Revert To Type
Disclaimer: I own little to nothing of what it is named/referred to and am making even less from it.
Chapter 21.
Arthur Weasley was fuming. More than that, he was absolutely livid. Before a legal custody hearing could take place, the law stated that the date had to be publicised in the 'free press' in order that all interested parties could submit their application before the set deadline. Hence when Perkins had pointed a tiny official statement out to him, buried in the depths of Thursday's late edition of the Daily Prophet his antennae had automatically shot up.
All applications in regard to individual246.01 must be registered with all the
appropriate departments and authorities by
the close of business on Friday 29th of October.
The fact that they were obviously trying to get this announcement in under their radar was hardly surprising but he hadn't expected them to be quite so underhand about the timing of things.
"The 29th - that's tomorrow isn't it?" Perkins asked, his mouth half-full of biscuit. Arthur could only bring himself to nod. He glanced at his watch and realised that it was already half-past four.
"Look – would you mind if I left a little early Perkins? It's quiet here and I'm really going to have to do something about this."
"Of course old chap – see you tomorrow then." By the time the other man had said this Arthur had already grabbed his wand, case and the paper and was halfway out the door. He raced down the corridor carefully dodging memos and people before bolting into the lift. The wording of the article unnerved him slightly, the handbook had stated quite clearly that the only people who needed to receive a copy of the information were the Department of Social Responsibility and Magical Law Enforcement but he had a feeling that if the Minister and his cronies were trying to throw them off, for whatever reason, this would no longer necessarily be the case. He needed to speak to some people he could trust – establish what it was that they were actually going to need to submit and he needed to do it now.
-
He plucked for Law Enforcement, trusting that Amelia Bones would be as upfront and reliable as always. Arthur had to work with her quite regularly in his line of work and had always found her to be pleasant if a little stern. However, when he arrived in their predictably hectic department he could hear this dignified woman long before he got anywhere near her office. He knocked tentatively on the doorframe, hoping that he was making the right decision.
"What?" She snapped before looking up as Arthur stepped aside to let the young aids with whom she'd obviously been dealing exit hurriedly. "Oh Arthur, what can I do to help you?" She continued, softening and smiling a little.
"Well actually I was hoping that you could furnish me with a full set of the legislation in reference to permanent child guardianship?"
"You have NO idea how glad I would be to do just that." She said with a hint of irritation as she pulled a sheaf of parchment from a file labelled 'to be added'. "I have absolutely no idea what's going on around here at the moment but our dear Minister and his advisors have entirely re-written this section of the rule book. They couldn't change the law per se without Wizengamot approval but they've changed virtually every rule that exists governing how cases are dealt with. Damn fools have been messing about with us all week."
"So Fudge is interfering?" Arthur asked.
"An understatement." She replied rubbing her face with her hands. "But genuinely I'm incredibly glad that at least someone else is going to be applying. I can't believe the child is being trapped in the middle of such a farcical situation."
"You mean someone else has already applied?" He asked feeling as if a giant lump of ice had just appeared in his stomach.
"Not exactly." She said before sighing and continuing. "For Merlin knows what reason the Ministry itself is apparently interested in obtaining custody of the child but obviously can't apply for guardianship outright so they just intend to make it certain that they get it by default."
"You're not serious?" He asked automatically totally incredulous at the idea.
"As serious as You-Know-Who." She replied strait faced. They sat in silence for a moment as he tried to comprehend just what it was he had just been told. "If you don't mind me asking…" She began, breaking the silence. "Is it Molly and yourself….?"
"Oh no." He cut in. "I'm simply helping another party."
"Snape and Lupin?" She asked and he nodded in response. "Not perhaps the most orthodox application we'll ever have processed but… I think they have their merits. I can't really say any more than that at the moment though. I'll be on the judging panel, along with four members of the public, a representative from Social Responsibility and one representative chosen at random from the other departments involved." She continued. "Look, this probably isn't strictly by the book but I'll talk you through the new ridiculous and excessively convoluted application system, cause otherwise there isn't a hope in hell you'll get everything you need everywhere before tomorrow and I'll be damned if Fudge gets his own way in this."
-
Arthur arrived at the castle, for the second time in two days, just as the evening meal was beginning, only to be met by Severus, Remus and the Headmaster in the entrance hall.
"We got your owl Arthur." The werewolf said bouncing nervously from foot to foot. He noted that the Professor was looking a little worse for wear and was about to put this down to the general anxiety and upheaval of the last week until he realised that there was to be a full moon that weekend.
"I've asked the elves to serve us supper in my office." Dumbledore informed him gesturing for them to climb the stairs. When they were all seated around a well-laden table in front of the hearth Arthur began to tell them what it was that they were going to have to achieve.
"Most of it wont be difficult – it's just a case of copying everything multiple times and insuring that it gets to the right location. You are each required to have two separate notes of reference and two character witness that would be willing to stand up for you both in the witness box. You'll have to submit a joint personal statement too, explaining why you are applying for custody and why you think that you would be the appropriate choice ect. You will of course be subject to background checks and the panel will be told anything that results in a red flag popping up so to speak, but we knew that already."
"And this all has to be in by tomorrow at five?" Severus asked.
"Actually I need it in by mid day – the archives close of business is two pm on a Friday, the Minister's office wont take any new documentation after three and accidental magical reversal closes at four." He said sheepishly.
"Well that shouldn't be a problem." Remus said trying his best to sound upbeat. "We'll just stick to people close by as well as we can. Albus would you do us the honour of acting as a character witness?"
"With pleasure." The Headmaster said, bowing his head and smiling sedately.
"And perhaps it would be a good plan to ask Poppy – to show that there's nothing on that front that we want to hide?" Arthur nodded in response so Remus continued. "And I would think that we could each afford one present colleague as a referee yes Arthur?"
"I shouldn't think one would be out of order at all." He said, having swallowed his forkful of cottage pie.
"Well I think it would be sensible to ask Georgina and Fillius then and Alistor already owled me back saying he'd happily write you a note of reference."
"Me?" Severus asked seeming a little surprised by this. Yes, Arthur thought, Mad-Eye would be a good source too. He'd received an Order of Merlin award at the end of the War and though the name stuck most people respected his talents. Add to that the fact that his long-standing friendship with Minerva he was a good ally to have.
"Then there's Kingsley and Emmeline Vance…" Remus continued before pausing for a moment. "Well how about Alistor and Georgina for you and Kinglsey and Fillius for me?" He suggested. "And then baring any problems we can have Poppy and Albus there in person to stand as a character witnesses?" He asked turning to face Arthur.
"Well that certainly sounds like a plan. I'll leave you to deal with that now, and if you let me know when you've got everything in we can arrange for it to pass hands, I don't think it'd be a great idea to let them out of our sight…" He confided in them.
-
They all finished up their dinner with a little inane if somewhat stilted talk. It wasn't until they had all wished the Headmaster a good night and were descending the stairs that Arthur was a little shocked to feel a hand at his elbow. He was following Remus so it could only be one person.
"Severus?"
"Arthur," he returned holding him back a little way with a gentle touch. "I was… " Well I don't know how much the procedure will have changed once we actually get into the formal proceedings," He began. "I suppose it's still likely that we'll need to have some kind of spokesperson to take the floor though, and in any case, well we'll be lucky if Lupin is fit enough to stand under his own steam on Monday never mind being capable to orate with any competency. Then there's the blatant fact that I would be lying if I said I was capable of not antagonising people were I to stand up and have to verbally joust with some Ministry prat. I guess what I'm saying… asking, is that well, if you are willing, I for one would be most appreciative if you'd take up a more official role as our representative." Arthur didn't know what to say. He was certain that that was the largest number of words he had ever heard come from the Slytherin at any one time and to his surprise he had sounded as genuine as he suspected the other man could.
"I…. Well yes. Of course, if that's what both of you want then I'd be glad to."
A/N: well this is yet another of my infamous favourite chapters grin
Not entirely sure why – but I did enjoy writing it
Thanks to all of you who have reviewed and please do so again ( you KNOW you wants to….)
Lol
Thanks and hope you enjoyed it
Linds
