As I was dragged back down the empty corridor that led to my cell block, I thought back over what had just happened. My head was reeling. That isn't exactly unusual anymore I suppose.

I'd been here five years. And I'd be spending a lot more time here too. Unless I died soon. The thought distracted me and made me stumble. I was pushed forward roughly by one of the guard and ended up falling to the ground.

'Get up Black,' another guard said gruffly. I rose to my feet awkwardly, the shackles making it difficult to do so.

I thought of Lovegood. The second reporter to visit. I'd sent the other away almost immediately. Rita Skeeter. I wouldn't trust that woman if my life depended on it. I'd been told the day before her visit, that I'd have a visitor. I spent the entire night thinking of Remus, the only person who I thought might come.

And then Skeeter had shown up, her acid green quill ready to twist everything I said to the words of a heartless killer. I immediately told her to fuck off and then didn't answer any of her questions. I sat there for half an hour, stony faced, until she finally gave up and left. Then I went back into the darkness.

Lovegood didn't believe me. That was very clear. But he'd given me a cigarette and he promised to send the letter to Remus.

I thought of what I'd written.

Remus

Please come to see me, I can explain it all.

I still love you and I'm sorry

Sirius

It was short but I didn't know what else to say to him. What else could I say to him? Maybe I could have explained everything in a letter. But I thought he might believe me easier if he saw me in person. I was always a shit liar.

I desperately hoped he'd come before I lost my sanity. It was only a matter of time and I had plenty of that. The only thing currently keeping me hanging on was that I knew I was innocent, and the hope that someday someone might realise that.

But hope was cruel and five years was a long time. By now surely, everyone had forgotten about the Order member who betrayed his best friend and his family and killed thirteen people. Even Remus.

We finally came to the end of the bare corridor, to a door identical to the other I had just passed through. It was opened and a sudden, sickening wave of cold washed over me. The Dementors were always worse once you'd left them and came back. I sensed my vision begin to darken and walked forward at the urging of the guards as if in a dream - no, a nightmare. The horror of that Halloween night returned to me with a clarity I couldn't summon for most other memories.

Suddenly something shining appeared before the guards in front of me. I felt warm for the first time in five years and I realised what it must be. A Patronus for the benefit of the guards. As my senses began to return to me, I found myself on the ground for the second time. Had I fainted?

The guards hauled me to my feet, cursing me colourfully under his breath. I was pushed forward again and staggered down past the other cells. I didn't spare a glance for the other prisoners, I had heard enough from them to want never to see any of them. Besides, I was preoccupied with trying to savour every bit of warmth from the Patronus and recall every good memory I'd ever had while I had a break from the Dementors.

All too soon, I was forced back into my own cell. The bars slid shut in front of me and the guards disappeared with their Patronus, plunging me back into the cold again. Then the Dementors drifted into their constant positions outside my cell.

'James! Lily! Sirius, how could you?'

'Hagrid? Hagrid? What happened? Wh-…' a young man called out frantically before stopping dead as he realised just what had happened exactly.

I huddled back into the very corner of the cell but it didn't make a difference. I let out a strangled cry and collapsed to the ground, shaking uncontrollably.

AN: I much prefer the first chapter but anyway… There'll be one more chapter and then I'll finish it. Please review, as I said before, I'll love you forever if you do :D