Few things of note happened for Harry during the time between arriving at Bones Manor and his birthday. Most of the time was spent either practicing spells, dueling, and animagus transformations with Sirius or hanging out with Susan and her best friend, Hannah. Harry found that the three of them were similar in many ways and wondered why they hadn't become friends before.
Sirius had smiled and laughed when he had told Harry, Susan, and Amelia the name that he had come up with for his temporary disguise. Sirius had told them his name was Ernest Schwartz. It took a minute of thinking before Amelia smiled as well. Seeing the bewildered looks on the kids faces Sirius explained that Ernest was a name of German origin meaning serious and Schwartz was the German equivalent to the color black.
Sirius thought that it would be a great prank to play on the wizarding community since only people like Dumbledore would even think about a names origins.
Harry was amazed when his wand arrived and thought that it was one of the most amazing wands he had ever seen. Olivander had sent Harry a letter saying that it was taking longer than he thought it would to create a wand that could hold the basilisk venom and phoenix tears. He had also written that the goblins had told him about the sword they had created for him so instead of an emerald he had chosen an amethyst.
When harry had received the wand and grabbed it the connection felt similar to that of the elder wand. It was one of the closest connections to a wand that he had ever experienced between the wands that he had used in his current and past lives. Olivander also explained that his wand would be very hard to break since he had to melt the amethyst to form it. He said that it had taken a while because he had to melt one stone and create a hollow for the venom to sit in and he when the stone had dried he filled the hollow with the venom and then magically sealed it with more amethyst. He then did the same thing as before but placed the strip of venom infused amethyst in another hollow and coated it in phoenix tears before coating it in the final layer of amethyst. He then placed it inside the ash wood. When looking at the wand you could see at both ends a tiny bit of amethyst.
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The morning before Harry's 13th birthday he could be found dueling with Sirius. The two were currently fighting with bamboo Shinai (Japanese wooden swords typically used in kendo) Harry had placed the venom coated sword in his room at the manor and had had Sirius and Amelia create a case for it with wards around it preventing anyone but Harry from accessing it. The second sword was currently tied to his Potter ring but he could use magic to tie either wand to the ring.
"Harry, you have to be ready for anything. Most people will make it seem like they are planning on striking you in one spot but will change course mid-strike and hit you somewhere else." Harry had been attempting to block a strike that appeared to be going for his head. He felt a sharp pain in his side as the Shinai had struck him in the side.
XXXXXXX
Hannah and Susan were laying by the pool in lounge chairs both were wearing tank tops and short shorts and were talking as they observed the fight between Harry and Sirius. They watched as Harry had been struck in the side and couple more times before he was able to anticipate Sirius' moves.
"Harry learns pretty quickly and that Ernest guy is amazing. I thought that Harry would be beaten and bruised but he is holding him off pretty well." Hannah said amazed.
Susan nodded. "They have been practicing daily for a couple of weeks now. You should have seen Harry the first week. There were barely any bits of visible skin that weren't black and blue from the bruises. He has gotten a lot better and has even hit Ernest a couple of times. Auntie got Harry special permission from the ministry to duel with him using their wands as well. They usually fight with the wooden swords first and then take a short break before switching to dueling with their wands."
"We have kept it from Harry but we are trying to arrange a party for him tomorrow. We have contacted the Weasley's, Hermione Granger, and Neville, would you like to join us tomorrow if I get permission from auntie for you to join? She said that Ernest will be there as well."
Hannah nodded. "Of course. I would love to hang out with all of you." She said blushing slightly. When asked about the blush Hannah wouldn't answer.
"Aww come on. Why are you blushing? Who do you like?" Susan teased.
Hannah only shook her head, ignoring her best friend.
The two watched as Harry and Sirius ended the sword duel and they both went for water and a towel.
XXXXXXX
"Quick break, Harry. Grab some water, wipe your self off and take care of any business you need to. In ten minutes I want you back out here ready for a wizard's duel.
Harry nodded and walked to the bathroom to wipe the sweat off and use the restroom. He grabbed a bottle of water, downed it, and headed back out.
He saw Sirius talking to Susan and Hannah and thought about his training. Susan had been outside for most of his training. She had given him a few pointers about tricking Sirius but he had been unable to beat Sirius so far due to having to hide his knowledge of spells beyond his year. Sirius had kept most of the duels to first and second year spells.
Sirius walked over after talking to the girls and asked if he was ready.
Harry nodded and they stepped away from each other. Harry eyed Sirius and started moving to the left while Sirius mirrored his steps in the other direction. Harry cast a trip jinx at Sirius as he was moving hoping to knock him down while he was on his off foot. Sirius waved his wand and the spell was rebounded in his direction. Harry side stepped it and the duel began. Harry was firing disarming and knockback spells while dodging. Before he knew it Sirius was chaining spells together, sending more spells at Harry than he could effectively dodge. Harry decided to use a shield charm and would say he had read about it and had been practicing it if asked. He yelled "PROTEGO" and the shield appeared. Everyone was shocked at the strength of the shield as it held against several of Sirius' spells.
"STOP." Sirius yelled. Both stopped and Harry leaned over panting. He hated this younger body. While he had kept the knowledge of his older self and because of the lord ring and family magic he was stronger this time but he was still resenting the endurance this body had.
"That was a great shield, Harry, I didn't know that you knew it." Sirius said suspiciously
"I have been reading ahead in my free time and also have had Dobby by me advanced books in the areas I find interesting. The shield charm was one of the spells that I found and wanted to use.
Sirius then sat down with Harry and started to teach him a shield spell that would allow him to shield the spell and then redirect it back at the caster. He also explained that there were a couple of things that he could work on that would allow him to speed up his casting. There were two methods. He could use point casting, which is a method that many use. This method forces the caster to be in tune with his magic as he forces a greater deal of magic through his wand but allows for the removal of the wand movements. He then explained that the second method was for Harry to create spell chains. This would allow Harry to end one wand movement and immediately move into another. Sirius said that this was more commonly used and was further enhanced with nonverbal casting.
Harry already knew of most of what Sirius was talking about but nodded to show that he was paying attention. He was currently watching Susan and Hannah out of the corner of his eye as they had gotten up and walked into the house. Sirius had also noticed that they had left.
"Alright, Harry since we cant be overheard at the moment I want to talk to you about your animagus form. I already explained what you should be able to do but I also wanted to tell you how it can be used in a fight. Most wizards use their forms casually but some have learned to fight with them as well. You can fight with yours as it is an animal that can be protective and usually is nocturnal. Due to that their darker color allows them to blend in. Most people have not learned that you can speed up the transformation. My friends and I, which includes your father, became animagi to help someone with their werewolf transformation. We spent a lot of time in our forms and became very familiar with Hogwarts and our forms. We learned that as we became more familiar with our "inner animal" we could transform faster and by push more magic into it we could transform into and back faster than anyone else. I want you to start practicing this while you are alone or with me. Eventually we will incorporate it into our duels. My friends and I had nicknames while we were at school. I was Padfoot, your father was Prongs, our werewolf friend Remus was Moony, and another friend Peter (said with venom) was Wormtail. I would like to give you a nickname and induct you into the Maruaders, our pranking group. You will be known as Shadow. If we find the map I will remove the traitor's name and add yours."
Sirius left Harry telling him he had stuff to do in Diagon Alley and told him that since tomorrow was his birthday he would have no training. Harry planned to sleep in, not having any plans for the day tomorrow.
XXXXXXX
Harry woke up shortly before 10 on his birthday and walked into the kitchen looking for Dobby or Holly to cook him something special for his birthday. Harry jumped as he entered the dining room. He was not prepared for the "HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY" to be yelled from the large group of people standing in the room. He looked around the room and saw. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Ron, Ginny, Fred, George, Hermione, Neville, Hannah, Susan, Amelia and her personal Auror guard and protégé, Tonks.
"Thanks, guys. I didn't expect anyone to be here for my birthday." A lone tear was threatening to escape from his eye. He hadn't celebrated with anybody but the Weasley's, Hermione, and Sirius in the original timeline. "This means a lot."
He got a lot of appalled looks from everyone. He knew that they suspected this was the first time he had had a birthday party.
They sat down and Dobby and Holly brought in some of Harry's favorites, he had shepherd's pie and treacle tart on his plate and was reveling in the conversations that he was having with his friends and people he considered family.
As Ron's shirt pocket moved, Harry realized that he had brought Scabbers. Harry tensed, knowing something was about to happen, as Sirius (looking like Ernest) looked towards the pocket.
Before anyone realized what was happening, Sirius had growled "Wormtail" and had thrown a stunning spell at Ron's pocket. Sirius' aim was spot on despite the fact that Ron had attempted to move out of the way of the spell. The stunning spell and the attempted dodge caused scabbers to fall out of the pocket and onto the floor.
"Nobody move" Amelia said. Touching the pin on her robes. She was attempting to keep the situation calm as Sirius was still pointing his wand at Ron, the Weasley parents had theirs pointed at "Ernest", and the twins were looking back and forth between their brother and "Ernest."
"What is going on?" Amelia interrogated, switching from her friend and family persona to her Head Auror persona.
Sirius started speaking. He looked at Harry as he said. "I am sorry. That rat is not what you think it is and I am not who I appear to be." As Sirius touched his ring his Ernest persona disappeared. There was a shriek of "Sirius Black" from Mrs. Weasley and many of the people, excluding Harry, Susan, and Amelia, hurried from their seats and stepped back.
Ron looked at him startled and asked "what do you mean? This rat has been in my family for years."
"Amelia, you have trusted me so far, please trust me. I would bet that rat has been in your family for almost 13 years. Tell me what is the lifespan for a common garden rat?"
At this statement most of the adults and Hermione's eyes widened. Most of the wands shifted from pointing at Sirius to pointing at the rat.
"That rat is an Animagus of someone most of you thought to be long dead." Looking at Ron, Sirius said, "your rat is actually the animagus form of a man named Peter Pettigrew."
With that spells were shot from Amelia, Molly, and Arthur's wands just as a group of aurors ran into the room. Everyone watched as a man sprouted from the rat. The Weasley's, especially Molly and Ginny, looked disgusted, while many of the others looked appalled.
The aurors looked between the man who was believed to be dead and Sirius Black not sure who to point their wands at.
Amelia made the decision for them. "I am sorry for keeping this from everyone but Sirius Black is under my protection. The rest of you may stay here and continue to celebrate Harry's birthday but I need all of the Aurors and Arthur to follow me to the ministry cells. Tonks, Stay here and make sure that no one harms the people in this house, including Sirius Black. I will either floo you here or send a summons.
Everyone returned to a far less lively birthday party. Most were wondering what was happening at the ministry. Presents had been opened and the adults were lounging while the kids were discussing the presents. Harry had received a book on pranking spells and potions for dueling from Sirius, Zonko's products from the twins, a book on Parsletongue magic from Hermione (she had found it on vacation), a book on quidditch teams and tactics from Ron, some of Harry's favorite sweets from Ginny, a book of healing plants from Neville, auror tactics and spells from Amelia and Tonks, and a couple of books on dueling from Hannah and Susan.
Ron looked appalled at all of the books that Harry had received and was shaking his head as Harry and the girls were looking through the spells in the dueling spell books while Harry also discussed some of the plants used for healing with Neville. Neville had run into Hannah and Susan in Diagon Alley and had learned from them that Harry had been practicing dueling. Harry smiled thinking about Neville's affinity for Herbology.
XXXXXXX
Amelia flooed into the house shortly after three and told everyone to follow her back to the ministry. She explained that there was an emergency Wizengamot session to hold a trial for both Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. "I had to tell everyone in the Wizengamot that I knew where Sirius Black was and that I had him in custody so I will have to put magic restraining cuffs on you until we get there. I will also have Tonks and Shacklebolt as your guards as they are the ones that I trust the most."
Amelia immediately rushed them into the Wizengamot court room. Harry looked around amazed at the size and appearance of the room. The room was almost as large as the great hall at Hogwarts. Harry noticed a large assortment of fancy looking desks with crests that Harry recognized. Each desk had two straight backed chairs behind them. He also noticed the same shade of purple adorning the hall as the shade of purple from his Potter Crest. He watched as the color of the room shifted to the same shade of red as the Bones Crest. He would have to ask about it later but assumed the room changed to match the color of the various members of the Wizengamot.
Shortly after Harry entered the Wizengamot room Dumbledore stood up and waved his wand at the doors, which shut and glowed.
"As Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, I bring this Emergency session of the Wizengamot to order and defer to Madam Bones."
At these words the head of law enforcement stood up from the Lady Bones chair and walked over. She looked around the room and noticed that several of the "dark" faction were missing, most notably Lucius Malfoy. She thought this was strange, he never missed an opportunity to display his contempt for everyone.
"Early this morning, July 31, 1993, I was celebrating with family and friends when an incident occurred that caused this session to be called." Amelia looked at Tonks and Shacklebolt and nodded. As the two left the room she continued. "This morning Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew were apprehended. I have requested that the two aurors that just left bring them in."
There was a large uproar at this last statement in both sides of the chambers. One of the people in the viewing section of the courtroom even stated "That's impossible, Pettigrew is Dead, Black killed him 12 years ago."
A sound like a gunshot rang from Dumbledore's wand. "SILENCE! Any one who speaks out of turn like that again and you will be thrown out and charged for contempt."
Tonks and Shacklebolt then brought in the two men. Everyone watched as a clean shave but clearly underweight man walked in and a man who was short and overweight with the appearance of having lost quite a bit in a short amount of time. Both were stumbling into the room with their arms and legs attached to shackles and chains. Both were led to sit in front of the head of law enforcement. As the sat, the chairs produced chains that secured them to the chairs.
"I will begin with Sirius Black." Amelia began. "You have been brought forward to speak of the crimes you have been charged with before you escaped from Azkaban. You have been charged with aiding Lord Voldemort (a shudder went through most of the crowd and those sitting in the Wizengamot seats) in the murders of James and Lily Potter, the attempted murder of Harry James Potter, the murder of Peter Pettigrew and 13 muggles, and escape from Azkaban. Obviously some of this is untrue since Peter Pettigrew is sitting next to you. How do you plead?"
"Not guilty, of all charges except escape from Azkaban. Madam." Sirius said in a confident tone.
"What proof do you have and how did you escape?"
"I am willing to be dosed with Veritaserum or take another oath on top of the Godfather's Oath. All could have been avoided if Crouch or Minister Bagnold had seen fit to give me a trial the first time. You will find no trial documents for my incarceration."
Many in the courtroom gasped when Sirius stated that he had not received a trial the first time and that he had taken the Godfather's oath. It was common knowledge that even people like the Lestranges, who had tortured the Longbottom aurors to insanity, had received trials. Most also knew that if Sirius Black had sworn the Godfather's Oath he would not be alive today if he had turned on the Potters.
Amelia looked around the room and stared at Crouch the longest. She angrily asked another auror, John Dawlish, to bring the file on Sirius Black. A couple of minutes later, Dawlish reappeared and stated that there was nothing in the file other than his OWLs, NEWTs, and Auror academy scores.
"Based on the lack of trial information and your word on the Godfather oath. I will ask that you have the oath tested infront of us. If this oath is in effect and agrees you have done no harm. I will ask one more question and then we will question Pettigrew under Veritaserum. If you have lied at any point about the oath. Pettigrew will be set free and apologies from the ministry will be given with the only charges being tried are those of being an unregistered animagus and hiding amongst a wizarding family without their knowledge."
Amelia then instructed Sirius Black in the appropriate request for his magic to test his oath. She then asked for him to proceed.
"I, Sirius Black, ask my magic to determine if I have done my duties as godfather up to my imprisonment in Azkaban and after escaping from Azkaban."
Sirius' magic flared and everyone could see his magic flare and then examine his actions. Sirius smiled as the flared magic lessened. He let out a relieved sigh.
Pettigrew yelled. "NNNNOOOOOO"
Dumbledore pointed his wand at him and he was silenced.
Amelia nodded and again questioned Sirius.
"How did you escape Azkaban and why did you do it."
"Fudge gave me his paper when he did his annual visit to the prison when I asked I saw Pettigrew on the front page in his Animagus form. He, James, and I became Animagi when we were in our 5th year to help a friend of ours. I escaped from Azkaban in order to protect my godson. I do not know why Pettigrew had not done so before but I feared that he would harm Harry. When the dementors next brought me food I was in my animagus form and ran out the door and set out to find Harry."
Amelia pulled the minister and chief warlock closer to her and discussed the trial with them. All three nodded and she turned to Sirius.
"You will be cleared of all charges except the escape from Azkaban and being an illegal animagus. Normally you would be fined for being an illegal animagus, however, we will wave that and the escape as time served. The ministry will be giving you 12 years of Head Auror pay for your unlawful imprisonment."
She then turned to Dumbledore and then Auror Shacklebolt. "Please give Pettigrew three drops of Veritaserum and remove the silencing charm.
"Please state your name for the Wizengamot."
"Peter Pettigrew"
"Were You responsible for the deaths of Lily and James Potter and 13 muggles."
"Yes"
"How were you responsible?"
"I was made the secret keeper for the Potter's at the request of Sirius Black. He believed that it would be too obvious for them to have him as the secret keeper. Once Sirius performed the magic to make me the secret keeper. I hurried to tell Lucius Malfoy, who was training me as a new recruit for Voldemort's Death eaters, this betrayal earned me the dark mark."
He lifted his sleeve and showed it to the Wizengamot before continuing.
"I watched as the Dark Lord killed my old friends and attempted to kill their son. When the spell backfired I grabbed my lords wand and fled. Sirius found me a couple of days later. While he asked why I turned on my friends I yelled LILY AND JAMES, SIRIUS, HOW COULD YOU? When the muggles came out I threw a blasting hex at the gas line and transformed into a rat after cutting off my finger."
"You mentioned receiving the mark for turning on your friends, was this willingly done?
"Yes, you have to want to willingly take on the dark mark. Most who receive it have to either kill or torture another person. You cannot be forced to take the dark mark.
At this there were many outraged cries and some people attempted to flee the room. Amelia ordered her aurors to stun the people attempting to flee. Pettigrew to be given the antidote and the stunned for transfer to Azkaban. She also touched the auror badge on her robes and several pops were heard as what appeared to be every on duty auror appeared.
"Find and arrest the following: Lords Crabbe, Malfoy, Goyle, Avery, Nott, Selwyn, Yaxley and Flint. If there are any others who claimed to be under the imperious and were ordered to follow Voldemort bring them in. If they have the Dark Mark immediately arrest them.
"Dawlish, I need you to take a team of Aurors to Azkaban with these prisoners. Get as many as you feel you need. Shacklebolt and Tonks will stay and make sure that Sirius Black is safe until the news is sent out later."
Dawlish nodded and left to gather the aurors he needed. He returned 15 minutes later with five other aurors to transfer the prisoners.
Dumbledore then ended the emergency session of the Wizengamot and released everyone in the room.
XXXXXXX
Unfortunately, things did not go according to plan. Dawlish and a few unnamed aurors were ambushed as they appeared with Pettigrew, Walden Macnair (who was in his office and had warned Malfoy and some of the other death eaters), and Theodore Nott Sr. Dawlish was the only one to escape and was grievously wounded. The only thing that saved his life was the ability of the aurors to apparate past any ministry erected wards. This allowed him to apparate directly into St. Mungos. He managed to be completely healed except for a scar from the loss of his arm due to splinching.
Sorry for the pause in updating. I took a week off from work and decided to do nothing but read for enjoyment. I will go back to updating my story as often as I can with at least a chapter a week. I will try to do more than that if I have time. I have plans for most of the future of this book, however at times I will ask what my readers would like to see happen. The following will be a choice for yall to have a decision on. Harry came to the past to save those people he was previously mourning. Would yall like to see him save everyone he can (they may or may not have injuries that cannot be fixed) or do you still want character deaths.
Ahsoka