The Pureblood Coup

Sheherazade/Lilith/Screamguy: Sorry, I did not update sooner this weekend. I was very busy, and then tired and this chapter is very challenging and I wanted to get it done the way I like it. Furthermore, regarding the facts in this story, I would say there about 15,000 wizards in the British Isles (I include UK, Welsh, Scotland, Ireland). So, there are over four-hundred wizards and witches to be at Malfoy Manor (not counting Death Eaters and Snatchers). That is only about 2.5% of the population present for this “Festival of the Pure-Bloods”. …I must confess that I believe the Wizarding World is a 'Warrior Culture' and this is the way I envision it…


Continuation of….

Chapter Eight: Triumph of the Dark Lord


Peter Pettigrew stood rooted to the spot, at the entrance to the front of the perimeter of the property of Malfoy Manor. He was holding his arm up at salute so that the wrought-iron gate would remain open because of course, he had a Dark Mark.

Hundreds were dropping out of the sky in small groups, arriving by port-keys. Along a narrow lane near the manor house, they strutted down the high, manicured yew hedge that bordered the gravelly driveway on both sides. Some of them paused to meet up with their Death Eater associates, who of course were not masked, but still clad in Death Eater ceremonial robes. Yet it is important to note, that not all of them know the Death Eaters directly. Some are just a friend-of-a-friend.

One of the Avery men, arriving by summoning, actually approached a beautiful middle-aged witch in fur dress-robes and sparkling jewels dotting her hair.

Avery kissed her hand, lightly brushing it with his lips, and spoke politely, “Good evening, my beautiful lover…May I be the one to accompany you?”

She smiled and laughed delightedly at Avery, and the couple proceeded towards the magnificent manor house, it’s diamond paned windows gleaming in the last rays of fiery sunlight, and the pointed turrets of the towers creating blacks shadows, that somehow reflected back on the house.

Down the perfectly straight driveway, couples went arm-in-arm, some of them bringing their children trailing behind them. They passed the expansive landscape, listening to the lilting music of a fountain playing in the distance.

Some of them, regarded in marvelous surprise and interest, the albino peacocks roaming the expansive lawn before the front of the huge manorhouse. Eventually, they all went up the steps to the front door and Pettigrew scrambled through the enormous crowd waiting, as he needed to open it to escort them inside.

It took several minutes, but finally everybody was mingling inside the palace, all of them slowly making their way through the large, decorated entrance hall with it’s magnificent carpet covering most of the floor, and proceeding up the wide main staircase.

The hordes of people flooded into a cathedral-sized hall, that was to the left of the landing landing of the second floor. Lining the hall on both sides was stain-glass windows. The floor was checker black and white, with an optical illusion, making the ground appear curved. Above, the elongnated, vaulted ceiling, flashed prisms of irridescent multi-color lights, which is magic made to resemble spells. As they flashed, they lit up the stain-glass windows surrounded by ornate paneling, making it look like there was lightning flashing over the pictures. The effect made the pictures in the windows become positively ghastly and hideous. All in all, it was a sumptuous, gothic atmosphere.

They all looked up towards a balcony, where they could see Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy with their son, as well as Bellatrix Lestrange and Severus Snape at the edge. Below the balcony, at the end of the cathedral-sized hall, was the entrance into the ballroom-theater, of which there is no door. Rather, two gigantic sculptured statues of a naked man and woman stood, connected by a stone snake entwining them at their torsos, guarding the ballroom-theater.

And above the balcony, most ominously of all, was a recently conjured shield of black, with a green and silver s-curved snake to represent the infamous Founder of Hogwarts: Salazar Slytherin.

After several moments, all approximate four hundred guests had made it into the cathedral. The humming of hundreds of voices, seemed to hush as they all looked curiously up at the balcony above them, wondering what was to happen.

Voldemort made his entrance, appearing literally out of thin air as he had been invisible. He stood in the center of the balcony and gazed at the crowd, the vertically slit-pupiled scarlet eyes, burning like coals..

They stared back, a few of them jumping in fright. Most of them were in shock to see him present. About two dozen of the henchmen, or in other words, Snatchers stood as security against the crowd, either standing at strategic points like sentinels or patrolling it. The remaining Death Eaters not on the balcony, were trying to look macho at the front, facing the crowd.

Voldemort, put his wand to his throat, nonverbally casting the sonorous charm. This would, of course, magically magnify his words.

The dramatic build-up mounted as he continued to gaze at them powerfully, and fiercely. He raised both hands up to the crowd quite calmly, as if to quiet them, the emerald and silver forearm bracers glinting.

The Snatchers, in their yellow and black uniform robes and in high boots continued to march, the silver plated ‘S’ badges on their chests gleaming. They succeeded at parting the crowd into serried rows for organization.

Once it was as quiet as it ever could be, and the lurches of fear and awe-subsided, Voldemort lowered his hands and began his speech.

“Welcome, Witches and Wizards to tonight’s celebration, "Festival of the Pure-Bloods". This is in homage to I, Lord Voldemort’s recent victory....In that golden hour yesterday, in which Rufus Scrimgeour so sadly resigned…I was responsible for the fate of all wizards, and I became the supreme power over the Ministry of Magic…..”

Voldemort did not yell, yet his voice, under a powerful sonorous charm boomed throughout the cathedral, drilling into the eardrums. Despite the volume, his voice was modest and constrained with just a hint of righteousness.

“Everyone must know that in all future time if he raises his hand to strike at the ministry, then he strikes at me, and certain death will be his lot.

“Tonight we pause to reflect on all that has come before… and to ponder and plan for our hopes and dreams of rightful pure-blood domination in the future. We shall cut away the canker that infects us all until only those of the true blood remain. I – Lord Voldemort promise you and your families shall have this. But to achieve this, we must prepare for the war that is at hand, for there must be war as there are still many that oppose us…"

And now his tone became stronger, more forceful, "We must be ruthless! We must regain our clear conscience as to ruthlessness…Just as my noble ancestor, Salazar Slytherin whose symbol resides above me....Slytherin once used different language on the subject : he thought that the destinies of peoples could be determined neither through majority decisions nor through treaties, but only through blood, which is just what I believe. That was why he left the founders of the school so many centuries ago...

"We must be cunning. As the sorting hat said, to ‘use any means to achieve our ends’…Only then shall we purge our people of their softness and sentimental weaknesses…and, their delight in temporary pleasure….After this celebration, this party, if you will…We have no time for fine sentiments…I don’t want the interrogations of Muggle-borns and their executions to be forgotten. For if they do not wish to be reformed and subjugated they shall be executed. Terror is the most effective instrument. I shall not permit myself to lose sight of it because a lot of stupid sympathizers for the Muggle-borns choose to be offended by it…

"May we be conscious of the fact that our task of building this new state represents the work of the coming centuries, and this places every single person under an obligation always to serve the common interest of mine and to subordinate his own interests. I demand of all wizards, all Death Eaters, men and women, and the henchmen and all of my armed forces put together, that they remain faithful and obedient to the new government and to the minister, Pius Thickness unto death.

"As of yesterday, the International Wizengamot has been dissolved. This has been done for the purpose that the British magical people are all that matter. We will isolate ourselves until we will have built ourselves up to be better than the world itself, because we are!...”

At this applause rang out, and cheers. The sheer magnitude and power of Voldemort’s oration, was simply electrifying. It was utterly moving.

Voldemort did not lose his bearing, or his train of thought, but continued after the cheers quieted, “In addition, all the courts prior statutes have been removed replaced by new decrees with much harsher penalties. Yet we will NOT abandon the International Statute of Secrecy! Section 72 remains to keep us free from the prying eyes of muggles.

"Now, I must call for you to work hard with patience and diligence. It will take time to accomplish what we seek. As of now, some of us, my henchmen are scouring out every known location Harry Potter might be or they are tailing those other Undesirables…or in others words, members of the Order of the Phoenix. Last night, they successfully banned all mudbloods from employment in Diagon and Knockturn Alley, smashing up their businesses’ and residences’. For Muggle-borns or to use our derisive phrase, 'mudbloods' are now forbidden under my law to practice any magical trades or shops, market stalls or any business, or any employment in the country at all…. We are going to destroy the mudbloods....They are not going to get away with stealing our magic through their despicable means of theft and force, for which they are practicing.

"It is clear to us that this particular view of muggle-borns rests in fact regarding the impulse which springs from our race and from our blood. The impulse to survive and mate successfully and remain pure. We said to ourselves that blood purity does not differ from magic and, further, that each race in accordance with its fundamental demands shows externally certain specific tendencies, and these tendencies can perhaps be most clearly traced in their relation to the conception of work. The Pure-Blood regards their manipulation of magic as the foundation for the maintenance of the community of people amongst it members. The Mudblood regards magical prowess as the means to the exploitation of other people. The muggle-born never functions as a productive creator without the great aim of becoming the master. He works unproductively using and enjoying other wizard’s work. And thus, we understand the succinct sentence which Slytherin once uttered: 'The muggle-born is the ferment of decomposition in magical peoples,' that means that the muggle-born destroys and must destroy because he completely lacks the conception of an activity which builds up the life of the community. And therefore it is beside the point whether the individual muggle-born is 'decent' or not. In himself he carries those characteristics which Nature has given him, and he cannot ever rid himself of those characteristics. And to us he is harmful. Whether he harms us consciously or unconsciously, that is not our affair. We have consciously to concern ourselves for the welfare of our own people,” there could be no mistake, as this point that Voldemort’s voice had shook with unmistakable anger and contempt. But after this it subsided…

“So I ask, that you take into consideration the lowly henchmen’s example and work hard….” And Voldemort twirled his wand, aiming it the heavens, “For Lord Voldemort is watching…Do not make him ashamed!…”

At this tumultuous applause broke out again, and the crowd mimicked Voldemort, raising their own wands, like fists hitting the air, so pumped with energy were they.

Voldemort continued to whirl his wand, and and he gestured a histrionic body language, to illustrate his monologue, “Many very brave men and women have resolved to link their lives to mine to the very end. I have requested them, and finally ordered them, to take part in the continuing struggle against potential resisters. I ask the Death Eaters by all possible means, emphasizing especially that I too, as founder and creator of this movement, have preferred them to die as opposed to cowardly flight.

"Now we must discuss the unfortunate imbeciles, those who support Undesirable Number One: Harry Potter. When it was Potter who had a hand in the death of their old, degenerate hero Dumbledore. Undesirable Number One is wanted for questioning by the ministry and I ask if any of you know where Potter is now, to step forward during this ‘Festival of the Pure-Bloods.’ For they are deluded into thinking he is for righteousness and good. When there is no such thing as the good and evil dichotomy. There is only power, and my magical power being in the greatest abundance of all,” said Voldemort, demonizing the other side.

“The new ministry shall proclaim the truth: MAGIC IS MIGHT!….It is the magic of the wand in hand, of wizard war that shall bring us new, ever greater victories…”

And once against Voldemort, screamed, insanely the very motto of his regime, that was placed at the statue in the atrium in the ministry, “MAGIC IS MIGHT…”!

The Death Eater’s, at the front of the crowd, started, raising their left forearms, exposing their Dark Marks to the standard salute. They solemnly chanted “Hail the Dark Lord!”

And suddenly everyone was taking up the chant. It was an irresistible force, as nearly four hundred people chanted for the second time, roaring with one voice, “HAIL THE DARK LORD!”

Even the minority that were frightened and did not agree, raised their left forearm in salute. Yet Narcissa on the balcony, regarded this all in wonder, as she went along. She did not believe Voldemort truly had the pure-bloods interests at heart. She had already seen with her son Draco, how Voldemort had damaged and hurt him so much. She wondered what would become of them all, this war waged was not really for the purity of blood.

“We stand on the precipice of two possiblities: either we remain pure-blood or we dwindle under the meddlings of the filth: all those less than pure that wish to taint our people, for they are only jealous. To put it categorically, it is the squibs, and the half-breeds, the muggle-borns and finally, the muggles whom we shall either kill or enslave."

Voldemort continued his gesticulation, "Even if we, Purebloods are small, we are a force. A well-organized group can conquer a strong enemy. If you stick close together, we will be victorious over any resistance, to all that oppose me. And through any distress there is no doubt that the pure-bloods have been aroused. Externally perhaps apathetic, but within there is ferment. And many may say, 'It is an accursed crime to stir up passions in the people.' And then I say to myself: Passion is already stirred through the rising tide of distress, and one day this passion will break out in one way or another. This is the mightiest thing which our movement must create: for these widespread, seeking and straying masses a new Faith which will not fail them in this hour of confusion, to which they can pledge themselves to me, on which they can build so that they may at least find once again a place which may bring calm….

"....It is to be announced on Monday for the children of witches and wizards to have compulsory education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. That is only if they have their Blood Status confirmed through geneology. If they do not possess at least one, proven member of magical ancestry in relation to them, they may not attend…

"Now, I want to ask something of those among you who are young. And for that there is a very special reason. The old regime, the former ministry trained our youth in theory, and without a respect for the knowledge of the Dark Arts. We prefer to train them to use their magical strength. For I tell you: the young witch or wizard who does not find his way to the place where in the last resort the destiny of his people is most truly represented, only studies magical theory and in a time like this buries himself behind his books, he is no Pure-Blood youth! I call upon you! Join our henchmen or perhaps, if exceptionally talented even my Death Eaters! And however many insults and slanders you may hear if you do join, you all know that the Snatchers have been formed for our protection, for your protection, and at the same time not merely for the protection of my reign, but for the protection of a pure-blood country that is to be. If you are reviled and insulted, good luck to you, my brave boys and girls! You have the good fortune already at eighteen or nineteen years of age to be hated. What others can win only after a lifetime of toil, this highest gift of distinguishing between the honest man and the brigand, falls as a piece of luck into your lap while you are but youths. You can be assured that the more the resisters revile you, the more we respect you. We know, we see clearly that our movement would be stamped out if you did not protect it! You are the defense of a movement that is called one day to remodel Great Britain in revolutionary fashion from its very foundations in order that there may come to birth what perhaps so many expected, a Pure-Blood state of the English witches and wizards and, so far as in us lies, a Pure-Blood Ministry of Magic…I must keep our youth closely regarded, and under my eye so that they may grow up to be outstanding citizens of my new regime.

"In order to give the wizard race organizations composed of honorable witches and wizards, who will fulfill their duty of continuing the war by all available means, I, Lord Voldemort, nominate the following as the Board of School Governours for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry:

"Augustus Rookwood, Antonin Dolohov, Thorfinn Rowle, Nott, Evan Rosier, Rabastan Lestrange and Rodolphus Lestrange.

"And as Headmaster of Hogwarts, it is with pleasure that I appoint the post to Severus Snape, with his co-deputy’s Amycus and Alecto Carrow."

From behind Voldemort's immediate right, Snape bowed gracefully. Lucius was abruptly disturbed. His name had not been called for School Governor, and his mouth, sagging and the heat rising in anger, at a further detriment to his wounded pride.

"All of these great witches and wizards have joined me by their own free will and do not wish to leave my service under any circumstance, but on the contrary are willing to die if it answers the call of my name. Yet I must ask them to obey my request, and in this instance place the interests of the Purebloods above their own.

"Above all, I charge the leadership of Great Britain and my followers with the strict observance of the ideals of racial purity and with merciless resistance against the universal poisoners of all magic kind…the muggle-born enemy....Some have said we could never have our Pure-Blood reign...And here we are tonight; with a Pure-Blood run press, an integrated Pure-blood people, and a Pure-Blood way of life...." Suddenly Voldemort violently barked, "You are not like us! You can never be like us! If you think you can, you had better run!...." It was as if Voldemort was presumbably talking to any muggle-borns listening.

"....Now I have changed the Department of Magical Games and Sports in the Ministry, which is now dubbed: 'Department of Muggle Games and Sports'…. All of you are invited to join us outside in a moment where we shall engage in the wonderful art of muggle sporting. And you're probably wondering about this evening's entertainment.... There's enough wine in the Malfoy’s manor to float Greyback’s boats!...."

Great gales of laughter broke out and Bellatrix cackled madly with the throng. The crowd suddenly seemed in a jolly, but sickening mood. Even Lucius cracked a smile.

"It's all yours when they're dead. Oh yes, and the Veela women will be suitable for your baser pleasures too.

"Today the carrion birds will feast on the flesh of our enemies! They shall not get good, Pureblood flesh!"

"I end with this statement, which will be of historical significance:

"Salazar Slytherin was the greatest early crusader in the battle against the Muggle-born enemy... The work that Slytherin started but could not finish, I – Lord Voldemort-- will conclude."


Note: As you can probably see now…this is where the parallels to Nazi Germany are most evident…