Hogwarts: Legacy of the Necromancer

"I always thought he was dead. I was willing to spend twelve years in Azkaban because of it. But just recently, I found out that Peter Pettigrew is still alive! And he's been hiding at Hogwarts—he's even here in this room with us right now."

Sirius Black's tone was so neurotic that it made it hard for anyone to believe a word he said.

"But there are only five of us in this room. Where's Peter Pettigrew supposed to be?"

Hermione looked around but didn't see anyone matching that description. So she pressed further.

"How can you be so sure it's just the five of us in this room? Come out! Come out, Peter!"

Sirius shouted with a crazed smile, casting a sinister glance toward the three children.

"Levicorpus!"

Like a silent bat in the dark, Professor Snape appeared on the scene. With a flick of his wand, he had Sirius dangling upside down.

Everyone in the room turned their attention to Snape.

Obviously, Snape had just played the villain by interrupting the moment where Peter Pettigrew was about to be exposed. This drew skeptical looks from everyone—just when they were about to get results, he had to step in.

Snape sneered coldly, expression unchanged as he watched the recording. He knew now he had wronged Sirius—but... hmph! Even if he could go back, he'd still string up that mutt again.

Snape kept watching, face growing darker by the second.

Harry Potter had taken Hermione's wand and used the Expelliarmus charm to blast Snape away.

Having been knocked back by his own student, Snape had already decided: before this school year ended, Harry Potter was going to suffer in Potions class.

Meanwhile, in the school infirmary, Harry suddenly woke with a chill all over—clearly an aftereffect of the Dementor attack he and Sirius had suffered by the lake.

Turning his head, he saw Ron, whose leg was broken, already dosed with potion and groaning in discomfort. On the other side, Sirius lay resting, clearly weakened.

Now, there was a small technical point that needed explanation.

First, Ron had been brought back by Snape and Hermione and was the first to be laid in the infirmary.

Then, Regulus Black had returned to Hogwarts with Harry and Sirius via Buckbeak.

At this moment, Snape and Hermione were already on their way to the Headmaster's office, while Regulus had used the Patronus Charm to teleport himself directly to the office door ahead of them.

The result: although Ron, Harry, and Sirius entered the infirmary just moments apart, Snape still hadn't seen Sirius—he was too busy worrying about Harry's safety.

Though he assumed Regulus had gone to check on Harry, the fact that he hadn't gone himself left him uneasy.

"Godfather…"

Harry spoke quietly—in the realm of the infirmary's three matronly warlords, speaking loudly was basically a death wish.

"I'm fine, Harry. I really didn't expect to survive this time! Though now I wonder what Regulus is up to again…"

Sirius, extremely weak, could only rest quietly per Regulus Black's demand—especially since his younger brother had threatened him before leaving: if he didn't behave, he'd spend the rest of his life wearing a collar, and every time he saw Harry, he'd automatically turn into a dog. As for trying to talk to Harry? Forget it!

Yeah… Sirius believed his brother would absolutely follow through, so there was no rush. He would rest quietly—for now.

In the Headmaster's office, after much effort, Sirius and Professor Lupin finally dispelled the Animagus magic on the rat "Scabbers." The ugly face and short, fat body of Peter Pettigrew left a lasting impression on everyone.

"So it really is Peter Pettigrew. We've all been fooled. When I get back, I'll issue a warrant for his arrest. From here on, it's the Aurors' responsibility."

Minister Fudge, trying to save face, expressed his outrage and promptly shifted the blame onto the Auror Department.

"So that's what they call the Marauder's Map?"

Snape didn't care about the internal dogfight among the Marauders. His attention was on other matters.

For example: that Marauder's Map Harry had shown—he'd need to confiscate it later. That kind of contraband had no place in a student's possession.

Peter Pettigrew confessed to everything, and Hermione recorded it all with her enchanted brooch.

The group watched all the way to the part where Lupin transformed into a werewolf and Sirius fearlessly tried to stop him.

The big black dog lured the werewolf away. Then Harry followed. Later, Hermione and Snape were seen bringing Ron back.

Dumbledore tapped the brooch lightly with the Elder Wand, nullifying its magic.

"Minister Fudge, these are not mere testimonies from a few underage children. We all know that such statements hold little legal weight in court. However, what this brooch recorded is clear, visual evidence. The Wizengamot will undoubtedly accept it as formal evidence."

"I can testify as well."

Snape, for reasons unknown, offered to testify on Sirius's behalf.

"Forgive my bluntness, Professor Snape, but during a significant portion of the events, you were unconscious. Clearly, you missed many key moments."

Minister Fudge's political instincts kicked in. Though he didn't know why Snape was so eager to testify, he instantly spotted the problem—Snape had slept through the whole critical sequence. From Pettigrew's unmasking to his escape, Snape wasn't there. Was he trying to stir the pot?

As Regulus Black might say:"Not even in time for fresh shit."

"I may not be able to confirm the crucial details," Snape said, "but I can testify that Sirius Black bravely faced off against a vicious werewolf. Even while in his illegal Animagus form—a large black dog—he managed to draw the werewolf away."

With that statement, Snape managed to implicate both Lupin and Sirius—one as a werewolf, the other as an unregistered Animagus.

All Animagi were required to register with the Ministry. Since Sirius hadn't, his transformation was illegal.

Snape held his head high, admiring the decorations of the Headmaster's office, clearly showing no intention of being polite.

Dumbledore couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. He'd witnessed the long-standing grudge between Snape and the Marauders—all of them once his students. Who would've thought that decades later, Snape still wouldn't let a single chance at payback slip?

Now, Dumbledore wasn't even sure how to proceed. Should he just let things play out? Or wait for a key figure to step in?

"I think we should wait until Regulus returns before making any decisions."

Since Regulus had handled everything so far, it was best to let him continue.

Dumbledore opted for the art of delay, which immediately took the wind out of Snape's sails.

The old bee's thick skin could withstand an Avada Kedavra barrage—Snape was sure of it.

Dumbledore began sipping Fizzing Honey Tea with serene satisfaction, treating it as the finest delicacy on earth.

Fudge, ever the sly old fox, knew better than to offend Dumbledore. He also couldn't afford to alienate Snape, the Potions Master. As for Regulus—well, there were plenty of benefits to be gained there too. So Fudge picked up a glass of chilled Fizzing Honey Tea and joined in.

Snape, unfazed, continued admiring the décor.

But if Snape were to testify, it would cause several problems:

Lupin's identity as a werewolf would be made public. Though it was already semi-known, full exposure would bring unwanted attention. The Daily Prophet would certainly make sure every witch and wizard knew exactly who Remus Lupin was.

Sirius Black's Animagus identity would also be exposed. As an unregistered Animagus, he would legally be sent to Azkaban. Ironically, this fact would later give Harry Potter the leverage to threaten Daily Prophet reporter Rita Skeeter.

Finally, Pettigrew—the one who betrayed the Potters and, more importantly, Lily—must be dealt with personally. Voldemort might be too powerful for Snape to handle, but Peter Pettigrew? That rat was definitely within reach. If the one wolf and one dog from the Marauders remained in the way, they'd interfere with Snape's long-awaited revenge.

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