The American Enigma

The Truth Shall

Sorry for the late update. Long story short, I've been dealing with a lot of things that have required my full attention, so I didn't get a chance to finish the second part to this which focuses on the aftermath of Sirius's escape. It SHOULD be finished Tuesday or Wednesday and goes in-depth on how different this Dumbledore is from the official canon. 

Y/N POV

I looked out over the grounds. The DRCMC wasn't interested in the truth apparently, already condemning an innocent animal to death. Draco was excited until he got slapped by Daphne. She revealed the torment she went through during the past summer, and even credited Hagrid with helping her when she had nightmares.

The scene was in front of the entire school during supper, and I could feel the change in Dumbledore's aura. He was always calm, hiding his power behind the facade of a crazy old man who was fond of sweets. Now? Now everyone could see why people feared him.

His body was taut, ready to strike at a moments notice. The blue eyes, once full of mirth and care, became hardened steel. Snape hid a snarl, but whispered something to the headmaster. Awstin, however, motioned for me to do something. But what could I do?

Might I recommend summoning a dragon for entertainment? Shade requested from.... Probably somewhere that'd end up being destroyed.

Or Hell, after taking the throne from Satan.

I'd rather not destroy the school. I sent back, getting a scoff in reply.

Please. I'd take it and ride it into battle. Why does my cat have to be the way he is? Couldn't he be normal? Or at least a little less insane?

It still hurt that, due to the whole Hermione situation, I didn't help Hagrid as much as I wanted to, but I doubt it would have helped any.

The Malfoy money was too powerful. Grandpa Ken had sent me a letter, explaining that it while Hagrid wasn't truly responsible for the injury, Lucius could use his money to make it so. He cared not for the lives destroyed, but for keeping his name pristine.

However, when she received word of Buckbeak's fate, she turned and buried her face into my chest. I wrapped my arms around her, quickly hiding my blush. Uncle Ethan might be able to get something done, but I can't trust that my letter wouldn't be intercepted.

Not after this past summer.

"We need to tell Dumbledore." Her voice was incredibly soft, and I couldn't help but agree. He should be able to do something about this injustice. As we began to turn, I remembered another pair that had agreed to help Hagrid.

"Ron and Harry." She looked at me, with bloodshot eyes and tear tracks. "They deserve to know as well. I'll let Dumbledore know, but you need to inform them." She nodded and turned around. Making my way towards Awstin.
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Dumbledore's office hadn't changed much. Small instruments whistling, with the perch of Fawkes off to the side. A magical globe rested on his table, which was made from dark oak. A map of the constellations rested above one of the bookcases, which housed works from famous philosophers.

His chintz chairs housed him and a visitor, one who had unkempt hair and calculating grey eyes. He was freshly shaved, and wore a marble white cloak with gold lining over a dark robe. A badge was attached to the cloak, with an eagle holding a pair of wands.

Once the headmaster noticed me, he wore a warm smile and introduced us. "Y/N, this is Garnet Black. An auror from MACUSA. Garnet, this is Y/N. What brings you to my office?"

"Pleasure to meet you." We said in unison. Dumbledore conjured up another chair for me.

"Buckbeak is going to be executed."

"So I've heard." At my raised eyebrow, Dumbledore explained it. "Lucius, for all of his flaws, is brilliant and sneaky. Thorfinn Rowle, on the other hand, is as subtle as a bull in a china shop."

"Is there anything you can do to help Hagrid? Or even get it stopped?"

"Alas, I am unable to. Backdoor deals always happen, and I am unable to work around them."

"What?"

"I cannot do anything." For the first time, the elderly scholar looked defeated. "We had a planned meeting set for tomorrow, but Fudge followed the money and cancelled it due to 'irrefutable evidence' of Hagrid's fault."

"So, a pathetic urchin is capable of beating the greatest wizard since Merlin!?"

"No, but the threat of him getting more involved in the school can. While I advocate for peaceful resolutions, there are those who prefer to use other means. Our minister is easily beguiled by the prospect of extra gold lining his pockets, and we can't do anything lest we alienate the ones on our side."

"If they're on our side, sir, then they'd be against any type of corruption."

"I agree." His words startled me, much to his and Garnet's amusement. "Which is why Garnet is here. He has an idea for how we can use this to our advantage."

"Yep." Garnet smiled at me, an eerie sight considering the history of the Black family. "While I'm considered an outcast due to my parentage, or bastard, as some would call me, I've got pull with MACUSA and the ICW. Which means that I have a reason to question the decision by Fudge. It can't reverse the decision unless there's a reason for it. Like, for example, if there's first hand evidence to the innocence of the creature. We have that, but he's willing to ignore it, so I can use that during the Wizengamot meeting I'll be attending after the end of the school year."

"But it'll be too late at that meeting!"

"Yes, but in this instance, time is on our side. Do not fret, Mr Stafford, for I do not intend to sit idle. To borrow an old saying, 'no plan survives first contact.'"
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We stared at the wizard in front of them, with Ron struggling to keep his balance due to the attack. Sunken cheekbones drew attention to the haunted eyes. He was malnourished, and yet, carried himself with an air of aloofness. The stolen wand pointed at the four of us, until Professor Lupin came in and disarmed all of us.

The two had a heated discussion, with me unable to focus due to the hut to the head I suffered. Why was I hurt? Well, the reason is because I was hit by a branch of the Whomping Willow to protect Hermione. Blood flowed from the gash above my right eye, causing me to have to keep it closed.

"Unless you switched." That phrase was the only thing I could focus on. Who could they be talking about? Something wasn't adding up, since Black was the villain here.

Unless...... Unless he was framed.

But who'd be able to frame him? Perhaps a Death Eater, but which one? Rucorn would be my guess, but who else?

"That's why Snape hates you." I heard Harry say, before hearing Snape's voice.

"You're right." He removed Harry's invisibility cloak, and drew his wand. His words about how he noticed a unique map on Lupin's desk as he was dropping off the Wolfsbane potion melded together with arguments about whether he should listen to them or not. Names were thrown out, but the one that caught my attention was Peter Pettigrew.

"Pettigrew." My words were slurred, but caught the attention of Snape and Lupin. "Black was framed..." The world went dark as I said this.
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Garnet POV

I entered the room, noting the others and their positions. Hermione was checking on Y/N, while Ron was standing in immense pain. All trying to protect their friend from a supposed mass murderer and two teachers. Sending a silent stunner, I knocked Snape out and smiled at my cousin.

"This is your best chance. Prove that Pettigrew is alive." He and Lupin did, using the animagus revealing charm. The Weasley rat was struck, and morphed into the form of a balding man with buck teeth and nervously twitching at the sight of his former friends.

I listened to them as they were upset with the betrayal of a brother. How he had been passing on information for a year before Voldemort attacked the Potters. It lent credence to a theory I had been forming.

All that's needed now is to escort the kids, a supposed mass murderer, and one of his apparent victims. Should be pretty simple, right?