A/N Hello, my lovely reviewers! I have returned with an update on the actual assigned date.
Thanks to all reviewers!
Dedication: To Twinkie, for her lovely review.
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
You bustle over to your office door, upon hearing a knock, which you are fairly certain can only be the ministry representative here to interview Sirius. "Come in," you greet the woman and wave her into the room, motioning for her to take a seat in front of your desk, you take your own spot behind the piece of furniture.
"It's nice to meet you, I wish we could have met on more pleasant terms." The woman, who introduced herself to you as Melanie Futzman announces.
You agree and wait for her to get down to business. You have never been one for fooling around, which is perhaps why you have always gotten on well with Minerva McGonnagall who is in fact your closest friend.
"Can you please recount for me the events of July 19th as you remember them?" She requests politely.
"I was here at Hogwarts, organizing potions, when Sirius Black arrived in the company of the Potters and Headmaster Dumbledore." You begin. A pained expression crosses your face as you think about Sirius, who is one of your favorite students, he is also one of your most frequent 'guests' in the hospital wing. Either from a prank gone awry, or a Quidditch accident, and often after a break from school, suffering from 'accidental injuries.'
"Continue, please." Futzman prompts when you pause too long lost in your own thoughts.
"I proceeded to partially heal his injuries, and take pictures of them." You answer levelly despite the disgust you're feeling as you think about Sirius' parents. It is beyond you how they can treat their own child in such a way.
"Do you have the pictures?" She inquires, and you hand her a folder containing the pictures. You see a look of horror flicker in her eyes at the images of Sirius as he had appeared that night. His face had been completely swollen and bruised, his arm bent at an unnatural angle, and he was bleeding from various locations. "What was your diagnosis?" She asked finally.
"He showed clear signs of having undergone the Cruciatus curse as well as other spells, his wounds were clearly not the result of an accident." You state, making it obvious that there is absolutely no chance that Sirius' parents had not been responsible. "He displayed many of the typical signs of an abuse victim. He was evasive, said it was his fault, refused to talk to his visitors." Your eyes take on a far away look as you consider how small and vulnerable your most boisterous student looked that night. It made you realize that he was still just a child really for all his grand-standing, and no child deserves to suffer the way Sirius has.
"Thank you for your time, could you please sign here confirming your statement." She requested. You dutifully sign your name 'Poppy Pomfrey' in the indicated place. You may be called upon to testify int he event this case reaches the trial point." Futzman remarks rising to leave as she collects the signed sheet of parchment from you
"He has a lot of people who care about him you know." You remark before you can stop yourself. "His parents may not, but we do. Sirius Black does not lie, don't allow his parents' political clout to cloud your decision making abilities." You know you're probably crossing a line saying this to a ministry employee, but you can't bring yourself to care. You just want to make sure that Sirius gets justice for once in his life. He deserves that, more than anyone you know.
Melanie doesn't seem annoyed however, in fact she smiles softly and says, "I know. I'll do everything I can for him." It's not a guarantee, but it is as close as you are going to get.
"Thank you." You say briskly as she leaves the room. It's not often that you let your emotions show, but you've grown quite close to Sirius over his time at Hogwarts. He is one of the most loyal and accepting students you know, he has been a good friend to Remus standing by him through everything and making it clear that he saw him no differently due to his lycanthropy. You have seen Sirius try to take care of everyone close to him from the day he walked through the castle doors with little thought of himself, and you think it's about time that someone takes care of him.
You will see to it that he never returns home to those sorry excuse for parents, ever again.
A/N Review! o.O I don't think this is the best story to be updating for Father's Day. :P Next chapter will be posted next Sunday.