Dragon and Wolf
by BecauseIsaidSo
Chapter 10: Free
Sirius sat there, staring at nothing, the last few words still ringing in his ears. "Sirius Black, by the power of this hearing, the Wizengamot has found you innocent." Innocent. The thought struck him as strange, it was not a concept he was used to. He could return to his old life, his old job, his old family- he stopped there. He had no family, not anymore, they were all dead and on the run. His mother had gotten on the stand, her loud booming voice resonating around the courtroom declaring that her son was a disgrace to her family because he was a radical, he had always been disgusted by blood purity, and there was no way that he would ever join such a prolific group as the Death Eaters. His mother had helped but he couldn't help feeling resentful.
The people in the courtroom were all filing out now and he was still sitting in the iron chair, staring at nothing. He could hear as if from far away a woman sobbing, he turned. Mrs. Pettigrew was being led out of the courtroom by a ministry witch. Her son had been found a Death Eater and alive, they had revoked his Order of Merlin and labeled him as a dangerous person - wanted. Sirius stared at Mrs. Pettigrew, not really seeing her, or anything at all through the fog that was his brain. Taking a deep breath and shaking his head to clear it he stood up and almost ran into Amelia Bones. She had a bright smile on her face and was holding out her hand to him.
"Welcome back," she said, as he gingerly took her hand and shook it, not knowing how to feel.
"Thanks," he said, his voice still wheezy and sore from talking.
"So, I wanted to go over some logistical things with you," said Amelia, pulling a stack of parchment from her bag to show him. "This is your official release form," she handed him a piece of parchment, Sirius barely looked at it, "and your statement of deactivation."
"Why do you already have all these?" asked Sirius incredulously.
"I thought you'd get off, so I came prepared!" she said enthusiastically, then continued handing him documents. "This is you're auror license agreement - that needs to be renewed, your Gringots statement, your official hearing notice - hold on to that one, your letter of apology, and with that one comes your holding compensation - that's always fun. Oh, and then here we have your contract of citizenship, your wand-hold agreement, your public and personal statements - don't get those mixed up-"
"Sirius," The gruff voice broke through Amelia's chatter and brought Sirius's eyes up. Remus Lupin stood in front of him, a small smile on his face, looking sweaty and awkward in his old-fashioned dress robes.
"Mooney," croaked Sirius, smiling for the first time since the war had ended, it felt strange but perfectly at home on his face. They stood there staring at each other for a moment, then at the same time spoke.
"Forgive me for-"
"I understand if you-"
They stopped, looking at the other, then started again.
"Whatever you're doing-"
"I don't mean to intrude-"
Amelia started laughing, then Sirius chuckled, Remus joined in and before he knew it, they were embracing. They pulled away, and Remus looked down at him, a large genuine smile stretched across his face.
"How are you?" he asked.
Sirius laughed, "I've never been better." There was silence for a moment then he said, "Forgive me, Remus-"
"Don't," Remus's voice was genuine, "It's forgotten."
Sirius looked at his friend, a weight he didn't know he'd been carrying lifted in his heart. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
"I know," said Remus, smiling. "And you had no way of knowing that I wasn't the spy."
Sirius chuckled, "If only we'd seen it."
"Who could have seen it? Peter was quiet and meek, none of us thought it was him."
Sirius nodded, he knew this, he knew it in his heart, but that didn't make it easier.
"Shall we get lunch?" Remus asked after a moment.
Sirius opened his mouth to answer but Amelia jumped in, "I'm sorry, but he has to be discharged first, and would probably want a shave and a hair cut as his first priorities."
Sirius smiled and watched as Remus exchanged glances with Amelia, "is there any reason I wouldn't be able to accompany him?" he asked.
"Could I come along as well?" said a voice, they all turned and Sirius found himself staring at his beloved cousin.
"Andy!" he stepped forward and embraced her, she squeezed him back.
"I'm glad you're free, cousin," she said smiling at him.
"Me too," said Sirius laughing, "How are Ted and Dora?"
"They're wonderful, though Dora still tries to hide from me. I keep having to dress her in ridiculous outfits just so I wont lose her. But she starts Muggle primary school in the fall and that's very exciting, keeping secrets from every one, you know." She winked and Sirius smiled, it felt strange, life had gone on without him, everyone was getting older and moving just as they had. It was he who had fallen behind, he who had had over half a year of his life taken from him, half a year he wouldn't be getting back. "Well, could I come along?" she asked hesitantly, and Sirius remembered where they were.
"Of course," said Amelia stepping in and sticking out her hand, "Amelia Bones at your service."
"Andromeda Tonks," said Andy slightly taken aback by Amelia's forwardness, and shaking her hand.
"We have to take you up to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to be properly discharged," said Amelia turning to Sirius now. "We can all go up there together, if you like?" There was a general consensus and they started toward the door, "This is your imprisonment survey," said Amelia, starting her litany of documents again, "don't forget to send it back, and your animagus registration form - they'll want to have a meeting with you in a couple of weeks, your personal copy of the trials transcript, the release of your affects…"
With Amelia on one side handing him documents, and Remus and Andy on the other, Sirius didn't feel alone. He had people who loved him, who would look out for him. He held his head high as a wave of relief washed over him. He was innocent. Free.