Well here it is at long last, Chapter 1 book 3, enjoy!!
Book 3
Chapter 1
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The Life and Lies of Sirius Black
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Cornelius Oswald Fudge couldn't believe what was going on. First there had been that disastrous case with Rubeus Hagrid, that gloating bastard Gilderoy Lockhart rubbing the Minister's nose in it, and now? Now they were bringing to light the case of Sirius Black, the man who had betrayed the Potters.
At first, Fudge had received a letter from Potter, requesting that a trial be held. Fudge had asked how he'd learned about it and had received in return a three-page statement giving exact details of where and how; the boy, if nothing else, was precise. When he'd asked why Harry had wanted to re-open the case, Harry had stated quite simply that he believed Sirius to be innocent. When Fudge had read the letter, he'd laughed loudly. The response Fudge had given to the boy had been somewhat patronising.
The boy had responded angrily and had actually gone to the press; he'd stated in no uncertain terms that the original case had been corrupt and circumstantial. That had infuriated Fudge to the point where he'd actually thrown a glass of whiskey against the wall; there were some things magic couldn't fix. So, to satisfy the boy's need for a case, Fudge had set up the case and called for a hearing at the Wizengamot.
Xander was wearing his suit, as were Lupin, Hagrid and the others. Even Snape looked somewhat smart and less greasy. The man did not look pleased at being called there but didn't really have a choice in the matter; Dumbledore had forced him to go. About fifty people were present wearing plum-coloured robes embroidered with silver "W"s on the left-hand side of the chest. The Minister was seated in the middle of the front row; other officials included Senior Undersecretary to the Minister (on the Minister's right) and Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement (on the Minister's left). In the centre of the room, sitting in the chair with the magical chains, sat Sirius Black.
"Let it be noted that the re-opening of the case of Sirius Black, notorious Muggle and wizard murderer, is being held. Please state your name for the record."
"Harry James Potter, and in defence of Sirius Black," the boy said, turning to face a man in a black suit with shoulder-length brown hair, "Lindsey McDonald of Wolfram and Hart."
There was a great deal of murmuring from the people sitting in the stand and from the officials. Fudge hit his hammer down and brought order to the room. "Mr. McDonald; you have a case?"
The man smirked. "Of course."
"Where are your notes?"
The man's smirk got even bigger. "Don't need any; I've got everything up here." He tapped his head and nodded at Xander, who took his seat. Of course, Wolfram and Hart knew exactly who he was; they were aware of the timeline change the minute it happened, which is why Xander had gone to them and offered his knowledge of future events in exchange for help. They had been most interested in learning about The Beast, and Jasmine.
"Very well, proceed."
"On the night of 1981, Sirius Black betrayed the Potter family to He Who Must Not Be Named; it is believed that he ran away and was chased by the Potters' friend Peter Pettigrew, who he duelled in a battle to the death, leaving behind a group of massacred Muggles and a very dead Peter." Lindsey paused for effect. "This is what the public and the authorities have believed for nearly thirteen years, and yet, the truth always has a habit of coming out."
"What do you mean?"
Lindsey smiled at Cornelius. "I'd like to call my first witness: Barty Crouch Senior."
A man with a stiff posture, neatly-parted grey hair, trim moustache and sharp eyes stood up to be seen. "Mr Crouch, is what I said correct?" Lindsey addressed.
"Yes."
"Did Mr Black receive a trial?"
"Yes."
"What was he found?"
"Guilty."
"What evidence was presented?"
Crouch's facial nerves started twitching; it wasn't a pretty sight.
"None…"
"Thank you, I have no further questions."
Crouch opened his mouth, closed it and sat down with a huff. Lindsey carried on. "The way I see it, everyone believed Mr. Black to be guilty; he was at the scene of the crime with wand in-hand, a piece of Mr Pettigrew surrounded by dead Muggles."
"Get on with it," Fudge growled.
"Rome wasn't built in a day Minister," Lindsey replied calmly. Xander could practically see a vein on the Minister's head twitching with anger. "If I didn't have a case, and if I didn't believe my client to be innocent, I would not be here. Wolfram and Hart only represents those who are at least partially innocent and or it can give the firm financial benefits."
Xander snorted in amusement.
"As it is, we believe Mr Black to be innocent."
Fudge's eyebrows moved heavenwards. "How so?"
"This is what I believed happened: In 1981, the Potters were aware that their son was Voldemort's specific target. Albus Dumbledore advised the Potters to go into hiding using the Fidelius Charm; a highly complex spell allowing a Secret to be concealed within another person. James and Lily wanted Sirius Black to be their Secret Keeper. However, believing Voldemort would suspect him but not a "weak, talentless thing" like Peter Pettigrew, Sirius and the Potters reassigned Pettigrew to this role. No one, not even Professors Lupin or Dumbledore, knew this.
On Halloween night 1981, the Potters were betrayed by Pettigrew and killed by Voldemort, thus Sirius tracked down Pettigrew, determined to kill him in vengeance. However, Pettigrew outwitted Black: confronted by Sirius on a city street, he created an explosion, faking his own death (leaving a severed finger behind as evidence) and killing twelve Muggles in the process. Sirius was arrested, accused of murdering his former friend and the Muggles, and serving Lord Voldemort. He was sentenced, without trial, to life imprisonment in Azkaban."
There was uproar; people stood up and yelled loudly, many of the court shouting at the same time to be heard over one another. Lindsey stood next to his client with a big smile on his face; he turned and saw Xander watching him, and winked. When everything had settled down, there was still a bit of murmuring, but not in such an agitated way.
"I suppose you have proof of this?" the Minister sneered.
"Yes," Lindsey said confidently. "I'd like to call my next witness: Severus Snape."
The greasy-haired potions master stepped down. "As loath as I am to defend this…" he looked down his nose, "I cannot ignore the facts."
"And they are?"
"Sirius Black was framed."
"I'm aware of your hatred for Black; why would you defend him?"
Snape smirked and glanced over at Xander. "Because, as Mr Potter so succulently put it, Sirius would owe me."
The prisoner rattled against his chains and let out a loud growl; everyone ignored him.
"What evidence do you have?"
"A Pensieve where we have his memory of the night, Veritaserum so that he will tell nothing but the truth…" Snape paused. "And other means."
Fudge looked curiously at the two. "Other means?"
"Yes." Snape walked slowly over to the stand and took a live rat from Ron Weasley; the boy looked unhappy about giving it up but had no choice in the matter. Snape placed the rat on the floor, muttered an incantation and flicked his wand at it. The rat started to morph horribly into a man with a small rat-like face and a pointed nose, with prominent amounts of hair missing and horrible awkward teeth.
The case was over. Pettigrew was taken into custody after a brief hearing so that the press could be informed, and Sirius Black was officially freed and pardoned. Xander thanked Lindsey and met up with Sirius and both of them were taken to Hogwarts; where Sirius enjoyed a long-awaited hot shower and some good food.
"Well, that was certainly interesting…" Sirius said through a mouthful of roast beef.
Xander looked at Sirius and couldn't think of anything to reply; after a few moments he said, "It was certainly worth the look on Fudge's face."
The two burst into laughter.
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"I can't believe it…"
Professor Lupin, Sirius Black and Xander were sitting in the Great Hall.
"Well there you have it, even before we met, Harry believed me innocent," Sirius said, smiling.
Lupin's shaggy head turned to Xander; he'd since had a haircut for the court case but hadn't actually been needed to be called as witness. Xander had never thought to have him there for that; if it was necessary, of course he would have been called, but, more than anything, he simply wanted Lupin to witness Pettigrew's treachery first-hand. "How did you know?" asked Lupin.
"Many things," Xander said. "A friendship like Sirius's and my father's can't be broken overnight, even for all the riches in the world; besides, Sirius was never part of their gang."
"And who told you that?"
"I did…"
The two remaining Marauders turned to see Snape standing in the doorway with a nasty look on his face. Sirius had gone particularly cold. Snape walked over, his cape billowing as he did so. He stopped and looked down at Xander. "Potter, perhaps I misjudged you."
"Oh?" Xander arched an eyebrow.
"It was very Slytherin." Sirius stiffened at the insult, but Xander smiled and beamed at and took it as a compliment. Snape knew that above all things Sirius hated that House and what it represented to the core of his heart.
"Thank you, Professor," replied Xander sweetly. "The Sorting Hat did suggest that I be put into Slytherin; in fact, it said that I had the cunning and desire to prove myself; it said I was worthy of your House."
"Is that so?"
"Yes sir, in fact I nearly joined; if Malfoy hadn't been a part of your House I would've."
Snape looked as rigid as Sirius; the older Marauder understanding the insult that Xander had meant. The Potions Master, realising he'd been beaten, had no other choice but to back down. With the corners of his lips twitching slightly, he inclined his head; it wasn't a full bow, but it was progress.
"Very well played today Potter," Snape said finally as he turned on his heel and left without saying another word.
"Well, that was certainly interesting," Sirius said for the second time that day with an amused look on his face. "You weren't really going to join Slytherin, were you?"
"Nah," Xander said, waving it off. "I merely said that to see the look on Snapes face."
Sirius, for the second time that day, burst out laughing.