"Do I dare disturb the universe?"
Date: Saturday, June 16
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: The Phoenix (for a picture see here)
Characters Involved: ANYONE
Rating: PG-ish?
( I've learned that good-byes will always hurt, pictures will never replace having been there, memories good and bad will bring tears, and words can never replace feelings. )
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: The Phoenix (for a picture see here)
Characters Involved: ANYONE
Rating: PG-ish?
( I've learned that good-byes will always hurt, pictures will never replace having been there, memories good and bad will bring tears, and words can never replace feelings. )
Not to mention that he felt the slightest bit awkward. Stephen was not, by nature, an activist, and so the simple act of being there for the reason he was felt disrespectful in and of itself. Still, his eyes were drawn to the collection of odds and ends that had belonged to the deceased. He stood, hands in pockets, and took in each item one at a time from a distance, trying to imagine the kind of person that had owned them. Trying to put a human face to the event made him feel a little better.
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But his loyalty was in doubt now, whether he liked it or not. The powerful unease he felt about this whole situation lingered. Mandy Brocklehurst's death had only forced him further from the straight and narrow path he'd always envisioned himself walking, and it was a troubled Percy Weasley who gazed over the heads of those assembled and wondered when he had so thoroughly lost his way ( ... )
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Continuing to stand around staring at the shrine in silence did not seem like the most appealing idea. Looking sidelong at the red-haired fellow, Stephen asked the obvious question: "Did you know her?"
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"No," he answered quietly, "not at all." She, too, had been at Hogwarts when he was, but he scarcely remembered her. One of Penny's, he thought, and felt a subdued grief that had little to do with Mandy Brocklehurst. No doubt Pen would have been beside herself, if she were here. He pushed the thought aside. "You?"
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"Dinnae usually do this kinda thing either," he continued after a moment. It was good to have someone to talk to, if only briefly. "Protests, I mean. Not funerals." The oddity of that statement struck him as soon as he said it. This wasn't really a protest, first of all (but then, what would you call it?). And the implication that he 'usually' did funerals... Best not to think about that one.
The only outward indication of that small flurry of thought was a slight grimace as he continued to watch the shrine.
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With his eyes on the other's face, he didn't miss the strange flicker of expression that crossed it, though he didn't understand it. As if the mention of protests and funerals wouldn't make anyone uncomfortable, he chided himself, and decided to change the subject. "You'll have to forgive me, I know I remember you from Hogwarts, but your name escapes me at present." He offered his hand, still keeping his voice low out of respect for the atmosphere. "Percy Weasley."
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"Sorry. I know it isnae a protest," he went on to say, noting Percy's abrupt glance from a moment ago. "One'll probably come later though." Now that had a small sardonic hint to it, and a touch of sadness as well. Stephen wondered how far Mandy's death would get blown out of proportion, what kind of causes would get championed in her name.
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Stephen was probably right, much as the idea gave Percy chills. The sentiment following this werewolf's - this girl's - death was like a spark set to dry tinder. Flames had sparked up all over, and it wouldn't take much for several of those flames to join into a dangerous blaze - and it would be set against the Ministry. Perhaps not wrongly. But it still flew in the face of everything he'd believed in his whole life.
"It may," was all he said in response. How had the Ministry let things get so out of hand? A nudge of curiosity had him turning back to Stephen, cautiously. "What do you... think about that? Pardon me if I'm prying, but do you believe a protest is called for?"
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"I think in this particular case what the Ministry's done is absolutely awful. But I guess that goes without sayin' for anyone here." He gave a glance around the crowd, then looked back to Percy. "I think the Ministry just needs t' change its whole policy on the Registry thing. I dinnae think it's a bad idea in essence, but to execute someone out of suspicion just cause they're on the Registry..." He shrugged. "I guess if it takes a protest or whatever t' get that out there, fine with me. It's just from what I've seen in the Muggle world, protests tend t' go a little too far t' be taken seriously by anyone but the people involved ( ... )
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"I don't disagree on any point," he said very cautiously. His position at work was precarious enough as it was without risking word getting back to his superiors that he was in any way speaking against the Ministry. "A protest strikes me as an excessive, not to mention chancy, way to respond. But I cannot deny that regular channels have already proven... less than effective."
Maybe it will take shock tactics to get their attention. But he wasn't about to say that aloud. Or maybe it will just push them into clamping down harder, afraid of losing control. He was afraid the response was more likely to be the latter, and then what? Unfortunately, he didn't have a viable ( ... )
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