Harry Potter and the Legend of the Twelve

The Return

"What was so bloody urgent," barked Harry at Williams after they had both arrived at the Ministry to find the Auror waiting for them.

"I can't say. The Minister will explain. He is waiting for you in the observation room of interrogation room one," hissed Head Auror Williams coldly. Williams turned and stormed off.

"I think you took him down a peg," said Ron with a grin.

"Well, he deserves it. He's the last person who should be Head Auror," said Harry. "Kingsley should have given the job to Hanna."

"I don't think she has enough experience," said Ron. "Don't get me wrong, she's a great Auror, but she hasn't been doing it as long as we have." Harry nodded in agreement.

Harry and Ron headed off to the Aurors' Office and interrogation room one. They talked about possible reasons they were here; cases they had been working didn't seem like a likely reason, as they had wrapped up all their major investigations already, and handed off the minor ones to other staff.

When they reached the observation room of interrogation room one, Kingsley was waiting for them alone. The curtain covering the window to the interrogation room was drawn closed.

"Harry, Ron, it's good to see you," said Kingsley.

"Nice to see you too, Kingsley," Harry replied. Kingsley shook hands with Harry and Ron, and motioned them to some chairs on one side of the room.

"I guess you are wondering why I called you here so late," said Kingsley.

"The question had occurred," said Harry sarcastically.

Kingsley grinned at Harry's sarcasm, but his smile quickly vanished. "Earlier today, we detected an apparent breach of security. The wards around the Death Chamber indicated an intruder," Kingsley explained.

"Who would want to break into the Death Chamber?" asked Ron.

"That's the thing," said Kingsley. "He claims he didn't break in. He says he came out of the veil."

"That's impossible," said Harry in shock.

"I said the same thing when the incident was brought to my attention," said Kingsley. "The Unspeakables in the Department of Mysteries agree. It's never happened in recorded history. I decided to take charge of the investigation personally."

"You didn't trust Williams?" asked Harry.

"No, it wasn't that," sighed Kingsley. "Look, he wasn't my first choice, but with both of you gone, he has more experience than anyone else in the department. I'm sure you would have recommended Hannah, but I just don't think she has enough experience yet."

Harry nodded. "I suppose you're right, Kingsley," he said. "Sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about," said Kingsley with a laugh. "Anyway, the wards in rooms and hallways adjacent to the Death Chamber indicate that there was no intruder outside the chamber. He couldn't have Apparated in, so it seems reasonable that his story might be true. We've done all possible testing on the intruder, and everything indicates he is exactly who he says he is. I have no legal recourse to hold him. It's because of whom he said he is that I took charge. I have to admit, it certainly seems to be him. He certainly seems like him."

The memories Harry had of the Death Chamber were some of the most painful of his life. He still missed Sirius every day of his life. "Who does he say he is?" asked Harry curiously.

"Harry, this is going to come as a shock," said Kingsley slowly, as Harry crossed his arms impatiently. "He claims to be...Sirius Black."

Harry's eyes went wide. "Excuse me. Could you say that again?" he asked disbelievingly. He felt Ron's hand on his shoulder.