AN :
If we hit 150 power stones by tomorrow, I will release an extra chapter.
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However, the idea went nowhere, due to Madam Bones's ruthless pursuit of the truth. Also, several other minor political figures saw it as their chance to gain some status and respect, rather than sending it up the political chain. Like any politician, they were looking out for themselves.
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There were only a couple of times that he had to get involved with the case; publicly stating how the diary was found and confirming his own investigation prior to taking it to the Head of Magical Law Enforcement.
He then launched into a passionate speech he had practiced beforehand, stating as an orphan his desire for justice and the knowledge of whether or not his godfather was truly innocent, or was a betrayer of the worst sort for betraying his friends and the family who had taken him in during his own time of hardship. At the end of the speech, he was sure some of the audience were shedding tears because of his performance and the passionate speech of an orphan seeking justice for his parents.
Frankly, if he and Rita hadn't already decided the title of the article, he was sure it would be entitled "Orphan Seeks Righteous Justice for Parents," or something of the sort.
"The court has reached a decision," Madam Bones announced, causing the silent whispering to end and the courtroom to go silent. "Please stand, Mr. Black."
Watching his godfather rise from the chair, his hands still shackled and chained, he couldn't help but feel nervous. Even with the logical part of his mind reminding him of all the arguments and evidence supporting Sirius's right to freedom.
"After looking at all the evidence, new and old, as well as your testimony under Veritaserum, we have concluded that Sirius Orion Black is innocent of betraying the Potters, as well as the murder of twelve Muggles.
Hence, he is cleared of all charges and is officially declared innocent, and will receive ten thousand Galleons for each year he was wrongfully imprisoned," Madam Bones explained, causing him to let out a sigh of relief. This decision caused the courtroom whispering to begin anew before Madam Bones's cough got everyone's attention again so she could finish her summary.
"This case has also shown errors within the justice system, so an investigation needs to be undertaken into how an innocent man and respected member of society had to endure over a decade of wrongful imprisonment based on the word of a single man.
And how the right to a trial was ignored by the previous Head of Magical Law Enforcement, my predecessor," she said sternly, causing a wave of whispers to break out at the unfolding drama in the courtroom. "Also, with the new evidence, Peter Pettigrew is now wanted for questioning. A twenty thousand Galleon reward is offered for anyone able to provide information on the man's location or for his capture."
"Aurors, please escort Mr. Black to the back room so he can meet his family in private," she instructed the two guards before saying, "Court dismissed," and rose from her seat.
"Come on, let's go already," Tonks said, pulling Harry up from his seat and almost dragging him to the back door, while her parents followed swiftly behind them.
The guards at the door instantly recognized him and parted ways, allowing him entry. Moments later, he was engulfed in a hug from Sirius, making him recoil in surprise.
"Harry, my God, I can't believe how much you look like your father, but you have your mother's eyes. I'm so sorry for missing the last decade of your life," Sirius said with an almost pleading expression.
Choosing his words carefully, he said, "Padfoot," using the man's nickname, "There is nothing to apologize for. All that matters now is what happens next. Now let me introduce you to this beautiful lady, Nymphadora, aka Tonks. And I'm sure you remember Ted and your cousin Andromeda," he said, introducing everyone, not particularly liking being at the center of attention.
"Nymphadora, wow, you've grown a lot. Still the tomboy, I see," Sirius said, giving her a quick hug.
"This is your first and last warning—call me Nymphadora again, and I'll hex you into next week. It's Tonks," she said sternly before smiling warmly with a face Harry was all too familiar with. "You know I'm still waiting for that birthday present," catching Sirius off guard.
"Sirius," Andromeda said formally in greeting, interrupting Tonks's makeshift prank.
"Don't give me that, Andy. Give me a hug," Sirius said, giving the stern woman a hug. "And it's nice to see you again, Ted," he said with a smirk.
"It's good to finally know the truth," Ted said, shaking the man's hand.
Several minutes passed as they played catch-up before Harry spoke up, "As much as I love this chitchat, we need to head to the bank. Catching up can wait until all the immediate issues are addressed. You may not know this, but Lucius Malfoy is responsible for managing the Black accounts and is acting as default proxy. I doubt you want that Death Eater or his son being the next Lord Black if you don't take up the title yourself or state your own heir."
"Damn it, you're telling me I spent the last decade in jail and that murderous son of a bitch is walking free?" Sirius demanded. "I thought he'd fled the country or gone to ground after the war ended since he wasn't in that cursed place. Now you're telling me he spent the last decade walking free while I was left rotting away in a cell?"
"Indeed, Sirius. He claimed he was under the Imperius Curse. He also happened to make some sizable donations at the same time," Andromeda explained. "Only about a dozen Death Eaters were imprisoned; most walked free by buying their way out," she said disapprovingly.
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(Gringotts Bank)
"It's good to see you again, Mr. Black. I've been expecting you, thanks to Mr. Potter informing me of the necessary facts prior to your trial," the aged goblin said, nodding to him.
"He did?" almost everyone asked, looking at him.
"Indeed."
"Account Manager Dawnberg, shouldn't we be getting along with business since we have much to cover and limited time before the press gathers outside? I doubt you want reporters swarming the bank," Harry reminded politely.
"Of course, you are correct. I have the papers ready," Dawnberg said, slowly getting the documents out of the drawer.
"What papers?" Sirius asked.
"First, the ones officially recognizing you as Lord Black. Then the ones which would legally recognize the Tonks family as part of the extended Black family again," Harry explained. "I assumed you would want them added back in. Plus, it also means you would be my magical guardian. Do you want to be my guardian?"
"Of course," Sirius said quickly.
"Good. We also have other things to discuss. First, you need to authorize an immediate investigation into your holdings to discover what Malfoy may have stolen from you. Also, I would ask you not to banish or break the Lestrange marriage," he requested.
"Why?"
Deciding to go easy on his godfather since he was still adapting to his sudden release, "Simple, as Lord Black, you would hold the Lestrange proxy by default.
This was being held by Lord Malfoy, but with your freedom, you can take control of these seats and the management of these vaults and assets due to your position as Lord Black. Effectively, you can use the Lestrange votes for more moral purposes."
"Ok, so we use the votes to screw Malfoy and all his Death Eater buddies over. I can live with that," Sirius said with a smirk. "Plus, Bella would throw a fit at it."
"Good. I'm sure Dawnberg can explain everything," Harry said, getting a bit bored of having to explain everything all the time.
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(That Evening)
Harry collapsed on his bed, exhausted from the day's events but also feeling a sense of achievement considering everything he had just accomplished. Sure, there was still a lot to do over the next couple of days to bring Sirius fully up to speed on everything that had transpired.
He had already mentioned his mistreatment, editing over most of the abuse rather than make his godfather feel even guiltier about it, even telling Ted and Andy. Also, he included how he had effectively been living by himself for the last year since discovering he was a wizard. Not that he could keep it secret any longer, considering Sirius was his magical guardian and would be staying at his home until they could get a proper home.
So a lot of secrets were told, and Sirius seemed to be up for getting some measure of payback on his relatives. Harry was leaning towards the more permanent kind of revenge himself, such as a Portkey that would dump the family in the middle of the Amazon.
He also told Sirius about the fact his vaults were mismanaged and evidence suggested that the Headmaster had been leaching additional funds from it. In short, most of the evening was filled with getting Sirius up to speed on everything that had happened.
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Hey guys I really need some power stones to Elevate the ranking :)
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