Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all those from his world still belong to JKR, but I'm still here and still changing things to the way I wanted to see them.
Ok people I received a review from a guest that did not leave a name so I could reply to the review. Now I have received others as well and I am most appreciated to them even if they don't like what I wrote and to all those whether good or bad I want to say thank you for taking the time to review my story, but I gave fair warning on the top of my last chapter that even if you didn't like what I wrote and flamed me I wouldn't take offense except on one condition. This was the condition: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SAY ANYTHING BAD ABOUT MY DADDY! Or I would take offense. Now here is the review this note is concerning:
:No matter how hard you try spanking is abuse and in more than 30 civil
countries spanking is illegal. Old-fashioned? Well, even hit wifes was
old-fashioned but we know it's abuse pure and simple. And yes you were abused,
sorry to see you're willing to do that to child but abused child became abuser
once they grow up, sad but true. Regard
I consider the words I made larger a dig at my Daddy and since this person has already accused me of being an abuser and to chicken to put their name on the review I will just have to say this right here and now.
My reply: You are very lucky that you never said such a thing to my face, because I don't care who you are or how big you are I would have given you reason to think I was an abuser and trust me you would have seen the difference between the spanking I wrote about and the bloody face you walked away with. Now I gave fair warning about the spanking, (you didn't have to read it), (you didn't have to review) and (you most certainly did not have to say my Daddy was an abuser). You my friend were way out of line and if I lose readers because of this answer I'm sorry but that had to be said. My Daddy is dead and I'm like Harry Potter in the way that nobody gets to talk smack about my parents.
I also would like to point out that I would rather have had a spanking every day of the week as to have received that humiliating Howler Molly Weasley sent her son so the whole school could be privy to his humiliation and punishment, and if I am willing to choose a spanking over another form of punishment than that should prove I was never abused.
That was my answer but I also have a fan that wanted to answer to that reviewer and asked if I would add her response. This response is from 'lightnings pride'
I don't think that you were abused and from what I can tell your daddy was a
awesome person. its one thing to guest insult a author but its wrong on so
many levels to guest insult a author AND their parents.
I just wanted to say I was thankful for her support it meant a lot to me.
Now if I still have readers after that Thank You and I hope you enjoy the new chapter.
Chapter 5 Sirius Goes on an Expelling Binge
Harry Potter-Black woke up to find himself lying on his stomach which threw him for a loop as he never slept on his stomach, but when he turned over the small twinge in his bum made him realize why he was now. It also brought back all of the happenings from the day before, and as he thought back over everything he couldn't help feeling bad about the way he had acted not only yesterday but over the summer. He couldn't believe he had lied to his Dad, and he was hoping with everything in him that he hadn't lost the man's trust over it.
He still couldn't understand why he lied about going into the Forest a second time or about meeting Aragog. Yes he knew his Dad would freak out, but even though he freaked about the troll, Basilisk and Fluffy he hadn't spanked him for it. The only punishment he had given him was to write an essay explaining what he could have done different that wouldn't have endangered his life, but no he had to be an idiot and bold-face lie to his Dad. He deserved that spanking and he knew it, because he knew how his Dad had felt about lying before he did it. The man had been upfront and honest about what Harry's rules were from the second day they were together.
No the spanking hadn't been any fun and had been painful, but it was nothing compared to what the Dursleys had done to him. Hell everyone of them had always as least left bruises but more often than not welts or broken bones on top of the bruises, no what had hurt the most about that spanking was the fact he had heard his Dad crying while he was administering it, and that had hurt more than if his Dad had beat him like Vernon Dursley used to do.
Truthfully he knew he had really deserved a second spanking for not obeying his Dad yesterday and lying to him, but when he thought about it he realized why his Dad had grounded him instead. The man was afraid that others would try to attack Harry, and because he hadn't followed the man's safety rules for him he was going to make sure Harry was safe by being with him or under his Grandmothers' watchful eyes so they could let his Dad know if he needed him. Harry was sure his Dad was hoping things and feelings would settle down by the weekend.
He couldn't deny that he deserved his punishments from last night, but he was hoping and praying to every holy deity out there that he hadn't lost his Dad's trust, because that would hurt more than being spanked every day for the entire year. He was hoping his Dad would give him a second chance to prove he could be trustworthy, but he wouldn't blame him if he didn't. With these painful thoughts going through his mind Harry went to take a shower since he didn't take one the night before.
Harry had decided to not wear his robes today since there were no classes, and he would probably be spending most of the day in the tower and he couldn't help wanting to actually let his friends and schoolmates see him wear muggle clothes that actually fit him for once. One of the first things his Dad had done when Dobby came and asked to bond with them was to send him to get Harry a whole wardrobe of muggle clothes. Harry had been shocked to know that there was a shop in an alley right off of Diagon Alley that sold muggle clothes and let you pay with galleons. He had really been upset that Hagrid hadn't shown him that shop knowing he could have been dressing normally all of this time.
When Harry had dressed in a pair of skintight black jeans, a red tee shirt that said WILD THING, black leather jacket and black dragon hide boots and had pulled his now longer hair in a ponytail with a red leather tie he headed out into the sitting room. Having heard the shower running from his Dad's room he decided to spend some time talking to his Grandparents while he waited for his Dad to explain what they would be doing today.
"Hello Grandparents," he said with a smile before he noticed the looks he was getting from them. "Is something wrong?"
"Young man how could you send your friends away when your Dad told you to stay with them," scolded Grandma Helga.
"I'm sorry Grandma I wasn't thinking evidently," said a subdued Harry.
"That was obvious Harry," said Grandmother Rowena.
Feeling horrible at the tone his Grandmothers were using Harry hung his head in shame until he heard a voice behind him say.
"That isn't necessary ladies as I've already taken care of Harry's punishments, and he is forgiven for his mistakes now. We are not going to rehash things, because as far as I'm concerned it is done and over with and we move on hopefully having learned a lesson not to do the same thing again," Sirius admonished the portraits of his Grandmothers while wrapping an arm around Harry's shoulders in comfort.
Harry looked up at his Dad in surprise. Did he really mean that? Had his Dad really forgiven him? Would he still trust him?
"Dad have you really forgiven me? Are you still going to trust me?" He asked in a meek voice.
Turning his son to face him he knelt down so he could look into the downcast face and said, "Harry James of course I forgive you. You have been punished and it is all over as soon as your grounding is done, and yes Pup I still trust you, but I really do hope you won't continue to lie to me, because I never want to feel like I can't trust you."
At these words Harry threw his arms around his Dad's neck and said, "Thank you, Dad and I won't lie to you, because I would hate if you stopped trusting me. I love you Dad and I'm sorry for everything that I did."
"I know Puppy and I know you are sorry so it is all in the past now." he reassured his son as he stood up. "Now I don't know about your but let's go to breakfast because I'm hungry."
Laughing Harry teased, "Dad, you are always hungry."
"Well I've got a few meals to still make up for missing and so do you," he said wrapping an arm around his son's neck before saying. "Like the look today Kiddo, but Minerva might not because now you look like I used to when I ran these halls as a kid. I have a funny feeling she is going to think her worst nightmare has come to life."
Laughing they both headed out to breakfast but they were on the second floor when they heard raised voices coming from down the hall and around the corner. Sharing a glance Sirius said quietly, "You are to stay behind me. Do you hear me?"
"Yes Sir," Harry said just as quietly with a nod.
Draco Malfoy was not having a good morning. He had tried to explain to the other third year Slytherins what had happened last night between Lord Black and Percy Weasley, but the three morons he had always considered his friends wouldn't believe him that the man had done those things. They said they knew he was lying because Percy Weasley would never have acted so out of character, and that Draco was just afraid of him because of what Greengrass had said the night before. And to add to that they decided to make Potter-Black pay so they were going to attack Granger and they expected him to help.
Stupid idiots wouldn't listen to him as the dragged him up to the second floor to wait for Granger to pass. When he had asked what they were going to do if Potter-Black was with them they sneered and said they would take care of him too. Now Draco may have done some dumb things in his life, but he wasn't into suicide no matter if these fools were or not so he had spent the last ten minutes arguing with them all the while praying Granger and Potter were already having breakfast at the moment.
"We cannot attack Lord Black's son. Didn't you guys hear the man when he said he would feed anybody who hurt his son to the Acromantula in the Forbidden Forest the first night he was here," demanded Draco.
"Oh he was just saying that," Theo said dismissively. "I truly doubt that there are even any Acromantula in the forest. You are just being a wimp, because you are afraid you will lose your inheritance."
"I tell you I saw the man break Weasley's wrist and then throw him into a wall. The man looked homicidal and if that makes me a wimp at least I will be an alive Slytherin wimp, while you three will be more like dead Gryffindor idiots," he snapped angrily.
"You're helping us Draco," Theo shouted as he aimed his wand at the blond.
The other two people he used to consider his friends had also aimed their wands at him, but not before he had drawn his own wand. He had never imagined that he would be facing down friends while trying to talk them out of hurting Potter and Granger. He knew there was no way that he could take all three out before they hexed him. He may be the better wizard but they were all to close, and he knew Crabbe and Goyle would be using their fists as well, but to his shock he heard the voice of Lord Black at that moment.
"What is going on here? Lower those wands immediately," came the forceful command.
Without a thought of disobeying Draco lowered his wand immediately while noticing Potter-Black eyeing him curiously from behind his father's back. He also noticed the three guys who had just lost his friendship had turned pointing their wands at the man, but he just looked at them with a raised eyebrow as if to say are you really this stupid.
"I believe I said to lower those wands, now."
And to Draco's utter astonishment he heard all three of the boys in front of him scream out spells.
Theo shouted, "Expelliarmus!"
Goyle yelled, "Stupefy!"
Crabbe shrieked like a girl, "Crucio!"
Many things happened at the same time that Draco took in as if in slow motion. Potter-Black tried to come out from behind his dad only to be pushed back by the man, Moody, Lupin and McGonagall came onto the scene and the wands of the three Slytherins exploded on their owners. He noticed that Theo's hand was burnt and bleeding a little bit. Goyle's was burnt as well and bleeding a lot, but it was Crabbe's hand that had Draco thanking Salazar he hadn't had breakfast yet, because if he had he would be losing it now. Crabbe's hand was totally gone, and it was splattered over all the three boys and this had Draco looking down to make sure he wasn't wearing any of the gory bits and to his great delight he realized he wasn't.
"What is going on here," demanded McGonagall.
This had Draco wondering if the woman was going to be putting her foot in her mouth again like she did last night. He couldn't help it but he really hated the woman every since she called him a liar when he tried to tell her about the dragon in first year.
"I think that is quite obvious Minerva," Moody growled. "These three idiots tried to curse Black and now they will have to suffer the consequences. It looks like that one has lost his hand for good," he added pointing to Crabbe who was bawling like a baby while clutching what used to be a hand.
"Dobby," called Sirius.
"Master Sirius called for Dobby," asked the excited little guy when he popped in front of his master.
"Yes would you go tell Madam Pomfrey and Andromeda Tonks they are needed here, please?"
"Yes Master," he said before popping away.
"Draco are you okay? They didn't hurt you did they," Sirius asked turning with concerned eyes to the blond while ignoring the crying idiots who tried to hex him.
"Yes Sir," Draco said in shock that the man was acting like he cared.
"I want to thank you for trying to talk them out of hurting Harry and his friend. It was very brave of you to try to stand up to the three of them," he told him appreciatively.
"You're welcome Sir," he said but even more surprising when his nemesis for the last two years said.
"Thanks Malfoy I know that you don't like me or Hermione so I realize that had to be hard for you. I think I may have made a mistake on the Hogwarts Express first year when we actually met, and I would like to make amends to that mistake if you will let me." He told the other boy while holding out his hand and saying, "Hi, I'm Harry Potter-Black it's nice to meet you."
Draco just stood there eyeing the extended hand for a moment which seemed to make the dark haired teen think he was refusing to accept his hand in friendship, because he started to pull it back saying.
"I understand that you don't want to accept..."
But he stopped talking as Draco reached out and grabbed the offered hand and said, "Draco Lucius Malfoy, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine Draco," Harry said with a smile, but both boys were brought back to what was still happening around them when Sirius Black said.
"Moody will you get Amelia to send some of her Aurors again?"
"Right away," he said stomping away at the same time McGonagall said.
"Why these are just boys, Sirius?"
Draco and Harry saw the furious look that Sirius Black was wearing but he was stopped from answering at the arrival of the two Healers on the scene.
"Oh my, what has happened here," demanded Madam Pomfrey as she went straight to Crabbe to try and stop the bleeding.
"These three boys tried to hex me Madam, but they used different levels of spells so they were each hurt at a different level,"he explained. "But I think we should head up to the hospital wing for now."
"I agree Sirius," said Andromeda as she was working on Goyle's hand since it was the second worst one.
"You two boys go to breakfast," McGonagall said to Harry and Draco dismissively.
"Harry will be accompanying me to the hospital wing Minerva, "Sirius told her.
"No I must insist he not be allowed as he has no right to watch these boys being treated," Minerva stated firmly.
"Insist all you want but my son is coming with me, and Minerva you really need to stop and think before you say anything else, because right now I'm not very happy with you anyway," Sirius said in a no nonsense voice. "Come on Pup let's go," he added as he led the way to the hospital wing.
McGonagall was not happy that Sirius Black was talking to her like that in front of five students. He had made her Headmistress, but he kept acting like she was just another professor here and it was getting old. She would have to talk to him about this the first chance she got, because he was not letting her do her job.
Once they were all in the hospital wing Sirius called for Dobby again, who appeared in an instant, "Dobby will you bring Harry some breakfast?"
"Yes Master Sirius," he answered popping away and back again in less than a minute with a full tray of breakfast food which he placed on a table at the far side of the room that his Master pointed out to him before popping away again.
"Pup, you sit over here and eat while I take care of this mess," he told him while ushering him into a chair before the table.
"Dad I can wait to eat until you do," Harry insisted.
"No Harry I won't have you missing any meals, and I'm not for sure how long this will take."
"But Dad, you are hungry too," Harry added.
"Yeah you are right but I will eat later," he said but not before he grabbed a piece of bacon off of the plate on the table and walked over to the others.
"Now that is my Dad," Harry snickered as he walked away which caused the man to look back at him with a cheeky grin.
"Minerva you need to get these boys' parents here now," he informed her before asking. "Ladies how are they?"
A fuming McGonagall went to the floo and called out, "Crabbe residence," before sticking her head in.
Harry saw her pull her head out and put it in the fireplace two more times before the door of the hospital wing opened to allow Amelia Bones, Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Nymphadora Tonks to enter the room.
"Lord Black, you requested Aurors again," asked Amelia.
"Yes, we have had more trouble Amelia, and I will explain in a minute, but first Minerva are their parents on their way?"
"Yes," she answered as the floo flared and a large woman that bore a strong resemblance to Crabbe stepped out.
Before the woman could say more than, "what has happened to my son?"
The fireplace lit up with green flames twice more to let two more women walk through. Harry noted that neither woman was very nice to look at but at least they weren't as bad looking as the one that looked like Crabbe.
"Are the boys' fathers not showing up?" asked Sirius which caused all three women to glare at him but not say anything.
This caused Moody of all people to smirk and say, "I would be surprised if they did knowing them as I do I'm sure they are on the run from the Ministry as all three were accused of being Death Eaters who claimed they were forced to take the mark under the Imperius curse."
The women seeing their sons on the hospital beds rushed to their sides demanding to know who cursed their sons and while Minerva was telling them all what happened Sirius walked over to the portrait of his Grandmothers and said.
"Grandma could you have Grandfather watch over Draco to make sure that none of the other Death Eaters' kids harras him and let me know if he needs help? I would hate to think he was hurt for trying to help Harry and his friend," he added.
"I'll do that Sirius don't worry he will be fine," she said as she closed her eyes but didn't leave her portrait..
Looking at his Grandmother he asked, "What is she doing?"
"Did you forget what we told you last night? She is informing all of her other portraits, so they can tell all of us what is happening so we all can keep a lookout for the boy," she explained.
"Sorry I guess I did forget that, but at least I know he won't be attacked without being able to get him help immediately," Sirius said approvingly before joining the screaming woman at the mini Death Eaters' bedsides.
"Okay ladies enough with the screaming," he snapped harshly.
"This is all, your fault," shrieked . "Madam Pomfrey says she can't make my son's hand grow back. What did you do to my son?"
"I didn't do anything. He did it to himself. It is not my fault these boys can't learn from seeing other people's mistakes after all it was just two nights ago they saw Snape and Umbridge be blasted for trying to attack me, and you son actually used an Unforgivable so that is why he lost his hand. Hogwarts evidently decided to put the dark magic back in the retaliating blast which is why his hand can't be re-grown," he explained.
"He is right," Rowena Ravenclaw said from the portrait of the two female founders. "These boys were warned with the whole school that Hogwarts would not let anybody hex her Lord or Heir."
"He used an Unforgivable," questioned Amelia in shock. "The boy can't be more than fourteen."
"He tried to Crucio Lord Black," Moody growled.
"He wouldn't do that," the boy's mother denied.
"Well I can assure you he did," he snarled back at her.
"Let's get this over with and discuss the boys' punishment, because I for one am hungry and not going to spend all morning on this mess. These boys, all three were talking about attacking a young lady and my son while trying to force a fourth boy into helping them. They had the other boy at wand point when I came upon them and ordered them to lower their wands at which time these three turned their wands on me. This one tried to disarm me even though I didn't have my wand in my hand," he said pointing to Nott. "That one tried to stun me and of course the other one tried to Crucio me. Hogwarts will not let anybody attack me or my son so their wands exploded doing a different amount of damage according to the spells used. Now you are here to hear your sons' punishments."
"Sirius may I speak to you," McGonagall asked. "In private?"
"Excuse me, I will be right back," he said following Minerva out of the door.
"Sirius we haven't discussed the boys' punishments yet so how can you tell them what they are," she demanded to know.
"Because I know what the rules say is to happen when a student attacks an Heir to the school let alone the Lord," Sirius informed her. "I would suggest you read the book I gave you the other night as you will need to know what punishments are to be used also while I have you here you might want to know that I'm not impressed with the attitude you have been showing about the punishments being handed out. Minerva I hope when you get your memory back you will be more like the Professor I used to know, because if not I can say with all certainty that your days at Hogwarts are numbered. I learned some more things last night that really has me rethinking my judgement on naming you Headmistress. I have always respected you but now your actions and inactions are really making me think those days may be gone for good, but I'm willing to wait and see if this is more of Dumbledork's fault than yours."
Minerva McGonagall stood gawking after the man as he re-entered the hospital wing leaving her to follow if she wanted to or not.
"What are you going to do to our boys," demanded Mrs. Nott when Sirius walked back in.
"All three boys are expelled from Hogwarts. They will never be allowed on Hogwarts owned property again which includes Hogsmeade." he was saying as Minerva entered the room. "I will not be insisting Mr. Nott or Mr. Goyle's wands be snapped which will give them the chance to attend another magical school or be home schooled, but as for Mr. Crabbe well he used a spell that is an automatic life sentence in Azkaban," he paused at the gasp from Mrs. Crabbe before continuing, "I spent too much time in that hellhole to want to see a child my son's age in there so I will suggest instead that he have his wand snapped and his magic bound so that he is nothing more than a squib for his crime."
"You can't be serious," Mrs. Crabbe yelled furiously.
"I'm very serious your child is already using Unforgivables as a third year which just shows he does not need to be allowed to use magic whether it is as a prisoner of Azkaban or a squib is your choice, but I will be pushing for one or the other. You may choose which you think is the better option for your son," he informed her with finality.
"I think Lord Black has made a very sensible suggestion," Amelia Bones added, and I will also be pushing for one or the other at his trial."
"He will get a trial?" asked the distraught mother.
"Of course he will get a trial for the criminal charge of using an Unforgivable as I won't see anyone punished without a trial, but all three boys will be expelled without a trial as I have plenty of witnesses to what they did, and I won't have them in the same school as my son after knowing they were going to attack him." Then turning to Madam Pomfrey he asked, "Are they well enough to leave now?"
"Yes I have done all I can for them. All three will have scars that won't go away and of course Mr. Crabbe 's hand is gone, but he is as good as I can make him."
"Fine then I want these boys off of Hogwarts property as fast as possible," Sirius ordered.
"Let's go Theo," his mother said taking his arm and leading him to the floo before stepping through.
As the other two women grabbed their sons Amelia stopped Mrs. Crabbe by saying, "I'm sorry but your son will be held in a holding cell until his trial."
"You can't do that," she screeched.
"I assure you I can. Kingsley please take the young man into custody and lock him in a cell away from anybody else as he is just a child." She commanded her Auror.
Mrs. Goyle and her son had already departed while Mrs. Crabbe was arguing so that only left her and Amelia Bones, after Kingsley and Tonks took her soon away, as the only outsiders still in the hospital wing. She finally left as well crying and ranting that they wouldn't get away with this.
"Lord Black I know you said we could meet at two but I brought that information with me now, and I was wondering if we could just have our conversation right away instead of later," Amelia said.
"That is fine but let's go to my quarters," he assured her before adding, "come along Harry, you can start fixing your room up while I talk to Madam Bones."
They left the room before anybody said anything else, but Minerva was fuming when she said, "That man has got to be stopped. That is four students he has expelled since dinner time last night."
"And they all deserved it," Moody informed her. "You can't honestly believe he should have let any of those boys stay knowing that they are dangerous to the students of this school?"
"They are not the first boys to hit or hex other students and we don't expel all of them," she defended angrily.
"That is true but they were all after his son and if you think that doesn't make a difference than you are out of your mind. Black has always been protective of those he cares about and you know it." Moody agreed.
"But that is my point he shouldn't be able to do that just to protect his son," Minerva added.
But it was Rowena Ravenclaw that spoke up next, "he is doing it not only to protect his son, but Hogwarts Heir as it states emphatically in Hogwarts a History the original version that any student who attacks an Heir to the Founders in the school will be expelled, because our Heirs should be able to feel safe in their own home."
"I'm going to go read that book," Minerva said walking out of the room.
"Don't forget we are supposed to be at Gringotts at ten," Moody called after her.
When Sirius, Harry and Amelia entered the sitting room of Godric's quarters Amelia couldn't take her eyes off of the portrait above the fireplace. It truly was the most amazing painting/portrait she had ever seen while she was admiring it she heard Lord Black say,
"Pup please go and work on fixing your room up the way you want it to be."
"Okay Dad I'll talk to you later," he said leaving the room.
Harry entered his room and walked straight to his trunk where he started unpacking it. He put all of his books on the shelves and his clothes in the wardrobe. This was really the first room he felt he was able to do this in. Yes at Godric's retreat he had his own room, and he had unpacked the things he would need while there but he hadn't unpacked everything, because he knew he would be coming to Hogwarts in only a few weeks, but now for the first time in his life he was going to have a room that was his where he could have all of his things around him and put posters on his walls. It didn't take all that long to put his belongings where they went, but he knew his Dad was planning on letting him buy some posters and more books soon. He walked over to give Hedwig some owl treats and told her.
"I'm going to see if Dad will let me pick up a stand for you so you won't have to be in your cage or the owlery all the time."
This made the beautiful owl give a happy hoot and peck his hand affectionately. He decided when he was done petting Hedwig to go ask his Dad when they were going to Hogsmeade, but he stopped when he realized that his Dad's company was still there and when he heard what Madam Bones was saying about a third letter he couldn't help listening.
When Harry had left the room Amelia Bones turned back to Sirius Black just as he said.
"Madam Bones I believe you said you had something to show me."
"Yes I do Lord Black, you see when I was going through the Minister office to see if I could find any other incriminating evidence I found about one hundred letters all from the same person, and they were all concerning you and the need for you to have a trial."
"Please call me Sirius as we use to be friends. Are these the letters from the Goblins?"
"Only if you call me Amelia," she told him. "I also want to apologize for not being the friend I used to be to you. When I got my memories back I was shocked to realize I used to consider you and James as some of my closest friends."
"I don't blame you Amelia, because I know Dumbledore took those memories away. I'm just glad you have them back now, and hopefully we can move forward from here on out." he reassured her.
"Thank you Sirius I would really like that and now about those letters. No they are not the ones from the Goblins," she admitted. "These letters were from somebody that said they had been a Death Eater."
This had Salazar Slytherin paying rapt attention to the conversation which his three best friends noticed with open curiosity. They were wondering what was going on but decided to listen to what was being said and questioning their friend later.
"Why would a Death Eater be trying to get me a trial?" Sirius astonishment was plain to see.
"I only brought three of the letters with me," she informed him. "The first letter, the last one before your escape and the only one since your escape."
Taking the first scroll from it and opening it with disbelief he started to read it but stopped by Grandfather Sal saying.
"Please read it aloud Sirius."
"If you wish Grandfather." he said before reading out loud.
"7 September 1982
Minister Fudge,
I'm writing to you concerning a grave miscarriage of justice. I have just come back to magical Britain to find out that Sirius Black has been arrested on murder charges and of being a Death Eater. I have even heard the unbelievable rumors that he not only was Voldemort's right hand man, but that he betrayed James Potter and his family which resulted in Potter's death. I must tell you that none of this can possibly be true. I must also tell you through thorough searching I have found that Black never received a trial, a chance to defend himself against these false accusations, and I implore you to please correct this horrendous miscarriage of justice as soon as possible.
I know for a fact Sirius Black was no Death Eater and had never followed Voldemort. You may be asking yourself how I know this, and I must tell you I know because I was once one of his Death Eaters myself. I am sure after reading that you will think I can't be trustworthy, but I assure you I left Voldemort's services years before that fateful Halloween night. I did so in hoping to help bring the evil bastard down even if it meant my own death in doing so. I have just now recovered from my attempts to do that which is why I have not written to you before now.
What I cannot understand is how anybody in their right mind could even contemplate that Sirius Black would be a Death Eater. The man turned his back on his own family to avoid that very fate as a child. He became an Auror who brought many Death Eaters to justice. He also joined Dumbledore's secret organization the Order of the Phoenix to try to bring Voldemort down. But all of that, aside the one person Sirius Black cared about more than any other was James Potter, and he would never turn against the man. You also might want to ask yourself why a trained Auror would have to blow up a whole street to take out a pathetic excuse of a wizard like Pettigrew, because not only the training he received in the Auror Department but from his father as being a Black he could have taken that man out without a single person even seeing him. Why also did the man go into custody willingly if he had already shown he was willing to blow a whole street up for one man's demise? Sirius Black was one of the strongest wizards to come out of Hogwarts in decades and could have taken out every one of those sent to arrest him without breaking a sweat.
I'm sure you are saying a Death Eater's words are not to be believed but I will swear on my magic and life in front of the Wizengamot if you will give Sirius Black a trial and promise that I will also receive one so I could tell my own story. I again implore you to do the right thing and give Black his day in court, because you are holding an innocent man in the worst place on earth.
A very remorseful ex-Death Eater"
"Wow that was a very convincing letter to me," Salazar said. "So of course Fudge ignored it."
"Here is the last letter before your escape," Amelia told him handing over the next scroll.
"1 July 1993
Minister Fudge,
Here I am once again writing to you to demand a trial for Sirius Black. I do not know how long you think it will be acceptable to hold an innocent man in prison without a trial. I have been writing to you at least once a month for almost nine years at first begging, then asking and now demanding a trial for Black, and you have been ignoring each one of my letters. I know for a fact you have been receiving these letters, and I must say I'm not happy with your continuing to ignore my requests. I want you to know you have just about pushed me to an extreme that you will not like. In two more months it will be nine years since I have started sending you these notes if you do not have Sirius Black a trial by that time I will do something more than write you to get Black his trial. I do not want to have to do this but it seems you are too corrupt to have the job of Minister, and I promise you if Black doesn't get a trial I will let all of magical Britain know of your corruption. You have been warned. I'm tired of this and I want a resolution soon or I will see you out of office.
A pissed off Ex-Death Eater"
"Here is the third letter."
Taken the third scroll Sirius started reading right away not knowing that his son was now listening in the hallway.
"1 August 1993
Minister Fudge,
I know Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban. I also know that you have the Dementors after him even though you know the man has never had a trial. Get the man a trial and stop telling people Sirius Black is going to hurt the Potter boy. He would no more hurt him then he would have James Potter.
I'm warning you now if something happens to Black, because you don't want to let the wizarding world know he is innocent I will personally make it my mission in life to see that the rest of your days are as horrible as you have made Black's.
I still meant what I said in my last letter if Black hasn't had a trial by next month I will step up my campaign to get him one even if that means walking all over you to do it. Get the man a trial and call the Dementors off as this is your last warning. I will not be sending you any more letters after this one, but I can guarantee that you will know that I have not given up starting the first of next month.
Your worst nightmare a vengeful Ex-Death Eater"
Sirius read in bemusement. "Who could be writing these letters in my behalf?"
"I don't know Sirius but I also found eleven letters addressed to me in Fudge's office from the same person but I had never seen them before. "
"He was intercepting your mail," asked an incredulous Sirius.
"Evidently. They were like the first letter you read promising to come in to testify in your defense if we would give you a trial," she explained.
Harry Potter-Black could not believe what he was hearing somebody besides the Goblins had been trying to get his Dad a trial for years even going as far as to threaten Fudge to try to get it done. The young man couldn't help it as he felt a rush of gratitude to the unknown person for standing up for his Father. This is what Remus Lupin and the Tonks should have been doing all of these years. Merlin knows if they had been doing this as well maybe his Dad would have gotten that trial after all the more people requesting it would have put more pressure on Fudge. He turned to go back to his room before his Dad caught him eavesdropping, but hadn't realized his Dad heard him due to his enhanced hearing from being a dog Animagus. He hadn't taken three steps when he heard from behind him.
"What are you doing Pup?"
Harry turned to look at his father with a guilty look on his face. "Going back to my room."
"And why would you do that if you just came from there?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
Realizing he had to admit he had been listening to their conversation or lie to his Dad again which he wasn't going to do he said, "I didn't think you would like it if you knew I was listening to your conversation with Madam Bones."
"If you wanted to hear the conversation why didn't you just come ask if you could join us?"
"I didn't think you would let me," he admitted.
"So instead of taking the chance of being told no you decided to do something you thought I wouldn't like. Is that what you are telling me young man?" was the stern question.
Looking contrite Harry nodded, "Yes Sir."
"What am I going to do with you, Pup? I would have thought after last night you would have at least tried to stay out of trouble for a little while." he said in exasperation.
"I'm sorry Dad," was the contrite reply.
Staring at his son in contemplation for a minute before telling him, "Go to your room, find a corner and put your nose in it and think about how better you could have handled this situation, and we will talk about it when Amelia leaves."
"Yes sir," he said walking away.
"Pup, you should have just came in the room as I wouldn't have minded," he told him the disappointment plain to hear in his voice.
"I'm sorry Dad. It won't happen again," he added as he walked to his room feeling terrible for disappointing his Dad again.
Sirius returned to the sitting room and apologized to Amelia for the disruption before asking.
"Amelia what is going to happen if this Death Eater comes forward?"
"What do you mean Sirius?"
"Well is he automatically going to Azkaban or is he going to get the chance to get off since he is supposed to have actually tried to take the Dork Lord down?"
"Dork Lord? Really Sirius?" asked an amused Head of the DMLE.
"Yeah it seemed to fit, but you didn't answer my question."
"I don't know truthfully. I mean he admits to being a Death Eater at one point and we now know he had to join willingly, but he says he changed sides enough to try to end the man. I guess we will have to see what will happen when he is questioned," she told him. "What do you think we should do?"
"I honestly don't know. I have always hated Death Eaters, but I feel I owe this one for defending me and trying to help me," he admitted ruefully.
Checking her watch Amelia said, "I guess I should be going as I have many people to question still. I guess we will have to wait and see if this person comes forward before we decide anything." She added before leaving.
Sirius stood there for a couple of minutes trying to figure out what exactly he thought should happen to the person who wrote those letters when he heard.
"What do you really want to happen to that man, Sirius?"
Looking at the portrait into the eyes of Salazar Slytherin he answered, "I don't know Grandfather."
"Do you think he should go to Azkaban if he really did do what he said he did?"
"No," he said with a determined look on his face. "But I doubt if I can persuade enough of the others to agree if they feel like he should."
"I have a solution about that if you want to hear it," Sal told him.
Looking at the face of a man he had always thought was bad until less than a month ago he saw concern and caring in those eyes and he nodded. "I would like to hear it, but first I need to go talk to Harry since I have him in the corner right now and don't want to leave him there too long. We can talk about your idea when I come back."
"Sirius what has that young man done now," Grandma Helga asked with fond exasperation.
"I think he is testing me Grandma to tell you the truth. He seems to be trying to see just how much he can get away with before I rein him in. I think he was hoping that after last night he would get a little break from me punishing him if he did something he knew I wouldn't like," he added before walking away.
"I take it you are not going to let that happen are you son," asked an amused Godric Gryffindor.
"No Granddad I'm not. I love him too much for that to happen. I'll see you guys in a few minutes."
Harry heard his door open and knew his Dad had come into the room. He knew that normally he would have knocked before entering, but figured he didn't this time because he didn't want Harry talking while he was in the corner or maybe he just wanted to make sure Harry was really in the corner without warning him he thought ruefully. He couldn't believe he had already gotten in trouble again his Dad must think he was a horrible kid, because he was beginning to think that about himself. Merlin why hadn't he just walked into the room to ask his Dad if he could stay or at least went back to his room immediately when he knew they were still talking?
"Harry James come here," was the order that brought him out of his own thoughts.
He turned around to see his Dad sitting on his bed before he walked over and stopped in front of the man.
When he didn't say anything Sirius said with a huff, "Do you have anything to say to me young man?"
"Yes Sir, I'm sorry for eavesdropping on you and Madam Bones and I promise it won't happen again."
"And why is that?"
"Because if a situation like that comes up again I will do one of two things I will either turn around and walk away or ask you if I can join the conversation instead of listening in behind your back," he explained with a guilty look on his face.
Eyeing his son with a stern expression before nodding, "I'm holding you to that Pup, because if I catch you eavesdropping again I'm going to take that as if you lied to me and neither of us wants that to happen. Do with Kiddo?"
"No Sir! I'm sorry Dad," he told him apologetically.
"Okay Pup then we will put this behind us as a lesson learned and move on," he promised as he pulled his son into a hug of comfort.
Harry relaxed into his Dad's arms with a feeling of relief. He saw that his Dad really meant it when he said they would put it behind them and he was glad because it meant he still trusted Harry to keep his word. He really was going to have to stop doing these things to get himself in trouble.
"I'm really sorry Dad."
"I know and you really are forgiven Pup," He reassured him before adding, "Your Grandfather wants to talk to me about the letter writer. Do you want to join us?"
"Really?"
"Yes really, that is if you want to."
"I would like that," Harry grinned.
They entered the room with Sirius's arm wrapped around his son's shoulder to the amusement of the people in the portraits. They were all so proud of the love Sirius was giving the boy even after punishing him. The love between those two was a beautiful thing to uphold and all four of the ancestors were remembering times with their own children.
"Okay Grandfather, you said you had an idea about the Death Eater that wrote the letters."
"Yes if you are sure that you don't automatically want the man to go to prison and want to be able to control the outcome to your decision if you feel he doesn't deserve it after you hear his story I would suggest that you have him questioned here at Hogwarts."
"Why?" Harry asked in clear confusion.
"Because your Dad can offer him sanctuary if he doesn't like the thought of the man going to prison," He informed his grandson.
"That is great Grandfather but how do I get him to come here in the first place?" Sirius asked doubting they could help the man since they didn't know who he was.
"Oh I don't think that will be a problem," Salazar said with a smirk.
"What do you know that we don't Sal," Godric demanded. He hated being out of the loop and couldn't believe his best friend was keeping him in the dark.
"Would you like a list Godric? We could be here all day if I told you what I know that you don't," he snorted.
Godric opened his mouth to retaliate but hearing his young grandson's laughter at his expense had him looking at the young man in shock, and to add further insult to injury his wife, friends and other grandson also started laughing with Harry.
Giving an exaggerated huff Godric said, "Why do I even like you people? I get no respect whatsoever."
Feeling bad for starting the laughing in the first place Harry apologized, "I'm sorry Granddad."
When Godric realized that Harry thought he was really mad he hastily reassured him, "You have nothing to be sorry for Harry. Sal and I play around like that all of the time and of course you would find it funny. It is okay to laugh at me or Sal in these situations and if you didn't I would think you were missing your funny bone."
"Yeah your Granddad is something to laugh at by just looking at the man," agreed Salazar.
"Just tell us what you know Sal before I beat you into your next portrait." roared Godric.
"Fine, I just know the Death Eater in question is already at Hogwarts," he admitted.
"What?" was the response but in many different tones.
"There is another Death Eater here and you didn't tell us," Rowena demanded.
"I just found out yesterday and I heard his story. I decided to wait until Sirius found out about those letters so I could decide if it was safe to tell him about the man or not."
"So I take it that you believed his story then," Sirius said with realization.
"Yes I do and I think deep down you do too without even learning anymore," Lord Slytherin told him.
"Well I know I believe him," Harry said. "And I want to meet him and tell him how grateful I am to him for trying to help my Dad."
"You want to meet a Death Eater even though you don't want anything to do with your Aunt Andi, Uncle Ted or Uncle Remus?" Sirius exclaimed in shock.
"Well that is different. This man took up for you and believed you wouldn't do such a thing while the others didn't seem to have any problems with believing it." Harry said the anger evident in his voice.
Leading his son to a sofa facing the portrait he said, "sit down Pup," before he sat on the coffee table facing him. "Kiddo you have to let your anger at those three go. They are your family and we don't know how much is Dumbledweeb's fault."
"Dumbledore made them forget some things, but they still knew the same thing that Death Eater did and he never doubted you," Harry said obstinately.
"Pup..."
Harry interrupted, "I know you want me to be respectful, but you said it was okay if I was mad at them. Well I'm mad at them, and I think whoever this person is would be somebody I like and trust better than them. I know you are probably mad at me and if you want to punish me fine, but that doesn't change how I feel."
Sirius saw the angry tears in his son's eyes and pulled him into a hug before saying, "I'm not punishing you, Pup. You are right I said you could be mad and that is okay. I just want you to be careful, because I don't want you trusting this person too easily because they tried to help me."
"Thanks Dad and I'll be careful I promise."
"Who is this person Grandfather?" Sirius asked turning to face the portrait but still keeping one arm around his son.
"You mean you can't figure it out Sirius?"
"What do you mean?"
"Think about it Sirius. When was that first letter written?"
"In 1982 I believe," was the uncertain reply.
"That's right," Rowena confirmed.
"Well the man said he had been out of the wizarding world since '79' so who went missing in '79' presumed to be dead? A Death Eater who might believe in you?" asked Salazar with a smirk on his face.
Sirius was trying to think about who it could be, and he knew from the look on his Grandfather's face it should be somebody obvious but when a name popped in his head he couldn't even dare believe it could be him. The one Death Eater in the world he would have given anything to save, but he was afraid to get his hopes up. Had he really changed his thinking and turned his back on his Master. Did he really care enough about Sirius to try to get him a trial enough to write more than a hundred letters and even start threatening the Minister of Magic. He raised his eyes to look in the eyes of Salazar Slytherin almost begging the man to tell him without making him guess, because he knew if he said the name aloud and it wasn't him it would be like losing him all over again.
Salazar saw the pain in his grandson's eyes and realized the man couldn't bring himself to state the name on the tip of his tongue. "Yes Sirius, you're right it is Regulus Black I'm talking about."
A breath he hadn't even known he was holding escaped Sirius as the realization his baby brother was still alive. The man couldn't stop the tears that silently made their way down his face.
"Who is Regulus Black?" asked Harry as he hugged his Dad when he saw the tears on the man's face.
Looking down at his son and through the tears he smiled and said, "He's your Uncle. He was... I mean is my Baby Brother that I thought died in 1979."
"What?"
"Remember I told you my family followed the dark side well Regulus joined the Death Eaters when he was just sixteen and died or so I thought a little more than a year later." Sirius explained without being able to suppress the grin even as he wiped the tears from his eyes.
"So I have one Uncle that actually believed in you and went to bat for you," asked Harry excitedly. "When can I meet him?"
Sirius was thinking 'ahh shite how am I going to get him to accept the way the others acted now' even as he said, "I don't know as I haven't seen him in the castle myself. Grandfather, you said he was here so why haven't I seen him?"
"There is a good reason for that Sirius. The man is under a glamour charm, but if you want I will have him come here to talk to you now. I told him yesterday to wait to approach you until I gave him the word," he explained.
"But how did you know Grandfather?"
"He was watching you and Harry, but I could tell it wasn't like the others so I went and questioned him. He wanted to tell you, but he was afraid it would get you guys hurt if Riddle came back and knew he was with you. I assured him he didn't have to worry about that but I didn't explain why," he told them.
"Do you really think he is sincere about this or should I worry for Harry's safety?" Sirius asked while pulling his Pup closer.
"Well he has been in the castle with Harry for the last two years and done nothing not even the intense bullying that Snape did, plus I really think he wants to be part of your lives. He earned my trust during our talk Sirius, but I can't tell you what to do."
With a determined nod Sirius said, "Ask him to come here and see me then as soon as he can."
Harry watched his Grandfather closed his eyes and knew he was talking to at least one of his other portraits before turning to his Dad and asking, "Do I get to be here too when you talk to my Uncle Regulus?"
"Yes Pup, you can," Sirius answered while thinking, 'I can't get him to call the others Uncle or Aunt, but Reg is already Uncle Regulus to him. How do I explain this to Remus?'
"Thanks Dad I can't wait to meet him," the excitement evident in his voice.
"He is busy with a student right now Sirius, but he said he will meet you after lunch if you want," Salazar said.
"That will be fine," Sirius agreed.
"Ahh come on Dad that's not fair I'm supposed to go to the Library after lunch," Harry pouted.
"Well I guess you can wait until later to go or not go today at all otherwise you will miss the meeting."
"Errr."
"Did you just growl at me Harry James," Sirius demanded with a shocked laugh.
"Uhh...maybe." he admitted sheepishly.
"Why?"
"I want to meet Uncle Regulus, but I also want to spend time with my friends," he pouted.
"Sorry Kiddo but if you want to meet Reg you will have to forfeit the extra time with your friends," he told him while ruffling his son's hair.
"Fine, "Harry huffed before hearing his Dad's stomach let out a growl of its own. "Maybe we should head to lunch now Dad before your stomach tries to eat me."
"Brat," he laughed fondly while checking his watch. "Yeah let's go as it's already half past eleven."
While they were making their way to the Great Hall Draco Malfoy was also making his way there. He had been hiding out in an abandoned classroom since Lord Black and the others left him after his ex-friends had acted like idiots. He wasn't feeling too safe to go back to his common room at the moment, but he felt he would be safe in the Great Hall with the Professors there. He couldn't help breathing a sigh of relief when he noticed that Professor Flitwick and both Tonks were already in the room when he entered. He headed over to sit by Zabini and the Greengrass sisters feeling much safer now. This made him feel very confused because none of the Professors in the room were purebloods, but at the moment he realized the purebloods he had always trusted were the ones most likely going to try and hurt him.
"Where have you been Draco?" Blaise asked. "We have been hearing the most ridiculous rumors about Nott, Crabbe and Goyle. Some of them even say you were part of it."
"What have them been saying," he asked nervously. He was wondering if the ones that were always neutral were going to turn on him too.
"Well they said the other three were expelled as a matter of fact some of them said you were too, but since you are here that kind of eliminates that part," Daphne explained as Tracey Davis sat between her and Draco.
This had Draco feeling better as he looked up and saw Flint, Warrington and Montague coming towards him. They sat down across from him now that Davis was on one side and Zabini on the other. The three older boys were sending him death glares and this actually had Draco squirming in his seat as he knew all three guys' Dads were Death Eaters.
Under those intense glares Draco said, "I don't know if they were expelled or not. The last time I saw them they were headed to the hospital wing with Lord Black and some others."
"Why were they going to the hospital wing," demanded Flint angrily.
"Because the idiots tried to hex Lord Black and their wands exploded."
"Why would they do that? I mean we all saw that would happen if you tried to hex the man," Blaise said exasperated.
"I believe I just answered that," Draco snapped. "Because they're idiots."
"Why didn't your wand explode," asked Montague.
"Because I'm not an idiot so I didn't try to attack the man," Draco informed him as if he was stupid which in Draco's mind he was if he thought Draco hadn't learnt that to attack the man was a way to get hurt.
"Don't snap at me Malfoy. I want to know why you didn't help your friends,"
Montague snarled.
"I tried to help them," he defended. "As a matter of fact I tried to help all of the Slytherins by telling them what happened with Weasley last night, but they wouldn't believe me. They thought it would be smart to attack Granger and when I questioned them what they would do if Potter-Black was there the idiots said attack him too. I was trying to convince them that wasn't in their best interest when Lord Black and his son showed up. My so called friends had me at wand point at that time, but when Lord Black ordered them to lower their wands they turned them on him. He again ordered them to lower them but those idiots each tried to hex him just as more Professors showed up. I will tell you that what happened to them was not pretty especially Crabbe."
"Why? Did they attack them," demanded Flint.
Rolling his eyes the blond said, "No Hogwarts did."
"Why did you say that Crabbe's was worse?" Tracey asked with interest.
"Because his whole hand was blown off," he explained with a grimace. "I've never seen anything so sickening."
"Why would it blow his hand off? It didn't do that to Snape or Umbridge," gasped Astoria.
"I think it was because he tried to curse Lord Black with an Unforgivable," he admitted.
Shocked gasps of, "What?" met this announcement.
"What did he use," Blaise asked in clear disbelief of the boy's stupidity.
"Crucio!"
"Bloody hell you are right they are idiots," Blaise said shaking his head at the thought of anybody being that stupid.
"Shut up," roared Flint. "At least they were trying to stop that blood traitor Black."
"Oh yeah stop him in the one place he is totally protected. Are you planning on trying it too Flint? I mean losing your wand hand might make you a nicer guy," Draco drawled more confident now that he noticed Lord Black and his son had walked in.
"You, little Bastard! Who do you think you are talking to me that way," snarled the older boy going for his wand at the same time.
Draco jerked back as he grabbed for his own wand but stopped when he heard the unmistakable voice of the new Lord of Hogwarts.
"Is there a problem here," the man demanded as he brought his hand down on the shoulder of Flint's wand arm.
Flint feeling the pressure on his shoulder and knowing if he tried anything that the hand on his shoulder was going to break it. His shoulder was already hurting from the hold on it which had him lowering his wand before saying, "No Sir I was just showing Draco my wand."
"Really?" the voice said the skepticism clear as a bell.
"Yes Sir!"
"Do you always call younger kids than you a Bastard before showing them your wand?"
"Umm..."
"Don't try to lie to me again." was the order he heard before the man asked. "What is your name?"
"Marcus Flint, Sir!"
"Well Mr. Flint, you have just lost ten points from Slytherin and earned yourself a detention for foul language and pulling your wand on a fellow student. I will let your Head of House know so she can schedule your detention. I should also warn you a second offense of this nature will cause you to lose twenty points and a week's detention," Sirius said in his sternest voice. "I have already expelled four students since dinner last night and rest assured I will have no problem expelling more if that is what it takes to keep the students in this castle safe. I gave fair warning the first night I was here that I would not let anyone put the students in danger and that includes other students. Is that clear?"
"Yes Sir," was the sullen reply.
"Mr. Malfoy if even one more student threatens you for anything I want you to let me know at once. Tell the portraits if necessary and I will be informed."
"Sir?" was the flustered reply.
Some people seem to forget that I am the Lord of your family and that means I will not let them treat you badly."
"Thank you, Lord Black," he said before smirking at the others at the table.
Seeing that smirk had Sirius adding, "That does not mean I will let you lord it over the other students Mr. Malfoy. You might want to remember that I will not only be able to punish you as a Professor but also as your head of family if I feel the need calls for it."
Sirius Black could not stop the small smirk that graced his face as he walked to the Head Table after seeing the young man gulp at his announcement. He did hope that the boy would be okay though. It looked like he was going to have to talk to Cissy sooner than later, because it looked like he might need to move Draco into the Founders' Tower to protect him. He knew that he wouldn't be letting a Malfoy live there so he had to get the boy's name changed to Black fast. But as he walked to join those at the Head table Harry was joining Hermione and Neville at the Gryffindor table. He noticed they were only a couple seats away from the Weasley twins and Oliver Wood when he sat down..
"Hi Hermione! Hi Neville! Did you two have a good night? Oh by the way I'm sorry I didn't get to join you in the Library last night." He told them as he reached for a platter of fried chicken.
"Harry what is going on Malfoy and Professor Vector said you were attacked last night? Professor Vector even said it was Percy that attacked you, but he wouldn't tell us anything else except that your Dad made you go rest. We were so worried and then you didn't show up for breakfast either," Hermione said all of this in one breath.
"What did you say about Percy, Hermione," demanded Fred.
"Harry he didn't really attack you did he," asked George.
"If he hurt my seeker I will hurt him," added a disgruntled Wood.
"I'm fine Oliver. And yes guys I was attacked by Percy last night as a matter of fact not long after you guys left," Harry said looking right at the twins.
Gaping in sheer confusion both twins said as one, "Why would he do that?"
"He said it was because I was ungrateful for your family letting me stay last summer and for how I treated your Mom, Ron and Ginny," Harry admitted feeling guilty and wondering if Vernon Dursley was right about him being an ungrateful freak.
"Why, that giant prat. Mom was stealing from you and he thinks you should just let that go," George shook his head in disbelief.
"He didn't hurt you did he Harry?" asked Fred.
"He punched me in the face, grabbed me around the throat and was going to punch me again when Dad walked in and stopped him."
"Well I for one hope your Dad punished him good," Fred said vehemently.
"Me too cause Mom never punished him or Ginny for anything," George added.
Hermione who knew Harry better than the others could see he was feeling guilty about something asked, "What happened, Harry? Why are you feeling guilty?"
Looking at Hermione instead of the twins since he didn't want to see them angry at him or his Dad he told her, "Dad's really over-protective and he doesn't like the thought of somebody hurting me so he might have gotten a little carried away last night."
"What did he do?" questioned Neville.
Looking sheepish Harry explained, "Well he came in while Percy was holding me in the air by my throat and was getting ready to punch me a second time. He caught Percy's hand and twisted it until his wrist broke before throwing him into a wall."
"What that is barbaric," yelled Hermione in outrage.
This of course put Harry on the defensive. "He was protecting me! I'm his son who was being beaten up by a legal adult."
"Harry you can't condone your Dad's actions," Hermione told him bossily.
Before Harry could say anything George spoke, "well I for one think it is great."
"Me too," added Fred. "The git had no right hurting Harry."
"But he hurt a student," Hermione protested.
"Did Lord Black do anything else to him Harry?" asked Neville before Harry could explode at Hermione like he looked like he wanted to.
"He has been expelled and arrested for attacking an Heir to ten Noble and Ancient Houses," Harry said trying to calm down.
"Well that will be some time in Azkaban for him then," Neville said as if it was a foregone conclusion.
"He hasn't even had a trial yet," spluttered Hermione indignantly.
Fred, George and Oliver just shook their heads at the supposedly smart girl's lack of knowledge while Neville answered.
"He'll get a trial Hermione but if anybody seen any of the attack he is as good as sentenced already. Attacking an Heir to families as old as Harry's is an automatic two year sentence in Azkaban and that is just being an Heir to one family that old. Harry is the Heir to ten, and I told you about Harry's standing in the wizarding world yesterday. When that comes out he may be facing closer to ten years or more."
"He deserves it Hermione," Fred snapped when she went to say something else. He was feeling bad because he could see Harry was feeling guilty and Hermione was making it worse.
"Harry don't you feel guilty man. Your Dad warned everybody that he wouldn't stand for you being attacked," George said with a small smile to try to make the younger boy feel better.
"Hell he is lucky he didn't kill him," Oliver added but at Hermione's outraged look he continued. "He did warn everybody that he would feed anybody attacking Harry to the Acromantula in the Forbidden Forest and nobody could do anything about it."
"If Percy was too big of an idiot to listen to the warning well he deserves what he gets," Fred and George said in unison.
"Are you okay after that Harry," asked Neville.
"I'm fine from the attack, but I kind of got grounded for sending you and Hermione away to talk to the twins and then forgetting to call for Dobby when Percy grabbed me," he admitted blushing.
Fred looked at his twin before asking, "Why would you get in trouble for that?"
"Dad made me promise not to go anywhere without Hermione and Neville in case somebody wanted to attack me and if somebody did try something I was supposed to call for Dobby to take me straight to Dad," Harry mumbled.
"Oh Harry, man we're sorry for getting you in trouble," George apologized while Fred nodded in agreement.
"Hey it's not your fault. "I'm the one that lied to my Dad, and I know that is his number two biggest no-no rule for me only coming in second after putting myself or anybody else in danger." He said with a rueful shake of his head.
"Which you did both of," smirked Neville.
What took Hermione by surprise was that Harry was smirking now too.
"Why are you acting like this is no big deal or even funny," she demanded angrily.
Harry looked like he wasn't for sure how to answer so Neville said, "I get it Harry. It feels good to know you have a parent that cares enough to give you rules and make you follow them. So how long are you grounded for and what does that entail?"
"Well hopefully I will be ungrounded Saturday."
"Why do you say hopefully," wondered a concerned Oliver Wood who had been planning on a team practice that day.
"Well it was conditional that I don't get into anymore trouble, and I already did once this morning. I'm hoping that doesn't count against me," he said sheepishly.
"What did you do Harry," asked an excited George.
"Please tell us it was something good," added and equally excited Fred.
"I sort got caught eavesdropping on Dad and Madam Bones having a meeting."
"Harry," exclaimed Hermione.
"Amateur mistake," Fred sighed.
"You have to do better than that," said a disappointed George.
"Don't encourage him," exclaimed Hermione.
Ignoring her Fred said, "we'll give you lesson to not get caught the next time.
"Yeah man that is so disappointing that you aren't sneakier," George told him which had Harry, Neville, Oliver and the twins all laughing while Hermione crossed her arms disapprovingly.
Sirius looked towards the Gryffindor table with a fond smile nothing made the man happier than to see his son laughing as he was now. He was glad to see he wasn't acted upset about his punishments. The kid really was remarkable, and he couldn't be prouder of him. As he turned to tell Andi about Flint's detention he noted with some surprise that Minerva and Moody weren't there. He couldn't understand why since Fillius went to see the goblins at the same time so after explaining about the detention and why he turned to the little Charms Professor and asked.
"Fillius I hope you got your memories back alright and do you know why Minerva and Moody aren't here?"
"My memories are back fine Sirius, and I'm really thankful that mine weren't as messed with as Minerva's or Alastor's. Minerva cried for an hour when she realized that Dumbledore made her forget how much she and Alastor had loved each other. The goblins found her engagement ring in Dumbledore's vault and she is now wearing it again." he told him and the other professors that were nearby.
"But why aren't they back then? Are they getting re-acquainted?" Sirius wondered aloud though the thought made him grimace and wish for some bleach to wash the thought away.
"No," Flitwick exclaimed with an uncustomary angry look on his face. ""It seems Dumbledore caused more damage than we knew."
"What do you mean," Remus asked.
"Evidently Moody was the first one of us that Dumbledore tried to removes memories. He bungled it royally. You know how Alastor is so paranoid, well he was always a little paranoid, but it seems that because somebody he trusted turned a wand on him he became worse which is why the Ministry fired him. Before that he had enough to make him cautious but after the memory spell he became almost neurotic about it. Not only that but it also slowed down his reflexes and that is why he lost his leg, eye, chunk of his nose and has all of his scars. Dumbledore messed with his memory a couple of weeks before that Halloween."
"Oh sweet Merlin that poor man," cried Andromeda.
"Damn him," Remus growled.
"And now Moody is paying the price," muttered Ted.
"Actually thanks to Sirius's friendship with the Goblins they are helping Alastor," Fillius said with a grin.
"What do you mean? You can't repair damage done by dark magic," Remus said confused.
"Wizards may not be able too but my goblin brothers can. They can't fix it all but they are re-growing his leg and before I left his nose was fixed except for a small scar while all the other scars are also smaller. The only thing they can't do anything about is his eye and Alastor says that is fine, because he likes having the advantage of his magical eye. He actually said he would feel lost without it now. He will be at Gringotts until about ten tonight, and Minerva wouldn't leave his side," he finished explaining.
"I wish I knew how they could do that," Andi said enviously. "But I am glad that Moody gets to benefit from their knowledge."
"Me too," Poppy Pomfrey said.
"So Andi Ted and Remus are going to Gringotts this afternoon right," asked Sirius.
"Yes," said Ted and Remus together.
"Fillius do you think you and Pomona can keep an eye on things around the school this afternoon? I have an appointment in the Tower after lunch, but if you need me give a shout out to one of the Founders' portraits and they will let me know at once."
"That is fine Sirius," he agreed.
"Grandfather," Sirius said turning to the portrait of Salazar again. "I still need you to keep an eye on Draco Malfoy as he is still being threatened. I will send an owl to his mother as soon as I get back to the Tower requesting a meeting, because I'm going to have to get the boy away from her and into my custody to keep him safe. I was really shocked when Harry offered his hand to Draco this morning in friendship. I spent the last three weeks hearing how he is almost as bad as Dudley when he found out we were related to him, but today was a shocker. That and about what he said about the man we are meeting after lunch."
Sirius didn't notice the way Septimus Vector's head jerked up as if wanting to hear what Harry had said about him. He was grateful when he heard Lupin say.
"What did he say about the man you are meeting? Who is he by the way?"
"He says he can't wait to meet him as a matter of fact he is grounded to the Tower for the rest of the week but with the privilege of spending from one to four in the Library to work on his essays with his friends. He is so excited to meet my guest he is passing up the Library today." Sirius explained with a fond smile.
"You didn't say who he was," Andromeda pointed out.
"I will tell you after my meeting. I want to see how it turns out first," He told them while hoping he would be able to have another member of his family back.
Septimus was shocked that Harry would want to meet him after finding out he was a Death Eater. He couldn't help remembering the sneer the boy had on his face the night of the Feast when he mentioned the word Death Eater. Salazar had told him that he had told Harry and Sirius who he really was looking over at the Gryffindor table to see his nephew laughing with his friends he wondered if he really could be part of the boy's life. At an unexpected shout from the Slytherin table he turned as did everyone in the room to see Draco Malfoy holding his hand to a bloody nose. What the Hell happened, but even as he thought this Sirius and Andi walked to the Slytherin table matching anger showing on their faces.
"What the Hell happened here," roared Sirius Black as he took in the sight of the blond bleeding.
Andi walked over to her nephew and said, "Please move your hand Draco so I can fix your nose."
When he removed his hand it was quite obvious that Draco's nose was broken, and he was already starting to sport to black eyes. Andromeda waved her wand over the poor boy's face and fixed his nose at once before pulling a couple of potions out of her pocket one for pain and one for the bruising. Draco drank them down with only a slight grimace for the taste. He was wondering why these potions tasted better than the ones his Godfather had always given him. They didn't taste good but they also didn't taste like somebody had shit in the vial first like Snape's did.
When nobody had answered Sirius he was getting even more pissed by the minute. Harry saw his Dad's anger and started across the room to the shock of Hermione and Neville.
"Where are you going Harry?" asked Hermione.
"To see what happened to Malfoy and why Dad is so angry," he told her as he continued to walk towards the Slytherin table.
"Why would he care what happened to Malfoy," Hermione asked stunned.
"I don't know but maybe we should go too," Neville said as he started to walk after Harry.
But Hermione didn't follow she just sat there looking at her two friends in pure disbelief. The blond ponce was always mean to them why were they now trying to check up on him? Was the world still turning the right way on its axis? Maybe somebody should check that out.
"Dad is everything okay over here?" Harry asked as he walked to stand right next to the man.
"No Pup it isn't as evidently somebody felt they could punch your cousin and get away with it, but I can promise that isn't happening." he informed his son before turning back to the table and saying, "I won't ask again what happened here?"
Draco lowered his eyes so he didn't have to look into the man's face, because he knew if he told he would just have more people after him. How could things have gone so bad for him so fast?
"Warrington hit him," Daphne Greengrass said causing all of the Slytherins to look at her in shock.
"Which one of you is Warrington?"
"I am Lord Black. What are you going to do about it?" Sneered a large boy who looked like a sloth.
"So not only do you hit my young cousin, but you disrespect me as well. I think that calls for some drastic action don't you? I wouldn't want anyone to think they can get away with going around punching other students whenever they feel like it after all," Sirius said with a menacing look on his face.
"He deserved it," Charles Warrington snapped.
"Oh really? What could he have done that warranted such an action?"
When he received no reply he turned to the other Slytherins and said. "Does anybody want to explain what Mr. Malfoy did that earned him a broken nose and two black eyes?"
"He said he would not attack your son no matter what the others told him to do," Blaise answered finally.
"I see well I'm telling you now Mr. Warrington you are now also expelled from Hogwarts. I will not request your wand be snapped, but you are no longer allowed in Hogsmeade or on Hogwarts grounds." He said before turning to face the whole Hall, "And the rest of you better pay attention real close because I will not stand for the younger students being beat on by older students. I will not stand for students hexing each other or fighting. These will have harsh punishments. Mind you not all will be expelled, but you are definitely taking that chance if you try it. You might want to think long and hard about the consequences before trying such a stupid stunt. I have now expelled five students since dinner last night. Four Slytherins and one Gryffindor and if I have to I will expel as many of you as needed to keep the rest safe. I told you the first night I was here that nobody is allowed to endanger the students of this castle."
"You can't expel me for hitting Malfoy," snarled Warrington.
"I just did! Andi will you floo his Mother and have her pick him up before you leave for your meeting at Gringotts?" Then turning to Draco he said, "Mr. Malfoy will you please join me and my son as I have some things I need to talk to you about? Come on Pup we have a meeting in just a little bit."
To the shock of all of those in the Great Hall the two enemies from Gryffindor and Slytherin followed the Lord of Hogwarts out the doors of the Great Hall. Just how many more changes were they going to see in these walls. Classes still hadn't even started yet but it seemed things were changing by the hour around here. Many were hoping that all of the changes would be good ones, but there were those like Charles Warrington that was wishing for the old days where Dumbledore let you do what you wanted, because he said everybody deserved another chance.
Well that is another chapter done. I had really planned on getting Regulus's talk done in this chapter but this is already over 14,000 words without my AN so I felt this was a good stopping point. I hope you enjoy.