"Riley Alton. Please, take a seat. I know the past 24 hours must have been hard on you, exhausting I imagine." Minister for magic Kingsley Shacklebolt said motioning towards the seat opposite him.
"Yes Sir, it's been strange more than anything." Riley admitted.
"Ah yes well if what I have heard through all the chatter is correct, strange indeed. Please if you will Riley, I need to know what happened in detail. Start from the very start." Kingsley asked.
"Well I was on my way to find the Headmistress on the fourth floor when I felt really nauseas all of a sudden. I decided to go to the hospital wing but when I got there everything was dark. I called out for Madame Pomfrey but in return I got Murik Norwood. Before I knew it I had been hit with a freezing charm. I couldn't move and he made one of the boys hit me with a spell, the boy used a stunning spell but Murik wanted more. The others had barely stood me back up before Murik hit me with the cruciatus curse-" Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minister for magic, flinched. Actually flinched. Riley continued "-murik told me he believed Elanora and I were trying to bring back Voldemort and that I was a dark witch, then hit me with the cruciatus curse again. The boy who he had made curse me previously, yelled for Murik to stop. Murik slapped him and told him to use the cruciatus curse on me. I made eye contact with the boy and I trusted my gut, I threw up a shield charm as the boy threw another stunning spell at me. I sent it straight towards Murik. He got thrown back but got up within seconds. I saw him turn to throw a spell at the boy so I jumped in front throwing up another shield but the cruciatus curse went straight through it, into me and then into the boy behind me. We both got knocked unconcious. I came too on my own accord just after the Headmistress got the situation under control." Riley concluded.
Kingsley looked at Riley in shock.
"A 12 year old performed the cruciatus curse 3 times?" He asked, baffled.
"Not only that but we are all positive he's behind another attack that was on Elanora weeks ago. I was put under the imperious curse and lost my memory, I came too and Elanora was unconcious in a puddle of her own blood."
The ministers jaw dropped. "Why was I not informed of this?"
"Because we had no solid proof. Which leads me to ask, can we use veritaserum on the 5 other boys who were in the room with me? If their intentions weren't as sever as Muriks, Professor McGonagall would like to punish them by the schools guidelines." Riley spoke fast but surely.
"You've thought this through by the sounds of it?" Kingsley asked.
"Yes, Minister. Arlin, the boy who tried to stop Murik got caught up in the wrong crowd. He turned on Murik when he realised just how crazy the boy was. He could have used an unforgivable curse on me but he chose not too. I want to know if any of the other boys would have joined in or not." Riley admitted.
"I will discuss this further with the Headmistress shortly, Riley. Just know I take your words very seriously, veritaserum can be dangerous in the wrong hands so I need time to consider this. I do appreciate you asking, most people would have just done it. You're quite thoughtful for a Gryffindor, they usually act before they think." Kingsley genuinely smiled at her.
"Thank you, Minister. Is that all you need?"
"Yes, for now. I will speak with everyone else involved and if I need more from you I will send word, thank you." The minister tipped his head at Riley, dismissing her.
"Well?" Asked Severus.
"I was the first person he spoke too, he had no idea an unforgivable curse had been used. I assume I'll hear from the Minister again once he's talked to everyone." Riley stated.
And Riley did, 2 days later.
"Riley, come in come in, have a seat. I'm sorry for the wait and the early hour, it's been a hectic few days." Kingsley said apologetically.
"Its no problem, Minister. I just want to know why or how everything happened, no matter how long that takes."
"We have a few theories, some more ridiculous than others." He sighed.
"Sir?" Riley asked.
"My Lupin described Mr Norwood as deranged, yet at times completely stable. He shows signs of insanity and then at other times completely sane. He may just be sick or he may be being... influenced." Kingsley concluded.
"You think someone else might be responsible?" Riley asked.
"It is a possibility, we are still ruling things out as we speak. I brought you in to tell you that we have approved the usage of veritaserum."
"Well hopefully it can help us determine which possibilities to rule out." Riley said, relieved.
"Yes although it is not always 100% accurate, on students so young it should work. There will be terms to using the serum, one of which is that I be there to observe. Another is that I would like to use the serum on everyone who was in that room, including you Riley. Do you agree to these terms?" The Minister asked.
"Of course, Sir. I am ready to help any way I can." Riley said confidently.