Death is but the Next Great Adventure

Grimmauld Place & Mandrake Leaves

In the last chapter: On the 25th of June, Harry reveals to the Malfoys that Sirius Black is his mysterious soon-to-be guardian and that his Wizengamot trial was that very day. They all attend the trial, and when the time comes, Harry testifies on Sirius' behalf. The secret identity of Peter Pettigrew is uncovered and Sirius is found not-guilty.

_______

The door at the other end of the courtroom led to a medium sized chamber with several doors and hallways branching off in different directions. Harry followed his companion's directions to the correct door, and he opened it to find a small antechamber lit by a roaring fire and furnished with plush chairs and a couch. Sirius stood in the center of the room with Phil, the other Auror, and the familiar Goblin, Bogrod, from Harry's first visit to Gringotts.

Phil was taking the shackles off of Sirius as Harry closed the door behind him. Sirius shot him a 100 Watt smile when he heard him come in. Bogrod was sifting through a leather satchel and pulling out various papers, while the other unnamed Auror leaned back against the wall near the fireplace with a sour look on his face.

Once Sirius' hands and feet were free, he nearly leapt for Harry before grabbing his waist and hoisting him up over his head to spin him around in celebration. Harry yelped in surprise and immediately latched onto the cloth of Sirius' shirt. When the man finally set Harry down with an amused grin, Harry cleared his throat and straightened his robes as he tried to regain his dignity in front of the others in the room, but the effect was lost when he felt the tips of his ears and cheeks turn hot.

Shooting his godfather a disapproving look, that seemed to not even faze the man, Harry straightened up to his full height and approached Phil first, since he was closest and Bogrod still seemed to be busy searching through his bag. The large, towering Auror crossed his arms over his chest and smirked down at Harry.

"Philias, it's good to see you again, you seem to be doing well." Harry intoned politely, ignoring the smug smirk he and his Sirius seemed to share.

"As do you, Mr. potter. I see now that you were right to be so confident in clearing your godfather's name, you seem to be very smart, smarter than most of the Wizards I work with." Harry smiled at the pointed tone and intentional glance at the man next to him. Though Harry's convinced that the statement worked for both Aurors or Death Eaters.

Harry glanced at the unnamed Auror still leaning against the wall, watching them with unrestrained disdain. Phil caught what he was looking at and turned to his colleague.

"We're not needed here anymore, you can leave, Bernard." Phil dismissed, his tone making it clear that Bernard was no longer welcome. The Auror huffed and trudged out of the room with a glare at everyone his eyes could reach.

Harry only had time for brief introductions between Sirius and Phil before Bogrod announced that he was ready. He had several documents laid out on the coffee table in front of the couch, ready for both Sirius and Harry to sign. Once all of the parchments were signed with one drop of blood from the both of them, Harry felt warmth seep into his bones like he'd never felt before, and then a single, shimmering gold thread of light stretched from Harry to Sirius and there was an overwhelming sense of home sitting so close to Sirius. Harry heard Sirius suck in a breath, like he felt the same thing as Harry.

Harry knew that the immediate surge of affection and sense of familiarity were the result of the magic, so he didn't let himself dwell on such feelings for very long. Their relationship and trust would develop with time, and eventually evolve into one where such warmth could be natural. It seemed that his godfather did not hold the same objectivity once the bond had settled. . .