Chapter 010 The Black Truth

It's been a few weeks since since Harry's rescue of his godfather, Sirius Black, from Azkaban. The dog-man was settling in well and eating double his weight everyday to make up for seven years of eating prison food. Harry also spammed the use of Life Dew on his godfather. Life Dew was a mysterious pokemon healing move as the water produced was actually condensed vitality invigorating every living thing it touched. Sirius was easily recovering at an astonishing rate that would make magical healers all over the world puke blood for making their own healing magic look inferior if they saw it.

Leaving that folder for for the Head of the DMLE to stumble upon was a stroke of genius. Well, he was very intelligent if he does say so himself. Heh.

Amelia Bones was really a dependable woman and expedited Sirius's trial. The whole world was shocked. The Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black convicted without a trial. Chaos was the normal flavour of everyday life since that news broke. The Daily Prophet, the the magical newspaper, somehow managed to get in on the scoop before anyone else. Harry wonders how that happened? He snickered to himself. He was having so much fun leading people by the nose. Having the ability to turn invisible, bypassing any pesky wards, and teleporting to places sure was handy. He was like one of those ninjas on the telly his cousin Dudley sometimes watched.

The news of his godfather's escape was only printed on Page 5, not even worth mentioning on the front page, especially in front of the masses' concerns. People were nervous in their homes especially the nobles. If a Lord of a Noble house can be shoved into Azkaban without a trial, well, the implications were dire indeed.

The Ministry tried to be discreet about it but it was all for naught. They wanted to hide the fact that Black didn't get a proper trial thereby not getting the blame for the gross miscarriage of justice. Of course it was useless as the wixen populace found out about it and the Minister Fudge got flak for it. He still dragged his feet though delaying the trial by a few weeks even against the efforts of Madam Bones. He really liked that woman.

The Ministry finally decided to send Sirius a summons for an emergency public trial on the 21st of March of the year 1989 and Wizengamot members' attendance was full. That day was filled with pomp as this was the largest scandal since the war.

For the trial Harry cast a powerful illusion over Sirius to make him look like as before he escaped Azkaban. It wouldn't do for him to look too healthy in front of eye witnesses. Sirius complained that he liked getting back his handsome looks but agreed that too many questions would be asked otherwise.

After the initial court ceremonies were addressed and everyone was seated in anticipation, with the consent of Sirius being dosed with Veritaserum for interrogation purposes. Harry of course was in the viewing gallery as a family member but also to make sure nothing untoward happened during the proceedings. He didn't want the bumbling Minister and his stooges to try any underhanded tricks.

Up on the panel, the Head of the DMLE Amelia Bones, Minister Cornelius Fudge, and Undersecretary to the Minister Dolores Jane Umbridge were on one side. When Harry saw that smiling toad Umbridge he cringed. While he himself was fond of pink as it was Mewtwo's signature color, on Umbridge it was unsightly like she was trying too hard to portray harmlessness and femininity. Which she failed at spectacularly. She's almost as bad as the minister with his neon green suit and bowler hat.

At the the front and center where everyone could see him was Albus Dumbledor, the Chief Warlock, wearing official-looking robes. He will be conducting the trial. Dumbledor was actually shocked when he heard. He knew that the Potters assigned Sirius as their secret keeper but he didn't know they switched the last minute.

A scribe was to the side furiously writing what was being said. Without further ado Dumbledor started the proceedings.

"On this 21st of March of the year 1989, this august body recognises Sirius Orion Black III on charges of murder of twelve muggles and one Peter Pettigrew, and revealing the secret location of the Potter Family thereby aiding in James Potter and Lily Potter's demise at the hands of Death Eaters. You are also accused of being the right-hand man of the Dark Lord known as Voldemort. How do you plead?" Most flinched at the name of the Dark Lord. Harry only rolled his eyes at them. The Chief Warlock looked at down from his podium at Sirius who was sitting in the middle of the floor.

"Not guilty of all charges." The people gasped and murmured.

"Very well. As you have already consented to the use of Veritaserum there is no need for an arbiter at this time. A Master Potioneer will help administer the potion."

A man covered from head to toe in black hooded robes walked forward. Reaching into inside his pocket he produced a bottle with clear liquid inside. He tapped his wand on top and the top unsealed.

Sirius readily opened his mouth and the hooded man put exactly three drops on his tongue. Immediately Sirius became blanked-eyed, the effects of the potion clear for all to see.

"Tell us. What is your complete name?" Dumbledor demanded in a stern voice.

"Sirius Orion Black III." Sirius voice became monotonous and dull, all emotions absent.

"When is the date of your birth?"

"November 3, 1959."

"Everything seems to be in order." The Chief Warlock nodded to himself.

"Sirius Black. Did you or did you not reveal the location of the Potters?"

"No. I did not." More gasps from the audience.

"Did you or did you not murder twelve muggles and Peter Pettigrew?"

"No. I didn't."

"Were you or were you not the right-hand man of Voldemort and a Death Eater?"

"I was not."

"Then who revealed the Potters' location to the Death Eaters?"

"Peter Pettigrew. And he's still alive."

Everyone was just shocked senseless at this point. All this time an innocent man has languished in Azkaban! The testimonies were irrefutable. Some were even shouting making the atmosphere chaotic.

Bang!

Dumbledor produced a loud sound from his wand.

"Thank you. Let us proceed. Mr. Black, what do you mean that Peter Pettigrew is still alive?"

"That night, when I saw the wreckage that was once the Potter Cottage in Godric's Hollow, I went to confront Pettrigrew. I wasn't the secret-keeper, he was. He was the only one who could have given the location away. When I was chasing him down in muggle London Pettrigrew declared that I was the traitor to anyone who could hear and cast a blasting hex towards a pipe line killing those muggles. He also cut off his finger and transformed into a rat escaping through the sewers. He's a rat animagus." Even though explaining his circumstances was painful for him even now, the potion kept his emotions at bay.

The truth was now out in the open. Everyone was vying for Peter Pettigrews blood. People in the gallery were in a frenzy and the reporters were having a field day.

BANG!

"SILENCE!" It was unnecessary as the blast from Dumbledor's wand nearly ruptured everyone's eardrums.

"I don't need to tell our good Aurors that a search warrant needs to be put out for Peter Pettigrew. Madam Bones?" The now grim witch in question nodded curtly and called for one of her Aurors.

"Hem. Hem."

"The court recognises the Undersecretary to the Minister, Dolores Umbridge. Madam Umbridge?" Dumbledor nodded at the pink monstrosity.

"Thank you, Chief Warlock. Hem. Hem. I just want to clear some of the rumours I've heard and also to enlighten our esteemed members of the Wizengamot." Said her irritatingly girly high voice. Some in the audience even cringed.

"Sirius Black. Are you or are you not an illegal unregistered animagus?" Her tone almost gleeful. Harry narrowed his eyes at this and searched the irritating woman's mind. Ah, one of the Azkaban guards reported seeing a large black dog sometimes in one of the cells where Sirius was supposed to be, to the Minister. He thought it was a trick of the mind but this Umbridge woman only had had speculations. That is, until now.

"I am." Gasps of shock resounded out in the courtroom.

"Ahem. Madam Bones. If found, an unregistered animagus is punishable by law and is sentenced to time in Azkaban, if I'm not mistaken?" Dumbledor direct his query at the Head of the DMLE.

"You are not, Chief Warlock. An unregistered animagus is sentenced to utmost 3 years stay in Azkaban."

"I see. And would you say in this case, Madam Bones, that Sirius Black has rendered sufficient time in Azkaban for being an unregistered animagus?" He beard ticked up slightly.

"You would be correct." No one disputed her.

"Very well. Our Potions Master will now administer the antidote to Sirius Black. At this time the court recognises that Mr. Black has rendered sufficient time in Azkaban for being an unregistered animagus and will submit the proper form later to our Animagi Registry." He inclined his head to the scowling Undersecretary and the sweating Minister Fudge.

"Furthermore, with the testimonies given by the accused under truth serum, this court will now come to a vote. Those who are against Sirius Black being cleared of all charges, please raise your wands."

A few smattering of wands were lit and raised. Harry narrowed his eyes. They will be remembered.

"Those for?" Seeing that majority of the members with lit wands, Dumbledor smiled. Justice was served today, even if it came seven years late.

"Sirius Black. You are hereby cleared of all charges. We at the Ministry would like to offer our sincerest apology by giving you 100,000 Galleons for every year of stay in Azkaban minus your time spent for being an unregistered animagus, for a total of 400,000 Galleons. You will also receive medical care at St. Mungo's should you need it, free of charge. All is fully funded by the Ministry of Magic. You are now free to go. This court is adjourned. Good day!" With a final bang of his wand, everyone started getting up to get a look at the now ex-convict.

—-

After that day Sirius became an instant celebrity. As a bachelor and the one set to inherit the Black Family's vast fortunes, Sirius ate marriage and business proposals for breakfast. His dogfather's only gripe was that he couldn't take off his glamour when he went somewhere public, complaining that he couldn't show his handsome face to the ladies.

"Come on, Sirius. It's only for a few more weeks. Besides, only I can remove the illusion remember." Harry snickered.

"Ugh, fine." Sirius grumbled for appearances sake.

In all honesty, Sirius did look good. Before the rescue he looked every bit the escaped convict he was, older and more sickly-looking like a gentle breeze would topple him. After the treatments however he looked like a decade younger. With the Black family genes and Shelley's expert grooming-who knew the matronly elf was good at grooming charms?- Sirius was like a new man.

Several people also came to apologise to his godfather. The dog-man called them the 'old crowd' or people Sirius knew from the Order of the Pheonix, a group consisting of vigilantes that fought against the Dark Lord Voldemort. James and Lily had also been member when they were still alive. They were sorry that they ever doubted him. One of them was a man called Remus Lupin. Harry didn't mind having him over at the Potter manor as he has heard a lot about him from Sirius.

Both godfather and godson were in the receiving room waiting. At the swooshing sound was heard and someone came through the fireplace.

Remus Lupin was a tall but lean wizard. He had dirty blonde hair and a clean-shaven face. His clothes had seen better days and looked well-worn and threadbare. He was hunched over a little like a huge weight was on his shoulders. He had multiple scars on his hands and some peeking through his collar. There was a particularly large one on the side of his left jaw reaching down his neck.

Before the man could give his greeting Sirius rushed at him and engulfed him in a hug.

"Remus! You old dog!" Remus was shocked. He didn't expect this warm welcome from Sirius. After a few seconds of hesitation he returned the hug.

"Si…Sirius! I'm sorry. I…I didn't know. I thought you really…James and Lily. I thought…I should've…" He choked on a sob.

"Nobody knew, Remus. It was a last minute switch." The softly smiling dog-man pulled away from the hug. "I'd like to introduce you to someone." He dragged the poor emotional man.

"Remus, this is Harry Potter, my godson. Harry, meet Remus. He, your father, and I were best friends since we started school." Remus had a complicated look on his face. Sensing his emotions, the man was parts longing and…ashamed? Harry put on a welcoming smile and put his hand out.

"Mr. Lupin, it's nice to meet you. Sirius couldn't stop speaking about you, you know."

"Har…Mr. Potter. Thank you for welcoming me in your home." He shook the boy's hand reluctantly but firmly.

"You're Sirius's best friend. And please, it's just Harry."

"Then it's just Remus." Both of them smiled at each other while Sirius beamed at them.