From what Remus, Sirius, and my own contacts in the magical side had told me, Madam Bones also had some Pureblood biases. She was a Pureblood, her niece was a Pureblood, and she'd gotten her job through a combination of competence and Pureblood favoritism, and was known to also promote and favor Purebloods over the rest.
Madam Bones also didn't seem to have any real opinion on non-humans. She didn't view them as 'Dark creatures' like so many others in the Ministry did, but she was a fervent believer in the Letter, not the Spirit, of the Law, and so would follow any orders and rules no matter how little she approved of them. Annoying, but in a way that helped us with Sirius Black's case considerably.
'If we can prove that Sirius never had a trial then her own sense of justice will demand her to take action,' I thought to myself. 'Add in some Pureblood bias, she'll want to have Sirius have his day in court because it sets a dangerous precedent to allow something like this to happen. Anybody could be tossed into Azkaban if they displease the Ministry.'
After reading her letter I handed it back to Remus. "We need to get ready. She's willing to meet with you in private tomorrow at the Rosewater, and reading between the lines it's only because she believes you might have some insight as to Sirius' location or mindset."
"I'll get right on that," Remus said with a nod. "I'll bring all the evidence with me as well."
"Just remember to keep mention of Sirius' innocence and Pettigrew's guilt out of it for the moment," I warned.
"I know," he assured me. "I won't mess this up."
I smiled at him, then waggled my eyebrows suggestively. "Alrighty, then. Shall we prepare for your date tomorrow?"
"You're spending too much time with Sirius," the werewolf grumbled, looking away in embarrassment. I just cackled. Too easy!
111 &&& 111
Remus Lupin POV
Remus resisted the urge to tug at his collar or straighten his tie. He wanted to project an image of confidence, and that would be ruined if he fidgeted about nervously.
Never mind the fact that the Rosewaterwasn't the sort of place he would normally go, meeting one of the most powerful women in Magical Britain was nerve-wracking. To calm himself, he looked around at the place he was waiting. Not because he was looking for an escape route if he had to leave quickly! Anyone who claimed that to be the case was a liar!
The Rosewaterwas an upscale café within Horizont Alley that generally catered to individuals in the upper end of society or who worked at the Ministry. It was also a popular date spot for many people.
Finally, after waiting for ten minutes in a corner of the shop, Madam Bones appeared, sweeping into the place like she owned it. And maybe she did. House Bones had invested in many small businesses in the magical side of things over the generations, after all.
Remus took a moment to observe her. Madam Bones was a thirty-something woman with a stern face. She had blonde hair done up in a tight librarian bun and curious bone-grey eyes, a unique trait of her family. She wore a monocle over her right eye that was enchanted, though with what spells he had no idea. Dressed in her official Ministry robes, she projected a stern and powerful persona that had the werewolf straightening up as she approached. She was also wearing perfume which had his nose tingle, his sense of smell still sensitive only a day and a half after the full moon.
"Mr. Lupin," she said curtly in greeting.
"Madam Bones," he replied. "Thank you for meeting with me."
"I admit, I wasn't going to," she stated bluntly, sitting down across from him. "But my niece repeatedly insisted. So. Here I am."
"What can I get you two?" a waitress asked.
"Rose hip tea," Bones requested, naming one of the store's specialty drinks. "Mix in two dollops of whipped cream and a drop of honey."
"Earl Grey with milk," Remus said, placing his own order a moment later.
"Anything to eat?"
No, thank you," Bones said, and Remus also shook his head. The waitress left to fill their orders, leaving the two alone.
"I will tell you upfront that another reason I agreed to humor my niece about this date is because I was hoping to…"
"D-date?" Remus spluttered, interrupting her. He was incredibly glad he hadn't been drinking anything at the moment.
"Yes? Is that not why you're here?" she demanded, raising an eyebrow.
"I think Harry and your niece have the wrong idea about why I was asking to meet with you," Remus sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"I see," Bones said slowly, and Remus wasn't able read her emotions or expression. Still, her words sent a shiver down his spine and he didn't know why.
"The truth is, I was hoping to talk to you about… Black," Remus said, making sure to add a lot of bitterness to his friend's name.
"Ah. That was what I was hoping to talk to you about as well," Madam Bones admitted. "Your connection to him might help me understand where he has fled."
"You don't know where he is?" Remus inquired, trying not to sound hopefully. That would give away the wrong message.
"That is Ministry business," she said crisply.
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