Let's Do It Right This Time, Chapter 18: The Unexpected Ally
AN: I've never actually written a scene like this, so advice would be greatly appreciated. Please don't flame me! Also, I have here assumed that Bill Weasley claimed the Wizengamot seat for the Prewetts; I know it isn't canon, but please bear with me. And please, if you have any feedback, I really love reviews.
September became October, and as the first Wizengamot session drew near, Aurelius grew more and more nervous. This would be, in his mind, the ultimate test of his abilities; Voldemort he dealt with every year before breakfast, but one slip up before a fickle and prejudiced council, and he'd have to resort to illegal activities to free his godfather. And Dumbledore would be opposing him the whole way.
At last, the day arrived. Aurelius managed to get tacit permission from Professor Snape to leave the grounds, although he did not tell the man exactly where he was going. Not that the man asked. Snape seemed to be tiptoeing around him these days, and Aurelius had had to resist more than one legillimancy attack. He would have been much more angry had he not noticed the man's trembling hands, and the faint lingering scent of firewhiskey that had remained on the professor's robes the morning after his notes had gone missing; the blunt statement must have been a serious blow.
Aurelius adjusted his stiff new maroon Wizengamot robes, then straightened his itchy collar one more time- just to be sure- and apparated long-distance to Bath, where the Wizengamot normally convened. After a number of run-ins with various receptionists and security wizards ("Are you lost, sweetheart?") he finally got his wand weighed and tagged, and was allowed to log his entrance and sign the necessary paperwork to claim his seats.
Then, heart pounding with nerves- it was more nerve-wracking even than when he walked to his death in the last timeline- he took a seat near the back and waited for the Head Warlock to arrive and begin.
At last, Dumbledore arrived, wearing his Chief Warlock robes and badges with house affiliation: two personal votes and three proxy ones. He settled himself in the traditional spot, took a sip of water, and then rose to address the council. "Let this meeting on the 19th of October, 1991 come to order!"
Instant silence. There was no question of Dumbledore's authority.
"The house would like to recognise Fleamont Pronghorn as new head of the Ancient and Noble house Potter and Leah Valencia as new head of the Ancient and Noble house Valencia," Dumbledore began, listing the new members of the Wizengamot. "The house also wishes to acknowledge Lucius Malfoy as Regent Black, due to Arcturus Black III's illness. Lastly, we wish to welcome Lady Mirabelle VanAllen head of the Ancient and Noble houses D'Morte and Sundance, Lord Ismet Hajjar, head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble house Almasi, and Lady Sapphira Kikelomo, head of Ancient and Noble houses Ihejirika, Leah, Abiodun, and Hinterland, newly regaining magic." A pause. "Now, before we begin-" Dumbledore broke off as one of the receptionists came forward with a stack of papers. "Yes, my dear?"
She wordlessly handed him the stack, which he read over. His eyes widened, and he muttered something under his breath which was probably not complementary. Then he straightened. "Ahem. We also wish to welcome Lord Aurelius Gaunt as head of Ancient and Noble houses Slytherin, Gryffindor, and Mordrake, and head of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Houses Gaunt, Peverall, and Merlin."
Aurelius stood to be recognized. Almost instantly the room was full of murmers, as the rest of the council criticized his age and his claim to the seats. Dumbledore had to set off a purple firecracker of magic to silence everyone.
"Now, before we begin our main business, does anyone have any new business to be brought before the Wizengamot?"
Several wands were raised and lit- Merlin forbid that the lords of the Wizengamot would raise their hands like common muggles!
"Lord Malfoy?" Dumbledore began.
"I propose Dolores Umbridge as Regent Hufflepuff."
"Objection!" called out Dowager Longbottom. "Amelia Bones has a better claim by blood, and Madame Umbridge is under suspicion for being a Death Eater accessory."
"The criminal activity has not been proven-" began Lucius Malfoy.
"But a suspicion is enough to halt the claim in Wizarding courts. Thank you Lord Malfoy." Dumbledore broke in. "After the investigation we may address this issue further. Lord Crouch?"
"What claim does this 'Lord Gaunt' have to house Mordrake?"
"I am Lord Mordrake by right of blood through Elizabeth Mordrake, by way of my mother," Aurelius told him, flashing his ring. "Are you disputing my claim?"
The murmering increased at this: Aurelius had proved himself to be at least a little knowledgeable about Wizarding politics, which was not something expected from the illiterate and inbred Gaunt family.
"Lord Prewett?" Dumbledore went on after the talking abated. Bill Weasley, who had been leaning back in his hard chair and holding his illuminated wand aloft, straightened hastily.
"I would like to propose the reevaluation of the anti-werewolf legislation in Britain," he said. "With the invention of Wolfbane potion, some of the more drastic laws may not apply as much. Britain is, in fact, the only country in the ICU to have a still-extant wolfshead law."
"The proposition is recognized," said Dumbledore. "Are there any seconds?"
"Seconded," said Aurelius hastily, raising his already-glowing wand still higher. He himself was waiting to propose Sirius's trial.
"Seconded," echoed the "Light" block- Fleamont Pronghorn, Dowager Longbottom, and Albus Dumbledore, among others.
"The motion is passed." Dumbledore turned, looking at the remaining wands raised. "Lord Gaunt?"
Aurelius stood, violet eyes glinting. "I propose a trial for Sirius Black, scion of Ancient and Noble house Black."
There was an instant babble of objections: "He's a Death Eater!" "A trial for a traitor?" "Didn't he already have one?" "Who is this kid, anyway?" At last Dumbledore silenced the council.
"That is a strong proposition, especially considering that Black is a war criminal. Can you back it?"
Aurelius's smile was feral in the torchlight. "First, I wish to remind the council that Black had no trial at all, nor was his wand checked or any other ministry protocol assumed. Secondly, I have evidence that suggests that not only was he not the Potters' secret keeper, but also that he was further framed for the explosion."
Dumbledore looked momentarily constipated before his grandfather persona reamerged. There was no way he could legally shut down the proposition without raising eyebrows, and that he couldn't afford. "Surely the aurors were not so hopelessly lax..."
"I would like to think that the files were only lost, but even that would be negligence," Aurelius replied. "My proposition stands. Even if he was guilty as Hell, a few drops of veritaserum would give us closure."
There was a long silence. At last, Augusta Longbottom raised her wand and slowly lit the top. "Seconded."
Aurelius was over the moon, although he did not show it outwardly. The rest of the session, despite dealing with taxes, creature legislation, the hunt for Harry Potter, former Death Eater incarceration, and the arrest of the Dursleys (the wizards having discovered that they had abused their savior) was positively flat in comparison. And despite the unpleasantly searching look Dumbledore was giving him.