Stationing Dementors around the perimeter of Hogwarts... what a "genius" idea.
It was as if the Ministry of Magic had bet the house that Sirius Black would definitely come to Hogwarts. Otherwise, such a desperate, all-in strategy made absolutely no sense.
So, where did the Ministry get this information?
Since Dumbledore wasn't willing to say, Owen didn't press it. It wasn't necessary to know the details—it was likely just their usual back-channel communication.
School started as normal. Owen specifically sat in on a Defense Against the Dark Arts class and left satisfied. Professor Lupin was a capable wizard—one with real-life experience. Unlike the purely academic types who taught like walking textbooks, Lupin didn't just wave his wand; he infused his lessons with personal, practical tricks alongside the theory.
However, Owen didn't attend classes regularly. He had his own project to finish: Developing the Fourth Unforgivable Curse.
To date, the Killing Curse was the only unblockable spell that directly targeted the soul. After numerous experiments, Owen discovered that a new Unforgivable Curse would likely need to start from that same foundation. However, he didn't intend to simply destroy the soul. instead, he wanted to use Transfiguration—specifically, Transfiguration applied to the soul.
In the taboos of Transfiguration, transforming the soul (like self-transfiguration) is strictly forbidden. Take the Animagus transformation, for example: its greatest danger lies in the wizard forgetting their human identity and becoming the animal permanently.
So, could there be a simplified version of this complex magic—mixing ritual, atmospheric conditions, and potions—that could be cast on others rather than oneself?
The answer was yes. Owen was currently perfecting a spell he had named the "Straw Man Curse."
The victim of this curse would, within a short period, begin to sprout straw from their lower body. The transformation would spread upward rapidly. Once the straw reached the head, the victim would completely turn into a scarecrow.
This process could not be halted by Finite Incantatem or general counter-spells. The only cure was to be fast enough to physically sever the body parts that had already begun to transform.
Squeezing the last bit of venom from the poor Acromantula, Owen waved his wand at the giant spider.
"Stramineus Corpus! (Straw Man Transformation)"
Watching the massive spider finally settle into the form of a lifeless scarecrow, Owen jotted down the final set of data in his notebook. He clapped his hands in satisfaction.
"Finally done!"
It had taken three years. Three years to complete just this first small goal. To be honest, it was a bit slow, but there was simply too much to learn. The professors also intentionally kept him busy with teaching duties, leaving him little free time. If his practice of the Golden Light Charm didn't double as a substitute for sleep, he would have had even less time.
Now, to ensure he could study and practice in peace, a trip to the Ministry was unavoidable. Those Dementors on the perimeter were becoming a nuisance.
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Ministry of Magic – Minister's Office
After reading the letter in his hand, Minister Fudge looked at the young wizard sitting across from him with a complicated expression.
"Mr. Corlett, Dumbledore trusts you a great deal."
"Yes, just as he trusts you, Minister."
Owen set down his teacup. With a flick of his wrist, a stack of files appeared in his hand.
"I've read Sirius Black's case file, Mr. Fudge. Do you want to hear the truth?"
"Of course!"
"Mr. Minister, the opportunity to establish your own prestige has arrived."
"Catching Sirius Black will establish my prestige?" Fudge sneered, looking dismissive. "I certainly want to catch him immediately, but that isn't building prestige; that's just damage control. This happened during my term, and I—"
"No, no, no, Mr. Fudge, you've misunderstood. Please, look at this file first."
Owen placed the file on the desk and slid it over. Fudge picked it up in confusion, read through it, and looked back at the young wizard, still bewildered. Honestly, if it weren't for Dumbledore's letter, he would have had security throw this kid out ages ago.
"Minister Fudge, don't you think Sirius Black's conviction was a bit... hasty? There wasn't even a public trial."
Fudge paused. "Are you suggesting... we capture him and then give him a trial?"
Owen discreetly pinched his own leg to stop himself from cursing. How did a man this dense become the Minister of Magic?
"I've met Lady Bagnold. She was a woman of great boldness. The thing I respected most about her was her authorization of Unforgivable Curses against Death Eaters. But we must admit, she had flaws. She was too desperate to end the war, so..."
Owen tapped his finger on the case file.
"She made a colossal mistake."
Fudge was wide awake now. He finally understood what Owen was driving at. "Sirius Black... is innocent?"
"According to the files, the charges against Black were the murder of Peter Pettigrew and twelve Muggles..."
Owen's finger landed on Pettigrew's name.
"But just a few months ago, I saw this name. And he appeared right inside Hogwarts. Minister, tell me: how can a man who died ten years ago show up at school?"
Peter Pettigrew isn't dead?
Fudge felt a chill run down his spine. If this case was a mistake, the Ministry's reputation would be...
"The Ministry's reputation will be single-handedly turned around by you," Owen interjected smoothly. "It was you who discovered the discrepancies after the escape. It was you who secretly asked Mr. Dumbledore to investigate. And it was you who uncovered the truth."
Owen leaned forward slightly.
"From this moment on, you will be the Minister who, knowing full well it might cause a scandal, stood firmly on the side of justice. Your act of integrity will elevate your authority above any previous Minister."
Fudge was hooked. He couldn't even hide the greed on his face. "But... the Ministry's dignity..."
"Mr. Fudge, you can't have your cake and eat it too. Besides, the mistakes of the previous Minister can hardly be blamed on the current one. The Ministry has dignity because you are here."
Having said his piece, Owen picked up his teacup and took a slow sip.
He wasn't the least bit worried that Fudge would refuse his plan. He knew exactly what this Minister wanted.
He wanted independence.
Years ago, Fudge had taken this seat by borrowing Dumbledore's influence. Now, years had passed, and he considered himself a mature politician. His priority was to cut ties with Dumbledore—perhaps even guard against him.
Fudge needed fame. He needed political achievements. He needed power that didn't come from Dumbledore.
And what Owen had just handed him was an offer he simply couldn't refuse.
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