Capítulo 29: 29 To Be Frank 1 Political Power
This is going to be a ongoing part of the story. So any chapter titled "To Be Frank" will be a Worldbuilding chapter that will explain things like politics, Family Magic, interspecies relations, all that.
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"Politics?" Frank asks in surprise.
Lily is surprised too. Despite being an "Heir" to a powerful "House" James always steered away from any conversation of politics. That was, unless it had to do with how much he hated the Dark Faction.
"Yeah… I was thinking about maybe getting into them, more so than just being a Wizengamot member I mean."
"Really? I thought you wanted to be an Auror. Not to say that Aurors can't get into Politics, they just don't until they transfer away from that branch or get promoted to Department level."
"I did… but I feel like Aurors don't do enough. Or that I could do more good than just being an Auror," James said, voice serious.
"True, Aurors keep the peace, they don't make it."
"Don't you two want to be Aurors?"
"Yeah, but not forever," Frank said.
"His mum and dad agreed to let him do as he pleases for a while before getting ready to take over the House," Alice said.
"Exactly, we're both Heirs to our Houses, but Mum and Dad think I should get some experience on my own, and let me live a bit. I decided on becoming an Auror, not just because Alice wants to be one, but to do some good with my own hands before having to deal with Politics and paperwork. After maybe ten years I'll retire and work for the House. Also it will look good for me politically speaking, the people like someone who will fight to keep them safe."
Lily could hear James's messy hair shake as he nodded.
"Isn't it the same for you James?" Alice asked.
"Well… I got the same kind of lessons as you Frank. You know, typical stuff as a child."
"If by typical stuff you mean a tutor teaching you all about the Houses, Ministry, and Wizengamont, then yes."
Lily rolled her eyes, yeah, typical everyday stuff, with a governess and ten Galleon tea time.
"I uh-"
"Didn't pay attention?" Alice said with humor.
"Yeah… Mum and Dad didn't really care that I didn't at the time."
"Makes sense, they tried for so long to have you that they spoiled you rotten," Frank joked.
"I was not spoiled rotten!"
Lily snorted, and she heard James turn around to look at her. Her shoulders tensee, a blush as she realized he knew she had been listening. Marlene gave her a conspiratorial smirk, and Lily realized she had been ignoring whatever conversation was going on at her table.
"Anyways," Frank said, and Lily felt the gaze on the back of her neck disappear. "You want to do something in Politics?"
"Yeah… but, how does one, well, get into politics? Do I just put an article in the Prophet that says "I think we should do this?""
"Hmm, Politics, at its core, is an expression of power and influence. The simplest way for one to get involved in politics is to join the Ministry. As I said before Aurors don't really get any political power, despite being used by politicians. That's because they are a military force, and it is an abuse of that power to use it politically, not that some don't."
Lily heard Frank cast some Transfiguration Spells, then she heard the familiar sound of quill on parchment.
"But, lets break down Politics into three. One is Ministry, one is Wizengamot, and one is everything else. If you want to be Minister the best way is through the Ministry, eighty percent of all Ministers were elected that way. Of the remaining twenty, fifteen was a member of Wizengamont, and five outside. But first lets talk about Political Power, I'm going to use your dad as an example."
"Lord Fleamont Potter is the head of his House, one that has a Permanent Hereditary Seat on Wizengamot. Permanent thanks to them absorbing the last of the Peverell line which formerly had a Permanent Seat. Having a Permanent Seat means that only the complete extinction of the Potters will take it away, as with the Gaunts, Smiths, Bones, Blacks, and Rosiers. Meanwhile just a Hereditary seat like the Longbottoms and Malfoys can be lost if the family falls from grace. This is one form of Political power your father holds. Lord of an Ancient House with a rich history and a perpetual seat on the Wizengamot. He is a part of the Light Faction, and has several allies in them and the Grey faction. Longbottoms, Bones, McKinnons."
"Meanwhile he has very little power in the Ministry, he works for no Departments, even if he has allies in some. He can do things in the Ministry for sure, ask for favors, get information, etcetera, but he cannot command anyone short of bribes and blackmail-"
"My father-" James began hotly.
"Yeah yeah yeah, this is an example. Now lets look at the 3rd option, everything else. You dad is the creator of Sleekeazy's Hair Potion. It is popular for a lot of witches and even wizards. Now will a witch who uses it follow Lord Potter's political advice? Not really, they might keep an eye out, but they won't be pledging their support just because of hair products. But! Sleekeazy is very popular, often being featured in Witch Weekly, with discounts, and other new versions and such. Your father pays for ads, which then gets him sales. So, he has some sway, or power over Witch Weekly. That gives your dad the potential for Propoganda. House Potter, and by extension Fleamont Potter, also have stakes and shares in several businesses, he can tell them to put up posters that push some form of idea on them. He owns a portion of Flourish and Blotts, so he can flex some of that power to have them take down some books and put up books that align with his view. Which when read, will nudge readers into thinking similarly."
"Wait, we own some of the bookstore? How come we still pay for books then?" James exclaimed.
"How do you not know that- you know what, nevermind, continue Frank," Alice said, cutting herself off.
"Because not paying is something a Dark Faction House would do. They flex their power of wealth by not having to pay for things, meanwhile Light Faction houses flex their humbleness by paying for things regardless."
The Potters own Flourish and Blotts! And apparently a bunch of other companies too! James said he lived in a Manor, and Lily knew his family was rich, but, damn.
Lily didn't like how Frank explained why the Potters pay for their books. It seemed too manipulative.
If Lily had to take a side between Light and Dark, she would choose Light. But that was only because people who agreed with the Dark Faction were the ones who called her Mudblood. Also as someone who grew up surrounded by Christianity Dark had an automatic negative connotation.
In reality she didn't know too much about what actual views the two factions held. Well three factions.
She knew the Light was also called the Progressives, who pushed for equal rights regardless of race or blood. And of course she agreed with that. The Dark, also called the Traditionalists meanwhile, was against equal rights and the less pureblood or human the worse someone was. And of course she disagreed with that.
Meanwhile she didn't know anything about the Grey Faction, other than they were considered Conservatives, but she didn't know in what way they were Conservative, because if they were Conservative in the Traditionalists way then they wouldn't be a separate Faction.
There had to be more than just Blood Purity though, she just didn't know what those things were.
"Your father is also a Potions Master, so he has some sway in that community, as well as a degree of respect for the Mastery and his work in Potions. Its easier to gain influence as a Potions Master than any other Mastery, as Potions can be exchanged from person to person, but creating Spells, or research also can give you considerable influence. Think of Dumbledore, not only did he Apprentice with The Nicolas Flamel in Alchemy, the hardest branch of Magic to learn, he also published the 12 Uses of Dragon's Blood. Then he also has his cousin Charlus Potter, who is a veteran from Grindelwalds war and a Head Auror. While Charlus himself cannot do much with his power other than be seen in a favorable light, others will see Fleamonts close connection with him and will heed his words better. Charlus speaking well about Lord Potter also helps a lot."
"I get it… but all you're telling me is things that he has… not how to use it," James said.
"Okay. So, recently Lord Potter has released his work on the Wolfsbane Potion right?"
"Yeah."
"He also plans to create a Ministry funded distributary for the potion, for those with Lycanthropy who cannot afford help to get it."
"Mhm."
"So, now your dad has considerable influence with werewolves and those that are pro-werewolf rights. Werewolves are a touchy subject in the Magical World, so anything to do with them garners attention. If your dad was bad at Politics he would say that "werewolves deserve rights! If you agree vote for me for Minister!" or if he didn't want to be Minister he would say "I am pro werewolf rights and so is Blah Blah Blah, vote for him!""
"Wait how is that bad politics, then Blah Blah Blah gets more votes."
"Sure, but he only gets so many. Werewolves are a minority, and those that are pro-werewolf rights still have other interests, Blah Blah Blah may be pro werewolf rights, but So And So wants to lower taxes. Instead the smart thing to do would be for Lord Potter to look at all of his different areas of influence, then go to whoever, be it someone running for Minister, or a Ministry employee, that shares at the least, the same core values. He goes to that person, displays his Political power and Influence, then says. "I will support you in becoming Minister," or "I will use my influence to aid you in becoming Department Head," then "In exchange you will push for werewolf rights." Now, others will also have their own goals and agendas, be it Wizengamot members, Ministry employees, or shop owners. Lord Potter will go to those with similar ideals, and they will work together, each with their own spheres of influence, to push their goals. This is where the minor conflicting interests take their toll, and where compromises need to be made."
"Compromises like what?"
"Let's say Lord Potter is unable to get full rights for werewolves, but in exchange he is able to get a Ministry funded distributary for the Wolfsbane Potion. Maybe one day he can push a bit more to get full rights, but for now he has at least made a step forward in the right direction."
Something slammed into the table behind her and Lily jumped in surprise, turning she saw James with his head on the wooden surface of the table.
"Ugh, maybe I will just be an Auror, that sounds like so much work for not even getting what you want."
Frank and Alice laughed, Frank with an arm around Alice and her with her head resting in the crook of his neck. They really were the perfect couple.
"What about all that good you wanted to do?" Alice teased.
In response James groaned, slumping his body even more to where it looked like he was melting.
"If you don't want to do it, don't. There are plenty of Houses that don't really deal in Politics outside Wizengamot."
"Can't, made a promise to a relative," James grumbled, face still on the table.
Harry.
The old man who had such an odd impact on her.
She didn't know why really. If anything the purse he gave her should have the biggest impact, but sometimes when she looked at the library inside she would zone out, thinking about their one meeting in the burger joint. About how he died not soon after and was buried in Godric's Hollow.
She hadn't had a hug as comfortable as Harry's since she was a child and her grandmother hugged her after a nightmare.
What did James promise Harry? Why did he promise something to Harry?
She wanted to turn around and ask, but forces it down, ears pulsing with blood as she tries to focus on the conversation behind her.
"Frank?"
"Yes James?" Frank replied in amusement.
"One second."
Then instead of voices Lily heard buzzing, she turned and saw Frank opening his mouth, but she couldn't hear anything. A privacy spell. Lily grimaced, a bit of shame when she realized how nosy she was being.
She turned back, trying to focus on the conversation between her friends, but her mind kept wandering to Frank's talk about politics and Harry. The three other girls shared a silent conversation with one another. Marlene smirking and raising an eyebrow, Dorcas rolling her eyes and Mary's face scrunched up in worry.
After a few minutes she felt a familiar prickling on the back of her neck, so she turned to see James Potter giving her a sly grin, hazel eyes sparkling with new devious and no doubt annoying plans.
Oh no, what happened now.
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