Here I am again, with my strange update schedule (what schedule, actually…). I am sorry for that. I had not anticipated how busy this year has become. As always, I'm happy to address any remarks / questions, reviews or PMs.
Harry could not believe his ears at first. They had all tried so hard. And Hagrid would not take this well…
Meanwhile, Hermione showed them the letter Hagrid had sent. He was so stunned he couldn't even focus enough to read it. Hermione continued about the appeal, saying nothing would change.
Exchanging a glance with Ron, he started: "Yes, something will change, Hermione. We'll help. We'll ask others to help, too." He saw that she understood he was talking about Jane here.
"Yes Hermione, we'll all help. We should've helped you out sooner, sorry Hermione.", Ron chimed in.
"Let's get to work.", Harry said decidedly.
"I should apologise, too, Harry. I shouldn't have gone behind your back about that broom…"
"I'm sorry, too, about lashing out on you earlier."
Ron cleared his throat. "I should apologise, too. I've been an arse to you."
"Yeah, well… I could've just admitted my cat has eaten your rat.", she said, a little red in the face.
They smiled a bit uneasily at each other. It was Ron who cleared his throat and suggested going to work.
Later that night, when all boys were in bed, he tried to communicate with Jane.
"Jane?", he asked mentally. It had been a long time since they had communicated like this, it was more practical to go down there in person. But since professor Lupin had the map, he couldn't out rule the possibility that he also knew how to work with it. Which in turn meant he couldn't sneak through the tunnels to Hogsmeade to talk to her in person.
"Yes, I'm here. What happened?"
"A lot.", he replied. He replayed his memories from going to Hogsmeade, laughing with Ron, the mud, Snape's office and the appeal.
"What did you think he would find if he read your mind?", she asked. He could practically feel her frowning.
"He's close with the Malfoys, I don't want him finding out who you are or even that we know each other." *
"Yeah, makes good sense. Thanks."
"Can you do something for Buckbeak though?"
"I'm trying, really. I've been reviewing some cases like you have. Henry is going through old law books with our family attorney Peter, in the hopes of finding some ancient law that can help. But other than that… I was not there. It won't make enough difference. If I have to throw my reputation on table… Those are Malfoy's goons. I don't stand a chance, and I don't think that Hagrid, with all good arguments in the world, would either."
Harry sighed. "Thanks to him, too."
"Lara's here, too. She's helping me with reading up. She says hi."
Harry smiled a bit. Typically Jane, saying something like this to cheer him up. "Thanks. Say hi back. I'll go to bed then."
They wished each other goodnight.
The following weeks were a madhouse. Quidditch final came and passed in a daze – despite the dirty techniques Slytherin used, they won for the first time. They all celebrated, but it didn't last long. Exams came and went. The only highlight of that – in both Harry's and Ron's opinion – was when Hermione punched Malfoy. The day of the appeal neared. Jane, Henry, Lara, Ron and Harry all worked as much as they could on that, between work and exams. Despite her workload, Hermione managed to do some work for that, too; though it was Ron who did the most.
Despite their best attempts, on the morning of their last exam (Divination for Ron, Muggle studies for Hermione and Arithmancy for Harry, since there had been an overlap for him), came the note they had all feared: Hagrid and Buckbeak had lost the appeal. Execution was at sundown, and despite the danger, Harry felt they all needed to be there for their friend, and said as much. They agreed, and Hermione recovered the Invisibility cloak. And so, they found themselves on Hagrid's doorstep.
Harry knocked. "Let us in please, Hagrid. We're under the cloak.", he whispered when Hagrid opened the door.
Ignoring his protests, they went in. Hagrid seemed to accept what would be happening soon.
"It's all me own fault…- "
"Couldn't Dumbledore do something?", Ron asked.
"He tried. And so did you, though I wonder where you got all those facts from…"
Harry felt Ron's eyes on him, and sighed. He assumed that Ron had an idea Jane was involved. It had never been his intention to keep these many secrets. The problem with secrets is, the more people know of them, the bigger the chance of someone saying too much. It wasn't like he didn't trust Ron, or Hermione for that matter; he felt the risk was too big and the consequences-.
At that point, Hermione screamed. "Ron, look it's Scabbers!"
And indeed, as she turned the milk jug upside down, the rat came tumbling out.
Harry looked at Hagrid, who had gone pale, and followed his gaze. The executioners were coming.
"Get out through the back door.", Hagrid urged them on.
Despite their protests, they had to leave him there, alone.
They tried to make their way to the castle, but Scabbers didn't stay still. And then-
A dull thus as an axe came down, and howling in the air, howling he recognised as-
"Hagrid!", Harry whispered shocked. Part of him was thinking about turning around, but he couldn't, it would only cause Hagrid more problems…
Hermione eyed him, shock in her eyes. "At least Dumbledore is there…", she said, while looking back to the cabin, too.
At that moment, Scabbers escaped. They took of the cloak and ran after Ron, who was chasing Scabbers. Just as they reached Ron, Harry heard a noise… Was it… Paws?
And then a dog knocked into him, knocking out the air out of his lungs. The dog skidded on, grabbed a hold of Ron and dragged him of.
"Come on!", he yelled at Hermione, gesturing for the direction the dog had gone.
"We need go back to the castle, warn someone- "
"It's just a dog, 'Mione! It can seriously maim Ron, but not the three of us, come on!", he exclaimed, running forwards-
WHAM. The air was knocked out of him once more. He looked up and saw the Whomping Willow. They tried to dodge the branches like mad, but they couldn't get closer. Then Crookshanks snuck between the branches of the tree and put his paws on a knob. The tree froze.
Catching Hermione's gaze, he said: "Your cat hangs out with that dog from time to time. Come on."
She nodded, and they went in the tunnel. It ended in what looked like a house, probably in Hogsmeade, Harry thought. The place looked like it had been a chewing toy to something rather big and violent, and he hoped it wasn't home.
"Are we in the Shrieking Shack?", he whispered to Hermione. She nodded. "Ghosts didn't do this.", he said, gesturing to the environment. The traces in the dust went up, and so did they. They looked through the only open door.
"Ron!", Hermione said, relief evident in her voice. She dashed into the room, with Harry on her heels. He took one look at Ron's leg, and noticed it was broken. The bones stood at an awkward angle, though neither piece had pierced the skin. Ron didn't look like there was a massive bleeding going on there, either. He would have to find some kind of splint…
Ron interrupted his thoughts. "It's a trap. He's here…"
He didn't need Ron's confirmation that Black was an Animagus, and hopefully for the ministry, an unregistered one. He whirled around, and saw him standing, in the corner of the room, with Ron's wand. Moody would've a lot to say on this, he thought. Then he looked at Black again, and thought there were more urgent issues to deal with.
"Expelliarmus!", the man said calmly, catching their wands.
"Brave of you, to come rescue your friend.", he said.
"Brave, or stupid. I'm told it's a thin line.", he said, focussing on his emotions. If he got upset enough, maybe Jane would notice and sent a rescue team…
"Your father would've done the same.", the man continued, like nothing happened.
Time to try his luck. "Unfortunately, I don't know that. I never had much time with him.", he said in a harsh tone.
Something flickered in Black's eyes.
"Don't worry. Only one person will die tonight…", Black said, trailing of, raising his wand. But his aim seemed a little of… Or was he pointing it to… Ron?
Ron stood up from the bed he was lying on, holding on to Harry for support. "If you want to kill Harry, you will have to kill us, too!", he said, swaying a little.
Something flickered in Black's eyes again. But he was distracted, and Harry saw an opportunity, launching himself on Black. Most pureblood wizards were not trained in Muggle combat, and Black was not an exception. Hermione and Ron joined him in his fight, and Harry got a hold of their wands.
"Move!", he yelled at them, pointing the wands from a distance. He wondered what to do next. If he brought Black to the castle, he would never be able to ask his questions. Not to mention the Dementors would find them, and since they had a particular fondness of him, he wasn't enjoying the idea. But the choice was made for him, since he heard something, and someone came bursting through the door-
"Expelliarmus!", and for the second time this evening, Harry was disarmed. He met Lupins eyes, followed them to Black, on the ground.
"Where is he, Sirius?", professor Lupin asked.
Black pointed to Ron. So, he had been right, Harry thought, Black had really aimed for Ron. But that didn't make any sense…
"Was it always him, and you didn't tell me that?", he asked. Black nodded. Harry had no clue what was going on, but he saw Lupin helping Black up. And apparently, Hermione lost it.
"You...! You- I hid the truth from everyone!", she screamed.
"Hermione…", Lupin started, stepping closer.
"Stay away from Harry! He wants you dead, he's been helping Black all this time, he's a werewolf!", she yelled.
"Hermione", Harry interrupted, "if he wanted me dead, how about an 'accident' during my private lessons? Would've been far more convenient." Something in Lupin's face twitched. "And I knew that."
"What?", professor Lupin blurted out.
"It's not hard to figure out. I knew all along since we met – I remembered. But Hermione… found out after Snape's essay, didn't you?" She nodded. "Thought so. Was his intention, I believe.", he said.
His eyes flashed back to Lupin and Black. Then, he asked the question that had been on his mind for an entire year. "What happened that Halloween night, Mr. Black?"
They all seemed surprised, though Hermione had a look of realisation over her soon enough – she probably found out he was trying to buy time, to be able to contact Jane.
"I went to their house… I found their bodies. I wasn't the Secret keeper, Peter was…", Black stared of in the distance. "But enough of that! It's time for murder!", launching himself. But again, his aim seemed of…
Lupin intervened. "We need to explain! We owe that to Harry!" Black subsided.
Ron wanted to intervene, but Harry gestured for silence.
"I was bitten when I was young. For obvious reasons, I thought I would never be able to go to Hogwarts. But I was… And then, for the first time, I had friends… Sirius, your father and Peter Pettigrew. They found out, of course. I thought they would leave me behind and live on, but they didn't. They stayed at my side… And when their human forms couldn't… they became Animagi. In their fifth year, they managed it. They became unregistered Animagi… It was not long before we left my safe harbour, as Sirius and James were such large animals, they could control me."
"That was a risk- ", Hermione said.
"But it shouldn't be possible. Someone should have monitored him.", Harry replied. "Why is Snape so hateful to you?"
"The four of us… Played a trick on him. He nearly died, but your father pulled him back. Sirius told him how he could get into the tunnel-."
"But what was at the end of it?", Ron asked curiously.
"Professor Lupin, in wolf form.", Harry replied. "Perfect security. No one here, and even if he escaped, he still had to get into the castle, giving the teachers the time to react." **
Professor Lupin nodded.
"That's the problem between you and professor Snape?", he asked, a little curious. Okay, the end result could've been devastating, but he had the sinking feeling the incident didn't stand on his own.
"Indeed.", a familiar voice sneered. Throwing of the Invisibility cloak, there stood professor Snape. And the look on his face predicted nothing good.
"Found out of bounds, Potter.", he said. "The Dementors would love the fact they are getting two for the price of one!"
"Professor- ", Hermione began.
"Keep your foolish, arrogant mouth shut for once, girl!", he screeched. His eyes were bulging.
"Severus- ", Lupin started, but before he was able to say more, he was incarcerated on the floor. Snape pointed his wand at Black, and reckoned him to move.
"Stop.", Harry said, standing in the doorway.
"Move Potter!", the professor screamed. He truly looked mad in every sense of the word. He came approaching, his wand now pointed at Harry – and Harry just reacted.
"Expelliarmus!", he bellowed. But he was not the only one, Ron and Hermione had done the same on the exact same time. Snape was thrown across the room and stayed on the floor, unconscious.
"Shouldn't have done that", Black said, while releasing professor Lupin.
"If everything you say is true… You think that Scabbers is Peter Pettigrew.", Harry concluded fast. "Why?", he spoke, over Ron's protests.
Black reached inside his robes, and pulled the newspaper out. Harry recognised the article Ron had sent him, the one about them winning the lottery. "His paw, he cut it off before he dived into the sewers."
Harry nodded. "There's no prove.", he said pensively. He stopped trying to reach Jane. They were here for over half an hour. For some reason, she wasn't close enough to sense his emotions.
Lupin stepped up. "We can prove it. If we can take the rat, we can force him to take his true identity."
Harry looked at Ron, gesturing for him to respond to that. It was his pet, after all. "And what if he isn't", Ron asked.
"No harm will come to him then.", Lupin replied. Harry looked at him with interest. There was a little too much stress on then, for his liking.
And so, it happened. Scabbers seemed to grow, until there was a man on the floor. He still looked like a rat to Harry, with watery eyes, that flashed to the door. Harry hardly listened to him grovelling after he admitted his role in the murder of Harry's parents. He wasn't moved when Pettigrew pleaded for his life. But as they raised their wants, he couldn't stand it. His father's friends…
"No! You, my father's friends, shouldn't become murderers for this grovelling piece of shit."
They looked at each other. "Turn him in with the Dementors. They deserve each other."
They nodded. And so, they left. Sirius told him about being his Godfather and invited him to stay with him. He had never wanted something this badly…
And then it all went wrong.
He realised their mistake as soon as they excited the tunnel. He dashed forward, ignoring Sirius's warning… For the moon had just risen to its highest point. Lupin was transforming, and he wasn't save…
He reached Ron the second Lupin's transformation was complete. He knocked into Ron, pushing him aside. Then Sirius came to stand between them, in dog form, urging Lupin away, fighting. Harry turned, his instincts telling him to be on the lookout, and he was right, Pettigrew had snatched up Lupin's wand. He hexed Ron with some spell he didn't recognise.
"Expelliarmus!", he shouted. The spell was thrown around a lot, this night, he thought. The wand flew wide, but Pettigrew transformed, making his full-body bind fly wide.
He whirled around. Hermione came running towards Ron, Snape was floating in the air unconscious; Remus had taken off to the Forest.
"Pettigrew escaped!", he yelled at Sirius, who barked and ran off.
Dropping to his knees next to Hermione, he asked: "How is he?"
Hermione just shook her head. "I don't know what he was hit with, but he seems 'only' knocked out.", she replied, but he noticed she still looked concerned.
His blood froze, as he heard barking. They looked at each other. "Go! Get help!", he shouted, running towards the barking. But then it suddenly stopped. Don't be too late, he begged silently. It couldn't be, not so soon after he'd found him…
He heard something behind him and whirled around, wand drawn.
"Hermione!", he hissed, startling her.
"Don't even start!", she whispered back fiercely, Ron flying behind her. "I'm coming with you. For all you know Pettigrew is waiting at the front door! Strength in numbers!"
Harry didn't respond, he just started running again, running as fast as he could-.
At first, he didn't notice the cold. Later, he would think he was already numb with shock. So much had happened… When he ran to the lakeshore, were his godfather was lying, pleading, he couldn't even feel more than a little shock when he recognised the Dementors. Hundreds of them…
Standing fiercely beside his godfather, he yelled at Hermione: "think of the happiest thing you can remember and say 'Expecto Patronum'!"
And she tried. Dear God, she gave everything she had, along with his feeble attempts. But it wasn't enough. Sirius succumbed first, rolling flat on his back. Hermione collapsed a little later, followed by Ron as her spell was cancelled.
"Expecto Patronum.", he mumbled feebly. He could see nothing but fog, hear nothing but the shouting of his parents and the laughing of one Lord Voldemort. "Expecto Patronum." He kept repeating it, because it was the only hope he had. No one would be running to their aid. Silvery vapor was all he managed to produce…
The Dementor focussed on him again, its rotten hands closing around his neck…
"Expecto Patronum.", he mumbled feebly, grabbing hold of Sirius' arm. They would not get him. THEY WOULD NOT GET HIM! He thought of all the people in his life, who would grieve if he died here. Jane, Henry, Lara, Sirius, Ron, Hermione. But so many others cared for him, too. And as it was, he could picture their faces suddenly way more clear.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!", he shouted, taking the Dementor by surprise. And he saw a silvery animal coming out of his wand, driving the Dementors back. All of a sudden, it was warm again. Still on his knees, he forced his head up, through his light-headedness. Before him stood a beautiful stag.
"Prongs…", he whispered, as the animal vanished.
Groaning, pushing back the darkness in his vision momentarily through sheer will power, he grabbed a hold of Ron, Hermione and Sirius. He plucked something from his pocket and whispered: "emergency." It was a good thing Jane insisted on him having one, all the time, he thought vaguely. As he felt the tug behind his navel, darkness closed around him.
Jane was working in the embassy late that night. Since Patrick, who held the position before her, was giving her more and more work to do, and he was out tonight, she'd started working late. She was jerked back from her thoughts when the wards flared. Jumping on her feed, she looked at Jean.
"Someone came in through the wards. Portkey.", she said curtly.
They ran down the stairs, more Aurors and Hitwizards coming to them, until there was a group of twelve. They burst into the atrium-
And skidded to a halt. There were four unconscious people lying there.
"Harry.", she said, bending down. Feeling for a pulse, relieved at finding one, she noticed his skin was unusually cold and clam.
"Madame.", Jean said warningly.
She looked up. Two of the others she recognised as Hermione and Ron, and the third-
"Sirius Black.", she whispered. Then she sprang into action. "You!", she said to the youngest Auror, only arriving this very night, "go to the Hospital Wing, tell the Healers to come up here. Four unconscious people, signs of exposure to Dementors." He nodded. "Run.", she added when he didn't seem to budge.
She focussed on Ron. His leg had obviously been broken, and was in some kind of splint. She put her hands on it, and tried to focus. Banishing all other thoughts and worries from her head, she allowed energy to flow. With a sickening crack, the leg was healed. She worked on cancelling a charm next. It was difficult, as she had no idea what curse it was. But she managed. When she came back to herself, she saw Henry looking at her. He was working on Harry, waving his wand and muttering. The others were already floating to the Hospital Wing, guided by their respective Healers.
As another Healer took over Ron, she looked at him questioningly.
"Magical exhaustion. But nowhere near as bad as in first year. He'll be good to go as soon as he wakes, no worries."
She sighed. "I'm not sure about that… I want to know what happened."
Henry smiled a little at that. "No surprise there."
After being assured everyone would be fine and there was nothing seriously wrong with either of them, she went up to were Black was held. They held him on the upper floor, in their most heavily warded room. As she entered it, he was still unconscious. She took a moment to look at him, sliding down the furthest wall. He had changed so much since the last pictures she had seen… Jane wondered what had done that. Azkaban? The death of his friends? She wanted to know what had happened that night, but at the same time, she wondered if she was projecting herself on the man. They both had it hard after their loved ones had died. Was she projecting her own innocence on him? She'd find out soon enough.
Not even three hours after they had arrived, he stirred. She waited, and stood stiffly. She had not moved since she had entered the room, so she probably had made a sound. He was suddenly wide awake. Jane looked at the Healer questioningly, who nodded. She nodded back – he was all right and she could talk to him, but she should be careful. The Healer left the room.
"Welcome back.", she said. And realised she had failed already, because she had startled him. In her black robes, standing still in a dark corner, he probably hadn't noticed her. She smiled apologetically.
"Are they all right?", he asked in a strange tone. Was it anxiety? "Are Harry and the others safe?"
She eyed him carefully. "Harry and the others are safe and being checked over by a Healer, but there's no lasting damage."
He looked relieved. "Eat your chocolate, mister Black; we are going to have a little chat."
Jane smiled reassuringly while he reached for the chocolate surprisedly.
"Do you know where you are, mister Black?" He shook his head. "Do you know who I am?", she asked calmly.
"No. But I want to thank you- "
"Don't thank me yet.", she replied, her smile faltering a bit. "I'm Jane Davidson, the current ambassador for Magical France in Great Britain. You are currently residing in the embassy's holding cell. You arrived here unconscious, in the presence of…", picking up a parchment, "Harry James Potter, Ronald Virus Weasley and Hermione Jean Granger. There's evidence they are exposed to Dementor's, and Ronald's leg was broken." He said nothing, and she sighed. Conjuring a chair, she seated herself and crossed her legs, leaning back until she was comfortable. "You have one chance to explain yourself. I will not tolerate lying."
He looked even more surprised. Five minutes of silence passed, and she nearly thought he wouldn't say anything. "I'm innocent.", he started hesitantly.
But they were interrupted when the door burst open, and there was Harry. She raised her eyebrows in question. "He's here.", he said, anxiousness evident in his voice.
Jane closed her eyes. This, she thought, was the worst-case scenario.
Then, she rose from the chair. "What do you need?", she questioned, eying Harry as he spoke.
"Ten minutes.", he replied. She nodded, and made to leave the room, but his voice stopped her. "Jane- "
"Don't.", she replied, he eyes glued on the door. "I can't guarantee anything.", she continued. She felt Sirius Black's eyes on her. "Be careful and do what you have to do."
His eyes widened in surprise, but she didn't notice. While she went down to the atrium, at a much slower pace than last time, Jane sighed. She was really not ready for this… She really couldn't do this, a man's life depended on her capabilities as a diplomat! Now more than ever she wished Patrick was here. She closed her eyes. He was not here, and the man upstairs was depending on her, she thought. Get your shit together, she commanded herself, while straightening her shoulders. Jane thought back to him, and to Harry. She wondered if she had done well. She had basically encouraged him to break out a prisoner, and though it was the right thing to do, as she truly believed him when he said he was innocent, the risks-
"Jane!", minister Fudge said, as she rounded a corner and walked through the double doors.
Only just managing to keep a straight face, she feigned surprise. "Prime minister Fudge! I could not believe my ears when I heard you were here. Such an unexpected pleasure." Unfortunately, he didn't seem to realise she emphasized unexpected, nor why she had done so. Suppressing a sigh, she continued. "What can we do for you tonight?"
"An awful business, dear, we need to check your territory- ", he stated, spinning his bowler so fast it became a blur.
"Perhaps", she said delicately, "this matter is best discussed in my office. If you'd follow me?"
"Well, we need to move fast. Delicate business, dear.", he said, attempting – and failing – a reassuring smile.
"I cannot grand you permission to search these grounds if I don't know why.", Jane retorted. "Please, walk with me?" She let out a breath and exchanged a glance with Jean when the minister finally was moving. He nodded reassuringly – there was no one on the terrain without her knowing so, they all were in here. That's something, she thought.
"Have a seat, Prime Minister.", she said, gesturing to a seat across her bureau. Jean handed her a parchment, and she frowned while reading the message. "There are forty Aurors in the waiting room downstairs, Prime Minister. Why is that? I might add, if we hadn't been allies for so long, this might be considered an … invasion of sorts."
"O no, no no we do not wish to breach your integrity, my dear.", he replied, smiling. She resisted the urge to tell him the correct form of address was not 'dear', no matter how young she was. "We eh… We come from Hogwarts, and I was informed that Sirius Black had been sighted there."
She waited, but he seemed to only spin his bowler. "If he was seen at Hogwarts, then why are you here, sir?", she prodded, suspecting she knew the answer.
"There was evidence a Portkey had been activated. So, we checked, and the only registered Portkeys that qualify, are coming down here."
She nodded. "So, you want to conduct a search.", she concluded. When he nodded, she continued. "We have not asked for your help, Prime Minister. You insisted in the beginning of the school year I would not need any more protection than I had."
"Well, we have evidence he is here- "
She forced another smile. "We are flattered by your concern, Prime Minister. But I must insist, there is no need to offer your man. I have my own- "
"We are here anyways.", he retorted.
"And again, we appreciate your concern. On behalf of my nation, I thank you. But surely, you realise this is delicate?"
"We intend no harm, dear. We only wish to ensure everyone's safety."
"Then whose prisoner will he be, should he be found on this premises?", Jane questioned, counting the minutes in her head.
Prime Minister Fudge frowned. "Well, he's British."
"No one is denying that. But you seem to forget that, technically, this is French ground."
He reminded her forcefully of a goldfish, as he sat there happing for air. "But surely, you'll understand if my men find him- "
"But surely, you'll understand, French ground is French ground. Anything or anyone found on these grounds, belongs initially to the French government. Standard procedure."
Fudge chewed on that for a while. "But as good allies and friends, there must be a way around that?"
Jane frowned. While she was stalling, it seemed like Fudge was making haste. That was not unusual, but he seemed a little desperate now. It made her wondering if he was hiding something. A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. One of the Aurors she had placed before Black's door came in with a piece of folded parchment. Unfolding it carefully, she read it and thought for a while.
"Are you sure about this, Matti?", she asked the young, tall girl. She nodded. "Thank you. Return to your post, please."
She lowered herself in her seat again, after springing up when she had heard the knocking.
"Sirius Black was found unconscious here in the atrium. He woke up shortly before you arrived."
"Well, that's splendid! I'll send call the Dementors for the Kiss- "
"No Dementor will ever cross this threshold.", she retorted curtly.
"Well, then we'll just bring him to the Ministry- "
"It seems we have another problem, Prime Minister. He has asked for asylum."
Again, she was forcefully reminded of a goldfish. "I request you hand him over.", he stated, trying and failing a firm voice.
She sighed. "I cannot do that, until this case has been resolved. He claims to fear unlawful imprisonment. His claim needs to be investigated before we can hand him over." It was a really smart idea, she reflected. They could buy some time by asking for the paperwork, allowing the fleeing Sirius to run even further. "You can speed up the process by handing over the documents concerning his trial." If her eyes did not deceive her, Fudge suddenly seemed rather anxious.
He forced a smile. They seemed to do that a lot, as of lately, she noted. "I'm sure, as such good allies, we can evade such formalities?"
A muscle sprang in her face. "Unfortunately," not that she regretted anything, "that's not possible. The law is the law."
"But of course, we can … help each other?"
Was he bribing her, she wondered? "I do hope, Prime Minister, said paperwork is in order?", she replied in an icy tone. Guilt flashed over his face. "You're not telling me you locked up a man in a prison, forcing him to relive his worst memories over and over again, without giving him the chance to defend himself first?!"
The look on his face said it all. "No, of course not.", he tried.
"You have two weeks to deliver us the documents.", she said stonily.
"I'll simply contact my friend the Prime Minister of France!", he shouted, finally losing his temper.
Standing up, she replied: "Such is your right. But I'm asking you, unless there's something else, to leave these grounds. Take your men with you."
Fudge stormed out, smashing the door closed behind him, and she sighed. "Treaty!", she called. The elf appeared. "Tell the French Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs I need to see both of them or one of them, whatever is first possible. Tell them it's urgent." The elf nodded and disappeared. "Jean, see to it they indeed leave these grounds. I want no one lingering. No man of the Prime Minister is to be on these grounds, until I declare they are welcome again. Make sure all of them leave, and no one comes back without me being informed." He nodded and left.
Jane sighed herself. Those ministers wouldn't be happy she woke them in the middle of the night. But they needed to be prepared. Speaking about preparing, she needed to talk with Sirius Black.
As she had expected, when she reached the upper floor where they were holding him, and she entered his room, Harry was still there, sitting on the bedside. They looked up questioningly.
"It worked. Fudge left.", she said tiredly, inelegantly falling on a chair. She suddenly felt all the nights where they had researched for Buckbeak's case, plus this sleepless night. Jane resisted the urge to yawn.
Harry just nodded. "Thank you.", Sirius Black said. She nodded.
"What really happened that night?", she asked softly.
"Peter Pettigrew was the Secret Keeper. I went to check on him, and he was just gone. No signs of a fight. I didn't like it, so I went to the Potter's house.", Sirius trailed of.
"What about when you found him?"
"We're all unregistered Animagi. He yelled at me, saying I had betrayed James and Lily. He cut off his own finger, blew up the street and disappeared in the sewer."
Jane looked up to Harry. "I trust you have a plan."
"Yes. In theory, you just requested the paperwork considering the trial?", he asked. She nodded. "There was no trial.", he stated.
She sighed and rubbed her eyes tiredly. "Thought so."
"So, they are going to be unable to provide these documents."
"And he can walk free.", she said, nodding.
"We intend to request a trial. To clear his name."
She pondered that question. "It's unusual, but you have that right, yes. But you have to realise, they can ask you to take Veritaserum."
Sirius nodded. "Harry said as much."
"They will probably ask me to testify. So, don't tell me your plan. But you can ask Peter – our family lawyer - to be your lawyer."
"I'll help with strategy.", Harry said.
Jane nodded. The following news would not be received well, she thought. "I know you are innocent, but officially, I don't know all that. That means I need to act accordingly. As soon as the Healers declare you good to go – probably tomorrow – we'll transfer you to a holding cell. Officially, you are a murderer. I need to protect the public from you, though I think it's more the other way around."
"You think Fudge is going to break him out?", Harry asked curiously.
"No, but I see Malfoy doing it, for say. If Sirius Black is cleared, he'll lose a lot of money and his seat on the Wizengamot. Secondly, he has no reason to even keep you alive. This place is a fort, which means you'll be most vulnerable in transport. Which means I'm going to move you, before they expect you to be moved."
He appeared to be hyperventilating, she only noticed now. Harry grabbed his arm. "Sirius! Breathe. Look at me, breath. It's going to be alright."
After a few minutes, Sirius sighed. "Yes, I can handle a few months of Dementors.", he said, trying to pull a brave face.
She snorted. "Barbaric habit. We don't do that. The place will be heavily warded, and you'll likely not get a walk but a beautiful orange overall, but that's it. Only danger is to your eyes for all the orange." And to your mental health for being locked up so long, she amended mentally. "There'll even be visitors, and if we can get Harry an official role, he can visit. Though someone is going to be in the room with you – Omphf.", she groaned when he gave her a hug. A grinning Harry jumped on top of them, and they fell on the floor, laughing.
"Thanks.", they said in unison.
"You're welcome.", she said sincerely, smiling.
With a pang, Treaty appeared. "They are ready, milady."
"Right. Harry, get some rest. You haven't slept. Sirius, you too. I'll likely move you at two in the afternoon, since that is an unusual time. Mostly it's one in the afternoon or eight before noon. I'll go inform my boss." She nodded to Treaty and they Apparated out.
She told Treaty to wait in the waiting room, and knocked.
"Come in.", the Prime Minister said.
She came in through the huge double doors. The office of the Prime Minister Dubois had huge windows, and although it was still night-time, light came through. The Prime Minister was a dark figure against the window.
"Jane!", she exclaimed. "Are you alright? Do you need a Healer?"
She probably looked worse than she had hoped, she thought. "No, I'm fine. Just tired."
"We thought… We thought the embassy had fallen.", she Mrs. Dubois said.
"Oh, no. No, I've had a… problem with Prime Minister Fudge."
"Sit down and tell us everything.", she replied.
As she sat down facing the enormous desk, she noticed the Minister of Foreign Affairs from the corner of her eyes. Mr. Boucher seemed to be studying her carefully.
"Earlier today, Harry used his Portkey to the atrium of the embassy. He took Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley with him… And Sirius Black. I had them looked over by Healers, and then I had Sirius Black locked up in our most warded room. He told me he was innocent, but we were then interrupted by Prime Minister Fudge. He insisted on seeing me. He knew Mr. Black was with us, and asked permission to search the grounds. I declined. In that meeting, I got word that Mr. Black was asking for asylum, on the grounds of fearing unlawful imprisonment. I told the PM as much, he wanted me to hand over Black anyway. I declined again, asked him for the legal documents. He tried to go around that, I think he tried to bribe me, too. He stormed out, saying he would take the matter to you."
Her own PM frowned. "Why was he so resistant with the legal documents?"
"According to Mr. Black, there was no trial. I've been investigating the case, as you know, and I think there was indeed no trial."
Dubois closed her eyes. "So, what now?"
"I don't think we have another choice then to hold him. I've been talking to his attorney, and he said they are probably going to ask for a trial."
"Does he know about the Veritaserum?", Boucher asked.
"Yes. He's willing to take it."
"He'll have to go with the Ministry of Justice for that."
A polite knock on the door interrupted them. "Come in.", the PM called again.
Her secretary poked her head around the corner. "Sorry for the intrusion, but Prime Minister Fudge arrived."
"Take that door. You can listen in. Come when I call you.", the PM said, looking at Jane. She nodded, and disappeared. Jane didn't have to wait long.
"Prime Minister Fudge! Such an unexpected pleasure.", Dubois said. Again, he didn't seem to get the meaning.
"Prime Minister Dubois.", he replied. Though it sounded more like 'Dju-bois'. Jane shook her head silently. It was difficult to pronounce for English people. Also, he seemed not to notice Minister Boucher.
"How can I help you, this early in the morning?"
"Well, I had a… problem with your ambassador.", he replied.
"Oh? And what would that be?", Dubois asked, a warning undertone in her voice.
"She disrespected me, didn't accept my help and refused to cooperate with the justice system.", he said. He was trying for the firm voice again, she noted.
"How inconvenient. This is a very serious matter."
"I'm glad you agree, madame.", Fudge started to say.
"Especially since my ambassador has reported something entirely different.", Dubois continued, a hard edge in her voice. "Come in, Jane!"
She entered the room. Fudge looked dumbfounded.
"Prime Minister Fudge, it appears the you have a problem. Unless you can guarantee me, the documents will be in order, at the requested time?", her PM asked.
"Well… They seem to be… misplaced.", he replied carefully, not meeting anyone's eye.
"I have a brilliant solution. It's called a Summoning charm. I'm sure at least one person at your ministry is capable of that.", Dubois said sarcastically.
"It's not that simple- "
"Mister Fudge, you have offended my ambassador and lied to my face and that of my Minister of Foreign Affairs. One more lie, and you're out of this office."
He shut his mouth. "The deadline stands. You're wasting your time.", Dubois said.
He nodded curtly and marched out of the room. Or at least he tried to make it look like that. But the voice of the French PM stopped him once again.
"Oh, and one last thing.", Prime Minister Dubois waited until he had turned around. "Do not lie to me again, ever."
As soon as he left, Jane said: "I've got to go back. Now he knows I'm here… I'll arrange the transport, leaving at 2 p.m."
The Minister of Foreign Affairs shook his head. "The Ministry of Justice will Portkey someone over to collect him. That's safer."
She nodded her thanks and left.
Back in the embassy she walked straight into Harry, informing him of the meeting.
"How is Sirius?", she asked when she was done recounting.
"Alright. Good to go.", he looked sad at that.
"How did you find him anyway?", she asked him.
"He found us when we were getting back from Hagrid's.", he replied, looking sober.
"Based on the look on your face, I trust you haven't heard."
"Heard what?", he asked, frowning.
"Henry fount out that, because you were present, too and because you were working with him before the incident, you have a say, too. Your written statement, taken by Peter, was enough. I know it was only meant for us, so that we knew what kind of similar cases we were looking for, but I thought you wouldn't mind."
He appeared speechless. "But I heard them doing it- "
"The executioner slashed the enclosure the animal was residing it. That's what you've probably heard."
They whirled around, only to see-
"Patrick! You're back!", she exclaimed happily.
"Well yes, Hagrid asked me to drink a glass, and I thought nothing exciting would happen. But when I went inside, I heard Snape had survived an encounter with Black. Then I heard you lot were missing"
"Ah, shit.", Jane said.
"Eh… How do we solve that?", Harry wondered aloud.
Her mind whirled around. "Lupin. You didn't dare crossing the terrain with a werewolf around, so you went up a tree. You stayed there all night.", Patrick supplied.
They exchanged a glance. "Sounds brilliant. How about him?"
"I was thinking, we can spread the rumour he only pretended to be helping Sirius, in order to be able to overpower him and let you escape.", Jane said.
"Well, our excuse is settled then. So, I have to leave before- "
She shook her head. "Just say you fell asleep in that tree and didn't wake until next afternoon."
"And Lupin- "
"Came looking for you.", she supplied.
"You're a genius.", Harry smiled tiredly.
"You missed a lot, Patrick.", she finally answered his question. "I'll fill you in."
* A huge thank you to mwinter1, who rightfully pointed out to me that this was not clear last chapter, along with the fact Henry had not contributed anything to Buckbeak's case yet.
** Or at least, that's the best reason for not having a place in the castle, were he could be more easily monitored by a healer, that I can come up with. If you want to share your thoughts on the subject, let me know in a review!
I truly hate time-travelling. It's mind boggling at best. So, I worked around it. Hope you liked it!
I've realised the lines are not visible either, so I'm gonna try something else.
This is an even larger chapter, and I'm going to cut it off here. Next chapter will hopefully be up in July.