Chapter nine:

To say the least, there was chaos in the courtroom at this revelation. People turned to their neighbors in agitation and excitement, and it was all Madam Bones could do to keep order. It was all I could do to stay in my seat, even if Kingsley didn't have a grip on my arm.

The main doors opened, and a few seconds later, amidst a noisy courtroom and fascinated stares, Peter Pettigrew walked forward and sat down in the center chair. I hadn't seen him in ten years, but I quickly noticed that while I starved for ten years, Peter fattened up. Apparently life as a rat had been rather good to him, but he didn't look so great now. He wrung his hands, and his eyes darted around the courtroom nervously.

"Don't do anything," Kingsley whispered to me.

Ha. I may not have been able to charge Peter down when I was locked in the hospital, but the traitor was less than twenty feet from me. I could probably make it to his neck before the Aurors stopped me.

I didn't know where in the mess Remus was sitting, but I could only imagine he was fighting a similar urge to strangle Peter.

Madam Bones slammed her gavel several times until the courtroom had shushed itself into a low hum.

"Please state your name for the record," Madam Bones ordered.

Peter looked around nervously. "P-Peter Pettigrew."

Madam Bones shot Mr. Rochester an unhappy look. Obviously she was not a fan of theatrics when it came to her courtroom. "Mr. Rochester, you may proceed."

"Mr. Pettigrew, who was Lily and James's Secret-Keeper?"

I could feel Kingsley's grip tightening on my arm. Next to me, Ms. Novak adjusted agitatedly in her seat.

"S-Sirius was. Dumbledore offered to be it, but James said no."

"Why is that?"

"Because…because James trusted Sirius like a brother, said he would never betray him," said Peter, looking between Rochester and the Wizengamot. "And Sirius…he betrayed them!" He burst into tears. He actually started crying in front of the Wizengamot.

"What happened the next day?" Rochester asked.

Peter wiped his eyes on his sleeve. Merlin, if I didn't want to kill him ten years ago, I certainly did now. "I heard what he did, and—and I knew I would be next! So I tried to hide, but Sirius—he was already after me. I ran. He cornered me on the street. I knew he would kill me! I tried to reason with him, but he blew apart the street, killing everyone around."

"How did you survive?"

Peter seemed to get a grip on himself. He took a steadying breath, then said, "I don't know. But I wasn't going to question it. I knew if Sirius thought I was dead, then I was safe. So I transformed into a rat and disappeared. I've been hiding ever since."

Rochester looked so satisfied with himself. "No further questions, Madam."

Ms. Novak shot to her feet before Rochester had even made it to his own table.

"Were you afraid of Mr. Black?" she asked sharply.

"Y-yes," said Peter. "He had been working for You-Know-Who! He would have killed me!"

"Would you say that Mr. Black was a talented wizard? Skilled in dueling and spell-casting?"

Peter lapped it up. "Yes! He would always pick fights when we were in school; any excuse to duel with someone he hated."

"So tell me," said Ms. Novak, angrier than I had ever seen her. "How a well-trained wizard skilled in dueling missed when he tried to kill you?"

There was a ringing silence. Peter gawked at her.

"How did he miss, Mr. Pettigrew? What happened?" Ms. Novak pressed, her voice increasing in volume.

"I—I don't know!" exclaimed Peter. "It happened so fast, and once it did, it was chaos! So many people died—there was screaming everywhere."

"You say you transformed and hid as a rat to hide from Mr. Black," Ms. Novak continued. "Why didn't you rejoin society when Mr. Black was arrested and locked in Azkaban?"

"He—he would have found a way to come after me! He would kill me!"

Ms. Novak raised a skeptical eyebrow. "How? He was locked away in one of the most heavily-guarded cells."

"There were others," Peter gasped, looking around at the Wizengamot. "Death Eaters who had managed to stay out of Azkaban—they would be sure to come after me for putting one of their best Death Eaters in prison! The spy—Sirius Black!"

"You're lying!"

I was on my feet before I knew it.

"Stop lying, Peter! Admit it! You were the spy!"

Kingsley and Dawlish took an arm each and tried to force me back into my chair.

"Ms. Novak, control your client!" Madam Bones yelled over the chaos.

"You always liked friends who could protect you, didn't you?" I shouted, trying to wrestle free from Kingsley and Dawlish. "And it was Voldemort! You sold Lily and James to Voldemort, you lying sack of—"

"You betrayed them!" Peter shouted, getting to his feet and looking at me for the first time. "I'll never see why we thought you were different from your family! You're a murderer!"

Two Aurors had rushed down to either side of Peter, obviously trying to keep him where he was. Ha, let him come get me if he wanted!

"Admit it!" I roared. Kingsley and Dawlish had a good grip on me now, and in the back of my mind I was sure they would be forced to stun me any moment now. "You betrayed them!"

Before anyone else could do anything sensible, a sudden jet of red light shot through the courtroom, missing Peter by inches and ricocheting. The spell landed on the corner of Madam Bones's desk, blasting the corner off. This set off a wave of more spells as the Aurors all reacted instantly. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Rochester duck underneath his desk, and most of the Wizengamot tried to shield themselves. I swept the room for a glance of Peter, who was being dragged away by an Auror firing off defensive spells. Before I knew it, a sudden wave of people were trying to get out of the benches behind me, leaping over each other. I tried to get out of the way, but I was hit hard in the back and fell.

I woke up twenty minutes later in someone's office with a familiar pink-faced witch standing over me. Behind her, I could see Ms. Novak, Kingsley, Dawlish, and a multitude of other people I vaguely recognized.

"What-?" was all I could say. It was hard to form a coherent thought. My head was killing me, and directly facing these office lights was making me blind.

"You took a nasty spill," said Hestia. She was holding something against my forehead. It stung.

I frowned, but winced. Moving my face seemed to make the pain worse. "What?"

"In the chaos in the courtroom, people were trying to get out. There was a panic. In their rush to get out, someone in the crowd shoved you out of the way. You hit your head against the table pretty hard," said Kingsley.

"Please just tell me they still have Peter," I said, closing my eyes against the harsh light.

"Yes, Pettigrew's been remanded for his own safety," I heard Ms. Novak say with distaste. "And the wizard responsible for firing the first spell has been arrested by the Aurors for disorderly conduct. Apparently he smuggled his way in to the trial, and attempted to seek justice on Pettigrew himself when he determined the court's decision would not be sufficient."

"The court's been adjourned for the day while this mess is sorted out," said Dawlish. "But unfortunately we can't let you return to Lupin's house."

I forced my eyes open. "Why not?"

"Because of everything that went down today," said Ms. Novak bitterly. "You'll be held in Ministry custody for the night, and everything will be re-evaluated tomorrow."

"They can't seriously believe I had anything to do with—"

"No, but the Wizengamot didn't appreciate the sparring with Pettigrew, either," she said tersely. "They're concerned you might try to break free from Mr. Lupin's custody."

I sighed, closing my eyes again. Hestia stopped pressing whatever it was to my head and began to bandage it up. Ms. Novak excused herself out, and shortly thereafter, Dawlish and Kingsley escorted me out of the office and into the depths of the Department of Mysteries. I was handed over to whatever Auror guard was there—I didn't care to try to remember names—and was roughly led to my newest cell.

It was small, just long enough to fit a dirty cot, and the walls were solid stone. There was no window, just a single light that blazed harshly overhead. A cracked sink and commode were squeezed into the corner, and a single drain sat in the middle of the stone floor. I sat down on the stiff cot, amazed that I had managed to get myself locked up again before the trial was even over.

The next morning, my unhappy guard escorted me out of my cell, where I met with Kingsley and Dawlish, both of whom looked mentally drained. We walked to the courtroom in silence, with me wearing my shackles early. Ms. Novak met me in our usual spot, looking completely frazzled.

"It's going to be quick this morning," she informed me. "But afterwards, we're staying here until six o'clock or when the Wizengamot reaches a verdict, whichever comes first."

I frowned. "What if they don't come to a decision?"

"Then we leave at six, come back in the morning and do it all over again," she said. "And you had better behave yourself—I had to pull so many strings to get you permission to return to Lupin's house instead of a cell."

"Thanks," I said, feeling a little guilty.

She sighed, checking her watch. "Start saying your prayers."

It was exactly how Ms. Novak had predicted. The security on my trial had been increased twofold after yesterday's fiasco. When both sides affirmed that there was no further evidence, Madam Bones kicked everyone out so the Wizengamot could deliberate. My usual odd group congregated in the small hallway. Remus was allowed to meet us there this time, which was nice. Kingsley removed my shackles and we waited.

All day.

By six, there was still no word. And the next day was exactly the same. Kingsley and Dawlish took turns napping on the benches, and Ms. Novak removed her high heels as she stretched out, looking bored between bouts of paperwork. Remus and I sat on the floor; occasionally I dozed off, but I would always jerk awake again before I really fell asleep.

Finally, late on the third day, a court official entered our hallway with an envelope. He handed it to Ms. Novak, who looked like she had been on the verge of falling asleep. She got to her feet, still barefoot, and tore open the envelope. The last several times merely stated that the court would need to deliberate further, but judging by the look on Ms. Novak's face, it seemed like a decision had been made.

Remus gave me a tight hug, completely white in the face, before returning to his seat in the courtroom. Kingsley and Dawlish both got to their feet as Ms. Novak replaced her shoes. My shackles were returned, and I was led to the most terrifying ordeal of my life. As I waited in my usual chair between Ms. Novak and Kingsley, I wondered what else I could have done to defend myself. I had been dreading giving testimony, but now I suddenly wished I had another chance at it.

But it was too late for wishful thinking. I had done everything I could, and so did those around me. Now it was just up to the eighty witches and wizards dressed in scarlet and purple robes to decide. Honestly, if it was Azkaban, I think I might ask Kingsley to just blow me up.

I tried not to think about it. But Merlin, was it hard.

The court was called to order. I could feel myself shaking. Even Ms. Novak looked horribly anxious.

"We have heard a great deal of testimony, and have poured over an endless amount of evidence," said Madam Bones seriously. The courtroom was deathly silent, except for the scribes writing furiously away as Madam Bones spoke. "This has been, perhaps, the most complicated case the Wizengamot has deliberated upon in a century. We have had to judge evidence gathered during a time of war, and one of peace. Upon deliberating this case, the Wizengamot has deemed it wise to view the evidence with a critical eye. It has been our task to determine if the evidence presented in the last month is enough to uphold a murder conviction handed out ten years ago."

Madam Bones fixed me with a look I couldn't read before continuing. "Will the defendant and counsel please stand?"

Shakily, I got to my feet. Ms. Novak did the same next to me.

"You have given us a powerful case, Mr. Black," she said. "Never before has the Wizengamot had to deliberate for so long." She pulled a slip of parchment toward her, adjusting her monocle, and read, "On Thursday, October twenty-first, of the year nineteen ninety-one, the full Wizengamot court has heard evidence in the case of Sirius Black, and finds the defendant not guilty of all former charges. Further, the Wizengamot has determined the defendant is entitled to retribution to be paid out in the sum of eighty-two thousand, six hundred Galleons, the equivalent of ten years' income, and an additional two-hundred, forty-thousand Galleons to be paid over the defendant's lifetime."

Madam Bones looked up at me, but I didn't understand a single thing she just said.

"Hey," said a voice next to me. I jumped and turned to see Kingsley attempting to remove the shackles around my wrists. I frowned, sure this wasn't allowed.

"Kingsley, what are you-?"

"You're free," he said, amusement in his tired face as he unlocked the heavy shackles.

"I'm what?"

Madam Bones banged her gavel again. "Did you not understand me the first time, Mr. Black? You're free to go. This court is adjourned."

There was chaos as everyone got to their feet and talked excitedly with their neighbors. I turned to look at Ms. Novak, who looked absolutely elated. She shoved court papers in her briefcase haphazardly and turned to me. "We're due to meet with the Minister after this, but before we head up there, I'm sure your friends will want to see you."

I had heard what Madam Bones said, but it didn't really hit me until I saw Remus a minute later. Without preamble, he threw his arms around me. I returned the tight embrace, starting to fully grasp what had just happened. Not only the court proceeding, but everything else that had led up to this moment. Secret-Keepers, James and Lily's murder, Peter faking his death. It was all finally hitting me.

I had to wipe my eyes on the back of my hand hastily. Dumbledore, dressed in his purple Wizengamot robes, met us on the bottom of the courtroom floor. He took one look at me. "My dear boy," he said, drawing me into an embrace. I was surprised to say the least, but still managed to whisper "Thank you."

When the initial shock had worn off, and Kingsley had removed the enchanted cuff from my wrist, we headed up to the Minister's office.

"I'll take you the back way," Kingsley said. "I'm sure you'd like to avoid as much attention as possible, and the media has completely swarmed the atrium."

We ascended a few floors on a rather dodgy-looking lift, until finally we stopped in a grand hallway with polished wooden floors and several official portraits lining the halls. Kingsley led Remus, Ms. Novak, Dumbledore and myself down the hall, stopping outside a set of double oak doors. "Right through here. He ought to know to anticipate your coming."

"Thank you," said Ms. Novak. She and Dumbledore led the way, leaving Remus and I to exchange glances and follow along behind.

We were in a large office, where an enormous oak desk sat in the middle of the room. On all three walls were sets of double doors, the largest of which read "Minister of Magic." Most interesting was the petrified receptionist who sat at the center desk, staring at the visitors in shock.

"Good evening," said Dumbledore pleasantly. "I believe Cornelius is expecting us."

"Yes, o-one moment," she stuttered, getting to her feet. She rushed over to the set of doors directly behind her and knocked before slipping inside.

"Lovely crown molding," Dumbledore commented off-handedly, looking around the office. "It had more of a French theme with the previous Minister."

The anxious receptionist returned. "Yes, he's ready for you know." Her gaze fell on me for a split second before she forced herself to look away.

I had no idea why I was meeting with the Minister of Magic, and to be honest, I wasn't entirely sure who the Minister was, now. Obviously Millicent Bagnold had left, or she would have insisted on sitting in on my court proceedings. Dumbledore said something about a Cornelius, but that name escaped me.

The office was at least twice the size as the one before it, with the walls and ceiling plastered in official Ministry portraits. A flustered-looking man was sorting through a stack of parchment on his desk. A bowler sat next to a forgotten cup of tea nearby.

"Who in their right mind would send a man to Azkaban without so much as an interrogation?" the short man muttered. I wasn't sure if he was talking to himself or any of us, so I just kept quiet. I felt completely weird standing right in front of the Minister of Magic when I had been locked away in Azkaban just three months before. "Right, right…well, have a seat."

I sat down slowly in the chair nearest me, not sure what to expect.

The man set down the huge stack of parchment, sighing, then turned to his strange company. He glanced over everyone once before his eyes landed on me. "I guess first I'll tell you who I am," he said distractedly, holding out a hand. "Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic."

I took his hand, but didn't reply.

"Er, well, what's first?" Fudge said, turning to look at Dumbledore.

"Perhaps a cup of tea?" Dumbledore suggested.

"Right, right, I'll have Allison set us up with a pot. Excuse me—"

I wasn't sure what I had been expecting, but a short, frazzled man offering tea wasn't it. I looked at Remus, who shrugged. Clearly he was just as lost as me.

Once tea had been poured and everyone properly introduced to each other, Fudge finally sat down and ran a hand over his tired face. "There are a few matters I want to clear up," he began, looking at me. "First, do you have a place to stay?"

"He's been staying with me," Remus said. "And he's welcome to stay as long as he likes."

I gave him an appreciative smile as Fudge nodded. "Good. Okay…er, we'll remove the freeze on your Gringott's vault first thing in the morning, so you should have access to your money by then. And speaking of money, your retribution payments should make their way into your accounts by the end of the month." Fudge took a long sip of tea. "What else? Oh, right—as your wand had been destroyed following your arrest ten years, the Ministry has sent an owl to Ollivander's Wand Shop in Diagon Alley to make arrangements for a new one. At your leisure, you can select a new one at no cost.

"Next," Fudge continued, obviously trying to say everything before he forgot it. "is the matter of your estate. Your flat and all its belongings were repossessed by the landowner, but the property at 12 Grimmauld Place has fallen to you. You should receive all the official documents in a few days' time."

I scoffed at that. Fudge frowned, confused.

"I don't want that house." It was the first thing I had said since entering this office.

"Well, after the death of your Mother Walburga five years ago, the property has passed on to you, so you're welcome to do with it as you please," said Fudge.

"What about Harry?" I asked. "Can I see him?"

There was a brief silence as Fudge stared at me before turning to look at Dumbledore. "I'm sure something can be arranged," said Fudge slowly before turning back to face me. "Do you have any other questions for me?"

"What happens to Peter?"

Fudge looked a little uncomfortable at that. "Er, well, he's currently under investigation. That's really all I can tell you."

I was disappointed by that answer, but at least they didn't let him walk off free.

"Anything else?"

I shrugged. "No, I can't really think of anything."

"Excellent," said Fduge, sounding relieved. "Now, if you want, you're welcome to go about as you please. I would recommend keeping a low profile for a week or two; give the public time to absorb the news. But the Prophet and all manner of journalists are in the atrium, if you'd like to give a word," Fudge added. His tone sounded like he hoped I wouldn't. And that wasn't a problem, because my last intention was to talk to a reporter.

"Oh, one more thing," Fudge added as Remus and I were about to leave. Ms. Novak and Dumbledore were planning on remaining behind to sort through all my legal paperwork. "Please register your Animagus status in the next thirty days, all right? I don't want the Department to start an affair over that."

"Yeah, sure," I said. Wouldn't that be great: newly exonerated mass killer arrested for illegal transformations.

Remus and I walked down the empty corridor together, neither of us speaking. I turned to look at Remus, and saw that he was smiling. "What?"

Remus looked up, shaking his head. "Nothing."

I shoved him lightly in the arm. "It's not nothing, you're smiling like a buffoon—"

"A baboon?" he said, eyebrows raised. "What do they smile like?"

"No, you git, a buffoon."

Remus shrugged. "I was just thinking…you'll get to have a normal life now."

"I'm not so sure normal is the right word," I said hesitantly, pushing the button to summon the lift.

Remus shrugged again. "More normal than it's been since after Harry was born. You can get a job, get the most disgustingly huge house on the market, and go back to seducing women."

I laughed at that. "Yeah, right."

The lift arrived, and clanged noisily up the floors.

Remus turned to look at me once we reached the main floor. "Hagrid still has your old motorbike, you know."

I followed Remus through the hallways. Sure enough, there was a huge crowd of reporters in the main atrium, all congregated around whichever court official was speaking. Not wanting to be noticed, I grabbed Remus's arm and made a beeline for the nearest Fireplace. Before we reached it, however, we were spotted.

"Sirius Black!"

Like a stampede they came rushing over, cameras already flashing.

"Excuse me!" I said hurriedly, dragging Remus to the front of the line of Ministry employees waiting to Floo out. "Pardon us!"

I almost tripped trying to get into the fireplace in my rush, and Remus laughed at me. Behind the line of stunned Ministry workers, I could see the journalists trying to make their way through to us. "Let's go!"

Within seconds, the Ministry swirled away and Remus and I fell out of his fireplace, covered in soot, laughing.

It had been ten years. I was arrested for crimes I didn't commit and spent a third of my life in Azkaban, but I managed to come out clean. I could say that my life had been destroyed by everything that had happened, but James and Lily wouldn't have looked at it that way. And as far as I was concerned, I still owed a debt to them.

First thing in the morning, I would talk to Dumbledore about meeting Harry.

A/N: So that's the last of it. It hasn't been edited, but since this story had been on hiatus for so long I wanted to finish it up. Yay!