Chapter 7:
AN: Thanks again for all the Favs/Follows. I am surprised to have so many so soon.
Also, thanks for the reviews.
Wanted to thank Raymondjay41 in this AN for the review. You are of course correct it's my story and I should write is as I see fit. Glad you are enjoying it.
I don't own H.P. or I.O.I. they are the property of J.K. and P.A.
..
The silence around the table was palpable while waiting for the Tonk's to arrive. Lord Greengrass had sent Rory to ask them if they could visit. The four adults were all good friends from what Harry could tell, but they were not talking. Daphne was still sending glares at Tracy. Tori was well, being Tori. She was currently making faces at the people around her. Throughout all this time he had been turning Energy Sight on and off. It was interesting to see the different degree's in light's in the people's bodies around him. He absently wondered if brightness equaled power. He also was beginning to notice subtle patterns in the lights themselves. Another thing to think more on later.
"Lady Davis?" Harry said breaking the silence. "I understand you are the girls tutor. How did you start doing that?" Mrs. Davis was surprised that Harry had addressed her first.
"Um, well," she began before collecting her thoughts. "I had always planned on teaching at Ilvermorny. I specialize in Ancient Runes. Do you know what those are?"
"No," Harry lied, "but I am sure it's a fascinating subject. What made you change your mind?"
"Well I didn't change my mind really," she explained "I met Castor and stayed here. The position is filled at Hogwarts, so I started tutoring the children."
"Who else is in the tutoring sessions?" Harry asked. Castor's lip quirked.
"I can see what you mean Cyrus," Castor said in a half laugh. "He's far more intelligent than he should be." Harry looked at him innocently.
"That was a good and roundabout way to fish for information." Castor said. "You want to know how many people and families would know you are here if you entered the classes isn't that correct?" Harry actually grinned at being caught.
"Can't blame me for wondering."
"Only the girls here," Leslie answered. "We wanted to include Neville Longbottom, but his Gran had other plans for his education."
"Have you ever considered opening a Primary school for Muggleborns? It would allow them to get introduced to Magic Society before Hogwarts." Harry asked. "I imagine those students are woefully behind their pureblood and half-blood peers. If not for the Greengrass' I would have entered the Wizarding society totally unprepared." Everyone around the table gaped at him making him feel uncomfortable. Harry had only suggested it because he remembered how he, Hermione and all the other Muggleborns were playing catch up their first year.
"That's a very good thought," Cyrus remarked, "I don't know why that has not been thought of before."
"It has," the voice of Ted Tonks spoke up from the doorway. "People like Lord Malfoy always oppose such an idea saying it is a waste of galleons." Andromeda and Rory were with him. All heads at the table turned to look at the new arrivals. The various Lords and Ladies in the room, stood, greeted each other as was proper then all sat again. "So, I imagine the reason we are here has to do with young Harry over there."
"Yes, it does" Cyrus answered.
"Can we skip the long story for now?" Harry asked. "It will be the third time today…"
"I'll modify my deal with you Harry," Castor said smiling. "You allow Andromeda to examine you while Pricilla fills her in, don't worry there will be privacy curtains erected. We will fill in Ted. If that is agreeable to Lord Greengrass of course, this is your house." Cyrus just nodded. The girls huffed at the thought of hearing the story all over again until Lady Greengrass suggested that Trixie take the girls and let them play. They happily agreed and the three young girls left with the little house elf.
"That was a good roundabout way of clearing the room for the discussion after the examination Aunt Pricilla," Harry said with a smirk.
"You're not the only one who is clever Harry," she laughed. Standing she motioned for him to follow her. Pricilla, Andromeda and Harry all left the room and headed to a private guest room where Andromeda could do her exam. While that was going on, the long drawn out explanation of Harry being there as told once again. Harry had been careful to use Energy Sight to watch as much as of the examination as possible. Rory had brought food and refreshments for everyone as most had been here for hours. The exam took much longer than Harry had thought it would. He had been in Poppy's infirmary enough to know how medical scans go. Andromeda was not even bothered as the seemingly non-stop explanation of Harry's arrival thus far went on. She opened her bag and had Harry drink something fowl. She explained it would help with some of growth he was denied by the mild malnutrition that he had previously suffered and stabilize his form from the Polyjuice.
"Does this mean I'll reach two meters?" Harry asked snarky.
"Young man you are lucky I like you." She smiled, "Now get dressed and meet us back at the table. The girls may have been excused but you are still very much a part of this conversation."
"Lucky me…" Harry grumbled. He heard Pricilla's laughter as the two women walked away. His arrival story was just about finished. Walking into the room his stomach had grumbled. He looked to his seat and saw sandwiches and pumpkin juice waiting for him. He sat and started eating with a gusto he could only recall Ron having had and looked to the head of the table.
"Well Andromeda? How is he?"
"Overall he is physically doing better than what I would have expected given what Pricilla told me about his home life." She explained. "He is in remarkably good shape. I was confused until Pricilla told me he works out almost like an adult. I can give him a salve for the scars on his back that will help them fade out as he grows. I didn't find any broken bones, but I did find evidence of old bruising. He's lucky in that way. I gave him a Potion for the mild malnutrition he suffered before arriving here and having proper meals. This potion also stabilized his body from the use of Polyjuice." She looked at Lord Greengrass with steel in her dark eyes. "He will not be taking it again; He is far to young to have prolonged exposure to that potion. You're lucky I don't turn you in to the DMLE for using it on a child."
Cyrus just nodded accepting the rebuke, "I understand, and thank you for checking him over." He looked at Harry who was still eating. "He has been stubborn about it but given the home life he had we understand. Had we forced him to see you earlier I believe he would never have come to trust us."
"He's right," Harry said after swallowing. "I am grateful to Lord and Lady Greengrass for rescuing me from the Dursley's and taking me in. However, had they tried to force anything on me I was not ready for, they would have just seemed like another Dursley family to me."
"You don't speak like a child nine," Ted cut in looking at Harry with searching eyes.
"I had to grow up fast," Harry explained, "I don't feel young as you would know it. I know I am still a child," he tried to smile sheepishly, "but in many ways I am not."
"Cyrus tells me it was you who wondered about Sirius Blacks involvement in your parents' murders." Ted asked.
"I never did think he was guilty." Andromeda chimed in, "He adored the Potters."
Ignoring Andromeda's interruption but taking note of it, Harry answered. "I just wondered if the man was so close to my Parents, to the point where my Da's family had taken him in just as the Greengrass' have taken me in. What would possess him to betray them. My mum spoke of him being there to look after me if they died. Why would they think he would look after me if he was such a bad man?"
"Sirius was your Godfather," Andromeda answered. "I don't know if you know that or not. He was so happy when they asked him."
"You are his cousin correct?"
"Yes, I was also kicked out of the Black family for choosing to marry Ted." She squeezed her husbands' hand. "You are a related to the Blacks too through a Great Great Uncle I believe, Charlus Potter, he married Dorthea Black."
"I don't know much about my family." Harry explained, "Aunt Pricilla has been telling me stories of course, and she showed me a few pictures she has."
"We will try to get you more information Harry." Lord Greengrass said, "Sometime in the next couple years we need to get you to Gringotts and into your family vault as well."
"My future can wait," he thought that was ironic as he said it. "Right now I would like to know about my Godfather and why he betrayed my parents."
"I have been to the Ministry of Magic, and so far I cannot find any information." Ted sighed.
"What do you mean no information?" Cyrus asked.
"I mean no information, I have requested his interrogation notes, his trial transcript, who represented him in front of the Wizengamot," he shook his head. "So far there is simply no information. It's almost if he didn't have trial."
"No one gets placed in Azkaban without a trial," Castor commented "I mean that would go against everything we know."
"And yet it appears that way," Ted continued. "I can find no records of a conviction. I am going to make a request to Amelia Bones head of the DMLE on behalf of Andromeda Tonks Nee' Black to see the Auror files. I am hoping she allows it."
"Is she good at her job?" Harry questioned.
"She is supposed to be exceptional at her job." Ted answered.
"Then appeal to that part of her nature," Cyrus supplied. "Make it a matter of personal pride and Justice when you approach her. If Sirius didn't get a trial, then maybe Andromeda is correct. There is a chance however slight he is innocent." Lord Greengrass looked around the table and everyone nodded.
"Well then we have two things on the table for our agenda." He took charge again definitely being Lord Greengrass. "The first is we are all in agreement that Harry Potter living here is an absolute secret for now even from Dumbledore." He gave a look to Andromeda. "Merlin knows it will come out eventually, but for now it doesn't leave our Houses." There were once again nods of agreement around the table. "Second, we all agree to use what political power we have to look into the case of Sirius Orion Black. Godfather to Harry James Potter and possibly innocent man." All agreed to this last piece on the agenda as well.
"I would like to propose a third item if I may Lord Greengrass," asked Lord Davis. When Cyrus nodded, he spoke. "Our respective Houses do not keep secrets from one another going forward. House Davis was almost destroyed by secrets. We do not like them between friends." Harry was once again curious as to what 'secret' almost destroyed house Davis but kept silent. All around the table there were nods of agreement.
"Good, now that that's out of the way shall we have an informal dinner this evening or do you all have plans?" Pricilla asked. Harry was beginning to see the distinction between when they were just being themselves or representing their houses. It was an interesting contrast.
"It would be nice to have the girls eat together tonight," Leslie agreed.
"We unfortunately have plans this evening." Ted Tonks explained, "But we would love to be over another time, not only for dinner but to get to know Harry better." Cyrus nodded and the Tonks' took their leave via flew. Harry excused himself and went to his room to think. This had been a long day.
..
Harry had thought of that day many times in the weeks that followed. He had started 'school' with Lady Davis and the others. It was going well overall. He knew Sirius was innocent, just proving it would be difficult. He was growing a little leery of Lord Cyrus Greengrass. The man was sharp as a scalpel. He saw much much more then Harry had realized. It showed him once again how unskilled he had been in his former life. With the help of his friends who he was now sorely missing, they had managed to find all the Horcruxes and even destroy most of them. The problem had remained that he was sorely over-matched by Tom Riddle. Just watching the fight at the Ministry of Magic after losing Sirius through the veil had shown him that. Headmaster Dumbledore had said he was going to give Harry 'training' but really all he did was show him some memories then get killed retrieving a false Horcrux. He knew he was dying that entire last year. He knew he held the Elder Wand and yet he didn't really do anything to make Harry stronger. This time it will be different, he swore again. It wasn't as if Dumbledore was his enemy, it was more like what Mym had told him. The man was just old and making an old man's mistakes. Harry was realizing that the Headmaster was not anywhere near as intelligent as used to be. That meant that Harry and those around him who still did have full use of their faculties would need to be making the decisions.
He missed Hermione's advice and Ron's tactical knowledge gained from years of Wizarding chess. Harry was good at Defense against the Dark arts, and surviving usually by shear luck and determination, but he alone was not enough, and he knew it. The new power he now had could be considered the "Power he knows not" in the prophecy, which means Harry was always meant to die and come back. He was not even sure that the Horcrux in his scar was destroyed when he died, or if the Incarnations brought it back with him. He was not having the headaches and burning in his scar, but those didn't start till Hogwarts and Quirrelmort anyway. He had sent Dudley a letter by Owl, mostly to piss of the Dursleys' and was surprised when he got a response. Dudley had even attached his mothers' letter to the Owl. He seemed to think Harry would want the "old paper in his Mum's box". The kid really was changing.
Harry brought Energy Sight to the forefront. He lifted the bed was sitting on with the 'Hand' as he thought of it and floated himself around the room. "I'm flying like a magic carpet" he mused to himself. While doing this he made his ball of light appear. Then he made another, and another, and another. He stopped when he had an even dozen in various points of the room. He had found over the last few weeks that exercise was not enough. He had to flex his energy like a muscle as well. Using multiple lights and whatever else he could manage would tire him less and less the more he practiced. From time to time Rory would show up and he would ask the elf to move something or disapparate in the room. He could never quite see how the elf's energy flowed. He also thought back to the time he covered a mile in like three seconds. He knew he used energy that time as well but it eluded him as to what he did.
Harry knew he needed a teacher of some sort or he needed to abandon this pursuit. Of course, that line of thought was dismissed right away. The Incarnations had sent him back and given him or awoken this ability in him. He would learn to use it somehow and he would defeat Tom Riddle. It was Halloween, he hated Halloween. Bad shit always happened to him on this day. Just when he was thinking this year at least would be different the door swung open and Lord Cyrus Greengrass walked in to see Harry floating a large four poster bed around the room and a dozen 'Lumos' lights all around the room. "Bugger me" Harry thought as the man just looked at him closing the door behind him with an audible click.
"You know Harry," Cyrus began. "I have been wondering why the wards in my house have been going haywire from time to time, always centered on your room." He looked at the still floating boy on the bed. "They didn't exactly detect magic use, but they still went off. Care to explain what is going on?"
"Uhhh," Harry said ever so eloquently not believing Lord Greengrass was standing there.
"Uhhh, What?" The bed fell to the floor with an audible thunk as Harry lost his concentration. All but two of the lights winked out as well.
"I don't suppose you would believe this is the first time I have done this…" Harry hedged.
"No, and I don't know what 'this' is" he finished motioning around the room. Harry closed his eyes and screamed silently inside. He knew he had locked the door, but of course a simple 'Alohomora' spell would unlock it. "I told you we don't hide our gifts in this house Harry."
"You knew?"
"I suspected," he corrected. "When you spoke of the 'wall' I had never heard of a power quite like it. I also used passive Legilimency on Petunia." Harry closed his eyes and swore under his breath realizing he was well and truly caught…again!
"What do you want to know Lord Greengrass?" Harry asked formally. To his surprise the man smiled.
"It's Cyrus or Uncle Cyrus if you ever get to that point," he replied. "I only want to help you Harry. I don't know everything you have been keeping from us, but I suspect it has to do with Voldemort." Harry looked truly shocked at this. "Oh yes, there are Dark families that I used to be connected with that believe he is out there and will return. So why don't the two of us talk. Man, to man, and you can tell me how you were able to do what I just witnessed without a wand."
"If I tell you what you want to know, I need you to swear a vow you will never talk about it without my permission." Harry said seriously, "Not even to your wife."
Cyrus seemed to consider this for a moment then pulled out his wand. For a split-second Harry thought the man was going to stun him or something. "I Lord Cyrus Greengrass of the Most Ancient and Noble house of Greengrass do hereby swear on my life and my Magic to keep the secrets told to me this night by Harry James Potter, so mote it be." Magic flashed all around Cyrus Greengrass showing that Magic itself had accepted the vow. Harry who had Energy Sight on already had watched in fascination as the energy had built up in Cyrus around his 'core' flowed out and bound itself back upon him. Even now Harry could see an almost dark spot on his core that must signify the sealed vow.
"That was much more than I expected you to do Uncle Cyrus," Harry said unconsciously acknowledging him as Uncle when he saw and yes felt the mans resolve. He reached his hand out "May I?". Curious, Cyrus handed Harry his wand. "I Harry James Potter, of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, do hereby swear upon my life and my Magic that what I tell Lord Cyrus Greengrass is the truth as best I know it, so Mote it be." Magic (and energy in Harry's case) flowed around him flashed and winked out. He handed the wand back to Cyrus.
"That's not the first time you have used a wand is it?"
"No Uncle," he said, "It is not, but I have not used one in many months."
"You don't have to call me Uncle, Harry." Cyrus said. "Not until you are ready."
"If I was not ready Uncle Cyrus," Harry smiled, "I would be dead. I swore to tell you truth tonight. Magic recognizes that I consider you an Uncle. Or it would have killed me." Cyrus was touched and taken aback by Harry's sincerity.
"I am very glad you feel that way Harry," Cyrus almost chocked out. "Being from the family background I am I consider it an honor."
"We can't pick our blood families Uncle, only those we want to include as our true family."
"Well said Harry, well said." Conjuring a chair for himself he sat.
"I guess I should start by telling you that before waking up in the cupboard under the stairs in my relatives' house back in May I died by Tom Riddle, the man you know as Voldemort's wand. I was seventeen at the time." Cyrus looked shocked. It took hours for Harry to fully explain to a silent Cyrus Greengrass what had happened. Over an hour into his long drawn out tale Harry called Rory and asked for Butterbeer for himself, and Fire Whiskey for Lord Greengrass. Harry had decided in for a pence in for a pound and told his new Uncle quite a bit more than his resurrection. He spoke about his past timeline/life and his friends; he didn't tell him everything but a bit. Answering questions as accurately as he could remember when Cyrus asked him. When all was said and done, Cyrus had drunk about half his bottle of whiskey and just sat in silence looking at the war hardened boy before him.
"I don't know where to begin," Cyrus muttered. "As crazy as your story sounds, it makes a twisted sort of sense. You never sounded anywhere close to your age. When you were trying to act young, it sounded so forced and fake. It's what first tipped me off that something was wrong."
"Well, you were not as emotionally involved in me then." Harry commented. "Aunt Pricilla was connected with my Mum, so she always had blinders on. You saw with fresh eyes and what you saw didn't add up."
"So, these Incarnation's you spoke of…"
"Death, Time, Fate and War." Harry supplied.
"They sent you back with this new power, and you have been trying to learn to use it?"
"Yes, what you saw was the extent of what I can do consciously right now with only Energy. If I had a wand, I could work the magic I was taught at Hogwarts." Cyrus looked at him again then handed Harry his wand once more.
"I believe you, I do," he explained. "I would just like to see you do something that I know you could not possibly have been taught so this last little doubt of my own sanity goes away. Please humor a middle-aged man." Harry understood. The tale he had told Cyrus, vow or not was so fantastic anyone would need something to root it back in reality.
"'Expecto Petronum'" Harry shouted thinking of all the joy he would feel being reunited with his friends. Prongs the stag jumped forth from the Wand tip and pranced around the room. Harry was shocked to see tears of joy running down Cyrus Greengrass' face.
"Uncle? Are you ok?" the man looked at Harry and to his further shock pulled him into a hug for the first time.
"Yes Harry, I'm fine. It's just beautiful that after all you have been through you are still connected to your parents this way. And a Corporeal Patronus, even some Aurors can't do that." He nodded to the stag. Harry let the Patronus go and handed Cyrus his want back. "This is why you know Sirius is innocent isn't it?"
"Yes, my third year at Hogwarts he escaped Azkaban to try to get to the real betrayer of my Parents. Peter Pettigrew, the man is currently in his Animagus form living with the Weasleys."
Cyrus sucked in his breath for a moment. "So, your Godfather was set up and sent to Azkaban without a trial…You have been much more patient about all this than I could have been. We will need to do something about Pettigrew as well."
"Yes, and we need to get Sirius out of there before it does even more damage to his mind." Harry explained. "We also need to figure out what to do about Headmaster Dumbledore. When he finds out I am not at Private drive he is going to flip his lid and try to send me back."
"One thing at a time," Cyrus said taking another drink. "We need to free Sirius, I'm certain Ted will be able to set up a trial if we could just get our hands on the Auror report." He looked at Harry with some concern, "Also you cannot tell another soul what you just told me." Cyrus cautioned. "Wizards and witches cannot know it's possible to go back into a younger body. If they did, they would try to duplicate it."
"They would fail," Harry said, "It took the power of at least three Incarnations to send me back"
"Wizards and Witches are not that logical Harry." Cyrus cautioned. "They would just think they could 'invent' a way to do it. Next thing you know people are dying left and right from losing their souls to the ravages of time."
"I understand, but I feel terrible about lying all the time to everyone." Harry frowned.
"That Harry is a burden you will need to bear," Cyrus admonished. "I will help you in any way I can. If you have more to share at any time, consider my vow to cover that as well."
"Well I can tell you that I hope you Invested in Dell," Harry laughed. "In a couple of years if you invested big you will never have money problems again." Cyrus smirked at him.
"For some reason I thought that was a good bet. I had my broker look into the Muggle company and invested about a third of our capital into it. I won't tell you how much that is, but if you are correct. I can almost get out of my Magic investments all together."
"Oh good," Harry exhaled, "I would hate to have you under the thrall of the Malfoy's."
"My Daughters thank you I imagine."
"I'm sure they would," Harry laughed. "Will you help me train Uncle?" he asked suddenly. "I can't seem to get the hang of Energy unless I see Magic worked with a wand first."
"Of course, I will Harry," Cyrus assured him, "Why don't we start with some basics…"
..
Ted Tonks entered the Office of Amelia Bones with one purpose in mind, to get those damned files he had been denied. It had taken another three weeks to get this appointment. Walking into her office the woman in question was seated behind a large desk with neatly stacked papers all around it. She looked up from the desk with a monocle over one eye and address Ted.
"Solicitor Tonks, my office has been inundated with requests for you to see me personally." She said almost annoyed.
Not put out in the least he answered. "Well if the DMLE had been forthcoming with the documents I requested months ago I would not be standing here Madam." She raised an eyebrow at his boldness.
"How can I help you Solicitor Tonks?"
"I would like to see any and all case files regarding the prisoner Sirius Orion Black." He stated plainly. "This includes trial transcripts, witness statements, the prisoner's interrogation notes, and of course the Auror reports about the scene of the crime."
"Well," she smirked back, "You don't ask for much do you?"
"In the case of a possible Innocent man, I will ask for anything and everything so see justice served." He stated.
"Innocent?" Amelia Bones laughed, "He was found at the scene laughing about killing Peter Pettigrew and a dozen or so Muggles."
"So, everyone states," Ted replied smoothly, "And yet I can't find a single report, transcript, or any other evidence to corroborate that story."
"You're serious aren't you?" she asked
"Very serious Madam Bones," he said flatly, "I would like to see those files."
Amelia Bones studied the man before her taking the slip of parchment he held out to her. He had a very good reputation as a Solicitor. It was difficult for him to get decent cases being a Muggleborn but he has persevered. "I see the request also comes on behalf of Andromeda Tonks nee' Black."
"Yes, my wife has believed for some time that her cousin was wrongfully incarcerated in Azkaban. I have finally achieved enough status here to be able to make such a request."
"Ted," she spoke plainly, "If you're wrong about this it will ruin you."
"Madam Bones do you know what my Daughter Nymphadora wants to be?"
"No…"
"She wants to be an Auror, in fact she specifically wants to work for you as head of the DMLE." He explained. "The reason for this is she has heard you are excellent at your job and believe in Justice. Shall I tell her she is wrong?" Amelia Bones mask broke a bit and she was taken aback by the statement.
"Follow me Solicitor Tonks" she said. They made their way to the hall of records. Everything that happened within the Wizengamot was kept here. That would include just about everything Ted had requested. Walking into the room, the clerk immediately recognized who was headed her way.
"Director Bones, how can I assist you today." She asked.
"I need the case files on Sirius Orion Black." Bones stated.
"Yes Ma'am," the clerk said and went into the hall. Ted and Amelia waited much longer than should have been expected when the red-faced clerk returned. "I'm sorry Director Bones, there does not appear to be any records concerning the case of Sirius Orion Black."
"Excuse me?" she asked harshly.
"There are no records Madam." The clerk said again.
"Thank you," Amelia replied tersely as she looked at a smirking Ted Tonks. "Follow me," she stated. The pair went to the Head Auror's office. Scrimgeour was nowhere to be seen but that did not bother Amelia, the man reported to her. She found a secretary who snapped to attention upon seeing the Director.
"How can I help you Director Bones?"
"I need to see the Auror file on Sirius Orion Black." She stated, "And yes I know they are probably in the 'confidential' archive. I am giving you permission to retrieve them." The clerk simply bowed and disappeared behind a door that was not visible to the naked eye. "This doesn't mean anything." She told Ted.
"Of course not Director Bones," he said using her title for the first time. "Just all the files so far have been missing or nonexistent." The clerk came back with a decent sized box in his hands.
"This is all we have on the case Director Bones." He stated. These are the originals, I left copies in the archive." He smiled hoping he had scored some points. Bones just took the box and left the room without a word. Ted followed the woman once again as they made their way back to her office. Once there she closed the door and used a locking charm. Ted raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Amelia cleared her desk and opened the box. Inside were reports, pictures, some witness statements by Muggles and Sirius Black's wand. The pair were surprised to see it but instead focused on the files themselves. After an hour of looking through the 'evidence' Amelia shook her head.
"This was all circumstantial at best." She said, "There are no trial reports, no interrogation notes, nothing. Not even a memory taken of the event to be viewed by Pensive.
"As I said," Ted replied, "I have been trying to get this information for months."
"This does not make sense." Amelia stated.
"Can 'Priori Incantato' be used more than once?" Ted asked Amelia.
"Yes," she swallowed taking out her wand. "'Priori Incantato'" intoned. The Wand glowed and revealed the last spell was 'Sonorous' and prior to that was 'Apparition'. "Sweat Merlin," she whispered. "Sirius didn't cast the blasting Hex that killed those Muggles."
"It would appear that way," Ted said. "I need these files Amelia, and I would like to officially reopen the case against Sirius Orion Black."
"Take the files, I will make more copies just in case. Leave the wand with me. I am going to have it put in a safe at Gringotts where it cannot be touched."
"Are you sure Director Bones?"
"Quite sure," she responded. "When word gets out that the possible Lord Black is sitting in Azkaban with what looks like no trial you can bet there will be people in high places trying to keep him there." Ted just nodded taking the box and walking quickly to the nearest flew. He was home before Amelia Bones had officially re-opened the case for one Sirius Orion Black.
..
Harry had enjoyed a rather strange holiday at the Davis's. Leslie Davis insisted on celebrating Thanksgiving in her household even though she now lived in England. Harry was only vaguely away of the American Holiday. Tracey on the other hand loved the Turkey and all the fixing that went with it. She said it was "positively the best thing mom had brought from across the pond". Castor had apparently relented and just let the holiday take place the last few years. The Greengrass' and Tonks were invited over this year to celebrate and in some ways honor their new little alliance. Harry had been spending a lot of time at the Davis residence learning basic schooling and had also been given some private lessons on Wizard society from Castor when it appeared, he was very far ahead of expected learning in reading, writing and arithmetic. At first Daphne had been upset by this, but then she made an offhand comment about Harry 'learning to be a proper lord.'
His training with Cyrus Greengrass had been in private every Saturday. To say it was brutal was an understatement. Cyrus was determined to bring the best out of Harry if it killed him. He had given Harry a wand blank made of Holly like the wand he assumed he would eventually still get at Ollivander's. Cyrus would show him a new spell, then make him use it with just Energy. Once Harry could manage that, he would force him to use the wand blank to do the spell/energy again. The idea was Harry would need to be able to fool everyone if he ever used Energy instead of a spell in public. Harry was still working nightly without Cyrus as well. He knew he had to push himself if he ever hoped to be a match for Tom.
It was the second week of December when Ted Tonks arrived with a box from the Auror department. He had called meeting to discuss the 'Sirius situation' as it was called. Cyrus of course agreed straight away knowing what he now knew. The group which included Harry sat in a private office in the Greengrass manor.
"I have had this for a little while, but I wanted to make several copies and hide them just in case. It won't be too much longer before the Daily Prophet gets ahold of the story. I warn you some of the pictures are a little graphic." He warned. The group nodded and everyone looked at the 'Evidence', witness statements etc... There were a couple of green looking faces, Harry was not bothered. Once it seemed everyone had had a peek, Ted spoke again.
"So, this is what we know, Official story at least. Sirius Black betrays the Potters location. For some reason after He who must not be named was destroyed. Sirius was still there. Hagrid shows up and following Dumbledore's orders takes Harry. For some reason the 'evil vile Sirius' loans his flying motorcycle to Hagrid and apparated away. An enraged Peter Pettigrew 'chases' Sirius down, confronts him on the street where Sirius is yelling his name. Serious then kills Peter and twelve Muggles with a blasting curse that leaves only a cleanly severed finger of Peter behind, but leaves Sirius covered in blood and…parts of Muggles. He is laughing when Aurors arrive and is stunned then taken into custody. Found guilty of betraying the Potter's, killing Peter and the Muggles even though he is not a marked Death Eater, then chucked into Azkaban for life."
"That the official story." Cyrus interjects, "but not we feel the truth. What are we missing?"
"Well first is that there was never a trial at all, there are absolutely no records of interrogation, no defense solicitor nothing."
Castor whistles, "Wow, that's against everything we know. Even marked Death Eaters got trials. It's how half of them used the 'imperious' defense."
"Add to that Director Bones and I found his wand in this box." All heads turned to look at Ted. "We used 'Priori Incantato' on it. The last spells used were 'Sonorus' and 'Apparate'.
"Where is the wand now?" Harry blurted. "I am certain you didn't bring it here."
"Very astute of you young Harry," Ted smiled. "Director Bones had it placed in an evidence vault in Gringotts. Only she can retrieve it." Harry nodded his approval.
"If I am reading this correct," Cyrus interjected. "The Muggles were blown to pieces, the pictures show ragged tears where their limbs were ripped off." Patting his wife's' hand he addressed her. "Sorry love for being so clinical," turning his gaze back to the group, "But Peter a Wizard who could have shielded himself was basically vaporized except for a cleanly cut finger?"
"That's correct," Ted said. "You came to the same conclusion I did then?"
"Yes, it's impossible. Also, the direction of the blasting hex is towards Sirius not away from him." Cyrus said pointing at the picture. "There is even an outline around where Sirius was where there is no splatter." Pricilla looked like she was going to sick at this point. She had lost a lot of color and was fanning herself.
"Sorry Pricilla," Castor said looking at his sister worried. "I forget sometimes that you missed the height of the last war pregnant with Daphne then taking care of her."
"It's ok Castor," she tried and failed to smile back, "If not for that I was going to join the Order of the Phoenix, looking at these pictures maybe it's better I didn't. I don't know if I could have done it."
"You would have been fine Aunt Pricilla," Harry commented. "During war we all find out what we are capable of. Looking at these now though is kind of unsettling." He favored her with a smile that somehow set her mind and heart at ease."
"So, what is our defense for Lord Black," Andromeda asked, giving her cousin the title which he deserved, it was not lost on anyone around the table.
"I think for the most part the evidence speaks for itself," Ted replied, "We also need to prove that Peter Pettigrew is still out there somewhere somehow missing a finger."
"Look for Remus Lupin," Cyrus suggested. He and Harry had discussed this tactic.
"You think Mr. Lupin is hiding him?" Ted asked.
"No, he was one of their closest friends at Hogwarts from what I recall, he may wind up giving us some insight as to their motives."
"Very well, I'll ask Director Bones if the Auror corps can help me locate him for the trial. Anything else?"
"With the evidence actually looked at, and the wand, can you get a statement from Lord Black?" Castor asked.
"It's possible I may be able to get an interview, but I don't know. At the very least I am hoping when the case is reopened by Director Bones, we can get him moved to a Ministry Holding cell to await trial instead of sitting in Azkaban. What must he be thinking?"
"He's thinking of revenge," Harry stated flatly, "Against that rat Pettigrew who betrayed my Parents and set him up to take the fall." All eyes turned to Harry because of the venom in his voice.
..
AN: Another long chapter but a fun one. I knew I needed Harry to have an Ally to help him learn and Cyrus just seemed to fit that perfectly.
The next chapter is going to be more about Sirius and the trial, I know there is a lot of use of the Godfather Ritual in fics and that is fine. I however plan on presenting the case in court with the evidence they have. Look for familiar faces to be trying to stop it.
Been wondering about having an appearance by one of the Incarnations in the next few chapters. Mind you they won't know they sent Harry back because that is in their future. But I thought Zane/Death appearing and asking about Harry's Energy sight. Just a thought I am playing around with.
Please review, if I made a goof or if something doesn't make sense I'll either fix it or explain it.
