The articles being examined today, which apparently meant they would be voted on later, were various import-export tariffs on certain potions ingredients, many of which were currently classed as 'Dark' for some odd reason, and bill to prevent random people from setting up stalls or booths in trade areas like Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade without permits. The last seemed perfectly reasonable, but something was off. Staros resolved to send it to grandfather to look over and see if he could offer insights. Those two bills took 'only' three hours.
Lunch was a nice affair, with everyone traditionally confined to the room, only house elves were allowed in and out, delivering a rather pleasant meal of cold sandwiches and various drinks. Nothing heavy or alcoholic to prevent nodding off or drunken brawls, both of which had been traditionally ignored, and altogether common, in the long past.
After lunch were the amendments and re-examinations. The re-examinations first covered a regulation about cauldron bottom thickness and actually stretched out over and hour and a half of numbers, expectations, savings, losses, etc. Even his occlumency was straining to keep him awake during this tirade. The second bill covered involved the charges on post owls, which apparently went directly to the Ministry as they owned the vast majority of public usage owls. This was the shortest discussion yet as no one seemed to actually care about the two knut raise.
The final matter involved the enactment of werewolf restrictions that had apparently been blocked during the first pass through of the bill. During this almost contrived argument, several members of the 'For' and 'Against' parties made dull but pointed speeches, waved a lot of vague numbers around, and proceeded to confuse people. Staros' temper was getting the best of him.
"Point of contention, Chief Warlock," said Staros, shocking many as they never expected a child to speak up.
Dumbledore looked worried about such a young political figure, in years as well as experience, making any kind of statement, but rules were rules.
"Proceed," he said gravely.
"I know I am new to this, but I have been at my grandfather's side for many occasions that involved the law making in America and California. I am aware of how Britain feels about your 'Lost Colonies' as so many refer to them, but that is irrelevant."
"What do we care of the Americans?" said a fellow on the opposite side of the room.
"Sir, I believe I have the floor," said Staros rather coldly, much to everyone's surprise, "and I do not appreciate your rudeness. However, I will answer your question... Mr… ?"
"Carris, Lord Marcus. My apologies." Staros nodded in reply.
Gathering himself up, Staros knew this was a moment that could make or break him forever in the political arena. Eleven years old or not, he HAD to show that he was a force to be reckoned with.
"America is a young country, but currently on the rise to being the world's greatest power, both mundane and magical. It is comprised of groups from all areas of the world and as such has created a unique perspective for dealing with the disparate groups.
"In America, and specifically, the magical California since it never joined the Union, the werewolf populations, amongst other semi-dangerous species, are all required to register themselves and where they live. Each community that contains a registered individual has either a containment facility or a portal to one depending on the number living in the area. They have jobs, they work, they help pay for their protections. Those that have the skills manufacture wolfsbane potions for the containment facilities while others gather the ingredients or grow them in private gardens.
"We didn't discriminate against them, nor hold them under the lash. We allowed them the same rights as others while protecting ourselves from the once a month occurrence. We also gave them a lot of leeway to police themselves. Should one of their number become a danger to others, we allow them to respond first. Trust me when I say a pack that is forced to turn on an individual for the safety of the pack does so with great ferocity.
"For us here in Britain to ignore such an obviously well-functioning idea merely because of its source would make us worse than the creatures and species we call dangerous. The monarchy has heard the will of the people and moved forward with the times. It is time for magical Britain to do so as well. Let us start with ensuring that this law is both fair and just while protecting both sides of this disease.
"I am now willing to debate and cede the floor," Staros said, looking over to the man who had spoken earlier. The person in question at least had the humility to not speak up immediately.
A large number of people looked shocked that a child could speak with such formality and knowledge. To say nothing of the absolute good sense of the ideas. Several of the elderly looked thoughtful, most of the younger looked outraged. That unpleasantly round lady next to the Minister looked like she was about to have a fit. She stood up before anyone else could say anything.
"Thank you for that… innocent little speech, young Mr. Marcus, but the views of a child have no place in the Ministry," she began, smiling sweetly.
"Excuse me," Staros cut in, "Chief Warlock, who is this woman?"
"I am Dolores Umbridge, the Undersecretary to the Minister and you will…"
"I did not speak to you, madame," said Staros. If people thought he had spoken coldly to Mr. Carris, then he now spoke in tones reminding many of the northern winds during the bleakest winter. Some of the older members hid smiles at the boy's brazen attitude towards the little liked woman, others wondered if he was just being snotty. "I should remind you to address any member of this body with their proper title and respect. Since you have introduced yourself but seem to have forgotten who I am, I shall remind you. I am Lord Staros Aniken Marcus, Earl of Moneda and Foula. The proper terms of address are Your Grace or My Lord as appropriate."
The little round woman stared at Staros with absolute venom in her eyes. She seemed about to say something else when Staros cut her off.
"Forgive me, Master Tiberius, but I wish to know if Ms. Umbridge sits on the Wizengamot. I only ask as I do not recall her name being on the rolls of the assembly."
The old man looked a might confused for the briefest of moments, probably because it was so rare he was ever addressed by anyone other than Dumbledore. He then picked out a scroll from the pile on his desk and scanned through it. Standing, he handed the scroll to Dumbledore, pointing at a section.
"It seems Ms. Umbridge does not, in fact, hold a seat in the Wizengamot," said Dumbledore. "Voting seats include the Minister and the Head of the DMLE and Unspeakables, but not the Undersecretary. Madame Umbridge, please try not to interrupt our proceedings again."
Dumbledore did not look happy to be saying this, but Ms. Umbridge looked positively furious. She didn't make any more of a scene, however, and merely nodded politely to Dumbledore and sat back down. She stared murder at Staros the rest of the session, a fact that Staros took notice of, but ignored for now. He sat ramrod straight in his chair, looking every inch the Lord he claimed to be.
"I apologize for my abruptness, lords and ladies. As I said earlier, I cede the floor to legitimate debate." The slight emphasis on legitimate caused a couple of members here and there to chuckle at the obvious insult to Ms. Umbridge, but otherwise passed unremarked.
Over the next hour, the issues Staros had brought up were discussed and bantered about with a lot more liveliness than the previous articles.
Issues of cost. "They cover their own costs, we merely provide standards for the confinement facilities. Like taxes paying for jails."
Issues about controls. "Let them do most of it. Saves us money paying for extra Aurors. Werewolves follow pack instincts and packs have very strict rules."
Issues about workplace safety. "Anyone stupid enough to insist that a werewolf, vampire, or other changeling stay at work during those times known to be dangerous should be held responsible for endangering their other employees and also deserves whatever reprisals their stupidity nets them."
Many people had questions and many more interesting answers, but time was approaching a late dinner and the end of the day for the Wizengamot. Finally, nearing seven, Dumbledore called for the matter to be recognized for proposals, written and disbursed, and called for the final item on the docket, the Patil Family petition.
Staros perked up a bit with this. He had already studied the dossier his grandfather had sent him. The Patils were a very old Indian family with many business ties across the world. While gaining a seat in Britain's Wizengamot was, perhaps, a minor thing, for the status it brought, was considered worth the gamble.
A middle-aged man with dark skin and wearing very Britain traditional wizard's robes walked to the center of the floor. First looking around the assembly in a dramatic fashion, he then faced Dumbledore and bowed low. The man seemed confident of himself, but Staros knew from dealing with his grandfather that the man was probably a complete wreck inside. This was a gamble on his part, and likely one that losing meant serious consequences back home.
"Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot, I thank you for this chance to speak before you and to bring my petition to join your glorious ranks. I am Iravan Patil. My family has been a part of England for eight generations, running the now completely magical East India Company. With your blessing, we ask to be allowed a voice in our governance."
Mr. Patil stood patiently. For several minutes, no one spoke. Just as the man's shoulders slumped slightly, thinking that none would sponsor him, Staros stood up.
"I would stand for this man. I will vouch for his honor and that of his family." Staros sat back down amidst whispers and small arguments. Dumbledore smiled slightly. He then banged his gavel to quiet the room and asked Ogden to note the vote for the Patil family's seat on the next meeting. Mr. Patil looked at Staros and nodded slightly in thanks before leaving the floor.
With the last item out of the way, Dumbledore closed the Wizengamot meeting with a short summary of things to be voted on the next meeting, the scheduling of which would place it somewhere in mid-January after all of the holidays were done.