Author's Note(s):
This is the third and finished copy of this chapter.
I had planned in the first and then the second copies for Harry to be more confrontational with Lucius Malfoy but decided against it for now.
I had also originally planned for Harry to reveal the prophecy before the Wizengamot but decided against that to.
I had planned for Harry to claim the killing of the basilisk in his second year and then reveal Tom Riddle's connection to Voldemort but decided against that to.
The reason for changing my mind for this and having Harry claim just the Potter and Black Wizengamot seats is because I didn't want him to play his 'aces' all at one time.
Ch. 9 Wizengamot and Dumbledore
Five minutes past ten o'clock, 'the Wizengamot meeting should have started,' Harry thought as he did a final check in the full-length mirror. Hair was trimmed and slicked back in a neat style or once, his eye patch in place, his other eye had longs since been healed to perfect vision and he was freshly shaved. The clothes he chose to wear, were a deep blue fitted three-piece suit with a black wizard's robe rounded out the smart look.
Looking at his new Rolex watch, Harry saw it was almost ten minutes past ten o'clock. "Well, Fawkes, are you ready to make are splashy entrance?"
A happy musical trill filled the air as Fawkes happily flapped his wings. The phoenix landed on Harry's shoulder and he and the wizard disappeared in a flash of fire. Only to reappear in similar fashion in the center of the Wizengamot chambers.
Harry made a show of brushing himself off as he clearly stated to the stunned assembly. "I hope I'm not too late…but then again isn't it supposed to be fashionable to be late."
The crowd was shocked by the appearance of the well dressed, dark haired man who many recognized or mistook for Charlus or James Potter except for the man's brilliant green eye and eye patch covering where the missing eye would be.
A roguish smile despite the many wands that were pointed at him and Fawkes. Quirking an eyebrow, Harry +tskd+… "Now is that any way to greet the new Lord of House Potter and Black?"
A swirling of gold colored in his one eye was all the warning of magic being cast before every wand that was pointed at him was pulled from their wielders hand and clattered to the ground at Harry's feet. Eyes widened at the display of magical prowess… "I really think we should try this again…Don't you?"
Harry gave a flourishing mock bow. "Lord Harry James Potter-Black wishes to claim his seats amongst this august body."
The silence in the hall was only broken by the sound of quills being put to parchment, scribbling everything they witnessed from the press gallery in the next section to Harry's left. A bright flash lit up his box as the press camara's took pictures.
"That can't be…" Lucious Malfoy roared, "Harry Potter is a mere child, and you look to be twice the age that Potter should be…if he weren't already dead…"
A rueful sneer crossed Harry's face as he addressed Malfoy. "I assure you LORD Malfoy I am very much ALIVE and it's a funny thing time paradox…it can give one decade to grow and learn in magic."
Loud chatter erupted from the crowd. Chief Witch Augusta Longbottom banged her gavel…" Order, please…we must have order."
"Lord Potter," Harry's attention was drawn to the beautiful and formidable witch with long reddish blonde hair and dazzling blue eyes.
Harry found his mouth watering as he openly admired the witch had curves in all the right places from what Harry could see from the way the gray pencil skirt hugged her full hips and the white silk dress blouse fit snug across her breasts. A matching gray blazer jacket her covered by black formal robes.
Seeing that she had his attention she pressed on, even though a shiver of arousal went through her at the site of the now older and ruggedly handsome wizard. 'Circe, Morgana and Maeve he looks incredibly fit.'
"Can you prove you are Harry Potter…beyond any doubt…" Minister Bones stood from her seat, next to the Chief Witch.
"I can, Madam," Harry moved closer to the Minister and Chief Witch's podium while side stepping the wands that scattered the floor.
Harry with drew some official looking parchment with the Gringotts seal on it and placed it on the desk in front of the Chief Witch… "The necessary documents PROVING my identity and my ascension to the position of Lord Potter and BLACK…" Harry through a menacing glare at Malfoy and showed that he now wore the Head of House Ring for both families on his right hand.
After a pause to allow the two witches to look over the documents, Harry continued, "I will also swear on magic that I was ALWAYS innocent of the crimes that I was wrongfully convicted of by the inept Ministry, so mote it be…"
A brilliant flash of magical power sealed the oath as the stunned crowd witnessed his oath. Minister Bones and Chief Witch Longbottom watched the swirl of gold color in his eyes in fascination as their wands clattered onto the table in front of them from amongst the many that littered the chamber floor.
"That is quite a display of magical power, Lord Potter," Augusta Longbottom said after a moment.
A subtle glance to her right found the older witch secretly amused at the glazed overlook in Amelia's eyes and her slightly parted lips. Giving her college a moment to collect herself, Augusta turned her attention back to Harry. "Everything seems to be in order, Lord Potter-Black, and with your permission I'll have young Mr. Weasley see to it that the documents are filed on your behalf with the magical college of arms and to see to it that the records for your death are changed to a living status."
"Of course, Chief Witch," Harry watched as a shaken Percy Weasley stepped forward to take the document with only a brief look at Harry before he scurried away.
"You may take you family seat, Lord Potter," Augusta said. Harry gave a brief nod before turning to leave the podium.
He briefly paused before entering the stands, willed his magic through his signet ring. The boxes for House Potter and Black sunk into the floor before repairing as an enlarged box with two plaques engraved with the coat of arms for House Potter and House Black on the front. The silent, yet striking and powerful statement was seen by all as camera flashes record the moment the two powerful Houses of Black and Potter both formerly entrenched in the Light and Dark political factions was now moved to the neutral faction's territory.
Minister Bones, now seated again, and the Chief Witch silently observed the move with rapt attention. Both their minds in thought over the new day that seemed to be dawning with this historic change in two positions houses. Such a move hadn't happened in well over a hundred year, and never two houses at once.
Harry took his seat in the high-backed leather chair with the two coat-of arms on the front. Fawkes flew up and perched on the chair in a silent statement of support for the wizard. 'I do believe the statement is made more powerful by the fact that Dumbledore's phoenix seems to have claimed a new owner.' Augusta thought as she began to bang her gavel and Chief Witch Longbottom called the meeting to order again.
"Lord Potter, could you kindly return the wands scattered across this esteemed chamber floor to their rightful owners…" Harry inclined his head in agreement.
A swift movement of his hand sent the wands flying tot heir owners, some catching the wands easily while others, like Malfoy had to duck as the wands were impaled in the leather and wood of their seats. Each resulting in a bullseye as they struck dead center of the family coat of arms. Augusta raised and eyebrow at the silent threat made on the magical families. Amelia's monocle that she had just placed in front of her eye dropped. Amelia recovered quickly of course as did Augusta, but battle-hardened witches took note of the names all involved dark aligned houses that had escaped punishment last time Voldemort was in power.
Clearing her throat… "Now that the dramatics are over with…" Augusta gave pointed look to Harry, she continued, "…I move that we formally absolve Lord Potter of any guilt that resulted from the miscarriage of justice and formally recognize him as innocent of all crimes…"
"That won't be necessary, Chief Witch," Amelia spoke up, "As Minister of Magic I formally with the charges against Lord Potter and declare him innocent of all the crimes he was originally found guilty of committing…" she paused, "…secondly I offer as compensation the amount of one million galleons be paid to Lord Potter for the wrongful miscarriage of justice."
"Very well, Madam Minister," Augusta replied, "Let the Wizengamot records for the 28th of August in the year 1996 reflect that the Ministry of Magic has drooped all charges against Lord Harry James Potter and that the restitution of one million galleons be transferred to the Potter family vault at Gringotts."
The official Wizengamot quill made a note in the legislative bodies records as she spoke. "Now on to any other business," Chief Witch asked.
Harry touched his signet ring to a rune on the desk in front of him. The coat of arms plaque for House Black lit up. "House Black wishes to be recognized," the Chief Witch acknowledged.
Harry stood and addressed the assembly. "While we are on the subject of the Ministry righting past wrongs," he looked around the room at each of the gathered members.
"You can right another wrong pertaining to member of House Black…namely my godfather, Sirius Orion Black, and his wrongful imprisonment in Azkaban for twelve years…" the crowd erupted chaos.
"Sirius Black was convicted of killing a wizard and betraying your parents, Lord Potter," Lucius Malfoy stood from his seat as he said this. The Lord of House Malfoy to find a way to salvage his masters plans and his own as well.
"It's finny you mention a conviction, Lord Malfoy," he sneered as he said this. "Because from what I know Sirius Black never received a trial…"
Chaos erupted amongst the members. A tall wizard in his late thirties stood up… "Lord Potter can you provide evidence to attest to your accusation that Sirius Black never received a trial.
"I can do better than that Lord…" Harry questioned.
"Lord Greengrass," the wizard supplied.
"Lord Greengrass, then," Harry inclined his head briefly. "I can provide evidence via a memory from my third year at Hogwarts that will not only prove Peter Pettigrew is alive, but that it was Pettigrew that was responsible for betraying my parents to Voldemort, that he bares the dark mark and that he that is responsible for the death of the thirteen muggles in order to mask his escape when Sirius corned him in the street."
The chambers erupted in chaos. Augusta Longbottom banging her gavel to no affect, so, Amelia shot a spell from her wand that caused a +boom+ to sound in the chambers. The crowd quieted down, as Amelia stood and addressed the assembly, or more specifically, Harry.
"Lord Potter I will gladly accept your memory from the third year and along with the Chief Witch and The Director of Magical Law Enforcement will view the evidence in a Ministry approved pensive…If the memory is found to be valid and offers proof of Sirius Black's innocents and that Peter Pettigrew is alive, along with the confirmation that no trial took place, then, I will issue a writ recalling the kiss on site order or the dementors and see to it that Sirius Black's name is cleared in our records and in the press forthwith."
"And restitution will be made to Sirius, as well, Madam Minister," Harry queried.
Madam Bones inclined her head, "and restation will be made in the some of one million galleons per years spent in Azkaban," she agreed.
"Then House Black agrees to your terms…" Harry stated.
Madam Bones summoned an Auror and ordered them to extract the memory from and seal it in a tamper proof vial. Harry brushed away the Auror's wand, instead extracting the memory from his own mind and placing it into the vial that the aurar then sealed before returning to his post.
"Now is there anymore business?" Augusta Longbottom queried the assembly.
Scene Change
When the Wizengamot meeting had adjourned, Harry had hope to get out of the chambers unscathed but unfortunately it wasn't to be. As soon as he left his seat, he had been undulated by Lord's and Lady's of noble house wishing to offer their apologies for his imprisonment and their wishes for to discuss business and other matters. Harry had managed to brush them off for the time being with a polite "some other time."
Exciting the chambers, he was besieged by reporters and camaras flashing his face as they took pictures. Feeling a headache coming on, Harry got the reporters attention and with a much calmer façade, he spoke… "I have nothing to say at this time, so please move aside."
Harry pushed his way through the crowd, entering, a luckily empty lift. He stepped aboard pressing the button to shut the doors, he sighed in relief at being alone, or so he thought as a beetle landed on his shoulder. Pressing the button for the destination he wanted Harry felt the lift shutter before moving a way at high speed.
The lift stopped at a ministry floor and Harry exited the lift. Finding the office of Magical Creatures Harry quickly entered and asked for paperwork to make a claim for killing a magical beast. The receptionist handed over the paperwork and explained the form with polite pleasantries having seen the signet ring for House Potter and having already heard the fantastic news of Harry Potter's return from the dead. How the news had escaped was probably to be blamed on a reporter or an assistant of some ministry department who had been in the observers and press section boxes in the balcony of the legislative chambers.
Harry quickly filled out the necessary documents and provided a memory of the kill before departing with the guarantee that his paperwork would be immediately processed. The permit to harvest the beast would be sent to Gringotts and a copy would be provided by Monday.
Scene Change
The lift stopped in the atrium of the ministry to let Harry out. Harry stepped out only to run into the crowded ministry lobby as reporters were being held a bay from reaching Minister Bones and Chief Witch Augusta Longbottom. The two witches appeared to be in a heated discussion with Albus Dumbledore.
Before Harry could get away, a reporter shouted, "Lord Potter can I have a word?"
This set off a domino affect as everyone's attention turned to him.
"Harry, my dear boy, if I could have a word with you?" With a speed and agility not known to be available to man of one hundred- and fourteen-year-old Albus reached his former pupil.
Frowning as he surveyed the much older and scarred Harry. "I really don't have time, Professor Dumbledore."
Harry attempted to move past the old wizard. "It is of the utmost importance that we speak, my boy, there are things you need to know."
Harry stopped in his stride to get away. His magic flaring with restrained emotions. The crowd unconsciously taking a step away from the powerful wizard.
Harry turned to face Dumbledore. A dark look in his eye. Dumbledore couldn't help but fear the boy for the first time since first sensing the boy magical power. Thoughts whirled around the headmaster's mind 'Obviously the additional magical blocks had been removed somehow and the boy had reached his full magic potential having gone through all three of his maturities.'
"I really could be careless about what you have to say, Dumbledore," Harry approached the headmaster.
Getting into his space, he whispered lowly, "You can't tell me anything that I don't already know."
"But you must listen, my boy," Dumbledore whispered furiously eyeing their surroundings and the crowd.
Harry felt the headmaster try to breach his occlumency shields, but Harry forcefully rebuffed him.
"That won't work, Dumbledore, I have had twenty-one years minus the year spent in that hell hole of a prison that YOU and the rest of Magical Britain put me in. I have been trained in magics that both YOU and RIDDLE could only dream about learning…I am a MASTER in occlumency and legilmency, defensive and offensive magics, dueling, runes, arithmancy, transfiguration, enchanting, potions and ALCHEMY…"
Dumbledore's eyes widened with the list of magics Harry claimed to be master of, but 'how could he master alchemy' he wondered, 'the last alchemy master was Nicholas Flamel.'
Harry smirked as he slipped past the wizard's mental shields with ease to read his thoughts.
'Oh, yes, Albus,' Harry transmitted the silent thoughts into Dumbledore's mind.
The old man looked paler at the realization of the intrusion. 'Nicholas and Pernelle were both two of my teachers…They even blood adopted me and shared a bit o their magic, so that I might claim the Flamel House, and family magics as mine…
'I plan on destroying Voldemort and his followers once and for all and then, Albus, I am coming for you…'
Harry pulled from the headmaster's mind taking note of the silence that permeated the atrium. All eyes on the two powerful wizards.
"Fawkes," Harry called, "I'm ready to leave now."
In a final show of power and amazement. Harry watched as the phoenix flamed in and landed on Harry's shoulder just as camara bulbs flashed the phoenix gave a musical trill before disappearing with Harry in a flash of flame.
Scene Change
Off in a corner, a beetle morphed into a witch with red bejeweled spectacles wearing a dark green business suit and white blouse with heels, her blonde hair was up in a French twist. Her red lips curled in a smiled that spoke of being pleased with herself. She disappeared from the ministry in a flash of green flame inside one of the visitors' fireplaces.
The infamous reporter, Rita Skeeter, skipped the crowd of reporters in a quick dash for her desk at the Daily Prophet. Words for her next headline article already to be put to parchment.
Dunn…Dum…So, we saw Harry make a grand entrance before the Wizengamot and a confrontation with Albus Dumbledore. Oh, and are least favorite or favorite reporter however, you wish to view Rita Skeeter was also buzzing around. The question is what will happen next.