A Dive into the Past, and a First Look Ahead
Dumbledore’s Office Saturday night, June 24, 1995
As he saw the silvery thread coming from his temple—and knowing what it represented—Harry Potter’s body began to shake, and tears began falling from his eyes. A quiet, ”SHH…we’re here, Potter,” was heard from Minerva on his left. To the teen’s right, the young Wizard could’ve sworn he felt a gentle pat on the shoulder…from Snape?
”No…I’m dreaming!” Harry told himself.
”Come,” he now heard Dumbledore instruct the others. While he heard several faces’ splashes into the Pensieve, Harry’s quick glance caught the sight of Arthur Weasley indeed pulling Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge’s face into the device.
Harry knew that the others were seeing how he had progressed through the maze, starting with “Moody’s” signal about which turn to make first. He noticed that the others’ backs stiffened at what most surely had been that revelation.
~~~~~
Some time later, Harry deduced—again, from the others’ reactions—that the memory must’ve progressed to the point where he and Cedric Diggory had agreed to grasp the Triwizard Cup simultaneously…at which point the Cup revealed itself to be a Portkey.
As the events in the graveyard began to unfold—first the appearance of the traitorous Peter Pettigrew/Wormtail, then the fateful words from the still-disembodied Lord Voldemort, ”Kill the spare!”—Harry felt Fudge stiffen, as if he wanted out of the Pensieve. Harry himself remedied that situation, with a none-too-gentle shove on the Minister’s back.
At the sagging of Arthur Weasley’s shoulders, Harry surmised that his again-best friend’s father was feeling intense grief for his co-worker.
~~~~~
Finally, the memory played out, and the adults began emerging from the Pensieve. To the surprise of no one, Fudge arose first; however, to the surprise of everyone, he bowed his head in shame before Harry. “Mr. Potter,” he began, “words cannot express how sorry I am, that I denied your claim earlier. It seems we also have some work to do, within the Board of Governors…and, most likely, the entire Wizengamot”.
”Thank you, Minister,” Harry replied quietly, desperately hoping that everyone involved—starting with Lucius Malfoy, who had been confirmed to be a rabid Death Eater, despite the claims he’d made after the Dark Lord’s disappearance in 1981–would be punished to the full extent of Wizarding Law.
Arthur, who’d now also “returned”, stepped around Fudge, to grab Harry in a warm embrace. ”I’m sorry you had to go through all of that, Harry,” was all he could choke out. McGonagall couldn’t even speak through her tears.
After helping Minerva regain a measure of composure and now facing Fudge, Arthur was secretly pleased to see his boss’s head hung in shame; however, he couldn’t quite hide an air of smug superiority. “Any questions now, Minister?”
”Actually, yes, Arthur,” Cornelius answered, in a manner that was subdued. “Do you have a list of Witches and Wizards—beyond those we just saw—that we should target first?”
”As a matter of fact, I do, Sir,” said Arthur bravely…although he avoided the gaze of Severus Snape. “I believe I also recognized a couple of others, from their actions and voices….”
~~~~~
While this exchange was going on, Harry Potter was getting the shocks of his life, courtesy of two normally stern Heads of Houses.
First of all, Gryffindor House Head McGonagall had had her normal façade dissolve before Harry’s eyes. “Potter…no adult should have to endure what you did tonight,” she started…right before she gave in to the tears that would not be restrained.
After several minutes, she lifted her head from where it had fallen…on Harry’s shoulder. Calmer now, she cleared her throat, and turned her thoughts inward.
Also surprising Harry was Severus Snape. While turning his gaze from one Staff Member to the other, Harry briefly saw the Head of Slytherin House cover his left forearm with his right hand. “So now you know…,” he began. Harry noticed an unusual huskiness to the Potion Master’s voice; still, he bravely met his elder’s gaze.
”So now I know…,” echoed Harry, cheekily. The dog at his feet thumped his tail and yipped, causing everyone to succumb to a tension-breaking chuckle.
~~~~~
After Albus and Alastor had added their own soothing words to Harry, the Minister addressed the Hogwarts Potions Master. “That Truth Potion you gave to Crouch earlier…do you have much of it left?”
”At three drops per dose,” Severus was knitting his eyebrows in concentration and calculation, “I probably have enough for…100 doses.”
Knowing that amount wouldn’t even cover the entire Wizengamot—he’d hoped to convene the lawmakers early next week; he’d leave the Board of Governors to Dumbledore—a disappointed Fudge now looked over at his employee. “So, Weasley, is there any chance you can have a list of names for me by Monday?”
”I’ll gather all the names I can tomorrow, and have them for you first thing Monday, Minister,” Arthur vowed.
”Bring the list to my office, then. Afterward, we can have a little chat with your son Percival….” Cornelius Fudge stopped when Harry and Arthur both flinched. “Is there something I should be aware of, gentlemen?”
”Oh, no, Minister…if you truly enjoy trying to talk sense into a by-the-book, hard-headed, arrogant….”
“POTTER!!” interrupted McGonagall sharply…although she couldn’t hide a twinkle in her eyes. She’d had all seven of the Weasley offspring under her wing, though, and couldn’t deny that Percy had been her first problem (but not her last!), and she secretly agreed with Harry.
Chancing a glance around, Harry noticed the others—except, of course, Moody—were trying to compose themselves. He missed seeing the ex-Auror and the Headmaster exchange a significant look.
Dumbledore now spoke again. “What about your older sons, Arthur?”
Arthur started at the top. “Well, you know Bill works as a Cursebreaker at Gringott’s, so maybe he can come up with something for the Wizengamot…maybe even help with your supplies, Professor Snape….” Arthur accepted Snape’s nod as a silent thanks.
”Charlie’s still at the Dragon Reserve in Romania, but he’s got a good head on his shoulders, so it can’t hurt to contact him….”
Arthur paused, then remarked wryly, “I’m almost afraid to think of what the twins would come up with….”
”Want some hints…?” muttered Harry…which elicited a round of laughter.
”Perhaps you and Professor Snape should do just that,” mused Minerva. “As I recall, their marks in Potions are frequently EE’s and even O’s….”
”Point taken,” Severus replied, his normal sneer now beginning to reappear. Leaning over toward Arthur, he continued, “What about your two youngest…and your wife?”
Harry Potter had never seen the purely conniving look—on anyone named “Weasley”—that he now saw on Arthur Weasley. His tone matched his expression, as he said, his voice dropping a full octave, “You leave them to ME…!“