The Trial - Part 2

Chapter 8

The trial was very long in Harry's opinion. His bum had gone numb and he couldn't even get up to relieve the numbness, lest he draw attention to himself.

Harry thought he must have been in the room for about two or maybe even three hours. Sirius had spoken his piece and then the accusations had come raining down. He had calmly reasoned everything with the air of a man of infinite patience. This in itself was so unlike Sirius that, for a moment, Harry wondered if he had known him at all.

Two other Aurors who had been Hit Wizards during Sirius' sentencing fifteen years ago, came in to give their account of the scene they had witnessed when Sirius had apprehended Wormtail. Sirius had then questioned if they had checked his and Pettigrew's wand for Priori Incantatem on arrival. Madam Bones had requested a clerk to bring in Sirius' wand from the Ministry records.

Sirius mentioned how Pettigrew's body was never found and then went into the tale of Wormtail cutting off his finger and escaping as an Animagus.

Dumbledore had also given his word and retracted the accusation that Sirius was his parents' Secret Keeper. Sirius had then questioned the Wizengamot why there hadn't been a trial for him and he was thrown into Azkaban without giving a chance to defend himself. Kingsley then entered and gave confirmation regarding the lack of documents convicting him.

It seemed plain to Harry that most of the Wizengamot members were starting to believe him. Harry took time to notice each and every one of them, some squirming in their seats at what he thought was the biggest mistake the Wizengamot had done in regards to Sirius, and he was particularly satisfied when he realized Fudge had been more or less mum the entire time, despite being the interrogator. If the Daily Prophet was to be believed, Fudge was getting so much backlash, that they were thinking of sacking him. Harry hoped Sirius' innocence when proved, would do just that.

Then they had gotten round to Pettigrew being alive for which Dumbledore had recounted Harry's story of the graveyard and Voldemort's resurrection. Harry knew everyone in the room had read his interview which he gave in The Quibbler, which had also been published in the Daily Prophet. More than a handful of people eyed him and Harry, feeling nervous, looked straight at his godfather.

Sirius managed to look bored and anxious at the same time. He looked up suddenly at Harry as if he had known Harry was watching him. His eyes softened and a small smile wound its way on his lips. He winked at Harry and Harry shook his head, fighting his smile. It looked like even Sirius understood that things were beginning to look up.

"...testify that he's no more a Death Eater than you and I," said Dumbledore, finishing his testimony.

It was quite a sight to watch Dumbledore giving his statement from beside Sirius. Though he had been reinstated as Chief Warlock, he chose to stand next to Sirius in his Wizengamot plum robes as he was the only defence other than Sirius. He then walked up to the Judges' table resuming his seat.

Sirius looked up at Madam Bones pushing the sleeve of his robes to reveal a clear arm free of the Dark Mark. "I was never a Death Eater. Pettigrew is and he's still out there. You've been chasing the wrong man."

Kingsley had also claimed that everyone captured in the Department of Mysteries had had the Dark Mark, including Lucius Malfoy. People gasped and more whispers ensued as people assimilated this new information.

The murmurs grew audibly louder as the Wizengamot talked among themselves, deliberating the validity of Sirius' statement. The Ministry clerk, who Madam Bones had sent earlier, had come in carrying what he proclaimed to be Sirius' original wand that had been procured at the time when he was sent to Azkaban.

It was fascinating to watch the Priori Incantatem being done. A blue bubble appeared which Harry deduced was the ghost of a shield charm. It was then followed by a few wisps of light, but Harry couldn't understand what spell it could mean, but apparently the Wizengamot understood as some were pointing and calling out the names of spells.

After about a minute, it was declared that Sirius' wand never did perform a killing curse or anything similar to a blasting curse. Harry was very glad that there was some evidence to back up Sirius' claim.

Dumbledore, ever the opportune speaker, spoke up. "If Sirius was a Death Eater, Harry Potter would not be alive and sitting with him here now, would he?"

It looked like a lot of them agreed, but a wizard at the back had sneered then accused Harry of aiding and abetting a wanted criminal.

Fuming, Harry had stood up unaware that he had. It was disgustingly irritating watching them all go in circles and circles when the evidence was staring them at their faces.

A hush had fallen upon the Wizengamot but Harry didn't notice against the blood pounding in his ears. He thought he saw Sirius' eyes widen in alarm, but Harry disregarded everyone as he looked up at the Wizengamot, summoning his courage.

"It's not my fault that the people who have been entrusted to uphold justice had failed abysmally to do their job. I realized the truth and I decided to help. I would have requested a trial straight away in my third year if the Minister didn't have a Kiss-on-sight order for Sirius who he thought was a criminal."

Harry rounded on Fudge, who visibly shrinked away from him. "Last year, we had Barty Crouch Jr. admit to Voldemort's— (the entire collective of witches and wizards shuddered, save for Sirius and Dumbledore)— resurrection. But you didn't have time to listen to evidence, did you Minister? You decided you knew better than anyone and had Dementors suck out his soul. That man is responsible for everything I suffered through that year, but even I wouldn't wish such a fate on him. Who gave you the right to take lives, Minister?"

"Who keeps the Minister in check from abusing his powers?" he said, looking up at the Wizengamot and feeling a twinge of satisfaction when more than a couple of people fidgeted in their seats.

"If you are going to insinuate I aided and abetted an innocent man, I will gladly accept that accusation. I did aid and abet my godfather because you thought it was right to throw him to the Dementors for being innocent. If this is how much regard you have for innocent lives, you're all no different than Voldemort."

The silence that followed was deafening, and Harry faintly wondered whether or not it was respectable to sit back down. He felt a flush creeping up his neck realizing what he had done. He had just stood up, out of call and yelled at the entire Wizengamot and the Minister of Magic!

He nervously looked up at Sirius, who looked torn between mirth and worry. Dumbledore cleared his throat, and Harry looked up at him to see his moustache quivering. "Those in favour of clearing the accused of all charges?"

Harry thought he heard his heart beating frantically from somewhere near his throat. He watched as almost everyone, save for a couple or two, put up their hands, even Fudge, although he looked like he had swallowed a lemon and his hand only went half way up. No doubt, he was trying to save face in front of the Wizengamot.

"And in favour of conviction?"

Not a single hand was up and Harry sank into his seat, relief swallowing him like a wave.

Madam Bones cleared her throat. "The accused does have one charge; that of being an unregistered Animagus. Which merits three years in Azkaban."

Dumbledore spoke up politely, a smile in his voice. "Ah Amelia, but we have already condemned an innocent man to twelve years in Azkaban for no reason. Surely, we can drop those charges, if not as compensation for our mistake?"

People were murmuring and nodding when Madam Bones sighed and looked rather politely at Sirius. "Sirius Black, you are hereby cleared of all charges and declared innocent. The Wizengamot apologizes profoundly for this gross miscarriage of justice and would like to award ten thousand galleons in compensation. It is, by no means, equivalent to the ordeal you have been through, but we do hope you will accept the apology of the entire Wizengamot when I say, we are very sorry for your loss of time, health and reputation because of the Wizengamot's negligence."

Sirius was beaming when he looked at Harry, then at the Wizengamot. "I would like to bring to the Wizengamot's notice that I would like to take up legal guardianship of Harry Potter. I am his godfather after all."

Harry was startled. They hadn't discussed this at all when Dumbledore had come over. Was this happening for real?

Madam Bones shuffled through her papers, picked one and was reading it quickly through her monocle.

The chattering was louder than ever when Madam Bones announced, "It is in accordance with the Potters' will. I don't see why not. But, Mr. Potter's current guardians might..."

Dumbledore spoke over her as he passed a bundle of papers to Madam Bones. "I have taken the liberty of collecting this for you. It is Harry's current guardians giving up their guardianship to Sirius."

Harry wondered when Dumbledore had had time to do that. Had he visited Aunt Petunia? He felt a rush of gratitude to Dumbledore for his foresight.

"Mr. Potter, are you willing to accept Sirius Black as your legal guardian?" Madam Bones looked down at him sharply after taking a minute to look through the papers.

Harry was ecstatic when he spoke immediately. "Yes!"

"Well, that's settled then! Sirius Black, you are awarded full legal and magical guardianship over Harry James Potter. Please sign these papers here. Congratulations," she said in her booming voice.

Dumbledore beamed. "Court dismissed."

The wizards and witches started getting up from their seats, but Harry had eyes only for Sirius. Sirius wanted him, his godfather wanted to be his legal guardian. Sirius was free. And Harry didn't have to go back to the Dursleys anymore. Harry was free too.

Harry quickly got down the seats and saw Sirius standing up, rather dazed but still beaming. He saw Harry and smiled so genuinely, Harry thought he looked years younger. He opened his arms just as Harry got to him and pulled him into his embrace.

Harry murmured, "Thank you."

Sirius pulled away from him, his hands still on Harry's shoulders. Harry was surprised to see his eyes were rather bright, but also rather proud. "Thank you, Harry."