McGonagall's Decision

"Is the information accurate?"

"Of course. Alecto Carrow told me herself."

"Wait, Silvan, what did you say?" Professor McGonagall, who had been anxious just moments ago, suddenly froze and turned toward Silvan at the door.

"Alecto Carrow—how could she possibly have told you any of this?"

"Simple. We gave her Veritaserum," Silvan said. "A whole bottle. Enough to make a wizard recite everything they'd experienced over the past year."

"Veritaserum—" Professor McGonagall sucked in a sharp breath, looking like a fish thrown onto shore.

"Merlin's beard—Silvan, do you know that using Veritaserum without authorization can get you sent to Azkaban!"

"I know, but that only matters if no one else finds out." Silvan shrugged indifferently. "And Professor McGonagall, Azkaban has had nothing to do with Wizarding Law for a long time now. The people locked up there are all those who oppose the Death Eaters."

Ever since Voldemort took control of the Ministry of Magic, Azkaban had gained a new master as well.

Nearly all of its former prisoners had been released and turned into Death Eaters loyal to Voldemort, after which they began arresting former Aurors and Hit Wizards on a massive scale.

Mr. Weasley had nearly been caught and thrown into Azkaban. Fortunately, he received word in advance and managed to evade the Death Eaters' search.

But the other people in the Ministry who opposed the Death Eaters had not been so lucky. Voldemort had locked them away, turning them into food for the Dementors.

Professor McGonagall knew that as well.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and a flicker of sorrow passed through her eyes, though it vanished almost at once.

"Don't change the subject, Silvan. You know what I mean—and where did you get Veritaserum? That potion is strictly controlled."

"It had nothing to do