Disclaimer: Harry Potter is life, but it isn't mine.

This chapter is in honour of Sirius Black's 19th Death day: 1959-18th June 1996.

I may be a day late, but Padfoot, this is for you.

Compared to Azkaban, the dingy cell at the Ministry was fine. Here, one could hardly complain, although technically Sirius found that he was only one more wail away from completely losing his head and yelling at everything and everyone.

'Please! Please let me out! I've done nothing wrong! Don't give me to the Dementors! I'm innocent!'

The incessant cries of Wormtail could be heard from the cell next to him. He was driving Sirius absolutely crazy. Who was Peter supposedly yelling at; pleading with anyway? The only company the two had was a lone Dementor of whom was merely placed there to guard the two of them.

Finally, when the cries became too much, Sirius bellowed,

'For fuck's sake, Wormtail. SHUT THE HELL UP!'

He was met with a deafening silence.

Feeling pretty smug at getting the rat to shut up, Sirius smirked at the opaque wall that separated the two former school friends, and lent back on his hands from where he sat on the cold, stone floor. The Dementor's presence lowered the temperature to shocking rate, but Sirius did not mind -he was used to it anyway. Just when he thought he could make use of the deafening silence and get some rest before the trial tomorrow, a squeaky voice echoed off the walls.

'Does it feel good, Sirius? Yelling at me again?' Peter's voice was filled with uncharacteristic malice. 'Does it make you feel big? You forget, Padfoot, I did this to you. I brought you down. I broke you, and you never expected it... because I was only Peter: the pathetic tag along. Remember that.'

Sirius was fuming.

'Did he make you feel important, Wormtail? Lord Voldemort?' An audible hiss was heard as Sirius sneered at the brick wall with such a loathing for the rat on the other side of it.

'What's wrong, Wormtail? Afraid to hear your master's name?'

A mirthless chuckle was heard though the wall.

'Funny that... old wolfy said that exact same thing when I saw him. What an influence you have on the people you love, Sirius... Shame you couldn't use that influence to save any of them.'

'That 'wolfy' was your friend, Wormtail, as I presume that you're referring to Moony. Remus would've died for you, as Prongs, Lily and I would have done. Leave him out of this.'

Another sound of amused laughter.

'How a like you both are, Sirius. You have no idea, really. It's like you've rehearsed your responses until they've become synchronised!' Peter remarked. 'While you were left to rot in Azkaban; forced to wallow in your own insanity, Sirius, Remus had clearly became equally as unhinged by the look of him when he caught me. You should've seen him, Padfoot! Rugged; tired; covered in blood -his blood. He also stunk of burnt flesh -but that foul stench did not belong to his skin though. No, it was the skin of a stranger. Tut tut, has Wolfy been naughty while he's been missing his Siri?'

Sirius inhaled shakily. He's just messing with your head, Sirius. He's a liar; a good for nothing rat! Remus is fine, you know that.

'Do you feel big, Peter?' He questioned changing the topic, feigning his nonchalance, 'Did Voldemort finally bring you out of your insecure, fat shell and truly make you one of his minions? Bold as brass, yet just as over confident and conceited as the rest of them were. What could Voldemort have possibly offered you that could have been worth two wonderful people's lives? What was it that lead you to betray the people who loved yo-'

'They did not love me!' Peter cried out angrily. His whole manner appeared deranged, making Sirius start at the outburst.

'Both Prongs and Lily loved you, Wormtail. They also trusted you, and in return you betrayed them.' he replied coldly.

'They didn't love me. They didn't love me. They didn't love me...' Was the only response Sirius received.

Knowing a dead case whenever he heard one, Sirius sighed and tried to block out the noises Peter made, especially when the Dementor, who -up until now- appeared dormant, glided over to Peter's bars, making the animagus scream in fright as his nightmares were being re-enacted in his head. Sirius tried to block out the moaning as he tried to get some sleep, despite the fact he knew that insomnia would be the inevitable...

'They didn't love me. They never loved me. Never... Never... No, please... Don't, noo!'

On Monday, Sirius and Peter were escorted by two guards and the Dementor to their trial. The former animagus went willingly and did not cause a fuss, whereas the latter seemed to be a little more reluctant to go...

Wonder why. Sirius thought sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

The journey was a silent one at best, besides Peter's occasional whimpering. Sirius kept his eyes fixed firmly on his feet which were, albeit stiff from dis-use, moving at a decent pace; his footsteps were echoing loudly upon the marble floor like a death march. Blood was pounding in his ears with every step.

They approached colossal coal black double doors, which opened upon their arrival, allowing the five to enter the occupied court room. The two Animagi were lead to the centre of the room, where three chairs were set out next to each other.

The guards forced Sirius into his chair on the far right, and used their wands to wrap black chains around his arms, legs and torso, binding Sirius to his chair. The chains were pulled tight around him, but Sirius looked placidly around the room, presenting himself as strong, and tolerable to anything they may throw at him, while inwardly he was squirming. Peter however, openly squeaked at the rough-housing he received as he was pushed forcefully into his chair on the far left and bound in black chains also.

Sirius rolled his eyes yet again -a normal occurrence wherever Peter was involved.

He turned his attention instead to the chair between himself and Peter, wondering which third, unfortunate soul it belonged to. He contemplated who it could be reserved for, but without veil. So instead, he decided to survey he rest of the room, observing which witches and wizards were present. In return, the muttering wizards would occasionally break off their conversations to glare at him in suspicion, like stoic vultures dressed in purple.

Finally, his eyes flicked towards the judge's seat, and found none other than Barty Crouch occupying it. Crouch was the only member that was not engaged in some form of conversation or another. Instead, his dead eyes were focused on Sirius himself in distaste and loathing. In return, the animagus stared back with an omniscient expression.

Like you're not as bad as you think I am. Sirius thought bitterly. Remember, I know what you did, you bastard. You act all righteous and ethical, but your son's cell was opposite mine. I saw everything.

Crouch, as if hearing Sirius's thoughts, sneered in response and looked away. Sirius also -albeit triumphantly- broke his gaze, instead focusing on the double doors, which had just opened yet again, allowing two figures to enter the courtroom.

The first one, as he came into the light, was inevitably Albus Dumbledore, who appeared to be speaking hastily to the other wizard, who remained preserved in the shadows. Sirius tilted his head to the side, like his animagus counterpart would, intrigued. Who could Dumbledore be talking to in an almost conspiring way?

The Padfoot side of Sirius was flamboyantly barking with familiarity, but Sirius could not place it. He knew that other man, he was sure of it, -call it intuition- if only he would step into the light!

Dumbledore appeared to break the conversation when the same guard who had tied Sirius up marched over and gripped the shadowed wizard by the arm; proceeding to drag him away from the older wizard, who sighed before taking his place with the rest of the Wizengamot.

So this is number three. Sirius realised, but his thoughts died when the light finally fell upon the third man, allowing Sirius to gaze upon the lithe form of Remus Lupin for the first time in months. His jaw dropped when what he saw was an almost completely different person.

Remus's hair was as knotted and long as Sirius's, if not more so, as it flowed down his painfully thin figure. When Sirius looked upon the countenance of his lover, he noticed that the werewolf's skin was tightly stretched across his gaunt cheeks and that he was sporting a vast amount of stubble, making him look very rugged, although uncannily ill and malnourished -emphasised by the massive purple shadows that hung around his permanently vigilant emerald eyes. The small amount of his ashen skin that was not covered by the faded material of his robes sported several gashes and bruises, along with the multiple pink and silver scars (although the latter was not really new for Remus). But what shocked Sirius the most though was Remus's nose, which was crooked and wonky -as if it had been broken badly in a fight.

Please don't let Peter be right. You're still the same Remus. Please. Please tell me you're just here as witness... Don't prove Wormtail right...

Moony...' He whispered tearfully.

As if hearing his voice -which Sirius would not put past Remus's brilliant hearing- the lycanthrope's expressionless face, that had been focused on the guards invasive grip on his arm, looked up towards Sirius and changed into the unsure half smile he would pull when feeling apprehensive.

But the look was innocent, making Sirius relax slightly. When the animagus smiled back reassuringly at the werewolf, Remus broke into a fully fledged grin; his demeanour changing like the flick of a switch. As well as this, Remus even dared to wink at Sirius as if to say,

'You're going to win this'

Sirius could feel his eyes watering as he nodded back emotionally.

The guard forced Remus into the chair between Sirius and Peter (who was whimpering pathetically) with just a little too much hostility towards someone who was innocent. The guard waved his wand, causing silver chains to wrap themselves around Remus, tying his limbs to the chair. The lycanthrope -Sirius noticed- winced as if trying to comprehend an extensive amount of pain.

That's not normal silver... Sirius realised.

'Moony, are you alright?' He asked, when he managed to find his voice.

'I'm fine, Pads.' Remus tried to convince him. The fact that his voice broke towards the end however, betrayed his words. Remus seemed to realise this as well, for he continued hurriedly, 'It doesn't hurt, really-'

'Silence!' Crouch bellowed, stilling everyone into silence, his eyes fixed pointedly at Remus and Sirius. The latter, of course, took this opportunity to deliberately counteract Crouch's words.

'Why is he tied up?' He asked, ignoring the incredulous stares he was receiving as he nodded towards Remus, who's lips were pressed tightly together to prevent a whimper or cry escaping him.

'What on Earth are you blabbering on about, Black?!' Crouch demanded exasperatedly.

'I'm talking about the fact that your men have decided to tie an innocent witness up in chains made of the one type of silver that can actually hurt him.' Sirius explained acidly.

'I will inform you, Black, that the Wizengamot has every reason to tie it up.' Crouch countered as if bored. Sirius was enraged.

'"It"?! He has a name you pathetic piece of-'

'Sirius!' Remus hissed. Sirius scoffed, but did not finish the insult.

'Just because Remus is a werewolf doesn't mean that you have the right to treat him like this!' He shouted back instead.

'Padfoot, leave it. Please, it's fine. You want to get out of this don't you?' Remus pressed quietly. Sirius's anger dissipated when he turned to gaze into Remus's pleading eyes.

'Fine.' He sighed grudgingly. 'I'm sorry, Moon-'

'If you're quite finished,' Crouch Interrupted once again, 'I'd like to get this trial over with.' Without waiting for a response, he continued, 'Firstly, the court would like to call to attention the inquiry that has been made as to the persecution of a one Mr Sirius Black,' He spat the name. 'and the recent facts that have been brought into account of the possible crimes that a one Mr Peter Pettigrew has committed.

'Witness to testament for the innocence of Sirius Black and for the capture of Peter Pettigrew is werewolf, Remus Lupin -of whom the court must be made aware of his presence, which was there at the time that the Ministry captured Pettigrew.'

'Ministry? Bollocks! If anyone were to catch Wormtail, it'd be either me or Moony, and I was in Azkaban.'

'Mr Lupin.' Crouch continued, 'Would you so kind as to inform the court of the events of Mr Pettigrew's capture?'

Sirius listened intently as Remus described in details the events that had occurred at the Weasley's Burrow. He noticed how Remus decided against informing the court as to the reasons why he happened upon the area. Sirius knew the almost guilty look in Remus's eyes from a mile off, and decided that he would talk to the lycanthrope about it later.

'Does anyone else have any questions?' Crouch asked the surrounding wizards lazily when Remus finished. Dumbledore raised a frail hand.

'Yes, Barty. I have some questions.' Crouch nodded once and motioned for Dumbledore to divulge further. 'Mr Lupin,' He addressed Remus. 'Would you mind informing the court as to what happened when you went to visit Mr Black in Azkaban on the 31st of December 1981?' He asked knowingly.

Sirius listened, this time ashamed, as Remus spoke of the memory Sirius had shown him; of Sirius's conversation with James and Lily, and how he had been unaware that Sirius and Peter had made the switch.

'Mr Black, do you agree with what Lupin is saying?' Crouch asked venomously.

'Yes. I can confirm that what Remus is saying is true.' He replied coolly.

'Mr Lupin,' Dumbledore continued his questioning, 'what was your opinion of Mr Black before and after that particular visit to Azkaban?'

Remus -if it were possible- grew paler as he quickly looked from Dumbledore to Sirius himself in hurt and betrayal at Dumbledore's question. Clearly the werewolf had not known the Headmaster was going to ask this.

'Before the visit,' He spoke timidly, avoiding Sirius's eyes as he looked at his bound arms. 'I was under the impression that Sirius had indeed committed the crimes he was imprisoned for.' He looked up at Crouch and Dumbledore. 'As much as it pained me to believe it, I could not deny that the "Truth" was staring at me in the face.' Finally, he turned and looked apologetically at Sirius. 'But I knew something didn't seem to fit the puzzle, so I decided that I would visit Azkaban to hear what Sirius had to say for himself.

'When he showed me the memory; when Sirius informed me of Peter, and what he had done, everything clicked. His story confirmed; made sense. Sirius was innocent... Sirius is innocent...' He smiled at the aforementioned, and Sirius knew then, that whatever happened today, they would both be okay.

'Touching.' Crouch mocked. 'Have you finished your questioning now, Dumbledore?' The old man smiled and turned from the pair currently absorbed in an eye-lock, to Crouch.

'For now...'

'Good. Now, Mr Pettigrew,' Crouch turned his attention towards the still cowering little man, who was eyeing the Dementor guarding the door with terror and fear. 'Are you, or have you ever supported You know Who?'

'No.' Peter replied quickly.

'Have you ever worked for You Know Who before his downfall, passing on information to him that could be classed as critical to his uprising?'

Peter shook his head again.

'No?' Crouch asked, unconvinced.

'No. Never.' Peter squeaked.

Crouch pulled out his wand and pointed it tiredly at Peter. With a tiny flick, he pulled up Peter's sleeve to reveal the dreaded Dark Mark etched upon his flabby forearm. Clearly, Crouch had learnt from Remus's trial as to where to look when identifying a Death Eater.

'Still no?' Crouch asked sarcastically. Peter whimpered in response. 'Now that we have that cleared up, Mr Pettigrew, did you pass on information as to the whereabouts of James and Lily Potter?'

'No.'

'Stop wasting our time, Mr Pettigrew or else we will be forced to use Veritaserum on you. Now, did you betray Mr and Mrs Potter?'

Silence. Then,

'Yes.'

'Did you kill those twelve muggles that Mr Black has been accused of murdering?' Crouch asked, 'Be aware, Mr Pettigrew, that we have witnesses that have heard you confess before now.' Peter hesitated.

'Yes.' He muttered quietly, as if each confession pained him (and not in a remorseful way).

'What was that, Mr Pettigrew?'

'YES!' Peter cried dramatically.

'Well done, Mr Pettigrew. Now, it's says here in my notes that you are an unregistered animagus. Can you clarify that?'

'Yes... B-but Sirius is too!'

Both Remus and Sirius, who had been paying attention to the questioning intently, looked at one another -Sirius in worry, and Remus in reassurance.

'I would like to bring attention to the fact that the punishment for being an unregistered animagus is six months in Azkaban.' Dumbledore remarked, his voice echoing through the court room. 'Therefore Sirius Black, I think you will find, has already served his sentence for that crime and should not be punished further for it, although he will be forced to Register himself after this trial.'

Sirius let out a breath he did not know he had been holding and nodded towards Dumbledore in gratitude.

'Fair enough Dumbledore. If he is innocent, that is.' Crouch agreed. 'Now, are you aware, Mr Pettigrew, that by allowing Sirius Black to be punished for the crimes you committed, you have averted the course of justice?'

'Erm...' Sirius could almost hear the gears turning in Peter's head. '...Y-yes.' He sounded a little confused as he said this.

Clearly Voldemort can't cure stupid, Sirius snorted.

'Then I think I am done questioning you.' Crouch declared triumphantly. 'Does anyone else have any questions -yes, Dumbledore?' He sighed when the Headmaster raised his hand again.

'Mr Pettigrew,' He began, 'Were you or were you not the Potters' secret Keeper when they went into hiding from Lord Voldemort?' Several hisses emitted the room. 'and by this I mean: was it you who performed the Fidelius Charm with the Potters' as opposed to Sirius Black?'

'No! It was Sirius!' Peter accused, eyes wide.

A pulsing vein snapped...

'LIAR!' Sirius cried. 'You're nothing but a filthy liar! How could you even suggest-?!'

'Mr Black, restrain yourself! You will only speak when spoken to!' Crouch spat, eyes piercing through Sirius, who slumped back in his chair petulantly. 'Now, we'll ask again, Mr Pettigrew, were you the Potters' secret keeper?'

'No!'

'You damn well were, Wormtail!' Sirius yelled once again, acting completely deranged. 'Use Veritaserum on him; take my memories; take his! It was Peter!' All reason was lost as he continued to scream at occupants of the room defiantly.

'Oh dear...' Remus sighed.

...

After five minutes of intense legitimacy, a whole flask of Veritaserum and a few soothing words from Remus, Peter Pettigrew had indeed confessed to all of his crimes, and it seemed that Sirius Black did not need to be sedated after all.

...

'Peter Pettigrew, you are sentenced to a lifetime in Azkaban for: the Murder of twelve innocent Muggles; being a Death Eater and conspiring with You Know Who; partaking in illegal activities; being an unregistered animagus; averting the cause of justice, and for assisting the man who murdered James and Lily Potter.' Crouch declared. Banging his mallet.

Peter squirmed and blubbered.

'As well as this, Sirius Black, after recent facts have been brought into the light during this trial, will be cleared of all the charges made against him, and is obligated to sign up at the Improper use of Magic office at the Ministry with regard to his unregistered animagus form.' He banged the mallet again. 'Case dismissed.'

Sirius closed his eyes in relief and content, as the members of the Wizengamot rose and made to leave the courtroom hastily. The Dementor at the door glided forwards towards Peter to take him away, which he reluctantly complied to, crying and screaming, his voice bouncing off the walls of the dome room. It was only after he was restrained properly, that Peter was able to be taken away quietly.

The chains around Sirius and Remus melted as Dumbledore waved his wand from where he was still positioned in his designated seat, smiling down at the two Wizards. The duo smiled back in gratitude as Dumbledore gestured that they had five minutes before meeting him outside the room.

When the courtroom had emptied, Sirius turned in his seat to look at Remus, who in turn was staring at the animagus serenely as he subconsciously rubbed at his burnt wrists. Without warning, the werewolf started as Sirius spontaneously leapt to embrace him, nuzzling his face into the crook of Remus's neck.

'Thank you, Moony. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.' He whispered, voice breaking with emotion. 'Thank you, so much. You saved me. Thank you. I love you, Remus-'

'Padfoot...' Remus interrupted grinning. 'You're free...' Sirius nodded feverishly.

'Yes, I am.' He let out a relieved laugh. 'I'm free... Oh, I don't know how to thank you, Moony. I wouldn't be here if not for you.'

'Shh, love. You don't have to thank me. I'm just glad you're safe, and I glad that you're here with me.' Remus replied, burying his face in Sirius's hair to hide the tears that were threatening to fall. When Sirius managed to dampen Remus's own hair however, the werewolf pulled back from the hug and looked at Sirius intently, memorising every last contour, never wanting to forget. Sirius, too overwhelmed by seeing Remus again, pulled the lycanthrope in for a wet kiss.

It was not a lust filled kiss, or a concupiscence one, but one of devotion, love and emotion. The passion both of them put into it was enough to show each other that they were not going to let the other out of their sight again, and that they were forever. That kiss proved to them both that they would never be broken; never be torn a part again.

That was the break in the dam for Remus. He broke away and buried his face into the material covering Sirius's chest as tears of happiness and relief overtook him.

'Don't look at me, Siri... Please.' He pleaded when Sirius tried to lift his chin.

As he respectfully complied, the animagus could only watch, memorised, as Remus Lupin cried against his chest, shoulder's shaking as he tried to steady his breathing. Never was Remus ever allowed to cry. Sirius had only ever seen Remus lose control that this once before, but never had it been close to this amount of waterworks.

Sirius felt moisture dampen on his shirt and suddenly, they were both crying; their tears mixing into one. Both of them held each other and they were able to shed the tears that they had always caged from falling. They cried for James, Lily, for all the pain they had to endure. Most of all though, they cried with relief because despite all of this, they were free.

Minutes passed, and Remus was the first to get a hold of himself.

'I love you, Sirius.' The werewolf whispered as he wiped at the animagus's tear tracks that were cascading down his face. 'I love you so much... but I fear that if we don't leave soon, we'll have to face the wrath of Albus Dumbledore.' He joked lightly.

Sirius snorted, letting out a watery chuckle and suddenly, the moment was gone.

'Yeah, I guess you're right... Who knows, maybe he'll blind us with those crystal orbs he calls eyes, then I'll never be able to look upon your beautiful face again! Oh my Moony, what torture!'

Remus in turn snorted in response, although he could not hide his amused smile.

Filled with content, Sirius took Remus's hand in his and entwined their fingers. Together, they made their way towards the double doors of the courtroom.

Sirius and Remus knew that they had tons to talk about. Voldemort; Harry; Remus's mission; the necklace; Sirius's torture; their new life, everything... but all of that could wait -for now.

Now, all they needed was each other. It was the dawn of a new day, and they had the rest of their lives to talk about it, as free as men like themselves could ever be.

'Moony, everything going to change now, isn't it?' Sirius asked looking up at the lycanthrope meekly.

Remus looked back and smiled a knowing smile.

'Yes, Padfoot, but it doesn't have be for the worse. Anyway, there's no place I'd rather be right now, than by yours and Harry's side...' He rose their clasped hands and placed a gentle kiss upon Sirius's knuckles. Eyes never leaving each other, they both whispered,

'Together...'

A/N: Finally! Sirius is free, Remus is as free as a werewolf could ever be, I'm free (of OWL's/ GCSE's), Dobby is free; everyone's free! Except Peter, of course, hehe. Thank you for all the reviews. Final chapter/epilogue will be released soon Thanks for all the support and reviews so far. :)