While the attack on Macklemore was taking place, there was the monthly Wizengamot meeting. Arcturus only went to them because he knew that people from the light and dark factions looked to him for guidance. The House of Black used to sit in the dark faction, but ever since he had been the head of the family, the Blacks were neutral.
Albus Dumbledore was the chief warlock, and ever since being stripped of his headmaster position, he had tried avoiding giving the floor to the House of Black during the meetings. This day was no different.
Lord Nott introduced a bill that would classify werewolves as dangerous and would allow for employers to refuse to hire a werewolf just because they didn't want a werewolf as an employee.
"Would anyone like to oppose this bill?" Dumbledore asked. Lord Black lit his wand first, but instead of allowing him for floor time, he called on Lord Longbottom instead.
The Lords and Ladies knew that Dumbledore was breaking the rules of chief warlock. He was supposed to let the first to light their wand to speak first. However, no one called him out on it, though a lot of people wanted to.
"Chief Warlock, I yield the floor to Lord Black," Lord Longbottom said, feeling it was fair to let the rightful person speak first.
" But I gave you the floor, Lord Longbottom," Dumbledore argued.
"Chief Warlock, with all due respect, Lord Black lit his wand first, so he has the right to speak," Lord Longbottom said firmly.
"Lord Longbottom, you have one minute to speak in opposition to bill 3487," Dumbledore said, getting tired of Longbottom's arguing.
Lord Longbottom looked over at Lord Bones, who was motioning for him to let him take over.
"Chief Warlock, I yield the floor to Lord Bones," Lord Longbottom declared.
"Lord Bones has the floor for one minute," Dumbledore stated, wondering what was going on.
"I would like to bring forward a motion for immediate consideration," Lord Bones said. "I would like a vote on censure against Albus Dumbledore for bending the rules of the Wizengamot."
Dumbledore paled. He just hoped that no one would second the motion. "Does anyone second the motion?" he asked.
"I," Lord Potter stated.
Dumbledore decided to not allow the vote. He couldn't be censured. That would mean they would be able to scold him in front of the entire body. He could not let that happen.
"We are currently debating bill 3487, so this motion is denied," Dumbledore said.
There was an uproar. That was another rule broken. If someone seconded a motion, then they had to vote on the motion.
Thankfully, Lord Bones knew the rules very well. "I ask for this body to vote on overruling the chief warlock's decision to deny a vote on a motion without good reason," Lord Bones stated. The clerk of the Wizengamot stepped forward.
"All in favor, please light your wand," she said. There were eighty-four wands lit, which was over the two-thirds majority vote required to overrule the chief warlock.
"The vote is eighty-four "to sixteen," the clerk announced. "The motion is adopted. There will now be a censure vote. All in favor, please light your wands." Dumbledore looked very unhappy that he had been overruled, and now they were having the censure vote. The chief warlock was almost never overruled. There were eighty-two wands lit. "The vote is eighty-two to eighteen. The motion to censure has been adopted," the clerk announced.
"Thank you, Madame Clerk," Lord Bones said. "I yield to Lord Black to censure Albus Dumbledore." The Wizengamot could not wait to see what Lord Black would say to Dumbledore. Lord Bones knew that Lord Black knew the rules as well as he did, and was most likely the only one to possibly get through to the old man.
"Albus Dumbledore," Lord Black said coolly. "Ever since you have lost your position at Hogwarts, you have been going out of your way to make it known you do not want to hear from the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, even going as far as to bending the rules of the Wizengamot in order to avoid letting me speak on issues that matter to me and the rest of this body. Furthermore, you have tried halting a vote on your censure. Rule 53 of the Wizengamot states that the chief warlock or chief witch shall recognize the first Lord or Lady to light their wand, independent of any personal or political opinions. You have been breaking this rule for the past four months. Rule 88 of the Wizengamot states that the chief warlock or chief witch must allow a vote to take place if a second member agrees to hold a vote on the motion or resolution, independent of personal or political opinions. You have broken this rule today. Albus Dumbledore, you are hereby being given your only warning. If you do not start following the rules of the Wizengamot, this body could hold a vote to remove you as chief warlock, and I am sure that you wouldn't want that, not after you were removed from Hogwarts. Thank you, and I yield back."
Dumbledore knew that Lord Black would go through with what he said if he didn't follow the rules of the Wizengamot. He decided he would have to be more creative with ways to avoid listening to Lord Black. There were still other rules he could bend. He did not realize, of course, how well Lord Black knew the rules.
Dumbledore had no choice but to allow Lord Black to speak in opposition to bill 3487. In the end, the bill failed by just three votes, which was a win for those who supported werewolves having rights like everyone else.
After the meeting finally concluded, the Lords and Ladies talked for a while. The conversation was largely on the chief warlock, of course.
Lord Black was talking with Lord Macmillan and Lady Parkinson when an owl flew into the room and headed straight for Lord Macmillan.
"Is that a Hogwarts owl?" Lady Parkinson asked with a raised eyebrow.
"It is," Lord Black confirmed, wondering why one of the school owls was delivering a letter to Lord Macmillan.
Lord Macmillan opened the letter and read silently. His eyes widened and he clutched the letter tightly.
"Well?" Lady Parkinson asked, being the nosy woman she was. She always had to get involved with everyone else's business.
Lord Macmillan hesitated. "Lord Black, you may want to read this," he finally said, handing the letter over. Lady Parkinson glared at Lord Macmillan for not letting her read it. Lord Black recognized the handwriting immediately.
Dear Lord Macmillan,
I am sorry to inform you that your son was attacked this afternoon by two students, one a first year Slytherin and the other a third year Ravenclaw. They first stunned your son, then took him to an unused classroom on the third floor and proceeded to attack him with many harmful spells.
Your son contacted me telepathically to inform me of the attack. I got there as soon as I could. When I got there, the two students were telling him that they were going to wipe his memory of the event so he couldn't tell a professor. I am glad I got there before they could perform the charm.
Your son is safe in the Hospital Wing. He will heal with time. If you have any questions about the healing process, please contact Poppy Pomfrey.
As for the two students who hurt your son, they have been suspended for two weeks. This is a punishment that hasn't been used in years, and it is not used lightly. We would have preferred expulsion due to these students attacking other students before, but expulsion would have required the presence of the headmaster, and he was not available, so Deputy Headmistress McGonagall did the best she could do. If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact Headmaster Black or Deputy Headmistress McGonagall. You may also contact me if you would like.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Melania Black
"I am sorry for what happened," Lord Black said.
"There is no need for you to apologize," Lord Macmillan said with a wave of his hand. "Let's just be honest. The most interesting stuff is going to happen when the headmaster's away. You had no idea this would happen. I just hope that those boys learn something from this. If you could please have Madam Pomfrey send me a full report of his injuries and healing treatment, that would be most helpful."
"Of course, I will be sure she sends that to you as soon as possible," the man said. "Now, I must be heading back to Hogwarts. Good day, Lord Macmillan, Lady Parkinson."
Lady Parkinson was furious. She never got to read that letter.
When Arcturus returned to the school, McGonagall and Melania were waiting for him.
"I heard," he said simply. "Lord Macmillan received the letter while I was there."
"Good," Melania stated. "That saves us time."
The professors and headmaster talked for some time, the professors telling the headmaster the details of the attack.