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Fudge was stretching his hat in all the way. Everyone was in Dumbledore's office, except for Ron and Hermione who were sent to the infirmary with Mrs Pomfresh.
Dawn was standing near the door in silence.
She warned the Ministry after harry disappeared with Morgane into the forest. Dumbledore had tried to prevent her.
"Professor, with all due respect, the more we hide, the more Harry is in danger!"
So Fudge was here. He was in choc and was thinking to the next step.
"It seems clear to me Harry is under the influence of that woman. The fact she is wearing Grindelwald's symbol is a proof she is a dark witch."
Dawn wished it. But Harry's behavior proved the contrary; he knew very well what he was doing. She wasn't sure she will be able to forget how he took Peter's soul so easily and destroyed it. And how he enjoyed it.
She had failed. She thought that gifts and nice words will be enough for him. Clearly, she missed the point.
She turned to Snape, Black and Lupin. She had a sad smile. They were the adults who were supposed to care about him. And they all failed, in different ways. They were pitiful, the four of them.
Snape and Black were standing in each corner, far away. Despise the news; Black had tried to hit Snape. Lupin had restrained him. However Dawn could not blame him. Snape's part in the Potter's death had been new to everyone.
As the years passed, she understood better why the Ministry was wary of Dumbledore.
The Ministry had its flaws, she knew that. Of course, there were things the public didn't know, but it was for the sake of the country. Why would Dumbledore have that sort of secret? He was just the headmaster of the school officially.
"Anyway, said Fudge. At least, Sirius Black's case is now closed. I wasn't minister at the time, but clearly some mistakes were made."
Sirius Black raised his head, indignation could be read all over if face.
"Some mistakes? Barty Croupton didn't even….
-Yes, he faulted at this but make sure that I will investigate to solve all of this. And of course, the Ministry will help you to come back into our society."
Lupin sighed as Black was giving a death stare. Even Snape couldn't help but rolled his eye. Fudge was trying to be the hero of the day.
Dolores Umbridge said:
"It seems however that Lupin here didn't give us the information he had. Had Sirius Black be a real criminal, it could have hurt a lot of people."
Dawn almost jumped at this. Umbridge looked please with the situation. Her hate towards the hybrid was known to everyone. She had been one of the most fervent opponents to Lupin's job. The fact she was aiming only at him made her angry, this was not the time!
"Dolores, I am sure Lupin had his reasons. I don't see why you are jumping only on him. Everyone in this room hid very vital information."
She looked at Dumbledore who supported her gaze.
"You are right my dear. Dear Albus, why did you hide the fact Harry was a parseltongue? The fact he had such power.
-I didn't see the point.
-The point? Said Fudge. But Albus, this kind of power…
-Give birth to unnecessary rumors. I didn't want harry to be annoyed with that."
There was a silence that was broke by Hagrid.
"Harry is a sweet boy! He had suffered a lot! I'm with the minister; he must be under this Morgane's influence.
-What do we know about her? Aside she is a disciple of Grindelwald and that her name is Morgane?
-She is not his disciple. I'm pretty sure she is way older than all of us. But something tells me Grindelwald met her."
And that meant that he had to see him. The last time they saw each other was more than fifty years ago. Even after that much time, the idea of facing him was still hurtful.
He rose.
"Where are you going?" asked Dawn.
-I'm going to see him. He'll talk to me.
-How do you know? You are the one who put him in prison.
-I'm sure he will, at least out of curiosity. I'll report to all of you.
-Really? Snorted Dawn.
-Neptuna, I know you don't trust me but…
-Trust you? Trust you? You let a Death Eater teaching our children!
-I'm not a Death Eater anymore! Yelled Snape.
-Ah! Not anymore? Great, I'll almost cry. If you were really that repentant, you wouldn't have traumatized so many children! You wouldn't have taken on Harry and Neville!"
Snape couldn't say a thing because it was true. Since that summer, something had changed. He saw Harry as a child not as a reincarnation of James. But he had refused to admit it. It was easier to just hate. He had been the coward this time.
"Now, now, said Umbridge. Professor Snape has regret. Lucius always says…
-There you are Dolores! Funny how you are ready to forgive a Death Eater but a werewolf deserve no better.
-But, but! How dare you Neptuna! Lucius Malfoy always had been a very important member of our community!
-Really? What about last year when he opposed Arthur project about protecting Muggles? All the harassment he did on the boarding member to get Dumbledore fired?"
Umbridge tried to say something but no sound came out. Dawn smirked.
"Everyone knows that deep down, you agree with You know who's ideas!
-Neptuna Dawn! How dare you! I have always treated you as a loyal member!
-I'm loyal to the community, yes! Not to Death Eaters, least their ideas!
-Neptuna, calm down, said McGonagall. We are deriving from the main subject."
Dawn didn't notice she was breathing loudly. She felt she could hit Umbridge with her fist. But actually, she needed someone to vent her anger on.
"I think everyone here is tired, said Dumbledore.
-Yes, indeed, added Fudge. Albus, go and see Grindelwald, I shall wait for your return.
-I want to go with him.
-No Neptuna, this is something I need to do alone."
There was something in his voice that hint a little of sadness.
"However Fudge, may I suggest putting Aurors in front of the Dursley's house?
-Why?
-I fear that Harry may want revenge on them because of what happened."
That actually made sense, thought Dawn. She didn't like the Dursley but even them, didn't deserve such fate.
"Yes, I will do."
Dumbledore bowed and left. Dawn was furious, against him, against Snape but mostly against her. She felt so tired, she needed to sleep.
Fudge turned to Black. He said with a non reassured voice and a little smile:
"Would you like to come with me at the Ministry to settle all of this?
-No, answered Black.
-Cornelius, there is no hurry, said McGonagall.
-Yes, of course, we can do this later. Now, the newspaper I'll have to deal with…
-Tell them Harry had been captured by a disciple of Grindelwald.
-But Albus said…
-I know, but it will be easier to say that. And don't forget to say Sirius had been judged wrongly.
-They are going to love that, sighed Fudge. Let's go Dolores. Evening to all of you."
One by one, they left Dumbledore's office. Black stared at Snape who looked straight. Lupin took him by the arm.
"Come Sirius, I'm sure you love to shower and have a new set of clothes.
-Yes, said Hagrid, and Sirius I wanted to say…"
He then suddenly cried very loudly.
"I'm sorry I thought you were guilty! I said awful things about you!
-It's… alright Hagrid, said Sirius a little embarrassed. I must say, I didn't act smartly either so… No hard feeling. Please don't cry, we must concentrate on Harry.
-I can't believe this is him! Harry would never do such a thing! I know him since his first year!
-We thought we knew Peter, mumbled Dawn.
-Neptuna, said Lupin, don't…
-Don't what? Remus, you saw everything! Can we say we know the people? Do we really know Harry? Even if Morgane seduced him in some way, the fact is we failed! If we were more present for him…
-Crying over it won't bring him back."
Snape was still standing next to them.
"Go away, spat Black.
-Whether you like it or not, we are on the same boat.
-I'll gladly throw you overboard!
-While you are crying here, Potter is still out there. You know well the Ministry will distrust him very soon. Do you think the Aurors will hold back facing someone with such powers?
-Oh you care about him?
-I made a vow after… that night.
-What vow? Asked Lupin.
-To protect him from the Dark Lord. Potter will meet him, he said so himself. Who knows what's the result will be?"
They stayed silent for a minute. Hagrid blew in his tissue. Dawn hated to admit it but Snape was right. They needed to collaborate to save Harry.
"What do you propose, Severus? Asked Lupin.
-Let's get some rest first, wait for Dumbledore to come back. And think about that thing, the fact that the dark lord has a broken soul?
-Can we really do that? Breaking his own soul? Asked Dawn.
-Coming from him, nothing surprises me anymore, whispered Snape.
-Let's do this then, sighed Lupin.
-I'll check on Ron and Hermione. They must be worry."
They agreed and parted. Dawn rushed up to the infirmary; she needed to tell them what was going to happen next. She knew they would rush into danger if thing were keeping from them. She was welcomed by a very exhausted Mrs Pomfresh.
"I hope you will calm the m down! I must say, I'm kind of lost in this situation.
Minerva will tell you about. I'm taking over.
-Thank you."
Dawn entered into the main room. Hermione was sitting on Ron's bed and they talked very fast. When they saw her, they stopped. Dawn sighed.
"You weren't thinking of doing something stupid right? Like chasing harry?
-He is our friend!
-I know. Listen to me carefully; we are doing everything to find him. Officially, Harry had kidnapped by Morgane, a disciple of Grindelwald.
-But this is…
-No Ron, she is right. You know how people would react if they learn the truth!
-Exactly."
Ron gulped. He still had the image of Harry taking Peter'soul and Morgane sucking the rest to regenerate.
"I don't want to lose him.
-No one does.
-It wasn't Harry! I don't want to believe he can do such a thing!
-I know Ron, said dawn, for now I beg you not to tell a soul. For Harry's sake. I promise I will let you know if we have something new.
-And Snape?
-What about him?
-Isn't he going o be arrested for complicity of murder? Asked Hermione.
-No, I don't think so. Not right away anyway. I understand why you are angry, she added as she saw their faces. But Snape is still useful to help us find Harry."
Both Ron and Hermione had still tears rolling. No matter what Neptuna Dawn said, they had the awful feeling that Harry would never come back.
"Rest, children."
They nodded. Hermione went to the bed next to Ron. They fell asleep very quickly, exhausted by the emotions.
She looked at them for an instant then left.
She went to Lupin's office and knocked.
"Come in."
She opened the door and saw the two sitting in a chair with a glass full of whisky. She closed the door.
"I could use one glass, too."