CHAPTER NINETEEN: THE MINISTER'S DOUBT
"Why did you do it?!" he roared angrily at the woman that sat on the moonlit rocks. She was no longer smiling. "Why did you kill him?"
"I didn't," she snapped.
The black trees were swaying around them and the little lake was sloshing around, disturbed by some unknown current.
"I saw you! You - you -" he couldn't find the right words.
"What? Snapped his neck? That was your doing, boy and you know it." Her blue eyes were glittering furiously.
"I can't have done that. I'm not -"
"Powerful enough? Oh, yes, you are." She stood up, an accent beginning to mar her voice. "You're half-Valkyrie, you fool! You think you wouldn't possess some of my powers?"
"I don't want them!" he cried, a single tear streaming down the side of his face where his gold eye was.
Icarus was pale, his usually neat black hair a mess around his face.
"You think I wanted you?" she snarled.
He stepped back, unexpectedly hurt. Then his face twisted, the ground itself seemed to sway.
"Get out." he said quietly. "Get out of my head."
She stepped towards him, her face morphing, twisting, into something hideous -
Icarus sat bolt upright in his bed, knocking something over on the table next to him. It shattered on the ground and the people that were yelling stopped and looked over at him.
"Oh, really," huffed Madam Pomfrey, hurrying over to check on Icarus. "Can't you go and yell somewhere else, Minister? My patient's need rest and quiet."
Icarus moved his leg. It was stiff, but had definitely healed.
Three of the Weasleys, Hermione and a large black dog crowded around Harry's bed. The person in question was also sat up in his bed, watching him.
It had been the Minister and Professor McGonagall that had been yelling at each other. Snape and Dumbledore stood behind them quietly.
"Sorry, Madam Pomfrey," Icarus muttered as she cleaned up the bottle he'd broken.
The Minister looked delighted to see Icarus awake.
"How're you feeling, my boy? Exactly the person I wanted to talk to -"
"He is no state to be interviewed, Cornelius," snapped McGonagall furiously, patches on red staining her face.
"He is obviously the one that is the best state of mind to speak to me! Compared to you lot, blabbering on about You-Know-Who. And I need to find out how on earth Barty Crouch died - he can't have just dropped dead of his own accord!"
Snape was shaking, just as angry as McGonagall.
Dumbledore shook his head and spoke quietly, "We have already informed you of the events. Like Minerva told you, there is no need to interview him. Especially not tonight."
"I'm sure the boy has enough sense to see how important this is and with you lot going on about You-Know-Who b-back, I can't possibly get any straight answers. It's just not possible."
He looked over at Icarus hopefully, but Icarus just frowned. He really wasn't fond of the little fellow.
"Minister," he said coldly. "I don't wish to speak to you. At all."
Fudge looked flabbergasted.
"I was just put under several bouts of the Cruciatus curse," Icarus continued, to several sharp drawn in breaths. He noticed Mrs. Weasley turn very pale. "You are the last person I would want to recall my experience in front of. As for Harry..." He looked over at the other boy and smiled gently. "I don't see why you shouldn't believe him."
Fudge stuttered over his words, his mouth looking very similar to that of a goldfish.
"How - how on Earth - Dumbledore, surely you don't believe Harry?"
"Of course I do, Cornelius," said Dumbledore quietly, eyes blazing. "I heard Crouch's confession, and Harry's account of what happened after he touched the Triwizard Cup. The two stories make sense. They explain everything after Bertha Jorkins disappeared last summer."
"You are prepared to believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, on the word of a lunatic murderer, and a boy who...well..."
Fudge shot Harry an uncomfortable look.
"You've been reading Rita Skeeter," said Harry quietly. The people next to him jumped, not having realized he'd been awake.
"And if I have?" said the Minister, turning slightly red. "If I discovered that you've been keeping certain facts about the boy very quiet? A Parselmouth, eh? And having -"
"What's the matter with Parselmouth's, Minister?" Icarus said angrily. Fudge threw a startled glance at him.
"Well, Parselmouth's are known for being very dark wizards, Icarus, you can't trust them -"
"You trusted me enough last year, when I helped you search for Black."
Fudge turned an ugly purple. Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at Icarus, shocked. The dog, however, just wagged his tail happily.
"You're - you're a -"
Icarus glared at him. Fudge whirled on Dumbledore.
"Two Parseltongues at your school?! I thought you would do better, Albus!"
Snape snarled, stepping forward. The dog growled, hackles raised. Dumbledore observed the short man coldly.
"I, myself, have only recently become aware of Icarus' identity as a Parseltongue," he half-lied, "but it makes no difference to his character. Icarus has proved himself very worthy these past few years. Like he said, he did aid our search for Black. I believe you were very grateful for it."
Harry was getting frustrated.
"Look, I saw Voldemort come back!" he yelled at Fudge. "I saw the Death Eaters! I can give you their names! Lucius Malfoy -"
Snape moved suddenly and Icarus noticed the brief panic on his face, before it went carefully blank again.
"Malfoy was cleared!" said Fudge irritably. "A very old family - donations to excellent causes -"
"Macnair!"
"Also cleared! Now working for the Ministry!"
"Avery - Nott - Crabbe - Goyle -"
"You are merely repeating names of people who were aquitted thirteen years ago!" said Fudge furiously. "You could have found those names in old reports! For heaven's sake, Dumbledore - the boy was full of some crackpot old story at the end of last year too - his tales are just getting taller, and you're still swallowing them - the boy can talk to snakes, Dumbledore, and you still think he's trustworthy?"
Icarus jumped out of bed at this, but stumbled and was caught by Snape, who sat him back down, glaring at Fudge.
"You fool!" cried Professor McGonagall. "Cedric Diggory! Mr. Crouch! These deaths were not the random works of some lunatic! Even Icarus' capture -"
She stopped and swallowed, overwhelmed by emotion. Icarus thought for a moment that he really loved the Scots.
"I see no evidence on the contrary!" shouted Fudge, just as furious as Professor McGonagall. "It seems to me that you are all determined to start a panic that will destabilize everything we have worked for these last thirteen years!"
"Voldemort has returned," Dumbledore repeated. "If you accept that fact straightaway, Fudge, and take the necessary measures, we may still be able to save the situation. The first and most essential step is to remove Azkaban from the dementors control -"
"Remove the dementors? I'd be kicked out of office for even suggesting it! Half of us only feel safe in our beds knowing that they stand guard there!"
"The rest of us sleep less soundly, Cornelius, knowing you have put Lord Voldemort's most dangerous supporters in the care of creatures who will join him the instant he asks!" said Dumbledore loudly. "They will not remain loyal to you, Fudge! Voldemort can offer them more than you can! With the dementors behind him, you will be hard pressed to stop him regaining the sort of power he had thirteen years ago! The second step you must take - at once - send an envoy to the giants."
"Envoys to the giants? What madness is this?"
"Extend them the hand of friendship before it is too late, or Voldemort will persuade them, as he did before, that he alone among wizards will give them their rights and freedom!"
"You - you cannot be serious!" said Fudge, shaking his head and stepping away from Dumbledore like he was dangerous. "If the magical community got wind that I had approached the giants - people hate them, Dumbledore - end of my career -"
"No gives a shit about your career, Minister," said Icarus, leaning on the end of his bed. Fudge glared at him and he met it with equal fury.
"You are blinded, Cornelius!" said Dumbledore. "You place too much emphasis on the purity of blood! You fail to recognize that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be! Look at the Death Eater that died in this school today! The last remaining member of an ancient pure blood family - look at the choices he made! I tell you now - take the steps I have told you to take, and you will be remembered as one the bravest wizards in history. Fail to act - and you will be remembered as the man who stepped aside and let Voldemort have a second chance at destroying what we have worked so hard to keep safe."
He looked purposefully at Icarus, who understood what he meant and nodded slightly.
"Insane," whispered Fudge, looking around at all of them fearfully. "Mad..."
The room was silent. Madam Pomfrey was watching the scene from the end of Harry's bed, her hands over her mouth; Mrs. Weasley was hovering over Harry almost as bad as Snape was hovering over Icarus. Ron, Hermione and the other ginger haired boy were staring at Fudge, amazed.
"If your determination to shut your eyes carries you as far as this, Cornelius," continued 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."
"Now, see here, Dumbledore," Fudge said, raising a threatening finger. "I've given you free rein, always. I might not have always agreed with some of your decisions, but I've kept quiet. There aren't many who would allow you to hire werewolves, or keep Hagrid (Icarus bared his teeth at this), or decide what to teach your students without reference to the Ministry. But if you're going to work against me -"
"The only one I intend to work against," interrupted Dumbledore, eyes blazing, "is Lord Voldemort. If you are against him, then we remain on the same side, Cornelius."
Fudge tottered on his feet, unable to form a suitable reply.
"He can't be back, Dumbledore, he just can't be..."
Snape did something that surprised Icarus. He strode over to stand next to Dumbledore and bared his left arm. Icarus saw the mark, black against the pale skin. It was darker than he'd ever remembered it.
"There," said Snape harshly. "There. The Dark Mark. It is not as clear as it was an hour or so ago, but you can still see it. Every Death Eater had the sign burned into his skin by the Dark Lord. It was a means of distinguishing one another, and his means of summoning us to him. When it burned, we were supposed to Apparate instantly to his side. Why do you think Karkaroff fled tonight? We both felt the mark burn. We both knew he had returned. Karkaroff fears the Dark Lord's vengeance. He betrayed too many of his fellow Death Eaters to be sure of a welcome back into the fold."
Fudge didn't appear to have listened to a word Snape had just told him, which infuriated Icarus to no end. He stepped back, shaking his head.
"I don't know what you and your staff are up to, Dumbledore, but I've heard enough. I will be in touch with you first thing tomorrow to discuss the running of this school. I must return to the Ministry."
He strode towards the door, remembered something and went back towards Harry's bed. He placed a large bag full of money at the end of it.
"Your winnings," he said shortly, "One thousand Galleons. There should have been a presentation, but under the circumstances..." He shook his head and stomped out, slamming the door behind him.
Snape rejoined Icarus' side. The boy took his father's arm and traced the pattern on it gently. The other man shuddered.
"There is work to be done," Dumbledore announced. "Molly...am I right in thinking that I can trust you and Arthur?"
"Of course you can," said the ginger woman, looking at Icarus and Snape uncomfortably. "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 send a message to Arthur," muttered Dumbledore. Snape rolled down his sleeve and met Icarus' eye - it was there best form of communication, after all. "All those that we can persuade need to be notified."
"I'll go to Dad," said the ginger with long hair and a dragon tooth earring. Icarus thought for a moment that he looked pretty cool. "I'll go now."
"Excellent," said Dumbledore. "Tell him what has happened. Tell him I will be discreet, however. If Fudge thinks I'm interfering at the Ministry -"
"Leave it to me," said the boy, clapping Harry on the shoulder, kissing Mrs. Weasley on the cheek and striding out of the infirmary.
"Minerva," Icarus almost jumped. He'd forgotten the Professor was there. "I want to see Hagrid in my office as soon as possible. Also - if she will consent to come - Madame Maxime."
Professor McGonagall nodded sharply and left.
"Poppy," the nurse jumped, "would you go down to Professor Moody's office, where I think you find a house-elf called Winky in considerable distress? Do what you can for her, then take her to the kitchens. Dobby will help her from there."
"Very - very well," she muttered, leaving quietly.
Dumbledore made sure the door was closed, before turning back to them.
"And now," he said, "it is time for two of us to recognize each other for what they are. Sirius...if you could turn back?"
The great big dog looked at Dumbledore, and not a moment later, was a man again. Mrs. Weasley screamed and leapt back.
"Sirius Black!"
"Mum, shut up!" yelled Ron. "It's okay!"
Snape had gone rigid next to Icarus, glaring at Sirius with pure hatred. Icarus rolled his eyes. Bloody drama queens, the both of them.
"What is he doing here?" snarled Snape, eyes glittering.
"He is here at my invitation," said Dumbledore, "as are you, Severus. I trust you both. It is time for you to lay aside your old differences and trust each other."
Snape didn't move. Neither did Sirius. Icarus looked at them both carefully, before kicking his father - hard - in the leg. Snape yelped and looked down at him, startled.
"Just shake hands already, for fuck's sake," said Icarus impatiently. He looked over at Sirius and raised an eyebrow. The men grimaced but they both stepped forward and shook each other's hand, letting go extremely quickly. It was good enough.
Icarus was still pretty pissed at Sirius for what the man had done to his father in his youth.
"Thank you, Icarus." said Dumbledore, "It's nice to know they listen to someone. Now, I have work for all of you. Fudge's attitude, though not unexpected, changes everything. Sirius, I need to set off at once. You are to alert Remus Lupin, Arabella Figg, Mundungus Flecher - the old crowd. Lie low at Lupin's for a while; I will contact you there."
"But-" Harry said, reaching out to Sirius.
"You'll see me very soon, Harry," said Sirius, turning to the boy. "I promise you. But I must do what I can, you understand, don't you?"
"Yeah," said Harry. "Yeah...of course I do."
Sirius shook the boy's hand briefly, turned back into the large black dog, crossed the room and left.
"Severus," said Dumbledore, turning to Snape, who stood pale next to Icarus, "you know what I must ask of you," he glanced at Icarus, "If you are ready...if you are prepared..."
Snape looked down and met Icarus' eye. Icarus nodded, gritting his teeth.
"I am," said Snape.
"Then good luck," said Dumbledore, as the man swept after Sirius.
Icarus felt frightened - more so than he had in Moody's chest.
"Icarus," he looked at the man, who looked so very very old now, "I hope you can forgive me."
A shutter came over Icarus' eyes, making the one Dumbledore could see very hollow looking.
"You ask too much, now, Dumbledore." he said coldly.
Mrs. Weasley stood up furiously, about to say something, but Dumbledore raised a hand to keep her quiet.
"I quite understand." He said sadly. It was several minutes before he spoke again.
"I must go downstairs. I must see the Diggorys. Harry - take the rest of your potion. I will see all of you later."
He left. Icarus stared blankly at the tiles of the infirmary, fully aware of how very alone he was now.
He tried his best to avoid watching Mrs. Weasley and Harry. How he was trying to not to cry...how she was hugging him... He stood up, ignoring Hermione, and walked out.
He made his way up to the Astronomy tower and laid himself on the balcony, watching the sky until it lightened with the beginning of a new day.