Ch31. Regent Black 2

Andromeda smugly watched the groaning Lords flopping back into their seats, trying to appear as dignified as possible.

Dumbledore frowned somewhat irritated at her timely interruption but as per his obligations sat down and gave the word to Regent Black.

Andromeda carefully looked over the weary but expectant Lords, annoyed yet curious what the Regent of currently the most influential House has to say.

Maybe... she really started to relish the feeling of being the reason for these looks! Unfortunately, she had her orders.

"Dear Lords, Lord Black requested me to push only one agenda for today. And that is getting a trial for Sirius Orion Black." She dropped the bomb and delightfully watched it go off.

The entirety of Wizengamot was at first stunned. This lasted a few seconds but then the shock lessened and started to slowly transform into anger until the outburst of the public and Lords could be only described as full-blown outrage. People shouted various obscenities at Sirius Black, denounced Lord Black and Andromeda for trying to help the known Death Eater, and even went as far as to insult House Black itself. Andromeda expected it and with another Sonorous Charm, in a humorous tone, she said.

"You know," As her voice was heard, the entire room quieted down from the sheer volume. She turned towards the public section. "I can have you sued for slander towards House Black. I am sure the Ministry would gladly help." She finished coyly, sending an amused look at the flabbergasted and spluttering Minister.

"Just so we are on the same page," Andromeda continued in a self-assured but expectant tone as her grin started to involuntarily widen. "We, the House Black, requested the trial files of one, Sirius Orion Black, former Heir Black."

That statement had many open their eyes widen, not expecting the supposedly disowned boy to be the actual Heir! He might be the oldest but Walburga was quite vocal about his disownment and everyone thought...

"Nevertheless, we never received them. The reason? They apparently do not exist." Andromeda said flippantly, her grin getting positively Cheshire now. The more she revealed, the more certain individuals shrunk down.

"So, Lord Black asked himself... 'whyever not'? And it became extremely obvious when he one fine morning looked at the family tapestry of House Black." Andromeda placed her fingers against her forehead and mockingly shook her head in exasperation, not forgetting to look straight at Amelia Bones. "And imagine his surprise when he found one, Harry James Potter, at the bottom of it."

Another ear-splitting screaming match began from the public section. Reporters looked almost orgasmic as their dicta-quills wrote down every word and their minds started to spin mysterious tales how something like that was possible.

The Lords, on the other hand, were divided.

The Dark Families that supported Voldemort didn't want to be known that Sirius Black is in fact, not one of them so they just sat there as if constipated.

The Light Families couldn't swallow the fact their 'hero of the light' is somehow related to the 'dark' House Black so they joined the screaming match with their loud denials.

The Grey families just watched in amusement, knowing a storm is brewing. Oh, the possibilities!

The Minister looked nonplussed but didn't pay it much mind. After all, this should not affect the Ministry much, right? If only he knew.

Andromeda dared a quick side-glance at Dumbledore. He was frowning, his narrowed eyes no longer twinkling as he peered pointedly at her from above his glasses, the anger clearly visible yet contained in them.

The boy-who-lived disappeared almost a decade ago and since then almost no one heard of him. Ever. By stating his name, Andromeda ensured everyone paid utmost attention to her.

'Hehe, the next part is positively evil!' She fought to stop smiling like a fool.

She softly sighed, only continuing when Chief Warlock Dumbledore deemed it worthwhile to do his duty and ensure the silence in the room.

"We found out, Sirius Orion Black is his godfather through Godfather Oath." Andromeda heard multiple Lords suck in a cold breath and watched as their eyes widened at the implications of her statement. She did not slow down her pace though. Not yet.

"So we had to dig deeper. Fortunately, the conviction order for my cousin dearest was found in the archive since it was a matter of public record, you see." Andromeda said with fake happiness, her eyes flashing in childish mischief as she saw Dumbledore stiffen with the corner of her eye. She knew she was probably enjoying it too much but damn if it was not satisfying!

"Imagine our infinite surprise when the people signed under the document were, Bartemius Crouch, the Head of DMLE at that time, Milicent Bagnold, the then Minister of Magic and one esteemed Albus Dumbledore, titles unnecessary since everyone knows them because he writes them everywhere." She finished dryly.

"Now, why was this such a surprise?" Andromeda continued before someone could interrupt due to her jab at the self-proclaimed resident Light Lord. She took an old wizened book out of her bag, put it on the table in front of her, and used duplication enchantment of the table to make copies on the tables of other Lords.

"This here is a diary of Sirius Black found safely hidden in his personal Vault. And yes, it was as big of a surprise to House Black as it is to you to find out the overgrown manchild kept a diary." She drawled mockingly in disapproval. "Nevertheless, the diary states that Potters hid under Fidelius and their secret keeper was Pettigrew."

Shocked gasps sounded in the room at this information. Just as she saw Dumbledore was about to interrupt, Andromeda dropped the finishing move.

"The caster was, of course, our dear Albus Dumbledore!" She gleefully revealed, her eyes in a full twinkle.

In contrast to a moment ago, when the audience expressed loud bewilderment when Pettigrew was announced the secret keeper, now, they were all shocked to silence. Some were looking around, quietly asking what does that mean, getting promptly shushed.

Most of the people in the room, however, were quite proficient in obscure magic. Even if they could not cast Fidelius Charm themselves, they would at least know its effects. This meant, most people knew, the caster had to know who was the secret keeper. Needless to say, the situation didn't look good for Dumbledore. Not at all.

Chief Warlock Dumbledore didn't lose his composition at the blatant accusation though. Instead, he gave Andromeda a grandfatherly disappointed look and a gentle sigh, completely ignoring the looks of outrage, disbelief, or indecisiveness in regard to his supposed actions.

"Andromeda, my dear, surely you do not believe what is written in an old book belonging to a delusional known Death Eater." Dumbledore sagely admonished with a confident tone, trying to divert the topic towards the 'known Death Eater-ship' of Sirius.

'And of course, the light families instantly leaned again towards his ass, ready to lick or kiss it as necessary at the smallest of reassurances.' Andromeda fought the urge to roll her eyes, not even deeming it important to react at his improper manners for a Chief Warlock. It was, after all, but another stalling and annoyment tactic of his.

"Amelia. Could we have Mr. Black brought here so we could verify the statements of Regent Black with Veritaserum, please?" Dumbledore graciously continued when he saw Andromeda won't be distracted by one of his 'grandfatherly' insults of not using her proper title and the topic won't be derailed.

Amelia Bones of course agreed and left the room like a whirlwind, not liking the prospects of having an innocent man in Azkaban for over a decade.

"Well, my Ladies and Lords, we will have to wait until they bring Mr. Black here from Azkaban and prepare him for the trial." He continued. "Preferably, the trial should be held at a later date but..." He gave a meaningful glance at Andromeda who sharply shook her head in denial.

She was completely aware of the fact, she can act so dismissively and crudely demanding, only because of the current situation around her House, the debts. They won't be able to dismiss her due to 'tiredness' or 'insufficient time'.

"Anyway, due to the need for transport of Mr. Black, we will have a two hours break for some refreshments. Lords, please, be here in two hours, thank you. Ah, finally time for my Lemon Drops!" Dumbledore childishly chuckled, making many people in the audience have a slight laugh, completely missing the point of being dismissed by the man. The nerve! He did not even ask others! Just commanded a pause!

Andromeda watched as he stood up and stalked away from the room in a hurry. She did not believe in his good-natured act even for a second. A shudder ran through her spine when she saw his gait. There was something... angry in it. With a tired sigh, she hoped her premonition meant nothing. It's not like there was ever a seer in their family...

With a visible distaste, she relocated her gaze toward her next, not-so-fun 'assignment' from her Lord as 'it' was about to stand up and leave.

"Lord Malfoy, Regent Lestrange." She called out, trying to keep the disgust out of her voice. "May I have a bit of your time? My Lord desired me to discuss certain... matters with your, ahem, esteemed Houses." Andromeda was failing pretty hard to keep the mocking sarcasm out of her 'request' at the end.

'Why do I even try? They owe us a lot and probably would jump like sick puppies at bone if we offered them a chance to repay in a different way than emptying their coffers.' She thought. 'Ugh, politicians and their illogical need to be polite!'

Both Lords were at first very surprised that Regent Black approached them so straightforwardly and looked at each other in confusion. It was Lucius Malfoy who centered himself first and a pleasant smile graced his lips. Why wouldn't it? He knew well the only reason for asking for a 'bit of his time' would be something about the debts. Maybe he could... negotiate? Now that was an idea.

"But of course, my Lady. Let's..."