A/N: This is supposed to take place in the spring after OotP, so spoilers
if nobody read it yet
Nikki swayed in the swing that held such a profound sense of comfort for her. Winds were picking up and the air was becoming damp, definite sign of a storm, but Nikki didn't budge. Her heard the oh so familiar sound of metal chains squeaking as someone sat beside her.
"Hi" she sighed sadly. She didn't raise her head, she knew who it was. Her feet dragged lazily over the small remains of a snow bank that would no longer be there once the rains hit.
"Hi," said the familiar voice. "Is something wrong?"
"No" she said as she shook her head. "Nothing's wrong."
"Are you sure?" He asked. Nikki looked up and into his eccentric green eyes that were deep with concern. There was something about him that just made her open up; it was almost as if he could sympathize with her pain.
"I'm just dealing with a lost," She admitted.
"I'm sorry," He whispered as if saying it too loud would stir up a mob. "Was it some one close to you?"
"It was my Dad; he died a while ago though, back in the summer." She added. "I tried not to be sad because of my mom but I can't anymore." She said as a few lone rain drops crashed into earth.
"Did he die in the ruins?" He asked sensitively.
"No, he wasn't an architect Harry. He was never in a ruin. I don't think he ever saw one."
"I see," He said slowly as multiple raindrops fell from the sky. "Shouldn't you be heading back in?"
"Let it rain," She said, still sadden. "So why are you here anyways? Shouldn't you be at school?"
"Easter break, I had to come home to get something." He smirked.
"So what's it like at boarding school?"
"Pretty good, why?" He asked.
"Because I'm being sent to one next week," She said as she got up to leave.
*
"Harry" Dumbledore said briskly before he entered the Great Hall on Saturday. "Can I see you in my office for a bit?"
Harry nodded as he followed Dumbledore to the stone gargoyle that lead up to his office.
"There's a new student entering Gryffindor Harry" Dumbledore said as they went up the moving staircase. "I was hoping that you will escort them around the school today."
"Sure," Harry replied as he pushed open the doors to enter the actual office. He said the back of a girl that looked no older then him, gently stroking Fawkes. She had short black hair that reached her shoulders and was wearing her school robes.
"Hello," Dumbledore said as she turned around. "Harry this is Nikki."
"You," She exclaimed.
"You," Harry exclaimed back to her.
"You know each other?" Dumbledore asked with a smile.
"Yeah," Harry replied dumbly. "We know each other . kind of."
"Well, now you have a better chance to get to know each other." He said as she steered them down the stairs and into the hall.
Harry and Nikki stood still for a moment, not knowing what to think of what just happened.
"Harry," Ron called as he exited the Great Hall, "What did Dumbledore want you for.." His voice trailed off as he spotted Nikki. Nikki cried out happily as she pulled him into a hug.
"How are you?" She asked as she was in the hug.
"Nikki?" He asked. "What in the world are you doing here?"
"Mom sent me here, she's busy with .. stuff" Her voice slowly lost the happiness. "So, why didn't I hear from you? Is something wrong with Pig?"
"No, there's something wrong with the teachers, they keep giving us homework," he said causing her to laugh.
"You know her Ron?" Harry asked slowly, as they pulled each other out of the hug.
"Since we were small." Ron said brightly. "You're in Gryffindor!" He remarked as he looked at her robe.
"Yeah!" She smiled.
"Do you know her Harry? She lives a few streets away from you." Ron asked as he faced him.
"Kind of. We always talked during the summer but I don't know her name."
"We're acquaintances." Nikki explained.
"Well, then" Ron said feeling important. "Harry Potter this is Nikki."
"Mathews." She said as she extended her hand towards him. Harry glanced at Ron and saw him glaring at Nikki.
*
Harry rolled over in his bed and realized that something was different; he couldn't hear Ron's snores that he usually heard. He rolled out of bed and walked halfway down the stairs, only to stop when he heard voices.
"Ron don't, don't even think about it."
Harry inched his way closer and saw Nikki and Ron in the common room wearing their pajamas.
"Well why not Nikki, he knows him."
"I know very well that Ron, but what if someone else finds out? This is why I was kicked out of almost every other school in Britain." She hissed through her teeth. "This is my last chance Ron and you are not going to screw it up."
"Fine;" he sighed. "I won't tell.. But I still think that he should know."
"He'll find out when he finds out. Okay, leave it at that. And be careful when you're talking! Walls have ears." She hissed.
"All right Nikki," He said quietly. "I won't reveal your secret but what about Ginny?"
"She, unlike you, promised right away. Now come on, it's practically three, we should get to sleep."
*
"She said what?" Hermione asked as she changed her mouse into a fork.
"She said that she was kicked out of every other school in Britain, but she wouldn't say why. I'm supposing that Ron knows, he didn't ask her about it. And he thinks that I should know, but she doesn't want me to, incase someone over hears us. And she said that Ginny already knows." He took a glance over at Ron and Nikki, who was looking bored as she touched her mouse to change it from mouse to fork and back, as Ron continued to struggle.
"Don't worry. I can find it out, I found a book in the Library not to long ago and it has information on everybody who graduated, I could probably see if that gives us some information."
*
Harry and Hermione were huddled over a thick purple book after supper in the library. They scanned through the names from the beginning and they were now somewhere in the middle of the book. Harry scanned over the names from the graduating year; Aubrey, Black, Evans, Longbottom, Lupin...
"Found it," Hermione declared as she pointed to the spot on the page. "Matthews, Daemon. Gryffindor Prefect. Parents: deceased, Husband: deceased, Siblings: None. Children: Nikki Saria. Family ties: Potters; deceased. Head of the Muggle Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Well at least we know who her Mom is. But it doesn't look like there is anything in there that would get her kicked out." Harry said.
"Unless it's all the deaths," Hermione said. "Or maybe it's because her mom is defending the Muggles. I don't know."
"Who; Daemon?" Came a voice from behind them. Harry and Hermione turned quickly and saw Luna standing behind them holding The Quibber.
"You know her?" Harry asked casually.
"Yes, her and Nikki come to my house at least once a month. My dad interviews her on the Muggle protecting plan and how to keep yourself safe against the Dark Lord. She rather amusing, always making thing float around the room. Once she made me float almost a foot off the ground."
"Why did she do that?" Hermione asked slightly shocked.
"It's one of her habits, it happens when ever she phases out." Luna explained as if it was normal.
"How does she do that?"
"She's a sorceress, so if Nikki. But Nikki's only half her dad was a wizard."
"Do you know who her dad was?"
"No, she rarely talks about him. She lost him this summer though, she seems pretty down about it."
"Oh, okay then. Thanks," Hermione said as she closed the book. "I guess it's a mystery then."
*
Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Nikki were downstairs in the dungeons several weeks later. The heat of the cauldron with the humidity of May was overbearing. They slowly stirred their potion, trying to stay awake. Harry looked up and saw Nikki and Draco making sour faces at each other and, as far as he could tell, they were cursing each others name under their breath. Out of the blue, a firm knock was echoing through the dungeons. Everybody's heads popped up and saw Dumbledore's head poke through the door.
"Good Afternoon Professor Snape, I was wondering if I could borrow a few of your students." He requested. Snape nodded, and Dumbledore pointed towards Harry, Hermione, Ron and Nikki. They slowly packed up their stuff and followed him out in to the corridor and up on to the main floor.
"You mother sent me and owl Nikki," Dumbledore said as they started to walk outside.
"She did? But why would she..oh my gosh!" Nikki said as she ran outside as fast as she could and threw her books behind her.
"Professor?" Ron asked as Dumbledore smiled and followed Nikki outside but at a more leisurely pace. "What's going on?"
"We are in need at the Ministry." He said simply.
"But why is that?" Hermione asked as they followed him.
"It's for a very good cause," He said, obviously trying to avoid the subject.
"Which is?" Harry asked in his turn as they appeared in front of the Three Broomsticks and walked towards the fireplace.
"You shall see soon." He picked up a handful of Floo Powder and threw it in. He ushered them through and followed. Harry walked through the main entrance which was now repaired. They walked into the elevator and Harry had the sinking feeling of déjà vu. The got off at the last floor and walked down another flight. Harry passed the oh too familiar door that leads to the Department of Mysteries and suddenly knew where he was going. Sure enough, they were standing outside of the courtroom Harry got transferred to last year.
Dumbledore brought them to one of the front rows and gestured them to sit down. He walked across the Hall to an old wizard, as Harry gazed around. There were little clumps of wizards talking to themselves, obviously on why they were here. He saw two witches wearing white robes with their black hair pulled into a ponytail trying to calm down an older witch who seemed to be throwing a silent tantrum. The taller one in white asked the shorter one to fetch something. Harry saw the shorter one gliding over to the other side of the room, just a few steps away from them.
"Nikki?" He asked as she turned around, "why are we here?"
"You'll find out soon. Well, Ron already knows. And now if you'll excuse me; I need to see if we can't get Sarah to calm down."
"Ron," Hermione said once Nikki was out of ear shot, "You know why we're here?"
"I don't," He said. "Honestly, she did give me a reason a few years ago but... I don't remember it."
The older wizards went to sit down in the stands as Cornelius Fudge sat behind a stand on a piece of raised ground. However Nikki and the other witch staid standing. Dumbledore settled himself down beside Ron and seemed to be trying to hide a smirk.
"Silence," Fudge commanded. "Bring out the reason." He told Nikki who grabbed a glass container off of a table and brought it over and placed it on his desk.
"Now, would Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter please come forward."
After exchanging quick quizzical glances with each other, they did what they were told as Sarah was still weeping loudly in the seats asking why they were doing this.
"Black!" Fudge barked, "Go see if you can't keep her quiet."
The older witch went to see what she could do with the witch as Fudge turned back to the three's dumbfounded faces.
"Now, I was wondering of you could tell us what has happened at the end of your third year."
"What?" They asked in unison.
"So the stories were made up. I knew it.. Nothing but lies. This is a waste of mine and everybody else's valuable time."
"Cornelius," Nikki said slowly as he ceased talking. "Could you tell us what has happened the night that you were attacked by Dementors."
Harry's mind began to race, Sirius. This was all about Sirius. Should he tell about him being there, would Ron and Hermione?
"Does this," She said as she took the glass jar off the table, "look familiar to you?"
Harry looked in and saw a scruffy looking rat that had a paw missing. It had watery black eyes that were darting nervously.
"That's Peter," Ron said suddenly as the witch wailed even louder. "Peter Pettigrew."
Nikki gave him a warm smile as she faced Hermione and Harry. "Is that true?"
"Yes, it is." Harry agreed as Hermione nodded in agreement. "Why?"
"Could you describe him for us?" Nikki asked calmly as Fudge continued to glare.
"Short, balding. um, narrow beady watery eyes, they were black, squeaky voice, thin like he didn't eat a whole bunch. he always seemed nervous." Harry, Ron, and Hermione explained.
"Very well," Fudge said in a deep tone.
Nikki opened the jar and took the rat out and preformed the same spell that Harry remembers seeing Sirius and Remus doing on him in his third year. The rat twitched madly and grew to an abnormal size and became balder. A middle aged man was now crouching down on the floor.
"I don't see how we're going to get better proof then that," Dumbledore smiled from his seat as Fudge glared.
"Rise," Fudge commanded. Harry saw Nikki point at the man as he rose against his will, obviously controlled by Nikki.
"Speak your name," Fudge said briskly.
"Peter..Peter Pettigrew." He squeaked sadly.
"Did you kill 12 people in the afternoon of November 1st, 1987?" He asked firmly.
"Yes," he squeaked sadly. "I made it seem like Sirius killed them, everyone knew that he was supposed to be Potter's Seeker Keeper. But the changed to me, and if only they knew the damage it would have done to them."
"Peter Pettigrew," Fudge spoke slowly as if he was looking at a ghost, "I sentence you to life in Azkaban. And. I clear Sirius Black of all accusations" He swung down the gravel and ended the case as he left the pedestal quickly.
"Why Peter," asked the witch. "Why did you?"
"I'm sorry mother. But I had to, you don't understand." He said as he was ushered out by two Hit Wizards. "And Potter, you're next."
"Mrs. Black," Fudge said slowly. "I know that I can't give your husband his rights anymore seeing as how he's. but he name has been cleared. That's all I can really do." He said as he left.
"I hold you responsible Fudge!" She called out at him. "Never again should you send someone to Azkaban with out proper orders! I don't care what title you have," she yelled as he stopped by the door. "You will never be allowed to do what you did and be forgiven. Trust me." She said as he left.
"Nikki?" Hermione asked slowly. "What is she talking about?"
"When I was small, Fudge sent my Dad to Azkaban with out a trail, and it wasn't his job. He sent out the Hit Wizards and everything. He was just supposed to hold him until my Mom got there."
"You're Dad was Sirius Black?" Harry asked slowly. "Is that what you didn't want me to know?"
"Yeah, showing up with Black as a last name never works out well at a school. People are afraid of you; they think that you'll kill them" She said sheepishly.
*
"Mrs. Black" Harry said as he sat in a glamorous house with the other people from the court room.
"Daemon," She corrected.
"Sorry. Me and Hermione were looking at a yearbook in the library, and it said that you were related to the Potters. Were they my parents?"
"Why yes. Your father was my cousin." She smiled. "I still have all of his stuff.. Why did you want to know?"
"What was he like?" He asked. "I just want to know what you thought of him."
"He was the biggest pain in the neck if you wanted to work. He loved to play and be a goof. He was caring and a charmer. He did have quite the ego; he had a high view of himself. But he lost that later on.I think he was sixteen when he lost it" She gave him a smile as Harry smiled back and went to region his friends.
"I'm so glad that Sirius's name is cleared, he would have been so happy to know that." Daemon was telling Dumbledore.
"Found them!" Nikki declared as she came in from the kitchen with several bags of chips. People clapped out of sarcasm as she rolled her eyes.
"I meant to ask you Nikki," Hermione said as she helped herself to some potato chips. "Why were you in that white robe and practically running the trail?"
"I do that a lot, it's a part of my job. I'm a Soother. Fudge has quite a temper and sometimes he looses it. So I simply must ask the questions for him until he calms down. I'm also supposed to try to calm down people like mom did. But it's not her usual job so she's not as used to it." She explained.
"How are you supposed to do it?" Harry asked. Nikki reached over and laid her hands on the sides of Harry's face. He could feel a cool feeling emerging from her hands and his body relax.
"Do me!" Ron said grinning. "I love how it feels." Obviously used to it, Ron smiled as she laid her hands on his face and he slumped off the couch.
"Soother.." Hermione said slowly. "Sounds fascinating! What courses do you have to take to become one?"
"Several, but most importantly; you must be part sorcerer" She admitted as Hermione's face fell slightly.
"I see. Wait.. How did you get to be a Soother? Aren't you our age?"
"I was home schooled, I just learned quicker I guess. I didn't take summer off." She told her as Ron sat back on the couch.
"Again," he pleaded.
"You are so cute," She said. "Maybe later."
"But I love you," He said as he dove into a hug as she laughed.
"Knock it off you two," Daemon commanded from the other side of the room.
"Come you three," Dumbledore said as he strolled back over. "It's time to go back to school now."
Nikki got up and gave each a hug good bye, giving Ron a longer one telling him to come by during the summer as she gave him a kiss good bye. They walked towards the fireplace, and back to Three Broomsticks and to Hogwarts.
A/N: Isn't it amazing? AN UPDATE! So sorry that it took forever.. I had another story on the go and I fell behind on it. I wanted to post this before Christmas but I didn't really pull that off now did I? Woops. Oh Well, better late then never.I hope.
goldensnitch3 - I kept writing ... very slowly
Nikki swayed in the swing that held such a profound sense of comfort for her. Winds were picking up and the air was becoming damp, definite sign of a storm, but Nikki didn't budge. Her heard the oh so familiar sound of metal chains squeaking as someone sat beside her.
"Hi" she sighed sadly. She didn't raise her head, she knew who it was. Her feet dragged lazily over the small remains of a snow bank that would no longer be there once the rains hit.
"Hi," said the familiar voice. "Is something wrong?"
"No" she said as she shook her head. "Nothing's wrong."
"Are you sure?" He asked. Nikki looked up and into his eccentric green eyes that were deep with concern. There was something about him that just made her open up; it was almost as if he could sympathize with her pain.
"I'm just dealing with a lost," She admitted.
"I'm sorry," He whispered as if saying it too loud would stir up a mob. "Was it some one close to you?"
"It was my Dad; he died a while ago though, back in the summer." She added. "I tried not to be sad because of my mom but I can't anymore." She said as a few lone rain drops crashed into earth.
"Did he die in the ruins?" He asked sensitively.
"No, he wasn't an architect Harry. He was never in a ruin. I don't think he ever saw one."
"I see," He said slowly as multiple raindrops fell from the sky. "Shouldn't you be heading back in?"
"Let it rain," She said, still sadden. "So why are you here anyways? Shouldn't you be at school?"
"Easter break, I had to come home to get something." He smirked.
"So what's it like at boarding school?"
"Pretty good, why?" He asked.
"Because I'm being sent to one next week," She said as she got up to leave.
*
"Harry" Dumbledore said briskly before he entered the Great Hall on Saturday. "Can I see you in my office for a bit?"
Harry nodded as he followed Dumbledore to the stone gargoyle that lead up to his office.
"There's a new student entering Gryffindor Harry" Dumbledore said as they went up the moving staircase. "I was hoping that you will escort them around the school today."
"Sure," Harry replied as he pushed open the doors to enter the actual office. He said the back of a girl that looked no older then him, gently stroking Fawkes. She had short black hair that reached her shoulders and was wearing her school robes.
"Hello," Dumbledore said as she turned around. "Harry this is Nikki."
"You," She exclaimed.
"You," Harry exclaimed back to her.
"You know each other?" Dumbledore asked with a smile.
"Yeah," Harry replied dumbly. "We know each other . kind of."
"Well, now you have a better chance to get to know each other." He said as she steered them down the stairs and into the hall.
Harry and Nikki stood still for a moment, not knowing what to think of what just happened.
"Harry," Ron called as he exited the Great Hall, "What did Dumbledore want you for.." His voice trailed off as he spotted Nikki. Nikki cried out happily as she pulled him into a hug.
"How are you?" She asked as she was in the hug.
"Nikki?" He asked. "What in the world are you doing here?"
"Mom sent me here, she's busy with .. stuff" Her voice slowly lost the happiness. "So, why didn't I hear from you? Is something wrong with Pig?"
"No, there's something wrong with the teachers, they keep giving us homework," he said causing her to laugh.
"You know her Ron?" Harry asked slowly, as they pulled each other out of the hug.
"Since we were small." Ron said brightly. "You're in Gryffindor!" He remarked as he looked at her robe.
"Yeah!" She smiled.
"Do you know her Harry? She lives a few streets away from you." Ron asked as he faced him.
"Kind of. We always talked during the summer but I don't know her name."
"We're acquaintances." Nikki explained.
"Well, then" Ron said feeling important. "Harry Potter this is Nikki."
"Mathews." She said as she extended her hand towards him. Harry glanced at Ron and saw him glaring at Nikki.
*
Harry rolled over in his bed and realized that something was different; he couldn't hear Ron's snores that he usually heard. He rolled out of bed and walked halfway down the stairs, only to stop when he heard voices.
"Ron don't, don't even think about it."
Harry inched his way closer and saw Nikki and Ron in the common room wearing their pajamas.
"Well why not Nikki, he knows him."
"I know very well that Ron, but what if someone else finds out? This is why I was kicked out of almost every other school in Britain." She hissed through her teeth. "This is my last chance Ron and you are not going to screw it up."
"Fine;" he sighed. "I won't tell.. But I still think that he should know."
"He'll find out when he finds out. Okay, leave it at that. And be careful when you're talking! Walls have ears." She hissed.
"All right Nikki," He said quietly. "I won't reveal your secret but what about Ginny?"
"She, unlike you, promised right away. Now come on, it's practically three, we should get to sleep."
*
"She said what?" Hermione asked as she changed her mouse into a fork.
"She said that she was kicked out of every other school in Britain, but she wouldn't say why. I'm supposing that Ron knows, he didn't ask her about it. And he thinks that I should know, but she doesn't want me to, incase someone over hears us. And she said that Ginny already knows." He took a glance over at Ron and Nikki, who was looking bored as she touched her mouse to change it from mouse to fork and back, as Ron continued to struggle.
"Don't worry. I can find it out, I found a book in the Library not to long ago and it has information on everybody who graduated, I could probably see if that gives us some information."
*
Harry and Hermione were huddled over a thick purple book after supper in the library. They scanned through the names from the beginning and they were now somewhere in the middle of the book. Harry scanned over the names from the graduating year; Aubrey, Black, Evans, Longbottom, Lupin...
"Found it," Hermione declared as she pointed to the spot on the page. "Matthews, Daemon. Gryffindor Prefect. Parents: deceased, Husband: deceased, Siblings: None. Children: Nikki Saria. Family ties: Potters; deceased. Head of the Muggle Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Well at least we know who her Mom is. But it doesn't look like there is anything in there that would get her kicked out." Harry said.
"Unless it's all the deaths," Hermione said. "Or maybe it's because her mom is defending the Muggles. I don't know."
"Who; Daemon?" Came a voice from behind them. Harry and Hermione turned quickly and saw Luna standing behind them holding The Quibber.
"You know her?" Harry asked casually.
"Yes, her and Nikki come to my house at least once a month. My dad interviews her on the Muggle protecting plan and how to keep yourself safe against the Dark Lord. She rather amusing, always making thing float around the room. Once she made me float almost a foot off the ground."
"Why did she do that?" Hermione asked slightly shocked.
"It's one of her habits, it happens when ever she phases out." Luna explained as if it was normal.
"How does she do that?"
"She's a sorceress, so if Nikki. But Nikki's only half her dad was a wizard."
"Do you know who her dad was?"
"No, she rarely talks about him. She lost him this summer though, she seems pretty down about it."
"Oh, okay then. Thanks," Hermione said as she closed the book. "I guess it's a mystery then."
*
Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Nikki were downstairs in the dungeons several weeks later. The heat of the cauldron with the humidity of May was overbearing. They slowly stirred their potion, trying to stay awake. Harry looked up and saw Nikki and Draco making sour faces at each other and, as far as he could tell, they were cursing each others name under their breath. Out of the blue, a firm knock was echoing through the dungeons. Everybody's heads popped up and saw Dumbledore's head poke through the door.
"Good Afternoon Professor Snape, I was wondering if I could borrow a few of your students." He requested. Snape nodded, and Dumbledore pointed towards Harry, Hermione, Ron and Nikki. They slowly packed up their stuff and followed him out in to the corridor and up on to the main floor.
"You mother sent me and owl Nikki," Dumbledore said as they started to walk outside.
"She did? But why would she..oh my gosh!" Nikki said as she ran outside as fast as she could and threw her books behind her.
"Professor?" Ron asked as Dumbledore smiled and followed Nikki outside but at a more leisurely pace. "What's going on?"
"We are in need at the Ministry." He said simply.
"But why is that?" Hermione asked as they followed him.
"It's for a very good cause," He said, obviously trying to avoid the subject.
"Which is?" Harry asked in his turn as they appeared in front of the Three Broomsticks and walked towards the fireplace.
"You shall see soon." He picked up a handful of Floo Powder and threw it in. He ushered them through and followed. Harry walked through the main entrance which was now repaired. They walked into the elevator and Harry had the sinking feeling of déjà vu. The got off at the last floor and walked down another flight. Harry passed the oh too familiar door that leads to the Department of Mysteries and suddenly knew where he was going. Sure enough, they were standing outside of the courtroom Harry got transferred to last year.
Dumbledore brought them to one of the front rows and gestured them to sit down. He walked across the Hall to an old wizard, as Harry gazed around. There were little clumps of wizards talking to themselves, obviously on why they were here. He saw two witches wearing white robes with their black hair pulled into a ponytail trying to calm down an older witch who seemed to be throwing a silent tantrum. The taller one in white asked the shorter one to fetch something. Harry saw the shorter one gliding over to the other side of the room, just a few steps away from them.
"Nikki?" He asked as she turned around, "why are we here?"
"You'll find out soon. Well, Ron already knows. And now if you'll excuse me; I need to see if we can't get Sarah to calm down."
"Ron," Hermione said once Nikki was out of ear shot, "You know why we're here?"
"I don't," He said. "Honestly, she did give me a reason a few years ago but... I don't remember it."
The older wizards went to sit down in the stands as Cornelius Fudge sat behind a stand on a piece of raised ground. However Nikki and the other witch staid standing. Dumbledore settled himself down beside Ron and seemed to be trying to hide a smirk.
"Silence," Fudge commanded. "Bring out the reason." He told Nikki who grabbed a glass container off of a table and brought it over and placed it on his desk.
"Now, would Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter please come forward."
After exchanging quick quizzical glances with each other, they did what they were told as Sarah was still weeping loudly in the seats asking why they were doing this.
"Black!" Fudge barked, "Go see if you can't keep her quiet."
The older witch went to see what she could do with the witch as Fudge turned back to the three's dumbfounded faces.
"Now, I was wondering of you could tell us what has happened at the end of your third year."
"What?" They asked in unison.
"So the stories were made up. I knew it.. Nothing but lies. This is a waste of mine and everybody else's valuable time."
"Cornelius," Nikki said slowly as he ceased talking. "Could you tell us what has happened the night that you were attacked by Dementors."
Harry's mind began to race, Sirius. This was all about Sirius. Should he tell about him being there, would Ron and Hermione?
"Does this," She said as she took the glass jar off the table, "look familiar to you?"
Harry looked in and saw a scruffy looking rat that had a paw missing. It had watery black eyes that were darting nervously.
"That's Peter," Ron said suddenly as the witch wailed even louder. "Peter Pettigrew."
Nikki gave him a warm smile as she faced Hermione and Harry. "Is that true?"
"Yes, it is." Harry agreed as Hermione nodded in agreement. "Why?"
"Could you describe him for us?" Nikki asked calmly as Fudge continued to glare.
"Short, balding. um, narrow beady watery eyes, they were black, squeaky voice, thin like he didn't eat a whole bunch. he always seemed nervous." Harry, Ron, and Hermione explained.
"Very well," Fudge said in a deep tone.
Nikki opened the jar and took the rat out and preformed the same spell that Harry remembers seeing Sirius and Remus doing on him in his third year. The rat twitched madly and grew to an abnormal size and became balder. A middle aged man was now crouching down on the floor.
"I don't see how we're going to get better proof then that," Dumbledore smiled from his seat as Fudge glared.
"Rise," Fudge commanded. Harry saw Nikki point at the man as he rose against his will, obviously controlled by Nikki.
"Speak your name," Fudge said briskly.
"Peter..Peter Pettigrew." He squeaked sadly.
"Did you kill 12 people in the afternoon of November 1st, 1987?" He asked firmly.
"Yes," he squeaked sadly. "I made it seem like Sirius killed them, everyone knew that he was supposed to be Potter's Seeker Keeper. But the changed to me, and if only they knew the damage it would have done to them."
"Peter Pettigrew," Fudge spoke slowly as if he was looking at a ghost, "I sentence you to life in Azkaban. And. I clear Sirius Black of all accusations" He swung down the gravel and ended the case as he left the pedestal quickly.
"Why Peter," asked the witch. "Why did you?"
"I'm sorry mother. But I had to, you don't understand." He said as he was ushered out by two Hit Wizards. "And Potter, you're next."
"Mrs. Black," Fudge said slowly. "I know that I can't give your husband his rights anymore seeing as how he's. but he name has been cleared. That's all I can really do." He said as he left.
"I hold you responsible Fudge!" She called out at him. "Never again should you send someone to Azkaban with out proper orders! I don't care what title you have," she yelled as he stopped by the door. "You will never be allowed to do what you did and be forgiven. Trust me." She said as he left.
"Nikki?" Hermione asked slowly. "What is she talking about?"
"When I was small, Fudge sent my Dad to Azkaban with out a trail, and it wasn't his job. He sent out the Hit Wizards and everything. He was just supposed to hold him until my Mom got there."
"You're Dad was Sirius Black?" Harry asked slowly. "Is that what you didn't want me to know?"
"Yeah, showing up with Black as a last name never works out well at a school. People are afraid of you; they think that you'll kill them" She said sheepishly.
*
"Mrs. Black" Harry said as he sat in a glamorous house with the other people from the court room.
"Daemon," She corrected.
"Sorry. Me and Hermione were looking at a yearbook in the library, and it said that you were related to the Potters. Were they my parents?"
"Why yes. Your father was my cousin." She smiled. "I still have all of his stuff.. Why did you want to know?"
"What was he like?" He asked. "I just want to know what you thought of him."
"He was the biggest pain in the neck if you wanted to work. He loved to play and be a goof. He was caring and a charmer. He did have quite the ego; he had a high view of himself. But he lost that later on.I think he was sixteen when he lost it" She gave him a smile as Harry smiled back and went to region his friends.
"I'm so glad that Sirius's name is cleared, he would have been so happy to know that." Daemon was telling Dumbledore.
"Found them!" Nikki declared as she came in from the kitchen with several bags of chips. People clapped out of sarcasm as she rolled her eyes.
"I meant to ask you Nikki," Hermione said as she helped herself to some potato chips. "Why were you in that white robe and practically running the trail?"
"I do that a lot, it's a part of my job. I'm a Soother. Fudge has quite a temper and sometimes he looses it. So I simply must ask the questions for him until he calms down. I'm also supposed to try to calm down people like mom did. But it's not her usual job so she's not as used to it." She explained.
"How are you supposed to do it?" Harry asked. Nikki reached over and laid her hands on the sides of Harry's face. He could feel a cool feeling emerging from her hands and his body relax.
"Do me!" Ron said grinning. "I love how it feels." Obviously used to it, Ron smiled as she laid her hands on his face and he slumped off the couch.
"Soother.." Hermione said slowly. "Sounds fascinating! What courses do you have to take to become one?"
"Several, but most importantly; you must be part sorcerer" She admitted as Hermione's face fell slightly.
"I see. Wait.. How did you get to be a Soother? Aren't you our age?"
"I was home schooled, I just learned quicker I guess. I didn't take summer off." She told her as Ron sat back on the couch.
"Again," he pleaded.
"You are so cute," She said. "Maybe later."
"But I love you," He said as he dove into a hug as she laughed.
"Knock it off you two," Daemon commanded from the other side of the room.
"Come you three," Dumbledore said as he strolled back over. "It's time to go back to school now."
Nikki got up and gave each a hug good bye, giving Ron a longer one telling him to come by during the summer as she gave him a kiss good bye. They walked towards the fireplace, and back to Three Broomsticks and to Hogwarts.
A/N: Isn't it amazing? AN UPDATE! So sorry that it took forever.. I had another story on the go and I fell behind on it. I wanted to post this before Christmas but I didn't really pull that off now did I? Woops. Oh Well, better late then never.I hope.
goldensnitch3 - I kept writing ... very slowly