Gideon groaned as he rolled out of bed and looked at the clock on the wall. It couldn't be nearly noon, surely? He had been out late the last few nights attending dinners and other functions and he was in dire need of a good night sleep.
His husband came into the room. "Good, you're awake. We need to get you up and ready. There is much to handle before tonight's little event."
Gideon groaned and stuck his head under the pillow. "I still don't understand why I'm expected to host this thing. I have met enough of these lords and ladies."
Severus moved the pillow. "You know that Lady Goyle will be hosting one of these. The election is tomorrow. This will of course be expected of you."
Gideon grunted. "I don't suppose my wonderful amazing husband has thought to bring me a dram of hang over potion to help me?"
Severus smiled and levitated a tray he had left on a table near the door. "And some coffee and breakfast to take it down with. Don't want you sick for the party."
Gideon pulled his husband into a kiss. "What would I ever do without you?"
Severus smirked but he returned the gentle kiss "Sleep in until five, go stinking like booze and probably throw up all over your guests."
Gideon reached for the potion and downed it before doing the same with the coffee. "I guess that would not have made much of an impression."
Severus stood. "You need to finish breakfast and then we will have a few errands to run before your guests start to arrive."
Gideon was buttering a piece of toast when he looked up. "My guests?"
Severus nodded. "You know even among the lords I can not make myself known yet. Hopefully when you get elected we can change that."
Gideon corrected him. "If I get elected, I think you mean. But if I do I hope I can get you and the others back into this country safely."
"You just need to remind your allies that the order members are old blood families and as lord of the counsel, should have been rewarded trials and pardons."
Watching his husband leave Gideon finished his breakfast as the hang over potion had kicked into effect, and then headed off into the bathroom where he took a long hot shower. When he was dressed he found his husband down in the library.
"So what do we need to get done today? I would have thought that the house elves would prepare the party."
"You have never planned such an event so I will forgive you your ignorance but there is plenty for us to handle."
"Have you been keeping secrets from me my dear husband? I don't recall you having a history for planning and hosting parties."
Severus laughed. "No. But I have spent most of the past two decades listening to Narcissa run on about how much planning she does for this kind of event."
"I wish she was here. I mean you can't be by my side officially and every event I have attended this week, has had a hostess."
"The thought of me being a hostess I protest but I agree. Narcissa can't but Lady Huffelpuff has already proven a charmer in the crowd."
"Will it not seem odd that I, a married man, have a woman hosting my events for me?"
"No. You have introduced Susan at every party so far and they are aware she is like your sister. It is common for a single man to use a daughter or female relation."
"I guess with Luna and Susan watching me to make sure I don't make too many mistakes, and you near by, I should not be so afraid of this."
Severus reassured him with a kiss. "You have shone at all of the events you attended. You have already won over many of Robert's Hunts friends on the counsel."
They headed off to Diagon Alley and even to the ministry to run a series of errands that would never have crossed Gideon's mind when he thought about hosting a dinner party. He guessed his husband having his ear talked off by Narcissa, could come in handy from time to time. He thought it funny he was channelling Lucius but his husband seemed to be channelling Narcissa.
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Though Luna was there, Gideon and Susan had greeted the guests as they started to arrive. Most were the guests from the first dinner at Lord Hunt's but he had been invited to attend other parties and his hosts' of those were added to the numbers. His head was whirling with all of the names.
Robert came over as he was done greeting guests. "I should compliment you on this fine party. It warms my heart to see another Black using this manor properly."
Gideon nodded. "I never approved of my Uncle permitting this place as the use of questionable characters. This is a family estate and should be upheld as such.'
Robert smiled. "I believe though I have heard you are close with some half breeds. The rumour is at least a werewolf, is this true?'
Gideon confirmed. "It is. My godfather. He came from a pureblood family before he was bitten. I think we often forget the value of certain species can have."
Robert sipped his wine. "I do believe we agree on that. I have always found that our side has suffered from our refusal to seek aid from the half-breeds as the other does."
"I believe the ministry has done an injustice to our side by exiling them. I agree there must be limits placed on their freedoms, but they could be very useful."
"So you are not suggesting bringimg them back with full rights, Gideon?" Lady Zane asked as she came up.
"Of course not Ramona. Even my godfather would agree that there is a part of his being that is dangerous and needs to be controlled. Exile though is not the way."
"Interesting. So you'd look to have new laws passed if you're elected, to bring them back to our country?" John Pucey asked.
"I think that if we make enemies of them they are likely to join the dark. With proper controls to keep our societies safe, half breeds could hep us in this war."
Robert agreed. "I think you make a fine point Lord Gideon. I for one would like to see the return of some of the former lords of the counsel, back from exile as well."
"The ministry over stepped their bounds arresting lords of the high counsel of the wizengot. The trials they stood were illegal for men and women of their stature."
John offered his hand. "I do believe young Lord Gideon I have been quite impressed with your ideas on both. You bring such a fresh perspective to the counsel."
Ramona wasn't so sure. "Were you not the one Gideon who said the laws of the counsel had to be upheld, tradition of course in the matter of Hogwarts?"
Gideon nodded. "For centuries the laws of the ministry didn't apply to us, we were tried by peers. If you look at our history half breeds have always been allies."
"He makes sense. You know his grandfather Lord Black would have argued this same pint as he has. We need the full strength to combat this coming war." Rob said.
"Cornelius and his ministry have stepped out of bounds to long. They have usurped too much of the power that should belong to us." Ramona chimed in.
Gideon calmed them a bit. "I am not seeking political anarchy, to usurp the ministry. Cornelius just needs to understand that this body is the top authority here."
Ramona surprised everyone when she raised her glass to make a toast. "To Gideon Black-Snape, next High Lord of the Wizengot."
"To Lord Gideon." Every other voice in the room rose up and glasses were raised in the air.
Gideon smiled and when it quieted down he thanked them. "I'm not yet but I hope with all of your support tomorrow, that I will then accept your congratulations."
As the party was winding down Robert sought him out. "Orion would have been much impressed of how you spoke tonight. You have done the Black name proud."
Gideon shook his hand. "I assure you that I will continue to do his name proud. I hope if elected I can continue to count on your support on certain works."
Robert smiled. "Of course Gideon. You have my full support on the issues we discussed this evening. I will be the first to shake your hand as the new High Lord."
Gideon watched as his guests poured out leaving him with the girls who both hugged him. "You did amazing Gideon,"
His husband reappeared and pulled him into a hug. "You would have done your grandfather and Lucius proud. I doubt tomorrow will be a worry at all."
Gideon said goodbye to the girls and his husband led him off to bed. The party had been a bit shooter then others he had attended but the lords and ladies had all of course understood. It was expected that the young man who they believed would win the election tomorrow, would need a good night sleep.
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No matter how everyone had told him that his election was in the bag, Gideon was nervous and sitting on pins and needles as he waited for the votes to have been counted and the new High Lord to be elected. There were at times non lord elected, Albus as one, but he had been referred to as Chief Warlock instead.
Cornelius stepped forward and Gideon could not help but noticed his grin. "The winner is Lord Gryffindor Potter Prewtt Black-Snape by a vote 0f 38-17."
Gideon stepped forward, still not knowing if this was true or not. "I thank everyone for their support and I am honoured to accept my new position."
Lord Hunt came forward. "I have been chosen among the lords to present you with your new chains and robes of office. Your grandfather would be so proud."
Gideon felt his robes replaced with ones of gold and black, and chains placed around his neck. He was led over to the chair of the High lord but before he was officially given the title he had to take an oath.
"I Lord Gideon Sirius James Gryffindor Potter Prewett Black-Snape of the house of Prince, lord of the ancient houses of Gryffindor, Potter, Prewett, Black, Malfoy, Slytherin and Prince, swear to uphold the traditions of this body, protect the powers of those in it and serve the needs of the magical world."
As he took his seat in his new chair everyone bows. "Lord Black-Snape, the New High Lord of the Wizengot."
Cornelius was gloating as he saw his new ally named the head of the body but Gideon was thinking of nothing more then of how quick he could reverse the half breed laws, pardon people like the Malfoys, and get his husband and the rest of the order back safely and legally into this country.