Revisited 29.12.2021: Finally here. It took me much longer than I expected to fix all of the problems with this story. Now though I'm done and can finally write the next chapter.
Chapter 9. Secrets behind bars
Harry's head snapped to the door of his room when the crackling of fire reached his ears. That meant only one thing, Charlus was back from his trip to the Alley. Time for some questions.
The young boy hopped off his bed and immediately winced as his feet hit the cool floor. He probably should ask Charlus about some kind of warming spell. His grandfather informed him that he still needed to apply a few enchantments to the newly reconstructed manor. Apparently, magicals didn't have heaters, who would have thought...
Harry just hoped that the old man would hurry up and finally do whatever was required. It has been a few weeks already.
He shook his head and slipped through the door. Harry loved his new home and life, but the wizarding world sometimes just didn't make sense. A shudder ran through his spine when he realized that for now he only saw a small part of this new world. Gods knew what waited for him in the future...
Gliding down the stairs without making a sound, Harry peeked through the doorway to the dining room.
He noticed Charlus already sitting by the table with a steaming cup of tea lying before him. He held a newspaper, Daily Prophet probably, in one of his hands. And if the frown on his grandfather's face was anything to go by, then the man probably found something disconcerting inside.
Noting to ask about it later, Harry stepped into the room and smiled when Charlus looked up from his reading material.
"Harry. Hungry? Mipsy should have dinner ready in a few minutes," Charlus said before looking back at the paper.
The young boy shrugged and hopped onto another chair. His stomach would definitely enjoy something to eat, but that wasn't why he came here. He wanted some answers and he would get them. Or at least Harry hoped he would as Charlus was honest with him about everything in the few weeks.
"Charlus," Harry began, and his grandfather raised his gaze from the paper. "I wanted to ask you about something I saw in Gringotts."
The man in question arched an eyebrow. "Now? It has been a few weeks since then."
Harry blushed a bit and looked down at his hands. "Well... I kinda forgot and when you told me this morning about your visit to the Bank, the memory came back to me."
Charlus chuckled. "Don't worry, happens to the best of us. So what did you see?"
Harry took a deep breath and locked eyes with the older Potter. "Sirius Black. Who is he? If he was my godfather, then shouldn't I have met him before?"
His grandfather sighed and leaned back in his chair, the newspaper left forgotten. "So you remembered that bit huh... I really didn't want to touch this subject with you yet, but I promised to hide nothing from you. Just please let me explain this fully before you ask any questions.
Harry nodded and shifted in his chair to get more comfortable.
"Sirius Black, just like you noticed, is your godfather. He was your father's best friend and from what everybody is trying to tell me, the reason why you were attacked seven years ago," Harry opened his mouth to fire off a question, but stopped when Charlus raised his hand. "I know it is sudden, but let me finish."
The young boy nodded even though his fist clenched a bit when he heard about the attack.
"As I told you before, I went into a coma long before you were even born. Back then Sirius was a part of our family, mostly due to Sirius' mother, but that's a story for another time... Apparently, after you were born, your parents went into hiding under Fidelius Charm," Harry raised an eyebrow and Charlus quickly elaborated.
"It is a very old and powerful spell. It makes the protected location invisible, intangible, unplottable, and soundproof to anyone but those who know the Secret. A secret that can only be revealed by the Secret keeper."
"Sirius Black," Harry said, his voice barely a whisper.
Charlus nodded. "Aye. Anyone I asked told me he was chosen as the Secret Keeper. He betrayed his best friend and later went on a killing spree where another of James' friends lost his life."
Harry's fist clenched even tighter, nails almost piercing his skin. His glare landed on his grandfather, his mismatched eyes almost glowing with uncontrolled power.
"How can you be so calm!?" he spat. "You thought him family and he betrayed you all!"
Harry slammed his fist on the table, the furniture almost cracking under the enhanced strike. The boy just couldn't understand why Charlus was so casual about this. Harry knew that the man mourned the loss of his family so what happened here?
"Because I don't believe he really did it."
Harry reeled back like struck. Magic mirrored his action and retreated deep into his body. The young boy just sat there trying to process the simple sentence from his grandfather. Finally, after a minute or two of complete silence, Harry managed to stutter out, "What?"
"I don't believe he did it," Charlus repeated. "At least not after what I discovered in the last few weeks and during our visit to Gringotts."
Harry's frows furrowed, his anger completely gone. "I don't understand."
"Sirius is your godfather and in the wizarding world, it isn't just a fancy title. Remember the contract I needed to sign after we discovered your little secret," Harry nodded. "Similar but much weaker contracts are used in the choosing of Godparents. They are necessary to make sure that no one would take advantage of their new title and protect their new charge in case something happens to their original guardians."
It certainly was interesting, but Harry had no clue how it explained this whole situation. Charlus probably noticed his expression as he instantly continued, this time his voice a bit firmer.
"Harry. A sworn godfather would instantly die after Sirius' actions and from what I know, he is alive and well in Azkaban... Or as well as one can be in a place full of Dementors," Charlus murmured the last part, but Harry still caught it.
"The wizarding Prison? And what if the contract didn't work. You told me that magic works in weird ways, maybe this is one of these instances."
Charlus nodded, "Exactly. Home to the foulest creatures in this world apart from demons. And Sirius was placed there without any trial." The man then frowned, "The contract should work, I saw it with my own eyes today."
Harry's eyes widened a bit, "That was why you went to Gringotts today?"
"Aye. I have been investigating Sirius' case ever since our visit to the Bank. Today I just got another piece of evidence that something went completely wrong seven years ago. I don't know if Sirius is guilty or not, but I want the truth. Not some rumors or unconfirmed information, but the full truth, and Harry I promise you that we will get it."
Harry looked at the man and smiled widely. Now he knew that he made the right choice in trusting his grandfather. "So what are you planning to do?" the boy finally asked.
Charlus visibly slumped in his chair. "I guess I will need to contact Dumbledore... again."
Harry frowned and stated bluntly. "You don't like him."
The older Potter shook his head. "No. I disagree with a lot of things he did in the past, but there is no real bad blood between us. There is also the part that Dumbledore holds too many jobs for his own good... Thankfully now this is exactly what we need."
Harry, as much as he already understood about the world, thought that this was a bit too much even for him. Besides this entire thing smelled of politics. His grandfather probably again noticed his confusion and quickly elaborated.
"Dumbledore holds three very powerful titles in the wizarding world. Each of them gives him a lot of sway in Wizengamot and to find out what exactly happened that night, we need this kind of political power," Charlus rolled his eyes. "Ten years ago, I could do it myself, but lying in a coma for a decade definitely didn't help my political position..."
And here he goes again, Harry almost snickered as Charlus again went on his rant about everything he found displeasing in the wizarding world after he woke up from his coma.
Harry didn't really care about most of the stuff Charlus monologued. He was a ten-year-old for gods' sake and it seemed like Charlus had everything under control... Well apart from these rants. At least it always brought a grin to Harry's face when Charlus realized that he ranted for half an hour to a child about things the boy couldn't care less about.
Finally, Charlus realized what he did and coughed. "Right... Mipsy, serve the dinner please."
This time Harry snickered at the weak attempt to change the subject. Charlus instantly shoot him a look, but the boy just ignored it and gave into another fit of snickers.
"It is not my fault that the wizarding world is getting more idiotic with every year," Charlus grumbled.
Harry just ignored him again and placed some food on his plate.
"Charlus, Harry," the old, long-bearded man greeted as he stepped through the floo. "I was truly surprised when I received your letter. I thought you didn't want me near your grandson after our last conversation."
Harry tilted his head as he observed his grandfather wince a bit at the last part. No bad blood, eh? Somehow I don't believe it.
"Yes, Dumbledore. Unfortunately, some events required a change of plans and now we both need your help. Now come, we have a lot to discuss," Harry's grandfather stated and moved towards the prepared table.
Dumbledore nodded before turning to the younger Potter and bowing slightly "I wanted to apologize, Harry, for my role in your placement with your Aunt. You were meant to be safe there until you came to Hogwarts. Unfortunately, it looks like I again made a mistake. I am truly sorry and I hope that one day you will find it in your heart to forgive this old man."
Harry fidgeted in his place, not sure what he was supposed to do. His life at Dursley's didn't leave any good memories, but the boy knew that it could have been a lot worse.
He looked at his grandfather and saw him nod. Sighing, Harry turned back to the Headmaster. "I understand why you did it, Mr. Dumbledore. Charlus already explained that those were dangerous times and I wouldn't be safe in the wizarding world back then. I am not happy about it, but I won't hold it against you."
Alright, maybe he would hold it against him, but they needed Dumbledore's support now. Starting an argument didn't help anyone here.
The Headmaster smiled as his eyes twinkled a bit. "Thank you, Harry. It really makes me feel better."
Harry nodded and hopped onto his standard seat by the table. Dumbledore followed his lead and after everyone was seated, the old man asked, "So what is it all about Charlus? Your letter was very vague."
"Sirius Black," Charlus answered instantly.
Dumbledore's face darkened a bit, "I fear that I don't know what you want from me. Sirius is where he should be and I thought you already know about his role in the events nine years ago."
Charlus nodded and explained what he discovered in the last few weeks. Harry observed the Headmaster as he listened to the story and wasn't surprised when the old man had a permanent frown at the end of Charlus' monologue.
Silence fell upon the room as Dumbledore ran a hand through his long beard. Just from his expression Harry knew that the man was deep in thought and both of the Potters were content to let him think.
Suddenly Harry realized that it was the perfect chance to check how powerful was the famous defeater of Grindelwald.
[Albus P.W.B. Dumbledore, the White Lord (Rank: C)
Race: Wizard
Power: 83200
Albus Dumbledore is the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He also serves as Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. Even in his old age, Dumbledore is still considered one of the most powerful wizards in the entire world.]
Wow...
Even Harry's grandfather didn't hold a candle to Dumbledore. So much Power and the many years of being alive definitely taught him how to use it. For a second Harry wondered how long it would take him to reach this level, but Dumbledore's voice brought him back to reality.
"Both James and Sirius told everyone who would listen that the latter was the Secret Keeper. Lily performed the charm so I just believed them. Sirius definitely didn't help himself with the way he was caught."
Here Charlus cut in, "But why he didn't get a trial. Everyone else did."
Dumbledore sighed. "Crouch had a lot of power back then. Most of what he said, became the law. When they caught Sirius surrounded by destruction and death, they never questioned his guilt. It was war Charlus and we both know how things are during those times. After all, we already fought in one."
Harry glanced at Charlus and noticed as his face fell. The boy wanted to ask what it was all about but knew that it wasn't the time.
"You are right, but we still need to know what really happened back then. Will you help us? I have some contacts and favors I can call on, but that won't be enough. At least not in this time," Charlus grumbled.
"I will," Dumbledore answered almost instantly. "If there is a chance that Sirius is innocent then I can't ignore it."
Charlus nodded. "Good. Now we need to figure out how to get the truth out of Sirius and make everybody believe it. Your influence and godfather contract should be enough to give Sirius a trial. The rest could be more problematic."
Suddenly Harry remembered something he read in a book a few days ago, "What about the potion? Veri-versum?"
"Veritaserum," Charlus corrected. "We will ask for it, but in Wizengamot, Veritaserum is unfair and unreliable to use during a trial. One can resist its effects with mind arts and strong will. And there is also a part of what the one under the serum believes."
Harry frowned. "What they believe?"
"Veritaserum can only make you say what you believe to be the truth, not what is the real truth," Dumbledore explained before turning to Charlus. "What about some personal notes, documents even diaries left after Lilly and James. Maybe you will find something there if they even exist."
"I will need to check the vault where things from Godric Hollow are stored. Hopefully, they left something."
Dumbledore nodded and got up from his chair, "I will contact Madam Bones. I am sure she would love to hear about this. She is a fair woman and as the Head of DMLE should be able to help me get Sirius out of Azkaban for a trial," he stopped near the fireplace and swept his gaze over the room. "I will call for an emergency meeting in a week's time. Be sure to have everything ready on your part by then. For now, I bid you goodnight."
With that, the Headmaster threw a handful of the floo powder into the fireplace. Green fire exploded out of the pit and illuminated the room as Dumbledore disappeared from sight.
A loud sigh reached Harry's ears and the boy turned towards his grandfather.
"That went better than I thought it would," Charlus snorted before addressing his grandson. "Go to bed Harry, we got a long week before us."
It certainly was a very long and tiring week.
Both Harry and Charlus spent hours upon hours searching through the things from Godric Hollow. It came with a big surprise when they discovered the number of stuff goblins managed to collect from the destroyed house.
It was during this search that they came upon a very important item. A will created by Lily and James Potter. It was hidden between the pages of a book so the Potter duo wasn't overly surprised that no one discovered it before. Goblins only did what they were paid for and left the items completely forgotten.
Most of the will was useless as no one ever made it official, but it gave them the much-needed evidence that Sirius might be innocent. After all, if according to Harry's parents Peter Pettigrew was the Secret keeper, then maybe Sirius' actions could be somehow explained.
Harry shook his head as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. A black dress robe covered his body and the boy winced as the material tickled his skin. He wanted to throw the robe away and just go with his standard clothing. Unfortunately, Charlus insisted that Wizengamot was one of the places where traditional clothing was required.
Harry's gaze switched to his grandfather and a smirk made his way onto his face when he noticed Charlus fidget in his place.
"Bloody robes. I forgot how uncomfortable this shite was," he grumbled. "Come, Harry, the faster we get through this, the quicker I can throw the robe back into the trash."
Harry snickered and followed the cursing man through the door.
Updated Note: THe next chapter will be out in a few hours. It was meant to be out during Wednesday, but I will probably need a few more hours. So while my readers from America will get what they were promised, anyone from the East will probably read the chapter tomorrow... Sorry, this entire process of revisiting this story, took a lot longer than I initially thought.
Have a good day/night.
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