The Greengrass house was massive. It could have covered at least half a dozen houses on Privet Drive, and the ceiling was at least two regular house storeys tall. Calla gaped up at it, eyes catching on a gleaming chandelier light. Tapestries hung along the wall, all of them seeming to be alive with colour.
"Come on," Daphne said, grabbing Calla's hand. She tore her gaze away from a tapestry of Merlin and Morgana locked in combat. "You've got the room next to me and Harry's across the hall, if that's alright."
"Yeah," Calla said weakly, following Daphne into the next room, which was even larger than the first. Light bound in through the stained glass windows, shades and tints of green and pink and purple and blue. Everything in this house seemed massive, alive with magic.
"Woah," Harry whispered to her. "Did you know her house was this big?"
"No," Calla told him faintly, turning up a very grand staircase. "No, I didn't."
"You're in here," Daphne said, nudging open a door into a very large room - at least four times the size of their room with the Dursleys - with a massive four poster bed, a polished desk and chest of drawers, and its own bathroom. Calla stared at it.
"Really?"
"It is alright, isn't it?" Daphne asked, looking worried.
"No, yeah, of course, it's - it's really nice, Daphne. Thank you."
"Brilliant." She grinned. "I'll show Harry his room and you can settle in. Come find me when you're ready, I'm just in the next room."
Despite Daphne's best efforts to take Calla's mind off things by giving her a grand tour of the house and every single portrait within it, now Calla was away from Privet Drive it was like she thought about things even more. She didn't know where Pettigrew was and she was worried, and on the night before the trial, another vision came to her in a dream. A dark forest, and red light, a woman's voice screaming. Her voice drifted in a hoarse, terrified way, like the words were being dragged out of her. They were mixed up in Calla's mind, but they spoke of an escapee from Azkaban, still alive... And she heard Voldemort's voice. "He will be vital to our plan."
Then she caught a glimpse of the woman's terrified, broken eyes, and the world spun away into black again.
The morning of the trial dawned spitting on rain. "We'll Floo into the Ministry," said Mr Greengrass over breakfast, reading the Daily Prophet. "Lupin says he'll meet us there."
"Thanks," Calla said quietly, spooning scrambled eggs into her mouth. She felt very, very queasy. They had a strong case, but anything could happen. And Pettigrew was still loose, and without him it might not be enough, she didn't know how Wizards worked things out, and even then... She tried not to think about the prospect of Voldemort returning. One thing at a time; neither she nor Harry could afford to be distracted today. She had debated briefly telling him about last night's vision, but didn't want to think about it anymore than she wanted to right now. She doubted she could do anything about it anyway; it wasn't like she'd managed to stop Pettigrew escaping, no matter how much she'd tried. It was like fate just wanted to tease her.
"I'm sure it'll rule not guilty," Daphne said, delicately slicing her bacon, as she broke Calla's drifting thoughts. "Fudge is testifying, isn't he?"
"We don't have evidence other than words and a confession from Pettigrew," Calla said glumly. "Not really."
"We have the picture of the map," Daphne reminded her. "And your dot's on it, too, to prove it's the correct sort of time."
"Even then," Calla said, stomach twisting. She pushed her plate away. "I don't know what will happen."
"No one knows what will happen today, Calla," said Mr Greengrass smoothly, folding up his paper. "Technically I can't tell you my position on the matter-"
"I can," Astoria said.
"-but I can tell you to have faith. Be strong and confident in what you say, keep strictly to the truth, don't omit anything, and you need to hope that your evidence and testimony is enough."
"It has to be," Harry said, scuffing his feet under the table.
"If you're finished with breakfast then you ought to get ready," Mrs Greengrass told Calla. "It will be a very intense day today, for all of you."
"Mum's right," Daphne said, getting up. Calla and Harry followed quickly. "What time will we come back down for?"
"Half past nine," Mr Greengrass said. "Then we'll head off."
The whole time Calla got ready she felt like she was going to throw up, and she knew Harry felt the same. At twenty past nine she knocked on his door, and he opened it looking queasy and nervous. "Do you really think he'll get off?" Harry asked.
"He has to," said Calla confidently. "He's innocent."
Harry bit his lip. "If only Pettigrew hadn't gotten away..."
"His confession's already been heard by Fudge," Calla reminded him. "And he's been seen by the Head of the Department for Magical Law Enforcement. That has to count for something. He'll be okay." She really hoped so, anyway. "We just have to do our best."
"Yeah." Harry shook his head. "We should get downstairs. If we're late..."
"Come on then," Calla said, hauling her brother to his feet. "Sirius needs us."
"There you are," Mr Greengrass said as they surfaced at the bottom of the stairs. Daphne squeezed Calla's hand tightly. "Right then. You've both used the Floo network before, yes?" Calla nodded for both of them and Mr Greengrass smiled. "Excellent. Well, Astoria, Aurelia. I expect we'll be back sometime in the early evening." He handed out handfuls of the dark Floo powder to each of the children. "Now, just say Ministry of Magic and you'll pop right out! Our grate's specially approved for direct entry."
Calla raised her eyebrows. That was quite fancy. Daphne went first, winking as she disappeared, and then it was Calla's turn to hastily enter the fire. It always felt weird, warm but not burning even though it really should be. She thrust the Floo powder into the flame and shouted, "Ministry of Magic!" and was whisked away, spinning seemingly endlessly through fires until she stumbled out the other end, hacking and coughing in a large black marble hall.
Daphne rushed over, grabbing her out of the way as Harry came through. "That was elegant," she said drily, dusting soot from her hair.
Calla laughed, coughing again, and looked up, breath momentarily taken away. The ceiling stretched higher than any even in Hogwarts, and grated lined both of the long walls, the edges gilded in gold and the flames bright green as witches and wizards stepped through in their Ministry robes. At one end was a grey statue of Cornelius Fudge himself, and at the other a large fountain with a witch and wizard sitting atop, staring down at the hall with an almost creepy smile. "All here?" Mr Greengrass asked clippedly. "Good. Can you see Lupin anywhere, I'm afraid I can't pick him out."
Calla looked around sharply, and spotted him by the fountain. She broke into a grin. "He's over there, come on! Remus!"
A few wizards turned to stare at her shout, and she saw Mr Greengrass wince as she hurried off towards her godfather, Harry and Daphne just behind her. "Calla," he said warmly. The bags below his eyes were darker than ever, she noticed as she went to hug him. "Harry." She felt Harry's arms knock against hers and then she let go, grinning nervously. "And Daphne."
"Hey, Professor Lupin."
"No need for that anymore," Remus said lightly. "I'm not a professor anymore, Daphne."
"You should be," she said stubbornly, folding her arms. "Everyone says so."
"Have you seen Sirius at all?" Harry asked anxiously, glancing around and twisting his hands together.
"We won't see him until we get to the courtroom, I'm afraid," Remus told him. "But I'm told he's well, and being treated with more civility than he has in a long time. Ah, you must be Daphne's father."
He smiled, holding his hand out to Mr Greengrass, who took in his shabby robes and tired face and shook it stiffly. "And you Mr Lupin."
"Remus is quite alright," Remus said, eyes light. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Though I hear you are sitting on the Wizengamot today?"
"The full Wizengamot has been called today," Mr Greengrass said stiffly. "And quite right, too."
"Then I hope the Wizengamot votes the right way," Remus said, inclining his head. "The trial begins at ten o'clock, but we ought to be there early. Theseus, I imagine you'll be entering separately?"
Mr Greengrass, who didn't look like he appreciated being called by his first name, nodded. "I'll leave the four of you to it. Daphne, be careful in what you say, and be truthful."
"Obviously," Daphne said, and he gave her a sharp look. "I will, Father."
"Good. I'll see you when I have a moment. Hopefully this business won't drag on, though I can't see Cornelius wanting to prolong it. The Prophet can't not report an ongoing trial as big as this." He smiled tensely. "I shall see you later."
Mr Greengrass swept off and Daphne frowned after him. "He's so annoying when he's like that," she muttered.
Calla linked her arm through Daphne's and smiled at her. "Come on, let's head down. I think Ron's dad is bringing him and Hermione, but I don't know when."
"Likely Arthur will bring him down from his office when it's time," Remus told them, as they went over to a lift.
"He works in Misuse of Muggle Artefacts, doesn't he?" Daphne whispered to Calla, who nodded. "Do you think I'd get to speak to him? Father said not to ask about it, but I think it'd be really interesting, and it's never too early to start thinking about the future."
Calla laughed. "You in the Misuse Of Muggle Artefacts Office?"
"Yes," Daphne said defensively. "Don't you think it would be fascinating?"
"Well, I guess," said Calla, who had never thought of many Muggle things as being fascinating. She just wasn't really sure she could imagine Daphne working in that office.
"I'll talk to him if I see him," Daphne said decisively as they stepped into the lift. "He seemed nice enough last Summer."
"He is," Calla said. The lift went down sharply and her stomach gave a lurch; she clung onto Daphne's arm. They went down and down until eventually they came out into a long corridor with a few doors along it. People lined the walls of the corridor, with cameras and quills, and they all leaned over interestedly as they stepped out.
"We're in the Primary Courtroom," Remus told them quietly.
"Is that Harry Potter?" asked a blonde woman in a green silk robe, grinning excitedly. "And Calla Potter. Mr and Miss Potter! What will your statement be to the Wizengamot today?"
Calla stared at her, lips pressed tightly together and glanced at Remus, who was also saying nothing. "This is a very high-profile case," he murmured. "They're expecting lots of press and publicity. It's why they want it done quickly, I doubt Fudge will hold up under this pressure much longer. Excuse us." He led the way down the corridor past the clamouring press, turning right along another and then to a narrow door with a golden sign that read, Entrance for the Witness of the Defence. "I haven't been in here in years," he said, knocking sharply on the door.
A tall, elegant looking woman stepped out, peering at them. She frowned for a moment and then her eyes caught on Harry, and she nodded. "In you come. Mr. Black is waiting inside. I will need to take your names."
"Remus Lupin, Calla Potter, Harry Potter and Daphne Greengrass."
The woman huffed, and gestured for them to enter. "Cynthia Zellen. Official Legal Protector of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, though I never thought I'd see another case for them. Mr Black."
In the corner, there was a shuffle of movement, and Calla saw Sirius get up. She felt Daphne tense beside her, gasping a little. "Harry," he said, breaking into a sudden smile as he came over. He looked much better than he had last time Calla had seen him, she was pleased to note.
"Sirius!" Harry beamed, rushing over to hug his godfather. Calla watched on awkwardly, glancing at Remus, who was also watching the two of them. "How are you? Are they treating you alright?"
"This is strange," Daphne whispered to Calla, nodding at them.
"I'm quite alright," Sirius said. "Healthier than I've been in years, I dare say." He looked over and grinned. "Calla, I've been told it is down to you that I'm even getting this trial."
"Not entirely," she said awkwardly, untangling herself from Daphne. "I just caught Pettigrew. And then he slipped away but that-" she flushed, "that wasn't me."
"From what Dumbledore says, you've been most influential." He widened his arms, smiling and Calla went over awkwardly, glancing back at Remus, who was smiling very tensely. "Thank you."
"It was only right," she mumbled, hugging him quickly. "I couldn't let him get away, and I couldn't let you stay in hiding when you were innocent all along!"
"Thank you," Sirius repeated again. "Remus? How are you feeling?"
"As wonderful as ever, Sirius," Remus said drily, but then he smiled, going to embrace him. "It's good to see you well."
"Right," Calla said, leading Daphne over to a couple of armchairs in the corner of the room. "Your dad's on the Wizengamot, right? How does it work?"
Daphne shrugged. "It's kind of boring. Dumbledore's in charge, basically, he leads the rest of the Wizengamot and presides over the trial."
"So Dumbledore is the judge?"
"Chief Warlock, but I suppose that's the Muggle term for him, so yes. He does the interrogating but it's the Wizengamot as a whole who have the final say in things. His support will be useful though."
"And who's in the Wizengamot?"
"High ranking Ministry Officials and those who've studied the law. Dad's got a seat and some of the old families used to have them, but they did away with the hereditary seats a while ago."
They were disgraced a second later by the arrival of Ron, Hermione, and a rather flustered Arthur Weasley into the room. "Dreadfully sorry," he said, looking around. "Had an incident in the office, some witch from Portree's just flown a bus right onto the bridge at Eilean Donan castle, if you can believe it. But we're still on time, yes, never mind... Ah." His eyes caught finally on Sirius, who smiled weakly up at him. "Mr Black. Ron's told me everything of course. To think our rat... But it's today that counts, eh? Right then, Ron, I'll see you when you're done. Remus, if you would send a memo to my office after the trial?"
"Of course, Arthur," said Remus politely. "Good luck dealing with your witch from Portree."
Mr Weasley sighed. "I'll need it. And good luck with the case. Ministry officials are meant to be impartial, but I do hope justice is on your side."
It was another long few minutes of waiting tensely to be called in before someone entered the room. "The Defendant may enter," said a short wizard in plum robes, eyeing Sirius with suspicion.
He heaved a sigh as he got up, grasping Remus' hand tightly before he followed the short wizard inside. The door shut right behind them and they could only listen out for snippets of the trial. Sirius gave his story, and Calla could hear Dumbledore's questioning, and the replies. Everything sounded in line with what she knew.
"He's doing alright," she said to the others, wringing her hands together. "It'll be fine. It should all be fine."
It seemed to take hours before the door opened again. No one seemed to feel like speaking much. "Witnesses for the Defendant may enter. Calla Potter, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Remus Lupin."
Daphne shot her a nervous smile as Calla went inside. The courtroom was massive, and she could make out what seemed to be seventy or so witches and wizards all dressed in plum robes with silver Ws on them, staring down at her. On the far right side she could see Mr Greengrass, looking tense among a sea of wizards and witches who were all peering down at them with great interest.
She glanced at Dumbledore, who sat in the centre in the same Wizengamot robes, but behind a desk that said Chief Warlock. She was sure at least, that he would be fair and try to help swing things in Sirius' favour.
"May the Defendant call his first witness," said Dumbledore.
Sirius glanced back at them, and nodded to Remus before he looked to Dumbledore. "I call forth Remus Lupin."
Looking tense, Remus stepped forwards. There was an awful lot of shuffling amongst the Wizengamot, who tried to get a look at him. "I present myself, Remus Lupin, before the Wizengamot to bear witness on the behalf of the Defendant Sirius Black."
"Thank you, Mr Lupin," said Dumbledore, nodding. "Mr Lupin, on the night of October 31st, 1981, who did you believe to be the Secret Keeper of Lily and James Potter?"
"I believed at the time that Sirius Black was the Secret Keeper," Remus said, to a hush of whispers. "However, I have since found that my belief was incorrect and mislead. Peter Pettigrew confessed that it was he who was truly the Secret Keeper, having changed the agreement at the last minute."
"Can you describe to me as best you can, the aftermath of the attack on Lily and James Potter?"
"I didn't get word until the next afternoon," Remus told him. "When I did, I rushed to the house in Godric's Hollow, worried for Harry and Calla. I didn't know if anyone had gotten to them, you see, and believing Sirius a traitor and having no word on Peter Pettigrew, I feared the worst. But they weren't there; I later discovered that they had been taken to Lily Potter's sister, with whom Calla and Harry still live. I like most of our community, heard of what Sirius Black was alleged to have done to Peter Pettigrew, though I could never truly believe it. Sirius was always loyal to James and Lily as well as to Peter and I. But as we know, he was never given a full trial in the days following the war - one of many."
"Is this all you have to say on the aftermath of the war?"
"Yes, Chief Warlock."
"Thank you. Now can you tell us when you discovered the truth?"
"I didn't know the truth until the night of the sixth of June. While at Hogwarts, you see, the four of us - that is myself, James Potter, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew - created a map which detailed the castle, as well as showing the location of various people. I had the map in my office with me that night, and saw the name Peter Pettigrew on it. At first I thought it wasn't possible, but I enchanted the map myself. I knew it didn't lie.
"So I went to investigate, upon also seeing Sirius Black's name alongside Calla Potter, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. What I learned was that not only was Peter Pettigrew still alive, but he was the guilty party, not Sirius Black. He was the spy among the ranks against Voldemort-" a shudder went through the Wizengamot at the name "-but he also confessed to having killed thirteen Muggles in a street after Sirius confronted him. To frame him; and to make his own escape as a rat.
"My memories, which I am more than happy to present, prove this event and confession, and I am sure they will align with the confession given to the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge.."
"Thank you, Mr Lupin," said Dumbledore. "You may return to your stance. Are there any others of the Defendant's witnesses who wish to add to this tale? Anything that may have been omitted?"
They all shook their heads. Remus had said all that needed to be said. "Good."
"Hem-hem," came a voice from within the crowd of the Wizengamot. Calla stared up at where a very short, toad-like witch had risen. "Chief Warlock, night I intercede on behalf of the Wizengamot?"
"Of course," Dumbledore said pleasantly. "Dolores Umbridge, you may speak."
"Well, I only wish to say that this story is quite far-fetched. From the mouth of someone we cannot be certain we can trust to uphold wizarding society, and a former friend of Mr Black's, no less."
"I understand your stance, Umbridge," Dumbledore said, eyes twinkling. "Perhaps Harry and Calla Potter can add to this tale."
"The boy is Mr Black's godson, and as Cornelius discovered on the night of these events, was not in a stable condition, nor was his sister or his friends."
"I do believe the Hogwarts Matron would dispute that point, Dolores," said Dumbledore firmly. "Mr Harry Potter? Miss Calla Potter?"
Calla's eyes widened and she glanced along at Harry, who had gone a little pale as the two of them stepped forward to stand before Dumbledore. He nodded gently to them. "Can the two of you tell me, in full truth, the events of the night of the sixth of June?"
And so they did, together; about visiting Hagrid, and going back, and then Sirius coming to find Scabbers, about how he didn't try to hurt Calla at all when she approached him, and what had happened in the Shrieking Shack, how they'd seen Pettigrew transform, and heard his confession, and how they'd returned to the Hospital Wing - and certainly had not snuck out again with a Time Turner - and then discovered that Pettigrew had been found and transformed and how he'd confessed and then escaped. When they finished, the Wizengamot murmured among themselves, most of them clearly swayed by the Potters' testimony. Calla noted that many in the inherited seats simply regarded them stonily, and felt nerves in the pit of her stomach as she realised few of them would probably vote in Sirius' favour.
"Thank you, Potters," said Umbridge in a falsely sweet tone. "Your testimony is valuable, but still, we must have evidence, Dumbledore."
"And indeed we do. Not only in testimony from multiple Ministry members, which were heard earlier today, but in photographic form." There was a murmuring again, as the toad like Umbridge shifted back into the shadows of the Wizengamot. "Would you bring Miss Greengrass in for me, please, Arius?"
The short little wizard ran over to the door and popped his head around; a moment later he returned with Daphne just behind him. "Miss Daphne Greengrass. On the night of the sixth of June, you took photographic evidence of Peter Pettigrew's presence. Yes?"
Daphne nodded, glancing at Calla nervously. "Yes. I - I had been given a camera for Christmas, a Muggle camera, and I'd had it with me all the time. It's very important to me. That night, it was late and I had noticed that Calla hadn't come back to the Ravenclaw Tower. We share a dormitory, you see, and so our other friend Padma Patil and I went to inform Professor Lupin - Remus Lupin - about it. He wasn't there, but we saw the map too, and Pettigrew's name. I didn't understand, but I saw him next to Calla and I had to take a photo, because I knew I'd have to show someone. It worried both of us a great deal, and it seems it was very useful."
"Thank you, Miss Greengrass," said Dumbledore. "I have here a photograph of the map. Is this the correct photograph?"
Daphne leaned forward, and then nodded. "Yes, it is."
"Thank you. As we can see, Peter Pettigrew was in the grounds that night, and we have multiple witnesses to this. As for his confession, I now call on Cornelius Fudge."
"Thank you, Dumbledore," said Fudge, standing up and walking into the Defendant's circle. Remus had said, hadn't he, that he thought Fudge would want all of this over with as soon as possible. Even if he had to admit his own errors, Calla suspected he would sway the trial to an end quickly. "On the night of the sixth of June, we had captured Sirius Black and were preparing to perform the Dementor's Kiss upon him. Having realised he had escaped, however, I was infuriated; before Dumbledore came to me and presented me with a rat. Calla Potter had previously insisted to me Sirius Black's innocence, and told me the rat was Peter Pettigrew." He laughed nervously. "Of course the children had all had difficult nights and I did not believe they quite knew what they were saying; but I did know what I was seeing when Dumbledore undid the Animagus charm on Pettigrew, and I saw a very alive man before me.
"It had taken hours but we eventually got the full confession from Pettigrew. How he had gone over to the side of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named a year before the end of the war, and had been passing information in secret in exchange for his own life. How he had kept his hold amongst the Potters and how when they had gone into hiding with their children, had been one of few to know their location, though he could not tell anyone. How Sirius Black, the day before the Potter's murder, gave his role of Secret Keeper to Pettigrew, and how he told He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named their whereabouts, leading directly to their murder and the attempted murder of their son, Harry." Calla shivered.
"On from this he admitted to having illegally become an Animagus during his school years, taking the form of a rat. He described how Sirius Black, being the only living person to know the truth, went after him and confronted him, and how he faked his own death and killed a street of Muggles in broad daylight, committing murder and breaking the International Statute of Secrecy, and went into hiding as a rat." Fudge shook his head. Murmurs filled the room, confused and concerned and curious. "Therefore, Chief Warlock, I present this as evidence of Sirius Black's innocence."
"Thank you, Cornelius," said Dumbledore. "We now have a total of seven witnesses to Pettigrew's confession - Remus Lupin, Cornelius Fudge, Harry Potter, Calla Potter, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, and myself - as well as the Defendant. We also have a total of twelve witnesses - Remus Lupin, Cornelius Fudge, Harry Potter, Calla Potter, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, Daphne Greengrass, Severus Snape, Padma Patil, Bartemius Crouch, Amelia Bones and, again, myself - along with the Defendant, who bear witness to Pettigrew's status as alive. Is there anything else any members of the Wizengamot would like to ask?"
No one spoke for a long moment before Umbridge leaned forward again, clearing her throat. Dumbledore turned. "Yes, Dumbledore," she said. "See, I just have a teensy question about this map of Remus Lupin's? Surely if he believed Black as guilty, and knew he knew of these passages, he ought to have informed a Ministry official?" She saw Remus pale, and Calla narrowed her eyes at Umbridge. What did she have against Remus, that she was going after him? "Therefore, Remus Lupin may himself be complicit in Black's plot."
Umbridge sank back, looking very pleased with herself as a fresh wave of murmurs rang through the Wizengamot. "On the contrary, Dolores," said Dumbledore, "Remus Lupin did indeed bring this to my attention, as I am Headmaster of Hogwarts School." Calla tried not to let her surprise show; hadn't Remus said... "However, there was only one passage through which Black could plausibly reach Hogwarts school, and it was never used by him, nor was there any attempt to. And I assure you, he would not have been successful."
"And then how did he enter the school?"
Calla swallowed. If they outed Sirius as an illegal Animagus now, he would surely get into trouble. "That is a matter for Hogwarts' consideration," Dumbledore said cleanly. "This trial, however, concerns the charge of mass murder, conspiracy with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and breaking the International Statute of Secrecy." Calla breathed a sigh of relief. "If there are no other questions, then are all witnesses in agreement with what has been said?"
This time, no one spoke, but Calla and Harry did nod along with the others. "Good. In that case, I should like to ask the Wizengamot to vote on the matter. Those who declare the Defendant as innocent and cleared of the charges of mass murder, conspiracy with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and breaking the International Statute of Secrecy?"
Mr Greengrass' hand rose; in fact, it seemed to vast majority of the Wizengamot had voted in favour of Sirius' innocence. She couldn't help herself from smiling. "In that case," Dumbledore said, "I declare, on behalf of the Wizengamot, that the Defendant Sirius Black is innocent and hereby cleared of the charges listed."
Calla breathed a sigh of relief and Harry grabbed her hand tightly, beaming. It had been over much quicker than she'd thought, but it had gone in their favour! The chains that held Sirius in place on the chair were released quickly, clanking to the ground and he stood up slowly, as though dazed. "The Defendant will be notified of any further cases or concerns arising from this trial. Sirius Black, you are a free man."
He looked like he couldn't believe it. Remus held him tightly as they left the courtroom, passing a smiling Dumbledore. "We did it," Hermione whispered, practically bouncing as she held Calla's arm. "He's free!"
"Yeah," Harry said, beaming, and grabbed Calla's hand to pull her along, following Remus and Sirius. "What happens now then?" he asked when they entered the little room for the Defendant. "You're free, Sirius!"
He grabbed his godfather in a tight hug, beaming. Sirius' cheeks were streaked with tears as he clutched Harry tightly. "Yeah," he said hoarsely, beaming over Harry's shoulder. "I am. Thank... Thank you. All of you, for being here. Supporting me."
"Of course, Sirius," Remus said gently, as Hermione came in and closed the door quietly behind her. "You've had an awful lack of support these last twelve years."
Sirius smiled wryly, releasing Harry. "There's something else I must sort, though. Remus and I have discussed your... accommodations. Legally, I really ought to have custody of you, but it was Dumbledore who placed you with the Dursleys when you were younger. We've spoken, Remus and I, and I will have to take the case to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement again, but if the two of you would like... We could arrange for you to be able to leave the Dursleys' before the end of the Summer holidays."
The words sent relief through Calla, a relief she didn't think she would feel. "You-" Harry said, "really? So we can leave?"
"Not for definite yet," Remus said. "But we have a very compelling case. It's written in your parents' will that Sirius should be your legal guardian, and have custody of you. Dumbledore has never wanted to let me care for you. He's argued with me for years on the subject, but he cannot refuse the will of your parents, not when Sirius is an entirely free man."
"So... We can really leave?" Calla asked. "You mean it?"
"Yes," Sirius said, beaming. "If it's what you want-"
"Of course it is!" Harry cried. "And - and what about Remus?"
"Once I have everything in order, Remus and I will be staying together in one of the flats we - well, really he's been looking at - until we can get him back on his feet."
"So we can all be together?" Calla asked quietly. "And we won't have to live with the Dursleys?"
"No," Sirius told them, grinning. "You won't."
She could hardly believe what he was saying, now it felt like it could almost be real. He'd won and he was free... It could happen. She didn't know how she felt, not really, but the idea of not having to live with the Dursleys anymore, and being with both Remus and Sirius, was better than anything she'd ever heard.
"When-"
The door opened again and they all turned around, startled, as Dumbledore came in, his plum robes billowing around his ankles. "Dumbledore," Sirius said immediately, slightly breathless. "Thank you. Thank you, I - I'm a free man. Thanks to you."
Dumbledore held up a calm hand. "Justice has been seen," he said. "And I am glad you have finally gotten the freedom you have truly deserved for all these years."
"Yes," Remus said. "And Sirius and I have been discussing the results of the trial. Specifically, the fact that Sirius ought to have legal custody over Calla and Harry."
Dumbledore's smile thinned. "Ah, yes. A matter for another day, though it will be discussed soon. For now I believe you all ought to celebrate."
"But we will be able to stay with Sirius, right?"
"Do not worry yourself over will or won't, Harry." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled and for once Calla wasn't sure she liked it. "Today is a happy day; the custody case will be taken up another day."
Calla looked confusedly at Remus, who sighed. "Very well, Dumbledore. We'll discuss this later. I'll take Ron and Hermione back up to the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office, and the rest of you to Mr Greengrass. Sirius..." Remus cracked into another smile. "You can come with us."
"I can," Sirius said quietly. "Can't I?" He broke into a smile too. "Alright, then. Dumbledore?"
Dumbledore motioned for them to go on. "You're a free man now, Sirius. You can go wherever you wish."
Taking Daphne with them to the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office was either a grave mistake or a fantastic idea. It was almost an hour before they left, as Daphne kept asking Arthur Weasley about the various Artefacts in the office, interrogating him about how Muggle buses operated and if he had ever used a television before. She'd managed to get the entire office around her. "No one else ever gets this excited about Muggle Artefacts," Ron muttered, staring at the scene.
"You said Daphne was a Greengrass?" Sirius asked Calla in a low voice. He had somehow wound up standing next to her.
"Yes," she said clippedly. "She really enjoys Muggle Studies. It's her favourite subject."
Sirius nodded in surprise. "There was a Greengrass in our year at Hogwarts. Rather uptight."
"Theseus Greengrass?"
"No. No, his name was Anax. I don't know what he's up to now."
Calla shrugged. "Probably a cousin somewhere."
"Did you do Muggle Studies, Sirius?" Harry asked suddenly.
"Yes. My mother was furious about it." He grinned and Remus looked over, smiling. "We all did it. Great laugh. Remus told me you study Ancient Runes, Calla. Lily was always good at that."
"Really?" she asked, too quickly, flushing. "I didn't know she did."
"She really was an exceptional witch," Sirius said.
"Yeah," Calla muttered, looking down at the ground. "Everyone tells me that."
"Mr Greengrass is still waiting," Remus said, stepping forward into the cluster of Muggle enthusiasts, who had also brought Hermione into their circle and were interrogating her about the moon landing. "Daphne, we really ought to get back to him."
Daphne's face fell and she rounded on Ron's dad. "I really do like the office," she said earnestly, and Mr Weasley beamed. "I've never seen this part of the Ministry before, but I'd love to know more."
"Well I'd be more than happy to write to you," Mr Weasley said, smiling, "if you have any questions about our work."
"Really?" Daphne grinned. "Thank you so much, that'd be lovely!" She glanced at Calla. "Okay, I do have to go, but I'll see you soon Ron and Hermione, won't I?"
"Course," Ron said, looking quite bored by their whole conversation. "Harry, Calla, you are doing something for your birthday, aren't you?"
Calla blinked in surprise. They never did anything for their birthday. "Oh," Harry said. "I don't know."
"We'll do something," Daphne said decisively.
"Yeah," Ron said. "We'll write."
"Alright," Calla said quietly, still staring. They hadn't had a birthday party in their lives, unlike Dudley.
"Come along," Remus told them gently. "We'll speak soon, Arthur."
All their way throughout the Ministry they received strange and curious and some cold stares. Workers looked at them and whispered, and Calla tried to ignore them even though she couldn't. By her side, Sirius was clearly very tense, shoulders hunched at every sound of a whispered judgement. Daphne kept up a healthy chatter, trying to detract from the judgemental looks they were getting, but Calla didn't think it was very helpful.
They met Mr Greengrass again by the fountain. Journalists were clustered there and Calla stared at them. She supposed it wasn't surprising - this had to be one of the highest profile cases since the end of the First War - but the lights were so bright and everyone's voices were so loud. She shrank back a little, lingering behind Remus and hoping no one would try and ask her for comment. "We should try and make this quick," Sirius murmured. "I don't want the Prophet gawking anymore than they have to."
"I agree," Remus said, and nodded as Mr Greengrass came over to them. "Theseus."
"Lupin." He smiled and clasped a surprised Sirius' hand. "Theseus Greengrass. Daphne's father. That was a solid case you had there. I'm glad it went in your favour."
"Thank you," Sirius said, blinking, "Greengrass."
"Pleasure." Mr Greengrass nodded. "I was going to take the children straight home; the two of you are... Welcome to join, if you want."
"We have a few things we need to organise and smooth over here still," said Sirius.
"Though thank you for the offer," Remus put in
"Of course." Mr Greengrass inclined his head sharply. "I plan to take Calla and Harry back to their aunt and uncle sometime tomorrow afternoon. Unless you would like to?"
"I'm afraid we don't quite know our situation at the minute," Remus said. "But Calla, Harry, we'll be in touch with you. Perhaps we will be able to organise something for your birthday."
"Really?" Calla couldn't stop herself from asking.
"Hopefully." Sirius grinned. "I see the Daily Prophet wants a word from me."
He hugged Harry tightly and turned to Calla expectantly. She reciprocated, hugging him fleetingly, and then turned to Remus and hugged him much longer. "I'll see you soon, right?" she asked. "Even if it's not for our birthday?"
"We'll see you as soon as we can," Remus promised. "Now go on. Sirius and I will deal with..." His gestured to the media circus growing around them. "This."
Despite the shove and crush of getting out of the Ministry, Calla couldn't help herself from smiling. Soon enough, she hoped, they would be leaving the Dursleys never to return again. And Sirius was free.
Author's Note: Hey! So, Sirius is free now. This will obviously change a few things, though we won't be seeing Grimmauld Place just yet - were it not for Dumbledore's request to use it as headquarters, I don't think Sirius would ever have returned there. I also want to delve a bit deeper into politics of the Ministry and things leading up to and after the events of the graveyard, as we see Fudge under increasing pressure.
