Parselmight Chapter 10

SIRIUS BLACK ACQUITTED

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR WIZARDING SOCIETY

In a move that has left much of the wizarding community scratching their heads, the Wizengamot has officially acquitted Sirius Black of all charges, declaring him innocent after more than a decade of being branded as the most dangerous criminal in the wizarding world.

Yes, you read that correctly. The man who has long been known as He-Who-Terrorized-the-Wizarding-World, the very same Sirius Black who was alleged to have betrayed his closest friends and caused the deaths of twelve Muggles with a single curse, is now being proclaimed—quite abruptly—as an innocent man.

The Wizengamot, in what some are calling a "bold" decision, has decided that Black was, in fact, wrongly imprisoned in Azkaban all those years. This turn of events follows the discovery of new evidence, details of which have been curiously kept under wraps, that reportedly exonerates Black of all crimes. This includes his infamous betrayal of the Potters and the reported murder of Peter Pettigrew.

Understandably, the revelation has prompted a wide range of reactions across wizarding Britain. While some have expressed relief at the correction of a miscarriage of justice, others have voiced their concerns about what this means for our safety and the competence of our governing bodies.

How did such an error occur in the first place? And what are the implications of having someone who was, until very recently, considered a deranged murderer now walking freely among us?

The Ministry of Magic has remained tight-lipped on the exact details, offering little more than a brief statement acknowledging the Wizengamot's decision and promising "a thorough review of past procedures." We have yet to hear any concrete plans for how they intend to prevent such a blunder from happening again.

In the meantime, one can't help but wonder: What kind of person is Sirius Black now? After years of being locked away in the darkest corners of Azkaban, how has his time there affected him? We’ve all heard the stories of how prolonged exposure to Dementors can warp even the strongest minds. With Black back on the streets, is it unreasonable to feel a little uneasy?

And what about the wizarding families who lived in fear of Black's supposed return to power? The relief of hearing that he was no longer a threat has been replaced with a new kind of uncertainty. How do we reconcile the image of the crazed, hollow-eyed fugitive with that of an innocent man, allegedly wronged by the very system meant to protect us?

Questions abound, and answers are frustratingly few. As we try to process this unexpected twist, we must ask ourselves: What does this say about our justice system, our Ministry, and, indeed, our society? If a man like Sirius Black can be declared innocent after all these years, what other truths might we be missing?

As for Black’s future, much remains to be seen. Will he seek to reintegrate into society? Can he ever be fully trusted after all that has happened? These are questions that will likely linger for some time.

In any case, the Daily Prophet will continue to monitor this developing story closely. One thing is for certain, that this is far from the last we’ll hear about Sirius Black.

-

Lucius Malfoy slammed his fist furiously onto the counter as he read over the article, his face red with fury and frustration. He already knew of the Wizengamot’s decision, of course, but had been too late in arriving at the Ministry to stop it.

It had been Cyrus Greengrass and his coalition that did this, he knew that much at least, but the true benefactor behind the decision had yet to reveal themself.

And that was not mentioning Lady Carrow and her decision to betray him by joining Greengrasses. It was one he saw coming, and had taken appropriate measures through Amycus and Alecto to stop it, but it seemed his preparations had not been enough.

“Is everything alright, dear?”

He looked up into his wife’s uncaring gaze, her blue eyes staring back at him, restraining the anger and cruelty that no doubt lay underneath. He had married one of the infamous Black Sisters, and there was no doubt that each one was as insane and violent as the last. Narcissa might hide it better, doing so behind a veneer of her pureblood manners and upbringing, but he knew it was still there, hiding.

‘How many men have I killed? How many women have I raped and murdered in the name of the Dark Lord? Yet somehow I’m still afraid of my wife?’ Lucius thought, gritting his teeth. “Your cousin has been pardoned.”

Narcissa blinked. “Cousin Sirius?”

“Yes.” Lucius had to restrain himself from growling.

“How?” Narcissa ordered him to answer, rather than ask politely as she usually did.

“The damn Greengrasses did it.” He seethed. “They somehow got enough support with their Merlin-damned Grey faction to rush a vote in the middle of the night.”

“And where were you when this occurred?”

“Occupied.” Lucius replied. “My son was viciously attacked, and was hospitalized. We were visiting him, as you should remember, and I didn’t receive word until later.”

Narcissa sipped her tea, as they sat in silence for some time. “Do you think the two events are linked?”

“How so?”

“My cousin being acquitted hurts us the most, and this just so happens right after your son ends up in the hospital wing after starting a fight.”

“My son did not start a confrontation.” Lucius snapped back. “Severus informed me it was the Potter brat who caused it all. He assured me that Dumbledore would be expelling the brat today!”

“You really think Dumbledore would expel Harry Potter from Hogwarts? I’m afraid that you’ve too much faith in Severus and his opinions. Perhaps he’s starting to cloud your judgements around the failure that is our son.”

Lucius moved, reaching over and throwing Narcissa’s teacup across the room. It smashed against the wall, all the while his wife looked on indifferently, but he could still see the hatred and defiance in his wife’s eyes.

He had chained her, bound her so deeply within their marriage contract that she could never so much as raise her wand against him. She knew it too, and there was no doubt that it only fueled her rage. Narcissa should have broken years ago, just like the normal pureblood wife would, but she instead held on to her defiance.

It was infuriating to him, to have a wife that neither respected nor listened to him on her own accord. To everyone else their marriage was one to be respected and even be envious of, but it was really a disaster. He knew that Narcissa would leave him tomorrow if their Marriage Contract was annulled, or even kill him.

“You are wrong about my son, and you will regret those words.” Lucius snarled the words venomously, wishing nothing more than to inflict as much harm upon her as he could in that moment. There was only one way to do that in his mind, as his lips curled upwards. “Now that I think of it, your daughter has been receiving quite a few betrothal offers.”

His wife immediately realized what he was doing, her eyes becoming like chips of ice. “She’s not of age.”

Narcissa was technically right to point such a thing out, but things like the law couldn’t bother Lucius Malfoy when he had the Minister in his pocket. Her making the case that their daughter was not of age- and thus could not be sold- was the only possible defense she could make in her situation. “Selling her off will increase our coffers significantly, and I’ll make sure to put her under the most constraining Marriage Contract I can to sweeten the deal. Crabbe, Goyle, Bulstrode, maybe even Lord Nott will make a bid.”

He finished his diatribe with a lofty smirk, enjoying how easy it was to get under his wife’s skin. Beatings, curses, contracts, none of which could hurt Narcissa Malfoy nearly as much as the mention of her daughter.

“You bastard.” Narcissa seethed, her face red in rage as she fought for self control.

“I would suggest you mind your tone, or else Kassandra will find herself facing the consequences of your actions.” Lucius smirked in triumph as he stood. “I’m off to the Ministry, dear. Perhaps it would do you some good to do some thinking while I’m gone.”

-

Harry Potter pushed open the door to the hospital wing quietly, peering inside to see if Madam Pomfrey was around. The room was dimly lit, the early morning sunlight coming through the windows and illuminating some of the beds. He spied the girl he was looking for, and made his way over to her.

It was Lucy, the first-year Hufflepuff girl he had met yesterday, and who had attended his betrothal party. She had been injured during the confrontation—and needing to stay overnight because of it. He came closer to her bed, and she perked up as he got closer.

"Harry?" She whispered, clearly surprised to see him. She tried to sit up, wincing slightly as she moved.

"Hey, Lucy," Harry said softly, pulling up a chair beside her bed. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay, I think." Lucy replied, her voice small and a bit shaky. "Madam Pomfrey said I'll be fine by midday. Just a few bruises and a lot of potions to drink."

Harry nodded, relieved that her injuries weren’t worse. "I'm really sorry about what happened. You shouldn’t have to go through something like that."

Lucy looked down at her hands, fiddling with the edge of the blanket. "I… I didn’t think Hogwarts would be like this," she admitted quietly. "I mean, I’ve read about it—how it's supposed to be this amazing school with magic and adventures. But… I didn’t know there’d be so much fighting, so much… meanness."

Harry sighed, leaning forward slightly. "Hogwarts is an amazing place, Lucy. But yeah, it’s not always safe. There’s a lot of good here, but there are also people who don’t always do the right thing. Especially when it comes to house rivalries."

"Why do they hate us so much?" Lucy asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn’t do anything to them. I’m just… I’m just new, I don’t even know what I’m doing half the time."

Harry’s heart clenched at the sadness in her voice. "It’s not about you, Lucy. Some people think that being in a certain house, or having special parents, makes them better than others. It’s not right, but that’s how they’ve been raised to think. And… well, purebloods has a reputation, especially right now, with everything going on."

"But not all Slytherins are bad, right?" Lucy asked, looking up at him with hopeful eyes. “You’re dating Daphne, and she seems nice enough.”

Harry paused, thinking carefully before he spoke. "No, not all of them are bad," he said. "There are many good people in Slytherin, people who might be just as scared or lonely as anyone else. It’s just… it’s complicated."

Lucy nodded slowly, trying to process his words. "It’s hard to know who to trust."

"I know," Harry replied, his voice gentle. "But trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. You’re stronger than you think, Lucy. And you’re not alone here. You’ve got friends in Hufflepuff, and there are good people in every house who will have your back."

Lucy offered him a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Harry. I… I guess I just didn’t expect things to be so difficult. My parents don’t know anything about magic. They were so excited when I got my letter, but now… I don’t know if I should tell them about what happened. I don’t want them to worry."

Harry understood her concern all too well. "When I first came here, I didn’t know anything about the magical world either. I felt lost a lot of the time, but you’ll get through it. And it’s okay to tell your parents—if they know what’s going on, they can help support you, even if they don’t understand everything."

Lucy nodded again, her eyes glistening slightly. "I’ll think about it, but I’m glad you came to see me. It makes me feel a bit better."

Harry smiled at her, standing up to leave. "Anytime, Lucy. And if you ever need to talk, or if you’re ever in trouble again, just find me. I’ll do what I can to help."

"Thanks, Harry," Lucy said, her voice a little stronger now.

Harry gave her a reassuring nod before turning to leave. As he walked out of the hospital wing, his expression changed to show his frustration. He had won, his Godfather would go free thanks to Daphne’s help, but the cost almost seemed too high.

He thought back to Slytherin’s books, the ruthlessness and cunning that the man seemed to worship, and couldn’t help but feel his stomach twist in discomfort. He had killed people, tortured them even, and become more powerful in the last year than he thought possible. But even then he couldn’t help but feel like he was doing everything wrong.

-

It was after a few hours of sleep that her warning runes warned her of intruders approaching her bedroom. She got out of bed with a groan of effort, something that was getting harder and harder with age, and grabbed her wand from the bedside table. The Wizengamot session had lasted well into the night, and she had no doubt the Daily Prophet had already printed a story on Sirius Black’s newfound freedom.

It only took a few moments of waiting for the door to her bedroom to explode inwards, followed by a dragon of fire that she had to banish across the room. It destroyed most of her bedroom, the enchanted flame dragon eating and burning the room’s furniture before turning on her. She eventually put it out with a complex water charm, before turning to see her attackers.

It was exactly who she expected, the two fugitives that Malfoy had installed in her home to maintain her allegiance. They glared at her from the bedroom entrance, wands in hand.

“Amycus, Alecto.” She greeted. “I admit, I expected both of you to appear earlier.”

“You fucking hag.” Alecto spat with a glare. “Siding with mudbloods and blood-traitors. To think that your age would deteriorate your mind to do such a thing!”

“Ah, so Malfoy had already contacted the two of you.” She replied, grinning slightly when they tensed. There was not a doubt in her mind that Lucius Malfoy had given them the order to eliminate her. “I am not as dull as the two of you might believe, and am already aware of the deal he made with you.”

“It was Malfoy who freed us.” Amycus spoke up. “It was him who informed us of your malcontent, and how you allowed Alexander to stray away from the pureblood faith our family believes in. Of course, he’ll be getting a visit after we’re done with you.”

Lady Carrow felt heat enter her bones, a burning rage she hadn’t felt in some time. “You would kill your own kin?”

“Malfoy wants an example made.” Amycus stated.

“Then you’re too late.” She laughed harshly like a crow. “Alexander is already long gone, safe from the two of you. You’ll never find him.”

“Then we’ll torture his location out of you.” Alecto spat. “Crucio!”

She spun to the side faster than most women her age, dodging the cruciatus curse, right as both the twins began casting in tandem. The Carrow Matriarch levitated a table in front of her, letting it get blown to bits before banishing the remnants across the room.

She then levitated her bedsheets, controlling all of them like ropes as they flew across the room to bind the twins. Amycus tried burning them, while Alecto didn’t stop casting, hitting her with two cutting curses that hit her cheek and shoulder.

“It’s over.” Amycus said, burning the bed sheets before turning to her. “Crucio!”

“Gah!” Lady Carrow let out a harsh gasp, gritting down the pain of the torture curse till it ended.

“We can do this for hours, all you have to do is tell us where Alexander is.” Alecto demanded.

“You two imbeciles.” Lady Carrow let out a gurgling laugh. “You forgot about my wand. Imperio!”

The spell struck Alecto, and she swiftly took over the woman’s will. 'Laugh. Make it seem like I failed to Imperius you.'

Alecto let out a laugh. “You stupid hag! You think that you have enough willpower to control me!”

Amycus watched his sister suspiciously, before grinning in relief and turning back to her. The Carrow Matriarch acted then, and Alecto swung to point her wand at her brother. “Bombarda!”

Amycus swore, diving out of the way at the last second. She saw that he managed to dodge the curse, and the Carrow Matriarch used that as her chance to escape. She actived her portkey, escaping the Manor and leaving the two behind.

-

The Great Hall seemed smaller than Harry remembered, the many floating candles shining less bright than before but leaving longer shadows than they otherwise would.

Snape was missing from the Head table, that alone prompted enough rumors to begin circling around the student body. ‘Especially since it’s rumored he fled the school in the middle of the night.’

But that wasn’t the only thing that got the student body’s attention. At the back of the Great Hall, by the entrance, stood nearly a dozen Lords and Ladies who were obviously not students nor teachers. Harry had recognized Lucius Malfoy among them almost immediately, as the man had sent a nasty sneer his way.

It seemed that the infamous Hogwarts Board of Governors had shown up, meaning that something big was going to happen. He could only guess that it was about the fight yesterday, and it seemed that the whispered conversations around him agreed. As the last murmurs faded into silence, Dumbledore raised his hands, signaling the beginning of what would surely be a speech to remember.

“My dear students,” The Headmaster began, his voice gentle yet commanding, “it is with a heavy heart that I address you tonight. Hogwarts is a place of learning, a sanctuary for those who seek to hone their magical abilities and to grow into the finest witches and wizards the world has ever known. Yet today, we have seen a fracture within our walls, a disturbance that threatens the very unity that makes Hogwarts so special.”

He paused, allowing his words to settle over the students, his gaze sweeping across the hall with a mixture of disappointment and subtle scrutiny. Dumbledore’s eyes lingered just a fraction longer on the Slytherin table, where students sat with stiff postures, half of them looking on with defiance and unease.

“Conflict, as we all know, is a part of life. But the manner in which we handle that conflict speaks volumes about our character, our integrity, and our respect for one another. It is, of course, natural for misunderstandings to arise among such a diverse group of young minds. But when those misunderstandings escalate into violence, we must take a step back and consider the root cause.”

The Headmaster’s tone remained calm, almost paternal, but there was a subtle edge to it, a hint of something darker that seemed to hang in the air. “I have always believed that each of the four houses of Hogwarts brings something unique and valuable to our community. Gryffindor, with its bravery. Hufflepuff, with its loyalty. Ravenclaw, with its wisdom. And Slytherin… with its ambition and cunning.”

“Ambition, when guided by a strong moral compass, can lead to greatness. However, when that ambition is left unchecked, when it is allowed to fester in the shadows, it can lead to actions that are… regrettable. Actions that harm not only those around us but also the very fabric of our community.” His words were carefully chosen, each one a delicate barb aimed at the heart of Slytherin House, though veiled in the language of concern and wisdom. The atmosphere in the hall grew heavier, the tension palpable as Dumbledore continued.

“It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to ensure that our actions reflect the values we hold dear. And when those actions fall short, there must be consequences. Regrettably, it seems that the handling of today’s incident did not meet the standards we expect at Hogwarts. In light of this, I must inform you all that Professor Snape has been temporarily relieved of his duties while we conduct a thorough review of the situation.”

A ripple of shock spread through the hall as the student body became uproariously loud at the announcement. Dumbledore’s voice remained steady, though there was a flicker of something sharper in his eyes, something that suggested this decision had been both necessary and calculated.

Harry felt his nail dig into his palms, his hands quivering with repressed anger. He wanted Snape gone, not temporarily suspended or whatever Dumbledore planned.

“What? Is he mad?” Neville spoke exactly what Harry was thinking from next to him.

“I’m beginning to think he is.” Harry whispered, glaring at Dumbledore through the chaos.

“He can’t seriously think he can rehire Snape! He attacked students!”

Harry opened his mouth to make some cynical remark, only for Dumbledore to raise his hand and cut through the chatter as he continued his diatribe. “I trust that this will serve as a reminder to all that the safety and well-being of every student at Hogwarts is our utmost priority. No one is above the rules, and no one is exempt from accountability!”

The Slytherin table was now a mix of outrage and anxiety, while students from the other houses exchanged mixed looks. Dumbledore, however, maintained his calm, almost benevolent demeanor, as if he were simply fulfilling a regrettable but essential duty.

“But I do not wish to dwell solely on these unfortunate events. After all, this year should not be remembered for discord and division, but rather for the remarkable opportunity that lies ahead for each of you. And so, I have the pleasure of announcing that Hogwarts will once again host the Triwizard Tournament!”

The atmosphere in the hall shifted instantly, the previous tension dissolving as excitement buzzed through the student body. Dumbledore’s smile widened, and the twinkle in his eyes returned. He had woven a speech that was careful to barely satisfy them with the information of Snape’s suspension before moving on to something that would make them forget about Snape entirely.

It was masterfully done, Harry had to admit that much. ‘No doubt everyone will forget about Snape’s actions now. They’ll all be too busy focusing on the tournament to care about anything else.’

“Hogwarts will not be the only school to participate in this tournament.” Dumbledore continued over the excited chatter. “Both Beauxbatons and Drumstrang academies will arrive at our doors to participate in the tournament. As for the requirement to enter, only students at their majority will be able to do so-”

The Great Hall exploded in shouts of anger. Students at their majority meant only students who were considered full-fledged wizards in the eyes of the Ministry, largely meaning seventh years. It meant that most of the school could not participate because of this.

-

It had been a hell of a day for Kassandra Malfoy. All those years of subtly manipulating and gathering leverage had nearly all been spent in a span of twenty-four hours.

For all of her preparations and challenges, she had still found herself shorthanded. Too many of her brother’s sycophants had been wounded, whether that be physically or through their pride, and decided to not follow her as a result. She had coerce almost all of them, even at the threat of violence or blackmail, to get them back in line. Even then there was not enough support, as Greengrass and Selwyn had taken most of it.

It was Dumbledore’s speech that was supposed to be the nail in her proverbial coffin that was her power grab, but instead it provided her with opportunity.

‘The Triwizard Tournament.’ He lips curled upwards at the thought of it. It was the opportunity for greatness that she had been looking for, a way out of the hole her brother had proverbially thrown her in. It promised exactly what she needed, especially in order if she was to rule Slytherin. ‘The power, notoriety, and glory that will come with winning the tournament doesn’t sound too bad.’

She didn’t bother going back to her room when she returned to the dungeons of Slytherin, instead she confidently made her way to her new throne. The chair by the fireplace that was so renowned and sought after by her housemates.

Her sitting there caused a small uproar, and it was Abbott who approached her first, being Selwyn’s greatest ally while the girl was in the hospital wing, with Greengrass hidden off to the side. Emma came and stood between them, close enough to Kassandra that she could be considered her own ally.

“That chair doesn’t belong to you, Malfoy.” Abbott glared, no doubt furious at her perceived superiority.

“You’re right, Raleigh.” Kassandra replied easily, resting her chin on her palm. Using the first names of her opponent was always a great way to take them off guard. “It belongs to the Hogwarts Champion.”

The whole room seemed to freeze, with whispered conversations breaking out as everyone discussed the possibility of her being champion.

“But you’re not the Hogwarts Champion.” Greengrass chimed in from the side. “You’re not old enough, being a sixth year.”

“Decided to leave the grass and show your face?” Kassandra teased, causing Greengrass to scowl. “Dumbledore said only students at their majority will be able to enter, and luckily my birthday is next week.”

“Even then, that does not mean you will be selected as champion.” Abbott retorted, clenching her fists.

“I am the strongest student student in this school.” Kassandra stated. It was not an opinion, but a fact, one that no one contested.

“You’re really going along with this, Zabini?” Greengrass asked Emma, who stood near her.

Her best friend hesitated, and that more than anything hurt the most. It seemed her best friend was having second thoughts, and was unsure of what to say of do. It meant that Kassandra had to intervene on her friend’s side.

“Don’t be ridiculous, it was Emma who told me of your little plan.” Kassandra announced, and watched with satisfaction as Greengrass’s eyes widened in horror. “She came running to me the moment she found out of how you setup the whole confrontation between my brother and your lover.”

Her brother’s sycophants, being her new allies, became outraged, right as Selwyn’s group became uneasy. Emma’s eyes widened in horror, looking at her with betrayal.

Kassandra had implanted pure distrust in Greengrass with that reveal. Even if the girl disavowed her claim, the stain of it would mark her for years. The accusation that Greengrass worked with members outside their house to disrupt Slytherin politics was one that ruined reputations.

But there was another benefit of her little reveal. Emma Zabini had been unofficially claimed as one of her allies, someone who would rat out any information she came across. It was a double edged blade though, as while Kassandra had ensured Emma would be restricted to her side, she had done so by hurting her best friend’s trust.

“What?!” Abbott spun to face Greengrass, a look of betrayal on her face. “Why would you do that?”

Kassandra gained a smirk as she watched the infighting, while Greengrass recovered and shot the girl a glare. “Don’t be ridiculous, it was Malfoy and his lackeys that attacked our get-together. Why would I want mine and Harry’s betrothal party to be ruined?”

“So that you could crush my brother’s reputation.” Kassandra answered easily. “But you involved students outside Slytherin in order to do so.”

“That is a ridiculous accusation, it was not me who led your brother’s group in the first place.” Greengrass stated.

“Of course you did.” Kassandra replied. “A few compulsion charms could have led them astray, or even the Imperius curse.”

“Oh, I’m sure your brother would be vulnerable to the Imperius curse, Malfoy.” Greengrass sneered. “You’re grasping at straws.”

“Am I?” Kassandra smirked, looking around the common room. It was clear that she had managed to convince a sizable portion of Slytherin that it was Daphne who organized the whole affair.

Daphne was seething, she had never seen the girl so furious. “It was your brother who attacked my betrothal party. Even if, and that is a big if, I somehow convinced him to do so, it was him at the end of the day who caused this whole mess. He would have known, along with those who followed him, that they would be attacking students outside Slytherin. Telling everyone in this room it was me who caused this whole disaster is pointless.”

“Oh, I’m not just going to tell everyone here.” Kassandra smirked, ready to reveal her final trump card. “I’m going to tell your lover as well.”