Dumbledore studied Harry for a few seconds. Though he hated the idea of death to any man, he felt Harry had struck a balance that fit the situation; justice without unnecessary cruelty. "There are three options of punishment it seems," He said as he addressed the Wizengamot, "life in Azkaban, Dementor's Kiss or the Veil. Those in favor of the Veil as requested by Harry Potter please raise your wands at this time."
Three quarters of the wand rose within ten seconds.
"So be it," Dumbledore said. "Peter Pettigrew, for your crimes you are sentenced to death by Veil at the earliest possible time."
"What's the veil?" Harry asked Remus.
"There is a device in the Department of Mysteries that instantly kills anyone passing through it. Even the body is destroyed," Remus explained. "It's a very humane way to kill someone."
Harry nodded as he watched the man who had betrayed his parents struggling against the Aurors as he was removed from his seat, once again he tried to change into his animagus form only to be stunned by Moody.
"Is there further business for the Wizengamot?" Dumbledore asked.
"Minister?" Harry called to Cornelius Fudge. "What about my Godfather?"
Minister Fudge had suffered a heavy blow politically from the unexpected trial and conviction of his Senior Undersecretary but he knew the first rule of politics very well. That rule simply states that basically the last opinion formed by the people is the one that will be remembered. In this case he wanted the people leaving the courtroom to associate his Ministry with Harry Potter rather than Dolores Umbridge.
"Chief Warlock, I would like the address the courtroom," Fudge said as he rose to his feet.
"Of course Minister," Dumbledore said.
When Alain Delacour nudged Harry, he sighed but knew what he had to do. He left his seat and walked over and stood next to the Minister of Magic.
"In light of the testimony of Peter Pettigrew, I hereby declare that Sirius Black is innocent of all charges," Minister Fudge announced. "I instruct the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to immediately cease any actions in searching for Mr. Black. All legal blocks to his accounts are to be removed and any property confiscated in the investigation is to be returned immediately to its rightful owner," He almost had a pleading look as he turned to Harry.
"Thank you sir. I know the you were only looking out for the public's and my own safety in your attempts to capture my Godfather," Harry said. "He was not sent to Azkaban without a trial under your Ministry," Harry remembered what Amelia Bones had said earlier and he continued. "Even if he had been tried, the evidence in lieu of Pettigrew's capture and confession was convincing. I am glad the Ministry can now put this behind them and work on the goal of eliminating the threat of Voldemort," At a mental nudge from Fleur, Harry offered his hand to the Minister. The *POP* of flashbulbs almost blinded him as the moment was caught for the next day's Daily Prophet.
...
When Percy had been cleared of the accusations made by Dolores Umbridge, he and his father had returned to their seats where Bill and Molly were waiting for them. After both trials had ended they had left for the Burrow. She at once started complaining about Gabrielle and Veelas until her husband rounded on her.
"Molly you are just as bad as Umbridge," Arthur said.
"WHAT?" She exclaimed. "What do you mean? I'm nothing like that woman."
"She considers Veelas creatures and that is basically what you've been doing," Arthur said. "You are classifying an entire race of people based purely off of a trait and the antics of a few. What do you know of Gabrielle? What do you know of the young lady who had to fight against being imperiused? Someone was trying to use her to kill Harry but it didn't work because according to one person I overheard her love for him allowed her to fight it. Now if you mention one more bad thing about Veelas you can sleep in your kitchen," Arthur turned and left the kitchen.
At first Molly started packing the stuff from her kitchen she'd plan to take to Grimmauld place, but as she did, she saw the book Ginny had given to her several days earlier. With her husband's words still ringing in her ears, she picked it up and thumbed to the first page. Two hours later her husband found her sitting at the table still reading.
....
Join my P*atreon to enjoy 60+ advanced chapters.
Link: p*atreon.com/ScarletRosee (Remove the *)
Free members can get 2+ advanced chapters FOR FREE.