Chapter 73: Aftermath
It was past midnight. The staff room was crowded by many Professors of Hogwarts, many Aurors from the Ministry of Magic, Minister Fudge, and Professor Dumbledore. Everyone was sitting in a big circle and Chris was standing middle of them. At the corner, two Aurors were pointing their wands at Pettigrew. Pettigrew was tied up in a special chain, produced by Dumbledore himself, for preventing him to transform. He was still unconscious. Sirius was standing few feet away from Chris, two Aurors were holding him as he was weak after the Dementors kiss almost suck his soul out. There was pin-drop silence, everyone's eyes were travelling to Chris to Pettigrew.
"I can't believe this." Fudge said with a shocked expression on his face.
"But the evidence and witness are here Minister," Dumbledore said calmly. "You've to realize Ministry did a mistake twelve years ago."
"Indeed. The previous incident was unbelievable as well but we believed." Professor McGonagall said with a soft tone.
"Is there anything else Miss Norton, you didn't tell us?" Snape said with a dark look. "Because if you didn't then —"
"No Professor. I told everything as it was." Chris replied seriously.
The story Chris told was almost the same, except a few parts. The story she said included, Professor Lupin and Chris seeing a dog dragging Ron inside the Whomping Willow, Harry and Hermione following them and Lupin and Chris going after them. Then as they all came out of the tree the Dementors attacked and made all of them unconscious in front of the Willow. Chris and Harry both produced two Patronus which drove the Dementors away. Chris barely managed to stay conscious. She carefully omitted the Map, Dames and removing Pettigrew's memory about Dames.
Sirius also agreed with Chris and told all about being an illegal Animagus. He also confessed how he escaped the Azkaban so that Pettigrew can't use the same trick.
"You can check Pettigrew with Veritaserum. I'm telling the truth or not." Chris said looking at Snape.
Snape's face twitched.
"Yes, yes we will." Fudge said, trying to sound superior.
"So I guess, that proves Sirius Black innocent," Dumbledore said calmly.
"Yeah. Er — it should. We'll arrange a hearing after interrogating Pettigrew." Fudge said.
"I don't know much about law, but I guess twelve years of Azkaban is enough for an illegal Animagus. So will there be any actions against it, Minister?" Chris asked suddenly.
Fudge coughed, he clearly didn't expect this question from a second-year student. "Yea — Of course not. I guess — er — it's right. There is nothing wrong about it."
"And Minister I think a public apology would be nice. I mean people should know that they shouldn't assume things like that. Truth can be different." Chris said boldly.
Fudge's jaw dropped. "Public Apology from Ministry?"
"I also think it's important Fudge," said Dumbledore.
Fudge frowned then nodded and cleared his throats, "I'll clear Black's name as soon as possible."
Chris nodded.
"Now, I think you can leave, Christina." Professor McGonagall said. "And please go to Hospital wing once. You didn't get that chance at all." She gave a stern look towards Fudge.
"Yes Professor," Chris said looked at Dumbledore's calm face, he nodded slightly and she left the staff room.
As soon as she came close to Hospital wing, someone grabbed her hand and spun her around.
"What the —?" she stopped. "Jason?"
"What happened?" Jason asked seriously looking at her.
Chris couldn't help but chuckled seeing his worried face.
"Look it's not funny. You were attacked by hundreds of Dementors." He snapped.
"How do you know?" Chris asked.
"Your stupid friends were shouting. I heard them."
"Hey! My friends are not stupid." Chris said seriously. "They were worried for me just like you. That's all."
"Sure." He replied sarcastically. "And I'm not worried, I'm just curious. Now tell me what happened?"
"Nothing. Harry and I conjured a Patronus and drove the Dementors away. And most of the story you'll found out as soon as Ministry publish it on Daily Prophet."
"The Ministry is fraud." He spat suddenly.
"What?"
"This Ministry and Minister both are frauds. I never believed them and never will. You also shouldn't. They led people to believe what THEY believe, not the truth."
"You ok Jason?" Chris asked looking concerned.
"Yeah. I'm fine and I guess you're too. Bye then." He said and walked away.
"See you later," She called after him.
As Chris entered the Hospital wing, everyone stopped talking. Harry, Ron and Hermione were conscious. Ginny, Colin and Luna were sitting beside them. Everyone stared at Chris; Ron with pure terror, Hermione and Harry with curiosity, Ginny and Colin with confusion and Luna with amazement. Chris realized it's time to explain the Dementor thing to them.
Chris sat on a chair and sighed.
"The Ministry is going to interrogate Pettigrew and then Sirius Black will be a free man. I asked them for a public apology in Daily Prophet. I hope they'll do it."
"Really? Sirius will be free?" Harry asked looking excited. "Now I can live with him?"
"I guess so." Chris smiled.
Hermione cleared her throat and looked at everyone then said, "Chris, we were thinking — about — the thing you — did there —"
"Yeah —" Ginny said nervously. "We heard the story from them."
"Er — arghhhh — look I don't know how to explain it. It's just — the Dementors doesn't affect me. It's weird. I know. Also that Dementor, Dames who helped me — he obeys me for some reasons. I don't know why but he does. That's all." Chris sighed. "You're not supposed to know that."
"Then why don't you erase our memories?" Luna asked surprising everyone.
"Erase your memories?" Chris repeated.
"Yes. You can erase ours now." Luna replied. "If we're not supposed to know this."
"Yeah. About that — I thought about it when all three of them where unconscious —" Chris pointed at Harry, Ron and Hermione. "But — then I thought they're witnesses as well, it'll be dangerous to do something with their memory."
"And what about us?" Ginny asked.
"Well — you three are my friends so I guess it doesn't hurt — just don't tell anyone." She looked at Colin. "Not a single person other than us, Colin."
"I promise," Colin said seriously.
Chris smiled and looked at Harry, Ron and Hermione.
"We won't. Don't worry." Harry said smiling.
"I guess so," Ron said a moment later.
"Well, if we're telling the truth. Harry! Ron! There is something — I didn't tell you." Hermione said nervously. "I've — a Time-Turner. Professor McGonagall gave me at the start of the term so I can manage all my classes. Professor McGonagall made me swear I wouldn't tell anyone. She had to write all sorts of letters to the Ministry of Magic so I could have one. I've been turning it back so I could do hours over again, that's how I've been doing several lessons at once."
There was a long pause. Ron, Harry, Colin and Luna were stared at Hermione.
"That person will be able to change the future;"
"That person will think differently from many;"
"That person will master all kind of powers;"
"That person will be our true successor."
Next morning Chris woke up with a headache.
She had to rest the night in Hospital wing, for Madam Pomfrey. Madam Pomfrey surely doubted her so normal behaviour after the Dementors attack, so she decided not to gain her suspicion and agreed to spend the night there. In the morning as Madam Pomfrey checked her, she convinced her that she needed some fresh air and left the Hospital wing before Harry, Ron and Hermione. She went straight towards the Astronomy tower, to her surprise a Dementor was already floating there.
"Dames?"
"My Queen." He bowed. "I wanted to meet you before I leave."
"Me too. I wanted to thank you again for what you did yesterday."
"As I said, my Queen. It's my duty. But I'm truly sorry my Queen. I heard what they did last night."
"No need Dames. They didn't know the right thing to do."
"Honestly we never knew what is the right thing. We're ashamed, my Queen."
"Then it's not your fault at all. If you don't know what is the right thing, how will you do it?" Chris smiled. "I'm not mad at any of you."
"You're truly great, my Queen. We never tried to learn the right thing. I hope we can learn to do the right thing in your guidance. Anything else I can do for you, my Queen?"
"Can you at least give me a hint? About my existents? I mean who am I?" Chris asked.
"I am sorry. I don't know many things but — I think you can look at the history of this Magical world." He answered.
"History of this Wizarding world?" Chris said surprised. "Ok. I'll look at that."
"I hope you find all your answers, my Queen. Now, my Queen, the others are also eager to meet you before they leave. Only if you want to."
"Alright."
"Thank you, my Queen." He said and backed away a little and in a second, hundred and more Dementors appeared in front of her.
"How do you communicate?" Chris asked curiously.
"We're connected to each other. We don't need words to communicate." Dames replied.
Chris nodded.
"We're sorry for attacking you, Queen." The Dementors said in unison.
"It's alright. I forgive you." Chris said and they all bowed and floated away.
With a sigh, Chris walked towards the Gryffindor tower.
The Gryffindor common room was not so crowded. Only the first and second-year students were there. Ginny and Colin were not there. Chris changed her robes in her room and got a few curious looks from her other roommates. Then went downstairs again and approached a group of second-year boys.
"Hey Alex! Do you know where is Colin?" Chris said looking at a black-haired boy.
"Oh! Hi Chris. Yeah, I saw him leaving with Ginny half an hour ago. I think he went to see you in Hospital wing." He answered.
"Ok, thanks," Chris said and tried to leave.
"Hey, we heard the Dementors attacked you as well. How are you?" Another boy asked.
"I'm good. Thanks for asking." Chris said and left.
As she came out of the portrait hole, she saw Ginny, Luna and Colin coming.
"You told everything to your roommates?" Chris asked glaring at Colin.
"Wha—? No. Everyone heard you were at Hospital wing with Harry, Ron and Hermione. I just confirmed that. I didn't say anything else, I swear." He said hurriedly.
"Fine. I trust you." Chris replied.
"Why you left the Hospital wing so early? We went to meet you there." Ginny said seriously.
"I was bored. So —" said Chris and before she could finish, Ginny hugged her. "Ginny, are you ok?"
"You can't imagine, how worried she was for you last night. When you didn't come back after your detention," Luna said smiling. "She solved the riddle alone and came into the Ravenclaw tower to call me."
"Really? That's really cool Ginny." Chris said grinning. "Hey, it's alright. I'm fine."
Ginny pulled back. "Next time if you do something alone and don't call us, then I'll beat you with your Firebolt."
"Wow. I guess I'm a bad influence on you." Chris said. The four of them laughed.
All four of them went to Chris's favourite spot in Hogwarts, the lake. Sitting on the grass, watching the giant squid waving its tentacles lazily above the water, Luna told stories about her father and her adventures. After sometime Harry, Ron and Hermione came there. They sat together and talked about the things happened that year.
A shadow fell across them and they looked up to see a very bleary-eyed Hagrid, beaming down at them.
"Harry! Dumbledore told me abou' wha' happened las' night. I'm really happy, also feeling bad. Yeh see I though' really bad about Black. I believed the story like everyone else." He said.
"Everyone believed that story Hagrid, even Dumbledore," Hermione replied.
"True. True. I'm happy now as he was going ter be a free man and tha' Pettigrew is going ter Azkaban with special protection as he could no' escape." Hagrid said smiling. "Everythin' went well excep' with Professor Lupin."
"What?" said Harry quickly.
"Blimey, haven' yeh heard?" said Hagrid, his smile fading a little. He lowered his voice, even though there was nobody in sight. "Er – Snape told all the Slytherins this mornin' — thought everyone'd know by now — Professor Lupin's a werewolf, see. An' he was loose in the grounds las' night. He's packin' now, o' course."
"He's packing?" said Chris, alarmed.
"Why?" Harry asked with the same tone like Chris.
"Leavin', isn' he?" said Hagrid, looking surprised that Harry had to ask. "Resigned firs' thing this mornin'. Says he can' risk it happenin' again."
Chris and Harry looked at each other and both scrambled to their feet.
"I'm going to see him," Chris said to others.
"Me too," Harry said.
"But, Chris, Harry, if he's resigned —" Hermione said.
"— doesn't sound like there's anything we can do," Ginny said next.
"You're right but —" said Chris.
"I don't care. I still want to see him," Harry interrupted.
And they took off running towards Lupin's office. Lupin's office door was open. He had already packed most of his things. The Grindylow's empty tank stood next to his battered old suitcase, which was open and nearly full. He looked up when they knocked on the door.
"Harry! Christina! Come in," He said with his same welcoming smile.
"I just saw Hagrid," said Harry. "And he said you'd resigned. It's not true, is it?"
"I'm afraid it is," said Lupin. He started opening his desk drawers and taking out the contents.
"Why?" said Harry.
"Well after what happened last night — Sirius proving innocent, Dumbledore convincing the Ministry that I'm not harmful for students if I take the potion correctly — I guess Severus became very disappointed and he accidentally slipped about my condition in between students," Lupin said.
"You're not leaving just because of that!" said Chris. "You're doing it for the students, don't you?"
Lupin smiled wryly.
"This time tomorrow, the owls will start arriving from parents — they will not want a werewolf teaching their children, Christina. And after last night, I see their point. I could have bitten any of you — that must never happen again."
"You're the best Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had!" Chris said sadly.
"I agree," said Harry. "Please. Don't go!"
Lupin shook his head and didn't speak. He carried on emptying his drawers. Then, Lupin said, "From what the Headmaster told me this morning, you saved a lot of lives last night, Christina. If I'm proud of anything, it's how much you two have learned. Tell me about your Patronus."
"I didn't do much — it was all Chris. I fainted after a few minutes." Harry said but this time there was no shyness in his voice.
"Yes. I heard you drove the Dementors away. I'm glad you told everything about — er — your uniqueness to the headmaster," Lupin said looking at Chris.
"Yeah. Before the meeting, I told everything as it was to Professor Dumbledore. I thought that's the right thing to do." Chris replied. "And My Patronus was an Eagle."
"A strong one," Lupin commented. He threw his last few books into his case, closed the desk drawers and turned to look at Harry.
"Here — I brought this from the Whomping Willow last night," he said, handing Harry back the Invisibility Cloak. "— and —" he turned towards Chris, "As I promised, a book about Dementors and their history. After lots of research, I found this in the library's restricted section. I've arranged things. You can take it for as many days as need. I hope it helps you." He handed a book to Chris.
"Thanks for everything Professor," Chris said smiling.
"No thank you, Christina. I've learned many things from you," He smiled and looked at Harry. "And Harry you've so much inside you don't even know. Your father would've been so proud of you, I'm sure of it. Even your mother would've very happy for you."
There was a knock on the door. It was Professor Dumbledore. He didn't look surprised to see Chris and Harry there.
"Your carriage is at the gates, Remus," he said.
"Thank you, Headmaster."
Lupin picked up his old suitcase and the empty Grindylow tank.
"Well — goodbye, Harry, Christina," he said, smiling. "It has been a real pleasure teaching you. I feel sure we'll meet again some time. Headmaster, there is no need to see me to the gates, I can manage —"
Chris understood that Lupin wanted to leave as quickly as possible.
"Goodbye, then, Remus," said Dumbledore soberly. Lupin shifted the Grindylow tank slightly so that he and Dumbledore could shake hands. Then, with a final nod to Chris and Harry, with a swift smile, Lupin left the office.
Harry sat down in his vacated chair, staring glumly at the floor. Chris saw Dumbledore was still standing there.
"Why people are so — so — I mean why they misunderstood so many people, Professor?" Chris asked.
"You see Christina, we all are misunderstood in different ways. We trust things we hear and things we see, sometimes our feelings cloud our judgement. We don't understand people and they don't understand us," said Dumbledore with a wise tone. "But if there are people in your life who trust you, understand you in any circumstances, you shouldn't leave them." He looked at Harry. "You two have great things ahead. Don't disappoint over small things. You've saved a man's life from a terrible fate."
"Professor Dumbledore — yesterday, when I was having my Divination exam, Professor Trelawney went very — very strange," Harry said suddenly.
"Indeed?" said Dumbledore. "Er — stranger than usual, you mean?"
"Yes — her voice went all deep and her eyes rolled and she said — she said Voldemort's servant was going to set out to return to him before midnight — she said the servant would help him come back to power," Harry stared up at Dumbledore. "And then she sort of became normal again, and she couldn't remember anything she'd said. I was afraid it was a real prediction but —"
"I believed that was a real prediction that's why I tried so hard to stop Pettigrew," Chris added.
"You know I think it was a real prediction but didn't come true because of —" he looked at Chris. "Because of some reasons — Harry, I heard from Lupin about your lessons and your experience with Dementors."
"— yes —" he sighed. "I heard my parents. It was stupid, thinking I can hear them again," he muttered. "I mean, I knew they were dead."
"You think the dead we have loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble? Your father is alive in you, Harry." Dumbledore said quietly. "Harry — you can find him inside yourself."
And he walked out leaving Chris and Harry alone.
Chris took out the Marauder's Map.
"Here. Take it — and sorry for stealing it."
Harry took it and smiled. "Thanks."
"After hearing about your father, I guess your father would've happy if you have the map," Chris said smiling. "Use it wisely."
Harry grinned.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone