fandomhigh | Magical Ethics: Week 6, Period 1

Alysha was a little subdued as she waited for the students to come in. She'd rearranged her lesson plans a bit in response to the news on the radio from the previous week, and instead of brains, they were doing their 'midterm' a week early.

"Morning, everyone," she said as the bell rang to start class. She so had her coffee today. It was too early, dammit. "The week after next is Spring Break as you guys are probably already counting down til. And that means we're almost halfway through the class." She grinned. "Don't everyone be all sad at once."

"So today, we're going to play with an exercise based off this country's Bill of Rights." She passed out sheets of paper with the Bill of Rights attached. "I know, not everyone's American, but that's why you all get a copy. Don't memorise it or anything silly like that."

   1. Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion and Petition
      Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

   2. Right to keep and bear arms
      A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

   3. Conditions for quarters of soldiers
      No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

   4. Right of search and seizure regulated
      The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

   5. Provisons concerning prosecution
      No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.

   6. Right to a speedy trial, witnesses, etc.
      In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

   7. Right to a trial by jury
      In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

   8. Excessive bail, cruel punishment
      Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

   9. Rule of construction of Constitution
      The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

10. Rights of the States under Constitution
      The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

"Okay, I'm not a lawyer or even from the States, so don't get all caught up in the little debates over why the commas or prepositions are where they are," Alysha said once everyone had a copy. "I can't begin to help you. What I want you to do is check out what 'essential freedoms' are guaranteed by this Bill of Rights. What did the writers think were the most important to a 'free society?'" Yes, the quotation marks were in Alysha's voice too. She was totally Canadian.

"After that, what I'd like you all to do is think about what you'd put in a 'Bill of Rights' for people with powers. Should there be protections for non-powered people in there? Up to you, but I want to know what you think should be the essential 'freedoms and liberties'for people with magic. Keep in mind that when this was written, some of these amendments were things that the writers believed had been curtailed in their lifetimes and so were extra concerned about. You don't have to focus just on the huge issues but the little ones too."

She looked around the room. "Any questions? Go on and discuss it all then, and we'll see what everyone comes up with."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

When they ping in of course.

Not that either of them are American either.

Tony might be Canadian, but he'd watched lots of American cop and lawyer shows, so he totally knew the U.S. Constitution.

Raven wasn't sure if Tony had heard from Karla or Dinah or the bits on the radio about what she had discovered about her attack, but since he had been concerned and come to visit her, she thought she should tell him what had happened. "Hello, Tony," she said. "I do not know if you have been told, but...Professor Maximus was not the one who attacked me. But it was a vampire."

"Karla came to the common room to tell us the other night," Tony said. "Someone you know?"

Raven nodded. "I had met him once before," she admitted, "though I was not entirely certain he was a vampire. It is certain now that he is."

"Yeah, probably, with the biting and all," Tony said. "You doing okay? Need any help dealing with this guy?"

"I do not think he would be foolish enough to remain on the island," Raven said. "He tried to take me from Fandom once and failed, and Karla thinks he may have manipulated my memories to spark fear so that I would leave the island's safety and be easier to capture." She looked down at the floor. "I am sorry that I caused so much trouble and panic."

"It's not your fault," Tony said. "I kinda overreacted in the other direction 'cause of my past experiences." And because of not wanting to see teachers he liked get staked. "I mean, people shouldn't panic and go stake-crazy, but if someone's attacking people, it's gotta be dealt with. You were right to tell people about it."

"I had no reason to doubt my memories," Raven said, as close to agreeing as she would get. "But it was my fear that allowed them to be altered so easily. I wish I had somehow realized...."

Tony snorted. "Come on, someone messed with your mind and your memories. It's like having something written on your forehead. How are you supposed to see it?"

"Everyone else was so certain Professor Maximus was innocent and not a vampire at all," Raven said, shaking her head. "They could see something was not right."

"Yeah, so, they were looking from the outside. Besides, you guys got it cleared up and the panic didn't get out of control. It's all good now."

"I am glad no one else was harmed," Raven said, nodding in agreement. "And I hope Sebastian will not make any other attempt to harm me or those around me."

She probably should've specified that it wasn't Jack's Sebastien she was referring to.

Tony tensed. "De Ulloa?"

"De Ulloa?" Raven repeated, confused, then she remembered her conversation with Jack. "No, no, that is Jack's...friend, correct?" She wasn't sure she could ever get used to a vampire being someone's friend. "They are not the same. The vampire who attacked me is Sebastian Blood, and he is from my world. Dinah helped me find out more information about him, as our worlds seem nearly the same. He leads a cult, and they possibly worship a demon." She didn't mention that demon was her father.

"Sounds like a nasty piece of work," Tony said.

"He is," Raven said quietly. "And he thinks I am to be his bride. I want no part of that."

Tony's eyes widened. "Is that even legal where you're from?"

"I do not believe legality matters to him," Raven said.

Edmund definitely wasn't American, but he was here and kept reading over the Bill of Rights.

Magical Ethics: Week 6, Period 1

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