The trio of Harry, Sirius and Professor Lupin made their way towards the Hospital wing.
"You know Harry, as your godfather, incase you want to move in with me, since my name is cleared... I have a house in London, I guess..."
"Forgive me for interrupting but I am sure you have a house, more than one infact."
Sirius frowned, "How is that? I may have inherited the Black townhouse, my childhood home. I am sure that will require extreme levels of cleaning... but I never want to go back there again..." He trailed off. Sirius needed extensive mind healing.
"Sirius, you are Lord Black, an Most Noble and Most ancient House. One of the oldest and richest. I am sure that you will have more than one house." Harry replied.
"I can't be Lord Black. My mother, she was a vile woman... Supported Voldemort and pureblood supremacy. She wanted me to join his cause but I refused. I ran away to your Grandparent's house when I was 16 and she disowned me."
"Then she won't have the authority to do so and just bluffed. She was not the Lord, neither the Lady of the house, Arcturus Black was. When I went to take a heritage test on my thirteenth birthday, it showed that I was a member of House Black. I asked the goblin and he told me that you should be the Lord Black. We just need confirmation."
Sirius nodded.
"Padfoot, how did you escape Azkaban?" Lupin questioned.
"I don't know how I did it," he said slowly. "I think the only reason I never lost my mind is that I knew I was innocent. That wasn't a happy thought, so the Dementors couldn't suck it out of me… but it kept me sane and knowing who I am… helped me keep my powers… so when it all became… too much… I could transform in my cell… become a dog. Dementors can't see, you know…"
He swallowed. "They feel their way toward people by feeding off their emotions… They could tell that my feelings were less — less human, less complex when I was a dog… but they thought, of course, that I was losing my mind like everyone else in there, so it didn't trouble them. But I was weak, very weak, and I had no hope of driving them away from me without a wand… But then I saw Peter in that picture… I realized he was at Hogwarts with Harry… perfectly positioned to act, if one hint reached his ears that the Dark Side was gathering strength again…ready to strike at the moment he could be sure of allies… and to deliver the last Potter to them. If he gave them Harry, who'd dare say he'd betrayed Lord Voldemort? He'd be welcomed back with honors…"
"It was as if someone had lit a fire In my head, and the Dementors couldn't destroy it… It wasn't a happy feeling… it was an obsession… but it gave me strength, it cleared my mind. So, one night when they opened my door to bring food, I slipped past them as a dog… It's so much harder for them to sense animal emotions that they were confused… I was thin, very thin… thin enough to slip through the bars… I swam as a dog back to the mainland… I journeyed north and slipped into the Hogwarts grounds as a dog. I've been living in the forest ever since, except when I came to watch the Quidditch, of course. You fly as well as your father did, Harry…"
Harry smiled at the compliment. "Thanks." Not a single word was spoken further till they pushed open the doors of the Hospital wing.
"Mr. Black, come in. The headmaster informed me about your situation."
"I guess Sirius should have a bath first and new clothes. Then a good meal." Lupin told Madam Pomfrey.
"Yes, a bath and new clothes... Then food." Sirius said a bit dreamily.
Madame Pomfrey nodded and directed him accordingly.
Harry looked around the Hospital wing and saw Hermione looking at him and Lupin while Ron's curtains were pulled. She gestured him to come and sit next to her.
"What happened? Is Sirius free? What happened to professor Snape?" Hermione fired rapid questions in a single breath.
"Hermione, slow down. I will tell you what happened. So, once we reached the Headmaster's office..." Harry retold the whole story of what had taken place in Dumbledore's office.
"That's great Harry! I will give a testimony in court if needed! I will research all on Wizengamot, we will make Sirius officially free."
"Well, we won't need that as Madame Bones will be handling it along with Dumbledore. They will directly administer the truth serum to them and clear Sirius's name. But, it may be the best for you to study about protocols and such, so you don't commit a faux pas there." Harry said and Hermione nodded.
"Mr. Potter, come to your bed, I need to check you for injuries." Harry rolled his eyes. He just had a bruise, but went to his unofficially designated bed nonetheless.
"Hmm... You don't have any injuries except a bruise. Drink this and it will be alright. And I must say Mr. Potter, you did a commendable first aid on Mr. Weasley. He is currently asleep and healing properly. I will dismiss him tomorrow morning."
Soon Sirius came in looking much better. He looked clean and had trimmed his beard. He was still extremely emaciated but would heal.
Soon they had a lot of food on a table from the kitchens in Hogwarts. Sirius was eating with worse manners than Ron but it was probably the first proper meal in 13 years that he had eaten. Hermione sat at the table drinking a cup of hot chocolate as she had already eaten dinner with Ron. The other two, Harry and Remus were eating dinner in a dignified manner.
Stories were exchanged. Sirius and Remus spoke about their Pranks at Hogwarts. Sirius looked like he was having a really good time.
"... And so we locked McGonagall in her cat form for a whole day!" Sirius finished and they laughed at the tale.
Harry knew that his father was a prankster but he realized today that the Weasley twin's pranks barely held a candle to the pranks by the Marauders. Sirius recounted their first trip to the three broomsticks where his father ended up with his face being splashed with butterbeer courtesy of his mother who did not appreciate his flirting.
"You know Harry, you got serious balls for flirting with Bones. She is like the second most intimidating woman in Britain. First will always be McGonagall of course." Remus said.
"Oh, shush Remus. I will teach my godson all about flirting. He is good but he needs lessons from a master." Sirius said puffing his chest.
"Harry, what is this about? You flirted with the Head of DMLE! Are you serious?"
"No Hermione, I am Harry, he is Sirius."
Sirius laughed, Remus facepalmed and Hermione slapped his shoulder.
Six days later Harry, Ron, Hermione, Remus and Sirius found themselves in Dumbledore's office once again. All of them were dressed in fine Robes. Ron's Father was also going to accompany them along with professor Lupin. Harry was wearing a Navy Blue, acromantula silk robe with the Potter crest he had specially ordered for his first foray into the Wizengamot along with dragon hide boots. His heir ring was visible. He had specially prepared under Salazar and Helga for this since last two days and had gathered a lot of information on the members who would be present.
Sirius was wearing a similar attire just with the difference of the black robes with the Black crest. He looked loads better than before. Almost a week worth of Potions and healing made Sirius look like he was a person rather than a skeleton with skin. Lupin had also purchased new clothes for the event.
Hermione and Ron were also dressed in their best robes, with Hermione wearing a pendent with the Potter crest, signifying that she was under the protection of house Potter. Also Harry had given her a crash course on how to behave in the court room.
They were yet to visit Gringotts for the Black Lordship for Sirius having decided to wait till the trial ended. There was an article about Sirius's innocence, the day after Sirius was questioned by the Minister and Madame Bones.
SIRIUS BLACK: AN INNOCENT MAN
Yesterday we reporters at the Daily Prophet received a statement from the DMLE stating that Sirius Black is likely innocent. Yes, that is correct dear readers! Sirius Black, a man rumored to be the right hand of He who must not be named, a mass murderer and the betrayer of the Potter family is likely to be innocent.
It all started due to a new evidence coming to light, and that was Peter Pettigrew being alive. Peter Pettigrew who was thought to be dead for the last 12 years was actually hiding as an illegal Animagus with the Weasley family as a pet rat. On the evening of 23rd February, Wednesday, Sirius Black tried to pry the rat out of the youngest Weasley boy's hands and ended up dragging him to the shrieking shack. Harry Potter, the boy who lived followed them to save his friend. It is unsure that what happened in the shack but Harry Potter came out with Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew in chains. After which they were interrogated and it was determined that Sirius Black was never given a trial and was actually framed by Peter Pettigrew.
Peter Pettigrew is determined a death eater, and currently in a ministry holding cell awaiting trial. An official Wizengamot trial will take place on 1st of March pertaining to these case. The minister himself issued an statement for this. "It is a great travesty of justice has taken place due to the actions of the previous administration. An innocent man had to suffer twelve years in Azkaban as he was denied a trial while the real criminal lived free and was hailed a martyr. I will personally ensure that this travesty is corrected. It is a great shame that we have to see such a day due to the previous administration wherein an innocent suffers punishment for an act he has not done. I am personally looking into files of all the inmates in Azkaban to check if they have had a trial and another case like that of Sirius Black does not appear."
We at the Daily Prophet wish that this mistake by the Bagnold administration is corrected as soon as possible and hope that no other person has been through a similar fate. We wish Mr. Black a speedy recovery from the ordeal. He is currently in the Hogwarts hospital wing and will remain to heal till the official trial takes place.
For more on Sirius Black's case pg.2
For more on Sirius Black's achievements pg. 4
For more on Sirius Black's career as a Hit-wizard pg. 4
For more on Harry Potter pg. 5
It was a brilliant move on Fudge's part to ensure that no blame comes on him. Also the Prophet had printed articles highlighting Sirius's achievements and the captures he made during the war. He was receiving a lot of praises from readers and was gaining sympathy from them.
"Is everyone ready?" Dumbledore asked them and got nods in affirmative. "Very well. We will be taking a portkey straight to my atrium in the ministry. Hold tight." He said passing a rope around. "Everyone in. Good. Ministry Atrium activate."
The portkey activated and they all were transported to a splendid hall with a highly polished, dark wood floor. Hermione and Ron ended on their butts while Sirius stumbled but was caught by Arthur. Rest of them were standing on their feet perfectly. The two friends picked themselves up with embarrassed expressions.
Harry looked around. It was his first time at the Ministry of Magic. In the middle of the atrium was a statue. The fountain featured golden statues of a wizard, a witch, a centaur, a goblin, and a house-elf, all which spouted water from various locales into the pool of water below, and each of the last three of which was shown in some manner basking in the generosity, wisdom and apparent superiority of wizard kind.
Harry frowned at it internally. This was another thing he would need to correct. Equality for all magically sentients. It was necessary for magic to prosper.
There were four aurors near the fireplaces that lined the walls and moved towards the group.
"Mr. Black, we will be escorting you to the courtroom as protocol demands. Kindly submit your weapon and any other possession on yourself." It was Kingsley Shacklebolt, the auror who was a part of Gryffindor security until a week ago. Sirius handed them the items and he was further probed by detectors. Once everything was ok, they led him ahead whilst the rest moved to the checking point.
"Wand of every visitor please." Except Dumbledore and Mr. Weasley everyone handed their wands to the man there and he stuck a slip on a brass spike for each wand before returning it.
"Ebony, 13 inches, with phoenix feather core and Dragon heartstring, in use for an year." The man said after Harry presented his wand from his pocket.
"Yes"
"Thank you..." His eyes widened seeing who was he checking the wand of. "Harry- Harry Potter!"
"Yes. I am. Can I have my wand back please?" He asked politely.
"Yes, Yes. here you go."
Harry nodded and proceeded with the group. He still had his main wand secured in an holster
After a few minutes Harry found himself in a court room on level nine. The lift he had travelled in was a funny one as it travelled in all directions- From up to down, to sideways, to front and back. He strolled into the court room. There were a few people already there. Harry recognized Augusta Longbottom, Neville's Grandmother and Regent of her house. There were several reporters in the visitors Gallery. He recognized some other people in the courtroom as he had seen their faces at either Diagon Alley or platform 9 3/4.
He went towards Neville's Grandmother. "Regent Longbottom, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Harry James Potter, Heir and Head of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter." He introduced kissing her knuckles
"Heir Potter. It is indeed a pleasure." They settled into a light conversation about Sirius Black case with Harry telling her a summary of what happened. Some people were listening in. Augusta introduced several people to him. Some were Lords and Ladies of Houses, a couple were receivers of Order of Merlin. And the head of Games department (DMGS) - Ludo Bagman, former beater for England team and accused death eater but was proven innocent. He also met Griselda Marchbanks, Head of education department(WEA). She was so old that she was the examiner in Dumbledore's NEWTs! That was positively ancient!
"Heir Potter, meet Lord Greengrass."
Harry turned. Standing there was a tall man with brown hair, blue eyes with a regal expression on his face- Daphne's father.
"Lord Greengrass." He shook his hand.
"Heir Potter. I have heard a lot about you from my daughters."
"All good things I hope."
Lord Greengrass nodded. "Very good things indeed. My youngest, Astoria was gushing about how you saved her from the Dementors on the Hogwarts express. A fully corporeal Patronus for one so young is unheard of. You have my gratitude for saving my daughters."
Harry waved him off. "I just did something any other person would have done. It was no big deal."
"You can produce a fully corporeal Patronus?" Madame Marchbank asked.
"Yes, it takes the form of a dragon, a Great horned Hebridean Black to be specific, the Potter family emblem." He gave them a charming smile.
"How old are you?" Another asked.
"I will be 14 at the end of July this year. Currently I am in the third year at Hogwarts."
"Order in the courtroom. Please take your seats. We will begin in a couple of minutes." Dumbledore's voice boomed.
Harry, Lord Greengrass and Regent Longbottom made their way to the front row, Where the seats for the Most Noble and Most Ancient Houses were. This was directly behind where the interrogators and the court scribe would seat.
It was an ornate seat with a Potter crest. He had an individual desk with a drawer and also a cup holder, similar to the other six. The first seat from the left was Longbottom , followed by Bones, then was his set- the Potter chair, then was Greengrass seat, followed by Albertos, Selwyn and Black seat. He ideally noted that in the future he would be between Susan and Daphne.
Lord Greengrass was on his right, but the Bones seat was empty as Amelia was in the Interrogator's seat as the Head of DMLE. Dumbledore was seated on the middle chair- Chief Warlock's chair. Beside him was the Minister of Magic and on his other side was Bones in her uniform. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed a pink clad woman take the scribe's seat. She looked remarkably like a toad. He looked and saw that his friends were seated in the visitors gallery.
His attention was drawn back by the sound of a gavel being banged. "Order in the courtroom. Good Morning, members of the Wizengamot/ Today we have gathered here to judge the case of Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. Bring them in." Dumbledore said.
The two men were led in. Pettigrew was chained in shackles while Sirius had a pair of handcuffs on.
"Hearing of the Wizengamot of March 1st 1994. Case of Sirius Orion Black and Peter Patrick Pettigrew pertaining to events of Late October 1981 and Early November 1992. "
"Are you Sirius Orion Black?"
"Yes"
"Are you Peter Patrick Pettigrew?"
"Yes"
"Interrogators: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Chief Warlock; Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister of magic and Amelia Serphina Bones, Head of DMLE. Prosecutor: Rufus Scrimgeour"
"Dear Witches and Wizards! Today we are here to correct a grave travesty of justice. An innocent man has spent 12 years in Prison while the main culprit was in hiding. On the night of 23rd February, I myself along with the Chief Warlock and Madame Bones have interrogated these two under the influence of Veritaserum. We have enough evidence to declare Sirius Black innocent of all charges and put Peter Pettigrew in prison for a life sentence. But protocols must be followed. This is the reason we are gathered here today. We are holding an official trial for them. Prosecution, please begin." Fudge said.
" Thank you Minister. I would first like to ask a couple of questions to Arthur Weasley."
Mr. Weasley stood up from his seat and came down. "Mr. Weasley, please tell the court when and where did you find the pet rat."
"My son, Percy found the rat when he was playing in the garden one day. I can not tell the exact date but it was shortly after you know who's demise on Halloween. Say the third or fourth week of November. My son named him Scabbers thinking it was an innocent rat."
"And your son has had the rat ever since?"
"No, after Percy became a prefect three years ago, we gifted him an owl and the rat was passed on to my youngest, Ronald who was to start at Hogwarts that year."
"Has the rat ever shown any signs of unusual activity?"
"No, all he used to do was eat and sleep. It was when we made a trip to Egypt a few months ago, during summer, the rat started looking sickly and weak. If I am to guess it was because he saw that Mr. Black had escaped Azkaban but at that time we thought it was due to the weather or his time was coming."
"Thank you. You may go. Now, I would call Harry Potter here."
Harry got up and strolled forward with a grace worthy of a prince his eyes glowing faintly but enough to see. He applied a wandless mild sonorous charm to himself on the way.
"Heir Potter. Kindly tell the court of the events that transpired on the evening of February 23rd in the Shrieking Shack." Scrimgeour spoke acknowledging Harry's status.
Harry spoke confidently and smoothly of the events that had transpired, obviously cutting short the part of Remus Lupin and Snape intervention.
"... So once I transformed Pettigrew back, I sent a Patronus message to Professor -"
"Hem, hem"
"Dumbledore, Madame Bones and Professor McGonagall. Soon–" He continued ignoring the interruption made by the toad like witch. Several people in the court also looked irritated by it.
"Hem, Hem."
"Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall arrived with–"
"Mr. Potter! You have no right to ignore me!" The shrill girly voice of the toad like witch sounded cutting his sentence short.
He turned to her. "And who might you be?" He questioned.
"Lady Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic." The woman stated proudly.
"Firstly, I have never heard of House Umbridge. It is neither an Noble nor an ancient house and certainly not a part of the sacred 28. So you are no lady, miss Umbridge." He said emphasizing on the miss part. He was sure as he had learnt the names of all the houses as ordered by Salazar. To be a minor house, a house must have atleast 5 generations of people.
"Secondly, you are a mere court scribe. You are not an official part of the Wizengamot. Today, you are just an over glorified note taker. So you actually don't have permission to speak in this court unless you are recognized, which you did not ask for. So you need to take permission for from the Chief Warlock before interrupting the session like someone not a part of this esteemed body would need to." The toad was going red with either anger or embarrassment Harry could not tell.
"Thirdly, I will have you know that I have every right to ignore something I do not deem important and your coughing was one of them. Also, while we are at it, for future reference, note that if you ever want to gain someone's attention to speak with them, raise your hand or speak politely like a civilized person and not cough like an old crippled man on his deathbed."
People were openly snickering by now at her by now. Dumbledore had a slight grin while his eyes were twinkling. Fudge had hid his face with his hand and Madame Bones was grinning like a loon. Sirius was also laughing. The prosecutor had covered his mouth but his eyes gave his laughter away. All this while Harry had a perfectly calm face.
"Now are you going to sit there, turning red like a red-bellied toad or are you going to let us continue and stop wasting our time?" He snapped.
Salazar had told him about the minister's new senior undersecretary. his words were, ' Umbridge, Fudge's new undersecretary is a vile woman who is a first generation pureblood with a hatred of everything that is not pureblood. She hates part creatures and muggleborns especially. She recently tried to propose a bill to have a registry for muggleborns and part creatures but it was scrapped by the Wizengamot.'
"Mr. Potter, I just wanted to–" She began in a sickly sweet girly tone.
"Are you deaf or just mentally malnourished? I just stated the rule that if you want to speak in the court, you need permission from the chair and here you are, continuing your blabbering."
"Chief Warlock, may I speak?" She finally asked with gritted teeth.
"The chair recognizes Dolores Umbridge, the court scribe." A part of Harry wished that Dumbledore would have said no to her. It would have been hilarious to be honest.
"Thank you Chief Warlock. Now, Mr. Potter–"
"Heir Potter. Why are you even sitting in here if you do not even know the basic etiquette and rules of this body?" Harry asked.
"Heir Potter, I just wanted to ask you to stop lying in the court."
"Oh wow! Now, you are questioning my honor and calling me a liar. Pray tell what is my lie?" He said in a cold tone which screamed that she was going to pay.
"A Patronus charm and the spell you claimed to have used are too advanced for your age. No mere boy can cast them." She released a snort.
Harry narrowed his eyes before flicking his wand into his hand and concentrating on his happiest memory. "Expecto Patronum". The silvery Dragon burst forth from his wand and went over to Umbridge. It was over 20 feet tall as a Patronus. It spoke in Harry's tone, "Is this enough or do you need more proof?"
Umbridge was white as a sheet and said nothing.
"I asked you a question Umbridge." Harry growled. "Do you still want to question my truthfulness? If you do so, I can declare an honor duel and demonstrate all the spells during it." He asked. His eyes were glowing and an invisible wind was blowing through his hair.
"No- No, that won't be necessary." She said fearfully.
"If you are sure. Now, apologize and we can put all of this behind us."
"I am sorry." she gritted out in a barely audible tone.
"Pardon? I could not hear your supposed apology."
"I apologize, Heir Potter."
Harry nodded and turned to Scrimgeour. "Where were we before I was rudely interrupted?"
"You said that Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall arrived."
"Ok... Yeah, they arrived with Professor Dumbledore's phoenix and they were shortly followed by the aurors and Madame Bones storming in. Then we went to the Headmaster's office and I believe you will have records of the interrogation given by Madame Bones."
"Yes we have. Thank you, Heir Potter. You can take your seat."
Harry went back and sat on his seat. Soon Sirius and Pettigrew were interrogated under Veritaserum without any interruptions. There were several outrageous looks on hearing the story.
"All in the favor of declaring Sirius Orion Black innocent of all charges?"
Every single wand in the courtroom went up. Sirius was free, officially.
"All in favor of punishing Peter Pettigrew?" Again every wand went up.
"The motion is passed. Now we vote on the actual punishment."
After a few minutes of voting, it was decided that Pettigrew would get a life sentence in Azkaban. It was a close thing. 60% had voted for life sentence. Rest had voted for Pettigrew to receive the dementor's kiss. Harry unfortunately could not vote yet as he was not of age.
"Peter Patrick Pettigrew, you will spend the rest of your life in Azkaban. Aurors! Take him away." Dumbledore said banging his gavel. "Also, charges are to be filed against Barty Crouch to answer for his crimes. Sirius Black, you will receive Monetary compensation of 100,000 G for every year you spent in prison. Also the ministry will pay for your full medical charges for being healed in St. Mungo's. It won't give you back your years or reverse your suffering, but it is the least we could do. Court is adjourned."