Chapter four (HPOCSI1)

Percy was thankful that Arthur Weasley had continued his raids and that the timeline was largely preserved. Zealots were quite reliable like that and Percy had decided to intervene early and prevent the Chamber of Secrets from being opened and the basilisk from being killed. Percy also wanted to search the chamber for vaults, a library, and other useful stuff.

Apart from that, Percy had been helping himself to his enemies former books and artifacts.

Percy quite frankly couldn't pass up the opportunity and had opted to disguise himself and retrieve the diary at the earliest location where he knew it was vulnerable to theft. It was also a risk because that location was none other than Borgin and Burke's, but Percy really wanted that horcrux gone and to prevent stupid Ginny Weasley from exposing the Chamber of Secrets with her stupidity and weakness... plus it would spare her some mental anguish and possibly prevent an irritating pairing in this universe depending on Harriet Potter's sexual orientation.

Percy entered Borgin and Burke's, his hood and mask on, and his outfit that he could probably fight a war in worn on his body. Percy sensed Harriet Potter hiding in a Crushing Cabinet, pleased that part of the timeline had been preserved.

"May I help you?" Borgin asked nervously.

"Yes," Percy replied, his voice modulated to sound inhuman. Percy quickly restrained and then Stunned Borgin and both of the Malfoy's. "You can help me by remaining Stunned, you inbred twits." Percy began looting the Dark Artifacts, books, and money from the people before pretending to just notice Tom Riddle's Diary.

"Ah, such lovely Black Magic. The poor idiot must not have realized what he was endangering... how typical. Most Pure bloods hoard knowledge that they are too weak and stupid to use, let alone identify." Percy stored the horcrux in his bag.

Percy easily cracked the vault open by looking through Borgin's unconscious mind and then Stunning all three Wizards once more.

The vault contained some rare books on obscure, Dark, or outright forbidden magicks.

Percy drained both Malfoy's and Borgin of their magic, but left just enough for Lucius to apparate himself and Draco home.

"Weak idiots," Percy spat before Stunning them once more. "That should keep you wastes of magic asleep for an hour."

Percy left the store and Apparated away with a light pop... Harriet would leave the store a minute later and eventually encounter Hagrid, who when told by Harriet that she witnessed a crime would ignorantly advise her to keep quiet about the crime that she witnessed. Hagrid's stupidity in assuming it was just a simple mugging or prostitution would keep that event largely a secret.

When Percy arrived back in Black Manor he withdrew the Diary Horcrux, and quickly drained it of magic.

Now Percy would return to his studies, plots, and training until September first.

Percy's second year was quite routine, there were no petrifications, no basilisk was on the prowl, and the Chamber of Secrets was only accessed by Percy. Percy had just focused on his classes, apprenticeship, training, and cleansing the Acromantula nest in the Forbidden Forest.

Percy got so sick of Lockhart that he just cursed him to only tell the truth... and then Dumbledore found out and was simply amused by it, but Dumbledore still forced Percy to teach some of the first and second year classes as punishment while Kingsley Shacklebolt would be on loan to teach the third, fourth, and the fifth years, and Snape would teach the NEWT-level students and grade all papers. Percy did get to use a Time Turner though, which was quite helpful to him.

Percy was forced to set a brutal pace in having the second years fill gaps in their knowledge from first year and was able to set a relaxed albeit somewhat intense pace for the first years.

Percy considered getting out of it, citing his disdain for stupid people, but he needed the teaching experience in case he taught in the future. At least he had humiliated Lockhart, which kept him happy during all of those classes.

Percy enjoyed his trips to the Forbidden Forest and his mass killing of Acromantula... Percy had mastered the Killing Curse and he could now cast it nonverbally. The Acromantula were all very helpful with that and Percy used that and many other heavily damaging spells to quickly chip away at their population. Percy had looted 400 one pint vials of Acromantula venom and 200 fangs, which were apparently viable wand cores, from over 100 Acromantula.

With several months left at Hogwarts, Percy threw himself into his studies and his apprenticeship to make up for lost time. To do that Percy studied and exploited his Time-Turner and he exploited it to the extreme. Percy was actually kind of concerned when Dumbledore summoned him to his office because of the extra effort that he was investing.

"Welcome, Perseus," Dumbledore said with a smile. Percy had grown on him and he was a student more brilliant than even Tom was in his youth and he thankfully wasn't interested in taking Tom's place.

"Thank you, sir," Percy replied, taking a seat.

"I've been greatly impressed by your recently increased efforts in mastering Defence Against the Dark Arts," Dumbledore began. "I would say that you have the equivalent of a Mastery in Defence Against the Dark Arts and the Dark Arts; albeit not to the degree of truly great masters, which I can honestly confess to be without any real arrogance on my part. That said, I would like you to continue learning from me and learn all that I have to teach you about the Dark Arts and there defense. I suspect that it won't even take you a year to finish your Mastery, which is truly impressive... but I suppose I shouldn't be surprised given House Black's affinities."

"I have no objection to that," Percy replied.

"What inspired you to work this hard during the school year?" Dumbledore probed.

"I felt that with my teaching duties taking up my time that my performance as an apprentice wasn't where I wanted it to be. I just wanted to work harder and catch up to where I felt that I should be." Percy replied.

"Well you passed where you should be and I am very impressed. The next phase of your education will involve the higher Dark Arts and rituals and countering them." Dumbledore said.

"I look forward to completing my studies then," Percy replied, not sure what to say about that. Dumbledore seemed to understand his loss for words and simply assigned him some more reading.

Percy would spend the remainder of the school year studying rituals, evocation, blood magic, soul magic, the darkest curses, demonology, Hoodoo, shamanism, and sex magic theory while maintaining his current workload. Percy thrived and had retained everything that he had read and he was making excellent progress in his studies and teaching, with his students getting very high grades.

The ride home from Hogwarts was interesting, but mainly because Percy was collecting the benefits of the time he had invested in the students that he taught by draining them of magic. Percy would spend his entire summer continuing his apprenticeship under Dumbledore, studying, training, plotting for political power, and growing his magical power further.

Soon enough Sirius Black escaped Azkaban and Perseus enacted his minor plan.

"Lord Black," Fudge simpered, having eagerly complied to Perseus' wishes of a meeting with himself, Albus Dumbledore, and Amelia Bones. Fudge really wanted House Black's support in his next election.

"Minister Fudge, Chief Warlock, Madam Bones," Percy returned, greeting each in order of standing. "I've recently learned that my father was never given a trial by the Bagnold administration and was thrown directly into Azkaban... Before you ask, I requested the trial transcripts, and no I haven't had any contact with him."

"Getting him a trial would be difficult, Lord Black," Fudge said nervously, afraid of the political repercussions.

"The Dark and Grey Factions will support it and I'm sure that the Light will too if Dumbledore drops some hints. Sirius' lack of trial would damage Bagnold and Crouch's reputation, not yours and if you corrected the mistake of the previous administration then it would be positive press for you and increase your odds of re-election. Only by letting this injustice stand would it negatively affect you politically." That was a very veiled threat that only Dumbledore detected due to his familiarity with Percy. "In any case, I'm sure that Heir Potter will wish to confront her parents supposed betrayer and ask him why or just too get closure."

"Very well," Fudge agreed, seeing the benefits and having had his concerns addressed. "I'll order that Sirius Black receive an immediate trial and I will retract the Kiss on Sight order. It will require that Mister Black turn himself in or be captured though."

"I'm sure that I can outwit someone recently escaped from Azkaban and who's not thinking clearly," Percy replied. "Once the order is signed, I'll see if I can locate my idiotic father."

"I'll sign it right now!" Fudge agreed.

It took ten minutes but Dumbledore and Madam Bones both witnessed and co-signed on the orders. Percy simply ordered his house-elves to bring Sirius to him and Sirius was trapped in a room with Dumbledore, Amelia Bones, a few Aurors, Cassiopeia Black, and the Minister of Magic.

"What a small world, its Sirius Black the evil Azkaban escapee," Percy commented in humor as Sirius cowered from Dumbledore and Amelia Bones. "So, you must have some questions... I'm your son Perseus Black, I wasn't actually killed, but the evil bitch that you had the misfortune of calling mother let you think that I was to punish you and secretly raised me as a proper pureblood heir and Lord Arcturus and Aunt Cassi here finished the job until I was recently named Lord Black. I've gotten you the trial that you deserve and you may get to be free..." Sirius kept looking at Amelia Bones' impressive bust. "I know that you've been in prison for twelve years, but the answer to your problems isn't written on Madam Bones rather impressive bust."

"Err, sorry," Sirius spoke raspily as the others looked amused.

"Use peripheral vision next time," Percy advised before indiscreetly looking at Madam Bones and then winking at Sirius and causing him to laugh.

"Perverts," Bones commented in amusement, though she was flattered that someone so young found her attractive.

"Physically perfect goddess... I know you're secretly trying to get a marriage proposal. Be very careful, I'm a teenage boy and I'm not afraid of commitment." Percy quipped, amusing everyone.

"I'm old enough to be your mother," Amelia returned in amusement.

"But you aren't my mother so it's all good," Percy said.

"I can schedule an emergency trial immediately, Lord Black," Fudge interrupted eagerly, already imagining all of the donations that he would receive from House Black to keep him in power.

"Perhaps in two days? Give Sirius time to get cleaned up, checked out by a Healer, and be presentable." Percy countered, mildly displeased by having his fun ruined, and Fudge nodded in agreement. "Plus you can ensure that the press and all of the important people are there, such as Harriet Potter."

"Harriet?" Sirius asked.

"Yes, she's the typical Gryffindor, which means that she'll at the very least be nearly maimed by the age of twenty."

"What house are you in?"

"Slytherin, I'm not fond of all the virgin sacrifices and mandatory torture classes, but it gets enjoyable after a while. I'm still not sure why they sacrifice the virgins instead of popping that cherry, but who am I to question tradition." Sirius looked shocked. "Do you like Dark Magic too?"

"No!"

"I'm actually a Ravenclaw. I just wanted to mess with you." Percy said, causing Dumbledore, Fudge, Cassi, and Madam Bones to chuckle.

"You do not want a prank war with me, kiddo," Sirius warned teasingly.

"You don't want a prank war with me, old man. You'll lose. I've pranked Dumbledore and Snape." Percy quipped.

"Percy is a suspect in multiple pranks but no one has proven that he's involved," Dumbledore said. "I wasn't fond of waking up dressed like a princess with my hair and beard braided." Sirius laughed as he imagined that scene. "Percy has suggested that first years leave Minerva a bowl of milk on her desk while she was transformed into a cat and so far she's been given numerous cat toys, catnip, and a scratching post." More laughter.

"Okay," Percy interjected. "We need to get the guy dressed like a hobo cleaned up. Headmaster can you inform Harriet Potter about this? You'll probably be the best option." Dumbledore nodded in agreement.

"I hope that you're aware that Sirius Black will be in Saint Mungo's under Auror guard," Madam Bones said firmly.

"Yes. Sadly nobody regards House Black as good, trustworthy, or Light... they're right, of course, but even us evil Dark Wizards have feelings to be hurt." With that last bit of humor, Percy and Sirius both departed the Ministry under the watch of Nymphadora Tonks and Alastor Moody. "You know, Auror Moody," Percy commented as they left, "they have really cool eye patches nowadays. You could look like a pirate and make jokes that end with the punch line of plundering a woman's booty. It would be a real life changer for you." Sirius and Tonks burst into laughter.

**Two days later...**

Sirius was malnourished, he had severe mental trauma, and he had many other issues that would take over six months to fully correct and even then Sirius would have a shorter lifespan. Peter Pettigrew had been captured by the Aurors to be questioned under Veritaserum and everything was set for the trial.

"This emergency session of the Wizengamot will now be called to order. We are here for the trial of Sirius Black, a trial which he was never given despite the suspicious circumstances surrounding his supposed betrayal of the Potters. Preliminary questioning has been carried out to build a case for and against Sirius Black and we will now call our first witness for questioning... Peter Pettigrew." Shocked gasps from the entire chamber. Pettigrew was dragged inside in chains, looking fearful.

"Chief Warlock, I object to his treatment," Lord Malfoy began.

"The reasons for his restraints will be clear once he is questioned, Lord Malfoy," Dumbledore said, cutting the ponce off. Pettigrew was placed into the chair and further restrained. "Administer the Veritaserum."

Pettigrew resisted as Auror Shacklebolt dosed him, but it was for nothing and Pettigrew was given all three drops. First they used test questions about his name, date of birth, and his Hogwarts house before starting with the real questions...

"Are you now or have you ever been a Death Eater?"

"Yes," Pettigrew replied, causing shock to most of those in the chamber.

"Were you the Potter's Secret Keeper?"

"Yes."

"Did you murder the twelve muggles in while attempting to fake your death and frame Sirius Black?"

"Yes and I enjoyed it," Pettigrew replied while a smile, treasuring the memory.

"How did you fake your death?"

"I cut off my little finger and transformed into my Animagus form of a rat," Pettigrew replied. "James, Sirius, and myself were all Animagi since the age of fifteen."

Pettigrew was removed from the chair and Sirius was questioned next, quickly proving his innocence.

"Sirius Black you are free to go and you will be awarded 600,000 Galleons as compensation for wrongful imprisonment, damaged health, slander, violation of your rights, and House Crouch is ordered to hereby pay the sum of 4,000,000 Galleons to the House of Black." Barty Crouch was horrified. That financially ruined him and left him with just a few hundred thousand Galleons. "Finally, Millicent Bagnold is ordered to pay the sum of 250,000 Galleons to Sirius Black as compensation."

"For the next matter of business, the punishment of Peter Pettigrew," Dumbledore began.

"Chief Warlock?" Percy interrupted. "As one of the slighted houses I demand the Dementor's Kiss with no less than three witnesses, one of which would of course be yourself."

"So noted," Dumbledore said with mild disapproval.

Of course the Dark Faction opposed that and so did most of the Light Faction, which meant that Pettigrew would be placed into Azkaban, but he would later escape in transit.

Yes, Percy was pleased with how things were going for him. He had a father that would hopefully not suck at the job and deserve the title and had created a way for Harriet Potter to grow stronger and hopefully thrive in the trials to come.

They arrived at Grimmauld Place and Sirius was shocked by the difference.

"Huh. The place is less gloomy and dark." Sirius commented.

"And renovated to be far nicer. All of the Dark Artifacts are kept in private offices and vaults, but if you see a use for some you can keep them in your rooms." Percy replied.

"It's still so dark though," Sirius said in mild annoyance, preferring brighter colors.

"We're the House of Black and Lord Arcturus gave me leave to change it as I saw fit. Black, gold, silver, and blood red provide interesting contrasts while still being visually appealing and tasteful. I decided to wait until I'm out of puberty to put up a bunch of nude paintings of myself though, but you'll both eventually see what true physical perfection is." Percy replied and Sirius snorted in amusement as Harriet smiled nervously while wondering if Percy was joking or not. "No, Harriet. I'm not joking." Percy added after briefly looking into her mind.

"Is it possible for Wizards to read minds?" Harriet asked in shock.

"And Witch's, it's not a gender specific skill. The skill is actually called Legilimency and its opposite is called Occlumency. The first allows one to read the thoughts, memories, create visions and false memories, and calling Legilimency mind reading is generally considered an oversimplification. Occlumency requires peace of mind; absence of thought, and absence of emotion, and it shields the mind from Legilimency and also gives an Occlumens perfect recall and better emotional control. It's a standard skill taught to heirs of noble houses, which Sirius or I will need to teach you along with etiquette and other annoying noble stuff." Harriet nodded, interested in knowing how to defend her mind.

"Can Snape do it?" Harriet asked, already suspecting.

"Yes, both he and Dumbledore can, and so can Voldemort. I'll give you a beginners book on it and answer any questions when I can, but I'm currently completing my two mastery's and I won't be able to devote a lot of time to you right now."

"Two mastery's?!" Sirius asked in shock.

"In Dark Arts and Defense Against the Dark Arts. I already have a mastery in Potions, I learned from Horace Slughorn. But, yes. I'm learning Dark Magic from Albus Dumbledore, which I never could have predicted ever saying let alone ever doing." Mentioning that his teacher was Dumbledore caused Sirius to believe that it wasn't actually that dangerous... for once the hero worship of Dumbledore worked to Percy's advantage.

"Well now I know why Dumbledore believed that you could handle brewing the potions that I need to heal," Sirius commented.

"Yeah," Percy replied, before calling a house-elf.

"Yes, Master Percy?" Tilly asked.

"Please take Harriet's stuff to the room designated for the second in line to the heir-ship... It won't be used for over five years otherwise. Sirius can have the room for the heir." Percy said. "Are either of you hungry or thirsty?"

They both replied in the negative.

"Okay. I need to brew several potions for Sirius, but perhaps Sirius you can give you the tour. If either of you have any questions then you can ask myself in the Potions Lab or a house-elf." Percy said before leaving to brew the potions that Sirius needed.

Sirius and Harriet arrived there thirty minutes later.

"The house is much nicer," Sirius complimented nervously. "I was surprised that my mother didn't have a portrait here."

"She used too, I removed it and killed Kreacher," Percy replied, stirring a potion.

"Lucky," Sirius commented.

"Yeah... Kreacher disliked me and he saw me as an extension of you," Percy explained.

"My mother... she wasn't kind to you, was she?" Sirius asked nervously.

"She had me taught magic as soon as I could walk and talk... I didn't mind that. She wanted to turn me into a follower of Voldemort and devout Dark Wizard and punished me with pain curses for misbehavior until Lord Arcturus found out and then forced them to treat me well. He probably saved my life then, but he definitely did when he and Aunt Cassi took me in. I could have taken my OWLs and NEWTs in all my core subjects at age eleven, I'm more deadly than most Aurors, and I know more Dark Magic than most Death Eaters."

"They shouldn't have done that!" Sirius said angrily.

"I actually enjoyed learning all the magic. It gave me hope that one day I could avenge my families deaths." Percy replied. "Great-Grandfather knew what I wanted and needed and he supported me. I wouldn't be the person or the Wizard that I am now without his or Aunt Cassi's guidance."

That pretty much ended any tirade that Sirius would make against Arcturus or Cassiopeia.

Percy would have his fathers potions completed within three hours and would begin spending 'family time' with Sirius and Harriet.

Percy was looking forward to this summer.