Chapter 3: A Grim Rises Again
The 29th of December, 1987 dawned like any other day. Deep in the bowels of the Ministry of Magic in London, locked behind a series of powerful, disorienting glamours and wards, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew awaited their trials, scheduled for ten o'clock that morning. Sirius was currently in an interrogation room with his barrister Julian Selywn and his Healer Andromeda Tonks, completing last minute prep for the trial.
"Andy, don't fuss over me," Sirius sighed good-naturedly.
"Sirius Orion Black, do you want to look like a possessed murderer before the Wizengamot?" Andromeda admonished, forcing another potion bottle into his hands.
Sirius grumbled noncommittally, reluctantly swallowing the potion –It turned out to be pepper-up and immediately caused steam to rush out of his ears. Over the last few days, Andromeda had done her best to make him look presentable. His hair was now unmatted and at least clean, though it hadn't quite regained a healthy look. His bruises were all healed and he had been on a strict regimen of (expensive) nutrient potions all week. They hadn't caused him to put on any weight yet, but overall, he did look a bit better healthier. Luckily, Andromeda was also good with clothes, and the robes she had brought him were able to somewhat hide his pronounced emaciation. But, truthfully, the biggest change in Sirius Black was the hope that blazed brightly in his dark gray eyes.
"Yes, well," Selywn interrupted. "The case is strong, Heir Black, between Lord Black reminding the Lords that the same could have happened to any of them or their heirs, and the evidence we were able to have admitted, the odds are high for a full exoneration."
"Good, good. We always have our secret weapon." Sirius said happily.
Selwyn shook his head. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that. Lord Black is adamant that you are not to be subjected to Veritaserum."
"Grandfather is too paranoid for his own good."
"And how does the defendant plead?"
"N-n-n-not g-g-g-g-guilty." Pettigrew hid behind his hands as he chittered through his answer to Chief Warlock Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore –whose parents were clearly just as eccentric as the Headmaster - Chief Warlock - Supreme Mugwump himself.
Dumbledore looked down his crooked nose, his reading spectacles perched on the end of his nose. "And would the defendant like a barrister appointed to his defense?" he asked.
Pettigrew cowered under his gaze. "Y-y-yes."
"Very well, Public Barrister Avery Davis is appointed to represent defendant Peter Ian Pettigrew. The defendant's plea has been recorded. The defendant and barrister will have a recess to review the case. Aurors, please escort the defendant to a secure room."
The dais cleared quickly, while Dumbledore shifted the parchment in front of him, moving on to the next case. "Attention please," he said over the murmurs of the Wizengamot members and press. When the noise had trickled down to an acceptable amount, he nodded his head once, clearing his throat. "Aurors, please bring in our next defendant, we will begin immediately as these cases are entwined."
There was noisy shuffling in the courtroom while the members anxiously awaited the entrance of a man they all (well, most of them) feared. Barrister Julian Selywn entered first, followed by Andromeda Black, who quickly sat in the front row next to her husband. Then, Sirius entered, escorted by a team of aurors, unshackled. Sound swelled through the room as he walked unimpeded across the dais towards the Chief Warlock, and sat proudly on the hard chair, as if it were his own personal throne.
"Aurors, restrain this murderer!" Someone said loudly from among the mumbling crowd. The voices raged out of control until, suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the room and everyone quieted. Every eye turned to the Chief Warlock, whose wand was still pointed skyward.
"Sirius Black has been examined by a qualified Mind Healer, who has stated he is not a risk to himself or others. Head Auror Bones has also interviewed the defendant extensively and deems him safe to the public. You will also notice that he does not have a wand," Dumbledore said dryly.
Sirius smirked at the Chief Warlock, but, uncharacteristically, remained quietly polite. Selywn remained standing at his side, waiting patiently.
Dumbledore glanced down at the parchment on his desk again. "Heir Sirius Orion Black, on the charge of accessory to the murder of Lord James and Lady Lily Potter and the assault of Heir Harry James Potter, how do you plead?"
"My client pleads not guilty." Selywn answered.
Turning to Selwyn, Dumbledore continued. "On the charge of the murder of the wizard Peter Pettigrew and 12 muggle bystanders, how does the defendant plead?"
"Not guilty."
"And on the charge of aiding and abetting the terrorist known as Lord Voldemort, how does the defendant plead?"
Ignoring the loud gasps permeating the room at the sound of Voldemort's name, Selywn again answered. "Not guilty, Chief Warlock."
"Thank you, Barrister Selywn. The floor is yours, please proceed."
Selwyn stood tall, chin raised slightly to look around the Wizengamot chamber. "Chief Warlock, Lords and Ladies, let us begin our story on the Winter Solstice in 1980. Harry James Potter is just shy of five months old and it is his first solstice. Lord and Lady Potter have invited their chosen loved one to perform the Godfather Rites under the Solstice moon. Heir Black, who is Harry James Potter's Godfather?"
Sirius smirked. "I am."
"Can you prove this claim?"
"I am named in the Potter Will, Barrister Selwyn."
If one were to look upon the faces of the Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot, one would see them completely enraptured by this little show orchestrated by the Blacks. Selywn smiled at his client, then turned back to the Chief Warlock. "Chief Warlock, the defense moves to unseal the Potter Will and enter it into evidence."
"Now Barrister, the Potter Will was sealed for the safety of Heir Potter –"
"And, were it not evidence in a capital criminal investigation, it might stay that way." Selywn interrupted confidently.
The Chief Warlock's entire body seemed to sag in resignation. Reluctantly, he ordered, "Record Keeper, please retrieve the Potter Will."
The courtroom was very quiet while its inhabitants waited. On the dais, Selwyn and Sirius exchanged looks in anticipation, but did not speak. Record Keeper Rowle's assistant returned after about fifteen minutes. Rowle then confirmed the magical signature on the parchment's seal and noted its authenticity for the court before opening it. He cleared his throat, muttered a spell to project the contents of the document in the air above the dais, and began to read aloud.
The Last Will and Testament of Lord James Charles Potter
I, Lord James Charles Potter, of the Most Ancient House of Potter, being of sound mind and body, do hereby intend the following to be my Last Will and Testament. If my wife, Lady Lily May Potter survives me, she will be made Regent Potter, with the full responsibilities and access of the position, until our son, Harry James, reaches his majority.
If my wife does not survive me, I bequeath and command the following:
To Remus John Lupin, 30,000 galleons
To Peter Ian Pettigrew, 30,000 galleons
To my brother in arms, Sirius Orion Black, 60,000 galleons
All remaining assets and monies of Potter House to be inherited by my heir, Harry James Potter.
A trust vault has been set up for Harry to pay his expenses until his thirteenth birthday when he becomes Lord Potter and gains access to the family vaults.
The following, in order of preference, will retain custody of Harry:
Sirius Orion Black, our closest friend and confidante, Godfather of Harry James Potter by Loyalty Rite performed on the 21st of December, 1980 –pursuant to his responsibilities as Godfather, Sirius will assume the role of Regent of House Potter until Harry's thirteenth birthday, if Sirius is unavailable as Harry's guardian, Potter House shall remain dormant until Harry attains his Lordship at age thirteen.
House Longbottom, our sworn ally, Harry should be placed in the household of Neville Longbottom, son of Frank and Alice Longbottom
Andromeda Tonks, close friend and confidante
House Bones, our sworn ally, Harry should be placed in the household of Susan Bones, daughter of Trevor and Iliana Bones
House Lovegood, our sworn ally, Harry should be placed in the household of our friends Xenophilius and Pandora Lovegood
Signed and declared by Lord James Charles Potter, Most Ancient House of Potter
This Will has been witnessed by Lady Lily May Potter and drawn up by Ragnok, Director of Gringotts, London, on 11 August, 1980.
When Rowle finished reading, the room was deathly quiet.
"I move that the charge of accessory to the murders of the Potters and assault of their Heir be dropped," said Regent Augusta Longbottom, her voice shaking with emotion as she glared at the Chief Warlock.
"Seconded," said Lord Arcturus Black, causing Augusta to swing around to look at him, surprised at his uncharacteristic willingness to involve himself –and believing, like many others who knew him before his incarceration, that Sirius had been disowned.
Dumbledore nodded, "All in favor?" Most of the wands in the room lit up. "Opposed?" No one dared move, especially after hearing from Lord Black. "Very well, the charge of accessory to murder and assault has been dropped. Barrister Selwyn? You may continue."
"Chief Warlock, I would like to request that the Wizengamot considers dropping the charge of the murder of Peter Pettigrew, as he has proven to be… alive," Selywn said distastefully.
"Yes, yes. I move that the charge of the murder of Peter Pettigrew be dropped," Dumbledore agreed.
"Seconded," said Lord Black again.
Again, all wands lit in favor of dropping the charge when asked. "Please continue, Barrister," Dumbledore said again.
"Thank you, Chief Warlock. The defense moves to enter the wand of Heir Black into evidence and subject it to testing."
"Allowed. Head Auror Bones, do we have the wand available?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, Chief Warlock. Unspeakable Croaker is present to perform the examination and confirm recent spells cast by this wand."
Selywn looked up at her. "The defense has a witness present to verify that the wand belongs to Heir Black."
She smiled wanly at him. "Of course, Barrister Selywn, please bring your witness forward."
"The defense calls Master Garrick Ollivander to testify as our expert witness," Selywn told the Wizengamot.
Amelia and Selywn looked up at the Chief Warlock for confirmation. "Certainly, Ollivander's expertise and excellent memory is well known, come down Master Ollivander," Dumbledore acceded.
There was shuffling as Ollivander made his way down to the dais. Amelia handed him the wand, which he took reverently. "Ah, yes." He muttered. "Blackthorn and unicorn hair, I sold this wand to young Sirius Black back in... hmm, 1970? I remember he came around his eleventh birthday, Alphard Black brought him in... it was a bit after Hogwarts season… November, I believe." Ollivander ran his fingers over the wand one last time and then handed it carefully back to Amelia.
"Thank you Master Ollivander," Selwyn said. He turned back to look at Sirius. "Heir Black, when is your birthday, for the record?"
"The 3rd of November, 1959," Sirius said brightly.
"The defense is ready to proceed with the examination, Head Auror Bones."
"Thank you, Barrister. Unspeakable Croaker will now perform prior incantato on Heir Black's wand, which has been locked up since November 1981 when Heir Black was detained."
The entire courtroom watched closely while Croaker swirled his wand and cast silently. Colors and vapors formed imprints above Sirius' wand in rapid succession. As Croaker turned to face the Chief Warlock, his gray cloak twisted around him in a whirl. "The last spells cast with this wand were stupefy, expelliarmus, and finite incantatem. Prior spells are a variety of stealth charms and before that a child's healing charm."
"Please, Unspeakable Croaker, can you confirm that there were no spells cast with this wand that would cause an explosion of any type?" Head Auror Bones clarified.
"No, these were no blasting or gouging spells cast with this wand within the last 20 spells before its disuse."
"Thank you. Barrister Selwyn, are there any questions you would like us to ask of Unspeakable Croaker?" Amelia offered, a courtesy that the Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot immediately recognized –only senior members of the DMLE were permitted to question an Unspeakable in open court. The Wizengamot could see quite clearly where the Head Auror's sympathies lay.
Selwyn smiled. "Thank you, Head Auror Bones, the defense does have a request to make of Unspeakable Croaker, if you might permit it."
"If it is a reasonable request," Amelia answered easily.
"The defense would like to request that Heir Black be scanned for the Dark Mark by an expert, I suspect Unspeakable Croaker may be qualified to do so."
Amelia smirked and turned to the cloaked Unspeakable. "Unspeakable Croaker, are you able to scan for the Dark Mark, even if it is under glamour or other disguise?"
"Yes, Head Auror. The Dark Mark is soul magic, it cannot be truly hidden by any common glamour magic," Croaker answered her tonelessly.
"Unspeakable Croaker, please examine Heir Black for this soul magic," she requested.
Croaker inclined his head in affirmation and walked over to stand in front of Sirius, who looked up at him calmly. His wand moved over Sirius in random, inexplicable patterns -Sirius could hear him murmur incantations under his breath, but couldn't make out anything distinct. A soft, warm white glow began to fold around him. After a few minutes, the Unspeakable stepped back and turned to face the Chief Warlock and Head Auror Bones.
"Heir Black does not have the Dark Mark, though he is affected by some soul magic –his family magics and the Godparent Loyalty Rite tying him to a child approximately seven years ago."
An hour later, Sirius sat across from Andromeda and Barrister Selwyn in a secured room adjacent to the courtroom. A pair of aurors guarded the door from the outside, but no one followed them in. Back in the courtroom, the Wizengamot was considering the conundrum of Peter Pettigrew.
"So, Selwyn, how did we do?" Sirius asked, begrudgingly allowing Andromeda to resume fussing over him. He looked at the older man. Selwyn was a cousin of the primary Selwyn line, he was about forty years old, with medium brown hair that lay in messy curls about his temples. He had a slightly elongated face, sharp cheekbones and wide hazel eyes, the combined effect of which made him look slightly gaunt, though not unhealthy. Despite his family name, Sirius had found no reason not to like him.
"Everything is going perfectly, Heir Black."
"Honestly, Julian, my name is Sirius."
Heir Sirius Orion Black, of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, was led back into the courtroom by two aurors. Andromeda and Selwyn were both directed to sit, as it was time for Wizengamot to decide Sirius' fate.
As Sirius made his way to the front of the dais, he glared at Pettigrew, who was shackled to the defendant's chair and cowering under the combined gazes of the Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot. Sirius wasn't certain, but perhaps Pettigrew was shaking off the influence of a dose of Veritaserum? –he hoped they could be that lucky. Sirius stopped a few meters away from the defendant's chair and looked up.
"Sirius, shall I conjure you a chair?" Dumbledore asked, eyes twinkling.
Sirius took this as a good sign and smirked. "Well Headmaster, only if it's one of those cushy numbers you are so fond of."
Dumbledore obliged his request. "Now Sirius, my boy, you know it is Chief Warlock here."
"Right, right," Sirius agreed, settling into the chair.
Dumbledore turned away from him and looked around the courtroom. "Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot, we will now decide on the guilt of these two defendants. Please cast your confidential decisions by wand, thank you."
For a few minutes, there was only the rustling of clothing and parchment as the Wizengamot members waved their wands over their parchment, recording their decisions and then sending them to the Chief Warlock's desk. When every member had finished, Dumbledore waved his wand over the pile, tallying them. He read over the summary parchment, then looked down at the dais.
"Heir Sirius Orion Black, you have been found not guilty of all charges and are free to go. Due to the circumstances, you will need certification from a Master Healer before you may take custody of the minor Harry James Potter... Peter Ian Pettigrew, you have been found guilty of all charges and will be transferred to Azkaban to serve a life sentence with no possibility of leniency. Aurors, please use the Anti-Animagus wards at all times. The court is adjourned for the day."
When Sirius Black's Master Healer finally left his hospital room –after giving him a laundry list of potions regimens and dietary restrictions –a careworn man entered alongside Sirius' favorite cousin, Andromeda, better known as Andy to her friends and family.
Remus Lupin, not yet twenty-eight years old, stood six foot two inches tall. His forehead was lined prematurely and there was an echo of frown lines beginning to appear around his mouth. His hair, a silky, medium brown when he was a teenager, was beginning to lighten and thin around his temples.
"Moony, you look terrible," Sirius told him affectionately.
Remus smiled sadly, "Padfoot, you flea-bitten mutt, I've missed you."
"It has been too long," he agreed softly.
"Sirius, I -" Remus started. "I knew about the Godfather Rites, I knew you hadn't betrayed them, but, well… I thought if, maybe..."
"Maybe I took revenge on Peter and accidentally –"
"Yes."
"I understand, Moony, truthfully, I did try, but all those people…"
Remus looked down in shame. "I should have known you would never risk it, risk all those lives just for revenge. But I –I lost my pack that night."
Sirius waited until Remus finally looked him in the eyes again. The regret he saw in his friend's gaze paralyzed him for a moment. "Remus," he said, "Let's just start over, decide to trust each other again, for our pup. We have to make this right for him, that's all that matters now."
Sirius, who was still looking Remus directly in the eyes, witnessed the half a second where they flashed amber and a roughness, a darkness seemed to claw its way out. "Our pack," Remus growled in agreement.