It's a party for.....James Potter!

[gifted_witch]

Who: Lily Evans, Cheese, Alistair and the guest of honor... James Potter and you! All of you, really, come on down and wish the birthday boy a happy one!
Broadcast: Well only the announcement part
Action: First Breath lab, kitchen open spaces
When: Backdated to March 27th

[Lily turned to the screen and smiled, she was holding a parchment and glancing down at it before she started speaking.] Hogwarts has a tradition of sorting students when they arrive. They sit an old, worn hat on your head and it reads things about you that you don't even know yourself, your hopes and dreams and ambitions. The Sorting Hat decides where you will go and who will become the family you have there.


[She smiled and looked up again.] Gryffindor, where dwell the brave of heart. Their daring, nerve and chivalry set Gryffindors apart. It's a Gryffindor who is celebrating a birthday today and I would like everyone to join me in doing what James Potter hasn't managed yet, attend the Fleet's first Quidditch themed party on the first Breath, hosted by Cheese Sandwich and myself.


[Lily closed the broadcast and helped Cheese with the last minute details that were necessary for any party. She was saving the taller decorations for Alistair since he had offered to help for cake.]

Comments

[theirinurpants]

You? But... you're not!

[gifted_witch]

I'm a witch, to people who don't know magic is real, I am a freak. People are scared of what we can do, even if we've never done anything to hurt them. So, I understand why you don't always tell people what you are, it isn't easy to be judged by one aspect of who you are if that doesn't define you.

[theirinurpants]

Wait, are you telling me that you have magic in your world, but some people don't believe it exists?

[gifted_witch]

Oh yes, you see we have to live in secret. As much for our safety as theirs. People would be frightened or they might want to take advantage of magic users, or vice versa. It's happened both ways. So we live with the agreement that you don't show magic to muggle unless it's a dire emergency.

[theirinurpants]

Huh. There are people in my world who think mages should do something like that. You know, go away and live on an island apart from everyone else.

[gifted_witch]

It's not that we don't live in the same places, there are some majority magical towns but a lot of magical families live near muggles and do their best to fit in. So we're not isolated really, well I suppose there are some pure bloods who are, but that is by choice and frankly they are mostly the sort no one would want around anyway.

[theirinurpants]

So you live among them but... hide in plain sight?

[gifted_witch]

Yes, generally there prefered areas to live where magical families can be near each other.

[theirinurpants]

Don't you think that's a little... I dunno, creepy?

[gifted_witch]

Is it any different than having a neighbor of a different religion?

[theirinurpants]

Uh, well, first of all, where I come from, having a neighbor who worships different gods than you is pretty weird.

And second, even if it wasn't, yeah, that's different. I mean - you're actively keeping your incredibly powerful magic a secret!

[gifted_witch]

Most witches and wizards aren't incredibly powerful, there have been a few but it isn't the sort of thing where we generally cause mass destruction. Most of the time it's making the dishes do themselves, or putting away the wash or helping contain dragons so they don't run amok. The reason it is secret is so that everyone can live peacefully, non magical people in my world would be terrified of us, and there are many more of them than us.

[theirinurpants]

I guess that's one way to do it. Though how you managed to stay secret for so long is beyond me.

[gifted_witch]

By being careful, kind and conscientious. At least that's what we're told. I think it's because most things people don't want to believe in they naturally avoid or look away from.

[theirinurpants]

I'd say probably the latter, too. You can't all be careful, kind and conscientious. Most people just aren't

Not that you aren't! Just... you know. Everyone else.

[gifted_witch]

There are some who are less cautious. But that is what laws are for and they are enforced and people are helped to forget and situations made right. It isn't perfect, but most do just want to live in peace.

[Oh Alistair, why must you be so sweet? The poor girl can hardly stop smiling at you.]

[theirinurpants]

[ Most of that sounds fine, except maybe - ]

...People are helped to forget?

[gifted_witch]

Only when absolutely necessary. [Lily frowned, she looked down and tied off some balloons and ribbon as she spoke.] I don't like it, but there have been times where people would be in danger because of things they saw or heard and the Ministry doesn't want to hurt anyone or put them in prison. As I understand it they use a memory charm to alter the person's memories.

I don't like the idea, I guess it's why we live so secretly about magic to minimize the chances of something like that happening.

[theirinurpants]

Um... that does seem a little extreme. And... invasive. I mean, I get wanting to protect innocent people from bad things, but - you can't. And you shouldn't do... that.

[gifted_witch]

I don't disagree, but things are happening back home. People who have seen and know things can be in danger because of that. It isn't perfect, but t has saved lives.

[theirinurpants]

Well, whatever works in your world, I guess.

The Chantry would have a field day with it, though. Mind control is illegal where I come from.