Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I am not making and money or profits of this fanfiction. This is merely a fans imagination gone out of control so please don't sue me.

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The Black Legacy

Chapter 1 – Guilty until proven Innocent!

It was a beautiful spring morning at Hogwarts. Albus Dumbledore enjoyed this moment as he walked down one of the many long hallways, taking in the faces of the young wizards and witches as they walked by. It was times like this that Dumbledore remembered why he became a teacher. But such times were never meant to last. Walking down the hall he stopped at the entrance to his office where a stone gargoyle stood.

"Sherbet Lemon" He muttered, which was followed by the gargoyle moving upwards revealing a spiraling stairs.

Walking up the stairs he entered his office. To say his room was balanced and neat was an understatement. Littered throughout the room untidy stacks where hundreds of documents and books on magic. Walking towards his desk he smiles as he is met with the presence of his trusted companion Fawkes perched on his stand.

"Hello old friend." Dumbledore greeted, stroking Fawke's head to which earned him a hum.

Dumbledore moved around his desk, being sure not to knock any documents over, sitting himself down with an exhausted thump on his leather chair. Looking on his desk which was littered with numerous documents, his eyes fell on a copy of the Daily Prophet. Picking it up he started reading.

Ministry 0 - Death Eaters 29

Death reaches the streets of London today, where the twenty-five year old Auror Malcolm Kenshawn lost his life at the hands of You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters. According to sources, young Malcolm suffered under the Crucio Curse before dieing. Whether it was because of the Crucio Curse that he died or another curse remains to be seen. At the moment the Ministry of Magic is doing all they can do to try and end the killings that have shook the wizarding world, but by the way things are going it won't be too soon.

Yes, exhaustion was what Dumbledore is feeling. Since Harry Potter's sentencing to Azkaban, the situation with Voldermort has become even worse. Like any great strategist, Voldermort took advantage of this. Attacks have been happening more frequently and neither the Ministry or the Order of the Phoenix have made any progress in stopping the killings. It was almost as if Voldermort knew first hand what they were doing before it happened.

"How can things get any worse?"

An echo filled the room as the doors to Dumbledore's office burst open. Dumbledore was on his feet instantly with his wand ready to fight, which he put down when he saw who it was. Walking into the room, adorning brown robes and wearing an insignia of the Order of the Phoenix was the red headed Arthur Weasley, who walked hurriedly towards Dumbledore.

"Ah, Arthur, what do I owe the pleasure of your visit to Hogwarts." Dumbledore greeted with a twinkle in his eyes, which vanished when he saw Arhtur's face. "What's the matter Arthur?"

Arthur stood in front of Dumbledore's desk, covered in sweat and panting deeply. The look of horror was apparent on his face as he tried to calm himself. It was like he had seen a ghost or something horrible.

"Dumbledore… I have information… information concerning Potter's trial."

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Sitting in his cell Harry did his daily ritual of watching the sun light vanish into the horizon. Being his only means of passing the time he waited, until the sound of one of the guards distracted him by calling his attention.

"Hey boy! Here's your lunch." The guard said contemptibly, then sliding his food on a tray towards Harry from the entrance to his cell.

Harry took the food and looked at it for a second. The food was nothing more then stale bread and some kind of goop which smelled fowl and looked like vomit with chunks. But that didn't stop Harry from eating it. His face showed no indication as he took his first spoonful of the fowl substance, it was almost as if he had lost all sensation in his taste buds long ago. As he finished he slid the tray away from himself and continued to finish where he left off.

"And another day passes." Harry whispered as the sun finally set, leaving the cell room in mild darkness.

Three years and still going Harry thought. Three years since he first came to Azkaban. As he sat, memories of when he came out of the court room on the day of his trial came to mind.

-----FLASHBACK-----

Slowly, Harry Potter was lead to the carriage that would take him to Azkaban. The streets were filled with commotion, people shouting towards him as he slowly followed the Dementor in front of him. The people were so worked up that they started throwing things at him. Fruit, bottles and anything else hard enough to leave a dent was hurled at Harry, bruising him and dirtying him. These where the people that looked to him as their savior. Their hope. All of that was gone now. He took one last glance behind himself, at his once be family. If he could he would have tried to ask them to believe his innocence, but it was pointless. All he could see was anger, hatred and disappointment in the eyes of the people he thought would forever be by his side, through thin and thick.

"Move it boy!" A guard said angrily, pushing him forward, making Harry fall to his knees.

His eyes started to tear up as he tried to make the people around him see sense. The hope they would listen to him.

"Please, someone believe me? I…"

His speech ended as something hard collided with his head, knocking his glasses off and himself to the stone pavement. As he got to his knees he tried searching desperately for his glasses. His moved around the ground until they came in contact with something smooth.

"Looking for these?" A soft voice asked.

Looking at the object that his hand was touching Harry saw that it was a shoe. Looking up he saw the blurry vision of someone towering over him. He could make out who it was straight away. It was only when he saw the shape of the persons hair, hair that was bushy, that his eyes became joyful.

"Hermione, it's you." He said excitedly. "You'll listen to me won't you? If anyone you…" Harry pleading stopped when he felt the hand of Hermione slapping his face hard.

Hermione was seething made. "JUST BE QUIET YOU… YOU MONSTER." She stuttered angrily. "DON'T SAY ANYTHING TO ME, DON'T EVEN LOOK AT ME." Hermione then slapped Harry again, but with more force, knocking him on his back.

Harry was shocked at the show of anger on Hermione face. The last thing he thought she'd do was slap him. Looking at her blurred image with teary eyes he noticed for the first time that she was clutching something in her hands.

Hermione saw what he was looking at and smiled evilly. "You see these Harry?" She asked, holding the item out in outstretched hand.

Harry made out the shape, and saw his glasses folded up in Hermione's hand. Taking this as a gesture to take his glasses back he extended his hand to get them. Before his hand even reached them Hermione dropped them to the ground, and in one motion she stamped her foot down on top of his glasses.

For the next minute all that could be heard was the grinding sound of Hermione's shoe, as she dragged her foot into the ground. Harry became even tearier as he watched Hermione take great pleasure in breaking his glasses. When she finished she looked at Harry once more, showing no remorse for what she did. If anything she enjoyed it immensely. Then she walked away, back to Ron and the others.

Harry didn't bother to follow her movements; he just continued to look at his ruined glasses. Picking up what remained, which was mainly the frame; he clutched it to his chest. The tears had become even worst by now. For the first time ever since he came to the wizarding world he felt alone.

Coming to his sides the guards picked up the broken boy and roughly dragged him towards the waiting carriage, which had a Dementor waiting inside.

Upon seeing the Dementor Harry started struggling to get away, but the guards held on firmly. When they finally got him in they closed the door to the carriage and locking the door to stop Harry from escaping.

-----END OF FLASHBACK-----

Thinking back to that day, Harry always wondered why they locked the door to the carriage. Was it to stop him from getting away or to stop him from committing suicide at the presence of the Dementor. If it had to be one of them, it would have possibly been the latter. It was his worst fear the Dementor, and the last thing he wanted was to be trapped in a room, or carriage with one for a long time.

Then the screaming started. Throughout the halls and corridors of Azkaban filled with the agonizing screams of the prisoners, meaning that the Dementors where on their daily routine to check on the prisoners. It was a common thing in Azkaban Prison, which occurred mostly at night and sometimes during the day, but only when a new prisoner was being escorted.

It was then that his cell became cold all of a sudden. His eyes widening Harry clawed at the ground as he crawled to the farthest corner of the cell. His breathing turned into quick gasps as the walls of his cell where moisture had gathered began freezing over, spreading to every corner. The air was so cold at the moment that even the air from his lungs turned cold. Harry could hear his heart beating the closer the ice came to him, like some enveloping shadow trying to consume him. His widened as the cell door began to open slowly, making him grovel into the corner, tightly wrapping himself into a ball in the fetal position. When the door finally opened, he saw the Dementor enter. The robes it wore where as black as a shadow and bellowed in an invisible wind. It was frightful sight to see.

Harry tried to huddle even more into the corner. He even considered trying to climb the wall towards the bared window. Anything to get away, but it was a wasted effort as always as he started screaming in unchained agony. He started clawing his face trying to get rid of the feeling of having to relive his worst memories. The screaming was so bad that even the human guards could hear his screaming, all the way from the reception area. Listening to the screaming the guards reveled in delight.

"It looks like you owe me." The guard said to his colleague. "Five galleons."

"Put it on my tab." The other guard said with a grumble. Which vanished instantly as he continued to listen to Harry Potters screams.

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It was 2am at 12 Grimmauld Place, and a meeting was underway. Waiting patiently in the large molded living room of Grimmauld, while conversing with one another was every member of the Order of the Phoenix. The room was filled to brim with men and women. On one side of the room sat the whole Weasley family, consisting of Molly, Ron, Fred, George and Ginevra Weasley, who were busying themselves with giving out tea to everyone. Sitting on a couch in the centre of the room was the Transfiguration teacher Minerva McGonagall, who passed the time talking with the Aurors Nymphadora Tonks and Alastor Moody. And standing away from everyone next to a fireplace, like he was an outsider was the least favorite wizard at Hogwarts Severus Snape. Hermione Granger was also there as one of the newest members along with Ron. To pass the times she just stood passively next Remus Lupin whom was sitting next to her on chair.

'What is going on?' Hermione thought silently, showing mild worry as she waited. Looking around she saw that everyone else showed similar facades.

"Are you okay Hermione?" Remus asked, with a worm voice.

Hermione blinked a couple of times before she turned towards Remus. Time has played well for Remus she thought. His hair was grey around the sides yet he still looked like he could still run for the marathon.

"Just a little worried and curious." Hermione responded.

Remus sighed. "Suspense can do that to you."

Remus couldn't blame Hermione for her worry. He remembered how she acted after Harry's incarceration. In the six months after the trial she was depressed. Wanting to be left alone she went into isolation, not talking to anyone and tending to pass the time reading day and night without sleep. He himself went through a similar experience which he passed through by taking daily strolls in the forbidden forest. Most of everyone who knew Harry and respected him once had gone into a deep depression. Eventually it ended and everyone became happy again and tried to forget.

"But you shouldn't worry yourself too much." Remus smiled.

"Don't tell her that Remus."

Remus and Hermione turned towards the voice that interrupted their conversation, to see Alastor Moody limping towards them, his long brown leather coat flapping behind him making him look like pirate on first glance.

"How are you doing?" Remus greeted.

"As good as anyone with one leg and a one real eye." Alastor joked, making Hermione giggle. "Does anyone know anything?"

Remus and Hermione shook their heads negatively.

"We know as much as you do Alastor." Remus said, earning a frustrated grunt from Moody.

The doors to the living room burst open, gaining the attention of all the members. In the entrance stood Albus Dumbledore and Arthur Weasley, who looked a little worse for wears as they made his way to the centre of the room.

Minerva was the first to stand. "Albus what's the matter?" She asked concernedly.

Dumbledore didn't say a thing at first which made Minerva even more concerned. Dumbledore looked like he had no sleep as shown by the bags under his eyes. Seconds turned into minutes as Dumbledore continued to not say a thing. It was a nudge from Arthur that shook Albus out of his stupor.

"Sorry Minerva!" He responded lowly. Straightening himself up, he addressed the audience. "Information was brought to my attention today… information that when I first heard, disturbed me to my core." Everyone's faces became curious to what Dumbledore was trying to say. "Yesterday at 3pm Arthur here caught a Death Eater." Albus paused. "The Death Eater was Peter Pettigrew."

Remus jsumped out of seat. "Peter? You actually caught him?" He questioned excitedly.

Arthur nodded. "I caught him when I was on one of my raids. Apparently You-Know-Who has become interested in antiques, for I found Peter trying to still an old book."

"Stop reminiscing and get back to what you found Albus." Alastor berated, to which Artur stopped talking and took his cue to move towards his famly.

"Sorry everyone." Albus continued. "When Peter Pettigrew was brought to the Ministry for processing, they questioned him under Veritaserus." Albus paused again and rubbed his head.

Everyone was starting to become worried. What information was so bad that it left Dumbledore speechless?

Sighing Dumbledore decided to just say what he came here to say. "The information he gave under the influence of Veritaserus relates to a murder committed on three muggles to which he and You-Know-Who were involved in." A tear went down his eye. "The muggles names were Vernon Dursley, Petunia Dursley and Dudley Dursley."

Everyone eyes widened at the mention of those names, for they were the same three muggles who met their end at the hands of the ex-savior Harry Potter. Dumbledore saw this and knew instantly what was about to happen next.

"Before anyone says anything let me…"

"SAY ANYTHING!" Ron said for the first time in a loud voice. His was as red as his hair at that moment. "There no point in saying anything Dumbledore. Everyone already knows that they were Harry relatives."

Hermione came to Ron's side placing a hand on his shoulder. "Calm down Ron." She said calmly.

Ron closed his eyes and took a few breathes. "I'm… I'm sorry Dumbledore. It just gets me worked up when something reminds me of Harry." He said with a sneer, to which everyone could only nod, all except Dumbledore. "But there's a bright side!" Ron said suddenly gaining curious stares from everyone. "If You-Know-Who was involved in the murder of the Dursley's, then this proves that Harry was in league with him."

Everyone started talking at the mention of that. It was the only logical explanation to why Harry killed his relatives.

"He's right!" Snape said, deciding to add his two pence worth. "This can also be used to our advantage, for if he was in league with You-Know-Who, then this would give us enough leverage."

"What are you suggesting Severus?" Remus asked, looking wearily at Snape.

"I suggest that we use him to spy on You-Know-Who, by using his scar as a window."

Murmurs started up again. It was a sound plan in most opinions, for it could give them a foothold in the war. As everyone discussed this, they failed to notice the stream of tears falling down Dumbledore's face. Again, Minerva was the first to notice something was wrong and walked closer to him.

"Albus?" She asked, gaining everyone's attention once more. Something was seriously wrong. "Albus… what is wrong?"

Dumbledore wiped his eyes clean and addressed the audience once again. "It is true that You-Know-Who was part of the reason why the Dursley's where murdered, but…" He paused as the tears came out again.

Minerva was even more scared now. "But what Albus?" Dumbledore didn't respond. "COME ON ALBUS TELL US!"

Looking up into Minerva's eyes and that of everyone else's, he saw the eagerness to know.

Sighing he finally responded. "But You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters where the only ones involved in the murder of the Dursley's… Harry wasn't involved." To this information everyone became confused. So Dumbledore elaborated. "On the day of the Dursley's murder, Harry wasn't the one who caste the spell, he wasn't even their when it happened." Dumblesdore said sadly. "Harry James Potter was innocent."

The whole room erupted at that moment. People began to talk loudly all at once blocking out every other sound out of the room. One half was arguing in denial and another half was too shocked to say anything. It was at that moment that Hermione through up her wand.

"Silencio." She chanted, stopping all sound in the room. When she was sire that everyone was quiet she canceled the spell, and turned back to Dumbledore. "How can this be? The report on the murder of the Durley's showed that it was Harry's wand and signature on the wand."

"There is more to it Miss Granger!" He said sadly. "Harry wand was taken from him that day, where he was given a mild sleeping draft to keep him from intervening… and the most important factor is the signature of the spell matched Harry because You-Know-Who has Harry's blood running through his veins."

All conversation ended. The occupants of the room couldn't believe what they were hearing. Harry was innocent all along, and they condemned him for it to Azkaban Prison. Crys and sobs could be heard all over the room like an empathic wave of emotion.

Hermione was in a state of total depression at hearing this, where she was sobbing hysterically into Ron's chest. She was his best friend and she betrayed him to the gallows. The memory of the day at the trial when he begged her to believe him, and what did she do, she slapped him and broke his glasses.

Ron was in a similar state. He was also Harry best friend. His first friend who has been with him on all his adventures since year one. And what did he do in the end, he through friendship aside testified against Harry, and worse he burned his possessions, the only link to his past into dust.

"What do we do now Albus?" Minerva said with a sniff. Being the head for his house during his years at Hogwarts she never really condoned his behavior, but she believed in him when he was truthful. But the one time she thought he was lying, she finds that he was telling the truth all along.

Dumbledore was still in a state of monotone before he answered. "Right now the Ministry is on the process of getting Harry out of Azkaban… but I think he should be brought to Hogwarts immediately, and then Madam Pomfrey can look him over."

The meeting at that point ended. Everyone began to disperse from the room immediately, too upset and ashamed at what has transpired. The one person who remained in the living room was Remus Lupin, who looked like a he was hit very hard with a bat.

"What have I done?" He whispered with shamed tears.

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AN: Hope you liked this chapter. The truth is out and now everyone knows it. Please R&R.