Aftermath! Part-2

{Abandoned Room, Second Floor, Hogwarts}

{13th Oct 1991} 

{3rd person POV}

...

"The Marauders map..." Sirius whispered, his eyes having that same glossy look as when he mistook Harry for James. 

Rigel knew that Sirius, from the novel, wasn't dangerous per se, but he didn't want to leave anything to chance. As he took out his wand from the inventory with a thought, the black-haired man broke out of his daze.

"Are you okay, Sirius?" Rigel questioned. He didn't want to give the wrong impression, especially since he needed the old man's help. Having Sirius free from being on the run was a shield, a shield that he had taken a lot of effort to create.

"Uhh yeah, just..." He went silent for a moment before he shook his head.

"So, who found the map, Weasley twins?" Sirius asked.

"Yeah, Weasley twins, you know, Arthur and Molly Weasley." Rigel replied, getting an 'Ah' from Sirius.

"You broke into our dorm," Harry pointed out. He didn't look mad. It just looked like he was connecting the dots.

"Yeah, I saw the name Peter Pettigrew on the map in the Gryffindor Common room. Considering that he was always with you and Ron, it didn't make sense. Only after you broke out of Azkaban did I look closely into your story and figure out that the supposedly dead hero responsible for your capture is still alive and kicking." Rigel shrugged. He could see Sirius trembling a little.

"Then I made a plan, got a hold of the rat, and contacted Amelia Bones through Susan... she's in Hufflepuff our year." Rigel added, for Harry's benefit, "and then exposed Pettigrew in front of Dumbledore, the Minister of Magic and the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. It was pretty easy," Rigel joked at the end, getting a grin from Sirius.

"Speaking of that, have you talked to Amelia yet?" Rigel asked.

"I just got the news today from the paper that I'm apparently free; you couldn't have told me you were planning something like this?" Sirius glared, his expression not hot.

"I could, but then I would risk you doing something... Gryffindorish-" Rigel taunted, getting two affronted looks.

"Hey-" "Watch it-"

They both blocked each other's words as Rigel chuckled. He looked to Sirius and said, "You should talk to Harry. I'll inform Professor Dumbledore you are here; he would probably want to talk to you." 

Sirius stiffened at the mention of Dumbledore's name, but he still nodded. Rigel looked at his face to make sure he was not stepping on any toes before he motioned toward Harry to take care of the man.

Rigel walked out of the room and made a beeline toward the headmaster's office. The walk was short, but he had a lot on his mind. He had already planned for this to make sure that Lucius didn't have any point in arguing anything or any chance to do anything. He needed Dumbledore's help.

The Gargoyle responsible for guarding Professor Dumbledore's office was as impassive as ever. 

"Can you tell Professor Dumbledore that Sirius Black is currently meeting with Harry Potter for the first time? He seems a little unstable, so I need Professor's help." Rigel finished his message and waited. Last time, he didn't have to wait long, but as time seemed to pass, he began to think that maybe Dumbledore wasn't in the office.

'I should have checked before coming here,' Rigel cursed at his lack of foresight as he pulled the map out of his inventory. The Gargoyle suddenly moved. Rigel put the map back into his inventory swiftly, and when he looked up, he noticed that the staircase's movement seemed a little off. 

'So he's coming down. I guess he's worried about how Sirius might influence Harry and whatnot.' Rigel thought. The Gargoyle stopped moving, and a worried-looking Dumbledore walked out; his attention was instantly on Rigel as he asked, "Where are they?"

"In an abandoned room on the second floor," Rigel replied as he began walking back. He wanted to ask if Dumbledore could inform Madam Pomfrey to meet with them, but then again, maybe he'll check on Sirius first.

"How did he seem?" Dumbledore asked.

"Honestly, a lot better than the last time I saw him. Having food to eat every day does make a lot of difference." Rigel commented. He wanted to see how Dumbledore would react.

"And what about his mental state?" Dumbledore continued, not minding the jab at all.

"Yeah... that's what I'm a little concerned about. I have no data to compare what long-term exposure to dementors could do to someone. He's spacing out something, likely lost in his memories, and he called Harry, James." Rigel admitted. He wants Sirius admitted to St. Mungos to undergo treatment, not only for Sirius's mental sake but also for himself. The ring that was supposed to arrive hadn't arrived yet, and he was getting a bit worried.

'If the worst came to worst, I would have to encourage Sirius to take over the Lordship, and only then would I get the heir ring,' Rigel thought. He had a good chat with Daphne about the requirements of the heirship ritual. He needed to do the ritual this Halloween; otherwise, he would have to wait until next Halloween, and even then, it might be his last chance.

Dumbledore didn't reply to the information as he mulled over Rigel's words. They quickly returned to the room, and Rigel heard laughter when he opened the door. Both Harry and Sirius were laughing about something when they walked in. 

Sirius's face stiffened up a little when he looked at Dumbledore before his face went blank. They both stared at each other while Rigel and Harry shared a look.

"Albus..." Sirius finally broke the silence; he merely addressed Dumbledore directly by his name.

'Uhhh... Did I read something wrong?' Rigel thought. He was pretty sure Sirius and Dumbledore were okay in the original world.

"Sirius," Dumbledore greeted back. His face was serious as he stared at Sirius. Just when it looked like the situation would turn hostile, Sirius sighed and gave up the stern face.

"Harry wasn't supposed to go to the Dursley," Sirius said, giving the old wizard a pointed look.

"There was no one else. The political situation forced my hand. The whole of Winzengamot was clamoring for info about the Boy Who Lived. The only place for Harry was outside of our world." Albus replied. Harry's eyes widened as he finally gained some insight into how he arrived at the Privet Drive.

Sirius sighed, but then he nodded. Dumbledore finally moved as he walked into the room. He pulled out his wand, which caused Sirius to stiffen up.

"Just some normal checks, my boy. I can see the effects of long-term Occlumency usage on your face." Albus spoke, which caused Sirius to relax. He stared at Albus for a moment longer and nodded. While Albus waved his wand, his attention focused on Sirius; Rigel was finally close enough to Albus that he could see the famous Elder Wand in hand.

...

'Yup, I'm disarming him instead of Mafoy, that's for sure...'