Chapter 206: "Interrogations and Revelations"

The clearing in the Forbidden Forest, once a scene of chaos and danger, now bustled with activity. Aurors and professors surrounded the group of students, their faces a mixture of concern and suspicion. Among them were Professors Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, and Lily Potter, while the Auror contingent included James Potter, John Dawlish, and a female Auror unfamiliar to Harry.

Their confusion was palpable; Dumbledore had only told them that Charles and other children were in danger.

Professor McGonagall addressed Harry, her voice firm but not unkind. "Mr. Potter, can you explain what happened here and where Professor Lupin is? In his message, indicated he was pursuing Charles and his companions on some ill-advised forest adventure."

Harry took a deep breath, organizing his thoughts. "It's a complex situation, Professor. In short, Death Eaters captured this group, I intervened and managed to subdue three of them, but Bellatrix escaped due to an unexpected turn of events. I pursued her but failed to apprehend her. When Dementors arrived, these four fended them off until I returned and drove them away completely. As for how these three fell into the Death Eaters' trap, you'll need to ask them directly. I have no idea."

Before the professors and Aurors could press for more details, Dumbledore intervened. "Perhaps it would be wise to continue this discussion in the castle. This is not a suitable place for such conversations."

Dawlish nodded reluctantly. "Very well, Dumbledore. But we need answers. The Minister will want to be updated as soon as possible, given the involvement of Death Eaters."

As the group prepared to leave, Harry spoke up. "Before we go, we should collect the three Death Eaters I subdued. They're nearby."

The Aurors followed Harry to the location. After a couple of minutes of seemingly aimless wandering, Harry led them to the correct spot. The sight that greeted them was grim: the Lestrange brothers lay motionless, their eyes open and vacant.

Harry, drawing on years of acting experience, feigned shock and horror. "Are they...?" he asked, his voice trembling convincingly.

One of the Aurors confirmed grimly, "Looks like they've been Kissed by Dementors."

Harry's eyes widened in apparent surprise. "But where's Pettigrew? He was here too, I swear it!"

James's face hardened. "It seems Wormtail has managed to escape once again. This will complicate our report."

Dumbledore, his voice heavy with disappointment, admonished, "Such talk is unbecoming, James. And Mr. Potter, leaving the Death Eaters bound and unattended was a grave error. Your actions have led to the extinction of an old lineage."

Harry bristled at the accusation. "With all due respect, Headmaster, how was I to know the Dementors would breach the school grounds again after your explicit ban following the Quidditch incident? I did my best to capture the Death Eaters and leave them for the Aurors. Would you have preferred I let them go to escape and go after Charles and Neville again?"

James and Lily sided with Harry, as did the students and the female Auror. Dumbledore's expression remained disappointed, but he said no more on the matter.

As they prepared to return to the castle, Charles whispered urgently to James about "Moony" and his transformation. James's face paled slightly, and after a brief word with Lily, he set off alone into the forest.

Dumbledore quickly took control of the situation. "We must return to the castle at once. This forest has many residents who do not take kindly to intruders, and we have overstayed our welcome."

The journey back to Hogwarts was tense, with unasked questions hanging heavily in the air. Upon reaching the castle, they were ushered into Dumbledore's office, which felt oppressively crowded. Additional faces had joined them: Amelia Bones, Sirius Black, Minister Fudge, and other professors eager to learn what had transpired. The usually welcoming circular room now felt oppressive with the sheer number of occupants.

Amelia Bones took charge while Fudge conferred with Dumbledore. "I would like to know exactly what transpired tonight, from the beginning."

Harry, ever strategic, suggested, "If I may, Aunt Amelia, perhaps we should hear from Charles, Ron, and Hermione first, as they were the initial targets. Then Neville, who became involved later. I can fill in any remaining gaps."

Amelia considered this approach, then nodded her approval. "Very well, Harry. Mr. Charles Potter, please begin."

Charles stepped forward, recounting how Hermione had suddenly insisted they go outside the castle, their ambush and capture by Death Eaters, and their rescue by Harry. Ron and Hermione added their perspectives, with Hermione visibly troubled as she described her actions under the Imperius Curse.

The mention of the Unforgivable Curse elicited strong reactions. Lily Potter embraced Hermione, consoling her and assuring her it wasn't her fault.

Neville's account filled in the gaps, explaining his suspicions about Hermione's behavior and seeking out Professor Lupin. His voice shook as he described the confrontation with the Death Eaters and Lupin's transformation.

Throughout the testimonies, Harry listened intently, noting discrepancies and points of interest. He observed the Aurors doing the same, their Quick-Quotes Quills scratching furiously on parchment.

Finally, all eyes turned to Harry. Amelia leaned forward. "Harry, we'd like to hear your account now. How did you become aware of the situation, and what did you do?"

Harry launched into his carefully crafted narrative, describing how he had spotted Neville and Lupin entering the Forbidden Forest from the Ravenclaw common room windows and decided to investigate. He detailed his discovery of the Death Eaters torturing Lupin, his strategic decision to rescue Charles and his friends first, and the ensuing battle.

"After subduing the Lestrange brothers and Pettigrew, I went after Bellatrix," Harry continued. "We dueled briefly, but Professor Lupin's transformation interrupted us, allowing Bellatrix to escape. I had to subdue the professor first to ensure Neville's safety. By the time I resumed the chase, Bellatrix had ample head start and I could not locate her. I suspect she disapparated beyond Hogwarts' wards to safety. When the Dementors arrived, I returned to help the others fend them off."

As Harry finished his account, a heavy silence fell over the room. Many were awed that Harry had defeated four Death Eaters, three of whom were Voldemort's fiercest generals. They could foresee Harry becoming a wizard more powerful than Dumbledore.

However, Harry noted Dumbledore's less-than-pleased expression, likely grappling with the realization that the child he had once abandoned was now a formidable wizard capable of besting Bellatrix Lestrange. The more power Harry demonstrated, the more it highlighted the fallacy of Dumbledore's past decisions. James and Lily wore expressions of mingled sadness and pride.

Sirius beamed with pride. "Great job, Harry! You even bested my cousin Bella. She hates running from a fight, and you forced her to it. Grandfather will be thrilled."

Flitwick chimed in, "It seems you've made great progress in dueling, Harry. Perhaps we can prepare for the European tournament this summer after your OWLs."

Harry humbly accepted the praise and expressed interest in the dueling tournament, remembering how last summer's event had been suspended due to the Death Eaters' escape.

Amelia cleared her throat. "Thank you, Harry. Your actions tonight were incredibly brave, if somewhat reckless. We'll need to discuss the repercussions of running into danger without asking for help from Aurors, but that can wait for another time."

Harry smiled sheepishly while Sirius chuckled.

Amelia turned to Dumbledore. "Albus, I must leave now. I need to issue alerts for Pettigrew and Bellatrix Lestrange. Minister, please inform me when you decide how to handle the Lestrange brothers' bodies."

Fudge was visibly displeased with the news of the Lestrange siblings' fate, particularly since the Dementors he had deployed were responsible for their fate worse than death. He knew his supporters from the dark faction would be unhappy.

The Minister looked at Harry with barely concealed anger, seemingly blaming him for not returning in time to save the Lestranges from the Dementors. However, Fudge knew he couldn't act against Harry without just cause, lest he face the wrath of the Black family, Amelia Bones, and their numerous supporters.

Before Harry could address Fudge's hostile look, Sirius intervened, leading his godson out of the room. He knew Harry must have omitted many details and was eager to hear the full story in private.

As they left Dumbledore's office, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that the interrogations were far from over. The hostile glance from Minister Fudge lingered in his mind, suggesting that there might be further attempts to question or even challenge his actions. However, despite this lingering unease, Harry wasn't concerned.

He knew that he had strong backing within the Ministry. The Black and Potter family's influence, coupled with Amelia's support and the respect he'd earned from many in the wizarding world through their children at Hogwarts, formed a formidable shield against any potential political maneuvering. Even if Fudge attempted to pursue some form of action against him, Harry was confident that his allies would stand firm.

If Fudge did attempt to challenge him, Harry was prepared to fight back. In fact, he mused, next year might be the perfect time to end the Minister's political career if he pushed too far.