Sirius Black's Secret Love

Chapter 16 - Trial, Tribulation and Betrayal

Harry stood shell shocked as handcuffs were put on his wrists. Sirius and Snape had a look of controlled rage as they had been shackled. They were ushered into the castle and taken to the nearest classroom. Harry looked around the room and realized that they must be in the Ancient Runes classroom as there were all kinds of strange symbols he didn´t recognize decorating the walls. A swarm of officers from the Magical Law Enforcement Squad were entering and exiting the room. He wanted desperately to speak with Dumbledore, but knew instinctively that doing so might implicate the headmaster. He couldn´t risk that.

Harry´s heart stopped when Percy Weasley entered the room followed by Minister Cornelius Fudge. He tried to make eye contact with Percy, but it seemed that he was consciously avoiding Harry´s gaze.

The officers began searching the prisoners. Harry´s wand and his pocket-knife were immediately confiscated. The burly officer that was searching him showed great interest in his necklace.

"Minister Fudge, Potter has a necklace around his neck just like Black has," he announced.

"Check the other prisoner," ordered Fudge.

They began searching Snape and immediately seized his amulet and wand.

"Here´s another one, Minister."

"Good work, Gaffney," responded Fudge as he began to prowl the room looking at the three prisoners. "Matching necklaces...hmm, not something you´d expect from three males. Unless these necklaces have some magical properties."

Fudge held an amulet up for closer inspection. He turned it over in his hand and looked at it from all angles.

"Tell me Black, what do these necklaces do?" he asked.

Sirius gave him a cold hard stare that was palpable with its intense hatred. Fudge began walking around Sirius looking at him up and down. He held up the wanted photos of Sirius from both his pre-Azkaban youthful days and his famous incarcerated picture and compared them to the man standing before him.

"This is a very good disguise you are sporting Black. If we hadn´t been tipped off - I don´t know that I would have recognized you. I daresay that you could have walked down Diagon Alley and not gotten a second glance, that is except for the ladies of course...ladies...," Fudge smirked, "You always were a ladies´ man. You and Arabella Figg used to work closely together. Hmm, and today she gave birth to a black haired child."

Fudge snapped his fingers to Percy, "Send investigators to the gamekeeper´s hut. See if anyone there is wearing a necklace like this. If they are, have them arrested immediately and brought here. I also want to know who fathered that bastard child of hers. If it is Black´s as I suspect, then I want her brought to me. I need to know if he was present at the birth, if he was then everyone else that was there at the time is a material witness and we will need statements from them."

"Is there anything else?" Percy asked.

"Yes, we will also need to have investigators search the necks of everyone here. Search everyone, all the students, faculty and staff. Start at the top with the headmaster himself," Fudge said with a twisted smile.

Percy nodded and then his eyes met Harry´s. Once their eyes finally connected, Harry wished that they hadn´t. Percy seemed to be looking through him, as if he were beneath his dignity to acknowledge. It was now clear to Harry that Percy had made his choice. He sided with Fudge over his own family. He could only wonder if Percy had joined with Voldemort or if he was merely an unwitting pawn. Percy turned on his heel and left the room to follow through on Fudge´s orders.

Fudge walked over to Snape and gave him the visual once over. He started making a clucking sound. "Snape, Snape, Snape. I am surprised to see you in league with Black. Why just two years ago you apprehended him and turned him over to me. If he hadn´t somehow escaped that night, I would have put in for the Order of Merlin for you. Ah, but tonight your actions have instead earned you a lifetime in Azkaban. This is a sad turn of events, but not completely unexpected I´m afraid to say. I began wondering about you last year when you showed me your Dark Mark."

Fudge leaned in even closer, his face menacingly close to Snape´s, "Tell me, what made you align yourself with Black?"

Snape´s upper lip curled, exposing his yellowed teeth. He looked as if he was about to say something entirely unpleasant.

Harry had been thinking about all the American police shows he had watched on television while he was growing up. Or heard rather, while he was in his cupboard and the Dursleys stayed up late at night watching them. He had heard the saying so many times he had it memorized.

"You have the right to remain silent," Harry said out loud.

Fudge smirked at him.

"If you give up that right, anything you say can be used against you in a court of law," Harry continued. "You have the right to an attorney..."

Fudge erupted in laughter, "Court of law?" he sneered. "Attorney? That´s a good one, Potter! You and Snape attacked three Ministry officials and were found in the presence of a fugitive from justice. You´ll all be sent to Azkaban. There will be no need to waste anyone´s time with a trial."

Harry gulped. He had never thought about that possibility. Sirius had a hardened look in his eye, while Snape looked positively murderous towards Fudge. Harry´s knees started shaking violently making it difficult for him to stand.

Percy returned to the room and was followed by an elderly wizard with a no nonsense air about him. He wore a black cloak with a white dress shirt underneath and a large loopy black string tie. He was bald and had a finely trimmed white beard that covered the edges of his chin, but was shaven on his face. His eyes were stern and humorless behind gold-rimmed spectacles.

Fudge turned and greeted the new arrival, "Mathews, it´s about time you got here. We have finally arrested Sirius Black. He had been seen on the school grounds and was apprehended by Bode, Croaker and Macnair as he tried to leave through Hogsmeade. They were in the process of bringing him back to Azkaban when they were viciously attacked by Professor Severus Snape and Harry Potter. And Cotton," Fudge chuckled as he handed him the necklaces, "they were all wearing these amulets."

Cotton Mathews looked carefully at the necklaces and then cast piercing glances at the prisoners.

"We need to separate them and put them into holding cells until the investigation here is complete. Later we can transport them. Where would be a good place to hold them?" Mathews asked.

"Percy, you were Head Boy here," Fudge said. "Perhaps you might know of some suitable rooms here in the castle."

Percy considered the request for a moment and then answered, "The house-elf quarters should work. They´re small, Spartan, but they should work. We can post guards outside the rooms and another bonus is that they are underground so we don´t have to worry about anyone escaping out windows."

"Sounds good. Percy can you see to it that they are moved there immediately?" Mathews asked. "The Minister needs to inform me about everything that has come to light in this investigation."

"What about the house-elves?" Harry asked. "Where are they supposed to sleep?"

"Who cares?" Fudge snorted. "They can either double up or sleep on the floor. They´re only elves after all."

Percy announced that he would lead the way to the house-elf quarters. Three officers came over to usher the prisoners to their new holding area. Harry was repeatedly pushed and elbowed as he was walking down the stairs past the kitchen. Several times he almost fell down the steps but somehow maintained his balance. As they started walking down a corridor, Dobby appeared and stood in the middle of the hallway.

"What brings you to the house-elf quarters?" he asked.

Percy looked down on the house-elf as if there was really no need to respond to such an underling. "We are in need of rooms to temporarily house prisoners. We need three rooms vacated immediately."

"Certainly," Dobby said as he gave a bow. "Harry Potter can use my room. Dobby will make two more rooms available. Follow me."

Harry gave the house-elf a look and mouthed the words, "I´m hungry." Dobby nodded and then led the way down the hallway to his room. Harry was shoved inside and the door was slammed shut after him. He was now alone with his thoughts. As he looked around the small room he realized that he had been in water closets that were larger. There was a small bed that if Harry curled up in a fetal position might hold him. The room also contained a small table, a chair and a small chest that must have held all of Dobby´s socks and assorted clothes. A red beret was resting on the top of the chest.

"At least that looks better than that silly tea cozy," Harry muttered to himself.

He had just sat down on the bed and tried to gather his thoughts when he heard voices coming down the hallway, followed by the wail of a newborn baby. Professor Figg was being placed in a room across the hall from Harry.

"Arabella, it´s been a long time," came Fudge´s voice with a false note of friendship. "And yet, I´m not surprised to see you ensnared in all of this. You always seemed to have your own ideas about things."

"Cornelius, I don´t think you want us revisiting ancient history - especially when that history includes you actively trying to sabotage my advancement within the Ministry," Professor Figg replied coldly. "Actually you did me a favour, because leaving the Ministry was the best thing I ever did for my own sanity´s sake. I have never compromised my ethics or values."

Fudge laughed, "Yes, your values have earned yourself a cell in Azkaban a few doors down from your poor choice of lovers."

"Wait until the trial, we´ll see what a judge and jury has to say about that," she said defiantly.

Fudge chuckled.

"You don´t plan on holding a trial?" she said shocked. "You think you can just throw me in prison without a trial? That would be political suicide Cornelius. Imagine the headline - Cruel Fudge imprisons new mother and baby without a trial."

"I wouldn´t send a baby into a prison."

"Cruel Fudge snatches newborn baby away from her mother! You know that it wouldn´t matter how you tried to spin it, The Daily Prophet would run with that angle. They print whatever is the most scandalous and salacious copy they can dream up because that is what sells the most papers. To hell with the truth. And you know that the witches would all be after your hide. They know that a newborn needs its mother´s milk. Babies need colostrum to give their immune system needed antibodies to fight off infection. Not even a wet nurse can provide a newborn what only their mother can. Once those headlines hit the papers, you´d be lucky to still be in your office by sundown. Hell, you´d be lucky to remain in one piece."

There was a notable silence.

"Minister Fudge," Percy´s familiar voice called out, "they found an amulet on Dumbledore, sir. They´re bringing him now."

"Good," Fudge said coldly.

"Cornelius you cannot possibly think you can simply incarcerate Albus Dumbledore without a trial," stated Professor Figg flatly. "It was one thing for you to help Crouch railroad a twenty-one year old wizard into Azkaban that had very damning circumstances surrounding his alleged crime. It´ll be a totally different thing to try and short circuit the justice system with someone of Dumbledore´s stature. That would definitely be your last act as Minister of Magic. No, you need to at least put on a show or you will be collecting your pension starting tomorrow night."

"She´s right Cornelius," came Dumbledore´s voice. "You will need to have a trial for all of us. At least put up the appearance of a trial before you can throw us on that deserted rock."

"Cotton, have the investigators turned up any other accomplices?" Fudge asked.

"Not yet," came the reply. "They have been searching all the students´ trunks and haven´t found anything. Well, except for these incriminating letters we found in Potter´s trunk."

"Very good," said Fudge with an evil voice. "Cotton we will have to hold a trial for these criminals after all. It shall be held tomorrow at noon."

"Noon? Are you crazy? I can´t possibly be ready to lead the inquisition by that time!" came Mathews´ irate voice.

"We need to do this quickly," said Fudge coolly. "I don´t want a groundswell of support to grow for Dumbledore. We need to bring forth the overwhelming evidence as soon as possible, before people start reminiscing about their halcyon days here and want to get him off for sentimental reasons. Same with any sympathy for a new mother."

Then Fudge started chuckling, "I doubt there is much goodwill left for Potter after this last year´s headlines. And there will be no reservoir of support for a former Death Eater and for Sirius Black. Mathews, if noon is too soon, then we shall hold it at three o´clock in the afternoon. You shall send officers to the school owlery to send off all the necessary notices to the sitting jurors and other necessary officials. The Ministry´s minibus should be here within the hour to transport the prisoners and material witnesses. You can stay here and continue the investigation if you so desire."

Mathews muttered something under his breath that was inaudible.

"Minister, investigators found Frank and Claire Longbottom in a private room off of the hospital wing. Wasn´t there a missing person´s report filed recently on Lucretia Longbottom?" Percy asked.

"Yes there was," Fudge responded. "Dumbledore, why are the Longbottoms here?"

"They were not getting appropriate medical attention at St. Mungo´s and it was thought that Madam Pomfrey´s care might bring about some long overdue improvement. I must say that their health has improved dramatically since they´ve arrived here."

"And what about Lucretia Longbottom? Have you seen her?" Fudge asked.

"I haven´t seen her face since the day Frank and Claire arrived here," Dumbledore replied.

Footsteps were soon heard walking down the hallway. Apparently Fudge and Mathews had tired of asking questions. Harry curled up on the bed. He stared at the ceiling. There was going to be a trial after all. That left a glimmer of hope, but he didn´t have any idea as to how they were going to escape conviction. Then he thought of Hermione, if only he could get a message to her.

"I have Harry Potter´s dinner," came Dobby´s voice outside the door.

"I wasn´t given any notice about allowing our prisoners to eat," replied the guard.

"He´s still a student here and he missed his dinner. Harry Potter is very hungry. He said so himself. Does the Ministry want to appear to be starving their prisoners?" asked the house-elf.

After a few silent moments, Harry heard the door being opened. The guard came over and instructed Harry to lie on his stomach. Then the handcuffs came off and the guard gave Dobby an impatient glare. The house-elf was setting the small table for a meal and laboriously placing the silverware in its proper placement. The guard left the room while the elf was still fussing over the place settings and food.

"Here is your dinner," the house-elf said.

"Thank you Dobby," Harry said.

"Do you want us to break you out?" Dobby whispered.

Harry was surprised to see a look of fierceness in those tennis ball sized eyes. Dobby was ready to lead a battle and was willing to die for him.

"No, I don´t want to live my life as a fugitive," Harry whispered back. "What I need is for you to get a message to Hermione."

The house-elf´s face split into a large grin as he removed a scrap of parchment out of a pocket. He handed it to Harry. There was only a single line written in her familiar handwriting.

How can I help?

Dobby then handed Harry a small pencil. He looked at that small writing implement and thought it looked like it was made of pure gold. He grabbed that grubby little pencil and scribbled back, "Be my barrister. We are being tried tomorrow afternoon. You´ll be taken there as a witness. Do whatever you have to in order to defend us. Shame them if you have to. Otherwise we´ll go to Azkaban. For life."

Harry looked at the note and remembered something else. He scribbled another line.

"Take this back to Hermione," he said in a hushed tone. "Tell her that she must figure out a way to defend us otherwise we are all doomed. Also tell her that she needs to write a letter to her folks to get the item that I wrote down. It´s something that I need for the trial that I won´t be able to get otherwise. You´ll have to go to the owlery and send off the letter. Maybe send another letter to Mr. Weasley asking him to pick up the stuff from her parents, because I don´t think she´d be allowed to get owl post when she´s at the Ministry. I also doubt her parents would know how else to get it to her. Can you do all that?"

"Yes, Dobby understands and will make sure it is done," the house-elf bowed before he left the room with a Crack!

Harry sat down to eat the food that had been brought to him. The last thing he had eaten had been a sandwich over ten hours earlier. The fear of what was going to happen to him and the other prisoners caused his stomach to be tied in knots. As he smelled the warm roast beef, his stomach started to settle and he dug in as if he were a condemned man and this was his last meal.

An hour later the guard entered Harry´s room and placed the handcuffs back on him. The five prisoners were being led outside to be placed in a minibus from the Ministry. Hermione and Rebecca Nurse were standing and waiting behind Hagrid to enter the vehicle. Hagrid was having a hard time getting through the door. As the wizards were working to expand the doorway to allow the half-giant to enter, Hermione carefully moved beside Harry. She was clutching a single leather bound book under her arm.

"The messages were sent," she said in an undertone, "but why?"

"We need to bring up Scabbers in the testimony or we´re all doomed."

She gave him a worried look, "I have no idea as to how I´m supposed to do this."

"I know you can do it. I have faith in you. I´ll give you a signal, I´ll sneeze three times," Harry said.

A guard stepped forward and directed Hermione through the doorway. She gave a frantic look back at Harry as if he had gone plumb off his bob.

Later as Harry was wedged in a seat between Sirius and Snape, he tried to think positively. He knew that he now had reason to hope that things might turn out all right. He could no longer depend on Albus Dumbledore to protect him. Instead he and the other four defendants would be placing all their lives in the hands of a fifteen-year old Muggle-born witch named Hermione Granger. She might be the only one who could save them.

The minibus trundled along for hours. The only sound came from the rattling and wheezing of the engine and from Soraya´s cries when she needed feeding. The guards were none too pleased when they had to either release Professor Figg from her handcuffs for feedings or changing the newborn or do the diaper duty themselves. Harry tried to get some rest, but found himself being jerked awake just as he was falling asleep. Then when he had finally drifted off to a deep sleep he was awakened by the incredibly loud snores coming from Hagrid. Thankfully, Hermione was sitting next to gamekeeper and gently roused him to stop the noises that were threatening to wake the dead.

Hours later when the sun´s rays were hitting Harry squarely in the eyes and preventing him from sleeping any further, he looked at Sirius. The crow´s feet around his eyes started to soften and then disappeared altogether. His hair was also losing its grey highlights and turned to jet-black. Sirius started blinking very hard and shaking his head.

"What´s wrong?" asked Harry.

"It´s my contacts," Sirius replied. "Their prescription is for my eyes being twenty years older. Now everything is blurry. If I don´t take these out, I´m going to get a splitting headache."

"Maybe they´ll take our handcuffs off when they put us in holding cells," suggested Harry.

"I hope so."

Shortly afterwards the vehicle came to a stop before the Leaky Cauldron. They were now being ushered out of the vehicle into the Wizarding pub and then into Diagon Alley. Minister Fudge looked smug as he led the way and tipped his hat to the astonished witches and wizards who had come for a bit of early morning shopping.

Voices in shocked amazement could be heard all up and down the Wizarding district.

"Is that Albus Dumbledore under arrest?"

"And is that...Sirius Black? What are Dumbledore and Black doing together?"

"I think that´s Harry Potter, too. I wonder what happened?"

As they walked through Diagon Alley more and more spectators seemed to follow behind them. It was as if Fudge had become the Pied Piper of Hamelin. They walked past Gringotts, turned the corner and came to a building complex that Harry had never seen before. It was massive in structure and it was clearly the Ministry of Magic as a large statue of Merlin stood in front. Doric columns surrounded the building and gave it a majestic look as well as the carved sculptures in the friezes. One particular frieze was chilling in that it depicted several witches and wizards being burned at the stake.

A crowd had gathered at the foot of the steps and Minister Fudge turned to address them.

"Today will go down in Wizarding history as a solemn day," he called out with a loud and clear voice. "We have finally captured the most infamous fugitive who has eluded Wizarding justice for three years. We have Sirius Black in custody as well as four of his accomplices. One is the famous Harry Potter, two are professors at Hogwarts and the other is none other than Hogwarts´ Headmaster Albus Dumbledore."

Gasps were heard from the assembled crowd.

"Yes, yes, I know that is hard to believe, but it is true. Because of the serious nature of their crimes, we do not want any delays in their judgment lest they somehow devise a plan to escape once again and continue to terrorize the Wizarding and Muggle worlds. So, for those who wish to witness the Trial of the Century - then come to our courtroom at three o´clock this afternoon."

Heads were nodding and voices were heard discussing how they could rearrange their day in order to attend.

Harry looked over at Hermione. She had a look of fear in her eyes that he had never seen before. She looked over at him and then mouthed, "I´ll try." He sighed at that. Somehow, she´d be his barrister. She had to. She was his only hope.

They were then led through an ornate lobby with gleaming white marble floors and then down a back staircase to a dank basement. Harry could sense that in centuries past it was very likely that prisoners here were treated to similar tortures as they had been in the Muggle prisons. It was as if he could hear screams still reverberating on the walls. He was tossed into a cell with stone walls and a large wooden door that had only a small window in it. The cell was cold, dark and damp. It had only a small filthy cot and a grimy toilet and sink. The room was lit by a single feeble lamp. His handcuffs were removed and he was once again left to his own thoughts. He looked at his watch and saw that it was now 8:30 in the morning. He had six and a half hours before the trial would begin.

*

A few minutes before three o´clock the prisoners were taken out of their cells. This time they were handcuffed with their hands in front of them, rather than behind their backs. Their feet were also manacled, which made their movement very difficult. Professor Figg was the only prisoner who did not have leg manacles put on her, for she was still carrying Soraya. The guards at least realized that she would risk dropping the infant if her legs were in restraints.

Harry had never felt such a strong case of nerves. He had tried to nibble on the dry and tasteless food that was brought to him at lunch, but was unable to eat more than a few bites. He now was being prodded forward down the corridor with his godfather shuffling his feet in front of him.

They entered the courtroom that Harry had seen in Dumbledore´s Pensieve. The room was filled with witches and wizards. He swallowed hard as he was led to a chair in the front of the room.

Cotton Mathews entered and surveyed the room. He looked very tired as if he had been up all night working on this case, but he still managed to radiate a confident manner about him. Mathews was dressed in a long black robe and had a powdered wig that covered his bald pate. He placed his briefcase down on a table and immediately started taking out sheets of parchment and the confiscated necklaces.

"All Rise!" came the booming voice from a bailiff. "His Honor, Judge Amos Diggory will preside over the matter before the court."

Everyone in the room stood and Harry found himself struggling with his manacles and handcuffs to stand without losing his balance.

Amos Diggory came into the room wearing long red robes and a powdered wig. He walked over to a tall desk at the front of the room. He looked deadly serious and gave Harry a penetrating glare as he sat down. Diggory then announced that the audience should be seated.

"Mr. Mathews, would you kindly tell the court why we have assembled here today?" Diggory asked.

Matthews stood and immediately took control of the room with his resonant voice. "Yes, your lordship. Today is a grave day for the Wizarding World. I take no pleasure in presenting the case against the venerable Albus Dumbledore. However, as it will be shown - he is not deserving of the widespread respect and admiration that so many in the Wizarding World have accorded him. Instead he has conspired with the notorious mass murderer and escaped prisoner Sirius Black."

As he pointed directly at Sirius, the audience responded with audible gasps. Others were straining to get a better view of the infamous prisoner.

"This conspiracy led to the overthrow of Azkaban and there was a plan to control our community worse than the darkest days under He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. It will be shown that Sirius Black betrayed his late friends James and Lily Potter in a scheme that caused the downfall of You-Know-Who. It was because Black wasn´t satisfied with being second in command and wanted to become Evil Overlord himself."

Harry started to feel his anger building within him, but he tried to calm himself and remind himself to breathe. He knew the accusations were going to get worse.

"Two years ago, Sirius Black laid a trap for Harry Potter, so that he could meet the young wizard. We all thought it was because he wanted to murder the young boy and finish the job that his former master had been unable to. Instead it will be shown that Black wanted to recruit the young Dark Wizard. For Black and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named knew that Harry Potter´s destiny was to become a very powerful Dark Wizard. You-Know-Who feared the competition, but Black sought to harness Potter´s abilities for his own evil purposes."

Matthews then moved and gestured dramatically in front of Harry.

"Harry Potter. A child who at the tender age of twelve was revealed as being a Parselmouth. One of the most feared and suspected talents of Dark Wizards - the ability to converse with snakes. This `gift´ was further demonstrated at the funeral of Charles Weasley. Under very suspicious circumstances, the flowers on the casket were transfigured into snakes. Potter then spoke to them in Parseltongue. He freely admits that he performed a transfiguration spell to revert the snakes back to their original form. Even though this specific transformation was never taught at Hogwarts, he somehow was able to perform it instantly. This incident of performing magic outside of school has led to expulsion hearings by the Board of Governors. But this is only one of a number of suspicious things that have happened around Mr. Potter. At the end of his first year of school, his Defence Against the Dark Arts instructor Professor Quirrell was killed after an altercation with Potter. This happened in a hidden basement chamber of Hogwarts. The only witness to the destroyed body was Albus Dumbledore.

"Potter´s second year was notorious because four of his fellow students were attacked and petrified. Reportedly Potter and his friend Ronald Weasley found the legendary Chamber of Secrets created and sealed by Salazar Slytherin. A chamber that had never been found for hundreds of years and after countless searches by expert teams of wizards and witches. According to Potter´s story, he and Ronald Weasley went into the chamber to save Virginia Weasley. Mr. Potter claims to have slain a thousand year old basilisk. The only adult witness to this fantastic tale was Professor Gilderoy Lockhart. A man whose fame for vanquishing such monsters was well known. And yet ominously, Lockhart still suffers from a damaged memory from that night and cannot corroborate any of Potter´s tale.

"And last year Mr. Potter entered into the Triwizard Tournament even though there was a strict age limit for entry. All contestants were to have achieved seventeen years of age, but somehow Potter entered his name for the contest even though he was only fourteen. Only Dark Magic could have fooled the Goblet of Fire."

Mathews then paused and looked venomously at Harry.

"At the end of the tournament, he emerged victorious after an unexplained disappearance of about half an hour. Two of his competitors were found stunned and unconscious, while another contestant, Cedric Diggory, was found dead. Harry Potter was found clutching the dead body while he claimed the Triwizard Cup for himself."

Mathews then waved his dramatically arms at the jury and the audience.

"It gives me pause to wonder why anyone celebrated the idea that a small child barely old enough to walk could defeat such a powerful wizard such as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Rather than celebrating the fall of You-Know-Who, we should have been trembling at the future potential of such a powerful infant. Something that Sirius Black evidently understood. I will show that there has been a correspondence between Potter and Black that has spanned two years. I will also show that Black´s network of supporters included Professors Severus Snape, Arabella Figg and Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. They all helped to aid, abet and harbour a fugitive. It will also be shown that the baby being held in Professor Figg´s arms is the child of Sirius Black!"

More gasps came from the assembled crowd.

"Black was apprehended by Ministry of Magic officials who were acting on a tip, shortly after the birth of his child. These Ministry officials, Macnair, Bode and Croaker were in the process of transporting Black back to Azkaban when Harry Potter and Severus Snape viciously attacked them, leaving Agent Bode permanently blind and Agent Macnair permanently disabled. Potter and Snape were plotting to further their nefarious plans by taking these Ministry officials hostage in order to interrogate and control them. Unfortunately for them, more Ministry officials were waiting for them at Hogwarts castle. The plot soon unraveled. One particularly incriminating piece of evidence was the finding of matching magical amulets around each of these defendants´ necks."

He then strode to his desk where he grabbed the five amulets and held them aloft. Murmurs were heard from the crowd.

"Another bit of incriminating evidence is that at the beginning of the school year, Professor Figg made every student from the fourth year on up submit essays detailing who was important in their life, how they could be tempted by power and any personal family history that could be vulnerable to blackmail. These essays have since been given to Headmaster Dumbledore, but have been bewitched so that only he and possibly Sirius Black can read them. What better way for future recruitment of supporters than having a blueprint for someone´s vulnerability written in their own hand?

"I will now start my case by calling the material witnesses to the stand. They will establish that Sirius Black was indeed at Hogwarts. My first witness is Rebecca Nurse."

Harry and Hermione exchanged looks. She nodded and stood up facing Amos Diggory. She had obviously put some thought into being a barrister because she had tried her best to dress the part. She had worn a long black skirt, a white button down blouse and a black dress cloak rather than the traditional Hogwarts school uniform.

"Excuse me, your lordship," she began with a trembling voice. "My name is Hermione Granger, I´m a student at Hogwarts. I´d like to have a moment of your time to make a motion. I submit that these defendants deserve to have a barrister mount a defence on their behalf."

Amos Diggory sniffed dismissively, "We don´t use such Muggle concepts."

"Well your lord," she continued with her voice getting stronger. "I think that the Pursuit of Truth and Justice is a concept that is universal and should be revered in both Wizarding and Muggle courts. The cross-examination of witnesses is of vital importance. Otherwise, there is an incomplete and one-sided examination of evidence. And given the stature of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and the history of Harry Potter´s survival against Lord Voldemort..."

There were gasps from the audience in response to hearing that name uttered.

"...and also given the severity of the charges against them," she continued. "We should have complete confidence that there are no mitigating factors or extenuating circumstances that might later come to light that could prove embarrassing for all involved."

"Miss Granger, I must ask you to be seated," Diggory said in a patronizing tone. "We do not allow for barristers in this court."

She remained standing and instead crossed in front of the jury box and devoted her attention to them.

"Your lord, ladies and gentleman of the jury and esteemed witnesses -- I must appeal to your sense of Justice. What harm would be done if I were allowed to ask follow-up questions of the defendants and witnesses? I am after all, only a fifteen year-old witch with no formal legal training and am certainly no match against an experienced Inquisitor such as Mr. Cotton Mathews. I simply wish to uphold and defend the honour of my headmaster, two professors, my best friend and a man I believe was unjustly imprisoned. If they are found guilty of the crimes they are accused of - then there will be less doubt about the certainty of the verdicts."

She then turned back to Diggory. "I respectfully request to be their barrister."

The room erupted with murmurs from the crowd.

"What harm indeed?"

"If anyone deserves a defence it´s Dumbledore..."

"Let the girl try..."

Diggory surveyed the room and began to show a little nervousness. "Miss Granger, this is highly unusual," Diggory said coolly.

"I understand that your lord, but putting someone like Headmaster Dumbledore on trial is also highly unusual. If this were a Muggle court, the defendants would not only be afforded a barrister, but they´d also be given adequate time to mount a legal defence. I won´t ask for a postponement of these proceedings, but I am asking for the ability to mount a defence armed only with my wits, my sense of justice and..." she picked up her black leather book, "a simple Muggle legal dictionary."

There were more murmurs from the crowd.

"I´d like to see this..."

"After all Dumbledore´s done over the years..."

"He deserves a defence..."

Diggory exchanged a look with Fudge who was shaking his head ever so slightly. "I´m sorry, Miss Granger. I simply cannot allow that change in our court system," he stated firmly.

Hermione then turned once again to the assembled crowd.

"I believe that Albus Dumbledore has probably been the Headmaster or instructor for everyone in this room. If his life history of dedication to the instruction of countless generations means nothing, if his defeat of the Dark Wizard Grindlewald is simply dismissed as well as his discovery of the twelve uses of dragon´s blood is deemed unimportant - if Albus Dumbledore is undeserving of a defence - then that means that the Wizarding World is indifferent to Justice. It means that the concept of being presumed innocent until proven guilty Doesn´t Apply Here. It means that you are presumed guilty and actively prevented in asserting your innocence. If that is what the foundations of the justice system of the Wizarding World are based upon - then I shall reject it in the only way that I can."

Her voice started trembling with emotion and her hands were visibly shaking with anger. "I am a Muggle-born witch and I simply cannot stay in a world that is predicated upon injustice and cruelty. I shall turn my back on the magical world that I have embraced fully and enthusiastically for the last five years. I shall turn in my wand and my spell books and try to forget everything that I have learned at Hogwarts. I tried so hard to excel and to prove myself worthy in this magical world, but I shall deny my God given talent and return to Muggle obscurity where at least the system of governance has the appearance of fairness."

She then turned back to Diggory with tears streaming down her face. "I once again humbly request that the court allow me to defend the honour of my headmaster and his co-defendants. Even in the time of Merlin, the accused had people that were allowed to defend their honour in jousting. I don´t hold any lance - only my sense of fairness."

Harry looked about the room and saw that there were many witches and wizards who were dabbing their eyes with handkerchiefs. Diggory looked very uncomfortable.

"Professor Dumbledore, how do you feel about this?" asked Diggory.

Dumbledore gave a warm smile towards Hermione. "I would be honoured to have someone with her passion and intellect champion my cause."

Diggory narrowed his eyes on Hermione. "Very well, Miss Granger. I´ll allow you to mount a defence, but I´m warning you - if I find that you are merely trying to delay the proceedings without adding anything of substance or if you turn this into a dramatic production - I shall end this escapade with no warning."

"Yes, your lord and I thank you for this opportunity," she said as wiped her eyes and quickly took to her seat.

Mathews then stood. "Your lordship, I must voice my objections on this matter. Miss Granger is one of the material witnesses in this case. There is also the added question of the nature of her relationship with Mr. Potter."

Diggory nodded with a small smile on his face, "That does complicate matters."

Hermione stood, "Your lordship, Mr. Mathews, ladies and gentlemen of the court. I recognize that I am not the ideal candidate for this job, but on such short notice - I am the only one available. I shall give truthful testimony on this matter and feel that my status as a material witness should not disqualify myself as defence counsel. I will freely submit to Veritaserum at the end of these proceedings should there be any need for follow-up questions. My only intent is to help us all determine the Truth in these matters. And as for my relationship with Harry Potter, we are good friends. Nothing more. Regardless of the insinuations in the press, we are not a couple," she cast a look at a wizard who seated in the front of the courtroom that was furiously writing with a quill. He looked up at her and gave a wicked smile.

"Harry Potter has never so much as kissed me or tried to hold my hand. The day we were seen embracing in Hogsmeade was right after I broke up with Viktor Krum. He was being a good friend and offered his shoulder for me to cry on. And as for that famous photograph," she gave a small smile, "I´ve been assured that it was a normal male reaction."

Diggory tried hiding a smile, "Sit down Miss Granger. My permission for you to act as barrister stands. Proceed, Mr. Mathews."

Matthews stood and stifled a look of anger at Diggory. He gestured towards the midwife. "Once again I call Rebecca Nurse to the stand."

She crossed the room and stood in front of the witness stand. The bailiff held a magical stone out for her to touch.

"Do you Rebecca Nurse swear in the memory of Merlin that your testimony will be truthful?"

"I do."

"You may be seated."

Mathews crossed to the stand.

"Did you tend to Arabella Figg´s birth?"

"Yes, I was her midwife."

"Had she told you who the father of her child was?" asked Mathews.

"No. We never discussed anything of a personal nature. Her prenatal visits only concerned her health and the progression of her pregnancy."

"Where did the birth take place?"

"In Rubeus Hagrid´s hut on the grounds of Hogwarts."

"Why there?" he asked.

"The staff quarters are far too cramped to allow women to birth properly."

"What do you mean?"

"Women need the freedom to walk around if necessary," she explained. "Many women need to walk during labour. We also needed room for a birthing chair."

"Why didn´t you use the hospital wing?"

"She wanted privacy and didn´t want any students walking in looking for some acne potion and come across her giving birth."

"Who was there at the birth?"

The midwife started to think, "Hagrid was there at the beginning, but he soon left and wasn´t there at the time of the birth. Hermione Granger was there as a doula. Harry Potter was there in a supporting role and helped lift her when she used the birthing chair. He didn´t actually tend to her birthing needs. That was done by her partner and by Miss Granger. Her partner introduced himself to me as Joseph O´Brien."

"Is that man in this courtroom?" asked Mathews.

"Yes, that´s the man," she nodded and pointed towards Sirius. "He looked different at the birth. He had an aging potion that wore off while we were on the bus ride here, but that is the man."

"The court will recognize that the witness has indicated Sirius Black. And what exactly was his role?"

"He obviously was her lover and was there to help with the birth," she said matter-of-factly. "He helped deliver the baby and he cut the cord."

"What did she call him?"

"Joseph."

"Did you at any time hear him referred to as anything other than Joseph?"

"No," she replied.

"When did he leave?"

"About an hour or so after the birth. He didn´t want to leave, but he had taken a parchment out of his pocket that was making a strange sound like a bell. He looked at it and said that he had to get back. He vowed that he would come visit the next day."

"What happened after he left?" he asked.

"Well, shortly afterwards Harry and Hermione left to go to the castle and fetch us all some dinner. Harry came running back to the hut a few minutes later. Both Arabella and Harry held their necklaces in their hands and closed their eyes. Arabella then wished him luck in getting Joseph back. But she then said that Harry´s life was more important in the grand scheme of things, which I didn´t understand at all."

"What happened next?"

"Harry left and about an hour or so later, there were Ministry officials knocking at the door."

"Thank you. Your witness," Mathews said as he nodded towards Hermione.

Hermione stood and slowly walked to the stand, "Miss Nurse, had you ever met Sirius Black before?"

"No."

"Had you ever heard of him before?"

"Of course. He killed thirteen people with a single curse and escaped from Azkaban. Everyone has heard of that," Nurse said sounding annoyed.

"Had you heard of him - before the fall of Voldemort?"

"Umm, I think so," she said. "I seem to remember hearing of him when he was at Hogwarts. But I don´t ever recall meeting him."

"How would you describe him as he attended the birth," asked Hermione.

"A very caring and excited father-to-be. I´d say he was one of the best partners I´ve worked with."

"You wouldn´t characterize him as evil would you?"

"Not from what I saw."

"What about Harry Potter?" asked Hermione. "Would you describe his manner or actions as being consistent with being a Dark Wizard?"

"No."

"Thank you, that is all," Hermione said as she returned to her chair.

"The witness may step down," said Diggory.

Mathews stood, "I call Rubeus Hagrid to the stand."

Hagrid was sworn in and found it very difficult to sit in the stand as he filled it completely.

"Did Arabella Figg give birth in your hut?" asked Mathews.

"Yes."

"How long were you present during her labour?"

"Not long. I had ter fetch the midwife and later I had me class ta teach. I wasn´ really needed there ana´way. I think she just wanted me hut and not me hangin´ around."

"Did you see a man there that was called Joseph O´Brien?"

"Yes. I didn´ recognize him though."

"So you knew Sirius Black?"

"Yes," Hagrid replied darkly and shot a nasty look in Sirius´s direction. "He took a big risk comin´ in me hut. If I´da known it was him - I woulda tore `im from limb ta limb."

"You didn´t know that Harry Potter had been corresponding with him?"

"No! I woulda told Harry all about what Black did - betrayin´ his parents and all. I never thought that the boy would ever get mixed up with the likes of him."

Hagrid gave Harry a penetrating look, which made him stare down at his shoes.

"Thank you, your witness," said Mathews.

Hermione gave Hagrid a big smile as she walked towards the witness stand, "Hagrid, you knew Sirius Black before the Potters were killed."

"Yes," he muttered.

"Please tell the court what your opinion was of him at that time."

"I thought he was a fine bloke. He an´ James Potter were thick as thieves. He was the last person I woulda thought would turn bad - sceptin´ Dumbledore a `course."

"So you don´t think that Dumbledore has turned evil?"

"No!"

"How about Harry Potter?"

"NO!" roared Hagrid.

"When was the last time you saw Sirius Black before yesterday?"

"Right after the Potters were killed."

"You did? Describe that for the court," Hermione requested.

"Well, I had jus´ gotten to the burnin´ house and had gotten Harry out and Black stopped by. He was all white and shakin´. He seemed very upset. I even comforted the traitor. I thought he was upset about James an´ Lily, but all he cared about was You-Know-Who. He even tried takin´ Harry from me. He said he was the boy´s godfather and was now ter look after him. `Sceptin´ I had me orders from Dumbledore an´ I was ter take Harry ter live with his aunt and uncle. So Sirius gave me his flyin´ motorbike ta use."

"You´ve said that Sirius Black betrayed the Potters. What do you base this on?" she asked.

"I heard Minister Fudge say that two years ago in Hogsmeade. He had been in charge of the Black investigation at the time. Fudge said that the Potters knew that You-Know-Who was after `em. So to protect themselves they had a Fidelius Charm performed. An´ that Sirius Black was their Secret-Keeper. Less than a week later after the spell was done, the Potters were killed!"

"Hagrid," Hermione began slowly. "What if Minister Fudge had been given the wrong information? And what if Black had not been the Potters´ Secret-Keeper after all? What if Black tried to outwit Voldemort by switching to someone else at the last moment?"

"Objection your lord. She is leading the witness," Mathews said angrily.

"Your lord, I haven´t had any time to prepare for this case, so I ask for a little latitude in this line of questioning."

"Very well," Diggory said. "Objection overruled. Make this quick Miss Granger."

"Yes, your lord," she said and then turned back to the witness. "Hagrid, let´s say Black knew that everyone would expect him to be the Potters´ Secret-Keeper, so he decided to try to outwit Voldemort by making someone else Secret-Keeper. That way if Black were captured and tortured, he was willing to die before telling anything. So instead, what if that other person - someone you would not have suspected to be entrusted with that charge - what if that person had betrayed the Potters and not Sirius Black...Would your opinion of Sirius Black change?"

Hagrid´s face became twisted with emotion. Harry then looked at Cornelius Fudge who stood up and was visibly upset.

"I object your lord. This line of questioning has nothing to do with the charges against the defendants," Fudge commanded.

"Your lord, this subject was mentioned in the prosecution´s opening statement," pleaded Hermione. "Also it goes to establish motives. My client, Sirius Black was never tried for the crimes he was accused of fifteen years ago. If my other clients believed that he was innocent of those charges and had been unjustly imprisoned, then their motive in aiding and abetting a fugitive would have a different meaning than that which was argued by Mr. Mathews."

"What does this have to do with this witness?" asked Diggory.

"He knows all the defendants well your lord. I´m trying to probe how someone who knew Sirius Black before the Potters´ deaths would react if they came to believe in his innocence."

"Very well, one more question then you shall move on Miss Granger."

She paused and looked directly at the witness. "Hagrid, knowing Headmaster Dumbledore as well as you do, would it be in character for him to support someone in trouble that he believed was unjustly accused of a crime?"

Harry looked at Hagrid´s face. He knew that Hermione struck gold with that question. Hagrid was reflecting on his own unjust accusations of being behind the opening of the Chamber of Secrets and being thrown into Azkaban. Hagrid nodded slowly.

"Yup, that´s Dumbledore all right," he said gruffly.

"Thank you, Hagrid."

Mathews stood. "At this time your lord, I had planned to call Miss Hermione Granger."

Hermione turned and replied, "Your lord I will gladly stipulate certain matters to try and expedite these proceedings. I attended the birth at Professor Figg´s request. I had seen Sirius Black before, but did not recognize him yesterday. When I saw him before he had looked very thin and gaunt with filthy, matted hair and dirty, ragged robes. Yesterday he appeared handsome, clean cut, well fed and clothed, and appeared twenty years older than he does now. He also spoke with a thick Australian accent, so I didn´t even recognize his voice. I will also stipulate that I witnessed both Professor Figg and Harry clutching amulets on their necks. I knew nothing about their significance and wondered why they were doing that at the same time. I also knew nothing of Sirius Black´s and Professor Figg´s relationship. If you have other questions for me, I would respectfully request that you wait until after the proceedings where I will willingly take the stand and answer any question on any topic."

"Thank you, Miss Granger. I shall reserve the right to recall you as a witness later," said Mathews.

Hermione then sat down. Mathews made a motion to a bailiff. "I call Ronald Weasley as my next witness."

Harry and Hermione exchanged worried glances. What was he doing here, Harry wondered. Arthur Weasley had a look of utter astonishment on his face. Obviously no one told him that his son was being brought forth as a witness. Hermione looked at her watch nervously as the door opened and Ron walked over to the witness chair and was sworn in by the bailiff.

"Mr. Weasley, could you please tell the court your relationship with Harry Potter."

"We´re best mates. I met him on the Hogwarts Express the first day at school. We were both sorted into Gryffindor."

"Yes, Mr. Weasley, could you tell the court whether or not Mr. Potter has had any undue influence upon you. Whether or not he´s forced you to go along with his plans on things that you otherwise wouldn´t have done?" Mathews asked sinisterly.

Ron nodded and looked down his face darkening.

"In our second year, Hermione and I became concerned with Harry. We were worried and when she crossed him...he petrified her. I still don´t know how he did it or how he attacked the other students, but Harry did it. Later when I stood up to him, he abducted my little sister Ginny and threatened to kill her."

Harry felt the blood rush into his face. He couldn´t understand where any of this testimony was coming from. Arthur Weasley´s face started to darken as his eyes darted from Ron to Harry.

"Tell us what happened the night Harry threatened Ginny," Mathews said reassuringly.

"Harry knocked her out and had hidden her in a secret passage. He said if I didn´t follow him and do what he said, that he´d kill her. I didn´t have any choice. Then Professor Lockhart found us. Harry stunned him and then did a memory charm on him. He then came up with the whole story of the basilisk and the Chamber of Secrets. Ginny didn´t remember anything, so it was easy for her to go along with the story. So when we left the passage, Harry once again pretended to be the hero."

Harry closed his eyes and shook his head.

"Tell us what happened at the end of your third year when you met Sirius Black," Mathews prompted.

"Well," Ron began, "we were outside of the castle. We were afraid that Buckbeak the hippogriff was going to be executed. When Sirius Black attacked me and dragged me off into the Forbidden Forest. Harry and Hermione followed, trying to save me. That´s when Black told Harry that he was destined for great things. Black said that Harry could rule the world and that he would help him. Black came up with this alibi and said that my rat was actually Peter Pettigrew in disguise. Harry and Black actually thought that story might work, because everyone believed Harry to be a hero."

"It didn´t work though did it?" asked Mathews.

"No. My rat had been eaten by Hermione´s cat weeks before. It was widely known because she and I had a falling out about it. So no one believed the story that Pettigrew had escaped in a rat form. But later Harry somehow helped Black escape."

"You don´t know how he did that?"

"No. Harry stunned me one point and I was unconscious when the breakout occurred."

Minister Fudge stroked his thin mustache with an appreciative look in his eyes.

"Has Harry been communicating with Black since that time?"

"Yes, he´s written many letters to him. Exchanged gifts, too," Ron added.

"When Harry was in the Triwizard Tournament did he ever mention to you what lengths he would go to in order to win?"

"Yes, he said he´d do anything. He wanted everyone to think he was the most powerful wizard in generations."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley. Your witness," Mr. Mathews said as he sat down.

Hermione looked at her watch again and then stood evaluating Ron closely. She licked her lips slowly.

"Well, Ron..."

Ron stared at her blankly.

She licked her lips with great exaggeration.

"Well..." she said expectantly.

"Well what? Are you going to ask me a question or not?" Ron asked with exasperation in his voice.

Hermione turned to Judge Diggory.

"Your lord, I object to this witness because I submit to you - this is not Ronald Weasley, but an imposter!"

There were mutters from the gallery. Arthur Weasley´s eyebrows were closely knit.

"On what evidence do you base that assumption, Miss Granger?" Diggory asked.

"Other than saying that Ron and Harry are best mates, the rest of his testimony does not in any way resemble reality. Plus he did not respond to the secret signals I gave him."

"Come again?"

"Last fall on the Hogwarts Express, Harry suggested that we come up with a signal to greet ourselves with so that we would be certain it was who we appeared to be. We needed to use small signals that wouldn´t be obvious to observers. My signal was to lick my lips and start off any conversation with the word, `well.´ Ron´s signal was to sniff and say `umm.´"

"Hermione, I´m your best friend. Don´t you recognize me?" asked Ron desperately.

"Oh, you look just like Ron Weasley, but that can be achieved by Polyjuice Potion. Your lord, I ask that any further questioning of this witness be reserved until after an hour has passed without him having any food or liquid provided him. If after such time has passed and he still appears to be in this form - then I shall admit my error and continue my cross-examination of him at that time."

Mathews stood and was very angry.

"Your lord, I must renew my objection to this highly unusual arrangement. If Miss Granger wishes to play barrister and the court decides to entertain the whims of a schoolgirl, then I feel she should take the witnesses in the order they are presented. She should not come up with ludicrous objections simply because the witness has provided damaging testimony towards a client."

Diggory nodded and narrowed his eyes towards Hermione, "Miss Granger, I must admit that because Mr. Weasley didn´t sniff and say `umm´ hardly seems convincing to me to delay his testimony. If you have any questions for him, please ask them now."

"Very well, your lord. I shall continue," she said as she turned once again to face Ron. "Here´s an easy question for you. Could you please tell the court the names and birth order of all of your siblings?"

Ron blanched, "Umm, Charlie...Percy...Fred, George and Ginny."

"Nice try. But I think you´re forgetting your oldest brother. What was his name again?" she asked egging him on.

"Umm, I´m drawing a blank."

"Yes, let me help you. He works for Gringotts in Cairo? Does that help?"

"Umm..."

"See now you´re using the signal. A little too late though," she said mockingly. She then grew serious. "I´ll help you. Your oldest brother´s name is Bilius, but everyone calls him Bill. A few months ago when you went to your brother Charlie´s funeral - you found out that you had another brother that was murdered by Death Eaters before you were born. A brother you never knew about. What was his name?"

Ron looked angry. "You´re making this up. There was no other brother."

"David," she spat at him. "His name was David."

Arthur Weasley´s looked directly at Ron and his face looked purple with rage. Percy Weasley looked very confused.

Hermione gave a smug smile. She looked like she was getting wound up and going in for the kill. "Okay, whoever you are - answer me this - tell me why I would risk Harry´s temper during our third year. After Harry´s broomstick was destroyed in a Quidditch match by the Whomping Willow, he received a Firebolt anonymously for Christmas. I was worried that Sirius Black might have jinxed it and sent it to him so I told Professor McGonagall of my concerns. If I was so scared of Harry´s temper, if I were petrified of his wrath, why would I have told McGonagall anything?"

"Umm..."

"Or if you had your life and Ginny´s life threatened by Harry - if you were ever so scared of him, why did you refuse to talk with him for an entire month during our fourth year?"

"Umm..."

"You were mad at him because you thought he entered his name into the Goblet of Fire and didn´t let you in on how he tricked it. So you stopped talking to him!"

Mathews stood again visibly agitated. "Your lord, I object. She is badgering this witness. And she´s using a line of questioning that has no bearing on the charges at hand."

Hermione smiled at Judge Diggory. "Your lord, I may be badgering a witness, but he is bearing false witness because...," she paused and gestured towards Ron.

His flaming red hair started to fade into a pale blonde.

"Because he is a false witness. This is Draco Malfoy!" she announced.

There were gasps from the gallery. Cotton Mathews stood and his face was contorted. "Your lord, I had no idea about this. I don´t know who put him up to this, but I shall find out. I apologize to the court and ask to have this person sequestered until which time I can lead an investigation into this matter."

Diggory nodded gravely. "Your motion is granted. Will the bailiff please remove the witness?"

Harry looked at Minister Fudge´s face, but it looked impassive and was impossible to read. Percy Weasley who was sitting next to Fudge looked very confused. Arthur Weasley was clenching and unclenching his fists and looked venomously in Malfoy´s direction.

"Next I call Arabella Figg," declared Mathews.

The bailiff moved forward to the chair she was shackled in and administered three drops of Veritaserum and made her swear an oath of honesty. The serum made her face become slack and she struggled to continue to hold the baby in her arms.

"Professor Figg, how long have you known Sirius Black?"

"I first met him in 1978. I trained both he and James Potter as Aurors."

"You weren´t working for the Ministry then were you?" he asked.

"No. We were working on behalf of Albus Dumbledore. We were his private agents."
"Did you know that a Fidelius Charm was to be performed to protect the Potters?"

"I did, but I didn´t know the particulars."

"What did you think when you heard about Black´s curse that killed thirteen people?"

"I was devastated at the news. I couldn´t believe that Sirius had done that. It was not at all something that I would have expected from the man that I knew," she replied.

"When was the next time that you saw him?"

"Last year, a few days after the Triwizard Tournament. Dumbledore sent him to my house with a message. He told me that Voldemort had risen again and that I was to have a new assignment."

"What proof was offered that Voldemort had returned?" Mathews asked.

"Dumbledore´s word. He also told me that he had verified that Sirius was innocent."

"No physical evidence was shown to you?" he prodded.

"No."

"And what had been your assignment after Lily and James Potter´s deaths?"

"I was in charge of security over Harry Potter´s neighbourhood."

"Please describe for the court what these security measures entail," coaxed Mathews.

"I object your lord," said Hermione. "I don´t believe that these security measures have any bearing on the charges before the court. And should Harry Potter be found not guilty and released, then any such testimony could prove life-threatening to him."

Diggory nodded, "Objection, sustained."

Mathews shot Hermione a withering look. He turned back to Professor Figg and continued. "Please tell the court, who is the father of the child you are holding in your arms."

"Sirius Black," she said looking down at Soraya.

"When did you begin having an intimate relationship with him?"

"The night he delivered his message to me."

Titters of laughter and gossiping broke out through the courtroom.

"And how did you help Mr. Black, besides making him comfortable?"

"I helped change his outward appearance and helped him obtain his wand. We came up with a cover story to explain why he was staying at my house for a year while I was teaching at Hogwarts."

"So Black was left in charge of Harry Potter´s home security measures," he asked.

"Yes," she said.

"Tell me the names of all the people that have these amulets?"

"Myself, Sirius, Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, Remus Lupin, Mundungus Fletcher and Harry Potter," she said.

"Did both Remus Lupin and Mundungus Fletcher know about Sirius Black´s whereabouts?"

"Yes."

"Where are they now?" Mathews asked.

"In my house in Little Whinging watching over the security for Privet Drive."

"What is the address?"

"Number 8 Magnolia Crescent."

"Two more to be brought in," he smiled as he waved to an officer in the corner of the courtroom. That man snapped his heels and quickly left the room. "Is there anyone else that helped Sirius Black?"

"Not that I know of."

"Your witness."

Hermione stood and walked over to Professor Figg. "Hello, Professor. Could you please tell the court why you believed Professor Dumbledore´s word without any physical evidence?"

"Because I´ve known Albus Dumbledore for over thirty years. I trust him completely."

"And Sirius Black?"

"I´ve known him through many difficult times. We grew very close after the murder of my husband and my miscarriage. When he told me the truth about what had happened with the Potters, it made sense. I realized then how much I loved him, that´s when we became lovers."

"He didn´t offer you any physical evidence?"

"No, but everything in his story rang true. Later after talking with Harry, other gaps were filled in."

"Thank you, Professor Figg," Hermione said as she sat down.

"Next I call Harry Potter," Mathews said with his commanding voice echoing off the back walls.

**

End notes: I´d like to thank the following people for reviewing my work: actongirlie, Acycla, CousinYogurt99 aka ~*Sparky*~, HeXe, Lilinator, Lisse Granger, makulit, Maria 1314, Mione Anne Potter, padfoot 1979, Sonya Rose Jaime Potter and Unregister,

Stay tuned only two more chapters to go. Coming soon - chapter 17 - Habeus Corpus.