Another Fine Web...

[mrs_morsus]

Date: Tuesday, 11 March 2002
Time: 6:30 in the evening
Location: Upper Floor Private Room at the Boar’s Head Inn, Little Cawthorpe (near Muckton)
Characters Involved: Millicent Bulstrode Morsus, Bellatrix Lestrange, Rabastan Lestrange, Augustus Rookwood, Lucius Malfoy, Daphne Greengrass
Rating: PG-13 at least for violent intent, I would imagine

Comments

[mrs_morsus]

Millicent soaked up the intensity of the atmosphere and the conversation eagerly, noting with interest what as unsaid as well as what was said. The relationship between Bellatrix and her brother-in-law did not seem to be as warm as she would have expected, but she knew better than to do more than accurately observe and absorb. She wanted to facilitate the future, the best future for her beliefs and desires, and in order for that to become possible the various egos in this room would need to be kept messaged and calmed before any significant action could take place.

Daphne was separating herself from them with her placement and body language as surely as if she had gone to hide in the closet. Millicent wondered just how Augustus had coaxed her to come. She would do her best to make her feel welcome, but it was up to Daphne to decide. She was either with them or against them.

Lucius’ question was her cue to try to underscore their shared goals and beliefs, not the actions of the past.

“I was afraid that Bellatrix might be detained, but as we are so fortunate as to have her with us, there is no need to delay our discussions. Her brother-in-law Rabastan is expected, but will certainly understand us beginning without him.” She looked around at this core of Pure Blood wealth and wisdom. It was a gathering to set her heart to fluttering.

“This is the first of what I hope will be many small gatherings of like-minded witches and wizards to work together to mold our future in ways that would be most acceptable to our shared hopes and dreams. Perhaps we can all agree that the election of one of our number, Lucius Malfoy, as Minister of Magic would be the most advantageous first step of a bright future.” She turned an admiring and deferential gaze on Lucius. His election would indeed bring them the possibility of forging great change. Of course, it was inconceivable that anyone here present had not already pledged their support, public and private, so she continued in the hopes that she could bring Daphne more directly back into the conversation.

“Lucius has my complete support, and we might wish to discuss how best we can assist in that effort,” she paused for effect, turning her attention to Bellatrix and Augustus. “Disbanding the Registry, the horrid inconvenience which has caused us to take such extreme precautions for such a legitimate and necessary meeting, is another cause where I believe our opinions concur.” She then turned so that she could see Daphne by the window with more clarity.

“With your indulgence, however, perhaps we might begin with our wish to seek out and include other like-minded witches and wizards in these matters. Beyond the support of family ties.” It would do no good to focus on the absence of either Narcissa or Draco. Now she spoke as directly to Daphne as she dared, in the guise of a hostess accommodating her guests.

“We would not wish to bring the prejudices of the past to bear against us at this sensitive time, a time where we must be seen as the voice of reason crying in the wilderness. This is a time when we might act in concert to gain the trust of our fellow magical brethren in the cause of benefiting and safeguarding our community.” She took a breath, hoping to persuade the others to address their challenges more openly. “Our every action and endeavor must be unified in support of our mutual goals if we are to realise the desires of our heart, the hope of the future.”

Millicent stood at a midpoint in the room between Daphne and Bellatrix, wondering why they had chosen separate corners, and tried her best to urge cohesion, at least until they could grasp power by the throat.

[sacredisprofane]

Augustus frowned slightly as he noted Daphne's demeanor. She was pulling away from them. Would she pull from him too? Millicent Morsus was her age. Surely their message still spoke to Purebloods. Surely they weren't outdated that much.

That pureblood pride had no place with the younger generation only illustrated to Augustus how far they had truly failed their world. Two lost wars. How could they expect this generation, these fresh faces to understand? How could they not? Were things truly lost?

No, he refused to believe that, despite Lucius' comment that Draco would not be attending their meetings. The boy seemed to not understand why he had survived what he had. Did he not understand how vital he was? How valuable? And why was it that Lucius allowed such open hostility? And against those who had tried to teach him, guide him down the path of right?

He noted Rabastan's absence with bland disappointment. He'd expected as much after their last conversation. Rabastan had become a flake in his mind, completely unreliable. Glancing at Bellatrix, he wondered why she'd allowed him to keep the house. He firmly believed it a travesty that not only was the princess of purebloods trapped with a ministry device but also at the mercy of her brother-in-law.

Millicent's thoughts echoed his own. Though he was not prepared to discuss here, even as secure as he was certain it was, his plans for Lucius and the Ministry.

"We are indeed the voice of reason, and of tradition, of culture." He nodded to each in attendance. "And it is only through encouraging culture in the younger members of our society, these new adults who run our world," he nodded to Millicent, "That we can provide hope."

Public speaking irritated him. He hated it, but being the eldest wizard present, he felt obligation to continue where Millicent had left off. He felt the need to ensure his own thoughts were mentioned. That his voice was added.

[toujoursfideles]

Bellatrix pointedly ignored Daphne, and avoided following Augustus' gaze when it traveled toward the young woman. When he spoke up, she nodded in agreement, grateful that he lent his voice and status. He hit nail precisely on the head. Look at how the younger generation behaved, raised without their much needed influence.

"I wholeheartedly agree with Augustus. " Bellatrix added. "And Millicent is right, we need unified cooperation. Without order and organization we have no hope. As one, the pure can cleanse the filth that is degrading our world."

She turned her attention to Lucius again. She had promised Narcissa to try to be nicer to him. "And obviously, the blood traitor cannot be permitted to take the Ministry. Lucius is the ideal candidate."

Taking a moment to pause, she reached for a glass of wine their hostess had provided. She loved the atmosphere in the room at that moment, those first tentative moments of admissions and plotting. Her sharp focus alone kept the hissing restricted within her head. The group was small.

We were once small.

But they would grow.

In numbers and sstrenghth, my pet.

Looking around the room, even sparing Daphne a glance, she continued, "But I would not be so hasty to disband the Registry completely. Certainly few are more irritated by the shackles of the current Ministry than myself, and our personal liberties must be restored. However, if we could change the registry.... simply require all witches, wizards, and werewolves to register. Everyone's family history down on paper. We could turn the tool of this muggle-loving Ministry against the mub-bloods and blood traitors, use their notion to achieve our own ends."

[mrs_morsus]

Millicent could barely keep her intake of breath from being audible. Bellatrix might suggest that the Registry be used for other means, but the fact that it would, of necessity, keep her restricted for longer spoke volumes about her commitment to their cause. Millicent’s awe in the face of her talent and dedication was boundless. She admired Narcissa, but clearly her older and wiser sister had a great deal that she could teach and Millicent was eager to learn.

“Positively brilliant, Bellatrix!” She exclaimed, unable to resist the idea of a Register of Pure Bloods that would declare the rightful place of each one in their community without question. It was something she knew and kept track of for her own amusement and interest, but to have it actually inscribed in the Hall of Records for all time was a heady thought. It could go far towards achieving their ultimate goals.

“If we use our combined strength and talents, who would not be soon persuaded of the benefit to the community?”

[laural_daphne]

Daphne stopped looking out the window and watched the others cry out for tradition. She understood completely what they were saying; she had been raised with the same views, but now her mind had seen through different eyes and the thought that maybe tradition had to change somewhat. She wasn't going to go around talking with mudbloods or anything, but this grouping of people's tradition usually ended in violence. Not matter what Milli tried to say differently.

"And how do you expect to accomplish this?" She finally spoke up.

"Not many people will listen to former Deatheaters, and the only saving grace on Master Malfoy's campaign is the fact that he's playing nice with everyone."

She kept her body position faced toward the window; a subconscious show of how she wanted to break free of this gloomy room. If Draco had been there she would be more comforted, but she just had Augustus to rely on. Not that he didn't make her feel comfortable, but everyone in this room was far more aggressive in personality than she ever was.

[mrs_morsus]

This was exactly what they were going to have to successfully diffuse if they were going to be successful at broadening their power base of Pure Bloods.

Millicent crossed the room and placed a gentle hand on Daphne’s shoulder. She spoke with a calmness that she had often used with her muggle victims before torturing them, but there was no way for Daphne to know that…

“Not all of us are former Death Eaters, Daphne.” She said softly, deceptively comforting in her words, manner and touch. “That is exactly the purpose of this meeting as I see it. How can we best appeal to others who might agree with our tenets but for the violence of the past. The future is not about Death Eaters or violence or even Pure Bloods. It is about who will be in control of our future. Will we allow the current flow of events, or try to influence them as we might wish for our benefit.”

Millicent tried to coax Daphne subtly away from the window, to draw her back into the larger conversation. “Perhaps you are the best person here to advise us on how to proceed, Daphne. What can we do to escape the broad brush of the past? Should the known Death Eaters lend their support entirely behind the scenes in order to gain more acceptance? Should those of our generation be more active in the limelight? What do you think might help us succeed?”

Millicent kept tight rein on her emotions. If Daphne ever dared to paint her with the implication of being a Death Eater when someone in attendance was unaware, Millicent would use Memory charms on the bwitch until she might not remember how to dress herself. Millicent took nothing more seriously than her own personal safety. She was beginning to regret confiding in Daphne. Perhaps she had been wrong to think her trustworthy. She had come to this meeting, but she was so weak….

[vincere_aut_mor]

Lucius raised his eyebrows slightly at Daphne's outburst. It was painfully obvious that the girl either did not want to be there, or else did not feel that she fitted. He had to wonder at Augustus' decision to bring her in the first place, though doubtlessly she would be suitably chastised, or else convinced after the meeting. Precisely the manouvre they suggested he perform with Draco. But Lucius had felt so close to losing his son, both literally as his former Death Eater colleagues had tortured him, and in the aftermath. He wouldn't force him back into the situation that had nearly lost them everything. No, above all else, he was determined that Draco should have choice.

He stayed quiet as Millicent spoke to Daphne, but before she could answer spoke up himself.

"Daphne is correct. The effort required for them to trust a single former Death Eater is enough. I'm afraid that if any of you are seeking a public status alongside me, you will be sorely disappointed. This is not an egotistical statement, merely a logistical one," Lucius walked to one of the chairs near to Daphne and sat down.

"The public wants solutions, but they will trust nothing that even hints of extremity. Perhaps in the long-term, a register of blood-status could be implemented, but we will struggle to make it seem anything other than what it is. I can already see the headlines...'Former Death Eater seeks list of unworthy',"

Lucius nodded to Bellatrix, "I know that there are things we all desire to have from this opportunity. But we must be realistic. We're the enemy before we have even begun. Weasley has to prove he's competant, though of course, that is a challenge on a similar scale for him."

[laural_daphne]

Daphne couldn't help but be shocked that Lucius was agreeing with her. Where she felt everyone was against her at this meeting, he seemed to sit metaphorically closer to her views. She blushed as she realized her mouth was open.

"True, not everyone is a former Death Eater here." She got the hint from Milli's words. "But the majority is... Lucius put it far better than I could. The public is wary of everyone right now. We need to calm their minds before setting things into motion that brings back a more traditional way of life."

She adjusted herself unconsciously, so she was leaning toward Lucius. She wanted to be amongst them, but inside she still felt very off set. His words had calmed her, if only slightly.

[toujoursfideles]

Bellatrix watched this unfold with a sense of bemusement. Had they truly come to this? If the girl insisted on opening her mouth, could she not do so with a touch more eloquence?

Do not allow yourself to get worked up. Changess are in order, a change of tacticsss.

Grudgingly she conceded that fear had too long been their seemingly only tool. Manipulation of greed and presentation of temptation must be added to their arsenal. The public must be converted of their own free will, must cry out for Lucius to take power, for a return to a world run by the pureblooded aristocracy. They must be lured and seduced into this, not intimidated, if a new order was to be achieved.

"I believe we have learned a lesson well," Bellatrix surmised. With inspired conviction she went on, "Death Eaters were too fearsome a visage to adopt. We were too terrifying, too easy to rally against. This can no longer be the case if we are to survive. Besides, you'd be surprised how quickly people are willing to trade their freedom for even the illusion of safety. The question at hand is how best to market it to the masses. We need a call to the return of the golden age in wizarding history."

She paused a moment. Please, my Lord, do not make me say these things! Her internal plea was met with silence.

"The golden age," she repeated with a nod, "before the Dark Lord ever rose to power, before our idyllic society was tainted by darkness."

Loathe as she was to employ such rhetoric her expression never faltered. She expected some kind of protest, except from perhaps Augustus and Lucius, who she believed were certain to see the reason in this.

[vincere_aut_mor]

Lucius found himself nodding in agreement with Bellatrix. It was entirely true. Though he was a little surprised by her words. Whilst his sister-in-law could not help but realise the failures of their service to the Dark Lord, he had never heard anything so close to a criticism.

He looked at Daphne. She was exactly the sort they needed to win. Full of doubt, and probably fear. Much like Draco, he could see the threads of a desire for the true order of things, but a reluctace. Who could blame the younger generation their reluctance, when his had provided such a poor example?

"You must remember Daphne; Bellatrix and I particularly spent a great part of our lives in the service of the Dark Lord," he wasn't sure either Bellatrix or Augustus would appreciate this line of reasoning, but if they couldn't offer Daphne a degree of honesty, he thought it was likely that they would lose her.

"I don't think anyone could say with honesty that his campaigns were nothing short of catastrophic failures. But all of us, we believed with such conviction that it is difficult to believe our ways might have been wrong. I don't mean our values, our ideals, but our methods of implementing them."

He glanced up at Millicent. Her views of what they'd done were also idealised, but also in her he saw the understanding for a new way. They couldn't begin with anything extreme. They couldn't risk it.

"We have all survived the war relatively unscathed. But the odds of evading trouble will decrease with every poor decision we make."