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Post by Prof. Darrow on Apr 11, 2007 15:52:50 GMT
Twiddling his thumbs in anticipation Darrow sat at his desk rifling through what little information he had aquired upon the Minister of Enlightenment. Of course he had heard of her, even shared an office at the Ministry so very long ago, but he needed current information upon her. Not being one for keeping up up-to-date with politics, finding it interesting but rather impossible particularly due to his duty to the school now.
In short he had found out little that he had not already known or surmised. Standing abruptly and continuing his hushed conversation with the portraits most of whom found her behaviour to be entirely insufferable, he hid away the papers into the tiniest filing cabinet ever produced, thankfully the wonders of magic, which still gave him shock and joy every single day, allowed it to hold all the files he needed. The old magic simply allowed him to think of the name and it would appear, though a highly effective magical lock bound to himself, wouldn't allow anybody else to use it. He wasn't one for using a simple key, over years he'd found that wearisome, constantly loosing it and the ability for other people to easily take it, just wasn't satisfactory.
He believed in privacy for all, the Ministry was determined to crush such foolish thoughts, but he was an old man, not wishing to change...if he could help it. He was no resistance towards the Ministry and he believed they knew it.
Pacing the office for a few moments he scratched his beard a moment in thought. Glancing at the Grandfather clock, which hid oh so many secrets, he saw the time for her arrival was imminent; right on cue the stone gargoyle below lept with agility aside. She was coming...
Smiling broadly he courteously opened the door bowing low in the presence of a lady.
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Post by Illyana Deitrich on Apr 11, 2007 16:05:03 GMT
"Oooh, Darrow you old fool, don't be so bloody nice!" Illyana cooed.
"This is just a mere formality, nothing malign I will assure you. Just need to make my face known to you thats all."
Illyana was doing her best to portray herself as the bubbly maiden she once was before all the madness began, before she realised how close she was to absolute power, before she commited her first murder.
"I've had the pleasure of knowing the past few occupants of this office quite well and I am sure that our relationship will flourish as well as previous ones. That isn't going to be a problem for a dashing man like yourself to understand though, is it."
With a little hustle and bustle Illyana folded herself into the chair opposite the Headmaster's and took the liberty of conjuring up a mug and a flask of whisky and having a nip. She did not offer Professor Darrow the flask but instead secreted in her ample bossom.
"There are just a few things I have to explain about the immanent legal reforms and then I have a few questions for you and I am sure you have some for me." She explained.
"Shall we begin?"
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Post by Prof. Darrow on Apr 11, 2007 16:35:27 GMT
Raising his eyebrows fractionally Darrow smirked, he should have anticipated such remarks, he'd known her to be brisk, punctual and to have an innane desire to get straight to the heart of the matter within moments, himself he prefered cordiality and formalities to be enacted first, ebing one of the old school as he was commonly known to have arisen from.
"You do jest, wouldn't a mere formality only require a letter?" He asked with a trace of a smirk he quickly concealed. Without waiting to be asked to be seated Darrow had half expected Illyana to take the Headmaster's high backed and luxurious chair; handed down from generation to generation, but entirely not his taste. Therefore he deemed it probably was Illyana's.
"Let's hope with a little careful watering our relations will allow us to do what is best for the school." He added as he took his chair gracefully. With rising suspicion he viewed Illyana, he wasn't sure what to make of her still; different for sure, but he had a sneaking suspicion all would be made clear all too soon.
"Formalities over so quickly, straight to business of course, so we can begin with pleasure." He said simply gesturing for Illyana to make her move.
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Post by Illyana Deitrich on Apr 11, 2007 16:53:53 GMT
“My Dear, why so blunt, I’m not rubbing off on you, am I?”
Illyana teased the vastly inferior man her upper class British accent slipping into her natural Russian tones.
She never really had time for any Headteacher at Hogwarts but they always managed to wiggle their way into the most loft of political spheres and thus, in her way.
“As I am sure you will soon be aware; as your predecessors always managed to know things before they rightfully should have, that Marius Marvello is dead. Due to the Hindenburg act he proposed I now fill his shoes. However, until the current overhaul of the ministry is complete I will not release the information regard his death to the public. I don’t want to create mass hysteria. Instead the Ministry will be using Marius’ face as a figurehead of The New Era.” (-The very nature of Illyana’s voice compels the use of capitalisation.)
“The New Era is the age of reform for our people. The legal system will be…” Illyana paused looking for the right word, “Altered, the law modified and most importantly the educational world will be under direct ministry supervision and will conform to ministry guidelines.”
Illyana smiled at Prof. Darrow and said sweetly, “All in all, everything is going to be better. I will make sure of it.”
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Post by Prof. Darrow on Apr 11, 2007 18:01:44 GMT
"I see," exclaimed Darrow simply, steepling his fingers and peering at Illyana interest etched in his brow. The news ultimately didn't come as much of a shock, once upon a time this news would haven shaken mountains, but with times so dire they were becoming all to common place. Mulling quickly upon what had been spoken he filed away the necessary information to be analysed more fully at a later date.
As portraits grumbled execrations and shot dark looks at the Minister, one even sticking his abnormally large and blackened tongue at her in a furious manner, he surpressed a wide smile, this wasn't the time and place to infuriate her. With a calming gesture of simply lowering his hands the portraits quietened a little, though very begurudgingly, one or two shooting their dark looks towards him.
Having to ignore his old friends, esteemed Headteachers throughout the ages whom he sorely wished to question upon this matter, he pushed their grumblings and murmerings from his mind.
"I see," he repeated smoothly, "what a to do eh? Though you've handled it all remarkably...quickly. The New Era? Hmm very interesting, I look forward to it, change comes to us all eventually, no matter how long and hard we try to delay it." he agreed "But some traditions are worthwhile I deem." With a sudden change of tact he asked
"The Wizengamot will be notified I presume? I can hardly imagine old wearied men such as myself to fall to mass hysteria." He added a smile upon his lips.
"To my mind you have this all very well planned out," making you an exceedingly dangerous person, one I could never trust. Perhaps the time of resting upon my laurels and staying clear of trouble will soon come to an end. He thought sadly sorrow clear in his eyes but coming to the most critical measure for the school he asked
"might I enquire as to what these proposed plans for education will be? Nothing altered considerably I presume?"
With a sigh he continued "Marius was a good man, he had controversial ideas and methods, which some found disagreeable, yet I cannot imagine many wanting his death." He implied a sparkle in his eye.
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Post by Illyana Deitrich on Apr 11, 2007 18:31:53 GMT
“Marius was a lovely chap… so wonderful to debate with…” Illyana smiled. “The Wizengamot are being informed as we speak, we have to give them some reason why their powers are being diminished.”
Illyana withdrew a short role of parchment from her pocket and unfurled it, placing it on the table.
“The new and now operational laws regarding education are outlined in that document. You will notice the first article states clearly that all teachers should not voice any political belief whilst in the presence of students – I think this is one of the most important articles…”
Illyana snatched up the parchment and put it back in her pocket.
“The list will be displayed in its entirety for all staff and students to see by the end of the week. It is your responsibility to ensure it is adhered to. I’m sorry to say any serious infringements would lead to members of my own department replacing the members of staff that are disobeying the article. Neither of us want that, do we?”
Illyana’s smile was hard to describe; gleeful yet reserved, beaming yet clipped.
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Post by Prof. Darrow on Apr 11, 2007 19:31:39 GMT
"Ah yes you do love a good debate."Smiled Darrow hiding the turmoil within, she was acting so fast, things would undoubtedly change quickly, all too quickly, and quite probably for the worse, and detrement of many; including his own pupils and teaching staff.
"The Wizengamots' powers are to be diminished?" He enquired incredulously finding it hard to believe, but of course someone wishing complete control would take such measures to secure it.
"It seems all very rigid," he remarked "may I ask, is it solely you who has made these plans? Am I to understand correctly that we shall all be ruled by a dictator? I do so hope my brain is adled?" He enquired eyes narrowing, the situation was becoming dire indeed.
"Though certainly you can rely upon my discretion, I am never one to air my views to liberally, pupils shan't be persuaded by me, I trust you believe in me? Even the hardest of people must trust somebody." He added sagely with Headteachers agreeing most profusely with him, some nodding their heads rather vigorously.
"I would love to offer my guarantee that none of my staff would need replacing, but such issues may not be taken so lightly. But I assure you, you can trust my staff to act in the most responsible manner, for the good of the students." Retaining his smile he added;
"Then congratulations are in order are they not? On your becoming the Minister for Magic, what a title eh?" He said trying to please her whilst his brain ticked away going over possibilities, he smiled reassuringly only a slight impression upon his lip showed where he had bitten it, in apprehension.
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Post by Illyana Deitrich on Apr 11, 2007 19:57:52 GMT
"Professor Darrow...! Whom do you take me for?!" Illyana exclaimed. "I have no intention of creating a dictatorship. The powers of the Wizengamot have been diminished in order to create a judicial system that does not rely souly on a few questionable minds."
Illyana smiled a smile similar in beauty to a rotting rose.
"I hope to open the legal system into a muti-faceted behamoth that would be impossible to question thus cutting out the many stages of appeal that bog down the system at present."
"As for me doing this by myself! How wonderful that you think that I could do all of the magnificent things alone. However, I cannot take all the credit. It was during a meeting to draft out The Reforms that Marius was killed... He was one of the many people who helped me draft them. Wonderful people, all of them..."
Illyana dropped her head into her hands and began to sob.
"Most of them are dead or mad now! The bloody revolutionaries got to them all!" Illuana sat her words like venom.
"...All but me! That is why I had to accept the role of Minister for Magic, I had to do for all of my fallen coleagues... I will not take the glory for what is to come... Marius will have it all. No one will know who I really am."
"I will rule with fairness, i will rule with love but most of all i will rule with their names ringing in my head like a bell that never ceases."
Illyana crumpled in her chair like a broken woman, torn with grief.
-Her acting was superb.
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Post by Prof. Darrow on Apr 12, 2007 9:52:21 GMT
The transformation that beheld his eyes was striking, had she really broken down before him? He found it incredibly hard to believe; such a stout and determined woman; ruthless to the extreme. He so very nearly believed her, some of what she spoke undoubtedly would be truthful, yet there was a something that held him back, a minor factor that he couldn't place his finger upon. Yet even the very hardest of people could break; momentarily, and his heart always willing to find the best in people; believed her.
Scratching his beard as he pondered a moment, listening intently to her final words, he sought the advice of his esteemed colleagues dotted throughout the room, most had eyebrows raised incredulously, but some were taken in by her, unfortunately being a kindly soul he was one of them. Or was he acting himself? It was impossible to tell. Both were such brilliant orators that they could in theory bring anybody into their clutches.
"There there," he motioned swiping a tissue from the inside concealed pocket of his robes, gently placing it into her unresisting hands he continued
"I can see you're much grieved by the loss of your comrades, as am I, all damn decent men and women." He shook his head seemingly also stricken by grief but suddenly his eyes sparkled and he advised in tones of silk;
"Rule wisely Illyana, absolute power corrupts absolutely, remember the past and learn from it all."
Changing tact once more he added in tones of sorrow "tell me how he died, we were the best of friends once upon a time, I'd like to know...the truth." Sitting back in his chair his eyes had never left Illyana, he studied her, trying to fathom out the truth.
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Post by Illyana Deitrich on Apr 12, 2007 10:11:04 GMT
Illyana touched the tissue to her eye and looked up.
"We were signing the Bill that would change society forever. We were hidden in a secret place that we had chosen to debate the Bill and to sign it once it was complete. Someone must have been followed."
Illyana paused to dab her eyes again.
"We were attacked. Men and women with masks on their faces burst into the room. They overpowered us, everyone of us a trained Auror at one time or another and they overpowered us. I think it must've been the element of suprise."
"Our attackers knew exactly who to go for when they entered, our gaurds were taken down quickly with well placed Killing Curses. The Minister was next. Struck down in the brief time it took him to reach for his wand."
"Only myself and my assistant survived. I swore I would never use a Killing Curse, but on that day, I had no choice. I killed eight people and each time the words left my mouth they stripped me of a portion of my soul. The curses are truely unforgivable, thre use of them causes self hatred beyond measure."
"No one will have to die now. No one. I will not allow it. I will loose every drop of blood from my body before I let anyone else I love die." Illyana spoke these words with the strongest conviction her body and soul could muster; it wasn't hard, they were they represented the only true thing she had felt in a long while.
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Post by Prof. Darrow on Apr 12, 2007 10:32:07 GMT
As Illyana unfolded the details of the events Darrow's shock increased, it seemed incredible that such an act could be done, yet the truth was it had. Society had changed, civil war emrboilled the entire country nearly. He'd tried in vain to think it only a few extremistes, but it seemed daily he was informed of such terrible events.
"eight killed." He breathed shock etched across his brow, only once had he witnessed a killing curse, but he remembered it like it were yesterday. Still the memories lay swirling in the penseive, darting a glance towards it his eyes narrowed, such an act was truly frightful. "One can hardly imagine you've much of a soul left," he said wryly a smile gracing his features. "One shouldn't get a taste for blood," he murmered thinking of Macbeth, one could learn a lot from Shakespeare.
"This is grave indeed," he summarised, voice calm and cold as steel "that people are pushed to such extreme action is a disgrace, nobody deserves a death," softening slightly he continued, "least of all dear Marius, though we disagreed on many an issue the respect we held for each other was unrivalled." I doubt I'll quite get the same from you. He thought resignedly. I respect you but can you ever respect anybody?
"For such an act to happen oh so quickly and easily, don't you fear your own safety now Minister?" He asked with due concern. "But figureheads of society cannot be known to show fear, we both know this, as much as we both know that there will be more deaths by the end of this terrible business, sadly many more I deem, none has power enough to declare there will be no more murders, much as we wish it."
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Post by Illyana Deitrich on Apr 12, 2007 10:40:03 GMT
"My safety," Illyana explained. "Is not important. It is the safety of society that I will fight for... Of course any protection I need will be provided by the Department of Enlightenment and by the many protective charms that surround me even now."
"As for your concern for my soul, - it is duely noted. I only hope the love I have for that which I am sworn to protect will protect the shard of humanity I have left, burried deep within me."
Illyana chucked, almost manicly, yet somehow reserved. "You don't put yourself on the same par as me do you, Darrow?" She spat her last word venomously.
"I protect an entire society and you protect, -poorly as far as I can tell, a school. Really Headmaster you do make me laugh. I can see our friendship blooming already."
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Post by Prof. Darrow on Apr 12, 2007 11:04:31 GMT
Darrow chuckled, she really thought herself immeasureably superior to all those around her, would she ever accept that they were all, in the end, equal? No matter what social backgroud or class, colour, race, blood, religion, or anything. Nothing made a difference, they were all ultimately human with very real weaknesses and strengthes.
"A harsh comment there Illyana, well done, I know you pride yourself on such...qualities. Yet I shall counter your blow if I may?" Receiving a curt nod to continue he smirked "surely you know young people's minds need nurturing with due care and attention to detail. We mustn't corrupt their views, yet we must teach them basic human values and morals. I can safely assure you, few people are capable of being teachers at this school, it requires a certain quality. Which I'm afraid most people lack."
He smiled "Our friendship will need careful watering to bloom I fear, though I'm very pleased that I make you laugh so."
Hands now clasped before him he finished his voice becoming slightly more cutting "I don't place a viel over my eyes and lie to myself, I know my limits, my strengths and weaknesses, and I can live them quite well. Perfection can never be achieved. I realised this fact many many years ago, yet delusion keeps you striving forwards, to an unachievable goal, many believe this, I myself am not to sure, your society has a few merits."
Hearing the old Headteachers murmering their appreciation for his little speech he added "might I enquire as to who else survived the massacre? Your assistant was it?"
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Post by Illyana Deitrich on Apr 12, 2007 11:16:10 GMT
"My young Protégé. A charming young chap... He went by the perculiar name 'Sansom King' however his real name was something digustingly boring like 'John Smith'. He can take down every word said in a room in great detail with out the use of a quick note quill! He is simply marvelous... Unfortunatly he is now... lost."
Illyana once again slumped, overcome with sadness.
"I fear him to be dead. He was one of the few people in this world I was able to trust and now... He is gone."
"I have half the Aurors in the country looking for him as we speak but I fear he will never be found... Alive."
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Post by Prof. Darrow on Apr 12, 2007 11:28:38 GMT
Glad a blazing row hadn't ensued, as he knew she had a short fuse, and devastatingly quick temper, Darrow nodded his head sadly yet in a sagely manner.
"Alas, an ingenious young man lost in the wide world, if indeed he is abducted they seem to have latched upon someone dear to you, always they seem capable of hitting us hard. Just when we least expect it," with a sigh he continued "always they seem to have the element of surprise, but who are they? This mysterious power we know very little of it seems."
She's been hit hard by this loss, with so few she can trust eliminating them leaves her powerless, I do hope people don't know of this weakness of hers, although minor it could still prove crippling if used effectively.
"With half the aurors out looking for him, I shoould think he'll turn up soon," whether alive or dead though, who knows?
"Have you acquired much information regarding those you killed?" He uttered the word as if spitting out posion; "Who were they? I do wonder."
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