The headmaster's office was located in a separate small tower, much like the common rooms of Hogwarts' four houses.
When Professor Lupin brought Sherlock, Harry, and Sirius to the tower entrance, their way was blocked by a massive stone gargoyle.
Sirius looked up at the familiar yet strange stone gargoyle and couldn't help saying, "I remember you need to give the correct password to enter."
"That's right."
Lupin nodded, then spoke the password directly. "Toffee Éclair."
The stone gargoyle immediately jumped aside.
The wall behind it split in two, revealing a slowly ascending spiral staircase.
"How nostalgic..."
Watching this scene, Sirius sighed again.
"Don't worry, old friend, you'll get used to it all soon enough."
As the four rode up the spiral staircase together, Sirius asked again.
"Dumbledore still likes using these sweets as passwords, I see. How are his teeth doing?"
"Professor Snape specially prepared tooth-strengthening potions for him."
Lupin smiled. "Speaking of which, working with such a Potions master is quite fortunate—I've benefited quite a bit myself."
"You?"
"Yes, Professor Snape helps me prepare Wolfsbane Potion every month."
"He'd actually be kind enough to help you?" Sirius looked incredulous. "And what's Wolfsbane Potion?"
"Wolfsbane Potion—it's a recently invented and very difficult potion to brew."
Remus, knowing that Sirius had been out of touch for twelve years, took the initiative to explain.
"Its ingredients are extremely expensive, and wizards who can successfully brew it are few and far between. Professor Snape happens to be one of them.
As long as I take it during the week before the full moon, I can maintain my sanity even when transformed into a wolf.
In that state, I just need to stay quietly in my office and wait for the full moon night to pass."
"No wonder I didn't see you in the Shrieking Shack after I came to the school..."
Sirius showed a look of sudden understanding. "Well, for the sake of him helping you, I'll try not to cause him trouble later."
Only now did he understand why Remus looked so shabbily dressed—probably all his money went to buying the potion?
He himself wasn't short of money, but the problem was, as Lupin had clearly stated, this wasn't just about money.
The key was finding someone who could brew this potion.
No matter how much he looked down on Snape, Sirius had to admit his talent in Potions was truly formidable.
Probably only their old Potions professor when they were in school, who had also been Slytherin's Head of House at the time, Horace Slughorn could match him.
Just then, the four reached the top of the spiral staircase.
Lupin stepped forward and knocked on the brass knocker shaped like a griffin on the oak door.
"Headmaster, we're here."
"Please come in."
When Dumbledore's gentle voice came from inside, Lupin immediately pushed open the door and gestured for them to enter.
Sirius still hesitated, but to his surprise, Sherlock had already pulled Harry along and entered first.
This boy, why does he walk into the headmaster's office like he's going home?
Watching this scene, Sirius couldn't help but widen his eyes.
Seeing this, Lupin smiled and likewise pulled Sirius along, following them inside.
Just like when they'd exposed Peter's identity last time, four people were waiting for them in the spacious, bright office.
Even the lineup was almost identical to last time. Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape.
Only Remus Lupin was missing, he had changed from one waiting to one arriving.
In his place was the previously mentioned Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge.
Fudge held a newspaper in his hand. His face was flushed, looking as if he'd just finished a conversation with Dumbledore.
Dumbledore was looking at Fudge, seemingly listening attentively.
McGonagall and Snape looked on coldly, saying nothing.
Sherlock's gaze quickly swept across them, taking in everyone's expressions and deducing what had just happened.
[Embarrassed and angry about something in the newspaper, Fudge came to seek Dumbledore's help but didn't get the answer he wanted]
[Dumbledore appears to be listening attentively but is actually distracted, his attention already on Sirius who just entered]
[In good spirits, schadenfreude, attention also on Sirius; McGonagall emotionally stirred, Snape harboring hatred]
"Wonderful, you're finally here!"
At the same time, seeing Sirius, Fudge looked as if he'd seen his savior.
He casually tossed the newspaper onto the desk and strode toward Sirius.
Under everyone's gaze, Fudge gripped Sirius's hand tightly and shook it vigorously.
Just from this appearance, he seemed even more excited than when Sirius and Lupin had reunited earlier.
If one didn't know the inside story, everyone would probably think he was Sirius's best friend.
"Sirius Black, our hero, you've finally returned!"
Fudge's enthusiasm made Sirius feel uncomfortable.
"Thank you for your concern, Minister."
He frowned and withdrew his hand, saying somewhat stiffly.
"If only you'd been this enthusiastic when you saw me in Azkaban before."
Hearing this, Fudge's face stiffened.
While everyone in the headmaster's office focused their attention on Sirius and Fudge, Sherlock had already silently walked to the desk and picked up the newspaper Fudge had put down.
As expected, it was still the Daily Prophet.
The front page featured a moving color photograph.
It was looping footage of Fudge falling on the steps.
It must be said, the angle and timing of this photograph were perfect.
Even Fudge's facial expression as he fell was captured in exquisite detail, the slack jaw, the waving arms, the unmistakable flush of embarrassment, making one feel the embarrassment radiate from the very page.
Below the photograph, emblazoned in bold type, was a headline calculated to catch every eye:
FUDGE FLOPS: Minister's Embarrassing Tumble Raises Troubling Questions
Was it merely clumsalinas or the weight of guilty secrets that brought our Minister to his knees?
Why, this correspondent feels compelled to ask, did our "wise and valiant" Minister of Magic (his own words at last year's Christmas gala, I might add) take such an undignified tumble in front of the wizarding public?
Was Sirius Black's release from Azkaban prison truly an "authorized secret operation," as the Minister's office has so insistently claimed? Or was it something far more sinister?
Has the Ministry of Magic, in its desperate scramble to maintain the illusion of authority, trampled upon the very principles it claims to uphold: fairness, justice, freedom, and the rule of law?
Is this the obliteration of wizarding ethics and the torment of one man's conscience? Let us follow the evidence into the carefully guarded inner world of Minister of Magic Cornelius Oswald Fudge.
Your dedicated Special Correspondent,
Rita Skeeter
---------------------
Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge recently graced the Hogwarts Great Hall with his presence, delivering what some called an "inspiring" speech (see our previous article, "Ministry of Magic's Final Investigation Report on the 1981 Potter Murder Case and the Sirius Black Case"—though the word "final" now seems rather premature, doesn't it?).
Just as he departed—no doubt basking in what he imagined to be triumph, those expensive dragonhide boots (imported from Romania at taxpayer expense, one notes) unexpectedly betrayed him, sending Minister Fudge tumbling unceremoniously upon the marble steps of Hogwarts.
The fall itself might have been dismissed as mere misfortune, we all have our clumsy moments, after all. But what happened next proves far more revealing.
Hogwarts Head Boy Percy Weasley was first to leap forward, extending a helpful hand to the fallen Minister. How convenient, some might say, that young Mr. Weasley whose father, Arthur Weasley, serves as Director of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office should be so perfectly positioned to assist.
One cannot help but recall that Director Weasley won the Daily Prophet's annual Grand Prize Galleon Draw just this summer. According to sources close to this correspondent, this was no mere coincidence, and there is considerably more to that story than meets the eye. (Do watch for my exclusive follow-up reports, dear readers.)
Young Mr. Weasley is, one must admit, admirably quick-witted and agile, though whether his prompt assistance was motivated by genuine concern or by thoughts of his father's career advancement remains an open question.
However, according to several students present (names withheld for their protection), when Minister Fudge was helped to his feet, he appeared distinctly displeased. Not only did he grimace in what seemed far more than physical pain, but he rather roughly pushed young Weasley away, refusing all further expressions of concern.
When the Minister learned that his would-be rescuer was the son of a Ministry employee, his forced smile and notably pale complexion were quite telling. One student whispered to this reporter, "He looked like he'd swallowed a lemon—a rotten one."
Most intriguingly, Minister Fudge then engaged in a private conversation with none other than the wizarding world's savior, the Boy Who Defeated You-Know-Who, the famous Harry Potter.
When Minister Fudge enthusiastically suggested that young Potter might encourage Black to "surrender to the Ministry as soon as possible," the thirteen-year-old boy displaying wisdom beyond his years immediately pointed out a rather glaring inconsistency.
After all, if the Ministry's official story were true that the case from twelve years ago was "actively discovered as a historical miscarriage of justice" by Minister Fudge himself, who had "secretly authorized Black's actions" then why on earth would Black need to surrender?
The Ministry's Story: A House of Cards?
The Daily Prophet can now exclusively reveal that the authenticity of the "Ministry of Magic's Final Investigation Report on the 1981 Potter Murder Case and the Sirius Black Case" is highly questionable.
In fact, sources within the Ministry itself confirm that officials initially refused to acknowledge the truth, precisely because doing so would damage their authority and erode public trust.
"The Minister tried desperately to cover it all up," confided one brave Ministry employee who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity. "It wasn't until the Muggle Prime Minister forced his hand through, shall we say, necessary diplomatic measures that Fudge finally compromised. There was no cooperation with Black. No authorization. He simply escaped from Azkaban, but we can't admit that, can we? It would mean Azkaban is no longer secure."
A chilling thought, indeed.
But the Daily Prophet has uncovered something perhaps even more disturbing: Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore appears to have been carefully concealing certain facts, seemingly to maintain harmonious relations with the Ministry.
Let us not forget that it was Dumbledore himself who testified years ago that the Potters' Secret-Keeper was Sirius Black. It was also Dumbledore who supported Cornelius Fudge's bid for the position of Minister of Magic.
One must ask: What does the most powerful wizard of our age owe to Cornelius Fudge? And what might he be willing to hide to repay that debt?
"This matter being exposed has absolutely nothing to do with the Ministry," stated a Hogwarts professor who spoke candidly with this correspondent. "Peter Pettigrew was entirely caught by people at Hogwarts. The Ministry insisted on allowing Dementors onto school grounds.
Although I personally don't approve of all of Potter's various behaviors at school, it was precisely because of those Dementors that he nearly lost his life during a Quidditch match. The Ministry should be held responsible for endangering a child's life."
This reporter cannot help but conclude that when Minister Fudge's expensive dragonhide boots suddenly slipped on those marble steps, it was the physical manifestation of an uneasy conscience making its final, desperate struggle.
One wonders: Should Albus Dumbledore reconsider whether supporting such a gentleman is truly appropriate? Should the wizarding public trust a Ministry that may well be fabricating facts and claiming credit where none is due, all to maintain the illusion of authority?
And where, one must ask, is Sirius Black now? Has he truly been vindicated, or is he still hiding from a Ministry that cannot decide whether he is a secret operative or a dangerous fugitive?
The Daily Prophet will continue to investigate this developing story. The truth, dear readers, deserves to be told, no matter how uncomfortable it may make certain officials feel.
Rita Skeeter is Special Correspondent for the Daily Prophet and winner of the Witch Weekly Most Charming Smile Award, 1992.
Sherlock smiled.
No wonder Fudge was anxious.
This reporter named Skeeter was quite something.
Indeed, an expert at manipulating emotions.
However, there hadn't been any reporters in the Great Hall that day—of this Sherlock was absolutely certain.
So how exactly had she managed to photograph this and learn the details of Harry and Fudge's conversation?
One must know Percy wasn't just for show—he had faithfully executed the Minister's orders and hadn't let anyone approach Harry and Fudge.
If Harry hadn't told his friends about his conversation with Fudge after returning, they couldn't possibly have known such details.
Thinking of this, Sherlock looked toward Fudge.
At this moment, Fudge's face was written all over with embarrassment.
Because Sirius bringing up their meeting in Azkaban was clearly a jab at him.
One must know that when they'd met in Azkaban, the situation had been completely different from now.
At that time, one was the high and mighty Minister of Magic, who since taking office had maintained the entire magical world's stability and prosperity.
The other was an infamous Death Eater, a traitor who had betrayed his side and friends, a murderer with a dozen lives on his hands, even thrown into Azkaban without trial.
The difference between their statuses could be described as heaven and earth.
Who could have imagined that when they met again now, it would be him who needed to ask the other man for help?
At this moment, Fudge felt somewhat fortunate.
Fortunately, when he'd seen Sirius still maintaining a clear mind, he'd merely been surprised and hadn't mocked him.
Their conversation had been pleasant too.
It had been pleasant, hadn't it?
After all, the man had even asked him for a newspaper, saying he wanted to do the crossword puzzle!
Otherwise, trying to persuade Sirius now would be incredibly difficult.
Thinking of this, Fudge disregarded Sirius's expression and thick-skinned as he was, once again grabbed his hand, saying firmly.
"Actually, I already told Harry about this before, but today I've brought even more accurate news."
He paused, using a tone that mixed joy with boastfulness.
"I must say, Black, your timing couldn't be better!
Order of Merlin, Second Class, I guarantee it.
First Class, if I can secure it!"
Hearing Fudge say this, Professor Snape, standing beside Dumbledore, showed a look of disgust.
The Order of Merlin was founded in the mid-11th century by the famous medieval wizard Merlin. It was the earliest magical organization established in the wizarding world and held great prestige.
Merlin hoped wizards would help non-magical people, so he created the Order of Merlin.
Its founding purpose was to help non-magical people. The Order of Merlin stipulated that wizards were forbidden from using magic on non-magical people, and agreed that each wizard in the Order would take responsibility for protecting non-magical people.
Only wizards who contributed to the magical world could join the Order of Merlin.
Although the Order of Merlin later disbanded, the tradition of awarding Order of Merlin medals to those who made outstanding contributions to the magical world was preserved.
The medals were divided into three classes according to the magnitude of achievement and contribution to the magical world, with First Class being highest and Third Class lowest.
Among Hogwarts professors, only Professor Dumbledore had received a First-Class medal, in recognition of defeating the famous dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald in 1945—this was also one of Dumbledore's main personal achievements.
Even Professor Flitwick had once complained to Sherlock about Lockhart possessing a Third-Class Order of Merlin medal because he himself didn't have one.
So, the highest honor in the magical world was receiving an Order of Merlin medal.
But seeing Fudge so eagerly trying to give the medal to Sirius, while the latter looked completely disdainful, the disgust in Snape's eyes reached its peak.
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