They hadn't believed him. He couldn't understand why. Sirius had done the exact same thing he had and he'd gotten off. At least Peter had been a good rat; Sirius' disguise hadn't even lasted a year.
So why hadn't they listened when he'd explained?
Was it because Sirius (forgivemesiriuspleaseineverwantedthistohappenifyouhadn'tsuggestedmethey'dstillbealivethisisallyou'refaultididn'twantthemtodieyoucan'tblamemehewasterrifyingyouknewbetterthanthatiwasneverbravelikethethreeofyouyouknewbetterforgiveme...)
Was it because Remus had switched sides? (forgivememoonypleaseyouknowididntmeanitweallknewsiriuswasthespydon'tyourememberithoughthe'dalreadyjoinedionlydidittokeepussafethiswasn'tmeanttohappendon'tyourememberhowcruelsiriuswastoushistemperofcoursehewasadeatheaterandyouwouldhavebecomeonetooyouknowyouwouldhaveiwasjustearly...)
Was it because Harry was there?
(harryharryharryhowhehatedthatboytheycouldhavelivedforeverifonlyharryhadn'tbeenbornifonlythedarklordhadn'twantedhimdeadjamescouldhavelivedforeverstupidboywhatawaste...)
Was it because Sirius was pureblood?
(thedarklordwasrighthewasalwaysrightitwasn'tpeter'sfaultatallbuthe'dshowthemhe'dshowthemallthedarklordwillreturn...)