Minister of Magic Election Debate

[The Narrator]

The atrium of the Ministry had been rearranged overnight. In front of the fountain, a stage had been erected with two podiums on either side of it. It had been announced to the public just a few days before that Matthias Bianchi had withdrawn from the race of Minister, leaving behind only Atticus Rivera and Tomas Bellestorm vying for the position. Even with one candidate down, the competition was still fierce.

The atrium was crammed full of people the day of the debate. The public, hordes of press, and the teams of both candidates filled the space with an electric energy that seemed to buzz about in the very air itself. It was clear just by looking that both candidates were ready, maybe even excited for this.

At the specified time, both candidates walked onto the stage to a round of thunderous applause, shook each other’s hands, and stood behind their podium


Welcome to the Ministerial debate! This thread will run for one week (the 17th-24th) with one question posted per day followed by both candidates responding to it. A separate thread has been set up for people to post reactions to what is happening (think of it like the stands in duelling or Quidditch). Remember that posting as a spectator can count toward earning you an extra level!

The first question for the candidates will be posted momentarily.

[Isabella Pickering]

Isabella Pickering could not believe that she had been asked to moderate the debate for Minister of Magic. She had very clear beliefs of who she wanted to support. But she was going to be ultra professional today. She was going to get the answers the wizarding community deserved.

"Good day dears. Welcome to the debate. I will ask one question at a time. And you will each get a chance to answer. No interrupting."

She then gave each of them a look.

"So. Your first question is.... What is the biggest threat to the Wizarding World today dear?

[Tomas Bellestorm]

Tomas flashed Isabella a warm smile, a silent promise to respect her wishes, before turning his attention back to the podium. He stood tall, his presence commanding yet approachable, broad shoulders squared as he faced the people of wizarding Britain. Pale blue eyes were sharp, but his expression remained soft, almost paternal—a concerned father contemplating the future of his children.

With a nod of acknowledgment to Rivera, Tomas listened carefully to the first question. He let the silence linger, just long enough to draw the room’s focus in. Then, with a measured breath, he leaned forward slightly, the weight of his presence palpable, and spoke in that familiar, authoritative tone, laced with warmth.

"The greatest threat to the Wizarding World today, Ms. Pickering," Tomas began, each word deliberate, "is not a single creature or ideology, but rather our own complacency." He paused, letting the words settle. "We’ve convinced ourselves that the dangers of the past are behind us. But that is an illusion. The threats we once faced have not disappeared; they’ve simply adapted.”

His gaze swept across the room, briefly touching on his opponent before returning to the audience. “For too long, we have allowed the very fabric of our society to fray, abandoning the traditions that once kept us strong. And in doing so, we’ve risked losing the values that held us together. Without them, we invite chaos.”

Tomas rested his hands on the podium, his grip steady, firm, but not forceful. “But this is not just about protection—it’s about leadership. The world beyond our borders is changing fast, and it is our responsibility to safeguard our traditions, our people, and our future. We must be vigilant, proactive, and, above all, united. The true danger lies in losing sight of what made us great—our unity, our strength, our proud legacy.”

He let his words hang in the air before lowering his tone, drawing the audience in closer. “However, it is not only external threats that concern me. We’re fracturing from within. There’s a growing divide between those who understand the importance of preserving that tradition, that legacy, and those that are quick to tear it all down in the name of progress. Change, without thought for the cost, can be just as destructive as any dark force.”

“My opponent may argue for leniency and inclusion at all costs, as a way to heal these divides. I disagree. What we need now is not compromise, but leadership. We must not simply react, but lead with the same strength that has always defined us. We must protect our children, our heritage, and ensure that the future we build is one of unity, not division.”

He leaned back slightly, a subtle smile playing at the corner of his lips. “That, Ms. Pickering, is the real threat we face. And it’s why I’m standing here today—to restore the balance.”

[Atticus Rivera]

The question was a predictable one. Bellestorm’s answer even more so.

This, as far as Atticus was concerned, was what this election hinged on mostly. Not so much the idea of a threat, but the question of whether they ought to go forwards or backwards. Embrace the future or rely on tradition. The two men thought very differently about what the correct answer to that question was, and Atticus had come into this knowing that much. Still, he’d have been lying if he said listening to Bellestorm spout of his nonsense didn’t cause his heart to beat a little faster.

But Atticus did what he always did--he hid how he really felt.

Instead of giving Bellestorm the gift of seeing how much his ignorance affect Atticus, instead of giving the papers the freedom to write about how rattled Atticus could get by ideas that conflicted with his own, the acting Interim Minister instead simply reached for the glass of water on his podium and took an unfussed, casual drink. He listened to his opponent’s answer, and considered his own.

Bellstorm took his cheap shots just as he was expected to, but Atticus didn’t react to it. Instead, he gave Pickering a polite smile and a gentle nod before he turned his attention to the throngs of people in front of him.

“As strange as it may sound, I have to say that Mr. Bellestorm and I do agree on something. Indeed, the biggest threat facing the Wizarding World today is complacency. Where Mr. Bellestorm and I seem to diverge is what we mean when we say that.”

Atticus stood tall, proud, confident as he moved into the meat of his response.

“I don’t know what traditions Mr. Bellestorm thinks we have abandoned. From where I stand, we are holding tightly as a nation to our traditions, no matter how outdated they are. Our laws are voted upon by a centuries old body that still presides under rules that were created before anyone in this room was ever born, and our parents too. Our society is still structured with one particular type of individual at the top, and everyone else being filled into two less desirable and progressively more unfriendly tiers below.”

There were no doubt a lot of people in the room who fit into the top tier; the purebloods. But there were also no doubt those who fit into the others. The undesirables in the eyes of people like Thomas Bellestorm. People like Atticus himself.

“We are complacent. But not because we are sitting by and letting traditions change. We are complacent because we let traditions remain, even as they grow increasingly at odds with the direction the world is moving. Indeed, the world beyond our borders is changing drastically. And yet, we are not. We are sitting here twiddling our thumbs, content to let the world pass us by. Content to let ourselves decline.

Atticus’ eyes pierced the crowd before him, inviting them into his every word.

“The rules of yesterday worked perhaps for the world in which they were written in reaction to, but today they stand out as tone deaf. The world is embracing progress, and it will pass us by if we don’t as well. We will lose our esteem as a country. Our neighbors will lose an interest in cooperating with us, our allies will lose faith in our ability to rise to the call, and our enemies will view us as weak both in mind and of will. We will fade away, be a simple footnote to history, all because we were unable to grow up.”

Atticus looked briefly at Thomas.

“Our country does need a leader, but not one who is content to keep the status quo. The world’s hungry for a change, and I believe that our people are as well. No matter the cost, no matter the effort required, no matter how hard the journey may be, the time has come for us to take a leap forward. If we step back and look to days gone by for guidance, we will certainly fall once more into the same traps we did then. History will repeat itself. Equality and inclusion are not just words, they are the key to our success and our survival. We can only succeed as a country if we allow everyone to have a seat at the table, to bring their own ideas, to say what they think for all of us to hear.”

Atticus took a breath and found himself staring directly down to someone in the front row, for a moment allowing himself to connect to them, to see if he could feel what they felt. Oddly, it instilled him with a sense of calm.

“No matter what Mr. Bellestorm would like to have you believe, an embrace of a broken, rotting system of values from a world that doesn’t exist anymore is not a strength. It is rather the quickest path back to a time of suffering that we all hoped we’d never have to see again.”

[Isabella Pickering]

Isabella nodded at each answer given. Overall she appreciated the two men's commitment to decorum and politeness.

Isabella then leaned in to ask the next question. "So what are you REALLY doing dear to rally for change between Muggles and the magic community?"

[Tomas Bellestorm]

Tomas met Atticus’s gaze as the young man finished his speech, his expression composed, with just the faintest hint of amusement. He could feel the weight of the crowd’s attention shift toward him, the pulse of their thoughts subtle but clear. Rivera’s words had stirred the room, but Tomas knew his own would resonate deeper—cutting through the surface excitement with the bearing of experience. He wasn’t just speaking as a politician—he was a father, a leader who had witnessed the slow unraveling of wizarding Britain.

He couldn’t quite fathom which wizarding Britain Rivera thought he was living in, but it wasn’t the one Tomas had watched decline. The old ways that Atticus railed against—those traditions, those so-called structures of privilege—they had already faded. Few remained who still held to those values, and fewer still dared speak of them openly. The world Rivera painted as oppressive was, in truth, one that had already shifted toward his vision, one that now weighed more heavily in favor of Muggle-borns than purebloods, and in many ways, even the Muggles themselves.

Tomas had seen it firsthand. The balance had already tipped. The world Atticus sought to reform was, in fact, already a product of the very changes he championed. There was no need to rally against ghosts.

It was the Wizengamot, Tomas’s Wizengamot, that remained the last true stronghold. One of the few places where the values that had held magical society together for centuries still had a voice; and even that was waning, its power eroding with every passing day. Rare were the purebloods among its ranks who held the kind of strength and conviction Rivera sought to dismantle.

The irony wasn’t lost on Tomas. It was him, not Rivera, who was trying to enact real change, to restore a world in danger of losing itself entirely. And he would succeed.

One way or another.

Turning to face the audience, pale eyes sharp as ice, but steadfast, Tomas allowed a pause to stretch across the room. It wasn’t silence—it was preparation. A moment for the crowd to absorb what had just been said. Then, with deliberate care, he began.

“Mr. Rivera makes a compelling case—one based in idealism, as many great speeches often are.” Tomas’s voice was smooth, confident, laced with the gravitas that naturally drew attention. “But the reality we face is not one that can be shaped by lofty ideals alone.”

He let the words settle, his gaze sweeping across the audience, ensuring every eye was on him.

“Tradition,” he continued, “is not, as Mr. Rivera would have you believe, a dead weight holding us back. It is the foundation on which we build our future.” His tone remained measured, strong. “Progress for the sake of progress is a dangerous game. We are a world steeped in magic. Magic rooted in centuries of knowledge, of order, and, yes, tradition. To discard that without understanding its value is to invite chaos.”

Tomas’s gaze flicked briefly to his opponent before returning to the crowd. “Mr. Rivera speaks of change. He speaks of equality and inclusion, values we can all admire. But let us not pretend that these ideals can be achieved by simply tearing down the structures that have kept our world safe for generations. Our laws, our traditions—they are not relics to be thrown away. They are the very framework that has allowed us to thrive.”

His tone sharpened slightly, driving his point home. “The real threat to the wizarding world today is not the resistance to change, but the reckless abandonment of the values that have made us strong. The strength of our society lies in its stability, its structure. We cannot afford to cast aside the safeguards that protect us in pursuit of some abstract notion of equality.”

Tomas let the words hang in the air, giving them time to sink in. “As for what I am doing, Ms. Pickering, to foster change between the magical and Muggle communities? I believe in a pragmatic approach. One that protects our world while ensuring cooperation where it benefits us all. I have always advocated for responsible engagement with Muggles, particularly in areas where collaboration is necessary. But make no mistake, we are wizards and we are witches. Our world is not theirs, and it is not our responsibility to conform to their values to secure our future.

A steady but assured smile touched his lips. “The key is balance—honoring the traditions that have kept us safe while adapting thoughtfully to the world as it changes. But that adaptation must be done with care, preserving what matters most: the safety, strength, and integrity of the wizarding world.”

He leaned forward slightly, voice softening to a more personal note. “As a father, I am acutely aware of what is at stake. The next generation will inherit the world we leave behind. It is not enough to hand them ideals. We must give them a world that is stable, secure, and strong. That, my friends, is why I stand before you today.”

Tomas allowed a final moment of silence before turning back to Rivera, a subtle smile playing at the edges of his lips. “Mr. Rivera believes in tearing down the walls that have protected us. I believe in reinforcing them—so that when the future comes, we are ready for it without losing ourselves in the process.”

With that, Tomas fell silent, his posture unwavering, his gaze steady.

[Atticus Rivera]

Atticus was not unaware that there were people like Thomas Bellestorm in the world, but it still took him aback to see someone lay out those sorts of opinions so nakedly for everyone to see. Sure, Bellestorm was a smart man, and he knew how to dress up his point of view in a way that was palatable. If you listened to him, you could miss out on what it was he was actually getting at.

What Bellestorm was really trying to say is that progress was the enemy. That any knock at tradition would be like pulling a thread to let the whole country unravel. That they had progressed too far already and that they needed to backslide back to a time where things rested in the hands of the few, the proud, and the rich because clearly the plebeians were incapable of doing things correctly. He was a pureblooded man who felt that he was far too close to irrelevancy for his liking, and he was throwing himself into this race to ensure that his star never faded.

The man didn’t care about the country, he cared about himself. What happened to everyone was of no consequence to him just as long as he and his pureblood buddies got to call the shots without anyone standing in their way.

Atticus knew what Bellestorm privately thought about the fact that he was the acting Interim Minister. Atticus was after all a half-blood, the first to hold this office in many decades, and the first to seek election for it in just as long. Belelstorm had been careful so far to never explicitly talk about blood type, never really say the quiet part out loud, but it had to get under his skin a bit, Atticus thought.

As he looked out onto the crowd of people listening, Atticus wondered if any of them were thinking the same thing, if they were hearing what Bellestorm was really trying to say behind his dressed up and presentable half-truths. He liked to think that the people were intelligent and could spot a fake from a mile off, but he also knew that men like Bellestorm had gotten to where they were by making themselves appear to be something they weren’t and having everyone believe them. Atticus saw a fake, and he was sure he wasn’t alone in that. But he was unsure, at least at that moment, if enough people saw the fake to sway the election when the time came for it.

The next question was not a world off from the one before it, and Bellestorm’s answer was similarly not all that different either. Tradition, precedent, that whole thing. Typical, predictable, and expected.

Muggle policy had been something Atticus went over in great detail with his campaign support team. It was something he saw as critical to get right, and as such, he had gathered some of the brightest and boldest minds in regards to the Muggles to help create a strong stance on the direction things had to move in.

When it was Atticus’ turn to speak, he did so with confidence.

“In my time as the Senior Undersecretary and now as the acting Interim Minister, I have been granted the incredible privilege of a front row view into how our world and the Muggle world interacts. The Minister of Magic and the Muggle Prime Minister stay in communication with one another rather often. We introduce ourselves when we are elected, and we speak with each other about events in our respective communities that may impact the other. We for the most part live our different lives, but it cannot be ignored that there is more and more of an overlap between our two worlds.”

To which Atticus himself was living proof.

“Today, there are more wizards living in Muggle communities than ever before. Half-bloods are being born at expedited rates. It therefore stands to reason that we should be working harder to ensure that Witches and Wizards living in these communities are completely protected, and that the Muggles there are as well. While I do not advocate for us to show the Muggle world we exist, I do not believe that we cannot aim to make an unspoken co-existence work.”

Atticus once more found someone in the audience to look at for a moment, to connect with, before turning his eyes back to the crowd at large.

“My plan is to work more closely with the Muggle leadership to establish more explicit safeguards for Wizards living in Muggle communities and for Muggles living close to magical communities. Further, we will create a program of cooperation that ensures parallel growth of our communities. As the Muggle world changes, so too must our world change if we wish to continue venturing out into their world. As more Wizards meet and marry Muggles, the more we can expect to see Wizards moving into Muggle communities, or perhaps even Muggles moving into Wizard communities. I would very much like to see some sort of official program to make these sorts of transitions and events easier for all involved by establishing an office with the explicit aim of helping Muggles who’ve become aware of our world learn what they need to learn and in some cases integrate, but also establishing an office on the other side to help Wizards learn how to integrate into Muggle society.”

Atticus smiled softly, his family coming to mind.

“My parents come from two different worlds. One a wizard, the other a Muggle. But they love each other, and have made sacrifices for each other. They have worked hard to learn about each other’s cultures and participate in both cultures happily. They are living proof that there is a gap to be bridged in terms of Muggle and Wizard relations. No, we don’t have to break the Statute of Secrecy. No, we should not reveal ourselves and break down all barriers that hide us from Muggles. But it is short sighted, and dare I say even ignorant to current reality to suggest that there is not a need for an evolution in the way we approach the mixing of Muggle and magical lives.”

He paused, letting this sit for a moment.

“We don’t have to fear anything if we establish a stronger relationship with our political counterparts, and adequately prepare the citizens involved in cross-world exploits for how to best adapt and manage that new situation. We don’t have to go mask-off so to speak, but the more we try and skirt by without updating our relationship to Muggles, and especially their government, the more of a risk we run of complete exposure. After all, what greater risk is there to the Statute of Secrecy than a Muggle government and Wizarding government that don’t know how to be partners? What greater risk is there to the Statue than two people from two different worlds falling in love but with no assistance, guidelines, or educational opportunities for how to successfully integrate?”

[Isabella Pickering]

Isabella nodded at the answers that she received.

Once she was satisfied that they had all finished, she asked the next question. "This question dears is from a random hogwarts firstie - I don't know much about anything, adults are scary. But what can you do for a kid like me dear?"

[Tomas Bellestorm]

Tomas remained calm, his expression unreadable as Rivera laid out his argument. It was exactly what Tomas had expected—Rivera’s typical push for rapid change, dressed up as progress. As his opponent’s words echoed through the hall, Tomas took a measured breath, his fingers loosely clasped in front of him, projecting composed authority.

“Progress, Mr. Rivera,” Tomas began, his voice steady, “must never come at the cost of safety or the traditions that have long kept our world strong.” His eyes briefly met Rivera’s before sweeping across the audience. “You speak of integration, but policies made in haste—without the depth of thought they require—risk dismantling the very foundations of our magical society. Traditions are not relics to discard; they are the bedrock upon which we build a safer, more secure future.”

He then turned his full attention to Isabella's question, offering a reassuring smile that softened his features, as he leaned in slightly, as if speaking directly to the young student who had submitted the question. “A question from a Hogwarts first year—that's outstanding,” he said warmly, his tone carrying a personal, almost conversational weight. “I know adults can seem intimidating, but believe me, every one of us was once exactly where you are—trying to understand a world that feels far too big, and at times overwhelming.”

Tomas paused, letting the connection linger before continuing, his voice now more thoughtful. “As your future Minister, my promise to you—and to all young witches and wizards—is simple: I will ensure that you grow up in a world where you feel safe, supported, and excited for the future. This means protecting your right to grow up in a world where you can explore magic without fear, where your well-being is our priority.”

He let the room settle before adding, “But safety is only part of it. My goal is to create more opportunities for you, to enhance magical education so you can thrive. With improved curriculums, better student support, and resources that help you discover your unique magical strengths, I will ensure Hogwarts remains the finest place for young witches and wizards.”

A warm smile touched his lips, his tone softening but firm. “After all, the future belongs to you.”

Tomas finished with a subtle nod, his voice sharpening slightly as he concluded. “And I’m here to protect and strengthen that future—for all of us.”

[Atticus Rivera]

Atticus once more showed little of what he was thinking. Bellestorm’s rebuttal was as canned as the rest of them, once more speaking of tradition and the so-called enemy of progress.

However, the question that followed Bellestorm’s rebuttal was a complete change of pace.

A Hogwarts student writing in a question was unexpected, but especially so considering it was coming from a first year. It was unexpected in a pleasing way, though. When Pickering announced it was from a child, Atticus couldn’t hide the smile that spread on his face. It was the first time he’d shown a true emotion other than his dogged determination and unflinching hope when he spoke. It was a simple, honest reaction, colored by a sense of optimism for the future. A kid wanted to get involved in this process. To him, that said a great deal.

He didn’t dwell too long on Bellestorm’s response, finding it to be just as canned as all of the others. Instead, he immediately began reciting facts and figures to himself in his head. This had been a subject that he and his team had discussed, and it was one that Atticus felt particularly strongly about as a result.

“Well, to whomever wrote such a lovely question in, I want to say thank you,” he began. “It takes a great deal of courage to ask Mr. Bellestorm and myself a question, especially in the face of the intimidation you spoke of. Let it be known I am proud of you for using your voice, no matter how young.”

He smiled.

“What I can do for you is ensure that you grow up in a world in which you are free to be whoever it is you wish to be and do whatever it is you wish to do. You will be able to achieve those things regardless of where you come from, your financial situation, and especially your blood status. I will work tirelessly to ensure that you don’t ever have to worry about being held back by preventable obstacles.”

Atticus looked confidently forward to the crowd, lighting up as he thought about his plans. He held one finger up.

“First and foremost, I will ensure that your education is thorough and quality, but most importantly, accessible. You will always have access to robes, school books, cauldrons, and any other supplies that you need. If you cannot afford them, there is no reason that the government cannot assist. We have a great deal of money being spent on frivolous things, and I wish to direct that money instead to a fund that will assist students in making sure all of their needed supplies are purchased for the school year.”

A second finger came up.

“Secondly, I will sit down with the brilliant people at the Ministry who oversee education and find curriculums that will help to educate and prepare you for the future with the absolute maximum potential possible. I believe that Hogwarts’ professors ought to be allowed to teach any way they wish as long as no one is hurt in the process, but I also believe that there needs to be core standards and a core curriculum for them to build their brilliant lessons off of. I will ensure that the curriculum covers a variety of areas of magical expertise and allows you the most room to learn.”

A third finger came up.

“Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, I will work tirelessly to ensure that the world you graduate into is a world in which you will not be limited by anything other than your own imagination. It will be a world in which your blood status is meaningless and your ability to achieve things rests instead entirely on your skill and your merit. It will be a world in which the amount of money you have or don’t have isn’t a deciding factor in how far you will be able to go, but rather you will go far because you’ve worked hard to get there. It will be a world in which we have as a nation faced all of our shortcomings head on and worked to improve them so that you and all of your friends can go further and do more than people like myself and Mr. Bellestorm and more were ever able to. That is why I seek progress. I want this country to improve and grow not for me, but for you.”

[Isabella Pickering]

Isabella was enjoying the drama of this all. Though it was nice to see the candidates soften when it came to a first year.

"Speaking of Hogwarts, the next question also relates to Hogwarts dears. What is your plan to maintain the level of education at Hogwarts dears, while balancing its level of autonomy and dealing with tyrannical teachers who torture students and potions professors who don’t teach potions?"

[Tomas Bellestorm]

Tomas nodded thoughtfully, maintaining the calm authority he had held at all times.

“Hogwarts is, without question, the cornerstone of magical education,” he began, his tone measured, “and its tradition of autonomy has played a key role in that success. However, with that autonomy comes the responsibility to ensure our children are learning in an environment that is both safe and structured.”

Pale blue eyes scanned the room briefly before continuing, his voice steady. “As a father, and as someone deeply invested in the future of our world, I understand the delicate balance between effective teaching and appropriate discipline. We must never lose sight of that balance.”

He leaned forward slightly, his posture that of a concerned father figure. His fingers steepled on the podium, reinforcing his point. “Our goal should always be to uphold high educational standards while ensuring that discipline is not used as a tool for cruelty, but as a means of guidance. Respect, order, and diligence must be instilled in our youth, but so too should a sense of support and encouragement. This is how we create a space where young witches and wizards can grow and thrive.”

Tomas paused, giving his words room to breathe a moment, while he took stock of the faces in the audience, always calculating.

“If elected,” he continued, “I will work closely with the leadership at Hogwarts to maintain the highest standards of teaching, and to address any concerns regarding staff conduct. Discipline must be fair, purposeful, and above all, it must serve to strengthen—not stifle—our students. Hogwarts is a place of excellence, and I am committed to preserving that excellence across every aspect of its operation.”

His tone softened then, taking on a more reflective quality. “Ultimately, our task is to equip the next generation not only with knowledge, but with the skills and discipline they need to succeed in life. We owe it to them to preserve a world that remains strong, united, and anchored by the values that have always served us well.”

Tomas's final words were spoken with confidence, but without the flourish of lofty promises.

“This is about preserving what works, while making thoughtful improvements—not sweeping changes that risk leaving the next generation unmoored.”

[Atticus Rivera]

Staying on the subject of Hogwarts, Atticus was confident in his response to this question as well.

“For centuries, Hogwarts has been the foundation that our society is built upon. The education gained there, the experience gained there, is what has created the very individuals who have led our country in a variety of different directions. It is no over exaggeration to say that Hogwarts is the most influential place in all of Wizarding Britain. Even more so than the Ministry itself. It goes without saying then that maintaining a high standard is of the utmost importance.”

Atticus took a moment, though a brief one, to think over his next words carefully.

“It is my belief that Hogwarts, and by extension its professors, be able to maintain a sense of independence. I don’t see any reason why the Ministry shouldn’t create a general list of standards of things that must be taught, but I believe it is dangerous for the government to dictate how they’re taught or to dissuade the staff from teaching about other things beyond those standards. If we were to put too tight a leash on Hogwarts, the school would essentially become a mouthpiece for the government. It would be a propaganda tool rather than a learning institution.”

And that, in Atticus’ mind, would be the thing that brought the whole nation to its knees.

“I do believe that the educational standards--that is the list of things that must be taught--does need to be updated to include more innovative, new, and groundbreaking schools of thought and procedures. But I also believe that we should allow the professors to decide on how they deliver these things. Sometimes, that may result in teaching styles that not everyone understands, but I find even that to be valuable.”

He wasn’t sure what the question explicitly was referring to in regards to the students not learning Potions, but he assumed that was probably a vague and generalized account of some new method of instruction.

“What is not valuable though is retaliation that is intended to control or inspire fear. Young people are always going to make bad decisions. It is the nature of their being. I do believe that there ought to be consequences for bad behavior, but those consequences should be in the spirit of teaching rather than punishment. Instead of causing suffering in the students when they make a wrong choice, we ought to teach them why that choice was wrong. If that is not what is happening, I am committed to looking into that issue and correcting it on the very first day of my tenure in office. I believe that we will be able to do that in tandem with granting autonomy to the professors to teach in the way they see fit provided it is safe, as well as updating the curriculum and standards to better reflect how magic and education continues to evolve.”

[Isabella Pickering]

Isabella nodded be graditute at the answers.

"Thank you so much dears." She smiled at each of them. "Now I would like to give you an opportunity to share your closing thoughts dears. Remember to make it a good summary of yourselves and why the people should elect one of you dears over the other dear."

[Tomas Bellestorm]

He allowed a moment of silence to settle, letting the weight of the debate hang in the air before he spoke. Sharp blue eyes, thoughtful and composed, swept over the crowd, gathering them into the moment as he prepared his closing words.

“My fellow witches and wizards,” Tomas began, voice calm but resonant, carrying authority and warmth in equal measure, “We stand at a pivotal moment in our history. A moment where we must choose the future of wizarding Britain—not just for ourselves, but for our children, for the legacy we will leave behind.”

Tomas paused, his expression firm, unyielding. “My opponent, Mr. Rivera, has spoken eloquently about change, about reform. That change that may sound appealing at first glance. But what kind of change is it? We cannot allow idealism to blind us to the realities of the world we live in. What we need is strength—strength that is tempered with wisdom, not weakness disguised as compassion.”

He leaned forward, just slightly, drawing the room in with an understated intensity. “I believe in progress, yes, but not progress that comes at the cost of the very foundations that have held our society together for centuries. Innovation, yes, but not if it means undermining the security and stability our children need to thrive. We must protect what has made our society great—our values, our heritage, and our magic.”

Tomas’s voice softened slightly, adding a note of sincerity. “I understand the challenges we face. I’ve seen the cracks forming in our world, the fractures between tradition and change, between fear and hope. But I believe that we can move forward—not by tearing down the structures that have supported us, but by reinforcing them, strengthening them, so they can bear the weight of the new challenges ahead.”

Straightening, Tomas’s voice grew more authoritative. “My opponent speaks of equality and opportunity, and these are worthy aims. But they cannot come at the expense of what has made us strong. We need leadership that is grounded in balance. Leadership that is not swayed by fleeting trends or whims of the moment, but by wisdom, by experience, and by an unshakable commitment to the well-being of wizarding Britain.”

A subtle smile tugged at his lips, not forced, but a quiet expression of confidence. “I have served this magical world for decades. I have seen its greatness, and I have weathered its darkest moments. I stand before you now, not to offer radical promises, but to share a vision of a safer, stronger, more united wizarding Britain.”

The tone shifted as Tomas lifted his chin, carrying the steady concern of a father with all the quiet command of a king, broad shoulders held back. “I understand the value of tradition—of the pureblood families who have safeguarded our magical world for centuries, but also of the Muggle-borns, the half-bloods, and the creatures who enrich our lives. We can honor our heritage while securing a future that is both safer and more prosperous. It’s about balance. A balance that protects the wizarding world without yielding to those who would tear it apart, piece by piece.”

Tomas straightened fully, his voice deepening. “A vote for me is a vote for order, for safety, for a wizarding Britain where every child, every family, can thrive—no matter their background. I will not promise you a perfect world, but I will promise you a strong one."

A small smile touched his lips then, as he concluded, his voice rich with sincerity. “I want to thank you all for being here today, and I’d like to extend my appreciation to Isabella Pickering for moderating this important discussion.”

With that, Tomas Bellestorm stepped back, offering a respectful nod to his opponent and casting a final look over the crowd, his mind already calculating the next move as he left his words to linger.

[Atticus Rivera]

Atticus stood by, unwavering in the face of Bellestorm’s cuts at his goals and swipes at his credentials. Though he had known coming in, Atticus was convinced even deeper than before that Bellstorm was the wrong man for such a crucial time in the country’s history. He would’ve been a perfect model of a Minister some twenty or thirty years ago, but that was his problem, really. He was a relic. He was a man so deeply ensnared in the past that he turned himself into a vintage collectible of a bygone era.

By comparison, Atticus felt more convinced of his youth as an asset than ever. Many had tried to paint it as a hindrance to him throughout his career, and for a time, he’d believed it. But now, he recognized that there was something beneficial to being a man in his 30s working with or against a bunch of men in the 60s and 70s.

He had experienced the world as it is, and was not a product of the world as it was. He didn’t hang onto any sort of outdated traditions because he had lived his whole life seeing firsthand the mess that they created. He did not cling to the past and the structure of it because he felt that structure was rather meaningless today. And that was the crux of his message, of his campaign, of his whole reason for doing what he was doing. While Tomas hammered on the world of yesterday, Atticus looked at the world of tomorrow.

“With all due respect to Mr. Bellestorm--and make no mistake, respect is due for all the work he has done in his life--I cannot agree that a pursuit for equality and opportunity would sacrifice what made us strong. The fact of the matter is that we are struggling right now. And that struggle is a result of the things that Mr. Bellestorm believes has made us strong. What he refers to as the pillars of our society are in truth the very cancer that has been eating away at us.”

Atticus could feel his face light up, his mind come alive.

“And this is why I believe that the last thing we need is someone who has spent decades fighting to maintain the status quo. We need someone who is willing to dismantle tired, worn out systems that have proven ineffective and implement new ones that reflect the modern age in which we live. Mr. Bellestorm claims this is about balance, and yet advocates for maintaining a government that is imbalanced. I look around today and I see no balance for half-bloods, for muggle borns, for squibs, and for non-human beings that live amongst us. They do not have a seat at the table, they do not have a horse in the race, they do not have a dog in the fight. Yes, the key is balance. So why then would we stick to the things that have created such a disparity in opportunity?”

Just as he had when he was speaking at his campaign event, Atticus felt himself getting wrapped up in the moment. He believed every word he said, and he said it with the conviction of someone who was assured of its success. He said it not because it sounded good, but because he believed in it.

“The choice that stands before you in this election is the choice to forever stay in the shade of an order that doesn’t believe we all are equal, that doesn’t value all voices, that doesn’t wish to progress, or break away from that order and rewrite the world to reflect how we wish for it to look now. It is a choice between accepting that there are barriers in front of you that the system will never allow you to scale, or forcibly breaking those barriers down to see what rests on the other side. It is a choice between your children growing up where inequality reigns supreme or a world in which we recognize the strengths of each other and value them as such.”

His hand reached for his heart.

“It is my promise to you that a vote for me is a vote for a world in which we will all have a place in this world. Where our blood doesn’t matter, where what is in our bank accounts doesn’t dictate our value, and where fairness and tolerance stands head and shoulders above the imbalance we’ve all been forced to accept as life today. I vow to you that I will bring us into the future, and that we will thrive in a way that we never thought possible. We will progress, we will grow, and we will do that together as partners, just as we should have from the very beginning.”

He smiled.

“I believe in us. I ask you to believe in us, too.”

A moment of silence as his words reverberated through the space.

“Thank you all for being here, and for Miss Pickering for moderating. I look forward to seeing you all once more soon.”