I don't own Harry Potter, and I'm doing this for fun, not profit. Please let that be a sufficient disclaimer!
Note: as per the story summary, I plan to have Sebastian and Appoline help other wizards avoid blatantly stupid decisions. Chapter 1 was the first example of that, and this will be another. However, I don't plan many more – this is first and foremost a Family & Romance fic, not drama or action.
...
Fleur was exhausted when the Delacours returned to France – several days of high emotion guaranteeing it – and Sebastian and Appoline had to admit they were pretty tired too. But it was a positive tiredness, coming from the knowledge that they had provided help to someone they loved.
Rest would be incredibly short-lived, however. Fleur had been put to bed and Appoline was reading the French wizarding newspaper when she cried out in shock. Sebastian came over to see what the problem was, and Appoline merely pointed to the article: "Sirius Black arrested for the murder of James and Lily Potter". Reading the article together, Sebastian and Appoline were horrified – they thought they knew Sirius well, and to read that he had not only betrayed the Potters but had killed dear Peter and a group of innocent muggles was truly shocking.
Appoline turned to Sebastian, a look of horror on her face. "I can't believe it! Sirius betrayed them?!". Sebastian shook his head, equal parts appalled and disbelieving. "It cannot be true, can it? What happened at his trial?". A few moments to check, then, "The article doesn't mention it. Sebastian, we must know what happened."
Sebastian nodded. Emotionally, he was convinced Sirius must be innocent. Logically, he knew this was likely another example of Voldemort's greatest strength – his ability to turn people to his cause. Steeling himself for the worst conversation he would have this month – and that was saying something! – he walked towards the floo.
...
Albus Dumbledore sat in his office, a myriad of emotions cascading through him. Voldemort was gone, at least for now. Harry Potter was safe and well, thanks mainly to the Delacours from what he could tell. But James and Lily were dead. Frank and Alice were in St. Mungos. Sirius had murdered innocents. And now many of Voldemort's inner circle were likely to escape justice based on centuries-old pureblood laws – and there seemed to be nothing he could do about it!
It was as Dumbledore was desperately trying to wrestle with these thoughts that his fireplace flared green, and a voice called from within, "Albus? Are you free to talk?"
Sensing tension but not an emergency, Dumbledore replied "one moment, Sebastian" then carefully took a memory and added to it his pensive – it would help later with ordering his thoughts.
After less than a minute, Dumbledore had finished and was approaching his fireplace. "Do you want to come through?"
"Thank you Albus, yes please".
The connection then fully open, Sebastian stepped through into Hogwarts' Headmaster's office.
"Would you like a lemon drop, Sebastian?"
Sebastian shook his head, "No thank you, Albus. And I know you must be very busy at the moment, so let me get straight to the point". Dumbledore nodded in response.
Sebastian took a moment to order his thoughts, then spoke. "Appoline and I were 'orrified to 'ear what Sirius did, and we are struggling to believe it. Not much was reported in France, and certainly nothing about 'is trial. We were 'oping, as a personal favour, you could tell us what you can; 'elp us understand and set out mind to rest."
Dumbledore's shoulders slumped, and he looked more weary than Sebastian had ever seen him – even during the war. "There's both much to tell but also not much. Take a seat and let me explain what's been happening in Britain."
Sebastian nodded, and made sure to sit comfortably. Dumbledore's implication that he would get a broader explanation than he initially expected was not lost on Sebastian.
"How much has been reported since Halloween in the French papers?"
"We do not know. 'onestly, we only returned to France today, and were too busy with 'arry to keep up with the news whilst in Britain."
Dumbledore nodded approvingly, then began to explain. "Voldemort's best known Death Eaters have almost all been arrested, and are awaiting trial. However, whilst those of us working for the light were keeping details under wraps to ensure fair trials, the accused were busy.
"There are those who refuse to renounce Voldemort, of course, but for the rest the plea is easy – 'I was under the Imperius ' or 'I was under compulsion charms' or even 'I was under loyalty potions'. And to support those pleas are the actions the Death Eaters have taken: large donations submitted to St. Mungo's and elsewhere, apologies published to the Daily Prophet 'for what I did when under He Who Must Not Be Named's control', condemnation of any Death Eater caught committing crimes after Voldemort was defeated; even bribes to the Wizengamot, I suspect.
"Of course, none of that would matter in France. But in Britain, Purebloods are protected – we have centuries old laws which state that Purebloods cannot be forced under Veritaserum, dating back to a time where family secrets needed protecting. I'm afraid this means that it is highly likely many Death Eaters will go free."
Sebastian was silent for a few moments, controlling his emotions – this was no place for rage, horror, incredulity or exasperation. After he felt sufficiently ready, Sebastian asked, "And where does Sirius fit into all this?".
Dumbledore sighed – a bone-deep, wearied sigh – and answered, "Sirius was found a few days after Lily and James ... after Halloween, surrounded by dead muggles, laughing. Muggle witnesses say Peter confronted him, shouting about how he betrayed James and Lily, but then Sirius killed him – right then and there – and laughed about it. The Death Eaters on the Wizengamot were willing to throw him to the wolves to aid their own innocent pleas, with Lucius Malfoy even admitting that he had personally seen Sirius killing muggles.
"So those of the light had a choice: we either risk a trial and have Sirius claim Imperio, possibly letting James and Lily's betrayer go free; or in light of overwhelming evidence we sentence him to Azkaban without trial."
Sebastian needed a few moments to calm himself. He liked to think he was usually in control of his emotions, but what he had just heard was enough to test any man. Once he could think clearly, Sebastian responded. "'ave you, or anyone you trust, spoken to Sirius since?"
"Sirius was sent to Azkaban yesterday, so there hasn't been time for anyone from the order to see him. Then again, I'm not sure I understand what that would achieve, Sebastian."
Sebastian looked Dumbledore straight in the eye. "Albus?"
"Yes, Sebastian?"
"I asked you a week ago if you 'ad gone mad with grief. That was 'arsh of me and I apologise." Dumbledore smiled and was about to comment, but Sebastian continued. "I thought your grief was clouding your judgement. But right now, I know it is."
Dumbledore looked puzzled, and motioned for Sebastian to continue. "Think about it, Albus. Your evidence consists of witnesses seeing Sirius act completely out of character, and the word of a Death Eater. I see why you didn't risk a trial, but what if he is innocent? Why not ask if Sirius will provide evidence under Veritaserum from 'is cell? In fact, can you not force 'im to do so, if he is convicted?"
Dumbledore started looking thoughtful. "But what about the Fidelius?"
"What about it?"
"James himself told me he planned to use Sirius as his secret-keeper, so the fact that Voldemort knew where to find them is further evidence."
"There are different possibilities, Albus – the secret over'eard, the secret written down and given to another, or maybe just that Sirius is guilty. But what do you 'ave to lose?"
The two sat in silence for a couple of minutes, both men heavy in thought. Then, Sebastian spoke up, changing topic. "Have you thought about asking the Death Eaters for a vow during each trial?"
...
Lucius Malfoy was confident. His trial being delayed by a week was an irritation, but one that let his contingency plans further mature. He had planned well in case of his master's demise, unpleasant though it was, and Lucius knew he would walk away as a free man. As he approached the courtroom, he schooled his features into a look of remorse and self-loathing.
As he sat in the accused's chair, and felt the chains wrap only loosely around him, he fought down a smirk. That was another sign that the Wizengamot were in his pocket!
As the trial commenced, and Lucius (well, his respectable Pureblood lawyer) began his defence, the Wizengamot appeared to take his side more and more. Lucius felt smug - perhaps those bribes would turn out to have been unnecessary!
The first feeling of unease arrived when the prosecution – led by Amelia Bones, the blood-traitor – stated the need to call witnesses. This was unexpected: since Lucius had admitted to everything, albeit claiming Imperio, there really shouldn't have been a reason for any.
The unease turned to full blown panic as Sirius Black took the stand. Lucius' lawyer objected on the grounds that Black was a convicted criminal, however Amelia just smiled somewhat predatorily as she explained that Lord Black had been cleared of all charges when tried willingly under Veritaserum. Further, as he was a key witness in 'an undisclosed case' – Amelia's grin looked positively ferocious as she said that – news of this was kept from everyone but the Wizengamot, and even then under an oath of secrecy.
Lucius internally cursed his own arrogance: he had believed lying about witnessing Sirius commit murders was one of his smartest moves, and now it risked his downfall!
Before anyone had asked him a question, Sirius addressed the Wizengamot in the sombre, respectful tone he was best known for. "Oi! Who do I need to convince to dose me with Veritaserum? After all, we just had a naffing civil war, with psychopaths running around torturing and murdering people; seems like the sort of occasion where you wanna make sure you can believe what the person's telling you. Since I've got nothing to hide, go ahead and dose me."
Lucius saw his lawyer rip up something he had written whilst Sirius walked to the stand, and now the lawyer looked helpless. At the same time, Amelia ordered, "Dose him".
Sirius grinned as the potion went down, making a big show of his empty mouth after swallowing.
"Sirius, forgive me, as some of these questions are those you have answered before. Nevertheless, they are necessary for this trial.
"Sirius, are you, or were you ever, a follower of Voldemort?"
"Of course not, the guy was a murdering psycho."
"Did you kill Peter Pettigrew?"
"No, the idiot killed himself trying to run away from me – his own curse backfired on him. It's why I was laughing so hard when the aurors found me."
"Have you ever killed a Muggle?"
"Nope. One of them sold me my motorbike – what's not to love about them?"
"Have you ever tortured a muggle?"
"Erm... I may have pranked Lily's sister a few times, but assuming hair loss isn't torture... No."
"On the 14th of June this year, did you participate in Muggle killings, of which the defendant claims he witnessed?"
"I mean, obviously not, given my answers so far."
"Can you think of any reason why Lucius may have claimed he witnessed you kill muggles?"
"Because he's a cowardly, lying sack of..." Sirius quickly glanced around the room, and noting there were some teenagers in the viewing gallery, coughed then corrected, "Because he's a horrible Death Eater and if he told the truth you'd chuck him through the veil?"
"No further questions"
...
Lucius did not volunteer to take Veritaserum. Lucius was also unwilling to make a vow to prove his truthfulness. Lucius tried to argue that a Pureblood's word should be sufficient, but he knew he was grasping at straws, and could tell that he had not convinced the Wizengamot – especially when he felt the chains of his chair tighten around him.
But Lucius was a Malfoy, and he would leave with pride, regardless of the outcome. So when the vote was held, and over half of the Wizengamot voted to convict him – life in Azkaban – he held his head high. For about a minute.
"May I make a suggestion?" asked Amelia to the Wizengamot at large.
"Go ahead" Replied the Chief Warlock.
"Since Lucius is now a convicted criminal, I understand he is no longer exempt from forced Veritaserum, correct?"
The Chief Warlock gave a feral grin. "Correct. What is your suggestion?"
"Dose him, find out what he knows, and use it to prosecute the others."
"NO! YOU CAN'T! I'M A MALFOY!"
...
Three weeks had gone by since Lucius' trial, and the British wizarding community had been rocked by the revelation of just how deeply Voldemort's influence had seeped into society. In fact, the news had spread around the wizarding world and it was the only thing most wizarding families were talking about. But not the Delacours. At least, not today.
"Can we go now Mama? Please? Can we?"
"Fleur, angel, you still need to clean your teeth."
"No I don't!" said Fleur, proudly, holding aloft a tube of toothpaste. "I already did it!".
Fearing the worst, Appoline examined the scene, and sure enough... "Fleur? Why is there toothpaste on the walls? And your dress? And in your hair?"
Fleur looked sheepish and tentatively suggested, "Because I cleaned my teeth really well?".
Appoline sighed in bemusement then waved her wand, glad once again for cleaning charms.
"Come on, let's go see if Papa is ready."
A few minutes and some apparition later, the Delacours were back in Britain. Once she had got her bearings, Fleur practically skipped down the path to number 4, just barely holding her excitement. But when the doorbell was rung and Petunia opened the door holding Harry in her arms, the whole street could have heard the cries of joy.
"'ARRY!"
"LUR! LUR!"
...
Author notes:
I wanted to make sense of how Sirius could be thrown in Azkaban without a trial, how Veritaserum was never used on Death Eaters, and how most of Voldemort's inner circle got away with it all... and I wanted to do it without bashing. This was my interpretation, and honestly as soon as you throw a sensible witch or wizard in there you get a much happier outcome.
I'm humbled by the response to Delacour Godparents – thank you so much to those who favourite or follow, and a huge thanks to those who reviewed: Z-Arc34, JoeS1999 (again; what a hero), Arnie1701, James Birdsong, BradyC, Inumiru, guest and guest.
Responding to a couple of comments/questions directly:
BradyC, Inumiru – I had considered Harry living with the Delacours, but that would have made an eventual romantic relationship a bit too much like siblings when I tried to think about how to write it. Something which Elder Sibling noted in his review (thanks again!).
JoeS1999 – I'd hope I could update at least weekly, given my chapter lengths. In broad terms I know where I want the story to go, and so hope to avoid big delays of writer's block. Honestly, the reviews, favourites and follows are a great motivator, too.
Guest – Will Harry learn French? I think you can comfortably guess the answer to that one