A Whole New Beginning (Completed)

Chapter 12

"MY GODSON IS IN PRISON?!" Sirius screamed, standing up to face Dumbledore.

"I didn't say he was in prison, Sirius," Dumbledore said. "Harry was getting expelled and the Ministry took him for questioning."

"Why the HELL did they take him?!"

"You," Dumbledore said quietly. Sirius drew back, letting out a deep breath as he did so. "The Ministry knows that Harry knows something."

"Me?" he said. Dumbledore nodded.

"Potter, Weasley and Granger were late to my class a few weeks ago," McGonagall said. "They told me that Umbridge had cornered them and had the suspicion that they knew something. When she found out about the group, it was the perfect opportunity for Fudge to take him."

"How did she know?" Sirius asked, glaring at McGonagall. She shook her head.

"I don't know, Sirius."

"I know," Snape said, speaking up for the first time. Sirius glared even harder at him.

"What do you mean?"

"The day you took Potter to the train station, someone from the Ministry was there and recognized."

Sirius looked at him for a moment before bending over the chair, cursing at himself. "Malfoy!"

"He told me he spotted you."

"He probably told Draco, who told Umbridge," McGonagall said.

"They still don't have a right to take him!"

Sirius paced the kitchen, running his hands through his hair as he did so. "I don't have a choice."

"What do you mean?" Remus asked.

"I'm turning myself in."

"You can't do that."

"Fudge is the biggest idiot I have ever seen," he said. "If the press finds out that Harry's been taken to the Ministry because of a possible connection with me, you know how badly his reputation will be ruined? Plus, if I can the trial that I deserve, Fudge will be gone for good, along with that Umbridge woman."

"Sirius, you could end up back in Azkaban."

"I would rather be there than have Harry there!" Sirius said. "Dumbledore, I'm going with you. I'm turning myself in."

Dumbledore nodded, looking straight at Sirius. "If that is what you wish to do, I will not stop you. I will do everything in my power to make sure you do not return to Azkaban."

*****

"Have you heard?" Fudge said, handing Harry a copy of The Daily Prophet. Harry took it from it and read the cover.

'Mass Breakout at Azkaban.'

"You're blaming Black for this? Shocker," Harry said sarcastically.

"Do you know anything about it?"

"I know that Voldemort did it."