Chapter 082

"Oh!" he said, suddenly remembering something and turning to her. "If I didn't mention it before, I've also officially named you at Gringotts as Heiress Presumptive Black. Congratulations."

"You what?" she barked.

"Named you as Heiress Presumptive Black," he repeated. "'Dora is next after you if you predecease me."

"Si-ri-us..." she growled.

"It's done, Andi," he firmly stated. "Don't argue with me on this. As Head of House it was my decision to make."

When it was clear she wouldn't argue with him on it - at least, not right then - he continued. "Then I also completed and submitted the documentation to dissolve Bellatrix's marriage due to her not producing two heirs as required, reclaiming the dowry, reclaiming her familial stipend paid to her since her incarceration, terminating the stipend and then disowning her.

"Then there was the work related to Narcissa. By the conditions of the marriage contract she was supposed to produce at least two children within the first ten years of her marriage. As far as I'm aware, there's only one - Draconis. However, the contract could not be terminated due to breach of contract because, according to the goblins, she has produced two children. If that's the case, where's the other? I have the goblins looking into that.

"Then, once the goblins have worked their end, I'll hand the matter over to Ted. If he or she's dead, I want the matter brought before the Wizengamot as a case of infanticide. If he or she's alive, I want him or her tracked down. If he or she's not with family, somewhere - and or they're anywhere near unhappy - I'll be collecting them and raising them myself."

"And if they're a squib?" Andi asked.

Sirius immediately shot her a dark look and snapped, "That will not worry me. Actually, it's what I'm already suspecting to have occurred."

Andi gave a nod and said, "If they had a second child and it's disappeared with no mention of it in the Daily Prophet? That's my belief, too." She more quietly added. "And, I'm sorry I asked."

Sirius paused and thought about that for a moment before he gave a grunt and returned to what he was doing; checking himself over in the mirror, attaching his wand holster to his forearm and pocketing those things he would be carrying with him. "You need to think better of me, Andi. I may have been born a Black but, like you, I'm not like the Blacks of old."

"I know," she said. "However, you know as well as I how he or she will be treated in the magical world. If he or she's in the muggle world, it might be kinder if they remained there."

"Something to decide if we're right and Narcissa birthed a squib and sent them to the muggle world," he said.

"If she gave birth to a squib I cannot see Cissy allowing Lucius to kill the child," she said. "I just can't see it."

"I will be finding out, one way or another," he declared.

Sirius left not long afterwards. He was meeting with the Unspeakables in an off-site location near the Black Townhouse.

The off-site location was chosen so no one in the magical world would see Sirius with the Unspeakables and wonder why.

_‗_

―==(oIo)==―

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Again, all three teens were picked up by the aurors and escorted to the Wizengamot chambers. But, unlike the previous day, today the chambers were packed to capacity.

Right on 9.00am Ogden, who was back in the chair as Chief Adjudicator for the trial, banged his gavel.

When he thought about it, Harry figured Longbottom didn't take the chair because she probably thought as he did; that Snape didn't lie when he said he gave Dumbledore the details of the preplanned attacks on both the Potters and Longbottoms in October, 1981.

"Bring in the accused!" called Ogden.

Harry was hoping to speak with Sirius before the start, but the man hadn't turned up before the prearranged start of the trial. He was a little worried but, now that his godfather had been cleared, he knew it had to be an important matter that kept him away.

Dumbledore was escorted in wearing full magic-inhibiting chains just as Snape, Crouch and Umbridge before him wore. However, unlike those three he was not wearing DMLE prison robes.

He was also without his floppy hat that Hermione once compared to a 'doctorate' cap, his glasses and the little gold rings that normally held his beard as if in a ponytail. It was the same outfit he wore to the First Task.

When he was firmly 'shuffled' to the witness chair he stopped and fought back when the aurors tried to force him to sit in it. "Is this truly necessary, Miles?" he asked, as if he was disappointed in the man.

"Yes," replied Ogden. He didn't expound on that simple one word answer.

Finally, the aurors were able to manhandle Dumbledore into the chair and the chains firmly bound him. Unlike those before him, the aurors did not remove his manacles or chains.

"Miles, this is intolerable!" Dumbledore grouched.

"Firstly, Mister Dumbledore, you will properly address me as Lord Chief Adjudicator Ogden or just Chief Adjudicator Ogden," Ogden shot back. "Under no circumstances are you permitted to address me by my first name. Under no circumstances did I ever give you leave to address me by my first name.

"You, Mister Dumbledore, are currently Albus Dumbledore, the accused. I am showing at least a modicum of respect for you by addressing you as Mister Dumbledore.

"If you don't immediately change your tired old tune and start paying the proper respect for the Members of the Wizengamot... let alone everyone else... your disrespect and lack of co-operation of these proceedings will be noted and I will simply address you as 'the Prisoner'. Am I clear, Mister Dumbledore?"

"Quite," Dumbledore quietly replied.

"Good," Ogden firmly returned. "Now, where is your law wizard?"

A man then stepped forward from the back of the chamber and said, "Chief Adjudicator."

"Mister Tofty, why aren't you up with Mister Dumbledore?"

"He attempted to fire me and, when he discovered he couldn't, refused any and all assistance I could provide him," replied Tofty. "If he does not wish to avail himself of my services - or, apparently, the services of another - there is very little I can do."

"I see," said Ogden. Turning to look down at Dumbledore he asked, "Is it your intention to sit trial without representation?"

"I have no need of one," replied Dumbledore. "As Chief Warlock I have, of course, sat as Chief Adjudicator myself, from time to time. I believe I have the skill-set necessary to successfully defend myself against any ludicrous charge filed against me."

Harry heard Hermione quiet say, "What an arrogant idiot."

He didn't think there was any doubt others would be of the same sentiment. He was of the same mindset, after all.

Ogden gave a snort of amused disbelief and said, "That is your prerogative." Then turned to Bones and said, "Madam Bones, we will hear the charges."

Bones then caused quite a few sheets of parchment to be distributed among the Members sitting the Wizengamot, that day. And there were quite a few copies flying about as very few seats were vacant, due to it being Dumbledore who was on trial.

Dumbledore piped up and said, "I believe I will also need a copy of that, Miles... I mean, Chief Adjudicator."

"And how will you be able to read them or even hold them, Mister Dumbledore?" asked an amused Ogden.

"Well, I'll have to have my spectacles and hands released, of course."

Ogden turned to Bones and asked, "Why doesn't Mister Dumbledore have his glasses, Madam Bones?"

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