To: Professor Mathias Mulrain
The letter is written in somewhat messy block letters, although the author clearly tried to write neatly. It is folded twice and transported in a sealed envelope, addressed to "Professor Mathias Mulrain, Professor of Literature at the University of Edinburgh. If unreachable, deliver to Claude Avery in London." The delivery owl is one of the Hogwarts school owls.
Dear Professor Mulrain,
perhaps you don't remember me. My name is Dealla Prince. We met once a year and a half ago in that bookstore in London, where Mary brought me and two other Hogwarts students while you and Claude Avery and some others were preparing for a protest. The bookstore was attacked and set on fire, and we fled to the back entrance while Mr Avery went out front. I'm not sure if that is enough to identify me, because I don't know how frequent incidents like that are.
I recently read your name in an article by the Daily Prophet, which said that you and Mr Avery were involved in some sort of confrontation in London, and that people claimed you smashed their store. I can't imagine that's true, since in our conversation you seemed peaceful and reasonable.
I am preparing to write an article for my school newspaper, the Hogwarts Headliner, and wanted to ask if you might be willing to tell your side of the story. What happened in London? Are you a member of S.C.A.R? If so, what do you think about the attacks that S.C.A.R has claimed responsibility for, such as the attack on the Hogwarts Express a bit over a year ago, or the explosion of the store in Hogsmeade which killed several foreign students? (Although I am not sure if S.C.A.R's involvement in the latter was ever confirmed. Do you know more, maybe?)
The public opinion of S.C.A.R is negative at best, and considering incidents like those, I understand why. But I also remember our encounter in the bookstore, and you were clearly the victims there. I would like to show a full picture for my article, if possible.
I am hoping for a reply from you.
Best regards,
D. Prince
@The Narrator
"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar."
To: Professor Mathias Mulrain
A day would pass, then an owl would return. Not the same owl she had sent. A rather small owl carrying an even smaller better. A plain while envelope addressed D.P. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Likely library. The return address was left blank. There were no further instructions. No secondary plans, deliver or not. The better was sealed simply with a basic muggle adhesive. The letter inside resembled everyday white copy paper, it had a different texture and weight than the parchment generally available to wizards. Typed, rather than handwritten, Dealla would receive her reply.
[font=Brush Script MT]Dear Miss Prince;
I do indeed recall you and hope that all has been well. It has been some time since Miss Davenport has graced our diminutive yet extraordinary organization. Her dedication and fervor were explementary. I am sorry that our conversation was cut short as it oft is for our kind, we have earned a cold gaze as part of our birthright. Your kindness was notable and granted my morose nature a modicum of hope for wizards and squibs.
Yes, I am a member of S.C.A..R., I am also an outspoken advocate for squib and other-breed rights. I believe that the magical community is far from reaching its true potential due to archaic and repressive practices that undermine cooperation and our opportunity to develop as a community. I am well aware of the reputed reputation of my compatriots, but I am also aware that we should not be defined by the extremist acts of the few as they do not speak or act for S.C.A.R. as a whole.
It’s easy to fall for the lie that there are heroes. Or at least that heroes can exist within the boundary of the law, following every rule and making certain that nobody has gotten hurt. I know that it is often said that "heroes come in all shapes and sizes" but more than that heroes show themselves in different ways. Every day you are protected by heroes such as servicemen, aurors, professors, and first responders. People who have the luxury of standing up for others and defeating evil within the confines of the law. Then there are men such as me, those that stand up for children and others that can’t protect themselves. I have done a great many things I should be ashamed of for the sake of a higher purpose, however I have never caused human harm. I cannot say the same for the pureblood elitists that repress my brothers. If you are seeking the cause of the atrocities such as the incident in Hogsmeade that resulted in such an egregious loss of life, I suggest turning your inquiring gaze towards your peers. I find it notable that those dead were almost exclusively muggle-borns and half-bloods and I have learned over my long career that there is no such thing as a coincidence.
I am sorry that your letter has not met me under better circumstances. It is my hope that you will assess the previous and present incidents and how they have been portrayed in the media and consider an alternative narrative. History is written by those in power and those that ultimately win.
Kind Regards;[/font]
Professor Dr. Mathias Mulrain
Professor of Literature at the University of Edinburgh
@Dealla Prince
Some stories should never be told...
To: Professor Mathias Mulrain
Sent by the same owl, addressed as before, approximately three weeks later.
Dear Professor Mulrain,
I apologise for not replying sooner. First of all, thank you for your letter. I was not sure you would respond. As suggested, I tried to find out more about all the incidents that S.C.A.R. has allegedly been involved in, and found that there was little to no evidence in most cases. I also found that your claims about the students killed in the explosion were true. I will send you a copy of my article once it has been published.
But I also find that I am not satisfied with what I have discovered, and that I want to dig deeper, find explanations for the things that don't make sense. Therefore, I have another favour to ask of you. I know that our school newspaper is probably not the kind of publication that matters on the large scale, but many of the students in our school have been directly affected and hurt by the incidents that are being blamed on S.C.A.R., and I want to be able to give them the truth. Also, even if it is only reported in a school newspaper, I believe that changing even the opinions of a few would matter.
Because of this I was wondering if there would be a way for me to get in touch with Carnelian Wellbeloved, the recently appointed captain of the Noxwatch and former member of S.C.A.R.A.B.'s small council, or his successor Andreas Fogg, to see if they would be willing to talk to me - even if it is just for an article in a school newspaper. We have many mixed race students at this school who would benefit from positive reports on an organisation that fights for their rights, and I hope that they might see the importance of this like I do.
I hope you are well.
Kind regards,
D. Prince
@The Narrator
"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar."
To: Professor Mathias Mulrain
A letter would reach Dealla Prince a few days after hers was sent. A simple, unadorned envelope that said her name and her school. There was no return sender on the envelope, it was unnecessary and a greater risk to include than omit. The Professor seemed to be a gentle man willing to share his thoughts and experiences but he was also cautious.
@Dealla Prince
Miss Prince;
Van Gogh once said "great things are done by a series of small things brought together." The changing tide of opinion is not due to the acts of a single person but rather a symphony of souls working in unison. Do not disparage your place in the universe. By sharing our stories and our perspectives you have done a great service to our cause that much I can assure you. Although at this juncture I would have to regrettably inform you that your idealism and want for the truth may be your undoing. While there are some, such as yourself that feel empathetic to our plight, there are some that enjoy the power that comes from oppression and the misrepresentation of squibs, "half-breeds" and those whose heritage defines their place in society. Greed fosters the worst in men and otherwise, so I advise you to write with caution.
Carnelian Wellbeloved is engaged in the Watch, he rarely responds to my communications. His place is with the Watch at this time. As for his successor, Andreas Fogg, it is indeed possible that he might be willing to speak with you briefly but he will likely share my concern that involving children in the political struggles of wizards is unethical and dangerous. He would feel a terrible burden if you were to suffer for your advocacy. I will send a letter to Andreas and Carnelian, but I would not expect to hear from either before the fortnight. My presumptions do not dictate their actual preferences or their schedule, I only understand their plight and their ambitions.
In closing for now, I do wish to extend my sympathies and support to the mixed race children at Hogwarts. They are truly exceptional people worthy of love, respect and opportunity. I have heard rumors that support groups and clubs are being formed to assist youths like them. It would not surprise me to learn such opportunities are nearby, be it Hogsmeade or within Hogwarts. The truth is fantastic, but what they need is not someone to blame but someone to support them.
I will speak again soon.
Kind Regards;
Professor Dr. Mathias Mulrain
Professor of Literature at the University of Edinburgh
Some stories should never be told...