Where is that damned phoenix?

During the time that NEWTs and OWLs were taken, the students of the other years mostly got homework assigned with only a very small amount of practices. Hermione was astonished that Harry started to get to work on these immediately.

Ron was a bit horrified. "We have all summer for that!" Hermione, however, was all for it.

Harry's reply was, "I already have enough issues dealing with my relatives. The more I can do before I go home the better."

Harry had started working through his Potions homework. While Snape was still a right wanker, apparently the Headmaster had made good on his promise to talk to the man.

Harry was actually a little surprised that he hadn't been called to the Headmaster's office about the Chamber or his scar or whatever else the Headmaster might be having issues with.

But he was perfectly happy accepting that.

Harry also noted that the unnamed phoenix seemed to appear and disappear at random. At first, he thought it was trying to become his familiar, like Hedwig. But, except for what was happening surrounding the Chamber of Secrets, the phoenix didn't pay much more attention to him or anyone else in particular.

The phoenix did seem to take advantage of the hospitality of students who were complimentary of what happened to Snape and Dumbledore.

One thing that had strained his sense of incredulity was that the phoenix had actually pranked the twins. Somehow, the phoenix had appeared during a meal at Gryffindor and, using its talons and distraction, poured a vial into their drinks. Harry had considered saying something but he decided he would watch and see what happened. All that most students saw was the phoenix flashing around the twins willy-nilly as they tried to compliment it on its actions vis-à-vis to two professors. In one of the flashes, Harry noted the liquid dripping into the cups – everyone else was looking at the twins and their reactions. The phoenix had then landed on the table and took a drink from a different cup. The twins took their own cups in a toast and drank them down.

Suddenly, the twins' hair turned green and silver striped. The twins, at first, wondered why there was laughter – and then they saw each other.

After a moment of consternation, they stood and bowed and claimed that it must be a Slytherin phoenix. The bird just flew around singing – and the song sounded suspiciously like laughter.

The twins had thereafter devoted their time to trying to prank the phoenix back but it seemed too sly to be caught. Ginny, Harry noted, was very amused by it all. It was all in good fun and it was good seeing her able to not brood.

Another person whom the phoenix seemed to like was a young girl in Ravenclaw. The first year was apparently a friend of Ginny's. One day, the phoenix appeared next to the girl and sung to her. After allowing her to pet it, it moved in a way that caused the girl to follow.

As though cajoling her, it led her over to the Gryffindor table next to Ginny and then waited. The two girls greeted each other, began talking, and Luna was now sitting at the Gryffindor table during meals.

Harry was actually planning on taking the morning off (it was Saturday, two weeks after the chamber and a week before Hogwarts went home) and flying when he had an unexpected visitor.

Professor McGonagall walked up to him while he was eating breakfast. "Mr. Potter. I need to see you immediately once you finish eating. Please meet me in my office."

He was a bit confused but he answered, "Yes, Professor. I will be there shortly."

She nodded and walked out of the Great Hall.

Hermione asked, "Why would Professor McGonagall need to see you?"

Harry shrugged. "Don't know. I'll find out when I get there." He quickly finished and went off to the Deputy's office. He arrived and knocked on the door.

"Enter." He came in and immediately noticed that there were others in the room: Percy Weasley and Madam Bones.

"Hello. I was asked to come." Harry was trying to be polite.

Madam Bones said, "Yes, Mr. Potter. There is an unexpected trial this morning at the Ministry. While Mr. Weasley here will be called as a witness, you will be a spectator as it has something to do with you."

Harry was confused. "How is that?" He looked at Percy. "What's this about?"

Percy replied, "I don't know. I was just told that I would be called as a witness. My father was told why but I know nothing else."

Harry shrugged. "Alright. How long will it take?"

Amelia had a small smile and said, "It depends on the Wizengamot. They sometimes take time and sometimes act quickly."

The three flooed to the Ministry. Harry and Percy had their wands checked and then Madam Bones led them to the lift. It let off deep within the Ministry. Madam Bones motioned to two people waiting. Both were in red robes but one looked pretty young. "Mr. Potter, this is Auror Trainee Tonks and she will be sitting with you. As it also involved her family, she is not involved with the trial but will witness as well."

Harry nodded. "Er. Hello."

"Wotcher! I'm Tonks. I guess I'll be with you." The young woman was pretty cheerful.

Tonks started leading Harry into the large chambers. "You know what this is about?"

Tonks shook her head. "Nope! I was just told that it has to do with family. All I was told was that it was a member of the family and my da' was going to be the advocate for the defense."

Harry looked around at the large room. There were a few rows of seats where quite a number of older witches and wizards in purple robes were sitting. Harry noticed that the Minister was in a much fancier chair. Dumbledore was also present and wearing purple robes like the rest, though his seemed more … flamboyant.

Finally, Madam Bones went to a chair obviously meant for her. She was in robes that were similar to those of the others but hers were black. She nodded to Dumbledore.

He called the room to order.

"Oyez. Oyez. Oyez. This extraordinary meeting of the Wizengamot is called to order. We have an unexpected trial." He paused and turned to the Minister, who stood.

"Good morning. It recently came to light that there was a wizard sent to Azkaban during the conflict with You-Know-Who who was accused of being a follower – but there was no trial to verify this. And although I don't know how such a thing could have happened, this wizard will now be brought forward for trial."

There were mutters of protest over the idea of someone being sent to Azkaban without a trial.

"Now, I am certain that the name of the prisoner will cause you to assume he's guilty – but I ask that you listen to the evidence." The Minister sat down.

Amelia Bones called out, "Bring the prisoner before the Wizengamot!"

The room was witness to the aurors leading in a slovely looking man. There were gasps.

Tonks, next to him, said, "Cor Blimey! That's Sirius Black!"

Harry asked quietly "Who's Sirius Black?"

She turned her face to him. "He's my mum's cousin. He also was known to be the man who betrayed your family to you-know-who."

Harry was suddenly a lot more interested.

Madam Bones said, "You are Sirius Black, former Auror, late of Azkaban?"

It took a moment but the man said, "Yes."

The man nearby Sirius said, "Ted Tonks, Advocate for the defense."

Bones the added, "There are also more witnesses, although one hasn't been told why he is here." She looked up at Percy who was riveted. "You are Pervival Weasley of the Burrow in Ottery St Catchpole in Devon?"

Percy replied, "Yes, Madam Bones."

She looked at an Auror who was waiting in the back. "Auror Robards. You have the other witness prepared?"

"Yes, Madam Bones."

"Very well." Amelia looked at the prisoner. "Sirius Black. You are accused of conspiring to Murder James and Lily Potter and killing twelve muggles before you were captured. How do you plead?"

The man's voice was a bit stronger when he said, "Not guilty." There were cries of protest and Dumbledore had to get the room to shut up.

"Very well. For the first piece of evidence, I should probably bring forth the reason why the lack of trial came to light." She motioned to the Auror in the back and he nodded. Shortly thereafter, a tall black man, also in Auror robes, came in carrying a cage. He set it on a table that was before the Wizengamot. Harry gasped when he recognized Scabbers.

That was nothing to the sound that Sirius Black let out. The entire room heard the hate-filled word, "Peter!"

Madam Bones admonished him. "Mr. Black! Control yourself!" When he had settled down, she continued. "Two weeks ago I came into my office to find my office warded against intrusion save for my magical signature. Once that was cleared, two Aurors inspected the office and found this cage on my desk with a letter. The letter was, while significant, utterly useless as evidence. But it did lead to an investigation."

She addressed Percy. "Mr. Weasley. Do you recognize this rat?"

Percy sounded confused as he said, "Yes. That's our old rat, Scabbers. He disappeared from Hogwarts two weeks ago."

"When did you come into possession of the rat?"

Percy thought about it. "I found it in our garden about eleven years ago."

"I see. And what markings indicate that this is your rat?"

"Well, I had him for several years before I gave him to my brother after I got an owl. Also, he has a paw missing."

"Didn't you find it strange that it lived so many years?"

Percy answered, "Not really. It wasn't something I thought about."

Amelia addressed the Wizengamot. "In checking several books, I found that rats normally live two or three years – four maximum. I overheard a comment the day I got this rat that indicated that it was, indeed, the rat that had been living in a wizard home around small children. I also checked a theory as to why."

Madam Bones casually stunned the rat, which caused a murmur in the room. She motioned to Kingsley who opened the cage and put the rat on the floor. "Auror Shacklebolt. If you would be so kind as to perform the Animagus reversal spell."

The Auror pulled his wand and cast a spell. The Wizengamot was horrified to see that the rat immediately changed over to a unconscious, unkempt man who was now lying on the floor.

"Chief Warlock? Do you recognize this man?"

Dumbledore was a bit astonished. "That is Peter Pettigrew – which is a surprise. I, as well as everyone else, assumed he had been blown up."

"Thank you. When we did this spell after having received the rat, a few items were found on him. One was his own wand. Also found was this." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a bag with another wand. "Does anyone recognize this wand?"

Dumbledore answered with a bit more active dislike. "I do. That is the wand that was carried by Voldemort, sold to him as a student when he turned eleven."

"And why do you recognize this wand?" she asked gently.

Dumbledore sighed. "It is one of two wands that were made with tail feathers from my companion Fawkes. Garrick Ollivander informed me when it was bought and described the student. I thereafter took particular note of it."

The Wizengamot was looking at the wand with some horror. Harry felt righteous anger.

"One other item from the note received with Mr. Pettigrew: Please raise Mr. Pettigrew's sleeve."

Kingsley did so and the entire Wizengamot saw the Dark Mark on his arm.

There was a bunch of whispering again. One elderly voice said, "It doesn't prove anything. He could have been forced to take it."

Dumbledore got the crowd under control again. Madam Bones said, "Regardless of that, this wizard has been hiding out among small children for years. Under these circumstances, Veritaserum is warranted."

There weren't any real objections. Even the Dark families knew that a wizard doing anything to Pureblood boys would be considered worse than a murderer.

Pettigrew was enervated and despite his protests, he was dosed.

The result was a mixed bag: They were relieved that the man before them wasn't a pervert – he hadn't done anything other than hide. But they were horrified to find out that everything they had though Sirius Black had done was done by this man.

Peter Pettigrew was promptly convicted in a hasty trial and he was forced to transform back into his animagus form for transport.

When he was taken out, Minister Fudge stood up. "It's obvious that Mr. Black is innocent. Does anyone object to that statement?" There were no objections. "Before we move onto other matters, including compensation, I believe that there is someone here who would like to say hello to the former defendant." He looked up to the gallery and said, "Mr. Potter. I do believe you might want to come and say hello to your Godfather."

Harry was floored. Although he tried to maintain the confidence that he had felt over the last week, he was still a twelve year old orphan who had just been given back a family member. He was ecstatic and, after greeting Sirius and hugging him, he thanked the Minister, Madam Bones, and the Wizengamot.

Fudge was smiling. Anyone who knew him would admit that it was likely because he had just guaranteed his approval ratings when word of this got out. But still, it was a heartwarming scene. "If you could help him to the seats over there, Mr. Potter, there is another matter at hand."

Harry helped Sirius over to the seats indicated and Madam Bones called the Aurors to bring in the next two wizards. The Wizengamot was horrified by the presence of Barty Crouch Junior along with Barty Crouch Senior – both in chains.

The details of how Crouch had gotten his son out of Azkaban came out. The true crime, however, was having been guilty of performing an unforgivable for the last several years. Crouch Senior was going to Azkaban with his son.

Minister Fudge spoke again. "Prisoner Crouch was the DMLE Director who threw Mr. Black into Azkaban without a trial. And while there is more than enough blame to go around, it is obvious that he was the primary cause. I hereby propose that Crouch's estate be fined for ninety percent of its value and that these proceeds be given over to Sirius Black as direct compensation for what Crouch put the man through."

It was argued for a short time but most were in agreement. Madam Bones was relieved – there would be no need to take even more from the DMLE to pay out to Black.

Sirius found himself the owner of quite a few Galleons, the Crouch home – and a House Elf named Winky. It was almost ironic in that, legally, the closest relatives to Crouch were actually the Blacks. Sirius, in the end, paid himself.

Sirius was sent off to St. Mungos to recover and Harry was sent back to Hogwarts an extremely happy boy.

Draco Malfoy was bored. He, like most students, was just waiting for the term to end. With his minions following, he went out to see if he could find a Gryffindor to terrorize.

He came across just the person: Neville Longbottom.

"Oh, look! It's the squib trying to learn to be a real wizard!" Crabbe and Goyle, behind him, laughed darkly. "I just learned a new jinx. Let's have a little target practice."

Neville Longbottom did not look happy. However, that changed suddenly: The phoenix that had been hanging about suddenly flamed in and grabbed Draco Malfoy. Neville, Crabbe and Goyle were all astonished. Professor Snape, who had heard the tell-tale sound of the crackling, came around the corner and said, "What is going on?"

Neville said, "I don't know. That phoenix just flamed away with Malfoy."

Snape paused and put his fingers to his nose and said with resignation, "Crabbe. Goyle. Go help Mr. Malfoy out of the Black Lake." The two were shocked. The Potions Master said harshly, "Now!"

He was about to turn back to Neville and upbraid him – no one said he had to be nice to Longbottom, when something happened to take the target away.

That blasted phoenix flamed back in, grabbed Longbottom, and flamed away.

Neville looked at where he had just arrived. He had never been here before. He felt the phoenix let go. Suddenly a voice behind him spoke. "Neville Longbottom. I was expecting you almost two years ago."

Neville whirled around and saw the man who spoke. He had never met him but had heard descriptions: Neville was standing before Garrick Ollivander.