52Chapter 42
Chapter 42
Ron sat next to him rambling on and on about something, Quidditch maybe, but Harry wasn't paying the redhead any attention. He was mapping out his escape route for later that day. Amelia Bones had owled him, telling him that she had the meeting set for Sirius to come in and see her. That Arthur and Mister Malfoy had already agreed to witness it, though they still didn't know what they were witnessing exactly but had agreed.
Harry originally hadn't planned on going, but Amelia mentioned that she wanted to rush the custody hearing, less interference that way. Her plan was that as soon as she cleared Sirius she could call an emergency meeting. There had to be an hour gap time, a ministry law were they gave a chance for all those involved to show up and plead their case. But she hoped that with how quickly everything moved that neither the Dursleys (as if they would) or Dumbledore could show up and protest Sirius gaining control over Harry.
Bones told him that he didn't need to be there, but he felt that was bullshit. He wanted the chance to argue against anyone that tried to force him back to his vile relatives. Plus he wanted to be by Sirius's side to show that was where he wanted to be. Not having much time to plan, Harry had rushed a letter to the twins asking for advice. They hadn't responded yet, and he was worried they wouldn't in time. So he started to plan himself. The first thing he needed to do was to ditch Ron and then get out of Hogwarts unnoticed.
"Harry, are you listening to me?" Ron asked. He tried to ignore that part of him that wanted to snap at his once best friend, "Thinking Ron, sorry," he muttered instead and tried to look apologetic. It seemed to work as Ron gave a short nod and went back to ranting.
Turned out ditching Ron was easier then he thought it would be. Because as they sat there an owl appeared landing on Ron's knees a small box attached to it's foot. Harry watched as Ron untied it and carefully opened it, inside were some kind of sweets and Ron's face lit up.
"Twins?" Harry asked. It seemed like something they would do, especially if they were trying to help him, though he didn't think Ron would eat anything they sent him.
His ex-friend shook his head, "Charlie." Harry grinned and Ron grinned back. He had no doubt that the candies were from the twins but the older Weasley knew Ron wouldn't eat anything from them so Charlie sent it instead. Harry made a mental note to thank his friends later. He watched gleefully as Ron started shoving the sweets into his mouth, it took two before the redhead stopped, eyes widening before he crumbled to the floor unconscious. Harry laughed at the sight of his ex-best friend on the ground then gathered his things and left.
His cloak was in his bag already, he had taken to carry it with him at all times for two reasons, first, so that neither Ron or Dumbledore could take it, second, in case he needed to disappear in a hurry. With it all he had to do was take the tunnel that led to Honeydukes where he would be meeting Sirius and Remus.
He felt a little bad that him and Moony hadn't told Sirius about what was going on. They were both worried about how the animagus would react. Padfoot's trust in them warmed Harry. It also bewildered him, all Harry had to do was tell the man that it was important and Sirius agreed. No questions, no arguments. Harry just prayed that Amelia Bones was as trustworthy as she appeared. He didn't want to be the one to put his godfather in danger all because he trusted the wrong person.
Wrapped in his cloak he made his way out of honeydukes cellar and then outside, he grinned happily when he saw Remus and a large black dog at his side. He was quiet as he snuck up on the pair, Remus tensed when Harry got close, probably smelling him. He put his hand on the man's wrist and smiled when Remus let out a relieved breath. He wasn't sure if that was what got the excited bark from Sirius or if in his dog form he could smell Harry as well. They moved as one, away from store. At the end of the village Remus put a hand on Padfoot's head and Harry tightened his hand around his godfather's wrist. The feeling of being sucked through a straw made him gag and then he found himself in an office room.
A blonde woman, Arthur Weasley who looked stunned at the sight of three of them, and Lucius Malfoy who blinked once before regaining his composure, greeted them.
Bones gave Padfoot a calculating look before she nodded. "Mister Black, if you would please change, we can get started." Sirius scuffed and then shifted into a human. Arthur made a choked sound and Harry watched as the man gave a panicked look between Sirius, Bones and Malfoy.
"What exactly are we doing here?" Malfoy asked, moving to stand by the door way, close to the exit, Harry realized.
"We are here, Mister Malfoy, to have an emergency interview slash interrogation for Sirius Black, once he has been formerly cleared, we will move down to court room 10 for an expedited custody hearing." Harry watched as both Arthur and Sirius gasped at Bones, both clearly surprised.
"We are witnesses," Arthur said, as if he was just piecing together what he and Malfoy were doing there.
"Yes, you are," Bones said. Despite what was going on Harry couldn't take his eyes off Arthur. The man's eyes searched the room and Harry could tell the man was trying to understand why it was them here and not Dumbledore. Arthur stopped on him, gaze searching before he closed his eyes and took a breath.
"Where do we start?" he asked when he opened them again. Harry felt himself let out a breath. Whatever thoughts Arthur may have had, he had settled on helping them. Harry just hoped he got a moment to talk to the man before he could talk to Dumbledore. For Arthur may have guessed they didn't want him here, but he wouldn't know they didn't trust the man anymore.
Turned out there wasn't much for Harry, Remus, Arthur and Lucius to do.
They sat, or stood in Mister Malfoy's case, and watched as Bones questioned Sirius, after giving him a truth potion, of course. She got his versions of the events from the night Harry's parents died and how Pettigrew become their secret keeper. Then she asked about what happened in Harry's third year, asking Remus and Harry a handful of questions as well. At the end she gave Sirius the antidote and pulled out a piece of parchment.
She tapped the parchment twice with her wand and then signed it, when she was finished she handed it to Arthur who sighed in and handed it off to Lucius.
"Mister Black," the blonde woman said with a smile. "It seems the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Ministry itself owe you an apology. You have been accused of a crime you didn't commit and locked away for 12 years without any evidence or trial. I will make sure to file a complaint on your behalf as well as a request for compensation, as you are rightly owed." She tapped the parchment again, causing the paper to disappear.
Sirius rushed to his feet pulling both Harry and Remus into a suffocating hug.
Bones cleared her throat. "As badly," she smiled again, "as I want to let you three celerbrate, there is more we have to do. I have to arrange the custody hearing and send out an announcement about it," Harry put his hand on Sirius's arm as the man started to growl, "I'm sorry Mister Black, by law I have to give any and all people involved an hour minimum to appear."
Sirius dropped down into his seat, "how long do we have to wait?"
"I have already started the paperwork, it should take less than 10 minutes to finish it and gather the others. However, we can not start until exactly one hour after I have sent out the announcement. You three are welcome to stay in my office until it's time." She turned and looked at Arthur and Lucius. "You two are free to go, but I must ask that you keep what happened here, and the upcoming custody case to yourselves until all this is over." Malfoy nodded and left the room. Arthur however seemed conflicted.
The twin's father seemed to want to stay and talked to them. He hovered at the doorway for a second before sighing, he gave Harry one last look before he turned away.
"Wait!" Harry called out, "You can stay." The head of the Weasley family visibly relaxed before he turned and came back into the room.
Amelia Bones left shortly after to get everything ready and the room fell into an awkward silence.
"Why isn't Dumbledore here?" Arthur asked after several minutes.
Harry couldn't go over it again. He whispered to Remus that he could give the red-head the details and he left the room. He stood out in the hall way back to Amelia's door and waited. It seemed the twins were right about their father, the man was good and trustworthy, and Harry was almost positive he hadn't known what his wife, son and daughter had been up too. He wondered briefly if Remus would tell him, or if they were just covering Dumbledore's crimes.
"Are you alright?" Amelia asked appearing at his side.
"Think so," he said, giving her a smile.
"You know Potter, I have been very understanding of your circumstances and even kept your secrets, but I have to ask Darryl Owen? You guaranteed me his crimes were equally or worse than what he would be charged with. What could he have done that was worse then kidnapping and torture?"
"He hunted down and killed Dark wizards,'' he replied, "Remus has documents proof that Owen killed suspected Dark wizards, some for resisting arrest, other for being caught in the act, he also has proof of Owen planting evidence." He watched as the woman in front of him grew more and more angry. "There is also proof his partner knew of some of his actions." The department head cursed and stomped away from him.
A second later he almost fell to the floor backwards as the door he was leaning against suddenly opened. Sirius caught him with a low chuckle, before pushing him back onto his feet.
"Alright there pup?" the man asked. Harry glared at him then looked at Arthur. The man wasted no time before he rushed forward and hugged him.
"I'm sorry," the man whispered. " I didn't know." Harry hugged him back.
"I know." Arthur pulled away and looked at him. "You didn't seem the type to plot or lie, plus your sons seemed positive you had nothing to do with any of it." Arthur gave him a sad smile.
"I'll give it all back," the man swore, "everything they stole from you, and the marriage contract, I'll cancel it." Harry held up his hand.
"Don't worry about the money, I don't need it, and the contract is invalid. Dumbledore was never my guardian so he couldn't sign anything." Arthur gave him a look then shrugged.
"If you're sure." the man said.
"Mister Potter?" He turned to look at Bones. "It's time." Harry's heart raced as he moved to follow her.