Absit Omen RPG

Ignatius had led the young journalist through several rooms to the drawing room.  It was probably the least grand of the rooms they had walked through and certainly the most comfortable for an interview.

Seated across from her on sofas that faced eachother, he considered his answer.  He certainly hadn't expected the nomination and had it required input from him, he probably wouldn't have been nominated.  But his peers in the Wizengamot had decided to put his name forward.  No doubt encouraged to by his son.

"Honored.  To be considered worthy of Minister by at least seven other members of the Wizengamot is certainly a feat and it wasn't something I ever aspired to."

He leaned forward and pulled his wand from his robe, "Would you like something to drink, Ms. Flint?"  He tapped his wand on a side table and a tea set appeared and started pouring a cup of tea for him, waiting for Josie's response before pouring another for her.

"Which is it Mr. Shufflebottom,"  Ignatius asked in low voice that carried through the court room, "he was going to hurt your family...or he has a good heart."  As far as he was concerned those were not traits found in the same person.

"Perhaps you should take a moment to decide what lie you want to tell next."  While it certainly helped that the man in front of the Wizengamot had pleaded guilty to one of the charges, Ignatius was ready for everyone and anyone involved with the dementors to spend the rest of their days in Azkaban.

"If you can not provide any names to verify your whereabouts, I think you will find another extended stay in Azkaban does not improve your resume.  That is, assuming this stay is not permanent."

"Fair enough," Ignatius replied slowly, "but one could hope the head would rule the heart more often.  At least in public."  Though perhaps that was too much to ask for family in general.  At least the rest were mostly well behaved.

"Of course you won't when you do either.  Shouldn't be too much longer before Theo gives you some grandchildren of your own."  He remembered seeing the boy at one of the events over the summer, and he doubted the lad would have any problem finding a wife.  The only real question would be whether the baby came first. 

"Eseld gave us our first when we were your age."  He said as Wilhelmina joined them along with the new couple.  "Thank you Madam Yang."

Wilhelmina leaned in, "They're engaged now," she whispered in his ear.  Which he might have remembered in time but he was thankful for the reminder.  "And congratulations to both of you."

"Poor Pennar, just can't win tonight"  Wilhelmina said to the group as she saw what had drawn Idara's attention.  "Those were his favorite.  And someone already had to ruin his big speech." She smacked Igantius's arm, though there was a twinkle in her eye that said she was kidding.  "I'll go see about getting some more made."

Ignatius watched as she headed toward the kitchen. And then turned back to the group.  "Well he certainly won't live that down for a while.  Though he hardly had a chance of it going well either."  And there were several more young men, a few not so young, who looked to be on their way to similar embarrassment, though so far had kept their distance and their heads.

Prewett Manor, Westbury, Wiltshire, England

For those apparating to the Manor, they are greeted by two large bonfires illuminating the front of the house.  The flickering light bringing the two large Griffin statues flanking the entrance to life, though if one gets to close to them they will quickly notice the statues already have charms on them that do just that.

Those that floo in, will appear in the large fireplace that greets vistors in the entrance hall.  Along with a bar, and two witches casting as many charms of the guests as on the drinks.  Once past the bar, one can enter the ballroom which is split between a small stage and dance floor, and a large table with a huge spread of food and an enormous cake in the middle.  The stage has a quintet backing Celestina Warbeck under a large stainglass window bearing the Prewett coat of arms.  And despite her age, Celestina is still able to put on an amazing performance.  Past the table, and through a large oak door, guests can find the quieter drawing room, with plenty of sofas and chairs to take a break in.

House elves, including extra elves brought in from the other Prewett homes, rarely seen, keep the whole party moving along, cleaning up spills and removing empty plates before the witch or wizard even realizes it’s empty.

---

Ignatius found himself in the drawing room.  Owen had asked his mother for a dance, and Ignatius, with much feigned reluctance allowed his son to cut in, and he took the opportunity to retrieve a plate of food and another glass of champagne and retreat to the drawing room.  It was quieter and gave him an opportunity to actually talk to his guests.  Though they were only his guests in name, because it was technically his birthday celebration.

Of course, he hadn’t planned it.  Or invited most of the guests.  His children had been making the party larger each year.  And at least according to Wynelle, it was because their family had lost out to all their other pureblood relations when it came to the holiday parties.  So they had made one of his birthday.

He really couldn’t complain too much.  It did give him a chance to open up the house to friends and colleagues.  Not that they weren’t welcome the rest of the year, and with a family as large as his, there were always plenty of people coming and going.  But the manor was an imposing building.  Despite the improvements and expansions and complete remodels, the building still had been built originally to survive attacks.  By muggles and wizards, though the former would never have stood a chance.  And the charms and protections had only been added to over the centuries.  And despite his ancestors being accomplished witches and wizards, it was not the easiest home to walk up to and knock on the door.  The atmosphere of the party, and the lowering of some of those protections, made the manor more welcoming to the guests, though it was always more welcoming to anyone with a close enough relation to the family that the protections recognized them.

And despite the costs, he knew the family vault was in good condition.  Though he did suspect there would be a sizable donation to St. Mungo’s in Madam Warbeck’s name.  That must have been his wife’s doing, because other than Wilhelmina, Eseld was the only other person in the family who really enjoyed the witch’s music, and she was still in America.  The rest of the family, including Ignatius, were intelligent enough to keep their mouths shut about what they thought about Celestina around Wilhelmina.

The door opened again, it sounded like Madam Warbeck was taking a break, as his grandson started to enter.  Until he made eye contact with Iggy and despite the smile he sent his grandson’s way, Iggy backed out of the door, nearly knocking the person behind him down.  He was pretty sure Iggy’s mother had guilted him into coming, that or his father had threatened him.  Either way, they were going to need to do something about him.  The self-imposed isolation wasn’t good for him.  Though Ignatius wasn’t sure what else they could do for the boy, other than what they already were doing.

He heard Pedran calling his name through the open door.  And calling everyone else into the ballroom.  Damn.  It was that time.  He sat the food down and finished his drink.  Both the plate and the glass disappearing as soon as he looked away from it.  He walked into the ballroom to see Pennar up on the stage.

“No.  You are not allowed to say a thing.”  Ignatius shouted over the crowd.  Who, at least those who knew Pennar, did not hold back their laughs as Pennar looked completely dejected. 

“But I have a great one.  May you--” Pennar started.

“No.  Absolutely not.  Get down from there.”  Ignatius had made the mistake of not stopping Pennar from giving a toast the first time his family had done one of these.  He couldn't show his face in the Ministry for the next week.

He quickly looked around the room, his eyes landing on Octavia.  “Sweetheart, would you please do the honors?”  He took a glass of champagne from a tray that was slowly floating it’s way through the room, ensuring that everyone had a drink to toast with.

Octavia made her way up to the stage, playfully bumping into her cousin who had retreated to his twin.

“Well I didn’t have anything planned.  So you all will have to make do.”  Octavia said, holding up her glass.  “To my uncle, happy birthday.  May you have a great year, and many more after it.  And Merlin grant you strength to lead your willful family,”  her eyes landed on Iggy, who was back in a corner before very deliberately pausing and looking at Pennar.  Which caused some people to chuckle and Pennar to make a face at his cousin.  “through another year.  Happy Birthday!”  The crowd echoed the happy birthday and glasses were raised.

“And now cake!”  Pennar shouted.

“Sometimes I think he does that to make up for most of the grandchildren being at Hogwarts.”  He took the plate with a slice of cake that had  floated over to him, the first of many that were now floating out to everyone in the room.  “Other times, not so sure…” Ignatius said to the guest nearest him.

Ignatius usually stopped by Flourish & Blotts at least once a week.  It took effort to keep the manor's library well stocked.  Especially when grandchildren and grand nieces and nephews put it to good use during the year and didn't always put books back in good condition and kept the fact to themselves until they were off a Hogwarts.  Of course, accidents happened with the adults in the family too.  Regardless between new books and replacements, it was one of the duties of whichever Prewett officially owned the manor to keep the library functional.

He heard voices one aisle over, the legal section of the store didn't usually get that much traffic.  And when it did, he usually knew who it was.  He made his way out of the magical theory section and around to the next aisle, with three copies of Philosophy of Magic under his arm.  One of the grandchildren had absconded with the library's copy and when he'd sent them all an owl asking after its location, he'd been met with a request for two more copies of it.  He did at least approve of the Charm's professor's supplemental reading material.

He rounded the shelf and saw the Deputy Head of the Improper Use of Magic Office, and the manager of the store handing her a copy of The Lawful Lycanthrope.  "Ms. Taylor, I doubt you want that one.  The author, after a close read, you can tell is afraid of werewolves, regardless of their current form."

He reached them and took a look at the shelf before pulling off down a book, "Here, Living as a Werewolf.  Much more insightful take on navigating the laws regarding werewolves."  One he'd read when Iggy had been bitten.  Even two decades on the Wizengamot hadn't given him a thorough enough understanding of werewolf laws to help his grandson navigate them.  "Anything I should be prepared for?"

"Good afternoon, Elliot.  Any new rare books arrive this week?"  It was the standard question he usually asked, but her nose had been buried in what looked like inventory and he'd needed to grab the books now under his arm.

"Hopefully, long enough to finish this before it drags on much longer," Ignatius said to Glass as they made their way into the court.  He was careful to make sure that he was one of the first into the courtroom, with the recusal request made to Greyfriar, he had maneuvered his son into a seat on the trial.  Custom and precedent normally kept them off of the same issues, unless it was before the whole Wizengamot, but he'd  read enough before the trial began to want the extra vote.

He was grateful that the youngest Ignatius' werewolf status was still closely guarded.  Had it been out there, it could have been his grandson sitting before the Wizengamot, accused of crimes for actions beyond his control.  Granted, he would have preferred a more sympathetic victim.  Ignatius knew from his years of service with the other men and women in the courtroom that Bombay's past conviction and appeal, not to mention being a werewolf, would be strikes against the healer.  Hence the need for someone else who would be more in line with him.

Very little of what Wolfgang Storm had told the aurors had made sense.  And what had, had contradicted something else he said.  Ignatius was loathe to let him speak anymore, but the wizard had the right to defend himself.  Ignatius just hoped the man would say the wrong thing, or even better go so far as to perjure himself.  He knew some of the other Elders would still see the man as a victim of a werewolf bite, not yet at the point where he was a werewolf and subject to the prejudices that entailed.  Something that again did not favor the healer.

There was little he could do about that at the moment, and he'd already worked out with his son that the younger Prewett would ask most of the questions the two of them had, unless Storm said something utterly egregious.  Of the two Prewett's, the younger had always been more outspoken during trials, while the elder Prewett asked few questions and became outspoken only when deliberating with the Wizengamot.

The day was finally beginning with Storm being called forward.  The man did not look well.  Perhaps he needed to visit with the magical law enforcement patrol.  It wouldn't do to let the accused gain sympathy by being sick...  Ignatius leaned forward when Storm pitched forward and vomited.  The guards pulled Storm back as Ignatius stood, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

"You!"  Ignatius bellowed, pointing at Bombay, "Help the man. Damnit!"  He slammed his hand on the wall in front of him.

While the younger Prewett from the other end of the Wizengamot members shouted to the clerks, "Get healers, Now!"

"Of course not," Ignatius said with a wave of the hand.  "No more open to influence than any other matter before the Ministry."  It was certainly not one of the nobler aspects of the Ministry, but was certainly advantageous when one had the power to influence decisions with personal or familial implications.

"Unfortunately, you may be correct."  And even if his followers stepped out of bounds, it was unlikely to lead back to Forrester.  At least not in an actionable way.  Not without bending rules or precedents.  Which despite his comment before, Ignatius was not eager to do.  Anything might be possible with enough digging through the archives, but that tended to cause as many problems as it potentially corrected.  "But one can always hope."

Catching movement near the door, "Good, are we finally moving on with today's business?"

"Now Edwin, I think it can be safely agreed that all sides went too far in an attempt to set an example and right a wrong."  Ignatius said slowly.  He'd made his points clear in their deliberations of the issue at the time.  He'd been against the conviction in the first place but had voted to uphold it during the appeal.  While it shouldn't have happened, their hadn't been grounds to overturn the original decision of the Wizengamot.  "It's one thing to end up in the Prophet, quite another to go seeking it out."

He nodded in agreement with Knox, he was right about the man having supporters.  "We advise as well.  And there are a few archaic ways for the body to take action. " Ignatius smiled, his time dealing with obscure and sometimes ancient trading policies with the Trading Standards Body and his own family's long history with the Wizengamot had led him to some interesting decisions and actions by the Wizengamot.  And where there was already precedent there was certainly a way.

"You can avoid a seer with a hand picked committee as well."  It wasn't the most ideal solution but it could be done, had been done.

"I thought we had," Ignatius said to Glass, "and yet, it seems the rot has set in again."  He knew it was more than that.  Centuries of thinking took a long time to undo, and it didn't help that there were still plenty of places out of the country that still held to those views.  Hopefully the Tetrawizard tournament would import more of the American ideals than Durmstrang prejudices.  Though not too many.

Ignatius frowned at the idea of Forrester having allies, "He has to."  No one would give an interview like that without support.  "There were never many new faces with the Trading Standards Body.  Not the best place to make contacts within the Ministry."

"Prewett"

Ignatius turned to look at the approaching Greyfriar, nodding in greeting and taking the congratulations silently.  "We can only hope.  The Minister has enough to be on with without Forrester making trouble.  And the last thing we need is the Prophet causing any more panic."

Or worse, allowing Forrester to turn the despair of heartbroken families to his own ends.  "There was a time, when Wizengamot members knew how to conduct themselves with the Prophet and my letter would not have been needed."

There was not anything neccessarily wrong with loving the limelight as far as Ignatius was concerned.  His own grandson had his fair share of pictures and stories in the papers, sometimes less than flattering, though thankfully not the one that would cause the most problems for the family.  "Some trees are rotten."  He said simply in response to the comment about Forrester's son.

"Possibly.  The Prophet would love it."  He could imagine the headlines, which is why he'd been reluctant to write the letter in the first place. "I wouldn't expect a department head to agree with everything coming from the Minister.  I prefer it."  As far as Ignatius was concerned, a bunch of yes-men in charge would not bode well for the Ministry, he just did not generally approve of making the Prophet's job any easier than it already seemed to be at times.

He wasn't surprised by the other elder's admission of wanting the top post.  It wasn't an uncommon desire among department heads, or Wizengamot elders, or especially those that fall into both categories.  Though he thought the other man was needed in his current position, it took a strong personality to head his department and deal with level two, though he kept that to himself.

"That's the difference, they are not out giving interviews.  Yes.  I think I would."  Dropping his voice, "I'd see them all tossed out if it weren't for the problems it would cause."

Despite dementor attacks and a general ingathering of the Prewett family, the Ministry...and the Wizengamot kept grinding away.  There was ever work to be done.  Not that there was much more to do than usual for Ignatius, but it was times like this that he was glad he'd given up his other position in the Ministry.

"How does the Prophet manage to get such asinine quotes," Ignatius responded, "It's a good thing the aide was unnamed, or it'd be the last quote he gave to a reporter."  It wasn't so much that Ignatius was angry about the flippant nature of the original quote as it was the fact that aides from all departments had an unfortunate habit of giving the Prophet exactly what they wanted.

Ignatius pulled out his wand to remove some of the more stubborn wrinkles from his robes, "Not soft, perhaps less on edge.  I've never managed to truly master the patronus charm.  No doubt my nephews knew it, but it's different when a dementor is pulling every happy memory from you."  He had visited Azkaban back when dementor's had guarded the place.  It had been one of the worst experiences of his life.  And even after that, he'd never managed to produce a corporeal patronus.

"I knew he was not a fan of Zephyr's, I must have underestimated his disregard for what the Ministry does and stands for. "  Ignatius put his wand away, satisfied that his robes were immaculate.  "The Prophet is no place to air our disputes, but I could not let that interview stand as it was."

Ignatius sat on the front bench that gave him a clear view of both the appellants and the chief of the Wizengamot.  He made a point to be able to see the most important players in the room without being obvious about looking, which gave him an excellent view of Greyfriar and Bombay as the final decision was announced. 

A decision he agreed with, despite his opposition to the original verdict.   The Wizengamot could not be seen to show favoritism to one of its own so soon after handing a verdict down.  Even if the verdict had been wrong.  And despite his unhappiness with this whole affair, the older man could not help but smile at Bombay's outburst.  As long as they were not directed at him, Ignatius did tend to enjoy outbursts in the court.  He'd have to look up the healer's information later, it'd been a while since he'd made a donation to St. Mungo's, and he was going to miss the New Year's Eve benefit since it was his turn to be a the manor for his grandson's transformation.

Your Nickname: Cody
Have you read and do you agree to the Code of Conduct?: Yes
Are you over thirteen? Yes
How did you find us and decide to write with us? Choose One...
If you have written other characters here: Yes
If Yes, list them all: Kelvin Watkins, Nicholas Bevans, Ignatius Prewett V
Is this a Primary or Secondary Character?: Primary

Full Character Name: Ignatius Prewett III
Character Birthday & Age: Feb 5, 1946 (63)
City & Country of Birth: Westbury, Wiltshire, England
Blood Purity: Pureblood
Alma Mater: Hogwarts, Gryffindor
Job/Position: Wizengamot Elder

Wand: A supple seven inch laurel with a unicorn tail hair core.

During the Second Wizarding War, Ignatius had the pleasure of seeing his wand hit a snatcher with a spontaneous lighting strike when the man tried to steal his wand when he was helping smuggle muggleborns out of the country.

Physical Description:
Ignatius has graying light brown hair, blue eyes, and otherwise has weathered his sixty-some-odd years very well, and has a graying goatee and mustache.  He is six foot one and still stands as straight and tall as he did when he was a young man.  He firmly believes in always wearing his best robes, which has led his son, Ignatius IV, to question whether he can have best robes if he doesn’t have any that aren’t his best robes.  His clothing is usually on the brighter side, except when sitting on the Wizengamot, and tends to skew to the bluer end of the spectrum, long having given up wearing the red’s and gold’s of his alma mater Gryffindor.

Personality Description:
Ignatius was never the most ambitious member of the Ministry but was still a diligent worker and moved up quickly through the Department of International Magical Cooperation, eventually making his way up to a Wizengamot Elder.  He, like most of his family, is extremely loyal to the Ministry of Magic.  While he had a temper when he was younger, this has dulled as he has aged, he now rarely shows anger.  On the Wizengamot, he makes his decisions based on the spirit of the law rather than the exact letter of the law.  With his family, he is intensely loyal and would do anything for his children and grandchildren.

History:
Born February 5, 1946 to Ignatius Prewett II and Lucretia Black, Ignatius had a privileged upbringing, being the son of two old and wealthy pureblood families.  When he went to Hogwarts he was sorted into Gryffindor, like many previous and future Prewetts, though his mother had hoped he would follow her into Slytherin.  In 1964, Ignatius married his longtime girlfriend from Hogwarts, Wilhelmina Canterbury ensuring the continuation of a pureblood Prewett line, and ensuring his inheritance of Prewett Manor.

After graduating from Hogwarts, Ignatius started work at the Department of International Magical Cooperation as part of the International Magical Trading Standards Body.  By the time his father died in 1989 he was heading up the British office of the International Magical Trading Standards Body. A few days after the funeral, he joined his grandfather on the Wizengamot taking up his father’s seat.  He continued with both positions up until August 1997 when the Ministry was taken over by Voldemort. 

Ignatius along with most of the Prewett’s working in the Ministry at the time resigned, with everyone moving into the Prewett Manor and with some working quietly against the new regime.  Something only possible because of the sheer size of the family, the protections on the centuries old manor, and their pureblood status and connections that left the family relatively safe.  Ignatius did work with his international connections from the Magical Trading Standards Body to help smuggle muggleborns out of the country.  While he certainly wouldn’t have married a muggleborn, or been happy with one of his children marrying a muggleborn he felt no animosity toward them and certainly didn’t think they belonged in Azkaban. 

After the end of the Second Wizarding War, the Prewett’s moved back into their old positions, working with Minister Shacklebolt on reforms within the Ministry.  Ignatius continued on with heading the British Office of the International Magical Trading Standards Body and his seat on the Wizengamot up until 2007 when his grandfather passed away at the age of 104.  With his grandfather passing, he was offered the position of an Wizengamot Elder and inherited all of the Prewett family estates and one of the old dragon guarded vaults at Gringotts, with his son Ignatius Prewett IV taking his former seat in the Wizengamot.  A year later he resigned from the Magical Trading Standards Body when his grandson was bitten by a werewolf so that he would have time to help his grandson.  He did, however, remain a Wizengamot Elder.  Once it was confirmed that Ignatius V was a werewolf he built a safe room in the basement of the Prewett Manor for the exclusive use of his grandson and helped get the room approved queitly both for Iggy’s sake as well as the family’s.  Because of this turn of events, he does have some sympathy for werewolves and their situation.

Describe your job duties and how you go about them:
As a Wizengamot Elder, Ignatius III sits on trials and votes as a member of the Wizengamot.  He also participates, and often takes vocal stances, on issues discussed in the council.  While he is generally very pro-Ministry, he will side with defendants when he feels the law or the punishment prescribed by law is unfair or too heavy handed.  He often votes according to what he believes to be the spirit of the law rather than the exact word of the law.

Elaborate on your expertise in your field:
As an old wealthy pureblood family in good standing with the Ministry, and with a lot of influence, there have been two Prewett’s, one Elder and one member, on the Wizengamot for several centuries.  As they have done nothing to tarnish their name, like supporting Voldemort, they continue to hold seats.  Ignatius III took his father’s seat in 1989 after Ignatius II’s death and in 2007 after his grandfather, Ignatius I, died he became an Elder.  Beyond family, his time spent with, and heading, the British Office of the International Magical Trading Standards Body and with the Department of International Magical Cooperation has given him experience in writing and interpreting laws, British and foreign.

Writing Sample:


Sum up your character in one paragraph:
Ignatius Prewett III is the wealthy patriarch of the Prewett family and owner of the Prewett Manor.  A proud family man, and proud pureblood, he likes to think of himself as a fair and just man, and has occasionally, despite his pro-Ministry leanings, sided with defendants against harsh laws, though rarely against Ministry overreach.  Having little ambitions to move any further up than family and hard-work has taken him, he is outspoken about his beliefs and does not mind ruffling the feathers of others.