The weeks that followed were slow and silent. Harry and Hermione spent hours poring over the map, studying its intricacies and cataloguing every new discovery.
It was during these sessions that Harry confided in his friend.
"I'm actually not that bad a student."
"But… your grades are only a little above Ron's!"
"Just because the work I turn in isn't top-mark, doesn't mean I don't ACTUALLY know what to do… I have copies."
"Copies?"
"Mhm! Every assignment since Christmas of first year, copied and done properly!"
"But… how? Why?"
"Well… I don't sleep much… or very well. So, on nights when I can't sleep, I tuck myself under my cloak, cast Lumos and work on my assignments. I've even worked ahead in charms and defense!"
He stopped his excited rambling with a sheepish grin that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"As for why… well, whenever I did better than Dudley on an assignment… anyway, Ron sometimes reminds me of Dudley, and I know that Mister and Missus Weasley aren't anything like the Dursleys, but… it's hard to break those behaviors."
Hermione nodded in understanding.
"It's easy to know something, but not to feel it."
Harry nodded solemnly.
Remus Lupin was in a quandary. For some godforsaken reason, the DMLE was reopening the case of Sirius Black. Even after the bastard escaped, they wanted to try him.
And they were asking for character witnesses.
Amelia Bones had apparently sent out an open invitation to Black to turn himself in to the ministry, only to discover from the goblins that the madman had claimed lordship over his house.
Then the unthinkable happened.
Black willingly submitted himself to the DMLE, to await trial… and demanded the use of veritaserum.
So, there the old wolf found himself, sitting in a ministry court, staring down at a man he'd wished dead for over ten years.
Sirius did not look like a man who'd spent a decade in the worst prison in Britain. In fact, the man oozed confidence. He held himself straight and strong, if only a bit more pale than when he was arrested.
A nameless Ministry official was presiding over the case, as Madam Bones wanted to question Black personally.
"Lord Black, we are gathered here today to conduct a trial that is long overdue. 12 years ago, in the early morning hours of November 1st, year of our Lord 1981, you, Sirius Orion Black, were arrested for the murder of one Peter Pettigrew, 12 muggles, and the apparent betrayal of James Charlus Potter, Lily Marie Evans-Potter, and Harrison James Potter to the Dark Lord, He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. How do you plead?"
"Not guilty, Madam."
"Upon what grounds do you assert your innocence?"
"Upon my life, devoted to defying and defeating The Dark Lord, upon my magic, wielded to defend those who could not defend themselves, and upon my word, that is my bond. If any here would doubt the truth of my heart, if any would question my loyalty to the Potters, let me drink Veritaserum, and prove my innocence beyond question."
The room was thrown into chaos. But Remus heard none of it.
Was Black so deluded as to actually believe his innocence?
Or was he himself too blind to see it?
The officiant pounded the gavel against his stand.
"This court room shall have order! Let the record show that the accused is willing to take veritaserum."
Sirius interrupted him.
"Your honor, I am not merely willing, but I demand it."
Once again, the people chattered. It was not often that the accused demanded veritaserum.
"Very well. Madam Bones, if you would please administer the proper dosage."
"As the court sees fit."
Madam Bones retrieved a vial from a small rack near to the judge.
"May the court find that this is indeed a vial of veritaserum, brewed by Ministry certified potions masters. The seal is undamaged, and therefore free of contaminants."
She turned to Black and removed the stopper.
"Is the accused prepared to testify the truth, and nothing but?"
"I am."
Sirius dutifully opened his mouth and allowed Bones to pour in the potion. The effect was almost immediate.
"What is your name?"
"Lord Sirius Orion Black."
"What is your date of birth?"
"November Third, 1959."
"Did you kill Peter Pettigrew?"
"No."
"Did you kill 12 muggles in the late hours of October 31st and the early hours of November 1st, year of our Lord 1981?"
"No."
"Are you a Death Eater?"
"No."
"Did you give the location of the Potters to He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named?"
"No."
"Lord Black, aurors on the scene reported that you were laughing and sobbing while repeating that the deaths were your fault. Is this true?"
"Yes."
"Please explain."
"James and Lily wanted me to be their secret keeper. To the point where we actually held the ceremony with Alfred Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore casting the Fidelius charm with the intent to make me secret keeper. However, I continued to assert that I was too obvious. Everyone knew that James was closer to me than my own brother, Regulus. Were I to be captured and dosed with veritaserum, their security would be lost. So I convinced them to change their secret keeper, in a private ceremony. Lily was the most talented with arithmancy, and was able to rework the spells equations to allow a shift in responsibility. We collectively chose Peter Pettigrew."
Remus leapt to his feet, tears and rage burning in his eyes.
"Why wasn't anyone told?!"
The judge hammered his gavel, but failed to drown Sirius's answer.
"We were uncertain of who else to trust. Remus Lupin was working undercover, but had gone dark for some months before contacting us again. We knew there was a traitor among our friends, but felt confident that Pettigrew was loyal enough. We were wrong."
Amelia was stunned into a momentary silence.
"So… Pettigrew was the secret keeper, and betrayed the Potters. That's when you went to confront him?"
"Yes. I gave Rubeus Hagrid my motorcycle, and told him to get Harry to Dumbledore. I then went after Pettigrew with the intent to kill him. He openly accused me of betraying the Potters, before casting Bombarda Maxima upon the street. Before I could do anything else, he used Diffindo to sever his left index finger, before transforming into his rat animagus form and escaping into the exposed sewers."
"Pettigrew's alive?"
"Yes. Currently residing within Hogwarts, as the family pet of Arthur Weasley's youngest son, Romald."
Amelia sprang into action.
"AURORS! To Hogwarts! I want anti apparition fields, portkey filters, detection spells, revealing spells, binding spells, whatever you need to capture that rat!"
The judge banged his gavel once again.
"Lord Black has testified, under Veritaserum, his innocence of all crimes laid against him. The ministry would like to apologize for the gross injustice done to him, and offers reparations of 10,000 galleons per year of unlawful incarceration, totaling 120,000 galleons. As of this moment, the ministry would also like to acknowledge all of the legal titles and responsibilities held by Lord Black, including the official transferral of guardianship of one Harrison James Potter. Lord Black, we are deeply sorry for the injustice caused to you, and beg your forgiveness."
As he spoke, the antiserum was administered, allowing Sirius to once again say and do as he pleased. He locked eyes with Remus.
"All transgressions are forgiven, just as I hope I can be forgiven."
As he stepped out of the obsidian room, Sirius Black took in his first breath as a truly free man. But he could not take time to revel, there was work to be done, a godson to meet again, and a rat to catch.
"Sirius!"
As he turned, he smiled at the voice of his friend. Opening his arms wide, no words needed to be spoken as the wolves of the Marauders embraced.
He felt a wetness against his head and heard Remus's shaky breaths.
"I- I'm sorry, Sirius, I truly am, I just… I thought the worst of you for so long and now…"
"Shh, it's alright, Moony. Prongs wouldn't blame you, and I don't blame you. There's only one person at fault for everything these last 12 years. And the aurors are already working on finding him. So! Tell me what's been going on, what have I missed! How's being a professor treating you? And on that… can I… can we… I want to meet him."
Remus wiped his eyes and patted his friend's shoulder.
"Come on, you mangy mutt. Let's go meet Prongslet… properly, this time."
Hogwarts was in a state of controlled chaos. The dementors had been pulled out in a single day, and aurors swarmed the castle. Harry and Hermione were hardly able to find a small corner of peace and quiet, and no one was being more of a pain than Ronald Weasley. Thankfully, they were able to meet with Neville and Luna a few more times. Such as during lunch that day. All four students were having a wonderful time getting to know one another and growing closer.
Neville, as it turned out, was almost as natural a duelist as Harry himself, to say nothing of his superior knowledge of herbology and potions ingredients.
Luna proved her merits as a Ravenclaw through her almost frightening understanding of magical creatures, history, and ancient rituals.
Hermione, of course being the brightest witch of their age, was a natural with runes, enchantments, arithmancy, and potioneering itself.
Harry however was most surprising. In all of their little tests, games, and competitions, it was discovered that of the four, Harry was exceptionally gifted in defence, dueling, charms, and transfiguration.
Hermione did cause him to fluster and bumble when she called him a tactile genius, though he got her back by pointing out how she towered above them all in theory.
However, today was different. Ever since breakfast, the quartet noticed the absence of who had become a fast favorite within the school, Professor Lupin. This by itself was not terribly strange, as he did take a few days off each month, but for the fact he had only returned last week!
As they chatted about what could cause his absence, a redheaded blur rushed into the great hall, clutching his pet rat to his chest.
Behind him strode a few aurors, who shut the doors behind them.
"Give us the rat, boy."
"What do you want with Scabbers?! Get away from us, he's just a rat!"
One of the aurors whispered to his wand as he cast a patronus, the small bird fluttering off swiftly.
Just as he was about to speak to Ron again, the doors were pushed open with a mighty bang.
Striding into the great hall, looking no worse for wear, and a wicked smile on his face, was Black.
Harry recalled what he had read about the man… and what he'd been told.
This was the man who betrayed his parents. This was the man who sold them out to Voldemort. This man was the reason Harry grew up without a friend and without a true family.
So why weren't the aurors doing anything?
"Honey, I'm home!"
Sirius threw his head back and let loose a long, triumphant cackle.
"Minnie! Looking resplendent as always! Filius! You've trimmed! Hagrid, you old softy! Sprout, Spectra, Sybil, how are you lovely ladies… and Snape… Snape… Severus Snape. We'll need to have a talk soon, once my business here is concluded."
He looked to Ron, and slowly drew his wand with almost maniacal glee.
"Accio: Rat!"
With an elegant swish and flick, the rat flew from Ron's hands, only to be gripped tightly in Black's hand.
"Come on, Moony, let's reintroduce everyone to our old friend, Peter!"
With a mighty hurl, the rat was tossed into the air, when Professor Lupin stepped into the room, and wordlessly fired a spell.
The rat was changing before it even hit the ground, and within moments, a fat, balding, greasy ball of a man laid before everyone, cowering between his one time friends.
"So, Wormtail… this is what you became? A traitorous rat, hiding yourself away. It wasn't enough for you to betray Prongs, it wasn't enough to leave Moony alone, it wasn't enough to frame me for what you did… but you had the gall to try and get close to my godson?"
"Pl-please, Sirius, Padfoot, my friend, please, have mercy! You have no idea what he would have done to me!"
"He? I take it you mean the Dark Lord? Voldemort?!"
Sirius either had not noticed, or had not cared for the gasps and flinches about the room.
"Then tell me, Worm, what would he have done?! Torture? Moony's dealt with that most his life, and I was in Azkaban for 12 years! Death? James died trying to protect Lily and Harry! Lily died to protect Harry! I would have gladly chosen death if it meant even one of them had survived that night! What say you, Remus?"
Remus Lupin was not like Sirius. Where Sirius's anger had festered and bubbled to the point of an explosion, Remus's anger was tempered. His heart, hardened. His tongue sharpened. His was an anger like hammered steel. A scalpel in the hands of a surgeon.
"We should have seen you for what you were all those years ago. All those times I saved you from your own abysmal efforts as a wizard… as a man… as a human being… Lily and I should have left you to destroy yourself with your own incompetence. Watched as Sirius lead rabid dogs to your stinking, festering corpse, and danced as Prongs leapt about the meaningless patch of grass soiled by your putrid remains. Harry should have grown up with his parents. He should have known his godfather as a beloved uncle. I should have been Uncle Remy. But because of your cowardice… you stole that from us."
Pettigrew looked at Remus in a panic.
"M-moony! You're not gonna let him kill me, are you? You can't!"
"I'd much rather do it myself."
The aurors surrounded the fat rat and extended their wands. Chains and shackles weighed heavily upon his arms and legs, tightening against him.
"Peter Pettigrew, you are under arrest for your collaboration with He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, 12 counts of murder, 3 counts of conspiracy to murder, breach of the statute of secrecy, and being an unregistered animagus. You will be tried to the same standard as Lord Black; That is, with the application of Veritaserum. Say your prayers and make your peace. With the charges against you, as well as Lord Black's exoneration, you'd be fortunate to spend the rest of your days in Azkaban. Were I a betting man, I'd say the kiss or the veil is more likely."
Sirius held a vindictive smile.
"I'm sure Fudge could be persuaded to an Unspeakable firing squad."
He turned and addressed the students.
"As you have all heard in this rather public demonstration of justice, I, Lord Sirius Orion Black, have been declared innocent of the crimes I was accused and imprisoned for. So, as a free man, I have a few official acts as Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House Black. First, Draco Malfoy? You are stripped of your title as heir Primary of House Black. Secondly! Harrison 'Harry' James Potter?"
When Harry stood in the silence of the great hall, he did so with trepidation.
"May we speak privately? Of course, Professor Lupin will join us."
It felt more a declaration to the school than a request for permission. The thought of this man simply commanding the room of witches and wizards was… daunting.
"Y-yes, Lord Black, Sir."
Sirius smiled softly.
Stepping out of the hall, the three erected privacy wards. Well, it would be more appropriate to say that Remus raised the wards. Whatever seemed to hold Sirius together seemed to melt away.
He turned to Harry, and his breath caught in his throat.
"My God… look at you. You've grown so much… I've missed so many… I'm so sorry…"
His words tapered into sobs.
Harry looked on in a mix of confusion and concern. The man he had been led to believe was responsible for his orphanage was, in fact, innocent, but now was sobbing and begging forgiveness for… what?
"For not being there, Harry… for being so wrapped up in my desire for vengeance I… I'm sorry I failed you. I failed James. I failed Lily. I'm sorry."
He hadn't even realized he had voiced his question.
Taking a deep, watery breath, Sirius collected himself once again.
"I… I understand that you may have been told that I was your parents' secret keeper, and that I had betrayed them to the dark lord. But, Harry, please believe me… I couldn't have. I wouldn't be alive if I had. I swore an oath. On my life and magic. To you. To James and Lily. And to myself. If I betrayed you, ever acted in a way that would cause you harm, I'd have dropped dead on the spot. I swore it on the day of your birth."
"Harry, of all the friends and family excited to welcome you into the world, the three people at the top of that list were, in order, Lily, James, and Sirius. I don't know if Fleamont or Euphremia - your grandparents - were still with us at the time, but they were ecstatic when Lily announced her pregnancy. As was I."
Remus and Sirius continued to speak of the time leading up to Harry's birth, and the year of joys and wonderment at this new little life added to their own.
Harry looked to the two men before him, both of their eyes glittering with tears, when he felt a trickle down his cheek.
He was crying. When had he last truly cried? He struggled to recall for a moment but…
He was four. He had tripped down the last few steps of Number 4 Privet Lane. His knees and palms were scraped and bloodied. He had seen Dudley experience less, and he'd reach out to Petunia who'd wrap the boy up in her arms, whispering soothing words about her brave little duddikens.
Naturally, he reached out as well.
He had been smacked and chided for trying to dirty her dress.
But these men… these men who looked like they could be pillars of strength, oozing with calm and confidence… they were moved to tears.
For him.
He reached out. For the first time since that dreadful day, he reached out, just as wounded and scared as he was then.
And within a heartbeat, found himself in arms that should have held him those long 12 years.
