While Snape stared at Sirius, Sherlock was also observing this Potions professor.
Last time, on a whim, Sherlock had administered Veritaserum, and Peter had immediately identified Snape as a traitor to the Order of the Phoenix.
Of course, Dumbledore later explained this, managing to smooth over the inconsistency.
But it still caught Sherlock's attention.
Professor Flitwick had once told Sherlock that at Hogwarts, everyone had secrets.
But as long as Sherlock wanted, he could ensure no one had any secrets left.
Professor Flitwick understood this clearly.
So, he had specifically reminded Sherlock not to probe into the secrets of Hogwarts' staff.
That would be extremely awkward.
At the time, Sherlock had agreed.
However.
Times change.
Through three years of observation, even without deliberate investigation, Sherlock was certain of one thing.
There must be some unspeakable deal between Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape.
Not only that, but the secrets Snape harbored were closely connected to Harry.
Since it concerned his good friend, Sherlock couldn't ignore it.
So, after Peter's trial ended, Sherlock felt it necessary to uncover the secrets hidden by this Potions Master.
Therefore, Snape's every move was under his scrutiny.
From the moment Sirius entered the room, Snape's gaze had locked onto him.
Combined with Snape's particular expression when Fudge mentioned the Order of Merlin medal, Sherlock gained further insight into the relationship between Snape and Harry's father and his old friends.
Love, hate, grudges, and entanglements.
Excellent. Things were getting more and more interesting.
"Cornelius," Dumbledore finally spoke, interrupting Fudge, "I think we should ask them to sit down first."
"Ah, Dumbledore, you're quite right."
Hearing Dumbledore speak, Fudge finally released Sirius's hand, then patted Harry on the shoulder:
"Well done, Harry!
Truly James and Lily's son—you haven't let them down!
Though others say you're just a thirteen-year-old boy, I don't see it that way!
I've told people more than once that you're the future hope of the wizarding world, you—"
"Cornelius—"
Dumbledore spoke again, his voice tinged with helplessness.
This man was truly impossible. The one who had insisted on treating Harry as a thirteen-year-old child was Fudge himself.
At the start of this term, he had refused to tell Harry that Sirius was coming after him though now it appeared they had indeed misunderstood Sirius.
He had been after Peter.
"Yes, yes, yes, please sit!"
Fudge also realized he'd been too excessive and quickly stepped aside.
But this wasn't entirely his fault.
He had come to find Dumbledore today originally hoping he would help clarify something.
Those damned reporters had absolutely no scruples, seizing on one point to slander him with distortions and out-of-context quotes—it was driving him mad.
Unfortunately, he hadn't received a satisfactory response from Dumbledore.
But Dumbledore had brought him tremendous good news, Sirius was willing to return with Harry!
"For him, this was like a lifeline in a storm."
Sirius's return meant he had followed Harry's advice and decided to cooperate with the Ministry.
Thus, this case of wrongful imprisonment from twelve years ago could transform into his political capital.
Fudge had even thought of how to spin the reversal:
The former Minister was blind, leading the Ministry to treat the betrayer of Just, the brutal murderer, the servant of You-Know-Who as a hero, while throwing the true hero into Azkaban.
The current Minister had keen insight, discovering the truth shortly after taking office, and with his noble character successfully persuaded the wrongly accused hero to cooperate in capturing the fugitive who had been at large for twelve years.
Thus, the scandal of Sirius's escape would be instantly whitewashed.
His leadership would gain recognition throughout the wizarding world.
Although he deeply resented the Muggle Prime Minister pressuring him two days ago to acknowledge Sirius's achievements.
If he could operate this way, the situation would completely reverse.
Bad things would become good things.
As for that bastard reporter smearing him, that wasn't even worth worrying about.
He could even consider awarding himself a First-Class Order of Merlin.
"Sirius."
After everyone was seated, Dumbledore looked at this former student, this man he had so deeply misunderstood, and couldn't help but sigh deeply.
He had been even more handsome than young Tom Riddle and Gilderoy Lockhart, but now had become like this.
"I'm sorry. These years have been hard on you."
"It has nothing to do with you. I brought it upon myself."
Sirius said without hesitation, "If it weren't for me, they wouldn't have died. This is what I deserve."
"Don't say that, poor child."
Professor McGonagall couldn't bear it. Looking at the haggard Sirius, she said with some distress, "Everything was Peter's fault..."
"No, Professor McGonagall."
Unexpectedly, Sirius seemed to respect Professor McGonagall even more than Dumbledore. "I basically killed them with my own hands. If I hadn't suggested James and Lily switch Secret-Keepers to that person—"
"Stop, stop talking."
Professor McGonagall shook her head. "It's in the past now. Everything is public knowledge, and that traitor has received his due punishment—"
"Yes, now you're our hero, Mr. Black!"
Fudge finally found an opportunity to speak, immediately looking at Sirius with a beaming smile:
"Now that the misunderstanding is cleared, your wanted notice has been withdrawn.
To reward your achievements, the Order of Merlin medal is ready.
As I just said, if I can secure it, First Class!
However, I still need you to help me with one small favor.
It's about how I assisted you in leaving Azkaban to capture the real criminal—"
Regarding Fudge's boastful behavior, Sirius was evasive.
But thinking carefully, it was precisely because Fudge had shown him that newspaper, confirming that Wormtail Peter was still alive, that he had determined to escape.
In that sense, saying Fudge assisted him in leaving Azkaban wasn't entirely wrong.
Moreover, the Ministry had published the truth about that year's events—though the process had been somewhat tortuous.
Of course, most importantly, it was for Harry's sake.
As long as it was his son's wish, a father would do his best to fulfill it.
So, Sirius didn't deny Fudge too much face and responded to Fudge's topic.
"Rather than that, I'm more interested in when the Dementor's Kiss will be administered to Peter.
I want to watch in person, just as you judged me back then."
Hearing Sirius say this, both Professor Snape and Professor Lupin looked toward Fudge.
Without doubt, they were the people present who most wished for Wormtail Peter to die.
In fact, if not for Harry stopping them, they would have wanted to kill Peter with their own hands.
But surprisingly, when Fudge heard Sirius mention this, his expression suddenly became somewhat unnatural:
"This matter, might be difficult to arrange."
Everyone looked at Fudge in surprise.
Even Sherlock's brow furrowed.
Dumbledore's gaze became sharp in an instant.
Those eyes that had seen through the world's vicissitudes locked onto Fudge through half-moon spectacles, slowly saying:
"Cornelius, you might want to speak more clearly."
Being stared at by Dumbledore with such a gaze, Fudge appeared increasingly uncomfortable.
Strange, why had the other suddenly become so oppressive?
An illusion, it must be an illusion.
But at this moment, he could only wring his hands and say:
"Well, actually, there are now some different voices in the Ministry regarding this matter.
Some people think we're being too harsh with Peter's punishment.
His crimes are essentially what we initially thought were Black's crimes, and Black was only sentenced to life imprisonment, so—"
"What the hell!"
"Are you joking!"
Unexpectedly, Sirius and Professor Snape both spoke simultaneously, with Sirius directly cursing.
After speaking at the same time, the two immediately looked at each other, both showing disgust.
However, the next moment, Sirius withdrew his gaze from Snape and stared straight at Fudge, beginning to roar:
"You dare compare me to him?
That bastard's actions deserve death ten times over!
If you can't even do this, I'll kill him myself, I swear!
Since it's difficult? Then don't bother!"
"Black, you—"
Fudge hadn't expected Sirius's reaction to be so extreme.
He was about to speak persuasively when Professor Snape directly interrupted him.
Snape's voice was low but filled with suppressed anger:
"Minister, before this, you were always trying to have the Dementors give Black a little kiss.
You even authorized the Dementors to do so immediately upon capturing him."
Hearing Snape bring up this matter, Fudge's expression changed intensely.
He looked at Sirius and saw his expression becoming increasingly ferocious.
"Well, well, circumstances are always changing, Professor Snape—"
"Peter has already done what you always thought Black did, Minister."
Snape continued in that cold voice, "Therefore, giving that kiss to that damn rat is unquestionably appropriate."
Although the two had mutually disdained each other from the moment they met, on the matter of Wormtail Peter, Snape and Sirius surprisingly formed a united front.
This put Fudge in an awkward position.
"Well—Sirius, Severus, although I'm the Minister, I still need to consider different voices. We must speak of democracy, rule of law—"
Fudge had started addressing them by their first names, trying to close the distance between them.
Unfortunately, the effect wasn't very good.
"Then there's nothing more to say."
Sirius heard Fudge's evasion and said bluntly, "I think journalist friends would be very interested in how the Ministry, twelve years ago, made a murderer into a hero without judgment."
"For instance, that Skeeter the Minister just mentioned would definitely be very interested in this matter," Snape said.
"The Daily Prophet will have something to do—a First Class Order of Merlin was awarded to a vicious murderer."
"For twelve years, the Ministry has been promoting this murderer as a positive example."
"They weren't even willing to reveal the truth."
"Minister, you wouldn't want to become the laughingstock of the entire wizarding world, would you?"
Sirius and Snape went back and forth, cooperating with surprising synchronicity.
Cornelius Fudge broke out in a sweat, quickly pulling out a handkerchief to wipe it away.
He couldn't help but cast a pleading look at Harry, as if grasping at a last straw:
"Harry, you know me—this absolutely isn't my intention. Please help me persuade your godfather—"
Harry frowned and said nothing. It seemed Fudge really had been treating him like a child all along.
How could he possibly persuade Sirius at a time like this?
"Twelve years ago, the Ministry imprisoned Mr. Black in Azkaban without trial.
Now, with conclusive evidence, they're hesitant and indecisive—this is rather ridiculous."
"That wasn't me!"
Fudge quickly explained, "Sending Black to Azkaban without trial was Crouch's decision. At that time, he was still the Head of Magical Law Enforcement—"
Only after saying this did, he realize the person responding wasn't Harry, but Sherlock.
He couldn't help but frown, staring at this young man who dared to meet his gaze directly, and asked, "Who are you?"
"Sherlock Holmes, an ordinary third-year Hogwarts student."
Sherlock smiled slightly and said to Fudge:
"The Minister needn't remember my name. I'm just an insignificant nobody."
"I had no intention of remembering it."
Fudge wasn't particularly polite when speaking with Sherlock.
In Fudge's eyes, Harry was merely a thirteen-year-old child, only receiving special attention because of his status as the wizarding world's savior.
Sherlock, the same age, naturally wouldn't enjoy such treatment.
If not for seeing Sherlock enter with Sirius, Lupin, and Harry, he wouldn't even want to speak to Sherlock.
However, Fudge never expected that his attitude toward Sherlock would immediately bring him trouble.
As Sherlock's best friend, someone who admired Sherlock like a family, Harry couldn't stand it.
"Minister Fudge."
Harry's green eyes stared fixedly at Fudge, speaking slowly under his surprised gaze:
"Sherlock is my best friend. The reason we discovered Peter and persuaded my godfather to come here is completely because of him."
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