A/N: I am shocked you people haven't killed me yet, I know that I promised you guys the next chapter like in November, but I have good reasons, I swear. First of all finals caught up with me and I simply didn't have the time to write, and after than you couldn't get me near the computer not to mention all the holiday shopping I had to do. Then in a style that is uniquely mine I had an epiphany. I decided that graduating a semester early just wasn't good enough, no I decided that I had to graduate this summer therefore going to law school this fall rather than next. What can I say when I get going I am gone, and unfortunately I just can't stand undergrad anymore. So what does this mean for you the reader and me the writer? Well there is good news and bad news, the bad news is that I cannot update regularly if at all due to the fact that a.) I am taking 24 hrs. this semester of course work most of which involves heavy reading, b.) My LSAT is on Feb. 8th, and I need a score in the mid 160's to get into my first choice school, (by the way anyone considering Law School I suggest you run screaming in the other direction while you aren't completely hooked on the idea, and for any of you who are for Gods sake start studying now for the LSAT that thing is a bitch with a capital B) and c.) all my college apps are due and unfortunately require an essay about why I want to go to law school, anyone out there have any ideas why, at this point I'll take any hints you have!!!!! The good news is that after Feb. 8th I am pretty much free as I will have everything concerning Law School finished and done, so after that I should be able to post a bit more regularly, every week or so, as for now here is the much awaited chapter. Thanks to all who were super patient, responses to reviewers are at the bottom!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chapter 4: Breaking News
Remus rummaged through the cupboards in the kitchen, mentally arguing with himself what to eat for breakfast, he settled for grabbing a class of milk and conjuring a muffin. Sirius would probably be up soon and then he could make a nice breakfast. Remus slumped into one of the nearby kitchen chairs gazing out the window he had opened and inhaled the fresh summer breeze. He was up early, even by his standards the sun was barely cresting the horizon and the Daily Prophet hadn't been delivered as of yet. It had been an extremely restless night for Remus, and not one that he could readily explain. He'd tossed and turned most of the night, but in reality Remus had been unsettled since the early evening the night before. It had almost felt like the days before his transformation felt, the underlying tension within his system, the quiet before the storm even and yet his transformation was two weeks away. A fairly violent storm had blown through the previous evening, and sometimes if mother nature was particularly unbalanced the wolf inside him would stir, but that didn't explain the anxiety he still felt this morning. Remus gave an internal snort, maybe he was just getting old and paranoid, between Sirius living with him, Voldemort on the rise, and the fact that he was as worried about Harry as Sirius was it really shouldn't be such a surprise that he had been losing some sleep. Remus was just about to abandon his glass of milk for a strong cup of coffee when he saw Harry's snowy owl swoop through the window with a letter tied to her leg. Remus smiled he'd heard Sirius begin to move around not long ago upstairs, he'd wait until he came downstairs to give him Harry's letter, he should be pretty relieved to hear from his godson so quickly, and judging by the parchment this letter was quite a bit longer than the last few that Harry had written, it should help ease everyone's nerves. Before Remus could get trapped with in his own thoughts again he heard Sirius enter the kitchen, dragging his feet. Remus looked up to see his friend wearing two miss matched socks, a pair of old pajama pants, an open robe with no shirt on underneath, and hair that made it look like he'd been standing in an electrical storm, Remus spluttered in his coffee and attempted to hide his smile.
Sirius came down stairs at a time he determined to be entirely too early in the morning to be healthy, but Remus had made such a racket taking a shower that after attempting to return to peaceful oblivion for nearly forty minutes he conceded and got out of bed, quickly pulling on some socks to spare his feet from the perpetually cold kitchen floor and tromped down the stairs praying Remus had brewed a strong pot of coffee. He entered and hadn't proceeded ten steps before he heard Remus splutter into his coffee. Sirius spun and gave his best "it's too early in the morning why shouldn't I wipe that smile off your face in an extremely painful way," look. Remus for his part correctly interpreting the glare held Harry's letter just out of his friends reach.
"Before you rip into me, perhaps you would rather read the letter Hedwig brought for you."
"Harry responded already?"
"Yep, and his response looks longer than usual."
"Well hand it over then."
"Oh, I don't know, I could just keep it and torture you as I read it first, as it is addressed to both of us."
Before Remus could react Sirius had taken a leap at the letter Remus held and dislodged it from his grip. Yet upon doing so had managed to knock Remus over the back of his chair and the two of them went sprawling to the kitchen floor. Just as they were disentangling themselves Remus heard the fire chime twice, the safety signal that someone was attempting to floo directly into his home. He quickly picked himself and shot a meaningful glance at Sirius who gave a quick nod of response and transformed, quietly situating himself obediently on the living room rug.
"State your name please." Remus stepped back from the fireplace so he could be ready to admit the visitor.
"Albus Dumbledore," was the response Remus heard. He quickly muttered the password and awaited Albus to step through. Remus was beginning to wonder if the elder wizard had missed the grate when finally the flames flared and Albus wearily stepped into the living room.
Albus wearily dusted off his slightly disheveled robes and quickly glanced around the room. "I am glad to see you are awake Remus, and you as well Sirius, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to rouse you this early."
"That's fine Albus, I was beginning to worry though, and it seemed like perhaps you had missed our fireplace, floo usually doesn't take so long."
"Ah. Yes well I'm afraid that I was out of the country and international floo takes quite a bit of time, it was however imperative that I speak with you this morning. Sirius if you would join us in the living room?"
Albus wearily sunk into one of the armchairs near the fire and conjured some tea for everyone, Sirius and Remus settled on the couch.
"Headmaster, is everything alright?"
"I am afraid not Sirius, I'm afraid that dealings with the ministry, as they often do, have snowballed, and this time there has been an unfortunate victim."
"Let me guess. Our esteemed minister is attempting to cut his losses and save his reputation, who did he have to fire to get away with it?"
"I wish it were that simple Sirius, but I'm afraid that the consequences are far more dire. I am prepared to tell you everything that I know, and rest assured I am formulating ideas to counter the situation as rapidly as possible, but I must insist that you do not interrupt me as what I have to tell is a rather long and complicated story."
Remus eyed the headmaster warily, something had managed to transform the normally jovial man into a man who looked every bit the age he was, but what could possibly have occurred. Albus hadn't looked this defeated when he'd fire called Remus to explain Voldemort's rebirth what could possible have occurred?
Albus leaned back into his chair and took a sip of his tea trying to figure out the best way to breach the subject at hand. He was positive that Remus would have his hands full with Sirius by the end of this discussion, yet he had the suspicion that Remus would probably be as effected by what he had to say if not more so than Sirius. He had after all fought the headmaster particularly hard at the conclusion of Harry's third year to have Harry placed in his care, it had been most difficult to deny his request, especially because Harry seemed to feel so guilty over Peter's escape, and Sirius' missed chance at freedom. He outwardly sighed, this would probably prove to be one of the most difficult situations he had ever been in. Well honesty was probably the best way to go, he owed Harry's family that much.
"I am afraid that Sirius is partially right, Cornelius Fudge had made attempts to not only hide the evidence of Voldemort's return in an effort to save his dwindling popularity, but has also taken measures to discredit those who would openly oppose him."
"Surely he can't hope to move against you Albus?"
"I am afraid that he is Remus, though not directly. He knows that he would have a very difficult time slanderizing me to the public. No I'm afraid he has chosen to act through someone else, and in turn blame their delinquency on me."
"I should begin by saying that I have a few very loyal contacts with in the ministry that have been attempting to filter as much information to me as possible, and that I did receive your owls concerning Rita Skeeter's articles. I now possess the information that you sought while I was out of reach."
"It would seem that Rita has chosen to align herself with Fudge and use the power of the press to do his dirty work. The articles that she wrote were meant to masterfully debunk Harry from the pedestal that the wizarding world has placed him upon. The first article was meant to plant doubt with in the minds of the public, Rita wrote the article in an effort to raise suspicion against Harry, and in the meantime Fudge attempted to publicly defend the boy, though without much real drive behind his statements. Letters from concerned parents began to flood the ministry, everything was kept with in those Fudge placed his utmost faith in. This in itself was not enough, so Rita wrote the second article in which she interviewed Amos Diggory, it is my belief that Fudge had already been to the Diggory residence to stir up the reaction he needed from Amos. Amos, being the upstanding citizen that he is, called for action to be taken in an effort to bring whom ever was responsible for his son's death to justice, and Rita made sure to paint the perfect public image of a grieving family. The public called for an inquiry into the happenings of the tri wizard tournament, and more specifically into Harry."
"What do we do Albus? Harry lives with muggles, they are in no position to provide Harry any protection from the ministry officials. Certainly we can remove him to a wizarding residence, after all the last article was published the day before yesterday, surely the ministry hasn't worked through all of the inquiry yet, I would take him, and I'm sure the Weasley's would as well."
"I am afraid that it is too late for that Remus. It would seem that fudge has been gathering evidence even before he contracted Rita, yesterday morning he called a secret tribunal to 'discuss' Harry and his involvement."
At this point Sirius' eyes went wide, "they are already discussing criminal proceedings? How is that possible? They haven't removed Harry from his home have they?"
"The meeting wasn't called to investigate Harry, Sirius. Fudge called a tribunal, which as minister of magic is his right. He hand selected members he knew to either blindly support him, have a well known fear of the rise of another dark wizard, or in the case of Lucious Malfoy who served someone high ranking in power and society with a grudge against Harry. The council was called to try Harry of murder."
At this point Remus' jaw must have unhinged from his face, a look of indignant disbelief soon took over his features and he spoke, "Are they holding him at the ministry detaining facilities while they conduct this mock trial, does he have representation, is there anyway for us to remove him, possibly run with him?"
Dumbledore held up his hand to stop the flow of questions, "I would have suggested that we hide him myself had I known what Fudge was up to, unfortunately it is too late for that. The trial ended with in a few hours of its start, Harry was never present, as a minor living with muggles he need not be."
Sirius who had managed to contain most of his fury to that point managed to ground out, "then where is my godson."
Dumbledore leveled both Sirius and Remus with his steely gaze, "it was reported to me late last night that in the early evening hours of yesterday Fudge ordered the arrest of Harry. A standard team of Unspeakables hit the house and Harry's family. Harry was brought into custody."
"Where IS he, Albus?" Sirius looked absolutely terrified of the answer he'd receive, and Dumbledore seemed to steel himself in preparation of Sirius' imenent reaction.
"Shortly after apprehension Harry was apparated to the eastern shore line for transport."
'No. Not Harry, not him too!' Was about all that Sirius could think, until Albus confirmed his worst fears.
"Harry was then placed on the boat to begin his maxim sentence for a minor convicted of murder in azkaban."
In that moment Sirius seemed to slump into his seat, completely dazed, not the reaction expected but perhaps a more frightening one than the fury that was expected. Remus gripped his shoulder and leaned towards Albus. "What do we do?"
"We must act quickly, first we go to Privet dr. to gather our own data. Then we'll consult with an old friend of mine. We need to attempt to free Harry legally first. Though rest assured under no circumstances will I leave him there indefinitely. I have to arrage a few things at Hogwarts, but I'll be back this afternoon, I was hoping to have you accompany me to Harry's home."
"Of course Albus." Remus rose and walked towards the fireplace with the elder wizard. Upon glancing back at Sirius Albus leaned towards Remus to give him his parting advice.
"Keep him positive, and keep him away from the Daily Prophet, I think the article on the front page would cause too many problems for either one of just now, which is why I came so early. I'll see you shortly." With that Albus left Remus' living room. Remus stood stock still for just a moment before steeling himself and turning to face his friend.
"Padfoot," Sirius was unresponsive. "We'll get him back Sirius, we'll get Harry back, and then we're not letting him go again. Okay?"
"No. No, it is not okay. But your right were going to get him back, and so help me god if he never recovers Fudge will pay with his own blood."
'Good,' thought Remus, at least he is prepared, and for the moment is holding it together.
"Padfoot lets get cleaned up, I want to be ready when Albus returns." And hide the paper due to arrive shortly from you.
A/N: I know, crappy ending but it felt as good as it was going to. Originally this chapter was supposed to have three more parts and several people's points of view, but I thought you would rather have this than wait for all of that. Again sorry I know I said I'd reply to everyone who reviewed, but I am out of time so that too will have to wait. Please review, it keeps me going and again, in two weeks my time for writing will be much greater, hopefully I'll post before then, but if not pray or wish or hope or whatever that I do really well on my LSAT on the 8th. I'll need it. Thanks, Darkphoenix.