Lesson Four - Basic Level

Abbey thought about the question and replied, "Well, the muggles accused many people of being witches. Many of them weren't actually witches, but some were." Abbey thought some more and said, "Because some of the witches were real ones, like us, many of the real wizards and witches didn't appreciate being hung." Abbey said, chuckling. "Then again, who would?"

"I was under the impression that many were burned at the stake," James interrupted. "Of course, they always managed to sneak in a spell or two. Something about making flames merely tickle."

"But then again, the muggles, and people in general, are easy to scare. During that time period, there were many misunderstandings. Kings and tyrants ruled their respective lands, and denied people the reassurance they required. The entire prospect of witch was based on the fact that she could control those around her. Or at least, that's what the chapel declared. The Witch Hunts, in my personal opinion, is an event of simple manipulation. Witches are like scapegoats in this case- the people's fear of being incapable of protecting themselves, and securing power, is diverted to rage. This rage, instead of being held against their oppresors is diverted to the witch, the "Strawman" if you would. Simple rhetoric would declare the course of events that followed afterwards."

Miseria closed her eyes and nodded. Inquisition.

“Eight hundred years ago, the Catholic Church found the need to set up a court known as the Inquisition. Its duty was to find and punish people suspected of heresy, however the methods were crude, unfair, and even ridiculous. Many innocent people died at the hands of fervent Inquisitors, who were totally convinced of their duty to God to seek and destroy all those who would go against him. Jews, Moors and non-Catholic Christians were all persecuted by the Inquisitors, however the most famous of the persecuted are the witches. With the need for a scapegoat, the Catholics sought out midwives, healers, and dabblers in folk-magic. The 'witches' became the malevolent enemy of the church, and as such they must be eradicated. The Inquisition had a drastic effect on how the common person viewed the practice of witchcraft, and how it would be portrayed for centuries to come,“ she said quietly when James Wake and Abbey were finished.

“In 1320 the inquisition added witchcraft to its list of heresies. Many styles of torture had been invented during the inquisition so as to inflict the most horrific pain on the poor victim without killing them. The worst of these were turned upon those accused of witchcraft. Millions of innocent people were tortured and murdered during the inquisition. They were then stripped naked, shaved, pricked with needles for insensitive spots and then examined for marks of the devil,“ she explained and took a deep breathe.

“For example: Some victims were horsewhipped. A sharp iron fork was used to mangle breasts. Red hot pincers were used to tear off flesh. Red hot irons were inserted up vaginas and rectums. A device named the turcas was used to tear out fingernails. After the nails were ripped out needles were shoved into the quicks. Boots called bootikens were used to lacerate flesh and crush bone. Thumbscrews were used to crush the fingers and toes. Acid was poured on victims and hands were immersed into pots of boiling oil and water. Eyes were gouged out by irons. Alcohol was poured on the head of the poor victim and set alight. Water was poured down the victims throat with a notted cloth. The cloth was then jerked out tearing up the victims bowels. There was no limit to the types and cruelty of the tortures. The inquisition meant anything was allowed.“

She scowled at the ending. “Hope that was good enough. And now – how it's important to Muggle-Wizard relations. You see, the inquisitors catched everyone, even witches, and wizards. They tortured them in any ways. Like muggles. I guess that some of them were even burned like before and even they had to live in fear. And so, wizards and witches had their reason to hate and fear them.

Finally she got finished with her little lecture, hoping that it was deep enough to give every student in this classroom close look at the muggle studies and also at the muggle history.

''Miss Manson, brilliant. Another 10 points for Hufflepuff.'', Wilson said. ''Miss Dawn, would you be so kind to expand your lecture a little.'', he asked.

Abbey bit her lip. She wasn't too sure about any other things involved with the Salem Witch Trials that could have possibly affected Muggle-Wizard relations. "Umm, well.." she began, "Is there really anything else to say besides the fact that so many real witches were hung, that Muggle-Wizard relations were damaged. How could the witches trust muggles when they were accusing them of torturing and possessing them? It wasn't fair at all on their part to just accuse them of things that they weren't causing. It was just mass hysteria spreading around the community." Abbey explained. "People wanted to believe that there really were witches out there."

''That is correct. And I shall give Hufflepuff another 50 points for these two answers. Now, I think that you have grasped the concept of Muggle-Wizard relations in this short, but I do hope, interesting lesson which is something you shall have in your finals. I shall not give you any homework this time, I am satisfied with how the lesson went.'', he said.

''Class dismisses the three of you. See you next time. If anyone has anymore questions, feel free to ask. If not, see you next time. I do hope you have memorized something from today's lesson.'', he said.