II - Expulsion
"Harry Potter Cleared of Underage Magic Charges: The Boy Who Lived Strikes Again!"
By Rita Skeeter
In a shocking turn of events, the infamous Harry James Potter, once again found himself in the hot seat before the esteemed members of the Wizengamot on the 12th of August. Accused of underage magic and violating the sacred Statute of Secrecy, the young wizard faced what could have been a damning judgement. However, as is often the case with Mr. Potter, the outcome defied expectations.
Rumours swirled like pesky Cornish Pixies, whispering tales of clandestine wand-waving and reckless disregard for magical law. Yet, amidst the clamour of speculation, the truth emerged—a truth that would see the hero of the wizarding world emerge unscathed yet again.
With all the flair of a seasoned courtroom drama, Potter's trial unfolded. Witnesses took to the stand, their testimonies painting a vivid picture of the events that transpired on that fateful day. But in a twist that could only be described as magical, evidence surfaced that exonerated the accused beyond a shadow of a doubt.
One might wonder, dear readers, how it is that Mr. Potter continually finds himself embroiled in such controversies. Is it mere happenstance, or perhaps something more? Some would argue that where there is smoke, there is fire, but others maintain that Harry Potter is simply a magnet for the extraordinary—a beacon of hope in a world fraught with darkness.
In the end, the verdict was clear: Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, was innocent of all charges. The Wizengamot, in their wisdom, recognized that sometimes the laws of magic bend to accommodate the greater good.
As the dust settles on yet another chapter in the storied life of Harry Potter, one thing remains certain: his legend will endure, casting a spell over generations to come. Love him or loathe him, there's no denying that where Harry Potter goes, magic follows.
~
Mere days after the successful trial of Harry Potter, Professor McGonagall stood next to Sirius Black in the main drawing room of 13 Grimmauld Place, her usually stern expression softened slightly by the concern etched into her features. She watched as Harry entered the room, shuffling to stand close to his godfather, a hint of apprehension contorting his face. The Weasley's and other members of the order had finally cleared out after Sirius's harsh words, leaving Harry and Sirius to spend some quality time together, with the welcome exception of Remus who popped in every now and again.
"Hello, Mr Potter. Please sit." She said, gesturing towards one of the rundown sofas that occupied the space.
Harry took a seat cautiously, heart pounding against his ribcage like a bird desperate for freedom. He couldn't fathom why Professor McGonagall had requested to see him so soon after his trial. Had something happened? He honestly didn't think he could take anymore bad news at this point. It was too much. Sirius settled down next to him, placing a heavy hand on his shoulder, grounding him. He couldn't have been more grateful that he was allowed to spend the break with his godfather, far, far away from the Dursley's. If only they could prove Sirius innocent then he could stay permanently, they could be a family.
"Professor," Harry began, his voice steady despite his nerves, "what's this about? Is everything alright?"
McGonagall took a deep breath, steeling herself. "I'm afraid, Mr Potter, that there has been an incident following your trial," she stated, picking her words cautiously. "An unfortunate oversight, I must admit."
Sirius's hand tightened on Harry's shoulder and Harry's brow furrowed in confusion. "An incident? What sort of incident?"
"It seems that in the confusion surrounding your trial, there was a mistake made by the administrative staff. You were inadvertently expelled from Hogwarts."
"Expelled?" Sirius shot up from his seat, hand leaving Harry's shoulder and voice raising. "But he was cleared of all charges, Minnie!"
Harry felt as though the ground had been pulled out from beneath him, yet again. Expelled? How could that be? He had just been acquitted of all charges, hadn't he? Why would they expel him if he was innocent?
"The Ministry has acknowledged the error," McGonagall explained gently, feeling unnerved by Harry's silence. "But unfortunately, it means that you will need to be re-sorted into your house upon your return to Hogwarts."
Sirius's eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he quickly schooled his features into a mask of calm. Harry could tell how hard Sirius was working to get back to how he was before Azkaban, striving to rein in his emotions and regain his composure, though his physical appearance still reflected his prolonged ordeal; he remained noticeably underweight. When Harry finally got Sirius freed, officially, the man would be ready. Ready to accept his lordship and then to gain permanent custody of Harry.
"Re-sorted?" He echoed, his voice carefully neutral.
Re-sorted. The word hung in the air like a heavy fog, obscuring Harry's thoughts and leaving uncertainty to settle in his bones. Gryffindor has been his home for the past four years, where he had made all his friends. Being re-sorted was a risk, it was hard enough for Harry to convince the hat to put him in Gryffindor his first year. There was no promise the hat would place him there again, especially knowing how well it thinks Harry will do in Slytherin.
"I understand that this must come as quite a shock," McGonagall said, her voice softening with sympathy. "But rest assured, Mr Potter, you have the heart of a lion. I'm sure you will be re-sorted back into Gryffindor swiftly."
Harry, unable to find words to express that he, himself, was not at all sure he would be placed into Gryffindor 'swiftly', if at all, so he simply nodded. Sirius sat back down beside Harry, his hand resuming its place on his shoulder but even that didn't stop the nausea settling deep in his stomach.
'Sorted back into Gryffindor swiftly.' McGonagall had said. Fat chance of that Harry thought miserably, it was hard enough to convince the hat not to put him in Slytherin the first time. Looking at the way his luck had been lately, there was no chance he was going anywhere else.
Harry's mind raced with a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. He couldn't shake the feeling of dread pooling in the pit of his stomach, a gnawing fear that threatened to consume him whole. Being re-sorted wasn't just about a change in house; it was a disruption of the very foundation of his identity, a questioning of where he truly belonged. Harry Potter was a brave Gryffindor not a cunning Slytherin. The wizarding world would surely riot.
Sirius's grip on his shoulder tightened again, a silent reassurance. Harry glanced up at his godfather, finding solace in the unwavering strength etched into Sirius's expression. Despite his own inner turmoil, Sirius remained a pillar of support.
"Thank you, Professor," Sirius interjected, his voice steady despite the underlying tension. "We appreciate you informing us of this... oversight. But I'm sure there's no need to worry about Harry's sorting. Gryffindor, just like his parents. It's in his blood."
The smile and wink he shot Harry's way twisted his stomach painfully, causing bile to rise in the back of the boy's throat.
McGonagall nodded, her gaze softening with understanding. "Of course, Mr Black. And Mr Potter," she added, turning her attention back to him, "I have every confidence that you will face this challenge with the same courage and determination that you've shown time and time again."
Harry managed a weak smile, grateful for McGonagall's words of encouragement even as uncertainty gnawed at his resolve. "Thank you, Professor. I'll do my best."
As McGonagall bid them farewell and exited the room, Harry sank back into the worn cushions of the sofa, feeling the weight of the world pressing down upon him. Sirius remained by his side, a silent presence offering support amidst the turmoil.
"Hey," Sirius said softly, his voice a gentle reminder of the bond that bound them together. "It's all going to be fine."
Harry nodded, a wave of doubt crashing over his mind. "Yeah." he croaked, attempting to ignore the concern on his godfather's face. "I'm gonna go to my room now."
Sirius frowned slightly, concern flickering in his eyes. "Are you sure you're alright, Harry?"
Harry nodded quickly, his throat tight with emotion. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just need a moment alone, that's all."
With a final pat on Harry's shoulder, Sirius relented, though his gaze lingered on Harry with a mix of understanding and worry. "Alright, Harry. Take all the time you need."
With that, Harry rose from the sofa, his legs feeling unsteady beneath him. Harry forced a smile, though it felt more like a grimace. He cast one last glance at Sirius, hoping to convince the man he was fine. Then, without waiting for a response, he hurried out of the drawing room and up to his bedroom, snapping the door shut quickly.
Alone in the dimly lit hallway, Harry leaned against the peeling wallpapered wall, his breaths coming in shallow gasps. He couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in the pit of his stomach.
Gryffindor, just like his parents. It's in his blood. Sirius's words echoed in his ears, a stark reminder of the expectations resting upon his shoulders. But what if he didn't belong in Gryffindor? What if the Sorting Hat saw something in him that he couldn't see himself? He knows there had to be a reason it was so insistent about putting him there in the first place.
~
Later on that evening after McGonagall had left, Harry couldn't sleep. Usually it was the creepy noises the old house made that kept him up but tonight his mind couldn't stop racing. His re-sorting was a problem as much as he hoped he would go back to Gryffindor, in his heart he knew he was going to be thrown in with the snakes.
Harry crept quietly down the dimly lit corridor of Grimmauld Place. He had never felt like he needed adults in his life, they had never helped him before. But right now, he just wanted his godfather to tell him everything will be fine no matter what and hold him tightly, like he'd seen Petunia do with Dudley so often.
As he reached the old fireplace in the drawing-room, Harry cautiously peeked around the corner. The flames crackled softly, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Sirius sat in front of the fire, his expression grave, while Remus's weary face appeared in the flickering flames.
"... You should have seen him, Moony," Sirius was saying, his voice tinged with sympathy. "-poor thing went green soon as Minnie told him."
Harry lingered in the hallway, straining to hear the conversation between Sirius and Remus.
"I can't believe they made such a mistake," Remus's voice came through, rough and full of concern. "Expelling him, even if temporarily, after everything he's been through—it's just cruel."
"He's been strong, Moony, stronger than any kid should have to be," Sirius replied, running a hand through his hair. "But this? This is hitting him hard. The house is his identity, his family. I can understand why he's so upset."
Remus sighed deeply. "Harry is resilient, but you're right. The uncertainty must be eating him alive. We need to be there for him, help him through this."
"I know."
With that the flames flickered back to normal and Remus disappeared from view. Taking a deep breath, Harry stepped into the drawing-room, startling Sirius.
"I'm sorry," Harry began, his voice steadier than he felt. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop."
"That's all right, kiddo," Sirius greeted, his voice warm despite the concern etched into his features. "Couldn't sleep?"
Harry shook his head, his eyes tracing the pattern of the wallpaper behind his godfather. He could already feel his stomach start to twist unpleasantly. "Actually, I- I just... I needed to talk."
Sirius nodded, patting the space on the sofa next to him. "Come sit with me."
Harry walked over and settled into the sofa, feeling the comforting presence of his godfather beside him.
"What's on your mind, kiddo?" Sirius asked gently.
Harry hesitated, then took a deep breath. "I—well, Sirius, I don't think I'm going to be sorted into Gryffindor again."
Sirius frowned, confusion flickering in his eyes. "What? Of course you are, kiddo. There's nothing to worry about."
"No, Sirius, I—well, when I was first sorted, I had to convince the hat not to put me in its first choice. To put me in Gryffindor instead. It was really hard to convince, I- I don't think I'll be able to convince it again."
Sirius's expression shifted to one of surprise and concern. "Harry?"
Harry's voice trembled slightly. "Sirius, I'm going to be sorted into Slytherin."
For a few moments, silence hung in the air, the crackling of the fire the only sound.
"My brother was in Slytherin, you know," Sirius said, breaking the silence.
"He was? You never talk about him," Harry prompted gently, hoping to coax more out of Sirius.
"Yes, his name was Regulus, but I always called him my little star." Sirius said, a faint smile playing on his lips as he remembered. "Regulus is part of the Leo constellation, did you know?"
"No, I didn't."
"Yes, the star Regulus is also called Cor Leonis; Heart of the lion. He was my heart walking around outside of my chest."
"So you two were close?" Harry asked, leaning forward, his curiosity piqued.
Sirius sighed, looking down at his hands. "It was complicated towards the end but we were, once. When we were young, we were inseparable. He was my everything, used to follow me around like a little duckling. I adored him. But as we got older, the pressures and expectations of being a Black drove a wedge between us."
Harry frowned, trying to reconcile this new information with what he knew about Sirius and his family. "What happened?"
Sirius ran a hand through his hair, his eyes reflecting memories long buried. "We drifted apart when he started at Hogwarts. I was sorted into Gryffindor, and he went to Slytherin. Our parents were thrilled about his sorting; they thought Slytherin was the only house worth anything."
Harry nodded slowly. "And you rebelled against all that."
"Yes," Sirius said with a rueful smile. "I couldn't stand all their expectations. But Regulus...he wanted to make them proud. He fit into their world, in a way I never could."
"But you still cared about him," Harry said, a statement rather than a question.
"Always," Sirius affirmed. "I tried to reach out, but he was stubborn. He wanted to prove himself, to find his own path. And in the end...he did something incredibly brave."
Sirius's eyes grew distant, as if he were seeing the past unfold before him. "Regulus was... he was a good person, Harry. He had a kind heart. But he got caught up in the desire to make our parents proud. He joined the Death Eaters when he was very young, and it tore me apart. I left home shortly after that, and we rarely spoke."
Harry listened intently, the knot in his stomach easing slightly. "Did he change? Did he ever regret it?"
Sirius shook his head. "In the end, he realised the truth and tried to make things right."
"What did he do?" Harry asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"He realised his mistake," Sirius said softly. "Regulus discovered what Voldemort truly was and what he was doing. He tried to stop him. He died trying to make things right."
Harry's eyes filled with understanding and a new respect for the uncle he never knew. "He was a hero."
"In his own way, yes," Sirius agreed. "Being in Slytherin doesn't define who you are, Harry. It's your choices that matter. Regulus made bad ones at first, but in the end, he chose to do the right thing, even though it cost him his life."
Harry took a deep breath, feeling the weight of Sirius's words. "Do you think I can make the right choices?"
"I know you can," Sirius said firmly. "You have a good heart, Harry. You have the courage to do what's right, no matter the cost. Just remember, the Sorting Hat put you in Slytherin for a reason, but it doesn't control your choices. You do."
Harry nodded, a new sense of determination in his eyes. "Thanks, Sirius."
"Anytime, kiddo," Sirius said with a warm smile. "Remember, you're not alone. You've got me, and you've got your friends. We'll face whatever comes, together."
Harry wasn't so sure about the friends bit but he was certain now more than ever that he would always have Sirius. Who knows, maybe Slytherin would help him.
Sirius pulled Harry into a tight hug, holding him close. Harry clung to Sirius, the warmth and comfort of the embrace easing some of the fear and doubt that had been gnawing at him.
"So you won't hate me if I get sorted into Slytherin?"
Sirius let out a deep, rumbly laugh that made Harry feel warm inside. "Oh Harry, you could turn into the next dark lord and I'd still be right beside you."
In that moment Harry felt as if he finally understood what it was like to have a family, sure it was a bit small and a tad unconventional but a family nevertheless. "Thank you," he whispered.
Sirius smiled, ruffling Harry's hair affectionately. "Now, how about we get some hot chocolate and talk about something a bit more cheerful?"
Harry managed a small smile, feeling a bit more at ease. "Yeah, that sounds good."
~
After Harry had gone to bed Sirius returned to the drawing room connected to his bedroom where his mother's portrait hung.
"Mother." He greeted warmly.
"Sirius," Walburga's portrait replied, her tone surprisingly gentle for the usually strict matriarch of the Black family. "What brings you here this evening?"
"It's about Harry," he said, his voice tinged with worry. "He's... well, he's going to be re-sorted."
Walburga's painted eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Re-sorted? What ever for?"
Sirius hesitated, grappling with the weight of his words. "He was accidentally expelled," he admitted. "After his trial."
At this, Walburga's interest was piqued. "And what house does the boy think he'll be sorted into?"
"Slytherin," Sirius answered, a note of concern creeping into his voice. "He's convinced of it but he seems dreadfully nervous."
Walburga let out a low chuckle, her painted features softening ever so slightly.
"A true Black through and through," she remarked with a hint of pride. "Bring the boy to me, Sirius. I wish to see the new heir to the House of Black with my own eyes and perhaps I can offer him some advice that will aid him in his new house."
"Thank you, Mother."
But before he could leave, Walburga spoke again, her tone taking on a more serious note. "And Sirius, there's something else you must do."
"What is it?"
"Remove the Ministry's track from Harry's wand, you know how." she instructed, her voice low and secretive. "He must not be hindered by their meddling. Especially if he is to excel in Slytherin."
"Excelling in Slytherin does not mean he will become a Dark Wizard, Mother."
Walburga sniffed hauntily as she gazed down at he son with an air of distain. "Of course not, foolish boy, but the fact that he keeps finding the library is telling."
Sirius felt a chill run down his spine at his mother's insinuation and chose to stay silent. He knew Harry had found the library a day or two after arriving at Grimmulaud, he had been the one to tell the boy he wasn't allowed in there. Especially not with the order around.
Walburga's painted eyes narrowed. "You haven't told him about your own... preferences, have you, Sirius Orion?"
Sirius shifted uncomfortably. "No, I haven't. Harry already has so much on his shoulders. I didn't want to throw anything else at him."
Walburga's expression hardened. "You are making a grave mistake, Sirius Orion. Secrets within a family can be more damaging than any curse. Harry needs to know who you truly are and what he may inherit, both the strengths and the responsibilities. You cannot shield him forever."
Sirius sighed, running a hand through his hair. "But he's just a boy, Mother. And he's been through so much already."
"That boy has faced trials that would break grown men," Walburga retorted sharply. "If he is to excel in Slytherin, he must understand the full extent of his heritage. Not all dark magic is evil, Sirius. It is power, and power must be respected and controlled, not feared. You know this, but the boy does not. You must be honest with him. Family is built on trust, and Harry deserves to know the truth from you, not from some outsider who will whisper."
Sirius nodded slowly, the weight of his mother's words settling heavily on his shoulders. "You're right. I'll talk to him."
Walburga's stern demeanor softened slightly, her gaze almost tender. "Good. Now, bring him to me soon. There is much he needs to learn, and time is of the essence."
"I will," Sirius promised. "Thank you, Mother."
"I am glad you came to speak with me, Sirius Orion. Perhaps you will seek me out in regards to future matters?"
"Of course, Mother." Sirius replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Of course."