Harry Potter and the Ties that Bind

Chapter 27

The press conference had gone well. After getting up on stage, Harry and Sirius had listened as Minister Fudge pontificated, telling everyone that Sirius was innocent and apologizing on behalf of the Ministry of Magic. He had then stated that the Ministry, due to their own error in judgement, would make reparations to Sirius.

One-million galleons had been gifted to Sirius for over a decade of unlawful confinement. It was a hefty sum. Indeed, one-million galleons was more than most minor noble houses possessed.

According to Amelia, those galleons didn't come from the Ministry coffers, but from the personal bank of Minister Bagnold. Amelia had said that this money came from the "donations" that Lucius and several Death Eaters had given the former minister to get out of having a trial.

Death Eaters...

They were still the largest problem. There were numerous Death Eaters who'd been able to get out of being sent to Azkaban. They'd done so by claiming to have been under the Imperius curse. Several hundred thousand galleons donated to "repair the damage done by the dark lord" had kept them from being questioned under veritaserum.

Harry wanted to see them all put where they belong: In a prison surrounded by dementors.

Harry returned to school the next day with Professor Lupin, who insisted that Harry call him Moony when they were not in class. It felt a little weird calling the professor by his nickname. However, for the sake of being friendly with his parents' friend, he spoke informally despite his own feelings.

He and the defense professor walked down the hall. Their footsteps echoed along the stone ground. Harry glanced at Professor Lupin, whose haggard appearance worried Harry a bit. The man was walking with a slouched posture. Dark bags hung under his bloodshot eyes. He looked like a drug addicted going through withdrawels.

"Are you feeling all right?" Harry asked.

"I'm fine," Professor Lupin assured him.

They made it to the Great Hall, where Professor Lupin stopped and turned to him.

"Well, this is where I leave you for now," Professor Lupin said. "Have a good day, Harry."

"You too... Moony," Harry said.

Professor Lupin smiled before he turned around and left. Harry watched him for but a second, and then he turned around and entered the Great Hall. Perhaps it was due to the time–late morning–but there were already a lot of people gathered around the tables. The moment he walked in, numerous heads swiveled in his direction. He sighed as he realized that he had missed his chance to eat breakfast unnoticed.

Here it comes...

Harry sought out his friends; he spotted them sitting at the Slytherin table that morning. He made a beeline for them. While he walked, he was forced to listen to the conversations that sprang up, spoken in whispered tones. As always, it seemed his peers were interested in the circumstances surrounding him.

"Did you read about the press conference?"

"He spent the summer with Sirius Black."

"Sirius Black is innocent."

"You don't know that. Harry could have been brainwashed."

"But the Ministry of Magic said..."

"You can't believe everything the Ministry says."

Harry remained quiet, not saying anything as he reached his friends. Daphne and Susan, who sat next to each other, immediately split apart, making room for him between them. Harry blinked at the strange action, but he still sat down. The moment his butt was parked, they closed in, sandwiching him between them.