A/N Hello everybody, I am back on time with my updating! Woot! This chapter features Christopher Burke Sirius' attorney against his parents.
Thanks to all Reviewers!
Dedication: To SWAddict1986 for her review. :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
As a rule, Slytherins make the best attorneys. Hufflepuffs lack the ruthlessness, Gryffindors the finesse, and Ravenclaws, while exceedingly smart lack the underhandedness necessary to be a truly excellent lawyer.
The problem with the other houses, you've always thought, is that they are too close-minded. Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs both have clear-cut conceptions of right and wrong that would make them utterly unable to defend a client they did not agree with. The Ravenclaws are open minded to a certain extent, you suppose, but being intellectuals each of them will eventually arrive at an answer they believe to be correct and at that point many of them will be unwilling to admit they could be wrong.
Of course, as a Slytherin, you subscribe to a constantly changing notion of right or wrong as it suits you in the moment. This, perhaps, is what has gotten your house such a bad reputation, but you like to think of it as being a realist, you simply choose the path that is most likely to find long-term success.
You're seeing a new potential client today, a Mr. Sirius Black, of the aristocratic Black family. You, however, are not easily impressed by wealth or bloodlines being descended from a long line of aristocratic purebloods, in fact you're distantly related to this new client.
You've already done some preliminary research which admittedly wasn't very hard considering how well-known the family is, and the fact that the story of Sirius' break from his parents leaked to the papers this morning, it made front page news in the Daily Prophet and you'll be very surprised if the boy manages to get to your office on time through the mass of reporters your sure is sitting on the edge of the Potter property where he is staying.
A knock sounds at your office door at precisely 4:00pm, and in strolls an elegant looking teenager with black hair and gray eyes. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Burke." The teen says extending a hand to you in greeting.
"Sirius, I presume?" You ask shaking the proffered hand.
"Yes." Sirius replies sitting down in the seat in front of your desk when you gesture for him to do so.
"Are you alone, Sirius?"
He seems to ponder this for a few moments as though wondering if you mean it figuratively or literally. "No." He says finally. "My cousin Andromeda came with me, she's waiting outside."
"I see." You reply. "I understand you wish to engage my services, although your letter was somewhat vague as to the exact parameters of your needs...?"
"I'm sure you've seen the papers." Sirius replies.
"Let's pretend I haven't." Like most lawyers you subscribe to the notion 'never ask a question you don't already know the answer to,' surprises are seldom a good thing in a courtroom.
"I am petitioning to be removed from the custody of my parents Orion and Walburga Black." He states calmly although you see something flicker in his eyes disappearing before you can identify the emotion.
"I see." You lean back in your desk chair surveying the teenager. "How old are you, Sirius?"
"Fifteen, almost sixteen." He replies.
Despite the mask he barely manages to hold onto you can see that this teenager is haunted by something, and you have a strong notion that it has to do with his parents.
"You know that your odds of winning are slim." It is a statement not a question; you can see the answer in his demeanor.
"I know." He replies quietly.
"However, you've come to the best." You've never been one for modesty, never seen the point to be honest, you subscribe to the opinion that there's no reason to disguise the truth with false modesty.
"I'm sure I have." You're not sure whether he is being sarcastic or not as his face remains carefully blank, but you don't particularly care either way.
"If anyone can win your case, I can."
"I hope so."
The door to your office opens and your secretary enters with a relatively thick file folder, which she hands to you before leaving the room again. The file contains depositions given by witnesses to the recent events at the Black home, as well as to those events which occurred immediately thereafter, it also contains descriptions of the injuries Sirius had sustained that day as well as those the school nurse had recorded over the years that seemed to have been the result of abuse.
You try not to get to involved with your clients, to avoid getting emotionally involved with their cases. You've never really had a problem before this, but it's hard to read a file about parents inflicting an unforgivable curse as well as various lesser forms of torture both magical and otherwise on their child and not want to see them punished for it. Despite the growing feeling of horror you experience as you read the descriptions your face remains neutral, product of years in a pureblood family of your own.
"Will you take the case?" Sirius asks when you close the file with a decisive flip.
Will you? You look at his carefully blank face, you can tell that he is afraid of your answer, you'requite good at reading people, even those who are skilled at hiding their emotions.
"I'll do it."
You have a feeling that you'll live to regret this. The Black family is probably a bigger headache than you want. But when you think about what you read in that file you know that turning him down is really not an option.
"Thank you." He says quietly and pauses for a few moments. "I better be going."
"I'll contact the Ministry and have them send all trial information to me." You say as he stands to leave. "And, Mr. Black?"
"Yeah?" He asks his hand on the doorknob.
"Try not to look so worried."
A ghost of a smile crosses his face. "No promises." He says before disappearing through the doorway.
A/N I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter, but it was necessary for plot. Review!