A/N: Hey guys, welcome back. This chapter will be serious (no pun intended, wink wink) for the most part. I am hoping to include one or two light hearted moments and set up some things for future chapters as well, but I have some, hopefully, good news. The next chapter will be a light hearted and fun filler chapter. That is my hope, in any case.
If dates don`t make sense, please let me know, I am trying to be as accurate as possible, but I might make mistakes. Sorry!
Without further ado, let us away!
Chapter 3 – Trail by Fire
Wednesday – 04/11/1981
"Are we all set to leave? It is almost time," Ted asked, looking at his watch, while patting down his black robes, "Andi, where is Dora? Is she dressed?"
"Sirius is bringing them now, he is just finishing up with Harry quickly, then they will be here, don`t worry, we will be on time," Andromeda spoke up, while putting the final touches on her brown, curly hair.
At that point, Sirius came down the stairs, Harry dressed warmly in light blue clothes, his hair, difficult to contain, was jet black with crimson streaks, his viridescent eyes watching Andromeda attentively. Dora was dressed in a knee length lavender dress with frilly trims, one hand in Sirius`, while the other pulled at the dress, disgust etched on her face, her hair sporting green tips, matching her feeling about the dress.
"Mama! Why a dress? I don`t wanna!" Dora made herself heard, stomping her feet hard, gearing up for an epic tantrum, her hair starting to rapidly cycle through various, bright, angry colors.
"Dora," Andromeda sighed, kneeling down before her daughter, "I know how you feel about dresses, honey, but this is for a very important meeting. We need to look presentable, even mummy has to dress up today. If you behave, Uncle Sirius and I will take you and little Harry for ice-cream afterwards. Daddy will be too busy to come along with us."
"Can we really go for ice-cream, Uncle Paddy?" Dora looked up at Sirius, her big, purple eyes pleading with him to say yes.
"Of course, sweetheart," he said, smiling down at her, "you can have as many scoops as you want, without dropping any!" Dora squealed in delight, jumping up and down in excitement.
Andomeda took Harry from Sirius, while Ted lifted Dora on his hip, turning to Sirius, "It`s time, get the card. We`ll see you there just now," and walked out the door, locking behind them.
0o0o0
The portkey dropped Sirius in the middle of the meeting room assigned to them. He turned and surveyed the room, until the door opened and the Tonks' walked in, led by Sharpclaw.
"Mr. Black, I am glad to see that you could make it. Before we start with this meeting, I want to inform you that I want to speak to you after your hearing. It is in regards to your father's Will and his wishes for you," he looked at Sirius' confused expression and explained more thoroughly, "After your father passed away, your mother sealed his Will almost immediately after receiving the news, however, when she passed away, the Will was released again and is in my custody. In it, is your father's wish for you to take up the Black Lordship, as well as his seat in the Wizengamot."
"That selfish, manipulative, twisted, evil bitch!" Sirius exclaimed.
"Sirius! There are children present, mind your language!" Andromeda admonished him with a hand to the back of the head.
"That is the friendliest word I have ever used for her, you know this from experience. It also happens to be true. Me being a dog and her being my mother and all that," Sirius grumbled under his breath, rubbing the back of his head.
At that moment the door opened again, admitting the newly minted Head of the DMLE, her light auburn hair tied back and carrying an air of deserved importance and self-confidence. She surveyed the room, eyes hovering momentarily on every person in the room, until she locked eyes with Sirius.
"Amelia, it`s good to-"
"Don't, Mr. Black. If you want to exchange pleasantries, you are more than welcome to send an owl, requesting a meeting, after I help you out of this hole you found yourself in. Until then, you will address me as Madam Bones, Department Head Bones, or not at all. You lost the right to call me by my name years ago and you know it," Madam Bones glared at him with such intensity that he shrank down into his chair, almost disappearing underneath it, face pale and starting to sweat lightly.
Sharpclaw cleared his throat and started speaking, "Okay, now that we are all present, we will start with the important stuff first, the last Will and Testament of James Charlus Potter and Lily Potter, last updated a week before their passing, signed by the above mentioned, Mr. Black and myself also signed as witnesses," he opened and straightened out the parchment.
The Last Will and Testament of James Charlus Potter and Lily Potter,
In the event of separate deaths, the surviving member will take care of our son, Harry James Potter, as well as get full access to the Potter Family Vault as access stands before the passing.
If, at the time of death, James Charlus Potter did not manage to take control of the Lordship of House Potter, Harry James Potter will automatically be announced as Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, with Lordship coming into effect after magical maturity ends or the age of 17 is reached, whichever happens first.
In the event of both parents passing away, Harry James Potter is released into the joint custody of his godfather, Sirius Orion Black, and his godmother, Alice Longbottom. They will be given full access to the Potter Trust Vault, containing the amount of 20 000 Galleons, filled yearly out of the Potter Family Vault. This Vault is to be used for the raising and caring of Harry James Potter.
At the age of 11, or at the earliest possible point, Harry James Potter should take a Heritage Test, as well as be made aware of his role of Heir and Lord of the House Potter. Once he receives his letter from Hogwarts, he will also receive his father`s Invisibility Cloak, as is tradition for the Potter family.
The Marauder's Map is hidden in Hogwarts. Look for the clues and find the way. Only a true Marauder can find it.
Alice Longbottom is to receive all jewelry and rings in a brown ornate box in the Potter Vault, as discussed and agreed upon after the wedding of James Charlus Potter and Lily Potter.
In the event of both parents passing away while staying in Godric's Hollow, the following knowledge should be made public:
We went into hiding under the Fidelius Charm by request of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts, Supreme Mugwump of the ICW and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot.
Those in the know, are under the impression that Sirius Orion Black was our Secret Keeper, but Peter Pettigrew was the true Secret Keeper, this was done to lessen the chances of us being located.
At the time of the writing of this Will, Peter Pettigrew started acting really suspicious, he is not to be trusted. He is an unregistered animagus with the form of a rat. It pains us to reveal this information, thus we hope this Will is not deemed necessary.
Lastly, in the event of our deaths, under no circumstances whatsoever, is our son, Harry James Potter, to go to Vernon Dursley and Petunia Dursley nee Evans. They harbor an intense hatred towards our family and the magical world as a whole and are to gain nothing from us.
James Charlus Potter, Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter
Lily Potter, nee Evans, future Lady to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter
Ex perseverantia, victoria
Sharpclaw put the Will down and looked around the room, Ted looked thoughtful, absorbing all the new information. Andromeda sat with Dora on her lap, keeping the young one busy. Madam Bones sat with a stack of parchment in front of her, scratching furiously with a long, beautiful green quill. Sirius stood to one side, bouncing Harry up and down, with a despondent look on his face, his grey eyes looking like storm clouds, waiting to break.
"There is also another piece of information you should be made aware of," Sharpclaw stated, his eyes focusing solely upon Sirius, "Albus Dumbledore tried to lay claim on the Potter Trust Vault, claiming magical guardian in absentia of Harry James Potter, stating you are unfit to look after the child and that he shall provide for his upbringing, along with the letter from the Chief Warlock`s office, asking for the Will to be sealed until such a time that it can be viewed by himself." At this point Sirius looked ready to explode, the bundle in his arms being the only reason for his restraint. Sharpclaw continued, before Sirius could say anything, "We told him that that would not be possible since the Will is already scheduled for a viewing in front of the Potter legal representatives, as well as the Head of the DMLE."
"I would also like to point out that he came by my office to file for an arrest warrant of one Sirius Orion Black, after I received the requests of my presence at this reading by both the Goblin Nation, As well as Mr. Tonks," Madam Bones stated, looking up at Sirius, her gaze penetrating his soul, "You will get your trial, Mr. Black. There is more than enough evidence to grant you your freedom, providing we can catch Mr. Pettigrew. You will be notified of your trial date in advance, by me personally." With that, she stood up, took her papers and a copy of the Will and left the room in purposeful strides.
"She hates me, I should have known she would. I need to make it up to her," Sirius spoke more to himself than anyone else, as he watched her leave.
Two Months Later – Monday 11/01/1982
"This emergency session of the Wizengamot is called to order," Albus Dumbledore stated, banging his gavel on the table, "Madam Bones, the floor is yours, please tell us why we all need to be here this early in the morning?"
Madam Bones stepped forward, clearing her throat and cast her eyes around the vast room and its current inhabitants and cleared her throat before starting, "This session has been called by me, as an emergency trial, before this council, for one Sirius Orion Black, on the charge of revealing information that led to the deaths of James Charlus Potter, Heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, and would-be Lady Lily Potter, on the night of the 31st of October, 1981, bring in the accused."
The doors swung open among a loud sweeping roar in the chamber. People immediately started calling for his head. Sirius walked in, cuffed and flanked by two Aurors in black and blue robes. They set him in the seat in the middle of the floor and bound him to it.
"Sirius Orion Black, you have been informed of the charges against you, how do you plead?" Madam Bones looked at him with a piercing gaze, people continued shouting, until the Chief Warlock lifted his wand and set of three deafening bangs, silencing everyone.
"He is guilty! Send him to Azkaban, have him Kissed! There is no reason for this trial," Cornelius Fudge, current Minister of Magic, shouted, eliciting another round of jeers and votes for the Dementor`s Kiss. Another round of bangs silenced them, this time from Madam Bones herself.
"I plead not guilty. I request the use of Veritaserum," Sirius stated in a loud, clear voice. People started murmuring amongst themselves, looking at one another in confusion. It is not everyday that an accused criminal requests the use of Veritaserum.
"I would like to point out, for the record, that, with the permission of Mr. Black himself, as well as his lawyers, my Aurors spent the last week mentally breaking Mr. Black down under the supervision of Ministry approved Healers. There is no possible means for him to resist Veritaserum at this point," Madam Bones stated loudly, looking around the room.
"He will not be submitted to the serum! This whole session is a farce, he should be sent away immediately!" Minister Fudge spat, looking at Sirius with disgust etched on his face. He would do anything in his power to make sure this man pays for his crimes.
"Minister Fudge, do I need to remind you that you hold very little power here?" Madam Bones asked, "Your place here is merely a courtesy." She looked up at Dumbledore, who was stroking his beard in thought. She knew he had no way to deny the request, lest he be willing to face the political backlash of denying a request made with sufficient preparation.
"Administer the serum and ask your questions, Madam Bones," Dumbledore stated, watching over his half-moon glasses, his blue eyes darkening slightly.
A man marched down the aisle and administered the recommended three drops on the tip of Sirius` tongue and they waited for it to take effect. Madam Bones started questioning him as soon as his eyes glazed over.
"Is your name Sirius Orion Black?"
"Yes," Sirius`s monotone voice rang out in the silence.
Were you placed in Slytherin, while attending Hogwarts?"
"No," Sirius kept staring ahead, while answering.
"Did you know that James and Lily Potter was placed under the Fidelius Charm before their deaths?" Amelia looked directly at him, while the voices around them picked up slightly.
"Yes," Sirius answered.
"Were you their Secret Keeper at any point bofore their deaths?"
"No," came from Sirius again.
The voices started picking up in volume and Madam Bones looked at the people, silencing them again, before asking, "Who was their Secret Keeper?"
"Peter Pettigrew, he had to give me the address, everyone thought it was me to throw off any attempts at kidnapping or coercion," Sirius stated, immediately the voices rose exponentially, requiring Dumbledore to raise his wand again, to gain silence once more.
"Who placed the Fidelius Charm for the Potters?" Madam Bones asked, looking directly at Albus Dumbledore this time. The man in question, just kept looking on, impassive.
"Albus Dumbledore, he is also the one that requested my arrest, as well as the sealing of the Potter Will, which stated all of this," Sirius said, his voice carrying through the shocked silence that followed the first part of his statement. Dumbledore lost his calm demeanor and looked furious at this point.
"There you have it, ladies and gentleman. The Will in question, is right here and proved authentic by Gringotts, who handled the reading," Madam Bones stated, lifting the parchment in question up in the air, before continuing, "We also came across one Peter Francis Pettigrew a short while ago, he confessed immediately, claiming coercion. He is also an illegal animagus, in the form of a rat."
Three hours later
Sirius walked out of the courtroom, towards the Tonks family and Harry, a proven free man. After his visit with the goblins, he was also the newly named Lord Black, Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. While there, they also signed documents and took vows, making Ted and Andi Tonks the new magical Guardians of one Harry James Potter, with the knowledge that Sirius will be taking an active role in Harry`s education about all things magical and Lord-like, in the absence of his parents. He is still Harry`s father-figure in the eyes of the law, but due to the fact that they want a family life for him, the whole family would be moving into one of the Black estates, so that Harry and Dora can be raised together, by one, big, happy family.
Lord Black would spend a lot of time away from home cementing new deals and alliances in the coming years. Things were most definitely looking up for the new family.
A/N: Thank goodness this is over and done with. Sirius` trial gave me such a headache, it is not even funny anymore! Luckily it turned out how I wanted it. I had to cut if off there with a nice little outro, otherwise I would have spent another 2 000 words on the rest of the trial alone. Summary time! Sirius is proven innocent, Peter is sent to super-max, Dumbles loses some influence because of his stunt. Fudge is a douche. Ted, Andi and Dora are all accepted back into the Black family tree.
I kept referring to Amelia as 'Madam Bones' for a very specific reason. She will play a bigger part in later chapters, but right now, she isn't fond of Sirius for good reasons and she is a frigid, no-nonsense new Department Head and nothing more.
The most important part for me here was the Will, that let to Sirius getting a fair trial.
I changed one item on the Will segment to help further the plot a little later 07/05/2019
SpareShiro2018, I hope you like my attempts at some funnies in this chapter. Really hope they crack you up!