PRIORI INCANTATEM

4. Talk - With Dumbledore, and the Dursleys

(A/N: Instead of rotating the first part of this chapter around Harry, I'm just writing in third person P.O.V., Harry being absent from the scenario.)

The weird group — containing Remus Lupin, Sirius Black in his animagus form, Lily and James Potter hidden under the invisibility cloak — made their way to Dumbledore's office.

"Acid Pops," Remus spoke the password, to which the stone gargoyle step aside, giving them entrance to the spiral staircase.

"Albus Dumbledore!" it was Lily who cried out his name, as James threw back the Invisibility Cloak, and Sirius turned back to his human self.

"I'm aware of the reason you all have come here," began Dumbledore, holding a hand to stop them from speaking, "but you must give me a moment to inform you of a particularly good news."

As Remus nodded, Dumbledore continued — "Thanks to the statement given by Ms. Jorkins . . . Sirius, your name has been cleared off from the crime they held you guilty of. She has given, under the effects of Veritaserum, and hence undertaking a truly dangerous task, a full account of her meeting with Peter Pettigrew, and informed the Ministry of his actions. No doubt, Fudge has seen to it to gain trust of Ms. Jorkins, so that she mustn't reveal to others that Voldemort might have actually come back — but yes, you're a free man Sirius, and tomorrow the Daily Prophet will carry the news. You might be summoned at the Ministry for another trial, but —"

"Congratulations Sirius," Remus said, smiling widely.

"I won't say anything. I have yet to hear of what exactly happened, to send Padfoot to Azkaban. And that gives me another reason to be mad at you, Dumbledore," James said.

"Ah, you can yell at me as much as you want," said Dumbledore. "I personally believe that I deserve being shouted at for all the mistakes I've made . . . but here comes the complex part of what I told you just now."

"Let me guess," Remus began. "At the trial, they are going to question Sirius under Veritaserum, and you're afraid they might ask him about you, and what you're planning against the Ministry."

"I'm afraid you're right, Remus," said Dumbledore.

"We can use the antidote to Veritaserum," said Lily promptly.

Dumbledore smiled. "How do you know about that Lily?"

"Well . . . it was — er — a private discovery — by me and Severus."

"Ah, yes," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eyes. "No one knows about it except you, Severus, me and now all the people present in this room. I can trust either you or Severus to prepare it, and I'm afraid he is unavailable for the task at the moment, so I'm counting upon you for that."

"Of course, Professor Dumbledore."

"You can call me Albus now. You are no longer a student at Hogwarts."

"Right — er — Albus," said Lily.

"You mean to say —" began James, forgetting his anger momentarily, "— that you discovered an antidote to Veritaserum somewhere in first five years at Hogwarts?" He, Remus and Sirius were all looking at Lily in some sort of awe.

She nodded, blushing slightly.

"So, if that is settled," James spoke, as he remembered the real reason why they were here, and trying hard to keep his voice at a normal volume, "Can I know why the bloody hell was my best mate sent to Azkaban, and why was my son sent to live with those Dursleys?"

All four of them glared at Albus, though Remus and Sirius did so only in regard to Harry being sent to his relatives.

"Well," Dumbledore began. "You see — you had changed your secret keeper without telling me — or anyone else for the matter."