them. Actually, if anyone has any suggestions about the pairings there, such as who Hermione is being forced to work with, I would love to hear them. Also, Pansy Parkinson. Pansy may not get a major part in this fic, simply because I don't have a great deal of insight into her character, but I find her interesting.
The entire list of questions mentioned in this chapter will be posted in the next chapter.
Review, please!