Chapter 3
While Ronald Weasley looked around, Amelia Bones looked at him. Her mind wandered to the limited knowledge she possessed about the boy. Arthur mentioned the youngest son several times. All she knew from these conversations was that Ronald was in Gryffindor and loved Quidditch. But this could hardly be considered unique information, because she could say the same about his siblings, as well as about all other members of a huge family.
She also heard from Susan that Ronald and Harry Potter were inseparable. But it was more like complaining that Potter was unapproachable and that his friends didn't look very friendly.
Amelia suppressed a smirk as she remembered a case almost two years ago. The story was fresh in her memory, although quite a lot of time had passed. The flying car seen by dozens of Muggles was definitely something that made Ronald stand out from the rest of the Weasleys. And now, looking at him, Amelia Bones had no doubt that the boy sitting in front of her was definitely a troublemaker.
At that time, the Obliviators and the Muggle Liaison Office had to work overtime and at full strength to hush up the scandal and prevent it from leaking into the Muggle press. Not that it was anything new. In retrospect, the incident seemed rather amusing, as did the few articles on UFOs and conspiracy theories that did get published. But be that as it may, the boys were very lucky that both Cornelius Fudge and Albus Dumbledore immediately intervened in the situation, protecting them from unpleasant consequences. Perhaps most of all went to Arthur. But his punishment was limited to a reprimand from the Minister and jokes from colleagues.
The way Ronald looked, behaved and spoke, left no shadow of doubt that he was completely sincere and acting from the best of intentions. And despite his reputation, his heart was in the right place.
She felt a wave of anger seize her from the fact that the scoundrel Black dared to use children for his criminal purposes. The situation was dire. As well as the fact that the ministry did not prevent it.
As the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones had borne witness to the darkest aspects of human nature throughout her career. Countless court cases had crossed her path, showcasing the heinous crimes and betrayals individuals were capable of committing.
She saw best friends willing to kill each other for a hundred galleons. Mothers who sold their own infants for organ harvesting. Wizards who walled up unsuspecting Muggles within the confines of their estates, convinced it would fortify the magical protection of their dwellings. She had encountered those who relished in torture, as well as those who took pleasure in killing, employing the most intricate methods. And she had encountered a myriad of individuals who, even after perpetrating such atrocities, could look her straight in the eye and lie about their innocence.
Therefore, she understood all too well the depths of depravity to which people could sink and the lengths they would go to evade justice. Sirius Black was no different from many others in his desperate attempt to save his own skin.
She could share these stories, showing that much older and more experienced wizards than Mr. Weasley himself were deceived. However, she knew that wasn't what Ronald sought at the moment. And all she could achieve in this way was to increase his distrust of the ministry and push him towards Black. So she was going to listen to him.
"So," she began calmly, trying to create an atmosphere of trust. Maybe because she didn't have children of her own, she understood how quickly their trust could slip away.
After exchanging some phrases so that Ronald could feel more relaxed, she finally got to the point.
"Well, back to the situation with Black. What do you think I should know?"
The story was not much different from what Fudge had told her. And it was as plausible as the fantasies Susan shared with her during the winter break. The plot was different, but the level of contrivedness was about the same. She might even find it funny if the three children were not together with a dangerous criminal.
Oh Merlin, what was she wasting her time on? An animagus rat ("How convenient!"), a cat who immediately displayed disdain for said rat ("Incredible! How did that come about?"), and an innocent Black who was framed ("Of course! How could it be otherwise?"). Her department was incredibly lucky that Fudge didn't believe this farce. Considering how much he adored Harry Potter, she wouldn't be surprised that after his testimony, Black would have been pardoned on the spot.
Asshole Black was so convincing that the boy believed him even after he almost stabbed him and broke his leg. The story about the animagus was not particularly impressive. She didn't know Pettigrew, but through the Black case, she learned a lot about him. As far as she could tell, the guy wasn't outstanding. Therefore, to assume that he would learn to be an animagus almost immediately after Hogwarts, and even be able to turn into such a convenient form, was absurd.
Her body tensed as she went back to thinking about Black and how that bastard was using children. Although what Ronald was saying sounded rather stupid, she could understand two things. First, he sincerely believed in what he was saying. Secondly, the story lacked important moments. The fact that she couldn't tell if he was hiding information by accident or on purpose made her feel awful.
"Have you been in contact with Black since that meeting?"
She hoped to hear a negative answer and was somewhat relieved when Ronald said no. At least right now, there was no need to worry about them being in danger.
But she still had many questions that needed answers.
In what mysterious place near Hogwarts were they with Black? How could Black sneak into the school grounds and kidnap a student undetected? How did Professor Lupin find them? How did he even come up with the idea of walking around the school grounds on a full moon? And why didn't she see this information in any of the reports?! She did not consider herself an opponent of werewolves, but this situation did not fit in her head. Could Lupin be in cahoots with Black? But even if he had helped Black before, he certainly had a strong alibi for the time of his escape from Hogwarts. Did Ronald know anything about how Black got away? And what is this reference to the Dementors that attacked Potter? This part of the story sounded even more delusional than the traitorous rat that framed Black.
She could already feel her head begin to hurt. And she was almost certain that by the end of the conversation, this pain would only intensify. A migraine attack is exactly what she lacked now.
"Very well," she said, though she was far from such a definition of the situation. "I have a few questions. First, why..."
Before she could finish, Fudge reminded her of himself and their plans for the day.
"Unfortunately, this is where we have to stop today. We'll continue this conversation next week... after the Quidditch World Cup. I will send you an owl. I think next time you should take Mr. Potter and Miss Granger with you. And, of course, to get into the Ministry officially."
He blushed and nodded.
"And I beg you, if Black contacts you, let me know immediately." She handed him a small piece of parchment. "This is my Floo address. Feel free to call anytime. Is it clear?"
"Yes, madam," Ron replied with a smile.
They left her office. And if Ron was pleased with their conversation, then Amelia was in a terrible mood. And the closer she got to Minister's office, the more her frustration grew. She had a feeling that Fudge's attempt to show that the Ministry was all right and in complete control would lead them all to disaster. And after talking with Ronald Weasley, this feeling only intensified.
But even she couldn't imagine that things would go badly so soon.