The 4th Year: Black Innocence

Chapter 1: New Beginning

I do not own Harry Potter or anything related to it. JK Rowling is the creator and owner. I'm just borrowing her story for fun. I make no profit from this story.

Foreword

Hello this is my first Harry Potter fic and this is not at all going to follow canon. Well not right away anyways. As the title says this is going to be in Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts. Now having said that this is not going to be a story of the Tri-wizard tournament. This is going to be a slightly normal year for Harry, well maybe. This story is about Harry and Dumbledore clearing Sirius' name.

Having said that it will take a long time for that to happen. Also everything before fourth year happened. I am talking about the canon stories. The Philosopher's Stone, Chamber of Secrets and the Prisoner of Azkaban all happened before this story and will be referred to and talked about. So if you have not read the books there will be some spoilers. Just a heads up. Now enjoy the story and if people skipped this then you maybe a bit lost and came back to read this. Now don't you feel silly.

Also (just to add) this story has violence and gory scenes. What good book and movie doesn't? So you are warned and the rating is T to maybe M. It all depends on what you're comfortable with but I think it will be mostly be T in my opinion. If a scene is very nasty I will give the heads up.

Now go ahead read the story and enjoy. Feed back is always welcomed. I like to know what people like to help make the story better.

Chapter 1: New Beginnings

It was getting dark in Little Whinging and a dark haired teen walked down the street heading for his home. Well you could call it a home but Harry called it hell. Harry Potter reluctantly walked towards number four Private drive. His third year at Hogwarts had ended only a few days ago and Harry already missed the castle. He also missed his Godfather, Sirius Black.

Sirius had asked Harry to live with him and Harry loved the idea. Now however that seemed a dream due to the aurors still hunting him down. He had gotten a letter on the train and yesterday saying that Sirius was working on a way for him to escape.

He stood at the end of the driveway. The hot summer air ended up making his clothes stick to him. The stars were starting to come out and he watched for a moment. He looked down at the house again. Light was shining from behind the curtains and Harry knew that his relatives were still awake. That was a good thing and a bad thing. Good that he was not locked out of the house but bad when he came in so late. Still he sighed and headed in. He quietly opened and closed the door. The hinges were well oiled and he made it to the second step on the stairs until he heard his name called.

He stood still a moment and looked longingly up the stairs. His room but a few yards away, his hideaway from them.

"Harry?" again his name was called but it was gentle and did not sound like Vernon. Yet it was a man's voice. Harry's mind raced for a second. Only people like him would come looking for him as the neighbourhood all but ignored him. He stepped back onto the main floor. He made his way down the hall to the sitting room. All the while drawing his wand.

He glanced in and saw the Dursleys all huddled around Vernon's favourite chair. Vernon was seated with Petunia hovering slightly behind him on his left side. Dudley was cowering on the floor to his father's right. They did not notice him standing in the doorway but looked to the couch near the front of the house. Harry knew someone was there and took a breath before entering the room with his wand ready.

He was met by a pair of bright blue eyes that smiled at him. "Hello, Harry." Professor Dumbledore smiled at him.

"Professor?" Harry was shocked, "What are you doing here?"

"Well I came by to get you, Harry. Unfortunately you were not here. So I have been enjoying the company of your relatives till your return." the old man smiled again.

"Came to get me?" Harry said slowly.

"Yes. Sirius and myself felt it would be in your best interests if you were to leave this place." Dumbledore said in a polite voice but the anger behind it was present.

"Will I be able to see Sirius soon? Is he ok?"

"Yes, yes. Mr Black is safe right now and you'll-"

"Wait a minute!" Vernon shouted and drowned out Dumbledore, "Are you talking about Sirius Black? The man all over the TV this year!"

"Ah Harry hasn't told you. Yes we are talking about him."

"I thought you were taking him to his godfather! Not some mass murderer!"

"Why do you care?" Harry asked.

"I can't be associated with people like HIM!" Vernon bellowed.

"Hope that you don't Mr. Dursley, because if he ever finds out how you treated Harry he will become a murderer."

Vernon should have stopped but," What do you mean will? We have treated Harry fine!"

Harry felt it. His rage and anger grew again like when he blew up Marge. He was about to unleash it on his uncle but he felt the pressure being pushed down by something else.

Harry looked at Dumbledore and could feel the magic coming off him like waves. The old man was scary. He stood up and approached the Dursleys. He towered over them.

"Sirius Black is not a murderer but if and when he finds out how you treated Harry here he will kill you! I'm finding it hard not to kill you myself." his voice was like thunder as the room shook like in an earth quake. The lights flickered and flashed, making Dumbledore even more frightening and powerful. The Dursleys were trying to sink through the floor.

He moved away from them and retook his seat and patted beside him for Harry to join him. Harry sat down looking at his headmaster in a different light. He realised why Voldemort was scared of him but just as fast as the dark wizard persona appeared it was gone and the usual kind man was there.

Dumbledore smiled at him again and completely ignored the Dursleys. "Now, Harry. I have just gotten word from Sirius and he had a few, let us say interesting things to say about you." Harry raised his eyebrow but didn't say anything.

Dumbledore continued," Nothing bad I can a sure you. Most of them, if true, will help you greatly. Now the first thing is with Sirius out of Azkaban he wrote a few letters to the goblins at Gringotts. Apparently he is good friends with their king which is a rare thing. Anyways having sent letters to the goblins he has learned that they have a copy of your parents will."

Harry was stunned to say the least. His parents left a will! "Why didn't I see it sooner?" he voiced his thoughts.

"Well according to wizarding law the legal guardian of the child will determine when or if the child can read the will before coming of age. It is a ridiculous law, one I'm sure purebloods created. Regardless when Sirius was sent to prison he couldn't look after you and the law says you have to go to your closest blood relative. Unfortunately for you it had to be this place." he waved his hands around indicating were they were, "Now the ministry wanted to put you in their care due to Sirius and your parents. The problem I thought was that Voldemort's followers would try and kill you so I brought you here. A most regrettable decision on my part. I'm sorry Harry. I told them," he shot a nasty look at the Dursleys," to take care of you as their own but they made your life even worse. I'm sorry Harry."

"Not your fault professor. They are the ones to blame." Harry nodded towards the Dursleys. His uncle was opening his mouth to say something but he glanced at Dumbledore and closed it again.

"Yes well thank you Harry. I spent the afternoon reminding them what they should have done and the consequences of their actions. Which brings me to our next topic. It appears that you were left a large amount of money."

"How much?" Harry's greedy uncle asked.

Harry nodded at Dumbledore to answer.

"Well you have your trust fund vault, which you know about but you also have about ten other vaults, all containing different items and objects. None of which I know anything about. The total sum I don't know but Sirius said that you should be the third richest person in the world."

Harry sat there, not sure of what to do. Money always helped in the world. It was important but not that important, especially for him. He didn't care if he was rich or not. He would rather earn his money then do nothing. He was pulled from his thoughts by the sharp intake of breaths from his backstabbing relatives.

Vernon smiled smugly for a minute before he talked, "As the boy's guardians we are entitled to spend that money if it would benefit the family."

"Yes that would have been true if you were Harry's guardians." Dumbledore responded to the fat man's statement or claim.

"What are you talking about! We raised the damn boy! We are his guardians!"

"No you're not. Sirius Black is Harry's guardian."

"He's a convicted killer. I don't know how you people do things but here when a parent or guardian is sent to jail they are no longer the child's caretaker!" Vernon bellowed with excitement and anger at the old man.

"Well you are right about that but-"

"Good now I demand we see the bank right NOW!"

"You can't."

"What do you mean! As guardians-"

"Which you are not!"

"YES WE ARE!"

"SILENCE!" Dumbledore roared like he did in the great hall to get everyone's attention.

"Sirius was never convicted of an-"

"He went to prison!"

"SHUT UP YOU FAT GREEDY BASTARD!" Harry yelled. His uncle turning purple, opened his mouth to retort but nothing came out. Dumbledore had his wand out and quickly tucked it back up his sleeve.

"Silenceio?" Harry asked. Dumbledore's smile was all the answer he needed.

"Anyways back to the bank. Sirius was never convicted of any crimes. He was sent to Azkaban with no trail so therefore he was held against his will. In simpler terms he was a kidnap victim who escaped. The goblins view it as this so Sirius told them he gives you permission to collect your inheritance and anything else that is waiting for you. Also as your guardian Sirius wishes for you to leave your aunt and uncle's as soon as possible. Which is the main reason I'm here."

"I get to leave?" he asked with longing. The professor simply nodded. "Do I ever have to come back?"

"No you don't."

"Are you taking me to Sirius?" hope present in his voice.

"No. At least not right away. I will be looking after you for a few days. I will mostly be helping you with your parents will and advising you on your money."

"So when can we leave?"

"Now if you like, Harry."

"Really?"

The old man smiled warmly and nodded at Harry," Go pack your things."

Harry didn't need to be told twice. He raced up the stairs and crashed into his room. Most of his belongings were still packed away in his trunk but the few that were laying around soon weren't.

Harry scanned his room one last time checking to see if anything remained. He grabbed Hedwig and walked back downstairs with a spring in his step. He entered the sitting again just as Dumbledore removed the silencing charm.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Vernon's face swelled purple.

"Beg your pardon?" the calm headmaster replied.

"We raised that brat for over ten years and we get nothing! We fed him from our table. Had to spend money on him and get NO COMPENSATION!"

"I believe Sirius was told that you were given £2,000 a month for Harry's up keep and I see little evidence that Harry received any of it."

"You dare!"

"Yes because the goblins will see it my way also and they hate thieves more than anything."

Vernon was shaking with anger but Dumbledore went for the last nail in the coffin. " If you had been kind to Harry, he probably would have repaid you but sadly for you, you did not. And what is even more than likely to happen is Harry will seek some sort of revenge on you. Wether it is financial or physical I don't know but you have brought this upon yourselves."

"GET OUT NOW!" Vernon screamed at the wise old man.

Dumbledore stood and smiled at Harry. "Ready to go?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good, do you want to say anything to them before we leave?"

Harry looked at them. All of them paled as Dumbledore's words of vengeance echoed in their heads. "I hope to never see any of you again and I hope you live the rest of your lives in misery. Good bye!"

Harry had to stop himself from running outside. He pulled his trunk and carried Hedwig out. The night air was still warm and Dumbledore quickly shrunk Harry's trunk and Hedwig's cage. "Harry if you will grab my arm." Dumbledore said as he presented his right arm to Harry. The second Harry grabbed him, he immediately regretted it. His body was crying out in pain. He felt like he was being sucked through a straw and then nothing. The feeling was gone just as fast as it came and he was thankful.

When he finally looked around he stood in front of a ruined building. Hedwig was perched on his shoulder and Dumbledore held the empty cage before shrinking it and putting it in his pocket. He looked up at Harry and gave him a weak smile. "Welcome home."

Harry turned away from him and looked at the building again. The windows were all smashed, the door hung on its hinges, the paint was peeling away and on the front gate sat a sign.

Sign:

The home of James and Lily Potter. The place where He-who-must-not-be-named was finally defeated by Harry Potter.

Around the sign people had carved into the wood. There was a few; "long live Harry Potter" and "RIP Lily and James." Harry pushed the gate open and walked up the path to the destroyed house, Dumbledore followed silently.

He gentle pushed the door open, hoping it wouldn't fall off its hinges. Surprisingly it didn't and he crossed the threshold. Dirt and dust coated the whole inside. Harry couldn't tell what colour the carpet was because of all the filth. Where he guessed the kitchen was supposed to be was blown apart the living room was in better condition than the rest of the first floor. The grey fireplace was the only thing that hadn't seemed to age. Harry walked over to it and a few pictures still sat there. He lifted one and saw his dad and Sirius smiling and waving back at him. The next one was his mom sitting and holding him as a baby. She was busy playing peek a boo with baby Harry. Every time she revealed herself baby Harry would giggle. In spite of where he was Harry smiled faintly to himself. The other few pictures looked to be his mom and dad's friends. All of which smiled at him. He gathered them up and sipped them into his pocket for later.

He headed to the stairs and stopped before heading up. There was a few black blast marks along the wall. Harry crouched and brushed them with his fingers. "Dad." he whispered.

"Yes." came Dumbledore's voice but it sounded distance.

Hedwig nibbled on his ear in a comforting manner and he stood and continued up the stairs. The upstairs was made up of the bedrooms and a bathroom. He walked into the master bedroom and saw that there was nothing inside except scraps of paper and dust. He continued to the bathroom and the same thing. Nothing was there.

"The goblins came and took most of the belongs and put them in a vault for you to go through later." Dumbledore answered his unasked question.

Harry nodded then headed to the last bedroom. The door lay in splinters, scattered across the floor. The whole back corner was missing. He could see into the neighbours backyard. The only things left in the room was a smashed crib and a few rags which at one point looked to have been baby blankets. He stood right before the crib and looked down at it. Hedwig ruffled her feathers and click her beak. "This place is unsettling, isn't it?" Harry asked and Hedwig answered in a low hoot.

"It is indeed." Dumbledore said as he approached Harry.

"This is where everything started. He stood where I am now and killed her and then tried to kill me." Harry said with no emotion and continued to look at his crib.

"Yes, he did." Dumbledore said as he gripped Harry's free shoulder and seared him out of the house.

"Thank you, professor. I wanted to see that place for a very long time."

"Don't thank me yet Harry." Dumbledore replied as he continued to steer Harry through the village and passed the church and then into the graveyard.

Dumbledore released him and Harry started to search. He found them not long later. He stooped and brushed away the dirt that lightly caked the two graves.

James Charles Potter and Lily Jane Potter.

Loving friends and parents.

Died like they lived, fighting for what they believed.

Brave to the very end.

Harry didn't know what to do. He stared awhile at the slabs of marble. He had once see on TV that people would talk to their loved ones. He decided to try it for himself.

"Umm... Hi Mum. Hi Dad. I guess this is the first time I visited you. It's not that I don't like you it's just that I didn't even know where you were." he knew he sounded like an idiot but he continued nonetheless. " I guess you guys don't know much about me. I honestly don't really remember you but sometimes I remember your voices in my dreams. Like this past year I met your friend, Remus. He is a great guy and he taught me the Patronous Charm to fight the Dementors. The memory I used was you guys talking. I don't really know what it was about but just the sound fills me with happiness." Hedwig shifted on his shoulder. "Oh yeah. This is my friend and faithful companion Hedwig. The smartest owl you will ever meet." Hedwig gave a happy hoot and jumped off Harry's shoulder to land in front of the tombstones. She gave an affectionate peck to both before hopping back onto Harry's shoulder. He pet her head in thanks. He went on to tell them all about his life. Mostly his adventures at Hogwarts and his friends. By the end he was exhausted. He paused and stared at the graves. "I miss you both so much." he choked. " I just wish I... I wish you c-could have at least been around long enough for me to have gotten to know you." he let his tears run down his face, not even swiping them away. He had never cried about his parents' deaths before but now seeing them laying before him. His bottled up emotions poured freely. He sat there for gods know when. He finally got to his feet shakily and tried to find his headmaster. "Good bye, mum, dad. I'll see you soon."

Harry looked around the church grounds wondering where Dumbledore had went. He rounded the corner of the church and saw him standing before some graves. Harry approached quietly but the wise professor heard him.

"Hello Harry. How are your parents?" he asked without looking away from the tombstones.

"Good sir. Thank you for bring me here."

"You're welcome. I'm sorry for rushing everything into one day but you will have a very busy summer. So I thought that this would be appropriate to be the first thing you started with."

"Thank you, again, sir. I feel different after talking and seeing them."

"Different?" the old man asked with a cocked eye brow.

"Yes, professor. I feel better. Like a umm it's hard to explain."

"I think I understand."

Silence was followed for awhile. Harry was the first to break it.

"Sir? Would you like me to leave?"

"No, no. You can stay Harry. I was finished when you arrived."

Harry had a quick peek at the graves. " Your family?"

"Yes Harry. My parents and my sister."

"I'm sorry sir."

Dumbledore chucked, "No one ever said that before but thank you, Harry." he looked up at the sky and sighed. " It's getting later and it has been a long day. Come Harry let us depart this place."

With that the two of them walked out of the graveyard in silence. Harry was sure that Dumbledore would apparate them but he continued to walk down the main street of Godric's Hallow. They stopped in front of a small cottage and headed up the path. Dumbledore opened the door and ushered Harry inside.

A second later and the room filled with light.

"Welcome to my home, Harry." Dumbledore smiled.

A/N: Well that's it. Hope you like it. Please review, as it helps me improve. And thanks for reading. See you soon.

P.S. Happy Birthday, J.K. Rowling!