Previously on Defiance…

Harry cleared his throat. The two men looked at him. Harry stared at Daphne for a moment before he continued. "I have been called to a trial two days from now. The moron of a Minister and his hag believe that I have illegally usurped what is Draco's birthright and have been holding it to myself illegally since I am underage. I would like some support from your side if I need it. In addition, I intend to use the opportunity to try to get Sirius free from his life as a fugitive. Do it and you will have the ancient and noble Houses of Black and Potter standing beside you."

Daphne widened her eyes. Suddenly it all began to make sense. "That was why you insulted Umbridge openly right after you showed the Black ring to Draco, isn't it? You were setting her up to put you on trial."

Harry smirked.

Daphne beamed at him. "Very Slytherin."

"What can I say? Salazar was a Black, after all." Harry returned.

"What is this about?" Cyrus asked, his eyes sparkling with interest.

"Long story." Harry grinned, "Perhaps we can share it over a meal sometime after the session is done for?"

"Agreed."

The night before the day of the Trial…

"Come in, Harry."

Harry Potter turned the knob and entered the Headmaster's office. This was the first time he was meeting the Headmaster face to face after the incident at Black Manor when he had decided to clean house the entire thing. He knew that since Dumbledore was not the Chief Warlock anymore, he did not have any power at the Wizengamot at the moment if that was what their upcoming conversation was about to be. He stood in the circular office, and for a moment, felt way too nostalgic. There was Fawkes sitting on his perch just like always, and there was the large sprawling table beside the bookshelves with the Sorting Hat sitting on the uppermost shelf.

"All to your liking, my boy?"

Harry looked at the Headmaster. Therefore, the man was not going out of his way to avoid his direct gaze. Briefly, he wondered why the headmaster of all people would be avoiding his gaze. According to Sirius, Albus Dumbledore was an accomplished Occlumens and Legilimens himself.

"I received your note."

Dumbledore mentally sighed as he observed the cold attitude of the boy. Not surprising, really. After all, he was responsible for many bad things that had happened to the boy. While he would have liked to have a direct talk about those issues and solve them, this was not the time for it. For now, there were greater things at hand.

"I assume you have made good use of the leave you sought from Minerva for yesterday."

"Yes."

"And I suppose you will need another to attend to your trial, tomorrow."

"I am quite sure that the Ministry will be forcing their hand to make you grant my leave so that I can attend the trial tomorrow, Headmaster."

"Yes, I am afraid Cornelius is being too stubborn over such a delicate matter. In hindsight, perhaps landing the news about Tom on him like that was a fool's errand, after all."

"Hindsight is an amazing thing, Headmaster, but please get to the point. I have a trial to prepare and I need my rest. Surely you will agree."

"Of course, my boy." He noticed the slight twitching of the boy's fingers. Harry had a lot of anger hidden deep inside, despite the poker face on the front. A part of him could not help but be fascinated by the rapid progress the young man had demonstrated when it came to Occlumency. Even without using a passive scan, he was assured that the boy had powerful shields up in his mind. Perhaps he did need to have a direct talk with the boy.

Later. He assured himself.

"I have been the Chief Warlock for almost forty years, and that means a lot of political acumen under my belt." Dumbledore began.

"No offense, Headmaster, but that political acumen of yours could not stop a moron and his hag from throwing you right into the dump."

Dumbledore nodded gravely. "You are right, but what I meant is that I could be of some help if you wanted."

"You have helped me enough, and I can't help but reject another helping hand. I dare say I am still trying to pick myself up after you helped me the previous time."

Dumbledore winced. "I suppose you are well-prepared for the trial, tomorrow."

Harry looked up at him in the eye. "I am."

Dumbledore nodded. "Very well. Worse comes to worst, I can be your defense if you let me."

Harry just stared blankly at him, not letting his anger at the old man show. While he wanted to do nothing better than whip his wand up and fire a powerful hex at the man, he simply pursed his lips and stared at him silently. "If you are done, I would like to go back to my dorm."

"Of course, just one question, my boy, if you allow me."

Harry paused.

Nod.

"Has your scar been paining lately? If at all?"

Harry considered it. "No, Headmaster. It does not. If that is all-? -"

"Of course, my best wishes for your trial tomorrow."

Harry nodded and stepped out of the office, as he closed the door. Dumbledore watched him go as he whispered, "Hope you have it under control, Harry."

The next day…

The walls were made of dark stone, dimly lit by torches. Empty benches rose on either side of him, but ahead, in the highest benches of all, were many shadowy figures, talking in low voices. On closer look, there were three rows of benches, with the ones at the top seemingly made of gold. A shadow hung like a pallor over the people who sat there. The second tier had all kinds of important-looking people, reporters, and other officials sitting. The first or perhaps, the base-tier as it should be called, had the Minister sitting, with other prestigious seats like those of the Chief Warlock and the Head of the DMLE, along with other ministry officials. There in the center was an iron chair, with shackles lying all around it.

There was a loud knock on the door.

"Enter!" Fudge replied pompously, knowing that the criminal boy was standing outside, awaiting his judgment to begin. He sat comfortably on his seat as a large smirk floated on his face, ready to belittle the boy and make him flustered. He was the Minister of Magic, after all, and the boy would finally see that he had bitten off more than he could chew. Lucius had informed him about the boy, how the reports from the school said that Harry Potter had a muggle upbringing, and had no idea about the rules, duties, powers, and customs of the Legislature. He was eager for the fifteen-year-old student, wearing muggle robes, to enter into the courtroom, looking all confused and intimidated.

Only if that were to happen.

The person that entered wore expensive, pristine robes of the richest acromantula-silk, with a thin, sturdy dragonhide armor for protection. He wore a billowing cloak with a pair of dragon-hide boots. The two signet rings of the Families of Potter and Black shone with their entire splendor in his right hand, as Harry Potter stalked into the 'Courtroom Ten' of the Wizengamot. This was not what Fudge had expected. Apparently, the boy had got himself some fancy dress robes for the occasion. Never mind. He was sure it would not matter.

"You are late."

Harry looked up at the pompous moron smirking widely at him from his seat; obviously hoping to get him framed and sent to Azkaban just like Sirius had been. He tilted his head curiously and drawled out. "Am I?"

"Yes." Fudge could not stop his excitement from escaping his words. "You were supposed to report around half an hour ago. You think you are above the Wizengamot, don't you boy?"

"Well," Harry drawled, "it seems that the Ministry failed to send a notification on time. Not surprising, since the lack of timely action is something the Ministry is actually competent in. Don't you think, Cornelius?"

"I am the Minister of Magic, and you will address me with respect." Fudge responded pompously, the irritation at the boy's casual insult getting to him.

"And you will address me as Lord Black, as is my proper position." Harry deadpanned, "Unless of course, you are willing to commit a serious faux pas by ignoring the traditions of the Ancient and Noble Houses, and considering that I hold two lordships from the Ancient families, it will be two faux passes. Go on Cornelius, I dare you."

"Hem hem," the hated hag distracted him. "We are losing important time. Aurors, "she ordered in a shrill voice, "get the convict on the chair and get it started." Instantly, the two Aurors standing in the shadows- Proudfoot and Dawlish quickly strode towards Harry.

"This is the second time you have committed another faux pas, Fudge," Harry yelled suddenly. "As far as the letter, I have been called to testify if I am holding the Black Lordship illegally. Since I am the Lord of Black unless proved otherwise, I am not going to be forced and demeaned by sitting on that chair."

"Lord Black is right." Everyone looked up at Lord Greengrass, who was now visible, standing from his seat on the top tier. The Aurors looked confused and then stepped back. Umbridge glared angrily and yelled, "Dementors, force this unruly boy on the chair."

Harry glared at the hag as a solid, corporeal Patronus manifested beside him. The huge thestral stood regally beside him, exciting whispers all around him among the spectators. A wandlessly conjured, corporeal Patronus… All sorts of whispers rose among the crowd. "Defend me," Harry ordered loudly. The thestral neighed and waved his mighty wings towards the Dementors who moved back into the shadows, afraid to draw any closer to the dazzling creature.

"As impressive as the display was, Mister Potter, please keep yourself from demonstrating magic inside these hallowed halls. Senior Undersecretary Umbridge, please refrain from making absurd statements and stay quiet." Ordered the stern voice of none other than Amelia Bones, the Head of the DMLE.

"Of course, Madam Bones, after all, it only manifested to protect me." Harry offered, as the thestral vanished out of existence, still leaving a warm feeling inside the courtroom.

"Now that we have got that out of the system," Fudge began indulgently, "let us begin."

Harry nodded.

"Disciplinary hearing of the twentieth of October," said Fudge in a ringing voice, and Percy Weasley, who was sitting beside him, began taking notes at once, "into offenses committed under the Decree for Fraud under Corporal Lordship Act and Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery by Harry James Potter, resident at number four, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey." He paused for a moment and then continued, "Interrogators: Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister for Magic; Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement; Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister. Court Scribe, Percy Ignatius Weasley."

"Do you have a defense, Mister Potter?"

"The accused wishes to defend himself." Harry returned in clear tones.

Another set of whispers pervaded the body. Cornelius grinned as he stood up. "You are underage; hence you are not legible to-"

"How much of a moron are you, Fudge? Did that Minister seat swallow your brain and replace it with your arse?" Harry countered sarcastically, as he raised his right hand, and the Black ring shone brightly. "I am Lord Black, and hence, completely in my right to represent myself." The anger in him was easily distinct, what with the way his eyes were pulsing brightly. He turned to Madam Bones, "I hope there is no legal problem in me defending myself?"

"None, Mister Potter," Amelia replied if a bit frostily.

"Yes, well," Fudge began, stammering a bit at the unexpected change of circumstances. The boy was being very difficult. "Let us begin. You are accused of illegally claiming a Lordship despite being underage, and not to mention when you have no right to it."

"Yes."

"How do you plead?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Of course, I am not guilty, and that this farce of a trial is a waste of people's important time."

Fudge cleared his throat to ignore the boy's insulting words and took out a wad of notes, shuffling through them until he got the one he was searching for. "This is in accordance filed by Lord Lucius Malfoy, stating that his son and heir Draco Malfoy, is the heir and next in line to the Black family when he comes of age. You, Harry James Potter, are accused of line-theft. How do you plead?"

"Well, it is obvious, isn't it? This farce is ridiculous. Lucius Malfoy is in no position to make that statement."

"Be in your bonnet, Potter!" A cool voice resounded from the top tier. Lucius Malfoy, wearing expensive robes and holding his cane in one hand, stood up and addressed. "My son is the last of the Blacks and is the legal heir of the family. You have usurped his position and I demand you to return the ring to the rightful heir and plead forgiveness."

Harry rolled his eyes. "And you are, of course, the expert on the affairs of the Black family, right?"

"Yes." Lucius replied curtly, "I hold the Black seat on the Wizengamot in proxy to my son, who is the rightful heir to the Black lordship."

"And how?"

"My wife is Narcissa Malfoy, daughter of Cygnus Black. He is the only male left who carries Black blood." Lucius defended.

"Shows what you know," Harry muttered. "My grandmother was Dorea Andromeda Black, sister of Arcturus Sirius Black, the previous Lord Black. My sworn godfather and adopted father is Sirius Orion, who is the blood heir of Black."

"Sirius Black is an escaped convict." Lucius snarled. "he is in no position to be the Lord."

"I think you should recheck your information sources. But we are dancing around the point. You say that your son is the rightful heir." He paused for a dramatic effect, "Then can your son do this?" He challenged, raising his fist as he called out, "Familius magicus ostendere," as a large black ethereal adder manifested beside him. "Kill anyone to attacks me." He stated loudly in Parseltongue, sending shivers down everyone's spine.

"Dark magic in the heart of the Ministry?" Dolores Umbridge yelled loudly, standing up from her seat. "I will see you in Azkaban for that."

"I was demonstrating my family magic, Dolores. Of course, someone like you would understand family magic even if it hit you in the face."

"Parseltongue is Slytherin Magic." Lucius began, but he was cut off quickly. "Shows what you know. Parseltongue is a family trait among the Black family, something an offshoot like you can never comprehend."

"You dare-"

"Yes, I dare." Harry yelled, "I am tired of this farce of a trial. I hold the Black signet ring, I hold power over the Black family totem and I have the blood and the magic to call the Black Magic as my own. If Magic supports me, who are you to say any different?"

"You do not have Black blood in you, you are a Potter." Fudge called out.

"And you are an overgrown monkey but we have already established that. Now shut up." Harry turned towards Malfoy who just glared at him. Harry continued, "I suppose I am in my rights to call you responsible for taking advantage of the Black seat. Lucius Malfoy, I, Harry James Potter, the Lord of Black, call you a cheater and accuse you of line theft. As Lord of Black, I cast Draco Lucius Malfoy forever from the family. May the line of Malfoy end with the death of Draco Malfoy."

"You dare-" Lucius hissed angrily. Harry turned away from him and addressed the session. "Now that the annoyance is done with, do I need to supply any more proof that I am indeed, the Lord Black?"

Fudge tried to reclaim his control and yelled out, "You are underage. You cannot be Lord Black."

Harry shook his head in frustration. "Remember the Triwizard? You and your Ministry saddled me with a tournament that was only for adults. That changed my status to being an adult. Moreover, this trial, in front of the whole Wizengamot, is for adults. You cannot charge me for being an adult and then try me as one." Fudge stammered but could not get anything to say.

"I think we have wasted enough time. All those who think Mister Potter is guilty of fraud?" Madam Bones began urgently. Only three hands rose up. Fudge, Umbridge, and Malfoy.

"All those who deem him innocent?"

Every single hand apart from the three rose in the air.

Amelia banged the hammer. "You are free of the accusations." She gave a filthy look at Fudge. "Please bring on the next order of business."

Fudge scrambled hurriedly over his notes as he began his next point. "The next point is the accusation against Harry James Potter, for the death of one Quirinus Quirrel in 1992. How does the defendant plead?"

"Self-defense," Harry replied in a bored tone. While he guessed that Fudge had collected dirt on him, he did not think that the death of Quirrel would be raised here in public. However, an idea germinated inside his mind as he grinned.

This is going to be fun.

"The accused cannot defend himself in cases of murder. Unless you have a defense ready, we will move over with the judgment." Fudge smiled nastily at him. Harry mentally scowled. Trust Fudge to use a technicality against him. He knew he should have prepared against it.

"I have no attorney to fight this for me. I was not informed." He stated coldly.

"That is not the Wizengamot's fault. You are an adult, and expect to be treated as one." Fudge smiled evilly. "The court's proceedings cannot be adjusted to suit the guilty one's conveniences. Since the accused does not have a defense, we will just have-"

"Defense for the accused, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore." said a quiet voice from behind Harry, who turned his head so fast he almost cracked his neck. Dumbledore was striding serenely across the room wearing long midnight blue robes and a perfectly calm expression. His long silver beard and hair gleamed in the torchlight as he drew level with Harry and looked up at Fudge through the half-moon spectacles that rested halfway down his very crooked nose.

The members of the Wizengamot were muttering. All eyes were now on Dumbledore. Some looked annoyed, others slightly frightened; two elderly witches in the back row, however, raised their hands and waved in welcome.

Harry felt an opposite set of emotions inside his heart. On one side, he wanted nothing to do with the old man, while on the other; the old man was his chance to fight out of the technicality.

"Ah," said Fudge, who looked thoroughly disconcerted. "Dumbledore. Yes. You — err — got our — err — message of the time and —err — place of the hearing, then?" Dumbledore smiled at him cheerfully and replied, "I am afraid not, Cornelius. Just a little friendly with the barmen at Hogsmeade. You know them and their incredible ability to chatter."

"Yes — well — I suppose we'll need another chair — I —Weasley, could you —?"

"Not to worry, not to worry," said Dumbledore pleasantly; he took out his wand, gave it a little flick, and a squashy chintz armchair appeared out of nowhere next to Harry. Dumbledore sat down, put the tips of his long fingers together, and looked at Fudge over them with an expression of polite interest. The Wizengamot was still muttering and fidgeting restlessly; only when Fudge spoke again did they settle down.

"Yes," said Fudge again, shuffling his notes. "Well, then. So. The charges. Yes." He extricated a piece of parchment from the pile before him, took a deep breath, and read, "The charges against the accused are as follows: That he did knowingly, deliberately, and in full awareness of the illegality of his actions, caused the death of one Quirinus Quirrell, who was the then Defense against the dark arts professor at Hogwarts."

"As I stated earlier, it was in self-defense," Harry stated.

"Which is unbelievable, given your track record. Demonstration of Parselto- well we have been through that bit," Fudge backtracked quickly. "What does the defense have to say against the accusation?"

"Professor Quirrel was possessed by Voldemort-" Harry began but Fudge cut him off. "A likely well-rehearsed story, since we well know that the certain dark wizard in question is, in fact, dead and not alive as some people have had to say-"

"Cornelius, as Headmaster of Hogwarts, I can attest to the fact that Professor Quirrel was in fact, possessed by a wraith of Lord Voldemort." Some people shrieked among the audience, while the reporters could be seen scribbling quickly into their notepads.

"That is not possible- the dark lord is dead and-"

"I never said he was alive. I said that it was his wraith, which had possessed Quirinus. I hope you are not going to start about how wraiths do not exist since then I will have to personally drag you to Hogwarts to introduce you to the sixteen wraiths that currently reside inside the castle." Dumbledore replied cheerily.

Fudge stayed silent.

"Allow me to refresh everyone's memories regarding the dark lord." Dumbledore began informatively. "On October 31, 1981, there was the dark lord's cloak that was found fallen on the floor, and it was in tatters. There was no blood on the floor, nor anybody except Lily Potter and baby Harry in the crib. Since no one ever heard from the dark lord, the idea that the dark lord was dead became accepted as a fact."

"A fact that you are trying to hide under your lies." Fudge replied pompously.

"We will come to that point, later." Dumbledore smiled as he fixed him with a cold stare. Fudge swallowed but said nothing. "As Headmaster of Hogwarts, I am testifying that Harry Potter was indeed attacked in by Quirinus Quirrell and acted in self-defense. How he destroyed Quirinus Quirrel is not certain, but I believe a certain ancient magic was invoked."

"And would you testify that under Veritaserum?" Fudge pressed.

"Yes," Dumbledore answered simply. Fudge stared at him for a moment, before finally giving out and sighed. He realized that the game was over, since there was no way he could get Potter sent to prison. Dejected, he raised his voice, "All those who vote him as guilty?"

Not one hand rose in the air.

Fudge looked disappointed, but he got up. "Very well, Harry James Potter, you are free to go."

Harry looked at him and gave him a seething glare. Then, he turned and looked at the people from the third tier. "I had expected the esteemed Ancient families to stand up for one of their own, but it seems I should have expected this coming. After all, it is almost a regular occurrence for a Black heir to be treated unjustly by the fellow Ancient families."

"Whatever do you mean?" Tiberius Odgen stood up and questioned.

"Sirius Orion Black. The original blood heir of the Black family. He was carted off to Azkaban without a trial."

"What farce is this?" Sebastian Nott stood up.

"The farce, Lord Nott," Harry stated simply, "is that Sirius Orion Black, the true heir-apparent for the Black family, was carted off to Azkaban without a trial."

"Is this true?" Lord Greengrass looked towards Fudge questioningly. Fudge squirmed in his seat before he croaked, "I do not understand how this is important for this trial-"

"It is important for the Ancient and Noble families," countered Augusta Longbottom, who was now visible from the shadows. Fudge squirmed a little under her stern gaze before he turned to Amelia and replied, "Amelia, please fetch for the trial transcript for Sirius Orion Black."

Amelia who had already looked into the matter when Black had escaped from Azkaban, and looked back at Fudge. "There isn't one. Black was never given a trial, I tried to tell you but you put it off, citing it as incorrect information."

Fudge gave the look of a trapped animal and tried to fight out. "I did not know anything about it, but it doesn't matter. If he did not receive a trial, I am sentencing him now. Send him to Azkaban and administer the Dementor's kiss on him." He continued indignantly.

"I oppose," Cyrus Greengrass stood up. "A blood heir was illegally imprisoned for over twelve years. I demand that the man be freed unconditionally, accused or not."

"I am sorry, Lord Greengrass," Umbridge tried, "that is not posse-"

"Madam Umbridge," Harry snapped, "Please, shut up," raising the irate witch's ire. He looked up and addressed the audience. "As Lord Black and Lord Potter, I implore the Ancient Houses to stand and support me, and help free Sirius Orion Black under the decree of Corporal Lordship act, as our esteemed Minister stated at the start of the session."

A flurry of whispers pervaded the entire courtroom and Lord Greengrass stood up. "I speak on the behalf of the neutral faction, and I believe that Sirius Black should be given a DMLE trial, at least for formality's sake, since it is obvious that Lord Potter doesn't believe Sirius Black guilty of betraying his parents to the dark lord."

"On behalf of the Light faction, I second the motion." Augusta Longbottom concurred.

"Very well," Amelia stood up. "Let a notice be released. The Dementor's kiss on sight order is revoked and Sirius Black is summoned to a trial at DMLE Headquarters for his official trail regarding the death of twelve muggles and Peter Pettigrew. He has twelve days to report to the DMLE. Case dismissed." She banged the gravel with the hammer.

"How about now?"

Every single eye turned towards the entrance, as a cloak billowed at the entrance, as Sirius Orion Black, you-know-who's right-hand man and the killer of Peter Pettigrew and twelve Muggles, lifted off the invisibility cloak off himself. Every eye stared at him, while Harry Potter looked at him, amused.

Sirius tried to gauge everyone's reaction and finding the stupefied faces staring at him but found himself at a loss.

"Umm… Taa daa?"