AN This is first chapter where I have split it off to a new story.
Arcturus Black looked at the rat in front of himself with some disdain – and a bit of anger. "It is, perhaps, serendipitous that Sirius shall soon be free." He sighed. "I am too old. I've lost my son. My daughter has distanced herself since her son was found to be a squib. My youngest grandson is dead at the hands of that mongrel. And my daughter-in-law, Sirius' mother, just died a few days ago. I've been feeling my age and wondered who I should leave in charge of the family."
Harry nodded. "In my world, you had a few years left, but I won't say how many. I might not have been born a Black but my grandmother was and I've been recognized in a number of universes as being a member of your family. I can honestly say that Sirius is your best choice to continue the family."
Arcturus sighed. "It's like our family has been a Ship of Fools. I've been too tired and too jaded to properly steer it." He turned his head. "So I do thank you for what you have done for us. No matter how little it really had to do with helping the Blacks."
Harry nodded in acknowledgement.
Arcturus pulled a sheaf of parchment from his robe. "If I am to wade back into the ugly politics of the Wizengamot to ensure Sirius is given his rightful justice, I must protect against treachery. I have completed a new Final Testament. I will need you two to come with me to Gringotts and witness. Tomorrow we step into the abyss."
Albus stood and said, "What shall we do with Peter?"
Harry looked at the Headmaster and grinned.
Peter came to and looked around. He was confused. The last thing he remembered was eating the cake that Percy Weasley had fed him through his cage. He noticed that he was in a stone cell with no windows and no easy exit. There was a clear pane of what looked like glass which separated him from the door. It had several small holes near the top for air – but no other openings he could fit through. There was a simple toilet and sink. There was also a stone bed with straw on it.
He was also no longer in his animagus form. He felt certain terror as he tried to change and found out he couldn't.
The door on the other side of the pane opened and he was surprised to see someone who looked very much like his old friend James as well as an older wizard who was obviously wealthy and powerful.
"What am I doing here? Why am I in a cell?" he called out.
The James look-alike replied, "Well. Here's the thing. You've framed a member of the Noble House of Black for your crimes. It's time for justice to be served. So, until the trial you're going to be in this place. There's an anti-animagus ward up so no escaping that way. You've got facilities to take care of your basic needs. What more do you want?"
Peter cried out, "What about food? I'll starve!"
The not-James shook his head. "No, we've taken care of that. A house elf will serve you food." He paused and then called, "Kreacher!"
An angry-looking in a battered tea cozy appeared right next to the two men. "This is Kreacher. He doesn't really like you because you served the man who got his beloved Master killed. We've had to be pretty strict in his orders for you to be properly fed and not poisoned. I wouldn't recommend trying anything too stupid. If you start lying to get him to let you go or you do anything which might be conceived as trying to escape … well," and here the man's voice dropped to a harsh whisper, "Kreacher is a bit on the damaged side. I don't know what he'd do." The man's voice went back to normal. "You'll be fed properly. But the next time we see you – it will be in front of the Wizengamot. You've not got a good time left."
Arcturus and Gary left the Room of Requirement to make their way back to the Headmasters office. Arcturus asked, "No escape?"
Gary said, "I deliberately set up a room that was unchangeable until I or the Headmaster specifically bring him out. As long as he's in the room, it can't be altered to allow him to escape. The stone is something I've run into in my Traveling – much harder than granite and magically resistant. And the glass is really transparent aluminum – something from a universe where they use it for windows in spaceships. No wizard is going to break out of that. Even if he had a wand – which he doesn't – he'd be using the wrong spells."
Arcturus nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Let's make our way back. I have a will to file and preparations to make."
"Oyez! Oyez! Wizengamot is now called to session! Chief Warlock Dumbledore Presiding! Let all who have business before the Lords and Ladies Wizengamot stand forth and be recognized!"
Albus Dumbledore stood to the rostrum and nodded to the crier. He looked out and saw that there were a few people standing. He asked for the names and called out the order.
"The first to be heard shall be Lord Wizengamot Black on a matter of Justice." Albus nodded to the man.
The Wizengamot stilled to hear the man. While many families had hereditary seats, it was not uncommon for such seats to be vacant or voted by proxy. No member could hold more than two proxy votes and many hereditary lords had multiple proxies already, due to inheritance. Elected members were traditionally not trusted to vote hereditary seat proxies. And so families which could not attend often did not vote.
The Black seat was one such seat. The man before them had never trusted another to vote his seat and had long been absent to prevent attack on his person. That he was here now was a bit of a surprise.
"I take the most unusual step of appearing here because my House has been attacked!" Sudden sounds of surprise and shock could be heard. "The Heir to my House has been imprisoned and sent to Azkaban!"
Lady Longbottom rose quickly, "I object! Sirius Black was sent to Azkaban due to his own actions! Legal incarceration for criminal acts do not does not constitute an attack on your house."
Arcturus Black nodded to the formidable woman. "I would agree with the Lady Wizengamot but for one fact: My heir sits imprisoned without lawful conviction. There was no trial. There was no proper and lawful order! My heir sits in isolation to satisfy the image of those who put him there!"
There were many expressions of shock now being heard in the chamber. Arcturus almost hated what he was about to do the Lady Wizengamot who addressed him.
"Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black sits in Azkaban and she is also a Daughter of my House. Do I protest this? Am I trying to free her? NO! She committed crimes, she was caught, she was tried, and she is being PUNISHED! Properly! And according to Law. I only ask, no I DEMAND, that my heir be given the same treatment and protections that ANY other wizard or witch enjoys! The right to be tried LAWFULLY!"
The hubbub that this caused was very loud. So loud that the Chief Warlock had to silence the chamber. "Has the Lord Wizengamot sufficiently answered your objection?"
Augusta Longbottom was stoically trying to keep her reactions to herself. The reminder of the attack on her son and daughter-in-law had stirred her grief once more. But Black's acknowledgement that the punishment for that bitch was proper and that he supported it did break her irrational hatred and forced her to acknowledge that perhaps not all members of that family were evil.
She nodded in acknowledgement and sat down.
The Chief Warlock could have demanded a verbal reply but he was not heartless. "The objection being rebutted is overruled. The Wizengamot directs the Serjent to retrieve the Director of Magical Law Enforcement to answer the Lord Wizengamot's claim. We shall resume in ten minutes. Members are directed to stay within the chamber."
There was another buzz at this. Although it wasn't necessarily uncommon, it was unusual for such a recess to have that requirement.
Albus and Arcturus didn't want anyone to attempt to hastily take care of silencing an inconvenient truth. Amelia Bones, Senior Auror, had been asked by Albus himself to watch the boat-launch and prevent unexpected visitors from traveling to Azkaban. There were no scheduled visits and the next one should be Alastor Moody, Gawain Robards, and a family representative to retrieve a prisoner.
Soon, the Director of the DMLE and the Minister of Magic both arrived and Albus called for the recess to end.
"Minister Bagnold, although not required we are pleased to see your attendance to hear the matter at hand." He turned toward the DMLE Director. "Director Crouch, you have been called before the Wizengamot to answer a question: Why is Sirius Black in Azkaban?"
Crouch's face took on an ugly look. "Black was sent to Azkaban for his part in the betrayal of the Potters! This is a well-known FACT! Why am I being asked to answer for this?" Sirius Black being caught was a major step in repairing his reputation after the debacle with his son. He didn't like being asked about it.
Arcturus Black stood up. "Where is the record of his trial which ordered this?"
Crouch was caught flat-footed. Only he and a very few people even knew that Black had been sent to Azkaban without trial. And none of them would talk: They had too much to lose by doing so.
Bertemius Crouch gave all of the impression of a child caught stealing from the cookie jar – well, at least to those who had some observational skills. Finally he said, "The Wizengamot holds the records of trials."
Arcturus Black moved forward and dropped a sealed parchment on the desk in front of the Chief Warlock. "The Wizengamot Administration provided a proper record of trials between 1 November 1981 and 15 November 1981 – not an unusual request as it has been made several times. No where in these records are there any mentions of a trial for Sirius Black. So I ask the question again: Why is my heir, Sirius Black, in Azkaban?"
Crouch knew he had no leg to stand on. "I cannot answer that question." His face showed that he really didn't want to be answering questions about this.
Arcturus Black turned back to the Chief Warlock. "Then I demand that he be brought from Azkaban and allowed preparation for a proper trial." He turned once again toward Crouch with a look of loathing but still addressed the Chair. "I also demand, based on Director Crouch's reluctance to see proper justice, that those sent to retrieve him be Alastor Moody, Gawain Robards, and the man I assigned as his Defense Barrister. I also ask that these be assigned to watch him until he is brought to trial tomorrow."
Many in the Wizengamot were confused. Alastor Moody was well known as someone who loathed Dark Wizards. Gawain Robards was not well known but those that knew him respected his honesty.
Those members who were considered Dark didn't know why Arcturus Black would request that type of Auror to do this. Those that were considered Light began to actually believe that Arcturus Black was asking for proper justice instead of some sham acquittal.
Baremius Crouch knew that those two wouldn't listen to suggestions about "accidents in transit" or "attempted escape."
Albus called for the vote and it was agreed. The Aurors in question were sent and Albus moved to the next matter before the Wizengamot.
Lucius Malfoy apparated to the boat-launch. His son was so very close to being the only possible choice for inheriting the Black fortune and he didn't want to take any chances. An ally had reported to him as soon as feasible and he thought that he could take steps before this disaster moved forward. He was highly disappointed to see that the boat was already gone from the launch.
Alastor Moody was too formidable an Auror to take a chance at trying when it came back. He would have to try otherwise.
Albus was sitting at his desk when the floo call came. He sighed and moved to allow the men to come through. "Director Crouch. Auror Yaxley. How may I help you?"
Barty Crouch was almost snarling when he said, "Where is Sirius Black? Auror Yaxley reported to me that he was not in the holding cells at the Ministry. Have you allowed a convicted felon to escape?"
Dumbledore calmly replied, "Sirius Black is in a cell waiting for his trial. He has not been convicted of anything. Auror Moody has submitted a memory of the cell to prove that Black is in custody as well as a magically-sealed statement."
"I want to see the memory."
Albus pulled out his Pensieve. It had been set up just for this reason. All of the non-useful memories were stored in vials in his cabinet. This one memory was in a separate vial.
He poured the vial in. The two DMLE people entered the memory.
They looked around and saw Alastor Moody standing in a cell. It had a toilet, sink, and stone table. In the corner was a shower-head and drain in a depression – but no curtains. It was surrounded by what looked to be glass. There was a wall made of the same glass which separated the cell from the entrance. A box of glass attached to this wall. They were confused.
"This is Alastor Moody, Senior Auror. This is a test to check the security of this facility." The image of Moody pulled his wand and cast a high-power Reductor Curse. He then cast a finite. And then a number of other spells. Nothing even marked the stone walls nor the glass.
Yaxley and Crouch were impressed despite themselves.
"I am attempting to apparate." Alastor Moody didn't move. "I will now attempt to make a portkey." He tapped an old sock and said, "Portus. Activation is … Test!." Nothing happened. "I have confirmed that neither portkey nor apparition work in this facility."
Moody vanished the sock. "I hereby certify that this facility is secure enough to hold the suspect."
The memory changed and suddenly the two Aurors, Sirius Black, and a strange man were now present outside of the cell. "This is a record of the placement of Sirius Black into the holding cell pending his trial."
Robards stood with Black and the two others moved to a panel. "This requires that both an Auror and the Defense Barrister/Solicitor must be present to open the cell." Both placed their hands on the panel and the large glass moved up until it was hidden.
Robards moved the dirty man into the cell and then retreated. The two at the panel then lifted their hands and the panel dropped. Black was now in the cell.
A House Elf appeared with a tray of food. "Prisoner has been underfed since his incarceration."
Robards took the tray and moved to the glass box. He opened it and it was obvious that the other side wouldn't open until he closed it. He put the tray in and closed his side.
"Okay, Black. Here's dinner."
The Prisoner moved to take the tray and moved to the stone table. A stone slab was attached to the wall for him to sit on.
"Senior Auror Alastor Moody hereby certifies that the Prisoner is secured for the night. He can only be released with either myself or Auror Robards and the Defense Council acting in concert."
The memory ended and the two were ejected.
Crouch looked at the Headmaster and asked, "Where is this facility?"
Albus shook his head. "As Chief Warlock, I can't tell you. I can only confirm that it under my control and that Aurors Moody and Robards are acting as guards. I have no control INSIDE the facility – I only provided it. I can give an oath that no external influences – even my own – can attack or free Sirius Black."
Both knew they were defeated. Dumbledore was notoriously close-mouthed and both knew they didn't have the power to force him. Moody was incorruptible. And neither had any clue as to exactly where such a facility could be – there were no signs of ANYTHING useful.
Crouch did really like the facility. He was professional enough to recognize artistry and he couldn't imagine a facility better suited to keep people locked up. There could be NO chance of escape. Even food was delivered without a possibility of a prisoner making an escape.
Sirius looked around the cell he was located in. He, surprisingly, felt very good – for someone who had been in prison for three years.
He had immediately ate the food that was provided. He almost immediately afterwards used the shower to get himself clean – it had been far, far too long.
As soon as he was done, he grabbed the robe which apparently had been left in the delivery box when he was distracted by dinner.
A muggle book dropped out of the robes. He looked at it. It was made of paper but no hard cover. He looked inside and saw a note had been written. "Something to amuse yourself with for the night. Compliments of your Defense."
Considering he hadn't had anything to read or do other than to think and wallow in misery for over three years, he very much appreciated the gesture.
He read the title of the book: Created, The Destroyer.
He shrugged his shoulders and opened to the first page.
Gary sat within the room he had made for himself in the Room of Requirement. He had really wanted to comfort Sirius and tell him what was happening, but he also wanted everything to be completely free of any influence.
He had made detailed notes for Albus in case he was called to move on, but all indications were that he would be here for one of his longer trips.
He had visited Dursleys early in the morning to be certain that Little Harry was not punished for the accident the night before and to tell her exactly what he was doing. Vernon was apologetic – slightly. He didn't do much more than a gruff apology to his nephew but Gary was amazed even by that.
His own experiences still colored his own opinions far too much.
Harry had accepted it. He was a bit withdrawn but Gary noticed that he was treated with a bit of indifference rather than outright hate by the Dursleys.
Petunia DID apologize when Gary confirmed that Dudley HAD kicked Harry the night before to cause the spill. She didn't want to accept it, but the alternate version of her nephew was too honest and straightforward not to be believed.
Besides, he had defended them the night before and she couldn't see him saying something like that just for spite.
Gary had then contacted Arcturus Black. It wasn't easy, but finally he had gotten through. He had told him about Sirius' innocence and gave a brief explanation for his own situation.
Acturus wasn't the closet idealist he had met in that other universe, but he also wasn't a raving bigot. He was just a tired and cynical man. But he did want to see his family name live on and he respected Sirius' convictions – even if he didn't share them himself.
So, Gary had taken steps to keep things as safe and proper as possible. He really wanted to see Sirius cleared and able to care for Harry. Harry deserved more than an indifferent guardian and he was certain that James and Lily Potter would prefer to see Sirius raise Harry than Petunia and Vernon.
