Chapter 7

When Harry awoke the next day he was very anxious. However he was not quite as anxious as his godfather who hadn't rested a bit. Thankfully not many Order members were around that morning, so most didn't see the nervous tendencies of Harry, Sirius, or Remus, throughout the morning, though Ron and Hermione were starting to catch on to the fact that something was up. Hermione noticed that Harry had a big smile on his face and asked him with a snippy tone, "Another letter from Susan Harry?"

Forgetting about his faux girlfriend for a second Harry looked confused, but then said, "Oh no. Why do you ask?"

Ron grumbled as he sat down at his late breakfast, "Because you look like you just won the Cup over there mate. Stop smiling so damn big!"

Making Harry smile larger at the twos frustration he said, "Oh come guys cheer up, its going to be a good day."

Ron in fake cherry tone said, "Oh yeah mate, it will be great. More sitting around the house doing nothing, but exploding snap, and reading."

Hermione gave the boy a nasty look, "And what may I ask is wrong with reading?"

Ron held his hands up in surrender, "Nothing at all. I was just saying its not my cup of tea for a great day that smiles over there is talking about."

"I don't think you are going to be sitting around all day here Ron, I think you should be ready for anything." Harry said with a bit of a wink.

Before the two could question the boy Harry looked at the clock, and knew it was time. As if on cue he heard an explosion go off upstairs, and new the plan was going into motion. With a quick draw of his wand he faked panic, and went straight for the stairs, with everyone in the kitchen behind him. As he ran pass Sirius under the invisibility cloak he gave a little prayer that everything today would go over well.

When they arrived to the top floor there was a small fire started, and a stench that could make a skunk blush was in the air. Mrs. Weasley immediately set out to blame Fred and George, but when they wouldn't fess up to it, no one believed them. The mess took a bit to clean up, and took almost every available wand to do it. However when they were done, Harry slipped out of the room, and prayed that no one was going to be downstairs when he got there.

Making it into the kitchen however he saw the back of a man he really did not have an interest in seeing. The old bat was wearing his usual black cloak, and was clearly already annoyed Harry quickly checked the time to see it was already almost 12:30, and knew he had to get out, and change before he could appear before the court.

Deciding whether to stun the man or not, the decision was made for him when an owl flew to the window and was impatiently waiting for the man to retrieve the letters. When he did this Harry made a casual walk into the kitchen and into the floo, Snape didn't realize what he was doing until it was to late. A red spell flew towards him, but by the time it approached him he was already whirling across the country to the Ministry of Magic.

When he appeared out of the floo he was in a familiar large atrium that he had only first stepped into a few months before. Looking into the sea of unknown faces, he saw one familiar one that had a pretty smile, and long red hair, that was clearly searching for someone familiar as well. Hoping to be the one the girl was looking for he quickly set out to approach her, "Susan!"

The girls eyes darted straight to the sound of his voice and she exclaimed, "Harry!"

The girl quickly embraced the boy clearly happy to have a familiar face to be with and said, "I ordered some robes with the money you left me with the other night, and I had some change left over."

She quickly reached into her pocket as she handed him the parcel she was carrying, but Harry waved her off, "We can use it to celebrate tonight so keep it."

Smiling at her fake boyfriend she nodded, "Alright now go change. The trial could start any moment. I have already seen a few Wizengamot members come in clearly disgruntled!"

Harry nodded quickly taking his first good look at the girl who was looking prettier than usual. Wearing a short skirt, and expensive looking blouse, the girls bust, and waste line were looking phenomenally on point. Not that this was the first time Harry had noticed either of those things, but today he was wondering just what life would be like if Susan Bones was his girlfriend.

Shaking the cobwebs out of his head, he quickly told her that he would shortly returned and changed into his robes.

Looking into the mirror he knew he had never worn finer clothing. The silk type material he was wearing now was dark black, and had what he believed to be the Potter family crest on his robes. He had never seen a real picture of it, but he had it described to him by Sirius over the Summer, and knew this must have been the majestic symbol of his family.

When he left the nearby changing room he approached Susan once again who looked him over once and quickly adjusted his cloak and collars, gave him another look and smiled, "You look great Harry, lets go have a seat in the courtroom. We may be separated in there, or they could have us sorted by minors maybe, it depends which room we get."

Glad to have the clearly well informed red head at his side, he took her outstretched hand and followed her to the courtroom that they were instructed to go to.

Upon arrival to courtroom number ten Harry remembered that this was the exact room that he had once been seated in on trial himself. This also meant that the entire back part of the room however was for media, and guest. The front row was cleared off for some of the of witnesses, or their guests. Naturally Harry invited Susan to sit with him in the front row of the stands, where Professor McGonagall was already seated with Remus Lupin, one of whom were surprised to see him there, "Mr. Potter? I don't suppose you know why we were called here today do you? I had feared that it might be you on trial up there, when I received the message."

Harry and Remus exchanged brief looks that said, 'Don't rat me out, I am playing dumb.'

Taking Remus' ignorance into account he attempted to feign the same ignorance, "I have no idea professor. I was downstairs when I received the call to the Ministry, and I thought it might have been Professor Dumbledore needing me, so I came straight here. In bad judgment though, I forgot to tell anyone I was leaving."

The Transfiguration teacher nodded then looked at Susan, "And you Ms. Bones? What are you here for?"

Flying on the spot with hope of fooling the old women she said, "I am interning for my Aunts prosecution position. She told me that there was going to be a huge case today presented to the Wizengamot, so I thought it would be a good day to come spectate. I was just as surprised as any when I saw Harry here."

It was clear to both pupils of the stern professor was not easily fooled by the two's lie, and sniffed, "Potter why do I have a feeling you know exactly why we are all sitting here today?"

Harry gave the women a small sheepish smile, and said, "After all these years professor, I thought you were starting to just kind of go with it!"

This time Harry and Susan were almost floored by the smile that crossed the witches face, "You're right Mr. Potter, I don't know why I even asked!"

The four that made up the group in that moment all smiled a bit. The teenagers were sharing mischievous like looks, while the older man had a look of remembrance, which the oldest witch shared.

Ron and Hermione filed in shortly after, and it was unsurprising when Hermione revealed the obvious to something that the adults had previously overlooked, "Harry. When did you get those robes, and when did you have time to change into them?"

Grinning at his female best friend he said, "Its going to be an interesting day Hermione, and I will apologize in advance for keeping you two into the dark. We had to be sure no one would interfere with what happens next."

Hermione looked accusingly at Susan, "Since when have you kept us in the dark?"

Susan visibly flinched, but not from Hermione's word, but Harry's reaction, "When you decided to keep me in the dark over the Summer! Its not that I wanted to, but I couldn't allow Dumbledore to try and stop us, and who would you side with Hermione, me or the headmaster?"

Hermione hesitated to answer that, but thankfully Ron didn't, "It would be you no doubt mate, you know that."

Harry gave his best friend a grateful nod, "Thank you Ron. I wish Hermione shared your loyalty."

The girl blushed at that, but before she could protest Fudge slammed his gavel on the desk. "It is December 28th 1995 the year of our Lords and Ladies. This is the 455th gathering of the Wizengamot, and we have been called by Amelia Susan Bones, whom wishes to address with what I have been assured is a most pressing matter. Madame Bones."

Madame Bones stood up from her position straighening up here business dress and robes, "Thank you Minister Fudge. I don't want to waste to much of everyone's time with the politics of all this, so I will just say that 2 days I ago I stumbled across some evidence in the case of Sirius Black murdering 13 muggles back in November 1981. This evidence troubled me, so I began to dig. I kept digging and kept digging, and this is what I found."

Amelia dropped two sheets of paper on the desk, and immediately the chamber went into silence, until the uproar began starting with Augusta Longbottom, "That is Preposterous, that is two measly pieces of Paper Madame Bones, I assume there is more to this evidence list that caught your professional eye."

The head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement merely shook her head, "Actually Lady Longbottom it was the fact that there were only two sheets of paper that caught my attention in the first place. I was looking for a court record that way I could take the testimony and hopefully see why it was that Black did not get the death penalty, because believe it or not Lords and Ladies of this governing body, what brought this whole thing to light was teenage love."

It was then when Amelia Bones turned to Harry and Susan in the visitor box, and Susan instinctively quickly took Harry's hand to prevent him from panicking, "You see, my niece Susan wanted to give her boyfriend Harry Potter a Christmas gift that would be more meaningful then something of monetary value, because she knows his story, better than probably anyone else in this room, and she asked me why the person who handed the Potters over to Voldemort still was a freeman, and I saw something I hope I never saw in my nieces eyes, and that was doubt, that her government, and my department could protect her, so I began to dig."

It was clear to Harry that the women's words had already struck many people in the audience, so he didn't attempt to protest anything yet, and clearly Susan had a lot of faith in what was being said, so he implied that she had heard this speech at least once, "Ladies and Gentlemen I found two pieces of paper, and all it was is the arresting papers that Barty Crouch Sr. filed when he took Black into Custody. It includes that Black was laughing hysterically, and that they found Pettigrew's finger and 13 dead bodies. That is it ladies and gentlemen, no more and no less."

The room was silent, but not for long as one person stood in the crowd of Lords and Ladies, "You mean to tell me that the Department of Magical Law Enforcement sent a lord to Azakaban without a trial, is that what I am getting Madame Bones?"

Susan whispered in Harry's ear as quietly as possible, "That is Hannah's mom Harry, Becky Abbot, both her parents are on the Wizengamot."

Harry nodded while Amelia put her hands in front of her and looked down in shame, "Sadly that is exactly what I am saying. Sirius Black was never given a trial. His wand was never recovered. Nor was Pettigrews, nor were any magical eye witnesses there to put him at the scene of the crime, much less say that he did it."

The Minister was quick to intervene, "This can't be true Amelia. I was there as a young auror cadet when we apprehended Black! He was mad with rage."

"Rage Minister, or hysterical from losing his best friend, a man he considered to be his brother in all but blood?

The man sputtered out, "It can't be. Not wirth Barty, nor Bagnold as Minister of Magic!"

Amelia shrugged, "The war was over Minister. Many people were still being found dead in the streets. Can you blame former Minister Bagnold or Barty for trying to sweep this all under the rug."

Knowing it was wise not to answer that bait he remained silent, but Amelia decided to take command, "Lords and Ladies. I propose we rescind the kiss on the site order of Black, and offer him a fair trial. Right here, right now. We use emergency powers of veritserum, and pensieve collected memories from people in this room, and make a decision on guilt or innocence. Minister Fudge has repeadtedly said in the media in the past few weeks that this is a time of peace, lets act like it, and attempt to fix our families old crimes, and potentially shed light on a family who lost everything in the world for the people in this room."

Many were screaming their agreements from the stands, including Augusta Longbottom, the Abbots, the Diggories, and many other families of the light and neutral side of things. Even the darkest of families like the Notts and Malfoys' had stayed respectfully quiet.

When the chanting and talking died down Fudged banged his gavel, "Very well. All in favor of rescinding the kiss on the site order of Sirius Orion Black, and allowing him a trial as soon as possible. If in favor say aye."

More than half of the crowd easily answered that and raised their hands in the air in show of approval. In Harry's surprise even Fudge raised his wand to show his favor on the matter. When the matter was decided Fudged banged his gavel again, "Excellent dispatch an edition of the Daily Prophet and let it known that Sirius Black is now being welcomed and invited into the Ministry for a fair trial for the murder of Peter Pettigew, and 13 muggles. Let it be known that we are ready to here Black's side of the story, and if that he does not show up we will have to assume that he is guilty of all charges."

Amelia Bones then stood up and said, "As it happens Minister Black surrendered himself just an hour ago to the questioning of my department, we have dementors getting ready to kiss him as we speak, should I rescind the order!"

Fudge looked pale at the thought, "Amelia! I am surprised at you. I order you to rescind the command, and bring him here at once."

For a moment Harry's heart dropped, but Susan gave his hand an extra squeeze to assure him that it was all a hoax, to ensure that Amelia didn't take any of the heat on this. The women quickly however through her patronus charm out of the room and it took off towards the headquarters of her office, "Forgive me Minister, I was merely fulfilling my duty, and trying to fulfill the last standing order. Black will be brought here within minutes. My men will be quick, that is a promise."

Quicker than what would have perhaps convinced most people Sirius was being dragged into the room a little roughly by Moody, and Shacklebolt, both of whom kept a very serious poker face. Many people gasped at the man who was clearly not the young man they had all remembered years ago. Of course for many people in the room they had gone to school with this man, and were shocked as the rest of the country to learn that he had been sent to Azkaban for what he had been accused of.

Sirius was aggressively sat in the chair, and the Wizengamot was abuzz with quiet chatter until Fudge banged his gavel, "Sirius Orion Black, you have been brought in front of the Wizengamot today for the murder of 14 individuals, 13 muggles, and one Peter Pettigrew, I am afraid that regardless of your guilt this body owes you an apology, this is a matter that is very long over do. With that being said Mr. Black, would you like to the court to present you with an attorney."

"No Minister, I would merely like to face the music I have been forced to live with."

Mutterings in the room seemed to not like his choice of words, but Fudge nodded, "Very well, then how you plead Mr. Black?"

It was the next words that would change Harry's life forever, "Not guilty on all counts."

This surprise was clear to everyone, and then outrage. Harry stared at the back of his Godfathers head the whole time, and part of him was wondering if they had been foolish to attempt this, but then Madame Bones stood up, "Minister I would like permission to administer Veritaserum to the accused."

Fudge nodded quickly to the women who signaled for a nearby auror to bring her some, and the man stumbled to do it quick enough. When Amelia took the bottle she menacingly walked over to Sirius Black, "Lord Black I suppose we should call you until the court has determined your guilt or innocence, do we have permission to use the truth potion on you for the sake of this trial?"

"You may."

The man said confidently. She then swept forward capping the bottle open and administering three drops to his mouth. She waited a long thirty seconds then asked, "What is your name?"

"Sirius Orion Black."

"What is your date of birth?"

"November 3rd 1955."

"Are you ready for the questions that will determine your future Mr. Black, that may very well determine whether you live or die today?"

"I have been waiting for 15 years Amie, and I don't wish to wait another moment."

His words shocked the court, but no one said a word. Voldemort himself could have appeared in the room, but Harry was unsure whether people would have noticed him or not, "Sirius Orion Black, are you a death eater?"

"No, I hate death eaters."

"Did you support Voldemort in the last war?"

"I would rather have died."

"Were you the Potter's secret keeper in 1981?"

"No."

"Who was?"

"A man we very well trusted James and I. We thought we had everyone fooled. We had no idea just how true that was. Peter Pettigrew was the secret keeper, and I wish I could've have killed him for it."

Harry waited for the shouting, but it never came, "Lord Black, do you mean to tell this body of Lords and Ladies, that you did not betray the Potters?"

"I would've died a thousands times over before I gave up James and Lily. Not a day goes by where I wish I had not allowed Peter to cast the Fidelius charm and become the secret keeper."

"Can you tell us what happened Lord Black, don't leave anything out, it is time for the world, and the young man behind you to know exactly what happened."

Sirius nodded and began his story. He told the crowd how he had convinced James and Lily to make Peter the secret Keeper, how they thought Remus was the spy in their group that was fighting the death eaters. He told how he felt the spell destroyed on Halloween of 1981, and thought that Peter had been found and killed, so he made a beeline to Godric's Hallow only to be to late. He cried through the part of holding the Potter's dead body, while Hagrid came and pulled Harry out of his crib, and took his to Dumbledore. He sobbed through the part where he tracked Peter down and confronted him in the street after he had learned of the man's survival, and the taking of the dark mark.

The room was silent, except for one interruption from Fudge to readminster the Veritaserum as the dose might have worn off. But Sirius took another dose, and they continued on. The story of him being arrested, and then carted off to Azkaban, and stopped at his escape where he confessed to being an illegal animagus. He even ratted out James and Peter for their law breaking habit. But after he told the court why they had done it they understood, and it was basically an unspoken agreement that he would not be charged with such a small crime in the grand scheme of things.

When it was all said and done, Amelia said her final words, "Lord Black. I cannot speak on behalf of this body, much less the wizarding world, but if everything said today was true the world owes you an apology, and I hope you will take mine first, for I am truly sorry."

The women didn't cry though it was clear to some that she wanted to. She then stepped down from the stand, "Minister I have witnesses to something that happened on Hogwarts ground in 1993, as well as teachers and friends to testify on behalf on Lord Black today. I do not wish to burden or take anymore of the courts time, so if it found unnecessary, and we believe we can cast a just decision, then I am prepared to rest my case."

Minister Fudge looked pale as he said, "No Madame Bones, I do believe that is all we need to make an informed decision."

"All in favor of clearing the accused of all charges?"

Harry was surprised to see Fudge's hand go straight up. He looked over to the Delores Umbridge who was sitting in the stand with a clearly angry look on her face. The green eyed boy was almost disturbed the fact that the toad faced women had said nothing during the trial, but couldn't bring himself to think anything negative in the moment, because this was possibly the moment he had been waiting for his whole life. The moment he would no longer be an orphan.

As he looked across the room his hopes continued to rise. It was clear that many people had been touched by the trial. It was then when Fudge slammed his gavel on the desk, "Cleared of all charges!"

Harry didn't wait for anything or anyone else, he cleared the bench that separated him from his Godfather and run up to the man as fast as his legs would carry him, and hugged the man. He heard the sound of snapping cameras, but for the first time he didn't care. He felt his Godfathers hand run through his hair, and knew his dream since he was just a little boy had come true when he heard the words, "Thank you pup, for helping me keep my end of the bargain up!"

Harry didn't hold back the tears that followed. They weren't sobs or anything like that. They were dignified tears, that showed he had a rough start of things in life, but on this day of December 28th 1995, his world was going to change, and he owed it all to a certain red head behind him, and he was never going to forget it.

(A/N) So short and sweet, and I hope to hear from all of you in the reviews. Cheers!

Thoughts:

I have written out pretty far into this, and I am looking at some characters that I need to know what to do with. This is a Harry light side story, so do we want to see Snape killed? Draco? The story line with Draco and the vanishing cabinet? Tell me what you think!

Also to the reviewers who have commented on the explanation points, I am working to fix it...lol sorry.