The next morning's Daily Prophet carried a detailed – and extremely embellished – article on the First Task. It was no surprise to Harry or Hermione that it had been written by Rita Skeeter. She had sent the section regarding Harry for pre-approval the previous day, and Harry was quite pleased that the printed version was no different from the version that he had approved.

Azkaban was quite the stick to the carrot.

There had been a short article in the paper the day after the Task, but this 'retelling' covered several pages and greatly exaggerated the accomplishments of each of the Champions.

'Oh, my,' gasped Hermione.

'What?' Harry asked, quickly swallowing a mouthful of sausage.

'The Horntail. It died later that day on the way back to Romania,' she said, pointing at the paper, 'It seems like it scratched its own throat out. The dragon handlers were puzzled as to why.'

She leaned in close to his ear. 'Was your Confundus Charm too strong?'

'I'm not sure,' he whispered back, 'I put a lot of power behind it. Maybe the dragon fully lost its mind. I don't know. I don't speak Dragon.'

Hermione rolled her eyes at him. 'All you'd have to do is roar and grunt.'

'That's literally the same as speaking Troll.'

'Is it a wonder why so many wizards are polyglots, then?'

Harry and Hermione both laughed. They were interrupted by an owl swooping down in front of them, carrying an official-looking letter.

'It's from the DMLE,' Hermione said, pointing at the stamp on the envelope, 'It must be from Madam Bones, about Sirius!'

Harry ripped open the envelope, and he and Hermione read the letter together.

Dear Mr Harry J. Potter,

I am Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry for Magic. I am contacting you regarding a development in the case of Sirius Black. On Saturday, I received a curious package from Gringotts. It contained a notarized copy of your mother and father's will.

In it, it was explicitly stated that Sirius Black had been made your godfather at your birth through the Godfather Ritual. If you are unfamiliar with what this means, the Godparent Ritual is a magical process that binds a person to their godchild. After this process is complete, magic enforces that the godparent can under no circumstances, willingly or unwillingly, take any action that brings direct harm to the godchild or the godchild's family.

I am sure that you can see the ramifications of this. Magically, it is impossible for Sirius Black to have betrayed your mother and father to the dark wizard who calls himself Lord Voldemort. Therefore, the only logical conclusion is that the true secret keeper and betrayer of Lily and James Potter was a witch or a wizard other than Sirius Black.

An official DMLE summons for questioning under truth serum has been sent to Mr Black. As he was never formally charged, a denial of guilt under Veritaserum will be sufficient for him to leave a free man.

As this case so intimately involves you, I, as the Head of the DMLE, present you with an official summons on Wednesday, 1 December 1994 to attend the questioning of Sirius Black. You may be asked to answer questions related to this case. One witness on your behalf may accompany you. Present this letter to your Head of House as a permit of absence. No other commitment is to take precedence over your presence. No individual may legally prevent you from attendance. Two Aurors will be at Hogwarts at 10:00 sharp on the morning of 1 December to escort you and your guest to the Ministry of Magic.

Looking forward to seeing you then,

Amelia Bones

Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement

P.S.: On an unofficial note, I urge you to make contact with Mr Black before the questioning date. As he is your godfather and he was your mother and father's most trusted friend, I recommend that you become directly acquainted with him.

Harry turned to Hermione. She had tears in her eyes. 'He's going to be free!' she squealed, throwing her arms around Harry.

Harry was too excited to speak. Instead, he leaned in and kissed her on the lips. Never mind that they were in the middle of the Great Hall. Never mind that everyone could be watching. Sirius was going to be exonerated, and that was all that mattered.

They were interrupted by a familiar, hated voice.

'Potter,' drawled Draco Malfoy with a visible sneer, 'You really have no standards, do you? Going so low as to snog the Mudblood beaver? I expected better, even from you.'

Harry struggled to reign in his temper. He remembered the last time he had seen Malfoy. Granted, it was in the 'old timeline', ten years in the future, but he remembered how Draco had been so eager to take Hermione to sexually violate. How Harry had cast the Killing Curse for the first time on him, ending his pathetic life before snuffing out his father's, as well.

'You should watch your mouth, Malfoy,' Hermione snapped. Harry saw that her face was flushed bright red, not in embarrassment, but in fury.

'Did anyone hear anything?' Malfoy said to his two goons, 'I can't hear Mudbloods like her.'

'That's a pity,' Hermione continued, 'Because you really should watch your tongue. You wouldn't want to drag yourself into an honour duel, do you?'

At that, Malfoy's arrogant expression vanished and was replaced by one of absolute terror. 'Y-You can't,' he shot back nervously, 'You're but a Mudblood. You can't challenge me to an honour duel.'

'You can call me a Mudblood,' Hermione replied sweetly and calmly, 'But I'm a Mudblood who's under the protection of the House of Potter. And unless you or your father want to duel Harry to the death, which I assure you won't turn out well for either of you, I suggest you watch your mouth.'

At that, Harry held up his right hand and flashed his Potter House Ring.

And it seemed like Malfoy at once knew that Hermione had meant business. He scurried away, terrified, his two gorillas following closely behind him.

Harry clapped Hermione on the back. 'That was brilliant!'

Hermione chuckled. 'He's a coward. His wand can't cash the cheque his mouth writes. All it takes is a little threatening and he falls to pieces.'

'Yeah, that's obvious. You're still amazing, though.'

'Thanks, Harry,' she replied sweetly, 'How amazing?'

Harry leaned in and kissed her again. 'This amazing.'

Harry and Hermione found all their classes incredibly boring. They had exceeded the material taught to Hogwarts students a long time ago…in the future. Even Hermione was having trouble staying awake in class. To rectify the issue, she had charmed an Arithmancy and an Ancient Runes book to resemble the class textbooks, so they could work on their self-teaching during that time.

After Transfiguration that morning, McGonagall announced the Yule Ball, then told Harry that he had to find a date. He and Hermione exchanged an amused look. That, at least, was not a going to be an issue this time around.

When the rest of the class had left, Harry and Hermione approached McGonagall with the letter from Madam Bones.

'Sirius Black is innocent?' McGonagall exclaimed after reading the letter, a shocked and blanched expression on her face.

'He is,' Hermione answered, smiling.

'I should have known…of course he would never betray James,' McGonagall muttered to herself, 'More brothers than real brothers, those two.' She looked up at the two teens. 'You have my permission for Wednesday. Please deliver my heartfelt apologies to Black for thinking he could have been guilty.'

Harry felt himself beaming. 'We will, Professor. And thank you!'

McGonagall nodded and turned away to retreat into her office. Harry saw the ordinarily stern Transfiguration Professor wipe her face with her sleeve.

At lunch, Harry found that he was once again the talk of the school.

The Prophet article had once again stirred up the excitement of the First Task that had been tempered in the few days since. The entire school seemed to agree that the death of the Horntail was no accident, and that Harry had cast some unknown curse that had slowly driven it out of its mind before it accidentally took its own life.

'It isn't exactly untrue,' Hermione pointed out, 'Your Confundus Charm probably did destroy the Horntail's mind.'

Harry noticed that Ron was looking extremely grumpy. Neither the twins nor Ginny seemed at all interested in talking him out of his pout. He was not exactly helping himself, either, for he spent most of lunch ogling Lavender Brown.

'I hope they don't get together this time around,' he whispered to Hermione, 'Merlin knows how revolting that'd be.'

Hermione snickered, turning faintly pink at the picture. 'Doesn't look like you're going to get your wish. Don't look, but Ron's literally drooling into his plate.'

So of course, Harry turned to look at Ron. Immediately, he felt bile come up into his throat. Hermione was not exaggerating. Ron's face was covered with pudding and he was chewing with his mouth open, a dazed expression on his face as drool flowed freely down his fork.

He jerked his eyes away from the terrifying sight and let out a sigh. 'I just hope they don't have kids at this point. I'd feel sorry for the unfortunate children.'

'Mister Potter,' came a voice from behind them. Harry thanked the powers that be for the distraction from Ron's eating habits. A Hufflepuff girl – by her appearances, a second- or third-year – was holding out a piece of parchment. 'A message from the Headmaster.'

Harry took the parchment and opened it. Hermione leaned in towards him to read.

Hermione looked up with a puzzled expression on her face. 'Dumbledore needs to see us in his office? Why?'

'I don't know,' he replied very quietly, 'But I think we should be careful. I've been suspicious about Dumbledore ever since the day we saw that will. I don't know if he is, but it's possible he's planning something. He takes an unnatural interest in me, that's for sure.'

'It probably has to do with Sirius,' Hermione supplied, looking nervous. 'The timing suggests so. Just this morning we show McGonagall the letter and now we're getting a summons? I think you're right. He's up to something.'

'Be on guard with your Occlumency,' Harry warned. 'Just answer his questions directly and don't give him any information you don't have to. I don't think Dumbledore means us any harm, but I don't want him coming away with more than he should know about why we're here.'

Immediately after finishing their lunch, Harry and Hermione made their way to the Headmaster's study. Heading past the gargoyle, they climbed the spiral staircase and knocked on the door.

'Enter!' Dumbledore called from within.

Harry pushed the door open and entered the study, Hermione following him. The study was just as he had remembered. The portraits, Fawkes, and even the silver instruments, though he noticed that there were burn marks on the table and on some of the instruments.

'What do we owe the pleasure of, Headmaster?'

'Ah, Harry, Miss Granger, please take a seat.'

Harry and Hermione sat down next to each other opposite the Headmaster. They locked eyes for a split second, reassuring each other that everything was going to be fine.

'I've received word from Professor McGonagall that you will be attending a Ministry questioning on the matter of Sirius on Wednesday,' Dumbledore began.

'Yes, Professor.'

'May I ask why you will be attending?'

Harry was confused. Was it not obvious? 'Because I've been officially summoned, Headmaster,' he answered, trying not to sound too complacent, 'And Hermione is my witness.'

'Would your time not be better spent in the castle, studying, or preparing for the Second Task?'

'I'm confident in my performance in classes, Headmaster. As for the Second Task, I've already figured out the clue. I will be rescuing something or someone from the merpeople village in the Black Lake and I'll have one hour to do it.'

'Impressive, Harry,' Dumbledore said with a nod, though he sounded a little…annoyed? 'However, would you not rather spend time with your friends, rather than attending a hearing at the Ministry?'

'Professor, this hearing involves my godfather,' Harry replied, irritated at his barely-concealed attempts to keep him from attending the hearing. 'And besides, my one and best friend will be accompanying me. There's nowhere I'd rather be.'

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. 'What of Mister Weasley?'

'Neither me nor Hermione is on good terms with Ron, Professor.'

'May I ask why?'

'Professor, please pardon my bluntness, but I did not think the personal lives of students is the concern of the Headmaster.'

Dumbledore sighed. 'You are right, Harry. Very well.'

There were a few moments of awkward silence. Then, Harry felt a prickling in his brain. He immediately rallied his Occlumency defences. He felt around his mind for the intrusion and found it at once. Dumbledore was not very subtle – it was obvious that he did not expect Harry to be capable of Occlumency. The probe had not gone very deep, but it was slowly making its way into the deeper parts of his mind. Harry reacted, enveloping it in his own power, keeping it from penetrating any further. Then, slowly, so as to not attract suspicion of his developed Occlumency skills, Harry pushed the probe out of his mind.

The moment that intrusion was gone, Dumbledore began panting, out of breath. Clearly, the mental battle had taken a toll on his physical and magical energy.

'Are you okay, Headmaster?' Harry asked, faking a voice of concern. To be perfectly honest, he felt very little sympathy now for the man who had just tried to invade his mind.

'I am fine, Harry. Just a complication of old age,' Dumbledore lied, 'Please pardon me.'

'Certainly, Professor. So you will be okay with me attending the questioning on Wednesday?'

'Ah, Harry. I'm afraid for your own sakes, you and Miss Granger must remain in the castle.'

'Why, Professor? You have not given me any reason I cannot.'

Dumbledore frowned. 'You must remain here for your own protection.'

'But it's just Sirius,' Harry protested, 'All of us here know he's not dangerous. And besides, if something were to happen, we'd be surrounded by Aurors who'd keep us safe. Besides, I'm legally compelled to attend. It said explicitly in the letter that no person may impede my or my guest's attendance of the questioning.'

'There are threats beyond the Aurors' abilities to defend against, Harry. You must not leave the safety of the castle. Is you unexplained entry into the Triwizard Tournament not a sure sign that something is afoot?'

'Professor, all signs point to someone within the castle posing a danger to me, not a threat outside of the castle.'

'Nonetheless, it is prudent not to expose yourself.'

'Professor,' Harry attempted to reason calmly, 'We know that Voldemort is still lacking a body. We know the Death Eaters are leaderless and weak. Who in their right mind would attempt to harm me in the middle of the Ministry of Magic? Not even Voldemort would be brazen enough to attempt that if he returned, risking the knowledge of said return and a battle against a vastly numerically superior force. I'm less of an easy target in the Ministry of Magic than perhaps anywhere except Hogwarts.'

Dumbledore sighed. 'Very well, Harry, Miss Granger, you may go. Good day.'

'Good day to you, too, Headmaster.'

Harry followed Hermione out of the Headmaster's study. Once they were back in the Room of Requirement, she turned to Harry. Her face was screwed up in confusion and she was running a hand absentmindedly through her hair.

'What the hell was Dumbledore doing?' she asked, her annoyance betrayed by her curt tone.

'Wasn't it obvious? He was doing everything he could to stop us from attending the questioning.'

'I got that much, but I just can't understand why!'

Harry had an idea. 'Do you think this has something to do with the will?'

Hermione looked even more confused. 'How so?'

'Well, he must think us being there would give a better chance for Sirius to be freed – not like I have any doubts that he wouldn't be – but that's besides the point,' Harry reasoned, 'And Dumbledore probably thinks that if Sirius is freed, he will likely demand my Magical Guardianship from him, and it would probably be granted because of the Godfather Ritual. Dumbledore doesn't know that I don't have a Magical Guardian anymore, but again, that's besides the point, since I don't think Dumbledore knows about the emancipation.'

Hermione's eyes widened in understanding. 'And Dumbledore doesn't want to give up the Magical Guardianship – that he no longer has – because of the power and influence that the Head of the Potter Family has, as Neville explained. And he thinks that if he's your Magical Guardian, he'd have more influence on you. And he'd be able to force his stupid, misguided ideas about things like sending you back to Privet Drive.'

'Which would now be pointless, since me being legally of age in the magical world renders the blood words useless.'

'Yes, but Dumbledore doesn't know that. Neither does he know about your magical emancipation. He thinks you're still under his control.'

'My god,' Harry gasped, shocked, 'Can Dumbledore really be so callous?'

'His actions certainly are, but I don't know if he himself is callous,' Hermione replied, 'I think he has a misguided notion that he knows best. You remember how it was like during the Horcrux quest. He never revealed anything because Merlin-knows-why. But he did it because he thought he was absolutely right in not revealing anything.'

Harry nodded. 'And him basically using me as bait for Voldemort this year. Yeah. I see your point.'

'Exactly. But honestly, fuck Dumbledore,' Hermione said firmly. 'Look what following Dumbledore's directions led to in the "old timeline". We're going to the Ministry Wednesday no matter what happens. We'll fight Dumbledore if we have to. The two of us can probably match him, given our training. But we'll do what's right, never mind what Dumbledore thinks is better for the "greater good" or whatever bollocks like that.'

'We will. Thanks, Hermione. I never regret listening to you.'

Hermione chuckled. 'I'd snog you right now for your sweet-talking, but we have Charms in ten minutes. I'll save that for later, how about?'

'As long as you remember you owe me one!'

Albus groaned. Just that morning, he had visited Privet Drive and did indeed find that the blood wards were completely broken. There was not even a trace left from which he could perform repair. He debated whether or not to tell Petunia and Vernon, but then decided that he should not. He needed them to consent with taking Harry again that summer. He needed to be kept away from magic, lest he use the summer vacation to grow too strong or powerful. Then, it would be harder to guide Harry to his destiny.

Sure, Petunia and Vernon were exposed to the Death Eaters and possibly even Tom himself, now, but they need not be told that. If they were, they might not consent to having Harry return, and that would possibly damage his plans so much that they could become unsalvageable. No. They most certainly could not be told. It was all for the Greater Good, after all.

And in that same vein of thought, Sirius could not be allowed to walk free on Wednesday. Harry could not be allowed to live in a magical home over the summer. Especially not in the home of a family as powerful – and as dark – as the Blacks. He had tried to keep Harry away from the questioning, knowing that if he were to be present, Sirius's innocence would be instantly proven beyond a doubt. If he were not, then Albus could at least manipulate – er, suggest to – Fudge that Sirius had altered his memories through the Dark Arts. Fudge would listen to him, of course.

But Harry had made it clear that he would be attending no matter what, and it would be foolish to damage their working relationship too much for the sake of stopping him from attending this one hearing. In better times, he would have allowed Miss Granger to force him to see sense, but she seemed to have planted herself firmly in Harry's camp. Why did they not understand that it was all for the Greater Good?

The apparent expulsion of the Weasley boy from their circle also posed a problem to Albus. Weasley had held him back, kept him grounded. He had influenced Harry to be lazy. As counterintuitive as it was, Albus knew that a lazy Harry was good for his plans. Harry could not become too confident in his magic. Now that it was only Harry and Miss Granger, there would be nothing stopping him from finding the magnitude of his power and growing his confidence, which in turn would make him harder to control.

There was only one course of action left to Albus. He stepped over to the fireplace in the Headmaster's study and threw a pinch of Floo Powder into it.

'Ministry of Magic, Office of the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement!'

Albus stepped through the Floo and reappeared moments later in Amelia's outer office. Her secretary, a small, grey-haired witch, looked up.

'Headmaster Dumbledore. How may I be of assistance?'

'I would like a meeting with Amelia. As soon as possible, please.'

'She's meeting with the Minister right now. Please take a seat.'

'Actually,' Albus objected, 'That would be most perfect. I have matters to discuss that concern both the Cornelius and Amelia.'

The secretary sighed. 'I shall speak to Madam Bones to see if that is acceptable.' She rose from her desk, walked over to the door, knocked, and entered.

Several minutes later, she reappeared. 'Madam Bones will see you now, Headmaster Dumbledore. She asks you to be brief.'

'Thank you, Miss,' Albus replied gratefully. Perhaps there was still hope, after all.

'Ah, Cornelius, Amelia, how good to see you,' Albus greeted as he entered the office.

'What is your business here, Albus?' Amelia replied curtly.

Albus frowned. It seemed like Amelia was taking a rather confrontational attitude. That made his work a little harder, of course, but he was as confident as ever that he could make her see sense.

'I'm here on the matter of Sirius Black.'

'Are you here to provide evidence of his innocence?' asked Cornelius. Dumbledore inwardly groaned. It seemed like Amelia had Cornelius on her side now, too.

'No, actually, I am here to request that Wednesday's questioning be cancelled.'

Amelia's eyebrows shot up into her hair. 'Cancelled? For what reason?'

'Amelia, we do not have enough evidence to conduct a hearing.'

'I was not aware that it was your job to tell me how to do my job, Albus,' Amelia replied, sounding quite irritated.

'Please pardon my transgression,' Albus said. It was important not to antagonize Amelia if he wanted her to do what he wanted. 'However, the point stands. All we have are the testimonies of three third-years, now fourth-years. We do not have Pettigrew, the claimed true traitor.'

'We don't need any of that,' Amelia responded. She held up a roll of parchment. 'Do you recognize this, Albus?'

Albus was shocked. No…it could not be! James and Lily's will? He had sealed that years ago. How could it have been reopened?

His shock must have been clearly painted on his face, as both Cornelius and Amelia raised their eyebrows.

'I had my doubts about the Harry Potter's story, Albus, but this is indisputable,' said Cornelius. 'The Godfather Ritual. Everyone here knows what that means. There is no possible way Black could have been the true betrayer of the Potters.'

'How did you receive this will? It could have been a fake.' Albus needed to derail the investigation right now.

'It could not have been a fake,' Amelia snapped. 'It is a notarized copy. It bears the official magical seal of Gringotts. Only a Gringotts goblin, acting on his free will, could possibly put that seal on a document.'

'But the will was sealed years ago,' Albus pointed out. He had sealed it himself! 'The goblins could not create a copy of a sealed will.'

'Then the will was reopened. Surely that conclusion is simple,' Amelia replied in an exasperated tone.

'But how?'

'Albus, there are only four people who could possibly have reopened the will,' Cornelius butted in, 'James and Lily themselves, which is not possible, considering that they are, sadly, deceased. You, as you are the executor of the will. And Harry Potter, the legal heir of the Potter family.'

'Harry?'

But it all made sense now. Harry had somehow gone to Gringotts and reopened the will. He had claimed the headship of the Potter family. And in the process, he was magically emancipated, and considered magically of age. That had led to the blood wards collapsing. Albus groaned. The situation was far more out-of-control than he had first imagined. Now that Harry was magically an adult – and he knew it – Albus's hands were tied.

Harry was no longer under his Magical Guardianship. That meant Albus no longer had any real control over him. Given how he had botched his last interactions with Harry, the boy might not even have trust enough in him to believe his wisdom unconditionally. He would have to step up his manipulations – er, guidance – in order to keep him on the path to his destiny.

And now, the reality of his position demanded that Albus give some ground. Sirius had to go free on Wednesday as a concession to Harry. Then, he would have to convince Harry to trust him again. There as still hope. If he did well, Harry will still be heading back to Privet Drive that summer.

'I understand,' Albus said finally, accepting that he had to give up. 'I apologize for my doubt of your investigation. I will make no further attempts to…make my opinions known…regarding Wednesday's questioning.'

Amelia nodded curtly. 'Thank you, Albus. You may go.'

Albus stepped out of the office and Flooed back to his study. He had a lot of planning to do.

Padfoot was a very happy dog.

He had just read Amelia's letter, and he was barking so loudly that he had woken up Buckbeak and he was giving him the evil eye.

He had long wondered if anyone besides James, Lily, and Albus knew of the Godfather Ritual. He had also wondered why Albus never acted on his knowledge of the Ritual.

But he could save that for later, possibly for a discussion with Moony over Firewhiskey. He would buy an entire crate of the stuff if he went free that Wednesday. He was going to go free!

He wondered if Harry had anything to do with this. He thought it was unlikely that Albus decided to act now, after he had stayed silent for over a decade. It was possible that Harry may have stumbled upon the will on a visit to Gringotts. Or perhaps the girl – Hermione? – the girl that reminded Padfoot so much of Lily, had figured out the existence of the will.

Either way, if Harry had not already, Padfoot was going to get him to take over the Headship of the Potter Family. That would get him away from those loathsome 'relatives' of his. He had heard some rumours from Moony about how Harry was treated there. Those rumours had made Padfoot actually want to become a murderer.

He still had some chicken, a few meat pies, and a few slices of chocolate cake. He wondered briefly how Harry knew to send him food without him even mentioning where he was hiding. But he was not about to complain. It was time to feast in celebration.

A/N: You get a chapter a day early this week! This week will also be a double chapter week. Chapter 8 (Sirius's hearing) will be up on Friday or Saturday. Cheers!

A few explainers on this chapter, since my logic is not always clearly articulated to the reader in my writing. Harry and Hermione don't know right from the beginning about Dumbledore's manipulations. I intended to have them slowly realize that Dumbledore isn't necessarily looking out for their best interest. Right now, as you can probably tell, they're somewhere between mostly trusting Dumbledore (canon/old timeline) and fully rebelling against him (intended result).

Occlumency – or at least, the Occlumency of a skilled Occlumens – as you have already seen, will not be interpreted in my story as a solid wall of sorts, as many other writers do, but rather as a malleable, flexible magical defence that depends on the interaction between two magicals' magics. Again, I am not saying that I am more right than others or vice versa, but in my interpretation, the 'mind' is too much of a nebulous thing to put up a solid 'shield' in front of.

Fudge being useful: he's a politician. He watches out for what he can do to maintain and grow his own power and influence. He's faced with undeniable evidence that the head of a powerful family is innocent and should be freed. He would do anything to get that political goodwill.