Act I
Unknown Relations
Harry, who had been tense trough the questioning with his heart in his throat, sank in relief when it was voted that Sirius was innocent. He jerked though, as if he had been electrocuted, when Premier Volkov explicitly stated that Sirius would become his guardian- as he knew that Fudge would have done everything in his power to prevent this. Hermione let out a muffled cheer, beaming happily at him along with Ron- both obviously happy that he would be living with his godfather.
"I object!" Fudge said loudly, cutting through the euphoria that had been settling into Harry's chest. "The Veritaserum was obviously tampered with!"
"Are you," President Fernandez questioned in a low, dangerous tone. "Insinuating that I would not only condone but partake, as the Veritaserum was provided from my stores, in the illegal alteration of the truth serum?"
"I-.." Fudge stammered, obviously intimidated by the other man. "I do not mean that you had tampered with the potion, merely that it had been tampered with!"
"Oh?" President Fernandez asked, tone unchanging. "So it is not I whom you claim is dishonest, but those whom I have personally hired?"
"I-n-no-.." Fudge blundered, before blurting. "Black is a murderer! The right hand man of You-Know-Who!"
"No I don't know who."Minister Koizumi drawled sarcastically. "Care to elaborate?"
"Please do," Minister Sauveterre grinned, "You are to set an example for your country, yes? Why not show that, as Voldemort is gone, there is no reason to fear a name."
"This isn't making our country look good." Bill muttered.
Charlie made a noise of agreement, "Fudge almost makes you ashamed to be british.."
"-don't see how," Fudge blustered, then repeating like a broken record. "Black is a murderer!"
"Minister Fudge obviously can't handle the truth." Mrs. Smalls remarked snidely, inflicting a rumble of laughter from the rest of the american ambssy- apparently that being an inside joke for americans.
"Minister!" Mrs. Bones, the DMLE head, barked in an obviously embarrassed tone. "Cut your losses! Insisting on false asucations will only make you look even more of a fool then admitting to the entire debacle!" She turned towards Sirius suddenly. "Mr. Black, I do not presume I have the right to ask forgiveness but I personally apologize for this miscarry of justice and the toll it has taken on your life."
Sirius blinked when the attention suddenly turned on him but shrugged in reply ro Mrs. Bones. "It wasn't your fault, you weren't in charge of my arrest nor did you have the clearance to protest it."
"Still," Mrs. Bones pressed. "I should have gone through the records of everyone imprisoned during the war once I was promoted."
Sirius opened his mouth to reply but Fudge cut in. "There haven't even been any witnesses!" Fudge protested, looking all the while like a child throwing a tantrum.
"If that's what it takes," Minister Katsaros said, obviously becoming tired with dealing with the british minister. "Then calling first witness- Remus John Lupin!"
President Knight escorted Sirius from the center of the stage towards the american seats, glaring challenging at Fudge all the while. Once Sirius was seated between Mr. Smith and Mrs. Smalls, Hermione muttered that it was so no one could say that he had told the witnesses what to say, President Knight returned to the stage, where Fudge was kicking up another tantrum.
"This man is a werewolf!" Fudge protested. "He cannot be trusted to tell the truth!"
"Minister Fudge," Chancellor Förstner said coldly. "You would do well to remember that not every country is a prejudice as yours and that I am a werewolf also."
Minister Katsaros allowed Fudge to stammer and stew under Chancellor Förstner's- and, quite honestly, the majority of the room- glare before speaking, "Do you, Remus Lupin, swear upon your honor and by your magic that you will only speak the truth?"
"I do." Lupin said, in the same steely voice that Harry had first heard in the Shrieking Shack, meeting the greek minister's eyes with a level stare.
Minister Katsaros nodded, "Minister Fudge, President Knight, you may begin."
"If Black was your friend," Fudge said, obviously trying push blame onto someone else. "Why didn't you protest his imprisonment."
Lupin regarded Fudge calmly- Harry got the distinct feeling that Lupin seemed to be acting as if he were looking at an insect- and, as Harry's godfather's shoulders shook with suppressed mirth, said. "I did protest. However, I was told that a werewolf- a mere magical creature with 'near human' intelligence- was an unreliable source to base such an inquisition upon."
"Merlin," Bill breathed to Charlie. "Look at Chancellor Förstner."
Harry's eyes were immediately drawn to the german leader, almost feeling sorry for the cowering Fudge when Förstner- along with the entire german embassy and majority of the others- glared savagely at the man. "Near human intelligence," Suprisingly Minister Blake said. "Werewolves are entirely human save for their one day a month! Some would say they are better then women as they have a week a month of being a raging beast!"
"Minister Blake!" Minister Blatchett protested, along with every female present, as she glared at the australian minister. "Such things are unprofessional to say."
President Fernandez raised an eyebrow, "And Minister Fudge's actions aren't."
"He's british!" Someone from the audience shouted as if that explained everything and, by the way many were nodding in agreement, it did. Harry, along with many other british people present, shifted uncomfortably.
"If you will continue?" Minister Katsaros prompted.
Fudge, embarrassed about the unanimous agreement and starting to see just how against him the people were, remained silent and President Knight spoke. "Mr. Lupin, can you explain how you found out of Mr. Black's supposed betrayal and the actions you took after acquiring this information."
"The night everything happened was a full moon," Lupin explained after a momentary silence to gather his thoughts. "Sirius had visited before hand to explain that he would run a bit late in meeting with me in his animagus form-"
"He spent the full moons with you in his animagus form?" Minister Nyström interrupted.
Lupin nodded, "Since he completed the transformation he has. He told me that he had to check that Pettigrew was safe." Lupin continued. "He, however, never came. Later the next morning Minevra McGonagall- my old transfiguration professor- told me that James, Lily and Pettigrew were dead and that Sirius had been sent to Azkaban. I assumed that Sirius would be having a trial later so I went to the Ministry to see if I needed to witness at the trial, Bartimus Crouch- the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the time- promptly told me that I was unneeded as Sirius had already been sentenced. When I protested about the trial, he had me escorted out and put on house arrest for the next few days 'lest I try something reckless and unlawful'. Once I was released from the house arrest I tried to visit Sirius in Azkaban to ask if he was innocent, that was rejected due to a law that had been passed during my house arrest that prevented werewolves for visiting Azkaban incase the dementors and murderers 'bring out the darker urges in us'. When that failed I visited Albus Dumbledore to ask him if he could do something as he was the Chief Warlock, he told me what done was done and it was best to leave Sirius in the past 'lest I allow his betrayal to destroy my future'."
"You were friends with Mr. and Mrs. Potter," Premier Xu said. "What were your actions concerning their son."
Lupin took a deep breath, something Harry unconsciously mimicked, and answered. "After I resigned myself to being unable to do anything concerning Sirius, I concentrated on Harry. I asked Dumbledore where he had placed Harry, as I had heard from McGonagall that Hagrid had taken Harry to Dumbledore, only Dumbledore to announce that Harry 'was safe and cared for' and for me to 'not concern yourself whilst dealing with such grief'. Next I asked McGonagall whom merely said that Dumbledore had placed him somewhere safe and then Hagrid who mentioned him being with his relatives before clamming up. I knew that all the Potters were deceased and most of the Evans were also, but remembered that Lily had a sister. So I sought her out, sending her a letter through muggle means- as Lily's family had been muggles. She sent a letter back that basically told me to bugger off, Dumbledore reprimanded me when he found out. When I attempted to visit, Dumbledore stopped me- I said that Harry could use someone to look out for him, just incase. Dumbledore responded that he would take care of it and that it was better not to visit as a man having interest in a child would be seen as pedophilic." Harry saw Sirius snarl at this and Harry found his emotions mirrored that action. "So I tried writing to Harry, but every letter was returned due to a ward. When Harry's eleventh birthday came I told Dumbledore that I could get Harry and introduce him to the world, Dumbledore said that I couldn't as I wasn't part of the staff and sent Hagrid. The following year I offered, after hearing about magic being used near Harry, to explain the rules of magic usage during vacation- Dumbledore said that he would get a letter and so it was unneeded. With the entire Chamber of Secrets debacle, I offered to take Harry during the holidays to get him away- Dumbledore said that he couldn't allow 'someone with no relation' to take Harry. All the while I was still writing to Harry, with the dismal hope that one would reach him. Then Sirius broke out and suddenly Dumbledore needed me, he offered me a job teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts but said that I couldn't approach Harry, that Harry would need to come to me because it would be odd for me to have interest in Harry." Here Lupin offered a rueful smile. "When Harry did approach me, I was hesitant to tell him everything because- despite fighting so long to at least see him- I hadn't realised until then that I didn't know him. That he no longer was the baby whom would throw his vegatables so he wouldn't have to eat him, that he might not like me. So I didn't say anything."
"Do you think Mr. Black would take proper care of Mr. Potter?" Chancellor Adler asked, Harry noticed that a few of the foreign leaders were making notes of what Lupin had said.
Lupin nodded, "Sirius loved Harry from the moment he held him. Also," Lupin continued. "He helped his cousin with her daughter."
"May you name the cousin, Mr. Lupin?" Minister Vinter pressed.
"Andromeda Tonks nee Black." Lupin answered.
"Can you explain of how you learned of Mr. Black's innocence?" President Knight asked. Lupin answered, relaying the events of the Shrieking Shack until he lost control.
Minister Katsaros spoke before anyone could continue in this line of questioning, "Mr. Lupin, do you have anything you wish to add?" At Lupin's negative he continued. "Then you may go- do not worry about the incident, it was obviously unique circumstances and, seeing a no one was harmed, will not be held against you." Then, with an almost mischievous expression he said. "Bring in Andromeda Druella Tonks!"
The woman whom took Lupin's place was tall and beautiful, with neatly kept light brown hair and kind dark brown eyes. Andromeda Tonks walked with her back straight, head held high in confidence yet not arrogance- Harry got the impression of a strong, kind woman. A tolerant one also, if how the British spat out curses along with the name "Bellatrix Lestrange" and still didn't phase her any more the a politely curious raised brow.
Minister Katsaros spoke once she settled, "Do you, Mrs. Tonks, swear upon your honor and by your magic to only speak the truth?"
"I do." Andromeda Tonks answered with solemn confidence.
Minister Blachett took over, "As Minister Fudge so diligently pointed out, Blacks had a reputation that wasn't entirely good- were there any problems with marrying a mundane-born?"
"There were." Andromeda Tonks confirmed, straitening her robe in an habit-like gesture. "The Ancient and Noble House of Black disapproved of my marriage to the extent that I was cast out from the family."
Minister Blachett continued, "Yet the Heir of this family whom cast you out due to your marriage still kept in touch, to the point you trusted him with your daughter?"
Minister Blachett, Harry noticed, was a very smart woman whom, rather than just declaring Sirius innocent and allowing people to accept or reject it as they wished, was asking questions that would bring the public to his godfather's side- though Harry had to note that it was mostly for the British people's benefits as the foreign people were willing to accept Sirius as is. Andromeda Tonks, if her sharp look to the Canadian Minister were any indication, caught this also. "Yes, despite the disapproval of the rest of the family Sirius made sure to keep in touch and visit- he was at my wedding and at the birth of my daughter."
"And Mr. Black was good with your daughter?" Minister Blachett pressed.
"Yes." Andromeda Tonks answered then, with an amused glance to the British embassy, continued. She spoke about story telling, game playing, lullaby singing, food making, clothes shopping- all sorts of things that normal parents do for their children, things that Harry had always wished for.
Harry caught sight of a witch with vibrant pink hair glaring at Andromeda Tonks, her face bright red even as Minister Blachett asked. "So it is your opinion that Mr. Black would be able to take care of Mr. Potter?"
"It is." Andromeda Tonks answered simply, yet with conviction.
Minister Katsaros called after dismissing Andromeda Tonks. "Bring out Hermione Jane Granger!"
Hermione let out a small nervous noise as she and her father went to the center, "Do you, Miss Granger, swear upon your honor and by your magic to speak the truth?"
"I do." Hermione squeaked nervously, a brilliant red at being at the center.
President Knight smiled kindly at her, "Can you tell us how you learned of Mr. Black's innocence? If you wish you can look at your father and speak as if you are only telling him."
Hermione sighed in relief, turning to look her father in the eyes and relayed everything that happened from the Shrieking Shack to the Dementors and the Time Turner. Fudge tried to protest but Minister Katsaros overrode it, "That will be all Miss Granger. Bring out Ronald Bilius Weasley!" Ron went down, after a brief debate, with his dad. "Do you, Mr. Weasley, swear upon your honor and by your magic to speak the truth?"
"Blood hell, it's like a marriage vow." Ron turned Weasley red when he realized what he said. "Er- I mean I do."
President Knight smothered a grin, "Mr. Weasley, will you tell us of how you learned of Mr. Black's innocence? You may do the same as Miss Granger did."
Ron nodded and started speaking of what happened in the Shrieking Shack, the only thing new to Harry was the time when Ron had been alone in the shack with Sirius, who had apologized over the leg and awkwardly helped him on the bed while admitting that he wasn't a healer. Fudge tried to say that Sirius had attacked a child but Minister Katsaros stated that Ron's parents would be the ones to decide if they were going to press charges- which Mr. Weasley said they wouldn't after a whispered debate with Ron.
"That will be all Mr. Weasley, bring out Harry James Potter!" Minister Katsaros announced. Harry stumbled slightly as he walked to the center, grateful when Lupin gently guided him. "Do you, Mr. Potter, swear upon your honor and by your magic to speak the truth?"
"I do." Harry manage to choke out, then marveled as he felt his magic react to the swear- rising in temperature to a warm that simply reminded him of his promise.
President Knight dragged his attention away from his magic, "Mr. Potter, will you tell us of how you learned of Mr. Black's innocence? You may do the same as your friends."
Harry swallowed once but resolutely met the American leader's eyes and started speaking. He told of how they were returning to the castle when Sirius had shown up- faintly he noticed that none of them had said what Sirius' animagus form was, only using his name- and dragged Ron to the shrieking shack, then everything else just tumbled out until Harry's throat became sore.
"That will be all Mr. Potter you may go." Minister Katsaros said. "Now, after hearing the witnesses, is their any change in the jury's verdict?"
"Yes." Minister Vinter said bluntly. "We add that Hogwarts shall also be subjected to the screening due to the Headmaster's negligence."
"Also Miss Granger will not be punished over the time turner as she saved an innocent man's life." Minister Falco added.
"Someone will check up on Mr. Potter and Mr. Black so that everyone may be assured of Mr. Potter's living conditions." Minister Blachett concluded, her glance to Fudge showing whom she meant by 'everyone'.
Minister Katsaros nodded. "So you have decided, so mote it be! Trial adjourned!"