Chapter 3: Consequences
By Order of the Cabal
Sirius Orion Black has been found innocent of the following crimes:
- Betrayal of Lily and James Potter to Tom Malvolo Riddle, known as Voldemort
- Murder of Peter Pettigrew
- Murder of 12 Muggles in Manchester city on the 2nd Nov. 1981
- Escape from prison, since he was never tried and convicted in the first place.
Sirius Orion Black is to be given a full pardon for these crimes by the British Ministry. His name is to be rehabilitated within a week's time.
It will be held in confidence but executed none the less the following:
- His custody over Harry James Potter as decreed by the child's parents will be granted to Mr. Black when he shall return to claim it.
- Mr. Black is to be given immunity from prosecution for this and every lifetime.
The Lady of Justice as Judge,
The Lady of Thought and Truth as Jury
and
Magic as executioner.
Records were rewritten, decisions were revoked, wills were executed and the Ministry of Magic of Great Britain found itself stunned in front of something they didn't understand, they may be magical, but they had magic while what happened on the 23rd July 1995 was Magic with a capital M. There was no going back on it, the final verdict of Justice last seen on the islands 437 years ago.
Sirius felt like his mind body and soul had been passed through a blender and shredded into a million tiny pieces. He felt violated, he felt sick, and he felt lost and found again only to be abandoned. He felt hallow and drained and yet bursting and too full. His magic felt foreign, his thoughts were scrambled, his body felt like it was going to hurt forever. But that wasn't important now. Nor was his punishment or judgement or whatever those cranky ladies wanted to call it. What was important now was that he had survived and that he had time to do what was right for Harry. His final act for the brother he had chosen. Even the thought of James hurt, he would never have the opportunity to ask for forgiveness.
27. July 1995
SIRIUS BLACK PROCLAIMED INNOCENT!
In an impromptu press conference and without any prior preparation Cornelius Fudge, minister of Magic, has shaken the very foundation of our judiciary system by stating that Sirius Black formerly known as criminal and fervent supporter of You-Know-Who was in fact innocent of the crimes for which he spent 12 years in Azkaban. The minister informed the magical world that Black's exoneration of said crimes (the murder of Peter Pettigrew and 12 Muggles back in 1981) was without a doubt valid. Not only that, but the previous administration had imprisoned Black without giving him a trial, therefore his status as an ex-convict and his escape from prison can't be counted as new crimes either.
How this information has come to light was not in the least satisfactory explained by the acting Minister who skirted the answer claiming there were witnesses that had seen Peter Pettigrew alive at Hogwarts in June 1994. Would just the sighting of a presumed dead man be enough to determine the innocence of a man believed to be as dark as his name? We do not think so. But as the Ministry assures us that a reopened investigation has thrown light over the events of 2. Nov. 1981, what are we the readers to do but believe the Minister's words?
Rumours that a vast amount of gold has been seen to make its way deep underneath Gringotts between the Black vaults and those of the ministry are unconfirmed. What can be confirmed however is that Black prior to being sent to Azkaban as a supporter for the dark arts has worked for the ministry as an Auror. The fact that in his Auror days Black had captured and/or killed more than 50 supporters of You-Know-Who had been a well-known fact. For the ministry to forget it so easily and chuck arguably one of its best men in Azkaban without a trial surely a falling out of the two parties must have happened. As Fudge refused to comment on who exactly signed Black's incarceration, we can only speculate what had transpired in 1981 until Sirius Black returns to British soil (Auror reports last placed him in Tibet) and gives us a first-hand account of his actions and sufferings.
Until then, we can rest easier with the Ministry's reassurance that Black is not and never has been a threat to our society.
Adam Summers,
Reporter for the Daily Prophet
To say that Harry nearly had a heart attack when he saw the headline in the newspaper that day was the understatement of the year. Sirius had been found innocent? Sirius was a free man? How? When? And more importantly, why hadn't Sirius written to him yet? Maybe it just happened. Well, he had to write to his godfather now. And so he took parchment and quill and started writing a big smile on his face the likes of he had not had all summer.
At Grimmauld Place people weren't as happy. Well, Remus was. But he was also confused.
'Kingsley, what did they tell you?' Moody said.
'Just that I am to take over the case of Greyback since Black is no longer a criminal.'
'The rumours around this article must be many. But the truth will have to wait for Sirius.' Added Dumbledore.
'If he comes back.'
'He has to, I mean, he was declared innocent. Why wouldn't he come back?' asked Tonks.
'Because there was no trial, no sign to point at his innocence, this all happened over night. Records were rewritten and no matter what they can't be undone. Fudge knows more surely, and most likely Amelia, but they are keeping quiet.' Explained Kingsley. Dumbledore narrowed his eyes slightly, that sounded ominous.
'I don't care much about Black, but if he's alive he'll return.' Snape snarled annoyed.
'And will the ministry do nothing to imprison him again?' Dedalus asked
'If he's alive and he comes back, he'll be safe. Bones came to tell us in person that attacking Black if the man doesn't attack first is tantamount to being sent to Azkaban for life.'
'But that sounds like he's alive.' Remus said.
'I think so, I don't know. It's good news, sort of.'
'For who?' growled Moody
'I don't know, Black maybe.'
'This is getting us nowhere.' Dumbledore finally interceded 'When Sirius arrives back we will know more. Until then we must be satisfied that he is somewhere, alive and as of today a free man. In all honesty this is better news than we could have hoped for after his escape from Grimmauld Place.'
'It's his house Dumbledore.' Kingsley interceded 'He didn't escape.'
'Whoever Black's friends are, they must be powerful to get the Ministry to pull this stunt.' Added Moody.
'He's a Black. His family probably had connections all over the place.' Said Emmeline Vance.
'And he didn't use them until now because?' asked Diggle
'The night when he left.' Remus started 'He was cleaning his desk and came upon some postcards. I think one of them must have triggered a memory of someone who could help.'
'Then why isn't that person, whoever it is, not proclaiming Voldemort is back?' asked Vance.
Then the kitchen door opened and in flew Hedwig with a letter. She hooted once twice looked around and sat down on Remus's shoulder but when Remus tried to take the letter from her she bit him.
'It's from Harry and it's addressed to Sirius.' Dumbledore said.
'Sorry Hedwig, Sirius isn't here. Can I have the letter so I can reply to Harry?' Hedwig ruffled her feathers and just stuck out her other foot. Meaning, answer but you don't get to read the letter which isn't addressed to you.
'Harry must have seen the article this morning.' Arthur said.
'And he probably wants answers.' Added Remus.
'Don't we all?' Huffed Vance.
Remus's letter had done nothing to quell Harry's desire for information. Hedwig couldn't find Sirius, which had never happened before. So after being very happy Harry grew very worried. Up until the 2nd of August (his birthday had come and gone and the lack of present from his godfather had been noted) when two Dementors attacked him and his cousin and a flock of Owls invaded no. 4 Privet Drive, expulsion and warnings and no information at all. Harry was furious. He sent letters to Ron, Hermione and Remus and it finally paid off when he was removed the following night by the advance guard.
Being at Headquarters wasn't all fun and games as he had to help clean the house he found out was actually Sirius's. Remus was the one that explained it, but his former teacher only said that Sirius hadn't gotten along with his family, who were all very dark and quite nasty – if the objects they found lying around during cleaning were any indication they weren't nasty, they were evil. How could Sirius be related to them? Where was Sirius? Remus said his godfather was alive, but that no one knew where he was or how he pulled off being declared innocent. Molly Weasley's mutterings weren't helping his unease nor was the fact that no one told him anything of importance.
If you're wondering why the Cabal didn't announce Voldemort's return that is quite simple. This was Sirius's trial, and he knew of Voldemort from Harry, which is true, but not his truth, just heresay. The way it works the Cabal is known to very few, mostly those in positions of power, and those prefer to avoid thinking about it (kind of like the Muggle Prime Minister prefers not to think of the Other Minister), or delude themselves that it doesn't exist. Talking about it is mostly viewed as a Taboo, even if it isn't the Taboo Voldemort's name was in book seven. It isn't a bad institution, nor does it interfere in Human affairs, but you can think of it as Sirius going to have his trial with St. Peter at heave's gates. That's all for today, review if you feel like it and have a nice week.