A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! Hmm…but the "threats" were not very nice. I very much prefer hugs and cookies! :)
The Long-awaited Moment
Dumbledore, Sirius, Remus and April were escorted to Courtroom Ten in the Ministry of Magic, by a very uneasy Percy Weasley. Percy had very recently been promoted to the Junior Undersecretary to the Minister.
As they reached the courtroom entrance, Percy straightened his back, cleared his throat and said in an official-sounding voice, "I will escort Professor Dumbledore and Mr…Black into the courtroom," Percy was eyeing Sirius with suspicion, remembering that two years ago, this same man had sneaked into the Gryffindor Tower and almost attacked his little brother. Trying hard to put up a front of being in control, he pointed to another door and said in a formal voice, "Professor Lupin and Professor Flamel, that is the waiting room. I will inform you when it is your turn to address members of the Wizengamot."
Remus nodded his consent while April was simply staring at Percy as though she was finding him exceptionally amusing.
Before they parted ways at the courtroom entrance, Remus gave Sirius a brotherly hug. "It'll be over soon," he told Sirius.
Sirius did not reply, his face was tensed and eyes blank.
Remus and April watched Dumbledore and Sirius enter the courtroom before going into the waiting room two doors away.
The pair sat together in silence for the first few minutes. Then April asked abruptly, "Do you regret helping Sirius?"
"No," Remus replied immediately, surprised by her question.
"The old mules at the Ministry may charge you for harbouring a criminal," she pointed out matter-of-factly.
Remus considered his words carefully before replying. This question had come to his mind many times over the past few months, but he knew he had only one answer.
"I have no regrets," he said. "I will never regret standing by a friend. Do you know we have a Marauders' Oath? We all took an oath that we will die protecting one another. We would rather die than betray a fellow Marauder. I'll never forgive myself if I stood back and let Sirius fend for himself."
"One Marauder broke the oath," April observed, and Remus gave her a sad smile.
"How about you? Do you have any regrets helping Sirius?" he asked.
It was April's turn to look surprised. "No," she replied without hesitation.
Remus looked thoughtful for a few moments before asking again, "Is your brother alright?"
"Yes, he's fine," April replied, a little taken aback by Remus' question.
"Peter did not find him?"
"Hagrid brought him back to the Flamel Fortress early this morning."
"Hagrid? He's back?"
"Yes. He returned a few days ago. He was waiting at Arabella Figg's home for Albus' instructions."
Remus decided that this was an opportunity to fill the missing pieces of the puzzle. "You have been expecting Peter to be at St. Mungo's?"
"It's just a lucky deduction," April gave him a half smile. "We guessed Voldemort's priority is to gain immortality rather than kill Harry. Once he gets hold of the Stone, he can confidently go after Harry, Albus and anyone else who stands in his way."
She paused for several moments before continuing, "My brother is the only way they can lure me out of the protection of Albus and Moody."
"Moody has been protecting you?"
"Let's put it this way. Moody was at Hogsmeade not just to keep an eye on the students. He always think I'll do something rash the moment I'm out of his sight," explained April, rolling her eyes.
Remus smiled, thinking to himself that it was not easy to stay out of view of Moody's magical eye.
"Do you still remember our reasons for believing that Voldemort will send Pettigrew?" she asked.
"Yes. He is Voldemort's only close supporter who will obediently hand over the Stone to his master."
"Not only that. Lucius Malfoy is too precious an asset for Voldemort, I think. Afterall, Malfoy does have amazing connections with the Ministry and a number of dark wizards. Pettigrew on the other hand, might not be as useful a tool as Malfoy."
"You're right. That makes perfect sense," Remus agreed.
There was a sharp knock on the door.
"Professor Lupin, they would like to see you now," Percy said with an air of someone given an important task.
Remus glanced at April just before he left the room, catching her encouraging smile.
*
As the trial was taking place in the Ministry of Magic, three very jittery teenagers were in the Gryffindor common room, deep in discussion.
"Do you think they'll believe Sirius?" Harry was asking his friends.
"They have to! Once they see Peter Pettigrew, they'll realise that Sirius is innocent!" Hermione reassured him.
Ron was looking glum, thinking about all those years Peter Pettigrew had lived with the Weasleys as a pet. "I hope I'll never have to lay my eyes on Scabbers again," he said gloomily.
"I wonder what's going on now. I wish I can be there for Sirius!" said Harry, with a tinge of frustration.
Again, it was Hermione who tried to make him feel better. "Don't worry, Harry. Professor Dumbledore is with Sirius. Nothing will go wrong. Don't forget Professor Lupin and Professor Flamel are there too! With all of them on Sirius' side, Pettigrew will not stand a chance."
"Oh that's right, Hermione. Nothing can go wrong with your two favourite professors around," Ron couldn't resist the chance to have a dig at her, but concern for Harry and Sirius made him add quickly, "But of course, Pettigrew is dead meat for sure! You'll get your godfather back in no time!"
Harry smiled at his friends. He hoped with all his heart that Sirius would regain his freedom. Harry had often imagined leaving the Dursleys and wondered what it would be like to live with Sirius. "It will be fun," thought Harry. "It will be great to finally have someone there just for me…someone whom really cares, and whom I can call family."
Harry would give up everything to have a home to return to. And more than anything else, Harry wanted to have a safe and happy Sirius by his side.
*
Two long hours crawled by and Harry could not bear it any longer. "I'm going to take a walk," he told Ron and Hermione as he pulled himself up from his favourite armchair.
"I'll come with you," Ron responded immediately.
"Me too," Hermione said.
As the portrait door swung open, the three friends came face to face with three others - Sirius, Remus and April.
Harry held his breath as he eyed the newcomers. They were visibly exhausted, and yet their excitement was unmistakable.
"It's all over," said Sirius with a grin. "The rat has been given the kiss."
Harry let out a whopping shout of joy and gave his godfather a big long hug.
***
BlackLupin : The next chapter is actually done. You know how to entice me to post it…
Sirius Black : Are you threatening these nice guys & gals?
BlackLupin * looking flabbergasted* : Of course not! I would only consider it as an added incentive to review this chapter.Sirius Black : I don't think they'll like what you intend to put us through in the next chapter. *gives a mischievous grin* You'd better not post it too soon.
BlackLupin : Er...they'll hex me if I don't update soon. Didn't you read the threats?
Sirius Black *sounding lazy now* : I'll teach you the Shield Charm. I just hope you're not too stupid to learn it. *turns to readers* Be nice to her and I'll make sure the next chapter is up soon.
Ms Padfoot / Lil Lupin / Katie Black / padfoot1979 / Sunshine*girl-Hermione / Calm Serene / Bob / Dragongurl / shining-star: Thanks for reviewing! I love all of you!!!
Tiger Lily / Destructor-of-peace : Threats do not work anymore on me. Hee hee
Lildarkkitty : You have to read on to find out…and the answer will get more and more obvious!
Someone Reading : This chapter has a nice happy ending, so you can quit thinking of evil spells to use on me! By the time you feel like hexing me again (the next chapter, I suspect), I would have mastered the Shield Charm – one so powerful that it can resist even the Death Curse! LOL I know what you mean about keeping sane. I'm writing to keep sane, and keep my favourite character in sight!
Fire'N'Ice : Yes, Sirius is FREE now! :)
cassie black : Actually, someone else will be stalking Sirius. You'll find out two chapters later.
Punk-Pixie : Thanks for listing me as one of your favourite authors! :)
Senshichan14: Hey, you're so sweet :)
peachgirl1608 : You're right. We're living in the same country!
