Harry Potter and the Silent Guardian

The following morning dawned clear and crisp over the Black Castle. Harry awoke early, the events of the previous day still fresh in his mind. Determined to face the challenges ahead, he dressed swiftly and made his way to the library, where Arcturus awaited him with a stack of parchment and several thick tomes spread out on a large wooden table.

"Good morning, Harry," Arcturus greeted, his tone professional yet not unkind.

"Good morning, Grandfather," Harry replied, taking a seat opposite his mentor. "I'm ready to start."

Arcturus nodded approvingly. "Excellent. Today, we will delve into the structure and functions of the Ministry of Magic, as well as the role of the Wizengamot. Understanding these institutions is crucial for your upcoming responsibilities."

Harry leaned forward, eager to absorb the knowledge. "Where should we begin?"

"Let's start with an overview of the Ministry of Magic," Arcturus said, gesturing to the first tome. "The Ministry is the main governing body of the magical community in Great Britain, which includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. Established in 1707, it succeeded the Wizards' Council and has been pivotal in maintaining the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy since 1692."

Harry nodded, his quill poised over his notebook, ready to capture every detail. "Its primary role is to preserve magical law and act as a liaison between the British government and the wizarding world. The Ministry is headquartered underground, beneath the HM Treasury and Whitehall in London. This location helps keep its operations hidden from Muggles."

"Does the Muggle side know anything about us? Is there any contact?" Harry asked, glancing up from the book.

"Ah, yes. Technically, the Ministry is under the Muggle Queen," Arcturus explained, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "However, most of our people pay that detail little mind. The Minister for Magic is in contact with the Muggle Prime Minister, and these relationships are part of why the Statute of Secrecy has held strong for so long. Keeping them informed means keeping the peace."

"So they're in on it," Harry mused, surprised yet somewhat impressed. "Doesn't that make the Muggles nervous? I mean, there are powerful wizards who could threaten them. Has no evil wizard tried to attack the Queen or the Prime Minister?"

"Many throughout history," Arcturus replied thoughtfully. "But there is a special family of wizards tasked with protecting the Queen and the royal family, though not much is known about them to the public. They, along with the Muggle government, also rope in many Muggle-borns who leave the wizarding world after graduating from Hogwarts to protect their people."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "So, Muggle-borns working for the Muggle government, with wizarding knowledge… could they ever be a threat to us? You know the muggle-borns must hate the wizarding world for the way they were treated here."

Arcturus's expression turned sour. "Some might say they already are. Others feel that an army of Muggle-borns poses no threat to us at all. But it is wise to be vigilant," he added.

"Seems risky to assume they'd never be a threat," Harry replied thoughtfully, jotting this down. "I'll need to pay more attention to them in the future. This could become a big problem."

Arcturus nodded approvingly, a spark of pride in his eye. "Good that you understand. I've tried for years to make other Lords see this danger, but they won't listen. We need to protect the magical world from all sides. Let's move to the next topic."

Harry shifted in his seat, trying to process everything. "The Wizengamot?"

"Yes, let's discuss the Wizengamot. It's our high court and legislative body," Arcturus explained, drawing Harry's focus back. "It dates back to the medieval Wizards' Council, even before the Ministry itself."

Harry could almost picture it—ancient wizards gathering in cloaked secrecy, convening to pass laws and discuss magical issues. He imagined them like a powerful court that could rival the governments of any Muggle state.

"During its formation," Arcturus continued, "several influential pureblood families joined together to form the Wizengamot. The Blacks, Potters, Longbottoms, and a few others of that time. Each family was given a hereditary seat, a tradition that continues to this day."

"So these seats… they're passed down through families?" Harry asked, trying to grasp the full meaning of the Wizengamot's power.

"Precisely," Arcturus affirmed. "Each family in the Wizengamot holds its seat as a birthright. But should a family line end, or should they be expelled for a serious crime, the seat doesn't simply vanish."

"What happens then?" Harry asked.

Arcturus leaned back, steepling his fingers. "When a seat is vacant, a new candidate is chosen. But it isn't an open election—only purebloods with significant contributions to the magical community are considered. The other members of the Wizengamot review their achievements, conduct, and lineage before deciding."

"That's a lot of power for a small group of families," Harry noted, thinking of how this concentration of authority felt oddly feudal, like ancient noble houses who ruled without checks. "The Minister, the Wizengamot… it's all under the same few people."

Arcturus nodded solemnly. "It is. The Wizengamot holds significant influence over magical law and governance."

Harry's pen paused as he thought of the implications. "Do the votes of the founding families and the new families have the same weight in voting?"

"Technically, yes," Arcturus confirmed. "But there are alliances and such, so some families are more powerful than others."

"So I have only one vote," Harry stated, understanding the dynamics.

"Yes, one vote, and you must use it wisely," Arcturus advised. "Now, let's move on. We should discuss the process of selecting the Minister and the Ministry's heads."

"The Minister for Magic," Arcturus explained, "is not elected by the magical populace. The election is handled within the Ministry, primarily by department heads and the Wizengamot."

"So, nothing like the Muggle election?" Harry asked, trying to understand the nuances.

"Precisely," Arcturus said. "It relies on influence, alliances, and internal politics. This may seem unrepresentative, but it ensures leaders have the expertise to navigate our world's complexities."

"And the department heads?" Harry asked, picturing a cabinet or council.

"They're appointed based on expertise, but the Minister has a major say in the final choice," Arcturus replied. "However, senior members often weigh in to keep the process balanced."

"So the Wizengamot is a kind of oversight for everything, even the Minister's actions?" Harry clarified.

"More or less," Arcturus replied. "The Wizengamot is the higher court. But most cases are handled by a different body – the Council of Magical Law."

Harry was intrigued. "What does the Council of Magical Law do?"

"The Council is a judicial body, subordinate to the Wizengamot," Arcturus replied. "It's responsible for overseeing criminal cases and reviewing information from convicted criminals. Essentially, they ensure the laws of our world are upheld."

"It sounds complex, but surprisingly organized," Harry remarked, impressed by the structured governance.

"Indeed," Arcturus said with a nod. "Our world's laws and governance are intricate, born of centuries of tradition and the need to safeguard our way of life."

Harry rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the information. "It's a lot to take in, and I have to jump into this quagmire in a couple of days. Where do I start?"

Arcturus smiled encouragingly. "We'll begin by identifying key figures within the Wizengamot and understanding their interests and alliances. It's important to build a network of trusted allies and be aware of potential adversaries. We'll also cover the legislative process, from drafting bills to debating and enacting laws."

Harry nodded, though his heart wasn't in it. For all its grandeur, this world of politics and ancient tradition felt burdensome. The political maneuvering and cold calculation felt as appealing as diving into icy water. But with Voldemort's inevitable return looming on the horizon, he knew he didn't have the luxury of avoiding it.

As the day progressed, they practiced mock scenarios, with Arcturus posing as various Wizengamot members, challenging Harry to respond appropriately to different situations. Despite his growing competence, each successful interaction only reinforced how foreign this all felt to him. He would rather be practicing battle magic or spending time with his friends than learning the intricacies of political alliances.

"This is going to be challenging," he admitted finally, "but I know it's necessary."

"You're showing great aptitude, Harry," Arcturus praised. "With continued training, you'll become a formidable presence within the Wizengamot. Remember, knowledge and diplomacy are just as powerful as any spell."

Harry managed a small smile, grateful for his mentor's guidance even as he wrestled with his reluctance. "Thank you, Grandfather. I couldn't ask for a better teacher in this."

Arcturus returned the smile, a hint of pride in his eyes. "You're very welcome. Now, get some rest. Tomorrow, we'll delve deeper into the legislative process and explore case studies of significant Wizengamot decisions."

As night fell over the Black Castle, Harry retired to his quarters, the day's lessons replaying in his mind. The intricacies of the Ministry and the Wizengamot were complex, and despite his dislike for politics, he knew he had to master them. With Voldemort growing in power, the world would need leaders who understood both the fight ahead and the hidden forces that could help or hinder it. As much as he resisted, he had to step into this role. For his own sake and for the world he was fighting to protect.