The Riddle House, after holding four murders over the past sixty-five
years, was now heavily guarded by the police and townsfolk of Little
Hangleton. This, however, did not stop many of the village children from
stopping by to run their little course of fun; they were then quickly
shooed off by the nightly residents of the house and scolded by their
parents when they arrived home escorted by police officers. The worst
surprise of all, however, occurred late on night in mid-June.
There were three of them that night; Dotty Jorquin, Manny Harolds (the Little Hangleton chief of Police), and an older woman whom many townsfolk did not know, but she introduced herself as a Miss Figg.
"Dotty, I don't understand why we still come up here e'ry night, we can't expect anythin' to happen. Whoever murdered the Riddles all those years ago will not come back-," Manny said.
"But 'e already 'as. Last year somune came back and moidered the Riddle's old gard'ner, Frank Bryce," Dottie explained to Miss Figg. They had already explained all about the Riddle's inexplicable deaths as well.
"There's no proof that was the same person. We just assume that it was," Manny replied.
"If you ask me," Miss Figg said, butting in, "I think it sounds like you have a serious problem on your hands. People turning up dead with no natural cause of death, then, about fifty years later, you get another death with the same results."
Just then, they heard a few loud pops down the hall and many hushed voices. One of which was somewhat high-pitched, and it sent chills down your spine just hearing it. The three of them went quiet almost immediately, trying to hear what was going on.
"She is here, I know it," said the cold voice. It sounded as if he was hungry for something, but not for something easily found or come by, something that he would have to work to get.
"Master, sh-shall we search the house for her. I c-can take N- Nagini," said another voice, but this man did not seem as cold as the other did, on the contrary, he seemed very frightened of the man which he called master.
"No need for us all to go out, I shall send Nagini to look for her. Miss Figg could not be far from us now," replied the other voice.
Manny and Dotty looked straight at Miss Figg. She gave them an, I don't have time to explain look, and pulled out a wand from inside her coat pocket. She pointed the wand at the door and whispered something, and the door slammed shut and locked very quietly. She then proceeded to point the wand at Manny and Dotty and she whispered something that sounded curiously like 'fideliandum' and they all suddenly felt light-headed.
"What did you just do," whispered Manny, "and what is all of this?"
"In a nut shell, I am a witch," Miss Figg replied, "and I was sent here tonight because the Ministry of Magic got wind that the Dark Lord, Voldemort would be returning here for the third time. That cold voice you heard out there belonged to him. I just put a fidelius charm, which makes it so that servants of the dark side cannot see us unless that little beetle over there tells anyone."
It was obvious that the other two did not understand a single thing that she had just talked about, but they did get the idea that she had saved their lives, therefore they thanked her. "Now, if you don't mind," she continued, "I would like to get us all to the Ministry as soon as we can, so, if either of you has a piece of garbage that you might not need again, could I please have it." Dotty pulled out her purse.
"Here, I was goin' to get a new one soon, now I 'ave full reason."
"Thank you." She then touched it with her wand and said a few words that the others could not understand. "Please, if each of you would kindly put your hand on this." They did as they were asked, but right as the portkey was taking affect, the other man that had spoken came in and yelled to his master. Then each of the other three got a feeling as if a very big cane had hooked them from the back and was pulling them into the purse. When they finally realized where they were, they noticed that it had many offices and cubicles. A man rushed over to Miss Figg and was shaking her hand very rapidly.
"Arabella, are you all right?" he asked.
"Yes, Minster Fudge, I am fine. It's been a while."
"That it has. What happened in Little Hangleton?" Fudge asked, finally aware that there were two other muggles there as well.
"Well, I can tell you that Voldemort was there," she said as Fudge shuddered at the sound of his name, "and, right as we were leaving, I saw a man there, and he yelled to the Dark Lord that we were there."
"But, how did he see you, I told you to place a Fidelius charm-"
"I did, Minister, but he saw me, and would you like to know more. Maybe, who it was?"
"Did you recognize him? How did you know him?"
"I would never forget his face, he was a friend of mine and James Potter's at Hogwarts when we were kids-"
"Sirius Black?"
"No, Minister. The exact opposite. The man that was standing there, was none other than the scared Peter Pettigrew."
"But how can that be, many people witnessed Peter die in the street fifteen years ago," Fudge replied.
"Don't you ever listen to Dumbledore, Fudge?" Fudge was taken aback by this treatment from Miss Figg. "He said what happened, and I believe him. Sirius suggested that James change the secret-keeper at the last minute to Pettigrew. He betrayed them, not Sirius, then he faked his own death. He's an animagis. So are James and Sirius, and I should know since I saw them change into their animal form so often. I of course never had a part in it, since I was a prefect and Head Girl. The only reason I never stopped them is because they were my friends."
"So, you believe that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has risen again, as well?"
"Believe it?!? Of course I do! I just heard him and saw his faithful servant, Pettigrew. Or is he his faithful servant?"
"What do you mean, Arabella?"
"Well, when I put the fidelius charm on us, he should not have been able to see us, since he is a servant of the Dark Side. So, how could he?"
"Perhaps, it is because Peter had the tendency to never quite choose a side that he is now able to stay on both. Who was your secret keeper?"
"Oh, just a random beetle I saw in the room. Not gonna tell anyone."
"I hope you're right, if what you're saying is true, we can't risk anything around here. I will alert the staff and I will go tell the Muggle Prime Minister about this."
"Is that necessary?"
"Of course. Muggles are at risk just like anyone else. I suppose that's why you brought them along," he said pointing at Manny and Dotty. Miss Figg had completely forgotten about them.
"Oh, I bet you two would like a deep explanation, well, do you think they should get one Minister?"
"I think, after what they've been put through, they cannot get one. They should have the memories modified and sent back to Little Hangleton."
"But, sir, the Riddle House-"
"Shall be thoroughly searched and we will protect it as dearly as we have protected Hogwarts," Fudge finished. "Now, I'm sure that we must find someone to contact our young Harry Potter. Last year, he proved that he was able to get the courage to handle many obstacles."
"Sir, we could get Sirius, since we now know that Pettigrew is still alive and well."
"Are you sure? Is that safe?"
"Yes, I will contact him right away."
"Okay, thank you very much, Arabella. Now, Mr. Harolds, Miss Jorquin, please come with me." He walked off with the two of them and Miss Figg went the other way. She went straight to the Ministry owlry and selected the fastest owl for the job since she did not know where Sirius was staying. After writing out a letter explaining what all had happened (which took two and a half rolls of parchment) she tied it to the owl and sent it off.
Meanwhile, back at number 4 Privet Drive, 15-year-old Harry Potter was peacefully fast asleep in his bed.
**********
Harry Potter awoke the next morning to a light soft tapping at his window. He rolled over, got his glasses and put them on expecting to see Hedwig at his window with another mouse or maybe a letter from Ron, the latter was what he would rather have. When he looked out, he nearly jumped five feet back, outside his window, was Hedwig, but she was being held b someone.Sirius Black his godfather. Harry quickly opened the window and found out that Sirius had been riding on a huge tropical bird, Harry had suspicions that Sirius always went South during the holidays. Sirius came in with an odd look on his face as if he didn't know whether to be happy or worried.
"What's up, Sirius?" Harry asked as Sirius came into his room.
"R-r-read," he said, so happy that he could barely get the words out. He handed Harry a piece of professional-looking parchment. Harry read:
Ministry Official Announcement
This hereby declares that Sirius Black, accused murderer, has been dropped of all charges due to the discovery of the man he had been considered to murder. Plus, he did not do anything to cause the deaths of James and Lily Potter. He is hereby entitled to live a peaceful life. After talking to Mr. Black, so shall he now be called, the Ministry has provided him with a home, furniture, and living materials for assessment for what has happened to him. Please welcome Mr. Black back into our society.
"That's great!" Harry exclaimed right when he was finished.
"I guess it means that, if you want to, you are able to come live with me. It's a nice place really, we could go tell your Uncle and Aunt now if you'd like."
"Yes! Let me get my stuff ready." Harry and Sirius spent thirty minutes clearing out everything from his closet, his bookcase, and even the floorboard under the bed (Dudley was still on his diet). When they had finished they muffled noises around the house, this meant the Harry's relatives had woken up. Harry and Sirius walked out into the hall and came face to face with Harry's Uncle Vernon. Uncle Vernon nearly fell backwards, not only was there a stranger in his house, but Uncle Vernon knew that he was connected to the Wizard world, and he recognized him from the new report about the escaped convict.
"W-what do you w-want here?" he spit out.
"Well, as Harry might have told you, I was cleared of my crime," Uncle Vernon's eyes swiveled to Harry. "Also, I was provided with a home and living materials, so, if you don't mind, I would like to invite Harry to come live with me, seeing that I'm his godfather and all."
"So, can I go?" Harry asked, suddenly joining the conversation.
"Of course you can go! Why would we want you here?"
"Alright!" Harry yelled, and he and Sirius went to his room to get Harry things. On the way, they stopped by the rug, which had a bulge in it and was quivering. "Oh, that's my cousin, Dudley," Harry said, "his last couple encounters with wizards haven't been the best, seeing how one ended him up with a tail, and the next with a tongue longer than a garden hoe." Sirius nodded, and they continued to Harry bedroom. When they got there, they did not find it empty; Hedwig was perched there, but so was an enormous red bird the color of the sun during only a few minutes of the sunset. Harry was sure this was the most beautiful bird that he had ever seen. There was also a note in this bird's mouth.
"Read the note, Harry. No doubt it's to you." Harry went over, got the note, and read it aloud.
Dear Harry,
Please accept this present as a token of gratitude for alerting me to the troubled times that we are headed for. This magnificent bird is a North Ireland phoenix, and he is the youngest of his kind. I want you to keep this phoenix with you at all times, and always watch out for yourself.
Dumbledore
P.S. Tell Mr. Black I said hello and congratulations.
"That's wonderful," Sirius said. "Your own phoenix. What are you going to name him?"
"I think I'm going to name him Loke."
"Very nice. Well, I do believe it is time to go, so, do you have anything I can use for a portkey?"
"Yea, my old Monster Book of Monsters." Sirius took the book and said a spell. Harry grabbed the book-turned-portkey and waited for anything to happen. Seconds later, he was being pulled into the book and then he regained his composure when he landed in a house that he had never been in before.
"Welcome to my humble home," Sirius said.
"It's great," Harry said. Sirius blushed.
"I think we should go make some breakfast." They headed downstairs into the kitchen, and Sirius began busying himself with different pots, pans, and foods. Harry was very interested in this, but he still wanted to find out where Sirius is now living. Looking out the window, he saw a very familiar looking house.
There were three of them that night; Dotty Jorquin, Manny Harolds (the Little Hangleton chief of Police), and an older woman whom many townsfolk did not know, but she introduced herself as a Miss Figg.
"Dotty, I don't understand why we still come up here e'ry night, we can't expect anythin' to happen. Whoever murdered the Riddles all those years ago will not come back-," Manny said.
"But 'e already 'as. Last year somune came back and moidered the Riddle's old gard'ner, Frank Bryce," Dottie explained to Miss Figg. They had already explained all about the Riddle's inexplicable deaths as well.
"There's no proof that was the same person. We just assume that it was," Manny replied.
"If you ask me," Miss Figg said, butting in, "I think it sounds like you have a serious problem on your hands. People turning up dead with no natural cause of death, then, about fifty years later, you get another death with the same results."
Just then, they heard a few loud pops down the hall and many hushed voices. One of which was somewhat high-pitched, and it sent chills down your spine just hearing it. The three of them went quiet almost immediately, trying to hear what was going on.
"She is here, I know it," said the cold voice. It sounded as if he was hungry for something, but not for something easily found or come by, something that he would have to work to get.
"Master, sh-shall we search the house for her. I c-can take N- Nagini," said another voice, but this man did not seem as cold as the other did, on the contrary, he seemed very frightened of the man which he called master.
"No need for us all to go out, I shall send Nagini to look for her. Miss Figg could not be far from us now," replied the other voice.
Manny and Dotty looked straight at Miss Figg. She gave them an, I don't have time to explain look, and pulled out a wand from inside her coat pocket. She pointed the wand at the door and whispered something, and the door slammed shut and locked very quietly. She then proceeded to point the wand at Manny and Dotty and she whispered something that sounded curiously like 'fideliandum' and they all suddenly felt light-headed.
"What did you just do," whispered Manny, "and what is all of this?"
"In a nut shell, I am a witch," Miss Figg replied, "and I was sent here tonight because the Ministry of Magic got wind that the Dark Lord, Voldemort would be returning here for the third time. That cold voice you heard out there belonged to him. I just put a fidelius charm, which makes it so that servants of the dark side cannot see us unless that little beetle over there tells anyone."
It was obvious that the other two did not understand a single thing that she had just talked about, but they did get the idea that she had saved their lives, therefore they thanked her. "Now, if you don't mind," she continued, "I would like to get us all to the Ministry as soon as we can, so, if either of you has a piece of garbage that you might not need again, could I please have it." Dotty pulled out her purse.
"Here, I was goin' to get a new one soon, now I 'ave full reason."
"Thank you." She then touched it with her wand and said a few words that the others could not understand. "Please, if each of you would kindly put your hand on this." They did as they were asked, but right as the portkey was taking affect, the other man that had spoken came in and yelled to his master. Then each of the other three got a feeling as if a very big cane had hooked them from the back and was pulling them into the purse. When they finally realized where they were, they noticed that it had many offices and cubicles. A man rushed over to Miss Figg and was shaking her hand very rapidly.
"Arabella, are you all right?" he asked.
"Yes, Minster Fudge, I am fine. It's been a while."
"That it has. What happened in Little Hangleton?" Fudge asked, finally aware that there were two other muggles there as well.
"Well, I can tell you that Voldemort was there," she said as Fudge shuddered at the sound of his name, "and, right as we were leaving, I saw a man there, and he yelled to the Dark Lord that we were there."
"But, how did he see you, I told you to place a Fidelius charm-"
"I did, Minister, but he saw me, and would you like to know more. Maybe, who it was?"
"Did you recognize him? How did you know him?"
"I would never forget his face, he was a friend of mine and James Potter's at Hogwarts when we were kids-"
"Sirius Black?"
"No, Minister. The exact opposite. The man that was standing there, was none other than the scared Peter Pettigrew."
"But how can that be, many people witnessed Peter die in the street fifteen years ago," Fudge replied.
"Don't you ever listen to Dumbledore, Fudge?" Fudge was taken aback by this treatment from Miss Figg. "He said what happened, and I believe him. Sirius suggested that James change the secret-keeper at the last minute to Pettigrew. He betrayed them, not Sirius, then he faked his own death. He's an animagis. So are James and Sirius, and I should know since I saw them change into their animal form so often. I of course never had a part in it, since I was a prefect and Head Girl. The only reason I never stopped them is because they were my friends."
"So, you believe that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has risen again, as well?"
"Believe it?!? Of course I do! I just heard him and saw his faithful servant, Pettigrew. Or is he his faithful servant?"
"What do you mean, Arabella?"
"Well, when I put the fidelius charm on us, he should not have been able to see us, since he is a servant of the Dark Side. So, how could he?"
"Perhaps, it is because Peter had the tendency to never quite choose a side that he is now able to stay on both. Who was your secret keeper?"
"Oh, just a random beetle I saw in the room. Not gonna tell anyone."
"I hope you're right, if what you're saying is true, we can't risk anything around here. I will alert the staff and I will go tell the Muggle Prime Minister about this."
"Is that necessary?"
"Of course. Muggles are at risk just like anyone else. I suppose that's why you brought them along," he said pointing at Manny and Dotty. Miss Figg had completely forgotten about them.
"Oh, I bet you two would like a deep explanation, well, do you think they should get one Minister?"
"I think, after what they've been put through, they cannot get one. They should have the memories modified and sent back to Little Hangleton."
"But, sir, the Riddle House-"
"Shall be thoroughly searched and we will protect it as dearly as we have protected Hogwarts," Fudge finished. "Now, I'm sure that we must find someone to contact our young Harry Potter. Last year, he proved that he was able to get the courage to handle many obstacles."
"Sir, we could get Sirius, since we now know that Pettigrew is still alive and well."
"Are you sure? Is that safe?"
"Yes, I will contact him right away."
"Okay, thank you very much, Arabella. Now, Mr. Harolds, Miss Jorquin, please come with me." He walked off with the two of them and Miss Figg went the other way. She went straight to the Ministry owlry and selected the fastest owl for the job since she did not know where Sirius was staying. After writing out a letter explaining what all had happened (which took two and a half rolls of parchment) she tied it to the owl and sent it off.
Meanwhile, back at number 4 Privet Drive, 15-year-old Harry Potter was peacefully fast asleep in his bed.
**********
Harry Potter awoke the next morning to a light soft tapping at his window. He rolled over, got his glasses and put them on expecting to see Hedwig at his window with another mouse or maybe a letter from Ron, the latter was what he would rather have. When he looked out, he nearly jumped five feet back, outside his window, was Hedwig, but she was being held b someone.Sirius Black his godfather. Harry quickly opened the window and found out that Sirius had been riding on a huge tropical bird, Harry had suspicions that Sirius always went South during the holidays. Sirius came in with an odd look on his face as if he didn't know whether to be happy or worried.
"What's up, Sirius?" Harry asked as Sirius came into his room.
"R-r-read," he said, so happy that he could barely get the words out. He handed Harry a piece of professional-looking parchment. Harry read:
Ministry Official Announcement
This hereby declares that Sirius Black, accused murderer, has been dropped of all charges due to the discovery of the man he had been considered to murder. Plus, he did not do anything to cause the deaths of James and Lily Potter. He is hereby entitled to live a peaceful life. After talking to Mr. Black, so shall he now be called, the Ministry has provided him with a home, furniture, and living materials for assessment for what has happened to him. Please welcome Mr. Black back into our society.
"That's great!" Harry exclaimed right when he was finished.
"I guess it means that, if you want to, you are able to come live with me. It's a nice place really, we could go tell your Uncle and Aunt now if you'd like."
"Yes! Let me get my stuff ready." Harry and Sirius spent thirty minutes clearing out everything from his closet, his bookcase, and even the floorboard under the bed (Dudley was still on his diet). When they had finished they muffled noises around the house, this meant the Harry's relatives had woken up. Harry and Sirius walked out into the hall and came face to face with Harry's Uncle Vernon. Uncle Vernon nearly fell backwards, not only was there a stranger in his house, but Uncle Vernon knew that he was connected to the Wizard world, and he recognized him from the new report about the escaped convict.
"W-what do you w-want here?" he spit out.
"Well, as Harry might have told you, I was cleared of my crime," Uncle Vernon's eyes swiveled to Harry. "Also, I was provided with a home and living materials, so, if you don't mind, I would like to invite Harry to come live with me, seeing that I'm his godfather and all."
"So, can I go?" Harry asked, suddenly joining the conversation.
"Of course you can go! Why would we want you here?"
"Alright!" Harry yelled, and he and Sirius went to his room to get Harry things. On the way, they stopped by the rug, which had a bulge in it and was quivering. "Oh, that's my cousin, Dudley," Harry said, "his last couple encounters with wizards haven't been the best, seeing how one ended him up with a tail, and the next with a tongue longer than a garden hoe." Sirius nodded, and they continued to Harry bedroom. When they got there, they did not find it empty; Hedwig was perched there, but so was an enormous red bird the color of the sun during only a few minutes of the sunset. Harry was sure this was the most beautiful bird that he had ever seen. There was also a note in this bird's mouth.
"Read the note, Harry. No doubt it's to you." Harry went over, got the note, and read it aloud.
Dear Harry,
Please accept this present as a token of gratitude for alerting me to the troubled times that we are headed for. This magnificent bird is a North Ireland phoenix, and he is the youngest of his kind. I want you to keep this phoenix with you at all times, and always watch out for yourself.
Dumbledore
P.S. Tell Mr. Black I said hello and congratulations.
"That's wonderful," Sirius said. "Your own phoenix. What are you going to name him?"
"I think I'm going to name him Loke."
"Very nice. Well, I do believe it is time to go, so, do you have anything I can use for a portkey?"
"Yea, my old Monster Book of Monsters." Sirius took the book and said a spell. Harry grabbed the book-turned-portkey and waited for anything to happen. Seconds later, he was being pulled into the book and then he regained his composure when he landed in a house that he had never been in before.
"Welcome to my humble home," Sirius said.
"It's great," Harry said. Sirius blushed.
"I think we should go make some breakfast." They headed downstairs into the kitchen, and Sirius began busying himself with different pots, pans, and foods. Harry was very interested in this, but he still wanted to find out where Sirius is now living. Looking out the window, he saw a very familiar looking house.