I do not own Harry Potter or Big Trouble in Little China

Chapter 5

Having heard all that they knew first hand concerning this Sirius Black, it still did not deter Gracie from getting him a trial. Jonathan began making waves on her behalf at the Ministry the same day that she was on her way to Azkaban prison.

Because she is a lawyer, the guards at the way station to the island thought nothing of her being there. What vexed her was the fact that it seemed as though they didn't care. Luckily, thanks to the Changs, she was prepared with a huge stash of chocolate in her purse along with the files.

Gracie burrowed deeper into her coat as she waited in the offices of the warden. Armed with paper clippings, chocolate and pictures... She couldn't help but bring the pictures of her baby. If Sirius Black was truly innocent as he stated, he deserved to know that Harry was safe.

Gracie raised a single eyebrow as the warden entered and attempted to get all authoritative with her.

"Mrs. Burton, I am sorry to say I can't let you in to see the prisoner."

"Why not?"

"Because the man is dangerous, you do know what he has done, right?!"

"I know what he is supposed to have done, Warden Smithers, is it?" She asked looking at the nameplate. "But the issue at hand is this, did he have a trial?"

"Of course."

"Then where are the papers? You see, I requested copies of them on behalf of an intern of mine who wished to write a paper for her class. Guess what?"

Trembling at the implications as the woman smiled sweetly. "I see you understand. None were ever found; now tell me, what would happen if this man had just spent 12 years in prison waiting for a trial? And what would happen if still denied said trial, this little tidbit reached many different newspapers? I have a friend who has charmed several packets to do just that."

Paling now at the threat, he immediately set about making the proper motions to allow her to see the prisoner. His shouts and orders sent the guards running as the warden himself escorted her to another room.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Smithers." She replied as she took a seat, crossed her legs comfortably, and pulled a recorder from her bag. "You do know no electronics work here."

"This one does. I have a friend who is quite ingenious with magic from the Far East. Amazing what some people can do, isn't it?"

Gracie's contemplation of the brilliance of Egg Shen came to a screeching halt as she looked in horror at the condition of the man being brought to her. He was a wreck. The pictures provided by the Changs were enough to tell her that this was indeed the man. But he looked so weak...

"What have you done?"

"It's not us, it's the Dementors. We don't believe in the death penalty here, Mrs. Burton, why should we when the Dementors make you wish you were dead every day you spend here?"

"Leave us..."

"But Mrs. Burton..."

"You have him in shackles; he is too weak to really move at this moment. I can probably knock him to the ground with just a tap on the shoulder. Leave me with my client!"

At the firm tone and anger in her voice, the warden hastily turns to leave the room with no further argument. So wrapped up in their argument, neither Gracie nor the warden notice that, although barely able to do much of anything at the moment, Sirius had come to his senses.

"Will you please be kind and shut the bloody hell up?"

"I apologize..." Gracie started to say but smiled as she was interrupted by the next comment.

"Not you, him!"

The warden, thoroughly insulted, decides to leave on principle alone, but not without letting Gracie know that two men would be outside the door at all times. Taking her seat, Gracie's eyes look up into the tired but also curious expression of the ragged looking man in front of her.

"I don't know why you are here...but thank you. Any minute out of that cell and away from those things..."

"Is a blessing from what I understand, Mr. Black." Gracie said gently as she could see that he was tired. "Tell me your story, will you?"

"No one has ever cared to hear before. What makes you so different?"

Thoughtful as she debates, she just tilts her head and smiles as she presses the button on her recorder. "Because I am willing to." She said softly. Seeing the warmth in her green eyes reminds Sirius of another lady who had that same kind of spark.

"You remind me of her, you know."

"Who?"

"Lily...James's wife."

"I'm flattered that you say that, Mr. Black. Please tell me your side of the events that night."

Knowing full well the night in question, Sirius spoke of everything that he had done. Listening, Gracie observed his words, his facial reactions, everything. What she finds disturbs her, because listening to him...

She believes.

"What is this about a secret keeper?"

"Don't you know?" Gracie raised one delicate eyebrow and graced Sirius with a pointed look, letting Sirius know that she is seeking more in-depth detail for her records. "There was something that Dumbledore told James and Lily. I don't know what it is but he wanted to place them under a Fidelus charm along with Frank and Alice Longbottom."

"And who are these people?"

"Dumbledore...Headmaster of Hogwarts, and the Longbottoms were friends. They had a son just a few days older than Harry." He whimpered out softly as he spoke the name of his godson. The thoughts running through Gracie's mind run to pity and understanding as the man seems to be fighting the urge to cry.

"Do you need a moment?"

Seeing that he is not able to answer her, Gracie's heart reaches out and she can not help but go over and take him into her arms for a hug. That single offer of comfort breaks his self-control, sending him into tears of pain. Listening as he sobbed, Gracie now knows for sure that Sirius Black was innocent.

"I shouldn't have switched with him! I figured since everyone knew I was James' best friend, that they would assume I was the keeper. Not Peter! Peter did this...he took them away from me! James...Lily...forgive me. Forgive me; I couldn't be there for Harry."

Eventually, after an hour or so, Sirius calmed down, allowing Gracie to release him and return to her seat. The man's brilliant blue eyes, however, remained filled with sorrow.

"I should not have gone after that traitor. If I hadn't, Harry would be with me. He would be safe...not gone..."

Wanting to give him something to live for, Gracie just reached out and took his hand. Her green eyes were gentle and full of tenderness towards this man, who has literally been through hell for over a decade.

"I believe you, Mr. Black."

"You do?" He said in surprised hope.

"Yes." She replied softly. "Which is why, as I have to get going soon, I will give you a little bit of hope that you can hold on to." Gracie reaches into her bag, finds her wallet which contains the pictures of Harry, and looks at the man across from her.

"11 years ago, my husband received a call from his cousin concerning a child left on her doorstep. I don't know if you know her name. But you see she was one of a pair of sisters. The child belonged to the other sister, who apparently had been killed."

Gracie smiles softly at the confusion on his features as she flips through the wallet to find the most recent picture of Harry for him to see. Smiling at her find, she turns to Sirius with a smile, holding the picture to her heart.

"Mr. Black, my husband is named Jack Burton...his mother was Annabelle Evans, sister to Rosalie Evans, mother of Petunia..."

"And Lily..." Sirius breathed out in hope as she turned the picture towards him, the image of a 12 year old boy who looks very much like his father.

"Harry...he's alive?!"

Gracie nods with a soft smile as the joy she remembers from the 11-year-old pictures emerges in the man's eyes.

"Yes, very much so, Mr..."

"Call me Sirius"

Nodding her head, with a gentle look about her features, she continues on. "Well, Sirius...it seems Petunia Evans-Dursley had called my husband wanting him to take Harry. She wanted nothing to do with him because of his freakishness, and those are her words."

As Sirius growled in rage, Gracie placed a hand over to rest on his shackled shoulders. "Don't worry, Sirius." She replied smugly. "I got even..."

"How?"

"That's another story for another time, Sirius. There are plenty of stories to tell you, but do not worry, there will plenty of time to share them once I get you out of here." She replies softly. Pausing in mid-step as she gathers her things, she seems almost thoughtful and quiet...

"Sirius...would you like to see him?"

As he lit up with undisguised joy at the mere thought of seeing the young teen, Gracie could not bear to deny him a chance. "I will talk to him tonight. I can't guarantee anything, though..."

"I know...but a chance...just to see him" He whispered with a desperate tone. "A chance to know he's all right..."

"Well then, Sirius. First things first, let's get you that trial."

"The ministry will fight you on that you know..."

At the evil smirk on her features, Sirius shivers in fear. "Let them...Gracie Burton has just taken your case. And as my husband would say, 'she intends to raise holy hell until she gets her way.'"