Wolfbite (A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

Chapter 15: Oh, Fudge

Chapter 15: Oh, Fudge

Reggie's upset that Siri and I are leaving to stay with James, but I told him it wouldn't be long before we came back. I'll always be there for my brothers - my family.

**

The group traipsed up to the castle not long after that, leaving Sirius and Knight – Fen – back at the Shack. Remus and Leo walked behind the trio, talking quietly to each other and trying to figure out what story they should tell. Without Pettigrew, the truth was too wild to believe. They also didn't want Remy's secret getting out or for anyone to know Sirius was an Animagus.

About halfway to the castle, they came across Dumbledore and – surprisingly – Fudge striding toward them. Fudge looked nervous and sweaty, whereas Dumbledore looked calm as ever, though his blue eyes were twinkling with curiosity. Fudge ran toward them, looking immensely relieved at the sight of Harry being alive and well.

"Harry, my boy! You're all right! When I heard you were missing – I feared the worse! Worried Black had -" Fudge began.

"Black had nothing to do with it," Leo snapped in a very cross tone. "It was your bloody dementors that caused all the problems."

"P-Pardon?" Fudge stammered, taken aback at his tone.

Leo's eyes twinkled. Remus and the trio all exchanged a small smile. They all knew what that mischievous twinkle in the blonde's eyes meant. He was about to lie and manipulate his way out of the situation and - most likely - Fudge would come out not looking too well. The Gryffindors all turned back to watch the masterpiece that was about to unfold before them.

"We were visiting Hagrid – telling him how our exams had gone. Or well, these three were," Leo jabbed a thumb at the trio. "I was helping Professor Lupin clean up after his exam before heading down to join them. We met up halfway across the lawn and, out of nowhere, dementors start appearing from everywhere – like daisies shooting up from the ground! We ran, and they swooped after us. We had to hide in the forest all night until Professor Lupin came by to rescue us! So... yeah, thanks for planting an army of soul-sucking demons around a school full of children. Brilliant plan."

"Well, that's not – they were here to catch Black -" Fudge tried to say.

"Oh, yeah, bang-up job you've done on that," Leo rolled his eyes. "I'm sure the public will be completely all right with the fact that you were willing to endanger children to catch one man. Really screams 'greatest Minister of all time'."

"You wouldn't dare -," Fudge drew himself up, though he was paling slightly.

"Try me," Leo growled, taking a step forward. "You put me, my friends, and – most importantly – Harry in danger by keeping them on this long. They should leave before the press gets wind of what happened here last night."

Fudge went, if possible, even paler. He mumbled something about needing to contact the Ministry before turning around and running back toward the castle. Leo watched him run with satisfaction, wiggling his fingers at his retreating form. The trio and Remus had to bite their tongues to hide their laughter. Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling with amusement before he waved his wand, conjuring a stretcher for Ron.

He escorted them up to the hospital wing where Pomfrey insisted that they all eat large blocks of chocolate before settling Ron into a bed and fixing his leg. She wanted everyone else – including Remus – to stay until tomorrow for observation, but Dumbledore informed her that he needed a word with both the Defense professor and Leo. The two exchanged a bewildered look as Dumbledore led them through the castle and up to his office. They took their seats in the chairs across from Dumbledore as the man sat behind his desk peering at them.