In my story "The Boy who Planned," Sirius Black and Amelia Bones had a romantic relationship before he was sent to Azkaban; after Sirius is released from Azkaban, the relationship of Sirius and Amelia resumes with no problems. However, in this story, events play out differently.

Chapter 9
During the Next Month

The next day (Thursday, 1st August, 1991)
Number 4, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey

Harry had just finished eating breakfast (after first cooking the breakfast). Harry was up in his bedroom, grabbing up his moneybag and his Haroldus Potter wand; Harry had plans to visit the goblin healers today.

Harry's plans got adjusted slightly when an unfamiliar owl appeared at his window.

Amelia Bones wanted to know Harry's Muggle address, because she wanted to meet with him at his house. Harry wrote out his address, and attached the strip of parchment to the owl's leg. Rather than immediately leave for Gringotts, Harry sat down to wait for Madam Bones's visit.

A half-hour later, the Dursleys' doorbell was rung. Aunt Petunia tried to refuse letting Madam Bones in, till Madam Bones told Aunt Petunia, "I'm here on police business. If you refuse to let me in, I'll arrest you, Mrs Dursley. Your choice."

Madam Bones told Harry that she was there to take a good look at Petunia and Dudley (and at Vernon, but he was at work). Dudley did not disappoint Harry; he asked Madam Bones, "Are you a freak too?"

Harry took great pleasure in telling his aunt and cousin, "This is Amelia Bones, Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She's Wizarding Britain's top cop, and now she knows where I live." Harry added cruelly, "Please, Dudley, go ahead and smack me in front of her."

Harry likewise took great pleasure in showing Madam Bones the inside of the cupboard under the stairs, and explaining the importance of the cupboard. (Aunt Petunia, needless to say, looked panicked.)

Harry and Madam Bones went into the sitting room, where she put up a Silencing Charm. Immediately afterwards, she said, "You're smaller than eleven-year-old boys are supposed to be."

Harry smiled crookedly and said, "Tell me about it."

The next thing that Harry said to Madam Bones was to ask for an in-depth, written report on what wards the house had. "When I was left in a basket on my aunt and uncle's doorstep, a letter also was in the basket, and that letter implies that my mother's sacrifice somehow made the wards on this house more powerful. But the price for me getting more powerful wards is that I must live with my mother's sister till I'm seventeen. But why would this man who cares nothing about the Dursleys hurting me, talk about protecting me from Voldemort and his Death Eaters? I suspect Dumbledore is up to something."

Harry then asked, "What is the latest with my godfather, Sirius Black?"

Madam Bones told Harry that she could not tell him much—the Sirius Black case was now under investigation—but what she had found so far was quite dodgy. She had ordered that Black be brought from Azkaban for questioning.

Harry and Madam Bones went outside. She did an analysis of the wards on the Dursley house, after Disillusioning the recording quill and parchment.

Harry could not understand much of what Madam Bones found, except that—

One, there was nothing groundbreaking or puzzling about the wards here. Which meant that these wards could be set up to protect any house anywhere.

Two, the wards at Number 4 were powered by Harry's own magic.

Madam Bones commented, "If someone set up these wards as part of their N.E.W.T. Practical for Runes, he or she would get only an Acceptable. Wards should not be vampiric in order to work. Neither your aunt nor you need to live here for these wards to work."

Ten minutes later, at Hogwarts SOW&W

At breakfast, Albus many-names Dumbledore was feeling good. All day yesterday, Albus had been a bit worried that he would get an owl-message from Bronzedagger saying, "Harry Potter is here and he wants to claim his Heir Ring."

Albus did not think the boy would do such a thing so soon—and hopefully the Dursleys would have kept the boy so ignorant of his wizarding heritage that he would not know to claim his Heir Ring ever. But if Harry Potter had claimed his Heir Ring and then had asked to see his parents' wills, Albus's great scheme for Harry would be undercut.

But Bronzedagger had sent Albus no message yesterday, and Hagrid had not spotted Harry in Gringotts (or anywhere else in Diagon Alley). Even better, Hagrid had removed the Philosopher's Stone from Vault 713 before Voldemort had broken into Vault 713. At the moment, Albus was happier than he had been in a long time.

So when Amelia Bones floo-called Albus in the headmaster's office, Albus was smiling during the entire time he talked to her.

"Good morning, Professor Dumbledore," Amelia said, "I have some questions for you today." Amelia was not speaking like the Director of the DMLE who was questioning a dodgy suspect, she was speaking like the aunt of an eleven-year-old child.

Amelia continued, "You know those Harry Potter books that Roy Locke has written? Susan has devoured four of them, and her friend Hannah owns five. They can't wait to meet Harry Potter in a month!"

"I'm sure Harry will be glad to meet them too," Albus said with a laugh. Both Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott were pretty for eleven-year-old girls.

Amelia said, "Anyway, Susan has questions, and she doesn't want to wait a month till she and Harry Potter are face-to-face on the train, to ask her questions. Will you let me ask questions, and ask the questions to you?"

"I'd be delighted, Amelia."

Albus waited for Madam Bones to correct him about calling her "Amelia"—but for whatever reason, she did not.

"First question," Amelia said, her voice sounding relaxed, "Where exactly is Harry living now?"

Albus laughed. "For Harry's safety, I won't answer that, Amelia, not even for the Director of the DMLE! I will tell you that Harry and his family live in Pembrokeshire County, Wales. Harry's home is less than a mile from the sea."

"That sounds brilliant. And whom does Harry live with?"

"Amelia, anyone who's read the books knows the answer to this question. Harry lives with his sixth cousin, George Potter, George's wife Rowena and their house-elf Rappy."

"How is Harry? How is his health?"

"Harry sometimes gets banged up from the adventures he goes on—but at home, Harry is safe and loved."

"So nobody at home hurts Harry? Nobody loses their temper and hurts Harry?"

The question confused Albus; he could not guess why Amelia was asking him this. But Albus answered her question: "Nobody at home hurts Harry. He is safe and loved."

"Have you visited Harry at the place where he lives? Gone to see if he's doing okay?"

"I have. Harry lives in a twenty-room palace that is painted periwinkle blue. Rappy bakes a delicious apple pie. As for Harry, let me repeat: Harry is safe and loved. He loves his family as much as they love him, by the way."

"How did Harry go from living with James and Lily Potter to living with his guardians?"

"After his parents were killed, I told Rubeus Hagrid to bring Harry to Hogwarts. We had the boy in the hospital wing—Madam Pomfrey was trying unsuccessfully to heal Harry's lightning-bolt scar. Anyway, whilst Harry was at Hogwarts, George and Rowena owled me, volunteering to be Harry' s guardians. On 3rd November 1981, the Potters took Harry to Wales."

"What things in those books aren't true?"

"Sometimes the books exaggerate things that Harry really has done. Please don't ask for details."

"But his family life in the books, is all that true?"

"It's all true."

"Those are all the questions I have, Professor Dumbledore. Thank you for your time."

"You're welcome, Amelia! I look forward to beginning Susan's magical education in a month."

After Amelia's face disappeared from the green flames, it occurred to Albus that telling fibs to the woman who was Director of the DMLE might have been unwise.

But Albus was not worried. He was sure that when he was eventually caught out by Susan or Hannah in a Harry Potter lie, Albus could fast-talk his way out of it. Albus was even less worried about Amelia causing him trouble. After all, Albus had no reason to believe that the Director of the DMLE might be investigating him.

A minute later
Hogwarts SOW&W, in the private potions laboratory of Severus Snape

Snape enjoyed the two months of summer that were between school terms. He was obligated to replenish Poppy Pomfrey's stock of necessary potions, but after this, Snape was free to brew whichever potions he wanted to brew. Hopefully, inventing new potions in the process.

And the best thing about these two months? No young dunderheads to deal with!

From the next room, Snape's office, Snape heard a woman's voice calling from the floo fireplace, "Professor Snape? Professor Snape? Are you here?"

Snape put his current potion and its fire both under the Stasis Charm, grumbled about "old dunderheads," then walked through the door to learn who wished to speak with him.

Snape knelt in front of the floo fireplace and stared in annoyance at the green woman's face in front of him. "This is Professor Snape. Who are you and what do you want?"

"I'm Amelia Bones, Director of the DMLE. Recently you met twice with Harry Potter. I wish to hear what you saw and heard."

The Hogwarts wards did not allow anyone except the headmaster to invite someone to step through the floo. So instead, Snape asked Madam Bones, "May I come through?"

There were many things about Harry Potter's treatment by the Dursleys and by the headmaster that Snape wanted to say to somebody—but Albus refused to listen. So why not tell those things to the Top Auror?

Less than a minute after stepping through the floo fireplace, Snape was talking to Madam Bones whilst an enchanted quill wrote down his words.

Later

As soon as Professor Snape stepped through the floo flames and left the DMLE for Hogwarts, Amelia took a hike through the Ministry of Magic building. Amelia carried a half-foot slip of parchment in her pocket.

Amelia walked into Wizard Child Services and asked about Harry James Potter. People there looked at Amelia blankly. Amelia asked to see the WCS folder on Harry James Potter. No such folder existed. Then the Director of the DMLE asked the Director of Wizard Child Services why there was no folder on Harry James Potter, Wizarding Britain's most famous orphan. The answer was delivered in a monotone.

Amelia wound up escorting the Director of Wizard Child Services to Saint Mungo's, so that the poor witch could get her mind-whammies removed. In the meantime, Amelia had given the Deputy Director of Wizard Child Services the little parchment that had been in Amelia's pocket: Harry Potter's home address in Surrey County, England.

A half-hour later
In hospital in the goblin village underneath Gringotts

Harry contracted with the goblin healers to get all of his magical blocks removed (magical core, animagus, metamorphmagus, and owl-mail-redirect). Harry also wanted his bones that were improperly healed, vanished and regrown with goblin Skele-Gro. Thirdly, Harry wanted the effects of starvation healed through nutrient and growth potions.

Harry figured he would be in goblin hospital for at least a day, because of his bones; and would be taking the goblin potions until at least 1st September.

Whilst in recovery, as his vanished bones were regrown, Harry got a letter from Gringotts (via Greyclay): "We found the item you pointed us to. It was just as you described. We separated the horcrux from the cup without harming the other magic on the cup, then put the cup in your trust vault. You turned down receiving an award, but Gringotts has given you an award anyway.

"You asked about other horcruxes. We have found four others; here are their approximate Apparition coordinates. Two of the four horcruxes are in places hidden under the Fidelius charm."

Harry smiled. Now if Dumbledore asked Harry, "How did you find the horcruxes so fast?", Harry could answer, "The goblins told me more or less where they were."

That afternoon
In the office of Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic

Amelia Bones waved around several pieces of parchment. "Cornelius, tomorrow morning the Wizengamot meets in weekly session. Everyone expects a boring, normal session. I strongly urge you: Put Sirius Black on trial. When he is found innocent—which this evidence says he will—you'll be a hero."

"Hem, hem," said the third person in the room, an ugly woman wearing all-pink. "Sirius Black already has been tried. And convicted. Rightly so. What you need to do, Amelia, is to send that evil criminal back to Azkaban. Actually, what he really needs is to be Kissed."

"I agree," Fudge said quickly. "Wizards and witches are counting on me to keep them safe."

Amelia shook her head. "They're also counting on you to find miscarriages of justice and to fix them. Millicent Bagnold"—the Minister for Magic ten years ago—"sent the Heir to an Ancient and Noble House to prison without a trial, when the evidence says he's innocent. What's to stop young Draco Malfoy, say, from winding up in Azkaban tomorrow? You standing tall, that's what! Give Sirius Black a trial tomorrow, watch him be acquitted, and you'll be a hero with the old families."

Fudge said, "You really think Black will be acquitted? What's your evidence?"

Umbridge opened her wide mouth: "Cornelius, you don't want to show another Minister looking bad, because then magicals will start thinking that you make mistakes too!"

"Hush, Dolores. Give Amelia a chance to make her pitch."

Amelia said, "Here's the evidence: Ten years ago, Black's wand was never checked for spells. When I tested his wand this week, I found many Point-Me spells and two Protegos—and no offensive spells. Ten years ago, Black never was interviewed, with or without Veritaserum—he went straight from arrest at the scene, to being thrown into Azkaban. He was never put on trial."

"If he's innocent, then who killed Pettigrew? Who killed those Muggles?"

"Black, under Veritaserum, says Pettigrew killed those Muggles. Black also is sure that Pettigrew is alive, because Pettigrew is an animagus. That night, Black said under Veritaserum, he saw Pettigrew turn into his form, which is a brown rat, and escape into the sewers."

"Very well," Fudge said, "tomorrow, Amelia, you may put Black—"

"I think you're biased, Amelia," said Umbridge, smiling cruelly. "Didn't you and Black used to date? Wasn't he your boyfriend? So of course you claim he's innocent."

Amelia sighed. "He was my boyfriend, yes. But today his voice was cold, and he never called me anything other than 'Director Bones.' But whether I'm biased or not, if Sirius Black is put on trial, he will walk free—which is what should have happened to him ten years ago."

The next day (Friday, 2nd August, 1991)

The goblins had broken all the bindings on Harry's magical core, except for the drain on his core which fed the Privet Drive wards. (Harry had told the goblins to leave this in place.) The goblins had vanished and had regrown—
• three ribs;
• Harry's right upper arm and right shoulder;
• both of the bones in Harry's left forearm; and
• two long bones in Harry's left hand.

Harry's trust vault now was G15 078 poorer, between the healing that had been done to him, and the sack that he was given that had six months' worth of healing potions and nutrient potions in the sack.

Harry had Greyclay take him back to his bedroom at Privet Drive. But as soon as Harry and Greyclay arrived there, Greyclay apologetically elf-popped away. Greyclay returned, seconds later, with a Gringotts letter for Harry.

According to the letter, the goblins had completed audits both on Harry's trust vault and on the Potter family vault. The coins in the trust vault were the same as what Gringotts's records said were there; but from the Potter family vault, G107 000 was missing. I bet Dumbledore has it, Harry thought. The goblins promised to find the missing galleons and to put them back. We also promise to make the thief's life miserable went unstated.

After reading the Gringotts letter, Harry grabbed his moneybag, and had Greyclay elf-pop him to the steps of Gringotts. From there, Harry walked to Flourish and Blotts, where he bought one copy of each of the seven Harry Potter books by Roy Locke. (Harry suspected that forty-eight hours from now, Roy Locke's books no longer would be on offer; but whether this happened or not, Harry wanted to be able to give his solicitor a copy of every book.)

It amazed Harry, once again, that nobody in Flourish and Blotts recognised him as "Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived," even when he was buying seven Harry Potter books.

As soon as Harry walked out of Flourish and Blotts, he told Greyclay to elf-pop him back to his bedroom at Number 4, Privet Drive.

Half an hour later

Two owls were at Harry's window.

One owl was Hedwig, with the latest letter from Hermione. Hermione did not understand what Harry had voluntarily hospitalised himself for, and was worried about him.

The other owl was from Amelia Bones, telling him that the trial of Sirius Black would start this morning in Courtroom Ten, at approximately 9:10. Harry glanced at his clock—the trial probably was already over.

Meanwhile, in Courtroom Ten of the Ministry of Magic

Albus Dumbledore was in a panic.

When he had learnt—after today's session already had started—that Sirius Black would be put on trial today, Albus had tried to delay the trial indefinitely "so that the Wizengamot's wise seat-holders could familiarise themselves with the new evidence." In this, Albus was joined by Lucius Malfoy, who did not want Sirius freed either.

But Cornelius, who normally was indecisive (and easily bribed), was resolute today. "This wizard has been locked away in foul imprisonment for ten years. Should he have to wait another ten years whilst we dither?"

Then Albus tried to argue that "He's innocent, but now he's probably crazy and prone to vendettas, so let's put him in the secure ward at Saint Mungo's till he's mentally healed."

To which Cyrus Greengrass said sarcastically, "How is imprisoning an innocent Heir in hospital an improvement to sending him to prison?"

In the end, Sirius Black was acquitted and released and Amelia Bones gave her former Hogwarts boyfriend his wand back, right there in the courtroom. Sirius also was promised G100 000 in compensation for unjust incarceration, plus ten years of back pay as an Auror.

Albus followed, at a distance, as Sirius walked out of the courtroom and was waylaid by reporters. Albus overheard Sirius say that he now planned to voluntarily admit himself to Saint Mungo's. Thankfully, Sirius did not mention Harry Potter, and none of the reporters mentioned the boy either.

With luck, Albus hoped, Sirius would never discover that his guardianship of Harry Potter was ten years overdue. With more luck, Harry Potter would not discover this either.

When Harry learnt that Sirius had been freed, he sent Axefrenzy a message (via Greyclay): "Sirius Black is my magical guardian now. Albus Dumbledore is not. Don't wait for the Wizengamot to catch up."

When Greyclay returned from this errand, Harry sent Greyclay off on another errand: to go invisibly to the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic, there to send a magically scrubbed message to Amelia Bones: "The traitor, murderer and rat animagus Peter Pettigrew is hiding at the home of Arthur Weasley, pretending to be the pet rat of Arthur's youngest son, Ronald. None of the Weasleys know that 'Scabbers' is actually a Death Eater animagus."

With this done, Harry returned his attention to the essay he was writing for the Daily Prophet and for Xenophilius Lovegood at The Quibbler, "What Kind of Life Has 'the Boy Who Lived' Lived?"—

The essay was easy to write, because Harry borrowed paragraphs from his previous letter to the newspapers and from his letter to Amelia Bones. Harry wrote many unflattering things about Albus Dumbledore—

"I'm told that the headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore, is my magical guardian. Really? If so, he's shirking his job. In ten years, I've never once met him. When I needed the help of a magical adult, he was never there. He's never told me, in person or in a letter, about the magical world or about my parents. What little I know about the magical world and about my parents, all comes from my mum's Hogwarts diaries and from Professor Severus Snape."

Harry also wrote many unflattering things about his Muggle relatives, "—n and —a and their son D—, whom I'm forced to live with in a Muggle house somewhere in the south of England."

Harry also wrote, "By the way, the Roy Locke books that claim to be about me? They're cover-to-cover lies. How could they be true? I never talked to a wizard or witch till nine days ago. Am I this great wizard, who defeated a powerful and evil wizard when I was fifteen months old, whilst my mum stood there helpless? NO. I don't remember that night well (the thing I most strongly remember is a flash of green light), but I'm sure that I didn't destroy Voldemort, my mother did. From reading Mum's diaries, I can tell you: Mum was a genius. A Muggle-born, Parselmouth genius."

All told, the essay would be explosive when it was published and, Harry hoped, would erase the twinkle from Dumbledore's eyes.

With the essay, Harry also wrote a brief note informing each of the two newspapers that the other newspaper was being sent a copy of Harry's essay, and reminding each newspaper that it had agreed not to trim or to change Harry's words. Besides the essay, each newspaper would be given a certified copy of the will for each of Harry's parents.

Friday afternoon, the 2nd of August, Harry sent off Greyclay yet again, to make deliveries to two newspapers.

Meanwhile, in a hospital room at Saint Mungo's

"Again I say I'm sorry, Sirius," Amelia said to the man in the hospital bed. "I'm so, so sorry."

Sirius Black did not speak for a time. Then he said, "At least you apologised, Director Bones. If you perchance see Dumbledore, tell him that I await his apology as well. Now, Director Bones, don't you have work you need to do?"

Amelia wanted to kiss Sirius goodbye—but she suspected that he would turn his face away if she tried. Sorrowfully, she walked out of the room.

The next morning
Saturday, 3rd August 1991
The Great Hall, Hogwarts SOW&W

Albus was enjoying his breakfast—till owls delivered this morning's Daily Prophet.

Merlin! The Prophet not only printed the words of the surprisingly well-spoken, eleven-year-old Harry Potter, but the newspaper also quoted from James Potter's will and Lily's will. How had the Prophet gotten those two documents, which Albus personally had sealed?

After the Hogwarts faculty read Harry's piece in the Prophet, Minerva was furious with Albus. "You've lied to me about that boy from the start, you Sassenach! I told you ten years ago, 'They're the worst sort of Muggles,' but did the great and wise Albus Too-Many-Names Dumbledore listen to me? No."

Snape looked at Albus and said solemnly, "I tried to tell you a week ago that Potter was mistreated. But as usual, when my words disagreed with yours, you ignored them. I am curious, headmaster: When Potter comes to Hogwarts on First September, will you tell him to his face that he is mistaken about the past ten years, that actually his life was glorious? And if you do say such a thing, do you believe he will believe you?"

"But I've kept the boy safe! Safe from Voldemort, safe from Death Eaters!"

Flitwick steepled his fingers, gave Albus a grandfatherly look and said, "I am so disappointed in you, Albus."

Albus fled Hogwarts then, looking for Harry. Albus had the naïve idea that he would persuade the boy to recant what he had written in the newspapers. The meeting did not go well—

Harry was at Number 4, in the back garden doing yardwork, when Albus walked up to him. Albus would have loved to take another look at Harry's famous scar, but Harry was wearing work gloves and an old hat. Perhaps because of the bright sunshine, Harry was not wearing his glasses.

"Harry my—"

"Wow, wizards really are freaks, aren't you?" Harry said. "Do you have any idea how ridiculous you look to someone Muggle-raised, Albus Five-Names Dumbledore?"

"Harry my boy, what you wrote about me in the Prophet was in error. I ask you to send them another essay in which you amend your earlier words, then make apology."

"Wow, I finally get to meet my supposed magical guardian, ten years after you dumped me on the doorstep here! Are you here to tell me about my father, about his life and family? Are you here to tell me about my mother, about her life and family? Are you here to teach me wizard etiquette that Muggle-raised magicals often aren't told till too late? No. You're here to tell me"—Harry theatrically sniffled—" 'You said mean things about me and made me sad. You take all that back!' Well, Albus Five-Names, I won't rewrite and I won't apologise."

"Harry my boy, I am so disappointed in you. Your parents—"

"—are dead. So it's easy to put words in their mouths, isn't it? As for you being disappointed in me—somehow I'll live with the shame."

"Harry—"

"Look, you boot-sale Merlin, you're keeping me from my gardening. If I take too long to perform any of my chores, my uncle will beat me. So leave."

"Harry, I must insist that—"

"Leave, you bearded magical clown. I'm done with you."

Frustrated Albus Apparated back to Hogwarts.

Two days later
Monday, 5th August 1991
In the Ministry of Magic

Harry met Madam Bones in her office; then together they walked to the elevator and rode the elevator down to Level Nine, the Department of Mysteries. In the Department of Mysteries' Hall of Prophecies, Harry would grab the Prophecy and play it, and both he and Madam Bones would take notes.

This was the plan, anyway. As Harry and Madam Bones left the elevator on Level Nine, Harry said, "Pardon me for asking, Madam Bones, but you look sad. Is everything okay?"

Instead of answering, Madam Bones asked, "Has your godfather Sirius written you from Saint Mungo's?"

"Yes, he owled me last night. I'm going to enjoy him being my guardian, because he's such a funny man—but then, from reading my mum's diaries, I already knew this."

"How far have you read in your mum's diaries?"

"Only through second year. Why?"

"When you get to her sixth year, she might mention me. Sirius and I started dating when he was in sixth year and I was in seventh. We dated steadily after that. In fact, he and I went on a date on the Wednesday before he was thrown in Azkaban."

"This is great! Now that Sirius is free, you and he can go back to dating, and maybe you can marry? Then I'll live with two married people who both are my guardians—for me, it'll almost be like having parents again!"

"Not so fast, Harry. Sirius was sent to Azkaban ten years ago. I'm an Auror, I could've investigated his case at any time—but I didn't. I didn't investigate any of the evidence until after you wrote your letter on your eleventh birthday. As far as Sirius is concerned, you tried to get him free on the first day you could, whilst his supposed girlfriend sat in her chair for ten years." Madam Bones added sadly, "I'm sure that Sirius now doesn't want to marry me ever. And really, it's my own fault. Enough—let's go find your prophecy."

In the Hall of Prophecies, Harry asked Unspeakable Croaker to tell him if there was a "trick" with how to listen to the prophecies. Croaker told Harry and Madam Bones that the orbs were magically protected so that the only people who could lift them off their stand were the Keeper of the Hall of Prophecies, and the person or persons mentioned in the individual prophecy. Anyone else who touched the orb would be stricken with instant madness.

(Harry wondered, So in my previous lifetime, why didn't Voldy walk in and claim the prophecy-orb himself? Why did he cook up his mad scheme involving me, Lucius Malfoy and the other Death Eaters?)

Madam Bones's comment, after she heard Croaker's words? "Harry, I'll lift you up if you need it, but I'm not fetching your prophecy for you."

"Fair enough."

Eventually, in Row 97, Harry "found" the prophecy labelled "S.P.T to A.P.W.B.D: Dark Lord and (?) Harry Potter." He and Madam Bones, together, listened five times to the Prophecy—

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives...The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."

Both Madam Bones and Harry wrote down exactly what the Prophecy said. But Harry, unlike Madam Bones, did not need the scrap of parchment; even before he had died this last time, he could recite the Prophecy in his sleep.

Four days later
Friday, 9th August 1991

In Courtroom Ten, Peter Pettigrew was charged with the crimes that Sirius Black had been sent to Azkaban for, ten years earlier. Pettigrew also was charged with being an accessory before the fact to the murders of James and Lily Potter and to the attempted murder of Harry Potter. Finally, Pettigrew was charged with being a Death Eater.

Pettigrew was found guilty on all counts. It was ordered that his Order of Merlin First Class be revoked, and that he be Kissed. Pettigrew lost his soul soon afterwards to a Dementor, there in the courtroom.

Sirius Black closely watched Pettigrew's de-souling.

About three weeks later
Saturday, 31st August 1991
Gringotts

James' and Lily's wills were publicly read. Dumbles tried to shut down the reading—"These wills are sealed, by order of the Wizengamot."

Axefrenzy gave Dumbledore a sharp-teeth smile. "In Gringotts your objection means nothing, wizard. The readings shall proceed."

Dumbles then tried to get Harry excluded—"I'm his magical guardian, and I'm here, so there is no reason for Harry to be here." Instead, at Harry's request, it was Albus Dumbledore who was ejected from the room—by armed goblins.

Sirius Black was present at the readings. After the readings, he paid Gringotts for certified copies of James' and Lily's wills.

An hour later (still Saturday, 31st August)

Sirius Black petitioned the Wizengamot for the guardianship of Harry Potter that James and Lily Potter had wanted Sirius to have. Sirius, with his petition, included Gringotts certified copies of James Potter's will and Lily Potter's will.

Dumbledore was quick to file a written objection. He claimed that ten years in Azkaban has made Sirius crazy, so Sirius was unfit to be Harry's guardian; and since he, Dumbledore, already was serving as Harry's magical guardian, he should continue to do so.

Sirius's written reply was made in under an hour: that Dumbledore's guardianship of Harry was contrary to what both parents' wills said, and so was illegal; and Dumbledore was trying to keep his illegal magical guardianship of Harry Potter so that he could continue to take money from Harry's trust vault.

Harry Potter, though only eleven years and a month old, also submitted a written piece to the Wizengamot, this being in support of Sirius's petition. "In ten years of being an orphan, I'd never met Albus Dumbledore till four weeks ago, after the newspapers printed an article I wrote about him, which made him look bad. Albus Dumbledore has proven himself to be a bad guardian. I want Sirius Black to be my guardian."

Also on 31st August

Harry owled Snape, "I thank you again for the help and support you've given me. Tomorrow I'll be Sorted, and there is a three-fourths chance I won't go into Slytherin. If this happens, I hope that we can continue a relationship outside of Potions class."

Snape owled back, "I am agreeable. Your mother would want this. Also, I have found you not to be a dunderhead."

The next day
Sunday, 1st September, 8:30 a.m.

With a Bang! the Knight Bus stopped in front of the Granger house.

Harry stepped off the Knight Bus, hauling his freight (his school trunk and an empty owl cage). Harry was walking up the Granger driveway when the house's front door flew open.

"Harry!" Hermione yelled, whilst showing a grin that was a mile wide. "Today is the day!"