Nov 10, 1981
“The Wizengamot recognizes Lord He-Henry Potter,” the Chief Warlock’s announcement sent the Wizengamot into a flurry of whispers. Albus Dumbledore himself was shocked into silence.
Henry Potter had not been seen in public for twelve years and had not been seen in the Wizengamot since 1921, when he abdicated the seat to his son, Fleamont. Fleamont had little interest in politics and instead chose to assign a proxy to vote for his family. But with the pandemonium caused by the war, and Fleamont’s death in early 1980, the Potter seat had remained empty for some time now. For Henry Potter to re-enter society now could only mean that he wanted something. And Albus suspected what the man he once considered a staunch ally desired.
The cacophony of whispers was cut off and every head in the Wizengamot chambers turned toward the Potter seat. Sitting in it was a thin man with a mop of silver hair atop his head. Deep brown eyes peered through a pair of round, gold-rimmed glasses. The man’s long face was heavily lined, but there was a fire in his eyes that revealed the passion that most would only expect of a much younger man. Combined with his hard-set mouth and thick, well-groomed silver beard, this was a man who exuded power. This was Henry Potter.
Albus cleared his throat, “The Wizengamot is proud to welcome you back, Lord Potter. You may have the floor.”
Henry Potter stood up, “Esteemed members of the Wizengamot,” he began, “It has been many years since I have stepped foot in this room, and I do wish it was for a more joyous reason. As you all well know, for the past decade, our great country has been ravaged by war, and through that war, we saw many prominent members of our community die. None have suffered more than the average witch and wizard that we all have sworn to preserve and protect. I ask that we all give a moment to remember the fallen.” The man fell silent and closed his eyes for a moment before starting again, “I know that many of you may disagree with my politics and are rather upset to see me return, and I also know that many of you may already be planning to ask me to sponsor this bill or join that alliance. I am not here for any of that. I have lost nearly all of my family in the past eleven years. My eldest son Fleamont and his wife Euphemia fell victim to the Dragon Pox just last year. My second son Charlus and his wife Dorea were killed by the Dark Lord Voldemort three years ago. And just last week my beloved grandson James and his brilliant wife were killed by the same man. I doubt I need to account to you all of the fate of my namesake, but Harry Potter is the reason I am here today. I formally file a petition of custody for Henry James Potter on the basis of being his closest living kin.”
Albus closed his eyes and raised his wand before the chamber erupted into noise, “Lord Potter, there are extenuating circumstances preventing young Harry from being placed in your care that I would be glad to discuss with you in private.”
Lord Potter shook his head, “Surely there is not a legal reason that the heir to a noble wizarding House should be placed with anyone other than its Lord if their parents are deceased and godparents… unavailable?” Albus bit back a frustrated groan at that. Clearly, Henry Potter’s sixty years away from politics did not diminish his acumen.
Minister Bagnold leaned in toward Albus and whispered, “Surely the protections can’t be worth the legal battle of going up against a noble house!”
Albus sighed but nodded toward Alexander Volant, former head of the Department of Magical Children and a good ally and friend, signaling him to speak.
“The Wizengamot recognizes Lord Alexander Volant.”
“Thank you, Chief Warlock.” Alexander’s strong voice carried throughout the chamber, “While that would normally be true, Lord Potter, under Section B Addendum sixty-two-point-one of the Redding Act of 1942, the care of any magical child orphaned by war is placed with the Department of Magical Children regardless of family status.”
“Forgive me if I am mistaken, Lord Volant, but in Section F Addendum three-point-eight of the very same act, it states that the placement of a magical child by the Ministry can be formally contested by any living blood relative. Furthermore, I have it on good authority that my great-grandson has been placed with the muggle relatives of his late mother. I understand, and in the past have even championed the need for the Wizarding and Muggle worlds to work together in harmony, but I have never believed that wizarding children should be placed with muggle relatives when they have remaining wizarding family left.”
Alexander, suitably chastised, sat back down. Albus chose this moment to step back in, “That is true, Lord Potter, but Harry is not the standard case. Do you really want your grandson to be raised famous? Placing him with his muggle aunt gives him the best chance of a normal childhood. Please, Henry, you must understand that the ministry only wishes for Harry to grow up happy and healthy.”
“Then share with me the reason why he can not grow up happy and healthy with me, aware of his heritage.”
Albus could not come up with a response and closed his eyes in defeat. “Very well. Before we vote, I must ask the Wizengamot to not let the demise of Lord Voldemort cloud their decision and to treat Harry Potter as any other magical child. With that being said, all in favor of Lord Henry Potter being granted custody of Henry James Potter please light your wands.” Nearly all of the Traditionalists and neutrals and more than half of the Progressives lit their wands. “All opposed?” The rest of the Progressive contingent abstained save for Lord Volant and Albus himself, and a few Traditionalists who were exonerated followers of Voldemort that likely wanted Harry Potter denied the chance to be raised as a wizard lit their wands. “Lord Henry Potter is hereby granted custody of Henry James Potter.” Albus saw a soft, relieved smile on Henry Potter’s face that made him feel ashamed for trying to deny the man his last living family, but Albus did not regret his attempt. If the prophecy was true, Harry Potter needed all the protection he could get.