Chapter 18

Albus Dumbledore

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was glad another chaotic year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was over. He was under no illusions, as fun as that might be, running a school of pubescent witches and wizards was always chaotic. The records from the Hospital Wing would attest to this fact, and he would not have it any other way. The last three years however had been particularly unusual, even for a school with moving staircases.

With no children of his own, it was a personal joy for him to watch the young people under his charge grow into both their magic and the people they chose to be. It was not always joyful, particularly during Tom's rise, but despite that he thought of his students as somewhat children of his own.

Though some certainly stood out more, and nobody stood out more in Albus' life and mind than the Boy-Who-Lived, Harry Potter. It was not lost on the wizened Headmaster that he had been involved in much of the events in the young Potter's life, an unfortunate consequence of a literal twist of fate.

He had thought often since hearing the prophecy regarding Tom Riddle's fall what might have been done differently without the unfortunate intervention of Sybil Trelawney. Unfortunately he could come up with little, the Potters and Longbottoms had already earned Tom's ire, so perhaps events may have played out exactly as they did regardless. Leaving young Harry with only the Dursleys for family, or even worse, not surviving the night.

When Harry Potter re-joined the wizarding world Albus had been none too pleased with what he had found. The Potters had never been a family of large builds, and Lily had been quite small also, but Harry was much too slight. Poppy had not reported anything too unusual but Albus still took the extraordinary step of using Legilimency on a student. He had found a childhood of neglect and some schoolyard bullying. Unsavoury no doubt, but not anything Albus could reasonably do much about. He had sent a letter to Petunia in warning and unfortunately, with a lack of reasonable options, returned Harry to their care.

The events in the Chamber of Secrets, however, had changed much, some disturbing and others more relieving than words could say.

He had often wondered how Tom had cheated death, remaining a malevolent shadow to haunt the wizarding world. With the discovery of the diary and Harry's description of the spirit possessing young Miss Weasley the answer became clear. Horcruxes were a foul piece of magic but certainly not beyond Tom.

The implications of Harry's scar and unusual ability to use parseltongue were horrid to even contemplate. Yet he had left the Chamber without Tom's shadow leeching upon him, to Albus's great relief.

Dumbledore looked out at the ground as he liked to do when pondering. His view was now partially blocked by a rather excellent giant tree. He smiled slightly as he puffed on his pipe.

His decisions in Harry Potter's life had not always benefited the poor boy, growing up in such an environment, as unavoidable as it was. The cleverness of James Potter and his friends caught up with them in the end and it had been Harry who had paid for it also. But today, perhaps, he might find a way to correct some of those mistakes.

"Come in Harry." Albus called, turning towards the door. A mop of black hair poked his head in and Albus smiled, noticing that the boy was wearing what were probably his best clothes.

"Good morning Headmaster. I hope I'm not too early." The third year scratched his head as he often did when embarrassed. He walked over and put the chains he had been carrying onto his desk. Dumbledore smiled and levitated them down into his pocket. Magic was truly wonderful.

"Not at all, I understand that you are eager to go, and I must be there early in my position as Chief Warlock." Albus smiled slightly. "Unfortunately my responsibilities will impose a level of patience from you today, I hope that is not an inconvenience."

"No, sir, I understand that you are busy." Harry replied. Dumbledore smiled and summoned over a book from his own collection. A rather fascinating tome gifted to him by Nicholas on enchanting glass.

"That may be, but it does not mean you must suffer for my ambitions. So I offer you some reading material for the wait." His young student goggled at the book, instantly opening to the first page in curiosity. Albus chuckled.

He observed his student patiently, feeling in that moment every bit the indulgent uncle or grandfather he often wished to be.

It was clear at the beginning of the school term the toll Tom had taken from Harry for so much of his life. The time spent on the lands of his Grandfather had done him good also. The young Potter returned to school much healthier, growing more and, Albus hoped, seeming much happier.

To the Headmasters even greater delight, as an educator at least, after two years of middling academic performance, with the exception of potions and history, all of his results had improved by leaps and bounds. What's more he had embraced his heritage fully in the most impressive application of runes to enchanting. Dumbledore had always been impressed with the Potter family and the latest generation was no exception to their exceptionalism. Certainly also not in their proclivity for singular fixations on talented partners.

The old wizard indulged in a moment more observing a child's wonder at the new discoveries of magic before coughing notably. The boy certainly enjoyed the study of runes, a unique vocation to be sure. Often less than three students even achieved their NEWTs in the subject each year.

"Loathe as I am to interrupt such impassioned study, I think it time for us to be going." Harry looked up from his book, seeming to only just remember that Albus was even there. But rather than be annoyed, as Albus might have been in his own youth, the spectacled boy just smiled and nodded, closing the book.

Harry Potter

The Ministry was much the same as Harry remembered, though he wasn't sure why he expected elsewise. The glittering statues stood tall and proud, witch and wizard basking benevolently over all. When he looked back at Dumbledore he noticed a slight grimace behind his long beard.

"One of the many overindulgences of our kind, I am afraid." The Headmaster answered the unasked question. Harry looked again at the fountain and frowned, remembering his first impression of the feature, the expressions of the other races being unlikely. The Centaurs and Goblins, the ones Harry had met at least, were not fans of humans. He knew the Goblins were a martial race of old and resented their position in society and the wars they had lost. He wasn't honestly sure why the Centaurs disliked humans though, perhaps he ought to ask Hagrid.

"Where are we going?" Asked Harry as they checked in their wands. Well Harry checked his in, the Headmaster apparently got a free pass. The guard at the door was the same as the first time Harry had come also.

"Thank you Edric." The old wizard said to the man, before ushering Harry along. "The Wizengamot offices are in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, on level two. The trial will also take place there. Unfortunately you will not be able to see Sirius beforehand."

Harry nodded, though was saddened by this news. He hadn't seen Sirius since the night in the forest. Professor Lupin had, and said he was doing well enough, but he wanted to see the man who was meant to be his godfather himself. He had questions about his past, his parents, all sorts of things. It was driving him to distraction and he had barely been able to focus on his exams. Snape had taken some glee in this fact.

He accompanied the Headmaster through the atrium, his long strides, for the old wizard was a rather tall man, easily navigated the large room and Harry had to rush to keep up. It was odd, Harry was famous, he hated it but it was a part of his life, but a crowd had never reacted to him like they did Dumbledore. Throngs of people moved aside of their own will, staring in a stupor or whispering to their colleagues as they passed. Not a single glance turned towards him, which would have been refreshing if he did not feel he was being stared at all the same, being in such close proximity with the object of attention.

They caught a lift as soon as it arrived. Nobody stepped in with them. Harry understood something new, he was famous, but he wasn't Dumbledore famous.

"How do you do it?" Harry asked quietly, looking up at his teacher.

"I can do a great many things, but I am afraid a lift ride would not be sufficient time to explore them all. So perhaps in the interest of time I might ask what it is I can do?" The Headmaster of Hogwarts was sometimes an infuriating person.

"Handle the staring." He elaborated, though he felt it unnecessary and the man knew exactly what Harry had wanted to know.

"Ah." The old man stroked his beard slowly. "Unfortunately, as it is with many things in life, the trick to attention, whether earned, wanted, or neither, is practice." Dumbledore chuckled quietly to himself. "Fortunately I understand that you will have many opportunities in the years to come."

Harry folded his arms in what he knew was a petulant teenager expression and grumbled at the man. The Headmaster simply chuckled. They arrived shortly to the second floor and exited the lift to a bustling hall of open desk space. Paper aeroplanes and files were floating around and landing in an indiscernible chaotic pattern.

Harry wondered if Mister Weasley was somewhere in this chaos. He was pretty sure that Ron had said the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office was in this Department.

There was a big desk at the front of the open area, meant as a reception desk. Seated there, cleaning her nails with the bored expression Harry had come to recognise for most receptionists was a girl who looked no older than twenty. She had straight blue hair cut to her chin and a pretty face. She looked otherwise highly athletic, an odd thing for wizards Harry now realised. Rather than a robe she was dressed in dark pink attire with a leather jacket and black and white striped stockings on her legs. All in all, not the person Harry had expected from the wizarding version of police.

"Reception duty is one of the hazards of being a trainee auror I expect, Nymphadora." Dumbledore greeted the girl, who jumped in surprise in her chair and her blue hair suddenly receded into a pixie cut and turned white.

"Headmaster!" The girl exclaimed in surprise, turning pink in embarrassment, before her cheeks quickly turned back to a normal blush. This girl was very strange indeed.

"Good morning." The old wizard put his hand on Harry's shoulder and brought him forward. "Young Harry and I are here for your second cousin's trial, however I have some errands to attend to, so I was wondering if I might burden you with his company. He is low maintenance I assure you."

Second cousin, so she was a Black. He recalled Dumbledore mentioning a Black relative of Sirius who was a half blood and had inherited their family magic. Perhaps this was her, she certainly fit the bill of being able to change her appearance, Harry was frankly jealous, to be able to not be recognised would be tops. Then he wondered if she literally would turn green with envy. He probably shouldn't ask that.

The girl looked at the Professor then down at him, her eyes immediately going to his scar. Harry pushed his hair down self consciously.

"Wotcher Harry, it's Tonks to you." The girl instructed, then turned back to the Headmaster. "Could you please not use that name, Professor." She pleaded.

"A promise I would not be able to keep in my old age I'm afraid." Dumbledore smiled and the girl sighed petulantly. Harry wondered if the man's claims of senility ever actually worked.

"You shouldn't be embarrassed of your name anyway, Nymphadora, it is a lovely name." A new voice intruded.

"Mum!" Tonks yelled in embarrassment.

Harry turned and found an older witch, possibly in her late thirties, though it was really hard to tell with witches and wizards, they aged so much more slowly. She had brown softly curled hair and large kind eyes. She was of average height and build and was wearing dark blue conservative robes, almost the opposite of her daughter.

"Andromeda, what a pleasant surprise." Dumbledore greeted. "Though perhaps it should not be."

"He was my favourite cousin after all." The lady, Andromeda, agreed with the wizard.

"You're Sirius' cousin?" Harry asked, tired of being excluded.

"Hello Harry Potter." The lady smiled kindly down at him. "I am, we were the white sheep of the family, as he liked to say." Harry wasn't sure what that meant but smiled nonetheless.

"Nymphadora-"

"Mum!" The girl groaned again but her mother ignored her entirely.

"-has work to be getting on with, so perhaps I might entertain Harry until the trial, if he is agreeable." She offered.

Dumbledore smiled and nodded his head. "Thank you kindly Andromeda, I am sure Harry will behave himself." The second part was clearly more for him. Harry wasn't sure that was necessary. He wanted to read the book loaned to him if he was completely honest, but maybe finding out more about Sirius would be good too, so he nodded and left with Andromeda Tonks to an adjacent waiting room.

He spent the next few hours talking with Andromeda, first about Sirius and his roguish younger years and difficulties with his family. It was a surprise to learn just how invested in the pureblood dogma the Blacks were. Then Andromeda caught sight of the book and Harry had discovered that she was a healer by profession. That led to long discussions on the use of runes in healing.

By the time Dumbledore appeared again Harry had been enjoying the conversation so much he was loath to leave. But he was also excited to see Sirius freed.

They journeyed as a group, Auror Trainee Tonks included, down a flight of stairs into an amphitheatre. It was unlike anything he had seen on muggle television depicting a courtroom. All the seats were looking down at a single empty chair as if in judgement. Harry would not ever wish to be sat in that chair, he quickly decided.

Harry had almost been bowled over when the auror almost tripped down the stairs, to many apologies. The room was crowded with many serious looking people in dark grey robes. It seemed like ever wizard and their owl was interested in this case. Hopefully that boded well.

Dumbledore split off towards a podium and Harry spied the Minister sitting nearby. Harry and the two Tonks women took seats a few rows back from the front. Harry also easily recognised the white blonde head of Lucius Malfoy in the crowd.

He only had to wait a few minutes and Sirius was brought in. He was chained up but was looking better fed and cleaner than Harry remembered. He had even shaved and now sported a moustache which curled up at the ends. When he and Harry locked eyes the man grinned widely at him before taking his seat in the middle of the room. The chains were locked to the ground by his guards, who then took up position on each side of the empty space in the middle.

Dumbledore quickly called for attention from his podium.

"I hereby call this court of the Wizengamot to order, as a special hearing for the trial of Sirius Orion Black." He intoned, more seriously than Harry remembered seeing him. "The first order of business, however, is that as a witness in this case, I must recuse myself and ask that Deputy Warlock Fawley oversee this august congress."

Dumbledore nodded at the man sitting next to him, a middle aged nondescript man wearing a black hat and the same grey robes as most in attendance. The man stood up and took his place at the podium.

"Thank you, Chief Warlock." He said, voice deep and clear, maybe the podium had some sort of volume effect. The new judge coughed and adjusted his robe. "Witches and wizards, we are gathered here for the trial of a peer, a man who should have been a member of this body, who has been in Azkaban for 13 years, presumed guilty of the crimes we try him for today. It was an injustice that no trial occurred those years ago, and we meet now to put that wrong right."

Another cough before the man continued. "Sirius Orion Black, you have been accused of one count of murder of a fellow wizard, twelve counts of murder of muggles, two counts of assisted murder and one count of attempted assisted murder. How do you plead to these charges?"

"Not guilty!" Sirius proclaimed loud and clearly to the audience. There was much muttering at the response and Fawley had to call for order again.

"Very well, then let us begin, please bring in Auror Dobbins."

And so the trial of Sirius Black progressed. It wasn't what Harry expected, there were no lawyers, no objections or other interruptions. Sometimes a member of the crowd would ask a question and it would be answered. Most of the time it was either the Deputy Warlock or a serious looking witch with a square jaw called Amelia Bones asking the questions. It was very strange, though certainly seemed to hurry things along.

People were brought in and described finding Sirius at the scene of the murder of the muggles. They talked about him appearing to confess his guilt, of the spells used by his wand and other surrounding circumstances. Sometimes a document was given as evidence. After almost two hours though, Harry was called.

He stood up, hands shaking with so many eyes on him, and walked down to sit in the empty chair near to Sirius. He shared a small smile with the man and felt slightly better, less alone, despite the man being chained up.

"Please state your name and date of birth for the record." Fawley started.

"Harry James Potter. Thirty first of July nineteen eighty." Harry replied.

"Thank you. Now, Mister Potter, this trial is taking place due to evidence you brought to light, so we would ask that you start at the beginning and leave nothing out."

So Harry did, he told them of Sirius breaking into Gryffindor Tower but hurting nobody, of seeing Pettigrew's name on the map, of crafting his chains and then of the events of the night he met Sirius. Nobody interrupted except to proffer his chain to the court, Dumbledore handing it over. Or for Pettigrew's finger to be displayed.

Once he had finished there was a silent awkward pause, nobody saying anything. Eventually, though, the serious looking Amelia Bones broke the stupor.

"Forgive me for saying so Mister Potter, but there are some rather unbelievable aspects to your tale. Principally the patronus charm is not taught until seventh year, with good reason, and to my knowledge, practical rune work is not begun until fourth year."

Harry rubbed the back of his neck, uncomfortable with being questioned like this. He had expected to have to clarify, he didn't think he would be accused of dishonesty.

"Please let the record show that Mister Potter was advanced a year in the topic of Ancient Runes and has since been offered an apprenticeship." Dumbledore said from the side and Harry couldn't have been more grateful, despite the soft mutterings of the crowd. "I have also confirmed the chain as working as Mister Potter described."

"Thank you, Chief Warlock." Frawley replied. "It is also my opinion that Mister Potter's ability to use the patronus charm is largely immaterial to the trial, though a demonstration would not go amiss."

"Erm, am I allowed?" Harry asked, taking out his wand.

"Restrictions for underage magic do not apply in this room, you may proceed, Mister Potter."

Harry shrugged and thrust his wand out, intoning. "Expecto patronum."

A great stag sprung from the tip of his wand, even larger than he had expected. It was larger than a stag ought to be, with antlers reminiscent of small trees. Its silver white fur also appeared almost moss-like, longer and more shaggy than he would have thought a deer to have.

The ethereal beast pranced around the court in the air, tossing its head, startling some close by observers. From the corner of his eye Harry caught Sirius tearing up slightly at the sight.

He waved his wand again and the deer faded into a mist. He did feel slightly vindicated now, more confident. There had only been a few more questions, seeking clarification, particularly and unfortunately on the use of the map. Harry had not mentioned making a second, keeping that part ambiguous.

He was then free to go and Dumbledore took his place. He mostly confirmed bits of what Harry had said, including some of his own observations, as well as including some information pertaining to Harry's parents but nothing particularly new was learned.

The Deputy Warlock then addressed the Wizengamot again, rather than asking for any more people. "With this final witness and all new evidence presented, it is time for the members of the Wizengamot to vote on whether we have seen sufficient evidence and understanding of events for the use of veritaserum in the final interrogation of Sirius Orion Black."

Slowly members of the audience raised their wands and lit the end, until the entire amphitheatre was awash with lights, like a strangely silent rock concert, or worse a memorial. Harry looked at Andromeda, who was sitting next to him, confused.

"Shouldn't they just use it to begin with, save all the hassle?" He whispered.

"One might think so." She responded in a whisper. "However, using veritaserum is complicated. It's generally thought poorly of because people dislike how effective it is, it makes people uncomfortable, but that's not what this vote is about. See truth potions only work as well as what the imbiber knows or believes. When we factor in memory charms, altering memories, misconceptions or misunderstandings, confoundings and so on, well, we need to know what is most likely true to even know if the person under the influence of the potion is actually telling the truth and not what they think is the truth."

Harry nodded at her explanation. That made sense. If Harry was colour blind and thought something had been brown but was actually green, a question about the colour of an apple might have had him saying brown.

It seemed that the court had agreed to the use of veritaserum though and so a few drops were put on Sirius' tongue. Then the questioning began again.

"Please state your name and date of birth for the court." Fawley repeated.

"Sirius Orion Black the third. The third of November, nineteen fifty nine." Sirius responded in a monotone. Fawley nodded to Amelia Bones and she took over from there.

"Were you the secret keeper for James and Lily Potter?"

"No." Harry sighed in relief, he hadn't really doubted that, but it was a relief to have the confirmation.

"To the best of your knowledge, who was the secret keeper for the Potters?"

"Peter Pettigrew." The crowd began to chatter again, clearly shocked at this revelation, despite Harry already saying as much.

"On the second of November, nineteen eighty one, did you, with intent, participate in the murder of twelve muggles?"

"No." The mutterings of the crowd were picking up now, and Fawley had to call for order

"On that same day, did you murder Peter Pettigrew?"

"No."

"To the best of your knowledge, what is the current status of Peter Pettigrew?"

"Alive in hiding."

"Have you ever served the person known as Lord Voldemort?" The usual shocked exclamations occurred from the use of that name.

"No." Sirius replied again in a monotone.

"That's all Deputy Warlock." Amelia said with a nod, taking down some notes.

"Very well, administer the antidote." Fawley said. He continued on as the guards approached with a new bottle, giving it to Sirius to drink fully.

"I call on you again, honoured members of the Wizengamot. It is time to pass your judgement on this man, Sirius Orion Black. You have heard the evidence presented to you by witnesses, and the testimony of the accused under the influence of the truth serum. Now we shall vote upon his guilt. I remind you that a clear majority must be established, otherwise we will adjourn and seek further evidence."

"In the charge of murder of a wizard. Please raise your wands now." Nobody did so, the room remained still and dark. The next charge was called, and the next and so on. Each time the room remained dark. That was good, right? He looked at Andromeda, who seemed to be tearing up, which wasn't helpful.

So instead he looked down at Sirius, who was grinning from ear to ear.

Fawley spoke again. "Very well, Sirius Orion Black, the Wizengamot has found you not guilty of all charges brought against you. Compensation for time served due to a miscarriage of justice will be determined at a later date. You are free to go."

"That concludes all items of business today. I would like to thank the members of the Wizengamot for their service to Wizarding Britain today."

And with that the chains fell away from Sirius and Harry rushed down the steps and jumped into his arms.

Hello, I am sorry this took so long, I have been a bit burnt out from this and needed a break. Chapters 4-17 came out at a pretty quick rate and I couldn't maintain it but I am glad to have this chapter done now and out. I hope you enjoyed it.

I am actually really excited to get to this summer and fourth year, it's actually the year I really wanted to write from the beginning and this has been leading up to it, but I probably will take my time with it. That will mean longer waits but hopefully better chapters.

I anticipate about 4-5 chapters for summer with some good stuff to look forward to and then on to the Triwizard!