Potterwatch: 10 January 1998
The radio shifted through static until, hidden between airwaves, it clicked to white noise. Across England, those who'd been told directly or heard about it second-hand from someone else, those hiding from the Ministry, or hiding their friends, or just in fear or confusion about what was happening, all waited for that white noise and haltingly, unsure, spoke the password.
Dumbledore.
Through the crackling, on a tenuous, stolen signal, a voice that was familiar to some came out.
"Good evening, all, and welcome to Potterwatch. I'm River, your host, and this is the first of hopefully many reports bringing you the truth about things going on in Wizarding England. With the Prophet as useless, and Xenophilius Lovegood of the Quibbler now missing, my goal is to report the truth. I have some regular contributors lined up to help with those things, and, of course, we'll be giving you any and all news as it comes along about Harry Potter and his friends.
Harry, if you're listening, you've got all of our support.
Now before I introduce one of our contributors, we know you all have questions about the Muggleborn Registration. The short of it is, don't go in. We know that it's frightening, standing up to the Minstry, or hiding your blood status, but we've got it on good authority from a contributor named Royal who is a loyal Potter supporter inside the Ministry that there isn't anything coming out of the Ministry now that you can trust. Those that have gone in to register have either been sentenced to Azkaban, or they've never been seen again. We're working to find out what exactly goes on during the interviews, but as of now we only know of a handful of instances where the person who's gone in has come back out, declared legitimate, and all of those seem to be related to celebrities like star quidditch players or popular musicians somehow. It's too dangerous to risk it. We know this may mean giving up a job, or leaving your homes, as neighbours in some wizarding communities seem more than happy to turn in their neighbours, but having to run is better than risking your life by registering, remember that.
In future broadcasts, we hope to bring you the names of those who are killed or sentenced. For tonight, let us have just a moment of silence for all those who have disappeared in recent months, and we hope they come through this safely."
For a long moment, there was nothing to be heard but the crackling of the air waves, and then the speaker cleared his throat.
"Alright, now for what we plan on being a staple of the broadcast, a segment we like to call 'Pals of Potter.' And here to give his views on some of the rumors circulating about him, I’d like to introduce a new correspondent. Rodent?”
“‘Rodent’?” said another voice. “I’m not being ‘Rodent,’ no way, I told you I wanted to be ‘Rapier’!”
“Oh, all right then, ‘Rapier,’ could you please give us your take on the various stories we’ve been hearing about Harry?"
“Yes, River, I can. As our listeners will know, unless they’ve taken refuge at the bottom of a garden pond or somewhere similar, Harry Potter is the one person who will, and I'll repeat that, he WILL defeat You-Know-Who. It isn't just his destiny and what all, it's what he's been doing every sodding year since he was born. Now, some of you may have noticed the rubbish in the papers about Harry and his friends, may have seen his poster up around Diagon and Hogsmeade like he's a wanted fugitive. But there's nothing that's been done that hasn't been Death Eaters. Death Eaters, and the Ministry of Magic behind them. Or the other way around."
"So, not responsible for the death of Albus Dumbledore then?"
"That was Severus Snape, the greasy git. Who went missing from Hogwarts the day after the death. I'm sure he was shocked that no one seemed to notice, but if he's listening I'd like to tell him that I'm sure even the Slytherins were glad to be rid of him. "
"The body of Marietta Edgecomb found in Hogsmeade?"
"Death Eaters."
"The recent disappearance of Xenophilius and Luna Lovegood?"
"There's nothing confirmed about their disappearance yet, but I'd bet my right eyeball that Death Eaters are behind that as well, if the garden gnomes didn't get them. Lovegood and The Quibbler were some of the best supporters of Harry's, and it's a loss to the cause to see him missing, and Luna is sodding brilliant, and one of Harry's good friends, not to mention a good friend to anyone else who knows her. She helped Harry fight You-Know-Who in the past. There's no way that Harry had anything to do with that."
"And do we know where he is now?"
"On the run, and probably safer that way, but don't think he's running away. Harry's got important work to do, work he can't even tell his supporters about. We just have to trust that he can do what has to be done, and be there and ready for him when he needs us."
"Thank you, Rapier, couldn't have said it better."
"I know, River!"
"Sod off, Rapier. Now, in other news, we have the sad duty to be the first ones to report that the Fountain of Magical Brethren in the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic, which stood as a great symbol of togetherness and unity, was torn down this week without notice, replaced by a statue depicting a witch and wizard on top of a throne made from the bodies of crude-looking muggles inscribed with the mottos 'Magic is Might' and 'Wizards First.' I say it's just one short step from ‘Wizards first’ to ‘Pure-bloods First,’ and then to ‘Death Eaters Only,' and this is just another sign that the Ministry must be avoided if it can be.
It has also been reported that there has been trouble with the goblin population, as high ranking goblins at Gringott's have been turning up missing as well. It seems You-Know-Who's grasp has extended past wizards, though Merlin only knows what he could do if he controlled the financial sector of the Wizarding world as well."
"One more thing," the second voice broke in.
"Rapier?"
"I received news today that along with the Lovegoods, a muggle woman named Germaine Capper who ran the Lucky Bakery in Diagon has gone missing. The Killing Curse was used on her dog, so we can assume it's the work of Death Eaters, but if anyone has any information, her family is anxious for it."
"Thanks for that, Rapier, and that serves as a good reminder. Don't believe anything you see about those missing just going on holiday. If you have friends or family that might be affected, and that's everyone, make sure you know where they are, and if someone is missing, you can report it to us, and we'll be sure to get you any information we can.
Use the journals, with a privacy ward set for 'Private to Potterwatch'. For our own safety, we can't tell you who we are, but you can be sure that the right people will be able to see it. At this point, reporting anything to the DMLE isn't anything but a joke, and it might bring you to the attention of the wrong sort. And if you have anything you think needs to be reported, or any way that you're willing to help, write to us as well, and we'll connect you with the right people.
If you're a muggleborn and on the run, remember, there are people here fighting to help you. You aren't alone. The safest bet might be to leave the country if you can, but safe houses are being established here as we speak to help and harbor you, all you have to do is ask for help. For those of you listening at Hogwarts, there are ways that you can help too, but first and foremost you need to keep yourselves safe. Write Potterwatch, and we'll get you in touch with people who can help you.
On that note, it's time to come to the end of this Potterwatch. We don’t know when it will be possible to broadcast again, but you can be sure we'll be back, and we'll spread the word. Remember, too, don't be too public about us. Tell those who need to know, but keep it quiet. And keep twiddling those dials: The next password will be ‘Mad-Eye.’ Keep each other safe: Keep faith. Good night."
After a moment, all that could be heard was static.