As always, I'm only playing with JK Rowling's toys. All credit goes to JK Rowling, her publisher and all the other people involved in bringing her work to life.

#

The ministry legal team was in disarray; they could find no evidence that Sirius Black had been found guilty at his trial, they could find no witness testimony, not background checks, not even a black mark on his service record. Sirius Black was, for all intents and purposes, an outstanding Auror. No procedure left unfollowed; no report unfiled, several commendations against his name.

Richard Wattle, the lead prosecutor in the case, was stumped. Something was seriously wrong if there was nothing on file. One of his co-council, Laura Stow, said 'He's a Black, of course, he's guilty. Seriously why are we even bothering with this?'

'Laura, you've been part of this department for a few years now, and you have been a wonder, however, if you ever say something like that again your time in this department will be over. Do you understand?' said Richard.

'What do you mean? Everyone knows what happened that night.' said Laura

'There is no evidence to back that up. Look, we have to do this by the book, and your attitude is not helpful. If there is any doubt that we did not do our job properly, then every prosecution that this department has overseen will be cast into doubt. Do you want that on your conscience?' asked Richard

Laura shook her head.

'Then do your job. Keep your opinions to yourself unless they are based on verifiable facts, understand? I don't care if Merlin himself told you the grass was green, if you can't prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt then it did not happen. Got it?' he asked

Laura nodded, her eyes wide with fright.

'The trial is in two days. Director Bones is sitting in the chair, she's a hard ass, but she is fair. We have to make sure that this is watertight. Let's go over the list of questions, the chain of custody for every shred of evidence, who tested Black's wand, and what spells where shown.' said Laura

'Ok, what about the rest of the Blacks? We know the Bellatrix is as mad as a box of frogs, but what about Narcissa and Andromeda? What do we have on them?' asked Ruby Hawthorne, one of the paralegals.

Richard looked up from the file he was reading 'Narcissa is Lady Malfoy, her husband has long been suspected of being a Death Eater. Unfortunately, we have never been allowed to investigate. Fudge always vetoes every investigation. Andromeda is a healer at St. Mungo's, both have impeccable records.'

The team worked through the morning, throwing out one idea after another based on it being either too ridiculous, too time-consuming, or too hard to prove. Just after lunch, one of the newer assistants dropped a massive pile of Hippogriff dung on all of their plans.

'Oh my God!' cried out the muggle-born witch

'What...What happened?' asked Richard

'I was just thinking about the case, sir.' Said Sadie Rosewood

'that is kind of your job Sadie, not sure if anyone has told you.' smirked Richard.

'Yes, Sir, I know that. But I was thinking of the evidence, well the lack of evidence and something struck me as odd.' Said Sadie

'Ok, colour me interested. What was odd about it?' asked Richard

'Well, there isn't any. Doesn't that strike you as strange? I mean we are told Black is a mass murderer, we are told that he was HIS right-hand man, and he is eviler than any two devils you could name. So why doesn't the evidence support any of that? his service record is exceptional, only James Potter's was better and they partners. Everything he did was by the book, and nothing was ever left to chance.' said Sadie

'We know the back story Rosewood, what's your point?' asked Ruby

'My point is, what if what we think we know is lies? What if he is innocent?' said Sadie

The team stopped whatever it was they were doing and looked at her.

'That's just stu-' started Ruby before Richard cut her off.

'let's hear her out' said Richard 'The floor is yours, Sadie.'

Sadie stood up and walked to the centre of the room so that they could all see her.

'Jasper gathered all the witness statements and every one of the states that Potter and Black were "as close as any brothers you ever saw" Even Malfoy said the same. The report from his wand testing shows that that last ten spells he cast were defensive. No other wands were found on him when he was apprehended, and Professor McGonagall is on record saying that he had no aptitude for wandless magic. Based on this evidence, then I can only conclude that Sirius Black is Innocent of killing those thirteen muggles.' said Sadie

Richard considered her argument for a moment before picking up a file and reading through it. 'She's right, you know. Not one single offensive spell used, not one. Ok what else have you got?' he asked her

'Well, we know that Crouch was a ruthless bastard back in the day and if he set his mind to something, then you would never change it. Everything we have been told points to Black being guilty, except the evidence points elsewhere. Black didn't kill the Muggles, nor did he kill Pettigrew, the testing on his wand proves that. So if he didn't kill them, and he only used defensive spells, by a simple process of elimination the only answer left is that Sirius Black is innocent of all of the charges. Not only that, but he was also incarcerated for twelve years for crimes he didn't commit.' Exclaimed Sadie.

'But that's...' said Ruby

'What about...' said Jasper

'Hang on.' said Laura 'Are you seriously trying to tell me that we have been chasing our tails this entire time because Crouch fucked up?'

Richard looked pensive for a moment as he considered Sadie's argument. 'What's that thing, awkward's bezoar or some such nonsense' he asked.

'You mean Occam's Razor?' Sadie asked.

'That's the Badger, tell me about it.' said Richard.

' it means that entities should not be multiplied without necessity.' She offered offhandedly

'Can you elaborate for those of us that don't speak muggle?' asked Jasper

'It is a problem-solving principle that has been around since the thirteen hundreds, and it advocates that when presented with competing hypotheses about the same prediction, one should select the solution with the fewest assumptions. Take this case; for example, there are more suppositions about Black being a mass murderer and betrayer of the Potters than there is for him being innocent.' Explained Sadie

'Alright everyone I have a new task for you; Prove Sadie wrong. We have every shred of evidence, every piece of parchment, and every statement about this case. Take the rest of the day to do whatever research you have to, but tomorrow morning I want each of you to present a case that refutes every word Sadie has said.' said Richard

'Sadie, that was some outstanding work. You've totally screwed up our case but what the hell. You should be proud of yourself.' said Richard.

'Thank you, sir, I just wanted to help.' Blushed the young woman.

'You did, you really did. Take the rest of the day off; you certainly earned it.' he said.

##

'When do you have to be at the Ministry?' Remus asked Sirius as they sat on the beach with an umbrella drink in their hands.

'Tuesday, Ted has worked every angle and covered every possible question that they could come up with.' said Sirius

'Will it be enough though?' asked the werewolf

'I hope so; I've missed so much life. I mean Harry is fourteen and head of his house, microwaves are a thing, and there is a twenty-four-hour movie channel, C'mon Moony is that not the most amazing thing!' Sirius grinned.

'Don't be an arse. There's also the Simpsons.' Said Remus

'The what?'

'The Simpsons, you'll love it. it's about the little yellow boy that's always causing trouble and up to no good.' Replied Remus.

'Sounds interesting, why is he yellow?' asked Sirius

'Because it's a cartoon, just wait, you'll love it.'

The two men sat in companionable silence, while they shared a lifelong bond, their friendship had been strained due to the actions of others. Pettigrew and Dumbledore had a lot to answer for.

'Will Harry be there?' Sirius asked tenuously

'Honestly, I don't know. I hope so and to be frank, Albus owes him, and I doubt he could stop him if he wanted to be there.' said Remus

'I would like to see him again. Tell me, is there anything going on with him and that pretty young witch that rescued me?' Sirius asked with a mischievous glint in his eye.

'Since I only got here like four hours ago, and I haven't seen or spoken to him since the summer, I can't honestly say. I have the feeling that they are dancing around each other, a little too unsure about how the other feels and a little too afraid to make the first move. Hey maybe I'm wrong, and they've seen what's in front of them' said Remus

'Remus?' asked Sirius

'Yeah?'

'I'm... I'm a bit...'

'I know mate; I am too. Don't worry, Ted is the best Prosecutor in Britain, and you have Amelia on your side. Whatever happens, you've got me, Andi, Ted, Amy, and most importantly, you have Harry. don't ever forget that.' said Remus

'Sirius, Remus time for some food' called out Ted

'I guess that's our queue to stop being sentimental.' said Remus

'yeah, stop flaking out on me ya big soft wanker!' sniggered Sirius as he got up and jogged along the beach towards the house.

'oh yeah, pick on the werewolf, you mangy cat botherer' Remus shouted back at him with a smile.

'Andi, this smells amazing. Thank you.' said Sirius

'Thank you, Siri, I thought that it would be a good idea to at least have a good meal before we head back home tomorrow. You're looking strong, physically you are just as strong as a man your age should be.' said Andi

'Are you saying I'm old?' Sirius demanded playfully

'I'm saying that your thirty-four and not twenty-two, and you look thirty-four and not a hundred and four, the way you did when we started this, you cheeky swine!' giggled Andi

'I can't thank you and Ted enough for what you have done for me. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. If there is anything I can do, please tell me, I would see it done.' Sirius said with heartfelt sincerity.

'How about you stay out of gaol long enough to see your little cousin marry, and to see Harry graduate from Hogwarts? Anything over and above will be a bonus.' She replied

'I think I can just about manage... Hang on. Wee Nymmy is getting hitched? Who is he! I'll kick his arse for him.' said Sirius.

The other occupants of the table laughed heartily.

Sirius looked at them in confusion 'What?' he asked innocently

'Never change mate, never change' said Ted as he slapped Sirius on the back.

##

Hermione stood at the study door watching her boyfriend 'Harry?' she asked

He turned at the sound of her voice, the tension falling from him as he saw her standing there, nervously biting her lip.

'Hi.' He said

'What are you doing?' she asked

'Minerva got the message, Crouch is currently in a room with Amelia, and a couple of Aurors called Nymphadora Tonks and Kingsley Shacklebolt. Have we met them? The names seem familiar, but everything has been a bit of a blur recently.' said Harry.

'I'm not too sure. Mum and dad were wondering if we were all staying here tonight or are we heading to my house?' she asked.

'Mia, I don't want to keep you from your mum and dad, you get to see so little of them. I can stay here, and you guys can head home if you want. I can get Dobby to take you.' Harry spoke as though his heart wasn't in it.

'If we go, you're coming to Harry. That's the deal. Dad says that you only get to choose the location, but we will be staying where ever you are.' explained Hermione.

'But...' Harry began

'But me no buts Harry, where you go I go. I would have thought that you understood that by now, you silly boy.' said Hermione, glaring at her boyfriend.

'What does but me no buts even mean? Did you just make that?' said Harry mockingly

'Oi you!' said Hermione as she launched herself at Harry and started to tickle him into submission.

'Ok, ok I give in' said Harry as he crumbled under her ferocious tickling onslaught.

'Good, so here or our house. Decide or I'm doing it for you buster.' said Hermione as she poked him in the ribs with her finger.

'Agh! You're vicious, do you know that? Ok, let's stay here, and we can head back to school tomorrow. How does that sound?' he asked

'I'll go and tell mum.' Said Hermione as she turned to go to the dining room. Harry had other ideas.

'Not so fast Mia, I demand justice for your vicious attack.' said Harry

'Really, and what did you have in mind?' she asked with a raised eyebrow

'Some form of reparations, including but not restricted to grovelling, subjugation, massage of my ego, and general devotion to me.' said Harry in mock seriousness

'hmmm, would kissing serve as an acceptable alternative?' she asked

'As long as there is lots of kissing, I think that we have a deal.' He replied just before her lips met his.