The Contract

Chapter 48

"I do so sincerely hope that he doesn't get 'time served' and declared free." Corvus stated firmly, as he claimed his seat in the courtroom. Today was the trial for Albus Dumbledore, he'd spent so much time as a member of the wizengamot these days. Harry's law had not yet been passed, as amendments were being written out and added to the law with suggestions and fighting over those amendments but considering how they usually were...it had been quite peaceful compared to the passing or vetoing of other laws.

"You and I are in complete agreement," Antonio agreed quietly, he quite detested the colour of the robes for the wizengamot. Thankfully, he was only having to endure wearing it for actual courtroom trials. On his breast pockets, his right had his own coat of arms, and atop of his left, the Potter insignia with a crown at the top, displaying his regent status. It had appeared the moment he had signed and agreed to be the Potter regent.

"His past actions and former popularity will not save him," Voldemort assured them, making a mental note to suggest that the colour of the robes and the robes themselves be updated. They were remarkably old fashioned and made the entire wizengamot look like clowns.

"I think you're right," Lord Shacklebolt agreed, "I hope we can get this dastardly laziness gone before my son passes his Auror training." laziness was one way to put corruption that Harry seems to be seeking to destroy.

"Will any of the rumours about Heir Potter be put to the question today?" Dowager 'Lady' Longbottom questioned, normally she would never even contemplate speaking to anyone that so much as conversed casually with Lord Lestrange, spite and bitterness getting the better of her. However, she liked Shacklebolt and Lord Slytherin, they were both very kind and diligent in their work.

"That is something only the Minister and Madam Bones can answer," Lord Slytherin said softly, "I do hope so, what has been done to the young heir is...diabolical. He should have been safe in Hogwarts...it's all terrible business. It makes me feel rather blessed that I didn't attend the school. It's below us to listen to rumours, I know, but there's always a kernel of truth in those rumours."

"I quite agree," Dowager agreed, nodding along immediately, "My Neville has told me some rather troubling things also. I think I shall speak to Amelia, please excuse me," with that she got up off her seat and made her way towards the woman, who was talking away with one of the clerks, with a bundle of files in her hand.

"Will your son be taking over from you, Lord Shacklebolt?" Voldemort asked, more and more children were electing to have a career first, before they stepped into running their family estates. Modernisation at its greatest, instead of being asked to begin running the estate at seventeen. In fact most families were actively encouraging it.

Lord Shacklebolt chuckled, "Not for another decade at least," he said entirely amused, "My son has always wished to be an Auror from a young age. I was resigned to it, but I agreed to it, if he attends to lessons with me. On how to run the estate, he's unfortunately, not been able to for the past few months, the end of his Auror training is rather exhausting once it's over hopefully, we'll get back to normal." They needed to learn how to run the estate, if anything happened to him, he had to know his son would be well equipped on how to deal with everything. The Shacklebolt family was a big one, and he had a lot of relatives to oversee if anything happened.

"Yes, it's a strenuous undertaking," Lord Slytherin agreed, "Particularly outdated, but why change something that is not broken?"

"Other than the fact more wizards and witches don't have the mettle to manage to see through the course?" Corvus said wryly, "The amount of Aurors that are passing or even signing up are getting smaller each year. I do believe only one person passed last year, Nymphadora Tonks. I do believe we only have five sign up in Shacklebolt's year, and three of them have already failed, another is going the same way." It was extremely worrisome, to see less and less people joining the academy.