CHAPTER FIVE

UNEXPECTED MAIL

The next morning, Harry yet again arrived at the Ministry of Magic, clutching his usual workbag. His thoughts were swarming in his mind. The possibility of Sirius Black still alive was overwhelming. To Harry, nothing was more important than bringing him back, if indeed he was still living.

Crouch locked up in the Room of Requirement gave Harry some security knowing that he can question him anytime he needed. Before starting to do so though, he had to know what to ask. To tell the truth, he didn't know how to start a conversation with Crouch. He knew almost nothing about the veil, let alone the real fate of Sirius Black. Now, he was headed by Muggle Relations to learn as much as he can on Crouch to give him an idea on how to start the questioning which will happen later that day.

Harry went by the unfamiliar hall which housed the office of Crouch, respectfully saying hi to the unfamiliar faces that surrounded him. He then found the double doors that opened to his office and stepped inside. Harry was not allowed to be here unless he had permission since he came from another department and since he has none, he had to try and blend in with the crowd. Harry looked around the room, divided into cubicles much like his own back at his office, to spot the name "Edgar Grindle." Row after row, he combed the whole office while keeping his head low as to avoid catching the attention of others. Minutes later, he saw the cubicle of Crouch, which was labeled with a gold plaque embossed with the words:

-EDGAR GRINDLE-

Muggle Relations Office

Ministry of Magic

Harry immediately opened the drawer, his hands frantically searching for anything that may give him a clue on Crouch. He looked through the trash to see if Crouch left anything that may help him. Nothing out of the ordinary was in them. Even the cubicle partitions surrounding Crouch's space was much the same as anyone else, filled with pictures of light fixtures, plugs, power tools, and other materials that were commonly used by Muggles.

Deciding that he would find no further information about Crouch, Harry started to straighten up, ready to leave. As he erected his body from its crouched position, his head collided with the coffee cup of an old , strongly built, beefy woman and sent it crashing on the floor, causing another woman to scream. The room began to take notice of him, raising questions and hissing at him. The old witch, strongly reminding Harry of Aunt Marge, who owned the now broken coffee cup grabbed his shoulder and pushed him towards the office of the Minister, knowing something ugly was about to happen to him.

Harry came out of the Ministry an hour later, lifting a box with all his belongings in it. Yes, he was now unemployed. Down the drain went his dream of being an excellent Auror, as good as Mad Eye Moody or even better. He now was not in the mood to proceed to Hogwarts and meet Crouch so he just dissaparated home.

Harry spent most of the day watching television in his Muggle apartment. He stopped to watch some channels at a time but rarely doing so as he continuously and rhythmically pressed the remote control. By noon, he had nothing to do so he just slept, his mind blank after the events that happened that day.

The next moment, Harry yet again was at the Department of Mysteries, shouting Sirius' name over and over again. Lupin grabbed him and kept telling him that Sirius was gone and there was nothing anyone can do about it. The veil was silent and ruffling serenely, as if nothing happened.

Harry woke up to a distracting tapping on his window. It was large eagle owl with a note attached to its leg. Harry stood up and paced across his room to open the window. The owl stretched its leg so Harry could obtain the letter and then immediately flew away, as if it knew that Harry was not going to reply to whoever sent this mail.

Harry went back to his bed and sat down, letter still clutched in his right hand. He then started to unfurl it…

Harry,

This is to let you know that I have escaped from your attempt to imprison me. Potter, do not underestimate me. I cannot be contained by a mere half-blood such as yourself.

I'm not writing this to let you know how I escaped for that will just be a waste of time and will only satisfy useless curiosity. I guess my name still holds power that enabled me to be free from the Room of Requirement. May this letter pose as a warning that the next time you attempt to execute something of that nature again at myself, you will pay the full price that comes with enraging me.

Also Harry, just to let you know, I have met your dear godfather a year after those Dementors that pathetic Cornelius Fudge sent to steal my soul away. I am confident in stating that he is still alive, judging from the conditions he was in a few days ago.

Well, my friend Harry, until I see you again which I am certain will happen. Goodbye.

Crouch

END OF CHAPTER FIVE