Chapter 35 — Meeting Lord Black 2
I watched Lord Black's face as it was flushed in anger and he was breathing a little heavily. I waited for a moment then continued. "What if he is not the traitor you think he is? What if he is innocent?"
The room fell silent. Lord Arcturus did not move for several seconds. Andromeda also looked at me sharply.
She gasped. Her hand flew to her mouth. "Arthur are you telling Sirius is innocent?"
He finally spoke. "Explain. Slowly."
I said, "Yes. Sirius Black is innocent. He did not betray the Potters. He did not kill those people. He was framed. I have heard that he never even had a trial."
Lord Arcturus leaned back in his chair. His fingers tensed on the armrests. His voice remained even. "The world believes that Sirius joined the Dark Lord. He leaked the Secret to Dark Lord who murdered your aunt and uncle. That he killed their friend Pettigrew. You are claiming the opposite."
"Yes, my Lord," I said. "Sirius Black is believed to be the Secret keeper of Potter's. And also it was said that he killed his friend Peter Pettigrew. But I have information that Peter Pettigrew is not dead. If so, it would mean a lot of other things are not as they seem to be."
Lord Arcturus looked as if he was carved out of stone. "How sure are you about this? And do you know where he is now?"
I answered plainly, "A hundred percent sure. I have even confirmed it through another source. But it will take some time to locate him."
Lord Black breathed slowly after his anger settled. His eyes did not leave me. "How long will that take?"
"It will take some time, sir," I said honestly. "I need to check a few things to be certain. But I can confirm it before the new school year starts."
Lord Black nodded once and sat back in his chair, his fingers tapping the armrest. "Very well. If what you say is true, then this changes many things. Many more than you may realise."
He looked at the far wall, as if he was thinking of old memories. "It seems someone has hidden many truths, and someone wanted the House of Black to die out. Someone wanted to make sure no legitimate heir remained."
Standing beside me, Andromeda spoke in a tense voice, "Merlin… who is so scheming that they would plot against us? Who would dare interfere with the family at this level?"
Her grandfather answered in a calm but dark tone. "There are many who dislike us, my child. But only a few have the power and the courage to act on something so serious. Only a few would take such a risk."
I did not say anything. I simply listened. Their words made sense. It was logical.
I thought quietly that Dumbledore's stance and actions are truly concerning.
He had been the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot. He had the power to demand a trial. He had the authority to stop an unjust imprisonment. He had the influence to ask one question. Just one. But he did not. Not even once.
He did not visit Sirius. He did not try to read his mind. He did not check his memories. He did not request a hearing. He simply allowed the Ministry to lock him away.
It was strange. Too strange. And now, listening to Lord Black and Andromeda, even I believe that something was wrong.
I looked at Lord Black's tired face and understood his suspicion. If someone wanted to kill the House of Black, then letting the last legitimate heir rot in Azkaban was the easiest method. No trial meant no truth and no defence. And with Sirius locked away, the bloodline would end with Lord Black himself.
Even more disturbing was the thought that Sirius had been on the Light side. He had been a member of the Order of the Phoenix. He had followed Dumbledore. He had trusted him.
Yet he was the one left to die in a prison.
The idea grew stronger in my mind. Maybe Dumbledore really had a motive and he wanted the House of Black to vanish. Maybe he wanted the bloodline to end quietly. It was hard to deny anymore.
Or, he has lost his sanity so much that he did not even get to the bottom of the matter and find the truth.
I stopped my thoughts from flowing. "Lord Black, Sirius Black is the Godfather of my brother Harry. He is the last of his relatives from his father's side. I don't believe anyone would have hurt his Godson. Sirius had never been given a trial. Not even a basic questioning. If the Ministry truly believed he had betrayed the Potters, then they should have used Veritaserum. Under the truth serum, he would have spoken honestly. Or they could have used Legilimency on him. They could have confirmed everything in minutes. Even the Imperius Curse would have forced him to tell the truth if they really wanted to know. Nobody had checked anything. They had sent him straight to Azkaban. They had locked him away without a single chance to defend himself."
Lord Arcturus slowly stood up. His legs shook a little, but he stood tall.
"If this is true," he said, "then the House of Black has been wronged in a way that cannot be forgiven."
Andromeda nodded. "Yes, grandfather. I don't know how I have never thought about these things. I remember that every death eater arrested had been heard and had been given trials. All except Sirius."
He walked closer to me. His face was stern. "Tell me again, Arthur Dursley. On your honour, is Sirius Black innocent and Peter Pettigrew is alive?"
"Yes, my Lord. On my honour."
He closed his eyes for a long moment. When he opened them again, there was life in them. A spark. A purpose.
Lord Arcturus placed one hand on the table to support himself. "Kreacher," he called.
The elf appeared at once.
"Prepare the Black family registry," Lord Arcturus said. "And bring parchment. I have letters to write. The House of Black will not remain silent when its member and likely heir is falsely imprisoned without trial."
Kreacher nodded. His eyes glistened. For the first time, he looked alive.
Lord Arcturus then looked at me again. "Mr. Dursley, you have done something today that wizards twice your age would not dare. Now, I would request you to get that man Peter Pettigrew's location, so that the truth can be brought out. If Sirius is really innocent, then you have our utmost support and favour. The House of Black will owe you a lifelong debt."
I nodded once. "I will try to get it as soon as possible, my Lord."
He turned to Andromeda. "You were right to bring him here."
She let out a slow breath. "I thought so, Grandfather."
He straightened. "Good. Then I will see the Ministry and official side of things. The Ministry better be prepared to pay for its folly against the Blacks."
End of Chapter 35 — Meeting Lord Black 2