Chapter 11

Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, was not a happy man. He had been told about the trial of Sirus Black at the last minute and there was nothing he could do to stop it. He entered the Hall barely before the door could close behind Sirus. With the press present, the only thing he could think of doing to save face was making sure of a fair trial and let the blame of everything fall on the previous Minister of Magic, Bartimus Crouch and Dumbledore if he was found to be innocent.

He took his seat and watched as Amelia Bones asked Black if he would submit to trial under Veritaserum, the truth potion. Black wasted no time in agreeing to it. Many people started thinking that he may really be innocent, then itself.

Remus tuned out the formal reading of the accusations, he was more than aware of them, thank you very much. Instead, he started talking to the red-head boy sitting near him who appeared nervous but firmly denied this when asked and informed Remus that he was soon going to be 10 years old and big boys like him didn't get nervous. Remus had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing in amusement and offending the 'big boy'.

He apologised and formally introduced himself and the boy introduced himself as Percy Weasley while shaking his hand. Something seemed to wriggle in his pocket but he placed a hand on it, managing to calm, what had to be his pet, down. He also told Remus that he was there because he wanted to see the Ministry and now that he was old enough his father had agreed to this. His father was informed of the trial and his father had allowed him to attend as he and his elder brother, Bill Weasley, as the heir, too would be there.

Dumbledore's call for silence stopped the boy's excited rant and they watched as three drops of Veritaserum were dropped on Sirius' tongue and questioning was started as soon as his expression became glazed and Madam Bones started the questioning, "What is your name?"

"Sirius Orion Black", he answered.

"When were you born?"

"3rd November, 1959"

"It has come to our notice that you were not given a trial. Is it true?"

"Yes"

Protests erupted among the members at this, if the son of a Noble and Ancient House that too, one like Blacks, could be treated in this way who could expect to get justice? Dumbledore banged his gavel and asked for silence and answered the question he knew he would be asked before it was, "Those were troubled times, not everyone could be given a trial. As, at time all the evidences seemed to be against Sirius Black, it was a decision we had to take."

People still grumbled but decided to turn their attention back to trial, at least, for now. "Were you the Secret-Keeper of the Potters and if not, who was?", Amelia Bones asked, already aware of the answer.

"I was not the Secret-Keeper, Peter Pettigrew was?"

People gasped, but one Lord asked, "But what about blowing up the street, was that to take revenge on Pettigrew?"

Sirius, under the effect of the truth serum, answered the question, "I did not blow up the street, Peter did. He acted as if I had betrayed James and Lily and then blasted the street and escaped, he is an illegal rat animagus, and that's the form he ran off through a sewer in".

If the noise that was made earlier was loud, the present could, without exaggeration, be considered chaos. Amidst all the commotion, Percy Weasley's rat got out off his pocket and tried to escape, unnoticed by anyone, but the heightened senses of a certain werewolf. Remus saw the rat as he tried to scamper away slowly, he couldn't believe his eyes and had to blink to make sure he was not seeing things, but then, realising the importance of stopping him, got up swiftly and pointing his wand at the rat, shouted, "STUEPFY!"

Everyone's attention was drawn abruptly towards the voice and Remus found himself at the wand-point of two Aurors. Dumbledore spoke up, "Mr. Lupin you are aware that you are not allowed to attack anyone during an ongoing trial, right?"

Remus looked towards Harry who had jumped from his seat and was looking at him with a worriedly and after giving him a reassuring smile, answered, unfazed, "You may want to see what I attacked before you decide anything".

They turned their attention towards where his wand was pointed and Percy shouted, "Scabbers", and made to move towards his pet but Madam Bones stopped him and asked, "What did you hope to accomplish by attacking a child's pet Mr. Lupin?"

Before Remus could answer, Sirius spoke up, "That's Peter Pettigrew". After the couple of seconds it took them to comprehend the information, the aurors' wands were turned towards the stunned rat animagus, they couldn't doubt that Sirius was speaking the truth, he was still under the effect of the potion. People were whispering, and Amelia Bones was hastily trying to decide what to do. Eventually, she cleared her throat and said, "After the decision about Mr. Black is taken, Peter Pettigrew will be questioned. All those who are in favour of his being innocent and releasing him, raise your wands".

Everyone raised their wands, albeit a few did reluctantly, no one wanted the bashing that was sure to come from the people as the press was present. There was no need of questioning who were against, Sirius Black was released with a unanimous favourable verdict. The antidote was administered and she declared, "Sirius Black was tried and found to be not guilty by a unanimous vote of the full Wizengamot, all his rights and privileges are hereby restored and it is, obviously, no match for the troubles he had to undergo but the Ministry will pay him a million galleons as reparation for undeserved imprisonment and will pay for any medical treatment that he has to undergo."

Sirius, as soon as he was freed, made a bee-line for his godson. Harry too got up excitedly and was soon wrapped in a bone crashing hug, Sirius was dirty from his imprisonment but his godson didn't even seem to notice this, he was filled with memories of the hugs he had received from this man as a baby and felt peaceful in his arms.

"Are you okay, Godfather?", Harry asked when they finally ended the hug.

"I will be", Sirius assured him.

"Don't you want to meet Uncle Moony?", Harry asked, gesturing towards the man who was torn between looking happy for Sirius and concerned for Percy whose brother had left the Heir Enclosure and who was now leaning into his one-armed embrace.

"I sure do", Sirius answered and made his way towards his best friend, Harry stayed where he was letting the two friends meeting after so long, have their privacy. Sirius reached the visitor area and both hugged each other like brothers. Remus started muttering apologies, "I'm so sorry Sirius, I should have believed you, did something to get you freed, I just… I am sorry…"

"Moony", hearing his nickname made Remus stop his tirade, "you didn't know. Those were tough times, no one knew whom to trust. I don't blame you."

"But I could have…", Remus started.

"No Moony, let the past be in the past, for now let's pay attention to the 'upcoming trial'", Sirius stated firmly and looked towards the boy who had the rat, he didn't know him but knew how much of a shock it must have been, his brother nodded at him as if saying 'he will be okay'.

Dumbledore, once again, banged his gavel and the trial started and ended fairly quickly. Wormtail confirmed everything Sirus had said and was sentenced immediately to Azkaban, on Sirius' advice, to a cell where though he would be able to change to his animagus form, he wouldn't be able to use it escape.

The Wizengamot session ended and people started to move out, some whispering among themselves, others dazed but all affected by the trial; so much had happened within a couple of hours. Harry walked to Sirius and Remus where they were joined by Mr. Weasley. Fudge tried to talk to them but Sirius clearly stated that he didn't wish to talk until he was brought up-to-date with everything and had talked to people he trusted.

"I don't know how to thank you, sir, for getting us rid of the 'rat'," he practically spat the last word, addressing Remus who flushed and answered, "There's no need to thank me, he is where he should have been since years".

Mr. Weasley smiled and offered his hand, "I am Arthur Weasley".

"Remus Lupin", he answered, shaking his hand.

Mr. Weasley then shook hands with Sirius, "I am glad justice was finally served and you are free".

"Thank you Mr. Weasley, we have never met but I have heard about you, hopefully this will be the start of a new friendship", Sirus smiled.

"I too, hope so", was the reply.

Harry greeted him with a bow and, "I am glad to meet you too, sir"

Mr. Weasley replied in kind and before they could talk any further Amelia Bones approached them and the Weasleys went off after promising to meet them soon.

"Sirius," Remus said, "Madam Bones was very helpful when we approached and it was her quick thinking that helped us get you a trial so fast".

"Thank you, Madam Bones", Sirius bowed.

"You shouldn't be thanking the me Mr. Black, providing justice is our job and we have been very late in doing that", she replied.

"I am not thanking the entire Ministry Madam, I am thanking you for doing the right think", Sirius smiled.

Madam Bones accepted it by inclining her head and said, "Now, if you plan to go to St. Mungo's for check-up do inform the us. Personally, I would recommend going as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Madam Bones", Remus answered for Sirius, "he will get a check-up today or tomorrow but not at the St. Mungo's. We would like to get it done somewhere we trust", not even trying to be discreet about their mistrust of the Ministry.

Madam Bones cringed but nodded nonetheless, she could understand their concern. "Where do you plan to get it done, then?", she asked.

"At Gringotts, by goblin healers", he answered, "You, of course, know about the friendship between the Potters and the goblins".

She nodded and said, "Very well, the fee required will be paid directly to the goblins".

Remus asked Sirius, "Do you want to go to Gringotts today, or we can go tomorrow and let you rest today at home?"

"Home?", Sirius asked.

"The Potter Manor!", Harry beamed at him.

"Home today, of course", Sirus beamed back at them, genuinely smiling after a long time.

/hp/

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