Chapter 122

An auror came over and extracted the memory before dropping it into the stone basin of the pensieve, and waited.

"Play it," demanded Fitzwilliam.

Almost larger than life, the memory played out in the empty air directly above the pensieve. Everyone could see it quite clearly.

It started from when Harry and Hermione ran through the tunnel from the Whomping Willow chasing after Ron - who was being dragged by the ankle by Padfoot - and entered the Shrieking Shack from the trapdoor, the confrontation between Sirius and the three students, the arrival of Moony, the 'unveiling' of Pettigrew, his pleading for leniency, the arrival of Snape leading to the escape of Pettigrew, and the chase back down the tunnel.

Harry did not give them the memory of Remus in werewolf form.

As soon as it finished, Harry said, "Next important memory of that night."

While most sat there in stunned silence thinking about what they'd just witnessed, the auror returned the memory to Harry. Harry then thought of the next one. With a nod to the auror the auror removed it.

This time, it showed Harry and Sirius's arrival on the banks of the pond running from dementors, the dementors then circling in, Sirius's almost Kiss, and the arrival of the powerful stag patronus.

"There's a second part from another point of view for that," he said.

A quick switch of memories and the memory replayed, this time from the opposite bank. It showed Harry and Hermione hiding behind the tree, their argument, and Harry suddenly ducking out and casting the patronus, forcing the dementors to flee.

"One final memory, Ma'am," Harry stated. Another memory switch, and this time they were in the hospital wing. Dumbledore was arguing with Fudge, Fudge telling Snape there was an Order of Merlin in it for him, Fudge not listening to Harry and Hermione trying to explain to Fudge, before he stormed out, refusing to listen."

Harry popped his wand out and, before anyone could stop him, stated, "I, Harry James Potter, swear on my magic, my life and my very soul, that the four memories that were shown here in the past hour are a true and correct recollection. As I say, so I swear!"

There was a slight flash come from Harry.

Hermione was already on her feet and stated, "I, Hermione Jean Granger, swear on my magic, my life and my soul that the memories of Harry James Potter shown here in the last hour are a true and correct recollection. As I say, so I swear!"

A slight flash also came from Hermione.

While Hermione was making her vow, Harry was pulling up a loving memory. As soon as she flashed, Harry pointed his wand and, with a muttered Patronus incantation, cast. Prongs leapt forth from the tip of his wand almost glowing gold.

Hermione's patronus, to the shock of them both, came out as a doe, and joined Harry's on the floor. Obviously, the bonding had caused her patronus to change from an otter to a doe.

Both held them for a moment before cancelling them.

When both put their wands away, Hermione retook her seat and Harry accepted his memory back before he turned back to Madam Bones and Mister Fitzwilliam.

Madam Bones, not slow on the uptake, again ordered, "By my order as Head of the DMLE, the arrest warrant for Sirius Orion Black is hereby rescinded. Further, by my order as Head of the DMLE, I declare Sirius Orion Black exonerated on all charges relating to the events surrounding the death of James and Lily Potter and Peter Pettigrew; and of the thirteen muggles in the London street when it was believed Peter Pettigrew was killed.

"Further again, on my order as Head of the DMLE, Sirius Orion Black's criminal record is to be expunged of any wrongdoing related to this matter." With a sigh, she went on, "It appears all that we know of the events surrounding the life of Mister Harry James Potter is not the only lies we thought to be true."

Harry snorted in amusement and said, "Oh, you don't know the half of it."

"Pardon, Mister Potter?" asked the lady, a little confused.

"Madam Bones," he started, "This all came about because we were here to discuss the article in the Daily Prophet. That led to the discussion concerning my rightful guardian. That person is Sirius Orion Black. First, may I ask that my guardianship be returned to Sirius Black? And that he also be recognised as my rightful magical guardian, and it be stripped from the man I believe usurped it from him; Albus Dumbledore?"

Ackerman again glanced at Harry. Only, this time, he gave him a nod and smile to say he was pleased with him.

"Now, see here!" Dumbledore spluttered, surging to his feet. "I did not usurp your guardianship. I applied for, and was granted, your magical guardianship, legally."

"Thank you for admitting that, Mister Dumbledore," Harry cut back. "Now, did you do it using your office of Chief Warlock?"

More gavel banging by Fitzwilliam before he scolded both Harry and Dumbledore. "That's enough; the both of you!"

When Harry subsided and Dumbledore retook his seat, Fitzwilliam said, "Now, concerning your guardianship, both magical and otherwise; by my authority I return them to Sirius Orion Black. When he resurfaces he can file the proper documentation. "Returning to the matters of the article," he sighed. "Is there anything within that article that is untrue, to the best of your knowledge?"

Harry thought for a moment and replied, "Not untrue, so much as misleading."

"And what Fitzwilliam.

would

that

be?"

asked

"In the first paragraph it said something about how, except for what they knew happened that night, everything else is a lie. That statement is misleading."

"How so?"

"It implies that what happened 'that night', as the article put it, is not also a lie," replied Harry. "That is incorrect." "Of course," sighed Fitzwilliam. "Sirius Black was not the one who led He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named to your parent's cottage in Godric's Hollow."

Harry frowned and snapped back, "Sir! This is a court of enquiry. Use the man's real name, not that He-Who nonsense."

"I will not say his name!" Fitzwilliam snapped back. "Everyone knows who I mean."

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