Reliving the Past, Present, and Future

Chapter 24

News travelled quickly on Sirius Black being held at the Ministry. Reporters tried sneaking into the courtroom, but the doors would not budge. The circus of reporters interviewed anyone who dare try to pass by them. This would include Lucius Malfoy. 

Lucius spoke of confidence that Dumbledore was not fit to be Headmaster due to defending a mass murderer and expects both he and Sirius Black will promptly be escorted to Azkaban after the trial.

The hallway that usually held very small numbers, was now thoroughly crowded; however Arthur knew of a different exit from the courtroom. If Sirius was to be led away guilty by Kingsley or free by Dumbledore, this would be the quietest way to do so.

In the small corridor, Harry sat on the ground, his nerves frayed at having to wait. Next to him was Hermione and Ginny, both holding Harry's hands despite him weakly fighting it. Ron had volunteered to stay at home with the twins and Mrs. Weasley so Harry felt slightly less anxious about his mate getting angry for holding their hands.

Lupin was pacing the corridor and looking more stressed than Harry had ever seen him.

Mr. Weasley and Tonks had tried talking to him, but eventually resigned to sitting on a bench, watching Lupin anxiously.

***

"Memories can be altered, Dumbledore," said Madam Bones quietly after a few seconds of silence. All eyes of the Wizengamot were transfixed on the two vials.

"True," conceded Dumbledore kindly. "But a thorough analysis of these memories will show this is not the case."

"Who were the memories collected from?" asked Kingsley with an eyebrow raised. 

"One is from a Muggle witness who was there that fateful day," said Dumbledore. "The other memory was taken from Hermione Granger."

Percy looked up at the familiar name with a frown. 

"Miss Granger is a student from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And though she is an incredibly gifted fifth year, I doubt she has the capabilities to alter her recollections."

"What does the Granger girl have to do with this?" said Fudge, suspiciously.

"If you remember, Cornelius, two years ago, Sirius Black was apprehended at Hogwarts."

"For trying to kill Harry Potter," snarled Fudge before he pursed his lips at what he said. 

The Wizengamot had just witnessed Harry Potter himself jumping to Sirius Black's defense.

"That was the presumption," said Dumbledore, his demeanor still pleasant. "We will be watching a memory of hers from her third year showing proof that Peter Pettigrew is alive."

"Dumbledore," said Kingsley slowly, narrowing his eyes in mock suspicion. "We would have heard after 14 years if a dead man was alive."

"He is an unregistered Animagi," explained Dumbledore patiently. "And takes the shape of a rat. He had been under the pseudonym of 'Scabbers'."

Percy did a double take. The rat he passed down to Ron? That couldn't be right.

"Mr. Weasley, Scabbers was once your pet before being passed down to your younger brother Ronald Weasley, correct?"

Everyone turned their attention to Percy, who's ears were now scarlet. 

"Well?" said Fudge impatiently. 

"That was the name of my pet rat, yes," said Percy, looking uncomfortable. 

"And did this rat ever turn into a human?" said Fudge with a smirk.