Chapter 2-The Clearing of Sirius Black Ceremony
Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
Thank you for the Reviews, shannyauburn and StargazingMaiden. Here's Chapter 2!
Professor McGonagall dusted ashes off her emerald cloak, and she turned to Harry and said, "I see you made it. Okay, I think there are several people who would love to see you." She led Harry up to the drawing room, and there Harry saw Lupin, the Weasleys (except Percy), and Hermione. Hermione was the first one to spot Harry, and she came running to Harry, her bushy hair flying behind her.
Hermione said, "Oh, Harry, you're okay. I bet you are wondering why Professor Dumbledore wants us here. Oh, I didn't see you there, Professor McGonagall."
Professor McGonagall said, "Well, I'm leaving to go back to Hogwarts. Now, you behave. I don't want to hear a word from Professor Lupin about any bad behavior. That would be very bad for Gryffindor!" She stormed out of the room. By then, everyone else had spotted Hermione talking to Harry, and Mrs. Weasley was the first one to pull Harry in a hug.
Mrs. Weasley said, "Oh, Harry, Harry, you're okay. Did the Muggles feed you okay?"
Harry said, "Yes, they did."
Lupin said, "Nice seeing you again, Harry."
Just then, Tonks came running in the room, and she had a Daily Prophet article in her hand.
Tonks said, "Hey, everyone. Look what's in this article! The Minister has been kicked out of office."
Mr. Weasley grabbed the Daily Prophet out of Tonks's hand, and Mrs. Weasley, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Lupin were reading over Mr. Weasley's shoulders. Fred and George were teasing Bill and Charlie about Bill's new girlfriend, Fleur Delacour.
The article had a picture of Dumbledore standing in front of the Ministry, and he had a grim face.
Minister of Magic Kicked out of Office
By Rita Skeeter, Correspondent for the Daily Prophet
Earlier today, Cornelius Oswald Fudge was kicked out of office based on votes from the Wizengamot. Albus Dumbledore, Chief of Warlocks, Mugwump, et.al, announced the grim news to the Ministry this afternoon. Dumbledore said, "I didn't want to kick Cornelius out of office, but the Wizengamot felt that he didn't do his best job. I regret making this announcement."
Ever since You-Know-Who returned two years ago, Fudge didn't believe Dumbledore and Harry Potter's stories when they told Fudge that You-Know-Who had returned. Honestly in my opinion, I would say Fudge's as stubborn as a mule! We tried to reach Fudge, but all we got from his wife was, "Mind your own business!"
It has not been determined yet who will replace Fudge as Minister. But Dumbledore has given us some ideas of who some perfect candidates would be. Some people are vouching for Amelia Susan Bones, Head of Law Enforcement, while some others are vouching for Arthur Weasley,( though I doubt he will win). The Wizengamot will make their decision later this week.
Mr. Weasley closed the newspaper, and he looked surprised that he had been nominated for a position higher than his own current job. Mrs. Weasley had tears welling out of her eyes, and she was saying, "Oh, Arthur! How proud we are of you!"
Later that morning, Harry and his friends were playing chess, when Mrs. Weasley came in.
Mrs. Weasley said, "It's time for you three to get downstairs. Professor Dumbledore's here, and he's waiting on you." They headed downstairs to the dining room, where Professor Dumbledore and the entire Order were waiting. Harry saw Professor McGonagall sitting at one end of the table, Snape on the other end, Lupin in the middle, and a few others, and even tiny Professor Flitwick. Dumbledore was sitting at the head of the table, and when they walked in, he rose from his seat, and conjured three more chairs.
There was commotion, then Dumbledore silenced the table by raising his hands.
Dumbledore said, "Now, let's get started. I bet the Order is wondering why I have asked Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger to join us this morning." Snape looked loathingly at Harry and his friends, which Harry was used to.
Dumbledore continued, "Now to business. As you know, the Order has been asked to help vote for a new Minister of Magic. We'll get to that in a minute, but first, before Fudge was kicked out of office, he asked me to give something to Mr. Potter, so that's what I'm doing today." Dumbledore got out a parchment of paper from a pocket in his robe. From Professor McGonagall's smile, Harry could see that she knew what Dumbledore was going to say.
Dumbledore read aloud, "Sirius Black, the deceased, has been cleared of all charges. The Ministry apologizes to Harry Potter for any inconvenience. Peter Pettigrew has been found guilty." Dumbledore then raised his goblet, and said, "A toast to Sirius Black."
Harry began crying, and Hermione patted his shoulder, which made him feel a little better.
Dumbledore said, "Harry, why don't you come here, and accept this parchment in honor of Sirius Black."
Snape rose from his seat, before Harry could get to Dumbledore and said, "This is rubbish! Sirius Black was a murderer, and you know it, Headmaster!" Professor McGonagall gasped, and Snape stormed out of the room.
Dumbledore said, "Don't worry about Professor Snape, Harry."
Harry took the parchment from Dumbledore, then Dumbledore dismissed them to go to do their chores and continued with the meeting.
Harry was thinking about what had just happened, and not paying attention, until he ran headfirst in Professor Snape. Professor Severus Snape was Harry's least favorite teacher at Hogwarts.
Snape snarled, "Watch out where you're going, Potter! Just because you were that meddling murderer's godson doesn't mean I will be all sweet and nice!"
Harry said, "Oh, well, Professor, then I guess you can take off points, then. Oh, wait, I remember now, we're not at Hogwarts now, so sorry, Professor, I guess you can't."
Snape bared his teeth and said, "Oh, wait until you get to Hogwarts, Potter!" and stormed away, his robes billowing behind him.
Ron said, "Mate, that was mighty brave of you to stand up to Snape!"
Hermione said, "Well, yeah, but Harry could have been expelled. What if that had been Professor McGonagall, instead of Snape?"
Ron said, "Oh, Hermione, stop worrying!"
Harry grew tired of their bickering, and decided to go look for Buckbeak or Kreacher, to see if they both were still in the house or not.
To Be Continued…
