The trial was set to be held in two days. Darius had still not talked to Harry about any of this and he would have to do so soon. He already knew from Sirius that Harry had left Privet Drive and he was likely already at Diagon Alley for the last couple of days.
The next task would be to talk to him and he had better do it soon. He headed for Diagon Alley early that day. He would also have to talk to Ted Tonks to let him know about the trial and discuss any last moment tactics.
He decided to head to the Leaky cauldron to search for Harry first. He didn’t want to have to search for the guy if he set out into the alley. The bar was nearly empty early in the morning and there were very few patrons still there. He walked up to the owner, Tom to talk about Harry.
“Good morning, Tom! I need your help to find someone.”
“Good morning, Darius. And who might you be searching for?”
“I need to talk to Harry Potter please. I already know he is here. I just need to pass on some information to him.”
“Very well, Darius. I’ll let Mr Potter know and he will meet you if he so desires.”
“Very well, I shall wait for him.”
Darius sat on a table and had a short meal while waiting for Harry. He assumed Harry was sleeping in late, now that he had a chance to do so. Soon enough, Harry came down the stairs, immediately searching out for him. Noticing Darius, he gave a wide grin and headed over.
“Hi Darius. Nice to see you here.”
“Same here, Harry! But I am sorry that I can’t stay for long. I have some business after this. But I stopped by to let you know some significant news.”
“Oh, alright then! But come by later when you are free. It will be fun to roam around the alley together. So, what’s the information you wanted to give me? I already know about Sirius Black’s escape, if that’s what you wanted to tell me.”
“Funnily enough, it is related to Sirius Black though not about his escape specifically. It’s a good thing Tom has privacy seals on all these booths for privacy. What I’m about to tell you is quite sensational news. First of all, Sirius Black is your godfather and-”
“What!? That mass murderer is my godfather? Just my luck!”
“Again, it is extremely good luck that these tables are privacy sealed. And now, don’t interrupt me anymore. This information is such that you will have several shocks before it is over. You can ask all the questions you have at the end.
So, as I was saying, Sirius Black is your godfather; he also happens to be innocent!”
Harry’s eyes bulged at that and he was about to interject before Darius shot him down with a glare.
“Sirius was falsely accused and thrown into Azkaban even without a trial. Hence, he was an innocent man placed in a hellish prison for 12 long years. Add to that, the fact that he was accused of being an accessory to the murder of a friend as close as a blood-brother, it’s a wonder he hasn’t broken down completely yet.”
“You speak as if you met him recently.”
“Quite clever, catching that! And yes, in fact, I met him just a few days ago and an acquaintance is giving him shelter right now. And now, for the final shockers! One of his alleged crimes was leading Voldemort to your parents’ hideout. But that isn’t true. The true traitor was another friend of your parents who framed Sirius for the crime. As it so happens, another friend of mine has arranged for a trial for your godfather and it will be held tomorrow. I didn’t want you finding out through some other ways, so I came clean to you with the bare truth.”
“Thank you for that! I appreciate it, seriously. But it is a lot to take in. Having a godfather would be great, so let’s see how this plays out.”
“That’s a great attitude. And I assure you, you will love the guy. He and his friends, which includes your father, put the Weasley twins to shame, as far as pranks are concerned. And he has had a hard time of it, having his best friend killed, another turning traitor, being in that ghastly prison for a long time. It will do him good to meet you and be around you more.
Anyway, the main reason to tell you all this was to invite you to come to the trial tomorrow. I will give you a glamour-stone to disguise yourself and you can watch the proceedings yourself. This paper has all the directions you’ll need to get to the ministry.”
“Alright, thanks! I’ll be sure to be there tomorrow.”
“Alright, that’s all I had to tell you for now. I got to get going for now.”
The next day dawned quickly and it was time for the biggest trial of the year.
Sirius was feeling nervous again. He had been briefed by Andi regarding the current make-up of the Wizengamot and he didn’t like it one bit. Narcissi had control of the Black seat and he was sure the Malfoy’s wouldn’t let go of it easily. The seat of an Ancient and Most Noble House counted for a lot, after all. That toady Fudge was the Minister. He couldn’t believe it when he heard that little bootlicker became Minister. And that bastard Barty Crouch was a department head. In any proper court, his innocence would be proven without doubt and would be acquitted of all charges. But who could tell with a supremely biased group like the Wizengamot.
Fudge was feeling quite nervous today. Something was feeling wrong and he couldn’t put his finger on it. When one has been a politician for as long a time as him, one tends to get a sort of sixth-sense about critical matters. He couldn't help but feel a cold shiver against his back and hoped that whatever was to happen didn’t lower his already low public standing after the Sirius Black debacle.
Albus Dumbledore wasn’t a man who often felt nervous, but there was something quite strange in the air today. The only item of note today was the emergency trial called by Amelia today. Spirited young woman, that one! But it was strange that he had no prior knowledge about today's trial. Amelia was playing her cards quite close to her chest and this was most unlike her. Even his agents in the Ministry couldn’t get any information. Well, he could deal with whatever that came his way. He didn't live such a long time without learning anything after all.
The trial was designated to be held in court room 10 in the deepest bowels of the ministry. It was set for 10 am and Madam Bones had secretly and anonymously alerted several journalists that there might be a trial of the year today and they would regret it if they didn't attend. That stirred up a lot of speculation and everyone rushed to attend. The viewing gallery was already full even before the trial started. No way the Ministry or the Wizengamot could sweep this under the carpet now.
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It was five minutes before the trial when the members of the Wizengamot began streaming in. They wore the customary purple robes wit the stylized ‘W’ embroidered on them. Dumbledore swept in in his usual resplendent robes and took his place as the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot.
Then Ted Tonks and Darius, in his disguise as Nova Arcanum stepped in with Sirius disguised with a simple charm. No point letting everyone know about the glamour-stones.
The Minister took his place as well and took up his gavel. Darius could see Madam Bones a few seats along and grinned at her. The toad Umbridge was also seated near Fudge and he had a hard time stopping himself from growling in her direction.
“The Minister takes his chair and recognises Chief Warlock Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore and the prosecutor Barty Crouch.”
We had debated on letting Madam Bones be prosecutor, and she had the right to be in the position of Head of DMLE. But it would be far better to give Barty a proper smack down first and she allowed him the post. He stepped forward now.
“Todays case has been brought forward by Madam Bones and the defending counsels of law are to be recognised. Please step forward.”
“I am counsel-at-law Ted Tonks and this is assisting counsel Nova Arcanum. We stand before you today for the case of the Ministry v. Lord Sirius Orion Black III.”
Instant pandemonium! Loud yells, jeers, boos rocked the court room as the entire room descended into chaos. It took the minister banging his gavel thrice before some semblance of order was restored.
“What do you mean by this counsellor? And you, Madam Bones? Sirius Black is an escaped convict. Why is the ministry embroiled in a trial with a fugitive?”
Madam Bones stood after the Minister’s tirade.
“Minister Fudge and members of the Wizengamot, Sirius Black is not a convict. Hence, I found it prudent to give him the long overdue trial he rightfully deserves.”
Dumbledore did not like the way this was going. Sirius Black being in Azkaban was a necessary evil. It was for the Greater Good. He could not allow anybody else to influence the boy. He alone was able to take on that task and make sure Harry turns out the way he is supposed to. He had to speak up.
“Forgive me Amelia, but w-“
“You will address me as Madam Bones, Chief Warlock. This is the court room and I will have you address me with my proper title.”
Dumbledore was rather taken aback at that. It seemed there were some strong undercurrents to this trial. And he had not endeared himself to the Head of DMLE.
“Very well, Madam Bones”, giving his patented grandfather sigh as if he was just acceding to her whims in a patronising manner.
“What I was about to bring up was your statement about Sirius’ status as a convict. I am sure, and everybody in the court will surely collaborate that he most certainly is. I wonder what you mean by that?”
“I stand by what I said, Chief Warlock. A convict is someone who has been tried and found guilty by this court and sentenced thereafter. According to my knowledge, Sirius Black was never given his rightful trial and summarily thrown in Azkaban. Hence, he cannot be called a convict.”
The chaos after that was unbelievable. Many of the lords may not like Sirius but they were horrified at his arbitrary prison sentence. If it could happen to someone, it could happen to them. There was utter furore and Dumbledore sounded out two cannon blasts before everyone quieted down. Fudge had to speak up after that explosive statement.
“What do you mean, Madam Bones? Surely, you aren’t insinuating that the ministry sent the Lord Black to Azkaban without a trial, are you?”
Tonks took that as his cue to step in.
“That is exactly what she means, Minister Fudge. And that is why we stand before this court today, to get the trial he should have been given immediately after his arrest but denied by your very ministry.”
“Preposterous!!”
Darius took the chance to step in. After all, Ted had promised he could be the lead in this trial.
“Then I challenge you, Minister, to present to this courts the documentation of Sirius Black’s arrest, trial, sentence and imprisonment. Any and every trial of the Wizangamot has its records preserved with powerful magic. Please present the requested records.”
Fudge blustered in his usual foolish manner.
“This is foolishness. Ok, let a auror be sent down to the records room to fetch said records. And then we can be done with this façade of a trial. We will take a recess of 10 minutes while the documents are retrieved.”
The members of the court filed out and clumped together in groups, discussing the recent developments. Quite a few people were holding a wait-and-watch approach and it all hinged on those documents.
Ten minutes passed by quickly and the court filed in. Everyone took their places and Sirius still stood in the corner of the court near the door, disguised and waiting for his chance to step in.
An auror came up to the minister’s stand and handed over a thin black folder. Fudge had a rather smug expression and looked confident as he took the folder in his hands.
His face fell after he opened it and turned the page. He looked rather shocked and his face turned into a nervous one as he looked around.
Darius caught the look and capitulated on the chance.
“You seem to have the required documents, Minister. Care to show it to the rest of us as well.”
The lectern in front of him was a special magic-imbued one which could duplicate all the documents placed on it to the rest of the Wizengamot.
The minister was forced into a corner and he knew it. He sent the document to everyone and their were almost immediate cries of outrage. Darius knew there wouldn't be much but picked it up for curiosity’s sake.
It was extremely damning. All it had was a document regarding the arrest and a eventual sentence to Azkaban. No interview, no trial, nothing. And to top it off, the prison sentence was signed off by Millicent Bagnold, the then Minister, Barty Crouch and as he had suspected, the then Chief Warlock, Albus Dumbledore.
Albus Dumbledore was not having a good day. First Sirius was brought to trial and then that damning document was brought out. Luckily, the assistant counsel seemed to be rather young and naïve. Maybe he could use that to his advantage.
“As you can no doubt see in these documents provided by the Minister, Lord Black has never been convicted and hence was illegally incarcerated for the past 12 years. We shall seek appropriate reparations for this grievous miscarriage of justice once we are done with the prelimnary trial. Moreover, his status as an escaped convict automatically becomes void as he was just exercising his right to freedom as a citizen when he escaped from the unlawful detention.”
There was another uproar after that statement and now even the reporters and general public in the viewing stands were muttering. It was one thing to throw a traitor Lord into jail but quite another to do so without even the courtesy of a trial. Even known death waters were extended that courtesy. And if what the lawyers and Madam Bones were saying was true, it was an innocent man too.
Fudge tried to calm his heart but wasn’t very successful. This was a political shitstorm and he knew it. Curse that Bones woman for bringing this up. He couldn’t even talk to the media right now to blow this whole thing over. They were going to have a field day with this news. Delay it! That was the only thing he could do. Delay the trial so that he could get some time to think of a plan and guide the media. Maybe he could even get some advice from Dumbledore.
“Very well, Madam Bones. It appears there has been a drastic case of miscarriage of justice here and we all need some time to think about how this came about. Since we are also lacking the primary defendant Sirius Black, I call for a delay on the trial. I will of course, send the best aurors to bring him in and give him the trial he is due.”
Darius had to admit, the porky bastard was smarter than he gave him credit for but it was time for the big reveal. He could also have his fun discrediting the ministry with this.
“There will be no need for that Minister. As it so happens, it was relatively easy to track down Sirius Black and convince him to appear for his trial. I don’t know why the ministry has been unsuccessful in his apprehension so far. Anyway, presenting to the court, Lord Sirius Black.”
And Sirius stepped forward from his corner. Darius silently dispelled his glamour as he stepped out of the shadows. The man still looked quite gaunt but overall, he was much better than just a few days ago. He was all spruced up and dressed in the finest Acromantulan silk, looking every bit the Lord of a Noble and Most Ancient House that he was.
The Wizengamot and the viewers were in a uproar. Sirius Black was right in front of them. The man being paraded across the paper every day was finally getting his day in court. And from the way things were looking so far, it would go far differently than most would have thought until a few hours ago.
The real trial will now begin!