Disclaimer: I do NOT own Harry Potter, that all belongs to JK Rowling and Warner Bros. I am just having some fun in JK Rowling's universe, and trying to add in some depth to an area of the Harry Potter universe that doesn't have enough. Hope you all enjoy.
"Order! I will have order!" the Sonorus-enhanced voice of Archibald Henderson, the Wizengamont Court Scribe, echoed all around the chamber. The Wizengamont chamber slowly quieted as the members took and settled into their places. Harry and Hermione were seated in the guest gallery, having come along at the invitation of Charlus Potter. Charlus had heard a rumor that a bill was going to be brought before the Wizengamont, which was not all that uncommon but with the raising tensions in their world, Charlus knew that he needed to know what was happening. The problem was that Charlus had not heard any other information about the proposed bill from any of his allies, friends or sources and this concerned him very much.
"I now call this session of the Wizengamont, the Winter Solstice of 1978, to order," Henderson said. "I shall now call role for a quorum."
Harry looked around the chamber, he had only been here twice: his trial before fifth year and then to retrieve Slytherin's Locket from Umbridge during the Hunt. The stands and seats were much more filled than either time that Harry had ever been in this chamber; prior to fifth year with his trial and then during the Hunt when he, Hermione and Ron infiltrated the Ministry to get the Locket from Umbridge. With a small jolt, Harry realized that Dumbledore was not sitting in the Chief Warlock's chair at the front of the chamber. Instead the Headmaster was seated in a row just below the Ministry seats that included the Minister for Magic Millicent Bagnold, Head of the DMLE Barty Crouch Sr. and Head of the Department of Magical Cooperation James Peterson.
Harry was startled once more when the scribe stood up and called out for the representative for the House of Black.
"I, Arcturus Orion Black, Lord of the House Black stand for House Black," an elderly man announced with a deep and powerful voice. The man had black hair streaked with silver, and piercing gray eyes. He was also gripping a dark wooden cane with long and gnarled fingers. But Harry could tell that while the man seemed old, that did not make him weak. As the man's eyes swept over the chamber, Harry likened them to a hungry wolf, searching for any ounce of weakness that he could use and exploit.
"That must be Sirius' grandfather," Hermione whispered as the roll call continued. "He certainly looks the part of an elder statesman."
"There is something more Hermione," Harry whispered. "I can almost feel his presence, just below the surface, a lot like Dumbledore would do to hide his power."
Hermione blinked but then focused her gaze tighter on Sirius' grandfather. "I see what you mean," she said. "There is something about him."
The scribe finished the roll call ten minutes later, and turned to the gray haired wizard sitting in the Chief Warlock's chair. The old wizard rose to his feet and addressed the chamber.
"My fellow witches and wizards, thank you for traveling from far and wide to attend this historic meeting," the man said. "Our society is under threat from a group of witches and wizards that believe they know better than those in this hallowed chamber. This group of radicals under the leadership of a dangerous and deranged wizard has attacked our homes, our places of work and our very way of life."
Harry and Hermione looked at one another in surprise, they could not believe what was happening. Harry looked over at his grandfather who looked very concerned which set off alarm bells in Harry's head.
"Something is wrong," he whispered to Hermione.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.
"My grandfather looks very concerned," Harry said. "I have never seen him look like that, I don't like this."
Hermione fell silent as she mentally went over what the Chief Wizard had said. Her face suddenly grew pale. "No, he can't be thinking," she whispered.
"What Hermione?" Harry asked.
"Just listen Harry, and pray that I am wrong."
"A piece of legislation has been brought forward by an esteemed member of this body, Lord Iabod Fawley, that promises to see to both the protection of our society and its growth," the Chief Warlock said. "I now cede the floor to Lord Iabod Fawley, Head of House Fawley."
A thin man with long wispy gray hair, reminding Harry a bit of Xeno Lovegood, rose from his seat and walked down to the chamber floor.
"Thank you Chief Warlock," Fawley said. He then turned to address the assembled Wizengamont. "My friends, we have been deceived. The threat to our society does not come from the so-called Dark Lord and his followers but from those who enter our society without the proper education and beliefs that they would have with my proposal. My proposal would ensure that those who are to enter our society but have no support would receive that support that they desperately need."
A shiver raced down Harry's spine as Hermione gripped his hand tightly.
"We underestimate how difficult it is for those of mu…non-magical descent to adjust to our wondrous world," Fawley said. "This difficultly comes from the fact that these children do not have the education or the knowledge of our world. We as the leading families of our world, each with our own rich histories and legacies, need to reach our a friendly hand to all non-magically raised children and show them the proper path."
Harry glanced down at his grandfather who was frowning darkly down at the Head of House Fawley. Harry knew that something was very wrong but the tight grip on his hand by Hermione as well as the promise he made to his grandfather made him stay quiet.
"My proposal would adjust the age in which we approach those non-magical families who have children gifted with magic from the age of eleven to as early as possible," Fawley said. "This would allow those children the chance to embrace the wondrous world they are entering without the limitations of living in the muggle world."
There was quite a bit of muttering and whispering now coming from the gallery. To Harry's ears, most of it seemed to be supportive, which did not make Harry feel confident.
"A question Lord Fawley?" Charlus asked, getting to his feet.
"Yes Lord Potter?" Fawley said.
"How do you propose we teach these muggleborn children about their powers and abilities?" Charlus asked. "Are you suggesting that we welcome these families into our world?"
"No Lord Potter," Fawley said. "Not their entire families, only the magical children."
"How?" Charlus asked.
Fawley paused as he took a deep breath, to steady himself which made Harry feel even more nervous. "This bill will allow the Ministry to remove any child who display magic from muggle families, and let them be adopted by magical families, to raise them as proper members of our world," he finished.
The chamber was deathly quiet, any minute sound echoed all throughout the chamber as the members of the Wizengamont tried to gather themselves.
"Surely Lord Fawley, you cannot be serious!" Charlus shouted. "You are saying that the Ministry should kidnap children from their homes!"
"For the good of our society!" Fawley argued. "The children of these muggle families enter our world bereft of knowledge and history, they do not know what or who they are. Their existence is a risk to the Statue of Secrecy, anytime a muggleborn child has an episode of accidental magic; they risk the muggles discovering our world. If those children are brought up in the care of a magical family, they will not have to face the struggles of joining a whole new society and world."
"Order! Order!" the Chief Warlock shouted, his voice augmented by a Sonorus Charm. "I will have order in this chamber!" The uproar slowly died down to a simmer, just waiting for another spark to ignite the room once more. "We are the Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamont, not a gaggle of squabbling children. Now Lord Fawley has brought forth a bill, and has the opportunity to defend his proposal. And we shall allow him to do so. Once Lord Fawley has concluded his proposal, there will be an opportunity for those who disagree or agree to speak on the matter. There shall be no more interruptions, those who do interrupt will be removed from this chamber."
There was a shocked murmur that ran through the chamber, this was obviously something that was not done.
"Lord Fawley, if you would please continue," the Chief Warlock said.
"Thank you Chief Warlock," Fawley said with a slight bow toward the older man. "As I was saying, this bill would protect both our world and the muggle world. We have all heard the horror stories from muggleborn children who escaped their muggle families who saw magic as evil, and sought to stamp out the gift of magic from these defenseless children. This bill will protect those defenseless children by rescuing them from unsuitable home environments."
Harry glanced around the chamber as Fawley espoused on the points of his bill. He noticed that several of the dissenters had changed their reactions as they listened. Harry turned to Hermione who wore an expression of disgust that he had only seen her use toward Draco Malfoy and then the Ministry after the fall of Voldemort.
"This bill is a way for our world, our society," Fawley said. "Every year, with the introduction of muggleborn families, the threat that our world is discovered grows. With this measure, we not only safeguard the present but our future as well. We know that most muggleborns struggle to find a place in our world; this bill will ease their transition from the muggle world to our own world. With the proper guidance, those muggleborns will quickly become productive members of our world in a way that they would never be able to achieve if they were left to flounder with their muggle families."
Fawley then returned to his seat and sat down with a small but noticeably smug grin on his face.
"Thank you Lord Fawley," the Chief Warlock said. "Now that Lord Fawley has concluded his proposal, we will open the floor to those who agree or disagree with the proposed legislation."
Over a dozen wands were raised and their tips lit up, signaling that they wanted to speak.
"Lord Black, you have the floor," the Chief Warlock announced, gesturing to Sirius' grandfather. Harry and Hermione could see the resemblance between Sirius and his grandfather; the same gray eyes, long dark hair and handsome, if only lined, face.
"Thank you Chief Warlock," Arcturus Black said, stepping out onto the chamber floor. "Members of this esteemed body, we cannot be hasty on this issue. Lord Fawley brought forth this legislation that, he says, will save and protect our world and society. And I admit that several of his points stir at my own fears of the muggles, and I certainly do agree with Lord Fawley that muggleborn children do struggle mightily when they enter our world. And how could they not? These children do not know anything about the abilities they have been gifted with, and their parents do not have the means to help their children."
Arcturus paused to catch his breath. "You all know that I am no friend to the muggles," he said, "and I find many muggleborns to be pretentious and arrogant in their belief of knowing more than those who have lived in our world for generations, or believing that a muggle method is immediately better than what we have now. And so while I do agree that we do need an answer for the muggleborn issue, I believe that Lord Fawley's proposal goes too far."
This announcement was an immense shock to the Wizengamont. The Blacks were one of the most virulent in their anti-muggle feelings within the Wizengamont for as long as most could remember, and for the Head of House Black to say something went to far against muggles was astonishing."
"Quiet please!" the Chief Warlock shouted, a Cannon-Blast Charm silencing the murmurs and whispers coming from the crowd.
"Thank you Chief," Arcturus said. "Now I have studied the muggle, to beat one's enemy, you must know one's enemy. And I have learned that the muggles have advanced significantly, much further than we might think. And their abilities and ways of storing information are much more advanced than we might think. Simply Oblivating the child's parents will not work as easily as Lord Fawley claims. I urge the Wizengamont to table this proposal so that we can find a safer and more discreet way of protecting our future."
The Black patriarch walked back to his seat and sat down in complete silence. Harry looked over at his grandfather who was staring at the Head of House Black with a very shrewd expression, like he couldn't decide whether to be surprised or concerned.
"Harry?" Hermione whispered. "Did you see what just happened? A Lord Black just voted against a law that was against muggleborns, I don't think that has ever happened."
"Judging from the reactions I am seeing from the Dark families," Harry said, "I don't think it has. But why would Sirius' grandfather do that? What was in it for him?"
"Yes Lord Potter, you wish to speak?" the Chief Warlock asked noticing that Charlus had raised his wand.
"I do Chief Warlock," Charlus said.
"Very well, you have the floor Lord Potter."
"Thank you Chief," Charlus said. He strode down the steps to the chamber floor without a ward. He then looked around the chamber, looking at every member of the Wizengamont and the spectators. "I am sure that most of you, like myself, was very surprised at Lord Black's vote against Lord Fawley's proposal. However I am very happy as well, Lord Fawley's proposal goes much too far. You all know that my family has had a closer history with the muggles than most other families, and because of this I can confirm that the muggles have advanced in both record keeping and in surveillance. If this proposal were to pass, and we start removing children from their families, they will not stop looking for those children. We would not be able to just make a child vanish without a trace, there will be some record of the child in the muggle world, and the muggles will not stop searching for their children ever. Put yourselves in their places, if your child had suddenly vanished, you would do all that you would to find them, wouldn't you?"
Around the chamber, several Lords and Ladies began muttering as they thought about Lord Potter's comments, though there were several others who were glaring down at Charlus with disgust. Lord Black however was watching Lord Potter with an unreadable expression.
"Thank you Lord Potter," the Chief Warlock said. "Now is a perfect time to end this discussion, and as protocol dictates, we will not vote on this proposal at this current session. We will vote on Lord Fawley's proposal at the upcoming Summer Solstice session of the Wizengamont. Now, are there any other proposals that need to be brought forward?"
"Please everyone calm down and take a seat," Albus Dumbledore said as the Order came storming into the abandoned classroom. "I am sure that you all have quite a lot to say but we all need to take a moment and settle down."
Most of the Order threw the Headmaster dirty looks but did sit down at the large table.
"I realize that most of you wish to discuss the recent legislation proposed by Lord Fawley," Dumbledore said. "But we must first speak of more pressing matters."
"More pressing than legalizing the kidnap of children?" Marlene McKinnon cried. "What could be more important than that Headmaster?"
"I did not mean to claim that the legislation was unimportant only that we have other matters to discuss first," Dumbledore said. "I promise you all that we will talk about the proposal."
"Fine," Lily spat. "But these other matters better be urgent."
"I assure you Ms. Evans, that they are," Dumbledore said with a hidden frown.
"So what are they then Headmaster?" Alice asked. "What are those reasons?"
"I have learned that Lord Voldemort has sent envoys to the continent in hopes of gaining allies to replace his depleted forces," Dumbledore announced. "He knows that he will no longer find a fertile recruiting ground here in Britain but he does have allies throughout the continent that he can call upon."
"But won't they abandon him like those here did since they know he's a half-blood?" Daedalus Diggle asked.
"Some might," Dumbledore admitted. "But Lord Voldemort has immense powers of persuasion, he can convince anyone to do just about anything. It will not be difficult for Lord Voldemort to convince people to follow him regardless of his heritage or blood status."
"So what are we going to do about this?" Moody growled. "We don't have many contacts on the continent ourselves."
"That is true," Dumbledore said. "That is why I must ask for volunteers to travel to the continent in search of allies and friends to aid us in our fight against Lord Voldemort and his forces." He looked around the room, searching for volunteers but no one seemed willing. "I understand this is a very difficult choice to make, with such little information but this mission is vital."
"Who would you recommend for this type of mission Headmaster?" Frank asked.
"Our envoy must be someone who can move within high social circles, circles that I am sure that Lord Voldemort's envoy will be well acquainted with," Dumbledore said. "And they must also be able to show our potential allies that they have no issue with muggleborns or half-bloods. Much of the continent is much more open in regards to blood status and equality than British society is. Perhaps a couple would be best."
"A couple?" James asked. "What do you mean Headmaster?"
"Well Mr. Potter, a couple would be able to insert themselves in high society," Dumbledore said. "They would be able to act as just a couple traveling the world."
"So who would you recommend?" Sirius asked.
"I think Mr. Potter and Ms. Evans or Mr. Longbottom and Ms. Stewart would fit the criteria best," Dumbledore said. "Both Mr. Potter and Mr. Longbottom come from well respected magical families, and are in relationships with a muggleborn in Ms. Evans, and a half-blood in Ms. Stewart. Either couple would be perfect fit for our needs as envoys."
"But Headmaster, both James and I are Aurors," Frank pointed out." We cannot just leave our posts to go gallivanting across the continent, the Ministry would never allow such a thing, even in a more peaceful time."
"Let me handle the Ministry Mr. Longbottom," Dumbledore said. "I am sure that I will be able to press the needs of this mission to the Minister and Director Crouch. So then Mr. Longbottom, Mr. Potter, are either of you willing to take on this responsibility?"
James and Frank looked at one another, neither really looking like they wanted to say yes to the Headmaster.
"I think we will need to discuss this Headmaster," Frank said. "We cannot give you an answer just yet."
"Of course," Dumbledore said, though there was a definite tone of disappointment in the Headmaster's voice. "I only stress the importance of this mission and the timeframe we are under."
"We understand Headmaster," James said.
"Excellent," Dumbledore said. "Now the second piece of information I must tell you before we discuss Lord Fawley's proposal is that Lord Voldemort has begun to adjust his recruiting efforts and message, in response to the release of his heritage. He has begun to emulate Grindelwald's message of Magic First rather than Purebloods Above All. This could prove very problematic for our cause as there are still those who secretly follow or agree with Grindelwald's beliefs of a world ruled by those with magic and those without as slaves."
A hush fell over the Order at Dumbledore's announcement. The older generation knew what havoc Grindelwald had wrought upon their world and the wider world as well. The young generation had only heard stories from their parents or families about Grindelwald and his atrocities, though James, Sirius and the Marauders knew somewhat more due to Charlus' stories.
"I am sure that you all recognize the importance in neutralizing Voldemort," Dumbledore said. "While I know that none of you would go over to the Dark, we cannot expect others to be so courageous and vigilant. If Voldemort is able to use his immense cunning and talents of persuasion to sway the so-called neutral families to his new cause, then that spells ill for us."
"So what do we do?" an Order member asked.
"We must continue to inform our world the folly in following Voldemort," Dumbledore said. "He might claim to be acting in the best interest of our world and society but Voldemort is only about himself. He does not understand good or sharing anything, he only cares about power, his own power."
"We all know that Headmaster," Sirius said. "Riddle doesn't like to share and is a power-crazed lunatic."
"This is one of the issues I foresaw when Voldemort's true heritage was released," Dumbledore said.
"What do you mean?" Moody growled.
"When no one knew Voldemort's true heritage, he was solely being assisted by like-minded individuals," Dumbledore said. "Now with the reveal of the non-pureblood heritage, it allows Voldemort a much larger recruiting base to work with. That allows him to change his message and bring more to his cause. Most regrettably, our society is very fractured, and those fractures have allowed Voldemort to take advantage."
"So you mean we should have just let people follow Riddle, thinking he was a pureblood?" James asked.
"What I mean is that every action has consequences," Dumbledore said. "While revealing Voldemort's true heritage was the right decision at the time, we now see the consequences of that decision. Voldemort has adjusted his message to better suit his plans, and now we must adjust our own."
"So how do we do that Headmaster?" Lily asked.
"We will have to search for other allies, allies that we might have avoided in the past," Dumbledore said.
"Speak plainly Albus," Moody barked.
"We should reach out to those Voldemort have cast aside to bolster our forces," Dumbledore said.
"You cannot be serious Albus!"
"No way in hell will we help those bigoted bastards!"
A loud bang echoed around the room, bringing all the shouting to an immediate halt. Dumbledore lowered his wand and returned it to his robes.
"I understand this is not the most agreeable of plans but we are faced with an unsavory choice," Dumbledore said. "Many of you do not agree with this path but I ask you, what else can we do?"
"We don't ally ourselves with those who loathe and despise us," Lily said, glaring at her former Headmaster. "These people were all too willing to see those like me or Alice or Mary thrown into the streets or worse all because we did not have an all-magical background. And now you want us to join forces with them?"
"Ms. Evans, I know that this path is not the most agreeable of plans but we need allies," Dumbledore said, "and those who Voldemort has cast aside will certainly wish ill toward Voldemort and we can use that."
"Why would they join us Headmaster?" Remus asked. "As Lily said, the people who left Riddle or those he cast aside will not ally with us, they hate us, muggleborns, half-bloods and any pureblood who doesn't agree with their beliefs. They will not join with us."
"It will be difficult, yes," Dumbledore admitted. "But we need to show the others the errors of their ways. We need to show them a better way."
"That is if they don't curse us in the back first," Sirius whispered.
"Fine Headmaster, we will try and be civil with the bigots who want us dead," Lily snapped. "Now can we finally discuss what we are going to do about the bill that would allow the Ministry to kidnap children from their families?"
"Very well Ms. Evans, we will now discuss the proposed bill by Lord Fawley," Dumbledore said. "Obviously, we shall garner as many votes as we can in the Wizengamont to vote against the bill at the Summer Solstice session but we also must ready ourselves to adjust the bill if we are not able to defeat is completely."
Lily made to argue but James put a hand on her arm, stopping her. "No Lily, the Headmaster is right," he whispered. "We cannot afford to think that we can easily stop this bill. Too many witches and wizards fear the muggles and fear muggleborns for us not to at least entertain the idea that the bill could be easily stopped from being passed."
"But James?" Lily gasped.
"I don't like it anymore than you do Lily," James said. "But you saw my father speak today, he was laying the ground work for at the very least control the bill if we cannot stop it completely."
Lily glanced at James but sat down and crossed her arms.
"Correct Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said with a wide smile. "We must not count out chickens before they hatch, as the muggles say. We need to prepare ourselves to modify this proposal if we cannot find enough votes to stop it completely. Our world fears discovery by the muggles more than anything, even being dominated by Lord Voldemort. And with Voldemort's smarts and cunning, he will certainly take advantage of that fear, I am sure he is behind this bill being created. And by using that fear, he has found a way to advance his agenda without seeming too."
"So what should we do then Headmaster?" Lily asked. "You have told us that we must make peace with the very same bigots that joined Riddle in the beginning because he said that those who weren't purebloods were nothing more than sub-human. How can we really work with these people?"
"Ms. Evans, as I have said, we must show ourselves to be better than those who oppose us," Dumbledore said.
"What if I don't want to be better than them?" Lily asked. "For years, I have been treated like an animal by those people, like something not even worth acknowledging. I proved that I was better than them, I never fought back aggressively, I only fought to defend myself or those who needed my help…"
"And now these people need our help," Dumbledore said, cutting Lily off. "Would you let Lord Voldemort have free reign?"
"Why should they be afraid?" Lily countered. "After all, Riddle is only a half-blood, and they are purebloods. A mere half-blood can't possibly defeat them, can he?"
"You know that blood means nothing Ms. Evans," Dumbledore said. "I would not think a Gryffindor would recommend such a cowardly action."
Immediately the Marauders were on their feet, along with several others, all with wands drawn but not pointed at the Headmaster.
"You go too far Headmaster," James growled. "You dare to call any of us cowards! We have all agreed to fight for what we believe in, and lay down our lives if need be."
"I apologized Ms. Evans," Dumbledore backtracked quickly, seeing how few people came to his defense. "I spoke rashly and did not mean to demean your courage, I am just trying to understand why you would be willing to allow Lord Voldemort to attack these innocents when we can prevent these attacks."
"In war, you must make sacrifices," Lily said harshly, though James and the others could tell she didn't like any of the words she was saying. "Why should we risk our lives for those who would not do the same if the situations were reversed? And as long as Riddle is focusing on those who left him, that means he isn't attacking muggleborns or the muggles who can't defend themselves."
"Any loss of life, if it can be prevented, is to be lamented and should be prevented at all cost," Dumbledore said, "if only to protect our souls from being stained."
"Those purebloods can defend themselves against Riddle," Lily said. "Muggles can't! We should be focusing on defending who can't defend themselves. You said that the magical world fears discovery by the muggle world more than anything, well then we need to stop any attacks on muggles by Riddle and this thugs before they threaten to expose our world even more so."
Dumbledore paused, he truly did not know how to answer Ms. Evan's query. She was correct in the fact that the pureblood families who had abandoned Tom's service could defend themselves against attacks by magic while the muggles couldn't. Albus had been battling with this dilemma for a very long time; he knew that he and his comrades could not protect all, it was impossible. But the question had always been, who to protect and who to sacrifice?
Dumbledore had battled with this question for over a century, ever since those boys had attacked his sister and his father had gotten revenge. Since that day, Albus had struggled with the belief that due to his power, his intelligence and wisdom that he was better than others. That belief was expanded upon when he met Gellert and they shared that magical summer together. But Albus knew that Gellert had been wrong in his belief that magicals must rise up and take over the muggle world, especially if it were done rashly. The only way to insure that the magical world was protected from the muggle world was to keep the worlds separate.
"Albus, are you all right?" a sharp voice asked, drawing Dumbledore from his own thoughts.
Dumbledore blinked, looking up and seeing Minerva looking at him like he was one of her Lions that she had just caught woolgathering in class.
"Yes Minerva, I am fine," Albus said with an airy wave. "Just pondering on Ms. Evans' excellent question. She is correct in the belief that we must protect the muggle world from any attacks by Lord Voldemort and his forces, I will reach out to my sources within Lord Voldemort's remaining forces to see if we can discover their next target. I do believe that Lord Voldemort will lay low for the time being while trying to gain more followers, so we have some time. But when I learn anything new, I shall let you all know. And so I believe that is all for tonight."
The Order quickly broke apart and headed to their various homes, while Dumbledore headed up to his office to think on what was discussed during the meeting and how to regain control of the Order in order to lead them down the correct path.
A/N: Hey there everyone, I am sorry that it has taken so long to update, real life has been kicking my butt recently. I hope to continue updating at a more regular schedule but with working part-time and searching for a full-time position, it is quite difficult. Anyway, hope you all enjoyed the chapter.
Til next time,
SlyNinjaKnight