Chapter 25

Harry silently reappeared at his siblings' side. For a confused moment he viewed a dazed Ginny Weasley testifying to the questions tossed out by Minister Fudge, by the same man he had sworn for years to repay. "Why would you risk your life following Harry Potter?"

"Routine. Colin and I were always the last to go to bed. We were also the second to rise. We loved spending time with Harry and Dennis, every chance we got."

"Potter's your family?" Fudge seemed skeptical. He had wanted nothing more than to find something, anything to allow him to hand over Potter's life to the hungry public. But with every word flowing from the young redhead and her two blonde companions, it seemed the perfect plan to rid of Potter was deliberately falling apart.

"Yes. We liked having him as an older brother. And my family already considered him part ours. Harry liked having siblings since he was an only child."

Harry suddenly grinned. Something familiar was radiating in the air. Quietly sniffing, the scent led him to Ron, or Ron's left side robe pocket. Ron flinched and jumped when something snatched his pet rat from its hiding spot. Blue eyes searched frantically for Scabbers. But Scabbers was suddenly placed in the hands of one Severus Snape, who desperately tried to keep from shivering when a familiar voice whispered, "Here's Pettigrew."

Fudge grudgingly accepted the testimonies. Now he had no choice but to allow Potter to, once again, slip through Ministry fingers. At least until he remembered the boy had escaped the prison in order to not serve his sentence. Yes! I have you now, Potter! "I hereby grant Harry Potter's innocence of all murder charges against him. But he will still serve time in Azkaban for escaping before such a trial or his sentence was over."

"Ah, ah, Minister. There's still the innocence of one Sirius Black." Harry Potter proudly stood in his adult glory before the shocked courtroom, fangs flashing. Outside, he remained as cool and collected as was expected of Assassin Vulcans, but on the inside he cheered at the chance to outwit the incompetent Minister. He relished the idea of making the public to turn its bloodthirsty sights to the one man who caused the most horrific times ever.

"Dementors! Seize him!" Three robed figures floated forward, bony hands outstretched.

We told you not to touch him! We warned you about hunting him down, did we not? The three Dementors screamed in pain as a bright light flashed between them and their prey, forcing them to return to a very unhappy God of Death.

Harry laughed, "Avians are much like a Patronus, only more powerful." He was enjoying himself. And that continued even more when Severus had successfully forced the rat to drink a potion, making Peter Pettigrew permanently change to his human form.

The shocked courtroom remained frozen as a very familiar face grew from the body of a small grey rat. "Peter Pettigrew! But he's dead!"

Several Aurors rushed forward, flinging spells. "Impossible! But it is him!" Another swiftly poured Veritaserum down the Animagus' throat, allowing the Court to regain control of the pandemonium of its spectators as Fudge could only stare openly in shock.

"What is your name?"

"Peter Pettigrew."

"Did Sirius Black kill you?"

"No. I tricked everyone into believing that."

"Why?"

"To keep others from knowing that I was the Secret Keeper and traitor while Sirius was simply a diversion to try and keep the Potters safe. Once the Dark Lord had tried to finish off the Potters, and failed, I knew Sirius would come for me. I panicked, allowing the Muggles to die and for Sirius to take the blame while I used my Animagus form to escape."

Fudge frowned as he overcame the schock, worrying about his career but having no other choice, "I hereby declare that Sirius Black is free of all charges." He could only hope that this change of decision, both changes of decision, would still buy him points. He refused to lose his position as Minister of Magic but didn't know that someone was already planning on finding ways to toss him out for all his incompetence.

And Harry couldn't be happier with knowing he caused such an uproar against the Minister. Gleefully, he began muttering more truths, knowing others would overhear and take action, "And he placed two innocent people in that horrid prison without ever letting them a chance to speak for themselves. In return families had been torn apart and a vicious Dark Lord had continued his dark deeds, who Fudge knew returned long before the public did by accounts of one little boy, a well-placed spy, and accepted bribes."

Harry took even more joy in the sudden scrambling of one well-known reporter and infamous gossiper, Rita Skeeter. His hearing could tell she was quoting word for word what he had said to others as she scrambled to their side. Gleefully, emerald eyes gazed about as the public turned as one, glaring heavily at the still talking Minister.

"As Minister, I call this court room to close due to pending of retribution to the recently freed Sirius Black and Harry Potter. Dismissed!" All eyes watched as the few Ministry employees fled the room. But the Minister didn't get far, not when the mob that had suddenly formed rushed forward, blocking any escaped routes Fudge could have planned.

As one they had raised their wands, making their demands known quite publicly as reporters desperately tried to capture all in words and pictures. Harry knew this could be the last day Fudge would ever see the Wizarding World as a Wizard, and quite possibly the last day he would ever see the world period, especially with the looks most were casting his direction as the man was unceremonially stripped of not only his title, riches, and pompous attitude but of his magic as well. Sooner or later, the man would bleed, if he even had a heart to bleed, this Harry knew. This Harry believed was an apology, an action to warm him to the public, to be the savior.

Never again! With that, Harry turned away from the most amusing spectacle to find his way to those who truly believed and cared. While they were busy, Harry vanished, arriving to another place where a second amusing scene woud undoubtly happen. All he had to do was wait for the arrival of the key players.

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A weary Albus Dumbledore literally stumbled from his fireplace into his office. He would have met the unyielding floor had two hands not caught him in mid-fall. "And here I always believed you had the grace to defy all things, gravity as well."

Blue eyes blinked as he faced an amused Harry Potter. "Harry."

A lone hand waved aside the old man's grieving forgiveness. "I've heard it all from my saviors. They kept a very close eye on the Magical World, mainly to see to their contract with the Dementors. Though, I do believe a select few are already on their way for suitable punishment." He grimaced at the thought, "And Lord Hades is not a very gentle man." And, Merlin was that an understatement.

Harry had seen what Lord Hades could do in his anger and his calmness. There was nothing gentle about that man. Unless you caught him alone with his young bride, Lady Persephone. And here he shuddered, memories rushing back as he remembered the one time he had accidentally walked in on them in Lady Demeter's one shrine.

Albus seemed slightly confused but said nothing. He was trying to figure out why Harry's aura vibrated familiarly with Hogwarts. "Harry?"

Cold emerald eyes suddenly locked onto the aged wizard, causing him to struggle with his sudden fear. "I suggest calling your Order, Albus." The way he hissed the name sent even more familiar vibes across aged skin, "And find a way to bring those of Phoenix Summer Getaway to the castle. They are a major part in this world, after all Voldemort does believe he murdered Lily and James Potter that tragic Halloween night, does he not?"

"Shadow." Now Albus knew why the man before him suddenly seemed familiar.

Harry smirked as all his glamours once again dropped, no longer caring to hide himself away. "Bring them, Albus. This time your war ends, no sooner, no later. They tire of waiting."

"Very well, Shadow." Both men fell into their respective personas, especially since it was Vulcan Shadow that truly trusted the Headmaster. But the Headmaster had not missed the emphasis the younger man had placed upon his words, confusing him even further.

"Until then, Albus." Harry silently slipped out ofthe office and into his comfortable shadows. He lost himself in the memories and feelings that he had hastily locked away. The world had willingly turned their backs and now expected him to save them. Won't they be surprised when I refuse to be their pathetic little savior. Voldemort can rot on Earth before I ever raise a defeating hand in his direction. I refuse to bow to the Magical World again, never be their pathetic moulded pawn in this war.

So lost in his thoughts he had forgotten about his trainers'constant reminder, 'never lose sight of that around you.' And because of that and his little 'spat' with the Headmaster, he had failed to take in that more of Hogwarts faculty had flooed in mere moments after Albus. Nor did he see the Weasleys' or Creeveys' families stare at him in shock.

WHAM! Harry cried out in surprise when something viciously slammed him into the nearest wall, knocking over a disgruntled armour suit. A vibrating growl echoed just behind the dazed Vulcan. Remus! Wide emerald eyes turned to face glittering dark gold. He froze when a cold nose pressed against his neck, just below his left ear. And with the first long inhale, he tried to keep the desperate moan from leaking out.