Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

...

Harry had to admit that he was finding it incredibly difficult to prevent himself from smiling as he read through the news article which had the entire Grand Hall in a state of unrest. It was understandable that the populace of the school was nervous, a man who had spent over a decade in Azkaban had been found innocent of his crimes.

Harry did find itself somewhat amusing as he read past the first few lines where he knew most people around him would have stopped before speaking to the person sitting next to them. It went on to say that the Ministry had issued a formal apology and had wished to gift Sirius an undisclosed amount of galleons in compensation. Sirius had, in a fashion which showed Harry the man hadn't lost a step, turned the money down, stating that the House of Black needed no extra funds. He did make mention, and this was quoted, that 'I spent far too much time without laughter in my life. Put it towards something that brings happiness to people.'

Looking up from the paper, Harry watched as a number of students clambered towards the front of the hall, peppering the professors with question after question. Harry imagined that all of their answers sounded something like, 'please await for Professor Dumbledore to return and explain.' He figured that it was understandable that Albus was away at this moment in time, he'd more than likely been preceding over the hearing and had afterwards been trying to keep the peace amongst multiple parties. Undoubtedly this sudden news had ruffled more than its fair share of feathers.

Stepping up from the table, Harry made his way towards the exit only to have someone from the table snatch at his wrist, only to pull their hand back immediately. "Sorry Harry," apologized Neville profusely.

"All good Neville, what's up?" asked Harry.

"Well, with all that's going on with, you know..." said Neville trailing off. It didn't take much for Harry to figure out what it was that Neville was trying to talk about.

"You're concerned that other criminals will try to get a retrial," said Harry. A meek nod was all that Neville gave him in response. "I assure you Neville that what is happening with Sirius is likely a one off event that will never be repeated. Chances are that there will be somebody who thinks they can do the same but given the sheer number of proven incidents against them it would be impossible for them to say that they were innocent. Well I mean they can say it, but there's no way they can prove it."

"Yeah...of course...thanks Harry," said Neville before returning his attention to his uneaten breakfast.

Harry could understand Neville's plight but knew full well that there wasn't anybody in the world who would manage to convince a single witch or wizard that Bellatrix Lestrange was an innocent woman. Well, Lucius Malfoy was the only person who came to mind but even he didn't have enough finances to pay off everybody that would be required to get her free.

Speaking of Lucius, Draco hadn't made any mention that his father had made any contact. Harry sincerely doubted that Lucius would inform his son that he was out looking for Voldemort. He silently wished that Malfoy senior would return from his travels to welcome Sirius back into society. After all, he was the one that made it so that Sirius could be free by giving Wormtail to the Ministry in the first place.

The reason as to why Lucius did such a thing in the first place eluded Harry. There was nothing preventing him from dumping Pettigrew's body in a shallow grave and keeping Sirius locked away. Maybe with Sirius having created as much of a debacle as he had from just being released it gave Lucius and his cronies some breathing room to do whatever it was they needed without any eyes being on them.

Frankly, Harry just simply didn't have enough information but there was no way that he could gather any intel at this moment in time. For now he'd just have to wait for the world to calm itself down and act accordingly.

...

"Oh you have no idea how much I've missed this," said Sirius, having finally evaded the numerous reporters who had been assaulting him with question after question.

"I can imagine so," said Sirius' companion, sitting opposite him.

"Well then, it's been a long time coming but I believe that this is more than overdue."

"Yes it is."

"Cheers!" the two of them said as one as they clashed their cups against one another before draining the contents at rapid speeds.

"Moony, it's been far too long since we've seen one another let alone enjoyed such a momentous occasion," proclaimed Sirius. "Surprised you still remembered where my place is after all this time."

"My memory is nowhere near as bad as yours I'll have you know," declared Remus. "I still remember all of our schoolyard antics and how I had to keep getting you and James out of trouble."

"Gosh, the chaos we caused was the talk of Hogwarts for months on end," reminisced Sirius. "Those were the good ol' days weren't they."

"Well when we weren't in trouble they were. I for one actually enjoyed getting good grades."

"Of course you did," chuckled Sirius as he set about pouring another glass for both himself and Remus. Before either of them consumed a drop from their freshly poured beverages, a somber silence gripped the two of them. "The battle isn't over I take it."

"There's always a battle to be fought," reaffirmed Remus. "The real battle is ensuring that those who take this world after us have it easier than we did. Surprisingly you're going to be fighting a war that neither of us are particularly versed in."

"Politics," spat Sirius.

"I'm well aware that you hate the idea of such things," started Remus.

"Save it," said Sirius, lifting up his spare hand. "While I was within this household I was well taught in the ways of politics from when I was but a child. My parents would imagine watching me better the world for their pure blooded fantasies. If anything, I believe I should use my position to help those less fortunate."

"Why, I can't imagine your relatives being pleased with such an outcome."

Sirius raised his glass. "Which is why I shall take such delight in it. Now come Remus, there is much to drink tonight and I have over a decade of sobriety I need to rid from my gullet."

...

Draco found himself silent in the Slytherin common room as he overheard the whispers and stories that were shared around by the members of his house. Dumbledore had returned that evening and had spoken very carefully, choosing his words carefully as he explained that a miscarriage of justice had taken place and that an innocent man was now free.

Many of the students around him refused to believe such nonsense. For those who claimed to these beliefs, Draco didn't particularly blame them. The Noble House of Black had been a forefront of many ancient traditions for generations. The sheer thought that a member of that household would be labeled innocent was ludicrous.

That being said however, Draco knew differently. He wouldn't quell their thoughts however, there was no need to. It was his word against theres and when he was severely outnumbered he did not wish to find himself in the line of proverbial fire. Once they spoke with their families they would know how wrong they were but Draco wouldn't gloat over the fact. It would bring no joy and only serve to distance himself from those around him. Right now, he needed to be building connections that would be utilized in the long term.

Hence, he took out a quill and some parchment. He had no knowing of how his intended audience would react to the letter or even if they would read it in the first place. That being said, the person was an isolated individual who had long since been away from all things that were dark or light. As a result, that person possibly could lead him down a path that no Malfoy had walked before.

For if there was one certainty that he knew of, the next decade would bring all manner of uproar to the wizarding community as a whole. Draco knew that he had to be prepared for whatever chaos that would create for the older generation.

The battle of light and dark could very well be over.

The battle of and against traditional beliefs could very well have started before he even graduated Hogwarts.

...

Harry reread over the letter that had been sent to him by Amelia, having not particularly expected such a notice to come his way. To be fair though, what she did say made complete and utter sense.

Didn't particularly mean that he had to like it though.

Harry took a sip of his pumpkin juice before scanning over the parchment in his hands. Effectively, she was still inviting him to stay with her over the upcoming school break instead of him going and living with Sirius. While he knew the complete and utter truth, it would be seen as completely strange for him to go and reside with the person who was thought to have been a mass murderer for the past decade. Not only that but he allegedly had been the one to inform Voldemort about the location of his parent's whereabouts. Were a journalist, one that could spin a simple photo whichever way she could, to witness him hanging out with Sirius it would cause a bit of a stir.

He hated the thought of it but knew that Amelia had the right frame of mind in the situation. Still, he had gotten Sirius out early and he was a free man. There would be time to properly spend some time with his Godfather. It just had to be done when the media weren't going to be parked out the front of Sirius' home.

That being said, Amelia had made mention in her letter that she would be inviting Sirius over regularly under the guise of her position as the head of her department. On parchment it made perfect sense. Sirius was a prominent figure in the battles that had long since past. If he had some knowledge of Death Eaters that still resided in society that had gone under the radar, she would want to know. Or more importantly, it was how she could get him into her house without question.

Folding the parchment and placing it within his pocket, Harry took a bite out of the breakfast before him and focused on the day ahead. It was then that he noticed the giggling about him. Harry couldn't help but raise a curious eyebrow as Hermione, who was sitting across from him, covered her mouth to prevent herself from spitting food over the table.

"Okay?" said Harry slowly before looking down the table to see that just what it was that was happening. Taking one quick glance told him everything that he needed to know.

It seemed as if somebody had gotten hold of some hair growth tonic and the effects were amusing. Fred and George seemed to be doing their best to find out just what it was that had caused the growth in the first place, gorging through every scrap of food on the table as their hair went from messy to uncontrollable. Over on the Ravenclaw table Harry could see Luna plaiting the hair of one of her classmates. Over on the Hufflepuff table, a handful of students were discussing what to do with their new growth.

Harry watched Draco tuck foot long strands of wispy hair behind his ear.

Looking down at the banquet before him, Harry reached forward and lightly tapped his goblet with his fork. Hermione playfully shrugged at his actions.

Harry smiled.

"Got any suggestions?" asked Harry.

"I've got a few ideas," replied Hermione with a cheshire smile before beckoning Parvati Patil over to her side. Harry watched in amusement as Hermione whispered into Parvati's ear and chuckled as the Indian born witch opened her mouth in something akin to shock. This was swiftly replaced by a similar wicked smile that Hermione had been wearing.

"Are you sure about this Harry?" she asked of him.

"Somehow, I no longer think I have a choice in the matter."

When students arrived to their first class that morning, many of the male students had been unsure of what to do with the unexpected growth that they had found themselves with. Many of them simply left it as it was and dealt with it throughout the course of the day.

Harry had no issues considering his hair had been done up in a traditional Indian bun.

The true nightmare began when he tried to take it out by himself that evening. After minutes of fruitless endeavors, he had to concede and get the women in the common room to help him with his conundrum.

...

It had been a long perilous journey, one whom only the most loyal of subjects would ever have undertaken. With the result in hand however, it was easy to say that it had all been worth it as Lucius knelt on the ground, his head bowed.

"It is good to see you, My Lord."

...

Hope you enjoyed.

I'm aware it's been a while and this chapter isn't the largest I've done but I needed to take a break from it all before coming back. Until next time.