Chapter 27: The Trial of Sirius Black, Part 1
Fourth Year
It's been one month since fugitive Sirius Black was arrested from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry after his escape from Azkaban last summer. Today, after almost 13 years, Black will stand trial for the murder of James and Lily Potter, Peter Pettigrew, and twelve muggles on the 31st of October 1981. When questioned about the trial, Minister Fudge replied, "This trial is merely a formality to confirm what we already know: Sirius Black is a murderer."
Regardless of the charges, Black's fiancé Tawny Lovegood and godson Harry Potter – James and Lily Potter's son – remain adamant of Black's innocence. Yesterday at the ministry, Lovegood told reporters, "The wizarding world has made Sirius out the be the villain for almost thirteen years. They have believed in the guilt of the wrong man for too long. This trial is the opportunity for the world to finally know the truth."
If not Black, who is this mysterious killer? Luckily for you readers, today we will find out! I'll be sitting in on the trial, giving you all the juicy details about who is the "real" killer? Is it Sirius Black? Or is it someone else? – Rita Skeeter
Sirius crumpled up his copy of the Daily Prophet and threw it across his cell. The last thing he needed was Rita Skeeter and her quick quotes quill listening in on his trial today. At least if he was found guilty, he could find peace in knowing that he didn't have to read her over-exaggerated gossip column in tomorrow's Daily Prophet about how after all this time he really the criminal was everyone believed.
A month ago, when Tawny came to him in the tower at Hogwarts, she begged him to go through with a trial. For some reason, Cornelius Fudge granted him one. Why? He wasn't exactly sure. But he knew that Tawny wouldn't give up until she made one happen. Sirius had stood in that cell wanting with every fiber of his being to make her happy and hope she was right. That hopefully they would have enough evidence to convict Peter instead and set him free...
But, when Harry and Hermione showed up outside his window on the back of a hippogriff, pleading with him to fly away from this madness the thought crossed his mind. He wanted to jump on and escape. He wanted Tawny to understand his fear of this trial. That maybe running away was the only way to save his life. That he would make an effort to see her, so be there for Harry as he continued at Hogwarts. That he could search for Wormtail and bring him to justice eventually.
At the same time, he knew he had left her for too long. That he wanted nothing more than for this madness to be over. That if she was right, he would be free. He wouldn't have to miss any more moments. They could finally get married. They could live the life he promised her almost fourteen years ago. She had waited so long for him. Could he bear to make her wait any longer? Could he wait any longer? He didn't want to. He couldn't. He had to take the risk. So, he sent Harry and Hermione off and agreed to a trial that would either save him or condemn him.
That brought him to his cell at the ministry. Fudge was paranoid that if they sent him back to Azkaban he would somehow flee, again. At the ministry, they could keep a close eye on him. To be fully honest, Sirius couldn't blame him. The thought crossed his mind more than once over the past month.
However, with him being at the ministry, he was allowed, visitors. Well, allowed might not be the correct phrase. It was more like Kingsley and Tonks snuck in Tawny, Remus and Harry to see him occasionally. Those visits kept him going. Tawny would come in and update him on the witness lists, and evidence that she had fine-tuned with Dumbledore. She would also bring snacks and have them a picnic. Well, a picnic separated by cell bars, but still a picnic. It reminded him of him bringing her lunch/dinner at Mungo's
Harry would come in and talk to him about quidditch and Hogwarts. He even brought the Marauder's map with him one time and Sirius walked him through all the secret corridors and the best ways to sneak around the castle. Yes, Remus had given the map back to him. The moment that Harry mentioned wanting to show it to Sirius, Remus gave in. How could he deny the man a potentially last look at one of his most prized creations?
Remus came a few times to talk about old memories and fill Sirius in on everything he had missed. He recapped birthdays and pranks he and Tawny still pulled on each other. He talked about her being there for him during the full moons and their weekly dinners while he was away. Sirius couldn't help but feel that the two of them had grown overly close... he feared maybe their friendship had become more than just co-parents. But Remus put his worries to bed, reassuring him that Tawny had only ever loved him.
Sirius looked up as the chamber door creaked open to see Kingsley and Tawny entering the dungeon. "It's time," Kingsley announced, approaching Sirius' cell.
"Alright," Sirius replied, swallowing hard. With a flick of Kingsley's wand, the cell swung wide open. "This is it."
"Just think, in a few hours this will all be over, and you can finally come home," Tawny said, taking both his hands in hers. Her eyes were beaming with hope. Sirius tried to mimic her smile, but he didn't think he could be as positive as her at this moment.
"Kingsley, can you give us a minute?" Sirius asked.
"Be quick. We don't have long." Kingsley replied, heading towards the door.
"Tawny," Sirius began, cupping Tawny's face in his hands, "if this doesn't go my way-"
"Don't say that! You're going to win; they have to see that."
"If this doesn't go my way, remember that I love you."
"Tell me that when you're free," Tawny said, throwing her arms around his neck. Sirius responded, wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and burying his head in her shoulder. He wished more than anything he could freeze this moment in time and never had to let her go. This moment, right here, could be the last time he ever held her. Letting go might be the hardest thing he would ever have to do. "This has to go your way, Sirius. I can't lose you again."
Sirius pulled back just far enough to look into Tawny's eyes, now brimming with tears. "You'll never really lose me, Tawn. I'll always be with you. Until the very end." Bringing her as close as he could, Sirius kissed her deeply, hoping – begging – this wouldn't be the last time he ever got the chance to.
"I love you, Sirius."
"I love you too, Tawny." Their moment was broken up by Kingsley, knocking on the chamber door, signaling their time was up. "Let's finish this."
...
As Sirius entered the courtroom, all he could see was the rows upon rows of Wizengamot members, staring coldly at him. The trial hadn't even begun, and he knew he was going to be convicted from the looks on their faces. In the middle of them, sitting high up at his podium was Minister Fudge. He glared smugly at Sirius as he made his way to his seat in the center of the room.
In the corner, sitting in the mostly empty spectator stands was Rita Skeeter. Her quick-quotes-quill was already fluttering all over her parchment pad as she whispered comments about his arrival. Fudge had agreed this was to be a private trial, cutting off the public access to witness his eventual demise. Unfortunately for him, Rita Skeeter had wormed her way into the courtroom. How? Most likely with dirt she had on Fudge.
Waiting for him in the center of the room was Albus Dumbledore, his counsel. His periwinkle robes contrasted the dark, cold atmosphere of the courtroom. "Welcome, Sirius." Sirius nodded and took a seat next to Albus as Kingsley fastened his chains to the chair. Looking directly above him, Sirius saw a sea of dementors floating high above him, trapped by a barrier charm, waiting to attack. Which one would ever be so lucky to get the opportunity to kiss him one last time? He'd find out soon enough.
As Kingsley fastened his last shackle he stopped and whispered, "Good luck, Sirius."
"Thanks, mate," Sirius replied right before the auror patted him on the shoulder and swept out of the room without even a look at the minister or the Wizengamot.
"Now that Mr. Black has finally arrived, we may begin." Fudge's voice rang out across the chamber. "The charges against Mr. Black are conspiracy to murder James, Lily, and Harry Potter; the murders of Peter Pettigrew and twelve muggles on the night of the 31st of October, 1981; conspiracy to aid He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named in his quest to control the wizarding world; fleeing Azkaban; breaking into the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; endangerment of young witches and wizards. Mr. Black, how to do plead?"
Had the charges increased since his conviction... it seemed so. "N-not guilty, sir."
"Very well. Mr. Dumbledore, I see you have elected to defend Mr. Black?"
"I have, Minister."
"You may begin with your opening statement."
"Thank you. Minister, Undersecretary Umbridge, wizards and witches of the Wizengamot, I am here today to tell you of the story of Sirius Black. For the past thirteen years, Sirius Black has been declared a murderer in the eyes of the wizarding world. That is only because on the night the 31st of October 1981 Mr. Black was taken into custody by the minister of magic and convicted on the conspiracy and murder charges that the Minister just read. However, had Mr. Black been given that trial all those years ago, he would have been cleared. For Mr. Black is not a murderer the world perceives him to be. As I call witnesses today, their testimonies and memories will sway your preconceived opinion of Sirius Black. Instead of a murderer, you see a concerned best friend and godfather. Instead of a death eater, you will see a proud member of the Order of the Phoenix. Instead of a criminal, you will see a young man just fighting for the freedom he so desperately deserves."
Rita Skeeter was hanging on to every word, completely enthralled with Dumbledore's speech.
"Are you finished?" Fudge asked, rolling his eyes.
"Yes, Minister."
"Then call your first witness." The sass. Sirius couldn't help but wonder if Fudge was even taking this trial seriously. Regardless of what his witnesses claimed there would be no convincing him. Sirius could only hope the other members of the Wizengamot were more open-minded than the minister.
"I will begin by calling Tawny Lovegood." Tawny. Yes, of course, that would be Dumbledore's first choice, Sirius thought. Starting off strong.
Upon hearing Tawny's name, the heavy door of the chamber pushed open and Tawny walked into the room. Dumbledore took a handkerchief from his pocket and immediately transfigured it into a chair that sat right next to Sirius's. He then extended a hand to Tawny and guided her to her seat.
"Ms. Lovegood, thank you for joining us today."
"Of course. I wouldn't miss this." She said, looking over to Sirius. She flashed him a sweet smile, making Sirius's heart warm in this cold room looming with dementors and death stares.
"Ms. Lovegood, how do you know Sirius Black?"
"He's my fiancé. Has been for nearly fourteen years."
"Even when Sirius was in Azkaban, you still proclaimed he was your fiancé. Why would you declare an alleged murderer as your fiancé?"
"Because I knew he was innocent. I still do. Sirius isn't capable of committing such crimes."
"Why not?"
"James and Lily were two of his best friends in the world. James was more of a brother to him than his own brother ever was. Hurting James would have been hurting his family. Lily and Harry became his family too. Hurting them wouldn't have been an option."
"Ah-hem." Came a cough from above. Sirius looked up to see Undersecretary Umbridge raising her hand, attempting to speak.
"Yes, Ms. Umbridge?" Dumbledore asked.
"May I ask a question?"
"You may."
"You and Mr. Black were not always as close as you are now, correct?"
"Well yes, but that was ages ago. Sirius and I have moved way past that."
"Ah, yes, that is what it seems. I have a record of your visits to the hospital wing at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry ranging from your first-third year there." She paused briefly, holding them up for everyone to see. "The reports specifically claim that you, yourself stated that Mr. Black put you there. Specifically, an incident where Mr. Black gave you a cursed candy that made you vomit slugs. Is that correct?"
"Yes, but I sent him to the hospital wing too. We had an ongoing prank war for years. Going to the hospital wing was just a consequence of a good prank. Besides, those visits stopped by the third year. We moved on."
"Yes, why the third year? Did your so-called 'prank war' end?"
"No, we continued the prank war. The hospital visits stopped because Lily talked to Sirius about my persistent vomiting and made it clear that he should stop giving such vicious pranks. I agreed to stop them as well."
"When you say, Ms. Potter 'made it clear' do you mean that she threatened Mr. Black?"
"I wouldn't call it a threat. I was more of a mutual understanding."
"Do you believe that Sirius Black could have been thrown by said threat, giving him a disdain for Lily Potter or a hatred?"
"Over that? No, of course not. Sirius and Lily grew to become friends, just like Sirius and I did. That all became water under the bridge a few years later."
"Are you sure? Because to me, a threat like that could cause a deep distrust between people. She was only trying to protect you, correct? Maybe Lily thought that Mr. Black was no good for you, Ms. Lovegood. Mr. Black might have turned the Potter's over to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named because of his hatred for Lily."
Rita Skeeter's quill was moving faster than ever before. Sirius could have sworn his heartbeat would stay in sync with her quill for the remainder of the trial.
"Lily encouraged Sirius and I getting together. She came to both of us, begging to know our feelings. Her advice helped Sirius and I decided to give us a shot. She is part of the reason we are together. Why would Sirius hate her after all that?"
"Ms. Umbridge, I think it is time I resume questioning Ms. Lovegood." Umbridge, sighed but Sirius could tell that wouldn't be her only outburst in the trial. If she kept putting accusations like him hating Lily in heads of the Wizengamot, Sirius may not stand a chance.
"Ms. Lovegood," Dumbledore began again. "When Lord Voldemort targeted the Potter's, how did Mr. Black react?"
"He was terrified. We all were. James and Lily were two of our best friends in the world and Harry is our godson. We were so scared of losing them. Sirius went to James and Lily and suggested putting a fidelus charm on the house to keep them safe."
"Yes, I was there at that meeting. The Potters elected Sirius to be their secret keeper."
"At first, yes. They trusted Sirius more than anyone. But after talking to me later that evening, Sirius decided they needed to change the secret keeper. That it would be too risky for them to choose him."
"And why is that?"
"Let me tell you."
Fall, 1981
"Did you talk to James and Lily about putting a fidelus on their house at Godric's Hollow?" Tawny asked, passing Sirius the salad bowl.
"They agreed it was a smart idea. They want me to be their secret keeper."
"Of course. I can't think of anyone better for the job, you know, besides me." Tawny said with a wink.
"I thought that too at first... since I've been home and thinking about it, I'm not so sure," Sirius said, setting the salad bowl down without putting any on his empty plate.
"Why? You would never betray James and Lily. You love them too much."
"Voldemort finds out that James and Lily are hiding under a fidelus the first person he'll assume is their secret keeper is me. I can handle any torture that he and his death eaters can throw at me. You know it. You know I would rather die than give them up."
"Then what's the problem?" Tawny asked, clearly confused.
"The problem is it's not just me they can get to. I have to think about you. I almost lost you a couple of months back because death eaters attacked St. Mungo's. What happens if they take you and threaten to torture or kill you in exchange for James and Lily's whereabouts?" Sirius said, with his eyes glassing over. Tawny reached across the dining table, taking Sirius's hands in hers.
"You don't give in to their demands. You keep the secret and save James, Lily, and Harry." Standing up for the people she loves is one of the things Sirius loved most about Tawny. But he knew It could easily get her killed as well. He couldn't bear the thought of losing her. He thought it might break him.
"I don't know if I can do that, Tawn! I love you! I love you more than anything in this world. I would give anything to keep you safe. I don't want to be in a position where I have to choose between you and them. I... I don't want to choose you and they die. And if I choose them then I lose you. I... I can't lose any of you." A single tear glided down Sirius's cheek before he quickly swatted it away.
"If not you, then who? Remus?"
"I... I'm not so sure about trusting Remus with this either." The confusion showed on Tawny's face once more.
"Sirius, Remus would never give up James and Lily. You know that."
"Yes, deep down I know that. But it's not just Remus. It's wolf Remus too."
"Oh, come on, you don't want to trust Remus with this because he's a werewolf?"
"No, of course not. I don't care that he's a werewolf. What I'm worried about is Greyback. What happens if Greyback comes and uses his alpha connection to bend Remus to his will. Remus wouldn't have any choice but to give them up. I don't want to put him in that position. He'll never forgive himself." Sirius knew that if Remus was to give them up, he would end up in a never-ending and unforgiving spiral of guilt. He'd never be okay again.
"I'm not exactly sure that's how that works, but I see your point. If not you or me, and not Remus then who?"
"I know this sounds ridiculous, but I think they should choose Wormtail."
"Peter?" Tawny laughed. "You can't be serious."
"First off, I am always Sirius. Second, I mean it. Tawny Peter is the only person we trust that absolutely no one would expect to be their secret keeper. Think about it. Would you think to put Wormtail in charge of your fidelus charm?"
"No, of course not. I would probably choose Lily."
"See! No one will ever suspect Peter. He has to be the perfect choice. James and Lily trust Wormy. He can do this. And we can all come out of this alive. Do I sound crazy, or does all of this nonsense actually make sense? Will this really keep them safe?"
"As much as it pains me to hand over the fidelus to Peter, I think it is a good call, Sirius." Sirius sighed in relief, feeling the weight off his shoulders for the first time since he stepped into the house this evening. "I guess you can write to Dumbledore and James and tell them about the change of plans."
"Not Dumbledore. I can't risk his owl getting intercepted. If a death eater got their hands on this information making Peter secret keeper will all be for nothing. I'll write to Peter and tell him to meet me here and we'll go see James and Lily tomorrow to cast the spell. No one will intercept his owls, only Dumbledore's."
"I hope this works," Tawny said, squeezing Sirius's hand tightly.
"Me too."
"So, in other words. Sirius was too worried about risking your life as well as James, Lily and Harry's lives by being the obvious choice for the secret keeper. Instead, it was his idea to make Peter Pettigrew the Potter's secret keeper." Dumbledore clarified.
"Yes, headmaster. Sirius thought that would be the safest move. Unfortunately, he didn't see Peter's betrayal coming. None of us did."
"Ah, yes. Blame the murder on a defenseless dead man." Fudge groaned from his seat.
"He's not dead, Minister. Peter Pettigrew is still alive. The night that Sirius confronted Peter about his choice to hand over James and Lily, Peter planned everything out. He tricked Sirius and loudly accused him of murder in front of the muggles and other witnesses. He then set off an explosion that killed the twelve muggles, cut off his own finger and faked his death by transfiguring into his animagus form, a rat, and fleeing. Leaving Sirius there to take the fall for everything. Peter Pettigrew Framed Sirius Black."
"We have no records of Mr. Pettigrew being an animagus," Umbridge spoke up again.
"That's because he was an unregistered animagus. He because on when he was back at school." Tawny looked over at Sirius as if asking for permission to reveal his secret. Sirius, hoping the revelation would help him rather than condemn him nodded yes.
"He became an animagus alongside James and Sirius to help Remus control his urges during the full moon. Peter was a rat, James a stag, and Sirius a dog."
"You're saying that Mr. Black is an unregistered animagus as well? I guess we should add that to the list of charges." Fudge said, scribbling on a piece of parchment with a quill.
"Yes, but this isn't about Sirius. It's about Peter. Peter used his animagus form to escape. Last summer when the Weasley family won their vacation to Egypt, they had their picture taken on the front page of the prophet. In that picture, Peter was resting on Ron Weasley's shoulder. Sirius saw that and knew that Peter had been living as the Weasley family's pet rat for so long and that he was in close proximity to Harry, Sirius's only grandson, and only living connection to his long-lost best friend. So, he broke out of Azkaban to find Peter and save Harry's life."
"Ms. Lovegood, please tell the Minister and the Wizengamot about how you know this information."
"The night Sirius was arrested at Hogwarts, Sirius, Remus and I got Peter to confess to everything. I have a memory of the events of that night that I would like to share with you all."
Dumbledore swept across the room to pick up the pensive. He had brought the one from his office all the way to the ministry just for this. For the memory that Sirius hoped would give the Wizengamot enough clarity to acquit him.
"Ms. Lovegood, may I?" Tawny nodded as Dumbledore held his wand to her head, and with a quick spell elicited a wispy white memory from it. He placed it carefully into the pensive as the liquid started to spin quickly to form the memory.
"What are we supposed to do Albus, go one by one to see this memory? We don't have all day."
"Not at all, Minister. I have been working on a projection spell with a colleague of mine in hopes that would make memories viewable for an audience of more than a few people."
With a few waves of his wand, the liquid evaporated out of the pensive, spreading around the room. They then began to knit back together to form the image of the shrieking shack. Just like that the memory took them inside the bedroom, right after Harry, Hermione and Ron had all stunned Snape. Oh, Sirius would have loved to have seen that memory again, but he felt Tawny made the right call that the minutes leading up to it were best left out of view from the Wizengamot.
"Show me! I probably just earned detentions for the rest of my days at Hogwarts for that. So, show me. Prove to me that you aren't lying about this. Prove to me that the man I have heard endless stories about isn't the killer everyone says he is. Prove to me that Scabbers is Peter Pettigrew." Harry's voice rang over the room as he begged to know more about Scabbers/Peter.
"Harry – It's Scabbers! Of course, it's not Pettigrew! He's been in my family for-"
"12 years," Remus said, as Sirius untied his binds. "That's quite a long time for a rat, Ron," Remus added.
"I take care of him!"
"It doesn't look like it," Sirius added. "Look how thin he is. Probably due to the stress of knowing I was after him. He's been evading me for months, faking his death, and trying to flee the castle."
"He's just a rat!"
"Let us perform a spell then. If he's really a rat, it won't hurt him." Tawny pleaded, walking over to Ron, who was holding the squealing rat as close to his chest as possible. "Please, Ron." Sirius watched as the Wizengamot were hanging onto every word. They didn't have to be sucked into the pensive to be sucked into the memory.
"Hand him over, Ron," Harry said sternly, adamant on finding out the truth. "It won't hurt him?" He asked Tawny.
"Not a bit," Tawny promised. With a sigh, Ron held out the rat. Tawny had grabbed him by his tail, gripping it tightly so it wouldn't slip from her grasp. She returned to her spot by Remus and Sirius, holding the squirming rat out in front of her.
"Together?" Sirius asked.
"On three." Remus nodded. "One – two – THREE!" A jet of bright blue light shot out of Tawny, Sirius, and Remus's wands. With a flash, in the center of the three, the grey rat dropped from Tawny's grasp and began to shake and grow, transforming back into a human. The members of the Wizengamot let out a gasp as they watched Peter transform right in front of their eyes. Even Undersecretary Umbridge help her mouth ajar at the discovery.
"Hello, Peter." Remus began, smirking at his old friend. "It's been too long."
"R-Remus... S-Sirius... T-Tawny... my friends..." Peter reached out to Tawny, but Sirius swatted his hand away.
Sirius remembered this next part. Oh, he knew this was where it was going to make him look bad for a minute. Be he hoped they could look past the anger to see Peter's confession. "Don't you dare touch her, Wormtail."
"So, it's true... Everything you've ever told me..." Harry said, his tone relaying his shock.
"Harry, darling, we wouldn't lie to you about that," Tawny said softly.
"Y-you don't believe them, do you? P-Please, he tried to kill me. I barely escaped with my life!" Peter panicked.
"You shouldn't have." Sirius seethed. Umbridge and the Minister wore smiles seeing Peter beg Sirius, this part of the memory was giving them everything they needed to convict him. Just a little bit longer and they could see the truth.
"See! He tried to kill me then, and he's going to do it now! I had to hide! I knew he would come after me!"
"You knew Sirius was going to break out of Azkaban when no one has done it before?" Remus questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"He-he's got dark magic!"
"Save it Wormtail. Tell Harry the truth! Tell him how you were a spy for Voldemort!" Peter shivered at Sirius's words. "What's wrong, afraid to hear your old master's name? The master you served for a year before you betrayed James and Lily! The moment you became James and Lily's secret keeper you sold them out! You handed them directly to Lord Voldemort you spineless piece of filth!"
"I had to!" Pettigrew squeaked, tightening into a ball to protect himself from an enraged Sirius. "He – he was taking over everywhere! He was going to find them regardless. If I didn't help him, he would have killed me too, Sirius!" Here it was, the moment that Sirius could feel the energy in the room change. Peter's confession... this is exactly what he needed.
"THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED! DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY YOUR FRIENDS, JUST AS ANY ONE OF US WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!" Sirius was standing over Peter, his wand forced under Peter's chin. Peter was wailing, his whole body shaking as tears streamed down his face.
"I'm so s-sorry, Sirius!"
"Sorry does not bring back James and Lily! Sorry does resurrect those muggles who you obliterated in order to frame me! SORRY DOES NOT CHANGE ANYTHING!"
"If – if I could take it back, I would!"
"You've already admitted you killed them, there is no use in lying anymore, Wormtail! You latch on to the strongest, most powerful people. When James, Remus, and I weren't strong enough for you anymore you moved on to Voldemort. You would betray anyone to save your skin. You wouldn't change a single thing about that night, and you know it!"
"I – I just wanted to make it out of the war alive..."
"You may have survived the war, but you won't survive tonight." Sirius finished, stepping back to fully raise his wand. If it was possible, Peter curled up even tighter, clenching his eyes shut as he choked on his tears. Tension began to rise in the room once more as they watched Sirius get ready to kill Peter. Sirius begged for Memory Tawny to hurry up and stop him. He needed everyone to see that he didn't actually go through with it. He made the right choice... in the end.
"No!" For the second time that night, Tawny had jumped in front of a wand. This time, her fiancé's. Without a second thought, Sirius lowered his wand. "You can't kill him." A sigh of relief swept over every person in that room, even the Minister. Not that Sirius could ever get the Minister to admit that.
"Oh, Tawny, thank you!" Peter cried, grabbing on to Tawny's legs.
"Peter, touch me again and your finger is not the only appendage you'll be missing." Peter gulped and crawled back. "I can't let you kill him, Sirius."
"Do you know what he's done to us? He deserves to die!"
"Do you not think I want that? Believe me, Sirius I would love for you to kill him. You're right. What he has done to us, to James and Lily, to Harry... He does deserve death."
"Then why should I spare him? Give me a reason."
"Me. I'm the only reason you need." Sirius froze for a moment, clearly not expecting that to be her response.
"You keep saying that Peter is the reason you lost everything. Yes, you lost Lily and James. Yes, you lost the ability to raise one hell of a godson. But you didn't lose me. I have never, for a second, given up on you Sirius. So, don't you dare give up on me. Peter deserves to die, but his testimony can save you. You will finally have proof that Peter was the one that betrayed James and Lily, that he killed those muggles. If he's dead, he can't tell all that to the ministry. If you kill him tonight, any chance of you coming home to me dies with him."
"Would he really testify?'
"He will testify, even if that means I have to personally pour the veritaserum down his throat. Your name will be cleared. You can come home. And instead of you being kissed by the dementors, it will be him." Peter whimpered behind her, scanning the room hoping for an exit. Unfortunately for him, Remus's eyes were glued to him, and his wand (as well as Harry, Ron, and Hermione's) was ready for any of Peter's sudden movements.
"If you're not going to spare him for yourself, do it for me. Do it for Remus to have one of his best friends back. Do it so that you can finally help raise Harry like you should have been able to do before. Do it so we can have the life together we were supposed to have already started twelve years ago." Stepping away from Peter, she reached forward to take Sirius's hand. This time, she spoke more softly than before. "Please, Sirius. Let's take him to Dumbledore." Sirius was silent, just staring down at his and Tawny's intertwined hands.
"Sirius," Harry said, stepping forward. Sirius looked up, staring at the boy who so closely resembled his father. "My dad wouldn't want his best friend to become a killer just for Peter. Do it for my dad."
That was the final thing they needed to convince him. "Okay, we'll take him to Dumbledore." He sighed. "Tie him up, Moony."
"My pleasure, Padfoot." Watching the exchange all over again he couldn't help but thank Tawny all over again. She might have saved Peter, but she also saved Sirius with one conversation. That was one of the things he loved about her: her ability to say all the right things.
Just like that the memory shifted, there they were walking about of the tunnel of the Whomping Willow, making their way across the grounds. This is where it all went to hell.
The group had barely made it out of range of the Whomping willow as the clouds rolled away, reviling the shining bright full moon. Immediately Remus stopped in his tracks.
Tawny and Sirius looked up at the moon, and back to one another, the realization hitting them at the exact same moment. "Oh no."
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, seeing the panic on his godparents' faces.
"Harry, Hermione back up very slowly... Ron, don't move." Tawny said, not taking her eyes off Remus.
Before her eyes, she watched as Remus shrieked in pain as every bone in his body began to crack and shift. With a particularly loud pop, he fell to the ground, taking Peter and Ron down with him onto the grass. Remus back began to arch, and his painful cry transformed into a deep howl.
The Wizengamot filled with terror watching the memory ahead of them. Unlike Sirius, most of them had never watched a werewolf transform in front of their eyes. He knew all they could see was the danger ahead of them. What they really needed to be watching was Peter.
"Reducto!" Tawny cried, breaking off Remus's shackles from Ron's and Peter's. The breaking of the chains only made the transforming wolf angrier as he shifted his focus to Ron and Peter.
"Tawny," Sirius said, grasping both of her hands in his. "Take the kids to the castle. I'll handle Remus."
"No, you can't take him on alone!"
"This wouldn't be the first time, remember? Now, go!"
Sirius immediately dropped both of her hands and leaped towards Remus, transforming into Padfoot mid-air. Padfoot tackled Remus, wrestling him away from Ron and Pettigrew.
Ron jumped back in fear, tugging a struggling Pettigrew with him. Pettigrew eager to escape, began kicking at his ankle shackles, doing whatever he could pull away from the restraints including fighting off an already badly hurt Ron.
Tawny froze, feeling as if everything was in slow motion before her eyes. Remus and Sirius fighting one another in a series of slashing and growling, tumbling over one another towards the forbidden forest. Ron fighting to keep Peter from trying to escape, and Harry and Hermione trying to keep Snape from floating off, still under the levitation charm.
Five minutes ago, everything was fine. All her problems were about to be solved; the future was so bright. Now... pure and utter chaos. She was so lost in the moment that the only thing that alerted her was Ron's scream. Breaking free of her thoughts she saw Peter punch Ron square in the stomach, and lunge forward in the grass. In his shriveled little hand, Remus's fallen wand.
Instantly she realized what was happening. "No!" Tawny yelled as she dove after Peter. But it was too late. She landed on the ground, her hands just brushing his wormlike tail as he darted out of her reach and disappeared into the tall grass. Not only had Peter disappeared, but so had his confession.
Once again Sirius looked up at the faces of the members of the Wizengamot. Many of them wore terrified looks and their hands over their chests in hopes to calm their heartbeats. This was it. They were seeing the whole story. One moment they're going to turn in Peter, the next he's fleeing off into the night.
"Tawny, help!" Hermione cried, catching Tawny's attention. The memory faded out slowly, letting everyone listen to Tawny's healing spell until the memory fully returned to the pensive.
"Well, that proved nothing." The minister said, causing Tawny to respond with "WHAT?" Not only did Sirius's jaw drop as the minister's comment, but the Wizengamot's faces all bore similar confused looks as they awaited an explanation.
"Cornelius – I mean, Minister – that was exactly the proof you needed. Peter Pettigrew confessed to trading the location of the Potters in exchange for his life. He admitted to killing the muggles and framing Sirius. Also, his mere presence proves that Sirius Black did not kill him thirteen years ago as we all previously believed. This proves Sirius's innocence."
"All the memory proved was that Pettigrew confessed, under duress. Please, Dumbledore you saw the memory. Pettigrew confessed while being held at wand point by Black and Lovegood. At that point, Pettigrew would have said anything to save his life. Black would have killed him if it wasn't for Lovegood."
"When we first transfigured Peter back he was lying. He kept saying that he didn't kill anyone. That part was him trying to save his life. But then he confessed. After we yelled and showed him how horrible of a friend he was, he confessed to helping Voldemort. He admitted to it. Felt remorse for it. We didn't make him say anything that wasn't true. He is the one responsible, not Sirius." Tawny claimed, doing her best to set the record straight.
"It was your memory, Lovegood. Not Pettigrew's. You don't actually know what he meant."
"You are being ridiculous! We wouldn't have even needed the memory if he hadn't escaped. You could have had him sit right where I am and confess to everything live, right in front of your eyes."
"And for all I know you could have coerced him into saying whatever you wanted to fit your narrative. You, Ms. Lovegood, are either so blinded by your love for Sirius Black that you don't see that he is a murderer, or you have been working with him this entire time." No, no, no, no, no, no. Everything was going wrong. The minister's take on the memory was ruining everything. Sirius could feel the dynamic in the room shift as Fudge blamed Tawny. The Wizengamot's faces went from certain of his innocence to no longer so sure. They were being swayed but Fudge... Sirius could feel it. And the whole time, Sirius could spot Dolores Umbridge giving watching the exchange with an evil smirk.
"Are you accusing me of being an agent of the Dark Lord? Are you accusing me of taking part in killing my best friend?" Sirius could tell Tawny was enraged now. He hadn't seen her this mad since their sixth year when she discovered Remus's secret.
"Yes, I am. The only reason to believe Pettigrew's testimony is if he was here and prepped by ministry personnel. Not you or Black."
"If you would prefer to ask Mr. Pettigrew directly Minister, then may I suggest we put these proceedings on hold until he can be located," Dumbledore said, breaking up the fight between Tawny and the Minister.
"No! I told you Black gets one day! One day ONLY! We are not putting this trial on hold so that you can stand up here and continue to try and make a mockery of me when we already know that Black is guilty!"
"Minister, the point of this trial is to present the evidence. If you cannot be impartial and review the evidence of this case before determining your position, then I believe it would be in the best interest of this court for you to excuse yourself."
"Excuse myself? I AM THE MINISTER FOR MAGIC!"
"And I am seeking justice for James and Lily Potter. Are you, Minister?" At that moment Sirius swore that smoke was about to start fuming for Fudge's ears as it would in a muggle cartoon.
Forcing himself to stay calm, Fudge replied, "We will not pause this trial to wait on Mr. Pettigrew. Whether the members of the Wizengamot will choose to believe Mr. Pettigrew's confession or not will be determined by them individually. We will proceed with this trial. Ms. Lovegood, you are excused."
"But I'm not done!" Tawny yelled, standing up from her seat.
"Shacklebolt get her out of here!" The minister ordered, summoning Kingsley. Kingsley came immediately and began to push Tawny from the room.
"Let go of me Kingsley, I have more to say!" But Kingsley was too strong to stop her and made more progress towards the chamber door. "Sirius! Sirius this isn't over! Don't give up!" She cried as Kingsley shut the door behind them.
But Sirius could help but feel that if Tawny's memory couldn't save him. What other evidence was Dumbledore going to bring forward that could? For the first time, he really felt that all hope might be lost...
