A Devil Takes Care of His Own

Chapter 18: The First Move

The Mikaelson compound hummed with a quiet sense of purpose in the wake of their victory over Dumbledore. They had acquired the Elder Wand, shattered the lies that had upheld the prophecy, and taken the first steps toward exposing the truth of the wizarding world. Yet, despite this triumph, there were still key players in the war whose fates needed to be addressed. One of them was Sirius Black.

Sirius, falsely accused of betraying the Potters and being framed for multiple murders, had been imprisoned in Azkaban. His case was the first on the Mikaelsons' agenda now that they had begun to tear down Dumbledore's influence. While Harry—Hadrian—was now safe in the Mikaelson family's care, his godfather remained behind bars, a victim of Dumbledore's manipulations.

Sol had been preparing to handle Sirius's case for weeks now, ever since the truth about his innocence had come to light. His connections ran deep in the wizarding legal system, and he had every intention of using them. But it wasn't just about getting Sirius a trial—it was about healing the damage that had already been done by his imprisonment in Azkaban, the effects of the Dementors that guarded the prison eating away at his sanity.

The Mikaelsons gathered in the grand hall, sunlight filtering through the large windows, casting long shadows across the marble floor. Klaus, as always, had Hadrian in his arms, the boy quietly playing with his wolf figurine. Rebekah leaned against the large stone fireplace, while Kol and Elijah sat at the long oak table, discussing their next move with Freya. Sol, standing near the large map of the wizarding world, was the first to break the silence.

"We need to act swiftly on Sirius Black's case," Sol said, his tone sharp and decisive. "It's clear that Dumbledore framed him to keep his secrets intact, and he's been rotting in Azkaban for crimes he didn't commit. If we're going to set the record straight and dismantle Dumbledore's legacy, Sirius's innocence needs to be proven publicly."

Elijah nodded, his sharp mind already calculating the best approach. "Dumbledore's control over the Ministry is weakening, especially now that we've exposed the prophecy as a lie. Still, we need a solid case to ensure that Sirius is not only freed but also reinstated as a member of the wizarding community with his name cleared."

Rebekah crossed her arms, her tone icy. "He's only been in there for a couple of months, but Azkaban does its damage quickly. The Dementors are relentless."

Klaus, his eyes never leaving Hadrian, spoke up. "How bad is it, Sol? How much damage has Azkaban done to him?"

Sol, who had been studying the effects of Dementor exposure for years, turned toward them. "Sirius hasn't been there as long as most prisoners, but the Dementors feed on a person's worst memories, their fears and despair. Even a few months in that place can break someone, especially if they already carry heavy burdens from their past."

Klaus's expression darkened. "Then we'll get him out, and we'll make sure he recovers."

Sol smiled faintly. "I've already started making arrangements. Once we free him, I'm bringing him to Pendragon Palace. It's isolated, protected, and the best place to help him recover. The palace itself has wards against Dementor magic, and I've been working on a regimen to help reverse the effects of their presence."

Freya nodded, her voice calm but serious. "There are ancient healing spells that can help restore some of what the Dementors have taken. We'll need to act quickly, though. The longer he's exposed to them, the harder it will be to reverse the damage."

Kol, who had been quiet up until now, grinned slightly. "It's not going to be easy to just stroll into Azkaban and pull him out, though. We need a plan for that part."

Elijah nodded in agreement. "Azkaban is one of the most heavily guarded places in the wizarding world. Breaking someone out, even with our abilities, will require a carefully thought-out strategy. We don't want to draw unnecessary attention."

Sol's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Oh, I've got that part covered. The Ministry is still in disarray after Dumbledore's fall. I'll leverage my position to push for a new trial for Sirius—one that's fair, this time. In the meantime, I'll pull a few strings to have him transferred to Pendragon Palace for 'health reasons.'"

Klaus smirked. "You make it sound easy."

Sol shrugged, still smiling. "It is, when you know how to manipulate the system. The Ministry wants to save face, and with Dumbledore no longer pulling the strings, they'll be eager to correct their mistakes."

Rebekah raised an eyebrow. "And what if they refuse?"

Sol's expression turned cold. "If they refuse, then we make them. One way or another, Sirius Black is getting out of that prison."

The Room fell silent for a moment as the weight of Sol's words sank in. They all knew that freeing Sirius wasn't just about justice—it was about dismantling the lies and corruption that had defined the wizarding world for so long. And with Sol's connections, they had an edge that few could counter.

Klaus, still holding Hadrian, stepped forward. "Then let's not waste any more time. Freya, help Sol with whatever he needs to ensure Sirius recovers fully. Elijah, you'll handle the legal strategy to make sure the Ministry can't worm their way out of this. We need to show them that we're serious."

Elijah nodded. "I'll start gathering evidence—witnesses who can testify to Sirius's innocence. Peter Pettigrew's survival, hidden by Dumbledore, is key. Once we prove that, the case will fall apart."

Freya stood, her eyes bright with resolve. "I'll start preparing the spells. Healing Sirius from Dementor exposure won't be easy, but I know where to start."

Kol, ever the wildcard, chuckled. "And I'll make sure we're ready for any 'unexpected' complications along the way."

Sol grinned. "Good. I'll handle the Ministry."

Rebekah glanced at Klaus, her expression serious. "And what about Hadrian? What do we do about him while this is happening?"

Klaus looked down at his son, his expression softening. "Hadrian stays with me. I'm not letting him out of my sight."

Elijah placed a hand on Klaus's shoulder, offering silent support. "We'll keep him safe. But for now, our focus is on getting Sirius out and ensuring that Dumbledore's influence is wiped clean."

Sol moved toward the door, his golden eyes gleaming with determination. "I'll head to the Ministry now. We'll have Sirius out by the end of the week."

As Sol left, the Mikaelsons remained in the room, their minds already turning toward the battle ahead. The Ministry was weakened, and Dumbledore's web of lies was beginning to unravel, but there was still much to do. Sirius Black's freedom was just the beginning—a crucial step in dismantling the corruption that had plagued the wizarding world for too long.

And with Sol's plan in motion, they would ensure that justice was served.