Each day passed on and the group worked their hardest to try and find Peter. The days seemed to blur by and before they knew it, IT was Thursday night. They were all sleep deprived and anxious for tommorow, no one speaking a word. It was only until the floo chimed that they all snapped out of it. Dumbledore strode into the room, his face looking as lined and weary as ever.
"Nothing?" He asked,
"Nothing." Remus answered back quietly.
"I... I am afraid that without Pettigrew, We have no sufficient evidence." Dumbledore said
"I don't understand" Petunia said, previously unheard. All 5 people looked at her.
"What don't you understand, Petunia?" Lily asked.
"Well, you guys have different ways of getting evidence. You told me about one, a serum or something..."
"Veritaserum." Snape said.
"You see, Petunia. We do have sufficient evidence. Were it someone else who was holding the trial, we could have used Veritaserum, Shown our memories and so on. But since Fudge's mind has been warped by power, He will not listen. The best we can do is show the evidence we have, and hope for the best." Dumbledore said gravely.
All 6 people fell into silence again. It was only broken when Dumbledore spoke again.
"I shall meet you four at the courts, i understand that Petunia and Severus will not be attending, and I would not advise you to attend either..." Dumbledore looked at Snape, his eyes twinkling
The five snorted
"The Trial is at 11. However, i advise that you arrive very early, a couple hours earlier in fact, Fudge is not incapable of dirty work, such as setting the trial a few hours early on short notice." Dumbledore caught James' eyes "I will act as Supreme Mugwump, so i have a bit of power, though, not enough to guarantee anything. Your lawyer will be a good friend of mine and Order member Louis freeman. You know all the other details, I recommend getting a good nights sleep. Goodnight" And with a nod, Dumbledore left.
"Come on, you heard him, off to bed, yes James, you too" Lily said, quite literally dragging James by the collar.
However, no matter how much Lily urged him, he could not go to sleep and at two am, he got up, careful to not awaken a sleeping Lily, and walked up to the cot next to their bed. He looked down at Harry as he slept, His wild hair spread out across the pillow, drool coming out the side of his mouth. James found himself smiling. He looked backwards at Lily, Who had now turned to the other side. James sighed.
"I thought i told you to go to sleep." Lily murmured. James jumped slightly.
"I couldn't" He murmured back. Lily sat up in the bed, he hair poofed up at the back.
"Me neither" She smiled at him. James went and sat next to Lily.
"What do you think would have happened if we had died that night Lily?" He asked
"I expect That Harry would be with Petunia, Because Remus would never had known that Sirius was innocent, he most likely wouldn't be able to adopt him because of his lycanthropy." Lily said, subconsciously stroking James' hair.
"I don't think Harry would have had much fun at the Dursley's either.." James said
"Oh god, he would be shunned, wouldn't he? And i don't expect Sev would have been nice to him as he is now, would he?" Lily muttered.
"No, I don't think so." James yawned
"But we shouldn't focus on what could have been, we're alive, and healthy. And somehow we will get Sirius out of there." Lily said, but as she looked at James, she saw his head tip down as he fell asleep. She smiled to herself. as she too went to sleep.
By the time Lily, James and Harry made their way downstairs, They had just enough time to grab a quick breakfast and after handing HArry to Snape, who took him into his arms precariously and the three flooed over to the Ministry of Magic.
The three walked into the atrium, after getting their wands checked, and headed downstairs to the courtrooms. After getting checked off, they waited until 11 o clock arrived, and as instructed by the squat wizard in front of the door, walked in. They were shocked to see that the seats were all taken up by various wizards and witches, most equipped with a notepad or camera. There was a moment of silence when the three walked in, and then all chaos ensued.
"Mr Potter! What made you think Black was innocent!?"
"Mrs Potter! Do you support your husband fully in this!?"
"Mr Lupin, you were a good friend of Black! Are you a death eater too?"
"Order!" Fudge yelled, but was ignored "ORDER I say!"
"SILENCE" Dumbledore yelled from his seat and silence immediately fell. The reporters all sank back into their seats sheepishly however there were a few clicks of various cameras.
"Follow me" The squat wizard said as he led the three towards a vacant bench right towards the front. It was only occupied by one slightly greying wizard.
"I thought Fudge wasn't going to tell the public about the trial" Lily whispered to James and Remus.
"I guess he thought we wouldn't have Peter." Remus whispered
"He wasn't wrong though, was he?" James whispered back
"Ah, hello. I don't think we've met before, I am Louis Freeman, I will be your lawyer today." He greeted each by turn and all faced forward when Fudge banged his gavel. The doors on the left opened and two dementors glided him, Each holding Sirius by one arm. The cameras immediately went off and Lily gasped as the boys looked on in shock. Sirius looked even worse. His face was gaunt and lifeless and his hair was matted and grimy. His eyes were overshadowed and he looked barely alive.
"Where am I? Why am I here!?" He suddenly cried out. The three had never seen Dumbledore look so angry.
"You didn't tell him he was to be tried!?" He shouted at Fudge.
"W.. we didn't think it necessary.." Fudge stuttered
Lily couldn't help herself. "HOW DARE YOU!?" She yelled. Sirius' head whipped back
"Lily!?" He yelled however he was forced back into place by winding chains.
"That is enough! Defendant to the accused, step up!" He yelled and Louis stood up, and walked to the front. The trial had begun.
10:30
Snape was sitting down next to Harry, looking at his chubby face.
"Well, what do you do for fun then?" He demanded. Harry giggled and slowly got off the couch. He stumbled over to the table and brought back a copy of The Daily Prophet
"Not a bad choice.." Snape said as Harry climbed back onto the couch, using Snape's leg to push himself up. He sat snuggled next to an uncomfortable Snape. Harry immediately squealed when Snape unfolded the paper
"Mummy, Daddy!" He pointed at the pictures on the front page. Snape read the article.
"Petunia!?" He called.
"Yes?" She called back.
"Come see this!" He yelled. Petunia came into the room and Snape held out the newspaper for her to read.
"I thought he wasn't going to tell the public.." she said
"I guess he decided against it at the last minute.." Snape began, but was interrupted by the floo chiming.
"Severus!?" Molly called out. Snape got up and walked to the fire place, Petunia behind him
"This is what you guys were doing, weren't you?"
Molly's face was in the flames and Snape could see that she was holding up The Daily Prophet
"Yes, we didn't tell many people, it was a secret, you could imagine what would happen if it got out." Snape said.
"Yes, I see. Muriel's just cancelled on us. You two leave, I know it wouldn't be good if Sirius saw you but go quickly anyway, you might be needed! Arthur overheard at the ministry that you might need more witnesses and people to testify! Bring Harry and Dudley and go!" Molly said.
Snape got up and picking up Harry and Dudley, flooed over.
"Thankyou so much, Molly." Snape said, handing Harry and Dudley to Molly when a small boy ran into him from the side.
"Sorry sir! Mum! Fred and George won't leave Scabbers alone!" He wailed, thrusting a small rat into Molly's face. Severus could feel his heart freeze as he saw the rat
nine toes
He jumped up and grabbed the rat. He immediately took out a picture from withing his robes and examined both
white marks
blue eyes
brown fur
missing toe
He took out his wand immediately and pointed it at the rat
"Stupefy!"
The struggling rat immediately stopped moving.
"Mummy! The strange man killed Scabbers!" The boy wailed
"What are you doing Severus!?" Molly demanded.
"This is what we have been looking for these past weeks! I need you and whoever found this rat to come with me! Trust me" Molly glanced at him uncertainly
"Come on Percy!" She said. "Arthur!" She called out.
Arthur Weasley came running down the stairs Molly immediately thrust the babies at him.
"We have to go quickly! Floo to the ministry! I'll meet you there!" Snape yelled as he flooed to tell Petunia
10: 58
Two minutes left.
He could still make it.
Hello Readers! Yes, I am very excited for the next few chapters! Please remember to review, favourite and follow. Keep your eyes open for the new chapter! Thanks for all the love!