#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.

[bruhduck]

Don't ask me why but for a long time I was convinced that Arabella Figg and Mundungus Fletcher were married... Like, why?? What did I have in mind?

The problem is that then I started to like the idea, even if Arabella deserves better 😔

[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:

[hollowed-theory-hall]

how many people do you think were in the order? what about death eaters? how did either group recruit?

Hello 👋

Okay, so the numbers are honestly pretty easy to track down as they are outright written in the books. The recruitment is, less clear, though not that different between the two organizations. The reason the recruitment process wasn't too different initially, is because they have a pretty small society where everyone kinda knows everyone, and all their systems are based on who knows who. So we see both Death Eaters and Order members operate on a sort of bring-a-friend system.

But let's start with some numbers:

How Many Members are in the Order of the Phoenix:

Moody gives us a very clear rundown of the first Order:

From an inner pocket of his robes Moody pulled a very tattered old Wizarding photograph. “Original Order of the Phoenix,” growled Moody. [...] Harry took the photograph. A small crowd of people, some waving at him, others lifting their glasses, looked back up at him. [...] “There’s me,” [...] “And there’s Dumbledore beside me, Dedalus Diggle on the other side . . . That’s Marlene McKinnon [...] That’s Frank and Alice Longbottom [...] and that’s Emmeline Vance, you’ve met her, and that there’s Lupin, obviously . . . Benjy Fenwick [...] That’s Edgar Bones [...] Sturgis Podmore, blimey, he looks young . . . Caradoc Dearborn [...] Hagrid, of course, [...] Elphias Doge, you’ve met him [...] Gideon Prewett, it took five Death Eaters to kill him and his brother Fabian [...] That’s Dumbledore’s brother, Aberforth [...] That’s Dorcas Meadowes [...] Sirius, when he still had short hair . . . and . . . there you go, thought that would interest you!” Harry’s heart turned over. His mother and father were beaming up at him, sitting on either side of a small, watery-eyed man Harry recognized at once as Wormtail

(OotP, Ch9)

So the members of the first Order are:

Died or Otherwise out of action: Marlene McKinnon, Frank Longbottom, Alice Longbottom, Benjy Fenwick, Edgar Bones, Caradoc Dearborn, Gideon Prewett, Fabian Prewett, Dorcas Meadows, James Potter, Lily Potter -> 11 members

Still Alive: Alastor Moody*, Albus Dumbledore*, Dedalus Diggle*, Emmeline Vance*, Remus Lupin*, Sturgis Podmore*, Aberforth Dumbledore, Sirius Black*, Peter Pettigrew -> 8 members.

* Marks ones that are also in the second order.

So, that gives us 21 members in the first Order of the Phoenix. (23 if you count Arabella Fig and Hagrid who are not present in the picture).

And we get a pretty good rundown of the second one too:

We got the remaining members from the first order: Alastor Moody, Albus Dumbledore, Dedalus Diggle, Emmeline Vance, Remus Lupin, Sturgis Podmore, Sirius Black -> 7 members.

And new members: Molly Weasley, Arthur Weasley, Hestia Jones, Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Bill Weasley, Charlie Weasley -> 7 members.

Reburs Hagrid and Arabella Figg are both involved with the Order but don't appear in the picture of the first Order, but we'll count them -> 2 members.

Placing the second Order in OotP at 16 members without the kids who are technically not members. Fred and George join upon leaving school, so we can up the number to 18 members.

That being said, we have periphery Order members or people who aren't quite members but are associated with the Order, which ups the numbers quite a bit. Because here we get Ted & Andromeda Tonks, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Slughorn, Fleur, Ginny and the entire D.A. who fought in the battle of Hogwarts, McGonagall, Flitwick, Srpout, Maxime, Augusta Longbottom (by book 7), Abeforth Dumbledore, etc. which will put their number closer to 60 members and semi-members.

(Periphery members like this also existed in the first Order probably. Like McGonagall, Mr. and Mrs. Bones (Edgar Bones' parents) who were both killed in the first war along with Edgar's wife, the McKinnons, etc.)

(The Order members are harder to give a solid number to since unlike Death Eaters, they don't have a mark that says "official Order Members" so some of the members I counted as "periphery members" are sometimes counted as "members proper")

How Many Members are in the Death Eaters:

As for the Death Eaters (marked and unmarked), we have about 20 times as many as the first Order of the Pheonix:

but we’re much better off than we were last time, you weren’t in the Order then, you don’t understand, last time we were outnumbered twenty to one by the Death Eaters and they were picking us off one by one. . . .”

(OotP, Ch9)

And that part about this number being both marked and unmarked I think is important to remember. Becouse while it seems there were about (23*20=) 460 Death Eaters and semi-Death Eaters, there were only about 45-50 actually marked Death Eaters:

All he had learned there was the Disarming Spell, “Expelliarmus” . . . and what use would it be to deprive Voldemort of his wand, even if he could, when he was surrounded by Death Eaters, outnumbered by at least thirty to one?

(GoF, Ch34)

30 arrive at the graveyard + Severus + Barty + Rosier + Wilkes + Karkaroff + 10 Azkaban inmates = 45 Death Eaters in the first war -> Harry says "at least" thirty so I estimate them more at about 50 members.

In the second war, we have the aforementioned 30 + 10 Azkaban Inmates + Severus + Draco + ~10 other new recruits = 62-ish.

So, who are the other 400 semi-Death Eaters? Well, you have all the Werewolves, people like Narcissa who definitely works with the Death Eaters willingly (at first) but isn't marked. You also have all the imperiosed Death Eaters who are likely unmarked, like Stan Shunpike. So I expect the second war also has 460-is Death Eaters and semi-Death Eaters running around.

How do they recruit?

Both the Order and the Death Eaters work from mouth to ear. Members go to the leader (Dumbledore or Voldemort respectively) and mention a family member/friend/colleague/person they know who'd be good for the organization. You need to know someone inside the Order of the Phoenix to join (or be willing to approach a member in public).

The Death Eaters in the first war were similar, with wizards and witches likely vouching for each other and family members bringing their families over. I mean, we see both the Death Eaters and the Order have whole families in their ranks. Even if the Tonks aren't really in the Order, they are involved due to their relation to Nymphadora. Only Marlane was an Order member, but her entire family was killed. The entire Weasley family (bar Percy) is heavily involved from the word "go" in the second war. The same goes for the semi-Death Eaters, Narcissa isn't marked, but she's right there with her marked husband, sister, and son. Crabbe and Goyle are likely unmarked, but by book 7 are involved and would be counted toward that 460-ish Death Eaters and associates. Both organizations are family businesses in that the whole family gets involved when one member is involved.

(Sirius is a unique exception to that rule. I mean, after all, everyone believed he was a Death Eater so easily because his brother and cousin were Death Eaters. In-universe people are aware these organizations recruit whole families)

I mentioned in the past, the ministry kinda works like this too. Their society is based on nepotism and who you know. It's why things like the Slug Club exist. So it makes sense the recruitment for any semi-political organization (which both Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix are) will work like this too.

But there is another element to it. Both Dumbledore and Voldemort may approach someone themselves.

According to JKR, Voldemort offered both James and Lily a place among his Death Eaters. It's possible someone vouched for them, but it's also possible he glimpsed information about them from his followers/other sources and decided to recruit them.

Dumbledore does the same thing. For example, he approaches Slughorn himself since he is useful to him and Dumbledore knows he doesn't think like Voldemort (even though Slughorn doesn't really become an Order member proper).

Both Voldemort and Dumbledore sent envoys to the giants and werewolves in the second war.

The real difference in recruitment tactics is that Voldemort is probably promising everyone things he isn't actually planning to do (especially in the first war), threatens people to comply, and employs the Imperius Curse for those who still don't comply but whom he needs. Dumbledore doesn't employ these methods to recruit. Yes, he threatens Slughorn a little and gets an oath from Snape, but these are unique circumstances and not his usual recruitment. The usual method is to recruit people who want to fight against Voldemort and uphold the ministry more or less as is at the moment. The Order is about protecting the status quo and stopping a terrorist organization (which is what the Death Eaters are).

Also, Voldemort clearly doesn't mind allowing underage students in his organization (Draco) when he feels like he has enough to gain from it. However, from the Order's reactions to Hary's suspicions about Draco, it seems this isn't common and not something he did in the first war. The Order does not allow underage members to join.