Peter was lead out of the hall. He was no longer trying to escape, he was just crying uncontrollably although no one felt any pity for him. Once he was gone discussion in the hall turned towards what they should now do about Sirius Black.
"He is obviously innocent!" one witch said.
"We can't know that! Perhaps Pettigrew just didn't know Black was a Death Eater." one of Fudge's cronies responded. A shouting match followed and neither side seemed to be winning. Many people still felt that Black was guilty of some crimes even if he didn't betray the Potters, the image they had in their heads of 'Sirius Black the criminal' was just too strong to overcome.
"Order!" Dumbledore said loudly as he banged his gavel down. "Will the Wizengamot agree to give Sirius Black the trial he clearly deserves at the nearest opportunity?"
The Wizengamot debated this for a few minutes but finally agreed that if Sirius Black was captured he would be brought before them and given a fair trial.
"… Those in favor have the clear majority." Dumbledore announced after their vote. "Black will receive a trial as soon as possible. Now, onto our-"
"How about right now?" a voice called from the audience, interrupting Dumbledore. The man who had spoken wearing a dark cloak that covered most of his face. He wore glasses and a hat making it hard to determine what he looked like. But when the man removed his disguise it was obvious all who it was.
"Sirius Black!" Minister Fudge yelled from his spot in the audience. "Aurors, arrest him at once!" The crowd meanwhile was gasping in surprise at this unexpected turn of events. Few of them noticed the twinkle in Chief Warlock Dumbledore's eyes at that moment, as if he had something to do with this…
"I don't think so, Fudge." Sirius yelled back. "I was just promised a chance to clear my name 'as soon as possible'. That would be now." Fudge looked furious, but there was nothing he could do about it. Without being called, Sirius walked down and took a seat at the podium in the center of the room and awaited the questions from the Wizengamot. The Wizengamot mostly looked at him in shock while Sirius simply smiled and waited for them to proceed.
"Aurors, please administer Veritaserum to Mr Black." Dumbledore finally said. The Aurors approached and this time the person they were trying to give the truth serum to did not fight against them but instead took it willingly. When the dose was given Sirius took on the calm look that those given Veritaserum often do.
"What is your name?" Dumbledore asked to confirm the identity of the man in front of them.
"Sirius Black."
"Were you the Potter's secret keeper?"
"No." Sirius answered. "We decided that I was too obvious of a choice."
"Who was the secret keeper?" Dumbledore asked, although he and everyone else already knew the answer.
"Peter Pettigrew."
"Are you now, or were you ever a supporter of Voldemort?"
"No. Never." Sirius answered.
"Were you responsible for the deaths of a dozen muggles on the day it was believed that Peter Pettigrew had died?"
"No. Peter did that."
"Wizards and witches of the Wizengamot, have you any further questions before we reach a decision?" Dumbledore asked. Meanwhile Fudge's supporter's were panicking, they could see no way for them to keep their key ally in power. But they were reluctant to stop trying.
"I do." Madam Umbridge said as she rose from her seat. "Sirius Black, are you guilty of any other crimes the Wizengamot should know about?"
"I escaped Azkaban, which I assume is a crime." Sirius responded. "And I am an unregistered animagus. That is all." Umbridge sat down unhappily, clearly she had been hoping for something worse with which she could then attack him with.
"In that case you will be required to register with the Ministry of Magic and pay a fine." Dumbledore instructed him. "There is, in fact, no law against escaping from Azkaban because it was not believed to be possible. If the Wizengamot is ready, we shall now vote on the matter. Those who find the defendant guilty of murder, please raise your hand." No one raised their hand, not even the staunchest ally of Fudge. "Those who find him innocent?" Once again everyone raised their hand, although some did so reluctantly.
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