This is going better than Sirius ever could have dreamt. Nem believes him. Remus is unsure, but clearly eager for Sirius' story to be true. Moody is standing in the corner of the room with his wand pointed straight at his heart – but that's an improvement on the last time he was cornered by aurors.
He shakes his head suddenly to dislodge the unnervingly clear memory of his confrontation with Peter; he needs to keep a clear head until this is over.
The fire flares up and Remus stumbles through looking harried and clutching a rat. Immediately Sirius' glare focusses intensifies. Soon it will be over.
Soon they will put him back in Azkaban. He almost wishes it would last a little longer. But this is good. And maybe they'll put him in a lower security wing this time.
"I had a run in with Snape." Remus says quickly, grimacing. "I think he's contacting Fudge." Snape. The name rings a bell.
Just as a weak memory begins to materialize inside his mind the fire flares green again and the sudden surge of movement wipes it away again.
The fire releases not Snape – although without a memory of the name he isn't sure how he knows that – but three young children; three, but Sirius' can only see one of them.
"James." It's barely more than a whisper of air but apparently everyone hears Sirius' prayer.
"This is Harry Sirius." Remus says, sounding unbearably sad. "Not James." He strides over to where Sirius is still tied up and crouches down next to him. "Remember?"
Harry. Yes, he does remember Harry. Of course he does. Harry is perfect, the only good thing in this stupid war. Harry is tiny fingers and huge eyes, unending curiosity and easy love. Harry is a child, a toddler. It hasn't been that long since Sirius visited has it?
"James." He says again, more firmly this time, as though saying it will be enough. Isn't that how it works with magic? It's been such a long time since he last cast a spell, though he cannot think why.
Isn't he a soldier?
Shouldn't he be out there fighting?