When handling Secrets of the Darkest Art.

“Muggle-born Register!” she read aloud. “‘The Ministry of Magic is undertaking

a survey of so-called “Muggle-borns” the better to understand how they came to possess

Magical secrets.

“‘Recent research undertaken by the Department of Mysteries reveals that magic

Can only be passed from person to person when Wizards reproduce. Where no proven

Wizarding ancestry exists, therefore, the so-called Muggle-born is likely to have obtained

Magical power by theft or force.

“‘The Ministry is determined to root out such usurpers of magical power, and to

This end has issued an invitation to every so-called Muggle-born to present themselves for

interview by the newly appointed Muggle-born Registration Commission.’”

“People won’t let this happen,” said Ron.

“It is happening, Ron,” said Lupin. “Muggle-borns are being rounded up as we

speak.”

“But how are they supposed to have ‘stolen’ magic?” said Ron. “It’s mental, if

you could steal magic there wouldn’t be any Squibs, would there?”

“I know,” said Lupin. “Nevertheless, unless you can prove that you have at least

One close Wizarding relative, you are now deemed to have obtained your magical power

illegally and must suffer the punishment.”

Ron glanced at Hermione, then said, “What if purebloods and halfbloods swear a

Muggle-born’s part of their family? I’ll tell everyone Hermione’s my cousin –”

Hermione covered Ron’s hand with hers and squeezed it.

“Thank you, Ron, but I couldn’t let you –”

“You won’t have a choice,” said Ron fiercely, gripping her hand back. “I’ll teach

you my family tree so you can answer questions on it.”

Hermione gave a shaky laugh.

“Ron, as we’re on the run with Harry Potter, the most wanted person in the

country, I don’t think it matters. If I was going back to school it would be different.

What’s Voldemort planning for Hogwarts?” she asked Lupin.

“Attendance is now compulsory for every young witch and wizard,” he replied.

“That was announced yesterday. It’s a change, because it was never obligatory before. Of

Course, nearly every witch and wizard in Britain has been educated at Hogwarts, but their

Parents had the right to teach them at home or send them abroad if they preferred. This

Way, Voldemort will have the whole Wizarding population under his eye from a young

age. And it’s also another way of weeding out Muggle-borns, because students must be

given Blood Status – meaning that they have proven to the Ministry that they are of

Wizard descent – before they are allowed to attend.”

Harry felt sickened and angry: At this moment, excited eleven-year-olds would be

Poring over stacks of newly purchased spell-books, unaware that they would never see

Hogwarts, perhaps never see their families again either.

“It’s . . . it’s . . .” he muttered, struggling to find words that did justice to the

Horror of his thoughts, but Lupin said quietly,

“I know.”

Lupin hesitated.

I’ll understand if you can’t confirm this, Harry, but the Order is under the

impression that Dumbledore left you a mission.”

“He did,” Harry replied, “and Ron and Hermione are in on it and they’re coming

with me.”

“Can you confide in me what the mission is?”

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 755