Hexad (hiatus)

Book three, chapter twenty-two

Book three!
chapter twenty-two of this secret-spilling book-in-a-book: Secrets Uncovered.

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"Shocking business... shocking... miracle none of them ended up dead... however, those girls' cuts 'll never heal over.... Why, I've never heard of the like, both unturned... fortunate, fortunate... by Merlin, it was lucky you were there, Snape..."

"Thank you, Minister."

"Order of Merlin, Second Class, I'd say... First Class, if I can manage it!"

"Thank you so very much indeed, Minister."

"And quite the nasty cut you've got there... Black's work, I presume?"

"Indeed Minister... if I may add, I believe Black bewitched the children... they were convinced he was innocent... I wouldn't dare hold them responsible for their actions against me or Lupin... on the other hand, they may have permitted Black's escape... I'm afraid the things they've gotten away with in the past have given them a rather high perspective of themselves... and, of course, Potter has been allowed an extraordinary amount of freedom, much more than any normal student--"

"Ah.... Well, Snape, best to let bygones be bygones... we've all got a bit of a blind spot when he's involved. Can't be helped."

Harry had finally found the energy to open his eyes, but everything was blurry, and the room was dark. He could see Madam Pomfrey with her back to him, tending to someone who he presumed was Ron by the red hair just underneath her arm. Harry craned his neck to look around.

Hermione was in the bed next to him, looking to be holding her breath. She was wide awake too. When she saw that he was awake, she pressed a finger to her lips, motioning for him to stay silent.

And suddenly, there was a creaking noise that made the entire room freeze. Harry shut his eyes quickly, and someone else spoke.

"Mister Minister, if I may interrupt?"

It was Lisa.

"Er-- I--"

"Thank you," said Lisa cheerfully, before Fudge could answer. "So, Professor Snape... I'm sorry to say you're wrong, but, like, you're to-otally wrong--"

"Miss Turpin--"

"Professor!" Lisa gasped dramatically. "It is so rude to cut off a lady when she's speaking, good grief! Anyways, Mister Minister, I think you'll find something very useful to Black's case, if you would be so kind as to check-- this rat."

"What does this... rat, have to do with Black, miss?"

"Only, like, everything. You wouldn't happen to know of... well, unregistered Animagi, would you? I have reason to believe this... stupid little rat, is none other than Peter Pettigrew--"

"Miss Turpin, you've lost far too much blood. We cannot trust if you're inclined to believe this... thing , is Peter Pettigrew. He is dead --"

"Hello? Professor Snape, sir? Still, like, super rude? And I've had about ten replenishing potions, I think I'm perfectly okay. Now, Mister Minister-- as I said, Professor, not you-- ahem-- would you be so kind as to do the-- spell- thingy that turns stupid little rat Animagi into humans? Like, now? This dude's tail is, like... disgusting."

"Miss Turpin-- I, er, agree with Snape. I think you may have lost a bit too much blood... why not lie down for a moment, and think--"

"Sir, I am fine!" said Lisa, and it sounded as though her teeth were gritted. "I have taken enough potions for my blood to be fully restored and then some! So if you would, just check - the stupid - rat! This would be over in an instant! And if, only if, this little bastard doesn't turn into Peter Pettigrew, then I'll shut up. I'll go and lay down, and- take a rest. But, when this rat turns into Pettigrew, you've got to give Sirius Black a fair trial. AH-HAH-- WITH -- Veritaserum! Do we-- ah, do we, have a deal, Mister Minister?"