Here I go playing in JKR's sandbox again

Chapter 6

"Actually, I have another item. One that has been fourteen years overdue." Amelia cringed. She knew exactly what this was about. While others in the room stared in confusion, Amelia brought out her notes on the case of Sirius Black. There was very little. Her only solace was this was from her predecessor not her and she couldn't be blamed for anything more than neglect. She didn't know about any of this prior to the breakout.

Hunter continued his speech. "We are all aware of how the war with this Voldemort character ended years ago. The upstart attacked the Potters and was reduced to nothing by the Potter heir. Sirius Black was identified as the Potters' Secret-Keeper and blamed for their death. He was accused of conspiring with the enemy and was thrown in Azkaban. Is this not what we were all informed?" Hunter saw many heads nodding and couldn't believe how many flinched when he said Voldemort. These people were cowards. Fudge was the first to answer from the crowd.

"Yes, yes, we all know he was convicted after he murdered Peter Pettigrew and killed a dozen muggles! What are you getting at?" Amelia didn't know the right response, but knew that Fudge's was not it. Hunter Black allowed that blank mask of indifference to fall and everyone saw the reason the Blacks had been feared for so many years. Hunter was pissed.

"No Fudge, he was not convicted! He never received a trial! Every Death-eater was given a chance to plead their case EXCEPT Sirius Orion Black! Malfoy was able to plead imperious, Severus Snape claimed to be a spy, and Igor Karkaroff testified against his former allies in return for his freedom. But none of them claimed Black was with them." He was now a cold and deadly storm and many were praying that they were not where he would strike next. Fudge was scrambling to regain his composure and mount a counter attack, but Hunter didn't give him a chance.

"I returned to England after Sirius Black escaped Azkaban to find my family in ruins. I've spent the last two years searching records, papers, anything, and I have yet to find a trial for Sirius Orion Black. Two death-eaters taught at Hogwarts last year and one still does, but the Scion of a Noble and Most Ancient House doesn't even get a trial? Can you explain this? Or would you rather explain to the ICW when they investigate your violations on the treatment of war criminals?"

Fudge was sweating profusely now. He needed time to think and this Hunter Black was not giving him a chance. This was supposed to be a trial of the Potter Boy, but now he felt as if it were he on trial. If the ICW began investigating war criminals and found no trial for Black, he himself could be thrown in prison. He had to act. He couldn't very well let Black off the hook, but he also couldn't give him a trial unless he had him in custody. He was spared for a moment when another wizard entered the courtroom.

Dumbledore arrived claiming to be a witness for the defense. "Sit down old man. If we need you, I will call on you. As it stands, we are past Harry Potter who is free and have moved on to Sirius Black" Hunter snarled.

That was when Umbridge tried to save her minister. "Hem hem. I'm sure I must have misunderstood you, but it almost sounds as if you accuse that the ministry had something to do with all this."

Hunter was now livid but his voice was calm and icy, and directed at the pink toad. "Madam it sounds that way because I am. It is the law, set forth by the ministry, that everyone accused gets the benefit of a trial. Sirius Orion Black did not get such a trial. Instead he was cast into hell, and my house was slandered for over a decade. And here today I demand justice!"

Umbridge proved her stupidity once again when she retaliated. "Black was convicted and JUSTICE was done years ago! You will not.." Hunter cut her off right there he had had enough

"DELORES UMBITCH! If you are so convinced that justice was served, why don't you provide us with your memories of this alleged trial? Or better yet, swear on your life and your magic, that Sirius Orion Black was convicted at a trial in accordance with our laws? Go ahead, swear it!"

Umbridge felt the eyes of the entire room on her and was humbled for a second time that day. She was not at any trial on Black and certainly was not going to risk her magic or her life for them. That was for mud-bloods.

The acting Chief Warlock regained control of the wizengamot. "Lord Black, surely you can understand that we can't just drop the charges. Even if what you say is correct, we must verify your claims. And then if we find you are correct, we must hold a trial even if it is as you say, overdue" He looked to Hunter expecting him to comply.

"Under normal circumstances I would agree with you. But this ministry is trying to murder a member of my house, has violated his rights and the law itself for almost fourteen years, and has slandered my house repeatedly in that same time. Do you expect me to believe justice will be done when there is a kiss-on-sight order upon him? That he will receive a fair and impartial trial when the minister himself brings dementors to a school?" He pointed at Fudge.

"No. I would need every lord and lady of the wizengamot, to swear a magical oath, that Sirius Orion Black will receive a fair and impartial trial before this time next year, and that this ministry will not attempt to end his life prior to a trial. Then I could believe." He turned to the rest of the Wizengamot. "What would any of you do if one of your house was arrested and simply thrown into Azkaban without a trial?"

It didn't take much from there. Amelia presented that she had been unable to find any records of a trial for Sirius Black. Augusta Longbottom wasted no time in motioning that the kiss-on-sight order be suspended and that a trial be scheduled as soon as they had Sirius Black in custody. The first was accepted, but many wanted a full audit of the records before they would agree to the latter.

It was no more than Hunter expected. At least they wouldn't feed Sirius to the dementors immediately. The problem was he was still not safe from Fudge and Umbridge. The wizengamot adjourned and Hunter left. As he turned, he looked for Harry, but Harry was gone. He looked for Dumbledore, but the Headmaster had already left as well. "time to dance old man!" Hunter snarled.

BLACKLASH Through Time

That evening there was an emergency meeting of the Order of the Phoenix. Albus was desperate and needed the help of the Order immediately. Nothing had gone as planned and Sirius was just reckless enough to leave the manor.

The Order of the Phoenix were assembled in the dining room. Sirius was a little nervous but didn't show it. Alastor Moody, The older Weasleys, Dedalus Diggle, Elphias Doge, Emmeline Vance, Fleur Delacour, Hestia Jones. Kingsley Shacklebolt, Minerva McGonagall, Mundungus Fletcher, Nymphadora Tonks, Remus Lupin, Severus Snape, and Sturgis Podmore were all waiting for Dumbledore to arrive. It was the fact that they were all stuck to the table and chairs and silenced that had Sirius nervous.

Hunter was waiting in the corner hidden by a few spells only known to the Black family. Even Moody's eye wouldn't find him. Hunter was concerned about Dumbledore, but he hoped the spells would be enough. He needn't have worried though.

Dumbledore entered the room and quickly began, not taking into account that none of them were moving. "Wonderful, you are all here already. It seems.." Albus stopped as he realized that no one was speaking when he entered and no one had moved. As his focus was elsewhere, he didn't notice the expeliarmus Hunter sent, nor the stunner that put him out. Hunter collected the wand and then helped tie up Dumbledore. Moments later, each member of the Order was allowed to speak again but not move and Dumbledore was revived. Albus thought he was dead when he looked into the eyes of Hunter Black.

"Surprised to see me old man?"

What followed was the complete destruction of Dumbledore's legacy. From his failure with a young Tom Riddle, to his love affair with Grindlewald to the abuse Harry had endured. And even the death of Arianna.

Dumbledore was in utter shock, as were many of the Order. It came out almost as a whisper. Remus and Sirius heard it though, and so did Hunter. Dumbledore asked "How?" Hunter growled. "How? How did you let it happen? How could you have been so blind and stupid, Or are you wondering how I am here?" A growl came from behind him "I'd like to know how ya got 'ere boy." It was Mad-eye Moody.

Hunter laughed "Did you honestly think, that fidelus charm you put up could keep LORD BLACK from this property?" This threw everyone for a loop.

"You know, I think this should include everyone involved. Sirius, Call the children and the twins. I don't want to explain things twice." Sirius got up but Molly began ranting. Hunter ended that. "That Harry has defeated 'you-know-who' and Dumbles didn't, means it is HIS decision and he will be involved. And since he will tell the others anyway, I refuse to waste time. Sirius, if you would please. You don't have to be loud, I'm sure their listening."

Sirius called for Harry and the others and soon they entered the dining room. Harry led the way and as soon as he saw Hunter, he was confused. "Lord Black?" Hunter smiled.

"Yes Harry, If you would be kind enough to come in and allow your friends to to so as well, we're going to have an evening where we speak the truth, and not the cryptic version Dumbledore here tells."

Harry looked to Sirius who nodded and he entered. The kids were just realizing the adults were unable to move when Hunter spoke up. "Harry, Kreatcher has used his magic and everyone here is stuck in their chair and to the table. They can speak, but not move. I had you kids called in, because it is time these people who have failed you so miserably for so long, allow you to know what is going on, why, and hear what you want to do. Now as I already know you want to fight we won't ask that. But you are not ready to fight just yet. You're willing, but you don't have the training. If you choose to be trained, I am willing to help you." Hunter saw Harry about to jump at the offer and cut him off. "First, you listen."

Hunter began to recap what he had already revealed of Dumbledore and his flaws. The opportunities to stop Voldemort that were wasted. The mistakes that cost people their lives not because of a wrong action but by inaction. The complete naiveté to how a war was actually fought. Then he went into detail on Harry and Riddle.

"And then he went after Harry here. Lily sacrificed her life, but she somehow gave her son the power to vanquish the Dark Lord. And vanquish him he did. He somehow reflected Riddle's killing curse back at him and destroyed his body. And just like that, the war is over. Ended not by the greatest wizard since Merlin, not the leader of the light, but by a 15 month old. But by Harry Potter, the boy-who-lived." The younger people were taking a much different look to what they had been taught, while the older people were still unconvinced. Molly absolutely refused to believe Dumbledore was anything less that the perfect leader.

"…sealed their will and sent Harry to... What did you call them Professor McGonagall? 'The worst sort of muggles' wasn't it." Minerva was looking down ashamed, but nodded that Hunter was correct. This caused several to start rethinking their opinions. Especially since the Headmaster had suddenly looked down again. Remus however owed the man too much and fought for his mentor. A mistake he would suffer greatly for.

"Ah yes, the werewolf. Don't get me wrong sir. Your Lycanthropy is not a detriment in my opinion, more a useful skill. Sirius here has already taken his reprimand for abandoning Harry. His twelve years in Azkaban are a valid reason to not be involved with Harry, but what is your excuse? You abandoned a cub of your pack for twelve years. Then, after a year of teaching Harry, without really telling him about his parents mind you, you abandon him again."

"Sirius was being hunted for crimes he didn't commit and he still found time to write Harry. He didn't even get a trial. Another failure of your 'great' Albus Dumbledore but you don't question that, you just follow orders like a good dog and ignore that you added to the abuse of your 'best friend's' son. Some best friend you are."

Remus slumped in his chair. Hunter had hit below the belt and he knew it, but after watching the life Harry led from an outside view, he knew how betrayed the boy was. How betrayed he had been. "By the way Sirius, you're still wanted, but the Kiss on Sight order has been canceled." Sirius was glaring at Albus. Then Hunter tore into the Weasleys.

Harry was getting very uncomfortable as Hunter began explaining what had gone on in his life. He was actually so bothered by it getting out he didn't question how Hunter knew so much of it in the first place.

Dumbledore was still sitting almost above it all. Secure in the knowledge that it was all for the greater good and that Harry now had a chance to survive if Voldemort tried to kill him. "It is all for the greater good..." Dumbledore no sooner got that comment out than Hunter delivered a punch that almost broke the older man's jaw.

"Greater good?! If I ever hear that phrase from your mouth again I'll rip your lungs out!" Hunter shouted. " Hmmm, 'The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies.' (Chap 37 OotP) Isn't that the prophecy you gave to Riddle, Snivelus?"

If they could have moved Remus and Sirius would have ripped Snape to pieces. Snape lost all control of his emotion and showed true fear at the revelation. Dumbledore was now in a full panic. How much did this man actually know and how? Hunter quickly had Kreature remove the spy.

Harry was trying to absorb what he had been told. Hunter Black had never abandoned him, he had just been hurt badly. Protecting him as Lord Arcturus had. Dumbledore had manipulated things and sent him back to hell on Earth like he was some kind of tool or a pet. He looked to Hunter again. THIS was someone to learn from. Someone he could trust. He had been like an older brother. He knew everything and hadn't hurt him. Harry knew what he wanted. "When do we start?"