AN/Here we are, finally. Excuse the lateness, my computer hates me. I lost this chapter twice and had to rewrite it, then the internet wouldn't work. Gaah. Well, hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: all the property of someone else, except parts of the plot of course.

Ch 12: Trials and Tribulations

The scant few days notice they were given for the trial did nothing to quell the nervousness that the residents of Potter Manor were suffering, so when the morning of the trial finally dawned, they were all a little worse for wear.

Harry had managed, through much persuasion from both his souls, to bully Remus into accepting the new robes he had brought him and was dressed himself in the green and gold dress robes he had brought on his first shopping trip.

He also had Tabitha wrapped around his wrist. When Remus had questioned him about bringing the snake along, Harry had sent him a rather devious smirk, the older soul answering for the two of them, "Simply put, my dear Moony, we are going for shock value. Same reasoning behind the robes, I'm looking to throw a few people off kilter. They all have an image of me in their minds, and I want to start working on breaking that as soon as possible." His face went pensive for a moment and Remus was again startled by the contrasting expressions on that young face depending on which soul was in control, "Trust me, it will be much easier later on if we can shake them now. That concrete image they have caused more trouble then it was worth. If I can gradually work away at it, they may not be so shocked at some of the things I do later. Trust me when I say that shocking the public when you are trying to keep them safe is not exactly productive. They tend not to cooperate when needed, which can lead to trouble." A dark look filtered through those green eyes and Remus blinked. The only one he had seen that expression on was Severus Snape, not a pleasant thought.

So as it was, the two (Three) of them met with the Headmaster outside of the courtroom dressed in high quality robes and drawing many curious glances. Remus was dressed in deep midnight blue robes that had shimmering frosting around the hem that looked like moonlight on the surface of a lake. The effect was not lost on the werewolf who actually liked the pattern, after all it wasn't as if he had much of a chance to see the real thing. Next to him, Harry was elegant in deep green, Tabitha, who was now wrapped visibly about his neck, matching the green and gold of his robes perfectly.

And Albus Dumbledore was beside them in the deep plum robes as head of the Wizengamot. He had met them at the entrance to the Atrium and had walked down with them, offering his silent support, something Harry had appreciated, but he hadn't missed the speculative looks the old man had been throwing his way either. The Headmaster apparently suspected something, but the older soul shrugged it off;

'After all,' he commented to his younger self when the other had sent a stab of inquiry about the amusement he had felt coming form the back of his mind, 'It is not like we are going to be keeping it from him forever. We'll see how all this plays out first and then set about working out how to inform him of the situation. Once we have Sirius free and with the protections set up at Aunt Petunia's we can concentrate on where we need to go next.'

The amount of people that had gathered for the trial had surprised him at first but them he had shook his head remembering that at this stage, the fear that had ruled the wizarding community in later years had not even touched anyone yet. As far as most of the people here knew, Voldemort was gone for good and this was merely an interesting bit of gossip material on how the ministry had screwed up in the past.

The door boomed open behind him and he barely held back from drawing his wand as he spun to face the disturbance, nearly dropping into a fighting crouch, only held back by the hand that Remus placed on his shoulder. He threw a sheepish look up into the man's amused eyes at his tightly wound reflexes and consciously relaxed his muscles from the battle ready state they had flown into despite his younger body not having the experience behind it that his older mind remembered. The training that they had been doing was bringing much of his old reflexes to his younger self. A thing that comforted the older soul as he knew that if he had to take over, his younger body would be able to keep up with his mind, but it did make for some embarrassing situations when he was startled, something that Remus was starting to appreciate.

A soft cough to the other side of him drew his gaze up to the slightly calculating blue eyes of the Headmaster and Harry felt himself blush, knowing that his reaction had triggered the Headmaster's curiosity.

Nodding his head towards the open door, the old wizard swept a hand indicating they should proceed him, "Shall we?" he asked mildly, his eyes still studying Harry as the two of the nodded to him then stepped into the courtroom.

Harry looked around as he and Remus were seated off to the left hand side of the room in the front row of seats usually reserved for witnesses in normal trail settings. He mentally rolled his eyes at the fact that the two of them were the only 'witnesses of the defence' where there were a number of people on the prosecutors side of the room, including the oh so prestigious Minister of Magic, though what he could possibly offer in the case, Harry had no idea.

The room was one of the larger courtrooms, owing to the fact that this trial was being widely publicised. After all, we were talking about the notorious Sirius Black here.

The gallery was steadily filling and after a moment, the Purple robed forms of the Wizengamot filed in to take their seats along the dividing wall that faced the single seat in the centre of the room.

Beside him, he could hear Remus growl softly at the sight of the chains looped around that chair and he feared that he might have to restrain the man when they brought Sirius out.

It looked as though they were going to go through the prosecutors case first though, as the Minister stood at the podium and shuffled a stack of papers in front of him but no move was made to bring in the accused.

Once the noise settled down, Minister Fudge cleared his throat and Harry had to hold back on rolling his eyes as the pompous man brushed at the front of his pinstriped robe and gazed around at the gathering, a faint smirk on his face. "Everyone come to order." He announced haughtily, his nose a bare fraction from rising into the air.

There was a faint shuffling as everyone settled then the man nodded once, before turning his attention to the gathered members of the Wizengamot. "Masters and Mistresses, this trial has been gathered today to address the accusations of misconduct by this august body in the past, I would like to call to attention the fact that….."

He was cut off by an elderly wizard who sat two seats down from the Headmaster, "Get on with it Fudge," the old man growled, "We know why we are here. This has nothing to do with the Ministry at present. We are here solely to ascertain the gilt of one Sirius Black. If it turns out the man is innocent and wishes to press charges against false imprisonment, then we will address the issue."

Fudge flushed slightly and Harry had to hold back a snicker as the man lost some of his bluster. The man finally regained his composure and after clearing his throat once again, he started from a different angle, "Yes, of course. Then, in view of that fact, I would like to call forward Auror Macness as he was in charge of the division that arrested Black that day."

What followed was a slew of Aurors, Ministry workers and so called eye witnesses, that all gave their interpretations of the event and Harry felt himself grow more and more annoyed as time went on. His younger soul thought the whole thing a complete farce as they were all talking about an event that happened ten years ago as if it were yesterday, but their accounts all matched way too much to be true. The older soul was almost fuming, 'This is ridiculous.' He sneered in the back of their shared head, 'This is all hearsay and nonsense, none of it matters.'

Eventually he had enough and pushing the younger soul out of the way, took control of their body. Rising to his feet, he interrupted yet another account of someone witnessing the street explode and Sirius being dragged away by the Aurors. "I think that this is just about enough." He stated coldly. His voice wasn't loud but still carried throughout the room and all eyes turned in his direction. Fudge stuttered then glowered at him, "Mr Potter, I would thank you to retake your seat." He demanded.

Harry stared at him coolly then turned his attention to the Wizengamot members, bypassing the man as the insignificant annoyance that he was. "This entire trail is a farce." He declared softly, ignoring the gasps throughout the room and the strangled sound coming from the werewolf beside him.

The old man that had spoken out against Fudge was the one that answered him, "Young man," he growled, "I would think that you would have more respect. This is no place for children to act out. Sit back down so we may continue or you will be removed along with your guardian."

Harry narrowed his eyes and shifted his bearing to the aristocratic stance of the Head of one of the old Pureblood families that he was, "I would thank you sir not to insult my intelligence." He declared evenly and had the satisfaction of seeing many of their eyes widen at his tone, "We are here to ascertain the guilt of one man, not to hear the account of events from dozens of people that have no bearing in this matter. The only account that we require is that of the accused himself."

Fudge seemed to regain his voice as he blustered at him, "That is ridiculous, as if we would believe the account of a convicted murder. Sit down boy,"

Harry turned his cold glare on him and the man actually gulped back whatever else he was going to say, "That is what Veritasirum is for." Harry stated, as if he was speaking to a three year old.

There was muttering in the crowd and Harry turned his attention back to the Wizengamot. Dumbledore was watching him carefully and there were a few expressions of curiosity being directed at him.

An older witch off to one side shook her head, "I am afraid that the use of Veritaserum at a trail such as this has not been in practice wince the Death Eater Trails ended." She stated, "It was ruled as an invasion of the prisoners rights and was discontinued."

Harry had to hold back from rolling his eyes, why did they have to make everything so difficult? "Madam, if that is the case, then I claim right of Kin," there was louder mutterings at this and Dumbledore's eyes narrowed slightly in surprise, "As the Godson of Sirius Black and in his absence, I claim right of Legal Proceedings in his name and give permission for Veritaserum to be used to ascertain his innocence."

Harry caught the Headmasters gaze and nodded his head slightly at the faint note of respect he saw beneath the speculation as the rest of the Wizengamot muttered amongst themselves. Finally, the old woman spoke up again as the other settled back in their seats, "Very well," she proclaimed, waving her hand at on of the Aurors standing at the door, "Bailiff, bring in the accused."

Harry sat back down in his seat, but the older soul remained in control, standing ready in case something happened. He also reached over and gripped Remus by the arm, knowing that the appearance of his old friend was going to rattle the werewolf, even through he had seen through Harry's memories what imprisonment had done to the man.

He was right to do so, because as soon as they led Sirius in the room, Remus tried to lunge to his feet but was tangled up by Harry's small body where he threw himself across the werewolf's lap.

Sirius was shackled and his head was lowered as they dragged him forward, but his outward appearance was bad enough. His long hair was a matted as Harry remembered, even though this was fully two years before the man had escaped in his time line. His filthy prison robes were tattered and what they could see of his frame was almost skeletal under the rags and dirt. More then one person flinched back as he was led into the room, many of them still fearing his presence, even though they were aware of the doubt about his guilt and Harry could hear and feel Remus whimper from his position of being clasped against the mans chest. Not that he really minded, he knew that this friend needed the support.

Sirius was dragged over to the chair in the centre of the room and shoved down into it and Harry had to bite back a protest as the chains snaked their way tightly about the man's skinny frame, binding him in place.

Once the Aurors stepped back, Sirius finally raised his head and many in the room bit back gasps at the turbulent darkness in the slightly glazed eyes. Remus gave a sound suspiciously like a sob and Harry gripped his hand in reassurance, knowing that as bad as Sirius looked, his mind was still largely intact. He also bit back another objection as it was clear that they hadn't given Sirius anything to make him more alert to what was going on.

The woman who had called for Sirius to be brought in nodded to Fudge for him to continue the proceedings and the minister gestured for the truth serum to be administered, his expression showing that he was not pleased at the direction that this whole situation was going.

It didn't take long for the glazed eyes to blank over completely and the strained face to go still and Harry gripped Remus's hand again as the man shifted in distress.

Fudge stared down at the prisoner in distaste then nodded to the scribe off to the side that had been taking note of the proceedings to indicate that he was ready to continue.

"Prisoner, for the record, please state your name." he demanded coldly.

Sirius's voice rasped harshly through the room as he replied, his tone dull due to the truth serum, "Sirius Orion Black."

A slight sneer crossed the ministers face, but fell away as he continued, "Were you or were you not, friends with one James and one Lily Potter, both deceased."

There was no reaction form Sirius to the question, although Remus growled softly, the noise covered by Sirius's rasped, "I was."

Harry narrowed his eyes at the slightly shifty expression on the ministers face as the man nodded once, he was up to something with this. "Ten years ago, were you or were you not named as secret keeper in the effort to protect Mr and Mrs Potter and their small son." Again came the raspy answer of "I was." And Harry could see where this was going. The man was anxious to save face so he was going to ask his questions carefully so as to paint Sirius in the worst light, not once out and out asking if he was the one responsible. He growled in his own mind and listened as the questioning continued,

"After the Potters were killed, did you set out after one Peter Pettigrew, meeting him in an alley way some time later that day.?"

"I did."

"And where your intentions to kill said Mr Pettigrew after you found him."

"Yes."

There were gasps at this and Harry simmered in anger as he slowly rose to his feet. The satisfied smirk on the ministers face slipped as he caught sight of Harry's expression but he pulled himself up to deliver an ultimatum against his interference again but Harry cut him off, "Sirius Black, when were you relieved of your post of secret keeper for the Potters?" The room went still in shock at the question and Fudge went white as Sirius voice rasped through the now silent courtroom, "One week before they were killed."

"Did you turn them over to Voldemort?"

He ignored the shocked exclamations around the room at his use of the Dark Lords name, concentrating on Sirius's answers;

"No."

"Why did you change secret keepers in the first place?"

"James was afraid that I would be targeted for the information so we decided to use me as a misdirection," the flat tone of voice caused by the veritaserum gave the accounting a cold edge that had many shivering in spite of them selves, "We decided that we would change keepers but not inform any one therefore keeping the keeper safe and making sure that I could not give anything away if I was captured."

Harry nodded then dropped the question everyone was now wondering, "So who was secret keeper if it wasn't you?"

"Peter Pettigrew."

There was an uproar at that and the ministers voice cut through it with a crow of triumph, "And so you killed Pettigrew, you admit to motive. You may not be responsible for the betrayal of the Potters but you still stand accused of murder."

The wind went out of his sails however as Sirius answered the accusation flatly, "No, I did not kill the little rat. I met him in that alley and he panicked at being cornered. He screamed at me saying that I killed them then blasted the street behind him before turning into a rat and running down the sewers. The little creep cut off his own finger to fake that he had died in the explosion and bolted."

One of the Wizengamot members raised his voice over the noise and demanded, "Are you saying that Pettigrew is still alive?"

"Yes."

Pandemonium erupted and the minister grew more an d more flustered as he lost complete control of the situation. It didn't last long however, as Albus Dumbledore rose to his feet, instantly silencing everyone in the room without casting a single spell.

"I think that was can end this with a few pointed questions." He said into the sudden silence, "Mr Black, are you now or have you ever been a Death Eater?"

"No."

"Have you ever worked in any shape or form for Voldemort." Again there were exclamations around the room at the sound of the name but the Headmaster, like Harry ignored it;

"No."

"Did you commit any of the crimes that you were imprisoned for?"

"No."

With a nod of satisfaction, Dumbledore straightened his robes and addressed the rest of the Wizengamot, "I think that about wraps things up here, don't you?" the others either nodded or snorted in disgust at the whole situation, "Very well, I hereby declare Sirius Black cleared of all charges against him and reinstate his assets into his control once more. Mr Black, you are free to go, if you wish to demand compensation for your wrongful imprisonment then please make your requests through the appropriate channels. This trial in adjourned."

Remus gave a whoop of joy and vaulted over the wall to rush to his friend, Harry not far behind him. It was clear when they reached the man, that he had no idea what was going on around him. He was just shaking off the effects of the truth serum but was still dazed from the dementors that he had only just been removed from.

Harry carefully checked in his eyes, making sure that the veritaserum wasn't having any adverse reactions and he nodded to Remus, clearing the worry in the others expression, "He'll be alright, he just needs a lot of rest and a few nutrition potions as well as a few square meals some where well away from Dementors."

He turned to look around the room and caught sight of the Headmaster watching them from the doorway. He nodded in answer to the question in the mans eyes, knowing that the time to speak with the man was fast approaching and the Headmaster nodded in return, turning to leave the room, no doubt to go an investigate further into what had happened to get Sirius arrested in the first place. He didn't make it out the door however, as a young aid rushed into the room, his face pale and his eyes alighting on first the Headmaster then Harry. "Headmaster Dumbledore, sir, Mr Harry Potter?"

The two of them stepped forward and the aid held out a large picture. It didn't matter if it was a wizarding photograph or not as it soon became clear that the man in it was clearly dead, but that wasn't what stopped both of them cold. Harry knew that the Headmaster was shocked at the victims identity but Harry however was frozen by what was carved into the bodies forehead.

His older soul shivered in shock, not knowing what to make of the familiar sign. There was no way that this was possible. There, carved into the middle of the late Professor Quirrell's forehead, was a lighting bolt, the mirror image of his scar. In the later years if the war, Voldemort had done that to taunt him with the deaths of those he had been unable to save. At the sight of it here, on the body of the person that Harry knew had contact with the disembodied form of the freak, in a time well before the fight had gotten that personal, he felt the bottom fall out of his world.

Everything spun as he gasped for breath, it just was not possible, there was no way that he was here. The last thought that ran through his head as everything went black was that the conversation with the Headmaster had just become a priority. Things had just entered the realm of very bad.

……………………………………………….

AN/ Heh heh, guess what he figured out? Volde has thrown down the gauntlet. I was going to leave this until later, but I felt that we needed to kick this up a notch. If I had the two of them working around behind each others backs it would become pretty boring pretty fast. So here we are, Harry knows. Thank you all for your reviews, and hello to all the new readers, there are so many of you , I'm glad you are all enjoying.

Ja Ne.