Hogwarts: Legacy of the Necromancer

Snape's attitude was essentially ignored by Regulus Black, because he knew that even though this "King of Slytherin" spoke this way now, once in court, he would deliver a fair testimony. Even if Snape slipped in some personal bias, Regulus had other ways to neutralize its effects.

For instance, right now, Regulus was about to deliver some rather unwelcome news to Snape.

"Sirius has already reunited with Harry Potter. After all, they're godfather and godson. Sirius also hopes that Harry will live with him in the future, and it seems Harry has agreed."

Regulus looked at Snape. His expression had already turned sour, but Regulus continued.

"If you, Professor, can lend your support in this matter, I believe Harry will begin to see you differently. Please believe that Lily's child is someone worth helping."

The childhood stories between Harry Potter's mother and Professor Snape were no secret in their small circle. After all, Snape had once pleaded with Voldemort on behalf of his "enemy"—a rare fact even among Death Eaters, earning him a reputation as a lovesick Potions Master.

But all of that ceased to matter once Voldemort learned about the prophecy concerning himself.

James Potter and Lily Potter were killed by Voldemort, who then fell victim to a magical trap and perished.

The Potters exchanged their lives—and the safety of Harry Potter—for Voldemort's death.

This also left Snape riddled with guilt. When it came to Harry, Snape carried a deep sense of responsibility and remorse.

At this moment, he was torn. If he let Sirius go, Harry would become even closer to his godfather—and not to him, Severus Snape.

It was just like when Lily married that obnoxious Potter. Snape could only bless her and wish her happiness.

For the sake of those he cared about, Snape could endure this kind of unhappiness.

"I understand. As for the testimony, I'll leave it to your arrangement."

Snape suddenly stood up. With a swish of his robes, he turned and left the Headmaster's office like a large black bat. He needed time alone to face his pain. No matter what he did, Lily would never return. And Harry Potter would never be close to him.

"I thought he would be the hardest to convince, yet he agreed so easily. Now it's up to the Wizengamot. After all, the final verdict will still require a formal closing argument."

Regulus Black now looked ready to formally discuss the details, leaving Cornelius Fudge, who had just been secretly stifling a yawn, feeling rather embarrassed.

The night's conversation lasted until dawn. When Regulus Black, who didn't require sleep, finally left the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore decided to skip breakfast and catch up on some rest.

As for Minister Fudge and Auror Office Director Rufus Scrimgeour, they had to head straight to the Ministry of Magic with dark circles under their eyes. The few Aurors they had brought along, having had nothing to do, managed to nap on some nearby chairs and were now escorting Sirius Black back to the Ministry.

That same day, the front page of the Daily Prophet declared: "Fugitive Sirius Black Captured by Aurors." His escape and flight from Azkaban would be brought to trial in the Wizengamot the following day.

"My godfather is innocent! He didn't do those things back then! There are other reasons he was wrongly imprisoned for twelve years!"

Upon waking up and learning that Sirius had been taken away by Aurors, Harry Potter immediately began crying out in his godfather's defense throughout the school.

However, it was near the end of term, and students were busy preparing for exams. Who had the time to care about something that didn't concern them?

The professors were just as occupied, providing extra tutoring for those studying for exams. All they could offer Harry was some moral support—nothing more.

Of course, all of this was subtly orchestrated by Dumbledore. Harry needed an outlet, a way to project his voice into a broader world.

Who was Sirius Black? The rebel of the Black family—the one disowned by his pure-blood relatives.

He had first escaped from Azkaban, then been seen once before finally being captured by Aurors on the outskirts of Hogwarts. His entire escape story was novel-worthy.

Now, Daily Prophet veteran reporter Rita Skeeter was preening in front of a mirror. She had just received a tip from her informant inside the Ministry of Magic.

Harry Potter and a number of witnesses would be attending Sirius Black's trial. But Rita had already decided—she would get the scoop first.

Rita Skeeter was an unregistered Animagus who could transform into a beetle, flitting about everywhere to catch anything she could twist into sensational gossip. She also owned a deep green Quick-Quotes Quill, which could automatically transcribe ordinary interview dialogue into exaggerated and unrealistic sentences.

Throughout the Harry Potter world, she was a generally unwelcome figure, though her reports were undeniably captivating for gossip-loving witches and wizards.

In that regard, there wasn't much difference between wizards and Muggles—they both enjoyed gossip and rumors. The elite and the common folk always seemed like two entirely separate species.

After making her preparations, Rita Skeeter immediately arrived at Hogwarts by carriage, aiming to obtain a statement before the involved parties even appeared in court. That would certainly count as a strong scoop. As for whether she would fabricate the details—well, that was her reporting style.

It's worth explaining here why she didn't use Apparition: not every wizard is able to learn all the spells taught in school. Mastering every form of magic is no small feat.

Although one may graduate from school, magical knowledge, spellcasting, and potion brewing are still often lacking. Many graduates are subpar, having just barely made it through. Graduation is only the beginning—what's taught in school is merely the foundation, and even then, many scrape by without mastering it.

So don't underestimate the education at Hogwarts. It is systematic foundational training. Once a person enters wizarding society, without continued dedication and talent, they will remain mediocre at best.

Regulus Black currently had over twenty wizarding servants under his command, all of them rather useless.

As expected, Rita Skeeter's request to enter the school was denied.

Dumbledore's reasoning was clear: the students were preparing for final exams, including those who had to testify in court like Harry Potter. So, the interview would have to wait until the Wizengamot hearing.

"There isn't a place in this world I can't get into."

Rita Skeeter's Animagus form was a ladybug. Since she had been refused entry, neither she nor her carriage could pass into the grounds of Hogwarts. However, she could still fly in as a ladybug.

Of course, she couldn't revert to human form during this process—that would alert Dumbledore. It also wouldn't help her eavesdrop on the parties involved, since what people say to your face can differ greatly from what they say behind your back.

Buzz buzz buzz! A palm-sized ladybug flew toward Hogwarts. Rita Skeeter was quite familiar with the place—after all, she had graduated from Ravenclaw. She would never cause trouble for Ravenclaw House and would strictly guard its secrets. That was her principle and bottom line.

As a former Ravenclaw, Rita Skeeter had directed all her intellectual curiosity toward uncovering private matters. Even she had to admit—it was a bit of a betrayal to Ravenclaw's educational ideals.

Harry Potter was in Gryffindor. Ron was in Gryffindor. Hermione had originally been in Gryffindor too, but had now transferred to Ravenclaw. So Rita decided to leave her alone.

Those two boys would be enough. Generally, boys tended to speak recklessly… No, to be honest—

A little provocation was all it would take. Ravenclaws were quite experienced at goading Gryffindors into doing reckless things.

The ladybug flew confidently onward. As she was flying, she no longer had to worry about getting lost in Hogwarts' maze-like layout.

Very soon, she reached the portrait entrance to the Gryffindor common room. All she had to do now was wait for a student to pass through.

"Shadow Sight! Bone Cage! Today must be my lucky day—caught a rare creature the moment I stepped outside."

Regulus Black appeared at the corner, lifting a bone lantern-shaped cage in his hand.

Shadow Sight: A curse that plunges the target into darkness, surrounding them in a field of absolute silence and shadow, rendering them blind.

Bone Cage: Summons a cage made of bones that traps the target and enhances the damage of all necromancer spells.

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