A/N: Not a lot of Harry in this chapter. Just wanted to focus on the trial
"So, can I ask how long this has been going on?" John asked his eyes shooting back and forth between Sirius and his mother. They had relocated to a room not unlike the one that they had flooed into earlier. And now they had been joined by Astoria and her Mrs. Greengrass.
Astoria looked like she had been healing nice, but Harry could still see where Malfoy and Weasley had beaten her repeatedly. Hopefully those would heal in time.
"Are you sure you want to know that mate?" Harry asked his friend who whirled around to face them.
"You knew?!" His eyes went wide. "That's why you both were acting like that when we were both at Hogwarts. Merlin am I the only one who didn't know?" With that he looked at Hermione.
"I didn't know I swear." She said walking over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "But even if I did know I probably wouldn't have told you. It's Hannah's private business."
"Since when are you on a first name basis with my mother?" He raised an eyebrow down at her.
"Whenever I would write to her, she would tell me there was no need for me to keep calling her Miss Greengrass. She prefers Hannah."
"Wait." He asked. "Why are you writing to my mother?"
"Just because you're not interesting doesn't mean the same can be said of your girlfriend." Hannah answered to the laughter of the entire room. Even Astoria managed a grin.
John rolled his eyes. "I'd still like to have my original question answered please."
"Honestly lad it hasn't been going on for very long." Sirius answered. John gave him a look as if sizing him up. "Me and your mother reconnected thanks to Harry actually a few months back."
John looked over at his friend. "So, you're a matchmaker now?"
Harry shrugged. "Listen love I should've told you I know." Hannah sighed. "But I'm a grown woman and I can make my own choices."
"As long as you're happy Mum that's really all that matters." John finally said. Although if Black ever hurt his mother the older man would severely regret it.
"Does this mean we're like cousins now?" Harry asked cheekily. John response was to glare at him and then slug the Gryffindor across the shoulder. "Okay then. Too soon I guess."
"What time does the trial start again Dad?" Daphne asked after shaking her head in amusement. The temperature dropped in the room. Everybody remembered why they were here again in the first place. Astoria now refused to look anyone in the eye and looked as if she was shaking a bit in her seat. Her mother put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed as if to comfort her.
"In about a half hour." Daniel answered gruffly. "They have to clear out everyone from the previous trial first."
"Is the Wizengamot going to be presiding over this one as well?" Harry asked. A group of men and women had come up to him after the trial to shake his hand. They were members of the Wizengamot who were loyal to the Potter family. They were so pleased that Daniel had been helping Harry take a further interest in the politics of their world. One or two of them said they had things to run by Harry. He told them to discuss it with Daniel. Harry didn't want to make the wrong decision and end screwing over the rest of the world for it.
Daniel shook his head. "A much smaller group of people. It will be a trial by jury. The Ministry selected a group that will make the decisions."
"Who is on this jury?" Daphne asked.
"I don't know. Nobody knows except the Minister and a few of his aides. They wanted to keep it secret so no one could try to find them and intimidate them."
"Sounds like something Lucius Malfoy would do." Hannah said to the agreement of the room.
"Malfoy still has many friends in the Ministry, but Fudge did this purposely. He doesn't want Lucius to decide this trial before it even starts." Daniel said.
"I still don't trust that snake." Hannah spat.
"I don't think Malfoy trusts Malfoy." Daniel agreed. A knock came at the door. "Enter!" It opened and in came Auror Tonks.
"They are ready for you in the courtroom, Lord Greengrass." She said.
"Thank you Auror Tonks." Daniel said. After a second he raised his eyebrow. She still hadn't gone. "Was there something else you needed?"
"With your permission sir could I say a quick hello to my cousin?" She asked sheepishly.
"Cousin?" Harry asked.
"Of course." Daniel nodded and she walked (more like sprinted actually) towards Sirius who greeted her with a hug and a smile.
"It's good to see you Nymph." He said as they embraced.
"You too Old Dog." She grinned at him. "How longs it been?"
"Just after your eighth birthday I believe. Your mother m-"
"Excuse me." Harry said. "I'm sorry if I'm being rude but how are you both related?" He didn't know that Sirius had any cousins. Of course, he wasn't surprised. Every Pure blood had at least thirty relatives.
"She's my favorite cousin Andromeda's daughter." Sirius answered. "Therefore, by extension she's one of my favorite cousins as well."
Tonks rolled her eyes. "Mum is so sorry she couldn't make it. She and Dad are on holiday in Europe and couldn't get back."
Sirius waved off her apology. "We'll all meet for a pint when they return. It'll be nice to see Teddy as well."
"Your mother is Andromeda Tonks?" Neville asked almost silently. Tonks raised an eyebrow but nodded to the boy. "That means your aunt is Bellatrix Lestrange…isn't it?"
Daniel and Sirius took a step forward placing themselves between Neville and Tonks. "Mr. Longbottom let's not-"Daniel started but was interrupted by Tonks.
"Only by blood." Tonks spat. "My Mum was kicked out of her family for marrying my father. Guess the rest of the Blacks couldn't get over their daughter marrying a Muggle-born. She's no aunt of mine."
Neville didn't reply. He just turned away from Tonks and didn't say another word.
"What was that all about?" Harry whispered to Daphne who shrugged. Harry walked cautiously over to Neville. "You okay Nev?"
Neville shook his head. "I don't really feel like discussing it right now." He looked around at then entire room. "I think I'm just going to head back to Hogwarts. I'm feeling tired."
Daniel walked over to Neville. "I'll escort you back to the floo. This place is a maze."
Neville nodded and looked over at Astoria. "I hope everything goes well today and you get justice." She smiled at him and gave a quick "thank you" before Daniel and he walked out of the room.
"What was his deal?" John asked no one in particular.
"It's only his story to tell." Susan answered.
"But you know it?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
"Only because of my Auntie." She responded in a tone indicating that she wouldn't say anything else.
"I am sorry if me being here caused any disturbance." Tonks said sincerely.
"The sins of family are not your sins, Nymph." Sirius said patting her on the back. "You shouldn't be held responsible for any crime that Bellatrix has committed."
She sighed. "Thanks, Old Dog. We best get going before they send someone else to see what's taking so long."
She led them out of the room with Daphne and Harry bringing up the rear. "Do you think Neville is alright?" Daphne asked her boyfriend as they walked down the hallway.
"I really just don't know." Harry said concernedly. The look that had come over his best friend's face when he had said the name Bellatrix Lestrange. Harry thought Neville was going to curse Tonks right then and there. He wanted to speak to him when he got back but he also didn't feel like getting knocked on his ass.
Soon enough Daniel joined them. "Neville get back okay?" Daphne asked.
Daniel nodded. "I went with him through the floo back to the school. Boy wouldn't look at me the entire time and didn't say anything to Dumbledore either. He just left and headed towards the Great Hall."
"Hope he's alright." Hermione commented.
"He probably just wants to be left alone. I'm sure he'll be fine." John said although he didn't sound one hundred percent certain.
When they arrived back at the courtroom the two security wizards were again waiting for them. "Afraid we'll have to search you again." The wizard from before said as he drew his wand. Greens across the board. The guard waved them in.
Once they got inside the courtroom, they noticed the clear difference from earlier. Where Sirius' trial had people almost out the door the courtroom was about half full now. If that even.
"Not a big turnout I see." Harry muttered. He was honestly relieved, and he could clearly see that Astoria was as well. The less people here the better.
"Please everyone take your seats." An older wizard called out. The tower had been taken down an in its place was just a single stand that rose a few feet off the ground. Next to it another bench had been added and was filled by a group of men and women. The jury most likely. "We are about to begin."
Harry looked around as he sat down. He was looking for the Weasley's. Surely, they would be here right? Even if they had pledged loyalty to Harry in this matter, he still would've assumed that they would show to see the results of the trial. Finally, he spotted them. It was only their women, however. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny had taken a seat near the back even when there were countless seats open in front of them. Mrs. Weasley looked like she had been crying nonstop for days and knowing her she probably had been. Ginny saw Harry looking their way and sent a glare in his direction. Harry turned back to face the front. At least she was over this crush on him.
"Hello everyone." The older wizard said from the stand. "I am Ernest Hawkingworth and I will be presiding over todays trial." Unlike Fudge, this man wasn't given a scribe to do his announcing for him. That almost made Harry wonder where Percy was. Guess he was too busy to even show up to his little brothers' trial. Probably busy kissing Fudge's ass. "Auror Talbot please bring in the defendants."
The battle hardened Auror nodded and left the room through a door in the back of the courtroom and returned moments later with a chained Malfoy and Weasley. The two boys looked…horrible to say the least. They were both wearing two black and grey jumpsuits not unlike the one that Sirius had been in when Harry first met him. They also looked like they hadn't shaven or bathed in months even though they had only been taken in last week. Stubble was forming in patches all over their young faces. Harry sniffed the air. Yeah, they hadn't bathed or been given the chance in a while. If the smell didn't give that away the dandruff falling from their hair in waves surely did.
Captain Talbot lead the two boys in front of Ernest. "Draco Malfoy and Ronald…" Ernest squinted at the sheet of paper that had been provided him and then looked back at Ron. "It appears that you have been stripped of your family name, so you'll only be referred to as Ronald." It looked like Ron's heart dropped into his stomach. "Please sit." A pair of booths that looked like they were straight out of a Muggle courtroom appeared behind them. Captain Talbot lead them both to them and sat them down. He attached their chains to a piece of metal in the center of their booths.
"Mr. Malfoy and Ronald." Ernest said looking at the paper again. "You are being charged with battery, assault, and attempted murder. How do you plead?"
"Mr. Malfoy pleads not guilty." A man spoke up from his place by Lucius Malfoy in the front bench and rose from his seat.
"And you are?" Ernest asked raising an eyebrow.
"I am Mr. Malfoy's attorney. James Collingsworth." The man replied as he made his way to the two booths. The guard their looked to Hawkingworth who nodded at him to let the man pass.
"Shit." Daniel muttered under his breath.
"Who is he Mr. Greengrass?" Harry whispered to the man.
"He's the best damn lawyer in Great Britain." Daniel replied. "I knew that Lucius would do something like this."
Ernest's quill wrote something down on his piece of parchment. "The record now shows that Mr. Malfoy has pleaded not guilty. Ronald how do you plead?"
Ron didn't answer. "Young man did you hear me?" Ronald nodded slowly. "You must answer me. How do yo-"
"Guilty." Ron said suddenly.
Ernest looked surprised. "You wish to plead guilty on all charges?" Ron nodded again. "Since you have pleaded guilty there is a mandatory ten years in Azkaban. You will be placed back in your cell and be moved there at a time in the near future. Do you have anything to say?"
Ron slowly stood up with Captain Talbot having his wand ready in case he wanted to try something. Ron slowly turned to face the direction of Harry, but he wasn't looking at his former friend. "I am so sorry for what I did to you." He said in an almost whisper to Astoria who wouldn't meet him in the eye. "I'm not worthy of any type of forgiveness and I'm not asking for any. Nothing can ever fix what I did. I deserve where I'm going. I just wanted to let you know I'm sorry." Again, Astoria wouldn't look him in the eye. Daniel pulled her closer to him and fixed Ronald with a glare. Ron hung his head and Talbot led him back through the door he had come through and out of the courtroom. Mrs. Weasley broke down into a fresh set of sobs.
"Mrs. Weasley." Ernest said gently. "If you would like to say your goodbyes to your son, I will allow it."
"T-Thank you Ernest." She sputtered out. One of the guards from the doors gestured to her. She and Ginny were led from the courtroom towards the room that her son had disappeared into.
"Representing the Ministry against Mr. Malfoy is John Stephens." Stephens rose from his seat and made his way to the center of the courtroom. "Mr. Stephens you may begin."
"Thank you, Your Honor." Stephens said and then turned to face Malfoy. "Now Mr. Malfoy you have pleaded not guilty today, but this runs in direct contrast to your admission of guilt when questioned by Ministry employees last week. Do you recall this questioning?"
"Yes." Draco said evenly. "I was treated horribly and when this is all over, I'd like an apology from the people that questioned me. Mainly that Talbot person."
"You mean Captain Talbot?" Draco nodded. "The same Captain Talbot that you attempted to kill the night when you were apprehended?"
"What?" Draco grunted. "What are you talking about?"
"Captain Talbot!" Stephens called over to the man who had returned to the courtroom. "Would you swear on your magic that when you brought Mr. Malfoy in that he attempted to cast the Killing Curse on you?"
Captain Talbot drew his wand and swore such a statement. "Lumos." A light burst out of the end of his wand.
"Very good Captain." Stephens nodded at the man. "What do you think of that Mr. Malfoy?"
"Objection." Collingsworth called out. "It is obvious that a curse was not performed on the Captain because he is still here. How would we know what type of spell Mr. Malfoy was casting?"
"I'll offer up my memory if you like, sir." Captain Talbot said to the man. "And I've been an Auror for a long time. I think I know a Killing Curse when I see one."
"Bring out the Pensieve." Ernest ordered and immediately it was wheeled out to the center of the courtroom. "Captain please proceed." The Captain placed his wand on his temple and withdrew his memory. He stepped forward and placed in the well of memories. The man who had wheeled the Pensieve in tapped on the item twice with his wand and the familiar six-sided cube appeared above the Pensieve. Harry recognized the room very well. It was the Hospital Wing at night. And there was Malfoy skulking towards an empty bed before he was stopped by Captain Talbot. Each of them trained their wands on the other before Malfoy called something out. "A-" He got out before Captain Talbot disarmed him and then stunned him. Malfoy hit the ground like a sack of potatoes.
"Interesting." Collingsworth turned to Talbot. "You say he was going to cast the Killing Curse, but he only got out a single syllable before you attacked him. Very curious."
"That's not what happened!" Phineas thundered. "That memories been tampered with!"
"It is your memory sir." Collingsworth raised an eyebrow. "The only person who could tamper with said memory is you."
Collingsworth raised his hands in front of him in defense. "I am not calling you a liar sir. I am just suggesting that you may have fired too quickly. You might think you heard the Killing Curse, but it was possibly just a summoning charm."
"I'm afraid I must agree with Mr. Collingsworth, Captain." Ernest said. "Mr. Malfoy clearly drew his wand but there is no evidence indicating that he meant to cast the Killing Curse. This statement has been stricken from the record." The quill crossed something out on the parchment rather furiously.
Captain Talbot muttered something under his breath but otherwise stepped back to his place by the booth.
"As I way saying Mr. Malfoy." Stephens spat at the boy. "You plead not guilty, but you admitted to this when under questioning and under Veritaserum. How do you explain this?"
"I was Imperiused by Joseph Duffy." Malfoy responded.
"Joseph Duffy." Stephens repeated. "Your accomplice."
"I would call him my captor." Malfoy said even though Duffy Sr. had never taken him hostage. "He forced me to do this. I would never hurt anyone." Harry resisted the urge to laugh out loud.
"You claim you were under the Imperious Curse but when questioned you claimed quite the opposite." Stephens challenged. "How do you explain this?"
"Objection, Your Honor." Collingsworth said. "Those under the Imperious Curse wouldn't remember being under it. So how else is my client supposed to respond when questioned?"
"Sustained." Ernest rang his gavel. "Your next question Mr. Stephens."
Stephens shook his head angrily but otherwise moved on. "Mr. Malfoy when questioned by these Aurors you claimed that you committed the attack on Astoria Greengrass that day because you wanted to get back at Mr. Harry Potter. Why would you want to do this?"
"I hate Potter." Draco looked around till his eyes met Harry's. "He's a showoff and he gets away with everything at school. But I would never hurt anyone because of it. I only said that because of the curse."
"So, you claim no responsibility in this matter?" Stephens asked the boy.
"No. My father raised me right. I would never hurt a woman except in self-defense." Malfoy said. Harry wanted to get up and strangle the Slytherin right here and right now.
"I have no further questions, Your Honor." Stephens shook his head.
"I also have no questions, Your Honor." Collingsworth said.
Ernest nodded. "Would Astoria Greengrass like to say anything today?" Astoria sunk into her seat. Daniel gave her a kiss on the head. "It's okay." Harry heard him say as the man rose. "I am Daniel Greengrass and I will be making a statement on behalf of my daughter."
"You have the floor, My Lord." Ernest nodded at him respectfully.
"This boy can lie all he wants." Daniel turned to look at Draco. "He can make claims that he was under the Imperious Curse but that doesn't change the obvious. You are a monster, boy. You drugged the Weasley boy and then you beat my daughter like an animal."
"That is enough Daniel!" Ernest rang his gavel. "I understand you're upset but tha-"
"Upset?" Daniel laughed with no humor. "Ernest, I hope you never have to go through this with either of your granddaughters. Have some little shit beat them to the edge of death." With that he turned again to face Draco. "I hope you burn for this."
"I call for Lord Greengrass' removal!" Lucius sprang up out of his seat and pointed at his rival. "He wishes ill will towards my son."
Ernest rang his gavel. "Lord Greengrass will not be removed but a guard will be assigned to him." On cue the guard who had escorted the Weasley women back to Ron now moved to Daniel's side. "I'm sorry Daniel, but any further disruption and you will leave me no choice but to have you removed." Lord Greengrass didn't say anything but sat back down in his seat.
"Stephens do you have anyone else to call?"
"No, Your Honor." Stephens shook his head.
"Then please make your final statement."
Stephens looked around at the jury. "Distinguished members of the jury. I appeal to your sense of morality. Don't let this boy go free. He has committed a crime against Miss Greengrass, and it would be an insult to her if we allowed this boy to walk out of here today."
Stephens stepped back and Collingsworth took his place. "I hope that we have presented enough evidence to you here today to prove my client's innocence. Mr. Malfoy has done nothing wrong that he wasn't coerced into doing. It is a travesty that Miss Greengrass was attacked but you cannot blame my client for another man's actions. The Malfoy family has already informed me that they will levy charges against Joseph Duffy for the curse on their son."
"Members of the jury please remove yourselves from the courtroom and come to a decision amongst yourselves." Ernest said and the jury rose from their seats and filed into the door leading to the hallway behind the stand.
"Did we win dad?" Daphne asked her father as those in the courtroom rose to stretch their legs and talk amongst themselves.
"I don't know." He said more to himself than his oldest daughter. "I really don't."
"That was quick." John said as the jury filed back into the courtroom.
After they took their seats, Ernest was surprised to see them back so soon. It had only been five minutes. "Was there something you all needed?" He asked them.
A man rose up from his seat. "No, Your Honor." He shook his head. "We are here to give our verdict."
"Your verdict?" Ernest blinked. "Are you sure you don't want some more time."
"No, Your Honor. It was unanimous." The man kept looking around the room. Harry thought he was spending a lot of time glancing at Lucius Malfoy.
"Proceed then." Ernest waved his hand.
The man cleared his throat and unfurled a piece of parchment. "In the case of Draco Malfoy, we the jury find him innocent on all ch-"
"HORSE SHIT!" Daniel and John thundered shooting to their feet.
"ORDER!" Ernest rang his gavel and pointed it at Daniel. "Guard, please remove Lord Greengrass from the room."
"HOW MUCH DID HE PAY YOU, YOU DAMN COWARDS?!" Daniel roared at the jury as the guard went to his side. Even though they were a fair bit of distance away a few of them shirked back in their seats from the father. "FIND YOUR DAMN BALLS!"
"Escort Lord Greengrass out!" Ernest rang his gavel again.
"Sir, please don't make this harder on yourself." The guard said to Daniel who swatted his hand away.
"No fucking justice in this world anymore!" Daniel called out to the entire courtroom. He stormed out of the room letting the door slam shut behind him.
"Bloody cowards!" John gave the jury the two fingered salute storming out of the courtroom followed by the rest of their party.
Outside Daniel was letting his frustration be known. "FUCK!" He pounded the wall with his fist over and over again. "BLOODY DAMMIT!" Finally, Sirius grabbed him from behind and held his arms back.
"Enough Daniel!" Sirius said into his ear.
Behind them Astoria was holding back tears as she shook back and forth. "It'll be okay dear." Jane whispered clutching her daughter to her. "It'll be okay."
"Bullshit." Daniel said darkly. "Nothing will ever be okay as long as bloody bastards like Malfoy can show enough money where justice doesn't mean shit anymore."
"A bold accusation." A cold voice drawled. "Care to back it up?" Coming out of the courtroom now was Lucius Malfoy followed quickly by Lady Malfoy and Draco. Behind them the courtroom was slowly starting to clear out but many of the occupants were waiting behind curiously.
"I would actually." Daniel started at Lucius, but Sirius held him back at the last second.
"No!" Sirius hissed. "You hit him. You play his bloody game."
"What about me then?" John asked starting forward, but it was Harry who held him back. Harry shook his head at his friend.
"You're lucky Duffy." Draco sneered.
"And why's that Malfoy?" Harry glared at him.
"He's lucky that we don't charge him because of his damn father. For all we know he helped plan the entire thing." Draco answered with a smirk.
Harry was barely able to hold his friend back. "I'll end you, you little ferret!" John roared.
"That's enough!" Tonks ordered sprinting into the hallway her wand in front of her.
"We're doing nothing." Draco shrugged. "It's these two that are causing the fuss."
"Leave. Now." She glared at the boy. If she was off duty right now, she'd teach the little shit a little lesson in manners. And on how to treat a woman.
"We have other places to be." Lucius said dismissively and began to walk away his son fast behind him. The only one who didn't follow immediately was Lady Malfoy. "Cousin." She nodded at Sirius who gave her a curt one in response. Her eyes glanced over to Tonks and she looked as if she wished to say something but decided against it before she left behind her son and husband.
As soon as the Malfoys were gone Sirius released his hold on Daniel. "You can't beat Lucius Malfoy by brawn. The man is like a damn cockroach. He'll just come back stronger."
"Not if I squish him like the bug he is." Daniel muttered and then turned towards his daughter. Astoria had stopped shaking but tears were still trickling down her cheeks. "I'm sorry that we couldn't get justice for you here today Tori. I-" He was interrupted by the two arms that threw themselves around his waist.
"I don't blame you Daddy. It's the Malfoy's fault. Not yours." She said. He hugged her close and shook his head.
"Are you trying to get yourself stunned?" Harry asked John as he finally released him.
"I could've knocked his teeth out before Tonks stunned me." John shrugged and spat down the hallway where the Malfoy's had disappeared.
"Oi!" Tonks glared at him. "And no, you couldn't have. I'm pretty fast."
"I'm here to escort you back to the floo." She continued. "Minister's orders."
Daniel shook his head. "Fudge must not want us to cause a ruckus in front of all these people." They turned to see many of the courtroom occupants were still watching them with curiosity.
"Why don't you lot piss off?" Sirius growled taking a step towards the crowd who scattered. It pays to be a world-famous killer. Even if you didn't commit the crime you were accused of committing.
"Yeah that'll look good for the Prophet." Hannah rolled her eyes.
"The Prophet can suck my-"
"I think it's time to go." Hannah pushed him to follow Tonks who was rolling her eyes.
"Come on." She started to lead them back down the hallway towards the floo.
"He's a damn genius." Daphne muttered.
"What'd you say?" Harry asked looking towards his girlfriend.
"Malfoy. He's a genius." She said again.
"Why?" He asked confused. "He just was named innocent remember?"
She glared at him. "Yes, Harry I remember. I was sort of there. But that damn lawyer of his. He knew that there'd be no way to tell if someone was under the Imperious Curse after it was over. Even if Malfoy's father hadn't coerced the jury then it still wouldn't have been an easy case."
Harry grumbled. He didn't like any credit towards that little ferret but honestly credit was due here. They hadn't had a fighting chance.
They finally got back to the room containing the floo. "Harry, a quick word if you will before you go?" Sirius asked.
Harry nodded and followed Sirius into the corner of the room for privacy. "What is it?" He asked.
"So, I was just thinking." Sirius rubbed the back of his neck.
"Hannah told me that she tells you not to do that." Harry grinned at him. Sirius responded by rolling his eyes.
"Could I speak? I'm trying to be serious here."
"I thought you were Sirius?" Harry quipped.
"You are Prongs' son, aren't you?" Sirius sighed. "Well I was going to ask you come live with me from now on, but I guess that wouldn't appeal to you."
"W-What?" Harry blinked. Had he really heard that right?
"I'm a free man now Harry." Sirius grinned. "Which means that I can live in my own damn home from now on and not some cave or a back-alley brothel." Hannah must've heard the last word because she turned to look at them. "Just a metaphor dear." He smiled sweetly at her which she only rolled her eyes at.
"What about Hannah?" Harry asked.
"What about her?"
"Would she be living with you too?" Harry asked. "And John as well?"
"Well we haven't really discussed it." Sirius responded. "I was only freed today after all. But I don't even know if she would want to live with a dog like me."
"Well even if she doesn't, I would love too!" Harry grinned embracing his Godfather.
"R-Really?" Sirius said emotion taking ahold. "With your relatives I did-"
"Sirius. You're my real family. You and Remus." Harry frowned a bit. "Where was he today anyway?"
Sirius shrugged. "Not sure. Last I heard he was doing some assignment for Dumbledore. Something is going down on the mainland."
Harry sighed. Dumbledore better not get his favorite professor hurt. "Rest assured though that between you and the Dursley's, I choose you one hundred times out of one hundred."
Sirius grinned and hugged his nephew again. "You make me the happiest dog in the world."
"I'll be sure to tell Hannah." Harry muttered.
"Consider my offer revoked." Sirius drew back and glared at Harry but with no real malice in his voice.
"Hey!" Daphne called over to the both of them. "Are you two lovebirds done over there?"
"Here is your boyfriend Miss Greengrass, safe and unharmed." Sirius countered leading Harry over. "Hannah, care to grab a drink at the Cauldron? I want to run something by you."
"Sure." She leaned over and planted a kiss on her boyfriend's cheek. "I can treat my now favorite ex-convict to a drink."
"Please. I'm paying." He grinned and they shared a quick kiss.
"Vomit." John said as he fake retched.
"Piss off." Hannah glared at John.
"Was nice meeting you son." Sirius extended a hand towards him. "Even though I did blow your mind a bit."
John frowned a bit at the nickname that Sirius called him but otherwise shook the man's hand. "Just didn't expect my mother to be snogging Sirius Black is all." John shrugged and ignored the next glare that his mother sent his way.
Sirius shook with laughter. "Fair enough."
"We should probably get back anyway. I just want to go back and take a nap." John sighed.
"We can't remember?" Harry said and John looked confused. "Practice? The game against Ilvermorny is in three days last I checked."
"Shit." John muttered. He turned to face Astoria. "Hey buddy it didn't go the way it was supposed to go today. Next time I see Malfoy, I'll-"
"You'll do nothing you idiot." She slapped him upside the head. "Don't get suspended again. Please. For me."
He sighed. "I promise."
She smiled at him and wrapped her arms around him giving him a hug. "Thanks though."
He smiled at her again. "See you lot on the other side." He said before walking into the floo and disappeared in a flash of green light.
Hermione hugged Sirius before she left. "I'm so glad you're finally free, Sirius."
"Thank you, Miss Granger. Please do come visit this summer." He smiled at her which she returned before leaving in the floo.
Susan said her goodbyes to everyone before leaving. "I guess I'm next." Harry said and shook Daniel's hand. He gave Jane and Hannah hugs before coming to Astoria. "Tori, I'm so sorry things didn't work out today. Our justice system is in severe need of a repair if criminals like Malfoy can walk out free."
She gave him a weak smile. "Thanks Harry." She said and gave him a hug. "Please come see me this summer. You can help me practice for Quidditch season."
He was delighted when he heard that she was planning on trying out for the Slytherin team next year. It would just make that match all the more interesting. "I would be happy to."
Harry gave his Godfather one last hug before leaving in a flash of green light arriving back in Dumbledore's office.
"What are you smiling about?" Hermione asked when she saw his smile.
He smiled. "I have something to tell you."
A/N: Apologize for the short chapter. I was originally going to do Malfoy's trial last chapter but decided not too. On a side note I just wanted to thank all of you. This story just passed 3k Followers last chapter. When I first decided to write this story last year I never could've imagined you guys would show it love like this. From the bottom of my heart: thank you!
