Originally Posted 10/2/15, last revised 10/27/16.

Disclaimer:I don't own Harry Potter, and while I've never met her and am not one of her subjects, I have nothing but respect for the Queen. Information about British law and letters to and from the Queen comes from online research and is accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Chapter 4: In For a Knut, In For a Sovereign

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, was sitting in her private study going over the least glamorous of her duties as monarch: paperwork, and quite a bit of it. She had been away for a few days, and things tended to pile up in her absence. She didn't mind having to do it though, as it gave her an excuse to spend an hour alone without anyone but her dogs to keep her company. Besides, it was late, and while her husband had turned in for the night she wasn't quite ready to do so yet.

After having made it about halfway through the pile, mostly items that she had to sign off on for official purposes only, she noticed her dogs perk up. After a few seconds, they both warily headed over to one of the windows into the courtyard, where she realized she heard a gentle tapping sound. Seeing as her dogs weren't acting alarmed, but just curious, she got up to investigate. Halfway there, she realized that there was a bird tapping at the window. And not just any bird, but a large, beautiful snowy owl.

Confused for a moment as to why an owl would be knocking on her window, she suddenly realized what this must be. It had been years, nay decades, since anyone in the Wizarding world had tried to send her a letter directly by owl post, as the Wizarding world had retreated into itself even more after the war. She almost went to open the window to let the owl in, but thought better of it and went back to her desk. She pushed a button on her phone that she'd rarely had use for, then sat back and waited. Hearing the owl's knocking intensify, she looked over and said, "Just wait a minute, I'll let you in once my court Wizard arrives."

Shortly there was a knock on the door, and the Queen pushed a button to let them in. There were four of them, two dressed as Muggle attendants but with wands drawn, and two wearing tastefully concealed body armor with pistols at their hips, ready to be drawn. Seeing that there was no apparent immediate danger, the Wizards put away their wands and gave a courtly bow, while the bodyguards took flanking positions by the door.

"How may we assist Your Majesty?", asked the senior of the two Wizards.

The Queen motioned towards the window, where the owl could still clearly be seen, although the tapping had stopped. "It appears that one of our magical subjects has sent us an owl post. While we do not expect any danger from it, it would not do to be careless."

The Wizards nodded, and the younger one went to the window to open it. Once the window was open far enough, the owl flew in, ignoring the Wizard's outstretched arm and landing on the Queen's desk. Both Wizards instantly had their wands out, and the bodyguards drew their pistols, but they held their fire as the owl simply sat there with its leg out, waiting. The chief wizard looked at the Queen, "If I may, Your Majesty?"

The Queen nodded, and the Wizard approached the owl. She eyed him warily, then looked straight at the Queen, pulling her leg back.

"It appears that the letter is to be delivered directly to you, Your Majesty," said the Wizard. "Perhaps you can ask it to give it to me? I'd like to check it for spells before you handle it."

The Queen nodded, then looked at the owl. "Please give the letter to our Chief Wizard, and he will give it to us if there are no problems."

The owl looked between the Queen and the Wizard a few times, then held out her leg again. The Wizard cast a quick spell, then took the letter. After casting several more spells, he turned the envelope over in his hands and read the address. "Your Majesty," he said, "the only magic I detect on this is a magical signature, similar to that of your Royal Seal. It is also addressed to you with your full Title and Style, which is why the owl attempted to deliver it you personally. Shall I open it?"

"No, thank you," said the Queen, holding out her hand. "If the sender was so intent on our receiving it directly, then we should like to read it for ourselves."

The Chief Wizard nodded, and handed the Queen the envelope. She opened it carefully using a letter opener on her desk, and began to read it, glancing at the owl occasionally as she did so.

9th August, 1995

Your Majesty,

My name is Harry James Potter, and I am writing you as a loyal subject of the Crown living in the Wizarding world. I am writing to ask for your assistance, as both myself and my godfather, Sirius Orion Black, are subject to injustices by the Wizarding world in direct contravention of your laws. I don't know what, if anything, you know of the Wizarding world, but we are supposed to be subject to your core protections, as well as being considered your subjects. Unfortunately, those who currently rule the Wizarding world seem to have forgotten that fact, or possibly have chosen to ignore it.

For myself, I ask your assistance in receiving a fair and unbiased trial so that I can prove that the charge against me is false. I have been charged with performing underage magic (I'm fifteen, and the age of majority in the Wizarding world is seventeen) and violating the Statute of Secrecy, and while the former is true it was done only in self defense, which is permitted under the law. My hearing is scheduled for the morning of 12th August, and were it conducted in a fair and impartial manner, I have no doubt that the facts would speak for themselves and I would be found innocent of all charges. Unfortunately, because I have said some things publicly that the Ministry of Magic does not want to believe, they have decided to try me as an adult, and are further attempting to rig the trial by surprising me with that fact, something I only learned by accident. I do not know what you can do to assist me, but as long as I receive a fair trial I feel that I can refute these charges with the truth.

The situation with my godfather is more difficult, but in many ways is also simpler. Sirius Black was placed in Azkaban prison for twelve years having been charged, but neither tried nor convicted, as an accomplice in murdering my parents and having murdered another Wizard and several Muggles (non-magical people), all charges of which he is innocent. He managed to escape two years ago, supposedly to murder me, but it was later discovered that the Wizard he had supposedly murdered was still alive and had been the one to betray my parents instead. I personally witnessed said Wizard alive, but because of my age and unpopularity with the Ministry, my testimony was ignored, and my godfather was sentenced to die immediately. He managed to escape again, and has been living on the run ever since despite evidence that he is not guilty of any crimes.

After research on both Wizard and Muggle laws, we have determined that both his imprisonment and death sentence violate the still extant clause 29 of the Magna Carta, a document that is valid in both our worlds, and that the Habeas Corpus act also applies here. I ask that you either issue a Royal Pardon to my godfather, or that you issue a writ of Habeas Corpus and any other documents required to ensure that my godfather receives a fair trial. You may not be aware of it, but the Wizarding world has ways to ensure that a witness gives only truthful testimony, as well as being able to view someone else's memory from an objective standpoint. I would be willing to present myself to you and give both forms of testimony if you have the means of obtaining it.

I pray that Your Majesty sees fit to give aid, in whatever form, to your loyal subject, and I will do whatever I must to see justice done. My owl, Hedwig, will remain with you until you either give her a reply, or tell her that you will not be sending one. She is the only one I trust with this correspondence.

I have the honour to be, Madam, Your Majesty's humble and obedient servant,

(signed) Harry James Potter

The Queen finished reading the letter, folded it back up and thought for a moment. Then she looked at the Chief Wizard with her Royal Business face and asked, "Tell us about Harry James Potter, and then tell us about Sirius Orion Black."

The Chief Wizard paled at the mention of the latter's name, then steeled himself and nodded. "It all started fourteen years ago, on the 31st of October, 1981..."

It was nearly an hour later when the Queen was satisfied that she'd heard enough to make a preliminary decision. She had a feeling it wouldn't be popular with her court Wizards, but she was the Queen, and they weren't. "Thank you, we believe we've heard enough. Please take a letter to Sir Harry James Potter." She looked pointedly at the younger Wizard, as the Chief Wizard gasped.

"Your Majesty, the boy has no title," the elder Wizard protested, but the Queen raised a hand and he wisely stopped.

"While he does not have the title officially yet, he has clearly earned it by his actions, and we will see that he receives it when we speak to him. Now please take our letter to Harry James Potter."

The wizard pulled out scroll and quill, and began to take the Queen's dictation. By the time she was finished, both he and the Chief Wizard were pale.

Hedwig returned to Grimmauld Place very early in the morning, but Harry awoke the moment she tapped on his window. Once he let her in, he was relieved to see a response tied to her leg. He almost grabbed it from her, but his instincts told him to check it for spells first. Unfortunately he didn't know how to do that, but Sirius would. He told Hedwig to follow him, and went up to Sirius' room.

Sirius wasn't happy about being awoken, but when he saw Harry and Hedwig, he knew it was important. A quick scan showed that there was no magic on the letter other than a signature, so they took the scroll from Hedwig and read it together.

10th August, 1995

Dear Mr. Potter,

We are disturbed by the possible injustices that you have brought to our attention, and wish to determine the truth of the matter before taking any action. Please present yourself and this letter to the guard at the entrance to Buckingham Palace any time between the hours of 6pm and 10pm tomorrow, 11th August, and you shall be admitted.

If you are able to contact your godfather, Sirius Orion Black, and bring him with you, this letter will grant him Royal Asylum until such time as we determine what to do. We also guarantee that he will receive a fair and unbiased trial should one be necessary, though we do not make any promises as to the outcome.

If you are unable to come, please reply using your most beautiful and loyal owl.

(signed) Elizabeth R

Harry James Potter

"Tomorrow," breathed Harry. "That's the day before my trial. And how are we going to get us both to Buckingham Palace without the rest of the Order stopping us?" He was looking at Sirius with an expression of half hope, half desperation, knowing that this might be their only chance.

"I don't know, pup," Sirius replied, looking thoughtful, "but I do know we have to do it. The Queen has offered me asylum, and that should be enough to guarantee me a fair trial. And if the truth comes out, they can't possibly convict me. Now we just need to make that happen. Go get some sleep, and we'll talk about it some more in the morning. Maybe Remus can help us, and we need to know exactly what Fudge is planning on doing so we don't miss your trial. I'll talk to Arthur before he leaves and see if he can find that out. Don't tell anyone else about this until we talk again in the morning, okay?"

"Okay, Sirius, I'll keep it to myself. Not that I'd tell anyone other than Ron or Hermione right now anyway." Harry got up to go back to bed. "Goodnight Sirius," he said, and walked out the door.

Sirius settled back on the bed and looked at the letter from the Queen again. He didn't want to get too excited about it, but for the first time in years he felt like he really had a chance to be free again. Assuming he made it to the palace in the first place. If only he could get himself and Harry out of the house without being stopped. Noticing Hedwig perched asleep on the back of his chair, he realized there was one possible answer they'd overlooked. But he'd have to talk to Harry about it in the morning. It was late, and they weren't going anywhere tonight anyway.