Everyone turned toward the voice. Will Behrens had appeared in the doorway without anyone noticing. He walked in calmly, his silver-gray eyes sweeping over the room before settling on Fudge's flushed, round face.
"Boy, you'd better leave. This conversation is not for you to interrupt," Fudge said irritably. "We're discussing matters of great importance to the Wizarding World."
Will inclined his head slightly, neither servile nor defiant. "I didn't mean to interrupt. I came to see Professor Dumbledore."
"Boy, this isn't something you can be involved in. Please step outside and come back later." Mr. Crouch's expression was gentle. He knew who this young man was: Snape's disciple, the gifted student Flitwick and Babbling had gone to great lengths to protect, the inventor of New Runes, the man who had improved the Wolfsbane Potion, the youngest member of the Society for the Promotion of Alchemical Excellence, and a promising newcomer to the Rune Association.
A talent of that caliber would surely become an important figure in the Wizarding World. Crouch wasn't about to treat him the way Fudge had.
But Dumbledore raised a hand. "Oh, Mr. Crouch, Will is probably here about that matter we discussed earlier. Let him in. He's a good boy, isn't he?"
Dumbledore looked at Will. "Will, have you found any leads?"
"Of course, Professor." Will took out a piece of parchment.
As Will spoke, a certain rat dozing beneath Ron's bed suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
"According to the available records, Peter was killed by Sirius using Confringo. Only one of Peter's fingers was found at the scene. Based on Muggle witness statements and inconclusive accusations, the Ministry of Magic sent Black to Azkaban. One of the most important pieces of evidence was that Sirius was the Secret Keeper for the Potter