Appeals and Appointments ~ Minister Liara Lightle’s Office ~ England

((Takes place before the shootings of Liara Lightle and Vinzent Zolnerowich))


Michael strode onward through the halls of the Ministry, occasionally glancing behind him to make sure his charge was following. Unfortunately the young teenager stopped rather frequently to gaze in awe at the surroundings. He had not been in the Ministry of Magic before despite his love of politics. With a sigh Michael stalked back to the lad. “Daniel, if we are to meet the Minister on time we cannot mill about to glance at everything. If you want I shall take you on a tour, but only after our appointment,” he chastised the boy.

“Yes, sir,” muttered Daniel, allowing Michael to steer him in the proper direction by the shoulder. “Sorry, sir...”

When they arrived they were met with a rather interesting scene. A wizard wearing a modified version of Wizengamot robes stood next to Liara, appearing to be on his way out and not very happy about that. They were clearly in mid-conversation. “Just because Mr. Jack Ripley was convicted of assaulting your ex-fiance is no excuse to at least not even consider giving him a pardon...” Vinzent Zolnerowich complained, an ever-present scowl on his face. “He has even written a letter of apology expressing his deep remorse... and has claimed a desire to apologize in person to both you and whatever-his-name-is. The Mudblood, at any rate.”


Eyeing the scene cautiously, Michael gave Daniel a small nudge to the side that would be furthest from Zolnerowich. It was a fact that Vinzent approved of the purity of blood, proven just by observing the interactions the wizard had with certain individuals. His vernacular tendencies were even more of an eye-opener to that bias. Michael did not feel Daniel (or anyone for that matter) needed to be assailed by insults regarding his parentage and wasn’t about to put the younger wizard in such a position if it could be helped.

Daniel half-feigned turning off his cell phone, trying to listen intently to the goings on just ahead without making it obvious he was eavesdropping.

Liara Lightle almost couldn't believe what Zolnerowich was asking her.. Did he really think he would be able to convince her to release a criminal? A criminal reasponsible for torturing Gage and leaving him for dead. Was he serious?

Even if he hadn't attacked Gage she wouldn't concider it... With an attack like that on anyone she wouldn't risk the man repeating it. There was no gain in her releasing him, plus doing a favor for Zolnerowich was not on her list of things to do.

"Zolnerowich, don't use that word, if you must at least use the politically correct term and say Muggleborn" she said exsaperatedly, she could not get over the irony of the situation.. she was reminding a politition to use a policically correct term...

"I don't care if he says he is sorry, he is a inmate in Azkaban and that is where he will stay until his time there is served. All the inmates there would be freed if all they had to do is write a heart felt apology letter" she said shaking her head. "That is my final word" she said her voice final and dismissive.

Vinzent acted as though he hadn't heard the Minister chastise him for his language, instead taking the second file on the stack in his arms to bring to the forefront. "He also has information on an interesting black market a few of these 'siphoners' are with, and would be willing to barter this for his freedom... We both thought you'd say no to a simple apology," the wizard returned, a wide smile that did not reach his eyes splitting his face in two.

"And your issue with Miss Elizabeth Bates?" Vinzent inquired despite the tone of finality Liara had taken with him. Bates was an Azkaban resident of twenty years, in her mid-forties, who was convicted of siphonings as far back as twenty years ago, long before the technique had been 'perfected' to what it was today. "Either way, they'll still take the matter to appeals court." Vinzent shrugged.

Michael crossed his arms and scowled at Vinzent. It wasn't the fact that the Wizengamot official was intruding on his and Daniel's time that had him irritated, but rather the fact that his daughter was clearly decided on the matter yet the man still continued as though he hadn't heard. "Stay silent," he muttered in a whisper to Daniel. The youth nodded and slipped his cell phone back into his pocket.

Liara resisted an eye roll as Vinzent contunied even though she gave him the cue to leave.. She got the feeling that Zolnerowich wouldn't let the matter be until she did something other then argue with him. Merlin this is all she ever did with this man, was argue with him..

"Zolnerowich, look I will look over these and think about it alright? and by all means go to the courts.. it will give them quite the debate" she siad taking the flies from him so he had no reason the argue with her. She would look over the files, though she had little confience it would change her mind on the issue. Both were dangerous people who she didn't want back doing what they were convicted for... Plus dispite her want to keep her moral and personal feelings out, she could not reliease Ripley.. no matter what it was not worth what the scum bag did to Gage. And she woudl not do that to Gage, to know she released an attacker of his.

"Now I have an other appointment which you are cuting into, book your self an appointment and we will take about this then" she said, wondering if he had the gull to side step that direct dismissal.

A self-satisfied smirk crossed Vinzent's face as Liara accepted the files. He was almost certain she only did this to get him to shut up and vamoose, but the wizard had at least marginally gotten what he wanted. "That it would," Vinzent muttered begrudgingly. He could just about taste a possible argument with his fellows on the Wizengamot, most notably Adrastos Aodhan. While he wouldn't say it aloud, having Liara issue a pardon would have saved the lot of them on the tedious task of checking and double-checking the paperwork.

The wizard scowled at being dismissed a second time. And unfortunately this time he couldn't side-step it. Vinzent had gall, but in front of witnesses he didn't have quite that much gall to ignore a comment that direct. "Very well then," Vinzent replied, just short of growling before turning to leave. The wizard paused a moment in front of Michael, still scowling as he surveyed the adult and teen duo.

Michael stiffened instantly under Zolnerowich's scrutiny, feeling as though the other wizard were sizing him up. As discreetly as possible the wizard reached for his wand. Vinzent would have to be barking mad to attack him in front of witnesses, but Michael wasn't taking any chances. "Do have yourself a pleasant day, Mr. Zolnerowich," Michael said, his tone guarded and firm.

Vinzent glared, exhaled irritably through his nose, and stalked off to pester Liara's secretary. Then... on to harassing Julian some more.

"Liara," Michael murmured once Vinzent was no longer within earshot. "How have you been, frustrations aside?" he asked, approaching his daughter with a bit of a smile twitching itself onto his face.

Daniel followed Michael, though made sure to keep a few paces behind so as not to be caught underfoot.

Liara turned blicked when she saw Vinzent and her father encounter eachother, then tention between them seemed to sky rocket. She almost got the feeling she should reach for her wand. Only she knew both wizards knew enough not to suddenly curse eachother in public.. When Vinzent finally looked away and left, she sighed and shook her head slightly, there was going to be hell to pay later in there meeting.

Though she did send a smile to her father, stresses aside, she was glad to see him. "Fustrations aside eh? Well I can't complain I guess, it has been choas here recently, ever since the attack on the Harper family. There is a demand from most magical families now for a defence against the syphoning spell...." she said as letters and documents zoomed by there heads to their respective receivers.

"No success so far.. hence the scene you saw with Zolnerowich... Making deals with Devils to get information that may or may not make the situation worse" she said shaking her head and placing the files Vinzent gave to her on her desk.. Obsured really...

"But enough of my rambling.. I am glad you could come" she said with a nod and smile, she sent a glance to Daniel.

"And I finally Get to meet you, Glad you could come as well" she said with a firendly looking her face.

Michael nodded solemnly. He knew about the attack on the Harper family, having kept well-read on the issue. It was a topic which had even made it into discussions with his students. "I honestly can't say that I blame them. It would seem not even they are safe now," he replied. Behind a calm and collected mask the wizard personally worried about his own family and how his status might end up putting Cassandra and Liara both at risk. The possible threat only made him seek protection that much more. It hadn't taken him that long thereafter to locate and join the Sangreal, albeit under much privacy until the time was right to reveal otherwise.

The wizard ducked a passing document folder. "It may or may not even be useful information by now. Ripley has been in Azkaban for quite a while. Who knows what changes have been put in place since then?" Michael added, motioning for Daniel to follow him into the Minister's office. The wizard highly doubted anything Ripley had to offer would get Liara to pardon him. Not after what had been done to Gabriel Hall...

A smile brightened Michael's face as the subject of conversation started to take a more cheerful turn. "As am I. The floo is nice but just not the same as a visit in person," he said with a chuckle. Michael followed Liara's gaze, settling his eyes on Daniel.

Daniel had been glancing around the room in utter awe until he was addressed. Immediately he stepped forward and extended his hand to shake. "My name is Daniel Tanner, ma'am. It's an honor and a privilege to meet you in person. Thank you very much for seeing us," replied the youth politely. Some of his words were a little rushed in his hurry to get them out just right.

Liara nodded in agreement with all her father had said, made her wonder what kinda crowd Zolnerowich hung around... pureblood mania's.. they were driving her crazy.. She was even concidering Sangreal, secretly of course.. the security of her world was in the balance.

"Either way he isn't getting my pardon, isn't proper anyway concidering he was convicted of a rather violent crime against my fiance..." she said not really realizing she didn't put the "ex" in it.. but she wasn't concerned around her Dad. But merlin if Vinzent really though she would go along with that he must be kidding himself. She was not heartless.. she would never betray anyone like that.

Liara's face lightened when Daniel spoke and smiled shaking his hand, he certainly seemed ecited. "I am very glad to meet you Mr. Tanner, and don't worry you can relax, she said she said with a chuckle, really any child her father mentored was a good as any firend of hers.

"Then we will talk, here have a seat" she said motioning to the seats by her desk. Where she charmed a tea set to pour tea.

Michael nodded. "As you shouldn't. Bartering with criminals is risky business," he agreed. There was also the matter of Gage, and how he would feel to know one of his attackers was let off the hook by Liara. Michael didn't see the need to bring that up as his daughter already had. He was not openly concerned she did not cautiously place the prefix 'ex' in front of the word fiance, although he would need to have a little chat with Daniel afterwards if the boy didn't bring it up beforehand.

"Likewise... and thank you," murmured Daniel in that same sort of exhilarated rush. The teenager blushed a little at being told he could relax, and certainly did his best to carry out that wish as he sat down in one of the chairs before Liara's desk. If nothing else, Daniel felt almost certain he would be the only student at Beauxbatons - and possibly even Hogwarts - to have ever visited Minister Liara Lightle's office.

Michael murmured a thank you of his own for the seat, lowering into it slowly. A quiet sigh of relief escaped him in response to the chair's comfort. "Daniel here is considering an active role in politics, among other choices, for a possible career. And I must say even without my guidance he is one of Beauxbatons' finest," he explained, scarcely remembering what he'd said and hadn't said in other conversations with Liara. Michael mentored many students that came from muggle background, and many did well enough for him to converse with others of their accomplishments. Daniel, however, shone the brightest in his endeavors.

"I realize that I probably do not yet fit the proper age for employment, but I am curious to know if there are any internships within the Ministry that might consider me during the summer holiday?" Daniel asked with eager curiosity.

Liara smiled for a moment and thought of a possible program Daniel could qualify for, If her fathers praise was well placed witch it usually was she was sure something could be arranged for the young student.

"I am sure something can be arranged, how does a summer internship sound? you will get to sit in gerneral Wizengamot meetings, be my shadow for a day see what my average day is like and sit in on meets and other things that?" she asked, wondering if that appealed to the boy, to many other 14 year olds it would seem to muich like work.

She then started pouring the tea she handed a cup to her Dad with cream and bit of honey and then to Daniel, "Do you drink tea Daniel? I have other drinks if you like" she said as she caught a flying letter that flew into her hand. she quickly signed it and it flew off again.

"Sorry it was marked ugent, ugent letter are very rude they fly into your hand weather you want them or not" she said with a chuckle as she shook her head.