Chapter 9

SIRIUS ORION BLACK, THAT IS ENOUGH!

JAMES' POV

While we had all been standing in shock from the news Sirius had delivered, her had gotten up, hopped on his Harley and drove away. It was three hours later, and nobody knew where he was. He wasn't at Kat's or Remus' house, but we knew of no other place he might go. Except he probably drove off a cliff in suicide attempt. I wouldn't be surprised.

We were all in my living room, Kat and Lily were both balling their eyes out. One or two tears had escaped my eyes. There was a question hanging about in the air, but nobody dared speak it. Would Sirius ever be the same, if he stayed sane after this?

When he had been attacked by Bellatrix Lestrange, he hadn't been the same for a few days afterward. I had felt so hopeless then, because I was at Hogwarts teaching and wasn't able to talk to him. I never had the chance to defend him.

Defend him

. Wait a minute. Won't Sirius have a trial? He didn't mention it, but he must. He can't go to Azkaban without a trial. I was going to defend him this time. Sirius Black's name will never be in Azkaban's records. I was about to make sure of that.

I stood up so abruptly I made everybody jump.

"I'm going to the Ministry," I announced, grabbing my coat off the kitchen chair.

"Oh, James, please don't!" begged Lily, snatching my sleeve.

"And why not," I snapped, brushing her hand off.

Remus answered, "James, you're likely to just get yourself in trouble."

"I'm just going to make sure he's going to have a trial."

"It's pointless, James. Please don't. The Ministry already knows for sure. Don't make it worse," Kat choked out.

I stared at Sirius' girlfriend. Er, fiance. She had mascara on her hands and down her face from crying, and her lipstick was smeared. My temper cooled. This girl cared about Sirius as much as I did and I knew she had a point. With my luck, I'd just make things worse.

"Well, I'm going to go find him, anyways."

"I'm coming with you," Remus hopped up.

"Fine. You two stay here," I said to my wife and Kat.

"Don't be too long," muttered my wife.

"Depends. C'mon, Remus," I grabbed him and we headed out the door.

We took the Jeep, since I didn't think disapparating was such a good idea.

Remus didn't start it right away. For a few seconds, we just sat there in the dark of my garage.

"Are you thinking the same thing I am?" Remus asked.

"Probably."

"Sirius isn't going to Azkaban, is he?"

"Nope," I agreed.

We half-heartingly smiled at each other and pulled out of the garage.

Neither of us was sure where to check first. Sirius had quite a head start on his Harley, but I had an idea on where he might be.

"Remus, let's try Hogwarts."

"Hogwarts?"

"Hogsmeade, to be exact."

"No," Remus gasped. "No. James, you don't think he's..."

"Drunk and ruining the Shrieking Shack? I'm sorry to say that's what came to mind first."

I think Remus starting going faster then necassary at that point.

Twenty minutes later, I realized we weren't going the right way. "Remus, this isn't the right highway..."

"I know."

"But then why ar-" I stopped short as we pulled into a parking lot across the street from the Leaky Cauldron. London seemed very busy, and we couldn't find a space. Eventually, Remus just parked in a vacant handicap place.

"You're going to regret that," I muttered.

"Don't worry, you're paying for the ticket."

I scowled but didn't argue as we ran across the street into the bar.

I didn't see him at first, but then I spotted him. He was at the end of the bar, sitting on a stool. He was defiently drunk, becasue he was asking the bartender for another shot, and the bartender kept saying, "Sorry sir, but you've had enough."

Now I've seen Sirius drunk because he's had one too many beers, and it's usually pretty entertaining depending on the circumstances. But right now he was drunk-drunk. I could see from a few yards away he was on the brink of unconcienses.

"SIRIUS ORION BLACK, THAT IS ENOUGH!" I yelled when we reached him. A lot of wizards and witches stared at us but I didn't care. I asked the bartender, "Got a glass of water?"

He handed me one without question. I poured it all on Sirius' head. That's when he blacked out.

Remus and I shared a meaningful glance. "Let's get 'im to your place," I said.

Ten minutes later, we had gotten him into the backseat of Remus' Jeep with the help of a few anti-Muggle spells.

It was about an hour's drive to Remus' from the Leaky Cauldron, and I was praying the entire time. To what God, I didn't know.

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