A Force of Magic [HP Jamione fanfic]

Chapter 13: Is he never serious?

Trial for Sirius Black - Lord Potter insists he's INNOCENT!?

Sirius Black, former heir to the House of Black, is due to be on trial this morning for the murder of 12 muggles and the wizard Peter Pettigrew in November 1981, for which he was imprisoned for 12 years until the summer of 1993 when he escaped - the first to ever do so from Azkaban. He is also set to be questioned for his role in the breaking of the fidelius charm that led to the Potter family attack on the night of 31st October 1981.

James Potter, thought to have died with his wife, Muggleborn Lily Potter nee Evans, on that fateful night, returned to the world of the living recently - though the details of how this happened have been kept from the general public - will be standing as witness for the defense.

As the only person to truly know what happened that night, maybe the answers of what really happened will come out. This reporter is just as eager as you to find out.

15th February 1999
9am
Ministry of Magic - London
Level 10 - Wizengamot Chambers

It had been agreed that no dementors would be present at the trial upon the insistence of both James and Harry. As they all filed into the chambers, Hermione watched the Wizengamot members, trying to weigh up who would be supportive or not, knowing it would be different than just ratifying James' position on the Wizengamot. She took a seat with Remus, Tonks, Andromeda, Narcissa, and a silenced Teddy in the stands. Harry was going to be a witness, so he had to sit closer so he could be called up.

Sirius had reluctantly turned himself into the DMLE that morning, and now he was escorted, chains around his wrists and ankles. He sent a long suffering look over at Hermione and the others, and Narcissa rolled her eyes, "Oh, honestly. Is he never serious?" She muttered.

Remus snickered, "Don't ask him that. He'd tell you he's always Sirius." Narcissa sighed.

"Silence!" Kingsley's Sonorous enhanced voice rang out over the room, cutting off any conversations. "We are here for the trial of Sirius Orion Black III, heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, for the murder of twelve muggles and Peter Pettigrew on the 1st November 1981 and to determine whether Sirius Black revealed the location of the Potter's to Voldemort on the 31st October 1981, leading to the death of Lily Potter. The use of veritaserum and the viewing of memories pertaining to these incidents are permitted to be used in this trial." Kingsley paused for a moment to allow the scribe to catch up, "As this is a trial where these are permitted, there will be no prosecution or defense involved. Sirius Black, how do you plead?"

"Not guilty." Sirius' voice rang out over the room, clear and just a touch arrogant as always. Before Kingsley could begin Sirius carried on, "I will also be filing for compensation for the twelve years of unlawful imprisonment I was forced to suffer due to the Ministry's neglect and lack of trial before imprisonment once I'm found innocent."

Kingsley nodded, having known about this before. The audience and Wizengamot members had not however, so surprised gasps and murmurs sprung up around the room. "So noted." Kingsley's deep voice boomed out over the room and stopped all the whispering.

"Very well, let us begin. Mr Slughorn as you brewed the veritaserum we will be using in this trial you are responsible for administering it to Mr Black." Horace Slughorn, who had had to be paid a rather ridiculous amount of money to agree to brew the potion and come to the trial to administer it, carefully dripped three drops onto Sirius' tongue. It was so silent in the room you could have heard a pin drop whilst they waited for the veritaserum to take effect.