Emergency Session of the International Confederation of Wizardry XIII

With the realization that the hand of the delegation was forced, the delegation would use everything at its disposal to rectify the situation. As the delegates discussed potential alternatives, Philippe Verninac's jaw was clenched in silent anger. Philippe could not believe that he had been used by Reginald Prince. Not only had he been cleverly used, but worst of all, Reginald Prince had used his own nature against him to effectively trap him. It was of the utmost insult!

 As irked and embarrassed as Philippe felt, he was truly impressed and even felt flattered to have his character so thoroughly dissected. He truly had underestimated Reginald Prince in every capacity. Then again, he ought not to have considered that the old Prince had the help of Georgine Prince.

Philippe was many things, but he was also a polished politician and knew when to set his scathing pride aside. His lips loosen into a thin line with a trace of mirth. He tilted his head in the direction of Reginald Prince and acknowledged his loss. He had properly lost this battle, but not the war.

Straightening his back, Philippe rises to his feet and says, "If I may be permitted to speak, I believe I have a proposal that will satisfy the delegation."

The delegation falls silent as some delegates gaze at him with plain skepticism. That was exactly what Delegate Verninac had said last time, and look where that got them? That and well, more than half of the delegates thought Delegate Verninac was the operative of Reginald Prince, since Reginald Prince had successfully placed him in the delegation.

"By Hogwarts permitting any child eligible to attend Hogwarts, it has become the precedent which will allow various groups, specifically goblins, to wield wands upon reaching the age of eleven," Philippe Verninac said. "There is nothing further to discuss, the wand ban is effectively revoked as a direct result."

There are murmurs of dissent among the delegation upon hearing the following words of Philippe Verninac, "Therefore, let us alter Clause Three of the Code of Wand Use based on the reclassification of Magical They. From this day forward, the Children of Magical They will be permitted to have wands upon reaching the age of eleven, if they are accepted by Hogwarts or any other magical institution in the world. Yet the remainder of the wand ban will remain in effect, there are no exceptions, regardless of age, race, creed, or descendancy."

There is a burst of murmurs as many of the delegates smile and express their approval at the proposal. The proposal would mitigate the worst of the effects. The wand ban would continue to remain in effect, and only children accepted into magical institutions would have any right to a wand. The goblins and the rest of the Magical They wouldn't have access to wands.

Sagemore wryly shakes his head, causing the beaded headband with a feather of a thunderbird to sway at the movement. He knew that many of his fellow delegates believed the problem had been cleverly resolved. Yet the delegation did not realize, they were frogs in a pot of warm water slowly being cooked until they were well done.

The change in the law would not be evident until the first generation of Magical They children left Hogwarts. By then, the known magical world will have accepted the fact that goblins or any of the Magical They could wield wands. As would the following generation until there would be no difference as the older generations passed away leaving a seamlessly intertwined, changed world.

Most impressive is the restraint that Reginald Prince had shown by not forcing the Federation to permit all goblins and Magical They to hold wands. Such a large change would have chafed at wizardkind and would have led to great turmoil and even war by the unhappy masses. In this manner, the worst fears of the Confederation are appeased without ever having realized they have been expertly played.

Seeing Sagemore lost in thought, Chepi glances over at Obi Adebayo, who is filled with mirth. Seeing the mirth on the elder Nigerian wizard's wrinkled face, she can't help but share his mirth as a cheeky grin spreads across her face. She understood the reason for Obi Adebayo's grin, but a rational part of her worried about the future consequences that might arise from today's decision. Yet despite herself, the corner of her lips rose upward in satisfaction for a great wrong had been righted.

The delegation falls quiet as they agree to the modification to the wizard ban to mitigate the worst effects forced upon them by the actions taken by the Guardian of Hogwarts, Nadira, the Great Horned Serpent.

Idris Shafiq, the Speaker of the Delegation, rises to his feet as the slender, dark feathered Quick-Quotes Quill, along with other quills strewn over various tables, hover over parchment ready to write.

"Delegate Verninac has proposed a modification to the existing wizard ban which will permit the Children of Magical They to wield wands at the age of eleven, If, and Only If, said children are accepted at any magical institution. The remainder of the wand ban will remain in effect regardless of age, race, creed, or descendancy."

 There are various expressions of approval as the delegation waits to vote.

 "Those in favor of the motion, please say, Aye."

 Every single hand of the delegation is raised in favor, there is no opposition to be found. An extremely rare event in the history of Confederation. There were only a handful of such occasions.

Although a few of the members of the delegation peek at Reginald Prince, who they find perfectly composed with a satisfied expression on his face. Other delegates turn to gaze at the Supreme Mugwump Albus Dumbledore, whose blue eyes twinkle merrily from behind half-moon spectacles. Some delegates like Chen Bao study Ragnok, who appears to be quite at ease with himself.

"It is duly recorded that there are no objections to be found; the motion is passed unanimously by the confederation," Idris Shafiq loudly declared.

A large sniff is heard as Hagrid blows loudly into a silk hankie. Now, the other kiddies among the giants would be able to attend school jus' like he did. There wouldn't be many, but there were a few already that showed talent to be a shaman or shamaness. He was jus' so happy! He wished his Da was here to see it. He'd been so proud of him!

The thought only made Hagrid cry even more. Seated at his side, Vaibhav Marwah gently patted the back of Hagrid to comfort him. Shesha flickered her tongue unhappily at the large wizard and stuck her head down the collar of her master to protect herself. The weepy wizard was covering her in specks of snot! Ew!

The gray eyes of Annis Black had a sheen to them, but she kept the moisture at bay. She couldn't wait to tell her sisters that their children would one day be able to hold wands. More importantly, they would be recognized as Magical They and would henceforth have legally recognized rights in society!

Professor Odine Ponce finally sighed in relief and stretched his tense neck from side to side. Finally, it was over. He hadn't failed the tribe and ensured their rights.

Standing nearby is Firenze, who remains calm having already expected the final result. He was not the only one, as did Gerrad Troels. The two are silent until Gerrad Troels peeks at Ragnok. He finds that the corners of the lips of Ragnok are turned up. Gerrad had worked long enough with goblins to tell this was a very self-satisfied expression.

Hovering overhead is Nadira, who flicks her tongue at the delegation a bit unhappily. She had wanted to overturn the entire ban, but Reginald Prince had stopped her. He had explained his reasoning to her, and though she understood and even agreed with his reasoning, she was not pleased by it. 

Nadira's sapphire serpent eyes turn to gaze at Reginald Prince, who looks cool and collected, completely unruffled by the vote. Though still irked, she slowly descended down to the floor between Firenze and Reginald Prince. The Great Hall grows silent as the gazes of the delegation are all on the Guardian of Hogwarts.

Rising to his feet, Supreme Mugwump Albus Dumbledore says, "I am so glad we have all come to a peaceful agreement. I expected no less of the Confederation." There are a few snorts and sour faces at his words, but most of the delegates keep their emotions at bay.

"As previously mentioned by Minister Jenkins, I believe the proposal of the Magical Interoperation Department (M.I.D.), which permits Magical They to serve within the confines of magical society, a prudent one," Albus Dumbledore explained. "Even with all parties of Magical They are actively obeying the treatise, there are always exceptions. As shown during the war, the combination of Magical They actively working together can even tackle even the toughest of opponents and grant the Ministries of the World more enforcement options."

There are various head nods, and many of the delegates do not look opposed to the idea as they did at the start of the session. With the Magical They being supplied by Ichor Fructus, there would be no cause for concern. Such an organization would be far more effective in aiding the Aurors against dark wizards or all sorts of magical besties, who wandered into places they shouldn't be in.

"This will also permit us to discuss more details of the treatise and reparations to be made by the giants," Albus continued and only paused to meet the steely gaze of Reginald Prince. "Not to mention that Potion Master Wilfredius, the former apprentice of dearly belated Master Damocles Belby has also requested the overlaying laws of the guilds, which the International Confederation of Wizadry has the right to adjust to reflect the changes in the law. Master Wilfredius intends to take in Hags as apprentices and potioneers to work alongside him."

Whispers burst into the Great Hall at the mention of the change in the Guilds. However, it did make sense. If the Magical They were recognized, those like hags who had talents in potions would naturally apply and be innate talented workers. Seeing the potential for money to be made, many of the delegations are not immediately opposed to the idea.

"In addition, the progress made by house elves improving themselves should be recognized. I myself have enjoyed the fruit of their labor," Albus said, earning nods and knowing smiles from the delegates who had also enjoyed the fruits of properly trained house elves.

"Thus, I propose the expansion of the rights of the House of Elves to include the following," Albus firmly said, "Firstly, the prohibition of culling of any house elf." There were a few frowns of opposition, but not many delegates considered it a waste to cull a house elf, considering their worth when properly trained.

 "The second is the right for any for any house elf to purchase their freedom from their master, which will be recorded at Gringotts Bank to ensure the master is properly paid by the house elf, and that there is a record of any payment made until the transaction is complete," Albus stated to the disbelief of many of the delegates.

There are snorts of disbelief from the delegation, but at least half of the delegates are not entirely opposed to the idea. The progressives among the delegates had been trying to change the treatment of house elves for centuries only to miserably fail. The party in question, House elves, tended to find being freed frankly to be a grave insult. However, in this manner being set free would not be a punishment but rather an active pursuit by the house elf in question.

"However, if the Master should refuse the petition, the house elf may register their complaint with the courts and request to be self-employed in order to purchase their freedom. The debt will be registered with the court, but payment itself will transpire at Gringotts Bank. The house elf will make payment via Gringotts Bank until the debt is cleared and thereby the court will declare the house elf in question a free house elf beholden to no master," Albus solemnly said.

Several delegates choked at the words of the Supreme Mugwump, unable to believe the sheer audacity proposed. The traditionalists among the delegates did not see the need for such an absurd proposal. Many of them, as masters of their households had been openly opposed at first to the growing changes among the house elves until they saw the growing popularity and demand for properly trained house elves who genuinely enjoyed serving their master. Properly trained house elves liked to serve requested days off and even payment. It was still an adjustment for many, but the superb service provided by the house elves was worth putting up with such annoyances.

Still, it would be very unlikely for a house elf to request to purchase their freedom unless they were mistreated. If that was the case, most of the traditionalists still had a heart that would be sufficient for this portion of the proposal to pass. Not that any would ever admit that they had grown somewhat fond of their house elves.

 "Furthermore, free house elves will have the right to be employed and paid per the legal employment decrees, including the right to bring an abusive employer to court," Albus lastly said causing more than a few sputters of open disagreement. "Then let the discussions commence!"

As discussions arise between the delegates for and against the proposals, Hogwarts Headmaster Emerys Linnaeus quietly watches Reginald Prince rather than the proceedings. In just one meeting, wizardkind rapidly progressed on countless social levels which had not occurred for centuries. He didn't know Reginald Prince had done it, but somehow, he had made the impossible happen!

Though he was loath to admit it, Headmaster Linnaeus was truly grateful for the changes being proposed and made. However, he did wonder if the old Prince had something on Potion Master Wilfredius. It just seemed too coincidental for Master Wilfredius to so willingly offer his services. After everything he had seen today, he would not doubt that at all.