Chapter 42: Verdicts and Victories
"No." Peter answered before anyone could say anything else. "He died when he tried to kill the Potters." Fudge paused, suddenly looking very pleased, he pulled out his wand and stunned both Peter and Sirius.
"Dumbledore, I do not care what your reasons are, but if you keep interrupting and talking without permission then you will be removed from court and charged, am I understood?" Fudge said in a surprisingly firm voice.
"Understood." Dumbledore said in a soft voice as he gave a faint nod. Internally he was wondering why Peter said no, he knew that Voldemort was back thanks to Severus's dark mark plus the fact that Severus had recently returned after being exposed to the cruciatus curse.
"Good," Fudge said, he could not help the smile that was on his face, he knew he was right and now he had proven it! Actually, something that made the situation even better was the fact that Dumbledore himself and a death eater had proven it. Fudge was already making plans to celebrate later. "aurors, please give them both the antidote and revive them." The aurors nodded and did as they were told. A minute later Sirius and Peter were both awake. Sirius looked like he had just waken up from a nice dream while Peter looked like he had just woken up to find his nightmare was real.
"How many galleons did you steal?!" Sirius demanded as he turned to Peter.
"I don't know! I don't remember!" Peter said honestly.
"Was this third year when I was supposed to go on a date with that seventh year and was about to get lucky only to find there was no money to pay for our food?!"
"Umm...I think so, or at least that's when it started."
"Give him the dementor's kiss!" Sirius screamed.
"That will be decided now." Fudge replied. "Firstly, all those in favour of Sirius Black being innocent?" Fudge raised his hand, so did everyone else, nobody dared be the only person to not raise their hand when it was far too obvious that he was innocent. "Innocent!" Fudge said as he slammed his gavel down repeatedly. "Mr Black, for your unfair imprisonment the ministry will give you a large sum of money for each year that you have spent in Azkaban along with free medical treatment and your animagus form shall be registered for free along with an order of Merlin. I know it will not equal the years you spent in Azkaban but..."
"It's fine." Sirius waved him off. He remembered Harry's letter telling him to play good for Fudge, as of the moment Sirius wanted nothing more than to get custody of Harry, flip Dumbledore and everyone off then go out the door but for his godson he would play nice.
"How gracious of you," Fudge smiled before his lips shifted into a frown as he turned to Pettigrew. "all those who believe Mr Pettigrew to be guilty?" Once again everyone raised their hands as it would be stupid not to do so in such a clear and obvious case. "Now there is simply the matter of your punishment."
"Give him the kiss!" Sirius begged. "Come on, it'll be the first one he's ever had! If you're not going to kill him then life in Azkaban at least!"
"Those for life in Azkaban?" Fudge asked. Roughly thirty percent of all people, Dumbledore included, raised their hands. "And those in favour of the dementors kiss?" Fudge asked as he raised his own hand along with the rest of the room.
"NO!" Peter cried when he saw the results.
"Peter Pettigrew, you are hereby stripped of your order of Merlin, unless you have a will written all of your money and property will be divided between Sirius Black, Harry Potter and...Remus Lupin was it?" Fudge asked Sirius who quickly nodded.
"Ahem," A cough came, followed by a girly voice. "are you sure that is a wise idea?" Dolores Umbridge asked. "Mr Lupin is a werewolf." She said, trying not to make a face at the word 'werewolf'.
"So?" Sirius said defensively. "He's still my friend and he still suffered because of Pettigrew."
"Mr Black is right Dolores," Fudge said before turning to Pettigrew. "finally you will be sentenced to the dementors kiss first thing tomorrow."
"No! Mercy! Please!" Pettigrew cried.
"And the rat is a going, and the rat is a going and the rat is a going and the rat is nearly gone." Sirius said in a sing song voice as Peter was stunned and dragged out. "By Peter!" Sirius called in a cheery voice before he turned to Fudge. "This has all been great but I would like to move on to the part where I get custody for my godson."
"Forgive me for interrupting," Dumbledore said to Fudge. "but I believe that this is not the best time to discuss that."
"Dumbledore Mr Black is innocent." Fudge frowned at the old man, he was sure that Dumbledore was just trying to make things difficult for him now that it was proven that you-know-who was not back.
"I am innocent." Sirius agreed with an emphatic nod.
"That is true," Dumbledore agreed. "but young Sirius has spent the last few years in Azkaban then in hiding. We do not know how healthy it would be for either of them." Dumbledore said, it was a simply but effective argument as many of them began thinking and agreeing with that.
"Very well," Fudge frowned, realising that most were agreeing with it so there was nothing he could do about it. "Sirius Black shall be sent to receive medical help and a check up, then we shall reconvene at a later date pending on Mr Black's report. All who agree?" Fudge raised his hand and most people raised their hands in agreement. "Very well, Mr Black, you will be escorted to St Mungo's. Court is closed for the day." Fudge said before he slammed his gavel down.
Dumbledore watched as Sirius was taken away, Sirius glared at Dumbledore, letting Dumbledore know that now was probably not the best time to talk to Sirius.
"Severus," Dumbledore said as he returned into his office. "are you feeling better?"
"I am, has Black been freed?" Snape asked.
"Yes."
"And I now suddenly feel worse."
"Pettigrew has said under veritaserum that Voldemort has not returned." Dumbledore frowned, looking at Snape, waiting for him to explain.
"You left before I could explain," Snape sighed. "Pettigrew had his memory and mind altered before he attacked Potter. That way if Pettigrew failed..."
"Then Voldemort would not be dragged down with him," Dumbledore finished in a soft voice. "an ingenious plan."
"A necceary one as well it seems, Potter had defeated Pettigrew and returned. Once he had gone it was Barty Crouch Junior who came and took Potter's blood to complete the ritual."
"Hmm," Dumbledore said with a thoughtful face. "now that people have listen to Pettigrew say under veritaserum that Voldemort has not returned it will be all the more difficult to convince people."
Harry could not keep the smile off of his face as he walked up the stairs and towards the private room in St Mungo's hospital. Sirius was free! He could hardly believe it!
Harry eventually reached the door to the private room, Harry stopped shortly before knocking the door. He took a couple of deep breaths to calm himself, he shook his head and once he was ready he raised his hand to knock on the door. He knocked three times in a row.
"Sirius!" Harry called. "It's me, Harry! You know, Prongs junior! Prongslet!" The door opened, and Harry smiled only to find himself tackled down.
Harry ended up with his back leaning against the wall opposite the door as he sat on the floor, he looked down to find a knee that had narrowly avoided landing on that special little area between his legs.
His eyes rose up, taking notice of the rather unique clothes, he glanced a few seconds longer than he should on the cleavage when his eyes finally reached the top. He saw a heart shaped face with bright shoulder length pink hair and beautiful violet eyes.
"Um...hi." Harry blurted out. The person in front of him blushed slightly before quickly recovering and giving him a grin.
"Wotcher, I am Tonks." She said as she gave him a dazzling smile.
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