Professor Albus Dumbledore was having a hard time getting to sleep, after all of the things he had seen during the day. What was he going to do about Harry Potter and Hermione Granger? They would both need protecting both from the death eaters as well as the ministry and he would also have to give them special training. He couldn't believe how they had seen in his mind how he had conjured the chairs, he didn't feel a thing, normally he would be able to feel when someone was viewing his memories and then to so easily do the same thing themselves. The power these two children have is phenomenal, all these things and more were going through his mind in an endless loop. He would have to go back to the hospital in the morning and see Harry again; he would also have to see Frank and Alice Longbottom, to make sure they were alright. Finally at about two in the morning, Albus finally drifted off to sleep, although it was filled with dreams of Harry & Hermione. He woke at his normal five thirty and was extremely tired but one thing his dreams had done for him was to sort out his priorities for the day.
First go to see Harry and the Longbottoms, he would also have to see the Goblins at Gringotts, the wizarding bank. He stopped to think for a bit, "I might even have to go to the Grangers again, maybe they can take Harry in, after all there is the link with their daughter. Hmm I thought that it was telepathy but it isn't, it's much deeper than that; it's more like they have a full sensory link, though I have never heard of anything like that before."
After having a shower and dressing for the day ahead, Albus then did his regular tour of the school, before meeting with the staff over breakfast. He gave them a list of things that needed seeing to and at the same time, informing them that he would be out on business for the rest of the day. He then apparated to St Mungo's to see Harry.
Albus was walking into the ward where Harry and the Longbottoms were, he paused in the doorway and listened as Alice Longbottom was telling Harry about his parents.
"No Harry your parents were not drunks, they were very powerful Wizards," Alice was telling him, "and they loved you dearly, they literally doted on you."
"My Aunt and Uncle told me they were drunks and were killed in a car crash," Harry replied.
Albus walked into the ward then and answered him, "No Harry your parents were murdered by a very powerful dark wizard, named Tom Riddle who went by the self styled title of Lord Voldemort. You were all in hiding, but were betrayed by their best friend Sirius Black, who was their secret keeper."
"What was that?" shouted Frank Longbottom. "Sirius wasn't their secret keeper, Peter Pettigrew was. I know because I made him the secret keeper, as we thought that no one would suspect him, after all as you said, Sirius was their best friend so he would be the obvious choice."
Harry had been listening intently to the conversation between Professor Dumbledore and Frank Longbottom. "Hmm Professor what is a secret keeper?" he asked.
"When we hide a house magically, we need a secret keeper who knows where the house is, otherwise no one would be able to find it," the professor replied, "not even the person who hid it in the first place. Only the secret keeper can tell where the hidden item is located, once you have been told the location then you will be able to see it, but you still can't tell anyone else," explained the professor.
"That's weird."
Albus looked at Harry and the Longbottoms, "could I ask you not to mention anything about Peter Pettigrew to any one, at least until I can get Sirius out of Azkaban and in a safe place? We wouldn't want anyone to get the idea that it would be more expedient and less embarrassing for him to 'have an accident'."
"Certainly Professor, we would like Sirius freed, so we won't do anything to jeopardise that," the Longbottoms answered.
"I would also like you to keep Harry and Hermione's involvements in your return to health a secret, it would be preferable if people didn't know the extent of their powers."
"That's fine Professor," Frank answered.
"Professor, what happened to Tom Riddle?" Harry asked.
"After he killed your parents, he tried to kill you but the curse rebounded off of you and onto him. He hasn't been seen since, I don't think he died though, we are not sure exactly what happened to him," Dumbledore answered.
Albus then looked over to Frank and Alice, "you wouldn't know the whereabouts of the Potters Will would you? We haven't been able to find it."
"Well they had a copy in their office desk and we have a copy in our vault," Alice answered.
"Could you write me a letter authorising me to get it please, it would really help with the disposition of their estate?" He asked.
"Certainly Professor," Frank answered.
Albus then conjured a parchment with all the necessary legal phraseology and a quill so that Frank and Alice could sign it.
"Thank you both for that, unfortunately even I am bound by the law and without a Will, we had no choice but to place Harry with Lilly's muggle sister."
oo00oo
Albus Dumbledore was well know and liked by the Goblins that ran Gringotts, as he always showed them respect, unlike the majority of the wizarding world.
Albus bowed slightly to the Goblin behind the counter. "Good morning Griphook, I trust your family is increasing and your fortune is exceedingly large,"
Griphook returned the bow and the formal reply "Thank you headmaster, may your fortune always increase. What may I do for you today?"
"Could we go somewhere private please?" he asked.
Griphook then led him into a private office where Albus handed over the documents he had brought with him, "I need to retrieve the Potter will from the Longbottom Vault, he said.
Griphook read the documents then called for his assistant. "Bogrod go to the Longbottom vault and bring the Potter's Will here."
Ten minutes later Bogrod arrived with the will and handed it over to Griphook who unsealed it and then handed it over to Albus. "If there is nothing else Headmaster I will go about my business and leave you to read it in peace."
"Thank you Griphook, may you have a long and prosperous life,"
"Live long and prosper old friend," said Griphook in return and he bowed then left the room.
Albus bowed his head then went on to read the Last Will & Testament of James and Lilly Potter. Half an hour later Albus folded the Will and left. It had not actually taken long to read it; it was the implications that gave him pause and needed delicate handling.
oo00oo
Amelia Bones Director of the DMLE was sitting at her desk when Albus Dumbledore arrived. "Amelia do you have a few minutes, I need to see you as a matter of urgency?" Albus asked.
"I always have time for you Albus, come on in and shut the door."
Albus went inside, shut the door then cast some privacy charms around the office and took a seat opposite the Director. Amelia raised an eyebrow at this and then waved her hand over the desk, all the papers vanished and two snifters of brandy appeared in their place. They each picked up a glass and savoured a mouthful, there is always time for these little rituals; they help to calm the mind and allow you to gather your thoughts. Albus replaced the glass on the desk, "The Longbottoms have woken up and according to them Peter Pettigrew was the Secret Keeper for the Potters, not Sirius Black." Albus went on, "I need some trustworthy guards outside their ward, seeing that Harry Potter is also in that ward, you could use that as an excuse for putting them there.
Amelia nodded, then made a quick call to Kingsley Shacklebolt, and had him send two of his most trustworthy men to the Hospital to protect Harry Potter, she also asked him to come to her office with two more of his best men for a special job.
"They can go with you to Azkaban to retrieve Sirius Black; while you're doing that, I will call a special meeting of the Wizengamot. We can then give Sirius the trial that he should have had years ago."
"Thank you Amelia" Albus replied, he then handed her the Potter Will.
Amelia read through the will twice taking notes as she went, "I will read out the relevant points at the same meeting, I take it that some of the information is of a sensitive nature and you won't want it made public just yet?"
"Yes it is and no we don't want it made public, at least not until it is a fiat accompli."
oo00oo
The full court of the Wizengamot was finally gathered for the special emergency session, that Amelia Bones had called. Albus had made arrangements for the Director of the DMLE and the Aurors to bring Sirius Black before the court.
Albus Dumbledore leaned over and whispered in the Minister of Magic's ear.
"Cornelius please go along with me in this and I will see you get some great publicity out of it."
Cornelius looked at the Chief Warlock, he gave a slight smile and a quick nod to show he would do as asked, but he expected the promised results. The press gathered as always for special sessions, Rita Skeeter was poised ready to take notes on the day's proceedings.
Albus Dumbledore stood and called everyone to order. "The special session of the Court of the Wizengamot is now in session; Madame Bones please come forward and present your case." He then sat down to await the show which was about to unfold.
Madam Bones stood and made her way to the podium. "Chief Warlock, My Lords & Ladies of the Court of the Wizengamot, I, Amelia Bones, Director of the DMLE, acting on the order of the Minister of Magic, bring before you a case that has not been tried and was left over from the previous administration." She then smiled towards Cornelius Fudge the newly elected Minister of Magic. "Will the Aurors please bring in the prisoner?" The Aurors went out and returned within the minute. Bedlam broke out when the Court saw that it was Sirius Black who was brought in, with calls for him to be executed on the spot. Some members even complained that he was to be given a trial at all instead of just being kissed by the Dementors. Rita Skeeter's quill was flying as she took notes of the comments.
The Chief Warlock stood an shouted "Order, order in the court, and I'm surprised at you Lucius, after all if it wasn't for you having a trial you would have been kissed and not sitting here ready to give judgement."
When order was re-established, Amelia continued. "Administer the Veritaserum," she commanded and when it had taken effect, she started the interrogation of the prisoner.
"Please state your name and title for the record."
"Viscount Sirius Orion Black" he answered in the monotone that was common for people under the influence of the truth drug.
"Are you a Death Eater?"
"No."
"Are you a follower of the person known as Lord Voldemort?"
"No."
"Were you the Secret Keeper for the Potter residence at Godrics Hollow?"
"No."
"Who was the Secret Keeper for the Potter residence at Godrics Hollow?"
"Peter Pettigrew."
This answer brought an uproar from the members of the court and it took a good number of minutes for Albus to restore order.
"Did you kill Peter Pettigrew?"
"No."
"Did you kill the Muggles in the alley where you were arrested?"
"No."
"Please tell us what happened in that alley."
"I went to confront and kill Peter but before I could he sent an exploding hex into the crowd of muggles, killing a number of them. He then cut of a finger and changed into his animagus form and escaped down the sewer."
"He is an animagi?"
"Yes."
"What is his form?"
"He is a rat."
"So he is an unregistered animagi."
"No."
"Are you saying he is not an animagi or he is not unregistered?"
"He is not unregistered."
"How do you know he is not unregistered?"
"Because Peter Pettigrew, James Potter, Rita Skeeter and I, all registered at the same time."
Madame Bones looked up at the Minister for a moment then continued.
"Who did you give your forms to?"
"Miss Dolores Umbridge."
The court was in stunned silence at what had been revealed through the interrogation of the Prisoner.
"I now call Lord Frank Longbottom head of the most ancient and noble house of Longbottom."
The whole Court rose and applauded (some quite reluctantly) as the witness was wheeled into the room. The photographers were pushing each other out of their way in an attempt to get the best pictures of him entering.
When order had been re-established Amelia asked the court if they wanted her to administer Veritaserum, they unanimously declared Frank Longbottom to be a friend of the court and therefore was trusted to tell the truth.
"Could you please state your name and title for the records please?"
"I am Earl Frank Longbottom, Head of The Most Ancient and The Most Noble House of Longbottom."
"I am sorry my Lord for not getting your title correct when I announced you," Amelia said. "Could you please tell us who the secret keeper of the Potter house at Godrics Hollow is and how you know?"
"Well as for the mistake with my title, I know it was not intentional. As for the other matter, Peter Pettigrew was the Secret Keeper, I know this because I cast the fidelius charm upon the property and made Peter the secret keeper; we thought that Sirius Black would be to obvious."
"Thank you for your testimony, I won't keep you any longer as I know you are still recovering from your coma."
As he was being wheeled out of the court, everyone stood and applauded him. Madam Bones then turned back to the assembled Witches and Wizards and announced, "I now present to the court a certified copy of a section of the Potter will that was discovered earlier today, it also states that Peter Pettigrew was the Secret Keeper of the Potter residence at Godrics Hollow." She then walked forward and handed a copy of the relevant page to the Chief Warlock Albus Dumbledore.
"I would now ask the court to announce the defendant NOT GUILTY."
The verdict was predictably, not guilty, although a number of the members, Lucius Malfoy amongst them did so reluctantly.
"As Lord Sirius Black was unlawfully incarcerated without trial for eight and a half years, I would now like the court to address the matter of compensation."
After much debate amongst the members of the court, Albus Dumbledore stood and announced. "Lord Sirius Orion Black, it has been decided to award you with ₲150,000 for pain and suffering and ₲100,000 for each year of unlawful imprisonment, for a total of ₲1,000,000; this money will be credited to your Gringotts account."
Madam Bones then addressed the court again. "I now call Dolores Jane Umbridge to the stand." There were murmurs all around, as Miss Umbridge made her way down to the seat in front of the court she was just sitting on.
"Aurors please administer Veritaserum to Miss Umbridge."
After the Veritaserum was administered, Miss Umbridge's eyes glazed over and the interrogation could begin.
"Please state your name and title for the record."
"Miss Dolores Jane Umbridge."
"Is it true that James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black and Rita Skeeter all submitted animagus registration documents to you, in your official capacity within the Ministry of Magic?"
"Yes."
"What happened to those documents?"
"I destroyed them."
"Why did you destroy them?"
"So I could threaten them with imprisonment and fines."
"Why would you want to do that?"
"That way I would have power over them and I like power."
"Have you ever used that power?"
"Yes."
"Against who?"
"Rita Skeeter."
"Why?"
"I wanted her to run stories that favoured Millicent Bagnold, the previous minister of magic. I also wanted her to run stories against werewolves and half-breeds."
"What is the penalty for being an unregistered animagi?"
"Six months in Azkaban and a fine of ₲10,000 Galleons."
"Thank you Miss Umbridge."
No one missed the fact that Madame Bones used the correct honorific for an unmarried woman with no titles.
"I now request the court to please reach a verdict of guilty to the charge of perverting the course of justice, interfering with Ministry documents and blackmail. I also ask the court to set the sentence for this prisoner."
After conferring with the other members of the court Albus Dumbledore rose and addressed the prisoner.
"Miss Dolores Jane Umbridge the court finds you guilty of perverting the course of justice, interfering with Ministry documents and blackmail of one Rita Skeeter. We sentence you to six months in prison for each account of tampering with Ministry documents for a total of two years. We also sentence you to five years for perverting the course of justice and a further five years for the blackmail of one Rita Skeeter. All up you are sentenced to twelve years in Azkaban, your estate will be fined ₲10,000 for each of the people you caused to be unregistered, Total ₲40,000 you will also pay to the accounts of these same people ₲50,000 for a total of ₲200,000. The balance of your assets will go to Rita Skeeter for the fear and anguish you caused her. Aurors please take the prisoner away.
As Miss Umbridge was being led away Madame Bones stood and declared. "There are no further matters to be brought before the court at this time."
Albus rose again an announced "The court would like to thank the current Minster of Magic and Madame Bones for identifying this miscarriage of justice and bringing it to our attention. As there are no further matters before this body, I now declare this session of the Court of the Wizengamot closed."
Sirius Black went directly to his home, at the request of Albus Dumbledore, just as a precaution, until the news of his trial appeared in the papers. He arranged for a couple of bottles of Old Ogden's Fire Whisky, to be delivered to his home at 12 Grimauld Place, by his long time friend Arthur Weasley. Arthur did one better than that, he contacted a few of his other friends, bought enough beer and whisky to get an army blotto and by the end of the night Sirius and a few others, Arthur included, were all well and truly drunk.
A/N Thank you for all the reviews, please keep sending them in. Raven Spotter.