The World Is Pear Shaped

DISCLAIMER: That part of this world and those characters you’ve seen before belong to their Creator: JKR. The rest is mine - although I cannot quit my day job as I make no $$$

A/N: I’m now in the habit of not answering reviewer things and these notes, but there was a good one following the last chapter and since it is not a story point and has not come up later, but as I did think of it at the time, I will respond here: On the stand, Sirius bemoaned the fact that had he not done what he did with regard to the Potter’s Secret Keeper, James and Lily would be alive. Why didn’t the chair turn red or something? Because of the Fidelius Charm that covers the truth about James and Lily Potter. He cannot reveal the Secret or be caught in an evasion or lie about it by any known magic. (Had Ginny been on the stand, however…)

CHAPTER FORTY: THE WORLD IS PEAR SHAPED

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 th , 1993 (DAY 3).

After a long pause where not a sound was heard in the great an crowded room, Daphne then continued: “Do you recall being brought into the Ministry after that?”

“Not really.”

“Did Auror’s Dawlish and Stiltson say anything to you when they came up to you?”

“I’m certain they did. But I don’t remember.”

“Did they take your wand?”

“I’m sure they must have. Would’ve been standard procedure. But I don’t remember.”

“You were interrogated?”

“I don’t really recall. I know I was taken to a room and remember the people there that were listed in that transcript we heard about earlier. But I really have no clear memory of what went on or what was said.”

“You realize they’ve called that transcript a confession, don’t you?”

“Really? Didn’t sound like much of one.” There was some nervous laughter. “I certainly don’t remember confessing to anything like what they say I did.”

“You were then taken to Azkaban, correct?”

“Obviously. But to be honest, everything after the explosion’s a blur. I was in Camden Towne starring at that dead girl. I’m in the Ministry. I’m in Azkaban. I’m in a cell. And there I remained.”

“Did you get any mail after arriving at Azkaban?”

“No.”

“Send any?”

“Not like they gave me anything to write with or on, is it? Guess they thought I might off myself with a quill.” There were some chuckles.

“Were you ever questioned about that day again by anyone?”

“No.”

“Did you ever get a trial?”

“I wasn’t at one. Can’t say what the Ministry or Wizengamot did.”

“You were in prison for over eleven and a half years. Did anyone ever talk to you about what had happened?”

“No.”

“After all that time, you escaped. Why?”

“Harry was in danger. I’m his Godfather and I knew Harry was in danger.”

“How did you know?”

“Newspaper.”

“You got newspapers while in prison?”

“No. No newspapers, books, letters or anything. Well, they did feed me, if you can call that swill food.”

“Okay, if they didn’t give you newpapers, why’d you say that?”

“Fudge gave me one.”

“Fudge? A guard?”

“No. Minister for Magic. A couple months ago. He looked in my cell for some reason. I saw he had a paper and asked if I could have it.”

“Why?”

“Wanted to do the crossrword. Hadn’t done one in a while and there really isn’t all that much to do in that place. Now that I think about it, it was rather silly seeing as I had nothing to write with.”

“He gave it to you?”

“He did. Seemed a little put out for some reason.”

“I am going to show you what’s marked as Exhibit F for identification,” Daphne said. After it was shown to Madam Bones it was handed to Sirius. “What is that?”

“Daily Prophet from July 7th, 1993. Says so on the front.”

“Is that the paper you saw?”

“A copy, yes. The picture below the fold on the front page and stuff told me Harry was in danger. I knew I was the only one who knew it.”

“Why was Harry in danger?”

“He was at Hogwarts, or would be come September 1st.”

“Who was? Harry?”

“Well, that’s why Harry was in danger, wasn’t it? Harry was in Hogwarts but this picture shows Peter Pettigrew and I knew Peter would be there too. The boy in this picture is holding Peter. Peter’s in his rat form. And the boy was in Gryffindor with Harry and they were friends according to the paper. Peter would be there and he had betrayed Harry’s family to Voldemort. Why would he be there? I figured he wanted to finish the job if he could.”

“So you needed to protect Harry?”

“I am his godfather. I’m supposed to do that. I failed him once, didn’t I? Failed him and my friends all those years ago. Couldn’t do that again. I was supposed to look after him, you know. I was supposed to be his magical guardian and teach him what he needed to know about things. Instead, I wind up in prison without so much as a ‘by your leave’ and had no idea about anything. Well, I wasn’t going to fail him again.”

“Why didn’t you tell a guard?”

“They don’t listen to prisoners. Can’t blame them really. Most of the prisoners are raving. Can’t expect them to see the difference between a raving lunatic and anyone else in those cells, can you? Besides, as you pointed out, it’s not like I was convicted of anything, was it? Figured saving Harry was more important than watching the walls of my cell. Done almost a dozen years. They didn’t do much at all - the walls I mean. Figured the walls wouldn’t miss me and I had something worth doing outside. That’s more than most of those poor buggers. Since I really didn’t do anything aside from fail my friends and Harry was in trouble, why not go and help him?”

“After all that time? You said earlier you have a wife…”

“I was a mess for a long time in there. By the time I started to get it together - assuming that’s what happened - a long time had passed. I had a wife. I can’t say sitting here today that I have a wife. We’d only been married a couple of months and had only dated for a month or so before that. I figured she must’ve moved on. Harry, however, was in trouble. That was real and not some dream of what might’ve been.”

“One might say you had failed him before this past summer; that he had been in danger and you did nothing.”

“The oath is not like an Unbreakable Vow. It only comes into play if I know of the danger and do nothing. Unless I knew for certain of a danger to Harry, nothing would happen to me if I did nothing. Suspicion or worry is not enough and ignorance is an excuse - unlike that other Vow. Sitting here, I regret not trying something sooner, but until that paper I thought he was safe enough. I had no reason to think or know otherwise. But that paper, that was different. And no - before you ask - I wasn’t afraid of the consequences of breaking the oath. I would’ve tried to do something without it. Harry was the son of my best friends and that was enough. All the oath did… well, I suppose it helped me think more clearly.”

“So how’d you do it? How’d you escape that inescapable prison?”

“Same way I mostly kept my wits about me once I figured that out. I’m an animagus, remember? They either didn’t know that, or had forgotten it or figured I couldn’t do it there or didn’t care. Place is bloody freezing, you know. I was warm as a dog and as a dog those dememtors didn’t really bother me. All I sensed as a dog was it was cold. So whenever the dementors were about I was a dog. Always wondered whether I could… The guards there have a sick sense of humor. They occasionally ‘forget’ to lock a cell when they finished their rounds. Seemed to do that a lot with me and seemed surprised to see me - well - unchanged later. If you don’t have your wits ‘bout you when that happens, the dementors will get in and it’s over. Then again, the dementors ignored me as a dog. After a few of those jokes, the dementors never bothered to enter my cell when it was unlocked. Guess they figured it was empty. Some nights after that paper, one of the guards left my cell unlocked. Got out as soon as the dementor opened the door. Squeezed through the bars at the end of the row of cells and was out. Nothing between me and the gate. Course, there was the North Sea and… well, I had to save Harry or die trying. That was one long, cold swim.”

“You made it to shore obviously…”

“Somewhere in Scotland. It was north of Inverness ‘cause I passed through there on my way south.”

“Isn’t Inverness near Hogwarts?”

“As compared to most Muggle places, yes. It’s southeast of Hogwarts, unless I’m mistaken.”

“So if you were passing through Inverness heading south, you weren’t heading to Hogwarts?”

“I had a month and more before I needed to be there. Harry wasn’t there yet and I wanted to make sure he was okay.”

“Did you know where Harry was?”

“Had an idea. I knew if anything happened to James and Lils, he was supposed to go live with the Grangers. I knew where they were living at the time - back in ‘81 - and had to hope they were still there. It was a pretty nice place and I figured they were not likely to move, but you never know. Took me a while to get there as they’re near London. Bit of a hike.”

“Grangers?”

“Parents of Hermione Granger. She’s one of Harry’s wives now. But the idea was he was to live with them if anything happened to his parents. I was to be his magical guardian.”

“You walked?”

“Stowed away on southbound freight when I could. But yeah.”

“As a dog?”

“Figured it was safer as a dog. I was human a couple of times. Nicked some clean clothes. Checked out some papers and such. But mostly I was a dog. Took ‘bout two weeks to get to the Grangers place and they still lived there. Mrs. Granger answered the door. Tried to make myself as presentable as possible, but I’m sure I looked a sight.”

“Did she know who you were?”

“We met a few times before things went pear-shaped. From the time Harry was about a month old ‘til probably the day it happened, he and Lils spent almost every day at the Grangers. I was around from time to time.”

“Anyone else know about that?”

“James did. The Lovegood family did as their daughter spent her days there as well. Peter did not, in case you’re asking.”

“Harry wasn’t there, was he?”

“Staying with his relatives - Lily’s sister. Met her once. Wouldn’t wish that on anyone ‘cept maybe my worst enemy. Real bint, she was. Although she was nothing compared to her Husband. Worst sort of Muggles. Mrs. Granger told me where they lived and I was off.”

“She didn’t think anything of you showing up after all those years?”

“Told her I’d been living in an Artist’s Colony. Probably looked the part what with the long hair and beard and such. Learned later she was sort of expecting me.”

“Oh?”

“Harry and his ladies had pretty much sorted out what really happened and what was really going on. They had his family journals and loads of other stuff and that lot tends to research… a lot. Those journals told a very different story than what the papers did and they figured things were very different. Figured I was not on the run to harm them and that I was probably trying to find Harry so they set about to catch me. Or I should say you. You were part of it, you know.”

“For my part. Continue.”

“Rose Granger knew to expect me at some point. You lot weren’t certain I’d go there, but it seemed a logical possibility and I did. Rose told me where Harry was. Harry set the trap and he was the bait, sort of.”

“Sort of?”

“Well, there’re wards on that place he was staying. I didn’t know ‘bout them, but he did and he knew I couldn’t get close. So he - came to me as it were. Set himself up at a Muggle park outside the wards. Then gave me a temptation I couldn’t refuse.”

“And that was..?”

“He figured being on the run as I was I’d be hungry. I was. Left a ham sandwich just out of his reach. Couldn’t help myself. Easy pickings as a dog. Turned out it was a portkey and I was copped.” There was laughter. “Never figured a thirteen year old could be so… devious.” The laughs continued. “Then again, it wasn’t just Harry, was it? He had five scary smart witches helping, ‘though he told me the ham sandwich portkey was his idea. Animal cruelty, you ask me. Poor unsuspecting doggie done in that way,” Sirius shook his head and chucked as did several others.

“Where did the portkey take you?”

“Here. Well, not here. But it was on this Estate, wherever this is.”

“And you’ve been here since then.”

“Pretty much…”

“Ah! That’s right. The Minister did mention something about Gringotts. That was after you were brought here?”

“It was.”

“And why did you go to Gringotts?”

“Learned that my Grandfather passed on about two years ago and that another Lord Black had not been designated. I went there to find out about that as I had once been Heir Apparent.”

“I see. Who did you meet while you were there?”

“The Black Family Account Manager mostly. I was also allowed to meet with some foreign venders so that I might do a spot of shopping. While my Galleons may be good, I was left with the distinct impression that a visit to Diagon Alley for some new togs might not be in my interest. Seems there are people about who want me dead. Can’t understand why.” There were chuckles.

“Did anything unusual happen at the Bank?”

“There was the very impolite Ministry employee who decided to hex me when my back was turned with what looked like a Killing Curse. Can’t say it was, ‘cause I didn’t hear the telltale incantation. But it was green and after missing me and barely missing my account manager it did do a number on the counter that it did not miss. Poor thing couldn’t get out of the way.”

“Did you do anything to provoke such an attack?”

“Never knew exchanging formal pleasantries with a Gringotts Account Manager could be considered provocative, but I have been away a while.”

“You didn’t draw a wand on her?”

“I didn’t see her ‘til after when the Goblins were hauling her off. Ugly bint. Ought to be a law 'gainst being that ugly in a public place. I certainly hope there’s one in any food service establishment. But I didn’t see her before they hauled her away not that it mattered.”

“Why didn’t it matter?”

“I was arrested and incarcerated. They took my wand years ago.”

“They might say you got it back somehow.”

“Don’t even know where it is. Wasn’t about to spend time looking for it once I was out. Kind of would defeat the purpose, don’t you think? Didn’t need a wand to swim for it and it wouldn’t’ve helped me off that island, assuming it was there to begin with. So, if someone is suggesting that I had a wand, I dare them to say it in this chair. I did not.”

“Did you kill anyone while you were at Gringotts.”

“No. I’m not that stupid! I’d like to keep my head, thank you very much.”

“No further questions.”

“With the Court’s indulgence,” Madam Bones said, “I would like an opportunity to go over my notes and prepare for my examination of Lord Black. Furthermore, although I do not doubt the properties of that interesting chair, I do feel in the interest of being thorough that questioning under veritiserum would be prudent and will need time to prepare the questions.”

“This Court granted that option,” Harry nodded. “Lord Black consented at the opening of his testimony. We shall recess for lunch. Court will resume at two!”

“This is not looking good, Albus,” the Minister for Magic said.

“Oh, Cornelius? How so?” Dumbledore replied.

“Don’t play daft! This will not look good for the Ministry! I spoke with Madam Bones and we have nothing to counter what’s been presented. She’s throwing everything on the Veritiserum in the hopes that the chair they’re using isn’t perfect. She’s known ‘bout this for over a month! She’s questioned people. She would’ve been allowed to bring them here and call them as witnesses for the Ministry and decided not to! I know it’s her call and all but… She said every witness she could call would either support the Manor’s case or make things worse for us. She said Crouch could… if Barty was called it could bring down the government!”

“I’m sure she’s merely being cautious, Cornelius.”

“Perhaps, but you must admit as things stand right now the Ministry hasn’t a prayer to get out of this without… significant embarrassment and if calling our own people could only make it worse…”

“I did suggest you overreacted with that Order back in July.”

“Yes. But my advisors made sense at the time…”

“This would include that woman whose sense is the reason why Britain’s in front of the ICW?”

“I have trusted her advice for years…”

“I see. Most unfortunate as it seems from where I am watching she is on a course of action that could well see your continued tenure as Minister subjected to… questions in the Wizengamot.”

“You mean No Confidence?”

Dumbledore shrugged. “It would be prudent if she were… let go.”

“Easier said than done! She knows things…”

“The Wizengamot will not be concerned about what she knows. Keeping her on given these two successive crises would be… unwise regardless of what she may know. Should it come out she is also involved with the dementors…”

“What are you suggesting?”

“When we leave here, for the sake of your administration, I would end her employment. I won’t suggest how she leaves, as long as she is well and truly gone. Rescinding that shoot to kill order, as it’s being called, would also be prudent; as would removing the dementors from Hogwarts. There is already pressure to investigate that from my side particularly in light of the fact that three of them boarded the Hogwarts Express.”

“And the Wizengamot?”

“Has not been implicated. Whatever errors were made back then, they were errors made by your predecessors in the Ministry. Black’s situation was never brought before the Wizengamot and you know we generally don’t prefer to look over the Ministry’s shoulders. As no one formally brought it to our attention…” At least no one that anyone other than I know about today, Dumbledore thought to himself.

“I meant now!”

“I cannot speak for now. There seems to be strong sentiment that suggests that if there is general agreement - or at least not generally disagreement with the findings and recommendation of the Manor Court, many will push that the matter be decided here and now. Naturally, I would prefer that this matter wait and be placed into the regular schedule for consideration which, for now given more pressing events and the delays said events have necessitated would mean we might get to this matter in the spring when, upon distance and cooler reflection, we might come to a more reasoned decision. I cannot say and do not believe that in any event we could support continued persecution or future prosecution of Lord Black. But he is also seeking compensation for his sojourn in Ministry custody and to avoid a damaging award, we need time for the passions of the moment to cool off. I can only do what I can to avoid a Quorum Call. I do hope to appeal to their sense of reason, but can make no promises.”

Deep down Dumbledore knew this was a disaster. All he could hope to do was damage control. He truly hoped when this began that the situation could not convince anyone of Black’s innocence. Innocence or guilt was not the important issue. Exoneration was. An exonerated Sirius Black could wrest magical guardianship of Potter away from Dumbledore and with that could abrogate the Weasley contract. But hope was fading on the easy path as he doubted there would be any votes to delay or to do anything but set Black free - aside from those of his own faction. He knew Fudge cared little about the bigger picture. Fudge’s concern was his seat as Minister and nothing more.

“I think we must consider what has happened to Mr. Black as bad business,” Dumbeldore said. “The best thing to do is correct this situation with as little pain and discomfort as possible. As I said, you were ill advised in this matter and the best way to keep that a non-issue is to deal with the advisor in question. I may be asking for your support in the near future on an issue and for that support, I may be able to stave off any serious discussion into you administration. Umbridge, however, must go.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Dumbledore sighed. He could care less about the witch. She might have embarrassing information on Fudge, but that did not concern him. Fudge giving the woman the sack in exchange for protection from a vote of no confidence made Fudge a bought man and that could be useful. This was politics. Quid pro quo was not a one way street. Fudge had to lose something useful to him to gain the boon of retaining his seat. Maybe he could use that to somehow regain control of this other situation.

The fact was, as calm as Dumbledore appeared, he knew things were spinning out of his control. The situation with the ICW alone would be a major problem. He knew there was no outcome in which the British Government would not suffer some damage and it was all he could hope to do to keep it to something relatively mild like a short term censure. But this Black business could tip that delicate balance. It had nothing to do with the ICW mess, not really. This new business would cast serious questions as to the integrity of the British Government which would only make potential sanction worse. The ideal thing for the Wizengamot to do was get rid of Fudge like a bad habit. Even Dumbledore would admit that this would go well with the ICW. But he could not afford that. As much a fool as Fudge kept proving himself to be, he could be controlled and manipulated as needed so long as Fudge knew he needed help. If Fudge was out, there would be no telling who might be in and the last thing Dumbledore needed was an opposition member with a brain and a backbone and many of the most likely candidates had both flaws.

He was losing control of Harry Potter. He knew that and knew he had to wrest it back. An exonerated Lord Black was a near nightmare but it was also all but a foregone conclusion. He might be able to keep Black from gaining magical regency. And this stunt of Harry’s might give him grounds to get Harry back under some control. But he had to tread carefully to get what he wanted.

The testimony of Sirius Black under Veritiserum following the lunch recess was mercifully brief. It only lasted about an hour. It was merciful not so much for the witness, but for the rest who had to sit through it. He would later say he had little true recollection of Madam Bones’s questions at all, which was not at all unusual under that potion. But for all the others who had sat through the trial, it was extremely anticlimactic. Nothing truly new was learned and nothing contradicted what had been said earlier. Moreover, while there were few real surprises when Sirius had testified that morning, at least he had been entertaining. Following the testimony of Sirius Black, several newspaper articles containing statements of various Ministry officials and others regarding Sirius Black were placed into evidence. The surprise for Archibald Cartwright was that there were so few real surprises during this entire day and only one of those could be considered important. That little detail about Black being Harry Potter’s magical Godfather pretty much meant that Black had been railroaded somehow. A proper interrogation would have uncovered that. Instead, Barty later said that the interrogation he conducted got a complete confession. Archibald wondered what Crouch was playing at all those years ago and was surprised he had not been called to testify. He wasn’t even present.

Once Black finished testifying under Veritiserum, there were no more questions from either advocate. Petitioner submitted his case and the Respondent offered no more witnesses. Moreover, there was no more from the advocates as the Court took the case, as it were, and “retired” to come up with its decision. It gave no indication how long this might take and offered the numerous guests to remain at the Village in case they returned quickly or to be transported back to where they were staying, in which case they might not make it back to the court if there was a quick decision. Archibald was not surprised to see that most everyone had stayed around just in case. He noted that Dumbledore seemed interested in leaving, but far too many of the Wizengamot wished to remain so Dumbledore did. He was certain the politicking had already begun. The recess was not long. In less than two hours after it was called, the announcement was made that there had been a decision.

The crowd filed into their seats in the court room. The advocates were at their tables as was Sirius Black and the Court clerk was again at her place below the bench. “All rise,” she called, “the Manor Court of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter is back in session.” With that, the six people who had sat at the bench entered and resumed their seats.

“Be seated,” Harry Potter said. He then began to read from a pile of parchments. “The Manor Court, although it has fallen out of use, is a remnant of the oldest form of court or government in Wizarding Britain dating back to centuries before the formation of the Wizengamot. Before the Wizengamot, Wizarding Britain was not united under one governance, rather it was several separate clans, each under a Clan Head or Chief and each with its own lands and peoples. Within the lands of the Clan, its Head was the Court and was expected to resolve any disputes that arose between the members of the Clan or upon the lands of the Clan. Naturally, this presented a problem if one of the parties to the dispute was not a member of the Clan. By custom, a foreigner could not seek redress from the local Head of Clan. In practice, it was extremely difficult to compel a non-member of the Clan to comply with the Head’s rulings. For this and other reasons, the Clan Heads throughout Wizarding Britain gathered together to form a single government we now know as the Wizengamot which originally was an assembly of all the Clan Heads, what became known as the Ancient Houses. The Manor Court system, however, was retained for more local disputes.

“Our current Article 21 continues this tradition. It is of limited utility as there are few if any Ancient Houses that still could be seen as to rule over lands and people in any locality. For there to be a valid Manor Court, the Head of House must be recognized as such by history and magic and must own or have control over not less than five square miles of contiguous land outright. Moreover, in addition to his own immediate family, those lands must also be residence to no less than one hundred elves or witches or wizards. We are currently on Potter farms, lands which belonged to Lord Charlus Potter, Lord James Potter and myself and which comprise five hundred contiguous square miles and serve as residence for over two thousand elves, witches and wizards excluding my family.

“The authority of such Court is limited. Where a Head of House can convene such a Court, he may resolve any disputes between any residents of his Estate or any Breeches of the Peace that occur upon such Estate provided such resolution is consistent with the laws of Wizarding Britain as a whole. There is an exception to this limitation. Should a witch or wizard have a claim against any individual or organization beyond the estate and show to the satisfaction of the Head of House and consistent with Article 21 that seeking redress in his own right through the greater government is not practical, then a Manor Court may be convened to hear his plea and if satisfied that it has merit, the Head may take that claim as his own and seek appropriate redress from and through the greater government. It is in this limited capacity that this Court has been convened and a case submitted for its consideration.

“Under Article 21, provided this Court finds merit in some or all of Petitioner’s Claims, it shall make an advisory ruling and submit such ruling to the Wizengamot for its consideration and shall back such ruling with its seat and votes in the Wizengamot. The composition of the Manor Court and procedures before it are left to the discretion of the Head of House.

“In considering Petitioner’s Claims, House Potter decided to convene a court after making an initial finding that Petitioner had a grievance and could not pursue that grievance in any other manner. By the admission of the Minister for Magic himself, should he have come into the hands of the Ministry, he was to be summarily put to death. Naturally, this would make appearing before the Wizengamot under ordinary circumstances somewhat difficult.

“In deciding to call this Court, House Potter had to take into consideration the threat posed to the Petitioner. Should Petitioner prevail, and given the severity of the allegations and the threat, House Potter felt it prudent to involve more than one House in the process. As you can see, there are six of us up here and with proxies we represent eight Houses, eight of the seventy-six seats on the Wizengamot and 115 of the 307 votes. Any findings and recommendations we make in this matter shall represent our unanimous conclusions and shall be backed by our seats and votes.

“The Petitioner had the burden of proving that the Ministry, through its officers or agents by gross neglect or through intentional misconduct did engage in one or more of the following wrongful, unjustified and/or unlawful acts against Petitioner: wrongful deprivation of liberty, wrongful incarceration, attempted line theft and/or attempted line assassination. Additionally, that at various time on or after November 2nd, 1981 the Ministry through its officers or agents intentionally or through willful or reckless disregard for the truth did make statements in regards to petitioner that were false, that by their nature could cause great harm to Petitioner’s reputation and that were disseminated to the public. For the purposes of this Manor Court and the claims of Petitioner, it is not necessary for the Petitioner to present specific evidence of wrongful misconduct by any specific individual.

“This court finds the following facts to have been proven by the evidence presented:

“First, Petitioner was not a Death Eater on or before October 31st, 1981, nor was he a supporter of the self-styled Lord Voldmort;

“Second, that since on or after July 31st, 1980, Petitioner was and remains the magical Godfather of one Harry James Potter born on the same date;

“Third, that on October 31st, Petitioner was not the Secret Keeper for James and Lily Potter such that he could disclose their whereabouts to any person;

“Fourth, that Petitioner did not, through disclosing the location of the Potter Family safe house to the self-styled Lord Voldemort or those in league with in, betray House Potter or its interests;

“Fifth, that the wizard named Peter Pettigrew did not die on or about November 2nd, 1981 and is in fact alive as of this moment;

“Thus sixth, petitioner did not kill aforesaid Peter Pettigrew;

“Seventh, as petitioner did not cast a blasting curse on or about November 2nd, 1981 in Camden Towne London, rather it was cast by another, specifically one Peter Pettigrew, no deaths or injuries incurred at such location and on such date are attributable to Petitioner;

“Eighth, that Petitioner cast no magic in the presence of Muggles at that time, date and place;

“Ninth, that at no time on or since his apprehension on November 2nd, 1981 to the present has Petitioner ever been tried for any crime arising from the events described above; and finally;

“Finally, that Petitioner committed no acts in breach of the general peace, in violation of Goblin Law or in violation of the Truce of 1715 while attending to House Black business on 9 August 1993.”

“We find that Petitioner was apprehended lawfully on November 2nd, 1981 as a suspect in the events that left a dozen Muggles dead and scores more injured. But lawful apprehension of a suspect is not the same as proof of complicity in a criminal act.

“We further find that under the Emergency Acts and based upon the observations of Aurors at the scene and the apprehension of Petitioner alone, the Ministry could send him to Azkaban to await trail. Thus his confinement at such location on that date under those circumstances was in compliance with the laws in effect at that time. However, those same Acts required that petitioner be tried before the full Wizengamot or make a valid confession as to his guilt of such crimes within one year of his confinement or be released. Despite statements from Barty Crouch which appear in the record, we find that the interrogation Petitioner that occurred on November 2nd 1981 fails to rise to the level of a valid confession as to anything, much less as to the crimes which the Ministry claims and neither does it constitute a trial for such crimes nor did Petitioner make any valid confession or receive any trial within the time contemplated under the Acts. Under the language of the Acts, the Ministry had no choice but to drop any charges and release Petitioner not later than 1 November 1982 unless trial was in session on such date. This did not occur.

“Consequently, this Court finds that Petitioner’s incarceration in Azkaban after 1 November 1982 constituted a wrongful deprivation of liberty and wrongful incarceration. We do not find it necessary to determine whether this unlawful act was intentional on the part of any official in the Ministry.

“Furthermore, we find that as early as 7 November 1981 and as recently as 15 September 1993, as reported in the Daily Prophet, various Ministry Officials have referred to Petitioner as a Death Eater, a Lieutenant of Voldemort or You-Know-Who or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named or similar, a criminal, a mass murder and a convict. Not one of these statements were true and the Ministry at all times had information or could with the exercise of minimal effort have obtained information as to the truth of these matters and failed to do so. Such public statements in disregard for the truth and the reputation of a formerly respected officer in DMLE constitute actionable defamation.

“As to the claims of Attempted Line Theft and Attempted Line Assassination, while the evidence is suggestive, based upon what was presented we find those allegations not proven. This finding of ‘not proven’ is not to be construed as conclusive as to this matter and we would encourage further investigation.

“As there are findings in favor of the Petition, this Manor Court hereby publishes such forthwith and submits the same for consideration before a duly constituted assembly of the Wizengamot.

“This Manor Court recommends the following:

“First, that the Wizengamot exonerate Petitioner Sirius Orion Black of any and all wrong doing as alleged by the Ministry on or after 2 November 1981 consistent with the above findings;

“Second, that the Wizengamot find that the continued incarceration of Petitioner Sirius Orion Black in Azkaban after 1 November, 1982 was in violation of the law and the rights of Sirius Orion Black;

“Third, that any statements by Ministry Officials after 2 November 1981 inconsistent with the findings of this Manor Court be found defamatory and damaging as to the reputation of Sirius Orion Black.

“Fourth, that the Wizengamot direct the Ministry of Magic to drop all charges, rescind all warrants, remove any and all rewards or incentives associated with the capture or murder of Sirius Orion Black; and repeal, rescind, cease and desist in any and all action in any way restricting the rights and freedom of Sirius Orion Black and otherwise in anyway inconsistent with his liberties and inconsistent with the findings of this Court and issue public statements to such effect.

“Fifth, that the Wizengamot direct the Ministry to immediately and without limitation remove any and all dementors from any and all locations other than Azkaban Prison to include without limitation Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

“Sixth, that the Wizengamot take up the issue of compensating Sirius Orion Black for his eleven years, and approximately nine months of unlawful incarceration taking into account his lost wages as an Auror, unjustified separation from his wife and family, and damage to his reputation.

“Nothing in our recommendation should be construed as precluding the Wizengamot from conducting further investigations into the improprieties suggested herein so as to hold the specific parties accountable for their flagrant violations of Petitioner’s rights as a citizen.

“House Potter remands Peter Alan Pettigrew over to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement for further investigation and ultimate trial for numerous crimes including: Conspiracy to Commit Murder of James, Lily and Harry Potter; Attempted Murder of same; Murder of James and Lily Potter; Murder of twelve Muggles; Attempted Murder of fifty-eight Muggles; Aggravated Assault upon fifty eight Muggles; Class One Violations of the International Statue of Secrecy; Flight from Justice; being an Unregistered Animagus and any other such crimes as may be supported by additional evidence uncovered during further investigation.”

“So ordered and so Published!

“The Matter of Sirius Orion Black versus the Ministry of Magic before this Manor Court of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter is hereby deemed adjudicated. The House Potter Manor Court stands adjourned!”

“Lord Potter?” a voice called out as Harry stood with the others preparing to step down from the bench.

“Yes?” he asked.

“Albert Dean, Milord. Ancient Line of Robbins, Wizengamot, Sir. I understand that we are currently under some form of time altering magic? That despite the time we’ve spent here, it’s still the morning of Saturday, September 18th 1993?”

“That’s correct, Sir.”

“And we cannot leave the estate while such magic is in effect?”

“Correct.”

“And how much longer will it be in effect, or can you shut it down?”

“Ah. Well, once the sequence is active, it must run its course, Sir. I had anticipated a longer trial. Or even two trials. But after our first day, I had a talk with Madam Bones regarding Pettigrew and it was agreed we would allow DMLE to handle the rat, although they’ve asked my House to continue to detain him until they’re ready to bring him before the full Wizengamot for trial. How much time left? Excluding what remains of this day, three days and part of the following morning, Sir.”

“Thank you. I call upon the Chief Warlock to call the Wizengamot into Special Session to consider the Manor Court findings and recommendations!”

“Hear! Hear!” several voices replied.

“I must disagree,” Albus began.

“What possible reason could you have to refuse? It’s not like we have pressing plans, Dumbledore!”

“As Chief Warlock I feel that to call such a session without notice to our absent members…”

“Come off of it!” a new voice called from behind him in the Wizengamot box. “We’ve got sixty-four seats present and two hundred seventy-eight votes! That’s more than enough for a quorum, Chief Warlock.”

“It was more than were present in our last full session!”

“And our emergency sessions last month!”

“I still feel it would be imprudent” Dumbledore pressed. “Such a matter as this should not be considered in haste…”

“What’s to consider? They gave us the trial and recommended findings!”

“You honestly think anything will change if we wait?”

“When do you propose we consider this?” Dedalus Diggle asked.

“In due course as soon as it can be placed within the regular agenda…” Dumbledore began.

“That won’t be ‘til February!”

“Assuming the ICW matter does not push things back more!”

“Sounds like you’re trying to sweep this one under the rug, Dumbledore!”

“I feel that to consider this now would be unwise. It would be best to consider the matter upon sober reflection and with cooler heads,” Dumbledore replied.

“The man’s lost enough of his life to delays, Dumbledore!”

“Any further delay would be a travesty!”

“Not to mention that until we act, he can’t set foot outside of this Estate and expect to survive the day…”

“Perhaps then we should substitute the Manor Court recommendation with a more obviously pressing item?” Augusta said. The reaction was generally negative. “If the Chief Warlock insists on such unnecessary delay, than perhaps we should meet in special session to consider whether he should remain as Chief Warlock!” To this there seemed to be universal cheers.

“And his lap dog fool of a Minister, too!” another voice said. It seemed the support was strangely less enthusiastic for that.

It was hard for Dumbledore to assess the situation. It was clear that a majority of the members were opposed to the delay. It seemed clearer that if he were to continue to push for it they would hold a session without him and discuss his continued tenure as Chief Warlock and there were enough seats and votes present to oust him. “Very well,” he said resignedly. “We shall convene in Special Session tomorrow to take up the Manor Court’s recommendations.”

“No tricks, Dumbledore! You mean tomorrow for us, not tomorrow for the rest of the world, don’t you?”

He had meant Sunday and not the next day at the Estate. But it was clear from the mood in the room, the Wizengamot wanted it their next day if they couldn’t set to it immediately.

“Tomorrow as in our tomorrow…”

“Where?”

“I can make this space available to the Wizengamot,” Harry said.

“So be it,” Dumbledore sighed. “We shall convene here at nine tomorrow morning to consider the findings and recommendations of the House Potter Manor Court…”

Sirius looked at Harry. They were in the Informal Dining Room with all of House Potter present as well as Professor’s Lupin and McGonagall.

“Is there some reason why you think it’s a good idea to turn Pettigrew over to the Ministry?” Sirius asked.

“The dog has a point,” Remus said. “It’s not as if the Ministry has been looking too good throughout this.”

“Couple of reasons,” Harry said. “First off, I suppose I could’ve used the Manor Court to try the rat directly, but we talked about it. I agree with my ladies that would probably lose us some of the support we seem to have in the Wizengamot. We expect this to damage the current administration and… Fudge can’t seem to help himself, can he? But we don’t want to lose support now. The point of all of this was to get Sirius exonerated. Everything else is secondary to that and you heard how Dumbledore seems to be pushing to delay that as long as possible. Nothing against you, Sirius, but don’t you want to be able to leave this estate sometime and not worry about getting killed for trying?”

“I’m in no hurry.”

“What about that wife of yours,” Lily said.

“I… I don’t even know if she still is,” Sirius said. “We married in France to keep it quiet and she may well have… Getting chucked into prison can be grounds for… divorce. She might’ve moved on.”

“You don’t know that, Siri.”

“I’m not sure…”

“Really had it bad, didn’t you?” Remus asked. “Single Padfoot could roll with those romantic hexes…”

“Yeah, had it bad and I still do.”

“So, was she French?”

“No.”

“Don’t you have to live there or something?” Hannah asked.

“My family has a villa there,” Sirius said. “Somehow that counts for them. You said there were two reasons to turn Peter over to DMLE?”

Harry nodded. “Hermione and I both had minor memory uncaps when the rat was forced into being Pettigrew again. The short answer is Remus was right. The Ministry’s not looking too good right now and it’s in our interests that they still have competence issues at some levels.”

“Such as holding a rat animagus,” Hermione said.

“Sounds like you’re hoping he gets away,” Lily said.

“In that memory,” Harry nodded, “the rat did a runner the same time Hermione and I saved Sirius from Fudge’s ‘shoot to kill’ order. It was the rat who finds Voldemort and is a major reason why he came back.”

“Explain why this makes sense,” James said. “He did betray us.”

“He’s a coward. He had two years in which he could’ve finished the job. From September 1st my first year ‘til this past June there’s only been about one month when I was not sleeping in the same room with that rat almost every night. He never made a move against me. But in that other timeline he did run off and find Voldemort.”

“You want that thing to return?” McGonagall asked.

“We need him to, preferable under very similar circumstances,” Hermione said. “For one thing, he needs to be destroyed and we don’t think that’s possible until he gets a body. For another, it will remind people just how messed up that Pure-blood stuff is.”

“We figure the best shot at getting Voldemort back is through Pettigrew, although don’t ask us why. And, while I am confident in Madam Bones and the Aurors I’ve met, from what we’ve learned getting ready for this trial, the lot at Azkaban is sloppy.”

“We’re hoping they can hold him long enough to try him. If need be, Harry’s going to recommend a prison term as compared to something more permanent.”

“There’re no guarantees he’ll escape,” Sirius said. “Took me a while to get ‘round to it.”

“He’s probably more motivated than you were.

“Hey!”

“He wants nothing to do with that place and certainly whatever guilt he might feel for what he did is far less than his fear of that place.”

DAY 4

The building on the Square that had been the scene for the Manor Court was not built for that purpose. Harry wanted a public building of some sort where the entire estate could gather for naming ceremonies for the elves and such. But, it was a magical village in a magical estate and it did not take much time for the building to be renovated into its role as the Manor Court. And, it also had taken little time for the elves to transform it into its current incarnation.

Gone was the high bench where Harry and the other five “adjudicators” had sat through the trial, the witness box, the special box for the members of the Wizengamot and Hermione’s desk as well as the tables where the advocates and sat and the lectern. In their place was now a horseshoe shaped set of rising benches that, had Harry any memory of it, resembled the seating arrangement for the Wizengamot deep within the Ministry of Magic. There were no tables and the only other adornment was a small desk located at the center of the horseshoe. This was where Dumbledore sat and the members filled up the benches around and behind him. The remainder of the gallery from the days before remained largely unchanged and just as on the days before they were mostly filled. In the front row sat House Longbottom and House Potter, the only “assigned seating” there had been in the Gallery thus far.

Harry noticed that Hannah’s mother took her seat in the Horseshoe as Regent for House Abbott. Susan’s Aunt Madam Bones was seated next to her. Sirius told him there was no formal seating arrangement in the Wizengamot, but members who were friends with other members did tend to sit together. Also in the horseshoe not far from Dumbledore was the Minister for Magic and Harry was about to ask about that until he remembered the Minister held or could hold the twelve Ministry votes. Sirius was not seated in the Horseshoe. While the Manor Court had acquitted him of any wrong doing, until that decision was ratified by the Wizengamot or the Minister himself changed things, he was still technically a fugitive and unable to take his House seat.

“Wizards and Witches,” Dumbledore intoned, “this Special Session of the Wizengamot of Greater Britannia is hereby called into session. Madam Clerk, please call the roll and tally the seats and votes present.”

A woman rose from her seat at one end of the Horseshoe and the lowest row of benches. Sirius explained that the Clerk was always the most junior of the lifetime appointees by date of appointment and held the position until a newer appointment was made. Apparently, no one wanted this job as the Clerk “actually has to work,” according to Sirius.

“Ancient and Noble House of Abbott,” the Clerk called.

“Present,” Mrs. Abbott replied.

“One seat, six votes,” the Clerk added before calling the next seat. Not every seat was present.

“Ancient and Noble House of Black?”

“Present by proxy,” Mr. Carstons said. He had been one of the adjudicators.

“One seat, twenty votes…”

Harry and the others learned that while it was normally one seat per person, they could see that in some cases it was two. Mr. Carstons also held the seat for the Ancient Line of Eorsyn in his own right and the three votes that went with it and for now Neville’s Grand held both the Longbottom Seat as Regent and Potter as Proxy and all Sixty-Four votes that went along with it. There were a few members who, through proxies, held more seats than she did but none with anywhere near as many votes in the tiered voting structure.

“And the Ministry of Magic?” the Clerk finished.

“Present,” Minister Fudge said,

“Will you be exercising all the Ministry Votes if called?”

“I shall.”

“One seat, twelve votes. Chief Warlock, the roll is called. Present are more than the numbers of seats and votes required for a Quorum.”

“Thank you Madam Clerk. As we do not have a proposed agenda, we shall begin from where we left off at the last session…”

“Point of order!” a voice called.

“The Chair recognizes Madam Longbottom.”

“While we may not have voted upon it yesterday, Chief Warlock, it was my impression that it was the desire of the Wizengamot, or at least the majority of seats and votes, that this Special Session should deal with the recommendation submitted to us from the Manor Court of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter before raising any other business.” There were clear voices of assent. “I move that we place the findings and recommendations of aforesaid Manor Court before this Session as our initial business.”

“Hear! Hear!”

“While I sympathize with such sentiments, I do not believe it would be appropriate to consider such relatively unimportant matters at this time given the current crisis within the ICW. I stand ready to report on the…”

“I second the motion of Madam Longbottom!” another member announced.

“Now hold on!” Elphias Doge, a Liberal faction member began, “you did not allow the Chief Warlock to finish.”

“And were we to allow that,” a supposed Traditionalist said, “I dare say we’ll be here for the next three days listening him drone on and on. He expressed his desire to delay this yesterday, probably until all of us are dead and buried. We did not agree then and I have no doubt we do not agree now. The motion’s been seconded! Put it to the vote!”

Dumbledore sighed. “A motion is before this assembly to place the findings and recommendations submitted by the Manor Court of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter as the first order of business in this Special Session and it has been duly seconded.” It was obvious Dumbledore was not pleased. “All in favor raise their hands?”

Most of the members raised their hands.

“Opposed?” Dumbledore and six others raised their hands, seven including Fudge. “The motion passes. This Assembly shall consider the submission of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter. Said House has given us food for thought. I ask Madam Clerk if she has the Wizengamot trail calendar available so that we may find an agreeable date to set this for a proper trial before this body?”

The Clerk began to look through what looked like a notebook.

“What’re you on about, Dumbledore?” a member asked rudely. “Were you somewhere else the last three days? I seem to recall that there’s been a trial!”

“Article 21 proceedings are merely advisory,” Dumbledore said calmly. “It is still the province of this body to try cases. As I see it, the Manor Court has merely pointed out the fact that Mr. Black did not have the benefit of a trial…”

“Come off it!” Which was one of the more polite outbursts.

“Article 21 does not mandate a retrial before the Wizengamot,” Madam Bones said. “That is an option that the Wizengamot may adopt if a majority are in agreement. It may also forgo such trial and move to debate or ratification of the findings and recommendation…”

“I move we set the case of Sirius Black for proper trial,” Amos Diggory began.

“Seconded,” Elphias Doge agreed.

“A motion is before this assembly to set the Black case for trial before the Wizengamot proper,” Dumbledore said smugly. “All in favor?” His smile died when only the same hands rose. “Opposed?” The rest of the Wizengamot seemed to raise their hands. “Motion defeated. But I do think we are overly enamored by the last few days worth of entertainment. After all, this was the Manor Court called by a thirteen-year-old and now, it seems, the Wizengamot is dancing to that thirteen-year-old’s tune! I believe that this matter is not something that should be dealt with at this time and not at all until a more thorough and more professional investigation has been carried out!”

“He just stepped in it,” Hannah said to the others in the Potter row.

“I see,” Madam Bones said. “So I am unprofessional? Is that what you’re saying, Dumbledore?”

“I did not mean to…”

“Oh no? That was one of the more professional trials I’ve participated in. What did you mean? You do realize who was seated at Manor Advocate’s table throughout? Are you suggesting that Theodore Tonks is some unprofessional thirteen-year-old? For the record, although not doubt she was well prepared by her more mature co-advocate, I think I speak for most here present that Lady Abengale gave a very favorable account of herself without regard to her supposed maturity!”

“And maybe I was in a difference Manor Court,” Nathaniel Davis said. “After all, Cuthbert Carstons and I were on that panel as voting members and all approved findings had to be unanimous. And before you even suggest that Lord Potter influenced our votes I can assure you he did not speak during deliberations and always voted last. You cannot argue a lack of maturity in regards to that panel unless you’re suggesting that it lacked maturity because you were not a part of it.”

“Perhaps,” Madam Longbottom interjected, “rather than this bickering and in hopes that we can attend to the task at hand that most all agree needs attending, we can sidestep all of these obstacles by submitting a motion of censure against the one whose recalcitrance is impeding the work of this Assembly?”

“Now Augusta, I’m sure we do not need to be so rash,” Dumbledore said.

“Seconded! Hironymus Flint added.

There was a long, silent pause.

“Chief Warlock? There is a motion pending and it has been duly seconded,” the Clerk said.