Chapter 10
After his exams, Harry got on the lift, glad it was empty, before calling Kreacher.
“Yes, Master Black.” Kreacher bowed.
“Who’s all at the house?” Harry questioned.
“Mistress’s disappointment, wolf, mudblood, loudmouth blood traitor and her two younger broods. Twin blood traitors left and took their things.” Kreacher informed him.
“How about we get them out of your mistress’s house?”
Kreacher grinned at him.
“I’ll meet you out front of Grimmauld. I have some information on a certain mass murder I need to tell the Aurors.” He smirked, shifting to his true form.
Getting off on level 2 Harry walked up to the door labelled ‘Head Auror’ and knocked. While there was a reception desk it was empty.
“Come in.” a female voice called.
Entering Harry saw it was the lady Tonks was talking to earlier. “Hello ma’am.”
“Hello, what can I do for you?” She asked, looking up at him from her desk.
“I heard some talk at school about a certain mass murder and figured I’d pass it on, just in case.” Harry told her.
She sat up and waved her hand towards the seat across from her. “Have a seat.”
“Thank you.” Harry sat, noticing a certain beetle on the side of the desk.
“I'm Amelia Bones, Head Auror.” Amelia introduced. “What have you heard?”
“I overheard the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress discussing that he was spotted a few times around Grimmauld area in London at night. Apparently, the Blacks own a house there.” Harry shrugged.
Amelia’s eyes narrowed at the mention of Dumbledore knowing this information. “Thank you for this information. I'll send someone to check it out.”
“Thank you, Madame Bones. Will there be a trial when he’s caught? I noticed a lot of war prisoners weren’t given a trial, Black being one of them.” Harry added nonchalant.
“Excuse me?” She questioned.
“Oh, I did an essay on the war and when looking through the transcripts there were none for some.” Harry said innocently. While he didn’t care for his uncle, he knew this would make Dumbledore look bad.
Amelia was shocked. “I’ll look into it.”
“Thank you for your time, Madame Bones. Have a good evening and good luck.” With that Harry stood and left.
Amelia didn’t even realize until later that she never got his name.
--*--
Appearing in front of number 5 Grimmauld place, Harry called Kreacher to him. He had Kreacher disillusion them with the hope that elf magic would hide them better. He went and stood under a tree that would help hide them, in front of number 11 so he could still see number 12. He cast a silence bubble around them so no one could hear him take his house before going under his invisibility cloak. Now he just needed the Aurors to show.
An hour or so later he saw Tonks entering the house. Harry prayed she was not the Auror assigned or that conversation with Madame Bones would have been a waste of time. He could still evict them though.
Just as he was about to start to claim 12 Grimmauld he heard the distinct sound of apparition. Looking towards the first Grimmauld place Harry saw two wizards walking in the direction towards him. The red Auror robes became noticeable as they got closer. Harry didn’t recognize them so hopefully they weren’t Dumbles people.
“…kid apparently heard rumours.” He heard ones say.
“It’s probably a false alarm.” The other commented.
Deciding they were close enough Harry began to claim his house. “As Lord Black, I hereby claim Number 12 Grimmauld Place in London as mine. I command the family magic to eradicate the magic that does not belong to the family, to evict the intruders who do not have permission to be there. So mote it be.”
Harry heard an Auror gasp as they saw 12 Grimmauld appear, the Fidelius charm broken. Soon after people seemed to be ejected out through the chimney and windows and onto the street. First Molly, then Sirius and Lupin. Next Tonks, Hermione, Ron and Ginny.
The Aurors quickly snapped to attention as soon as they recognized Sirius. Before anyone could react, they slapped magical suppression cuffs on everyone, then called for back up and Amelia since Tonks was there.
Harry watched as other Aurors showed up, including Kingsley and Amelia.
“You can’t arrest us!” Molly shrieked.
“We’ve done nothing wrong!” Hermione cried.
“You were in the company of a wanted criminal.” Amelia stated.
“He’s innocent!” Ron hollered.
Someone snorted.
“He never had a trial.” Hermione yelled.
“You’re ruining my outfit.” Ginny whined.
Ignoring the prisoners, the Aurors escorted them all to the ministry cells.
After the last one vanished, Rita Skeeter appeared, with a little laugh. “This is news.” She then apparated away with a crack.
After making sure the street was empty Harry took off the cloak and had Kreacher cancel the spells. Entering the house Harry immediately felt out the wards, they seemed to be in order. He added his magic to strengthen them, especially the one that would stop others from entering unless invited by Lord Black.
“Kreacher shut down the floo, gather the filths things and drop it off outside the Burrows wards.” Harry instructed.
“Yes, Master.” Kreacher confirmed before popping away.
“And just who do you think you are?” a haughty voice questioned.
Looking at Walburga Black’s portrait he noticed for once she wasn’t screaming just watching him intently.
Harry gave a polite bow. “I apologise for the delayed introduction. I am Harry James Licorus Potter-Black, the son of James and Regulus Potter-Black.”
Her eyes widened in shock. “My little Reggie had a son and was married?” Walburga knew he spoke the truth as she watched him, she could now see parts of Regulus in him.
“Yes ma’am. It seems it was kept a secret and only my parents and possibly one of my godparents knew.” Harry informed her.
“Who are your godparents? Bring them here.” Walburga demanded.
“Gideon Prewett who died shortly after I was born and Narcissa Malfoy née Black who doesn’t seem to know. I don’t know what happened, but I was illegally blood adopted by Lily Evans-”
“A MUDBLOOD! You will go to Gringotts and get her blood out of you this instance!” She shrieked with fury, insulted that a mudblood would try and taint her grandchild.
“Lady Black, I did that as soon as I learned the truth.” Harry reassured her.
“I’m Grandmother to you.” Walburga declared.
Harry smiled. “Grandmother.”
“Who raised you?” His grandmother questioned. “When did you learn the truth?”
“I was kidnapped after James’s death and given to Evan’s filthy muggle sister’s family by Dumbledore. I only learned the truth this past summer.” Harry explained.
“I never liked that man.” She harrumphed.
“I also discovered numerous spells and potions were used on me to control me. Dumbles was also stealing from my Potter heir vault, luckily, he didn’t know I was Heir Black as well. It also came to light that he’s using some of the stolen money to pay people around me, including one Sirius Black.” Harry told her.
Walburga cursed. “That traitor! How dare he steal from family! When you're older and become Lord Black, you need to fully disinherit him. I tried but Orion and Arcturus convinced me he would come to his senses.”
“I am Lord Black, Grandmother.” Harry smirked. “I was going to wait and see now that he’s been caught.”
“How? You are still young.” She asked confused, forgetting about Sirius.
“When I found out about everything in order to protect myself, I took an adoption potion from a dead family line that states in the charter that I only need to be 15 as that was considered adulthood back then. So, by doing that and by becoming Lord to that family I was emancipated and able to take my lordships.”
Walburga was equal parts gobsmacked and pleased that her grandson was so cunning.
“I am Lord Potter-Black-Peverell-Garlot.” Harry announced.
“Peverell? Garlot?” She smiled viciously. “You are so powerful, dear Grandson.”
After talking a bit more with his grandmother’s portrait, Harry went to the kitchen where Kreacher had made him dinner. Knowing no one could enter Grimmauld he just stayed there for the night.
--*--
Albus was pacing in his room. He was hoping to hear something about the Potter brat by now. He really hoped Alastor was right with his idea that he met a girl, even if he would have to deal with a Molly induced headache.
He knew that the marriage contract between the brat and Ginny could only be broken by Lord Potter, so that was safe. Harry couldn’t be Lord until he was 17 and they would be married by then, Albus would make sure of it.
A lynx Patronus came into his room.
He sighed in relief, they must have found the brat, only to freeze as it spoke.
“Albus, they’ve been arrested. The Fidelius charm broke.” Kinsley’s voice spoke from the lynx before it faded away.
Albus was briefly shocked; only Lord Black should have been able to break the charm.
He quickly headed towards the floo to go to the Ministry. Albus couldn’t believe this was happening. He would have thought maybe Harry had told, but there was no way he could have gotten past the Fidelius charm. Also, he would never do that to his ‘godfather’.
Entering the Atrium, Albus immediately heads to the lift to go up to level 2 Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Near the lifts he spots Kingsley.
“Kingsley.” Albus greets, then throws up a privacy charm around them. “What has happened?
“Albus, some unknown kid told Bones that Black was spotted in Grimmauld area. She sent some Aurors to check it out. During their check the charm broke, and they were ejected from the house.”
“Who was all there?”
“Black, Lupin, Molly, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and Tonks.”
“Tonks was there?”
“Molly invited her.” Kingsley sighed. “It’s a mess, Albus.”
“We’ll get them out, my boy.” Albus assured. Maybe if he brought up that Black never got a trial would work in his favour.
“Albus, your reputation isn’t what it used to be.” He grimaced. “Madame Bones is also on a warpath; it seems she was informed Black never got a trial.”
Albus hid his anger about his reputation being tarnished. He knew it would be worth it when it was proven he was right, but it was frustrating waiting. “I’ll speak with Amelia.”
Kingsley shakes his head in disbelief. “I’ve been sent home. We’ll talk later.”
“Thanks for informing me of this predicament.” Albus fakes a smile then gets on the lift.
As soon as Albus entered the Auror Office, Amelia immediately spotted him in his neon green robes. She walked up to him to stop him.
“Headmaster Dumbledore, why are you here?” She questioned.
“Amelia, how nice to see you.” Albus twinkled at her. “I had heard that a few of my students were arrested; as one is a muggleborn I’ve come on her behalf.”
“There were a few arrests tonight, however all appropriate guardians have been notified.” Amelia said sternly. “You are not any of their guardians, and therefore should not have been informed nor be here.”
“Amelia, as Headmaster of Hogwar-” he began only to be cut off.
“Are not the magical guardian on file. As with most muggleborns their Head of House is their magical guardian.”
Seeing that he wouldn’t get much farther with this argument he tried another tactic. “Now Amelia, I’m sure this is all just a misunderstanding.”
“Headmaster Dumbledore, we are done here. This has nothing to do with you.” She stated. “Now unless you have actual business here, I suggest you leave.”
Barely holding back a glare, Albus stomped out of the DMLE. He would head to Grimmauld to find out what had happened. As far as he knew there was no Lord Black, and he was sure that the Malfoy boy was heir through his mother.
--*--
MASS MURDERER CAPTURED! NEVER HAD A TRIAL!
By: Rita Skeeter
My dear readers, yesterday evening Mass Murderer, Sirius Black, was caught and arrested. However, he wasn’t alone. That’s right dear readers. His accomplices, known werewolf Remus Lupin, Mrs. Molly Weasley and two of her children, Rod and Gimmy, along with them was Hermione Ganger, ex-friends of the Boy-Who-Lived. What kind of mother allows her children to be in the presence of such people? Also, shockingly Junior Auror Nymphadora Tonks, cousin of Sirius Black through her disowned Mother, was also there.
Auror Tonks was even part of the search team for Black. How far does this corruption go? According to my sources the tip on Blacks whereabouts was heard through multiple people leading back to Mister Dumbledore. Did Dumbledore know? Or did he also just hear a rumour? Either way, why not report it?
Even more interesting dear reader while the arrest was taking place the three youngest of the group were shouting “He’s (Black’s) innocent!” Rod and “He never had a trial.” Ganger. Now my dear readers as your diligent reporter I decided to look into this. I could not believe they would disparage our ministry this way. However, what I found was shocking. It was True. Yes, dear reader, I went through the trial transcripts and there was not one for Sirius Black. He was never questioned and was just shipped off to Azkaban. How could the Chief Warlock at the time, Mister Dumbledore, just send someone to Azkaban without a trial? Especially, as rumour would have it, one of his own people.
Did Dumbledor know he was innocent? Is that why the rumour of Black’s whereabouts wasn’t brought forward? After all, Dumbledor’s connections with the Weasel Family is quite known. If he did know, why send an innocent to Azkaban? Why not give him a trial? Even the guilty deserve a trial. Why did he do it?
Is this the kind of man we want teaching our children?
I, Rita Skeeter, will hunt for these answers for you my dear readers. You deserve to know.
Harry chuckled after reading the morning prophet. He had felt someone trying to get through the wards last night a few times. Luckily the newly strengthened wards were strong enough to keep them out.
--*--
An emergency trial was called in the case of Sirius Black and his accomplices. With the morning news many people were at the ministry in order to watch the trial, knowing that because of the minors being arrested that the DMLE had to have the trial today.
In the largest courtroom in the ministry, the Lords and Ladies were taking their seats as the public filled the watcher stands. Many of the spectators were standing as there were no more seats left.
Chief Warlock Lucius Malfoy sat up front next to Minister Fudge. Umbridge was on Fudge’s other side as his undersecretary, while Amelia Bones was on Lucius’s other side. In front of them was the prisoner chair, chains hanging limp. At a table to the side sat Molly, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Lupin, and Tonks. McGonagall was also there as Hermione’s magical guardian. There was even an empty chair presumably for Dumbledore.
At 2pm Lucius called the trial to begin, and Sirius was dragged into the room and shoved into the chair. The chains automatically wrapping around him.
“Sirius Black, you are on trial today for the murder of Peter Pettigrew and 12 muggles.” Amelia announced. “How do you plead?”
“Not guilty.” Sirius declared.
“Would you consent to Veritaserum?” She asked.
“Yes.” Sirius nodded for emphasis.
Just then the doors flew open, and Dumbledore strode in wearing red robes with gold trim. “Defence for the accused. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.” He proclaimed.
Fudge spluttered.
“Take a seat, Mister Dumbledore. Black has agreed to Veritaserum.” Lucius informed him calmly.
Dumbledore paused and looked at Sirius who nodded. He then swept to the empty seat next to McGonagall.
“Unspeakable Dashalot, please administer the Veritaserum.” Amelia instructed.
An Unspeakable appeared and placed 3 drops on Sirius’s tongue. His eyes glazed over, and his body relaxed. As this was being done, a special silent bubble was placed around Sirius and Amelia so he would only hear her speak.
“What is your name?” She questioned.
“Sirius Orion Black.” He answered automatically in a monotone.
“When were you born?”
“November 3, 1959.”
“It is working.” She concluded before continuing. “Did you kill Peter Pettigrew?”
“No.”
“Did you blow up the street killing 12 muggles on October 31, 1981?”
“No.”
“Who blew up the street killing 12 muggles on October 31, 1981?”
“Peter Pettigrew.”
“Are you or have you ever been a Death Eater?”
“No.”
“Were you the James and Lily Potter’s Secret Keeper?”
“No.”
“Who was James and Lily Potter’s secret keeper?”
“Peter Pettigrew was James Potter’s and Lily Evans’ secret keeper.”
The public was going crazy in both shock, horror and confusion.
“Lily Evans? Didn’t Lily Evans marry James Potter, taking his surname?” Amelia asked, confused.
“No, James refused to marry her.”
Gasps were heard through the room. Dumble could be heard saying “James and Lily loved each other.”
Knowing the serum wouldn’t last much longer Amelia went back to her actual questions for this trail. “Is Peter Pettigrew alive?”
“He was the last time I saw him.” Sirius spoke slowly, coming back to his senses.
“When did you last see him?”
“June 6, 1994, in the Shrieking Shack. He was pretending to be the rat that he is.” He spat, now completely free of the truth serum.
Amelia was shocked to hear this. “Can you explain that?”
“I managed to confront him in the shrieking shack before he got away, just like last time by turning into his animagus form. He’s a common rat and has spent all these years as a pet rat.” Sirius explained.
“I think we have everything we need for this trial, but we will be speaking again.” Amelia declared, lifting the bubble so Sirius could hear everyone else.
“Lords and Ladies, it is time to vote. Those in favour of guilty please raise your wands.” Lucius called.
A few wands were raised.
“All in favour of not guilty?”
Many wands were raised. A copy of the results magically appearing in front of Amelia, Lucius and Fudge.
“Sirius Black you have been declared innocent and are cleared of all charges. The Ministry will pay a compensation of 1 million gallons for your unjust stay in Azkaban.” Amelia announced.
Fudge shot her a look, but she ignored him.
“With what we know I will be dispensing your accomplice’s punishment.” She announced.
“Amelia, he is innocent. They should all be allowed to leave this mess behind.” Dumbledore challenged with twinkling eyes.
“No. Taking in the special circumstances, for the crimes of aiding and embedding a criminal, and for not going to the proper authorities with your suspicions. Remus Lupin and Molly Weasley will pay a fine of 500 gallons each. Mrs. Weasley will also pay additional fines of 100 gallons for each of her two children. Miss Hermione Granger will also be given a fine of 100 gallons for her guardians to pay on her behalf.”
“Surely that is unnecessary.” Dumbledore tried to argue.
Ignoring him, Amelia continued. “Nymphadora Tonks, you were an Auror assigned to look for Mister Black, yet you said nothing of his whereabouts or his, at the time, alleged innocents. You will also pay a fine of 500 gallons, your employment as an Auror has been terminated, and you can never again work for the British Auror Department.”
“WHAT?” Tonks shrieked in outrage, her hair turning red.
“This trial is now concluded.” Lucius announced closing the session.
--*--
Harry, having heard about the trial, decided it was the perfect opportunity to break into Dumbledore's office and steal Tom Riddle’s Diary.
He apparated into the Shrieking Shack, Harry slipped on his invisibility cloak with a spell to silence his footsteps. He hurried through the tunnel coming up under the Whomping Willow, immediately freezing it.
He swiftly walked across the courtyard and entered the school. There weren't a lot of students staying at Hogwarts for the holidays, so the corridors were mostly empty. Harry was able to make it up to Dumbledor’s office fairly quickly with no one being the wiser.
“Ice mice.” Harry told the gargoyle, guessing the password. Nothing happened so he tried a few more before he got it right. “Chocolate frogs.” The gargoyle moved out of the way.
Entering the Headmasters office, he saw the portraits look at the door wondering why it was open with no one there. Harry silently cast a spell sending the portraits to sleep, then followed it up with a spell that freezes them. Just in case.
Deciding to keep the cloak on, just in case Dumbledor had other monitors setup. Harry began searching the room for the diary. He first checked the bookshelves on the off chance it would be there. It wasn’t however there were a lot of questionable books that Harry would definitely check out when he had more time.
He moved onto the desk, looking through the drawers. Most were filled with inconsequential papers and letters. However, he noticed an inconsistency in one drawer, it was smaller. Taking everything out he noticed it had a false bottom. Harry removed the drawer, finding his treasure. Tom Riddle's diary sat there alone, looking like the damaged diary it was. Taking it out Harry placed it in his satchel.
Placing everything back as it was when he arrived Harry cancelled the spells on the portraits and left the office. He promptly left Hogwarts and headed back to Grimmauld. Never knowing he also cancelled the secrecy spell Dumbledore had placed on them.