Disclaimers and Notes: Good Gad, you get it by now!

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The last part of Sirius' trial is HERE!!!

Enough said.

Geuna~

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NOTE: This, again, has names and… things from Order of the Phoenix. It's not as nice as it usually is, though, because I left the book at home, so I have names (thanks to the Harry Potter Lexicon online), but can't remember too much more! T__T

Author: Lady Geuna

Official Editor: Giesbrecht

Sub Editor for this chapter: Jade Vashjinn

This Chapter Rated: PG-13 for the usual scariness

Recent Summary: See last chapter

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"..." - speech

'....' - thoughts

/..../ - with italics means a part of a flashback.

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The Trial: Part 3 of 3: The Truth

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"Then let's get to the real reason this case was brought up, Fudge! You're talking to ME now, leave them out of it! You really want to know what happened that night? Well I'll tell you what happened!"

~ Sirius Black, Fanfiction "Charmed Curses", The Trail: Part 2: To the Rescue?, by Lady Geuna

"Seeing as the Minister would rather have witnesses available and within the vicinity rather than actually present during the trail, he would also rather go without my version of Black's dramatic capture..."

~ Severus Snape, Fanfiction "Charmed Curses", The Trail: Part 2: To the Rescue? by Lady Geuna

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He'd asked for it. Sirius had really asked for it, though he'd hardly meant to become the center of attention. Of course, it was his trial. His moment... Though no one had really bothered to talk to him until now. Now that he was chained to a chair in the middle of this blasted room/

/"You're talking to ME now…!"/

Oh, he was an idiot. He wanted them to STOP talking to him.

Sirius didn't like being interrogated.

"Why did you run!?"

"Because I was attacked."

"Those men weren't attacking. I would know, I was there myself."

"Then you yourself would remember watching them stalking toward me with their wands raised, murder in their eyes?"

Fudge snorted indignantly. "They had murder in their eyes?"

"Minister," Dumbledore spoke warningly, though it hardly did anything to remove the smug look from the man's face... Nor sooth the anger that quickly rose from the pit of Sirius' belly.

"We were being prepared for this so called "creature" that has caused such a disturbance at the school. A situation, fortunately, which we hadn't been informed on for weeks, I understand. But given the severity of the so-called threat, it was thought wise to come prepared. But we came across a very different threat instead."

Dumbledore stood then before Sirius had a chance to scream from pure frustration. "Minister, if I may?" Fudge gave a half roll of his eyes then nodded and muttered, "Fine" crankily and Dumbledore continued. "I don't believe this mistake was due to an individual's fault, but rather this whole particular episode was a grave misunderstanding."

The elder, Griselda Marchbanks, spoke up. "How do you mean?"

Dumbledore nodded a few times, looking at the ground as he did so, agreeing with himself. "Yes, a misunderstanding." He opened his arms wide as though beckoning for everyone to listen, his voice loud and clear throughout the room. "As you all know well now, Sirius Black has been hunted wrongfully for all these many years-"

"We haven't determined that yet," Fudge tried to interject, but Dumbledore only continued, and not without a slight hint of frustration in his tone.

"Hunted, at risk of instant death if caught. He had never been given a fair trial in the past, and you must understand it is (literally) a fight or flight reflex to run from the law."

"The law is fair!"

"The law thinks it's fair," Dumbledore corrected, "but as you have already admitted, the law had made a grievous mistake. James Potter himself cleared Mr. Black of being the Potter's secret keeper. Sirius' running from the Ministry officials wasn't a matter of breaking the law, or lack of justice. It was a matter of keeping this man's soul--keeping it even when the law tried to take it from him, and without reason."

"Still," a man from the back spoke up, his voice raspy with age, "he still has the murder of Muggles to answer for." Sirius tensed at the mention of this, eyes shifted back and forth between the court and Dumbledore. How could he be proven innocent for that? "He was seen there. There were witnesses who claim they saw him commit the act!"

"Yes," Dumbledore agreed to Sirius' shock, "he was seen confronting Peter Pettigrew... Pettigrew being the man at fault for betraying the Potter's to Voldemort."

A massive shutter went through the room along with a roar of murmurs that drowned out his other words. Someone from the audience bellowed, "Hold your tongue!", though no one else said anything, even Fudge, who had turned chalk white, eyes beady. When all had settled enough for him to be heard again, Dumbledore went on as though the people around him didn't exist. "Mr. Potter," the Headmaster called suddenly to the back of the room. Sirius found himself turning his head, straining to see. "Mr. James Potter, will you please stand so that I may ask you a few questions?"

After a few slow murmurs from the crowd a single dark-haired man stood up above the others, his round glasses reflecting the red torchlight to either side of him. James hardly looked shy, but puzzled, as though unsure of what to do. "Yes?" His voice was measured, quiet, and unsure how far his voice would carry in the room.

Dumbledore nodded. "There is no need to move, Mr. Potter; you may stay where you are." He clasped his hands in front of him, taking a few paces toward Sirius' chair, brining the chained mans attention back to him. "You cleared Mr. Black as not being your Secret Keeper at the time of the attack, did you not, Mr. Potter?"

There was a short paused before James answered, and Sirius held his breath, aching every moment of that wait... then he spoke firmly, "Yes, I did, and it's the truth. I don't see what the argument is."

Dumbledore nodded a few more times, satisfied, then spoke to everyone in general. "Since Mr. James Potter has cleared Mr. Black of any guilt, it is thus impossible to label him as the Dark Lord's servant." He looked to Fudge challengingly. "I ask you now, if not a servant of Voldemort, what could have possibly been his motive for killing those Muggles? Unlike his family, Mr. Black shares no dislike for non-magic folk."

"But he was seen-"

"On the contrary, it is what wasn't seen." He stared off into space for a moment, like Sirius has seen him do many times before. He was trying to recall something. Then he said, "As you have probably read," his eyes glanced over the rest of the Wizengamot, "what all of you have probably read..." His eyes twinkled knowingly. "You all have at least reviewed the files documenting the witness accounts of the time, correct? Being prepared for this trail and all, I'm sure you have."

Most of the Wizengamot nodded, while others just sat, staring straight ahead as though not to draw Dumbledore's attention. Some looked less that truthful, however, a slight hint of embarrassment showing on many of their faces.

Dumbledore most definitely noticed this as well, 'hmm-ing' to himself. "To be sure that everyone is well versed in the previous case ("If you can even call it such") against Mr. Black, may I request that copies of witness accounts be copied and distributed to each-"

"Sir," a woman in the front row spoke up, looking quite tired. "That might take-well… quite a while. Are you sure that would be necessary?"

"I tend to agree," Umbridge said, darkly, her long, claw-like nails rasping after the edge of the booth. "I hardly see the point."

"With a man's life at stake," Dumbledore said simply, "I tend to think it very important. Don't you, Minister?"

"No, I don't," Fudge said darkly, "but..." He sighed, rubbing his temples. "A break, I think, is in order." He struck his mallet down with a resounding "THWACK!" and bellowed, "Thirty minutes recess! And send someone for those files!" And he sat back, whipping a mist of sweat from his forehead, glaring at Sirius from under this hand as thought cursing him for his misfortunes.

Sirius glared right back.

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Sixteen minutes until trail restarts...

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Arthur didn't hear the knocking at first. He had managed to distract himself from what was going on outside of the room. But of course, anything Muggle had never failed to fascinate him... What surely baffling people they were!

"Dad?" Arthur could hear Ron rapping on the doorframe a few times before he heard footsteps move across aged floorboards. "Dad?"

"Ron!" Arthur saw Ron jump, startled. The man wasn't surprised, after all he was sitting quietly in a corner near a pile of Muggle artifacts. Of course it was otherwise called the "junk pile", but Arthur saw it's true worth!

When Ron walked over he looked like he was about to say something when he obviously caught sight of what Arthur was holding in his hands. The first words out of his mouth were, "What's that funny looking thing?"

"This?" Pleased by his son's interest, ignoring the phase "funny looking". He held up the black plastic "controller" in a shape meant to be held with ease, with buttons all along the surface and its sides where figures could easily reach. It was connected to a long (rubber?) cord also connected to a strange-looking flat box, the same color as the device in Arthur's hands. "It's called a 'Play Station'."

"Play Station? You mean like for kiddies? Harry said once that his pig-headed cousin had one." He took the controller from his father hand, dangling it by the cord. "How does it work?"

"Careful now," Arthur insisted, panicked, taking the controller back. People simply had no respect for delicate things! "I'm still trying to figure that part out myself. It doesn't seem very entertaining so far, though I heard it's quite the rage with Muggle children... Oh, sorry there." He smiled sheepishly. Arthur was babbling again… "Sorry-sorry! Did you want something, Ron?"

Ron came back to himself as well, snapping his fingers. "Oh yeah! I thought I'd check-up on you. See if you know what's what."

"... What? What are you talking about?"

"Well, for one, I heard there was a mad uproar in the courtroom. Wish I could've been there to see it! They're taking a recess right now. Didn't happen too long ago, either. I heard on my way here."

"Are they?" Arthur really hadn't known. He hadn't thought to check up or ask anyone. And given this news, it either meant a very bad thing or a very good thing... But it was hard to tell without any other information. "I can't say I'm been keeping track, though I really should." He sighed and said honestly, "I've been trying to distract myself... Anything else I should know?"

Ron nodded a few times almost absentmindedly, as though he were unsure, and then he snapped to attention, saying, "Oh, and Snape showed up to see Professor Lupin."

Arthur felt startled for a moment before giving a jolly smile. "Indeed?" But that made him a little worried. It was clear the Snape greatly disliked the werewolf. Even if they were on the same side, something between them ran deep… just as it did with Snape and Black. "What was the purpose of Mr. Snape's visit."

Crossing his arms, Ron gave him a look that displayed just how confused he was. "Well, that's the tricky thing. He came in and did something to Lupin. A good something," he added quickly, raising his arms in a soothing manner as Arthur gave a start in fright. "Something that... I can't really say, not that I'd like to promise anything to that sinister old goat, but then again I wouldn't want to feel the repercussions if he found out..." Ron shivered then.

"Ron, don't talk about your professors that way. Snape is a good man, despite what you may think of him."

It seemed out of the ordinary when Ron wasn't quick to talk back on the subject, to counter his father's opinion with a long rant about all the horrible things Professor Snape had put him and his friends through over the years.

Oddly enough he seemed to instead bit his lip, then asked, "Where're Fred and George? I thought you said you'd be watching them?"

Arthur smiled knowingly. "Well, let's just say I managed to put them to good use. And out of my hair…"

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Nine minutes until trail restarts...

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"What? But sir-"

"You heard me the first time."

"But it wasn't my fault at all! I was refused the opportunity!"

Lucius barely paid any further attention to the woman, whose head bobbed ghost-like in his fireplace. It was horrible… that even hired help was useless... "I've heard the word "but" come from you mouth so often, Miss. Abridger, that I might feel the need to take out your tongue..." He smirked as the woman's mouth snapped closed instantly, her eyes growing wide. Even her head seemed to back away from him, and undoubtedly she was... wherever she was...

"No matter," Lucius continued, waving his hand, not caring if Abridger couldn't see the action anyway. "I suppose I wasn't cautious enough to assume your reputation wouldn't show on your sleeve." He wanted this conversation to end quickly. The Floo Networks were being monitored all the time, and who knows who else could be listening in…

"No, I'm sure they weren't aware, but this man-"

"I've heard enough." Honestly, this woman was cutting into his private time. "If you're quite done weeping and wailing about your woes, perhaps you would like to hear mine." With one delicate pale hand he reached up to pluck a gold plated pocket watch form the inside of his robes. The hand there still sat steadily on 'Tea Time.' "My tea is getting deadly cold in the time I'd spend talking to useless people of no importance. Excuse me."

"Mr. Malfoy, I can make up for this! I need the money, please, they-"

With the wave of his wand the fire was gone, and so was the head of Anko Abridger.

Taking in a deep breath through his nose, Lucius calmly brushed a stray piece of hair behind his ear and walked from that room to the next, where Narcissa sat elegantly on a plush chair before a small table. A teacup was already sitting in her hands. As he came and sat across from his wife, Narcissa eyed his expectantly.

"It went well," she asked, taking a small sip from the teacup, then placed it back in its saucer with a light "click".

"As well as expected," Lucius sneered, picking up his own teacup and saucer, which was already filled. The light wisps of steam told him that it was thankfully still warm, and he added a single lump of sugar before drinking it.

They sat in silence, the only sound being the crackling fireplace in the next room and the distant pitter-patter of feet. It was the house elves no doubt. Blasted creatures didn't know how to keep themselves silent.

"And how is my horrid cousin fairing...?"

Lucius met Narcissa eye-to-eye. "I haven't heard a word recently… and no one should know for some time." This was said in such a manner as to also say, "speak no more on the subject."

Narcissa lowered her eyes, lips pursed.

There was silence for the rest of the evening, until a tall tell pain in his arm called him elsewhere…

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Six minutes until trail restarts...

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"How long has it been now?"

James looked down at his watch. "About twenty-two, twenty-four minutes, I think... Seems like forever, doesn't it?"

Harry nodded, starring down at the floor, but said nothing else.

James sighed to himself. Harry was angry with him. Honestly, bitterly angry, and hadn't said anything to him at all unless it was asking a questions or answering one. Harry wouldn't even look him in the eye...

They stood outside the courtroom where they stood, stretched, and got relatively fresh air that wasn't being shared but a hundred other people. A few of individuals took with them along the hall. A few of them gave James and Harry constant, interested glances. Some looked like they would even come over any moment, but James made a point not to make eye contact and ignored them as best they could. It got frustrating, but Harry was taking it a lot better than James was. Of course, Harry had a lot more experience with this sort of attention...

"Does it drive you mad?"

James looked up quickly to Harry, who was looking at him intently. "Pardon?"

"Does it drive you mad," Harry repeated. "The way they keep on staring at you like that. It never stops, you know, not even if you tell it to their faces." Then Harry shut himself off again before James had a chance to reply, turning away from James and leaned against the wall with his shoulder.

James frowned at that, then glanced to the closed door of Courtroom Ten... Sirius was still in there, probably still chained to that damnable chair, not that anyone else cared...

He wondered how Remus was doing as well...

"Harry!"

Both James and Harry looked up sharply to the sound of the voice, only to see a pair of disgruntled looking twins walking toward them. Harry blinked owlishly at the two. "What are you two doing?"

James could've asked the same thing. Both boys were carrying huge bundles of scrolls under each arm.

"Files!"

"He wanted us to copy files! Files, Harry!"

"We could be working for a greater good right now, couldn't we, George?!"

"But no, we've been turned into bloody secretaries, haven't we?"

"We certainly bloody well have. Gad, I feel like Percy..."

"Don't ever say that again, Fred, or I don't think I'll be able to hold back from walloping you..." He brandished the heavy stack of scrolls in his hands.

James realized in an instant that these were the files Dumbledore sent for earlier... "Why are you two doing that? I thought those were files from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, you need clearance for that sort of thing."

"Right here!"

James jumped, startled as a young woman appeared out from behind Fred and George, standing a few inches shorter than the twins. But the first thing James really noticed about her was her head of outstandingly electric blue hair...

The woman breathed a sigh of relief, even as she said breathy, "Thanks for the help, mates! Thanks very much! Arthur was really grand to let you guys help out with this stuff! Tedious work, isn't it?" Ironic for her to say such a thing, he wasn't helping at all, her hands empty.

George muttered crossly to Harry, "The only reason she needed help was because she'd fall flat on her face if we didn't carry them for her."

"She'd fall on her face anyway," Fred added. "She's a walking disaster by the looks of it."

The young woman's cheeks flushed at this and she shooed at them with her hands. "Enough, you! Just hand those to the Aurors right inside the door, you'll see 'em."

Grumbling, the two did as they were told, but not before they both turned to Harry and without warning dumped a good load of scrolls into his arms. "Be a help, Harry," they said. Grunting, Harry rolled his eyes, but followed his friends. As James watched, he saw that Harry, Fred and George didn't even have to touch the courtroom door, it seemed to open for them.

James wasn't sure if he should find this amusing or frown in disapproval. Arthur should know better than to send his own children to do this sort of thing. It was a very serious trial, after all. Fudge was sure to be less that pleased... But he let this go, for now. Maybe it was a weakness of will, but James didn't want Harry angry with him anymore than he already was.

Even as Fred and George walked through the door, another man stepped out. He was looking on behind him, staring after the kids who had just passed by. He then turned until his eyes landed on the woman with the blue hair who had arrived with the Weasley twins.

"Tonks," the man frowned crossly, though with a sense of comfortable familiarity, "I asked you to get those, not Arthur Weasley's kids."

Tonks smiled as the man walked toward her. "He said it was no trouble at all, Shacklebolt, and he wanted to get rid of them for a while, besides. But you know, I'm starting to believe that all those stories he's told us about those two trouble makers are all fact."

As the man came closer, James saw that he had a piercing in one ear, even... but wait. He recognized this man... "You're one of the Aurors who carried Remus away," James said suddenly, drawing the attentions of both Shacklebolt and Tonks to him instantly.

Shacklebolt smiled slightly, nodding. "Of course. Can't let the poor bloke go off alone with people who don't know, or much less understand him..." James nodded slowly to this. "And Sirius hadn't given the best impression. The old dog got himself hexed when his back was turned."

"You know Sirius?" James certainly didn't remember this man from school...

"Yes... I'm not sure if Professor Dumbledore has filled you in on a few things since you came back, sir." James could tell the he was carefully looking in all directions out of the corners of his eyes as he spoke, before he continued. "But I'm not about to, and this is certainly not the place or time. Tonks and I know Sirius and Remus personally. Friends."

"Then Remus," James said hurriedly, "you know what happened to him, don't you? Where was he taken? How is he?"

"Remus is just fine," Shacklebolt said. "The nurse here took him and is caring for him. Given he'll probably need a bit of advanced healing they might call for outside help. Not much one nurse can do."

This didn't sit well with James, but it was much more than he was expecting. "Thank you..."

"No problem," the woman, Tonks, said, smiling winningly, "we're always happy to help out a friend."

Shacklebolt sighed at the young ladies' somewhat adolescent demur. "Tonks, this is James Potter."

"Really!?" She girls face light up, taking another step forwards toward James. Though James had the oddest impression that she knew from the start. She must have recognized Harry, after all. "Really, James Potter, honestly!? Tonks Nymphadora, at your service, sir! And wow, I like your hair…"

"Tonks…"

She smiled sheepishly. "Ah, come on, 'Shackles', I'm just being friendly."

"Friendly enough, I think."

"'Shackles'?" Taking a careful look at this other man, James could hardly see how such a nickname applied to such a... built, man...

Shacklebolt made a very disapproving expression that almost instantly sobered Tonk's mood. "Oh, Shacklebolt, honestly, I'm just pulling your leg." She smiled again at James, still a cheerful but much more subdued. "Sorry, Mr. Potter, sir, I don't mean to be rude at all, though you are quite famous now. You might want to watch out for the reporters and journalists that most certainly will be hunting for you after the trail's over with. They'll be certainly wanting a word with you."

James nodded, eye narrowed. "I'll be sure to watch out," he growled crossly. "In all honestly, I don't appreciate this "popularity" one bit."

"Don't expect you to," Shacklebolt said with a measure of understanding. Then he turned his head, noticing something. James caught on a moment after. People were moving again, back towards the courtroom.

Glancing down at his watch James saw that time was indeed up. The trail would be starting any moment.

He also noted that Harry, Fred and George never returned, and Tonks hadn't given any indication that she should be collecting them (If she ever remembered she'd come with them).

"Really good to meet, you, Mr. Potter," Tonks said, extending a polite hand which James shook firmly. He liked this girl after all... "Best of luck to you! Should be seeing you again soon enough, we can all count on that."

Not really knowing for sure what that meant, James had the oddest feeling that there was more to it than he thought.

But he'd think about it later. Knowing that Remus was alright, James walked onward back to the courtroom feeling a bit more at easy than he did the first time...

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"The witnesses were all Muggle, correct?"

"It is."

Sirius watched as Dumbledore read critically over a scroll and then said, "In that cast, keeping this fact in mind, you are all aware that these Muggles wouldn't have known how to correctly recount all of what they saw."

"Yet we can't ignore what they have witnessed," Umbridge said. "Even if they didn't know exactly what they were seeing, their accounts are vital."

"Oh, I agree, madam," Dumbledore said, I most certainly do agree.

"Wait!"

Sirius turned his head to see James standing up in the back again. With him was Harry, as before, as well of those redheaded twins he'd met a few days ago, older brothers to Ron.

"But any number of spells can look alike," James said, heedless to the fact he hadn't been addressed to speak. "How can you make that judgment? No one can even identify the spell! It might have been an accident for all anyone knows!"

"Mr. Potter," Fudge bellowed, bringing down his mallet down sharply. "Do control yourself!" The Wizengamot murmured in quiet agreement, all eyeing the man who took up in the crowd.

"Though he does have a valuable point," Dumbledore spoke up, nodding to James. "No one knows what happened that day, no one can be sure. One fact remains, however, as Mr. Potter has told us, that Sirius Black is NOT the servant of the Dark Lord. Is this correct, Mr. Potter."

James slowly said, "Yes" in response, as if that much was obvious. They'd already gone over those facts earlier. Was Dumbledore changing the subject?

"Pettigrew, in turn," Dumbledore continued, indeed changing topics, "unlike Sirius Black, could only have been a servant to Voldemort. He disappeared immediately after he was made Secret Keeper, had he not, Mr. Potter?"

"Yes," came the bitter reply. The tone in turn gave Sirius a feeling of regret... for not killing Peter. He'd had the chance to do so, twice… but he'd missed both opportunities. "We had never known. We'd been worried about his well being at the time. Though Sirius didn't know where we were, he went out looking for Peter."

Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "And after obtaining the whereabouts of the Potter's, why would Pettigrew be set free, unharmed unless he were a Death Eater himself?" He stood there, as though waiting for someone's rebuttal, waiting for sometime to comment, but nothing came. Dumbledore's shoulders relaxed, his expression that of someone purely satisfied with himself. "Well then, if no one will argue. Thank you, Mr. Potter, you can sit down now."

James reluctantly disappeared from Sirius' line of sight, but not before he saw his friend wink and smirk. Pffh, that devil... Maybe at heart James still liked making trouble...

"And yes, it is true that Sirius went after him with the intent of exacting revenge upon the man who had killed his best friends."

Fudge actually looked pleased now, looking to Sirius. "Is this true?"

Sirius gnashed his teeth. "Yes, it's true, I've told you."

Another slighter murmur rose up. "I see... so you admit to the crime."

"I never said that!"

"But you admit you attacked him in a public street, admitted you killed half a dozen Muggles in the crossfire, did you not!?"

"I didn't! I never had the chance to do anything to that rat! And who said I wanted to kill him!? Maybe I was going to capture him-"

"'Maybe?' But you didn't, you killed him then and-"

"STOP!" All eyes went to Dumbledore again… he stood as though he hadn't said a word, much less yelled for the Minster of Magic to shut his pie hole. He was calm and still, until he went on with his voice almost shockingly potent with anger. "Enough of this pointless banter! We are once again moving away form the point of this trial."

"But he had a motive," Fudge insisted. "Revenge! You've said so yourself!"

"Revenge on Pettigrew, yes, but not on innocents!"

Silence…

"We don't know who cast that spell which killed those six innocent people, nor will be ever know. Remember that Pettigrew's wand was never found, and Sirius' wand was conveniently snapped instantly upon his capture. It is questionable as to why the Ministry was so unwilling to follow through with an investigation, and willing to destroy quite possibly the most valuable piece of evidence."

"Are you suggesting something, Dumbledore," a man from the back row asked darkly before Fudge could even sputter any form reply. "Are you insinuating that the Ministry is at fault here."

"Sir… that is exactly what I'm saying."

Sirius actually grinned. 'Bloody hell, this was actually getting a bit funny.'

"How dare you," Fudge gasped.

Dumbledore waves his hand toward Sirius. "It was no one's decision to imprison this man but the Ministry itself, and as you can see there is now evidence for his claim of innocence. Evidence that had been once overlooked. What I am saying is that a mistake was made in the past." He looked to the audience. "I surely hope that the past will not repeat itself so soon…"

"But all you have is the word of one man!"

"I do."

"You have no evidence, then," that huge... woman, Umbridge, said coldly, eyes squinted. "Nothing to prove what you say is true. Or what Mr. Potter says is true."

"As you have nothing to prove he is guilty? You the Ministry… Who condemn a man with little more-no, correction, nothing more to go on than an assumption? Is that what you call justice?"

"I was going to capture him," Sirius said loudly, nearly screaming. He needed to speak out, he couldn't let Dumbledore do all this for him. He didn't care anymore.

"Then what about his-his... He's a mad man, can't you see that!?"

Sirius snarled at him. "Spending time in Azkaban changes you," he said, carefully controlling his tone. "I may be a changed man, but proud to be a sane one, and at least I still have the knowledge that I was imprisoned for no reason! You blamed me for killing my best friend, and believed the words of the real madman when he screamed them out to a public street! If you had done something than maybe that rat would be the one in Azkaban, and maybe Voldemort wouldn't be running around right under your noses!" An expected tremor when through the room at the mention of Voldemort, but Sirius went on, shouting so that he might be heard, so that his voice might ring in every ear. "YOU EXPECT ME TO TREAT YOU WITH RESPECT AFTER WHAT YOU PEOPLE DID TO ME! AFTER WHAT YOU DID TO YOURSELVES!"

The reaction to Sirius' words was odd... Fudge was outraged... as were a few other members of the court. Others held cold, blank expressions, but other looked to him in pity...

Pity!

He didn't need pity!

Snapping his head away from the sight of the court he stared down at the chains binding his arms, torso and legs, chin resting on his chest, his breaths coming out heavy and labored due to the position of his neck, but he would not look up.

He'd waited years to say that to these people... face to face, and it was wonderful.... so wonderful... God, he was going to cry if he wasn't careful, and he didn't respect any of these men enough to let them see his tears. So he squinted carefully and let the slight draft in the room dry them before they had a chance to slip down his cheeks.

Even grown men cried when happy--or sad--enough...

There was a long silence, and Sirius realized that no one wanted to speak again after his outburst. He smirked, glad he had such an effect on them. A part of him would have been rather angry if, after all these years, his little speech hadn't the effect he'd fantasized about.

Dumbledore had taken a seat again, apparently leaving the rest to Sirius' own devices. From that response, he must have done something Dumbledore approved of… not to say Sirius wasn't out of line, but when had that ever mattered?

The silence continued for a few minutes, and during that time Sirius raised his head, wondering why anyone would stay quiet for that long for any reason. Perhaps he'd had the effect he'd wanted, but this was the middle of a trail. When he saw the court actually whispering huskily amongst themselves he realized they were discussing something, obviously. In fact, it looked like they were having a heated argument. The audience remained still and quite, though he saw a few whispering and nodding to the people around them.

Finally the Wizengamot collected themselves, straightening, headed by Fudge. He looked defeated, like he had come out of a fistfight with nothing more than a broken pride. It was a look that suited him like a second skin.

"The court is ready to vote."

Sirius almost started with a sense of vertigo.

Already!? Usually a court case like this one would take days, even weeks, why so soon?! What if...

The thought of being sent back to Azkaban made his mind swirl with fear, though on the outside he sat stiffly, jaw oddly clinched to a point were his teeth ground and squeak into each other.

He didn't even hear them speak, but he did see hands rise.

At first only a few people rose their arms into the air... Seeing this Sirius snapped back to reality, realizing that they were voting. He didn't even hear what Fudge said!

He desperately tried to figure out what they had just voted for, but it continued, Fudge asking, "those in favor?"

Well over half the court raised their hands, some looking for reluctant than others, some looking nervous, even. What was it!? What happened!? Merlin, his pounding heart couldn't take much more of this!!!

Fudge took a deep breath, then spoke, eyes narrowed dangerously.

Sirius could hardly tell what the vote had been. To him, both votes had looked close to half. For all he knew it had been a hung jury, but not one was saying anything-!

His chains were suddenly removed, and hands to either of his arms guided him into a standing position. To his right, Dumbledore was standing in front of his own chair, a blank look on his face. Everyone in the audience was standing as well.

"Sirius Black...

"You are released from the charges of murder that resulted in your imprisonment in Azkaban ONLY due to a lack of evidence against you. Further investigations will continue, but until then, you are deemed innocent...

"You are however not released from any acts of vandalism, stealing, or any felonious acts done during the time of your escape..."

All and all, Sirius didn't bother holding back from hollering for joy.

In the background, he could hear that Harry (or could it be James?) hadn't bothered to hold back, either.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

James nearly jumped out of his skin when Harry jumped up next to him, yelling at the top of his lungs. "He did it! He really did it!"

Fred and George, who managed to find a spot in front of them, were grabbing Harry arms. This wasn't an act or restraint, however, because the twins were holding each other's arms as well, laughing just the same, in a sort of group handshake, congratulating "their" victory.

James at least had enough grace to haul his son back down to his seat, hushing him and his friends, saying, "Now, now, Fred, George, Harry… can't go on looking so suspicious!" The twins at least followed in suit, though the grins never left their faces. He noticed that a few people had turned and were staring at them, some with their mouths slightly open in shock and confusion... James smiled winningly and waves his arms a bit in a mockery of a small Muggle cheer he'd seen on the telly. "Wa-hoo," he said quietly, not bothering to hide the sass.

Sirius was free! His BEST FRIEND was FREE!

He wanted to be doing cartwheels and the like! He wanted to be cheering as Harry had, though he couldn't allow Harry to start getting people suspicious.

As far as the public knew, Harry was supposed to have been thinking of Sirius as a killer, not a loved godfather. As far as the public knew, Harry doesn't really know who Sirius is at all. And Fred and George, as far as James knew, really didn't know Sirius personally at all! Nor did they have any idea he was Harry's godfather… In fact, Fred and George shouldn't know Sirius at all. Why were they ever so exited?

James' own smile nearly faded as he noticed something, though.

A group of journalists...

"Harry, you and these two better go on ahead…"

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

They howled and screamed for joy and they ran up the staircase, through the halls, not giving a care if anyone saw them.

Harry was sure the grin on his face would split it in half any second.

"Harry, my friend," Fred said, flinging his arm around Harry's shoulders. "This calls for a true celebration!"

"And no one knows how to celebrate an occasion such as this like a Weasley," George winked. "Fireworks!"

"Fireworks," Harry laughed, flinging his own arms up to grab Fred's shoulder as well, and George joined Harry at his other side. "You have fireworks!"

"Yeah, I think Dumbledore would let it go, don't you?"

Harry laughed again. It felt good to laugh! "You never even told me," Harry said, "why you're so excited."

"Oh, we have our reasons," Fred grinned, winking.

"And what are those reasons?"

"Another time, Harry, another time!"

"Yes," George cried. "So let's go spread the good news!"

Harry would like anything better, and he dashed from under his friends arms, to excited to keep himself from yelling, "Ron! Ron!" as he went.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Severus Snape looked unkindly toward the two teenagers sitting in chairs against the wall. The redheaded Weasel had left some time ago and hadn't come back; to talk to his father is some nonsense. Longbottom was fast asleep, having somehow curled his substantial girth into a tight ball so he was somehow tucked in on himself enough though balanced enough not to fall off the chair in his sleep.

Granger was wide awake and looking quite alert. Unless she had actually fallen asleep with her eyes open, and that wouldn't have been a surprise at all.

"Professor."

Blast.

Rolling his eyes, Snape didn't hold back a sneer of disgust as he heard her voice drift over calmly, quietly. He actually turned away from her, focusing on what he was doing, and that was returning the ingredients he'd used to the potions case Abridger had left... actually, he had taken the time to sort them properly.

Actually, according to what the nurse had told him, Abridger wasn't coming back.

......

Bloody hell... well, if the woman wasn't coming back, there was no need to let good ingredients to go to waste.

"Professor...?"

Snape started, snapping his hand away from the potions case before he had the chance to take and pocket anything. The word had been spoken so softly, so quietly, that for a moment he thought Lupin was awake. But Lupin wasn't awake. The werewolf looked so sickly he might never wake for all Snape cared (and at least he could hope…). It was in fact Granger that had spoken. She'd stood and walked to the opposite side of Lupin's bed without him noticing. Snape berated himself for allowing his thoughts to get the best of him. After all, in his line of work, distractions—internal or external—could mean certain death.

He composed himself with little effort, matching Granger's even stare with a scathingly harsh leer. He half hoped that she would cringe and fall silent as Longbottom might.

But Snape hardly had such luck. Granger boldly placed her hands on her hips. It was a careful gesture, one not meant entirely to be disrespectful, but meant to show that she wouldn't be intimidated.

Gryffindor indeed… bloody well always had to put up such a clownish act of superiority and bravery while inside they're probably shivering like kittens in a rainstorm.

Granger herself was being particularly "brave" for someone who had been crying her eyes out days before because of her horrible misfortunes, being possessed by a malicious spirit. Frankly, that would suit Snape a lot better at the moment…

Of course more time passed. Granger had stood to meet him, but she would have to try a lot harder to get words out of him. In fact, she was trying to make eye contract, trying to wait him out.

Snape held his chin high, pointedly going back to removing potions from the shelves and slipping them into his robes. It was amusing to see that Granger didn't bluntly speak out about taking others property. Perhaps that was why she wanted to speak with him? Ha! There were worse crimes.

"Professor, we really wanted to thank you for helping Professor Lupin. Who knows what that woman would have done to him. It was… very big of you to do it, consider your pasts..."

Snape didn't paused this time, but a scowl began to form on his lips. "You're trying to read into something isn't there, Miss Granger, and this has nothing to do with my unfortunate past with that." He was sure Granger realized he meant Lupin. In a sense, after all, he was an "it". A thing. "I am obligated by a higher purpose that mere honor or righteousness."

Granger has fidgeting now, looking displeased. "But you did do it, it was-"

"Nothing." He picked up a vile, tapping the bottom experimentally. Hm… this ingredient was ruined… It was meant to be in a different sort of container, of crystal, not glass. Such a waste… "I'm not beyond taking point from your house if you do not cease in pestering me."

"You pity him," Granger said, almost accusingly. "That's it, isn't it? You pity him. Isn't that why you did it?"

Snape snorted, though something inside him twisted. Lupin had saved his life. Intentionally… "I don't pity him… he deserves what he gets." This was no time to grow a conscious, why didn't Granger just shut-up?

"Then it's guilt, isn't it? For all that you've said and done-"

"What I feel for this creature is not guilt, fool," he snarled, startling Granger enough to make her jump back. "… It is what they called the "seeds of guilt", something that had the potential to cause much trouble... psychologically speaking. And as I already have quite a few things on my mind, I don't need Lupin's little situation interfering, nor you reminding me of it, understand?"

Granger nodded slowly.

"Wonderful. Twenty points from Gryffindor for being so useless and nosey. Now get out of my sight."

To his satisfaction Granger's face turned pale. Honestly, she looked shocked. She should have seen it coming after all. Or maybe that was a good thing, it made the reaction so much sweeter, after all.

Granger did leave then, thank Merlin. She didn't seem very happy at all, her feet stamping across the stone floor as she went. She closed the doors behind her a bit too loudly.

And Snape was alone, finally, blissfully…

But for some reason he still felt like he was being watched…

He turned to look at Lupin suspiciously, who lay quietly in the bed. His uninjured arm lay across his stomach while the other lay straight at his side, the palm side up.

"I don't feel guilt for anything I've said or done to you, Lupin," he muttered, loud enough for Lupin to hear had he been conscious to listen. "You deserve all of it. I hate you."

Silence greeted him…

He took a few steps away from the bed, grabbed the white screen that he'd moved aside earlier, and shoved it back into place, effectively blocking Lupin from his sights.

Everyone had forgotten Neville Longbottom still curled up in a chair…

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

'Well, that was a waste,' Hermione thought glumly as she walked down the halls. There was no one around, oddly enough, or maybe it was because she was in a corridor less used? Perhaps everyone was off getting information about the trial?

Hermione wonder what was happening now? Ron had gone off to see his father after someone came to the infirmary to announce the recess, and what had happened thus far… and about Snape arrival of course...

Maybe she'd been fooling herself when she thought Snape was actually being nice to Lupin, actually doing something good and noble? It'd seemed like it at the time, and she'd been willing to give Snape the benefit of the doubt.

But she'd been wrong, and now her house had suffered twenty points… She'd make sure Ron and Harry wouldn't find out about that…

Then again, going back to Snape, what was he really thinking…? If not guilt… Ah, blast… perhaps she was reading far too much into it.

After all, what didn't she really know about what happened between Snape, Lupin and the other back then…?

She would've gone on pondering, but she didn't walk much farther before she saw a three familiar young redheads dashing down the hall toward her, as well as one young raven-haired boy who was wearing a grin that could light a sun.

It didn't take genius (like herself) to realize she missed something.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Hours later…

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Remus looked carefully to the men that guarded him... He hadn't been treated fairly during the little trip to the Ministry. He didn't really expect as much. But his body was hurting, and a pain in his hip was making his limp even as he was pushed around on his feet.

"I want to speak to Dumbledore," Remus insisted hoarsely, and not for the first time. He wanted to know where Sirius was after they had carried him off. The poor man had been unconscious. Anything could've happened…

But they didn't tell him anything.

They'd left him alone them, with only one man there with him…

Remus wanted to ask him the same question he'd asked the others. But he was so tired now. He couldn't stand to ask again…

But the man was watching him… where had he seen that look before… the one that filled his head with fear and dread…

Grinning, the man raised his wand toward him, eyes glinting with wicked satisfaction…

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Remus woke with a start, the funny feeling that he'd sleep in through one of his classes taking precedence over any other sensation as he began to sit up. He hadn't even bothered to open him eyes before trying, though instantly regretted it, falling back like a heavy stone.

It… hurt… and he was exhausted. His arm was aching, though it took him a while to remember why. He couldn't explain why his stomach ached to terribly, either. And-by Merlin, his arm itched as well!

The first thing he registered after he had managed to open his eyes was a pale face looming over him. The sight for a moment made him freeze as though he'd seen a ghost. But of course the first thing you expect to see when you wake up is a ceiling or a pillow, not someone or something towering over you like an ominous shadow!

"Good, you really are alive," came a half relieved, half humored voice. He recognized it almost immediately as Sirius. "James and everyone were in here earlier for a few hours, but they had to move on. You know how those bloody reporters are, wanting to get any word they came out of any Potter they can get there ruddy hands on…" He leaned back a bit so that he wasn't hovering anymore, sitting back in a high stood set net to Remus' head, though sat sideways to that he was still pressed again the edge of the mattress as close as he could. "They even tried to come in here, you know, to see if they could get a word out of you. Even though you were unconscious." He growled crossly. "But I made short work of them."

Remus barely heard him then, starring down at his left arm. Sure enough, there were bandages there all the way up to his elbow, and even there he could see a raw, blisteringly-red color poking out from the edge. His whole hand was covered so that even his figures didn't show, as though he were wearing a very unattractive mitten. Some sort of blue liquid had apparently been applied to the fresh below, some of it seeping through the bandages like translucent ooze.

Sirius followed his gaze, nodding. "Ah… You know, they said they brought in some Potions Master to brew something for you. She's already left, but she did a right bang-up job, they say. You'll be fine, though that stuff is going to turn your arm blue for a while, so don't be so surprised… You were even sleeping like a log, didn't think anything could wake you until you just tried to sit up just now."

Remus couldn't think of anything to say, really… He hadn't said anything at all when he woke up, he realized. When he lifted his gaze away from his arm and up to meet Sirius' eye-to-eye, Remus opened his mouth and said the first thing that came to mind.

"Sirius… Sirius I'm sorry, I missed you trail, didn't I?"

Sirius smiled. "Yeah, you did… Idiot, you didn't let go of the coin after you touched it, you know what that can do to you."

"Of course I know, you prat," Remus replied half-heartedly. "I know better than anyone, I should say. It comes with the condition. But I wanted to be sure…" Then as though on a second though he added, "Oh, and how did everything go after that…? Did Neville finally get to leave?"

"Well, Neville got to go home… Lad was a bit shaken in the end, but I think he took everything rather well. Followed you the whole way. He wouldn't have left if he had a choice, but his grandmother didn't give him the option." Sirius smirked. "You have quite an effect on people sometimes."

Remus smiled lightly. "No, I'd saw Neville grows on people… unique personalities do that sometimes…" He wiggled his shoulders, finding it easier to move, though not by much, trying to get comfortable without making his bandaged arm itch any more than it way. "Anything else I should know?"

"James had a few choice words to say to Fudge," Sirius continued. "Wish you could've heard him, Remus. Just like the old days."

"And…?"

"Well, we won, naturally." He held up his arms, the sleeves of his rather loose, tattered black shirt falling down just enough to show his pale, bare wrists. Remus saw that maybe Sirius needed to eat a little bit more, still… "No chains, obviously. You're free to go, I'm free to go… We're all free to go! I think I deserve a small parade when we get back to Hogwarts, don't you think?"

"Pffh," Remus' eye reflected the smile that touched his lips. "Don't let it go to your head, Sirius, you might end up going back. You don't do well with parties, and you were enough trouble getting drunk when you were considered "innocent until proven guilty" last month…"

"… Can you honestly blame me!? It was a moment to celebrate. Any good celebration deserves a good drink as well as a good song and dance. Besides, there've been worse."

"I'm sure."

"You're sure, are you? Remember our Seventh Year? When we got smashed the night when we graduated?"

Remus winced at the memory, his good hand coming up to hide his face. "Oh, Padfoot, why'd you have to go and bring that up? I do try to forget. And yes, I do remember. The reason you don't regret any of it is because you didn't remember anything the next morning."

Sirius grinned teasingly. "You try not to remember? Because, even all these years later it still embarrasses the life out of you. Remus J. Lupin, the Gryffindor Prefect, smashed and singing-"

"And I sounded terrible," Remus cried in embarrassment, his face red, though unable to find the laughter in his voice. He was pleased that he'd successfully managed to cut Sirius off before he could continue! "Oh, and James, that monster, he had the audacity to take that picture."

"He did, didn't he?"

It was strange and relaxing all the same. Here they were, sitting in a hospital within the Ministry of Magic, probably on their own, by themselves, but all the same, it didn't feel like it…

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

It really was funny, how such memories still stayed fresh in your mind.

Though in all honesty, Sirius didn't remember them like he used to. After Azkaban, he could hardly remember any of it. Even now, his memories from "back then" were worn and faded in his mind. Ghosts of the sights and smells and tastes of things long ago. It was hard to believe the memories were real anymore. But it was moments like these that brought him closer to those memories…

When they stopped talking there was a long silence… Sirius wasn't sure if he should consider it a comfortable or uncomfortable one… So he decided to speak, seriously this time…

"You're really alright, aren't you?"

Remus looked down at his arm and nodded, looking positive. "Of course… you don't need to worry about it, I'm sure I'd had worse, after all. We both should know that."

"We didn't know it'd happened, Moony. We really didn't know where you'd gone to before the trail. And after… James is sorry he didn't come to find you, Moony…"

"He'd promised you, Sirius-"

"I know, but he's still sorry. Harry is in for him now, too, for not double-checking on you. No one would tell him anything, until Shacklebolt came along. James met him, or course, by the way…" He said in a lower voice, "I think Dumbledore is going to tell him about the order, soon."

Remus gave a half-hearted smile, changing the subject. Of course it wasn't safe to take about such things here… "It's his disposition isn't it? Between you two. James, I mean, of course. To stay by your side."

Sirius blinked, confused. "What do you mean, 'disposition'?"

"James is your best friend, not mine, Sirius… and you're his, not mine."

Sirius was… hurt by these words… What was he talking about!? "'Never realized you were so cold, Remus." Sirius couldn't keep the coldness from his voice anymore than he could in his words, but he'd always been quick to anger, even with friends. "Thought we meant a bit more to you?"

Remus chuckled, shaking his head, taking no offense. "No, that's not what I meant… I mean… we're friends… We're just friends, but you two… From the very beginning, as far as I can remember you two were brothers… I was never that to either of you, nor did I expect it…" He smiled wistfully. "Always made the same jokes, the same enemies… even the same, evil plotting minds-"

"You had an evil plotting mind."

Remus laughed. "Hardly! I learned it from you two. I was a relatively innocent soul until you two came along."

Sirius crossed his arms as he leaned in, bring his face directly in front of Remus'. He glared for all he was worth. "Even if my memories are a bit rusty… if I ever thought anything less of your-ever… then you should know it now. You're my brother, Remus."

Remus raised his eyebrows and said, "Oh?" pleasantly, as though someone were telling him about something good that happened in the newspaper.

"Of course!" He left he should lighten the mood… "Two dogs of a tail-wag stick together, right? Besides, it isn't our similarities alone that made us friends. I'd hate to think I'd expect you to be any different. Another James Potter or Sirius Black in this world could be the end of it."

Remus' expression turned sour. "Oh, please don't call me a dog, Sirius. I don't think that's a proper term and I might take it personally."

"Well, I'm a dog," he said in a matter-of-fact tone, "… and I'm not talking about that. All men are dogs, you should've heard that 'term' from a few ladies by now!"

Remus laughed, rolling his eyes at the childish words. "Hardly! Only you… you… mutt… For someone always chasing skirts you were "smooth" 'til the very end. Or is "sly dog" the phrase to be used, hm?"

Sirius slapped a hand to his heart and looked aghast. "You wound me, Remus! Is that what you think of me?!"

"That's what I've always thought I you. I thought you knew by now."

"Well, I had my suspicions…"

"I told you everyday."

"So you did… Didn't do much to make you think otherwise, did I?"

"Nothing."

Pause…

Sirius grinned at him. "... Well, I suppose we'd better get you moved." He stood and stretched his back a bit before he grinned even wider, turning to Remus. "A little bird told me there are a pair of twins in Gryffindor who have fireworks for such an event as today."

"They don't allow fireworks at Hogwarts, Sirius."

Sirius' grin didn't waver. "Well, even better. Come now! Let's get out of here so I can show you just how plastered I can get. And this time, Prongs WILL be joining the fun."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

To be continued in...

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

At last! Everything comes to a close, but now loose ends must be tied up. Sirius discovers that twins should never be underestimated, and that secrets are even harder to keep around them. James learns about Sirius' influences on Harry over the years and doesn't take it well (or quietly). James and Sirius go to confront Snape one last time.

TEASER:

"What is it Potter...." Black was eyeing Snape warily, but Snape chose to just ignore him. "For which do you feel the need to rudely interrupt my class...?"

Potter nodded, seemingly more to himself them to Snape, his eyes set. "This is for being a bastard git to my son all these years...."

Snape blinked, confused, and was about to reply when James fist shot out and clipping him in the jaw.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

It's so close to the ending now. Sirius gets off, however not Scott-free, as we shall find out soon enough. The problem is, however, how the heck is he supposed to pay off something like that??? Most of the savings, from what I understand, was put into getting Harry that Firebolt in book 3, Prisoner of Azkaban. In regards to something Paradox01 said, perhaps Sirius DOES having some money that he inherited, but I'm not sure myself. After all, he was disowned. I already plan on what will happen to him, then, and I also know what will happen to Lupin, though he doesn't get the happiest ending he desires.

Review, if you can, as always.

Geuna~