Summery: Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban when Harry was five years old. They lived hidden from the wizarding world. Now Harry is fifteen.

On the Run

Chapter Twenty

Trial Begins

Sirius sat in the waiting cell near the court room at the Ministry of magic. A week had passed since Harry had come to visit him. And he was due for another visit from his godson in just over a week from now. Remus had visited him a few days prior and was planning on visiting again in a few days. They were slowly beginning to rebuild their friendship, but both were aware it would take a long time. And they really wouldn't be able to work on it until this trial was over. Then it depended on the decision the Weazingmont made. Remus had brought a few papers Harry had written in his class for Sirius to read. Sirius really appreciated his old friend doing that. Remus also informed Sirius that he would be taking Harry to Diagon Alley so that he could get his school supplies and clothes.

"Mr. Black." The Auror guarding his cell called to get his attention. "It's time to go to the court room." Sirius nodded and stood as the Auror opened the cell and led him to the court room.

Today was the beginning of the trial. Today they would mainly discuss the basics.

Entering the court room, Sirius saw the Weazingmont up front. Professor Dumbledore and Remus were sitting in the chairs behind where Sirius sat with his lawyer, Mr. Willis. Mr. Willis was a family lawyer. Sirius had known him for most of his life. He'd helped Sirius' family out of many problems in the past.

"We are here today to discuss the trial of Sirius Black." Minister Fudge began. "Mr. Black is on trial for charges of the kidnapping of Harold James Potter ten years ago. Gathered here today are members of the Weazingmont, John Willis, Mr. Black's lawyer, Sirius Black, the defendant, Albus Dumbledore, Remus John Lupin." The Minister said as he read off a sheet of parchment.

"Mr. Black," The minister said as he looked over the parchment to Sirius. "You are charged with kidnapping, and burglary. Do you understand these charges?"

Sirius nodded. "Yes, I do Minister."

The minister nodded and looked back at his parchment. "It say's here you claim that the Dursley family, Mr. Potter's only living relatives, were neglectful toward Mr. Potter?"

"Yes, Minister." Sirius confirmed.

"How do you know this, Mr. Black?" Minister Fudge questioned.

"I went to Number Four Privet Drive to see Harry. To see how he was and if he was happy. I saw him the afternoon, but only briefly and not very clearly. That night, after every one went to bed, I entered the Dursley's household and located Harry soon after." Sirius paused to take a breath. "I found him locked in the cupboard under the stairs. He was covered in bruises, his arm was broken."

"Did you have intentions of kidnapping Mr. Potter when you went to Number Four Privet Drive?" Minister Fudge asked.

"No, I did not." Sirius answered. "I had planned on clearing my name as soon as possible, then gaining custody of Harry. But when I saw Harry in the state he was in, I couldn't leave him, so I took him."

"Where have you and Mr. Potter been living since then?" Minister Fudge asked.

"All over. We usually didn't stay in the same place over two years."

"What about Mr. Potter's education?" Madam Bones spoke up for the first time.

"I enrolled him into muggle schooling when I could." Sirius explained. "When he was ten I began to teach him magic."

"How did you manage to enroll him into muggle schooling?" Minister Fudge asked.

"I paid money in order to get fake documents. Birth certificates, social security cards and numbers, everything."

"And what did these documents claim you were to Mr. Potter?" Madam Bones asked.

"That I was his uncle."

"Did Mr. Potter know the difference?" Madam Bones asked. "Did he, or does he, know that you are his godfather, not his uncle?"

Sirius nodded. "Yes. I don't keep things from him. He knows and has known that I took him from his relatives illegally. He knows why we moved so often. He knows everything."

"How knowledgeable is Mr. Potter in his magical abilities?" Minister Fudge asked, resuming his lead in the questioning.

"I taught him enough to escape should we ever need to. And how to defend himself." Sirius explained. "I also taught him what I could, without being detected, in every other course, bar Devination. Harry knows more about Herbology, and Potions then any other course because those were the easiest to teach him without getting caught."

"Do you have any proof of your claims that Mr. Potter was neglected or abused while in the Dursley families care?"

"Only my word and my memories." Sirius said.

"Would you submit to a pensive?" Minister Fudge asked.

Sirius nodded. "Yes."

"And does Mr. Potter have any memory of living with the Dursleys?" Madam Bones asked entering the conversation again.

"Yes, he does remember living with the Dursleys." Sirius said dreading what was coming, hoping he was wrong. Hoping they wouldn't force Harry to testify about his life with his relatives. "But I would prefer him to be left out of this."

"Even at the risk of going back to Azkaban?" Madam Bones asked genuinely surprised.

Sirius nodded. "Yes." He answered bluntly.

"I think it would be best that Mr. Potter testify." Minister Fudge said after a moment.

Sirius wanted to protest. He really did. But he knew it wouldn't do any good. "Can this continue to be a closed court then?" Sirius asked hopefully. He didn't want Harry to have to talk about his life with the Dursley's with too many people.

After a moment Minister Fudge nodded. "That would be feasible. We will continue this trial next week on Tuesday at 10:00 AM."

Sirius sighed as he watched the Weazingmont begin to file out of the courtroom. He had mixed feelings on the way things had gone today. He was upset that Harry would have to testify. But he was relieved that Harry wouldn't have to talk with a courtroom full of people. Sirius looked back at Dumbledore and Remus and gave a little smile before being ushered out of the courtroom and back to his holding cell.

End of Chapter Twenty

A/N: Yeah, another chapter. Sorry its so short. Thank you for reading! Please REVIEW!

Next chapter: Harry shopping for school supplies.

I am three chapters ahead in writting this! Yeah! I am so happy I am almost finished with this story. Then I'll start planing a sequel. Actually I already have most of the sequel plots planned. I just have to figure out the finer points. Thank you to all those who have reveiwed! I love reading them!