Ponder of Something Great

[Titus Sterne]

Tegan strongly supported the library and so did Titus. Since her father's campaign announcement had gone out he had been reading the paper much more frequently, (and sometimes bitterly.) He missed politics. This groundbreaking was actually as close as he had gotten to his real passion in a long time, and he couldn't even vote in the wizarding world.

But that was no matter. They were here for the youth and that was what Eugene cared about; activism and advancement and improvement. They were going to improve their society and eventually - hopefully - his party would forgive him and he could become MP and improve his own.

Apart from Tegan's time the Sternes had also donated books and money to the endeavor; now, Titus was pleased to attend the brunch and, for the moment, pretend that he didn't wish he was running his own campaign.

At least he had people to socialize with!

"I'm certain that the Scamanders' endeavor will benefit our community endlessly," Titus said with a winning smile to the person he was talking to, "I know that Mrs. Sterne and I have hated our lack of a library in the past - this really will be extremely helpful."

  

[Eugene Scamander]

This was truly another thing Eugene could get behind. It all turned around to his educational points and he would toil for them tirelessly. He wasn't big on the whole blood purity and every other major point that all of the other candidates focused on; he just wanted to make sure that kids were getting what they needed and that was an education. Luckily, Hogwarts also provided a lot of lower class kids with other benefits too; warm beds, consistent meals, supervision. It was all connected.

As he meandered the brunch Eugene liked what he heart. The turnout was more than he could have hoped for and as he passed by a group, he heard his name and also that of a new friend. Mrs. Tegan Sterne was becoming his blessing in disguise and the man speaking at the moment must have been the husband Eugene had yet to meet.

"Mr. Sterne?" He questioned with a genial smile and an outstretched hand. "So glad you could make it, you and your wife have certainly added to the success of this little plan." And Eugene was immensely appreciative.

  

[Titus Sterne]

Titus recognized Mr. Scamander almost immediately, because he had seen him so much in the moving pictures in the paper. (No, Titus was still not over the whole moving pictures thing. Sometimes he wondered if he hadn't just cracked after getting punted out of his own party - but he was certain that Tegan would have been able to rescue him from that, so here they were: the world was actually that insane.)

"Mr. Scamander," Titus said with a nod and a smile. He gave Eugene's hand a firm shake, already certain that he would like the Ministerial candidate - their political viewpoints were very similar, and any friend of Tegan's was a friend of his.

"We're happy to help to benefit our little community," Titus said cheerfully, "After all, the fact that neither of us are afforded a vote in this election is no reason not to lend our support."

....Yes, he was more than a little bitter about that one.

  

[Eugene Scamander]

Eugene was still getting used to the fact that people knew who he was without having previously met them. Of course he was still not used to being in the paper so much either, which he supposed was part of the problem. Still, his association with Mrs. Sterne left him feeling less awkward in this case.

"We meet at last, your wife speaks most highly of you." And of course Eugene would never think poorly of somebody who was putting effort into his campaign, despite his lack of a vote, which he pointed out and Eugene couldn't help but to sigh and chuckle a little. He was trying to amend things like that with his campaign, but getting local muggles the vote was a steep uphill climb.

"I certainly think things are coming along." He said both of the current project and the voting issue. Everything just needed a little time.

  

[Titus Sterne]

"I'm glad to hear that," Titus said brightly. He and Tegan were very affectionate - that had not changed, even if they had picked up everything and moved to wizarding Scotland.

Titus nodded. "The library certainly seems to be working out excellently," he said, "And as someone who has borne witness to my wife's projects in the past, I can personally testify that she'll be a very good librarian." He smiled.

"I was in politics for a very long time," Titus said, "And in my opinion, at least - though I do not claim to not knowing the intricacies of magic politics, of course - your campaign is running pretty well."

  

[Eugene Scamander]

"She is a wonderful, driven woman." Tegan Sterne definitely had her mind set on this library and she was going to see it through. It was nice to see things taking off in such a manner. Eugene chuckled, though it was a nice assurance to hear that once Mrs. Sterne invested herself, it would be all take care of.

"You think?" As a lawyer, politics were certainly Titus' forte more than Eugene's so he was glad to hear a little positive reinforcement. "I just want a few changes for the better," He admitted with a wry smile. "I know I'm a long shot, but it's nice to know that some people support it and that I've made other's stop and think at least." What more could he really ask for. With a baby on the way, he was pretty certain a loss in the campaign would not be the end of him, not in the slightest; he was looking forward to being a father much more than minister.

  

[Titus Sterne]

"Leftist politics always feels like a long shot," Titus said brightly, "But change has to happen eventually - it's why people like us exist." He had been a member of the Liberal party for so long that he couldn't not think like a member of it anymore, even if technically wizarding politics didn't seem to have parties.

(That was especially interesting. A party that did not exist could not punt him out of it.)

"At least that's what we tell ourselves, I suppose," Titus said.

  

[Eugene Scamander]

Honestly, Eugene had stayed out of politics for so long that he wasn't even sure what to think, however he did know that compared to most of his running mates he was very far afield from their branch of everything that he was definitely a long shot.

"It will happen eventually, a little catalyst here and there and things will eventually get pushed in a different direction." Even though Eugene was far from confident in winning, he was at least hoping to turn a few gears here and there and see what he could make happen. "Unfortunately it might not be as fast as we like, but if we set up the next generation for success, all we can do is hope for the best."

  

[Titus Sterne]

"Exactly!" Titus said, "The youth are very important - and enfranchisement, enfranchisement is so important."

"Even the enfranchisement reforms - non-magic - currently going through Parliament will not enfranchise all men," Titus said, "Which says nothing of the ladies - if we can start making the groundwork for these changes now, then the young people can bring things even further."

He wasn't an idealist, at least not at his core - he was a politician, and he knew how politics worked. Even if he had fucked himself over.

  

[Eugene Scamander]

It was encouraging to heat that - despite his lack of a vote - Mr. Sterne was so invested. The man had a sound grasp on politics, which Eugene actually understood, so he must not be terrible at this stuff altogether. At least he wouldn't fail altogether if he was elected. Plus he would have counterparts like Titus to bounce ideas off of. With cohorts like August and Titus, Eugene would not be completely lost.

Unfortunately, that time would have to wait as he caught his manager's eye. The guy was positively mopey lately and Eugene wanted to make sure everything was alright- purely because they were friends. "Well Mr. Sterne, prepare for a crash course in magical politics if become minister, I'll be picking your brain frequently." He assured the man with a wide grin. "I need to check in with my campaign manager, it was a pleasure to meet you finally."