What's up, everyone?

This chapter is awfully short for my normal standard, but I felt like I needed an extra chapter to both finalize some things and set up some others. In this chapter, we've got a few letters and some articles - well, that's if you can consider anything Rita Skeeter writes as and article.

...It's more of a dishonest feature, really. Anyway! Everything in this chapter is ordered chronologically.

Let me just say that I appreciate the reviews. I really do. I'm awfully busy nowadays; I'm a full-time college student, I work roughly 20 hours a week, and I babysit my one-year-old niece each day. Your reviews help me out a bunch when it comes to the creative process of writing this story. It's awesome to know that people are really enjoying this thing.

You can follow this story on Twitter if you wish at BrigadeEitD. I post updates and spoilers and shit.

Enjoy!


Voldemort,

Firstly, thanks for letting my godfather go free. You had your fun, admittedly, but you kept your word. Both to him and me. I appreciate it. Thanks.

Exactly why you let him go and how it benefits you, however, is still lost on me. I know you well enough by now to know that you're getting something from this. Anyway, enough of this sentimental shit.

I talked to Fudge and got him to pardon my godfather from all of the crimes that he was accused of. They've sent Pettigrew off to a holding cell in the Ministry and they're going to try him in front of the entire Wizengamot.

…Is that what you're getting from this? Getting rid of Pettigrew?

I doubt it. There's definitely more to it.

I also procured a monetary recompense from the Ministry for Sirius, and Fudge said that it would be substantial, but I've agreed to do something for Fudge in exchange that I'm sure you'd like to know about.

Fudge wanted me to agree to compete in the Tournament of European Battle Wizards. It's being hosted here in Britain next month. I said yes.

I'll win, of course. I know too much magic not to. Nevertheless, do you know anything about the tournament that I should be made aware of? What exactly does it entail?

I'm back at school now and after writing this letter, I'm going to take a nap. I've been up way too long. I told my friend Draco about your return – he was shocked, awed, and now he wants your autograph. HE told me not to tell you, though. Whoops.

My friend Theo's been acting really weird, lately. You remember him, right? He's usually really laid back and fun to be around, but he's been stressed. I heard him whimpering in his bed last night. Got any advice for how to deal with that?

Oh! Also, I'm looking into fixing my godfather's leg. Your healer said he'd never heal properly and I call bullshit. Do you know where I ought to look? I'm not sure what type of magic can counteract the effects of poison, but ritualistic magic has worked for me in the past.

Well. I'm going to pass out, now. Thanks again for letting my godfather go free.

Harry


Sirius Black – Innocent

By: Patrick Fairview

In a shocking decision jointly made Saturday morning by Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, Head of Magical Law Enforcement Amelia Bones, and Head Auror Rufus Scrimegour, Azkaban-escapee Sirius Black was declared innocent of all accused crimes.

"It was a startling discovery that made this all possible," Fudge said. "A suspect was captured late last evening and after questioning, the Ministry has decided to pardon Sirius Black for all suspected crimes committed against the Wizarding World of Britain."

According to Auror reports, Sirius Black was accused of homicide as well the mass murder of Muggles on October 31, 1981. Reports indicate that Black, a known friend of the Boy-Who-Lived Harry Potter's parents, was responsible for their deaths as well as the death of mutual friend Peter Pettigrew. Black was also believed to be a servant of the former Dark Lord You-Know-Who.

Black was issued a lifetime sentence to Azkaban prison. He was taken to the island without a trial.

It took a new suspect to change these beliefs: Peter Pettigrew.

"Our interview with the suspect provided revolutionary information, to say the least," Bones said. "The Ministry is not authorized to provide information to the public at this time, but we have collected enough new information to pardon Mr. Black."

Pettigrew was allegedly killed by Black's wand when he confronted Black about betraying the Potters. How Pettigrew lived is not known at this time.

Black's pardon is revolutionary; never before has a criminal who went without trial been proven innocent.

"Sirius Black's situation is regrettable, it really is," Fudge said. "Azkaban is not a nice place. It is a place for hardened criminals and after speaking to Mr. Black today, I can tell you that he is most assuredly not that. It's a shame; Black's case was handled under Minister Bagnold's regime – handled in particular by (Former Head of Law Enforcement) Barty Crouch. All we can do now is get this right. Mr. Black has wrongly suffered enough."

Black's condition after a decade in Azkaban was described as "miraculously good," though "the poor man is limping something awful."

"The Ministry has decided that Mr. Black deserves a monetary recompense for his suffering," Bones said. "We will be in contact over the next couple of days with Gringotts before deciding on a proper amount."

Sources say that Black, the only remaining member of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, will regain access to his family vault as well as an appeal process to regain the custody rights to his godson,

Harry Potter.

Neither Sirius Black nor Harry Potter was available for comment. Stay tuned to the Daily Prophet for updates.


Hello, Harry!

I've lined up an interview for you with Daily Prophet columnist Rita Skeeter in regards to the Tournament of European Battle Wizards! You two can meet in the conference room in my department. Will next Saturday afternoon be alright with you? Ms. Skeeter is a lovely young lady, I assure you; she'll make sure you come off well!

The Wizengamot is currently deliberating on your godfather's case. It's going well. Pettigrew is all but charged and the monetary purse for Mr. Black will be substantial, I promise.

Let me know if there's anything I can do for you!

Cornelius Fudge

Minister of Magic


Minister,

…Do I have to? Fine. Saturday it is.

Harry


Harry,

Am I benefiting from your godfather's release? Of course, and in multiple ways. Regardless, you are most welcome.

The Ministry's trial of Peter Pettigrew does not interest me in the slightest, but your news of competing in the Tournament of European Battle Wizards does. It is a tournament held every three years that consists of one on one duels. It is very similar to Slytherin's dueling pit. It is a single elimination tournament.

This tidbit of news offers us a very unique opportunity. You say that you will be victorious – good. I am ordering you to win, Harry. Do not fail me; train diligently.

Enclosed I have provided you with several items. Firstly, there is a shrunken letter for your friend Draco. Give it to him. It contains a few motivational words from yours truly…as well as an autograph.

Let it be said that I know how to recruit.

In the case of your godfather, I have collected some books from my library – they are included with this letter as well. You will need to research for yourself, but I would tend to agree with you; if there is a possible solution for your godfather's crippled state, I believe it would come in the form of a ritual.

As for your friend Theo – whimpering in bed, you say? Harry, I must admit that it has been several years since I myself was a teenager, but perhaps that whimpering could best be described as…moaning?

It is mere speculation on my part. If it concerns you so much, simply talk to the boy. I cannot solve all of your problems for you.

Be ready,

Voldemort


Britain's Champion – the Boy-Who-Lived Harry Potter Enters Dueling Tournament

By: Rita Skeeter

Though only thirteen, Harry Potter looks every bit the hero that he is. Harry is tall and broad for his age with a strong jaw and shockingly striking green eyes. His black hair is thick and tousled wildly; he looks every bit the savior that the Wizarding World needs.

Now, we will all get to see how strong the Boy-Who-Lived really is. Harry Potter will be competing in the junior division of the Tournament of European Battle Wizards next month.

"I've decided to try my hand a dueling," Harry's smile is enough to make any young lady swoon. "It's something that I feel that I'm pretty skilled at. Dueling is a strength of mine and I'm excited to get the opportunity showcase that talent in front of the entire country."

Potter's tragic past is well documented; orphaned at age one, Potter was raised in a Muggle orphanage and was never adopted. It is a heart breaking story, made even more so seeing the strong, confident young man in person.

Reports suggest that Potter is the top of his year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. However, that may not be enough; while the junior division of T.E.B.W. is open to any witch or wizard underage, most competitors will be on the cusp of being of age. Harry Potter is 13.

"I recognize that most people will see me as an underdog in this tournament," Potter smiled. "And that is fine. Just know this: I would not be participating if I did not expect to win. That's my goal. If there's one thing that I can promise you, it's that I will surprise people – I'll surprise my competitors, I'll surprise the spectators. Hopefully, by the end of the tournament, the Boy-Who-Lived title will be out of date. More than anything, though, I'm just excited to get this opportunity. I have to thank Minister Fudge for letting me know about this tournament."

Sources tell me that Potter flourished in the Ministry's elimination process to determine the finalists to represent Britain in the upcoming dueling tournament. However, Harry Potter has more going on for him at the moment than just a dueling tournament and this reporter would be doing her readers a disservice to not ask all the tough questions of our young prodigy.

What do you think of the Ministry's ruling regarding your now-free godfather Sirius Black, Harry Potter?

"I've met Sirius in the past few days and we get along splendidly," Potter dropped his head, however. Unshed tears glistened in his strong eyes as he looked up. "It's just tough when you consider what he had to go through. Sirius didn't deserve any of it. He was loyal to my parents until the very end. I'm so grateful to have him in my life, now, and I can only thank those in charge for giving him a second chance. Most importantly, I'm confident that similar situations to my godfather's will not happen under Minister Fudge and Madam Bones. They have done a great job."

Our young hero is reaching that age where a boy becomes a man, ladies and gentlemen, and the topic of love, as always seems to happen, arose.

"No, I don't have a girlfriend," Harry blushes a lovely color, dear readers! "It's not really on my mind, you know? I just want to play Quidditch, do well in my classes, and hang out with my friends."

Has our young hero even had a first kiss? I can tell you firsthand, dear readers, that the answer is no. Never fear: I am sure some young lady or gentleman would love to give our hero his fairytale moment.

Perhaps, at least, the Boy-Who-Lived has a crush?

"Maybe," Harry winked coyly. "It's not something I'd really want coming out in the newspaper, anyway."

Best of luck to you, young hero. Our readers here at the Daily Prophet will be eager to follow your path to the dueling tournament and whatever paths it may take. But please, work on that first kiss, hmm?


Fudge,

I'm never having another interview with that bitch again, you hear me? I never cried, I never winked, I never did half of the stuff she said I did. That article is an embarrassment and libelous. Would you like to know what type of "fan mail" I received as a result of her article? You know what? I don't even want to list it; I'll just burn all of it.

Royally pissed,

Harry Potter


Harry,

How are you? I think everything has finally been sorted out with the Ministry but they wanted me to go and get checked out at Saint Mungo's. They gave me a few potions and advised me to move around as much as I can, but they said there is nothing to be done about my leg. Sure, it's not fair, but it beats Azkaban.

Remus has been helping me move into a small, temporary flat – the Ministry is paying for it, of course – and we've shopped Diagon for all the essentials. The stares were obvious, but it was lovely to walk around in public again. Anyway, the flat isn't much, but it'll do for the moment. I still wish to buy a house, though, away from the city; it will just have to wait until the Ministry is finished with Pettigrew. Perhaps we can shop for a house this winter?

I cannot tell you how excited I am to have you and Remus moving in with me. I was never really on my own after Hogwarts. I always had my friends with me and everything we did, we did together. Having my godson with me will be even better.

We've not gotten the chance to really get to know each other, Harry, and I'm not sure I even know myself anymore. Everything's changed since I was a boy. And now you have your own things to deal with. I'm sure you know what I mean. Well, I just want to take the chance to say that we'll figure it all out. I'll always be your godfather, and in a way that my own father never was to me. I promise.

Besides, I have enough good stories of your own father and of Remus to go around. I didn't tell you that your father and I both became Animagi, did I? We learned that well before OWLs, even! It helped Remus out and your father and I would do anything for family. Just like the alley. I'd do anything for my family, Harry.

I must admit that I am having a bit of trouble moving around my flat, though. Bloody leg. If I don't have something to lean against, it just doesn't work out well. I've been walking around as Padfoot, mainly. It's much easier.

Enough sirius stuff (ha!). How have your classes been? I'm sure Snape is his usual, unpleasant self. Did you know that I went to school with the git? Yeah, I try not to think about it either.

Are you preparing for your tournament yet? I doubt you really need to; your last duel was awfully impressive. Still, it's probably smart to practice; I'd love to see you win it all.

See you soon,

Sirius


Hey Sirius,

Classes are fine. They're pretty much just an obligation that I have to go to, now. It's fun to watch Professor McGonagall get all twitchy when I transfigure something way too well.

I'm glad you're getting settled in on your own. Looking for a house this winter sounds brilliant! I've never had a house of my own before and it sounds like you never really did either, did you? That's fine; we'll just have to make sure our house puts every single other house to shame.

I'm used to people staring at me, personally. It's not the worst thing. You just have to accept it. Shrinking away from it make it all worse.

Oh, case and point. Did you read that bloody article that Rita Skeeter did on me? I never really wanted to agree to do it, but Fudge needled me. And the woman lied through the whole bloody thing. It'd be easy to mope about it, but instead I wrote a letter to the Minister and insulted the woman. That made me feel much better!

I never had a father, either. Well, I did, but I never knew him. He sounds like he was a decent bloke, but I never knew him. I do know you, though, and you mean more to me than I'd ever thought possible. I never had family before. I guess it just works this way, huh?

I'd do anything for my family as well. I was put into a situation in first year where I had to prove that. I did.

I really hate hearing about your leg. I'm looking for a solution right now. The research I've done so far is very promising. You'll be moving around like an athlete in no time. You've got the Potter guarantee on that.

You're really going to have to teach me how to become an Animagus, though. Seriously! I want to learn that!

I'm not preparing for the tournament quite yet, but I will in due time. I'm actually focusing on Quidditch, at the moment. My first match is right after the dueling tournament and training for Quidditch is much more challenging. We'll be taking on Ravenclaw.

Don't worry, I'll win.

I told my friend Draco about you. He was shocked to hear about your lack of trial and everything else, muttering about purebloods being treated wrongly. It was pretty funny. I'll have to introduce the two of you sometime.

Thanks for writing, Sirius. Start looking into houses!

Your godson,

Harry


So what do you think? It's the first time I've done a chapter like this and I don't plan on making a habit of it. It gave you enough plot, yes?

Writing as Skeeter makes me cringe - it goes against EVERYTHING I've learned in school.

Take it easy, folks; I'll see you soon.

Brigade