Author's note: Hey! Thank you for reading, following and favouriting my story and special thanks to roni2010, Eva'sDaughter and Toraach for reviewing.

Sorry for the relatively long waiting, but this chapter was pretty hard to write, I have to admit (and also, it's nearly twice as long as my usual chapters). I don't know much about law, I'm studying healthcare, so this chapter is mostly based on the canon scenes of the fourth and fifth books (so the trials in the Pensieve and Harry's hearing) and also some fanon and head!canon elements. If you think something is bad, just write and I will correct it. I just thought that Sirius deserves a real trial.


CHAPTER 9

Unjust trial


At first he tried to keep track of the days – Azkaban was always dark, but there was a slight difference between day and night even with the soul-sucking dementors around. However, he soon lost track. Did one day pass or was it two? The never ending loneliness and misery played tricks on his mind. Now, he had no idea how much time has passed since he was sent to that horrible cell – at least months, but probably years, he thought, maybe even a decade.

No one said anything to him when a small group of Aurors came – they just opened the door of his cell and with grimaces on their faces, they let him out. He was in no condition to ask questions and then when he thought that maybe things would change he was thrown into a holding cell in the Ministry. Still, it was a whole lot better with no dementors around to suck the life out of him. Here he could keep track of the days passing – one... two... three. No one would tell him anything, though. No, no one ever answered any of his questions.

It was on the fourth day, which started just like the other three that something had changed. He was leaning against the cold stone wall and trying to guess how much time he has spent in Azkaban and why he was suddenly at the Ministry. He remembered well when he was told that he was going to spend the rest of his life at that hell hole and yet, here he was now.

"Headmaster, according to the rules two Aurors must be with you," he heard an unknown voice, but his head jerked up. Headmaster? Was Dumbledore here? Did he believe in his innocence? No, Dumbledore was told that he was the Secret-Keeper. If he did think Sirius was innocent he would have been given a trial long before. He didn't hear the answer, but then he heard steps echoing the bare walls of the cells and something white came closer and to his greatest surprise it was indeed Dumbledore. He was wearing a royal blue cloak with golden stars on it and just by his appearance Sirius couldn't guess if he was in Azkaban for two months or twenty years – the old man was just too old for such guesses, he would probably look like this in ten years as well.

"Sirius," the Headmaster greeted him as he stopped right in front of his cell. He looked around but saw no Aurors, not that he was surprised after all this was Albus Dumbledore. Some rules didn't stop him and most didn't have the guts to question him – or at least that was how things were when he was still free, but it did seem like something that wouldn't change like ever. It was a universal law.

"Professor," he croaked as he wasn't used to speaking. A small smile appeared on Dumbledore's face. Apparently he wasn't sure that Sirius didn't go crazy and he seemed surprised that he was recognized.

"What's the date?" he asked quietly and Dumbledore's expression darkened. Probably not two months then, he concluded. He just hoped it wasn't twenty years – he wasn't ready to be in his forties.

"Eleventh August, 1987," Dumbledore stated and Sirius trembled. Eighty-seven – it was not October yet, only August, but it still meant nearly six years. Six years.

"Harry is seven," he concluded and he felt himself stiffen. "Where is he?" he asked with pain. He knew that according to the will of the Potters if he was unable to take care of the child Dumbledore would have to find a home for him. He remembered giving Harry to Hagrid – it was just for safe keeping though. He thought that Dumbledore would keep Harry safe until he found that traitor and then he would raise his godson with the help of Moony. But he was sent to that godforsaken place without a trial - since then countless scenarios raced his mind of where Harry could be.

"Don't worry Sirius, Harry is well. He is happy, at the moment he is playing gobstones with Neville Longbottom probably," Dumbledore said with a smile and Sirius relaxed. Harry was well and if he was playing with Alice and Frank's boy then probably his godmother took him in. It was quite logical for the Longbottoms to raise Harry, really.

"I-I didn't kill all those Muggles... Peter is alive... It's-it's my fault that James and Lily died, but-but I wasn't the Secret-Keeper," he said with trembling voice but Dumbledore nodded to his greatest surprise.

"You are getting a trial, Sirius," he simply stated in a calm tone, but it sounded like a whisper to Sirius whose own thoughts were shouting at him. Trial. Trial. Trial.

Innocence... freedom... Harry... Moony...

"Remus met Peter Pettigrew who used his Animagus form to hide. He pretended to be a pet of the Weasley family. He escaped, but there were witnesses – it was enough to grant you a trial," Dumbledore explained calmly, but Sirius was just too shaken at the moment to understand what was said exactly. Trial... Trial... Trial...

"The trial is scheduled for tomorrow at nine o'clock. If you are found innocent then you can leave on your own as a free man. I am going to attend the trial as a witness, which means that my position as Chief Warlock will be taken over by the Minister. While I'm sure that you remember that Millicent Bagnold is quite fair and logical person, I am afraid that close to the entire Wizengamot wants you to plead guilty. They are scared of what your innocence would mean to their career and the public's opinion of the Ministry," he stated and Sirius nodded slowly. His heart sank – if they wanted him to fail in proving his innocence, how could he do it? Was he going to be sent back to Azkaban or just given a dementor kiss to make sure that the case was cold and dead (and soulless literally)?

"I believe Remus. Also two years ago I asked the Minister myself to reopen your case after I found some strange and rather confusing pieces of information in your case file, so I am on your side Sirius, but I need to know everything to be able to present your case," Dumbledore stated and Sirius let out a sigh. With Dumbledore on his side, he had some hope even if everyone else was against him. So, he started speaking – slowly and awkwardly at first, but once he was lost in his memories his voice strengthened. He told Dumbledore about the first time the idea of Animagi came up. How they were all able to turn by the age of fifteen, how they spent the full moons. He spoke about the time in the Order, when Remus became the perfect scapegoat, Remus who disappeared for months sometimes and Peter always saying that something was off with their werewolf friend. About Harry's birth and the hiding of the Potters, how they eventually came to the conclusion that the only magic strong enough to keep Voldemort away really was the Fidelius. He grimaced when he first mentioned how smart he thought he was when he came up with the change of Secret-Keepers, how logical it seemed that everyone would suspect him, the black (or white, really) sheep of an even darker family and the brother in everything but blood. His voice was shaking when he reached the night of Halloween – how he checked on Peter like he did every day and how he knew something was up when he couldn't find him. He was trembling when he spoke of going to the cottage and finding James and Lily dead and Harry crying.

"I-I knew about the will. It was always the plan, Re-Remus and I to take care of Harry if something happened... But I also knew that James and Lily trusted you and I thought that you would make sure that Harry was okay and safe until that traitor was in prison. Or at least that's what I keep telling myself – at that moment I was so shaken up with anger and grief that all I could think about was finding Peter. I'm a horrible godfather, Harry should have been my first thought, instead I wanted revenge," he stated bitterly. He went on describing how he needed several hours to find Pettigrew and that the rat obviously had a plan. He never denied the accusations of causing the Potters' death, because he was in a way the reason they were dead – it was his plan that got them murdered after all. He knew that something was up when Peter started the shouting not caring about the Muggles around, and he would have known what was happening if it was any other day in his life, but after everything, he hardly cared about the traitor's words. And then... then came the spell and before he even understood what was going on Peter was already a rat, Muggles were shouting, the Muggle police came and the Aurors arrived.

"I laughed – I laughed when the Aurors arrived and they arrested me, because that was the moment I realized what the heck was even going on," he said with a frown. "The rat was a lot smarter than we gave him credit for, I believe. I don't know how he ended up in Gryffindor instead of Slytherin. Yeah, that's about it – oh, and of course I never got a trial, but you know that part," he finished and looked at Dumbledore who seemed thoughtful.

"Well, your story certainly makes more sense than the official one," Dumbledore mused and Sirius once again questioned the sanity of the old wizard. That was all he could say? He certainly hoped that tomorrow Dumbledore would have a better insight on the events or else the name Sirius Black would always be labelled as traitorous.

"I will do everything in my position to ensure your freedom, I promise you," Dumbledore said solemnly probably noticing his expression. He just nodded not trusting his own voice. Trial. Trial. Trial.


Sirius gasped; he could not help himself. He has been to the Ministry before of course, but he never participated in a trial and certainly, this was more than important for him, his whole future depended on the events of the next hours.

He was chained and led by an Auror on both sides and even two dementors followed the little group. They entered a large dungeon, its walls were made of dark stone and it was dimly lit by torches. The room was surrounded by benches, the closer ones empty, but ahead, up high it was already filled with countless shadow-like wizards and witches. They were talking among themselves, a buzz in the air. No decorations at all, just serried rows of benches, rising in levels, all positioned so they could see the chair with the chains on its arms well where he was led.

He was placed into the chair by the two Aurors while the pair of dementors were lurking exactly behind him. He shivered and felt faint, but he held himself with as much force as he could – this was certainly not the moment for such weaknesses. If only he could just change into Padfoot for a moment... The chains on the arms of the chair glowed suddenly gold and snaked their way up on his arms, binding him there, not that he was surprised, he was thought to be a crazy Death Eater after all.

He noticed Dumbledore standing close to the doors keeping in the shadows in midnight blue robes and with a solemn expression. All witches and wizards stopped talking and the air felt heavy – everyone was obviously buzzing with excitement at the idea of the trial. A clear feminine voice broke the silence.

"Sirius Black, you have been brought here from the prison of Azkaban, because new evidence has been presented to the Ministry of Magic in your case. The Council of Magical Law is ready to re-examine the evidences and the verdict." He looked up and saw a square-jawed witch with close-cropped fair hair and a monocle speaking, but he didn't recognize her. Obviously Crouch wasn't the Head of the DMLE anymore. He just hoped that this woman was a Hufflepuff at Hogwarts – some fairness, acceptance and open mind wouldn't be bad.

About two hundred people were in the room all together, he thought, nearly all in plum-coloured robes with a silver W on the left-side the chest and all staring down at him with different expression, though most looked disgusted, but there was pure hatred, confusion and curiosity as well. He noticed a few in different robes, but he couldn't see them well and had no idea why they didn't dress according to the dress code of the Wizengamot.

In the very middle of the front row sat the Minister for Magic, Millicent Bagnold. He recognized her, because she has been the Minister even before he was captured. He remembered Dumbledore telling him that as he decided to take the role of defence, the Minster took the role of the Chief Warlock. The Minister kind of reminded him of McGonagall with a perfect bun, glasses and strict expression. Next to the Minister on the right a tall, but otherwise plain-looking wizard was sitting. On her left sat the new Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the one who spoke previously.

"Trial of the twelfth of August," said the Bagnold in a very official tone and Sirius noted as a young man not far from the Minister started writing furiously. "The charges against the accused are as follows: He murdered twelve Muggles – John and Mary Adams, Richard Millers, Emily Right, Jasmine McLean, Thomas Smith Junior and Senior, Cecily Pierce, Martin Matthews, Piper and Lionel Watson, Melanie Lovett – and a wizard, Peter Pettigrew with a Blasting Curse knowing the effect of the spell, so it was a deliberate act. The murder happened on a Muggle street in front of Muggle witnesses on the first of November 1981 at twenty-three minutes past ten, which constitutes an offense under paragraph A of Muggle Safety and Health Act, under point two of Basic British Wizarding Offenses, and also under section thirteen of the International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy. And also charged with passing information to You-Know-Who and being a Death Eater, committing crimes and offenses under his order, which is against close to all the laws of the British Ministry of Magic." His so called crimes were listed and he found it rather funny how the Minister wouldn't say Voldemort's name. He wasn't amused though – hearing the names of all those poor Muggles and then adding Pettigrew's felt like a crime itself.

"Interrogators: Millicent Sophia Bagnold, Minister for Magic; Amelia Susan Bones, Head of Department of Magical Law Enforcement; Edward Nathaniel Urquart, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister. Court Scribe, Andrew Jonathan Goldstein –"

"Witness for the defence, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore," Dumbledore added calmly and stepped forward. His long silver bread and hair gleamed in the light of the torches and a small smile appeared on his face when he looked around. Sirius watched him closely, trying to guess the mood of the headmaster, but the old man always had a too good self-control, and he wasn't the type to give his private thoughts and feelings away. The eyes of the Wizengamot shifted to Dumbledore – they obviously had to know that the wizard gave up his position for this trial, but Sirius had a feeling that most didn't quite believe that Dumbledore was on his side until now.

"Yes, the Chief Warlock asked to be replaced for the trial to be a witness for the defence," Bagnold stated with a nod. Dumbledore sat down cheerfully on a seat next to him, one Sirius didn't even notice before.

"First the witnesses of the prosecution. Everyone got a copy of the original versions of the statements of the Muggle witnesses. Their memories were modified after the incident, so only their testimony is worthy evidence." Sirius flinched at that having a good idea what was in those papers. He remembered well, Peter shouting all his 'crimes' and he never denying any of it. Also, Muggles didn't understand magic – they certainly couldn't know which one of them fired that spell, and they probably went with the easy solution, the one who was still around after the curse.

"The next witness is Nymphadora Andromeda Tonks," the Minister stated clearly and Sirius's head jerked up. "As the witness is underage, both her parents, Andromeda and Edward Tonks and the British Youth Representative to the Wizengamot, William Arthur Weasley are in attendance. Her request to be questioned under Veritaserum was denied due to her age." Sirius watched with awe as a girl around fifteen left one of the rows and slowly made her way to his side. Her hair was a bubblegum pink but before leaving the benches it faded into a mousy brown. Their eyes met and he noted that her eyes (at that moment) resembled greatly his own ones. Dumbledore conjured a seat for her and after a quick smile she took place.

"Are you Nymphadora Andromeda Tonks?" the Minister started and the girl nodded. "Verbal answers, please."

"Yes," she answered. Sirius could hardly accept that this was Nymphie, his baby cousin. He looked around carefully, trying to find Andromeda in the rows of people, but he couldn't see her. He looked at girl next to him and tried to see the little girl in her who changed her hair every other second and danced around with only a hat and sunglasses on. She was nearly a grown up, though. Did she attend Hogwarts? Did Andy have another child? Was she in Slytherin like her mother or in Hufflepuff like her father? Millions of questions ran through his head.

"Were you at the Weasley family's home on the sixth of August?"

"Yes, my friend Charlie invited me," she said. Was this Charlie guy, really just a friend or did she already have a boyfriend?

"Are you a Metamorphmagus?" Came the next question. What relation did Nymphie have to his case other than being the daughter of his older cousin? He babysat her a few times and had dinner with the Tonks family, but why question Nymphadora instead of Andromeda? Then he remembered Dumbledore mentioning the Weasleys – wasn't Wormtail pretending to be their pet?

"Yes, but..." she started and mutters erupted. Sirius wasn't surprised as Metamorphmagi was very rare; he wouldn't be surprised if Nymphie was in fact the only one at the country at the moment. He supposed most people in the Wizengamot have never met one before.

"Are you able to imitate any person? To copy their appearance and pretend to be someone else?" Nymphie slowly nodded, which surprised Sirius, though then again six years have passed. Last time he met Nymphadora, she could hardly keep her hair colour the way she wanted and now she was able to morph into someone else. She was already in school though; she was starting her fifth year if he counted well, so her control over her emotions and magic must be a lot easier now, both which were needed for her ability.

"Verbal answers," she was reminded.

"Yes, I'm able, but..." Once again she was cut off. Sirius didn't like where this was going. What did his cousin's human transfiguration abilities had to do with his so-called crimes? Nymphadora was only a young child, maybe eight-year-old or nine when he was convicted.

"Have you ever impersonated anyone?" Nymphadora panicked. Obviously she didn't like it either where this was going.

"Yes, but..."

"Have you impersonated anyone on the sixth of August while you stayed at the Weasley family's home?" she was asked and then Sirius understood. Dumbledore has warned him that the Ministry would want him back in Azkaban, but it hasn't occurred to him that they would play dirty – because using his baby cousin's special ability was surely not fair play.

"Yes," she muttered angrily and Sirius watched in amusement as her hair changed into a fiery red colour. At that moment he also understood the oddity of Nymphie herself asking for Veritaserum (as she was underage she wouldn't be given without asking for it) – it must have been Dumbledore's idea who probably understood the implication of the Ministry asking for her testimony. Dumbledore wanted to make sure that Nymphie wasn't used as a scapegoat. But as the Ministry didn't give permission, they can always say that his cousin lied and it really was her. After all, while in many cases it can be said that the witness or the charged could resist or trick the Veritaserum, a fifteen-year-old probably wouldn't be able to resist it and no one would question her statement.

"That's all, thank you," the Minister said with a nod, though in Sirius opinion she seemed rather pleased with herself. The buzz of voices, the excited chatter started again while Nymphadora stood up and left the conjured seat with a scowl on her face and still red hair.

"The next witness, Molly Weasley," the Minister stated and this time Sirius recognized the woman easily. While Molly wasn't in the Order he has seen pictures about her when the Prewett brothers showed the Order their countless nephews – one of whom was now the Youth Representative, he reckoned. Molly Weasley had a hair colour similar to the one Nymphie just had. She was a plump woman who had a real maternal air about her, even if he has never heard about her, he would guess that she had many children. She took place in the seat that was previously occupied by his baby cousin. As every grown-up witness she was given Veritaserum, but sadly even with it, her answers could be questioned.

"Molly Weasley née Prewett?" the questioning started again. Mrs Weasley confirmed her name and her address, even her birthday was asked and then the questions about the sixth of August began.

"According to your written testimony submitted on the sixth of August, you and three of your sons, all of them underage, have seen Peter Pettigrew, a man previously assumed dead. How do you know that the man you have seen was Peter Pettigrew?" Sirius leaned slightly forward as much as it was possible, trying to understand every word. Dumbledore didn't tell him what exactly happened when Pettigrew was spotted.

"Percy, my third oldest have just received his wand after his Hogwarts acceptance letter arrived. My younger twin sons, Fred and George took his wand and wanted to perform magic. Remus Lupin, the friend of the family and the babysitter of my youngest son's best friend, Henry McGonagall was in the house, he brought Harry – I mean, Henry with him for a play date. After the two of them arrived I went out to feed the chickens. I went back to the house and I wanted to check on Percy, so I entered the living-room only to see an unknown man. He was pudgy and had mousy brown hair and all in all, a rather rat-like look. I didn't actually recognize him, simply, because I have never met Peter Pettigrew before, but Remus Lupin was in the room as well. My sons started fighting and he wanted to stop them, I was later told. Remus started questioning him, he called the man Peter and the man seemed to know Remus as well and he never protested when he was called by that name. Before I got to know who he was though, he turned into a rat. As no spell forced him into that form, I believe it was Animagi," she stated firmly. Sirius was listening carefully and after she finished he watched the reaction of the Wizengamot. Once again, everyone became excited.

"So, you didn't recognize the man?" The first cruel question came. Sirius just hoped that he wasn't going to be dismissed without even telling his own side.

"No, but..." Molly started, but of course she was cut off.

"Please, only answer the questions," she was told. "How do you know that it was not Nymphadora Tonks in another form?" Sirius wasn't surprised by the question, but many in the Wizengamont obviously were, because the excited murmurs started again, not caring about the interrogation. Molly Weasley wasn't an easy woman to intimidate though – she had six or seven sons if Sirius remembered well, so it was quite logical that she was a force to be reckoned with.

"Tonks, I mean Nymphadora Tonks, was in the kitchen with Henry McGonagall all along. Also, while I dare say, I am not an expert on Metamorphmagi, Tonks has told me that while she is able to change parts of herself into animal parts – like giving herself a beak, she is certainly not capable of Animagi. You know, there is a reason why Animagi is called what it is and not Metamorphmagi," she explained calmly. Not that the Ministry liked it – or at least the Minister.

"Minister, I asked for an expert's opinion before the trial started, the copy is among the files, and according to the expert Mrs Weasley is right. Very few cases of Metamorphmagi turning fully into an animal have been ever reported, and in most cases only human-like animals were possible such as primates. The further the animals are anatomically and in size to a human, the harder it is. According to the independent expertise the chances of Nymphadora Tonks, a fifteen-year-old turning into such a small mammal as a rat is close to zero," the Head of DMLE, the fair-haired woman stated scientifically. Oh, he could have kissed that woman just now. The Minister turned toward the woman and didn't seem impressed at all.

"The last witness of the prosecution is Remus Lupin," the Minister said after a moment silence. Molly Weasley shot him a quick glance and then she left the seat. Sirius looked at Dumbledore when Remus's name was said – was involving Remus the best idea? Though, he guessed that Dumbledore couldn't stop them if they insisted on hearing Remus out. After six years he saw his once best friend even if not exactly in the conditions he would have wished. Remus was sitting in one of the rows previously as were the other witnesses. When he was called he stepped forward and took place on the conjured seat as did the others before him. He was sickly looking – was the full moon around the corner? He looked years older than he truly was and his robes were patched. They looked at each other and one moment was enough for Sirius to know that Remus forgave him for doubting him, the same way he forgave his last living best friend for believing that he betrayed them.

"Remus John Lupin?" he was asked. Just as before Remus confirmed his name, birthday and address. Sirius noticed that he wasn't given Veritaserum, though. He wasn't the only to notice, Remus himself asked for the reason.

"Well, Veritaserum is only effective on humans," the Minister started and Sirius stiffened. Of course the Minister knew about Remus's furry little problem. Somehow it didn't even surprise him anymore. "As your name was found in the Werewolf Register regulated by the Werewolf Registry, part of the Beast Division, I dare say that it would not work." As expected the word werewolf was repeated again and again like an echo. Sirius looked at Dumbledore who got up easily. He also watched as Remus practically shut down – his expression hardened, his back straightened and he was staring without blinking.

"Minister, I must correct your assumptions. Despite werewolves being classed as Beasts, they are acknowledged to be Beings during their untransformed state. I asked for testimony and I was given one by Professor Silvanus Kettleburn, the professor of Care of Magical Creatures and by Professor Olivia Lightwood, the current professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Also, I received written statements from both the Werewolf Support Services and from the Werewolf Registry of the Beast Division confirming that in untransformed state as Beings, Veritaserum works for humans living with lycanthropy just the same way as for people without it," Dumbledore stated and the moment countless paper aeroplanes appeared out of nowhere and flew to all people sitting on the benches. Bagnold didn't seem exactly happy with Dumbledore, though.

"The expertises are valid. Remus Lupin must be given Veritaserum," the Head of the Department concluded after reading the given papers. Remus drank the water tainted with the truth serum and the questioning once again started. Sirius felt a bit strange – it was officially his trial and yet other than him slowly everyone else could already speak. When was it finally his turn?

"How did you recognize Peter Pettigrew in the form of a rat?" Sirius nearly snorted at that question. Didn't this woman ever possess a pet? Anyone who had a dog or cat could easily recognize their own among others after all – it worked just like that.

"Peter Pettigrew along with James Potter and Sirius Black became Animagi in our fifth year," Remus stated and around the room everyone gasped. Sirius felt quite proud, even if he knew that being an unregistered Animagus was in fact crime – though, it certainly wasn't worth for six years in Azkaban, so that didn't matter to him. "Unregistered ones," Remus clarified. "From the age of fifteen until twenty-one, I've seen Peter Pettigrew transform countless times. I could recognize him as rat even from a blurry black-and-white picture. Also, the rat was missing a finger and I certainly heard it enough times that all was found of Pettigrew was a finger." Sirius was very happy with his friend at that moment. While the Ministry was going to question the credibility of Remus's testimony even after all those opinions of experts, his friend's story was certainly going to help with his own.

Remus retold the entire day's happenings when he saw Pettigrew. His friend was soft-spoken, but very intelligent, so his answers were logical and well-built. If only Sirius could testify the way Remus did, he would surely be declared innocent.

"And now, the accused," Bagnold stated and Sirius wanted to sigh. Remus gave him a small smile and he requited it. He was given truth serum as well, but as his hands were still tied down, the pair of Aurors tried to make him swallow the water filled with it.

"Sirius Orion Black. How do you plead?" The moment of truth, quite literally.

"Innocent," he answered and this time the reaction was even louder than after the revelation of Remus's condition.

"QUIET!" the Minister asked. The room was once again indeed quiet, although only seconds later the buzzing started again, but this time Bagnold didn't shout.

"He must be using trickery to be immune to it," the Minister stated and this time Dumbledore stood up without a word. Sirius felt sick – how was he ever going to prove himself if no one was listening to him? He couldn't trick the potion, very few could. Maybe some potioneers and those who were very good in Occlumency – he was neither and he was certainly not trained in Dark Arts, he always went against it after all. He knew though how Veritaserium worked – as long as the user thought that he was saying the truth, he could say it out loud. So, even if the Ministry couldn't find any excuse as why it wouldn't work for him, they could always say that he went crazy in Azkaban and believed to be innocent even if he wasn't.

"I am sure that Sirius Black will be happy to tell his side of the story in a few minutes. However, before you all close down your mind, I would like you to hear my doubts in this case. I think some of you are aware that two years ago I asked the Ministry to re-open the case. Yes, two years before anyone has seen Peter Pettigrew alive. Now, I will tell you why and then I ask all of you to listen to what Sirius Black has to say, because in my opinion the holes in the official report are filled by his side of the story," Dumbledore stated and to Sirius's surprise many did seem to be rather interested at least in what the headmaster had to say. Then again, he guessed probably all people in the room were either taught by Dumbledore at one point or he was their headmaster.

Dumbledore surprised Sirius as well – he must have spent considerable time thinking about Sirius's case. He talked about the effects of the Blasting Curse, the strangeness of identifying only one finger of Peter, about how the Fidelius Charm worked, how the castor didn't need to know the Secret-Keeper, how Sirius helped with the Potters' wards about a year before the Fidelius was cast and he even gave a positive character review of Sirius.

"I dared to ask a few people to write how they saw Sirius. You will find copies of every testimony among your files, but I thought that I should read one of my favourites. According to Professor Minerva McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the Head of Gryffindor House: Sirius Black surprised everyone when he was sorted into Gryffindor as he was the first in many generations in the Black family to go into any other house than Slytherin. However, in no time everyone knew that the Sorting Hat didn't make a mistake. Not only did he show the traits of the house, but he soon befriended two half-bloods and a pure-blood many considered blood traitor. He was the best man at the wedding of James Potter and Lily Evans, a Muggle-born and he was proud to say that he was the one who made the couple fall in love. In school he was always against blood purity, and he fought for the equality of Muggle-born students. He even received an O in Muggle Studies for his Ordinary Wizarding Level examination. At the age of sixteen his own parents disowned him and the Potters practically adopted him. I can't see him betraying the Potters or re-joining his family." Well, he always liked Minnie. If he ever got out, he surely would make it up for her nice words. He saw as people shared looks – he hoped that there were a few Gryffindors around who believed McGonagall.

The Head of the Department said a few sentences to Bagnold and then she started questioning him.

"Were you a Death Eater?" she asked clearly and perfectly officially. Either a Hufflepuff or a Ravenclaw, he decided.

"No," he answered and he was sure that many started once again trying to find out how he tricked the truth serum, not that he did.

"Have you ever passed any information to Lord Voldemort?" He was surprised that she said the name, but he suspected it was because of the usage of Veritaserum. If he wanted to understand differently the whole You-Know-Who business then it was a way to avoid telling the truth. Like, yeah, I know, Minnie – ah, I never told her anything...

"No," answered firmly. He noticed Dumbledore who didn't take place again; instead he was standing next to him, smiling. Obviously while the headmaster found his story more logical than the official one, he still liked to hear his pledge of innocence.

"Do you have the Dark Mark?" He nearly asked why they didn't just check it, but he guessed being cheeky wasn't what probably the Wizengamot wanted.

"No," he replied once again – it started to get real old, real fast.

"Were you the Secret-Keeper of Lily and James Potter?" Now at least a fairly juicy question came, but one that made him sick. If only he was... Maybe James would be now outside flying together with Harry while Lily was making lunch for the whole gang, because of course Remus and he would appear out of nowhere and get themselves invited as well. Harry would have at least another sibling, probably two – a redheaded girl and another dark-haired boy, maybe, or the other way around.

"No, Peter Pettigrew was the Secret-Keeper instead," he replied before they could ask. Once again everyone was talking among themselves. This trial was turning out to be a joke – everyone gossiping and the Ministry trying to ruin him.

Then he was asked to once again tell the entire story. This time it was easier than the day before – he was less emotional and he built up the story in a way it made more sense. He tried to block out the whispers and murmurs, but he did catch some words, not many he liked. He dearly hoped that someone would believe him – he didn't do anything, really. Merlin, he was fighting on the good side while many who were sitting now in the rows, his future and life in their hands, were sitting comfortably at home or in their fine offices in the Ministry and waiting for someone else to stop Voldemort.

"So, you didn't kill Peter Pettigrew and all the Muggles presented? You didn't cast the Blasting Curse?" he was questioned.

"No," he answered. "Why don't you just check my wand?" he asked curiously and it seemed like the air froze. He looked at Dumbledore whose impossibly blue eyes were twinkling.

"I dare say Mr Black did make a good argument. Minister, Madam, the wand was taken from the convict when he was arrested. According to the Ministry's regulations the wand should still be in the storage of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement," he stated simply, but a small smile was still on his face.

"How could we know that he didn't exchange the wands? That he didn't use Pettigrew's for killing everyone?" the Minister asked obviously not liking the idea, while Sirius started to dislike Bagnold very much. Why was it so hard to accept that he was innocent? (Okay, other than being ridiculed in the Daily Prophet for sending an innocent to Azkaban for six years...)

"The witnesses never reported such a thing as changing wands. Also, if Sirius Black was so sly that he changed the wands, why didn't he stop Pettigrew from shouting it to the world that he was the reason of Lily and James Potter dying?" Dumbledore asked with the tone of a practiced teacher who knew that the students still needed some more hints.

"Did you, Sirius Black, change your wand with Peter Pettigrew?" the fair-haired woman asked.

"No, I didn't," he replied and after a nod the Head of the DMLE asked for the wand to be tested and the results to be reported immediately. There was a short pause while the wand was tested and the two Aurors returned with new Veritaserum to make sure that the previous wasn't tainted. He was once again asked the basic questions – Was he a Death Eater? Did he betray the Potters? And once again he denied all the accusations happily.

Not five minutes later the two Aurors returned this time directly going to the Minister and her second-in-combat. After a few moments of hushed conversation the fair-haired woman spoke.

"We tested both wands, not only Sirius Black's, but Peter Pettigrew's as well which was found after the presumed death of the former wizard. The last spell of Sirius Black was a tracking spell, on the other hand not only was Peter Pettigre's wand used for the Blasting Curse, but before casting that the wand was used for a cutting spell as well, which make sense as only a finger was found of Peter Pettigrew," she stated and Sirius had a hard time keeping himself from grinning. Even if he changed wands with Pettigrew, he wouldn't have needed to use cutting spells. Dumbledore asked for another moment of the time of the Wizengamot and he said the same thing that crossed Sirius's mind, probably because he felt that some might not make the connection as easily as they did.

"Also, the Veritaserum was tested and according to the expert it wasn't tempered with. While it can be tricked it certainly is original and it works just as it should," she stated. Hufflepuff, he decided – this woman was clearly fair. "Both sides presented the evidence?" When the Minister and Dumbledore agreed at the same time he started to feel faint. If he was convicted now, he probably would rot in Azkaban never seeing Harry, Remus, Andromeda, Nymphie or anyone else for the matter again.

His heart, which probably has swollen to an unnatural size, was thumping loudly under his ribs. This was just all too soon – he felt like he could speak for hours long about what has happened. Yes, this wasn't going to be enough, he was not all sure that he had made a good impression. Twice he opened his mouth and looked at Bagnold, but both times he closed as he wasn't exactly sure what else he should say.

Whispering, muttering – yes, everyone was speaking, most quietly, but some rather loudly. He could distinguish a few voices and tried to locate them as well, but at the same time he didn't want to know what they were saying. This seemed to be going on for hours, though it probably wasn't more than ten minutes when suddenly everything was quiet.

"Sirius Orion Black, you admitted in front of the Council of Magical Law that you broke Section A of Animagus Registry Act which is punished with two years in Azkaban, but as you have been imprisoned for far longer, if the Wizengamot finds you innocent in the other charges, then as long as your Animagus form is registered within the week, you will not be charged," she said and he felt himself at least a bit better. It didn't exactly surprise him – six years was thrice as long as two after all, but it was still good to hear. Now if only he was cleared of all the things he didn't actually do. (It was quite funny in a way – being not charged for the only offence he actually committed...)

"Those in favour of clearing the accused of all charges?" asked the booming voice.

Sirius's head jerked upwards. To his greatest surprise there were hands in the air, many of them... He wasn't exactly sure how many, but it seemed that more than half. Some seemed hesitant and looked at their peers for advice – he noticed two who put down their hands, but three or four raised theirs eventually. Before he could have counted it though, the Head of Department had said, "And those in favour of conviction?"

He wasn't surprised to see that many of the high-ranking Ministry officials raised their hands, those who were probably already in power when he was convicted, many he even recognized from the Daily Prophet or from files for Order missions and meetings. They weren't the only ones though, all ages and type of people seemed to find him a murderer, a traitor, a Death Eater, but it seemed, that if not by a long shot, but this time less hands were in the air.

"Very well, very well... cleared of all charges," Bagnold said eventually with a sour expression and Sirius was sure that he was going to lose consciousness and it probably had nothing to do with the pair of dementors lurking somewhere behind his seat.

"Excellent," Dumbledore said with a small smile, springing to his feet, pulling out his wand, and causing the conjured armchairs to vanish. He winked at Sirius who was just sitting there, not knowing what to do until the chains which had been binding him down suddenly released him.

The Wizengamot were all getting to their feet, talking, and gathering up the documents and packing them away. Sirius stood up, but no one seemed to be paying much attention to him until he caught sight of Remus. He relaxed a bit while struggling with his feelings of shock and relief.