Prologue
The third task of the Triwizard Tournament was over and while the three schools started to mourn Cedric Diggory, there was an interesting gathering in the hospital wing. Mrs. Weasley, her oldest son Bill, her youngest son Ron, and Hermione Granger were gathered around a bed where Harry Potter was sitting. There was a big, black, Grim-like dog standing by the bed almost protectively and a black cat with grey eyes sitting in a chair at Harry's bedside. All of them as well as Madam Pomfrey, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape looked between Albus Dumbledore and Cornelius Fudge as the headmaster told Fudge what he needed to do now that Lord Voldemort had returned. Fudge was refusing to believe any of it, thinking that all of it, Harry and Dumbledore were insane.
"If your determination to shut your eyes will carry you as far as this Cornelius," said Dumbledore, "we have reached a parting of the ways. You must act as you see fit. And I – I shall act as I see fit."
Fudge bristled as though Dumbledore's simple statement had been a threat. "Now, see here, Dumbledore. I've given you free rein, always. I've had a lot of respect for you. I might not have agreed with some of your decisions, but I've kept quiet. There aren't many who would let you hire werewolves, or keep Hagrid, or decide what to teach your students without reference to the Ministry. But if you're going to work against me-" The cat snorted at this wondering how the Minister could be so stupid and shortsighted.
"The only one against whom I intend to work," said Dumbledore "is Lord Voldemort. If you are against him, then we remain, Cornelius, on the same side."
Fudge turned very nervous at this before almost pleading, "He can't be back, Dumbledore, he just can't be…" Snape walked over to him rolling up his left sleeve to show the Minister the Dark Mark. As he explained the Mark the cat shifted his left foreleg as if in remembered pain. Unseen by the others the dog looked at the cat in slight concern. Fudge shook his head in disbelief, stepping back from Snape. "I don't know what you and your staff are playing at, Dumbledore, but I have heard enough. I have no more to add. I will be in touch with you, tomorrow, to discuss the running of this school. I must return to the Ministry." He dropped a bag of gold on Harry's bedside table and left slamming the door behind him.
"There is work to be done," Dumbledore said looking at the group around Harry's bed. "Molly… am I right in thinking that I can count on you and Arthur?"
"Of course you can," Mrs. Weasley said pale but resolute. "We know what Fudge is. It's Arthur's fondness for Muggles that has held him back at the Ministry all these years. Fudge thinks he lacks proper wizarding pride."
"Then I need to get a message to Arthur. All those that we can persuade of the truth must be notified immediately, and he is well placed to contact those at the Ministry who are not as short sighted as Cornelius." Bill offered to go and when he left Dumbledore had Professor McGonagall to take Hagrid and Madame Maxine to his office. He had Madam Pomfrey go see to a house-elf called Winky and once the sound of her footsteps faded away he spoke again. "And now, it is time for three of our number to recognize each other for what they are. Sirius…Regulus… if you would resume your usual forms." The two of them looked at Dumbledore and then at each other before changing back into human form.
Mrs. Weasley screamed and leapt back while Snape looked at Sirius in fury and horror. "Sirius Black!" Mrs. Weasley shrieked.
"Mum, shut up!" Ron yelled. "It's okay!"
"Him!" Snape snarled, staring at Sirius. "What's he doing here?" Everyone was fixated on the two of them that they hadn't noticed Regulus sitting quietly in his chair.
"He is here at my invitation," Dumbledore explained, "as are you, Severus. I trust you both. It is time for you to lay aside your differences and trust each other." Regulus rolled his eyes knowing of the bad blood between the two of them. Dumbledore started to get impatient, "I will settle, in the short term, for a lack of open hostility. You will shake hands. You are on the same side now. Time is short, and unless the few of us who know the truth stand united, there is no hope for any of us."
Regulus watched as his brother and Snape slowly moved towards each other and shook hands. He put his head in his hand muttering, "Idiot," as the two of them let go extremely quickly and seemed to want to wipe their hands off on their robes.
Mrs. Weasley heard him. "Who are you?" she asked not recognizing him.
"Regulus Black. That idiot's younger brother." Regulus replied gesturing to Sirius who looked at him annoyed at being called an idiot.
"That will do to be going on with," Dumbledore told Sirius and Snape. "Now I have work for each of you. Fudge's attitude though not unexpected, changes everything. Sirius, Regulus, I need you to set off at once. You are to alert Remus and Sylena Lupin, Arabella Figg, Mundungus Fletcher – the old crowd. Lie low at the Lupin's for a while, I will contact you there." Regulus who had started a little at Sylena's name nodded and transformed back into a cat. He headed towards the door before being joined by Sirius who had wanted to say good-bye to Harry first. Together they left the hospital wing and headed for Buckbeak.