What Made a Difference

by Covley Hatake

What if the summer leading into 4th year was a little different? What would this change going forward? Would having someone that cares make him a better student? Would Sirius turn him into a prankster or a fighter? And what about his friends would they not like these changes? Ron and Dumbledore bash. Minor Molly and some Hermione. Pairings HP/DG SB/RL HG/VK

15. Chapter 15

Chapter 15

It was finally time. Since the solstice fell on a Wednesday so I had to get excused from classes but that wasn't too hard as I had Flitwick, Hagrid, and McGonagall today. On the Hogsmeade weekend I had gone to claim my title which went over perfectly. Ragnok also informed me he would be at Sirius trial and present evidence in the will, but we could not do the reading until after so that was scheduled for just before new year's.

So, I woke up, showered and went to breakfast as Dumbledore would still be there. I gave Hermione my homework for the classes before heading up to change. I was not going to follow the stupid plum robes they had started wearing. No, I was being traditional and wearing traditional Potter wear. Potters had been a target and thus both genders traditional clothing made them ready for battle.

They were similar to what I wore in the tournament really. It was a different reinforced vest but was similar as it was designed for protection rather than speed. This time though it was solid black and was just made from Hebridean Black hide. It did have more reinforcements hidden between the outer leather and the fabric inside. This restricted my movement more than the one form the task, but the protection was more important. The Potter crest was placed in the gold on the right breast plate and was the size of a galleon.

I would wear the same trousers since they made me a few pairs and they would be easier to move in thus they would help as I was a little more restricted by the jerkin. My boots, shin, and arm guards would also be the same. The goblins had made another wand holster as well. It was a shoulder holster which reminded me of the American detectives on shows my aunt watched. It was made from the Basilisk hide and my wand would rest just under my left arm ready to draw. On the right I was able to place potion vials.

The last addition was a black and burgundy cloak, well it was more like a cap. It was designed to go over one shoulder but could go over both if I wanted. I would wear it over one today with it over my left concealing my wand. There was a clasp hidden by a buckle that it attached to on the front and another on my back. When worn over it would clip higher up about mid collar bone. The back clasp would release when the cap needed to be take-off or drawn on defense. That was an important feature as the cloak was made from the basilisk I had killed and would be able to shield me from spells. Not only that showing off my conquest was a show of strength older families looked for.

I was not the only one with a clothing change. Remus hated it but he too got a wardrobe update. Daphne had come with us to Diagon alley during the Hogsmeade trip and had stocked him well. Sirius had insisted him to wear traditional wear though his was not as flashy as my own. He also wore a jerkin, but it was less reinforced then even my task one. He also had it in a more natural leather color and had more modern clasps to close over the fitted long sleeve under it. For trousers his were like mine again, being black but they had no reinforcements. He wore no guards but still had combat like boots.

Sirius said this is what family guards would have possible worn in older times. Sirius also had a similar out fit to my own but had a dark green jerkin as it was his family color and no cloak. For safety he was not wearing the wand holster or bringing a wand today.

"You look handsome," Daphne said playing with my collar. She could not attend today as solstice meetings Wizengamot members were not allowed to bring heirs. She was not heir as she had a younger brother but still her father had brought her to some. "The hair cut helped,"

"Still feels weird," I said playing with my lord ring. So much had changed sense this summer. I was no longer the scrawny knobby kneed boy. No instead, I had grown nearly six inches since this summer thanks to the potions to recover the height I should have had, and the last two inches were all on my own. I was thin still having not gotten my father's wider build, but my muscles were toned from quidditch, tournament training, and just all over training I would have done anyway. I no longer needed my glasses as of last week, though we hid that fact, and we cut my hair to a neat cut like what my grandfather had done to keep his from being wild.

"Wish I could go with you,"

"Yea it is supposed to be a short session though according to the agenda your father brought us." Tradition was that agendas were sent out the week prior. Her father had found it odd for the closing year meeting though as it was short. He later found out that the minister requested it as he was going on Holiday and was due to leave at eleven and the meeting started at nine. He though was not going to make it to his portkey today.

"Ready pup?" Sirius said grabbing my invisibility cloak. We would be flooing directly to Madam Bones office and be going down. Along with her we would have two other aurors with us and Sirius would be in the side chambers with one well I took my place.

"I am but Remus hasn't come out yet," I said.

"I am coming," he said coming out "but do I really have to wear this,"

"You look hot," Sirius said going over to him and giving him a passionate kiss. "Will have to strip you out of those later,"

"Sirius," Remus said red faced. "We had a deal,"

That they did. I was worried when they moved in here, but they told me the deal. Remus wanted to take things slow and though they had been together again for six months now they had not taken it beyond heavy petting. Before it was more to get comfortable together again now it was more cause we were in a school cause the number of times I had almost walked it more than heavy petting on the couch said they were both ready for going farther but holding back.

"You guys know I don't mind," I said looking at them cause both to get read faced. "Just keep it to your room please. Don't think McGonagall would like to walk in on two of her grown students,"

"Don't think so either pup," Sirius said with a laugh. "Now let's head out and Remy stop fidgeting with the clasps,"

With that we were off. It was a quick trip and thankfully I had gotten used to travel by floo now, so I did not go skidding across the floor and came out clean. We arrived and headed right down flanked on either side by the aurors. We were then taken to a side room were Ragnok was waiting.

"Lord Potter, Proxy Lupin," he said, "Where is Lord Black?"

"Here Master Ragnok," Sirius said removing the cloak surprising the two aurors. "Hello little Nymphy may have you grown."

"Don't call me that mutt," the female auror said stomping her foot and with it her hair changed to a fire red color.

"Temper Nymphy," Sirius laughed taping her on the nose "you use to love it when I called you that."

"I was also like 8 Sirius," she said before smiling and giving him a hug. "It is good to see you again cousin,"

"Cousin?" I asked a bit apprehensive as he had told me some about his family.

"This Harry is my cousin Andromeda daughter Nymphadora Tonks,"

"Just call me Tonks though," she said.

"You are looking well Sirius," said the dark-skinned man. "I doubt any of the aurors would realize it was you,"

"I do clean up nice," he said. "It is good to see you believed me all this time Kingsley, both of you,"

"I was on that scene Sirius, and nothing added up,"

"Mom would not hear of it,"

"Kingsley Shacklebolt at your service Lord Potter," the now named Kingsley said.

"Harrison or Harry is fine," I said.

"Harrison it is,"

"Now Auror Tonks you will stay with Sirius and Ragnok," Amelia said. "Lord Greengrass is at the doors and keeping an eye when everyone has arrived. When the last one comes in the chamber, he will let us know as they tend to go right to the seats. Are you ready Harrison?"

"As I will ever be," I said as a knock at the door happened. Amelia exited and found her seat and Dumbledore banged his gavel.

"This meeting of the 1994 Winter Solstice session will come to order," he said, "Everyone take your seats."

This was our que. We walked out as everyone took their seats and it took people a moment and I had a few reactions. Surprise was one of the biggest for sure but also just shock. A woman I knew to be Neville's gram had to take a second look with glasses. I swore I heard a few voices saying Fleamont as if my grandfather had just walked in. Dumbledore though was unreadable but the signature sparkle in his eye was gone.

"Harry my boy what are you doing here?" he asked.

"Taking my place," I said, "and I have asked you multiple times not to call me Harry and, in this setting, it is Lord Potter,"

"You cannot be Lord!" screeched a big toad. This woman I had been warned of as she was the women Lord Greengrass hatted. Her name was Delores Umbridge, and she was responsible for a lot of anti-creature bills and went around protocol to get them to the floor. "You are a child,"

"I was not a child when they made me compete was I" I said, and I stepped up on the platform. "I was entered against my will into a competition for of age students. To be of age is defined by ministry law as 17 or emancipated. Students cannot even sign a magical contract underage without their magical guardian."

"There was no emancipation!" Fudge said.

"But there was," I said "Because by ministry law I needed to if I was to compete. To be emancipated you must be recognized by a ministry official as competent. That was achieved technically twice as Crouch said I had to as my signature showed on the contract and the Chief Warlocks acceptance. The headmaster also must recognize that you are responsible enough and as he accepted it was that."

"My boy I am…,"

"You have never been recognized by magic!" I yelled out to make it clear then calmed down once again. "The ministry may have appointed you, but magic did not, nor has it ever recognized you as my guardian. Which means you could not have consented to my participation as guardian on a magical contract. We will get to the guardian issue another day. For now, though I call Imperium Paratus,"

With the command said the main chamber doors sealed, though the side chambers did not. All chairs rearranged into proper order taking the occupants with them. With that the proper voting structure became clear. Floor level was non-voting members and guests. Tier one was the large podium where Dumbledore resided just slightly above the ministry department heads. The Minister was to his left and Madam Bones to his right. Tier two held the Order of Merlin recipients, not all got a seat as only ten seats were available and mostly held the first-class members but two second and one third also sat. Then in order was the Nobles on the third level, Ancient on the fourth, Noble and Ancient on the fifth, and the sixth tier held the Most Noble and Ancient seats along with the four founder seats and Merlin's. I was so glad that it had worked as we had no idea if I could call it, so Lord Greengrass was the back up.

"What is the meaning of this?" Fudge asked.

"Imperium Paratus minister," I said. "By law all solstice and equinox meetings are to take place in this way. As to the seat movements, your seats apparently were changed at some point and the room saw fit to have it corrected. Seems it also judged the seats well at it and the family crests have appeared on the seats of the house each belongs to."

"Ha…," Dumbledore started but stopped "Lord Potter I ask you to return function to me,"

"I will not chief warlock," I said. "I called Imperium Paratus so I can claim my seats and only after that will I relinquish it and only to whom I have deemed fit. You have held the position of chief warlock sense the late seventies sir and sense then you have not used it. Can anyone tell me when this was last in acted?"

"The spring Solstice of 1979," Lord Greengrass stated after I acknowledged him. "Fleamont Potter was the last to in act it and that was his last meeting before taking ill,"

"Well, it seems a Potter needs to remind you all," I said. "I call fourth the following seats to be tested.

"Seat of House Potter," I said and ornate throne like chair moved and came down the aisle. Everyone seemed to think I was done but I smiled, and Dumbledore showed the first glint of fear at my knowledge. "Seat of House Black, Champion seat of Gryffindor, and Champion seat of Slytherin,"

All four seats made their way down to the platform. Even if the room had not silenced by the command, I don't think anyone could have spoken. Finally, all four seats came down and lined up and many could not believe it. None had sat in more than two seats and normally it was that they had a ministry or order vote along with the family but here I stood with four. Not just any four either but four of the twelve most powerful seats.

"This can't be correct," Fudge said looking at Dumbledore who said nothing.

"Madam Bones," I said, and she stood. "As head of the DMLE it is your duty to judge correct,"

"It is Lord Potter," she said.

"It also falls to you speak the truth of the chairs choice,"

"It does," she said and then stepped down. "Is there anyone else who wishes to attempt a claim on these seats."

For a moment I thought none would stand but one did. Lucius Malfoy indicated he wished to be acknowledged. Though the minister, Dumbledore, and Madam Bones could speak as needed, everyone else needed to be acknowledge. Along with him though was Madam Umbridge.

"Madam Umbridge,"

"This boy is no Lord and is making false claims to seats not his own," she said. "He needs to be thrown out of these chambers and proper order restored,"

"This is proper order Madam," I said then showed my two rings. The Potter ring sat on my right hand and was gold with burgundy stone shaped into the strange triangle shape and black stones created the thestral that reared up. The Black heir ring sat on my left middle but there were no rings for Gryffindor or Slytherin. "These are my rings, and no Goblin would give them to me if I was not entitled to them."

"This is not Order!"

"It is madam now silence as you hold a non-voting seat thus normally would not be heard for this matter of business," I said, and the room did as I commanded. The women yelled but no sound left her. When she realized she could not speak she became red with anger and looked to Fudge. "He cannot help you in this matter. At the moment the room sees me and Madam Bones as in command."

"Lord Malfoy," Madam Bones said now that Umbridge was taken care of.

"The boy cannot be heir to the Black family," he claimed. "My son is the only male Black close enough to claim. Though Lord Potter may have Black blood on his father's side distantly, but my son is closer,"

"My godfather made me his heir," I said, and I could see him wanting to fight that claim. "Before you go off saying my godfather was disowned, he was not disowned by Arcturus Black. Instead, he was made his direct heir when he was twelve. My godfather understood that it was unlikely he would have children and thus he and my father performed a specific godfather ritual essential it made him a third parent. So, I am before your son Lord Malfoy. Shall we just prove it Madam Bones,"

"We shall," she said with a hidden smile and then turned to the council. "For you all that don't know how this works I will explain. As you can see every House seat has the family crest above the head in an orb and most here is glowing gold. This means the proper lord is seated there. In the case of Madam Longbottom, it is silver as she is the proxy for the heir as he is too young to sit and cannot claim his lord ring. If the seat glows white it means the holder is not here, but the seat is rightfully claimed like my own house seat is. The crest is dark if no one has claimed the seat but it senses an eligible person. The orb breaks if the family line is truly dead.

"To claim the seat the colors are ever so more important. If Harrison Potter is the lord of the house the orb will turn gold. If they are direct heir to the rightful lord, the color will be green if in line red. If they are not in line and claims are false, then nothing will happen. For the Champion seats the orb will turn the house color if eligible and if not, nothing will occur," she explained "Let us start with House Potter shall we,"

House Potters chair came forward and I sat. It was not spectacular or anything, but orb glowed a brilliant gold. This proved without a doubt that I was no longer heir but lord. Next came the Black seat which people waited for. Many of the older ones knew that if this was true then something else was amiss. When I sat and the orb turned green surprise could be seen throughout the chambers. The Gryffindor and Slytherin seats had the same results.

"The seats have proven his claim true to all seats," she said "Harrison James Sirius Potter is indeed Lord to House Potter, Heir to House Black and Champion to Gryffindor and Slytherin. Lord Potter due to your age even though emancipated the seats would not allow you to vote as it would put too much strain on your core. You may come to council and/or send a proxy, but the proxy must vote for you is that understood,"

"It is," I said, "Until the matter of Sirius Black is cleared up, I name Remus John Lupin proxy to all seats."

Umbridge fought against the spell the kept her silent. She was nearly purple when finally, Madam Bones acknowledged her.

"The matter of Sirius Black is closed!" she screeched. "He is a convicted murderer and hell bent on destroying our world. As for Lupin the man is no man thus has no right,"

"Where is it stated that someone with Lycanthropy cannot hold a seat?" I asked but she said nothing. "There is no such law. I have heard of you Umbridge and let's say you are not on House Potters good side. You have circumvented the law to get your way and made it harder than necessary for people with creature blood to make a living. You fear what you do not know or even try to understand. Just because one has blood from a creature, or a curse, does not mean they should be hated for something beyond their control. Your time making laws based on your personal beliefs and fears are over. Remus take the seats,"

Remus did just that and was taken by the Potter chair to the top row. I stayed below as though I planned to wait until near the end of session the toad brought it up. I looked at Dumbledore and could see genuine confusion and a flash of fear.

"As for the matter of Sirius Black," I said, "How can one be a convict if one had never been tried for the crime they are accused of."

"What do you mean?" asked Fudge.

"Just what I said Minister," I said to him. "Sirius Black was never given a trial and was sentenced to Azkaban due to hear say, an old law he was not eligible for, and because who his family was."

"How would you know this?" Crouch said when he was acknowledged. "You were a babe not knowing of our world again until 4 years ago."

"Last year when Sirius Black escaped you all thought he was coming for me," I said "He never would have hurt me and hasn't to this day. I told you the truth that night Minister, but you ignored me and my friends. Instead, you believed a man with a known grudge against my family."

"You were confounded dear boy,"

"Snape was unconscious for most of the event sir," I said which by the look on Fudges face he was not aware "He barged in not allowing any explanation of what was going on. I will say I jumped and took the shot that rendered him such, but I needed to know the truth."

"I was unaware of this indecent until mid this summer minister," Amelia said and that caused the minister to pale. "You went against ministry protocol. It does not matter if you were already there on an unrelated matter. You did not call any aurors when it was found Sirius Black was on school grounds and you did not have the children tested for the confundus charm."

"Sirius Black murdered…,"

"Allegedly," I said "He was thrown in prison under the Dark War act of 1943. That act states that one can be sentenced to Azkaban when it is proved without a doubt that they acted under a Dark Wizard under their own free will. Even if as heir to the Black family Sirius Black was never eligible for this act."

"Sirius Black was the right hand to the You-Know-Who," Crouch said.

"Who told you that or it just assumed?" I asked but got no answer. "So, no convicted death eater said it. You just spread he was on a rumor. Dumbledore stated he was the secret keeper but never did anyone check past that. Never did you question how all other bodies remained intact, well Peter Pettigrew apparently was obliterated and only a finger left. I call for an immediate trial of Sirius Black,"

"He must be here for a trial!" yelled the minister.

"Good thing he is then minister," Madam Bones said. She nodded to Kingsley who had stayed by the side chamber door. He then opened the door and Sirius walked out with Tonks behind him. People seemed shocked at Sirius as he looked nothing of the raving mad man the papers had shown. Sirius though did have chains on his wrists and ankles that must have been placed after I had left the room.

"Madam Bones I present myself for trail," he said as he stood on the platform.

"State your name and date of birth," she said as I moved to the side.

"Lord Sirius Orion Black born November 3rd, 1959," he stated. "May I make one request before we continue."

"Of course,"

"I will willingly give memories and be under Veritaserum, but I wish that my godson not be present,"

"What! Sirius!" I yelled.

"I am sorry Harry, but you do not need to see some of the memories I may have to show," he said turning to me. "After memories are viewed, he may return but he does not need those imagines of his parents,"

"I grant this," she said then looked at me. "You may be a Lord now Harrison, but he is right. I would never want to have my own niece see those images of her parents no matter her age."

Tonks then escorted me into the side chambers. I could not help but pace as a hundred different scenarios went through my mind. They had not used proper procedure in meeting in years so why should they now. They could find a way to kick Remus from proxy and silence Sirius. If they did that, they would find to overturn my emancipation thus my lordship and Dumbledore would gain control again and this time of more. I know I had people on my side but there were so many unknowns in the court.

"It's time," Tonks said breaking me from my thoughts. I looked at the clock and found that it was now nearly one. I couldn't speak so I just nodded and followed Tonks out of the room. She escorted me to a visiting seat as I couldn't vote.

I looked to Sirius who smiled weakly at me. Whatever was done took a toll on him. I even looked to Remus who wore a sad look. I looked at the court and some people just looked disturbed at what they had seen.

"Now that we have heard and seen all evidence on the matters it is time to vote," Madam Bones said. "All those eligible to vote will find a stone on either arm of their chair. The Right stone is innocent and the left guilty. The room will tally the votes. Due to their involvements in this case House Potter, House Black, and Dumbledore will not be eligible to vote. That said the champion seats are eligible to vote. Depending on verdict a charge maybe dropped or added to be voted on,

"On the matter of Sirius Black's guilt in the involvement in the deaths of Lily and James Potter along with the attempted murder of their son on October 31st, 1981, please vote," Madam Bones said. Nothing seemed to happen for a moment then a scroll appeared on the desk. She unrolled it and looked before announcing "On the charges in the involvement in the deaths of Lily and James Potter and the attempted murder of Harrison Potter, Sirius Black is found not guilty,

"Next on the murder of Peter Pettigrew and twelve muggles on November 1st, 1981, please vote," she said once again, and the same thing happened. Well things tallied I looked around to see there were a few faces not happy with the first outcome. Malfoy was one of them, but he might just be sour he lost his seat. The toad known as Umbridge though was another who was not pleased. "In the murdered of Peter Pettigrew and twelve muggles, Sirius Black is found not guilty."

I wanted to run up and hug him, but something told me to wait. Those were the only charges he should be under but then again who knew what else was discovered well in court. I looked to Madam Bones once more to see that she wasn't done.

"Both previous charges Lord Black was incarcerated illegally as he was not eligible for the Dark War act. There for all those charges and that of escaping Azkaban will be ex-sponged from his record completely," she said "New charges have been laid though against Lord Black. First charge is that of being an illegal Animagus. The accused admitted this and does state if given the chance he would have registered. As you all might remember many did register after the war and some are even in this room. For these reasons I excuse any time or fines for this charge. There has also been charges of endangering three minors,

"The memories show though that though he did bring the minors in question into the situation it was not a danger at the time. When the situation changed, he immediately went into defending the minors even taking on a fully transformed werewolf who had incomplete dosing of the wolfsbane potion. It was then minor Harrison Potter that further put himself in danger rather than the believed Sirius. So I also drop these charges should a fee be paid to the Weasley family for the unintentional injury to their son Ronald. I will set this fee to 300 galleons." With that see slammed the gavel setting and the chains on Sirius fell to the ground. I could not hold it any longer and immediately ran to him. I wasn't the only one as Remus, who must of come down to testify, also ran to him.

"Your free," I said pulling away.

"That I am pup," he said with a smile as he pulled me back in.

"As heartwarming as this is," Madam Bones said with a smile "We still have some business to attend to."

"My apologies Madam Bones," Sirius said.

"I assume Lord Black you will be taking the seat,"

"I will,"

"Heir Potter then do I assume that Proxy Lupin will sit in the Potter along with voting for the Gryffindor and Slytherin seats?"

"Proxy Lupin will vote for Potters and Gryffindor Madam Bones," I said "I have been advised that it be best that the seats votes powers later be split with my heirs should I have two children. So I shall do the same now. Lord Black will hold the proxy vote for the Slytherin seat,"

"Very well," she said, "Lord Potter though you are unable to cast your vote I must tell you that you are always welcome to attend the meetings and speak on topics."

"Thank you, Madam Bones," I said "On that matter I must ask what will happen to Peter Pettigrew?"

"We were just coming to that," she said as if a switch had been flipped Madam Bones went from kind to serious as she turned to the court. "We have seen evidence that Peter Pettigrew is indeed alive and that he faked his own death. The evidence clearly shows that he was the one to betray the Potters as shown in the memories and he was the one that killed the muggles that day. He then hid biding his time until he could take his chance which never came because Lord Black came after him before he could. This matter needs no vote as you all could see the truth. Peter Pettigrew is hereby stripped of his Order of Merlin and placed on a wanted list by the DMLE. An investigate to where he is will start immediately,"

"Madam Bones," I said gaining her attention. I knew it was slightly out of protocol, but the room had not silenced me as I called it to the current state and as I was not seated, I could not use the proper method. Madam Bones realized this, and her glare softened on taking note.

"Yes Lord Potter,"

"I am sorry to interrupt but I just want to make sure the family that had Pettigrew will be cleared," I said. Though I was no longer friends with Ron that did not mean I wanted the family to suffer. They had no reason to suspect he was anything but maybe a mixed magical rat. The Weasley family was innocent in this matter.

"There is no reason for them to be charged Lord Potter," she said clearing up the matter then looking at her watch. "Now I think it best that we close this session. There was not much on the agenda, and we all have been thrown for a loop today. A press statement will be released by myself and the family. Also to note there will be investigations on how this happened, and all cases will be reviewed to make sure this didn't happen to anyone else,"

The gavel was slammed once more, and the room seemed to power down. Immediately whispers started at the events that just happened. Before anyone could rush us though we went back to the side chambers with Madam Bones and the aurors.

"Now I know you all want to get going quickly but we must release something to the press quickly," she said. "The likes of Malfoy will already be plotting to twist this his way, I am sure."

"Good thing we came prepared," Ragnok said pulling out some parchment and handing it to her to read. I was a little confused only to see the one as I had assumed that the others had prepared as well.

"I can stay for this," Sirius said then looking to me. "You get back to the school ok pup,"

"But I should be there as well,"

"That is what the written statement is for Harry," Remus said "This could take some time and you have a Yule Ball to prepare for,"

"But,"

"No buts," Sirius said "I might not be you guardian per say but we had talked this over the summer and…,"

"Even if legally ever was emancipated I was to still do as told," I said remembering the hypothetical of the summer.

"You really don't want to miss this pup," Remus said rubbing my hair which I quickly put back in order.

"Alright, alright but you guys come back as soon as you can,"

"Of course," Sirius said, "No way I am not seeing you trying to dance,"

"How are you even going to get in?"

"I have my ways," he said with a smile "No way doesn't Nymphy take you to the floo,"

"Stop that you flea bitten mutt," Tonks yelled.

"I will let you know I was rid of flea months ago," he said with a laugh. With that I was off back to school and off to the dance.

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I know not the best come back chapter but I want to get this out there, so you all know I am still alive lol. Following this chapter will be an explanation on where I have been and what my plan is going forward.