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Regulus Arcturus Black (te_regulus) wrote in hogwarts_dawn,
@ 2021-03-22 12:23:00

Entry tags:

character: albus dumbledore, character: regulus black

RP: Regulus/Dumbledore
Who: Regulus/Dumbledore
When: morning 22 March
Where: Wizengamot office
What: Dumbledore offers to help

Regulus was in the Wizengamot room. He supposed that as Chief Warlock he could have his own office, but that seemed counterproductive. Instead he had picked one of the biggest classrooms on the seventh floor. He'd put four big desks against each other, giving them enough room to move papers around, and there were plenty of papers.

He had picked a robe that he'd found that was a lot less refined than his usual and even with charms, it still felt rough against his skin, but then he refused to ruin his finest when working with so much ink. He was in the midst of writing a message informing people of the legal changes when he saw Dumbledore step in.

He wondered what it was all about. Maybe they were done with the curriculum (and he couldn't imagine that Severus or Dumbledore would have needed more than a week or so to create curricula for a few classes. Even with searching for books, their days must be dull. "Are you here to help?" He might have dislike the man, but this version was younger and he did have a keen mind. "We wouldn't mind the assistance. Rewriting the entire penal code as quickly as possible is a challenge."

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oddmenttweak
2021-03-27 11:59 am UTC (link)

"I think they're likely to talk to us anyway," Albus suggested. "They'll want to know what's going on here, about what we're up to. They won't want us carrying on unchecked, especially considering what happened here. Or, as you say, the risk of us contacting the muggle world."

Albus rested one elbow on the table, propping his chin in his palm as he considered. He couldn't help the glint in his eye. It had been a while since he'd had a conversation with real substance. Severus was a clever man, and Cassandra had always been bright, but there was a back and forth here that he had missed.

"I still would be tempted to sign those which benefit us, or are of little consequence. It never hurts to get people on side." He raised a wry eyebrow, a small smile emerging. " Perhaps don't use the word 'weapon' too much, though. There are only a few dozen of us."

The professor stayed where he was, propped up on his elbow, bright stare fixed almost unnervingly on Regulus as he spoke. For a split second, the conversation reminded him of another he had had, many years ago.

"I think you could argue that about almost all magic," he finally replied, his tone thoughtful. "Apart from a few exceptions, It's a tool, like anything else. And therefore not innately good or bad. But perhaps the fact that those 'evil' people use the unforgivable curses in such a manner is enough to make them illegal? Society has to draw a line somewhere, after all. Should we not err on the side of caution with such things?"

"I suppose it the question of whether something is justified or not is always a complicated one, especially when creating a new system."

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te_regulus
2021-03-27 05:04 pm UTC (link)

"But how much?" Regulus asked. "The might want to know what's happening, but if we're still subject to the Statute of Secrecy, they don't have to worry as much. Don't get me wrong, I don't think we should wipe out everything. I think there are perfectly good international treaties that we should sign, including the Statute of Secrecy, but if we abolish our previous treaties, it means that the International Confederation needs to engage with us for each and every treaty. That gives us a chance to see what's really happening out there. It gives us some power, because otherwise we have none."

Regulus laughed. "I'm not sure how else to describe Potter. If you look at the history book, he is basically a weapon used by ... your older self and the Ministry to get things done. He's very much not a diplomat. I don't think the people out there won't know it, but I will refrain from using it in front of any foreign wizard."

He nodded. "Exactly, magic isn't good or evil it's the person, so why not ban the act and not the spell? Do it really make a difference how I kill someone?" Regulus said, before leaning back. "I've always wondered why you were always so against the Dark Arts. Other schools teach them and they seem to have a much better track records than this country. So what made you so against them?"

He shrugged "I think whether it's justified or not, it's a fact based question that the Wizengamot needs to determine on a case by case manner. Same spell, very different results depending on the situation, so instead of banning it because evil people use it, let the wizengamot decide if there was a legitimate reason. Our system is one based on case law anyway. I don't know why we need to draw the line at these three spells."

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oddmenttweak
2021-03-27 10:37 pm UTC (link)

Albus nodded along. He understood the reasoning, even agreed with it in a sense. There was a reason he'd decided to follow a path into teaching, and it was to keep clear of any such arching decisions. No, that was better left to people like Regulus Black.

Still, that did not mean he couldn't enjoy a good debate when it arrived.

"In the case of the killing curse, it could be argued that banning the act and the spell are one and the same," he put forward, his tone still simply thoughtful. "Surely you cannot tell people not to kill, but allow them to use the spell that exists for that one purpose."

Albus hesitated, unsure for a moment what he was about to say to the sincere question that had landed in his lap. But there were books in the library which gave out certain information freely. Perhaps a watered down version...

"My Father was sent to Azkaban for murdering muggles," he said, almost matter of factly. "Perhaps that is why I find such things... unpleasant. But as for education.. well, I cant speak for my older self, but personally, I think teenagers are quite capable of being cruel and causing damage without knowing dark arts. If anyone wishes to extend their knowledge after they leave Hogwarts, there are many ways to do so. But I would be reluctant to give such knowledge to those who are underage and perhaps unprepared."

Albus settled back in his chair again from where he'd been leaning forward, stretching long legs out in front of him as he quietly examined Regulus. "Well, we can only hope you will be able to stick to fining people for oversized cauldrons for a while yet," he finally replied, with a pleasant smile. You had to hope the castle had some criteria over who it brought in, after all. A vague thought occured to him.

"Although, that being said, has anyone checked Azkaban since we arrived here?"

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te_regulus
2021-03-28 01:40 am UTC (link)

Regulus grinned. "I never said that I want to ban killing, but murder," he said, enjoying this discussion a little too much. Very few people would keep up with him or even care. Remus would, but he was the only one. "I think that's where we differ. I think killing is on some occasions necessary. It's why there are justifications for killing and not for murder. You kill in cold blood, then you should go to jail. You kill in self-defense or the defense of others, then you shouldn't."

He shrugged. "My father was killed by your people for killing muggles." He probably should feel worse, but he accepted what his father had done and getting angry with anyone for killing his father seemed like a complete waste of time under the circumstances. "I wouldn't argue with that, but the people who want to find the information will anyway. You were a friend with Grindelwald, were you not? He went to Durmstrang and found the information, but Durmstang has been teaching the same thing for centuries and never created a Dark Wizard before. Do you think he wouldn't have found the information elsewhere? Don't you think that families like mine don't teach us before we even get to Hogwarts?"

He snorted. "I think we'll wave those requirements, together with that particular treaty." They would use what they found. If anyone wanted them to stick to regulated bottom thickness, they could provide new cauldrons. "Not that I know of. Potter said that all Dementors were kicked out after they supported Voldemort. So the jail would have been run by wizards. I guess the assumption is that everyone is dead, but maybe we should make a visit."

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