Lower levels of the Ministry were cold, the chill of them seeped through her clothes and felt sharp in her chest. The Wizengamot was wizarding Britain's high court of law and parliament, and while its admin headquarters were in the DMLE wing, their trials took place deep down in the frigid dungeons. However, these lower levels were made of old dark stone. The chill in the surfaces and air compounded by the dementors hovering in the hallway. They were kept there with a single auror's patronus, their orders undoubtedly to watch those in custody and facing trial. Hermione's fingers felt like ice before she lit the tiniest array of bluebell flames. The law firm staff, all 10 of them, stood with briefcases full of reference papers. Douglas MacKenzie at their lead and just to her right. He and Flitwick advised her to wait here with them until most of the gathering had settled. Something she was glad for as hundreds of people swarmed down the lifts into the public viewing side of the Wizengamot chamber.
"This is the largest courtroom. It resizes on demand, if you recall some of those death eater trials and how tiny they were. No one wanted to see those." Flitwick mused, "This trial's notice just got released to the papers yesterday, and it's news that a house holding a parliament seat will be asking for a trial. Big news, the sort to catch everyone's fancy. I can imagine if they'd given a week notice then half of Magical London would have shown up."
MacKenzie added, "Or if Bones had been less willing to keep Black's name out of it. I almost feel bad for the woman, how embarrassed she's looked since all the evidence came in."
Hermione eyed the lawyer, thinking that had to be the most insincere statement she'd ever heard. He went onto lament Bones' woes while escorting her inside and sending her off.
Everyone on one side of the room wore plum colored robes covering expensive heels, luxurious skirts, and multi-piece white tie wizards suits. The sort with the tails and matching hats. The plum outer robes might have been a nod at solidarity, but they did little to hide the differences throughout the parliament. No doubt intentionally drawing those lines to allies and snubbing others.
Hermione glanced up those stairs and began to ascend.
As Speaker Black she was required to address the Wizengamot from the Black parliament seat. When she first walked in no one seemed to notice her. However, when she'd ascended the stairs and kept ascending the stairs to the nicer seats she gained a lot more attention. She was by far the youngest person on this side of the room. She spotted one man in his early 50s and he may as well have been a spring chicken. She passed Neville's gran with a brief greeting. The woman's face being one of the few which didn't give away her thoughts. With a spine of steel she nodded back, "Miss Granger."
Hermione was so beyond relieved MacKenzie told her where to go, "all the way back and the second last seat on the right", because having to ask each old person along the way would have been worse. Even if one of them would have been Neville's gran.
She maneuvered between a pair of gawking old biddies, past a man with grey tufted hair, then plopped herself down as gracefully as she could. All too aware of how many had turned around and started whispering. She soon found out she was sat between an empty Emrys seat and the occupied Ogden seat. Apparently the family of famous firewhiskey distillers was almost as old as the Blacks.
When the old Ogden saw her coming his way his ash grey eyebrows rose dramatically. Didn't stop him from introducing himself. He was cheery and delighted to have her. Stating more than once how lonely its been up here. When he found out who sat next to him and what her blood status was, the portly old man absolutely chortled.
"Oh dear, some people in this room will absolutely hate that."
Thinking of Sirius Hermione's lips twitched before she admitted, "I suspect that was rather the point."
Once she'd caught the rat and got him lawyers he could have easily named someone else Speaker. He could have named anyone from the lawyer firm. They'd have been paid and bound by contract. All came from pureblood families, but he'd chosen her, the woman who just wanted to write some letters.
Looking down at the Supreme Mugwump and finding him gazing slightly slack jawed at her, how he turned to Madam Bones, who too looked at her. Well, Hermione was beginning to suspect the message was twofold. Sirius had yet to make an appearance but she guessed he'd be pretty smug right now. In the face of Albus Dumbledore she tried to personify Augusta Longbottom.
The upscale to-do chatter (gossip) reached the public seating far across the room. Murmurs of the Black seat being held for the first time in 13 years. Lord Arcturus Black had died just before Sirius was imprisoned. Now a slip of a girl sat there, they murmured.
When the Wizengamot came to session an introductory speech was made, briefing a summary of the bills they'd recently passed of revised. After 30 minutes a call was made for any who needed to air a claim. Hermione glided up and noticed four others as well.
"Speaker of House Black, you may raise your claim."
In the middle of her Augusta Longbottom impersonation she came to relish the fact she'd spent almost her entire summer savings on two sets of robes.
She's happy the time turner made her just barely 17. Because yes they do question that. Though she'd come bearing an even more humiliating argument, humiliating at least for the old biddy who'd questioned her legitimacy.
"As of 1509 a Speaker of a House may be elected as long as they are 11 years of age and of sound mind to defend the House in lieu of its Lord or Lady."
More murmuring broke out. The person in pink besides the minister was furiously searching through a cabinet of documents and looking put out at what she read, she then nodded. Seeing this the Supreme Mugwump looked her in the eyes. Her goblin shield sparked up, shoving the man's mental probe out. Her robes flared in a very visible, obnoxiously bright way and stayed that way till the attack stopped. If she hadn't known the cause she wouldn't have seen his foot slipping back and the quill dropping from his hand. The Supreme Mugwump wanted to know why she was there, how she'd gotten there. If he'd been confused before, he was poleaxed now. Through the illusion of still brightly flaring rune protected robes she gave him a sharp smile.
More than one person gasped. The old Ogden next to her raised a brow. Whispers spread out below. Albus Dumbledore stood straight again, pushing himself off the back of the seat he'd grabbed. The Chief Warlock and Supreme Mugwump raised his voice.
"She is correct. Speak child," The man spoke to her as a Headmaster, not a state appointed seat. The lack of distinction annoyed her. Maybe if he'd made more of a distinction she wouldn't have to be here in the first place. Maybe both Hagrid and Sirius would have gotten trials. She decided he'd be Albus in her head.
MacKenzie's script flowed off her lips. It was a lot of pretty legal words and Lord Ogden next to her again had his eyebrows arching into his hairline by the time she explained the surely accidental lack of trial for a Lord of House and his illegal imprisonment and his illegal kiss on sight order. The public crowd on the other side of the room hushed, getting quieter and quieter as she went on. Stating they've filled the required trial request forms with the Office of Magical Law Enforcement and submitted Evidence to be viewed at the required 3 weeks prior.
Ending with, "As Speaker of the Ancient and Noble House of Black I demand a trial for Sirius Orion Black to be completed and finished before we hear any other business."
As if the vacuum of space broke all the sound rushed back in and nearly every single person on her side of the room stood up to address the audience. Augusta Longbottom, she noted, did not. Though the woman had turned around to watch her claim and even now observed her with an inscrutable look. Cameras were flashing, all of them unsurprisingly aimed at the top row of Lords seats.
Madam Bones rose and walked to the entrance where the doors of the room were flung open. Sirius Orion Black with his tailored Black robes and crimson acromantula silk lines strode into the room as if Bones wasn't next to him shooting a patronus to fend off the five dementors swirling just outside the door. If Sirius was bothered by his nearly 40 minute wait with the soul sucking creatures he didn't show it.
Next to her Mr. Ogden leaned over, "Arcturus and I used to be good friends. If you or that young man down there ever need anything you have an open invitation to my manor."
Hermione's head tilted, trying to keep her composure. He'd affirmed a past affiliation. He'd offered his roof to her and hers. The man had just declared them allies, political or otherwise. Then he chortled, receiving a number a scathing looks from those perturbed below.
"Oh they think I'm uncouth, but this is great fun. You should come back."
"My same lawyer will soon be representing a half-giant who was also illegally imprisoned twice. If anyone finds out I'm behind that they'll think even worse of me, no doubt."
A genuine smile was on his face. "I'll tell my friends to expect a vote in his favor. What's his name?"
"Rubeus Hagrid Stonethrower and I appreciate it, but that shouldn't be necessary." Meaning she didn't want the House of Black to owe him over this. She was pretty sure they'd win Hagrid's trial regardless. The Ministry had already freely let him out of Azkaban twice on proven false charges.
Just then a loud bang came out from Albus Dumbledore's wand. He was in the middle of a stare off with Sirius Black and of the two it wasn't the younger who looked uncomfortable. Belatedly Hermione remembered Albus was Supreme Mugwump and the Wizengamot's Chief Warlock when Sirius had been tossed in prison. This might reflect quite poorly on him.
The old man looked surly as he asked, "Madam Bones, did the House of Black's lawyer meet all the requirements to start this process?"
"Yes. They've done more than enough. I suggest we start as they request."
The woman looked quite peeved, shifting a hard look between Albus and the Minister who was taking on the color of a sheet. The pink woman besides him fluttered around muttering in his ear, but he swatted her away.
Minister Fudge finally seemed to reach his limit, demanding to his toad faced Undersecretary in a not so quiet tone, "How can this man prove himself innocent?"
"These," Fudge nodded at Dumbledore and the Wizengamot's other administration, "Are the same people who let him be imprisoned and ran the kiss on sight order through the legislature. Are you telling me they were wrong? It's my name on that order."
The woman in pink simpered, "All will be alright. Minister I will-"
Madam Bones rose up, "Minister Fudge, Madam Umbridge, please sit down. Everything from this moment forth will be recorded on public record."
If this had been a trial in muggle London the DMLE prosecutor would need evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Sirius committed the alleged offence. However, this was not muggle London.
Hermione's lips pressed together as she remembered. Behind Douglas MacKenzie the first of his staff came forward and opened their brief case. The sheaf of papers came out. MacKenzie announced, "We have 43 articles of evidence to review. Madam Bones, do your Prosecutor's have a preference for which ones we review first?"
"No they do not and let it be restated for the record what we are about to address have been available in the DMLE for three weeks, have been verified and open for review. Defense, you may continue."
MacKenzie bowed. He then proved his 43 points on why Sirius Black was innocent. First, veritaserum testimony from the man himself. The courtroom then saw over 20 memories from witnesses, Godric's Hollow residents, aurors, ending with Sirius' own memory of James confirming Albus would make Peter the Secret Keeper.
Gasps went round the room. Hermione glanced in time to see Albus' expression go stormy.
The next withdrawn memory showed a muggle street, Peter Pettigrew shouting, pointing his wand at a gas pipe and blowing it up, then scurrying away.
However this didn't compare to the reactions to the physical pieces of evidence. One of which was Pettigrew's preserved finger. One of which was Pettigrew himself, with identity verified and his presence unkempt, wild, and kicking the aurors escorting him into the chamber.
There was so much talking coming from either side of the gallery it took 5 minutes before Madam Bones could call their attention back. She silenced them all and called for the Wizengamot vote. Of the 50-some occupied seats not a one voted against Lord Black.
In fact, the moment Madam Bones stated him officially cleared of all charges the assembly stood up and Hermione's view of below was temporarily blocked till she stood herself. A quick tempus told Sirius' trial took 3 hours.
She saw Sirius stand, holding out his hands to be unlocked from the manacled seat. The Auror said something to him. He listened, then nodded. She watched Sirius thank first his Lawyer team and then Madam Bones' Aurors. Hermione's lips twitched. After speaking with the Head of the DMLE herself Sirius stepped back to look around the room for the first time since entering.
Madam Bones' voice boomed, "The trial of Peter Pettigrew begins in 15 minutes. Take a break and return."
Finding her at the very top, his eyes met hers for a moment then he was at the base of the stairs.
Like a wave Lords and Ladies rose from their seats. Those closest to the stairway stopped him to state their congratulations and welcome him back. By the time he got two rows lower than hers she heard many dinner and tea invitations. His mask looked as good as Lady Longbottom's, polite but unyielding. She wondered how many hours in his youth he had to practice that. Probably many more than he'd have preferred.
Then he was next to her. Sirius, without a thought transfigured the Emrys seat to be tiny and extended the Black's. Ogden, who was really the only one with a good enough view, watched them. Sirius sat next to her and leaned back to obscure his face. The grin he gave her was so wide she had the insane urge to aggressively giggle. She, at some point, realized her body might still be stressed from her over use of the time turner. Because she'd never in her life nearly cackled like just then. Sirius, seeing her face, turned wolfish. He looked to be on a bit of a high and if Hermione was honest so was she.
The small, pudgy, twitchy man the Aurors escorted into the room wasn't anything what she'd imagined Pettigrew to look like.
Sirius leaned close to her and murmured, "He must have forgotten to regularly turn back. Those who stay transformed lose some wizard traits and take on more of their animal."
"Are you going to be ok to watch this?" Her words came out as quiet as she could make them.
"I'll have to be. What they show here will affect future sessions and," he nudged her. "As you've pointed out so well to everyone in this blasted room I am Lord Black. Damn cretins most of them."
"The man next to us claims he was a friend of your grandfather. He offered you, and me," she added sheepishly, "An alliance."
If she'd thought he'd be mad, he wasn't. No he was amused and a glint of something else. She swallowed.
"Not even through your first session and an alliance. With one of this crowd at that. Their family is neutral dark leaning. You must have impressed him. I might keep you on as my Speaker, for times I can't be somewhere myself. I heard your speech from the hall. It was well delivered, a bit more than MacKenzie asked for. And that bit about the 11 year old was priceless."
"If they're going to keep old laws they should at least know what they are."
"Much better to make them look foolish than just prove your actual age," He grinned.
She grinned back, "I thought it proved my point rather well."
"I'm serious you know. You're a part of House Black. I'm keeping you."
His magic pulsed between them, dark waves of it sweeping over her. In response that beast of the tracker curled in her chest. It moved, flexed as if to remind her it was there, and settled. The curse thrummed just under her skin. Heat flushed her face. He was close. Hermione raised her chin, moving her gaze from his throat, to his jaw, to his eyes. She promised she wouldn't take advantage of him. Free he may be, though he still needed healers. She wouldn't take advantage of him.
"You go to those healers you agreed on. You can decide then." Hermione hesitated, "If you still think any of this later, then we'll talk."
He grabbed her hand, his thumb grazing hers once before holding firm. Their hands were hidden under their matching robes. Her robes had a great deal more crimson, shining against her normally dark toned skin, and she hoped it outdid the blush fighting its way across her cheeks.
Hermione forced herself to sit straight once more and face the room. Augusta Longbottom watched them. Hermione met her gaze and tried to mirror the expression on the older woman's face. Strong, solid, calm, vaguely interested in the fuss happening around her. Augusta Longbottom nodded ever so slightly, before turning forward in her seat.
Peter Pettigrew's session in the manacled chair took an additional 6 hours. His testimony of deeds performed under the Dark Lord brought up a lot of uncomfortable shifting from the surrounding Wizengamot and public audience.
Then, to unanimous awe and horror Peter was verified to be the only person alive who was present when the Dark Lord broke into Potter's cottage. His veritaserum drugged voice vividly described how the rune circle Lily activated around Harry's crib rebounded the killing curse, a protection powered up at the cost of her life. How Voldemort's soul fractured and entered Harry's forehead to leave a scar and the child's room reeking with dark magic. The rat had seen the entire thing from the staircase.
By now Fudge was looking like he'd rather resign than deal with this. Dumbledore's shifty look and Sirius' knowing gaze had her connecting one more piece in their dynamic. She was beginning to think the old man had known this whole time and was raising Harry to slaughter. It would explain an disconcerting amount about the events she'd been privy to.
For some reason hearing Pettigrew speak about it was a hundred times easier than seeing it.
After his verbal testimony the Auror on hand then extracted his memories of the events and they had to watch them unfold. Present in one was a very much not imperiused Lucius Malfoy torturing a muggle with a gleeful expression and bantering jokes with pals. Another showed a reedy teenage boy with an accent watching his father killed and his mother threatened with worse should he not kneel. One of the boy's fellow classmates, who she immediately recognized as Rabastan Lestrange, tried to save the family only to be viciously beaten and branded himself. The entire time the other boy was crying, tugging on his restraints and begging in Russian.
Scene after scene unfolded in the projected pensieve until Pettigrew's memory showed him pressing a wand to his left arm, it's tip point on the tattoo, apparating the Dark Lord straight through the ward's and inside the gates of Potter cottage. The night air dark around them and mist floating between neighboring houses of what Hermione knew must be Godric's Hollow. Next to her Sirius made a strangled noise, seeing his best friend for the first time in twelve years only to see him duel and die under Voldemort's skeletal white wand hand.
Seeing Lily's rune circle was inspiring and heart breaking. Inside it a bloody knife lay next to her, her chest still profusely bleeding as she finished the runes with shaking fingers. Pettigrew saw the last rune drawn, her crimson smeared fingers coming away from the circle. How the circle written in her own blood flared as the first killing curse passed and how the circle seemed to disappear when she died. How the next killing curse rebounded off where it had been drawn.
Detachedly Hermione realized Harry's dementor induced memory of this night matched almost perfectly, he just didn't have the angle to see any of the crucial details. For once she was happy he was left in the dark. Seeing his own mother's blood protecting and sacrificing might not do him any good. He already had so many nightmares of this night. Getting an even better and more vivid vantage point of his mother slumping and having her heart's blood bursting through the chest cavity as the second killing curse came at his toddler body, completing the protection ritual... No, she rather thought Harry would be sick. Hermione nearly was.
The soul fracturing of Voldemort. Because Hermione had never seen a soul or a life force before, but the thing that came out of him when his body disintegrated, she didn't know what else it could possibly be. Peter's veritaserum testimony spoke of this, of what happened, but she hadn't understood till she'd seen it. She wasn't alone in this.
On either side of her Sirius and Mr. Ogden exclaimed, "Horcrux!" The visage of Voldemort's soul looked ravished and ready to devour. The sound it made pierced the entire Wizengamot chamber with a shrill scream. Sounding as the piece of Voldemort broke apart and entered Harry.
By then Hermione was sweating. Her friend. Her poor friend. Sirius was holding her hand so hard she thought it might break. He was shaking. She could feel it from his hand to his shoulder and she was quite sure if she wasn't holding onto him he'd leap over the old gossiping biddies next to Ogden and promptly kill Pettigrew where the rat sat.
By the time his memories got to his casting an explosion hex at a gas line and killing a street full of muggles Hermione felt numb. Then the memories ended, but all Hermione could think about was Harry.
She leaned heavily into Sirius to speak low and quick. "Sirius."
"Sirius!"
His head snapped to her and he had the same crazed look she remembered from the night he abducted her.
"Sirius we need to save Harry. We need to talk to the Goblins and see if there's a way they can remove that thing. Dumbledore's going to want to kill him and by the looks of half the people in this place they'll agree with him. Sirius do you understand?"
He still looked like he'd personally murder the entire Wizengamot before letting them touch Harry, but he glared at her, hand still crushing hers, and nodded.
"We won't let it happen. You hear me?"
Again he nodded.
"And we're going to help those boys too. That Lestrange and the Russian one. They can live at one of your houses if they have to, can't they?"
All he seemed capable of, less than murder, was nodding. Nodding was good she assured herself. They'd be fine. Harry would be fine. She affirmed some more starting plans with Sirius because it was keeping her calm. On the periphery of her vision she saw Ogden and Longbottom listening to her keenly. And some part of her realized she wasn't being nearly as quiet as she should be. However, she could only stop her mouth when Pettigrew was deemed guilty and sentenced to be kissed immediately.
Hollow as a shell Hermione watched them lead the man from the room. She half listened to Dumbledore ask for a session break, to be picked up next time. She heard Madam Bones announce their office would need several months to compile evidence, but they would be reopening some death eater cases in light of this new testimony.
She got Sirius out of that room as fast as she could, her deep deep red robes hiding the trailing blood stains some of his nails made in her hand. Halfway across the room she saw Flitwick and MacKenzie had beaten them there. As the lawyer firm's additional staff closed in around them Flitwick grabbed her other hand and she was swept out of the ghastly chambers. In the distance Peter Pettigrew could be heard squealing and screaming as a team of Aurors forced him down a secluded hall.