Chapter 6
The next morning, Harry received a letter about his family's properties from Gringott's account manager, Ironfeast. He ran to an unused classroom on the First Floor and read the letter. Ron, Hermione, and Izzy arrived later and saw the raven-haired boy laughing.
Harry said excitedly, "My grandparents and parents used the legal services of the Carlsons. I can help Sirius with their solicitor, Carlson."
His friends and cousin also beamed at the good news. "Good for you and Sirius!" Izzy said. Ron and Hermione also nodded, smiling.
Harry wanted to write a letter but had to leave the classroom for his morning classes. After the classes finished, he returned to the dormitory and wrote a letter to Solicitor Carlson, introducing himself and asking for legal assistance, with Neville's help. Beside two boys, Ron grumbled something like "old-fashioned formality", but Hermione claimed that Harry should write a letter to solicitor with decorum. Hedwig happily flew off with Harry's letter to his family solicitor.
Harry was so focused on the solicitor issue that he didn't notice the atmosphere of the three schools. All the students had come to realise how dangerous and risky the Triwizard Tournament truly was and many were deeply impressed by the youngest Champion's clever and courageous actions. Even several Slytherin students spoke highly of Harry's performance in the first task. The raven-haired boy only recognised the changed environment after Flitwick cancelled the Charms lesson and praised him how perfect his Summoning Charm had been in the first task. Harry smiled broadly and inwardly thanked to his friends and cousin.
A week later, Janet Carlson, the head solicitor of the Carlsons, sent a response. She wrote, "It's an honor to provide legal services to the Potters again."
Harry asked Ron, Hermione, and Izzy whether he could explain Sirius's situation. Their answer was "No," since it was top secret. All of them agreed to wait for Sirius's response first.
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December arrived. The castle and grounds of Hogwarts were covered in snow. The Black Lake was frozen, but the Durmstrang ship remained intact. Izzy assured her cousin and his friends, mentioning that the inside of Beauxbatons' carriage was warm and comfortable despite the cold Scottish weather.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Izzy were busy researching the second task. They reviewed all related records. The worst task hosted at Hogwarts, in Harry's opinion, was diving into the Black Lake and retrieving a clue for the third task from the mermaids' village at the bottom of the lake. Of course, the other challenges were equally daunting. Ron shuddered at the record of a fight with Acromantulas. Hermione and Izzy also agreed that the previous Triwizard Tournament had been utterly mad.
The records related to the fake eggs involved decoding messages and getting clues about the tasks. Some messages had been recorded in various languages, including those of magical creatures, while others were riddles or secret codes. All of them agreed that the noise of the Golden Egg should be the language of magical creatures. Unfortunately, the three Hogwarts and one Beauxbatons student were not familiar with magical creatures. The information in Izzy's books and the CoMC textbook didn't help them decipher Golden Egg's terrible shrieks. The expert was Hagrid, but it seemed difficult to ask the Care of Magical Creatures teacher directly. The only option left for them was to research the magical creatures that were mentioned in the previous records, as they didn't know any magical zoologists.
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While the search for the clues continued, Hermione's passion for the welfare of house elves unexpectedly reignited one day. The bushy-haired girl suddenly led Harry and Ron to the kitchen, whose entrance was previously unknown to them. As Harry stepped inside, he was greeted—rather forcefully—by Dobby, who dashed toward him like a bullet. The hyperactive house elf cried tears of joy, exclaiming, "Harry Potter has come to the kitchen to see Dobby!" The embarrassed boy spent several minutes trying to calm the overexcited house elf.
Meanwhile, Ron was thoroughly enjoying the enormous snacks served by the other house elves, much to Hermione's disapproval. A few moments later, the three Griffindors sat down and listened to Dobby's story. Dobby explained how, after being freed from the Malfoys, he had wanted to find a paying job. However, securing employment as a free elf had not been easy. Eventually, he met Winky, another freed house elf, and together they came to Hogwarts, where they both found work. Dobby proudly revealed that he earned wages, though Hermione argued that the amount was far too small. The students also spotted Winky in the kitchen and noticed she still seemed deeply unhappy.
Hermione determined to inspire Harry and Ron to support her cause for house elf welfare, tried to rally their support. However, the two boys were unenthusiastic. In her frustration, she turned to Izzy for help.
The Beauxbatons girl, however, deftly sidestepped the issue. "I should learn everything about house elves first," she said diplomatically. "Moreover, I reckon it's rude and arrogant to judge their situation without hearing their perspectives. Hermione, how would you feel if I asked my school friends to help Hogwarts students from non-magical families because we believe, based on your stories, that they are totally mistreated by pure-blood supremacists?"
Harry and Ron inwardly applauded Izzy's tactful response and even came to her aid. "Izzy's right, Hermione," Harry said. "You keep saying the house elves are brainwashed into being slaves. What gives you the right to decide that for them?" Ron chimed in, "Exactly! You've only seen Winky's case and haven't properly talked to any of the other house elves yet."
Unable to come up with a convincing reply, Hermione flushed scarlet with frustration. Sensing the tension, Izzy reminded them that it was time to resume their search for magical creatures in the library. The group left the unused classroom on the First Floor and headed to the library together.
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One day, McGonagall asked Harry to stay behind after the Transfiguration class. The raven-haired boy had no idea what his Head of House wanted to discuss. After the classroom emptied, the stern-looking McGonagall informed him about the Yule Ball and his obligation to open the dancing with a date as part of his duties as a Triwizard Champion. Harry would have preferred facing the Hungarian Horntail again rather than dancing in front of the crowd.
After leaving the Transfiguration classroom, he shared the news with Ron and Hermione. Both found the situation amusing, though Harry was anything but amused.
Later, after finishing their research on magical creatures, Harry approached Izzy for a private conversation. The cousins stepped into the corridor, where Harry confessed his worry—he had no idea how to ask a girl to be his date for the Yule Ball. His red-blond cousin seemed puzzled by his concern.
"Why don't you ask Susan Bones? She's helped you a lot, so I reckon she might agree to be your date," Izzy suggested, tilting her head.
"Susan Bones? I can't ask her that!" Harry protested, his mind immediately conjuring the stern image of Amelia Bones. The idea of possibly offending Susan's formidable aunt filled him with dread.
"Then I can be your date. How about it?" Izzy offered casually.
Harry was taken aback by her abrupt suggestion. "No, thanks!" he blurted out, his face turning crimson as he shook his head.
Izzy's eyes widened in surprise. "Why not?" she asked, clearly curious about his reaction.
Harry couldn't bring himself to admit the truth—that he didn't want to go with her because she was four or five inches taller than him.
In the evening, Harry received the long-awaited reply from Sirius, and its contents drove the Yule Ball completely out of his mind. Sirius explained that he had read Amelia Bone's memo, requesting a full investigation and announcing the annulment of his 'Kiss on a Sight' order. Sirius had replied immediately and subsequently received another letter from her, which turned out to be a Portkey. It transported him to one of the safe houses of DMLE, where he met Madame Bones. He didn't go into detail about the investigation but mentioned providing his memories as evidence. He added that Bones believed in his innocence and had promised to persuade Fudge soon. Additionally, Sirius praised his godson's wonderful success in the first task.
Harry couldn't help but cry "Yes!" in the common room. Several Gryffindors looked at the raven-haired boy in surprise. Harry quickly apologised his shouting and showed the letter to Ron and Hermione. The two friends read it rapidly and congratulated him on Sirius's impending freedom in low voices. Harry reread his godfather's letter and laughed with delight. He could imagine his future—leaving the Dursleys and living with Sirius in Potter Manor, his grandparents' house. He even thought of hiring Dobby to help around the house.
The next morning, Harry informed Izzy of Sirius's reply and thanked her for her help since Hallowe'en night. Izzy embraced her cousin and praised him for how well he had handled things. The two cousins laughed comfortably and cheerfully.
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A few days later, after supper, Harry sat in a corner of the common room with Ron and Hermione, working on their homework. He was trying to make up another tragic story for Divination, but it wasn't easy. Harry closed his eyes to think of any misfortune he hadn't yet written about in his previous assignments. Slowly, he drifted off to sleep.
In his dream, Harry saw Voldemort and Wormtail in an unfamiliar place, not the same as in his last vision. The grotesquely deformed Voldemort was scolding Wormtail.
"Why is Crouch late tonight? He should have arrived two hours ago!" the ugly-looking figure hissed.
"Master. I believe it's time to imprint on Crouch's mind never to dare be late again." The trembling man said, attempting to curry favour.
While the two villains criticised Crouch, the door suddenly, burst open, and several people in Auror robes stormed into the room. Harry could recognise Auror Shacklebolt and Amelia Bones, who shouted, "Arrest them!"
Voldemort shrieked, "How dare!" and grabbed his wand, but a red light from the Aurors' spells struck him.
Harry woke with a short cry of "Ahh!" and realised he had fallen to the floor, drenched in sweat. His scar throbbed with pain. Ron and Hermione quickly pulled the raven-haired boy back onto his chair, both looking deeply concerned. Neville, Seamus, and Dean had stood up at the sound, staring at Harry with astonished expressions.
Harry quickly stammered, "Sorry, I just dozed off and fell off the chair."
The three fourth-year Gryffindor boys nodded and returned to their seats, still a little puzzled.
In a low voice, Harry rapidly told Ron and Hermione, "I just dreamed about Voldemort and Wormtail. I need to go to Dumbledore now."
Their eyes widened in alarm.
"Of course, let's go now," Ron said, clearing the table, but Hermione stopped him.
"It's nearly curfew," she pointed out, "If we all go, it'll draw too much attention. Harry should go alone—and bring his Invisibility Cloak."
Although disappointed, Ron nodded in agreement. Harry hurriedly packed his belongings, rushed to the dormitory, and returned wearing his cloak. Ron and Hermione accompanied him to the portrait hole, where Harry whispered, "Thanks," before slipping out.
When Harry reached the gargoyle guarding the staircase, he regained his breath and took off the Cloak. Then, he realised he didn't know the password. The raven-haired boy tried naming every Muggle sweet he could think of until the gargoyle finally moved aside at "Cockroach Cluster." Feeling both relieved and embarrassed, Harry stepped onto the spiral staircase.
Upon reaching the office door, he was about to knock when he heard Dumbledore's voice call out, "Come in, Harry."
The raven-haired boy entered to find the headmaster sitting behind his large desk, is blue eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"Good evening, Harry. What a surprising visit at this hour! You know the curfew is about to start," Dumbledore greeted jovially.
"I've just had a dream about Voldemort, sir," Harry began hastily. "He was furious with Wormtail because Crouch hadn't returned. Then, the door burst open, and Madam Bones and Aurors stormed in. Voldemort was hit by a red light, and I woke up."
Dumbledore's expression turned grave. "What time did you have this dream?"
"About ten minutes ago. I came straight here after waking up."
The old headmaster quickly wrote something on a piece of parchment, called his pet phoenix, Fawkes, and asked him to deliver the note to Amelia Bones. Fawkes trilled and disappeared into the fire. Bewildered, Harry stared at the empty spot where Fawkes and the flames had been moments before. Dumbledore explained that his phoenix was delivering a request for Madame Bones to visit his office following the arrest of Voldemort and Peter Pettigrew. A few minutes later, Fawkes returned with her reply: "I will visit after the basic investigation."
Time seemed to pass slowly in Harry's opinion, and an awkward silence filled the headmaster's office. Then, suddenly, the flames in the fireplace turned green, and the Director of the DMLE walked out. She brushed off the ash, marched to the desk, and demanded, "How on earth were you aware that my Aurors had arrested Voldemort and Pettigrew?"
Dumbledore conjured a chair next to Harry and gestured for her to sit down. Once Madame Bones was seated, he answered brightly, "To be honest, I only knew when Mr Potter told me."
She turned her sharp gaze on Harry, and the nervous boy shared his dream. After listening to Harry's explanation, the DMLE Director sighed and murmured, "It's an unbelievable story." She then filled Dumbledore and Harry in on her actions that afternoon and evening.
At the Ministry of Magic, after a lengthy investigation, the Department of Mysteries finally identified the culprit behind the tampering of the Goblet of Fire. To their astonishment, it was Barty Crouch Jr., who they had believed to be dead for many years. Despite her initial scepticism, Madame Bones launched an investigation into Crouch Sr. and visited his office with her Aurors unannounced.
During the interrogation, Crouch Sr.'s abnormal behaviour became evident, and the Aurors realised he was under the Imperius Curse. Once the curse was lifted, Crouch revealed the horrifying truth: he had switched his dying wife with his son, Barty Crouch Jr., who had been hidden at home under the Imperius Curse, supervised by their house elf, Winky. However, Bertha Jorkins had accidentally discovered Barty Jr.'s existence, prompting Crouch Sr. to place a very powerful Memory Charm on her, which left her permanently damaged. He admitted it was his son who had conjured the Dark Mark at the Quidditch World Cup, not Winky. He sacked the house elf to conceal his son's presence. His last memory was of Peter Pettigrew and You-Know-Who coming to his house.
Following this revelation, Bones and her Aurors raided Crouch's house, successfully apprehending Peter Pettigrew and Voldemort. Troubled by Voldemort's grotesque form, the DMLE Director called in the head of the Department of Mysteries to discuss further examination of his temporary corporeal state.
Regarding Pettigrew, a dose of Veritaserum revealed that he was the Potters' betrayer, responsible for the deaths of twelve Muggles, and that he had framed Sirius Black. Pettigrew also admitted encountering Bertha Jorkins in Albania, where Voldemort learned of the Triwizard Tournament and Barty Crouch Jr. He confessed that Voldemort had instructed Crouch Jr. to infiltrate Hogwarts as Moody, forcing Harry Potter into the Triwizard Tournament.
Dumbledore and Harry were deeply shocked by the story. It became clear that Moody was an impostor and that Barty Crouch Jr. had manipulated the Tournament. It was Madame Bones who brought them back to reality.
"I came here to capture the Azkaban escapee before he realises his master has been arrested. You had better summon Moody, as you are the headmaster," she said firmly.
Dumbledore nodded and summoned the fake Moody with Fawkes. Soon, the impostor stepped out of the fireplace, grumbling, "What's the new information from the Ministry?"
Without responding, Madame Bones cast a Stunning Charm before the magical eye could scan the room. The impostor collapsed to the floor, struck by a red beam. Bones administered three drops of a powerful truth potion, and made the criminal regain consciousness.
The DMLE Director interrogated the impostor thoroughly, uncovering Voldemort's plot to use Harry's blood for a ritual to regain a new body. The impostor revealed he had incapacitated the real Moody on the 1st of September, imprisoned him in his own trunk, and meticulously mimicked his behaviour. Shaking her head, Bones administered an antidote, rendering the impostor unconscious once more.
After a heavy sigh, Dumbledore, blaming himself for not suspecting the impostor, apologised to Harry. The boy, furious at the betrayal, was nonetheless relieved that the perpetrators—Barty Crouch Jr. and Pettigrew—had been captured.
Harry sincerely thanked Madame Bones. "I don't know how to thank you enough. You've saved my life from Voldemort's plot."
"Don't mention it," she replied kindly. "I'm simply fulfilling my duty as Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
"What will your next steps be, Amelia?" Dumbledore asked. "I imagine you'll need to imprison Crouch Jr. again and bring Pettigrew to trial."
Bones nodded. "Indeed. I'll order a full investigation of Crouch Jr. after returning to the Ministry. Tomorrow, I'll meet with Fudge to present the evidence, demand immediate recognition of Sirius Black's innocence, and insist on a trial for Pettigrew. Fudge may resist at first, but I'm confident he'll come around."
Harry beamed with pleasure. 'Sirius will finally clear his name!' The headmaster and the DMLE Director nodded with knowing smiles.
Bones checked the time and announced her departure. After bidding them goodnight, she cast a binding charm on the impostor and vanished through the fireplace.
Dumbledore, who now seemed to have aged a decade, advised Harry to return to his dormitory. Obeying, Harry left the office, hearing the headmaster instruct a house elf to retrieve the real Moody and take him to Madame Pomfrey.
It was nearly midnight. Harry wore the Invisibility Cloak and returned to the common room without incident. The common room was deserted, with Ron and Hermione being the only students still there. They rushed over to Harry and bombarded him with questions. The raven-haired boy recounted everything he had observed in the headmaster's office: Dumbledore sending a note via phoenix after hearing about his dream, the arrival of Amelia Bones and her account of finding the culprit, the arrest of Voldemort and Wormtail, the capture of the impostor Moody (also known as Barty Crouch Jr.), Voldemort's plan regarding the Boy Who Lived, and Bones's intention to announce Sirius's innocence and bring Wormtail to trial.
Ron and Hermione could not hide their shock and fury at the criminals, especially the impostor Moody. Once they had calmed down, they congratulated Harry on the capture of those who had sought to harm him. The three friends embraced, laughing together. They knew the conspiracy against Harry Potter had ended that night. Moreover, justice had been served. Wormtail, the true traitor would face punishment, and Sirius would soon have his name cleared.
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A/N: Voldemort, Wormtail, and Crouch Jr. were finally apprehended.
Your opinion about my storytelling would be appreciated.