Author's Note
Sorry for the slight delay, but writing this chapter has been like pulling teeth. That's the reason why I've decided that this chapter will be the last.
Not of the story itself, but of this arc. I've become distracted by the idea of a new fic in a different fandom, so I can't focus anymore.
I don't want to leave you guys hanging though, so I'll wrap things up for the most part, with the main event of Year Three addressed.
Eventually, I intend on returning to this story next year, but I'll have to see how things go in my new fic and if it doesn't drag on.
Thanks to all of you that have read, liked and followed The Prodigal Son, your positive comments and feedback have been really helpful. Anyways enjoy guys.
The flight back is enjoyable. As much as I found Beaubaxtons to be beautiful, there's nothing quite like home.
Hogwarts has always been more than a school. As Headmaster, that is very much apparent to me.
The very stones in the castle thrum with magic and memories, warmth and comfort. Just thinking about it brings a smile to my face.
That smile becomes wider as I see Fang running amuck amongst the staff and their protests.
Hagrid is trying to grab the dog, but he thinks this is all a game so Fang jumps from person to person and covers them in slobber.
When he turns his sights on me however, I flick my wand at him and transfigure him into a plushie dog. Many of the staff shoot me rueful looks.
" Relax Hagrid. The spell will only last until we reach Hogwarts, then Fang will transform back into his original form. "
Hagrid does relax and with a chuckle, scoops Fang up and puts him in a pocket. I imagine it's been some time since he could do that.
That is the only bit of excitement for the rest of the flight however. Everything after that is quiet.
We encounter no issues and just before four, the magnificent turrets of Hogwarts appear in the distance.
Based on the expressions of my colleagues, they're all glad to be back in Britain and Hogwarts especially. I myself am craving an extra large serving of steak and kidney pie.
All too soon, the welcoming embrace of the wards envelop my mind. Through it, I can tell that Professor McGonagall and all the rest of the staff that stayed behind are assembling on the lawn to greet us.
I stand just as we land and the staff with me follow. As we exit the cockpit, they split up to check on the children. I make my way towards the main exit however.
As it begins to open, I see Bill appearing just behind me. The light from outside blinds me for a moment, but then the both of us step outside.
We're immediately enveloped in a bone crushing hug courtesy of Mrs Weasley. Behind her I see my mother looking on in amusement.
Once I manage to extricate myself from Mrs Weasley, I make my way towards my mother and as she hugs me, I swing her around. Amidst her screaming and laughter I set her down.
I then go on and trade greetings with Professor McGonagall and the rest. As I suspected though, there are many letters waiting for me.
McGonagall and I walk into the castle as the students start to disembark. Minister Fudge has left the most messages I hear.
There isn't much else that happened while I was gone though, for which I am glad. We seperate in the corridor leading to my office.
The Guardian opens its wings as I approach and the stairs start to ascend as soon as both my feet are upon it.
As I enter, hoping to find a few moments to myself, I'm sorely disappointed. The voices of the dozens of portraits in my office greet my ears.
Each of them offering either greetings or recriminations for me. I silence them with a flick of my wand and walk around my desk to take a seat.
To my delight, as soon as I sit, a pot of tea and a plate of biscuits appear. Taking my time, I go through all the mail and various correspondences that were waiting for me.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice that my luggage is gone. I smile. The house elves truly are diligent in their work.
By the time I've finished, the light outside has already started to fade and dinner time is almost upon us, so I put the letters I finished composing to one side of my desk and make my way to the Great Hall.
I know that by the time I return, an elf will have sent my mail off by owl. Raucous laughter and chatter fills the passages as I walk through the school.
It seems the students are just as glad as I am to be back at Hogwarts. I nod my head at the students that greet me and I make my way over to my seat at the staff table.
Many of my colleagues are already there and we trade smiles. I can see my mother already deep in conversation with Mrs Weasley. The two women occasionally laugh as they chatter.
I don't bother with any type of speech tonight. I simply clap my hands and the food appears. To my delight, a large steak and kidney pie appears within reach.
I help myself to a generous serving of that as well as some roast chicken and veg. A lovely goblet of wine washes it down well.
Based on the appreciative sounds made by many of the students, they too are appreciative of the hearty British fare.
It's as the dessert is served however, that the wards scream a warning at me. Closing my eyes and focusing, I'm able to pinpoint what's wrong.
Someone is trying to bypass the portrait of the Fat Lady and enter Gryffindor Tower. My eyes snap open. I rise quickly and motion to Professor McGonagall to follow me.
Many curious eyes follow us. McGonagall herself looks bemused. A look that fades as I inform her of what's wrong.
She doesn't dither however. She promises to alert the rest of the staff and to secure the students.
I move quickly towards Gryffindor Tower, wand in hand. A quick nonverbal spell silences my footsteps and the flapping of my robes.
Ahead of me I can already hear raised voices. A raggedy male voice being prominent. To my annoyance, as soon as I've raced up the stairs, it's the Fat Lady that gives me away by turning her head towards me.
The man spins around quickly. My eyes widen as I behold Sirius Black in the flesh. This is impossible ! He shouldn't have been able to bypass the wards.
I don't let that thought distract me however. Being inside the castle limits the destructive magic I can use, so I get a bit creative.
Aqua Eructo is nonverbally cast and a massive jet of water erupts from my wand. Black tries to scramble out of the way, but his thin, weakened body is too slow.
The water bowls him over and floods the passage. Glacius freezes the water over and by extension, Black himself. I cast an Expelliarmus at his frozen form, but no wand comes.
My frown deepens. I transfigure the soles of my boots to have spikes on them and so I easily walk upon the layer of ice upon the floor.
The sound of his ragged breaths fill my ears by the time I've reached him. Looking down at him, I'm struck by pity.
His body looks completely worn down and he's dressed in ill fitting robes. There's defiance in his eyes though as he looks at me, but surprisingly no malice.
I flick my wand at him and his limbs lock together and then I conjure steel chains around him, to add an extra layer of protection.
With that done, I melt the ice holding him in place and almost involuntarily, I cast a warming charm on him. He looks surprised.
I place my hand on his arm and hold firmly, then I apparate to my office. He starts struggling and looks around wildly.
While he's distracted, I steer him towards a seat. As soon as I shove him into his seat, the furniture morphs and holds him in place.
I walk towards my desk, but I don't move around it to take my seat. I lean slightly back against it and face him.
" So, the infamous Sirius Black in the flesh. " The portraits are silent, but out of the corner of my eye, I see the portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black leaning forward.
" I have many questions, but I'll start with the most important. How did you enter the grounds and Hogwarts itself. The wards should have stopped you... "
He'd been silent as I started talking, but at the end, he started laughing. I frowned but didn't interrupt him.
When he finally started talking, his voice caught me by surprise. It was raspy, as if he hadn't spoken out loud in a while, but there was a hint of something in his voice. A richness to it.
" I thought the wards felt different. I can't answer your question though, because I don't know. I have no interest in hurting anyone at this school. Except HIM. "
That last part is spat out. My wand instantly appears in my hand, pointed squarely at him. All traces of complacency gone.
" I don't know how you got in either, but I won't let you hurt Harry... " He cuts me off again.
" Harry ! I'd die before I hurt him ! I'm here for that traitor ! Peter Pettigrew is here ! " I frown.
" Peter Pettigrew is dead Black. I'm not sure what game you're playing but it ends here. "
He strains against his restraints. " Wait ! I have proof ! " I hesitate. Taking that as approval, he begins spinning the whole mad tale.
The swapping of the secret keepers. The suspected traitor. The fear and chaos of the times. Finding the Potters dead and the confrontation and aftermath thereof with Pettigrew.
I pace around my office. Animagi. Now it all makes sense. The faint warnings of wrongness the wards have been sending me the whole time.
How Black himself was able to enter the grounds. He didn't mean the students or staff any harm, thus he was allowed entry.
His story sounds ridiculous, but if he's right, the proof is inside of Gryffindor Tower.
Just then, my door opens and then Professor McGonagall, Bill and my mother enter. All three gape at Black.
Using their momentary silence, I inform them of everything I've learnt. McGonagall looks the most affected by the story and looks to be the most accepting.
Bill and my mother look more sceptical. I look around my office and after a moment, pick up a small metal figurine from my desk.
Concentrating, I transfigure it into a cage and charm it to be unbreakable. When I finish, the other four occupants of the room are looking at me.
" Sippy " I call out. A female elf pops into existence before me and bows. She's my favourite of all the house elves here as she's the most serious of the lot of them.
" Sippy, I need you to go to the Third Year boys dormitory in Gryffindor Tower and retrieve the pet rat that is in it. Place him in the cage. If he becomes aggressive, subdue him. "
She accepts the cage and nods her head, then she pops away. " Now we wait " I say to the others.
Professor McGonagall has helped herself to a dram of whisky. She looks like she needs it. Bill has his wand in hand, flicking it casually around.
My mother is speaking softly to a different elf that I didn't even notice enter. After a moment, the elf pops away.
Almost instantaneously, Sippy appears, cage in hand. Two things happen almost at once. Black roars and tries to launch himself forward, but is stopped by his restraints and the rat in the cage, Scabbers, squeaks frantically and tries to escape the cage but can't.
Sippy snaps her fingers and the cage hovers above her head, then she pops away again. The rat is still frantically trying to escape, so I rap my wand sharply against the bars.
Arcs of electricity streams out of my wand and spreads around the cage. Scabbers shudders as the current passes over him and he lays down, stunned.
Bill looks amused at me, while my mother and Professor McGonagall look slightly conflicted. I vanish the cage and the rat falls onto the ground, still dazed.
I nod towards Bill and he casts the spell to turn Pettigrew back into his true form. To my disgust, the resemblance between man and beast is uncanny.
McGonagall gasps as a short, fat, balding man with protruding teeth is revealed. I cast Stupefy and stun him. When I cast Expelliarmus however, I'm left truly shocked.
Two wands fly into my hand, one of which is unmistakable. It featured in many pictures in the Daily Prophet after all. That bone white wand belongs to none other than Lord Voldemort.
Based on the colour draining out of the faces of my three colleagues, they recognise it as well. For the final confirmation, I draw down Pettigrew's sleeves and find the Dark Mark. A mark which cannot be taken unwillingly.
I look towards Black, who's looking at Pettigrew with hatred. I clear my throat and after a moment, he looks at me with those intense eyes.
After a brief moment of hesitation, I flick my wand in his direction and his bonds dissolve and his chair reverts to normal. He looks stunned.
At that moment, a large platter of food appears. A whole shepherds pie, half a dozen chicken drumsticks and roast beef and gravy. A pitcher of pumpkin juice, a goblet and an extra large slice of chocolate cake accompanies it.
My mother transfigures one of my figurines into a small table and places it infront of Black, the platter on top.
After looking at my mother in surprise, he doesn't hesitate though, he digs into the meal like a starving man.
I motion with my head towards the others and the four of us move away a bit for some privacy.
" It's clear what's going on here. The main issue though, is going to be the Ministry. Dementors are stationed right outside the wards. It's clear that Fudge is out for blood. "
" This needs to be handled very delicately. Move Black and Pettigrew to the adjacent chamber and guard them. I'll deal with the rest. "
Bill nods his head first, levitating Pettigrew up and out into one of the doors to the side of my office.
My mother and McGonagall lead Sirius after them. He holds the plate that still has the cake.
Once they're gone, I notify the wards to prevent forced entry into that room. That done, I draw my wand and cast my Patronus.
It soars through the walls to deliver my message. That done, I move around my desk and take my seat to wait.
It takes around fifteen minutes to get a reply, which is surprising. She's a very busy woman and my message was vague.
My floo chimes and I lower the enchantments blocking visitors. My wand is on my desk though, firmly pointed at the visitors.
Unsurprisingly, she is shrewd after all, Amelia Bones doesn't come alone. As soon as she steps out of my fireplace, she's followed by two others. Master Auror Alistair Moody and Senior Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt.
Moody's magical eye immediately swivels around. He can't see through any of the walls though. I can tell because of his momentary surprise which I caught.
Likely, before the wards were strengthened, he was able to see through the walls, but now he can not.
I motion them towards the seats before my desk. Madam Bones looks slightly intrigued, the other two have blank expressions though.
" We have a bit of a problem. " I chuckle then. " Alright, I understated things. We have a big problem. It's concerning Sirius Black. "
All three of them immediately sit up straighter. I finger my wand. " It's best if I show you however. It will make things easier, though it's no less disbelieving. "
I flick my wand and summon my personal Pensieve from a cabinet off to the side. All three look impressed now. They no doubt can recognise that I enchanted it myself.
Not in a way that they'd know my work, but that is obvious that it was custom made.
The process of creating a Pensieve is a painstaking and laborious process. That's why most of them look so similar. Mine does not.
I soon catch their attention though, when I put my wand to my temple and remove a strand of memory.
Amelia Bones goes first and the other two stand guard. My respect for the two of them rises a bit. They'd be vulnerable if all three of them saw the memory at the same time.
A few minutes later, she emerges, white as a sheet. She doesn't answer the questions of the others, merely motions them towards the memory.
Moody looks the most hesitant, but eventually submits and he and Shacklebolt each put a finger inside the basin.
When it ends, Moody starts cursing up a storm and gets up to pace. Madam Bones however looks at me.
" I'll admit Headmaster, you surprise me yet again. Once again you're in the thick of things and once again, you make the right call in informing me of things instead of the Minister. "
" You were right, he won't be pleased about any of these new developments. Once things have gotten going however, he won't be able to stop it. "
" It is fortunate that I have Veritaserum on my person. Bring Sirius here. I will administer it and Master Auror Moody will do the questioning. "
Said Auror nods his head. I conjure my Patronus again and send it to Bill. A minute later, my mother escorts Black outside.
It's probably wise of them. Leave the better fighters to guard the actual Death Eater, even if he doesn't look like much.
Despite themselves, all three of my guests tense when Black emerges from the other room.
Sirius must have heard the Patronus message, because he looked relaxed, almost eager. After spending years locked up for a crime he didn't commit, without a trial likely, he was finally been given a chance to tell his side of the story and from the looks of it, he couldn't wait.
That's it for now guys. Thanks for reading my work and coming on this journey with me. The second arc of the story will hopefully pick up next year.