Chapter 30*~~
Ticking Of The Clock *~~
Harry arose the next morning with his stomach in twists. At first he couldn't tell why as his eyes saw the bright sunny sky and slight breeze through a window. But then he remembered. Unlike every other year classes wouldn't start this day. Because of Sirius's trial and the need of some teachers presence lessons had been postponed until the next day.
"Nice to see you're finally awake," Ron said.
"Yeah, you look like hell yourself," he retaliated. Ron stuck out his tongue and got out of bed.
"And both of you are louder than a damned firecracker," Dean grumbled, pulling his hangings back and climbing out of bed. Harry got up as well and soon the other two were joining them.
"I think it's neat Dumbledore's letting us go to the trial," Seamus said. He was referring to the notice that Dumbledore had pinned in what they thought was all four Common Rooms. It was a neatly printed on white paper with a dark purple border. It stated that anyone who was interested in going to the trial should be in the Great Hall with either Professor Trelawny, Madame Lupin, Professor Flitwick, or Professor Sinistra by eleven to take a portkey at eleven thirty.
"Yeah, let's' just hope the outcome is good," Harry said grimly.
"At least try to be positive," Hermione said from the doorway.
"HERMIONE!" screamed the five boys. Ron and Harry were only wearing their boxers at the moment, Dean had just put on his jeans, Neville was in the process of removing his pajama pants and Seamus was just pulling off his pajama top.
"What?"
"We're changing!" Dean cried.
"Obviously," said Hermione, rolling her eyes. "I'm not deluded, I'm prefect, thanks."
"What are you DOING up here?" snapped Harry.
"Watching my boyfriend change," she said slyly. Ron blushed scarlet. Harry groaned as Seamus chucked a book at her. "Don't throw literature."
"Don't come up here this early," Neville said testily.
"You should see her on Christmas," Ron muttered darkly.
"I just thought you might want to know that the three of us have to leave at quarter to ten and that Ginny and the others haven't showed up yet. Sorry, I'll go!" She spun around smiling slightly and bounced downstairs.
"That girl is going to kill us all if we're not careful," Harry said.
"She happens to be my girlfriend," warned Ron.
"Oh , so THAT'S why the two of you kept snogging. I thought you were just perverted," he said silkily. Ron glared at him as he pulled on jeans and a red shirt.
"Hurry you guys, it's already nine," Neville said, pointing to the new clock Dean had brought with him. It hung from the ceiling in the middle of the room and no matter which angle you looked at it from it would show you the face.
"Wow, I guess it's late," Seamus said.
They all walked down stairs into the common room. A few people were double checking the time to meet in the hall, some playing chess, some relaxing, and others heading to the Great Hall for some food. The five boys joined the girls form their year and together they all headed for breakfast.
"Hello, Madame Lupin, Madame Black," Harry greeted his godmother and secondary godmother. (GM- Ara, SGM- Aunt May (no relation to Spider-Man!)) The night before in Dumbledore's office he had offered the friends the position of the retired librarian. They had accepted immediately.
"Snuff off," snapped Ara.
"Geeze, what crawled up your butt and died?" asked Harry.
"Sirius woke us this morning oh so graciously with buckets of ice water followed by spraying of whipped cream in our faces," May explained.
"The bad thing is I can't be mad at him, seeing as today is his trial," Ara said with a heavy sigh.
"Come on, be a bit happier," Harry said.
"I would have liked to see your wake-up call," Ron said grinning evilly.
"And I was kind enough to get this moving photo of it!" Remus said cheerfully, walking over with Sirius. He handed a copy to each of the three. He still hld one in his hand. "Ah, Ginny's not back?" His face was slightly worried.
"No," Harry said, distressed.
"She'll turn up," Sirius said surely. Harry shrugged and he grabbed some toast from Gryffindor table. The three sat down and began eating.
Soon Dumbledore stood up from his conversation with Flitwick. "Those of you going to the trial you have exactly an hour and a half to return to the hall with a book, notebook, or something else travable to pass the time of waiting. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, Alicia, Angelina, please follow us." He stood with the four new staff additions and led the students from the Hall.
The Stags were all going early- two hours early.
"It will be fine," Sirius said to Harry, squeezing his godson's shoulder. Harry knew Sirius was saying as much for himself as for Harry. He smiled and hugged him for a moment before grabbing Floo powder and Flooing to the ministry's entrance room fire places in a flame of green fire.
"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic," greeted a pretty woman at the reception desk. "Please state why you are here and hand over your wand to be examined as you are not a ministry employee." She turned around from her files to smile at them.
"Hermione Granger, Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson, Ron, Fred, and George Weasley, Arabella Figg, Remus Lupin, and Harry Potter all hyphenated Stag. I am Albus Dumbledore. We are all here for the trial of Sirius Black," Dumbledore said easily. They all dug out their wands and handed them to the witch. She flicked her own wand as she set the others down on her desk.
"I am Kristen Summers," she said. Kristen smiled at them as she handed each of them a badge stating their name and reason for being there. "Most guests use the guest entrance. It's not often I get to hand out badges." She quickly took care of their wands and handed hem all back.
"Thank you," Harry said as he took his. She nodded.
"I hope his trial turns out however it is you are wishing, Mr. Potter," Kristen said as they turned to leave. He smiled. Sirius stepped up to the desk. Kristen looked surprised at first to see him but she shook her head and quickly got back her demeanor.
"Sirius Black here for the trial of himself," Sirius said, cutting her off. She nodded and grabbed his badge. He pulled out his wand and handed it to her. As soon as he got it back Sirius followed the others to the elevators.
Soon they were walking down the corridor to a bunch of court rooms. "Here we are," Dumbledore said, stopping outside a room numbered 12.
"Same number as my house," Sirius said. "Don't know if that's a good or bad sign." Ara snorted.
As they opened the door slowly they were able to take in the room it hid. Considering what this trial was for it was a very decent room. The walls were stone. It was a half circle shape. Along the straight wall there was a high seat for the Orderman (judge), an enclosed chair with clasps for the accused (Sirius), and another next to that for the testifier.
Along the beginning of the left side of the curved wall there was a box for the offense and on the right side a box for the defense. Along the back of the curving wall there was about a hundred seats for onlookers. In front of those there was the high, golden box for the Neutrals. (jury) A few Neutrals had arrived and were swearing on Merlin's Book that they had no relations to Sirius Black, Lily Potter, James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, or any of the twelve muggles (Samantha, David, Henry, Nora, Lisa, Patty, Peter, Olga, Zip, Chase, Will, and Gary).
"Well, here we are," Sirius said shakily. Ara kissed him for reassurance and Harry smiled as best eh could. Sirius returned the gesture with a weak wispy smile tat Harry was sure mirrored his own.
"The accused has arrived," Dumbledore announced. "As has his Head of Defense and a quarter of his testifiers."
A dazzling witch with long sheets of blond hair and blue eyes walked over to them. She wore black robes with a badge of two wands crossed over Merlin's Book lined first in blue and then in gold. Harry, who had read up on courts and things, knew the blue meant she was an Orderman from a year of the Elves and the gold meant she had been Orderman in many important trials.
"Hello, I'm Andrea Honeycomb and I've been chosen as the Orderman for this trial," she said, her voice strictly business. "Black, you can take your seat for the trial. It will begin promptly at noon. Dumbledore you may do as you wish until the trial begins and you must defend the convicted. The rest of you must exit through either door on the side of the spectators box and enter through either the defense or offense door next to the aforementioned boxes. Outside those doors there will be someone to change your visitors badge to state your side."
Sirius gave Ara another kiss and then he walked to his seat. Dumbledore followed him and they began talking quietly. The rest walked through the doors and lined up by the table in front of the defense door.
"Arabella Clarissa Figg for Sirius's defense."
"Badge," demanded the young witch. She took it and tapped it once before handing it back. "Go through. Next."
"Hermione Anne Granger, defense."
"Badge. Go through. Next."
"Remus Jasper Lupin, defense."
"Badge. Go through. Next."
"Fred Gaetan Weasley, defense."
"Badge. Go through. Next."
"George Fabian Weasley, defense."
"Badge. Go through. Next."
"Alicia Laksha Spinnet, defense."
"Badge. Go through. Next."
"Angelina Paris Johnson, defense."
"Badge. Go through. Next."
"Ronald Lucifer Weasley, defense."
"Badge. Go through. Next."
"Harry James Potter, defense."
"Ba- wait, Mr. Potter are you sure you're on the correct side?"
"Yes. I'm here to defense my godfather."
"Badge. I hope you know what he's being charged with. Go through." Harry walked through the door and set his book (Quidditch Defense, Two Way Playing) on a front row chair in the defense box. Then he joined everyone else up by Sirius.
They spent the time leading up to the trial talking about anything but the trial. Harry brought over his book which had a few of the greatest quidditch matches stored in it by photos and they watched one. Soon people from school poured in through doors on wither side of the spectators box and the Weasleys and the rest of the defense was gathered up by Sirius.
"Five minutes and this trial will start," announced the Orderman. Mot of the defense sat down in the box.
Hermione and Ron each gave Sirius a quick hug before sitting down with the other Weasleys. May hugged him as well. Remus squeezed Sirius like his own brother. Ara locked her lips over his one last time before she sat down. Harry looked at Sirius a long time before launching into his arms and squeezing his godfather tight.
"I love you Sirius," he said quietly. Sirius kissed the top of his head. "You're the best godfather I could ask for."
"I love you too Mini Prongs." As they pulled apart a tear slipped down each of their cheeks. Harry sat down with the rest. Ginny still wasn't there. Harry bit his lip as the Orderman stood.
"I am Oderman Honeycomb. This is the trial of Sirius Lee Black. He is accused of the murder of a dozen muggles, wizard Peter Pettigrew, and betraying the Light Side by selling Lily and James Potter to the Dark Lord. Head of Offense is ministry employee Karl Miguel Casper. Head of Defense is headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."
Harry's heart hammered. It had begun.
Ticking Of The Clock *~~
Harry arose the next morning with his stomach in twists. At first he couldn't tell why as his eyes saw the bright sunny sky and slight breeze through a window. But then he remembered. Unlike every other year classes wouldn't start this day. Because of Sirius's trial and the need of some teachers presence lessons had been postponed until the next day.
"Nice to see you're finally awake," Ron said.
"Yeah, you look like hell yourself," he retaliated. Ron stuck out his tongue and got out of bed.
"And both of you are louder than a damned firecracker," Dean grumbled, pulling his hangings back and climbing out of bed. Harry got up as well and soon the other two were joining them.
"I think it's neat Dumbledore's letting us go to the trial," Seamus said. He was referring to the notice that Dumbledore had pinned in what they thought was all four Common Rooms. It was a neatly printed on white paper with a dark purple border. It stated that anyone who was interested in going to the trial should be in the Great Hall with either Professor Trelawny, Madame Lupin, Professor Flitwick, or Professor Sinistra by eleven to take a portkey at eleven thirty.
"Yeah, let's' just hope the outcome is good," Harry said grimly.
"At least try to be positive," Hermione said from the doorway.
"HERMIONE!" screamed the five boys. Ron and Harry were only wearing their boxers at the moment, Dean had just put on his jeans, Neville was in the process of removing his pajama pants and Seamus was just pulling off his pajama top.
"What?"
"We're changing!" Dean cried.
"Obviously," said Hermione, rolling her eyes. "I'm not deluded, I'm prefect, thanks."
"What are you DOING up here?" snapped Harry.
"Watching my boyfriend change," she said slyly. Ron blushed scarlet. Harry groaned as Seamus chucked a book at her. "Don't throw literature."
"Don't come up here this early," Neville said testily.
"You should see her on Christmas," Ron muttered darkly.
"I just thought you might want to know that the three of us have to leave at quarter to ten and that Ginny and the others haven't showed up yet. Sorry, I'll go!" She spun around smiling slightly and bounced downstairs.
"That girl is going to kill us all if we're not careful," Harry said.
"She happens to be my girlfriend," warned Ron.
"Oh , so THAT'S why the two of you kept snogging. I thought you were just perverted," he said silkily. Ron glared at him as he pulled on jeans and a red shirt.
"Hurry you guys, it's already nine," Neville said, pointing to the new clock Dean had brought with him. It hung from the ceiling in the middle of the room and no matter which angle you looked at it from it would show you the face.
"Wow, I guess it's late," Seamus said.
They all walked down stairs into the common room. A few people were double checking the time to meet in the hall, some playing chess, some relaxing, and others heading to the Great Hall for some food. The five boys joined the girls form their year and together they all headed for breakfast.
"Hello, Madame Lupin, Madame Black," Harry greeted his godmother and secondary godmother. (GM- Ara, SGM- Aunt May (no relation to Spider-Man!)) The night before in Dumbledore's office he had offered the friends the position of the retired librarian. They had accepted immediately.
"Snuff off," snapped Ara.
"Geeze, what crawled up your butt and died?" asked Harry.
"Sirius woke us this morning oh so graciously with buckets of ice water followed by spraying of whipped cream in our faces," May explained.
"The bad thing is I can't be mad at him, seeing as today is his trial," Ara said with a heavy sigh.
"Come on, be a bit happier," Harry said.
"I would have liked to see your wake-up call," Ron said grinning evilly.
"And I was kind enough to get this moving photo of it!" Remus said cheerfully, walking over with Sirius. He handed a copy to each of the three. He still hld one in his hand. "Ah, Ginny's not back?" His face was slightly worried.
"No," Harry said, distressed.
"She'll turn up," Sirius said surely. Harry shrugged and he grabbed some toast from Gryffindor table. The three sat down and began eating.
Soon Dumbledore stood up from his conversation with Flitwick. "Those of you going to the trial you have exactly an hour and a half to return to the hall with a book, notebook, or something else travable to pass the time of waiting. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, Alicia, Angelina, please follow us." He stood with the four new staff additions and led the students from the Hall.
The Stags were all going early- two hours early.
"It will be fine," Sirius said to Harry, squeezing his godson's shoulder. Harry knew Sirius was saying as much for himself as for Harry. He smiled and hugged him for a moment before grabbing Floo powder and Flooing to the ministry's entrance room fire places in a flame of green fire.
"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic," greeted a pretty woman at the reception desk. "Please state why you are here and hand over your wand to be examined as you are not a ministry employee." She turned around from her files to smile at them.
"Hermione Granger, Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson, Ron, Fred, and George Weasley, Arabella Figg, Remus Lupin, and Harry Potter all hyphenated Stag. I am Albus Dumbledore. We are all here for the trial of Sirius Black," Dumbledore said easily. They all dug out their wands and handed them to the witch. She flicked her own wand as she set the others down on her desk.
"I am Kristen Summers," she said. Kristen smiled at them as she handed each of them a badge stating their name and reason for being there. "Most guests use the guest entrance. It's not often I get to hand out badges." She quickly took care of their wands and handed hem all back.
"Thank you," Harry said as he took his. She nodded.
"I hope his trial turns out however it is you are wishing, Mr. Potter," Kristen said as they turned to leave. He smiled. Sirius stepped up to the desk. Kristen looked surprised at first to see him but she shook her head and quickly got back her demeanor.
"Sirius Black here for the trial of himself," Sirius said, cutting her off. She nodded and grabbed his badge. He pulled out his wand and handed it to her. As soon as he got it back Sirius followed the others to the elevators.
Soon they were walking down the corridor to a bunch of court rooms. "Here we are," Dumbledore said, stopping outside a room numbered 12.
"Same number as my house," Sirius said. "Don't know if that's a good or bad sign." Ara snorted.
As they opened the door slowly they were able to take in the room it hid. Considering what this trial was for it was a very decent room. The walls were stone. It was a half circle shape. Along the straight wall there was a high seat for the Orderman (judge), an enclosed chair with clasps for the accused (Sirius), and another next to that for the testifier.
Along the beginning of the left side of the curved wall there was a box for the offense and on the right side a box for the defense. Along the back of the curving wall there was about a hundred seats for onlookers. In front of those there was the high, golden box for the Neutrals. (jury) A few Neutrals had arrived and were swearing on Merlin's Book that they had no relations to Sirius Black, Lily Potter, James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, or any of the twelve muggles (Samantha, David, Henry, Nora, Lisa, Patty, Peter, Olga, Zip, Chase, Will, and Gary).
"Well, here we are," Sirius said shakily. Ara kissed him for reassurance and Harry smiled as best eh could. Sirius returned the gesture with a weak wispy smile tat Harry was sure mirrored his own.
"The accused has arrived," Dumbledore announced. "As has his Head of Defense and a quarter of his testifiers."
A dazzling witch with long sheets of blond hair and blue eyes walked over to them. She wore black robes with a badge of two wands crossed over Merlin's Book lined first in blue and then in gold. Harry, who had read up on courts and things, knew the blue meant she was an Orderman from a year of the Elves and the gold meant she had been Orderman in many important trials.
"Hello, I'm Andrea Honeycomb and I've been chosen as the Orderman for this trial," she said, her voice strictly business. "Black, you can take your seat for the trial. It will begin promptly at noon. Dumbledore you may do as you wish until the trial begins and you must defend the convicted. The rest of you must exit through either door on the side of the spectators box and enter through either the defense or offense door next to the aforementioned boxes. Outside those doors there will be someone to change your visitors badge to state your side."
Sirius gave Ara another kiss and then he walked to his seat. Dumbledore followed him and they began talking quietly. The rest walked through the doors and lined up by the table in front of the defense door.
"Arabella Clarissa Figg for Sirius's defense."
"Badge," demanded the young witch. She took it and tapped it once before handing it back. "Go through. Next."
"Hermione Anne Granger, defense."
"Badge. Go through. Next."
"Remus Jasper Lupin, defense."
"Badge. Go through. Next."
"Fred Gaetan Weasley, defense."
"Badge. Go through. Next."
"George Fabian Weasley, defense."
"Badge. Go through. Next."
"Alicia Laksha Spinnet, defense."
"Badge. Go through. Next."
"Angelina Paris Johnson, defense."
"Badge. Go through. Next."
"Ronald Lucifer Weasley, defense."
"Badge. Go through. Next."
"Harry James Potter, defense."
"Ba- wait, Mr. Potter are you sure you're on the correct side?"
"Yes. I'm here to defense my godfather."
"Badge. I hope you know what he's being charged with. Go through." Harry walked through the door and set his book (Quidditch Defense, Two Way Playing) on a front row chair in the defense box. Then he joined everyone else up by Sirius.
They spent the time leading up to the trial talking about anything but the trial. Harry brought over his book which had a few of the greatest quidditch matches stored in it by photos and they watched one. Soon people from school poured in through doors on wither side of the spectators box and the Weasleys and the rest of the defense was gathered up by Sirius.
"Five minutes and this trial will start," announced the Orderman. Mot of the defense sat down in the box.
Hermione and Ron each gave Sirius a quick hug before sitting down with the other Weasleys. May hugged him as well. Remus squeezed Sirius like his own brother. Ara locked her lips over his one last time before she sat down. Harry looked at Sirius a long time before launching into his arms and squeezing his godfather tight.
"I love you Sirius," he said quietly. Sirius kissed the top of his head. "You're the best godfather I could ask for."
"I love you too Mini Prongs." As they pulled apart a tear slipped down each of their cheeks. Harry sat down with the rest. Ginny still wasn't there. Harry bit his lip as the Orderman stood.
"I am Oderman Honeycomb. This is the trial of Sirius Lee Black. He is accused of the murder of a dozen muggles, wizard Peter Pettigrew, and betraying the Light Side by selling Lily and James Potter to the Dark Lord. Head of Offense is ministry employee Karl Miguel Casper. Head of Defense is headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."
Harry's heart hammered. It had begun.