"Truly shocking... shocking... Albus, you didn't mention any of this to me before coming..."
"Trust me, Cornelius, I didn't know much earlier than you..."
Kael, standing at the door, listened to the conversation between the two inside and raised his hand to knock on the oak door of the Headmaster's Office.
Soon, the door was opened.
In the Headmaster's Office, Cornelius Fudge sat opposite Dumbledore, looking somewhat nervous...
Two days before the holiday, Dumbledore and Sirius finally returned, and without Kael needing to speak, Dumbledore wrote a letter to the Ministry of Magic, using any excuse to trick Fudge into coming to Hogwarts.
Kael initially thought Dumbledore could handle the rest on his own, but just as he was about to go, Professor McGonagall rushed in saying the Headmaster was looking for him.
Looking at Kael standing at the door, Fudge frowned and said, "Dumbledore, who is this..."
"Kael was the first to notice the problem with that rat," Dumbledore said cheerfully. "So I brought him here; if I missed any details, he can clarify them for you."
"Oh, truly remarkable..." Fudge said absentmindedly.
Kael noticed that the Pensieve, usually kept in the cabinet, had been taken out. Clearly, the two had already reviewed Peter Pettigrew's memory before he entered.
"Albus, you've certainly given me a big problem..."
Fudge glanced at Kael, hesitantly saying, "Peter Pettigrew is a Sir Merlin's Order First Class medalist, for twelve years now.
Moreover, we've captured Sirius Black for a year... If we tell everyone now that their identities were mistaken, I'll be drowned in Howlers."
"Being Minister of Magic is not easy; I handle many things daily." Fudge turned his hat, "Isn't it possible that the rat's memory is fake... And you said it can't revert, so no one can prove it's an illegal Animagus... right?"
"You're right, Cornelius," Dumbledore sighed, agreeing, "It has consumed too many Mandrake Leaves, indeed a very difficult problem. I imagined you might not handle it either.
It's a pity for Sirius, not only being wrongfully imprisoned for twelve years but also constantly hunted by Dementors."
Fudge raised his head, somewhat taken aback.
He thought Dumbledore would argue with evidence, even having excuses ready. Unexpectedly, the situation took a turn, and it seemed the other party also wasn't prepared to intervene anymore.
"Well then..." Fudge's face remained calm, "I've thought it over and agree with your earlier point that Dementors are not suited to be so close to Hogwarts... I'll take them away when I return."
"Thank you, Cornelius." Dumbledore stood up, as did Kael, subtly winking in his direction.
Kael then stood up and cleared his throat, muttering softly for everyone to hear, "Such a shame, twelve years ago you weren't Minister, otherwise... I believe such a mistake wouldn't have occurred."
Fudge's expression froze.
Kael's words suddenly reminded him.
Indeed, twelve years ago, the order to arrest Sirius wasn't given by him, nor was he involved in the process.
Fudge thought a lot, but his facial expression remained unchanged.
"You two must have planned this," he said, discontentedly looking at Dumbledore, "and I bet it's your idea."
"Sorry, Cornelius, I don't understand what you mean," Dumbledore replied, surprised, "Did we do something?"
"Don't pretend, you cunning fellow," Fudge laughed, "You taught Kael to say those things. It seems like praising me but actually to make me agree to reexamine Black's case."
"You misunderstood, Cornelius," Dumbledore said with a strange expression, "I didn't teach Kael to say that..."
"Oh?" Fudge chuckled as if seeing through everything, "Kael is a good kid, not so devious."
Dumbledore's expression became even stranger.
Kael, as if not hearing, seemed to acquiesce, "Minister, that's not what I meant... I truly think you're a good Minister."
"Alright, I have to admit, I've been fooled." Fudge sat back in his chair, placing his hat beside him.
"The issue with Black is indeed the Ministry of Magic's negligence; as the current Minister, I have the responsibility to correct this mistake."
"Cornelius, have you agreed to reexamine the case?" Dumbledore asked.
"Isn't that exactly what you wanted to see?" Fudge said, "But before that, we must first find Black..."
As his voice trailed off, a ragged figure emerged from the corner of the Headmaster's Office.
It was Sirius Black.
In instinct, Fudge jumped up from his chair, ready to call out.
But he quickly caught on, subtly changing his gesture to loosen a collar button, while looking at Dumbledore with a peculiar gaze, as if saying... You've found him already, and you're still claiming it wasn't your idea?
Dumbledore refrained from refuting, merely remarked:
"When I discovered him, he was dealing with two Death Eaters..."
"Wait." Fudge interrupted, asking, "Did Black grab someone else's wand?"
"In fact, because he didn't..." Dumbledore said, "the situation was quite dangerous, but fortunately, he managed..."
Sirius dragged out two unconscious individuals from the corner, their faces bruised and battered, clearly knocked out.
Fudge carefully examined them.
Their wrists bore no Dark Mark, probably not significant figures. However, given Dumbledore's presence, they were certainly Death Eaters, easily identified by the Aurors.
"Because Black can't move freely now..." Dumbledore said, "So Cornelius, could you help take these two people back to the Ministry when you leave?
That's also his personal request."
"Me, take them back?" Fudge's eyes brightened, "Oh, certainly, no problem, this is my duty."
He appeared delighted, "Even while evading Dementors, he didn't forget combating Death Eaters; I now somewhat believe he's truly wronged."
"Whether he's wronged requires further investigation." Dumbledore stated, "During this period, I'll keep watch over him, how about that?"
"That would be best." Fudge said, "But how do we investigate..."
He glanced at the cage on the table, "The Wizengamot won't believe a rat's memory, not even as Minister of Magic could I change that.
Moreover, without seeing Peter Pettigrew himself, not even if Black voluntarily requests to drink Veritaserum would it matter."
"On this point, you need not worry." Dumbledore said, "We've found a way to restore Peter, although it requires some time."
"That's certainly no problem." Fudge glanced at the two bound Death Eaters, "If there's anything the Ministry can assist with, feel free to ask... As I just mentioned, this was the Ministry's initial mistake, I'm quite willing to make amends."
Dumbledore slightly raised his head... Hearing Fudge's words, he seemed to have already accepted that Black was truly wronged.
...