Al closed the folder, what an interesting case. Wizarding law had changed greatly in a generation, hell the whole wizarding world had changed since the last great war, the one Al's father had been in the center of.
Being a history buff besides a wizard barrister, Al knew how, after the defeat of Voldemort, Kingsley Shaklebolt became Minister of Magic, that began the change.
Everyday witches and wizards were up in arms about the way the Ministry had so easily been taken over during the war. In order to not have a revolt on their hands the governmental structure had to be changed.
Minister Shaklebolt began slowly purging the departments of the employees that refused to change with the times, offering early retirement or transfers to jobs that would not interfere with progress.
Then he placed people like Al's dad, his Aunt Hermione and his Grandfather Arthur, people willing to grow, learn and fight for change in charge.
They, the new leaders of the magical world, began the education of the next generation, instead of the centuries old insular curriculum, newer, more global knowledge was taught.
Greater cooperation between the wizard and muggle world meant greater opportunities for magical education.
Al and his generation were riding the cusp of this wave of change. This case was n example of this. A friend from law school, Emily Newgate, had asked him to look over the facts they had so far.
Emily and her husband Reg, had a private law business. Reg had trained with muggle law officers and was a crack investigator. Emily was a wonder of a solicitor.
They would need a barrister to plead the case before the Wizengot, when the time came. Al, though he worked for the MOM in the department of Magical Law, still had the option of taking private cases. If they did not interfere with his primary duties he did so. It kept him sharp and in touch with the greater wizarding world, and often the muggle one as well.
This was a case right up his alley. Intrigue, deception and the future of a child at stake too.
Yes he would help Emily and Reg out with this one. He pulled a piece of paper toward him and hastily scribbled a note to Emily.
Emily,
I'm in. Copies of all the files can be sent to my home, rest assured they will be kept secure.
Al.
Placing the note in a small roll he prepared it for owl post. The file went in to his briefcase, which with a tap of his wand, was securely locked.
Straightening his desk and making sure his cubicle was tidy he headed out and for home. Rose, Scorpious, James, Freddy, Louis and he all had a rare night off together and he had promised to cook that night. Rose, James and Freddy were deep in to training camps for the coming season and he needed to stop by the grocers for more pasta and some lean veal.
Stopping before an unassuming door with a small brass plate attached he knocked. Even though it was a bit after hours and the secretary that usually guarded the entrance to said office was gone he had a feeling his Aunt Hermione was still at her desk.
His hunch was proven correct when her Authoritative "Enter" sounded from inside the office.
Opening the oak door the sight that greeted him was a familiar one for alate friday. Hermione Weasley sat behind a desk deep with neat piles of paperwork. Her normally neatly controlled bun had begun it's nightly escape and soft brow curls, tinted just slightly with a golden grey, framed her face. She looked up and smiled. "heading home?"
Al smiled as he sank into the chair across from her desk. "Yes I am and you are not going to stay late here just because Uncle Ron is off on an assignment! Your daughter would like very much to see you and I have a new private case you might find intriguing, besides I'm cooking, how can you resist that temptation!"