Chapter 25.1- Doom Days

Dumbledore was wearing a set of maroon robes with stars all around them- stars that moved of their own accord in some sort of intricate dance. If anyone had expected the man to wear something a bit less garish for opting as serious as an ICW meeting, then they would be sorely disappointed. His entrance marked the beginning of the serious business as everyone went to take their seats.

“Good day Gentlewizards and Gentlewitches, welcome to the three hundred and fourteenth annual congress of the International Confederation of Warlocks. As custom, those with rights of petition have submitted their names for consideration.” He said after banging the gavel and all eyes in the room turned to the front row.

“Firstly, we will hear from one Mister Sirius Black” There were gasps around the room but nothing too disruptive. He didn’t even have to bang his gavel to restore order.

I stood, wiping my arms against my robe as I cleared my throat.

“I am Harry James Potter, here speaking for and representing Sirius Black who has the right to petition this body as the Lord of House Black per the ICW Formation Statute of 1680” I began.

“Mr. Black wishes to petition this body to overturn an illegal International Warrant which has been placed on his head by the British Ministry of Magic, as well as to seek remedies against the British Ministry of Magic for illegal incarceration in the Magical Prison known as Azkaban” I said, and then sat down. Now, it would be up to Dumbledore to invite the British Ministry.

“Warlock Mckinnon?” Dumbledore called. Eyes turned to Mathilda Mckinnon’s father who was the British primary representative to the International Confederation of Wizards.

“Apologies, Supreme Mugwump. I find myself ill-prepared to address these ludicrous charges. Everyone knows Sirius Black was found guilty for the murder of Peter Pettigrew and over a dozen muggles. Of course he was sent to Azkaban, and last I checked, escape from Azkaban is a crime. I suggest that the Boy Who Lived be subject to a check to determine that his faculties are in order” The man said in a gruff voice. And to think I’d almost taken his daughter to the Yule Ball. If I had, she’d probably have survived the massacre.

I lifted my wand to show I intended to respond, and Dumbledore gestured to me. His face was flat, it was difficult to tell what he thought at this point, but knowing what I did, I doubt he was very happy.

“First of all, everyone knowing something is far from enough to make it true. Go out and ask the muggles skiing and they’d tell you that everyone knows Magic doesn’t exist. Yet, we remain here. Sirius Black as never found guilty because there was never a trial. In that case, that means his incarceration in Azkaban was illegal. The Administration of Magical Justice Act of 1778 clearly stipulates that wizards be remanded to Azkaban only after a guilty verdict is entered by a quorum of Wizengamot members— which never happened in this case. Secondly, as an example of how one’s knowledge might be faulty, I challenge Warlock Mckinnon’s assertion that escaping Azkaban is a crime. I invite him to appraise me of the specific law breached.”