Chapter Twenty Three
January-2004
"Miss Greengrass, with all due respect."
"That would be the respect due to someone who was awarded Order of Merlin first class before she was twenty, as well as the medal of Bravery?" Daphne said, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes." the member of the Wizengamot said, coughing slightly, "Yes of course, Miss Greengrass… as I was saying, with all due respect, the werewolf laws are ancient and complicated… are you… we do not feel that you necessarily have the experience needed to understand this very complicated issue."
Luna rolled her eyes, "I would imagine Daphne has more experience than any of you with werewolves, and the people that they truly are. They're only wolves for three nights a month."
"And there is a present and constant danger to everyone around them for those three nights a month." the man snapped.
"I will remind everyone to keep a civil tone." Kingsley said firmly.
"My nephew was killed by a werewolf." the man hissed, "I have a right to speak my worries about getting rid of laws that are there to protect us."
Daphne took a deep calming breath, taking a minute to look down at her notes so the man didn't see her glaring at him and swearing under her breath, she smiled as she raised her head, "I understand that this is a sensitive issue for many. However the werewolf in question is dead, and he, Fenrir Greyback, was known to be particularly vicious. I would also point out that he spoke, many times, of the fact that he attacked people because of many of the laws restricting werewolves. Removing these laws, and putting new laws into place to protect werewolves rights, would help to prevent another… extremist, from coming along."
"I simple don't agree." the man huffed.
"As is your right." Luna said flatly, "You are wrong though, but it is your right to be wrong."
Kingsley raised a hand to stop the man from snapping back at Luna and Daphne, "I believe that many of the Wizengamot members are… worried, that your personal connection to a werewolf has made you not think clearly about this issue. Would you mind telling us about them? To assure us that you aren't overlooking worrying facts."
Luna nodded, "One of our best friend's little sister was attacked by the previously mentioned werewolf while she was just eight years old. This attack as left her with life long scars as well as lycanthropy. She is the sweetest person ever and she's never even come close to hurting anyone."
"We have also spent a great deal of time with Mr Remus Lupin, who once again has never hurt anyone, accept in self defence." Daphne said firmly, "Both of these people are cut off from the world, restricted for no reason other than something that was done to them, something they have no control over. It's not right."
"It is, however, the law." a kind looking lady said, giving them a small smile.
"That is why we are here." Daphne said through gritted teeth, "To change the law. We have prepared a list of laws we would like to have changed or adjusted, those which we would like to have removed completely as well as a new set of laws that would protect their rights and…"
"Change is best when it happens slowly." The kind looking woman said softly.
"We have also highlighted those laws which we feel are in need of the most urgent of changes." Luna said quickly.
Kingsley nodded, placing his hands together thoughtfully. He supported the changes completely but as Minister he couldn't show it. He needed to remain neutral and show that he was considering all sides of the argument, "Are there anymore questions for Miss Greengrass and Miss Lovegood?"
A shy looking man at the back of the rows of Wizengamot members raised his hand, "I...I wwwould like to ask thththem wwwhat ththey fffeel is thththe best wwway of helping wwwerewolves."
Daphne and Luna gave the man time for finish his sentence, not wanting him to feel rushed.
"We have several theories, detailed in the documents provided, that we feel are all viable options that would greatly improve the lives and welfare of werewolves." Daphne smiled.
"Things like making wolfsbane potion available from St Mungo's free of charge." Luna explained, "It would help give these people back control over their lives."
There was a murmur around the room, which both Daphne and Luna allowed to pass without interruption.
"Excuse me…" a rather snotty looking woman said, raising a perfectly plucked eyebrow which made her sharp cheek bones look even more chiselled, "One of these… adjustments, suggested that we make it illegal for work or educational places to refuse to hire people infected with lycanthropy."
Luna waited for the lady to ask a question, "That's correct…" she said slowly.
"Well how would you possibly ensure peoples' safety?" she hissed.
"I'm afraid we don't quite follow." Daphne said coolly.
The lady rolled her eyes, "Young lady, lycanthropy is highly infection and a huge danger to the people around them. You cannot seriously believe that there is any advantage to allowing 'people' like that to be around work collogues or worse, children."
Daphne bit her tongue and took a deep breath before smiling pleasantly at the woman, "There would be a tremendous advantage to those innocent werewolves, many of whom are children themselves."
"Well I certainly wouldn't be sending my daughter into a situation where there is mon… werewolf." the woman spat, "I mean what sort of parent puts their children in a situation where they could be… attacked like that."
"How dare you?" Luna spat back, her temper flaring and causing a red blush to spread up her neck and cheeks, "There isn't a single parent who tries to get their child bitten. But shit happens! You can't control everything and they shouldn't be blamed for something they couldn't possibly control!"
"Miss Lovegood, please remember to watch your language and keep a calm tone." Kingsley reminded her, secretly quite happy that she'd snapped at the snotty woman on his right, "This isn't the place for emotion. We are here to look at facts, not feelings. I would also remind members of the Wizengamot to keep an open mind and that they are expected to aim for what is best for all members of the magical community."
The woman glared down her nose at Daphne and Luna, who glared firmly back.
"Are there anymore questions for Miss Lovegood or Miss Greengrass?" Kingsley asked, "No, very well then. All members of the Wizengamot will have a copy of the proposal in their in boxes in their offices. Attached will be six examples of personal testimony from people who are werewolves, as well as six examples from people who have been negatively effected by people with lycanthropy. These are to be completely examined by all Wizengamot members in three months time. Miss Greengrass, Miss Lovegood you may add or adjust anything contained within these files within the next seven days, after which time any changes will need a new request. Do you understand?"
Luna and Daphne nodded, before saying that they understood. This wasn't the first time they'd been through this process.
"Thank you for taking the time to talk to us today." Kingsley told them kindly, "We're very grateful."
Luna and Daphne gathered up their notes and copy of the requests before leaving the hall.
"Tea? Coffee? Fire whiskey?" Luna asked.
Daphne smiled, snorting a small laugh, "All of the above."
They made their way to the small cafeteria inside the Ministry and sat down heavily in two empty chairs near the wall. Daphne went and grabbed them two large coffees and a chocolate chip muffin each.
"Well I think that went well." Luna said, picking the chocolate chips off the top of her muffin, popping them into her mouth.
Daphne looked at her slightly disbelievingly, "You can't be serious? I doubt they're going to look at even one of our suggestions."
Luna shrugged, "There was less objections than last time."
"That's true." Daphne agreed, "We'll get there eventually right?"
Luna nodded, reaching across the table and giving her hand a comforting squeeze, "We have to."
In another, seemingly never ending corridor, Corvus and Thomas were heading to their, potentially life changing, meeting.
Corvus felt his heart beating a mile a minute in his chest. He felt sick, his palms were sweating and he was sure he was going to pass out.
Thomas stopped, turning Corvus around to face him, "Breath sweetheart."
Corvus nodded, "I… I don't think I can do this." he said slowly.
Thomas pulled him in, leaning Corvus's head on his chest, "We can do this together, we'll be alright."
"What… what if they say no?" Corvus mumbled into Thomas's warm chest, allowing the sound of his heartbeat to calm his own, which was beating rather more frantically.
"I…" Thomas forced a smile, "I don't think they can say no, not really. They have no reason to… I… you know I'll stay with you no matter what, right?"
Corvus pulled his head away, looking up into Thomas's eyes, "Are you sure? You… you could have a good life if you forgot about all this… about me?" he said, tears starting to drip down his pale cheeks.
Thomas wiped away the tears with a finger, smiling at Corvus, "I wouldn't have a life without you. Good or bad. And I sure as hell don't need some stuck up old fart at the Ministry to tell me who I can or can't love and spend my life with."
Corvus snorted a laugh and sniffed, forcing himself to retain his compositor, "I love you."
"I love you too." Thomas said, lowering his face the few inches it took to find Corvus's lips with his own.
"Excuse me." a bright, young blonde said to them, giving a small cough, "Mr Longbottom, Mr Lestrange? The committee is ready for you."
Thomas and Corvus both took a deep breath, straightening their formal, black robes before following the young lady.
She showed them into a small office room, where five serious looking men were waiting for them at the end of the long table that took up most of the room.
"Mr Lestrange, Mr Longbottom, this is the committee for marriage and family inheritance matters. Mr Abbot as chair, Mr Knott, Mr Patterson, Mr Spall and Mr Fawley." the young lady said with a smile, "Please, take a seat."
Corvus and Thomas shook hands with the men sat around the table before settling themselves down in the free seats.
The lady who guided them in sat in the corner and set up two quick quote quills, as well as sitting down with a quill and length of parchment herself.
"Mr Lestrange, Mr Longbottom, would you please tell us, in your own words, why you have asked to be seen by us today?" Mr Spall asked, looking down his short nose at them both.
"Thank you gentlemen," Thomas said confidently, "for seeing us today. In short, we are here to request a marriage licence."
"For… each other?" Mr Knott said slowly.
"That's correct." Thomas replied with a polite, neutral smile.
"Homosexual marriage is illegal." Mr Patterson said simply, not quite managing to hide his sneer of disappointment.
"Our collogue is correct," Mr Abbot sighed, "the Ministry doesn't have any say over law regarding marriage, we follow those of the rest of Britain."
"The United Kingdom government has currently ruled that same sex marriages aren't valid, that is true." Thomas said carefully, "However they have civil unions which give the same rights as a marriage."
"But the Ministry doesn't accept the validity of civil unions." Corvus said, "We are requesting that civil unions are accepted as valid, or we are given permission to marry."
"This is a very complicated issue." Mr Abbot sighed, rubbing his head, "There really isn't a lot we can do…"
"We have found several examples of marriage dispensation that have been granted in the past, by this department in the Ministry." Thomas said, handing over several neat rolls of parchment.
The five men looked over the details of cases they had provided.
"Most of these are about men marrying their brother's widows." Mr Patterson scoffed, rolling his eyes, "and a few wishing to marry cousins… these hardly apply to your situation."
"I don't see why not." Thomas said through gritted teeth, "They are times, which as you can see are numerous, where you have allowed people to marry in situations were they wouldn't be allowed to under standard muggle law."
Patterson sneered slightly, pretending to look over the notes again, "You understand that you would need a unanimous vote from all members of the board to get a marriage exemption?"
"Yes." Thomas said firmly, "But we have no other choice."
"Why do you feel it is so important that you are married?" Abbot asked, looking genuinely confused.
Corvus forced himself not to roll his eyes, "For the same reasons that anyone would want to get married."
"Corvus is the sole heir to the Lestrange family, we would like to marry and have a family, children. They should be able to take the name of both of their parents." Thomas explained.
"So… one of you would take the other's surname?" Knott asked, "Like a proper married couple?"
"We have already agreed that I will take the surname of Lestrange." Thomas said frankly, "My parents have three sons to carry on the family name, I'm not the eldest so there would be no issue."
"I understand how difficult this must be for you." Mr Fawley said carefully.
"With all due respect." Corvus replied, "I don't think you could possibly understand what this is like for us. We fought during the war, we risked everything, I lost my family… but we have each other and that kept us going. All we want now is to be given the same respect and chances that everyone else has. We want to have a family, we want to get married… and we can't. Based solely on the fact the person we love happens to be male."
Fawley nodded, "It is because you clearly have a lot of love for one another, that I don't want to make you wait for a judgement. The fact is that homosexual marriage is illegal in the United Kingdom… we cannot make an exception under these circumstances."
Thomas nodded, forcing himself not to cry, "I see. And about the request for the Ministry to acknowledge civil unions?"
"We shall discuss it." Patterson said, rather dismissively, "But with such a complicated issue, with such far reaching effects, it will take us quite a while. Possibly even years."
"Well… thank you for your time gentlemen." Thomas said, his voice breaking with emotion, "We shan't take up anymore of it."
The lady who showed them in stood up and opened the door for them. Corvus stood first, tears streaming down his face, followed slowly by Thomas.
"Is there anything I can do to help you before you leave?" the lady asked, looking rather upset for them.
"We'll be fine thank you." Thomas said tightly, "We're just going to get a cup of tea before leaving."
"Of course." she said, "Do you know where the cafeteria is?"
"Yes." Thomas nodded, "Thank you."
He guided Corvus to the small, busy cafe and found a table tucked in the corner. He got them two large mugs of tea and a blueberry muffin to share.
Corvus sat there, staring into space as he watched the steam from his cup snake into the air.
"I'm sorry." Thomas said, reaching for his hand, ignoring the way Corvus flinched slightly, "This was a stupid idea."
Corvus shook his head, wiping his tears on the back of his sleeve, "I knew they'd say no… I just…"
"Corvus? Thomas? I wasn't expecting to see you here." Luna said, wondering over to them, "What's up?" she asked, looking at the mostly full cups of tea and the barely touched muffin between them.
"We were here asking for a dispensation for marriage." Thomas said quietly, "They said no, obviously."
"Well that sucks." Luna sighed, "What's the next step?"
"What do you mean?" Corvus asked, snorting a laugh, "There is no next step, they said no."
"Ok… but you don't need their permission to be happy." Luna shrugged, "You can just… just do your own thing. People are going to laugh, or look down their noses at you no matter what. You might as well do what makes you happy. Like I do."
"It's more difficult when children are involved." Thomas pointed out, "We want to have a family…"
"She's right." Corvus said, much to Thomas's surprise, "I grew up in a 'proper' family and everyone still judged me for it. Fuck the Ministry, and fuck anyone who's going to give us a hard time. You make me happy, and I've earned that."
"Damn straight." Luna grinned.
Thomas smiled, "You're ok with that?"
"Are you?" Corvus asked.
Thomas shrugged, "I never cared about all the paperwork, you were the one who wanted it all official."
Corvus sighed, "I… I wanted to grab hold of a normal family but I'm never going to have that… and that's ok."
"You guys should have a party." Luna said, pinching a chunk of the muffin, "Like a wedding announcement."
"That's a really good idea." Thomas grinned.
Luna checked her watch and jumped up, "Shoot, I've got to go. I'm meeting Daph for another meeting. Catch you soon!"
Corvus and Thomas smiled as she skipped off.
"You ok?" Corvus asked
Thomas nodded, "It… it sucks… but I love you. No matter what."
"I love you too."