Chapter 207: "Aftershocks and Small Troubles"

As Harry and Sirius exited the Headmaster's office, they made their way towards an empty classroom. Sirius, his voice low, began explaining the political undercurrents at play.

"Harry," Sirius murmured, his eyes darting around to ensure they weren't overheard, "Fudge isn't happy with you. The whole situation with the Lestranges has put him in a tight spot."

They paused at an intersection, and Sirius continued. "Expect some trouble, but nothing we can't handle. The extinction of an old pureblood line, indirectly caused by his own actions with the Dementors, won't sit well with many of his supporters. He's walking a tightrope right now."

Harry shrugged, unconcerned. "I'm not worried at all, Sirius. Even if you and Amelia can't stop the Minister from putting me on trial, and for some bizarre reason I end up getting Azkaban, I could always escape. With my strength and knowledge of the Muggle world, no one in the wizarding world can find me."

Sirius chuckled, though his eyes remained serious. "It won't come to that, but I'm glad you have backup plans. You could also seek asylum in other wizarding countries. They'd welcome a Potter with open arms."

Once inside the classroom, far from prying portraits, they cast Muffliato charm, enveloping the room in a bubble of privacy.

"Now," Sirius said, leaning against a desk, his eyes gleaming with curiosity, "tell me everything. Don't leave out a single detail."

Harry organized his thoughts and began his tale, describing the fight with the Lestrange brothers in vivid detail. When he got to Pettigrew's sneak attack, Sirius's face darkened, his hands clenching into fists.

"That rat," Sirius growled, his voice low and dangerous. "He's signed his death warrant. To think he'd use the killing curse on you..."

Harry continued, describing how his wand had acted independently to deflect the Killing Curse. Sirius's eyes widened in amazement.

"Merlin's beard, Harry!" he exclaimed. "A wand acting on its own to protect its master from the killing curse? Even with wands with Thunderbird feather cores, that's unheard of. You must be favored by magic itself. I'm jealous!"

Harry couldn't help but grin at his godfather's reaction. "Oh, and I might have given Wormtail a few extra punches, just for good measure," he added, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.

Sirius's bark-like laugh filled the room. "That's my godson! I hope you made them count."

As Harry continued his tale, describing his duel with Bellatrix, subduing Moony, and then capturing Bellatrix, Sirius listened with rapt attention. His eyes lit up when Harry mentioned sending Bellatrix to Arcturus.

"Excellent work, Harry!" Sirius exclaimed, clapping him on the shoulder. "We can get to the Horcrux now and end Voldemort's immortality. I'll visit Grandfather tonight to see if he needs help." His expression turned serious. "You should stay here, though. Your absence would be noticed, especially after everything that's happened."

Harry nodded in agreement, then went on to describe watching the Lestrange brothers being Kissed and Pettigrew's narrow escape. Sirius listened grimly, nodding slowly.

"They're better off dead," he said quietly. "If caught, they'd only escape again. There's no redeeming monsters like that." He sighed heavily. "It's a pity about the rat, though. I might try tracking him later, like I did years ago on that Halloween night. Maybe I'll have the same luck this time."

As Harry finished his story, Sirius stood up, his mind clearly racing with plans. "Great job as usual Harry. I've got to go now. There's a lot to be done. Stay safe, and keep your mirror close. I'll be in touch soon."

With a final squeeze of Harry's shoulder, Sirius left, his footsteps fading away down the corridor. Harry remained in the classroom for a few moments before heading back to his dormitory.

When he arrived, he found Reggy and Roger waiting up for him, their faces a mixture of concern and curiosity. Harry suppressed a sigh, realizing he was in for another long night of explanations. As he settled into his bed, he began his tale once more, knowing this was just the first of many retellings he'd have to give to his friends in the coming days.

---

The next morning at breakfast, whispers and awed glances followed Harry. His defeat of four Death Eaters much more comprehensively than Halloween night had elevated him to near-mythical status among the students. Even his few remaining enemies seemed to shrink away, realizing the futility of crossing him.

As Harry ate his breakfast, trying to ignore the stares and whispers, he couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversation from nearby tables.

"...he subdued three Death Eaters single-handedly..."

"...even Bellatrix Lestrange couldn't beat him and ran away in fear..."

"...wonder if he could teach us some of those spells..."

Just as Harry was finishing his meal, hoping to make a quick exit, he saw Professor McGonagall approaching, her face set in a tight expression that immediately put him on alert.

"Mr. Potter," she said, "your presence is required in the Headmaster's office immediately."

Harry nodded and followed McGonagall out of the Great Hall. 

Entering the Headmaster's office, Harry immediately noticed the unusual gathering. Alongside Dumbledore stood Auror Dawlish and several of his colleagues, none of whom Harry recognized as allies of Amelia and Sirius. The atmosphere was tense, and Harry could sense that something was very wrong.

Dumbledore spoke first, his voice carefully neutral. "Mr. Potter, these Aurors have some additional questions about last night's events."

Before Harry could respond, Dawlish cut in, his tone brusque and authoritative. "We're not asking questions here, Dumbledore. Mr. Potter, you're under arrest on suspicion of murdering Bellatrix Lestrange and Peter Pettigrew. You'll be questioned in Ministry holding cells."

Harry felt a surge of anger at the accusation, but he kept his composure, his voice steady as he replied, "Do you have a warrant for my arrest, Auror Dawlish?"

Dawlish's face reddened slightly. "We have the Minister's written order. Come quietly, or we'll be forced to use more... persuasive methods."

Harry remained calm. "The order isn't sufficient, Auror Dawlish," he countered, his voice calm but firm. "If you ask Headmaster Dumbledore, you'll learn that I'm an emancipated adult and Lord Potter-to-be. A Minister's order isn't enough to arrest me. Without concrete evidence or catching me in the act, you need to prove to the Wizengamot that I'm suspicious of what you're arresting me for, and only when they sign a warrant can I be arrested. So please, go back."

Dawlish's face contorted with frustration, his hand twitching towards his wand. "I don't know about all those legal loopholes. You're coming with us, Mr. Potter, one way or another."

The tension in the room was palpable. Harry could see Dumbledore watching the exchange with keen interest, though the Headmaster made no move to intervene. Just as it seemed the situation might escalate, the office fireplace suddenly flared to life with emerald flames.

Dumbledore's eyebrows raised slightly, a hint of relief in his voice. "It appears we have an unexpected guest," he said mildly. "Let's see who it is, shall we?"

From the flames emerged Sirius Black, his face a storm of fury. He'd clearly heard everything through Harry's two-way mirror, and he wasted no time in addressing the situation.

"Dawlish," Sirius snapped, his voice cold with anger, "Amelia wants you back at the office immediately. You're guilty of abusing your powers, and your suspension orders are waiting for you."

He turned to the other Aurors, his gaze sweeping over them. "That goes for all of you as well. And for your information, Bellatrix was spotted entering Gringotts this morning, and Muggles near Albania saw Pettigrew. Your case against Harry is non-existent."

The Aurors' faces fell as the implications of Sirius's words sank in. They knew their careers in the Auror Department were likely over. Years of hard work and dedication, gone in an instant. They turned to glare at Dawlish, clearly blaming him for their predicament.

Without another word, they filed out of the office, their shoulders slumped in defeat. Dawlish was the last to leave, shooting a venomous look at Harry before he descended the spiral staircase.

Sirius approached Harry, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You alright?" he asked quietly, concern evident in his eyes.

Harry nodded, a small smile of gratitude on his face. "Thanks, Sirius. I'm fine."

Sirius squeezed his shoulder reassuringly, then turned to Dumbledore, his expression hardening. "I expected more from you, Albus. Not protecting a student of your school. Now I believe you are more of a politician than a teacher."

Dumbledore sighed, his usual twinkle dimmed. "My hands are tied, Sirius. You know my relationship with the Minister is not as good as it was."

Sirius ignored Dumbledore's lame excuse and after exchanging a few quiet words with Harry departed using the same floo.

As Harry turned to leave, he caught Dumbledore watching him, blue eyes twinkling enigmatically behind his half-moon spectacles. Harry couldn't help but wonder what was going through the old man's mind.

Over the next few days, the excitement in the castle gradually died down. The story of Harry's confrontation with the Death Eaters was still a popular topic of discussion, but the fervor had lessened. Students returned to their usual routines, although Harry still noticed the occasional awed glance or hushed whisper as he passed.

As the attention on him waned, Harry knew it was time to make his move. He needed to visit Black Castle and check on the progress with Bellatrix and the Horcrux.

As he made his way to the Room of Hidden Things to use the vanishing cabinet, he couldn't help but wonder why he hadn't been informed of the progress with Bellatrix. The lack of communication from Sirius and Arcturus was unusual, and it gnawed at him. His mind raced with possibilities as he approached the cabinet and opened its doors to enter.