premise.
--- Peace? In our labyrinthine wizarding world? Well, honestly, I didn't think it was possible. It seemed rather preposterous, even after his sensational defeat. Oh, I can barely remember what it felt like when we received the news. We heard it on our wireless right before we sat down for supper. He was gone, his enthusiasts were gone, but tragically: so were a lot of the people we knew. The celebrations that roared throughout the countrysides after the fall of Voldemort were -- gingerly engaged. You see, no one, including myself, truly believed it was all finally over, that we no longer had to worry about epic wars or the fulfillment of prophecies. It was quite hard to believe we could write and speak his name without it sending a shiver down our spines. We had so many to thank for a secured future, as it wasn't just Harry Potter who brought us that victory. On that night, with the shouts and hollers of our neighbours in the background, we sobbed together joyfully knowing our beautiful children wouldn't have to live in fear. I ruined several linen handkerchiefs! Supper was forgotten!
Looking back, we were quite amazed how rapidly his subordinates slunk back into the shadows. Zealots and extremists faded away with the same celerity, trying their very hardest to lay low and blend in with the triumphant as best they could. If my memory is correct, a few surrendered willingly, assuming they could plea insanity (or throw in tired mentions of Imperio) and be rewarded a bit of lenience, while the rest went into hiding in an attempt to escape their punishment. Those who were caught weren't given much compassion for their offences. Many of the guilty were killed -- many of the innocent, too, I'm sure. And of course, those who refused to be completely silenced discovered more civilised methods of keeping fundamentalism alive. Alas! They somehow found a way to sermonise their hatred so that it seemed acceptable. Why, at one point, I think some even managed to get a small amount of sympathy from the media.
It was near the end of 1999 when Kingsley Shackebolt began to perform miracle after jaw-dropping miracle -- those who doubted his proficiency were the first to stand and give him the prolonged applause he greatly deserved! Oh, they all reluctantly ate their words. The deep voiced man with the gold-hooped earring kept our delicate world in a state of calm for two steady decades, rebuilding not only the destruction of our people and society, but the psychological well-being of everyone affected. Admittedly, I've never cared much for Muggles, never paid them much mind and often forgot they even existed! But Kingsley Shacklebolt -- yes, he changed that for the better. There was just something about that man! His confidence, for starters -- and so handsome! An honest man, that one. We really liked him! And that one woman; always in red. Zara Quince, was it? A little young, but personally, I've always had a lot of faith in Hogwarts alumnae.
Yes. Yes. Oh yes -- we're quite happy our darling children are safe now, and we hope this happiness lasts for as long as it can.