Summery: Sirius Black Escaped from Azkaban when Harry was five years old. They have lived on the run from the Wizarding World. Harry is now fifteen. AU.

On the Run

The Verdict

Chapter Thirty Three

Sirius sighed as he sat next to Mr. Willis, who smiled politely at him. Today was the day the Wizengamont would decide his fate; if he was guilty or not guilty. And then what his sentence was.

In some ways he was relieved. This ordeal would finally be over, no more running.

He sincerely hoped he was found innocent and that Harry would be placed in his custody. But he also knew he was guilty of kidnapping, even if his reasons were good ones. The Wizengamont might see it that way also.

He knew it was possible that he'd be found guilty and that he may get sentenced to Azkaban. He also knew it was likely he may not get custody of Harry even if he was found guilty.

He hoped Harry would not be placed with another family.

But if it did happen, he hoped Harry would be placed somewhere where he would be happy and well taken care of.

He hoped he wasn't sentenced to Azkaban, again. Four years was more then enough time in that horrible place, in his opinion.

Sirius found himself second guessing his earlier decision. Was it worth it? He found himself unsure of that answer.

He wanted Harry to have a normal childhood. He knew Harry's childhood had been far from normal. Changing your name every time you moved was not normal. Moving every year was not normal. Changing schools every year was not normal, and having to leave your friends in that same amount of time was not normal.

By turning himself in he hoped to change that. He hoped to give Harry some stability. He wanted Harry to be able to keep his own name, and live at the same house for more then a year, and be able to keep the same friends.

"Are you okay, Sirius?" Mr. Willis asked bringing Sirius out of his thoughts.

Sirius smiled reassuringly at Mr. Willis. "Yeah, I'm okay." He paused for a moment in thought. "If they do decide I am guilty and send me away, please make sure Harry is okay and taken care of." Sirius begged Mr. Willis.

Mr. Willis nodded and smiled sadly at Sirius. "I will, Sirius." Mr. Willis promised.

"Are you ready?" Remus asked as he lightly touched Harry's shoulder.

Harry nodded tiredly. He hadn't slept much the previous night because his mind kept reeling with thoughts of 'what if' with the trial. "Yeah, I'm ready." Harry replied as he stood.

"Okay." Remus said as he began to walk with Harry to the fireplace where Dumbledore stood.

First Dumbledore flooed, then Remus and then Harry flooed to the Ministry of Magic. Harry stumbled out of the fireplace. He still hadn't gotten control of his balance when he flooed. Half the time he ended up on the ground, and would have this time had Remus not steadied him.

Walking through the halls of the Ministry, Harry began to feel a sense of foreboding. Was this trial all a mistake? Should Sirius have turned himself in? Harry was so wrapped up in his thoughts he barely noticed as they entered the court room and Remus and Dumbledore gently pushed him into his seat between them.

"Harry?" Dumbledore asked to get the distracted boy's attention.

Harry looked up at hearing his name. "Yeah?" He asked.

"Are you okay?" Dumbledore asked as he eyed Harry carefully. "You seem tired."

Harry smiled a little at Dumbledore. "I didn't sleep too well last night." The Headmaster was unable to keep such a close eye on Harry because he'd moved back to Gryffindor Tower a few weeks ago.

Dumbledore nodded understandingly. He wasn't surprised that Harry hadn't slept too well the night before. He himself had been up much of the night thinking about the closing of the trial.

Harry smiled brightly as he caught sight of Sirius, who smiled back.

"Please let this turn out okay." Harry whispered to himself as the members of the Wizengamont entered the court room and began to take their seats.

Minister Fudge cleared his throat as he flipped through piles of parchment in front of him.

"The members of the Wizengamont and myself have diligently gone through all the evidence and testimony of everyone. After voting Mr. Black guilty or innocent we will decide on possible punishment." Minister Fudge paused eyeing the people in the court room and the members of the Wizengamont. "Those who vote Sirius Orion Black innocent raise your hands." Minister Fudge paused again and eyed the Wizengamont for raised hands. No on had their hands raised.

Harry's heart raced in his chest. They thought Sirius was guilty!

Minister Fudge spoke again. "Everyone who believes Sirius Orion Black guilty, raise your hands."

Harry gasped as all hands were raised. He felt like he was going to be sick.

"Sirius Orion Black," Minister Fudge began again. "You are hereby found guilty of kidnapping and burglary." Fudge spoke loudly and clearly. "We will break to discuss punishment. The punishment faze of this trial will continue in thirty minutes."

The members of the Wizengamont began to file out of the room. The few people who were in the court room began to leave for break. And the Aurors removed Sirius from the room. Dumbledore and Remus gently coaxed Harry out of his seat and out of the court room where they were led to a small waiting room. Once inside the waiting room they gently pushed Harry into the seat.

"Harry," Dumbledore said gently as he kneeled in front of the distraught boy. Finally after a moment Harry focused on him. "It's not over yet."

"What do you mean its not over yet?" Harry cried as he stood, obviously angry. "They think Sirius is guilty! Now they're going to punish him!"

"Harry," Remus gently spoke up. "Right now it depends on how they decide to punish Sirius. It may be nothing but paying money or doing some work; something minor like that. They may still give him custody of you."

"They may send me back to the Dursleys." Harry replied hotly.

"We won't allow that to happen." Dumbledore replied calmly. "I think everyone understands that was not the best place for you to have been placed in the beginning. And for my part in that I apologize. But you will not be placed back there."

Harry sighed tiredly. "They could still send him to Azkaban!" His voice choked up.

"We'll just have to wait and see." Remus said. He too feared they may send Sirius to Azkaban. He prayed they didn't.

The Wizengamont reentered the court room and retook their seats and whispered to one another. Harry sat numbly between Remus and Dumbledore. He fleeted a look at Sirius who also appeared deep in his thoughts.

Minister Fudge cleared his throat before he began. "The Wizengamont and I have decided on your punishment, Mr. Black." Fudge then motioned to a red headed boy, who Harry thought could possibly be Percy Weasley who he had not met yet.

The boy who looked like a Weasley stood from his seat off to the side of the court room and began to read off a piece of parchment. Harry felt his breath quicken in fear and anticipation. "After going through all of the testimony and evidence, the Wizengamont have decided Sirius Orion Black guilty of the kidnapping of Harold James Potter, and burglary. As your punishment it has been decided that you spend a year and six months in Azkaban." Harry held his breath in shock. He felt like screaming, crying, and yelling all at once. He looked up as the boy who looked like a Weasley continued. "Taken into account your four years spent in Azkaban, the Wizengamont have decided your time has been served and you will be reimbursed for your additional time in Azkaban."

Harry looked back and forth between the Wizengamont, the Minister, the boy who he believed to be Percy Weasley, Sirius, Remus and Dumbledore.

Dumbledore and Remus appeared to be looking around just as wildly as he was; both had confused and shocked expressions on their faces.

Many of the Wizengamont were smiling or eyeing those in the court room.

Minister Fudge was smiling.

Percy was looking back and forth from the parchment he'd just read off of, and the Minister.

And Sirius appeared in shock, staring at the Minister.

Mr. Willis stood. "Is my client free to go?" He asked with a smile.

"Yes." Minister Fudge answered. "And Mr. Potter has been temporarily placed in his custody until his guardianship is approved. Which I believe concludes this trial." Minister Fudge announced as many of the Wizengamont stood and began to leave the court room.

Sirius stood from his seat and looked back at Harry, Remus and Dumbledore grinning. Harry also stood and without any thought rushed to Sirius and wrapped his arms around Sirius, who hugged him just as fiercely. "It's over, Kiddo." Sirius mumbled into Harry's hair.

End of Chapter Thirty Three

A/N: Hello everyone! I hope you like the latest chapter! How many expected the trial to end like that? ;) I have one last chapter left, sadly. I will have it posted in the next few days.

I would like suggestions for a title for the sequel. If anyone has any PLEASE send them!