52Chapter 43
Chapter 43
The courtroom was smaller than the one he had been in before. It felt more personal somehow, the way they were all closer together, maybe. Harry and Remus had been asked to sit in the sitting area, behind Sirius but they had refused and Miss Bones had two more chairs placed next to Harry's godfather for them to sit.
Across a small walk away was another table, Remus had whispered in his ear that it was for the Dusleys or Dumbledore, should they show and try to fight Sirius' claim. In the front of the room was a large bench area. Three seats where Amelia Bones and two men were seated. Harry figured they were the judges and was grateful, he knew Bones was on his side Harry just hoped the other two were as well. There were a few others in the room, including Lucius Malfoy, Arthur Weasley, and Rufus Scrimgeour the current Ministry of Magic, Harry was sure he recognized a few Aurors and Order members. None of them mattered at the moment. He looked away to see Remus had cast a tempus. It was counting down, showing the hour was almost up. He wondered if it was too early to be grateful that no one else had shown yet.
Of course it was his luck that just as the hour was about up, Dumbledore walked in. Harry's world spun when the Dusley's and Snape followed behind him. Panic filled him and he suddenly couldn't breathe, he felt someone pulling him against them, he recognized Sirius's scent and closed his eyes and hugged his godfather.
"The bastard." He heard Sirius curse next to him. His godfather's anger helped him calm down a little, and he slowly started to be able to breathe again.
"They can't…" Harry muttered against the man's chest. He wasn't sure if he wanted to say they couldn't be here or that they couldn't take him away but it seemed his godfathers understood because Remus growled low and whispered, "We won't let them."
A second later he heard the door open again. He figured since all the people he didn't want were already here, he pulled away from Sirius and looked up. He felt relieved when he saw four redheads moving to sit behind him and his godfathers. He gave each of them a grateful smile and tried not to look at the other side of the room. Where he knew his aunt and uncle would be seated. Even without looking he knew Dumbledore was sitting behind them, fake smile, fake twinkle in his eyes. He wanted to hurt the man.
"It seems,'' male voice said from the front of the room, "that we are all here."
"Today we will preside over and determine the custody of one Harry James Potter. Overseeing this matter is myself, Michael Moore, Mister Ephram Wells and Miss Amelia Bones. As Sirius Black has been cleared of any and all charges against him and was named Harry Potter's godfather by Lily and James Potter, custody rightfully belongs to him. Hopefully this should be a simple matter of recognizing Lord Black's rights and allowing him and Mister Potter to go about their lives. Now as with the law, I have to ask, is there any," The man looked at the Dursleys, "that wish to fight this matter."
Dumbledore of course stood up."Mister Potter has spent 15 years being raised by his muggle relatives, they have cared for and looked after him, uprooting him now would be cruel and unnecessary." Sirius and Remus growled in sync and Harry heard one or more curses from behind them.
"Cared for him?" Remus growled standing up, the wolf glared at Dumbledore. "They neglected him, refused him food, hit him, and called him a freak until he was the age to start muggle primary school." Harry saw several people wince and even a couple paled at Remus' words.
"Remus, my friend, those are exaggerations, all children complain of their families. I assure you Harry has been well cared for." Harry was sure Sirius was going to lunge across the aisle and strangle the old man.
"Is that so Mister Dumbledore?" Amelia asked. Of course the old man nodded, he didn't know that Harry had given her proof about the Dursley's treatment.
"Then can you explain this to us?" She asked with a smile as she handing a piece of parchment to Mister Wells, who gasped and handed it to Moore. After both men saw it, the parchment was floated across the room to Dumbledore who paled slightly at it before glaring at Harry. Harry wanted to smirk and let the man know he hated him, but he couldn't, not yet. So he dropped his head.
"What is it?" Sirius asked, and the paper was ripped from Dumbledore's hands and into Sirius. The man shook and started to growl, Harry looked at the envelope in his godfather's hands.
Mr. H. Potter,
The Cupboard under the Stairs,
4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey
Harry watched as Dumbledore tried to think of an excuse or reason for the address.
"I am not sure. Amerlia, my dear, the letters are sent out by magic at the start of every year. An error perhaps?" Harry silently cheered when all three judges glared at the headmaster.
Dumbledore must have seen it too because he frowned and took a step back. "I stand by my beliefs that the Dursely's are Harry's best choice." The bastard sent Sirius an apologetic look, "I know Mister Black cares for Harry and wants to take him in, but he spent 12 years in Azkaban and 3 more on the run. He needs to look after himself. Now that he is free, he should see a mediwitch and mind healer." Sirius growled and Harry grabbed his arm and squeezed.
Sirius really had to keep himself calm, he didn't need to prove Dumbledore's point.
"Sirius has already seen both a healer and a mind healer," Remus said, looking at the judges. "While no wizards would look at a criminal or man on the run, the Goblins had no such problems. As no official papers were filed about Sirius, the goblins didn't see him as a felon. They have looked him over and supplied him with a supply of potions to help him gain weight, clear his mind and help with any lingering depression." Harry had to look at Dumbledore. The man was fuming, even if he wasn't showing it. Harry could see the way his hands held in tight fist shock at his side and the dark look he sent the Dursleys and Remus.
The headmaster put on a fake grin. "That is wonderful, however that means he still needs time to heal, and I question his ability to look after Harry in the meantime."
This time it was a pair of Weasley's growled.
"It's not for you to question," Amelia snapped, "you are a headmaster Dumbledore, you are not responsible for Harry Potter's wellbeing outside of school."
Harry grinned.
"While I agree with you Amelia, I have to wonder about Mister Black's mental state," Wells said. "He did spend 12 years in Azkaban, and we are here to make sure Mister Potter is placed in the best home for him." Harry wanted to be angry at the man, but he understood that man really was trying to look after him.
"He wouldn't be alone," Remus said. "We have already discussed it and I will be moving in with Harry and Sirius to help them out." Harry wondered if it was possible for Dumbledore's head to explode from how red his face turned, Harry was sure if it was possible the man was close.
The three judges looked at Dumbledore as if waiting for his argument.
The man didn't disappoint.
"I'm sure Remus would be a caring guardian for Harry, if Sirius can't care for Harry as his godfather, alone, then it falls to Harry's blood relatives to look after him. As they have been doing for the last 15 years." Harry gritted his teeth for a second before he saw Bones smile. It was a twin like smile, one they wore when they were about to do something...troublesome. Harry moved to the edge of his seat as he waited for her to speak.
"That would be true, Albus, if the Potter's hadn't left a clear list of guardianship for their son in their wills." Wills? Harry hadn't given her his parents wills. He hadn't been sure he wanted others reading his parents personal words. He looked at Remus who smiled, "I only gave her enough to see who your parents wanted to take care of you, if Pads couldn't."
He didn't get to reply because the Headmaster gasped, "W...ills?" The man stuttered, "I-was unaware the Potter wills were unsealed."
Amelia smirked, "They have been unsealed on the Ministry's order."
"Surely Lily wanted Harry to be raised by her sister?" He said, and Harry was sure the man knew she hadn't.
"No," Amerlia said, pulling out a piece of parchment, "In fact, she made it quite clear that she didn't want Petunia Dursley anywhere near her son. Both Lily and James Potter listed several people and as Remus Lupin is on that list, I see no problem with him and Lord Black receiving custody of Mister Potter."
The way the room fell silent, Harry was sure it was over. That he would finally be allowed to go home with Sirius. He reached over and took his godfather's hand. The man was shaking, hopefully from excitement, and seemed happy to squeeze Harry's hand until it turned white. Not that Harry complained.
"Unfortunately," Dumbledore said, and the whole room groaned, "Lupin is a werewolf and isn't allowed to have custody of a child. That is Ministry law." Harry actually jumped out of his seat, ready to yell at the man. That was what he was going with, the man who had allowed Remus to teach at Hogwarts was going to try and use that to keep Harry locked up with the Dursleys.
Hands on both his shoulders shoved him back into his seat, he knew the whole room was watching him as Remus and Sirius both tried to calm him down.
"That's not true," one of the twins said, standing behind him. All three judges looked at him, Wells even had his eyebrow raised when Harry looked at him. "Werewolf laws are strict and completely messed up, but there is no law against a werewolf being giving custody through a will nor one against a werewolf being named as a godparent." Harry turned to see Fred smirk at Dumbledore before sitting down.
The judges looked unsure and Dumbledore looked pleased. Harry was furious.
"Does it matter, " Bill said, not bothering to stand up, "Black has made it clear he is seeking help for the after effects of his time wrongfully imprisoned and Lupin is willing to stay with them both. I'm sure between the two of them they can look after and take care of Harry. Besides the Dursleys aren't listed as guardians and I know there is another name on that list, so have that guardian check up on them from time to time, if you are so inclined, but let Harry go home with his godfathers, it is where he wants to be after all." Harry stared stunned at the redhead's words, and noticed he wasn't the only one.
His attention was ripped away when someone cleared their throat.
He turned to see Amelia standing, parchment in her hand, "This hearing is over. As Mister Weasley just stated, Mister Potter should be allowed to go home with the people he feels that care for and love him. Mister Black never should have been locked away. He never should have lost custody and Mister Potter should never have been placed with the Dursleys. We see no reason why he shouldn't be allowed to go home with his Godfather," she coughed, "Godfathers. If there is any other objections they can be filed and looked into at another time. Congratulations Mister Black, Lupin and Potter."
Sirius was out of his seat before she finished saying their names, he had Harry up and in a tight hug a second later. Remus quickly joined them. They were so busy hugging and smiling they didn't notice the Dursleys leaving, nor the judges exit their bench and start walking over toward them, only to be cut off by the headmaster.
Harry only noticed when he heard Bones snapped, "I can not tell you that." her voice was stern and she was frowning at Dumbledore.
"Tell him what?" The twins asked together coming to stand next to Harry. Their father and brothers right behind them.
"I was just wondering who else was named in the Potter's will." Dumbledore said with a bullshit smile, "I'm sure they would like to know, maybe even help look after Harry." Harry snorted, he couldn't help it. The man was so fucking full of it.
"Let's go," he said reaching around to grab Sirius hand, he didn't give his godfather a chance to say anything before he tugged and dragged him away. Sirius was free and Harry wasn't going to waste anymore time standing in this room listening to Dumbledore trying to find another way to control him. Besides, Snape was the other name listed, and Harry wanted to talk to the man about it and other things, alone.