The Secret Relationship: The Angelic Witch and Draco Malfoy (Book 3)

The Angel's Halo

"Shocking business... shocking... miracle none of them died... never heard the like... by thunder, it was lucky you were there, Snape..." Said Cornelius Fudge's voice.

"Thank you, Minister."

"Order of Merlin, Second Class, I'd say. First Class, if I can wangle it!"

"Thank you very much indeed, Minister."

"Nasty cut you've got there... Black's work, I suppose?"

"As a matter of fact, it was Potter, Pearlstone, Weasley, and Granger, Minister..."

"No!"

"Black had bewitched them, I saw it immediately. A Confundus Charm, to judge by their behaviour. They seemed to think there was a possibility he was innocent. They weren't responsible for their actions. Black attempted to abduct Miss Pearlstone from right under our noses. On the other hand, their interference might have permitted Black to escape... They obviously thought they were going to catch Black single-handed. They've got away with a great deal before now... I'm afraid it's given them a rather high opinion of themselves... and of course, Potter has always been allowed an extraordinary amount of license by the headmaster --"

"Ah, well, Snape... Harry Potter, you know... we've all got a bit of a blind spot where he's concerned."

"And yet -- is it good for him to be given so much special treatment? Miss Pearlstone could have been abducted! Personally, I try and treat him like any other student. And any other student would be suspended -- at the very least -- for leading his friends into such danger. Miss Pearlstone's safety at stake, right in front of Black. Consider, Minister -- against all school rules -- after all the precautions put in place for his protection -- out-of-bounds, at night, consorting with a werewolf and a murderer -- and I have reason to believe he has been visiting Hogsmeade illegally too --"

"Well, well... we shall see, Snape, we shall see... The boy has undoubtedly been foolish...."

"What amazes me most is the behaviour of the Dementors... you've really no idea what made them retreat, Snape?"

"No, Minister... by the time I had come 'round they were heading back to their positions at the entrances...."

What were they talking about? Heroneka wondered, still pretending to be dead. All she remembered was being hit with a spell by Pettigrew. She had died then! Where did the Dementors come from and where were Harry, Ron, Hermione, Sirius and Remus? Most of all, where did Pettigrew went? Was he ever caught? Did the Dementors get him?

"Extraordinary. And yet Black, and Harry, and the girl --"

"All unconscious by the time I reached them. I bound and gagged Black, naturally, conjured stretchers, and brought them all straight back to the castle. Miss Pearlstone experienced her fifth death as well, Minister. She was hit by a death spell, obviously, work of Sirius Black."

There was a pause. Heroneka wanted to punch Snape right now. Sirius had tried to save them. And here was Snape, stating that he had killed Heroneka.

She couldn't take it and opened her eyes. Her body had gained a lot of strength by now. She slowly moved her head over on the pillow. In the bed to her left lay Hermione. Moonlight was falling across her bed. Her eyes were open too. She looked petrified, and when she saw that Heroneka was awake, pressed a finger to her lips, then pointed to the hospital wing door. It was ajar, and the voices of Cornelius Fudge and Snape were talking there. Heroneka tried to look past Hermione's bed and saw that Harry was on the bed next to hers. He was awake as well. Next to him, Ron was there, asleep.

Madam Pomfrey now came walking briskly up the dark ward to Harry's bed. Heroneka sat up, feeling dizzy. She looked at Madam Pomfrey, who was carrying the largest block of chocolate she had ever seen in her life. It looked like a small boulder.