Harry and Co.
Diagon Alley and St Mungo's.
The Wizengamot.
Hermione stood in front of Harry and Severus, her fingers tweaking and twitching fabric until it sat exactly where she felt it should. She stepped back, looked them up and down, noting the matching amused grins.
"Alright…" She sighed. "That's as good as you're going to get. How long before we have to leave?"
"Five minutes less than you asked last time." Harry replied.
"Which means five minutes from now." Severus added.
Minerva entered the sitting room. "Good, you're all here… Oh, don't you boys look smart? Hermione, you look lovely, dear."
"Thank you, Máthair." All three spoke as one, turning to face the older witch.
"Oh my… Harry? Your scar? What happened?"
"Mione and Sev had an idea. Instead of just blocking it, why not move it, too? I've always hated my lightning bolt scar, but that's only because of how I got it and what it means to everyone but me. So Sev suggested that instead of just blocking it, we move it, as well. Mione spent an hour, really early this morning, moving it. It's now just above my hairline."
"How…? I mean… How?" Minerva spluttered.
"Mione cut around it and turned it, so it's now going up into my hair and not down onto my face."
"I'm sure there was more to it than that."
"There was, it's only attached by the slimmest pieces of skin and there's a parseltongue stasis on it, too. Just to be sure. Tinrilla, or whoever does the final removal only has to snip two small tags of skin and it's done." Hermione added.
"And if Hogwarts' wards should detect it?"
"According to Gringotts' curse-breakers it won't, not under the type of stasis we used." Severus answered.
"Ah… good. Well, time to leave. Are you ready?"
"Yes, Máthair." Again the three spoke as one.
"Very well, I shall go first, then Harry, Hermione and Severus? I want you last, Dumbledore will be expecting for you and if I introduce your siblings first, he'll be off balance. He doesn't deal with the unexpected all that well."
"Yes, Máthair." The three said, all innocent faces and sweet smiles.
Minerva snorted in disbelief and flung a handful of floo-powder into the fireplace. "Hogwarts' Headmaster's Office." Her direction was clear and followed quickly by the day's password. "Staff meeting day."
When the flames cleared, Harry took a deep breath and reached for the powder.
"We can do this, Harry." Hermione said.
"We will do this." Severus corrected.
"We will." Harry agreed and stepped into the fire-place. "Hogwarts' Headmaster's Office… Staff meeting day." He repeated Minerva's words and was surrounded by green fire.
Harry stepped from the fireplace into the lower area of the Headmaster's office, he was greeted by a long forgotten voice.
"Ah Severus, my boy. So glad you could join us." Albus Dumbledore began only to be cut off.
"Oh, I'm not Sev." Harry denied. "He should be along in a moment."
"Wha…? Pardon?" The headmaster stammered in shock at being corrected.
The fireplace flared green and Harry held out a hand to Hermione as the flames fell.
"Thank you, brother." Her hand clasped his lightly, until she was clear of the fireplace and both turned back to the fireplace and waited. In only a handful of seconds the flames rose again and Severus joined them.
"Brother, sister." Hands reached for his and drew him from the flames.
"Severus?" Albus asked, confused.
"Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, may I present my children? Severus Snape-Urquart, Hermione Snape-Urquart and Henrick Snape-Urquart." Minerva beamed with pride.
"Your… your children? Minerva? Your children?" The questions came in a number of different voices, with Dumbledore's the last and clearest.
"Yes, Albus. My children. Stone and I discussed adoption many times, you know this. The only children we agreed on were the Snape children."
"But Severus is an only child."
"Hardly."
"But- but… There's three of them…" Albus muttered.
"Well of course there are, they're triplets, Albus."
"But… only Severus came to Hogwarts." Albus Dumbledore couldn't work it out.
"Yes, he was in Slytherin."
"But… but the other two?"
"Home-schooled, Albus."
"But… Why? Hogwarts is the premiere school in Europe."
"It was, but that still wouldn't have made it safe for triplets."
"But… but…"
"Albus. You know as well as I that He-Who-Must-No-Be-Named recruited here, that his followers subverted our students."
"But- but…"
"The triplets are mind-linked, Albus. They had to be kept safe. They were sent in three different directions, Severus came here, to Hogwarts, Hermione was schooled as a Muggleborn from England and Harry went backwards and forwards between the muggle world and the Wizarding world, here and in England."
"Mind-linked?" Albus' brows rose in shock.
"Of course, Albus." Minerva answered.
Poppy Pomfrey was the first of the current staff to step forward and greet the new arrivals. "Mind-linked? That would explain Mr Snape's demeanour during his time here."
"What? Why?" Albus demanded.
"Mind-linked siblings suffer a depression-like state when separated, Albus, it must have been a dreadful time for all three of them."
"For Harry and Severus, especially." Hermione sighed. "We might be able to touch our minds, but not being able to see or touch each other, physically, was… hard. And of course, there was no one to tell us that what we were experiencing was normal, so that made it worse. We did what we could to comfort each other, but…"
"Let's not forget James, Sirius and Remus" Harry trailed added.
"I'm sure Mr Potter and Mr Black meant no harm." Dumbledore offered.
"Oh no, we know they didn't, but at least their 'pranks' kept Sev from becoming even moodier. They tried hard to get him to smile, but they never quite got there." Harry continued.
"They tried…?"
"Well, yes. They were worried. James and Sirius were related… Mione? What was the connection, again?" Severus asked.
"James' grandmother Dorea, was Sirius' mother's aunt, Sev." Hermione answered.
"And James' mother, Euphemia is our mother's cousin." Harry added and it was true, Euphemia was Eileen's cousin on their mother's side, not that it was well known, especially with Eileen running off with a muggle and being disowned. It wasn't the sort of thing discussed in polite company.
"So the animosity between Severus and James?" Professor Flitwick asked.
"Oh, that was fairly real, at least as far as Lily was concerned. The rest was mostly to relieve the boredom, I think." Minerva replied.
"Yes, as soon as school was out and we were off the train, things settled back down and our prank wars went away." Severus added.
"Mostly…" Harry smirked. "You did turn Remus' hair silver and green, this morning."
"He deserved it, the blasted wolf transfigured a candle to look like my wand and put it in my wand holster." Severus muttered.
"True." Harry laughed gently. "I think the fact that you knocked him in the stream last night, might have had something to do with that, don't you?"
Severus' face lit up. "I have no idea what you mean, Harry. If the wolf didn't want to go for a swim he shouldn't have been wearing swim-shorts."
Hermione and Minerva just shook their heads in amusement, both at the bickering between Severus and Harry and at the expression on Dumbledore's face.
"Alright, lads, that's enough. We're here for a reason." Minerva's voice stopped the light-hearted squabble.
"Yes, Máthair." Both young wizards said.
Minerva sighed. "Albus, you said last week, that Horace is retiring and that you want Severus to take on the post of Potions Master? Correct?"
"Ah…" Dumbledore dragged his mind away from the possibilities that mind-linked triplets gave him and back onto the subject at hand. "Indeed, I do. Horace has been wanting to retire for a few years now, but I managed to get him to wait until there was a suitably trained replacement. It was Horace that suggested Severus undertake his Mastery and referred him to Master Webster." Albus lead the way to a group of armchairs and sofas, he gestured and waited for the others to sit before taking the seat at the head of the group. "I also need some to take on Head of House duties, too. Now, I know you're young, but that simply means that you will be able to relate to the students and understand and empathise with them."
"Headmaster? Harry, Hermione and I have discussed the matter in depth with Máthair and while I am prepared to take a contract with Hogwarts-"
"Wonderful, I'll just get-"
"Headmaster!" Harry cut Dumbledore off. "Please wait a moment. Máthair said there were a number of positions vacant right now. Potions, yes. But also Muggle studies, Ancient Runes and Magical Theory. And of course, DADA."
"Yes…?"
"Well, we were tossing the subject around and we believe that we may have a way around the… curse… on the DADA position."
Albus' brows rose sharply. "Really?"
"Yes. We believe that the 'curse' is specifically directed at the person who teaches DADA at Hogwarts, are we correct?" Hermione asked.
"Yes…"
"Well, in that case…" Hermione continued.
"… we have a most…" Severus added.
"… unusual solution to…" Harry joined the conversation.
"… the matter. Simply…" Back to Hermione.
"… hire two of us…" Now to Harry.
"… to cover the post." From Severus.
"If the curse is…" Hermione again.
"… directed at one person,…" Severus.
"… we give it two people." Harry.
"That would bypass…" Severus.
"… the initial condition…" Hermione.
"… of the curse and render…" Harry.
"… it inactive." And Severus to finish.
Eyes popped, all the professors looked from one to another, to the third, it was like watching a three-way duel. Totally disconcerting for all spectators.
"Ah…" Albus' mind reeled.
"Albus. You have a choice. Severus won't sign on without Harry and Hermione. Hermione won't sign on without Severus and Harry. Harry won't sign on without Severus and Hermione. You can either hire all three or none at all." Minerva cut to the bones of the matter.
"Ah…" Albus was still reeling.
"Miss Snape?"
"Snape-Urquart, Filius." Minerva corrected.
"My apologies. Miss Snape-Urquart? Messers Snape-Urquart? What are your qualifications, if I may ask?" The diminutive professor asked.
The triplets looked at each other and a silent conversation was had.
"Severus has his Masteries in DADA and Potions, he completed the second, just last week. Harry has the same and in the same order, but he was assessed last month by Gringotts' Master Tinwit. And I have DADA, Charms, Runes, Muggle-studies, History of Magic and Magical Theory." Hermione answered for the three of them.
"DADA, charms, runes… and… and…" Professor Sprout stammered.
"Six? You have six Masteries?" Professor Flitwick gasped.
"She's an over achiever." Harry offered.
"Harry! I am not, I just like to know how things are done." Hermione chided.
"Like I said… Over… Achiever…" Harry started and Severus joined him for the last two words, making it clear this was an old argument.
"I'm not…" She whined.
"Boys. Enough." Minerva chided.
Both men answered. "Yes, Máthair." And were silent.
While the professors spluttered and whispered among themselves, Dumbledore began to think. Could these three be right? Could it be that simple, to get around the 'curse'?
"Severus, I would prefer you to take on the potions position, as opposed to DADA." He began.
"Actually Harry and I thought…" Severus started.
"… that we might take on both, just…" Harry continued.
"… split them between us. Harry…" Severus went on
"… prefers to work with younger students…" Hermione cut in.
"… in potions, while I find it incredibly frustrating." Severus said bluntly.
"And Sev prefers to work with those…" Hermione began.
"… that want to learn, particularly…" Harry.
"… in potions, but older DADA students…" Severus explained.
"… tend to grate on his nerves, with…" Hermione grimaced, slightly. "To 'grate' was an understatement.
"… their desire to 'practice' in every class." Harry grinned.
"But that's Harry's specialty,…" Hermione said.
"… designing challenges for those…" And Severus added.
"… that think they know all the spells." Hermione
"His challenges show them…" Severus.
"… how little they know and…" Harry.
"… how much they still have to learn." Severus finished dramatically.
"For those that don't speak trilaterally, what Sev, Mione and Harry mean is… Harry would teach the junior years for potions, while Sev would take the juniors for DADA. Then Harry would have the seniors for DADA and Sev, for potions." Minerva explained.
There were a few nodding heads and some humming.
"That just might work." Professor Flitwick commented. "It would mean a little shuffling of the current schedule, though. Nothing drastic, but it would keep you pair very busy. Depending on how we work it out, you may get two free periods each week."
"We'd prefer to give that time to…" Harry started.
"… the 7th years, if you don't mind. If they…" Severus continued.
"… haven't had a consistent…" Harry went on.
"… teacher, they may …" Hermione nodded.
"…need it, especially with…" Harry emphasised.
"… NEWTs looming." Severus finished.
The diminutive professor shuddered, looking from one raven-headed person to another, before turning to Minerva.
"How… How do you stand this?" He asked. "It's like a… a… I don't know what." He stumbled to a halt.
"Ah… The best way is to think of them as a part of a whole. If you've only one with you, then it's not an issue, but if there's two or all of them together? Just assume that they are three parts of one whole with three mouths. Disregard who says what and listen to the whole. I don't really have an issue until they start ending a sentence the others haven't said out loud. That's annoying." The last sentence was directed at Harry and Severus in particular.
"I'll do my best, but I'm not sure how successful I'll be." Flitwick muttered.
"Miss Snape… Urquart…?" Dumbledore hesitated as he said the surname.
"Yes, Headmaster?" Hermione was calm and polite.
"If Severus and… Harry(?) were to join the Hogwarts' staff, which post would interest you? If I heard right, you have a number of Masteries?"
"Oh, yes. Well, I think we can rule out DADA and Charms. And Máthair said you felt you had someone for Muggle Studies?" Hermione answered.
"Indeed, I've asked Quirinus Quirrell to take over from Professor Templar." Dumbledore replied. "He isn't able to join us today, family matters, I'm afraid. But he will be moving into the castle later this week."
"That leaves Runes and Magical Theory." Hermione hummed in thought, not commenting on the Quirrell subject.
"Hmm… I do have a young woman interested in the Runes position, She's sitting her Mastery assessments later this week, but Magical Theory, however…?" Dumbledore trailed off, before adding. "Magical Theory is currently taught by Professor Townsend, but his health is failing and unfortunately more of his classes are being cancelled than held."
"And while the upper years can undertake self-study on the matter, the younger students don't know enough to get started." Madame Pomfrey warned.
"Yes…" Hermione hummed. "That's very true. What of elective students for Theory? Are there many?"
"Not that many, but enough to warrant a class. I believe there are only four students in 3rd year, eight in 4th and 5th years, six in 6th year and 5 in 7th year. Are you prepared to work with such small groups?" Albus said. "If necessary we may be able to shuffle they around to have joint classes."
"No, leave them separate, please. Small classes aren't an issue, it just gives a more personalised teaching experience and for the older years, it's a good preparation for working with a Master."
"Very true, very true. Well then, Miss Snape-Urquart, I would need to see your credentials, of course, but I believe if they are sufficient… and I doubt Minerva would bring anyone unacceptable… then I would welcome you as Hogwarts' Magical Theory Professor." Dumbledore said, a little pompously.
"Thank you, Headmaster." Hermione replied, holding her amusement in check.
"Severus, dear boy, will you and your brother take the potions and DADA positions?"
"We will." Severus answered.
"But we do feel…" Harry added.
"… it necessary that…"
"… a new contract…"
"… be written." Severus ended.
"Might I ask why?" Flitwick asked.
"The existing contract is for…" Harry started to reply,
"… the DADA position, for…" Severus went on.
"… one person, but…" Hermione joined in.
"… we're making it into…" And back to Severus.
"… two positions, juniors…" to Harry.
"… and seniors and having…" To Hermione.
"… two professors." And Severus to finish. "Hence a new contract."
Flitwick and Pomfrey both 'aahh-ed' in understanding.
"I see." Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, that would be a good idea." He stood and climbed the steps to the dais where a massive timber desk sat. "If you would be so good as to start on the employment packages, fill in details where needed, I'll get a start on that contract, hmm? Would you prefer a joint contract or two individual ones?"
"Joint please, Headmaster, otherwise the 'curse' may be able to target both of us." Harry answered.
"And we would prefer to avoid that." Severus added.
Dumbledore blinked, that hadn't occurred to him. "Yes, yes, that is a point. Very well, I'll scribble something down and then you can make suggestions."
"Thank you, Headmaster." Harry and Severus spoke together.
Flitwick shuddered slightly, he doubted he would ever get used to the way the triplets spoke.
For the next few minutes, the scratching of quills was the dominant sound, occasional comments were heard, but paperwork was the more important subject. Dumbledore brought over his contract draft and handed it to Severus, who handed it to Hermione, who proceeded to rewrite the whole thing and hand it back to Dumbledore. He read the new draft and a smile replaced the frown he'd worn when he'd seen Hermione scratch out most of his draft. Hermione's new draft had both positions connected and both men listed as taking the positions. Then there were the options for extra tuition for gifted students and restrictions on when detentions would happen and what they could be.
With Dumbledore and Hermione's agreement, Professor Vectra, the Arithmancy professor, elegantly rewrote the amended contract and witnesses the signing of it and the Magical Theory contract.
"Lovely!" Dumbledore beamed. "Now all that's needed is to sort out accommodation for you all."
"Accommodation isn't all that important, Headmaster." Hermione commented.
The night before, Remus had suggested letting Dumbledore know that they would be using their trunk 'house', otherwise there was a chance that he might accuse them of abandoning their students. Plus the triplet mind-link issue would give them reason to have extraneous accommodation that only a few specifically invited people could access. It took Remus and Hermione more than an hour to convince Harry that if it was worded just right, Dumbledore would not only allow it but actually approve of it.
"I'm sorry Miss Snape-Urquart, why do you say that?" Dumbledore frowned.
"It's just… well, we never managed well apart, so early on we come up with a solution. Linked trunks." Hermione replied matter-of-factly.
"Linked trunks? What?" The old wizard blinked in confusion.
"We linked our trunks to an accommodation trunk, Headmaster. That way we could have a few minutes together each day and at least once a week, we got to sleep in the same room." She sighed. "It was so hard, Headmaster. We'd been together fro so long and then suddenly we were apart. We slept badly, nightmares were almost nightly. We were always tried, our studies suffered and we were on the verge of breaking… When Harry came. He had a trunk that linked to another trunk, a central trunk. And from that central trunk, we could access a number of trunks, trunks he'd set up as study areas. A potions lab, a greenhouse, a garden, a runes chamber, a space just for transfiguration, a duelling arena and an accommodation trunk. Like a Wizarding tent, but in a trunk."
"It saved our sanity, Headmaster." Harry went on. "It meant that we could leave a single linked trunk at our Master's and step into it and be together."
"We included Remus after James and Lily died and Sirius… went to Azkaban. He needed a safe place to shift on full moons." Severus added. "And then when we finished our Masteries and we finally got permission from Lord Prince for Máthair and Stone to Blood Adopt us, we gave Máthair a trunk, too."
"I'm not sure tha-" Dumbledore began, only to be cut off by Harry.
"Oh no, they're secure, only someone blood-linked to the central trunk can enter any of the trunks. If we left one in, say… Diagon Ally… and someone took it home? They could open it, but not enter it, nor can they reset the security protocols, not while any of the blood-linked are still alive. We could invite them in, but… they can only enter or leave through the same trunk. They can't access any other trunks in other places."
"Ah…" The headmaster sighed.
"At this point in time, there are only five people that are blood-linked and have access to all trunks." Severus added. "Hermione, Harry, myself, Remus Lupin and Máthair."
"Remus Lupin?" Dumbledore mused.
"Yes, we made an expanded trunk into a forest that he uses when he shifts, once inside he can't leave until he's human again, Hermione set that as part of the security protocols when we gave him a trunk." Harry clarified.
"A secure space to spend his full moons." Dumbledore smiled.
"Much better than a shack on a hill." Severus nodded.
"Severus? Why did you and young Sirius fall out? The incident regarding the whomping willow?" Dumbledore asked.
"Ah… That's complicated. Sirius felt that I was trying to get between James and Lily. I mean, technically I had more in common with Lily than James did, but even I knew that Lily saw me as a brother, not a lover. But Sirius was blind to those sorts of subtleties and so, he took action. He never meant for me to be hurt, that wasn't what it was about." Severus explained.
"He wanted Sev to get into a position that James could 'rescue' him from." Harry added. "Exactly what happened. But of course Sev was so mad that Sirius put all of them at risk for no reason, he retaliated. The hexes and jinxes went to the next level."
"Why do you think Sirius and James were so good as Aurors? With Sev hitting them with low-level curses, jinxes and hexes, they were well accustomed to what was needed, to deal with Dark Idiots." Hermione grinned.
"They excelled in their training, Remus once said that James was dumbfounded that Moody offered them both apprenticeships, James took him up on it, but Sirius went into the Hit-wizard program, instead." Sev smirked.
"I understand that you called Lily a… inappropriate… name…?"
"Yes, that was a mistake." Severus sighed. "I was feeling particularly alone that week, Harry and Hermione were… unavailable and all week James, Sirius and Remus had been nagging me to show them my latest hex, but it wasn't safe, yet, and I kept saying 'no'. They didn't like it, so got Lily involved and that was just one step too far. I snapped and said something I regret to this day. But once said, I couldn't un-say it." Severus sighed again. "James was angry with me, so was Remus and Sirius. We'd only been back on speaking terms for a few weeks when… they…" Severus hung his head.
Hermione and Harry sat beside their brother, Harry with an arm around his shoulders and Hermione held his hand.
"But we saw them, Sev. You made your peace with James and Lily. I know it's little comfort, but at least you had that chance."
Severus leant against Harry. "Yes, brother."
"So…" Madame Pomfrey broke the strained atmosphere. "You'll be using your 'trunks', then? But what about office hours and students that wish to speak with you?"
"I'll be setting up a motion-sensor charm for each office. When a student knocks on, or opens an office door, the charm kicks in, it will alert whoever's supposed to be in the office that they are needed and it only takes a few seconds to walk from the trunk 'house' through the central trunk and out. If they're going to be more than a minute, an audio message is sent to the office, to tell the student to wait, that someone's on the way." Hermione explained.
"It does mean that when there are no students about, a professor doesn't have to wait in a cold or drafty office, Headmaster." Flitwick commented.
"Máthair mentioned that putting another protocol in place to ensure that students can't enter a trunk even with an invitation." Harry said.
"I have been thinking about that, Harry, and I think it need to be altered." Minerva corrected.
"Máthair?" Harry asked.
"Well, I don't think that students should be allowed in, no. But, what about when you are ready to take on apprentices? You'll want to show a prospective apprentice the facilities you and they will be using." Minerva explained.
"What about…?" Professor Vectra joined the conversation. "What if a student could be invited, but only if Minerva and a second, non blood-linked, professor was present? Would that cover any propriety issues? I'd be happy to join you. If, of course, the Headmaster permits."
"Yes, that would suffice. If Professor Snape-Urquart… hmm… What are we to call you three? Students would be dreadfully confused if we were to call all three of you Professor Snape-Urquart." Dumbledore muttered.
Harry, Hermione and Severus exchanged glances, a silent conversation going back and forth. The other professors could see it, there was clearly a conversation, but it was completely silent, not even a grunt or hum to be heard. After a few minutes all three nodded.
"We agree that calling us all Professor Snape-Urquart is not going to work. But how to differentiate between us? At first we thought, maybe Sev could be Professor Prince, as he's Heir Prince, he has an appointment to collect the Ring this afternoon. That would leave Harry and I. Harry is also Lord Harrington and I am Heir Enthwaite, so we could use those titles. But we felt that we're a bit to young and that it's a bit too stuffy for school. So, with your permission, Headmaster, we would like the students to call us Professor Severus, Professor Hermione and Professor Henrick. Formal enough, given our ages, to create enough of a divide between us and the students. But still casual enough that the students feel they can relate to us enough to talk to us about their school issues, but also about any personal issues they may have." Hermione spoke for the three of them.
Before the Headmaster could respond, the floo-fireplace flared and a voice emerged.
"Headmaster Dumbledore? Your presence is required. The Aurors and St Mungo's have questions that you may be able to answer. Please come through." The voice left, but the flames stayed green, waiting for Dumbledore to enter.
"You'd best deal with that, Albus." Minerva said. "I can give the triplets a tour and show them their quarters." The witch assured the old wizard.
"That would be quite helpful, Minerva. Thank you." Dumbledore turned the triplets. "And thank you, I look forward to working with you all." He stood and straightened his robes, before stepping into the flames.
"Shall we have a walk around? Sev can show you some of his favourite spots." Minerva offered.
Meanwhile in London, a plump redheaded woman was hurrying from Diagon Alley into Fraction Alley. Margaret 'Molly' Ethel Weasley nee Prewett was in a hurry. Her eldest son, Bill was minding the younger boys, while Ginny was with the Lovegood family. And heaven knew Fred and George could get into trouble without a second's warning. Having five children at home was tiring, but she managed, she always managed. With Bill and Charlie both at Hogwarts, she had a little more time to give the others, now. But it did mean that errands happened whenever Ron and Ginny went down for a nap, with Bill watching them, Charlie got the exhausting task of occupying the twins. Or like today, when the boys were all out in the garden de-gnoming a space for a new vegetable plot.
Sometimes she wondered whether she should have taken Muriel's advice and fostered one or two of them out? But… she was reluctant to let go of her children.
The last errand of the morning was to collect the dragon-pox boosters for Bill and Charlie, from Ladle and Vine, the apothecary in Fraction Alley. Molly darted into the store, pleased that there were only two other people in the shop and that only one seemed to be requiring the shopkeeper's attention. She quietly browsed the herbs, inhaling the scent of those freshly cut. As the lady in front of her left the counter, Molly approached, her prescription at the ready. She heard the door open, then there was a pause and a scream.
Molly spun around in fright. The lady served before her stood in the doorway, screaming. Molly and the shopkeeper both darted across the store, the shopkeeper pulling the lady back inside and passing her to Molly. He then re-opened the door, he and Molly caught their breath at the sight.
A small body, battered, bruised and bloody, lay on the doormat. Molly and the shopkeeper exchanged glances and Molly gently pushed the customer deeper into the shop.
"If you'll see to that, I'll call the Auror's." Molly nodding the direction of the door.
"Please." Was all the shopkeeper said.
Molly bustled the customer to the counter and left her with the other customer and hurried her way around the counter to the small floo-fireplace that the apothecary used for urgent deliveries. It took her two minutes to call the Aurors and St Mungo's, both assured her, they would send someone immediately.
By the time she stood upright again, footsteps could be heard running in the shop's direction. Molly desperately wanted to know what had happened, but both customers were close to shock and she didn't dare leave them.
An Auror approached and spoke to them for a few moments, but left saying that healers would bring them Calming Draughts in a few minutes, then someone would take their statements. Molly's mind ran in circles, darting from one thought to another.
While the healers dealt with the customers, a young black man wearing a trainee Auror's uniform approached Molly.
"Ma'am?" He said. "I've been instructed to take statements. Are you able to give me yours now?"
"Yes, yes, I can. Can you tell me anything about the child?" Molly asked as she answered.
"All I know is that the child has been taken across to St Mungo's, Ma'am." The young man replied.
"Oh, thank heavens." Molly sighed.
"Yes, Ma'am. Firstly, can I get your name and address?"
"Molly Weasley, The Burrow, Ottery St Catchpole, Devon." Molly answered.
"Thank you, Mrs Weasley. Now, about what happened? Can you tell me about your morning?"
"Nothing unusual at home, I sent my boys to de-gnome the garden and took my daughter to the neighbours, while I came to run a few errands."
"Where did you arrive?"
"I floo-ed to the Cauldron."
"The Leaky Cauldron, ma'am?"
"Yes, sir."
"Where did you go from there?" The young Auror asked, as a dicta-quill took notes for him.
"The first place I went was the second-hand bookshop, Abernathy's. My eldest son is starting 4th year at Hogwarts, this year and I thought I'd see if they had any of the textbooks he'll need.
"A wise move, why pay new prices if you can get good quality, second-hand?"
"Yes, exactly. So I picked up his Runes and Arithmancy books, then headed for the Ladle and Vine. With two boys heading to Hogwarts, I wanted to get their Dragon-pox boosters."
"Again, a wise idea. What happened next?"
"I browsed the herbs while the shop assistant tended a customer, when he finished with her, I made my way to the counter. Then I heard her scream. I turned and saw her just standing in the doorway, screaming. The assistant and I rushed over, he pulled her back and pushed her in my direction, I went to bring her back into the shop, as he opened the door again. I saw a child. It was covered in dirt and blood, but I could see bruises and at least two cuts. I brought the customer back inside and said I'd call the Aurors, if he'd check on the child. I sat the customer down at the counter and asked another customer to stay with her while I called the Aurors. I floo called you and then did the same to St Mungo's. I went back to the customers and sat with them until you all arrived."
"Good, good. I'm sure that was a comfort for them. Now, going back a little. Think about this before answering, ma'am. When you first caught sight of the apothecary's shopfront? Did anything seem out of place to you? Any shadows? Boxes? Bundles on the ground?"
Molly thought deeply for a moment. "There was a box. It wasn't big, not big enough for child to hide in." She thought a bit more. "Maybe big enough for a quaffle…" She trailed off.
"Right. Was there anything in the doorway? Leaning against the base of the window, perhaps?"
"No, no, nothing like that. I remember thinking, the shop sells pots of herbs and there was enough room under the window for a display stand. Something that would allow plants like sunflowers and sunstars to get natural light."
"So there was nothing in front of or beside the door?"
"No, I didn't see anything there." Molly assured him.
"Good, good. You said your boys were home alone? How old are they?"
"Bill's 15, Charlie's 13, Percy's 9, the twins are 7 and Ron's 5. Why?"
"My superiors may need to speak to you again and I'm not sure whether they will want you to stay on site. And I'm certain this has been an awful shock, the healer's may not want you alone. Perhaps… Perhaps I can get someone to contact your husband and get off work for the day?"
"Oh, would you? That would be…" Molly started to tremble, the falling adrenalin beginning to leave her shaky.
"You sit down here, Mrs Weasley and I'll speak to my team leader." The young Auror guided her to a seat and headed for the knot or Aurors.
In St Mungo's, the healers where frantic. The child brought in from Fraction Alley was barely breathing and they had no idea who he was. Diagnostic scans showed his organs had shut down, that he was starved, beaten, whipped and severely dehydrated. Given his condition and where he was found, Head Healer Malcolm Strout had decided to take the case himself and now he was regretting it.
A damp cloth was used to wipe the worst of the muck from the small body, as dirt and filth were removed, scars, cuts and bruises were left behind. A scar high on the right hand side of the boy's forehead caused Mal to blanch.
"Oh god, please no." He whispered.
Two minutes later, he sent a request to speak to the Aurors that attended the scene. It was too late, the boy let out a rattling breath and was still.
"Please not be him. Please not be him…" Mal chanted.
A tap at the isolation room door drew his attention. He nodded and waved the door open.
"Healer Malcolm Strout?" A young man wearing the deep red cloak of the Auror's uniform entered the room, closely followed by a tall heavily scarred man, also wearing Auror red.
"I am. You name, please?" Mal nodded first to Alastor Moody and then turned back to the younger man.
"This is trainee Auror Shacklebolt." The older wizard spoke for him.
"Moody? He with you for the whole case?" Mal asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Well, we have what could be a very bad problem."
"Mal?" Moody asked.
Mal said nothing, he just moved to stand beside the body on the table and lifted the dank and matted hair to reveal a single scar.
"Oh god…" Moody grimaced.
But the younger Auror frowned. "Sir?" He asked.
"What?" Moody snapped, he didn't like dealing with trainees, they asked the stupidest questions.
"Sir, Harry Potter's supposed to be five years old. There's no way that child is five years old, he's too small." Shacklebolt answered.
Both moody and Mal jolted. Their eyes both swung to the child and began a complete medical and physiological assessment. The answers didn't match, no matter how they laid it out, they didn't match. If this child was Harry Potter, then there were bigger problems than the fact he was dead. If he wasn't, then who the hell was stupid enough to mark a child with that famous scar and beat him, then kill him?
"We need an identity test." Moody finally ground out.
"And we need to keep this quiet, at least until we know who he is and who is supposed to be responsible for him." Shacklebolt added.
Moody studied the young black man. 'This kid might be worth training, properly.' He thought. 'We'll see how he does for the rest of the case.'
"True enough." Moody agreed, before turning to Mal. "Take enough blood for both Identity and Inheritance Tests, Mal. We'll need to get the goblins in for them." He grimaced. "I hate working with goblins." He muttered.
"Sir?" Shacklebolt raised a finger.
"What?"
"We don't know who this child is. Right?"
"Right." Moody grunted. 'Stupid question, kid.' He thought. 'Maybe he's not as clued in as he appears.'
"If we were to ask the goblins to do the tests, we could say there is the possibility that he's been kept alive and beaten because of who he is and so that his guardians could have access to any vaults."
'Or… maybe not so stupid, after all.' It hadn't even occurred to Moody to get the goblins on side by appealing to their hatred of theft.
"And if they disagree?" Moody answered.
"We don't know who he is, so we have no idea how many vaults his guardians may be able to access, if any. But if he is Harry Potter…?" Shacklebolt trailed off.
"If he is, we're in deep trouble." Moody sighed.
"Depends on who his guardian is and what level of access they have." The trainee corrected. "But even a trust vault…?"
"Floo the goblins, get someone over here and alert Family Services that we may be in for information. If we can get it from the goblins, that'd be better." Moody directed.
"Yes, sir." Shacklebolt nodded and nearly ran from the room.
"Enthusiastic." Mal snorted.
"Yeah." Moody agreed. "But at least he can think. That's more than most trainees can do."
"Isn't that the truth?" Mal grunted.
"So… give a run down, Mal."
"You really want it, Al?" The healer asked.
"No, but give it to me, anyway."
"Right…" Mal paused in thought. "Start with… He's extremely malnourished, at a guess, I'd say starvation for at least a year, maybe more. Given the condition of his organs, likely more. Actual injuries? Broken left arm, radius and ulna. Left hand, all five of the metacarpal bones broken, pinkie and ring fingers, middle and distal phalanges broken along with the proximal phalange for the pinkie. Still on the left, clavicle and scapula fractured but not snapped. Two hairline skull fractures. One rib fractured, two broken and evidence of at least four prior breaks. Left foot, at least half the bones are broken. I doubt this kid was ever able to walk, or if he did, it was with a decided limp."
"Gods." Moody whispered.
"Yeah." Mal nodded. "12 cuts, 34 contusions, two ruptured organs, spleen and kidney. Bleeding on the brain and severely anaemic."
"Any good news? At all?"
"He hasn't been raped? If you call that good?" Mal offered.
"It's something, at least." Moody sighed.
A tapping at the door and Shacklebolt opened the door, gesturing for the goblin to precede him.
"Sirs? This is Manager Bogrod. Manager? May I introduce Senior Auror Alastor Moody and Head Healer Malcolm Strout." Shacklebolt indicated to each as he said their names.
"Auror, Healer." The goblin nodded in acknowledgement.
"Manager." Both men replied.
"This is the… being to be tested?" Bogrod asked.
"It is, sir." Shacklebolt answered.
"It's already dead."
"He is, but without an identity, we can't progress any further in our case and you can't know if someone is using his vaults."
The goblin studied the young man, finally he snorted. "Very well." He drew a scroll of parchment from a pouch at his waist, along with a phial of lime green liquid. "You said Identity and Inheritance Tests?" At the answering nod, he continued. "You do know that an Inheritance Test is simply a more detailed version of the Identity Test, don't you?"
"Yes, sir, but we will need certified copies of the Inheritance Test for Family Services and the Wizengamot. And we weren't sure if what you would require to start an investigation into his vaults."
Moody nodded to himself. 'This one can think.'
"Well thought, Trainee." The goblin offered. "But not necessary. My memory of this will be enough to begin with. If anything turns up, that may change." He turned to the healer. "I suggest keeping a phial of the child's blood for verification purposes. As Head Healer, you can order a phial to be stored in the child's vault. We can access it only in your, or your successor's presence."
Moody nodded when Mal looked at him in askance. "Yeah, that's a common occurrence for Ancient and Noble Families. They have to have some way of verifying their dead. In fact, in most large Family vaults, you'll find a specially designed stasis cabinet just for blood samples. It's been years since an Ancient and Noble Family had a death contested, but it does happen. Usually with the more… messy deaths. The Potters were clean and as young Harry was alive and was the only living Family member, there was no need for contest."
"Right." Mal looked to the goblin. "How many drops do you need, again? Three or seven?"
"Seven, please, healer." Bogrod held out the phial and watched as Mal sliced the child's hand and collected the dull red liquid in a large phial, before using a dropper to add seven drops to the green liquid in the goblin's phial. Bogrod then replaced the stopper and gave the phial a shake, once the liquid inside turned a murky blue, he laid the parchment down in a large flat tray and poured the mixture over it.
"It shouldn't take very long. I doubt more than a few minutes." The goblin answered in reply to the unspoken question from all three men.
"Thank you, Manager. If you don't mind, gentlemen, I need to process the body, before I drop him into stasis. Everything must be documented." Mal warned.
"Of course, Healer Strout." Shacklebolt stepped towards the door and sat on the bench beside it.
Moody and Mal exchanged glances and the Auror nodded. With a glance at the goblin, Moody stomped his way over and slumped down beside the young black man.
"Shacklebolt?"
"Sir?"
"From now on you work with me. Not just this case, but until I say otherwise, get it?"
Shacklebolt frowned. "What about the director? Isn't she the one that determines partnering?"
"Normally, yes. But she knows I hate working with brain-dead trainees, so if I say I want you with me, I get you with me. I'll take your training in hand, by the time I finish with you, you'll be good enough to take on, if not the directorship, then at least, her assistant."
"Oh."
"But fair warning, lad. I'll work you hard and I'll expect you to put in 100%. I won't expect you to succeed at everything, but if you don't try, I'll drop you back in with the other brain-deads. Alright?"
Shacklebolt thought and thought, but he couldn't see how he could loose out in this deal. He wanted to learn, to train, to be the best he could be. To have a senior Auror of Moody's calibre offer to take him on was unexpected, but if he was prepared to put the work in, it could be very rewarding.
"You get the director to sign off on it and I'm in." He said, nodding his head.
"Right." Moody said nothing more for a few minutes, until the goblin lifted the parchment from the tray and frowned.
"Looks like we're up." Moody grunted. "Take point."
"Yes, sir." Shacklebolt stood and after a deep breath he crossed to join the goblin and the healer.
"Good, the Test is complete. It raises questions." The goblin handed the test to the young Auror.
Shacklebolt held the test where the three humans could all read it, easily.
HENRY JAMES POTTER-BLACK (31 July 1980 – 06 August 1985)
Mother – Lillian Jasmine Evans (30 Jan 1960 – 31 Oct 1981)
Father – James Fleamont potter (27 Mar 1960 – 31 Oct 1981)
Father (Blood Adopted – 4 November 1980) – Sirius Orion Black (3 November 1959 – )
TITLES –
Potter (birth – father)
Black – heir (Blood adoption – father)
Braxton (bequest)
VAULTS –
625 – Potter. ʛalleons, sickles, knuts, books, artefacts, portraits, jewellery, property
687 – Trust. – Potter. ʛalleons, sickles, knuts, books, letters
912 – Trust – Black. ʛalleons, sickles, knuts, books, letters
1979 – Assigned Multi-Bequest vault. ʛalleons, sickles, knuts, books, artefacts, portraits, jewellery, property
BEQUESTS
Abbey - ʛ200
Abraham - ʛ200
Acton - ʛ100
Adams - ʛ1000
Appleton – ʛ2000
Barclay - ʛ20
Beckwith - ʛ9438, δ291, κ1221, 803 books, 691 artefacts, 37 portraits, 1584 pieces jewellery…
And so it went on for a few more pages.
"Oh crap." Moody groaned.
Shacklebolt sighed. "This is gonna be bad, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is." The healer answered.
"Right. Manager Bogrod? Would you please make three copies and certify them? I'll need the original for St Mungo's, a copy for Family Services, one for the DMLE and the third for the Wizengamot." Shacklebolt held his dismay and anger in check. They needed to know how this could happen before they went on a rampage.
"Certainly, young Auror." Bogrod drew three blank scrolls from his pouch and with a swipe of a crystal, all three matched the one that Shacklebolt held. Each had the Gringotts watermark shimmering over the ink, indicating a certified document.
"Thank you, Manager." The young Auror turned to Moody. "Anything I forgot, that I need to do?" He asked.
"Not so far." He turned to the healer. "Mal? You got this? Finish up, drop him in stasis and lock him down. My approval only. Don't trust anyone, got it?" The healer nodded and Moody turned back to the trainee. "You're point and I'm backup, try not to screw up, kid."
"Family Services, first. Yes?"
"Yeah."
At the Wizengamot.
Chief Warlock Thomas Marchbanks thumped the Wizengamot gavel on the rostrum.
"I open the floor for new business." He spoke clearly and with authority.
For a few seconds there was silence, then…
"I would make a request of the Wizengamot." A voice came from the rear seats.
As it did a man stood, he was older, but his back was unbowed, he stood straight and gave an impression of a height greater than his stature suggested. He wore dark green and grey, a morning suit under formal robes.
His appearance was met with whispers.
"L-Lord Black?" Marchbanks stammered.
"Indeed." Lord Arcturus Orion Black eased his way through the rows of seats, until he reached the open floor in front of Marchbanks.
Marchbanks glanced around the room and saw no objections. "I cede the floor to Lord Black." He acknowledged and sat in the chair behind the Chief Warlock's desk.
The room was deathly silent, it had been almost a decade since Lord Black had last attended the Wizengamot in person, he preferred to have his solicitors represent his House.
"Thank you, Chief Warlock." He nodded. He turned to face the gathering of people that represented the Wizengamot. "I thought my request simple, but it is becoming anything but. Allow me to provide a little context?" When the Chief Warlock nodded, Black continued. "The death of my niece Walburga, last month, reminded me that, in my Will, her son Sirius Orion Black is named as Heir to my Lordship. As we all know, Sirius was sent to Azkaban for the betrayal of the Potters and the murder of Peter Pettigrew and 12 muggles. It prompted me to update my Will. I sat with my solicitor and wrote up what I believed to be in the best interests of my House. From there I went to Gringotts to have the document certified." He paused. "You can understand my confusion, I'm sure, when the certification refused to take."
A burst of whispers rose in response to his comment.
"After a number of interruptions and failed attempts, finally Ragnok, the Director himself, appeared. When his attempt at certification also failed, he and his Managers determined that the only major change I'd made between the new Will and the one already on file and certified, was the removal of Sirius as Heir. They expressed the opinion that Lady Magic considered him still Heir. Ragnok informed me that the only way they could circumvent Lady Magic, was to present a record of his conviction for murder. I, of course, commented that they should already have this on file. Ragnok and his Managers denied ever having received any such documents and suggested a trip to the public archives."
More whispers. The goblins never lied, they may not tell the complete truth, but they never lied. If they said they never received Sirius Black's conviction, then they never received it.
"I spent the weekend going over all my documents regarding Sirius, but like the goblins, I found no notice of his conviction. As Lord of his House, I most certainly should have. I determined to visit the Public Archives, as soon as they opened on Monday. I needed a resolution. Master Archivist Blakely was extremely helpful, but I left there with more questions and no answers."
"Might I ask, what you found, Lord Black?" Adelbert Rosier asked.
Black sighed. "I found little, Lord Rosier. Six documents. That is the sum total of Sirius Black as far as the Public Archives are concerned."
Silence reigned.
"Six documents? Please enlighten the Wizengamot of these documents." The Chief Warlock requested.
"I found his birth notice, OWLs, NEWTs, Apparition licence, Graduation and Auror academy acceptance."
"Excuse me?" Marchbanks asked. "You found what?"
"His birth notice, OWLs, NEWTs, Apparition licence, Graduation and Auror academy acceptance."
"Nothing else?"
"Nothing else." Black replied.
"But… but…"
"Nothing." Black sighed again. "Master Blakely suggested coming to the Wizengamot and asking for access to the Wizengamot's Court Archives." He paused. "So… here I am. Asking permission."
Marchbanks stared at Black for a few seconds. "Ladies and gentlemen of the Wizengamot? One of our own is before us, asking for access to our Court Archives. Do we grant him that access?" He asked formally. "Who will speak on his behalf?"
Rosier spoke. "I will speak for him. I would bid the Wizengamot grant him permission. However… I would also request that the records are brought here, to the Wizengamot Chamber. Now. To allow someone, anyone unlimited access to such records is folly and invites subterfuge. Have the records brought here, so that the Wizengamot may witness the search. Then, all here may bear witness that our peer's conduct is beyond reproach and that the answers he receives are valid."
There were many heads nodding and many voices agreeing.
Marchbanks nodded. "All in favour of Lord Black's request?" Wands were lit. "Against?" Not a light to be seen. "Very well, I shall call upon the Archivist." Marchbanks went to a small door off to the side of the main chamber, he knocked gently and when the door opened, he bowed. "Master Archivist, the Wizengamot requests your presence."
A tiny man, not much taller than a goblin emerged, bent almost in half with age, he leant heavily on a stick. He tottered across the room to the Chief Warlock's desk and waited quietly.
"Master Archivist, we require the Court Ledgers for November and December 1981." Marchbanks asked.
The little man nodded and without out a word, tottered back the way he'd came. The door remained open behind him, but no one saw him once he'd crossed the threshold. Two minutes later, he emerged again, a trolley being pushed in front of him. On it rested two ledgers.
"I request projection orbs, please, Chief Warlock. If all here are to bear witness, they must be able to see and read what is written." Lord Rosier stated.
"Agreed." Lord Black said. "I support Rosier's request."
"Granted." Marchbanks replied and pulled a small round glass ball from a drawer. With a flick of his wand the orb rose to float above the desk. A second flick and a beam of light emanated from the orb, lighting up a portion of the desk, a second beam of light and an image of the desk now graced the wall behind the Chief Warlock's desk.
"Master Archivist, we require information regards Sirius Orion Black. What entries can you show us?"
The Archivist tapped a book and it floated from the trolley to the desk, to come to a rest in the orb's light, a corresponding image showing on the wall. The Archivist opened the book and a finger at the top of the pages tapped the date, 1st November 1981. He began to run a finger down the six names in the first column, none of the were Sirius Orion Black. He turned the page and again tapped the date, 2nd November 1981 and went down the list of names.
Sirius Orion Black was the fifth name present and the Archivist tapped his finger against the details.
Name: Sirius Orion Black, age 21
Summary: Warrant of Arrest.
Issuing Officer: Bartemius Crouch Snr.
Charge: Murder.
Arresting officers: Alastor Moody, Robert Hemple
Action: Remanded to Holding cells.
"Finally." Black sighed. "May we have a copy of this?" A wand tap from the archivist and a piece of parchment appeared. "Chief Warlock may I request a second orb? I'd like this extract to remain visible, while the Archivist searches further."
In response Marchbanks produced a second orb and with it a second patch of desk lit up and the newly conjured extract was placed under the second orb.
"Please continue, Master Archivist." Marchbanks directed.
For the next few minutes the Archivist flicked through the pages of the November ledger, but no more entries regarding Sirius Black were found. The December ledger provided nothing more.
"Master Archivist, this is most unusual. May we have all the ledgers for 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985, please? Answers must be found." Marchbanks was beginning to get a sinking feeling.
The Archivist nodded and after placing both books back on the trolley, he pushed it back through his door. Again, the Wizengamot waited and again, thankfully, it was only a minute or two and the trolley appeared. The first ledger floated to the desk and was opened. It took the tiny man almost an hour to go through all 36 ledgers for 1982, 1983 and 1984. A further tem minutes saw the seven ledgers for the current year, 1985 checked.
The results were staggering and left the Wizengamot in shock.
Nothing. That was what they found. Nothing.
"Master Archivist?" Marchbanks sighed, there were only two ways Black could have been sent to Azkaban without going through the Wizengamot Court. An Unnamed trial or he was sent there illegally. "We request contact with the Unnamed and access to their records."
Marchbanks words brought sudden silence to the chamber. The Unnamed were unknown, every one of them shared the same face, every one of them was dangerous and every one of them answered only to the Queen.
The Archivist nodded and after gathering up his ledgers, pushed his trolley back through his door. The door remained open but nothing was seen for minutes. Then another trolley emerged. Upon it were four boxes, each seamless surface, highly polished and reflective. But the man that pushed the trolley wasn't the tiny Archivist, this man was tall and wore the face of the Unnamed, on his chest a curious design.
Two crossed wands superimposed over a ball of exploding firework-type sparks. The symbol of the Master of the Unnamed.
"Master Rumour" Marchbanks gasped.
"Chief Warlock." The man's voice was light and soft, but everyone present knew what an Unnamed was capable of.
"Master Rumour, we of the Wizengamot request the assistance of the Unnamed. Wizengamot Court Ledgers show no record of action taken against Sirius Orion Black, an accused murderer, who currently resides in Azkaban. We ask would if you have record of his trial and what sentence was handed down?" Marchbanks stated.
Rumour nodded and turned to the chamber. "Each of these boxes are the records for an entire year. A simple wand tap and hold on a box and recite the accused's name. If we have a records regarding that person, parchment will form on the top of the box and may be removed for your records. If nothing appears, no record bearing that person's name is found. As an example… every box bears the records of the first person to undergo an Unnamed Trial and be executed as a result, Mr Pericles James Stampson. We use this as an example to indicate the functionality of each box." He paused. "A warning should be given. A record bears the names of many people, the accused, the victim, the arresting officers and the authorising officer, to name a few. If your accused is named anywhere on a record, that record will appear. Do you still wish to continue?"
Marchbanks looked at Lord Black, the man sighed but nodded.
"Yes, please, Master Rumour." The Chief Warlock replied.
"Very well." Master Rumour walked around the trolley, so that it stood between him and the room, everyone present would be able to see his actions. "Pericles James Stampson." Master Rumour drew a long thin wand from his sleeve and tapped it on the first box. A single sheet of parchment appeared and Rumour slid it from the box and under the projection orb for all to see.
Name: Pericles James Stampson, age 32
Summary: Warrant of Arrest.
Charge: Assault, Torture, Murder.
Arresting officers: John T. Heading, Lucas J. Meade
Action: Execution.
"The accused's name, please?"
"Sirius Orion Black." Marchbanks answered.
"Sirius Orion Black. " He said clearly.
At first there was nothing, then a parchment faded into being, it slid from the top of the box and was closely followed by a second. And a third. And a fourth. Parchment kept coming, page, after page, after page. When the parchments stopped appearing, Rumour moved to the second box and tapped it, saying the name 'Sirius Orion Black', again. Again parchment began to emerge. Again, Rumour waited until it stopped, before moving to the third box and repeating his actions. This box released just the one sheet of parchment and Rumour was able to move to the last box. The last box, the one for the current year, released no parchment.
"Chief Warlock? I request the Wizengamot's permission to remain. It is my understanding that Sirius Black was tried by the Wizengamot not the Unnamed. I would know which is correct." Rumour said.
Marchbanks looked around the room and every person whose eyes he met, nodded.
"Very Well, Master Rumour, you may remain. Clerk of the Court? A seat for Master Rumour, please." Marchbanks directed and a young witch hurried over with a chair that she placed beside the Chief Warlock's desk.
"Thank you, miss." Rumour said.
"You're welcome, Master Rumour." The witch replied.
Marchbanks gathered each parchment that had come from the Unnamed's Record boxes and bundled them together. He removed the record of Mr Stampson and placed it in front of Rumour. He then pulled a sheet of parchment from the pile collected and laid one under the projection orb.
Name: Paul Michael Robb, age 31
Summary: Warrant of Arrest.
Charge: Kidnapping, Torture, Murder.
Arresting officers: James F. Potter, Sirius O. Black
Action: Execution.
"Not what we are seeking." Marchbanks commented and removed the sheet, it joined that of Mr Stampson and another took it's place.
Name: William Harold Butler
Summary: Warrant of Arrest.
Charge: Assault, Torture, Murder, Cruiatus Curse.
Arresting officers: James F. Potter, Sirius O. Black
Action: Execution.
"Again, not what we seek." The sheet was removed and another laid down.
Name: Matthew Anthony Paige, age 44
Summary: Warrant of Arrest.
Charge: Kidnapping, Assault, Murder.
Arresting officers: Franklin R. Longbottom, Sirius O. Black
Action: Execution.
One by one, sheets were laid under the projection orb and read. One by one, they were discarded. Until only one remained.
Name: Benjamin Bruce Bates, age 27
Summary: Warrant of Arrest.
Charge: Kidnapping, Torture, Murder, Cruiatus Curse, Imperius Curse, Killing Curse.
Arresting officers: Sirius O. Black, Benjamin S. Fenwick
Action: Execution.
There was silence.
"It seems we have a problem." Marchbanks stated. He checked the original Arrest Warrant and noted the issuing officer and the arresting officers. "I want Crouch Snr, Moody and Hemple brought here, immediately. Do not inform them of why." He ordered the clerk.
"Yes, sir." The clerk left the chamber. She left behind a riotous cacophony of noise.
"With no documentation to verify whether or not Sirius Black was granted a trial, let alone earned a verdict of guilty, he should be granted a retrial. I want him removed from Azkaban, immediately." Lord Black demanded. "If he is guilty, I will personally return him to Azkaban, but if he is innocent…? He's been there for almost four years, he will require healers and quite probably a mind-healer, too."
"If it pleases the Wizengamot, I will retrieve Heir Black. No guards will refuse a member of the Unnamed." Rumour offered.
Marchbanks looked around the room, many people called out 'aye' or 'yes', those that didn't, just nodded, not able to speak for the shock.
"That would be much appreciated, Master Rumour." Marchbanks quickly found the appropriate documents and filled them in. "Authorisation for his removal, Master Rumour." The parchment was held out to the Unnamed.
Master Rumour took the sheet and left through the Archivist's door.
"It appears, Lord Black that you were correct. A request that is anything but simple." The Chief Warlock sighed. "We will have an answer before the day is done." He paused as a tapping at the chamber door was heard. "Lord Black, I would suggest taking a seat, if we are to retry your Heir, I must insist on discretion. We will not alert the witnesses until all three and Black are present."
"As you wish, Chief Warlock." Lord Black made his way back to the seat he'd vacated and made himself as comfortable as was possible in the circumstances.
In the absence of the clerk of the court, the Chief Warlock was the only person permitted to open the main chamber doors. Upon opening them, he saw the clerk with two men, one of which was Barty Crouch.
"I called for Hemple and Moody in addition to Crouch." Marchbanks stated.
"Yes, sir. Auror Moody is on duty, sir. Madame Bones will have him sent down as soon as he returns to the office, she did however say that it could be a while, they are investigating the beating murder of a child."
Marchbanks winced. "Thank you. I would have you remain here, waiting for Moody, alert us the moment he arrives. Gentlemen, enter." Marchbanks gestured to the chamber.
"Good morning, Thomas. Why have I been summoned?" Crouch asked, in a demanding manner.
"You have been summoned to what will be an emergency session of the Wizengamot for a retrial for a man whose first trial documentation is suspected of being tampered with. Be seated. The Accused is being retrieved." He closed the chamber doors and heard the locking mechanism click into place.
As he returned to his seat, the door to the Archivist's office opened and Master Rumour re-entered, holding the arm of a skinny, dirty man.
"Sirius Black!" Bartemius Crouch gasped, knowing his day had gone from good to bad, to far worse.
Millicent Bagnold = minister for magic Hufflepuff
Rutherford Poke = head healer st Mungo's Ravenclaw
Eustace Fawley = chairman board governors Hufflepuff
Minerva's house = 56°57'00.4"N 2°37'18.1"W
Characters
Harry – Nero – Henrick Oakley Snape-Urquart, Lord Harrington-Peverell-Gryffindor-Slytherin, Heir McGonagall, panther
Severus – shadow – Severus Elphinstone Snape-Urquart, Lord Winterbourne, Heir Prince, panther
Hermione – sabre –Hermione granger, lady Ravenclaw-Enthwaite, panther
Minerva – Madame Thistle – Minerva Isobel McGonagall, Lady McGonagall, tabby cat
Remus – Mooney – Remus john lupin, ex-werewolf, silver wolf
Sirius – Padfoot – Sirius Orion Black, heir Black, grim
Telli – McGonagall house elf
Dalli – McGonagall house elf
Kreacher – Harry's house elf
Dobby – Harry's house elf
Schools
Europe
Mediterranean & Africa
Americas
pacific
Britain - Hogwarts
Egypt
USA – Salem institute
Australia
France – beauxbatons
Morocco
Canada - gold feather academy
New Zealand
Sweden – durmstrang
Somalia
Argentina
China
Greece –- (Apollo's school of the sun)
South Africa
Brazil
India
Russia – imperial college
Japan
Remember the womping willow. Ron crashed a car into it. - harry
What? How? - Sirius
It was a flying car. It didn't like us much after that. – harry
The car didn't like you? - Sirius
Nope it ran away into the forbidden forest. -harry
It ran away? It was a car. Cars don't' run away. -Sirius
Yeah but didn't it rescue you from acromantula later? – Hermione
And as soon as we were out of the forest it dumped us at Hagrid's and disappeared back into the forest, I think it liked being a wild car. - harry
It was a car, cars don't do wild… do they? – Sirius
That one did. – harry
Legilimens suscipiat = Legilimens retain
Agnoscisier = recogniser
Brònach = dear
Relinquo = release
Magia media figura fama ocular = magic centre shape report visual
Celeritate est apud me = time is at my speed.
Est sicut elegit = time is as my choice
Máthair = mother (Scottish Gaelic)
visus emin = sight written
memoria typis = memory printed
scripta typis = writing printed
Slàinte = cheers (Scottish Gaelic)
balach milis = sweet boy
my mhac = my son
mo mhic = my sons
ar mic = our sons
Dieser Abschaum saugt, schleimige seelenlose... Schnecke! = That scum sucking slimy soulless slug!
mergitius = fire dousing charm
Tempus-et-locus charm = time and location charm
Goblins hunt and destroy wraith-voldy in Albania.
Horcrux
Made
murdered
destoyed
diary
13 June 1943
Myrtle warren
29 may 1993
Ring
August 1943
Tom riddle snr
July 1996
Locket
1946
Muggle tramp
28 dec 1997
Cup
1946+
Hepzibah smith
2 may 1998
Diadem
1946+
Peasant
2 may 1998
Harry
31 oct 1981
Lily potter
2 may 1998
nagini
1994
Bertha jorkins
2 may 1998