Harry Potter And The Unexpected Friend

"You've already done that." Daphne answered, shaking her head. "You need something new and different. How do you feel about manticores?"

"No thanks. We could always just skip Hogsmeade and wonder around in the Forbidden Forest, I am sure that there are all kinds of dangerous things there that we haven't ever thought of." Harry said jokingly. Daphne laughed at his suggestion and soon Harry was laughing too. They spent the rest of the afternoon together in similar fashion, each enjoying the company of the other and trying to ignore the suspicion that soon things would be changing in ways they could not imagine. The fact that they spent the day away from the rest of the student body also ensured that it was not until later that night that they heard about the special edition of the Daily Prophet that was beginning to stir up a lot of controversy.

...

MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE: SIRIUS BLACK INNOCENT! PETER PETTIGREW ALIVE! 

by Rita Skeeter

The Ministry of Magic has been lying to all of us for almost fourteen years.

Some of you may have a hard time believing that, but the evidence is overwhelming. Following a tip from a source who wishes to remain anonymous I began investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the James and Lily Potter and the subsequent imprisonment of Sirius Black. At the time very little attention was paid to the matter as the wizarding world was caught up in the celebration of the defeat of You-Know-Who. Sadly, while we were not watching a great mistake was made.

At the time it was said that Sirius Black had become a Death Eater and betrayed his friends to the Dark Lord. Black, however, was examined upon his arrest and found to not have taken the Dark Mark. Despite this he was thrown into Azkaban without being given a trial and was held there until two years ago when he managed to become the first person to ever escape from the famous prison. Sirius Black was never given the chance to defend himself or plead his case, a fact that should shame the Ministry.

Still, that evidence is not enough to prove Mr Black's innocence. During my investigation an unexpected source came forward to offer information that has never been heard before which could rock the Ministry to its foundations. Our source was a Auror back in the fall of 1981 and was a part of the team that brought Sirius Black in. He was assigned as Mr Black's guard upon their arrival to the Ministry of Magic and stayed with him until he was left at Azkaban. It was then that he witnessed an event the Ministry has denied ever happened: the questioning of Sirius Black under the influence of Veritaserum. Present during this questioning were Sirius Black, his guard, and two others.

One was, at the time, the head of the Deparment of Magical Law Enforcement Bartemius Crouch Senior. The other was a Junior Minister from the Department of Magical Catastrophes who had been one of the first people on the scene when Black was arrested. He was also a strong supporter of former Minister of Magic Millicent Bagnold and willing to do anything to protect her. That man's name was Cornelius Fudge.

After verifying that the Veritaserum was working Crouch began the interrogation. His first question was to ask if Sirius Black was a Death Eater. Black answered "No" to the surprise of all present. He was then asked if he had betrayed Lily and James Potter. Again he answered "No". Then Crouch asked if he had caused the explosion which resulted in the deaths of a dozen muggles. His answer was "No, Pettigrew did it." Stunned, Crouch stated that Peter Pettigrew was dead. Black responded to that by saying "No, Peter cut off his finger and escaped so that everyone would think he was dead."

What you must remember is that at this time it was already being reported that Sirius Black was a traitor and Peter Pettigrew was a hero. Minister Bagnold was being praised for the brilliant performance of her Aurors and her handling of the crisis. Black's admission would ruin all of that and do serious political harm to Bagnold, a fact which both Fudge and Crouch knew. Their jobs and political futures both depended on keeping Bagnold in office and so in a little room in the Ministry of Magic two men conspired to send an innocent man to Azkaban. They agreed that Black could never have a trial and that Minister Bagnold should not be informed of what they had learned. Black was then Obliviated by Crouch so that he would not have any memory of the interrogation. Fudge attempted to do the same to Black's guard, however the future Minister must not have been as good with memory charms as Crouch because his left the guard slightly confused but with his memories intact. Afterwards the guard, worried about his own future and the safety of his family, decided not to come forward with his tale. It is only now, after having left the Aurors, that he felt safe enough to tell the truth.

I have personally witnessed the interrogation through the use of a pensieve and have further received a Wizard's Oath that the story is true. I have no doubts that it is. My source is willing to be questioned by the Wizengamot to confirm his claims. Now is the time for action. Minister Fudge has declared that Sirius Black is to be immediately given the Dementor's Kiss upon capture. That decree must be withdrawn and then a full investigation concerning Minister Fudge's actions must be initiated. The good witches and wizards of Britain deserve better from their leaders, and Sirius Black deserves better from his government. He deserves to be reunited with his godson, Harry Potter.

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