Interlude — Dalton Barracks, Abingdon in Oxfordshire
by Rainbow Sparkles
Barry Dawber leaned back in his chair and looked at the small festive tree his family had placed in a corner of the room. He couldn’t help but grin as he looked at his wand, his parents watching a show on the telly.
He had never dreamed he would be in the position as he was. Officially able to use magic even though he wasn’t in the wizarding world.
And it had come out of nowhere — an opportunity to be a wizard after he’d had to walk away from the wizarding world. A chance to use magic once more, and in service to the Queen to boot! He was still trying to process the fact that the government knew about magic now. But that wasn’t at the top of his thoughts. Finally getting to use the talents that only a few ever possessed took that spot.
He couldn’t help but smile as he remembered.
It had started with everyone on the base being ordered out into the base’s assembly field in September. Waiting for them was Brigadier Archibald, base commander, and four staff officers. With them were two civilians. One was a nondescript man of about thirty. The other was an attractive, young, college-age woman with long two-tone purple hair that stopped at her waist. When she came closer he saw she had, rather curiously, purple, yes, purple, eyes.
She’d been wearing a casual business dress that fit to her figure a bit too well, though if she noted the stares she was getting she gave no sign of being bothered.
The base commander explained that civilians were here to search for candidates for a special project. It wouldn’t take long, so they didn’t need to worry about being gone too long from their duties. Some had been happy to hear this, others tried hard not to groan. Barry hadn’t really cared either way — something about the woman (besides her exotic beauty) had drawn his attention.
She had started walking down the lines. Sometimes, she had stopped in front of a soldier and looked them over from top to bottom. Most had managed to stand still and keep a neutral expression but a few squirmed a bit ever so slightly, he saw in the front ranks. It had been only when she reached him sometime much later that he had realized there was so much more to this woman than anyone there could imagine.
He’d felt her magic flow over him, and he saw the soft glimmer of magic just above her head, the same hue as her eyes. He’d felt his eyes go wide in surprise. It had been a long time since he’d seen magic performed. Except what he did at home when he was positive no one would see him. And even that hadn’t been that frequent, becoming less so as more time passed.
Everyone else she inspected had earned a simple headshake. He, however, had earned a smile and a nod. The Colonel accompanying them had instructed Barry to fall out and wait for further instructions by the viewing stand.
It took only another ten minutes before she had finished. But not before she’d found an NCO officer from the base’s infirmary. The officer, a woman, gave Barry a nervous smile as she joined him off to the side. He had a feeling he knew why she was standing beside him as well.
Then had come the interview in Base headquarters. They were done separately, of course. He’d almost wanted to call it an interrogation, but the innocence of the smiling witch made it hard to see it as such. The man with her turned out to be from M.I. 5 and impressed upon him that anything that was said or done in that interview room was under the auspices to Secrecy Act. He wasn’t to talk of it to anyone.
The base commander, himself, had assured Barry that he wasn’t in trouble.
After giving quite a few vague answers to their questions, the two revealed to him that they knew that his post-primary education had been at a school called Hogwarts. And that the full name of the school was Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
He had, naturally, denied that until the man had pulled a picture from his pocket of several students, in robes, standing in front of Hogwarts’ main gates, waving. Three witches in it had rather unusual hair colours. And yes, it was a wizarding picture. The students were moving.
That was when he capitulated. “But I’m a loyal British soldier!” he had been sure to say.
Then they’d revealed to him that the woman across the table from him was not, in fact, just a witch. He had been rather startled by her sudden transformation into a unicorn pony with a pink coat and two-toned purple mane and tail. And a tattoo on her flank of three diamonds, or at least gemstones.
The man, a squib, had provided extra assurances that Barry had nothing to worry about in regards to the Statute of Secrecy. There were no muggles in the room.
With that out of the way, Barry had told them about his experiences in the wizarding world. He had told them about how he’d gotten a letter from Hogwarts, his time spent there, and his first two years in the wizarding world after graduating. That had been just around the end of the Seventies and into the early Eighties, when a fair bit of trouble had been going on in the wizarding world.
And despite his above-average scores on the NEWTs, he hadn’t been able to find anyone who would employ him for long. The two, combined, had made him grow more than a bit dissatisfied with things. If he’d had a good job he might have stuck it out. But with only a menial job and the threat of attack hovering in the background, he’d headed back to the muggle world. Lacking a Secondary Degree, he had decided to pursue his first dream — to follow in his granddad’s steps and become a soldier. He’d barely interacted with the wizarding world since, only staying in contact with an old friend of his from school.
The two civilians had explained that real aliens . . .
“Wait, you’re not an animagi?” he’d asked, startled into leaning forward.
She had smiled, which had been a decidedly weird, and cute, look on a pony, and replied. “No, this is my normal form.”
That had been shocking news, and he almost thought they were pranking him — but the scene on the parade ground and the picture argued against that.
They had explained what was going on. And how, with the help of the Equestrians, they were looking for people like him to help them figure out how best to make use of this new “Energy” and the “Special Technology” that was built around it.
That, and that he could be one of the first to take a job in this new group as a transfer to a new division in the Army.
He’d said yes, without a moment’s hesitation. They’d handed him his new orders on the spot. He would be the new third member of their team.
And then he had returned to his flat, and dug out his wand. He’d put it away in a cabinet and tried to forget about it. He hadn’t done more than play with it in years, and had felt discouraged that all his training with it was going to waste. His hands had shaken with excitement as he thought about all the good he could do now with his abilities . . . especially his understanding of runes.
He had laughed a bit to himself at what the two had called it — new “Energy” and the “Special Technology,” indeed. That was certainly one way to think of it, a very muggle way, too, as a few of his teachers would have suggested.
Even amidst all the excitement he had felt, there still had been some worry, some fears and doubts. They’d told him to retrieve his wand and bring it with him the following morning when they came by to pick him up. He had hoped, at the time, that wherever they were going was safe from the detection spells of the Ministry — he hadn’t any desire to lose his wand, or end up in Azkaban. He certainly didn’t want to be obliviated either, especially as he’d be losing a great many happy memories that he cherished.
He needn’t have worried.
And he had had so many questions about these Equestrians. He had wondered why they were working with the Muggles and not the Wizards. And why what the two governments were doing hadn’t been picked up yet by anyone in the wizarding world. He hadn’t believed that the Ministry was really so incompetent after so many years. Or were they just so focused inward that something like this, even in the most remote sense, just didn’t occur to them?
He hadn’t been sure how the Magical world would react when it became obvious what was going on. From what Miss Star had mentioned, it had sounded only like a matter of time until the Wizards and Witches found out. And by then, it’d probably be too late.
Right then, though . . . none of that had mattered to Barry. His face had broken into a wide smile as he had closed his eyes and pushed his magic through the wand. He had let out a happy shout as his alarm clock turned into a rabbit.
He had still had it in him!
And over the last four months he had certainly put his talents and wand to use. He had to admit, as turned his wand over and over in his hands, that this was shaping up to be the best Christmas in over a decade.
۸-_-۸
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Are we getting a regular chapter?
Nice interlude, but if you are doing interlude you rather tackle more interesting topic such as other countries perspectives, or scientists' perspective, or religions' perspective, or Queen's perspective, or Voldermort's perspective, rather than one time random POV that doesn't really give any new information.
This is some OC right? You haven't managed to completely forget what Twilight/Rarity looks like?
This was a guest Chapter he said before there would be no update today due to IRL stuff.
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That's what I'm thinking, too.
I wanted to say Starlight, as she matches the rest of the description (pink coat, purple mane) and if I recall correctly she's taken on the false name Amethyst Star, but her cutie mark isn't three diamonds.
9415588
Unless she is using a fake cutie mark again.
9415604
Okay, just to clear up the confusion:
No it's not Starlight.
It isn't Rarity or Twilight either.
Miss Star is Amethyst Star.
I know. I didn't recognize her either.
9415604
That is true. I don’t remember if she did that from the beginning.
9415564
I am pretty sure she was an OC, but I would like to suggest using different color than pink for mares since it is not mandatory for female to have pink color coat (and we already have the embodiment of Pinkness in pony world).
This was sweet. It's so nice to hear muggleborn getting proper gainful employment where they can use their magic.
9415611
Huh, so she is. Well it's good to see that she's found herself a new job after Twilight accidently put her out of work.
Though all of this confusion could have been avoided with a line of introductory dialogue...
Yay, we did gat a chapter today, thanks for it too, I know that you are not the main author, but little side stories like this keep things interesting and you guys are doing much better than M.S.D. as it only updates twice a month at best, once or twice over a 3 month period at worst. So keep up the great work you guys.
Nice did catch a minor error "They’d told him to retrieve his want" think you might of meant wand instead of want
9415611
Well Starlight is using the alias Bright Star so there is evidence to support that it is Starlight.
Hey Rainbow Sparkle who is "Miss Star"?
Will Myrtle become a pony animagus upon going through the portal to Equestria?
I imagine many wizards and witches would want to become animagi as well.
Nice work!
9415558
I will object to that in that this illustrates the issue with Muggleborn being excluded from the magical community and being forced back into the muggle world. That, and that this is pretty much a canon omake interlude, not a regular chapter.
9415658
It was already described in previous chapter and this is really weak head canon.
For those of you wondering, the pony in this chapter is Amethyst Star. She's been seen several times in the show itself, and was noted as being "the best organizer in all of Ponyville!" before Twilight moved there.
vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/0/06/Amethyst_Star_ID_S5E1.png/revision/latest
Should be a period between "years" and "Or".
Four months?
Hrm, the muggle vs ministry arc is starting to shape up. It reminds me a lot of the usual 'human's vs. elves' conflict with the ministry taking the role of elves, with their long view plans and self-assured superiority.
I don't think there was ever a risk of humanity going to war against witches and wizards. No the real conflict will be muggle nations versus rewarding nations, as I can't imagine them letting independent nations like them exist within their borders once they become aware of them. Fortunately the Equestrians seem to have set up a long game themselves and it may be a while before the wizarding world simply bleeds out into the new modern magi-tech muggle world.
9415634 For about thirty seconds after seeing that I thought, "Hey, cool! I guess I'm picking up a new bit of British milspeak!" Because, well, it could be; another word for "essentials," or "things you'll want if you don't have them." I was a little sad to figure out, no, just a typo.
9415634
Fixed. Thanks.
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Amethyst Star. I had to look her up to get her coat color, as it wasn’t in the original story I was given.
9415708
It certainly says something about a language when it makes you go "not sure if typo or just slang"
9415700
Considering the state of Winter Roundup the town must have terrible organizers if she is considered the best...
9415666
Personally, I'd say that this is perfectly serviceable world-building for this particular alternate universe. True, it's not much use for dealing with the original story, but we're not reading the original story are we?
So uhh, if we're not getting a regular Monday chapter, are you saving up for one big super chapter on Thursday?
9415720
I just find frustrating that every time we get a background information on this alternative universe it only serves authors agenda "Wizarding world is dysfunctional and sucks, Muggles built much better world and are competent in every way" which is part of overall issue "science > magic" attitude of author that manifest through billions of attempts to overrationalize magic in crossover of two fantasy world. I genually liked this story up to the moment when started shoving "Methods of Rationality" tropes down audience throats. Now I keep reading only to see the ultimate outcome of the worlds' contact.
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It is canon that the wizarding world is a corrupt dysfunctional stagnated hellhole especially when compared to early 90s western civilization.
9415719
Or it could be that getting the entire population of Ponyville to work as a cohesive unit without stepping on each others' hooves is a monumental task for anyone who lacks a serious obsession with organization.
Amethyst saved Cranky and Matilda's wedding when everything started going down the tubes, so she's obviously rather good at it... but Twilight has checklists for her checklists.
Literally.
It just isn't a fair comparison.
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Amethyst Star. Best organizer in Ponyville until Twilight Sparkle arrived. Possible relative of Dinky.
I guess I missed meeting you at Arisia this year. I did not go the last day, as this year it was just too cold.
9415757
OK fair enough no one can compete with Twilight on that front but considering they do Winter Roundup every year I would think the towns best organiser would have a plan goin in, in that episode I didn't see any kind of plan or even a proper attempt at organizing things between the three teams until Twilight took charge.
9415747
That's just your own distorted view it's not canon.
The magical world isn't meant to be perfect it's basically a reflection of our world flaws and all. Bigotry and racism exist for wizards just as they do for muggles it just takes on a different form. Magic is capable of great wonders and horrors just like muggles science. And as you have unwittingly shown for all the wizards who may view themselves superior to muggles there are of course muggles who view their side as superior and look down upon wizards as inferior and primitive.
9415775
Yeah but those flaws are exaggerated in the wizarding world if they weren't Umbridge would not have the position she has nor would she have been able to pass the rasist laws that she did (the anti-werewolf legislation that prevents Lupin from holding a job? her fault) also Malfoy would have been made a pariah after the first war (he clearly wasn't) and the Death Eaters would not have been able to take full control of the ministry anywhere near as easily as they did. The fact is the books present a Ministry of Magic that is corrupt, dysfunctional and stagnant with the pure bloods in power placating the public with an illusion of change when it is really business as it has been for the last few centuries, that is the very strong impression I got from reading the books recently and that is the interpretation the writer has chosen to go with, it's his interpretation of the canon that matters to this story not yours so just learn to deal with it.
One way the Ministry is corrupt is the fact that they practically control the Daily Prophet here is a quote from the HP Wiki for the Prophet...
Having the only newspaper in a society be particaly state run is a very dangerous sign pointing to a tyrannical and corrupt government. Everything that I have seen in universe heavily implies to me at least that the British wizarding world is a corrupt, dysfunctional, stagnated society that is toying around with things asosiated with tyranny.
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The Politics of Harry Potter: Corrupt Law and Totalitarian Government
No, not just my or his head-canon.
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Like I said it's a reflection of our world. Maybe not of any one place but all these issues exist in our world including the part where racists and criminals have positions of power and prevent serious change from happening.
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But those flaws are greatly exaggerated in the wizarding world to create a racist, corrupt, dysfunctional stagnate, totalitarian hellhole as pointed out in the author's last post with the link to that Oxford paper on the topic, if that can't convince you that you are wrong here nothing will.
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I don't disagree that the wizarding world has problems I disagree with the idea that muggles don't have problems of their own. Exaggerated or not the muggles have their own problems and its foolish to say they are so much better than wizards.
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That was very informative. Thanks for pointing it out.
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Line from animagus registration form:
Describe your animagus form: Human .
9415839
Yes the muggles have problems but in the early 1990s they especially in Britain had far less problems then the wizards, my argument is that the wizards in the U.K. are a racist, corrupt, dysfunctional, totalitarian society based on the concept of blood purity and human supremely, muggles in the U.K. just don't have those kinds of problems at that point, I think you are basing your opinions on the muggle world on the news of 2019 which is over half a century after the time this story takes place, this was the end of the cold war when the first Bush was President. Muggles are far from perfect but the political hellhole of the wizarding world makes the muggles look good in comparison.
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The wizards don't know that they assume them to be human and no one told them they need to register so one can assume the registration only applies to British citizens.
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Nobody is saying that muggles don't have flaws, after all it was similar in the middle elages and renaciance, so compare humans of today with the humans of the middle ages, one can say we a waay better, because we improved, but the wizards, being isolationist, improved much more slowly, so as a result, we perceive them as worst, so much worst that it looks we are the good ones, nobody is forgetting we are bad too, but the contrast is big.
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My point was this story definitely forgets the bad. There is absolutely no negative aspect to muggles in this story they might as well be ponies.
9415734
In cannon, the wizarding world is extremely corrupt and unsustainable. Even in 1990 and the technology of the time it would have the life expectancy of four months tops. There is more than a little suspension of disbelief required to have it be otherwise. The fact that tkepner is a problem solver by nature, translates into a work that points out the dysfunctional nature of the society.
On the other hoof, MLP shows a thriving nation well in tune with its citizenship. On the basis of cannon alone, the ponies would trounce the wizards with organization, heritage, free flow of knowledge, support of its citizens, and magical power.
What the wizards have is a bloated sense of self worth and a populace best described as sheeple. That and a questionable mandate for sovereignty.
9415885
The only muggles this story focuses on aside from the Dursleys (who are obviously bad) are people like the Prime Minister and Castor and it is within their best interests to present the best muggles have to offer to the Equestrians and to be as agreeable as possible, we just don't have a big enough sample to gauge the muggles accurately in this story, as we have yet to see any kind of opposition to John Major or anyone who would be anti-Equestrian/anti-magic.
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and due to those very reasons it would make perfect sense for Equestria to side with the muggles who also have a healthy thriving government over the wizards who don't, plus there is the whole shadow government thing working against the wizards.