Chapter Seven- Trial at Last

Azkaban Prison- March 27, 1986

Sirius Black sat in his cell as a dog in the worst place imaginable. He still wasn't completely sure how he had ended up here.

He knew what he had been told. That he had betrayed James and Lily and then killed Peter but that didn't make sense. He had been here long enough that the spells on him were starting to fade so he knew that James had never been with Lily.

He actually hated her. The summer before their sixth year James had gotten ill. His mother, Dorea, had been a healer so she decided to treat him at home. During her test she discovered that he had been loaded down with potions, they included an obsessive love potion focused on the bint. Once he had been purged he had sworn to never go near her again. He had realised that he had actually been in love with Severus Snape for a few years and had been forced to treat him horribly.

But later that year everything had worked out. Severus had forgiven all of them and he and James had gotten involved. Sirius could still remember how deliriously happy, and completely shagged out, James had looked after his first time with Severus.

Sirius knew that James would never willingly get together with Evans.

James had a son… With Severus…. What was his name again?

Hadrian. Oh yes that was his name, Hadrian. His precious godson, his pup.

As Sirius once again managed to remember his godson's name he heard someone coming. They weren't wearing the big boots so they obviously weren't guards.

Turning back he waited. He watched as two people he vaguely recognized approached his cell. One was Amelia Bones, as he thought about it he remembered the attack on her house. How those disgusting death eaters had attempted to kill her baby niece.

Looking at the other one a little closer he remembered. He had called him Kings. He had trained him when the other man had first joined the aurors.

"Welcome to my humble home Amelia. I do hope you will forgive me if I don't invite you to have a seat. Kings, what the hell are you doing here? Only screw ups and fools get stuck on Azkaban duty, I thought I had taught you better than that."

Amelia smirked and Kingsley let out a deep chuckle.

"Yeah, yeah. Maybe you should have listened to your own lessons a little more old man."

That was one of the things Sirius had always liked about Kings. He may be a naturally serious person but he knew how to take a joke.

"That's enough out of you two. Come on Sirius, it's time to go." Amelia rolled her eyes. Honestly this was not the time or place to joke.

"And just where am I going to go Amelia? In case you haven't noticed, I'm in Azkaban. Has the ministry finally pulled their heads out of their collective ass and decided to give me a trial." Sirius was not in the mood, not that you ever could be in a decent mood in this place.

"In a way Sirius, yes the ministry is giving you a trial. I have a portkey that is going to activate in 3 minutes that is going to transport us to a secure room in Gringotts where you will be questioned under veritaserum. If you can show you are innocent, which I know you are, you are to be released with compensation. Lord Peverell Gryffindor arranged it." Amelia knew that she needed to keep him calm. After this long around the dementors it would only make sense that Sirius would have some emotional control issues, not that he ever had much emotional control to begin with.

"Who's he?" Sirius demanded. He knew that sometimes prisoners just disappeared from here. Not all the guards were exactly innocent. "I've never heard of him."

"He told me to tell you that Moony wants you to come, if that means anything."

"He knows Moony. Well what are we waiting for, let's go." With a little help from Kingsley Sirius was up and on his feet.

He quickly went over to Amelia and soon enough there was a small pop, and the cell of Sirius black was empty.

Gringotts Bank- Same Day

Landing in the bank Sirius looked around hopeful that he would see Moony. He felt his heart sink a little when all he saw was a strange man and a goblin. For some reason he couldn't clearly remember Moony's face and he wanted to so badly. It was like he couldn't breathe without him. He honestly didn't know why he missed his old friend the way he did. He missed James too, but it was different from how he missed Remus somehow.

The unknown man stepped forward and extended his hand and introduced himself. When Sirius shook his hand he felt something was off. This man was a stranger to him but there was something so familiar and comforting about him.

Once everyone had been introduced they got right down to it. Sirius was led to a seat where the goblin administered the truth serum. Given the fact that the ministry had already messed things up so badly, the man that insisted they call him Sebastian was going to be the one asking the questions. If anyone else had a question to ask they would have to write it down and hand it to him, or cast a silencing spell and ask him to ask Sirius.

Quickly James started the interrogation.

"What is your name?"

"Sirius Orion Black"

"What is your birth data?"

"November 3, 1969"

"Are you or have you ever been a death eater?"

"No"

"Were you the Potter's secret keeper?"

"No"

"Did you betray the Potter's to Lord Voldemort?"

"No"

"Who was the Potter's secret keeper?"

"Peter Pettigrew."

"When you were found after the explosion you were laughing, why?"

"Peter hit me with an overpowered cheering charm"

"How did Peter Pettigrew die?"

"He didn't"

"How did Peter Pettigrew escape?"

"He cast a blasting curse at a muggle fuel line, after the explosion he transformed into his rat animagus and escaped down the sewer pipe."

Casting a silencing charm around Sirius he looked to the others in the room and asked if they had any other questions. When they all just shook their heads, they finished up.

The two aurors in the room seemed to be in shock. It had just hit them completely. One of their own had just spent 4 years in Azkaban while innocent and no one had done anything to help. If it could happen to him, it could happen to them.

Sirius was then given the antidote.

Amelia cleared her throat. "Now that that is done. Sirius, I am approved to offer you the sincere apologies of the ministry for this ordeal. I also apologise for not doing anything sooner, your arrest always felt off to me but I did nothing. I have also been authorised to sign over reparations for this injustice in the form of 1,000,000 galleons for every year you spent in Azkaban, plus a further 500,000 galleons for any medical treatment you require."

Sirius still hadn't managed to get his voice back so James was the one to answer. "That seems adequate. Now, I do believe that I should get Lord Black some of that much needed medical treatment."

James started to usher Sirius out of the room when Sirius stopped. Seeing that Sirius was about to start talking, Jamesquickly threw up silencing and privacy charms so that neither Amelia or Kingsley could properly see them or hear them.

"And just who are you? Look, I appreciate your help and all but I don't know you. How do you know Moony? Why did you help me? Why should I trust you?"

James smiled, Sirius always was the most suspicious of them. He decided to answer him in a way that would let him know who he was without actually saying it.

"When we were 13, you came over to spend the summer. Mum decided to be helpful while we were out on the quidditch pitch and unpack your things. She found a skin mag that your little brother Regulus had slipped in to mess with you. Once we came back inside, mum sat us both down and gave us the sex talk. That wasn't the worst part that made us swear that we would never tell anyone. No, because mum was a healer she got really into it. She started transfiguring fruit into anatomically correct parts so that she could make sure we had a proper understanding. I don't think we could look each other, or her in the eye for the rest of the summer."

Sirius just stared. There was only one person that knew that story. He had never told anyone that, and he knew James hadn't either.

"Prongs?"

"The one and only brother. Don't mind the look. It's best if I stay dead so I'm using a glamours the goblins whipped up for me. Now you need to follow Ragnock. He will take you to the healers who will, well, heal you obviously. And before you start arguing with me that you want to stay and be involved in these discussions, I will tell you that both Remus and Hadrian are there."

That was all it took to get Sirius moving.

James dispelled everything and turned back to the table as Sirius left the room.

Just before Sirius left Kingsley spoke up. "Sirius… I'm sorry."

For Sirius that was all that he needed to say. He had always really liked Kingsley with his simple ways. Nodding back at him, Sirius walked out.

Once both Sirius and Ragnock were gone James turned back to the two aurors in the room.

"So if that is everything, I think we're done here. Sirius will expect the restitution money to be in his account by the end of the month."

"Wait." Amelia held up her hand. "You said that we didn't want Pettigrew to know that we were on to him. Just how are we supposed to do that? As soon as Sirius is seen out in public everyone will know that he has been released."

"He won't be seen out in public, at least not here." James really was having a lot of fun bossing his old superior around. "His husband currently works for Gringotts. He has just signed on to a 5 year contract that will have him working outside of Britain. I do believe that he is headed for Asia soon. That will give you 5 years to find the rat and publicly clear Sirius of any wrongdoing."

Amelia nodded, that could work. She decided that she would put Kingsley in charge of the search and see what happened.

After that was done, they hammered out a few of the finer details and the aurors left. James then went to the healing ward, he was really getting sick of that place.

Sirius Black was in pain. After the tests had shown just how many blocks and compulsions had been on him he had immediately agreed to the purge. He just hadn't realised how much it would hurt.

He knew that he was laying in a bed. But that was about it. Slowly his mind started to piece things together. Remus. A man who claimed to be James said Remus was here. Now all he had to do was open his eyes.

With a great effort Sirius did just that, he opened his eyes. Sitting there next to him was his husband. The spells and potions in his system seemed to have made him forget he was even married, but now he remembered.

Slowly sitting up he looked around. Where was Hadrian, where was his pup.

Seeing that he was awake Remus leaned down and gently kissed him. "Please tell me you remember me."

"Of course I do. Your name's Bob, right."

Remus reached out and smacked him on the arm. "Don't be an ass Siri."

"Where's Hadrian?"

Remus pointed across the room to where another bed lay. In that bed was a small little body of a tiny little boy. But to Sirius that boy was the most important child in the world.

"Pup. What happened to him?" Sirius was panicked. What could've happened to his poor pup.

Soon enough the other man joined them, and yes, he was James, just with a new look. James and Remus then brought him up to speed on what had happened. To say Sirius was shocked was an understatement.

There was only one thing to do in Sirius's mind. Do what their pup wanted them to.

Hogwarts- March 29, 1986

Severus was thrilled. Over the last month he reunited with his son, his husband, and two of his best friends. Now the only thing wrong with his life was a meddling old coot that made it impossible to spend time with them.

Albus was becoming even more difficult, if that was even possible. He seemed to take it as a personal insult that anyone on staff had taken his side and was making them all pay for it.

He was walking down the empty hall when he saw one of the tapestries on the wall twitch. Sev knew that that particular tapestry covered a recess in the wall that worked as a great hiding place. Flipping the tapestry back he saw none other than William 'Bill' Weasley.

"Mister Weasley," Severus almost purred. "Would you like to explain to me why you are hiding behind a tapestry when you are supposed to be sitting in history class. This is not the conduct I expect from a prefect, although you are a Gryffindor, so I guess it is to be expected."

Severus now knew more than he had ever wanted to know about the Weasley family. The papers from the trunk had given a great number of details about how Molly Weasley and the 2 youngest Weasley children were active participants in Dumbledore's plot. But it also showed that Arthur Weasley and the elder 5 boys were all good people.

He knew what the future had held for this young boy. If they hadn't changed anything he, his wife, brother, and father, would all end up losing their lives to Dumbledore's plans. As it was, he had the potential to become one of the best curse breakers in the world. Seeing the defeated look on the boy's face he made a snap decision, he would help him.

"I..I.. I was just…" Bill had no clue what to say. Of all the teachers in the school to catch him skipping class it just had to be Severus Snape.

"You just realised that you were late for history class?" Severus hid a smirk as he saw the boy quickly nod and turn to head towards his history class. "Oh, and mister Weasley. You will come directly to my office after dinner so we can work on your memory. We wouldn't want you to forget any other classes."

Bill silently nodded as he dejectedly made his way to class.

It was later that evening that Bill made his way down to the dungeon. He was not looking forward to this. Professor Snape always made you scrub dirty cauldrons.

Arriving at Snape's office he knocked. When he was called to enter he went in.

Professor Snape was sitting at his desk. Bill was surprised that he was motioned to sit down rather than directed into the classroom to start cleaning.

"Mr. Weasley. I would like you to explain to me just why it is that you feel that you don't have to attend your history class. You will be taking your OWL's in 3 months after all."

"I know sir. It's just… Binn's is so… He's such a…" Bill was at a loss for words. Snape was almost being kind. This was definitely odd.

"I believe the words you are looking for is 'dreadful bore'." Severus couldn't help but chuckle at the completely shocked look on the teens face. "Don't look so surprised Mr. Weasley. Binns has been teaching at this school for over 50 years. I had to suffer in his class just like you. The only difference is I was smart about it. I am actually surprised at you. You, unlike some of your classmates, are not a complete dunderhead. Even some of the lions in my year figured out how to survive Binss class a few weeks after the snakes did during our second year.``

"How? I mean… How sir?" Snape seemed to be in a good mood, it was kinda freaky but he was just gonna go with it, he didn't want to upset him.

"Two words . Silencing wards." Seeing the look of confusion Sev shook his head. Dumbledore really had dumbed down this generation. "We would place silencing wards around ourselves and self study. A silencing charm will silence a person, but the ward silences an area. We would cast the wards around our desks before class started. By being there early none of the other students that might tell us would know what we had done. Besides, Binns never changes his class schedule, so all the assignments and tests are given at the same time every year. I do believe that it was your uncles Fabian and Gideon and one of their Ravenclaw friends that made a tidy sum at the beginning of every year selling a sort of information packet for that class, not that I would ever suggest doing something like that. Especially given that the headmaster has strictly prohibited possession of that sort of material, and you after all know just how important rules are. Once we finished our OWL's, if we were going to go for our NEWT's, we would then sign up for self study and spend that period in one of the empty classes working together. It was necessary given the fact that Binns seems to be stuck on the goblin wars but your exams will cover much more than that."

Bill was shocked. Was the professor really suggesting what he thought? He decided to ask a few questions to make sure this wasn't some sort of trap to get him into even more trouble. "But where did you learn to create wards from sir? And why do you think it is so important to learn history?"

This was exactly what Severus had been hoping for, a chance to lead the boy in his direction. "When I myself first started school here there was an entire section in the library that was dedicated to wards. Unfortunately the headmaster decided that that sort of information was far too difficult for the delicate little students that now attend this school and had it removed during my final year." There, that might get the boy to question just how much information was being denied to the students by Dumbledore. "As for why history is so important to learn, there is a muggle saying that I think sums it up perfectly. A muggle philosopher named George Santayana said those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. What do you think that means Mr. Weasley?"

"Hmmm… That we need to remember what we learned in the past. It's like lessons that we learn in class. We need to remember what we learned during the term if we want to pass a class. If we don't learn it properly the first time then we have to repeat the class."

"An apt analogy . That is exactly what it means, it's just on a larger scale. Look at our very own country. A broken system allowed for the rise of Grindelwald. After he was defeated the system stayed the same. And then everyone was surprised when, less than 20 years later, another dark lord was on the rise. A dark lord, I might add, that had a similar ideology, used a similar plan of attack, and used the same loopholes to gain power. We had a chance to fix the system in between the two but nobody bothered to learn from the mistakes. They believed that they were safe and were set in their ways to do anything, so it happened again. And do you know what . Once again those in power are not learning from the past."

"But… What do you mean? We're safe now aren't we. I mean, he's gone isn't he?"

"Yes and no Mr. Weasley. He is no longer a threat, but what's to stop someone else. The Dark Lord was able to get as many followers as he did because he appealed to what they wanted. Many of the old pureblood families were promised the return of their rituals and traditions, traditions that were made illegal to make the muggle borns feel more welcome in our society, rather than expecting them to adapt to a culture that has existed and strengthened us for thousands of years we are expected to acclimatise to their beliefs and morals. There is actually evidence that this is weakening our magic. Creatures that are classified as dark were promised more freedoms. Take werewolves for example; all that they needed to be offered to side with him was the right to have jobs and children. A friend of mine that works for Gringotts was attacked when he was only 6. He did not ask to be turned, instead he, like most, was forced into it. He is a very smart and caring man that just so happens to turn into a wolf once a month. A condition that can be safely managed, he did so his entire 7 years here after all. But due to the bigotry of our ministry he is barred from taking a job that would put him in prolonged contact with people, which is almost all jobs, he was able to get the job at the bank because goblins are less prejudiced to those in his position. He is also barred from having any children, and the only reason he is married is because he and his husband went to France. Our ministry doesn't recognize his marriage. Vampires are in a similar situation only worse. They are forbidden from hunting to feed, but it is also illegal to donate blood to feed a vampire. A vampire doesn't need more than a few mouthfuls of blood a week and they don't need to kill or turn someone to feed. But it is pretty much completely illegal for them to eat. So they have a choice, break the law and feed and be killed, or abide by the law and starve until they enter blood lust and go on a killing spree and be killed. If you were in their position where you were forbidden from having a family and/or eating just how loyal would you be to the government that did that to you?"

Severus hadn't taken his eyes off Bill. He watched as the boy first paled, and then his mouth fell open in shock. He clearly had no way to answer the question so Sev continued.

"You have grown up in a safe home, and there is no doubt in my mind that you have had a sheltered life, but not everyone has. Many will see the injustice and attempt to do something about it. It is true that both previous self styled dark lords were insane, but they were able to become as strong as they did because of things like that. We need to make sure that we don't forget what happened, and how it happened because it can, and probably will happen again. Until we learn from the past we can't stop it. That is why history is so important. It also shows us where we come from. And reminds us how hard we have worked to reach the point we have now. Do you have any other questions ?"

"No… I… Do you know where I could find information on those silencing wards? I think I should at least try and pass my history OWL."

Sev thought for a moment and examined Bill critically. "I'll be right back, don't touch anything."

Sev went through the door that led to his personal room. Going to his book shelf he looked for the introduction to a warding book that he himself had used while studying for his OWL in the subject. It was the first book that had gotten him interested in the subject in the first place, it also had very useful information for casting wards at any level. Just before he left the room he stopped as the perfect punishment for skipping history class hit him. Going over he grabbed one of the history books that Remus had recommended. He then placed glamour charms on both so that if anyone other than he or Bill looked at them they would just see regular course books.

Once back in his office and sitting at his desk he handed the warding book over. "This, Mr. Weasley, is the book I used when I was first learning warding. It got me through my OWL in the subject. I will expect it back by the end of the school semester."

"Thank you professor."

"Now, for your punishment. As today all my classes were theoretical, so there are no dirty cauldrons, I have decided instead to assign you an essay." Severus then handed over the second book he had brought with him. "This was suggested by my friend who works as a historian at the bank. You are to pick a topic from the book and write me a minimum of two feet on it, due by the end of the weekend. Am I understood? And don't think of just regurgitating what it says in the book. I will be sending it to my friend and having him mark it to make sure that you actually understood what you were talking about."

"I understand sir. Sir, can I ask another question?" Severus gave a nod. "Why would a bank need a historian? I thought they just handled the money."

"The reason Gringotts needs historians is the same reason that they need curse breakers, which two other friends of mine are. You see, the goblins don't just handle money, they also find it. My friends are part of a team that tracks down and explores ancient tombs and gathers artefacts and knowledge. The bank's historians will examine different historical material until they find a tomb or temple mentioned that hasn't yet been found. By crossing the information from different sources they can usually narrow down where the ruin might be located. Then the curse breakers go in because most tombs have been layered with enchantments and curses to ensure that no one can get at what is hidden inside. Since there are no copyright laws that date back that far, any information or technology that they find can be used for free by the goblins or sold for profit. The historians and curse breakers that work for the bank are actually closer to those adventurers and treasure hunters that are so common in those books marketed to children your age."

"Really, you mean there are actually people that do stuff like that?"

"Yes, and they get paid very well for it too."

"Cool."

"Indeed Mr. Weasley. Now you had better get back up to the tower. We wouldn't want you to get caught out after curfew and get detention."

"Thank you sir, and good night."

Just before Bill left Severus called out a warning, a smirk playing around his lips. "Just remember Mr Weasley, you are technically not supposed to be in possession of that warding book. I have glamoured it to help hide it but you will still need to be careful. If you are caught with it then I will have no problem letting you go down for it. Like the self respecting Slytherin I am, I will have no problem telling anyone who asks where you got it that you must have stolen it."

"Of course sir. I would expect nothing less." Bill said with a smirk of his own before leaving.

Hogwarts - March 30, 1986

Bill Weasley had finally found something that fascinated him. Last semester, when he had had his career advice with McGonagall he had told her that he didn't really know what he should do. She had suggested that he should get a job in the ministry, just like his mother wanted.

But Bill really didn't want to. He saw the way that his dad was treated. He honestly hated the ministry for that. Then add in what Snape had said. It was clear that the ministry was completely intolerant of anyone that thought differently.

Now, he was sitting on his bed with the curtains closed reading, he was also exhausted. He actually hadn't slept last night. As soon as he had gotten back to his dorm he had decided that he wanted to get the essay out of the way and gotten to work.

He really wished that book was the kind of history that they learned. He had spent over an hour trying to decide on a topic. Eventually he settled on ancient Egypt.

Never had he finished an essay so quickly. He actually had almost three feet by the time the sun was coming up.

Then there was the warding book. As soon as he had finished the essay he started to read it. It was so interesting. He was still only on the basic information, and hadn't reached the point where he could start attempting to cast but he loved it. The book gave a step by step guide and explained how each was developed.

Bill thought all the different things you could do was amazing. It was too bad that the books had been taken out of the library. He really didn't understand why the headmaster would do that. It wasn't like warding was dark magic. It actually seemed less dangerous than some of the stuff that they learned in transfiguration. Self transfiguration, like what they would be learning next year, had much more potential for dangerous backlash.

Deciding that he wanted to get his essay to the professor, and try and get some access to more of the information that the headmaster was clearly hiding from the students, Bill went to leave. But he didn't get very far. Taking a single step, his legs started to give out underneath him. He clearly needed some sleep first.

Bill woke up just in time for dinner. After dinner was done he made a familiar trek down to Severus's office to hand in his essay.

Knocking, he was once again quickly granted entrance. Going over to where his professor sat, with a surprised look on his face. He handed over the parchment.

Severus was startled by not just how quickly the boy had finished his paper, but his appearance. Although Bill was never the most well put together of his students he was a mess right now. His clothes were rumpled and wrinkled. His slightly too long hair was a mess and made it appear as if he had just gotten out of bed. But the most startling thing was the dark circles under feverish bright eyes.

"I gave you the entire weekend Mr. Weasley. I'm surprised you managed to finish so quickly. Let's hope it isn't because you weren't putting in a decent effort."

"No sir. I just found it all so interesting. Given our history lessons here I didn't think I would like it. But it seems when you're not learning about goblin wars, from the ghost professor that speaks in monotone, history can actually be pretty interesting."

"And are you here just to hand in your essay or is there something else you would like Mr. Weasley?"

"I was wondering… I mean… I was hoping that you would be able to help me learn more about warding. I've only gotten a few chapters into the book, but I really want to learn more. I can't just start practising in my room if I want to be able to keep the book a secret, but I really don't know where I could study. I was also wondering, you said you used this book while you were studying for your OWL in warding. I've never heard of that OWL. Was it cancelled when those books were removed from the library?"

Severus thought quickly. He wasn't sure how Bill had gotten interested in warding and curse breaking in the original timeline but he could work this to his advantage. He could easily manipulate Minerva and Albus into allowing him access to the boy. It may be useful in the future.

"I think that I may be able to help you . I will casually mention to Minerva that you have been pestering me for extra potions lessons. She, naturally, being the lioness she is, will demand that I help you. During that time you will have access to my personal library."

"Thank you Professor."

"As for the OWL, no it was not cancelled. Hogwarts only offers 12 OWL and NEWT subjects, but the ministry offers OWLs and NEWTs in over 200 subjects, though most of those are languages. Anyone wishing to take tests in those subjects have to go to the ministry and pay to take the test during the summer."

Bill's face looks downcast. "Oh."

"Is there something wrong Mr. Weasley?"

"Not really sir. It's just my family doesn't… We don't really have much extra money you see."

"Neither did my family, Mr. Weasley. There is nothing stopping you from getting the money yourself."

"But how sir"

"It's called a summer job Mr. Weasley. As I love potions I took a summer job working at a potions apothecary starting the summer I turned 15. I then use that money to allow me to take any extra tests in any extra subjects I wanted as well as help save up for my mastery."

"But who would hire a student? I've been to Diagon Alley every year but I've never seen any help wanted signs."

"That's because the shops there tend to belong to old established families. Usually the only people hired to work in those stores are members of the family. I would suggest that you try one of the shops on River Run or one of the other alleys."

"Where is that? I can't get a job in Knockturn, my mother would kill me."

"Mr. Weasley, how many magical alleys do you think there are in London?"

"Three. There is Diagon Alley, of course, Knockturn, and I have heard of Celestial Alley. But I heard that it was really expensive."

"Wow, you really have been sheltered. There are actually 7 alleys. the three you mentioned plus Horizon, Morning Dew, Crimson Fang, and River Run. Horizon is where most of the manufacturing businesses are located. A lot of their goods are actually purchased by shops in Diagon and then sold at a marked up price. Morning Dew has both the older forms of magic and the newer age stuff. It's where the Temple of the Moon is located, which is a very important site to the original magical religion. You can also find a lot of the fortune tellers there, not the kind of stuff that is taught here, but the real seers. Crimson Fang is dedicated to black magic. I would never recommend that you go there, it is one of the most dangerous places in the city. Not even the ministry aurors go there. And then there is River Run. That area tends to be more academic, although at the far end of the alley is where the wildlife conservation area is. It has dozens of little shops focusing on transfiguration, charms, and many other subjects. I go there for top quality ingredients that I can't find anywhere else. It's also where the public library is, it's the biggest library in the country. If you really want to learn more I would suggest that you get a job in one of the used book stores, that will give you ready access to books. Spend the summer working and studying and you could apply to take any extra OWLs you want before school starts again in the fall. However I will warn you. If you decide to go to the alleys and get a job you should probably take your father with you for the first time. I don't want to risk getting one of your mothers howlers saying that I sent her poor, defenceless, baby somewhere dangerous."

They both grimaced as they remembered some of the howlers his mother had sent over the years. Although most of them were directed towards Charlie.

Then Severus had an idea. "And might I suggest that you convince your father to go with you by making a special trip to Horizon to visit Junior Technologies."

"What's Junior Technologies?"

"I assume you know about the Wizard Wireless Network." Bill nodded. "Well, the radio that you use to listen to it was developed by Sophia Junior from the preexisting muggle radios. With the money that she made from it she opened up Junior Technologies to combine other muggle technologies with magic to improve them. They struggle here in Britain due to the bigotry, but they are a very successful business around the world. Their shop in Horizon is the only one in the United Kingdom."

"That sounds just like something dad would love. Wait a minute. You mean that muggles developed the radio?"

Severus nodded. "It really is unfortunate that the muggle studies classes offered here are so far out of date."

"Anyways, that sounds like it could work. But something else you said sir. I thought that Hogwarts had the biggest library. Everyone says so."

"Hogwarts did have the biggest library a few decades ago. But over the past 50 years or so more and more books have been removed because people like the headmaster feel that they are too dangerous to allow children to have access too. The library that we have now is less than half of what it used to be. And it's only getting smaller. I know for a fact that Headmaster Dumbledore has already marked another dozen or so books that will be removed over the summer."

"That's insane. This is a school. We're supposed to be learning things. Isn't that the purpose of a school, to give us a safe environment to learn and ask questions. If we can't learn it here, in a secure environment, we might try to learn it on our own, and that could kill us if we don't know what we're doing."

"I agree. But I think that's enough for tonight. You need to get back to your dorm and actually get a proper night's rest. I will speak with Minerva tomorrow so don't be surprised if she tells you after class on Monday that she has arranged some extra potions lessons."

"Thank you sir. Goodnight."

Hogwarts, Staff Room - March 30, 1986

Severus hid a grin as he watched Minerva and Albus enter the staff room. They were in quiet discussion until they caught sight of Severus. He wondered what it was that they were trying to keep secret.

This was what he had been waiting for, and the only reason he had bothered to waste his time in the staff room.

"Ah, Minerva, good. I was hoping to have a word with you. You need to get one of your little lion cubs under control."

"And just what is that supposed to mean Severus?" Minerva's tone was icy. She was still angry about his implying that she was incompetent because one of her students got lost in the forest.

"William Weasley has decided that he wants a better potions grade because he is considering a job in the ministry and has decided that I should waste what little free time I have giving him private tutoring sessions."

Minerva and Albus glanced at each other and shared a small smile. Severus almost rolled his eyes, did these two not understand anything about being subtle.

"Now my dear boy. Surely you would be willing to help a young boy reach his dream. You know how Gryffindors can be when they want something. Lily was just the same. Surely it wouldn't take too much of your time to help him, it really is for the greater good my boy." Albus said with a twinkle.

Severus wanted to gag. He really didn't understand how he had missed their blatant manipulation, even with all the potions and bindings on him. These people had no tact.

They argued back and forth for about 10 minutes until Severus finally conceded. Severus then walked out of the room hiding a small grin.

As Severus was congratulating himself on a job well done so were Minerva and Albus. It had been their idea after all for Bill to join the ministry.

When Molly had originally gotten together with Arthur, they had planned on using his position in the Ministry to help achieve their goals, but that hadn't worked out. Arthur just didn't have what it took to truly make it within the current atmosphere of the ministry, an atmosphere that they enjoyed and cultivated.

Bill was a smart, powerful, pureblood that was clearly going to grow into a handsome young man. He was the perfect kind of person to rise to power within the ministry. And he was going to help them along the way.