As always, I'm only playing with JK Rowling's toys. All credit goes to JK Rowling, her publisher and all the other people involved in bringing her work to life.

#

The Gryffindor common room was silent, no-one rushed down the stairs, no-one complained about the length of their essay, no-one laughed as their friend singed their eyebrows off again, and no-one noticed the two forth years fast asleep on the couch in front of the fire.

The previous evening, the young couple discussed the ramifications of everything that had been divulged a few hours previously. Hermione sat in wonder as Harry explained the intense training that he had endured and told her about the vast array of spells that he had collected over the years.

The one thing that shocked her the most was his transformation to his Animagus form.

She knew that a shadow panther was an extremely powerful form, merely hinted about in the texts that she had read. To see one pad silently around the common room, and shift among the shadows was breathtaking.

'Harry, do you think that you could, you know, help me transform too?' Hermione asked shyly.

'Of course, I have to warn you though; it's a very tiring process. The method that I used to find my form is entirely different from the way my dad, Sirius, and Minnie will have learned. The monks taught me in Yerpa; it involved intense meditation as well as freeing myself from all the extraneous details of everyday life. It took me three months to master the meditation before I learned the chant.' Harry said.

'Oh, okay I think I can do it, that is if you are willing to help me.' she said

'Tell you what, after the trial tomorrow we'll start on the meditation. Hey why don't we get Nev and Hannah involved?' asked Harry

'Yeah, that would be good. Harry?' Hermione asked nervously

'Yeah?'

'Why did you ask the nation to include Hannah, you know, when they made us kin?' asked Hermione

'Simple, Hannah and Neville marry in approximately six years. When I divorced Ginny, it was Hannah that ferried messages between us for a couple of months. She has always been a loyal friend, it wouldn't have been right not to include her.' explained Harry

It was shortly after this that they both drifted off to sleep, the emotions of the last few days finally catching up to them.

Harry usually woke in stages. First, it was his sub-conscious that fired up, checking to make sure that his body was in one piece and that no mishaps had befallen him during the night. His sub-conscious sprang into action "FUCKING CANCER!" it screamed in his mind at the unaccustomed weight it found on his chest. Harry's eyes shot open at the surge of adrenaline; its view was obscured by the brown fuzzy mess in front of his face. It took a second before his mind kicked into gear and recognised the hair and the weight "it's not cancer you Arsehole. Look at the mess you made! You've got adrenaline all over the place. Do you know how hard it is to get that stuff out?" Harry's mind and his sub-conscious did not get on. "How was I supposed to know what it was? It could have been cancer" sub-conscious said, his mind ignored the comment.

Harry looked around the common room to see if anyone else was up, then he gently nudged Hermione. The little unhappy grunt that she made was adorable, so Harry poked her side, and she squirmed a little before she stretched and yawned and took in her surroundings

'Oh!' she said as she sat bolt upright

'Morning Mia' said Harry

'Did we sleep here all night?' she asked

'I think so' Harry looked at his watch 'It's only five-thirty, you can head to your bed for another hour if you want.' said Harry

She yawned again causing her nose to scrunch up 'that might be a good idea, you've got a big day ahead of you so you should consider doing the same.' she said as she stood up.

Harry stood and put his arms around her and gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead.

'That is the best idea you have had in the last few minutes' agreed Harry

Hermione was too tired to pay much attention to anything but the feel of his arms wrapped around her.

Harry guided them towards the stairs before breaking the embrace,

'I'll see you down here in about an hour?' he asked

'It's a date, I'll be the one in the uniform without the frizzy hair' said Hermione

'I'll keep an eye out for you then' Harry teased before leaning in and giving a soft loving kiss.

Slightly dazed, they made their way to their dorms, happy but tired.

##

Andi, Ted, and Remus sat at the kitchen table in silence. Each of them caught up in their thoughts. Out in the hall, sitting on the stairs was Sirius. Finally, his day in court had arrived, and he was terrified that it wouldn't make any difference, and his dreams of having Harry come and live with him would be dashed.

He scrubbed his face with his hands and stood up, saying to himself 'Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more' before striding into the kitchen with more confidence than he felt.

'Good morning guys, is there any coffee left?' he asked

'Morning Siri, I just made a new pot, take a seat, and I'll pour you a cup' said Andi

'Ted, when are we leaving?' Sirius asked Ted

'We have to be seated for ten hundred hours; this is going to be a full criminal hearing, so we have to go all guns blazing. You have to understand that going in Okay?' asked Ted

'I know Ted; I'm ready for it.'

Andi sat the cup in front of him and gave a slightly pained smile. She knew exactly how much was riding on this trial for Sirius; it was more than life or death for him. It was everything.

Remus had closed himself off over the last few days; the pain of losing James and Lily was still very fresh for him. His wolf still mourned their loss even after all these years, they were family, and their passing had left a hole that he had not been able or willing to fill.

'Will Harry be there?' asked Sirius

'I think so. This is just as much about him as it is about you. Somehow I doubt Albus will stop him from being there.' said Ted

Sirius took a sip from his steaming cup and said 'I hope I get to see him regardless of the outcome. The fact that I have this opportunity is down to him.'

'Did you see Amy last night?' Remus asked to everyone's surprise

'C'mon I'm a werewolf, I can smell her scent on you.' said Remus

Everyone looked at him, their eyes as wide as side plates 'What? I'm a werewolf; a heightened sense of smell is only one of the many gifts I have.' He said with a smug grin, in response to their un-asked question.

With the ice broken, the group chatted easily about everything except the trial; the unspoken consensus was that it would take care of its self.

'So tell us about the girl that helped Harry rescue you?' asked Andi

'Hermione? She's a firecracker and totally bent on Harry. Lightening smart, fearless, and unwaveringly loyal, that girl will change the world.' Said Sirius with a smile

'You know that Harry is crazy about her, don't you?' said Remus

Sirius looked at his old friend and asked 'what happened?'

Remus sighed and said 'They had a time turner, what we didn't know was that the sound of the other howl in the forest that night was Hermione, Harry physically put himself between Hermione and me when I was fully turned. He showed me the memory the following morning just before I left the school. He saved her with no thought for himself and then went and cast the strongest Patronus I have ever seen to drive off over a hundred Dementors and save all three of you.'

Ted and Andi sat dumbstruck, their cups halfway to their gaping mouths. They had all heard the stories about the Boy-Who-Lived and dismissed it all as made up non-sense, but to have something confirmed by an eye witness was worrying.

'What the hell are they teaching at that school?' asked Ted, who was a little awestruck.

##

Courtroom ten was designed with the specific intention of causing the defendant to feel oppressed. Amelia Bones stood at the door and shook her head before turning to the Minister and saying. 'Minister, we will not be using this courtroom. I do not care what you have to do or who you have to instruct. Courtroom six will be used instead.'

To say that the Minister was shocked that he was being ordered about in his Ministry would be an understatement.

'Hem, hem, How silly of me Amelia, but I thought I heard you giving the minister an order, I must have misheard you.' asked the ministers undersecretary

'No Dolores, you heard me perfectly well. This is not a ministerial matter, and as such, neither Cornelius nor you have any say. This is a judicial matter, and every decision pertaining to this case is mine to make as I see fit.' said Amelia calmly

'But surely the Minister –'Dolores was cut off abruptly by a silent silencing spell

'Let me make this perfectly clear. You are not wanted here; you are not needed here. You so much as think of entering the courtroom before, during the trial, or after the trial, I will personally arrest you for obstruction, and contempt. I will then open a full investigation into you and your department. If you understand blink once if you think I am kidding blink twice.' growled Amelia

The pink-clad undersecretary blinked once.

'Now see here Amelia!' exclaimed Cornelius

'And you, Minister, you will sit in the public gallery in silence. I will not have this trial interfered with by you, Dumbledore, Malfoy, or anyone else. If the allegation that the head of one of the sacred twenty-eight was sent to gaol without a trial is true, then the entire Ministry will be on notice. That doesn't just mean the end of your premiership that means you will be serving time in Azkaban. Are you ready to do that?' asked Amelia.

The Minister shook his head so fast that jowls flapped about like an elephant's ears.

'Good, courtroom six. Make it happen.' demanded Amelia before she turned and stalked away.

As Amelia walked away, she dropped the charm that silenced Dolores,

'Cornelius, I must protest. Madam Bones has overstepped the mark by banning you from chairing this trial and by threatening my department and me. I demand that she be taken down a peg or two.' screeched the undersecretary.

'Dolores, my hands are tied. I have to be seen as impartial, this is not a mess of my making, and I cannot interfere. As for her threatening your department, perhaps if you kept your head down, then she would not be aiming for you.' The Minister said forcefully before shuffling away.

##

Deep in the Scottish Highlands, a young couple and their friends sat at one of the four long tables in the great hall; no one complained that there were students from two other houses sitting at the table for Lions. The conversations ranged from school work to Quidditch and who would be the Hogwarts champion for the Tri-wizard tournament, something that left Harry feeling very cold.

'I bet that it'll be someone from one of the other houses' said Neville

'Why not a Gryff?' asked George

'C'mon the only one capable is Harry, and I can tell you, he wants no part of it.' replied Neville

'Is that because he's a coward?' piped up Cormack McLaggan who was listening in

'You want to go outside and ask me that?' said Harry as he fixed the older boy with a stare that promised significant pain.

Ever the numbskull, Cormack stood and said 'Alright.'

Harry kissed Hermione and said 'Back in a minute' before standing and walking towards the door of the great hall, about five foot from the doors he stopped and turned and noticed that Cormack had sat down and was trying desperately to disappear. Harry smirked and walked back to the table.

'What's wrong McLaggan, Afraid of little old me?' asked Harry

'I do my fighting after breakfast.' said the older boy without making eye contact.

'Really? I do mine before breakfast' asked Harry before turning to Hermione to say 'Mia, we have the cowardly lion, in Cormack, who do you think could be the Tinman, the Scarecrow, and the Wicked Witch of the West?'

'The Tin Man would have to be Dumbledore, and Ron would be the Scarecrow because he's a brainless oaf. The Witch would be Cho, I think, specifically after the way she treated Luna.' said Hermione. Harry nodded his agreement, while everyone else looked confused.

While they were picking out characters for the wizard of Oz, Minerva made her way to the Gryffindor table.

'Mr Potter, It is time that we leave for the Ministry. I will give you a few minutes to say your farewells'

'Thank you professor.' said Harry'

The mood grew sombre as reality came into sharp focus. Today was the day that Harry's life would be changed forever. Well at least in the eyes of his friends, for Harry it was when he walked into the temple in Greece. He leaned over and gave Hermione a loving kiss before resting his forehead against hers.

'Will you be okay?' she asked him in a whisper

'I'll be fine, I'm going to get my family back.' he said in a small voice.

The group of friends witnessed the tender exchange between the young couple and felt that they were trespassing on something private. The moment was all to brief and Harry had to go, he got up and walked away from the table, and he heard Cormack pipe up.

'So Granger, have you put out for him yet or are you waiting for a real man like me?'

Harry was about to turn and rip his throat out until he heard the unmistakable sound of a fist striking someone's nose and the resounding thud and crack of a body hitting the floor and their head bouncing on the stone.

Harry turned and saw Neville rubbing his knuckles and Cormack lying flat in the floor with blood streaming from his squashed nose. The flash of a camera going off was the only reaction in the hall as Colin took the opportunity to record the incident for posterity.

Neville turned and said 'On you go, Brother, I've got this.'

Harry nodded and turned back to the door and left the hall, feeling a little better that Mia was in good hands.

After a few moments, he met up with Minerva and asked 'I was wondering if you wanted to travel to the Ministry in another way?'

'What do you mean Harry?' Minerva asked

'I thought we could travel by shadow, it's been a while since I've done it and thought we could give it a shot.' said Harry

Minerva raised her eyebrow in response and said 'I should be telling you to act responsibly, but I would be lying if I said I didn't want to try it.'

##

In an empty corridor off the central atrium of the Ministry, Minerva McGonagall and Harry Potter emerged with huge grins on their faces.

'I do believe that that was the most fun I have had in many a year, Thank you Harry.' said Minerva

'My Pleasure, I have wanted to do that since Athena came to me. Perhaps I might surprise Mia with it later.' said Harry with a smile on his face.

They walked to the security desk and stood in line to be checked in, around them people spoke in whispers. Some even pointed towards Harry as though he were some kind of exhibit to be gawked at. He just let the unwanted scrutiny wash over him, Minerva, on the other hand, folded her arms and gave her most terrifying glare to any that cared to look in her direction. The gawkers soon had second thoughts.

'Put your wand on the plinth and state your name and business.' said the utterly bored guard at the security desk.

'Minerva McGonagall, escorting his Grace the Earl of Monmouth to the trial of Lord Sirius Black, Now Jason Cork sit up straight and stop mumbling.' said Minerva.

Instantly Jason sat bolt upright and said in a very clear voice 'Yes, Ma'am. Sorry Ma'am'

Harry did his best not to laugh, but his poorly disguised snort drew the attention of Jason,

'What do you think you are laughing at boy?' asked Jason

Harry turned to look behind him for effect 'Oh, you mean me?' he said.

'Yes you, the wand on the plinth and state your name and business before I get the Aurors to call your mum.' sneered Jason.

'That'll be hard she's been dead for thirteen years. Harry James Potter, Earl of Monmouth, Head of House Potter. My business is my own.' replied Harry, never breaking eye contact with Jason.

'S..s..sorry your grace, I don't know what came over me.' stuttered Jason before he stood and gave a half-bow, half curtsey that caused him to trip over his feet and fall over his chair.

Harry took pity on the poor lad and gave him a hand to his feet and said 'No apology necessary, it was rude of me to laugh at your misfortune. Please accept my apologies.'

Jason stood and looked stunned before nodding slowly.

'Mr Cork, I am not Lucius Malfoy, nor do I believe that I am beyond reproach due to the content of my pocket. If I make a mistake, I will happily apologise for it, I have always felt that is the best way to judge a person's character.' Harry said as he offered his hand to Jason to shake. The security guard eventually took the offered hand and gently shook it.

'We have taken up enough of your time Mr Cork, thank you for your understanding.' said Harry before he nodded and turned to walk away.

The remaining members of the queue stood amazed at the humility of Harry Potter.

Walking by his side, Minerva just shook her head with a wry smile and said 'It's never dull with you around Harry.'

Harry grinned and kept walking in silence.

##

Courtroom six was filled; the Press boxes were filled with reporters from across the Wizarding World. The public gallery was standing room only; this was the trial of this and any other century.

The great and the good of British Wizarding society were seated within the body of the court. Lucius Malfoy stood out with his perfectly coiffed platinum blond hair which was in contrast to the monochromatic hairstyle of his wife, besides the Malfoy's sat Cornelius Fudge and Bartemius Crouch Senior.

Two rows in front of Lucius was former Minister Millicent Bagnold; it was during her time in office that Sirius was wrongfully imprisoned without a trial. Recently there had been some debate over her role in this miscarriage of justice; she was at the trial to lend credence to her claim that she was unaware of what happened as she had recused herself from all trials to retain impartiality.

The prosecution team sat on the right of the bench, Richard Wattle was lead prosecutor, his team was Laura Stow, Ruby Hawthorne, Jasper Inkwell, and Sadie Rosewood. They had prepared as fully as they could. Now that the big day had arrived the nerves set in with a vengeance. Richard looked left to the Defence table.

Currently empty, it had only two chairs. One for the defendant, one for his counsel, Richard had crossed swords with Ted Tonks on many occasions and had lost all but three of their bouts. Perhaps this one would be found in his favour.

As the clock ticked towards the beginning of the trial, Ted Tonks wandered into the courtroom whistling a tune and carrying nothing but his briefcase and a coffee in a Styrofoam cup. He set his coffee and briefcase down, took off his coat and loosened his tie before heading over to the prosecution table.

Ted extended his hand and greeted Richard warmly by saying 'Morning Dick, how's the back?'

'Morning Teddy, you know how it is, it comes, and it goes. I suppose I can't complain, though. How's the family?' Richard asked

'We're good. Andi keeps asked me to invite you and Veronica over for dinner one night, you've got to give me an answer mate.' said Ted.

'Alright, next Thursday will that get you off the hook?' Richard asked

'Your damn right it will. Bring that bottle of sixty-seven with you. Right down to business, introduce me to your team?' asked Ted

'Well Laura and Ruby you know' said Richard

Ted shook both their hands 'Ladies, a pleasure as always.'

'This is Jasper Inkwell, and he's a demon in research.'

'Are you of the Applecross Inkwells?' Ted asked

'Yes Sir, I am' replied Jasper

Ted Beamed at him 'I interned under your Grandfather; tell me, how is the old bastard? Does he still have the enormous stags head about his office door?' he asked

Jasper grinned 'Yes sir he does, it always scared me shitless. He's just as cantankerous as he's always been.'

'Good to know, please give him my regards.' Said Ted

Richard said 'and this one on the end is my newest associate, Sadie Rosewood. She is going to shake the dust off of this old place; I'll tell you that for nothing.'

'It's good to meet you, Sadie, if even half of the praise this old dog is heaping on you is true then I do believe that we can expect good things from you.' Ted said with a huge smile

'I don't know about that sir.' said Sadie bashfully

'You know, I was recently told about another young witch that is expected to do great things. She is the current girlfriend of my client's godson, Harry Potter.' said Ted

'Hermione Granger?' asked Sadie

'You know her?' asked Ted

'I was in my last year at Hogwarts when she started; it's rumoured that her results in the first year exams were record-breaking, a full thirty per cent higher than any two other first-years from the last forty years. Of course, it's also rumoured that Harry killed a mountain troll to save her life.' said Sadie

'Not kill, Ms Rosewood, he only stunned it; that was after he jumped on its back. He has always been very protective of her, so I'm led to understand.' said Ted

Everyone at the table just looked at him in stunned silence.

'Hmm, That seems to happen a lot when I mention things Harry's done.' said Ted

Ted took out his pocket watch and saw that kick-off was only a few moments away,

'It was a pleasure to meet you all, and hopefully next time it will be in far happier circumstances. I must head to my side of the divide as it were. Dick do try and keep it clean you old rascal' he said with a slight bow before heading to his table.

The door opened, and silence descended upon the courtroom. Every head turned and saw Harry and Minerva enter the courtroom, in the press box a few flashbulbs went off while reporters scribbled furiously. Harry slowly shook his head at the absurdity of people wanting to take his photo for walking through a door.

Minerva guided Harry to their reserved seats just behind the defendant's table, beside Andromeda and Remus. The trial was to be presided over by none other than Mother of the chamber Madam Griselda Marchbanks; her senior advisors would sit one level below her and included Albus Dumbledore.

A side door to the courtroom opened to give access to Kingsley Shacklebolt, Sirius Black, and Nymphadora Tonks. In stark contrast to Harry's entrance, the room came alive with the fierce sounds of whispers, half of the room watched Harry and the other half watched Sirius. Harry was expecting this and had planned accordingly.

He got up from his seat and walked to the centre aisle of the court and made his way towards the Aurors and Sirius. He stopped some six feet from the defendant; the room held its breath as Harry draw his wand.

'Auror Shacklebolt, I somehow forgot to surrender my wand. I would like to do this officially to you, will you take it for me?' asked Harry

'Of course your grace, I will personally look after it until the end of proceedings and return it to you myself.' replied Kingsley as he took the offered wand and placed it inside his robes.

'I realise it this is may break protocol, however, given the circumstances I was wondering if I might speak with the defendant for a moment?' asked Harry

Kingsley nodded his consent; the courtroom held its breath.

'Hey Sirius, you're looking well.' said Harry

'Hi pup, you don't look so bad yourself. Are we still on for taking in a Quidditch match at Christmas?' asked Sirius

'As long as it's before Christmas, I promised Hermione's Dad we'd go to a football match.' said Harry

'Alright, That's a fair compromise. I'd hug you but they might take a dim view' said Sirius

This caused Harry to launch himself into his godfather's arms, the room gasped. Flashbulbs lit up the room. 'being the Boy-who-lived should have a few perks' said Harry before turning to Kingsley and saying 'My apologies Auror Shacklebolt, I haven't seen my family in such a long time, I couldn't help myself.'

Kingsley winked at Harry and said 'I'm sorry your grace, did you do something?'

Harry smiled at Kingsley, winked at Nymphadora and turned to head back to his seat.

Minerva tried to look stern but failed miserably and said 'Never a dull moment, Harry, just like your dad.'

'Well I had to give the people a show, they came for fireworks, and I didn't want them to leave empty-handed.' said Harry.

The door behind the presiding officer's chair opened.

A senior Auror stepped out and with a magically enhanced voice said 'ALL RISE.'

Everyone in the courtroom stood as commanded.

'THE HONOURABLE GRISELDA MARCHBANKS PRESIDING' said the Auror as Madam Marchbanks entered the room and took her seat.

'Please be seated. Let the record show that on the year of our Lady of Magic; nineteen-hundred and ninety-four, on the fourth day of the month of October we are to judge the defendant, One Sirius Orion Black on fourteen counts of murder, two counts of culpable homicide, one count of being a member of a terrorist organisation, and one count of breaching the auth of allegiance taken as an Auror.' said the venerable Mother of the chamber.

The sound of numerous dicta-quills scratching the words on parchment was the only sound to be heard in the courtroom.

Madam Marchbanks looked over the assembled Witches and Wizards; she didn't like the fact that Harry Potter and numerous alleged Death Eaters were in the same room. She gave a light sigh before she pointed her wand at the runic array in front of her.

'Lustitia Omnibus Nihil est Innoxium' she muttered and allowed her magic to flow into the Keystone rune. For a brief moment, it glowed cobalt blue before every rune in the courtroom followed suit.

'I have just enabled the Justice Field, ancient magic from the mists of time that protects the innocent from harm, but it will inflict the consequences of a crime on its perpetrator. Be warned; your actions will hurt only yourself.' Madam Marchbanks declared.

Upon seeing the shock on the faces of the assembled people of Magical Britain, she smiled and said 'I call the prosecution to make its opening statements. You will have ten minutes.'

Richard Wattle stood and took a deep breath and said 'Madam Marchbanks, distinguished members of the court, Ladies, Gentlemen, and Your Grace. The Prosecution Rests.'