The Truth

Harry cowered into the corner. Sirius Black had finally gotten to him. Ron was put onto a bed with a broken leg. He and Hermione were cornered. Lupin had been their hope but it appeared like he worked with Black all the time. As the two men converged on the children a small fire ball appeared in front of Harry. Something appeared and thew the men back. At the same time Erik broke through the door at the other side. "Freeze!"

Harry looked up at Ginny. "How..?" Ron began, completely shaking. "Later." Ginny said through her teeth as she watched Sirius and Lupin. Erik had both his pistols trained on the two men.

"We don't wish to harm any of the kids. We only want that rat." Lupin said slowly.

Ron kept Scabbers closer to him. "No! He's just a rat, what do you want from him."

"No, he's not. I can smell it." Lupin said. Ron and Hermione just stared at him. Mouths moving but with no sound. Even Sirius froze. "You, you are the werewolf. That's why Erik told us about the categories." Lupin nodded. "He thought that someone would notice. So he tried to tell you sub-consciously. He hoped that you would recognize the symptoms and still don't hate me."

Erik bound Sirius with hand cuffs.

"Sirius Black, you are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to have an attorney present during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Do you understand these rights? " Sirius nodded. Slowly realizing what he had done. In trying to get revenge for the death of his friends he became as ruthless as the man he despised. "Professor Lupin, please take care of Mr Weasley and Miss Granger."

He turned to Harry and Ginny. "Miss Weasley, if you were so kind?" Ginny understood and touched both of them. In a flame they disappeared and reappeared in Hogwarts.

The news of the capture of Sirius Black made its round quickly. Fudge wanted to get Black back into Azkaban as fast as possible but Dumbledore used his position in the Wizengamot to call for a trial. Erik offered to speak for Black's defense as he was not familiar with the first mock-trial and worked on the case. It was strange that the one arresting the criminal would defend him but the Wizengamot allowed it.

Harry and Ginny went with him. No one has told them why but that a necessary revelation concerning them was about to take place.

Scabbers had disappeared again but Sirius' testimony should be enough. Additionally there was Erik's investigation and the psychological profile.

Amelia Bones was the main judge with numbers of others being the jury.

"We are here to debate on the case of Sirius Black. The prosecuter, Cornelius Fudge accuses Black of the murder of Peter Pettigrew and thirteen muggles. Additionally he is accused of being a death eater. The defense has Lieutenant Erik Winston. International Supernatural Law Enforcement. How do you plead, Mr Black?"

"I plead unguilty."

"Gentlemen, your statements."

Fudge began. "Black is guilty. The last trial sent him to Azkaban for a reason. And he is here again because he wanted to murder Harry James Potter." He stopped. One of the shortest statements ever.

Erik took his time and rearranged the medals on his dress uniform.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, dear Wizengamot. We are here to find out who was responsible for the death of Mr and Mrs Potter as well as to determine the guilt of Sirius Black." He paused as he faced the crowd. "Minister Fudge told you about the last trial. Now I ask where are the protocols of said trial? There are none. Why? Because there was never a trial. Sirius Black begged to get Veritaserum. No one guilty would do that. He wanted to tell the truth but people shut him up. People who probably are on the pay-check of Voldemort's followers." Gasps went through the ranks.

"I worked the past year on Mr Black's psychological profile. It doesn't match. During his time in Hogwarts he and James Potter were best mates. They were known troublemakers but never intentionally injured anybody. Sirius here was also the first Black to be sorted into Gryffindor."

"Objection! I don't see what his past has to do with this case." Fudge interrupted. "Objection rejected. Continue, Lieutenant." Amelia said.

Erik nodded. "It was obvious that Mr Black would be the secret keeper for the Potters so the last jury assumed that. But as obvious as it is, wouldn't the Potters chose another one? Someone less obvious? Without the intention to repeat myself. Eventually Mr Black didn't act right, when he found out the truth about the traitor. After all Harry grew up without his parents nor his godfather because of that rat. Before any objection is stated, it is within my rights to call Mr Pettigrew a rat as his animagus form is one."

Harry blinked. ~Sirius is my godfather~ ~Calm down. I'm sure everything will be explained.~

Erik sat down as the gamot began talking among themselves.

"Now the court gives you time to present your witnesses and evidence."

Fudge presented the files concerning the explosion at the mall and the only remains of Peter Pettigrew. Erik dismantled the evidence to the lowest part and called Sirius as a witness. "Has anyone cared to check Mr Black's wand with the Prior Incantatem? Also you failed to read him his rights. Alone for that you should be convicted for intentionally ignoring the law for your crusade. I'm calling Mr Black as a witness and with his consent I demand the application of Veritaserum." Sirius testified that he wasn't the secret keeper and went to confront the real one, Peter. He explained all about the animagi and how he concluded that the rat was still alive."

Erik continued with the psychological profile. "If Mr Black is really the cold-blooded murderer as you display him, why didn't he silence Mr. Weasley? And it couldn't be a mistake as he had all time he wanted. Also the next lead I had was Scabbers. The Weasley's rat. As you know Rats only have a life expectancy of roughly three years. However Scabbers was in Mr Ronald Weasley's possession since three years and further years before in the care of Mr Percival Weasley."

The court decided that they had heard enough and went to the final statements.

Fudge was first again. "I don't see how the man argues. His interpretations of the events are pure lies and only based on hints. How would a muggle get these anyway? I plead guilty for Black and demand that he is executed right now!"

Erik took his time to adjust the badge on his uniform. "To answer minister Fudge's question first: I am a high ranking Law Enforcement Officer of the Task Force Cobra. As such I am occasionally lend to the international supernatural law enforcement. We are a mixed group of muggles, magicians, vampires and werewolves. We aim to co-exist in peace and uphold the law. Since a couple of decades we Cobra's fulfill this job and as you see there are no great wars. We are a multinational organization, working with Australia, Canada and Germany to spread peace across the globe. The ICW was wary of our existence but the connection to muggle government is an essential part to maintain secrecy. To make it more effective this joint task force has been established, also to give supernatural beings the possibility, to serve their country like muggles do.

As final statement I'd like to remind you that Mr Black took the Veritaserum voluntarily. He was eager to tell you about the truth of what happened. He made peace with himself that he might be charged because of the attack on Ronald Weasley but he will face it as long as the truth about the Potters' death will be unearthed. Therefore I plead not guilty."

The court withdrew to vote. Erik sat down on the barricade between the courtroom and the benches. "Is he really my godfather?" Harry asked quietly. Erik nodded. "Your father practically black-mailed him into it. He was also the one who sent you the firebolt. I tracked the vault back to him. That would have been another argument if they had questioned his sanity but luckily I didn't need that."

The court returned and stood up to pass its judgment.

"With a majority of 65% we deem Sirius Black..." It was completely silent. "Not guilty. He will get an adequate compensation for the years spent at Azkaban and hereby I extend the Wizengamot's apology for the false judgment made twelve years ago. We found him guilty in breaking into Hogwarts but in consideration of the years spent in Azkaban innocent we decided that he has already been punished enough." Amelia Bones declared.

School came to an end. During the last week Snape slipped the information that Lupin was a werewolf. However Catherine made it possible that he went to a special course to learn to take control over his beast. Oliver Wood was in tears as McGonagall announced the Gryffindors as both the winners of the house and the quidditch cups. He told Harry that he recommended the seeker as the next Quidditch captain. Harry had to promise that he would get the cup in the next years. Ginny had to answer Ron's questions. It was hard not to loose her patience with her idiotic brother who wanted to know everything. A small undetected charm made his goblet drop and the pumpkin juice soaked his robes. Since then Ron left her alone as things seemed not to like him whenever he asked her. She thought about how to tell her family. Her parents knew about her heritage but how to tell them that she was practically married to Harry.

"Remus, the jet is waiting. It will take you to our mobile training facility." Catherine explained. "Thank you." Lupin shook her hand although his inner wolf was against the contact.

During the ride back Ron was really excited. He told them about the quidditch world cup and how his dad probably got tickets from the office. A small owl delivered a letter from Sirius.

Dear Harry.

I wanted to tell you that I am really sorry that I wasn't there for you the past twelve years. Extend my thanks to that Lieutenant-lad of yours. He really saved me back then. Also tell him thank you for the job offer. I have a lot to catch up and my home isn't as clean as it was before. I will help Remus getting used to his new job. Don't send me letters via owl as they probably won't find the ship. Send them over the Lieutenant.

By the way, the firebolt was my present for you. Consider it twelve presents at once. Crookshanks brought the order to the post. I used your name but told them to take the gold from my vault.

Also this owl is a present for your friend Ron. It is after all my fault that he hasn't got a pet anymore. I don't know how reliable he is, but I think he was eager to take the job.

I will see you in two years.

Your godfather,

Sirius.

Ron looked at the owl in his hands. To the others surprise he held it in front of Crookshanks. "What do you think? It's an owl?"Crookshanks meowed. "That's sufficient. I'll keep it."

As the train entered King's Cross, Erik called the group together. "How about we go to my house for Ginny's revelation? It's the closest here and I think Petunia will want to know, too."

Hermione looked at their parents who nodded. Also the Weasleys agreed. Luckily they had enough room in three cars to move the whole family. Arriving at Number 7 Privet Drive they were greeted by Bill and Charlie who had been informed by a patronus. Both had been in Diagon Alley as their next assignment took them back to England. With the help of Molly, Petunia fixed a small snack and drinks. They all sat down expectantly around the table in the living room. Catherine excused herself and disappeared into the shadows as she had to fetch her next mission from HQ.

"I should have told all of you long ago." Ginny began. "You don't have to." Molly said.

"But I think I have to. I..." she lost her voice for a second. "I'm a vampire" she dropped the bomb. "WHAT!" was shouted eight times as the younger Weasleys and the Evans' realized what she had said.

"The Weasley bloodline. The Vampire gene is there but it only develops in the females." Arthur explained. "There haven't been any born Weasley girls since seven generations."

"I'm a Category 3." The older Weasleys were confused. "The Main Categories reach from 1 to 5 with 5 being the strongest. They slowly grow up in one category and usually reach the next category later. Most born vampires are CAT1 to 2. CAT3 are usually reached after maturity. Miss Weasley here is above the average as she is already a CAT3 with eleven." Erik explained.

Ron shifted in his seat. "So you need..." "Blood?" Ginny giggled. "Didn't you pay attention in your classes? I can survive on normal food. Blood only gives me the edge. It's like being a vegetarian and add meat to it."

"I don't believe you. How?" Harry wanted to explain but Ginny was faster. She disappeared in a fire ball. "Where did she go?" Fred asked. ~I'm at the Burrow.~

"She's at the Burrow." Harry said.

Bill shook his head. "What? Directly into the Burrow? I set some of the wards there myself. She shouldn't be able to apparate in there." "She didn't. She teleported. No wards can stop that as it is not real magic but elemental control." Erik explained.

"How do you fit into this?" Molly demanded. She was now wary of the man. She knew he was a friend but she didn't really know him. "I have a friend, a CAT7. She controls the shadows and can do it, too. We are from Task Force Cobra. Our job is it to keep the world save. It includes training people with their abilities and make sure they don't abuse them too much."

Ron snorted. "You don't really think I will believe this? Call her back. I know she is just hiding under the invisibility cloak."

"Are you sure?" a light voice whispered into his ear. Ron fell from the char as he turned around in shock but behind him was nobody. "Wrong direction, Ronny." He turned again only to stare at Fred and George who were speechless. Something tapped him on the shoulder. As he looked back he saw Ginny sitting on his chair. She didn't wear her Hogwarts robes anymore like she had before. She wore the green summer dress she had. The summer dress that was definitely at the Burrow. Ron even saw the spots where he dropped his tea once. She gave him a wide smile. He could see her teeth. Two caught his attention: Her upper canines were longer. "Wahh!" As another proof Ginny reached down and grabbed him by his shirt. Hoisting him up with only one hand she showed no visible effort as she set him down on his chair after she stood up.

"Believe me now?"

Charlie was the first to react. "I don't care what you are. I know that you are still my baby sister."

Bill joined in. "We are family. Nothing is going to change that."

Fred and George hugged her. "We have out own house vampire."

Only Ron remained silent. Percy stuttered. "But...the laws!"

Erik threw a small booklet to him. "Last Law in the section of anti-vampire laws."

Percy opened the last page and read out loud: "Any laws concerning vampires AFTER the foundation of Task Force Cobra do not apply to the female members of the Weasley Clan."

They looked up, questions on their lips.

"Task Force Cobra was originally founded by two states, the UK and Germany, after the second world war to control the supernatural as experiments were conducted during the war.

Most were against it which led to the cross-species war in the UK. The Weasley Clan openly sided with the humans. Only the Potters were open-minded enough to accept them and offered to work along side them. These two houses represented the British when the Task Force was officially founded. America, Canada and Australia joined shortly afterward. The Weasleys spread into the world to unite every species to a peaceful community. The war was won and the ministry, back then a group still with moral standards, signed a law that would grant the Weasleys the title of ladyship and that they were excluded from any anti-monster law. After the Weasley bloodline disappeared seven generations ago the British separated from Task Force Cobra. Only the Potters maintained contact until 14 years ago."

"So technically she..." Arthur began as he finally understood the bed-time stories his grandfather had told him. "Yes. She is technically the British chief of Task Force Cobra and thus partly as powerful as the minister, if she claims the title."

The Weasleys were speechless. That remained the same way until they returned to the Burrow. Ron locked himself into his room. Ginny could understand him. He was never someone special. And now even she as his younger sister was more special than him. Bill was a curse-breaker, Charlie tamed dragons and Percy was on the fast lane to ministry official. Fred and George were masters of mischief and she was a vampire.