NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Justice
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 22: Justice
"Yeah, I'll use my power to make sure he gets justice," Amelia smiled.
"Amelia, long time no see," greeted Sirius Black. He had once worked under her small team in the Auror Department. At that time, Amelia was just a junior leader managing a small group of Aurors. She was seven years older than him, but that didn't stop Sirius from flirting with her.
Unfortunately, it was wartime, and Amelia had no interest in romantic feelings, especially toward a younger man.
Speaking of Amelia, she came from one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight pureblood families. Voldemort once tried to recruit the Bones family to join the Death Eaters, but they refused because they didn't believe violence could lead to peace. Moreover, the Bones family valued friendship and had strong Hufflepuff values.
This rejection led to the assassination of most of the Bones family by Death Eaters, leaving only her niece Susan Bones alive. The rest—her brother, sister-in-law, father, and mother—were killed. According to rumors, Voldemort himself may have been there during the attack.
Amelia and Susan survived because they were elsewhere at the time. The Death Eaters ambushed the Bones family at home, and though eight of them died in the attack, they succeeded in their mission.
"Sirius Black, nice to meet you again," smiled Amelia. "As I mentioned before, I called you here to discuss your trial."
"I understand, and thank you, Amelia," said Sirius with relief. Harry, hearing this, smiled widely and hugged his godfather.
"I believe you're innocent, Sirius, but you still committed a crime back then," Amelia suddenly said, bringing up another matter.
"What?" Harry was shocked. Sirius, too, looked puzzled. "What crime?"
"Your Animagus form," Amelia explained. "According to the law, you're required to register it with the Ministry of Magic's Department of Magical Law Enforcement, which is under my department."
"Does Sirius have to go back to Azkaban? But he's already served 12 years there!" Harry panicked.
"Don't worry, Mr. Potter. He won't need to return to Azkaban," Amelia assured him. "After the trial, you'll just need to register, Mr. Black."
"Okay, Amelia," Sirius grinned, finding the situation rather amusing.
Back to the present.....
"He is a criminal!" someone shouted as Sirius Black entered the courtroom. Most members of the Wizengamot were panicking at the sight of Sirius Black, free from chains and looking healthy.
Sirius had taken the time to make himself presentable, wearing expensive robes and even getting a haircut. If Lucius Malfoy were present, he might have felt anxious, knowing that the wealth of the Black family would not fall into his son's hands, as the true Lord Black had returned.
"What are you doing? Chain him, or he'll escape!" Fudge exclaimed in a panic, while other wizards around him nodded in agreement.
"There's no need to worry. We've ensured he has no wand," Amelia said calmly, signaling her Aurors not to restrain Sirius Black.
Small team of Aurors were aware of today's trial because Amelia had gone to great lengths to keep it secret. The Aurors assigned to this task had taken an Unbreakable Vow, ensuring they wouldn't leak any details by speaking or writing about it until the trial began.
This explained the confusion among many Aurors, who, though startled by the sight of Sirius Black, followed Amelia's orders rather than Cornelius Fudge, who technically held a higher office. They simply guarded the Wizengamot, ensuring order despite the rising tension.
"Are you certain?" Fudge asked, casting a doubtful glance at Amelia.
"Yes, don't worry. Today, Sirius Black is here for a trial," Amelia confirmed.
Fudge suddenly remembered Harry Potter's plea two years ago, claiming that Sirius Black was innocent and that Peter Pettigrew was still alive. Fudge had dismissed Harry's words back then, even branding him a liar.
As he calmed down, panic began to rise within Fudge. If Sirius Black were proven innocent, it would tarnish his reputation. Though he wanted to cancel the trial, it had already begun, and there was no turning back.
Trial begin....
"Sirius Orion Black, are you willing to testify truthfully at today's trial?" asked Amelia.
"Yes, I'm willing," replied Sirius Black.
"As a pureblood, it is impossible to administer Veritaserum without a two-thirds majority of the Wizengamot. So, are you willing to take this serum to prove your innocence?" asked Amelia while showing the Veritaserum.
"I'm willing, please administer it to me," replied Sirius confidently.
"The accused has given his consent to use Veritaserum. Please confirm that this potion is indeed Veritaserum and verify that Sirius Black has not consumed any other potion beforehand," ordered Amelia, handing the Veritaserum to the Wizengamot staff.
After confirming it, one of the Aurors administered three drops of Veritaserum to Sirius Black. After a while, his eyes became unfocused.
"The potion has taken effect," confirmed the Auror. Hearing this, Amelia Bones began to question Sirius about the past.
"Is your name Sirius Orion Black?" asked Amelia.
"Yes, my name is Sirius Orion Black," answered Sirius.
"Were you born on November 3, 1959?" asked Amelia again.
"Yes," answered Sirius Black.
"The potion has taken effect, and it works well with the accused. The questioning begins now," said Amelia Bones.
"Are you a Death Eater?" asked Amelia.
"No, I am not a Death Eater," answered Sirius Black.
"Are you working under You-Know-Who?" asked Amelia.
"No, I am not working under You-Know-Who or Voldemort." Hearing this, the Wizengamot members became short of breath and slightly panicked.
"Did you betray James and Lily Potter and give their location to You-Know-Who?" Amelia asked again after the situation had calmed down.
"No, I would rather die than betray my best friend," Sirius became agitated as he answered this question.
"Did you kill Peter Pettigrew and the Muggles?" asked Amelia.
"No, I didn't kill the Muggles, and Peter Pettigrew managed to escape," Sirius's face became ferocious when he spoke about Peter.
"Can you tell us why you were hunting Peter Pettigrew?" asked Amelia.
"It was my fault. I am the reason James died. I killed them," at this point, Sirius's tears began to fall. "I trusted Peter, so I offered to James that to replace me with Peter Pettigrew as Secret-Keeper."
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