31st of August 1995
The rest of that day and the whole next had been for Alexandra extremely boring, but also quite rewarding. She spent them in the archives of the Daily Prophet reading every past article about Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, Bartemius Crouch, Sr. (Head of Department of Magical Law Enforcement until 1982), Millicent Bagnold (Minister for Magic in 1980-1990) and the laws that were passed. After all when all of this started she was but a child of ten years.
Imposed Martial Law!
'March 12th 1981
Because of the rising terror spread by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and failings of governmental personnel to maintain the order in the country, the Martial law was imposed over Britain, in hope to capture offenders and re-establish…'
Bartemius Crouch the Hero!
'June 6th 1981
Thanks to Bartemius Crouch and his swift and uncompromising dealings with the captured Death Eaters the threat is consistently getting more under control and the end of the war and terror in the country is…'
Sirius Black Death Eater!
'November 1st 1981
Gryffindor Sirius Black, Scion of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, captured during his attack on Downing Street, London earlier today…'
Death Eater Black in Azkaban
'November 3rd 1981
Late yesterday night was Sirius Black, right hand man of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, transported under heavy security into the Azkaban prison, and placed into the high security cell for his attack on the Downing Street and killing of one Peter Pettigrew and twelve muggles in the broad daylight…'
Murderer of Thirteen Captured
'November 3rd 1981
Sirius Black was apprehended early on Sunday, November 1st, after his attack and murder of Peter Pettigrew and twelve muggles, as a revenge for…'
Black Mad With Grief after Demise of his Master
'November 3rd 1981
News about questioning of the Right hand man of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Sirius Black, was finally released late yesterday night. It was reported that Black is mad with grief and unable or unwilling to answer any questions that investigators may have required. It is believed that because of his loyalty to his defeated master, he did not submit any information on his associates, nor the headquarters of their terroristic fraction…'
Brave Boy Died Standing Up to the Murderer!
'November 2nd 1981
Peter Pettigrew, childhood friend of James Potter and Sirius Black, showed his Gryffindor bravery as he stood up to the betrayer of the Potters and right hand man of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. During his act Black, knowing many dark arts, killed him without exerting himself with a single curse along with twelve bystanders – muggles. All that was left of the young hero was his finger…'
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class to Deceased Peter Pettigrew
'November 3rd 1981
It is believed that Peter Pettigrew, friend of James Potter and Death Eater Sirius Black, tracked Black down after discovering his betrayal of Potters and tried to stand up to him. However, he had no chance against Sirius Black, scion of one of the darkest families, and for that he paid with his life. To honour his bravery it was decided to award him with Order of Merlin, Third Class, posthumously…'
Grieving Mother of Departed Hero!
'November 15th 1981
Grieving mother of the recently departed hero Peter Pettigrew in the interview admitted, that even though Peter wasn't extremely powerful, he was very brave and honest, always standing up for what was right…'
Black Escaped
'June 4th 1993
Sirius Black, one of the most feared Death Eaters, escaped late yesterday night from the high security cell he was placed in twelve years ago…'
1st Man to Escape Azkaban!
'June 4th 1993
For the first time in history somebody, Sirius Black, managed to escape from the prison after his twelve year old imprisonment. The ministry officials cannot discover any possible route that could have been employed during his…'
Beware of the Right Hand Man of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named
'November 6th 1993
Due to the recent escape of the Sirius Black, the Auror Crop is warning civilians to be extremely careful during their time spent outside…'
Shame on Bartemius Crouch, Sr.!
'December 5th 1981
Bartemius Crouch, Sr. was so engaged by the ministry work and the trials of the prisoners apprehended for their crimes against the society, that he could not recognise the signs under his own roof. It was reported, that yesterday night, his son Bartemius Crouch, Jr. was apprehended along with Bellatrix, Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange, during…'
Crouch, Jr. Death Eater!
'December 6th 1981
During the trial of the son of the Head of Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Bartemius Crouch, Sr. came out the shocking news. Bartemius Crouch, Jr. is Death Eater and proud of it, he didn't even try to defend himself as most of the accused do…'
Father Sends His Own Son to Azkaban!
'December 6th 1981
Bartemius Crouch, Sr. sent his own son into the Azkaban for the treachery, torture and murder...'
Here she found all accounts of the happenings and legal proceedings at the time, along with the passing of martial laws that allowed sending those under suspicion to the prison without granting them the right of trial.
Day after that, she decided that it was time to contact her dear grand-uncle, after practically ignoring him since she returned back home. As she apparated into some backstreet and walked the distance to his house, she thought about the mess that would follow her current course of actions. As she knocked, she mentally prepared herself and steeled her features.
"Sasha, I was wondering, when you would show up," answered the man at the door.
"It has been a long time, has it not?" replied she.
"That it has. How are you, sweetheart?"
"I am quite well, considering… Will you not invite me in, uncle?"
"Of course, please do come in. Would you like some tea, while we discuss whatever it is you want to talk about?" He asked as he turned and hobbled into, what she assumed was a kitchen.
"Yes, thank you, tea would be appreciated. Before we will get to the matter at hand, would you like to explain to me, why are you wearing the glamour of a cripple even in your own house? And please spare me the speech of 'you never know who's watching', because we both know this house is armed up to its teeth with magic. I can feel it on my skin."
"Fine," and in the blink of an eye before her stood a tall, well build, handsome and powerful man in his sixties, with salt and pepper hair, few wrinkles on his face, and expressive dark stormy eyes, instead of the red headed, round cripple with one wooden leg and an artificial eye. "Are you satisfied now, your grace?" He asked with a slight sarcastic twist in his voice.
"Extremely so," fired back the young woman, who was truthfully pleased to see her uncle's true form once again. "How long are you planning to keep up this charade? I understood your motives back when Grandmother Lucile was alive, and even few years after that… but is it really necessary now?"
"And what would you have me do? Tell the world that Alastor 'Mad-eye' Moody was only a creation of Edward Rosier? It would cause a mass panic. I would lose everything I have worked for all these years, the trust of the people I esteem."
"Can you honestly tell me you are satisfied with your appearances now? Or the perception everybody else has of you? With the image of an old, paranoid fool, who once was the hot shot? Because I don't believe it. I understand why you have done it, Grandmother Lucile was… Grandmother Lucile was very authoritative and intimidating woman, and I still can feel her own distinctive brand of discipline. So I can imagine why you were afraid to tell her about your aspirations as an Auror, even if she was your older sister. And…" here she did not know how to continue.
They both became lost in the thoughts of the past, thoughts of Lucile Rosier Montmorency that ruled her family with iron fist. When Alexandra mentioned her grandmother's brand of discipline, she meant the Cruciatus Curse, the torture curse. Lucile believed in discipline through corporeal punishments, and she perfected the use of that curse. They both still could feel the bite of it.
"Sasha, I disowned myself from that family. I didn't aspire to be a follower of the Dark Lord, I ran away. I couldn't become Edward Rosier even if I wanted to. I renounced the name. It's your burden now, not mine. But I admit to be admired and revered … I do miss it. That much is true." He said with a small sad smile.
"I could reinstate you back, should you wish it. After all I am Alexandra Veronique Rosier Montmorency Potter, Head of the Most Ancient a Most Noble House of Montmorency, Ancient and Most Noble House of Rosier, and Ancient and Most Noble House of Potter. There is little that I cannot do, and you know it." She stated with an air of arrogance that is intrinsic to those born to wealth, power, privilege and prestige.
"I do, and perhaps someday I will take you up on your offer, but not now. But I must commend you on your acting skills. You managed to put Severus and Lucius to shame, and that is something not many, if anybody, could accomplish, with your performance back in June." He stated with a smirk, because he knew that his grandniece wasn't the conceited woman she displayed then.
"Thank you, I tried," smiled Alexandra.
"May I ask you something?"
"You may, but I cannot assure you that I will answer."
"What did you manage to teach him, really? Because I know it is family rule, not to disclose your abilities to others, not the full account of them anyhow."
"Not much, mostly I managed to catch him up on the magical theory in all fields, there were huge holes there. I tried to instil in him that the laws and traditions present today, are here for a reason, even though at first sight they may seem illogical. I believe he grasped basics of Occlumency and I tried to further his knowledge in defence, but... I think I overloaded him a little, because he just could not grasp anything after one point. But I stand by what I said to him; to me he is quite mediocre. No offence meant."
"None taken, do not worry. So in your opinion, what should be done?"
"Honestly? Should you rely solely on him, nothing can be done until he is fully trained, but that will not happen, because at certain point he starts rebelling against authority. It stems from the 'loving family care' he received as a child. I will help, you are the only family I have left, as I am certainly not counting your boy-hero, and you seem hell bent on fighting so... I will take my part in the war. However, I am not bowing to Dumbledore and I assure you I am not listening to his orders and demands. Agreed?"
"Yes, now, how about we discuss the real reason why you came here?" There was a slight hesitation, but she answered none the less.
"What can you tell me about the case of Sirius Black?"
"So that's what you were doing, trying to make sense of it all?"
"Yes, I just feel that I am missing essential piece of a puzzle, and that is the reason I cannot figure it out. I can understand martial laws and suppression of basic civil and human rights, and carting those under suspicion to the prison without a trial. I understand switching secret keepers, because that was a brilliant move on their part, they just chose the wrong person. And I even accept that Peter was a Death Eater. What I do not understand is how he could manage to kill all those people, throw suspicion on Sirius, and disappear for thirteen years with none the wiser. Where is he? Where was he all this time? Can you tell me?"
"I must commend you again on your investigating skills; you managed to discover a great deal yourself. The missing piece of information is a tale that you cannot find anywhere, it hasn't been written and only small number of people knew it then, and now only Order and I guess the Death Eaters. As you are aware Remus Lupin was friends in Hogwarts with Sirius Black, your deceased uncle James Potter and Peter Pettigrew. They called themselves the Marauders."
"Do we need to rehash the whole history, Uncle Edward?"
"No, we do not, but I know that you would get curious about why it happened besides of how it came to be." He said with a gentle smile. She was always too curious for her own good, and then he grimaced as he remembered what followed her curiosity at the 'gentle' hands of his dear sister.
"As you are aware Remus is a werewolf, and the boys discovered his furry little problem. Boys will be boys, and they decided to help his friend. They managed to find solution and hatched a plan that came to fruition at the end of their fifth year. They became animagi. James took on the form of a stag, Sirius of a great black dog and Peter... Peter became a rat. Do you see now?"
"I... Yes, that day he fired an overpowered Bombarda, as it was reported to be a single curse, and that one is easily overcharged and can do considerable damage. Even a weak man as Peter would be able to cast it," she explained at questioningly raised eyebrow of her uncle. "Cut of his finger, either accidentally or intentionally, and changed into a rat and got away through a sewer."
"Why sewer?"
"In London they are everywhere, and had it not been the sewer I do not think Sirius would let himself be stopped, had he seen a rat that was running away."
"Very well reasoned. Now to your next concern – where was Peter hiding all those years? The answer is quite simple, as a rat in the Weasley family. Two years ago they took holiday in Egypt, and were placed on the front page of the Daily Prophet, because of the lottery they won. Minister of Magic had the issue with him during the inspection of Azkaban, Sirius' seen it and the rest..."
"...is a history, as they say. Yes, thank you. You were of great help uncle. And, if I may be so bold, please reconsider returning to your true identity. I must say, you look quite dashing with your natural features." She stated with a cheeky grin and faded from her spot on the couch, before a stinging hex thrown by her uncle could hit her. As he realised what she has just done, he just shook his head, walked to the mirror and slowly changed his features back into those of one Alastor Moody.