Hogwarts: Era of Darkness

After we arrived, I had to realize how many people had recognized us. I still thought we were partially unknown or too insignificant to be known by face. Turns out, I was wrong. Was it our wanted posters? Well, I heard some people whispering it was because of the Triwizard tournament, including what my Father achieved at the end of it.

"Have you seen Neville?" I asked after sitting at an empty bench, watching the crowd and the podium a few yards away from our seats.

"No. Maybe he was told not to come? His presence with his followers could seriously splinter those who are supporting the Order and their candidates."

"You are right about that. I am curious about what kind of speeches they will give. I had never met this Schacklebolt before. I know nothing about him!"

"Me neither. Does it matter, though? He will retell the rhetoric that was given to him by Dumbledore. We all know who the real mastermind is. Plus..." She continued, looking around, gently moving her wand in the cover of her thighs.

"Nothing?"

"Nothing. I also don't know if we could detect him if he is wearing the Invisibility Cloak."

"You would, I am fairly certain, after studying the Grimoire." I patted her hand with a smile, "We will be fine."

I believed that when I said it. If we were attacked today, I would be able to use it to my advantage fully and make sure Dumbledore gets treated the same way as Voldemort. I was confident in it... And honestly? Deep down, I wanted him to try it. Just do something stupid... something that I can take advantage of.

But as expected, that didn't happen, and the debate started at the set time. The stage had been separated into two opposing sides, One led by Kingsley Shacklebolt and the other by Hermione Granger. Krum was standing close by to her all the time, acting as his chief of security and guarding her with his body. It made me grin because they were cute together.

As for the debate, I wasn't really paying any attention to it. Besides the two head figures, many of their party members also spoke up, advocating for some of their points and whatnot... Still, it wasn't what I was interested in, but in how the crowd was reacting to the points being thrown out by both sides. My foremost curiosity was in the people, to gauge what motivated them and which points drew any reaction out of them, be it good or bad. No matter who gets to power next, really. You need the people more than you need a seat within the Ministry. People live for decades; your seat is good for a maximum of eight years. Four if you do a horrible job... or even less.

"The three curses will be forbidden once again." Quincy whispered when we were half an hour into the open debate and reached the first point where both parties agreed. The difference was that SPEW advocated expanding on the forbidden spell list, including many memory-altering spells.

"I'm all for it. Although it won't stop people from using it, it would make them believe they are much safer now."

What was funny was the fact that in the debate, our names were dropped multiple times as horrible examples, mentioning the duel where I killed Draco and his Father. Or what we did to plot the murder of Umbridge. An hour later, the same example came up again, and the two sides were arguing about the validity of the witches and wizards being imprisoned in Azkaban. I couldn't help but chuckle and shake my head, listening to this farce.

"I can see that the infamous young murderer is here and finds it exceptionally funny..." Shacklebolt exclaimed, looking directly at me. As silence fell to the square, people in the back tried to tiptoe to take a look at us. Before doing anything, I felt Quincy squeezing my hand, giving me the go-ahead.

"I do." I answered, standing up before I walked directly up the stage, nodding towards both sides, placing the tip of my wand against my throat, enchanting my voice. "I wonder which of us killed more Death Eaters, Mister Shacklebolt."

"Don't try to frame it that way. Those were different."

"True. I should be applauded for it, going by your standards." I nodded before he could continue, turning towards the crowd instead, "Truth is, I killed them because of their stance and because of the Malfoys going after my family, aiming at my future wife. While the Order of the Phoenix talks about their bonds and their familial strength, the Death Eaters spew the rhetoric of a strong, clean family. They were the same rhetorics in my eyes. The two sides of the same coin, if you will. The only difference was the coat of paint on it... Yet neither side truly understood what family was. You, those who lost family members to either side, it doesn't matter why; you understand what I mean by this."

"Like we killed any–!" Someone from the Order interjected, and I don't know which participant was that not that it mattered, because I kept facing the crowd.

"They killed many, including their own. While I used the killing curse, the Order even set their own captured pawns on fire to prevent them from speaking. We can debate which of us were crueler, whether it was necessary or not... but that won't do good to nobody and won't bring back the dead." I shrugged, making the crowd murmur, "This is also why you are afraid to bring forward the people in Azkaban and put them through a proper trial right here, right before everybody!"

"Their trial will come when the Ministry is up and working again. They will be tried according to law!"

"Hopefully, none dies while in prison." I said calmly, finally looking at Shacklebolt before glancing at Hermione and the rest. "I am much more satisfied with SPEW's ideas and plans than what the Order proposed so far."

"And your opinion matters because?" Someone asked, finally making the crowd join in as shouts and whistles began flying everywhere. I let them do it for a little before raising my hand, trying to calm them down.

"It matters because my Father worked tirelessly for your Order, saving dozens if not hundreds of muggle-born wizards, including Hermione Granger! Not to mention, he was a crucial part of your successful attack on Hogwarts, where Voldemort was killed for the first time, showing us that he indeed dabbled in the heinous art of splintering his soul to cheat Death! You discarded my Father as a tool that outlived its usefulness and branded us as dangerous fugitives. I am not angry about it, Kingsley Shacklebolt. You could have just let us go... But no. If that were the case, I could chalk it up to be part of the political game. What I am angry about is the fact that you tried to kill me and my wife!"

"What the Beuxbatons did is not up to us. We had nothing to do with that!" He answered firmly, making me roll my eyes. "Not to mention, why not tell us all who did you free? Who is your new Master? You were once taught by Voldemort, and now... come on, tell us who! The crowd would love to hear it!"

"By Voldemort? Like I had a say in it! He whisked me away to make me into his pawn, forcing me to serve his plans in laying a trap for you! Do you really think I had the strength to stand up to him as a kid?! Laughable. And now you are saying someone worse is looking out for us? Really? Did he come back?! No? Then who do you think it is?" I laughed, filled with righteous anger and sarcasm, "Don't tell me it is Gellert Grindelwald? Or should I pick an even older Dark Wizard? Will Herpo do it?"

My question also made the crowd laugh out loud while I just stood there and kept grinning, and although I knew Hermione and Krum were also probably looking on half-disgusted, half-fuming, I would still deny the accusation. I'm not stupid, and I know it would be a bad idea to reveal that information, so I will lean into it and paint anyone trying to reveal it to sound like a clown. Of course, the crowd's reaction was enough to stop Kingsley from saying anything more, making me chuckle once again before shaking my head.

"I am my own Master. Even if I am standing here, I am not trying to become a minister. If you want to know, I like what SPEW stands for, but I also like what some people in your Order have been saying lately. I would support your faction, too, if you would let it go from your greasy, power-hungry fingers! There is someone amongst you who I call a friend: the Hero, Neville. Weren't he and many of your lot hiding under my Father's protection? Or are my memories of growing up being friends with Neville Longbottom incorrect? You old bastards are slimy as a Flobberworm. But... Neville? He is a sensible one; I don't understand why he is not amongst you today. Curious... I thought he was part of the family."

"He is too young." Kingsley answered immediately, making me shake my head.

"That is my point. He is. Just like Hermione Granger and the bulk of SPEW. You old bastards made our life turn out as is. Because people like your generation, we had to live in a world where when we were 13 and 14, we got to swear fielty to a Dark Lord, where we got branded," I continued pulling up my sleeve and showing the very faint remains of Voldemort's tattoo, "or die by refusing it. My generation has had enough of yours and especially had enough of having the same people in charge of deciding our futures. You can teach us, but you all lost the chance to lead us."

With that, I didn't wait; stepping down from the podium, Shacklebolt's answer drowned out by the crowd. I think we did enough... it was time to leave.