"Come on, pumpkin! You don't want to let Harry wait, do you?"
"Yes, Dad," Ginny called back, exasperation bleeding through her voice.
She wore a cute summer dress her mum had bought a year ago - she had tried to coax the original Ginny into wearing more feminine clothes.
"Yes, pumpkin! Hurry up!" Fred's - or George's - voice came from the living room as Ginny gave herself one last look in the mirror.
It was fun to let others wait while she got ready. After all, Alexander had been on the other end of this before, so she felt entitled to do the same.
"You don't want to keep Harrykins waiting, right, pumpkin!?" the other twin chimed in.
"Shut up!" she yelled, stepping into the corridor - she shouldn't show that she liked it when her dad called her 'pumpkin'.
Her mother had granted her permission to visit Ollivanders to modify her wand, even though she usually didn't allow her children to go to Diagon Alley alone. Their usual family Hogwarts shopping trip was only a few days before the beginning of the new year and Ollivander might need a week or two to insert a new core into her wand.
Ginny was pretty sure that the Thestral hair she got last year would be the perfect core for her new wand.
"Are you sure you want to wear this dress?" twin one asked, pretending to be worried.
"Yeah, Gin-Gin… It makes you look fat," the other twin added.
Such remarks had become more frequent since her modified beauty potion started working properly - she was almost certain of it. Through, she wasn't sure how to feel about it…
"Let's go, Dad," Ginny said, ignoring the twins as she tugged her father toward the door.
"Bye, pumpkin!"
First, they would collect Harry from the Dursleys. Then the Ministry.
Ginny could then use the Floo to Diagon Alley to visit Ollivanders, while Harry went to the courtroom for the initial hearing. Apparently, both parties were required to appear in person at the first hearing of any magical civil case.
Thankfully, Dumbledore had arranged legal representation for Harry, according to her father.
Normally, Dumbledore could have, as Harry's magical guardian, appeared in his stead - Ginny theorized that this happened in canon after Sirius's death or the Malfoys didn't try to sue Harry, too occupied with hosting Voldemort - but Dumbledore was precluded by an I.C.W. meeting.
Outside, they Apparated to the Dursleys' front yard in Little Whinging and immediately saw Harry sitting on his trunk in front of the door, with Hedwig's empty cage and in his school robes - the only robes he owned.
"Harry!" Ginny called and relief flickered across his face. "What are you doing out here?"
"Aunt Marge… was just too annoying."
Oh right… the aunt he blew up in canon.
"Another Dursley?" she said lightly. "You have my deepest condolences."
Harry just nodded with an amused grin.
After her dad shrank his trunk, they Apparated to the Ministry. Originally, he had wanted to take Muggle transportation under the guise that Harry should see the visitors' entrance, but Ginny had managed to prevent this by snitching to her mother beforehand.
They appeared in the Atrium of the Ministry and quickly left the Apparition area to say their goodbyes near the security desk.
Ginny looked around. She had actually never been here before - not even the original Ginny had.
They were standing in a very long and splendid hall with a highly polished, dark wood floor. The blue ceiling was inlaid with gleaming golden symbols that were continually moving and changing like some enormous heavenly notice board. The walls on each side were panelled in shiny dark wood and had many gilded fireplaces set into them.
It was just like in the books…
There was the golden fountain with the noble-looking wizard and beautiful witch adored by a centaur, a goblin and a house-elf!
"Don't forget, Ginny," her father began. "You go to Ollivander's so he can repair your wand and come back immediately - just like you promised."
"Yes, Dad," she replied, exasperated - as if she would actually do that…
"You can later just tell the security desk that you want to visit your father, when you come back. They already told me it's alright," he continued.
But Ginny ignored him and turned to Harry, hugging him tightly without preamble. She felt him freeze in her arms.
Ginny could see his ears reddening - likely aware of her budding breasts pressed against him. He still wasn't used to her hugs… how cute. Maybe it was because he was now aware of his crush on her?
"Don't worry, Harry. Everything will go fine in court," she said reassuringly, knowing his thoughts were totally elsewhere at the moment.
From the corner of her eye, Ginny noticed her father frowning. He had asked her about Dean several times before - he tried to be subtle, but that wasn't her dad's strong suit. He had probably just realised that Harry might be one of those evil, no-good boys after his daughter as well…
This was far too entertaining.
She let go of Harry and stepped back, smiling at him as if she hadn't noticed his slight blush. But Arthur Weasley certainly had seen it.
"I'll see you later, Harry. Good luck," she said as she turned and walked toward the Floo exits, leaving behind a wonderfully awkward situation.
"Bye, Dad!"
The trip to Ollivanders and getting her wand fixed had been fairly straightforward. Mr Ollivander tested her attunement to different types of wood and to the Thestral tail hair she had brought with her.
It was just as she expected. He would replace the core of her thirteen-inch yew wand with the Thestral tail hair. She was told to return in two weeks.
Ginny didn't like the thought of being wandless for the next two weeks, but she had no choice.
Maybe she could make a date with Harry out of it. After all, he would be staying at the Leaky Cauldron until summer break ended.
At the moment, she was sitting outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour with a sundae, thinking about what to do next. She planned to ask her father to keep it a secret from Mum afterwards - obviously he would do so for his little girl, right?
Ginny looked at the 'special edition' of the Daily Prophet she had bought about the Sirius Black case. While she didn't actually need to know who had killed him - Harry would get access to the Black fortune, the books and the locket Horcrux anyway in court - it was still interesting. Magical Britain seemed obsessed with the case and many conspiracy theories were floating around…
'WAS SIRIUS BLACK MURDERED?'
One article described how Sirius Black's body had been discovered. Apparently the anti-Dementor ward surrounding the cell had failed for a short time and Dementors immediately swarmed it and kissed Black.
There was also an interview with Bertram Aubrey - a guard at Azkaban - who found Black's body. But he offered no other useful details. Apparently he was sure that the ward had failed by itself and that it was a constant problem in Azkaban for the guards. According to the article, Azkaban was in urgent need of additional funding and all anti-Dementor wards would need to be inspected by a specialised warding team from Gringotts.
But in Ginny's opinion, the timing was far too suspicious.
To her, the most obvious suspect was Narcissa Malfoy. She might had paid some former Death Eater who worked in Azkaban to kill Black to get the Black fortune for her son. One article mentioned that Walden Macnair - there was a name she knew - was a Ministry official assigned to Azkaban that day. That seemed the most likely culprit.
Bartemius Crouch Sr. was another possibility. Perhaps he wanted to hide the fact that Sirius Black had never received a trial? If that had been his goal he certainly failed.
'NO TRIAL? HOW SIRIUS BLACK ENDED UP IN AZKABAN IN 1981!'
Apparently the Fudge administration was quick to blame Bartemius Crouch Sr. and the former Minister for Magic Millicent Bagnold. There was even an interview with Cornelius Fudge where he emphasised that his predecessor was responsible for this miscarriage of justice and that something like this would never happen under his administration. Ginny was pretty sure that Fudge wasn't behind Black's death. Maybe Dolores Umbridge had acted without informing Fudge?
Ginny didn't really believe that Albus Dumbledore could be behind this… Maybe some third party had wanted to silence Black? But there was no hint about Black having some important, dangerous or incriminating knowledge in the books… Someone owing money to the Blacks, perhaps?
Other articles were about Harry being Black's godson, Peter Pettigrew's trial and the general connection to the Potters' deaths and Lord Voldemort's downfall. The Daily Prophet really had more than enough material for several special editions…
"Ginny?" a familiar, flustered voice interrupted her thoughts.
She looked up from the newspaper next to her sundae.
"Charlie? How lucky to meet you here!" she told him with a smile - mainly to rattle the boy even more.
Then she saw a little girl next to him, maybe six or seven years old, with the same blond hair and blue eyes.
"And is this your little sister?" she grinned at the awestruck girl.
"Wow, you're so pretty, big sister! Are you Charlie's girlfriend?"
"Madge!" exclaimed Charlie, now completely red.
Ginny just took another spoonful of her sundae while watching, amused.
"Your name is Madge?" Ginny asked, ignoring the girlfriend comment. "It's nice to meet you."
"So you aren't big brother's girlfriend?" she asked innocently. But Ginny could see a small, amused glint in the younger girl's eyes - she was doing this on purpose… Good job, Madge!
"Well, he has never asked me to be his girlfriend," Ginny pretended to explain patiently.
Madge brightened at that and Ginny was curious how she would tease her brother now. 'I wish Fred and George had crushes I could use…'
"Then you have to ask her now!" Madge insisted, tugging on her brother's sleeves. "Come on, Charlie, you…" but Charlie put his hand over her mouth, preventing her from continuing.
His face was so red.
"I… I'm sorry, Ginny. Madge doesn't mean what she is saying," he told her weakly, not looking her in the eyes. "I think we should go…"
Ginny giggled at that.
"I don't mind. See you at the Hogwarts Express."
Charlie just nodded and pulled his sister away - hand still over her mouth.
Ginny wished Harry was here. His face would have been hilarious…
oOoOo
Harry wished Ginny was here. He missed her already, even though she had just left through the Floo…
Then he remembered that he wasn't alone and found Mr Weasley studying him with an unreadable expression.
Harry was suddenly very aware of the fact that Mr Weasley was Ginny's father…
"This way," Mr Weasley said with a sigh, before the silence could become awkward and turned around.
They stepped toward a desk on the left, over which hung a sign saying 'Security'. A badly shaven wizard in peacock-blue robes looked up as they approached and put down his Daily Prophet.
"I'm escorting a visitor, for an Initial Civil MCMC" said Mr Weasley, gesturing toward Harry.
"Magical Case Management Conference," he explained, seeing Harry's questioning look.
"Step over here," said the wizard in a bored voice.
Harry stepped closer to him and the wizard handed him a silver badge with 'Civil Hearing' on it, which Harry pinned it to the front of his robe. Then the wizard held up a long golden rod, thin and flexible as a car aerial and passed it up and down Harry's front and back.
"Wand," grunted the security wizard at Harry, putting down the golden instrument and holding out his hand. Harry produced his wand. The wizard dropped it onto a strange brass instrument, which looked something like a set of scales with only one dish. It began to vibrate. A narrow strip of parchment came speeding out of a slit in the base.
The wizard tore this off and read the writing upon it.
"Eleven inches, phoenix-feather core, been in use two years. That correct?"
"Yes," said Harry nervously.
"I keep this," said the wizard, impaling the slip of parchment on a small brass spike. "You get this back," he added, thrusting the wand at Harry.
"Thank you."
"Hang on…" said the wizard slowly.
His eyes had darted to Harry's forehead.
"Thank you, Eric," said Mr Weasley firmly and grasping Harry by the shoulder, as he steered him away from the desk.
Harry followed Mr Weasley through golden gates into the smaller hall beyond, where at least twenty lifts stood behind wrought golden grilles.
Just one old witch entered with them and the doors closed. The lift juddered upward and a cool female voice said, "Level six, Department of Magical Transport, incorporating the Floo Network Authority, Broom Regulatory Control, Portkey Office and Apparation Test Center."
The lift doors opened and the witch got out. At the same time, several paper airplanes swooped into the lift. Harry stared up at them as they flapped idly around above his head - they were a pale violet colour and he could see 'Ministry of Magic' stamped along the edges of their wings.
"Just Interdepartmental memos," Mr Weasley muttered to him.
"Level two, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, including the Improper Use of Magic Office, Auror Headquarters and Wizengamot Administration Services," the voice said again.
"This is us, Harry," said Mr Weasley and Harry followed him through a corridor to an empty small meeting room.
"Your Magical Solicitor will meet us here in a moment. His name is Edward Tonks."
"Oh," Harry answered awkwardly, unsure what else to say.
They sat down to wait.
Harry felt he ought to say something, but it seemed strange to start a conversation with the adult wizard. Perhaps he could ask about the hearing, but he had already been told that his barrister would explain everything.
"Ron has told us that a few boys, including someone named Dean, seem rather taken with Ginny," Mr Weasley begun.
Harry froze, completely unprepared for the shift. Perhaps silence would have been better after all…
"I'm not the sort of father who forbids his daughter from being a teenager and making her own choices, but…" he paused and Harry looked up.
Instead of anger or suspicion, there was something almost weary and sympathetic in Mr Weasley's expression. It threw Harry off a bit. He had thought this would be one of those 'stay away from my daughter' conversations he had seen in movies.
"I know Hermione's death hit you and Ron the hardest…" he continued and Harry felt a lump rise in his throat, "but I fear that Ginny is rushing things because she hasn't really dealt with her own emotions."
Harry immediately thought of how Ginny had supported him after Halloween instead of allowing herself to grieve. How calm she had been, even when they visited Hermione's grave. How she had felt aimless after they caught Lockhart.
"I just don't want anyone to take advantage of my little girl. You understand that, right?"
"Neither do I, sir," Harry replied, his voice rough. All he wanted was for Ginny to be safe and happy even if that happiness wasn't with him…
Mr Weasley studied him for a moment and then nodded, as if he had seen something in Harry that he approved of.
"Good."
A knock at the door interrupted them and a fair-haired, broad-bellied man stepped into the room.
"Hello, Arthur. And this young man must be Harry Potter," he said warmly.
"Hello, Ted," Mr Weasley answered.
"Harry, this is your Magical Solicitor, Edward Tonks."
After Mr Weasley left, Mr Tonks briefed Harry on everything related to Sirius Black's last will, the Malfoys' legal challenge, the Black family and the structure of the Magical legal system.
Harry already knew a little about the Black family from researching the Potters the previous year - Charlus Potter's wife had been born Dorea Black after all. But hearing the history in detail from Mr Tonks was unexpectedly fascinating, especially when he mentioned that his own wife had been a Black and had been disowned for marrying a Muggle-born.
Thankfully, Harry would only need to speak once at the hearing, which eased his nerves somewhat. Mr Tonks would handle the matter in future proceedings, which would take place while Harry was at Hogwarts and would send regular updates by owl to keep him informed.
Harry was even given a copy of Sirius Black's will. It stated that everything was to pass to James Potter or Lily Potter - and, should they both be deceased, to Harry.
It was a legal document - precise and impersonal. It listed beneficiaries and contingencies, but it did not tell Harry who Sirius Black had been… He would have liked to know that man. Even once would have been nice.
Mr Tonks told him that Sirius and James had been best friends at Hogwarts and notorious pranksters. Harry could not help imagining them as something like the Weasley twins.
His eyes stung.
This man had been his godfather.
He had been innocently imprisoned without trial and because of that, Harry had grown up with the Dursleys…
Part of him wondered whether Dumbledore had been involved. Naturally, he couldn't ask Mr Tonks about it - after all, he had been appointed by Dumbledore as Harry's barrister.
They left the meeting room shortly afterwards and walked to the courtroom on the same level, having covered everything necessary.
Inside, Harry spotted Draco Malfoy and an older woman - likely his mother - sitting with their solicitor at the table opposite the judge's podium.
Draco sneered at him, while his mother remained entirely indifferent.
The judge had not yet arrived.
Mr Tonks leaned slightly toward him.
"Remember," he murmured quietly, "today is procedural. No one wins today."
Harry just nodded in response.
A clerk stepped forward.
"All rise. The High Court of Magical Justice is now in session. The Honourable Madam Justice Abbott presiding."
The side door opened and Harry, following Mr Tonks lead, also stood up and bowed slightly. He felt profoundly out of place.
A tall blond witch in deep plum robes entered and took her seat at the raised bench.
"Be seated," the judge said as her gaze swept the chamber - cool and exacting.
"This is the matter of Malfoy v. Potter, concerning the estate of the late Sirius Black III. We are convened for a Magical Case Management Conference," she began, folding her hands. "I will not be determining entitlement today. I am concerned only with directions and the proper identification of issues."
Her eyes moved to Mr Tonks and the Magical Solicitor of the Malfoy side.
"Appearances."
A silver-haired wizard rose smoothly.
"My Lady, Magical Solicitor Moreau, appearing for the Claimants, Mrs Narcissa Malfoy and Mr Draco Malfoy, who are present pursuant to Section 12 of the Magical Estates Procedure Act."
Then Mr Tonks stood up.
"My Lady, Magical Solicitor Tonks, appearing for the Defendant, Mr Harry Potter, who is also present in accordance with Section 12 of the Magical Estates Procedure Act."
The judge inclined her head slightly.
"I require confirmation that both parties understand their obligation to remain magically bound by the outcome of these proceedings."
Narcissa's voice was calm and cool.
"I do, My Lady."
Harry forced himself steady.
"Yes, My Lady."
Harry just followed along, as Mr Tonks had told him beforehand. He wished he were anywhere else - preferably in Diagon Alley with Ginny.
Only then did he notice a faint glow emanating from the obsidian stand in the middle of the room.
The judge turned to the clerk.
"The document propounded as the last will and testament?"
The clerk stepped forward, holding a sealed parchment.
"My Lady, the original instrument."
The judge looked toward the side doors.
"Call the Advocate."
A robed representative entered - older, stern-faced - bearing an intricate insignia on his robes.
"State your name and professional standing."
"Septimus MacDougal, Magical Solicitor currently employed by the Advocates to the Wizarding World."
"You understand the nature and consequence of a binding magical oath before this Court?"
"I do, My Lady."
The will was placed upon a small obsidian stand at the centre of the floor.
"Very well," Judge Abbott announced, rising from her seat. She descended from the bench and approached the obsidian stand. "Judicial Clerk Macmillan will act in the capacity of Bonder."
The clerk stepped forward, wand drawn, accompanied by Mr MacDougal. MacDougal extended his hand, which the judge took firmly. The clerk then placed the tip of his wand against their joined hands.
"Do you, Septimus MacDougal, swear and affirm that the document before this Court is, to the best of your knowledge and belief, the unaltered, original and valid last will and testament of Sirius Black III?" the judge asked solemnly.
"I do."
A thin tongue of brilliant flame issued from the wand of the clerk and wound its way around their hands like a red-hot wire. Their faces glowed red in the blaze of the flame.
Harry had no idea what was happening.
"This is an Unbreakable Vow," Mr Tonks murmured at his ear. "If that had been false, Magical Solicitor MacDougal would have died."
Harry's eyes widened.
The flame extinguished with a sharp hiss. Judge Abbott released MacDougal's hand and returned to the bench.
"Let the record reflect," she said evenly, "that the last will and testament of Sirius Black III is admitted to proof and that its authenticity has been established beyond magical contest."
MacDougal inclined his head and withdrew from the courtroom.
Harry could scarcely believe that a deadly oath had just been invoked merely to confirm that a will was genuine.
The judge turned back to counsel.
"Mr Moreau," she said to Narcissa's barrister, "outline your client's position. Briefly."
Moreau stepped forward.
"My Lady, the issue is narrow but substantial. At the time the will was executed, Walburga Black remained alive and in possession of the Black estate and titles. The deceased held no beneficial interest in that property."
He paused deliberately.
"Upon her death, her will named Regulus Arcturus Black II as heir. No substitution clause was executed following his death. The estate therefore did not vest in Sirius Black," he continued. "Further, at the time of Walburga Black's death, Sirius Black was lawfully imprisoned and civilly attainted. He was incapable in law of inheriting titles or entailed property."
Harry glanced at the Malfoys. Narcissa Malfoy remained motionless, but Draco looked at Harry with open hatred.
"Accordingly, the Black estate devolves upon the next surviving bloodline - my clients. The will before the Court can only dispose of the deceased's private vault and personal effects."
He stepped back.
The judge turned to Harry's side of the courtroom.
"Mr Tonks."
"My Lady, the Defendant's position is straightforward," he began, his tone measured.
"The deceased's incarceration has since been declared unlawful and his conviction quashed. Any purported civil disability attached to that conviction cannot operate retrospectively to deprive him of inheritance. Upon the death of Walburga Black and in the absence of a living substitute beneficiary, the estate vested automatically in Sirius Black as heir at law."
He indicated the will, still resting on the small obsidian stand.
"The instrument contains a comprehensive residuary clause: 'all property, real and personal, of whatever nature and wherever situated.' It encompasses property acquired after execution."
He paused.
"The Claimants' case depends upon reviving a forfeiture that no longer exists."
The judge leaned back slightly.
"It seems to me," she said calmly, "that the issues requiring determination are these: First, whether Sirius Black was legally capable of inheriting upon the death of Walburga Black. Second, whether her will failed for want of a surviving beneficiary and, if so, whether the estate vested automatically or fell into partial intestacy. Third, whether any entail, magical settlement or bloodline restriction attaches to the Black estate. Fourth, the effect, if any, of the subsequent quashing of Sirius Black's conviction."
She looked between them.
"Do counsel agree that those are the principal issues?"
Moreau inclined his head. "Yes, My Lady."
Mr. Tonks nodded. "They are."
Harry fought the urge to yawn. This was worse than History of Magic with Professor Binns.
"Very well."
She began issuing directions with crisp precision.
"Standard disclosure is ordered, limited to testamentary instruments of Walburga Black, records of conviction and exoneration and any documents relating to settlement or entail of the Black estate. Witness statements are to be exchanged within twelve weeks. No more than two witnesses per party without permission. Expert evidence in magical succession law may be adduced by application only. The parties are to attempt mediation within three months."
She consulted her calendar.
"Trial window provisionally fixed for the Michaelmas Term."
The judge's gaze settled finally on Harry and Narcissa.
"This Court is concerned with law, not lineage sentiment. The matter will be decided upon evidence and statute."
Her voice cooled a degree further.
"Until determination, the Black estate is to be preserved. No disposition of major assets without leave of the Court. The executor may distribute undisputed personal assets pending determination of the remaining issues."
Harry straightened slightly, listening.
So Harry would have access to his godfather's private vaults? The thought felt strange - to receive something from a man he had never met and would now never know. Still, he felt a flicker of gratitude.
He found himself wondering, just for a moment, how his life might have been different if Sirius Black had never been wrongfully imprisoned. But he pushed the thought aside quickly. There was no use dwelling on what could not be changed.
He would certainly use the money to buy Ginny the best birthday and belated Christmas present ever.
She closed the file.
"That concludes this Case Management Conference."
A beat of silence.
"Court is adjourned."
The clerk rose.
"All rise."
The judge exited.
Only then did Harry exhale.
This had been both boring and nerve-wracking at the same time.