Lee Jordan (djriver) wrote in wished, @ 2010-01-31 23:31:00 |
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Entry tags: | !potterwatch |
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, but excited by what they had heard about the program, spoke the password.
Mad-Eye.
Through the crackling, on a tenuous, stolen signal, and quite a bit later than they'd been expected, a voice that was familiar to some came out.
"Good evening, all, and welcome to Potterwatch. I'm River, your host. Sorry about the delay in our programming tonight, there was a bit of interference in the form of wards on several WWN frequencies, but all have been cleverly gotten rid of by your Potterwatch staff.
So, first order of business for tonight, today's Quidditch match between Wimbourne and Caerphilly! Forget what you read in the Prophet about it, forget what you read in the Prophet full stop, actually, it was a brilliant example of someone taking a stand against the Ministry and Death Eater's rubbish. The entire starting line came out in muggle clothes instead of their uniforms, sat down right at the center of the pitch, and put up signs with pictures of muggleborn witches or wizards they knew that have disappeared or been forced into hiding. And I say, good show Wasps. It may cost them something, but they stood up for - "
At this point a throat cleared, and the speaker stopped for a moment, then went on, "And for a bit more commentary on the Wimbourne incident, a correspondent we only got a chance to briefly mention last time. I'd like to introduce you, listeners, to one set of our eyes and ears inside the Ministry of Magic itself, definitely the most dangerous place to be a set of eyes and ears these days. Royal?"
"Thank you, River." The voice of the new speaker was deep, measured, and reassuring. "All I wanted to say was that while Wimbourne's actions were monumentally brave, they were also unwise. The Ministry heard rumours of certain parties, Support Harry Potter parties, springing up here and here. We have to applaud the spirit, but even the most devoted of Harry's supporters, and even those most vehemently opposed to the Ministry actions, must be urged not to follow their lead. It is just exceedingly unwise in the present climate."
The host, almost obviously chagrined, cleared his throat too. "Right, and I want to thank you, Royal for bringing us back to just how serious the situation is. To that, Potterwtch has come into possession of a list of those muggleborn witches and wizards who have been sentenced to Azkaban. The list was current through the first three weeks of the registration, and we're attempting to get the last week's, but havn't managed it yet. I want to warn you before I begin reading the names, it's a long list."
The host paused for a moment, and then began reading the list of names. It became monotonous, deadening as he went. As if the list of names would never stop.
"Polly Clayton, Neil Wooten, Roscoe Simmons, Sadie Finley, Elisha Riley, Frances Knowles, Jared Howell, Theodore Bullock, Rachael Mcconnell, Alissa Jacobson, Bennett Alexander, Byron Todd, Shane Wright, Adalbert Tyler, Benjamin Lindsey, Rosie Baue, Calvin Bridges, Valarie Gamble, Russel Hensley, Christie Gena Parrish, Lynnette Midgen Benton Keith, Collin Cary Mann, Audra Sharpe, Dolly Middleton, Warren Newman, Wilford Stone, Octavia Clarke, Cecile Donaldson, Calbin Owen Gardner, Odessa Orr, Mitchell Carrison, Heidi Lewis, Rachelle Bartlett, Etta Bartlett, Florence Bartlett, Austin Bartlett, Holly Fuller, Marco Yates, Lloyd Hubbard, Alinor Mckenzie, Carnell Hollis Weber, Alana Miles, Denver Hutchinson, Neville Fletcher, Elias Wilkerson, Allan Hooper, Keenan Warren, Oscar Hughes, Edmund Bennett, Ryan Schroeder, Letha Mclaughlin, Vonda Hutchinson, Allen Grimes, Benton McMillian, Craig Foreman."
Once the list was read, the station was silent for a full minute, breath barely heard through the microphones. The voice of the host was somber as he began again, "We are also sorry to report that of those listed, it seems barely half actually made it to their destination at Azkaban. We fear that the fate those others found was far worse than imprisonment. Finally, we regret to inform our listeners that the remains of Bathilda Bagshot have been discovered in Godric’s Hollow. The evidence is that she died several months ago. Sources inform us that her body showed unmistakable signs of injuries inflicted by Dark Magic.
Listeners, I’d like to invite you now to join us in a minute’s silence in memory of those many names. Friends and loved ones lost and mourned, and for the unnamed, but no less regretted, Muggles murdered by the Death Eaters, who rage a war against muggles and muggleborn witches and wizards alike at this very moment."
For a long moment, there was nothing to be heard but the crackling of the air waves, and then the speaker cleared his throat once more.
"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 correspondent you likely remember from our last broadcast. Rodent?”
“‘I bloody well told you I'm not being Rodent!" said another voice.
“Oh, fine, you giant ponce, ‘Rapier,’ could you please give us your take on what you think Harry might be up to?"
“Yes, River, I can. We received news from Harry today, actually. 'Course he can't tell us where he is, but he says they're making progress."
"And we can't ask for better news that that," River answered, some of the enthusiasm coming back to his voice. "And while he makes progress, rumours of You-Know-Who have quietly also been starting to grow, and need to be addressed. For that, a new correspondent.... Er. What did you say you wanted to be called again?"
"He's Rapier?" Said a new voice, almost indistinguisable from Rapier's.
"He's Rapier," Said River.
"I want to be Rapier." Said the new voice.
"Well sod off, you can't be," This time it was Rapier butting in, which made it seem, for a moment, that one voice was arguing with itself.
"No, I definitely thing you should be Rod - "
The voice was cut off with the unmistakeable sound of a fist landing somewhere near a microphone.
A moment later there was a grumbled sort of noice and then "Fine. I'll be Longsword."
"Fine," Said River, and it sounded like he was speaking through his teeth. "Longsword. Can you give us any new about the current rumours surrounding You-Know-Who?"
“Yes, River, I can,” said the newly named Longsword. “As our listeners will know, unless they’ve taken refuge at the bottom of a garden pond or somewhere similar, You-Know-Who’s strategy of remaining in the shadows is creating a nice little climate of panic. Mind you, if all the alleged sightings of him are genuine, we must have a good nineteen You-Know-Whos running around the place.”
“Which suits him, of course,” said Royal, breaking in. “The air of mystery is creating more terror than actually showing himself.”
“Agreed,” said Longsword. “So, people, let’s try and calm down abit. Things are bad enough without inventing stuff as well. For instance, this new idea that You-Know-Who can kill people with a single glance from his eyes. That’s a basilisk, listeners. One simple test: Check whether the thing that’s glaring at you has got legs. If it has, it’s safe to look into its eyes, although if it really is You-Know-Who, that’s still likely to be the last thing you ever do. Trust this, listeners, he's staying hidden. Hiding behind giant snakes and ponces in masks and the Ministry of sodding Magic. He's not coming out to play peek-a-boo. Not until Harry comes for him, at least.”
"And until that day, we must take care of each other," this was Royal again, who couldn't keep himself from talking. "Muggles remain ignorant of the source of their suffering as they continue to sustain heavy casualties. However, we continue to hear truly inspirational stories of wizards and witches risking their own safety to protect Muggle friends and neighbors, often without the Muggles’ knowledge. I’d like to appeal to all our listeners to emulate their example, perhaps by casting a protective charm over any Muggle dwellings in your street. Many lives could be saved if such simple measures are taken. And for Merlin's sake, do not go in for registration, and if you can stop someone else from going in, do your damndest.”
"Best advice I've heard, Royal," River too up after a pause. "Like I said last time, 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."
"One last thing," This was either Rapier or Longsword, who could tell the difference.
"Rapier?" River asked, clearing it up.
"We want to let our listeners know that they shouldn't ever, ever go using You-Know-Who's name. We've got it on good authority that the Minstry secretly has a Taboo set on it. Slip up, and it brings those ponces in masks, or worse these Snatcher Squads, regular wizards trying to cash in on turning in muggleborns to the committee, right to your door."
"Thanks, Rapier, another important thing to remember. And 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 ‘Muggleborn.’ Keep each other safe: Keep faith. And Harry, if you're listening, you've got all of our support. Good night."
Across wizarding Britain, radio dials turned and lights went out. After a moment, all that could be heard was static.