Author note: This chapter takes place at the same time as chapter one.

CHAPTER TWO-TRIAL OF TEARS

Sirius was sitting alone in Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore, who said he had great news, had called him there. Sirius couldn't imagine what news Dumbledore could have that was great, especially after what had happened over the last year. Suddenly there was noise behind him. He turned around and realized it was only Fawkes. Fawkes was starring at him with sincerity in his eyes. Sirius slowly got up and walked over to him. He put his hand on Fawkes' head and began to stroke his head. Fawkes chirped with contentment.

"Fawkes seems to have taken to you." Sirius turned around and saw Dumbledore standing on the staircase with a pleasant grin on his face.

"Yah, I guess he has", replied Sirius. Dumbledore walked up to them. He scratched Fawkes' head, then turned and walked over to his desk. Dumbledore sat down and motioned for Sirius to sit as well.

"Have a seat."

Sirius walked over to Dumbledore, sat down, and asked, "So what's this great news you have?"

"This", Dumbledore replied as he placed a small wooden box on the desk. There were ten small holes in the top and a lock that had neither a keyhole nor a combination on it. Dumbledore proceeded to take out his wand. At this time Sirius was extremely confused, and Dumbledore seemed to see his confused look because he tapped the box two times while saying, "MOR ALA". Instantly the box disappeared and before them sat a rat with a silver arm.

Sirius gasped," But how...how did you..."

"Well actually you have Serveus to thank for this."

"Serveus but why would he..."

"Well as it just so happens Serveus was paying a visit to the Three Broomsticks when he heard a strange sound coming from the alley next to the building. He cautiously proceeded and to his surprise he saw none other then Peter Pettigrew standing before him. Of course when Serveus approached him, Petigrew immediately transformed into a rat, Scabbers to be precise, and tried to escape, but luckily Serveus was able to capture him."

"When did all this happen", Sirius questioned.

"Two days ago. I am sorry it took so long to contact you but it seemed that the owl flu was going around and all of the owls were to sick to fly, but Poppy was able to make a potion for them."

'This is great, I can finally...' But Sirius's thoughts were cut short.

"Your new trial will be tomorrow at exactly nine o' clock in the morning, so I would advise you to get some rest." And with that Dumbledore conjured up a bed in the middle of his office, and motioned Sirius to it.

"Thank you Dumbledore."

"Your welcome, but in my opinion, it is Serveus you should thank. I am but the messenger." With that, Dumbledore re-tapped the area around the rat and said, "Rom Ala", and the box magically reappeared around the rat. Dumbledore then turned and walked up the stairs with the box, "Sleep well Sirius", and with that Sirius laid down on the bed and began to think of everything he was going to do if he was declared free.

Suddenly a thought popped into his head, 'Harry'. A grin spread over his face as he fell asleep.

That night Sirius dreamed about living in a big house in a wizarding community. He was sitting in a large living room. Suddenly the door to the room opened and in walked Harry. Sirius watched as Harry came over and sat down next to him.

Then Harry turned to him with his bright green eyes gleaming and asked," So dad what are we doing today?"

"Well..."Sirius replied," I thought we could go to Diagon Alley and get your school supplies, how does that sound son?"

"Great, lets go!" With that Harry got up and started to walk towards the door. Sirius was about to get up when the door blew open knocking Harry to the ground. Sirius jumped up when he saw who was standing in the doorway.

It was Voldemort, as he remembered him. Sirius grabbed for his wand, but it was too late. When he looked back, Harry was lying on the ground in a puddle of blood with Voldemort standing over him laughing.

"There's nothing you can do to save him." Sirius looked into Harry's eyes. They were no longer bright, green, happy eyes. Instead they were gray and lifeless. Sirius broke down and started sobbing uncontrollably.

"Noooooooo!" Sirius opened his eyes and sat up with a jolt. He was back in Dumbledore's office. Cold seat was pouring down his face. "It...it was only a dream? But it seemed so real."

"Sleep well Sirius?" Dumbledore had just walked down the stairs and was gleaming at Sirius a little worried.

"No, not really. What time is it?"

"Fifteen till nine. Shall we go, since as you know we can't apperate inside the school grounds and we don't want to be late now do we?"

"No, of course not. Lets go." With that Sirius got up and followed Dumbledore who was carrying the same box from last night under his arm. They walked silently to the end of the school grounds. Once they had stepped out of the school grounds Dumbledore turned to Sirius.

"Well, I shall see you at the ministry, and don't worry Sirius, everything will be fine." Suddenly Dumbledore disappeared. Sirius stood there a moment, thinking.

'He's right. Everything will be just fine.' Then with a pop he disappeared and reappeared beside Dumbldore just outside the doors of the Ministry of Magic.

Suddenly two young wizards in their late twenties came striding out of the ministry at a quick pace. They stopped in front of Sirius.

"We are to escort you in", one of the wizards replied holding out golden handcuffs. Sirius gave a worried glance at Dumbledore, who nodded back. The two wizards had a look of sheer terror as Sirius slowly turned around and put his hands together. One of the wizards stepped forward and placed the handcuffs on. The wizard then led Sirius into the building.

"This way please Dumbledore", the other wizard said, leading Dumbledore into the building as well. Dumbledore was led into a gigantic courtroom and seated in the front row. Sirius on the other hand was lead to a cold dark cell.

Sirius just kept repeating the same thing other and over again," Just a little longer Harry, and then we can be together forever!"

Back in the courtroom Mr. Weasley had just walked in and seated himself at the head. He was the newly appointed Minister of Magic. The courtroom was now packed to the brim with wizards talking excitedly about the case. Suddenly, Mr. Weasley tapped his wand on the table in front of him and a loud bang was produced.

"Order, order, everyone settle down. Court is now in session. I would like to skip straight to the evidence since I have been told that it is the main reason for this retrial." Mr. Weasley didn't know that Sirius was innocent nor did he have any clue what the evidence was that was being presented. The only thing that he had was the assurance of Dumbledore that this evidence would set Sirius free for sure, and because of Mr. Weasley's high respect for Dumbldore, he accepted the case.

"Dumbledore if you would", Mr. Weasley continued. Dumbledore slowly got up and walked up to where Mr. Weasley was sitting. Mr. Weasley looked on contently as Dumbledore placed the same wooden box he had shown Sirius on the table.

Dumbledore tapped the box and said, "Mor Ala" just as he had done for Sirius. Like before the box disappeared and before them sat the same rat as before. Everyone started whispering.

"Order", Mr. Weasley looked confusingly at the rat then at Dumbledore and asked, "What does this have to do with this case?"

"Well that rat is really Peter Pettigrew." With that statement the entire courtroom broke out into excited whispers.

"Order, Mr. Dumbledore how is that possible, Mr. Pettigrew is...well...not with us anymore."

"On the contrary, I will show you", Dumbledore replied. Dumbledore proceeded in pointing his wand at the rat. Blue sparks were emitted and the rat began to grow bigger, the fur disappeared, the tail shrank, it stood up right, and soon resembled a short, fat, bald man, who stood looking terrified at the many wide eyes starring back.

Everyone gasped and again began hastily whispering amongst themselves.

"Order, so Pettigrew I presume that means what I've been told about you killing all those people, faking your own death, helping you-know-who to rise back to power, and assisting in the attempted murder of young Harry Potter is true", Mr. Weasley angrily stated. Pettigrew said nothing, just nodded slightly. Mr. Weasley tapped his wand on the table again producing a loud bang and said, "Peter Pettigrew, I find you guilty of all charges and sentence you to life in Azkaban. Take him away." With that two wizards came in. Both approached Mr. Weasley and whispered something to him that no one could hear. "WHAT!?" Mr. Weasley shouted, "Fine then take him to the Ministry dungeon for now." The two wizards approached Pettigrew, placed the same type of golden cuffs on him that they had put on Sirius, and led him away.

"Please bring Mr. Black in here", Mr. Weasley told a young wizard standing beside him.

"Yes Sir." The young wizard left the room and walked down a long corridor. At the end of the corridor was a long dark staircase, which the young wizard slowly walked down while thinking about all that had happened. When he reached the bottom of the staircase he pulled out a key ring. He picked up an old red one and approached the only cell in the room. He opened the cell and looked at Sirius with a slightly still scared expression. "I am to escort you to the courtroom, come, please follow me." Sirius slowly and quietly followed the young wizard out of the cell, up the staircase, along the hall, and into the silent courtroom.

Sirius was led to the front of the courtroom and stopped in front of Mr. Weasley.

"Sirius Black due to new evidence I hereby clear you of all charges", Mr. Weasley declared. With those words the whole courtroom broke into great roars of cheering and applause. Mr. Weasley tapped his wand on the table and a loud bang was once again emitted. "Order, please remove the cuffs." The young wizard who had led Sirius into the courtroom approached Sirius and removed the cuffs. Immediately whispers could be heard all around the courtroom.

"Way to go Sirius."

"Knew you weren't guilty."

"Always believed in you."

"That Pettigrew was always way too quiet."

"Order, now Mr. Black the ministry and I both agree that you deserve compensation for the eleven years that you were forced to reside in Azkaban. Therefore you may ask any request of the ministry. Anything you want, all you have to do is ask and it will be yours. So, is there anything you want, anything at all?"

"Well actually there's only one thing I want", replied Sirius, "and that is full custody of my godson, Harry Potter." Everyone, momentarily forgetting that Sirius had just been freed, gasped.

"Well Mr. Black", Mr. Weasley said as a smile spread across his face, "As of this moment consider yourself Harry's legal guardian."

Sirius smiled and said, "I'm gonna go get Harry right now and tell him the great news." Sirius looked at Dumbledore who smiled and nodded back. With that encouraging look Sirius disappeared with a pop.