Chapter 32
Chapter 32
Arriving through the floo, Lyra follows the twins into the kitchen. Molly is sending the completed dishes to the table while the family is seated waiting. The room becomes silent as everyone catches sight of a stranger. Several wands point in her direction while the twins move in front of her for protection.
‘Who is this? How did she get in?’
‘Mum-’
‘The Malfoys offered Hermione the option to break the glamour hiding her appearance.’
‘The Malfoys attacked her? I thought no one knew she was there.’
Lyra places a hand on each of the twins. As one they look at her.
‘I will handle this.’ The twins step aside but stay close.
‘I have been communicating with them, they are my closest relatives. I am becoming quite close with my cousin as well. They mentioned that I may be glamoured so I invited them to visit me. When it was discovered that I did have a glamour, they offered to remove it.’
‘Do you realize the danger you put yourself in? You were at their mercy, they could have killed you.’
‘Family is everything to them, and me as well. I will not listen to anything against their character. They helped me with this and they plan to be my guardians until I finish school. If you cannot accept this then I have nothing else to say to you.’
‘Hermione?’
‘I would prefer to be called Lyra from now on. My school records will be updated as soon as my family is granted guardianship. Can we eat now? Or are you going to continue saying vile things about people you don't know?’
‘How do we know you have not been imperioused? They could have done anything to you while you recovered from the glamour removal.’
‘Should I just leave then? I know we only have another day before returning to school but I refuse to listen to this.’
‘No you will not leave. You are family and anyone who wishes to remain here will hold their tongue.’ Sirius says while glaring around the table.
‘Thank you cousin, I will be in my room. Good evening.’
Lyra walks out of the room hearing an argument break out behind her. Winky is waiting in her room with a large tray of food.
*.*
The morning everyone boarded the train Sirius met Lucius at Malfoy Manor.
‘Are you ready for trial?’
‘Yes, I would be better prepared if I knew where to find a certain rat though.’
Lucius summons a small cage, ‘this one?’
‘How did you-?’
‘Let’s not discuss specifics at this time. We need to be on our way. Trial begins within the hour.’
Both men floo directly into the Head Aurors office.
‘Right on time Lucius, Mr Black I presume.’
‘Amelia Bones? I didn't know you were the Head Auror.’
‘I imagine you missed a lot while incarcerated.’
‘True.’
‘This cage contains an Animagus. We believe his testimony will be needed during this trial.’
‘If you insist. Let's head to the courtroom. With any luck this will not take all day.’
*.*
'For our first order of business there has been a motion to release Albus from his position within the Wizengamot for illegal monitoring of mail.'
'Now hold on just a moment-'
'Reading the material before you and vote, this is not a trial therefore no defense is needed. If this passes there will be investigations held before a trial.'
Within 10 minutes the motion had passed unanimously. Albus was detained for questioning and the trial of Sirius Black had begun.
*.*
Lord Black Falsely Imprisoned
Today in an emergency session the Wizengamot help a trial for the notorious Sirius Black, during this trial it was discovered that the formerly ‘HEROIC’ Peter Pettigrew is in fact alive and that he is a key factor in the deaths of the Potters, how many others were wrongfully imprisoned? Are we certain that everyone at Azkaban received a fair trial? Is Lord Black the only escaped prisoner that will seek a fair trial? What actions will the ministry take now?
*.*
Murder, and Mayhem Amidst Many Mysteries.
The minister held a press conference today to address several issues, first the trial of Pettigrew has concluded but the details are being kept confidential until further investigations have concluded. Second, all Azkaban escapees are requested to contact the Head Auror to discuss their case so that they may determine how to proceed. And finally Dumblodore has been removed from his position as head of the Wizengamot. There is no reason currently known and all parties have refused to comment. What does all this mean for the people? Clearly some larger scheme is in place. With any luck we shall not have to wait too long before the truth begins to surface.
*.*
A smile grows upon Lyra's lips as she reads the morning profit again. Everything is beginning to come together. Finally, with any luck Dumbledore's days at the school are limited. Across the great hall Draco stands and begins to leave the hall and Lyra rushes to join him,
'Hello, cousin.'
'Hey, Dray, do you think we should send a letter to cousin Sirius?'
'Of course. I wonder who Lord Black will name as his heir.'
'Probably his godson, Harry.'
'Really? I had no idea.'
Lyra smiles as they enter charms class.
*.*
Moments after leaving his trial a free man, Sirius enters Gringotts seeking to reinstate his Lordship status and name his heir.
Somewhat reluctantly the goblin delivers the requested item.
'Your ring, Lord Black.'
'Thank you, now i need to begin the process of naming my heir.'
'You will not be able to.'
'I don't understand. I do not have an heir listed.'
'That is irrelevant. Your house magic claimed an heir long ago. But that is all that can be said on the matter.'
'Do you know the identity? Can you tell me how old? Or even the gender?’
‘The goblin nation does not interfere in the matters of wizards. Just know that when you find your heir, we will be here to verify birth right.’
Sirius leaves frustrated. Who is this heir? Did his brother have a child? It couldn't be, he died so young. Barely out of school. But who else has enough to claim heir? Unless his mother--- no he can't even finish the thought.
Sirius returns home and stares at the tapestry. Why are the kidnapped children not on it? Sirius begins pouring through the texts in the Black library looking for something that will make the bloody tapestry reveal who is missing. Several days pass and Sirius has no answers. That night an order meeting is scheduled. Sirius confronts Dumbledore about another kidnapped relative.
‘Who else has been kidnapped?’
‘I have no idea what you mean.’
‘I went to Gringotts. They wont let me claim an heir because the House of Black already has one. Who is it? I know you know.’
Dumbledore huffs and thinks this is oddly reminiscent.
‘I honestly have no idea what you mean. Could the Malfoy or Lestrange children have a claim to the Black house?’
‘We both know that the Lordship passes along the male line. That means myself or Regulus had a child. Which is it? And where are they?’
‘I simply have no idea what you are insinuating. I have no knowledge of any such child. Can we start the meeting?’
‘No, you may not start the meeting. This is no longer headquarters. I will no longer be an accomplice to you and your minions. From this moment forward the Order is not welcome here. Get out before I let Kreacher remove you all.’
Molly begins to yell and Sirius simply calls Kreacher. ‘Remove Mrs. Weasley, she is not welcome any longer. Do not let her return.’
Arthur looks at Sirius. ‘Was that necessary?’
‘Unfortunately, yes it was. You are welcome to return as long as it is not order business. Have a nice night.’ Arthur leaves through the floo. Everyone else slowly leaves.
‘Sirius, is this how you really feel?’
‘Albus I don't think you want to try to continue this conversation with me right now. Leave my home before I call Kreacher again.’ Albus walks out the front door and apparates away.
*.*
‘Did you even try to defend me?’
‘Molly-’
‘That wretched elf threw me out. I can't believe Sirius could allow that.’
‘You can't-’
‘Can’t? Can’t what?’
‘He has every right to demand everyone leave-’
‘No he did not. That is headquarters. He is a criminal. I will have him thrown back into Azkaban.’
‘He is a free man now-’
‘I don’t care. He will regret this.’
‘You are going to have to calm down.’
‘No! I will not.’
Raising his voice Arthur pulls his family magic before ordering: ‘As your Head of House I forbid you from taking action on this matter. I'm going to Romania, you will stay with Muriel. I don't know how long I will be gone. Go pack. I will see you when I return.’
Molly is stunned into silence. She can feel the house magic pulling her to do as he bid.
Arthur climbs the stairs to gather a bag for travel. After shrinking the bag and placing it into his pocket. He apparates to the Ministry to request an emergency Portkey.
When learning the portkey would leave in the morning, Arthur went to his office to prepare for a leave of absence.
*.*