Chapter Six: Murder
When Sirius woke up he found himself seated in the Headmaster’s office, though no one else was present. As his last waking memories slowly filtered back to him, he realized that he was probably being held pending some kind of investigation. There was no place more secure than this office; Sirius had heard about his father’s ability to open any door in Hogwarts without passwords or keys, but so far he had been unable to duplicate that.
He slumped back in his chair, despair filling him. At the least he would probably be banned from Quidditch, and, depending how badly McFarren had been hurt, maybe even expelled. Unless someone actually believes that I had nothing to do with that, he thought bitterly. He knew there was little chance of that, given the rivalry that had arisen, but maybe the fact that he had been with Hermione so soon beforehand would help him.
Sirius wanted to get out, to escape. He had no desire to face his parents with this, though on second thought his father had been exceptionally understanding the last time. Still, this was much more serious; running away was sounding better and better. His thoughts turned inward. I want to escape, his mind shouted. He felt something shifting inside of him, something hot, something that needed to shift, but before it could complete its course, a voice interrupted him, causing himself to come to his senses in a sudden wave of confusion.
“I don’t believe I could count the number of times I’ve had Potters in this office for some kind of trouble, but I’ve never seen one of them try to light himself on fire to escape it.” The voice came from the portrait of Albus Dumbledore who was blinking down at him from behind his half-moon spectacles with a kindly expression on his face. “It is far better to bear up and face whatever’s coming, Sirius.”
“I wasn’t trying to light myself on fire,” Sirius said flatly. What was I doing?
“If you insist, Mr. Potter,” Dumbledore said with a smile. “We shall ignore the flames bursting from you skin as we shall ignore your smoking robes.”
Sirius looked down quickly to discover hat his robes were smoking in several places.
“Regardless,” Dumbledore went on, “I thought it might interest you to know that I had been observing you from a portrait in Professor Weasley’s office, and followed you afterward. I must say I find your behavior recently to be fascinating, after all. And I witnessed you come upon the body of the unfortunate young Mr. McFarren, so the Headmaster knows that you are innocent in this matter.”
There was a slight emphasis on ‘in this matter,’ that went along with a slight smile and rising of eyebrows that Sirius chose to ignore.
“The testimony of a Portrait isn’t admissible legal evidence, sir,” Sirius said glumly instead.
“That is true, but my testimony has led to the Headmaster seeking other evidence in this matter that should be able to clear you. This is a dreadful business,” Dumbledore went on, the smile fading and a sincerely sorrowful expression replacing it. “Headmaster Dippet was never the same after he had to deal with the death of a student during his tenure at Hogwarts.”
“Death?” Sirius asked quietly while the blood drained from his face. “I… I didn’t like him, but…”
“Yes, I know, Sirius,” Dumbledore said soothingly. “Like your father, you have no shortage of enemies, but you never wish the worst upon them. It is a trait I have always found admirable in your family. Still, now you see just how serious this situation is.”
“I need to get out of here,” Sirius groaned. Forget being expelled, they’ll probably throw me in Azkaban. “I don’t suppose you’ll tell me the password?”
“Of course not, Sirius,” Dumbledore said in surprise. “I told you, they are looking for the real perpetrator of this horrible crime, and if you were to run now, that would be like admitting your guilt as far as the Aurors are concerned.”
Just then the door burst open, and Headmaster Shacklebolt came in with Sirius’ uncle, Ron Weasley. The Auror and the former Auror were deep in conversation, and didn’t notice that Sirius was awake right away. Professor Dumbledore suddenly appeared to be asleep again.
“We know it wasn’t him, and Harry would destroy us both if you expelled him. Give me more time, and I’ll find out who’s responsible,” Ron was saying to some unknown comment.
“I don’t have more time,” Shacklebolt said in a frustrated tone. “I had to inform the McFarrens that their son was dead immediately, and they want someone to blame. Harry has to understand that.”
“I’m sure Harry will understand that,” Ron answered, “But Harry would argue that justice is the answer, not arbitrary punishment. And I would agree with him.”
Kingsley’s glance finally drifted towards Sirius, whom he noticed was sitting upright and listening intently and fearfully.
“Sirius,” he said in an even tone, “I’m glad to see you are awake. What do you know about this incident?”
Sirius gulped once before telling exactly what had happened, while Dumbledore nodded encouragingly from over Shacklebolt’s shoulder. Ron also tried to smile at him, but the smile was forced.
“I swear I didn’t do anything,” Sirius finished lamely, cursing his inability to say anything more convincing.
“I know that you’re innocent, Sirius, but you have to understand that our only witness cannot testify in the Wizengamot,” Shacklebolt said regretfully. “I’m afraid that I have no choice but to suspend you from Hogwarts, temporarily of course, and put you in the custody of the Aurors until the real culprit is found.”
Sirius felt numb except for a bout of nausea growing in the pit of his stomach. Before he could say anything, however, the door burst open and Harry Potter strode in, eyes flashing furiously.
“That will not be happening!” Harry said without preamble, placing himself squarely next to his son. Ginny followed after him, looking worried but determined as she walked over and gave Sirius a hug.
“Harry,” Kingsley said, frustration and resignation heavy in his deep voice. “If I thought there was some way to secure my office…”
“Don’t try to change the subject, Kingsley,” Harry snarled. He turned to Sirius. “Did you do anything to warrant suspension and being turned over to the Aurors?”
Sirius felt his father’s formidable presence in his mind and surrendered his defenses.
“No,” he said quietly, but fiercely, as he allowed his father to view everything that happened, knowing what was coming.
“Very well, then,” Harry said with a grim smile. “As a registered Legilimens, I can testify that he has done nothing.”
“Come on, Harry,” Ron interrupted. “You know that your familial connection would call that testimony into suspicion, and an alibi corroborated through Ligilimency is never sufficient evidence to warrant release of a suspect with this much evidence against him. We need something more substantial.”
“My lawyers are already at the Ministry, Ron, and you know I have enough power, political and otherwise, to get my way. I feel badly for the McFarrens, and if you want help with the investigation I’d be happy to take my badge back, but you are not going to punish my son for something that he hasn’t done.” Harry’s voice softened considerably, though he was far from gentle as he continued. “I haven’t yet authorized my lawyers to call into question the policy of having my son stunned first for questioning later.”
There was a long pause in the office as Shacklebolt dropped his head in frustration.
“That was ill-advised, Harry, but Sirius had thrown off several spells before, from Professor Weasley no less, when he was in the process of beating the stuffing out of the same student. Professor Flitwick did what he deemed necessary; don’t ruin his career over it,” he said reasonably.
“I’ll do whatever I feel is necessary,” Harry said firmly, then seemed to hesitate before continuing. “I am on the Board of Directors, you know.”
Sirius looked at his father in shock; he’d never revealed that to any of his kids.
Kingsley looked as if he had been dealt a low blow.
“You’ll have me removed if I don’t comply?” he asked finally.
“You know I can, Kingsley, and if you’re willing to punish a student who did nothing, I think it’s necessary.”
Kingsley sighed in defeat. “I can’t stop word of what happened from getting to the papers, and they’re going to have a field day with it…. but you win. Sirius won’t be punished.”
“I have to keep him under surveillance, however,” Ron interrupted. “We have procedure to follow, as you should remember.”
“That’s fine, Ron,” Harry said, conceding now in good grace. “And I meant what I said about joining up again.”
Ron hesitated before declining the offer. “It’s too close to home for you; I’ve already been given warnings since he’s my nephew. You wouldn’t be allowed near the case, and I don’t think we have anything else available right now that would interest you more than driving the bus.” This last part was said with considerable amusement.
Harry smiled. “Probably not, though I’m sure your office appreciates the tips I give every now and again. I do learn things.”
“That you do, Harry,” Ron answered, and then frowned. “Well, I have reports to file. This will cause something of an uproar at the Ministry, no matter how soon we can find who really did it. And I want to see Hermione before I go.”
He and Harry shook hands and he hugged Ginny, before leaving the office.
Harry hesitated. “I know this was underhanded of me, Kingsley, but you know as well as I do that punishing Sirius would not be justice.”
“It would have been temporary, Harry, and it would have saved me, the school, and Sirius a lot of trouble. He’ll have to watch out for the other Slytherins now, because no matter what happens, they’ll think he’s guilty. And I’m not sure how the other houses will react either.”
“Suspending him would make him look much worse…” Harry said calmly. “I really think this is best.”
“I trust your judgment, Harry,” Kingsley said, finally smiling. “And since you’ll get your fair share of the media chaos that’s about to ensue, I’ll forgive you.”
The two men shook hands, before Harry and Ginny hustled Sirius out of the office.
***
Their first stop upon leaving was an empty classroom, and Sirius found himself seated and facing his parents, who studied him while looking unusually somber.
After a moment of silence, Sirius grew uncomfortable.
“I really didn’t do anything,” he said finally, looking at both of them.
“We know, Sirius,” Ginny said finally. “We’re not going to accuse you of anything; we need to give you some advice, and tell you some things. I think he can handle it.” This last part was aimed at Harry, who nodded slowly, though he appeared surprised that Ginny had said so.
“Very well,” he said. “Sirius, Headmaster Shacklebolt was right about how much trouble you are going to face from the other students. I know exactly what it’s like to be thought of as a vicious killer by all but a few students in the school, and it isn’t fun. Truthfully, if it was just you we had to worry about, we’d have let Shacklebolt have his way and taken you home right now.”
Sirius was confused. “So…?”
“We need you to stay and look after your brother and sisters,” Ginny said finally. “We know you hold back on how much you can do with your magic, and we know you’ve been practicing at home since you were nine. Just because the Ministry can’t detect anything at our house doesn’t mean we can’t.”
“And we know that you are more capable in a fight than any of your siblings,” Harry said. “Something is happening… something big. Mundungus tells me that the entire Wizarding underworld is moving, and a lot of the old Death Eaters who got out of punishment are a lot more arrogant these days. And I feel… hatred… being directed at our family. I don’t know how I can sense it, but all of this together tells me that something bad is happening. I’m going to try and find out what it is, but in the meantime, I need you to make sure that you and your brother and sisters are safe.” Harry’s eyes twinkled briefly. “Use the Marauder’s Map and the Cloak to make sure no one is here that shouldn’t be. And let me take care of them if there is.”
Sirius reddened at finding that his father had discovered his possessions missing. As he tried to stammer an apology, his father waved the theft away.
“I was only looking for the Map, because I wanted to check it while I was here,” he said. “I think some ‘constant vigilance’ on your part will be better, anyway.”
After a little discussion, his parents bid him farewell, and he found himself heading back to Gryffindor Tower. Maybe I should have wanted to go home, he thought, as he considered the responsibility that his parents had placed on him. He also dreaded what he knew he would be facing the next morning.
***
Murder at Hogwarts! Only Suspect Wandering Free
Many students at Hogwarts have jokingly said that the children of Harry Potter, the savior of the Wizarding World and beloved Knight Bus driver, could get away with murder. Is that what is happening right now? Sirius Potter, third child in the Potter family, was found next to the dead body of a bitter rival, but no disciplinary action has been taken.
“We know it was him,” Thomas Nott, a fourth-year Slytherin reported. “He threatened McFarren repeatedly in front of the entire school. His dad must have gotten him off the hook.”
“There is no direct evidence linking Sirius Potter to the crime,” Ron Weasley, Senior Auror in charge of the investigation told the Daily Prophet in a Press Conference yesterday. This same Ron Weasley is also Sirius Potter’s uncle, which leads this journalist to question his involvement in the investigation.
While Harry Potter is reasonably one of the most well-respected Wizards of the age, due to his defeat of the Dark Wizard Voldemort, should his children be allowed to commit heinous crimes themselves?
The article went on for some time, calling Sirius’ parents ‘indulgent’ and he and his siblings ‘spoiled.’ Sirius watched as James scowled while reading more. No one who had been raised by Harry and Ginny Potter would ever call themselves spoiled; Harry and Ginny had believed that children needed to be taught the value of work, and spending money was not often given.
Still, the students of Hogwarts had grown tired of watching Potters and Weasleys excel at everything; if they were being favored, their recognition for their actions wasn’t real, and everyone else could feel better at themselves. The Slytherin table was filled with people glaring at the Gryffindor table, and Sirius in particular. James was the only one whom the Ravenclaws would speak with, and the Hufflepuffs merely looked frightened of everyone.
Sirius had been taunted repeatedly by an angry Thomas Nott.
“Am I next, Potter? Is everyone that crosses you in some way going to end up dead?” That was the least of what he got.
Still, the Weasleys were loyal, of course, and so were the rest of the Gryffindors. The quadruplets had agreed to help Sirius keep watch on the Marauder’s map, grimly declaring their intention to clear Sirius and catch the real culprit.
Though his parents had told him otherwise, Sirius fully intended to do just that. If someone was trying to harm his family, they were going to find Sirius Potter standing in their way.
***
“Very good,” the voice said, filled with malicious glee as it laughed at the article in the Daily Prophet. “Better than I could have expected. You have done very well, and you will be rewarded, both now and when I come to my full power.”
A heavy bag clinked to the ground in front of him, and the man fought the urge to grab it eagerly and spill out the gold inside. Instead, he casually bent over and picked it up, putting it into his pocket unopened. It had been heavy, though.
“Th-Thank you, my lord,” he said, shaking with relief.
“And your contact inside? He will not be suspected?” The voice was filled with challenge.
“N-No, my lord,” he said, shaking his head, “he will not be suspected. He’s a student, you see…”
“Good,” the voice said as it cut him off. “Then everything is proceeding exactly the way it must.”
The dark forest echoed with the voice’s insane cackling.
A/N: I'd like to thank everyone that left reviews for the last chapter, and I hope you'll all like this chapter as well.