Chapter 176: The Inhumanity of Veritaserum
Chapter 176: The Inhumanity of Veritaserum
There weren't many people in the restaurant, and from a distance, Sherlock could see Amy following a waiter who had retrieved a bottle of apple cider from the liquor cabinet. She was skipping happily as she walked over.
Amy's appearance was indeed more refined than that of a typical human child.
But according to what Sherlock knew, girls with Veela heritage usually had silver hair, while Amy had golden hair.
Eddie had black hair, and Sherlock initially thought Amy's hair color was inherited from her mother. However, it now seemed that Eddie had used some means to protect Amy's identity by altering her hair color.
When Amy returned, Eddie and Sherlock subtly changed the topic.
"Tomorrow you can report to the Ministry of Magic", Eddie said as he poured a glass of juice for Amy. "Madame Selwyn is quite interested in your wand manipulation techniques, which is why she agreed to let you join the Department of Mysteries."
No one around them paid any attention, and Sherlock used Control Magic to open the bottle of apple cider Amy had brought over, then filled Eddie's glass.
"There's no need to hide this magic. It is indeed special, but not everyone can learn it, or rather, it can't be learned through normal means. I learned it from my mother."
"Just be careful. Not everyone in the Ministry of Magic is good. Although Madame Selwyn has stated that she does not support the Dark Lord, her last name reveals that her husband is from the Selwyn family, an old pure-blood lineage."
Sherlock wasn't particularly interested in what his future boss was like; he had no intention of staying at the Ministry of Magic for long.
If he could find a clue or a way to return, he would leave this timeline with Snape immediately.
Even if he couldn't find a way, Sherlock didn't plan to work at the Ministry of Magic indefinitely.
"The traitor I caught, was his name Algernon? Has he been sentenced yet?" Sherlock asked.
Eddie shook his head with a cold smile.
"The Wizengamot will hold his trial in three days, and you will likely be invited to testify. However, recent rumors suggest that his family is actively working to have him acquitted by claiming he was under the Imperius Curse from the Death Eaters."
Sherlock frowned.
"Would anyone really believe such a ridiculous lie? Four Death Eaters were caught with him. Can't they be questioned with Veritaserum to uncover the truth?"
"The Ministry of Magic has always been divided on whether Veritaserum should be used on wizards", Eddie said with a playful expression. "A significant portion opposes its use in interrogations, arguing that it is inhumane. The four Death Eaters were not even allowed to be interrogated; they were thrown into Azkaban immediately."
Sherlock scoffed.
"Veritaserum is inhumane, but throwing criminals into prison to be drained by Dementors is humane? That's absurd."
Eddie seemed relatively relaxed about the matter.
"However, given Minister Minkin's temperament, the likelihood of Algernon being acquitted is low. But due to his family's influence, the number of years he will spend in Azkaban won't be long."
"Algernon is a minor issue compared to what's been exposed", Eddie's face darkened. "I suspect that in Barty Jr.'s Auror squad, more than just him have turned traitor; they just haven't been exposed yet."
Sherlock raised an eyebrow.
"Do you have any suspects?"
Eddie shook his head.
"No, but from the current situation, among the remaining four members of that Auror squad, three of them come from families with ambiguous ties to the Death Eaters. Only the Crouch family firmly opposes the Dark Lord, so Barty Jr. can be ruled out. If there is another traitor, it's highly likely to be one of the remaining three."
Sherlock wasn't particularly interested in who the traitor was. What truly concerned him was what Voldemort wanted from the Department of Mysteries. Whatever it was, it must be significant enough to make the Dark Lord risk breaking into the Ministry.
However, he knew he wouldn't be able to get close to such information yet. Everything had to wait until he joined the Ministry of Magic.
"There's one more thing I need your help with", Eddie said, patting Amy's head.
Sherlock gestured for him to continue.
"The Wizarding World is getting more tense. I work at the Auror Office and can't leave the department for long periods. The Death Eaters have clearly discovered Amy's existence, and I can't leave her alone anymore. I want you to help me take care of Amy."
Sherlock hesitated. "I'd be happy to help, especially since I like Amy. But I'll be working at the Department of Mysteries soon, and I won't be able to look after her during work hours."
Eddie replied, "If you're willing, I can speak to Madame Selwyn. The Department of Mysteries has few employees, and each has their own office. The work is mostly administrative, so having Amy with you would be perfect."
Since Eddie had a way to convince the Ministry to allow Sherlock to bring a family member to work, Sherlock saw no reason to refuse. Amy's instincts were sharp, and she might even be helpful at the Department of Mysteries.
"If that's the case, then of course."
After dinner, Eddie left alone. Amy would continue staying with Sherlock until Eddie arranged everything at the Ministry of Magic and returned to the Leaky Cauldron to take Sherlock for the onboarding process.
The night passed uneventfully.
The next morning, Sherlock informed Snape that he would be starting at the Ministry of Magic. At around ten in the morning, Eddie arrived as promised.
"I've already spoken to Madame Selwyn. If anyone asks about Amy's identity, just tell them she's a friend's child you're taking care of."
Although the arrangement was made, this was Sherlock's first day for the onboarding, so he couldn't bring Amy with him. He left Amy with Snape for the day and then went with Eddie to the Ministry of Magic.
They entered the Ministry of Magic through the visitor's entrance, just as Sherlock had done with Harry. The Ministry of Magic looked much the same as it would over a decade later, though the employees seemed busier and more somber, a reflection of the current tense situation.
(End of Chapter)
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