Yes, the vicious criminal Sirius Black really had escaped from prison, but he was a good man. Who was the villain, you asked? Why, the deceased Order of Merlin recipient Peter Pettigrew, of course. Surprised? Didn't see that coming, did you?
When this information made the front page of the Daily Prophet and spread throughout the Wizarding World, angry citizens found ways to expose the personal details of several Ministry employees who had sentenced Black all those years ago-their names could be found in the current editions of all the major newspapers.
Howlers flew to their homes in an endless stream, novelty items that transformed their names into filthy vomit topped toyshop bestseller lists, and even all the flowers in the garden of the retired former Deputy Head of the Auror Office, who now lived in seclusion,
were subjected overnight to some troublesome magic, turning them into an entirely new variety with rat whiskers that squeaked incessantly-it was this deputy head who had decided to send Black straight to prison.
Ministry employees had been having headaches lately, too. The citizens' anger caught innocent bystanders in its wake. Aurors were often mocked by passersby while out on duty, and even the Dark Wizards they were arresting would shout a few taunts-
"You'd better think carefully before arresting me. I might be the next Black!" "There's nothing scary about Azkaban. Once I break out, I'll come looking for you again!"
Employees of other departments were often met with dirty looks on the street, too. For instance, one foggy morning, Arthur Weasley of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office arrived at the Ministry entrance on his way to work and confiscated a large batch of magical loudspeakers making an endless racket. One even came with a note reading, "Don't mention it. Just a