Chapter 43 - News
A few days passed quietly after everything at Black Manor. Privet Drive looked normal and felt calm. Ordinary. Almost peaceful.
That day, I sat at the table with Mum, Dad, and both the troublemakers. Breakfast was simple today, namely toast, eggs, and tea, but it felt warm and safe. Dad read his regular newspaper. Mum poured more tea. Dudley tried to steal Harry's toast again while Harry teased Brigid.
Everything felt normal.
Then the owl arrived with news.
Our usual owl, the one from the Daily Prophet, tapped on the window with its beak. I opened it, took the paper, and gave the owl a few cereal flakes as payment. It hoots, pleased, and flew away.
I sat back in my chair and unfolded the paper.
One look at the front page was enough for me to sit straight.
There was a large headline in bold black letters:
LORD ARCTURUS BLACK ISSUES FORMAL STATEMENT AGAINST THE MINISTRY
Below it was the Black family crest, printed in silver ink.
Mum tried to peek over my shoulder. "What is it now? More trouble with those magical people?"
I give her a small smile and dismissed it as trivial, "Something like that."
I read the article quickly, scanning every line. It was not gossip or rumour. This was official.
The Daily Prophet printed Lord Arcturus Black's statement inside a boxed frame, as something important.
***
From the Office of Lord Arcturus Black
Head of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black
"For almost ten years now, my grandson Sirius Orion Black has been held in Azkaban without a trial. This is a violation of law, honour, and magical custom. This is a mockery of justice and abuse of power. No witch or wizard in Britain or in the World, no matter their blood or status, should be denied a fair hearing.
For this reason, I have submitted a formal complaint and a petition to the Wizengamot, demanding an immediate trial for my grandson regarding:
1. The alleged betrayal of James and Lily Potter.
2. The alleged murder of twelve Muggles on 31 October 1981.
Holding any man without trial is unlawful.
Holding a man of a Noble House without trial is a disgrace.
I expect the Ministry to correct this failure at once."
- Lord Arcturus Black
Head of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black
Keeper of the Black Family Seat
London – This morning
***
I put down the paper for a moment. My hands felt warm, almost shaking with the excitement of the news.
It has begun. Lord Black has finally acted.
I read the rest of the report. The Daily Prophet sounded shocked, even nervous, like they knew trouble was coming for the Ministry.
"Sources inside the Department of Magical Law Enforcement confirm that Lord Black's petition cannot be ignored.
The Wizengamot must respond within seventy-two hours."
Mum raised her eyebrow. "Arthur, is something wrong?"
"Not wrong, but it's important. Very important."
Dad asked jokingly, "What is it Son? Care to explain to us 'muggle folks' a bit?"
I laughed and explained to everyone, as even Harry and Dudley were looking at me for a new story, about the case without mentioning it's relation to our family. I put it as a man being put in prison for a crime, without having been given a trial. And now after eight years, his family has lodged a complaint and a petition for fair trial.
Dad and Mum were very alarmed. Mum was in disbelief over the concerned department's ignorance and Dad had already arrived at a conclusion, rightly so, "Politics. All dirty politics everywhere." And I agreed.
I finished my breakfast slowly, but my mind did not stay at the table. It stayed with everything that happened under Black Manor and the reactions to this news.
A few more quiet days passed.
Then another day, an owl arrived with important news.
This time the headline was even bigger:
MINISTRY ANNOUNCES TRIAL FOR SIRIUS BLACK - TOMORROW
It was happening faster than I expected.
I read the short announcement:
"The Ministry of Magic confirms that Sirius Black will be given a full trial tomorrow morning in Courtroom One.
Veritaserum has been approved for use.
The public is not permitted to attend."
Dad looked up from his normal newspaper, "Everything fine, son?"
"Yes, Dad. Just news that trial is scheduled for tomorrow."
Dad raised eyebrows, "Well, better late than never."
Inside, I knew the truth that Sirius Black will be soon a free man.
The next day went by very slowly. I tried to read my books or to help Mum. I tried to keep Dudley out of the biscuit tin and Harry away from my wand. But my mind was elsewhere.
Then in the late afternoon, the owl arrived again.
This time it carried a special evening edition. Something that rarely happened.
The front page seemed to shout:
SIRIUS BLACK FOUND INNOCENT — MINISTRY AT FAULT
I catch my breath before even opening it and I knew that everything has changed.
The Daily Prophet printed a full summary of the trial.
They started with the biggest line first:
"Sirius Black was cleared of all charges today after Veritaserum revealed he was not the Potters' Secret Keeper."
I read every word carefully.
***
Trial Summary - Courtroom One, Ministry of Magic
Under Veritaserum, Sirius Black stated clearly:
He was not the Secret Keeper for the Potters.
He did not betray their location.
The true Secret Keeper was Peter Pettigrew.
Pettigrew faked his own death.
Pettigrew killed twelve Muggles during his escape.
Pettigrew cut his own finger to run away as a Rat, his Animagus form.
The article gives exact quotes from the trial:
"It was Peter. Peter was the Secret Keeper. I never betrayed them."
- Testimony of Sirius Black under Veritaserum
It continued:
"The Wizengamot accepts the truth of the testimony. Sirius Orion Black is hereby declared innocent of all charges."
***
The next section was harsher. Much harsher.
MINISTRY IN CRISIS
"For years, the Ministry celebrated Peter Pettigrew as a hero and awarded him the Order of Merlin (First Class).
Now it is proven he was a traitor, murderer, and servant of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
He is still at large, out of reach of the Ministry. Keep an eye around for suspicious people and RATS."
Another framed box shows the newest statement from Lord Arcturus Black:
***
Statement Issued After the Trial
"My innocent grandson has been wrongfully imprisoned and tortured in that dreadful place for nearly a decade.
The Ministry must answer for this injustice.
I have filed claims for compensation and action on the grounds of incompetence and abuse of power against:
1. Bartemius Crouch Sr.
2. The Minister of Magic at that time, and still serving - Millicent Bagnold
3. Chief Warlock of Wizengamot and The Supreme Mugwump of ICW, Albus Dumbledore.
Each bears responsibility for the unlawful imprisonment of an innocent Black.
This insult will not be forgotten."
- Lord Arcturus Black
***
I stared at the page for a long time while smiling.
The Blacks have won. They were moving openly now. And they will not stop. They have the law, the name, the influence, and the truth behind them.
Mum touched my shoulder, "Arthur? You look shaken."
"I'm fine," I said, though my heart beat fast, "That man was proven innocent. He is free now."
She blinked, "Oh God. He has been in prison but he is innocent? So unfortunate."
"Yes it is unfortunate. But now he is a free man."
Now Harry will have his Godfather. Someone who never betrayed his parents and fought for them.
And soon, Sirius Black will come looking for his godson.
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Chapter 43 - News