Disclaimer: I don't know Harry Potter or any character from the books. If I did, I'd try to sell rights to make a cartoon series based on them.

Three Dursleys, a Potter and a Black

Trials and Agreements

Bartemius Crouch's P.O.V.

Curse you, Walburga Black! You should have let me send your traitorous son to rot in prison instead of make me waste time with a trial for an obviously guilty person. Don't take me bad, people. I understand that she's the Death Eater's mother. However, no matter how much I'd like to believe her to be a normal mother who'd want so much her children to be innocent she'd ignore all evidence in contrary, I'm sure she's only defending the murderer because she's proud of having a Death Eater in her family. Well, the blame shouldn't fall solely on her, I suppose. Several purebloods supported her campaign not to let criminals rot in Azkaban without a trial. Not only dark ones but also neutrals and even from the light. Augusta Longbottom was my biggest disappointment. While she believes that Black is guilty, she told me that several innocents might be wrongly punished if I'm allowed to send people to Azkaban without a trial. As if I'd be that careless.

Nobody's P.O.V.

"Order! Order!" Bartemius Crouch demanded while banging his hammer. "Bring the defendant in." A man was chained at a chair. "Sirius Black, you've been bought to this court on charges of accessory to the murders of James Potter and his wife Lily Potter nee Evans; accessory to the attempted murder of their baby son Harry Potter; and the murder of Peter Pettigrew and several muggles." Crouch announced the charges. "What do you plead?"

"I plead not guilty." Sirius Black replied, to the shock of everyone there.

"Black," Crouch said as he finally managed to calm the crowd. "I don't want to waste my time hearing whatever lies you made up to avoid your deserved punishment. Just change your plea to guilty and I'll try to spare you from the Dementor's Kiss."

"I plead not guilty." Black replied.

"In that case, the trial of Sirius Orion Black is now on!" Crouch announced. "Presiding over it are Millicent Bagnold, Minister of Magic; Dolores Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister; and I, Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, won't be able to preside over this trial because he's already serving as a witness for the prosecution. Also serving as witnesses for the prosecution are Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Junior Member of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes; and Aurors Alastor Moody and Rufus Scrimegour."

"Where's Remus Lupin?" Sirius Black asked. "I called him as a witness for the defense."

"The Ministry has no time to waste hearing whatever a filthy werewolf has to say." Dolores Umbridge replied. "Especially if it's just to confirm such a ludicrous tale as you expected him to."

"Now that we solved it, let's start the questioning." Bartemius Crouch said. "Are you Sirius Orion Black, of Number 21, Cherry Street, London?"

"Yes."

"Were you the Potter Family's Secret-Keeper?"

"No." Sirius answered, shocking everyone present. It took some time before everyone calmed down and the questioning could continue.

"If you're not the Secret-Keeper, why would people think otherwise?"

"Because James initially wanted me to be the Secret-Keeper but I told him it'd be too obvious and that he should pick another person and let others assume I was the Secret-Keeper to lure the Death Eaters away from the real one."

"And who was the real Secret-Keeper, Black?" Crouch asked with disdain.

"Peter Pettigrew." Sirius answered, making everyone feel outraged.

"How dare you blame one of your victims, Black?"

"Peter Pettigrew is no victim." Black answered. "He was the Secret-Keeper, caused the explosion that killed those muggles and cut down his finger so people would think the explosion killed him as well."

The Wizengamot courtroom was soon filled with shouts of 'Liar!' and 'Murderer!' and the trial had to be interrupted until they stopped. "How can you be so sure Peter Pettigrew was the real Secret-Keeper?"

"I saw Lily performing the Fidelius Charm and making him the Secret-Keeper."

"How could Peter Pettigrew have survived without the surviving witnesses noticing?"

"He assumed his Animagus form."

"Peter Pettigrew is not on the Ministry's records as an Animagus, Black." Crouch replied.

"He was an unregistered Animagus."

"I've checked his O.W.L.s and his N.E.W.T.s, Black, and they don't portray him as having the needed skills to become an Animagus."

"James and I helped him." Sirius Black explained.

"Were the whole three of you Animagi?" Crouch asked out of genuine concern. If Sirius Black was an Animagus, registered or not, his cell must be warded against Animagus transformation or he might use his Animagus form to escape. "Which forms did you acquire?"

"James Potter was a stag, I am a dog and Peter Pettigrew is a rat." Sirius answered. "Now I know why Pettigrew became one."

"Does anyone else have any questions for the defendant?" Crouch asked. As nobody manifested interest, Crouch then asked "In that case, Sirius Black, are you willing to confirm your answers with Veritaserum?"

"No."

"Why not?" Crouch asked, sure there'll be no answer that'll keep Black from being discredited.

"Some Death Eater infiltrated within the Ministry might make me drink tainted Veritaserum." Black explained.

"Are you insinuating there are Death Eaters in the Ministry?" Umbridge asked.

"Albus Dumbledore has shared this worry to everyone who agreed to help him oppose Voldemort." Sirius answered, shocking everyone with the mention of You-Know-Who's name.

"Do you really expect us to believe that?" Bagnold asked.

"Albus Dumbledore is already a witness for the prosecution. We can ask him during the trial."

"Fair enough, Mr. Black." Crouch said. "Bring in the first witness: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore!"

Dumbledore then took the witnesses' seat. "Albus Dumbledore, you've agreed to bring testimonial evidence against Sirius Black regarding the charges of accessory to the murders of James and Lily Potter and accessory to the attempted murder of Harry James Potter." Bartemius Crouch said. "What do you have to say about the case?"

"When my spy among the Death Eaters told me Voldemort was targeting the Potters because of a prophecy, I suggested them to hide under the Fidelius Charm and, despite having offered myself to be the Secret-Keeper, he decided to have Sirius Black as the Secret-Keeper."

"Professor Dumbledore, as an excuse to refuse to take Veritaserum, Sirius Black claimed you believe Death Eaters infiltrated the Ministry." Crouch said. "Do you confirm this claim?"

"Unfortunately yes, Barty."

"Sirius Black claims to be afraid these Death Eaters might use tainted Veritaserum to interfere with the trials. Do you really believe this to be a legitimate cause of concern?"

"Until the Death Eaters are all rounded up, I'm afraid so, Barty."

"Thank you, Professor Dumbledore." Crouch replied. "Does the defendant have any questions to the witness?"

"Yes." Sirius answered. "Albus Dumbledore, can you rule out the possibility that a change of plans regarding the choice of Secret-Keeper has been made after the conversation you described in your testimony?"

"Yes."

"How can you do so?"

"They would have told me if they had chosen another Secret-Keeper."

"Why are you sure of it, Headmaster Dumbledore?"

"Why, I'm the paragon of light. All light-alligned wizards know they can trust me."

"Then why didn't they accept your offer to be their Secret-Keeper?" This question caught everyone by surprise. For the first time ever, they started wondering if James and Lily had some reservations about Albus Dumbledore.

"James Potter refused to suspect a friend would betray him." Dumbledore explained. "He said it was the worst thing one could do."

"That alone shouldn't be enough." Sirius replied. "Even without suspecting me, why would James choose me as his Secret-Keeper when he could have the only wizard Voldemort ever feared?"

"Perhaps James wouldn't always make the best decisions."

"Then how can you be sure he'd tell you about all changes of plans he would have made?"

"Actually, I can't." Dumbledore thought for a long time before answering. The only thing he could be sure now was that the jurors were now truly considering the possibility of Sirius Black not being the Secret-Keeper.

"No more questions to this witness, Director Crouch." Sirius stated.

"Does anyone want to interrogate the witness?" Crouch asked. Since nobody answered, he said "You may leave now, Chief Warlock Dumbledore. Bring in the next witness: Cornelius Oswald Fudge, from the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes!"

Fudge then took the seat. "Cornelius Fudge, what were you doing at the crime scene?" Crouch asked.

"The Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes sent me to investigate a magical disturbance felt in the area."

"What did you find?"

"Several corpses, Black laughing like a maniac and saying it was all his fault, muggles claiming to have heard Pettigrew shouting that Sirius Black was the Secret-Keeper and asking how he could do it to his friends, and then an explosion where several other muggles died and nothing but a finger left of Peter Pettigrew."

"Thank you, Mr. Fudge." Crouch said. "Do want to interrogate the witness, Black?"

"Yes." Sirius answered. "Mr. Fudge, did you see the Aurors arresting me?"

"Yes, I saw Alastor Moody and Rufus Scrimegour arresting you."

"What did they do with my wand?"

"Auror Scrimegour snapped it." Fudge answered, shocking all wizards and witches who regard their wands as extra arms.

"Has the Priori Incantatum Spell been performed on it before the snapping?" Sirius asked.

"No."

"Has it been performed on Peter Pettigrew's wand?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I have no idea. I don't know Auror procedures."

"Fair enough. In your testimony, you claimed to have heard me commenting it was my fault. Do you know why I said that?"

"Uh, because you admit it was your fault?"

"Do you know why I believed it to be my fault?"

"Because all those deaths would have been avoided had you not told You-Know-Who where the Potters were hiding themselves, Black."

"Why do you believe this answer to be correct?"

"Peter Pettigrew wanted to catch you for having betrayed them."

"Why do you think so?"

"The surviving muggles told me he was accusing you."

"How can you be sure he wasn't lying?"

"Everyone believes you were the Secret-Keeper."

"Are you a witness to what makes people so sure of that?"

"No."

"Then you can't be sure, can you?"

"No."

"Then can you rule out the possibility I blamed myself because I refused to be the Secret-Keeper?"

"No."

"No more questions."

"Does anyone have any questions for this witness?" Crouch asked and nobody responded. "Mr. Fudge, you're dismissed. Bring in the next witness: Alastor Moody, Auror!"

Moody then took the seat. "Alastor Moody, you're one of the Aurors who arrested Sirius Black. What did you find at the spot where you arrested him?"

"Peter Pettigrew's finger, too many muggle corpses and Sirius Black, whom we already had orders to arrest on the charges of accessory to the murders of James and Lily Potter and accessory to the attempted murder of Harry Potter." Moody answered, showing how much he hated Sirius.

"No more questions." Crouch replied, deciding it'd be too risky making more questions. "Do you wish to interrogate the witness, Black?"

"Yes. Auror Moody, what did I tell you when you arrested me?"

"You tried to tell me something but I quickly stunned you without caring about whatever Death Eater scum has to say."

"Has the Priori Incantatum spell been performed on my wand?"

"No."

"Has it been performed on Peter Pettigrew's wand?"

That question got Moody confused but he answered "No."

"Why not?"

"Because Scrimegour snapped your wand out of anger, stating a traitor does not deserve a wand." Moody answered. "And you should be glad I prevented him from using the Killing Curse on you."

"And why didn't you use Priori Incantatum on Pettigrew's wand?"

"We didn't consider it needed since it was obvious what happened."

"Wasn't it required by procedure rules that the Priori Incantatum spell should be used on both wands?"

"Technically yes but your treason made us too enraged to think straight."

"Then how can you tell which wizard caused the explosion that killed those muggles?"

"You said it was your fault."

"Can you rule out the possibility I felt like that for having refused to be the Secret-Keeper?"

"Y…" Moody started to answer but then decided to think. "Yes. You were James Potter's best friend. You were the most obvious choice?"

"Can you rule out the possibility that, because I was such an obvious Secret-Keeper, the Potters would have used me a decoy and made someone else the real Secret-Keeper?"

"Such a ruse is a risky move but, I can't."

"Then, can you really tell which wizard caused the explosion?"

"Pettigrew died on the explosion."

"How can you be sure he died?"

"ALL THAT WAS LEFT OF HIM WAS A FINGER!" Moody shouted in outrage.

"Exactly. Just a finger. What happened to the rest of him?"

"You obliterated it!"

"What makes you sure of it?" Moody then mumbled something. "Would you repeat it a little louder, please?"

"Nothing, okay?" Moody angrily replied. "I just assumed it."

"Is this how an Auror is supposed to work? Just assume things without using all magical means available to settle doubts?"

"No."

"No more questions." As Moody was dismissed, Scrimegour got called but it wasn't too different from Moody. Then it was time for the closing arguments.

"I've been accused of being the Secret-Keeper but nobody is able to rule out that Peter Pettigrew might have been the real Secret-Keeper. I've been accused of murdering Peter Pettigrew and several muggles with an explosion but nobody can rule out the possibility of Peter Pettigrew having caused the explosion and nobody can confirm Peter Pettigrew really died. Based on that, I request full acquittal from all charges."

"Your nice words don't change the fact you're obviously guilty, Black!" Crouch replied and then addressed the jurors. "All who believe Sirius Black was the Secret-Keeper and, therefore, guilty of the charges of accessory to the murders of James and Lily Potter and the attempted murder of Harry Potter please stand up." Several jurors stood up but not enough to ensure conviction unless some of the other jurors simply don't vote at all. "Thank you. You all may sit down. Now anyone who believes Sirius Black innocent of these charges please stand up." To Crouch's displeasure, the 'not guilty' votes were enough to acquit Sirius Black. "Now, you'll vote for the mass-murder charges. However, because the defendant claimed one of the victims, Peter Pettigrew, didn't die in the explosion, we'll have two separate votes. First, all who believe Sirius Black caused the explosion and is therefore guilty of the murder of several muggles please stand up." Practically the same number of jurors from the other time voted. "Now all who believe Sirius Black to be innocent stand up." Again, Sirius Black got an acquittal. Crouch later called the votes regarding the final charge: the murder of Peter Pettigrew. Crouch was once again disappointed but no longer surprised as Sirius Black got another acquittal and was then released from his bonds.

"Sirius Black, you might have been declared innocent of all charges that could have immediately sent you to Azkaban, but you admitted being an Unregistered Animagus and the fine for that is…"

"Not so fast, Crouch." Sirius interrupted him. "All Aurors who become Animagi either before or during their time as Animagi are exempt from the law requiring registration!"

"Fine!" Crouch grunted and then gave Sirius Black a piece of parchment. "This certificate is to allow you to buy yourself a new wand and have the Ministry pay for it. Just present it to whoever you buy your new wand from. You, and I'm horrified saying it, are free to go."

"Before I leave, I require custody of the minor Harry James Potter, for I am his magical guardian as appointed by his parents in their Last Will and Testament." Sirius Black declares, shocking everyone present.

"I'm sorry, Sirius," Dumbledore replied, with a face saying he wasn't sorry. "but, in order to prevent the protection left behind by Lily from wearing off before Harry's coming of age, Harry must live with somebody blood linked to her until then, regardless of you being a fit guardian or not."

"Then, as Harry's magical guardian, I request the right to know how well-protected he is."

"Harry and the Dursleys are warded so no wizard or witch wishing him harm will be able to find their home or hurt them. Satisfied, Sirius?" Dumbledore asked with an unusually malicious smile.

"As a matter of fact, I am."

A few days later

4, Privet Drive

"Petunia, I'm no longer sure it was a good idea replying to that freak's letter." Vernon said.

"Vernon, freak or not, Sirius Black at least sent us that letter the normal way." Petunia replied. "And we had to sign a paper stating we received it so we had to reply. And he offered to help us raise Harry. If we must take him in, we could at least have someone from their lot paying expenses."

"That much I agree with you, Pet." Vernon replied. "Dumbledore not only wants us to raise your freaky nephew but is also telling the one freak wanting to take him from us he can't do it? The nerve of him."

Later on, someone rang the door bell. Vernon answered and found a man wearing a black suit. The man was so impeccably dressed Vernon found it unlikely for him to be a freak but he decided to guess. "Sirius Black, I presume."

"You presume right." Sirius replied. "And you must be Vernon Dursley."

"Correct." Vernon said and then pointed at the rest of the family. "This is my wife Petunia, my son Dudley and, well, I don't need to introduce you your own godson, do I?"

"Hello, Harry." Sirius waved at him. "Missed me?"

"Pafoo."

"Pafoo?" Vernon and Petunia asked.

"He's trying to say 'Padfoot'." Sirius explained. "It's my old nickname. Only James, Remus and that treacherous Peter Pettigrew knew about it, however."

"Given how you described Pettigrew, I suppose my sister was right about believing it was a bad idea having him as the Secret-Keeper." Petunia commented.

"Exactly." Sirius replied and then realized something. "What? You knew?"

"My sister mentioned it in a letter where she suggested us to flee the country, Mr. Black." Petunia explained.

"Why haven't you told Dumbledore about it when he brought Prongslet here?" An exasperated Sirius Black asked.

"Who?" Vernon and Petunia asked.

"Harry. I call him Prongslet because his Dad was nicknamed Prongs." Sirius explained. "But that doesn't answer my question."

"It was not like we had a choice." Vernon grunted."The old crackpot simply left the boy and a letter in a basket at our door."

"WHAT?" An outraged Sirius asked. "It's official now: his detractors are right."

"Excuse me?" Vernon replied.

"Some political adversaries of Professor Dumbledore are raising doubts about his sanity." Sirius explained.

"Well, tell them they can have my support!" Vernon replied.

"Wait a minute." Petunia asked. "Lily's letter said the original plan was having you as the Secret-Keeper. Given your reaction to the letter's existence, have they accused you, Mr. Black?"

"Yes, and that was the reason I haven't contacted you sooner." Sirius answered. "I was waiting for my trial."

"Have they caught Pettigrew?" Petunia demanded. "I want justice for my dead sister!"

"Unfortunately the rat faked his death and practically everyone in the Wizarding World thinks I killed him and some bystanders." Sirius answered. "The only reason I was acquitted was that the evidence wasn't strong enough to convict me."

"Enough of these unpleasantries, Mr. Black." Vernon interrupted. "I thought you were here to discuss the fr… Harry."

Sirius decided to pretend he didn't notice Vernon's faux-pas. "Quite right, Mr. Dursley. While Dumbledore's machinations prevent me from removing my godson from your care, no matter how much the three of us want it to happen, I am Harry's magical guardian as appointed by the Last Will and Testament of his parents and I'm willing to help with the expenses of raising him and to help him to be prepared when he returns to the Wizarding World."

"Aren't you afraid the madman who killed James and Lily returns?" Vernon asked.

While Sirius wasn't used to people calling Voldemort a 'madman', he couldn't argue with the logic behind this description. "While I'm not sure if Voldemort will return or not, the Wizarding World is Harry's home and he must eventually return."

"Don't you think it'd be safer to have the whole… magic stamped out of him and keep him away from that dangerous world forever?" Vernon suggested.

"Magic cannot be 'stamped' out of anybody." Sirius replied, remembering his mother's rants about muggles being stupid. "Each individual is either born with it or without it. Attempting to stamp magic out of Harry might make him so unstable he'd have to spend the rest of his life in St. Mungo's to make him less likely to be a danger to himself and others around him."

"What's St. Mungo's?"

"It's the wizarding hospital." Petunia explained.

"Your lot has hospitals?" A surprised Vernon asked. "I thought all you had to do was waving those sticks of yours."

"While most cuts and bruises can be easily healed like that, many things need help from trained healers, Mr. Dursley."

"In that case, has the boy ever been taken to one of these 'certified healers' after that madman tried to kill him?" Vernon asked. "Given that he's believed to have survived a curse known to have killed everybody else who fell victim to it, there's no telling which lasting effects it might have left."

"Good idea, Vernon!" Sirius exclaimed. "I'll look into this in the morning. Now, I believe it's time to discuss living arrangements."

Please review. Honestly, writing about the trial took more space than I expected. I hope the next chapters aren't that long.