Hogwarts: I'm Truly a Model Wizard

"This is appalling... appalling... Albus, you didn't tell me about this before you came…"

"Believe me, Cornelius, I knew no more than you did…"

Standing just outside the door, Kyle listened to the conversation inside the Headmaster's office, then raised his hand and knocked on the heavy oak door.

The door opened shortly after. Inside, Cornelius Fudge sat across from Dumbledore, looking visibly uneasy.

Two days before the holidays, Dumbledore and Sirius had finally returned. Without Kyle having to say a word, Dumbledore had already written to the Ministry of Magic, finding a reason to lure Fudge to Hogwarts.

Kyle had assumed Dumbledore could manage the rest on his own, but just as he was about to leave, Professor McGonagall came to inform him that the Headmaster was asking for him.

Fudge frowned as he saw Kyle standing in the doorway.

"Kyle was the first to suspect something was wrong with the rat," Dumbledore explained with a smile. "That's why I asked him to join us—if I miss any details, he can help fill them in."

"Oh… that's remarkable…" Fudge muttered absentmindedly.

Kyle noticed the Pensieve had been brought out of the cabinet, which meant they had already reviewed Peter Pettigrew's memories before he entered.

"Albus, you've really given me a big problem…" Fudge muttered, glancing at Kyle before continuing hesitantly, "Peter Pettigrew has been recognized with an Order of Merlin, First Class, for twelve years. And we've had Sirius Black hunted for over a year now… If I announce that there's been a mix-up in their identities, I'll be flooded with Howlers!"

"The Minister for Magic does have a difficult job, with countless issues to manage daily," Fudge said, fiddling nervously with his top hat. "Isn't there a possibility that the rat's memory is, well… unreliable? And as you said, we can't actually verify he's an unregistered Animagus… can we?"

"You're correct, Cornelius," Dumbledore replied, sighing in agreement. "It is indeed a complex matter, and I doubt there's anything you could do about it. It's a shame about Sirius—wrongly imprisoned for twelve years and then pursued by Dementors."

Fudge looked up, slightly taken aback.

He had expected Dumbledore to push back and had even prepared his excuses. Instead, it sounded like Dumbledore was stepping aside, perhaps even washing his hands of the whole affair.

"Well…" Fudge said, adopting a neutral expression. "After some consideration, I think you're right. Dementors are perhaps not suited to be so close to Hogwarts… I'll see to it they're removed when I return."

"Thank you, Cornelius," Dumbledore replied, standing up. At the same time, he gave Kyle a subtle wink.

Following Dumbledore's cue, Kyle rose, cleared his throat, and, in a voice just loud enough for everyone to hear, murmured, "It's a shame you weren't Minister twelve years ago. I'm sure a mistake like this wouldn't have happened under your watch."

Fudge's expression froze for a split second.

Kyle's words had struck a nerve. Yes, twelve years ago, it wasn't Fudge who had ordered Sirius's arrest—he hadn't been involved in the whole ordeal at all.

A series of thoughts ran through Fudge's mind, but his face remained composed, betraying nothing.

"You must have discussed this," Fudge said, casting a displeased look at Dumbledore. "And I assume it was your idea."

"Sorry, Cornelius, I'm afraid I don't follow," Dumbledore replied with a look of surprise. "Did we do something?"

"Don't play coy, Albus," Fudge chuckled, though his tone was sharp. "You prompted Kyle to say those things—remarks that seemed like flattery but were actually meant to nudge me into agreeing to reopen Black's case."

"You're mistaken, Cornelius," Dumbledore responded with an odd expression. "I didn't instruct Kyle to say any of that."

"Oh?" Fudge's smile was knowing, as if he'd uncovered a grand plot. "Kyle's a good lad, not prone to such schemes." Dumbledore's expression grew even stranger.

Kyle, appearing completely unfazed and even affirming Fudge's interpretation, said, "Minister, I didn't mean it that way… I truly do think you're a great minister."

"Well, I'll admit it—I've been swayed," Fudge said, settling back into his chair and placing his top hat beside him. "The Ministry was negligent in Black's case, and as the current Minister, it's my duty to rectify that error."

"Cornelius, are you agreeing to reopen the case?" Dumbledore asked.

"Isn't that what you want?" Fudge replied. "But first, we need to find Black…"

Before he could finish, a ragged figure stepped out from a shadowed corner of the Headmaster's office.

It was Sirius Black.

Instinctively, Fudge leapt up from his chair, mouth open to shout, but he quickly composed himself, reaching silently for his wand. He unfastened a button at his collar, casting Dumbledore a look that seemed to say, "You found him yourself, yet you claim this wasn't your plan?"

Dumbledore didn't respond to Fudge's silent accusation, but said calmly, "I found him dealing with two Death Eaters."

"Wait," Fudge interrupted. "Did Black steal someone's wand?"

"Actually, he didn't..." Dumbledore replied. "The situation was precarious, but he managed without one."

Sirius dragged two unconscious figures out of the shadows. Their faces were bruised, indicating they'd been knocked out.

Fudge inspected the pair. He noted they lacked the Dark Mark on their wrists, suggesting they weren't high-ranking, but Dumbledore's presence implied they were indeed Death Eaters. He could simply have the Aurors verify their identities later.

"Since Black can't go anywhere for the time being…" Dumbledore continued, "perhaps, Cornelius, you could take these two back to the Ministry with you. It's what Sirius would prefer."

"I take them back?" Fudge's eyes lit up. "Oh, certainly, no trouble at all. It's the least I can do."

He looked pleased. "Evidently avoiding Dementors and still fighting Death Eaters. I'm starting to believe he might actually be innocent."

"We'll need to investigate further to confirm that," Dumbledore said. "In the meantime, I'll keep an eye on him. Agreed?"

"That would be best," Fudge replied. "But how will we investigate…?"

His gaze fell on the cage atop the table. "The Wizengamot won't accept the memory of a rat, and even I, as Minister of Magic, can't change that. And Veritaserum would be useless for Black if we can't confront him with Peter Pettigrew himself."

"Rest assured," Dumbledore said. "We've found a way to restore Peter's ability to speak, though it will take some time."

"Of course," Fudge replied, glancing at the two bound Death Eaters. "If the Ministry can help, just let me know… As I said, this was the Ministry's mistake to begin with, and I'd be glad to make amends."

Dumbledore tilted his head slightly. It sounded as though Fudge had already made up his mind that Black was innocent.