Chapter twelve

The following morning the Daily Prophet had the story of Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. It went on to explain that Sirius was never given a trial until yesterday. Once Peter Pettigrew was given veritaserum, the truth was revealed. He was the Potter's secret keeper and he set Sirius up for the murder of the muggles. It went on to say that Sirius is Harry Potter's godfather and would be taking his role as guardian even though his godson had been emancipated before the beginning of the school year. The article went on to explain that Madam Amelia Bones was starting an investigation into why Sirius was not given a trial and why the Wizengamot had been told he was the secret keeper for the Potters. Originally Black was going to be the secret keeper, but James Potter and Sirius Black felt that Peter could escape easier being able to turn into such a small animal, so he could use his rat form if he got caught.

Harry looked up when he felt someone sit beside him, he grinned at his girlfriend before giving her a kiss.

'Its wonderful news, I'm happy for you and your godfather.'

'Yeah, it's great, now I get to learn how to be a Marauder.'

'A Marauder,' the twins shouted.

'Um, yeah, why?'

'They are our heroes.'

Harry laughed, 'So you know who they are?'

'No, tell us.'

'I'll explain,' Remus smiled, 'James Potter was Prongs.'

'You're the son of a Marauder,' the twins gapped at Harry making everyone laugh.

'And the godson of one, Sirius is Padfoot. I'm Moony.'

'Our Professor is one of the Marauders,' the twins stared up at Remus.

'I think you have a fan Professor.'

'It seems so, so how did you know about the, Marauders?'

'Um, we can tell you in private,' Fred said.

'We don't want anyone to know.' George said.

'Then stay after class, which I best get to,' Remus patted Harry on the back before walking off.

'So why do they call themselves the Marauders?' Ron asked.

'They played pranks on everyone, not just other students, but the staff as well,' Harry lent forward, the others moved in, 'They even pranked McGonagall, put cat litter in her bathroom.'

Everyone burst out laughing as they glanced up at the staff table, 'Does that mean I'm going to be lonely because my boyfriend ends up in detention all the time?'

Harry laughed, 'I have my dad's cloak, I shouldn't get caught.'

'What cloak?'

'His invisibility cloak, I'll show you later.'

'Then we can disappear,' Daphne grinned, she kissed Harry before hurrying away.

'I think she has plans for you mate,' Seamus smirked.

'You have to remember Seamus, we are only thirteen. But it'll be fun hiding under the cloak, especially if we want to snog.'

'Come on, we need to get to class,' Ron said but he couldn't help being happy for his friend, he was happy for himself as well, he had a girlfriend.

Harry had kissed his girlfriend at the doors to the great hall before he joined his friends at the Gryffindor table for dinner. He had been staring over at Daphne so he never took any notice of what was being said, until it fell silent, which made him look around.

'Sirius,' Harry jumped up hugging his godfather who swung him around making Harry and all his friends laugh.

'I can never thank you enough pup, did you explain to your friend about the rat?'

'Yeah,' Harry smiled at Ron, 'We spoke about it last night. But what are you doing here?'

'Remus asked if I could take his classes on certain days, Gellert spoke with the rest of the Governors, they were all for it. I need to see Poppy about my potions, but it's all good.

'I have to introduce you to Daphne.'

'The girlfriend I heard so much about, you started two years before your dad.'

'Harry, is this…?' Fred was staring at Sirius.

'It is,' George was also staring at Sirius.

'Sirius, this is Fred and George Weasley, the Hogwarts resident pranksters, and fans of the Marauders.

Sirius swept them a low bow making everyone laugh, 'I like to meet pranksters. Just so you know boys, James and I never missed a day without pranking someone in this place. I hope you follow our example.'

'They already do, Sirius.' Sirius turned then hugged Minerva McGonagall, he also swung her around, 'Put me down Sirius Black or I will hex you.'

Harry and all his friends couldn't stop laughing at Sirius, 'Oh Mini, you look as good as ever, so are you going to take me up on my offer?'

'No, now behave Sirius.'

'My name is Sirius, but I never am sweetheart.'

'Um, Professor, is it true the Marauders put kitty litter in your bathroom?' Harry asked trying to hold his laughter.

'Yes, they did, yet I could never prove it was them.'

'We were too sneaky Mini.'

'Yes, I know, but you are now a Professor, not a Marauder.'

'Hey, I'm always a Marauder, but I promise to behave.'

'I'm sure you will,' Minerva shook her head before walking off.

'We're going to be spending Christmas with Gellert and Victoria, they invited Remus as well.'

'Daphne said we might get to spend some time during the holidays,' Harry moved closer to his godfather, 'Did he say when the bat is going to be dealt with?'

'Very soon, they have been interviewing students who left. The ones that had to change their career choices due to his lack of teaching. They are going to be given the chance to train under another potions master. It shouldn't be much longer.'

'I hope so, Daphne had a good idea, we sat together during potions so he couldn't really pick on me or his own house would lose points.'

'She sounds like her mum, Victoria was sharp but had a cunning mind. I best go find Remus so I know what he's teaching,' Sirius hugged Harry again, 'Remember, don't be good, but also don't get caught,' Sirius grinned, kissed Harry on the forehead then headed out of the great hall.

'He seems nice,' Ron said.

'He is, but you'll get to meet him properly very soon.'

'I noticed something when you and your godfather were talking,' Seamus said.

'What?' the other boys asked.

'A lot of girls were drooling, their eyes never left Professor Black.'

'He hasn't lost his touch,' Harry grinned, 'From the stories I've been hearing, my dad and Sirius were the most popular boys at Hogwarts. Sirius for his looks, and my dad was quidditch captain and also funny,' Harry lent in, 'Also because they kept pranking the Slytherin's, Snape being the main one.'

'They pranked Snape, I would love to see that memory,' Ron said wistfully.

'I'm sure when you come visit you might just be able to convince Sirius to show you some. Right now there's a pensieve sitting in my grandfather's office, so we'll be able to use it. Sirius has already been showing me memories of my parent's, I saw their wedding day and the day I was born.'

'How did you see the day you were born?' Neville asked.

'Sirius was in the room to keep my dad from passing out,' Harry laughed along with his friends, 'He might have been confident but when it came to seeing his wife giving birth he just couldn't handle the pressure.'

Albus Dumbledore was furious, all his plans had fallen through. He should have kept Harry Potter inside the castle then he would never have found a lawyer to help. He was also worried, he was Chief Warlock and told the Wizengamot that Sirius was the secret keeper to the Potters. Now Madam Amelia Bones was investigating. He knew she didn't pull punches and she had a lot of support inside the Ministry, especially amongst the law enforcement department. They all liked her as she would always push for more funding and better equipment like dragon hide vest to keep them safe. He hoped he could talk his way out of this like he had done many times before.

It was only a week later but Harry was still having students come to him to tell him that they enjoyed defence with Professor Lupin and Professor Black. Remus was more serious but he still made learning enjoyable. Sirius just couldn't help himself, he always made sure the students had fun when they learned.

Harry had just kissed his girlfriend, they went to their separate tables when the post owls arrived. Hedwig flew to him while Daphne's family owl flew to her. When they read what their letters said they glanced at each other before looking up at the staff table. An owl was perched in front of Snape, but he was still casting charms over the letter the owl held.

'Watch Snape's face,' Harry said to his friends.

'Why?' Ron asked.

'Just watch,' Harry grinned.

The moment Snape unfolded the letter he stood up and glared at Harry before thrusting the letter into the headmaster's hand. All Harry and Daphne could do was laugh, but so did Sirius and Remus.

'What did you do mate?' Ron asked.

'Yeah, because he looks positively dangerous,' Neville said.

'He just received a letter saying he has to appear in court but also that he has been terminated as a professor at Hogwarts.'

'Brilliant,' Ron yelled then began to tell other Gryffindor's what was going on. By the time breakfast was finished word had spread about what happened to Snape. Most students went up to Harry, Daphne and Tori to thank them for what Gellert Greengrass has done, which saved many of their careers.

The day Snape was to appear in court, he never showed, he had disappeared or so everyone believed. Albus Dumbledore who was Chief Warlock believed that Severus decided to head overseas instead of facing the charges. He was actually pleased as he knew if the court ordered veritaserum used Severus could give away some of Albus' plans. Hopefully now he could keep everything hidden.

Just as Albus went to head back to Hogwarts, Amelia bones and a dozen aurors blocked the door. Albus was stunned, his wand removed then he was escorted to a holding cell until they could organise a trial. Albus knew as he sat in the cell that he would never be free again. If they arrested him then they had enough information that would see him found guilty. Albus knew it was time to put his last plan into action, one that he never thought he would use.