In the ever-evolving Muggle world, what is trendy today might become obsolete tomorrow. The wizarding world is no different. The Ministry of Magic's announcement about the capture of Sirius Black was the talk of the town, with Rufus Scrimgeour's name on every wizard's lips, as reported by the "Daily Prophet." However, by the next morning, news of Sirius Black's escape had spread, revealing the Ministry's incompetence. Before the public could fully digest this, Scrimgeour attempted to suppress further coverage by pressuring the Daily Prophet, but to no avail.
Scrimgeour then publicly addressed Sirius Black's escape, issuing a kill order against him and condemning the lawlessness in Knockturn Alley. He vowed to use the Ministry's power to eradicate the dark wizards there. For a moment, it seemed he had quelled the public outcry.
Yet, the peace was short-lived. A shocking document titled "Heroes? Traitors!" soon swept through the wizarding world. It revealed that Peter Pettigrew, previously believed to be a heroic casualty of war and posthumously awarded the Order of Merlin First Class, was, in fact, alive. His appearance in the Wizengamot, looking fearful and trapped in a cage, was a direct affront to the Ministry of Magic.
Pierce Thicknesse, dressed sharply and sporting a neatly trimmed beard, stood before the Wizengamot and passionately declared, "Twelve years ago, we imprisoned a true hero in Azkaban, while the real traitor who betrayed the Potters roamed free." His words painted a vivid picture of the injustice suffered by an innocent man at the hands of the Ministry.
Rufus Scrimgeour, watching Thicknesse with clenched fists, was visibly shaken. His recent kill order had backfired spectacularly with the revelation of the true perpetrator. Thicknesse, seizing the moment, challenged Scrimgeour to refute the evidence, mockingly referring to him as the "temporary" Minister of Magic.
Thicknesse then questioned why Pettigrew had spent twelve years in hiding, coinciding with the years since Voldemort's fall. This bold mention of Voldemort's name sent shockwaves through the audience, with whispers spreading about Thicknesse's bravery for uttering the feared name.
The revelation and Thicknesse's daring speech sparked a wave of questions and doubts among the wizards present. Pettigrew's reluctance to speak only added to the mounting suspicion and unrest.
This chapter in the Ministry of Magic's history marked a turning point, exposing deep-seated corruption and incompetence. Scrimgeour's position was severely undermined, setting the stage for a scandal that would shake the very foundations of the wizarding world's governing body. Admitting it was difficult at first, but the evidence was irrefutable. As Pierce had pointed out, if there were no dark forces at play, how could Peter Pettigrew have transformed into a mouse and remained hidden for 12 years? When confronted with Veritaserum, Peter Pettigrew's facade crumbled, and he confessed the truth. Rufus Scrimgeour, the Minister of Magic, was left reeling from the scandal that rocked the Ministry. His distress stemmed not only from his position of power but also from the fact that he had mistakenly ordered the execution of a hero. The "Daily Prophet" was abuzz with the scandal, its pages in the hands of nearly everyone. Amidst the turmoil, seemingly minor stories, such as Johnny Silverhand's efforts to reform Knockturn Alley, gained attention. Though subtle, these efforts were significant. Under the shadow of the Ministry's scandal, Knockturn Alley's transformation from a den of dark wizards into a cleaner, more orderly place was a positive development. The once notorious alley, criticized by Scrimgeour, was now nearly as respectable as Diagon Alley. The illicit activities hadn't vanished but were simply less visible, adhering to Johnny Silverhand's new regulations that restricted access to the uninitiated.
As news of the scandal and subsequent resignations spread through Hogwarts, John emerged from the principal's office to find the student body abuzz. "Interim Minister for Magic Rufus Scrimgeour has resigned, ashamed of his failure to uncover the truth," one student read aloud. "He also apologizes for the dementor attack on Hogwarts students and has been reassigned to the Department of Magical Accidents and Disasters." "Pierce Thickness is now head of the Auror Office, and Amelia Susan Bones is likely to be the next minister," another chimed in. "Peter Pettigrew has been stripped of all honors and will spend his life in Azkaban."
Ron expressed his disappointment in Scrimgeour, while Hermione congratulated Harry on the clearing of Sirius' name. Harry, elated, dreamed of a life where he no longer had to return to the Dursleys. He was eager to write to Sirius. Ron, overhearing Pierce's promotion, confided in Harry that his father considered Pierce Thicknesse to be a philistine, a sentiment Ron shared.
The scandal had its beneficiaries. Amelia Susan Bones was poised to become the next Minister for Magic, Barty Crouch gained renewed respect for his integrity, and Pierce Thicknesse, now head of the Auror Office, had reportedly secured significant defense funds, courtesy of the Johnny Silver Hand store.
The students were abuzz with the rapid changes at the Ministry, marking the resignation of two ministers within a year. Harry, delving further into the newspaper, read about Johnny Silverhand's efforts in Knockturn Alley. Hagrid had mentioned Silverhand, a mysterious figure whose face remained hidden behind a silver mask. While the newspapers praised Silverhand's deeds, Lupin warned Harry of the wizard's dangerous nature, advising him to steer clear.
As the school year drew to a close, Harry took a moment to thank John for his pivotal role in saving him and his godfather. Without John's intervention, their fate could have been grim. Harry felt a pang of guilt for having doubted John's financial situation. Sirius had clarified in his letter that there was, in fact, no hidden wealth to speak of, leaving the mystery unresolved. More pressing, however, was Sirius's recovery. After being subjected to two kicks from John, both targeting the same spot, the effects seemed beyond magical repair. Snape and John had employed some method that left Sirius with a swollen face that resisted conventional healing spells. Furthermore, Dumbledore's refusal to allow Harry to live with his godfather had sown seeds of resentment in him.
As the school year drew to a close, Harry observed John on the train ride home. John sat in his compartment, exuding an aura that commanded respect. Slytherin students passing by looked on with a mix of admiration and caution, choosing not to intrude upon his solitude.
Meanwhile, an invisible system tallied points in the background. "System settlement initiated. Including the unused point from last semester, a total of 8 random points are awarded..."
This moment encapsulated the complex web of emotions and events that had unfolded. Harry's internal conflict, the physical consequences of the altercation involving Sirius, and the social dynamics at play within Hogwarts were all threads in the larger tapestry of their lives. The mention of a mysterious system added an intriguing layer, hinting at unseen forces or rules at work.
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Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge