Disclaimer: Anything you recognize I do not own. It might be a bit slow to start off. I do not promise fast updates. Also, I am working on my spelling and grammar (Using Grammarly) But it cannot catch all the mistakes so I apologize.
While Harry was busy facing a Basilisk at Hogwarts and Lucius Malfoy was getting Dumbledore removed from the school, the ministry was in an uproar. It was a random overlook of war trials, organizing and separating them into sections. Just a normal overview in order to keep an eye on the prison population. It was the first one done in the decade since the war but a necessary action they had been putting off for far too long.
What was found was that not all prisoners received trials. There were no trial records for a dozen prisoners arrested during the war years, four of whom were deceased due to the harsh conditions in the prison. This could not be covered up. The people who found its sense of justice was too strong to just ignore the fact that people were placed in prison without trial.
Amelia Bones confronted Fudge on the matter, but she knew how to play him. Statements of 'it wasn't your ministry then' 'can prove the ministry seeks justice' 'old family titles.' After all, if they were imprisoned without trial, they likely were imprisoned without being questioned on the extent of there war crimes. Perhaps bringing justice and information to families who had lost loved ones. Perhaps even finding bodies or being able to tell them for sure they were dead. A couple of them she questioned if they belonged where they were. But she knew how to play the game to get the answers she sought.
With Lucius too busy with the school board and fighting with Dumbledore, he was unable to keep Fudge where he wanted him, Fudge agreed to the emergency, veritiserem trials for all the prisoners. He felt that if he played the situation right, he could be considered one of the best ministers in history. Something supported by Madam Bones.
Three of them were guilty of worse crimes then they were imprisoned for, some of them even knew the whereabouts of bodies of missing people. Fudge felt his popularity would sore. Solving old war crimes. Families were ecstatic to finally have answers.
But not every answer they received was what they wanted. One person wasn't a death eater but just at the wrong place at the wrong time. A man sentenced to life for crimes he didn't commit. His family cried as he was returned to them. He was allowed to see his nieces and nephews. Born after his arrest. He was freed now but received ten years of his life torn from him.
One was a death eater but was imprisoned for crimes that he didn't commit. He wasn't important enough to hurt anyone and was just sat as the fall guy. he was let go with time served.
One person, under veritiserem, admitted to being a death eater, but when asked why he said how they were threatening his family and he took the mark only because they had their wand to his pregnant wife's stomach. He had only supported them financially, committing no real crimes. he too was freed and welcomed home by his wife and child who had never met there father.
Then was someone whom everyone knew was guilty. Sirius Black was brought forth. Looking a shadow of the once smiling auror. "You are here to prove the extent of your crimes," Amelia Bones stated. He was one of the people she questioned. Truly, a part of her just wanted to understand why. He had been a friend. A colleague. She hated thinking of what he had become. She wanted more than anything to understand why he had done what he had done. A large part of her hoping it was a mistake. "As you are considered a war criminal, you will be given veritiserem, understood."
"This going to be a real trial or another farce," he rasped out. "Didn't get one the first time."
Everyone was well aware of the fact he had not been given a trial. But they were convinced out of everyone they were giving the opportunity to speak, he was guilty. "You will be given veritiserem."
"Go ahead, nothing left to hide," he said opening his mouth willingly.