The International Werewolf Association had already touched plenty of raw nerves. Now that the Confederation's branch had openly signaled its intention to back Vaughn, even some Wizengamot members who had previously leaned toward him were beginning to feel dissatisfied.
In their entrenched view, problems within Wizarding Britain should be resolved internally by the Ministry of Magic. The Confederation was, after all, an outsider.
To some Conservatives, Vaughn's behavior amounted to colluding with outsiders against their own people. Some were even disappointed in Dumbledore.
Dumbledore had never been like this before. The highly respected old wizard had once stood like a general single-handedly guarding a pass, keeping the Confederation firmly outside.
And so Vaughn's image changed in people's minds once again. They now saw him as the treacherous schemer at Dumbledore's side.
Because the Second C General Assembly involved so many sensitive provisions, this meeting would not be held at C's
headquarters building. Instead, the venue had been moved to the Wizengamot courtroom.
Of course, unlike previous occasions held in the courtroom, this was neither a Wizengamot inquiry nor a trial, but a public deliberation receiving exceptional attention.
Vaughn had barely entered the Ministry of Magic when he spotted two familiar figures. They noticed him as well and came over to meet him.
"Hi, Kingsley, Tonks. Long time no see," Vaughn greeted them with a smile.
"I thought a busy man like you, Chairman, would have forgotten all about us by now!" Tonks curled her lip. Vaughn paused, unsure how he had offended the young woman, and turned a questioning look toward Kingsley Shacklebolt.
Kingsley Shacklebolt shrugged, his eyes flicking toward an Irishman heading upstairs.
Vaughn understood at once. Tonks was straightforward by nature and did not delve into the twists and turns of politics. More often, she cared only about