A/N: Some have been asking about the H/Hr pairing. They are first years, there will be no pairing until later, it is why they aren't stated as a pairing in the story notes unlike Narcissa and Lucius. They will be the romance for this story. Yes, Harry and Hermione will be paired, but not at eleven.

Chapter Twenty Two

"About damn time." The hoarse sounding voice said as he stepped back against the wall and held out his wrists for the magic suppressing handcuffs. "Moody, what are you still doing active? I thought you were going to retire when old Voldiewarts was dead."

"Black." Moody looked at the wasted wizard and found that the man was sane and seemed to still have all his faculties. "You once asked me to trust you. I did and we both survived a certain battle. Bones here thinks you might be innocent of killing Pettigrew and betraying the Potters."

"MadEye, if you have the time, I have quite the story for you." The wizard replied as he was led out of the cell.

"Want a lawyer?" Moody asked as they walked towards the exit to Azkaban.

"Will I actually get the chance to defend myself?"

"Boy, you tell me a story I like on our trip to dry land and I will make damn sure you have all the time in the world," Moody replied as he ripped the threadbare shirtsleeve. Noticing the distrust in Black's eyes, he let out a loud cackle that had the aurors stepping back. "Just double checking, Black. Just double checking."

Alastor Moody was stunned at what he had heard as the small boat crossed the North Atlantic between Azkaban and England. Looking at the wizard with barely the strength to talk and he wanted to call him a liar, but unfortunately, too many things made such awful sense now.

Looking at Amelia Bones, he saw that her eyes had gone from suspicious of Black to horrified at what he had endured. "Boy, do you think that Dumbledore did this deliberately?"

Sirius looked at the wizened old auror and said "I don't know. I hope he didn't, but to be honest, I have too many doubts about him."

"We don't jump to conclusions, but we make sure we protect you just in case." She grimly replied.

"My godson...does anyone know what happened to Harry?" He asked.

"He is a first-year student at Hogwarts. I don't know much more than that. I do know he made the Quidditch team already as a seeker." Amelia reported. Noticing Moody's eyes on her, she rolled hers at both of them. "All men are boys when it comes to Quidditch."

"Where is he living?" Sirius asked. "With Frank's mother?"

"No, the headmaster sealed James and Lily's will, Sirius. Told me that our world was too broken to hear that you were named as Harry's godfather and guardian." Moody replied.

Amelia flinched at that statement as she said: "I am going to speak to someone in the Children's Placement Department, see what they know."

"Was there, it listed me, Alice and Frank then McGonagall if anything happened with Remus to step up if McGonagall got custody of Harry," Sirius replied as he felt warm for the first time in years thanks to a warming charm cast on him by Amelia.

"What about the disposition of their assets," Amelia asked. Seeing the questioning expression on Sirius' face, she said "Most crimes not the result of fanatics are the result of one of three things. Financial Assets, power or desire."

"Harry inherits the entire vast Potter estate minus some small payouts," Sirius replied. "As for power, yes, that is a possibility. Harry not only inherits the traditional Potter assets but they also invested in the muggle world as well. He is also heir to the Peverell legacy and his line can be traced back to the founders."

"Just before they went into hiding, Lily learned that she wasn't the muggleborn she had always believed. I never learned the whole story, we had bigger things to deal with, but she had been shocked by something she learned." Sirius replied. "I know she was worried."

"Sirius, Harry has been friendly with the Malfoy boy, any connection?" She asked.

"None, unless they think he inherits the Black estate. Harry doesn't, I did leave him the funds I inherited from my great uncle and the money that his grandfather invested for me in the muggle world which is a rather large sum but nothing to sneeze at compared to the Potter wealth. I figured I was disowned anyhow." He replied with a shrug.

Amelia looked at Sirius and when they were back at the Ministry arranged for him to be sequestered in a private room that only she would be able to access. Seeing his concern, she replied, "I don't know who to trust and if something were to happen to me, the knowledge would be public, so relax, you are safe even if I were to die."

Moody nodded grimly at Sirius and said "I will check with Tonks, see if he still is interested in representing you. Maybe do a look-see on your godson while I am at it."

"Stay away from Potter." Bones ordered. "Until we know what and how we avoid Hogwarts until Sirius is released by the Wizengamot."

Frozen

Narcissa Malfoy was still feeling a little tired as she woke up that morning, but she knew she had to get an early start to her day. When Lucius entered the bedroom dressed and ready to go, she frowned at the unusually tense look on his face.

"Dobby?" She called out and when the house-elf arrived she asked him to bring them breakfast to their bedroom. Once he had left, she greeted Lucius who said that he had some reading to do before they left.

"I received a note from Fudge this morning." He answered as she went to prepare for her day.

Narcissa was standing in the middle of her closet, trying to figure out the appropriate outfit for her convicted sister's second trial. Soon wearing robes in a somber dark blue color and grimacing as she pulled her hair back off her face and neck.

Her only jewelry was her wedding ring and the black onyx studs in her ears. Returning to the bedroom to find Lucius putting aside the note he had been reading, she asked if it was anything important.

"Fudge apologizing for the upset to our family." He replied a bit put off by the way it sounded as if Bellatrix was already dead. "He said he would understand if we didn't wish to attend today."

Frozen

Augusta Longbottom sank into the chair opposite Amelia Bones and gave a small sigh of relief while inwardly thanking Merlin for the woman's death. "Are you sure?"

"Saw the body myself," Amelia replied. "I am keeping it quiet until we have today's trial, just in case."

"I wish I could say that it wasn't possible," Augusta replied. "Dumbledore has always been a little off, a little too sure of his path. He plays at being kind and understanding, but there is always a touch of it's my way no other way is acceptable. I knew from Frank that Sirius felt the light was losing the war following Dumbledore's path. That Potter felt the same."

"Would he really betray his own people over that?" Amelia asked.

"Were you aware that there is a prophecy in play regarding the Potter boy?" Augusta asked. Seeing the surprise on Amelia's face, she sai:d "It could have been about either Neville or the Potter boy."

Amelia sent a paper airplane memo after Augusta Longbottom had left and soon had company from the Unspeakables. Asking about the prophecy she was told "It was fulfilled. It turned black at the beginning of summer."

"Are there any other possible prophecies about the dark lord?" She inquired.

"There is one but I am not able to tell you what it says as I was not a party to it being made. According to the orb, it was given by Sybil Trelawney and heard by the staff at Hogwarts."

"When?"

"Not long before her death." The unspeakable announced then looking at her said: "I understand we won't be getting any business from you after this trial."

"Not if things go as they seem." She said sounding extremely tired. When her assistant knocked on her door and announced that Mr. and Mrs. Tonks was there, she dismissed the unspeakable and told her assistant to let them in.

Once they were seated, she looked at Andromeda and asked: "How are you doing with the news regarding Bellatrix?"

"I am more worried about Narcissa, she always was much closer to Bella than I ever was. This trial is going to be hard on her." She said.

Amelia Bones tensed then looking at Ted asked: "How many owls did you receive last evening?"

"One. I came here right after that." The solicitor announced. "I spent most of the evening talking to my client then resting in the aurors quarters as you suggested." He answered. "I tried to speak to my daughter and Madeye dragged her off and told me I had to wait until today."

Groaning, Amelia said "His paranoia is going to be the death of me someday. Andromeda, I am sorry for the delay but your sister Bellatrix seemed to lose all contact with reality yesterday evening and tried to strangle herself with her shirt. As she was dying, a dementor kissed her."

"Oh, Merlin." Andromeda went slack and ended up leaning against her husband, the shocking news more than she could bear. "Do you know why?"

"She cut herself and wrote on the walls of her cell," Amelia replied. "On it, she swore that her master would avenge her death and that of her husband. She also swore he would rise again, that he wasn't dead."

"As Bellatrix got older, as she became an adult, she changed. Since becoming a healer, I have read my muggle medical textbooks and I am almost certain she was suffering from a disease that muggles call Schizophrenia. Its onset doesn't hit until one is in their twenties and she has most of the characteristics of the illness." Andromeda stated. "The issue is that the testing for it, at least the questionnaire is made for muggles. If any magical person were to answer it, they would be thought insane."

"The reason MadEye intercepted your OWL is that we are going to try Sirius today. What we found out is enough to make me as paranoid as old Moody." Ted Tonks said figuring it out. "I am guessing Moody fears Malfoy 'rescuing' his comrade if Sirius isn't telling the truth?"

"It's Moody, so who knows," Amelia admitted. "I told Fudge that I wrote to both your sister and yourself. You might want to catch her before she finds out from him. Please, be careful with the knowledge. No one on either side of the political spectrum is without concern right now."

Andromeda nodded grimly and left to hurry to take the floo to the Malfoy home. Arriving, she saw her sister and her husband seemed rather tense, "I have some news."

Frozen

At Hogwarts, Harry and Draco had noticed how quiet Neville had been and Draco had eventually filled Hermione and himself in on what was going on. "Neville's parents?"

"Yes," Draco replied as they joined Hermione at breakfast. "My mother's sister attacked them at the end of the war along with her husband and brother-in-law. It's why our families were so worried about us being friends. The trial is today."

"Hey, guys." Neville slipped in beside Draco and tried to smile but it was very clear that his heart wasn't in it. Choosing oatmeal with fresh blueberries he spent more time pushing the fruit around in the bowl than eating.

Thanks to having Astronomy at midnight, they didn't have a class that morning as the four gave up eating and went to find a quiet spot to talk. Neville settled into the chair closest to the fire then looking at Draco said "My grandmother said your mom came to tea the other day. Asked about the ball."

"Yes." Draco didn't know what to say. Most of his life he had been taught that his aunt had been a martyr to her cause, but now, over the last five months things had changed and he had come to realize that Neville didn't deserve to live knowing his parents were alive but unresponsive, that Harry didn't deserve to be an orphan and stuck with mean and nasty muggles and that Hermione DID deserve to be a part of their world.

"I am attending," Neville said. The four sat there quietly as none knew what to say then Neville suddenly said "I hate her. I hate all of them. I hope she gets what is coming to her."

Draco flinched at the tone then looking at his shoes, his mind idly telling him to ask Dobby to have Taffy shine them, struggled to figure out what to say.

"I don't blame you, Draco," Neville said looking off into the distance. "It would be like blaming my grandmother for my uncle trying to 'force' me to perform accidental magic."

"But it's my aunt who hurt your parents, my cousin who betrayed Harry's parents. My Mother's family who was so involved in the dark arts." Draco said. "My father, so many say he willingly participated, but I saw his arm for the first time I can recall this summer. He isn't marked, Neville."

"Even if he were, Draco, that doesn't mean you're a bad person," Neville said rather intensely as he noticed his friend's rather intense expression.

"A prat yes, a bad person, no way," Hermione said trying to cheer them up a bit. Seeing Draco glaring her way, she said: "You know I am right."

"He's not only a prat but an arrogant prat," Harry said with a smirk on his face.

"I thought it was berk we were calling him this week," Neville said trying to cheer up enough to participate. When he saw Draco flushing he said "Hermione is the know it all this week, Harry, well there is the whole boy who lived thing. We all know how much he just loves being famous."

"Hey!" Harry shoved Neville off his chair. "If this is about those giggling girls, I am so not interested."

"I told you he was getting a big head," Hermione said giggling herself. When Harry looked her way she said "They were not paying the least bit of attention to you. It was all about Oliver and Cedric."

"Cedric who?" Draco asked.

"Diggory, all of the girls think that they are the best looking boys attending Hogwarts. I have had to listen to them going on and on about it for weeks." She replied.

"Did you notice what she said, Draco?" Neville asked.

"Yes, ALL of the girls which last time I looked included you Miss Know It All." Draco retorted.

"I have you three, why would I need a pretty boy who knows he is pretty, wait, I do have one of those! You!" She said pointing at Draco who pouted. "There is even a bet going on between the girls in all of the houses as to who gets to date them."

Draco's eyes narrowed as something that had happened in Potions rang a bell. "That is what Davis and Greengrass meant. They said I owed them and they wanted to collect. They want the goods on Wood and Diggory."

"They are only first years, though." Hermione pointed out.

"Yes, but information is power in Slytherin. They could offer it up to get something they want from older girls." Draco replied. "Harry, what is this room?"

"You can't tell anyone here." Harry reminded him. "The house elves call it the come and go room. Like I showed you, you pace back and forth across from the tapestry and it becomes whatever you want."

Frozen

Albus Dumbledore was in a good mood as he got ready to head to the Ministry. It had been a quiet week at Hogwarts, things were going his way in regards to Harry and his holidays, even Severus seemed to be less sardonic than usual.

Today was the trial of Bellatrix Lestrange, he was rather sure that the Wizengamot would understand that this witch, she deserved to be treated for her illness. Bellatrix hadn't been troublesome as a teenager, no, this was all the fault of being forced to marry that Lestrange boy.

Entering the Great Hall, he noticed that most of the students had left for their first classes of the day and that only one first year was still seated at the Gryffindor table. Frowning a bit when he saw that it was the Weasley boy, he sat down in his high backed centrally located chair at the head table and requested his favorite breakfast.

To make his day even better, several of the first year's classmates entered and called out to the Weasley boy and reminded him that they were meeting up with the rest in the common room.

Albus left for the Ministry beaming, certain that he was on the right path…. never realizing that pride goeth before the fall.

At the Ministry, several events all began to happen at the same time.

Albus Dumbledore entered and grandly greeted the two aurors waiting for him. They took the time to carefully ensure that they were alone then told the man they revered that they were to be part of the team sent to pick up Black on Monday.

"Madam Bones set up the teams yesterday afternoon." He was told by Dawlish.

"Good, good. I will have to make sure that I am part of the group that goes to bring him back to the Ministry, after all, we wouldn't want a dangerous killer like that to get free." He replied. Dawlish nodded then noticing the time said that he had been asked to watch the floo during the Lestrange trial today. "Various aurors are assigned to anyplace Madam Bones considers vulnerable."

Dumbledore was mentally applauding the head of the DMLE, never noticing that it meant he would not have any aurors that he considered on his side available to him. No, as the elderly wizard walked towards the courtroom, he was sure that all was right with his world.

Frozen

A pale Narcissa Malfoy stepped out of the floo and was whisked to the gallery by her husband. She was soon joined by her sister who had gone to speak to her husband and to hand him the package Narcissa and she had prepared for Sirius. Ted was with the 'prisoner' who had been fed nutrient potions, given a long shower and healed as best as Andromeda could do with the limited recourses that they dared use at the Ministry.

The public gallery was full and there were many dark looks thrown at the Tonks/Malfoy group, including from Molly Weasley who was there against her husband's wishes along with their youngest child.

Lucius looked around and saw that the press gallery was full of more than just the local press that had been attending the other retrials. No, Xenio Lovegood and the Prophet staff were joined by a reporter broadcasting live to the WWN and a motley assortment of reporters from various international organizations.

Looking at the note he had been slipped as they had entered, Lucius read to look to his right which was where the press was gathered and then told that he owed her. Start to deal with the anchors after you free the dog. It was signed George.

Frozen

Fudge looked around the full courtroom. The entire Wizengamot was in attendance, including those who rarely bothered. All department heads had shown up and to his pleasure, the Unspeakables had even sent three representatives.

Amelia Bones had paid him an early morning visit, had explained what was going on and had asked him for some leeway, explaining that it would beneficial to his career to do so and damaging to political opponents. He had demanded answers only to be told that it was for the best if he appeared surprised. She had given him a small bit of information, that Bellatrix Lestrange had died, which he found to be good news.

Her smug expression when she said that they were going to be staging the trial of the decade and that there was a good chance the criminal was innocent had had him nervous until she said "There is a reason you won't be seeing Barty Crouch wandering around today. Let's just say that he is spending time getting to know what one of our cells are like as a prisoner."

Frozen

Augusta Longbottom noticed the Wizengamot was stirring with almost boundless energy, most seemed to be thrilled with the idea of watching Bellatrix Lestrange get sentenced to what she had deserved unaware that she was already dead. Others were here after Amelia Bones had sent out messages, same with Mad-Eye Moody.

Noticing the Black sisters, Narcissa and Andromeda were seated in the visitor gallery, she did feel a bit of guilt at their being required to be here after just getting the message regarding their sister.

When she saw Albus Dumbledore standing around with some of his more faithful followers, she thought about the questions Amelia Bones had asked her and was now beginning to ask questions about events regarding her own grandson and his parents.

She would wait, get her answers in her own time and if her suspicions proved to be true, well many had forgotten that she had once been a potions mistress herself. She would make damn sure that Albus Dumbledore paid for his mistakes.

The courtroom doors were sealed, meaning no one could leave until after the upcoming trial, but Amelia gave orders to her people that if anyone on a list she had handed to them wished to enter, to be sure to allow them entrance.

When Chief Warlock Dumbledore stepped to the podium and brought the court to order, he turned to Amelia and asked her to step forward as had been the procedure for the last several weeks.

She nodded then stepping up so that she was next to him but still able to watch his reaction as she announced. "The British Magical Community versus Sirius Orion Black."

There was stunned silence in the room for about a minute as the stone room flashed a dark blue color which hadn't happened for over ten years then almost every single wizard or witch in the room began to speak at the same time. To Amelia's disappointment, Dumbledore didn't even react, other than lean over and asked "Shouldn't you have been announcing Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black?"

"You weren't told?" She asked wearing a well-schooled expression of surprise. "I was rather sure one of the aurors from my staff would have let you know last evening. Bellatrix committed suicide."

"I am sure she was despondent over the death of her husband and brother-in-law. If allowed to grieve, I am rather sure that she would have turned her back on the dark arts and her master if given time." Dumbledore replied.

"It is all a rather moot point, Chief Warlock, now, as you know, once a trial begins, you move to the position of arbiter, I move into position as Ministry's representative." She replied firmly.

That got his attention, he looked at her quizzically then said: "This is a retrial, Madam Bones, not a trial so I take the podium."

"I rather fear that you are incorrect." She said. Holding up her wand, she said "I, Amelia Bones, in the course of my position as Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement am here to testify that what you are about to see and hear is a truthful and honest investigation regarding the involvement of one Sirius Orion Black into the betrayal of James Charlus Potter, Lily Evans Potter and Harrison James Potter as well as the death of one Peter Pettigrew and several muggles."

There was a blue glow that surrounded her and Albus sank into his seat, not feeling so good, but still certain that he could work things his way if needed.

Amelia heard the questioning mutters of the Wizengamot members. "As you just heard I announced an investigation, not a retrial, this is because we have recently learned that Sirius Orion Black was never given a trial before being sent to Azkaban."

The murmurs got louder and then went silent when she announced. "At five this morning, former Department head Barty Crouch Senior was arrested after testifying under veritiaserum. This arrest was predicated on his questioning in regards to Mr. Black and due to our finding out that his son was ferreted out of Azkaban by himself and with the help of his late wife. We have found evidence that his son, B. Crouch Jr is now dead due to a crystal that Mr. Crouch kept that was connected to his life source."

Frozen

Oops, Lucius thought to himself. He had intended on using the lost Crouch as a guilty party to blame a few of his future crimes upon. Now he would have to come up with another plan to get ahold of the ring.

He noticed that Dumbledore was acting as if all of this was news to him. Lucius didn't buy it, but he let it go, reminding himself that he had to keep the man at Hogwarts until Harry and Draco were in their sixth year.

Looking around, he saw that Madam Bones had everyone in the courtroom enthralled as she filled them in good ole Crouch's crimes. What did interest him was that the man had not implicated Dumbledore, instead it seemed as if only he himself was to blame which Lucius knew from his time in limbo wasn't the truth.

Frozen

Amelia saw that she had their attention, so without further ado, she requested that aurors bring in the prisoner. When Sirius Black entered the courtroom, he wasn't completely back to his old self but he was a damn sight better looking than he had been when she had first seen him. Now bathed and shaved, he was wearing simple gray dress robes as he was led to the prisoner's chair.

She saw his trepidation when the chains rattled but after a quick glance at Mad-Eye who had brought him in, he settled into the chair and allowed himself to be restrained. "Sirius Orion Black, you have heard the charges against you, what do you say?"

Before he could answer, Albus Dumbledore stood and offered to represent the prisoner.

Sirius got control of his anger and pretended to be welcoming but regretful as he hoarsely rejected the offer. "I have already spoken to Ted Tonks, Albus. We signed paperwork making him my official representative, but thank you for speaking up on my behalf."

Frozen

In the Portkey/Floo control office, Dawlish was speaking to Arthur Weasley who was working with him. They were discussing holiday plans when the International Portkey warned them they had a long-scheduled trip arriving from North America via Iceland.

The two wizards moved towards the floo fireplace, both more intent on their conversation than on the incoming arrival. They never noticed a slightly dizzy Remus Lupin handing over his papers to the wizard working the portal.

The wizard looked at the green looking werewolf, stamped his papers without offering comfort like he would with most wizards. Laws be damned, he didn't want to be in the presence of anyone suffering that particular malady if he could avoid it.

Remus stepped into the hallway, struggling not to throw up as he leaned against the nearby wall. Once he felt a bit better, he was heading towards the lifts when he heard the two wizards crossing his path speaking in excited whispers.

"Did you hear? Crouch, he let his own son out of Azkaban." The first wizard said.

"I was too stunned that he never arranged for a pureblood wizard like Black to have a trial. If someone like that can be tossed into the prison without trial, what chance does any of us have."

A new wizard joined them, never paying any attention to Remus as he said "Did you hear? About Black?"

"Rumor is he is being tried even as we speak. I am going to slip down and watch it. I went to school with Black and Potter. Never thought he would betray him, you know what I mean."

"Don't bother, only Department Heads are being allowed in, they want the galleries full of witnesses not employed by the ministry." The second wizard said. "Besides, they are broadcasting it on the wireless."

Remus was going to leave, but deciding that he owed it to Harry to stay, he walked towards the courtroom. Taking the stairs instead of the lift, he didn't have a lot of hope when he gave his name to the auror outside the double doors but to his surprise, he was told. "Mr. Lupin, I was told that if you came, to send you to Healer Tonks immediately. She is inside."

Entering, unable to see Andromeda as a result of the huge crowd, Remus maneuvered until he was against the wall and moved down the steps to have a better view. He arrived just in time to hear a wizard announce that his client would like to testify under veritiaserum.

Frozen

Sirius was grinning as the Unspeakable stepped forward. Holding out his tongue, he felt his emotions level out as was typical of someone under the influence of the hour-long potion he had taken.

When his cousin's husband took him through his history, including how he ended up living with the Potters, then how he had joined the aurors with James. Standing up next to him as he married Lily and then agreeing to be godfather for Harry.

How it had not been Dumbledore who had performed the fidelius but Lily, how Peter had been the secret keeper and then his uneasiness on Halloween night and how that had led to him going to check on the Potters.

"I exited the house with Harry and Hagrid was already there. He insisted that Dumbledore wished Harry to be brought to him. I was worried about my godson's safety so I agreed. I gave him my motorbike so that he could get there faster and safer." Sirius stated.

"I went looking for Peter. I just… he betrayed them." Sirius in spite of the serum felt broken as he spoke. "I knew where he liked to hide, in muggle London. I caught up with him, he accused me of betraying James, Lily, and Harry… I was stunned, shocked at the gall."

He gulped for air for a moment then said "He used magic to sever his finger and then the next thing I knew the entire street exploded. Aurors arrived with Barty Crouch at the lead. He accused me of killing the Potters, I just...I just began to laugh hysterically because while I didn't kill them myself, it was my idea of switching the secret keeper from myself to Peter that got them killed. I was responsible if I hadn't had this great idea, to prank...to prank…."

Breathing hard, Sirius got control again then continued "I got them killed…."

"What happened next, Sirius?" Ted Tonks prompted.

"I am not really sure. I remember Crouch shouting at me, his spittle hitting me in the face, something about bad blood coming out and how all Blacks were dark. I recall his breaking my wand without testing it as was required. Passing out and when I woke up I was in Azkaban. That was the last contact I had with anyone other than the guards for the last ten years."

Frozen

Remus staggered in spite of having a wall to hold him up as he listened to what Sirius was saying. He wanted to shout he was lying, that he had done what he was being accused of, but he couldn't… if there was anyone out there who could tell when Sirius Black was lying, it was him.

James and he had always been able to tell.

Shame and guilt hit him as he listened to Sirius telling how he had managed to survive with his sanity in Azkaban. How he had been given hope with the news of the retrials of the Death Eaters.

When he heard Tonks ask "Sirius, were you ever a death eater?"

The hoarse and emotive no left Remus with a broken heart as he realized he had deserted his old friend who had given him his friendship without hesitation, who had gone to extreme lengths to be able to help him.

Frozen

Amelia Bones took out her list of questions, ones she had already gone over with Sirius beforehand and began with questions about his friendship with James, Remus and Peter, and their animagus abilities. She didn't ask about Pettigrew's form, that they wished to keep quiet.

"Sirius, you said it was Lily Potter who performed the Fidelius Charm, most believe it to have been Albus Dumbledore as that particular charm requires a lot of magical power. Why was this kept a secret?"

"When Lily graduated Hogwarts…" Albus began to raise his hand but seemed to decide better of it, so Sirius kept speaking "James and she told us, meaning Remus and myself that the Headmaster had recommended keeping quiet about just how powerful of a witch she truly was. He felt it was a weapon we could take advantage of in the war with Voldemort."

Many shuddered at the dark lord's name, but Amelia was more interested in why the Headmaster would tell a student to keep quiet about their power and then would let the entire world believe he had been the one to perform the spell in Godric's Hollow.

"I don't know why he kept the secret after Lily had died," Sirius stated. "Lily, however, was brilliant at Charms so it made sense she performed it.

"Why when you were slowly growing apart from Mr. Pettigrew, would the Potters think to ask him to be the secret keeper?"

"We needed someone who would be overlooked. The Headmaster suggested myself, but when we went to perform the actual charm, James stopped and said that we needed to wait and find someone else, that I would be the first suspect. We went over a list of people, the headmaster rejected all of our choices, said that I was the best choice and ignored our concerns. We considered asking those he rejected without telling him but soon found out that he had already spoken to them in public about it, so we were afraid that Death Eaters might suspect them."

Sirius noticed more frowns on faces as they looked at the Headmaster but he didn't care. "Peter had come to visit, which had not happened much after Harry had been born and we were talking about how it would be quite the prank because while the Death Eaters might suspect Remus or myself, we were sure that Peter would fly under the radar to quote Lily. I laughed in spite of how serious the situation was and realized that no one would suspect Peter."

Sirius' bitterness was there for all to hear as he continued to speak. "Of course that is why he worked as a spy for his true master because no one EVER suspected him of being a traitor."

"On Halloween, I was at home, reading a book when something in it mentioned how Sarhaim strengthened certain rituals and it made me uneasy, so I went to check on Peter just in case…" Sirius went silent. "He wasn't where he was staying and I just knew...I knew it was too late."

"I knew when I couldn't apparate to the house...that it was too late."

"When I arrived. James was dead, he died defending his family. Lily… she was dead next to Harry's crib, her wand still in her hands. Harry was calling for his mum. Harry was trying to l-li-lift her like he did his teddy bear. His forehead was bleeding profusely, but his entire focus was on his mum. He kept calling for her and for James…"

There was silence in the entire room as they listened to Sirius. "I cleaned Harry up as best I could. I knew I needed to get him someplace safe when I saw the black cloak that Voldemort often wore when we had seen him in public and the burn mark on Harry's pram. I don't know what Lily did, but whatever it was, it kept Harry safe."

"So you don't believe that it was Harry's magic that saved him?" Amelia asked wanting to end the mythos of the Boy Who Lived, once and for all.

"No, Lily had a last-ditch spell she wanted to use. It was what James and she had planned for if it came to it. When I arrived in the room, I felt the leftover vestiges of the spell. I felt the love James and she had for their son. I had been at their home when they had practiced the spell, I knew what it felt like."

"So, this idea that it was Harry…"

"Is utter bollocks." Sirius retorted. "Yes, Harry was magically strong as a baby, he broke through three different magical blocks that James, Lily and myself placed on him over the eighteen months they had together as a family, but no, I felt the dark energy from Voldemort's killing hex and the pure love from what James and Lily did and that they activated but that was all."

"Why did you hand Harry over to a half-giant with no wand?"

"I truly don't know," Sirius admitted. "In spite of everything going on, I don't know. I just felt that need to trust Hagrid with Harry."

Amelia let it go, she was almost certain that someone had put a compulsion charm that had people trusting Hagrid at the time but she knew she couldn't prove it.

"Do you believe that Peter Pettigrew died in the explosion he created?" She asked.

"No."

Amelia then pulled out her a wand that clearly wasn't her own from a box and said: "Ollivander verified that this wand, unicorn hair in oak, six inches belonged to one Peter Pettigrew."

The last spell was called out and there was a gasp as the room saw an explosion created by a blasting hex and a cutting spell removing a finger. It was, however, the next spell that assured Black's freedom.

It was an oath being taken by one Peter Pettigrew to his master Lord Voldemort that he could take him to the Potters.

Sirius relaxed a bit at that then looking around, noticed how much older so many in the room were in spite of it having only been ten years. As he looked up at the gallery, his eyes met the amber eyes of a man in tears, who looked worn and broken.

He wanted to be angry, to demand answers, to hit him, to shout how could he, but at the moment all Sirius could do was wearily listen as all around him others spoke.

He began to pay attention again when he saw Wizengamot members voting and heard that he was to be freed. He nervously looked at Amelia who had expressed her concern that if Albus went along on the trial, this was where he would cause trouble.

Sure enough, the elder statement recommended that he be released into the indefinite care of St. Mungos secured ward until he was declared healthy enough…

"Thank you, but we have already made plans to help Sirius Black recover after his years of unwarranted and illegal detention," Tonks stated cooly. When he saw the Headmaster's condescending smile, Ted let loose with a barb. "My wife and I have already made plans to move with the heir to the Black family to a secure location so that she as a healer may help him regain his health, however, as Chief Warlock, I am sure that you will be rather busy working on figuring out appropriate compensation to my client for his lack of a trial and subsequent illegal incarceration."

Dumbledore' turned to Sirius and said: "My door is always open for anything you should need, my boy, if you should change your mind."

"Of course it is." Sirius replied and then said, "I feel rather weary at the moment, I am sure that when I have regained my strength we will be talking."

Frozen

Lucius watched as the Headmaster seemed to flinch at whatever Black said to him. Helping his wife down the stairs, so that she could greet her cousin, he tagged Lupin, knowing that he was needed here so he couldn't track down the werewolf just yet.

Watching as Tonks and his wife removed the now freed Black to the 'secure' location, he watched from a distance, an impassive expression on his face as Narcissa hesitated and then ignoring how tense Sirius seemed to be, hugged him.

Sirius saw the blond hair and the blue eyes with tears in them then how Andromeda and even Ted seemed happy to speak to Narcissa. When she reached out and pulled him forward then whispered she was happy he was free, he didn't know what to think.

Narcissa stepped back then handed a small package to her sister then said: "I will speak to you later, I am sure that you wish to get out of the crowd."

When Narcissa had left, Sirius was about to ask what was going on when a tall young woman with bright pink hair and dancing eyes wearing an auror uniform moved forward and said: "Let's make like a banana and split."

"Does your boss know you speak like that?" Ted asked his daughter.

"Nope." She said with a smirk. Looking at Sirius she said "You know, you promised to fix my broom and never came back to do so. You owe me."

When he simply looked confused, she said in a huff, "Well let a guy be your first dance, and then look what happens. He forgets all about you and doesn't owl for over twelve years. You should know…"

"Dora, stop harassing Sirius," Andi said, amused by her daughter's antics in spite of herself. "Sirius, let me reintroduce you to my daughter."

Sirius looked at the young woman in shock then said "Nymphie?"

"You might want to recall that you don't have a wand right now and reconsider what you call me because something tells me that I could take you without much effort." She warned.

There was a dark chuckle then a voice announced: "I would hate to write up such a promising young auror for attacking someone that they are supposed to be protecting."

"Really? Little Nymphie became an auror?" Sirius asked wide-eyed as he struggled not to ask for Harry. He had been told that the walls have eyes and ears and that they would tell him about his godson once they got someplace secure.

"Black, that was a warning to you. Call her that again and I will let her do as she pleases." MadEye warned as he moved them forward to locate a floo. Arriving at the floo for the aurors, he put up a silencing charm and said "We are flooing to my place then to the Tonks house and then the Malfoy estate before going to where you are going to be staying. No one would suspect using that floo."

Ten minutes later, a disoriented Sirius Black looked around the strange place that they were intending to stay. "What is this place?"

"This Black is 4 Privet Drive and this is where we are going to be spending the holidays with your godson."

To Be Continued