Lucious Malfoy shrewdly observed the proceedings of the winter session of Wizengamot as his nephew was sworn in as Lord Lestrange. He had high hopes for this session, with the Conservatives finally gaining a higher ground, but now with the rumours of Aries' engagement with a half veela, he wasn't so sure anymore. It seemed that Aries would also waste away his seats like his grandfather.

Lucious had resigned himself to thel disappointment of another Lord Lestrange sitting quietly in debates and abstaining from votes, therefore he was surprised to see his nephew actually rose to speak.

"My Lords and Ladies." He started. "In my first address in this governing body, I would like to raise the issue of a grave injustice done to one of our own- Lord Black."

Whispers broke out across the hall and Lucious did not like where this was going. He had hoped to acquire the Black lordship for Draco in due time, but it seemed that Aries was making a convulated move to get it for himself. It wasn't like it would lead to anything, though. Bellatrix had done enough for her to get disinherited and Lucious could definitely grease some palms to extend that to Aries.

"There is no Lord Black at present." Augusta Longbottom interjected. She could prove a tentative ally against Aries in this endeavour. Her hatred for the Lestrages was legendary. "Are you trying to imply in a roundabout way that you should be awarded Black Lordship along with the Lestrange Lordship." She sneered.

"I am not, my lady." Aries was quick to answer. "I'm trying to say that Sirius Black is Lord Black and he is unable to claim his lordship at the Wizengamot due to the pesky Kiss on sight order for him."

Lucious had not expected that. Neither had anybody else, as the Wizengamot erupted with shouts and accusations, majority of them from the Liberals.

"How can you determine his guilt without a trial?" Aries shouted over the pandemonium. "He was thrown in Azkaban without one and kept there for twelve years until he broke out.  If this the way our judiciary treats heirs of Ancient and Noble houses, maybe it isn't as reliable and just as we assumed"

A hush fell over the hall following his words.

"That's preposterous. Of course he got a trial. I arrested him myself." Fudge sputtered, implicating himself. "Madam Umbridge send a clerk to get its transcripts."

"Yes, Minister." His toady rushed to comply.

Lucious knew it wasn't of any use. Sirius Black had not gotten a trial, mostly because of Arbaxas Malfoy wanting the Black lordship for his granson and a huge amount of galleons changing hands.

However, he didn't see how that revelation would change anything now. If he had gotten a trial twelve years ago he might have pleaded innocent by the imperius defence. But now, with his tattered image and the public fear after his escape, nobody would let that slide.

No, the only way this would have a significant impact would be if Sirius Black was actually innocent. Could it be possible?

Lucious hadn't given it much thought when Black's supposed was revealed. He was preoccupied with his own defence and knew that the Dark Lord had a spy in the order. His first guess wouldn't have been Sirius Black, but he was a Black.

His musings were interupted by the return of the clerk who was whispering something in the Minister's ear. No doubt about the absence of a trial transcripts, the way Fudge's face was turning red.

"It seems the transcripts have gone missing. No doubt, Black's work." He tried to save face.

"They haven't gone missing, Minister, they were never there." Aries countered. "It shouldn't matter much. Many Lords and Ladies have been here for more than twelve years. Does anyone here remember Sirius Black's trial? Chief Warlock, surely you must remember? You are supposed to preside over all trials involving Ancient and Noble houses."

"I'm afraid I waived my right to sit on Sirius Black's trial, Lord Lestrange. He was someone I was close to and didn't want to influence his trial." Dumbledore answered solemnly.

"I'm afraid that due to your multiple jobs you might be mixing things up, Chief Warlock. Presiding over trials isn't your right it's your duty." Lucious might have been happier with Dumbledore's getting shown up by his nephew if it wasn't at the expense of his son's lordship. "The law is pretty clear in such cases. Since the Wizengamot doesn't have any evidence of a trial, it must be conducted again. I make a motion to rescind the Kiss on sight order for Sirius Black and give him an opportunity to present himself for a fair trial." He continued.

"I second the motion." Nott spoke, clearly under the impression that Black was a Death Eater.

It seemed it was the common misconception among the conservationists since all of them voted in favour of the motion, which went through with a small margin.

With the absence of his usual twinkling eyes, Lucious gathered that Dumbledore was as happy as him about it.

He did not like that one bit.