Sixth Years: Lesson 4

Professor Killian Borisyuk looked over a letter that he received that morning, pacing the room. There was another issue in his old house but he would deal with it later. He did not have the patience for it currently. He had another lesson to teach, though pacing seemed to help clear his mind, which was good since he needed it. He continued to pace at the front of the classroom so he was not in danger of running into kids as his mind was elsewhere. His green eyes glanced to the side to see the sixth years sitting down and settling in for the lesson at hand. Killian stopped pacing, and motioned his wand at the door to close it so that he could get started with the lesson. "Let's see, where did we leave off last week... Right, we were going over the First Wizarding War. Today, I am going over the end of the war, and ultimately, Voldemort's return." Killian waited a moment for those that would take notes over the lesson material.

"We left off on Barty Crouch last time, so a little about him. He despised Voldemort, and was the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in the British Ministry. He authorized the Aurors to use the Unforgivable Curses against their enemies. With this, and a campaign with Alastor Moody, Kingsley Shackelbolt, and Frank Longbottom, started turning the war against the Death Eaters by targeting the giants. They got rid of the giants with the Killing Curse, and forced the surviving ones to go into hiding, and then focused on the Death Eaters. Alastor Moody became a legend for his successes for arresting and capturing Death Eaters. Voldemort was elusive though. He was not caught. That is until one fateful night, on 31st October 1981, Voldemort found and targeted the Potter family. He murdered James Potter, and ultimately, Lily Potter. He attempted to use the Killing Curse on Harry Potter, and it rebounded on him. It destroyed his body and he seemingly perished."

Killian paused to sit down in his chair, and take a drink of water so get some moisture in his throat. "And so, Voldemort's disappearance created a wave of huge celebrations all around Britain, so much so that it was noticed by the Muggles. This was excused by the Ministry because of the end of the war and how it needed to be celebrated. Now, the aftermath of Voldemort's defeat created a decline of Voldemort's followers. The few that remained loyal ultimately went to Azkaban for their crimes. The other werewolves went underground with Fenrir Greyback, and the surviving giants were settling in Denmark. Some Death Eaters evaded arrest using their wealth and power or even claimed that they were under the Imperius Curse. Other Death Eaters were still acting in their name, and ended up arrested, still believing that their master would return. They were out of their minds really, since Voldemort would cast them aside as soon as they were done being useful, but regardless." Killian thought that these were deranged but that was out of his jurisdiction.


"Even after Voldemort vanished, people still feared his name. Some believed that he was dead, but others feared that he was still alive, but too weak and mangled to go on. The Order of the Phoenix disbanded but the members, including Albus Dumbledore, knew that he would return. Voldemort did attempt to return as well, by attempting to go after the Philosopher's Stone, possessing a professor, and used a girl to open the Chamber of Secrets to release the basilisk. How he managed to do that was theorized by Horcruxes. These ploys to return failed until the year of the Triwizard Tournament. Voldemort's follower, Barty Crouch Junior, an insane Death Eater and follower, infiltrated Hogwarts under the guise of Alastor Moody and teaching for a year. He forced Harry Potter to be the fourth champion, and ultimately win to get him to Little Hangleton by turning the trophy into a portkey."

The Triwizard Tournament was a topic by itself. But he was not going on with that anymore. They were focused on Voldemort. "Voldemort was restored to full power that night after killing Cedric Diggory. Harry Potter returned with his body, and Crouch was brought to justice with a Dementor's Kiss. While Voldemort returned, the Second Wizarding World would begin, though it was not openly recognized for at least another year. Why is that? Cornelius Fudge denied Voldemort's return, and framed Harry Potter and Dumbledore as liars using the media, or you may know it as the Daily Prophet." Another reason why Killian never trusted what was written in the newspaper or anything else since it could be easily influenced. "The Death Eaters took advantage of this and kept a low profile to rebuild their forces secretly. They got their hands on giants again, and dementors. Dementors rebelled and there was a massive break out of Azkaban, releasing some of the crazier Death Eaters. Even still, Fudge denied this as the working of Voldemort, but blamed it on Sirius Black instead. Funny enough, the Order of the Phoenix attempted to work but was suppressed by the Ministry and their propaganda gave Voldemort more freedom to get what he wanted done."

The part-giant let out a soft sigh and shrugged his shoulders, "We will jump into the open warfare into the Second Wizarding War next lesson. For homework, I want you all to write an essay over why Fudge was in so much denial over Lord Voldemort's return." Killian made sure that the assignment was written on the board, using his wand for the chalk since there was no way he was physically writing it. He gestured toward the door, which opened for release the sixth years. "Class is dismissed. See you all next time." Killian leaned back in his chair to see the sixth years pile out before he would head to his office. He'd only stick around to see if anyone needed him.
Assignment: RP the lesson.
Extra credit: A short essay over your opinion on why Fudge denied Voldemort for so long. Worth up to 5 EC points.
 
Callie walked into the history of magic classroom and took her usual spot int he room. Her gaze moved towards the professor at the front of the classroom as the man got started on what it was they would be doing, building on the last lesson, continuing to learn about the wizarding wars that were well before her time and not here in New Zealand. She got down what the professor was telling them feeling sorrow for the Harry Potter who had been orphaned so young. The lecture was interesting, delving into the boy-who-lived’s life. The professor eventually wrapped up the lecture and then dismissed them with some homework.
 
Enoch walked into the history of magic classroom and took his usual spot in the room. He took out his notes from the previous lesson and was ready as the lecture continued. He took his quill and began taking notes from what the professor was saying. Enoch knew this part of the story even better than what they’d covered already, and he was keenly listening to what was being said by the professor. He was writing down bits and pieces of what was being said, making sure that he was getting down the important information and anything he could find out later. Eventually he packed up his things when the lesson was wrapped up and he headed out of the room.
 
Teddy took his seat for another History of Magic lesson, furiously taking notes about the Wizarding war that had taken place in Europe years ago. It was a messy and complex business, but a good story overall. Someone should think about writing a fictional retelling but set in New Zealand, Teddy mused, as he copied down what Professor Borisyuk was saying. At the end of the lesson, he noted down the homework then packed up his belongings and left the classroom.

I believe Fudge denied Voldemort for so long out of fear because he wasn't cut out for leadership during a turbulent time. The first wizarding war had been messy and many people had died. Fudge was frightened to face that again, and could lose power as a result. He also saw Dumbledore as a political rival and likely thought it easier to martyr Dumbledore and Potter instead of debate in a constructive way. Only once the evidence was impossible to ignore did he finally accept that Voldemort had returned, and only accepted it because he didn't have a choice.
 

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