Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
The shadow opened its eyes to the familiar sound wood striking stone. Alastor Moody was coming. The shadow begrudgingly morphe back into its human form. Known as Sirius Black. Sirius heard the pathetic shouts and taunts of his fellow inmates. They had screamed their throats raw countless times, it was a miracle they weren't bleeding into their own lungs. Sirius didn't say a word to Alastor when he came into view. What did cause him to speak up was the young woman with bright pink hair who accompanied him. "Dora?" He called with a croaking voice.
Tonks just smiled. "Come on Black. We're moving to a lower security cell. Understand?" Alastor cut in. Sirius nodded. Both Alastor and Tonks drew their wands. "Watch the other prisoners and stay behind me. Prisoner always goes first." He instructed his trianie.
Alastor unlocked the cell and Sirius began to stumble out of the cell. Tonks moved to help him but , Alastor stopped her. "Constant vigilance." He reminded her.
Sirius stumbled to the end of the corridor, where a wooden platform was waiting. Once the trio was stood on the wooden platform, Alastor touched a rune on the wall with his wand and the platform began to descend. As the platform lowered, Sirius could feel the chill of the dementors lessen. It was ever so slight that you would have had to spend an extended period of time near them to notice.
Once the platform stopped, Sirius was lead to his new cell, another surprise awaited him. "Andi?" Sirius was stunned to see his favorite cousin sat on the bed waiting for him to say the least. She was wearing her bright white healer's robes and was giving him a kind smile. "What's going on?"
Andromeda sighed as her expression became more sympathetic. "A lot. A lot is going on Sirius, most of it I can't tell you right now. All you need to know is that a unregistered rat animagus was found in the Gryffindor boys dorms and that your trial is afterwards."
Sirius' eyes widened when he put the pieces together. "How's Harry?" Sirius asked.
"I can't tell you. All I can say is I'll be visiting you weekly to get you ready for your trial." Andromeda answered.
Sirius grunted his begruging agreement. "My occlumency isn't what it used to be." He admitted.
A week later.
Lucius Malfoy new there was more to this trial than what had been released. All anyone was supposed to know was that a unregistered rat animagus was caught in the gryffindors boy's dorms. (That reminded him of Greyback and Macnair.) He knew the rat belonged to the Weasleys, so why was Harry Potter here? What was more interesting was that a Auror was accompanying him. He understood that security for a heir to a old house was necessary, even if they are a half-blood. But that didn't answer why he way their in the first place. What was most intriguing is how little Dumbledore knew of the situation, mainly that he was eyeing Harry suspiciously throughout the session.
"Next on the agenda is a unregistered animagus caught in the first years boys dormitory, at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry." Fudge announced. The disgusted faces of members of the public and members of the wizidinggamout alike show they weren't about to be let off easy. "Madam Bones, the floor is yours."
"Thank you minister. Auror Hammer, bring in the prisoner!" Amelia responded. With that Peter Pettigrew was dragged in and forced into the chair. The chains wrapped tightly around the whimpering, squirming man. While this was going on Amelia left her seat moved to the centre. Murmurs broke out as they the crowd tried to identify the prisoner. The name Pettigrew was thrown around, but everyone believed him to be dead.
"Can tell us your name?" Amelia asked. Pettigrew whimpered and shook his head. "Very well. Can you tell us why you had the wand of Peter Pettigrew?" Amelia asked as she held up the wand. Murmurs and whispers spread across the crowd, but Amelia ignored them. Pettigrew shook his head again. "Very well. Can you tell us why you had the wand of Tom Riddle?" Dumbledore's eyes almost bulged out of his head out of his head at the name. Pettigrew shook his head again. Amelia kept herself calm and collected as she watched her prey continue to self destruct. "Well, given the wands in your possession, you are either Peter Pettigrew or Tom Riddle which is it?"
"P-peter." Pettigrew answered. This answer caused conversations to break out throughout the courtroom.
"Are you saying that you are Peter Pettigrew?" Amelia questioned. When Pettegrew nodded, the court erupted in shousts and questions. Amelia calmly waited for Fudge to get the court back under control. Once everyone was silent Amelia looked to the scrib and spoke. "Let the records show that the accused confirmed his name to be Peter Pettigrew." She then looked over to the journalists who got the hint.
"It seems there is more to the story of the Potters betrayal than we know. Auror Moody bring in the prisoner!" Once again the court was in up roar as a well dressed and groomed.
Sirius whipped out a wand and everyone was suddenly silent. "I, Sirius Orion Black, swear on my life and magic that I was NOT he secret keeper of the house belonging to James Charles Potter and Lilly Marie Potter at the time they were attacked by the dark lord known as Voldemort. Nor did I ever tell the dark lord known as voldemort who the secret keeper was or the location of the potters during my time as secret keeper. And I never received a trial for the charges leveled against me. So I say, so mote it be." With that Sirius was cover in a golden glow. "Lumos." The wand in his hand ignited. "Nox." The wand went out and he handed the wand to Alastor, handle first. Still no one spoke a word. Sirius raised his arms then let them drop lazily. "Can we move it along please? I have more to do today!" Sirius asked impatiently.
"Yes you do. Auros, send Mr Black through the veil!" Dolores Umbridge yelled. Lucius looked at the toad like woman wondering if she had any idea how badly she just destroyed her reputation. If her smirk was anything to go by, she did not have the faintest idea.
"First of all, It's Lord Black." Sirius responded in a aggravated tone while hold a finger in the air. "Secondly, who are you supposed to be?"
"I am Dolores Umbridge, Senior under-secretary to the minister of magic." Umbridge bristled.
"Well you are clearly not fit for the position. Ignoring evidence solid evidence and attempting to bypass the Wizadingamont!" Sirius then set his sights on Fudge. "Is this the kind of administration you run Fudge!? It's worse than the last!"
The journalists were devouring Sirius' words like starved bears would devour fresh meat. Fudge was sweating in his seat. "O-of course not Lord Black, but there is still the matter of the thirteen muggles you killed." Fudge responded.
Sirius raised a eyebrow in response. "Really? It hasn't crossed your mind that the death eater might be responsible?" He sarcastically asked the minister.
"And where is your proof?" Umbridge retorted with a sinister smile.
Sirius looked to her as if she was stupid. "Check his wand, use some veritaserum, a bit of common sense, or I could to take a magical vow swearing I didn't kill them." Sirius shook his head and looked to Fudge and Dumbledore. "Any other stupid questions before you let me go?"
"I have a request Lord Black. Could you role up your sleeves?" Amelia spoke up.
"Of course Madam Bones." Sirius complied. He rolled up his sleeves and showed that the back of his arms were bare.
"Seeing as Lord Black lacks the dark mark and I have seen it on Mr Pettigrew's arm with my own eyes as well as his wand coming back positive for the use of a blasting curse followed by a cutting curse." Amelia spoke up. "Even without a confection that is enough to see him placed in Azkaban for the rest of his life."
"And what of this 'Tom Riddle'?" Augusta asked.
"According to Ollivander, the wands maker, Tom Riddle was actually Lord Voldemort. Given that the last three registered spells were killing curses, I'm inclined to agree." Once more the crowd was in up roar, Dumbledore was internally panicking and Lucius was stunned.
After Fudge got control of the courtroom, he quickly called the necessary votes. Cornelios just wanted the day to end, before there was any other nasty surprises. Sirius was cleared of any wrongdoing, given compensation and Pettigrew was sentenced to Azkaban.
Once Dumbledore brought down the gavel, the courtroom was alive with movement. Harry and Auror accompanying him descended from the stands to the center while a whimpering Pettigrew was dragged away by Moody and Hammer. Once Sirius saw Harry approaching him, he began to slowly walk to his godson. They come to a standstill in front of each other.
"Hey." Harry greeted awkwardly.
"Hey." Sirius responded with a warm smile. "You look different from the last time I saw you, did you do something with your hair?" Sirius asked in mock curiosity while pointing to Harry's head.
Harry chuckled. "It was almost all completely cut off one day. It grew back overnight." He responded.
"Ha! I knew that hair was cursed!" Sirius cheered. Harry grinned as well. Out of nowhere Sirius lunged forward and pulled Harry into a hug. Harry attempted to take out his wand, but he had handed it to his Auror guard upon entering the ministry. "I'm so sorry Harry. I was so stupid to have ran off like I did. I've always been short tempered and stupid. I don't why Lilly let me be your godfather. I should have just taken you and ran, like I was supposed to." Sirius continued to sob and brake down as he held on tightly to his godson.
This conversation had dominated his mind more than any other this day. Andromeda would force him to focus on his trail instead, but once they were ready, or once she left his thoughts soon returned to his godson. What should he say? What could he say!? He abandoned him! Betrayed Lilly and James! And completely abandoned his duties as Harry's Godfather! How could anything he said make up for what he had done!? When the time came he still had no answer on what he should say! So he was forced to go with his gut.
Harry slowly and awkwardly wrapped his arms around Sirius. He had gotten used to Sussan hugging him sure, but his godfather upon meeting him for the first time in over 10 years while he broke down, was something completely different altogether.
"Teach me a spell to make people crap themselves and we'll call it even." Harry joked.
Sirius let out watery chuckle. "One lesson on the bowel-loosening hex coming right up." Sirius pushed himself off of Harry, so he could look his godson but kept his hands on Harry's shoulders. "Although you might want to learn the bubble-head charm first." Sirius stood up and looked around him, to take in those that were with him. Along with Harry and the Auror escorting him, there was Ted, Andromeda, Cyrus and Amelia. "Where's Nymphi' and Remus?"
"We couldn't get Dora from the Auror training camp for the day, and werewolves are forbidden from entering the ministry unless it's to be detained and prosecuted for several years now." Andromeda answered.
"What!?" Sirius exclaimed.
"It's true Lord Black, Madam Umbridge has been using the fact that Greyback is still out there to put more and more sanctions against lycolns since she came into office." Cyrus explained. "We could really use your help, if you want those laws removed."
"Thank you, Lord Greengrass. I'll see what I can do. It looks like I need to get up to date on a few things first." Sirius responded.
"Sirius..." Amelia began tearfully. "I'm, so sorry. I should've known. I should've at least checked."
Sirius carefully pulled Amilia into him as cried out her regret, while he gently rocked her. Once she began to calm down, Sirius spoke. "How about we talk about this another time? When we're reay." Sirius asked with a calming tone of voice. Amelia nodded and began to compose herself.
"Madam Bones, it is almost time to take Mr Potter back to Hogwarts." The Auror spoke up.
"Understood. Use the floo in my office, while we distract the press." Amelia responded. The Auror nodded in response.
"Harry, I know we've got a lot of catching up to do, but I'm going to be very busy for the next few weeks." Sirius apologized, but then he smiled. "But, when the winter break comes around, I'll make sure that I'm free, just tell me where you'll be and I'll be there. Sound good?"
Harry beamed at his godfather. "Sounds great!"
Sirius' smile grew at the response. "Well if you'll excuse me, it time for me to do what I do best... Cause chaos." With a mad grin Sirius led everyone but Harry and his Auror guard out of the courtroom into the crowd of frantic journalists.
The spirits of Lilly and James Potter watched on with gleeful smiles. They couldn't agree more with their friends statement. Things were going to get interesting.
Meanwhile at Hogwarts.
Albus Dumbledore had just returned from the ministry. "It seems Fate has decided I have had enough time without Black's interference. I should have prepared for this." Dumbledore thought to himself. When he had taken Harry to live with the Dursleys, he had hoped when Sirius inevitably came looking for his godson, after dealing with the secret keeper debacle. But when he found out Sirius was arrested, he rushed to pull the right strings to keep him from being prosecuted.
But now things were out of his control and he knew from past failings, he needs more information before he makes a move. Things were not going his way, so he needed to discover what had been going on behind his back.
"Sirius will probably try to gain guardianship over Harry. I will be able to at least slow that down, by questioning his sanity after spending so long in the presents of dementors. But opposing him to often will be dangerous." One of his main concerns when James and Sirius left Hogwarts was just how powerful they were. While Sirius may have originally lost his heirship, but he was still trained by the Black and could easily act as the Potter proxy if needed. Both were magically powerful, creative and intelligent. Very few could stand against the duo and that number became even less when Remus and Lilly aided them. It was a stroke of luck that fate had gifted him the opportunity to do away with them both. He was weary of the brutality they both showed towards Death Eaters. James would cripple his opponents, check to see f they were impiroused. If they were, he would remove the curse by over powering it with his own, before removing it and taking them into custody. If not, he would execute them. While James went down the path of a auror, Sirius became a hit-wizard. He had a habit of severing limbs and was responsible for the death of Abraxas Malfoy, by impaling him into a wall through the chest with a large metal pike.
He could not afford to fall into the common trap of underestimating him.
The next day.
Sirius Black declared innocent!
By Richard Thompson.
No your eyes do not deceive you dear reader, it's the truth! During the hearing of a unregistered animagus, caught in the first year Gryffindor boys dormitory, who was revealed to be none other than Peter Pettigrew! Quickly snowballed into revealing the scandal of Lord Black being sent Akaban without a trial! It appears that Sirius Black was NOT actually the secret keeper at the time the Potters were attacked and was merely acting as a decoy. Bravely putting his life at stake to protect his friends. As for the incident that killed 13 muggles, it has been discovered that it was Peter Pettigrew's wand that caused the incident, before he cut off his finger and turned into animagus form of a rat. A fitting form for such a vile person if you ask us.
During the trial, the minister's senior undersecretary attempted to ignore evidence and sweep the situation back under the rug. In response, Lord Black questioned if she should be placed in such a important position. Minister Fudge responded saying. "She was just in shock." and "No one can blame her."
Soon after the trial Lord Black was gracious enough to answer some questions.
Q: What will you do now you are free?
A: First I am going to bring my cousin Andromeda Tonks back into the family. That includes recognising her marriage to Edward Tonks and the birth of her daughter, Nymphadora. Then I will cast Bellatrix out from the family for her disgraceful behaviour.
Q: How do you plan on changing your house now that you're the head?
A: My family's close mindedness has brought us to our knees. I hope by becoming more accepting, while keeping our sacred traditions we will be able to thrive as we once did.
Q: Who is your heir?
A: At this moment in time, it is my godson, Harry Potter.
Q: Do you have anything to say to those who sent you to Azkaban without a trial?
A: I will not take this lying down.
But that is not all dear readers. During the trial we received evidence that could possibly lead to the true identity of You-Know-Who. Fear not for we have our best reporter investigating the case, but initially research is promising.
With Sirius Black.
"Forget it Padfoot, it won't work."
"What do you mean it won't work? We're not trying to house break a troll."
"I'm a werewolf!"
Sirius sighed as he massaged his forehead. "Not this shit again." He groaned.
"I'm dangerous!"
"So am I! I can end someone in ways that make anything you can do look like child's play! Now stop being such a bitch and help me plan!"
"You can forget it."
"Now, should we store our proproducts in the basement, where we'll make and test them? Or should we store them elsewhere ?
"..."
"If we keep them in the basement, they might react badly with what we're working on."
"..."
"But it would take time to keep moving them about."
"..."
Sirius sighed dramatically. "What to do. What to do."
"..."
"If only I had a friend who would get his head out of his arse and help me."
Remus glared at his fellow Marauder.
Sirius began to scratch his chin. "Mmmm."
Remus intensified his glare.
"MMMM!"
Remus sighed. "Build a storage room at the top of the stairs to the basement and put the counter in front of it." Remus begrudgingly answered.
"Now was that so hard?" Sirius asked sarcastically, before he got up from the chair he was sitting in. "Now come on. I want to find out what happened to James and Lilly's things that they kept in Godric's Hollow. We need to know what we're going to be asking Cyrus to supply us with before we have a meeting with him."
As they began to walk to the floo Sirius spoke again. "You know this place hasn't really changed since I was last here." He commented as they walked past a portrait of Amelia's farther silently glaring at him. "Hasn't changed at all."
I didn't use veritaserum because everyone else does and everyone realised voting against him would not reflect well on them.