A trial is always very quick when the judge has already decided the verdict. © Walter Scott
***We paused briefly in front of the doors and then entered the huge courtroom of the Wizengamot with more dignity. This was the room used for full sessions of the entire House of Lords, as it could accommodate a huge number of both those sitting in judgment and those simply wishing to watch the proceedings. Now it was completely packed.
In the centre of the hall, instead of the old chair with chains on the armrests, there were two lecterns and several small comfortable chairs with tables on both sides. All this was because the fate of a particular criminal was not being decided in the Wizengamot Hall, but rather a guardianship trial was taking place, which was essentially adversarial rather than accusatory, although due to its extraordinary nature it required the full attendance of the members of the House of Lords.
Dumbledore, instead of his usual position as chief justice, sat in a soft, upholstered chair that was clearly new to him, but, as usual, he did not look alarmed or agitated. He did not even deign to glance at the entire group as they entered, continuing to chat politely with Molly Weasley, who, along with her husband, had taken a seat next to the defendant. And that was strange, because they shouldn't have been there at all. This was apparently the first surprise, and I didn't know how to react yet.
As we walked past and took our places, I looked up slightly, searching the row of plum-coloured robes for familiar faces. The first among them was Fudge, puffed up with importance. Since Dumbledore was an interested party, the Minister was presiding over the proceedings, albeit only as acting Minister. The portly man had dispensed with the light green bowler hat he often wore, but his face was lit up with a good-natured, satisfied smile.
To Fudge's left was Amelia Bones, who looked rather alarmed. And to Fudge's right was the newly appointed assistant to the Minister, Dolores Jane Umbridge. A plump woman who seemed to be basking in the glow of her new career and was inimitable in her smugness.
Also in the small box were other representatives of the Ministry, among whom I noticed Barty Crouch, his assistant Arthur Tremble, Hamish MacFarlane, head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, Gethsemane Prickle, head of the Department of Magical Population Control and Regulation, Arnold Mirgud, who headed the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, and a couple of other department heads I didn't recognise.
But here's what was strange: Alastor Moody, who was now head of the Auror Department, was replaced by his assistant, Rufus Scrimgeour. I also didn't notice Malfoy or Bulstroud among the lords present, and the absence of Malfoy's vassals, Lords Crabbe and Goyle, was striking. I didn't see Nott among those present either.
Something was wrong.
"Listen, Sirius," my lawyer leaned anxiously towards my ear. "I've only looked at the documents that have come in regarding the trial. There's trouble. Dumbledore filed a counterclaim for custody just an hour ago."
"So he's still Harry's guardian?" I asked, also lowering my voice.
"No, he's proposing Arthur and Molly Weasley as guardians," Geoffrey replied.
"I see," I immediately understood Albus's manoeuvre. Overall, the idea of "putting forward another candidate" makes sense, but not particularly strong, since the traitors to the bloodline are equally disliked by both the old families and the neutrals. However, I was very concerned about the absence of Malfoy and Bulstrode. We had spoken to Malfoy just a couple of hours ago. They shouldn't be late. I immediately shared this with Geoffrey:
"Malfoy and Bulstrode are also missing. Is it possible to postpone the hearing?
"Yes, I...
"Very well," Fudge suddenly said, interrupting Thomas. "All parties are present — finally. We can begin." Are you ready to take the minutes, Mr Edgecombe?" he asked the man who had moved to the front row.
"Yes, Minister," he replied, holding his pen at the ready.
"The hearing on the custody of Harold James Potter, minor heir to the Potter family, is now open," Fudge announced loudly, and Arthur also began to take notes. "The case concerns a claim to restrict the guardianship rights of the President of the International Confederation of Wizards, Supreme Wizard of Wizengamot, Knight of the Order of Merlin, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, over the minor Harold James Potter, and transferring him to the head of the Black family, Sirius Orion Black, due to violation by the legal guardian Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore of paragraphs seven-point-eight and fourteen of the Guardianship Act of 1896," — Fudge paused briefly to catch his breath, but no one was in a hurry to speak. — The court will also consider a counterclaim in the same proceedings brought by the President of the International Confederation of Wizards, Supreme Wizard of Wizengamot, Knight of the Order of Merlin, First Class, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, for the transfer of guardianship rights to Harold James Potter from Marriette Ignatius Weasley, née Prewett.
The proceedings are being conducted by Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister for Magic; Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement; Dolores Jane Umbridge, Senior Deputy Minister. The court clerk is Marius Oswald Edgecomb.
Fudge coughed a little after his long speech and took a sip of water from his glass, apparently Dumbledore's list of titles had made his throat dry. Geoffrey took advantage of this pause to make a statement before the Minister began listing the parties present.
"Minister, the plaintiff has a statement!" He rose from his seat, raising his wand.
"Well, please go ahead..." Fudge was clearly delighted at another break.
"We request that the hearing be adjourned due to the absence of witnesses necessary for the most objective consideration of the case," the lawyer declared, causing a murmur throughout the hall.
"Which witnesses exactly did not appear at the trial, and what is the reason?" asked Fudge, less cheerfully, clearly dissatisfied with the postponement.
"Lord Malfoy and Lord Bulstrode, Minister," Thomas replied impassively. "The reason for their absence at this time is unclear..."
"Minister, perhaps I can shed some light on the whereabouts of Lord Malfoy and Lord Bulstrode," said Madam Bones, rising from her seat, looking very dissatisfied, with a scroll in her hand that someone in the hall had handed her just a minute ago.
"Um... yes, of course," he looked at Amelia Fudge in confusion. "And where are they?"
"At this moment, Lord Malfoy and Lord Bulstrode, as well as Lord Crabbe, Lord Goyle and Lord Nott, are under arrest on suspicion of violating sub-section thirty-one-two-two-six of part seventeen of the Muggle Protection Act. Bones began to read, and with every word she uttered, Fudge frowned more and more, and an indignant murmur began to rise in the hall. "Investigations are currently underway at the latter's place of residence... Signed by the head of the Auror Department, Alastor Moody.
"Rufus! Explain yourself immediately!" Fudge turned to the bewildered Scrimgeour, his face red. "Members of the Wizengamot have been detained, and witnesses too? Because of some Muggles?! Investigative activities? Why wasn't I informed?!"
"I, um... I wasn't informed of anything..." The unfortunate Scrimgeour, suddenly overwhelmed by the minister's anger, could only stammer and turn pale.
"Cornelius, I suppose you and the message must have missed each other," said Dumbledore gently and kindly, slowly raising his wand, and all whispering ceased at once. Dumbledore, sitting imposingly in his chair, wore a long dark blue robe, and his face expressed unshakable calm. The grey hair and long beard glistened in the torchlight.
"Merlin! Dumbledore! Explain what this means!" Fudge took a step back, swallowing the familiar form of address.
"There is absolutely no cause for concern," Dumbledore replied calmly, looking at Fudge through the half-circles of his glasses, which sat on the bridge of his hooked nose. "Esteemed Head of the Auror Department, Alastor Moody," he addressed me, as he had addressed the Wizengamot chairman a few hours earlier, with an arrest warrant for the aforementioned wizards, based on reliable information that they had violated the Muggle Protection Act. I can assure you that at that moment I had not yet been notified of the lawsuit against me, let alone that the aforementioned individuals would be involved in the proceedings in any way. By unfortunate coincidence, I was notified of the start of the court hearing just a couple of hours before... Which, of course, is noted on this notification. It's a good thing I was nearby and made it in time.
"But, with all due respect, Mr. Dumbledore," Madam Bones began, puzzled, reading the parchment again. "You couldn't have made such a decision on your own. The arrest of members of the Wizengamot, let alone conducting searches, requires at least a hearing of the Wizengamot Presidium in the person of authorised judges..."
"I beg to differ, Amelia," Dumbledore said with a fatherly smile. "As you have read, amendments to subparagraph thirty-one-two-two-six of part seventeen of the Law on the Protection of Muggle Rights of 19 September 1989 allow such measures to be taken in urgent cases with the personal authorisation of the presiding judge..."
Dumbledore's further words were drowned out by a wave of no longer whispers, but outright cries:
"Unthinkable!
"How can this be because of those damned... — a woman screamed.
"These aren't dark times!
"I didn't vote for this!
More than half of the members of the Wizengamot, mostly old lords, were furious, suddenly realising what a substantial chunk of their own rights they had given away during one of their regular pointless votes on endless amendments. The other half, if they weren't already aware, didn't seem particularly surprised by the news.
"Silence! Please calm down! Order, lords and ladies," red-faced Fudge shouted, banging his gavel incessantly on the wooden podium. And then, when the main noise finally subsided, he continued more calmly: "If such a sub-clause exists, why are we not all aware of it?
"I don't know about everyone else, Cornelius, but you personally signed these amendments after they were reviewed at the second session of the Wizengamot," Dumbledore said, spreading his arms and smiling benevolently.
"But a search... a search cannot be conducted with the permission of only one judge..." Bones quickly pulled out several clearly enchanted scrolls and began comparing the information, then turned to Dumbledore.
"Unfortunately, I cannot answer that question," replied the Supreme Wizard of Wizengamot with sincere sadness. "I only gave permission for the temporary detention of the persons in question, under the personal responsibility of Alastor, who assured me of the validity of the alleged violations. He said something about dark artefacts. However, you can see a copy of the order in the archives, with all the necessary formal grounds. The rest, I repeat, is unfortunately beyond my competence.
"Rufus?!" Fudge, already red with anger at the farce unfolding before him, instantly turned to Moody's deputy. "Get Alastor here immediately! Searches, you say? What else has he come up with?
"I didn't know anything!" Scrimgeour exclaimed heatedly, happily shifting all responsibility onto his superiors. "I'll recall the task force immediately! We'll get to the bottom of this!"
"I have no doubt of that," Fudge hissed after the wizard, who was walking away quickly. Then, turning to us, he added, "My dear Lord Black, please accept my apologies for all this. Of course, your request has been granted, and the trial will be postponed until the twentieth. So, if there are no objections..."
"Ahem..." Dumbledore coughed slightly, interrupting Fudge, who was about to bang his gavel.
"Yes, Mr Dumbledore, did you wish to add something?" replied the Minister, not quite managing to hide his dissatisfaction and disappointment.
"Yes, I think so..." Albus nodded and rose from his seat. "Since we've sorted out this unfortunate incident together, I think it would be a good idea to correct the second one as well.
"What are you talking about?" asked Fudge, tensing up again.
"Since the meeting is being postponed and everyone is staying where they are..." Albus turned to us and continued in a pleasant, gentle tone. "I will be happy to correct my mistakes and make up for lost time with my ward at home before the next meeting.
"But, but... Amelia?" Fudge looked at Bones with a lost expression, turning around.
"Yes... From a legal standpoint, you are correct. A minor must remain with their legal guardian," the woman said after a slight hesitation, glancing guiltily in our direction. "Even considering all the circumstances outlined in the lawsuit."
"We request the honourable court for a recess!" Jeffrey immediately jumped up, raising his hand with the cane clenched tightly.
"Granted! The court is adjourned for ten minutes!" Fudge banged his gavel with unprecedented relief, rising from his seat. He clearly didn't enjoy this either.
"As you wish," Dumbledore said, taking the last word and sitting back down in his chair.
"Calm down, Sirius, don't do anything stupid..." Thomas put his hand on my shoulder and immediately pulled it away with a small groan. At that moment, I could hardly hear anything, even Geoffrey's voice sounded as if it were coming from under water. My vision narrowed to a single hateful figure who was happily opening a small box of lemon slices. "Mordred! Black, pull yourself together! If they put you in Azkaban, it won't help Harry... Everyone is looking at us!"I forced my gaze to the pale lawyer, beads of sweat rolling down his temples, then glanced at Albert, who was crouching as if ready to pounce, and finally at Harry, who looked at me and the lawyer in confusion.
"Yes, I know, I know!" Sighing and running my hand through my hair, I tried to calm down and calm the raging magic that was already beginning to seep out, apparently causing physical pain to Geoffrey standing nearby. Strangely, it had no effect on Harry.
"Something wrong, Siri?" my godson asked quietly, tugging at the sleeve of my robe. This seemingly simple action made all the rage disappear, and my brain switched to feverishly thinking up plans.
"No, it's nothing," I replied, forcing myself to breathe more evenly, and ruffled Harry's long hair, which he refused to cut, making me smile. James seemed to have been the same. "We'll just stay a little longer. Do you want something to eat?"
"Nah..." My godson shook his head and fidgeted with his feet, sitting on a high chair. "It's just so boring here!"
"Well, then play with Uncle Albert for now," I said, glancing meaningfully at the bodyguard, sending non-verbal but very loud signals. "Uncle Thomas and I will have a little chat."
When Harry chose his new victim, the young wizard sighed furtively, but then obediently began to show some sleight-of-hand tricks, keeping my godson occupied during the break. I turned back to Geoffrey.
"And what are our chances without Malfoy?" I looked intently at the magician, who had already managed to calm down. "Considering... Well, you know."
"Overall, nothing critical," the old man replied after a short pause, tapping his fingers thoughtfully on the tabletop. "One witness and our, um, argument will be enough to win over the neutrals. Unless, of course, someone tries to challenge the testimony of a single witness. I understand that postponing the hearing is no longer an option...
"And you think I'll just give it up...," I jerked, clenching my hands into fists.
"Quiet, don't get excited! I'm just thinking out loud," Jeffrey raised both hands in a defensive gesture, and I noticed a dark spot on his right palm, a magical burn.
"That's...
"I'll add that to the bill too," Thomas smiled, cutting off my belated apology. Then he frowned slightly and said, "But, Sirius, please note that it would have been very... problematic to get you out of Azkaban.
"I'll keep myself under control, Thomas," I promised the old man, closing my eyes for a few moments.
"Good," the lawyer nodded with satisfaction. "One more thing I must warn you about. Considering that some of those present here are not, according to the rules... And Dumbledore seems to have played all his oldest cards; they won't forgive him for today's actions in any case. So, if something suddenly goes wrong... It shouldn't, of course, but I have to consider all possibilities. If something doesn't go as planned, we can still contest it, and many will support us. So I beg you, don't do anything stupid.
"I already promised," I said reproachfully, looking at Thomas and sighing.
"That's wonderful," the mage nodded, forcing a smile. "So, our strategy is now..."
***
In the end, we withdrew the request for transfer. Formally, Dumbledore could indeed take Harry away until the new trial. At least try... But open confrontation now would not have led to anything good, that was for sure. The entire Ministry would have sided with him. It would have been obliged to. And I could forget about a legal way to take Harry away forever.
Now I really regretted that, in my haste, I hadn't managed to carry out all my plans, just as I hadn't been able to find a copy of the Potters' will. It had vanished as if by magic... And I even knew whose it was.
However, even now we had a very good chance of winning, even considering the absence of two witnesses. The most important of them was safe and should have been able to win over all the "doubters," or at least the neutrals who valued their independent reputation, ensuring my victory.
The break passed unnoticed as we discussed new leads. The trial resumed with the examination of witnesses. First up was the headmaster.
The members of the Wizengamot whispered among themselves after the speech by the director's guest, McGonagall, who was testifying on behalf of Dumbledore, and then after the speech by the Supreme Wizard himself. The first witness recounted how, after the Potters' death, Dumbledore had decided to leave the baby with his closest blood relatives and had asked her to make sure that they took the baby left on their doorstep.
She told of the respectable Muggle family she had followed on the headmistress's orders, the warming charms and protective spells she had cast on the cradle herself, and how she had watched over the Dursleys' house for a week to make sure that little Harry was all right. She added about the loving Weasley family, who were ready to take little Harry in, and about the successes of his older brothers, who had graduated from Hogwarts with honours and already found prestigious jobs.
The headmaster launched into a long speech about the difficult decision to leave the hope of magical Britain in the only safe place where Voldemort's surviving supporters would never look for him, and told him about the blood protection provided by Harry's mother, who had sacrificed herself to save her child from the monster. He then told Wizengamot about the mistake he had made in trusting Harry's only blood relatives, saying that he could never have imagined that they would treat Harry like a foundling.
His speech also contained another list of regrets, ending with a lengthy speech about how, despite my innocence, Dumbledore could not leave a small child with an unmarried wizard who had just been released from Azkaban. He also rambled on about the difficulties of raising a child, which I, unfortunately, was unable to provide young Potter in the same way that the undoubtedly respectable, large Weasley family would.
To be honest, it was a great pity that such a trial did not provide for the use of Veritaserum. I would have gladly poured the entire country's supply down his lying throat and listened to what he would have sung, and let the rest of those present hear it too; I wouldn't have minded. But for now, all we could do was sit peacefully, keeping order so as not to cause any trouble, and that was quite depressing, but I had promised both Thomas and myself that I would keep my magic and my temper in check. For Harry's sake, I had to endure, no matter how much I wanted to drag that bearded bastard into the Black House ritual hall.
Molly herself also spoke, with feigned tears, the hypocrisy of which I could sense even from a distance, saying that she was ready to take her good friend's son into her care and surround him with love and attention. She said that Harry would never want for anything, as Arthur had been promoted and they could provide for their ward as befitted a member of an ancient family.
But even so, doubt flashed across the faces of the Wizengamot members. Leaving the heir to an ancient magical family to Muggles was nonsense! To traitors of their blood... Even though this word was now only used by representatives of the most ancient families, it was nonsense twice over. Although this "title" was not even semi-official, the reputation of one of the oldest families had been tarnished for more than a century.
Thomas's questions to the witnesses were... caustic. I won't list them all, but they mainly concerned how Dumbledore had checked on Harry after leaving him with the Muggles. He skilfully evaded direct answers, assuring them that he had been "watching over" the boy, both himself and with the help of trusted individuals.
However, Dumbledore's supporters found comfort in his speech. Dolish, who was called last, also assured them that when he visited his godson, he looked like a "normal boy."
Let's see how their faces change when they hear Harry's side of the story, as well as our witnesses.
"Harold James Potter is called to the stand!" After hearing a couple more witnesses from Dumbledore's side, the Minister's words silenced all the whispering. Some wizards even leaned forward a little to get a better look at Harry, who had not been visible before.
Now we moved on to the most important part. The beginning and the end are always memorable. And, following the lawyer's tactics, we decided to start with Harry. It was his word that was supposed to refute everything the Headmaster had said, although it was not decisive.
In general, there were no guardianship authorities in Magical Britain. They were replaced by a "supervision" department, which kept records of residence, monitored the use of magic, and dealt with the consequences of spontaneous child emissions, only intervening in family matters as a last resort.
And the opinions of minors in the choice of guardianship were given little consideration. In fact, this practice was merely a consequence of a class-based society, where the aristocracy could previously remove a Muggle-born child from their family without hindrance, seeing potential in new blood... or simply by binding them with vassal oaths.
Nowadays, the "old blood" no longer has such privileges, thanks in large part to the Headmaster himself. However, nothing worthwhile has grown in their place. Albus simply secured the right to limited guardianship over all Muggle-born students at Hogwarts until the end of their education.
And yes, Harry was not a Muggle-born. But until relatively recently, it simply could not be the case that an ancient and noble family would have no members capable of caring for a child left without parents. In extreme cases, there were wills.
Or simply the right of the strong. Dumbledore simply seized the moment, essentially appointing himself guardian by exploiting a loophole in the law that he had created for himself. Since Harry was added to the Hogwarts lists immediately after his birth, thanks to James, there was simply no one to challenge this decision "in the heat of the moment." And no one wanted to get involved with the headmaster, who led the winning side.
And relatives... in a way, in Britain, everyone is related. However, outside the family, this connection does not extend very far, in order to avoid various... excesses. Just as my "godfatherhood" was not recorded on paper and did not give me any privileges other than the responsibilities I had voluntarily taken on.
However, Harry was able to influence the people who decided his fate with his speech.
The figure of the boy, who seemed even smaller in such a huge hall, hesitantly walked over to a chair that had been specially set up, and Thomas stood next to him for moral support. The questions Geoffrey asked were unpleasant but necessary. Under the supervision of his lawyer, Harry talked about his childhood, how he knew nothing about being a wizard or that his parents and he himself were national heroes.
He talked about how he lived in a closet under the stairs, how he wore Dudley's hand-me-downs, and how he was bullied at school. Later, he added about the cold attitude of his aunt and uncle, who constantly made him do housework but never praised him for his efforts, about the constant nagging and reproaches, even for a piece of bread. He talked about how he met me.
Harry's speech was direct and honest, and it evoked only sympathy and indignation among most of the wizards; I could see it clearly on their faces. Even Fudge looked at Dumbledore with incomprehension and at Minerva, who was nervously biting her lip, who had given the baby to a supposedly "loving" family.
Finally, the questions for Harry were over. Dumbledore didn't say a word, just looking guiltily at the boy. A nasty feeling of helplessness tugged at my stomach. I didn't want Albus to be in the same room as my godson, but for now, I had to just put up with it.
"Well done, Harry," Thomas smiled at the slightly pale boy, who had repeated his rehearsed speech perfectly. Harry responded with a timid smile.
"Called to the stand... Vernon and Petunia Dursley!" Fudge announced the list of witnesses almost simultaneously with him. Two Ministry officials led the nervous and trembling Dursleys to the centre of the hall. "Mr. Geoffrey, you may ask your questions."
"Thank you, Minister," replied the lawyer, turning to the witnesses and continuing, "Please answer one at a time. Are you Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, residing at number four, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey?
"Yes!" replied Mr. Dursley, clearly nervous and trying not to look at Harry and me.
"Yes," Petunia replied a little more quietly, keeping her eyes fixed on the floor.
"When did you first see Harold James Potter?" the solicitor continued his questioning.
"When he was dumped on us," Vernon began, emboldened, with a hint of resentment. "In the middle of a cold autumn night, with only a note left behind."
"They didn't even tell us what happened to my sister!" Petunia exclaimed, picking up his words and clenching her fingers on her small handbag. "Just think about it, dumping a crying baby on the doorstep in November, who would think of such a thing! And how much trouble he caused! It was so difficult to get his papers, without them we couldn't even get him to see a doctor! And all your crazy things? Flying and exploding objects? We've had the house repaired several times, constantly buying new electrical appliances, can you imagine how much money we've spent? What if he'd hurt Dudley?
"So," the lawyer latched onto these words, interrupting Petunia, who was clearly getting carried away, her speech filled with long-standing anger and indignation. "You weren't given any extra money and had to deal with the child's magic yourselves? That must have been difficult, considering that you yourselves are Muggle... non-magical people."
"Of course, not a penny!" Vernon grumbled, waving his hand. He clearly felt uncomfortable surrounded by so many magicians, but he was holding up surprisingly well. "And yet, as far as I know, Potter was not a poor boy, but a wealthy aristocrat. But no, he did everything himself, through his own hard work. Because of all these abnormalities, I had to set up a closet to keep the boy away.
"So," Thomas continued, smiling charmingly and skilfully manipulating his words. "Harry Potter lived in a closet since childhood?"
After these words, many in the hall began to cast openly hostile glances at Dumbledore and the Dursleys.
"At first he lived in the same room as Dudley, while everything was calm," Petunia tried to justify herself, her face turning slightly pale. "But after the vase exploded, smashing the window right in front of my son's cot, Vernon and I set up a special room for him.
"In the closet," Geoffrey noted approvingly.
"Listen, sir..." Dursle's face turned red.
"Jeffrey. Thomas Jeffrey," the lawyer said, nodding, not at all embarrassed."So, Jeffries. What would you do if your son was in danger?!" Dursley continued, lowering his voice slightly. "Of course, I wanted to give him to, um... you, this Dumbledore, but no one left a return address. Just a note, a pathetic scrap of paper, and that's it! Anyone else in our position would have sent the lunatic to a children's home long ago! But Petunia and I raised him as best we could, tried to eradicate all your insanity from him...
"Tried what?" the lawyer asked politely, raising his eyebrows. Someone in the courtroom gasped.
"Vernon..." Petunia glanced anxiously at her enraged husband, but he didn't stop.
"To make him a normal person! So he could be like everyone else, a normal member of society. What?" Dursle continued to hurl accusations. "Did your magic do any good for my wife's sister? She disappeared without a trace, leaving only her child behind.
"They didn't even tell me where she was buried!" Petunia suddenly added, wiping her eyes with a napkin. "Of course, we weren't particularly close, especially after she got married, but she was family... And we raised Harry as our own. At least, we tried..."
"And what do you say to the fact that your nephew didn't get the newest things? That, according to him, he did all the housework since childhood?" Thomas asked gently.
"That's what that lunatic said?!" Vernon raised his voice again, the vein in his temple throbbing visibly. "Did he tell you that his clothes wore out three times faster than Dudley's? And what about work — if you don't work, you don't eat! That's how my father taught me, and I turned out just fine. I don't know how things work in your family, but that's how it is in mine. Besides, if the boy was busy or very tired, at least he didn't break anything with your magic...
"So, am I to understand that you deliberately overloaded the young wizard with work so that he would have no time or energy left for magic?" Thomas said insinuatingly, and his words were followed by a wave of whispers throughout the hall.
"Yes, sir! That's exactly how it was," Vernon replied with satisfaction, nodding. "And we almost managed to knock all that madness out of him... But it seems it was all in vain.
"Beat it out of him?" Geoffrey asked quietly, almost insinuatingly, causing another wave of quiet conversation.
"Vernon was speaking figuratively," Petunia said quickly, placing her hand on her husband's shoulder and squeezing it slightly. "No one hit the boy!"
"Of course not! What are you implying?!" Dursley's eyes widened. "I'm not some kind of monster.
"Of course not," said the old lawyer, raising his hands to calm everyone down. "No one is suggesting that, Mr. Dursley. Tell me, do you have any complaints against Lord Black for taking the child away? Perhaps he has caused you some problems with the law?"
"No!" Vernon exclaimed, glancing at me. "He took him, and to hell with him. Thanks for helping me get all the paperwork done. If one of you had bothered to do it earlier, it would have been great. We wouldn't have had to spend so much money and waste so much time."
"Minister, I have no further questions for the witnesses," the old wizard nodded with satisfaction and left the podium, leaving the hall in tense silence.
"Ahem," Fudge cleared his throat, recovering slightly from the Dursleys' vivid speech. "Does the defence have any questions for the witnesses?"
In response, Dumbledore simply shook his head, looking reproachfully at Petunia with the classic gaze of a kind grandfather scolding his granddaughter for something.
"Then, Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, you may leave," Fudge waved his hand to the Ministry employees, who immediately led the Dursleys out of the hall. "The next witness for the plaintiff is Arabella Figg."
This is where I got involved. It was at this moment that the nails that would be hammered into the coffin of Dumbledore's desire to take my godson away from me were to be presented for all to see. It was old Mrs. Figg who, on Dumbledore's orders, had moved to Little Whinging and watched over Harry. It was her memories of how Harry worked day and night for the Dursleys, her notes and doubts sent to Dumbledore himself, her memories of how, after my visit, he cast spells on the boy that, if used for a long time, could well damage his nascent magic.
Yes, Dumbledore is in a vulnerable position now. He left the heir to the Potter family with Muggles who tried to eradicate his magic through physical labour, while nobly asking McGonagall to look after the child for the time being. And he himself forgot about Harry for nine long years — but he was to blame for that, as he did not want to put him in danger. And it would have been better for Harry to be with his only direct relatives. He overlooked it because he believed in people, and he knew nothing.
But now that the truth has come out, he has renounced his guardianship, realising that Harry will be better off with a loving extended family... And his carefully constructed defence will collapse like a house of cards when everyone realises that the Great Light Wizard knew everything from the beginning and deliberately left everything as it was. At the same time, he personally cast a spell on a minor that could have harmed him. It's a pity, of course, that Malfoy, who acted as a witness to the spell being cast on the child, and Bulstroud, who was supposed to act as an expert on spells, identifying the type of spell from memories, are not here...
But it'll do. The second expert witness, Trembley, a former Obliviator who convinced the old woman to share her memories, will be enough for a general conclusion.
Now, when Thomas questions the newly motivated old woman, everyone will be convinced that Dumbledore...
"Unfortunately, Arabella Figg will not be able to attend the hearing," Arthur Trembley's feigned regretful voice struck me like a bolt from the blue as he rose from his seat.
"Why?" the Minister asked discontentedly.
"Due to poor health," Trembley said, spreading his hands. "She is currently at Mungo's. It was too much for her when, at Lord Black's request, I asked her to share her personal memories. She seems to be... a neighbour of those terrible Muggles.
"But... Wait," Fudge stammered, looking from Trembley to Thomas, who was just as shocked. "You're also listed as a witness for the plaintiff, aren't you?"
"Yes, of course! Although I don't know why..." Trembley drawled. "Perhaps Lord Black, through his persistent requests via third parties, hoped that I could help him find out something from the poor woman. Out of the goodness of my heart, I asked Mrs. Figg if she would be willing to share such a private matter as her memories, but she was so upset that she had to seek the help of healers.
"Um, yes..." muttered Fudge, clearly confused. "Mr. Geoffrey, will you be calling this witness?
"I don't think so, Minister," Thomas replied quickly, regaining his composure. "Unfortunately, Mr. Trembley seems to have misunderstood Lord Black and, out of excessive... zeal, has deprived us of such a valuable witness. In that case, he will be of no use as an expert witness.
"Then, honourable members of the Wizengamot, having heard the arguments of both sides, I propose that the trial be considered closed. Madam Bones?" Fudge turned back to the woman, distracting her from another scroll.
"Yes, I ask those participating to vote by raising their wands separately for each point of the vote. First vote: Who is in favour of restricting the right of guardianship of the President of the International Confederation of Wizards, Supreme Wizard of Wizengamot, Knight of the Order of Merlin, First Class, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, over the minor Harold James Potter?
"One, two, three..." I glanced at the magic wands rising up, but all my attention was focused on Crouch, who was shyly averting his eyes, and the slightly nervous Tremble, who had prudently moved away from the former. Then I finally looked back at Dumbledore, who was smiling calmly, slightly guiltily, and only one thought was spinning in my head: "How is that possible... He didn't know anything! He couldn't have known everything, even if he was warned! How the fuck is that possible?"
"So, twenty-seven votes in favour, fifteen against, seven abstentions," Amelia's solemn voice sounded as if through cotton wool. "The plaintiff's claims on the first point can be considered accepted. Honourable lords and ladies, we will now vote on point two: to grant custody of the minor Harold James Potter to the head of the Black family, Sirius Orion Black. Please cast your votes.
"So," I squinted at the raised wands, silently counting each one — twenty, twenty-one... no... fucking not enough! Only four votes! Fucking Dumbledore, fucking Malfoy! How is this possible! He wasn't supposed to know anything! Dumbledore wasn't supposed to know anything!!!
"Twenty-one votes in favour, twenty-two votes against. Seven abstentions," Bones' voice sounded muffled again. "The plaintiff's claims on the second point are rejected. Honourable lords and ladies, please vote on the third point..."
"Don't do anything stupid... Don't do anything stupid, Sirius! You promised! We'll think of something... It's not final, Sirius! Albert, help me, for fuck's sake!" Thomas clung to Thomas's shoulder on one side, while the mercenary squeezed my forearm with his hand on the other, but I didn't even feel the pain from his fingers digging into my skin. The world narrowed to hateful faces: Trembley, Weasley, Dumbledore... All-consuming hatred poured into my heart with every heartbeat, with every breath.
"Twenty-five votes in favour..." Bones was saying something in the background, but I couldn't hear her. The power of the ancient spell surged inside me like a dark wave, pushing me, as if begging me to utter the sacred words and tear apart those who dared to hurt me, to take away what was most precious to me. "Vocare ad ten..."
"What does that mean, Siri?" Harry looked at me in surprise and, with childlike spontaneity, pulled my sleeve again, pulling me out of the abyss into which I was rapidly sinking."Nothing, mate..." With enormous effort, I tried to smile at my godson, feeling my knees buckle and a cold drop roll down my back. "Just a family wanted you to stay with them for a while. Don't worry, it won't be long..."
"But I don't want to go with them! I want to go with you!" Harry exclaimed indignantly, tears of fear immediately welling up in the corners of his eyes. "You promised! You promised cake! And you promised you wouldn't leave me!"
"Listen, Harry," I tried to smile again, but I swear to Merlin, I couldn't do it, all the muscles in my face just cramped up. "I'll talk to you today like an adult. You're an adult, aren't you?"
"Of course I'm a grown-up! I'm nine years old!" My godson looked at me reproachfully, blinking rapidly behind his glasses.
"All right, then," I crouched down so that our faces were level, ignoring my protesting legs. "Your aunt and uncle really want you to visit them. They really want you to, you understand? They're dying to," I quickly licked my lips and tried to stretch my lips into a smile again so as not to scare the boy with a bloodthirsty grin. "And even if we have to play along with them for now, you know I'll never abandon you. And very soon you'll move back in with me... Just think of it as a little adventure, okay? You'll meet kids your own age, see how other magicians live, they say there are even garden gnomes there! And I'll come visit you. I ruffled the hair of my godson, who was staring at me stubbornly through his tears, clearly still frightened. "Don't worry, it really won't be long. Before you know it, you'll be tired of your uncle..."
"Sirius," Geoffrey said with a hint, pointing to Weasley and Dumbledore cautiously approaching with Madam Bones and the Minister.
"Just a moment, Thomas..." I nodded to the lawyer, then turned back to Harry, removing the medallion with the artefact and whispering fervently. "Listen, put this on and never take it off, never, under any circumstances, do you hear me, Harry? If you are ever hurt or feel threatened, squeeze it and imagine our house. And you will be transported there..."
"Can I do that now?" Harry asked seriously, wiping away tears.
"Um... You know," I glanced at the group of wizards waiting for us, not knowing how to answer Harry.
"Um... Lord Black?" Madam Bones called delicately.
"What the hell, Mordred, yes!" I decided. "But we might have some... difficulties. There's a chance you won't get into Hogwarts after all..." I smiled sincerely, feverishly going over all the places the Blacks owned in my head. "But I'm asking you to give them... a chance," the next words came out with difficulty, a lump in my throat. "Maybe you'll have fun there. You'll learn how other wizards live, not just me or Honea. Most importantly, remember, never take off the locket, and always keep the artefacts I gave you with you, don't give them to anyone. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Harry nodded and pressed himself against me, making my heart sink into my stomach. "It's not for long, you promise you'll come back for me, right?"
"Ahem..." Dumbledore coughed softly.
"I promise," I hugged Harry back as tightly as I could, squeezing him almost to the point of breaking his ribs. "And no one will stop me."
I looked into Molly's eyes, who wanted to say something but stopped herself.
"No one," I said, looking into the headmaster's immeasurably calm and understanding eyes, which reflected his determination and confidence.
"No one.
***
The entire story has already been written at:
patreon.com/posts/reborn-as-sirius-142654970