The following events take place between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.
Minerva was still in her rooms, though she had given up on pacing. Albus would find her when he had time. In the meantime, she was in charge of Hogwarts and, as such, she needed a good night's rest.
She changed in to her paisley nightgown and crawled underneath the covers. Keeping the light on in her living room, she said "Nox" to the light beside her bed and closed her eyes.
-------------2:07
Severus Snape was still staring at Albus Dumbledore. They had been in that position for quite a while. Neither of them had said anything.
Finally, Dumbledore shook himself. "The Ministry will be informing everyone of what has transpired. Come daylight, there will be great celebration. What do you think the Death Eaters are doing, Severus? Do you think they know?"
Severus looked up. "I have no idea. I never truly thought this day would come. I suppose Lucius may have an idea of what has happened. Bellatrix, possibly. I can go to them, Albus." he said, starting to rise.
Dumbledore stopped him. "No, my child. Put that behind you. Voldemort has been defeated and you are no longer his. I expect Minerva will need help enough come daybreak controlling the students. I will be needed at the Ministry. Try and keep the students calm, Severus. Allow them to frolic and be merry, but do not let them rise against your Slytherins."
Severus leaned back and nodded solemnly. Many of the members of his house had parents or older siblings who were followers of the Dark Lord. Many of the seventh years had been planning on joining him when they left Hogwarts. Most of the student body at Hogwarts knew that.
"It could turn quite ugly towards them, Albus." Severus said in seriousness.
"Then keep them in their common room, call it a sign of respect and mourning for those whose lives have been lost. Do whatever you have to in order to keep them from being hurt. Now is the time to rebuild what has been damaged." Albus said sagely.
Rising, he patted Severus on the hand. "I must go. Tell Minerva what has happened. She will want to know."
He left the room, leaving Severus to figure out how to keep his Slytherins safe. It would not be easy.
---------2:22
Remus and the Aurors were at the Black Mansion, 12 Grimmauld Place. Remus had only been here once in all the time he knew Sirius. It had been four years ago. He and Sirius had snuck in one night, to gather a few things Sirius had forgotten about until then.
He had left the house and his family years ago. Remus was now doubting how true that break had been. He knew it had been devastating for him to forsake Regulus when Regulus had declared his intentions to follow Voldemort.
Sirius had once mentioned a brief encounter with his brother. Perhaps it hadn't been so brief, or so isolated an event. Perhaps that had only been the first of several meeting between the Black brothers. That was it. Regulus had convinced Sirius to join Voldemort.
Snorting in derision, Remus led the Aurors to the front door. "They won't be glad to see us," Remus informed them.
The Aurors both laughed. "When are they?"
Remus knocked hard on the front door. Moments later the house elf Kreecher swung open the door. He looked hard at Remus before answering.
"Mistress says the vermin and half-bloods are not allowed in the house. Especially not the vermin and half-bloods that are friends with my mistress' traitor son. You are not welcome here, sirs!" the door swung shut.
Remus looked sheepishly at the Aurors. "I'm going to take a wild hunch that he's not here." said one of them.
Remus answered. "That is the way Kreecher behaves, according to what I know of him, but he could just be covering for Sirius."
The other Auror shook his head. "No, I have a lot of experience dealing with nasty house elves who lie for the owners, and he wasn't. Black hasn't been here. Where next?"
Remus looked down, thinking. "I don't know." he admitted. "I'd say his girlfriends, but he has so many and they change every day that I don't think we'd be likely to get anywhere."
Both Aurors chuckled. "Why don't we visit the three most likely?" Remus nodded and gave them the first address to reapparate.
-------2:31
Sirius was exhausted. He doubted his body had ever been through anything like this before. He sat down on a wooden pallet in the back alleyway behind the Leaky Cauldron.
He'd been looking for Wormtail all night, with the small excursion to the Potters the only thing to distract. Oh, James, Lily, Harry, Sirius moaned softly. He leaned back against the brick wall and tried to collect himself.
Not meaning to, he quickly fell asleep in that uncomfortable position.
---------2:38
Albus Dumbledore was approaching the Minister of Magic's door. There was a loud crowd gathered outside, including reporters from the Daily Prophet and Quibbler. He nodded a hello to those he recognized and rapped loudly.
"Minister, please let me in." Immediately the door opened a crack allowing him entrance. He slid in, shutting out everyone else. Inside, the Minister was surrounded by three top aides. They pulled aside to allow Dumbledore access.
"Millicent." Dumbledore said, dipping his head.
"Albus." She replied. "Tell me everything. I won't believe it unless I hear it from you."
Dumbledore gave a small, pained smile. "I had known of a potential attack on the Potters for some time, but had taken appropriate measures by placing Sirius Black as their secret keeper. This evening, Sirius Black betrayed his friends. Voldemort," everyone in the room except Dumbledore winced, "came to the house and killed both Lily and James. He attempted to do the same to young Harry, but the curse rebounded on him. He has been defeated. There is no trace of him. Voldemort is gone." Dumbledore finished.
The effect was immediate. A huge smile broke across Minister Bagnold's face. Her three aides looked from Dumbledore to the Minister and, realizing it wasn't a hoax began to laugh nervously.
"Harry Potter defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named!" one cried, grabbing the arms of a second aide. They began waltzing around the room.
"Harry Potter lived! He defeated You-Know Who!" The third one cried.
"Albus, thank you." Minister Bagnold beamed, reaching for Dumbledore's hand. He kept it out of reach.
"I did nothing, Minister, except let two innocent people die. I let that child be orphaned. I know there is much celebrating to do, but first we must think of what is to be done with Harry Potter." he said solemnly. The effect on the Minister was immediate.
"Yes, yes, of course, you're right." She motioned the aides out of the office. "Give statements to the Daily Prophet and anyone else who asks. 'YouKnowWho is gone. He has been defeated by a baby. By Harry Potter, who lived'. Tell them that."
The aides left, the clamoring in the hallway creeping in as they exited. Dumbledore watched them leave then turned back the Minister Bagnold. "Now, Millicent, this is my plan."
2:47
Remus and the Aurors had knocked up two of Sirius girlfriends. They had both given Remus warm welcomes, but, when Sirius' name was brought up, their eyes narrowed and lips pursed.
Neither of them had seen him in weeks. They were now standing at the door of the third most likely candidate.
Remus braced himself and knocked. A few minutes later, Persephone Grey opened the door. "Remus? What are you doing here? It's late." she said sleepily.
"I know, Seph," said Remus cheerfully. "Have you seen Sirius lately?"
She cocked her head to the side, "Not since last week. Said he had some important things to do; that I wouldn't be seeing him for awhile. Something to do with James and Lily. Why, what's wrong?" she asked, worry creeping into her voice.
"James and Lily are dead." Remus choked out. Persephone brought her hands to her face. Remus continued on. "You-Know-Who attacked and killed them tonight."
"Remus!" she cried. "I haven't seen him at all. If I do I'll let you know, I swear. But, but what about Harry?"
Remus shook his head. "Harry lived. We don't yet know how. That's the oddest part. Harry didn't die. He actually somehow rebounded the curse on You-Know-Who. He's disappeared. Harry defeated Voldemort."
Persephone's eyes grew wide as saucers. "Truly?" she asked.
The Aurors stepped in to view behind Remus. "Truly, ma'am. Here's our information in you do see Black. Contact us and we'll be there immediately."
Remus and the Aurors nodded at Persephone and disapparated.
2:57
Minerva sat up in bed. Something still wasn't right. She glanced at the student board. Students were up in all four houses. That wasn't right. Gathering her tartan dressing robe, she climbed out of bed to investigate.