I am a PASSIONATE commenter on fanfiction, but sometimes it slows down my reading because I don't want to read if I don't have the mental energy to leave the long comments I want to
Still, as an author, I know even a short note can mean the world.
So, I put together a little guide with different “levels” of comments, so it’s easier to leave something without overthinking!
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Instead of honouring specific aspects of his heritage, Elrond creates something entirely new for himself.
The House of Elrond is it’s own thing. Imladris is entirely unique. You think you see something Noldorin or Sindar or even Mannish, but look for a second more and it’s not like that at all.
Because when Elrond designed it as a Homely House, he made sure anyone who came knew they’d be welcome. They could heal and start over without judgement.
(Ultimately that’s what keeps his relations with other races so strong too. They feel comfortable in this home of many lines.)
There are specifically Dúnedain influences though. He’s fostered so many kids, looked after so many families, he wants to make sure they know that they might have lost their kingdom, but they still have a home. It’s common for Dúnedain to stop by, take refuge, recover, just say hi to friends. But they’re such an unknown people, you can’t see it unless you know it’s there. There’s even a beautiful little graveyard where so many of his distant nephews and nieces have found their rest, visited regularly by the residents of Imladris.
There’s also many many trinkets from across the centuries scattered around. A wonky dagger with a place of honour, the first work of a rising chieftain. The cracked vase from that time it was knocked over by a ball from a young boy. Letters and drawings carefully kept in Elrond, Elladan, Elrohir, Arwen, and even Celebrian’s drawers. Glorfindel, Erestor, and most residents of Rivendell have at least a few items gifted by the many generations of Dúnedain who’ve walked through the valley.
All this is taken with them when they sail, and the memory of these people whose lives were so entwined with their own lives on.
I have seen that post about Maedhros being found in Moria by the Fellowship after being woken up by the longest unvoluntary nap ever. And yes, I know "Archaeology", anfic on a similar premise.
But today I wouldlike to linger on the comedic aspects of "the Fellowship expected a Balrog to come, but instead First Era Maedhros Feanorian appeared, albeit slightly charred, and now the Fellowship is adding a 10th member to the Fellowship".
For the sake of story I am still gonna say that Gandalf fell down the bridge, because ACTUALLY there was a Balrog.
Anyway the Fellowship minus Gandalf and plus Maedhros waltz in Lothlorien giving Galadriel a whole new range of emotions.
"I WAS EXPECTING GANDALF YOU ALL HAVE BROUGHT BACK A WAR CRIMINAL FROM AN ERA BYGONE AND ALSO MY COUSIN THRICE REMOVED."
Maedhros picking up IMMEDIATELY on the effect that the Ring is having on everyone and having a heart-to-heart with everyone and explaining the whole Silmarillion ordeal.
"Yikes." Everyone nods in agreement to the sentiment epressed by the Hobbits.
As an extra layer Mae asks if they are bound by any oath. "No, Elrond was quite insisting that we would NOT swear ANY oath."
Cue Mae crying.
Somehow Sam clicks immediately with Maedhros and when Frodo leaves the Fellowship Sam is already there all geared up for literal war and with all advice and tips on how to effectively kill orcs.
Somehow Merry and Pippin manage to make Mae smile. Their next mission is to make him laugh.
This reminds him of the Ambarussa. Mae cries again.
Gollum will underestimate that and it will be his doom.
"No Mr.Frodo, Sir Maedhros explained to us very clearly what happens with cursed artifacts, we are leaving Gollum here. Sir Maedhros was so kind, he explained to me everything I need to know."
Boromir lives, because killing Orcs turns out way easier with someone who can instill in them the very fear of the Valar.
Saruman has an incredibly short span.
"Oh? A palantir? My father's invention? Here? Yeah, I am gonna take that."
Somehow everything is a little easier?
Gimli crying because somehow he heard (ancient) Khuzdul from an Elf and now Maedhros has to understand since when Dwarves and Elves do not get along.
The company coming back to Imladris and causing Elrond to break down crying uncontrollably and in a very undignified manner.
"Lindir" hears the cries and when he sees Mae he's crying as well. It is revealed that "Lindir" is actually Maglor.
When the last ship sails for Valinor, the Valar grant M&M to come back due to repentance and various services in aid to destroying the Ring.
Galadriel is still not over the fact that MAEDHROS FEANORIAN was in Lothlorien and she could not even slap him.
At least in Valinor M&M can now hug mama Nerdanel and stay with her. Eventually all brothers will be reimbodied.
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that moment when you cross the point of no return with a character should be accompanied by a specific chime i think. like 🔔 congratulations! this one has been installed in the Permanent Collection and you will never stop thinking about them as long as you live
give me first year sirius spouting the offensive rhetoric he’s been brought up on and being confused when peter is silent and uncomfortable and james looks at him like he doesn’t know him and remus doesn’t speak to him for a few days
give me sirius deeply conflicted about being in gryffindor and completely shattered that his cousins won’t even look at him in the the great hall
give me sirius of the Noble and Ancient House of Black proud and stubborn and fighting with james for days and ignoring the little (giant) seed of doubt he feels in his own resolve
give me remus finally snapping and demanding that sirius “stop using that word I don’t care if you come from a shitty family and if you’re trying, you need to try harder”
give me sirius going home for christmas and flinching at the dinner table conversation and not being able to explain why he can’t finish his meal because his stomach is in knots
give me sirius desperately trying to talk to regulus about how “have you ever thought that maybe mum and dad aren’t right about blood status and stuff?” but receiving nothing but confusion and a blank stare from his little brother
give me second year sirius watching the sorting and begging, begging that regulus is put anywhere but slytherin so that maybe he won’t be alone in this sure but steady exile
give me remus and james and peter spending the entire feast trying to distract him from the whooping and back patting amongst his family on the opposite side of the room
give me sirius asking remus about his parents and working really hard to educate himself and being utterly livid with himself when he fucks up
give me sirius speaking up against his parents for the first time at Grimmauld Place and his heart rate picks up and his knees go numb under the table when he finally manages to say “well actually my friend remus is half-blood and he’s really smart!” and the churning mix of shame and anger he feels at his family’s sneers later when he’s trying to sleep
give me sirius desperately trying to talk his family about it, and his growing frustration as he meets wall after wall and his anger just grows and grows
give me sirius simultaneously so proud and so sad as he watches andromeda’s name burned off the family tree; thinking about how lonely christmas will be without her there
GIVE ME TINY TEENAGER SIRIUS BLACK REALISTICALLY STRUGGLING WITH HIS BELIEFS AND EMOTIONS ABOUT CUTTING HIMSELF OFF FROM THE PEOPLE WHO RAISED AND LOVED AND ULTIMATELY REJECTED HIM
"I can't really remember when nick and charlie became nick-and-charlie, but nick is the only one who visited charlie when he was ill, so in my books... he's definitely alright."
Brocedes (Lewis Hamilton/Nico Rosberg, F1) vs McLennon (Paul McCartney/John Lennon, The Beatles)
Brocedes
McLennon
Voting ended onOct 3, 2024
Propaganda under cut
Brocedes Propaganda
it's unlikely childhood best friends to teammates to rivals to bitter enemies to ... whatever they are now (lewis avoids saying nico's name like it's an incantation to cause the end of the world; nico constantly praises lewis and has semi-recently gone on record as saying that in his heart, they're still best friends).
there is a wikipedia page dedicated specifically to their rivalry. they slept in the same hotel rooms as teenage teammates in go-karting. they knew each other better than anyone else did (as one f1 commentator put it, live on air speaking to nico himself, "everything bar lovers.") and their team principal has said there were things between them nobody else could ever understand.
(i started typing out more propaganda but really i was basically just putting in their entire life histories. anyway they live in the same building and don't talk but lewis sends christmas presents to nico's daughters. these men had their teenage codependent homoerotic friendship blow up on live sports tv and it's the most fascinating thing in the world.)
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back on my bullshit (rereading brothers in blood) and it truly puts into perspective how deeply, deeply funny that arc is. this is literally the first time dick has properly talked to jason (not counting under the red hood when he didn't know who he was) since he came back to life. he's heard stories about red hood, about jason becoming this rogue criminal, his little brother he barely knew being resurrected from his violent murder.
and he's fucking dressed up as nightwing, murdering criminals, and talking like he's just trying to hang out WHILE actively stabbing you. what do you even do with that
Dumbledore is a Manipulative Piece of Shit: Part 2/?
The second installment in one one of my favorite subjects when it comes to Harry Potter theories. And this time:
Fidelius Charms, Secret Keepers, and Sirius Black's Trial
So, in my former post in this series, I mentioned I had more to say about the question of why would Dumbledore want Sirius to be arrested and placed in Azkaban? How could I even make this claim that Dumbledore planned Sirius' fall?
Well, here we are, me and my collection of book qutes:
Exhibit 1: He planned for Harry to go to the Dursleys
‘Give Harry ter me, Hagrid, I’m his godfather, I’ll look after him —’ Ha! But I’d had me orders from Dumbledore, an’ I told Black no, Dumbledore said Harry was ter go ter his aunt an’ uncle’s. Black argued, but in the end he gave in. Told me ter take his motorbike ter get Harry there. ‘I won’t need it anymore,’ he says. “I shoulda known there was somethin’ fishy goin’ on then. He loved that motorbike, what was he givin’ it ter me for? Why wouldn’ he need it anymore? Fact was, it was too easy ter trace.
(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 206)
I quoted this already, but this is very damning evidence. It means Dumbledore planned for Harry to live with the Dursleys completely disregarding Sirius, even when he wasn't guilty.
"But wait!" You might cry, "he thought Sirius was the secret keeper so the moment he knew James and Lily died he figured he was guilty"
That could explain it, well, except...
Exebit 2: Dumbledore Knew Sirius was Innocent
He didn't think Sirius was a threat:
“Hagrid,” said Dumbledore, sounding relieved. “At last. And where did you get that motorcycle?” “Borrowed it, Professor Dumbledore, sir,” said the giant, climbing carefully off the motorcycle as he spoke. “Young Sirius Black lent it to me. I’ve got him, sir.” “No problems, were there?”
(Philosopher's Stone, page 13)
He shows no concern over Hagrid meeting Sirius, nor is he worried Sirius would go after Harry (considering he left him on the doorstep of the Dursleys. Outside. In November. Merlin, Dumbledore's awful)
Throughout Prisoner of Azkaban, Dumbledore knew Sirius was innocent before Harry and Hermione told him. In Prisoner of Azkaban, after Harry and Hermione reveal everything they learned about Sirius in the shack to Dumbledore in the Hospital Wing, he believes them immediately. He does not ask for proof. He does not question them further. No, just their word is enough:
“But you believe us.”
“Yes, I do,” said Dumbledore quietly. “But I have no power to make other men see the truth, or to overrule the Minister of Magic. . . .
(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 393)
Dumbledore is lying here twice. Once, because he always knew Sirius was innocent and always planned to send Harry and Hermione to save him. and twice because at this point in the books he is the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot — the highest court and legislative body in magical Britain — and he doesn't have the power to get Sirius a trial?
And how do I know he always planned to send them back in time? Well, when Harry and Hermione do go back in time, there are two interesting occurrences I'd like to mention:
They were still ten feet away from the forest, in plain view of Hagrid’s back door.
“One moment, please, Macnair,” came Dumbledore’s voice. “You need to sign too.” The footsteps stopped.
(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 401)
“Where is it?” said the reedy voice of the Committee member. “Where is the beast?”
“It was tied here!” said the executioner furiously. “I saw it! Just here!”
“How extraordinary,” said Dumbledore. There was a note of amusement in his voice.
(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 402)
Both these scenes happen during the hours Harry and Hermione went back to. And, due to how time travel works in Harry Potter, you don't really change anything when you go back in time because you already went back in time, so everything happens the same.
The fact Dumbledore is aware of Harry and Hermione time traveling earlier in the day before he told them to do so and even helps them suggests he always planned this. He always planned for them to set Sirius and Buckbeak free. Which is why he never worried for either.
So Dumbledore knew Sirius was innocent, which actually leads nicely to a big question:
Who cast the Fidelius Charm?
Let's start by collecting all we know about how the Fidelius Charm works. I explained this in the first post as well, but I'll give an overview here anyway.
As Professor Flitwick says:
"an immensely complex spell ... involving the magical concealment of a secret inside a living soul. The information is hidden inside the chosen person, or Secret-Keeper, and is henceforth impossible to find -- unless, of course, the Secret-Keeper chooses to divulge it."
(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 205)
The Fidelius Charm was a complex spell that sealed a phrase, a secret within a person. As I already covered, the phrase that hid the Potters included only James and Lily, as Harry was yet to be born. We also know for certain Peter Pettigrew was the Secret Keeper. But we are left with a very important question— who cast the spell?
Peter Pettigrew wasn't known as the most talented wizard and we are supposed to believe he succeded in casting a complex and advanced spell like the Fidelius Charm to a satisfactory level under the pressure of already being a spy?
“Pettigrew . . . that fat little boy who was always tagging around
after them at Hogwarts?” said Madam Rosmerta.
“Hero-worshipped Black and Potter,” said Professor McGonagall. “Never quite in their league, talent-wise. I was often rather
sharp with him. You can imagine how I — how I regret that
now. . . .” She sounded as though she had a sudden head cold.
(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 207)
Professor McGonagall blew her nose and said thickly, “Stupid
boy . . . foolish boy . . . he was always hopeless at dueling . . . should have left it to the Ministry. . . .”
(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 208)
No, I don't think that's likely. I think someone else must have cast the spell. And who could it be if not Dumbledore— the man who offered the use of the spell in the first place and who we know continues using it years later?
“Naturally,” said Professor McGonagall. “James Potter told Dumbledore that Black would die rather than tell where they were, that Black was planning to go into hiding himself . . . and yet, Dumbledore remained worried. I remember him offering to be the Potters’ Secret-Keeper himself.”
“He suspected Black?” gasped Madam Rosmerta.
“He was sure that somebody close to the Potters had been keeping You-Know-Who informed of their movements,” said Professor McGonagall darkly.
(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 205)
It means Dumbledore was in on the plan for the beginning, at least, according to what he told to McGonagall.
"Dumbledore's Secret-Keeper for the Order, you know -- nobody can find Headquarters unless he tells them personally where it is"
(Order of the Phoenix, page 115)
We know Dumbledore cast the spell on Grimmauld Place and was the Secret-Keeper for it.
Even if Dumbledore wasn't the Secret-Keeper...
There was evidence Sirius is innocent...
Prior Incantato can be cast on wands to show an echo of the last spell they cast. It was so easy to prove Sirius' wand didn't cast a spell. This seems to be a known ministry procedure as Amos Diggory has shown.
“Prior Incantato!” roared Mr. Diggory.
Harry heard Hermione gasp, horrified, as a gigantic serpent-tongued skull erupted from the point where the two wands met, but it was a mere shadow of the green skull high above them; it looked as though it were made of thick gray smoke: the ghost of a spell.
(Goblet of Fire, page 136)
Furthermore, a Blasting Curse just doesn't work like that. It would not leave a cleanly cut-off finger. It is described as exploding the target, so the crater Sirius was found in matched, but if Pettigrew was blasted with it, nothing would have been found of him — definitely not a finger and bloody cloths that would've burned.
Not to mention Dumbledore is an accomplished Legilemanse. It's impossible to believe he could've seen Sirius and not know he wasn't the Secret Keeper even if he didn't cast the Fidelius Charm himself.
Exhibit 3: Sirius Didn't Have a Trial Because of Dumbledore
Sirius says in Goblet of Fire:
“Oh I know Crouch all right,” he [Sirius] said quietly. “He was the one who gave the order for me to be sent to Azkaban — without a trial.”
(Goblet of Fire, page 526)
Meaning Sirius has never gotten a trial. To him, he was shipped off to Azkaban without even being questioned. I don't think Sirius knows Dumbledore always knew of his innocence.
“It is your turn to listen, and I beg you will not interrupt me, because there is very little time,” he [Dumbledore] said quietly. “There is not a shred of proof to support Black’s story, except your word — and the word of two thirteen-year-old wizards will not convince anybody. A street full of eyewitnesses swore they saw Sirius murder Pettigrew. I myself gave evidence to the Ministry that Sirius had been the Potters’ Secret-Keeper.”
(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 405)
So Sirius may never had a trial, but Dumbledore has given evidence against him, at his own admission. Most likely he went straight to Crouch and put the final nail in the coffin to throw Sirius to the Dementors.
And again, Dumbledore is Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Fudge is hanging off his every word, and this man — arguably the most politically powerful figure in the British Wizarding world during the end of the First Wizarding War and Prisoner of Azkaban — can't get an innocent, falsely imprisoned man a trial? A man who's an heir to a fortune of an old and noble wizarding family? Who are you kidding, Dumbledore?
But why would he do that?
Because a weapon with no ties is a better martyr. Because Harry is more likely to be willing to die without a real support network. And yes, Dumbledore knew he'd need Harry to die since day one. Dumbledore, at least, suspected Harry was a Horcrux, and knew he'd need him malleable and controllable when the right time comes.
“Is that where —?” whispered Professor McGonagall.
“Yes,” said Dumbledore. “He’ll have that scar forever.”
“Couldn’t you do something about it, Dumbledore?”
“Even if I could, I wouldn’t. Scars can come in handy. I have one myself above my left knee that is a perfect map of the London Underground..."
(Philosopher's Stone, page 14)
"Scars can come in handy" — What an odd phrase Dumbledore. .
So, he knew, or at least, suspected Harry had a Horcrux in his scar, and when Chamber of Secrets came around:
“You can speak Parseltongue, Harry,” said Dumbledore calmly, “because Lord Voldemort — who is the last remaining descendant of Salazar Slytherin — can speak Parseltongue. Unless I’m much mistaken, he transferred some of his own powers to you the night he gave you that scar. Not something he intended to do, I’m sure. . . .”
“Voldemort put a bit of himself in me?” Harry said, thunderstruck. “It certainly seems so.”
(Chamber of Secrets, page 299)
He knew for sure.
Harry's life since that Prophecy was made about two months before he was born was tailored for Dumbledore's ultimate plan to end Voldemort. Sirius being sent to Azkaban was part of what needed to be accomplished to get him off the board and put Harry in the position Dumbeldore needed him in.
Part 2: The one where I talk about Albus Dumbledore for a looooooong time
--- 'It is cruel for Dumbledore to have left Harry at the Durleys doorstep all night'
...To wake up the Dursley's in the middle of the night, as the most Magical motherfucker they have ever seen in their lives...? 'They are the worst kind of Muggles', says Minerva -They are more likely to take on Harry if he has nobody else.
Even if you assume Albus to be the most cruel man in existence - it would be sheer stupidity to leave the baby he wanted to grow into a Voldemort-killing soldier without protection.
Even just enough to keep him asleep, undetectable and warm.
Harry was fine. To muggles it seems cruel, but I am sure there are magical ways of caring for someone who is very small and very stationary. like when a doe leaves their fawn in a little ditch all day.
If the old git was cruel for this - what of Minerva…? She must be JUST as ruthless, crying over Lily and James only to leave their baby. Not even staying next to him as a cat to keep him warm.
She went and celebrated instead. Maybe consoled Severus a little, who knows.
-- Was he selfish for leaving Harry...? ((AKA I TALK ABOUT HOW I SEE DUMBLEDORE AS A CHARACTER LIKE A LOT. HELP ME. I CAN'T SHUT UP.))
...I think so. I think the excuses of wanting Harry 'not to grow up with a big head' and 'to know what its like to be an outsider' or whatever are mainly covering for his own fears and lack of trust in himself:
He became 'the Man' of his 1800's household at 10, almost 11.
Left an 8yr old Aberforth at home to look after their doesn't-leave-the-house mother, traumatized little sister and family goats while he studied his ASS off at Hogwarts.
What did all that 'eldest son' syndrome get him...?
Separation from his family. A big head. Resenting staying home to care for his disabled sister for his brothers education. Escaping the frustration by daydreaming with a Dark Wizard... and getting his sister killed for it.
He failed them. In his head (and in Aberforth's words) he failed them... because he was too selfish. He cared about himself more than the other people in his life. He wasn't 'good' enough.
He failed at standing up for Newt. (I haven't seen any fantastic beasts movies yet but apparently he fought against Newts expulsion)
He failed at saving Gellert from his dark interests.
He failed at nurturing Tom away from his dark interests.
He failed at standing up for Hagrid.
He failed at keeping the Potters safe.
He tries so HARD to do 'good', sticking his neck out for others...
He takes an interest in muggles like their inventions and sweets. He allows a werewolf to get an education. He scrambled to give Hagrid a home, a half-giant who was thought to be a murderer.
He gives Filch, a squib who could never integrate with Muggles, a home too.
Everyone likes him and all the nice goody-goody things he has done, but he doesn't have friends. He keeps himself alone.
Everyone has always leaned on him, the big brother, the eldest, the smartest, the strongest... but he can't trust himself to be 'good' enough.
He avoids having real power, because he is terrified he will drop the ball/abuse it.
At the end of the first wizarding war he has a Surprise Tool That Will Help Us Later in the form of a baby boy with a target on its back.
A baby boy he has already failed. Who he has already scarred.
((I think mentioning his own 'scars' when Minerva asks if Harry's can be removed is telling: Harry's scar is as meaningful to himself as it is for Harry. The humor is deflection from his emotions on the topic, eg 'warm socks' in the Mirror of Erised.))
He could take it upon himself to care for him. Hogwarts is a safe place. But can he really trust himself to do that? Can he trust people not to betray him again...? ...He can't.
What he can trust is old Magic. He coldly keeps his distance, so he doesn't get attached to a boy he knows he will likely lose one day.
((Mission failed Harry's first year - 'oh crap the boy is more pure and selfless then I ever could have thought... he see's the same thing in the mirror as me, he sulks and obsesses over it like me... shit I gotta step in and stop him from becoming me'))
--- 'He Knew Sirius was Innocent'
...I think he knows very little. He suspects alot - and acts vaguely, to give himself more options. To hide his cards. Immaculate poker face
He suspected Sirius was innocent. I think it's a sore spot for him.
The fact Dumbledore gave testimony against Sirius, when he has a history of fighting for people he knows they are innocent, suggests to me he didn't know for sure he was innocent.
There was no clear evident for where/what Voldemort was, or if he was still alive, to make solid plans on yet. He can't make big plans about what Harry is definitely going to need to do in the future when it is possible the prophecy has ALREADY been fulfilled... so I can't really buy into the idea of locking Sirius up so Harry was isolated.
The fact he was so ready to accept he WAS innocent so many years later...? To help free him specifically so he could be in Harry's life...?
That doesn't sound like a man that wanted Harry to have 'no support network'.
He had no proof Sirius was innocent. Nothing convincing.
He thought he could trust Sirius to protect James - but then James was dead. Peter was dead. Lily was dead. Severus was broken. He failed again. Foolish to trust.
'Prior Incantanto' doesn't mean shit if Sirius simply cast other spells - and why wouldn't he if he were going to plead innocence?
The finger is a curious element - but there were 12 dead muggles, three dead Order members, 50 unbiased witnesses...
Sirius Black is a talented 'handsome' young man with a troubled home life, almost caused a student death, has connections to pure-blood ideology and a history of acting out in dangerous ways.
…Who are the only other 2 people Dumbledore has described as handsome?
Gellert, a talented and handsome young man with a turbulent personal history, connections to student deaths, and interest in the Dark Arts… and who Albus gave far too many chances.
Tom, a talented and handsome young boy/man with a horrible past, connections to student deaths, and interest in the Dark Arts. Albus comforted him, offered him a home, watched over him… and gave him far too many chances.
It's happened again. A student he had already given pardons to for his mischief, the exact type of guy he is drawn to...
Does he give him the benefit of the doubt? Does he give him more chances? Does he stick his neck out to defend him...?
When he has such a history of picking the wrong horse to back…?
...He has to gamble. Based on the cards he has counted.
Sirius is a talented wizard. Peter was… alright, but a woeful duelist.
Sirius had connections deep in Pure-blood families, he has riches and potential political power. Peter does not.
The risk of allowing Sirius free could be devastating in the future.
The risk of Peter being alive... was substantially lower.
Of course Dumbledore made another mistake, and in true karma:
His attempts to help the world at large at the severe cost of a single man bit EVERYONE in the ass: Peter was more capable than anyone realized. At least after spending 12 years sitting on his ass as a rat.
If you guys don't mind, I'd like to offer my take on an irrefutable point:
Sirius was imprisoned without a trial.
Regardless of the eyewitness accounts, regardless of Dumbledore informing the DMLE that Sirius was the Potters' Secret-Keeper, regardless of all of that. In any situation where you are being charged with a crime, you have the right to a fair trial. This ties into the legal presumption of innocence ("innocent until proven guilty") which dates back as far as ancient Roman law from the era of Emperor Antonius Pius.
As a law student, I can tell you that the wording of this right is specifically tied to the requirement of the prosecution to prove the innocence of the accused. It has nothing to do with the amount of evidence there may be. You need to hold a trial in order for said evidence to be presented before the court, where you can then be legally proven guilty or innocent. You cannot go to prison without first being found guity in the eyes of the law of the crime you are being imprisoned for.
Real-world parallels aside, the Wizengamot is canonically the legislative and judicial body of the Ministry. Therefore, to give credit to OP, they're absolutely right that Dumbledore would have had the ability as Chief Warlock, however you envision the role to look like, to grant Sirius a trial.
Whether you see everything that happened as a manipulative plot or purely unfortunate consequences, Sirius was fundamentally screwed the moment Crouch was convinced to imprison Sirius without trial. And the fact that Dumbledore canonically "gave evidence" to the Ministry that Sirius was the Potters' Secret-Keeper, which would have informed Crouch's choice to imprison him in Azkaban, means he was complicit—intentionally or unintentionally—in Sirius' illegal imprisonment in Azkaban.
I dont mind mate this sort of things fun <3
If Dumbledore was Chief Warlock at the time - could he have possibly acted as such for a trial concerning his own student/Order member?I'm not a law student, but surely that's a clear conflict of interest?
He had, until the tragedy, been acting as a superior to Sirius in an underground secret society, sending him on missions and giving him orders and trusting him with sensitive information.
For seven years before that - he was his headmaster at school and would have taught his parents Transfiguration.
I would think being someones headmaster, boss and confidant would prevent you from acting with any power over their fate.
Other than giving evidence under oath, such as "Well as far as I was aware he was made the Potters secret keeper" and "Severus is as much a Death Eater as I am - he was working for me."
We don't see him in any sort of chairman seat or role of power during the trials after the tragedy - only giving evidence and watching from the same seats as everyone else present.
That leads me to believe that even if he were Chief Warlock at the time he was not acting in any such position during anything to do with the Potters and the Death Eaters.
It was such a big deal it was probably the Minister of Magic herself, as we see Fudge do after stripping the chairman title from Albus.
Even if he were absolutely against Sirius not having a trial - I am not sure what he could do to remedy that...?
And with all the evidence against Sirius and his family - how a trial would go any differently other than giving him a worse sentence, like a Kiss.
Oh, there definitely could be an argument for conflict of interest. I don't know whether it would be enough of a conflict to have him removed from the trial (Sirius didn't commit his alleged crimes while under Dumbledore's orders, and higher conflicts have existed such as when Crouch presided over his own son's trial – Sirius and Dumbledore aren't even related (in the common sense)), but it's fair point to make.
However, having the legal capacity to ensure that proper channels are followed and that someone receives a trial after being charged with a crime, before being imprisoned for it, is different from being the person presiding over said trial.
Elphias Dodge was the "Special Advisor" to the Wizengamot, and as we saw with Harry's trial, the Minister was able to step in to the position of Chief Warlock after Dumbledore was removed — as such, I find it likely that there were either contingencies in place for situations where the Chief Warlock could not actually preside over the trial, or at the very least, that there weren't restrictions on someone being able to do so.
As such, realistically, it would have been perfectly possible even if there was a concern about bias or conflict of interest for Dumbledore, in his position as Chief Warlock, to ensure that Sirius was still provided with a fair trial before being imprisoned, even if someone else (Doge, Millicent Bagnold (then-Minister), or even the then-Head of DMLE to step in and adjudicate.
As a side point, I don't really think that evidence against Sirius' family would be especially relevant. The matter before the Wizengamot would be whether or not he personally was guilty of murdering the Muggles and Peter Pettigrew, and aiding in the murders of Lily and James. His family would only be relevant as a tool for the prosecution to use against Sirius by trying to suggest that he held their biases/beliefs—and practically, any decent defence could have called character witnesses to contradict it. Remus, Minerva, half of Hogwarts or half of the Order could have been called to give evidence that Sirius hated his family, was disowned by them, hated Slytherin and fought admirably for the Order during the War.
Even if the prosecution had a strong argument by connecting him to his family (such as the known Black biases, or Bellatrix' known loyalty to Voldemort), character evidence isn't as important as physical evidence. Eyewitness testimony, a possible priori on his wand, even extracting the memory of the events and viewing them with a Pensieve (as Dumbledore I believe mentions canonically that you can tell if a memory has been altered, and I imagine that it would have been difficult for Sirius to do so when he was literally arrested at the scene of the explosion). I'll have to type up a proper meta of Sirius' hypothetical trial if/when I have the time, but I genuinely don't think that the case against him would have been successful, even taking into account the potential prejudices against the Black family.