Minister's office

"Minister, may I come in?", asked Amos Diggory.

"Amos, please come in", said Kingsley inviting him inside and pointed to one of the chairs, "Please sit, Amos. Now have you made a decision?"

Amos nodded, "I talked with the wife about it. I can't tell you how hard it was to talk about our son but I told her everything that we had talked about. She was initially reluctant but I made her see reason that we don't have anyone else to take care of us in our old age and that we can light up a child's world with a little kindness. This is the least that we can do to honour Cedric."

Kingsley smiled, "A very good decision, Amos. Now are you planning to adopt a child or foster one?"

Amos shook his head, "No, we have decided that we will adopt a child. We want him to grow up with our name and not feel as if he is a stranger in our home. We plan to give him the best upbringing possible."

Kingsley nodded, "That is a fine decision, Amos but I must tell you a few things beforehand. Many of these children might have once belonged to a wizarding family or a muggle family. We will have to conduct an inheritance test on every child who we give in to adoption or fostering. The test would help us determine if they belonged to a wizarding household or not. This way, we will also be able to keep a track of the families that we have lost forever."

Amos thought over it for a moment before he replied "Alright. When do I get to adopt a child then?"

Kingsley smiled, "The day after tomorrow after the foster program gets official sanction from the Wizengamot. You are being given leave for today to go and meet the children in St. Mungo's and choose one. The healers would also be help to tell you if a child needs some special care or anything otherwise."

Amos nodded, "Sure thing. I will get going then."

As Amos left, Kingsley heaved in relief. That was one trouble solved but others were waiting. If he were to remain the minister, he needed the majority in Wizengamot. For that purpose, he needed a wizengamot full of those who would support him. He had not played in the political field for a long time but there was no better time than the present.

Besides, he felt that he owed a visit to the Dowager Longbottom who was personification of courage and fortitude. If the battle-axe was in his favour, there was nothing he couldn't achieve. She was the one who could help him the most. True that she might require some concessions in return of the favour but then that was what politics was about. It required not chivalry and bravery of Gryffindor but subtlety and cunningness of Slytherin which she possessed in spades. However he would have to play his cards too carefully or she would sniff a rat and it will be the end of his ambitions.

Longbottom Manor

Kingsley Shacklebolt's head popped in the floo in the sitting room where Dowager Longbottom was sitting and deliberating upon the proceedings for the next day. Whatever had to happen was going to be a tough work and they would need all the expertise that they could muster if they were to successful in achieving the goals that they had set for themselves.

"Dowager Longbottom", called Kingsley from the floo, "Permission to come up?"

She rushed from her seat, kneeling on the hearth, "Minister, please come on up."

Kingsley climbed up and joined her at the table after presenting the due curtsies. After making sure that the minister was comfortable, she asked, "So what brings you here, Minister?"

Kingsley had not expected such a direct approach to his question, "I came to inquire after your health. I haven't seen you since the battle."

She snorted, "You are a child yet, Minister. I have been playing politics in the wizengamot since you were a wee little lad."

Kingsley grinned sheepishly, "I was hoping to know what you are planning to do tomorrow?"

She of course had guessed the correct reason and asked him, "What do you think we will do, Minister? Our world is in shambles. We need to rebuild it. We need people who would construct and not destroy. Our priority is to have a functional wizengamot no matter who are the members."

Kingsley asked in his deep voice, "Surely you are not planning to have the death eaters reign on the ministry?"

She smirked, "That is for me and my fellow lords to decide, Minister."

Kingsley was worried. If the dowager Lady Longbottom didn't commit to him then his position would be precarious. He cautiously asked her, "I have heard that you are going to abdicate on account of your age. Is it true?"

She glared at him, "I will outlive you minister but it is true that I am resigning. Neville has become of age and is ready to take his place. It should have happened a year ago but Voldemort happened. As it is, I am tired of the wizengamot and its politics."

Kingsley asked worriedly, "But there will be no one left to guide us in that case. Most of the experienced members aren't with us anymore. A few who used to be in the neutral faction are working on their own agendas."

Augusta waved him off, "That is your problem, minister. I am resigning and that is final."

Kingsley decided to return to the ministry. If Dowager Longbottom was going to retire then there was no use asking her for favours. He would have to brace what came his way. He was only thankful that he had the ace up his sleeve. Harry Potter will support him and would even vouch for him to become the permanent minister even if for a time. That would be sufficient for him to establish his authority again.

"I will take your leave, Lady Longbottom", he said bowing to her, "I will see you tomorrow in the Wizengamot."

After he left, Augusta started laughing. The expressions on Kingsley's face made her want to laugh in his face but she had kept it pent up. Now however she laughed whole heartedly.

Neville who entered the sitting room about 10 minutes later found her still laughing and asked her cautiously, "What is the matter, Gran?"

She warmly smiled, "the minister was here to try and bring me on his side. I gave nothing to him but played my cards well enough that he will do whatever we want him to. Tomorrow is our day, Neville. The light faction could have dominated the wizengamot at the end of last war but Dumbledore's passive approach about it and allowing the death eaters to retain their seats made us the minority. If he was only a bit more provocative towards them then it would have served our interests."

Neville didn't reply. He knew her Gran had some grudge against the late headmaster about his approach to things but Neville had respected and even revered the man. He wouldn't let someone sully the image he had of him. He also knew what the plan was about and that Kingsley had no idea what he was being made to do.

Black Townhouse

Harry was playing with Teddy in his nursery when Andromeda found him, "Harry we need to talk."

He stood up, picking the toddler in his arms and followed her to a room which Andromeda had told was his office. It had a huge desk in middle and rows of bookshelves currently empty. He tried to take one of the chairs but she stopped him, "You are the master of this place, Harry. You sit on the big comfy chair behind the table."

He protested, "But I am fine in this one, Andy."

She glared at him, "That is your formal place, Harry and unless you are in an informal meeting, you are not supposed to get mixed up like common people."

He pouted but followed her instructions. She also took Teddy from him, "Please leave him by my side until this meeting lasts. This is formal business. You will have lot of time to play with him later."

Her behaviour seemed strange to him yet he held his tongue and took his designated seat. After he was done, she started speaking, "Now listen to me. It is important for you to appear as stately as you can manage in front of the Wizengamot tomorrow. You are going to present your family to the world and your impressions will open a lot of doors for you or close them. Are you following me?"

He nodded dutifully like a child and she continued, "Now what is your plan for tomorrow?"

"Plan? We are just going to have a meeting, right? I mean we don't even have a functional wizengamot yet."

Andromeda sighed. She had figured that Harry was naive but this naive! If he displayed the same behaviour in the WIzengamot, they would eat him alive. She mentally thought why Sirius didn't survive the war to teach these things to him. It was his duty and having been trained in his childhood, he would have been the ideal person. She had never been taught these things but she was trying to do what good she could do.

She turned to him, "What is the agenda for tomorrow?"

He asked quizzically, "Agenda? What agenda?"

She noticed a letter bearing the seal of the Ministry of Magic and on the desk where Kreacher had left it in the afternoon. Harry, like a Lord, was supposed to be tending to this business before anything when he returned in the evening but the young lord had not got into this habit yet. He had just started to indulge Teddy instead of tending to his business. If this kept up then she would have to return to her home.

She picked up the letter and handed it to him, "this came in the noon. This contains the agenda for the next day and is delivered to every lord a night ago so that they can make their decisions upon it or do their research."

He wrinkled his nose, "And I thought I had left that in Hogwarts."

She shook her head, "No. In fact you will see it more and more."

He meanwhile was reading the letter and frowning. After he was done, he turned to her, "That is a lot of business for a day."

She scowled, "You do realise that this session will go for three days? This is supposed to be the first session where a new Wizengamot will be elected. Obviously it will take more than one day for the business to be successfully conducted."

He nodded, "SO what I should do?"

"Harry, you are supposed to look deeper into these issues and make your own opinion. You can object to them if you feel there is something wrong or you can support it if you feel it is perfect."

He nodded, "So what is the next step?'

She was at the end of her patience but calmly said, "You need to do some research into it. Tomorrow the new wizengamot will be formed and members will be sworn in. If anymore Order of Merlin is to be given then they will be given and the real business will begin the next day."

Harry grinned, "Well then I will see to it tomorrow. As you say, the real business will start from the day after so I have a day's time."

She sighed in frustration but said nothing. It was the best that she could do. Harry would have to learn by the trial and error method.

WHAT A BLUNDER! LORD POTTER

The Wizengamot was a circular chamber situated in the heart of the ministry. The seats were arranged in half moon pattern in the room. 50 seats were for the members of the Wizengamot while a separate section was maintained for the Elders of the Wizengamot or the department heads. On the other side of the room were a spectator's gallery and a press gallery for the media.

In the lowest row, was a raised podium behind which sat the Chief Warlock. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore had sat behind that seat for near 45 years before he had to step down due to Cornelius Fudge. He never entered the place again despite Scrimgeour asking him. The war was heating and he had been cursed by the ring which shortened his life span. Since there, Lord Orpington had sat in that seat until he had been killed sometime during the last year. Only his remains had been found. The post was later taken by a death eater the said wizard had been killed at the hands of Grawp after the giant had pulled him down from four floors and threw him to the ground, crushing him.

Since then the post was vacant. In fact, during the last year the wizengamot hadn't met as frequently as it should have. Many members had died in the battle of Hogwarts while a lot of them were in captivity awaiting trial for their crimes. There were many who had been on the run or in hiding during the war and could not be found. Letters were sent to them in the hopes that they will turn up today.

Everyone who had been called for the Session started trickling in the chamber and before long; the chamber was full of bustling. As advised, Harry sat in the spectator's stand from where he would be called to sworn in. There was also the issue of Chief Warlock. There was no chief warlock so in that event, the elders presided over the sessions. The problem was that there were only a handful of the elders left now. Griselda Marchbanks, the head of Wizarding Examination Authority who had been an elder when Dumbledore was the Chief Warlock had returned to her post as the elder of the wizengamot with Elder Tiberius Ogden, and Elder Alexander McDougall.

For today, everyone who came into had to go through an identification test and a blood test. It was provided that every one whether they were members of the Wizengamot or employee of the ministry or the Unspeakables had to go through the test before they were cleared for their respective floors. At random, the Aurors were even asking people to show their arms to show that they weren't branded. The entrance to the chambers was flanked by Unspeakables and Aurors who checked everyone to ensure that they did not keep any extra wands or that they were not bringing in any dark magic items etc.

As it was about 10:00 A.M., Kingsley in his position as temporary minister of magic, boomed at the top of voice from his position beside the dais of the Chief Warlock, "Close the doors".

The massive double doors slid and shut and the noise in the chamber dropped to pin drop silence. After ensuring that he had the floor, Kingsley began, "Welcome to the monthly session of the Wizengamot for June 1998. These past few months that we have had spent have been tumultuous where our world foresaw destruction and deaths. To ensure our freedom and liberty, many wizards and witches laid down their lives among whom many were mere children who had just come of age. They stood and fought for us when the adults did not have had the courage or they failed to do what was right. These children who showed us the way further by their sacrifices and it is their sacrifices which will keep up going in the times to come. I, for one, would make sure that we don't forget their sacrifice or that it goes in vain. A lot of people have died for us who were otherwise shunned or accused of stealing magic. Before we begin this session formally, I would urge each and everyone to raise their wands in remembrance of every warrior who laid their lives for us."

The minister was the first to light his wand followed quickly by others. For a minute, the ceiling of the chamber was lit by the green dots from their wands and there was pin drop silence. After about a minute, Kingsley spoke again, "Now let us begin. The first problem is that many of the former members who occupied seats in this chamber in the past are with us no more. Many families died out while a few are survived by minor heirs but their lords are cooling their heels in Azkaban on charges of being a death eater or of treason against the ministry by siding with the self proclaimed Lord. So we don't have a functional wizengamot for now. As I see it, there are hardly 13 of us who were part of the last Wizengamot for many who were nominated by Ministry have also left us. As such, it is imperative to have a functional wizengamot. Firstly I will call the name of those who are still with us. After they had taken their seats, I will call names of those who families have held seats in the past and have heirs who can be invested at this time."

Harry kept watching everything with interest. A lot of these things were new to him and it had piqued his interest. So far, it had been interesting. The part when they raised their wands in remembrance of those who fell fighting for them had touched him.

Kingsley continued, "Firstly, I will call forward the Lady Regent Longbottom who has guided us for years and provided her infinite wisdom."

Augusta stood from her seat and acknowledged everyone amid warm applause. Kingsley continued, "Now I will call forward Elder McDougall who has been an elder to this body for the last decade and has also been looking after his family seat."

Elder McDougall was very popular man who was well in his 90's yet had the gait of a young man and the aura of someone wise and powerful. After he acknowledged the applause, Kingsley continued, "We also welcome Lord Fawley back in his family seat. Lord Fawley helped those fighting against the tyranny of Voldemort (he ignored the collective shudder or gasps around the room) in every way that he could without coming to the forefront."

After Fawley sat, he continued, "Lord Macmillan is also here among us whose son was one of those who fought with the death eaters at the castle of Hogwarts and he himself arrived with the backup in the morning when the call for arms went out."

After Lord Macmillan was acknowledged, the minister continued, "We also acknowledge Lord Abbot whose daughter died in the battle of Hogwarts saving one of her friends and was awarded the Order of Merlin for her bravery."

As the crowd applauded Robert Abbot, the minister continued, "the WIzengamot formally recognises the contribution of Lord Aniston who held his ground even during the previous reign and had to suffer the tyrannies of the death eaters for doing what was right."

As Lord Aniston retained his seat, Kingsley was continuing, "We also welcome Lord Octavius Orpington who precedes his father in their family seat. We pay tribute to his father, late Lord Orpington, who was the chief warlock for a brief time after Albus Percival Wulfric Brain Dumbledore was ousted of his post on whims of the former minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge."

As Octavius Orpington retained his seat, Kingsley continued, "We also welcome back Lord Pucey who was nominated in the wizengamot during the previous reign and who remained perfectly unbiased to anyone even at the cost of personal peril to himself and his family."

Pucey was one of those nominated candidates who had been on the side of the light and tried to oppose every such reform which was meant for persecution of the muggle-borns or the half-bloods.

After Pucey sat, Kingsley continued, "We also welcome Lord Gerrick Ollivander who was taken captive during the previous reign by Voldemort and his death eaters and had to undergo torture at the hands of the death eaters and even Voldemort himself."

After the old wandmaker was acknowledged, Kingsley continued, "We also welcome Lord Abercrombie, Lord Jones and Lord Shaw back to this august body."

As they were being acknowledged, Kingsley continued, "The last surviving member of the old wizengamot who is still free has refused to become a part of this body again and formally abdicated his position. So we have now 37 posts left vacant to will be filled now. As the ministry traditionally has kept 15 seats for nominating Order of Merlin winners or individuals who have worked for the betterment of the society therefore, leaving those aside, we 22 posts to be filled today. The next order of business is investment of heirs to houses which have no lord or where the Lords want to abdicate in favour of their young charges."

Everyone immediately snapped to attention. It had already been an hour since they started but the most important part was starting now. Kingsley was saying, "Firstly we will start with those who ascension or investment is without any dispute. Any objections?"

When none came, he continued, "The first one is Neville Frank Longbottom of the House of Longbottom. The lady Regent Augusta Longbottom had decided to abdicate in favour of him citing that her regency has expired on account of him coming of age a year ago."

Augusta stood from her place and bowed to the members, "I am thankful to this chamber for having given me the honour to serve it with so much dedication. I am now ready to step down and hope that some level of love and respect will be showed to new Lord Longbottom."

As she stepped down, Neville ascended to that seat, wearing Robes which screamed 'rich' from afar. He looked every inch the pureblood that he was supposed to be. With a precision that came to him from being trained that way, he curtly bowed to the wizengamot before taking his seat.

Kingsley continued, "The next person to be ascended to their post as Lord of their house is Miss Susan Bones who will take the seat which was held in past by her aunt, the former head of the DMLE, Madam Bones."

Susan walked to her post with grace but confidence which oozed out of her and took her place on the wizengamot. Kingsley continued, "The next investment is of Miss Greengrass whose father Nicholas Greengrass headed the neutral faction in the past and brought a balance between the warring factions of the wizengamot. Lord Greengrass was murdered in Diagon Alley by the death eaters for refusing to pledge to the dark side."

There was a big round of applause which went for Daphne as she strode up to her family seat. Harry noticed that her eyes showed a momentary flash of pain and he realised how bad he had behaved towards her when he had all but accused her of being loyal to death eaters. She wouldn't side with those who had murdered her father.

After Daphne sat in her seat, Kingsley asked again, "Now it is time for the lords and ladies to announce if any of them are going to abdicate in favour of their heirs?"

Lord Macmillan stood in his place, "I have spent a long time in this place and seen a lot of drama unfold which I fear in all honesty I can't take anymore. Therefore I wish to abdicate in favour of my son and my heir."

This was a shocker for everyone. Lord Macmillan was hardly 50 so for him to abdicate was something no one could have thought about. However since it was his decision, they couldn't do anything about it. Ernie replaced his father cheerfully on the seat while Lord Macmillan walked to sit beside Augusta in the spectator stands.

Daphne was frowning. This wasn't supposed to happen. When she had decided to join the coalition, she had figured that Augusta would lead them and Lord Macmillan would be there too, helping them wade through the waters but this was exactly the opposite. Both had abdicated and gave the reins to new blood. Interesting and intriguing. When she saw Macmillan sharing a look with Augusta, Daphne was startled. Those two were playing their own game. They actually had a lot going on than what others could foresee. Well things just got more interesting.

Kingsley continued, "Now we come to the heirs whose inheritance might be disputed and luckily, we have only one such candidate. Harry James Potter, the heir presumptive of House Potter has also laid claims to the lordship of House Black. Would Mr. Potter please stand up?"

Harry was prompted by Arthur to stand up and Kingsley continued, "Do you Mr. Potter claim lordship of House of Potter and Black?"

Harry said something unintelligible like, "Uh" or something and some members of the wizengamot snickered. Even Daphne had the urge to chuckle and faked it with a cough behind her fist. Harry cleared his throat before he said, "Yes. That is right."

Another round of snickering followed and Harry could not understand what it was about. Kingsley continued, "Please explain to this august body as to how you can claim the lordships to those houses? And do you have any evidence to satisfy your claim than your own word?"

Harry took a few minutes before he started speaking, "I am a Potter so there is no need to show that I am Lord of my own house. As for Lordship of Black, I am Sirius's godson and his heir so I am the lord for it."

Kingsley mulled over it for a minute and looked into some parchments before he spoke, "Mr. Potter, your claims regarding your Lordship of House Potter are unchallenged and you inherit your family seat however the ministry wants to know if you have any documents which may prove your claim to the seat of House Black? As we can see from the records, one Draco Lucius Malfoy had also claimed the lordship of House Black in the past through his mother Narcissa Malfoy nee Black."

Harry replied, "I have a will from Sirius and the goblins also said so."

Kingsley cocked his head to the side, "Do you happen to have the will on you at this moment? And did the Goblins give you any document to the effect?"

Harry had never received the will physically. It was Dumbledore who had told him that Sirius's will was discovered and he had made Harry his heir. Dumbledore had also told him about the contents of the will which concerned him but he had not seen so much as a page of the said will. When he met the goblins, it had not occurred to him to get them to give him documents which would support his claim. He shook his head, "I don't have any such documents with me at this moment."

Many of them burst into laughter while a few looked contemplative. There was so much about the young lord that they could not understand. A few even could see that he would be ridiculed for this. Kingsley in his position could do nothing to help him. He had thought that perhaps others would have readied him for it. However on the off chance that someone came forward to contest his claim, he had made sufficient preparations. Rapping the gavel, he said in his deep baritone voice, "I trust this body to behave as is expected of the Lords and Ladies. Now this was a bona fide mistake on part of Mr. Potter which should not be looked into too much."

He turned to Percy Weasley who was acting as his scribe, "Mr. Scribe, please send for the required documents to be called from the Family Relations department."

As Percy did his bidding, Kingsley was saying, "For further business today, we also have the issue of the Elders. There have always been a number of Elders in the stands up there who have always guided us through thick and thin. We lost almost all of them during the war. As soon as we can fill the membership of the Wizengamot today, we will select the elders."

After about 10 minutes, two employees of the ministry came carrying the documents. Kinglsey opened them, studied and replicating them, he sent copies to the members, "These are copies of the last will and testament of Lord Sirius Black and a document from the Goblins which attest to Lord Potter's claim. If anybody has any objections then come forth or forever keep your peace."

Nobody said a word for a minute and Kingsley proclaimed, "Through my writ as the Minister of Magic, Lord Harry James Potter hereby ascends as lord Potter and Lord Black before this august body. I urge you to come and take your place among your peers, Lord Potter."

Harry climbed in the row where the members were and many of them were surprised and a few were even shocked to see him clad in a t-shirt and jeans as opposed to the Wizengamot robes which everyone wore. The photographers in the press gallery were busy clicking his pictures unabashedly while the reporters scribbled. Everyone knew that the young lord was going to have a hard time when the paper went into print.

Kingsley himself didn't know what he could do to help Harry at this moment so he continued, "Lord Potter, since you can't sit in both the seats at once, do you wish to appoint a Regent? And if so, please provide the details to this body."

Harry ha d no idea what he was saying. He understood that he would have to appoint a regent but nobody had saw fit to explain these things to him beforehand. Everybody just presumed that he would know all these things. He turned to the minister, "Can I let you know by tomorrow? Thanks."

Kingsley sighed at his naiveté but there was nothing he could do at this moment so he said, "We will await the details tomorrow, Lord Potter." He then turned to the Wizengamot, "Now we come to the most contentious part. After the first war ended, there were talks about reinstating all the old families in their places on the Wizengamot. The then minister Milicent Bagnold and the then head of the DMLE Barty Crouch Sr. wanted those houses ousted who had in anyway associated with the death eaters or supported the self styled Lord Voldemort in his mission. However the former Chief Warlock Albus Dumbledore decided to adopt a pacifist approach and allowed many of them old houses to continue sitting in the Wizengamot and even allowed many of the old families to retain their seats after having been pardoned using the imperius curse defense. The question which arises is what do we do now?"

Harry was hearing every word that Kingsley said and he realised what was being said. Without waiting for anyone to say anything, he rose out of his seat, "We cannot allow any of the death eaters or their supporters to sit here. They will make things hard for us."

A few of the members looked aghast at this display. A few were tittering. The young lord was so uncouth in his manners and approach. He was like a fresh gust of wind but so untamed. He would need to be trained so he wouldn't ruin what goodwill he had in the world.

Kingsley patiently said, "Lord Potter, you have a right to make your thoughts known as a member of this body however please be patient and wait for your chance to speak. Things are not done out of turn or out of an established way."

Harry sat down sufficiently admonished and he continued, "So, opinions are invited from the respected members as to how we can select the members of the Wizengamot now."

A lot of hands went up including Harry's. Kingsley saw the hands raised and said, "Lord Longbottom, your turn please."

Neville stood in his place and spoke with the confidence of a man who had beheaded the snake, "while I wouldn't agree that what Late Dumbledore did at the end of first war was plausible or pertinent but I fear that he was right in his own stead. This chamber has stood for centuries on the pillars of tradition and heritage. One of the traditions has been to have the houses occupy the seats but between the times from the end of the first war to today, a lot has changed. A lot of families were exhausted while a lot of Lords were again found to be serving Voldemort in his campaign and are currently awaiting trial for their acts. I say that we do not allow them to retain their seats for they will obstruct the path of progress and justice. I say that we should adopt a more pragmatic approach when it comes to select new members of the Wizengamot."

When Neville sat down, the applause went for long before they went quiet for long enough to allow the minster to continue, "Lord Fawley, your turn."

Lord Fawley stood in his place, "I agree with the sentiments echoed by Lord Longbottom. For one of his age, having such clarity in thoughts is commendable. Instead of being brash and abrasive as he was seen in the battle of Hogwarts, he eloquently made his thoughts known to us. I recommend that we bring in some fresh faces on this honourable body with us who would help us move forward and ensure that we don't do injustice to those who actually fought for our liberty and freedom."

When he sat down, people started thumping the desks in affirmation with them and Kingsley turned to Harry, "Now its your turn, Lord Potter."

Harry stood in his place, "We can't have those here who will stop us from doing good for others. From what I have understood, what Mr. Fawley and Neville suggested sounds good to me."

Kingsley winced at Harry's salutations to Neville and Fawley. No lord of the wizengamot spoke that way. He turned to the chamber in general, "We will meet re-convene after a lunch break at 2:00 where we will continue selecting the new members of this body."

As soon as the wizengamot was dismissed for lunch, Harry was tackled by Neville who took him to a room which was filled with their friends and allies.