Chapter 21
Hermione
“And why would I agree to help you? What’s in it for me?” Rita said loftily. Her haughty tone was somewhat diminished by the face that she was currently behind the steel bars of a cell. After some debate on ethics (led by Lupin, the voice of reason) they had released Rita from her jar to a different type of prison, putting the Black family dungeon to good use. The small stone cell left her barley enough space to turn around, and was steeped in magic-suppression charms. Remus, Sirius and Harry stood around the corner, listening but letting the prisoner believe Hermione worked alone. Hermione stood facing her on the other side of the bars, smirking at the disgraced reporter.
Rita paced the small confines of the cell, her movements jerky and uncoordinated. She was miles away from the glossy, put-together woman Hermione had met a year prior. Her nails were broken, the red polish chipped and worn. Her curly blonde hair was matted, dirty locks hanging in her face as she sneered at Hermione , her lips dry and cracked, free from her normal smear of red lipstick. Every so often she would strain her shoulders, as if she was stretching her (now nonexistent) wings.
“You’ve got it wrong Rita. You think I’m asking.” Hermione said in a sugary sweet voice,dripping with malice and satisfaction. She reveled in the look of realization that crossed the Rita's face, knowing that her carefully crafted scheme was about to unfold. Hermione reached through the bars, and viciously yanked on Rita’s disheveled hair, pulling out several dirty blonde strands. Rita screamed in rage and clutched at her abused head, glaring at Hermione.
“WHAT THE FUCK!” She howled.
Hermione let out a soft chuckle as she lifted the hair up for Rita’s inspection through the bars. She watched as the prisoner's expression turned from disbelief to terror, as Rita realized she had underestimated the girl in front of her.
“I’m simply giving you a chance, Rita. A choice.” She took a jar from her pocket and carefully placed the hair inside, sealing and pocketing it once more.
“Magic really is something, isn’t it?” She said softly. “Just this little bit of hair, and I don’t really need you at all.” She turned, as if ready to leave.
“WAIT!” Rita screamed, clutching the bars. “YOU CAN’T LEAVE ME HERE!”
Hermione turned her head. “Actually, I can. It’s going to be so fun being you. Think of all the things I can do to your reputation.” Hermione said mockingly.
“No, no, Ok, OK, I’ll do it, I’ll do it, let me OUT OF HERE!” Rita howled. “I’ll write whatever you want, just-”
“No need. It’s already written. You run it, and don’t change a single word, or you’ll wish I left you in that fucking jar.” Hermione snarled.
Rita smiled, adjusted her shoulders and smoothed back her hair. “Of course.” She replied with a serpentine smile.
“And, just to make sure you understand the gravity of your situation, you’ll be taking the Unbreakable Vow.”
“WHAT?!” She shrieked. “No-you’ll trick me, I-”
“This is your last chance, Rita.” She pulled out the jar again and shook it before her captive’s eyes. “I’m a dab hand at polyjuice.”
Rita pursed her mouth and her glare intensified.
“Fine.” She snarled through gritted teeth.
“Brilliant. Let’s begin.”
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Sirius Black: Mass Murder, or Wizard deigned justice?.
By Rita Skeeter
Sirius Black, a name spoken in whispers throughout Britain. Famed mass murderer and supposed devotee of none other than you-know-who. A man so notorious, his escape from Azkaban two years ago sent our world into a panic, leading our Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge to send Dementors from the island of Azkaban into our very streets and beloved Hogwarts, to hunt down the fugitive. We know everything we need to know about such a vile wizard…OR DO WE?
Eyewitnesses have come forward recently with starting new information in the case of Sirius Black. Black was the firstborn son to Orion and Walburga Black, and the last heir to the ancient and noble Black family name. A pure-blood descended of the Sacred 28, Black came from a long and respected family line. In his time at Hogwarts, he became the first (and only) member of his family to be sorted into Gryffindor rather than Slytherin. Teachers remember him as a mischievous but charismatic and charming young man of great talent. Upon graduation he was accepted into the Auror program with the Ministry of Magic, alongside his lifelong friend, James Potter. He seemed a man ready to take on the world, and at the death of his father, Black was to inherit his seat on the wizgamont, and take his place in the Ministry to represent his family and the wizard public.
Before this could happen however, a terrible tragedy occurred. You-know-who was targeting those he saw as a threat to his power, and being Aurors from noble families who spoke out against the dark arts, Black and Potter were both facing danger. We all know the details from that terrible Halloween night, when you-know-who found the home of James and Lily Potter, tragically killing them. Miraculously, baby Potter survived the killing curse, and you-know-who disappeared. Later that same evening, Black was found crying in a crater in muggle Britain, surrounded by thirteen dead muggles. He was arrested and sent to Azkaban, and until his escape, that was the end of the story.
OR WAS IT
We now know, that several key facts were hidden from the public at that time. Black, screaming nonsensically, was taken directly to Azkaban prison. The guard’s reports show he never once spoke to his own defense, in fact, he didn’t speak for years. This was in blatant disregard to our own laws, which state a Wizard in distress must be taken for immediate medical treatment under Auror guard. Imagione, dear reader, you were hit with a strong confundus charm, or ingested a babbling beverage- and instead of being cared for by mediwizards you were tossed to the dementors, never to be seen again. Black was never given a trial, instead, he was marked and left to rot in Azkaban indefinitely.
I ask you, dear reader, is this the ‘justice’ we want from our Ministry? That they can take any Wizard from the street and incarcerate them with no evidence, investigation or trial? This reporter has learned from an insider at the ministry, that no investigation was done that night at all. Black was not investigated for ties to the dark arts, no wizard witness statements were taken, his wand was not checked, all very much outside of standard law and procedure. Further, I have learned certain key wizards involved in his incarceration have been trying to access the Black family vaults and properties for years, citing his incarceration and lack of an heir. What was the real reason for his arrest? Was it a power grab for his seat on the Wizgamont, or an attempt to line the Ministry coffers with the Black family fortune? Is it possible one of the officials in charge of his arrest was the real murderer? How can we feel safe in our beds at night knowing that those we have entrusted to protect us may have had a hand in a cover-up this large? I’m certain our dear Minister for Magic will want to investigate these allegations immediately, as well as order a full review of the current prisoners of Azkaban, insuring that each incarcerated wizard was given a fair trial with proper representation. What was done to Sirius Black is a miscarriage of justice. If we allow this to go unanswered from the Ministry, who will be the next imprisoned?