Harry Potter, History Repeats 3
The first few days Harry stayed at Privet Drive were calm ones. He waited for responses to his mail and had Dobby take him to Hogwarts to check on Crouch and Pettigrew before working on harvesting the basilisk. While not an expert, Harry had done some work with such things in the past, and he didn't trust anyone to do it for him. He had Dobby pack the materials away as he worked, and finished after a week. Selling the materials would net him rather a lot of gold, though he'd have to do it outside Britain to be safe.
Harry also spent a little time improving his wardrobe, both muggle and magical, so as to look the part of a talented young man. Even if he hated such things, Ginny had drilled into his head that it could be important.
By that time, Harry had received a letter from Sirius, who was hiding once more in Grimmauld Place by the not-so-subtle hints. Harry knew how much he hated that place. Hopefully, Harry would deal with that situation soon.
The next day, he received a message from Amelia Bones with a time to meet that very day.
Putting on a new set of robes and hiding his scar with a rugby cap, Harry asked, "Dobby, can you take me to the Leaky Cauldron?" Popping out of existence, they appeared in the alley leading to Diagon, and Harry entered the tavern. He immediately went to the fireplace, and took the floo to the Ministry. A quick stop at the front desk and he received a button, shaking his head slightly at the listed reason of Dealing with the Law.
Nostalgically looking around as he entered the DMLE offices, Harry approached Bones' office, and said to her secretary, "Madame Bones asked to see me?" he said, pulling off the cap and putting it into his pocket.
"Ah, yes, she said you'd be here, Mr. Potter." As she spoke, the woman smiled, "You can go in, she has time for you now."
"Thank you," Harry said as he opened the door and entered the office. His gaze very carefully examined the room for, well, anything out of the ordinary, even waving his wand and muttering as he cast a few spells before moving to sit down in front of the woman, "Good afternoon, ma'am," he greeted her.
Madame Bones found the young man interesting. His examination of her office spoke of caution or paranoia, and he moved very carefully, as if expecting trouble. "Bold of you to use magic in front of me. You said you wished to speak to me, that you had information on Sirius Black?"
"I wanted to be sure of privacy, as this is a very delicate situation. And you might say that," Harry said with a shrug, "It's not something you will easily believe, however. Do you have a pensieve?"
"Yes," the woman said curiously, rising to her feet to open a cabinet. "This is a legal pensieve. If the memory has been tampered with, it will note the discrepancies," Madame Bones warned.
He knew about legal pensieves. They were the first step, before expert examination, in authenticating memories. Nodding at her, Harry pulled his wand and slowly extracted a memory and put it in the pensieve. "View that, if you will. It happened at the end of my third year. It'll take a little less than half an hour."
Brow rising, she stuck her finger into the silvery liquid, and Harry leaned back, waiting. He was patient enough to simply sit there.
When she emerged from the memory, Madame Bones was frowning, "Why didn't I hear about these events?"
"Professor Snape hates Sirius. He told the Minister that obviously I and my friends had been confounded and the Minister, not wanting a public scandal, seized upon that and declared it to be fact. Thus, Sirius Black remains in hiding to this day," Harry said to her.
Madame Bones leaned back, frown turning contemplative, "That alone won't be enough, you realize. While a properly verified pensieve memory is evidence, it's not enough on its own. Especially for many who have been told over and over how evil Sirius Black is."
"Then it's a good thing that I have Peter Pettigrew under lock and key for you," Harry said without batting an eye.
"What?" That's all Bones managed, staring at him.
"You heard me. I have Pettigrew, and can produce him for you," Her stated baldly, "He's not a Pureblood, so you can formally question him under veritaserum. Once that's done, in the next Wizengamot session in a few days, you can introduce him as new business and get Sirius Black cleared. It'd be difficult for them to argue with memories and a living Peter Pettigrew who admitted his guilt in a sworn testimony under veritaserum," Harry pointed out. He knew she might discover other things, like Pettigrew was one of the ones who had been present when Harry had disappeared after the Third Task. They could clarify other matters later. "Especially if you're sure to have reporters present. Not just the Daily Prophet, but others as well. International reporters are key; the Daily Prophet won't try to overly spin the story then."
"You seem most determined to clear him, Mr. Potter," Madame Bones observed.
"He's my godfather," Harry said with a shrug, "I should be in his custody, but he was thrown in Azkaban sans trial. Technically, he still is my guardian, merely unavailable. My current placement was not done legally." His lips twitch, "I'm sure that some will be less than pleased at his release after they realize that. Some might want to try to change things." Dumbledore, for one. "Luckily, they won't be able to. I looked it up. All Sirius has to do is legally adopt me and they can't take me away from his care. That's the last thing I'll ask of you. Adoptions usually take time, but you can push it through."
Madame Bones' brow rose. "Why are you so determined to have Sirius Black as your guardian, young man? Are there not other options?"
"My current guardians are the Dursleys, due to Sirius' incarceration. Petunia Dursley is my mother's sister." Harry shrugged, "Let us just say that they do not treat me well, but Dumbledore absolutely insists that I live with them. As for other options, there aren't ones I can trust to want to take care of me for me, and not my regrettable public image as 'The-Boy-Who-Lived'." He didn't realize he was occasionally slipping into formal, adult speech.
"Don't treat you well?" Now Madame Bones was frowning.
"I don't wish to go into details. Suffice it to say, I don't want people to know about the situation, just to get out of it," Harry said with a shrug. "This arranges that."
"You are remarkably controlled and mature for your age," Bones said after a moment. "I think in this case, you should be allowed to decide who you reside with, so if we manage to get Mr. Black cleared, I will arrange the adoption."
"Thank you, Madame Bones. Please bring the adoption papers when I take you to Sirius, so they can be signed and copies filed at the Ministry and with the Goblins," Harry said to her, nodding. "One other thing. I suspect Albus Dumbledore will not be present at the meeting. I request you try to appoint Madame Marchbanks as temporary Chief Warlock for the meeting, though it's of course your choice. I'd suggest Madame Longbottom, but she may be a trifle prejudiced due to Bellatrix LeStrange's actions."
Brow rising, the woman asked, "And why do you think he won't be present?"
"He left school on 'important business'. I'm pretty sure that he will still be gone by the time of the trial," Harry said simply.
He knows more than he's saying, Madame Bones thought. "Are you sure you're not Slytherin, young man?"
"The Sorting Hat wanted to place me in Slytherin," Harry said with a shrug, "I'd have let it too, if I hadn't already met Draco Malfoy and wanted to be nowhere near him during my schooling."
Madame Bones' lips twitched, "I see." Clasping her hands before her, she asked, "Is there anything else we need to discuss? And do you wish to be at Pettigrew's trial?"
"No," Harry shook his head. "Once Sirius is cleared, I can take you to him. I think." He paused, "If not, I can take you where to meet him. That can let you get legal details out of the way."
"All right then, Mr. Potter," Madame Bones said. "In that case, this was a most productive meeting. When can I receive Pettigrew?"
"Now, if you wish?" Harry asked. At her nod, he called, "Dobby?"
The house elf appeared, "Harry Potter Sir called Dobby?"
"Yes, please bring the rat and a wiggenweld potion," Harry told him.
"I's be right back, Harry Potter Sir," Dobby declared, disappearing. Less than a minute later, he appeared with a steel cage housing a sleeping rat and placed a potion vial on top. "Anything else, Harry Potter Sir?" Madame Bones looked amused at this interaction.
"No, this is fine, thank you, Dobby," Harry told the elf. After the elf popped away, he glanced at Bones, "This is Peter Pettigrew in his animagus form. He is presently under Draught of Living Death." He smiled at Madame Bones' look of shock. "Be sure to place him in a magical cell before waking him up, we don't want him to escape in his rat form."
"I will call someone in to deal with him," Bones said.
Harry lifted a hand, "If you take advice, regardless of who you call, you should activate their Auror's Oath to ensure privacy. I'd suggest using Proudfoot and Savage."
"Why are you reminding me of Moody?" Madame Bones said with amusement. "And how do you know about my aurors?"
Harry rubbed his brow, barely preventing himself from swearing under his breath. He was so focused on having this work that he forgot to pretend to be ignorant. "I did a lot of research, and know a few people, let's put it that way." It was obviously more than that.
"All right, you seem to have a good plan, so I'll listen." In spite of him being a teenager goes unsaid. "I'll use Proudfoot and Savage."
"Thank you." Harry nodded, "I'll leave you to it, then." She watched as Harry waved his wand, murmuring, "Finite Incantatem," to cancel the privacy spells.
"If I might be so bold, I suggest being cautious. While you are safe casting magic in the Ministry, you don't wish to get into trouble due to Underage Magic. Technically, I should be citing you," Bones noted.
"I'm aware. I figured in this case it was worth the risk, as Sirius' freedom is worth more to me," Harry said simply.
"I understand," Madame Bones agreed. "Have a good day, Mr. Potter."
With that, Harry got up and left the woman's office.
HPHPHPHPHP
Over the next few days, Harry waited patiently for news. He really wanted to tell Sirius, but deemed it safer to wait for events to play out. He sent Dobby to get him a new subscription to the Daily Prophet, as well as pick up books he wanted to read from Flourish and Blotts.
One morning found him flipping through a book on warding, when an owl arrived with the newspaper. Opening it, he saw a headline: Sirius Black Innocent! There was more under it, including some attempts to mitigate damage to Fudge, but Harry didn't care. He did, however, ask Dobby to check other newspapers as a precaution that it wasn't staged. Paranoid? Yes. But he didn't want to risk Sirius' life.
Once Dobby returned, Harry decided that the important part was taken care of. He grinned, and got up, carefully changing and getting dressed, carefully smoothing the dark blue silk shirt he'd had Dobby purchase. Finishing, he glanced up as another owl was tapping on his window. He opened the window and looked over the letter. It was from Amelia Bones, wanting him to arrange a meeting between she and Sirius. He quickly penned a response, telling her to meet him in a small park a few blocks away from Grimmauld Place.
Then he had Dobby apparate him as close as he could, and walked the rest of the way, sitting on a bench to wait.
Not long later, he glanced up and saw Madame Bones walk up to him. With her was a pink-haired Tonks. Harry couldn't stop himself from smiling at Tonks, before he controlled himself. "Ah, Madame Bones. This is?" he asked, glancing at Tonks.
"Tonks," the girl said, nodding at him.
"Tonks?" Harry asked, enjoying the interaction a bit.
"Just Tonks," she said firmly.
Harry nods, "Nice to meet you, Just Tonks. That's an interesting name." One might think him serious, if not for the slight curve of his lips at the last. Tonks looked at him dubiously. "This way," he said, asking Bones, "Do you have the adoption papers?"
"Adoption papers?" Tonks asked curiously even as Bones nodded at Harry.
"Yes," Harry answered her as they started to walk down the street. However, he didn't explain further as he led them to the proper house. "Keep out of sight so he doesn't see you; we don't want him fleeing." He was glad they hadn't put up the Fidelius yet, presumably because Dumbledore left precipitously.
The door opened slowly and Sirius peeked out. "Harry?" he said blinking, "How did you get here? How'd you even know where I was?"
Harry pushed the door open and hugged Sirius as he entered the house. He cast a quiet spell at a nearby painting before saying as he offered him the paper, "Hello. Have you read the paper today?"
"No, of course not. I don't have a subscription, being a fugi--" Sirius paused. Stared. "Merlin, Harry, what'd you do? How?! Dumbledore said he tried and couldn't get me cleared!"
"I have my doubts on that," Harry said dryly, "But let's just say I found Pettigrew, that made it easier. Madame Bones? Tonks?"
Sirius whirled, looking panicked as he saw Bones and Tonks emerge from a nearby bus shelter and walk up the steps and enter the foyer. "Relax, Mr. Black," Madame Bones said, "You are a free man, thanks to your godson. We tried Peter Pettigrew yesterday. His testimony under veritaserum, along with your godson's memories, made it a simple matter." She added, glaring at Harry, "Though I have a few other questions for you to answer, later." Harry just smirked at her.
"Wotcher, Cousin," chimed in Tonks.
"I don't believe it," muttered Sirius. "Really?"
"Yes, though I would like to know how you escaped from Azkaban, if only to ensure no other prisoners manage to escape," Bones commented. Behind her, Tonks simply stood, not interrupting her boss.
For a long moment, Sirius considered. Part of him wanted to hide it, but she had just helped him get his named cleared. Finally, he answered, "I'm an animagus. I never registered due to the war, as it was useful for sneaking up on the Death Eaters. I was planning on registering after, but, well, I was never given the chance."
Madame Bones sighed, rubbing her brow. "All right, you'll have to come with me to register yourself; it's best you get registered before we file the other papers."
"Other papers?" Sirius asked, confused.
"Yes, your godson insisted." The older woman produced a set of papers from a bag, offering them to him, "Sign these. They are official adoption papers."
Sirius stared in surprise, not having expected this, then grabbed the papers quickly and read through them. When offered a quill and ink pot from Amelia, he leaned over a nearby table, signing quickly, as if afraid she'd snatch the papers away from him. Madame Bones signed next, and then asked, "Tonks, will you sign as witness?" After the younger woman signed, Madame Bones stated, "There we go," gesturing with her wand to produce copies, "One for you," she said to Sirius, "And one to be filed at Gringotts."
"We'll do that immediately after we leave the Ministry," Harry commented, "I don't trust certain parties not to try to get the papers 'lost'. Gringotts would never allow that, as they handle inheritance of vaults."
"You are both remarkably cynical," Madame Bones told Harry, "And sadly too knowledgeable about the corruption within the Ministry. In the future, I do want to talk to you about what else Pettigrew revealed."
"I figured you might," Harry admitted. "I wanted Sirius cleared first. Let's go to the Ministry and get him registered and those papers filed there and then at Gringotts. We can arrange a time to discuss things in the next few days. Does the Floo work here, Sirius? We can take it to the Ministry as it's faster."
"It does," Sirius told him. "It was never disconnected after my dear old mother died," he said with obvious rancor, leading them further into the house.
"So, happy to be free?" asked Tonks lightly.
"You have no idea. With that name, you're Andi's daughter? Tell her if you will that I'd love to speak to her again, when I can," Sirius requested.
"Sure," she said, before they took the floo to the ministry. "She'll be glad to talk to you, she never really could believe you were guilty."
When they stepped out of the fireplaces, there was lots of murmuring and talking as Madame Bones led the group to the front desk, waiting for Harry and Sirius to check in before taking the elevator.
It was almost amusing, really, watching the person at the registration office when he saw Sirius, actually leaning back in his chair as if he expected the other man to attack him. Revealing his animagus form and filling out the papers, Sirius was ready to leave when Harry spoke up, "May we have a notarized copy of the registration?" Looking confused, the man agreed and Harry accepted the paper, handing it to an equally-confused Sirius.
"Why'd you want that?" Tonks wondered.
"Paranoia. Just like the adoption, that paper could be 'lost' and it could be used as a way to cause problems. Putting the notarized copy in a vault at Gringotts gives us more protection," Harry answered, with a smile. "Or in other words: Constant Vigilance."
"Oh dear Merlin," Madame Bones said, "Mad-Eye really has infected you."
"Actually," Harry said with a shrug, "Mad-Eye wasn't actually the teacher this year. I have quite the story to tell you." He was given a look from Bones, as they made their way to Family Services.
There, the situation repeated itself: shock and discomfort, then filing the paperwork, this time already filled out. In order to avoid possible future trouble, Harry commented to the others, "Now I and Sirius go to Gringotts to file the copy there for inheritance purposes." He almost smirked as he saw the clerk's expression fall just slightly. Have to love ruining things for corrupt bureaucrats.
"All right," Madame Bones agreed. "Remember, I need to speak to you."
"Like I said, it's fine. Just send an owl when you want to meet. I have a great deal to tell you. Bye, ma'am. Tonks." For just a moment, Harry's gaze lingered on Tonks before he shook his head. He had to control himself, he wasn't a mere teenager.
Both he and Sirius made their way to the lobby. When they arrived, there were more people, including reporters. Harry and Sirius headed towards the Floos, ignoring the reporters, and called out, "Leaky Cauldron!" Behind them, they heard complaints from various reporters. Harry smirked as he heard Rita's voice; that would be one person he'd deal with, soon.
Emerging from the fireplace of the Leaky Cauldron, Harry commented to Sirius, "Are you enjoying your notoriety? Every time someone sees you, they freak out."
"Don't make me hit you," Sirius snarked.
Their trip to Diagon didn't take too long. Stopping in at Gringotts to file their paperwork, then a quick trip to Ollivander's so that Sirius could get a new wand as his old one was snapped when he was arrested. As he walked out with a new cedar and dragon heartstring wand, Sirius commented to Harry, "What do we do now?"
"I think we should get back home before we're attacked by reporters. We have more plans to make," Harry said with a shrug.
"Do tell," Sirius asked. "You seem to be rather more sneaky than you were when we spoke last."
"Yep," Harry agreed. "We'll talk about that when we speak to Madame Bones. I plan on telling her as well, she'll be helpful. Best to get it out of the way once rather than have to tell the story multiple times."
Sirius considered pushing the boy, but decided to give him time. He did get him cleared, after all. Even as they saw reporters heading in their direction, they reached the apparition point in the alley.
And disappeared.