Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who has been talking up this story, my hit count has exploded this week. It is possible there won't be a new chapter next Friday as I'm going on vacation tomorrow. Thank you everyone who is reading and reviewing, MNF

Chapter 32:

Changes

Tuesday 2 January 1996

"You ready? It's liable to be a very long session today?" Sirius asked the three teens before they Flooed to the Ministry. Augusta and Amy had left early that morning, and it was now time for the rest of them to head out for the meeting of the Wizengamot where the new members would be announced. Open voting was held the day before where anyone over the age of seventeen with a wand was able to vote for four people they wanted to see seated on the ruling body.

"We need to go," Neville said. "We will have our seats and will be working with some of these people in just two years."

"You're right, so let's go," Sirius said, reaching for the small pot of Floo powder on the mantle. They would be going to the Chief Witch or Warlocks office, where Augusta would meet them.

"Wait, where is Remus?" Hermione asked.

"He went ahead earlier, he had something he needed to research," Sirius explained, and Hermione nodded. She would be sitting with Sirius, taking notes for him. He would have Cassie's book with him, currently only visible to him and his heir, so he was prepared to use whatever information she had gathered if there was need to bend someone toward the light. Sirius had Neville go first, since they are going into what was his gran's office for the moment, and he brought up the rear. After they were all sufficiently cleaned up and had given Augusta their greetings, the quintet made their way down the chamber. Each would be sitting in what were called the 'heir chairs'. An heir would sit to the left of the Lord or Lady and would learn about how the Wizengamot worked. Augusta would take the Longbottom seat when a new Chief of the Wizengamot was selected, after the seating of the newest members of the body; Neville would be at her left, Hermione at Sirius's and Harry at Remus's in the Potter seat.

The Wizengamot was made up of fifty-one witches and wizards, including the Chief who had the deciding vote if the body voted twenty-five to twenty-five on anything. The constituency of the Wizengamot included one chief witch or warlock.

Thirteen members of the oldest families in Wizarding Britain made the council, and the composition changes as seats changed. These constituted the Council of Thirteen who would work on legislation being brought before the body as a whole. Often this is where concessions were made between the more traditional families and those seen as progressive. Since the late sixties, the split could be seen as light and dark. With the changes to the roster of the Wizengamot at the last meeting, the group had a decidedly more progressive tilt. Current members included the families of: Black, Potter, Longbottom, Abbott, Fawley, Greengrass, Macmillan, Ollivander, Rosier, Shacklebolt, Slughorn, Weasley, and Yaxley.

There are eighteen seats allocated to the Ministry for the Minister, Department Heads and employee seats. These last two could be anyone from a sanitation worker to the deputy department head. Each January a drawing was held to select the representatives for the upcoming calendar year. This year Gawain Robards, Senior Auror and Maddie Blair, canteen hostess were selected. Generally, a couple could not each have a seat on the Wizengamot. The only exception was if one was a family seat, especially Council of Thirteen, and the other was in a seat as a department head.

Finally, there were nineteen at-large members. Again, anyone who was of age, had a wand, were not within two generations or two separations of another Wizengamot member and were willing to fill out the paperwork was allowed to run. For this election, since so many seats were up for election, there was a wide-ranging group of forty-three. Some were families attempting to have a family seat returned to them, like the Carrows, who brought a second cousin over from Northern Ireland to run and give the family a seat.

When voting, each person was allowed to vote for four different candidates. If a further vote was needed due to a tie, it would take place through a runoff vote within those already seated in the Wizengamot. Additionally, anyone could write in a candidate in their fourth slot. Amy had grumbled that if they counted the number of names that had less than five votes total, the number of those who ran for seats would have been close to two hundred. That was all she would tell her husband, who was not known for his patience. Sirius was happy he'd know all the members of the ruling body by the end of the day.

"Sirius, you're nearly as tense as when you presented me with the adoption papers," Harry said. "The votes are in, and there isn't much we can do to change that."

"Ah, Harry, that's not specifically true. Remus has been gathering information for Amy this morning. I'm just hoping he makes it in here in time."

"He will, Remus is very punctual," Hermione said. "I like that about him."

"You would," Neville quipped back, and the three friends and Sirius laughed. While Hermione had relaxed some since leaving Hogwarts, she was still rather uptight about punctuality and doing schoolwork. She liked living at the manor house much more than she did at school, since she often went home for supper or on Sunday to spend time with her parents. She'd taken Harry home as her boyfriend, which terrified him. The meeting was successful and the following week, Sirius had them to his place to have an intimate dinner with Amy, Remus, Harry and the Grangers. The adult couples were quickly becoming fast friends, and Remus and Mr Granger shared a love of history, which led to some lively discussions in the library with Harry and Hermione joining the two men.

Just before ten, Amy entered talking with Remus. She went to her designated seat, and he came to join Harry.

"Find what you were looking for," Sirius asked casually, knowing the research would result in anything but a casual situation.

"That and more," Remus replied.

"Excellent."

Remus looked around, the gallery was packed, recognizing some of the people in the front row as those who were on the ballot the day before. Fudge's former assistant was there, dressed in a set of shocking pink robes, glaring at him. Augusta banged her gavel and he turned to face front. The noise continued, and she banged again. Finally, she cast a Sonorous Charm.

"If you don't shut up soon, I am going to make you be quiet. We have important work to do!" The noise quickly ended. "Thank you. Madame scribe, please read out the names of those elected."

It started out well enough, when Piedmont Clearwater was elected. Harry had stated at dinner last night how he'd known his daughter, Penelope while at school, she had been the Head Girl in the last school year. Caroline Carrow was elected but before she took her vows, she turned and looked at the Wizengamot.

"I know what me family was thinkin', bringing me over from Northern Ireland, but just know I hated Voldemort, those Death Eaters of his and anyone who does dark magic. I'm about as light as they come!" There were cheers throughout those seated and in the gallery, but there were also sour faces at her announcement.

It appeared that many of the light or light-leaning candidates were being elected, and their group seemed hopeful. Then Jennifer Jugson, Jerome Jugson's granddaughter was elected. She had a small silver mask embroidered on her gown's right sleeve and it made Harry want to vomit. Clearly a dark leaning member. This was followed by Mavis Macnair, Walden's granddaughter who was just barely old enough to take her seat, having only turned seventeen on December twenty-seventh.

Two more grey leaning families were elected, Patil and Quirke. Then things began to slide toward the dark again. Ralph Rookwood, the illegitimate son of Augustus Rookwood. It began a parade of families associated with the Death Eaters or the illegitimate children of Death Eaters themselves. Of the fifteen seats available for election, ten had gone to grey or dark families. The final call, as they were done alphabetically, Remus want to sink into his seat.

"Delores Umbridge," the scribe called, and the woman rose and walked down to the final seat. She was stopped by Amelia, with Tonks and Dawlish coming up behind her.

"Hello, Madame Umbridge, you'll be coming with us."

"Oh, Amelia, I don't think so. I was just seated as a Wizengamot member. As a member, I outrank you as a Department Head." Umbridge gave off a little laugh and tried to move, but Tonks put her hand on her shoulder. "Get your hand off me, you little half-blood, Metaphorpmagus freak." Sirius wanted to jump up and defend his cousin, but he knew what was going on, so sat and fingered his wand tip as it slid a bit down his arm from his holster.

"Delores," Amy said sounding quite upset, "you forget that while this body will elect a new minister at its next meeting, I'm still in that seat until then. As the Acting Minister, I outrank everyone here, except Madame Longbottom. You are under arrest for terroristic actions and for having ties to an organization called 'Magic for the Worthy'. We have sworn testimony about your actions since the night of the Wand Out. Tonks."

Nymphadora Tonks turned to her companion, John Dawlish, and put her magical suppression cuffs on him. "John Dawlish, you are arrested for terroristic actions and having ties to an organization called 'Magic for the Worthy'. We have sworn testimony about your actions since the night of the Wand Out."

"You can't arrest me," Dawlish said, "I'm your training supervisor!"

"No, you aren't," Gawain Robards said, "I am, we just needed her close enough to you to follow you and collect more evidence."

"You said nothing like this could happen!" Umbridge yelled, turning on Dawlish.

"Would you shut your mouth! Say nothing!"

"Sounds like an admission of guilt to me," Gawain said to Amy who nodded. An entire corps of Aurors arrived to take the two into custody. Alastor Moody also Disillusioned himself.

"This should be an interesting set of interrogations," he said to Amy, but loud enough for everyone to hear. She simply nodded at him, knowing he wouldn't start without her. Amy then looked at Remus and gave him a nod.

"Additionally, Delores, we have evidence that you have been acting without proper legislation and have been denying work permits to sentient beings, like Veela, Werewolves and Sirens. Those charges will be added to your other terroristic activities," Amy declared and Umbridge began screaming that they weren't beings, they were animals that should be put down. Alastor Silenced her before pushing her out the door.

"What did you do?" Harry asked the steward of his family's seat.

"Just dredged up some legislation she'd had a hand in pushing through about five years ago and compared it with the Charter of the Wizengamot. No one had researched it well enough at the time, but they contradict each other. Nothing can override the charter. She'd been acting inappropriately for years."

"Brilliant," Harry said with Hermione and Neville nodding. Sirius had known about the plan, but promised he'd not utter a word.

"Eldon Davies, you have been elected to the Wizengamot," the scribe said. "Please come take your seat." Sirius breathed out heavily in relief.

"Davies is a good man," Sirius said to Harry, "so the new ones aren't all light, but we can sway the grey if we need to." He patted the then invisible book on his lap and smiled in such a way that only one of his lips curled up, and Harry was glad he never had to face Auntie Cassie's 'burn book' as Hermione called it.

A brief recess was called while the gallery was cleared and preparations for the election of a new Chief were made. Sirius had several people who came up and asked him if he was planning on running, but he politely declined, instead suggesting Daniel Greengrass. The man had always stayed out of politics, his business straddled the non-magical/magical line quite well and he was generally liked.

"How can you suggest him, Sirius?" his great-uncle something or another who held a seat due to his position in the Magical Transportation Department. "The man grows his herbs and potions ingredients in a Muggle building of all things!"

"I personally find that quite brilliant on his part, and his profit has been remarkable as he was able to keep producing when others had to stop due to their spell-based greenhouses failing. Daniel is a good man." Of course, Sirius had already made in-roads with Mr Greengrass, who was happy to have someone of Sirius's name and political weight to hide behind if things became sticky. Additionally, Susan and Daphne, Daniel's eldest, were good friends at Hogwarts and Amy was certain they could work together until a permanent Minister of Magic election could take place. Amy hadn't decided whether she would run or not yet.

Augusta called the meeting back to order and read out the stipulations on who could and could not become Chief Warlock or Witch. "First, the person must have been sitting on the Wizengamot for a minimum of one year so that they are assured they understand what it is we do in this chamber." There was some baulking at the first rule, but it had held for centuries, and no one was going to attempt to challenge it.

"Two, you will be searched for the Dark Mark. Your unwillingness to bear your forearms will be a certain sign you are not worthy of the position." There were many shifty eyes made at neighbours when this was announced.

"Third, a full background check will be made after this meeting and if nothing substantial is found in this check, you will be sworn in at the next meeting."

"You never went through a background check!" someone yelled and Neville wanted to stand and hex them, but his grandmother beat him to it.

"I am old enough to have your known your grandmother, Mr Rookwood, and never in my life have I ever done anything that would constitute ill behaviour. Speak out again and you'll be experiencing my Mouth-Cleansing Hex."

"You do not want to experience Gran's hex," Neville said with a shudder.

"Are there any questions?" There were none. "Then the floor is open for nominations."

It took six votes to get it down to two candidates. Elphias Doge and Daniel Greengrass. Elphias spoke eloquently that he'd like to follow in the shoes of his dear friend, Albus Dumbledore. He also believed the wizarding world was doing quite well on its own and did not need so much change. Daniel spoke about a changing world that magicals lived in, and we needed to be aware of the non-magical world, lest they risk exposure. He was measured, reasonable and not playing on someone else's past glories.

After the final speeches, Daniel Greengrass won by nearly eighty percent of the vote, even the darker seats not finding fault with him. Sirius could see in some of their eyes the desire to swing him their way, but Sirius already had him for the light. A new working trade route to an Italian Potions Master wanting to mass produce healing potions for poorer populations was also part of the deal, as Sirius was supplementing what the Potions Master was making from the sale of the Wolfsbane at a price most werewolves could afford. Daniel's ingredients would drop the price for the werewolves even more, and he planned on starting a monthly clinic, letting those in need pay what they could. He'd already started them in France and Italy, with the blessings of those Ministries.

ITWAU ITWAU ITWAU

"I'm sorry things didn't go better today," Hermione said as she snuggled into Harry that night before the fire. They were alone in the library, books put away for the night and sharing some quiet time.

"It went about the way Pater thought it would," Harry said softly. "He knew that the pro-pureblood contingent would want to reassert themselves, and they did. To be honest, we're happy we had two more grey families be elected; our expectation was just one. Plus, Caroline Carrow pronouncing she was for the light was awesome. The look on Pater's face was something I'll remember for a while."

"You were rather excited yourself," Hermione said. "I enjoyed watching you today, and the way you conversed with Sirius and Remus. You're happy, really happy, aren't you?"

"I am," Harry said before turning his head and kissing her. "I have a father who would move mountains for me, and an uncle who is not only brilliant but kind. I have a woman who wants to love me like her son. That isn't something I expected to ever have. Then there's the extended family, and Neville – who is a much better friend than Ron ever was. And, I have you. How could I have not realized how much you mean to me?"

"It wasn't like I was being honest with you, either. We were both worried about ruining our friendship, I think."

"Ah, but when we were friends, we couldn't do this," Harry said as he cupped her face and kissed her passionately. They continued to snog until they couldn't breathe.

"So," Hermione finally said, "what do you think about classes now that it's just the five of us?"

"Well, with Remus pushing us we're halfway into sixth year materials in both Wizarding History and Defence. Part of that is so the twins have review, but he's also working with them on their seventh year Defence. Sirius with Charms should be interesting, but he is capable of some remarkable things. We already know that he's brilliant at teaching Transfiguration since he took over for Auntie Mimi."

"I can't believe you call her that," Hermione said with a scoff. "She is the Headmistress at Hogwarts now."

"I know, but that's what she had me call her when I was little, same with Neville. We think we should call her it now, and whenever we do, she smiles. She's family now, not a professor. Anyway, I'm anxious to meet our new Potions Mistress. I know we are behind where we need to be."

"Well, having a teacher who doesn't leer at you and belittle you should help your grades," Hermione said, also happy that she wouldn't be dealing with Snape.

"I'm enjoying Herbology with Maia and her work on wandless magic is wonderful."

"You might think so, but I just don't understand. I can't wrap my head around it."

"It isn't a head thing, Hermione," Harry said. "It's a heart thing. Sure, you need to know what you want to accomplish or the spell for it, but you have to feel it. Turn to face me and give me your hands." She did as he asked, although she remained sceptical. Harry wrapped his hands around hers. "Now close your eyes and clear your mind." Hermione took a few breaths, and while she was doing this, he began to push a bit of magic into her hands. He wanted her to feel the warmth that being around her made him feel. Hermione suddenly gasped.

"Harry, what is that?"

"That's how you make me feel. I used my magic to push that feeling toward you," Harry said quietly.

"That's remarkable." She opened her eyes to look at her boyfriend.

"That's what Maia is trying to teach us," Harry explained. "There isn't a spell, there is intent and then magic. Neville and I both trigger it with a bit of emotion. This time it was the warm contentment I have from being with you."

"I think I understand," Hermione said. "Why didn't you explain it to me this way back when we started?"

"Because you weren't my girlfriend then and if I did what I just did, you would have thought me very strange."

"Maybe, or maybe I would have just kissed you." Hermione did exactly that.