Arthur and Filius, Experience with Age

Hello, everyone! Filius and I are glad to exhibit our own exhibit: our campaign summary! This thread will include our replies to past challenges, as well as some more tidbits of information. I hope you enjoy!

Here is a display of the encouragement of two of my sons and the esteemed Minerva McGonagall:
My Dad will be an excellent Minister.
Hey, Dad, how is the campaign going? Now don't be too humble. You know you would be a great Minister.
Way to go, Dad. You can beat those dead guys.
Arthur and Filius make a great team, and, if elected, they would bring many positive changes to our community. That is something I'm sure of.
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As Arthur promised, here are our responses to the prior delightful challenges, which explain our plans quite well:
In the past eighteen years, each new Minister has expanded upon his predecessor’s qualities, creating an increasingly better lifestyle for Great Britain’s wizarding community. As Minister of Magic, I, Arthur Weasley, would continue in this trend and strive to better the Ministry of Magic and the entire Wizarding World.

Each former Minister came into office with a degree of experience from working inside the Ministry. I became Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office in the Ministry early in my career and remained in that position for many years. Even when the Ministry turned traitor to its own ideals, I remained at this post, attempting to redirect the government to its former glory. During my time under this position, I acquired a fondness for Muggles. While some may point this out as a weakness, I believe, especially during this time, that harmony between magical and non-magical worlds is vital to both races’ success. I can ensure the wizarding population that I would strive to promote friendly links with non-magical people, while keeping our two races healthy distances apart – something no recent Minister has been able to achieve.

When He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named returned to power, I was entrusted the responsibility of Head of the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects, an immense duty requiring my skills of deduction, cunning, determination, and bravery. I vow to instill all of these attributes into the Minister position if elected.
Although I believe I am sufficient in my years of experience inside the Ministry, I would also bring to the Minister position knowledge I acquired elsewhere. During the Second War, I fought as one of the twenty-one members of the Order of the Phoenix. Although I was scarred during my service to this organization, suffering near-death injury and enduring the death of one son and the mangling of another, these scars have made me better appreciate what I have and awaken in me a desire to serve those who have suffered alongside me in the best possible manner.

All of my experience inside and outside the Ministry has also provided me a better understanding of the Wizarding World. As a father of seven children, I understand the steps needed to keep peace and prosperity among my subjects. My knowledge gained from being a parent will easily transfer to the post of Minister, for the two positions are irrefutably similar. With both titles, one must be intelligent, resourceful, and determined, otherwise one’s subordinates would be dissatisfied and rebellious. Based on my parental wisdom, I would encourage the wizarding community to operate upon its desired freedoms, yet I would be unafraid to reinforce jurisdiction if I noticed certain freedoms being abused. The three most recent Ministers of Magic lacked parental experience and the responsibility of a family. As Minister, I would break this precedent and use my knowledge gained from being a parent to improve the Wizarding World.

As has been recently announced, my running mate will be the well-respected Professor Filius Flitwick of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Both of us are highly concerned with promoting healthy ties with non-magical peoples, reforming the educational system, and granting more rights to other magical beings, in order to ensure a more peaceful world. Filius Flitwick is in a unique position to assist with this lawmaking, being a teacher and one-thirty-second goblin. His ability to relate to students’ and other magical beings’ needs alike will allow us to be successful with our jurisdiction, and it has also given him a respect for Muggles, one which I share. As a team, we would also encourage a more active role in our government’s international cooperation, intent on continuing the Triwizard Tournament and bringing us closer to our fellow witches and wizards of other nations.

I believe my political, parental, and other organizational experience leaves me fully required for the Ministerial position, and my would-be Deputy Minister fills in any gaps that opponents may see in my character. I promote your continued support and thank you for all encouragement.
During my childhood, I endured a fair amount of discrimination because of my goblin great, great, great grandfather. I could not care less, for I proudly cherish my heritage, and, as Arthur Weasley’ running mate for Minister of Magic, I am willing to utilize my exclusive position to better the Wizarding World. The seventeenth century brought about a surge in hostility between goblins and wizards, and ever since ties between us have been strained. The same is true for other magical beings of human intelligence; we have denied goblins, centaurs, dwarves, giants, hags, house-elves, merfolk, and vampires rights for centuries and are now reaping the “reward.” As Senior Undersecretary to the Minister, under Arthur Weasley, I would be in a unique position, as one-thirty-second goblin, to better ties with other magical beings and ensure a better world for all magical beings and creatures.

I have been called “tiny little Professor Flitwick,” and may need to stand on a pile of spellbooks to see over my desk. However, what I lack in size I more than compensate in magical ability. As a student, I was known as a “model pupil,” and as a young man I was an esteemed dueling champion, and during my years as a dueler I learned how to combat the Dark Arts and understand how my enemies’ minds functioned. As Senior Undersecretary to the Minister, I would be able to advise Arthur Weasley, who is also learned in this subject, when confronted with situations requiring knowledge of Dark magic and hateful opposition. Later in my career, I assisted in the defense of Hogwarts against the siege of Lord Voldemort, performing spells of great complexity, playing a vital role atop Ravenclaw Tower and later employed my dueling skills against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’s Death Eaters. My extensive knowledge of charms and enchantments would provide the Ministry with a second-in-command who understands the methods and necessities of protection and defense for the entire Wizarding World.

As I grew older I decided to channel my magical ability to teaching Charms at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I was warmly accepted and soon delegated as Head of Ravenclaw House, which prizes students of wit and intellect. As a professor and Head of House, I acted as a role model for my students and advised them so they could achieve greater success, always making decisions with the students’ needs in mind. I would bring the same facilitation to the entire wizarding community, helping to pass laws that better their lives and allow them to achieve even greater triumphs. Also, being a professor for more than thirty years, I understand the educational system and would know which reforms are needed for both students and teachers.

During my employ at Hogwarts, I was also entrusted such tasks as increasing security and decorating for holidays (a few live faeries at Christmas will certainly spice up the Ministry!), and my opinion was always highly regarded by the headmaster and fellow teachers. Mr. Arthur Weasley has the same respect for me, and I for him, which makes us a perfect team. I share his concern of bettering ties with Muggles and he understands the importance of granting more rights to other magical beings as well as the need for educational reform. Our views and experience complement one another’s, and as Minister of Magic and Senior Undersecretary to the Minister, the Ministry of Magic and the wizarding community of Britain would be guaranteed a successful leadership.
1. Everyone knows you like Muggle inventions, Mr. Weasley. As Minister of Magic you would have to interact with Muggles. During your interactions will you able to stick to important issues while observing the Statute of Secrecy?

As a member of the Ministry of Magic, my entire career has been built around "observing the Statute of Secrecy." I have never before broken this statute, nor any other laws, so the wizarding public can be assured I will obey them as Minister. I would also be certain to "stick to important issues," for those occasions are not there to simply expand my knowledge of non-magical people. It is business, and I would conduct myself in a like manner.

This question brings up another, of which I am certain much of the public is curious as well: "during my interactions with Muggles, will I be able to control my fascination and remain professional?" I believe I will be able to perfectly control my behavior around Muggles, in particular the Prime Minister of Muggles. While I may display my fascination of certain devices, it would be in a strictly professional manner, and this interest can only benefit my position. The Muggles who I meet will appreciate my interest in their inventions, which will more than likely result in better cooperation between us.

I understand the root of this question, my moments of eagerness and curiosity about Muggle items which were displayed in the presence of my now son-in-law, Harry. I would like to point out that my enthusiasm was due to the fact that I could freely ask questions and expand my knowledge by speaking to another wizard.

2. Having known each other for only a few short weeks, how do you two plan to work together as a team in the years ahead if elected?

Filius and I have known each other much longer than a few short weeks. He was my Charms professor at Hogwarts, in which we had a comfortable student-teacher relationship. I admit we had gone many years without contact, but eventually my children began to attend Hogwarts, during which time I learned even more about my former professor. Then, in 1997 we met again after the "first battle of Hogwarts." After this meeting, we remained friendly, especially during the Second War and the rebuilding afterward. Filius has impressed me with his commitment to the students of Hogwarts and with his passion for precise magic. I believe these qualities will serve the Wizarding World as a whole, just as it has done for generations of Hogwarts students.


3. In your introduction speech, you said, "knowledge gained from being a parent will easily transfer to the post of Minister, for the two positions are irrefutably similar." You also said, "As a father of seven children, I understand the steps needed to keep peace and prosperity among my subjects." Please explain how your "fatherly wisdom," which can be claimed by a large number of other wizards as well, would translate to this position without you treating the citizens of the wizarding world, who you called "your subjects," as children?

As a father, I have learned a great deal about the art of giving direction, and a great deal more about the art of compromise. I have learned how to manage a diverse group of people, and I have learned how to organize my time to efficiently assure that all the projects of my diverse group get done on time and to the best of their abilities. In short, my role as a father has taught me to be a better manager, not only of my own time and efforts, but of the time and efforts of the people around me. I have learned to be a leader by being the leader of a family.

It is these leadership skills which will allow me to effectively lead the Ministry. The skills learned as a parent lend themselves well to issues in the workplace, where one department claims supremacy over another, where one employee belittles the efforts of another. I am not claiming oversight on the Wizarding community as a whole, or as an individual, but I do claim that I can ensure the Ministry will run smoothly, and will devote itself to the service of the Wizarding World.

I am also aware that many other candidates in this election have fatherly wisdom, my three sons and son-in-law, as well as motherly wisdom, my wife and daughter-in-law. I am certain their knowledge gained from being a parent will be just as beneficial to the post of Minister/Deputy Minister as mine, and I wish them the best of luck.

4. How do you plan on changing the current attitudes about and treatment of Muggles by Wizards?

Awareness is the key element. Right now, most wizards are simply unaware of what Muggles truly are and do. Without correct knowledge of the non-magical world, wizards cannot make fair assumptions. Thus, a minimum of one year mandatory Muggle Studies class may be effective for Hogwarts students, so they can make unbiased judgments on our fellow humans.

I also believe the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office should be expanded into an all-encompassing Muggle Cooperation Department. I would also take steps to ensure Muggles would not be convicted because of wizard crimes, in order to make both our worlds safer and less judgmental.

5. In your personal life, we have seen that you have a tendency to agree with your wife to appease her, then you go behind her back and do what you want anyway. How can you assure us that will not happen with your "constituents"?

The nuances found in a marriage may be baffling when viewed by outside eyes. My wife and I have a wonderful relationship, and through the years we have learned how to work together and build an understanding. Just as I turn a blind eye and fond smile to her Celestina Warbeck passion, she allows me to indulge in my own activities.

As Minister for Magic, the primary function of my job is to be accountable to the Wizarding community as a whole. If a Minister patronizes his constituents by hiding the truth merely to appease them, then they are not serving the community. I will take my job as Minister very seriously. Sometimes this will mean telling hard truths to the wizards who have trusted me with their safety, but I will not shy away from this necessity just to maintain a false sense of security.


6. Arthur Weasley, in your speech you mention being in charge of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Department and of course we know you "tinkered magically" with the Ford Anglia -- which was a blatant violation of your office’s regulations. This isn't the only time that you have broken the rules of the Department you were in charge of (later it became Sirius' motorcycle...) Only you know what else you might have tampered with, all without regard to your position at the Ministry. If elected will you even further develop a set of double standards...ones that apply to you and ones that apply to everyone else?

I apologize, but you will find that I never violated my office's regulations by enchanting the Ford Anglia, Sirius Black's old motorcycle, or any other Muggle item. There is a loophole in the law that allows everyone the right to enchant these items at their will, as long as their intent is not to use the newly enchanted object. I did not write that law so it only applies to me: anyone under Britain's Ministry of Magic can do the same if they wish.

However, this brings me to:

7. Arthur Weasley, is it true that during your time in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office, you made sure to put loopholes in the laws you drew up so that you yourself could get around those laws?

Yes and no. No, I did not ensure loopholes were in laws I created. Yes, I did make certain one loophole was in one law I wrote up. However, this was unique to this one law and was solely so I could continue to tinker with fascinating Muggle inventions in the privacy of my own home. I would never have added anything to any law that could have endangered the wizarding or muggle communities. Besides, as you know, it takes more than one man to make a law happen. Wizarding laws are scoured by legal scholars and vetted by the Ministry as a whole before they can be placed into actual practice. To this day, that law with that loophole has still not been overturned, so twenty years of Ministry employees have found nothing dangerous or unjust about the law in question.
http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll156/Arry3G/HarryPotterStuff/th_arthur7-7.jpg (http://s287.photobucket.com/albums/ll156/Arry3G/HarryPotterStuff/?action=view&current=arthur7-7.flv)

The Charity Burbage Foundation.

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For more information regarding the Charity Burbage Foundation, including the mission statement, fundraisers, and statements from Filius and myself, please feel free to examine the links below.

Mission Statement (http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dhcwfj74_5c22jrhfj)

Fundraisers (http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dhcwfj74_0dp2t28fr)

Arthur's Statement (http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dhcwfj74_10dmrn8kfs)

Filius' Statement (http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dhcwfj74_11fzkhx5fv)

Arthur Weasley beat me to the punch this time, publishing his own autobiography, Memoirs of Misuse, before I could get my Quick-Quotes Quill out. Though it will never surpass my own outstanding works (Armando Dippet: Master or Moron? and The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore, still in the top ten of the Daily Prophet's Best Sellers), it is an exceptional book of his life, and all purchases benefit the worthy cause of the Charity Burbage Foundation. Here is the cover and a foreword by Mr. Eldred Worple:


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This past week Filius and I asked Minister Shacklebolt if he could arrange for us to meet with the Muggle Prime Minister of England, in an effort to better Muggle-Wizard relations and discuss the future. Filius and I met with the Prime Minister four nights ago, and our friend in the oil painting copied a transcript of our discussion.

Mr. Weasley: Good evening, Prime Minister. This is my colleague, Professor Filius Flitwick.

Professor Flitwick: How do you do? Minister Shacklebolt told you we were coming, I hope?

Prime Minister: Of course, of course, Mr. Flitwick. Thank you for arranging this first-time connection.

Mr. Weasley: We thought it a very important meeting. With the Minister for Magic election coming up, we believe it is best if you know us and our plans.

Prime Minister: Certainly. Minister Shacklebolt has told me the basic information of your world and of the reconstruction under his leadership. I hope you will continue his plans if elected?

Mr. Weasley: Undoubtedly. Minister Shacklebolt’s plans are not outdated or unpopular, so we think the next Minister of Magic should continue his efforts for reconstruction. While continuing to perform the basic tasks of the Ministry (upholding our laws, controlling magical creatures, keeping our citizens and yours safe, continuing to round up criminals), we would also like to expand on Kingsley’s design.

Prime Minister: I am glad to hear it. I have been most pleased with Minister Shacklebolt’s work, even within my government. What are some of your proposed changes that will affect my citizens?

Professor Flitwick: As a teacher, education is very close to my conscience. As Minister and Deputy Minister, we would attempt to lessen the impact of the introduction to the magical world on your own citizens (parents, siblings, and the child who inherits the long lost magical gene). Because we are aware of the existence of magic in a child as soon as it is born, we hope to establish a better method of communicating to these non-magical families before magic is revealed. To do this, we plan on altering the records to notify us when a Muggle child first displays magic, and a meeting with he or she and his or her parents will ensue in one or two years (we think it best not to alert them too early, as it may cause that individual more harm than good).

Mr. Weasley: We would also like to teach our magical students more about the non-magical world, which will make both worlds safer from the prejudice and dangers associated with the belief of magical superiority and ignorance of the non-magical world. We hope to expand the Muggle Protection Act to protect Muggles in all forms: from magical harm and awareness, prejudice and ignorance from the Wizarding world, and any other possible ways.

Prime Minister: Those sound like important changes. Ever since learning of the Wizarding world I know that I have slightly feared how wizards feel about us.

Professor Flitwick: Arthur and I have also founded the Charity Burbage Foundation, which will attempt to make some of these changes outside government control. Thus, even if we are not elected, we can still try to make some of these proposed changes.

Prime Minister: I am happy to hear that you are so involved in these programs.

Mr. Weasley: We hope that, whether Ministers for Magic or chairmen of the Charity Burbage Foundation, we will have your support and maybe some assistance.

Prime Minister: Certainly. I would not think of introducing the idea of wizards to my constituents, but I would be glad to provide you information about my world.

Mr. Weasley: Thank you very much, Prime Minister.

Professor Flitwick: Well, we must be cracking! We have an important meeting with the Bulgarian Minister for Magic tomorrow! Thank you for your hospitality, Prime Minister.

Prime Minister: Oh, it was nothing. Thank you, and good luck with your campaign.

Three nights ago, Arthur and I sat down with the Bulgarian Minister of Magic, Mr. Oblansk, to discuss international magical cooperation and global problems. His Junior Secretary recorded our conversation so you all could see!

Mr. Weasley: How do you do, Minister Oblansk?

Minister Oblansk: Very vell, thank you.

Professor Flitwick: I am glad you agreed to meet with us to hear our ideas for improving international magical cooperation and some of the problems the wizarding world faces.

Minister Oblansk: Yes, yes. Mr. Veasley, I think I haff met your son, Percy? I recall he vos very eager to help.

Mr. Weasley: Yes, he was employed in the International Magical Cooperation office under Barty Crouch.

Minister Oblansk: Barty Crouch vos a very good man. Vell, I vould like to hear of your plans. I know you haff placed heavy interest in Muggle-Vizard relations, but what about vizard-vizard relations?

Mr. Weasley: We think it is necessary for all wizarding communities to form a closer bond with each other. The Quidditch World Cups are a perfect time to try this, so we will encourage more cultural interaction at these multi-cultural events.

Professor Flitwick: We also plan to create, with the consent of other Ministries, an organization consisting of representatives of each country’s Ministry for Magic, as well as diplomats from other races. The preliminary name is I.M.P: The Involvement of Magical Peoples.

Mr. Weasley: This coalition would center around making laws and decisions which are agreeable to all countries, allowing for better ties between Wizarding nations.

Minister Oblansk: I know there hass been talk of such an association for many years. How vill you be able to actually accomplish this task?

Mr. Weasley: Filius and I would urge each of the Ministries for Magic to attend a preliminary meeting, with no obligation of a commitment to the proposal. At this meeting, we hope to elucidate to the representatives that I.M.P. will be beneficial to each of their Wizarding populations by making foreign laws and trade easier, increasing the amount of jobs, and lowering prices and hassle for the average Wizarding citizen.

Minister Oblansk: An admirable goal, and I vill be sure to attend. I vould also play my part by asking my friends in other ministries to join me.

Professor Flitwick: Thank you very much. Now, as you know, environmental problems have increasingly become a vital issue for the wizarding community. We hope all Ministries can come together to address these issues.

Minister Oblansk: How do you propose our governments can make a difference?

Professor Flitwick: Magic is the easiest, most efficient, and best way we can think of to clean up Earth’s atmosphere. Of course, Muggles will do all in their power, but we wizards must act as well. We will not, of course, simply wave our wands and clean up the earth; it will be a gradual process, eliminating threats slowly through magic (but much faster than any Muggle technology can work), so as not to disrupt the earth’s stability. We need to work together to find a universal system to save our planet.

Minister Oblansk: This sounds acceptable, and I vill discuss it vith my own Ministry very soon. Thank you for talking with me of your plans.

Mr. Weasley: The pleasure has been ours. I hope to see more of you, Minister.

Professor Flitwick: And I, too. Good-bye!

In addition to the points we made in our conversations with the Muggle Prime Minister and Minister Oblansk, Filius and I wish to explain some other explicit plans of ours.

For education, we hope to get the parents of our students more involved, lessening the impact of Hogwarts’ costs on the Ministry. This will also lead to better pay and benefits for our teachers and allow the students to receive a better education.
The school governors systems has been successful in the past and we plan to continue this, lessening the Ministry’s control over education. Education should not be in the control of our government, but our Ministry will help fund certain educational aspects, while leaving the decisions on the school governors. There will be no thought of ever introducing restricting Educational Decrees, as in the case of some past Ministries.

For crime, we will allow every suspect a fair trial by jury, no double jeopardy, and a due process of law. The Wizengamot will be used only for extreme appeals and will more frequently involve ruling on government decisions, to keep the Ministry balanced.

We touched on Muggle relations, but for a more descriptive version. We will expand the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office to an all-encompassing Department for Muggle Cooperation, which will range from problems of Muggle-baiting to organizing events with our non-magical fellows. Muggle Studies will also be a required subject at Hogwarts for one year in order to eliminate the hate and ignorance of wizards that cause discrimination against Muggles.

In regards to relations with other sentient beings and magical creatures, the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures will become an office under the Department for the Relations with Other Magical Beings. We should no longer treat our other sentient beings (centaurs, merfolk, house-elves, goblins, dwarfs, giants, and the like) as magical creatures under our control and regulation. This new department will allow for better relations with our fellow sentient beings and allow them to participate in lawmaking and regulations. Even the less intelligent creatures will be treated with higher regard, especially with increased relations with other magical beings, Muggles, and international wizards.

We will keep the Department for International Magical Cooperation, but it will involve more strenuous efforts to be linked to foreign wizards, as the conversation with Minister Oblansk suggests. We can not isolate ourselves any more, so we must be better connected to the rest of the Wizarding world.