Living in the Highlands
Lady Countryrose
Ch. 9
After the weekend of Severus, teaching Harry to survive. He magicked the camp away. Like no one had been there and headed for home. Severus didn't know when he had started calling the place his home, but it was. Once there, he told Harry to take a shower.
When Harry had left his sight, Severus went to go and find Minerva. He had found her in the sitting room with a book. She looked up and looked into his eyes.
"What's wrong," she asked him.
He had taken a deep breath. He told her about his dream of James and what he had found out. In the end, he saw fire in her angered eyes.
"Albus Dumbledore knew what happened that night and who the secret keeper was," she hissed out, like the cat of her animagus was. She had gotten up onto her feet. "I want to ring his neck." She grabbed onto her hands, as she paced the room. "We need to clear Sirius Black's name!"
Severus may not be too happy about seeing Sirius Black again. But no one deserved to spend time in Azkaban. With a huff, he and Minerva started to plan their way of action. Minerva will go to the Ministry and start ratting some cages there. While Severus went to Azkaban. They need to have a copy of Sirius's memory to have in his case file.
With a heavy heart. Severus went to Azkaban and went to see Sirius Black. It had taken a while for the guards to bring Sirius into a holding cell where they could talk. After a while, Sirius Black was sitting across the table from him, while he was in shackles.
Sirius Black had his cold steel eyes focus onto Severus. It made him slightly uneasy from the crazy look in his eyes.
"Snape," Sirius croaked. "What nine levels of Hell brought you here?"
"The truth Black," Severus sighed out in boredom. "I have reason to believe you were not the secret keeper."
Sirius Black had stopped his shivering. Giving Severus his complete focus. "No, I wasn't. That was the 'rat', Pettigrew."
Severus blinked at him. "I believe you, but I am going to need a copy of your memories. Professor McGonagall is working on clearing your name."
Sirius nodded his head. "Do it, do it. I give my consent. Anything to get out of here."
Severus looked around and pulled out his wand and took a memory out of Sirius. Placing it in an empty vial he had on hand. And hid it away. He then handed a photo over towards Sirius.
"Harry," gasped Sirius in wonder. He looked up with hope in his eyes. "How is he?"
Severus gave a soft smirk. "We just came back from camping. Minerva had finally given me the okay to teach the boy to survive."
Sirius chuckled from his seat. "You sound like an okay Dad, Snape."
Severus glared, "I am an uncle, if nothing else. But I am no father." He stood up, as soon as he saw a guard making their way towards the room. "Times up, have faith Black. McGonagall is a force to be reckoned with."
Sirius looked towards him with sorrow. "Severus Snape, I am truly sorry for what I have done to you in school. Keep Harry safe."
With a slight nod, Severus was then escorted out of the room and then out of Azkaban. He just hoped Minerva knew what she was doing.
Three weeks after Severus Snape had seen Sirius Black at Azkaban. Was when he was called to Wizengamot, with Minerva. Where they were faced with what was left of the sacred twenty-eight. Along with officials that govern the ministry. It was a madhouse, even with Albus Dumbledore holding court.
With a gavel hit on the table. Minister Fudge stood up before the court. "I, Minister Fedious Fudge, call to order for a Sirius Black the third." He glanced up towards them with a harsh look. "Why are we doing this?"
Minerva stepped forward. "Mr. Black was sent to Azkaban without a trial, I would like to correct this oversight."
Minister Fudge looked around the court. "Does anyone second this?"
Severus looked towards his old friend, Lucius Malfoy, with a raised eyebrow. Causing the blonde to stand up. "I do, sir." His tone had shown very little effort.
The minister blistered, but hit the gravel. "Send for Mr. Sirius Black and we will reside within the hour."
Minerva turned towards Severus. "How much is this going to cost you?"
"Nothing, I did help him get his son, after all. When all others wouldn't help him," he replied softly. "I just cashed in on a debt that he had owed me."
The two walked towards the back of the room and sat down. Only to notice the heated look on Albus Dumbledore's face.
"What are our chances that we still have jobs at the end of the day," asked Minerva with worry in her voice.
"Are you kidding me," hissed Severus. "He could never find better teachers for the amount of pay that he is paying us."
Minerva reached over and grabbed his hand. He knew that she was drawing strength from him. He could tell that she was nervous about the day's outcome. But something within him had told him that everything will be alright.
After an hour of waiting, Sirius Black came stumbling in. With two men holding onto him, while he was in chains. Just before, was shoved into a chair and then a cage.
Minister Fudge called to order. "First, let us see the memories of Sirius Black the third."
It was strange for Severus to see things through Sirius's eyes of what had happened. Only to see the fear that everyone was, when they came up with the need to change secret keepers. Even seeing Lily scared was heartening. He saw red after seeing that Peter Pettigrew had agreed and swore that he would keep them safe. Sirius did an extra thing with the memories, by adding the fact the Pettigrew could turn into a rat.
It led the court to find a memory of where Sirius had confronted Pettigrew. Where they saw that it was the rat that killed twelve muggles that night. While he cut off his own finger, before stunning Sirius. Leaving him behind to face the authorities.
Once the images were over and done with. The court agreed to setting Sirius Black free and clearing his name. The court had ended with Albus Dumbledore, not looking pleased with everyone finding out the truth. His hands were tied from doing anything drastic.
When Sirius was set loose and was given all the things back, including his wand. He was led to a changing room to change back into his clothes. The ones he was arrested in. Seeing him in blue jeans that looked more loose. With a shirt and jacket swapping, him.
'Azkaban is a weight loss program that no one ever wants to sign up for.'
Sirius looked a little jumpy, when he made his way to them. "Thank you," he croaked out. "I don't think I could live another moment in there."
Minerva smiled at Sirius. "Don't worry your head, Mr. Black, you are free now. Come, let's go to our home. I want you to meet Harry."
After walking through the maze at the Ministry. They left by floo. Making it back to the manor, by dinner time. Where they had found Harry at the dining room table, waiting for them. Severus noticed that Sirius wanted to rush towards Harry, but Harry looked like he wanted to bolt.
Severus walked calmly towards the boy and sat next to him. "Harry," getting the boy's attention. "This is Sirius Black, your father's best friend, and your Godfather."
Harry perked up after hearing that. He turned to Sirius with a hard look in his eyes. "What happened?"
Sirius had taken a deep breath. "I have been in Azkaban prison since the night of your parent's murder. Everyone had thought that I had done it. I was given no trail to clear things up. At least, not until today, when Severus and Minerva had helped me get out."
Over dinner, Harry had asked a lot of questions about his parents. Things, even Severus hadn't known, but seeing Harry laugh was worth it.
When it was time for bed. Severus Snape had warded his door strongly that night. He wouldn't give Sirius an opening to prank him. Especially while he was asleep. 'I am not that gullible.'