A/N
And finally, I get to finish this scene. Yikes, it took one chapter more than I expected to get this done with. I was sorely tempted to leave aside the whole memory of Sirius talking to Dumbledore in Flitwick's office, but…well, I didn't have the heart to delete it once it was typed out.
In any case, I hope it was worth it.
There will be one or two more chapters, set during the time of Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts, and after that I'll focus on what could have happened during the summer holidays leading to Harry's fifth year – and before the Order of the Phoenix starts.
Chapter Five: Sweet Merlin!
They remained quiet as they settled back into their own respective chairs; the same ones they had always occupied, throughout the years.
Dumbledore found himself twiddling his thumbs and averting his eyes as he gave his Deputy a moment or two to regain her composure. Her face was unnervingly pale, and her dark eyes wide, giving her the appearance of one in great shock.
He was seriously considering summoning a Calming draft from the hospital wing, when she spoke.
"Sweet Merlin…"
"Why, yes, he certainly was said to be a-"
"-Thirteen years, Albus…thirteen years in that…that…"
"You cannot possibly imagine the vast amount guilt that gnaws at me about that, Minerva."
"Someone should have – we should have known, Albus. I should have known. He…was sorted into Gryffindor for a reason-"
"-Ah, but then, Minerva, so was Peter Pettigrew…and yet, that didn't stop him from choosing the wrong side, did it?"
"Do not speak to me about that…that vile excuse for a –"
"-No, Minerva, do not think in that vein. You, of all people, know how…weak of a character he was. He never could believe that James, Sirius and Remus had actually befriended him and kept him as a friend for all those years. All he wanted was to be accepted; to be in a position where he had some sort of power…"
"But…but he betrayed-"
"-Yes, he did, but there might come a time when he will help young Harry."
"Help – Harry – Albus, he is the reason why the boy is an orphan!"
"Yet he owes a wizard's debt to Harry, who stopped Sirius and Remus from killing him in the hopes that Sirius' name would be cleared, and Peter would rightfully be sent to Azkaban."
"But that didn't happen…"
"No."
"Albus, the Death Eaters would have known that Black wasn't-"
"-one of them? Yes, they most certainly would have known."
"Then why-"
"-My dear Minerva, they hated Sirius, they hated anyone who opposed their master, but…specifically Sirius. I suspect that was Bellatrix' doing. She was always such a charming, kind-hearted girl-"
"-I'm not talking about her! I am talking about Severus. He would have known that he was innocent! That it was Pettigrew all along!"
Dumbledore sighed.
"You must understand, Minerva, that at the time, Severus was not…as privy to Voldemort's plans as he...as I hope he will be in the time to come. I cannot tell you the full story, my dear, for that is for me and Severus to know of…"
He paused. "Yet, even if, and I mean if, he had known that Sirius was…not as unhinged as we all thought him to be, there is a…great possibility that he, er, would have held his peace on that one…"
"But why? Surely, an innocent-"
"-You are no stranger to the animosity shared by the pair of them, are you?"
"I – no – Albus, that was…when they were in school. Surely that could not have-"
"-Minerva, do you remember…that time, I think our young men were in their fifth year of schooling, when Severus...had a…near-fatal encounter with dear Remus Lupin? And when I mean near-fatal, I mean…Remus in his werewolf form…"
Her lips were pressed together, in a thin line, but she nodded.
"Yes. I was led to believe that Severus had seen Lupin heading out, had gotten suspicious and had followed him. And that Potter, who had seen it – and knowing of Lupin's…affliction – ran after him and managed to get him away in the nick of time."
"Ah, you see, you were…led to believe incorrectly." Dumbledore fidgeted under the dark, explanation-demanding glare that was patiently bestowed upon him. "You see, my dear, it was Sirius who informed Severus that, should he wish to find out why Lupin kept on disappearing monthly, he should just follow him."
The Transfiguration Professor's eyes were wide once more. "Yes, my dear; Severus went after Lupin as a result of Sirius' prodding. Luckily for everyone concerned, James heard what he had done and got Severus to safety." He sighed. "But, you see, ever since that day, our bright, cheery Potions' master has…despised Sirius, and those who have anything to do with him."
He cocked his head to a side, an amused twinkling in his eyes. "Oh dear, I see more problems for Harry in the future, with that one…" He smiled pleasantly at McGonagall, who was opening and closing her mouth, resembling a fish out of water. He told her that too, pleasantly of course, and received a darker glare in return.
"I – oh – he – how dare he?" she gasped, as she stared at her colleague. "He knew that Lupin was a werewolf – he intentionally led – Lupin could have killed or bitten – why that little-"
"Breathe, Minerva, breathe," instructed the Headmaster, cheerfully.
"But he – Severus could have – I don't believe…one of my Gryffindors doing something as – as –"
"Minerva, my dear, I think you are missing the point entirely. As gratified as I am that you are outraged on Severus' behalf – thereby dispelling his belief that you would have favored your dear Gryffindor in the matter – I must point out that that is not the main issue here." He stared at her.
"As you probably recall, I mentioned in the corridor that…I had to talk to you about a few things. This – " he waved at the Pensieve, "-was one of them. And it was important, because…I have sent Sirius to round up the members of the Order of the Phoenix. Those who are willing to take part in this, of course."
"You sent him to –" McGonagall didn't know whether to laugh or just stare disbelievingly at her colleague. "You sent the man we believe to be a mass murderer to gather everyone up?"
Dumbledore raised his eyebrows.
"We, Minerva?" he queried. "Surely…you don't believe – after what you've seen…?"
"I…don't know, Albus," said the dark-haired witch, quietly. "I…don't know anymore."
"I understand. I was rather stunned myself." He sighed. "In any case, they will-"
"-Wait, you have been in touch with Bl – with him? When? How?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
"My dear," he said, cheerily, "Sirius was an unregistered Animagus. Did you not see it for yourself in the Pensieve?" The woman's brows furrowed for a moment, before realization hit her.
"The – the dog?!" she exclaimed, shrilly.
"Yes, Minerva, the dog. Although he likes to be called either Snuffles or Padfoot – he would really prefer Padfoot."
"The dog. Sirius Black was the…dog?"
"Yes, the very same dog that you escorted into my office from Hagrid's place."
"No wonder…" murmured the dark-haired woman. "He was quite…intelligent…he…oh, goodness, he bit Mr. Zabini-"
"Mr. Zabini?" echoed Dumbledore, his brows raised.
"No, Mr. Zabini's father."
"His father? Er…which one? His biological father is not around, and his mother did love her men, so…"
"His latest father."
"Oh. I see." There was a definite note of amusement in his voice. "And why did he do that?"
"He was…threatening…he wanted to find out from me what had happened, and was rather rude…and he just…bit him…"
Dumbledore chuckled.
"He should have known better than to be disrespectful to a Hogwarts Professor," he said, simply. McGonagall stared at him for a moment, before she found herself slumping back into her chair, suddenly rather tired. The weight of everything she had seen, she had been told, suddenly hit her like a ton of bricks.
How were you supposed to handle the fact that everything you had forced yourself to believe for thirteen years had been…false? How did you dispel thirteen years' worth of hatred and anger?
"Oh dear lord…" she mumbled, as she buried her face in her hands. "I don't – I can't –" She said nothing more after that.
Dumbledore nodded, conjuring up some more warm tea and biscuits. He could most certainly understand how seemingly impossible all of this would be, to take in so suddenly.
But on the bright side, he had done it and – he was both proud and pleased to say – he had done it without losing any part of his anatomy for daring to bring up one of the few subjects that this formidable woman found touchy. He was glad he had used the Pensieve, as opposed to telling her outright.
Hmm, he thought, I wonder…what would startle Mrs. Zabini more; the fact that her latest male interest was bitten by a dog, or that her latest male interest was, effectively, bitten by Sirius Black? Hmm…that is interesting.
And disturbing. I think I will go and see how Alastor is doing.
A/N
Finally! The scene is done! Ahh…now it's time to start the next scene or two. Hehe, hope you enjoyed this!
Till next time,
Siriusgirl1