Albus Dumbledore gazed over steepled fingers at the panel of 7 members of the wizarding court. He knew them all by name and had taught them as students of course, but such knowledge mattered very little here. Indeed, he rather thought his renown as a leader and the man who helped bring Britain respect in the ICW would work against him. Though he was not without his advantages. His duties as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot were primarily to serve as a tie-breaker vote and to assist in approving matters the entire assembly would hear as well as the occasional appeal that reached him personally. All in all, not an excessive pull on his time.

As Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, he was mostly holding the title. He had divided up the power of his position by creating and tasking multi-national subcommittees with rotating members that would handle the intake of information and debate its merits before creating a report that he would then go over himself. The overall effect was closer ties between member nations within the ICW as well as boosting the perception of Britain as a unifying force in global wizarding society.

Plus, now he didn't need to use the Time Turner as often as he had when he first accepted them.

The witch sitting at the center of the semicircular bench cleared her throat, "We are gathered today to discuss the guardianship and potential change in custody changes of a minor wizard. The wizard in question is Mister Harry James Potter who currently resides with familial relatives on his maternal side." She turned a concerned eye to the minors in the guest benches. "Would the applicants please approach the committee before opening statements?"

Dumbledore felt the corners of his mouth twitch slightly. He had hoped this would happen. The Chair-witch, he presumed, was concerned about the children hearing something that might cause problems to their young minds or emotions. As he swept forward with poise belying his age he caught Augusta's slight frown as she approached. Doubtless, he figured silently, she would find it at least a minor inconvenience to the proceedings as she was quite the spirited and oftentimes blunt woman who wanted things done with efficiently. Lucius seemed equally annoyed, though masked chair-witch, a kind faced woman with brown eyes and dark hair swept up into a loose bun, leaned slightly forward over the table, "The committee appreciates the need for Mister Potter to be present for these proceedings as he will have to explain why it is his situation warrants examination." She paused as if trying to find the proper words. "However, the other children may be exposed to things inappropriate for their ages. It is with respect to the present guardians and parent of those children that the committee requests that for certain parts of todays proceedings the minors be escorted from the chamber until such time as whatever personal information regarding Mister Potter or his past is no longer being discussed or if the committee deems the subject matter too mature for those minors to be present."

Amelia seemed to have a glint of approval in her eyes as she approached. Dumbledore certainly felt he was able to understand that. As a political appointee who ran the law enforcement branch of the legislature, she walked that fine line between judicial and political by "being by the book". This didn't mean she didn't make decisions with her heart, just that she expected those around her to work within the bounds of the rules to do the right thing. Amelia was likely approving because it showed the committee was concerned about the welfare of not just young Mr. Potter or his celebrity status but all the young children in the hearing chamber. A sentiment he wholly agreed with.

"While I appreciate your concern for my son madame," Lucius Malfoy played the grateful father rather poorly in Albus estimation, "I have full belief in my heir to hold himself with the proper manners and to keep Mister Potter's privacy."

Before any of the other petitioners could respond, the concern in the chair-witch's eyes shifted to determination. "Mister Malfoy," the warm voice had cooled slightly in warning, " The committee has rendered its judgment on this matter."

Lucius nodded acquiescence and accepted the rebuke for what it was. Apparently certain things couldn't be dazzled or bought. Albus was just glad that innocence was still among them. "The applicants may return to their tables." The warmth was back in the speakers voice as she turned to the guest section. "We will now have statements from the prospective guardians. Headmaster Dumbledore, would you please speak first?"

Dumbledore rose again from his chair, his blue eyes twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles. "Thank you Madame Hawthorne," he nodded respectfully at the muggleborn witch before addressing the entire panel. "Ladies and gentlemen of the court, I have come before you today to right an error I made ten years ago. Acting in my capacity as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot I upheld the tradition of placing orphaned children with their closest living relative." He paused, watching the nods of agreement that he had acted properly and in accordance with the law. "I left a letter to the family, again in believing it safest for the child in question and his muggle relatives for the interactions between themselves and wizarding society. For this child had a dangerous time ahead of him should he remain in Wizarding Britain. After the fall of the self-styled Lord Voldemort-" here there was a collective gasp of fear from the assembled witches and wizards that he blatantly ignored, "his followers were still at large and quite dangerous."

Albus paused and gave a very respectful nod to Dowager Longbottom, "These fears were well-founded and bore tragic fruit among the bravest and least deserving in our world."

"However I overestimated familial bonds. I made a partially informed decision based on outdated information; it seems as the aunt did not share the heart that the mother was known for." At this he felt his age as the depth of his self-recrimination reared it's head. His bright eyes shone suspiciously for a moment, "The boy in question was not treated as a son, as I had expected." Albus caught Harry's eyes on him, pleading with a shake of his head to not continue. "I shall elaborate on this after we hear from my co-supplicants and handle the arrangements of this esteemed committee we discussed a moment ago."

"I believe that I am best suited to not just teach Mister Potter about life as a wizard but how magical society functions internationally. As a guardian I can provide for him a safe home and excellent educational opportunities. I can tutor him in his preferred subjects while aiding him where he struggles to draw his full potential out." With a flourishing bow, the aged warlock sat. The now named Madame Hawthorne gave a warm smile to Dumbledore before shifting her gaze to Amelia. "The committee requests Madame Bones speak next."

Amelia

Amelia Bones waited for the respected wizard to take his seat. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to steady her nerves before she stood with graceful yet precise movements. She turned her steel-grey eyes to the committee. "Chair-witch Hawthorne, members of the committee; I stand before you not as the Head of Magical Law Enforcement. I stand before you not as a survivor of the last war. Today, I stand before you as the woman who took on parenthood for a young child once before." She turned her eyes to Susan, sitting between Harry and Neville in the guest seating. Everyone watching saw her whole face soften and a flash of the deep affection the woman held for her niece before she returned her sharp focus to the committee. "I come forward to request guardianship not from any sense of obligation, nor of any desire to right a wrong. I come forward," her eyes dart again towards the children and locked eyes with Harry as she finished, "because I see a young person who needs a family."

Amelia smiled kindly before breaking eye contact, catching the flash of fear warring with the longing in Harry, and turned to bow to the committee before returning to her seat. She caught Augusta's eye and received a faint nod from her elder witch. Amelia had decided speaking plainly and truly would be best not only for the committee but also for poor Harry. She knew that Neville and Harry both suffered greatly from their loss of family, and that her honest desire to give that to Harry would mean more than any long-winded speech to convince the judiciary ever could. The sound of Madame Hawthorne clearing her throat draws everyone's attention back up to the committee. "Mister Malfoy, the committee recognizes your turn to speak."

Draco

Draco Malfoy was many things: smart, handsome, of superior wizarding ancestry, and destined to be a powerful wizard in his own time. His father had told him as much. Seeing the truly aristocratic aura his powerful patriarch exuded as he stood among the other witches and wizards drove home his lessons: The Malfoys are above the average wizard. Show them their station by expressing your own. Don't just say you are better than them, humble and humiliate them as proof. As his father spoke in his cultured and refined voice that Draco thought was smooth as silk, he gave a smirk at Potter. When his father was finished and this crowd of sheep bleated their agreement with the lone wolf among them he would take pleasure in seeing his father educate the puffed up little Gryffindor. His pride smarted at the way he'd been thrown aside during the train ride. He certainly wasn't afraid of some jumped up little half-blood though. Accidental magic happened with even the weakest wizards, and he had almost gotten to the point where he believed that's all that had happened.

Almost.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the committee, you all know of me. I am a father who has always been there for my family. The Malfoy name commands great respect for not its power or wealth but for its generosity and philanthropy. We give charitable donations to many causes. We understand there are many out in the world in need and do our small part to ensure a brighter future for wizard kind."

His father paused, and Draco imagined he could see the lesser magicals leaning forward to hear the brilliance that was to come, "With that in mind, honored members, I put forth that not only is my home the most suitable for a young wizard but my family is best suited to show him how our world is meant to function!" With an elegant bow to the committee, Lucius Malfoy took a seat.

Augusta

Augusta Longbottom was slightly conflicted as she watched the human-shaped slime known as Lucius Malfoy. The man was a true political creature. His bearing to his manners were all designed to feign a perfectly respectful and caring member of society. Her sharp eyes caught the suppressed smirk on the scum's face. Clarity asserted itself as she stood at the chair-witch's direction. Her usually austere expression softened slightly as she spoke, "Committee members, I'm not silver tongued. My spells shoot straight, and so will my words."

Augusta looked at the other three applicants before closing her eyes and speaking in a much softer voice, "Ten years ago, Death Eaters broke into my son's house. They did-" her face seemed to spasm briefly as she fought her grief, "- truly heinous things to my poor Frank and his sweet Alice." At this her eyes moistened, but she kept her head high as she continued, "My family has felt, has survived, what that young man has gone through. I have felt the utter helplessness of never having my family, my child," Augusta broke off at a concerned look from Madame Hawthorne. Taking a moment to steel her emotions, Augusta made her final statement, "It is from this place of intimate understanding that I must admit that three of the applicants would be good guardians for Harry James Potter. But only one of the applicants can give him a chance to be part of a true family. That said, I withdraw my application to obtain guardianship and place my full support behind Amelia Bones for guardianship of Mister Potter."