HP: Night of the Wolf

August 25, 1994

Hogsmeade, England

Albus was happy for the carriages and thestrals that Hagrid maintained. It was pouring out and walking was not one of the things he was in the mood for today. He could have apparated to the Three Broomsticks, but he felt a more mundane form might be better for this meeting.

Of course, if Fawkes was around...

Much to his consternation, Fawkes was being as elusive as Harry. He knew the Weasley's had seen Harry on his birthday, and Ronald had been able to talk to the boy through owl a few times, but none of the letters had come to him and he had been forced to either wait on news from the Burrow or to visit the ramshackle place. Molly was also starting to look at him suspiciously at his interest in the boy. Maybe visiting the Burrow five days in a row last week was a bit much. Harry was staying at Ms. Granger's, but Albus could not find her residence. He knew she lived in Devon and that it was a muggle neighborhood, but somehow it was unplottable and undetectable. He knew it wasn't the Fidelius, because he could remember the general area, he knew of her house, but he couldn't find it either.

He knew of only two sources that would allow or be able to cast such advanced wards and he didn't like what that might mean. The DMLE or Gringotts. Ms. Granger wasn't that advanced yet, though given a decade she could be.

He was still trying to determine how the Granger house had been warded. To be so well hidden without a Fidelius, it would require the approval of class IV wards, not something that was typically granted to a muggle residence. But, again, it wasn't typically being supervised by the DMLE. The DMLE was already too involved with Harry for his liking.

Amelia Bones was an extremely competent witch that did not bow to the powers above her, instead being just as adept a political player as Lucius Malfoy or himself. Over the years, she had been able to check some of his plans, but never like this. The attacks over the last month had given her a great amount of power and political capital with her very hard stance on things. The protection of Harry and other muggle-borns or raised being one of those hard stances. It had hardened the Purebloods, but she had gained some crucial allies in those that didn't believe in the Blood Supremacist beliefs.

Personally, Albus could care less if someone was a mudblood or a Pureblood. His own mother had been muggle-born. He cared about maintaining the wizarding world he knew, keeping it from the muggles and ensure that magical blood didn't die out.

To do this, Albus needed capital, both monetary and political. It had been a hard shock when a month ago he had been informed that he was no longer the Potter's Executor. It had happened the same time that a new Guardian had claimed the boy and his devices had failed. Since then, he had not seen Harry, or Fawkes. He had also been hobbled to move certain priorities through the Ministry without the galleons to persuade some people. The Dumbledore vaults weren't inconsequential, but he would rapidly burn through them in months if he kept paying out in the way he was. Lucius' pockets were deep, the Potter's were much deeper, and his accounts were a few sickles compared to theirs.

Now, he was going to the Hogshead to meet Remus Lupin in the middle of the morning. The owl he had received last night had seemed rather urgent and he knew the man had been working on something new to do with the werewolves. If he could have them subdued if Tom came back, that would remove an attack dog from Tom's arsenal that Albus didn't want loose again. Problem was, Lucius and his sort had started to make it much harder for anyone that might be affiliated with the Ministry and Albus doubted they would side with anyone that didn't promise their lot would get better. Albus didn't want to promise that. He felt that the beasts should be contained, given jobs so they can make a living, but not be allowed to turn anymore and let their race die out. If he could offer wolfsbane potion to all of them to mollify the creatures, he would, but that was beyond his means, even with the 5% a year he had been allowed to withdraw from the Potter vaults.

The carriage pulled up to the Three Broomsticks and he cast an imperturbable charm to keep the rain off him. The Inn was sparsely populated in the mid-afternoon. "Afternoon, Rosmerta, " Albus greeted.

"Afternoon, Albus. You here for a pint or a nice oak aged mead?"

"I wouldn't say no to your mead, but I have an appointment. Has a man by the name of Remus Lupin been in yet?"

"Ah, yes. He has already paid for a private room. Would you like me to show you?"

Albus looked towards the door to his right. "First one on the right?"

"Last room," she told him. Albus couldn't keep from raising an eyebrow. That room was for the higher payers. He was surprised enough that the man could afford a private room, even after what Albus had paid him to teach last year.

"Thank you, Rosmerta." Albus excused himself and made it down to the private room.

When he opened the door, he found Remus finishing a large bowl of stew and a flagon of butterbeer. He was sitting at the end of a table that had four seats on each side and one on each end. The room was decorated in finer accouterments for wealthier clients. The man didn't get up, instead regarded Albus through hooded eyes. Albus frowned. This was very unlike the man. After a moment, Remus motioned for him to a seat. Albus took the other end of the table.

"Good afternoon, Remus," Albus greeted.

"Albus," Remus said in acknowledgement.

Albus frowned. This was not how Remus usually acted. "This is fine settings for how we usually meet."

Remus nodded putting down the bread in his left hand. "Yes. I have a new employer. He insists that I don't live in the shadows."

"Then I assume he knows your condition," Albus asked.

Remus nodded. "Albus, I know we usually do this dance, where you wish to know how I am doing, mostly so you can gauge what is going on with my kind or the underworld I have had to associate with. I don't have the time for that today, and neither do you."

His eyes narrowed. Remus was looking healthier than he had seen him be in a long time, even when he was at Hogwarts just over two months ago. "All right, Remus. What is it that you need today?"

"I need your assistance. As you know Harry has not had the best life at his Aunt and Uncles and the DMLE has removed him from that house."

Albus eyed the man. This was not what he had expected. "Remus, I do not know what you are talking about. Harry has lived quiet peaceably with his Aunt and Uncle..."

In an uncharacteristic move, Remus growled at him and hit his spoon on the table. "Albus, I took your job last year because you asked me to protect Harry and you could give me what I couldn't get elsewhere. I know that you fed me the same potions you fed Harry and his friends. Harry was abused and treated like a slave from the time he was old enough to move a broom. I need you right now, otherwise you would never see me or him again."

Albus couldn't keep the frown off his face. The was not the same Remus Lupin that had left Hogwarts in June. There was something different about him. He could see a sense of purpose behind his eyes. He was healthier. He was not the meek man he knew. "You took an Alpha," Albus said conversationally.

Remus nodded. "I have accepted to coexist with one that shares the same aims I do."

This was very disturbing. Remus had always fought against the call of the wolf, the pecking order that a pack is, always choosing his own path. He rejected the violence that was his kind, making him a pariah with both wizards and his own kind. For him to take a pack, and claim a pack, because to a wolf that was an important word, was something different. "Then what do you need of me," Albus said, deciding to play his game for now. He would need to find what exactly was going on and probably obliviate most of this meeting. Albus could not have others telling him what to do.

"I am not the only person who knows all the secrets I have discovered. If you plan to do anything to me, then I assure you, Albus, your secrets will become very public." Albus saw no lie in the man. The question was how many knew and what secrets did the werewolf have?

"And why would I that care you know some secrets, Remus? This is very unlike you."

"I am protecting you right now, Albus, because I need you to protect Harry, his mate and anyone else of my pack."

Albus looked at the man. Understanding suddenly hit him. "You know where Harry is! Where is he, Remus? He must be put in a safe place immediately. I call upon your Oaths to the Order to do this."

Remus didn't flinch as Albus stood up and slapped his hands on the table. He projected his magic to enforce Remus' oath and to cower the man. Albus looked at the man, waiting for him to immediately call Harry to him. After a moment, Remus shook his head. Albus eyes went wide and he felt a shiver of fear. "No, Albus. Harry is in a safe place right now and he will not be moved. If he comes back to Hogwarts this year, then he will return to a safe place of my choosing whenever he wants or when school is not in session."

"I call upon your Oaths to the Order of the Phoenix, Remus John Lupin. You will bring Harry to me right away and I will place him where he is safe."

Remus growled at him and for once Albus could see the shadow of the wolf cross the normally even keel man. "I do not follow those Oaths anymore, Albus Dumbledore. As part of the Oaths, we all swore to protect those that could not protect themselves. Those Oaths dissolved once I found out how Harry had been treated and isolated at the hand of the man that made me swear those oaths. I am also suspecting that certain events in the last few years had your hand in them too."

This was getting to the point of ridiculous. Albus moved his hand as fast as he could and drew his wand. He knew it was faster than Remus would be able to while the man sat. He didn't see the bowl sailing at his head as he lifted his arm. The heavy wooden bowl hit him in the forehead and Albus fell backwards to the floor. He saw spots in his eyes and felt something trickling down his forehead. Remus walked over, wand drawn and kicked Albus' wand away. In all his years of being a top dueler, he had never had anyone throw something like that at him without magic, instead of drawing their wand.

Remus crouched down. "You can retrieve your wand when I leave. I do not claim it. Now, listen."

Albus looked up at the man, trying to keep his anger out of his eyes. "You will never work or be allowed anywhere near a wizarding place again," he spat at the werewolf.

Remus sighed. "At one time, I respected you above all others, and would have given my life for you. After all I have done for you, and given up, you shall do this one for me, Albus. Call it a life debt, if you want. I call this on behalf of my friends' son, Harry Potter, for the killing of his parents and my friends."

Albus felt his magic pull and recognize his words. Somehow Remus knew the truth that it was him that had coaxed the Potters to live in Godric Hollow and give the Secret Keeper to Peter Pettigrew. Albus knew full well who Peter was by that point. There was a fear that ripped through him. How much more did Remus know? The prophesy? Or Tom's secret? "What do you want?"

"I want three things. One for each Death."

"There were only two Potters that died that night," Albus said. He knew he had to pay the debt, but he would not do anything for free. He already wanted to kill Remus for doing this, but he could not until the life debt was paid.

Remus looked at him coolly. "Lily and James that night in Godric Hollow. That is two. There is also Fleamont. I have found more secrets than you think on the missions you have sent me on."

Albus could not keep his eyes going wide. He had not been directly involved in that one, but he had not warned the Potters either they had been hunted. He had gotten word a few days before. Saving James had made for a very loyal attack dog. And had allowed him to be involved in the Will and other decisions, though Lily opposed him often. Yes, he owed the Potters three, if not four life debts. In all his years, no one had been able to figure out his machinations like this and call him on it.

"I can see you know what I mean. James found out shortly before he was killed. Now, first, you will protect Harry, his mate and every one of my pack, Mr. Granger's and Harry's if he comes into his own. That means true protection, where you will do what you can to protect their well-being and will not control them or include them in your machinations."

Albus looked at the werewolf as Remus waited for a response. Albus knew that to satisfy a life debt, he must acknowledge the terms. Why was this so important to Remus. Why was the pack... unless? His pack. Harry was part of his pack. He was to protect Harry's mate. Werewolves only talked that way if... "No! It can't be! Remus, what did you do! This is because he was taken from his blood relatives!"

Remus shifted a little. Albus didn't miss that the werewolf stayed just out of his grasp. "Albus, the wards were down before that night Silas Rowe attacked him. It was the only reason they could find Harry. The DMLE verified the blood wards failed towards the end of June, leaving only the ones not related to his family blood. I can only assume that was you that set up the mostly illegal wards, or at least that is my conclusion now my mind is clear. And for your other question. Yes, Harry is now a lycanthrope. He will have his first turn in September. This brings us to the second point. Will you help him like you did me, or am I to move them somewhere else? Of course, the new Anti-Werewolf laws passed last year prevent them from attending Hogwarts or any other educational facility in Britain. For Harry to claim his full inheritance, he must remain on British soil until his seventeenth birthday. Can you see our problem?"

Albus couldn't keep his eyes from bulging. He needed the boy. If the signs were right, Tom would return by the end of the year and he needed to know where Harry was. Son of Morgana, he cursed internally. How would Remus know all this? Why would he not know this? His spies in the DMLE hadn't said anything like that. Some of the color left his face as he came to a realization. "You're his Guardian."

Remus nodded. "As I always should have been. But you knew that, didn't you, Chief Warlock."

Albus looked in the direction of his wand. It was half across the room. There was no way he would get to it. He hadn't been disarmed like this since he was fourteen. "Remus, are you sure Harry was bitten? If it's just a partial transfer..."

Remus growled. "Harry is my pack now, Albus."

"How could you be such a fool to take him with you and expose him like that," Albus said angrily.

"I didn't, Albus. I don't play with my charges like you, manipulating them into situations they have no business to be in. Don't think I didn't protect that boy. I left him in a spot he should have been safe. But like the best laid plans, things go wrong. He should have been in no danger. Don't question my methods." Albus could see the anger in Remus. His wand moved to point at him and Albus had never felt so vulnerable. Even if he performed wandless magic, the man was too close to his baser instincts and it would not be the same without his wand. Remus would be his equal or more. Albus would not escape unharmed.

"Now, will Harry be going back to Hogwarts or not? He and his mate are already talking of leaving the country, and I won't be able to dissuade them. They need to get their OWLs and NEWTs and you know the law will only allow that to happen if they attend Hogwarts. Only those where both parents are Pure-blood or half-blood can schedule those tests outside of school."

Albus looked like he had just swallowed a bushel of lemons. "Harry cannot leave Britain. Harry turns at the next moon?"

"He does. He and his mate want to have a life. They are already looking at how to move to Canada or the United States."

Albus could see years of planning evaporating. If Harry left, then a crucial piece of the puzzle in finally redeeming Tom would be truly out of his control. Remus terms severely hampered him, but there were other ways he could achieve his aims, but only if Harry was around. "Remus, he cannot leave the country."

"Albus, I don't want him to either. He is young and doesn't truly understand the family legacy he has. I am not sure there is much time left to change his mind. He almost has the pack Alpha convinced." Remus looked sad. "I would like them to have a far better fate than I have had to date."

"Remus, we can't have them around the school though. Parents will be upset, and I will never be able to convince the Board of Governors. If he is more like your kind, then he may be a danger for a while." Albus was trying to figure out how this could be achieved. Maybe the laws could be changed to allow for OWL and NEWT testing to those with a muggle parent. His other question was who was his mate? Could he afford not to include her? Could he afford not to have the boy at Hogwarts?

"No, Albus, I will not have him around others before his first turn. He is highly excitable right now, especially when it comes to Ms. Granger. They will need to start late, and I would like a study packet so they do not fall behind. I would recommend you provide private rooms for them and the cells you provided me last year."

"How many?" Albus hadn't missed the plural and the inflection that meant more.

"Three for now. Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Annabel Entwhistle. Though, Annabel is not sure if she would like to attend yet and she is refusing to go back home. She is having a tough time adjusting. She may not come back until next year. I am not sure if others may come, but in a few years Theresa Finch-Fletchley will be of age to attend Hogwarts."

"You know they will face a great deal of prejudice and ridicule," Albus told him. He needed Harry but was not keen to have so many young werewolves in his school at one time. Helping Remus had been a necessity. He needed a spy and it was the best way he could get one at the time.

Remus shrugged. "These children will need to get used to the prejudices, as much as I would shield them. I also think Harry and Hermione will find a way to get over it."

That was what he was afraid off. "If they become dangerous, they will need to be removed."

Remus shook his head. "Unacceptable. If they stay in Britain, they will attend Hogwarts. My guess is that Minerva will receive an owl for a request of records transfer in the next day or so. You cannot deny that, per the ICW treaties with Britain and the MACUSA, and it must be sent within seven days of receipt of request. Thus, neither of us have much time."

"What is your third boon so I may pay off this debt?" Albus needed to get to the Ministry very soon.

Remus looked down at him. "I would like my old job back for the year."

"I already have a Defense Professor," Albus told him. He was also still dealing with some very irate parents from last year.

"I heard Moody has volunteered to teach. I will teach alongside of him or in a class with any that will have me, even if it is just Harry, Hermione and Annabel. If you want, I can focus on Dark Creatures and wards. I don't care what you want to do, but I will be at Hogwarts this year and any year Harry or any of our pack is at Hogwarts. Find a way to make it happen."

Remus stood up, putting his wand away. The look of disappointment on Remus face brought up Albus' ire. "I once revered you, Albus. I thought you were different than the filth we were fighting. Do these things and your life debt to Harry will be paid."

"Remus, Harry must be protected, and I will do what I can, but there are things you don't know."

"I don't care, Albus. These are the terms. You know what will happen if you choose to ignore or violate them." Remus looked down his nose at him. It was a pose that spoke of the man's disdain. "We can talk about what I don't know once Harry and Hermione are safe in the walls of Hogwarts. I await your owl."

-oOo-

August 26, 1994

London, England

Hermione sat in a chair. She was ready to leave this place, but she knew why they were there. When she had finally been able to wrap her mind around what Harry had offered, she had asked for several books from her house. Tonks had happily retrieved them. As she read the one containing the laws passed by the Wizengamot last year, she was struck at how vague so many of the laws were. The Anti-werewolf Law was just as vague. In a little over one thousand words, the entire population of werewolves had been reduced to almost no status. And in those thousand words, it came to one sentence that made their life unlivable in either the muggle or wizarding worlds. It banned werewolves from attending any institution or public place 'where a number of wizards, witches or muggle congregate for work or learning.'

What bothered her was the word 'number'. There was no definition to it. It could mean one or it could mean hundreds. No wonder Remus had been avoiding any place where he might stick out or be recognized. The only exception to this rule was St. Mungo's or Ministry approved places. The Headmaster must have received an exception for Remus last year.

That was the crux of the matter. Given the current mood at the moment, wizarding Britain was not in the mood to deal with werewolves. Who would want to expose their children to the potential? It was a fear she could understand. If she had known, she would have done everything in her power to not expose Harry or her mother.

She was afraid. She never wanted to hurt anyone like that again. The fact she hurt Harry was still a punch in the stomach. The fact he forgave her and was sitting on the floor next to her, a book open in his hands, was unbelievable to her. Perhaps more so was the fact he had kissed her again. Three times since yesterday, actually.

He was intent on the potions book in his hand. He had been reading since this morning when she had finally told him what she had been working on that day. It had been about silver and how it worked on lycanthropes, but she hadn't gotten far. She was missing far too much information and the thing seemed mental looking at from this side of the equation.

Thus, it had been surprising that Healer Tonks had listened to her and requested her notes.

Looking at Harry, she found herself drifting off from her task. His green eyes were scanning the pages of their textbook. She had rarely seen him so focused on anything to do with school as she had over the last month. She had also never seen his brilliant green eyes so determined or intelligent. Just thinking of it, made her feel warm inside.

The fact that his sloppy hair gave him a slight bad boy appearance, or that the Stone Roses shirt he liked so much didn't really hide how muscled he had become over the last few years. He was still small for their age, but he was not the scrawny pipsqueak that had come to rescue her from a troll.

She found herself thinking of how he had hugged her or held her close over the last few days. It made her feel warm just thinking about it. She very much liked the green-eyed boy. He turned another page as she looked at him.

She was wondering just how hard his abs might be if she touched them when he looked up. She had seen him without a shirt one day working before her turn.

He wasn't really focusing on her. "Hermione, you said you thought silver wasn't a poison. Which silver did you mean?"

She had to blink a few times to get the image of what was under his shirt out of her head. "I'm sorry. What was that, Harry?"

"Silver. What silver did you mean wasn't a poison?"

She shook her head, the gears in her head starting to click back over to her logical side. "I don't understand the question, Harry. What do you mean by type of silver?"

He held up the potions book and she realized it wasn't theirs. "Harry, what book is that?"

"Healer Tonks let me borrow a few of her potion books. This one is on advanced Potions for canceling the effects of other potions. I have seen several references to normal silver of varying purities, but also Hagsbestian silver and dragon silver. There was one mention of quick silver, but I really don't want anything with mercury in it."

She stared at him. She had read their potions textbook front to back a dozen times. It was the same book for year one to five. She had never heard of these ingredients before. "What is Hagsbestian and dragon silver," she asked putting her book on the table next to her chair and moving to Harry's side. She took the book out of his hands as she moved so that their hips were touching and she was just about cozied into his side. Harry wrapped his arm around her.

She really liked when they were this close. She did all she could to focus on the book. "See, in this potion to purge certain susceptibility potions, it mentions that you have to use pink tea leaf salt to remove the Hagsbestian silver. There was another one further back that mention dragon silver was best to cure certain burns, but it was nearly impossible to get."

Hermione read the paragraph Harry pointed out and then turned the pages back to read the entire chapter on purging and reversing potions for weakening ones resolve or decision making. Harry sat there, his head close to hers, probably rereading the same stuff.

It was three paragraphs. The first describing why silver was used in some susceptibly potions, mainly it was a counter to strong will, which she didn't fully understand yet. The next described the incredible lengths it took to control the silver in the potions. If not done right, it was a horrible poison instead. The last was how the salts made from certain magical tea leaves would purge the silver out of someone's system.

The author stressed that only very skilled Potioneers or Masters would be able to make them because of the time and skill required. The antidotes were equally hard to produce and disastrous if made wrong.

Hermione had a sinking feeling as she reread the paragraphs again. On the third time through she was convinced. "Harry, how many people do we know that are Potion Masters? And I mean real Potion Masters?"

She felt Harry stiffen and his heart thud in his chest. His disdain was heavy in his voice as he connected the pieces. "Snape."

-oOo-

August 30, 1994

London, England

Amelia Bones knew she was a formidable woman. She could see it by the way people gave her respect when she would walk into a room, or the way her enemies would tread delicately around her. Even though she knew it, she did not like throwing it around. Her power came from her actions, and today was a day she was going to act.

The Wizengamot had met in an emergency session three days ago. It had been three days now of ten to twelve hours locked behind closed doors as they worked on three new proposals that had risen the ire of many caucuses and would be extremely controversial, no matter which way it went.

Before them now where three very different bills, and all were regarding the lycanthropes. She had opposed the Anti-Werewolf Laws of last year, knowing it would rile them and set them against anything the Ministry might try in the future. It had also led to more attacks in the last year than in the last five.

She had her scribes and secretary pull together all the information the DMLE had on incidents involving the werewolves. Most were just petty crimes, people trying to find a way to eat or have a few galleons in their pockets. There had been some honest attacks, but nothing like the last two months. This was something different and she had a feeling the laws from last year had something to do with it.

She also felt that she wouldn't have twenty-five of her Aurors dedicated to protecting certain targets or have Harry Potter bitten. The headlines on that had broken the day they went into session. They had tried to keep it buried, but word always gets out. She was just surprised it had taken four days. The reaction so far had been mixed. Some already condemned the boy while others cried out that the Savior of their world couldn't be expelled from it.

Thus, the Chief Warlock had called an emergency session to address the issue.

She stood fully in the repeal and reform side of the issue. As did a good third of the Wizengamot. It was the rest that wanted something different. She knew the first would not pass. There wasn't enough support. That was why she was throwing her support into the Werewolf Reform and Integration law. It kept all the restrictions and penalties of the Anti-werewolf laws, but allowed a path for any werewolf to reintegrate into wizarding society as long as they registered and followed certain guidelines, rules on control and ensured they were safe on nights of the full moon.

The last she wanted to see go down in flaming defeat. It put more restrictions on the beasts, including making them impotent and allowing for cold-blooded murder should one be found in places they don't belong.

Her only complaint about any of them was the travel restrictions. For any werewolf to legally leave Britain they would need to apply for a leave, that could only be granted by a Committee of the Wizengamot, not the DMLE, and only if they were traveling with a responsible witch or wizard. She knew that would mean that they would be trapped in this country. That would be one of the items she would look to overturn at the Winter Solstice.

The Chief Warlock, Albus Dumbledore, banged his gavel. "Day four of this session shall be called to order. Final copies of the legislation were presented to all voting members yesterday. There will be no amendments offered today. If anyone wishes to make any appeals or rebuttals, you shall be granted five minutes. This will be strictly enforced. Before we do this, Madame Amelia Bones, Head of the DMLE, has requested thirty minutes to go over information that her office has compiled on this topic. Madame Bones," Albus inclined his head towards her.

She inclined her head back. There was something about the man that had always rubbed her the wrong way, even when she had sat in his Transfiguration class over forty years ago. "Thank you, Chief Warlock." She flicked her wand and the large chalk board she had brought began to full itself. She walked up to it. "My fellow colleagues and members of the Wizengamot, I would like to present the data that my department has been able to gather from the last fifty years of crime related to werewolves and make a case that the current laws are too harsh and should be over turned."

She looked around the room. It was obvious that Lucius Malfoy and his caucus were not happy or were ignoring what she has putting on the board. Others were looking at it thoughtfully or in shock as it spelled out every major legislation regarding the creatures and how every time one was passed, crime and attacks went up, many times very noticeably. Others were not surprised, and she knew those were her allies or those already committed to vote her way.

"What is this non-sense, Madam Bones? All I see are useless numbers and a history lesson," Lucius drawled and a few around him guffawed.

"This, Lord Malfoy, is the crimes and attacks related to werewolves and how it increased every time the Wizengamot passes another law to cut them out of our society. The new Anti-Werewolf Laws of last year show the greatest increase, more than tripling what had already been a decently high rate. As I said then..."

"Hem. Hem," a particularly fowl pink toad tried to interrupt her.

"Madame Umbridge, you are not a voting member of this council, so you do not have rights to speak at the moment," Amelia cut her off before she could say anything.

"Now see here," Cornelius started. "We are hearing final say before we vote. Everyone should be allowed to speak."

Dolores looked smug and went to open her mouth again.

"We are, Minister," Amelia said in a cool tone. "If this were a normal session, then any Head of Department would be able too. Undersecretaries do not rank as such, and this is not a normal session. You yourself called for a recensendum contionem. As we all know, that means only voting members can speak of this in this session. As you have now spoken, I assume you are taking up your place as a voting member, Minister."

The man gave her a shrewd look. So far, Cornelius had been very good at staying out of it. She knew he was hoping to abstain so that he could ride the wave of what happened. Now, he would be required to vote, and it would be recorded.

"Madame Bones, would you please continue. I would like to get to a vote before noon if we can," Albus prodded.

"Of course, Chief Warlock." Umbridge looked thunderous, but she knew if she spoke out of turn again she would be removed. Three days in the DMLE cells was the least of the punishments she could face. "Now, as you can see, every legislation has driven the wolves away from being able to find work or to associate with wizards or muggles. The last law was the most severe, driving them further underground and making them more desperate."

"Given this information, the DMLE is in support of loosening these restrictions and giving them a way to have a peaceful coexistence with the wizarding world," she spoke loud to the room.

"You can't be serious," Mr. Nott said. "Are you saying you want to offer these animals jobs? And what happens when they steal from their employer, or decide that dinner should include one of us? Or your niece, Madame Bones?"

"I am very serious, Mr. Nott. These animals, as you call them, are still people. At one time, they did work next to us. Attacks were only known by the feral lot that did not wish to be part of our world. Now, they have been so marginalized, they have little choice but to be criminals. Given the chance, I believe that many will take it and these crime numbers will go down."

Lucius gave her a discerning stare. She thought she would have to fend off an attack from him when Lady Longbottom spoke up. "I am in support of some of this legislation," she said aloud and many turned to her. "I have known and still know some people infected with lycanthropy. I now understand that two of my grandson's friends are in such a state. He is worried about them and I am too. I think that all that want it, should be given a chance to redeem themselves."

"If you are talking of Harry Potter and his mudblood bitch..." Lucius started with a sneer.

The gavel from the Chief Warlocks bench stopped him. "We have a certain decorum in this chamber. You will refrain from using derogatory terms."

Lucius lipped curled before he schooled his face impassive. "The boy and his girl are now one of them and should be treated as much. Personally, as I tried to amend, I think they should all be hunted and put down like the feral mutts they are." There were a few nods around him. Others pursed their lips but didn't say anything.

"Most are not feral, Lord Malfoy," another person spoke. She recognized Lord Patil. He was a dark skin man with more a traditional sherwani long coat with a ceremonial dagger at his side. Lord Patil was a very reasoned man and one she thought of as a good ally. "Most are thrown into being a creature against their will and would prefer to live the life they once had. They only turn to the wolf becuase there is no other way for them right now."

"You speak as though you are enamored with them, Lord Patil. I suppose you would allow them into your house," Lucius said. "I am sure they would love your daughters."

Lord Patil squared against the man. "Lord Malfoy, I assure you I hold no ill will against any of them that wish to seek an honest life. Until last year, I had several employed on my lands and they were nice and honorable people that did the work asked of them and never bothered my family in that way."

"People," Malfoy spat. "They aren't people. They're beast that would prefer to rip your spleen out and eat it."

"Lord Malfoy, that is enough," Albus said. She looked at him. The Chief Warlock didn't usually constrain the talk in the chamber. There was something different today. She made her case as best she could after that.

A little before noon, everyone that wanted to speak had, and the vote was called.