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

Chapter 9

Two weeks later

Gracie smiled as she looked at a scruffy looking Sirius Black. Beside her were Harry and another boy whom he assumes is Takedo, his godson's best friend. The newly found innocent man was being greeted with the sight of a pair of warm faces to whom he owes his very freedom.

He doesn't know how he got the trial, but he did and now he was free. After eleven years, he was able to tell his side of the story with Gracie's assistance. The questions she asked were so clear and so precise when they put him under Veritaserum that they could not argue with his words. Crouch, his dear old former boss had tried to, he really had tried to, but he failed miserably.

Sirius had told the truth and Gracie had royally chewed Crouch out for badgering him. Sirius will never forget her calling Crouch an attention seeking son of a bitch.

But it all came out, how he was denied his trial, how he waited and waited for his day and none came. The unfortunate fact that he now had to register as an Animagus did indeed make it slightly disappointing.

But it was through that fact that they now knew Pettigrew was able to turn into a rat, which was small enough to escape say, an explosion. Gracie had, of course, mentioned several cases all over the world about children and even pets found alive in destroyed buildings, simply because they were in areas small enough they could fit in. These proofs helped to turn the tide in their favor.

There was even doubt now that the rat was dead thanks to that bit of info. Especially with all of them knowing that Sirius was not the secret keeper for the Potters. If it was possible that someone like Peter, who had been that close, could slip from detection, to betray them as he did, would it also not be possible for him to fake his own death, in order for Sirius Black to take the fall?

All sorts of fun questions and hypotheses went into her closing statements. Statements that reminded the courts of what he went through, of the doubts that now showed in many a mind. Even Minister Fudge, albeit an idiot, was showing the fact he believed.

And so he won. Her words and his truth set him free. HE WAS FREE!

Running to the woman and the two boys, he just clasped them all, regardless of everything and hugged them tightly. His tears flowed down his cheeks, he breathed in the air of freedom and the scent of his godson. Not a single one of them in that embrace cared as Sirius breathed in freedom.

"Thank you...thank you so much." He whispered.

"You are most welcome, Sirius." Gracie replied softly.

"Padfoot....?" A questioning tone coming from his godson, Sirius turned old but very much alive blue eyes towards the 12-year-old. Sirius took in Takedo beside Harry and smiled a greeting to the Asian boy, who was just as rambunctious and headstrong as he himself once was. Well, was before Azkaban.

"What is it, kiddo?"

Before Harry could answer, an elderly Asian man approached. Exuding the same wise air Dumbledore does, he is holding out a little jug of something and pulling the lid off.

"Drink! Drink, become strong again! Drink!"

Gracie can't help but laugh at Sirius' confusion at what this man is giving him. She introduces them as the jug is slammed into Sirius's hands. "This is Harry's teacher, Egg Shen; he came with us to continue teaching Harry his magic. Harry must have told him about your time in prison. You can trust him."

"Indeed, my student has. Drink! Will take away the darkness of that place, make you strong!" The old man said brightly as he studied the wizard before him. "If it helps you to know, Harry made it."

Turning to the 12-year-old who looks kind of sheepish, Sirius grins. "You did?"

Nodding his head, Harry smiles as he watches his godfather drink it down, making a slight face at the taste after he takes the last of it. Immediately, something visible happens. Almost as if a weight is lifted from his shoulders, he stands taller. He is still scruffy looking, but not as bent down with pain.

"What...."

"Ancient Chinese strengthening drink. Darkness can not fight what is made of light. Better, yes?" Egg Shen asked. Sirius simply nodded his head as he feels better than he has in years.

"And he is your teacher?" The now free man asked his godson who could not help but smile.

"Yes, Padfoot."

"You might have one up on me kiddo." Sirius grinned as he ruffled Harry's hair. Gracie could not help but smile warmly at the admiration for the man shining in her son's eyes.

Remembering what Jack had told her in their conversation, she smiles and garners the attention of those around her. "Harry, have you asked him?"

"Not yet, mom."

With a puzzled frown, Sirius looks at Harry who seems almost hopeful. "Padfoot, would you...would you come back to Chinatown with us? My birthday is in a couple of weeks and I would really like to hear more about my birth parents. And you did promise me, you would explain the nickname when you came out."

"Harry...you didn't have to ask." Sirius replied with a wide smile. "As your Mom said, I think I would have been shot by you and her both if I didn't come, right?"

Grinning and nodding emphatically, they both duck in the nick of time as Gracie aims a playful swap at both of them. Egg Shen and Takedo laugh at their antics, with the people around them just watching with varied emotions.

Some look on with disbelief as they still believe Sirius guilty, others were admiring the joy of freedom from Azkaban, a nightmarish place that many do not wish to see, but there were a few in the crowd who growled in anger and hatred, among them was Lucius Malfoy.

The blonde aristocrat was furious. He was one of those who voted against Black's innocence in this trial as demanded by that vile Muggle woman; he was hoping that the blasted man would die in prison.

With Bellatrix incarcerated, and Harry Potter having vanished, if Black had died, the immense family fortune of the Black family would have fallen to him through his wife, Narcissa, but now...now, that blasted man was free.

Plotting the various ways he can get rid of Sirius so he can get his hands on the gold, he does not notice the wind blowing and revealing the scar on the forehead of one the boys... a scar shaped in the form of a lighting bolt.

But someone else noticed the scar and smiled softly at the joy being exhibited by the small group of people. Remus, after suffering from the effects of the full moon just two days ago, was trying so much to build up the courage to approach his once proud friend. One whom, up until he heard that conversation, he believed a traitor, a traitor who helped to kill his friends.

Only to find out and be given enough doubt that it was another who did it.

Normally a soft spoken man, he was not one for boldness they way Sirius and James were when they were all together. He was content to be in the background and well, old habits die hard.

Eventually, it had taken Sirius turning to spot him in the crowd of onlookers to get him to approach. Sirius saw the man looking with confusion, his eyes lit up with recognition and maybe a little guilt?

"Remus?"

"Hey Padfoot...." The werewolf replied. Wanting to say more he is unable to as he is tackled to the ground in an intense hug of happiness. "My god, Moony! I'm free!"

The graying man just grinning as Sirius babbles his joy at seeing his longtime friend again. He can not help but find himself being pulled up with aide from the woman who looks at him with a knowing smile.

"Well it seems the eavesdropper has made himself known." She grinned as Remus' eyes widened. The fact that she knew, shocked Remus to the core. Egg Shen chuckled as he gestured to the boys, who looked on with a mixture of smugness and curiosity between them. "My student has more teachers than just me. The Chang Sings have taught much about stealth and fighting. He knew you were there."

"Why...why didn't you say anything...Harry?"

"Instinct, sir." Takedo chirped before Harry could answer. Getting smacked for interrupting, the young boy just stuck his tongue out at Harry. An impromptu wresting match started up between them, reminding Remus forcibly of the past.

Remus could remember watching Sirius and James wrestle many a time in their rooms. This wrestling match, however, was broken up by Gracie, who forces both boys to endure a scolding as people stop to look at the spectacle they made themselves out to be.

With Remus' thoughts continuing to wander to the way back then, he is startled as Sirius whispers something. "I miss him too, Moony... All of it is my fault...."

"If it is, then it is mine, too Sirius." Remus said softly.

"No! Remus..."

Remus could not help but look at his friend with pain filled regret. Shaking his head as Sirius protested he continues to speak. "All this time I believed that you were the traitor. I mean you were the keeper...but you were also my friend. If anyone should have listened to your side, in fact should have demanded it, it should have been me."

"Remus..."

"Forgive me, old friend?" Remus asked softly. Sirius just brings him close and holds on tightly to his longtime friend. No words spoken at all, just understanding between them. Finally parting, the two are surprised to see two very inquisitive boys looking at them both. Harry, especially, was extremely curious as well, considering he had heard his godfather's shout of Moony in reference to this man.

"Did you...did you know my real parents too?" Harry asked curiously. Bright curious eyes looking up at him, Remus just can't help but nod his head.

"I did, he, Sirius and I, were roommates in school."

"Really?" Dozens of questions began shooting at them from Harry and then Takedo as well, while Egg Shen studies the newcomer with open curiosity. Sensing something dark, and yet innocent around this figure, he eventually realizes the familiar tingle being given off.

Gracie, who had been watching and listening, found the elderly wizard/sorcerer looking at her expectantly.

"Get tickets for this one as well, Gracie Burton."

"Egg Shen?"

"This one needs my help. I have what is required but not with me." The old wizard replied. "He is in much pain. And sorrow, for the past, as both are. They shall stay with me. They will heal with my help physically, but mentally I leave it to Harry, you, and Jack Burton. I feel his fate has finally come for him, Gracie Burton. I would be prepared to fight once more."

Gracie just looks on in surprised silence as Egg Shen walks over to tell them of the news.