Chapter Two-The Trail.
A/n: THERE is A LOT of Dialogue in this part. A LOT. Oops...
"A Question. Do you plead to tell the truth, nothing but the truth so help you God? Does anyone say no? - "Nothing But the Truth. By Avi."
Harry ran down the staircase to meet up with Ron, who was leaning up against the doorframe leading into the Common Room. "I'd figured you'd hurry. You never miss breakfast anymore."
Harry grinned, and looked at Ron who was about five inches taller than he was, "Well, I've got catching up to do, don't I?"
"Yeah Yeah, come on shrimp."
"Am not !!To..."
"Could you two stop arguing!?" Hermione called from the other side of the Common Room, dressed and ready for the school day ahead.
Harry shrugged, "At least I'm not as bad as you two."
"We do not argue that much!" Hermione quipped back.
"We argue a lot Hermione." Ron said.
"Do Not!"
"Do to."
"See!" Harry called out, leaving them behind, "You do argue more than me, come on, lets go !!"
The great hall was full of people by the time they arrived. Each sat down, and started munching away as the owls flew in, a soft gray owl coming to Hermione with the Daily Prophet. Harry and Ron continued munching away, ignoring the squabble of owls, until Hermione gasped.
"What? What's in the paper?" Harry asked, seeing Hermione's chestnut eyes got wide, her skin as pale as Nearly Headless Nick.
Her eyes went back and forth as she read the tiny script not responding to Harry's requests to read it. Harry was about to grab the paper away from Hermione, when Professor McGonnigall placed a slender hand gently on Harry's shoulder causing him to jump.
"Professor? What is it?"
Her face was stern, her eyes had a look of, was that sorrow? Harry couldn't tell. "Come with me."
"Yes Professor." Harry stood up, leaving all his food. Hermione and Ron looked at each other has he was escorted out of them room. Hermione turned the paper to Ron so he could read it. The headline in big black bold letters was : Sirius Black : recaptured, facing trail.
McGonnigall didn't explain anything to Harry along the winding corridors to Dumbledore's office. All Harry had received from her was a quick and curt "Follow me."
The password (pumpkin juice) was spoken, and Harry was left to travel the rest on his own. He had been up here multiple times, each for something different and normally bad. By the look in McGonnigall's eyes, Harry knew it wasn't good. A sense of foreboding came upon him as he opened the door, to see Dumbledore smiling, but his eyes in a fixed serious expression, one he had seen only once before.
"Professor Dumbeldore?"
"Oh yes, Harry, sit down." He sounded cheerful enough to Harry. He slowly set in the dark leather chair in front of Dumbledore's desk that felt like it had been stuffed with down feathers. His eyes scanned about the moving pictures of snoozing and waving Headmasters of before, and the flaming orange red phoenix the was sleeping in the corner. However his attention was turned back to the professor when he started to speak.
"Last night, Sirius came to Hogwarts for safety from some ministry official that were on his trail. However, Harry..." He paused letting the information sink in, "He was apprehended and brought to a special jail. In a week, he will have a trail and if found guilty he will be sentenced to the Dementor's Kiss."
Harry felt different, cold somehow, but it didn't effect the blank expression he had on his face. "He's innocent." He insisted. "He is innocent. You know that."
"Yes I do. But no one else does."
"Tell them."
"I can't Harry. Remus can't either, or any of the Auror's. It isn't that we don't want to, it's that we can't."
"I'll tell them." His eyes lit up with determination, but his face expression gave away nothing.
Dumbledore took in a deep breath, "Very well. The trail is this Saturday. You are excused to come with me to the Trail to testify. I was assuming that you would want to testify and the arrangements have already been made."
Harry nodded. As it was slowly becoming more of a fact, and less of a story, the less he trusted he own voice to speak for him. Sirius was the last thing he had left. They couldn't take that way, it was an injustice-an injustice to the innocent.
"You need to go to you classes, Harry. If you want to skip Transfiguration you can, but, I want you to go to your second class, is this understood?"
"Yes sir."
"Remember Harry, there is always hope."
"I will Sir, I always will." Harry stood up, his legs feeling week underneath his body, but he walked out of the room, and down the stairs without any problem. He felt fine, only with quick rush of sorrow and grief. He was going to show Dumbledore he was strong, and could take anything, even this. He walked towards Transfiguration.
Transfiguration had kept his mind off of things, the required concentration to turn the stone into a cup full of steaming tea was very high, however, when Defense against the Dark Arts rolled around things changed.
The new professor, Madame Manior, had decided that the day's lesson would be on Dementors. Her teaching style was very simple, a lot from the textbook, then after everything about what they were fighting had been learned, then going to how to cast spells etc. It seemed very boring at times, but when the spells came up, she could make it quiet fun. However, today was one to those textbook days, and as Harry opened his textbook to a picture of a Dementor,(Muggle, not wizard) he cringed.
"As you can read, the only thing not immune to a Dementor's touch, that is, its power to take away happy memories until the subject is removed from its presents, is a Snake. All other animals, flee when near one, or are driven mad, much like a human would..."
BAM. Harry slammed his textbook shut, stood up and walked out of the classroom, slamming the wooden door behind him. Professor Manior looked at the door, then turned back to the class and kept teaching the lesson, like nothing had even happened.
Harry moved through the stone corridors, and soon found himself outside in the snow, looking at the frozen over lake. He knew it was to thin to try to walk across so he just stood there, for a long time.
He thought, that this might actually be a good time to cry, but he couldn't remember how. He was stronger this was anyway. The pure expanse of white, covered by the evergreen trees in the distance. It was after all the first cold snap, and even though he was just in his long sleeved black cloak it felt good. Nice, almost as if it was a greeting to him. The wind was blowing softly, and if Harry closed his eyes, he could almost hear the waves of the lake in the spring calming his nerves. But now, it was cold ice. Not capable of calming waves, or quick currents. Just a solid, cold state.
His ears stung slightly, and he wished he had some head gear to keep from freezing. Why did that lesson had to be taught today? Why was this happening to him? There were no answers here, but there never seemed to be any.
"Harry!" Hermione called, running towards him, as he was staring at the lake. Harry turned around quickly and waved.
"Are you okay?"
He grinned, "Yeah, Yeah, I am. I'll have to make up that lesson soon though, won't I?"
She nodded. "It is FREEZING out here. And you don't even have on a jacket. Get inside right now before you freeze to death!"
"Yes, mam." He mocked, a slight smile played on his lips.
Saturday came much to quickly for Harry. Dumbledore had instructed him to meet him at five in the morning, from there they would depart by floo powder to the court room. The trail wasn't going to beginning till nine, however, he had to be aquatinted with the laws and how he would be questioned.
It turned out it was much like those muggle T.V. trail shows he had seen at Mrs. Figg's house. In-between talking and hearing annoying stories about her cats, she would watch court shows and Harry had been forced to watch along. It seemed easy enough, just answer the questions.
The court room was just like the one he had seen in Dumbledore's pensive. There were polished wooden benches, about the color of amber, lined up in two rows, with a dark oak podium and large chair of the Minister of Magic to sit in.There was a seat for the accused on the left side, with magic locks to keep them from escaping and on the right was a witness stand for the testimony. Off to the side, there was a place for the judges to sit. Remus Lupin, led Dumbledore and Harry into the empty courtroom. He looked older, worn out, and had gray hairs before his time. His eyes, that were the color of tigers eye, looked worn and tired. He sighed, and took a seat. Harry took a seat next to him, and the Dumbledore followed. Harry looked around, scanning everything. He remembered the trail he had seen , and wondered how many trails had Dumbledore seen in his long life. The three of them waited in silence, Remus praying, Harry sitting there pondering, and Dumbledore's patient self. The room filled up with people quickly soon after.
There was a cheerful chatter in the courtroom until the Minister of Magic, walked in wearing a formal black cloak. He took his seat, and hit his wand on the podium. He spoke, amplifying his voice by magic, "Ladies and Gentlemen, the trail for Sirius Black is about to begin. Please bring in the accused."
John, and his brother, Timothy, were positioned one in front and one behind Sirius Black. He looked clean, but not every well fed nor groomed. His long hair fell around his head in tangles, a gruff beard growing. He was lead to the accused stand and was placed in the seat. John and Timothy left, and a prosecutor came up.
"You plead to tell the Truth, nothing but the truth so help you God?"
"I do."
"Who are you?"
"Sirius Black."
"You have been charged for the death of 13 muggles, attacking a ministry official, being an illegal animangus and being a Death Eater, correct?"
"Yes."
"To each charge I state, please state your plead. Guilty, or Not guilty. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Death of 13 muggles?"
"Not guilty."
"Being a illegal animangus?"
"Guilty."
"Attacking a Ministry official?"
"Self defense."
"Not an option sir. Guilty or not guilty."
"Not guilty."
"Being a death eater?"
"Not guilty."
"Okay, the ministry has now turned on a lie detector. You must answer all questions truthfully. We did not do it for the questioning previous because if you believe you didn't do it, and you did, it would say you were telling the truth or vice versa. So, we do not monitor that, however, the Ministry will monitor and record all questions from here out asked. Understood?"
"Yes."
"I am going to start with the animangus charge. Because you plead guilty to it. " He paused, straightening his brown cloak. "Now, when did you become an animagus?"
"I was 15."
Gasps were heard about the room. "Are you aware that that would be the youngest age ever recorded for an animagus transformation?"
"Yes."
"Are you aware that that is nearly impossible to do at that age?"
"Not impossible, I did it."
"How?"
"Same way you always become one, with the complex spells and the potion and everything."
"Did anyone help you?"
Sirius paused, fear crossing his eyes for a brief second contemplating his answer.
"Did anyone help you?"
"Yes."
"Who?"
"I will not say."
"You must answer the questions Mr. Black."
"I will not say."
The Minister of Magic cut in with his high voice, "You will answer the question, Mr. Black."
"A former friend."
"A friend, Name?"
"Peter Petigrew." He wasn't going to give them more information that they needed.
"Anymore?"
"No." A light flashed red signaling a lie.
"Who?" He gave a helpless look in Remus' and Harry's direction.
"James Potter."
"Did they take on animagi forms?"
"Yes."
"What forms?"
"Peter turned into a rat."
"And Mr. Potter?"
Sirius paused, giving another a helpless look in Harry's direction. " A white stag."
"They were all your age correct?"
"Yes, I was the middle one. James was a little older, Peter a tad bit younger, but all in the same year."
"Why?"
"Does it matter?"
"Answer."
"I will not. On the dead and for other people's protection."
"No one else can be charged by what you say here alone. They can be brought in for questioning, but other evidence must be found."
"I still will not."
"Mr. Fudge?"
"Overruled. Please continue with another question."
"Now, onto the next subject. Were you a death eater." The prosecutor stared at him win contempt his lips drawn tight."
"No."
"Did you associate with Voldemort in any way?"
"No."
"We're you offered to associate with Voldemort?"
"Yes."
"Did you accept?"
"No."
"Were you offered to be the Potter's Secret keeper?"
"Yes."
"Then you were?"
"No."
"EVERYONE knows you were Mr. Potter's best friend! Why didn't you accept?"
"The danger."
"They died anyway."
"I am aware."
"Who was there secret keeper then?"
"Peter." The light flashed red.
"Who was the secret keeper?"
"Peter." This time the light didn't flash, indicating the truth.
The prosecutor turned , positioning his long black cane in front of the Judge. "The truth detector seems to be malfunctioning."
"Yes, that is being taken into account by the judges. The truth detector spell is now concerned null-in-void."
The prosecutor seemed to give an evil grin to Sirius and then continued on.
"Now, on to the death of 13 muggles. Is it true that you fought the deceased Peter Petigrew?"
"Yes, but he's not..."
"A simple yes or no will do Mr. Black."
"Please tell us what happen."
He explained, the detector going off a few times, but it wasn't suppose to count.
"So Peter casted the spell."
"Yes."
"You didn't."
"Yes."
"But you started the fight correct?"
He paused. "I had-"
"A SIMPLE yes or no."
He sighed. Should he tell the truth? "No." The light flashed again.
"Did you attack the Ministry official a week ago while trying to escape?"
"Yes, but I am innocent of the charges they were trying to bring in me for."
"Then you shouldn't have fought."
"And be given the kiss straight away?"
"That is enough from you Mr. Black."
Sirius looked over at the small Fudge stilling high up above everyone in the courtroom. If he had had a crown on, he could have been a king, and sometimes Sirius wondered if he wasn't one.
The man turned to the Judge. "I am finished with my questioning."
Fudged nodded. "I call up the first witness."
"Joan McClark."
Five witnesses were called claiming seeing Sirius coming towards Petigrew, Peter accusing him of killing Lily and James, and Sirius casting the spell that killed 13 people.
Then Harry was called. Whispers of surprise rang through the courtroom, for a brief moment before Fudge silenced them all.
The prosecutor came up, straightening his black robes.
"Are you aware that the accused, Sirius Black, is on trial for killing your parents?"
Harry was tempted to say no to annoy him. "Yes, I am."
"Tell us your version of the events, and how you know that Peter Petigrew is alive."
He explained his version of events, from his third year, and explained some, but little, (he could feel Fudge glaring at him) about what he had seen at the Tri-wizzard tournament. The man opened his then lips for a moment, as if to ask another question, but then after a pause went, "That is all."
A few more witnesses went by, testifying Sirius' guilt, and Harry winced each time. Every once-in-awhile he would look up to see how Remus was doing, but his face remained stoic and neutral, like it wasn't even happening. He knew Remus was hurt deeply by this, Sirius was his only friend left, but he would mourn over this in his own way, if it ended bad. It wasn't over yet, and there was soon hope. Accusations past over Harry's head as time went on, it seemed like only minutes, though it had been hours when the judge announced, "It is time for the Jury to discuss the verdict of this trail."
The 10 wizards stood up, each wearing black robes, and had a spell so no one could recognize who they were, with the exception of a couple people. The walked out in a single file line disappearing into another room. Remus scanned the room quietly, he seemed so calm and in control to Harry. He had a slight frown on his face, but besides that, you couldn't tell that he was waiting to see if his last close friend was bout to live or die. Dumbledore looked relaxed like nothing could go wrong, but he always seemed that way. His eyes didn't twinkle like they normally did, but had a sort or twinkling hope, that you could see. He laid a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder who felt like a five your old child sitting in church with one parent on each side tell him to be good. So little, insignificant, like an ant to a human.
As the ten anonymous judges walked in and Harry knew. He could feel it had been all a farce, the trail everything. Just to show that the Ministry was fair to all, when in fact they weren't. Fudge had a grave look on his face but his eyes showed triumph. Harry knew.
"The Jury has decided on the Guilty verdict on all four counts. Sirius Black shall be giving the Dementor's kiss tomorrow morning."
Harry couldn't exactly remember when he got up, nor did he remember Remus trying to grab him and keep him where he was, all he could remember was the verdict, and the next moment is was in front of Sirius, his wand pointed out towards the four Ministry officials that were going to take him away.
Everything he had left. By god he wasn't going to let that happen.
To Sirius, Harry wasn't standing in front of him, it was James, just like old time protecting him from everything. Always willing to risk his life...he was in shock. His soul was going to be ripped from his body in the morning. Who wouldn't be? He had been prepared for this, however, he never wanted to face it.
Harry stood in a battle stance, defiance in his emerald green eyes that only one person had seen before, Voldemort. His hair was a mess, yet his eyes, and his mouth formed in a thin line and he glared at each one of them daring them to move closer. His wand was out in front of him, the sleek painted wood held firmly in his hands. He wasn't thinking about repercussions of this, he just knew, Sirius was all he had left.
John looked at the boy in utter surprise. He was suppose to take Sirius back to the cell, for his final night, along with his brother, and two other men. He placed his wand slowly in a holster and put his hands in front of him.
"Harry, listen to me."
His green eyes focused of him, but all other senses were alert for any moment made by the other three men. All were larger, and stronger built than he was, but Harry knew, they were aware of what he had done, and right now, they were afraid of it.
"He is guilty. He killed your parents. We need to take him away."
"No he is not. I've seen Petigrew. He used my blood..."
"We need to take him away Harry, so could you please move." John had heard many stories about what the famous Harry Potter could do. The look of pure fury and protection he had for the convicted criminal was behind him was astonishing. He, at the moment, was on the wrong side of that power and he knew it. He had a sick feeling what it must have been like to be he-who-must-not-be-named, when all his power is released. He didn't want to really find out about it either.
"No. You are not taking him."
Remus Lupin, was trying to fight his own grief, but it was more important to make sure Harry didn't kill anyone. He didn't blame him, but he had, to stop him.
"Harry, please step away." Remus asked calmly.
"NO. I WON'T. He pointed his wand a little higher.
"Harry, please calm down." The headmasters voice seemed to calm Harry down a little bit but the determination didn't leave his eyes. His wand fell a little bit. He was torn.
"No. I won't let you take him from me." His voice went low, more threatening, calmer, somehow more in control.
Sirius watched wide eyed, still the magical sealed chair, watching as everything occurred. All he could see was the back of Jame--no Harry's head as he stood there ready to fight them off. He wanted to tell him to go, but he couldn't find his voice at all.
Timothy finally casted a spell, seeing that no words were going to stop the legendary boy. Harry easily blocked.
"Move. Or I'll be forced to use more harmful spells on you boy."
Harry looked at him like he was crazy, and hissed, "Try me." The boy who lived, probably the strongest wizard of his time, was standing there ready. No one dared challenge him.
Silence fell.
Fudged ordered two Dementors to be brought in.
Timothy threw a harder curse, but no where near the strength of an unforgivable. Harry blocked it with ease, but made no move to attack himself. The Dementors glided in, a chill of darkness going down everyone's spines. The guards turned to look at them, but ignored then and turned back to Harry. He could feel the Dementors touch taking effect, but waited them to get a little closer before casting his patronous. They both fled. The four guards were in awe of the silvery stag that pranced around Harry once, giving a good look at Remus and Sirius before disappearing into Harry's wand.
All pandemonium broke loose. Four hexes were casted at Harry, in witch he blocked three successfully, the fourth giving his blisters on his left arm. He winced slightly but kept blocking every attack, but he didn't see the large man out of the corner of his eye, leap up, and tackle Harry to the ground. Harry was a small boy still, and this man was much stronger and larger than he was. He felt, and heard the crunch of his arm, as he fell on it. He resisted the urge to cry out, and tried desperately to push The man off of him. After seeing he could not, he could hear them taking Sirius way when his mind went back to the Dementor lesson he and to study for. Hissing is parseltounge, the man who had him pinned downed went wide eyes, he sent out a plea for any snake that could hear to help him.
He heard a soft hiss Yes?
I need your help.
You do?
Yes.
Why?
I need you to follow that man, Sirius Black, and stay with the Dementor that will give him... Harry couldn't say it, but the snake knew.
The evil of all Dementors, right? You humans call it the Kiss?
Yes. Please, mark him.
Is he innocent?
Yes.
Harry Potter is honorable in the Snake world. I will do as your say.
Thank you. Thank you.
He stopped hissing, and before his eyes blurred into blackness he saw a bit of green against the wall. Maybe he could be saved... just maybe...
END OF TWO!!
Three to come soon. PLEASE R&R !! Thanks!
