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Lord Potter's Own Will | ||||||
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Category: Post-OotP Characters:Harry/Ginny Genres: Action/Adventure Warnings: Violence/Physical Abuse Story is Complete Rating: R Reviews: 26 Summary: REPOSTED Harry is now Lord Potter, and he decides to use his new found Independence to set the course of his life. Hitcount: Story Total: 26160; Chapter Total: 1959 Author's Notes: Author's Note: Here's the next chapter in LPOW. There is talk of torture in this chapter, if you're sensitive to such things, stop reading when you see the star and begin reading again when you see the second one. This story carries a mature rating, and this chapter demonstrates why. This won't be a "love story" in any way, shape or form. It's a story about Harry embracing his heritage and then taking control of his life for the first time. It won't consume the story, but it will be present throughout. Thanks again to everyone who reads. Please, drop me a line - praise or frustration - I love to know what my readers are thinking. MNF |
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Chapter 6: Rhyddfreiniau (Welsh)/ Freedom (Modern English) Wednesday, December 26, 2995 Ministry of the Magical Republic of Ireland "I can't believe you talked me into bringing him with us," Sirius muttered darkly, tipping his head toward Harry. Both Remus and Harry cocked one of their eyebrows at him; a near perfect imitation of Lord Black when he got testy with his best friend or godson. "Dear Merlin, we've spent too much time together. Now we're acting like each other." "Hey, we all live together, it was bound to happen," Remus bantered back. "Would you please relax? If it wasn't for your outfit, I'd suggest you switch over and have a good romp around the building. Padfoot seems to be the only way you burn off energy anymore." "I used to have other ways," Sirius said sadly. "Azkaban left me ..." he trailed off. "Well, no point discussing something which can't be helped, now can we?" Harry wasn't entirely sure what being discussed, but he knew it was because of the punishments in that rat hole of a prison. Harry clenched his fists, grasping the edges of his robes as to not push his fingernails through the skin and into the flesh of his hands. The British Ministry, the stupid idiot Fudge who put his godfather in that hellhole, and most important Dumbledore for not trusting Sirius or granting him the decency of a trial; they were all going to pay for the life they'd robbed Sirius of. Harry swore on his love for his parents, grandparents and great-grandparents that he would do it. "Now, I'm beginnin' to tink yar not da man I knew at school," a pleasant voice interrupted the trio from their thoughts. Maggie came out of the Ministry building, and was literally skipping down the stairs. "Ya still got five minna before ya need ta be here!" "I'm trying punctuality out for a change," Sirius suavely said. "Don't let this old dog tell you he's learning new tricks," Remus interjected with a laugh. "He's not. He's been up since three, ready since four. He's nervous." "Dere, dere," Maggie said as she linked her arm through his. "Dere's nothin' ta be worried abou. I'll be wit ya, as will yar mate and godson. Yar gonna be fine, Sirius. Yar gonna be free in an hour, I promise." To punctuate her promise, Maggie stood on her toes and kissed him softly. Sirius chose to wrap his arms around her waist, and return the kiss. Maggie wasn't short, for a woman, she was quite tall, topping out at five-feet ten-inches. However, given Sirius' extreme height of nearly six-feet five, she did have to pull herself up to give him a proper snog. Her hair was such a unique colour, it could have only come from nature. Such a dark auburn that indoors one would think it was black, but out here in the sun, the deep red almost burgundy shone in all its complexity. Completely straight and falling well below her shoulder blades, she could use it as a curtain when out on Auror missions, hiding the paleness of her skin. Her eyes were as bright as her hair was dark. The pale hazel appeared nearly yellow by her irises. Maggie had long ago learned to play up the unique shade by using plum and green coloured shadows. She also exuded confidence, which made her all the more desirable, especially to Sirius. When their snog was beginning to get too involved for the steps of the government building, Remus cleared his throat. They didn't pull apart. Remus again cleared his throat, this time joined by Harry. Maggie made a move to pull away from Sirius, but he held her firmly there. A third, exceptionally loud throat clearing didn't work either, so Remus spoke up. "So, Maggie, did Sirius ever tell you about the time I caught him with his pants down, hand on his parts with a picture of -" "Finish that sentence and you're not going to want to live with me. I will hex everything you own!" Sirius angrily said as he released Maggie. "So, er, you're a couple?" Harry asked, hoping to break the tension. "When I came at visit ya lot last week, I agreed to give da man a chance. We've had one date, but it twas more tan enough," Maggie said slyly. Harry grinned widely. He liked that his godfather had someone and he had Ginny. Now, they just needed to fix Remus up and they could all be happy, together. Maggie pulled Sirius inside by the hand, and Harry and Remus took up the rear. "Were you telling the truth there? Did you really walk in on Sirius, er, working his stuff out?" Harry asked, turning red as he did. At fifteen, he was well aware of what a guy did in private to alleviate tension. He certainly didn't want any of his mates walking in while he was doing it, especially Ron, since most of his most recent mental images had to do with Ginny. "Well, Harry, I think you've found a new euphemism for that activity," Remus replied rather awkwardly. "The answer is yes, he was in the dorm room, but he'd forgotten to close his curtains. It was a horrible sight." "Who was the picture of?" "Maggie, when she played Quidditch with us." "Oh, eww," Harry said, feeling his stomach roll. It was one thing to have images in your head, it was another to have them on your bed while you were... He shuddered at the mental picture. "Please, if you ever are compelled to share something like that about yourself, Sirius or even my parents, just don't." Remus threw his head back and laughed heartily. The two men entered the Irish Ministry with smiles on their faces. LPOW LPOW LPOW LPOW Maggie ushered the three men to a rather bland looking conference room. A large oak table was surrounded by comfortable looking chairs on wheels. Harry took one look at them and was puzzled. "Are those Muggle office chairs?" "Yes," Maggie replied. "We tried at do levitating ones, but it twas a mess. As da charm wore off, dey'd sink to da floor an dinna stay put. Dese are much better." The men chuckled at the image of rogue chairs drifting and sinking around the room. Before any more could be said, two men and a woman entered the room. "Ah, I see we're all here," a rather short, grey-haired man said. "Can we all take a seat, please? Lord Black, if ya would sit here wit me, please." We all shifted around, Remus, Maggie and me sitting across the table from Sirius, and the two Ministry men. The woman sat at the end, a large scroll of parchment and a Quick-Quills pen at the ready. "I'm Judge …amonn Donndubhán, dis is Ministry Potions Master Seachnall and Miss McTorin, who will be takin down the transcription of today's proceedins." His accent wasn't as strong as Maggie's so it was easier to understand the Judge. "Having his trial this way, with just you presiding, it will be considered legal in Britain?" Remus asked. "Unlike ya stuffy Brits," Maggie replied, "we dinna feel da need ta make our entire Council of Elders hear a simple Veritaserum trial. Right, …amonn?" "Yes, Margaret," he had a glint in his eye when he called her by her full first name. Harry got the feeling there might be a story there. "Dis trial is entirely proper and legal. Are ya ready, Lord Black?" "As ready as I'll ever be," Sirius responded, sounding very anxious. "Alright, dis is how it'll work; you'll be administered t'ree drops of the Veritaserum, we'll ask some tester questions ta ensure it's workin, den we'll ask de important ones. When I have de answers I need, you'll be given de antidote. Do ya understand?" "Yes, sir." Sirius replied and the Judge nodded his head once and the Potions Master pulled the stopper from the phial, already filled with the potion. Knowing what he needed to do, Sirius opened his mouth and stuck his tongue out. Carefully Master Seachnall dropped the prescribed three drops and then put the stopper back into the phial and screwed it shut. Sirius had closed his mouth and swallowed. Everyone was silent and still for what felt like an eternity. "Is your name Sirius Orion Black?" The Judge asked. "No," Sirius replied. The Potions Master and secrewitch seemed confused. The trio who knew Sirius, however, were smiling. "Is your name Sirius Black?" "Yes." "Why do ya not have a middle name?" "Because when I was seventeen I went to the Ministry and officially changed my name. I wanted nothing to do with my father or my family." "Excellent. Mr. Lupin, please ask Mr. Black a question he'd be reluctant ta answer, dat you're able to verify the answer to." Remus nodded. "Sorry about this mate. Where is your first tattoo located and how did you end up with it?" Sirius looked at Remus as if he'd lost his mind, but as hard as he tried, he couldn't help but answer it. "It's on my bum and I was drunk the night of James and Lily's engagement and you took me to a Muggle place to get it." Sirius fought every word of the answer. "Oh?" Maggie perked up. "What does it look like?" Sirius looked mortified as he answered. "It's a heart which says, 'I love Prongs'." Remus, Harry and Maggie all burst out laughing, knowing who Prongs was. Harry wanted to know if his father knew, but decided not to open his mouth right now. "Very well, de potion seems ta be working," the Judge announced. "Lord Black, are ya now or have ya ever been a follower of Voldemort?" "No." "Would anyone in his camp consider ya a Death Eater?" "No." "Do ya bear da Dark Mark?" "No." "Did ya betray da Potter family to Voldemort?" "No." "Were ya da Secret Keeper for da Potter family?" "No." "Do ya know who was?" "Yes." "Who was da Secret Keeper?" "Peter Pettigrew." "After ya discovered James and Lily Potter murdered, what did ya do?" "I went to gather Harry and bring him home with me. Just as I was to leave, Hagrid showed up and told me I couldn't have him. I refused to hand Harry over and was about to stun Hagrid when Professor Dumbledore showed up. He ripped Harry out of my arms." Sirius had tears in his eyes as he said this. Harry never realised he was so close to living with Sirius. "What happened after dat?" "The Aurors began to arrive. Dumbledore asked me if I had been the Secret Keeper. I told him no. He asked if I were privy to whom it might be. I told him I was and he suggested I go find the real Secret Keeper then, which I did." "We have da official record of what happened next. Did ya kill Peter Pettigrew?" "No." "Did ya kill the twelve Muggles on the street?" "No." "Was yer wand tested for recently cast spells?" "No, it was broken by Cornelius Fudge of the Hit Squad before the test could be done." Harry growled at the answer. He hated Fudge nearly as much as Voldemort and Dumbledore now. "Were ya granted a preliminary hearing before da Wizengamot Council?" "No." "Was a full trial given before da Wizengamot?" "No." "Were ya given a Veritaserum trial by the Aurors?" "No." "Was der any way da information regarding da Secret Keeper could have been verified?" "The decision to make Peter the Secret Keeper was done in the Headmaster's office. Any of the portraits within the office could have confirmed what I had told Dumbledore. Additionally, a portrait of James and Lily Potter was at the Potter Estate in Yorkshire." Remus and Maggie were shaking their heads in disgust. Harry was clutching the table so hard, he was leaving fingernail marks in the wood. "To da best of yer knowledge, were any of dese portraits spoken to?" "I don't believe they were." To this response, even the Judge and Potions Master shook their heads. "Were ya incarcerated in Azkaban prison?" "Yes." "Were ya treated accordin to the International Statute of Fair Treatment of Prisoners?" "No, sir, I was not," Sirius said very darkly. The Judge took in a deep, settling breath. Where he needed to take the questioning would make them all uncomfortable, but it needed to be done, especially to make it possible for amends to be made for this man's future. "Lord Black, I need to discuss all aspects of your treatment while imprisoned. Would you like me to clear the room, so it's just you and me?" Sirius couldn't even lie about his wishes due to the Veritaserum. He looked at his best mate and his godson, wanting to spare them the ugly details, but knowing if he tried to send them away they'd protest; they wouldn't with the judge. He then looked to Maggie, their relationship just truly starting, deposition isn't how he wanted to tell her. "Yes." "Alrighty then, ya heard the man, he'd prefer to give his statement in private. I dinna want to order ya out of the room, therefore, I'd like if ya'd leave on yar own," the Judge asked kindly. Remus and Sirius stared at one another, Remus silently pleading with him. Sirius shook his head, preferring to share these horrors in private with his best friend, preferably with a bottle of Firewhisky. Harry resisted, but Maggie put her arm around his shoulders and led him out. The secrewitch followed the trio out. The door closed with a quiet click. "I know this is gonna to be hard, so I'll begin wit easy questions. Should you need it, we've got calmin daught and other potions available," the Judge explained and Sirius nodded, watching as the quill continued to scratch away at the parchment. The Potions Master stood aside, at the ready. "Were ya provided quality food every day?" "No. We were given some thin porridge every day, sometimes every other day." "Were ya provided fresh water?" "No, I had much better luck collecting rainwater in my blanket and then squeezing it out." "Did you receive medical treatment?" "Only when the curses did too much damage, or you were finally driven mad by the Dementors." The Judge shook his head. He knew things were bad in Azkaban, but he never dreamed they were this far below the International statutes. War or not, Death Eaters or not, there was no reason to treat people worse than they were allowed to treat animals. "Speakin of de Dementors, how ever did ya avoid dem?" Sirius chuckled before answering. "I'm an unregistered Animagus. I become a large dog, and they had no effect on me when I was switched over. I finally became thin enough to squeeze through the bars. I risked escape when I saw that Pettigrew was living as a classmate's pet rat, sharing a room with Harry." "Ya will need to register, we're rather strict abou dat here," the Judge said and Sirius nodded. "Alright den, harder questions now. Were ya cursed while in Azkaban?" "Yes." "Who did da cursin'?" "Guards, Aurors, nearly anyone who passed by my cell in the beginning. It was assumed that I'd killed my best mate and his wife, who were beloved in our world. Everyone felt they had the right to curse me, if not worse." "What do you mean by worse?" Sirius looked physically pained to answer the question. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see the pity which would inevitably come from hearing this tale. "There were certain guards, people who had actually been followers of Voldemort, but were really well hidden in the ranks of the Ministry. When they'd bored of using curses and hexes, they'd resort to physical abuse. They'd studied Muggle techniques of torture - I didn't even know they could read. They'd flay me slowly, peeling the skin off my back. Fingernails were pulled out, as were several teeth. I'd be left hanging by my wrists until my shoulders would dislocate, then they'd drop me, breaking bones in my legs. There were other forms of torture as well..." he trailed off, hoping to retain at least one modicum of his dignity. Sirius silently hoped the Judge wouldn't ask him to explain. He wasn't lying, he just didn't want to share this bit. He was fighting the potion, so he could just not have to tell this one last thing. ******** "Lord Black, I'm so sorry, but I need to ask. What other forms of torture?" Sirius Black was an exceptionally strong man, and even stronger willed one; but as he summoned his fortitude to share this last bit, he felt himself crack. Tears began to fall and his shoulders started to shake in his fight to hold himself together. "They did things..." he got a few words out between his heavy breaths. "Things to me...down there...burned...injected...humiliated me," he finally spoke before breaking down completely. He'd never told anyone, never sought help. Sirius Black knew he was ruined. He didn't need anyone else knowing. "My merciful Mary, Mother of God," the Judge muttered, even as he nodded to the Potions Master to give him anything which would help this poor man regain his composure. It took a few minutes for Sirius to stop fighting the potions and let himself relax. ***** "Lord Black, Sirius, I'm gonna ta have dese files sealed, and only I will be able ta unseal dem, so yar secret remains safe. However, would ya be willing ta let one of our Healers look at ya? I need ta see what scars or wounds remain. I also hope dey'd be able ta help ya." "I will," Sirius said quietly. The Judge stood and welcomed the four back into the room. Remus and Harry took one look at Sirius and were worried about what had happened, Maggie kept her eyes from Sirius, as he'd be able to see how heartbroken she was even if she didn't know exactly what had happened to him. His slumped shoulders, red eyes and broken demeanour told her enough. "Is dere anything else ya'd like to add?" the Judge asked once everyone was seated. "I never truly thought you were the spy, Remus. You were just gone so much, trying to get information, I worried that they'd somehow gotten inside your head and taken things from your mind without you knowing it. I'm sorry we didn't tell you what was going on with James and Lily going into hiding with Harry. We just thought it would be too big a risk, considering who you were spending time with. I am so, so sorry," Sirius was spilling his guts, and Remus was obviously moved by the statement. The Judge nodded again, and the Potions Master took the stopper out of a second phial and stepped over to Sirius. Three drops of a shockingly bright blue potion were put on Sirius' tongue, and he again swallowed. Maggie got a mischievous grin on her face before asking; "Do ya love me?" Sirius kept his mouth shut for a moment, looking as if he was struggling with the action. He finally replied; "It could possibly be so." Harry didn't know how he did it, but the answer was given in such a way to be suggestive. The room burst out laughing. "Well, de serum has been reversed. Based on your answers, it's obvious to me that you're telling the truth. Give me a moment while I summon the official forms." A wave of the Judge's wand and a minute or so later, several scrolls came flying in, along with a rather strange looking quill. The judge wrote a few notes, the secrewitch waved her wand and then the judge used his wand to put a seal on the bottom of each of the parchments. While all this was going on, the Potions Master slipped from the room. Remus and Sirius were surprised, neither got the chance to thank him. Harry was far more interested in what the judge was doing. "I, Judge …amonn Donndubhán, do declare on this twenty-sixth day of December in da year of our Lord nineteen-ninety six, dat wizard Sirius Black is hereby declared innocent of all charges brought against him on one November, nineteen-eighty one. Additionally, da Ministry of da Magical Republic of Ireland will request reparations for ya, from da Ministry of Magic in the United Kingdom. We will suggest a total of 140 Galleons for every day you were unjustly imprisoned or sought by the Ministry. Dis constitutes five-thousand, one-hundred sixty-eight days and a total of 723,520 Galleons. Additionally, since yar home, wand, personal possessions and personal vault at Gringotts were seized, we are suggesting an additional 80,000 Galleons be added, and your vault unsealed. You have also attested to yar poor state of health at your time of escape, as well as lingering dental and medical ailments due to the abhorrent conditions in Azkaban Prison. For these problems, we are asking for and additional 196,480 Galleons to provide you with the best medical treatment possible here in Ireland, or wherever you must go to receive it." Harry's mouth just hung open after the first number, not thinking about the mounting total. Remus and Sirius, however, had been doing the math and were astounded at what was being requested. Even if he got half of what they were suggesting, Sirius would be immensely richer than he already was. "In addition, we will be requesting an official letter of pardon from da Ministry of Magic, and personal letters of apology from current Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, Former Minister for Magic, Millicent Bagnold, and Albus Dumbledore." "Fat chance I'll be receiving those," Sirius said with a dark snigger, sounding much more like himself. "If ya accept these terms, please sign on all t'ree copies," the secrewitch directed. Sirius lifted the unusual quill and signed them. The quill and his signature both glowed, indicating a magical bond was forged. "Here's yar copy," the witch said. "I'll go file ours and da transcripts. Good day," she said and then left. "Lord Black, given what ya shared wit me, I would very much like ta represent ya in a case against yar Ministry. Da head of yar Wizengamot is on da International Confederation of Wizards, Dumbledore shouldda known better. If he dinna know, den de man is addled and should be removed. I dinna care if ya were a murderin madman, da law says der are rules for prisoners." Sirius looked at the man, then at the other three, who each in turn gave him a look of support. He wrapped an arm around Maggie, who'd moved to stand next to him. "I think I'd very much like your representation," Sirius replied. |
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