Negotiating Justice
**Chapter : Negotiating Justice**
**Alex’s POV**
As planned, I made sure to be at the **Leaky Cauldron** when Minister Fudge arrived, hoping to be seen with Harry Potter. His presence was unmistakable, what with his pompous air and entourage of Ministry officials scurrying around him. Fudge wanted to bolster his public image by associating himself with Harry, the Boy Who Lived, but I wasn’t going to let him use Harry so easily.
With subtle maneuvering and a touch of gentle persuasion, I managed to pull the Minister aside and convinced him to join Harry and me for a more private discussion. Away from prying eyes, we retreated to one of the inn’s side rooms, casting privacy charms around us as soon as the door clicked shut.
---
**A Private Meeting with Minister Fudge**
Fudge took a seat, looking a bit uneasy, though he tried to maintain his usual bluster. "Now, what is it you want to discuss, young Mr. Potter?" he asked, turning his gaze to Harry.
Before Harry could speak, I intervened smoothly. “Minister, I believe we both know what’s at stake here. Sirius Black didn’t receive a trial, and that fact will come out soon enough. What we need from you is simple—a fair trial for Sirius. That’s all.”
Fudge hesitated, his eyes narrowing. “Sirius Black is a convicted criminal! There’s a great deal of risk involved in reopening a case like this.”
I glanced at Harry, who nodded slightly, showing he was in agreement with the plan. “We’re not asking for anything more than the truth,” I said, leaning forward slightly. “But let’s not pretend we don’t know how things work. Trials can be arranged, and results can be… influenced.”
Fudge's eyes flickered. “What are you suggesting, McKinnon?”
I smirked slightly, leaning back. “Minister, we both understand how politics works. I’m willing to contribute to your… future success. Let’s say, a **20,000 galleon** contribution for your ongoing efforts as Minister?”
Fudge’s eyes gleamed greedily, though he tried to hide it behind a mask of professionalism. “That’s a rather generous offer.”
“Consider it an investment in justice,” I said, my tone smooth. “But let’s be clear—this isn’t for a public statement or any flashy headlines. Harry and I have no interest in being paraded around for publicity. We want **Sirius Black** to have a fair trial, and in exchange, you’ll receive our support. Quietly.”
Fudge glanced between Harry and me, weighing his options. After a moment, he gave a curt nod. “Agreed. But you must understand, I have many pressures from various sides.”
“Of course, Minister,” I said, satisfied. “But remember—we’ve agreed to terms. And as long as those terms are met, you’ll have no trouble from us.”
Fudge left the meeting with a look of triumph, thinking he’d secured a significant win. Little did he know, I was already planning the next steps. His ego and greed had made him easy to manipulate.
---
**Ensuring Umbridge’s Control**
After the meeting, I made my way to Umbridge's office. She was still a weak link in the chain, but also a valuable one. Her deep-seated need for power made her a perfect tool. Under my previous Imperius Curse, she had already begun leaking blackmail materials and hidden documents to the **DMLE** and the **ICW**, and now it was time to strengthen my hold on her.
Using a **Disillusionment Charm** to remain unseen, I waited until she was alone in her office. Once I was sure no one would interrupt, I approached her from behind and cast **Imperio** once again.
Her body stiffened as the spell took hold, and her will crumbled easily under the weight of my control. I felt no pity as I implanted my next set of orders.
“You will continue to act naturally, Dolores,” I murmured softly, watching her vacant eyes for any flicker of resistance. “But make sure that Fudge does not double-cross me. Monitor him carefully, and ensure that he does nothing to harm Sirius Black. And when the time comes, you will act accordingly to prevent any interference.”
Her head nodded stiffly, accepting the commands without question. The weakness in her mind made her a perfect puppet, and as long as I kept a firm hand on the strings, she would do exactly as I required.
---
**Delivering Pettigrew to the DMLE**
My next step was critical. **Peter Pettigrew**—the man responsible for betraying Harry’s parents—had been bound and hidden in a secure location for some time now. I had learned much from him under interrogation, but his usefulness was nearly spent. It was time to hand him over to the **Department of Magical Law Enforcement (DMLE)** and let justice take its course.
Under the cover of night, I brought Pettigrew, still bound and unconscious, to **Amelia Bones'** office at the Ministry. Using a simple spell, I placed him in her chair, ensuring he wouldn’t wake up until she found him. Alongside Pettigrew, I left a detailed letter explaining his crimes, his animagus abilities, and the fact that he had been hiding under the Ministry’s nose for years.
---
**Amelia Bones' POV: The Delivery**
When **Amelia Bones** entered her office the next morning, she was met with a sight she hadn't expected. There, sitting in her chair, was none other than Peter Pettigrew—bound and looking worse for wear. Shock quickly turned to suspicion as she noticed the letter pinned to his chest.
She scanned the note quickly, her mind racing as she absorbed the implications. Pettigrew alive? The traitor who had been thought dead for so long? And worse—he was the one who had framed Sirius Black?
Bones wasted no time. Within moments, she had alerted her top Aurors, including **Alastor Moody**, who appeared in her office with a grim scowl.
“Pettigrew,” Moody growled, eyeing the rat-like man with pure disdain. “Thought he was dead.”
“Seems not,” Bones replied curtly, folding the letter and tucking it into her robes. “We’ll have to verify everything, but if this is true… we have a serious miscarriage of justice on our hands.”
Moody's magical eye swiveled toward Pettigrew before focusing back on Bones. “What do you reckon we do?”
Bones narrowed her eyes. “We bring him in for questioning under Veritaserum. And if what this letter says is true, then Sirius Black’s case needs to be reopened immediately.”
Moody grunted in agreement. “About time. The lad’s been rotting in Azkaban for too long.”
As Bones prepared to begin the formal investigation, she couldn’t help but wonder who had orchestrated this. Whoever had captured Pettigrew had done the wizarding world a favor. But why had they chosen to remain anonymous?
---
**Moody’s POV: Preparing for the Fight**
“Constant vigilance,” Moody muttered as he prepared the necessary steps to question Pettigrew. There was something about all of this that didn’t sit right with him. A rat like Pettigrew wouldn’t have come out of hiding unless someone forced his hand. Whoever had captured him had resources and cunning—two things Moody respected.
But he wasn’t about to let his guard down. Dark times were coming, and this was only the beginning. Pettigrew’s capture would stir the pot, and the Death Eaters—those who had gone unpunished for too long—would not stand idly by.
As he left Bones’ office, Moody vowed to keep an eye on everything. If the Death Eaters were planning something, he would be ready.
---
**Alex’s POV: The Pieces Begin to Move**
I knew the fallout from Pettigrew’s capture would be significant. Bones and Moody were not fools—they would investigate thoroughly, and Pettigrew’s testimony would shake the foundation of the Ministry’s handling of **Sirius Black**’s case.
With the Ministry now entangled in the mess, and Umbridge under my control to keep Fudge in line, the pieces were moving exactly as I had planned. But I wasn’t done yet. This was only the beginning of the larger game, and soon enough, the wizarding world would face the truth it had long ignored.
As I flew back home on my broom, I couldn’t help but think of what lay ahead. For now, things were in motion, but I would need to stay vigilant. There was still much to do.
And Harry… He was the key. But for now, he needed to learn, to grow, and to understand the power he would eventually wield.
The future was uncertain, but I was ready for whatever came next.