Chapter Six: The Minister's Apology
Saturday 3rd July - evening
"What?" yelled Sirius, his eyes wide but full of anger.
Harry had to wonder how Wormtail had escaped from the Wizarding Prison. Every precaution had been used to ensure he could – and would not – escape.
"That's impossible!" Sirius exclaimed. "How could he? He was surrounded by Dementors day and night; heavily constructed wards surrounded his cell as well as anti-Animagus ones…it would be impossible for him to achieve that feat!"
Dumbledore inclined his head. "It is a mystery that the Aurors are working on even now. However we do have other issues to worry about as well."
Harry felt a lump form in his throat. He had just found happiness - would nothing ever change in his life? He wouldn't be permitted to hear this unless it possibly concerned him. "There is more?"
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, Harry, other problems have arisen, however I feel they are all connected to Pettigrew's escape." The old man placed his hands in his lap, looking over the top of his half-moon glasses. "First, Bartemius Crouch was discovered dead in his home in the early hours. There had been no struggle. His wand is missing and there are signs that have led us to believe that another person resided in the house with him. Crouch's wife and only son died in nineteen-eighty-one and all records at the Ministry show he lived alone. Secondly a store in Diagon Alley was broken into - the Apothecary - and a batch of Polyjuice Potion stolen. It is likely that whoever killed Barty Crouch is one and the same. Finally, William Davids, an Auror, was found dead in an alley outside his home around nineteen-thirty. Locks of his hair were missing, as well as his Auror ID and pass. According to the guards at Azkaban William Davids arrived on Azkaban Island at precisely thirteen-hundred hours, inspecting Pettigrew's cell. Pettigrew was discovered gone at fifteen-hundred-hours. I have reason to believe that William Davids had been dead for sometime before his discovery, possibly since this morning."
The headmaster fell silent watching the two Wizards, waiting for their reaction.
"I can't believe this," Sirius hung his head, "we lock that bastard up and he flipping escapes - after how long in there?" He counted on his fingers: "Fifteen days!"
Harry bit his lip. "I'm sure we'll find him again. You did before."
"That's only because the Weasley's were on the front page of the Prophet. Whoever disguised themselves as an Auror is most likely a Death Eater. With Wormtail's ability to turn into a rat, and the likelihood that his 'rescuer' was using Polyjuice Potion, we won't be able to find them," explained Sirius. "Terrific. I fully expect to be blamed for this."
"And why is that Sirius?" Dumbledore asked innocently, however Harry spoke first.
"Because he's the only one to break out of Azkaban and half of the Wizarding World thinks he's abusing me. I'm sure the public will find some way of abusing this situation, if they haven't started already."
Dumbledore allowed a small smile. "Fortunately Harry, the Minister is keeping this news away from the public for the time being. The only people who know of all of these events and their possible connections are you two, the Minister, Minerva McGonagall and I."
Sirius leaned back in the chair, putting his hands behind his head. "I'm willing to bet that Rita Skeeter will someway get her grubby little hands on this and twist it to make it look like I'm the bad guy."
"If she does," warned Dumbledore, "I will have personal words with her myself."
Harry couldn't help laughing. He didn't know this reporter but from what he had heard, she was not someone he wanted to be interviewed by.
She'd probably make me out to be some tragic hero…
Sunday 4th July
The news of Pettigrew's escape had seriously dampened Sirius' mood. Harry could tell his Godfather was angry at the establishment for allowing something like this to happen. Despite that, Harry knew Sirius was trying his best to remain his happy-go-lucky self, though on careful inspection, Harry could see memories reflecting in his eyes.
Harry sat at his desk, holding a quill, chewing on the end of it thoughtfully, wondering what he could put. He'd been given permission to tell Hermione and Ron the news, as long as neither of them blabbed to their parents. Hermione, being muggle-born didn't matter, but Ron, being a pure-blood had to keep his mouth shut. Although he felt reluctant, Harry realised Ron would be displeased - and rather annoyed - if Harry didn't tell him.
Running his eyes over the letter, Harry read through it, ensuring that he had put as much detail as possible in such a small letter.
Hermione/Ron
How are your holidays so far? Mine have been great so far - Sirius is very different from the Dursleys. We sort of play Quidditch, though it is a bit hard with just two players. Professor Lupin dropped by yesterday. I think he and Sirius need some time to get to know each other again. I went to Diagon Alley with Sirius - ended up with me having to defend my rights to live with my Godfather. I can't believe the nerve of some people.
What I'm about to tell you is strictly confidential. No one must know about this, but since it concerns Pettigrew, Professor Dumbledore gave me permission to tell you - but you MUST promise not to repeat this to anyone.
Well, you see, Pettigrew is gone. He's escaped Azkaban and disappeared. Also Barty Crouch - a Minister at the Ministry - was found dead as well as an Auror. It looks like the same culprit who helped Pettigrew escape. As of now I don't know what is happening, but the public are not going to be informed about this development.
It's going to be kept as quiet as possible.
Hopefully I'll be seeing you soon,
Harry
"This looks reasonable enough," murmured Harry, rolling up the parchment. "Hedwig."
The snowy white owl flew from her perch, landing on Harry's shoulder. "Do you think you can take these letters to Ron and Hermione?"
Hedwig ruffled her feathers.
"Good girl." Harry attached the two letters, picked up an owl treat giving it to Hedwig. Opening his window, Harry watched as his owl soared into the sky.
The next couple of days passed without incident. So far nothing on Pettigrew's escape had been printed. Unfortunately with an Auror and a Ministry official dead, it couldn't be helped but be leaked about the escape but so far no one had drawn any conclusions as to why they happened on the same day.
Harry glanced up as another owl soared into the kitchen. Frowning he watched as the owl relinquished a letter and departed. It was addressed to Sirius in an unfamiliar handwriting, but he took the envelope to the fire and chucked it in, watching it burn.
Sirius had been right about the public blaming him. Somehow they had managed to link him to the murders despite the fact he had been in Diagon Alley at the time. Since then he had been receiving letters and a few howlers from concerned parents who didn't want their saviour living with a murderer. Still, Harry knew his words in Diagon Alley had been worth it. Not all the letters were threatening - in fact a few of them had been quite nice, appraising Sirius of trying to get on with his life and ignore the threats made by 'concerned parents'.
He sat eating his breakfast when Sirius walked into the kitchen, a barn-owl on his shoulder, holding an envelope that bore the Ministry's official seal.
"What's that?" Harry asked.
Sirius was grinning as he sat down facing Harry. "This is an official apology from Cornelius Fudge himself. I was wondering when it would get here."
Harry arched an eyebrow. "He's given you an official apology?"
"Yup!" smiled Sirius who pushed the letter in front of Harry. As he read, Harry's mouth split into a happy smile.
Dear Mr Black,
In compensation for your unjust prison sentence, I, Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, hereby issue you with an official apology. A certificate will be sent to you shortly and an Order of Merlin First Class will be issued to you, as part of your compensation for being wrongfully imprisoned.
Along with this, I send First-class tickets to the Quidditch World Cup that is being held on Monday 25th August. You and your young charge may come to the Minister's box for a first class experience of the final.
I trust that you have received the official amount of money in your Gringotts bank account.
I have also renewed your Auror's license, if you wish to rejoin the department.
Cornelius Oswald Fudge
Minister of Magic
Looking up Harry's green eyes fell on a pair of gold tickets that lay in the centre of the table. "And we get them for free?"
Sirius nodded. "Good isn't it? James would be jealous, but then your dad had enough money to buy half of the teams, but free tickets…nah…he never got any of those."
Harry's smile fell as he thought of something. "I don't know about you but what about the people who think you are a nutter? There would be children there."
Sirius shrugged. "You are forgetting one thing: Auror's. The campsite and the field will be guarded by them. They wouldn't try anything in broad daylight with that tough security anyway."
"I suppose." Harry felt unsure. On one thing Harry wanted to go to the Quidditch World Cup, but on the other was that people still thought Sirius as an insane murderer. What if they try to hurt him regardless of the security?
"You're worried aren't you?" his Godfather asked softly.
"Yeah, I am. I just don't want anything to happen to you."
"It won't."
"Are you sure?"
Reaching over, Sirius ruffled Harry's hair. "I'm positive."
To be continued...