A/N) Here is Chapter Nine! I'm not sure about this chapter. It's one of those that doesn't do anything for the plot apart from James taking his Apparating Test, and Harry's trial…but that's about it. Thank you for all the smashing reviews. I've enjoyed waking up every morning and opening up my e-mails and reading your wonderful comments…cuddles to all!

Enjoy!

Prongs Rides Again

Chapter Nine: Apparation Test

Days passed and the Hearing grew gradually closer. On the eve of the Hearing, Harry was positively worried that he would not be able to return to the school he loved. James insisted that he would do fine and that they had no case against him, though Sirius argued that Fudge was doing it just to be an annoying Minister. James could understand why Sirius hated the man: after all he refused to hear him out and wouldn't even contemplate the fact that Sirius Black might even be innocent.

No one, it seemed, wanted to know the truth anymore.

The night before the hearing, James sat with his son trying to engage him in conversation but Harry refused, his thoughts focused on surviving the Hearing. Even Ron and Hermione could do nothing to cheer Harry up. By the time Harry had gone to bed the entire house was in low spirits. Even James didn't feel inclined to speak to anyone.

In the early hours of the morning James rose and made his way down to the kitchen. It was just after half-five and he found the kitchen filled already with the usual occupants: Sirius, Remus, Tonks and the two Weasley adults. He was also surprised to see Harry sitting at the table, numbly eating a piece of toast. James allowed a small smile before he nodded his head to Arthur and pointed to the hallway. The other Wizard nodded, understanding James' intention.

Once outside the kitchen and away from prying ears Arthur turned to face James, unsure of what to expect from him. After all he was still in awe of James.

James was reluctant to start the conversation. How could he speak to Arthur without intimidating him. Finally, sensing James discomfort, Arthur asked the question: "Are you up for Harry?"

James nodded. "Yes. I figured he would need some fatherly support…so I was wondering if I could come with you. I know Dumbledore asked you to escort him to the Ministry but he is my son and I do have a duty to perform."

"I understand," Arthur said, "You won't be allowed to go into the hearing though. I'll stand outside with you to keep you company."

James smiled. "Thanks. Harry needs all the support he can get, especially if the Ministry is going to be tough on him. I know that Fudge will try and get him expelled. I just can't see why they can't see the truth…"

"Because Fudge is a dunderhead." Arthur supplied. "I'm not the type of person to judge but I do know we need a new Minister, someone who is willing to listen to Dumbledore's claims, and that won't happen if Fudge remains in Office."

James grimaced. "Then we'll just have to wait until Voldemort reveals himself."

Flinching, Arthur replied, "If he does."

"He will, only when Harry is vulnerable, and I won't let that happen." James vowed.

"Harry? Are you ready?" James asked as he stepped back into the Kitchen.

Harry shrugged his shoulders. "As ready as I'll ever be." He sighed.

"How are we getting there?" James asked, "Floo?"

Arthur shook his head. "No. We'll walk and use the visitors entrance. Arriving without magic will make a good impression…hopefully." He added.

Arthur looked at his watch. "Nearly six-thirty. We may as well leave now and wait in my office until the Hearing. It'll be easier for Dumbledore to contact us if we're needed."

"Dumbledore?" Harry looked up sharply, his green eyes narrowing in suspicion. James knew that Dumbledore hadn't said a word to Harry and his son was highly annoyed by this. Harry had deserved to know things about the Order, especially if it meant he would finally understand why Voldemort was after him. James was annoyed that the headmaster had refused to tell Harry about the Prophecy. He obviously thought Harry was just a kid, but he wasn't, especially after what he had seen in June.

"Forget it," Arthur said.

Harry glanced at his father but James shook his head. Harry scowled. He hated not knowing things.

Molly Weasley hugged her husband good-bye, wished Harry good-luck and nodded in James' direction. Sirius stepped up, shaking his head. "See you later, Prongs. If I could come with you, I would, unfortunately I have to remain here for my own safety."

"I agree," James said, "There is a risk of you being uncovered even if you were in your Animagus form. I don't want to lose you to the Dementors. Fudge won't even agree to hearing you out. If you're caught nothing will stop him from ordering the Dementors Kiss straight away."

"I've been stuck here a long time."

"I know," James smiled sadly, "maybe when we can catch Peter…"

"I doubt we will." Sirius interrupted.

James slapped his forehead. "We might. You never know what the future holds."

"James, are you coming?" Arthur called out.

"Sure," James turned to Sirius, "just promise you won't follow us."

"I already told Dumbledore I'd stay put."

"Thank you. We'll be back later to celebrate." James said.

Sirius rolled his eyes. How did James know that Harry would get off? He might be expelled. However he didn't say anything in case of insulting him. He watched James leave. He was not the same person as before. He was no fun when it came to danger, but then James probably didn't want to lose his only family he had left.

Sirius sat down, waiting for them to return.

"Where are we?" James asked, looking around at his surroundings.

"This way," Arthur said, leading the two Potters through the milling crowd of Muggles. He frowned as he thought of the direction he should go in. He turned to look at James, and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I usually Apparate to go to work, but finding the Ministry the visitors way is a lot harder then I thought."

He began leading them through the streets of London, keeping one hand on his wand in his pocket to be safe and keeping a sharp look out for anyone that might seek to harm Harry or James. They reached a street that had several shabby-looking offices, a pub and an overflowing skip.

"It's the red telephone box, isn't it?" James remarked.

Arthur nodded. "Yes. A few Muggles have tried to use it but can't."

Harry looked mystified. "The entrance to the Ministry of Magic is in an old telephone box?"

"Sounds odd I know," Arthur replied, "but it stops Muggles from stumbling upon us all the time. Also this is a little used street as well."

"You've got a lot to learn, Harry," said James.

Arthur opened the door to the telephone box and shuffled aside so that Harry and James could get through. Arthur squeezed himself in. "James, can you dial the numbers six, two, four, four and two?"

James grimaced as he struggled to turn himself around. Finally he grabbed the receiver and pressed the buttons. Moments passed and a female voice echoed out, welcoming them to the Ministry and asking them their name and business.

"Arthur Weasley, Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office, here to escort Harry Potter to a disciplinary hearing." He said.

"James Potter, to escort Harry Potter."

Two badges rolled out of the metal chute where coins appeared. On them were the words:

Harry Potter

Disciplinary Hearing

and

James Potter

Escort

They clipped them to the front of their robes, and with a sudden jerk the telephone box slid further into the ground. James caught Harry's apprehensive stare and stifled a laugh. Obviously his son had never been to the Ministry before. It felt like a minute, but James knew it was only a few seconds, the lift stopped and opened. Arthur stepped out first, followed by Harry, and then James.

Harry gasped. All around him Witches and Wizards crowded round the fireplaces waiting to depart while others arrived. As the group walked up the long hall and towards the FOUNTAIN OF MAGICAL BRETHEN people stopped and stared.

James groaned inwardly as he realised they were talking about him. He caught a few words but it was enough to get his anger boiling.

"Do you really think….?"

"…Death Eater in disguise…"

"Shouldn't be trusted…"

"Says Black is innocent…."

"…can't believe that. Once a murderer always a murderer."

Catching sight of the two robed Wizards watching, James whirled catching them off guard, his hazel eyes flashing dangerously. He opened his mouth to respond but Arthur stopped him.

"Don't."

James glowered but continued on his way. They would regret not listening to him or Sirius, he would make sure of that.

"You're going to have to have your wands checked by Security before we can go any further into the Ministry." Arthur supplied as he led them to a desk with a badly-shaven wizard sitting behind it.

"I'm escorting two visitors."

The wizard looked up. "Wands."

Harry and James handed the Wizard their wands and he set them on Scales. Once the information had been produced he read out, glancing at the two Potters for confirmation.

"Eleven inches, phoenix-feather core, been in use four years. That correct?"

Harry nodded, and took back his wand.

"Beechwood and dragon heartstring, Eleven and a half inches. Flexible. Been in use seven days."

"That's right." James answered. He took back his wand and pocketed it.

They continued their walk through the Ministry until they came to the lifts where they descended to Level Two: Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Auror Headquarters and Wizengamot Administration Services. Skittering through the office, James noticed that the Auror headquarters were filled with old pictures and photos of Sirius.

Kingsley Shaklebolt moved towards them. He gave James a small smile and pressed a magazine into his palms. "Give him the magazine, he might find it interesting."

James frowned. What did he mean? His hazel eyes scanned the front page and they widened when they noticed one of the articles that lay within:

SIRIUS BLACK: VILLAIN or VICTIM

Intrigued James flipped to the acquired pages and began to read, a small smile growing on his face as he read the ludicrous article.

SIRIUS - BLACK AS HE'S PAINTED?

Notorious mass murderer or innocent singing sensation?

For fourteen years Sirius Black has been believed guilty of the mass murder of twelve innocent Muggles and one Wizard. Black's audacious escape from Azkaban two years ago has led to the widest manhunt ever conducted by the Ministry of Magic. None of us has ever questioned that he deserves to be recaptured and handed back to the Dementors.

BUT DOES HE?

Startling new evidence has recently come to light that Sirius Black may not have committed the crimes for which he was sent to Azkaban. In fact, says Doris Purkiss, of 18 Acanthia Way, Little Norton, Black may not even have been present at the killings.

"What people don't realise is that Sirius Black is a false name," says Mrs Purkiss. "The man people believe to be Sirius Black is actually Stubby Boardman, lead singer of a popular singing group The Hobgoblins, who retired from public life after being struck on the ear by a turnip at a concert in Little Norton Church Hall nearly fifteen years ago. I recognised him the moment I saw his picture in the paper. Now, Stubby couldn't possibly have committed those crimes, because on the day in question he happened to be enjoying a romantic candlelit dinner with me. I have written to the Minister for Magic and am expecting him to give Stubby, alias Sirius, a full pardon any day now."

Sniggering James closed the magazine. Why does the Quibbler print stuff like this?

"What's that you got, dad?" Harry asked.

"Something for Padfoot." James answered, lowering his voice. "And you can't see, not yet anyway."

Arthur led them into a cramped office where two seats waited. James allowed Harry to sit on one, while Arthur sat at his desk.

James looked at his watch. "I'm just going up to the Apparation centre."

"Why?" Harry asked.

"I need to get my license renewed. I'll see if I can take the test. I'll be back before you go to your Hearing."

Harry nodded. "Good luck, dad."

"Thanks."

James departed. He took to the lift and waited as his destination grew nearer. He had been on level Two but needed to get to level Six. As he waited a burly witch, with curly brown hair, and bright blue eyes stepped into the lift. Her eyes widened as she recognised James.

"James Potter! I haven't seen you in years!" She hugged him, startling James enough for him to lose his breath.

He grinned sheepishly. "Hey, Danielle."

"You remember!" she squealed, hands flinging to her mouth.

Danielle Marson had been one of the many Witches Sirius had dated during sixth year at Hogwarts. She was the same age and had been one of Lily's friends. Danielle was a half-blood, her father a Muggle, but her mother one of the Purebloods, though James couldn't remember which.

"What are you doing now?" James asked, shuffling on his feet.

"I work with the Floo Network. I help patrol the fires for criminals and other people." She said.

"Oh," James said, "I would go back to being an Auror, but the Minister doesn't want me to. I don't think he truly believes that I am alive."

Danielle grimaced. "My mother thinks the same. She says you are some Death Eater in disguise. On the account, we do believe what Dumbledore says but as we need people in the Ministry and close to Fudge, I'm remaining 'loyal' to his ideals."

"I won't. I'll just do whatever I can to protect my son. Harry deserves a quiet life…especially after all he's been through."

Danielle turned away, her face burning bright red. She'd had a crush on James before being asked out by Sirius. She had never been is such close proximity with him, and she didn't know what to say. They stood in complete silence. As the elevator doors opened to Level Six: Department of Magical Transportation, incorporating the Floo Network Authority, Broom Regulatory Control, Portkey Office and Apparation Test Centre, James and Danielle stepped out together.

"I've got to go this way," Danielle apologised, indicating to the right.

"Well, I'll see you around then," James replied and started off towards the left where the Apparation Test Centre was situated. Once she was gone, James hurriedly increased his stride. Danielle, being Lily's oldest friend, had brought back memories and that was causing James pain. He was glad to see the back of her. He would have to be careful who he ran into.

An unfamiliar witch sat at the desk to the Apparation Centre. Her eyes were the colour of a dark night; and her white hair sat in layers wrapped around her head. She looked up as James approached, her eyes narrowing as she took in his thin frame.

"James Potter, I presume?" she asked.

"Yes,"

"You're here for your Apparation Test?"

"That's right. I still remember what I have to do in order to pass so I was hoping I could do the test and go."

"That is not normally our way of things. However because of the circumstances that you are in, and that I received an urgent note from Albus Dumbledore I will make an exception." the witch said.

"Thank you." James figured that being polite might increase his chance of passing, though he highly doubted it. Besides he was a powerful wizard and he should succeed with ease.

The witch stood up and led him into the Testing area, a small hall where James had to Apparate from one place to another to test how efficiently he could do it.

"Please stand in the red circle," she instructed, "Now I want you to Apparate from that red circle into the white circle next to it."

James nodded and rubbing his hands together, focused his mind. He imagined the red circle and then himself disappearing and appearing in the white circle. Almost instantly he felt a force rub round him. He heard a pop and looked down at his feet. He was standing in the white circle. A triumphant gleam entered his eyes. He remembered how to do it!

"Well done, Mr Potter. Now, I will give you a list of items you must collect for me from these various towns throughout Britain. They are abandoned Wizarding shops. You will receive your license if you successfully being back twenty of the twenty-five items. If you need any help or assistance, I will know. We have Muggle cameras set up in the shops watching your movements so if anything goes wrong we will be there to aid you. Do you understand?"

"Perfectly." James answered, taking the piece of paper from the Witch.

Taking a deep breath he continued with the test.

Name: James Christopher Potter

D.O.B: 24/04/60

Test: Apparation

Tester: Claire Wardens

Date: 12/08/95

He held his Apparation card in his hand, grinning widely. He had received top marks in the test, and now he was qualified to Apparate. He looked at his watch. 8:30. He still had thirty minutes till Harry's disciplinary hearing.

"James Potter?"

Startled he found himself looking at a stooped, timid-looking wizard with fluffy white hair. He seemed to be out of breath as he regarded James.

"Yes?"

"I've come to tell you that the Disciplinary Hearing was moved to 8:00. Your son is at the Hearing now. Arthur will be waiting outside for him. It's in Courtroom Ten."

"They moved the time!" James said. "How could they do that?"

The other wizard shrugged and then departed leaving James standing alone. How could they do that? And I wasn't even there to wish him luck.

He began to sprint, weaving in and out of the milling crowd, curious onlookers glancing in his direction. The lift took him back to the Atrium, and then descended again to the Department of Mysteries. The walls around were bare and devoid of any colours, and no windows shone through, giving the corridor a somewhat dark and foreboding look. Running down the corridor, James turned left, bolting down the steps, and into another corridor, and at the end of this stood Mr Weasley, hands in his pockets looking extremely nervous, pacing.

James straightened out his robes and walked towards him, running a hand through his untidy hair. "Sorry I'm late."

"Don't worry. Dumbledore's in there. I'm hoping…" Arthur trailed off.

"Let's just wait." James slouched against the wall, waiting. Every few seconds he looked at his watch, getting more frustrated that the time hardly changed. What was taking so long? "I hope he's alright."

"He will be. Dumbledore's defending him. He took old Mrs Figg in with him as a witness."

"They can't convict him of anything surely, especially if it was in defence."

Arthur nodded. "That's right, but Fudge is determined to not see it that way."

James shook his head. "In my day we would be allowed to get away with doing magic outside school. I mean, in a Wizarding home it is only natural that a child practices magic, but in a Muggle home there're not. Harry produced a Patronus in front of someone who already knew about magic. What's wrong with that?"

"No idea."

James sighed. The justice system was so unfair. Especially to Harry and Sirius. What did society have against them? He was saved from answering that question when the doors were wrenched open and Albus Dumbledore came striding out. He swept pass the two Wizards, ignoring them completely.

"Professor?" James began but was stopped as the door opened again and Harry stepped through with a bewildered but relieved face.

"Cleared," Harry stated, "of all charges."

"Excellent!" Arthur beamed and was about to hug Harry when James stepped forward, wrapping his arms around him.

"I knew they couldn't convict you, kiddo." James said, pleased that his son could still enjoy Hogwarts.

"Thanks dad."

The doors to the court opened once more and the assembled Witches and Wizards filed out, mumbling among themselves, a few shooting Harry dirty looks but most of them keeping straight faces.

"You were tried by the full court?" Arthur asked in disbelief.

Harry shrugged. "It looks like it."

James was shaking his head. "I don't believe it. They shouldn't be putting you in front of the whole Wizengamot! Especially for the small charge they had you up for!"

"Come on, I'll take you two back. I'm sure the others will want to know the verdict."

Taking Harry by the shoulders, James escorted his son out of the Ministry and back to Grimmauld Place.

TBC

To me this seems like the worst chapter I have written. Oh, and Danielle Marson will not become a love interest. He's bound to meet up with old school friends, right? I was going to put in a memory but I wasn't sure that it was appropriate for the chapter seeing as how he had Harry to worry about throughout it.

Thank you's go to the following: angelicmayuka;Lunatic Pandora1; twinsrthebest; amrawo; Kim Kotchanski; IamSiriusgrl; Crazy-Physco; HarrysGrrl; HandsOff; XyliaDark; shazia)Riavera; lovenhope; Inumaru12; and shannyauburn; .

I also want to say thanks to those who reviewed: Harry and James: The Potters in the Snow. All questions regarding that will (hopefully!) be answered later on in this story. Oh, and Ron and Hermione did know that the dog in that one-shot was Sirius.

Responses:

LiLaZnGrLy: The missing scene is set between Chapter 22 and Chapter 23, however it doesn't really spoil the coming chapters. I've been careful to avoid that. The only thing you will notice is that James is at Hogwarts with Sirius but you don't know why. In two chapters time (chapter 11) you will find out why they are there. You don't have to wait to find out why. It was just a short fun fic that is related to the story but has nothing to do with the plot. Thank you for reading!

FutureGodess: James really needed someone who he could trust with information about Lily and Harry not knowing anything about his mother is the best candidate. I didn't want James to forget her which is why sometimes he will act strangely as if he is in a dream. I hope you liked this chapter.

jb: Was this chapter long enough?

littlewolf-moony: I apologise if you felt the chapter was a bit rushed but I didn't want James to get upset halfway through his talk with Harry. His aim was to tell Harry about his mother and he did that. Once he had done that he could cry and feel upset over it better. I'm still working out how to describe James' feelings and expressions but I think I'm gradually getting there. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

ambereyes2873: DOH! I forgot to add in Gred and Forge's encounter with James! They actually don't know who the Marauders are yet (according to me, because we are never told this information in the book so I'm assuming they haven't been told yet) but they start figuring it out and they talk to James about it in Chapter 13. Unfortunately I can't move it back to an earlier chapter because it just wouldn't fit. Thank you for reminding me!

floro13: James and Snape will encounter each other eventually. I don't mind long reviews so keep writing whatever you want. Thanks for reading!

Lady Taliesin: First let me thank you for a marvellous and thoroughly interesting reviews. I will answer both of them here. Now, lets start with your review for Chapter 8: Oh, sorry that you got a D on your Maths test. I got the same grade on my GCSE exams last summer and had to retake it in November. I revised extra hard to pass which I managed to do - I just crossed the border to get a C mark. Yes, I have heard that quote many times. Don't worry over tests - I try not to and it usually helps me work better. I practically fell about laughing when reading about the 'gruelling battle of morality' and at the end of that about impressing Lily…so funny. I don't know why but it made me laugh. First reviewer to do that… I was going to put in that Lily had slapped him when he asked her to Hogsmeade but I didn't think Harry would like to hear that Lily had done that. I was a bit apprehensive about Snape in love with Lily so I didn't go into too much detail. I mean, if Lily was a nice looking girl then lots of boys might've liked her, but were afraid to approach her because of refusal. I took the gamble that Snape could be a bit different and might like Lily a bit. I'm glad you've told me that it fit into the story. At the moment nothing more will come of it. Giggles Yes, sorry about James mentioning about his first 'night' with Lily. I know some authors that would go very graphic into it, but I thought James should just mention it in passing… I didn't know how to add Harry into James' speech so I left him on the side listening and feeling sad. I think if I'd focused more on him, James' speech wouldn't have come out as well as it did. As for Harry crying, he has never known his mother so I reckon he wouldn't cry or get teary when James is talking about her. If he had a chance to meet her and then she died, then I believe he would. And I don't mind long reviews, either.

Okay, onto your other review for the one-shot: Yes, we got snow on the 2nd and 3rd March. Stupid English weather…Grrrr! Actually the best part was that the Sixth Form (where I am) got sent home as there wasn't enough teachers to do lessons. The rest had to stay, but were sent home later as it got really bad…and that's the worst we've had since 1987…I think. The snow always misses where I live so its actually a welcome change….and it's also the inspiration for the little one-shot as well. Killing off James….never….at least I'm not thinking of it… yet. He's still there at the current end of Prongs Rides Again (why am I telling you this?) which is the end of OOTP, and I'm hoping to continue the story through into the 'Half-Blood Prince' but that might be hard since I might not have time to read it when the time the book comes out and the OOTP plot of Prongs Rides Again might have ended by then! There might be a long time before chapters in July…but it depends. You'll find out about James and Sirius' situation at Hogwarts in Chapter Eleven. James will teach a subject that no one has guessed yet. I don't think you'll expect it and it'll be a change from the norm as well… Well, thank you for sticking with me so far, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm looking forward to reading what you think of it!

Next chapter: The Godmother - James shows Harry a memory, and he also has an interesting proposition for one of the members of the Order of the Phoenix…Read it on Wednesday!

Thank you reading,

MissBlackPotter