Open Debating

[Linden Kinnek]

Linden didn't usually pay much attention to politics. there was the usual discussion around the dinner table at home. but if asked he didn't know much about it at all. however, he knew that he would have to start paying attention so he would know who to vote for as this year was an election year and he was of age now. Sure his mum was running for the position. he supposed that he felt proud of her for that. but I didn't mean that she would be getting his vote regardless. yes he knew she was a good person. but it didn't mean she would automatically make a good minister. and he knew that she would have even less time for him, ivy and tara if she got it. he had read the blurbs of the candidates in the prophet. some of them sounded more interesting than others.
This afternoon was the first debate and linden needed a break from study. he took a wizard wireless to the student lounge and tuned in just as the debate started. he had told a few people he would be listening up here and let the word spread it would be interesting to see who showed up. as the mediator spoke the name sounded familiar though she couldn't place her and as she introduced the candidates he let out a small woot at the mention of his mums name. as the first question was posed he thought for a second it was a good question and he wondered what stance his mum would take.

 

[Lumio Skey]

Lumio could admit he didn't have much of an interest in politics, ihe knew it was an important thing, it was something that was necessary and someone had to do the job, but it would probably absolutely never be the sort of person who would go for but given, by his estimations he would be able to vote in it, so he felt he should made an informed decision, he didn't want to be clueless and he didn't want to make a mistake or something. The teen had heard Linden was going to be listening to it, and deciding it would be a fiar group activity Lumio walked into the student lounge and greeted him just as it was getting started. "Hey man," he said, he remembered that Linden's mother was running. "Have I missed much yet?" ​

 

[Louis Vernier]

Louis was never one for anything political, and honestly he didn't think his family was either. It came as a little bit of a shock when his mother decided to turn around and become a candidate for the upcoming election. He knew she had worked hard to get there though and wanted more than anything for her to win it, even if her chances were a little slim compared to the others. When he overheard a couple of the older boys talking about tuning in to the debate, Louis figured he should join them. He wanted to support his mother wherever he could. He tentatively made his way up to the student lounge where they were to meet, walking slowly inside where two boys already were. "Oh, um, hey." Louis said shyly, taking a seat nearby.

 

[Aine Thompson]

Aine, despite her youth, was actually rather interested in politics. Well, as much as a twelve year old with the basic understanding of the political sphere could be interested. She'd looked in to how the Minister was elected and it was very different to what she knew - no political parties, it was more individual policy makers.

Aine was rather curious about the whole thing, so she'd flopped in to a couch in the lounge and trained her ears on to the wireless, surprised that wizards at least had radio. She wouldn't be able to vote in this election, but as a muggleborn who was precariously straddling the magical and non magical worlds, she wanted to know exactly what she was going to be in for, and if there would be any changes to the already awkward requirement for secrecy and weaving intricate lies to anyone who asked her and her family about where she went to school.

 

[Lucas Fletcher]

Lucas hadn't been very present lately, but he knew Linden was organizing a debate listening moment. With his mum running, Lucas understood why. He figured it was important to him. He headed to the Student lounge and shot Linden a slight smile, taking a seat. "Hi." He said. "Must be weird to hear her over the radio..."

 

[Linden Kinnek]

Linden looked up as someone entered and smiled when he saw it was lumino. he didn't know him very well, at all. but he seemed nice and he was glad he wasn't listening to the debate on his own like a looser. "Hey Lumino. No they are just introducing the candidates" he said. he listened to them and recognised a few of the other names not just his mum it would likely be an interesting debate.
before the first question was asked two more people had joined hem both younger. one both he vaguely recognised from the commonroom. one even seemed like a first year he was slightly impressed. he would have paid no attention to the election when he was that young. even if his mum had been running.
the first question was asked and linden let ou a low "ooh." that was an interesting question. and one that would be interesting to hear the response to. first question and it was about werewolves he bet his mum liked that. the door opened again and he smiled as he recognised the boy immediately. "Hey luc. she hasn't spoken yet. the question was about the werewolf and animagus registries, we heard from fontaine and this is vernier" he said quickly realising hat the two of them had very similar opinions on the matter.
next up was cresswell who's opinions seemed fine for werewolves but ""Metamorphmagi, is he serious" he blurted. then came his mum. her stance was something he had heard around the dinner table for years. she sounded good and he used the time to see how the others reacted. then came McGowan who seemed to be really passive on the subject. then cade "you ba-b-bloody idiot" he said changing his curse part way though after remembering that there was a first year present.

 

[Aine Thompson]

It probably also helped that Aine's neighbour was a politician, their federal representative actually, so it was only really a matter of politeness that she'd learned about politics (plus when one of her sisters was trying to date a politician, that had been awkward). Still, Aine was nothing if not precocious, and her natural curiosity on the subject was completely distracting her from her revision. Her textbook sat in her lap as a prop more than anything else.

It was interesting to learn about werewolves - another thing Aine barely knew existed. It seemed like even in the wizarding world, though, there was an awful lot of bureaucratic red tape holding things up. Kind of like how it had been hard to see a doctor about anything without jumping through a bunch of hoops, and that was in Australia. Even that's not just a muggle thing. It seemed like one of the candidates wanted to make things harder for werewolves, arbitrarily deciding who was good or who was bad. She couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter as the boy with the radio cried out in frustration. "His head's lodged a good way up his butt, even for a politician." Not that the other man was much better, really pushing the whole sleazy politician vibe, like the ones she'd see on TV at construction sites and kissing babies and what not.

 

[Louis Vernier]

Louis just listened as the debate went on, ignoring the words people were saying about one of the candidates. He didn't know any of them enough to make such judgements. The boy became a little worried when he hadn't heard his mother speak for a little bit. When he finally heard her however, he sat on the edge of his seat, smiling a little as she made a reference to him in her argument. It would definitely be good to not have to witness unforgivable charms on living things, and it was one of the main reasons why Louis really hoped that she would win. The other candidates seemed to be doing pretty well though, and he could feel how tense his mother was through the radio.

 

[Rosie Archer]

Rosie didn't have much of an interest in politics, she felt too young to care, the issues wouldn't affect her or her family, but Aurora did care and this was why when Rosie had heard that some of the other students were listening to it, she had been asked to take Aurora to where. So Rosie with her sister's hand in hers had walked into the student lounge where a bunch of students of mostly hufflepuff but varying ages were sitting listening to the broadcast, but a familiar voice caught Rosie's attention and she spotted Aine. "Oh let's go sit with her," she said to her sister, before approaching her friend to sit. "Hey Aine...this is my sister Aurora," she motioned to her sister as she sat down. She'd spoken quietly keen to not make too much noise as everyone listened to the broadcast. ​

 

[Aurora Archer]

Aurora was too young to vote in the election, but she didn't want to ignore it either. It was an important period for the magical community and it was important for them to be at least enegaged in who was running. She didn't know how her parents would vote but was curious about it. When Rosie had told her that people were listening to it, so long as they weren't interrupting Aurora wanted to go along too. So she'd made Rosie take her, since Rosie knew where it was. She could've just been told but it was unspoken that Rosie would be joining her. Aurora glanced about the student lounge, spotting one the gryffindor prefects and a number of hufflepuffs, but no one she knew. Though it appeared someone that Rosie knew was there. They approached a young, girl who Rosie greeted as Aine. she waved at the girl. "Nice to meet you Aine," She said quietly as she then sat down with Rosie.
@Aine Thompson ​

 

[Valeria Iglesias]

Valeria had an interest in politics in the sense that she knew it was smart to know who was in charge. Her parents had hired tutors to help her be engaged in politics and political systems, especially when they'd lived in Lisboa, but not much in New Zealand, so with an election happening she thought it would be good to listen along and get an idea of what they stood for, what direction the political climate might go. She heard that students were listening to it in the lounge, and admittedly arrived a little late, but just sat down as the next question about the restricted section was being asked. ​