Extended Author's Note

OK, seems from the reviews that a few people have opinions on the International Statue of Secrecy, so here's my thoughts on it beyond a couple of sentences. Firstly, the students are discussing it in a historical context. At the period of history they are studying, the 1690s, guns took minutes to get ready to fire and were unreliable,because bullets as we know them did not exist. That's minutes to escape in, or turn round and turn the guns into sticks, or hex the Muggle witch hunters. Therefore, the greatest threat to actual witches and wizards of the Potterverse in that time period was not having their wand.

Secondly, in the modern Western world presented in the canon, nobody thinks witches and wizards actually exist. Therefore, no-one is looking for them. It is security cameras that pose the greatest risk of exposing the wizarding world. A Muggle with photos might be dismissed as crazy, or having faked the pictures, but security footage? Don't think so.

And finally, and this is addressed to anyone who might raise the subject of high tech modern guns: Guns such as full automatics, and sniper rifles that fire supersonic rounds and hit the target before they know they're being shot at, are generally referred to as MILITARY GRADE weapons. And therefore, ILLEGAL for civilians to have in the UK, where the story and the canon books are set. And if you try to get one, some police officers will come and give you a set of steel bracelets that you can't take off, otherwise known as handcuffs.

In addition, I will be writing "The Serpent becomes a Lion", the events that happen to Draco now he's a Gryffindor, at some point, but I want to get this story to a point where I can write them concurrently first.

Phew. Now, on with the story!

Chapter 28: The Trial of Sirius Black

Harry was overwhelmed. He had a godfather? It was because of Dumbledore that he had gone to the Dursleys? His godfather was in prison, but innocent? He sank into a chair while Mr Murdock explained. "Twelve years ago, Harry, when your parents were murdered, your godfather knew that their friend Peter Pettigrew had betrayed them to Voldemort. He went after Pettigrew, and intended to kill him. Pettigrew escaped, though. He blew up a street, killing twelve people and then cut off a finger and turned into a rat, faking his death. Before he did that though, he loudly accused Sirius of betraying your parents. The witnesses reported that to the Aurors who turned up shortly after the crime, and combined with the deaths and explosion, that was enough for the Ministry to send him to Azkaban."

But Harry was still confused. "So if he didn't kill those people, why is he in Azkaban then?" Professor Strange gently cleared it up for him. "Sirius was arrested, Harry, and he was imprisoned. But he was never tried and convicted. Mr Murdock is going to get him that trial."

-Time and place skip - Courtroom 10 of the Wizengamot - the following weekend

The week's session of the Wizengamot was about to close when Professor Dumbledore (acting as Chief Warlock) called "Any business from the public?" He knew there almost never was, but had to follow the procedure. Mr Murdock's voice called out from the public gallery. "I, Matthew Murdock, have business." "You have the floor, Mr Murdock," replied Dumbledore. Mr Murdock got down from his seat and walked to the centre of the chamber, where the large stone chair for the accused during trials was. "Chief Warlock, I am here to report a serious miscarriage of justice. Since the night of the 31st of October 1981 to the present, Sirius Orion Black has been imprisoned in Azkaban for the murder of a dozen Muggles and violating the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy. However, he has never received a trial."

At this, the courtroom erupted with outrage. There were two factions - those who weren't involved in Sirius' arrest and those that were. Barty Crouch, head of the DMLE, and Minister Fudge were among the latter. It took several minutes for Dumbledore to restore order and then to collect his own thoughts. "Mr Murdock. Is Mr Black here and prepared to stand trial?" "He is, Chief Warlock. He also demands to be under the effects of Veritaserum during his trial.

Dumbledore gave assent, and the courtroom doors opened. Sirius was thin, haggard and tired. His hair was lank, and he had heavy stubble on his face. As he sat in the accused's seat, the chains on it snaked around his wrists and ankles. An Auror stepped forward and administered three drops of Veritaserum down Sirius' throat. A moment later, the questioning began.

"Are you Sirius Orion Black?" "Yes." "Are you proficient in Occlumency?" "No, but Barty Crouch and Minister Fudge believed me to be so when I was arrested." In their seats, Fudge and Crouch winced. They knew that this was not going to end well for them. "Are you a Death Eater?" "No." "Did you betray James and Lily Potter to the wizard known variously as Lord Voldemort, You-Know-Who, and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?" "No." "Who did?" "Peter Pettigrew." "Did you kill twelve Muggles by means of magically causing an explosion on the night of the 31st of October 1981?" "No." "Who did?" "Peter Pettigrew." "Explain your knowledge that it was Peter Pettigrew who performed the acts you have been questioned about." "I was not the Secret Keeper for James and Lily's house, Peter was. When I tracked him down and confronted him, he shouted that I had betrayed James and Lily. He then blew up the street, cut off one of his fingers, transformed into a rat, and went down a drain." "Is Peter Pettigrew still alive?" "I do not know."

Through the back and forth of the questioning the courtroom had been silent but for the voices of Dumbledore and Sirius. When the questions stopped, you could have heard a pin drop. Eventually, Dumbledore spoke again. "Mr Black, given your testimony under Veritaserum, you are hereby cleared of all charges by my authority as Chief Warlock. For your time in Azkaban, you will be recompensed with the sum of one hundred thousand Galleons. You are a free man, and may leave this chamber."

The chains released Sirius, and he got up from the stone seat. He conferred quietly with Mr Murdock, and then spoke. "I will not be leaving this chamber yet, Chief Warlock, as I have further business with persons present here." Fudge and Crouch winced again. "And that business is, Mr Black?" Sirius paused and grinned. There was something almost shark-like about it.

"I am bringing lawsuits, Chief Warlock, against the following: Bartemius Crouch Senior and Cornelius Fudge for unlawful arrest and unlawful imprisonment. I am also bringing three lawsuits, for child endangerment, child abuse by proxy, and wilful maladministration of a last will and testament..." here Sirius paused for dramatic effect, "against YOU, Chief Warlock. Specifically, for housing my godson, Harry James Potter, with Vernon and Petunia Dursley. When you housed him there, you left him as an infant on the doorstep in the middle of the night, where he could have frozen to death, housed him with people who treated him worse than a house elf, and ignored the statement in James and Lily's wills that Harry was never to go to the Dursleys under ANY circumstances. The three of you can expect to hear from my lawyers in the next few days. Now I'm leaving. I have a house to sort out, a godson to meet, and eleven years worth of birthday and Christmas presents to buy."

As the courtroom erupted with noise again, Sirius walked out. Life had been better since Matt started visiting him in Azkaban, and the help he talked about his friend Stephen would give him. Stephen was waiting for him, along with the person he wanted to see most in the world, and he felt tears fill his eyes. Despite all he wanted to say, he could only get two words out. "Hello, Pup."