Hey Guys...
You probably hate my guts right now, but I did warn you about the inspiration streak! Here's a special little chapter for you to read.
Sorry again!
Enjoy xx
Slughorn's POV
I stared at the little wooden bird in my hands. Olivia Kimberly, Cornelius Fudge's niece and a Ravenclaw, had crafted it for me last year. It was beautiful workmanship, I thought as I turned it over. I sighed and returned the miniature woodpecker to its place on my desk. Truth be told, I wasn't thinking about the maplewood bird at all. My gaze returned to the article in front of me.
Sirius Accusations Not So Serious
The recent capture of the group known has the 'Death Eaters' has shed some very unexpected light upon the charges against the deceased heir to the Black family.
The charges against Sirius Black were the betrayal of Lily and James Potter and the murder of fourteen people in a muggle street, including one Peter Pettigrew. However, among the ranks of Dark Wizards, was Pettigrew himself, alive and stuttering. A few drops of veritaserum told the Ministry that the supposedly dead wizard was an illegal animagus and performed a blasting curse upon the street, before chopping off his finger and morphing into a rat and escaping. Sirius Black was found at the scene and was, of course, arrested and sent to Azkaban for a life sentence.
Three years ago, Sirius Black famously became the first to escape Azkaban prison. This was because he had seen an article in our very own Daily Prophet and recognized Pettigrew moonlighting as a family rat. Black was also an illegal animagus and managed to slip past the dementors. He spent a whole year trying to get to Pettigrew, who by then was inside Hogwarts, but he once again slipped away. Sirius Black went into hiding and last year was killed in an accident in the Ministry itself, where it was revealed that the Dark Lord truly has returned.
Peter Pettigrew is being charged with asisting the rise of a Dark Wizard, the betrayal of Lily and James Potter and the framing of Sirius Black. The Minister himself assured us that he is doing his best to make amends for his predecessor's mistake, including to Sirius Black.
He also hinted at a bigger story for the morning and we fully intend to blow it wide open, so watch this space!
I wondered what could be 'bigger' than this. For twelve years, the entire wizarding community had believed Black to be a mass-murderer and the Ministry had not even given him a trial. I, for one, felt very guilty about the whole thing, for I was one of those who supported the lack of trial. I smiled slightly when I remembered the last prank the Marauders had pulled at Hogwarts. The Slytherin Dungeons had been pink and all the other Common Rooms had been switched around. The Great Hall was white and covered in feathers and one of them had the brilliant idea of turning Dumbledore's hair bright green.
I was interrupted from my nostalgic reminiscing by a timid knock on my door.
"Come in" I called, sitting up in my chair.
My second-favorite muggleborn strode in.
"Ah, what can I do for you this evening, Miss Granger?" I asked.
"Have you seen Harry, Professor?" she gushed. "He went to go see Professor McGonagall and he hasn't come back yet. He said he didn't expect to be long, but it's nearly curfew! I don't want him to be caught out late, but I'm more worried about him. He's never done this before! I just wondered if you had seen him in passing or-"
"Miss Granger," I held up my hand.
She stopped mid-sentence and blushed.
"I have not seen Harry this evening, but luckily for you, I have seen Minerva. She said she would have no idea how long this meeting would take and she would send you and Wendy a patronus as soon as she can to inform you of everything" I told her, not really in the mood for questions and answers.
"Oh," she mumbled. "Well, thank you, Professor."
I smiled and watched her hurry away.
I must have dozed off for a while, because the grandfather clock striking midnight startled me awake. I yawned widely. I had only been asleep for fifteen minutes, but I knew I had to get to bed. I was about to leave my office, when a soft glow from the darkest corner of the room caught my eye. I went over and cautiously pulled the cupboard open, not entirely sure what I had kept in there. The light was coming from a bowl of water.
"Francis" I murmured and took the bowl to my desk.
Now wide awake, I swept papers off my desk and set the fishbowl in the center. I settled into my chair again and watched the rippling water. The glow got brighter and brighter until I could no longer look at it, then it disappeared completely. I uncovered my eyes and peered at the now dark bowl. Inside, was a wee fish.
"Merlin's beard" I whispered. "Lily."
A warm flush went through me and I knew that the dark days were gone. Suddenly, I felt like a child on Christmas Eve and went straight to bed. Francis was right beside me, of course.