"Mr. Crouch. Mr. Crouch, do you wish to cross examine?" The Chief Warlock demanded.
"No."
The chief Warlock gestured for the auror to administer the antidote, then spoke,"Mr. Fawcett, do you have any other evidence to be presented?"
"No, sir. I believe Mr. Black's testimony speaks for itself."
Would either of you care to make a closing statement before we deliberate."
Bartemius Crouch shook his head.
Jamieson was pleased by that, it signified that he had won the man to his point of view. Now to make sure the Wizengamot saw it the same way. "Ladies and gentlemen of the Wizengamot, today we have finally heard testimony regarding one of events of the last war. A good man has paid an enormous price, ten years in one of the worst places possible. I ask that you do what should be obvious, set him free. Thank you."
The Chief Warlock called for a brief recess while the Wizengamot deliberated, and gestured for an auror to unlock Sirius' shackles and lead him to the restroom outside courtroom one.
After he left, Jamieson approached the Chief Warlock. "Chief Warlock, I wish to bring something to your attention."
Cecil Warrington read the papers handed to him, "I thought you wish for Black to be free?"
"I do, but at the present time I believe Black to be a danger to himself and possibly the public at large. Not intentionally, of course, but the man has had severe dementor exposure. I believe it behooves the Wizengamot to be careful and not compound the errors already made with Mr. Black. Free him from Azkaban, but see to it he gets the help he will clearly need to rebuild his life."
Ten minutes later the Wizengamot had reconvened for a verdict. Cecil Warrington looked at the people who had gathered in the courtroom again. He spoke, "Members of the Wizengamot have you reached a verdict?"
Dale MacIntosh, who had been appointed Wizengamot spokesperson, stood. "We have. On the charge of doing magic in front of muggles, and an additional charge of being an unregistered animagus we find the defendant guilty. On the charges conspiracy to commit murder, thirteen counts of murder, and twenty two counts of battery we find the defendant not guilty."
"Thank you. Mr. Black, the charges you have been found guilty of have mandatory sentences on the crime of doing magic in front of muggles given the number of muggles involved would be one hundred and fifty galleons, the crime of being an unregistered animagus carries a thousand galleon fine and a mandatory three year stay in the minimum security wing of Azkaban. However due to the unjust nature of your long incarceration, my decision is this: Time you have served will be applied to the mandatory stay of the animagus charge. The Ministry will reimburse you 84,000 galleons for your unjust imprisonment with the condition that for the next year you follow the care recommendations of Healer Paige O'Shaunnesy. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the funds from the ministry and the reinstatement of the mandatory fines. Do you understand your sentence?"
"Yes, sir. I think so."
"Here are some instructions from Healer O'Shaunnesy." He handed them to the auror serving as bailiff, who in turn gave them to Sirius. "I declare this court adjourned. Mr. Crouch, may I speak with you a moment."
Sirius was stunned the decade long nightmare was over. He was finally cleared. He could… he could do most anything. He turned to the barrister that had made this possible. With tears falling from his eyes, he said "I cannot possibly thank you enough."
"It's fine, Mr. Black. Stay out of trouble and follow the instructions from the court, that's how you can thank me."
"I probably should have asked before, but how much do I owe you. Your time, the robe, court costs…"
"Already paid."
Sirius was engulfed in hugs from both Andi and Nymph. Sirius found himself dragged to Andi's home and it was only there that he read his instructions from the Healer. Upon finishing, he felt furious.
....
Join my P@treon and get 60+ advanced chapters.
Link: p*atreon.com/0LordSilvere0 (Remove the *)
Free members get 2 chapters free.
Join Right Now