Inside the Headmaster's Office.
Just as Peter said that he was the one Black wanted to kill, Douglas hit Sirius with a spell.
The moment Sirius appeared in the office, the Aurors all pointed their wands at Black. Because of their earlier suspicions, no one fired a spell recklessly this time.
Still, Douglas and Lupin stepped in front of Black, and the three Heads of House raised their wands and stood protectively in front of the two.
Fudge looked straight at Dumbledore, as if to say, I'm tired. Explain it yourself.
Only Snape was glaring with bloodshot eyes.
Dumbledore said as calmly as ever:
"Why is everyone so nervous? Sirius doesn't have a wand."
But no one from the Ministry of Magic lowered their wand.
Sirius pushed past everyone and looked at Peter in the mirror, his eyes full of fury as he said:
"He's right. When I learned he was still alive, I swore I would tear him to pieces..."
Scrimgeour adjusted his glasses and asked sternly:
"How did you know he was still alive? How did you escape from Azkaban? No one has ever managed that."
Douglas took a copy of the Daily Prophet from inside his clothes and handed it to Scrimgeour, gesturing for him to look at the photograph. It was the picture of Ron's family that had appeared in the paper that summer, and perched on Ron's shoulder was Scabbers, Peter's transformed self.
Sirius sighed. He had already explained this story several times, but to be able to spend time with Harry normally, he patiently explained again:
"It was this newspaper. When Fudge visited Azkaban for an inspection, he gave me this paper. Peter was right there on the front page. I recognized him at once.
"The paper said he was at Hogwarts, beside Harry.