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 Eight

"We call Madam Poppy Pomfrey, the school nurse at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, to the stand." Declared Mr. Willis.

Madam Pomfrey stood from her seat next to Remus and Dumbledore and sat down next to the Wizengamont.

"Madam Pomfrey," Mr. Willis began as he paced in front of her and the Wizengamont. "You have examined Mr. Potter yourself, correct?"

"Yes." Madam Pomfrey answered, nodding, "When he arrived at the school earlier this year."

"And did you find any signs of mistreatment or abuse?" Mr. Willis asked.

"No." Madam Pomfrey answered truthfully.

"Have you questioned him at all on his life with Mr. Black?" Mr. Willis asked.

"Not extensively." Madam Pomfrey answered.

"And what did Mr. Potter tell you?" Mr. Willis probed.

"That he has been in Mr. Blacks care since he was five." Madam Pomfrey answered. "That they moved around the United States to avoid capture by Aurors. He also said he was aware of why they moved around and that Mr. Black didn't keep much from him."

"In your opinion," Mr. Willis began. "Was Mr. Potter happy with Mr. Black?"

Madam Pomfrey nodded. "Yes."

"Has Mr. Potter ever discussed his life with his relatives, the Dursleys?"

Madam Pomfrey shook her head. "No, not to me."

"In your personal opinion," Mr. Willis said as he continued to pace, only pausing to look over at her as he asked his question. "Would you say that his life with Mr. Black was harmful to Harry?"

Madam Pomfrey took a deep breath. She wasn't too sure on how to answer this question. In some ways his life with Mr. Black would certainly affect him, but if it was in fact true that he'd been abused in his relative's care; which she believed to be the case, then it certainly was better then his life would have been had he grown up with his relatives. "I believe that Mr. Potter has had a good life with Mr. Black, and that he has been well taken care of by Mr. Black. But yes, in some ways, his life will be affected by living with Mr. Black, but not necessarily harmful."

"Can you give us an example?" Mr. Willis asked.

"He may have difficulty trusting." Madam Pomfrey answered.

"Can you explain further?" Mr. Willis asked again pausing in his pacing.

"He's spent the time with Sirius on the run from Aurors, Muggle police, and Wizarding communities." Madam Pomfrey paused to gather her thoughts. "He's spent most of his life being careful on who to trust, and that will most likely be the case the rest of his life."

"Mr. Black claims that Mr. Potter suffered abuse in the hands of his relative's, the Dursleys." Mr. Willis began. "Did you find anything to suggest that his claims may or may not be true?"

Madam Pomfrey cleared her throat and began. "Yes, I believe he has suffered abuse at some point in his life. He has old scaring that is typical of abuse, and he has made small mentions of it."

"Has he outright admitted to abuse at the hands of his relative's?" Mr. Willis prodded.

"No." Madam Pomfrey answered.

"In your personal opinion," Mr. Willis began. "Do you believe he suffered this abuse at his relative's hands or Mr. Black's?"

"His relatives," Madam Pomfrey said without hesitation. "I have known Mr. Black since he was eleven years old and I don't believe him capable of harming his godson."

"Did you ever see Mr. Black with Mr. Potter when he was an infant?" Mr. Willis asked.

"Yes. A number of times," Madam Pomfrey answered inclining her head slightly. "He was always careful not to hurt Mr. Potter. He always got Harry to smile and it was obvious he loved him."

"Have you seen Mr. Potter at all this year?" Mr. Willis asked.

"Yes."

"How does this trial seem to affect him?" Mr. Willis asked. "Does being separated with Mr. Black seem to affect him?"

Madam Pomfrey sighed. "Mr. Potter was recently admitted to the infirmary after collapsing." Looking over at Sirius she gave him an apologetic look. She hadn't wanted him to find out this way. "After examining him I found that he was suffering from exhaustion, malnutrition, and being overly stressed. His teachers have said he has been distracted in his classes. We have spoken to him about this and he has told us that he is worried about the trial, about testifying, and about Mr. Black."

"And how is Mr. Potter now?" Mr. Willis asked.

"He's doing better." Madam Pomfrey answered. "Precautions are being taken to insure he continues to do well."

"You said he was concerned about Mr. Black." Mr. Willis began. "How was he worried? Does he worry about Mr. Black's well being, or about going back to live with him?"

"When we spoke to him he said he was worried about Mr. Black's well being and if he would or would not be placed back in his care." Madam Pomfrey answered.

"Did he express worry about living with Mr. Black again?" Mr. Willis asked.

"He was worried he would not be placed back in Mr. Black's care." Madam Pomfrey said.

"I have not more questions at this time." Mr. Willis said after a moment. Mr. Willis knew that his client was eager to get answers on Harry now that he knew something had happened. And he also knew that asking more questions would only have him repeating his old ones.

"The Wizengamont will meet again April 25." Minister Fudge said as he gathered his papers.

The Aurors guarding Sirius led him back to the detaining room knowing that his friends were going to meet with him.

Sirius nervously tapped the table in front of him with his knuckles. He was very worried about Harry. He had not known that he had been ill or collapsed or that he was that stressed. He had expected him to be stressed, but he hadn't expected it to be bad enough for him to get sick. Sirius looked up as the door opened and Mr. Willis entered.

"Why didn't you tell me Harry was sick?" Sirius demanded.

Mr. Willis put his hands in the air in a defensive gesture. "I didn't know until I asked in the court room, Sirius."

"Is he okay?" Sirius persisted. "Have you spoken to Remus or Dumbledore?"

"No." Mr. Willis answered calmly. "But I came here to discuss the trial. I think things went well today. We didn't get much new information, but we did, hopefully, get the point across that this trial is affecting your godson, and that Harry is safe with you."

"Does that mean that when this is all over, assuming I get off, I can get custody of Harry?" Sirius asked apprehensively.

"It means that you may have a better chance of getting custody of him again." Mr. Willis answered carefully.

The door opened again stopping further conversation. It was Remus and Headmaster Dumbledore.

"Is Harry okay?" Sirius asked immediately as the door closed.

"He's doing well." Dumbledore answered smiling a little at the concern Sirius showed.

"Why didn't anyone notice he was getting sick?" Sirius asked accusingly.

"We noticed something was off." Remus answered with a tired sigh. "We questioned him asking if he was okay or needed anything and he refused. He acted as though everything was okay after we had talked with him. We thought he was getting better, but apparently he fooled us. "

"He's pretty quiet about his problems." Sirius finally said after a moment of thought. "If you think something is wrong with him, it usually is, but he's really good at hiding it. He doesn't think it's important. I think that's something he still deals with from living with the Dursleys." Sirius said thoughtfully. "What's being done about it?"

"He's being moved back to my rooms." Dumbledore answered.

"He is okay, though?" Sirius asked.

Dumbledore nodded. "He's better. I'm sorry it got to the point of him being in the infirmary." Dumbledore apologized. "I will keep a better eye on him."

Sirius nodded thankfully. He didn't like that it had gotten to the point of Harry getting sick. He hated knowing it had to do with the trial, a new school, and worrying about him. He just hoped this would be over soon, and he would be able to legally care for Harry. Hopefully give Harry somewhat of a normal childhood; at least what was left of it. "Just keep an eye on him please." Sirius pleaded.

Dumbledore and Remus nodded. "The minister says Harry can come visit again soon."

Sirius immediately brightened, "When?"

"This weekend," Dumbledore answered smiling.

"Can you give him a letter for me?" Sirius asked and after Dumbledore's nod he took the offered parchment and quill from the Auror.

It took about five minutes before he finished his letter and folded it up and handed it to Dumbledore.

"I will be sure to give this to him when we get back to Hogwarts." Dumbledore said as he tucked the letter on the inside of his robes.

"Thank you headmaster," Sirius said sincerely.

"Any time Sirius." Dumbledore said as he and Remus turned around and left the room.

End of Chapter Twenty Eight

A/N: Yeah another chapter finished. Sorry I didn't post it when promised. I didn't have time to finish it until tonight. I hope you liked it! Please REVIEW!

Next Chapter:

Sirius' letter

And a surprise (One you'll all like! Many have been asking for it.)

Next Update: Saturday, if not sooner. Depends if I finish it sooner.