#Arabella Figg

[albi-bumblebee]

i wonder what mrs. Figg did for the order during the first war…

[annabethchase06]

One of the seriously underrated differences between Percy Jackson and Harry Potter is the involvement of supporting characters. And I particularly mean characters who might not appear special to the reader.

Look at Harry Potter. The only Muggle characters who get some spotlight (and that too, negative) are the Dursleys. Other than that, Muggles hardly play a role in the story. Yes, I know what I'm saying – they don't know magic, how would they help?

They can. Look at Paul Blofis(the best stepdad ever, I had to say that). He can't see through the mist, he barely knows stuff about the world of his stepson but my man really woke up in a warzone and killed a monster like a pro. He couldn't even see the monsters properly, but he was there to help.

I love how mortals are involved in the Percy Jackson series, despite them not sharing the connections to the magical world. Take Sally Jackson, she was always there for her son. I know people will think, "Well, she's the hero's mother." But what about Hermione's parents? We never see them getting actively involved.

Rachel is one of the prime examples of this as well. And her counterpart in Harry Potter is Mrs. Figg. The one time we do see Mrs. Figg helping, it looked like Dumbledore had forced her or something. Rachel Elizabeth Dare flew a helicopter to a warzone, not caring about her own life, knowing she was a mortal and that her special abilities may show her the future, but would not protect her future(her life).

Percy Jackson has got mortals involved in sucha brilliant spotlight and that's one thing I've definitely not seen in Harry Potter. Muggles are either timid, resentful, angry, irritable or evil. One more way in which Rick proved that ANYONE can be a hero, Kudos!

[sapphicscotfest]

Sapphic Scot Fest 2024 🐈‍⬛

Anon Reveals: Day 8

Title: Anything for...

Rating: G

Pairing: Minerva McGonagall & Arabella Figg, Minerva McGonagall & Pomona Sprout, Albus Dumbledore & Minerva McGonagall, Minerva McGonagall & Cats

Summary: Renowned pirate Minerva McGonagall knew that Albus Dumbledore was hiding some treasure somewhere, if only there was someone who could show the way.

You can read it on AO3 here .

[carewyncromwell]

Day 2 (Second Wizarding War) for @hphm-ship-week

"There is no life I know To compare with pure imagination: Living there, you'll be free If you truly wish to be --

Somewhere out there, If love can see us through, Then we'll be together... Somewhere out there, Out where dreams come true..."

~"Neverland Medley" by Kenny Loggins

x~x~x~x

The Second Wizarding War was a scary time. Many people throughout Wizarding Britain went into hiding, while still others were forced to cower in place, trying desperately to hold onto some stability for themselves and their loved ones in the midst of Voldemort and the Death Eaters' reign of terror.

One of those people in hiding was the Montrose Magpies' Captain and Star Chaser, Orion Amari, and his infant daughter, Eos.

Orion had become a single father on the eve of all-out War, when his girlfriend and Eos's mother Delilah Flint left them in favor of the safety of her pureblood family's home. Because Orion was an orphan with no concrete knowledge of his ancestry, he was inevitably going to be a target, and since he refused to put up little Eos for adoption, he ultimately had to find his own way into hiding with Eos on his own. Fortunately Orion must've had some kind of guardian angel watching over him, because even when he was caught by the Muggle-Born Registration Commission and he and Eos were dragged to the Ministry, he was smuggled out by several resistance members -- including a red-haired young woman he hadn't seen in person in six years...

Orion and Eos spent the remainder of their time in hiding at the home of an elderly Squib named Arabella Figg. It wasn't exactly a comfortable arrangement. The house was rather stuffy with ugly mustard-colored carpet and flower-patterned furniture; everything smelled strongly of cabbage thanks to the many anti-arthritis tonics brewed in the kitchen; and Orion and Eos had to share a small room with Eos sleeping in a padded dresser drawer in place of a crib. But fortunately Mrs. Figg had a collection of cat/kneazle hybrids living with her, all of which immediately took to Orion and would sit on his lap for hours, if he let them. They also seemed to sense that Eos was a "human kitten" in need of protection -- the oldest of them, a black-and-gray one named Tibbles, would often let Eos sit next to him on the floor and grab lightly at clumps of his fur while she watched Mrs. Figg's television.

On Boxing Day 1998, Eos had been sitting with Tibbles on the floor in front of the television, absently watching a car crash on the evening news, when Orion picked up the remote and switched the channel.

"Something a bit more peaceful, perhaps, little Mooncalf," he said, giving his daughter's head a light pat.

He flipped the channel, moving past a boxing match and a family sitcom, before landing on what looked like a fairy, hovering over a crying baby.

Orion couldn't help but pause. The baby crying on the television interested Tibbles -- the cat's ears perked up and his pupils became slits as he listened. Eos was rather oblivious: she'd started chewing on the binky in her mouth.

"Tink..." a man spoke in voice-over. "You came and you saved me. You brought me to Neverland. You taught me to fly..."

Orion slowly eased himself down onto the sofa, watching as the fairy on the television led the baby away through the sky.

The thing on television, it turned out, was an American film called Hook, a retelling of the story of Peter Pan, from the perspective of an adult Peter going back to Neverland to save his children from his old nemesis Captain Hook. Orion watched the movie with more interest even than Eos did, his black eyes softening as Peter moved to give the sleeping Moira a kiss and even more so when he saw the older Tink, with her red hair cut rather like that young woman he hadn't seen since Hogwarts, but who saved them from the Death Eater-controlled Ministry.

"I can see why you have trouble finding a happy thought...so many sad memories, Peter..."

"…Do you…not have a family, Orion?"

That girl who would become that woman's eyes had also been so sad, realizing this. As if she'd taken Orion's whole life into her own chest and felt the loneliness collected over eleven whole years all at once, in that one moment. As if for however much sadness she herself might've known, the thought of not having a family was so horrible to her, she could hardly fathom it...

"What's this that's playing?" asked Mrs. Figg as she came into the room with a tea service. After watching a bit, she smiled. "Oh, that's Robin Williams, isn't it? I remember him -- he was on that one episode of Happy Days, playing the alien. He's a funny Muggle..."

Orion nodded without really paying much mind. He was too focused on the television, and on the happy family scene of Peter holding his baby son Jack for the first time.

For a moment, he was back in that Healers' ward, holding Eos for the first time. Cradling a little bundle of sunshine he was terrified of holding wrong, but who somehow made him feel braver and stronger than he knew anyone could feel.

"I know why I came back -- I know why I grew up. ...I wanted to be a father..."

With a smile, Orion brought a hand up to wipe the moisture from his eyes before he leaned forward, scooping up Eos so he could bring her into his lap. He watched the rest of Hook with his infant daughter in his lap, a smile on his face and -- at least one more time, when all of the Lost Boys, Peter's children, and especially Tinker Bell spoke of their belief in Peter -- some more traces of tears.

"…Maybe you can’t believe in yourself yet…but I hope you know just how many people do believe in you."

Something about Tink in this movie really reminded Orion of her.

By the time the movie was finally over, Eos had fallen asleep in her father's lap. Orion picked up the remote and turned off the television, before scooping Eos up into his arms and heading to their room to lay her down for a nap in her comfy little dresser drawer bed.

Upon his return, Mrs. Figg poured Orion a cup of tea and the two talked a bit more seriously.

"I've not received much word at all from the outside," Mrs. Figg admitted somberly. "Save for some notes hidden in my usual package of baked goods...I really do hope I'll have the chance to thank Miss Flume for her kindness..."

"She sustains us with good food as well as news, and for that, we must be grateful," Orion agreed.

He glanced at the window. The blinds were just about always drawn these days -- Orion suspected Mrs. Figg was afraid her Muggle neighbors would catch wind of her and Eos staying there.

Mrs. Figg sipped her tea. "Yes...Miss Flume said that it has been difficult for her to obtain news about Hogwarts, but fortunately it sounds like her contact at the Ministry is still intact."

Orion perked up, interested. "At the Ministry? Do you mean Carewyn Cromwell?"

"Cromwell?" said Mrs. Figg, startled. "No, no — I believe it’s a Potterwatch correspondent, though I forget which one..."

"Ah, yes. Of course."

Orion wished he didn't feel quite so disappointed. He feigned nonchalance as he took another sip of his tea.

"I've heard of the name Carewyn Cromwell, though,” Mrs. Figg said thoughtfully. "I think Professor Dumbledore mentioned she was a lawyer at the Ministry..."

Orion nodded. "Carewyn Cromwell was meant to be an advocate. Since we first met, her thought has always been to support and help others…whether to replace an injured player on the pitch or to break curses plaguing a school."

Even if Carewyn would've undoubtedly been happier living a calmer, more peaceful life, she'd always placed others' needs first. Much like that red-haired fairy who loved the boy she'd rescued so much that she was willing to say goodbye to him forever, if it meant he and his family would be happy…

"Sounds like you greatly esteem her," Mrs. Figg said with a raised eyebrow.

Orion looked away to obscure his smile. "It'd be hard not to."

Tufty the cat "made biscuits" on Orion’s thigh as she settled into his lap. Orion gave the yellow Kneazle cat a light scratch under the chin.

"Arabella," Orion said after a long moment, "would it be possible for you to send a message back with Miss Flume, when she sends along her next package?"

Mrs. Figg blinked. "Well, I — I suppose." Her lips turned up knowingly. "…Do you wish to give her something to send along for Miss Cromwell?"

"There's nothing in particular I want to send," Orion said noncommittally. "I merely was contemplating the feasibility of the matter."

Mrs. Figg looked a bit skeptical as she rested down her empty cup down on her saucer.

"Yes, well, if you…change your mind on that, I daresay Miss Flume's contact would send something along, if you wanted. Goodness knows we all have felt a bit disconnected from the ones we love as of late…"

She got up from the sofa and headed to the kitchen with the remnants of her tea service, leaving Orion alone to finish his tea. Putting down his own cup, he glanced at the blind-covered window again, his hand absently ruffling the fur beside the purring Tufty’s ears.

It would be silly to reach out to Carewyn just because he was thinking of her, Orion told himself. He didn’t really know what he’d want to say, really — "I saw this character in this Muggle movie tonight and she made me think of you" seemed like a rather trite sentiment under the circumstances. If all it took was sending Carewyn an owl, then he would've thought nothing of it, but it was risky enough for Miss Flume and her contacts to send any messages at all, let alone for non-emergencies.

Still Orion couldn’t fully put the thought away as he sat alone in the living room, petting Tufty the Kneazle cat and sipping his tea.

x~x~x~x

That next week Talbott Winger dropped off a croissant wrapped in a napkin and a coffee on his friend Carewyn’s desk at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Inside the napkin was scrawled a doodle that resembled the Reparifarge wand movement.

When Carewyn closed her office door and unTransfigured the napkin, she was left with a small piece of yellow, flower-printed note paper with two short lines of messy, loopy handwriting on it.

I believe in you. Orion

Carewyn read it twice, and then a third time. Finally she took a heavy breath, and her red lips spread into a strained, emotional smile as she gently folded the note and tucked it away safely in her purse.

After a whole week of having to sit in on Umbridge's sham trials and not being able to stop them, knowing that there were people out there, even in hiding, who still had faith in her was a comfort Carewyn could hardly put into words.

[hotelsrexford]

― looking for a roleplay partner.

❛ 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 ?❜

❴ arabella figg x sirius black ❵

hello everyone! i am looking for someone to roleplay sirius black in a ship/plot ! paired with arabella figg- who's canon is smuged, because i love the idea of her, but . . . make her hot. she was a badass that deserved more! her losing her magical abilities in a curse while fighting for the order alongside her boyfriend? a must.

you must be 21+, and i feel safest with other fem!writers as my rp partner. i prefer discord to write, and i'm not picky on length, quality over quantity. message me if you're interested!

it would be angsty and full of drama, of course.

[hprarepairfest]

Rare Pair Fest IV Works - Day 4

Day four, bring us more!! 😍

Title: Bleeding Through Your Shirt Author: @puuvillaa Ship: Remus Lupin/Kingsley Shacklebolt Prompt: 353 Rating: Explicit Word Count: 3945 Warnings: blood and injury, grief Summary: What will happen when Kingsley realises that Remus doesn't take proper care of himself after the full moon?

💞🍐💞

Title: if you built yourself a myth Author: @thistlecatfics Ship: Dorcas Meadowes/Narcissa Black Prompt: 181 (“No war AU. Narcissa doesn’t marry Lucius but also isn’t ready to be public with Dorcas.”) Rating: E Word Count: 7500 Warnings: Referenced homophobia, referenced transphobia Summary: To celebrate completing her potions mastery, Narcissa goes to tea with Dorcas at the Ritz. A fight, a fuck, and a flight ensue on this unexpectedly busy day.

💞🍐💞

Title: Secret Fantasy Author: @elisedonut Ships: Bill Weasley/Percy Weasley, Fleur Delacour/Bill Weasley Prompt: There's a reason Bill married Fleur when she has so much in common with Percy. Could be one-sided Percy/Bill or requited; could end in Percy/Bill/Fleur as well. Rating: M Word Count: 6,127 Warnings: Incest, Non-con Voyeurism Summary: No matter what Percy's always on his mind.

💞🍐💞

Title: Crazy Cat Lady 101 Author: Elvira_Kamgut Ship/s: Arabella Figg / Minerva McGonagall Prompt: 68 Rating: G / T (I'm not entirely sure) Word Count: 4390 Warnings: None (mention of canon typical violence) Summary: Arabella Figg is stationed in Little Whinging to look after harry Potter and is joined by Minerva in animagus form. Arabella is fixated on the tabby and tries to befriend her. They adopt Harry Potter near the end of the story, that is also when Arabella figures out the real identity of Minerva.

[braveclementine]

Chapter 7

Warnings: None. However, future chapters will contain sexual content so readers that are under the age of 18 may have to skip those chapters (However they are very few so those under the age of 18 can still read a majority of this book. However please keep note of the warnings).

Copyright: I do not own any Wizarding World characters that J.K. Rowling wrote. I do however own Elizabeth Kane (main character) and Trang Nyguen (best friend). There should be no use of these two names without my permission. I also do not condone any copying of this.

🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡

ℑ𝔴𝔬𝔨𝔢𝔲𝔭, my eyes swimming with tears. Cedric's face lingered in front of mine for a second later and then disappeared. I swung my legs out of bed, missing Severus' presence. I made my bed and got dressed in Muggle clothes.

Then, after putting my hair up and makeup on, I trooped down the stairs, yawning.

Harry was already sitting at the kitchen table. Dad was saying, "The law's on your side. Even underage wizards are allowed to use magic in life-threatening situations."

Mrs. Weasley was trying to make Harry's hair lie flat with a wet comb. "Doesn't it ever lie flat?" She asked out of desperation. I grabbed a square of toast without any crust on it, lathered a ton of grape jam on it, and stuck it in my mouth, leaning against the kitchen wall.

"I think we'll go now." Mr. Weasley said. "We're a bit early, but I think you'll be better off there than hanging around here. Elizabeth, are you coming?"

I looked at dad and he nodded with a smile. My spirits lifted but Sirius frowned. "Yeah. I'm coming."

Harry looked much more relieved.

"You'll be all right, Harry." Tonks said, patting his arm.

"Of course he will, the trial-" I froze, my eyes seeing something. I felt anger bridle inside of me.

"Elizabeth?" Dad asked tensely. He'd stood up from the table. "What is it?"

"Send a letter to Dumbledore." I said sharply. "They changed the time of the trial to 8 o'clock. We need to go, now." I said to Mr. Weasley.

"Good luck Harry." Dad said quickly rummaging in the drawer for parchment. "I'm sure it will be fine."

"And if it's not. I'll see to Amelia Bones for you. . ." Sirius said with a grin. Harry smiled weakly as Mrs. Weasley hugged him. Mr. Weasley and I were both anxious to get out the door and we set off at a fast pace.

"Why'd they change the time?" Mr. Weasley. "Which courtroom?"

"I don't know." I said. We were going to take the subway to the Ministry and even though we were running late, Mr. Weasley was still enthusiastic about the Muggle machines.

"Simply fabulous, Wonderfully ingenious." He said, pointing to the Out-of-order automatic ticket dispensers.

"They're out of order." Harry said, pointing to the sign.

"Yes, but even so. . ." Mr. Weasley said. I handed the Muggle money to the guard and bought three tickets. There was nothing we could do to make the subway go faster. "What do we do when we get there?" Mr. Weasley asked.

"Well. . ." I said, my head in my hands, thinking hard. "We start walking to where you work. . . at least what I'm seeing. . . because you have to meet Kingsley about something. I'd foreseen you going to your office and that's where Perkins tells you about the time change and courtroom. . . but I can't make out the courtroom yet. . ."

"Then we'll do that." Mr. Weasley said in a tense voice, looking around the subway train with interest. "Hopefully though you'll see the courtroom before then."

I nodded but by the time we got dropped off at our destination, I was tired from trying to see, and there was no answer. It was like my mind was blocking that small piece of information. So, I went with it.

I checked my watch. It was only seven o'clock. I took a deep breath. We were going to be okay. When we got upstairs and out in the dim sunlight, Mr. Weasley said, "Where are we?" I tensed up for a second and then he said, "Ah yes. . . this way, Harry. Sorry, but I never come by train and it all looks rather different from a Muggle perspective. As a matter of fact I've never even used the visitor's entrance before."

I was nervous now, even though it wasn't my hearing. We walked a long way but my feet didn't seem to hurt the way Harry's did. I was used to walking long distances for long periods of time. Sometimes I left Grimmauld 12 in the middle of the night and wandered around just to get outside.

The buildings got smaller the farther we went and we reached a street that contained a few shabby office buildings, a pub, and an overflowing dumpster. I wrinkled my nose. This was the entrance to the Ministry of Magic? Harry seemed to be thinking along the same lines.

Although, now that I thought about it, I though it looked a little familiar. I remembered when Dad had to go for a job interview and he couldn't find anyone to take care of me (I was four). The telephone box seemed the most memorable.

"Here we go." Mr. Weasley said, pointing at the telephone box. "After you, Harry."

Harry and I stepped inside and crowded against the wall so that Mr. Weasley could step in. He closed the door behind him, reaching for the phone receiver.

"Mr. Weasley, I think this might be out of order too." Harry said, looking at how the telephone receiver was hanging crookedly from the wall like it had been ripped off.

"No, no, I'm sure it's fine. Let's see. . . six. . . two. . . four. . . and another four. . . and another two." Mr. Weasley said, dialing each number.

Then, as he finished dialing, a nostalgic female voice said, "Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business."

"Remus Lupin. Job interview."

"Er- Arthur Weasley, Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office, here to escort Harry Potter, who has been asked to attend a disciplinary hearing..." Mr. Weasley said, speaking into the earpiece.

"Thank you. Visitor, please take the badge and attach it to the front your robes." There was a click and a rattle and there was a silver badge that had Harry Potter, Disciplinary Hearing on it. Harry took it, putting it on his robes.

"Visitor to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wand for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium."

The floor of the telephone box shuddered and we started to sink slowly into the ground. My little arms wrapped tighter around dad's neck as we sunk below the ground and we were unable to see anything. I whimpered, nuzzling against his shoulder at the sudden darkness. Dad patted my back, "It's alright."

"The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant day." The door sprang open and Mr. Weasley, Harry, and I stepped out. Harry's mouth fell open.

There was a dark wood floor that was polished to the spot. The ceiling was peacock blue which had golden symbols that moved continuously. My little hand reached up as though I could grab them and dad chuckled. The walls were gilded with many fireplaces and I struggled in dad's arms, wanting to get down and check them out. Dad held me tighter. I watched, fascinated as wizards came out of the fireplaces, unharmed.

Harry, Mr. Weasley, and I walked past a fountain. In the water lay sickles and knuts and the occasional Galleon. The statue was golden coloured, but probably not made of it. The tallest was a noble looking wizard. Around him was a beautiful witch, a house-elf, a centaur, and a goblin. The house-elf, centaur, and goblin were looking up at the witch and wizard with awe and loving on their faces. An uncomfortable feeling settled in my stomach. Water trickled from the wands, the arrow of the centaur, the hat of the goblin and the ear's of the house-elf.

All proceeds from the Fountain of Magical Brethren will be given so St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.

"If I get this job, I'll put two Galleons in." Dad whispered as we walked past it.

"Over here, Harry." Mr. Weasley said and we hurried over to a desk with a sign overhead that read SECURITY. "I'm escorting two visitors." Harry and I were scanned by the wizard sitting behind the desk with a type of golden rod.

"Wand." The security guard said and Harry handed over his wand. The wizard dropped it onto a strange brass instrument like a scale. It started to vibrate. A narrow strip of parchment came speeding out of a slot and the wizard tore it off and read the writing.

"Eleven inches, phoenix-feather cored, been in use four years. That correct?"

"Yes." Harry said.

"I keep this. You get this back." He said, thrusting the wand at Harry and putting the paper down. "Your wand."

"10 1/4 inches, Unicorn tail horn, been in use for 14 years?" "Yes." Dad said, shifting me onto his other hip.

I handed over my wand and the same process and read off the ticket, "12 1/2 inches, Dragon heartstring core, been in use four years. That correct?"

"Yes." I said. He handed me back the wand and I pocketed it and we headed off into the Ministry.

"Anything yet Elizabeth?" Mr. Weasley asked as we started walking through the Ministry.

I shook my head. "Let's just find. . . you know."

Harry looked at me curiously and I whispered. "We can't act like we know each other outside of the order so don't say hi to Kingsley when you see. You've never met him before, alright?"

Harry nodded. Mr. Weasley brought us to some golden grilles. A big, bearded wizard holding a large cardboard box stood nearby. The box was making some very strange noises.

"All right, Arthur?"

"What've you got there, Bob?"

"We're not sure. We thought it was a bog-stranded chicken until it started breathing fire. Looks like a serious branch of the Ban of Experimental Breeding to me."

There was a great jangling and the lift started to descend. Harry and I were standing against the back of the wall and as wizards and witches glanced curiously at Harry, he looked down, flattening his fringe over his scar.

"Level seven, Department of Magical Games and Sports, incorporating the British and Irish Quidditch League Headquarters, Official Gobstones Club, and Ludicrous Patents office." The voice from the telephone announced.

The door closed again as witches and wizards left and entered. Then the next level. "Level Six. Department of Magical Transport, incorporating the Floo Network Authority, Broom Regulatory Control, Portkey Office, and Apparation Test Center". Dad stepped off walking down the hallway to the Apparation Test Center. He stepped inside. The witch behind the desk looked up and smiled at us and said, "May I help you." "Yes." he said. "Remus Lupin, I'm here for an interview." The witch ruffled through the papers. "Yes, right through the door there. Would you like me to babysit your daughter for you?" Dad hesitated, looking down at me. I stared up at him with my wide brown eyes. "Yes. . . please. . . she can be a handful" he smiled. "But she'll be good for you." He handed me over and she put me down by her desk. She had a child too and I took a nap beside him while dad did his interview.

"This is us Harry, Elizabeth." Mr. Weasley said, jolting me out of my memories. I quickly stepped off. "My office is on the other side of the floor."

"Mr. Weasley, aren't we underground?" Harry asked as we passed windows that let in sunlight.

"Yes, we are, those are enchanted windows; Magical Maintenance decide what weather we're getting every day. We had two months of hurricanes last time they were angling for a pay raise. . . Just round here, Harry. Anything Elizabeth?"

"Not yet." I said through gritted teeth. We turned a corner and walked through a pair of heavy oak doors which revealed an open area that was divided into cubicles. There was talk and laughter. Little paper airplanes were zooming up and down out of the cubicles and past our heads. This was the Auror Headquarters.

I looked into the cubicles as I passed. They all looked so cool. Men with long hair like Bill, with dragon hide boots propped up on their desk, writing reports. Witches and wizards missing body parts like Uncle Moody. There was a witch with a patch over her eye talking to Kingsley.

"Morning, Weasley." Kingsley said casually as we started to get close. "I've been wanting a word with you, have you got a second?"

"Yes, if it really is a second. I'm in rather a hurry." Mr. Weasley said brazenly.

We followed Kingsley into the last cubicle. This was Kingsley's cubicle and on every surface of the wall there was Sirius' face except for a map which was covered with red pinpoints.

"Here." Kingsley said, handing Mr. Weasley a sheaf of parchment. "I need as much information as possible on flying Muggle vehicles sighted in the last twelve months. We've received information that Black might still be using his old motorcycle."

I nearly snorted because I knew he didn't have it anymore. Kingsley winked at Harry and me and in a whisper said, "Give him the magazine, he might find it interesting." Then, back in his normal tone he said, "And don't take too long, Weasley, the delay on the firelegs report held our investigation up for a month."

"If you had read my report you would know that the term is 'firearms'. And I'm afraid you'll have to wait for information on motorcycles, we're extremely busy at the moment." Mr. Weasley said in a cool voice. Then in a whisper he said, "If you can get away before seven, Molly's making meatballs."

Then I gasped and all three of them looked at me. "Elizabeth?" Mr. Weasley asked in a tense voice.

"Courtroom ten. That's where they switched it to." I whispered. My legs felt weak- I'd had to dig deep for the information. I took a step and nearly fell. Kingsley grabbed my arm, looking worried. "Sorry." I said. "When I really focus on trying to find information I get weak."

"Maybe you should stay in my office." Mr. Weasley said, checking his watch. I shook my head, feeling light-headed.

"No, no, I'm coming." I let go of Kingsley's arm and jumped. I didn't fall this time and I said, "Okay, I'm good to go. Thank you." I mouthed at Kingsley and Mr. Weasley, Harry, and I quickly left the room.

"We're leaving on better time." I added as we sprinted towards the lifts, checking my watch. I nearly ran into the door but Mr. Weasley jerked me out of the way in time. "Before, you were five minutes late. Now, we've got four minutes to get there."

"Thank Merlin for your visions." Mr. Weasley said. "Thank goodness we got here so early too." He jabbed the down button impatiently. "Come ON!"

We were the only ones in the lift for now and every time it made a stop, Mr. Weasley cursed and kept hitting the nine button. It was like being on a Muggle lift almost. They never do as you want them to do.

"Those courtrooms haven't been used in years. I can't think why they're doing it down there- unless- but no. . ."

I was going to say it was to throw Dumbledore off their track when a witch in lime green dress robes came into the lift and I kept my mouth shut instead. Instead, I wondered what part of the Ministry wore those colour dress robes. Each department had different coloured clothing.

"The Atrium." The female voice said and then a wizard with a tired face got into the lift.

"Morning Arthur, don't often see you down here. . ."

"Urgent business, Bode." Mr. Weasley said, bouncing on the balls of his feet. I checked my watch again. One minute. At least being there one minutes late was better than ten minutes late.

"Department of Mysteries."

"Quick, Harry." Mr. Weasley said and we sped up the corridor. It was significantly different from the hallway we'd just left. This one had no windows at all and the lights were much dimer. The doors were plain black and the only doors were set at the very ends of the corridor. The floors, wall, and ceiling were made of black tile with white lines showing which tile was which.

"Down here, down, here." Mr. Weasley panted, taking two steps at a time. "The lift doesn't even come down this far. . . why they're doing it there. . ."

"To throw off Dumbledore." I said angrily, racing down the steps. "They're hoping neither he nor Harry will make it in time."

"Damn them." Mr. Weasley said angrily. "Court room. . . ten. . . I think. . . we're nearly. . . yes." Mr. Weasley stumbled to a halt outside a grimy dark door that had an iron lock on it. He clutched a stitch in his side. I caught my breath and checked my watch. Three minutes late.

"Go on. Get going." Mr. Weasley said.

"Aren't- aren't you coming with-?" Harry said.

"We aren't allowed." I said, darting forward and kissing his cheek. "Good luck! You'll be fine!"

Harry' swallowed and turned the door nob and disappeared inside the room.

I immediately sat down, exhausted. I leaned my head against the wall and closed me eyes. "Are you trying to see the outcome?" Mr. Weasley asked, nervously, still holding his sign. "I don't know if that's a good idea, considering you're already tired from before."

"No, I'm not looking." I mumbled sleepily. I tucked my legs up into crisscross shape and leaned back. "Meditating."

Footsteps clacked down the hallway at that moment and I opened one eye to see Dumbledore striding down the hallway, an older woman following behind. "He's already inside?" Dumbledore asked quickly.

"Yes." Mr. Weasley said. Dumbledore winked at me happily, told the woman to stay out here, and then headed into the room. I closed my eyes again.

"I'm Arabella Figg." The old woman said and I opened my eyes again to see her shaking hands with Mr. Weasley.

"Ah yes, you were the one who found Harry after Mundungus er- slipped away." Mr. Weasley said.

She nodded. She was wearing carpet slippers. I wondered why she hadn't decided to try and look less like the stereotyped crazy cat lady.

Arabella Figg's eyes fell on me and she looked at me questioningly. I got up from off the floor and held out my hand, "Elizabeth Kane."

"Ah." she said, shaking my hand, still looking at me peculiarly. I remembered what Dad said about how much I looked like Mum and I quickly looked away.

Suddenly Percy came out the door and Mr. Weasley stiffened. But Percy didn't look at either of us and said curtly and asked, "Are you the witness that he brought?"

"Yes." Mrs. Figg said nervously.

I grabbed her arm and muttered, "When you talk about the dementor's use the word glide, not run."

She went through the door with Percy and the door was shut in our faces again. I sat down near the door, trying to hear something from inside.

I closed my eyes and heard some muttering and then Mrs. Figg said indignantly, "Yes we can!" There was more mutterings but I couldn't hear much else. Finally, I backed away from the door as Mrs. Figg came out of it. She looked a bit shaken and she hurried up the steps and away from us without a single glance back.

I exchanged a look with Mr. Weasley and started to pace the hallway. I wondered what Dumbledore was saying and for a second time, I found myself outside the door, my ear practically pressed up against it. I supposed I could've tried looking into the future but I didn't want to risk passing out like I had in my third-year.

Then I heard Fudge's voice exclaiming, "Laws can be changed!"

Dumbledore answered, "Of course they can. And you certainly seem to be making many changes, Cornelius. Why, in the few short weeks since I was asked to leave the Wizengamot, it has already become the practice to hold a full criminal trial to deal with a simple matter of underage magic!"

There was complete silence and I grinned and muttered, "Ha!" under my voice. Mr. Weasley glanced over at me and I repeated what Dumbledore had said and Mr. Weasley smiled grimly. "He's going to get off." I muttered. "I can feel it."

Then Dumbledore came out of the room and swept off. It took me completely by surprise and then, I opened the door and peeked in. The Wizengamot was standing up, packing. Harry was standing, looking apprehensive. I saw the witch I'd seen becoming the newest Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor looking down at him. I scowled at her. Harry caught my eye and I beckoned to him.

He came out of the room.

"Dumbledore didn't say-" Mr. Weasley started, looking pale and apprehensive.

"Cleared." Harry said as I let the door swing shut in Percy's face. "Of all charges."

"Harry, that's wonderful! Well, of course, they couldn't have found you guilty, not on the evidence, but even so, I can't pretend I wasn't-"

The door was opened by an annoyed Percy and the Wizengamot came filing out. "Merlin's beard, you were tried by the full court?"

"Yes." I said with a snort.

A couple of the passing wizards and witches said hello to Mr. Weasley, including a masculine looking witch with a monocle. I knew she was Susan Bones Aunt and she nodded and said hello and then paused at the sight of me.

"You're Elizabeth Kane?" She asked as Fudge passed. He walked a bit slower.

"Yes, I am." I said in a bit of surprise. "How'd you know?"

"Susan talks about you from time to time at home." Madam Bones said with a bit of a smile. "Says you're the smartest one at Hogwarts apart from. . . I can't remember the other girls name. . . Granger I think is the last name though."

I blushed. "Susan's one of my best friends." I said.

"Glad to hear it. She's a good girl." Madam Bones said and then she continued walking.

"Blimey." Harry said, grinning from ear to ear when everyone was gone. "Wonder what Hermione would think if she knew that?"

"Yes, well." I said, blushing. "Susan is probably a bit biased because I'm a Hufflepuff. Hermione and I don't really know who's smarter."

"I'm going to take you straight back so you can tell the others the good news." Mr. Weasley said, not following the line of conversation, and beckoning us towards the stairs. "I'll drop you off on the way to the toilet in Bethnal Green. Come on. . ."

"So what will you have to do about the toilet?" Harry asked, still smiling. He seemed glad to listen to everything now that he was off. After all, he was going back to Hogwarts now.

"Oh, it's a simple enough anti-jinx, but it's not so much having to repair the damage, it's more the attitude behind the vandalism, Harry. Muggle-baiting might strike some wizards as funny, but it's an expression of something much deeper and nastier, and I for one-" He broke off as we came level with Cornelius Fudge and Lucius Malfoy.

I hissed. "I can't believe he has the balls to come here." I muttered under my breath to Harry. Harry looked angry as well.

Lucius turned to see who was coming up the stairs and he said, "Well, well, well. . . Patronus Potter." But his eyes were not on Harry, but on me, and Mr. Weasley put a hand on my shoulder. My hand, however, was in my pocket, clenching around my wand. "The Minister was just telling me about your lucky escape, Potter. Quite astonishing, the way you continue to wriggle out of very tight holes. . . Snakelike, in fact. . ." Yet, he continued to stare at me.

Mr. Weasley put a hand on Harry's shoulder too as Harry said, "Yeah, yeah, I'm good at escaping..."

I grinned. Lucius raised his eyes to Mr. Weasley.

"And Arthur Weasley too! What are you doing here, Arthur?"

"I work here." Mr. Weasley said shortly.

"Not here, surely? I thought you were up on the second floor. . . Don't you do something that involves sneaking Muggle artifacts home and bewitching them?" Lucius said coolly. I was so pissed that he could get away with saying these things in front of the Minister.

"No." Mr. Weasley said curtly. His hands tightened on our shoulders. It was almost painful.

"What are you doing here anyways?" I asked him curtly. I tossed my hair over my shoulder nonchalantly, glaring at him.

Lucius dropped his eyes to me again, and smiling cruelly said, "Why don't you come with the Minister and I and find out, Kane? I've heard you like to learn. Perhaps you'd like to do ah. . .what is it called again? An internship? I'd teach you on my own if you wanted."

Mr. Weasley's fingers cut into my shoulders. I nearly pulled out my wand before Lucius snorted with disdain and turned to Fudge, "Shall we go up to your office, then, Minister?"

"Certainly. This way, Lucius." Fudge said, turning his back on us.

Mr. Weasley didn't let go of either of our shoulders until they were far gone.

"Why wasn't he waiting outside Fudge's office if they've got business to do together? What was he doing down here?" Harry burst out angrily.

"Trying to get into the courtroom." I spat out.

"I'll leave a note for Dumbledore when I drop you off, he ought to know Malfoy's been talking to Fudge again." Mr. Weasley said.

"What private business have they got together anyways?"

"Gold." I muttered. "Gives Malfoy connections. It helps him out in the long run. More gold, more favors owed in a way. It'll come in handy later most likely."

"Mr. Weasley, If Fudge is meeting Death Eaters like Malfoy, if he's seeing them alone, how do we know they haven't put the Imperius Curse on him? And why would he," Harry threw me a look, "try to get Elizabeth alone with him? Wouldn't he want me alone with him?"

Mr. Weasley's shoulder tensed greatly and said, "Don't think it hadn't occurred to us, Harry. But Dumbledore thinks Fudge is acting of his own accord at the moment- which, as Dumbledore says, is not a lot of comfort. . . Best not talk about it anymore just now Harry. . . and we'll address the er- other situation when we get back to headquarters."

As we passed the statue, dad stopped and dropped three Galleons and kissed my chubby cheek. "This is going to change our lives Elizabeth." he whispered. I got my toy broom the next day, the pink plastic one that I rode until I was seven and a half. I got a lot of new things that year. Dad got to keep the job for three years. It hurt my heart, remembering.

"Wait. . ." Harry said and hurried to the fountain. He stared up at the statue again, looking at its flaws. Then he took out his money bag and dumped the contents upside down.

⬅️➡️

[midnightstargazer]

Aesthetics for my fanfics, part 8

Crazy Old Cat Lady

Teen & Up, No Archive Warnings Apply, ~2,300 words

In 1980, Arabella Figg moves to Privet Drive on a mundane but still very important mission for the Order: keep an eye on Lily Potter’s awful Muggle relatives.

[bartletslesbians]

Okay this time I did look for slightly older fics! I read both of these a while ago and ngl, they're two incredible rarepairs which I honestly need more of.

The Roses Bleed Both Light and Dark by LaDonnaErrante (2290 words)

This is an Arabella Figg/Marlene McKinnon oneshot! It's the only fic in that relationship tag on AO3 and it was posted in 2013. It's rated Teen, with an archive warning for Graphic that I don't think really applies. Four brief moments of Arabella's and Marlene's relationship, ending in the Mckinnon family's murder. (So a tag for MCD is warranted).

I love this fic mainly because it really proves how little we know about a lot of the 'marauders' era characters (Marlene is often written in the marauders era, but we really know nothing about her, including her age! She could be as old/young as you want her to be). Even so, Marlene in this fic has the leather jacket a lot of modern fanon still associates with her and I love that honestly.

It's also just a wonderful look at the first war, with plenty of angst both surrounding being gay in the 1970s and the obvious character death. I'd love to think that this romance is in the back of Arabella's mind still when we see her in canon.

Abydos by Leela (1605 words)

This is a delightful Rolanda Hooch/Narcissa Malfoy oneshot, which is a ship that's a whole four times as popular as Arabella/Marlene. It was published in 2012, the first fic for this pairing on AO3! Rated teen, no archive warnings. Quick and gorgeous read.

It's written from Rolanda's point of view and consists of a lot of small moments that span both wizarding wars. I love the melancholy of it all, which isn't really toned down at all even when the ending is actually a little happy. It's just such a good vibe all throughout. It has a simple magic ritual, a very very longlasting love despite everything that happens, and just a beautiful look at a pretty overlooked character!

[hpsnooze]

💤 [FIC] One Afternoon Nap 💤

Author: Elvira_Kamgut

Prompt: Cuddle & Light doze & Pillow/blanket & Windowsill/ledge

Characters/Ship: Arabella Figg & Minerva McGonagall

Rating: G

Words: 331

Tags/Warnings: Animagus, Sleep, Cats

Summary:

Minerva McGonagall tries to enjoy her new sleeping spot, but it is not given to her.

Read on AO3!

[aesthetics-for-harry-potter]

Moodboard of Arabella Figg.

Face-claim: Leigh Anne Pinnock.

Requested by: anon.

[inmyownlittlecorner5]

Fic Rec Friday

Killer Queen by @art3misia is a fic that I think about regularly. It completely changed how I saw Arabella Figg and Argus Filch. I adore the writing, the characterizations, the pop culture references, it's just a perfect story.

[hitchell-mope]

Thank you Figg

[polarfog]

Severus Snape and Arabella Figg tie the knot. Read about it here:

Or here:

It is a sequel to Two Chosen Troubles which can be found here:

Or here:

[wolfstargazer]

Lie low at Lupin's - a wolfstargazer microfic

Sirius had sprung immediately into action. He had always been good at acting on instinct, and he'd spent so long waiting for something to do that he was like a coiled spring, not giving the instructions Dumbledore had issued a second thought.

Figg and Fletcher had been easy enough to track down. Arabella rarely left her house and the company of her cats, which afforded her an uninterrupted view of Number 4, Privet Drive. Mundungus had always been a creature of habit, and it didn't take him long to find him at one of his usual haunts.

Only then did Sirius pause and consider that the final part of Dumbeldore's directions might not be so easy to fulfil.

"Lie low at Lupin's."

Just four words. Sirius turned them over in his mind.

He had thought about writing. But hadn't. Every time he'd tried to put quill to paper the words hadn't come.

Sirius had told himself it would be safer for everyone if he kept his distance. He was on the run, after all.

He could have sent a note before arriving. Something short to explain that he was coming, that Dumbledore had insisted, that he'd need to stay for a little while whilst things were put in place. He was intending to offer Grimmauld Place to the Order. But that would take time.

But he hadn't.

Instead he'd apparated straight to the flat Remus had kept all these years, transformed into a dog to sneak past the nicotine-stained landlord who Sirius remembered from years ago replacing a lightbulb in the downstairs hall, before shifting back into a man as he hesitated outside of Remus' door.

He should've written. But he hadn't. What could he have said?

I can't tell you where I am, but the mangoes are excellent?

I'm sorry if my actions the year before last got you fired?

I need you. I want you. Is it too late, do you think, for us?

Hopeless, nervous, but more alive than he had felt in years, Sirius felt a rush of trepidation as he reached out and knocked on the door.

Footsteps on the other side. The door opened. Remus, bathed in light, appeared, soft from the evening and really there. Not a memory he'd had to fight in Azakban, nor a phantom he'd conjured whilst laying awake at night replaying the brief moment they'd shared together in the Shack in each other's embrace. Remus was real, regarding him with confusion, on the threshold of the doorway.

The desire to take Remus into his arms was almost overwhelming. In his mind's eye, Sirius saw himself plead passionately into Remus' ear, "Tell me I'm not too late?"

Reason and fear took over, and Sirius heard himself say in a voice that didn't seem quite like his own, "We can't talk here in the open."

Remus nodded and, without a further word, stepped aside so Sirius could enter and closed the door behind them.

[hollowed-theory-hall]

Magic and Genetics

So, this is not like 100% finished and will be more musings than a full theory. The main reason is that we, as humanity, just don't really know that much about genetics. Like, we get the gist of it, but we can mostly only say: "it's complicated" about it.

Which is true. Like, the idea of dominant and recessive traits the way most people are familiar with (like the eye color chart for blue eyes and brown eyes) is super oversimplified and inaccurate. Like, there are 2 major genes that affect eye color and then there are 8 more genes that affect eye color, hair color, and skin color, but we aren't really sure in what way. We just think they do from observation. Usually, genes behave in a way that is in line with the dominant and recessive traits charts, but there are exceptions to it. Again, we just don't know much about this field.

Because of this, I can't really come to conclusive conclusions regarding exactly how many and which genes affect a person's magic in the world of Harry Potter. What I can do is use the book evidence to try and create a pattern of how magic behaves genetically.

Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, nor did I study genetics in any professional capacity, this is from online reading and self-study. And most importantly for fun 😊

Why do I think magic is influenced by multiple genes?

So, JKR stated in an interview she thinks of magic as a single dominant gene. This is impossible, since if that were true squibs and muggleborns wouldn't exist and the chart for the likelihood of a child being born with magic would look like this:

And that's just not what we see in the books...

This is all without mentioning how squibs like Arabella Figg can see dementors while muggles can't:

“A Squib, eh?” said Fudge, eyeing her suspiciously. “We’ll be checking that. You’ll leave details of your parentage with my assistant, Weasley. Incidentally, can Squibs see dementors?” he added, looking left and right along the bench where he sat. “Yes, we can!” said Mrs. Figg indignantly.

(OotP, page 143)

This means that squids do have some magical genes that muggles don't.

Additionally, from what we know about wizards as a species they have other differences from muggles that would effect their genetics in less obvious ways, for example:

Wizards heal faster, so cell regeneration is different than muggles.

Wizards have a completely different set of illnesses than muggles, so their white blood cells are also different.

Their brain cells likely live longer since they have an overall longer life expectancy.

Since they can see magic, like dementors and the Leakey Cauldron, we know the sight receptors are different.

Their nerves likely also function differently since they can sense magic in a way muggles can't.

To name a few.

And this is all without going into the fact wizards can reproduce with other species (goblins, veela, and giants to name a few) which actually implies a common ancestor to all of these races, but I'm not going into that can of worms.

What I am going into is how magic works genetically and how predictable it is. As in, if I know the magical status (pure-blood wizard, half-blood wizard, muggleborn wizard, squib, or muggle) of two human parents, can I tell how likely their child is to be a wizard, a squib, or a muggle?

What are squibs?

We don't know of many squibs in the books, these are the list of the known squibs:

Argus Filch

Arabella Figg

Marius Black

Dolores Umbridge's brother

Molly Weasley's second cousin

Squibs aren't a subject wizards like talking about, even not wizards who don't mind muggles like the Weasleys:

"Er — yes, I think so. I think Mum's got a second cousin who's an accountant, but we never talk about him."

(PS, page 73)

The definition of a squib is a child without magic born of a magical parent. If we look at the list of squibs above, all of them except Umbridge's brother are pure-bloods. This is kind of important because of the limited genetic pool of pure-bloods.

I tried calculating the inbreeding coefficient (basically how likely it is that a specific genetic trait is identical in both parents. The number ranges between 0 and 1) of the pure-bloods in the Wizarding World. We don't have much information on most families, but even looking at the Black family tree, they aren't really inbred (except the Gaunts). The closest relation there is the marriage between second cousins Walburga and Orion. So the inbreeding coefficient of pure-bloods would be above zero, but not high enough to cause serious health detriments for the most part. But, this doesn't mean wizards don't have a problem with a limited genetic pool even without close inbreeding.

Looking at that same Black family tree, we see a lot of familiar names: Flint, Crabbe, Burke, Potter, Crouch, Longbottom, Weasley, Prewett, Malfoy, McMillian... Basically, all pure-blood wizards are related. Some more closely than others, but they are all related. It means that among pure-bloods there is less genetic diversity which tends to cause illnesses and weakness in children over the course of multiple generations.

Such illness can, for example, come in the form of a squib. If the child just isn't capable of having full access to magic, due to their limited genetic pool, they will be born a squib.

But what about Umbridge's brother?

Well, here's the interesting thing. When looking at accounts of children of a pure-blood and a muggleborn, they are all always magical (and usually quite powerful, but more on that later). Umbridge's mother though is muggle. I believe a muggle parent would also have a higher chance of a squib offspring since they don't have magic. Essentially, Umbride's brother received some of the magical genes from their father, and some muggle genes from their mother, leaving him somewhat capable of interacting with magic, but not casting it — a squib.

Essentially squibs have a higher chance to be born from two pure-bloods (due to lack of genetic diversity) or from a wizard and a muggle. If we look at the books, we actually never see a squib being born from a pair of two wizards where one of the parents is half-blood or muggleborn (since they bring new genetic diversity and make the offsprings much likelier to be magical).

What are muggleborns?

So, we covered that squibs are rare and are caused by the lack of genetic diversity in the pure-blood families or by receiving non-magical genes from a muggle parent. But what about muggleborns? How could they genetically exist?

Well, I discussed here the actual percentages of different blood statuses across the Wizarding World. And the percentages looked like this:

57.5% Pure-Blood and Most Likely Pure Blood

22.5% Half-Blood

15% At Least One Magical Parent

5% Muggleborn

And as I covered here and here, I believe magical Britain is approximately 0.01% of the muggle population. This means that muggleborns are incredibly rare in the muggle population and have an overall very low chance of being born. But under what circumstances would muggleborns be more likely?

We know, for example, that the brothers Colin and Dennis Creevey were both born magical. It means, that their parents had genes that make them more likely to have magical children. This means Petunia had a higher chance of being born magical than, say, Vernon, it was still a low chance, but it was more likely.

Now, I'm not the first to raise this theory, but I believe these muggles that have a slightly higher chance for magical children like Mr. and Mrs. Creevey are descendants of squibs. We know that:

"Squibs were usually shipped off to Muggle schools and encouraged to integrate into the Muggle community. . . much kinder than trying to find them a place in the Wizarding world, where they must always be second class..."

(DH, page 136)

So, squibs have been sent for generations to live among muggles. It means that there are multiple "muggles" running around that are actually squibs. They might be able to see dementors or notice something odd around the Leakey Cauldron, but not enough to produce magic. But they still have magic in their genes. And when they have kids, sometimes, through a fluke of luck and genetics a muggleborn can be born.

This means all muggleborns are distantly related to wizards in some way, but still the muggle blood adds some much-needed genetic diversity that makes them less likely to have squib children.

What would magical genes look like?

So, we talked so far about how to predict the likelihood of a child having magic or not. But we also know not all wizards and witches are magically equal. You have crazy powerful individuals like Voldemort, Harry, and Dumbledore. Hermione is an incredibly skilled and talented witch, often the first in class to get spells right. And then you have wizards like Crabbe, Goyle, or Merope who are barely more magical than squibs. Then you have unique magical gifts like being a parselmouth, metamorphmagus, or seer are all inherited, and therefore genetic.

So, let's start with the power/talent difference between wizards that we see. I think this, like squibs, is correlating to the lack of genetic diversity. Sure, you have pure-bloods that are magically powerful or average, but if we look at the most magically powerful wizards in the books — Harry, Voldemort, and Dumbledore — they are all half-bloods. They all have a higher genetic diversity.

Hermione and Lily, are also examples of this added genetic diversity raising the likelihood of magical talent. Both muggleborns, both referenced as talented and bright multiple times. Snape, another half-blood is also referenced often as an incredibly talented wizard.

Actually, Nymphadora Tonks is one of the best pieces of evidence for magic weakening over pure-blood generations and becoming stronger with the new blood from muggles or muggleborns.

The Black family had the hereditary magical gift of being metamorphmagi. This gift has been lost for multiple generations, the first Black to be born with this gift in recent history is Tonks. And it makes perfect sense, Andromeda, a pure-blood with the genes for being a metamorphmagus, marries a muggleborn, Ted, who has the much-needed genetic diversity, so their daughter is finally durable enough for the metamorphmagi magic to kick in.

The Gaunts are another example of just how much the lack of genetic diversity affects a wizard's magic. All three, but especially Mereope, are portrayed as barely skilled with magic, almost squibs. But then we have Tom Marvolo Riddle, magically gifted so much beyond most wizards because he had the added genetic diversity from his muggle father.

Parseltongue seems to be a more dominant trait than the metamorphmagus ability. As even an almost squib in the Gaunt family can speak it. That being said, the Gaunts are implied to be incredibly incestuous, so perhaps it's just a matter of both parents speaking Parseltongue that causes this gene's apparent dominance.

We also know these genetic traits are only passed to wizards. So a squib from the Gaunt family, would not be able to speak Parseltongue. So, while it is a separate gene, it is connected to the other genes that affect magic. That's why a muggleborn born from a Gaunt family squib line, could potentially be a Parselmouth. They won't necessarily be a Parselmouth, but they have a chance to get the gene.

Conclusions

So, let's put all of it together into a series of rules* to how magic seems to work genetically.

*Rules is not exactly the correct word. It's more like, how it would usually behave, but there are flukes to genetics and everything is possible.

Two magical parents would almost always have a magical child. Pure-bloods are more likely to have squib children than half-bloods or muggleborns due to lack of genetic diversity.

A child of a muggle and a wizard has a higher chance of being born a squib than two magical parents. (The chance is still pretty low though and the child is more likely to be magical)

Muggleborns are the result of at least one parent who is a muggle that descended from squibs and has magical genes.

If both parents are squib-descendant muggles, all their kids might even end up magical. (Like the Creevey brothers)

Being a parselmouth, metamorphmagus, or seer are all unique genetic traits that are passed in a separate gene but dependent on other magical genes. Each one of them behaves differently as a gene.

Genetic diversity promises a higher chance of naturally magically gifted children. (It doesn't promise they will be more gifted, just makes their chances better)

Blood purity and a limited genetic pool cause magical children born to these lines to be overall weaker. (Again, there are exceptions, this is just about chances)