Chapter 14: The Third Year, Part Three

"You'd better not to be trying to lure me into a trap, Pettigrew!" A Death Eater voiced his ultimatum to the cowardly rat.

"You must have felt his mark." Pettigrew replied.

Meanwhile, at a holding cell of the French Ministry of Magic, the animagus named Sirius Black was forcibly turned back into his human form. "What? Where?"

"Monsieur Black, you are in a holding cell of our Ministry of Magic." A wizard dressed on what seemed to be some sort of regal French uniform announced. "Your godchild requested political asylum on your behalf and called our attention to reasons to doubt your guilt on the crimes our British counterpart convicted you for. If we'll grant or deny the request will depend on how you'll answer certain questions regarding your alleged guilt. Are you willing to answer them under Veritaserum?"

"Yes." Sirius eagerly answered and was then led to an interrogation room where another officer made him swallow three drops of a transparent-like-water truth serum. "What's your name?"

"Sirius Orion Black."

"Were you a supporter of the dark wizard known by British wizards as Lord Voldemort?"

"No."

"Did you reveal the whereabouts of James and Lily Potter to Lord Voldemort?"

"No."

"Weren't you their Secret-Keeper?"

"No."

"Then why did Albus Dumbledore claim otherwise?"

"Because he didn't know I was just a decoy."

"Who knew you were a decoy?"

"Myself, James Potter, Lily Potter and Peter Pettigrew."

"Who was the real Secret-Keeper?"

"Peter Pettigrew."

"Was this the reason you tried to kill him?"

"Yes."

"Who killed the muggles who died during that failed attempt?"

"Peter Pettigrew."

"Has the British Ministry of Magic ever offered you a chance to explain any of it?"

"No."

"Prior to your escape from Azkaban, you were caught shouting 'He's at Hogwarts!'. Who were you talking about?"

"Peter Pettigrew."

"What made you so sure?"

"When Cornelius Fudge showed me a newspaper, I've noticed a rat with the Weasleys at an article and recognized it as Peter Pettigrew's animagus form."

"How did you know it was him and not some ordinary rat?"

"The rat was missing a toe where the finger he left behind to forge his death used to be."

"And how did you know Peter Pettigrew is a rat animagus?"

"James Potter and I helped him to become an animagus."

"That's enough, Mr. Black." The official said. "Somebody administer him an antidote."

Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the International Confederation of Wizards, Albus Dumbledore found himself at a less than satisfactory situation. "Wizards and witches of the International Confederation of Wizards," the wizard taking over Mugwump duties for the meeting announced. "we are reunited here to inquire our Supreme Mugwump Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore about his lack of action to ensure Sirius Orion Black's basic rights were honored. Mugwump Dumbledore, do you wish to use Veritaserum during the interrogation?"

"No." Dumbledore calmly replied. "I am sure I'm trusted enough not to need it."

"In that case, all members in favor of forcing Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore raise your hands." Several hands were raised. "You may put them down. Now all who oppose raise your hands." Several other hands were raised. "Your vote doesn't count, Dumbledore!" Annoyed, Dumbledore put his hand down. "The votes are tied so I'll decide. Bring in the Veritaserum."

"Are you sure?" Dumbledore asked with his grandfatherly tone. "There'll be repercussions against all who agree with this once I'm cleared."

"I'll take my chances, Dumbledore."

The Veritaserum was then administered. "What's your name?"

"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."

"How could you have interfered once Sirius Orion Black was accused of being a Death Eater?"

"As the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, I could have pressed the Ministry of Magic into giving him a trial."

"Why didn't you do so?"

"If Sirius Black were tried and acquitted, he could take custody of Harry James Potter since he was appointed as Harry's magical guardian by the will of Harry's parents."

"Why were you so interested on Harry Potter's guardianship?"

"It was prophesized Harry is the one who can vanquish Voldemort. I had to make sure he'd be ready to do whatever it took to fulfill his destiny."

"Wasn't Voldemort already destroyed when he tried to kill Harry Potter?"

"I believe Voldemort created Horcruxes that allowed him to survive even if he no longer has a corporeal form."

All wizards and witches present got shocked by this. Horcruxes were the darkest of all Dark Arts and nobody there had ever heard of somebody making more than one before. "What makes you so sure?"

"Last year, a cursed diary containing a memory from Voldemort's teenage days forced a student to commit atrocities. Upon closer inspection, I figured out the diary was a Horcrux and that he'd never risk losing it had Voldemort not made others."

"What have you done after that to locate and destroy the other Horcruxes?"

"Nothing. I'm waiting for Harry to be ready to accept his destiny."

"By what you noticed, Harry didn't seem to be that under your influence as you expected even before Sirius Black escaped. What went wrong with your plan?"

"His muggle relatives didn't abuse him like I expected."

"YOU EXPECTED HIS RELATIVES TO ABUSE HIM?"

"Yes. Lily's sister, Petunia, hated magic and Petunia's husband used to share the feeling. I expected he'd hate living with them to the point he'd do anything for me. Even give his life to defeat Voldemort."

"DID THEY ABUSE HIM?"

"Unfortunately not. Now he won't be so willing to accept his fate as needed."

"Aren't you ashamed for wanting a child to be abused?"

"It's for the Greater Good."

"That sounds like Gellert Grindewald's former slogan." That comment made Dumbledore glad it wasn't phrased like a question or the Veritaserum in him would have forced him to reveal the dark side of his past.

"Does anybody have more questions to Albus Dumbledore?" Nobody raised a hand. "In that case let's vote." Dumbledore was given the antidote first. "All in favor of expel Albus Dumbledore from the International Confederation of Wizards raise your hands!" Everyone except for Dumbledore and the wizard calling for votes raised their hands. "Now all who oppose it raise your hands!" Only one person raised hands. "You don't count, Dumbledore. By unanimity, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is no longer a member of the International Confederation of Wizards. Mr. Dumbledore, please save yourself some dignity and walk away without needing to be carried."

Dumbledore was about to comply when an official from Sirius Black's interrogation showed up and reported the results of said interrogation. "Attention, members of the Wizengamot: the French Ministry of Magic declared Sirius Black innocent and granted him political asylum. We now must decide if we extend it to the whole Wizarding World."

"You can't do it!" Dumbledore desperately exclaimed.

"Get this man out of here!" The acting Supreme Mugwump ordered and two guards carried Dumbledore out.

Meanwhile, the Death Eater called by Pettigrew met his master. "My Lord, is that really you?"

"You dare doubt the Dark Lord?"

"S-s-s-sorry, M-master."

"Calm down. I need your help."

"What can I do for you, My Lord?"

"I need you to bring me Harry Potter alive." Voldemort ordered. "If not possible, then bring me a sample of his blood. But don't kill him either way. Is that clear?"

"Yes, My Lord."

"Now go!"

Meanwhile, Albus Dumbledore was trying to find Sirius Black and bring him to his side. 'Fortunately I know where the French Ministry building is.' Dumbledore thought.

"Halt! State your name and purpose." A receptionist asked.

"I am Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot." Dumbledore said. "I am here to meet Sirius Black regarding the welfare of Harry Potter."

"Is Sirius Black waiting for you, Mr. Dumbledore?"

"No, but it's important that…"

"Then I don't think he'll care about the opinions of somebody who wanted his godchild to be abused." The receptionist angrily interrupted Dumbledore. "I'm relieved Harry Potter's relatives turned out not to be the monsters you expected them to be."

Meanwhile, Sirius Black was leaving the building and noticed his former Headmaster. "You?" The dog animagus angrily asked.

"Sirius." Dumbledore regained his grandfatherly tone. "I'm happy to see you're innocent and cleared."

"Not thanks to YOU!" Sirius angrily spat. "And to think Lily dread the idea of Harry being raised by her sister. She'd be glad her sister saw past her former hatred and disappointed at what you became."

"It's all for the greater good."

"GREATER GOOD!" Sirius now hated Dumbledore more than he hates Peter Pettigrew. "The hell with your greater good! You know what? Since James and Lily appointed me as Harry's guardian and he's already attending Beauxbatons, I'll buy myself a home in France and have Harry live with me there. I'd let Harry live with the Dursleys since they like him and he likes them back but I can't afford to risk you using some sort of trick to force him to attend Hogwarts."

Fortunately, when Sirius later went to visit Harry at Beauxbatons, Harry understood the need to stay away from Dumbledore. "I'd rather stay with my Uncle and my Aunt but if you think keeping me from returning to England is needed to keep me safe from Dumbledore I understand." Harry said.

"Can I visit my cousin at your place, Mr. Black?" Dudley asked.

"Yes and you can call me Sirius." Sirius answered. "Just remember to ask for your parents' permission first."

"Sirius, the Dursleys don't know much about my parents' lives at Hogwarts and I'm curious about it." Harry asked.

"I'll be glad to help, Prongslet." Sirius replied with enthusiasm. "Your Dad and I were part of a group of pranksters known as the Marauders. He was Prongs and I am Padfoot."

"Were there other Marauders, Sirius?" Dudley asked.

"Yes. Remus Lupin is Moony and, unfortunately, that traitor was Wormtail." Anger was evident in Sirius' voice but he soon calmed down. "I wonder where Moony is."

"Remus Lupin is this year's Defense teacher at Hogwarts." Dudley explained.

"Moony, a teacher?" A surprised Sirius asked. "Are you serious?"

"No, you are."

"I can't believe I fell for my own pun. Wait a minute. Why did you say 'this year'?"

"Last year and the year before each had a different teacher." Harry explained.

"So the curse is still on, I see."

"Which curse?" Dudley asked.

While Sirius was explaining about the curse, Dumbledore was facing more problems back home. "What's the meaning of this, Lucius?"

"Headmaster Igor Karkaroff of Durmstrang and Headmistress Olympe Maxime of Beauxbatons called to say they will no longer let the Triwizard Tournament take place in Hogwarts unless you're fired. Honestly, most of us were already feeling like firing you anyway. Here're the signatures."

Before Dumbledore had a chance to reply, an owl showed up and gave Dumbledore a message. He was called for an emergency meeting at the Wizengamot. Noticing the glares once he arrived, he was sure he was screwed. "Albus Dumbledore, we're reunited here to decide if you should still be allowed to keep a seat at the Wizengamot."

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