1 Apr 2020, 04:52
A Muggle World in Crisis
The enchanted roof of the Great Hall would reflect the mood of the Potions Professor as the dark clouds of a spring time storm rumbled through the sky. Elliot would be found sitting at his chair behind the staff table. His shoulders were slumped, hair in a frazzle, his usually neatly trimmed beard a bit overgrown. If any sat nearby they might notice the lines in his face had grown deeper, his once warm chocolate colored eyes had dulled and grown tired. If there was a picture of misery, Elliot would now be the poster boy.
The months proceeding the horrible events of the Masquerade Ball had been nothing but a bombardment of stress and anxiety for the aging man. Now, to top it all off, an owl had dropped a peculiar looking newspaper directly on top off his breakfast plate. It would not be the ruined eggs that broke the man’s spirit, but the text that was splattered across the front page of the periodical.
With a long exhale, Elliot would look out into the room above his round spectacles. As the light of a thousand floating candles caught his eyes, a shine of emotion could be detected. If only there was something to be done. Why were they forced to be sidelined while the world suffered? Forced to be quiet when humans around the world cried out in anguish. Whether magic flowed through your blood or not, we were all of the same species. Would the Magical community simply sit by and watch as their fellow humans suffered, or would they rise to the occasion and use their gift for good? Only time would tell.
The months proceeding the horrible events of the Masquerade Ball had been nothing but a bombardment of stress and anxiety for the aging man. Now, to top it all off, an owl had dropped a peculiar looking newspaper directly on top off his breakfast plate. It would not be the ruined eggs that broke the man’s spirit, but the text that was splattered across the front page of the periodical.
Ever since he had taken his position as Potions Professor, Elliot had asked his old colleague from St. Mungo’s to send him the Muggle newspaper from London. Why, might you ask. Well, Elliot is a Muggleborn Wizard. The ties to that community do not simply die once one of his status enters the Magical world. He had fought to preserve it from those that would see it conquered. He had suffered at the hands of those that looked upon him as filth. A second class citizen. Even to this day the man considers himself just as much a Muggle as he does Wizard. A man with a foot in two different worlds, forced to be separated by the prejudices of both sides.UK ON LOCKDOWN AS CORONAVIRUS SPREADS
With a long exhale, Elliot would look out into the room above his round spectacles. As the light of a thousand floating candles caught his eyes, a shine of emotion could be detected. If only there was something to be done. Why were they forced to be sidelined while the world suffered? Forced to be quiet when humans around the world cried out in anguish. Whether magic flowed through your blood or not, we were all of the same species. Would the Magical community simply sit by and watch as their fellow humans suffered, or would they rise to the occasion and use their gift for good? Only time would tell.
2 Apr 2020, 21:56
A Muggle World in Crisis
Becoming a professor of Hogwarts had ultimately stopped Maya from experiencing the world and its unlimited culture. Her life was undoubtedly around magic at all times. While it would not bother Maya, she felt as though she was out of the loop in the muggle society. The one information that she was keeping up with was the outbreak of COVID-19. Starting in a small town in China, the viral strain rapidly made its way around the world. Being stuck in the magical world, she was unable to get as much news about the virus and how it was affecting the muggle society. Granted, a "plague" such as this is detrimental to muggles, but she couldn't imagine.
Maya, planning to write a letter to her family to see how they were doing in such a catastrophic situation, stopped by the Great Hall to get some energy in. What better than a cup of coffee to relax her mind of all that was happening?
When she approached the Professor's table, she saw Elliot Price reading a newspaper. It did not look like the Daily Prophet, The Bludger or any other magical publication. From the looks of the headline, it was definitely muggle. Maya walked up to the potions professor.
"Anything new?" she asked, asking to see if there were any good news happening out there. Maya was hoping for good news for the muggle community.
Stamina: 11 || Evasion: 7 || Strength: 7 || Wisdom: 20 || ArcPower: 15 || Accuracy: 10
2 Apr 2020, 22:10
A Muggle World in Crisis
One of the things that Boniface missed about seclusion in his cozy cabin in the Highlands was that he missed the news. He didn't want it, so therefore, he didn't get it. Instead. Boniface was a happy farmer, welcoming the rare visitor who would wander too far off a trail and seek his company for the night. He knew not of what the world was coming to, other than the rare bits and pieces that his company would provide. But as far as the man could tell, at least during those times, there wasn't a terrible crisis. Sure, there was Brexit, which caused some panic, and then the odd world leader saying something questionable, but that was just Muggle culture to him.
Boniface was never scared, for that reason. He had nothing to fear of the Muggle world; whatever happened outside stayed outside. In his home, away from reality, he was safe. It was nothing but peace and quiet, and the world would not be able to touch him.
This wasn't his comfy home in the highlands, however. This was Hogwarts. Where he taught. Where people interacted with him. Considering where he was a year ago (he would reach is one year mark as a professor in July), this seemed so surreal. However, the Daily Prophet seldom published muggle news, so he was still far out of the loop which the muggle-born children gossiped about things that would get sent to them. It was whisperings of a man called Harry Styles, or talk of a film they saw over the summer. They were kids, after all.
But then the whisperings changed. Boniface knew, realistically, that the wizarding world was going to step in as soon as possible and make sure all was well. They had to; despite old folk tales, they were good people, after all. However, the news wouldn't elude him still, and he wanted to make sure he was up-to-date until there was reason to believe that this pandemic had died down.
"Professor Galim, Professor Price," Boniface greeted with a nod of his head, eyeing the once-familiar muggle paper. "What's going on in the world today?" He asked curiously, taking his place at the table. Only good news, I hope. He knew that it was a naive thought, but he couldn't help himself. The world needed good thoughts, regardless of the situation. Still, that was his other home out there. The one his family lived in. The one that he grew up in. He simply needed the illusion that all was well, even if for a brief second.
Faigh eagal
Agus an uairsin dèan e co-dhiù
2 Apr 2020, 22:42
A Muggle World in Crisis
Opeila had heard the name Coronavirus before. She had sent an owl to her father and grandmother, asking them if they were fine, but didn't even bother to worry any further when she didn't get an answer. It was nothing unusual, the exchange of letters didn't exactly work out with her family, so if she worried everytime she didn't get answers, she would do nothing else than worry.
This morning however, when the student entered the Great Hall, the atmosphere had changed. The enchanted ceiling showed her grey clowds, fitting with the mood she saw on some of the students faces.
Something had happened and she intended to find out what that was. Opeila could get a glimpse on some of the student's newspapers.
Lockdown? The word echoes in Opeila's head. This was no far away virus, she realised a second later. In the muggle world, this was in front of everyone's door, here in Hogwarts, they were just isolated from that life.
Her chest tightened, when she thought about that unanswered letter. Maybe it only was the same stupid communication problem, but what if it wasn't? What if her grandmother and father got the virus? She would not be surprised if her father sent Lady Margary to a muggle hospital instead of a magical. He had never trusted magic.
Opeila decided to sacrifice her breakfast to get some answers.
It took her a great amount of courage to walk up to the professor's table. She always felt strange when she entered an office or like now just their area. She felt unwanted, like an annoying little girl entering places she wasn't supposed to enter. She walked towards the potions Professor, who she saw had a news paper in front of him.
"I'm... I'm sorry to disturb you, Professors.", she said quietly. "I just... I did not get an answer to my owl I have sent to my family and I hoped you might know something about the virus."
Again she was not sure if she should have said her name before or if the assumption they might have forgotten it would offend the Professors. At least Professor Price and MacTavish, she didn't know the female Professor.
Her face felt hot, she was very uncomfortable standing there, but that would never stop her from getting the information she needed.
@Boniface Murtagh MacTavish @Maya Galim @Elliot Price
This morning however, when the student entered the Great Hall, the atmosphere had changed. The enchanted ceiling showed her grey clowds, fitting with the mood she saw on some of the students faces.
Something had happened and she intended to find out what that was. Opeila could get a glimpse on some of the student's newspapers.
Lockdown? The word echoes in Opeila's head. This was no far away virus, she realised a second later. In the muggle world, this was in front of everyone's door, here in Hogwarts, they were just isolated from that life.
Her chest tightened, when she thought about that unanswered letter. Maybe it only was the same stupid communication problem, but what if it wasn't? What if her grandmother and father got the virus? She would not be surprised if her father sent Lady Margary to a muggle hospital instead of a magical. He had never trusted magic.
Opeila decided to sacrifice her breakfast to get some answers.
It took her a great amount of courage to walk up to the professor's table. She always felt strange when she entered an office or like now just their area. She felt unwanted, like an annoying little girl entering places she wasn't supposed to enter. She walked towards the potions Professor, who she saw had a news paper in front of him.
"I'm... I'm sorry to disturb you, Professors.", she said quietly. "I just... I did not get an answer to my owl I have sent to my family and I hoped you might know something about the virus."
Again she was not sure if she should have said her name before or if the assumption they might have forgotten it would offend the Professors. At least Professor Price and MacTavish, she didn't know the female Professor.
Her face felt hot, she was very uncomfortable standing there, but that would never stop her from getting the information she needed.
@Boniface Murtagh MacTavish @Maya Galim @Elliot Price
3 Apr 2020, 23:01
A Muggle World in Crisis
She wasn't the only student who had decided to approach the group of professors. When she entered the Great Hall she had seen three professors sitting together. From a distance the young girl noted that Professor Price was reading a newspaper. She was not so far away that she could not recognize that the headline concerned the coronavirus outbreak, dubbed COVID-19.
Being from a pure blood family, she normally would have no reason to care, however her parents had raised her in both muggle and magical worlds. Being so far from the muggle world while at Hogwarts however had limited her ability to see what was occurring in the rest of the world.
When Opeila approached the professors, she decided it would be okay if she did also. One must not assume that a group of adults would like a young child interfering in their "adult talk". Approaching the table, she overheard Opeila's concern about not hearing back from her family. Was she muggle-born of half-blood? The girl had never thought to ask.
"I also was hoping you could tell me more about this. I really haven't heard much, but if it is affecting muggles so severely, I want to be able to write to my old friends to check on them." She had grown up with two muggles that were her best friends and she did not want to let Hogwarts interfere with their bond. If this is something the magical world can help with, my mom is a healer. She might be able to help if I can let her know."
When part of a group such as Hogwarts that is relatively secluded, creating an environment that acts as a pseudo-family, it can be hard to realize the same fear and panic that others in the rest of the world experienced. Realizing her comfort and feelings of (relative) safety might not be shared by those she grew up with upset her.
@Opeila Seilun | @Elliot Price | @Maya Galim | @Boniface Murtagh MacTavish
4 Apr 2020, 04:07
A Muggle World in Crisis
Elliot was lost in thought as he stared blankly out into the Great Hall. The paper lay before him as his fingers wrapped around a cooling cup of forgotten coffee. Besides the rise and fall of his chest some might think a wax figure had been placed in his chair. The weight of the depression and anxiety were piling up on the old man’s shoulder, pushing him further and further down. Every new day seemed to bring with it doom. The magical community was slipping back into it’s old ways of bias and hatred. The Muggle world was under attack by a vicious virus. Even the walls of this very castle couldn’t protect them from the dangers of the world. All he wanted was to help people. To keep them safe and try to bring some damned good into a world that seemed to only grow darker by the minute...
“Anything new?” A voice broke the man from his dark reverie.
“Huh?” Elliot spoke with a slight jump in his seat. His eyes would be met with the familiar red hooded robes of Maya Galim. “New?...” he asked as confusion splashed across his face. His eyes would dart around for the source of such a question before his empty hand ran across the paper before him. “Oh! Right. Forgive me Professor Galim. I was a bit lost there. Grave new from the Muggle world I’m afraid. Seems their is a virus spreading across the globe. It appears that hundreds of thousands, if not more, have been affected.”
His words would be cut short as a few others began to approach. The Scottish accent and devilish good looks of Professor MacTavish caught his attention. “Good day, Professor. Terrible news I’m afraid. We were just discussing how a virus has taken the Muggle world hostage.”
The gathering of staff or perhaps a glance at the headlines drew the attention of a couple of the students. Both of them seemed to already have knowledge of the situation at hand, as well the concern for loved ones back home. “No bother at all Miss Seilun.” He assured her as he beckoned both of them closer. “Here, Miss Whitehorn, feel free to have a look for yourself.” Elliot turned the paper for them to see. “I’m sure that your family and friends are fine, but no harm in trying to contact them to make sure. What I do know from reading the Muggle news is that the virus is highly contagious. So much so, that governments have started to enforce lockdowns to help slow it’s spread. It seems that the medical facilities are having a hard time dealing with the influx of sick people. I just...” Elliot looked away for a moment before continuing. He knew that his views on the separation of Magic and Muggle were ones that sometimes caused controversy, but now was not the time to hold back. “I just know that our community could do more to help them. I don’t know what the Ministry’s official stance on this is, but we have the means to provide aid. I mean, we can’t just sit back and watch, can we?”
“Anything new?” A voice broke the man from his dark reverie.
“Huh?” Elliot spoke with a slight jump in his seat. His eyes would be met with the familiar red hooded robes of Maya Galim. “New?...” he asked as confusion splashed across his face. His eyes would dart around for the source of such a question before his empty hand ran across the paper before him. “Oh! Right. Forgive me Professor Galim. I was a bit lost there. Grave new from the Muggle world I’m afraid. Seems their is a virus spreading across the globe. It appears that hundreds of thousands, if not more, have been affected.”
His words would be cut short as a few others began to approach. The Scottish accent and devilish good looks of Professor MacTavish caught his attention. “Good day, Professor. Terrible news I’m afraid. We were just discussing how a virus has taken the Muggle world hostage.”
The gathering of staff or perhaps a glance at the headlines drew the attention of a couple of the students. Both of them seemed to already have knowledge of the situation at hand, as well the concern for loved ones back home. “No bother at all Miss Seilun.” He assured her as he beckoned both of them closer. “Here, Miss Whitehorn, feel free to have a look for yourself.” Elliot turned the paper for them to see. “I’m sure that your family and friends are fine, but no harm in trying to contact them to make sure. What I do know from reading the Muggle news is that the virus is highly contagious. So much so, that governments have started to enforce lockdowns to help slow it’s spread. It seems that the medical facilities are having a hard time dealing with the influx of sick people. I just...” Elliot looked away for a moment before continuing. He knew that his views on the separation of Magic and Muggle were ones that sometimes caused controversy, but now was not the time to hold back. “I just know that our community could do more to help them. I don’t know what the Ministry’s official stance on this is, but we have the means to provide aid. I mean, we can’t just sit back and watch, can we?”
6 Apr 2020, 01:38
A Muggle World in Crisis
Maya sat beside Elliot and looked at the headlines of the paper. They were all about the COVID-19 pandemic. "May I?" she asked, reaching over for the paper that lay near Elliot. Maya scanned the front page headlines and went through each of the pages. There was a section missing: sports.
It was so bad that all sports were at a halt: baseball, basketball and even the Olympics that was supposed to happen this upcoming summer in Japan. It was to the point where groups of people were forbidden in many parts of the world, according to what she was scanning quickly from the various headlines. The worst part was that it had to take sports canceling for people to understand the severity of this pandemic.
Taking a deep breath, Maya placed the paper back down to where she grabbed it. She was about to speak to Elliot about the situation when Professor MacTavish walked up, asking about the news himself. Elliot summed up what was happening in the world and Maya wanted to add on however there were two students who had come up to them asking about the virus that has been affecting the entire muggle realm. She had no idea how to talk to them about the situation. They asked about their family... Their friends... She had no answers for them. It was only going to get worse before it gets better.
Maya speaks literally and does not sugar coat anything like the way Elliot did when he explained to the girls, in more words than some, that everything was going to be okay. Was it though? Was everything going to be alright for muggles?
“I just know that our community could do more to help them. I don’t know what the Ministry’s official stance on this is, but we have the means to provide aid. I mean, we can’t just sit back and watch, can we?”
Maya shook her head. While this seemed like a wonderful optimistic thought, she had to shut it down. There was no way that the Wizarding World was going to help muggles. It was only once a blue moon that such an occurrence would happen. Maya, grabbing a coffee from the center of the table cleared her throat.
"There is no way that will happen, Professor Price. Muggle and Magic don't mix as much as I would love them to, not even if it is a pandemic. You don't see the magic folk ridding the common cold for muggles, do you?" she took a sip of her hot coffee, black. "Let's not give hope where there isn't any," she added, looking disappointed in the truthfulness in her statement. There was no way whatsoever that the Ministry would clear such a thought. To create a potion to help rid of COVID-19 for muggles? No. For themselves? Sure.
Stamina: 11 || Evasion: 7 || Strength: 7 || Wisdom: 20 || ArcPower: 15 || Accuracy: 10
13 Apr 2020, 02:39
A Muggle World in Crisis
Lockdown? That sounds awful. She would have to write a letter for her friends as soon as she left the Great Hall. She was worried about her muggle friends when she heard Professor Price address Professor Galim about the possibility of helping the muggles with magic, despite the fact that the Ministry does not like to interfere in muggle affairs.
"Maybe we don't have to give them false hope. Is there not a way to convince the Ministry to use a potion disguised as a vaccine to present to the muggles? Or find a way to create a false memory disguising the truth that magic is what helped cure them? My mother is a healer. I could reach out to her and see if those at her location are aware and also wanting to help. If there are enough witches and wizards willing to stand up against the Ministry, could it not convince them?" Large words for one so young, Tyranni was aware that the Professors may not appreciate a young child barely experienced with the world to be making such bold inferences. "It does not seem fair that we may have the ability to help end something so detrimental to the human race, yet we are unwilling to detour from years of cowardice to help out others in times of need. I grew up with stories of my mothers people back many centuries ago. They served a healers and advisors to the muggles of their communities, living in harmony unafraid of showing magic until witch trials began. It seems absurd that we cannot help."
Mentioning @Elliot Price | @Maya Galim