Chapter 177: Pressure
"For you."
Phineas smiled as he accepted the vial of Veritaserum. At that moment, Puff dragged a bound and disheveled Peter Pettigrew out of the box.
The instant Pettigrew appeared, Severus Snape's expression turned grim. Cornelius Fudge went pale, while a flicker of amusement danced in Dumbledore's eyes. The gathered reporters could practically smell the headlines.
"No... that's impossible," Fudge stammered, clearly rattled.
But Phineas paid him no mind. With a flick of his wand, he bound Pettigrew tightly to a chair and administered the Veritaserum.
"State your name."
"Peter Pettigrew."
"How did you betray the Potters?"
And so, under the effects of the truth serum, Pettigrew confessed to everything—his betrayal of the Potters, the framing of Sirius Black, and his years of hiding as a rat with the Weasley family.
Fudge's face grew increasingly ashen. Just as he began moving to seize Pettigrew, likely in a last-ditch effort to bury the truth, Phineas's voice rang out, cutting through the tension like a blade.
"Esteemed members of the press, I brought you here today so the truth of what happened thirteen years ago could be heard by all. I trust you will report the facts as they are. It is entirely possible the Ministry of Magic will attempt to persuade one or two of you to suppress this incident, in order to preserve their pride and authority."
His tone turned sharper.
"But let me remind you—the Ministry is neither as wealthy nor as influential as the House of Black. If even one of your publications fails to report the truth, I will know. And I won't direct my anger at the Ministry of Magic... I'll direct it at the newspaper."
His calm, chilling words sent shivers through the room. Fudge stood beside him, trembling, while the younger students watched in awe and confusion.
The gathered journalists now fully understood why Phineas had summoned reporters from nearly every publication in the wizarding world. He wasn't just revealing the truth—he was applying pressure so immense that no one, not even the Ministry, could cover it up.
With the weight of the Black family behind him, the story would break, no matter what.
Phineas turned his gaze toward Fudge.
"The evidence is here. The Veritaserum was brewed by Professor Snape, whose reputation in potion-making is unquestionable. The truth is undeniable. I demand the Ministry of Magic immediately exonerate Sirius Black, heir of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. If not, I will bring the matter before the International Confederation of Wizards, the Wizengamot, and even the Council of Magical Law."
He gave a cool smile.
"And just to ensure there are no sudden... accidents, I've recorded everything that happened today with a recording crystal. There are multiple copies."
The statement hit like a thunderclap. Murmurs rippled through the students, while the reporters scribbled furiously.
"As for Peter Pettigrew," Phineas continued, "I recommend the Dementor's Kiss. Let the execution be carried out the day after tomorrow. Until then, he will remain at Hogwarts. I don't trust the Ministry of Magic to safeguard him."
The words were sharp, unapologetic. Phineas wasn't just challenging the Ministry—he was publicly declaring war on its corruption.
Fudge looked livid. His hands shook as sweat gathered on his brow. He was furious at being made irrelevant—and terrified by the consequences.
When he first took office, Fudge had not been obsessed with power. But over time, ambition and insecurity had twisted him. He began seeking to expand his influence and control, even trying to manipulate pure-blood families like the Blacks. Last year, he had tried to coerce Phineas through official pressure. Clearly, it had backfired.
Now, his carefully constructed image was crumbling before the wizarding world.
Though he, too, was technically a pure-blood, Fudge came from an obscure lineage—hardly respected by the great houses. His ambitions had always been to elevate the Fudge name into prominence through power and political maneuvering. But Phineas's actions threatened to crush that dream entirely.
He hadn't even been involved in Sirius's wrongful imprisonment back then; he'd just been a junior clerk. But it didn't matter. The Ministry, under his leadership, had allowed the injustice to fester. And now, that scandal was erupting into full view.
Phineas's scornful words, his outright refusal to trust the Ministry, and his call for the harshest punishment for Pettigrew—these were blows to the Ministry's already waning credibility.
The reporters could barely contain their excitement. This was not just a scandal—it was the biggest magical story in over a decade.
A falsely imprisoned heir to the House of Black. A decorated traitor exposed. The Ministry of Magic caught in a lie.
They were already imagining the headlines:
"Shocking Truth Revealed: The Dark Secret Behind Sirius Black's Imprisonment!"
"Betrayal, Power, and Scandal: The Ministry Faces the Music"
"Phineas Black Declares: 'I No Longer Trust the Ministry of Magic'"
The cameras flashed nonstop. They captured everything—Pettigrew's trembling form, Phineas's icy calm, Dumbledore's unreadable expression, and the growing fury etched on Fudge's face.