Coral

Don't talk of love,

But I've heard the words before;

It's sleeping in my memory.

I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.

If I never loved I never would have cried.

I am a rock,

I am an island.



I have my books

And my poetry to protect me;

I am shielded in my armor,

Hiding in my room, safe within my womb.

I touch no one and no one touches me.

I am a rock,

I am an island.



















---The Law---





Life settled soon, into a peaceful, boring thing. The winter season arrived, and everyone wore fur-lined cloaks, bright scarves, and gloves. Amanda learned how to successfully walk on icy cobblestones.



Eloise introduced her to dueling.



It had been her Aunt's passion once. She took Amanda to the attic where they rummaged through a trunk filled with old books and school uniforms from a bygone, moth-eaten day. Eloise produced Wizarding photographs of herself at the age of sixteen.



She had been very lovely. Slim and tall, with her dark hair french-braided down her back. Her dueling uniform was discovered in a charmed wardrobe. It was of pale blue, with white lace cuffs. It was a robe, but with a split front that was magically pressed back to reveal knee length trousers, and a faux shirtwaist.



Enviably, Eloise still fit easily into the suit, without having to so much as touch it with an altering charm.



They used one half of the attic, and Amanda enjoyed the sessions, even though she was really only learning the stance and appearance of a duelist. She was loathe to use the wand, feeling guilty about how much trouble Mr. Ollivander had gone through for her; and because she really did not want to hex Aunt Eloise.



Eloise was merciless though. She insisted that Amanda perfect a deflecting charm at least, and she had no qualms about hexing her repeatedly. This was Amanda's first experience to the unpleasant and painful side of magic.



" Just remember, girl, that one day it might not be me across the room from you." Eloise said, as Amanda lay gasping on the floor.



It wasn't until Amanda succeeded in not only deflecting a hex from Eloise, but in getting so irritated that she used one in return, that Eloise relented and began to favor her with stories from her own dueling days. They seated themselves on the floor to rest. Eloise was still immaculate in her blue suit...Amanda however, was somewhat disheveled, the knees of her Muggle trousers were dusty from her many falls.



Eloise said that she had never been to Hogwarts. Being an advanced student from a more eccentric family, she was privately tutored at home, until the age of fifteen, when she went to live with her Aunt and Uncle.



" They owned a very small school dedicated to training duelists. My father allowed this, only as long as I received outstanding marks in my academics. I had to work very hard to keep up those marks, and still have time to practice. I had every intention of advancing to the professional league."



" What happened?"



" I...entered an illegal duel with another student."



Amanda waited for her to continue.



" We had a disagreement. It quickly escalated into heated words, and she challenged me to a duel. Not a tournament duel, but an illegal duel. To the death. I felt I had to accept."



" You were caught?"



" There was an accident. I deflected her charm. I never cast one of my own, she simply... moved poorly. " Eloise said this sadly.



Amanda didn't ask what had happened to the girl, she could read it too clearly on Eloise's face.



" Afterwards, " her aunt sighed, " We, the others who had witnessed it, and myself...we disguised what we had done. Later I would feel badly for it, but at the time, I felt justified. I left the school afterwards, claiming I couldn't manage my studies and the dueling club. I was desperate to return to London, as my wand had been broken while deflecting her curse. You see, Edward repaired it...a very dangerous thing to do. He also erased it, which was a very illegal thing to do. He and I, and now you, are the only three who know about this, and it could get him into substantial amount of trouble."



" I wouldn't tell anyone!" Amanda swore. She wouldn't even know how to tell someone, or whom to tell.



" I know. But it's important that no one suspects either. You see, I am most certainly not a truly nice person--"



" No one is. " Amanda interjected.



" No. That's true. But I feel it's better to be slightly honest with it. In getting Edward to fit you with an illegal wand, I did remind him about my wand, and how if he had done it once for me, he could do it once more.When that failed I'm afroad I became a little more unethical."



What Eloise was saying, was that she and Edward Ollivander had had a terrific row, in which she a threatened to turn he wand into the ministry if he did not comply to her wishes. Ollivander did not necessarily believe this, but he did know that if Eloise was serious enough to resort to blackmail--it might be best to simply make the wand.



" So for god's sake, Amanda, use it wisely." she finished. " I owe him that much."



Her great niece sighed into the still attic air. It was within reason that she should have been repulsed by her Aunt Eloise. She had killed someone! Her own aunt! So it had been an accident...did that make it less horrific? Amanda looked down at the wand clasped in her own hand, and tried to summon a feeling of repugnance for the barbarity of the Wizarding world.



It was no use. The wand, as if sensing her thoughts, began to tingle in her palm and the warm pleasure it afforded softened the edges of her conscience. Caressing it lovingly, she turned back to Eloise, who sat, waiting for Amanda's judgment. he girl merely stood and offered her aunt a helping hand.



" Well, it's early still. Shall we try once more?"



Eloise smiled.



There was more to this girl than met the eye.



***

They continued their lessons, and Amanda became quite good at casting two or three hexes, and very good at deflecting.



However,the months of January and February dragged by, and Amanda found herself occasionally missing her home. She missed her father as well, and now that the excitement of the move was behind her, this sorrow intensified.



During this time, she was unenthusiastic about dueling practice. She preferred to spend her time reading by the parlor fire, listening to the women talk and knit. It still disturbed her to see knitting being done with the aid of magic, but the sounds of the needles clicking in different tones was still comforting, and she began to fancy that each woman's needles resembled the voice of their owner.



Whether this was true, or she was merely familiar with the difference, she did not investigate. She was satisfied with being able to discern, through the door, whose set of needles were at work.



Martin Ashwell visited less and less frequently, no doubt put off by Amanda' moroseness. Eloise still held a dinner or luncheon every so often, but he was never there.

Cosmo came every time.



Mr. Ollivander came once.



" Edward, I heard Elias was back from Italy?" Eloise prompted him at the table that night.



" Is he?" Edward replied lightly. " You know I never keep up with the gossip."



" I was hoping he had changed. If he were nice, I would invite him over to meet Amanda."

" I wouldn't know if he has changed." he said coolly.



Amanda had no chance to speak with Ollivander, to tell him how wonderful the wand was. He seemed slightly terse. In fact, all of Eloise's friends seemed slightly nervous about something . They fidgeted, and frowned. They spoke of politics with a slight edge in their otherwise merry voices. None of the dinners or parties had the same casual, flippant air that dinners and parties at Rookwood had before assumed.



None of the guests seemed the same bored, shallow guests they had been only a few months before. Even Philo Fenwicke, who rarely graced the scene, and seldom spoke when he did, became very animated.



Unfortunately, Amanda could only follow the discussions to a certain point, usually because Cosmo, who had no interest in politics, was trying to explain to her the difference between eggplant grown in Chinese hothouses, to that of Italian eggplant grown using bloodmeal as fertilizer-and how certain cooking sherries could destroy the exquisite taste of either.



Because of just such a a conversation, Amanda had not heard the rest of what Eloise and Mr. Ollivander were discussing. She was curious to know about this Elias, and whether or not he was to be yet another of the suitors Eloise assembled for her. She was certain she could not bear another, and if her aunt insisted...she would join the nearest convent immediately.



" Who is Elias?" she finally got to ask after everyone had gone.



" Oh, that is Edward's son. " Eloise replied.' He---"



" You mean, he is Dinah Blackmoor's son." Winter corrected. " Dinah has no intention of sharing the glory."



" Be civil, my sister. " Eloise laughed. " Elias is Edward's son. Winter is right though, Dinah took him away at a very young age. "



" Yeees..." Winter drawled, as if that explained everything.



" We haven't seen him too often, I'm afraid. The Blackmoor's always thought themselves just a little higher than everyone else."



" When you say, a little higher, of course you mean that Dinah thinks she has to look down to pray." Winter piped, the effects of her wine causing her to be a bit silly and overly gesticulative.



" At least." Eloise agreed.



" I wonder what he looks like now? He was a very attractive young boy.Horrid, but attractive." Winter emphasized the attractive with a heavy breath.



" Well, he was only twelve or thirteen when we last met him. I saw a glimpse of him several years ago, I don't recall where. He was with Dinah, but you would have mistaken him for Rebecca's son. He looked to be the very image of her...except with Edward's eyes, I believe. But just like Rebecca in the way he talked--you know."



Winter said something in what must be a voice mocking this Rebecca.



Eloise, also slightly tipsy, laughed hysterically.



Amanda soon gave up trying to follow the conversation. the Wizarding world was too full of people, and she had not yet learned them all.



She had only been living in Rookwood for six months, after all. There was plenty of time to live and learn.



Or so she thought.



***



Near the end of February, everything changed. Amanda had come down for breakfast only to find the table in an uproar over some article in the newspaper. As the youngest in the house, she rarely ever saw the paper until it was already read, creased, and smudged by everyone else.



Patiently, she sat down to her plate, hoping to be included in the commotion. For awhile, she couldn't even get anyone to pass her the marmalade.



" Well, I for one don't have to worry. " Agnes announced. " And I don't think it is such a bad thing. I want to marry again.While I am still young."



" What I don't understand is why you divorced in the first place." Winter snapped.



" Earnest was very mean to me." Agnes said defensively.



" Oh, Agnes, what about me? " Demogene wailed. " What am I to do?"



" You won't have to do a thing, Demogene." Eloise said in an unusually kind tone. " Its purpose is for strengthening the magical blood lines. "



" That's right. They don't want women who can't have children." Agnes added maliciously.

Demogene ducked her head. It was true, that whereas Agnes had given birth twice, Demogene had never once been able to conceive, even though Eloise had even sent her to some of the best medical facilities in the world.



" You may remain here with us Demogene, and do as you please." Winter soothed, patting Demogene's bony shoulder.



'' I don't understand..." Stella joined. " Why are they doing this? I thought Wizards have been marrying Muggles and half-bloods for years."



" This isn't simple urging people to consider their bloodlines. " Eloise explained." This...this is a breeding program. See the names on the list? Notice that they are all either wealthy, powerful, talented, useful, or famous Wizards and Witches? Notice too that they are specifically targeting men and women who are older, hoping to get a few good years out of them before they die or pass their childbearing age."



" We have been expecting this for some time. " Winter admitted. " We were hoping that our Minister for Magic would not allow it to pass. "



" Yes...but...my name is on there!" Stella exclaimed." I don't want to marry again! This...affects us!" she indicated the entire household with a sweeping hand.



" Yes your name is there. But...I thought you had some Muggle surgery that prevents children ?" Winter asked, in a puzzled voice.



" Well, I had a hysterectomy."



" Well, then we have to contact the Ministry and have you removed from the list."

Amanda sighed in relief. Agnes would be married off, but Stella would remain with her. Praise Muggle surgery.



" Besides, they grant one year to widows. But only eight months to widowers. That's a little unfair. "



" Now, do they have a list of the...others?" Winter asked.



" No.Well, there is the registry, but there aren't any specific names."



" What about Amanda?" asked Stella.



Amanda paused, her cup halfway to her mouth as all the eyes at the table turned to her.

What about me? She thought.



" Yes, Amanda...do you have any questions?"



" I...no. I don't think so. Well, yes. I don't fully understand what this is about. "

Agnes snorted.



' Why am I not surprised?" Agnes snorted.



" I understand it's a marriage law." Amanda shot a stern look at her cousin." Aimed at certain people. But I don't understand for what purpose.Nor do I know..yet..the extent of the law."



Agnes glared at her.



Family trees, bloodlines, and gossip were Winter's forte, and she gladly began a narrative, in hopes of forestalling a battle between the two younger women.



" You see, the pure-bloods have exclusively been marrying only pure-bloods for centuries. That makes for a very weak bloodline. Not only are their children fewer, and more sickly, but the decrease in magical abilities has become appallingly dangerous. If they continue at this rate, their lines will completely die out. "



Amanda noddedfor her to continue.



" Now, the Ministry has passed this law which at the the moment requires a certain number of pure-bloods to marry, and they have to marry half-bloods, Muggleborns, or squibs. They are hoping this will reverse the deterioration process. "



" What happens if a person should refuse?"



" A Wizard or Witch loses their right to the Wizarding world. Anyone else, well, there are several possibilities. They say that they will simply be deported, but I imagine that with the right amount of money in the right hands, they could be arrested, Obliviated, and either sent back to live with Muggles, or given to the petitioner. " Eloise shrugged. " I told you, Wizards can be ruthless people."



" Anyhow..." Winter said impatiently. " The law is no longer a rumor, it is in effect. Amanda, you need to know that it is very probable that any day now you may begin receiving petitions."



" I don't want to marry."



" Well, I myself would rather see you safely married as soon as possible to a reliable person, before the petitioning grows ugly. However, at the moment you are at perfect liberty to leave country. " Eloise said. " You are on the registry though, and they may notice if you disappear. Even I don't know how far reaching there spy network is.If they are truly that serious, then running might only serve to infuriate them. "



Amanda sat back in her chair, slightly breathless.



Leave the Wizarding world? Did she want to do that? She was not really a part of it, but she was not a part of the world out there either. Where would she go? Back to Louisiana? It seemed so far away now. Too saturated in unpleasant memories--and how could she return to the Muggle world knowing that there was a Wizarding world? An uncomfortable thought occurred to her--what if they decided to Obliviate her before letting her return? That's what she would do, to protect a secret world...but she did not like the idea one bit of losing part of her memories.



" What about you, mother?" she asked, suddenly.



Stella looked surprised.



" I...well, I suppose I will stay here. This is my home...I don't want to have to leave it so soon."



Amanda bit her lip. On one hand, there was exile from her mother, grandmother and the home that she had come to love. On the other hand was the probability of being married to someone she didn't know. Perhaps someone she did not like, or who was cruel.



" Well, what would the advantages be?" she asked lightly.



The other women considered.



" Well, there is the possibility of money." Eloise said.



" Prestige. " Agnes volunteered.



" Protection." Winter agreed.



" Children." Demogene said sadly.



" And maybe even love. " Stella finished, earning a disdainful look from Amanda.



" Think on it. You will need to come to a decision within a few days, even if nothing comes of it, you'll be prepared to make a decision. If you decided to leave, we will of course help you make the necessary arrangements."



They each turned again to their cold breakfast, lost in thoughtful contemplation.



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I Am A Rock-Lyrics,Simon and Garfunkel