Chapter 11: The Politics of Time

Arcturus sat as he listed to the young Lord Peverell speak about wanting to learn more about the Gamot. Peverell maintained a basic grasp of the political situation but he remained woefully underprepared. Almost like there was some basic information that he lacked, but there was something else. No other person, especially not a foreigner, had ever come into the Gamot with as much fire as Peverell was showing. Strength of the name not withstanding. Foreigners, muggle-born, it didn't matter. They may have had a fire at the start buts that all it was; a quick flash burned in an instant. Peverell wasn't flashy. His silence in that first meeting, the ability to verbally deflect an unsaid challenge, hinted at something. Yet the practical knowledge remained painfully absent.

Arcturus interrupted Peverell, "Why do this?"

The young Lord paused, "Do what?"

Arcturus frowned, "Don't try double speak with me."

This time it was Peverell that frowned, "It is not double speak to want specifics, especially where a miss-spoken word can cause grievous insult."

Arcturus held out his hand, "That right there. You understand the politicking. The need to have care. But your basic knowledge of the Gamot is painfully lacking Peverell."

"Harry."

That gave Arcturus some pause, "What?"

"What you ask for is personal, to know that then you should use my name. Harry."

"Harry." Arcturus tested the name. "Short for…"

"Harold."

"Harold. A strong English name."

Harry smiled reflexively, "An acknowledgement from my parents about where they hailed from." Arcturus chose not to interrupt but filed away that little piece of information. "Greece isn't like Britain, but there is a similarity to it. Politics rules the land."

Harry got a faraway look in his eyes. No doubt some memory was overtaking him. Arcturus let the young lord have his moment of peace, knowing it wouldn't last long.

Harry gave a quick shake of his head as before he continued, "I didn't understand the importance of the power that the politics had over the populace when I was younger. There were consequences that I didn't realize at the time. I had to watch others fall because of the actions I took and I didn't understand it. You say my name with weight, that means something. When the Gamot was questioned people looked to you for answers. You are a leader. Who better to learn from?"

Arcturus suppressed a small growl. He would need to speak to some of the lesser Lords about keeping their cool. Though he wouldn't be surprised if the Peverell family magic offered Harry some sort natural insight into the world around him. Arcturus leaned forward slightly "The most important thing to remember about the Gamot is that each Family seeks to use it for their own gain. Anyone claiming different is either lying or naïve."

Harry nodded, his mind straying to Hermione for a moment before settling back into the present. Arcturus continued by speaking about the generalities of the Gamot. Starting with the three factions. Arcturus stressed the importance of understanding the formal three with the informal fourth faction. As the Wizengamot stands there are three factions that serve to maintain the interests of Magical Britain. The Dark Faction, Neutral Faction and Light faction. These three factions were the official factions that each Lord declared for. However, Arcturus explained that the reality was not so stringent. People declared for factions, yet there were the informal independents of each faction. Lords that were nominally in their stated faction, yet whose votes would often stray. These were the independents. They held no leadership. Offered little power. Their loyalties were unassured.

When Harry asked why the independents didn't just declare themselves neutral Arcturus answered that it was just politics. The Neutrals weren't just a difference between the Dark and Light but were a full political Faction. They held leadership and agendas of their own. The families that were independent were independent because their votes were unsecured. Most were just greedy, voting for whoever offered the most gold, yet a few rare were the true independents. Those naïve enough to seek change outside of the system. Harry raised his eyes as he listened to Arcturus criticize those he considered naïve. Harry held his opinion on the potential naivety that Arcturus seemed to hold in very low regard.

Arcturus decided to delve into each faction a bit further, starting with the Light faction. Harry expected the Potter Family to be the head of the faction and was very surprised to hear that it was the Doge Family that formally held leadership for the light faction. There were currently 79 families that were officially recognized as part of their faction. Harry did ask for further explanation as Arcturus noted that there were several families that moved their vote away from the Light faction. Arcturus chuckled before explaining that he was not fully aware of the reason. The speculation was that Dumbledore had lost favor with many families, pushing for certain changes that some viewed a Chief Warlock shouldn't. Arcturus noted that some people were wholly convinced that Dumbledore was leading the Light Faction and Doge was serving as a mouthpiece as other families, like the Potters, had refused to be that mouthpiece. In some recent votes, the Light faction had split support between Doge and the Potters. Harry did ask if Arcturus had any information since his cousin was Lady Potter. Arcturus only smiled in response.

The Neutral faction was the largest, and had been the largest faction for many a generation. Led by the Bones family and holding 132 votes the Neutral faction had been a consistent stalwart in the Gamot. Recently they had not produced many legislative changes, with the Bones family choosing to be a balancing force between both the Light and Dark. They have helped shaped many a change, allowing it to pass and become palatable to both factions. Arcturus credited this ability fully to the respect commanded by the Bones family. Their fairness over the years, especially in the aftermath of Grindelwald, continued to current day. Harry did ask about the Grindlewald comment, learning that the Bones family served as judges during ICW courts and trials, offering as unbiased a voice as possible. Listening to victims. Letting truth speak out, yet maintaining the mode for justice instead of vengeance. Arcturus didn't spend too much time on the Neutral faction, noting that its stability had been a core for longer than he had been alive.

Arcturus noted that Harry leaned in during the explanation of the Dark faction. The Malfoy family currently led the Dark faction, recently taking control from the Nott family. Arcturus couldn't hide his disdain for the Malfoy's when speaking about the family. The 90 votes marked the highest that the Dark Faction had had since before Grindelwald's war. The Dark faction was gaining ground. Arcturus noticed Harry's grimace at that comment, as well as the frown when Arcturus revealed he believed that pushback to Dumbledore's policies were the main culprit towards the surge of support. Arcturus could see something unidentifiable in the eyes of the young lord. Furthermore, there was a subtle, but noticeable, surge in magic around the discussion about the Malfoy family.

Arcturus' mind flashed back to Dorea. Her misgivings over Peverell's actions screamed loud in Arcturus' mind. The conversation about the individual factions wound down, though the questions about the Gamot continued. Harry's posture and gaze shifted, and Arcturus mentally cursed as he realized he had let his occlumency slip and some of the emotions must've played out on his face. Arcturus continued to answer Harry's questions, wondering why the young man chose to say nothing about the slip.

The conversation altered into the determining of the seats. Arcturus did explain the intricacies of the magic as he best understood them. Noting that the treaties of the Gamot were complicated to all but those who studied them. As the conversations wound down, there were little things that all seemed to play at his mind. He tapped a few invisible runes on his desk, sending a coded message to the elves on the premise. There was a knock on the door before it opened to reveal Andromeda entering first as Bellatrix trailed. Arcturus hid his surprises in seeing the dynamic between his granddaughters.

"Excuse me Lord Black, I understand that you are in a meeting, however, there is a matter about the family magic I need to discuss with you."

Harry nodded as he stood up, "Lord Black your information and hospitality have been most appreciated. I shall take your leave."

Arcturus watched as Harry was escorted by Bellatrix out of the office. He moved to thank Andromeda, yet was stopped as he actually took in the state the girl was in. She had been crying, and he could see that she sat down slowly, trying to avoid pain. Arcturus walked around his desk and sat down in the other chair next to her, offering silent strength as Andromeda tried to find hers.

Harry was escorted out by Bellatrix. Their conversation inane and of no import, yet he could feel her holding something back. He was about to step through the floo when a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"Did you mean what you said?" She continued when Harry didn't understand, "After the duel, you said I had potential."

Harry smiled, the insecurity of the woman so at odds with what he knew she could be, "Every word. Why?"

Bellatrix seemed to war with something in herself before settling, "Family. I just don't know if my family would support what I would want to do."

Harry fully turned to face the young woman and placed a hand on her shoulder. In this moment Bellatrix was acting so small, and he wanted to fully encourage something from her. "Your grandfather seemed to like your performance in the spar. He is the head of your family. If you want to do this then get his support on the matter."

Bellatrix drew in a couple deep breaths, before something seemed to settle. Harry watched as a mask fell back into place, "Thank you for honoring us with your presence Lord Peverell. The Family Black has been most honored to host you."

Harry smiled and dropped his hand from her shoulder, "I have been honored to receive your hospitality. May magic bless hearth and home."

Harry caught the small smile from Bellatrix before stepping into the floo. He was deposited back into the ministry atrium, that still remained busy despite the late hours of the night. Harry let his magic flare a bit as he noticed that a few seemed to want to approach him. The increase in magic caused everyone to hesitate, the stationed aurors searching for the disturbance. This gave Harry enough time to make his way to the apparition point and get away from the Ministry. In his haste Harry noted that he hadn't paid attention to where he was going to and found that he had apparated to Little Whinging. He was tempted to just turn around and apparate to his flat. However, the memories pulled at him. He found himself walking the familiar streets, though there were just enough changes that he didn't really recognize the houses on the streets. Sure the houses themselves didn't change but the feeling, what he now recognized as the magic, was vastly different. He let his feelings drive him, closing his eyes as he reveled in the magic.

As he opened his eyes he found himself in a familiar tunnel; the place where he nearly died to the dementors. The magic felt thick. He could almost hear its screams. He touched the wall of the tunnel; the place where he had huddled against as he sought to drive away the dementors. In touching the wall he heard the scream of dementors. His own voice as he called for a patronus. There was a warmth that emanated from the wall. Harry closed his eyes as he drew on the warmth, yet the screams continued to build. Eventually the screams overwhelmed the warmth and Harry had to force his hand away.

Harry gulped down air as the screaming stopped. Sweat dripped down as he began to understand just how much that connection tolled on him. Something nudged his shoulder softly. Turning to look Harry didn't understand. Before him stood Prongs, his patronus. Staring at him. Harry reached out and his hand went through the spectral projection. Confused he looked around, seeking something that could've nudged him. Prongs nudged him again, producing feeling. Harry wasn't sure exactly what was happening with Prongs, but watched as the patronus seemed to meld into the wall. The concentration of magic seemed to fade with Prongs, however, it was still noticeable if Harry concentrated on the feeling.

The sheer energy left Harry slightly off-balance so he walked to the nearby park. The irony of moving towards the place where he originally felt the dementors was not lost on him. Harry sat down at the park, a few young adults seemed to be hanging around in the area, though the left him alone. He spent some time on a bench recovering from the strangeness. Harry couldn't help but laugh at the thought of strangeness; one would think that he would expect strangeness in his life. As he calmed down he noticed a group of three young men surrounding a woman. He watched as the woman continued to walk and ignored the trio of men.

As one of the men moved to strike the woman Harry called out. All four turned their attention towards Harry. The woman took the opportunity to keep walking putting some distance between her and the trio. The guys on the otherhand changed their target to Harry. Harry stood as the trio all walked over, and took up positions around Harry. After a few moments of posturing the guy in the center stated that he wanted to teach Harry a lesson. Harry primed a stunner on his fist and swung at the leader. Harry let the leader hit him in return for getting a blow in. Letting the stored stunner loose the leader crumpled to the ground. The guy to Harry's left let out a scream, charging the last little bit to close the distance with Harry. Harry parried a few blows, letting the guy dictate the fight before grappling and controlling one of the dude's arms. Harry turned towards the third. The second was bent forward, under Harry's full control. Harry raised his eyebrows at the third as the third guy seemed to be squaring up. Harry stored another stunner in his fist and pounded the second guy between the shoulder blades causing the second guy to crumple to the ground. The third guy dropped his stance and started to back away before completely turning and running away.

Harry looked around and didn't notice anyone nearby. Kneeling down by the two people on the ground he removed his wand, keeping it as hidden from view as he could. Under-powering the rennervate on the two would cause them to wake up from the stunner, yet still remain groggy. A trick from his time in the Aurors. After another quick look Harry made his way to an area that he remembered wasn't that frequented. Harry took one last look before apparating to his flat. Only when he was safely in his flat did he allow himself to laugh at the absurdity of the entire situation. Harry looked towards his study before deciding against that, choosing to just get some sleep for the night.

A/N: A bit of a set-up for the next couple of chapters. There has been a bunch of groundwork so far, and I have thoroughly enjoyed writing it. I love delving into topics like this. Hope you all have a fantastic day. Thank you for reading.

Next Chapter Scheduled: 11/13