Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter 36 – Sirius Black
Harry's opinion of the Headmaster was at an all-time low. First, he'd known that Sirius Black hadn't been the Potters' Secret Keeper and said nothing. Then he, the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, had allowed a man to be sent to prison without even a trial. His excuse that there was just so much going on in the days following Voldemort's downfall that some people had, unfortunately, slipped through the cracks, didn't wash with Harry, who suspected that Dumbledore had conveniently forgotten about his godfather, and rightful guardian, so as to send him to live with his aunt. Why, Harry didn't know, but Dumbledore had been the one to send Harry to the hellhole that was the Dursleys in the first place.
Even Cornelius was aghast at the Chief Warlock's confession. He had been a mere Obliviator in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the time and so had had no dealings with the Wizengamot or the trials taking place – or not taking place as the case may be – and so had assumed, like everyone else, that the proper procedure of law had been followed. By the time he'd risen in the DMLE, when Harry had come under his guardianship, Sirius Black was all but forgotten. He remembered speaking with Madam Bones briefly as to who the boy's legal guardian now was, but they had both come up blank. James' three closest friends had all been named in their will as potential guardians for their son, but Pettigrew was dead, Black was in prison, and Lupin was a known werewolf – who's rights at the time were even worse than they were now – and of course no sane person would send a child to live with him Frank and Alice Longbottom had also been named, but they were permanent residents at St. Mungo's. No one else was named as guardian, the Potters never believing that all five potential carers for their son would be incapable of doing so, or in Lupin's case were not allowed to do so. Cornelius hadn't thought about Black beyond that until the day he escaped years later. It had never occurred to him to check the records of his trial and conviction when Harry was seven, nor even when Black did escape, because it was unthinkable that anyone would be left rotting in Azkaban without the law having determined that they deserved to be there.
Harry was surprised that Cornelius felt so strongly about this, but reminded himself that there was a generally good, principled, and honourable man underneath the politician. It may be deeper down than just beneath the surface, and it may only appear from time to time when the situation was one of such magnitude that the politician had to be abandoned, but Harry had seen it. Bringing him back to the present, Cornelius ordered the manhunt for Sirius Black to end immediately and called for a press conference. Cornelius the good man could not allow this travesty to stand, while Cornelius the politician had decided it was best to take the ready-made excuse Harry had given him and get on top of this thing now. He would, for once, tell the public the entire truth. The previous administration had allowed this to occur – he'd even lay blame at Dumbledore's feet if he was feeling brave enough – and it was he, Cornelius Fudge, that had uncovered this blatant disregard for the law made by the Minister before him. Of course his Ministry would not stand for the law to be flaunted so, and so he would offer Sirius Black the chance he had never had: to tell his side of the story before the Wizengamot. Cornelius figured he couldn't lose. If Black was guilty – and Cornelius still suspected he was, and was careful to caution Harry of as much – then he would be caught, tried, convicted and given back to the dementors, possibly for a kiss, and this nightmare would be over, and he, Cornelius Fudge, would be hailed as a hero for ending the terror of the past months. On the other hand, if Black was somehow proven innocent, then a full pardon would be given, and he, Cornelius Fudge, would still be hailed as a hero for uncovering such a devastating mistake by the previous Minister and being brave enough to right such a terrible wrong and set an innocent man free.
And so it was with this in mind that it was announced that Peter Pettigrew had been found alive and given recent evidence would be tried for the murders of twelve muggles, an accessory to the murders of Lily and James Potter, and the planned murder of Harry Potter. Incidentally, the Daily Prophet reported, the one who had been blamed for the above murders twelve years ago had, in fact, never had a trial or actually been convicted, and as such would be given the chance to have just that, if only he would turn himself in. Given they knew Black to be somewhere not far from Hogwarts, and that even if he had been close to London it would be hard for him to enter the Ministry without causing pandemonium, it was decided that it would be best for the Wizengamot to travel to Hogwarts. Cornelius had given Black a week, enough time for him to hear the news of his trial from whatever source he had, and for him to make his way to Hogwarts. A week to the day of the announcement, a pavilion was set up on the grounds with heating charms in abundance to protect against the Scottish December cold and the Wizengamot gathered. Given he'd proven he could break into Hogwarts castle itself, there was little doubt that he could access the grounds, and even though they knew he could, many members of the Wizengamot felt safer within Hogwarts' wards.
The question, of course, was whether or not Black would turn up. At the appointed time everyone began looking around not so subtly, wondering where he would come from, or if he would come at all. Harry – who was allowed to be there given that Black had broken out to kill him, and so was more likely to show up, and subsequently get caught, if he was there – looked to the forbidden forest, it being the only logical place for Black to come from. Ginny, who was sitting next to him, squeezed his hand. She had come down with Harry, his hand held tightly in hers even then, and told them straight out that as his guardian had to play his part as the Minister of Magic, Harry needed someone there to support him, and she didn't care how many points she lost or detentions she was given, she would be staying. She ended her brief speech with a raised eyebrow, as if to ask which one of the adults present dared to try and remove her. Many clucked at the audacity of the child, though several were clearly amused and after taking a good look at his ward, who looked like he was going to be sick, Cornelius declared she could stay. Harry was, of course, feeling many emotions right now, and even as the moment arrived, he still couldn't settle on one.
Slowly, one by one, people became aware of a spec of orange appearing, dotting between the white of the snow that had finally fallen and the black that was the Dark Forest, beyond the first few rows of trees. Everyone tensed, the aurors, who had been stationed all around the pavilion, and particularly around Harry, raised their wands. The spec of orange grew bigger and another, much larger figure, though one not so obvious against the backdrop of snow and forest, became visible. Neither Harry nor Ginny paid the new figure any mind though, for the spec of orange had turned into a very recognizable, and entirely unexpected, half-kneazle.
"Crookshanks?!" They couldn't stop themselves from crying out. The cat sat down a few feet outside the forest and began licking its paw, seemingly unaware, or uncaring, that his presence was causing such a stir.
"So, your name's Crookshanks, huh?" The man beside the cat asked, his voice low and hoarse. It was then that Harry and Ginny turned their attention to Sirius Black. Harry's first thought was how much worse Azkaban must be than he originally thought – and he'd thought it quite horrible already – for this to be the same man as in the photo of his parents' wedding. Or even the same man on the wanted posters, the photo used on it having been the mugshot from his arrest, there being no need to take a photo of him thereafter. The man before them was almost skeletally thin, his hair wild, beard unkept, dirt covering every part of his body and clothes, but it was the eyes where Harry noticed the biggest difference. In his photograph the man's eyes had been carefree and full of joy. Two years later, in the wanted poster, they'd gained a haunted and even manic look, but Harry could still see his father's Best Man in them. The eyes of the man before him were even more haunted, telling of the horrors of Azkaban, while the manic too was more prominent, but for entirely different reasons. In the wanted poster Harry saw a wild sort of manic, one that affirmed the label of 'crazy maniac' many had given him at the time. Now, though, there was a manic sort of desperation and sorrow, and it was all directed at him.
"Hello, Harry." Black said as calm as could be. No one seemed to really know what to do. They'd obviously expected Black to charge at them, a stolen wand in hand, as he tried again to kill Harry. Or if not that, then to be a crazed mess beyond reason that would attack them if they so much as breathed wrong. This calm, collected man, who seemed to be entirely rational, had not even so much as crossed their minds. At least most people's minds. There was one who did not seem surprised and took the opportunity of the aurors' and Wizengamot's paralysis, for lack of a better word, to address his old friend.
"Looking rather ragged, aren't we, Sirius?" Remus asked, taking only enough steps forward to be seen properly, for he rightly assumed that if he tried to approach Black further it would not go over well with the aurors. "Finally the flesh reflects the madness within."
"Well you'd know all about the madness within, wouldn't you Remus?" His quick retort drew a laugh from the professor.
"Just answer me one thing: you broke in for the rat, didn't you? Not for Harry." Black scowled.
"Of course I was after the rat!" He spat. "Though I'm not surprised they thought I was after Harry." It was said with such emotion, disgust at the thought of him being after Harry being the predominant one, that Harry had a hard time not believing him. And it appeared Remus did believe him.
"It is good to see you again, old friend." The two shared a smile. "Perhaps now we might finally learn the truth."
"I've been waiting twelve years to tell the truth." There was much emotion in that sentence too; relish, relief and even joy among them. Black then turned his sights on the Wizengamot. His eyes narrowed a bit as they passed over Dumbledore, who was sitting in the centre in his position as Chief Warlock, before settling on the Minister. "I'll just sit here, shall I?" He said, raising his arms so they could see that his movements weren't threatening, and taking a seat in the snow. "I think we'll all be more comfortable if I don't come any closer. You'll especially be thankful I'm out of sniffing distance, after four months on the run." Harry was a little surprised that he'd make a joke at a time like this, but he didn't know Sirius Black. Remus did, and merely shook his head in amusement. "I wouldn't mind a warming charm though. You get used to being cold in Azkaban, but even those cells aren't below freezing." That was not a joke, his face made that clear, and the auror nearest to him looked to the Minister, who nodded after a moment. Sirius sighed in happiness as the charm overtook him, and even happily began petting Crookshanks who, now that Sirius was warmer than the snow, climbed into his lap. "So, did you prefer to ask me questions, or shall I just start talking?" The Wizengamot broke out in chatter, debating on which they preferred. None of them had truly expected Black to show up, so they hadn't exactly made a plan. Finally Dumbledore called them to order.
"We shall allow you to tell your story, though reserve the right to questions as we see fit." Black nodded. "We would also like it if you would voluntarily take Veritaserum. Though we are prepared to administer it regardless."
"Of course I'll take it." He growled. "Contrary to what you all believe, Ihave nothing to hide." Dumbledore nodded and Professor Snape stepped forward and began making his way towards Black. Harry noticed how both men's scowls darkened upon seeing the other, and whatever brief exchange they had while Snape administered the potion was clearly unpleasant. Remus didn't seem surprised by that either.
"Is your name Sirius Orion Black?"
"Yes!" It was the most chipper 'yes' Harry had ever heard.
"What happened on the night of October 31st, 1981?" Dumbledore didn't bother with any further questions to test the potion's effectiveness as he had with Pettigrew.
"I got a bad feeling and decided to go check on the rat, or rather Peter Pettigrew. As you know, Chief Warlock, James and Lily made a last minute change as to who their Secret Keeper would be. When I got there he was gone, along with most of his possessions; he clearly didn't plan on coming back. I got back on my bike and went to Godric's Hollow…but I was too late." The tale was one that obviously brought deep sorrow to him, but even though tears began streaming down his face, he spoke in the happiest voice imaginable, a sign that he wasn't even trying to fight the Veritaserum. "Half the house was collapsed. James was dead in the doorway and I admit I broke down then. He was my brother in all but blood. I heard crying and eventually realized that by some miracle Harry was still alive. I made to go up to his nursery but Hagrid came out then, holding Harry. He said that Dumbledore had tasked him with bringing Harry to his aunt's house. Naturally I protested. Petunia hated magic, and she hated Lily, no doubt she would hate Lily's son. I told Hagrid to give Harry to me, I was his legal guardian after all, but Hagrid said no, that he had his orders from Dumbledore, who for some reason insisted he go to his aunt's."
"Bastard." Harry muttered, sending a glare at Dumbledore. He'd known that Hagrid had taken him from his house to the Dursleys, known he had done so on Dumbledore's orders, but if Black was telling the truth then Dumbledore had moved awfully quickly to secure Harry. To move that quickly he must have had plans in place, and to have those plans in place he somehow must have known that Harry might survive should Voldemort attack. None of which Dumbledore had ever shared with Harry, who felt his anger at the Headmaster increasing by the minute. His anger was put on hold, however, when Black turned his gaze on Harry.
"This is where I really failed you, Harry." He said, looking as if he spoke only to Harry. "I should have concerned myself only with you. I should have told Hagrid to lump it and taken you to safety. Instead I let my hurt and anger and guilt take over. I convinced myself that Dumbledore would keep you safe until I could come get you – I had no intention of letting you stay with Petunia and that walrus husband of hers – and then I took off after the rat. A part of me knew it was wrong, that as an auror I should do better than to seek revenge and I should call the other aurors and bring Pettigrew in the right way, but I was too far gone. My brother and his wife were dead because of me. Oh I may not have been the one to betray them to Voldemort, but I was the one to convince them to use the rat. I told them that no one would ever believe they would use him over me, so we'd pretend it was me…it was the perfect ruse. I never dreamed that he was the spy. We knew there was one close to us, but I thought it was Remus." He took his eyes off Harry for a moment and looked to his friend. "Forgive me?"
"Well I thought it was you, so yes. Forgive me?" Remus smiled ruefully.
"Naturally." Black turned his eyes back to Harry. "I caught up with Pettigrew the following morning, he was hiding in muggle London, hoping, I suppose, that being around muggles would make me cautious, but I was too far gone for that too. I confronted him in the street, not caring about the onlookers, and was prepared to start some speech about how we were friends and how could he betray us, but the bastard beat me too it. He turned, his wand out, tears in his eyes and screamed that I had betrayed James and Lily, how he had thought we were friends, and when I raised my own wand he sent a blasting curse at the ground. The street exploded, chunks of pavement going everywhere, the muggle plumbing underneath breaking apart, water everywhere, along with the bodies of those closest to the blast. I was knocked backwards and when I got up I saw Pettigrew holding his hand and then he transformed into the rat he is and was gone, down into the sewer with the other rodents. When the dust settled I could see a pool of blood and a finger where Pettigrew had been and knew he had cut it off himself, faking his own death. I started laughing. Why, I'm still not entirely sure, but that was how my fellow aurors found me." No one was sure exactly how long he had been speaking, but sometime during the last little bit the cheeriness had left his voice as the potion wore off until his tone finally reflected the story he was telling.
"I knew how the scene looked. I wasn't surprised when I was arrested, hell I would have arrested me too. But I knew it wouldn't be long until I was before a court and could set the record straight. I knew that Dumbledore would step forward and confirm that I hadn't been James and Lily's Secret Keeper. I figured a week, two at the most, and I'd be back at work leading the search for the rat. But clearly I knew nothing. Instead of staying in a holding cell at the DMLE until my trial, I was shipped off to Azkaban that very same day. I kept waiting for someone to come, to take me back to the Ministry for my trial, but no one came. No one listened when I told them I was illegally being held there, that I hadn't even had a trial, let alone a conviction. I gave up waiting eventually and spent the next twelve years rotting in that place." Harry wasn't surprised that he sounded bitter, he would be too, in Black's shoes. He looked around at the others and saw that the aurors had lowered their wands that every single member of the Wizengamot was listening intently, a couple even had tears in their eyes, and none of them seemed concerned that Black now spoke without the influence of Veritaserum.
"And then this summer?" Cornelius finally asked. "What happened to make you try to escape after twelve years of no attempts, and how did you escape Azkaban?"
A/N - Review please!