April 4, 1994
Cleasby, England
Harry actually managed to step out of the floo and not stumble, fall or do anything that would make him appear bad. He was in an atrium that was half the size of the one at Greencross. Longmarche was Neville's families hereditary home, but it didn't scream ostentatious wealth like the Greengrasses did. It had more of a homely feel, but there was still plenty of wealth and history on display. A small elf popped in. "Welcome to Longmarche. Is you being Scion Potter?"
Harry gave a nod to the house elf. "I am. Neville said I could come over today."
The house elf gave a little bow. "Very good, Scion Potter. If you would follow Thibault."
Harry gave a very slight bow to the elf who looked at him skeptically. Harry followed Thibault through a few corridors. It had the feel of an old manor house. A few portraits looked at him as he went. The elf went through a set of fancy French doors onto a large lawn that was very nicely manicured. He could see fruit trees down the bottom of a hill and a nice garden to his left. To his right were three long glass greenhouses.
Harry was led to the second one down the hill and the house elf opened the door. "Master Longbottom, Scion Potter has come calling for you."
Neville was leaning over a plant about half-way down the greenhouse. "Thanks, Thibault. Is Gran back yet," he asked.
"Madam Longbottom will be out for the day," the house elf replied. "Popsy will have lunch on the veranda in about an hour."
"Thank you. Come on in, Harry."
Neville gently unwound a thin vine that had wrapped around his wrist. "Be careful of those purple flowers. If you touch them, the pollen is wicked itchy."
Harry eyed the flowers and gave them a wide birth. "What are they?"
"They come from South America. The locals called them Purple Rash. They are a poppy that uses their pollen to keep them from being eaten. Grandad left notes that they could be used to make some potions. I really wish we had someone besides Snape. Gran keeps telling me the Longbottoms should be good at potions," Neville told him.
Harry snorted. "I wish we had someone besides Snape too. Though he hasn't been as bad lately."
"Gran told me that the Board of Governors has put him on probation and the only reason he hasn't gone to Azkaban is because he was confirmed to be a spy for Dumbledore and did help to save some lives. She had always suspected, but there is still something fishy there."
Harry moved to a table across from Neville and leaned against it. This was more than Neville usually talked.
"Amelia was saying she doesn't think Dumbledore will be able to do anything soon. It sounds like there is something going on she won't tell us, but I think he is in trouble. More than just what the papers say. Personally, if it is true that he is the one that sent me to my relatives and some of the other rumors, I hope he goes to Azkaban," Harry said honestly.
Neville nodded. "Many look up to him, even if he is in jail. Gran told me some of what he is facing. The DMLE is charging him with Line theft and heritage denial for Sirius Black and you. Possibly a few others. Is Sirius Black really innocent?"
"My parents will said both your mum and Black took the godparent oaths," Harry replied.
Neville kept working on his plants for a few. "I'm sorry I never told you we were cousins before this year. I really thought you were just trying to ignore me. Almost no one really talked to me or paid attention to me the first two years."
"You stood up to us the night we went for the Philosopher's stone," Harry replied.
Neville snorted. "And Hermione put me in a full body bind and then you three didn't really say much to me again after that."
Harry rubbed the back of his neck. "I never meant to ignore you. I was usually a little more concerned with other stuff."
"I know," Neville replied sadly.
"I know you are my cousin now. I won't ignore you anymore," Harry promised.
"You've been a good friend since February."
Harry sighed. "I want to be your friend. Neville, you are about the only family I have left. You, Susan and Amelia. I won't ever ignore any of you."
Neville stood up and wiped his brow. "You mind grabbing me a few of those pots," Neville indicated some stacked terracotta pots.
"How many?" Harry asked, pushing off the table and moving to them.
"Four. I thought you might like to take two of them to Daphne tomorrow, that is if you are still going after the trial in the morning," Neville told him, taking the pots when Harry walked to him.
Harry felt his face flush a little. It had come out in their conversations about the greenhouses that the Longbottoms and Greengrasses maintained. "Should I be presenting her with flowers? I thought this was between you two?"
Neville chuckled. "You can say they are gifts from the Longbottoms."
Harry snorted. "I didn't think you liked Daphne," he challenged, not really noticing he was doing so.
Neville shook his head. "I don't. Not like you."
"Berk," Harry groused. Neville laughed. A few minutes later, he handed Harry two pots. "What are these?"
"Bell Ringing Lilies and Fire snappers. I doubt the Greengrasses have anything like this," Neville told him.
Harry looked at Neville curiously. "Why not?"
"My grandfather got them on his treks in the Amazon Rainforest and the Andes Mountains. I know of only two other suppliers besides the Longbottoms and they are in the Americas. It should take a decade or more before they can grow enough to become a major supplier with only those. I will write down how to care for them. Gran has allowed me to give them these as a show of friendship," Neville informed him.
"Why aren't you giving them to the Greengrasses then?" Harry didn't want Neville giving gifts to Daphne, but this was his to give.
"We are family and it would mean more to Daphne coming from you," Neville told him.
Harry's eyes narrowed. "We are just study partners." He hadn't told anyone about what he had Daphne's help in.
Neville shook his head. "Even I can see how you like her," Neville told him.
"Yeah, maybe," Harry confessed after a few minutes of watching Neville. "Who are the other plants for?"
Neville ignored him for a moment before quietly muttering, "The Davises."
Harry's eyebrow rose. "I didn't know they were into Herbology like you?"
"I thought Tracey may like them," Neville shyly replied. Harry decided he didn't need to push it until Neville said, "I have some daphnes if you need any."
"Why would I need any?"
"Well, I thought you could take some flowers of your own when you go," Neville told him. The boy had a smirk, while still looking embarrassed about the other flowers he was putting to the side. "Maybe you can tell her they are as beautiful as her?"
Harry's face flushed this time. He was about to retort when the door to the greenhouse opened. "Master Neville, lunch is ready on the back patio," Thibault said after entering.
"Thank you, Thibault. We'll be right up. Can you make sure there is lots of ice in the lemonade? Harry looks a little hot."
Harry still felt how hot his face was. "I hate you," Harry muttered.
Neville shrugged, though he now looked as flushed as Harry. "Come on. Popsy makes some great lemonade from the lemons from the orchard."
"Just you wait until Tracey is around," Harry said darkly to his cousin's back.
-oOo-
April 5, 1994
London, England
Amelia had seen Susan and him to the lower courtrooms. Today they were in the larger Courtroom eight in the bowels of the Ministry. It was a semi-circular room that was relatively full. The Wizengamot members that were to be sitting on the trial were across from them. Harry counted forty-nine people in the red or black robes of the members. Those in red had hereditary seats and were full Lords or Ladies. Those sitting Regent or having been voted in were in black robes. Amelia was in red robes. Even though she was the Regent of House Bones, it was still a hereditary seat of her family. She would be representing the House Potter seat today as well.
He could make out various crests of the Houses on the right breasts of most robes.
Harry shifted in the tight burgundy robes Amelia had made him wear. The now familiar crest of his House was on them. Susan sat next to him in similar colour robes with the Bones crest. She still looked a little tired from the sleepover that occured last night, stumbling through the fireplace in the atrium about eight this morning. It was now getting closer to ten, when the trial was set to start.
Looking around the chamber again, they were sitting in the general public section. Neville was making his way towards them, leading Hannah and her mother. Ladies Greengrass and Davis were sitting towards the top with Daphne, Tracey and Roger. He noticed Draco not far from her and they shared a sneer before Lady Malfoy tapped Draco's leg. There were others he recognized, including Healer Tonks. He had just learned last night that she was a distant cousin of his, and Sirius, but had been cast out of the House of Black. Harry was wondering if that was why she never told him?
Hannah moved to the other side of Susan. "Good morning, Lady Abbot," Harry said, getting up to bow to her.
"Scion Potter. Next time we meet it must be in a better setting," the woman commented.
"Yes, ma'am," he replied before she moved to sit next to her daughter.
Neville nodded, acting almost as formal as he had at the Greengrass's on Wednesday. "Nev," Harry commented, sitting down.
"Harry."
They exchanged some small talk before there was a stir on the other side. Everyone went quiet as a man in black robes came out of a door at the top of the stone stands behind the Wizengamot members. He was followed by a squat woman, also in black robes and a pink hair piece, and a tall man with very pale blonde hair and wearing red robes. Harry recognized Lucius Malfoy. He could never forget the man after he had tried to kill Harry last year.
The man in black robes moved to the pulpit. "Let's get on with this," the man grumped.
"Excuse me, Minister, but you are not the Chief Warlock." He recognized Madam Longbottom.
"I am acting-Chief Warlock today, Madam Longbottom," the Minister replied.
Malfoy nodded and Harry clenched his hands. Anything that a Malfoy agreed too could not be good.
"I am afraid you are not, Minister Fudge. Elphias Doge has been voted in as acting-Chief Warlock by the Wizengamot earlier today. I have the record of the pre-trial agreements of the Wizengamot with Solicitor Tonks," Amelia spoke up, holding up some papers. He didn't miss that she had sat in a seat next to the podium.
The Minister stared at her for a moment. "I was not informed of this. With Dumbledore currently on leave, the Minister has the right to proclaim an acting-Chief Warlock until the full Wizengamot can vote."
"That would be correct if we were to sit in the chambers to discuss and vote on laws. For a trial, pre-trial agreements for a recognized Scion, Regent or Lord are not the same."
Malfoy looked sharply at Amelia. "This is a trial for a criminal that has escaped Azkaban and killed wizards and muggles."
"Sirius Black is the recognized Regent of House Black, Lord Malfoy. There was no trial before so his status stands as requested in his grandfather's will, the late Lord Arcturus Black," Amelia responded.
Everyone in the chamber could clearly hear what was going on and murmurs started to break out everywhere.
"This is not the way this is to go, Amelia," the Minister said in a condescending tone.
"Acting-Chief Warlock Doge, would you care to take your place? I see that you did not silence the pulpit yet," Amelia replied in a cool tone, her face cold and emotionless.
The Minister looked up, his eyes wide to realize the sonourus charm on the pulpit was in full use. Malfoy's face became stony and took his seat, two away from the pulpit.
"I don't think this is going the way some wanted," Susan whispered to them.
Harry tried not to chuckle.
"Yes, yes, thank you, Madam Bones," an old man commented. He was a little rotund with a double-chin, balding head and white hair. The Minister shot Amelia a glare and moved to a seat two tiers down. Harry found that interesting that Fudge did that. "Why is the Minister so far down?" Harry whispered to Susan.
"As the Minister, he gets a vote, but he is considered a lesser House, even if the Fudges have an almost two-hundred year history. They have been involved in politics, but never earned an Order of Merlin, First Class, or other recognition to be elevated into a hereditary seat," she replied.
Harry frowned. He had so much to learn.
"Gran says that once he is out, she doubts that Fudge will ever be voted into a seat again," Neville added as Doge started the proceedings.
A gavel sounded in the chambers. "This trial will come to order. Please lead the accused in. Secretary of the Court, you are to start recording."
Harry watched as the double-doors on the wall to his left opened. The ragged looking man he had seen two weeks ago was in much better shape. His black hair was cut and combed. His ragged beard had been trimmed into friendly mutton chops. The ripped and bed-raggled robes were replaced with finely trimmed black robes, a crest very clear on his chest. The man's grey eyes looked around briefly. When they found Harry, the man gave a small smile before he was led to a chair by two burgandy-robed Aurors.
There was a lot of talking as a shorter man walked out with a satchel and moved to a small table next to the black chair that Sirius was sat in. As Solicitor Tonks walked out, the chains around the chair came up, attaching to the cuffs on Sirius' hands and legs. The brown hair man frowned. "Chief Warlock, it was agreed that Regent Black was not to be bound with chains. He has not been found guilty of any crime and he has given his oath to attempt no escape."
Doge looked towards the Secretary, who responded to the man's questioning look. "That is correct, Chief Warlock."
"I gave the order earlier to keep Black under strict guard and to be bound," Fudge said, his eyes wide to see Sirius just turn his head up casually to him and smirk.
"The Aurors shall remove the chains," Doge ordered. The Aurors obeyed.
"Chief Warlock, if that is to be, I move to allow lethal force should he attempt to escape custody," Malfoy spoke up. A few others nodded or voiced agreement.
Doge shook his head. "Black has given his oath. It will be to stun only."
Harry smirked to see the sour look on Malfoy's face.
"Thank you, Chief Warlock. I would request that my client be referred to as Regent Black. He has already been denied his right to take up his Lordship, and he is to be afforded his family titles," Solicitor Tonks spoke up.
"From this moment on, the accused shall be recognized as Regent Black. Now, Secretary of the Wizengamot, please read the accusations against Regent Black," Doge commanded.
A young woman with dark hair and in black robes stood. "Regent Sirius Orion Black is accused of the following."
"Count the first: Breaching the International Statute of Secrecy by causing a large explosion in a Muggle shopping area and dueling in a Muggle area."
"Count the second: The murder, first-degree, of Peter Pettigrew."
"Count the third: Being an unregistered animagus."
The woman sat and Doge spoke up, "Thank you, Ms. Rhodes."
Harry leaned over to Neville. "Why isn't he charged with killing the muggles or my parents?"
Neville shrugged. Susan must have overheard and she sounded disgusted. "It's not a crime to kill muggles unless your spell directly impacts them."
Harry felt a pit form in his stomach at the injustice. "You mean like only if a killing curse or some other spell hits them?"
"Yes," Susan ground out. "Auntie has been trying to change that for years."
"Gran has too," Neville added.
"Dad has been supporting Madam Bones too," said Hannah.
"Pay attention," Lady Abbot said over them. "Most of you will be sitting up there some day."
Harry turned back to the trial. Hannah's mother wasn't wrong. Susan, Neville and him would one day be sitting up there. He had to pay attention. It was the least he could do if Daphne was going to be helping him with all this. Thinking that, Harry found the proceeding boring and was starting to understand why his father didn't want to become a Lord of the Wizengamot.
"Chief Warlock, the DMLE would like to drop the charges of the murder of Peter Pettigrew and violation of the Statute of Secrecy," Amelia said. She was standing up to be recognized.
Lord Malfoy cast her a nasty glance. "I think there is more than enough evidence that Black is guilty."
Amelia simply looked at Doge. Doge spoke up. "That is Regent Black, Lord Malfoy, and we have not established any evidence or wrong doing. Head Bones, why would you bring this forward now?"
"I object until we hear the evidence," another man stood up, speaking loudly.
Lord Malfoy was standing and then a few others, all of them talking back and forth or over each other. He had a hard time understanding what was going on. "Is this how a trial usually goes?"
"Not at all," Susan replied.
Doge banged his gavel. "ORDER! There will be order! Everyone shall sit down or I will ask the sitting members who are not following proper protocol to leave and call a quorum with who remains!"
"You can't do that," the same man that had started it shouted.
"Who is that?" Harry put to them.
"Lord Nott," Neville answered Harry.
The gavel was banging again and Harry looked at Sirius. The man was grinning like a loon as he watched the Wizengamot argue about what made up a quorum while Doge stood his ground. The Minister and the woman next to him got into the fray and it only ended when Aurors were called in and everyone quieted.
"If there is another outburst, you will be escorted out and put in the DMLE holding cells for the night," Doge threatened. He then snapped, "Head Bones, present the case to drop the charges."
During all this there was a general murmur around them and the press section had people writing furiously.
Amelia nodded and took up a folder. "This was presented to each member of the Wizengamot as they entered the chamber. Any that did not take the folder can summon one now. The DMLE moves to drop the case of the Murder of Peter Pettigrew after affirming that Peter Pettigrew did not die the night of November the first, nineteen-eighty-one."
She took out a paper and some photos.
"What do you mean Pettigrew didn't die! A finger was recovered," a woman said out loud.
"Exactly what I meant. The body of Peter Pettigrew was recovered from Hogwarts grounds almost two weeks..." Whatever Amelia was saying was drowned out as the chamber broke into noise.
In the center of the chaos he noticed Sirius Black smirking and Mr. Tonks just sitting stoically, letting all this happen. The gavel banged loudly. "If the chamber does not quiet instantly then I will clear it," Doge's voice echoed in the chamber.
He thought he saw Black chuckle.
It took a moment before Amelia could go on. "The body was found cut in half in a rat trap. It has been confirmed that Pettigrew was a rat animagus and must have been in Hogwarts for some time. Given his thin form, he was probably looking for some food in a trap the caretaker had put out."
She took out a photo to show the Wizengamot.
"This does not exonerate Black from the breach of the Statute of Secrecy," Malfoy said loudly.
"I do believe self-defence does," Amelia stated. "Black's wand was able to be retrieved from the archives, and Pettigrew's wand from his body. There is no trace that Regent Black cast any dark spells in the days leading up to the incident, or during, while there is evidence of very foul magic on Pettigrew's wand, including the killing curse. There is even evidence, upon inspection of the memories collected that night, that Black even protect the Muggles in the area, making the body count less than it could have been."
"Hem. Hem. But he confessed that night that he killed them all," the woman next to Fudge said in a simpering voice.
"He said he 'killed them all', but that does not constitute a confession," Amelia stated.
"Then what did he mean by that?" the woman pressed before giving Black a hard look.
" Black was never given a chance to determine that, Madam Umbridge. Chief Warlock, I move to have the charges of murder of Peter Pettigrew and the Breach of the Statute of Secrecy be dropped," said Amelia.
There were many disgruntled looking faces around Malfoy, but he was being quiet at the moment.
Many were looking through the folders. After a moment, Doge looked up from his. "I move to drop the charges and in light of the evidence clear all wrongdoing from Regent Black in these matters. Votes for Yea?"
There were thirty-one wands raised with green lights at the tip.
"Nae's?"
Two wands rose with green tips. The wands belonged to the squat woman next to Fudge and another man he didn't know in red robes just above Malfoy. The rest abstained, including Malfoy.
The gavel hit the stone dais. "Charges dropped and Regent Black's record to be expunged. What of the charge of being an unregistered animagus?"
Mr. Tonks stood. "Regent Black will plead guilty. Head Bones and the Prosecutorial Department have already agreed upon the fine of five-hundred galleons and one month served in Azkaban. For the time already served, Regent Black has agreed the fine can be taken from any remittance the Ministry may offer for his extra time in prison."
Amelia nodded as the Secretary handed the Chief Warlock the paperwork. Doge looked it over for a moment. "The Chief Warlock will agree to this, as this is the maximum sentence allowed under current law. Secretary of the Wizengamot please record this. I hereby declare that this Wizengamot Court has met its judiciary charter and I will close it..."
"What about the betrayal of the Potters! Should there not be an accessory charge of Murder for breaking the Secret Keepers responsibility?" Lord Nott called out.
"I second that. Those are charges that should see Black stripped of his Head-of-House and Regency," Malfoy stated.
The court started to grow loud again as the betrayal of his parents was brought up. Harry gripped the edge of the seat. The fact that two Death Eaters were the ones bringing it up and one of them had already tried to kill him brought his anger boiling to the surface.
The gavel banged again.
"Evidence has been presented that Regent Black was not the Secret Keeper and did not violate any laws," Amelia spoke loudly.
"Preposterous! Who else would it be besides Black? We all know he was," Lord Nott scoffed.
"Peter Pettigrew," she stated simply and the court erupted in noise.
Lady Abbot stood, as did a few others in the observer's section. "I think we should go. You can all wait in our family's office until Regent Black and the others can join us," the woman offered. There was a command in her voice as well.
There were no great surprises for Harry, but he still felt a little numb as he and the others were led to Lord Abbott's office eight floors up by where the Wizengamot normally met.
Daphne caught his eye as they walked out. Her eyes looked at him, not making any other outward sign that she was trying to acknowledge him. Outside of school, they were not to give any outward impression that a major shift was going on until after the summer solstice meet of the Wizengamot.
He would be seeing her later today, so he could talk with her then.
Harry really wished they didn't have to do this. He would like Daphne with him right now.
The chamber was still full of noise. Draco Malfoy gave him a sneer as he walked by, but didn't say a word with Lady Abbot with them. Harry had a feeling he would be hearing a mouthful from the prat on the ride back to Hogwarts.
They were led to the elevators, to the second floor and down a few corridors before Lady Abbot presented her ring to the door and they were let into a large room. There was a large desk with four chairs before it, a sofa and two comfortable looking chairs. Filing cabinets covered the wall behind the desk.
Harry ran a hand through his hair.
"Harry, are you alright," Neville asked after the door was closed.
He let out a huff. "What the bloody hell was that with Nott and Malfoy bringing up my parents like that!"
Lady Abbott spoke up before any of his friends could. "I believe that Lord Malfoy has been under the impression that Draco would be declared heir of the Blacks. A position the man had been petitioning the Wizengamot for for a few years now, but has always been blocked. It appears the fact Regent Black had not been found guilty all these years was the reason why the Wizengamot could not act."
He kicked at the floor. "The bloody git! The man was sent to Azkaban without a trial! He wasn't even my parents' secret keeper."
Hannah looked sick. "Pettigrew was really a rat and in Hogwarts? You don't think he tried to kill any of us, do you?"
Harry frowned. In the time he knew about Pettigrew, he hadn't thought about that. "I don't know if he was trying to kill us. We are pretty sure he was Ron's rat for a long time. Sirius escaped after seeing a picture of the rat with Ron holding him."
Neville was frowning. "Harry, are you saying Pettigrew was in our dorms? Was that why Black tried to break in at Halloween?"
"Pettigrew was in our dorm," Harry confirmed.
"Dear, Merlin. I think we need to inform Amelia. Maybe have you all checked over," Lady Abbot commented.
He looked at her a little concerned, not sure why she wanted them checked over. "Amelia knows."
The woman pursed her lips before nodding.
A knock came at the door. Lady Abbot stepped back from it and when it opened, there was noise, flashes and what sounded like a loud crowd outside the door. "Regent Black will hold a press conference in a few days," a voice called out loudly.
The tall Sirius Black walked into the room, followed by Lord Abbot, Madam Longbottom, the Tonks and finally Amelia. Harry just looked at them, his eyes mainly on one of his parents' best friends. The man's grey eyes looked at his. He still looked gaunt, but in much better health.
Everyone was quiet as the two of them looked at each other. The man took a tentative step forward, his arms spreading as though to hug him. "I can't tell you how good it is to see you, pup."
Harry stuck out his hand, stepping back slightly. "Regent Black, it is very nice to formally meet you," Harry replied. The man's eyes grew sad.
The man grasped his hand and before he could stop, Black pulled him into a one-armed hug. "I thought I had lost you all that night," Black said. "None of this formal shite either. It's Sirius or Uncle Sirius."
Harry stiffened at the contact and didn't reciprocate the arm that wrapped around his own back.
When he was let go, Harry took a few steps back.
"Sirius, I warned you he doesn't like to be touched that much," Amelia said softly.
"Harry, Sirius is a good man," Healer Tonks told him.
Sirius looked confused. "He is my godson, Andi! I should be able to hug him if I want. Don't tell me this is more of what those bastards..."
"He is, Sirius, but he has not had an easy life," Healer Tonks stated.
"Not here," Amelia warned.
Sirius sighed.
Harry scrunched his brow and hunched his shoulders, trying to look smaller. At one time he could do that easily. Being five inches taller than he had been two months ago didn't quite allow him to anymore.
The man growled. "I'll kill those bastards," he spat.
"You will not. Do you want to go back to Azkaban and abandon Harry again?" Healer Tonks challenged. Everyone else was just looking on.
The more feral look on the man's face fell and he deflated, rubbing a hand on the back of his neck. "No. Never again."
"Good. You have about a half-hour with Harry if you want, and then we are escorting you to St. Mungo's," she informed him.
"Why is he going there?" Hannah enquired.
Sirius sighed. "I have some healing to do," Sirius said cryptically. "Can I have some time with Harry?"
"Before you go, why didn't you tell me we are family?" he questioned Healer Tonks, taking his eyes off Sirius.
The woman gave him a sad smile. "I am not a Black anymore. Our blood does not bind us as it once did. James also never really regarded me as family, so I thought it best to not get involved."
This woman had helped in ways she couldn't understand. Perhaps that was why he had no issues accepting her reasoning. "I view you as my family, now that I know."
Her smile turned more pleased. "I will talk with Amelia about having you over."
Harry nodded before Amelia and Healer Tonks eyed the man for a moment, as did the other adults. "We can take Hannah and the others for an early lunch. Augusta, would you like to join us?" Lady Abbott offered.
A few moments later, Harry found himself alone with Sirius. The man was looking at him. "I know I didn't say it a few weeks ago, but you look good, pup."
"How well do you know Healer Tonks?"
"We are cousins and grew up together. James never really got along with that part of family. Andi was the best of them," Sirius replied. "It was a shame James lumped her in with the rest of her family."
Harry pursed his lips. "I know what my parent's will said, but are you really my godfather?"
The man gave a sad smile. "I took the oath four days after you were born. Alice and I were both there."
Harry nodded. Now it was time if he should forgive Sirius or not. "Why did you run and chase after Peter?"
The man let out a long breath. "I don't know. I arrived at the house as fast as I could. I had to use my motor bike that night because word had come the Ministry had been tracking apparition. When I got there, Hagrid already had you. Dumbledore was there doing something and he told me to let Hagrid take you to Hogwarts to get checked out. I offered to take you to St. Mungo's, but was told no. There was an argument before Dumbledore stepped in. After watching Hagrid fly off with you, Dumbledore mentioned that the Fidelius Charm had not been broken. I knew Peter was their secret keeper. In my rage and anguish, I went to capture him."
Harry nodded, taking it all in. It seemed to fit what Amelia had told him.
"I think you know the rest now. I never wanted to leave you that night, but I did," Sirius replied, the sadness in his voice apparent. "I never should have left you."
Harry had his suspicions why Sirius left. "Why did you tell the Aurors you 'killed them'?"
Sirius let out another long sigh. "I feel like I did. I convinced James and Lily to use Peter. None of us suspected him. It was my fault they were betrayed."
Harry pursed his lips. "It was Pettigrew's fault," Harry stated.
The man nodded after a moment. "I still convinced them."
"Why did you leave me?" Harry asked, finally meeting the man's eyes. Sirius had already said he didn't know, but Harry had to ask. He could not get over the sense of abandonment by all those that were supposed to be closest to his parents, and the more he talked with Healer Anne, the more he realized how much he was angry with all those people.
"I didn't want to. I argued with Hagrid and Dumbledore for a while until you started to cry. Dumbledore was insistent that you go to Poppy instead of St. Mungo's. I don't know why I finally gave in. I also don't know why I chased off after Pettigrew like that. You were my top priority until I could get you to Alice. She was supposed to take you if anything happened," Sirius told him. "I was supposed to take care of you."
Harry frowned. "She was tortured into insanity eight days later," Harry informed Sirius.
A sad look came over his face. "I know, pup. I would have thought you would have been given to her in that time."
"Why didn't you escape until you saw the picture of Pettigrew in the Daily Prophet?"
The man shook his head. "I don't know. Guilt maybe? I just didn't feel the urge. Of course, being around dementors all day, you don't feel any urges at all. Only turning into a dog made me feel better. Once I saw Peter in the Prophet, I felt like I had to get him. There was an urge and revenge I wanted on him."
Some of what he was saying sounded very similar to what Professor Lupin had told him.
Harry was taken out of his thoughts by Sirius. "Pup, what happened with Petunia and Vernon? Amelia says they have been taken into custody for child abuse."
Harry unconsciously took a step back. He was told he should talk about it when ready. The issue was he really didn't know this man and he wasn't sure if he trusted him yet. Sirius had already run out on him once. "It was... difficult," was all he was willing to say.
Sirius eyes and scowl looked more feral. "How difficult?"
Harry looked away. "Difficult. I have been told I never have to go back and I don't want to talk about it."
The man made a growl like a dog.
A knock came at the door, interrupting them. A second later, Amelia poked her head in. "I am sorry to break this up, but you do need to report to St. Mungo's in about ten minutes, Sirius. I have three Aurors that will escort you. If Harry wants, I can take him to see you in a few weeks, once you are cleared to have visitors."
The man cooled down and looked at Harry with watery eyes. "I am not abandoning you, pup. You can see me or owl me anytime you want and once you get out of school, we can talk about where you live."
A small panic went through him. He was really starting to trust Amelia and Susan. He didn't want to go anywhere now that he felt he had a safe place where he wouldn't be treated poorly. His panic must have shown because Amelia stepped into the room.
"Harry, it is just a discussion. You don't have to go anywhere, and like I said, you and I have to agree," she assured him.
Harry relaxed a little and nodded. Sirius frowned. Harry held out his hand again, but stayed further back. After a moment, Sirius took it. "In a few weeks?"
Harry nodded.
After Sirius left the room, Harry was still standing in the middle of it. Amelia regarded him for a few. "Let's go home for the rest of the day. I need to report back to finish some paperwork after lunch."
Harry nodded. "Can I still go over the Greengrass's?"
She nodded. "Of course, if you feel up to it. Do you want to talk about anything?"
Harry shook his head. The only two people he really wanted to talk with right now were Hermione and Daphne.
-oOo-
Rotherham, England
Harry had been met by Daphne's family when he came through the floo. This time Lord Greengrass had been there and they had exchanged a few words about the trial, or lack there of, and the implication of a dead man that was not dead for many years.
Harry had talked some, but held off on any meaningful conversation until Daphne and him were alone in the family tea room. Today they had been allowed to close the door.
After exchanging their work to look over what was done, Harry found himself just sitting there, his mind on other things than the work they were supposed to be finishing.
It must have been maybe ten minutes before the door opened and closed silently. Daphne sighed. "Winchester is gone. You want to talk? Mother already knows we are done, so I don't have to show her any progress."
He sighed, leaning back into the straight back chair.
"Daph, I know we talked about this the other day, but did you only ask me to help you in January because I was a means to an end?" He had to know. The thought of Pettigrew betraying his parents was really getting to him today. He knew they had a new deal, but she had said they were friends now too. Harry felt a little like she had held something back.
She frowned. "Tracey and I really needed the help in Defence Against the Dark Arts and Charms. I know I can not beat Hermione, but I can Corner. Father wanted me to go to Roger or someone else in our alliance."
Her eyes were meeting his. He felt no lie in all this. After a moment, he let out the breath he was holding. "Why didn't you?"
Her cheeks took on a little colour. Harry really liked it when they were like this and she let her guard down. He hadn't seen her do that with anyone else except those in their study group.
"Roger is book smart. You are one of the best practical casters in Hogwarts for anyone without OWL's. Hermione is good both ways, but she is definitely more like Roger," Daphne stated as though it was an obvious thought.
Harry nodded. "So, it really was just a Slytherin thing to find the best outcome?"
"Initially," she replied. "I wasn't lying the other day." He raised an eyebrow at her. "I don't lie to you, Harry. I will never lie to you. Why did you say yes?" she pressed back.
Like always with his friends, he replied truthfully. "I needed a friend." The help with his grades was just a plus that he really hadn't considered.
She snorted. "You are definitely not a Slytherin. I don't know what the hat saw in you?"
He gave her his goofy smile. "I will become a contributing member to our alliance," he affirmed. "And what about Tracey? She doesn't strike me as a stuck up prat most of the time."
Daphne scoffed. "I am not a stuck up prat, you prat!"
Harry laughed and she smirked. "As far as Tracey goes, no she doesn't seem like one until you really get to know her. She is sly as anyone, hiding her cunning and resourcefulness under her naturally bubbly exterior. It kills her half the time to keep up the emotionless faces we all wear."
Harry nodded. "Was that her that turned Parkinson's hair blue?" That had happened a few weeks ago.
Daphne raised an eyebrow. "You would need to ask Tracey that, and I don't think she would ever tell you."
"Did she tell you?"
Daphne shrugged. "We don't tell each other all our secrets."
Harry laughed again. "That is a big lie if ever I heard one," he called her out.
She stuck up her chin. "You wound me to imply as such."
He was still laughing. "If it helps, I don't tell Hermione everything either."
This time she gave him a discerning look. "I highly doubt that."
He sobered some. "It is true. Can I talk to you about something I never have to anyone else?"
Daphne looked at him for a moment before asking, "You would trust me like that?"
He gave an encouraging smile. "Like I said, I needed friends. I think of you as a friend, Daph. You said the same Wednesday. You are a good friend. As good as Hermione."
She looked a little shocked. "What of Neville?"
"Neville is my cousin, and we are still getting to know each other. I trust him, but not quite like Hermione... and you," he said, feeling his neck heat some.
"Why?" she asked after a few.
He shrugged. "You have never lied to me or asked me to be something different than I am. You encourage me to change, but you never force me. Not like most that only see me as The-Boy-Who-Lived and all that comes with that," Harry replied truthfully.
After a moment, she nodded. "What do you want to tell me?"
He sighed. "Not really tell, but I wanted your honest opinion."
She gave him a questioning look but waited for him to continue.
"How would you feel if every adult that was supposed to protect you just abandoned you?"
Daphne looked taken back for a few. After a moment, she asked, "Do you mean what came out in the trial today?"
"Sort of. To tell you the truth, I knew about all that for the last two months. It's more that Sirius Black, Professor Lupin and Peter Pettigrew were supposed to be my parents' best friends. One of them betrayed us. Another ran off to seek revenge instead of staying with me and the last never checked up on me. Hagrid has always said he was a good friend of my parents, yet he just took me away because Dumbledore told him too. I get my Aunt Alice, Healer Tonks and even Amelia because she didn't know, but everyone else? They all just left me with my relatives," he questioned, knowing she didn't really know half of what was going through his mind.
Daphne's brow scrunched up. It took her a moment to reply. "I don't know, Harry."
He sighed. Perhaps this was too much and he just needed to talk with Hermione or Healer Anne. He just nodded and turned back to the DADA paper he was reviewing for her.
After a moment, her hand reached out for his. Unlike with Sirius earlier, he didn't flinch or pull away, instead taking her hand in return. He was liking it more and more when she would offer her hand to him.
"You grew up with Muggle relatives. What was it like? I feel that is important to what you are asking of me," she questioned.
He involuntarily squeezed her hand. He had only told the WCS worker, and now Healer Anne as she tried to work with him to heal his mind. Why was he considering telling Daphne when he wouldn't even tell Hermione?
She waited, as though knowing he was having a strong internal debate. After a little bit he whispered, "Awful."
"Because you lived with Muggles and not with wizards?"
He shook his head. "No. I have nothing against Muggles. I actually miss some things when I go to Hogwarts. It was just living with my relatives. They were awful."
Her brow knitted together. "Father did some digging into your background. I overheard him talking with mother a few days ago. Harry, is it true your Aunt and Uncle were arrested by Muggle Aurors?"
He smiled at her. "Police. They are called Police." His smile dropped. "Yes. They have been arrested. I have to go to court in July. I don't want too."
Her hand held his tight. "That is why you want to know why everyone abandoned you?"
Daphne was far brighter than most realized. She was also good at reading between the lines. "Sirius knew I was to go to my Aunt Alice. Yet he left me with Hagrid and Dumbledore the night my parents died. Professor Lupin stayed away because he felt guilty about my parents. In twelve years he could have checked in on me, but he didn't! He was one of their best friends, Daph! He was supposed to be my uncle! I still don't get why Pettigrew betrayed my parents. All three of them were supposed to be their best friends! I probably shouldn't even be telling you this. What if you or Hermione or Neville were to do that? I already have one friend that is like that. I couldn't take it if any of you three did the same."
She looked stricken at his accusation. "I would never do that," she retorted angrily. He wasn't sure if she was angry at him or at what he was telling her. "Harry, if you ever need me, I will be there. Once our alliance is announced, we don't have to hide our interactions. I know it hasn't been long, but I look at you as a friend."
Harry sighed. "I just don't know who to trust some days. I thought I could trust Ron, but I feel as if he's betrayed me."
"You can trust me, Harry. I will not betray you or anyone you or I consider friends," she adamantly stated.
He looked into her eyes. She had done nothing to betray his trust so far. Harry also found he felt protective of her, like he did Neville and Hermione, Hannah and even Tracey now, even if she hadn't been as open as Daphne. "Will you be safe in Slytherin once the alliance is announced? If your father and Madam Bones comes to an agreement?"
"We have many allies in Slytherin. Once we are aligned with the Houses around you and Madam Bones, many will not dare to antagonize us," she replied confidently.
"What if You-Know-Who were to come back," Harry asked.
Daphne paled. "He is dead," she replied.
Harry swallowed. "He is not," he told her after a moment. "From what I understand, there are a lot of children of Death Eaters in Slytherin House. Will you be safe?"
She didn't answer for a long few moments. "You will come if I need?"
"You are my friend," he answered her.
After a moment she nodded. "We will be safe. There are almost twenty of us right now from sixth-year down. I don't even think anyone that would support the supremacists or purists would dare to take us on. Not if we have allies in other houses. Slytherin is sly in how we deal with house dominance and bringing others into the fray is a large faux pas."
Harry frowned. "And if attacks start again?"
"Why do you ask all this?" she retorted. She sounded frightened.
He frowned. "There is something Amelia isn't telling me, but she warned Susan and I to keep an eye out last night. She has made a comment to Susan a few times this week that she won't let Susan or I be hurt or not be unable to defend ourselves. Over the summer Amelia is going to start training us as though we were going through the Hit Wizard courses."
"Mother and father made a similar comment Wednesday night at dinner. I think they were considering having Tori and I do something similar," Daphne replied.
Harry nodded.
"Harry?" Daphne asked in a small voice. "There are rumors of what happened to Quirrell and last year. I know you admitted to the basilisk. The more I think of it, the more scared and worried I get for you. You said you have a scar. How didn't it bite you or kill you with its stare? What happened?"
Harry let out a breath. "Until we are allied, I am not sure it safe to tell you. I worry about you and Tracey being in Slytherin House. Maybe over the summer?"
Her hand squeezed his before letting go. "I can be patient. Just, can you tell me, is that why you think You-Know-Who isn't dead?"
He nodded. She regarded him before nodding. "We should get this review done. Mother will have dinner about six and I would like to go for a walk through the orchard before then."
"Sounds good," he replied, settling into his review and finding his mind more focused on it now.
Notes:Harry Potter and his world belongs to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers and anyone that has received licensing rights. I am grateful she gives us the privilege of playing in her world.
Authors Note:
In this story there will be four levels of OoM.
Third and fourth class are meant to be recognition awards when something special is done for the Ministry or the Wizarding world at large.
Second Class OoM's are a much more prestigious award and affair. They are for truly spectacular achievements: The killing of a troll that threatens a school, The rescue or saving of a few people or more from a Dark Lord attack, or the such
First Class OoM are meant to be the height of a grateful Ministry or populace, and well deserved accolade, for someone that did something so spectacular that it saves hundreds, if not thousands, prevented the Muggle world from discovering theirs on a massive scale, the slaying of a 1000 year old Basilisk that could have killed an entire generation of wizards, the killing or capturing of a Dark Lord like Grindewald.… I think you get the idea.
The Third and Fourth Classes come with modest rewards (maybe a few thousand galleons), a personal thanks from the Minister and probably an article or two in the Daily Prophet. The Minister of Magic can award these.
The Second Class is a big to do. There is usually a big event, personal thanks and presentation from the Minister, a ten thousand galleon or more prize, pretty much guaranteed that a generation or more will know you and recognize you most places influenced by that Ministry, etc. . Only the Wizengamot can approve.
The First Class is a life-changing award. In most governments it comes with a heriditary seat, a hundred-thousand galleons or more, could be a landed or Royal title… in short, it is the elevation of an existing House into the Peerage or the creation of a new House in the Wizarding world. This type of reward is only given by the Wizengamot (or whatever body is in control).