Author's Notes:

Hi everyone! I know this chapter is super short but it didn't feel right going on with it. I like to end my chapters naturally so you'll find that sometimes I have really long chapters (like chapters 3 and 4) and sometimes I have short chapters (like this one and the second one). But I also spoiled you guys this week with two postings so I hope you're not too mad! Also, I think it's going to work better if I do my regular postings on Thursdays.

And a special shout out to those of you who have commented! Your comments remind me that I'm writing for more than just myself. Thank you!

I hope you like this chapter! To me, it's very emotional. I am sorry for the cliffhanger again. I can't help myself!

Chapter Five: The Evidence

"What is the meaning of this unprecedented interruption?" Fudge asked, his voice raising and his face turning a lovely shade of maroon.

James simply looked at Fudge before turning his attention back to Scrimgeour and stating, "I am Lord James Potter, Duke of Roxburghe and sole heir to the Potter family fortune and lands. I am here today to discuss the illegal imprisonment of Lord Sirius Black, Marques of Lothian and heir to the Black family fortune and lands. He is currently being imprisoned on the false charges selling out my family to Lord Voldemort and being a Death Eater; of which Sirius Black did neither and is neither."

Fudge, his already red face deepening in color spoke before Scrimgeour could, "That is utterly preposterous. Black has been imprisoned in accordance with our laws and all due course—"

Scrimgeour interrupted Fudge, completely ignoring the fact that the Minister had even been speaking, "What evidence do you have to prove Sirius Black's innocence?"

"Anything that you would want. Memories of Lily and I choosing Peter Pettigrew as our secret keeper, sworn testimony from myself of that accord, my memories from that night if need be! Anything you want." James said.

Scrimgeour stared at James for several minutes before he sighed and folded his arms, "Lord Potter, I'm not sure if that evidence will be enough to release Lord Black from prison. The evidence against him is overwhelming an—"

"The evidence against Sirius is circumstantial at best! It hardly establishes guilt. Rather, it eludes to a potential of guilt and a jury would have never convicted him," James interrupted.

Scrimgeour looked at James before continuing, "The evidence against Lord Black is overwhelming and it would take a great deal of counterevidence to overturn his verdict."

"What 'verdict'? He never received a trial!" Remus barked, his eyes turning dark brown. Scrimgeour paled, this is the first time a shadow of the wolf was seen on Remus' face since he entered the building.

Scrimgeour loosened the tie around his neck, his face turning redder by the minute, "That may be so, Mr…?"

"Lupin. Remus Lupin."

"Very well, Mr. Lupin. But we were under a threat of war and certain policies were in effect that overrode the typical legal system within our magical community."

"Bullocks!" James shouted, "You put an innocent man in jail and you're attempting to cover it up as we speak!"

"Now see here, Lord Potter, you cannot speak to the head of the auror department like this! I mean, really!" Fudge shouted back at James, "Sit down and have a proper conversation about this. I'm sure there was a reason that Black didn't receive a trial all those years ago."

"I will not sit down. I may not be a Minister of Magic but I do still retain my seat on the Wizengamot and I am a Lord among wizards. I would think that I severely outrank you, Minister," James said, his voice cold and deep as his blue eyes bore into the brown ones of Fudge.

"Mist—Lord Potter, I understand that this is important to you and that you feel wronged by the ministry's decision to find Black guilty. However, there are proper channels to go through in order to obtain a trial for an inmate of Azkaban. We cannot just drag prisoners out willy nilly," Scrimgeour stated.

"Bullocks to that. I know for a fact that the ministry held a trial for Bartemius Crouch Jr. during the end of the war without going through the proper channels," Remus spat.

Fudge paled, "Now see here that was a completely different situation—"

"He was beyond guilty and everyone, even those running the trial, knew it. He had admitted his guilt!" Remus interrupted.

"Enough!" Scrimgeour yelled, "That's enough, that's enough! Potter, you give me those memories and I will review them personally. If they reflect what you're stating they do, then the auror department will take a review of Black's case and consider giving him a trial. We will leave it to a vote of the Wizengamot, that you will abstain from," Scrimgeour stated his last five words as if they were each their own sentence, "Do I make myself clear?"

James nodded curtly before taking out his wand. Fudge jumped away from James, his eyes wide, "What do you think you're doing?"

James, confused, said, "Giving Scrimgeour my memories so that he can review them, like he asked," James made several flasks appear before him as he spoke, "Do you have a problem with that?"

Fudge physically relaxed and said, "No, no I understand. I'm sorry for insinuating, well, my apologies."

James quickly extracted the memories and placed them into the flasks one at a time, "Accepted. Please write me once a decision has been made. I do intend to visit him at Azkaban and I do not expect anyone to stop me."

Scrimgeour simply nodded and then said, "That's your prerogative."

"On another matter. My son, Harry, has reportedly been living with Muggles. I will be taking him home. Today. I am his parent and it is my right to retain custody of my child. I expect there will be no repercussions to that decision?" James explained.

Scrimgeour simply nodded his consent, "Now, if that's all I will kindly tell you to get the hell out of my office. You should hear from me within the month regarding these memories."

James nodded and then turned on his heel and left the office with Remus on his heels.

~ID~

Five days later James found himself standing before a white, two story house with a kept lawn and a smooth driveway. The neighborhood that Number 4 Privet Drive was nestled in was quiet and calm; the sun was shining down and the grass was green and lush despite the crisp chill in the air. All seemed well. One car was parked in the driveway and James could see a little tricycle resting on the lawn and the driveway as if it had been left in a hurry.

James shoved his hands into his pockets before walking up the driveway to the pretty little front stoop. James stood in front of the door for several minutes running through everything in his head. Reminding himself that Harry probably wouldn't remember him, that he had only been a little over one when everything happened and he was now a bit over 3. He was reminding himself that Harry probably felt like Petunia and Vernon were his parents. This is the hardest thing that James had ever done.

He stood there for another minute before mustering up the courage to knock on the front door. James waited patiently for the door to open. When it did, a woman with blond hair and a long neck opened it while shouting at someone behind her that he could not see. When she turned around her face paled and her eyes grew wide; she brought her hand to her mouth to cover it.

"Hello, Petunia, I'm here to take Harry home."

End Notes:

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