Part Two
12:30 P.M. BST
Wizengamot Chambers (L10), Ministry of Magic, London
4th June, 1985.
Fudge then announced, "We are hereby gathered to witness the trial of Sirius Black."
It was as if an alarm had gone off. Voices of the Wizengamot members dialled up by leaps and bounds. The Conservatives looked affronted, the Revolutionaries confused and the Neutralists finally turned an eye and an ear into the statement of Fudge.
Lucius Malfoy was positively raged. Bringing in Black back from the prison would mean potential competition over the Black fortunes. He would have to stop this trial from happening. But how? How could he possibly stop it when there was proof that Pettigrew was the betrayer? Damn you, James Potter! Even after death, he manages to cause problems for him. But then he remembered another piece of information. He smiled internally. Yes, there is a way. He would have to intervene quickly though.
Cyrus Greengrass was deep in thought. Sirius Black, eh? The proverbial black sheep of the Black family. This was a loose cannon. With the amount of time this man had spent in Azkaban, his mind could go either way. Nevertheless, he would provide a tremendous financial backing over whichever side he chooses. He might have to bring Black into a discussion soon, it seems. Also, this would mean substantial amount of loss both for Malfoy and Dumbledore, if Sirius acts independently. Not that he could fault the man, after all he has suffered horrors for the Ministry's incompetence.
To say Dumbledore was stupefied would have been the understatement. 'What?! Sirius was not the Secret Keeper?! It was Peter all along?! This will bring me a heavy blow when the news would be out! After all, I had spread that Sirius betrayed Lily and James. But how was I supposed to know they would switch? In hindsight, this was a perfect ruse, no one would have suspected Peter, hell, even I did not suspect it! But now, I would have to appease Sirius when he is freed. He is surely a way to gain access to Hadrian.'
Lucius Malfoy got up and requested the floor. After he was given permission, he started to speak, "Pardon me, Minister, but why would you want to carry out a retrial of a criminal and mass murderer? On what grounds does he deserve a trial?"
Minister Fudge sighed and spoke, "Sirius Black is a member of the Black family. As a member of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, we cannot refuse if he demands a trial. Also, there is no proof that Sirius Black had murdered that night. It could have been someone else and he could have been framed. After all, he has already been framed once for the supposed betrayal."
"Sirius Black is not a member of the House of Black, Minister. He had been disowned by his mother. He does not retain the right to demand a trial", replied Lucius blandly.
Madam Bones got up at this and spoke, "Permission to refute, Minister?"
Lucius bristled at that. 'Who does she think she is? She is directly going to refute common knowledge?' He was surprised when the Minister replied, "Permission granted"
Madam Bones spoke, "Here I have the Gringotts inheritance document clearly stating that Lord Arcturus Black had named Sirius Black as his heir, not Orion Black or Regulus Black. The information I got from Account Manager Tiamut that Lady Walburga Black had contested against this, while Orion Black was indecisive. But Lord Arcturus had not changed his decision and hence, Sirius was the legitimate heir. Since Lord Arcturus Black has passed away, this makes Sirius Black the Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. Thus his demand for a trial is justified and permissible."
"As for your second statement Lord Malfoy, about why are we giving a criminal a retrial, there are two statements. First, Sirius Black had never received a trial. And second, following your judgement, you would have been in Azkaban today, would you not? After all, aurors had caught you in several crime scenes before and you had been cleared on the basis that you were under the Imperius, had you not? Should we need a revisit of your trials then?"
Lucius Malfoy was seething. Sirius is the Lord now?! This is news to him. Draco might lose the heirship if that is the case. He would have to devise ways to tie up all loose ends. Either Sirius go backs to prison or he meets an unfortunate accident. But he would have to wait for the right time to pounce.
Albus was surprised to hear this. Sirius has sole control over Black fortunes. His support will bring immense financial and tactical backing to the Order of the Phoenix. This would also mean a potential loss in the Conservatives' side. He would have to find ways to persuade Sirius. But he might need to keep him away from Hadrian. Sirius is far too carefree and might he say, he would put himself before his enemies lives. He is afraid that this might pass on to Hadrian if they meet regularly. He would have to devise a way to keep Sirius restrained. Maybe a mind healer of his choosing will do the job.
Meanwhile, Minister Fudge announced, "Well then, if there are no objections, we shall proceed with the trial. Guards, bring in the accused!"
And the guards walked into the antechamber and brought out Sirius.
It was the first time Hadrian looked at his godfather and he would have to admit, Azkaban did a number on him. Sunken eyes, with visible bags under them, his skin deathly pale. He was wearing a plain black robe and every step he took reeked of tiredness. Nevertheless, he walked up to his chair and sat down, looking up expectantly at Madam Bones.
Minister Fudge spoke, "Sirius Orion Black, you have been brought up to your impending trial. Your questioning will begin shortly. Do you wish to proceed with Veritaserum or without it?"
Sirius spoke in a raspy voice, quite similar to chalks dragging across a blackboard, "Minister, I would like to proceed with Veritaserum on the condition that no questions unrelated to the case would be asked of me while I am under its influence-"
Lucius cut him off and said, "Do you have something to hide Black that you are making such a request?"
Sirius peered at him and asked, "Lucius Malfoy?"
Lucius replied blandly, "Yes"
Sirius thought about his question and spoke, "I think I clearly mentioned that no questions unrelated to the case would be asked of me. I am going to be fully truthful about the scandal that happened. Other than that, being Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black requires discretion. I have responsibilities upon me that my family information is kept secure. I hope your curiosity is satisfied Lord Malfoy?"
Lucius was boiling hot inside at the jab but replied with a tight smile, "Of course, Lord Black."
Minister Fudge spoke, "If that will be all, then we shall proceed with the trial. Sirius Black, your request has been accepted. Madam Bones, please administer the Veritaserum."
Madam Bones walked down to Sirius with a vial of a clear liquid and administered three drops of Veritaserum. Sirius' eyes turned glassy and emotionless. Madam Bones then asked, "Name and date of birth?"
"Sirius Orion Black and 3rd November 1959."
Madam Bones announced, "Veritaserum has taken effect"
"Were you the secret keeper for James and Lily Potter?"
"No"
"Who was it?"
"Peter Pettigrew"
"Were you ever a death eater or support any of their missions?"
"No"
"Was Peter Pettigrew a death eater?"
"Yes"
"Did you murder those twelve muggles on 1st November 1981 at 7:45 PM?
"No"
"Who was it?"
"Peter used a Confringo charm on the gas pipe under and caused an explosion and escaped"
"How did Pettigrew escape?"
"He changed into his animagus form of a rat and escaped into the sewers"
"Is he an unregistered animagus?"
"Yes"
"How did you come to know that Pettigrew betrayed James and Lily Potter?"
"I visited Godric's Hollow at some point of time after James and Lily were attacked. Then I was in pursuit of finding Pettigrew. I did not find any evidence of violence in his house. But then sometime later, I picked off his scent"
"What do you mean by picking off his scent?"
"My animagus form is a Grim and-"
Lucius spoke out, "So you are an unregistered animagus too? That would reward you five years in Azkaban"
Sirius continued as if he had not heard Lucius at all, "-I found his scent lurking in the nearby grounds"
Madam Bones looked up to Lucius and spoke, "Might I remind you that I am the one asking the questions? Please refrain from speaking out or I will demand you to be thrown out. Is that clear Lord Malfoy?"
Lord Malfoy looked livid and answered, "Yes Madam Bones. I apologise for speaking out of turn"
Madam Bones then turned back to Sirius and asked, "Are you an unregistered animagus?"
Sirius replied, "No, I registered myself with the ICW on 3rd of June 1985 at 12 Noon"
Madam Bones nodded and said, "Very well, that concludes my list of questions. Now I will administer the antidote." With the antidote given, colour returned to Sirius' eyes and he looked up at Minister Fudge.
The Wizengamot chambers were murmuring among themselves. Eventually Minister Fudge spoke out, "Very well, I will not be asking a vote in this matter. Due to evidence and proof, it is true that Sirius Black was not guilty. Sirius Black, you are henceforth declared innocent and cleared of all charges against you." And with that he banged his gravel thrice, signalling the consolidation of his decision and ending of the trial.
Minister Fudge stood up and spoke, "Dear Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot, we have corrected a grave injustice of the past today. I promise you that I will be continuing to deliver justice to our wizards and witches of Britain. With this, I conclude today's trial. Have a good day ahead and thank you all. You are hereby dismissed. Guards! Unseal the doors!"
And with that, one by one, the Wizengamot members filtered out, wondering about the ramifications of today's trial.