:-[Chapter 51]-:
"Marcy," the young master said. "Could you ask Madam Longbottom if Neville can come with me to St Mungo's? If she asks why, give her this. Oh, and please, don't attack her." Harry finished while deadpanning and giving the letter to the house-elf.
"Of course, Master Harry." she said, before snapping her fingers and popping away.
They waited around five minutes before Marcy came back with a swift punch to Harry's side, which he blocked and the answer from Madam Longbottom.
"Madam Longbottom is giving her approval but only if Professor Sprout is going with us. What say you, Professor?" Harry asked the herbology professor.
"I say yes, Mister Potter." Pomona Sprout answered. "Your parents were dear students and I also want to know what is going on, if I am being honest."
Harry nodded at both his professors, happy at the result.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Sirius Black was lying on the most comfortable bed he ever had the chance to try. In one hand, he was holding a glass of the most deliciously tasty pumpkin juice and in the other, Healer Li was holding for more tests. His lawyer, Theodore Edward Tonks, was currently sitting beside him and was explaining what the near future was for Sirius.
"Your fight is only beginning, Mister Black." Ted Tonks said, his tone very serious. "Even if your wand is intact, so are the accusations against you. We need to talk strategy."
"I am ready to take Veritaserum or have my mind checked by a certified Legilimens." Sirius immediately said.
"Sadly, Veritaserum is not admissible in a court in front on the Wizengamot. The questions need to be extremely precise, and all your secrets could be revealed. As for the Legilimens, memories can be altered, and I fear that the Dementors have affected your brain in more than one way. We have few chances to succeed if we pursue that course of actions." The muggleborn wizard said.
"So, what do we do, Ted? My word is not exactly to be trusted around here. Healer Li and you are the only one who dare come in. Even the Aurors guarding me are sending me looks of fear!" the hidden Animagus said.
"That is because I know the truth. Amelia Bones knows it, Kingsley Shacklebolt and Rufus Scrimgeour also know it. They are outside of the Hospital right now dealing with the press since you are here. I don't think they have left since." Ted said, trying to help his mood.
"I just wish for Harry to know the truth and nothing else." Sirius deplored. "I should be outside, trying to find that fucking rat."
"Trying to find him is what put you in this situation, Sirius. Remember that everyone thinks you were the Secret Keeper of the Potters before they died. Dumbledore even said so since you were imprisoned."
"That is because James and I decided to put Peter in my place, thinking that no one would ever think of this including Voldemort." Sirius said, making Ted and Konan Li gasp in fright at the name. "We never thought that Peter was the actual spy for the Death Eaters and would betray us all. Dumbledore knows this, why hasn't he ever spoken up?"
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door and opened it.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Harry, Neville and the two professors were walking in the corridors of St Mungo's. Professor Pomona Sprout was the first of the group, simply creating a path within the people by her simple presence. Hogwarts professors were extremely well respected in British Wizarding society after all. Many reporters tried to interview Harry as soon as he entered the premises but only a sharp look coming from the two professors stopped them in their tracks, as if the reporters were back in Hogwarts as students.
"I knew it would be useful to have the professors with us here." Harry said, smiling. "Those pesky reporters were getting annoying."
"I don't know how you do it, Harry. To stay this calm when so many things are happening at once. I would be a mess." Neville confided, his head low in shame.
"It's fine to be shy, Neville. There is nothing wrong with that. It's how you react to the people around you that defines you, in a way." the Ravenclaw said. "How did the tournament go for you?"
"I lost in our first round. I couldn't cast a single spell to save my life." the new Hufflepuff said. "I don't know what to do, Harry."
"Is it the wand? Maybe it is broken or something?" Harry wondered aloud.
"I doubt it. It was my father's, and he was an Auror, one of the best if Gran is to be believed, and she usually gave me the wand when I was eleven, I have taken great care of it ever since."
"Mister Longbottom, I apologize but I can't help but hear what you've just said. Are you saying that you do not have you own wand?" Professor Flitwick said, walking behind the boys.
"Yes, Professor Flitwick. This is my father's wand. My grand-mother told me that it would serve me just the same as it served him."
"That is not how wands work, Mister Longbottom. Now, I believe I understand your struggle with casting spells. After all, your theory is top notch, among the best in your year. Your problem, if I may be honest with you, is the spellcasting." Filius continued. "If you so wish, I will send a letter to your grand-mother about this."
"Really, professor? You think it's that simple?" Neville said, hopefully.
"I would think so, Mister Longbottom. Your wand technique is good, as is your spell theory. I dare say you have found the reason for your magical struggles. I'll send a letter with Professor Sprout to your grand-mother as soon as we are back. With a little luck, you'll be in Diagon Alley tomorrow to get a wand."
The small group walked a bit to finally arrive at the ward where Sirius Black was presently being treated. Aurors were everywhere, blocking the way to the crowd of people that managed to slip through the security.
"Names and reasons for your presence in the ward." a dark skinned Auror said, who was sitting at a desk leading to the ward in question.
"Professor Pomona Sprout, with Neville Longbottom, Professor Filius Flitwick and Harry Potter, here to see Sirius Black and Theodore Tonks, which is the latter's lawyer." the herbology teacher said, her voice firm.
The crowd went quiet at the names, especially the last one and then suddenly, chaos.
"It's Harry Potter!"
"Harry Potter, please! Sign my breast!"
"Look at me, Harry!"
Harry ignored them all and simply waited for the Auror to regain his senses. The man shook his head and called out. "Madam Bones is the only one who can authorize your entry. Luckily for you, she hasn't left the ward since she arrived. Dawlish!"
A younger looking Auror immediately approached. "Yes, sir?"
"Go get Madam Bones this instant. Tell her Harry Potter is here with two Hogwarts' professors and another student." the seated Auror said.
"Yes, sir, right away."
Harry looked more closely to the seated Auror. He had black skin and the same purple robe as he did when he came to his Declaration of Age ceremony.
"Auror Shacklebolt, good to see you again." Harry nodded to the man.
"Likewise Mister Potter."
They chatted amiably while waiting for Amelia Bones. Eventually, the Head of the DMLE arrived.
"Madam Bones, I apologize for dropping by unannounced," Harry started, clasping his hands behind his back. "but I am sure you understand how important this is for the House of Potter."
"Yes, I understand, Mister Potter. Please, follow me. The Hospital has given me a room to serve as my temporary office while I deal with the immense blowback." Amelia answered while starting to guide the group inside her 'office'.
"I was hoping to see Mister Black as soon as possible. This is not a courtesy visit towards him, only to see his reaction to the fact that he is temporarily free."
"He is with your lawyer at the moment." the Auror said, guiding them towards the room.
"Even better." he said.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Sirius Black looked at the door as it slowly opened, revealing Amelia Bones. She was the first to enter, followed by four other people. Harry was among them, and it took everything from the St Mongo's patient to not jump out of his bed and plea with his godson. Theodore Tonks had warned him that even if they had found his wand still intact, it was not proof of innocence and many people would need more to believe him.
"Madam Bones, to what do I owe the pleasure of seeing my old professors, my godson and one kid I have never seen before?"
"Mister Potter is among those who deserved to know the most about the crime you are suspected of having committed. As I am sure your lawyer has told you, it is far from over for you, Sirius." Amelia said, before taking her leave from the room.
Healer Li, who understood that she wasn't needed now, took her leave but not before leaving plenty of chocolate for her patient.
"Professors, do you mind if you wait outside, too? I wish to speak with Mister Black, Mister Tonks and Neville alone." Harry asked, his eyes never leaving Sirius'. Both witch and wizard nodded before taking their leave, leaving the two boys and lawyer with Sirius Black. "So, Mister Tonks, what is the news?"
"Madam Bones has already told us, that we need to have a trial as soon as possible. They cannot hold Sirius in St Mungo's or anywhere else for that matter. The Ministry of Magic has illegally imprisoned him for eleven years, and the Ministry knows it. The action of Madam Bones will inevitably help us in that regard."
"When will this trial happen?" the young wizard asked, his tone serious.
"I am betting at the end of next week, at the most. The Ministry won't take a lot of time to set it up. This has never happened in the history of the justice system, and they will want to quickly sweep this under the rug while acting like it never happened. I think they know they don't have a lot of chances."
"What about his so-called innocence? What evidence do you have to prove it?" the raven-haired boy asked.
"The wand will give us everything we need. Madam Bones casted spells on Sirius' wand to learn what were the last three spells used. A Shield Charm, Location Charm and a Tempus Spell. No Bombardment Spell in any way, which helps our case tremendously."
"I see. Well, Mister Black. I am assuming you already have told Mister Tonks here your version of the facts about that night?" Harry said, still looking at Sirius who nodded affirmatively. "Good. Then I imagine you would not mind explaining it to me? I admit that I was maybe a little emotive during our first meeting."
Sirius could not believe it. He was getting a second chance with his godson! Thanking Merlin and every Saint he could, the secret Animagus started explaining it all to two very curious boys before Ted took his leave and said his goodbyes.
:-[T.A.B]-:
William Morris was currently sitting in his home in London, England in front of his television, flipping through the channels, bored out of his mind. The Native American man was looking at his programs without any interest when suddenly, a firm knock on the door made him jolt.
"There is no one here!" Morris yelled, trying to get the stranger to leave.
Three firm knocks, firmer than before were heard.
"Yes, yes! For fuck's sake." the Native American grumbled. The muscled man stumbled on multiple beer bottles laying on the ground before finally opening the door, revealing a man in a suit. "What do you want?"
"You are William Morris, yes?" the man asked before receiving a slow nod from the dark-haired man. "Theodore Edward Tonks, lawyer at Tonks and Perkins. I am here at the demand of Sirius Black. Ring any bells?"
"What the fuck does Sirius Black want with me? I thought that the fucker was in your prison." Morris said, not letting the man, supposedly Ted, in.
"If I may ask you to continue this conversation inside? You know how our Ministry is." the lawyer said.
"Fine, fine. Come in." the six foot, four inch man said, before letting the man enter his apartment. "Now, what the fuck does Black want with me?"
"The House of Black wants to hire you and your group for protection. He feels that in the current condition with a government that incarcerated him without a trial for eleven years, he is unsecured and vulnerable. Lord Black believes that the Auror's security is not enough and has sent me, like I said, hire you and your group."
"Hell, no. I am not going to help that sorry son of a bitch. As you can see, I have tons of stuff to do so..." William said, trying to make the lawyer quit but to no avail.
"He said that you would say that. He told me to tell you, and I apologize for I am only quoting him, Shut the fuck up and get off your lazy arse you lazy piece of shit." Ted said, smiling.
"God, I hate that man. Fine! But it is going to cost him a fortune!"
"He said you would also say that, and he said to tell you, I don't fucking care, get your arse here with your team as soon as you can, full gear."
"Full gear? By God, Black is truly terrified." William Morris said, laughing. "I guess I would be also if I was put in that hellhole for that much time. Fine. Go tell him I'll be there before the beginning of the night. One member of my group is incommunicado." he finished, receiving a nod from Tonks.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Morris looked at his team in front of him while standing in front of St Mungo's. His skin, a slight golden brown, was almost glowing under the light of the moon. He was dressed in full black combat gear. William had black military pants and boots. His piercing brown eyes were looking at every movement and all the witches or wizards entering his vision.
"Right. Our new contract is Sirius Black, of the House of Black. This is a simple protection mission with no apparent problems in sight." William Morris said, his southern accent thick, playing with his metal staff that had inlaid runes in it.
"Seriously? You are asking us to be babysitters, William?" said one of three other people, two men and one other who has a full visor that hides its face. The man who had spoken was a tall individual, even taller than Morris and had blonde hair styled in a ponytail.
"I am not asking, Dimitriov. I am telling. It's an easy contract with good money. The House of Black is rich as fuck and I have a feeling Sirius Black will hire us for a while. It is going to change from the usual contracts." the Native-American said, lighting up a cigarette.
"What made you accept this contract, William?" the other man said, in the same Russian accent as Dimitriov. The second man was small, around five foot five and had short black hair.
"Black is an old friend, Samuels. We've met when he graduated from Hogwarts, he tried to become a member of my group instead of becoming an Auror." Morris explained, inhaling the smoke. "The only reason that he didn't make it was because he didn't want to leave his godson, if my memory serves me right."
"So, he could have been our predecessor?" Dimitriov said, pointing at Samuels and himself surprised at this revelation.
Morris nodded at the gigantic example of a man. "Black was a monster with his wand back in the day and I tried to recruit him with his friend, James Potter but the latter was dead serious about becoming an Auror. Said it was a dream of his or something. Black and I trained here in Britain for around two or three years before he decided to permanently stay with his friends due to the war and his godson." the Native-American man said, flicking the ash off his cigarette onto the ground before continuing. "Anyway, let's go, Black is probably going crazy right about now."
:-[T.A.B]-:
"About bloody time, William." Sirius grumbled in his bed. "I have been waiting for ages for the Ashen Hippogriffs to arrive."
"Stop fucking whining, Black. You've been waiting for less than half a day. You wanted my entire group for security. Valerya was unreachable until an hour ago. You're lucky that we didn't have a mission or a contract already." Morris said, his long black hair styled into a ponytail for the duration of his mission with Sirius.
"So, Mister Black, do you mind telling us why you want a mercenary group to protect you when you have a battalion of Aurors outside this very door to protect you?" Samuels asked.
"Aurors that answer to the same government that imprisoned me without a bloody trial. The number of people that believe me can be counted on one hand and while Amelia Bones herself knows I am innocent, the Minister doesn't and refuses to hear any different. Call me bloody paranoid but I need my own protection detail and you, you are the best of the best."
Sirius took the time to admire the Ashen Hippogriffs' gear. He didn't know what material it was made of, but it looked extremely resilient and looked to be made of a black glossy metallic material. No skin, except for the head, was shown. Valerya was the only one with a helmet and visor that covered her entire head. Sirius imagined himself as a member of this group, fighting in the same gear with these elite warriors.
"That's it?" Morris asked, looking at him knowingly.
"Fine, fine! Also, I need you, once all this bloody mess is over, to help me come back to my former self. A decade in that hell hole has weakened me and I can't stand it. I need to return to what I was, William." Sirius said.
"So, protection and training yet again, Black?" the leader of the Ashen Hippogriff said. "I won't train with you unless you join this time."
"My godson..." Sirius started before getting interrupted by the Native-American.
"Is your utmost priority, I fucking know. I think this is our exact same last conversation all over again, Black. Think about it. Right now, the Ashen Hippogriffs are only taking your protection request. Dimitriov, Samuels, stay with him. Valerya and I are going to speak with Amelia Bones of the DMLE to explain the situation." Morris smirked slightly. "No need to pout, Black."
"I am not pouting, you stupid twat!" Sirius yelled, making the squad chuckle.
:-[T.A.B]-:
:-[October 4, Sunday, 1992]-:
SIRIUS BLACK FREED
By Rita Skeeter
You read that right, dear reader. The infamous, despicable Sirius Black was indeed freed yesterday by none other than our Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Madam Amelia Bones. This reporter was shocked when she learned of the news and immediately went to St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, where he was rumored to be.
There he was. Lying on a bed and receiving treatments from a Healer, Konan Li. From what this reporter understands, many of the Healers at St Mungo's have decided to take the courageous stance to not give treatment to the criminal. Only the foreign witch had decided to do it. Could it be because she ignores what the man had done? Or something more nefarious is yet tounfold.
Right now, Sirius Black is being guarded by a battalion of Aurors. Is it to keep him safe or to keep the population safe? This reporter could not say. Nevertheless, I, Rita Skeeter will stay vigilant against the nefarious deeds of Sirius Black. What if, after all, this is only a plot to escape?
"This woman is funny." Dimitriov said, in his thick Russian accent while reading the article Sirius gave him in the morning.
"Yes." Sirius answered deadpanning. "Very funny indeed to put my name through even more mud than it already was. I swear to Merlin, I'll sue her arse to oblivion."
"See? I knew you would understand, Black!" the Russian man said, smiling at him, not understanding Sirius' tone.
No one but Valerya noticed the frown upon William's face as he read through the article. To the woman though, this was neither here nor there, seeing how Morris was mercurial man and noticed thing that others didn't. He wasn't the leader of the Ashen Hippogriff for no reasons after all.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Thank you everyone for reading Chapter 51 of The adventure begins! Please let a review in the comment, letting me know what you think about my story or what you would like to see.
Criticism is always welcome as long as it is constructive.
Thank you to abarai72 for his amazing help in developing this story!
To modelbuilder1fan1: Thank you bud!
To joharasbel: Thank you again for reading!
To Mark1: Yes he still does and yes in a way!
To cliffwest: Yeah, our Marcy loves to try and surprise our Harry. Thank you again for reading.