hogwarts au :: semi-advanced rp discussion

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── The problem is not that the lines have blurred, but the exact opposite. They are too strong, too thick. Be careful where you tread, for enemy territory is always nearby.



They say it began in 1999, although in reality it began at the start of Hogwarts: the ever-present rift between pure-bloods and muggle-borns, half-bloods embracing one side as opposed to the other, teachers shedding favoritism based on blood status rather than true talent and effort. 1999 was a remarkable year because not only was it the first year where Hogwarts split to form upper and lower schools, it was also the first year where there were more muggle-born students than pure-blood or half-blood students.

Maybe it was a sudden realisation of the inhibition of their usual dominance and superiority, or perhaps the feeling that someone was encroaching on their so-beloved pride, but the pure-bloods struck back that year and they struck back hard. Friendships were torn apart, new rivalries formed, houses split apart into different entities which refused to associate with the others, malicious pranks were pulled, bathrooms became the battle ground for a fresh supply of blood-related insults. Perhaps it didn't start in 1999, but the enmity between the muggle-borns and pure-bloods took tangible form, rooting itself into the crevices of Hogwarts' society and sprouting like daisies overnight. An infestation of hate soon formed, and after fifteen years, it has only gotten worse.

It starts the moment you become a first year and get on the train. Whether you are a muggleborn, a pureblood, or a halfblood, the subtle segregation is noticed from the start, the unspoken rules, the whispered rumors about what happens to the few muggleborns in Gryffindor or Slytherin, what happens to the few purebloods and halfbloods in Hufflepuff. At the sorting ceremony, the hat's comments are all but null and void; you know, like the rest of them, that it doesn't choose your house. Your house chooses you. Outwardly, Hogwarts seems the same. But glance into the social hierarchies and you will find a systematic layout of house pecking order assigned by blood status. Learn to fit in or else they'll single you out, and the loneliness which comes after will slowly drive you mad, consuming your every thought until the fateful day you decide to end it all, use your wand one last time as you mutter the infamous avada kedavra.

The Ministry pretends that nothing is wrong, even after the headmaster's untimely death. Professor Almitor was always nothing but just, partial to none and quick to suspend and expel students involved in hate crimes. The summer of 2014, he suddenly passed and it didn't take much to deduce that his death was done in foul play, but it seems that everyone was more interested in seeking cover rather than seeking justice. Bribes were made, The Daily Prophet dedicated a page and a statue in his honor, and then the topic was buried, as if it had never occured, and for most, that was fine.

But at Hogwarts, it embarked the start of pandemonium. Professor Hodge, Defense against Dark Arts professor, was quickly instated as an interim headmistress until someone else could be found. She was the protégée of Professor Almitor, was she not? It made no difference. She was soon floundering, the inexperience negating the intelligence, the insecurity tainting the efforts. The students have increase their production of fuel, adding to the fire with more explosive works which create more dangerous repercussions.

And then there's the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, a man hailed by all to be the greatest wizard since Merlin himself, a man who stepped down from an incredibly high seat at the ministry in order to teach. He told them he would revive the minds of the youth, give them a revolution which transcended petty blood wars. The papers guzzled it up, feeding the heroic cause to the masses as if it wasn't bullshit. In reality, Professor Freyr has heard about the legendary Chamber of Secrets and unlike everyone else, saw the truth lying in wait behind the flowery prose and outrageous hyperboles. Using a number of resources as well as his esteemed wit, he located the chamber of secrets, but location does no good if you don't possess the capability to open the chamber, and Freyr knew not one iota of parselmouth.

Lucky for him, there is a student at Hogwarts who does, although they have no idea of what power they hold. Freyr has yet to find this student. He has also yet to realise where his motives lie, yet more chaos stirring dangerously in the melting pot of brilliance. In the meantime, the student is unassuming, never once suspecting that they could provide the ending to a story which began long before, although perhaps not in the way most would wish it to end. Bloodshed isn't necessary for the feud to come to a close, is it?