[A/N: A possible solution to the Aunt Cathy conundrum had been suggested to be by a reviewer (Let's just call him 'Tom') via PM and I have to say his ideas are ingenious! I will also say that insomnia is SO much fun…not; though I will say that with the caveat it does lead to some interesting character development notes.]
Chapter 4: A Dog, A Bumblebee and Aunt Cathy
During the conversation between Petunia and Emma Granger after the discovery that Hermione is a witch
"So how did you not know that Hermione was displaying accidental magic if your sister is also a witch?" Petunia asked Emma.
Emma looked chagrined, "I kept hoping it was something else. You know something that could be explained as something better than 'Your daughter's a witch!' Like maybe, 'You're being haunted by a poltergeist!'" Her laugh was a bit strained.
"And your sister? What's happening there? Didn't she explain it?"
Emma shook her head, "Cathy is almost ten years younger than me and I was already at the university when she began to display anything of note. I wasn't at home when that woman from the school showed up. She stressed to our parents that magic needed to be kept a secret from even close family members lest someone get the wrong idea. I only got the barest hint that something was off whenever I went to visit. My mum and dad kept saying that they were forbidden from telling me the whole story." Petunia rolled her eyes at that.
"I've always thought that was the dumbest idea they could've come up with. I mean, who could we tell unless we wanted to be looked upon as touched in the head?" Emma gestured with her hands as if saying 'Right?'
"So if you don't mind me asking, but why were you forced to leave your previous home?" Petunia inquired gently.
Emma looked down at her hands, "There was some misunderstanding between us and a couple of neighbors who accused us of being Satan worshippers whenever something strange happened around Hermione. She'd occasionally come home chattering about moving things around the classroom when no one else was watching, the neighborhood cats started following her around and leaving 'gifts' on our porch. Then there was the time that Hermione conjured a ball of fire in her hands and offered to light a cranky grill during a neighborhood picnic." She turned pink during the memory.
"So anyway, Cathy went to that school up north and was sorted into one of their houses. I forget which one; it's the one with the yellow and black as their colors. She and I have as good of a relationship as any two sisters can have with each other despite her ability. I ought to call her and let her know the good news. If you wouldn't mind meeting her too?"
"Sure."
Emma grabbed the phone and dialed up her sister, "Hey, Cathy. Listen… no, everything's fine here. I'm sitting here chatting with a neighbor of ours and I was wondering if you could…yes, I need some sisterly support. The backyard is clear if you want to pop in... Cathy? Yes, you heard right. Wait until you get here, all will be explained. Ok, see you then. Bye."
Emma hung up and stared at Petunia with wide, mirthful eyes before the two of them burst out into giggles, "Oh my, I can just imagine the look on her face!"
A moment later…
Cathy Richardson arrived in a swirl of magical energy with nary a pop associated with traditional apparition and knocked on the sliding glass door. Emma opened it with a knowing grin on her face and invited her sister in.
"Emma? How…?"
"How did I figure out what you were doing was magic?" Cathy dumbly nodded her head as she accepted a glass of wine and slowly sat down in an empty chair. She noticed the other woman smirking at her discomfort.
Waving her hand at Petunia, "Petunia Dursley is the sister of a witch and the aunt of a young wizard. Surprised me like you wouldn't believe when she came over and asked me when I noticed that Hermione started displaying accidental magic."
Cathy's eyes bugged out and she nearly choked on her sip of wine, "Hermione's a witch too?!"
Both Emma and Petunia had wide grins, Emma chuckling at her sister's reaction.
"Where, where is she?" Cathy inquired, wiping her chin of the sputtered wine.
Emma shrugged and glanced at Petunia, "Probably at her house playing with her friend Harry."
Petunia agreed, "He's probably trying to teach her how to cook again. The kitchen's probably a disaster zone; it was every time he tried to teach Dudley how to cook. I still don't know how the banana mash ended up on the ceiling." Emma snorted.
Petunia took the phone and dialed her home number, "Hi, Dudley. Yeah, are Harry and Hermione around?" She rolled her eyes as she heard her son on the other end yell out at the top of his lungs for Harry to pick up the phone. "Hi, Harry. Yes, I did want to speak with you. Are you busy with anything right now that can't be put off for a while? Oh? Okay, can you just put it in the fridge? Good, I need you and Hermione to come back to her house. Her Aunt Cathy is here and I want to introduce you to her. Okay, see you in a few, bye."
The trio of adult women were greeted with the force of nature of an excited Hermione as she burst through the door and rushed into the living room squealing out, "Aunt Cathy!" She tackled her aunt and started babbling at high speed about all the things she'd learned since they had last seen each other. Harry, in the meantime, entered at a more sedate pace and closed the door behind him and sidled up to his aunt. She smiled at him and rubbed his back comfortingly.
"Aunt Cathy is apparently a witch too, Harry." Petunia whispered into his ear. His eyes widened but remained silent.
Once they got Hermione to release her aunt and settled into a chair (Harry sat down next to her), Emma got the conversation started by recapping their earlier conversation.
Cathy responded more sedately, "Well! That would explain things! Ha! Well, this is a relief on so many levels. I can finally stop trying to couch my terms in muggle-friendly words. Whew! Are you a witch as well, Petunia?"
Petunia shook her head, "Unfortunately not, but I was there when my sister, Lily had her meeting along with our parents and Minerva McGonagall."
Cathy got a sardonic grin, "She's a right trip, ain't she? Did she do the whole 'turn herself into a cat and turn the table into a pig' routine?" Petunia nodded with a remembering grin.
"Yeah, I remember that shock, though to this day I still don't understand why anyone would want to change a table into a pig? You can't eat it." She shrugged it off.
Cathy was in thought for a moment, "Petunia? What was your maiden name? Your sister's first name sounds familiar for some reason."
"Evans."
"I sort of remember a Lily Evans. A year younger than me, she was. She was sorted into Gryffindor House, if I recall right. Auburn hair, luminous green eyes, fiery temper when riled. Didn't she get married as well?"
Petunia laughed, "Yup, that's my sister! She ended up marrying a boy from her year, James Potter."
Cathy stared at Petunia as her mouth dropped open, her eyes widened then slid over to Harry who was sitting there quietly, taking in everything. She pointed over to Harry.
"She married James…Potter. I remember them having a son… Harry?" He smiled at her and waved his hand; "Petunia? Are you telling me that your nephew is The-Boy-Who-Lived?!" Cathy near shrieked.
Petunia returned with a grimace, "We don't like that moniker. It just serves to remind us of what and who was lost." Cathy apologized to both.
"I'm sorry, Petunia, Harry. It's just that's what everyone calls him. Wow…So this is where Dumbledore left him?"
Petunia lowered her head, "We also don't like any mention of Dumbledore. That man has been doing some pretty questionable things in regards to the Potter vaults and a host of other actions." She waved it off dismissively when she spotted their curious looks.
"You're pretty quiet there, Harry. I remember your father and the only time he was quiet was if he was asleep or under a silencing charm." Cathy chuckled.
Harry shrugged, "You didn't ask me anything." Everyone laughed at his quip.
Cathy bobbled her head in acknowledgment, "Fair enough, silly. Fine; how are you, Harry? How do you like living here in the non-magical world? Do you ever get to visit Diagon Alley or any of the other magical sites?"
"I'm doing pretty well. I've never been anywhere really magical unless you count Wolf's Bay Campground as magical or the zoo. I've not been to that alley you mentioned."
"Wolf's Bay Campground? I've never heard of it."
"It's in Cornwall near the tip. Just a stone's throw from Penzance," Petunia interjected then waved Harry on.
"It's also got some great fishing and foraging for seafood! My Uncle Remus owns it. The last time we went, I caught a huge lobster!" He launched into a detailed description of the things they saw there and the food he cooked. Cathy blinked and glanced over at Petunia who giggled.
"Yep, he cooks. He does such a good job at it, he was asked to hold a demonstration at his school. It was videotaped and featured in a human interest story on the local news just recently. It's also where these two met for the first time."
"Wow… wait, Remus? I remember a Remus… Lupin I think, from Gryffindor too. Always hung out with your father and three other boys? Called themselves 'The Marauders' or some such thing? He had some kind of recurring medical problem if I remember correctly."
Harry beamed, "That's my uncle! He also has a nickname of 'Moony.'"
Cathy's mouth was practically scraping the floor, she was not only in the presence of Magical Britain's Savior but also the nephew of the guy she had such a crush on in school!
Just then the doorbell rang…
Emma answered the door and saw an older woman in an ill-fitting and outdated dress standing before her, "Yes? May I help you?"
The woman smiled, "Are you Emma Granger? Mother of Hermione Granger? My name is Minerva McGonagall."
The others in the living room heard the eruption of loud laughter coming from the front door and Emma's voice drifted back to them.
"Hey, Cathy? How would you describe that Deputy Headmistress at that school of yours?"
Cathy's face was a picture of curiosity, "Um, older woman. I'd say something appearing to be about seventy or so. Would always purse her lips into something resembling a thin line when displeased about something, rather strict in discipline. Why? Who is it?"
Emma came back into the living room leading the other woman. Cathy took one look at her and burst out laughing!
"Hello, Professor! Fancy meeting you here."
Minerva McGonagall shook her head in exasperation, "I figured something was up when Mrs. Granger here didn't seem surprised to see me. Oh! I didn't know that you were having guests. I think what I have to discuss with you should be kept private." She motioned towards Petunia and Harry who both hadn't turned around yet.
Emma seemed to be sucking on her lower lip, trying (and failing) to keep from laughing at Minerva's discomfiture, "Professor McGonagall, I would like to introduce you to someone you probably already know as well. This is my neighbor Petunia Dursley and her nephew…Harry Potter." The two got up and turned to greet her.
There was only one thing Minerva could do. She fainted…
Meanwhile at the Ministry for Magic, Department of Magical Law Enforcement…
Director Amelia Bones gathered up the last of the paperwork so she could lead the interrogation of one Sirius Black, accused murderer of twelve muggles and Peter Pettigrew as well as being the supposed betrayer of James and Lily Potter. He was down in their holding cells recovering from his incarceration in Azkaban. When she'd learned he'd been dumped there without a trial, her indignation at how the laws could be circumvented was heard, loudly.
She entered the interrogation room, Black was already there. He was chained to his chair and his wrists to the table in front of him. His hair was a matted mess as was his prison uniform. He wasn't wearing any shoes and it looked like his feet were badly mangled.
"Robards? Why wasn't he given medical treatment? He's an absolute mess."
Robards shifted uncomfortably, "We were given conflicting orders ma'am."
Her eyes narrowed and she growled out, "By whom?"
"Senior Undersecretary Umbridge, ma'am."
If Amelia hadn't been holding onto her files, she would've thrown her hands up in disgust. Shaking her head instead, she ordered the Auror to go get one of their departmental Healers then sat down across from Black.
"While we're waiting, I need to know if you've requested a lawyer." Black shook his head, his eyes shining slightly; a slight grin ghosted his lips.
"It's good to see you again, Amelia," he whispered as if unsure about being allowed to speak out loud.
She smiled comfortingly back at him, "It's good to see you too, Siri."
Sirius glanced around the room; a slight twitch appeared in the corner of his eyes, "What's going on?"
"Before I answer that, do you want me to contact a lawyer for you?" He waved it off.
"I don't have anything to be able to afford one and we both know that lawyers who work pro bono are near worthless. Go ahead." Just then Auror Robards returned with the Healer who began casting diagnostic charms over Sirius. The news, while not good, weren't unexpected.
"He's got all the usual sort of problems associated with long-term incarceration. If you're going to question him, keep the questioning to no more than thirty minutes." Amelia acknowledged the Healer that she would.
"Okay. Alright start the quill. This is Director Amelia Bones leading the investigation into the suspected Death Eater activities of Sirius Orion Black on this date of August 12th, 1990. (Sirius' eyes glistened at the mention of the date. Nearly nine years in that hellhole.) In attendance are Auror John Robards and Healer Tabitha Morris. Sirius Black, you have been accused of the following crimes: membership in the illegal terrorist organization known as the Death Eaters, known Secret-Keeper and Betrayer of James and Lily Potter along with their son, Harry James Potter to the Dark Wizard known as Lord Voldemort on 31 October, 1981; finally you are accused of mass murdering twelve muggles and the wizard Peter Pettigrew three days later in the township of Manchester. Will you submit to the use of Veritaserum?"
"I will."
"Let the record show that Healer Morris is administering three drops of veritaserum from vial number THX-1138." Healer Morris indicated that she had indeed administered the ordered amount. Sirius' eyes glazed over as the serum took hold.
"Let's begin the questioning…"
Later in the office of Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic…
Cornelius looked up from the transcripts he was reading of Amelia's interrogation of the criminal Black with narrowed and disbelieving eyes. Everything that everyone had suspected of the man apparently wasn't even close to the truth. He'd done everything he could to delay the questioning, even going so far as to hint to his Undersecretary, Dolores Umbridge, that Black shouldn't be given medical treatment so that his statement could be dismissed as the ravings of a mad man. 'Damn Amelia for bringing that departmental Healer. I should reduce their funding so they have to get rid of that resource. Albus is going to be pissed…'
He continued to read:
AB: "Please state your name and lie to me that one plus one equals three?"
SB: "Sirius Orion Black. One plus one equals th…thr…two!"
AB: "Let the record show that the veritaserum is working properly. Now, Mr. Black you stand accused of being a Death Eater, what say you?"
SB: "I am not now nor have I ever been a Death Eater."
AB: "Let the record show that the accused has also been checked for yet does not show, the tattoo known as the Dark Mark."
AB: "Next, you've been accused of being the Betrayer of James Charlus Potter and Lily Marie Potter nee Evans and their son, Harry James Potter to the Dark Wizard known as Lord Voldemort. Is this true?"
SB: "I would never betray them. We were as close as brothers."
AB: "Yet you were their Secret Keeper when they went into hiding?"
SB: "I was the decoy. James and Lily had wanted me to be the official Secret Keeper but Albus convinced them to switch to our other friend, Peter Pettigrew."
AB: "That would be Albus Dumbledore?"
SB: "Yes. He was the one who cast the Fidelius Charm on the Potter Cottage to hide them away from Voldemort."
AB: "Why did they want you as the decoy?"
SB: "It was Albus' idea. He thought Peter was too weak a wizard to keep Voldemort, or anyone really, out of his mind. Peter was also a weak wizard in magical ability and would easily succumb to an attack. Albus suggested that I and the Potters let the public believe that I was the Secret Keeper to draw attention away from Peter."
AB: "Did you know why Albus Dumbledore wanted the Potters to go into hiding?"
SB: "He never said specifically but did let slip that there was a prophecy between the Potters and a Dark Lord."
AB: "Do you know what was the wording in the prophecy?"
SB: "I never found out. James just said that it involved their son, Harry or so Albus hinted."
AB: (Sounds of shuffling papers) "Now let's move onto that Halloween night. How did you know that the Potters were attacked?"
SB: "I suddenly remembered where they lived. I had been in the process of going over to Peter's house so I could bring him his weekly groceries. When I got to his house, Peter was missing yet there was no evidence of a struggle. I grew worried and right then I remembered the location of Potter Cottage. I drove my motorcycle as fast as I could but I was too late. The house was practically destroyed and there were people starting to gather around. I cast a muggle-repelling charm to keep out the crowd and ran inside. I found James at the base of the stairs (sobbing sounds were heard); he was already dead. I raced upstairs towards the nursery in search of Lily and Harry. I found the nursery wall blown out; there was evidence of a magical explosion everywhere. I remember seeing a black cloak and…Lily laying there on the floor, one hand still grasping the crib."
(Sounds of sniffling were heard)
AB: "What happened next?"
SB: "I heard some noise coming from the crib. Harry was sitting there staring mutely at his mother, blood dripping down from a wound on his forehead. I picked him up and tried to comfort him. I cast a healing charm on his head to stop the blood. I then heard a noise and heavy footsteps coming up. It was Hagrid who entered next."
AB: "As in Rubeus Hagrid? Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts?"
SB: "That's him. He told me that he'd been sent by Albus to take Harry with him back to the school. I don't know how Albus knew that Harry had lived but when I protested, Hagrid told me in no uncertain terms that his orders were to take Harry. I don't know what came over me; I am Harry's Sworn Godfather, his care was my responsibility."
AB: "What happened next?"
SB: "After giving Hagrid my motorcycle to take Harry, I became overcome with an overwhelming anger at Peter. The rat betrayed James and Lily! I swore to avenge them and set off after the rat."
AB: "Why do you keep calling Peter Pettigrew a rat?"
SB: "It's his animagus form. He turns into a common brown garden rat."
(Sounds of disbelief heard in the background)
AB: "How and where did he learn to be an animagus so soon out of school?"
SB: (chuckling darkly) "We both, along with James learned while we were still in school. Figured out how to do it during our fifth year. Peter's a rat; I'm a dog that resembles a Grim. James is a stag. We did it to keep our fourth friend company during his monthly transformations."
AB: "I am discontinuing this line of questioning as it does not apply to the charges. What happened when you finally caught up to Peter?"
SB: "I yelled at him when I spotted him walking down the street as if he'd not betrayed his best friend and family. He yelled back and accused me of betraying the Potters. We both pulled our wands, not caring that there were muggles in the area. We traded spells; I was limiting mine to stunners so I could bring him in. He cast something behind me and the world exploded. When I came to, he was standing over me with a demented grin on that twitchy rat face of his. He purposely showed me him cutting off his own finger before transforming and disappearing into a sewer. The Aurors arrived moments later. I don't remember much after that."
(Sounds of shuffling papers heard)
AB: "Why did you not come to the Aurors with your information and instead going after Pettigrew yourself?"
SB: "I didn't know who to trust at the time. I would've gone to you but you weren't available at the time."
AB: "Very well. This ends the questioning of Sirius Orion Black. Healer, please administer the antidote. End recording."
Wolf's Bay Campground
The headlines of the Daily Prophet were screaming to the heavens that Sirius Black, once thought to be the right hand man to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was in fact innocent of the crimes he'd been accused of and had been exonerated during a recent interrogation. Remus sat back in his chair and cried tears of relief that his friend had been cleared and would be getting the proper care and rehabilitation he so desperately needed.
He had just finished re-reading the article once more when his private floo flared green and a face appeared in the fire.
"Hello. I'm looking for Remus Lupin. I was told he could be reached at this address."
Remus knelt down, "I'm Remus Lupin. Who are you?"
"Sage Whitewater of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Prisoner Rehabilitation Division. According to our paperwork, you were listed as point of contact for Sirius Black. May I come through?" He accepted and stepped back. There was a whirl of green fire and a witch with blondish hair stepped out.
"Ah, thank you Mr. Lupin. Those firecalls are a pain on the knees." Remus chuckled briefly but said nothing else. "Anyways, Mr. Black has asked us to contact you to inquire if you would amenable to taking him in with you after he's been released from medical care?"
"That's fine by me. I was hoping he would've been allowed to choose where and who to go to."
She marked down his answer on a questionnaire attached to a clipboard, "What is it that you do here?"
"I run a campground and fishing lodge for muggles." She looked intrigued.
"Any sort of criminal activity in the past 6 months?"
"By me? None. By the market in town? Yes, they're charging more for bog rolls than they used to."
Sage laughed at his mock outrage, "You're funny. Ok, if Mr. Black is released into your care, what sort of facilities do you have here to keep him from committing a crime of any sort?"
Remus rubbed the back of his neck, "Well, if you're asking if I have a jail cell, that would be no. I do and will have a place for him to stay and a list of chores that need to be done."
Sage asked to inspect the property and was given a tour. After seeing the grounds and what sort of jobs Sirius would have to accomplish (plus she got to meet and pet Woolsey), she officially concluded that Sirius Black should have no trouble keeping on the straight and narrow.
Back at the Grangers' house…
Minerva came to and thought she'd been dreaming about meeting Harry Potter. When she opened her eyes and spotted said boy sitting not three feet away from where she'd been laying on a couch, she thought that she was still hallucinating!
"Welcome back to the land of the living, Professor." Cathy replied as she assisted her former professor into an upright sitting position then handing her a glass of wine, "I never figured you for the fainting type."
Gesturing slightly at Harry who was sitting next to a bushy haired girl and discussing something over a large book Minerva replied, "It's not every day that one is confronted by sudden appearance of Harry Potter, Miss Richardson."
Cathy just grinned widely at the mild rebuke.
Blinking rapidly to clear her eyes, Minerva peered around the room before settling on Emma, "I guess in light of this revelation, I won't have to give you the standard presentation of informing you that your daughter is a witch and has been offered a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?"
Emma smiled warmly and shook her head, "No, but thank you Professor."
"Pro…Professor McGonagall?" came a nervous voice. She turned and saw Harry looking at her with Lily's eyes.
"Yes, Mr. Potter?"
"Does Hermione have to go to your school now?"
Minerva shook her head, "I'm afraid not. She has to start next year because the laws state that a child's eleventh birthday must be August 31st or earlier before they're allowed to start at Hogwarts." She saw Harry visibly relax at that.
"Thank you, she's my best friend and I wouldn't want her to be all alone in a new school. She's not even started at my school yet."
Cathy must've made a noise because all eyes swung over to her, "That's the clearest signs of a future Hufflepuff, if I've ever heard."
Minerva looked scandalized, "Oh, please Miss Richardson. Everyone knows that Potters always get sorted into Gryffindor."
"Really? Prior to this century, Potters were sorted to wherever they were needed the most. Only since the constant instances of conflict do the children get sorted into Gryffindor. Now that we're in a time of peace, Harry will most likely get sorted into Hufflepuff in an effort to bring everyone together to continue the time for healing and offer the hand of friendship."
Harry raised his hand and instinctively Minerva answered, "Which House is it that's closest to the kitchens?"
Minerva peered at him curiously, "Why do you want to know that? Thinking of slipping in and cadging a snack late at night?"
Petunia and Hermione laughed. Petunia replied that he was more likely the one to make the snacks for a late night meal!
"Really? He cooks?" Harry rolled his eyes and groaned.
"Why does everyone keep asking that?"
A week later
Sirius Black, newly exonerated and freed man, stepped out of the floo into the living room of a quaint cabin. Inhaling deeply, his nose picked up the strong scent of his remaining best friend as well as hints of something sheep-like and the ocean. Remus stood in front of him with a wide, welcoming smile and his arms held out wide.
"Welcome to Wolf's Bay, Padfoot!"
Padfoot grinned back at his friend, "Thanks Moony. Why do I smell sheep? Thinking of guarding a henhouse next?"
Moony laughed, "Nah, you're probably smelling Woolsey. He's an alpaca and yes, you can meet him. No sheep though. I hope you like fish; we're having that for dinner."
Padfoot just kept smiling. Fish sounded a lot better than the hospital stuff and the less said about the swill from the prison, the better.
"So where do I bunk?"
Remus gave Sirius the knut tour and introduced his friend to Woolsey. He explained that the alpaca came with the farm and campground when he'd bought both of them and it would've been sad to see such a friendly creature go to a ranch far away.
"The campers love him; I've found him cuddled up in their sites or in their tents should they accidentally leave one open. He's never made a real nuisance of himself, but keeping track of him has been a challenge. I had to resort to using a tracking charm on his collar. Fortunately, he's never strayed into town."
"So what sort of things are you going to have me do? I hope I won't be responsible for cleaning toilets?"
"Heh, you might have to if I get busy with my work. I was thinking of having you work as the reception clerk to give Mandy a break. She's already been making noises about leaving so she can go onto university. The job itself is simple. You'll handle the incoming calls and fielding questions about campsite availability, hours that we're open, places to sightsee and also the best places to go fishing and foraging. The campground is first come, first served and the deposit is done with credit card over the phone and cheque when they arrive."
"A what?"
"Credit card. Don't worry, I'll explain it later. In the meantime, anything except my room in the cabin is yours to use as well. When it gets darker, I'll demonstrate how to use the electric lights."
"I remember electric lights, Moony. Remember when we visited Lily that summer during seventh year?"
Remus smiled in memory, "Right, I just wanted to make sure. You will have to clean the public toilets on occasion as well as emptying the garbage cans in the campground. Please don't use magic here unless you know for a fact that you're alone."
"Deal. Now…about Harry. Have you seen him? How is he doing? When can I see him?"
Remus smiled warmly, "I have seen him and he's doing great. I need to call his aunt and schedule a weekend visit since he's busy with school during the week."
Sirius' face scrunched up in confusion, "His aunt? Who's left?"
"Lily's sister, Petunia and her family."
Sirius' eyes flew open, "He was never supposed to be left there! We need to go rescue him!"
Remus held his hands up, "Easy Padfoot. Calm down. Harry's in good hands with Petunia. She and Lily patched up their differences a while ago but didn't tell anyone for security reasons. He's well loved and cared for there. I've got stories to tell you…"
Hogwarts Castle
Albus Dumbledore was relaxing on his throne in his office the morning with the Daily Prophet that heralded the exoneration of Sirius Black. He read it with nary an expression on his face but inside he was as seething as an active volcano. It was fortunate that he had contacts (read spies) everywhere important in magical Britain and therefore was aware of what was going to be released in the paper but it still rankled him that those boneheads in the Ministry didn't at least try to lose Black's release paperwork. The last thing he needed was for the fool to be released and start demanding to be reunited with his godson. That boy was his weapon when Voldemort returned as he knew he would.
'I left enough clues to Tom about a resurrection ritual that even a Crabbe or Goyle could've followed them. I just hope that he doesn't try to do anything stupid until I'm ready. The boy is not yet ready to re-enter the magical world and I'm still waiting on word about the Stone from Nicolas.'
His dark mood was further stoked by the knowledge that those greedy little Goblin bastards had discovered his false accounts and the rerouting of monies and properties from the Potter vaults. He'd also had his access revoked to the brat's Trust Vault! He couldn't understand who it was that learned of what he had done or why they would even attempt to remove him. So he took some money from the accounts; those officials wouldn't offer their services and promises for free, after all. Properly led legislation took money and it wasn't like the brat needed it now.
One more year until Harry Potter arrived at the castle. One more year until he could put his plans into motion for the Greater Good…
[A/N2: No recipes this time; I wanted to do some character development instead. A lot has happened in such a short time frame, hasn't it? I hope it came out alright and that it was believable. Please drop a review if you noticed anything that could be added to.]
