Hey guys, welcome to a little brain bug I had while watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I was watching and thought, "Huh, what would happen if Harry just finally snapped at the trial and decided to just be done with all the bullshit?" and here we are.
Just gonna be honest with y'all, I'm winging this, I've got no set plan or idea of what I'm going to be doing for this as we go, which includes pairings. It could either be very good or turn into shit, either way it should at least be interesting.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or anything that is affiliated with, connected to, or part of it's universe, workings, or whatnot. I also don't own anything from things I may put into this as we go since this could become a full crossover or it may stay isolated, not sure what yet.
"Speech"
"Thoughts"
[Paper, letter, Radio, and such]
{Parseltongue)
CHAPTER 1: BREAKING POINT
WIZENGAMOT CHAMBER
Harry Potter, aka Boy-Who-Lived, was not having a good day… scratch that, the entire fucking passed year had been absolute SHIT.
First the attack on the Quidditch World Cup led by Death Eaters.
Getting taught by a Death Eater in disguise for most of the school year.
Getting put into Triwizard Tournament, which was banned for the mortality rate.
Ron, and others, abandoning him because they thought he was a cheat or trying to take the spotlight.
Surviving the tournament tasks through luck and help from Barty Crouch Jr.
Then the fucking graveyard: Cedric killed, Voldemort being resurrected through Harry's unwilling participation, the Death Eaters coming, then fucking dueling the Dark Lord himself and barely being able to escape.
Going back to Hogwarts to find out that everyone was going to deny his claims and everything else.
Then going back to the Dursleys.
Fighting two Dementors that had ambushed him.
Being told that he's expelled from Hogwarts.
Finding out that he'd been slandered in the paper for months.
And now he was on trial for fighting the two dementors in front of his cousin Dudley.
The only satisfying things were he got to see his parents in the graveyard and then got to see Sirius again at Grimmauld Place.
Two highlights for the shit show that his school time had been so far.
And now he was listening to these people go on and on about shit and not getting anywhere, talking like he didn't even exist or have a thought in his head besides what was told to him.
Well, this was just the final straw, the last hit to make Harry finally fucking have enough. His head was killing him, he was moody, irritable, angry, hormonal, and nearly ready to explode every moment on top of having a powerful mass murderinng psychopath after him.
This shit just finally ignited his very short fuse.
"ENOUGH!" Harry finally shouted, quieting the room as he stood and glared at them all. "Enough. Stop talking about me as if I'm some naïve child and that I'm not even the room!" He roared shocking everyone as they looked at him stunned.
"HOW DARE YOU!" A woman shrieked from the stands as she glared at Harry while wearing her official robes. "You will not talk to us that way, you-" She started before Harry glared at her and the room began to get colder while his eyes burned brighter.
"Shut up, you fucking toad!" Harry stated, not knowing who the fuck she is but she certainly looked the part of a toad.
He didn't notice that some people were trying to suppress their laughter at that comment, even if many still had shock on their faces.
"You want proof, is that it Fudge? YOU WANT PROOF?!" Harry roared, not noticing or caring that his glasses had cracked and broken off his face, his eyes were glowing brightly enough that it looked like the killing curse would launch out of them at any moment, or that the room was getting colder as his magic was seeping out of him in waves.
He also didn't notice that his scar was bleeding and glowing a blazing red, blue, silver, white, and gold mixed with black almost like two or three magics were fighting within it and that fight was trying to spill out into the open. If anyone was truly examining it, they'd see a green glow slowly growing within the mixing.
"I… that is… uh… yes. YES! Where is the proof?!" Fudge managed to recover just enough to say, but instantly quieted at the look Harry gave him.
"Fine." Harry growled as he turned and grabbed Dumbledore's wand, his having been confiscated until after the trial. He raised it high in the air and glared at them all, ignoring the couple of aurors that aimed their wands at him, as they watched in shock as the wand glowed brightly, "I, Hadrian Arcturus Potter, heir to and soon-to-be lord of the Most Ancient and Noble Houses of Potter, Peverell, and Black, do hereby swear on my life, magic, and my very soul that I used the Patronus Charm in front of my cousin Dudley, who is the muggle I am accused of using magic in front of in spite of the fact I live with him and thus he knows about magic already, to protect him and I from two dementors. I swear that I saw Voldemort return in the graveyard at the end of the Triwizard Tournament; I swear that I was made to compete and placed into the tournament by an Agent of Voldemort's to ensure I'd win so I'd use the portkey on the cup; I swear that I fought Voldemort in the graveyard that the cup took me and Cedric Diggory to; I swear that I saw him kill Cedric Diggory and was helpless to do anything about it; and I swear that Peter Pettigrew was there and helped do it! So I have sworn it, so may it be!" Harry exclaimed causing a flash of magic making many look on in shock and Fudge pale in fear as Harry was still standing, meaning the vows were real and true.
Magical vows like that only worked if they were true, not if the person giving the vow believed them to be true. Meaning, everything the boy just swore to was the genuine truth, it was why they were so useful, but they were also deadly. If even one bit of the vow wasn't true, it meant that the speaker would die, but if they didn't… well… you had the undeniable truth.
Voldemort had returned, the boy hadn't been lying and neither was Dumbledore.
Though a few wondered how he was the soon to be lord of some houses.
"You know what? Fuck it! Let's keep going, shall we! Let's just unload all the shit I've been keeping bottled up for the last FIVE FUCKING YEARS" Harry stated angrily as his eyes glowed brighter and his hair began standing on end as he kept the wand raised and the glow from it increased while his scar was slowly losing the black glow as said glow was being consumed by the red, blue, gold, white, silver, and green while said colors were fusing/mixing together though the green was slowly becoming the most prominent. "I, Hadrian Arcturus Potter, heir to and soon-to-be lord of the Most Ancient and Noble Houses of Potter, Peverell, and Black, do hereby swear on my life, magic, and my soul that I saw Peter Pettigrew alive and well in my third year at Hogwarts and heard him confess that he betrayed my parents to Voldemort and caused the explosion that killed those 13 muggles and that he framed Sirius Black for it; I swear that he had been living as a rat, as that is his unregistered Animagus form, for over a decade to hide and bide his time to act in some manner; I swear that my Godfather, Sirius Orion Black, was never given a trial for his accused crimes and was thrown in Azkaban without due process or verification that he was a Death Eater; I swear that in my first year, I fought Voldemort while he was possessing Professor Quirrell and stopped him from stealing the Sorcerer's Stone; I swear that I fought him and stopped him from unleashing a 70 foot Basilisk in my second year while destroying a dark artifact of his and killing said Basilisk with a sword while being poisoned by said Basilisk." Harry listed making them all gape at him in shock and horror.
However, Harry wasn't done and the more he talked/swore, the more the black glow was consumed by the others in his scar.
"I swear that Voldemort's real name is Tom Marvolo Riddle, the bastard son of a muggle and a squib from the Gaunt Family; I swear that he is a half-blood and not a pureblood; I swear that he was the one to tell me this; I swear that he opened the Chamber of Secrets in the 1940s, caused the death of Myrtle Warren, and that he framed Rubeus Hagrid for it; I swear that Lord Malfoy is the one who gave the dark artifact to a student hoping for the attacks to happen; I swear he was a Death Eater of his own free will and came to the Graveyard when Voldemort called for his followers after his resurrection; I swear that Lord Crabbe, Lord Goyle, Lord Nott, and a man named Macnair answered Voldemort's call too and were still swearing their loyalty and devotion to him! I swear that Voldemort addressed them by name and tore off their Death Eater masks to show their identities. So I have sworn it, so may it be!" Harry stated as he was still very angry and ignored the flash of magic, which occurred the same time his scar flashed and the black glow was gone and the others began to settle and mix back into his scar, as he tossed the wand back to Dumbledore, who was too stunned to catch it and everyone was too stunned to see that it was still glowing.
Harry took some deep breaths to calm himself, but he hadn't reined in his magic that much and everyone seemed too stunned to even speak at this moment.
"I trust, Minister Fudge, that I am cleared of all charges?" Harry asked after a long silence of him trying to calm back down, though admittedly he felt better than he had in years or ever in fact, causing Fudged to fumble over his words trying to comprehend things. "I mean, the fact that I performed magic in front of a muggle relative who is aware of magic should have negated most of the charges. The fact that the underage law doesn't apply to me also should have taken care of the rest of the charges against me even if I hadn't used magic in self defense." Harry stated making people look at him again.
"W-what do you mean, Mr. Potter?" A woman in the audience asked, still in shock.
"Simple, Madam, when I was forcefully entered into the Triwizard Tournament, I was told by Barty Crouch Senior that I was entered into a magically binding contract. However, because my legal guardians were never consulted over it, I shouldn't have been able to enter into the contract since I was underage. However, I was then informed the contract was formed with or without consent and both the Goblet of Fire and Ministry would enforce the contract, thus meaning in the eyes of the Ministry, I am of age since they decreed that only those of age were to compete. Then there is the fact that despite my being underage, I am being tried as an adult for this trial, thereby meaning the Ministry views and recognizes me as an adult and as such I am classified as of age and therefore the underage laws do not apply to me." Harry explained making everyone widen their eyes further.
"That is, of course, unless the Minister is going to admit that the ministry has committed fraud, knowingly endangering a minor, corruption, illegally allowing a minor to compete in an official tournament, forcing a minor to compete in a lethal tournament, railroading a minor, trying a minor as an adult without just cause, and possibly other illegal acts under his command to treat a minor as an adult despite not being legally recognized as such." Harry commented as he looked at Fudge, who was paler than Voldemort was and seemed to be trying to say anything at this point.
"I think, given the legality of things as they stand, we must allow Mr. Potter to assume his titles and responsibilities." A rather strict looking witch with red hair stated.
"M-madam Bones, you can't be serious!" Another member shouted and Amelia merely looked at him.
"I am. If we do not, then as head of the DMLE, I will be required to arrest everyone here who did not object to Mr. Potter being tried as an adult, knowing full well he was still underage. If he is to be tried as an adult, then by our laws he is to be recognized as an adult along with all the privileges that come with it." The now identified madam Bones informed making many pale in fear since that was a serious charge and could send many of them to Azkaban, or at least ruin them for years.
"I can't technically claim the Black Lordship yet, Sirius is still Lord Black as he was never officially excommunicated from his family despite his mother's wishes and being sent to Azkaban doesn't remove you from your seat for your house." Harry clarified making her and others nod.
"Understandable, I can assure you as well that the DMLE will be looking into your godfather's case as to what happened and why he wasn't given a trial since if he didn't have a dark mark, then the previous head had no right to put him directly in Azkaban without trial." Madam Bones answered making Harry nod while Fudge paled even further.
He'd have to work fast to save his image and face, but that also begged the question of should he? He was known to be connected to Lucius Malfoy, which would hurt him now that Potter revealed he was a real Death Eater. Plus if you-know-who was really back, he'd want the Ministry and that meant Fudge would either have to serve him or they'd kill him! The last war had over a dozen ministers killed in combat or assassinated, Fudge didn't want to be one of them!
"I'd recommend going after the likes of Malfoy, Nott, Crabbe, Goyle, and Macnair before they get wind of this trial or they could disappear and the only chance to deal with them is if they join their fellows in attacks. Better to get them now and drain all their information than lose them and they continue being their master's pets." Harry stated coldly making Madama Bones pause a moment before nodding.
"I see your point." She stated before nodding to a very serious looking man, who returned the nod and left the chambers to get a move on that bit of action.
"Since this is still a trial, we will need a vote, I assume?" Harry asked making many nod.
"All those in favor of the accused being cleared of all charges and that he be given his full of age rights?" Madam Bones called as Fudge still looked incapable of speaking.
The room practically moved with how fast hands went up, all but two people voting in favor of Harry.
Said two being Fudge and the toad woman, one because he was still frozen in shock and the other because she was VERY pissed off.
"It seems the motion passes, and Lord Potter-Peverell is free to go." Madam Bones stated, knowing her title as Head of the DMLE let her take over if the minister and Chief Warlock weren't able to do their duties.
A flash around Harry showed the chamber, which was heavily warded and enchanted, accepted Harry as the Lord of the two houses he was eligible for.
"I'll need the trace removed from my wand." Harry absently stated, feeling like something just clicked into place inside or something inside was unlocked. He felt lighter, stronger, and more calm and collected than before.
"Well, with this meeting concluded, I can handle that simple process if you'd be kind enough to follow me to my department." Madam Bones stated as she stood and headed for the door with Harry falling in behind her after giving a dramatic bow to the chamber.
"Do you need medical attention, Lord Potter?" Madam Bones asked casually once they were outside and the doors closed.
"No, why?" He asked curiously causing Madam Bones to frown.
"Lord Potter, you're currently bleeding from your scar and it also seems you no longer need your glasses if the way you seem to see fine after they broke is any indication." She informed and Harry touched up by his scar and saw that he did have blood on his hand.
"Huh, so I am… but I don't feel any pain, in fact I've never felt better in all my life, strange." Harry stated absentmindedly as he really hadn't felt this good before.
His eyesight was fine.
He wasn't having a constant headache.
His mind felt clearer.
He didn't feel angry constantly.
His magic felt more… free and more powerful.
He didn't understand it, but he certainly liked it.
"I see, allow me though." Madam Bones stated as she withdrew her wand and vanished the blood from his face and clothes.
"Thank you." Harry responded as they kept walking. "So, I can only assume your Susan's aunt?" He asked as they got in the elevator.
"Indeed, you know Susan?" She asked curiously and Harry shrugged.
"Not as well as I'd like, but we've had conversations at times. She was one of the few who hadn't turned their back on me in my second year when the majority of the school thought I was the Heir of Slytherin and was the one causing the attacks." Harry revealed making her nod.
"I worry about her, sometimes. We're the last of our house, I can look after myself but Susan has always been a more gentle sort than ready to fight." She stated making Harry look at her.
"You can skip the subtlety and politicking whenever you're ready, madam." Harry spoke casually making her lips twitch a bit into a smile.
"Very well, I was wondering if you could perhaps, look after Susan during the school year, and possibly beyond." Madam Bones requested, making Harry raise his eyebrows in surprise.
"You realize I'm probably old moldy-shorts' number 1 target if Dumbledore isn't, right? Are you sure you'd want me getting closer to her and putting a bigger target on her back?" Harry asked as Madam Bones nodded.
"True, but you're also the most capable student of your year and have managed to beat the Dark Lord 3 times and escaped him once, meaning you have more experience against him than anyone. Plus, you can already cast a Patronus Charm at your age, highly impressive and Susan also speaks highly of you and I trust her judgement." She informed before smirking, "Besides, you strike me as someone who would unleash a dragon's wrath to protect his friends, so what better person to have look after Susan if needed?" She asked and Harry snorted.
"Fair enough." Harry stated as the door opened and she led him to her office where she sat behind a desk and placed his wand on said desk.
She then waved her wand over a couple times as it glowed a silver color, but the more she waved her wand the more the glow faded away. After about the 15th wave, the glow flashed and faded away.
"There, I can assure you that there is no way for the Ministry to track your wand anymore, nor what spells you use." Madam Bones stated as she handed him his wand.
Harry took it, but internally he was frowning as he felt that his connection to his wand was broken. It didn't feel like it did before this happened, did he somehow outgrow his wand because of his ascension to being a Lord or was there something else?
It could wait regardless; he'd try using it at Grimmauld Place and then go from there depending on how it felt to use it.
"Thank you, Madam Bones, and I'll try to help Susan, but I can't truly promise anything." He informed making her nod.
"I understand, just do what you can, please." She stated as Harry bowed his head to her and turned to leave, but paused a moment.
"Madam Bones… hypothetically, if someone knew where Sirius Black was and could convince him to turn himself in to give his testimony and be given his innocence, would you hypothetically have to arrest that person for harboring or aiding a fugitive?" Harry asked, his back to her still.
"Hypothetically, I may, but seeing as how Lord Black was never convicted, then he was imprisoned unjustly and that would dampen any charge aimed at said person. Though his escaping could be an issue." Madam Bones stated as Harry hummed.
"And if, hypothetically, there wasn't a law against escaping from Azkaban?" Harry asked making her raise her eyebrows a moment before she summoned a thick book to her and began flipping the pages of it before pausing.
"Hypothetically, at worst Lord Black would face a fine and maybe time served for wrongful imprisonment as he did flee authorities and the like." She commented after a moment.
"And, hypothetically, with the backing of a lord of two most ancient and noble houses?" He asked looking back at her.
"Consider his main opponents are now disgraced and without much weight to throw around, he'd be perfectly fine and at worst would have to pay a fine that would be covered by the compensation the ministry would be forced to give for wrongful imprisonment… hypothetically that is." She stated after some thought.
"So hypothetically, if he was convinced to be dropped off in a location of your choosing or brought in by a couple trusted followers, you could ensure he was given said trial and ensure Fudge couldn't try to sweep things under the rug?" Harry asked and she nodded.
"Yes, I do believe so, hypothetically that is, I'm sure a couple members of a certain bird group could do it." She stated gazing meaningfully at him.
"Hypothetically, if such a group exists, I'd barely know anything other than their existence." Harry stated and she looked at him a moment before nodding.
"Well, this was a delightful, hypothetical, conversation. Do feel free to contact me in the future, should you need anything, Lord Potter-Peverell." She spoke making him nod.
"If such a trial did come about, I'd hypothetically appreciate being informed and not relying on the minister's messengers to inform me like they did Dumbledore for my trial." Harry stated making her nod. "Good day to you, Madam Bones." He stated before nodding and heading out.
LATER: GRIMMAULD PLACE
There was stunned silence throughout Grimmauld place as Dumbledore just finished telling the order and the children what had happened at court.
Many couldn't believe Harry had done what he did, swearing back to back vows to prove his point and innocence.
His friends were stunned at the fact Harry finally stood up for himself, and against some of the most powerful people in the magical world at that.
The silence was broken by joyous and roaring laughter causing everyone to turn and see Sirius Black as the cause. Many were stunned as they had never seen the man so happy and joyous since before he was sent to Azkaban, though Severus Snape was scowling and rolling his eyes at the man.
"Sirius, this isn't a joking matter." Remus Lupin stated as he looked at his best friend.
"Ha… oh… ha…. I'm sorry, Remus, I just can't help it! That is completely something Lily would have done if she were alive, she never was one to wait until people finally came to an agreement and Merlin help any fool who called her a liar. James would have wholeheartedly supported it and both would have made that comment at that Umbridge woman." Sirius stated as he got his laughter under control.
Snape's scowl lessened slightly since even if he hated Sirius, Remus, and James Potter, and Pettigrew to a greater extent for betraying Lily, he couldn't refute Sirius' claim that Lily would have done that too. She was fiery and passionate about a lot things, but don't you dare call her a liar or anything close to it or the "Tiger Lily" would come out.
"Besides, you can't deny that this helps us in the long run, now there's irrefutable proof that the dark wanker is back and steps can be taken immediately and we won't have to worry about the Ministry dogging Dumbledore or us constantly over it." Sirius stated making many nod in agreement since now that confirmation was there, many could be called on to help and it wouldn't just be on the word of two famous wizards.
"Yes, yes, that's all well and good, but I'd still like to talk to Harry about this. Where is he?" Dumbledore stated making everyone freeze as they turned to look at him.
"He's not with you?" Sirius asked with fear creeping in his voice.
"No, he left the chamber with Madam Bones to have the trace removed from his wand and I assumed he met with Arthur or Kingsley to return here." Dumbledore stated now feeling his own worry creep in since he was trying to keep his distance from Harry so that Voldemort wouldn't be tempted to use their growing connection to attack Harry's mind and possibly dominate it.
"Does anyone know where he is?! We have to find him!" Sirius shouted as he stood and was ready to start looking, but it wasn't necessary.
"I'm here, Sirius." Harry stated from the doorway making everyone turn to him.
They saw him standing there in some black jeans, boots, a red long sleeved shirt, and no glasses while he had a bag on his shoulder.
"Harry!" Sirius stated as he moved and hugged him tight, "Thank Merlin, where were you?!" Sirius asked as he looked him over, absently finding that his eyes seemed much brighter without his glasses, it also broke the illusion that he was nearly the clone or twin of James Potter by quite a bit.
"Sorry, after I had the trace removed, I tried to make my way back to the guest entrance, but ended up in the main atrium and just used the floo network there to go to Gringotts figuring I could have the Night Bus take me back here. Only when I got there, I had to speak to a Goblin that's in charge of the Potter accounts and became in charge of the Peverell accounts with my taking the lordship. We talked just a bit; he could see I was a bit tired and I informed him I was wanted back home. He gave me a summary to read of what I now had access to and then had me sign a few documents solidifying my taking the two Lordships and being recognized by Gringotts as being of age. I then took the Night Bus somewhere else to grab some things and then came here." Harry explained as Sirius sighed.
"At least you're all right, but please, be more careful, if only for my sake." Sirius stated as he hugged him again and Harry returned it.
"What did you have to get, Harry?" Dumbledore asked still trying to process what happened in court and wanting to ask Harry some things, but at the same time he wanted to give him a chance to relax and calm down after what happened.
"I stopped by a safe house my parents had." Harry stated before he reached into his bag and pulled out a pouch before tossing it to Dumbledore, "Use the money in that to fund this group of yours and anything else you need." He continued before he turned to Snape and walked up to him before pulling three letters out and holding them out to him.
"And what are these supposed to be, Potter?" He asked neutrally, bordering on coldly.
"Letters, from my mother and father to you. If you want, I'll swear a vow right now stating that the letters are genuine and there's nothing harmful in or on them." Harry stated as Snape looked surprised and looked at the letters with a mixture of happiness, trepidation, and anger. "The third is from me, destroy it if you wish, though I'll ask that you at least read my father's letter before incinerating it, but do what you feel you must." He added before placing them in Snape's hand.
He then pulled a letter out for Sirius and handed it to him as well before doing the same to Remus. He then sighed and sat down feeling his exhaustion catching up.
"Harry, I was hoping we could talk a moment." Dumbledore stated knowing he needed to talk to him even if it risked Voldemort.
"I know, Professor. If we could, I'd like to talk tomorrow, I'm exhausted and would really like some food at the moment. Most likely because I nearly unleashed my entire magic core when I was angry in court." Harry stated as he leaned back.
Dumbledore paused a moment before he saw the clear signs of exhaustion from the boy and decided that a day could be fine to let him rest and relax. "Very well, that is understandable and acceptable. Molly, please get Mr… Lord Potter some food and then please allow him to rest without being questioned by anyone." Dumbledore stated as Molly nodded and got to work.
"You can call me, Harry, sir. I don't want to be called Lord every time I talk to someone." He stated with a smile making Dumbledore have a small one as well.
"Thank you, Harry. As for everyone else, please continue with what you've been doing so far and we shall have another meeting soon after I have a talk with Harry." Dumbledore stated as the others all nodded before Dumbledore took his leave.
"Hermione, please save the questions until after I talk to the professor." Harry stated as he leaned on the table with his head on his arms.
Hermione nodded, she could clearly see that her best friend was exhausted and decided not to pry too much, even if she did really want to know how Harry did all that let alone knew to do all that.
Of course, she also wanted to reprimand him for doing those vows since she found out how dangerous they are, though she supposed it was effective.
Harry could be rather blunt when he got pushed to certain points, this just pushed him to a point he'd not been pushed to before.
Part of her somewhat wished he had done it when his name came from the goblet, if only to make things easier for him and others. Plus, it may have kept Ron from being a major prat last year.
Oh well, hindsight and all that.
It was then she turned and blinked at seeing Remus and Sirius staring at their letters in heartache and happiness, even if they were unopened, and that Snape had taken his leave, likely just as soon as Dumbledore had.
The rest of the adults seemed unsure of what to do right then, most looking relieved that it was confirmed the Dark Lord had returned and also looking worried that it was true.
Sirius and Remus were both emotional as they recognized the handwriting on the envelopes, it was clearly James' and knowing they had one last letter from their brother figure both pleased and hurt them.
Eventually, Mrs. Weasley had food ready and Harry calmly ate despite wanting to ravish the plate completely. Once he finished, he nodded to them all and said his good nights before climbing the stairs only to pause at a portrait of a woman who looked like her face was permanently set in a scowl.
"You, boy, who are you?" She demanded as he looked at her.
"Hadrian Arcturus Potter, Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble Houses of Potter and Peverell, heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black through my godfather Sirius Orion Black and my great grandmother Cassia Augustine Potter-Black." He introduced formally, giving a bow of respect.
"Hmm, Walburga Mignonette Black, former Lady of House Black and mother to that mongrel Sirius." She introduced with a superior tone to her voice. "Pureblood I take it?" She asked and Harry shook his head. "Half-blood then." She sneered and Harry just looked at her.
"I don't see much issue with that. My mother was the first Muggleborn witch to join the Unspeakables and was highly skilled at potions, charms, and runes." He said making her raise her eyebrows in surprise. "Besides, Dumbledore is a half-blood and it would be foolish to not count him as a powerful and great wizard." He continued making her lips thin since she couldn't refute that. "The resident dark lord is also a half-blood." He added making her eyes widen in shock before they narrowed in fury.
"You lie." She growled looking like she wanted nothing more than to escape the portrait and claw his eyes out.
"I assure you, that I am not. He confessed as much to me on two different occasions, mostly to mock me thinking I'd be dead before I could ever tell anyone. I just swore on my life, magic, and soul that it was in fact true before the Wizengamot after I got fed up when the imbecile that is the current minister tried to railroad me in a farce of a trial." Harry started, making her eyes widen again in shock. "Would you like me to do the vows again for you? I don't mind, but I'm tired at this moment and would be willing to do so tomorrow, though another bit of information I found would likely make you disgusted with Voldemort even if he was a pureblood." Harry offered, causing her to look at him with a calculating gaze.
"What information?" She asked and Harry sighed before looking at the stairs.
"Tomorrow, please, milady. I'm a bit too tired to cast any privacy charms and there are far too many curious ears." Harry requested, making her narrow her eyes at him before she gave a curt nod.
"Very well, but if this a lie, you will suffer the consequences." She warned and he nodded.
"You're a Black, I'd be disappointed if there weren't any." He replied making her twitch her lips ever so slightly into a smile before they returned to normal and she nodded. "Then goodnight, Lady Black." He stated giving another proper bow before walking away.
He went to the room prepared for him, it was Sirius' former brother's room apparently, and sighed as he waved his wand causing his clothes to swap with his pajamas before he got into the bed and sighed before he cast a simple sleeping charm upon himself to put him right to sleep and relax.
NEXT MORNING
Sirius woke up feeling exhausted despite the sleep he had experienced, the letter that Harry had given him had been emotionally draining and ragging, but it was also uplifting and spirit filling. The letter, from James, had been written within a week of that fateful night and it basically told Sirius about how there were some doubts of Peter's trustworthiness, how James was worried about just HOW Voldemort knew the prophecy, and it was a goodbye to Sirius while stating that he and Lily had found a way to protect Harry should the worst happen and give him a chance should the asshole not die during the attack.
It didn't give details, but Sirius didn't give a shit.
He was too stuck on the ending part where James talked about how he loved and appreciated him for the years of brotherhood and he would always be proud to call Sirius his brother. How he knew that if he died, he didn't have to worry about Harry, and possibly Lily, because he knew Sirius and Remus would look after him and ensure his safety and happiness were top priority.
That had been a major slap to Sirius' face, because he and Remus had NOT done that shit. Sirius and Remus had failed for 12 years. Sirius wasn't a fool; he could see the signs that Harry wasn't exactly… well cared for and had made Hermione and Ron talk to him about what they knew of what the Dursley's had done beyond what he had seen when he checked on Harry after his escape.
What he had learned had made him feel a strong sympathetic view of his family's anti-muggle sentiments and he was 90% confidant that he could hold the Cruciatus Curse for a solid five minutes without effort if it was aimed at those four muggles.
Remus at least had a reasonable excuse, there was no way in any version of the universe that Remus could be given custody of Harry due to his condition as a werewolf. The politicians, fans, and prejudiced people would never allow the "Savior of the Wizarding World" and "Boy-Who-Lived" to be taken in by a werewolf. The public outcry would have been massive and the backlash would have hit harder than a bludger thrown by a mountain troll.
Sirius… he had no such excuse. He focused on revenge rather than his responsibility and one of the few remaining family he had left to care about. He wasn't thinking of Harry, he was thinking of his own bloodlust and rage. He could say Peter and Crouch were responsible as well, but that was hollow and he knew it.
It was his decisions that set off that chain of events.
It was his decisions that got him put into Azkaban.
It was his decisions that led to Harry being left with those Muggles.
It was his decisions that led to Harry not even knowing about himself until he was at school.
It was his decisions that led to Pettigrew being able to use Harry to resurrect Voldemort.
His decisions had negatively impacted Harry in profound ways and Sirius needed to step up and change that.
Even if it took the rest of his life, he'd ensure Harry got happiness and love as well as a real family.
Exiting his room, he paused in surprise as he saw Harry sitting on a chair with a tray in front of him as he ate breakfast and was conversing with the portrait of Sirius' mother.
And from the looks of it, it was a pleasant conversation.
The fact he couldn't hear anything told him there was a privacy charm around them.
Harry noticed him and smiled before waving his wand. "I thank you for your time, Madam Black. I hope we can have another conversation soon." He stated and bowed lightly to the portrait, who shocked Sirius by smiling pleasantly.
"Of course, do keep your studies up." She stated making Harry nod before Kreacher, the resident house elf, came and took the tray and chair before bowing to Harry and leaving.
Harry nodded to Sirius as he headed downstairs as Sirius just stared at him in surprise.
"Sirius." Walburga stated making Sirius turn to look at her and saw her looking at him intently, "I will only say this once, do not make me have to repeat it. I am sorry… for how things turned out between us, and thank you for choosing that boy as your heir instead of Narcissa's offspring." She stated and Sirius dropped his jaw in shock. "Make sure you teach him what he needs to know to run our family if it comes down to it. Where we had numbers in the past, we've been reduced to a small handful thanks to that damned dark lord. You'll need to take power and help the boy against him." She growled surprising Sirius further.
"I…" Sirius tried to speak but couldn't find the words.
"Sirius, for once in your damn life, take responsibility and act like a mature adult." She growled at him, "Either you take the lordship and help him or pass the lordship to him and be his advisor and proxy to ensure things are done right. That boy, regardless of if you somehow manage to have offspring, is the future of our house and I will not see him unprepared for the world at large that will be targeting him. Unlike you, he doesn't have a feared family standing in the background if things went wrong even if we were ashamed of you for a time. Do NOT fail that boy, Sirius Orion Black or I swear I'll find a way out of this portrait to show you my displeasure, personally." She spoke, her tone brokering no argument or room for one.
Sirius was silent a long moment as he tried to process his shock over this.
"I won't fail him, I will do everything in my power to never do so again. He was forced to endure years of pain and ridicule by those muggles that he lived with and I won't allow anything else to happen. Not on my watch." Sirius stated with Walburga being surprised at the hatred when he said muggles.
Perhaps her eldest wasn't so hopeless after all.
"Good. Kreacher has been ordered to ensure he is properly fed and answer anything he needs. Harry helped him with a problem, one that, had I known about, would have made me turn against the dark lord in a heartbeat. Speak to Harry if you want to know, it disgusts me to even consider such filth let alone speak of it.." She stated with her anger being felt at the end.
Sirius merely nodded and moved to leave but paused, "We may have disagreed mother, but I was always proud to call myself a Black and would have done nearly anything to protect the family, but I couldn't join a terrorist that wanted to kill so many members of our population just because of who they were related to." Sirius spoke, his voice soft but there was strength behind it.
"I know. It turns out you were right in the end. Dozens of proud Black family members were reduced to four primary blacks and three secondary ones. Serving the… dark lord cost us more than we ever gained. Such a waste of potential, skill, power, and blood." She lamented knowing it was her pushing that caused all of this.
Sirius didn't say anything, just looked back at her a moment before he descended the stairs leaving Walburga alone before her portrait drapes closed.
Sirius stepped down into the kitchen and saw Harry sitting there staring at a cup, seeming to be lost in thought. "You seem to have made an impression on my mother." Sirius spoke as he sat down across from Harry.
"Hmm, better to make a positive one and get her assistance than have her constantly causing problems." Harry commented idly as he looked at his godfather.
"Hmm, you know, without your glasses, you can see more of your mother's features in your face. The eyes are also brighter." Sirius stated with a fond smile as Harry returned it.
"Thanks, Padfoot." Harry stated before others came in.
"All right Harry?" Fred asked as he sat on Harry's left and George sat on his right.
"How is our great hero doing today?" George asked as he looked at Harry.
"Hero?" Harry asked amused, a sentiment shared by Sirius.
"Of course, mate, not only did you" Fred started before George picked up.
"Tell off the entire government" George continued before Fred jumped back in.
"You also essentially shoved a great deal of crow down their throats."
"Threatened them."
"Embarrassed them."
"Made them look incompetent."
"Pissed them off."
"Proved yourself right."
"and made them look like blithering idiots."
"You also did it in an incredibly flashy."
"Impressive."
"Showy."
"Awesome."
"And point driven way."
"Essentially you pranked the entire government and got away with it."
"If that's not a candidate to be a hero of ours."
"Then we don't know what is." The two finished together with a nod making Sirius chuckle.
"Well, glad I joined the ranks of my dad along with Sirius and Remus." Harry stated with a smirk.
"Eh?" The duo chorused in confusion.
"Boys, I am proud to introduce you to the one and only, Padfoot." Harry stated motioning to Sirius, who was grinning.
"WHAT?!" They shouted in shock as Sirius smirked.
"I solemnly swear, that I am up to no good." Sirius stated making them widen their eyes before both grabbed his hands and began shaking them like crazy.
"It's an honor to meet you, sir."
"A real honor."
"Truly."
"We'd not be any kind of pranksters that we are if not for you and your fellows."
"We've so many questions."
"So many stories."
"And so little time to get it all out with you."
The two kept going back and forth, the entire time not letting go of Sirius's hands, much to his and Harry's amusement.
"Boys, breathe before you pass out and miss a chance to talk to him." Harry stated making the two realize that they were blathering on and quickly retracted their hands and took a breath.
"Sorry." They both said while calming down.
Harry merely smiled as he watched the two interact with Sirius before noticing Dumbledore had arrived. Harry nodded to him and stood before leaving the room and heading to the study.
Once inside, Harry waved his wand locking the door and putting various privacy wards and charms in place to ensure no one could eavesdrop.
"How are you feeling, Harry?" Dumbledore asked as they sat down, him choosing to ignore the magic that Harry just used for the moment.
"Fine sir, better than I have for a long while." Harry answered as he sat back.
"That is good, but now I must ask about what happened yesterday." Dumbledore stated and Harry just stared back at him.
"I'm aware, sir, but we have other things to discuss as well." Harry replied seriously making Dumbledore look at him with interest.
"Such as?" He asked and Harry stared at him for a long moment.
"Voldemort, the war, and Voldemort's Horcruxes counting the one that he unintentionally made when he attacked me and my parents."
DONE
Just gonna stop it here, no idea when I'll continue it or pick it up again. Anyone who wants to take that starting point of Harry just having his breaking point at the trial is free to take it and run with it.
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