This is a pretty emotional chapter...I don't think there is any happiness
in it at all, but I had fun writing it anyway...ENJOY!
Carolyn: Thanks for reviewing, it was interesting to see your progressing thoughts of my story! To your first review, I guess everything's pretty much answered. I did realize that I didn't really show that Sirius was innocent in the beginning. I was trying to show that Harry was the only thing that really mattered to him. And it is ironic that his uncle can be his downfall and not Voldy, that's why I like these kinds of stories and chose to write one. To your second review, I'm trying to make this a serious/funny fic, I'm working on finding a balance...I'm glad you think its funny! Third Review: I love writing cliff hangers, I think they draw readers in better, and keep everyone remembering where they left off. I try to end every chapter with at least a small one, but it doesn't always work!
PhoenixFeather: Sirius will be happy eventually, but I can't really let him be all the time can I? And you may know what's coming, but I'm going to try to add some twists so I'm not too predictable!!
Evil Willow: Was my prank good??? You're going to see soon how the trial will go. I have a definite plan for what I want to happen, but it could change, I'm never completely sure about what I'm going to write until I write it! And your order of characters is the same as mine!!!
Amy Potter 13: I can't assure you that I won't do those things to Sirius, but I'll tell you eventually he'll be Mr. Happy go lucky, which I'm sure everyone wants him to be!
Sirius Black: Well, you're about to see what happens to Peter, it's not all I have planned for him, but I think he's getting some of what he deserves! Don't worry, he won't die, I promise, I HATE fics where he dies, it's just too sad.
Silver Moon: Cliffhangers are supposed to scare you! I actually considered pulling a fireplace scandal, but I like the way I did it, hope you do too! And after that day, how could Dumbledore possibly have good news???
John: You're the only reviewer I have ever had who actually likes cliffhangers...are you crazy?
Lucretio-del-alba: No prob that you don't review every chapter, though I love it when people do! I like getting regular reviews more than random ones, cuz it shows me how well my writing is changing and what not...and I'm definitely getting sick of computers. Any kind just boggle my mind, especially the ones I must use at the grocery store!
Squirrel Girl: I'm glad that the squirrels aren't the only thing that keep you reading the story. I live in New Hampshire btw, are you getting some of this killer snow storm too?!?!
Katie: You didn't wig me out at all, I was just agreeing that it was weird that we both did wheelchairs. This is what I hate about computers, misunderstandings happen way too much! Anyway, you like read my mind here. After I gave Sirius that bad feeling, I thought about just having it be something happening to Ron, although a heart attack was not part of my plan...I was thinking severe burns from the fireworks...who knows maybe I'll still throw that in eventually! And no ones dead yet, although I'm starting to develop my idea on who's going to die, but I'll never tell. So I promise I'll read your story when you're sure you're gonna continue, and if you're not, write a new one without any Harry Hermione stuff!
A.Dee: I can leave it where ever I want...lol, I do it just to irritate you people! And yes, I thought it would really show emotion/fear if Sirius threw up, sorry if I grossed you or anyone else out!
In seconds, Dumbledore was standing in the center of the room with a very tense expression upon his face. He looked quickly at Sirius's terrified form on the couch, then at Harry looking scared below him. A sad expression took over Dumbledore's face as he saw how much the two got from each other, love and security. He was about to take some of that away.
"Sirius, could I ask that you turn into your animagus form immediately?"
Sirius and Harry both looked stricken. Sirius removed his arm from Harry and stood up, his terrified expression never leaving his face. In seconds Sirius was gone and Snuffles was in his place. Harry let out a single sob, but he wasn't crying, he was simply curious and frightened. He wanted to know what was going on.
"Now, Remus," Albus said to the one person who had remained calm, "I assume he can still understand everything I say when he's in this form? As rationally as he would in his usual form?"
Remus nodded, "He'll most likely be more rational now."
"Good," Albus replied. "Now I have a lot to tell you, but first I'd like to ask Harry to leave the room. I fear this may be a bit too much for him to handle, as he is still recovering from one emotional injury."
Harry immediately tried to stand up but it didn't work, "What??? No way, I'm not leaving! I need to know what's going on just as much as everyone else, you can't just make me leave!"
"Harry, this is very serious business, are you sure you want to deal with this?" Dumbledore replied, staring pointedly at Harry. He knew the boy was brave, but he tended to react too quickly without first using his head.
Harry nodded vigorously, and Sirius trotted over and sat down, resting one paw on Harry's leg. Then Sirius looked up at Dumbledore and waited for what he was going to say. Dumbledore sighed, then cleared his throat.
"I have just been to the ministry, as I'm sure you've assumed. Things didn't go exactly as I had planned. I have some good news, but bad as well. Which would you like first?"
Since Sirius couldn't answer, Remus tried to communicate with him. He knelt down on the other side of the dog, "Bad news first so you can end on a happy note?"
The dog shook his head, clearly signifying that the answer was no.
"Good news first?"
The dog nodded his head.
"Good news first Albus," Remus said, though he had wanted to hear the bad first.
"Okay then, the good news is that Mr. Pettigrew is currently on his way to Azkaban." At this Sirius let out a happy bark, causing Harry to laugh, and slightly lightening the mood.
"This of course will lead me to the bad news, "Dumbledore said seriously. Everyone nodded. "Mr. Pettigrew is being sent to Azkaban on charges of being a deatheater, and betraying James and Lily Potter. However, the ministry is being stubborn in believing you're complete innocence. They believe that you went crazy the day you found out Peter had betrayed Mr. And Mrs. Potter, and that you did kill all those muggles in an attempt to kill Mr. Pettigrew."
Sirius looked down at Harry's knee at this. Remus looked stricken, and Harry looked ready to bawl.
"I'm sorry," Dumbledore added.
Sirius slumped down and rested the upper half of his body on Harry's lap. Harry bent over and wrapped his arm around the dog. Harry was shaking, but he wasn't crying. He buried his face in the dogs fur and stroked the it's back. "Poor Sirius," Harry thought, "He knew something like this would happen, and here we are anyway."
Harry lifted his head to ask a question, but continued to stroke the dogs back, "What's going to happen now?"
"Mr. Pettigrew told the ministry that Sirius is here, at this house. I imagine they'll be here very shortly to gather him, that is why I have him as a dog. I am unsure if Mr. Pettigrew gave away that bit of information, but we'll see."
"What will they do to him? Will they give him the kiss?" Harry asked frantically.
"I believe that my influence will get Mr. Black a trial this time. If they find him guilty, however, I am quite sure he will be delivered the kiss. I will try to get the ministry to use Veritaserum. They did for Mr. Pettigrew's case."
Remus was looking far more worried than Harry. "If they used veritaserum on Wormtail then how come they didn't discover that he killed those muggles?" he asked in a trembling voice.
"Ahh well, even under Veritaserum one can be cunning. When asked if he had killed the muggles the night he disappeared, he replied that he as good as killed them. A line I believe he got from Mr. Black that night in the shrieking shack. It had worked to convince Harry, so he figured that it would work for him, and he was right. The ministry believed that he was saying it was his fault because Sirius was after him, and they were killed because they stood in Sirius's way."
Remus sat down on the floor next to Sirius. He buried his face in his hands. Sirius got off of Harry and sat close to his friend. Remus wrapped his arms around the dog and like Harry had done earlier buried his head in his fur. For the first time since Harry had arrived, which hadn't been that long, he found that his former teacher was the first one to break down. It was usually Harry or Sirius who would have the problems, but this time it was Remus, and that alone scared the wits out of Harry.
"Sirius, I won't let them take you-I need you-Harry needs you-Make sure you win Sirius, you can't lose this!"
The dog let out a sad whimper and buried his head in Remus's shoulder. Dumbledore cleared his throat, as he too was getting choked up over the situation. "I do not think it wise for me to be here when the ministry arrives. Harry, Remus I believe that you will both remain safe if you stay here. Alert me immediately when they take Sirius away, I'll be in my office." With that, Dumbledore left through the fireplace.
Remus was still sobbing when Dumbledore left. Tears were beginning to fill Harry's eyes as well. The whole situation just seemed hopeless. Sirius, however, was not ready to give up. Once Dumbledore left the room he transformed back into a human. Tears were in his eyes as well, but he was not willing to let them fall.
"Sirius, what the hell do you think you are doing? You heard what Dumbledore said," Remus choked.
Sirius nodded. "This time, I think Dumbledore is wrong. The ministry knows I can turn into a dog. I know they do. Pettigrew would not have let that particular rock unturned."
Remus nodded in agreement, to that, but still looked uncertain about what he was trying to do. So Sirius continued, "If they come and I'm hiding as a dog, their going to know that I'm trying to hide, and that you two are trying to hide me. And Remus, I don't care what Dumbledore says, I have a feeling that you're going to be dragged into this too."
Remus nodded, he had been thinking the same thing.
Harry finally broke down completely at this. Sirius and Remus turned to him quickly. Sirius immediately pulled Harry into a tight hug, resting his chin on Harry's head. "I'm so sorry Harry."
Harry pulled out of the hug. He looked at Sirius with a face full of nothing but sadness. "It's not your fault Sirius!...It's the ministry, they're the one's causing more problems then they're solving," Harry yelled through his sobs. Remus started crying harder.
Sirius was for the first time the voice of reason, "You both need to stop this. When the ministry arrives you can't be crying. I want to cry too, but I know I can't. We need to be strong or this situation will get worse before it even has a chance to get better."
Remus and Harry both nodded, trying to stop their tears. They took deep breaths, and after a few minutes, Harry at least had been able to calm himself down.
Remus on the other hand, managed only to cry harder. "Sirius, I can't lose you! I've lost everyone, and I've already lost you once. I can't go through that again! I can't!"
Sirius hugged his friend tightly. "I know Moony, I'll do everything possible to come out of this alright, but tears aren't going to help this at all. It'll probably make it worse for you! You have to stop crying Rem."
Remus nodded, but still clung to his best friend. Harry watched sadly as Remus tried to get control of himself. "I'm sorry Padfoot."
"No need to be sorry Moony," Sirius replied, unsure of what Remus just apologized for.
"I'm sorry I'm thinking only of myself when you're going through all this."
"Remus, you're going through as much shit as I am right now, if not more. I repeat you have no reason to be sorry!" Remus nodded sadly, but he wouldn't let himself cry again.
Harry was shaking like a leaf in fear. He knew there was a chance that he might lose Sirius, but the revelation that they both thought Remus was in danger as well, left Harry with nothing but fear.
Sirius noticed the shaking and gave Harry a worried look, "You okay bud?"
Harry shook his head, but said, "I'll be fine."
"Harry, Remus and I'll do everything in our power to make sure you're safe. Remember, you're what got me out in the first place, and you'll be what will keep me sane if I ever have to return to Azkaban. You're what matters most Harry."
Harry blushed, but continued to shake violently. Sirius pulled the blanket Harry had given him earlier off the couch and spread it over the shaking boy, and then kissed the top of Harry's head.
"Sirius, I know you don't want to be the dog, but I don't think it's best for you to be right here when the ministry comes," Remus remarked after a few minutes of absolute silence. "Why don't you go wait in your room?" Sirius looked indecisive for a few moments, but then nodded his head. He gave Remus a hug, and then Harry, and turned to go upstairs.
"I love you Sirius," Harry called just as he reached the first step.
Sirius turned, grinned slightly and replied, "I love you too Harry." And then he disappeared up the stairs.
Remus sighed and turned to Harry. The boy looked positively miserable, and Remus couldn't think of anything to say to make him feel better. Remus got up and turned the television back on. When ever he was having a tough time he would just get lost in whatever was on the television, he hoped the same would go for Harry. He put it on re-runs of the Brady Bunch and they both watched in silence for a while. Harry stopped shaking, but he looked sadder. He soon realized why. The Brady Bunch was of a very happy family, and Harry didn't have a family. The closest thing he had ever had to one was threatening to come apart.
Remus got up and changed the station. He found Friends, but that made everyone sad too. He settled for the news. There were depressing stories about the troubles in the Middle East, but it was better than thinking about their own troubles. The two watched the news in complete silence for over an hour, when a knock on the door broke the din.
Remus stood instantly and walked to the door. Harry was listening from his seat on the floor to what was going on outside.
"Remus Lupin," came an unfamiliar voice.
"Ye-es," Remus said uncertainly, trying to remain calm.
"Are you hiding Sirius Black within your home?"
"No, I hide no one," Remus replied bravely.
"Is Sirius Black in your house."
Harry pictured Remus standing up to whoever was out there bravely, as he heard him say, "Yes, he is."
"We have a warrant from the ministry to take him away, please step aside Lupin."
Harry heard him move and looked up to see a men in dress robes walk through the living room.
"What is Harry Potter doing here?" one man asked.
"He lives here," Remus said firmly.
"Are you saying you kidnapped Harry Potter?"
Remus looked at the ministry official bewildered. "No, I did not kidnap Harry. I was a friend of his fathers, Harry wasn't being taken care of at his previous home, so I have taken him in."
"Do you have ministry permission for that?"
"No, but I have Albus Dumbledore permission, and that's enough for me." Remus growled.
"Take us to Sirius Black,"
"I'm not taking you anywhere...SIRIUS! Come down here please!" He called.
It took a few moments, but they eventually heard Sirius coming slowly down the stairs.
"Are you Sirius Black?" one official asked sternly.
"Yes, I am," he muttered.
"We're here to take you to the ministry, for the moment you will not be delivered to the dementor's, but one wrong move and one will appear before you can say kiss, got it?"
Sirius nodded terrified.
"We'll deal with you later Mr. Lupin," the ministry official said before walking Sirius out the front door. Harry got into his chair and rolled himself to the window, and watched Sirius walking slowly away from the house. Harry broke down when Sirius was out of sight. He just sulked down in his chair and sobbed. Remus went to the fireplace to notify Dumbledore. He then walked up to Harry, knelt by his wheelchair. He reached forward and hugged Harry tightly. His heat constricted when he felt how tense Harry felt, and how agonizing his sobs were. Remus started crying as well, only this time not for himself or for Sirius, he was crying for Harry.
"Harry," Remus began, only to hear Harry's sobs get louder. "Harry come sit on the couch with me, okay?" he said softly. Harry nodded through his sobs and wheeled his chair towards the couch. He pulled himself onto it and just about fell apart when he sat on it.
Remus scooted next to him, and put an arm over his shoulders, pulling him closer.
"Harry it's going to be alright. It's not over yet, there's still a lot we can do!" Remus kept murmuring things like this into Harry's ear, trying to comfort him, but nothing worked. Eventually, he stopped talking and just sat there, rocking Harry slightly, trying to put him to sleep. Anything would have been better for him than those agonizing thoughts he was clearly thinking. Harry finally did fall asleep, but the result wasn't what Remus was going for.
When Harry finally fell asleep and stopped shaking, Remus moved him so that he was laying down, and covered him with a blanket. He had Harry's head resting on his knee, and he stroked his messy hair, trying to keep him calm. Every few minutes, however, it was evident that Harry was not calm, even in sleep. He would thrash something every once in a while, and Remus had to dodge limbs to keep from being hit. After an hour of watching Harry's fitful sleeping, he got up to cook dinner, chicken and rice soup. When he finished cooking it, he went to wake Harry.
Remus hunched down in front of the couch and put a hand on Harry's scrawny shoulder, and shook him awake. Harry woke easily and blinked a few times before locking his sad eyes with Remus.
"Thank God you woke me Remus, I was having another dream about Sirius being taken away. It was really awful, I thought they were even going to take you away. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you both...Where is Sirius?"
Remus was shocked at this. He couldn't believe he was going to have to explain to Harry that what he had thought had been an awful nightmare was something that really happened. Harry immediately caught the look on Remus's face.
"What is it Remus?" Harry asked, looking positively terrified.
"That wasn't a dream Harry," Remus began. "That really happened, you were really upset, and you fell asleep. Sirius is with the ministry."
Harry looked shocked. He didn't look sad, or angry, he just looked shocked. Harry opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. He kept opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water.
Remus felt awful. He had to witness Harry go through this three times now, and he had really gone through it four! His dreams took a lot out of him, so Remus considered them to be like real life pain for him. He wished there was something he could do for Harry, but he couldn't think of anything that would make it all go away.
"It's going to be okay though, Harry, I promise."
Harry nodded.
"Come on, Harry, I made soup, you need to eat."
Harry again just nodded. He showed no signs of getting up, however, so Remus took the liberty of doing that for him. He scooped up the boy and put him into his chair, then wheeled him into the kitchen. He sat him in front of a hot bowl of soup and then sat down himself. Remus started eating, but found that Harry wasn't.
"Harry, you need to eat. Sirius wouldn't want you moping like this. You need to get strong and healthy again, can you please eat your soup?"
Harry sighed and looked at the food. He dipped his spoon in and brought some towards him. His hand started shaking as he started at the food. He was almost to his mouth when he dropped the spoon back in the bowl, shaking his head.
"I can't," he mumbled sadly.
Remus got up and knelt beside Harry for what seemed like the millionth time that day. "Harry, I promise everything will be okay, I'm going to protect you and Sirius, okay. I know you're worried but you have to keep living okay. This isn't something that's going to go away immediately, so you need to start getting used to it fast. Now please eat your soup."
Again, Harry scooped some soup on his spoon. He brought it towards his mouth, then suddenly dropped it in his lap as he began to dry heave. Remus stood up quickly and grabbed the spoon, put it back in the bowl and pushed it all away. He grabbed a hold of Harry's shoulders, and rubbed them comfortingly. Harry began to sob again and Remus wrapped him in a comforting hug. "I told you Harry, it's going to be okay," Remus said soothingly. He picked Harry up and brought his trembling figure upstairs to his room. He lay Harry down in the bed and buried him under the blankets.
Remus sat down on the edge of the bed and just watched Harry try to calm himself down. He couldn't think of a single thing that would make Harry feel better, but he figured it would be best if he stuck around. Harry eventually fell asleep, but again it was not peaceful. Every now and then he'd thrash or call out Sirius's name. Remus sighed every time this happened.
Eventually, Remus fell asleep as well. He slumped over Harry , using his stomach as a pillow.
Meanwhile, far away at the ministry Sirius was in a holding cell, wide awake. After he had been taken from Remus's he had met Dumbledore at the Ministry headquarters. Dumbledore informed him that first thing the next morning Sirius would be getting his first trial. Dumbledore brought with him dress robes and toiletries so he could look his best for the event.
Dumbledore was acting so optimistic about the whole thing, but Sirius just couldn't bring himself to think the same way. His mind just kept thinking about the bad.
He sat worrying about what the others were going through, and about his impending trial. Thoughts were running through his head about what the next few days would hold. Over and over he replayed one line the ministry official had said, "We'll deal with you later Mr. Lupin." What were they going to do to Remus? Sirius was extremely worried about the consequences of the trial for himself, but also for Harry and Remus.
The next day, Harry woke up again to find a heavy weight upon him. He thought hopefully that it was Sirius, but opened his eyes to find Remus. Thoughts of the previous night again flooded his mind, but he was determined not to let them get to him. Remus had been right, Harry needed to keep living. "Remus, Remus wake up," Harry said quietly, shaking him.
Remus blinked a few times and then opened his eyes completely. He sat up and looked at Harry, surprised to see that he looked much better than the previous night. "How ya feeling Harry?" Remus mumbled.
Harry grinned sadly, "Much better, I'm sorry about last night."
"It's no problem Harry, no problem at all. You couldn't help what you were feeling, or how your body reacted."
Harry nodded sheepishly. "Cheer up, Harry, we're going to get through this."
Harry lay back on his pillows and sighed thoughtfully. It was going to seem like an eternity before they heard anything, and it was obvious that they weren't about to stop worrying any time soon.
"How about some chess to take our minds off it?" Remus asked.
"Sure," Harry replied. Remus walked away, grabbed the board off a shelf and brought it back to Harry. They were soon engaged in a long tournament of chess, and were successful in at least taking their minds slightly off of Sirius and the events that would soon be taking place.
Back at the ministry, Sirius woke with a start. He hadn't realized he had fallen asleep, so waking up really surprised him. At first he was unsure of where he was, but soon remembered everything. "This is it," he thought, "This is what it all comes down to." He wanted to get everything over with, the suspense was killing him.
Around his cell he could hear people talking, but found all of the conversations uninteresting, until a familiar voice rang over the others. "Yes, but I tell you he is an innocent man. Give him the veritaserum and you shall see. There is no way he can get around the truth under that," Dumbledore was shouting.
Another familiar voice sounded, Cornelius Fudge, "Yes, well Pettigrew said it wasn't his fault either so it must be Black's! Why waste perfectly good veritaserum when we already know it must be him?!"
"He is not guilty I tell you! Tell me again what Wormtail said under the veritaserum? He said he as good as killed them, did he not?"
"He did say that, yes."
"Well then, he admitted he killed the muggles!"
"Dumbledore, he simply felt that he was the one to blame that's all. He feels it was his fault they died, but that doesn't mean they died at his hand!"
"Yes, Minister, it does. Give Sirius Black the Veritaserum and you will see that," Dumbledore said tiredly.
Then, a prisoner in a nearby cell let out a terrible scream and a riot began, Sirius was unable to hear whether or not Dumbledore had convinced Fudge to give him Veritaserum or not. "Please Dumbledore," Sirius whispered quietly to himself. "Please help me."
After nearly fifteen minutes, the holding cell area had quieted down again, and one of the voices still remained. Sirius could hear the minister of magic talking to a guard, who's voice also sounded familiar. It was one of the guards who had taken Sirius from Remus's home.
"Minister, that werewolf needs to be taken into custody. He has kidnapped Harry Potter, as well as hide Sirius Black while he was number one on our most wanted list. He can not be let free in society. I guess it's true that you can never trust a beast."
"Indeed, Garrison. He will be punished justly for not turning in Black, as for Harry Potter, I believe that Dumbledore will interfere too much for us to do anything about that."
Sirius's heart was stuck in his throat. "They're going to go after Moony! All because he was helping me...and it was under Dumbledore's orders. How could the minister of magic be so evil?" Currently, Cornelius Fudge was the equivalent of Peter Pettigrew in the eyes of Sirius. He became lost in thought, and didn't notice the voices die away. He sat for nearly an hour, contemplating how everything was his fault, and what would happen to Harry if both Sirius and Remus were sent to Azkaban.
Without realizing how much time had passed, Sirius was shocked out of his thoughts when the door to his cell was thrust open. He looked up to see Dumbledore, accompanied by two guards.
"It's time Sirius," Dumbledore said.
Sirius nodded, terrified and stood, shaking. He walked out of his cell, never looking back, and barely noticed the loud bang with which it shut. He walked on, thinking he was about to face his final destiny.
A/N: Now, that was pretty short, but if I added the trial in now it would be WAY too long. Next chapter will be all about the trial, with a little of what's going on back at the Lupin Loft. Hope you're all enjoying this, and having a wonderful Christmas! We're snowed in here!!!
Carolyn: Thanks for reviewing, it was interesting to see your progressing thoughts of my story! To your first review, I guess everything's pretty much answered. I did realize that I didn't really show that Sirius was innocent in the beginning. I was trying to show that Harry was the only thing that really mattered to him. And it is ironic that his uncle can be his downfall and not Voldy, that's why I like these kinds of stories and chose to write one. To your second review, I'm trying to make this a serious/funny fic, I'm working on finding a balance...I'm glad you think its funny! Third Review: I love writing cliff hangers, I think they draw readers in better, and keep everyone remembering where they left off. I try to end every chapter with at least a small one, but it doesn't always work!
PhoenixFeather: Sirius will be happy eventually, but I can't really let him be all the time can I? And you may know what's coming, but I'm going to try to add some twists so I'm not too predictable!!
Evil Willow: Was my prank good??? You're going to see soon how the trial will go. I have a definite plan for what I want to happen, but it could change, I'm never completely sure about what I'm going to write until I write it! And your order of characters is the same as mine!!!
Amy Potter 13: I can't assure you that I won't do those things to Sirius, but I'll tell you eventually he'll be Mr. Happy go lucky, which I'm sure everyone wants him to be!
Sirius Black: Well, you're about to see what happens to Peter, it's not all I have planned for him, but I think he's getting some of what he deserves! Don't worry, he won't die, I promise, I HATE fics where he dies, it's just too sad.
Silver Moon: Cliffhangers are supposed to scare you! I actually considered pulling a fireplace scandal, but I like the way I did it, hope you do too! And after that day, how could Dumbledore possibly have good news???
John: You're the only reviewer I have ever had who actually likes cliffhangers...are you crazy?
Lucretio-del-alba: No prob that you don't review every chapter, though I love it when people do! I like getting regular reviews more than random ones, cuz it shows me how well my writing is changing and what not...and I'm definitely getting sick of computers. Any kind just boggle my mind, especially the ones I must use at the grocery store!
Squirrel Girl: I'm glad that the squirrels aren't the only thing that keep you reading the story. I live in New Hampshire btw, are you getting some of this killer snow storm too?!?!
Katie: You didn't wig me out at all, I was just agreeing that it was weird that we both did wheelchairs. This is what I hate about computers, misunderstandings happen way too much! Anyway, you like read my mind here. After I gave Sirius that bad feeling, I thought about just having it be something happening to Ron, although a heart attack was not part of my plan...I was thinking severe burns from the fireworks...who knows maybe I'll still throw that in eventually! And no ones dead yet, although I'm starting to develop my idea on who's going to die, but I'll never tell. So I promise I'll read your story when you're sure you're gonna continue, and if you're not, write a new one without any Harry Hermione stuff!
A.Dee: I can leave it where ever I want...lol, I do it just to irritate you people! And yes, I thought it would really show emotion/fear if Sirius threw up, sorry if I grossed you or anyone else out!
In seconds, Dumbledore was standing in the center of the room with a very tense expression upon his face. He looked quickly at Sirius's terrified form on the couch, then at Harry looking scared below him. A sad expression took over Dumbledore's face as he saw how much the two got from each other, love and security. He was about to take some of that away.
"Sirius, could I ask that you turn into your animagus form immediately?"
Sirius and Harry both looked stricken. Sirius removed his arm from Harry and stood up, his terrified expression never leaving his face. In seconds Sirius was gone and Snuffles was in his place. Harry let out a single sob, but he wasn't crying, he was simply curious and frightened. He wanted to know what was going on.
"Now, Remus," Albus said to the one person who had remained calm, "I assume he can still understand everything I say when he's in this form? As rationally as he would in his usual form?"
Remus nodded, "He'll most likely be more rational now."
"Good," Albus replied. "Now I have a lot to tell you, but first I'd like to ask Harry to leave the room. I fear this may be a bit too much for him to handle, as he is still recovering from one emotional injury."
Harry immediately tried to stand up but it didn't work, "What??? No way, I'm not leaving! I need to know what's going on just as much as everyone else, you can't just make me leave!"
"Harry, this is very serious business, are you sure you want to deal with this?" Dumbledore replied, staring pointedly at Harry. He knew the boy was brave, but he tended to react too quickly without first using his head.
Harry nodded vigorously, and Sirius trotted over and sat down, resting one paw on Harry's leg. Then Sirius looked up at Dumbledore and waited for what he was going to say. Dumbledore sighed, then cleared his throat.
"I have just been to the ministry, as I'm sure you've assumed. Things didn't go exactly as I had planned. I have some good news, but bad as well. Which would you like first?"
Since Sirius couldn't answer, Remus tried to communicate with him. He knelt down on the other side of the dog, "Bad news first so you can end on a happy note?"
The dog shook his head, clearly signifying that the answer was no.
"Good news first?"
The dog nodded his head.
"Good news first Albus," Remus said, though he had wanted to hear the bad first.
"Okay then, the good news is that Mr. Pettigrew is currently on his way to Azkaban." At this Sirius let out a happy bark, causing Harry to laugh, and slightly lightening the mood.
"This of course will lead me to the bad news, "Dumbledore said seriously. Everyone nodded. "Mr. Pettigrew is being sent to Azkaban on charges of being a deatheater, and betraying James and Lily Potter. However, the ministry is being stubborn in believing you're complete innocence. They believe that you went crazy the day you found out Peter had betrayed Mr. And Mrs. Potter, and that you did kill all those muggles in an attempt to kill Mr. Pettigrew."
Sirius looked down at Harry's knee at this. Remus looked stricken, and Harry looked ready to bawl.
"I'm sorry," Dumbledore added.
Sirius slumped down and rested the upper half of his body on Harry's lap. Harry bent over and wrapped his arm around the dog. Harry was shaking, but he wasn't crying. He buried his face in the dogs fur and stroked the it's back. "Poor Sirius," Harry thought, "He knew something like this would happen, and here we are anyway."
Harry lifted his head to ask a question, but continued to stroke the dogs back, "What's going to happen now?"
"Mr. Pettigrew told the ministry that Sirius is here, at this house. I imagine they'll be here very shortly to gather him, that is why I have him as a dog. I am unsure if Mr. Pettigrew gave away that bit of information, but we'll see."
"What will they do to him? Will they give him the kiss?" Harry asked frantically.
"I believe that my influence will get Mr. Black a trial this time. If they find him guilty, however, I am quite sure he will be delivered the kiss. I will try to get the ministry to use Veritaserum. They did for Mr. Pettigrew's case."
Remus was looking far more worried than Harry. "If they used veritaserum on Wormtail then how come they didn't discover that he killed those muggles?" he asked in a trembling voice.
"Ahh well, even under Veritaserum one can be cunning. When asked if he had killed the muggles the night he disappeared, he replied that he as good as killed them. A line I believe he got from Mr. Black that night in the shrieking shack. It had worked to convince Harry, so he figured that it would work for him, and he was right. The ministry believed that he was saying it was his fault because Sirius was after him, and they were killed because they stood in Sirius's way."
Remus sat down on the floor next to Sirius. He buried his face in his hands. Sirius got off of Harry and sat close to his friend. Remus wrapped his arms around the dog and like Harry had done earlier buried his head in his fur. For the first time since Harry had arrived, which hadn't been that long, he found that his former teacher was the first one to break down. It was usually Harry or Sirius who would have the problems, but this time it was Remus, and that alone scared the wits out of Harry.
"Sirius, I won't let them take you-I need you-Harry needs you-Make sure you win Sirius, you can't lose this!"
The dog let out a sad whimper and buried his head in Remus's shoulder. Dumbledore cleared his throat, as he too was getting choked up over the situation. "I do not think it wise for me to be here when the ministry arrives. Harry, Remus I believe that you will both remain safe if you stay here. Alert me immediately when they take Sirius away, I'll be in my office." With that, Dumbledore left through the fireplace.
Remus was still sobbing when Dumbledore left. Tears were beginning to fill Harry's eyes as well. The whole situation just seemed hopeless. Sirius, however, was not ready to give up. Once Dumbledore left the room he transformed back into a human. Tears were in his eyes as well, but he was not willing to let them fall.
"Sirius, what the hell do you think you are doing? You heard what Dumbledore said," Remus choked.
Sirius nodded. "This time, I think Dumbledore is wrong. The ministry knows I can turn into a dog. I know they do. Pettigrew would not have let that particular rock unturned."
Remus nodded in agreement, to that, but still looked uncertain about what he was trying to do. So Sirius continued, "If they come and I'm hiding as a dog, their going to know that I'm trying to hide, and that you two are trying to hide me. And Remus, I don't care what Dumbledore says, I have a feeling that you're going to be dragged into this too."
Remus nodded, he had been thinking the same thing.
Harry finally broke down completely at this. Sirius and Remus turned to him quickly. Sirius immediately pulled Harry into a tight hug, resting his chin on Harry's head. "I'm so sorry Harry."
Harry pulled out of the hug. He looked at Sirius with a face full of nothing but sadness. "It's not your fault Sirius!...It's the ministry, they're the one's causing more problems then they're solving," Harry yelled through his sobs. Remus started crying harder.
Sirius was for the first time the voice of reason, "You both need to stop this. When the ministry arrives you can't be crying. I want to cry too, but I know I can't. We need to be strong or this situation will get worse before it even has a chance to get better."
Remus and Harry both nodded, trying to stop their tears. They took deep breaths, and after a few minutes, Harry at least had been able to calm himself down.
Remus on the other hand, managed only to cry harder. "Sirius, I can't lose you! I've lost everyone, and I've already lost you once. I can't go through that again! I can't!"
Sirius hugged his friend tightly. "I know Moony, I'll do everything possible to come out of this alright, but tears aren't going to help this at all. It'll probably make it worse for you! You have to stop crying Rem."
Remus nodded, but still clung to his best friend. Harry watched sadly as Remus tried to get control of himself. "I'm sorry Padfoot."
"No need to be sorry Moony," Sirius replied, unsure of what Remus just apologized for.
"I'm sorry I'm thinking only of myself when you're going through all this."
"Remus, you're going through as much shit as I am right now, if not more. I repeat you have no reason to be sorry!" Remus nodded sadly, but he wouldn't let himself cry again.
Harry was shaking like a leaf in fear. He knew there was a chance that he might lose Sirius, but the revelation that they both thought Remus was in danger as well, left Harry with nothing but fear.
Sirius noticed the shaking and gave Harry a worried look, "You okay bud?"
Harry shook his head, but said, "I'll be fine."
"Harry, Remus and I'll do everything in our power to make sure you're safe. Remember, you're what got me out in the first place, and you'll be what will keep me sane if I ever have to return to Azkaban. You're what matters most Harry."
Harry blushed, but continued to shake violently. Sirius pulled the blanket Harry had given him earlier off the couch and spread it over the shaking boy, and then kissed the top of Harry's head.
"Sirius, I know you don't want to be the dog, but I don't think it's best for you to be right here when the ministry comes," Remus remarked after a few minutes of absolute silence. "Why don't you go wait in your room?" Sirius looked indecisive for a few moments, but then nodded his head. He gave Remus a hug, and then Harry, and turned to go upstairs.
"I love you Sirius," Harry called just as he reached the first step.
Sirius turned, grinned slightly and replied, "I love you too Harry." And then he disappeared up the stairs.
Remus sighed and turned to Harry. The boy looked positively miserable, and Remus couldn't think of anything to say to make him feel better. Remus got up and turned the television back on. When ever he was having a tough time he would just get lost in whatever was on the television, he hoped the same would go for Harry. He put it on re-runs of the Brady Bunch and they both watched in silence for a while. Harry stopped shaking, but he looked sadder. He soon realized why. The Brady Bunch was of a very happy family, and Harry didn't have a family. The closest thing he had ever had to one was threatening to come apart.
Remus got up and changed the station. He found Friends, but that made everyone sad too. He settled for the news. There were depressing stories about the troubles in the Middle East, but it was better than thinking about their own troubles. The two watched the news in complete silence for over an hour, when a knock on the door broke the din.
Remus stood instantly and walked to the door. Harry was listening from his seat on the floor to what was going on outside.
"Remus Lupin," came an unfamiliar voice.
"Ye-es," Remus said uncertainly, trying to remain calm.
"Are you hiding Sirius Black within your home?"
"No, I hide no one," Remus replied bravely.
"Is Sirius Black in your house."
Harry pictured Remus standing up to whoever was out there bravely, as he heard him say, "Yes, he is."
"We have a warrant from the ministry to take him away, please step aside Lupin."
Harry heard him move and looked up to see a men in dress robes walk through the living room.
"What is Harry Potter doing here?" one man asked.
"He lives here," Remus said firmly.
"Are you saying you kidnapped Harry Potter?"
Remus looked at the ministry official bewildered. "No, I did not kidnap Harry. I was a friend of his fathers, Harry wasn't being taken care of at his previous home, so I have taken him in."
"Do you have ministry permission for that?"
"No, but I have Albus Dumbledore permission, and that's enough for me." Remus growled.
"Take us to Sirius Black,"
"I'm not taking you anywhere...SIRIUS! Come down here please!" He called.
It took a few moments, but they eventually heard Sirius coming slowly down the stairs.
"Are you Sirius Black?" one official asked sternly.
"Yes, I am," he muttered.
"We're here to take you to the ministry, for the moment you will not be delivered to the dementor's, but one wrong move and one will appear before you can say kiss, got it?"
Sirius nodded terrified.
"We'll deal with you later Mr. Lupin," the ministry official said before walking Sirius out the front door. Harry got into his chair and rolled himself to the window, and watched Sirius walking slowly away from the house. Harry broke down when Sirius was out of sight. He just sulked down in his chair and sobbed. Remus went to the fireplace to notify Dumbledore. He then walked up to Harry, knelt by his wheelchair. He reached forward and hugged Harry tightly. His heat constricted when he felt how tense Harry felt, and how agonizing his sobs were. Remus started crying as well, only this time not for himself or for Sirius, he was crying for Harry.
"Harry," Remus began, only to hear Harry's sobs get louder. "Harry come sit on the couch with me, okay?" he said softly. Harry nodded through his sobs and wheeled his chair towards the couch. He pulled himself onto it and just about fell apart when he sat on it.
Remus scooted next to him, and put an arm over his shoulders, pulling him closer.
"Harry it's going to be alright. It's not over yet, there's still a lot we can do!" Remus kept murmuring things like this into Harry's ear, trying to comfort him, but nothing worked. Eventually, he stopped talking and just sat there, rocking Harry slightly, trying to put him to sleep. Anything would have been better for him than those agonizing thoughts he was clearly thinking. Harry finally did fall asleep, but the result wasn't what Remus was going for.
When Harry finally fell asleep and stopped shaking, Remus moved him so that he was laying down, and covered him with a blanket. He had Harry's head resting on his knee, and he stroked his messy hair, trying to keep him calm. Every few minutes, however, it was evident that Harry was not calm, even in sleep. He would thrash something every once in a while, and Remus had to dodge limbs to keep from being hit. After an hour of watching Harry's fitful sleeping, he got up to cook dinner, chicken and rice soup. When he finished cooking it, he went to wake Harry.
Remus hunched down in front of the couch and put a hand on Harry's scrawny shoulder, and shook him awake. Harry woke easily and blinked a few times before locking his sad eyes with Remus.
"Thank God you woke me Remus, I was having another dream about Sirius being taken away. It was really awful, I thought they were even going to take you away. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you both...Where is Sirius?"
Remus was shocked at this. He couldn't believe he was going to have to explain to Harry that what he had thought had been an awful nightmare was something that really happened. Harry immediately caught the look on Remus's face.
"What is it Remus?" Harry asked, looking positively terrified.
"That wasn't a dream Harry," Remus began. "That really happened, you were really upset, and you fell asleep. Sirius is with the ministry."
Harry looked shocked. He didn't look sad, or angry, he just looked shocked. Harry opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. He kept opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water.
Remus felt awful. He had to witness Harry go through this three times now, and he had really gone through it four! His dreams took a lot out of him, so Remus considered them to be like real life pain for him. He wished there was something he could do for Harry, but he couldn't think of anything that would make it all go away.
"It's going to be okay though, Harry, I promise."
Harry nodded.
"Come on, Harry, I made soup, you need to eat."
Harry again just nodded. He showed no signs of getting up, however, so Remus took the liberty of doing that for him. He scooped up the boy and put him into his chair, then wheeled him into the kitchen. He sat him in front of a hot bowl of soup and then sat down himself. Remus started eating, but found that Harry wasn't.
"Harry, you need to eat. Sirius wouldn't want you moping like this. You need to get strong and healthy again, can you please eat your soup?"
Harry sighed and looked at the food. He dipped his spoon in and brought some towards him. His hand started shaking as he started at the food. He was almost to his mouth when he dropped the spoon back in the bowl, shaking his head.
"I can't," he mumbled sadly.
Remus got up and knelt beside Harry for what seemed like the millionth time that day. "Harry, I promise everything will be okay, I'm going to protect you and Sirius, okay. I know you're worried but you have to keep living okay. This isn't something that's going to go away immediately, so you need to start getting used to it fast. Now please eat your soup."
Again, Harry scooped some soup on his spoon. He brought it towards his mouth, then suddenly dropped it in his lap as he began to dry heave. Remus stood up quickly and grabbed the spoon, put it back in the bowl and pushed it all away. He grabbed a hold of Harry's shoulders, and rubbed them comfortingly. Harry began to sob again and Remus wrapped him in a comforting hug. "I told you Harry, it's going to be okay," Remus said soothingly. He picked Harry up and brought his trembling figure upstairs to his room. He lay Harry down in the bed and buried him under the blankets.
Remus sat down on the edge of the bed and just watched Harry try to calm himself down. He couldn't think of a single thing that would make Harry feel better, but he figured it would be best if he stuck around. Harry eventually fell asleep, but again it was not peaceful. Every now and then he'd thrash or call out Sirius's name. Remus sighed every time this happened.
Eventually, Remus fell asleep as well. He slumped over Harry , using his stomach as a pillow.
Meanwhile, far away at the ministry Sirius was in a holding cell, wide awake. After he had been taken from Remus's he had met Dumbledore at the Ministry headquarters. Dumbledore informed him that first thing the next morning Sirius would be getting his first trial. Dumbledore brought with him dress robes and toiletries so he could look his best for the event.
Dumbledore was acting so optimistic about the whole thing, but Sirius just couldn't bring himself to think the same way. His mind just kept thinking about the bad.
He sat worrying about what the others were going through, and about his impending trial. Thoughts were running through his head about what the next few days would hold. Over and over he replayed one line the ministry official had said, "We'll deal with you later Mr. Lupin." What were they going to do to Remus? Sirius was extremely worried about the consequences of the trial for himself, but also for Harry and Remus.
The next day, Harry woke up again to find a heavy weight upon him. He thought hopefully that it was Sirius, but opened his eyes to find Remus. Thoughts of the previous night again flooded his mind, but he was determined not to let them get to him. Remus had been right, Harry needed to keep living. "Remus, Remus wake up," Harry said quietly, shaking him.
Remus blinked a few times and then opened his eyes completely. He sat up and looked at Harry, surprised to see that he looked much better than the previous night. "How ya feeling Harry?" Remus mumbled.
Harry grinned sadly, "Much better, I'm sorry about last night."
"It's no problem Harry, no problem at all. You couldn't help what you were feeling, or how your body reacted."
Harry nodded sheepishly. "Cheer up, Harry, we're going to get through this."
Harry lay back on his pillows and sighed thoughtfully. It was going to seem like an eternity before they heard anything, and it was obvious that they weren't about to stop worrying any time soon.
"How about some chess to take our minds off it?" Remus asked.
"Sure," Harry replied. Remus walked away, grabbed the board off a shelf and brought it back to Harry. They were soon engaged in a long tournament of chess, and were successful in at least taking their minds slightly off of Sirius and the events that would soon be taking place.
Back at the ministry, Sirius woke with a start. He hadn't realized he had fallen asleep, so waking up really surprised him. At first he was unsure of where he was, but soon remembered everything. "This is it," he thought, "This is what it all comes down to." He wanted to get everything over with, the suspense was killing him.
Around his cell he could hear people talking, but found all of the conversations uninteresting, until a familiar voice rang over the others. "Yes, but I tell you he is an innocent man. Give him the veritaserum and you shall see. There is no way he can get around the truth under that," Dumbledore was shouting.
Another familiar voice sounded, Cornelius Fudge, "Yes, well Pettigrew said it wasn't his fault either so it must be Black's! Why waste perfectly good veritaserum when we already know it must be him?!"
"He is not guilty I tell you! Tell me again what Wormtail said under the veritaserum? He said he as good as killed them, did he not?"
"He did say that, yes."
"Well then, he admitted he killed the muggles!"
"Dumbledore, he simply felt that he was the one to blame that's all. He feels it was his fault they died, but that doesn't mean they died at his hand!"
"Yes, Minister, it does. Give Sirius Black the Veritaserum and you will see that," Dumbledore said tiredly.
Then, a prisoner in a nearby cell let out a terrible scream and a riot began, Sirius was unable to hear whether or not Dumbledore had convinced Fudge to give him Veritaserum or not. "Please Dumbledore," Sirius whispered quietly to himself. "Please help me."
After nearly fifteen minutes, the holding cell area had quieted down again, and one of the voices still remained. Sirius could hear the minister of magic talking to a guard, who's voice also sounded familiar. It was one of the guards who had taken Sirius from Remus's home.
"Minister, that werewolf needs to be taken into custody. He has kidnapped Harry Potter, as well as hide Sirius Black while he was number one on our most wanted list. He can not be let free in society. I guess it's true that you can never trust a beast."
"Indeed, Garrison. He will be punished justly for not turning in Black, as for Harry Potter, I believe that Dumbledore will interfere too much for us to do anything about that."
Sirius's heart was stuck in his throat. "They're going to go after Moony! All because he was helping me...and it was under Dumbledore's orders. How could the minister of magic be so evil?" Currently, Cornelius Fudge was the equivalent of Peter Pettigrew in the eyes of Sirius. He became lost in thought, and didn't notice the voices die away. He sat for nearly an hour, contemplating how everything was his fault, and what would happen to Harry if both Sirius and Remus were sent to Azkaban.
Without realizing how much time had passed, Sirius was shocked out of his thoughts when the door to his cell was thrust open. He looked up to see Dumbledore, accompanied by two guards.
"It's time Sirius," Dumbledore said.
Sirius nodded, terrified and stood, shaking. He walked out of his cell, never looking back, and barely noticed the loud bang with which it shut. He walked on, thinking he was about to face his final destiny.
A/N: Now, that was pretty short, but if I added the trial in now it would be WAY too long. Next chapter will be all about the trial, with a little of what's going on back at the Lupin Loft. Hope you're all enjoying this, and having a wonderful Christmas! We're snowed in here!!!