For the future

*Narrator pov* 

Magical Britain was no longer calm, the massacre of Diagon Alley is what the papers called it. That day would go down in history as the day everything started. It was funny In a sense, the papers reported everything yet still kept some of the death eaters' identities secret. 

Politics was a disgusting plague. Those who had a half-decent brain on them easily saw the corruption that spread wildly throughout the magical government. 

It was not uncommon to spot the once-lively hub of wizards and witches empty except for a small sum. 

Inside the ministry, a figure walked through the halls from his office down to the Wizengamot chamber. His heart was heavy with grief and worry, his shoulders slumped in exhaustion. 

"Minister?" pulled from his daze the minister looked up at who called him 

"Lord Everglade," the minister nodded in a polite fashion, "What brings you here shouldn't you be in the chamber?" he asked lightly but his eyes narrowed in suspicion 

Morpheus's shoulders slumped as he leaned against one of the walls, "I had to get out of there, the atmosphere was too oppressing. I don't know how you do it minister," he sounded jaded 

The minister had to suppress a grimace, "I do what I must," he uttered trying to hide his unwillingness to walk into the Wizengamot meeting 

Morpheus suddenly groaned wiping his hand with his face, "It's painfully obvious both sides are treating this war differently, I'm glad I'm not in your position minister," he joked 

"True bu-" 

"I mean the weight you must feel, I would be suffocated to make a decision. Honestly, and with the papers just saying anything they can to stir the pot. You know I would just make a decision and all be damned if one side is angry," Morpheus cut him off 

"It's a little more complicated than tha-" 

Morpheus cut him off again, "No you are right minister, those simpletons don't know what it's like being you. So what if they call you a coward," patting the minister on the shoulder Morpheus walked off back into the chamber 

Minister Bagnold frowned at Morpheus's retreating back. He knew what the man was doing yet didn't know what side of the conflict Morpheus was on. He knew what the vote would be over today, the use of lethal force for aurors. 

One side wanted it and the other didn't. Surprisingly they weren't the sides you would think of, the dark was against the use of lethal force, and most of the light was for it. 

As Minister Bagnold made his way into the chamber, the atmosphere was as Morpheus said oppressive. Rows of wizards and witches sat in their designated seats, their faces a mix of exhaustion, weariness, and resentment. It had been a mere week since the massacre in Diagon Alley. The massacre had fractured the already fragile balance between the two sides, and now, the matter of lethal force loomed over them like a dark cloud.

Morpheus had slipped back into his seat, his expression unreadable as he observed the room. Bagnold couldn't shake the feeling that Morpheus was watching him, judging him even. It was no secret that the man held his own views close to the chest, and the minister wasn't entirely sure where his loyalties lay.

The sound of a gavel echoed through the chamber, silencing the whispers and bringing the attention to the head of the Wizengamot. Albus Dumbledore sat off at the right, his calm and measured presence a stark contrast to the unease that rippled through the gathered members.

Minister Bagnold first adjusted the papers he held, "Before we begin I first want to thank the room. I know it hasn't been easy lately and I thank you all for attending. Recently the attack on Diagon Alley has left us all thinking and deeply saddened. My heart goes out to all who lost their cherished ones during the attack." 

After a brief silence, he continued, "Now, we have some extra guests in attendance today. Representing the hit wizards I welcome Hit wizard Silver Hawk from Gladius the largest and oldest hit wizard company in Britain and Boston from the Sages Eye the newest hit wizard group to join us. They both obviously have their identities hidden. Now I will let our esteemed chief warlock bring up today's major topic," 

"We are gathered here today to discuss a matter of great consequence," Dumbledore began, his voice carrying throughout the room. "The question of whether our Aurors should be granted the permission to use lethal force in this war. I, like many of you, am deeply troubled by the violence we have witnessed in recent times. However, I believe we must proceed with caution."

A murmur spread through the chamber. Some of the members nodded in agreement, while others exchanged looks of frustration. Bagnold could already sense the divide forming, even before Dumbledore had finished speaking.

"We must remember," Dumbledore continued, "that every life, no matter how dark its path, holds the potential for redemption. To authorize lethal spells would be to declare that we have abandoned hope in the possibility of peace. It would signal that we have accepted the inevitability of further bloodshed, and that we have chosen to fight violence with violence."

The minister's fingers tightened around the edge of his seat. Dumbledore's words, though eloquent, felt detached from the harsh reality that they faced. It was easy for someone like Dumbledore, with his towering reputation and belief in the power of redemption, to preach restraint. But Bagnold had seen the aftermath of Diagon Alley. He had seen the bodies, heard the cries of the families torn apart by the Death Eaters. How could they continue to fight with one hand tied behind their backs?

Before Dumbledore could say more, a voice interrupted from the far end of the chamber.

"And what would you suggest, Albus?" a member of the Wizengamot called out, his voice dripping with disdain. "That we let our Aurors be slaughtered while we hope for these murderers to see the error of their ways?"

A few members nodded in agreement, their frustration evident. Bagnold recognized the speaker as Lord Cauldwell, one of the more vocal supporters of lethal force.

Dumbledore did not flinch at the interruption. "I suggest," he said calmly, "that we continue to use every means at our disposal to defend ourselves, but without resorting to spells that will end lives. I believe in our Aurors, and I believe that they are more than capable of incapacitating their enemies without killing them."

Another murmur spread through the chamber, this time more divided. Morpheus leaned back in his seat, his arms crossed, watching the exchange with a quiet intensity.

Bagnold's heart pounded in his chest. He knew he had to speak soon, to cast his vote and set the course for the ministry's next steps. But as he listened to the debate unfold, he felt the weight of every word pressing down on him. No matter which way the vote went, there would be consequences.

The massacre in Diagon Alley had shown them all that the war was escalating, that their enemies were becoming bolder, more ruthless. And yet, here they were, still arguing over whether it was right to fight back with equal force. 

Dumbledore's voice rang out again, breaking through Bagnold's thoughts. "We cannot lose sight of who we are in the face of this darkness. The moment we allow ourselves to become executioners, we become no different from those we fight."

A silence fell over the chamber as Dumbledore finished speaking. All eyes turned toward the minister, waiting for his response. His throat felt dry, and for a moment, he was unsure if he could even speak.

But then he rose from his seat, his legs feeling heavy beneath him. "Thank you, Albus," he said, his voice hoarse. "Your words, as always, carry great weight." He paused, looking around the room at the faces of the witches and wizards who had placed their trust in him.

"Ballocks!" the silver hawk shouted standing from his seat, "No different than who we fight? The Aurors were hesitant to fight back properly back there! More innocent lives were lost than there should have been! And for what?! NOTHING! If the Aurors were allowed to use lethal force and weren't hesitant then the outcome might have been different! I brought Boston here because his team was one of the first to respond on the scene," 

Boston stood slowly, he seemed anxious it was obvious this was his first time addressing such a large room. 

"What my senior says is correct, as soon as the Aurors gave up trying to subdue the terrorist peacefully and finally started using lethal force the battle changed. We are not here asking for the Aurors the right to use lethal force out of some satisfaction or resentment that we are the only ones killing. It is because the use of lethal force will help save innocent lives, Aurors are supposed to be the first line of defense for innocent civilians, and to shackle their ability to effectively defend those civilians would be the height of foolishness," Boston spoke slowly but purposefully his words reaching all ears 

"I know this decision will not be easy," Bagnold said breaking the silence, "but we must make it. The safety of our people depends on it. And while I understand the desire to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, I also cannot ignore the reality of the situation we are facing. Diagon Alley was only the beginning. If we do not act decisively now, more lives will be lost."

Morpheus's eyes narrowed slightly, though he remained silent, his gaze fixed on the minister. Bagnold swallowed hard.

"Today," Bagnold said, his voice firmer now, "we vote not just for the future of our Aurors, but for the future of Britain," 

"All in favor?" 

One by one lights began to shine from the tips of the voter's wands. A wave of light blanketed the room and the decision was clear there was no need to ask for a second option.

"As of today, the use of Lethal force will be allowed by all Aurors,"