Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Notes: This work will be mostly about sexual themes on the darker side, such as domination and manipulation. If you don't like such themes, you shouldn't read them. And lemons, lots and lots of lemons. This story will contain dark themes like killing and rituals.
The release of the newspapers set the citizens of Britain ablaze with discussion. Rumors of Sirius Black's innocence had already circulated, but reading the news made it a reality. The photographs in the Prophet and Quibbler of Sirius Black holding captive Peter Pettigrew, with their right arms on display, showed a clear sign of the dark mark on Pettigrew's arm, revealing the grim reality of an innocent man in Azkaban while the perpetrator and betrayer were awarded the first class of Merlin. While there were mixed reactions, the majority of the public supported giving Peter the worst punishment ever, as he had broken the sacred covenant of a secret keeper. Many believed he was now cursed by magic. However, some were apprehensive about Sirius Black being the godfather of the Girl-Who-Lived, as they believed the Black family was associated with dark magic.
Although the public sympathized with the innocent convict, Sirius Black, the reaction of the nobles and the ministry was quite the opposite. They cursed Black's shrewdness in publishing the news first, as it had caused them to lose control of the narrative. Originally, they had planned to either deny the trial altogether, as it would suggest that the law could be wrong at times, or to only hold the trial after receiving some "gifts" from the House of Black. However, now they were being forced to hold the trial unless they wanted to be seen as tyrants.
The order for Sirius Black's capture was revoked and Peter Pettigrew's Order of Merlin was stripped, while a new wanted order was presented. However, things were not going to be smooth, even with the aid of the media, as the ultimate power still rested in the hands of the nobles. Therefore, it was a shock when both the Neutral Faction and the Light Faction pushed for the trial to be held, with the Greengrass House leading the way for the Neutral Faction, and Amelia Bones for the Light Faction. The Dark Faction was caught in indecisiveness, as the Malfoys were busy in France and remained silent.
The more shrewd and astute members of the community had an inkling that whatever had happened to the Malfoys in the past few months was somehow connected to Black. It wasn't a coincidence, as in their world even the fabled Felix Felicis could be used to create a favorable coincidence. However, they had no proof to support their assumption. Some houses and institutes ordered secret investigations into any sightings and activities related to Sirius Black.
House of Greengrass
(Daminea Greengrass POV)
Sitting in his cozy living room, entertaining an ex-convict was the last way he had planned to spend his weekend. Yet, there he was, face to face with Sirius Black, the supposed innocent man who had invited him to this meeting. Upon receiving the letter, he was initially ready to reject the invitation, since he believed it didn't concern him whether Black was innocent or not. However, one particular line in the letter caught him off guard. The Blacks had a contract with the Greengrasses to help clear their family name when they had joined Grindelwald. The main point was that Sirius wanted to use his favor to meet, but he also implied that if he didn't get a trial, the alternative was for Draco Malfoy to become the Lord Black and marry one of his daughters. The prospect of it sent a cold bucket of water down his spine. He was a businessman, but he loved his daughters dearly and couldn't fathom putting them in any harm's way.
He couldn't shake off the dreary image that came to his mind as he read on the paper about Draco Malfoy's arrest for casting a Cruciatus curse on a Veela who had rejected his advances. He pictured his daughter writhing on the ground, the victim of the same curse that Draco had cast. He knew Black had him in a tight web. He had to help him and keep him alive, as he didn't want to throw either of his daughters into the fire pit. Although a dark picture was presented to him that Black orchestrated the whole thing to get Malfoy out of England, he knew that Sirius was a dangerous man who would do anything to accomplish his goals.
Sighing, the man shifted his focus back to the person sitting across from him. It was Sirius Black, his senior from school. Considering his long stay in Azkaban, he expected him to appear more worn down and defeated. However, Sirius sat before him looking completely different - rugged, handsome and carefree. His long, wavy hair fell in waves around his face, and his scruffy beard and mustache added to his rugged appearance. His piercing grey eyes had a mischievous glint that suggested a playful personality, while the black leather jacket with a fur collar exuded a cool and rebellious aura. He wore a dark gray shirt with a loosely-tied black tie that hinted at his nonchalant attitude towards authority. Completing the look, he donned black pants and boots that complemented his dark and edgy aesthetic. Looking at him, the man was momentarily thrown off, wondering if he was an imposter. However, upon seeing the Black family ring on his hand, he knew it was truly Sirius Black sitting before him.
"Lord Black," the man addressed, "I will assist you in obtaining a trial, but I must know if you plan on exerting the contract on my daughters." It was a question his wife had posed to him during their discussions. He couldn't bring himself to be the father who would force his daughters into a marriage with an older man, despite knowing that a dowry and direct contact from the re-emerging Black family could elevate his own status.
Sirius took a sip of his tea, pausing before he responded, "Rest assured, my focus right now is not on any relationships or marriage. My goal is to obtain a trial and rebuild my relationship with my goddaughter, Rose Potter, the Girl-Who-Lived."
The man had momentarily forgotten about Rose Potter, realizing the potential power of a Potter-Black alliance that could bridge the divide between the Dark and Light factions in the wake of Malfoy's departure.
Refocusing on his own predicament, the man couldn't ignore the possibility of Sirius breaking the contract with his daughters despite trusting his honor. He could only hope that both Malfoy and Black would meet an untimely end, though it seemed like an unlikely scenario.
As the conversation drew to a close, he couldn't help but suspect that Black had orchestrated the unfortunate events that had befallen the Malfoy family. Despite his suspicions, he decided to let it go for now and simply focus on protecting his own family's interests.
Sitting beside Black, he felt the heaviness in the air and a familiar feeling of an impending danger, much like when he was around Dumbledore. The man had to voice his warning, "I will trust you on this Black, but if you go against your word, contract be damned, I will do everything in my power to destroy you," he growled.
Black only had a slight twitch of his lips, indicating that the threat was merely child's play. The man felt a surge of anger from being underestimated and disrespected in his own house. He was going to retaliate, but quickly remembered the danger of dealing with powerful wizards, especially those with a contract hanging over one's head, like the Sword of Damocles. He couldn't understand why the wards weren't responding to the aggression.
Black's quick smile eased the tension, "Don't worry, in the future, if I have an heir, maybe we can discuss a contract with your grandchildren. Well, I will be leaving now, Lord Greengrass."
After shaking his hand and accompanying him to the front door, the man was left alone with the worried face of his wife.
Ministry of Magic
"Hey scoot over!"
"Stop stepping on my toes"
In the crowded lobby area, reporters, Aurors, and Ministry employees had gathered, all waiting for the arrival of the ex-convict who was to become the next Lord Black. However, the upper echelons of wizarding society were noticeably absent, not wanting to be seen as supporting Sirius Black and come under the cross-fire of an angry Malfoy.
Amidst the commotion, a resolute woman stood ahead of the Aurors, her face devoid of any emotion. It was Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, a figure of authority and power in the wizarding world.
Despite the chaos around her, she exuded a sense of regal composure, with a striking and mature appearance that commanded respect. Her strong jawline and close-cropped gray hair added to her sophistication, while her features were well-defined and symmetrical, with high cheekbones and a straight nose.
"Clear the way, please!" Amelia's voice boomed above the noise, cutting through the crowd like a knife. "We need to get this man to his destination as soon as possible."
Her voice was loud and commanding, giving her an aura of confidence and authority. And as she peered out through her monocle, she gave off an intellectual and intriguing quality, adding to her already formidable presence.
As the elevator door opened, two men stepped through, one of them was bound, Peter Pettigrew. The other was obviously the man of the hour, Sirius Black.
As soon as he stepped through, a barely noticeable and deeply hidden emotion passed through the eyes of crowd surged forward, eager to ask questions or worse, some nefarious individuals looking to push their own agenda or curry favor with Malfoy by causing damage. But before anyone could get too close, a loud bang rang out, and Amelia's voice boomed through the lobby, cutting off any attempts at interference.
"Enough," she thundered. "Any obstruction will be a one-way ticket to Azkaban."
The Aurors quickly moved into formation, surrounding Sirius and Peter and creating a barrier that effectively cut off the crowd. Despite this, the reporters and onlookers continued to shout questions and insults, convinced of Sirius's guilt and eager to see him brought to justice.
"Lord Black, are you excited to get your trial now?" one shouted. "Did you meet the Girl-Who-Lived?" another demanded. "Why didn't you also die in Albania, you dark wizard?" Yet another jeered, "You broke magic sacred convent, Peter Pettigrew. May magic curse you."
Regardless of the commotion, Sirius ignored the crowd, and the Aurors kept them at bay, resolute and unyielding in their duty. Meanwhile, Amelia's eyes flickered with a mixture of emotions - guilt, excitement, and longing - that were hidden from the prying eyes of those around her.
(Amelia Bones POV)
Various emotions were begging to burst out from Amelia's heart. She was with Sirius once again after so many years of separation. She wanted to hug him and console him, telling him that everything would be alright. She had already secured support from light action using favors and treaties that might damage House Bones' standing, but right now she didn't care. She didn't want to be separated from Sirius for even one minute.
Slamming her Occlumency shield, she tried to calm herself, but her damn heart was beating so fast. Taking a subtle peek to her side, she saw how two Aurors were holding the apprehended Peter Pettigrew. A burst of hatred born from the depth of her heart was surfacing. Just because of this vile and disgusting vermin, she was separated from her beloved. She really wanted to kill him, but that could wait. She would make sure to throw him down the veil herself. When she finally saw Sirius, her breath hitched a little. He had changed so much it hurt, knowing that she wasn't there during anything that changed was painful, like a knife twisting in her heart.
Back in school, he was only half an inch bigger than her, but now she could barely reach his shoulders. More than that, she saw how he walked with grace and purpose that was absent from the younger and boisterous Sirius. But why was he so quiet? Was he mad? No, how could he be mad at her? Yes, he was just waiting for the crowd to clear. Then she would have her Sirius back.
As they reached the intersection away from the crowd, Amelia commanded, "Shacklebolt, Dawlish, take the criminal and prepare to take him before the Wizengamot."
As she saw the crowd clearing away, leaving her and Sirius alone, her heart leapt with joy. It was beating so fast she could almost hear it. When she finally saw Sirius, she saw only indifference.
No, this wasn't supposed to happen. She was ready to grab his hand, but all her illusions were shattered when she saw his mocking face and heard his cold and terrifying voice. He came close to her where she could feel his breath. "Amelia, you left me to rot in prison, never once looked back or even asked me if I had done it. You threw it all away. Not even a single question of why? You really think we can go back to it like nothing?" He looked at her with hidden mockery before leaving towards the Wizengamot auditorium.
She felt her heart crack. No, no, no. She turned towards him, looking at his back, and wanted to shout at him. But guilt clawed through her heart. She had betrayed his trust, didn't believe him, and left him. She should have believed him.
Tears streamed down Amelia's cheeks as she quickly entered her office and closed the door. She sat there quietly sobbing, feeling lost and alone. She had never felt so helpless and vulnerable before. It was as if all the strength and confidence that she had built up over the years had been taken away from her in an instant.
She knew that Sirius had every right to be angry with her, and his words had struck a painful chord deep within her heart. She had betrayed him, and she couldn't take back what she had done. The guilt and shame were overwhelming, and she felt like she deserved every bit of pain and suffering that came her way.
[POV End]
(Dumbledore Pov)
After the end of the war, he never imagined another case getting this much attention. The public was vying behind it, either for getting an innocent man out or just having nothing to gossip about. But this threw a wrench in his plans. Contrary to public opinion, he was not omnipotent. He didn't know about the Potters switching the secret keeper to Peter. He was confused when Hagrid said Sirius left Rose to him. He only thought that Sirius was regretting his decision to betray the light after his master died.
Knowing Sirius was innocent put things into perspective. The complication, however, was whether Sirius would allow Rose to stay with him. After all, he didn't trust Sirius to protect Rose if the Dark Lord's former supporters came hunting her. Only within the blood wards of the Dursleys' home could she be safe, unless Lily woke up. But it was uncertain whether Lily would ever awaken. Deep down, a dark and cynical part of his mind acknowledged that he hadn't tried everything to heal Lily. If Lily woke up and took charge of Rose, it would be challenging to maintain control over the situation, which was crucial in case Voldemort returned. He still didn't know how to remove the piece of Tom's soul from Rose without hurting her, as he had limited knowledge of soul magic.
He saw the auditorium filled with noble houses from the dark faction, the neutral faction, and the light faction. The dark faction was now led by Lord Nott, a notorious dark wizard. The neutral faction, on the other hand, was led by Lord Greengrass. It was curious to see Lord Greengrass involved in this case, as he typically showed little interest in such matters. Perhaps there was a deal between Sirius and Damien that prompted his involvement. It was somewhat worrisome that Sirius didn't come to him for help as soon as he was free; he could have assisted Sirius in navigating the situation. Another concern was Amelia making deals with influential light houses to ensure Sirius' case would be approved.
Ahh, love.
She must be feeling incredibly guilty now that Sirius has been proven innocent. They were a couple back in Hogwarts, and he wondered how their relationship would unfold in the future. Again, a cynical part of his mind reared its head. A Potter-Black-Bones alliance could be created once Sirius was free. Whether it would be a good venture depended on Sirius.
At the moment, things appeared grim, as Sirius was presenting himself unfavorably. Not seeking help from his mentor and the perils now faced by Lucius seemed somehow connected. It was too much of a coincidence that Malfoy, who would do everything to hinder Sirius' freedom, was encountering multiple problems. The attacks on Malfoy's business facilities made him suspect that Sirius might have turned to the dark side and sought revenge on everyone. However, he would reserve judgment and ensure he had all the facts before deciding how to handle the situation with Sirius.
A group of Aurors entered with a shackled Peter Pettigrew. He looked terrible. As a young man, Peter was not particularly handsome, but he had been an average-looking boy. However, years spent living in his Animagus form had ravaged his appearance. This made him sigh at the mysterious ways of magic. He knew that by breaking the Fidelius Charm and betraying the trust of the Potters, Peter had been cursed by magic itself. He could have easily escaped into the Muggle world or left the country, but instead, he hid in the Weasley's house. Perhaps Peter subconsciously thought that staying in his Animagus form and living like a rat while gathering information was his own idea, but he believed the curse was already affecting Peter, leading him to live such a pathetic life.
That's why he believed in the prophecy and signs, while others simply dismissed him as losing his marbles.
Magic was alive and conscious!
Amelia rose from her chair and walked in front of Peter. Although she wore an emotionless mask, he could see the hidden fury in her eyes.
Next, Peter was dosed with Veritaserum.
She asked Peter questions.
"What's your name?" "Peter Pettigrew."
"Were you the secret keeper of the Potters?" "Yes."
A cacophony of noises rang out through the hall, and outrage was evident. Even though people already knew the truth, reading it in the newspaper and hearing it from Peter himself was different.
Unfazed, Amelia continued asking more questions.
"Did you betray the Potters?" "Yes."
Murmurs echoed throughout the auditorium, accompanied by the clicks of cameras as reporters captured photos and scribbled notes. It was now confirmed that Pettigrew was indeed the perpetrator, casting a negative light on the previous Minister and the Ministry. This revelation highlighted the potential flaws within the Ministry and the possibility that they could wrongfully convict innocent people.
"Did you serve the Dark Lord?" "Yes."
"Did you cast the Blasting Curse on the Muggles?" "Yes."
With these admissions, all the crimes Pettigrew could be convicted for were addressed, and the trial could proceed to its conclusion.
Ending the questioning, Amelia threw a look at Fudge, who spluttered a little before speaking. "Now, we shall cast the vote for throwing Peter through the Veil."
This surprised him, as he thought they would only send Peter back to Azkaban. But this made him hesitate. Was Peter deserving of such a fate? Would he even be able to go on a greater journey? The courtroom buzzed with activity. Most looked solemn, as the Veil was rarely used.
Breaking the silence, Amelia said, "Lords and Ladies, Peter Pettigrew is someone who disgraced the Ministry and took advantage of our laws while making us put an innocent man in jail. To erase this dark stain from the Ministry, we must make an example out of him. Throwing him through the Veil will help."
(Pov End)
The Lords and Ladies in the courtroom exchanged glances, weighing the gravity of Amelia's words. Some whispered among themselves, contemplating the proposed punishment. Throwing someone through the Veil was an extreme measure, reserved for the most heinous of criminals. Yet, Peter Pettigrew's actions had led to the imprisonment of an innocent man and the betrayal of his closest friends. In the end, many believed that such a fate was indeed warranted.
The courtroom ultimately came to a decision, mindful of the impact this case would have on the public's perception of the wizarding justice system. The hope was that by making an example of Peter Pettigrew, the Ministry could demonstrate its commitment to righting past wrongs and ensuring that such a miscarriage of justice would never happen again.
However, this decision was not without its potential drawbacks. Some feared that throwing Peter through the Veil might be seen as a desperate attempt by the Ministry to cover up its past mistakes rather than an act of genuine accountability. Additionally, there was concern that the severity of the punishment might set a dangerous precedent, leading to harsher sentences for future criminals.
(Sirius POV)
Standing near the Aurors, I watched as a shackled Peter was led towards the elevator. It was difficult to believe they had voted for death by the Veil, but I guessed they wanted to maintain the facade of a "corruption-free" Ministry. Amelia likely had her own reasons for supporting the punishment as well. After all, Peter played a role in her breaking up with the original Sirius, which ultimately led to Amelia distancing herself from him. Speaking of Amelia, I wondered if I had been too harsh on her.
I silently thanked Merlin that the emotions from the original Sirius didn't interfere when I spoke with her. Did I truly hate her? The original Sirius never hated anyone and only blamed himself for everything, so I hadn't personally experienced those so-called betrayals. However, I realized I could use this to my advantage, leveraging her guilt to accomplish my goals.
There was work to be done, tasks that required assistance from someone with significant influence within the Ministry. The institution was rife with corruption, and having an ally in such a high position could prove invaluable. Aligning with her could be the key to achieving my objectives and navigating the treacherous political landscape of the Ministry.
As I pondered the situation, I considered giving Amelia a push to help her become Minister earlier than she did in the original timeline. But first, I needed to find out if she wanted to rekindle our relationship. If she did, I could propose marriage; marrying into the respected and influential House of Black would certainly help alleviate any public resentment towards her. If Amelia became Minister, having a supportive spouse would undoubtedly aid in mobilizing the Ministry to deal with Voldemort, should he return, now that the canon had derailed so much.
This world was already significantly different from the original – Hogwarts starting at 18, a female Harry Potter, and a comatose Lily. My knowledge of the canon was now worth only a grain of salt, so having a woman who was in charge of Magical Law Enforcement and a potential future Minister in my corner would be invaluable in navigating any unexpected changes in this universe.
I decided to be patient before "forgiving" her, reminding myself of the adage, "you've got to make them work for it." A wry smile crossed my face.
Just then, I heard the announcement: "Summon Sirius Black to the session." My moment of amusement was over; it was time to face the challenge.
Hearing my name called, I walked under the escort of the Aurors inside the hall. The place was filled with people, and giving it a curious glance, I proceeded towards the chair that was now empty of shackles. Amelia sat there, wearing her work robes, giving off an aura of strength and strict professionalism. There was a slight quiver in her eyes, revealing her nervousness. As I sat down, I noticed a woman in a garish pink dress with a toad-like visage, recognizing her as Dolores Umbridge.
Extending my magical senses, I took in the magical atmosphere of the hall. It exuded an ancient feel, most likely from the enchantments Merlin himself had woven when creating the seats for the Ministry. But then I sensed something else—an inferno of swirling power, emanating a sense of forbearance and steely determination. It was the most potent magic I had ever sensed from anyone or anything.
Looking around, I saw him—Albus Dumbledore. The ancient wizard was the very embodiment of what one would imagine when picturing a wizard—robes, hat, and a long white beard. He was also observing me, and I sensed a probing force on my own magic in response. He gave me a knowing look, as if he was aware of what I was doing. Smiling at him, I said, "Professor," and nodded. It was unwise to make an enemy of the most powerful and influential wizard in the country. The books may have mentioned his duel with Voldemort, but through inheriting Sirius's memories, I knew firsthand what Dumbledore was capable of. That's why I remained cautious, knowing that individuals like him existed.
He flashed his grandfatherly smile and said, "Ah, my boy, good to see you, though it would have been better to meet in a more pleasant place."
Nodding at him, I finally turned my attention to Amelia. As our eyes met, she announced, "Proceed with the dosage of Aequilibrium and then Veritaserum."
Aequilibrium was a potion invented to deal with strong Occlumens who started resisting Veritaserum. The potion affected the person in a way that you'd expect from someone who had been punched in the chin, throwing their mind into disarray. However, the downside was that you had to be fast, as a person could recover quickly from its effects. Prolonged exposure could also cause brain damage. Most of all, its ingredients are strictly prohibited, and even the full ingredients list and recipe are not circulated in public. Even the Black family didn't have enough information, as this potion was created right at the time when the war was ending, and the Black family's influence was pretty weak.
When I first read about it, I was struck by the extent of the Death Eaters' influence. These two potions could have forced them to confess their crimes truthfully. Yet, they were all released based on their mere claims of being under the Imperius Curse. This just highlights the corruption that exists within the Ministry. And it gives me more reason to have a strong influence in the Ministry to not become their target.
The Auror proceeded to give me the required dosage. At first, I felt nothing, but then my calm, composed mind went still. I tried to deal with the feeling, but then my ears started ringing. My chin was grabbed by what looked like two, or maybe just one, Auror; I couldn't tell. They administered another potion, and then a haze went through my head, creating a clouded feeling.
"Name?"
Even with my mind in disarray, words escaped my mouth, and I was surprised to find myself forming coherent sentences.
"Sirius Black," they began.
"Were you loyal to Voldemort?"
"No," I replied.
"Did you betray the Potters?"
"No," I insisted once more.
Note: yoooooo, sorry for the long ass break, so here ya go a long ass a chapter.
thoughts ? death threats? Curses? anyhow, I am high rn so for advance chapters
" /
fanficswrittenbyme25
