Most tended to take Rabastan's child-like views and ways and mistakenly think he was stupid or childish. Granted, his clear moments were often, but he did have them. Crumbling the napkin in his hand, he sighed. Still he didn't look up Harry, just stared morosely down at his hands.
"The world was different then. There was a grace and gentle beauty to it, a gentility if you will. Then it all began to fade when the more social groups began pushing harder to let the Mu... those who were not pureblooded in to places that society had always dictated belonged to only a few. It doesn't sound right to you, I know. I doubt it ever will, but it was like the sun going out, a Götterdämmerung. Things that had once been splendid and beautiful were being reproduced except they were cheap immitations with gilt paint if you can understand that idea.
"What we saw was our way of life, our society dying and being replaced with one that held no place for us. Instead of our pureblooded ladies being nodded to and greeted on the street, they were occasionally pushed off sidewalks or disrespected, things no gentleman would have ever allowed to happen in his presence. We began to lose power and positions that our families had held since the beginning of wizarding society."
Bast shook his head, gaze lifting to the ceiling.
"We did what we were told by a leader what was best, what would save us and our society. What would save the world as we knew it. It was pointed out who was the enemy, anger whipped up into a righteous fury, and we let loose. We had our Cause, and we were protecting our homes, families, children, wives, sisters, or what have you."
Bast wiped his drying eyes again, eyes dropping back to his lap.
"I don't expect you to understand, Harry. I don't. Just remember how many young people you had willing to join your cause, wanting to fight to save your way of life, those you loved, and everything you held precious. To try to stop your Götterdämmerung. Seeing one side of a thing is never a good idea. I did like Sirius though. Hard not to really. He just had a way. He wasn't really ever cruel to me either. To Dolph, yes, but he gave me a piece of candy once when his mother made he and Regulus come over to play."
His fingers plucked at the edges of his napkin, fraying them.
"You lose your parents and godfather. We lost Severus. I suppose everyone I knew is dead, yes? I can't imagine they would hold off on executions for a second war."
no subject
Most tended to take Rabastan's child-like views and ways and mistakenly think he was stupid or childish. Granted, his clear moments were often, but he did have them. Crumbling the napkin in his hand, he sighed. Still he didn't look up Harry, just stared morosely down at his hands.
"The world was different then. There was a grace and gentle beauty to it, a gentility if you will. Then it all began to fade when the more social groups began pushing harder to let the Mu... those who were not pureblooded in to places that society had always dictated belonged to only a few. It doesn't sound right to you, I know. I doubt it ever will, but it was like the sun going out, a Götterdämmerung. Things that had once been splendid and beautiful were being reproduced except they were cheap immitations with gilt paint if you can understand that idea.
"What we saw was our way of life, our society dying and being replaced with one that held no place for us. Instead of our pureblooded ladies being nodded to and greeted on the street, they were occasionally pushed off sidewalks or disrespected, things no gentleman would have ever allowed to happen in his presence. We began to lose power and positions that our families had held since the beginning of wizarding society."
Bast shook his head, gaze lifting to the ceiling.
"We did what we were told by a leader what was best, what would save us and our society. What would save the world as we knew it. It was pointed out who was the enemy, anger whipped up into a righteous fury, and we let loose. We had our Cause, and we were protecting our homes, families, children, wives, sisters, or what have you."
Bast wiped his drying eyes again, eyes dropping back to his lap.
"I don't expect you to understand, Harry. I don't. Just remember how many young people you had willing to join your cause, wanting to fight to save your way of life, those you loved, and everything you held precious. To try to stop your Götterdämmerung. Seeing one side of a thing is never a good idea. I did like Sirius though. Hard not to really. He just had a way. He wasn't really ever cruel to me either. To Dolph, yes, but he gave me a piece of candy once when his mother made he and Regulus come over to play."
His fingers plucked at the edges of his napkin, fraying them.
"You lose your parents and godfather. We lost Severus. I suppose everyone I knew is dead, yes? I can't imagine they would hold off on executions for a second war."