A Short Biography of Hercules Greengrass: Part VI, Old Age and New Begginings
The Biographical Dictionary of Wizarding Britain, Thirty Seventh Edition, 2058
As the sheer scope of the reforms the Shackelbolth Ministry hoped to enact became apparent many segments of Wizarding Britain's society began to panic. To be sure, in the political climate of the immediate aftermath of Riddle's fall some reforms were desired by a quite significant majority of Wizarding Britain and even those who did not want them accepted them as inevitable. The end of Laws explicitly favouring Pureblood, for example, was deemed a mere question of time and all agreed that Azkaban could not be again confided to the Dementors following their treason. Talks of the end of House-Elves servitude and of hiding of the Werewolves registry to the public, providing that they willingly go to secure locations during their transformations, made many more hesitant, however. The crimes of Fenrir Greyback and its followers, in particular, had ensured that fear of Werewolves were as high as ever. Moreover, they were rumours of further rights to be granted to all sentient magical beings, as well as Squibs, and of replacing lifetime appointment and cooptation for members of Wizengamot with fixed terms and election. Some, with hushed voices, even spoke of the Goblins and Centaurs soon is allowed to wield wands, should they be allowed to teach their own magical arts in metal working and divination to wizards and witches in exchange.
For those who were appalled by such prospects, and they were many, the situation was rather dismal. Former leader of the Order of the Phoenix and celebrated war hero Minister Shacklebolth had seen his star rise hard and fast and was immensely popular. While opinions on the wizard in question varied among the heteroclite group of which made Shacklebolt opposition it was nonetheless accepted by all of them that there was only one political figure alive in Wizarding Britain who had the clout and the prestige the caretaker Minister from being elected for a full term. Thus an unofficial delegation made its way to Foxridge to try to convince Hercules to resign as Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and run against Shacklebolth. In yesteryears Hercules might have been tempted but following the end of the war a desire to retire from political life had begun to manifest once more in Hercules. In 1992 he had willingly contemplated such a prospect and only events had managed to suck him into the maelstrom once more. Now peace and apparent stability had returned, however, and no occasion seemed better to retire on his own term, safe for attending meetings of the Wizengamot and of the Hogwarts Board of Governor. If such feelings had not been sufficient to dissuade him it could have not escaped Hercules that, even if those attempting to entice him that, even if those who had been sent to him were selected to exclude any wizards and witches under such suspicions, he could only hope to beat Kingsley by depending on the support of some who had wished for Riddle's victory. As such an idea was utterly repugnant to him he politely declined their offer, stating that ''We must all accept the changes who, our minds know it very well, necessary, regardless of whatever weaknesses our hearts may reveal when it come to them!''. By all accounts such words summed up Hercules' own feelings rather well but the former Sphinx would have nonetheless preferred that someone else help these changes and thus a letter of resignation was quickly drafted.
Upon receiving it Minister Shacklebolth begged him to reconsider, however. As a Wizard widely known for politics who, even at such a late date and often in the past, not necessarily aligned with those of the new Minister for Magic but who nonetheless possessed unimpeachable credential as an enemy of Pureblood Supremacy Hercules was needed to preside over the trials of the former Death Eaters and in the purges of guilty Ministry employees to follow. Few in Wizarding Britain could, Shacklebolth argued, be both above any suspicions of any leniency toward the accuses and shield the new administration from any accusation of simply punishing its opponents under legal pretences. Moreover, the last few months had given the Minister for Magic a rather high opinion of Hercules' ability to manage the Wizengamot, as the laws and actions of the last year were unmade, and the changes Shacklebolth wanted made with all urgency, all passed through the legislative body in the few days following the Battle of Hogwarts. Succumbing to the pleas of the Minister Hercules agreed to stay on as Head of the Department of Law Enforcement for Shacklebolth's first term.
It was in this capacity that Hercules met a war hero of equal, or even greater, stature then himself: the future Minister for Magic Hermione Weasley (the Granger). In spite of vastly different upbringings and significantly different political beliefs a quick intergenerational friendship quickly blossomed, nourished by their shared intellectualism. The all of the Ministry soon resonated with their many good natured debates on Magical History. Soon Hercules was often found saying that the two greatest tragedies Ravenclaw suffered in the 20th century were that Sullivan Travers was shorted there while Hermione Granger hadn't been. In retort she was fond of joking, tough only half so, that the two greatest tragedies Gryffindor suffered in the 20th century was that Hercules hadn't been shorted there while his grandnephew Cormac had been. As he had never been too fond of the boy the joke always drew a guilty laugh. While such banter and academic debates had formed the basis of their friendship it soon grew more profound. For the younger witch, who even in adulthood was always eager to discover more about the world she was a part of, the older wizard represented something of magical society she had only known true books, for all those coming from it that she had met before had either rejected it or had hated her for her origins. The very fact that so many of his fellows among the Wizarding aristocracy who had existed had turned to Pureblood Supremacy made his role in fighting all the more praiseworthy in her eyes, and the sympathy for the terrible price he had paid for his victories all the greater. Hercules, for his part, would often describe her as ''Colville as she could have been, as she should have been, had she had the friends she needed, had Ria and I been humble enough to gain her trust and be that for her!''. As Hercules found himself invited to the Burrow from time to time he also became quite well accounted with the other members of the wider Weasley clan, something that would very much help him in his last historiographical endeavours.
These were still years in the future, however, and as the year 1999 was beginning most of those who had gone into hiding after Riddle's had been captured or had dying resisting capture. The trials that had loomed so large in the political landscape of Wizarding Britain since the immediate aftermath of the battle were, at last, to take place. For most the courtroom of the Ministry was judged more than enough but many feared that the most powerful among those awaiting trial might have too many contacts remaining in the ministry and may use the occasion to escape. Thus another location was needed, more isolated from the rest of Wizarding Britain and easier to secure. Once again, it was the Boy who lived who provided a solution by proposing Grimmaud Place. The old house of the Black family not only met both criteria but, as she was more strongly associated with Pureblood Supremacy than perhaps any other place in the country, there was symbolic potency in holding the trial there.
The Grimmaud Trial, as it went down in history, opened under great tension. Save for the members of the Wizengamot, the accuses (a mixt of prominent Death Eaters and Ministry Official having played a key role in the persecutions of Riddle's enemies), the Aurors guarding the site and the witnesses only a handful of journalists were allowed to attend the court's sessions. Most of those on trials followed the lead of Corban Yaxley, senior among the surviving Death Eaters and proudly clung to their dead Dark Lord, ranting against the Mudbloods, Half-Breeds and Blood Traitors (to use their words) who judged them and predicted that Pureblood Supremacy would eventually triumph in Wizarding Britain. Most of them were sent to Azkaban, never to leave while still breathing. Similar, and yet different, from them was Fenrir Greyback, who freely admitted that he hated most of those with whom he had fought but that Werewolves like him would gladly collaborate with them to prepare their vengeance over the Wizards and Witches who had oppressed them. Disparaging the memory of Remus Lupin, and all other werewolves having died for the Light, he chillingly predicted that the triumph of his kind would come in due time and that all those in attendance, their families and everyone they knew would in time be turned or dead. Such words proved a formidable obstacle in Shacklebolth's pursuit of legislations protecting werewolves and it is a great testament to his political talent that he succeeded nonetheless.
Not all displayed such defiant attitudes, however. For some, like Minister Thicknesse, a defense of Imperius was advanced and, unlike so many after Riddle's first downfall, it soon became evident that they weren't faking it. Quickly acquitted, they were sent to St. Mungo. Most have never left it. Other ministry officials, such as the infamous Dolores Umbridge, attempted to plead that they simply followed the directives of the Ministry of the time, and that they therefore were not responsible for their actions. The argument did not fly high and long stints in prison awaited them. At the end of the day it was that rare accuses who expressed remorse that was the objects of the fiercest debates among the members of the Wizengamot. Most notable among this latter group were Lucius Malfoy and Sullivan Travers. Abraxas' son failed to convince most, as witnesses were brought to the stand and, as comments made by Malfoy on some of Shacklebolth's reforms were repeated, it soon became evident that any remorse he may express was rather insincere. His attempts to claim that he only collaborated because of threats on his family were only slightly more successful for, while the Wizengamot recognised that such treats did exist during the Second British Wizarding War, there was no sign of them during the first. In definitive it was Malfoy's health that saved him from Azkaban, for several healers spoke of the damages caused by the tortures he had suffered at Riddle's hands during some of the latter's moments of anger. As the Ministry did not wish to condemn him to what would have effectively been a death sentence he was instead condemned to a lifetime of house arrest.
Famously, Travers' defense proved far more impressive. His claims of having never been a Purist but having merely allied with them in a misguided attempt at promoting traditionalist policies were first met by derisions by many but even Hercules had to admit that there was a ring of truth to them. A stream of witnesses was called upon to give testimonies supporting such a version of events. Even more shocking was his revelation that he had begun to feel enough remorse to take upon himself to anonymously pass information to his hated old rival. Many could not restrain their gasps when he revealed, documents in hand, that he had been the Wizard known as ''The Farsighted'', who had anonymously warned the Council of Riddle's project to start systematically give the Dementor's Kiss to prisoners and who had managed to pass to Hercules the crucial information who had allowed the Battle of Hogwarts to be as decisive as it was. While he had nonetheless willingly acted as the Death Eaters' propagandist for long years and helped them bolster their ranks, and was condemned to several years in Azkaban as a result, he nonetheless saw his sentence commuted to a very heavy fine by Minister Shacklebolth. Sullivan Travers would die a few months after his old rival, having spent much of his later life writing of the Death Eaters and of their supporters from an internal perspectives and serving as a precious source to other writers, Hercules among them. To this day opinions remain divided as to whether the pardon Hercules had argued for was a proof that Old Lord Ravenclaw still did, in spite of everything, try to protect a wizard of his class or if it was an admirable show of heavy handedness toward a wizard he has so long hated.
The last years of Greengrass' political career also saw him play a key role in the creation of the Commission of Honor. This organ of the Ministry designed to answer the unique challenges coming in the aftermath of the Second British Wizarding War, challenges that the Wizengamot could not handle alone, was tasked with trying those wizards or witches whose actions during the Year of Darkness were deemed not too benign for Azkaban but nonetheless too serious to be forgotten. Unlike the Wizengamot it could not condemn wizards and witches to time in Azkaban but it could fine them or pronounce them ''Guilty of Dishonorable Conduct'', a sentence which would bar them from employment inside the Ministry, in the press, or at Hogwarts, either for a certain number of years or for life. While the Commission crippled the power of Purism in Britain even more then it had already been it had also made Hercules the, in the word of a later magical historian; ''once almost stereotypical scion of the Wizarding Aristocracy who signed the death warrant of his class' power in Britain.'' Significantly for the Greengrass' future family life, Narcissa and Draco Malfoy were both cleared by the commission. The lack of proof of direct involvement by the older witch as well as her protection of the Boy who Lived proved enough to save her while her son's young age, threats he received and refusal to identify the Golden Trio at Malfoy Manor did the same for him.
While he also helped push many of Shacklebolth's reforms through the Wizengamot they remained the Minister's rather than Hercules' and thus we see no need to speak of them in any further details. The last of such changes, and the most momentous of the reforms of the aftermath of the Battle of Hogwarts, was the end of cooptation and lifetime appointments to the Wizengamot. Resigning from all his posts soon afterwards, Hercules last political act was to help his grandson Cleisthenes to be elected to his old seat. Continuing a proud family tradition Cleisthenes would prove an influential figure during the last decades, sometimes ally and sometimes honest opponents of Shacklebolth and Weasley, but this is another story.
Upon retirement Hercules turned once more toward his first love: history. It was in these early years of the 21st century that he wrote what would go down in memories as his most important work: The Long Fall of Purism: Wizarding Britain in the 20th century. Drawing on documents usually jealously guarded by the ministry, personal letter, diaries and archives as well as interviews with wizards and witches of six generations the five-volume work followed Wizarding through its ''Second Time of Troubles'' (after the late 17th and early 18th century), from the first actions of Grindelwald to the Battle of Hogwarts. Hercules' analysis of how events in the Muggle World affected Wizarding Britain was deemed particularly praiseworthy by latter day's magical historians. Unlike many others he did not limit its observations to the mere demographic explosion of the Muggle world but also explored the effects of the improvement of economic and educational standards, as well as the influence of political liberalism, in Muggle Britain. According to his thesis ensured that Muggleborns of the 20th century proved far less willing to accept a status of inferiority compared to those previous generations and it was those peaceful demands, more than mere numbers, who lead the proponents of Pureblood Supremacy to turn to violence. The five volumes also proved noteworthy for Hercules' willingness to depict himself in a critical light, to the point that, far from having to shed further light on unflattering decisions and actions, many subsequent historians would in fact defend him against some of his own criticisms.
The same period also saw the ranks of the Greengrass clan widen, for several members of the younger generation began to form families of their own. Several of their choices of partners no doubt pleased him. On new years' eve, 1999 Cleisthenes wedded Arbela Cuffe, granddaughter of the editor and old friend of the Greengrass family Barnabas. A few months later his younger brother Thrasybulus followed by tying his destinies with Calla Toliphant, his colleague at the Department of Mysteries and one of those Hercules had handpicked to follow him into battle at Hogwarts. A few years latter Ernie also tied the knot with an old friend from his Hogwarts' days, as well as Hercules' ward, Susan Bones. The old patrician that, in spite of everything, part of Hercules still was probably found such a union comfortingly familiar. While most believe he was not as close with the husbands Daphne, Atalante and Margaret picked for themselves he nonetheless appeared to have liked them well enough.
Things proved more complicated when it came to Astoria's choice of partner. By the beginning of the 21st century the Malfoys had decidedly replaced the Travers as THE family whose very name would lead Hercules to grumble when mentioned. In the mind of the old Ravenclaw Draco Malfoy's grandfather remained the assassin of Hercules' old brother in arm and, through his earlier reaction to Leach's election, the wizard who had done more than anyone save Riddle himself to set the stage for latter tragedies. Lucius Malfoy, for his part, was deemed to not only be a despicable Death Eaters and coward but also the horrible influence who had kept Hector in the claws of Pureblood Supremacy for so many years. If one also take into account the fact that Hercules was well aware of Malfoy's own role as one of the main proponent of Pureblood Supremacy at Hogwarts during his years there it is hardly unsurprising that, upon being informed of Astoria's choice, the elderly wizard had a bout of anger unequalled since he had heard of Umbridge's torture on students.
It took several months for not only Astoria, Hector and Daphne but also, surprisingly enough, Ernie MacMillan to wear Hercules down sufficiently for him to believe that perhaps, just perhaps, there was some good in the boy and to agree to meet him. That particular conversation did not begin well as, immediately upon Malfoy's entry in the room, Hercules immediately began to read Draco's Ministry and, upon concluding, stated that its content might not have been enough to make him legally guilty but that it was more than enough to make him morally so. As Astoria protested that Draco was just a child at the time Hercules coldly replied that he had also been called a child just before he was about to head to Europe. Surprisingly enough it was Malfoy himself who managed to diffuse the tension by acknowledging its own flaws and past actions. He continued by saying that he admired Hercules precisely because his own attitude had been so different despite the similarities in their background. He continued by stating that he would love to have been a better man and, with little more than a whisper since he still loved him in spite of everything, to have had a better father. As he also added that he was now trying to turn a new leaf and that he intended to raise any child he might to reject Purism it proved to be enough to get Hercules to, at the very least, tolerate his presence among the family.
Astoria and Draco were wed on March 31, 2002 at Foxridge. While Malfoy had, at first, tried to argue in favour of Malfoy Manor so as to allow his father to intend several of Astoria's guests had simply refused to set foot there. While Astoria and Draco Malfoy would visit the latter's family regularly she would prove to be a rather disappointing daughter in-law for the Malfoys, who were hoping for the daughter of Hector Greengrass (as the estrangement between him and Lucius had ensured the former Death Eater didn't know how much the opinions of his former friend had changed) but got the granddaughter of Hercules instead. Discretely supported by her husband, Astoria would fight tooth and nail to ensure that her only son Scorpius would be, for all intent and purposes, raised as a Greengrass and that his grandparents would not pass an ounce of their own toxic belief to him. More subtlety she also encouraged her husband in his own growing distanciation from the prejudices of his youth. Hercules, for his part, eventually made his peace with Astoria's choice, at least to a certain extent, softening toward his grandson in law and even maintaining an almost cordial relationship with Narcissa Malfoy. Until his death, however, he refused to even enter Malfoy Manor, having no desire to converse with Lucius Malfoy.
Hercules' last years also saw him discover at last a world that he had only truly glimpsed at before. Having had his curiosity peaked by the tales given by several members of the Greengrass clan coming from that world he rose up one day and resolve to get some Muggle clothes and sterlings and arrange for an escape on the other side. At the beginning he was always accompanied by others, who knew it better then him, but eventually he began to go alone. Internet, in particular, proved to be a revelation, as he used it to plunge into Muggle history with the same gusto then he had studied magical history. So impressed was he by the advance of Muggle technology that he sometimes found himself saying that the Muggles did, after all, turn out to have a magic of their own… Moreover, Hercules also came to develop for the Muggle game of football a taste he never had for Quidditch. A well filled vault at Gringotts also having a magic of its own he arranged for experts in Muggle artifacts to adapt a Muggle television so as to allow it to run on magic, so that he could more follow more easily his beloved Arsenal.
Unfortunately, as the new generations were begging to build a life for themselves the time of the old ones was beginning to run short. His mother had died in 2010 and, ten years later, Hercules' old ally Barnabas Cuffe died from a sudden bout of Dragonpox, before being followed two years later by Greengrass old rival, Sullivan Travers and by Chryseus, Hercules' beloved house-elf. As the years went by Hercules' own health had begun to decline steadily, a product of his old injuries, of the treatment he needed to follow for life to be bearable despite them and, perhaps, a consequence of what inbreeding his ancestors did engage in. As 2024 was unfolding he could be found joking through gritted teeth that he needed to make it at least to a hundred if he was not to dishonor his lineage. At the end he did manage to do so, by three days.
Surrounded by his family and old friends in his final moments he bided them to not be sad because he was going to reunite meet again all those he had loved who had left before him and that they would all be reunited in time. In his last hours he called Rubeus Hagrid to his bedside, begging for his forgiveness for not having prevented his expulsion. As the half-giants, with tears in his eyes, retorted that he didn't need to apologise, that he was just a student like him and that apart from Dumbledore he was the only one with power who had defended him Hercules muttered that ''Still, I should have done more!'' It was his last words.
His funeral was well attended, with prominent wizards and witches of both his youth and elder years in attendance. Many spoke but it was Minister Weasley' words who were reminded the most: ''for me fighting was the only choice but wizards like Hercules Greengrass had another. He could have gone to Riddle or Grindelwald, they would have welcomed him with open arms, but instead he stood for what was right! He stood for what was right and he paid a terrible price of it! Without the choices and sacrifices of wizards and witches like him we might not be here today, alive and free!''. As the time for speeches had passed Hector and Cleisthenes Greengrass step forward toward the pyre and, as was the long-held tradition in Foxridge, stated that ''from Magic he had come and to Magic he return!'' before lighting it up.
Before his death Hercules had stated that he wanted nothing more than to be among the status of his ancestors but Cleisthenes simply could not accept to do nothing more. His own status, alongside Astoria's were put at the center of the Foxridge's crypt, next to Ulysses ''the Great'' Greengrass and his two beloveds. While the right wall of the crypt would remain covered by tapestries telling the tale of the 18th century wizard's fight against Loxias the left wall would soon be decorated as well, this time by tapestries of Hercules and Astoria's deeds in three wars and against two Dark Lords. Next to the plint of their statues the following was inscribed:
Few Ravens have been more deserving of their place in heaven.
For they understood that those who are wise enough to know what is right have a duty to fight.
In time the page would be turn and normal life would resume at Foxridge but Hercules would always be remembered, not as a paragon of virtue or as an invincible force for good but as a Wizard who, for all his flaws and mistakes, nonetheless earned the name of hero. For my part, I will also remember him as has well a grandfather any witch might have asked for.
Astoria Malfoy (Née Greengrass).
____
For…. minutes… hours…. days… Hercules had followed the bright light before he, at last, began to clearly see his surroundings once more. Everywhere his eyes darted he could see familiar sights. In fact, he might have believed himself still at Foxridge were it not for the fact that what had once been made of solid material was not ethereal, made of clouds and lights. For long moments he walked around before he could feel a hand on his shoulder and a soft, familiar, ''Herc'' in a voice he had all too often yearned to hear in the last decades. He pivoted and an instant latter Astoria and he were kissing once more.
As they separated he saw that she wasn't as he last seen hear, on that blood day in Northern England, but as she had been in their days of happiness in the 1950s, a young mother radiant in beauty and with eyes shining with intelligence. Fears began to grip his heart and the face of his beloved adopted a puzzled expression. ''What is wrong Herc?'' She asked. ''You are so beautiful Ria! How long are you going to stay with an old, decrepit wizard like me?'' he asked with desperation. She answered with a clear and happy laugh before telling him to ''Look Hercules! Look!'' ''I don't understand…'' he began to answer in turn before she kissed him again, more deeply, more hungrily. ''Look!'' she asked him again, this time more intently, and this time a mirror, or something that could be defined by that word, appeared in front of him and he saw that he now also looked like he once had, when he was busy founding a family and indulging in his happy illusions.
''They are waiting for you!'' she continued. ''the two Ulys, your parents, Aneas, Chryseus, Nobby, Niké, Perseus, Crecy, Lucian, Colville, Bagshot, Dumbledore, Beery, Cali, Barty and so many others! But they are still going to have to wait a bit I am afraid! Your wife will keep you all to herself for sometimes!'' With a mischievous, yet good natured, smile she twirled on herself and, suddenly, she was wearing one of her most beautiful robes and music began to play, the same song during which they had first kissed during a ball at Foxridge, so many years ago. ''Will you dance with me my Lord Greengrass?'' she asked, knowing the answer very well. ''Well yes, my Lady, I would!'' he answered, finding himself suddenly wearing one of its own favourite outfits before joining her on the celestial dance floor. And for the rest of eternity they knew only happiness.
Hercules as commander of the relief army who intervened in the last moments of the Battle of Hogwarts was something I had in mind for a pretty long time now so I am glad to finally get it in writing and getting feedback on it
