The tense silence continued to hang over the chamber after Minister Fudge's outburst. No one dared speak until Lord Greengrass, with the movement of someone accustomed to mediating between giants, rose to his feet.
He was a man of calm demeanor, with light hair and the intelligent eyes of someone who never rushed into anything. He was the head of a neutral family, which was perhaps why he was one of the most respected people in the room.
"I believe," he began, in a firm, measured voice, "that ignoring what lies ahead will not prevent it from advancing. Even if we choose to believe that the Alliance has not fully returned, the facts are already there."
His gaze swept across the room without judgment.
"I am not suggesting that we panic... or that we prepare armies," his words were measured, calculated, "but that we observe. That we listen to those who have faced this before so that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past."
He paused before speaking again.
"Neutrality does not mean blindness. It means clarity."
There were slight nods from several benches.
At her side, Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, rose without waiting for an invitation. Her robe was austere, her posture straight, and her gaze sharp as a well-honed knife.
"My duty," she said in a voice that conveyed discipline and exhaustion in equal measure, "is to protect every magical citizen, regardless of their surname, wealth, or lineage, and the reality is that something is stirring beyond our borders. We can all feel it."
She looked at the minister without hiding her displeasure.
"We can deny what is happening... until it reaches our doors. But by then it will be too late."
The silence that followed his words was heavy but clear.
Lucius Malfoy seized the moment and stood up. His immaculate white robe contrasted with the dark marble of the room. His expression was elegant, measured, and dangerous.
"The House of Malfoy is not unaware of the weight of history," he declared softly. "The return of any extremist faction, be it Grindelwald's or any other, would be... regrettable."
His eyes scanned the chamber and paused for a moment on Aurelian before continuing.
"However," he continued, "I will not allow the Ministry to use this as an excuse to restrict freedoms, seize property, or audit innocent families under the pretext of 'security.' "
There was venom in his words. But he was also right.
"If the threat is real," he concluded, "we must prepare ourselves. But if it isn't... let's not alarm society with foreign paranoia."
He calmly returned to his seat.
A few seats ahead, Lady Rowle, a tall witch with dark hair tied back in a ponytail, spoke up.
"We cannot afford to hesitate," she said clearly. "Our children study at Hogwarts. Our grandchildren will too. If there are signs of a force trying to rewrite our world, we must confront it before it's too late."
Her eyes sought Dumbledore's.
"The last time Grindelwald acted... we took too long to listen to you."
Dumbledore looked down. It was a painful truth.
The voices had been heard.
Neutrals. Defenders of security. Ancient lineages and reformists all gave their opinions.
Cornelius Fudge took a deep breath, trying to regain control of the meeting after the interventions. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, but he maintained his diplomatic smile.
"Well... well..." he said, in a tone that sought to sound relaxed. "I think we have heard valuable opinions from various parts of our honorable assembly."
His gaze shifted to Aurelian with calculated intent.
"But, given that the future also lies in the hands of the younger generations," he forced a small laugh, "it never hurts to hear the opinions of the younger ones."
He gestured broadly toward him.
"Lord Gaunt, if you would like to share your perspective with us... the chamber will listen."
The murmurs died down abruptly.
Aurelian stood up calmly.
He did not bow or raise his voice. He simply waited for all the voices to die down before speaking.
His eyes scanned the room. The proud families. Those who had fallen in previous wars and those who pretended not to remember them.
"I have listened carefully to all the positions," he began, his voice calm and without arrogance. "Each of them has value and shows each of the different facets that exist in our society."
He turned slightly toward Amelia Bones.
"The protection of Lady Bones."
Then toward Lucius Malfoy.
"The freedom... of Lord Malfoy."
Then toward Lord Greengrass.
"The clarity of Lord Greengrass."
Finally, he turned to Lady Rowle.
"And the responsibility to the new generations that come after us."
I speak with gratitude to each of the factions of the Wizengamot.
"We still don't know the true magnitude of what is coming," Aurelian continued, "but denying any of the possibilities only prepares us for defeat, and rushing in without thinking... would only open more unnecessary wounds between us."
He paused for a second to look at Dumbledore, then at Fudge.
"For this reason, and taking everyone's opinion into account, I believe that the best course of action would be to observe. We cannot attack without evidence. But we must not ignore the signs either."
A balanced decision.
One that gave no advantage to either side and left all doors open for the future.
Aurelian nodded slightly.
"The duty of each house is to protect the continuity of the magical world. At this moment, we need to be patient and opt for intelligent measures that prepare us for any eventuality. We must not act out of fear, and even less out of impulsiveness."
After his words, Aurelian simply sat down, bowing his head slightly.
The silence that followed was not tense... as everyone considered what course of action was best.
Many nodded in agreement.
Some evaluated the possibilities.
But no one could object.
Dumbledore then stepped forward.
"We will proceed to the vote," he announced, his voice ringing out clearly. "The question is this: Should the Ministry begin active preparation and observation of the movements of the Alliance and its possible sympathizers? Raise your wands if you agree."
The votes were cast by raising wands in a simple gesture.
The first to vote were the conservative faction and the old families.
Greengrass's wand rose. Then Bulstrode's. Nott's. The Carrows'. The Parkinsons'. Even Malfoy's, who after a few seconds, raised his.
The floating lights began to be counted.
All factions raised their wands.
The last wand to be raised was Fudge's, compelled by the pressure of everyone in the room rather than his own conviction.
Dumbledore watched the final count with a small smile.
"The motion passes," he declared. "The United Kingdom will remain on alert, and we will prepare ourselves."
The echo of the closing of the session still vibrated off the walls as the members of the Wizengamot began to rise. There were murmurs, hurried calculations, and alliances forming in silence.
Aurelian remained seated for a few moments longer, letting the glances pass over him.
He had not taken any side or position. He had only said what he believed would be best for everyone.
Alaric Carrow descended the steps toward him with a confident stride. Selene accompanied him with her usual calm elegance.
"Aurelian," said Alaric, with a satisfied smile that he made no attempt to hide. "You did perfectly."
Selene nodded, standing slightly to his side.
"You were firm but prudent. Direct but not provocative. A balance that many here have already lost," she said, watching as several family heads looked at him with a mixture of respect and caution.
Aurelian stood up.
"It wasn't necessary to impose anything," he replied. "Just to show them what was best for everyone."
Alaric smiled even more.
"Exactly. You listened to everyone carefully and took the best from each of them to formulate a response. The oldest snakes in this room have taken decades to learn how to do that. You did it before you were sixteen."
Selene gently placed a hand on Aurelian's forearm.
"The Carrow Manor is open to you anytime. You can come to talk about strategy, business, or just to see Hestia and Flora. We know how close you all are."
The tone was warm... even familiar. At least in the particular way that the old nobility could offer it: firm, committed, and lifelong.
Aurelian bowed his head with sincere gratitude.
"I will keep that in mind, Lord and Lady Carrow."
Alaric greeted him with a brief bow and withdrew with Selene, who left talking softly to each other.
Aurelian turned to leave... he couldn't take more than three steps before feeling someone's insistent gaze.
Albus Dumbledore stood near the exit, watching him with an expression that was difficult to read. He didn't have his characteristic smile this time. Nor his fleeting mocking gleam. Just a deep, quiet curiosity.
Aurelian approached.
"Archmage Dumbledore," he greeted him, with the respect he deserved in that room.
"Lord Gaunt," Dumbledore replied in kind.
After a brief silence, Dumbledore began to speak as they walked out.
"You spoke with great wisdom today," Dumbledore said. "You did not speak to please anyone, you spoke about your own ideas and beliefs."
Aurelian held his gaze.
"History has taught us that a hasty move can cause what we are trying to avoid," he replied. "And that ignorance is always present among people."
Dumbledore nodded. Not as a teacher approving a student, but as one wizard recognizing another.
"Sometimes I think," said the Archmage with a smile, "that you were born with centuries of memory behind your eyes."
Aurelian did not smile, and a small bead of sweat rolled down his forehead.
"I'm flattered, Headmaster, but I just listen more than people say."
Dumbledore's smile widened for a moment before his gaze turned more serious.
"What lies ahead, Aurelian... will not be easy. The old names will begin to stir, and the new ones will seek a symbol."
Aurelian understood perfectly what he meant.
"I have no intention of being anyone's flag," he replied.
"I know," whispered Dumbledore, "which is precisely why many will try to take your name for themselves."
After a brief silence, Dumbledore spoke again.
"Just be careful... not to walk alone. One can get lost if there is no one to show the way."
Aurelian thought of Hestia. Of Flora. Of Stinky. Of his friends...
"I am not alone, and I never will be," he said with a smile.
Dumbledore looked at him with some relief and a little concern.
"I'm glad to hear it, Aurelian."
The Archmage turned away.
"We'll see each other soon, Lord Gaunt."
Aurelian watched his silhouette recede into the distance. He felt that the war had already begun. Only the first move had not yet been made.
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