Acting Chief Warlock Greengrass gaveled to bring the Chamber to Order. "Okay Auror Hammer. Can we have something that the Unspeakables can't get involved in?"
Amelia stood. "Call for Sirius Black."
Connie looked at her Boss, before shrugging. "The Court calls Sirius Black."
The Grim took the quickest route to the Chair of the Accused. He bound from where he was seating, over Director Bones's Desk and across the Courtroom. With his last Bound it morphed into the Wanted Suspect. He carried the flight to the Chair, where he landed in a reclined position. "Ladies! How I have missed thee!"
Cyrus looked at the man that while malnourished, seemed to be in good spirits and relatively good health. "And Mister Black, where have you been?"
"Until quite recently, in the lap of luxury." He sat up straight. "According to what I have Learned, the Proper Form of Address for me is Lord Black. I have the ring and everything." He raised his right fist.
"But Malfoy…" Nott stood at the Rail In Front of his Seat.
"My Grandfather named him Proxy, not wanting to have to deal with the collective stupidity that this body is known for." Sirius smiled. "And before you claim I was disowned… that was my Mother, not my Grandfather. So while I was thrown out of the family, I was not thrown out of the Family." He emphasized the difference between the two Words.
Nott grunted and sat in his chair.
Connie glared at her Boss/Friend. "Lord Black. Let's get the Basic Issues dealt with. We know you didn't kill Pettigrew because he was just where you are. Your part in the Betrayal of the Potters…"
"I Advised that they use Peter. I pushed for it. I thought I was being smart. I thought I was being wise. I was being a fool."
"Peter Pettigrew made that clear. So that leaves the deaths of thirteen muggles."
"My spell work is better than that. I had my wand, but I didn't cast a spell that night. I wanted answers. Answers I couldn't get from a dead man." Sirius snarled.
He stopped and breathed deep. "Sorry. I am still working through the anger at Him and at Myself. I made many mistakes that day and the night before. The biggest was trusting the one man everyone thought was infallible. The second was thinking that the Rat was incompetent. I forgot the First Rule of taking down a suspect. Treat every Suspect as if he was Moody."
Half the Lords snickered.
"When I tracked the human vermin down, he accused me of the crime of leading the Dark Lord to the Potters, of killing them. He blew up the street after cutting off his finger and before he vanished into the sewer." He leaned forward clasping his hands and resting his elbows on his knees. "I don't know what he hit me with but I lost track of time as I was laughing and crying about my loss. When Fudge arrived at the scene, I was as defenseless as a Muggle babe. He took me into custody and called for backup. I am told that his arresting me secured his Appointment to Minister." He looked at the man above him. "I don't fault you for using my arrest in that manner. But think of what you could have gotten if you had made sure I had my trial. Then you would have had the Regent to Potter backing you." He sneered, " The Regent to the Boy Who Lived. Now you will be lucky to walk out of here in your position of Minister."
"How did you escape from Azkaban?" Nott yelled down.
"I think I will keep that secret close in case this body tries to lock me up again. I don't trust all of you." Sirius smiled as he reclined in the chair.
Connie Hammer shook her head, her braid swinging free. "Mister Black, all Titles suspended for now, What can you tell me about that night?"
"I cornered the Rat… I will be honest… I was filled with Malice and Bloodlust. I was going to kill him… then Fudge was standing over me. My world went black ," He snickered at his joke, "and I awoke in my Cell in Azkaban. Padfoot saved me from the Worst of the Dementors Effects. There I sat, awaiting my day in court. Only the Yearly Visit of the Minister allowed me to keep track of time."
He looked at the man again. "The last time I was able to get the Prophet… and there on the front page was Peter Pettigrew. A cross between my Godfather Oath and my Malice… got me to the shore. In a trance, I followed the bond to little Harry and I was saved. I was promised by Fate Furies that Peter Pettigrew would pay. As the pet of the Unspeakables his fate is assured."
"Now that you are out and it is doubtful that this body is going to condemn an innocent... Wizard of the Charges back to Hell, what are your plans?"
"The House Black finances are a mess. Some loans were made and they have not been paid to current. I need to instruct my Charge on his Duty to Britain and Wizard kind. I need to rebuild House Black to its former Glory and Power. Things of that nature." He shifted his position in the chair. "I also have lost time with my Godson to make up."
Fudge leaned on his desk. "Are you saying you are Innocent?"
Sirius gave his trademark grin. "Of course not. Just not guilty of the crimes I was locked away for."
"Don't try your tricks in this Court!" The rabid attack toad to the Minister's left surged to her feet. "We all know you are Guilty. I will see you Kissed for this!"
"Listen here, Froggy, You are threatening a member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight" all frivolity vanished. "Keep your tongue behind your teeth before you hang yourself with it."
"You Dare! I am the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic!" She pounded the desk in front of her.
"And I am Lord Black, Head of Black and Regent to Potter." He Raised his fist, Displaying the Rings. "I am not going to Let the Greatest Wizard of Our Time Dictate what my fate is… what makes a half-blood like you…"
Delores's scream of Rage heralded her going for her wand…
Only for Runcorns 'Duelers Hello' to hit her in the chest. Her wand went flying into the seats behind the Ministry Seating, as the leather cords wrapped her torso and the red bolt of the stunning hex slammed into her face.
His face never cracked.
Everyone turned to look at him, but he just released his wand and returned to his spot behind Albus.
"And I have my next subject for inquisition." Connie Hammer grinned evilly. "Does anyone have any questions relevant to the Case?"
Silence answered her.
"Is there any Objections to releasing Black and the DMLE will handle any Compensatory Damages required for the miscarriage of Justice."
Three lights went up. All three were heavy debtors of Black via Malfoy.
"Looks like I might need to call my debts in now." Sirius glared at the three lords.
The wands darkened quickly.
"And with no objections, I declare that Black is cleared, as Charged."
Greengrass gaveled.
The Scribe marked the scroll.
HPWQ
When the Trolly Witch arrived, Pavarti had returned to the Compartment with Lavender. Harry signaled for the Witches to Order their fill, before he raised the total by a full box of Frogs, three boxes of 'beans', a full jar of wands and a box of sugar Quills. He skipped the cakes and gum as they were Ron's choices.
After paying for everything, he only kept one box of E.F.B. and two wands out, and had Dobby put the rest in the stasis hold of his trunk. He then held the Elf on his lap as they shared the box of beans.
Padma watched the interaction between the Wizard and Elf. "That's not normal, is it?" She waved at the two males.
"No" Susan turned to look at the pair. "But Most Elves don't leave the house unless ordered to. Dobby seems to need, and likes, to be with Potter."
"How did Potter get Dobby?" Hannah asked, "Because I know that he belonged to the Malfoys."
Harry looked up from the box of Beans he was picking through with Dobby. "What do you remember of Last Year?" He rubbed the Elf's head.
"Too much and not enough." Padma cocked her head to the side.
"That everyone thought you were the Heir." Susan offered a soft smile. "Sorry."
"When everything began…" Harry returned the Smile. "I wasn't. But by the time we left for the Summer, I was."
Padma grinned evilly. "Pav is so going to regret leaving so soon.
Harry smiled. "It all started around my twelfth birthday. In an attempt to keep me safe, this little guy tried to prevent me from returning to school. First it was intercepting my mail. Then he tried to sabotage my ability to get to the Express…"
Over the next hour Harry gave the witches an abbreviated version of his second year.
HPWQ
While the unconscious form of Umbridge was manhandled into the Chair, neither gently nor respectfully, Hammer was flipping through her file.
A flick of her wand, Hammer caught Umbridge's wand and set it on the table/desk where she had everything laid out.
Black had looked at Amelia, pouted, and climbed to the House Black Seat.
Once everyone was ready, Greengrass gaveled for Order, before nodding to Hammer.
"Before we awaken the sleeping Dragon, I have a few announcements." Connie addressed the Court. "Black was correct, Umbridge will Hang and by her own tongue. Those who are guilty of petty crimes of Bribery and the like, you will receive notification via Owl. You try to run, and We will hunt you down and make it public. You come in quietly and it will be handled just as quietly. We of the DMLE understand that some graft is needed to smoothly run an organization the size of the Ministry, but too much will gum up the works and will cause rot. If Umbridge names you… please know that we will be having words. Most of the offenders will be just facing a fine."
There was some grumbling from the seats.
Connie grinned at the Female Auror standing beside the Chair. "Wake her. Be ready to silence her at my signal."
Umbridge snapped up and strained against her bindings.
"Release me this instant and I will only see you Fired!" The Toad roared. "If I have to repeat myself, I will see you disappeared. I have done it before and I can do it again!"
The Lords above gasped.
"Delores." The squat faced Witch snapped her head about to glare at Connie Hammer. "Do you want me to advise you of your rights or just get to the Charges against you?"
"Like I care about your Charges or your Case, Corny will pardon me. I am Protected. I am above your pathetic Law!" The rabid Zealotry was visible to everyone.
Fudge just buried his head in his arms and groaned.
"Okay. Let's start with what brought you to our attention in this case. The 'Kiss on Sight' order for Black. You wrote it, correct?"
"Yes I wrote it. The second best thing I penned for the good of the People of Magical Britain." Umbridge sounded smug.
"What, can I ask, was the First?"
"Werewolf Registration Laws. I made it illegal for them to Work in England without a Mastery, illegal to Leave the Country and impossible to obtain a Master. They must turn to crime to survive and any Wizard in Good Standing is within their rights to kill the menace." She cackled.
"Auror Hammer." Sirius Black stood at the Rail of his Seat. "For that Crime alone, I would like to request that she be bitten by a Werewolf. I know someone who has connections to the Packs. He could send word to Greyback that we are needing a light mauling. He is the only person who could stomach the taste."
Greengrass gaveled. "Black, this is your only warning. Interrupt the Court again without a good reason and I will hold you in contempt."
Sirius nodded and returned to his seat.
HPWQ
Dusk had fallen, and Harry stepped out to shrug into his over-robes. As he was adjusting his tie, a frustrated Ronald turned the corner and spotted him.
"Where the hell have you been?" The Grumpy Ginger snarled.
"Sitting snug with Four Fabulous Witches." Harry smiled back. "I would have invited you to join, but you refused to get up when I tried to wake you."
Ron huffed. "Well let's go. If we hurry, we can get a game of chess in."
"Ahh, No." Harry shook his head. "Getting my hands under the jumpers of three Witches or a game of Chess… let me think." He knocked on the door.
"Come in Harry." Hermione called out.
Harry opened the door, entered the compartment, before turning to the redhead. "I'll get back to you." He closed the door and cast an overpowered locking charm. Turning to the girls, "Any bets on how long it takes for him to get a clue?"
"Harry! He's your friend." Hermione reprimanded him. "A book says he gives up after five minutes."
"Whao." Padma leaned forward. "Two things. Is the five minutes including him trying to open the door? And what is the thing with a book?"
Harry licked his lips, "Yes, and if she wins, I buy her a book."
Hannah shifted on the bench. "What's the over/under?"
"If he leaves in minutes or six, she loses. And I get a pass when I do something stupid."
"As things stand?" Susan frowned.
"So far it has been who got the spell first. I get it on completion but she gets the basics first. It's mostly down to power and reserves. And now that my Core is unbound…"
"Ron is too thick, I think he will keep waiting and trying the door until he needs to run to his compartment and get changed." Susan frowned. "Thirty minutes." she grinned, "Fudge, equal in weight to her book."
"Twenty minutes but he will return before we stop." Hannah smirked. "Same as Sue."
"Naw, too thick." Padma sighed. "He will wait until we get there." She glared at Harry. "A favour to call in later."
"Okay." Harry sat across from her. "But if you lose, I get the same."
"So… just to clarify, in a window of less than a minute, the time we named is what gets us our prize." Hannah shimmied in her seat. "Anything else and Harry wins. His Prize, versus our named item, is that we can't rebuke him for doing something stupid?"
Harry smiled. "All except Padma. She went for a Favour. For something that big, it requires an equivalent risk."
"And what limit is the risk?" Susan frowned.
"Anything Short of Killing Family." Harry spoke softly. "Anything."
Hermione looked up from her book.
The train blew its whistle.
In the end, Padma won.
TBC