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Hermione focused on Sirius descending from the viewing gallery. Sirius stood on the oath stone, which sent the people in chambers and viewing gallery into a frenzy of whispering. The oath stone was ancient magically powered artefact that judged the person swearing in. The recent times the purebloods pushed for the rule that the swearing didn't require the ritual of standing on the oath stone or swearing on ones life and magic. This action however followed by some individuals, the last ones being Lord Potter and Longbottom. Dumbledore was shocked at Sirius action, though he was sure that Sirius's oath would be accepted as he was a wizard who was powerful and his magic was clean. He has never intentional hurt anyone and always strived towards helping people but Dumbledore knew he should stop him. It was always necessary to keep Black in a situation where he was not fully accepted for his family stance, it would ensure Sirius's dependence on Dumbledore and thus would make Sirius his puppet. Dumbledore said" Sirius, my boy, you can simply swear in, there is no need to swear on the oath stone." Gasps were heard. It was always a honour to use the oath stone. Only a wizard with a pure soul and clean magic can use the stone and not be rejected. Lady Marchbanks stood up and screeched " Chief Warlock are you trying to change our ways. Please don't make decisions for Lord Black and also address him with his title not his given name. Lord Black please continue, it seems the Chief Warlock is trying to overstep his authority. Hermione and many others snorted seeing the Lady ripping Dumbledore a new one. Sirius smirked and stood on the stone and pointed his wand on his heart and said " I swear on my life and magic, to be true to magic and her gifts, to work towards the good of the wizarding world, to establish a safe and secure world, to view all humans and creatures as equals, so I have said, so mote it be" the magic swirled around him. The stone glowed gold and enveloped him. The magic shimmered and then it settled. The magics accepted his oath , the Black chair on the left of the Longbottom seat glowed golden and the crest shimmer, the house totem a cloudy raven flew towards Sirius and lead him to the seat. It perched on the chair and surveyed the assembled. Once Sirius was seat the raven flew towards Hermione and sat on her shoulder before vanishing in a swirl of magic.Everyone was staring in surprise. The press gallery was in a frenzy of activities. Never has before a family totem acting in this manner. James and Frank was staring wide eyes. James thought' that's is the strangest thing I have ever seen. What does this mean?' He shared a look with Frank who shrug his shoulder and they both looked at Sirius who sat with a stone face. His eyes were stormy with emotions.
Sirius was first shocked but years of pureblood bullshit taught to him ran through his brain , in that was the lesson if a family totem went to a person other than family, that would be mean the person would be a part of the family through magical gift mostly as soul binds. He wondered how he would go about this, he felt attracted to her the minute he saw her. The truth of her identity made him keep his growing feelings under wrap. James wouldn't be happy if he pursues his sister, his reputation was not stellar when it came to women. Soon the members were talking among themselves and Dumbledore banged his gravel. He was just as curious as others.
Once order returned in the chamber, the meeting proceeded. The other house like Nott and Quentin announced marriages and births. Soon the requirement of the emergency meeting was requested.
The minister Millicent Bagnold stood up and spoke, " it is my immense pleasure to announce that we are saved from the doom that surrounded us for a long period. The Dark Lord , he-who-must-not-be-named has been defeated and vanquished." She paused and Dumbledore was planning forward. He knew the minister would announce the triumph of the Potter child , he would be required to give his advice and he would word his speech such that the child's whereabouts are no longer known. He could not possibly let child be brought up his father and friends. That would mean Harry Potter would be brought up as a wizarding prince just like his father. The Potter though guardians of the wizarding world had the arrogance to go with the responsibility. He needed a scapegoat instead of a guardian, he was Albus Dumbledore, he would not give up his place of glory to anyone, he knew that Riddle would be defeated once he would kill Harry , which would help as a cover for him to kill Riddle , just like how he played with Andrew Potter and overpowered Gellert. He needed the glory and power that gave him. The wizarding population saw him as a advisor and saviour and always took his help whether to look after someone's estate or to guide them through life. He was lost in his thought when he heard someone raising a question" How was you-know-who defeated??"
Dumbledore turned his interest to the meeting, it was time for his speech after all.
The minister continued " as per the auror report submitted by Head Auror Moody, Lord V..Voldemort attacked the Potter household, which was under the fidilus charm , with Peter Pettigrew as secret keeper who betrayed the Potters to his master." Gasps were heard through the chamber, the minister continued "the house at the time was inhabited by Lord and Lady Potter, Heir Potter and Miss Potter. The Dark Lord intended to kill the Potter but Lord Potter put up an impressive fight, as per the memory submitted and verified by the unspeakables, we understand that Lord Black joined Lord Potter and both of them simultaneously strikes the killing blow to the Dark Lord. Further to which, they met with Lord Longbottom to update him and was attacked by the Lestrange and Barty Crouch Jr who was put down by the war wards one the Ladies and children were safely portkeyed out." There was silence in the house, and everyone looked at the three men in awe. As per the statement released by the minister they had defeated the leader and his main minions. The Dark faction was in turmoil, the crimes they committed for their Lord would become their noose now.
Dumbledore was in shock listening to the statement. He had ensured that the wards on the cottage would weaken the Potter magical core and ensure their death and Hagrid had told him about the dead bodies and he himself had delivered the brat to Lily's muggle family with the letter filled with compulsion charm to mistreat the boy. There should have been some confusion, they needed him to guide them through the peaceful break, he would let the wizarding world to secure themselves in the false sense of security where they would believe that the child was the Boy-Who-Lived. When the child comes to Hogwarts then he would lure Riddle using the boy as a bait. He need to speak now to clear things and make everything as per his plans. He turned on his grandfather persona , twinkling eyes and kind personality.
"Pardon me, I was travelling when I heard the news and I believe it was the Potter's child who vanquished Lord Voldemort. If I heard right the Potters and Sirius Black was killed in combat while the curse backfired when cast on the baby Harry..."
Hermione knew what Dumbledore was playing at , she took out the Parchment which she made pairs of and had given James and Sirius .
She wrote" Dumbledore is trying to put the focus on Harry. Don't let him do it. His biggest strength is that people never question the nonsense he spouts. Please ask him if one should believe in rumours or find the truth. Ask him as to how does he expect Harry to defend himself against a killing curse when a fully trained wizard can't do it. Try and corner him, he will twist his statements and talk in riddles making it difficult to pin him. Instead call on him for neglecting his duty and his promise. Right now we need to show down Dumbledore."
James, Frank and Sirius read what Mia wrote and nodded their head. James stood up and said" I request for the floor to express my thoughts on the statement put forth by Dumbledore."
Dumbledore was shocked at being stopped by someone. He kept silent and gave his permission to use the floor.
James started " I would like to express my gratitude for the concern and care you have extended to me and my family. We have been through a terrifying ordeal and by grace of Lady Magic me and my brother in all but blood, Earl of Blackmoor was able to overcome and vanquish the Dark Lord named Voldemort. We both attacked him simultaneously using the cutting curse and sword of Griffyndor, which came to me at the hour of need, which resulted in him turn to dust. We have handed over the wand that he held, though it was snapped." Gasps were heard throughout chamber as snapping of a wand meant that the wizard was defeated.
James continued " Now that is my version and I have provided the memory of the same to the aurors which was cross verified by the unspeakables, so I would like to question the Chief Warlocks intention of spreading rumours and gossips of our death and my son being attacked and some curse backfire. Though I would admit he has shown magical ability and strength at a small age, he is still a child of 15months who is not in a position to defeat a person deeply involved in Darks Arts. His godfather Lord Black and myself would never let anyone to reach our families even if we are dead. I would therefore, request the wizarding world not to believe any tripe that is being spread by the gossip mongers." He looked at Dumbledore as he said this.
As Sirius looked around he could see the shift in emotion, the netural faction was looking at James with a calculated look , that would mean they could be swayed in to support them. The Dark faction looked suspicious, which was fair James and himself were big supporters of Dumbledore and did blindly follow him.
Minister Bagnold sensing the tension in the house, cleared her throat" Yes , yes , based on the proof submitted we have confirmed that the Dark Lord was defeated by the joint efforts of Lords Black and Potter. For which , I would like to give our saviours and Lord Longbottom the Order of Merlin First Class for their efforts in saving us all." Everyone in chamber applauded and the voting was quick . The three men offered their gratitude for the titles conferred on them.
Hermione was observing the proceeding with happiness but her mind was working at high speed. She needed to make plans to lock the death eater away from the society and ensure that they were free to pursue the horcruxes. She needed to start with the death eaters to ensure that her brother and friends are seen as saviour and also as strong members of the society who firmly took decisions for the good of the society. Then she would move to the manipulative coot and dismantle his credentibilty slowly. From her past she knew that Dumbledore was single minded in his prusuit. He was only concerned with Harry and everything else was not important, his that weakness would be her safe point. By the time he realises what had occurred, he would have lost his image. After revenge is dish that is best served cold.