Chapter 5
Sirius Orion Black was a miserable mess sitting in a corner in his dingy cell on a rock in the middle of the sea. Around him were other witches and wizards who had take a brand of loyalty to a madman on a quest for domination and destruction. Although even he had to admit that some just wanted their traditions to return to their rightful place in the open.
Reflection was a wizards best friend being trapped in a hell with soul sucking demons that contend themselves with a taste of your happiness instead. So long as ones rumination didn't veer to close to a happy thought they would be fine to stay lost in their mind. Although Sirius knew he had a bit of an advantage over the other inmates being an illegal animagus.
So he often spent his time hidden in the only dry corner of his cell curled up as a large black dog lost in the memories of his childhood. It was as he was lost in these thoughts that he truly came to despise his mother far more than he previously did. It was by examining every one of his childhood memories with a fine tooth comb thanks to what was left of his shredded mental barriers that he could see where his family truly stood.
His mother the poisonous harpy that she was was a true bigot that felt that muggleborn, half-bloods and anyone not in line with her views were scum and should be tortured into oblivion. She like her cousin Bellatrix truly relished in their masters work and we're beyond help.
His father though was a true traditionalist who felt the wizarding world needed to keep their traditions and encouraged muggleborns to embrace their magical heritage. Even if their magic was the first of their bloodline they still needed to embrace their beliefs to increase their magic, to pave way to their own family magic.
Sirius realized this thanks to the memory right before he had run away to the Potters it being a memory that gave him a neutral feeling not happy but not sad just pure relief. This particular memory started to make him notice all the times his father had stood between he and his mother. That his marriage to Walburga Black née Black was not something he chose for himself but was chosen for him.
He remembers he had stayed out of the house since his mother had been on another one of her pureblood tirades. Regulus his baby brother had been listening intently always wanting to please their mother while his father had been scowling while reading the prophet.
Everything had seemed fine when he had returned home after he snuck out in the middle of his mothers usual vitriol about muggleborn and half-bloods tainting the magical world. It was t until he was right outside his bedroom door that everything had gone wrong for him.
His mother had lashed out at him with a cutting hex with a dark nature sending him tumbling into his room in pain. Her eyes had been wild and her breath coming in heavy pants as she looked down on his bleeding form. Her remembered her acidic words sizzling into his skin as each one dropped from her blood red lips degrading him.
It didn't take long for her to cast the crusiatus curse at his injured form causing him to scream out in pain as his body convulsed on the floor sending what felt like fire up his back. He had felt as if the world was ending and that he wouldn't be able to see his most important people ever again. That his mother was going to finally do what she said she should have done when he was first born.
As she relented and lifted the curse upon his person to allow him to recover Sirius could see black forming at the edges of his vision. He saw as a cruel smirk twisted his mother's lips as she lifted her wand to torture or kill him he didn't know. At the time he thought he imagined it but now he knew what he saw next as his world faded to black was most likely true. His father had rushed into the room and blasted his mother to the other side knocking her unconscious before quickly coming over to his prone form. Sirius could feel his muscles still twitching from the curse as his world faded to black and the last thing he saw was his fathers face twisted with worry and guilt.
After that Sirius had woken and quickly with shaky limbs packed all his stuff and ran to the Potters. He later found out his mother had thrown a fit and blasted his name off the family tree just like she had done to so many others. At the time all he could think was good riddance to a poisonous family that he didn't need. Now thinking back on it he was almost certain that he needed to find out what happened all those years ago.
Thinking about the past always brought a bitter feeling that settled deep within Sirius's soul as he laid curled up in a ball as a dog in the only dry corner of his dismal cell. The thick cloud infested sky outside his barred window made the desolate room even gloomier as wind blew the rain into the small room in waves. The bleak island forever cursed to have thick black clouds, angry waves and cold winds that cut like knives into thread bare prison uniforms. A curse that was brought on by the fowl creatures that hover the halls of Azkaban like dark shadows sucking the happiness and sanity out of their victims.
It was a curious thing that they hadn't mad their way to his cell block to torment those the world considered the worst of the worst. Although near impossible to tell time within the cell thanks to the dark sky's beyond the window, the days meal had been delivered not long ago which meant that it was free reign for the dementors now to feast on their happiness. Yet so far none of the vile creatures had made so much as a flutter in their direction.
It was then that his sensitive dog ears perked on his head as the sound of rusted hinges and thick metal squeaked and echoed loudly off the walls. As quick as possible he morphed back into his human form before anyone noticed. What once was a large black grim looking dog now sat a to thin man with long, limp, unkempt black hair and scruffily beard growing on sunken in cheeks. Slightly sunken in once vibrant grey blue eyes stared out the small barred window into the hallway waiting to see who has made their way to this hell hole.
His skin itches with dirt and grime built up from years sitting in filth as a hand full of chipped, brittle dirt covered nails scratched nervously at a leg clad in thread bare pants. He couldn't help but to flash a mouth full of yellowed teeth at the minister as soon as he saw the somewhat rounded man dressed in dark green dress robes with a green bowler hat in hand. He looked nervous and annoyed as he twisted the had in his hands.
Tilting his head slightly a yellow tainted smile still stretched on his face Sirius eyes the fidgeting man causing him to shuffle about even more in nerves. It was an interesting mix of emotions and he found it quite funny that a simple smile could do this to a single person. Although if you were to go by what the prophet most likely had written about him after his illegal incarceration well then it's not that hard to believe a smile could unnerve.
"Is it that time of the year again minister? I could have sworn that your one year pilgrimage has already happened."
Sirius couldn't help but wince with the dry scratchy texture of his throat and hoarse, gravely tone warbling from disuse and salty air. Just another thing to add to the list of things that once were and may never be the same again.
He was soon knocked out of his musings as the minister cleared his throat before flailing through the thick black bars at a sea soaked Sirius.
"It has. It has come to our attention that one Sirius Orion Black has yet to be given a proper trial which is an atrocity against the at the time heir of the Most Noble and Ancient house of Black. To right such a unjust situation we the ministry will be issuing a new trial within the hours. Thus we are here to retrieve you to attend your hearing."
Sirius's eyes widened as he starred out at the minister who had gritted out each word as if they were being forcibly drawn out with each breath causing him physical pain. He seemed reluctant to even be standing there in front of his cell possibly wishing to be anywhere else.
It was the sudden movement behind the minister the broke Sirius's stare at the green clad man to flit over to a crimson dressed man with dark skin, dark hair and forest green eyes. The man moved to the cell door quickly unlocking it before entering the cramped space holding magic suppression cuffs in one hand.
The man made quick work of snapping the cuffs onto his thin, somewhat brittle wrists causing a shiver to run down his spine before pulling the dumbfounded prisoner to his feet. He wasn't forceful but not gentle either as he tugged the dog animagus forward into the cold hallway.
Huffing Fudge turned his nose up slightly as if he had smelled something fowl before marching off down the corridor. The Auror tugged Sirius down after the portly man passing cells filled with prisoners in different mental states. Some were a moaning in a heap in a corner of their cell as drool dribbled from a corner of their mouth. Others were screeching at the top of their lungs until their voices were raw from overuse. It was a like walking through a live museum of the different forms of madness brought on by the happiness being sucked from their being.
After what felt like hours but was more like a few minutes Sirius was blasted by a rush of salt spray and wind as they exited the interior of the building. Outside the dark gray almost black building loomed ominously with the black specters known as dementors flitting around the upper towers. The thick, dark gray clouds looming in the background of the fortress caused Sirius to shiver before turning is sights to the docks.
The docks on the island was a long stone man made slab that jutted out into the sea past the anti apparition and anti portkey wards. Lining the outside of the dock is a lattice work of metal poles thick and twisting together into a big metal net to protect one from blowing away or escaping.
Once they were out on the furthest edge of the dock the minster motioned to their Auror guard who pulled out a frayed rope from his robes. He looped the end twisted into a noose around Sirius's wrist while gripping the middle of the two foot length. It didn't take long for the minister to follow suit and touch the other end of the rope.
As soon as all three were touching a sudden jerking like a hook behind the navel pulled in Sirius's gut. The group had been pulled through by the portkey and tugged in a whirlwind of colors to land in the auditorium of the ministry.
Somewhat disoriented by the sudden transition from one place to another Sirius blinked blurry eyes at his surroundings. The first thing to catch his attention was the large gaudy gold statue of a wizard standing at attention with a witch just below him and below the witch a house elf, Centaur, and goblin all looking up at the witch and wizard in reverence. The statue was sitting in a large pool of water with water flowing from the Wizards wand, the arrow point of the the centaurs bow and arrow the tip of the goblins hat and the ears of the elf.
Blinking slowly as he was dragged through the Atrium his eyes still stuck on the monstrosity in front of him Sirius couldn't help but snort in derision at the piece. The only thing accurate on that statue was the house elf looking on in reverence everything else was pure arrogance. Especially the plaque on the statue stating that all processes from the fountain would go to St Mungo's hospital. If they wanted to get a good revenue for the hospital all they had to do was melt the monstrous insult down and sell the gold. The goblins would probably do the service for free just to spite the creator.
Shaking his head as he stumbled a bit and thanking all the deities that his parents had drilled into his head for the low traffic of people he finally looked away from the statue on for his breath to catch in his throat. Standing not far from the main lift was a group of three adults one with a black haired child on her hip. He would recognize that unruly mop of hair anywhere even though it was nestled snuggle into the woman's shoulder.
The woman in question was wearing a beige dress suit that looked new and hugged her soft curves just right. The skirt portion of the suit fell just below her knees enforce blending into the slightly lighter beige tights. On her feet were a comfortable pair of dark brown platform pumps shined to perfection. Under the dress suit jacket that was buttoned up to a bit below her breast she wore a tight fitted slightly ruffled dark brown under shirt that was buttoned up to her throat where it then wrapped around the delicate column of flesh. Her skin was lightly tanned with a few scars running across her face but didn't take away from her beauty. Her amber eyes practically glowed with hope as she used her right hand to push back her hair which was cut into a tasteful A frame behind her ear before gripping the girl a little tighter.
His eyes trailed her slowly as hope and warmth blossomed in his chest at the sight of his first and in his humble opinion only love stood across the room from him. He watched as she listened to her groups discussion with an air of bubbling excitement. Remi Joan Lupin, his best female friend and fellow marauder was there just for him with his beloved goddaughter it was a surreal moment that became terrifying when he looked to who she was with.
Standing proud and commanding the attention of any who passed was another woman a fair few years older than himself. His eyes widened as he took in the outfit she was wearing as it shimmered in the light with each slight movement. Her chest area was covered in a thick dragon and basilisk scale weave common in the tribes that stopped just a couple of inches below her breast and tied in a crisscross pattern like a corset at the back. The strings of the corset flatten against her skin wrapping twice around the lower part of the cloth top the first wrap going through loops before being covered by the second. The inch thick strings of scales then were angled down to wrap around her torso in a crossing pattern until it reached a ankle long skirt where it was looped in the same way the lower part of the top was before hooking seamlessly in the front.
The long skirt was done in the same dark green and brilliant blue scales as the top with a slit starting at the thigh all the way down exposing skin tight black dragon scale leggings tucked into knees high dragon hide boots. The the upper part of the top covered her chest and wrapped around her throat snuggly with another length of the thick scale string fold and done in a zigzag pattern cinching the throat piece just tight enough to breath. The remaining length of of the scales rope was then wrapped over her shoulders and into detached sleeves that hugged the upper arms before billowing just before the elbow and getting slowly larger until it covered halfway down her hands.
As she reached her hand up to gently pat the head of the little girl in Remi's arms the sleeve slipped down exposing rune tattoos on her wrist and the missing length of scales string wrapped around her arm in a similar pattern to the one wrapped around her torso. It continued keeping the intricate rune work on her wrist exposed onto her hands where it was wrapped around her palm until just below the first joint on her fingers as fingerless gloves.
Her thick black hair was done in a fishtail braid down the right side weaved with bright blue and basilisk green scale rope that came down from a woven scale circlet wrapped around her head. The circlet was split into three pieces at the back side that trailed into her hair a piece for each length of the braid. In the middle of the circlet twisted into the sewn and braided pieces is a sickle sized lapis lazuli. The final piece to the outfit is a cloak lined with mirror like scales that looked as if it was hit with a faulty disillusionment charm held together by an onyx carved with the Potter family crest resting over her heart.
Oh Sirius knew exactly who the young woman was as she talked with another woman with a severe bun wearing traditional robes and wore a monocle. Her couldn't help but shrink in on himself slightly as the Blackett turned sharp blue eyes on his form raising a single eyebrow in his direction. He just knew that when he was freed, and he didn't doubt he wasn't going to be freed not with her heading the charge, she was going to take a chunk out of his hide. For no one crosses Cordelia Lyra Potter and gets away scot free and he just knew she was not happy with him.
Finally after what felt like forever he was finally bustled out of the atrium and down into a holding cell where he would await his fate. He couldn't help to think that maybe Azkaban wasn't so bad so long as he didn't have to face the wrath of Cordelia Potter.
It wasn't long after he had been thrown into his cell that an echoing squeak brought him out of his pacing causing his head to snap up to the bars. Standing beyond the bars with her arms crossed and a thermos in one hand was none other than the object of his worries. She stood there an eyebrow cocked up and her hip jutted out slightly as she put most of her weight on her left side.
"Long time no see Padfool."
A scowl marred Sirius face as he crossed his bony arms over his emancipated chest a small pout twitching on his lips.
"Is that really necessary yip? I mean we haven't seen each other in years and the first thing you do is forget my name."
He gave a dramatic shake of his head before giving an exasperated sigh before throwing his hands up in the air as if he gave up on her ever learning.
Cordelia just shot him a deadpan look completely unimpressed with his dramatic display as she tapped her foot in annoyance.
"Shut it you foolish dog! Do you have any idea how moronic your actions were? Seriously chasing the rat rather than doing your oath as a godfather and taking charge of your goddaughter until my return and don't say you didn't take an oath."
Sirius snapped his mouth shut with an audible click as he stopped himself from interrupting one of the most terrifying women he had ever met including his mother.
"All binding oaths re recorded on the tapestry Sirius so I know for a fact you were sworn in as her godfather in the old rites. By Circe do you have any idea what that child has been through you flea bitten mongrel! If I didn't love you like a little brother and knew it wouldn't eat me alive to leave an innocent man in such a situation I would have let you rot. When we get you out of there because there is no if's about it we will be working on getting that hot air in your head you call a brain under control or so help me Sirius Orion Black I will neuter you with a rusty spoon and make it seem like it was someone else do you understand?"
By this point Cordelia was fully glaring at the whining dog animagus who had shrunken in on himself holding both hands fully over his private parts. He quickly nodded in agreement before he quickly vocalized his assent. They stayed like that until finally Cordelia huffed out her irritation before tossing the thermos to the jailed man who fumbled to catch it.
Popping open the canister the sweet scent of chocolate wafted up Sirius's sensitive nose causing it to twitch. Quickly he drained the contents of the thermos full of piping hot chocolate completely ignoring the scalding liquid that turned his tongue read and scorched a trail down his esophagus p. Yet the creamy liquid did wonders as it chased away a large portion of the creeping cold that was left rooted in his soul from exposure to the dementors.
Sighing in relief he looked up in time to see her holding out a paper wrapped package as she flicked her wand in his direction. He felt the cleaning spell wash over him then a tripping spell that fixed up his mess of facial hair and unruly matted mane. Opening up the parcel he looked down at a sent of simple black robes in his size.
"I have managed to convince the minister that it's best to keep the dementors away from this trial especially since it's your first trial. Of course that is of no fault of his own since it was done before his time. We are just righting a wrong done on one of the ancient and noble houses after all especially since it was done to the heir. Such a horrible thing that it's taken a month to set up this chance at bringing justice to a possibly innocent man."
Sirius blinked a few times before bursting out into bark like laughter. She had spoken in the most scathing way possible as she spoke of how the minister had tried to haunt the trial all together. The poor fool for trying to take on the only daughter of Charlus and Dorea Potter and dare to think he'd win. The woman was dangerous a perfect mix of cunning and bravery a as she would say perfect chimera.
Cordelia could help but smile at the sound of familiar laughter even if it was worn down with disuse. Her annoyance at the pompous fool of a minister and his pet pink toad was in full bloom not to mention this trial was a full court which means she'd have the dubious honor of seeing and working with the ever so venerable headmaster to many names Dumbledore.
"Look Sirius I have to go up and get in my seat and even before that I need to make sure Remi and Aster are comfortable in the audience and don't give me that look. Aster is pretty clingy right now especially since she took her last dose of spiritus potion since we have a meeting with the goblins right after this. From there you will be getting a check up with the goblin healers while Remi and I deal with the reason she needed those potions. I promise Sirius I will explain everything after the trial but I need to keep a level head while in court got it?"
Nodding numbly with wide eyes and wondering why his goddaughter would need that particular potion set he quickly looked away from Cordelias intense eyes.
Satisfies Cordelia gave one final soft smile to the dog animagus before turning on her heals and quickly making her way up the steps and out into the corridors. She stopped just outside the cell door to give herself time to regroup before she straightened her posture and made her way up and out of the lower levels.
It didn't take her long to get to court room ten and a small smile slipped onto her lips once more as she spotted Remi and her niece who was snuggling Aquarius in her small arms waiting for her just outside the door. It had been a long month full of constant movement and fixing a lot of things. After two days in the healing ward of Gringotts Cordelia had finally got around to speaking with her family's goblin manager in order to settle the accounts and boy was that a giant mess.
It seems Dumbledore had used his position as Asters temporary guardian to gain access to the family vaults and had taken a fair few items and galleons from within. Not only was the family's cloak of invisibility taken but several ancient tomes that have been in the family since the Books's were first written. Then there was the silver pensive with a ivy design that had the runes to activate it etched into the spines of the leaves and stems. It was the masterpiece that one of the Potter ancestors had created before the Poters stopped making pottery. He had only made three of the beautiful pensive and had created that particular one for his beloved wife Ivy when her mind started to deteriorate thanks to a curse.
He had made all three pensive and tried each one only to be met with failure with the first two before the last one carved with a steady hand and all his love in her namesake. Along with the ivy carved on the bottom rim of the bowl were exact replicas of all the pottery he made just for their home and on the rim he carved each of their children's names in the runic alphabet. The bowl was personalized for Potter family use only and was worth a fortune due to its age and unique design. To this day not even his descendants have been able to figure out how he was able to incorporate so much artwork into such delicate runework.
She had given the goblins full permission to get every single item back including the gallons with interest. No one steals an heirloom from a Potter especially ones with such powerful sentimental value. As a Potter she couldn't care less about the galleons heck if that was all he had taken she would have just cut him off and be done with it but no he had the audacity to take a piece of Potter history and that was unforgivable. He will soon learn that one does not just mess with a Potter especially when one has no right to even sneeze in their direction.
The next bit of information the goblins dumped on her had her absolutely blazing with fury to the point of even loosing a grip on her well maintained control of her magic. Thank Circe it didn't damage anything of great importance within the office she would have felt bad then. It seems Dumbledore had thought it prudent to let many of the Potter accounts stagnate rather then maintain the flow in and out of the acoustics. On top of that he had managed to convince the wizengamot that her brother James had set him up as the proxy for the Potter family votes when she knew for a fact that he gave that dubious honor to her.
After she had settled her annoyance and anger she had gotten right to work on fixing the mess of the Potter family accounts that the old goat had made. During that time she had decided to pay the goblins to find and drag back her brothers wayward wolf as well as send a missive to the ministry for a real trial for Sirius.
That little missive was a headache all by itself since the original missive was sent directly to the minister who in turn had sent her such a condescending correspondence that she was half tempted to storm the ministry and hex the man within an inch of his life. His letter had made her out to be a misguided child who didn't know a thing of what she was talking about and to leave such decisions to the adults. It took two weeks of back and forth thinly barbed correspondence before Cordelia finally lost all decorum and gathered all the evidence she had been piling up and sent it right to Amelia Bones. Oh how she wished she was in the ministers office when that woman came down on the pompous fool of a man.
It was during those two weeks of correspondence's that the goblins had finally tracked down Remi in a small rundown hobble on the outskirts of a small French village. They had then preceded to drag the woman back to England and into the office of the Potter family accounts and Cordelia couldn't help but feel immense sorrow and fury at both the ministry and Blacks stupidity.
Thanks to living on Potter Island Cordelia was extremely close and friendly with the Potter pack a werewolf back built by a bitten potter centuries ago. Many in Britain and the world thought that I'd was the Greyback pack that was the strongest wolf pack but they are sorely mistaken. The Greyback pack may be the largest but that is more for necessities than strength it was their numbers that made them strong.
Vice versa the Potter pack was a truly powerful werewolf pack filled with those who have come to terms with their wolf and many of them were even magically trained. A potter child centuries ago had been bitten and although he forgave the wolf he and his family knew that the would wouldn't accept him. So they traveled to Potter island picking up stray wolves both child and adult as they went. They had then gotten permission from the current head of Potter place to build a pack town on the island. The pack has been there ever since and grow with each passing year both thanks to births and taking in the lost cubs bitten by Greybacks ilk and abandoned or abused by their own blood.
Yet here was one of the werewolves she had become closest to thanks to her little brother in threadbare clothes. Her hair had grown and was unruly and dark bags were under her once bright amber eyes. To top off the look she looked somewhat underfed and it just broke Cordelias heart to see Remi so beat down by the world. Although there still seemed to be some old fire hidden in her soul for when the goblins had mentioned Sirius black she had snarled that there was no way the idiot was guilty.
Cordelia had just quirked and eyebrow as the young woman continued to snarl and growl of all things about the stupidity of sheep and how sheep just get eaten by the wolves. It was super entertaining to listen to and now she had solid proof that Sirius Orion Black and Remi Joan Lupin we're dating before everything happened.
After finally calming the young woman down and pulling her into the fold she had then dragged Remi to get new clothes and a hair cut before introducing her to Aster. The reunion between the two was somewhat sweet as Remi had engulfed the small girl in a strong yet gentle hug and was practically purring as she hiccuped and tears fell from her eyes. The wolf had finally gotten back a small part of her pack and one could visibly see the tension just melting from her shoulders even if Aster looked uncomfortable with the hug.
Over the next week or so the two had bonded just as Aster was bonding with Cordelia herself. Cordelia was lucky she had Aquarius to help he break the ice between her and the to quiet child that had once been a ball of pure smiles and laughter. She was thankful for the endurance of a child's heart although she knew was still going to be a long process to get the young girl to smile and laugh freely.
Although it did help that the small group had spent the last week of waiting for the trial on the ever amazing grounds of Potter place situated on a large man made plateau halfway up one of the mountains surrounding howling valley. The valley was home to the Potter pack who lived in a self sustaining village. The village itself was situated in a circular pattern starting out from a large fountain that had been carved out of a strange onyx slab that was there before the valley was even settled by them.
Aster adored visiting the village and playing in the clean clear water that bubbled up from the fountains. There were two carved beings that sewed water into the large basins that the cubs loved playing in especially on full moons. The first is a massive wild looking wolf easily big enough for an adult to ride with its nose tilted up in a howl. It was position so that when the moon rose it rose directly in front and was charmed for it to slowly follow the moon until it disappeared over the horizon when full.
The second statue is that of a young man his head slightly bowed with his left hand held flat over his heart while his right hand gently gripped the fur of the wolf behind him. He was dressed in ancient wizarding robes and his hair was an unruly mess atop his head while his eyes remained closed. Water bubbled out from his chest area and cascaded down his hands and arm into the waters below while the wolf's mouth had water coming out of it in an arch. Etched into the fountain basin were just three words, The Bitten Potter and was a depiction of the bitten potters acceptance of his inner wolf.
Needless to say the fountain was her favorite place to visit especially when the Weasley boys decide to pop on over to play. Now that was defiantly a fun yet scary time when Percy decided to bring his pet rat with him. Now thanks to Remi's amazing sense of smell and fast spell sequences from Cordelia herself they now had an ace up their sleeves in the effort to free Sirius from the dementors grip.
Cordelia was shaken from
her musings as a familiar slightly pump man with a green bowler had in hand approached her cutting her off from her family. She could feel the corner of her mouth twitch in annoyance before she schooled her features once more into a mask of neutrality as her cold blue eyes settled on the pompous man grinning at her.
"Ah! Miss, Potter it is a pleasure to see you here. Of course one such as yourself would want to be present for the trial of your brother and his wife's murderer. Now see here though we are doing this for your peace of mind Miss, Potter don't forget who gave you such a wonderful opportunity especially when the next elections come up!"
He flashed her a jovial smile as Cordelia just quirked a brow up at the beaming man who started to fidget with his had under her scrutiny.
"Indeed I will be sure to give my thanks to the Lady Bones for her steadfast contribution to gaining my little brother in all but blood a first trial. I mean it's not like even the most hardened and vocal death eaters didn't get a trial as well nor like someone is trying to save their reputation by keeping a possibly innocent man jailed."
She looked to the minister with a sharp somewhat feral smile that made the man flinch and start to sweat bullets. He felt every barb in her words as she continued walking only to stop once more when she was right next to Remi and her adorable niece. It took him only a few second to realize who was in the young woman's arms but refrained from saying anything as both women leveled cold glares on his person.
The minister quickly scurried into the room in order to avoid the death glares of the two daunting women. Once out of sight Cordelia just huffed as Aquarius hissed and glided from Asters arms to his perch on her shoulders. He knew it was time for them to enter and knew he was needed as a show of strength for his mistress.
Cordelia turned to Remi and Aster her eyes softening as the settled on the small five year old and a soft smile tilted the corners of her lips up. This trial was big and was going to catch a lot of media attention but she knew the little girl didn't want to be far from either of them and Remi had a right to be there for her lover.
"Alright you two need to go to the stands while I go to the Potter family viewing box for voting nobles. Keep your wits sharp ladies because your about to see just why no one messes with a Potter and those they call their own."
A sharp shark like smirk pulled at her lips as she turned sharply on her heals with her cloak flaring with the movement and Aquarius puffing himself up and out with pride. She was the last one to enter the chamber through the lords doors causing all eyes to focus on her form. Many in the nobles seats paled as their eyes settled on her with her head held high staring down her nose at the man stationed right across the room from her. She couldn't help but feel vindicated when the twinkle in his blue eyes completely disappeared at the sight of her.
"I am here to take up the post as the true proxy of the Potter votes in this esteemed body here before me."
She gave a slight tilt of her head her face somewhat serene as the other lords and ladies murmured around her. Yet her eyes never lest the drastically paling form of the mugwumps as he lightly swallows. She knew he wasn't expecting her to come and take the largest chunk of his power base from him but there was no way in hades was she going to allow the man to continue abusing her legacy.
"Now my dear girl I don't see what you speak of, your brother-"
She quickly cut off the elderly headmaster as he tried to gain purchase before she could toss him to the wolves.
"My brother Mister Dumbledore had even before he and his wife had settled into war with a questionable band of birds given all political dealings to me. Any and all voting done prior or after my brothers demise was done illegally since I know for a fact little Jamie boy despised having to deal with such things and would have told me if he sent another proxy. Which I know for a fact he did not, not even by way of letter which was not his way. Especially since he's knew how I detested such missives not being given in person."
Ignoring the blustering of the minister at Dumbledore side Cordelia turned and accented the steps up to the upper levels where the lords and ladies of various houses sat. The seating was done in veranda view like in an opera house each segment emblazoned with different crests. The higher ones platform was the higher up the family was on the pecking order and the Potters were proudly just below the tip tier in the ancient and noble status along side the black, Prince, Weasley and Bones families. Just below them were the ancient families and below that were the noble class families each having their own means to gain access to.
The noble families were families of at least three generations and have gain notary and had enough money to toss around. The ancient families were families that have been around for at least seven generations and have a solid grasp of their family magic enough so that even if they were to marry a common born it wouldn't effect their family magic. The tier she sat on the ancient and noble families are for those with enough money and family magic to where it was a calling card for them. These families also have been around since at least the founding of hogwarts which the Potter family in the magical world predates hogwarts.
Above the noble and ancient class is one class that to this day none sit the seats for since the families remain hidden and watching for now. These are the Most Noble and Ancient families consisting of the founding four and the three big. The founding four are those descended from the four founders of hogwarts who's descendants helped build the foundation of the wizengamot with the help of those descended from the big three.
Now the big three as they are often called are the families that physically represent the three core types of magic in the world. They are the Emery's line denuded from the greatest wizard himself, Merlin. The represent the light faction even if Merlin could cast dark spells if he needed just like any other magical. For the dark faction there is the LeFey line or those descended from the dark witch Morgana herself. Last but not least taking up the representation of the gray cores or neutral party is those descended from the Peverell line.
At the bottom of the pecking order below the nobles in an ever changing chain of shifting bodies were the ministry representation which included the mugwump, the minister, and the department heads. Even though often time the head of department were also heads of their families but who was she to judge.
As soon as she sat down in her seat she removed her wand from her braid and slipped it into a small slot causing the Potter family crest to glow brightly and warm welcoming magic to encompass her. She watched as the ministry section flinched as Aquarius hissed in pleasure at the wash of energy.
"Hem hem Miss, Potter. As grand as it is to have you apart of these grand affairs I must ask that you send your. . . .Pet from these esteem halls. We mustn't let beasts into such a fine establishment after all. Let's not forget about your, unique taste in clothing for the evening."
Ice filled her eyes as they zeroed in on a woman that looked remarkably like a toad dressed in bright pink with a small pink bow in her short curly hair. She was sitting in the lower noble section with a sickeningly sweet smile plastered on her face.
"I do not see how my familiar is a bother to you madam Umbridge but these halls are for magic and a familiar is just an extension of my own. None have any right to take him from my person nor command me to do so. As for my form of dress I assure you madam that I am attired appropriately since these chambers originally required one to wear the traditional form of wear to their family. The plumb robes were a more recent addition to the attire but a purely optional one and one I refuse to wear. I am a proud Potter madam and that calls for wearing my great grandmothers traditional garb as a daughter of the chief bloodline of the warrior clan of the seven nomadic clans. Do not patronize my rights new blood."
She watched her face blank but a bubble of pure joy curling in her chest as the woman became a lovely shade of puce. To not address someone by their title like she had been doing to both Dumbledore and Umbridge is a huge insult in such a setting and shows those exactly what she thinks of the individuals without bluntly saying it out loud.
As the woman reared herself up and was about to speak once more she was interrupted by the slamming of the outer doors showing that the court was now in session. Everyone settled into their seats at the sound as Dumbledore banged his gavel announcing that court was in session.
Cordelia ignored the formalities and introductions that were customarily done before anything could get done. Yet it didn't take long for him to finally announce why they were all gathered there and she couldn't help but feel vindictive at the physical reaction of his ire. She knew he wanted Sirius to remain incarcerated even if he's lost control of Aster to her care. He probably had plans for the dog animagus well not today.
"On today's docket is the trial of one Sirius Orion Black for the betrayal of James Charlus Potter and Lily Maria Potter nee Evans as well as the murder of twelve muggles and one Peter Terrence Pettigrew."
A wave of hushed whispers and side glances towards Cordelia echoed in the chamber as a side door creaked open. From within the depths of the shadows beyond the door came two Auror's each with a hand gripping a bicep of the chained Sirius Black. A hush had fallen over everyone as he was escorted across the room and placed in the hard chained chair in the middle on a slightly raised revolving platform.
The chains sprung to life as soon as the man was released from the hold of his escorts and the chains previously wrapped around his wrists popped off. He was bound tightly and moderately uncomfortable but was thankful for the somewhat thick black robes that Cordelia had supplies for him. She felt pleased by the shocked twitches on many of the purebloods faces at the picture Sirius made with his clean long hair, trimmed beard, thick new robes and gasp on sanity even after prolonged exposure to the dementors.
Before Dumbledore could continue speaking Cordelia gently tapped her foot against the partition in front of her where she had slid her wand. The second her foot touched he partition the Potter crest emblazoned on her veranda lit up like a Christmas tree causing all eyes to settle on her section. His face was relaxed into a congenial mask though the customary twinkle in his baby blue eyes was nowhere to be seen.
"The floor recognizes Miss, Potter."
Cordelia tilted her head slightly as she narrowed her eyes at the meddlesome old fool as she felt her viewing area push out further than the others and saw the platform Sirius sat on turn to face her.
"That would be Regent Potter Mister Dumbledore and I would appreciate it if you did not forget that both in court and outside it you do not have my permission for anything else. It is after all a disservice to one such as yourself to lead without doing but that is neither here nor there. I move to present evidence to find Lord Black innocent of two of the three charges weighed against him to this humble body."
Murmuring started back up as onlookers and nobles alike questioned what this beautiful young woman who as far as many of them knew spent little time in England would have that they didn't. What could she have found that some of their best Auror's didn't find when bringing the man in. The voices grew until the sound of a loud bang echoed from the podium where Dumbledore stood as chief warlock yet it was Fudge who spoke his tone scathing.
"How could you possibly have found something that the ministry have not? We of the ministry do not need to pander to a child's whims in the court room. We are here just to show you that this man is an criminal of the worst kind and he done with it."
Fudges tirade stopped as he along with everyone else in the room felt a wave of furious magic wash over them. This who weren't looking slowly turned their sight onto the young Potter woman who had stood slowly and had her hand splayed on the partition in front of her. Her face was a blank mask but her eyes blazed as the tattoo runes displayed on her wrist glowed with magic so potent it ruffled her sleeves showing glimpses of the magic infused flesh. It was then that many remembered although they were normally calm and collected it was never smart to go against a Potter especially a Potter female.
"Tell me Fudge since when has the ministry denied a person their rights to a trial or retrial of new evidence could be presented? How much has things been fudged up because few people wanted to look for the truth and would rather bury their heads in the sand. I personally will not stand for this injustice and if I must I will put the full weight of the Potter name behind finding the truth and see just how deeply the puss has seeped into the veins."
By the end her eyes were glowing with her magic and the air was thick and tense with fear and admiration. It remained this way for what felt like ages until the boxes of Weasley, Bones and surprisingly enough Malfoy lit up in support of her statement. The first two were a given being long standing Allies to one another but Malfoy was a surprise. Yet it shouldn't have been considering Cordelia had shown herself to be a traditionalist just by coming in the traditional garb of her blood.
Giving a curt nod in the direction of each of her allies Cordelia settled her hard gaze back on the Minister who audibly gulped as he fast his gaze for support only to find it in just the Umbridge seat. All others were pale seeing two of the Ancient and Noble seats standing with the Ancient and Noble house of Potter along side the Noble seat of Malfoy a strictly dark aligned house.
"V-very well present your evidence Regent Potter."
A small quirks of the lip into a smirk was all that anyone saw before the glow faded from Cordelias eyes and rune tattoos before sitting back down and crossing her legs.
"The first piece of evidence was given to Lady Amelia Bones head of the department of magical law enforcement regent of the ancient and noble house of Bones two weeks ago. The second piece of evidence I call forth is the wand of one Sirius Orion Black from the holding archives to have prior incantantum cast upon it so we could see the last five spells cast by Lord black before his incarceration."
The doors opened once more and the want registered to Sirius Black was brought in on a silk pillow. Behind him was an eccentric looking old man with flyaway silver hair and moon like eyes looking around unblinkingly a wistful smile twitching on his lips as as those unnerving eyes passed over where each wand was in their slots.
From the stand next to her own Amelia bones pulled her own wand free from its station causing the magic in her area to dull as she levitated a caged rat down into the evidence area. Once it settled two Auror's bracketed the cage with their wants focused on creature as a low growl emanated from the chained man who had craned his neck to glare into the cage causing the rat to run circles in fear.
"We have called wand maker Ollivander who had sold Lord black his wand to check over the want itself and prove that this is indeed the wand in question. Ollivander if you please?"
Cordelia nodded to the elderly wand maker who hummed as his moonlit gaze bore into her then turned to the dark wood sitting gently on the pillow. Giving another hum he picked up the piece looking it over. The handle of the wood showed a werewolf in wolf form, large dog, and stag chasing after one another playfully as a silver strip went around the want between the handle and the shaft. Near the base of the handle there was another shape that looked distinctly like a rat only it was scorched through like an open wound making it hard to make out on the dark surface. Twining around the antlers of the stag was a crown of lily flowers with each creature gently carrying a bushel of Aster flowers in their mouths.
"Ebony, twelve and a half inches with a Pheonix feather core well rounded and quite playful. Indeed this is the wand I sold to young lord black all those years ago curious so curious to show a scar so deep. "
His eyes flicked up from the wand to bare into those of Sirius as he rubbed his thumb over the scar in the wood.
"A scar fresh the last days it was held. So very curious."
He turned and gently placed the wand back on the pillow before pulling his own out and pointing it as the length of Ebony mumbling to himself as he ran the tip of his wand along the shaft.
"This wand has not been used since it was taken from its owner. The spells cast will be those of Sirius Black and Sirius black alone."
Snatching the wand back up he quickly cast Prior Incantantum on the wand which spit out the last five spells from its memory none of which could do any harm. The last five spells were action, apparition, healing, a tracking charm and lastly a stupify. Not a single spell that could cause the damage seen when he was arrested back on that fateful night.
Nodding Ollivander gently placed the well loved wand back and left as if nothing monumental had happened while many who had been in the ministry all those years ago paled. Their wide eyes zeroed in on the chained man then flicked over to the rat running circles in its cage just to the side. Worry filled many of the onlookers as they stared at the rat along side trepidation as one of the Auror's opened the cage and fished out the frantic pest throwing it into the air while hitting it with an animagus reversal spell.
What hit the ground after the spell hit wasn't a rat but a rat faced man with a receding hairline sniveling on the ground at the feet of the bound man. Gasps and yells of outrage rang through the room as the man lifted his watery eyes to the crowd revealing himself as Peter Pettigrew a previously dead man.
A spell quickly bound the man so he could not transform and escape once more in his animal form. He struggled against the bindings as his eyes cast about frantically until the flashed over the glaring form of Cordelia Potter and he shrunk in on himself.
"Welcome back to the land of the living Peter Pettigrew. Now sit tightly while your trial continues along side dear Lord Blacks."
Her smile was sharp as blades as her eyes squinted at the cowering man, the only signs of her fury at the rat for what he had done to her family.
"I believe that the answer to who killed the twelve muggles is hidden within the rat mans pocket."
Before anyone could move or do anything an obnoxious hem hem sounded through the chamber and all eyes switched focus to the woman in pink as she smiled sweetly up at Cordelia. The smile was condescending as if she was a disgruntled child that needed discipline and to be brought to heal as the adults talked. Cordelia just narrowed her eyes at the woman already knowing what she was going to say.
"Now as entertaining as this little tidbit of information is fascinating it doesn't not excuse the fact that Mr, Black was known as the secret keeper for your brother. They were after all close friends during their boyhood were they not?"
She smiled smug as Fudge beamed at his secretary before turning a smug smile towards the young Potter regent who's only sign of annoyance was a twitch of her eyebrow.
"Indeed that is why after working tirelessly with the goblin hoard as well as the international governing Magic's I have managed to cut through the exorbitant amount of red tape to release my brother and sister-in-laws joint last will and testament to be read after Pettigrew's wand is read."
Umbridge"s face turned red as her temper flared making her look like a bloated red pink and red toad.
"Now see here Miss, Potter you previously said you had only two bits of evidence to clear Mr, Black of two of the charges levied against him and now you say you have a third! Outrageous living in this humbled body!"
Cordelia slammed her hand against her seat silencing the toady woman as her magic fluxed out with power once more.
"Do not presume me a liar Miss, Umbridge. I said I had evidence releasing of two of the three charges since I myself have as of yet heard the last words of my beloved brother and his wife. I like this humble body will be hearing the will for the first time so don't you dare color me a liar new noble."
Many sucked in their breath at the blatant disrespect directed at the undersecretary to the minister given by the regent Potter her no one was willing to call her out on it. This young woman was a force to be reckoned with both politically and magically and they were all getting a taste of the fabled Potter power that had been absent since the death of Charlus and his wife Dorea.
"Now Auror's please procure Mr, Pettigrew's wand and perform prior incantantum so we may proceed with this farce and finally have the last will of my brother read before his peers."
Giving a curt nod the Auror dug through the fat mans pockets before he found what seemed to be a chewed up piece of wood causing noses to scrunch in distaste. It seems spending years in ones animagus form reflects on ones person not just in their physical attributes but in the items they hold while in the form.
Holding up the wand the Auror cast the prior Incantantum spell causing pandemonium as the very last spell the rotund man cast showed to be the blasting spell bombards. They all knew now at least that it was Pettigrew who had killed those twelve muggles yet many were still trying to delude themselves that it was in order to escape the madman hunting him.
Nodding to the Auror who carried the wand over to the pillow where Lord Blacks wand still rested and set it next to the ebony masterpiece Cordelia turned her attention back to the three standing at the front.
"Now that, that has settled it is time to display the last will and testament of my brother and his wife and put these accusations to rest the way it should have been done that faithful night."
The second Auror walked to the middle of the room and removed from his robes a sphere twisting with red, gold, green and silver light and placed it down on the floor. Once on the floor he took out a vial filled with red liquid and dropped three drops onto the orb causing the colors to swirl into a whirlpool the pulled itself out of its confinement into the air above it. The colors quickly twisted into the shapes of James and Lily Potter holding each other close as the smiled out at the world. After a few tense seconds James opened his mouth a and spoke chasing the eyes of many close to the couple to tear up.
"I James Charlus Potter, and I Lily Aurora Potter nee Evans being of sound mind and body leave this as our last will and testament.
Well if you all are hearing this it means we are dead and we're betrayed by our secret keeper Peter Pettigrew. Sorry paddy looks like our cloak and dagger ruse didn't work.
People went ballistic at the confession of who the true Potter traitor was and many called for his head on a pike until a blast of the want silenced them all. Once quiet everyone turned their attention back to the will.
To Remi Joan Lupin aka Moony we leave you 200,000 galleons and the Moonlite cottage in Scotland that you fell head over heals in love with. We were originally going to give it to you and Sirius as a wedding gift and the update the will but looks like it wasn't meant to be. Remi your the best girlfriend a girl could ask for. Treat yourself with the money and take James and Cordelia up on their offer. You deserve it you beautiful soul you.
James hugged his wife close in the image as she chocked slightly on her words. It was an endearing sight and caused many to give watery smiles at what was lost.
To Sirius Orion Black Aka Padfoot you flea bag we would give you custody of your goddaughter, but then I reminded James that his lovely big sister would resurrect him just to skin him alive before smacking you upside the head and feeding you to a dragon. Yes, yes so Aster will be going to my sisters care which is the smart thing anyway so Paddy I give you 200,000 galleons and my permission to use the vineyard my family owns near Venice Italy for your wedding and a trip around the world with my lovely sister as a guide! James! You can't promise your sister like that in a will!
Everyone laughed at the couple as many looked over to see Cordelias hand covering her face in fond exasperation at her brother muttering about not being able to hex the fool.
To Peter I hope you rot with the dementors Pettigrew. That statement is enough to tell you what you get. By law an all expense payed vacation to Azkaban for life hope you enjoy you rat faced traitor.
To my lovely sister I give you custody of my precious baby girl. Please Cordelia raise our daughter to be a strong force of nature just like you. I am so sorry I didn't listen to you about going to Potter Manor and stayed at Godrics Hollow. Please forgive your foolish brother for not listening to yourself words or wisdom and for not taking my training in our traditions seriously. I told you James there is nothing wrong with magical traditions they are what make magic so amazing! Please Cordelia figure out a way to open up the minds of Muggleborns like myself to the wonders of the traditions of the magical world. Integrating the muggle Holliday's is destroying this world and dividing its people. Muggleborns need to learn and adapt to this world and your the only one I can ask to do this. I also leave you the Potter family Regency until Aster is ready for the job.
To Severus Tobias Snape I, and I as well, give you 100,000 galleons and copies of all my potions journals. I know you will do something with them but promise me Sev to work with Aster on her potions when she gets older.
Snape I am sorry for how I treated you in our school days. I know we were working on a better relationship for the sake of Lily but here is my true heartfelt apology that I was never able to give in life. I am sorry for everything.
Last but not least to our beloved daughter Aster we leave everything else and all our love.
We love you baby girl and never let anyone else tell you otherwise. You were our world and not just because we were trapped in a house with just us. Also if any boys ever wish to date you tell them they better treat you right or your daddy will come and haunt them into an early grave! James!
One more thing. Never is our daughter to ever be placed with my sister Petunia Dursley Nee Evans. We had sadly grown apart and to be honest she is an example of what muggles could be like if magic were to be discovered. She had become hateful and bitter which kept growing through our childhood into adulthood to where I don't even recognize my beloved sister in the spiteful relic she has become.
This is the end of the last will and testament of James and Lily Potter, and Dumbledore stay away from our living family.
Many were dabbing at wet eyes as the image of the couple disappeared leaving the room quiet until the sound of rattling chains and choked sobs came from below. They all looked down to see the now confirmed innocent form of Sirius black a snot nosed sobbing mess staring at the place where his brother in everything but bloods image once stood.
"It seems that Lord black is innocent of his crimes but we must put it to vote all in favor of his guilt light your crest."
Not a single crest glowed as Dumbledore looked around the room.
"All those in favor of his innocence?"
The room light up like a swarm of firefly's coming out in the darkest of nights as the crests light up with their verdict. Only a few occupied seats didn't glow preferring to remain neutral on the subject. Those sitting in the seats shivered as Cordelia took in each seat who chose to remain out of the process. This told her they were either Dumbledores closest or the dark lords minions through and through. She knew she will be keeping a close eye on those particular families which included Umbridge and Fudge themselves. She already figured Dumbledore wouldn't vote it was obvious to her the man didn't want Sirius out for one reason or another.
"Now on to the fate of the traitor Peter Pettigrew."
This time the room had glowed bright for guilty and the debate on his sentencing afterward left Cordelia annoyed to no end. She herself wished for the rat to be kissed by the dementors left a shell of himself but it seems Dumbledore still had enough pull to give the man life in Azkaban. She loathed the man and his second chance outlook when it was that second change mindset that cost many their lives.
As she walked down the steps to the ground floor Cordelia was met with the twinkle eyed old man causing her own eyes to narrow at him.
"Cordelia my dear I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time."
Cordelia quirked a brow as she tilted her head before giving a sigh of annoyance.
"Mr, Dumbledore I am sure what you need to speak with me about could wait for a later date. I have a niece to collect from her caretaker, a ex criminal who wasn't actually a criminal to drag to Gringotts to get a health evaluation while finding him a bloody mind healer and plan for the inevitable break out of every second chance lunatic you and your own put behind bars. I've told you before back when the first war was in full steam that there is no such thing as second chances for those on the front line or willing to kill. Yet in all your infinite wisdom you ignore my advice and look what it's cost us."
Dumbledore presented a look of dejection as his eyes glazed slightly giving off the feeling of a weary grandfather causing Cordelia to scoff. She quickly made her way around the old man and entered the lift with only one other person.
Once the lift closed she turned her attention to the platinum blond lord standing next to her his cane gripped lightly in his right hand with his left hand overlapping the other. She always knew the malfoys were more of a traditional family but she didn't know where the current generations sat on the pecking order. His support of her in the trial gave her a good view into what this particular Malfoy fought for.
"Merry meet Lord Malfoy I thank you for your support of Lord Black and finding the truth of the matter."
Lucius Malfoy just nodded his head as he continued to stare ahead at the gates dividing them from the outside world.
"You know Lord Malfoy I feel within the next ten years or so we will be needing all the power the traditional section of the nobles could get. Someday soon the big three will need to reveal themselves to the world and show that they still live don't you think?"
She watched aS Lucius's grip on his cane tightened slightly before releasing as he tilted his head in her direction.
"Indeed Regent Potter but one could only hope that it does not come to such a conclusion. The big three hid for a reason and we must respect their choices to remain as such."
Cordelia gave a slight nod as the gates opened on the ground floor and she began walking only to stop at the doorway looking slightly over her shoulder.
"You know lord Malfoy after today I hope we could come to be political friends with the possibility of allies in the future. For the sake of keeping magical traditions alive."
She paused as she watched one platinum brow rise slightly in question before giving a slight nod of confirmation of the possibility making her hum.
"I always found it funny, bad faith, it is just the kind of name Morgana herself would find humorous enough to keep don't you think?"
With that she left the lift approaching Remi holding her niece who was wiggling to get out of the werewolf's grasp to go to her aunt. She quickly scooped up the little girl as another lift opened revealing one Sirius Orion black who in all his maturity ran full force to his beloved.
"Remi, my beautiful Moony I can't believe your here!"
He ran up to hug Remi only to be met with a strong right hook to the face causing him to collapse onto the ground staring up at his tear stained angry love with wide eyes.
"You stupid flea bitten mongrel do you have any idea what I've been through because of your hot headed pursuit of false justice! I should get you neutered in the hopes it'd slow the flow of some of those bloody hormones you use to think with!"
A whimper from the man met that statement as the enraged woman stormed from the ministry and Sirius scrambled to his feet to follow only to be grabbed by the scruff of his robes.
"Remi meet us at the bank once you've cooled off. As for you Sirius we have an appointment with the goblins for a health evaluation and to sort through the sorry state the black holdings are most likely in and a healing ritual for the little one for a little parasite that needs to be dealt with soon."
All anyone heard after that was a loud whine of Remi as Cordelia whisked the animagus away through the floo and the grumbling of a pissed off lover.