"Oh, I actually have three good reasons for my decision. First, I feel it is not to our advantage if one person holds for too long on such a political position and new people should get the opportunity to shine. Additionally, I do feel my age and have decided that I need less of a workload. Finally, and most important to me, I realized that having too many obligations means I'm forced to neglect some duties due to lack of time," Dumbledore explained.
"Ah, Señor Dumbledore, you want to concentrate on your position as the Headmaster of Hogwarts, correct?" the Spanish ambassador guessed.
"Yes. I feel that giving the biggest part of my attention to the education of future generations should be my highest priority," Dumbledore confirmed.
"Oui, this certainly is an admirable position," the French ambassador confirmed. "It would be interesting to see how Hogwarts would do against Beauxbatons some years in the future. The last comparison was unfair, due to the ongoing war situation in magical Britain."
The German ambassador shook his head. "I'll never understand this rivalry between these schools. My nation certainly isn't part of that."
"Your nation is downright strange. Essentially no actual magical culture, instead electing to practically live like Muggles. No interest in Quidditch whatsoever. And no central magical school, instead decentralized regional schools. Your country is strange," the Italian ambassador sighed, combing her fingers through her graying hair.
The German ambassador looked offended. "You know why my country and people are the way they are."
Dumbledore, knowing that Grindelwald's atrocities were still a sore topic for wizards and witches from Germany, called for attention. "Now, we do have eight months to find someone new to fill the position of the Supreme Mugwup. I would thankful for suggestions."
This started the age-old game of politics - a game which Dumbledore, while being good at , did not exactly like. Another reason why he would never strive to become Minister for Magic.
...Little Whinging hospital, May 14th 1985...
"I'm sorry I couldn't come until my workday was over, but the Sergeant would not have accepted my reason, since it's not my wife who's giving birth right now. She is still giving birth, right?" Sirius asked after entering the waiting area, where Remus was busy with keeping watch over Harry, who in turn was busy with a coloring book, while they waited for news about Veronica.
"Well, considering we haven't heard anything yet, she must still be in the middle of labor," Remus told his friend. "Poor Thomas looked far more nervous than her, though her look of discomfort certainly made up for it."
Sirius had gotten the call in the station, while writing up his daily report, that Victoria had went into labor and Thomas, after rushing home and probably breaking several traffic regulations - he would have to check later - had rushed her to the hospital of Little Whinging. Sirius however hadn't had any excuse to leave early - after all, Veronica was not his wife and also it wasn't his child being on the way - and thus it only was after over an hour later that he was finally present.
Honestly, he had been sprinting home after changing out of his uniform to jump onto his motorcycle and get to the hospital. Only the worry it could reflect bad him stopped him from speeding as well. He knew the feeling of nervous excitement, it was the same when Harry had been born.
"Auntie Verni looked hurt," Harry observed, having stopped coloring for the moment.
Thank all goodness she already told him that his sibling is growing in her, and that he'd learn the 'how', once he's older, Remus thought, being glad that Harry got some kind of explanation from Veronica.
"Well, the baby is quite big, and it now wants out. She has to push it out, and you can imagine that's very uncomfortable for her, Harry," Remus then explained to the almost 5-year old boy.
Harry's imagination considered the size Veronica's belly had grown to, and then he grimaced. "Owie."
"Looks like you now understand, young man." Sirius looked amused at Harry's grimace. "Don't give me that look, I remember your father telling me you made your own mother quite uncomfortable when she had to push you out."
"Oh." Harry knew something had happened to his parents, but was not yet old enough to really understand the concept of death.
One crisis averted, Sirius thought when seeing Harry return his attention to his coloring book.
Closing his eyes, Sirius tried to relax, but thought started to creep in. Truth to be told, it made Sirius think about his own future while waiting for any news about Veronica and her baby.
All the previous girlfriends he'd had during his time at Hogwarts were mutual agreements that it was nothing permanent, just both parties fooling around and relieving pent-up feelings. Essentially, it was training for any future true relationships. Ever since leaving Hogwarts, he's been celibate. First due to the war, then due to Harry, his education and now his job. Perhaps it was time for him to finally think about himself in that regard? Perhaps not yet but maybe soon in the future?
He shuddered when he remembered that one of the things that finally made him run away was that marriage his parents had set up with the Flint family. Besides the fact they were arrogant enough to pull such a stunt, the woman - at least ten years older than him - had looked like a hairy troll. The joke was, that they called that good pure-blood breeding stock. That essentially had soured him on the very idea of ever getting involved with a pure-blood witch. At least his parents managed one good thing with it: he knew what kind of woman he didn't want to get involved with.
Sirius was pulled out of his thoughts when a door opened and Thomas appeared, looking very happy. "Ah, all of you are here."
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