Disclaimer: Check back to Chapter One for the Disclaimer. Characters/places/items/etc from the book series is property of JK Rowling and Warner Brothers. Onto the author's note...
Author's Note: Same as Chapter One, rather not repeat everything. Anywho, onto the fan fic.
During the next half an hour, Sirius stood behind the invisible wall and spoke with Remus.
"Please forgive me Padfoot. I really didn't believe people when they said that you are betrayed James and Lily, but there was no other proof other than that."
"No problem Moony, old pal. Let's just put this all behind us."
Remus smiled at his old friend and wanted nothing more in the world to give him a hug. He had already taken note on how the time spent in Azkaban had affected his friend. What he would give to see his friend with a goofy smile on his face and plotting their next prank. Remus' thoughts were interrupted when Dumbledore joined them.
"Professor! I...I never meant to.... Break your trust.... I'm sorry...."
Albus held up his hand to stop the flow of words coming from Remus. He knew the young man would want to be forgiven for what he had done and probably figured that Albus would never talk to him.
"It's okay dear boy. No one was injured in the process, and although you did betray my trust during those seven years, I think I'll give you another chance, even if no one else might agree with me. You are an honorable man and I believe you probably had to be persuaded by a couple of good friends of you."
Dumbledore glanced at Sirius, who smiled mischievously.
"Ah. Now there's the Sirius Black I know."
Sirius just stuck his tongue out at his old professor and laughed quietly.
"So, Dumbledore, what do you think is going to happen to me? Think I got them to believe."
"Of no doubt do I have that you have persuaded the jury. The only problem is if money becomes involved and higher powers. Mr. Crouch wasn't very pleased with any of this, thinking you are still a Death Eater, even if you didn't kill the Potters and the Muggles."
"Never liked that man anyways. Hey, Moony, did you see the look on Sevie's face when the Truth Spell said that everything was true?"
Remus laughed behind a hand and nodded.
"Indeed I did Padfoot. I don't think I've ever seen him so pissed off in his life. You should most likely stay away from him once you get out of this blasted court room."
"If I do get out..."
"Now, Sirius," Dumbledore interrupted the old friends, "I will not hear any of these doubts."
"Of course, sir."
Barty Crouch then entered the room and stood in front of his podium. A hush fell over the courtroom and anyone who was standing was back in his or her seat. One tap of the mallet brought the few people who were still whispering became quiet. The jury also entered the room and sat in their seats.
"Everyone in the jury, please raise your hand if you find Mr. Sirius Black innocent of the following charges. The premeditated murder of Lily and James Potter, the premeditated murder attempt of Harry Potter, the murder of Peter Pettigrew, and the murder of twelve Muggles. Along with the murders, he is faced with charges of using magic in the presence of Muggles. Please raise your hand now."
The jury sat for a moment, examining all of the evidence one more time. Finally, every person in the jury raised his or her hand. Barty Crouch looked like he was going to explode.
"Very well. Mr. Black, you are proven innocent in this court of law. Is there anything else the jury would like to say?"
The jury leader stood up and cleared his throat before beginning.
"Although we believe that Mr. Sirius Black is innocent of the charges placed on him on this current date, we would like fine him for his becoming an illegal Animagus. The fine will be five thousand galleons that must be paid within a month's time. That is all."
The wizard sat began down and Mr. Crouch adjourned the court. Everyone stood began to leave and the wall was let down so Sirius could get away from the presence of the Dementors. A small sigh escaped from his lips as the happy memories filled his head. He smiled and was about to move when Remus, who had run down from where he was sitting, embraced him hard. Dumbledore was behind him and Sirius shook his hand when Remus let him go.
"Congratulations Sirius and welcome to the world of the living."
"Thanks so much for your help Dumbledore. I would have never been able to prove my innocence without you."
"No problem at all. Innocence prevails over guiltiness. It just needed a little shove."
At this, all three of the men broke into laughter. When they stopped, Remus was leaning on Sirius and Sirius was gripping his sides.
"Oh," Sirius exclaimed, "that felt so good...to laugh I mean. Nothing perverted like that Moony."
Remus hit Sirius in the arm and Sirius faked being in pain. Dumbledore cleared his throat and the two stopped fooling around.
"Yes Dumbledore."
"Well, Sirius, since I know you're probably concerned about Harry..."
"Oh Merlin! I almost forgot about him! Please Dumbledore, you need to get me custody over him."
"...And that is why I spoke with his own living relatives about him. They said that they would be glad for him to stay with you. I have this odd feeling that they despise him, but that might just be mean. Strange how Muggles act sometimes. Wouldn't you agree? I mean some of the things they do are the most..."
"Dumbledore."
"....Hum, yes?"
"You're rambling again."
"That I am. Sorry. I need to leave and go talk to the Ministry."
"Okay, good bye Dumbledore."
"Good bye Sirius. Remus."
"Sir."
Dumbledore swept out of the courtroom and Sirius sat in a chair nearby. Remus sat next to him and both sighed at the same time. Each fell into another fit of laughter. It was soon interrupted though by Sirius' large appetite. Sirius grinned madly.
"Come on Moony! I heard of this really great restaurant."
Sirius and Remus left, both smiling happily, talking about how that it was close shot to him ending up in prison. Dumbledore watched from his place in the shadows.
They never will grow up.