Amelia exchanged a look with Scrimgeour before answering "When Snape was arrested for trying to murder Sarah Abbott it evidently set off a few alarm bells. Lucius Malfoy, his wife Narcissa and their son Draco had all disappeared before we could get Snape to name Lucius as a Death Eater under truth serum. By the time we got there they were long gone. The same can be said of the Notts, Crabbes, Goyles, Carrows, Yaxley, Averys, Jugsons and the more unpleasant branch of the Parkinson line, amongst others."
Sirius frowned and said "You know, a mass disappearance like that indicates that someone must have been in charge…"
"We realise that, Mr Black," said Amelia. "However it is the official position of the Ministry of Magic, based on the testimony offered by Harry Potter, your Godson, that the dark wizards who calls himself Lord Voldemort has not returned."
Upon seeing Sirius' uncomfortable expression, she added, "There are, of course, those within the Ministry, myself and Rufus included, who know otherwise. However we are unable to chance the Minister's stance on this issue and find that it is best to work covertly instead of trying to rock the boat. As it happens, Dumbledore's recent actions, along with the disappearance of so many Death Eaters who claimed to be under the enchantment of an imperius curse has proved to be a massive boon for us. Just a few short hours ago the Minister approved a twenty five percent budget increase for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, a twenty percent increase of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, a fifteen percent increase for the Department of International Magical Cooperation, a twelve percent increase for the Department of Mysteries. We most certainly will be using this boon to track down Dumbledore, the Death Eaters and Voldemort himself."
Sirius breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, that's something at least."
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in," called Amelia.
The door opened and Dawlish stepped inside. "Harry Potter has arrived to give testimony on the Black case." he said, gruffly.
"Excellent," said Amelia. "Show him to the Aurors' break room. We'll be up to see him as soon as we've finished here. It shouldn't be too long."
Dawlish nodded and left.
"Harry's here," said Sirius once the door had closed behind Dawlish. "Who has he been staying with?"
"He has been staying with myself and my niece Susan at Bones Manor," relied Amelia as she collected her notes together. "Though most of the time Sarah Abbott has been the one taking care of him, and her daughter is determined to help in any way she can."
Despite his nervousness of his upcoming trail, Sirius could not help but grin roguishly. "So my Godson is spending his time in the company of the heiresses of the Bones and Abbott families is he? I'm so proud."
Amelia couldn't help but chuckle before saying "I don't think that there is anything romantic going on between them Sirius. Right now Susan is just happy being his friend while Hannah is quickly establishing the brother-sister dynamic that they would have developed growing up together had Dumbledore not interfered."
"Yeah, about that," said Sirius. "On the one hand Dumbledore lets me be put into Azkaban without a trial despite being Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and then doesn't see fit to talk in my favour once the truth is out. On the other he succeeds in getting a Wizengamot ruling banning Sarah from contacting Harry. Seems to be overstepping the boundaries a bit, don't you think?"
"Our thoughts exactly," said Rufus, now packed up and ready to go. "Dumbledore wanted Potter as isolated as possible, no doubt about it."
As the two senior members of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement got to their feet Amelia added "Oh, and Mr Black, the next time you see Harry, do yourself a favour and don't crack jokes about potential girlfriends. He was starting something with one of the daughters of the Patil family. Unfortunately Dumbledore's recent actions convinced her parents to send their children to India to complete their education. Harry is quite upset about it."
"Got it," replied Sirius, giving her a thumbs up.
Outside the interrogation room Amelia turned to Dawlish. "Please escort Mr Black to a holding cell until his trial tomorrow."
Dawlish nodded and went into the interrogation room while Rufus addressed Savage. "Please go to the residence of Muriel Prewitt and obtain Mr Ronald Weasley for questioning. Then go to the Granger family house in Winchester and collect Miss Hermione Granger. They are both eyewitnesses to an event that we need to have verified."
"Of course, Ma'am," replied Savage before hurrying off.
"Rufus, could you please arrange a team to go and pick up Remus Lupin? If what Black told us is true then he should be somewhere near the Werewolf dens in Suffolk. A team of six should be enough. I'm going up to meet with Harry."
Rufus have a nod of acknowledgement and left.
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