Chapter 24
Letters, Discoveries and Warnings
Author's Note: This story has officially passed the 2000 Followers and 1000 Review Milestones on FFN! Once again, thank you for all the reviews and comments you have left in my story. It makes me so happy to read each and every one, and happier that 90-95% are good reviews!
Can you believe it took us 24 chapters to get through a whole week? As you can tell – and perhaps it was obvious already due to my previous stories? – I like slow-burn plots. Meaning that it takes a long time to get through several days in-story. However, saying that, I hope to get to the Yule Ball by Chapter 30. Definitely before Chapter 35!
As for what will happen after the Yule Ball. Well, I am happy to tell you my current plans…
Book 2: Tournament Drama! It will all happen in this same story. There will not be separate sequels. All chapters will be in the same story. Book 2 will go a lot quicker through the year, with time-skips in between various plots. Book 2 will end at the end of the Triwizard Tournament. Book 3 will begin the summer before our heroes' fifth year. Book 3 is unnamed at the moment, though I am considering it to be "Order Drama", or "Dark Lord Drama" or something like that. We'll see. Depends on what the plot is like by then.
So as you can see we have a long way to go in this story! I do not know how long it will last – whether it lasts through 7thyear, or whatever. So do not ask me how long it will be. I will point you to this author's note.
Warning: Dumbledore and Severus Snape Bashing
(Thursday, December 17th, 1994)
As Harry Potter made his way into the main area of his private quarters, after he had finished his morning ablutions, Dobby appeared out of thin air with a scroll of parchment.
"The Great Harry Potter's owl friend, Hedwig, be returning with a response from Lord Castor Greengrass," Dobby said, "Dobby be checking letter over for bad hexes and curses, and there be none."
"Thank you, Dobby," Harry said, as he took the scroll from the house-elf.
He opened the letter and started reading:
To Lord Harry James Potter,
I was very surprised to receive a letter from you the previous evening, and even more surprised by the contents of said letter. However, your letter couldn't have come at a better time. I was already planning on writing to you before this coming weekend anyway.
On Sunday morning, I suddenly remembered some very crucial information that had been kept from me for several years. I remembered the importance and significance of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter, and the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Peverell. I quickly realized this must have had something to do with you, my Lord. I realized that I – and several friends of mine – were under some rather nefarious enchantments and somehow you had been able to break those enchantments!
Your letter answered some crucial questions I've been asking myself over the past couple of days.
Tuesday evening, I received some information that I believed you needed to know. Rita Skeeter's article about your possible Emancipation angered your Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. Lord Potter, I must warn you. Do not trust Albus Dumbledore. His suspected plans for you would only lead to your ruin, and, perhaps, the ruin of many others, especially your friends and Allies. On Tuesday, after Rita Skeeter's Article came out, Albus Dumbledore met with Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, and plotted to remove your Emancipation. He had planned to do this next Monday at the Winter Solstice Session in the Wizengamot Council. I was going to warn you about this very thing before this weekend.
However, it seems – owing to your letter – you're already on top of this! Very good, Lord Potter. Very good, indeed! Reclaiming your seats at the start of the Wizengamot Council meeting on Monday will stop Dumbledore's plans for blocking your Emancipation before he can even begin them! I trust you have the Lord's Rings of Houses Potter and Peverell. Very good, My Lord. If you had not claimed them, Dumbledore might have had an opening to block your Emancipation. But with your Lord's Rings accepting you at your age, there is no substantial evidence that your Emancipation should be taken from you! Your Rings are proof that you are ready for the responsibilities of being not one, but two Heads of House!
As for your decisions for your Proxies. Amelia Bones is a fine choice for the Proxy of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter. She is a very trustworthy witch, very good in the political circle and somebody you do not want to mess around with! She's a wonderful Ally to have, but if you make her your enemy, she can be worse than Voldemort sometimes!
As for the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Peverell, I would be most agreeable, and most pleased, to be the Proxy. Thank you for giving me this honor, even if you do not know me as well as you would have if your dear parents had survived that Halloween night. When you ask me to be your Proxy, officially, during the Wizengamot Council meeting, I will be happy to officially accept!
As for your plans for the Children of the Great Alliance, I happily agree with your idea to meet with them. However, I would also make this request of you. If you will, please invite Ivan Blishwick, a Fifth Year Ravenclaw, and Tracey Davis, a Slytherin in your year, and best friend of my daughter, Daphne. Houses Blishwick and Davis would have been in the Great Alliance if your father had not passed away that tragic Halloween night. There were already talks in place for both Houses to join the Alliance. If you need proof of this, simply ask Professor McGonagall, who is also a member of the Great Alliance. She would know that Houses Blishwick and Davis were in talks to join the Great Alliance. It was public knowledge with most of the Great Alliance, prior to your parents' deaths.
With your return as Lord Potter, and leader of the Great Alliance, we can once again reopen talks to bring those Houses into the Great Alliance. Inviting Ivan Blishwick and Tracey Davis to the Children of the Great Alliance meeting will allow them to give their fathers, the Lords of their Houses proof that you are agreeable to welcome them into the Great Alliance. Simply ask my daughter, Daphne, to invite Ivan and Tracey to the meeting. Ivan, my wife's youngest sibling and only brother, is Daphne's Uncle, and is next-in-line for Lord Blishwick.
Lord Potter, I was a very close friend of your parents. My father and your grandfather were two of the Founders of the Great Alliance. Your father and I grew up together. My wife and your mother were very good friends in Hogwarts. If you had grown up with your parents, we would have known each other well by now, and you would have been good friends with both of my daughters by now, as well as the rest of the Children of the Great Alliance.
Even though my daughters are in House Slytherin, as is Tracey Davis, I want you to know that you can trust all three of them. I know this might be difficult, given you are a Gryffindor and there is a legendary rivalry between the two houses. But my daughters have given me their word that they have never bullied you, or shunned you, like other Slytherins they mentioned, such as Draco Malfoy. Both assured me that neither of them wore badges that insulted you. You probably know what they mean more than I would. You can consider them your Slytherin Allies, and perhaps you could even consider them friends in the near future. I give you my word.
I miss your parents and your grandparents very much, and I think of them often. My wife and I, and much of the Great Alliance, took part in a Period of Mourning for an entire month after your parents died. We think about them, and you, every Halloween. Even if we did not know they were Allies of ours, because of those nefarious enchantments, they were our friends. We knew you as a baby, and I look forward to reuniting with you again. Perhaps that will come this Monday.
Wishing you well in all your endeavors,
Lord Castor Greengrass
Head of the Most Noble House of Greengrass
Harry closed the long letter and smiled. Lord Castor Greengrass sounded like a wonderful man. Somebody he would be happy to call a friend and Ally. Now that he thought of it, Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis were never part of the Slytherin students that bullied him and Hermione. They mostly were neutral toward him. Now, they could be his Allies and friends.
"If only I figure out how to solve where to hold a meeting with the Children of the Great Alliance!" Harry grumbled.
Since Amelia had made the suggestion to meet with the Children, he had been trying to come up with a better option than having to bring all the Children into the Lion's Den. But he couldn't figure out a good place where someone like Albus Dumbledore or Severus Snape couldn't walk in on them. Dumbledore definitely wouldn't appreciate him meeting with this particular group of students.
"Dobby is sorry he be dropping eaves," Dobby said, "But the Great Harry Potter be needing a room for a meeting with students?"
"A secret meeting, Dobby," Harry said, "One that Dumbledore or Snape can't stick their large noses in."
"Dobby knows the perfect place, Great Harry Potter!" Dobby exclaimed. "Dobby heard tell of it from the other house-elves when he came to Hogwarts, sir. It is known by us as the Come and Go Room, sir, or else as the Room of Requirement!"
"Why?" Harry asked, curiously.
"Because it is a room that a person can only enter," Dobby said, seriously, "when they be having real need of it. Sometimes it is there, and sometimes it is not, but when it appears, it is always equipped for the seeker's needs. It is located on the same floor as the Lion's Den, in front of the portrait of the dancing trolls! Dobby can show it to Great Harry Potter and his Hermy, before you be on your way to Great Hall for breakfast!"
"Great!" Harry said, "Let's get going then!"
He placed his letter from Lord Castor Greengrass in his knapsack and shouldered the bag. Then he walked out of his Quarters. Hermione, as per usual, was already waiting for him.
"Ready for breakfast?" Hermione asked, "I'm eager to hear if everyone knows Ron and Ginny got expelled. I couldn't believe it when Professor McGonagall told us last night! I thought everyone would have known about it at dinner! I thought we'd be hearing about it from Padma!"
"I am ready," Harry said, "But we need to make a pitstop first."
"Oh?" Hermione asked, curiously.
"Dobby has found us a good room for our planned Children of the Great Alliance meeting," Harry said, "Apparently it is here on the seventh floor. Something better than the Private Common Room!"
"Brilliant!" Hermione said.
Harry took Hermione's hand and they headed off out of the Lion's Den. They made their way down the seventh floor corridor, and soon found the portrait of the dancing trolls. Dobby appeared a moment later.
"Alright, Dobby," Harry said, "Where is this room?"
"There!" Dobby said.
Dobby was pointing at a blank wall.
"Erm… Dobby?" Harry asked.
"Great Harry Potter must be walking in front of this wall," Dobby said. "He be walking back and forth three times while thinking of what he wants the room to be."
Harry looked at Hermione, who shrugged with a very skeptical look on her face.
"Erm…okay," Harry said, "If you're sure."
"Dobby be sure," Dobby said. "This be where Winky be staying over the past few days."
"Is Winky still there?" Harry asked.
"Oh! I forgot to tell you!" Hermione said, "Mallory showed up with Winky this morning! Winky is very healthy and ready to work for me!"
"Excellent!" Harry said.
He released Hermione's hand, then walked over to the wall.
I need a secret meeting room to meet with several students – maybe a dozen, Harry thought as he walked back and forth in front of the wall, three times.
Just as he was starting to feel very stupid, he heard Hermione emit a loud squeak. He looked at her, and found her looking at the wall behind him. He turned and found there was no longer a wall but very large double doors. Harry reached for the doorknobs, gulped, then opened them. He walked in the room, followed by Hermione and Dobby.
His eyes widened as he looked around. It looked like a large meeting room in a business office of a big corporation. There were plushy chairs sitting around a long mahogany table. Two large candelabras were hanging over the table.
"This is amazing!" Hermione gushed.
"Brilliant!" Harry said, "Absolutely brilliant!"
"And this room can do anything, Dobby?" Hermione asked.
"Within reason, Dobby be thinking," Dobby said, "Dobby suggest you be experimenting with it sometime to see its limits."
"Harry, we could make a swimming pool here!" Hermione said, "So you can learn to swim for the Second Task!"
"It can be doing that, Dobby be believing," Dobby said.
"Does Dumbledore know of this room?" Harry asked.
"According to the Kitchen Elves, Dumbledore be finding this place once," Dobby said, "But he thought it was a bathroom and had never come to this place again. Great Harry Potter simply need be telling room not to let Dumbledore or Greasy Bat be finding room."
Harry and Hermione snickered at Dobby's description of Snape.
"Brilliant!" Harry repeated. "Thank you, Dobby! For all of this!"
"Dobby be happy to be helping!" Dobby exclaiming. "But Dobby be thinking Great Harry Potter and his Hermy be needing to go to breakfast."
"Right!" Harry said, "How do you cancel the room's enchantments?"
"Just walk out of the room," Dobby said, "It will cancel itself when the door closes, as long as nobody be standing inside the room."
Harry nodded, then led Hermione out of the room. He quickly realized something. They were not standing on the seventh floor anymore.
"Where are we?" Harry asked.
"This be the first floor," Dobby said, "Great Harry Potter be thinking he need to get to Great Hall quickly for breakfast, and the Come and Go Room be giving him what he needs. Unfortunately, Dobby be fearing the enchantment only works this way from the inside. To be getting inside the room, you must be on the seventh floor across from the dancing trolls. There be no other entrance, only many exits."
Harry turned and found a bare wall. "That's brilliant!"
"You're saying that a lot today, Harry," Hermione said, giggling.
"I am," Harry agreed, "Come on, I'll tell you about Lord Castor Greengrass' letter I got earlier while we go to the Great Hall."
Hermione smiled. "I had wondered if Lord Greengrass had replied yet."
Harry told her all about the letter's contents as they walked hand-in-hand toward the Great Hall. She rolled her eyes at the confirmation of Dumbledore working to overturn the Emancipation, but since they already had figured he would be doing that, she didn't react too badly. She was quite happy when he told her that Lord Greengrass happily accepted to Proxy House Peverell. Then her eyes widened when Harry told her about Houses Blishwick and Davis, and she smiled when he told her of Lord Greengrass' opinion of his daughters and Tracey.
"Lord Greengrass is right, you know," Hermione said, "Daphne and Tracey have never bothered us. In fact, both of them are always pretty nice to me in Arirthmancy and Ancient Runes. I truly believe they'll be good friends to us if we give them the chance. I don't know anything about this Ivan Blishwick though. Maybe Padma and Luna knows more, if he's a Ravenclaw and was already a possible contender for a Child of the Great Alliance?"
"We'll ask them at breakfast," Harry said, "I was already going to get their advice about the Children of the Great Alliance."
Hermione agreed with this. "It is a fine idea."
Harry smiled and squeezed his girlfriend's hand. Soon, they stepped into the Great Hall and walked over to the Ravenclaw Table once again. Even though Ron and Ginny were expelled, there were still issues with Gryffindor House. Professor McGonagall hadn't given them any of the letters from those Gryffindors who were expected to write apologies. Then again, the letters were due by Saturday at the latest, and Professor McGonagall had been rather busy all week. So, in reality, there could have been a great pile of letters and essays already turned in by the Gryffindors. Those letters just hadn't made their way to Harry and Hermione yet.
Even then, Harry needed to talk to Padma Patil and Luna Lovegood, so he and Hermione, once again, decided to sit at the Ravenclaw Table. Neville Longbottom was sitting with Luna, like he had been over the last few days. When Harry and Hermione sat down across from Padma, Luna and Neville, they noticed Padma looked very happy.
"Get some good news, Padma?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know if she's happy about Ron and Ginny Weasley's expulsion from Hogwarts," Luna said, "Or that she finally has a date to the Yule Ball."
"Oh?" Harry asked, "Who is the lucky man who gets to accompany you to the Ball, Padma?"
"Ivan Blishwick," Padma said, "He's a fifth year and fellow Ravenclaw."
Harry blinked. Well that was quite the coincidence. "Ivan Blishwick?"
"Yes," Padma said, "Do you know him?"
"Let's just say I received a letter today in which he was mentioned in it," Harry said, then cleared his throat. "Padma Patil, Luna Lovegood, and Neville Longbottom, you're looking at the new Leader of the Great Alliance."
Padma and Neville's eyes widened. Luna's wide eyes were normal, so Harry wasn't sure how she had reacted.
"I am planning a meeting with every member of the Children of the Great Alliance," Harry continued, "To take place this Saturday sometime between breakfast and lunch."
"That's… unexpected," Padma said. "I had no idea you knew about the Great Alliance. Wait… how did I not remember until now that House Potter was the Founding House of the Great Alliance?"
"All will be explained at the meeting, Padma," Harry said.
"Why have you never brought this up before, Harry?" Neville asked.
"I just discovered it recently, Neville," Harry said. "I was trying to figure out when I could arrange a meeting with the Children. Three days before the Winter Solstice Session of the Wizengamot Council sounds like a proper time. It will give you enough time to contact your parents and guardians about the topics we will discuss during the meeting. The letter I received today advised me that I should invite Ivan Blishwick and Tracey Davis to the meeting as well. Houses Blishwick and Davis were in talks to join the Great Alliance before my father died.
"The letter I received was from Lord Castor Greengrass. Ivan Blishwick is his wife's youngest sibling, and Uncle to Daphne and Astoria Greengrass. He asked me to speak to Daphne and ask her to invite Ivan and Tracey to the meeting. Unless… you would like to ask Ivan, Padma?"
Padma shook her head. "Daphne knows him better than I do. It was a surprise when he asked me. But maybe he knew about his family's possible connections to the Great Alliance."
"I'm going to assume the three of you are close with the members of the Children of the Great Alliance?" Harry asked.
"We are," Neville said, "We grew up together. When the Great Alliance held meetings, we Children always spent time together in what is known as an Heir's Room. An Heir's Room basically describes a room where all the children – the sons and daughters of the Lords and Ladies in attendance for meetings or parties - spend their time, when not having a meal. So yes, we're all quite familiar with most of the Children of the Great Alliance."
"Would you three be willing to tell most of the Children about the meeting I'm planning?" Harry asked. "Simply tell them to meet me on the Seventh Floor across from the Portrait of those dancing trolls, on Saturday at nine-o-clock in the morning."
"Astoria Greengrass probably won't be here," Luna said, "She's a first year this year. She'll probably be going home."
"Her sister would probably consider her too young to take part in a meeting anyway," Padma said.
"I'll speak to Daphne about the meeting," Harry asked. "So that I can talk to her about Tracey and Ivan."
"Are you sure?" Neville asked. "She is a Slytherin. Will you even be able to approach her? You know, without attracting attention from Snape, Malfoy and the rest of the Slytherins? She and I are House Allies and even I am sometimes terrified to approach her. Even outside of Hogwarts!"
"Daphne and I are… acquaintances… in Arithmancy and Ancient Runes," Hermione said, "She'll let me approach her. I can then ask her to meet with Harry, and tell her this is Great Alliance business."
"You're not a Child of the Great Alliance, Hermione," Padma said, "This could be seen as committing a social faux-pas, you know?"
"Let's just say she's in the same situation as Tracey Davis and Ivan Blishwick," Harry said, cryptically. "All will be explained on Saturday."
Padma frowned and considered this. "It might work if you tell that to Daphne, I suppose. Say, why did you two not look so surprised about Ron and Ginny Weasley's expulsion?"
"Professor McGonagall told us about it last night," Harry said. "It was after dinner, so we couldn't spread it around at dinner."
"Yeah, well, someone spread it around between dinner and breakfast," Padma said.
"Fred and George, maybe?" Harry asked, "Professor McGonagall said she informed them."
"It could be them," Neville said, "Though they did seem… quieter than usual. Maybe they told Lee Jordan and he started the rumor?"
"How did Seamus and Dean react?" Harry asked. "They must have found it odd Ron wasn't in the dormitory?"
"We've been mostly ignoring Ron over the past several days since you left the dormitory, Harry," Neville said, shrugging. "We got tired, real quickly, about his grumbling about the two of you. Seamus told him to shut up, and it started a big argument between Seamus and Ron. Then Dean got in the middle of it. Ron soon shut up once he was being double-teamed, and then we all ignored each other. You know, now that I think on it, they did seem rather happy last night. Didn't tell me why. Maybe they heard Ron had been expelled."
"Do you know why he and his sister were expelled?" Padma asked.
"Something about breaching the Statute of Secrecy," Harry said, vaguely.
Padma blinked then whistled. "Yep, that would do it!"
"Definitely," Luna said, "Seems odd Ginny would do that though. I know her parents taught her to respect the Statute of Secrecy. I remember one day, back when we were friends, that she was rather paranoid about walking through the Muggle part of Ottery St. Catchpole, because she didn't want to risk breaching the Statute of Secrecy. We were about seven then, I think. What would have made her breach it, I wonder?"
Before anyone could reply to Luna's question, the familiar sounds of hundreds of owls arriving with post was heard and everyone looked up as the Owls flew down to various students and staff. Two owls made their way to Harry and Hermione and dropped two copies of the newest edition of the Daily Prophet toward them. Harry and Hermione caught them before they could land on their breakfast plates.
Harry unrolled the newspaper and nearly yelled in shock at the sight of Sirius Black's wanted poster on the front page of the Daily Prophet. For a mere moment, he had thought Sirius had done something stupid after talking with Amelia, like going out to meet with her and had been caught. Therefore he was quite relieved and happy after reading the title of the article.
SIRUS BLACK: NOT AS BLACK AS HIS NAME? BLACK TO RECEIVE NEW TRIAL
IN FRONT OF THE WIZENGAMOT, THIS SATURDAY! KISS-ON-SIGHT ORDER
DROPPED! 'NEW EVIDENCE' PLACES SIRIUS BLACK'S GUILT IN QUESTION!
Written by Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet Star Reporter
Thirteen years ago, Sirius Black was put in Azkaban after charged with leading
James and Lily Potter to their deaths, and the murder of Peter Pettigrew and
massacre of twelve Muggles. But is he truly guilty of these crimes?
Director Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement,
in a written statement given exclusively to this journalist, says 'no'.
"New evidence has been brought to light that questions whether Sirius Black is
truly guilty of the crimes he was accused of committing thirteen years ago after
the terrible events of October 31st, 1981. It has also come to light that Black might
have never actually received a trial. This is a travesty!"
A travesty indeed. Sirius Black is first-in-line for consideration of Lord Black, the
Head of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, which currently actually has
no active Head of House. What does this mean for other Heads of House when the
threat of getting arrested, only to end up in Azkaban without a trial?
Which brings up another question. What does this mean for the other Azkaban
prisoners whose guilt might be in question. Did these prisoners receive trials? Or
are there more residents of Azkaban who may be innocent and have needlessly
suffered under the terrible effects of the Dementors?
While Sirius Black's whereabouts are unknown at the time, Director Amelia Bones
hopes that Black will turn himself in before Saturday, so he can receive a trial at the
pre-arranged date and time. Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge has revoked the Kiss-
On-Sight order and has ordered all Dementors to be returned to Azkaban.
"It is the mistake of the previous administration which caused Sirius Black to be
placed in Azkaban without a trial," Minister Fudge said in a written statement,
clearly ready and willing to throw former Minister Millicent Bagnold under the bus,
"I have asked Director Bones and our good people in the DMLE and Wizengamot
to give Sirius Black a chance he didn't receive thirteen years ago. A chance to go
in front of the Wizengamot and give his defense and story about what truly took
place during those terrible events on Halloween of 1981. I am doing this in hopes to
make up for the past mistakes of a previous administration, and to assure that this
kind of thing will never happen again."
This reporter has discovered that former Minister, Millicent Bagnold, isn't the only
one to blame for these mistakes. Bartemius Crouch, former Head of the DMLE, and
current Head of the Department of International Cooperation, and Albus Dumbledore,
the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, among his many other titles, are also said to
be considered responsible for placing Sirius Black in Azkaban without a proper trial.
Bartemius Crouch, who is reported to be taking a few sick days from his important
job, and Albus Dumbledore, were unavailable to comment.
Sirius Black's trial – if he shows up – will take place on Saturday afternoon in front
of the entire Wizengamot in Courtroom 10.
Readers can be sure that the results of the Trial, with all the juicy details, on Sunday!
Harry grinned as he closed the newspaper. He knew telling Amelia Bones about Sirius' innocence would get answers, he just didn't know it would happen so soon! Of course, before yesterday, he knew nothing about how close Sirius and Amelia were. It certainly sounded as if they could have been married – maybe even had one, or more children by now - had things gone better back then. Harry hoped their old romance could be rekindled once Sirius was a free man. Both Sirius and Amelia deserved it.
Harry looked up toward the Head Table, wondering what Dumbledore's reaction would be to Rita Skeeter's article and he nearly laughed out loud. Albus was looking wild-eyed, but not at the Daily Prophet. He was staring at a post owl which was offering him a letter.
Whatever was in that letter was bad news for the Headmaster. Apparently the Headmaster knew it, without having to open the letter. Oh, how he wished he could know what the letter said.
(A couple minutes prior…)
Albus Dumbledore slammed the newest edition of the Daily Prophet down on his half-empty plate of breakfast. Aside from Minerva emitting an annoyed huff, none of the other staff reacted to this. Most were just used to the antics of the Headmaster.
Albus had expected Rita Skeeter to have an article in today's Daily Prophet that would set his teeth on edge, but he thought it would be about the arrest of Molly Weasley and her youngest two children, or perhaps their expulsion from Hogwarts.
He certainly did not expect it to be about a question of Sirius Black's guilt, a withdrawal of the Kiss-On-Sight Order and a scheduled trial for the man! Out of all of the recent Rita Skeeter articles, this was the most damning for him. Neither the 'Second Task Human Hostages', nor the 'Emancipation Speculation" article had been as damning as this!
Aside from Amelia's apparent investigation against him, nothing was more worrisome or more stressful than this! Not even the arrest of Molly, Ron and Ginny Weasley was this damning, even though they could give up a lot of information about him! While Amelia couldn't arrest him until the end of the Tournament, she was still allowed to investigate him.
It was in that instant he realized… Amelia Bones was responsible for this new problem in his life. He remembered that Amelia Bones and Sirius Black had been involved in a deeply romantic relationship. They could have been married – even had kids – like many of their friends, if they had decided not to put it off until after Voldemort had been defeated. After all, it had been Albus who had influenced Bartemius Crouch to put Amelia on paid-time off after James and Lily's deaths, so she wouldn't be involved in Sirius Black's investigation.
Now it seemed Amelia had decided to open up old wounds. Somehow she had discovered Sirius hadn't had a trial. But how? Of course… as the Head of a very important Department, she would be allowed to search the VIP files in the Hall of Records. She must have gotten curious about Sirius and had found out he hadn't had a trial! Albus had tried to cover this up back then, by trying to add a record into the file making it appear Sirius did have a trial. But the record would always vanish itself, because it wasn't 'factual'. So Sirius Black's file had ended up in the VIP files. He hadn't counted on Amelia Bones, the one person who could one day decide to investigate Sirius Black's files, to do exactly that!
He needed to get to the Ministry again. He needed to speak to Cornelius again. He was about to turn to Minerva to tell her he'd be away from the castle again, when suddenly an owl landed in front of him on the table. Albus' left eye twitched, behind his spectacles, as he stared at the owl. He recognized the owl, of course. It was Cornelius Fudge's personal owl. Cornelius never sent him a letter during the breakfast run. It was always early in the morning or after breakfast.
This meant bad news. This meant the Minister had waited to do it until now. This meant he had done it for a specific purpose.
Albus untied the scroll of parchment and unrolled it. The owl flew away, which unsettled Albus more. The Minister didn't want a response to the contents of this letter. He began to read the letter.
From The Office of British Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge
Albus,
If you haven't read Rita Skeeter's headlining article in the Daily Prophet today, put this letter down and read it.
I will assume from this point that you have read this letter. I have already predicted you would likely wish to meet with me in my office again, so I decided I would stop you before you left the castle.
Albus, do not try to convince me to stop Sirius Black from receiving a trial. I will give you two reasons why.
First, is the fact that Sirius Black never received a trial after his arrest. When you, and Millicent and Bartemus decided to throw Black into Azkaban without a trial in '81, did you even think of the precedence it would have when it was discovered! Lucius Malfoy stepped into my office today, and I thought he was going to try to block Sirius Black's trial, because his son is in line for Lord Black. He did not stop it. He actually supports it, Albus! Can you believe that?! Do you know why? Because if Sirius isn't given a trial, it will create a fear in Purebloods. Not just Purebloods, but Lords of Noble and Ancient Houses, Albus! The most important citizens in our society! If I did not agree to give Sirius Black a trial, I should just resign now because I would be harassed for the rest of my time in office from my peers in the Wizengamot about this very topic! The trial will happen! Do not try to stop it from happening!
Second reason. You did not tell me why Director Bones is investigating you. She said there were many reasons. This was the one reason she gave me! I was shocked when I discovered you were responsible for this! I did not expect this of you! I am starting to regret telling Director Bones she needs to delay arresting you.
Listen to me, Albus, and listen good! If I get any inclination that you are purposefully trying to stop a Lord of an Ancient and Most Noble House from being given his Ministry-given Rights, I will personally order Director Bones to take ten Aurors to Hogwarts and arrest you, then put you in front of the Wizengamot, where we will discover just what Director Bones is investigating you for!
You're lucky I'm allowing you to attend the trials of, not only Sirius Black, but Molly Weasley as well. I should just tell you to remain at Hogwarts and prepare for the Winter Solstice Session on Monday. But I want you to attend Sirius Black's trial. I want you to know that I know why Amelia Bones is investigating you. I won't tell you anymore today. You'll have to find it out when everyone else does!
I'll see you on Saturday,
Cornelius O. Fudge
British Minister of Magic
Albus resisted ripping the letter into shreds. How dare Cornelius defy him like this? If it wasn't for him, Cornelius wouldn't have lasted a year in office as Minister! Damn Fudge and Damn Amelia Bones. Amelia had told Cornelius something about Sirius Black. But what?! What did Cornelius know that would come out on Saturday during Sirius Black's trial? Wait… was it possible? Did Amelia somehow discover that Sirius Black was not only Harry Potter's Godfather, but had participated in the Godfather Ritual with James, Lily and Harry Potter? If she knew about this, she would have realized Sirius Black could not have been Secret Keeper, and have given up the Secret. He would have been dead before he could confront Peter Pettigrew.
"Minerva, when Director Bones was here yesterday," Albus asked, "Was Sirius Black ever mentioned by her, or to her?"
"I do not know, Albus," Minerva said.
"Were the events that happened here at Hogwarts surrounding last June ever brought up?" Albus asked.
"Not in my presence," Minerva said, "However, Ron Weasley was involved in those events. But if she had gotten it out of Ronald Weasley, while here at Hogwarts, she would have spoken to Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, as they were also involved in those events. Maybe Director Bones got it out of him during his interrogations at the Ministry?"
Of course! How could he be so stupid! Of course that is how she found out. Ron must have told her about Scabbers, Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black – and all those events at the end of third year. Somehow Amelia had been able to overcome the enchantments in the wards that stopped any student from discussing certain events that happened in the school! Somehow she had been able to get Ronald Weasley to give up the story! She must know Peter Pettigrew is alive, and therefore she must have come to realize what really happened back in '81!
And Albus couldn't do a thing about it. He had to take Cornelius' threats seriously. Cornelius was obviously angry at him for being responsible for a Pureblood of an important house being put in Azkaban without a trial. Especially since he was friends with Lucius Malfoy. Albus wasn't so surprised that Lucius had complained. The man could have been in Azkaban if he hadn't been able to use the Imperius Defense in front of the Wizengamot. He was obviously quite worried that his investigation might be reopened. He was trying to save his own face, instead of trying to get his son to be the new Lord Black.
Then there was Cornelius' threat. The threat that Amelia Bones could show up at any time – even before the end of the Triwizard Tournament, and arrest him and put him in front of the Wizengamot! Albus knew he was trapped. Amelia wouldn't pass up such an opportunity. Especially if she had gotten a lot of crucial information from Molly, Ron and Ginny Weasley, as he suspected.
Wait… why did Cornelius mention Molly's trial and not Ron and Ginny's trials? What was going on with the two youngest Weasley children? Were they being let off, because they were minors? No, Cornelius wouldn't allow it, since they had been arrested for Breaching the Statute of Secrecy. He had just said that the previous day hadn't he?
There was no way he could find out at the moment. He was forbidden from meeting the Minister. And he wasn't about to demand answers from Amelia Bones! None of his connections in the MLE and Auror Departments had given him any information about the Weasleys. Which meant Amelia might have suspicions about him having possible spies inside the Ministry, which would make her hackles rise and make her become very cautious about who she gave certain information to. This meant he was going to have trouble in the future as well, when it came to finding out what she was investigating him on. Damn it!
He cleared his plate of breakfast, then stood up and headed out of the Great Hall, before someone like Harry Potter – who would surely be curious about his part in blocking Sirius Black from originally getting a trial – would begin asking him questions he didn't want to answer.
When he stepped into the Entrance Hall, he stopped in his tracks when he saw Severus Snape leaning against a wall and staring at him. The front page of the Daily Prophet, including the depiction of Sirius Black's screaming face, was staring at him. Severus' normally pale face was red and purple.
"Tell me you can prevent Black from getting a trial, Albus," Severus growled. "Tell me you're about to go to the Ministry to tell Fudge to stop this farce of a trial from ever taking place, Albus."
"I am not, Severus," Albus said. "Cornelius sent me a letter, which I only received minutes ago. He expressly forbid me from interfering in Black's trial. He even threatened to order Amelia Bones and ten Aurors to come here and arrest me if I even attempted to interfere. I already had to request the Minister to stop Director Bones from arresting me. I couldn't stop her from investigating me, unfortunately. But she cannot arrest me – without Cornelius' permission – until after the end of the Tournament."
"Let me guess," Severus sneered. "You used the Goblet of Fire as an excuse. You made the Minister believe you would be… punished… if you were somehow parted from your Tournament responsibilities."
"Indeed, I did," Albus said, "Well done, Severus."
"Yes, well done," Severus said, "Until Bartemius Crouch's sickness continues to prevent him from showing up for his responsibilities and he continues to live, even after missing such responsibilities."
"Perhaps, sometime, you can visit Bartemius to see if he is well," Albus said.
"Perhaps," Severus sneered. "Just tell me when I should arrange to visit your old friend to… check up on him."
"I'll consider when such a time is necessary," Albus said.
Bartemius has already announced he won't be attending the Yule Ball, Albus mused. Which, of course, is one of the responsibilities of a Tournament official. Perhaps Severus should give the man a Christmas gift he'll never forget. Some type of… Potion maybe? To cure the man's sickness, of course.
"I am sorry I cannot prevent Sirius Black's trial, my boy," Albus said, "However, it might present new opportunities. I have been considering bringing back the Order of the Phoenix. Perhaps, if he becomes a free man, I can… convince him to go on a mission or two for me. Maybe try to recruit some new members for the Order."
"Maybe Black and Lupin can go find some… werewolves… to convince," Severus said. "If they succeed, good for them, and good for us. If they were to perish… it would certainly be a tragedy."
"That it would," Albus agreed. "Good day, Severus. I am sure you need to prepare for your first lesson of the day."
"Good day, Headmaster," Severus said.
He turned and, with billowing cloak, headed back toward the dungeons. Albus sighed and headed in the direction of the Grand Staircase. He needed to work on damage control.
At least there was a silver lining in the grey clouds that had been raining on him over the past few days.
His plans to block Harry Potter's Emancipation were, thankfully still in play. Nobody who would oppose such a thing had discovered that yet.
Oh, Albus, if only that were true!
And so begins the story arc of the Children of the Great Alliance, and the Great Alliance itself. And we finally find out who Padma's going with to the Yule Ball. Yes, it is an Original Character, as I couldn't figure out who else she could go with. Besides, at least her date has some significance in the future of the story, as a fellow Child of the Great Alliance.
So there's the answer for those of you wondering how Albus' Goblet of Fire defense was going to slip up when it came to Bartemius Crouch missing out on his responsibilities. The answer: it isn't.
So Severus Snape finally gets a big scene in this story! Sorry I haven't had much to do with him in this story yet. He'll get more significance sooner or later.
Next Chapter: Harry and Hermione find out from McGonagall – who found out from Amelia Bones – what the fate of Ron and Ginny will be. Then Harry and Hermione finds a way to speak to Daphne Greengrass without those pesky Slytherins finding out. Then we skip to Saturday morning, and the start of a very busy Saturday! Maybe we'll have a fluffy, romantic scene between Harry and Hermione somewhere