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The sound of a gavel being banged against a wooden podium could barely be heard over the sheer commotion and noise from all but three occupants of the Wizengamot trial room.
"Order, order!" Dumbledore shouted, having cast a Sonorous to increase the volume of his voice. Waiting a few moments for those in attendance to quiet down, Albus banged his gavel thrice more, quelling the last remaining voices.
"Madam Bones, surely you know that Sirius Black was convicted of murder in 1981? Why are you rehashing this farce of a trial?" Dumbledore was panicking. He had not expected anyone to actually bring up Sirius Black's trial, and for it to be Madam Bones made it worse, purely for one simple reason: she was damn good at her job.
"Well Chief Warlock, I was informed that there was never a trial for Lord Sirius Black, and upon my investigation of the matter, I was unable to find any documents, court transcripts, or anything really, to suggest that he was ever found guilty of anything, apart from a few minor mishaps with public urination back in 1978 and 1979." Madam Bones had made sure to emphasize Sirius' status as Lord, and its impact seemed to have its desired effect, as several murmurings could be heard regarding Lord Black.
"I was there at the trial, Amelia, surely you could have just asked me?" Albus chimed in.
Amelia Bones' eye twitched at Dumbledore's usage of her first name, and not her title, in an attempt at grandfatherly manipulation. "I could have; however, it has come to my attention that you yourself admitted that there had been no trial, in a rather public fashion."
"I have no idea what you're talking about?" Albus replied calmly. 'How does she know about that incident at Hogwarts? I thought my wards would have filtered out any information I didn't want to get out.'
"If we can begin the trial, I'm sure that will come up." Madam Bones responded, sitting back down.
From the audience, several Wizengamot members were up in arms. Finally, one of them shouted, "How can we have a trial for someone who's not even here!?"
'And that's my cue!' thought Andromeda Tonks.
"If I may, I am ready to present my cousin's case. I have evidence that can most certainly clear my cousin's name."
Albus looked around, seeing several members of the Wizengamot look unsure. 'Time to press an advantage. I cannot have Sirius be free. It would not do for The Greater Good!'
"Ladies, gentlemen, surely there's no need to dredge up the past? After all, justice was indeed done that day. Sirius Black was the Potter's Secret Keeper after all."
Leaning back, Albus smirked to himself, seeing as several members of the wizarding government seemed to be agreeing with him. Unfortunately for Albus, someone decided to add their voice to the proverbial ring.
"I for one would like to see this evidence that Solicitor Tonks has accumulated. After all, if Madam Bones is calling into question a lack of a trial, and Solicitor Tonks has evidence, then it might be possible that a grave injustice was performed fifteen years ago." Lady Peverell reasoned.
Albus could see his favor slipping right before his very eyes. 'Decrying Madam Bones is not an option, she is just too damn good at her job, and the same could be said for Solicitor Tonks.'
"We still would need the accused's presence here in the room, and since that is not possible, considering he is a wanted criminal, I'd say that it's impossible for us to have a trial for him, emergency session or not." Chuckling to himself, Dumbledore was convinced of his political victory now.
"Well then, let me reveal myself!" Came the disembodied voice of Sirius Orion Black, most wanted criminal in all of Magical Britain.
If the panic was palpable when Sirius' voice could be heard, him throwing off the invisibility cloak, only to be seen sitting next to a smirking Solicitor Tonks, was an event that was damn near apocalyptical for the Wizengamot. Aurors rushed forward, people shrieked and cowered in fear behind the seats in front of them, and a few could be seen trying to run out of the room.
Before any Auror could even cast a spell, let alone get close to touching Sirius, a magical barrier sprung up over the table for the defense. This seemed to calm everyone, at least to a degree, seeing that the most wanted man was seemingly safely confined in a barrier that protected them from Sirius.
Sirius looked over to Andromeda, who shrugged. "I didn't do it, Sirius. I thought it was you."
Sirius looked befuddled for a moment, before he put together what had happened.
"It seems our favorite little Peverell is to blame. Bet those tossers up there think this shield protects them from me, and not the other way around." Sirius barked out a laugh, not noticing how his laughter caused fear amongst those present.
"I WILL HAVE ORDER!" Dumbledore yelled, again having to use a Sonorous to get his voice across.
'Really, the gavel-banging is just pointless, old man. And another thing, it's rather pointedly muggle, especially for a Wizengamot that leans towards anti-muggle sentiments more often than not.' Isolt mused.
After a few more moments of panic, the magical shield over the defense table certainly aiding the 'recovery', Dumbledore continued his duties.
"Considering that the accused is present, it seems we have no choice but to begin the trial." Albus relented, before turning to the prosecutor's table. "Mr. Howe, before we begin, since the prosecution would be representing the people, are you able and willing to act as the prosecution for this trial?"
"Chief Warlock, we would be honored to do so. However, we request that we receive any documentation that the defense has procured, and an hour of preparation time, so that we might formulate how best to represent the people."
Looking around, Albus asked the Wizengamot, "Any opposed to Mr. Howe's requests?"
No one raised a hand in opposition. As unusual as this circumstance may be, giving the prosecution time to craft an offense was a generous maneuver from the defense, and was part of Solicitor Tonks' plan to exonerate her dear cousin. Again. Hopefully with less urination this time.
It was decided that the documents the defense had procured would be copied using the Geminio spell, before the Wizengamot would break for an hour. Both 'sides' would convene in their respective rooms.
An hour later, everyone was back in the Wizengamot trial room, eager, and perhaps a bit fearful, of what was about to transpire.
Albus' gavel could be heard clearly this time, before the grandfatherly voice spoke. "We now begin the trial of one Sirius Orion Black. Court Scribe Weasley, would you please read the charges against the accused?"
"Certainly, Chief Warlock. Sirius Orion Black stands accused of twelve charges of murder against muggles, one charge of murder against a wixen, one charge of treason for aiding and abetting the former Dark Lord's war against Magical Britain, and one charge of escaping Azkaban prison."
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley. Mr. Howe, would the prosecution please deliver their opening statement?"
Standing up, a somewhat distressed looking Mr. Howe began his team's case. "Members of this esteemed body, fifteen years ago our country suffered a Dark Wizard's rampage across our country. Sirius Black, once considered a hero of the light, one who had supposedly betrayed his own family, and a true friend to the Potter family, played us all for fools, delivering the Potters to the Dark Lord himself, and was only caught when Peter Pettigrew caught up to him and exposed Mr. Black's crimes to the world, which is when the accused killed him and the twelve muggles present to silence the one witness to his crimes. For his sacrifice, Peter Pettigrew was given a posthumous Order of Merlin. After being thrown in Azkaban, he then escaped, determined to finish the job his master failed all those years ago: killing Harry Potter. We believe incarceration is not an acceptable punishment for Mr. Black, as he has proven capable enough to escape Azkaban. Therefore, we request that Mr. Black be executed once he is found guilty." Mr. Howe sat back down, running a hand through his pomade-laden hair.
Sirius gulped. Although this was all going according to plan, the threat of his life ending before the end of the day was enough to sober anyone's thoughts.
"Thank you, Mr. Howe. Would the defense now give their opening statement?" asked Dumbledore, who had turned his gaze to Solicitor Tonks.
"Wixen of the Wizengamot, I stand before you to correct both the injustice done to my client, and to correct the history books. It is believed that Sirius Black was the Secret Keeper for the Potters, and thus was the one who had betrayed the Potters. However, we have evidence that shows that not only was Mr. Black not the Secret Keeper, but that he was the Oath-Sworn godfather of Harry James Potter." Pausing a moment so that her words would have the necessary weight and impact, Andromeda continued. "Furthermore, we have evidence that Mr. Black did not kill anyone the night of November 2nd, 1981, especially not Peter Pettigrew. As for escaping Azkaban, we believe that since Mr. Black is innocent of his charges, and the fact he was illegally thrown into that prison in the first place, escaping Azkaban is actually both within his rights as Lord Presumptive, and morally just, as we will demonstrate today." Bowing to the Wizengamot, Andromeda took a seat.
Feeling a gaze on her, Andromeda scanned the Wizengamot for the source of the gaze. Pausing when she spotted Lady Peverell, she nodded slightly to the wixen, before receiving one in kind.
"Thank you, Solicitor Tonks. Would the prosecution then please procure evidence to support their claim?"
Standing up once more, Mr. Howe began, "Chief Warlock, we would like to summon Sirius Black to the stand for questioning."
"Very well, will Mr. Black please take a seat in the chair?"
Standing up and walking to the indicated chair, the same one Isolt had sat in mere hours ago, Sirius could feel his magic being restrained as the chains immediately bolted up to restrain him.
"Mr. Black, it is known that you were the Secret Keeper for the Potters, correct?"
"Yes, but –" Sirius began, but was cut off before he could elaborate.
"And your family history is rather, dodgy, to say the least?"
"Of course, and –"
"Mr. Black, a simple yes or no would suffice." Albus warned, seeing what was happening.
Teeth clenched; Sirius just barely managed to get out a 'yes' answer to the Chief Warlock.
"Thank you. You may continue, Mr. Howe."
"Thank you, Chief Warlock. Now, Mr. Black, can you tell us which side your brother and parents were on?"
"Voldemort's." It wasn't a yes or a no, but Sirius did grin in satisfaction when several audience members faces flinched when he said the Dark Lord's name.
"And you claim you weren't? Rather convenient, if you ask me. After all, isn't family one of the most important facets of our lives?"
"I wasn't on Voldemort's side!" Sirius blurted out.
"Uh huh. Mr. Black, did you or did you not chase down Peter Pettigrew?"
"I did but –"
"And did you not attempt to kill him that night?"
"No."
"Hm, a bit hard to take your word, considering that you are alive and he is not. Obviously, you did kill him."
"Objection, that is speculation and is the purpose of today's trial!" Cried Andromeda.
"Sustained. Mr. Howe, do you have any more questions for the accused?"
Smirking, Mr. Howe simply shook his head. "No, no further questions at this time."
"Solicitor Tonks, do you have any questions for the accused?"
"I do. Mr. Black, would you tell us what you experienced that night?"
"As you said before, I am the oath-sworn godfather of James and Lily's child. I had overheard my brother tell my parents that an attack was planned for the Potters house that night, so I immediately apparated to their house. I arrived too late; however, as they were dead, or I thought they were all dead, including their child. Since I knew that Peter was the Secret Keeper, I sought him out at one of our safe houses, and chased him down. He cast a spell at me, I believe a Bombarda Maxima, and in the chaos, transformed into a rat and escaped. Moments later, the aurors arrived, and I was thrown in Azkaban."
"And why was Peter Pettigrew the Secret Keeper? Why the confusion?"
"We believed it to be a ploy. Everyone would believe I was the Secret Keeper, but in actuality, it would be Peter. No one would suspect him. We just didn't know that he was the traitor…" Sirius trailed off.
Glancing up at the Wizengamot, Andromeda noticed that quite a fair few had rather contemplative looks on their faces. 'It looks like our plan is working, though not everyone seems to be convinced.'
"No further questions, Chief Warlock."
"Mr. Black, you may proceed back to your chair."
As soon as the chains unlinked themselves from his wrists, Sirius stood up and quickly paced back to his place at the defense table.
"Mr. Howe, any other evidence you would like to provide, or witnesses you'd like to call."
"No, Chief Warlock. We believe that history speaks for itself."
"Of course. Solicitor Tonks, do you have any further evidence or witnesses?"
"As a matter of fact, I do. I would like to call forth one Peter Pettigrew to the stand."
The room was so silent, one could hear a transfigured pin drop.
Eventually, the silence gave way to the Chief Warlock's voice. "Solicitor Tonks, unless you plan on performing necromancy in this very room, you can't call the deceased to the stand."
"Ah, but it's not necromancy if he's not deceased, now, is it?" Leaning over to her client, the Wizengamot saw her retrieve an item from Sirius Black's pocket.
"I would like to present one Peter Pettigrew, in the flesh, alive and in his Animagus form: a rat." Pointing her wand to the rat, she cast the counter to the forced transfiguration, revealing to everyone the very much alive Peter Pettigrew.
Levitating the wizard to the stand, the Wizengamot watched as the magical chains took effect once more, having the benefit of canceling the spells restricting his motion.
"Wixen of the Wizengamot, I request that this witness be interrogated with the use of Veritaserum, so as to get to the truth of the matter."
Sighing, Albus called for a vote. "All in favor?" After tallying the votes, Dumbledore continued, "All opposed?".
In a vote of 37 to 33, it was decided that Veritaserum would be allowed to interrogate the alleged Peter Pettigrew. Dumbledore motioned for the auror from Lady Peverell's trial to administer the truth serum once more, before motioning for Andromeda to begin.
"What is your name?"
Straining, Pettigrew answered, "Peter Pettigrew."
"What is your date of birth?"
"April 4th, 1960."
"Were you the Potters Secret Keeper?"
"Yes." Peter looked to still be trying to fight the effects of the serum, but was obviously failing spectacularly.
"Did you betray them to the Dark Lord?"
"Yes, I did."
"Did you frame Sirius Black?"
"Yes, he was on to me, and he made the perfect scapegoat."
"Did you kill the twelve muggles?"
"I did."
"Why did you betray the Potters?"
"The Dark Lord recruited me in sixth year. He promised to spare my family if I gave him information. When I was made Secret Keeper, I gave him the Potters location, in the hopes that he would spare my family if I willingly gave him the information, as opposed to him taking the information from me using Legilimency."
"And were you aware that the Fidelius charm protects the secret from Legilimency attacks?"
"Wh- no. I was not." Peter looked distraught.
"What did you do after framing Sirius Black?"
"I returned home, and found my family dead, killed by the Dark Lord."
Isolt Peverell was furious, though she was careful to hide her emotions behind her Occlumency shield. This rat had betrayed her and Aster's parents because he wasn't smart enough to recognize the protections of the Fidelius. What a fool.
Andromeda wasn't letting this opportunity pass her up.
"How did you avoid detection all this time?"
"I lived as a rat, my Animagus form, for twelve years, in the possession of the Weasley family."
"Were they aware of your status as an Animagus?" Andromeda was genuinely curious about this. If the Weasley family was knowingly involved, this could lead to their entire Family being destroyed politically speaking.
"No, at least not that I could tell. Not until young Ron Weasley's third year, when I was revealed."
"And how were you revealed?"
"Harry Potter and his friends, in addition to Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, discovered and captured me. I fled when given the opportunity."
"No further questions from me, Chief Warlock."
Sighing, Albus was wringing his hands. 'This is not good. I hope Mr. Howe has a way to turn the tables.'
"Thank you, Solicitor Tonks. Mr. Howe, do you have any questions?"
All eyes turned to the prosecutor. Mr. Howe looked conflicted. Here was a wizard who had been viewed as a hero, one who had rooted out a traitor and had died in defense of his country, and it turns out it was all a lie. Shaking his head, Mr. Howe addressed the Wizengamot.
"No, Chief Warlock, the prosecution has no further questions. We find it evident that Lord Black is innocent of the crimes brought against him." Turning to the defense table, Mr. Howe locked eyes with Sirius. "Lord Black, I know it does not count for much, but I would like to extend the humblest of apologies to you, for believing in your guilt without any evidence."
Albus was incensed. None of this was going to plan, and Mr. Howe was just acquiescing to the developments, rather than fight them. 'I am going to have some work cut out for me.'
"Aurors, please give Mr. Pettigrew the antidote, and take him into custody, to await trial." Dumbledore motioned to the auror who had administered the truth serum.
"Does either party have any other evidence or witnesses to call to the stand?"
"Yes, Chief Warlock. The defense would like to call Headmaster Albus Dumbledore to the stand."
The collective gasp that occurred in the Wizengamot could almost be equivalent to a muggle vacuum, such was the intensity of everyone's inhale.
"Surely I have nothing to do with this? Why summon me?"
"Because, as the Headmaster of Hogwarts, there are certain events that we would like to clarify, to fully clear my client of all charges, without a shadow of a doubt." Andromeda's steely gaze was focused on Albus' icy blue eyes, as if daring him to try something, anything, to get out of this.
"Fine, if I must. Madam Marchbanks, if you wouldn't mind sitting in as Chief Witch?" Dumbledore relented, before walking down the stairs to the witness stand, as Madam Marchbanks took the seat Albus had until now occupied.
Albus sat down on the witness stand, feeling the metal chains clasp around his wrists.
"Alright, Solicitor Tonks, you may question the witness now." Exclaimed Madam Marchbanks.
"Thank you, Chief Witch. Now, Headmaster, you have full control of the wards over Hogwarts, is that correct?"
"Yes, I do."
"And you know at any given moment, how many people are on the grounds, yes?"
"Correct."
"And do the wards not provide you with names and/or identities of those on the grounds?"
"In a sense. It's more of a feeling, rather than a list."
"And how could you not know that Peter Pettigrew was on the grounds for nearly twelve years, every year since 1981?"
"I merely assumed it was just another magical pet."
"I doubt that the 'great' Albus Dumbledore wasn't at least aware of Peter Pettigrew's presence. However, Albus, my next question: how did you know that Sirius Black had not received a trial?"
"I had assumed he had."
"Don't make me request Veritaserum, Headmaster. We have an eyewitness who saw you admit to the entire student body that you knew Sirius Black had not gotten a trial."
Albus' eye twitched at the mention of Veritaserum. "I don't know what you're talking about. One of the students must have been exaggerating again. You know how children are."
"Chief Witch, I would like to submit a memory phial as evidence that Headmaster Albus Dumbledore knew Sirius Black had not received a trial."
"You may proceed, Solicitor Tonks." Madam Marchbanks stated, giving Andromeda the go-ahead to use the memory as evidence.
"Wixen gathered here today, I present the memory of one Lady Isolt Peverell, who was present the morning that Dumbledore admitted to my client's lack of a trial." Andromeda stated, holding up a crystal phial, with a shimmering silver substance held within.
'Oh shit, this is not good.' Dumbledore panicked. He knew what that memory would be, and this would not be good for him, or his reputation.
"This memory has been viewed by an Unspeakable and an Auror, and has been verified in its authenticity. I would like to request permission to play it before the Wizengamot today."
Madam Marchbanks leaned forward. 'Looks like this will be an interesting session after all.'
"Alright, bring out the display pensieve!"
A court attendant disappeared into a side room for a moment, before returning with a pensieve about three feet in diameter.
Pouring the memory into the pensieve, Andromeda tapped her wand against the lip of the bowl, and immediately the memory of Isolt demanding answers from Dumbledore was shown to everyone, akin to a projector displaying a screen.
The Wizengamot saw how Lady Peverell had forced Dumbledore's hand to reveal that Dumbledore himself had helped place Sirius Black in prison without a trial, using an old magick that required a tremendous amount of skill and power to pull off, as one's magical power had to be equal or greater than the intended target of the spell. The spell had roots in Fae magic, being based off the Rule of Three, and was abandoned by the magical world in favor of Veritaserum a few centuries ago. The fact that Lady Peverell had managed to successfully use it against Dumbledore of all people did not go unnoticed by any of the traditionalists who knew what they were seeing.
"No further questions, Chief Witch." Andromeda concluded, once the memory had ended.
"Thank you, Solicitor Tonks. Does the prosecution have anything to add?"
Rattled, Mr. Howe stood up, once again running his hand through his hair. "No, Chief Witch."
"All right, then a vote seems to be in order. As I am acting as Chief Witch, bear in mind that the total number of votes is no longer seventy. Now, members of the Wizengamot, as to the twelve charges of murder, how do you find the defendant?"
After a vote was tallied, Sirius was cleared, 62 to 7, of murder.
"And as for the charge of murdering a wixen?"
Again, this vote proceeded pretty much the same as the prior one.
Two votes later, and Sirius Black was a free man. He would have jumped and shouted in joy, if it wasn't for Acting Chief Witch Madam Marchbanks' interruption.
"Mr. Black, this ministry finds you not guilty of all charges. You will be granted backpay for all the years you were wrongfully imprisoned, all of which will be at an overtime rate, as an apology to you. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. As a word of caution though, please do not go urinating on anything in the near future." Madam Marchbanks chastised.
"Of course, Chief Witch, thank you, and thank you to the members of the Wizengamot. I look forward to resuming my seat at the Head of House Black, and I will also be reclaiming my seat in the Wizengamot."
Giving Andromeda a pat on her shoulder, Sirius walked up the stairs, finding his seat next to the Peverell seat. His seat also had a ministry proxy, but no pseudo-threats were needed, as the proxy quickly got up and ran from the room.
"Before we conclude today's session, I would like to call a vote of No Confidence for Chief Warlock Albus Dumbledore, as he can no longer be expected to maintain a fair and just Wizengamot."
Sirius and Isolt both leapt at the opportunity to second the notion, and after a final vote, Albus Dumbledore was removed as the Chief Warlock, and Madam Marchbanks was instated as the formalized Chief Witch.
"Well, if that's all, I declare today's session, and emergency session, to be completed." Banging the gavel, Madam Marchbanks formerly closed the Wizengamot session, letting the assuredly tired members of the audience and the Wizengamot leave for the day.
In her corner of the room, Madam Bones began a plot that would bring about the end of the esteemed Headmaster. One that would bring the crimes of Dumbledore to light.
From the audience, several reporters were having a field day with the information released today, none more so than one Rita Skeeter.
From her room at Grimmauld Place, Aster felt a slight breeze pass by her. Unbeknownst to her, the winds of fate had changed direction, and she felt herself feel a glimmer of hope well up in her chest for a moment.