Twixt Can and Can't

Scritch-scratch. A pen works its way across a scrap of parchment in the small study.

People say that you can't know much about a person just by looking at them. On the whole, that isn't true. The stories of lives are written in faces and clothes and possessions; you might just not be very good at reading. In any case, let's try and see what we get.

The user of the pen is a woman. If you are good at this sort of thing, which I am not, you might be able to guess that she is between twenty-five and thirty years of age, although her large hazel eyes and slight build could trick you into underestimating. The worn wand in her belt reveals that she is a witch. All this is already quite a lot to know about a person.

But not enough. Let's look around her office to see if we can find more.

Now things start to get interesting. The unmoving family photographs on the desk suggest that she is Muggle-born. The letters on her desk are addressed to Janine Whemper. It's as we move on to the walls that our attention is excited.

One wall holds a couple of framed certificates. One of them sports flashing silver stars and declares Janine Whemper to be a graduate of the Icarus Institute of Wizarding Research. The next more sombrely congratulates her on finishing her medical degree at Cambridge.

The opposite wall holds a bookshelf, which contains not even one book that cannot be found in the Muggle world. The books have titles like The Descent of Man and Dominance in Genetics. All in all, it's enough to make us check again that we really did see the wand and that we have not actually stumbled into some Muggle doctor's office.

No, Janine Whemper is a witch, a research witch to be precise. You've been very observant, but you can stop now; I'll tell you about her.

x

Janine Whemper is indeed a Muggle-born witch. But she is a rather unique one. To explain, let's go back to her eleventh birthday…

Janine was awoken on her birthday by her father. It was a bright, crisp March day and she was to get up immediately, as all of her siblings were coming for lunch. She was the only one who still lived at home, so this was a great treat for her.

Her mother had died soon after her birth, killed by a rogue drunk driver. Janine had lived a very happy life with her father and siblings in their comfortable London home so far. The older children were already in the early stages of success of medicine, law, accounting and engineering, variously; it was that sort of family.

The day passed like most Whemper family meals. Dr Whemper was a great believer in cultivating curiosity and intelligence as a way of life, and so the food was accompanied by a lively debate on various current affairs.

It was after Eric and Victoria and Olivia and James, with various spouses and children, had left, and Janine was lazing in front of the fireplace reading a book, that a sharp knock was heard on the door. Muttering good-naturedly about the lateness of the hour, her father opened the door to reveal a sharp-looking woman in a noticeably ill-fitting tartan suit.

"Good evening, Dr Whemper. My name is Professor Minerva McGonagall. May I come in?"

Dr Whemper hesitated. He had never met this woman before in his life, but she was clearly an academic, which engendered his highest respect.

"With regard to what, Professor?"

"I would like to offer young Miss Whemper a place in my school, and I wish to talk to you about it." At that, she was immediately ushered in.

Things had changed quite a lot in the three years that Professor McGonagall had been heading up Hogwarts, and one of the first things she had dispensed with was the acceptance letter to Muggle-borns. They were now told individually, with full explanations.

"What is it, Father?"

"This lady would like to invite you to join her school, my girl."

"But I'm to go to Maynard's, surely?"

"Now, Jeanie, no decision is fixed. After all, the Professor has made the effort to come to see us, so it may very well be an excellent opportunity."

Janine finally came out of her cloud and looked up at the imposing visitor.

"Good evening, miss. Nice to meet you."

"Good evening, Janine. And it's Professor, actually. Professor McGonagall."

"Wizard." The girl grinned.

"Absolutely correct, actually." The woman's twisted lips curved into a very Scottish smile. "You see, Janine, you are a witch. You can do magic."

"Magic? Be serious, Professor, no such thing."

Janine's father had still not said anything. An upper-class, well-educated child was expected at least to attempt to hold her own with adults; how else would she learn? And late-born Janine was in any case quite experienced at conversing with her elders.

But now Dr Whemper felt it necessary to interrupt. This was getting absurd.

"Excuse me, Professor, but would you care to elaborate on what you mean by magic?"

"Certainly." In a blink, she had conjured with her wand a dazzling display of green and purple stars, which flashed through the living room and hung themselves on the walls. Janine reached out to touch one and her hand sparked a little.

"Father, how did she do that?"

"No idea. What's the trick, madam?"

"There is no trick. It is magic. Magic like Janine will learn to do."

A lengthy explanation of accidental magic followed, and Dr Whemper nodded as if this explained a lot.

"You'll excuse me if I ask you to display another example? This is all rather unlikely."

"Of course." Before their eyes, the telephone across the room transformed slowly into a large white rat. The child's eyes widened even more.

"Rather unhygienic, madam. Will it be clean when you change it back?"

At this calm reaction, the jaws of both Janine and the Professor dropped.

"Father, you knew magic was real? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Calm down, Jeanie. I had no idea that magic existed until just now. But it certainly seems to be the rational explanation now." He turned to face the surprised teacher.

"Forgive me, sir. Muggles are usually more … resistant to accepting the existence of magic."

"Muggle?"

"Those without the magical aptitude."

"Right. So you're saying she can do this stuff?"

"She will learn that and more at Hogwarts. She has substantial magical talent to be developed. Our term begins on the first of September…"

"Not so fast, madam. Tell me about your curriculum."

"Excuse me?"

"I want to see what she would be learning if she went to your school. Surely you have a lesson plan?"

Dr Whemper had the definite privilege of being the first person to leave Professor McGonagall speechless in a very long time.

"A lesson plan?"

"Well, of course. Don't tell me you came here recruiting without that sort of stuff. A course outline, which A-levels you offer, where your students go on to study. Come on." The doctor was now very clearly impatient.

"I am not sure you understand, Dr Whemper. Janine is to be a witch. She will write OWLs and NEWTs, not A-levels. She doesn't need any of that Muggle stuff anymore."

"Maths? Science?"

"I'm not quite sure what those are, doctor."

"Are you serious? So what do you teach?"

"Transfiguration – that's transforming things, like what I did with your phone." The unfortunate professor was now quite flustered. "Charms – the star thing was a charm, but it is a very wide subject and includes household spells as well. Potions, Astronomy, Defense against the Dark Arts …"

"What is that?"

"Defensive spells – protection against threatening situations. There is also Herbology, which is care of magical plants, and History of Magic. That's about all for first year, but from their third year on there are more choices…"

"Any sports? Physical activity?

"We have flying lessons for a few weeks in first year, and there are a few broom sports, but that's about it."

"It sounds wonderful, Father. Loads of fun."

"It sounds highly improbable and illegitimate, Janine. Really, what is she to learn that is of any use?"

"It's all very useful."

"Really? Turning a phone into a rat? That defensive thing sounds OK, and I suppose Potions and Herbs appear to be worthwhile, but the rest sounds like rather a waste of time."

"A waste of time?" Professor McGonagall's nostrils flared, but the doctor was used to angry people.

"You must understand, Professor. I'm not ungrateful. I'm sure Janine would enjoy being at your school – it sounds amazing. But she's been accepted to one of the most prestigious schools in the country. She's always wanted to be a doctor. I can't allow her to spend her most important years studying the curriculum you are suggesting. It's just not enough for a girl of Janine's talents."

Frankly, this was a new one for the professor. She had come across people who had refused to believe in magic and people who regarded it as weird and unnatural. But she had never met someone who rather liked the idea but just thought it was not good enough.

"Dr Whemper, Janine does need this. Without training, her magic will mature unchecked and become dangerous to her and others. This is not something she can ignore."

"Well, can she have private magical tutoring? Enough to keep it in control?"

"Unfortunately, the magical world is recovering from extensive tragedies and educators are in short supply. I cannot provide the staff and I doubt anyone else in England can do so either."

"I see."

"Perhaps you need some time to think this over? May I return tomorrow?"

"Yes, good idea. I'm sorry about this, Professor, but I just don't feel right about it."

Once the elderly witch had departed, Dr Whemper turned to his daughter, who was looking rather apprehensive. "So, what do you think? Do you want to go?"

"It sounds super. Real magic." At this, the excitement dropped out of the girl's voice. "But you don't want me to go."

"Jeanie, it's not that. It sounds quite extraordinary. But you've always enjoyed your studies. If you go to this place, you'll never be a doctor. You heard her; she's never even heard of mathematics. I just don't feel comfortable allowing you to give up everything like that."

The poor man sunk his head into his hand, and immediately raised it. "Unless…" And with that one word the uniqueness of his daughter was decided definitively.

x

When Professor McGonagall returned twenty-four hours later, she found a much happier household. "Have you made your decision?"

"Indeed. I have decided to accept your offer conditionally."

"Oh?" The Highlands eyebrow rose imperiously.

"It is clear that the opportunity to attend your school is an excellent one and it would be injudicious of Janine to turn it down. But neither can I allow her to give up on her 'Muggle' education."

"We talked about this. I cannot provide private tuition for your daughter."

"True. But I can provide regular tuition."

"Please explain."

"Janine will attend lessons in maths, science and whatever else she wishes to study over the weekend and in the holidays. She will write her examinations when the time comes. I assume this can be arranged."

"We can't have Muggles at Hogwarts."

"Wouldn't you be able for her to arrange to leave the campus? I assume magical travel is possible."

Professor McGonagall looked highly doubtful. "Well, yes, I suppose. But it would have to be in Scotland. I can't take the risk that she be spotted in two countries every week. In any case, school rules say that she cannot return home over the weekends unless for a family occasion."

"Agreed. I can certainly arrange tuition in Scotland. Do we have a deal?"

"Not yet." She turned to Janine. "This will be very difficult. Hogwarts is a lot of work, and you will be carrying a double load. You will not have much free time. Are you sure this is what you want?"

To her surprise, the child's eyes were clear and older than her age. "Yes, I'm sure."

"Why?"

"You must forgive me, Professor, but I don't know you and I don't know much about magic. But I do know Father and my brothers and sisters, and I've wanted to be like them since before I can remember and I don't think I want to give up on that yet. I like school and I want to continue. There's nothing wrong with working hard."

"That's right, Jeanie. But you're also to have fun. Do students generally have a good time at your school, Professor?"

"Oh, yes. We have feasts and ghosts and many wonderful things. I don't know of anyone who doesn't love Hogwarts." The Professor was bemused; she had never had to explain to anyone that they would have a good time at Hogwarts.

"Well, then I suppose it is settled. What do I need to do now?"

And thus finally Professor McGonagall was able to do what she had originally intended, which was to hand over the book list and directions to Diagon Alley and the hidden platform and to return to the school to manage whatever chaos was currently surfacing.

Diagon Alley proved to be an endless fascination for the inquisitive pair. Dr Whemper was particularly engrossed by the selection of Janine's wand (ash with dragon heartstring, twelve and three-eighth inches) and for the first time Mr Ollivander found someone who would listen as long as he would talk, or at least until the next customer started shouting impatiently, or at least what would have been impatiently had he not been waiting unattended for the last forty minutes.

Finally, the preparations were complete. September found the Whempers at the station with two trunks; while this was not unusual for fashion-conscious Muggle-born girls who could not shrink their clothes, Janine's second trunk contained textbooks, pens and a new calculator, surely a first for a Hogwarts witch.

x

Every Saturday and Sunday, Janine was to take a Portkey to Edinburgh, where she studied under the instruction of Dr Kay, a soft-voiced Gael with dancing eyes and immense pride in his pupil. If he ever wondered, as well he should have, what Janine, who was charming but not dramatic in the least, was doing at a private seminary for the performing arts, he never asked, not once in the hundreds of weekends that he taught her.

It was not an easy school life for her at first. A casual spectator would have placed her in Ravenclaw without a second glance, but the Sorting Hat, anything but unobservant, got an overwhelming impression of unyielding determination and a special destiny, and she became a Slytherin.

A Muggle-born in Slytherin needed to be something special to flourish; prejudice dies more quickly in politics than in school life, and to the first years the scars on the stone walls of Hogwarts were barely a story, an ignorance that said far too much about the new attitude of the wizarding world. But a Muggle-born who still lived in the Muggle world for half her day, who refused to be at all embarrassed about her shameful background, who dared to talk about biology during Herbology and chemistry during potions was off the radar, a hideous anomaly to be squashed into non-existence.

But after a while the elite of the Snakes gave up. The girl was so entirely unaffected by their scorn. She spent her evenings curled up by the fireplace with a textbook, magical or otherwise, and rarely looked up to attend to her housemates' comments. She had no time for Quidditch games or lazing by the lake; when mocked, she had an off-putting way of staring at her tormentor with a quizzical look and answering with a discussion of whatever she was reading. So the bullies lost interest and only showed residual nastiness when usual entertainment was slow.

Perhaps the Sorting Hat knew what it was doing. In Ravenclaw, Janine's behaviour and pursuits would have considered quite acceptable and she might have been fairly popular. In time she might have been drawn out into other recreations and her particular brand of industriousness may have lost its charm. But deep in the dungeons, she was forced to cling ever harder to her books and fight for her dual identity, constantly reminded of its oddness by those who considered it a disgrace.

And so things went on. Some of the professors found her a little bemusing, but she excelled in her studies and was the particular darling of Professors Slughorn and Sprout. Two years and a half were to pass before this remarkable witch, so wrapped up in her world, met the man who would change things forever, although they had walked the same halls every day.

x

It was a day like any other, and Janine was taking a shortcut through a little-used corridor when she heard a swell of laughter coming from a room. Curious, she walked into a small classroom to see a pinched-looking man strung up from the ceiling in a pink and blue lattice of Drooble's Gum. He would most probably have been cursing if a strand of the web had not wrapped itself around his mouth, but his cheeks were still working furiously. A crowd of pranksters lounged against the walls, snickering. Gryffindors of course, she thought with some scorn.

The poor captive had apparently lost his wand, as he seemed unable to free himself. Janine wondered who he was; surely not even the Gryffindors would dare do this to a teacher. A few of them popped matching gum in their mouths and blew loud, mocking bubbles.

Janine sidled up to one of the young Pucks, a girl called Kelly McDonald who had sometimes been friendly to her. "Who is he?" she whispered.

"Oh, hello there. Didn't see you. What do you think, eh?"

"He's not a teacher, is he?"

Kelly snorted. "Not a chance. Look at him, filthy Squib. The only thing he could teach is wiping his nose."

She stared a little at Janine, as people tended to sometimes when confronted with her particular brand of distance from student life. "He's Filch, the caretaker. He cleans whatever is beneath a house-elf to clean, and rats to McGonagall about everything. Anyway, he lodged a petition to ban Drooble's, so we decided to … introduce him to its delights."

"So he can't do magic?" Janine had read about Squibs once or twice and her interest was piqued.

"Yeah. Freak." Kelly snickered as one of the older jokers manipulated the caretaker's hands into a rather embarrassing position.

"But then … isn't he like us?" Kelly was also Muggle-born, although her older sister was also a witch.

"Are you mad?" Kelly glowered at Janine with horror. "What do you mean?"

"Well, we're not like our parents; we're magical and they aren't. So he's the same but in reverse, right?"

"Really, Janine, you can't say things like that. Honestly, how dare you compare us? We've moved up in the world; we've improved on our parents' model. Muggle-born wizards are common; that's because it's right that people develop magic, it's the way of the world. But how can a person lose magic? It's unnatural. I'm just grateful there are so few of them."

"Why are there so few Squibs? I've never met one before."

"My word, don't you listen to anyone who isn't a teacher? I just said, because it's twisted and wrong, and nature obviously feels the same way."

At this point Kelly concluded her lecture and disappeared, her trouble-tuned ears having picked out the approach of the Headmistress. Her co-conspirators quickly followed suit, and Janine was left alone with the furious mannequin of a man. Her compassion aroused, she pulled out her wand and floated him down, but unfortunately lacked the presence of mind to escape.

She found herself immediately caught up by the ear and dragged to Professor McGonagall, who listened in some amazement to the accusation that Janine had tormented Filch. Curious as to what Janine had been doing at all outside the library, the Headmistress took the girl to her office for further questioning.

"I really didn't do it, Professor. I promise." The tears of unjust accusation, so unique to a child, swam through her eyes.

"But you were there, watching. What on earth were you thinking? Why would you participate in such a thing?"

"I passed by and saw it, and then I saw a girl and I asked her who he was, and she said he was a Squib and we were talking about it and then she ran away."

"Janine, we do not discuss Mr Filch's status. It is simply not something we talk about. He is possessed of a rare defect, and there is no need to enquire further."

"But…"

"Please drop the subject. Who was harassing Mr Filch?"

Janine remained silent.

"Janine, I know you were not involved. But Mr Filch is extremely upset and I need to do something."

All the Headmistress received was a quiet shrug.

"Well then, detention it is. You will be copying out the records in my office tomorrow night, unless you send a real culprit to replace you."

Janine nodded. "I will be here." She was dismissed in her usual daze.

But the truth was that Janine was enthralled by the response she had gotten from the usually open Professor. She had hardly been surprised by Kelly's prejudice; the girl was none too bright and rarely made the effort to think for herself. But the look of disgust that had twisted over Professor McGonagall's usually serene face had shocked her a lot; the aversion to the breed of Squib still ran deep. Obviously Squibs had not attained nearly the same acceptance as Muggle-borns, and she was not sure why.

What was so wrong with them? Clearly magic was nice to have, but it wasn't everything; she of all people knew that. Why were they so despised? What caused the magical ability to disappear from a family? And why was it so rare, when Hogwarts was teeming with students of Muggle birth?

At the time, it was nothing more than Janine's usual fascination with whatever curiosity came her way. As was her wont, she retired to the library to quench her interest, but it was only stoked by what she did not find. The whole topic of those born to magical parents but without the ability was assiduously avoided. Night after night she searched, but there was nothing to be learned, even after she charmed Professor Slughorn into giving her a Restricted pass.

Janine was now decidedly intrigued. Looking for more clues, she started reading literature on Muggle-born wizards. In that too, academic research was somewhat lacking. Most of what had been written was from the old days of bigotry, and the books written were more based on the underlying view of the author than of any real knowledge of the nature of Muggle-borns. Even more recent books, written by members of the Order of the Phoenix, were dogmatic and passionate, and had no real scholastic rigour. It appeared that wizarding academia, in general fairly thorough, regarded this whole area of study as a bit fishy and took some pains to ignore it at any level beyond the superficial.

It was deep in a corner of the dark Hogwarts library, at the age of thirteen, that Janine decided to what use she would put her rare combination of skills. She would study the heredity of wizardry, find out how and why magic is or is not passed on and unearth the mystery of the shame of those without the ability.