"I have a good feeling about this one Oliver," Lucy said stirring her cauldron.
"That's what you said about the last three batches," Wood said doubtfully. Harry grinned as Lucy gave her boyfriend a stern look.
"You said you trusted me." Wood took her hand and kissed it.
"I do my love," he said.
"Good," Lucy said turning back to her cauldron. "Tip your head back." Wood gave Harry a pleading look and he only shrugged. Lucy poured the amber fluid into a beaker and went over to Wood. She took a dropper and sucked the fluid into in. Harry held his breath as Lucy dropped the potion into Wood's left eye. Wood closed his eyes and then opened them again. Astonishment filled his eyes.
"Did it work?" Harry asked anxiously. Wood placed his hand over his 'good' eye and laughed.
"It worked!" he cried jumping up and sweeping Lucy into his arms. "I can see!" Harry cheered and Lucy laughed.
"Put me down you scoundrel," she said. Wood placed her on her feet but did not let her go.
"I knew you could do it, Lucy," Wood said looking at her adoringly. Lucy blushed.
"Oliver, not in front of Harry," Lucy murmured. Harry grinned as the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," he said. He hurried up the basement stairs. He hoped it would be Lupin or Tonks with a report on Sirius. The trial was in three days and Harry was so anxious he could barely keep still at times. Not that he wasn't enjoying being with Lucy. Dumbledore had rented them a small house in Hogsmeade to stay in until the trial results were in. It wasn't much, a simple one-story house with two bedrooms, a living space, kitchen and bathroom. There was a cellar where Lucy kept her potions supplies. She'd been working hard on developing new potions and sometimes she let him help, as long as the potion wasn't in next year's lesson plan. She didn't want anyone to think he was getting favortism because he was the brother of the potions instructor. He and Lucy were becoming quite close. He'd found out a lot about her, like the fact that she had quite an addiction to chocolate and had the most ticklish belly he'd ever seen. They had a few visits from Ron and Hermione and Ginny. Ron and Hermione were definitely growing closer if that was possible. Ginny was a frequent visitor. Harry had lost count of the number of times they'd gotten lost in the woods behind the house. Lucy always gave him stern looks when they came back after dark but he assured her that they never did anything but kiss. And if she gave him trouble he only remeinded her of her shananigans (sp?) with Wood whenever the man was around. Lupin or Tonks came everyday with a report on how Sirius was doing. He enjoyed seeing his former DADA teacher even if it was under these cicumstances. Tonks had been a bit of a shock to Harry. She was a Metamorphmagus so she could magically change her appearance. The first time he'd met her her hair was long and black, then the next time it was short and fire engine red. She'd brought her mother Andromeda, who had been his mother's best friend to the house three days ago. The witch had had tears in her eyes when she looked at Lucy, seeing her dead friend in her daughter. Harry opened the door and saw Ginny and Lupin standing on the porch.
"Ginny, Remus," Harry greeted them. "You didn't come together did you"
"We merely arrived at the same moment," Lupin said. Harry stepped back and allowed them to enter. He kissed Ginny hello then turned to Lupin.
"What news?" he asked. Lupin looked around.
"Where is your sister"
"Downstairs in the basement with Wood." Lupin's brow shot up.
"Would you call them up here please, Harry. I trust they'll want to hear this as well." Harry called Lucy and they all settled around the living room.
"Is Sirius all right, Remus?" Harry asked nervously.
"He's fine Harry," Lupin reassured him. "Arthur is with him now. They selected the jury today"
"Who is on the jury?" Lucy asked.
"Seven wizards, five witches. Elebar Rumley, Jenima Wasp, Olivia Thrumgold, Reginald Zigger, Zander Frankovic, Harold Bones, Regina Patil, Deter Sewell, Montague Bast, Samuel Heck, Hilda Detrick, and Pamela Greely"
"Patil?" Harry wondered aloud, "Is that"
"Yes Harry," Lupin said. "Parvati's mother. Good woman, very fairminded"
"What about the others? Will they give Sirius a fair hearing"
"I beleive they will Harry." Harry let out a sigh of relief.
"Now that I have brought the news, I believe you have something for me Lucy?"
"Oh yes," Lucy said jumping up and hurrying to the basement." Harry fiddled with a thread on his sweater.
"Remus," he said slowly, "May I talk to you alone for a moment"
"Of course Harry," Remus said following Harry into the kitchen.
"I wondered if you were able to talk to Sirius about me coming to the trial?" Lupin sighed.
"He doesn't want you to be there, Harry. He doesn't want you to see him like that"
"Like what?" Harry demanded. "You said he was all right"
"He is. He doesn't want you to see him in chains, on trial for a crime he didn't commit, a crime which he's already suffered twelve years for"
"I just wish the day would come already," Harry sighed.
"I know it's hard Harry," Lupin said. "But when it's all over, Sirius's name will be cleared and you'll be able to be together." Harry rubbed his eyes.
"I feel so guilty. He's locked up at the ministry and I'm here having fun. Lucy is so wonderful and love being with her. I feel like I'm betraying Sirius whenever she and I are having fun"
"It is not a betrayal of one to want to be with the other. Sirius wanted you to be with Lucy during all this. He was the one who demanded that Fudge grant Lucy temporary custody of you. He wants you to be happy Harry. Believe me, seeing you and Lucy together gives him great joy, as it does me." Harry felt a slight weight lift from his heart.
"Thanks Remus," he said. "I needed to hear that." Lupin patted his shoulder. They turned as Lucy appeared with a goblet in her hand.
"Here we are Remus," Lucy said handing him the goblet.
"Thank you my dear"
"What's all this?" Harry asked.
"Wolfsbane potion," Lucy explained. "I've been experimenting with it trying to make it taste better"
"We'll see if it worked," Lupin said. He took a deep breath and sipped the potion. His eyes widened.
"My dear you are a marvel!" he exclaimed.
"It tastes okay?" she asked.
"It's actually rather sweet. What on earth did you do to it? Sugar has never made it taste any better"
"Actually I added a sugar substitute. Muggles use it quite a lot. It's just as sweet as sugar but it's supposedly healthier"
"What is it"
"They call it Splenda."
That last little bit was a tribute to my old roomate Mickie who turned me onto Splenda. Sirius's ultimate fate will soon be dicided. Don't worry I wouldn't give him to the dementors.