Saturday arrived in a flurry of rumors and snarled insults. The news of Sirius Black's trial had spread quickly, and everyone seemed to know that Cassandra was behind it. Thankfully, though, no one knew of her Mark. Ronald Weasley was meaner than ever, often going out of his way to insult her, along with his older brother Percy and first years Roger Davies and Zacharius Smith. It had gotten worse when Harry had been placed on the house Quidditch team by rescuing Neville's remembrall after Malfoy had thrown it from about twenty feet in the air. Cassie shuddered every time she remembered the sharp dive her friend had made. She had been terrified that he would crash. Then there had been the 'duel' and the three-headed dog incident. She was still furious with Harry for that one.

By Saturday, Cassandra was ready to yank her hair out in handfuls and scream. Instead, however, she helped Harry dress for court, having ordered him the proper robes Monday upon learning he had none. She and Nev had spent what spare time they weren't doing homework and Cassie wasn't with Lee and the Twins teaching Harry proper pureblood manners. They had decided that Harry would go home with Cassie at Christmas and they would go to Gringotts then to go over his finances and have his parents' will read.

Harry stood meekly, keeping himself completely still while Cassandra straightened his robes, causing the girl to sigh and wrap her arms around him.

"Harry, I'm not mad. I was never really angry. I was just so worried, and to know that you nearly got yourself killed and I hadn't been there to help…. Harry, you're much more important than you think you are. Now, let's get to Professor McGonagall's office so we can be on time."

She pulled back and smiled.

"You never know - he might be proven innocent."

Everyone watched in silence as Sirius Black, hallow cheeked, ragged, and starved, was led into the courtroom and shoved roughly into the chair in the center of the room, where he was immediately chained. Cassandra raised a brow, but said nothing. She knew the chains were procedure, but was it really necessary to push the already weak man around like that? He looked dead on his feet.

Madame Bones walked to the center of the room, a vial of Veritaserum in hand.

"Sirius Black, do you agree to trial by Veritaserum?"

"Yes." he croaked. She uncorked the vial and he opened his mouth. She poured three drops on his tongue.

"What is your name?"

"Sirius Orion Black."

"How old are you?"

"Thirty-seven years old."

"Are you or have you ever been a Death Eater?"

"No."

Gasps filled the room and Amelia's eyes widened. Cassandra had smug look on her face.

"Were you the Potter's Secret Keeper?"

"No."

Yet another gasp. Cassandra grinned widely. Harry looked hopeful.

"Did you kill Peter Pettigrew?"

"No."

Cassandra nearly cackled with glee at the stunned looks the adults sported.

"Then where is Mr. Pettigrew?"

"I don't know. He cornered me and started shouting, then he made the street explode, cutting off his finger and transforming into a rat. He was an animagus."

Many people looked faint. Amelia cleared her throat.

"Mr. Pettigrew was known as a relatively poor wizard. How did he become an animagus?"

"James and I helped him. He, James and I all became animagi when we found out Remus was a werewolf. We didn't want him to be alone on the full moon."

Remus could see from where he was sitting across the court room that Cassandra wanted to coo at the 'sweetness' of the sentiment and barely concealed a snicker. The girl was her mother's polar opposite.

"Why didn't you register?"

"We had just illegally become animagus to help our werewolf friend. We didn't want to get Remus in trouble. We were going to wait until the war was over to register and say that we had done so in case we needed a quick get-a-away or we were spying. Unfortunately, the war didn't end the way we thought it would. We thought we would all survive, but James and Lily are dead, Peter's a traitor, Remus thinks I'm guilty, and I was thrown in Azkaban."

"You were found laughing at the scene. Why?"

"I just told you. Prongs and Mrs. Prongs were dead, Wormy had betrayed us, I was framed and sent to Azkaban, Moony believed it, and Prongslet was sent to live with Lily's magic-hating sister."

"Prongs, Mrs. Prongs, Wormy, Moony, and Prongslet?" Amelia asked in amusement. A ghost of a grin crossed his once-handsome face.

"For our animagus forms. James was a stag so we called him Prongs. When Lily married him, she automatically became Mrs. Prongs. Peter was a rat - Wormtail, Moony was named after Remus' furry little problem, and Harry was Prongslet."

"What was your nickname?"

"Padfoot, because I turn into black dog. The bottom of dog's feet are padded, you see?"

Amelia chuckled.

"Simple yet brilliant."

She took a step back.

"I have finished my questioning. All those who believe Lord Black should be cleared say 'Aye'."

The room rang with 'aye's, Cassandra's voice strong amongst them. There was only one 'nay'. A toad like woman in a pink cardigan got to her feet.

"As Lord Black is an illegal animagus, I believe he should be sent back to Azkaban for the duration of that punishment."

Cassandra stood as well.

"Pardon me, Madam Umbridge, but have we not just proven that this man spent nine years in Azkaban as an innocent man. The maximum punishment for being an illegal animagus is three months, a fine, and a demand that they register. Seeing as he was innocent, I think we should be discussing compensation! Not more punishment!"

"Miss Lestrange -"

"Lady." Cassandra interrupted. The toad paused.

"Pardon?"

"I have been Lady of House Lestrange since I was nine years of age, Madam Umbridge. Do not patronize me." she warned, her voice low. Umbridge paled.

"My apologies, Lady Lestrange."

She sat back down. Amelia smiled at the girl.

"Then it's settled. Lord Black, you will be fully compensated for eight of your years in Azkaban, three months will be taken off your time for being an illegal animagus, the compensation for the other nine months will be used to pay your fine."

Sirius nodded, eager to get out of here and get to Harry. A short time later, the sentence was agreed upon and the members of the Wizengamot filed out. Eventually, only seven people were left in the room: Sirius, Remus, Anthony and Charlotte Pendragon, Madame Bones, Cassandra, and Harry. The two children approached hesitantly, which puzzled Sirius. Why would they be afraid of him? Especially Harry. He used to love playing with Padfoot - in fact, it had been his first word. What had happened to his Prongslet? He turned to his little cousin first.

"Thank you, cousin, for helping me today."

She smiled slightly.

"You're innocent. You didn't deserve nine years in that place. Besides, as soon as St. Mungo's declares you mentally and physically fit, you can take custody of Harry."

Sirius smirked.

"Ah, so my little cousin did have an ulterior motive." he teased. She stuck her tongue out at him.

"Not one you wouldn't approve of." she huffed. He laughed.

"No, definitely not one I wouldn't approve of. I think I'm going to like you, little cousin." he told her cheerfully. She smirked at him, more at ease now that she knew he wasn't going to outright reject her.

"Thanks, Sirius, that makes me feel so much better." she said sarcastically. He snickered at her before sobering.

"Speaking of you and Prongslet, Cassie - Why were the two of you so nervous earlier?"

Harry blushed and Cassie bit her lip.

"Most people hate me because of my parents and I was worried you would too…. As for Harry - that's his story to tell, not mine."

Harry looked at his best friend questioningly, gaining a soft smile.

"You can tell him at Christmas if you feel comfortable, Harry. I'm sure Sirius won't pressure you into doing anything that upsets you." she raised a brow at Sirius, who nodded.

"Of course not. Tell me when you're ready, pup." he assured his godson, gaining an approving nod from his cousin. He mentally rolled his eyes. Women!