Chapter Five - Dreams

Harry realised he'd woken up about a minute into his musings on how disgusting his mouth tasted. His eyes felt almost glued closed when he sat up.

He was in the hospital wing. The arched stone ceiling and white-tile wall behind his bed were oh-so familiar. Tall screens surrounded his bed, giving him little idea whether he was alone or not.

Harry cocked his head as he heard someone sigh very faintly. He strained his ears to make out a quiet conversation that was happening behind the screens.

"...fortunate that I happened to have the ingredients available."

That was Snape's voice. What was he doing here? Come to think about it, Harry was struggling to remember what he was doing here.

"It is fortunate indeed," Dumbledore's voice mumbled softly. "So long has the giant squid resided in these waters, I doubt records even exist about the nature of its physiology. We had no way of predicting it had the capacity to inject venom."

Harry remembered now. The pain in his foot, the burning of his stomach, the blood, the blur as he collapsed to the floor.

"I doubt it's ever even used the venom before. The creature, for all accounts, has never hurt a fly."

"You suspect foul play?" Dumbledore muttered, "I admit I considered the same."

Snape was silent for a moment. "There's little chance of ever knowing. Such things are simple to cover up."

"Regardless, the danger has passed, for now." Dumbledore said, softly. "How long until the students start to wake?"

"They should awaken within the next day," said Snape, "depending on how helpful their magic is with the healing process."

"Then let us leave them in peace. I would think the rest of your house needs you too; rumours of Sirius Black's presence have already spread," Dumbledore chuckled, "As if it weren't enough that half our new cohort collapsed in front of them."

Harry rubbed his brow, suppressing a deep sigh. He listened out for more, but the conversation had moved outside the hospital wing. He took a deep breath as he sat back against his pillow. It seemed like the giant squid had poisoned him, and from the sounds of it, half of his year, too. If that wasn't enough to worry about, Sirius had apparently tried to break in. For all Harry knew, he'd been caught already and was on his way to Azkaban. He needed to find out what was happening.

As Harry struggled out of bed, and was about to squeeze through the side of the screen, he paused. Maybe it was the slight twinging of his scar, or maybe it was the familiar feeling in his gut, but a sudden thought ran through his mind. Someone had been trying to kill him.

The giant squid, which, for all of Harry's experience, had been nothing but docile and tame, had suddenly attacked the first years out of nowhere with intent to kill.

Harry didn't believe he was being paranoid to conclude that he had been targeted specifically by the squid, and it seemed like Dumbledore and Snape agreed. Since they lacked Harry's perspective, however, they didn't seem to realise that the attack had not been random. Someone had used the squid to try and kill him. They had waited until he was vulnerable, and away from help. If Harry didn't have access to magic he had no right knowing, he would be dead.

A tingle ran down Harry's spine as he stood there, coming to this realisation, feeling quite alone in the dark and the silence of the hospital wing.

His feet were cold against the stone floor, his hand clammy against the wood of his wand. He knew, with a certainty, that whoever had tried to kill him would try again. And, to whomever that was, a defenceless Harry recovering in bed was surely too tempting a target to ignore.

Harry sank down until he was sat against the wall. He spent a few minutes there, back pressed against cold stone and wand pointed at the screen surrounding him. As time passed and nothing happened, he let out a breath he'd been holding.

Harry sat there, staring under the gap in his screen at a thin line of light that came through the bottom of the door, determined to wait there until Madam Pomfrey returned.

He sat there until his eyes turned droopy, his blinks growing longer and more frequent. A voice in his head seemed to shush his sleep-drunk thoughts, inviting him back into his bed, or at least to rest his eyes a little where he sat.

Harry tried to dispel the pair of boots that had appeared in his vision. Harry felt like he was made of lead, unable to move his limbs, and unable to even think as the figure approached his bed in complete silence. The boots seemed to walk up to Harry's bed as if the screen wasn't even there. They stopped.

The boots, which had been facing Harry's empty bed, slowly turned around until they were directly facing Harry. A door on the other side of the infirmary flung open and Harry jolted, adrenaline coursing suddenly through him. The boots were gone, and other footsteps now approached, definitely not silent this time.

"Mr Potter! What on earth are you doing on the floor?" came Madam Pomfrey's exasperated whisper as she peered down at him. Harry smiled up at her, feeling completely drained.

"You poor dear, come on now. Let's get you back into bed."

In no time, Harry was tucked back in bed, his wand and glasses removed, and the curtains opened with a flick. Morning light poured through the huge windows. Harry's rapidly beating heart began to slow. He struggled to hold on to the memory of those boots, which was rapidly fading like the remnants of a dream.

A small vial was shoved into his hands.

"Since you're awake you can take the next batch a bit sooner." said Madam Pomfrey, standing menacingly over him.

Harry sniffed the potion and grimaced. The nightmare wasn't quite over.

"Don't be fussy now. Drink up."

Harry gulped it down. "Disgusting."

She tutted at him.

"Madam Pomfrey?"

"Yes, Mr Potter?"

"I thought— it seemed like someone was in here, before you arrived. I—"

She cut him off, "Nobody was here when I arrived, Mr Potter. Drink this." She passed him another vial. "You were probably hallucinating, or dreaming. Your body has gone through quite an ordeal. I'm surprised you're even awake yet."

Harry sighed and downed this potion as well.

"Good." She nodded. "Now stay in bed and try and get some rest; that potion should help. Professor McGonagall will be here this evening to check up on all of you."

Harry tried to peer around Madam Pomfrey to see through the gap in the screens. "Who else is here?"

Madam Pomfrey sighed to herself. "Half of first year is here, Mr Potter. I daresay they'll have to delay the start of term. Never, in all my years, have I seen something like this. To think the giant squid could do something like that…" She shook her head and collected Harry's empty vials.

"Why did we all collapse like that?" Harry asked. "Were we poisoned?"

"No, not poisoned. Professor Dumbledore tells me that the giant squid is actually venomous, likely through contact with its tentacles," she explained, looking unhappy.

Harry thought back to the pain in his leg when the squid had grabbed him.

"Oh, I see." Harry rubbed his eyes, feeling the seeping onset of whatever potions Madam Pomfrey had given him. Madam Pomfrey gave a satisfied nod and bustled off. Harry sank deeper into his pillows and drifted off into sleep.


Harry woke up, feeling less like death than the day before. He blinked, hands grasping to the side for his glasses. Someone pushed them into his hands.

"Morning, Harry," Ron's face greeted him.

He was still in the hospital wing, but the screens were spread a bit further, creating a sort of cocoon for him, Ron, Neville, and Seamus.

Harry pushed himself up, meeting their slightly awed stares.

"What time is it?" Harry asked, hearing the sound of chatter from behind the screens.

"No idea," said Seamus. "McGonagall came in earlier, but you and Ron were still asleep. I woke up a few hours ago and got some breakfast from the matron. She said one of the Professors will be along later to deliver our first lesson."

"I'm so hungry," Ron complained, looking desperately sad.

"She should be back soon, I think," said Neville. "She said there was going to be a nice surprise."

Harry wondered what McGonagall considered a nice surprise. Some extra homework, perhaps.

"Can you believe we all got poisoned by the giant squid?" said Ron, "Fred and George are going to be so jealous."

"Gran is going to be so disappointed in me." Neville said, looking glum.

Harry stretched, thoughts starting to churn once more. What had happened after he'd collapsed? Was Sirius okay? Also, had he dreamt it, or had someone silently sneaked into the hospital wing last night?

"What do you think, Harry?"

Harry looked up. "Sorry," he said, "what was that?"

"Oh, I was just asking whether you'll try to join the Quidditch team. Seamus reckons he'll get keeper, but I was saying first years never get onto the house team." Ron explained.

"Oh," Harry muttered, "uh, yeah probably, I guess. I'll probably try for seeker, though."

Seamus nodded. "Important position, seeker, but not enough action for me. Don't want to just sit around for the whole match."

"What about you, Neville?" Ron asked.

"Me?" He squeaked.

When they all continued to stare at him, he shook his head. "No, definitely not. Gran wouldn't let me anywhere near a broom."

They were startled out of any further talk as the screens around their beds suddenly folded themselves away. Harry looked around at the near-filled infirmary. It really did seem like half of his year group was here. He spotted Hermione, on the other side of the room, trying to catch his eye. He waved and smiled at her enthusiastic return.

"Good morning, first years, and welcome, to your first charms lesson at Hogwarts, as impromptu as it may be!"

Harry had to peer over the heads of other curious children to see Professor Flitwick stroll into the room.

"Wow," Seamus muttered, "he's so small."

"I think that's Flitwick." Ron said. "My brothers say he's part goblin."

Professor Flitwick waved his wand and flock of feathers burst from a bag floating beside him. The feathers danced over the heads of the students, eliciting laughs and awed noises, before distributing themselves one to each of them.

A feather touched down on a table beside Harry's bed.

Harry looked up at the sound of more footsteps, and, soon after, three red-robed Aurors slipped into the room, taking places by the door, looking bored.

Harry exchanged looks with the other boys.

"Settle down now, settle down." Flitwick cleared his throat. "Madam Pomfrey assures me you'll all be rested enough for lessons by tomorrow, but I thought- why not bring the lesson to you? Can't have you missing out on any learning!"

As he was speaking, students began to trickle into the hospital wing. Harry recognised them all - students from his year group who hadn't been hospitalised.

"Ah, welcome, welcome." Flitwick ushered them in as he noticed. "Find yourself an empty bed. I'm sure Madam Pomfrey won't mind. Excellent!"

He waited for a moment until it seemed no more students would arrive.

"Now, today we will be learning the levitation spell. Can anyone tell me what this charm does?"

Despite the almost word for word rehearsal of his first ever charms lesson, Harry found he wasn't bored. There was a strange novelty to the experience, not to mention the peculiarity of having a lesson in the hospital wing. It was similar to how he'd felt seeing Hagrid burst through the door just over a month ago. On one hand, he'd lived it before, but, on the other hand, it felt strangely more real the second time around.

Harry decided he might as well get started on his spell. Charms was one of the subjects he'd decided he'd do well in, after all. He felt a bit self conscious as he readied his wand, so he waited a while before attempting anything.

Harry glanced at Flitwick to make sure the Professor wasn't looking his way. No need to intentionally show off, after all. Harry paused, having thought he'd seen one of the Aurors— the one who'd interrogated him on the train— put his wand away. Harry blinked it away and focused on the feather.

"Wingardium leviosa."

To Harry's surprise, the entire table that the feather sat on began to rise steadily in the air. Harry quickly conducted it back down and it landed with a loud thud.

"Well done, Mr Potter!" Flitwick squeaked, walking over to his bed. "A very impressive attempt, though I should ask you to focus on your target a bit better next time."

Harry tried to stop himself going red, the faces around him looking at him with surprise.

Harry had no idea how that had happened. He thought for sure he'd focused on the feather. It was pretty hard to levitate the wrong thing.

He reached for the feather to try and bring it closer, wondering if that would make any difference. But, as Harry leaned back, trying to pull the feather with him, he came away with only a handful of fluff. The feather was stuck fast to the table.

Harry looked at it in confusion. How on earth had he done that?

"Well done, Miss Granger." Flitwick announced from the other side of the room. Harry looked up to see a feather dancing over Hermione's bed. "A point to Gryffindor!"

Nobody else managed more than a few twitches and spasms by the time Professor Flitwick called the end of the lesson.

"Very well done, everyone. Don't be disheartened if you couldn't get your feather to move. Practice makes perfect, after all. We'll leave those of you still recovering to Madam Pomfrey's care and look forward to seeing you tomorrow."

Flitwick ushered the other students out of the hospital wing, waving good bye.

Neville turned to Ron, "How did you find that, Ron?"

Ron looked at his wand in disgust, "I couldn't even get the bloody thing to twitch. I'd hoped this wand would give me some help considering Charlie's been doing the levitating charm with it for years."

Harry looked at Ron's wand in barely disguised fear. The wand was chipped and slightly crooked. There was even a bit of white poking out the end.

"Oh," Ron said. "Unicorn hair's peeking out again." He prodded at it with his finger until it disappeared.

"That's your brother's wand?" Neville asked. "I've got my dad's old wand here. Gran says he was very powerful, but I couldn't do anything to my feather, either."

"This is my mum's old wand." Harry said. "I got my own from Ollivanders, but…"

Neville nodded in understanding.

"At least your wand did something," Ron muttered. "You'd think I could manage something as simple as floating a feather after turning Scabbers into a man. I'd get rid of this old thing in a heartbeat, it's just the price, you know?" He trailed off, ears turning red.

Harry held back a smile. "Well it was quite the spell, whatever it was you did on the train, Ron."

"Mr Potter!"

Harry turned his head. Professor McGonagall was at the doorway, dressed in more formal robes than he was used to seeing her in. "Come here please, Mr Potter. Bring your things."

Harry shuffled out of bed into some slippers. Rather self-consciously, as he was still in pyjamas, he crossed the room to where Professor McGonagall was holding over the door.

"Come with me, Mr Potter. I'm sorry to remove you from your bed while you're still recovering, but something has come up that cannot be postponed."

Harry was worried. This could be anything.

"Excuse me, Professor—"

"Professor McGonagall" she interrupted. "Your head of house, now that you've been sorted into Gryffindor. And, also, your Transfiguration Professor." She flicked her wand, and Harry's pyjamas and slippers became a smart pair of robes and shoes that seemed to fit him perfectly.

"Oh, uh thank you, Professor," Harry stuttered, having forgotten he didn't know her name. "Where are we going exactly?"

McGonagall pursed her lips. "We are going to the Headmasters office, and from there you are being escorted to the Ministry of Magic, where a trial is currently being held."

Harry's mind raced. "Am I in trouble, Professor?"

McGonagall gave a small laugh. "Are you in enough trouble to warrant a trial at the Ministry? No, Mr Potter, not yet, at least." She muttered the last part under her breath.

Harry suppressed a grimace at the irony. It was only last year, in fact, that he'd been on trial before the Minister of Magic himself.

Harry was led along a familiar route to the Headmaster's tower, and when they reached the gargoyle, McGonagall announced, "Ginger Newt." The large, ugly carving opened with the sound of scraping stone.

At the top of the spiral stairs, Kingsley Shacklebolt was waiting, eyes roaming the room.

"Good morning, Kingsley. This is Mr Potter, as requested." McGonagall gestured to Harry.

"Mr Potter, I am glad to meet you again."

At McGonagall's raised eyebrow Kingsley explained, "I was among the responders on the Hogwarts Express. Mr Potter here was questioned for his impressive use of the Patronus charm."

"The Patronus charm?" McGonagall replied sharply.

Kingsley just twitched his eyebrows, his expression controlled. Harry kept his eyes on other things as they exchanged a look.

McGonagall cleared her throat. "Well then. Mr Potter, you best be off. You mustn't keep them waiting." With a nod to Kingsley, she turned and walked back down the stairs.

"Indeed, let us go, Mr Potter." He gestured to the fireplace, which was lit and already green. "'Amelia's office' is the phrase."

Harry stepped up to the fire, repeated the words, and stepped through.


Harry staggered through the Floo and into a nondescript office. He was steadied by a hand before he could fall over.

"Thanks," he muttered, looking up to see Tonks. She winked at him.

"Alright there, Harry?" she whispered.

He nodded as Kingsley stepped out of the Floo behind him, brushing off his robes.

Her hand was still on his shoulders, and she patted him in a way he thought was meant to be reassuring.

Kingsley glanced at a large clock on the wall. "We've got a few minutes," he said, pulling out a seat and gesturing for Harry to sit. "I'm very sorry, Mr Potter-"

"Harry is fine, sir." Harry interrupted, noticing a smile from Tonks as he spoke.

Kingsley smiled too. "Harry, I'm sorry that you've been so abruptly invited here. I'm sure you would have had a much better reception under any other circumstance."

Harry once again enjoyed the irony. This was, so far, his most pleasant visit to the ministry.

Kingsley continued, "An emergency trial has been underway these last few hours. The events on the train two days prior— that is, the events involving Peter Pettigrew— have caused quite the stir. Sirius Black, whom I'm sure you've been made aware of, handed himself in to Dumbledore last night at Hogwarts. There is too little time to explain the details, unfortunately, but you have been called as a witness by both the Auror department, regarding the Animagus Peter Pettigrew, and by Sirius Black himself, though for what I'm not sure."

The sense of relief that Harry felt as Kingsley explained the situation filled him like a flood. Sirius had handed himself in to Dumbledore after Pettigrew's arrest, as planned, and it seemed like he'd not been kissed on sight.

"You will be asked a few simple questions, so please try to answer as best as you can. It shouldn't take too long. From what I've been told, the trial is now nearing its end."

Harry nodded, hoping that Fudge hadn't somehow managed to mess things up. It would be typical of him to 'accidentally' get Wormtail kissed before he confessed, or something like that.

Once again glancing at the clock on the wall, Kingsley stood from the edge of the desk.

"This way if you please, Harry."

Harry was led out of the office, past a few lingering Aurors, and to the lift at the end of the corridor. They were rushed off through the bowels of the Ministry and jolted to a stop on Level ten, the lowest floor in the whole Ministry, and just one floor below the Department of Mysteries. The bronze embossing of 'Courtroom X' brought memories back to the forefront of Harry's mind. This had been where Harry had faced the Wizengamot just a year prior, and his first introduction to Umbridge.

Rather than being led through the main doors like last time, Harry was escorted further down the hall and into an antechamber, where two more Aurors stood guard.

Harry had never seen so many Aurors in the same place. Clearly, having Sirius Black in the building was making some people quite nervous.

"We wait here until you are called," Kingsley murmured, as Harry sat down on an uncomfortable pew.

Harry waited, straining to hear something through the closed doors to his left, but nothing could be heard.

About ten minutes or so later, the door opened slightly, and one of the Aurors on guard leaned in to the crack. He turned his head to Harry and motioned for him, holding the door ajar.

Harry smoothed down his robes and tried to flatten his hair. He slipped through the door and into the courtroom.

It was just as Harry remembered. An imposing high-backed chair sat in a circle mosaic, surrounded, on all sides, by tiered benches filled with wizards and witches in red or black robes. Unlike in his own experience, however, the wizard currently seated was wrapped in large chains, which shifted restlessly with a clinking rattle.

"The court calls a Mr Harry James Potter to the stand," an announcer called, and Harry was led around the room until he reached a tall plinth. Harry walked up the steps and looked down again at the chained seat. He relaxed slightly, seeing that the wizard currently wrapped in chains was not Sirius, but Peter Pettigrew. Harry glanced around, but couldn't see Sirius in the sea of faces all looking his way.

A low muttering filled the room as he stood there, trying not to reveal his nerves.

"Order, please." The announcers voice called again, alongside the banging of a gavel. Harry looked at the source and recognised Madam Bones. That was a good start, at least, much better her than Fudge.

"Can you please confirm your name and date of birth to us, Mr Potter," Madam Bones called out.

"Harry James Potter," he said, his voice gladly clear of any shakes or stutters. "Thirty-first of July, Nineteen Eighty."

"Thank you, Mr Potter." She paused, regarding him. "You have been called as a witness by Head Auror Scrimgeour to answer questions regarding the capture of Peter Pettigrew, the Animagus. Are you willing to proceed?"

"Yes Ma'am," Harry replied, and he thought he saw a small upturn of her mouth.

"Very well. Mr Scrimgeour, I leave the questioning to you."

A red-robed man stood from among the assembly and cleared his throat. "Thank you for your witness, Mr Potter. I have only a few questions to ask you regarding the events that took place on the Hogwarts Express two days ago." He paused, gathering some parchment.

"Were you, in fact, present on the Hogwarts Express the afternoon of September the first?"

"I was," Harry answered.

"Did you witness a large grey rat transform into the man before you?" He said, gesturing to Pettigrew.

"I did," Harry confirmed, turning his gaze to Wormtail. He made sure to make eye contact, his face not moving a muscle. Pettigrew quickly looked away, twitching in his seat.

"Could you please detail what you saw, as you understood it. Please do not worry about explaining what happened, we are aware that you might not understand parts of what occurred."

Harry nodded, gathering his thoughts. "I guess I'll start slightly before, when I first saw Ron's rat." Seeing Scrimgeour's nod Harry continued, "We were in our compartment on the train, and Ron got out his rat, he was going to show me a spell his brothers had taught him."

"Did Mr Weasley say anything about this spell?" Scrimgeour asked.

"Not at the time, but later on his brothers said that they'd made the spell up as a joke, it was meant to do nothing as far as they expected."

Scrimgeour nodded and scratched something onto his parchment, gesturing for Harry to continue.

"We were interrupted, then, by some other students. They were looking for a toad and asked us to help them find it. Ron was going to perform the spell, but I suggested we look for the toad first, and they agreed."

Harry swallowed his nervousness, seeing that nobody was contradicting his account.

He continued, "We looked through the corridor for a bit, until we got to the carriage with Ron's brothers. One of us suggested that Ron could show us the spell now, since his brothers were here. I think his brothers were laughing a bit at the prank they thought they were pulling. Ron cast the spell then, and that's when the rat transformed into the man down there."

Scrimgeour kept writing for a little while, then asked, "And do you recall the incantation?"

Harry made a show of thinking, "Yes, I think so. Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid, fat rat yellow."

Murmurs broke out again with a few laughs and one loud scoff.

"Order, please!" Madam Bones called.

Harry waited a moment for quiet, and, when Scrimgeour said nothing, he continued, "At that point it was a bit chaotic. I'm afraid I can't recall it perfectly. There was a lot of shouting, and the rat — uh, man, got tangled in Fred Weasley's robes and shoved him over. I think he lost balance after that, but he was clearly trying to grab his wand." Harry paused. "There were actually two wands. One of them belonged to Voldemort—" there were a number of gasps, but Harry continued, "someone recognised it from a book they'd read. Anyway, two of the older students in the carriage stunned him, then. After that Percy Weasley turned up and then ran to get the conductor."

Scrimgeour had been nodding along at Harry's explanation and grunted as Harry finished. "Thank you, Mr Potter. I can confirm that it was in fact the wand of You-Know-Who, and it now rests in the custody of my department."

He cleared his throat.

"I have just one final question, which you are not required to answer if it makes you uncomfortable."

Harry nodded slowly, unsure what it might be.

"Did you cast a corporeal Patronus to drive away Dementors?"

The room was silent, and Harry guessed that this wasn't the first the room was hearing of this.

He shuffled on his feet, suppressing his instinct to say something stupid like 'no comment'.

"I did."

More than just hushed tones erupted this time, and even Madam Bones waited a few seconds to talk with a colleague before banging her gavel a number of times.

The room eventually settled down.

"Thank you, Mr Potter. That is all from our department."

Harry nodded and waited, not sure if he should step down or not.

"The court calls a Harry James Potter, once more to the stand," Madam Bones called out, again.

Harry stopped his shuffling and waited.

"The defendant, Sirius Black, has called you as a witness. Are you willing to proceed?"

"Yes," Harry said firmly.

Madam Bones looked at him for a moment before speaking again, "Very well. Mr Wright, will you please read out the questions prepared by the defendant, Sirius Black?"

A stern looking man with very little hair stood up from a section to Harry's left. Harry's eyes slipped to the man's right and he saw Sirius sitting on the bench. He gave Harry a wink.

"Mr Black has requested his godson as a witness to events prior to those on the Hogwarts Express. The first question being — Harry Potter, did you encounter, and thereafter converse, with Mr Black on the first of August this year?"

Madam Bones cut through the noise from the stands with a sharp crack of her gavel.

Harry really hoped Sirius had thought this through, wherever these questions were going. They certainly hadn't planned this together.

Sirius' lawyer glanced at Madam Bones before looking to Harry.

"Yes sir."

It was clearly a challenge for them, but the assembly remained mostly silent.

"In your own words, could you please describe the conversation that took place between the two of you?"

Harry hoped he understood what Sirius was hoping for from his answer here.

"Okay, sure. Well, I was surprised at first, of course. I didn't expect another visit from any Professors before Hogwarts started. I had only just received my letter for Hogwarts, you see, and I was still getting used to the idea that magic exists."

The silence, this time, was a shocked silence. Even Madam Bones seemed surprised.

He continued, "I had to sneak outside to talk with him, because the Dursleys, I mean, the people I live with, don't like magic very much and would have been very cross if they thought another freaky wizard was at their home."

Harry kept speaking over the slight buzz that his story was evoking from the gathering.

"I was a bit worried because Mr Black looked a little tired, or unwell, perhaps, but after hearing his explanation it made sense. He told me he was an old friend of my parents."

Harry didn't have to pretend to put the emotion in his voice.

"He told me he was my godfather, and that he had come to introduce himself. He explained that the man who had killed my parents was somewhere out there, and that he, Mr Black, had been framed after trying to bring him to justice. It was only then that I realised he was Sirius Black, the man in the newspaper from that day. I have to say I hardly recognised him because he looked quite put together, not at all like the picture on the newspaper. Certainly not like a killer.

"And, well," Harry hesitated, looking down, "I guess I also just really hoped it was true. I've always wanted to have a real family. The muggles I live with don't really count, to me. They've never liked me very much. Although, I have to say, it's a bit better now that they don't make me sleep in a cupboard under the stairs—"

Harry could no longer continue as the volume had exploded. He could see Dumbledore next to Madam Bones, listening calmly to something she was saying to him. Harry could only imagine how he was trying to explain what Harry had just said. All around the room, wizards and witches were in conversation, gesturing to each other wildly. Harry hoped he'd said the right thing, and that this would help him out and not put Dumbledore in too much trouble.

"Order, please. Order!" Madam Bones voice boomed through the room, her wand to her throat.

It took a few moments but the noise once again descended to a reasonable level.

"Thank you, Mr Potter, is there anything else you wish to add?" From her tone, she seemed to think he'd said quite enough.

Harry looked over at Sirius, who seemed to give a slight shake of his head.

"No, Ma'am. Thank you."

"Thank you, Mr Potter, for your witness. You have been very accommodating." She turned to a witch beside her and whispered something to her. She cleared her throat as she turned back to resume. "Very well. The giving of evidence is concluded and the trial will move forward to deliberation and to vote."

A hand tapped Harry's shoulder and he turned to see the Auror from before gesturing for him to follow. Harry reluctantly stepped down and followed, being led the way he'd came.

As they reached the door Harry tapped the Auror on the back.

"Can't I stay and hear what happens?" Harry asked, very reluctant to sit in the waiting room while Sirius' future was being decided.

The Auror frowned, "I suppose, but keep quiet, alright? You're not supposed to stay in the room, strictly speaking."

Harry smiled gratefully at him and turned back to the deliberations that were loudly occurring in the stands.

After a number of minutes, Madam Bones once again banged the gavel and called the court to order.

"The court moves to declare the wizard Peter Pettigrew, formerly thought dead, stripped of his order of Merlin—" she paused, "and placed in the incarceration of Azkaban Prison for the length of no less than eighty years."

Harry didn't know how wizard court worked but was glad there didn't even seem to be the opportunity for Pettigrew to plead his innocence. Maybe there was just too much evidence against him.

"Votes," Madam Bones called, and a room full of wands raised into the air. Harry couldn't see a single person not voting for the declaration.

"Very well, Peter Pettigrew, this government sentences you to Azkaban. Auror Glumpfoot, please escort Mr Pettigrew out of our sight."

A burly Auror whipped his wand and the chains holding Pettigrew slithered around him until they were no longer tying him to the chair, but pulling him towards the Auror. Wormtail feebly struggled to free himself, whining something indiscernible. Harry couldn't help the grin that spread across his face.

"The court," Madam Bones spoke again, drawing Harry's attention back with a snap, "moves to compensate Sirius Orion Black for his unjust imprisonment, as well as pardon him for the crimes of breaking out of Azkaban, being an unregistered Animagus, and the other more minor accusations brought forward in the court today. The court offers a settlement of five-thousand galleons."

Harry's heart soared as, once again, the room was filled with raised wands. A few were lowered, but, from what Harry could see, these were vastly in the minority.

"Very well. Sirius Black, you are released from custody pending the healer's approval. Your settlement will be delivered directly to your Gringotts account. Please accept this government's most sincere apology, as well as that of the previous administration, which was responsible for your lack of fair trial."

The mood in the room seemed to grow slightly tense. Madam Bones seemed to have another announcement. "In the light of today's events the court calls a motion to bring Barty Crouch Senior to trial before the Wizemgamot for his actions as Head of the Magical Law Enforcement Office at the time of Sirius Black's incarceration ten years prior."

It was a much closer vote this time and Harry wasn't sure which way it would go until Madam Bones announced, "The motion passes. Mr Crouch, please report to me after this court breaks."

Harry let out a breath. He was glad it seemed justice was being done for once.

"And finally," Madam Bones called out, surprising more than just Harry with another announcement, "The guardianship for Mr Harry Potter will be transferred from the muggles, Vernon and Petunia Dursley, to his godfather, Sirius Black, on the condition that Mr Black meets the minimum requirements for mental wellness set out in the relevant protocols."

Harry froze. Eyes seeking Sirius in the crowd.

"Mr Potter, of course, will have right of refusal. And that is all for this session. Thank you." She stepped down from her stand.

"Come on now, Mr Potter. You'll be wanted by Professor Dumbledore, now," said the Auror behind him, leading him back through the door to the antechamber. Harry reluctantly followed, having been unable to locate Sirius.

Kingsley and Tonks stood up from their seats as Harry entered the antechamber. Kingsley nodded to the other Auror, "Thanks Nigel, I'll bring him to Dumbledore from here."

The Auror, Nigel, nodded. He gave Harry a glance and nodded to him as well. "Good job in there, Potter. Absolute travesty that Pettigrew got away with it for so long."

Harry smiled at him. "Thanks, sir. I'm glad that my parents got their justice."

The Auror grunted and looked away. "See you later, Kingsley, Tonks."

"Let's go then, Harry," said Tonks, "I bet you're exhausted. You've had a busy couple of days, eh?"

Harry snorted, following them back down the corridor towards where he could see Dumbledore waiting. Harry was actually feeling rather energetic. The tension of the last hour or so had bled away into relief. Sirius was free, and that meant Harry was free, too.

They approached where Dumbledore was stood, just outside the main doors to the chamber. Wizards and witches streamed past behind him, and a few of them who noticed him were staring as they passed.

"Ah, Mr Potter, welcome, welcome!" Harry noticed one of the other wizards with Dumbledore was Minister Fudge.

"Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic at your service, my boy, an absolute pleasure to welcome you to the Ministry. I hope you are doing quite well?"

"Yes thank you, Minister. I am doing very well," Harry replied, shaking the proffered hand, hesitantly.

Fudge kept on talking, "I was just speaking to Dumbledore about you. Very impressive indeed that you should be able to produce a Patronus at your age, but not, perhaps, a true surprise," he laughed. "You are the Boy-Who-Lived, after all."

"Indeed," said Dumbledore, smiling down at Harry. "I hope you'll indulge us, Cornelius, if we leave now and take Harry back to his classes. Term has only just begun and I'm sure his new friends are missing him by now."

"Of course, Dumbledore, naturally, naturally." He turned to Harry with another smile. "Again, it's been a pleasure, young man. I do hope you'll pop by, or write, any time you want. I dare say we owe you a great deal. I'd be happy to show you around and make some introductions."

"Thank you very much, sir." Harry said, glancing at Dumbledore, who's eyes were dancing.

"Excellent, well come along now, Harry. Farewell, Cornelius." Dumbledore said, guiding Harry with an arm around his back, parting the crowds of lingering politicians and gratefully avoiding all further attempts at conversation.

"It can get to a point, quite early on, in fact," Dumbledore said to Harry in a low voice, "where one tires of conversation with these fine folk."

They went the way Harry had come, the presence of Dumbledore clearing any congestion in their path to Madam Bone's office. Harry kept glancing over his shoulder, in case he could see Sirius, but, too soon, they found themselves back where Harry had first arrived.

Dumbledore knocked at the office door and, after a moment, the door opened sharply. Barty Crouch Sr stepped out, back stiff and face twisted. He looked down at Harry and sniffed, before turning and walking off briskly.

Dumbledore patted Harry on the back, urging him into the office.

"Mr Potter, Professor Dumbledore." Madam Bones was sat at her desk, slouched slightly and clearly quite tired.

"Amelia." Dumbledore smiled.

"At some point, Dumbledore, when you have the time, I'd like to speak with you." She glanced up at him as she started pouring herself a drink.

Dumbledore bowed his head. "Of course, Amelia. As soon as I've delivered Harry here back to Hogwarts."

She nodded her head and sighed. "Thank you." She turned to Harry. "And thank you, again, Mr Potter. You performed remarkably well under the, uh, distinguished attention of the court, today."

Harry smirked at her. He liked her. "Thank you Madam Bones, it wasn't too bad."

"No? Well, you're clearly a Gryffindor."

Dumbledore chuckled. "Most certainly, in all the best ways." Now glancing at Harry, he said, "Harry, if you don't mind, the phrase is 'Dumbledore's office.' I'll be through a moment after."

Harry raised a hand goodbye to Madam Bones, "Goodbye, Ma'am."

"Goodbye, Mr Potter," she called after him as the flames activated green. He stepped through and was once again deposited on the floor of Dumbledore's office.

He scrambled to his feet to avoid Professor Dumbledore, who soon stepped through.

"Land on your feet did you, Harry?"

Harry smiled awkwardly, "No, Professor, just quick off the floor."

Dumbledore chuckled, "Don't be disheartened, I have had over one-hundred years of practice, and I can tell you I've had my fair share of scuffed knees."

Dumbledore settled behind his desk and Harry assumed the seat opposite.

"Lemon drop, Harry?"

Harry took the offered sweet, in need of the sugar.

Dumbledore sighed, leaning forwards with steepled hands.

"I find myself having to apologize to you, Harry."

Harry didn't hide his shock. He'd kind of expected it to be the other way around.

Dumbledore looked at him sadly. "I'm afraid that I've failed you, my boy. I didn't realise the trouble that your muggle family had caused you over the years. It's no excuse for me to say I expected better of them. I realise that it was an oversight on my part to assume."

Harry shifted uncomfortably. On one hand he was glad to hear Dumbledore finally saying it, but on the other he knew that Dumbledore had his reasons. He'd explained it to him enough times before.

"I had my reasons of course," Dumbledore continued, "but in light of today's exceptional events it is clear to me that you will be better off elsewhere. It is fortuitous indeed, that Sirius Black has proven to be a man none of us expected him to be." The twinkle in his eye had returned now. "I found myself quite surprised at the revelation of your acquaintance with him, Harry. I wonder that you didn't think to mention it to anyone before now."

Harry felt himself begin to sweat a little.

"Ah, well, Professor. Sirius made it quite clear that he was a wanted man. I didn't want to get him in trouble before he could prove his innocence."

"And what a serendipitous happenstance, that he should indeed be proven innocent so quickly."

Harry sat there, the silence stretching uncomfortably. But it seemed it was only so for him, for Dumbledore carried on with a smile. "I am very glad, Harry, that you did not have to wait any longer than necessary for these events to conclude themselves. Not even to mention my relief at seeing Pettigrew removed from the unknowing care of the Weasleys. I hope you feel no bitterness for their part in harbouring him?"

"No, of course not," Harry almost shouted, scandalised. "I feel sorry for Ron, and Percy."

Dumbledore smiled at him. "Well, I'm glad."

Harry squirmed in his seat, trying to figure out how to say what he felt. "I'm sorry, sir. I think I accidentally got you in trouble by mentioning the Dursleys. I didn't mean to do that."

Dumbledore smiled softly at him. "You are very generous to say so, but I am quite accepting of any trouble on that count. Indeed, as a teacher, it can be good for ones ego. It's not often my colleagues can say to me 'I told you so'. On this occasion I am more than happy to bear it."

"Besides," Dumbledore said, "I'm not in so much trouble. Wizards tend to be inclined to blame muggles much more readily than they blame their own."

Harry nodded, that certainly seemed to be true.

"Now, you had better run off. I believe lunch is still being served in the great hall, and your friends have, by now, been released from Madam Pomfrey's care. Do you need me to escort you?"

Harry smiled, "No sir, I'll find my way."

"Very good."

Harry got up and began to leave when Dumbledore said, "And Harry? My office is always open to you, should you need it. I do hope you feel you can trust me with anything that bothers you."

Harry smiled, perhaps a little tightly. Though, not for the reasons Dumbledore might have suspected. "Thank you sir, I will."

Harry was waved away and he hurried down the stairs, his stomach beginning to really rumble now at the thought of food. He was looking forward to seeing his friends, though anxious about the stares he'd no doubt endure. If the rumours about what happened on the train had made the run through the Ministry, he had no doubt every student, portrait, and ghost in Hogwarts knew what had occurred by now. But, Harry found it hard to really care. He had a skip in his step as he made his way through the familiar corridors. If he accomplished nothing different this time around, at least he had this victory. Sirius had his freedom and Harry never had to go back to the Dursley's again. Surely nothing could sour his mood now.