Chapter 6- Justice served
Harry jogged around the Black lake. He had thought of a plan to free Sirius and this was the time to enact that plan.
He weighed the plus and minus of the plan and contemplated the entire setup.
He entered his dorm to freshen up and then got ready for breakfast.
He cast a patronus and sent a message to Sirius. He then cast another Patronus and sent it to Ripclaw.
He then made his way to breakfast and sat down at his table.
He continued his breakfast as most of them had not yet made their way to the great hall yet.
" Potter. " He heard a smooth voice call out.
" Zabini" he greeted the Italian boy.
" Join me." He invited him.
" I wanted to ask a favour out of you Potter. I want you to train me." He said, surprising Harry.
"Pardon me Zabini, but I need to train you??" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
He nodded.
Harry sighed. " Tell me Zabini. What should I do if you join the opposite side of me? I don't want to teach an enemy of mine to fight." He said and observed the boy.
" My mother was a close friend of your father Potter. To be frank, your grandfather was the godfather of my mother. We will fight only on the side of a Potter. The last time, your Grandfather convinced my mother to stay back in Italy and that is the reason why the Zabini family didn't fight in the last war. This time, I will stand against his side. I will be taking the headship soon and I wanted to secure the friendship of our long allies.
My mother had tried contacting you but was ashamed that you will not react well if you feel that we have abandoned you.
My sister would have written to you but mother forbade her from writing to you before she knew what you thought of us." He said to a surprised Harry.
" Your sister??" He questioned.
" Elena Zabini. She goes to Salem Institute." He said.
Harry thought for some time. It wasn't surprising. He would have lashed out against them for ignoring him. As for knowing about him, he wasn't surprised. The Zabini family can get information on anyone and anything.
A plan formed in his mind.
" I want your mother to give me any and every dirt she has on Fudge. Now.
Hedwig" he called his phoenix.
He conjured a parchment and quill out of thin air and pushed it towards the shocked boy.
"You… y...um" ,
" We don't have time. Write to her. Quick." He said.
He then conjured a piece of parchment and quill for himself and started writing. After some time, he sealed the parchment with his Headship ring.
" The name of your family place??" He asked the boy.
" Zabini's Retreat" he said.
" You heard him, girl. Go and get a reply for me." He said and tied it to Hedwig who disappeared with a trill.
" So Zabini, what do you want me to teach you??" He asked the boy.
The students started to arrive for breakfast.
Daphne Greengrass and Tracy Davis joined Harry at the Gryffindor table.
They were surprised to see the usually quiet boy speaking with Harry.
" Hey girls", Blaise greeted them.
Harry turned to see them and smiled at them.
" Morning", he said.
" Morning Harry," both the girls said in unison.
They started to eat as well.
Hedwig flamed in and sat on Harry's shoulder.
" So she wrote back??" Asked Blaise.
Hedwig nodded.
Harry relieved her of her burden.
" Go have a fly will you??" He asked. She trilled and shook her head.
"Alright, go see Padfoot. I am sure he would love the company." He said.
Hedwig trilled and disappeared.
" Who is Padfoot??" Asked a curious Daphne.
" Ahh, you will know soon." He said.
He picked up the letter written to him.
He scanned the contents and read everything in detail. His face took on different kinds of expressions from disgust to anger to exasperation to shock.
" I take it that there are some rather hmmm 'interesting' things in it." Asked Blaise.
" You have no idea." Harry said and grimaced.
" So, what will you teach me??" He asked.
Daphne and Tracy perked up at that.
" Teaching?? What are you teaching??" Daphne rounded up on Harry.
He just raised his eyebrow and she blushed.
"He asked me to train him. I thought, why not. So the phrase, teach'." He said
" You are learning from him??" She asked Blaise.
He grinned and nodded.
" Teach me as well." She asked him.
" Why do you want to learn? Him, I can understand. What about you??" Harry asked her.
" Well, my father is thinking of joining your house in the wizengamot as allies. I am frankly amazed by your abilities. I can't think of anyone more perfect to help me keep me and my family safe. I have a younger sister to protect." She said,as
Harry locked his eyes with her.
She felt like she was being evaluated.
Harry nodded and her smile lit up the area.
Tracy looked like she wanted to say something and was pleading with Harry using her eyes.
Harry rolled his eyes. " Yes Tracy. You can join as well."
" Yes!!" she cheered while waving her arms wildly.
" Teach me anything you can." He said.
" Woah. We don't do that here.
You need to prove you are worthy of me giving my time to teach you. I know it sounds too much but I could be reading and learning new things." He said with a straight face.
" What should we do??" Asked an excited Daphne.
"Tell me guys. What do you think of magic in general??" He asked them.
Whatever they were expecting, this was not one of them.
" Think carefully. I want a proper answer and then I will teach you guys." He said and went back to his breakfast.
The three Slytherins sat in thought. Harry teaching them would be a huge plus point to them. The house of Potter commanded extraordinary respect in Slytherin as well and allying themselves with him will make the others think twice before approaching them.
Other than that, they knew that Harry would make a great friend and powerful teacher to them. They want to earn his loyalty.
" I think that magic is a way of life. It is important to us. But it is just that. A talent. A special ability that makes us different from other muggles.
Magic is an art which we learn to use accordingly and make it all the more beautiful. It is a dangerous thing. Yes. But it is an extremely beautiful thing."
It was Daphne who said this.
Harry smiled and nodded. He was impressed by her words.
According to Harry , just because they have magic, purebloods think that they are special and unique and superior.
He thought in the similar way of Daphne.
Magic is a talent. A science of living. A special ability which we must tune to get better and beautiful results.
Lots of people didn't understand the truth about magic. It is as dangerous as it is beautiful.
He was truly disappointed with the muggleborns. They should be excited about magic in general. They should try to understand the very way of magic but all they care about is doing a spell and getting marks.
" Magic is a weapon. A truly dangerous weapon. It can make and break societies. We know about the imperious. It can make people do all kinds of bad stuff by losing control of their mind.
At the same time, spells like the patronus charm are used to instill happiness and belief in people.
It's truly intent based. A person can do anything using his intent with magic as a focus.
Magic is all about intent." Zabini spoke.
Harry nodded. He was right and Harry agreed wholeheartedly with it.
" Magic is a responsibility. It's a sense of satisfaction for us wizards and witches. It is something that is not taken lightly. " Tracy put in her two galleons.
Harry clapped.
" Excellent. You truly have a basic grasp of the theory and the basis of magic. It would be great to train with you guys. Let's work out a schedule. We will practice when we have time." He said with a smile that was replicated by the three.
The doors of the great hall opened and a very healthy and handsome looking Sirius Black walked in.
" Ahh, hello dear Hogwarts." He said with a cheeky grin.
" Dear Minny, I see you are still the same." He said to McGonagall.
" Professor Flitwick, as small as ever I see." He grinned.
" Snivellus!! Long time no see. Still the greasy git are you??" He asked to which Snape growled.
" Sirius." Called Dumbledore.
" Ahh, you finally remembered me old man. It's a pleasure you know. It was a very good vacation that I had taken to Azkaban." He snapped at Dumbledore.
The entire hall was silent and looking at Sirius Black with fear.
Harry sighed.
" My godfather is still a damn kid." He said.
" Harry. How wonderful to see…" He was interrupted.
" Sirius." He said. " Just sit down. Don't speak until I tell you and for god's sake wipe that stupid smirk off your face." He said in slight exasperation.
Sirius nodded and sat down next to him.
He saw the entire hall staring at him and turned to face them.
He gave a charming smile.
"Hello. My name is Sirius Black. Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble house of Black, prankster extraordinary and Godfather of one handsome Harry Potter." He said.
Harry smacked his forehead.
" Ok. Fine. Spoil my fun." He pouted.
Snape rushed off the great hall. Harry saw him go and smiled.
The professors were watching the two of them warily.
"You are a follower of You Know Who. You are evil. Harry mate, he betrayed your parents. What are you doing with him??" It was Ron Weasley.
Harry sighed. This boy never learned.
" Shut up Ron." He said.
" What have you done to him, you snake?? He was not like this before. I know that you have bewitched his mind…." He stopped ranting at Sirius when he was blasted back by Harry.
" Well, let's put that as an' in the heat of the moment' action." He said.
The door to the great hall opened and the Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge with his bowler hat along with a woman dressed in pink and another strict no nonsense type woman who Harry identified as Madam Amelia Bones, the head of Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
They were accompanied by two dozen aurors. " Arrest that man. Don't let him get away." He shouted to the aurors.
" Ah, Cornelius. I am glad you arrived." Dumbledore said to the man.
" I received a call from your potions professor. He said that Sirius Black is sitting in the castle and that we must arrive quickly. It was true." He said and pointed to Black.
" Hem. Hem." Dumbledore grimaced at the sound. He put on his smile and turned to the woman that made the sound.
" Ah. Delores. How are you my dear??" He asked.
Sirius fake gagged that caused Daphne and Tracy to giggle.
" Pardon me Headmaster, but what is a wanted fugitive doing within the range of small children. Is this the way you protect the interests of the students??" She asked in a girly voice and many of them grimaced from that tone.
Dumbledore rubbed his eyes with a sigh.
" Ms Umbridge, we didn't allow Mr Black into the castle. It was Lord Potter that asked him to come to the school."
The minister and his entourage gasped.
Cornelius went wide eyed. The aurors that had arrived looked wide eyed too.
The Umbridge lady had a faint sneer and Harry raised his eyebrows to that.
" Harry my boy!!!!" Fudge started but was silenced quickly by Harry.
"My boy? Tell me Cornelius, since when am I 'your boy' as you put it so brilliantly?"
He asked sarcastically.
He raised his hand and willed the Potter ring to appear.
Fudge stood open mouthed in surprise.
" You silly boy. How dare you talk to the minister in that manner??" Umbridge shrieked.
Harry just raised his eyebrows.
" And you are???" He asked in a soft voice.
She raised her head and smiled her sickening sweet smile that made Harry grimace inwardly.
" Lady Delores Umbridge. Senior UnderSecretary to the Minister of Magic." She said proudly.
" Lady?? I don't think there is any ancient family called Umbridge. " Harry said seriously.
" No there isn't but…." She was stopped mid sentence.
" Then you are no Lady and certainly of no importance to me and I don't see fit to speak to you. And you better use my title Miss. What do you say, minister?? It won't be good for the minister's undersecretary to forget etiquette and disrespect a Potter of all people now will it??" He asked in a smooth voice.
Now Fudge may be many things but not an idiot. He of course knew the power that the Potters and his allies had. It would be his political suicide.
He back pedalled instantly.
"O.. Of course my lord. I apologise. Delores, apologise now." He ordered.
" But Minister…" she stammered.
" No buts. Apologise to Lord Potter. Now." He said in a tone that broke no arguments.
Umbridge gritted her teeth.
" I apologise, Lord Potter. I had no idea about your status." She said though her apology was anything but that.
" Tell me Fudge. Why do you want to arrest Sirius??" He asked, now really irritated.
" Black was responsible for the death of Potters and thirteen other muggles. He betrayed your parents. He comes from such a dark family, it is understood that he turns that way…." He stopped suddenly when Harry slammed his hand on the table.
" Another word about the Black family and I will end you where you stand, Fudge.
You might have forgotten your limits." He said in a dangerously low voice and his eyes started to glow eerily green.
" You have some nerve. Standing in front of the heir Black and insulting his house." He said.
He willed the Black Heir ring to appear.
This revelation was more shocking to the others.
Daphne sat wide eyed at this revelation.
" But Lucius…" he trailed off.
" Lucius is a scumbag. He thought that he would get the reign of this house just because he married a Black. He was wrong. He will get his due. You are playing a very dangerous game, mingling with the likes of Malfoy and his shit group Fudge." He said.
Umbridge chose that moment to interfere.
" How dare you? Lucius Malfoy is very good…." Was as far as she got.
Harry's hand was out in a flash and with a sway, the woman was transfigured into a toad.
The hall burst into laughter.
" Fitting end." He deadpanned.
" Sirius is innocent. If that fool Crouch had bothered to use veritaserum, he would have been free and spent the next twelve damn years out in the open. Instead, due to shits like you, he gets to be tortured to insanity by those filthy soul sucking creatures." He said in anger.
" But he was the secret keeper…" Madam Bones started.
Harry shook his head.
" You must be Lady Bones. Or do you prefer Madam Bones??" He asked her as he took her hand to kiss in greetings.
" Madam Bones will do fine, Lord Potter." She said and smiled.
" Harry or Mr Potter then Madam Bones.
But getting back to your point.
Sirius Black wasn't the secret keeper of my parents. It was Pettigrew.
Peter Pettigrew. The bastard betrayed my parents." He said with so much venom that shocked many people.
" But, Pettigrew was found to be dead." Madam Bones said, with a frown.
"The keyword as you so brilliantly put forward here is ' found to be dead' my lady. Not ' was found dead'. Peter Pettigrew was not found dead. He was found to be dead." He spoke, puzzling many people.
" It's all confusing Mr Potter. I am not getting where you are going." She said in confusion.
" Ok. Let's put an end to this confusion.
Tell me Madam Bones, what is the last thing found of Peter Pettigrew after his supposed death??" He asked her.
" A finger." She said, Then realisation hit her like a train.
" A finger. A damn finger." She swore.
" So you understand what I am trying to convey?" He asked her with a grin.
Amelia nodded her head.
" How can you be so sure that a person is dead when all you find of him is a finger??" He asked rhetorically.
" You can't. Alright, it was war time and it was difficult. But if you guys had bothered to check, Sirius Black had performed the Godfather's oath to swear to protect his godson. Harry James Potter." He finished.
" Oh… The oath. He cannot harm you." Amelia deduced.
"Excellent. So that leaves only two options. Either my parents didn't cast a Fidelius Charm at all or the secret keeper was someone else." He said and looked around.
People were hanging onto every word he spoke.
" This is where things get interesting."
He said and started to rub the tip of his index and middle finger with his thumb tip.
" This is where I tell you, how a coward of the worst sort, managed to fool the mighty British Ministry of Magic and escape punishment for all these years. " He said and continued.
" All those years back probably in the year 1976. Let's take the example of four friends. These four friends, let us call them ' The Marauders'", he said with a grin.
Fred and George Weasley perked up at that.
" These friends were as thick as thieves. Three of them were very intelligent, powerful and bright. The fourth one was a bit different than the rest. He was not as brave as the three nor talented but would manage because of the three.
Now one of the groups used to disappear oddly at a certain time in a month. The other friends were being told that the boy's parents were ill and so he was taken away.
When the other friends asked him as to what the reason was the boy used to avoid it.
It didn't take long for the two bright boys to figure out why their friend used to disappear as they saw a pattern.
The boy was a werewolf. The boy was scared of the others knowing about him, especially his friends. He thought that he would be abandoned.
Imagine his surprise when his friends became animagi at the young age of fifteen just so that they could help with his transformation.
One boy became a stag. One more became a black dog. The third one became a rat." He explained to the silent hall.
" This rat, like his form, was a snivelling coward. He joined the wrong side of the war and brought about the death of two of his friends. Two of his most trusted friends." He said sadly.
" Let's meet the rat shall we??" He said and summoned the rat from his dorm with a flick of his wand.
The others watched funnily when a rat came zooming towards Harry.
" Ladies and Gentlemen. Meet Peter Pettigrew. The betrayer of the Potters and Sirius Black." He said and with a slash of his wand, the rat disappeared and a fat balding man with a rat-like face appeared in place of the rat.
The room gasped.
" The stag was my father, dog Sirius, rat this bastard. They were all illegal animagus." He said sadly. He felt a hand on his shoulder and saw his godfather.
Sirius put a hand around his godson's shoulder.
"B..but… he is …" Fudge stammered.
" Oh for Christ's sake. Take this rat. Call a damn wizengamot meeting. We have some mistakes to correct other than that of Sirius and we have work to do. Another has suffered unjustly and I will have to help her." He said and signalled towards the unconscious rat.
Madam Bones nodded.
" Auror Shacklebolt, arrest him and cuff him. Put an anti animagus charm on him.
Lord Black, if you will??" She said and signalled him to go with them.
Sirius nodded.
" Go on Sirius. And for Merlin's sake, behave till tomorrow." Harry said with a shake of his head.
" You are no fun, pup." He said and engulfed the boy in a hug.
Harry hugged him back and held him for some time.
" We will make this right." He whispered to his godfather.
The man nodded and exited with the aurors.
Harry sat down on his table in a daze. He let out a deep sigh. Daphne took his hand and squeezed in reassurance. Harry smiled. He will make things right.
&&&&&--
" There is an emergency Wizengamot session called tomorrow." Marcus Greengrass said to his wife.
" Do you know why??" Ana asked her husband.
" I have no idea." He said.
" Well, then we can do nothing but wait for tomorrow and see what the day brings in." She soothed her husband.
She then observed Apollo come in through the window.
" Well Daphne has written again." She said and opened the letter.
As she read through it, her eyebrows rose comically.
" Well Marcus. I think you have an answer to what will happen tomorrow." She gave her husband who took the letter frowning in confusion.
He coughed and sputtered in shock to the contents of the letter.
" Oh Merlin. This will be a huge issue. We will become a laughing stock.
Fudge will destroy us." He said.
" I should write to Sebastian and ask for shelter in his abode." He said dramatically.
" I don't think that will work, Marcus Greengrass. I think our daughter will say otherwise." She suggested pointedly.
Cyrus frowned and then the realisation hit him.
" Oh!!!" He exclaimed.
" You will not interfere in their matters Marcus. Let it run its course. We will see where this goes. The girl needs this." She said, and Marcus nodded.
&&&&--
The whole of wizarding Britain was in anticipation as to why there was an emergency session called.
The Lords and Ladies of the wizengamot made their way wondering what the reason for this emergency session was.
Dumbledore took his place along with Fudge also took his seat.
The court was full and the session started.
Dumbledore as Chief Warlock started the session.
" If anybody has something to say before the session, the floor is yours." He said.
"We have a new member joining us today, Chief Warlock. A new Lord." It was Madam Bones.
" Let's welcome him then." Dumbledore said merrily.
" Lord Harry James Potter. Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, Peverell and the Heir of the Most Ancient and NobleHouse of Black." She pointed to the doors.
The doors opened and in stepped Harry.
He looked every bit a proud pureblood lord.
He moved slowly at his own pace looking like a predator among its prey. His eyes stood out and so did the billowing robes with three crests on his robes.
His hair was braided and tied back in a pony.
He stood tall and handsome. Power seems to come from him in waves.
Harry made his way to the Potter and Peverell seats and stood to speak.
" Thank you Chief Warlock. I am honoured to join this great body today. It's a privilege to work with you fellow Lords and Ladies.
Moving on to the matter at hand. The Potter seat has been idle for the past thirteen years and the Peverell seat has been idle for the past thousand two hundred years.
I have renounced all and every alliance made for the Potter and Peverell seats before me and moved both my seats to the Neutral faction. " He said with authority.
The wizengamot was stunned. But the older ones were not. The Potters were Neutrals to begin with. So Harry Potter joining neutrals is not a surprise.
" And continuing, I as Heir Black, in the absence of the patriarch of my family, relinquish any and all alliances that have been made after the death of Arcturus Black and the alliance through marriage that has been formed with the marriage of the daughters of the house.
I also moved my family to the Neutral faction." He said and the impending changes were recognised by Dumbledore.
The Wizengamot erupted in cacophony. Many of the light and the dark faction were furious. Especially the dark faction. Lots of them had business with the Black family and it's investments. Losing the support of that family was a blow.
They had received the funding for their family business from the Blacks. If they were to pay back the money, many families would become paupers.
Lucius Malfoy stood up. He was furious.
" Pardon me Mr Potter…", he was cut short by Harry.
" Lord Potter. You will address me as Lord Potter or Lord Peverell or Heir Black.
Anything else and you will be crawling back to that farm of yours in France before I sneeze." He said.
The Wizengamot burst out laughing. This was fun for most of them.
Lucius grit his teeth. He was bursting in anger.
" Forgive me Lord Potter. I didn't mean to offend you. I merely don't get why you are Heir Black when my son, who I remind you, is the son of the daughter of Black and hence has a more meaningful claim." He said smoothly.
"Aww… Poor little Lucius. Didn't Daddy teach you about who my Grandfather was??" He asked in a mocking tone.
" For your information Lucius, Baron Charlus Potter, bless his soul, my dear Grandfather, was married to a very wonderful and smart and a beautiful woman. Do you know who?? Take a guess." He said to Lucius.
" My Grandmother, Dorea Black. Sister of one Baron Arcturus Black, best friend and brother to Charlus Potter and my dear Grand uncle.
So tell me Lucius, being one of the Black blood through my father and grandmother, how the hell do I not have a claim over the Black Heirship when my sworn Godfather has appointed me as his heir." He finished smoothly.
Lucius sat down staring at him dumbly.
Harry then straightened up. His eyes started to glow eerily.
" All you shits who owe money to my family better return it all by the end of the next week. The failure to do so will lead to unpleasant consequences." He hissed coldly.
He gestured for Dumbledore to continue.
" Today we have gathered here to right the previous wrongs. We will be correcting the life of two people who should be innocent but due to circumstances, they have faced injustice.
Bring them in." He gestured to the door.
The doors opened and three people walked in.
Harry counted till three and then then, the cacophony erupted.
The reason was because of the people bought in. Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew and lastly, Bellatrix Lestrange.
Many screamed bloody murder when they were brought in.
Harry took a look at his godmother for the first time.
The once very beautiful Bellatrix Black now stood a far cry from beautiful. She was still beautiful, but not like before.
Her eyes almost seemed lifeless. There was some amount of emotions in it and Harry felt something break inside him.
This woman was truly an example. She had been broken to such an extent and she was still breathing. He felt proud of his godmother.
He had played this game. He bought out Pettigrew, and spoke out his game.
He then made sure that Sirius goes with them as well. By using his status, he made sure that they would listen to Sirius, who brought with him the information about Bellatrix. He was sure that once Madam Bones would know what happened long back, Bella was free.
&&&&&--
Bellatrix watched as she was led into the Wizengamot. She was truly shocked when she was told that she will be put to trial.
She had spent the past few days with the Patronus. Harry's patronus. Her dear godson's patronus.
The Dementors never bothered her again. The patronus would bring calm and peace to her. Happiness as well.
Now though, she was nervous. Would she see her godson?? How will he be?? Does he truly not hate her??
Her eyes roamed through the court and sought for the Potter Crest.
She looked at the person sitting on the seat and her breath caught in her throat.
The young man resembled James in many ways, but those eyes. The eyes belonged to her little Hare-bare. She could identify those beautiful eyes even in her sleep.
He was very handsome. Her godson was very powerful. She could feel the power around him.
Her eyes became misty and tears threatened to fall out. She composed herself.
&&&&&&&--
" Today, we will be having a trial requested by Lord Potter, for the acquittal of Lady Bellatrix Lestrange and Lord Sirius Black for their crimes which are supposed to have not happened." Dumbledore spoke after silencing the entire courtroom.
A very angry Augusta Longbottom stood up. Her eyes were showing pure fury.
" What are you talking about?? How can you think that she is innocent??" Her voice was filled with venom. Many recoiled at her anger.
" She is the one that tortured my son and daughter in law to madness. She is the reason that my son is as good as dead." She screamed.
There were affirmative shouts for that. Many of them hurled insults at Bellatrix.
Harry had enough. A loud bang echoed across the room and silence reigned.
" I wouldn't be so sure of that, Lady Longbottom." Harry said calmly.
" What rubbish is this?? That bitch is the reason for my Neville living almost like an orphan. " She shouted.
Harry saw red.
" And who the hell am I to blame for becoming an orphan??" He snapped. The courtroom suddenly became silent. Deathly silent.
" Who should I blame for my parents leaving me?? Who must I ask for me being thrown into the muggle world when my parents died??" He shouted.
" Your grandson had a grandmother who never abused him. Never hit him. Never whipped him. Never made him work in the gardens in hot summer for the entire day. Never had himself been hit with a frying pan. Never had to cook at the age of four.
What about me??" He asked.
" Where were you all those years when I didn't even know the names of my parents till I was ten years old??" He questioned.
" Every fucking year, you people celebrate Samhain. Have any of you stopped to think about my parents?? Have any of you paid respects to them after a certain war?? Have any of you thought about what happened to the boy who lost his entire world at the age of one?? He growled.
" And now you have the nerve to talk about being an orphan to me?? You should be ashamed of yourself, Lady Longbottom." He said with certainty.
The woman flushed in embarrassment and sorrow.
" I want my family back. Can any of you give them back??" He asked the courtroom.
" If Neville requires his parents back, so do I. Bring them back to me. I will donate every single thing that belongs to me to you, if I could stay with them for an evening. Can you??" He asked.
The courtroom was deathly silent.
An occasional sniffing could be heard.
" You can't. So do the right thing and give me back the only family I have left. I am not asking you to pardon them without a trial. I want you people to give them a chance and cross examine them. A trial won't make much of a difference. Either they will be proved innocent or guilty and sent back to Azkaban." He said with a shrug.
" But how can she be innocent?? She accepted her crimes during the trial." Augusta said.
Harry shook his head.
" It wasn't a fair trial. If so, Sirius would be free by now and I would have had my godfather and godmother to look after me than be abused all my life." He deadpanned.
He sighed.
" Tell me Lady Longbottom. What is the Ottoman's Contract??" He questioned to gasps of the entire courtroom.
" They didn't!!!" She exclaimed.
Harry nodded.
" They did. Ottoman's Contract, is the contract of the old. It's a contract which magically and emotionally binds you to the one you are tied to.
All this time, Bellatrix was in the control of Rudolphus Lestrange all this time. The bastard was in the pocket of Voldemort", there were gasps all around to which Harry rolled his eyes.
" Come on people. You are better than that. Don't fear a stupid name.
Anyway, as I said, Walburga Black was the reason for this mess. She led to the death of Regulus Black by brainwashing him and making him join those bastards.
Bellatrix was too strong and independent.
The Lestranges wanted a trophy for carrying a heir and this bitch wanted connections and that is the reason for the marriage contracts for the three sisters.
Narcissa Black was not much of a fighter. She went ahead with the wedding to Malfoy without any opposition.
Andromeda was like Bellatrix. She escaped the family before the contract was signed.
Fearing that Bellatrix would follow the same way, they made up the old contract." He finished.
Dumbledore then instructed the administration of veritaserum to the three of them.
" Your full names Please." He asked.
" Bellatrix Isabella Black"
" Sirius Orion Black"
"Peter Armando Pettigrew"
Came the replies.
" Ms Black, how did you become a Black again??" The question came.
" I don't know. I suddenly lost all the bindings I felt towards Lestrange and felt free." She said,
" What happened that night in the house of Longbottoms??" Another question.
" I was ordered to go with the Lestrange brothers and Barty Crouch Jr by Voldemort.
I resisted but it was no use.
I was then taken to the Longbottom manor, there I was told to kill the baby.
I resisted. Everytime I resisted, my womb would burn with pain. I didn't know why, but I figured out that I have lost the capacity to bear children.
When I resisted his orders and put the baby in a cupboard upstairs after hitting it with a sleeping and a timed silencing charm, I went down and I felt my womb burn excruciatingly. My womb was destroyed. I figured out that my womb was bound to the curse in the contract." She said quietly.
Harry was horrified. This was new to him and judging by Sirius's face, he didn't know as well.
" I am sorry for bringing up those bad memories Ms Black. I had to ask." Dumbledore spoke, sorrow evident in his voice.
Bellatrix just nodded.
"Swear it. Swear that everything you have said is true." It was Neville Longbottom.
He was present in today's session.
It is a practice to have the heirs of the house to observe the proceedings of the wizengamot.
There were many of the heirs and heiresses present.
Daphne, Tracy, Blaise, Draco, Nott and many others.
" Heir Longbottom. Ms Black is under the strongest veritaserum. She is not lying." It was Dumbledore who said it but Bellatrix interrupted.
" It's fine. I will do it.
' I Bellatrix Isabella Black, swear on my life and magic that whatever I have said till now in the courtroom is true. I have not harmed anyone willingly and I have no intention to. So Mote it be.' " She finished.
There was a golden glow around her and as the glow diminished, she sat there alive and well.
Neville sat down heavily on his seat.
The courtroom proceeded with certain discussion.
Finally Dumbledore spoke.
" Those in favour of clearing the accused of all charges." He asked the courtroom.
Almost every wand was lit.
" Those who are against clearing the accused of her charges." He asked and nobody lifted a wand.
Dumbledore nodded.
"Ms Bellatrix Black,you are cleared of all charges. The court expresses its condolences for the ill fate you suffered. The Wizengamot will be providing a million galleons for the twelve years you have spent in Azkaban and also fifty percent of the wealth from the Lestrange vault for the galleons or things of your choice." he said and banged his gavel.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief. First phase is done.
" Next we have Sirius Orion Black, supposed betrayer of Potters and killer against a supposedly dead Peter Armando Pettigrew." Dumbledore announced.
" Lord Black. Were you the secret keeper of the Potters??" Was the first question.
" No. " He answered to the surprise of many.
" Mr Pettigrew, were you the secret keeper of the Potters??" Was the next question.
Peter struggled against his bonds and tried to lie but couldn't.
" Y...yes" he said.
" Did you betray the Potters to the Dark Lord Voldemort willingly??" Was the next question.
" Yes" he said and the courtroom was outraged.
" Lord Black, what happened on that day that you were arrested??" Dumbledore questioned.
" I felt something was off and felt the urge to go to the Potters. When I saw that the house stood in ruins, I was convinced that Peter had betrayed us.
My only thought was Harry. Bellatrix arrived at the spot. She had received information that there would be an attack on the Potters that day.
We went in to check on Harry and found both Lily and James dead.
We heard a crying sound and went to it and found Harry in his crib.
Hagrid then arrived, who was sent by Dumbledore to check on the Potters.
I gave Harry to him and then went in search of Peter. Probably the most foolish mistake of my life.
I followed Pettigrew, and when we were near an alley in a square, he shouted a decoy by calling me a killer and that I betrayed the Potters and then fired a spell at a nearby gas line.
The result was the explosion and killing of those muggles." He said.
The courtroom was silent as Sirius spoke about what happened that night.
Dumbledore spoke next.
" Is that the truth Mr Pettigrew??" He asked the man.
Peter whimpered in fright and pain.
" Yes," he nodded.
Dumbledore sighed and nodded.
" All those who want to clear Lord Black of all charges??" He asked and every wand was lit.
" All those to condemn Mr Peter Pettigrew to life in Azkaban??", Again all the wands were lit.
Dumbledore sighed.
" Sirius Black, you are cleared of all charges. The Wizengamot apologies to the injustice done to you and has decided to provide you with a compensation of one million galleons for every year you were in Azkaban." He said.
" Peter Pettigrew, you will be sentenced to life in Azkaban for the grave crimes against the Most Ancient and Noble house of Potter and Black." He banged his gavel.
Pettigrew was stunned and bound and was taken away by the aurors.
Sirius got up and approached his cousin and hugged her tightly.
" I am sorry you had to go through this." He whispered to her as she shook her head.
" I don't blame you Sirius. It's fine now. We are free." She told him with a smile.
" Do you want to see your godson??" He asked with a grin.
Her eyes lit up at the mention of Harry.
" How is he??" She asked him.
" Handsome, smart, intelligent, extremely powerful. You decide how he is now." He said as he led her out.
&&&&--
Harry exited the Wizengamot chamber when he was stopped by an irate looking Lucius Malfoy and his cohorts.
He smiled innocently.
" Lord Malfoy. What can I do for you??" He asked politely.
Lucius growled.
" You will meet the same sticky end your father and mudblood mother met Potter. Mark my words."
He was silenced when the air around became thick.
The people around stopped to watch what was happening.
They were stunned to see a brilliantly eerie glow of green in Harry Potter's eyes.
They took a step back.
Lucius took two hasty steps back when he saw that dangerous glow.
" What did you say??" Harry questioned him slowly.
" Care to repeat it??" He asked him.
Lucius moved to use his wand but was shocked when Harry swatted his wand away from the man. He fell to the ground as Harry advanced towards him.
He crawled away from him. Something about the boy made him very scared.
Harry crouched next to him.
" Care to repeat that again Lucius. I didn't hear you that time." He said smoothly.
" You have been very slippery, Lucius. Do you know, I can bury you where you stand and no one will know how I did it??" He said with a sweet smile.
" You have been very bad. Putting that diary in Hogwarts last year. How about we put it to trial Lucius??
How wonderful will it be for people to know that Lucius Malfoy has been using Voldemort's artifact to cause havoc in school??" He pointed out.
Malfoy paled at that.
" You caused a basilisk to run havoc around the school with children. Should I forgive you?" He asked.
He didn't think it was possible, but Lucius became all the more pale.
"You thought you could get away with this.
' you won't get away with this Malfoy. I will come for you. I will end you."
He hissed in Parseltongue.
Lucius looked positively frightened now.
" I will let this slip as in the heat of the moment. Next time you won't be lucky.
Choose your opponent carefully, Malfoy. Not everyone will be willing to bend to your wills. I dare you to play your stupid games against me." He hissed in anger.
Malfoy nodded.
He got up and looked at him with very high intensity.
" Run!!" He snapped.
Lucius got up and exited the place so quickly that he might have apparated.
Harry watched as lots of people were watching in awe and wonder at him.
" That was amazing. " He turned to see Daphne Greengrass and her family along with Tracy and her family and Blaise and his mother.
" Well, I aim to please," he said with a grin.
" Lord Potter, a pleasure to meet you." It was Lord Greengrass. He was a talk man with raven hair and blue eyes.
Harry shook his hand.
" The pleasure is mine, Lord Greengrass." He said politely.
" My wife Ana Greengrass, friends Lord Robert Davis and Lady cMaria Davis and Lady Angela Zabini." He introduced.
Harry politely greeted them.
Lord Davis was from whom Tracy got her eyes and hair. Her mother contributed to her beauty.
Then he saw Angela Zabini. The woman was very beautiful. She had an air of seductiveness around her and her eyes shone with intelligence.
" That was a great speech, Lord Potter." Lady Zabini told him.
Harry nodded.
" It wasn't much of a speech. I just went with the flow. There was a person's freedom on the line there." He said with a shrug and received a nod of approval from the others.
"You managed to hold yourself very well from the beginning. You were absolutely dominating." Lord Davis spoke.
" Well when you learn from someone like Dorea Potter and Charlus Potter, you tend to pick up these things." He said with a shrug.
" What were you talking about with Mr Malfoy?" Asked Blaise.
Harry smiled mischievously.
" Oh that is something between him and me. Let's just say that he won't be attempting much of anything uhm..' special' for some time from now." He said with a grin.
The others around him shuddered at his smile.
" I hope you aren't trying to flirt with my godson Angela?" A voice from behind said.
Harry turned to see his godmother and Godfather approaching the group.
" Me…. flirt, I really don't know what the hell you are talking about." Angela exclaimed.
Bellatrix went and stood in front of Harry.
He could see the fear in her eyes.
He just shook his head and approached her slowly.
He engulfed her in a tight hug and she sighed in relief and broke down crying.
" You don't know how long I wanted to hug you, Harry. I never thought that I would see the outside of Azkaban in my life." She whispered to him as she held onto him for dear life.
" It's alright. No need to worry anymore. You are free and we can live together from now. You have me to take care of.
Honestly, from the amount of trouble I find myself in, you will have a long time looking after me. Are you sure you are still upto the task??" He questioned her with a cheeky grin.
Bellatrix couldn't help but smile.
" Oh I will keep you in check Potter. I kept your father in check and I will keep you too. You don't know what you have gotten into, dear godson." She replied with a feral smile that had Harry gulp audibly.
The others around him laughed at his behaviour.
" Well it's time to take off. I will see you guys in school. Lord and Lady Greengrass and Davis and Lady Zabini, it was a pleasure meeting you. I hope to see you guys again." He said with a bow.
" Ana, Maria, Angela, it was good seeing you all again. I will write to you guys." Bellatrix said to which the others nodded.
They left in their respective ways.
&&&&&--
As the trio arrived at Potter Manor, Bellatrix looked at one of her favourite places in her life.
She always loved it here. Her Aunt Dorea, Uncle Charlus, and James.
She sighed.
Harry took her hand and smiled at her.
He then led her inside.
Tippy arrived with a pop. She saw Bellatrix and smiled.
" Mistress Bellatrix is back. Tippy is happy." She exclaimed happily.
Bellatrix smiled along with Sirius.
" I am glad that I am here Tippy." She said.
The group made their way into the sitting room and sat down.
" Thank you Harry." Bellatrix broke the silence.
" Thank you for believing in me. Thanks for helping me get out of there." She said as she took his hand.
" You don't have to thank me Mum." He said sincerely.
Bellatrix stiffened in her seat. She became wide eyed.
She looked at Harry in shock.
Harry smiled.
" You have had many things taken away from you. The least I can do is give you back in some form.
I never had my mother. But I have a feeling that I have a new one in you. I know it's early but from what I have heard of you, I am proud and honoured to call you my mother. Is it alright??" He asked with a bit of hesitation in his voice.
Bellatrix's smile could light up the entire world. She crushed Harry in a very tight hug.
" Of course you can call me Mum. You were always my son. The moment I held you in my hands I became your mother too. I didn't have the face to ask you to call me mother considering all these things. " She replied softly with tears.
Harry wiped her tears away.
" No need to worry mum. You are now the mother of the great Harry Potter. You must not cry. You should be honoured" he said in a mock pompousness.
Bellatrix laughed and hugged her son again.
Harry turned towards Sirius who was smiling at the duo.
" I would have called you dad, but you know what, you are way cooler as Padfoot. Besides, if I call you my dad and mum as mum it will be uhm.. a bit weird." He said with a grimace.
Sirius frowned in confusion.
" Weird, how…." And his eyes widened in realisation and he grimaced. He saw Harry laughing.
" Oh, you damn prat. Wait till I get you", and he turned into Padfoot and started chasing Harry around the room.
Sirius caught up with Harry and then started to tickle him.
Harry laughed loudly.
" Mum, save me from this bad man." He screamed to Bellatrix.
Bellatrix just shook her head.
" Ok boys stop it. And Sirius, next time you turn into a dog, I will curse your bits off." She said to Sirius.
Sirius pouted at that.
Harry got up and went to his Godfather. He hugged him tightly.
" No matter what, you will always be the father I never had. I just won't be calling you dad. But damn anyone who says otherwise." He said softly.
Sirius smiled softly. He hugged his godson.
" You too son. You became my son, the day you were born. I never wanted anyone else as my son in this world after you were born. I am glad I was made your godfather." He said.
Bellatrix joined their hug and the three stayed that way for sometime.
" So Mum. Care to tell any of your love stories in Hogwarts??" He asked with a cheeky grin.
They then spent the rest of the night talking and laughing about their school days.
Harry smiled at the duo. His family.
Things were seemingly going upwards.
He hoped it would be that way.
TBC--
Hey guys.
I have uploaded the next chapter and I hope this is to your liking as well. The reviews you guys have sent to me have been a blessing. It was sporting of you to point out my faults.
In the last chapter of Back to the Beginning, I had used the word 'guys' a lot of times. I apologise.
I had written that tentatively and didn't check properly while uploading.
I will make sure that doesn't happen going forward.
Enjoy the chapter and please do review. It helps.
Stay tuned……