Chapter 371 (2/2)
Rising to his feet, Chief Warlock Albus Dumbledore's eyes have a twinkle to them as he solemnly says, ”We have heard many arguments today, but it is time to vote on said measures. On November 27th, 1973, Minister of Magic Eugenia Jenkins proposed the first following motion; that a new law enforcement force is to be created and primarily to be composed of Animagus to patrol and handle lower-level crime. Said, department will immediately be created and commence training as of the 1st of December to be put into effect immediately upon basic completion of training. These employees are required to remain within the department under contract for two years, before asking to be transferred elsewhere or pursue another avenue of their choice.”
”All Wizengamot members in favor please raise your hand.”
Scores of hands go up as the court clerk counts them.
”All those opposed?” Dumbledore asked as dozens of hands went into the air. Strangely enough, Albert Runcorn cast his vote neither in favor nor in disfavor. He had absented himself from casting a vote.
Tiberius McLaggen loudly clears his throat and says, ”The Majority of the Wizengamot have cast their votes in favor the motion is passed.”
Minister Jenkins keeps herself from smiling as she knew that this was only the first of the motions passed. The first battle had been won, but the war was far from over.
Dumbledore loudly says, ”Minister of Jenkins has proposed an adult education for our formerly afflicted wizarding brethren sixteen years of age and up, and to those that were not afforded the chance in life. In addition, the Ministry of Magic will cover further education for any A.P.D. employees and to pay for their mastery in their choice of career. Notwithstanding said Ministry employee will be under contract for five years upon having completed said mastery in the area of their mastery and after which said employee may choose to remain or go elsewhere.”
”All Wizengamot members in favor please raise your hand.”
Tiberius quickly counts the votes, before Dumbledore asked, ”All those opposed?” Dozens of hands go up again, but much less than before. Much like Runcorn several members absented themselves as there was no further point in voting against the motion.
Tiberius McLaggen flashed a quick smile, before saying, ”The Majority of the Wizengamot have cast their votes in favor and the motion is passed.” The journalists eagerly hold their breath as they knew that the next motion is where the real action would be at.
”Minister Jenkins has proposed that the 1692 International Statute of Wizarding society be amended to include Muquibs. These individuals are all muggles, who were formerly afflicted with the magical disease known as Werewolfism. Now cured, these individuals cannot return to muggle society nor be excluded from our own as they still retain the animagus ability to transform into wolves. They can no longer be considered merely muggles and as such will are considered to belong to the wizarding world much like Squibs, ”Dumbledore said. ”All Wizengamot members in favor please raise your hand.”
Hands slowly go up one by one, but it will be close as Tiberius McLaggen slowly counts them. Suddenly, a dozen hands go up causing Tiberius to pause in counting in his confusion. But most importantly, these were some of the staunchest pureblood supporters of all time. Why in Merlin's name had they voted in favor of the motion?
Elsewhere on the courtroom stands, Reginald Prince's lips twitch in grim satisfaction and nodded his head at the Wizengamot members who'd obediently raised their hands at his glare. He'd have a word with them later, but he would be lenient. After all, they had obeyed his request in the end.