Chapter 061

"Added to that," began Sirius. "As Lord Potter has been declared of-age, he no longer needs a regent. And it is also now his right to name his own proxy. You know that and shouldn't have even taken that seat today. Step down."

Doge seemed to slump in his seat - or, rather, Harry's seat - for a moment, before he rose and made his way down the stairs and out of the tiers. He didn't even look at Sirius or in Harry's direction.

Sirius then asked Madam Longbottom, "A moment of the Wizengamot's indulgence, Madam Longbottom, while I confer with Lord Potter?"

Madam Longbottom immediately snapped, "No."

"I call for the vote," Bones immediately cut in.

Longbottom was obviously still very angry with Harry, hence her refusal. Luckily, Bones knew that. That's why she called the vote to decide.

Clearly the call made her even more angry. "Very well," she snapped. "All those in favour of the indulgence?"

More than half raised their wands.

"Those against?"

Only a few were raised.

Still with a moue of annoyance and anger, Longbottom turned back and said, "You have five minutes, Lord Black."

As soon as the decision was announced, Harry stood up from his chair and made his way to Sirius, who then immediately laid a big hug on him for a moment, and Tonks.

Stepping back, Sirius quietly asked, "Any ideas on who to name as your proxy, Harry? Or, would you prefer to take the seat yourself? It would mean taking at least one day off school a month to attend the Wizengamot if you want to take the seat yourself."

Harry thought about it for a few moments before he said, "I do not know. Can I defer the decision until the next meeting of the Wizengamot?"

"That's actually a wise decision," said Tonks, while Sirius smiled.

"I think so, too," said Sirius. "However, I think it might be a good idea to give your proxy, temporarily, to Madam Bones. It will be one more vote that will fall against Dumbledore and his lackeys in their trials."

"Good idea," said Harry. "Alright, do that."

Again, Sirius smiled and said, "Thank you, Harry. You can return to your seat."

As Harry did so, Sirius spun back to the Wizengamot and said to Madam Longbottom. "Thank you for the indulgence, Madam Longbottom. I do not need the full five minutes.

"At this time, I name as proxy for the Seat of Black, Madam Andromeda Tonks of the House of Tonks and soon to be reinstated to the House of Black. And further, as true named guardian of Lord Potter and under direction from Lord Potter, I name as proxy for the Seat of Potter Madam Director Amelia Bones of the House of Bones and Director of the DMLE."

"Very well," she said. "Is Madam Andromeda Tonks here?"

Standing up from the visitors' gallery, Andi Tonks stepped down and came forth.

"You may take your seat in the Seat of Black," said Madam Longbottom. As the woman did so, Longbottom continued, "Let the record reflect that the new Proxy for the Seat of Black is Madam Andromeda Tonks of the House of Tonks; and the new Proxy for the Seat of Potter is Madam Director Amelia Bones of the House of Bones and Director of the DMLE.

"Turning to Sirius again, she asked, "Anything else?"

"No, Ma'am," he replied. "Thank you to the Wizengamot for finally giving me the trial I should have had within a month of first being held in custody in November of 1981. Better late than never, I suppose."

Then he spun away and went to sit with Harry and Hermione. He conjured his own seat there as he approached. However, he need not have bothered.

Turning to Bones, Longbottom asked, "Do we have the next ready?"

"I believe we should break for lunch," replied Bones. "That will give my aurors time to go to Hogwarts and bring back the next two after Bartemius Crouch Senior - Rubeus Hagrid and Filius Flitwick."

"They're half breeds, both of them," snapped Nott. "I say we just toss them into Azkaban."

"Lord Nott, we just got through finding a man to be innocent, who was tossed into Azkaban without a trial," sighed Bones. "Do you want to see the Ministry pay out yet more galleons in reparations should they later be found innocent?"

That shut the man up again. And again he sat back in a funky sulk.

"We break for one hour for lunch," declared Madam Longbottom. And she banged her gavel once on the bench before her. That had her then rise and begin to walk out, followed by the other Members. They walked out while quietly chatting between themselves.