APRIL 4, 2021

7 KNUTS

SECOND PEACE TALKS

Three months after Percy Weasley was elected Minister for Magic, he has finally come through on his promise to attempt a compromise with the rebels in the north.

Last weekend, they met for a secondary peace talk, and it seemed to go better than with Malfoy. There were some key things on the table: the status of their members and supporters being fugitives, the status of Eliza Cunningham, the status of Hogwarts pertaining to the war, and a potential peaceful resolution.

In attendance was Minister Percy Weasley, Evan Cross, and Harry Potter representing the Ministry and Willem Tuinstra, Linnea Bergeron, and Hestia Burke representing Liberamach. The meeting was held at a neutral location in Hogsmeade.

Minister Weasley started by confirming that he would like there to be a peaceful resolution with no more casualties. Liberamach at the table were wary of this statement and found it hard to believe him.

On the subject of the fugitive status, Weasley agreed to sign a proclamation that if they were able to come to a peaceful resolution, no one who was labelled as a fugitive because of this war would be pursued for imprisonment. However, if they continued to fight against the Ministry, they would. It would essentially be a clean slate as of when it was signed, but not a card blanche for all time.

We finally received the truth about what happened with Eliza Cunningham. Minister Malfoy supposedly sent a threatening owl to hand over Auberon Kelpis and instead Cunningham ran off with him, believing to be a fugitive regardless of what she did.

Weasley confirmed that the previous administration may have been responsible for such an owl, but it would not stand in the current state of the Ministry. He confirmed that as Cunningham has not engaged in violence against the Ministry as of this time, she is not a fugitive.

When asked what would happen to the appointment of Headmistress Channing, who was not qualified for the job to be jumping ahead of the current Deputy Headmaster Shepard, Weasley declined to comment as that had nothing to do with the war. However, he did assure that if there is an investigation needed that everything was done properly, it will be conducted.

In the previous peace talks, Hogwarts was deemed neutral ground, safe from any battles or wars having to do with the war. However, after the threatening owl supposedly received, Liberamach members wanted confirmation that Hogwarts is still safe. Weasley assured them it is.

Finally, they had to get into the gritty discussion of finding a peaceful resolution.

Weasley proposed giving them a little bit of autonomy. Still being part of the Ministry, but allowing them to set their own municipal elections for mayor and able to make small municipal level changes.

Liberamach refused. These were not agreeable terms. They said they wanted full autonomy and to be a city-state, completely separate from the Ministry.

Weasley advised they could discuss the level of autonomy granted to them as long as they stay with the Ministry.

Suddenly, the redhead outburst that they wanted all of Scotland. It appeared to be a bit of a surprise to the other two. However, it was agreed by all parties to reconvene at another time.

The Daily Prophet received evidence the next day that it is in writing that Hogwarts is still safe and that Eliza Cunningham is no longer a fugitive. However, no other process has been made at this time to end the war.