A/N: Here I am. I finally have the chapter at a point where I feel I can post it, and now it has even been proof-read by my brilliant beta, ambush99. All remaining blunders are mine alone and might just be 'artistic freedom' ;). And – especially since I forgot about it last chapter with all the news to share – a big, big THANK YOU to her for her great work and also to the wonderful jogger for her endless support and encouragement – without you I'd go crazy!

And THANK YOU ALL for your understanding and your congratulations. I feel blessed. x Zaira

Chapter 9 – Justice

The day started out looking the way Sirius felt. Black and ominous clouds were darkening the sky, and there was a light drizzle you could taste but not really see. The air was heavy with something Sirius was sure was foreboding. He had not slept much last night, remaining in his by now customary armchair in front of the fire until the late hours of the morning, silently staring in the flames. Remus, obviously reading his friend's mood, had not disturbed him but remained down in the living-room with him, seemingly engulfed in his research, the scratching of his quill on the parchment and the ticking of the grandfather-clock the only sound in the world.

Sirius had woken to the first glimmer of dawn, finding himself in bed up in his own room, blankets firmly tucked around him, but without any memory of having retired the previous evening. He rightfully came to the conclusion that Remus must have taken him upstairs after he had fallen asleep in the living-room.

So today was the day.

Sirius couldn't even say he was nervous. His limbs felt like lead when he finally dragged them out of bed and slowly got dressed in the formal black robes Remus had purchased for him for this day especially. He looked himself over in the mirror by the door. He looked even thinner and darker in these, his face ghostly pale in contrast to his hair and clothes.

''Maybe the hair, dear,'' the mirror said in a motherly voice. ''If you tie it back you don't look so...'' It trailed off.

''... much like a murderer?'' Sirius asked dully.

''It might look a little more... civilized.''

Sirius nodded and went to his bedside table, where a small silver clasp lay on top of the gleaming wood. Tenderly his fingertips brushed over the leaping silver dog. It was a child's choice but Sirius loved it. It was perfect, and not only because of the feeling with which it had been given. And if there ever had been a good-luck charm, it was this present from his small godson.

He pulled back his sleek black hair and fixed it at the nape of his neck with the clasp. He gave his reflection another look.

''Ready,'' Sirius and the mirror said in unison, although the latter sounded much more cheerful.

-x-

The convoy of ten Aurors seemed almost ridiculous, especially since there had been only three to take him from the hospital to the cottage before. But when Sirius commented on it, one of the older men frowned at him.

''You should be thankful, we're taking these security measures. It's not only for our sake you know.''

And Baldy Smith sneered, ''what, did you expect the people to cheer you when they see you?''

Sirius swallowed, trying to force down the feelings of dread with the answers that had already been on the tip of his tongue. In silence he obeyed. One truth that he had learned early on was, that you had to chose your fights. And then there was something else.

People...

Somehow he had never given much thought to the fact that his trial was an event open to the public, nor that it actually might draw a lot of curious rubbernecks. So he didn't say anything else as he was bound with magical chains that wound around his arms, chest and ankles of their own accord and left him barely room to move. This was only the prelude. The important fight was still ahead.

Things kept moving forward a lot faster than he could cope with.

There were spells and there was pulling, hands that handled him like a piece of furniture and he tried to look for Remus, but there were too many faces...

And then there was suction and the feeling of being pressed through something tight and spit out again, and when he landed back on his own two feet, staggering because he had forgotten that his feet were bound, there was pandemonium.

Flashing lights and noise that might have been voices and more hands, and the air was full of something ugly - hate and rage and menace - and he really wasn't a sissy, and he had sworn to himself that he would keep his head up high, but it was too much, and all he could do was let himself be steered and manhandled and yelled at, faces blurring in front of his eyes like the sea.

And then it was over, and they were in a white room. He was pushed down on a chair and told to wait. Spells locked around him once more and some of the Aurors left. Those that stayed behind stood away from him in a corner, talking in low voices and ignoring him.

Sirius tried to suppress his trembling while his heart was hammering in his chest and blood was rushing in his ears.

He really wished Remus was here.

-xox-

Remus had just arrived at the Ministry a few minutes ago, ducking the masses as best as he could and had finally found his way to the small adjoining room next to the big courtroom, where Albus had told him to meet him. He was nervous as hell, and the riot and commotion going on in front of and inside the Ministry building had not done a lot to calm him.

He hadn't slept at all last night. After Sirius had finally passed out in his armchair, he had drifted him up the stairs and to his room, careful not to wake him. Feeling silly he had tucked him in, and then had remained standing next to the bed for the longest time, watching his friend sleep, scared of losing him again so soon after he had got him back.

In the morning he had barely been able to speak two words with Sirius before the swarms of Aurors had arrived and filled his small cottage with formality and regulations and procedure. His friend had been bound, and Remus had been disturbed how a man as tall as Sirius could look so small.

When Remus stepped into the room, Albus was already waiting for him, looking serious and worried, which immediately made Remus' stomach churn. There had been a lot of times when he secretly found it to be a little annoying, but right now he wanted nothing more than to see the older wizard's calm and serene expression.

''Albus! Has Sirius already arrived? They came for him with a dozen Aurors this morning and they wouldn't tell me anything! Is he-''

''Yes. Sirius is here. You will be able to see him in a moment. But there is something I wanted to talk to you about before that.''

''What is it?''

''Peter.''

''Did he confess?'' Remus asked excited, hope blossoming inside him. ''When will he be questioned? Right away-?''

Albus shook his head. ''No. Peter will not be questioned, Remus. Peter is dead.''

Remus looked at him in silence, and when he didn't say anything else, he frowned. ''If this is a jo-''

''He was murdered the night before last by a yet unknown person, right here in the Ministry,'' Albus said calmly.

Remus blinked. ''What!''

A deep sigh left the old wizard's chest. ''I'm sorry. I know it must come as a shock. I know you were friends once and-''

''Friends!'' Was this a dream? It sure seemed as surreal. ''I don't give a fucking-... What about SIRIUS!''

''Peter never confessed to the crimes Sirius is prosecuted for. He kept on blaming Sirius till the end. However, we don't know if he would have been of any use to our cause in the end.''

''Any use? We wouldn't... what are you talking about? We could have at least questioned him about the gaping holes in his story! We could have shown them...'' How could Albus be so fucking CALM? When Peter had just... ''Wait a moment. The night before last? Since when did you know this? Why haven't you told us!''

''I didn't want to aggravate Sirius anymore if not necessary.''

''Not necessary? Damn, Albus, it's HIS LIFE!'' He wanted to throttle the old man. He wanted to do something! ''You can't just... DAMN!''

One of the wooden chairs went flying across the room and smashed into the wall when Remus kicked it with all the might of his anger and desperation.

''I understand your anger, Remus, but there wouldn't have been anything you could have done.'' Albus tone finally held at least some urgency. ''It's not all lost! A testimony from Peter was never the way to break Sirius free. I regret that Peter had to die, but unfortunately he threw his life and freedom away out of fear a long time ago. But this is not the end. Not for Sirius.''

Remus looked at him disbelievingly. ''You have one hell of an optimistic view of the world, Albus.''

''And yet I'm almost always proved right in the end,'' the old wizard said without a hint of smugness.

''What am I going to tell him?''

The helpless question was directed more at himself, but Albus answered it anyway.

''Nothing. It's better if he finds out as late as possible.''

''Don't ask me to lie to him! Not again!''

''Not even for his own sake?''

Remus stared at the old and wrinkled face of his former headmaster who had become something like a friend, if a weird one. For the first time he really saw that Albus Dumbledore was old. And in this moment he understood that there was more to his actions than a sense of justice or strong morals or even a fondness for a former student. Albus felt responsible, and what he wanted more than anything was to annihilate his mistake.

-xox-

Harry was so nervous it was almost killing him, would be killing him for sure before the end of the day. He would see Sirius today! Yes, Mr. Weasley had explained that he would only be able to sit in the stands and watch what happened. That he wouldn't be able to really meet and speak to Sirius. But right now Harry didn't care about that. He would see Sirius. They would be in the same room. And when he got this close to him, there was nothing and no one that would keep him from his godfather.

Harry had been in a state of nervous ecstasy for the remainder of the last day, and had been sure he wouldn't be able to sleep at all. Ron had been rather envious that Harry was allowed to go see the trial while he had to stay at home. His mother had been very definite and authoritative about that. But they had talked excitedly about how it would be, Ron insisting that it would probably be totally cool, while Harry still was a little worried about the things they had said in the article. But whenever he brought it up, Ron would simply reassure him that with Albus Dumbeldore, his father and Bill there, nothing bad could happen to Sirius.

The next day had started early. The sky was overcast with dark clouds that were moving fast, chased by a gusty wind. At breakfast Mrs. Weasley had served him a pile of food, insisting that he couldn't leave before he had eaten up. Normally he would have been happy about a large breakfast, but he really wasn't hungry today. But then he wouldn't let her keep him from his godfather.

Each bite seemed to grow in his mouth while he was chewing it, and everything tasted like sawdust. In the end, Harry had gorged down his food in half the time of the rest of the Weasley's and almost felt like throwing it all up again.

And then he still had to wait anxiously until Mr. Weasley and Bill were ready to leave. Nervously he looked at the old grandfather clock. Eight-fifteen. The trial would start at nine o'clock. Why didn't they hurry? They couldn't be late!

Mrs. Weasley was fussing around him again, insisting that he wore a warmer pullover because the court was held down in the dungeons, and it surely would be cold and clammy. Then there was a cloak of course and a scarf, and just before they finally went to the fire place she put a cap on his head, pulling it over his ears.

Harry was more used to travelling by fire now, but it still gave him a slightly dizzy feeling, and the butterflies in his stomach only made the experience more intense. Unlike the last time, when Harry had been here with Remus, the Ministry was full of people rushing along and stepping in and out of the green flames of the many fireplaces. Harry stumbled along between Bill and Mr. Weasley in the direction of the elevators.

They were just about to step into the arriving cubicle, when a man with fluffy white hair and hectic red spots in his face stormed out and grabbed Mr. Weasley by the arm.

''Arthur! Thank Merlin I found you! You are needed immediately!''

''I took the day off, Perkins, I'm attending the Black trial with my son...''

''No, no! We really need you! It's an emergency! It's Moody! And you know how he is with me, he doesn't listen to anyone but you.''

Mr. Weasley sighed. ''What is it this time?''

''Something about a water hose and a lawn-mower, I'm not sure what else. But he set it on his neighbours and some Muggle post-delivery-man. You have to calm him down, Arthur!''

Mr. Weasley turned to his son then. ''Bill, I'm afraid I have to take care of this. I don't think we can take Harry after all...''

Harry's stomach dropped to his knees. NO! No, that couldn't be, that wasn't FAIR! He was so close!

''I can take him on my own,'' Bill's voice drifted into his screaming conscience. ''It's alright. What could possibly happen?''

''I don't know. Your Mum-''

''Will never know!'' Bill bent forward and whispered, ''you promised Harry he could go. You can't go back on that now!''

Mr. Weasley looked at Harry then. ''Will you promise me to not throw a tantrum and watch quietly, Harry?''

Harry nodded frantically. Anything! If he just could see Sirius, he would promise anything.

''And you have to listen to Bill at all times, do you understand? And stay next to him the whole time.''

Harry nodded again. Mr. Weasley sighed. ''Honestly, you can't refuse that boy,'' he mumbled. ''Alright. I'll see to it that I can meet you there a little later. And behave yourself. The both of you!''

''Dad! I'm eighteen!'' Bill sighed exasperated. But Harry only nodded.

-xox-

''It's time.''

Sirius head shot up at Remus standing in the doorway, and once more the werewolf caught the rare glimmer of the terrified and scared boy inside of his friend.

'They are ready for you. Albus is already in. I will go with you,'' Remus said in his calmest and most soothing voice. He nodded to the Aurors in the room and they stepped forward.

''Now, Black, we will bring you in and you'll take a seat in the interrogation chair. The chains will wrap around your wrist and ankles automatically. If you do anything funny we will stun you, and we won't care if we hurt you in the process. The court room is so heavily warded you wouldn't stand a chance anyway. So be a good boy, and all will go well, okay?'' It was the old Auror from this morning who spoke, not even in an unfriendly voice. But still, Remus could imagine how Sirius would feel about being told to be a 'good boy'. But Sirius only gave a curt nod.

The chains wound themselves loose from the chair until they only wrapped around Sirius limbs, binding them together. Then the door opened, and they were on their way.

-xox-

Harry and Bill had found seats up in the back of the upraising stand that circled a platform with a chair and faced the long rows of seats that were already filling with members of the Wizengamot. Bill could see the short cut greying bob of Madame Bones, and down on the sides at facing tables were Albus Dumbledore and a woman in a pink cardigan who had to be Miss Umbridge. Bill thought she didn't look much like a prosecutor in her frilly outfit.

Harry sat next to him, tense and with bated breath. He had wanted to sit closer to his godfather, but the stands were already full with people and Bill couldn't help but think, that it might be better to be in the back, where nobody paid them much attention. It hadn't escaped him that most of the people around them weren't very favourable towards Sirius Black.

''...an outrage... poor little boy... has no shame...''

''...not really a surprise... always expected... his cousin... Azkaban... whole family...''

''...his brother too... supporter... vanished... ''

''... vicious... dark magic... with a single curse...''

Bill only hoped that Harry didn't understand the half of it, but from the way he had tensed more and more and tried to make himself smaller in his seat, it was unmistakable that he had picked up on the mood at the very least.

And then the Wizengamot was fully assembled and a low gong sounded out from nowhere. The buzz of the voices sank to a low whisper, and then the large double doors opened.

-xox-

Sirius mouth was dry when they stepped out into the stone corridor. The same corridor he had walked down before, not too long ago. That time he had been walking to his execution, and now he wondered if he was about to do that again.

This time the large doors on the other side of the corridor slowly opened on their own accord, and Sirius received his first view of the very place that would see his fate sealed.

-xox-

Stepping into the courtroom with the high stone walls, illuminated by a single large overhead window, and with the unnatural silence of a large assembled crowd staring at him, was unsettling bordering on shocking. A low hiss seemed to go through the crowd, which looked to Sirius in this moment like a single, monstrous being, ready to rip him apart.

His place was in the centre of the room, with his back to them. But he could feel them behind him, could feel the many accusatory eyes resting on him. More chains, these attached to the high-backed chair, wrapped around his arms and ankles. He was in the eye of the storm, feeling detached and helpless.

Seconds ticked by like hours and the moment went by in the blink of an eye, and suddenly there was complete silence.

And then the voice of a woman broke into this silence, like a knife coated in honey.

''State your full name, please.''

It was the woman from before, he was sure he had seen her, when he was bound to a table rather than a chair. She wore... pink.

Sirius cleared his throat.

''Sirius Orion Black.''

Thank god it sounded steady.

''Date of birth?''

''12th of November 1959.''

''Occupation?''

''Ehm... I used to train as an Auror.''

''Yes, well, but you aren't an Auror now, are you Mr. Black?''

She shot him a sickening sweet smile.

''No, I'm not.''

''So you would say you are unemployed?''

''Well, you just don't get much job offers in Azkaban.''

The smile left her face as fast as it had appeared.

''Please answer the question, Mr. Black.''

''No, I don't have a job right now, so I guess you could say I'm unemployed.''

''So would you say you are right now living off the money your family left you?''

''I guess.''

''Are you only guessing, Mr. Black, or do you actually know the answers to my questions?''

With a deep breath he raised his chin and fixed her with steely blue eyes.

''For the last seven years I lived off the stale bread the Dementors brought in my cell everyday. When I broke out I lived on what I could find in the rubbish bins of Muggles. When I was on the run I lived on what I could get my hands on.''

''You mean you stole it.''

''Sometimes.''

''So after your prison break, to which we will come later, you resumed your life of crime?''

''I had to eat. And so did Harry.''

''Ah yes, Harry Potter. The until then innocent boy whom you kidnapped out of his loving home and submitted him to a life like yours... eating Muggle garbage and stealing.''

A hiss erupted from his throat.

''A loving home! They abused him! I saw his oaf of an uncle hit him so hard he flew across the room. He had lash marks on his back when I took him with me! Is that what you call a loving home!''

''Random accusations won't weigh in your favour, Mr. Black.''

''Random... they aren't random! This is the truth. And I did not just take Harry. I asked him if he wanted to come with me, and he did.''

''Ah yes, the truth.'' There was a simpering little laugh. '' Unfortunately what you call the truth, I know to be hideous, ugly lies.''

''They are not.''

Had she just giggled?

''Ehm ehm. Yes. Well, let's come back to your family, shall we?''

''What about them?''

''Well, your family has a certain reputation, hasn't it?''

''I'm afraid you'll have to elaborate on that further.''

''Well, aren't they famous for... their Pureblood fanaticism? Incest? All kinds of dark practices?''

The pretence of a shudder.

''I can't see how this is relevant.''

''Let me be the judge of that, Mr. Black.''

''Well, I broke with my family when I was sixteen.''

''Even with your brother? Your brother was one of You-know-who's followers, wasn't he?''

''Yes.''

Had there been a waver in his voice? He wasn't sure.

''And what happened to your little brother, Mr. Black?''

''He is dead, as far as I heard.''

''You heard? Where would you have heard that?''

''I... tried to gain information after he vanished.''

''And did you offer information about the other side, the ones fighting You-know-who, in exchange?''

''What? No! I- I just... I asked around. I heard rumours.''

''Rumours. I see... So how was your relationship with James Potter?''

''We were best friends. More than that, we were brothers from the age of eleven. His family took me in when I left home.''

''Do you think that it is a coincidence that your brother and the man you say was like a brother to you are both dead now?''

''What?''

''Is is a coincidence, Mr. Black? It is rather a simple question, I'd say. Yes or no?''

Where the fuck was this going?

''Well they were both killed by Voldemort or his followers, if that is what you mean. But no, I never thought that their deaths could be connected in any way.''

''So it was a coincidence?''

''If you want to call it that.''

''Oh I certainly don't, Mr. Black.''

She shot him a smile, this time shaking her head like she was deeply disappointed by him.

''So you had broken with your brother. Did you hate him for being more loved and appreciated by your parents? Did you kill him because you were jealous perhaps?''

''W-what? I didn't kill Regulus! We did not see eye to eye in most things. But I didn't hate him. I never hated him! He was my baby brother!''

''And James Potter? What caused this band of brotherhood to break? Was it jealousy as well? Was it maybe his marriage? Were you angry that he moved out and left you behind?''

''No. Of course not! I wasn't-''

''Lily Potter was Muggleborn, wasn't she? Maybe it was her you hated.''

''I loved Lily!''

''So you had an affair with the wife of the man you called 'your brother'? Then you were jealous of James Potter for having the woman you wanted for yourself? And maybe you hated her because she chose him? Was this why you arranged their death? Or was it simply to serve your Lord and Master?''

''No, for Merlin's sake! We were FRIENDS! They were my BEST friends! My FAMILY! When Harry was born, I was named Godfather. I wasn't jealous. I didn't have this kind of feelings! I was happy for them. I was... I was always welcome at their place!''

''Were you? What did Lily Potter think of your closeness to her husband and your being around all the time?''

''She didn't mind... She knew we had always been like brothers. The two of us got along great.''

''Of course you did.''

A look of contempt.

''So when you say you were close, it would only be natural that you would become their secret-keeper, wouldn't it?''

''That was the original plan. But we changed it.''

''Why would you do that? Why would you bail out of helping your brother? Your family?''

''It was a hoax. We thought we could deceive Voldemort. Everybody would believe me to be the secret-keeper, nobody would suspect Peter. It seemed to be the perfect plan.''

''Ah, yes... Mr. Pettigrew... Who is dead now. Tell me Mr. Black did you kill him because he would have contradicted your rather amusingly outrageous story, or were you afraid he'd break and admit to being your accomplice?''

He stared at her.

''What are you talking about? Everybody knows he only faked his death! He lived under the roof of a wizard family as a rat for seven years!''

''Ah yes, I guess that was the first time around. However now he is really dead. We have the body to prove it. So did you kill him bec-''

''He is DEAD!''

''Yes, Mr. Black, I think I quite clearly stated that. Now if you cou-''

''How the FUCK did that HAPPEN!''

''He was killed in his cell two nights ago. So, how did you do it?''

Something was... this couldn't be true... she had to be lying. Why wasn't anybody saying something?

''Answer the question, Mr. Black !''

''How...? I... how the hell would I have been able to... I was confined to Remus Lupin's cottage! There are alarms going off the moment I step my toe out the threshold, never mind the collar constricting my windpipe!''

''Oh I'm sure you have means and ways, Mr. Black.''

''WHAT THE FU-''

''If I could move for a break at this point?'' Dumbledore's voice, though calm, resounded over the noise that had started to erupt from all corners of the room. ''As you might have guessed, my client didn't know about the death of Mr. Pettigrew up to this point.''

''YOU KNEW!'' Sirius head turned around, looking furious.

''Sirius. Calm down.''

''CALM DOWN! When Peter-!''

''Sirius.''

Remus voice sounded out, and a moment later his hand came down on his shoulder.

''Maybe we should take a short break,'' Madame Bones said with dignity. ''We will come together again in one hour. And Albus? Please see to it, that your client has all the required information. And maybe you could emphasize that he is only to speak to answer the questions of the prosecutor.''

-xox-

Harry sat frozen, staring at the door that had closed behind his godfather and Remus and the old wizard, Dumbledore. He wasn't sure what had happened, but he understood that someone else was dead and they once again blamed Sirius. And now... what was happening now?

''Bill?''

Bill turned around to him and he too looked pale and shocked. ''What happens now, Bill?''

''I-I'm not sure, there's a break before they go on with the trial...'' Bill looked around them uncertainly. ''I think some people are stepping outside...maybe we should...''

''Can we go see Sirius?'' Harry whispered, staring at Bill wide-eyed and pleading.

Bill looked uncomfortable. ''I-I don't think... Harry, Sirius is guarded by a lot of Aurors, I don't think they will let us in.''

''Can't we ask them? Please, Bill? Please!''

Bill sighed and held out his hand. ''Come. We'll take a look around. Maybe we can find Remus or something.''

-xox-

The door closed behind them and Sirius struggled to whip around. Unfortunately his momentum was halted by the chains, and it ended up to being an awkward stagger. His accusing eyes met those of the old white-haired wizard.

''What else are you not telling me!'' he snapped. ''I thought I could trust you!''

''You can trust me. Scrimgeour informed me about Peter yesterday morning and, since I thought that the expectation of the trial would put enough strain on you, I refrained from giving you information which at that point would not have any benefit for you but rather was bound to agitate you even more.''

''You don't get to decide that! You are my advocate, Albus, not my baby-sitter. What the hell... you don't get to tell me to be a good boy and behave and leave me clueless!''

''I'm sorry, Sirius. I might have misjudged the situation, but I did what I thought best at that moment. I only had your well-being in mind, and I also didn't expect Dolores to bring it up like that.''

''Yeah,... about that... What the fuck is wrong with that woman? Accusing me of having killed my brother and having an affair with Lily! Is she totally off her broom!''

''She wants to make you lose your temper,'' Remus said quietly. ''She wants to show the Wizengamot that you are a raving madman so that they feel more inclined to believe you capable of the things you are accused of. And then one or the other of them might actually think there's truth in it. And a motive.''

''Remus is quite right. And therefore it is very important that you keep your temper in check.'' Sirius opened his mouth to protest, but Albus halted him with a raised hand. ''I will admit that you had every right to react this way in regards to Peter, and I think we can even use that to our advantage. But you need to get yourself back under control now and not allow Dolores to egg you on. Do you understand?''

Sirius huffed and grumbled something indistinguishable.

-xox-

There were people everywhere and no one paid them any attention as they wandered down the corridor, further away from the masses. Harry simply stumbled along, holding Bill's hand and trying to be invisible. They turned around the corner where there were no visitors anymore, and immediately a group of men in black robes came towards them.

''Hey! What are you doing here? Go back to the courtroom, this is a restricted area!'' one of them called. The men surrounded them, and Harry stepped closer to Bill, looking frightened.

''One is just a kid.''

''Who are you?''

''Leave them be. I know them,'' came a deep voice suddenly from behind them. ''What are you doing here anyway? It's your job to see to it, that no one even gets this far! Go and position yourself at the corner. And you, Smith and Dawlish, watch the visitors in front of the courtroom. We don't want any commotion.''

''And what about those two?''

''Leave them to me.''

The other men obeyed, some looking disgruntled, and vanished down the corridor in the direction Bill and Harry had been coming from. Then the man who had just spoken bowed down and looked directly at Harry.

''Hello Harry. How are you doing? I didn't know you would be here,'' he said, his voice much gentler than before.

Harry looked up surprised at being addressed by his name. And then he recognized the tall Auror who had been at the cabin with them before they took his godfather away.

'H-Hullo, Mr. Kingsley,'' he whispered, not sure if the man was angry with them too. It seemed they had done something forbidden. But the Auror just winked at him and turned towards Bill.

''You must be Arthur's eldest. So what are you doing wandering around here? Isn't your father with you?''

''No, Sir,'' Bill answered politely. ''He wanted to come with us to see the trial, but then he had to work. An emergency. Something with Mr. Moody.''

Kingsley laughed good-naturedly. ''Yeah, Moody is always good for an emergency, I guess. The man is crazy with suspicion, but a great Auror he was!''

''Mr. Kingsley...'' Harry spoke up quietly, worrying his bottom lip with his front teeth. ''W-we wanted... d-do you know... w-where is Sirius?''

Kingsley smiled at him, but his eyes looked sad. ''You wanted to see your godfather, huh? That's not so easy, Harry. Only his advocate and the assistant are allowed into that room.''

''B-but you know where he is? Please. C-can't you take me?''

Kingsley looked from Harry to Bill and back. Then he sighed. ''Damn... this could cost me my job, you know? Okay. But only for a little while. And don't tell anyone, okay? Not even your father. Promise me that?''

Harry nodded eagerly and heard Bill say, ''Of course we won't tell. Mum would kill me if she ever found out...''

''He's right in here,'' Kingsley said, still looking uncomfortable as he took them to a plain looking door. ''The room connects to the courtroom.''

Kingsley raised his wand and waved it in a strange pattern. Then he knocked and opened the door.

-xox-

The door opened into a small and gloomy, rectangular room with rough stone walls and only two small windows high up under the ceiling, which were only letting in some rather dark and greying light. An oil lamp on a scratched wooden table gave off a deep yellow shine.

At first Harry thought there were only two people in the room. Two men were standing with their backs towards them, only appearing as black silhouettes. But then their heads turned towards the door expectantly, and he recognized Remus and Albus Dumbledore.

''Remus!''

Harry already wanted to run forwards, towards the gentle wizard he had come to like a lot, when they both stepped back, revealing a third man sitting in a chair next to the table and Harry froze, his heart beating painfully in his chest like it wanted to escape his body.

After a second, the other man slowly rose from his chair, his eyes never leaving Harry's. He seemed to make two, three steps towards him, but stumbled and with the hollow sound of metal on stone he fell to his knees on the dusty floor, both his hands stretching out towards him almost like in prayer.

''Harry.''

It was a gasp, rough with emotion, but it was Sirius voice and Sirius face and it was all he had wanted for so long!

Harry hurled himself forward, not thinking, not caring, throwing himself at his godfather, holding onto him like for dear life and sobbing so hard his whole body was shaking.

Arms were lifted and his face pressed against the black cloth on Sirius' chest, and then the arms were around him, stroking his back and hair clumsily, and it smelt like him and felt like him and Harry was so glad. Finally the whole nightmare was over. He was back with Sirius.

It felt like forever and like just a second that he melted and snuggled against his godfather. His sobs became sniffing and he started to notice that Sirius held himself awkwardly and that there was something cold and hard at Harry's neck that felt like metal. The chains, Harry thought, as he buried his face deeper into that warmth, trying not to care, wouldn't care where they were and who was with them, only that he was finally, finally where he belonged and safe and home.

He was with Sirius and he was home.

TBC

A/N: I hope this makes up for the mean cliffhangers of the last chapters! :)

Reviews! Feedback! Comments! Questions!

- all so very much appreciated!

Reviewers Anonymous: HebHibHob: Thank you so much! A miracle worker? I'd wish! And I had help, and a wonderful husband who reminded me to keep my cool and worked the REAL miracles. :) And with the story? Well, let's see what you think about the new chapter? Angh phank ou fogh the coocrchies! Roonil Wazlib: Hmmm... Voldemort wants someone. Harry might not be allowed to speak in front of the Wizengamot. And Sirius conviction? Now, I can't say anything about that right now, can I? ;) I hope I made up for the cliffhangers this time. I just had to see I keep my reputation. ;) Thank you! Bloom: How was London? I'd love to go and see my nephew, but what can I say? Work! So glad you liked the part with Arthur. Was unsure about that, so thank you for telling me. Sirius' FIRST reaction to Peter's death we've just seen and well, worries should not be abandoned all together at that point. Thank you so much! (Don't know how often I wrote THAT ;) MISS MEOW.: So glad you liked their talk! And Arthur is, well, not as fanatic as Molly, and not as naive as Bill. He thinks with his head. ;) Thank you so much for your kind words and wishes! Carol: Thank you so very much for your reviews! Making my readers laugh and cry and really feel for the characters, is the highest achievement for me! It warms my heart to hear you like it. I hope you enjoyed the new chapter as well (and I hope if you did you'll tell me ;) Mia: Thank you for the warm welcome! Sirius & Remus – still a long way to go. Dumbledore? Always having a plan and then yet another one. Lucius and the translucent man: Meant to be scary. And evil. And mhwahaha! ;) Selina: Well, I'm just happy you reviewed this time! :) It's always a treat to me too when readers do. And, wow, really, for the praise I feel is too much and the good wishes that I gratefully accept! Thank you!Keli: Well, I'm glad you are confident that I'm not gonna go berserk and murder my favourite characters. Or almost confident, but then it's always good to have a plan B. But, don't worry, you can trust me! :) volleyballgirl12 and windstar: Thank you so very much for your praise and good wishes!