Chapter 30
Dancing Away With My Heart
Author's Note: Like my last chapter with dancing lessons, this chapter is too titled from a song, of the same title, by Lady Antebellum.
My readers wanted me to punish Dumbledore a bit? Dumbledore's scene in this chapter is for you!
Warning: Molly Weasley bashing – yep, even after death! Dumbledore bashing too. Brief non-descriptive Nudity – it is adults in this chapter, not teens! Hints of sex between adults, but no actual sex.
(Saturday, December 19th, 1994 – 2:55 PM)
Harry stepped into the Private Common Room, and found Hermione laying, curled up in one of the chairs. Her eyes and face were red, evidence of the fact that she had been crying off and on for the last half-hour. She was absent-mindedly petting her cat, Crookshanks, while staring at the enlarged compact mirror, obviously waiting for Sirius Black to contact them.
Half-an-hour ago, Professor Sprout – who still had permission to visit the Lion's Den, since she had first visited escorting Susan Bones last Wednesday – had been escorted by Winky into the Private Common Room, where Harry and Hermione had been spending time together waiting for word about Sirius' trial. Professor Sprout had looked emotional, and Harry and Hermione soon discovered why. When the Herbology Professor told them of the incident in Courtroom 10 at the Ministry of Magic – of which she had received news about in a letter from Professor McGonagall, who was on the Wizengamot Council during the trials – Hermione broke down in tears and allowed Harry to hold her.
When Harry asked if she knew if Sirius Black was still getting a trial, Professor Sprout said that Professor McGonagall confirmed he would be getting one, and that it had been scheduled for two-o-clock that afternoon.
Relieved about this news, Harry had thanked Professor Sprout for informing them about the news, then the Head of Hufflepuff had left. Hermione did not say anything for fifteen minutes; she simply allowed Harry to hold her and let her cry. Harry just sat there holding her, and then she had stood up and simply wanted to find her cat. She asked him to see if Fred and George were still in the castle.
Harry had agreed and left the Lion's Den, then had gone to the portrait of the Fat Lady. He asked Dobby to find Lee Jordan, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet and Katie Bell. Fred and George's friends had met him outside the Gryffindor Common Room. The three girls were tearful and emotional, while Lee Jordan told them that Fred and George had left a few minutes prior, being escorted by their older brothers Bill and Charlie, whom Harry was familiar with as he had met them the previous summer. None of the elder Gryffindors knew if Fred and George would return for the Yule Ball.
Now Harry was back in the Private Common Room. Hermione turned and looked up at Harry.
"I'm worried about Sirius," Hermione said, "It is nearly three-o-clock. The trial started at two."
"The trial could still be in session, Hermione," Harry said.
Hermione shrugged and nodded. "I suppose so. I just keep expecting him to show up in the mirror at any moment. Fred and George?"
"According to Lee Jordan and the Gryffindor Chasers, they left with Bill and Charlie," Harry said, "They don't know if Fred and George will be back for the Yule Ball. But something tells me they will be here."
"Really?" Hermione asked.
"I think they're going to want to get away from all the drama and grief at the Burrow," Harry said, "What better way to do that than to dance the night away with their dates and spend time with their friends?"
"I think you're right," Hermione said, "Besides they'll likely be going back home for the shortened Christmas Break. I'm sure they'll come back for the Ball, if only to get away for a day or two."
"How are you, Hermione?" Harry asked; he sat down on the couch and looked at her, as she sat there in the chair with her cat. "Be honest with me."
Hermione frowned and looked down at Crookshanks, who was sleeping in her lap.
"I want to hate her, Harry," Hermione said. "It was more than just the illegal Contract and the Potion plots. More than the manipulation with you from the day you met her and the Weasleys. More than the fact that she probably stole from your Trust Vault, same as Dumbledore probably did.
"She was so overbearing. Not just with you and I. But with her children. Is it any wonder Bill decided to go off to Egypt, and Charlie to Romania? Is it any wonder Percy decided to leave his home as soon as he finished his education here? From what I can tell, he bought a flat just days after the end of last term. Do you realize how much money he would have had to save? How long it would take? It all culminates into the fact that… he wanted to get away from her for so long.
"Fred and George want to follow their dreams of opening a joke shop. It is why they made all those joke sweets and whatever. All that stuff Molly caught them with before we went off to the Quidditch World Cup Campground? It had taken them all summer to make those batches of candy. The money they would have had to save. All of that work and research lost, because she wanted to control her children. She didn't want Fred and George to follow their dreams. She wanted them to work at the Ministry, like their father, and like Percy. I'm quite sure she was pretty disappointed in both of them, because neither got the Prefect badge, like their older brothers.
"Is it any wonder Ron and Ginny are like they are, with her as their mother? Ron's eating habits must have come from some part of how he was raised. How did his mother never stop those habits? She must have noticed it! What kind of mother doesn't correct those kinds of habits?
"And Ginny… she's the very example of her mother's nurture. Raising her to be the future Lady Potter, raising her to hero-worship the Boy-Who-Lived, which – if you recall – most of which was a fantasy tale. Encouraging her – both of her children – to break laws and bully others who wanted to be friends with you. Encouraging them to scare girls like me away from you who might be interested in being your girlfriend. All because of her master plan to steal your fortune."
Hermione sniffled and shook her head. "I want to hate her so bad. I want to stand up and cheer that she is gone! Yet, I feel bad about having just spent a couple minutes bad-mouthing a dead person. I have been crying about her death for the past half-hour. I should be happy. She's no longer around to plot against us. But she never deserved to die like that. Yes, she deserved Azkaban, however long she would have been sentenced. Maybe more than that! But to die, struck down by someone under an Imperius Curse. No… she didn't deserve that."
"I don't know what to feel," Harry said, "I mean… I just wanted to know that she was never going to be in my life anymore. But… for it to happen like this? It feels strange, I suppose. You know what I don't like, however?"
"What?" Hermione asked.
"That, after my parents," Harry said, "she was the first person – whom I cared about at some level, at least for a while – who has died. I never got a real opportunity to mourn my parents, you know. Sure, I thought about them – even when I didn't know who they were. I mourned them and cried when my relatives told me they died in a car crash. But I didn't know them. But this is the first person who I know – who I cared a little about at one time – who I spoke to many times, who has died. Don't get me wrong! I mean, I am happy that nobody else I care for has died. I just hate that it has to be her who I have to mourn first. Especially after I now know what she did. Is that weird?
"No, it isn't, Harry," Hermione said. "Because it does sound like you never learned how to mourn or truly grieve for somebody. It isn't weird that you feel horrible that it has to be someone who has done you wrong - even though you did know her closely, and come to call her a friend, for a while. You're conflicted about how you feel, and it is perfectly fine to feel that way. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
"Harry, when I was about seven, my grandmother – my mother's mother, whom I was very close to – passed away. I still don't know if it was a disease or old age. I remember telling my mother when she told me, that I hated my grandmother. I hated that she had to die, that she had to leave me. I hated that I wouldn't get to see her again. That I wouldn't get to smell her perfume when she hugged me. That she wouldn't be able bake me my favorite treats she made for me.
"I expected my mother to get angry, to yell at me. She said it was okay for me to feel that way. It was my way of grieving, or mourning for her. And she was right. Two weeks later, I told my mother I wanted to visit my grandmother's grave again. So we did. I apologized to my grandmother for saying I hated her. That was my very first experience of truly mourning someone.
"So for you to feel conflicted about this is your way of mourning her. Sooner or later, you'll figure how you truly feel. Perhaps you'll up writing letters to the rest of the Weasleys, those who were innocent in all of it. Maybe you'll tell them how you really feel about her. Maybe you'll decide to lie to them, and say you're sorry for their loss. Whatever you decide, is how you'll cope with it."
"I don't think I want to talk about this anymore," Harry said.
He was still feeling very uncomfortable about all of this. Mourning someone who was plotting against him was weird. It was like mourning Voldemort or something.
"Then we can change the subject," Hermione said; "How much of that sex education book have you finished?"
Harry winced. He had read much of the book, and it was awkward and weird, and he had hoped Hermione and McGonagall would forget about it.
"This is what you want to talk about?" Harry asked.
Hermione smiled through her tear-stained face. Harry thought she still looked so beautiful even with a red and blotchy face. She could still smile even when she had been crying for half-an-hour.
"Just trying to lighten up the mood," Hermione said, "What do you want to discuss?"
"Do you think we're still going to have dancing lessons tonight?" Harry asked.
"I think so," Hermione said, "I imagine Professor McGonagall knows we're going to be dealing with all of the stuff that happened today. Molly's death, Sirius' trial. She'll want us to distract ourselves, so we can think about something else."
"Dancing with you – even just practicing those slow dances," Harry said, "Would be a nice distraction."
He really loved holding her, and that is what the slow dances usually consisted of.
"You want to practice now?" Hermione asked, shyly.
"I think Crookshanks might get jealous," Harry teased, grinning.
Hermione laughed as she looked at her sleeping cat. "Perhaps you're right. It is why I am still sitting here and not with you."
"I thought we were rid of all the jealous gingers in our life," Harry joked.
Hermione laughed. "Harry James! Honestly!"
"Sorry," Harry said, though he was still smiling.
"Oh, you," Hermione said, shaking her head; she sighed and looked toward the mirror. "I'm really starting to get nervous about Sirius now, Harry."
"He'll call us soon," Harry said, "I am sure there is a reason he hasn't yet – where it be he is still in Court, or he's delayed elsewhere. Though I cannot imagine what might be delaying him. He did promise to call us as soon as the trial's over."
(A few minutes prior…)
"Oh, crap!" Sirius Black cursed.
Amelia Bones backed away from Sirius and sat back on top of the desk. She glared at him and crossed her arms over her chest.
"I know it has been over thirteen years since you've kissed me," Amelia said, "But I can't recall you ever reacting that way."
"It was more snogging than kissing, love," Sirius said, grinning.
"We are in our mid-thirties, love," Amelia said, "We're too old to call it snogging. What's wrong? Given that we've been kissing and… snogging… for a while, I don't think you've forgotten how to kiss me."
Sirius and Amelia had been behaving rather… badly… ever since they had stepped into Amelia's office in the DMLE. Whilst they hadn't done anything but kissed and snogged, it was some heated snogging. Amelia had led him over to the desk, and instead of letting her sit down at her chair, so they could talk, Sirius had grabbed her, lifted her up and sat her down on top of her desk. Then he had pressed his lips to hers, and since then they had been kissing and snogging.
That was roughly ten minutes ago or so.
"I – erm – sort of promised my godson and his girlfriend," Sirius said, "that I'd mirror call them after my trial. So they could – you know – know whether I am a free man or not. I can imagine they've been waiting for me to call them."
"I suppose that is a good reason for cursing in the middle of kissing me," Amelia said, dryly; she sighed and jumped off the table. "I need to go find Arthur Weasley – I expect he is still with his children. I did tell him I would release them soon. Which means I need to get their magical core bound."
"How many bindings?" Sirius asked.
"Four," Amelia said, frowning.
"Out of five?" Sirius asked, "On teenagers? Merlin!"
"It was the deal I made with… with their mother," Amelia said, "It is taking all my resolve to keep Molly Weasley's last wish. I really would like to put Ron and Ginny Weasley in front of the Wizengamot, so they could tell them everything Molly was going to tell them. So they could reveal more of Dumbledore's skeletons. But I promised their mother."
"Sounds rough," Sirius said, "Sorry."
"Yeah," Amelia said, then her eyes widened, "Oh, crap!"
She opened the top drawer of her desk and pulled out a box.
"Thirteen years since we've been together and I'm still rubbing off on you, Bones?" Sirius asked, grinning.
"Well, I was about to give you your wand back," Amelia said, "But now I'm having second thoughts."
"It wasn't snapped?" Sirius asked.
"Crouch wanted to snap it," Amelia said, "Somebody – not me – talked him out of it. Scrimgeour, maybe."
"Where is that old bastard anyway?" Sirius asked, "Why wasn't he at my trial? Did he die and do the world a favor?
"He is on sick leave," Amelia said, "He's probably at home."
Sirius snorted. "Probably didn't want to be present during the trial. Probably afraid I'd hex him or something."
"He took sick leave before I discovered the evidence that you were innocent, Sirius," Amelia said.
Sirius grunted. "He didn't show up to the trial, did he? He's a coward."
Amelia merely rolled her eyes. She then opened the box and took out a thinner, longer box and handed it to Sirius. Sirius inhaled and exhaled, then opened the box. His eyes misted over as he saw his wand resting in the box. He gently grasped it in his fist and exhaled as he could feel his magic sing.
"I feel… complete again," Sirius muttered; he looked at Amelia. "Thank you. Thank you for this."
"It is yours," Amelia said. "I just removed it from evidence, because I had hope you would get to reunite with it."
"You knew I'd come out of the trial a free man, love," Sirius said.
"I had hope," Amelia said. "Sirius, there are two teenagers who are also hoping you walked out of the Courtroom a free man. Two teenagers who don't know you're a free man."
"Crap," Sirius said, "You're distracting me, beautiful."
Amelia smiled. "Come home with me tonight. We can… continue what we couldn't finish here."
"I need to go to Gringotts and get my Lord's Ring," Sirius said, "And do other stuff."
"Don't leave the Ministry without telling me first, okay?" Amelia asked. "Don't leave my office until I come back."
"I won't," Sirius promised.
"Thank you," Amelia said; she looked into his eyes, "I love you, Sirius Black."
Sirius smiled. "I love you, Amelia Bones. I've loved you… since the moment you first kissed me, I think. Can't remember. There was a lot of kissing."
Amelia laughed. "Well, if you do remember, please tell me. For now, you need to break the news of your freedom to two nervous teenagers. And I need to go… make the lives of two other teenagers worse than they already are."
Sirius smiled and leaned back toward her and kissed her. "Good luck, Amelia."
"Thank you, Sirius," Amelia said. "I think I'm going to need it."
She smiled, kissed him again, then proceeded to leave the room. Sirius sighed and collapsed into Amelia's office chair. He removed the compact mirror from his pocket, and said 'Harry Potter'. The mirror turned on, showing Harry Potter sitting on a couch Sirius had seen him on a couple times before.
"I'm really starting to get nervous about Sirius now, Harry," Hermione's voice said, somewhere away from the view of the mirror.
"He'll call us soon," Harry said, "I am sure there is a reason he hasn't yet – where it be he is still in Court, or he's delayed elsewhere. Though I cannot imagine what might be delaying him. He did promise to call us as soon as the trial's over."
Sirius winced. Sorry, kid. Got delayed because I was kissing and snogging my girlfriend! I am sure the same has happened to you a few times recently!
"I did promise you that, didn't I?" Sirius said.
"Sirius!" Harry said, in an obviously relieved tone.
Suddenly, there was a meowing and hissing sound, and Sirius laughed as he realized it was a good friend of his - Hermione's cat, Crookshanks. Hermione appeared on screen and plopped down on the couch next to Harry.
"Sirius!" Hermione gushed, happily.
"Hermione!" Sirius echoed, grinning, "Sorry, you two. I've been a bit busy over the past few minutes. Lost track of time. Only remembered a couple minutes ago I was supposed to call you."
"So," Harry said, "Does that mean –?"
"I'm a free man!" Sirius said, "Cleared of all charges! In fact, they're giving me one-point-three million galleons to make up for not giving me a trial thirteen years ago!"
Sirius laughed as he watched Hermione squeak and jump on Harry and kiss him. He cleared his throat, after their kissing went on for about thirty seconds. They backed up and blushed.
"Sorry, were just so happy and relieved!" Hermione exclaimed.
"It is alright," Sirius said; he then noticed her red eyes and blotchy face, "You've been crying. That worried about me, Hermione?"
Hermione sniffled. "We heard about Molly Weasley."
"Oh… shite, yeah," Sirius muttered, "I heard about that too. Bad deal, that was. You seem to have taken it pretty badly for someone who – well – wasn't her crimes against both of you the reason she was at trial today?"
"She was," Hermione said. "But…"
"Neither of us wanted her to die, Sirius," Harry said, "Wanted her in Azkaban – maybe even in your old cell. Sure! But dead, murdered like that? No… we didn't want that."
"You're both good kids then," Sirius said, "I don't think I would have felt the same if it was someone like Wormtail. Don't say it isn't the same. From what you've told me, Molly and her two youngest children are traitors to you, just like Wormtail betrayed me, you and your parents, Harry. Where would you be if she had succeeded with her plots, you two? Hmm?"
"Probably Potioned up and the boyfriend and girlfriend of Ginny and Ron respectively," Hermione said.
"You see then?" Sirius asked. "It is a good thing she was in that Courtroom. Do not even think about blaming yourself, Harry, for any of that."
"Oh, Merlin," Hermione said, "I didn't even consider that! Is that why you're confused about mourning her, Harry? Because you feel responsible for her being in the Courtroom?"
Harry stammered. "Um… maybe a little? I mean, sure… would she have been arrested, and been in Court if we hadn't spoken to Director Bones?"
"Stop it, kid," Sirius said, "Molly Weasley was there because of Molly Weasley. Nobody else."
"Except maybe Dumbledore," Harry muttered, "Her plot began because Dumbledore offered her to pen an illegal Betrothal Contract."
"Then blame Dumbledore!" Sirius said, "Not yourself. I blame him for what happened to me. Dumbledore knew Wormtail was the Secret Keeper. Dumbledore is the reason Hagrid didn't give you to me that Halloween night. I wouldn't have gone after Peter if I had custody of you, kid! Dumbledore is to blame for all of this! Do not blame yourself! Do you hear me?"
"Yes, sir," Harry said.
Sirius rolled his eyes. "I am not a sir, Harry."
"Sorry," Harry said. "Fine. I'll blame Dumbledore then. Privately, not publicly. Can't really do that when he's around here every day."
Sirius sighed. "Yes. Amelia – Director Bones – told me she can't just go and arrest the old man right now. Apparently Minister Fudge is blocking her right now. Something about his involvement in the Tournament."
"The Goblet of Fire," Hermione said, "If he's not involved in judging and planning for the Tournament, he could lose his magic or his life, apparently."
"His life, probably," Sirius said, "Non-Magical people don't live as old as he is. Without magic, he'd probably die. It is why losing magic is so scary for witches and wizards. It is why Squibs are so looked down upon. Because they have no magic, but were born from magical parents. That is just scary to us witches and wizards.
"It is why your ex-friends, Ron and Ginny – why their punishments are just as bad as going to Azkaban. Putting four bindings out of five on their magic? As teenagers? Preventing them from using their wand until they're seventeen? Yeah, that's… it is a serious punishment. Don't ever believe they are getting off easily, you two. Just because they aren't going to Azkaban, doesn't mean they aren't going to suffer.""
"Nobody has explained it like that before," Hermione said, "Not even Professor McGonagall."
"Because it is scary to even consider, forget discussing it out loud," Sirius said, "I think that is why Amelia has agreed not to arrest Dumbledore, which she is very conflicted about, believe me. She doesn't want to be responsible for him losing his magic and life, because of consequences beyond her control."
"She told you all that?" Harry asked.
"Not all of it," Sirius said, "Even though I haven't been with her in thirteen years, before today, I can still read her better than I can read anybody else. I just know her. I am sure you can say that about Hermione, even though you've only known each other since you were eleven."
Harry blushed as he looked at Hermione, who smiled. "I think I know what you mean."
"Me too," Hermione said, "I can read Harry better than I can read my own parents."
"That is a bit scary," Harry admitted.
"It can be," Sirius said. "But a lot of things about romantic relationships and… love… can be scary."
"You're right," Harry said, nodding. "I didn't know you were so wise."
"Oi!" Sirius joked, "I can be wise! I just choose not to be most of the time. But I am a free man now. You may be Emancipated, but I am still your Godfather. Time for me to truly act like it."
"You acted like my Godfather the day you broke out of Azkaban, Sirius," Harry said, "And every day since then."
Sirius smiled. "That means a lot, Harry. Thank you. Now, do you want to hear about my trial?"
"Yes!" Harry and Hermione exclaimed in unison.
"Then sit back and relax," Sirius said, "Because it is a thrilling tale."
(Saturday, December 19th, 1994 – 3:15 PM)
Albus Dumbledore blinked his eyes open and found himself lying on his front in what appeared to be a bed in the Hospital Wing.
He tried to move and found that he couldn't move a muscle below his neck.
"Poppy?" Albus muttered, turning his head toward the direction of the Hogwarts Healer's office.
"You're awake, are you?" Madam Poppy Pomfrey said, as she appeared moments later by his bed. "I am rather surprised. I expected you not to wake until dinnertime, at the very least. But you are a stubborn old fool, aren't you?"
"What's going on?" Albus asked.
"From what I can tell your Phoenix had a burning day right after he transported you with his flame-travel," Poppy said, "Luckily, Hagrid was preparing the carriages for you and Minerva's return from the Ministry. He found you, unconscious at the Gates, and summoned a house-elf. Several house-elves brought you to me. You had severe burns on your back, buttocks and the back of your legs. The clothes you were wearing were ruined, of course. I had to lay you on your stomach, in order to begin healing you. Luckily, there will be minimal to no scarring due to how quickly I was able to treat you. But you'll be here for at least through the entire weekend."
"I have a Wizengamot Council Session on Monday!" Albus growled.
"I am aware of this Albus," Poppy said, "Frankly, I'm not sure if I should allow you to leave on Monday. However, if you cooperate fully between now and then, I will see what I can do."
"I have things I need to do!" Albus grumbled.
"Yes, you do!" Poppy said, "Like getting better! Minerva can handle your duties as Headmaster. She does it all the time. I don't know what you think you have to do to prepare for the Wizengamot Council Session on Monday. But unless you have someone who can assist you, you aren't going to be doing much between now and then."
Albus grumbled. The most important thing he needed to do was find out what happened at Sirius Black's Trial. He needed to know if anything was revealed about him! He was quite sure there would be. But he didn't know what that information would be, aside from him being blamed more for not giving Black a trial thirteen years ago. He hoped Black's time in Azkaban had cost him a few of his memories – such as the Godparent Ritual, and Albus being the one to perform the Fidelius Charm on the Godric's Hollow House with Pettigrew as Secret Keeper.
He also hoped Sirius didn't remember being blocked from Apparating to Godric's Hollow that night. He had gone to extreme lengths to make sure Sirius would have to use his motorcycle, and get their after James and Lily were dead. He also hoped Sirius didn't come to wonder why he was so angry with Pettigrew after Hagrid left with Harry.
Yes, Albus had been on the scene that night. He had been under James Potter's invisibility cloak – and how ironic that was! – having showed up just after the events in Harry's nursery had taken place. He had seen the wispy phantom that was Voldemort fleeing the scene and screaming as he did so. He had investigated the crime scenes before Hagrid arrived. Had used an ancient, almost forgotten enchantment that let him see the last few moments of a person who had just died. He had seen James Potter attempt to battle Voldemort, without a wand – really?! – and fail miserably. He had seen Lily Potter's pathetic attempt to save her son. But he hadn't been able to see whatever spell or enchantment she had used on her son and his crib to protect him. He suspected it was some type of rune maybe, which would form the scar on Harry's forehead. After all, Killing Curses left no evidence, so how could Harry had gotten the scar because of that? To this day, he still couldn't figure out what it was. He suspected it was a Potter or Peverell Family spell from their Grimoires, the very books that he had never been able to find!
Then he had used Legilimency on little Harry, found the toddler's ability to remember such a scene clearly – though he still couldn't find what Lily had done to her son. He suspected Harry had been asleep at the time. He also realized Harry had the ability of an eidetic memory. This had been good information in later years when he needed to block the ability so Harry wouldn't be too smart. He had seen the moment Voldemort had tried to kill Harry.
And that was how he was able to create the famous moniker the Boy-Who-Lived, and give the story to various writers, both for history books and fictional books, the latter which would one day make Ginevra Weasley obsessed with Harry Potter.
He had left the house, rather disappointed, having not been able to find the rumored Portraits James and Lily had mentioned while penning their Will. He realized they were in Potter Manor already, which he still couldn't get into!
He had watched as Rubeus Hagrid arrived, heard the man's emotional howling and wailing at seeing James and Lily's bodies. Then he had Sirius arrived a few minutes later. He had witnessed the whole scene between Hagrid and Sirius, confound Sirius to agree to let Hagrid take Harry. Then he used a Compulsion on Sirius to make him irrational when it came to Pettigrew.
Of course, he knew there would be some questions about certain events back then that might be brought up. Like why Rubeus Hagrid was on scene so soon after the Potters were murdered. He hoped nobody made the connection to the Aurors investigating the crime scene of the murdered Muggles, and their tragic fates in the following months. He wouldn't have had to do what he did, if none of them had questioned why Pettigrew's finger was the only thing found instead of brains, blood and other body parts! He had no use for competent Aurors when he needed them to be incompetent! He had gone to a lot of lengths to get their reports thrown out. He couldn't modify them, just like he couldn't show that Sirius actually did have a trial instead of being thrown in Azkaban without one!
Aside from Sirius' trial, he needed to contact his Allies, and others in the Council – especially in the Dark Alliance - to get them to support blocking Harry Potter's Emancipation! It would be easy. With his Emancipation – and with the Potter Account Manager at Gringotts gearing up to contact Harry Potter at some point – Harry would soon discover he would be two Lords! As Lord Potter and Peverell, he could claim his Council Seats, join the Great Alliance again, and the Great Alliance would become a powerhouse again! The Dark Alliance would not want this!
But here was, apparently stuck in bed until at least Monday morning. Damn that bloody phoenix!
He had been so lost in his musings that he had lost track of where Poppy was. He heard her talking to somebody, and recognized Minerva McGonagall's voice.
"Minerva?" Albus muttered.
Minerva McGonagall walked over to Albus. "Oh, Albus, I just heard from Poppy what happened. I thought your robes were fireproof?"
"Phoenix fire on a Burning Day," Poppy said, "Extremely hot. Hotter than their flame travel, which Albus is immune to because Fawkes is his familiar. He doesn't seem immune to the heat of a Burning Day. Albus unfortunately got caught up in it."
"Never happened before today," Albus muttered. "Never thought it could happen. Fawkes is always several feet away from me when he has a Burning Day. This time, he didn't have a chance to get away or warn me, I suppose."
"You're lucky Hagrid was there!" Minerva exclaimed, "You could be dead! What would we do without you?!"
"I am sure the world I leave would be able to prosper on without me," Albus said.
"Give me a bit of privacy will you, Poppy?" Minerva asked.
"Very well," Poppy said, "Not like he can move and make his injuries worse. I made sure of that."
"Thank you, dear Poppy, for saving my life," Albus said.
"You will be a good patient if you don't want me to consider calling in a life debt!" Poppy said.
"Healers can't claim life debts!" Albus said. "It is in their vows!"
"Damn," Poppy huffed, "He remembered that."
She winked at Minerva, and walked off.
"Oh, Albus," Minerva said, "Can you even make it to the Council Meeting on Monday?"
"I must, Minerva," Albus said, "It is highly important that I am there."
"Well, then you better cooperate with Poppy!" Minerva said.
"I will," Albus said, sighing, "What happened at Sirius Black's trial. I know you attended as Lady McGonagall."
"Cleared of all charges," Minerva said, smiling, "He is now Lord Black, and gets one-point-three million Galleons in compensation for the miscarriage of justice."
Albus winced at the news, and tried to cover it with a moan of pain. Minerva looked concerned.
"I'm fine," Albus said, "Not exactly comfortable in my position, you know. Tell me about the trial."
"I will not – not until you're better," Minerva said, "In fact, if you behave, I will give you a memory of the trial for your viewing pleasure after the Council Meeting."
"Why can't you summarize it?" Albus asked.
"I did… he was cleared of all charges," Minerva said. "And he is Lord Black. If I told you more, it would only stress you out."
"Was I implicated in anything?" Albus asked, "My name mentioned! Tell me that, at least!"
"There were some concerns about why you did not give Sirius a trial back then," Minerva said. "I am sure the media believes you're hiding a few things because you weren't in attendance."
"Because I was barred from the Courtroom!" Albus exclaimed.
"Calm down, Albus," Minerva said, "You do not want to make Poppy keep you here during the Council Meeting! You were barred because you didn't give Sirius a trial thirteen years ago. Maybe you can learn from this, hmm?"
"Always the Professor," Albus grumbled.
"You're lucky you were my Professor and not the other way around, old man!" Minerva scowled.
"Of course I am," Albus said. "As I have said in the past whenever you give me that threat. Do you know, by chance, what happened to Ronald and Ginevra Weasley?"
"Their mother – Merlin bless her soul – made a deal with Director Bones," Minerva said, "If she cooperated and told the Wizengamot everything she had done – all of her crimes, and was completely honest, Ronald and Ginevra would not suffer a trial or Azkaban. They will have four out of five bindings on their magic and their wands taken away until they are seventeen. And they will be home-schooled by Muriel Prewett."
"A fine Professor, if memory serves," Albus said.
"Yes, she was," Minerva said, "One of my favorites when I was a student. Anyway, according to Director Bones, Ronald and Ginevra should be going home by the end of the day."
"Very good," Albus said, "What about Frederick and George Weasley?"
"I wrote a letter to Pomona to inform Fred and George about their mother," Minerva said. "Pomona said she was able to tell them before their eldest brothers, William and Charlie came to Hogwarts to pick them up. Pomona believes we might be lucky enough to have the twins here for the Yule Ball. Which is a good idea. It would make for a fine distraction from this tragedy."
"I suppose it would," Albus agreed, "Does the rest of the school know about what happened in Courtroom Ten?"
"If one student knows, so does the rest, Albus," Minerva said, "You know that. I… I was planning on visiting Mr. Potter and Miss Granger after I finished speaking to you, to see if they know what happened. They'll likely want to know about Sirius Black too."
"I hope they feel some remorse for Molly Weasley," Albus said, "She may have committed, or was planning to commit crimes against them, but she did care for them."
"I wondered just how much you knew of what she did, Albus," Minerva said, "She barely was done with her opening statement before she was killed, after all!"
"If Ronald and Ginevra are guilty of doing anything against Mr. Potter and Miss Granger," Albus said, "Then their mother had something to do with it too. They didn't go to sleep without Molly Weasley's say-so, if you recall."
"She was a rather overbearing mother, wasn't she?" Minerva asked.
"Minerva!" Albus scolded, "You know better than to speak ill of the dead!"
"Yes, you are right," Minerva said, "May Merlin bless her soul. I apologize, but I need to speak to Mr. Potter and Miss Granger about Sirius Black."
Before Albus could even say goodbye, Minerva stood and left.
Albus sighed and cursed that damn phoenix. If he didn't know better, the bloody bird had done this on purpose!
Of course he did. Likely to punish him for what he had done that day.
"I named my Order after you and you pay me back like this?" Albus muttered, darkly.
Bloody immortal chicken!
(Saturday, December 19th, 1994 – 7:15 PM)
Harry and Hermione were in the middle of the Transfiguration Classroom, slow dancing as Remus Lupin's record player played a suitable song for their dance. Professor McGonagall simply sat on the edge of her desk and watched them.
Professor McGonagall had been correct earlier when she had told them why the Dancing Lesson was still on for that evening. They needed the distraction. Whether it be from the tragic news of Molly Weasley's death. Or the distraction that Ron and Ginny Weasley were back at the Burrow, with bindings on their magical core. The magic they could use now was only enough to keep them from getting too exhausted while experiencing each day in a magic-filled house. Still, McGonagall had told Harry and Hermione that for a while, until they were used to the limited magic in their bodies, they would likely sleep for long periods of time, and only be awake for less than eight hours a day.
They also needed a distraction after learning that Director Bones basically had gone outside of her strategy and told the entire Wizengamot Council and media that Harry had opened the Will last Sunday!
Thankfully, Albus Dumbledore hadn't know about this yet, or it could have ruined their plans for the opening minutes of the Wizengamot Council meeting on Monday! Harry and Hermione were shocked when McGonagall told them what happened to the Headmaster, but then they were just happy and thrilled. Being stuck in the Hospital Wing with very limited information (read: whatever Minerva decided to tell him), he wouldn't find out much about Sirius' trial, nor would he be able to prepare very much for the Council Meeting. This worked out very well.
"Professor?" Hermione asked, looking at Minerva, while she laid her head on Harry's chest, "I know we're dancing to distract ourselves, but I just thought of something. What if Professor Snape tells the Headmaster of what happened at Sirius Black's trial? Surely he'll find out the information."
"Nothing to fear, Miss Granger," McGonagall said. "Professor Snape is out of the castle this weekend, and out of the country. He uses the beginning days of holiday breaks to wind down from teaching 'dunderheads' as he says, and to replenish his stocks of Potion ingredients. Potion ingredients are cheaper in certain European countries and he has connections in several of them. He rarely buys ingredients in Great Britain unless they are ingredients he needs permission from the Ministry of Magic to use. He'll, unfortunately, be here for the Yule Ball, and that is all I know about when he will return.
"Continue your – ahem – 'practicing' for a little longer, you two. Then we will make sure your Waltz is ready for the opening dance next Friday."
"Yes, Professor," Hermione said; Harry echoed her.
Harry smiled as Hermione hummed along to the tune on the record player.
"By the way," McGonagall said, "As the only students in the castle at the moment are third years and up, I am allowing a special Hogsmeade visit for everyone tomorrow. I announced it at dinner, but you weren't there of course."
Hermione hadn't wanted to go to dinner in the Great Hall that evening. She was still too caught up on all the events of the day, and didn't want to discuss them with any other students.
"Hermione?" Harry asked, "Would you do me the honor of accompanying me on our first official date in Hogsmeade tomorrow?"
Hermione squeaked and raised her head from Harry's chest. She kissed him deeply on the lips, then blushed as she remembered where she was.
"I would love to, Harry," Hermione said, "Sorry, Professor."
"Miss Granger, I believe a kiss was a most proper response to his question," McGonagall said, "Therefore, there is no need to apologize. Really… I think we should use the second half of this dancing lesson to teach you the proper protocols and manners for a social event like the Yule Ball."
Harry winced. "Really, ma'am?"
"It is either that discussion, or the sexual education discussion, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said.
Harry winced again and Hermione giggled.
"Proper manners it is then," Harry said.
"So be it," Minerva said, with a smirk. "I trust you'll finish reading that book sooner rather than later, Mr. Potter. Since you have no other homework, it should be easy to complete. Unless Miss Granger wish to practice dancing in private, of course."
"That sounds good," Hermione said. "We might have to do that. Dobby or Winky can clear a space in the Private Common Room.
"I'll finish the book soon, Professor," Harry said. "And I would be happy to practice dancing a bit more during the week, Hermione."
"Very good, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said.
"Hmm," Hermione said, as a grin crossed her face, "I wonder if Sirius and Amelia's evening is as good as ours."
Harry smiled. He knew exactly what she meant, recalling something Sirius had told them during their conversation earlier.
"I expect we'll hear about it soon," Harry said.
"Me too," Hermione said.
"Something you wish to tell me, you two?" McGonagall asked.
"Well, it began when Sirius told us about his plans to visit Gringotts to get his Lord's Ring this afternoon," Hermione began.
Harry simply smiled and swayed with Hermione as she told the Head of Gryffindor the tale.
(Saturday, December 19th, 1994 – 8:45 PM)
Sirius Black walked into the bedroom of his girlfriend, Amelia Bones, at Bones Manor, also known as the Ossuary. He looked around for her, but couldn't find her.
"Amelia?" Sirius called.
A house-elf popped into the room. "Mistress Bones is taking a shower in the Master Bath, Lord Sirius."
"Thank you, Brienne," Sirius said, "I am still glad you are still around. It is so good to see you."
"Lord Black has said that three times since Lord Black arrived two hours ago," Brienne said. "Once again, Brienne is happy to see Lord Sirius healthy and whole."
"Not completely," Sirius said, "But close."
"If Mother Billie was still around she would make Lord Sirius whole again!" Brienne exclaimed.
"I am sorry for your loss," Sirius said, "I liked that elf."
"Mother Billie liked Lord Sirius too," Brienne said. "Brienne be leaving Lord Sirius alone with Mistress Amelia. Mistress Amelia be looking forward to this all day."
Sirius smiled. "Me too, Brienne."
Brienne smiled, bowed and vanished.
Sirius walked over to the Master Bath, which was connected to the bedroom. He walked into the bathroom and smiled when he saw Amelia's blurry naked form behind the blurred glass of the shower. He undressed from his clothes, and pulled an item from the pocket of his robes. He enclosed it in his fist, so it wouldn't get wet, then he opened the glass door of the shower. Amelia gasped, then turned and sighed in relief when she saw him.
"What are you doing, Sirius?" Amelia said, "You couldn't wait until I finished."
"Not for this," Sirius said.
"I'm not as young as I was to have a healthy romp in a shower, Sirius," Amelia said.
Sirius smiled at the opening she gave him. He moved to one knee then showed her the ring in his hand.
"Are you still young enough to accept being my wife?" Sirius asked. "Amelia Bones – will you marry me?"
"You asked me in my shower?" Amelia asked.
"Is that a yes?" Sirius replied, nervously.
"Yes, you big goof, I'll marry you!" Amelia said, "Put that ring on my finger!"
Sirius grinned and stood up. He put the ring on her proper finger, then he held her face between his hands and kissed her deeply, as the shower water fell over them.
"I would have said yes, if you asked me after I kissed you in the Courtroom, you know," Amelia said, after backing away over a minute later.
"I wanted to ask you," Sirius sad, "But I didn't have the ring I bought for you in 1981. This ring. I had it in my personal Vault in Gringotts. I was going to ask you on my birthday, November 3rd in 1981, and pick it up the previous day. I was planning for us to spend a few romantic days together starting that Halloween. But… you know what happened."
"Oh, Merlin, Sirius," Amelia sobbed, "If I had been there in your flat when your alarm rune went off. I could have gone with you. We could have…"
"No 'what ifs', no living in the past, Amelia," Sirius said, "Live in the present."
Amelia smiled tearfully. "Sirius? I want to see if I am young enough for a romp in the shower."
Sirius grinned. "I am happy to oblige. Thank Merlin you had decided to shag me minutes after we arrived here. I don't know if I could do shower sex for my first time after thirteen years!"
"Stop talking, Sirius," Amelia said. "Shower sex. Now."
"As you wish… fiancée," Sirius said.
Amelia moaned at the sound of 'fiancée'. Then she moaned for a whole different reason.
The Shower proposal was a last minute decision, but not the idea of Sirius proposing. Originally, he was going to do it in between shags in bed.
Also, the Hogsmeade visit on Sunday was a last minute decision. As was Dumbledore's stay in the Hospital Wing. I needed a way to keep him from finding out about Harry opening the Potter Will. It will be too late by the time he finds out.
The Dancing Lesson wasn't supposed to be much of a focus in this chapter. It was exactly what it was. Harry and Hermione slow-dancing while speaking with McGonagall. They had more of the lesson that wasn't shown. The 'proper protocol and manners' discussion might be summarized. I need to think of it. The sex-ed discussion, unfortunately, will be a simple summarized description. My muse doesn't want me to write a sex-ed discussion.
My muse also didn't want me to write a scene with Amelia and the Weasleys, namely Ron and Ginny, which I know some of my readers wanted to see. Sorry about that.
Next Chapter: Harry and Hermione's first official date in Hogsmeade and more! Two, maybe three chapters – if I want a Great Alliance focused chapter before – until the Wizengamot Council meetings. Also, the Yule Ball chapter should be Chapter 35… 36, at the very latest! Depends on how long the aftermath of the Wizengamot Council lasts.