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Chapter 10:

It was all a dream. He was sure of it. He had just imagined all of it. He was prepared to wake-up in his small dingy cell when Sirius felt a hand tapping his face lightly. He groaned and pushed it away, moving his head to the side. He heard a sigh and someone say "enerverate". Someone who sounded very much like Dumbledore. He was just wondering why he thought he was hearing Dumbledore's voice when he felt a jolt go through his body and he woke up.

He looked around the room he was in and raised an eyebrow. He saw Kingsley, Dumbledore, Fudge, Remus and someone who he didn't know there. He sat up quickly as memories of what had just happened flooded into his mind. He rubbed his head from where it had hit the table and looked around at everyone in the room again, waiting for someone to talk. He wanted to make sure he hadn't imagined it.

When no one spoke he cleared his throat slightly, he still wasn't used to talking yet. "I'm free?" He asked uncertainly, sitting a bit straighter in his chair to wait for the answer.

Fudge nodded weakly and Sirius could see Remus still looked to be in complete awe, he figured he probably looked the same. "Berkeley, get me Black's files." He said quietly to the young wizard who was taking notes.

The wizard, Berkeley, stood up quickly and nodded. "Yes sir." He said before leaving the room quickly. Sirius watched him go in awe. He was really free. He was really going to get out of here. he's be able to see him friends again. To see Harry..Harry! How could he forget?

"Sir" He said to Dumbledore, who turned to face him smiling. "Where's Harry?" He asked in his hoarse voice.

At the question Dumbledore smiled a bit wider, making Sirius breathe a breathe of relief. He was afraid he had been somewhere horrible like The Dursley's... "He is currently living with Remus."

Sirius quickly looked over at Remus, who had his eyes adverted to the floor at the moment. Remus had a rush of emotions running through him at the moment and didn't feel much like talking. He still could not believe that Sirius really was innocent. He had spent countless nights thinking about it and still had trouble believing he would betray them like that. He still couldn't believe it was true. He was no longer alone. He finally looked up at Sirius and nodded with a small smile.

"I just got him last night." He said quietly, ignoring the dirty look Fudge gave him when he spoke.

Sirius smiled. The first true smile he'd had in the past 4 years, and it felt great. "That's great." He said, happy for Remus. He wondered where Harry had been previous to living with Remus, but he'd find out later. He saw the look Fudge gave Remus and had to bite down very hard on his tongue and grip the chair so he didn't do or say anything.

Remus must have noticed that because he shook his head and said quietly. "Relax Sirius. It's ok."

Sirius sent a glare at Fudge that would have made most people recoil terribly. And it had just the effect on Fudge. Remus chuckled slightly. Same old Sirius. He thought to himself amusedly.

Remus didn't like the tension in the room at all. He decided to try and lighten the mood a bit. He couldn't take his eyes off Sirius though. His eyes looked so deadened and lifeless that it was un nerving. He also looked as if in the 4 years he had been there that not once had he had a hair cut. At this thought he smirked slightly. Sirius never let his hair get messed up and now it was long and matted.

"I think you need a haircut Padfoot." Remus teased, in a weak attempt to lighten the mood.

Sirius smiled weakly and reached up, touching his hair. It was nice to hear his old nickname again. "I think so." He said hoarsely.

Remus laughed and was about to say something else when Berkeley came back into the room with Sirius' file in hand. He handed the file to Fudge, who looked very pale.It hadn't occurred to Remus until just then that Fudge was the reason that Sirius had been imprisoned in the first place. The reason Remus had hated him for the past 4 years. The reason he had been alone and miserable. The reason Harry had no one but those awful Dursley's to live with. Well technically all of that was Peter's fault, but after Peter it was Fudge's fault and Peter wasn't around to blame it on, so why not just blame it on Fudge.

Fudge opened the file onto the interrogation table and began rummaging through it. Sirius looked every once in a while to see what was in it. When he saw his old auror license he smiled, wondering if he would be able to get his old job back.

He was just thinking about how much James and himself loved their old jobs when Fudge's wavering voice broke his train of thought. "Right then. We shall go to the ministry and announce it." He said, standing. Everyone in the room followed his example and stood except for Sirius. For the past four years everyone had thought him to be a killing maniac..how would they react?

As if reading his mind (which he probably did..) Dumbledore smiled kindly at Sirius, a gesture he hadn't received in a long time, and said "They'll take it fine Sirius, not to worry." He gave his arm a soft tug.

Sirius swallowed and nodded. He stood up and followed Fudge and Berkeley out of the room with Remus right next to him and Dumbledore and Kingsley trailing behind. Once out of the room and past his cell ("Won't miss that place, huh Paddy?") He could once again feel the Dementor's presence. He gulped sightly and Remus shoved a piece of chocolate into his hands. Sirius smiled gratefully and popped it into his mouth.

They got back onto the boat and once across the sea to land, apparated to the ministry. Sirius did side along apparation with Dumbledore ("I haven't done it in so long I might splinch myself.")

Once 5 apparation pops were heard and they entered the ministry. People greeted Dumbledore, Kingsley, Fudge happily. Berkeley had run off to file the reports and not many people in the ministry trusted werewolves, but Remus did get some hellos which he kindly returned. No one had noticed Sirius, he was so thin that you couldn't see him behind Kingsley.

Once he stepped out from behind him though a few screams were heard and many wands were drawn. he quickly looked up at everyone surrounding him as if asking for some help.

Dumbledore quickly stepped in front of Sirius. "Cornelius, I think it best that you make the announcement now, before all of this was for nothing." He said, a bit sharply to Fudge as he saw that the man didn't look like he were about to do anything and was ready to play along with the crowd.

Fudge nodded and gulped. He pointed his wand at his own throat and magnified his voice. "Lower your wands!" His voice sounded loudly throughout the hall, echoing off the walls. Reluctantly, people began lowering their wands. "On this day, November 1 1985, Sirius Black has been found innocent and is freed of all charges pertaining to the deaths of Lily and James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, and the 13 muggles that were killed 4 years ago."

At this statement the entire hall went quiet. You could literally hear a pin drop. The only sound in the entire atrium was the frantic scratching of a certain Rita Skeeter's Quick Quotes Quill. All eyes were currently on Sirius.

Reviews please? Sorry for takign so long to update but i had writers block lol