Harry Potter Avatar And The Prisoner Of Azkaban

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Hermione's Secret

"Socking business...shocking...miracle none of them died...never heard the like...by thunder, it was lucky you were there, Snape..." "Thank you, Minister." "Order of Merlin, Second Class, I'd say. First class, if I can wrangle it!" "Thank you very much indeed, Minister." "Nasty cut you've got there...Black's work, I suppose?" "As a matter of fact, it was the children, Minister..." "No!" "Black had bewitched them, I saw it immediately. A Confundus Charm, to judge by their behavior. They weren't responsible for their actions. On the other hand, their interference might have permitted Black to escape...They obviously though they could catch him single-handed. They've gotten away with a great deal before now..." "Fascinating, Severus. I've known several of those children for years now, but I never found they got away with breaking rules. They've really behaved, in my opinion. One of them is the Avatar." "You obviously don't know them like I do, Professor Iroh!" "Let's calm down, gentlemen...they have undoubtedly been foolish this evening...we shall see..."

Harry and Aang awoke with a start. Harry looked over at Aang, who was staring around him. The others lie unconscious, except for Hermione. Suddenly, Madam Pomfrey came bustling in. "Ah, you're awake!" she said, placing chocolate at their tables. "What happened to them all?" Aang asked. "There were many dementors" said Madam Pomfrey. "They passed out from them. Mr. Weasley broke his leg-Potter, what are you doing?"

Harry jumped to his feet, followed by Aang. "We need to see the headmaster" said Harry. "It's all right, Potter" said Madam Pomfrey. "They've caught Black. They're going to administer the Kiss" "WHAT?" Hermione, Aang, and Harry said it at the same time, as they all looked to each other, fear in their eyes.

The doors burst opened, and Cornelius Fudge, Iroh, and Snape entered. "Harry" said Fudge. "You should be in bed-has he had chocolate?" "Minister, listen!" said Harry. "Sirius Black's innocent! Peter Pettigrew faked his own death! We saw him tonight! You can't let the dementors" but Fudge shook his head. "Harry, you're confused, you've been through a dreadful ordeal, lie down, now, we've got everything under control..."

"YOU HAVEN'T!" Harry yelled. "YOU'VE GOT THE WRONG MAN!" "Mister, please" said Hermione. "I saw him too. It was Ron's rat, Pettigrew was an Animagus" "You see" said Snape. "Confunded" "WE'RE NOT CONFUNDED!" Harry roared. "Minister" said Aang. 'If you won't listen to them, then maybe you'll listen to me. I'm the Avatar, I am trying to keep balance in the world, and I'm trying to do that right now. I assure you, we're not confused, we haven't been charmed...Sirius Black is innocent, Peter Pettigrew is alive...we had him...but he escaped..." "Maybe we should hear them out" said Iroh. "No!" Snape snarled. Iroh gave him an enraged look, when the door opened.

Dumbledore stood there, staring at them all. "Professor, Sirius Black" "For heaven's sake!" said Madam Pomfrey. "My apologies, Poppy" said Dumbledore. "I must speak with Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, and the Avatar alone. Professor Iroh, you may stay." "I suppose you heard the same story from Black?" snarled Snape. "Does my evidence count for nothing?" "You were knocked out, Professor!" said Hermione. "You didn't hear" "Miss Granger, HOLD YOUR TONGUE!" "Snape" said Fudge. "The young girl is disturbed. Please..." "Cornelius, Severus, Poppy" said Dumbledore. "Leave us."

The three exited, as Dumbledore faced the four. "It is time for you to listen to me" said Dumbledore. "Iroh, I'd like you to head upstairs and stay with Sirius Black. If the dementors arrive with Fudge, tell them the story of you conquering Ba Sing Se. I need you to stay with Black until we get this done." "Yes sir" said Iroh, and he strolled out of the room.

Dumbledore turned to the other. "There is not a shred of evidence that supports Black's story, except your word, and that won't hold. It is Professor Snape's version that is far more convincing at this point. The way Sirius has acted this year supports that fact." "But, you do believe us?" Aang asked. "Yes I do" said Dumbledore. "But, I can't make anyone see truth, or overrule the Minister of Magic..."