Beneficiaries

A great deal had happened over the past few days, leaving the students staring in stunned disbelief.

First, Minister of Magic Fudge suddenly announced in the Daily Prophet that Sirius Black was innocent. He also publicly claimed that the Ministry of Magic had arrested Peter Pettigrew, the culprit who had betrayed the Potter family all those years ago, and had revoked the Order of Merlin, First Class awarded to Peter Pettigrew.

Not long afterward, they heard that Snape had told the Slytherin students that Lupin was a werewolf.

By the time the Slytherin students had spread the news that "Lupin is a werewolf" throughout the school and written home about it, they learned from Dumbledore that Professor Lupin had resigned.

Yet the following morning, a flock of owls still piled Dumbledore's dining table high with protest letters. There were even several Howlers mixed in, their blasts forcing everyone to cover their ears.

Whether it was the Daily Prophet or the rumors circulating around Hogwarts, no one ever connected any of it to Albert.

Though he was the chief culprit behind the whole affair, it was as though he had never existed. Only a few more Special Contribution Awards had appeared in the Trophy Room.

Isobel and Albert were taking a walk around the castle grounds when they happened to discuss the recent events. She gave a simple assessment. "You're as efficient as ever."

Although Isobel had no idea exactly how Albert had done it, catching Peter Pettigrew and clearing Black's name had not been easy. Let alone bringing the entire matter to such a perfect conclusion.

"I only gave things a little push at the crucial moment," Albert said.

"Actually, I'm more curious about what the Ministry of Magic used to buy your silence." Isobel knew Albert too well. Everything