Disclaimer: I own nothing other than the plot. The original concepts belong to JKR and Warner Brothers. Any concepts brought from other fictions are either coincidental or will be used in their own way, and no plagiarism is meant.
Chapter 17: Trials and Tribulations
March 13th, 1994
Hogwarts
Harry sat in the McGonagall's office, reading a book on advanced runes while bouncing his leg. Sirius was supposed to be there soon to pick him up for the night. He was nervous and excited, especially when he was told that they were going to Sirius' childhood home. He had heard it was filled with different things, most of which was bad, but Sirius also had told him that there were plenty of books and such in the library.
Now, Harry might not be Hermione, but was intrigued at what might be in the library.
It was only a few minutes later and a single page that the floo flared green and Sirius stepped through effortlessly. "Hey pup!"
"Hey" Harry replied, tucking his book under his arm.
"Are you ready?" He asked, "And are you sure you wish to go? It's possible you may witness the dementor's kiss, and it's not a pretty sight."
"I've fought a basilisk. I can handle watching it if it happens. And yes, I am sure." Harry replied.
"Have him back by tomorrow night Sirius, and unharmed, mind you!" McGonagall called out from her desk. Sirius just grinned.
"I'd never harm him!" He called out in faux indignity, "Now, turn his robes pink and his voice shrill? That's more like it."
"Sirius Black! I will… I can't put you into detention… I will tell Remus!" McGonagall said sternly. Sirius' grin didn't disappear, "Oh just go, the both of you, and stay out of trouble!"
"I never get into trouble." Sirius replied, calling out the address and disappearing.
"You too Mr. Potter, and please be safe." The professor said, more caring and less sternly than normal.
"Always, professor. Danger only ever finds me." Harry said, tossing in the floo powder. As he stepped in, he called the floo address Sirius gave him, "Blackout."
It was then Harry remembered he hated floo travel, as he spun for nearly thirty seconds, before getting catapulted across the entry room and rolling to a stop against a couch.
Sirius was falling over laughing, "E-Even Al-Alice wasn't that t-terrible." He laughed, gasping. "By merlin, what was that Harry?"
Harry leveled a glare at him, "Floo travel hates me."
"Clearly no one bothered to teach you. I should have asked though." Sirius said smiling, but sobering up, "So welcome to the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black. Through here, we have old and decrepit flooring, creepy gas lamps, and doors that squeal like something is about to murder you."
"In most rooms, there are things that are cursed, so try not to touch anything that's not in the Entry Hall, Entry room, Kitchen, Dining room, and the heir room. I'll teach you about detection charms soon, so when we are here, you are safer."
Sirius showed him around the house, before sitting him at the table, "We don't have long to talk tonight or tomorrow, but I wanted to know a few things. One or two questions might be awkward, but it is necessary for me to know."
Harry nodded and waited, "Alright."
Sirius took a moment, "This parenting thing isn't as easy as you made it look, Lily." He muttered, "Has anyone given you the talk?"
Harry's reaction was priceless, but Sirius kept a straight face, "Yes, Dorea's portrait did. Please let's not have that discussion again." Harry muttered as his face turned a very humorous shade of red.
"Alright, good. Well, there's a book I'll give you, something all of us marauders used in school. It contains basic care and such, but it is helpful regardless."
"Now, have you gotten all of your immunization? Our version of what Lily called… shots?" Sirius asked, furrowing his brow.
"Yea, I got them at the same time I got healed at Gringotts."
"That brings me to my next question. What did they do?" Sirius asked. "They wouldn't give me that report without your permission."
"Uh, nutritional potions, one of their special healing cocktails, and confirmed that a core binding and some other things that had been replied to me were broken. They also mentioned my blood is an alchemy substance due to phoenix tears and the basilisk venom. I can't give blood but I am immune to most poisons… apparently."
Sirius started, "Basilisk Venom? Core binding? Other applied magic?"
"Yea. I had a pretty strong core binding apparently. There was also some mind dampener or something, and a few others. They weren't sure what the others were, but knew there had been something else. The basilisk venom is a longer story though. Probably not one for tonight." Harry said.
"We can discuss it once at your home for spring break. The others are concerning though. Your parents never would have done a core binding, certainly not without telling me and Alice. The other, no way though. Someone did that to you, though now it is probably too late to ever know who." Sirius said. "That's all I needed tonight, we will go over more during break, and this summer, but those were the pressing things."
After talking a bit more, and meeting a very rude house elf named Kreature, who was insulting and had to be forced to shut up, Sirius showed him to his room, the Heir room. It was large, with a massive bed and its own bathroom. Harry was quick to fall asleep in the fluffy bed, but soon wished he hadn't.
"It's good to see you again, Champion." Death said. "You've done well the past months. Even managed to master my spell."
"I must say, I was surprised that Salazar had one of your spells." Harry asked.
"Yup. Though he wasn't the first to use it, he had been given it. He was the last person I worked with, though I only worked with him a little comparative to your other ancestors. Some of the magic and wards that fuel Hogwarts are my own. It's why it's a true fortress of magic." Death said with a chuckle.
"Now, to why I called you here once more. Do you remember that we discussed Horcruxes?" He asked.
Harry nodded. "Well, you mentioned the term, and that it was dark magic, but nothing more."
"Firstly, just to make sure you understand, there is very little true dark magic. However, necromancy, soul magic, and some forms of warding and spellcasting are truly dark. A Horcrux is one of the worst forms of dark magic, and probably one of the few true forms of Black magic. There is a price to pay for it."
"To understand it, Horcruxs are fragments of people's souls. It's broken off after doing a ritual that requires several…disgusting ingredients, and then followed with cold blooded murder. Now, the soul is finite, and doing this doesn't just twist and break the soul, but the mind and magic of a person too. Voldemort was only as strong as he was because of the other rituals he did. Even now, he is stronger than you. To match him before you hit your maturity, you may have to do some of your own rituals, but not yet."
"Back to the point. A horcrux is a soul anchor. As long as a person has one, and doesn't lose their will to live, they will never die. Voldemort made several, one of which is somewhere in the house you are in now." Death said, a hint of anger creeping into his voice.
"I suggest you find and destroy it soon. The sword can help you break it. Ask the elf for assistance. Just describe it as a dark object that is nearly impossible to destroy and oozes a malevolent aura. He will help you. " Death said, before suddenly the world spun.
Harry laid in bed, getting his bearings together. There was a part of Voldemort's soul in the very house he was in. Harry thought about going to sleep, but this seemed like a good opportunity, "Kreature."
It was a tense few seconds before the old elf appeared in front of him, clearly angry at being called. "The filthy half blood calls Kreature. Oh how my mistress would feel!"
"Kreature. Is there an indestructible object here? One that has a really dark aura around it?"
Kreature's beady eyes locked onto Harry's, judging him. "Filthy half blood is looking for Master Regulus' Locket? Why do yous want it?" He croaked out.
"It needs to be destroyed." Harry said, hoping the elf wasn't about to tell Sirius. He also hoped the locket was what Death was talking about.
"You wish to help Master Regulus?" The elf said. Harry just nodded, and watched as he disappeared. It was a moment later that the elf returned with a gold locket, a snake emblazoned on the front of it. Harry had no idea who it really belonged to before Riddle found it, but didn't care.
The thing felt.. Well, there weren't words for it, other than he wanted it as far away as physically possible. He focused and summoned the Sword of Gryffindor.
"Please sit it on the floor, and silence the walls so no sound can escape." Harry asked kindly.
He remembered the scream before he died, and it was sure to get Sirius' attention. The elf did both, and Harry took a deep breath, before moving. With an almighty swing, the locket was cut in two, a piercing scream tearing through the room. Harry went flying back as the scream ended and a wave of magic knocked him to the floor.
After recovering himself, he looked at the elf standing in the corner, "Thank you Kreature."
"No. Half blood is Heir. Heir does not thank Kreature. Kreature appreciates the young master for helping him fulfill Master Regulus' last order. I's will serve you as I should."
With those last words, the elf disappeared. Harry just stared at the space before sighing. "All I wanted was a normal day. And I can't have that."
Willing the sword gone, he flopped back in bed, and a few minutes later, was fast asleep. Free of dreams of Death or dark objects.
March 14th, 1994
Courtroom Ten
Ministry of Magic
"Ah it is a pleasure to meet you, Heir Potter!" A man with a green hat said. "I'm glad to meet you at last. Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic."
"A pleasure Minister Fudge." Harry replied. He recognized the man from when he arrested Hagrid. It seemed for a moment the Minister had forgotten Sirius was there, but he quickly turned to Sirius, and being animated talking about how bad it was the previous administration messed up with not giving him a trial.
Madam Longbottom came over at one point, talking with Harry about Neville, and asking why Harry was at an emergency meeting at all. Harry deflected the second, but was happy to tell her how much Neville had improved and that he was proud of him. He also apologized for any disrespect back in the alley before school started.
"Nonsense. If Neville has improved that much, then there was no disrespect at all. You looked out for the heir of my house, and for that, I am thankful." The older woman said.
"You're welcome Madam Longbottom. Neville is my godbrother, I'd look out for him regardless." Harry replied. She went to say something but there was a bang of a wand, signaling that it was time to be seated.
Harry felt Sirius' hand on his shoulder, and followed next to him to the seats for House Black. Harry sat in the seat meant for the heir as Sirius sat in the center seat that was meant for the Lord. Several eyes widened at this, but no one said anything as Dumbledore spoke.
"I now call the Emergency meeting of March 14th, 1994, open. Seal the doors!" Dumbledore began, stopping to allow the doors to close.
"This meeting was called and scheduled by Madam Bones and Minister Fudge. There are two items on the agenda today, both from Madam Bones, so I will allow her to have the floor." Dumbledore said, his voice radiating across the courtroom.
Harry saw a younger woman, perhaps only a few years older than Sirius, stand. The relationship between her and Susan was quite easy to see really, with matching red hair and similar facial features. She also reminded him of McGonagall, with her strict looking features and stern expression.
"Thank you Chief Warlock. The first matter is the incident with Lord Sirius Black. We have done an investigation and found that not only was he not tried, but there was no investigation to begin with. We have rectified this, and have relieved him of any wrongdoing. As a gesture of his good will, he took an honor vow after telling the story of that night. However, today he joins us upon this body, and I know he requested a moment to speak." She spoke.
All eyes shifted to Sirius, waiting for him to speak as he stood, "I thank you for the moment to speak, Madam Bones. I only wished to issue my thanks to the current administration for properly investigating the betrayal and deaths of my friends. However, I also had two house announcements for the Wizengamot, both of which would need to be said before she goes to the next matter, as they are related."
Sirius took a breath, before continuing. "I have taken the mantle of my grandfather, Lord Arcturus Black, and after the opening of the Potter Will-" Dumbledore's eyes widened, "-I have also taken Regency of House Potter, as was the wish of the late Lord James Potter. With that, I also have guardianship of both my heir, and the heir of House Potter, Hadrian James Potter-Black."
As those last words were spoken, numbers of shouts were heard across the room in discontent, especially across the dark faction. A bang from Dumbledore's wand silenced the room.
"Lord Black, may I ask how Heir Potter is capable of being the Heir of House Black? Some seem… disbelieving of that possibility." Dumbledore asked politely.
"His grandmother was a Black before she was a Potter. Not only that, but I, at my grandfather's and James' request, blood adopted Hadrian when he was only a few months old. Grandfather was concerned that the Black's would die out by following the Dark Lord of the time, and as such, was determined to see our family survive. James was worried that Harry would grow up without family, and agreed to the conditions set for him. As such, Hadrian is Potter-Black, having a blood father from both lines. While it is unusual, it has been done before." Sirius spoke.
Harry was unaware of all of that, but he knew it was something unimportant. Sirius had yet to explain a lot of matters, but he had warned him that it would be revealed that Harry was the heir today. Harry still saw several who were upset about this, but only one said something.
"And what if you have children, Lord Black?" an old lady, probably older than Dumbledore, asked.
"Hadrian is still my first child, by both blood and magic, Lady Marchbanks. Besides, it doesn't matter much. It is known, and I am proof of the fact, that long term exposure of Dementors renders a person sterile. A healer has already confirmed that I have succumbed to that effect." Sirius replied loudly.
Silence reigned for a moment before Sirius spoke once more. "That is all, thank you Madam Bones, for the moment to speak."
Sirius lowered himself into his seat, sitting back and staring, waiting for Madam Bones to speak. "Hm. Yes, well thank you for answering our questions, Lord Black." Fudge called out. "Madam Bones, the second matter?"
"Um, yes, apologies." Madam Bones called out. "The second matter is what was revealed when we spoke with Lord Black. He had, with the assistance of Heir Potter-Black, captured the person who was actually responsible for the betrayal of the Potters."
There was an outbreak of muttering as an auror walked forward with a cage as a chair lifted from the middle circle in the room. Harry watched as they pulled the rat from it, and forced him into his human form. Harry was shocked to see a very heavy looking wizard, probably only an inch taller than himself, with straggly hair and a very rat-like face, squashed and with roundness to it. He saw one of the other aurors slide cuffs onto him, before levitating him into the chair in the middle of the room and binding him with the chains attached to the chair.
"I give you Peter Pettigrew." Madam Bones called out, "He will be both interrogated and tried for his crimes today. Please awaken him, Auror Shacklebolt."
A tall black auror walked to the center of the room and flicked his wand, awakening the man. Pettigrew immediately noticed his predicament, and started talking.
"P-p-please, I-i d-didn't do it-t-t fr-r-freely. I wa-a-s forced to." He cried out.
"Peter Alan Pettigrew, you are under arrest, and to be interrogated and tried before the Wizengamot. Do you understand what I am telling you?" Madam Bones asked loudly.
"I-I have r-rights." He stuttered. He knew, no matter what happened, he knew he was done for.
"Madam Bones. He does deserve his rights. How, may I ask, are you going to get around that?" Dumbledore asked. Harry noticed the twinkle in his eyes though, like he might already know the answer. Harry furrowed his brow, attempting to figure out which law his grandfather taught him might allow the DMLE to do what they were doing.
"Easily. He is a dead body. He has been since November second, 1981. He has no rights. This is a formality. As it stands, Lord Black has requested final execution by dementors. Lord Black, and acting Lord Regent of House Potter, cites High Treason against both Most Ancient and Most Noble Houses." Madam Bones called out.
There was a stifling silence at the charges laid out. Even Pettigrew went still and silent. "Is this truly the path both houses wish to take?" Dumbledore asked. His quiet voice carried through the room.
"It is. There is no forgiveness, not for having not just a Lord and Lady killed, but of the attempted death of a baby, and the extinction of a House that follows its roots back to Ancient Rome, further through other names." Sirius replied, "He will not leave this courtroom alive. Either from the Wizengamot's decision, or I will declare a Blood Feud in the name of House Black and end him myself."
"Well said Lord Black. Your grandfather would be proud of you." Lord Ogden said, "Now, I say we follow Madam Bones as she doses the traitor with Veritaserum and gets the truth from him at last."
"Very well. Continue Madam Bones." Dumbledore said gravely.
"Auror Shacklebolt, administer the serum." The woman said. She hadn't taken her eyes off Pettigrew the whole time, and now two aurors had wands on him at all moments.
Harry watched as a clear vial was produced, and after it was verified that it was official and still within date, before several drops were given to the pudgy man.
What followed was two hours of interrogation. Pettigrew admitted to having given several locations and secrets of the Order of the Phoenix to Voldemort, some of which resulted in the deaths of important people, and now more than ten members were demanding justice for crimes against their house. Even some of the 'Dark' members were happy to watch him hang.
"Have you ever harmed Hadrian Potter Black?" Madam Bones asked. The question was a little odd, but new from her last string of interrogation.
"Yes. After the Dark Lord fell, I put a mental binding on him, it was meant to make him lazy and unmotivated to learn." Pettigrew responded in a daze. "I also used another to make him less likable. It didn't make people outright hate him, but wary and distrusting of him. Both are probably gone judging by his improved marks and large group of friends."
Sirius grabbed Harry's hand, probably to stop him from attempting to kill the rat. Sirius seemed quite protective of Harry, and it wouldn't surprise Harry to have to take Sirius' wand, if only to keep him from returning to Azkaban. Harry wasn't focused on that. It was quite quickly noticeable that it was Pettigrew's fault that his relatives hated him for so long, and because of the curse being gone, the reason they were kinder to him then before.
"Heir Potter, is it true that they are gone?" Madam Bones asked.
"Yes. My healer noted that the bindings had been there. They are gone now though, and they were unable to tell who placed them." Harry replied. There were several sighs of relief at that answer, and he noticed Sirius seemed to relax some.
"Why not just bind his magic?" Madam Bones asked, turning back to the dosed Pettigrew.
"I didn't have the ability to. I knew how, but there wasn't enough time. The others though, they were far easier, and it only took a few seconds each. After that, I ran." Pettigrew replied.
"Is there anything else?" Madam Bones asked. They had already cleared Sirius of any wrongdoings, and had laid several more charges on Pettigrew, so now, if there wasn't anything else, they would decide his fate.
"No." He replied. She nodded, before turning and addressing the Wizengamot. "I believe the prosecution rests, Chief Warlock. I believe, quite firmly, that the Dementors kiss is the minimum punishment, and prefer it followed with him being shoved through the Veil of Death." Several gasps were heard, "Though it is extreme, and quite unorthodox, he directly led to several Ancient and Noble families losing members, and directly assisted a terrorist in destabilizing our nation. His crimes are unforgivable, and unredeemable."
Silence reigned as the words sunk in. Even Harry could feel that this decision mattered greatly. Harry watched as Dumbledore swallowed, before speaking in a shaky voice, "Very well. The Wizengamot will put it to a vote. For a majority of fifty percent, please light your wands in favor of the Dementors Kiss."
Harry watched as almost every wand, including the headmaster's, was raised. "It is agreed that in a few moments, a Dementor will be summoned in order to execute the punishment. Now, do we have someone to second the motion to use the Veil of Death as a form of execution?"
"I second the prosecution's motion." Harry looked up at the voice, almost surprised to see Neville's Gran with her wand raised. Then again, maybe he shouldn't be.
"Very well. A motion of execution requires a two thirds majority. For those in favor, please raise your wands." Dumbledore spoke quietly.
Harry watched as quickly several wands were raised, followed by a few more, and then even more. It was close on whether they would get a majority. He saw Dumbledore take count.
"And those against?" None raised their wands.
"Very well. In a close vote, of seventy nine to zero, with thirty eight abstained, the motion is passed. The Chief Warlock, the Head of the Unspeakables, the Head of the DMLE, and the Minister of Magic will follow, immediately after the dementor's kiss has been performed, to bear witness to the death of Peter Alan Pettigrew, as he has been sentenced." Dumbledore called out.
Peter sat still, slowly realizing that it would be his last day on earth. Harry felt a small amount of pity for the man, but only for the fact that he was suffering a fate most feared. Otherwise, Harry felt very little guilt towards what may befall the man.
Silence reigned as the minutes ticked by, only a small amount of muttering happening throughout the room. Harry took the time to look around, and occasionally asked the names of people. Eventually, he locked eyes with a man, one who had an intense gaze, who only subtly raised an eyebrow. He felt his cheeks heat as he nodded before turning his eyes towards Sirius.
"Pads, who is the man to the left of the opposite side of us?" Harry asked.
Sirius looked up and over, "Sandy blonde hair and smooth face?" He asked. Harry nodded. "That's Cyrus Greengrass, the Lord of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Greengrass. He was mentioned in your parent's will, remember?"
Harry watched as Sirius nodded before turning back to Harry, "Yea, and as a potential guardian." Harry replied.
"Yea, he is a good man…" Sirius trailed off as the room seemed to quiet, the doors of the courtroom opening to admit a single Dementor. The Dementor was ordered by the Auror escorting it, and moments later, it glided slowly around to face the front of Pettigrew.
Pettigrew sat in the chair, unmoving except for his lips, though not a sound came out. If Harry had to guess, he was begging, but Harry couldn't find it in himself to feel much pity. He watched as the Dementor floated in, slowly lowering itself down to Pettigrew's face. There seemed to be a pull on Pettigrew, as it seemed to suck him out of the chair. A small light emanated from under the hood, only lasting mere moments, before subsiding.
Slowly, the Dementor sat up, floating vertically, leaving everyone to see Pettigrew. He sat in the chair with glazed eyes and a vacant expression.
Such was the fate of one suffering the Dementor's Kiss.
There was silence for a moment, before the Auror spoke to the Dementor once more, ordering it to go in front of him out of the courtroom. It floated, unmoving. Harry felt a sinking feeling in his stomach as he remembered that the Dementors would come for him because of Death. He watched as it ignored the second and third command. Instead, it turned slowly to face Harry.
Unfortunately, Harry wasn't one to back down from a challenge as he shot his wand into his hand, aiming it at the Dementors that slowly started to gain height. Harry idly noted that the auror had only just drawn its wand, and Dumbledore was doing the same, though he looked far less concerned.
"Leave me alone." Harry spoke, it ignored his command as well as the auror's, and Harry shook his mind of the slowly appearing visions of his parents. Knowing he couldn't use the other spell, he focused on happy memories. "Expecto Patronum."
He watched as the Basilisk leaped from his wand and wrapped itself around him and Sirius, who was too stunned to do anything. The auror and Madam Bones had conjured their own patronus' as the Dementor halted, and used theirs to corral and push it from the room forcefully.
"My apologies, Heir Potter. I do not know why the Dementor acted as it did, but rest assured it will be investigated." Madam Bones called out.
"Thank you, but it is not the first time that they have done such a thing. That is why I came prepared." Harry replied, gesturing to his patronus as it slowly faded away.
"My word, your's is a powerful patronus, Heir Potter!" Lord Ogden called out. Harry nodded and thanked the man, before someone called for the rest of the sentence to be carried out. Dumbledore called an end to the session before following with the rest of the group to see Pettigrew through the veil. Once they were gone from the room, the rest of the members made their way out, words barely spoken as they left.