Present Mixed in the Past

Chapter 19| Not According to Plan

The trial had made headlines, and Rita was all over it. She had exaggerated some bits, but she kept to the truth. She was even able to get a statement from both Harry Potter and the new chairman, Remus Lupin! This gave the woman a new credibility, giving her more audience willing to give her a second look.

Dumbledore glared at the moving picture of Sirius being escorted out by some of St. Mungo's doctors. The title was even more ridiculous!

Convicted Black Finally Has Trial! Verdict: Innocent!

The great wizard slammed his hands down onto his desk. It rattled some, lightly startling his weakening phoenix. The bird then shook their head at him, soon going back to their sleeping position. Outbursts from him weren't uncommon, so they weren't going to lose sleep over it.

The portraits didn't say anything, but they could see the papers very clearly. They knew that he had a special plan in place for Sirius and Remus. They weren't completely sure what the plan was, but they knew it wasn't anything good. So, seeing that his plan was thwarted, it filled them with glee. It was a special treat for them especially since they were the only ones who got to see how it infuriated him.

"Shut it!" He shouted, banging on the desk again.

They looked away, but anyone could see the mirth in their eyes. Dumbledore glared at them, he wished he had the power to remove their frames. However, they were helpful in keeping tabs on certain students. He had been hoping that Harry would befriend Ron, at least then it would've been easier for him to feed him words.

The room went silent afterward. He thought that would be the end of it, however laughter soon floated into the room. The laughter was joyous and young, teasing in every manner. It spurred the old wizard to storm into the other room. His prisoner only grinned at him, his dark eyes glowing with mirth.

"He's not under your control now~ He won't ever be under it, not this time!" He laughed more, uncaring about his own predicament.

The grey-haired wizard didn't hesitate to fire an Unforgiveable at the other. He cried out, withering in pain, flopping over because of it. His body curled in on himself as he attempted to help relieve himself of the pain. The chains glowed darkly, a show that he was attempting to use magic.

"You stupid, worthless man! How do you know! How! You lied to me, didn't you?" The old liar shouted.

The young-looking wizard leaned back; his only response was a sinister smile. He knew what happened, how could he not? But he wasn't going to reveal anything to someone like Albus Dumbledore, not this time. He would only tell him what he knew the first time and that was it. What could this mortal man do to him that wouldn't leave him empty handed? Even pain wouldn't get him to speak now. No, he was determined to let this man suffer as he had.

"Fine! Don't tell me! I'll fix this! You'll see! Dark Magic will die!"

With a flurry of bright robes, the man left the other in the tiny, dark room. He shook his head slowly, his grin falling into a more boyish one. He couldn't wait to hear all the shouts of annoyance that were bound to happen now things were falling apart. This was why there were three fates, the first plan would rarely ever work.

Then again, only true time could tell what Harry and his little gang were going to do next, for even he didn't have that power.