Chapter Ten
Halloween Day
Minister Fudge was not in a good mood. He had received a message last night that there was to be an important trial in the morning which he was required to attend. It was Halloween; he wanted to be out with everyone. He had been planning to give a speech at the statue of the Potters to make people favor him more. The news article about his visit to Hogwarts had seriously hurt his public image.
Fudge put on his hat and smiled as he fastened his cloak. It was getting chilly out lately. The man was getting ready to head off to work when an owl flew through the window. He took the letter from the black bird and quickly read it, and paling at the message.
Madam Bones was in her office reading a very interesting letter she had received a few days previously.
Dear Madam Bones,
My name is Law Trafalgar, although many in the wizarding world know me as Harry Potter. Since my return I have discovered several intriguing facts that had been distressingly hidden from me. Amongst these revelations are my nobility status and my rightful seat in the court known as the Wizengamot.
This latter fact is what leads me to this next order of business. When Minister Fudge came to our school a while back, he warned me to beware the murderous intentions of one Sirius Black. Having never even heard of this supposedly homicidal fiend I decided to research the nature of his crimes and was horrified to learn that he was never actually tried for any of his supposed crimes. Given the nature of my newfound responsibilities, I have decided that this grave miscarriage of justice shall be rectified.
Exercising my rights as a member of the Wizengamot, and Head of the Noble House of Potter I am calling for an emergency trial, to be held in court on Halloween. As you well know, our laws allow me to call such a trial once a year for any purpose I see fit. I am extending this use of my power to Sirius Black so that he may receive a proper trial, and to address another serious matter which shall be made evident upon everyone's arrival in the court.
Many may be confused as to why I would extend such a courtesy to a man who, by all accounts, betrayed my parents directly aiding their murder. While I am not required to give any explanation for my actions in this matter I feel it is important for people to realize that the right to a fair trial should not, in any circumstances, be circumvented. Regardless of the guilt or innocence of the accused, a judicial system is only useful when it is universally applied. On a more personal note, it will allow me a certain amount of closure to hear the truth of the matter from his traitorous, Veritiserum moistened lips.
It is in this matter that I ask now for your aide. I humbly request that you contact the various newspapers and ask them to print news of the trial and a request for Sirius Black to attend. It may be naïve, but I truly believe that he will attend. I can assure you that your help in this matter will be of great benefit to you. I look forward to meeting you at last.
Oh, and one last thing: I would be greatly obliged if you were to ban dementors from the proceedings. Please do not mistake the polite tone of that sentence as a request.
Trafalgar, Law
aka
Harry Potter.
Setting the letter into her bag she grabbed the rest of her things before heading off to work.
She smiled walking into her office and saw one of her assistants walking up to her when she walked into her office.
"Madam Bones, we got a tip last night that Black was seen around Nottingham. A team was sent out to look into it. The potions you asked for the trial are ready. The new Auror Tonks will be the one with the potions along with Shacklebolt to help with anything. Another note is that rumors of big fights breaking out on Hogwarts grounds is floating in the air." He said walking behind her to her Office as she passed the Auror's who were at their desk doing paperwork. She walked to her office and opened the door. "There has been other reports that people have been popping up… I don't know what they mean about that. And for the reason the head of the Potter house called everyone together is still a mystery. I have made sure that there was a reminder to keep the celebrations tonight low key if you live near muggles. "
Madam Bones nodded and smiled "Jeffery thank you so much. That will be all. I have to head to the meeting or trial."
Jeffery looked at her, "do you think Sirius will show up?"
Madam Bones ran her hand through her hair. "I would say no. But if you asked me if I thought Harry Potter would return I would say No. So with that boy I don't know." She smiled thinking back to when Sirius and her worked together, knowing that man he will make a big surprise.
Madam Bones walked to courtroom ten, while carrying her papers. Fudge had asked for her to bring the case papers about Sirius Black. She walked into the courtroom taking her seat and noticed more people filing in. It was ten minutes till the time which Mr. Potter set for the meeting. She saw a magical paper airplane flying towards her. She took it and read it over with wide eyes. She just finished and saw him walk in. Every person in the courtroom turned to watch him walk in.
A slim man walked in, he looked up at everyone they could see the faint shadows under his eyes. The look in his eyes showed that he would not be messed with, and showed power. They also saw that he had a smile on his face. They noticed that he did not look to be 15 years old. Rumors were saying that some how the boy was 18 years old. His dark black short messy hair was hidden under his hat. But you should see his sideburns and small black goatee.
She noticed that he had on the robes all the members wore but they were open and you could see a black-sleeved yellow hoodie with his jolly roger out on the front of his chest. He also was wearing muggle jeans. She took note of his small earrings on each ear. Then noticed the tattoos on his hands. Not able to see the ones on his arms because of the robes. She could not believe he could call the meeting and come dressed like that. She would think from how he looked that he was just a muggle coming off the street if it wasn't for his letter.
That was when she noticed the two people walking in next to him. One was a man who looked to be a bear. She shook her head and noticed the giant man next to him. He looked to be taller than Hagrid. She then noticed the dog walking right next to him. She watched as he walked in and took the seat of the Potters as the Bear and giant stood behind him like guards. And the dog sat next to him.
Madam Bones was shocked how the boy had turned out. Many were talking how he looked like a punk. She ignored everything till it was time to start the meeting.
Many were annoyed having to be there and then seeing Law. Were more surprised at how the boy who lived turned out to be. It wasn't till everyone was there and it was time to start that Law stood up. "I have-" Only for Fudge to stand up looking at the boy.
Madam Bones looked up watching him. "MR. POTTER! I would like to know why you are wasting our time bringing us here. As you can see Sirius Black is not here. Many people have important things to do-"
Law glared at the Minister. Bepo and Jean noticed that Law seemed to be radiating Haki. "MINISTER Fudge." He said in a very calm, cold, and deadly voice. "I was about to get to that before you interrupted me. Now as I was about to say I have brought you here for the trial of a dangerous man. And will help with info on Mr. Black's trial."
He said then looked to the bear. Which made some of the other wizards nervous. "Bepo."
"Captain." He said and pulled out a cage that was small and held a rat in it.
Many looked annoyed at Law who looked to Tonks. "So all of you know I found this rat while in Hogwarts."
"MR. POTTER, one I don't know why you are not on the school grounds, two there are many rats on the school grounds. And also you should be in class at the moment."
Madam Bones was getting annoyed and wanted to get things done. She looked to Umbridge about to yell at her to let him speak but Law beat her to it.
"Ms. Umbridge."
"Professor-"
"We are not on school grounds at the moment Ms. Umbridge. So I do not need to call you Professor. And for the reason I am here is I am the head of my household. Which means I hold a spot in this courtroom. And all of my Professors I have for class today know I am here. Now what I was saying is that I found out this is not a rat, but a wizard posing as a rat. And is someone who is said to be dead." He said and waved Tonks over. Who walked over took the rat out of the cage. She quickly noticed that the rat was stunned already. She walked over to the chair in the center of the room, the arms of which were covered in chains.
Madam Bones watched as the boy smirked when the spell hit the rat and they watched as the rat turned out to be a full-grown man. And was non other than Peter Pettigrew. She knew the moment she saw him, that it was Peter. Since she had been in the same year as James and his friends. She glared at the rat now wanting to know why he was hiding. She watch the chair for a moment, the chains clinked threateningly then burst to life. The quickly had him strapped in un-able to move. She was about to start her job when Fudge opened his big mouth.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Law smirked. She could swear he was finding everything to be a game.
"I have brought this man here since he is a death eater and the fact he is the one who betrayed my family to Voldemort." This earned a gasp from many.
"Madam Bones I know you will handle this."
At this moment Peter opened his eyes and looked around. He paled knowing were he was. In the very middle of the front row sat Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic. Fudge was a portly man who often sported a lime-green bowler hat. A broad, square-jawed witch with very short grey hair sat on Fudge's left; she wore a monocle and looked forbidding.
On Fudge's right was another witch, but she was sitting so far back on the bench that her face was in shadow. Then he noticed to the left sat Law. He paled he had remembered Law sending him a stunning spell, and nothing else.
"Very well," said Fudge. "The accused being present - finally - let us begin. Are you ready?" he called down the row.
"Yes, sir," said an eager voice Peter knew. Ron's brother Percy was sitting at the very end of the front bench. His old owner.
Percy's eyes, behind his horn-rimmed glasses, were fixed on his parchment, a quill poised in his hand.
She nodded and motioned Tonks to give him the potion. Peter by then was coming around only for his eyes to glaze over again. Madam Bones looked at the boy wondering just how much he knew. She saw his cold eyes looking at the man.
The man looked around and saw Law he looked nervous. "What is your name?"
"Peter Pettigrew."
"It was said you were killed by Sirius Black, and he killed 12 muggles, what happen."
"I cut off my finger and killed the muggles and escaped into the sewers."
Many people gasped when they heard this.
Madam Bones nodded and looked at him, "Why did you do this?"
"To blame Sirius, the Dark Lord was gone. I knew I was not safe and I had to hide. When Sirius came to make me pay for what I did. I knew the only way to live was to put the blame on him. And it was the only way to stay safe."
"What blame, and why would Sirius want to make you pay?"
"Because I betrayed James and Lilly. I told the Dark Lord where the Potters were."
The dog started to growl. She looked at him then back to Peter. "How was it you were able to tell He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named where the Potters were?"
"I was their secret keeper."
"Were you a death eater."
"Yes I am."
"How were you able to hide all these years."
"I went looking for a wizarding family as a rat. I was found by one of the Weasley's sons, Percy. He took care of me until he gave me to his younger brother. I have been safely hiding until Black came after me." Percy who had been writing that moment became pale.
"Did the Weasley's know they were hiding you?"
"No they did not. They thought I was just a rat."
"How is it you were found?"
"I was trying to escape Hogwarts when Law stunned me in the common room. When he heard me in the corner."
"Why were you leaving you had been safe."
"That day Professor Trelawney gave the prediction that I was there in the classroom because Ron been carrying me around. When I heard what she said I had to leave."
"What did she say?"
He told the court what she said. Some were talking about how it been in the paper about how a new professor had been hired since she was a fake. Umbridge turned red over this.
Madam Bones looked at him she nodded. And looked around the courtroom, "With this info I would like to motion to have Peter Pettigrew sent to Azkaban for life. All who agree raise your hands." She was happy that she was able to run the hearing for criminal crimes, otherwise Fudge would just drawl it out.
She noticed only four people did not raise there hands. Fudge was not looking very happy and was glaring at Law. She looked at the boy. Then she looked at Peter and planed to privately question the rat. She saw Peter being dragged away.
Law stood up smiling and said, "I thought we could now have Sirius Black's trial."
The press who were allowed in the courtroom took photos of Law saying this. They had been taking photos of the Peter bit and shocked over what happen. But now were ready to get more stories for the paper.
Madam Bones smiled and looked at him, "Alright, we shall start the trial of Sirius Orion Black." She was about to say he was not there, when the dog walked into the middle of the room and turned into Sirius Black. She was surprised that he looked so young. Like he had not been to Azkaban. He looked at them smirking.
Sirius had seen those chains spring to life and bind whoever sat between them. When he sat gingerly on the edge of the chair the chains clinked threateningly, but did not bind him. He smiled looking up at the surprised face of everyone.
"Murder, and death eater hearing of the 31st of October," said Fudge in a ringing voice, and Percy began taking notes at once, "into offences committed against the magical community and against the queen. And the Murder of 12 muggles, working for the dark lord and escaping prison by Sirius Orion Black."
"Interrogators: Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister for Magic; Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement; Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister. Court Scribe, Percy Ignatius Weasley -"
"Witness for the defense, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore," said a quiet voice from behind Sirius, who turned his head so fast he cricked his neck. Sirius looked to Law who nodded. Sirius smiled at him.
Dumbledore was striding serenely across the room wearing long midnight-blue robes and a perfectly calm expression. His long silver beard and hair gleamed in the torchlight as he drew level with Sirius and looked up at Fudge through the half-moon spectacles that rested halfway down his very crooked nose.
The members of the Wizengamot were muttering. All eyes were now on Dumbledore. Some looked annoyed, others slightly frightened; two elderly witches in the back row, however, raised their hands and waved in welcome.
A powerful emotion had risen in Sirius's chest at the sight of Dumbledore, a fortified, hopeful feeling rather like that which phoenix song gave. Though Sirius knew he be ok with Law looking over his back. He looked to Dumbledore seeing he was not looking his way; he was continuing to look up at the obviously flustered Fudge.
"Ah," said Fudge, who looked thoroughly disconcerted. "Yes - well - I suppose we'll need another chair - I - Weasley, could you -?"
"Not to worry, not to worry," said Dumbledore pleasantly; he took out his wand, gave it a little flick, and a squashy chintz armchair appeared out of nowhere next to Sirius. Dumbledore sat down, put the tips of his long fingers together and surveyed Fudge over them with an expression of polite interest. The Wizengamot was still muttering and fidgeting restlessly; only when Fudge spoke again did they settle down.
"Yes," said Fudge again, shuffling his notes. "Well, then. So. The charges. Yes."
He extricated a piece of parchment from the pile before him, took a deep breath, and read out, "the charges against the accused are as follows: The betrayal of the Potters leading to there death, being a death eater, and the murder of twelve Muggles, using magic in front of muggles. Constitutes an offence under Paragraph C of the Decree for the Dangerous magic, 1875, and also under Section 13 of the International Confederation of Warlocks' Statute of Secrecy."
"You are Sirius Orion Black." Fudge said, glaring at Law over the top of his parchment.
"Yes," Sirius said.
"And were you not picked to be the secret Keeper for James and Lily Potter? " said Fudge.
"Yes," said Sirius, "but -"
Law glared at Fudge knowing he was trying to Sirius away. Even though he knew the truth. He looked to Madam Bones who was glaring at Fudge.
"Minister Fudge why don't you relax. Sirius Orion Black would you be willing to take a truth potion."
Sirius smiled "Yes I would be willing."
She nodded and motioned Tonks who gave him the potion."
"Your name?"
"Sirius Orion Black."
"Were you the Potter secret Keeper."
"No Peter was."
"Why did everyone think you were there keeper."
"Because I wanted it like that. I thought James, Lily and Harry be safer" Law's eyes twitched at Sirius calling him Harry. "They be safer if everyone thought I was the keeper. They come after me. And no one would think Peter be the keeper so they would be safe."
"Did you have any help in the Potters death?"
"Yes." He said.
Fudge was about to say something when Albus raised his hand. "Explain how you helped in there death?"
"I was the one who thought it be a good idea to use Peter. If I had gone ahead and been the keeper like we planed first. They be still alive."
Madam Bones looked at him, "Why do you say that Sirius?" She could tell he blamed himself for there death now.
"I would never betrayed Lily and James. I would have died before I betrayed them. I would have taken that secret to the grave." Sirius said. Many of the members were surprised at this."But I was the one with the bright idea to let Peter take my place. For him to be the keeper.
"What happen the night the Potters died?"
"I was at my flat. I had planned to meet up with James later that evening to baby sit for them. But I decided to stop by Peter's place. He been acting strange and I was worried he was sick. When I got there he was gone. So I waited. After an hour of waiting I got worried. So I decided to head to James and Lily's place. Only when I got there the place was destroyed. I saw Hagrid he said he had Harry. So I ran inside.. James was at the door, laying on the ground. I walked to check on him only to noticed he was dead. I ran inside and found Lily next to the crib dead. She did not look dead… I ran over to check on her to see she was dead. I picked her up and took her outside. Hagrid was still there and watching over Harry. I walked inside and brought James out. I started to cry as I fixed James glasses. And clean them up. I thought they would wake up any moment. I had turned to Hagrid asking him to let me have Harry, telling him I am his god father. And that I should take him. He told me Albus wanted to take him somewhere safe. So I gave him my motorcycle to take with him." Sirius paused. "That was when I went after Peter."
"I had found Peter and cornered him on the street. When I was heading there all I wanted to know was why. I thought he been captured or something. But then he started shouting at me and blaming, that I had betrayed James and Lily. Then cut his finger off and blasted the street and escaped in the sewers."
"Why were you Laughing when we found you?" Madam Bones asked cutting of Fudge who been about to speek.
"I lost everything. I lost my best friend, who is a brother in every way but blood. My friend Peter who I trusted basically killed them. Got away, and I cracked. I just didn't know what to do. I was over whelmed with emotions over James death."
"How is it you escaped Azkaban?"
This went on for an hour before they gave him the antidote.
Dumbledore cleared his throat. The Wizengamot fell silent again. "As you can see, that Sirius Black never did anything that he was claimed to have done. I believe that he should be freed and all of his property returned to him. Along with any titles you may have taken from him. He has taken the Truth Potion so you know everything is the truth. And given the fact that Mr. Potter." This earned a hard glare from Law. "That Peter is in fact alive, you have him now and did all the crimes for which Mr. Black was blamed for I think you should free him."
"Yes," said Madam Bones. "Perfectly true."
In the complete silence that greeted these words, the witch to the right of Fudge leaned forwards so that Sirius saw her for the first time. But he knew of her and the plans Law had for her.
He thought she looked just like a large, pale toad.
She was rather squat with a broad, flabby face, as little neck as whale and a very wide, slack mouth. Her eyes were large, round and slightly bulging. Even the little black velvet bow perched on top of her short curly hair put him in mind of a large fly she was about to catch on a long sticky tongue.
"The Chair recognizes Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister," said Fudge.
The witch spoke in a fluttery, girlish, high-pitched voice that took Sirius aback; he had been expecting a croak.
"I'm sure I must have misunderstood you, Professor Dumbledore," she said, with a simper that left her big, round eyes as cold as ever. "So silly of me. But it sounded for a teensy moment as though you were suggesting that the Ministry of Magic should just let the man go free!"
She gave a silvery laugh that made the hairs on the back of Sirius's neck stand up. A few other members of the Wizengamot smirked with her. It could not have been plainer that not one of them was really amused.
"I believe that is what I said, Madam. Or are you saying that the Ministry approves of keeping a man who did nothing to be sent to prison," said Dumbledore politely.
She smirked, "well he did escape Prison and is an illegal Animagus."
Law stood up looking at her, "Sirius Black could only escape Prison since he is innocent and because he is an animagus. If he was not both there would be a man who is innocent still in that hell hole. I believe given the fact that the ministry did not give him a trial at all those should be whipped from his slate. I am also sure he be willing to become a register Animagus if you allow him to." Law had a slight blue glow around him. He was pissed this woman would pay. "If were going to do this Umbridge I can also motion my other reason I am here."
Everyone whispered thinking that Sirius was the only reason with Peter that he was here.
Umbridge glared back at the boy knowing that the decree in her pocket would make him regret going against him. Having gotten her paper approved from Fudge that day.
Law glanced at Madam Bones, who readjusted her monocle and stared back at him, frowning slightly.
A few of the wizards above them shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Fudge turned a slightly deeper shade of puce. The toad like witch on his right, however, merely gazed at Dumbledore, then Law, her face quite expressionless.
Madam Bones looked to everyone, to see that they were talking already among themselves. She looked to Law who was talking to the two men.
"Those in favor of clearing the witness of all charges?" said Madam Bones' booming voice.
Sirius head jerked upwards. There were hands in the air, there was only few hands not raised. Those Sirius knew had been death eaters.
Madam Bones had said, "And those in favor of conviction?"
Umbridge raised her hand, and noticed Fudge did not raise his hand. A hand full that were death eaters raised there hands. Including the witch on his right and the heavily-moustache wizard and the frizzy-haired witch in the second row. Fudge glanced around at them all, looking as though there was something large stuck in his throat. He took two deep breaths and said, in a voice distorted by suppressed rage, "Very well, very well… Cleared of all charges."
"Excellent," said Dumbledore briskly, springing to his feet, pulling out his wand and causing the chintz armchair to vanish. "Well, I must be getting along. Good-day to you all." And turned to Sirius giving him a look letting him know he wanted to meet him. Then turned giving Law the same look.
Madam Bones watched as Law left with Sirius and his men. She smiled and shook her head knowing he was going to change the world. Her smile grew wider as she thought of the fact she be able to find out info from Peter.
Law had left the Ministry and was now back on the school grounds. He could see Hagrid who did not have any classes till the next week, carrying some huge pumpkins up the school. "Hey Hagrid."
"Hello Law." He said smiling seeing Law with Bepo, Jean, and a large dog. Law said Sirius should hide, until the paper comes out and everyone knows the truth.
"So what are you doing with the Pumpkins?" Law asked walking up.
"Oh this is for the seventh years to carve, and first years. For charms class, Flickwick thought it be nice four the seventh years to get there minds off the newts." He smiled "Also it helps decorate the school."
Law smiled "well I have to get to Lunch I will see you later." He said and walked off to the great hall. Sirius took off to the headmasters office to wait.
Law walked up to the Gryffindor table and shook his head hearing them talk about classes.
"I'll bet you wish you hadn't given up Divination now, don't you, Hermione?" asked Parvati, smirking.
Parvati was curling her eyelashes around her wand and examining the effect in the back of her spoon. They were to have their first lesson with Firenze and Basil that afternoon.
"Not really" said Hermione indifferently, who was reading the a book Law had told the people in the H.A. to "I've never really liked horses, and Basil is weird."
She turned a page of the book and started writing some notes.
"He's not a horse, he's a centaur!" said Lavender, sounding shocked.
"A gorgeous centaur…" sighed Parvati. "And Basil is nice. He is tall and has that long hair."
"Either way, he's still got four legs," said Hermione coolly. "Anyway I thought you two were all upset that Trelawney had gone?"
"We are!" Lavender assured her. "We went up to her office to see her; we took her some daffodils - not the honking ones that Sprout's got, nice ones."
"How is she?" asked Neville.
"Not very good, poor thing," said Lavender sympathetically. "She was crying and saying she'd rather leave the castle forever than stay here where Umbridge is," Lavender was cut off by Parvati.
"And I don't blame her, Umbridge was horrible to her, wasn't she?"
"I've got a feeling Umbridge has only just started being horrible," said Hermione darkly.
"Impossible," said Ron, who was twirling his spoon in his onion soup. "She can't get any worse than she's been already."
"You mark my words, she's going to want revenge on Dumbledore for appointing a new teacher without consulting her," said Hermione, closing the newspaper. "Especially another part-human. You saw the look on her face when she saw Firenze. Then Basil Hawkins, she never liked him either."
Law smirked, "You know that is not all she will be mad about."
Hermione paled "What did you do?"
Bepo smiled, "He made Umbitch, and the Fudge guy look like morons today. And the Ministry too look horrible."
Hermione looked worried knowing that something bad was going to happen.
After lunch, Hermione departed for her Arithmancy class as Neville and Ron followed Parvati and Lavender into the Entrance Hall, heading for Divination. Ron was shocked seeing Law ahead of them.
"Aren't we going up to North Tower?" asked Ron, looking puzzled, as Parvati bypassed the marble staircase
Parvati looked at him scornfully over her shoulder.
"How d'you expect Firenze to climb that ladder?
"We're in classroom eleven now, it was on the noticeboard yesterday."
Classroom eleven was on the ground floor along the corridor leading off the Entrance Hall from the opposite side to the Great Hall. Everyone knew it was one of those classrooms that were never used regularly, and therefore had the slightly neglected feeling of a cupboard or storeroom. And many times the twins planed there pranks there.
Ron watched as Law walked into the class room and stretched. He went over to Basil and started to talk to him.
Ron was shocked looking around, and found himself in the middle of a forest clearing, he was therefore momentarily stunned.
"What the -?"
The classroom floor had become springily mossy and trees were growing out of it; their leafy branches fanned across the ceiling and windows, so that the room was full of slanting shafts of soft, dappled, green light. The students who had already arrived were sitting on the earthy floor with their backs resting against tree trunks or boulders, arms wrapped around their knees or folded tightly across their chests, and all looking rather nervous. In the middle of the clearing, where there were no trees, stood Firenze.
Firenze walked over to Law smiling.
" Law Trafagar," he said, holding out a hand.
Law smiled at Firenze, "You don't mind if I sit in and watch do you." said Law, shaking hands with the centaur, who surveyed him unblinkingly through those astonishingly blue eyes but did not smile.
"Not at all," said the centaur, inclining his white-blond head. "It was foretold that you would come to this class."
Law noticed there was the shadow of a hoof-shaped bruise on Firenze's chest.
Law looked at him and leaned in, "If anything happens or you get hurt come to me and I will help you out." Firenze nodded. As Law turned to go to the back of the room, he saw the rest of the students all looking at him in awe, apparently deeply impressed that he was on speaking terms with Firenze, whom they seemed to find intimidating.
When the door was closed and the last student had sat down on a tree stump beside the wastepaper basket, Firenze gestured around the room.
"Professor Dumbledore has kindly arranged this classroom for us," said Firenze, when everyone had settled down, "in imitation of my natural habitat. I would have preferred to teach you in the Forbidden Forest, which was - until Monday - my home… but that is no longer possible."
"Please - er - sir -" said Parvati breathlessly, raising her hand, "- why not? We've been in there with Hagrid, we're not frightened!"
"It is not a question of your bravery," said Firenze, "but of my position. I cannot return to the Forest. My herd has banished me."
"Herd?" said Lavender in a confused voice. "What - oh!" Comprehension dawned on her face. "There are more of you!" she said, stunned.
"Did Hagrid breed you, like the Thestrals?" asked Dean eagerly.
Firenze turned his head very slowly to face Dean, who seemed to realize at once that he had said something very offensive.
"I didn't - I meant - sorry" he finished in a hushed voice.
"Centaurs are not the servants or playthings of humans," said Firenze quietly. There was a pause, then Parvati raised her hand again.
"Please, sir… why have the other centaurs banished you?"
"Because I have agreed to work for Professor Dumbledore," said Firenze. "They see this as a betrayal of our kind."
Basil stepped forward. "I want all of you to know we will be working together to teach you. Professor Firenze here will be teaching how to read the stars. And then I will be teaching you the reading of cards. Now some days you will only have one of us here teaching." He said while putting his cards down. He looked to Law and smirked.
"Let us begin," said Firenze. He swished his long palomino tail, raised his hand towards the leafy canopy overhead, then lowered it slowly, and as he did so, the light in the room dimmed, so that they now seemed to be sitting in a forest clearing by twilight, and stars appeared on the ceiling.
There were oohs and gasps and Ron said audibly, "Blimey!"
"Lie back on the floor," said Firenze in his calm voice, "and observe the heavens. Here is written, for those who can see, the fortune of our races."
Neville stretched out on his back and gazed upwards at the ceiling. A twinkling red star winked at him from overhead.
"I know that you have learned the names of the planets and their moons in Astronomy," said Firenze's calm voice, "and that you have mapped the stars progress through the heavens. Centaurs have unraveled the mysteries of these movements over centuries. Our findings teach us that the future may be glimpsed in the sky above us -"
"Professor Trelawney did astrology with us!" said Parvati excitedly, raising her hand in front of her so that it stuck up in the air as she lay on her back. "Mars causes accidents and burns and things like that, and when it makes an angle to Saturn, like now -" she drew a right-angle in the air above her "- that means people need to be extra careful when handling hot things -"
"That," said Firenze calmly, "is human nonsense."
Parvati's hand fell limply to her side.
"Trivial hurts, tiny human accidents," said Firenze, as his hooves thudded over the mossy floor. "These are of no more significance than the scurryings of ants to the wide universe, and are unaffected by planetary movements."
"Professor Trelawney -" began Parvati, in a hurt and indignant voice.
"- is a human," said Firenze simply. "And is therefore blinkered and fettered by the limitations of your kind."
Law turned his head very slightly to look at Parvati. She looked very offended, as did several of the people surrounding her.
"Sibyll Trelawney may have Seen, I do not know," continued Firenze, and Law heard the swishing of his tail again as he walked up and down before them, "but she wastes her time, in the main, on the self-flattering nonsense humans call fortune-telling. I, however, am here to explain the wisdom of centaurs, which is impersonal and impartial. We watch the skies for the great tides of evil or change that are sometimes marked there. It may take ten years to be sure of what we are seeing."
Firenze pointed to the red star directly above were Law was sitting in the back.
"In the past decade, the indications have been that wizard kind is living through nothing more than a brief calm between two wars. Mars, bringer of battle, shines brightly above us, suggesting that the fight must soon break out again. How soon, centaurs may attempt to divine by the burning of certain herbs and leaves, by the observation of fume and flame… Then you have Uranus." He said and pointed to the planet which was glowing brightly. " This has started to glow twelve years ago. It means that a great about chaos is to come to this work. Something no one could have foreseen. Damage will happen or is happening."
It was the most unusual lesson Neville and Ron had ever attended. They did indeed burn sage and mallowsweet there on the classroom floor, and Firenze told them to look for certain shapes and symbols in the pungent fumes, but he seemed perfectly unconcerned that not one of them could see any of the signs he described, telling them that humans were hardly ever good at this, that it took centaurs years and years to become competent, and finished by telling them that it was foolish to put too much faith in such things, anyway, because even centaurs sometimes read them wrongly. He was nothing like any human teacher any one had ever had. His priority did not seem to be to teach them what he knew, but rather to impress upon them that nothing, not even centaurs' knowledge, was foolproof.
Basil had watched this wondering why teach something that they may never learn when they could learn something that would work.
Basil had stepped forward and Firenze nodded and left. "Alright everyone come forward and take a deck and circle up. "I know the telling of the cards. You can ask them something or let them just give you a message."
One girl raised her hand. "Yes."
"I was wondering since I know that muggles will try reading with cards too."
Basil nodded and started to use his ability to put the cards out in front of him. "That is because it is based of a true way to tell what will come. Before I came to this school, the cards told me so." He was laying the cards out and looked to Law. He then looked to the students. Now I have given each of you a deck. I will be going over what each card means and different spreads."
Law walked off to Albus office knowing he needed to get the talk over with. He smirked seeing Umbridge walking up ahead. And smiled seeing the twins near her. Fred had his wand out, and which made Law notice the bottle over her. He smirked seeing them have the potion drip on her with out her noticing. They then quickly took off walking stopping in front of Law who was smiling. "What was it?"
George smiled "Just a perfume to make her smell like a swamp."
Law grinned "Wish you did that to her this morning, now I would hurry and get away."
They nodded and turned around "Hey Law we still on tonight."
"Yeah we are."
Law went ahead and took a different route to avoid the horrible woman. Once he got to the office he saw that Sirius was in there with Remus both were talking and turned to see Law. Law looked to Sirius and nodded then to Remus. He turned to Albus "you asked me to come."
Albus nodded, "What do you know of the Order of the phoenix?"
A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter… Please tell me what you all think. You will be seeing the aftermath of the trial in the next chapter. Don't forget to review. And out of supernovas if another one appears who do you guys want to see?