What if...

The Trials

"Good morning, Minerva!"

Minerva scowled- how had he known?

"Good morning, Professor Dumbledore. I trust you have good reason for delaying me from my morning class?" She asked, leaving an underlying message that she believed nothing filled that category.

"I believe I do. Could you lower Mister Potter's grades? I fear he is outstripping his fellow classmates by a mile." Dumbledore requested.

"Wha- Albus, he and Miss Granger are simply ahead of the others. Mister Longbottom as well!" Minerva protested. "You can't just ask me to dock their grades to make the rest of the class feel better, they should earn their success like true lions!" She professed.

This time, Dumbledore knew he couldn't fob her off with the, 'Greater Good' bull he threw around. He really wanted Harry's grades lowered so there was no chance he would be able to succeed against Voldemort. It was all a part of his plan to rule Wizarding Britain. Because it made complete sense that lowering someone's grade affected their skill at all.

"Then I an afraid I must insist that you remove Mister Potter's place on the Quidditch team." Dumbledore sighed.

"That is about as likely as happening as it is Professor Snape jumping up and doing a jig in the middle of The Great Hall." Minerva deadpanned. "Now, if you will excuse me, I am late for my class." She then left swiftly, Dumbledore's kind façade still visible.

As soon as the door closed, Dumbledore's grandfatherly smile turned into a scowl and the twinkle in his eyes disappeared.

This would not do! Harry is becoming too powerful! Do I kill him now? No, he is still needed to weaken Voldemort, compulsion charms are too obvious and he somehow got Arthur Weasley to tear up the Betrothal contract he himself had originally drafted.

Dumbledore sighed, summoning a Hogwarts house elf. He supposed he would have to exert his anger in... other fashions.

.................................................................

"Witches and Wizards of the Wizengamot, we are gathered here today for the trial of Sirius Orion Black-" Minister Fudge started, but he was quickly drowned out by cries of protest and anger.

"What?! That lunatic?!" Yaxley shouted.

"HE SHOULD BE KISSED!" Senior Undersecretary Umbridge yelled.

"Why was there not a trial beforehand?" That one was Madam Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

"Silence!" Fudge called, though no one was listening. He cast a sonorus on himself, then repeated his command, making the room quieten. "In an act of unfairness on our behalf, Mister Black was not given a proper trial under Veritaserum." He announced.

"He didn't need to, we know what happened!" An angry wizard called.

"I do not remember asking for your opinion on the matter." Fudge snapped. "Either way, we all know how this will end." He added quickly as Lucius nodded in approval after having whispered his ideas into Fudge's ear.

"The accused has agreed to a trial using Veritaserum." Madam Bones announced as a pair of Aurors stopped Sirius from struggling- though he didn't- as a third Auror poured the serum down his throat. There were some gasps, that meant this case would be entirely the truth.

"What is your name?"

"Sirius Orion Black."

"Would you like a glass of water?"

"Yep, that'd be nice." His voice was monotone, an effect of the veritaserum.

Harry and Remus shook their head at the same time. Only Sirius.