HLN CH 33 Still 2007 Justice

This world was far from perfect, Harry mused as he sat in his hot plum robes in the Wizagamot. Today's Hearing was a case in point. Some of the 'minor' Death Eaters were finishing their sentences, and something had to be done about them. The Ministry had confiscated their estates, their Gringotts accounts, their family businesses. Any assets they had before conviction and incarceration were gone. Some had been paid in rewards, some in reparations, some in educational Trust funds to get their children through school, and the largest part had gone straight into the Ministry coffers. Married couples had been offered Divorces if only one was convicted, so that someone would care for the children and keep them out of the Orphanages if they had no other family. A Divorced spouse in this situation had the right under British Law to half the marital assets, so of course they had taken the offer before the Ministry took it all.

The DE about to be released would not be allowed to go back to their families. The Divorces were permanent, and they would be considered a poor influence on the children. This meant a Parole program, including jobs and housing and firm supervision had to be designed almost from scratch. The Wizards had no experience with this. In the past, anyone who served even a short term in Azkaban was usually broken. They were sent back to their families, but few were able to return to meaningful work.

Azkaban was not so bad with the Dementors gone, replace by Goblins and human guards, but it was still a cold, miserable place. Prisoners spent most of their days in their cells, with daily excursions to the outside exercise area where they were led in exercises and ran laps. The food was better than before. Though always simple and cold the meals now included enough calories and nutrition to prevent starvation or malnutrition. It was always cold and damp with the North Sea wind blowing in, though spells now blocked actual bad weather from the windows. The bunks were hard, and the wool blankets lacked warming charms. The stone walls had been painted bright pinks, yellows, and greens, and the woolen jumpsuits matched. Bright mundane lighting strips had been run down the ceilings in the halls, but not into the cells. This meant it was very bright from the early moment the lights were turned on in the mornings until the mandatory early bedtime when they were shut off. The only distraction to their misery was that they were required to study to obtain mundane 'O' and 'A' level certificates. To pure-blood Supremacists this may have been the most degrading punishment of all. However, they had to obtain at least basic qualifications as a term of their release.

Harry understood several things. Many of these prisoners were very minor minions. All had paid heavily, mostly for looking the other way when their superiors required it. All had lost their magic, or at least wand rights. Now they had to have jobs arranged, places to stay that they could afford on the low level jobs that could be found. Physically sound men were assigned to day labor offices, to become janitors and porters. Some of the younger ones went into the Military on Probation. Less-sound men, and most women, went into mundane training classes to become typists or file clerks. Few in this lot had any real intelligence or skills – they didn't know bookkeeping or gardening. They would not be considered safe to go into nursing or child care.

Harry shifted, restless. Funds had already been allocated. Parole experts and Probation supervisors were to hired from the mundane side. Boarding houses would be bought and set up. Even though these prisoners would mostly work and live mundane, their supervisors had to know about magic. There were always accidents, and some would still have contacts who might bring them a wand or be able to break some of the bindings. All would need to see magical Healers for any needed medical care.

Harry also understood that the Wizagamont didn't like this at all. They were all heavily interrelated, inbred insanely, and these convicts were related to them! While the DE had been mostly weeded out of the Ministry, there were surely still sympathizer even in this room. They wanted to find ways to slip around the restrictions, bring their family members home where they could be shipped off quietly to family in other countries. A few years to forget, gain weight, make minor changes to hair and clothing, and no one would connect the 'cousin from Germany' to the convict black sheep.

These convicts would still be dangerous on the mundane side, because they had followed a terrorist. That meant they would probably resent their new situation and be likely to follow anyone who tried to organize any new rebellion. There are always rabble-rousers, complainers, low level trouble makers. Their Parole staff would have to not only find them jobs and housing, but safe entertainment. Because the convicts were exactly the sort to sit in run-down bars nursing grudges with their beer, and getting into fights to relieve their boredom, this had to be actively avoided. They would be required to spend a certain amount of time in community service activities. Clubs, hobbies, and sports had to be encouraged.

None of this was new territory in the History of War, but most of the ideas were new to Wizards. In older civilizations the defeated were frequently moved, often enslaved. Soldiers who survived were often enlisted in the victor's armies and sent to fight far from home. Leaders, including royalty, were usually taken hostage, children taken from their families, women and children often married off with the victors moving directly into their homes and governments.

Finding new places for these survivors was going to be a major challenge. Previous wizard wars had most of the the losers dead, or mind-wiped and tossed into the mundane culture with little support. Since the mundanes were involved this time, nothing quite so drastic would be done. While in prison, as well as being enrolled and tutored for their 'O' and 'A', vocational training had been obligatory. They had been taught how to get around in mundane society. They knew the money, they could read a bus schedule, and could manage ordinary household items such as light switches, batteries, bathrooms and electric tea kettles. Most could even do laundry! Some could use small hand tools, some could type on a typewriter or even a computer. None could cook, though they had been introduced to household appliances for safety training. In prison they had seen movies, watched television, listened to individual radios. It was a whole new world for them.

After the very long morning session, Harry sat in his Ministry office eating the lunch Mattie had delivered. Several Members had indicated they wanted to talk to him after the session, so he waited for them. He had barely finished his Minestrone and muffins, and was beginning on his mug of tea when they arrived. He offered tea and biscuits to all as they settled. These were all old men, nearly all from the Dark side of the aisle. None were marked DE, though many members of their families had been.

"We've been considering the jobs being sought for these men being released", began Lord Chumley, ignoring the fact that many were women and several were his own kin. He continued blithely, "None of us have business contacts on the mundane side who could help with employment. But, you do. We know you have a large interest in that bicycle factory, the mundane Dragon broom company, and probably others. Most of these being released were lower-level Supervisors and official in Ministry offices. Surely you can place them in similar positions in some of your factories?"

Harry was skeptical. "I know many of those were patronage positions offered because of their Blood status and connections. It was a well-known joke that their staff actually ran the departments while they collected salaries. Do any of these actually have the business training and skills to manage mundanes companies?"

Lord Kestral was honest enough to answer. "Probably not, but they would have staff who can train them, or they can take more classes, the way we know you have. We know they don't have the funds to buy into a business on the mundane side, but some of us still can do it for them. We could give you the funds and cart-blanche to place them in respectable positions. Just tell us how much and we'll arrange a quiet deposit in your accounts as needed."

"What about the women? Few of them have supervisory skills."

"Women are easy. We'll arrange quiet marriages for them, to each other's distant branch relatives. Even without wands, or with their magic bound, their blood is still pure. They'll mostly take positions of second or third wives to older husbands. Their children will be powerful. This is what we've always done."

Harry considered this as he sipped his tea. Finally, he set it down. "Summing up, if I understand you correctly, you are offering me personally an untraced but large sum of money to place your relatives into deadwood positions in my mundane businesses. Supervisory and administrative positions for which they have no training or experience, where they will have few if any responsibilities because their staff will continue to do the actual work. They will thus be able to afford what you would call a reasonable lifestyle. Since you are sponsoring this, you intend to circumvent the intentions of their Parole as much as possible. As your delegates they might even be able to expand your influence into profitable mundane businesses? Instead of integrating and making their lives productive on the mundane side, they would be making a toehold for magicals. Is that pretty much correct?"

The small group conferred, and then agreed that he had the gist of it. Lord Chumley said, "We would not put it quite that bluntly, but you are young and inexperienced in the way things are done."

"I think I would like to confer with some advisors. Hermione, Amelia, Shack, do you have any suggestions for me?" Shimmers happened in the corners of the room as cloaks were dropped. Lord Tofty, the current Mugwump, appeared in the fourth corner. The men in the middle turned white, dropped teacups, and Lord Chumley passed out. Hermione quickly moved to check that he had simply fainted, rather than having a heart attack.

Amelia and Shack took the center stage. "We think you gentlemen could use a little time to think things over while we prepare charges of attempting to bribe Harry. We'll give you each a nice cell in the Ministry holding area while you think. You'll be much more comfortable there than in prison, which you'll be able to compare it to later. If you want to talk to your Lawyers, and we suggest you do, give us their names and we'll arrange it."

"You and who else? We can just walk out of here to our own offices, and our people will swear we never came here," blustered Lord Surrey.

Amelia actually laughed. "None of you cast the simplest 'hominum revelum' when you came in. We've been here the whole time. The doors are sealed and wards are up. And", she motioned to the sides, where a dozen more cloaks fell, revealing Aurors with drawn wands, "we have plenty of help."

With a snarl, several of the Lords began casting nasty-looking spells. None landed. Every single one of the castors was soon floating near the ceiling in a golden bubble as their wands tumbled to the floor. "Thank you, Harry. We'll tow them downstairs and leave them to think while we do paperwork." Aurors attached tethers, connecting chains of bubbles, and headed cheerfully out the door.

As they went out, Auror Creevey who had a pile of wands in his arms, asked her, "Why did you thank Harry? All he did was let us listen. I didn't even see him raise a wand!"

"He didn't need to. Those bubbles are from a new ward he helped develop."

HLMCH33HLMCH33HLMCH33HLMCH33HLMCH33HLMCH33

Harry did talk to the Boards of the Companies he had interests in on the mundane side. With their permissions, he talked to the Human Resources Departments. All of the conversations went something like this:

"We have been approached, very discretely, about providing employment to some paroled convicts. All of them were low-level associates and supporters of a very nasty Racist Terrorist. All are from a very isolated cultural group, so they are really not very good at much of anything modern. While in prison they completed 'O' or 'A' certificates, and some vocational training. They will be under a strictly supervised Parole program, including required Community Service, and be living in special halfway housing until the Authorities are sure they can function in normal society.

I am told we have entry-level training programs in this Company. The Authorities – you see some behind me who will try to answer questions – would like to enroll a small number in these training programs, in a number of companies. They do not want more than one in any group or Department. If possible they would like a Mentor assigned to each. This Mentor and the Department Head will need to know what is going on, and will receive special compensation for their efforts. Getting these people into any kind of activity outside work is a bonus situation – bowling leagues, shuffleboard, darts, footie or checkers would be great."

"What sort of jobs are they suitable for?"

"This batch are not very bright, and they are all misfits, dumb enough to follow hot-head rhetoric. Most are actually distant relatives of some high Society folks. If one says his Great-Uncle is a Lord of such-and-such, he isn't lying. However, no one is going to help them that way. They got themselves in prison and no one wants them. Some younger ones are being given the chance to redeem themselves with Military service. Some, especially women, can do simple office work, such as typing. Most will have to do Day Labor, or factory line work. Most have never done a day of physical work in their lives, and after prison they are no stronger. I would not expect overtime from any of these. We'll be doing well to get an 8 hour day. If we can help some, don't expect thanks from them."

"Why are these getting special treatment? Just because they are spoiled relatives of some Tosh?"

"It's because there are so many of them, and these are truly the dumbest followers. They were all caught and jailed at near the same time, when the leaders were caught and the group broken up. Regular parolees get supervised as well, but can usually function in normal society. Most go home and back to their prior lives. These can't. They need to be kept away from their families and former lives. They need to be kept from falling back with poor companions. They can barely read a bus schedule, and handling their own money is a challenge. This extra supervision is being paid for by an anti-terrorism fund."

"Where are the others, the leaders? In some fancy-pants resort?"

"No, most, including the leader, are dead. The ending was quite messy, with them attacking a school that was expecting them. The children were evacuated and the building was full of Special Forces wearing school robes The few terrorists that survived will probably spend the rest of their lives in prison. We won't have to try to rehabilitate them."

HLMCH33HLMCH33HLMCH33HLMCH33HLMCH33HLMCH33

When Harry went home, he was truly exhausted. It was Friday, and Ginny would be home all weekend. Happily, they had no commitments and no plans until Sunday Dinner at the Burrow.

Saturday morning they decided to take all three boys to Hyde Park. They took along a small Phoenix bike for Teddy, and two jogging strollers for the babies. Puff ran along by Ginny, on a leash. If she got tired there were baskets to put her in. There was also a picnic lunch in the expanded basket to Jame's stroller. Harry and Ginny enjoyed jogging with the strollers, with Teddy carefully leading the way toward the largest play area. There were dozens of other families doing much the same in the same area of the park. (It's a huge park.) Many of the children were also riding bikes on the trails, some Phoenix and some not but everyone enjoying the sunny morning!

Spreading out a couple of blankets in the shade, Harry and Ginny and Al settled with lemonades while Puff curled next to a tree for a nap. Al played with a sparkling feathered Phoenix plushie. Teddy took James to the infant area, featuring short slides, tunnels, and padded surfaces. A small climbing center, with several short ladders and stairs, three different short slides, and a central tunnel with peep holes, was James' favorite. Teddy led him underneath, where a shaded plastic panel had a large dinosaur skeleton impression. James 'ooohed' at that!

While sitting, sharing a bowl of cut fruit, Harry told Ginny about the meetings that week."The Pitch just hired some new sweepers and cleaners this week. I saw them being led around by the maintenance Head. Could they be some?"

"Not likely. While that's the sort of jobs many will have, the Parole officers want them away from the magic world. They might clean a footie stadium, but Quidditch is not on the list. A few are going into each of my factories as trainees, and I think the office pool is taking a couple of typists. We don't want many in any one place. They need to make new lives, new friends. They need to move forward, not be constantly reminded of what they have lost.

Teddy brought James back. "Some of those boys are going to ride bikes around the maze paths, over there. May I go?" His hopeful expression and huge eyes almost had Harry laughing. Harry held it in, and solemnly examined the indicated boys strapping on their helmets. They were about the same size as Teddy, and their bikes were similar. The maze path entrance was not far from them.

"All right. I'll help you with your helmet and pads. Do you have your hair color firmly in mind?" Teddy nodded, and the blue intensified as Harry strapped the rainbow design helmet on. He dropped a quick color charm just to help, and mentally checked his own short sandy-brown hair.

"Mum, can you push me on the swing pwease?" asked James as Teddy rode off. She looked at Harry.

"Go right ahead! I'll stay here with Al! I brought a book." He checked quickly on the baby. Al had been crawling around the blanket he was on (kept there by an invisible barrier), but had fallen asleep hugging the stuffed bird. Puff had abandoned her tree and curled up behind Al. Harry smiled and laid a light knit rainbow blanket over them. When he looked up again Ginny and James were already at the small basket swings. He pulled his book out of Al's stroller basket, a fat tome of business case law he needed to review. He hoped to finish his MBA this Spring, but Hermione's suggested reading list for the oral exams was lengthy.

Shouts woke him. Ginny was running toward them, carrying James. "Go! It's Teddy! It's something wrong in the Maze!" Harry was on his feet and running before she arrived.

The maze, which had looked like a rose garden from where they sat, turned out to be a large bowl in the ground. Half a dozen bike stunt areas were connected by the maze of paths. On the far side, a good block away, was a large pool with tall waterslides swirling around it. Teddy was not too far in, on the second or third stunt area, but he was on the ground. Larger boys were around him – the smaller ones seemed to have fled. The largest boy was holding the Phoenix in the air, while Teddy was on the ground crying. "I think I'll just take this pretty bike home for my little sister! Off with the helmet, brat. I want that, too!" One of the other boys saw Harry coming over the path, but barely caught the first boy's attention.

"Joe, I think you better put that down..." Was all he got out.

"Down? What's got you scared? This little baby isn't going to do anyfing!"

"No, but I will." Harry was behind Joe, and took the bike out of his hands, setting it down by Teddy.

"You give that back! That kid stole my little sister's bike! I'll tell my Da! He's Special Forces! He'll fix you!"

"Special Forces, huh? What's his name? I'll have a word with his Commander."

"Get him, guys!" Joe took a swing at Harry, who dodged so quickly the punch completely missed Harry and hit the boy on the other side, who collapsed crying. That was enough for the other bullies, who saw Joe's father coming and began to run the other way. Meanwhile, Harry knelt by Teddy and began to check him over. He had cuts and bruises and a huge shiner coming.

The soldier arrived. "Joe, report!" he snapped.

"This kid tried to steal the bike I got for Suzy! I dunno who this man is, but he punched Jeffy."

Jeffy had enough. "Joe! You hit me yourself! YOU were stealing the bike!"

"What do you have to say for yourself, Sir?" the soldier snapped.

"The little boy is my Teddy, and he's riding the bike I bought him. We heard him cry out, and I saw Joe holding the bike in the air while telling him to remove the helmet. If Joe is your son, he tried to punch me when I took the bike from him. I dodged, and he hit his friend by mistake. The rest of their little gang ran."

"We?"

"My wife and our other two sons are behind you." Ginny was at the lip of the bowl, carrying Al and leading James and Puff.

The soldier thought. "My apologies, Sir! May I ask your name? Joe, Jeff, we're going home now. I need to talk to Jeff's father. You two are going to be scrubbing garbage cans the entire Summer! You can forget about camp. You're staying home and doing KP. I know who the other boys you usually run with are, and I will be speaking to their parents as well."

Harry fumbled in his pocket case, finally producing a heavy cream card. "Here you go. And yours?" He scooped up Teddy under one arm, and the bike with the other.

The soldier looked at the card briefly, and answered, "Corporal Leeds, assigned to Birmingham SF under Captain Anderson, Sir." He collected his boys and walked off in the other direction.

Sounds carried well in the bowl, a natural amphitheater. Joe could be heard griping, "But Dad, Camp this Summer is the first Cadet Camp for Officer training! I can't miss that!"

"You'll miss it. In the last 15 minutes you have proved yourself to be a bully, a liar, violent and a thief. You even threatened him with ME, as if I were a weapon you could point. None of those are Officer qualities. If you keep your nose clean and make excellent schol grades for the next two years we might allow you to sign up for Basic training instead of putting you into a factory. That child you tried to rob is a Lord's oldest son. He could have me busted out and on the street tomorrow."

The next Monday morning, Harry was careful to take time to telephone Captain Anderson at Birmingham base.

Captain Anderson was ready for him. Having talked to Corporal Leeds earlier, and been given the visiting card, he had immediately had Harry's records brought to him. Being in the SF, he was given all of them, including the special Commendations, and the information that SF-M was still trying to recruit both Harry and his wife. He had Corporal Leeds sitting in his front office, and told his secretary to put the call through the minute it came. Harry did not disappoint.

"Hello, May I speak with Captain Anderson?" He was put right through.

"Hello Lord Potter. I understand you had an incident with our Corporal Leeds, his son, and a few friends on Saturday?"

"Yes, that is exactly what I am calling about. I wished you to know what a fine man Corporal Leeds is. I was impressed with his handling of the situation! His own son disappointed him by behaving badly. Corporal Leeds asked his son, then the friend, and then me and my Teddy for our accounts of the incident before he arrived. He then quickly came to what I consider to be the correct conclusions, and dealt with them firmly and justly. You have a particularly fine man there, and I am making notes in all my business records that if he ever applies for employment with us we will be delighted to have him. I wish you to know that I am satisfied with the solution to the event. He was as polite to me before he knew my name, as he was after he learned it."

A few more words, and the call was complete. The secretary had transcribed the entire call, as instructed. Captain Anderson forwarded the transcript to the Department listed. Corporal Leeds was shaking in his chair, almost crying. He had been worried Lord Potter would demand he be dismissed. Instead he had been praised! The secretary brought him some tea to calm him.

HLMCH33HLMCH33HLMCH33HLMCH33HLMCH33HLMCH33

Chapter 34 Graduations and Changes should be posted on Thursday, April 29, 2021

HLMCH33HLMCH33HLMCH33HLMCH33HLMCH33HLMCH33