Hey everyone,
I decided. I'm not going to cover the 29th or the rest of the 28th and what happened at Hogwarts during that time. I'm just going to give a quick recap of that in Sirius' POV as he prepares for the trial, which is going to take place on the Thirtieth. I'm also NOT going to make this your typical run-of-the-mill trial. I am going to mix and spice things up and make it so that a questioning isn't even going to be necessary.
Oh and Umbridge? She cast an Unforgiveable, of course she's just going to be send to Azkaban. I'm just going to worsen her sentence later and skip over her trial entirely. Don't worry, there will be a short mention of it during this chapter as well as an explanation as to why the sentence was only for that crime, but I just want to focus on the good parts of this story. Sirius getting his well-deserved freedom and Lea's arrival.
Fun, fun, fun,
Venquine1990
Chapter 11
A Day Of Destiny
(I know, corny)
30th of September 1995
Grounds, Hogwarts
Sirius' POV
I didn't dare to transform back into my human form while Susan Bones was around, even if her aunt knew about my form and was busy arranging my trial. I didn't want to startle or frighten the girl even more than my first appearance did and just wanted to calm her down after all she went through during breakfast on Thursday. So I was really happy and relieved to see her, resolved and confident, head out with Harry and the others for their second class.
I transformed back after they left and made sure to call the little Elf that had brought them in here earlier, asking him: "Dobby, can you provide me with some wood and tools? I want to make a start on a crib and other things that Harry's going to need when the baby arrives. I won't put in any design or anything, I just want to get some basic stuff done. I need to keep busy, you know?" And the elf had been excited in complying.
He had even provided me with some old robes from members of staff who had retired Hogwarts years ago and while I wondered where he got them from, did I feel happy with the fact that they had adjusting charms on them, making them adjust to my sizes before I went to work. And while it was tiring to be at work like this after years of either being on the run or rotting in a cell, did I still feel accomplished as I worked.
Harry had returned for both his lunch and dinner break and Dobby had made sure to hide my work the first time as I had only managed to saw the wood into the right shapes and sizes, but because I already had the base of the feet for a rocking chair and the bottom of a crib done by dinner time, did I ask Dobby to just keep it in sight. I had shown it to the lad, who had also told Susan about me, and the boy had actually teared up as he thanked me.
"Would you really make me everything I need? I – I mean, I – I have no idea what my baby's going to need. And it would mean so much to me if he or she can have homemade stuff. And – and could you make more? In – in case I am expecting twins or something? Would you really do that for me, Sirius?" The boy had asked me and I had happily accepted these requests and said: "It'd be my honor, pup. Besides, it keeps me busy."
And so I spent the entirety of Friday also working on finishing the crib and the rocking chair and started my work on making a changing table and a small wardrobe to put baby cloths in. Molly had come over for dinner and been a bit doubtful about the whole thing, but I told her: "It's just the basics. I'll enchant or carve in the designs once Harry tells me what he wants with them." And this had made the woman be fully on board.
Harry had then made her day as he asked her if she could start knitting him some baby cloths, preferably sets in case of twins or triplets and the woman had gone one step further and made Hermione's day by asking if she wanted to help her in this. Both had spent the rest of the night giggling over ideas, but Harry had reminded them that he had first rights to design choices and that the gender was still up in the air.
At this I had tried calling dibs on the first Hospital visit, but Harry had stumped me and said: "You can take me to see Madam Pomfrey – or whoever is going to be in charge of checking up on my baby – but I won't let you know the gender. I'm going to keep that a secret until the birth. I will only allow my mate to know." Hermione had tried to argue this with the cloths, but Harry had shrugged and said: "Just use neutral colors. Red, green, yellow."
And while the girl got stumped at this, had I growled at how Harry was obviously enjoying himself before he muttered: "I wonder if Dean would be willing to do a paint job on the nursery room. Maybe even paint the walls to look like the open sky or something." To which Angelina asked the vital question: "Is that even allowed inside Hogwarts?" And luckily Molly had answered: "It is. Hogwarts just repaints the whole thing once the room becomes vacant."
But right now I'm a nervous wreck. I really want to put on the old robes and just get back to work, but I know I need to look presentable if I want to make a good impression on those who will, in just a few minutes time, decide over my fate. Amelia already contacted me and told me that Umbridge just had her sentence handed to her and sent off to Azkaban as she just kept on denying that she did anything wrong, but that doesn't help much.
The woman had definitely been a blessing when she told me that a lot of the Ancient Lords were impressed with the cover story we made up to prove my innocence – that I had snuck back into Hogwarts after escaping and have been secretly helping Harry survive the Tournament and after that Umbridge – and reassured me that she had already met with Lucius, who had again confirmed to her that most of those on his side were actually on board.
The man had even sworn an oath to her that none of them would dare to harm me today and that they had no intentions of not seeing me return to my rightful place as Lord Black, but while I wonder why he wants this, does it also help to keep me distracted. I've spent the time since Amelia's call thinking up ways I can be Lord Black, take my rightful seat, not make my godson worry about me and make up an agenda that Lucius will surely agree with.
"The Black Family is, from now on, going to focus on just that; family. I'm going to talk with Lucius and Narcissa, convince them to give Andy and Dora another chance, see if I can make them agree to the compromise of just ignoring Ted if he's there too and inform them about Harry being my Heir and his pregnancy. Though kind of funny that Draco hasn't done that yet. I know Poppy told him to talk with his father about the whole Heir versus Mister thing."
I shake my head, knowing now is not the time to ponder this. Yet then suddenly the portrait opens and I feel really confused to see Harry rushing in. "Ehm pup, shouldn't you be heading downstairs?" I ask the young man, feeling glad that his pregnancy is finally helping Molly see that he's not a child anymore and he grins at me as he says: "Yeah, but I just got a great idea. Give me a minute." And he rushes past me into his bedroom.
I look confused and intrigued and the boy comes back two minutes later with his Firebolt in hand. Instantly I get what he's getting at and grin myself as he says: "Yeah, you get it. You gave me this years ago and I already got some pictures from Collin Creevey to give to Madam Bones. And if the people of the Wizengamot see you fly this and hear you gave it to me, it will further increase your chances to be claimed innocent, right?"
I nod, take the incredible broom from the boy and he says: "The stage has been built around the Stone Circle. See you there. I'll make sure to stay close to Madam Bones." I nod at this and the boy rushes back out of the portrait. I mount the broom myself and just having it float slightly above the ground makes most of my nerves vanish, as if I left them on the floor as I lifted them off the ground alongside the broom. I then happily take off.
I fly out of the private rooms and make sure to make a quick circle around the Gryffindor tower, yet also make sure not to fly too fast to make the wind mess up my hair. Yet the feeling of freedom, of being almost completely weightless makes me feel as if the last fourteen years never happened. And with that sense of freedom and relief, do I head down, making sure to fly at a straight path heading for the huge monoliths stationed at the end of the Suspension Bridge which connects the Clocktower Courtyard to the Hogwarts Grounds.
And while a lot of voices gasp and yelp upon my entrance, do I happily descend next to Amelia. The woman sends me a raised eyebrow glance and a smirk to prove that she is quite amused at my entrance and then asks: "Well, well, well, Lord Black. I'm going to assume that this is the reason your godson gave me these pictures of him playing that very nice broom of yours in two different matches and of course, his fight against the Horntail."
And while my stomach still feels like it just outright vanishes when I think back to that event, do I nod and say: "Yes indeed, Madam Bones. I managed, through a companion I will not mention here today, to buy my godson and charge this broom for his Third Year Christmas and he decided to thank me by giving me the chance to use it today. To make sure that students, who are not yet aware of today's events, wouldn't get scared and accidentally curse me."
And while I know that this isn't really Harry's reason, does it still make the woman nod and the Minister asks: "Hold on a second. Madam Bones, may I see those pictures, please?" The woman complies and then Harry, Albus and Minerva arrive, Minerva's eyebrow raising up when she sees me still with the Firebolt in hand. I shrug at her, but then remember something and say: "Oh right, and Professor McGonagall checked the broom upon arrival.
I do believe she still has the report proving this Firebolt to be entirely curse-free somewhere in her office if anyone desires to have it handed in for evidence." Yet to this the Minister waves his hand and says: "No, no, that won't be necessary. I do believe that these pictures are evidence enough." I smirk at him, not even caring for the fact that he is still trying to rush through trials just like he did back when Harry had his over summer.
I spare a quick glance at the other members of the Wizengamot and state: "Also I do have one thing I would like to mention before I will submit myself to this here trial. I have been thinking it through since I heard I could get my trial and I made a decision. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Wizengamot, I desire absolutely no financial compensation if I am declared innocent. I only wish for 12 meetings between myself and you fine people."
And while I notice Lucius sending me an amused smirk, as if he is able to deduce my strategy and approves of it, do I notice that those around him are muttering and whispering with each other in intrigued interest. Yet then suddenly the hairs in the back of my neck come to stand on end and before I can turn around, does Harry jump in front of my back and shout: "PROTEGO!" And his transparent shield deflects a powerful Stunner.
This causes a lot of yells and shouting to erupt around me and I turn around, shocked and annoyed to notice Percy Weasley running at us, casting more and more curses as he does and each spell being deflected by Harry's shield, even if it makes my godson grunt and hiss and even cringe back twice as he tries to keep strong. Yet then the twins rush past us and the one on the left shouts: "FLIPPENDO!" And the right one shouts: "INCARCEOUS!"
And while I can't help but wonder why they don't try to disarm or Stun their brother, do both their spells hit their target. Percy gets shot off his feet and as he flips around in the air, do ropes start to wrap themselves around him. Yet as he lands does he yell: "YOU SICK BASTARDS! YOU'LL BE ARRESTED FOR THIS! YOU'RE SIDING WITH DARK -!" But while I am furious that he would accuse my godson, does Ron scream:
"WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA!" And this makes his older brother get shot into the air, the sensation scaring him so much he stops yelling and yelps instead. "Ron, FOR THE LOVE OF MERLIN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? You're a Prefect! Stop throwing away –!" But then Amelia snarls: "Percival, shut your bloody trap already. Neither Potter nor your brothers are siding with a criminal. This is Black's trial!"
"BUT BLACK HAD A TRIAL! HE WAS THROWN IN AZKABAN YEARS AGO!""Yes, he was – illegally, through Crouch making a deal with another source to keep this quiet and because he desired control over the Black Vaults. And now, with significant evidence proving that Crouch was in the wrong, we are here today to set this problem right. You would have known that – if you had shown some decency and apologized already!"
Weasley actually gasps in shock at hearing that his former boss might have done something wrong and Amos Diggory steps forward as he says: "Speaking of committing crimes. I have another case against our previous suspect. Dolores Jane Umbridge blackmailed me – I will admit to her source later – into keeping me from performing an autopsy on my son. When I heard that she was arrested, I instantly had the report written.
And ladies and gentlemen, I have here, on the bottom line of this report, the cause of my son's death. Murder by Killing Curse, casted by Peter Pettigrew." Gaping and staring is the reaction of almost everyone around me at this, yet then Percy whispers: "Wait, that – that can't be right." Which makes me turn to the older teen, who turns to his brother and asks: "Ron, where – where is – where is Scabbers?" And this question astounds me.
"You knew." Ron whispers and then he and Harry yell in perfect sync: "YOU BLOODY KNEW!" And because I recognize the raging fury sounding through their voices, which sounds almost crazily similar to my own when I wanted to kill that disgusting little rat, do I instantly grab Harry and whisper to him what he told me: "Your parents wouldn't want you to be a killer. Do not let him push you there. Think of your child."
And while Harry glares at me, do I just sternly stare back at him, not willing to let him make the same mistake I did all those years ago and determined to prevent him from doing so the same way he did me just a few years back. And Ron seems to have heard me as well as the redhead growls and angrily puts his wand back in his robe. And naturally this instantly negates the levitation charm on his brother, making him fall out of the air.
Amelia reacts with instant speed, casting a spell to make the lad land softly instead of crashing into the hard dirt underneath where he was floating and the woman says: "Percival, while I do not agree with your brother's methods –." But to this Ron glares at them both and he snarls: "He's no brother of mine. No brother of mine would be sick enough to, knowingly, give a full-grown adult to an eleven year old to care for.
He knew I would let Pettigrew sleep on my pillow and he knew who Pettigrew was and he still let it happen. Therefore he is no brother of mine." And he walks back to stand with Harry and me. Amelia nods at him and then turns to Percy as she asks: "Tell me, Percival, how much did you know about Pettigrew and when did you find out that he was actually human and not a pet rat?" And while Percy glares at her, does he still answer:
"Give me a break already, will you woman? I am still the Minister's Assistant (this makes Amelia and – I notice – Fudge himself roll their eyes). And besides, I only found out that Pettigrew was an Animagus when I was nine. He told me that he was hiding from Black and that Black wanted to kill him, so I let him hide with me and later with Ron, because he was in the same year as Potter and I thought the Boy-Who-Lived could protect him."
Yet while this infuriates me, does Amelia snort and say: "So you've actually had trouble realizing when you need to report something dangerous to the authorities ever since you were little. Why does that not surprise me? And as for Pettigrew and Black, you got it quite backwards, Percival. For if you were to take all of the facts into account, including a piece of evidence I have right here, you will find that Black is the victim and Pettigrew the culprit."
"Wait, hold on a second." Harry suddenly mutters and we all turn to him as he asks: "Did Percy just say that he was nine when he found out? As in, when my godfather still had six years to go in regards to the time he spent in Azkaban? You actually left my godfather to rot in prison for six years longer than he was supposed to, regardless of the fact that he was innocent.""For Merlin's sake, Potter, will you listen for once?
I thought Pettigrew was hiding from a murderer! What was I supposed to do?" Yet to this his twin brothers start to talk, one first and the other following, both of their voices full of derision and disgust: "What were you supposed to do when finding out your pet was an Animagus?""Not hand him off to your younger brother!""Not expect a Muggle-raised kid to protect him!""Not leave him in the vicinity of innocent Minors!"
"Report him to dad who works for the Ministry!""Report him yourself when you started working for the Ministry.""Not take him to Hogwarts where he'd be around hundreds of innocent students!" "Report him to your Head of House when you requested to have a rat for a pet!""Not request to have a rat for a pet when you knew that rat wasn't a rat!""Question the fact that a grown man would willingly hide with Minors!"
"Check to see if this grown man might have a wand.""Wonder how the man lost his finger and his rights to a free life of his own.""Do we need to continue?""Because we can continue.""For a while." The twins chorus at the end, their older brother steaming and glaring at them while I hear Ron whisper to Harry: "And they only scored a few Acceptables on their OWLs." Making me snort as I remember Molly bemoaning the fact that Percy was smart enough to break NEWT records, but blinded by his own fame and fortune at the Ministry.
"Minister, I can honestly say that I think you picked the wrong Weasleys to work for you. You obviously should have waited another year and then hired these two over here." Amelia then tells Fudge, making Percy gape at her, his eyes proving he can't believe she would dare say such a thing, but the twins shrug and chorus: "Sorry, not interested. Thanks for the compliment though." And then Fudge just makes everything perfect.
He walks out of his seat as the head judge of my trial and over to where we are all standing and says: "Boys, for your swift and wonderful work protecting Lord Black, I would like to offer you a fund for you to use to pursuit any career dreams you may have. I will even personally finance it if you can manage to escort Wea – Percival – over here off of the Hogwarts grounds. And Percival, consider your paid leave hereby changed – to unpaid.
That is your punishment for housing a dangerous Animagus for six years and for endangering Minors with his presence. I don't care what story Pettigrew told you, you should have reported an unregistered Animagus living in your home. Anyone hiding themselves away from society like that has a shady past and backstory and, more often than not, has something dark to hide. You endangered both your own family and Hogwarts school.
And if you dare to argue, I will officially consider you fired." And while Percival now takes on an almost broken look, making me wonder if this might finally make him have hit rock-bottom and change his tune, do the twins chorus: "Minister, it will be our pleasure and our honored duty." And while George keeps his wand at the ready, does Fred walk over, haul his brother up and push him forward, loosening the ropes enough to make him walk.
I take a deep breath and Fudge states to the crowd: "Ladies and Gentlemen, seeing everything that just took place, I suggest the following. We allow Madam Bones to present her final piece of evidence and then call out our judgement on Lord Black. All those in favor?" And every wand around the now vacant seat lights up, making me smile. Amelia steps forward and states: "I hereby present this bit of evidence, the Final Will and Testament of Lord James Potter."
Gasps and yelps are heard all around and the woman goes on: "Lord Potter hid this version behind Lord Black's birth certificate and enchanted a letter to Remus Lupin to inform him of this upon Mr. Lupin realizing that Lord Black was innocent. Unfortunately that took 13 years and it took Mr. Lupin the last year to get in contact with me and give me the means to find this will. However, I need only a single line from it to prove Lord Black's innocence."
And with a firm voice, while I have a tender hold on my godson's shoulder as I can only imagine how it must feel for him to hear one of his father's final wishes before his death, does the woman read: "Peter Pettigrew, we hereby bequeath you, if we are to die through you breaking your oath as Secret Keeper, with the Traitor's Fine of ten Sickles. Buy yourself a boat trip to Azkaban prison, you filthy traitor. And never dare to approach our son. If you do, we will know – and upon your own passing, you will pay. Then your soul – is ours."
This makes me wince as James actually told me a story about his own heritage and I think: "That's not Lord Potter speaking there, that's Lord Peverell." And when I remember that Pettigrew spent three years in Harry's presence and encountered him last June, do only three words come up in my mind: "He's a goner." And while I can definitely notice that those in the audience around me are freaked out, does Fudge recover and ask:
"Ahem, very well. This final piece of evidence is – remarkably definitive. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Wizengamot, your vote if you please. Innocent, raise your wands and light them blue. Guilty, raise your wands and light them red." And while I had slightly expected it, do I still feel a slight hint of shock at seeing even Lucius and those around him, like Crabbe, Goyle and even Nott – who I know hates me like Snape – light their wands blue.
Yet Fudge seems startled by something and coughs as he says: "The Final Vote. Blue 99 votes. Red, one vote. The majority is overwhelming, so it is my pleasure to announce Lord Sirius Orion Black officially innocent and cleared of all charged." And the magic that Crouch forced upon me all those years ago feels like it is lifted just as Fudge slams his gavel onto his desk. And just like two years ago, do I breath a sigh of relief and freedom once again.
And Harry instantly takes me my breath right after as he pounces onto me shouting: "YOU'RE FREE, SIRIUS! YOU'RE FINALLY FREE! Mum and dad must be so happy right now!" And this last line makes tears spring to my eyes as I think: "I bet they are. Prongs, I'm sure you've been watching over me all these years, protecting me up to this point. You can rest in peace now, pal. I've got things from here." And I actually sense it.
A hint of a presence that feels like it surrounds Harry and me suddenly feels as if it's gone. And Harry also looks up and around, proving he sensed it as well. I smile at this and at him and whisper: "That was your dad. He's been watching over us all this time, helping and guiding us here. Now he's at peace." And Harry tears up at this as he mumbles: "Yeah he is." And we hug each other close, loving the fact that we now get to celebrate this, all of this.
I notice the others, the other Weasleys – bar Fred and George who must still be escorting Percy out – Hermione, the Quidditch Team, Lee Jordan, Amelia and her niece, Tonks, Kingsley, Remus and Neville all coming to stand around us and I ask: "What are you guys waiting for? A written invitation?" Making them all laugh at me as the Chasers pull Harry and me back on our feet before they surround us in a huge group hug.
Yet to my astonishment and annoyance is this happy moment actually cut short as I suddenly notice something springing up from the ground beside us and turn to watch as a cloud of darkness forms itself into a doorway. Yet before I can raise my wand at it, Amelia raising her eyebrow as she sees it, does it vanish and leave behind several youngsters, all who look to be between my godson and the twins' years of age.
"Who are you?""What do you want?""How did you come here?""What was that magic you just used?" The others around me ask, all having turned to the source themselves and drawn their own wands. Yet while the blonde teen, the black-haired girl and the – strangely enough – blue haired young adult all raise their hands in signs of surrender, do I notice that the redhead with them seems strangely fixated on something next to me.
Instantly I realize that he's focused on Harry and turn to my godson, spotting him having the strange single-minded look of focus in his own eyes. Instantly it clicks. "His soul mate." Goes through my mind as Harry starts to walk, looking as if he's in trance or under the Imperius Curse. The redhead also starts to move and this makes some of the girls want to start cursing, but I stop them. They turn to look at me and I hiss:
"Just watch." The two approach each other, obviously completely oblivious to anything but the person they are approaching and the redhead proves me, as soon as he reaches Harry, that I'm right. As upon reaching my godson, he instantly looks down and lies a gentle hand on Harry's stomach, as if searching out the life he created within. This makes Harry gently beam at him with a dazzling smile of hope and actual budding love and he whispers two words:
"You're home." This seems to confuse the redhead's companions, but the redhead himself only smiles back and whispers: "I know. Keep it memorized." And while the two pull each other in an embrace, Harry just short enough that he can warmly tuck his head under the redhead's chin, does Harry whisper: "I will, always." And to my teary pride do I notice an aura of soft black and fiery-red surround the two before settling within them.
Awwww, that's so sweet,
And where I'm going to end it for right now. Yeah, Sirius has been cleared, Amos has another case to put up against Umbridge to get her one step closer to the Dementor's Kiss – which she will probably receive sometime in the next week of the story – and Lea has arrived. And the bond between them has officially settled, merging their souls together. I may have picked some corny, cliché colors, but to be frank with you all –
I don't care,
Venquine1990
