A laugh. An insane laugh rang in his ears. The whole situation was surreal, really. Armed hit Ministry wizards, disbelief etched into their faces, pulling out their wands doubtfully to arrest him. Muggle screams slitting the cool first day of November: horrified, anguished screams upon seeing the horror, the blood, the gore. It was Peter, the escaped, the unharmed who did this. Not he, the accused. But that was life's bitter irony, wasn't it? The world turned its back on you just when you needed it most. It decided not to care for you just when you needed caring, for God's sake, when your best friend had died. He knew it was partly his fault, for he, blinded by wrath and tears, had gone after Peter. But he knew the Ministry would never listen. The evidence all pointed to him. Peter must have thought he was so clever. And he had been. Someday, though, one day, he would be avenged. Perhaps by Harry? Oh God, what would happen to Harry? He remembered Hagrid's words:

"How did Harry survive? How in God's name did he..." Sirius' voice trailed off as he stared at the miraculous survivor.

"Nobody'll know, I guess," said Hagrid, big tears leaking down his beard, mixing with the rain. "Nobody will ever know."

"I'm his godfather, give him to me, Hagrid. Oh please! It's the only thing I have left." James had so wanted Sirius to be Harry's godfather.

"Dumbledore's orders, Sirius. I'm sorry. He's to go to his aunt's and uncle's."

At least Harry would be safe there. Oh Harry, thought Sirius, I wish you the best of luck. Until we meet again...

12 years later

Sirius Black sat on the floor of his cell, filthy and miserable. It had been twelve years since that miserable day, since his recklessness and wrath had landed him in this wretched prison. He heard the minister's voice coming down the hall and lifted his head.

"Of course, of course. They're required by the Ministry. I can't complain. How is…" Fudge's voice trailed off as the guard and Minister came down the row of cells. Fudge squatted down in front of Sirius.

"Hello, Black," he said.

"Hello, Minister," Sirius croaked. It had been a while since he had used his voice…how long, a year, two years?

"How are you doing?"

Sirius wasn't listening to Fudge. He was staring at the paper under Fudge's arm.

"Looking at my paper, eh? Want to see it?" Fudge offered, extending the newspaper through the bars of the cell.

"Yes please," answered Sirius. He wanted to know what was happening in the wizarding world. It had been over four years since he had heard any news. He took the paper from Fudge's hand and looked it over and spotted the crossword puzzle on the back. "I miss doing the crossword," he said wistfully. "I used to have such fun figuring out the clues." With James, he added silently.

Fudge looked startled, but he nodded politely. "I see," he replied.

"May I keep this newspaper, Minister?" Sirius asked. He wanted to keep track of ouside news.

"Why, yes, if you would like," Fudge answered, surprised and a little fearful of Sirius' sanity. "I can always get another one for myself," the minister said, attempting cheerfulness.

A smile flickered across Sirius' face. "Thank you," he said, opening up the newspaper. The Minister produced a phony smile and walked to the next cell.

What's in here today? Sirius thought, as he scanned the newspaper index on the front. Hmm…Betty Bott's breast enhancement charms packets… he sniggered in his head. Scandal…the Apothecary has dirty facilities by Rita Skeeter…he frowned slightly. How had that nosy girl Rita gotten into the Daily Prophet business? Lucky Weasley family wins daily draw, E3 for more information…Sirius flipped open the newspaper noisily and began to read the article. He liked the Weasleys, well he had only known one of them, Bill Weasley, but he was a nice fellow.

Scanning the article, the accused criminal read about how the Weasley family was going to visit Bill in Egypt with their seven hundred Galleons. There was also a picture of the family. All nine members of the family were waving happily at the camera, and on one of the boys' shoulders, there was a rat. Sirius examined the picture more closely.

Peter! Oh god…he glanced over the article again. Hogwarts…some of the kids attend Hogwarts…is Harry…oh god no…

July 30 was the fateful day Sirius Black read an article and discovered that Harry Potter went to Hogwarts, and July 30 was the day he escaped from Azkaban.