Great chapter. I have to wonder if you are going for the political power corrupts angle? The way you have the Government taking the assets of wanted men seems like it could back fire for Harry. If Harry all of a sudden became a "Deatheater" his assets would also be taken. This sort of thing has happened many times in the past. Or for example Sirius is still considered a Deatheater under the law, Harry has combined his assets with the Black estate, his enemies are able to pass a bill that says he is a "Deatheater" or or just say he is dark and not eligible for the Black estate(bribes all around and they feel it is best for the government since he is getting to powerful also the revenue the seizure will bring in will be good for the government), what would Harry do if all of a sudden he had no assets and was a fugitive?
Author's response
Heya Phyrric.
Actually, I believe any organized government is inherently corrupt. It is the people's duty to keep that corruption from getting completely out of hand.
Thomas Paine once said: "Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one." The wizarding government has grown so corrupt that the culture is actually formed around that corruption.
If Harry were to be accused of being a Death Eater, they'd have to convict him, before they could take his gold. Accused is not enough, especially given that the goblins A) are controlling the gold and B) they like Harry.
In canon, Sirius was able to access his vault to buy the very expensive Firebolt for Harry. Even later on, there was little or no problem (other than those problems devised by Mr Twinkles) in Harry's receiving Sirius' estate, so I have to conclude that a conviction is necessary.
The third point is that right now, Harry and his friends, while they do have enemies, are firmly in control of all three branches of the government. Augusta oversees the Wizengamot, Amelia handles the ministry and Carolyn and Andromeda are there for any legal issues that may come up. More, with Malfoy&Co. on the lam, there's little chance of any kind of suit ever being heard.
Bribes?: Not Amelia. That's why I chose her for that position. Even in canon, she is considered to be incorruptible. That's one of the reasons Dumbledore despises her so much. He can't control her.
Harry, No assets/Fugitive: It's been done. IMO the best story of it's type was excellent, if a bit wordy and Harry ends up making an ass of 'Minister Malfoy' and most of the wizarding world. He also comes up with cures for nearly every disease on earth including cancer and Lycanthropy. And the name and author slips my mind. (Damn! Gettin' old here!)
I may revisit the topic in the future, (after I've posted the nearly 85 unfinished fics I've started.)
Cheers!
Alorkin