Chapter 6: I Hate it When You're Right
Remus sighed heavily as he watched the man pacing in the ministry holding cell. He and Sirius had been at it for the better part of an hour. Nothing he had to say seemed to affect the animagus. It seemed as if no sense could be knocked into him.
"My decision is final, Moony."
"Sirius, you're being really irrational-"
"No, I'm not!"
"Harry is not a baby. He can handle a trial."
"No, Moony. I said no!"
Remus decided to try a new approach, "Harry will be really disappointed when I tell him."
"He'll get over it."
"It's just, he's been so down lately. With the trial and everything going on-"
Remus watched as Sirius' features began to soften: bingo. He'd known Sirius long enough to know that he could never stand hurting the people he cared about. He remembered when Sirius had pulled the "prank" on Snivellous. His apology had been so sincere, and the look in his eyes at that moment has been so pleading that Remus knew his friend has never meant to hurt him. He had that same look right now.
"He's okay though, isn't he?"
Remus shrugged, "Could be worse, I suppose."
Sirius stopped his pacing and looked directly at Remus though the bars of his cell. From the proximity, Remus noticed that Sirius' eyes were even more sunken in than usual and that dark circles were trailing down below them.
"Sirius, you haven't been sleeping."
Sirius waved off Remus' concern, "I want to see Harry."
"Sirius, not now-"
"Why not?"
"He came to see me yesterday, and we got to talking, Sirius and-"
"And what?"
"He said-"
"He's mad at me, isn't he?" Sirius slumped down pathetically, and Remus was torn between feeling pity for his friend and finding humor in the situation.
"Only a little." Remus had a smile on his face now. "He'll get overthat in no time. He's really just worried about you."
"What do I do, Remus? What do I do?"
"Let him go, Sirius. If you don't, it will only make him drift away from you. He's seen more in his lifetime than any of us. It's unfair to treat him like a child after all he's been through. We both know he's mature enough to go. After all, he had one himself just last year.
"But Moony-"
"I know you're worried you won't be cleared, Sirius, but I know you will. I won't let them sentence you to a Dementor's Kiss, nor will Dumbledore. You have all of the Order on your side, and all the evidence supports you. They have Peter for questioning now. There's proof of your innocence; they cannot convict you."
"But-"
"Sirius, I know Harry. Even if you say no, I know he will just dig out James' old cloak and go anyway. I know you're just trying to protect him, but the best thing you can do for him right now is give him permission to go. Besides, he'll just be one more witness in your favor."
Sirius gave a little smile, exposing his yellowed teeth. "I hate it when you're right, Remus."
Remus grinned. "I have to go now, but I'll be back tomorrow for the trial. Now get some sleep, Padfoot. You'll want to be well rested when they clear you."
"If they clear me."
"They will."
Sirius watched as Remus' form grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared from view. He hoped Remus was right. He laid on the cold, hard floor with a slight shiver and closed his eyes, hoping that tomorrow he'd finally be able to give his godson the life he'd spent years in Azkaban picturing. The life he thought he was going to give Harry two years ago. Oh, that rat had better pay!
Sirius' thoughts wandered until finally everything became a blur, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.
