Fudge again rose. "As I said earlier and as the memories show, Sirius Black is innocent. I personally rescind all orders in regards to the capture of Sirius Black. We shall instead pursue the real culprit of those crimes, Peter Pettigrew to the ends of the earth." He motioned to the Auror who had brought the Death Eaters on stage and he disappeared behind the same curtain again. A few seconds later, Sirius Black strolled from behind the curtain and walked over to the table. He shook hands with the Minister and Amelia Bones and then gave a hug to Harry and Hermione before turning toward the reporters. He then waited patiently for the noise to lower.
"Thank you Minister Fudge," He started with a nod in the Minister's direction. "It takes a big man to admit mistakes," Sirius said. "For those of you who might still think otherwise," He rolled up his sleeve and showed his left arm. "No mark. I would never have done anything to hurt my best friend and James Potter was my best friend."
Hermione poured in another memory that Sirius had given. One that showed Sirius' confrontation with Pettigrew all those years ago on a street in London. Everyone could easily see who cast the spell. "Nor did I kill those muggles," Another memory appeared, this one showed the face of James Potter in what most people recognized as a St. Mungo's hospital room. He was holding a small infant with a small amount of black hair on his head. "Sirius," The memory James said. "Lily and I want you to be Harry's godfather."
All eyes were now on Harry again who had tears fighting to escape his eyes. Finally he stood and spoke. "I have known about my Godfather's innocence for some time now. I'm glad everyone else does too. I appreciate the actions of Minister Fudge and Amelia Bones in making sure justice won in the end," The crowd of reporters was now silent. "I extend my full support for the Ministry and call upon all of magical Britain to do the same in the coming battle with Voldemort and his Death Eaters," This time he did roll his eyes at the reporters. He pointed at the three Death Eaters still on stage. "They are just men who thrive on fear and can be beaten."
Sirius smiled at Harry when the young man had sat down. "I also offer my full support to Minister Fudge and the Ministry. Now is a time for Magical Britain to pull together. If we divide we will fall victim to the same darkness that we had all those years ago."
The press conference broke up shortly afterwards and Sirius Black walked out of the Ministry a free man. He had been assigned two Aurors as guards to ensure that until the word was fully released he would not be molested or attacked. Those two Aurors were Tonks and Shacklebolt.
Fudge left to inform the British Prime Minister of what had occurred and to insure the muggle police would stop looking for Sirius as well.
As Neville descended the steps with Luna at his side, he came face to face with an old woman with a vulture topped hat.
"Gran?" He asked the obvious.
Augusta Longbottom stared at her grandson for a full minute. She could see the sweat build up on his brow. "Just like your father, always rushing off impetuously," Her lips moved from a scowl to almost a smile, "as friends should do. I'm proud of you Neville," She said. She looked over at the young lady who her grandson still had his arm around. "And Miss Lovegood?"
"Gran," Neville said still trying to process the compliment he had gotten from his grandmother. "This is Luna. She's my," He looked down at Luna and smiled before turning back to his grandmother, "she's my girlfriend."
"Very nice to meet you Luna," Augusta Longbottom said. "I can expect you around during the summer?"
"I hope so. I think some of the plants Neville knows about might help attract Crumpled-Horned Snorkacks."
The wizened old witch wasn't quite sure how to respond to that so she just smiled at the young lady and nodded.
"She's dead Gran," Neville said. "Bellatrix Lestrange is dead."
It had been years since Augusta Longbottom had tears in her eyes. In fact it had been the day the doctors had told her that her son and daughter-in-law would never recover. Those tears reappeared at that moment. "Maybe we should visit St. Mungos when you get home," She said to her grandson.
"Can Luna come?"
Augusta Longbottom nodded. "Of course."
Harry and Hermione were met by Albus Dumbledore as they stepped off the stage. The Headmaster seemed like he was forcing himself to smile at them. "Harry this time I truly must insist you allow me to take you back to Hogwarts."
"Certainly Professor Dumbledore sir," Harry replied. "We can then talk about the prophecy Lucius said explained why Voldemort attacked my parents when I was a baby."
Dumbledore knew the two blue orbs were tucked in his pockets and was sure one of them was the prophecy that Harry had recovered. "Maybe when you're older Harry. As your unwillingness to listen to me this morning proves, you are still too young to understand."
"The piss ant old goat," Harry thought to Hermione. "He played my emotions like a piano last time. By adding the prophecy to my being distraught over Sirius's death, he knew I'd follow him. What perfect time to tell someone they must fight someone to the death but right after they saw a loved one die. The perfect mindset to associate accepting death with the prophecy."
Harry smiled at the Headmaster. "Too young to follow you blindly you mean?" He asked. "Hermione?"
Hermione pulled the real prophecy from the depths of her robes and handed it to Harry.
"Maybe I'll listen to it right here so everyone can hear it," Harry suggested to the Headmaster who looked stunned.
"Harry..." Dumbledore almost pleaded as he looked at the orb in Harry's hand. "Voldemort still has plenty of spies about and he wants to know what that says. That's why he tricked you here tonight."
"I know," Harry agreed. "I also recognized the initials of the person the prophecy was given to. A.P.W.B.D which stands for Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. What is in this orb? What does it have to do with my parents dying?"
Again Dumbledore's shoulders slumped and he looked like he aged twenty years on the spot. "Come with me to my office and we'll discuss it," He said finally. "I will explain what I can."
"We'll be glad to," Harry replied. He then cut off what he knew Dumbledore was going to say. "Hermione will be there. She's the one who's helped me see through the crap you've been throwing at me," He paused for a couple of seconds. "If I find out you withhold any information from me, I will be owling Madam Maxine about transferring to Beauxbaton."
"That is an empty threat Harry and beneath you," Dumbledore replied. "You would need your guardian's permission to go there and I'm sure the Dursleys will not accommodate you."
"Sir," Hermione spoke up as they were ready for this argument. "The permission forms for Hogsmeade visits are only allowed to be signed by parents or guardians. Since you, as head of the Wizengamot at the time in question, accepted Sirius' approval for those visits, you did in fact declare at that time, Sirius Black was Harry's official guardian."
Harry followed that up with, "It is not an empty threat. Sirius will allow me to attend any school I want and has enough money to provide the tuition at those schools."
Dumbledore had finally thought he had the upper hand by showing Harry his bluff was useless, but now he stared at the two teenagers and a sinking feeling was developing in his stomach.
....
Join my P*atreon to enjoy 60+ advanced chapters.
Link: p*atreon.com/ScarletRosee (Remove the *)
Free members can get 2+ advanced chapters FOR FREE.