Hey everyone,
So there is a high chance that this will be the final chapter of the story, however I am not sure. This chapter will at least cover the trial Sirius will finally get as well as a serious questioning of Pettigrew, but I have no idea whether or not I will add anything to the chapter after that or if I will epilogue the story.
Let's go see,

Venquine1990

Chapter 04
Evidence And Statements

7th of June 1994
Quidditch Pitch, Hogwarts
Ron Weasley's POV

Last night has been a whirlpool of crazy, incredulous, amazing, unbelievable events and even now, after a whole night spent in the Hospital Wing and having Madam Pomfrey treat my bite wound, do I still not really feel as if last night really happened, even though I am currently sitting in the stands waiting for a vital trial to start.
Earlier this morning Headmaster Dumbledore had called everyone to the Great Hall – excluding only those in the Hospital Wing due to their and my injuries – and had informed them of two incredible things; Pettigrew had been caught and Buckbeak the Hippogriff had actually escaped before being used to catch Pettigrew.
And because I remember both seeing Macnair slaughter Buckbeak and Harry telling Hermione to find the filthy rat, do I just know that the girl did the same thing here that she's been doing all year to get to all her classes, only this time I finally realize how she's been able to the latter. "She's been using a Time-Turner, that sneaky witch."

This goes through my mind as I remember McGonagall taking Hermione apart at the start of the school year and I realize that this must have been when the girl got her Time-Turner. Yet at the same time do I wonder why the Lion Head of House didn't trust either Harry or me to help Hermione with handling her busy schedule.
"Didn't she take Harry apart as well? Does that mean that she allowed Hermione to be there when she met with Harry over his Dementor episode, but didn't allow Harry to be there when she gave Hermione the Time-Turner? Where's the fairness or sense in that?" Goes through my mind as I hear Dumbledore say:
"Now if you will all join me to the Quidditch pitch, we will move onto the long-postponed trial of one Sirius Black as well as the unexpected questioning of the newly returned and freshly captured Peter Pettigrew." And instantly I had asked Madam Pomfrey to lend me a pair of crutches so I can be there for my friends at the trial.

"Ron, where are Harry and Hermione?" Neville asks me as I catch up with him and the others and I ask: "Isn't Hermione with you?" As I know Harry must have spent the night under the Whomping Willow with Lupin and Black and Neville shakes his head as he says: "I thought she was with you in the Hospital Wing."
But before I worry about it, do I say: "Don't worry, Neville, I'm sure she just caught Buckbeak after he escaped and used him to capture Pettigrew." At which the boy nods and while Dean and Seamus come join us, do I also notice Draco Malfoy glaring at me as he walks behind us, obviously having overheard me.
"That Mudblood –." Malfoy snarls, yet I interrupt him and ask: "How's the arm, Malfoy? Do you need Madam Pomfrey to re-examine it?" And the boy looks at me shocked and confused, yet I send the woman walking behind us all a pointed look and the woman nods as we move past the Stone Circle and onto the Grounds.

There are plenty of students who move past and with me and many of them ask me why I am walking with crutches, yet I answer them all the same and say: "The trial will explain it." And this obviously shocks my Dorm Mates as, last time this many students noticed me, the fame had gone to my head and I had started bragging.
Yet there are two factors in play that help keep me from getting a big head and one of them is the memory of all that happened last night and the other is that I already know what the results of this trial will be; my best friend will finally get a guardian that actually cares for him and the horrors of Halloween will be put to rest.
"Finally, the Potters can rest peacefully, knowing that their wishes will finally be respected and that they were in the right in naming Sirius Black Harry's guardian. I mean, a man that survived twelve years Azkaban, just because he was framed and didn't want to force a fugitive life on his godson is a man with true dedication."

This goes through my mind as I sit in my seat, Neville and the twins on my right and Dean and Seamus on my right and behind me are my actual parents as Dumbledore had invited them as well as other parents to be there for this trial and while it takes place in the Quidditch pitch, has the whole pitch been transformed drastically.
The stands have been turned to stone, the towers have been removed bar one that is now slightly in front of the rest of the stands and poses as a stage for the judges of the trial and finally has the whole pitch turned more circular and smaller in size and has the grass been turned to marble and have the goals been removed.
The center of the trial is dissected into three bits; one bit is the stage of the judges with a huge table for the evidence and testimonies in front of it and two other parts are set for the defense and the prosecution and while Harry, Hermione and Sirius sit on one side, do I frown as I see Fudge and Snape sitting on the other.

"That guy just can't let things go, can he?" I mumble, not calling the man any names to do my mum a favor and Neville looks at me before mum says: "Ron, don't talk like that. You have no –." But for the first time in my life, do I interrupt her and say: "I was there last night as well; it's how I got my injury. And speaking of last night."
And with that do I take up my crutches again and do I heave myself back on my feet, ignoring how my twin brothers are looking at me worried and how mum is trying to get me to sit back in my seat and I say: "I don't belong here. I belong down there, setting things right, if you'll excuse me." And with that do I leave the stand.
I then move over to one of the spots on the stands that are supposed to be blocked off for the crowds with a sign that says designated members only, yet as I push at the curtain with one of my crutches, do they actually part and I happily and proudly move myself into the field and over to where my friends are seated.

"Ron, what are you doing here? Are you okay?" Hermione asks shocked while Harry helps me into a seat that appeared as I approached and I answer: "I will be once we get the rightful sentence. I'm ready to help you, Sirius, as long as you keep to what you told Harry last night in the tunnel. Yes, I heard you back then."
The man smiles warmly and says: "You really remind me of myself, Ron. Thanks for that. I'm glad Harry's had someone like that to be there for him." And I nod, feeling as if I just got my Mirror of Erised handed to me and I think: "Who cares for a Prefect badge when you can be considered an equal to your best friend's godfather?"
And while I have no doubt that my mum will no doubt disagree with me on that, do I then just turn to the stand of Judges, where Dumbledore, McGonagall, a woman with a Monocle and a woman with brownish black hair and wide, dark eyes all take their seats, each of them having a file with the same amount of papers in their hands.

I look at the other side of the field and see Snape actually glaring at the group of judges and I think: "It seems that our chances for Sirius getting his innocence proven have just become a solid fact." And this makes me turn back to the stage of judges with a satisfied smile on my face just when Professor Dumbledore calls for attention.
Yet the minute he wants to start speaking, does my mum shock me as she uses a Sonorus charm on her voice and says: "Professor Dumbledore, I am so sorry, but it seems my Ronald has somehow managed to get past your security. He's in bad shape and he needs his rest. Can you please let him go back to the Hospital Wing?"
But while I try my hardest not to turn redder than my hair, does Dumbledore smile at where she is shouting this all from and say: "It's not an accident, Molly. I was hoping that Ronald would come down here, seeing how he is one of the vital witnesses to the events of last night. Now, Poppy, do you consider him healthy enough?"
And to my utter relief does Madam Pomfrey say: "As long as Mr. Weasley remains in his seat and does not get asked any irrelevant or intrusive questions, I will accept his participation in the trial. I however must insist that he is questioned first and that he remains in his seat afterwards and will no longer be called upon."

At this the other judges nod and then Dumbledore says: "Very well, now before we begin this morning's trial, Madam Bones wishes to present something that, in her words, is most shocking and plays a vital role in this trial. Madam Bones, the floor is yours." And the woman with the monocle nods as she says:
"Thank you, Headmaster. Now, when you told me that this trial was to take place and when I saw in what stage you presented Pettigrew, did I instantly hit the Ministerial Records, if only to make sense of the strange facts that you presented to me. And in said records, I found three very, very telling and interesting files."
And with that does the woman lie down three file cases and does she open them one at a time, using her wand to create a huge image of their opened page for the crowds to see and to my utter glee do the images show James Potter, Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black alongside a picture of each of the Animagus forms.
A stag, a rat and a dog are shown, one of each next to a picture of the former three lads and I hear Sirius let out a sound of understanding, to which Madam Bones asks: "Mr. Black, do you have an explanation for this, perhaps?" And the fact that the woman treats him respectfully has me really confident about all this.

"Yes Madam Bones, I do. You see, after an incident that occurred in my Sixth year, did James' father, the late Lord Charlus (AN: screw you, Fleamont), discover about why I was so confident in allowing what occurred to occur and he forced us to register, but also did it privately as he saw potential in the forms in regards to the war.
He also ordered us to make sure we would make the registrations public upon the end of the war, but – I don't believe I need to explain why we were unable to fulfill those orders now, do I?" And the woman shakes her heads as she says: "No Mr. Black. There is no explanation necessary. Yes, Cornelius, you have an objection?"

The man on the other table had been flapping one of his arms ever since Sirius asked his final question and when Madam Bones addresses him, does he stand up and say: "Yes, I do have an objection. Black says that he never got a chance to make the registration public, but that simply can't be true. He could have done so, during his trial."
Yet at this Madam Bones steps in and says: "Cornelius, I didn't just check the records to make sense of Pettigrew's confusing new form, but also as to why this trial was happening only now and why it, in the records, wasn't referred to as a re-trial. Cornelius, I have it from Bartemius Crouch himself that Mr. Black never got a trial."
This makes Fudge splutter and Madam Bones says: "Which really makes it only better that there is a trial taking place in your reign of career, doesn't it Cornelius. After all, now you get the chance to right the wrong of your predecessor." And Fudge seems to turn thoughtful to this before Madam Bones delivers the final blow:

"Unless of course, you believe that a potentially innocent man does not deserve this chance to regain his freedom? Is that why you're at the Prosecutor's side, Cornelius? Really?" And while I love how Madam Bones is playing all of this like a fiddle, does Fudge splutter for a short while before he regains himself and says:
"No Amelia, I was simply misinformed and wanted to be on the side that, at the time, had the most information. Forgive me for forgetting that that side – is the side of the judges and justice." And while Snape looks as if he just got sentenced to become Head of Gryffindor or something does Fudge stand up and move out of his seat.

"Freedom?" I whisper and Sirius whispers back: "Just became a guarantee." And all four of us smile before Madam Bones asks: "Now that this has been settled, do I have one vital question to the defense. Mr. Black, you have been imprisoned for the past twelve years and have a very severely detrimental reputation to your name.
Do you have any evidence – whether on your person or otherwise – that proves that you are still the Sirius Black that James Potter chose as his Best Man?" And Sirius stands up as he says: "I do, Madam Bones. Professor McGonagall, do you still have a record of when you striped down the Firebolt my Godson got for Christmas?"
"That was from you?" Both Harry, Hermione and Professor McGonagall ask in shock – and Harry in glee – and Sirius nods as he says: "I used Crookshanks, Hermione Granger's cat, to send a note to the Quidditch Quality Supply shop. The Goblins know who's vault is whose, but they don't really care for either guilt or innocence, only profit."

At this most of the field nods and when McGonagall confirms that she still has the record, does Sirius worry me as he asks: "And what spell – that isn't part of the original castings – did you find upon the broom?" And instantly Hermione and I share a look as we both wonder the same thing: "Why did he admit to that?"
And then McGonagall gives us the answer and quells our concerns – and breaks Snape out of his temporary sense of glee – as she says: "A spell that – that improves the positive emotions of the flier. Wait, you cast that?" And Sirius answers: "Yep, felt it would help him in case those Dementors got out of hand again."
And while Professor McGonagall nods in amazed understanding, does Madam Bones sigh and say: "Mr. Black, while I can understand and agree with your reasoning, would I like to request that this spell be removed from the broom, seeing as how Mr. Potter has only had it for too short a time to be considered a master of the broom.
And yes, Mr. Potter, I know about your skill, but each broom takes time to master and that is my reasoning behind this request." And Harry nods in acceptance before Sirius smirks and says: "Madam Bones, I promise to make this my first official task as a free man – once the judges have returned me my well-deserved freedom."

And this makes Harry and me share a smirk before Headmaster Dumbledore, who is obviously working hard to keep his own amusement to a minimum, stands up and says: "Due to the evidence having already been presented, we will now hear a statement from each member of both sides on why they believe their side.
And yes, Professor Snape, because of your profession and role as Head of Slytherin, your statement will count with the same importance as the statements of both Mr. Weasley and Mss. Granger." Which makes my smile widen as I whisper: "But not yours, mate, cause you're famous. Guess that title is good for something, right?"
And for the first time since I've met him, does Harry actually seem happy to be famous, yet looking at Snape, do I know that he has already realized the same as he is glaring at Harry with furious rage and I really want to roll my eyes at his petty stubbornness, but I know that it will only make things worse if he catches me doing so.

"Professor Snape, you may go first. Why do you believe that Sirius Black is guilty?" And Snape stands up before he says: "I believe Black to be guilty because Black, as he stated himself, has had murder on his mind before. When he was just 16 years old, he was willing to lure me into a situation he knew would get me killed.
Not to mention that Black caused many indirect deaths himself as he broke the rules placed upon the Aurors and Order of the Phoenix members several times during the wars, cursing his opponents with spells that later resulted in them dying off their injuries. Black has a record of souls to his name and he needs to pay up for it.
And even if Black wasn't the Potter's Secret Keeper, he shouldn't have left the responsibility to someone like Pettigrew, who wasn't even known for anything other than to be a weakling and a coward. Black has forsaken his duties and responsibilities and that, if nothing else, proves that Black doesn't deserve any freedom."

This speech actually shocks me as it barely has anything revolving Snape in it, but Hermione seems to have found a flaw in the speech as she has her arm raised and Madam Bones asks: "Yes, Mss. Granger?""Am I allowed to ask a question about Professor Snape's testimony?" And when Madam Bones nods, does Hermione ask:
"Professor Snape, if Mr. Black was a member of the Order of the Phoenix and the Auror force, does that not mean that his opponents were followers of the man that killed Lily and James Potter?" And instantly Snape glares at her and says: "I refuse to answer that question." Making me hold back a snort as I know he just got beat.
"Thanks Hermione." Harry whispers and the girl nods as Madam Bones says: "Mss. Granger, you definitely made a good point in the question you posed. Also, I would like to remind the crowd that in 1977, a year before Mr. Black joined the Aurors, Bartemius Crouch gave the Aurors permission to use the Unforgiveables on criminals.
And while the spells Mr. Black used on his victims may not have been Unforgivables, do I still feel curious which curses he did use. Mr. Black?" And Sirius makes me know we just blew Snape's testimony to smithereens as he says: "Potter war curses, which I got Lord Charlus' permission to cast after my graduation."

The woman nods and then asks: "Mr. Weasley, due to your injury, I will ask you first. Why do you believe Sirius Black deserves his innocence?" And while I know that my mother is probably worrying herself to death and can feel the desperate look of help that Harry sends my way, do I move to stand up on my crutches.
"You may remain in your seat, Mr. Weasley." Madam Bones then tells me and I smile at her gratefully as I sit down and start my own statement: "Madam Bones, I have only one reason I believe Sirius deserves his innocence. His stay in Azkaban." This confuses the entire audience as well as my friends and I say:
"Sirius knew he was innocent. He knew Harry was an orphan. He also knew that Pettigrew was who knows where. And he knew that, if he went to look for Pettigrew without knowing where to start looking, it would become an endless goose chase with either his life forfeited or Harry's childhood years becoming those of a fugitive.
Sirius didn't want either of those things. He wanted Harry safe, sound and in good hands. He didn't escape a place of utter and absolute hell until he finally had the evidence he needed to find Pettigrew. And what is one of the first things he does when he escapes? In his Animagus form, he goes to check on his Godson.
"Madam Bones, members of the judge and members of the Hogwarts staff, I can honestly say that the one reason Sirius deserves his freedom and his innocence – is because he is willing to go further for Harry than even my mum goes for my siblings and me – and her care for us is legendary in and off itself, so that says enough in my eyes."

The woman in front of me nods, but then asks: "Yes, Professor Snape?" And the man asks: "And what of the attack Sirius Black made on your person, Mr. Weasley? After all, he now holds the record of having attacked you not once, but twice." Yet while I can hear the glee in his voice, do I keep my own face passive and say:
"Sirius Black would have attacked anyone had he believed they had Pettigrew, whether that be me, you or even Harry. Sirius Black wanted the culprit to his framed existence caught and, unless I am mistaken, he told you last night that he would willingly come with you as long as my pet rat came along with us as well."
And instantly the glee slides off Snape's face, yet I keep my face passive and say: "And next to that, considering the size of the culprit and the role he played in my life, can anyone say that they wouldn't attack the person who believes Black's way to freedom to be a pet rat?" And none of the judges seem able to disagree with me.

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley. Mss. Granger, would you like to be next?" Hermione nods and Harry sends me a grateful, teary-eyed look before he turns the same look he gave me earlier onto Hermione. The girl seems to falter under this for a minute, but then regains herself and the ambitious, powerful witch I know and love comes up.
"In 1945, a horrible war in the Muggle war ended. This war cost 60 million people their lives and caused an entire nation to become divided between two power houses, also known as the Capitalists of the West and the Communists of the East. This nation, during the war, had built itself an army of killers, murderers and assassins.
And while this war has been over for almost 50 years, are there still people found in all of the corners of the world, who were once part of this horrible nation of killers. Why were they not caught before? Because the war caused collateral damage that went up in the millions of pounds to restore all across Europe and the rest of the world.

These killers made use of the innocent that capitulated when the nation fell as well as the disorganization between the East and the West. However, some of them went one step further and blamed others for their crimes, be it through slander, blackmail or even just because these people were part of a certain race.
A lot of these people who used these techniques, got away with it at the time, because the world was more busy with cleaning up after a devastating war. However, the world has been working hard to rectify this wrong and because this whole thing is quite similar to the events of Halloween 1981, do I believe this tale speaks for itself.
Sirius Black is an Animagus, that explains how he survived and escaped Azkaban as well as the marks found on the Fat Lady and how he managed to travel England without being spotted. He was James Potter's closest friend. That explains why so many people so easily believed that he was the Secret Keeper at the time.
But the fact that he was close to the Potters, close enough to be Harry's godfather, was a factor that was simply overlooked in the Wizarding world's need to restore balance, peace and order to a world devastated by You-Know-Who. Sirius Black is innocent, I have seen the evidence with my own eyes and I believe in this statement."

"We got this in the bag." I think with utter glee, now trying with all that I am to remain professional, even if Harry is practically weeping with relieved glee and then Madam Bones asks: "Mr. Potter, are you feeling well enough to testify?" And instantly the boy wipes his eyes and says: "Yes I am, Ma'am, my apologies."
The woman nods, Hermione sits down and Harry stands up as he says: "Why do I believe Sirius innocent? Three reasons. One, like Ron and Hermione, I saw the evidence myself last night and even heard the confession from Pettigrew's own mouth. Two, I believe in the intelligence everyone says my parents were known for.
My parents were smart. They would have known that having the man responsible for me in case anything happened to them be the one potentially responsible for something happening to them just made no sense. And thanks to my father's Marauder heritage, did my father know exactly how to play the cloak and dagger game.

And finally, my third reason; desperation. My entire life, ever since I could first remember thinking of this, have I wished, begged, pleaded, dreamed and hoped for someone, anyone, to come and take me away from the Muggles that I ran away from just last summer. And before he was officially released, did Sirius offer me exactly that.
Sirius, last night, proved why my parents named him my godfather and – and I know one thing. If I ever encounter a Dementor again, I need only think back to this very trial as I just know it will allow me to produce my best Patronus yet. And with that, Madam Bones, do I leave my fate – mine – in your and the judges' hands.
Send me home." And with that does the boy sit down, the whole stadium silent as some of the members of the crowd seem confused about my friend's final statement, while others are amazed by what he said – and what he didn't say and I think: "Cloak and dagger game, indeed. You are so your father's son, mate."

Yet then the woman that is still unknown to me scares me as she asks: "Are we still in need of hearing Mr. Black's statement?" And to my horror do the other judges shake their heads. Instantly I grab onto the desk in front of me and think: "But the only statement that tops Snape's is Harry's. Do they really consider his enough?"
And Dumbledore voices my concerns as he asks: "All those in favor of pleading the defendant guilty?" And a weight the size of the actual Quidditch Pitch gets lifted off my heart as not a single hand raises in the stand, making me release a sigh I hadn't even realized I was holding before Dumbledore says:
"Then it is unanimous. Lord Sirius Orion Black, we of the court of Judges hereby release you of all charges and declare you an innocent man once more. May we ask what you would like as compensation for your unrighteous stay in Azkaban?" And Sirius makes Harry actually burst out crying as he answers:

"An adoption form that makes me Harry's father and only legal guardian with all rights of Petunia, Vernon and Marjorie removed on grounds of the feud between them and my godson that led to him running away last summer. Happy kids don't run away from home and shouldn't be forced back either. I speak from experience."
And while I can tell that Dumbledore is, for some strange reason, against this request, does Fudge quickly state: "It shall be done. Madam Tonks, isn't your husband a lawyer? Perhaps he can sign this contract up for Lord Black?" And the, up till now, unknown woman nods as Hermione and I sag down in our chairs.
Yet Harry doesn't follow us in this as he instead jumps out of his seat and clings onto Sirius, crying his eyes out and making loud exclamations of joy and gratitude as Sirius laughs and hugs him, pulling the boy onto his lap and gently calming him down until my best friend is nothing more than a hiccupping mess in his guardian's arms.

And then Lupin, who had obviously been waiting near the entrances this entire time, comes over and moves to hug both father and son to be in a warm hug as he says: "I'm so proud of both of you. And Sirius, you better make sure that, wherever you guys go to live, I can come visit as often as possible, you hear me."
But Sirius scoffs and says: "Come visit? Please! You're moving in with us. No objections, Moony. Last night you ruled, now I rule. This pack sticks together. One nest, one home, capish?" And Lupin nods, his eyes moist and a huge smile on his face as Snape storms off, furious rage showing in each of his steps as he leaves the field.
"That guy needs to grow a life." I mutter and Sirius says: "You said it. Oh and Ron, first chance we get, you and me are visiting the pet store." This confuses me and Sirius says: "Your injury and your loss of pet are my fault, so I'm compensating and buying you a new one. Same with Moony, I accept no objections, young man."
And while I can only imagine what kind of pet a man that gave his godson a Firebolt will try and present me with, do I still smile at the man, knowing that – if thanks to nothing other than his stay in Azkaban – Sirius has officially become the most stubborn man on the planet and I think: "I know my battles." Making me smirk.

Hey everyone,
So, what did you think? Did I do good, making this one a Ron chapter? I felt I had to complete the trio with this one before I moved onto anything else. And with anything else, I mean the epilogue that will follow this final chapter. And when it comes to the epilogue, I have only one warning; DON'T expect anything canon.
Okay, enjoy,

Venquine1990
PS. The questioning of Pettigrew will be summarized in the epilogue, sorry.