Alright, well you shouldn't recognize much from this point on.

It is all different from here on out.

Though chapter two wasn't really the same as before either was it?

I am glad so many of you already like it.

The trial and everything will go by quickly because this is about his life after all of that.

Hope you enjoy,

Oh and I am definitely NOT JKR

Chapter 3

You Stand Accused

He was positive that he had never cried more in his life, he had never been this emotionally exhausted ever. He couldn't even feel the power of the dementors above because he could only think of the most terrible days of his life as it was. Not to mention that he had failed Harry, he had been with the muggles for two weeks. It had taken two weeks to get a hearing set up, two weeks to get interviews and memories and potions, two weeks to find Peter. Two weeks in which they had buried James and Lily. They buried them without him. He couldn't even find the words or thoughts to portray how he felt.

He looked up at the risers from where he sat chained to a chair. Remus was sitting beside of Peter, who looked incredibly nervous and fidgety, Sirius knew that he had been legally forced to come. He couldn't believe that Remus could believe Peter over himself. He looked down into his lap. He wasn't sure but he thought that Moody might just believe him, he was certainly keeping both of his eyes on Peter that much was certain. He had been the one to give Sirius the paper with the burial announcement and the memorial page. He was fairly sure that his mentor believed him, someone had to believe him, anyone.

Suddenly the dementor fog cleared from his head, he noticed the silver patronus shield go up over the top of the room, blocking the life draining power from not only the Wizengammot and the spectators, but also from himself.

"Sirius Orion Black, you are hereby accused of acting in accordance with he who must not be named, conspiring with the dark order for the deaths of Harry Potter, Lily Potter and James Potter. Succeeding in the murder of Lily Potter and James Potter. And attempted murder of Harry Potter. How say you?" Bartemus Crouch, the head of the wizengammot and Military Law Enforcement said calmly.

Sirius tried to get the shake out of his voice, he was unsuccessful. "Not-Not guilty."

"We will first here the testimony against the accused. All witnesses have been prepped with veritiserum. The high court recognizes Albus Dumbledore."

Sirius watched silently, as first Dumbledore, then Remus gave their accounts of his betrayal. He was beyond hurt that Remus did not believe him, but after all that was the plan, for Remus not to know, but it still hurt. When Peter scurried his way to the witness chair Sirius boiled over in anger. How dare he, how dare he step foot or show his face in front of him. It took everything he had not to lunge for the excuse of a man, the only thing that kept him in his seat being the fact that he had been chained to the chair after all. As it was he bit his tongue so hard to stay silent that he felt blood pool in his mouth.

"Peter Pettigrew, you were witness to Sirius Black accepting the Fidelius Charm and acting as secret keeper, you were there for the act." Bartemus said firmly.

"Er…." Peter's voice quaked. "I was there when the charm was performed." Sirius didn't miss the way that Pettigrew had evaded the question.

"And you acted as the bondsman for the oath."

"No, I was not the bondsman." His voice shook.

"You did not create the bond?" Crouch said, his voice full of questions, this testimony already differed from Albus and Remus' account of what was supposed to happen.

Sirius looked up and saw Remus glance at him briefly, a hit of doubt in his eyes.

"Did you trust Sirius to keep the secret of the Potter's whereabouts. Did you know he would hand them over to he who must not be named?"

"No, no I did not think that he would give information of any sort to the Dark Lord. He knew the location, he was able to get into the house."

He had told the truth, Sirius thought, he had known the location. Once the charm was done Sirius couldn't even see the house until Peter had told him the location and suddenly it appeared before him again. He had been able to go in and out, but he was not able to share that information.

Fudge nodded and motioned for Peter to return to his seat, Sirius was irate. They hadn't even asked him to recount that night, hadn't even questioned him about Halloween.

"The court would like to recognize Alastor Moody, in witness for the accused." Crouch said, Sirius' head whipped up as Moody took a seat beside him.

"You are here to bear witness that Sirius Black is not a death eater?"

"I am."

"What is your proof?"

"He does not bear the mark on his arm." Without asking he pulled Sirius arm straight and tore the robes from the place on his wrist, showing the bare, skin. 'All death eaters bear the dark mark, those of us in higher positions know this to be true. Sirius Black's skin is unblemished and whole. No mark appears."

"Do you have any other testimony for the accused?"

"Only that he has been one of my aurors since he graduated Hogwarts, James Potter was not only his partner but also his best mate and brother. Harry is his Godson, I have never seen a bond between friends like James and Sirius and I do not believe him capable of bringing any harm upon him or his family. I have seen many dark wizards, as have you Crouch, but Sirius Black is not one of them. You should recognize that."

Sirius forced himself to meet Crouch's eyes. They looked back at him hard.

"Sirius Black do you agree to take another vial of Veritiserum, showing absolute truth and submitting any memories to be used in this trial pertaining to the night of October 31st?"

"Yes, yes I agree." He said. This was it, they couldn't deny his truth now, they couldn't refuse to believe what was right in front of their faces.

As he swallowed the potion he stared straight into Remus' eyes, refusing to look anywhere else as he began his testimony. He maintained eye contact until he began talking about his plan to use Peter, he closed his eyes against the tears. His voice shook as he spoke, he nearly gagged when he talked about finding their bodies and understanding what had happened. He was so wrapped up in his tale that he hadn't noticed when Remus stood and walked away from Peter, revulsion on his face, or when the two aurors bound Peter's wrists as his memory of being the bondsman for Peter and James showed in the air above him.

"I just want my Godson, please." He whispered in finish.

The entire courtroom was silent. He had yet to open his eyes, he felt the traitorous tears hot on his cheeks.

"This hearing will not come to a vote as there has been extenuating evidence presented. Sirius Black you are hereby released of all charges, required only to return in two weeks time to present your witness against Peter Pettigrew." Crouch's voice boomed out.

Sirius' eyes shot open. "Harry, can I have him, where can I get him?" he stammered.

It was Dumbledore who stood. "Harry Potter's situation is dire that he stay with his blood family, it is the strongest protection he has."

Crouch looked at Dumbledore then back down at Sirius. "You are the legal, Godfather and guardian of the child?"

"I am." Sirius said.

"He is." Dumbledore said in a resigned tone.

"One month from today, you will have a custody hearing, provided that you can provide a completely safe and warded environment for the boy, I legally can not and will not keep him from you. This session is adjourned." He said with such finality that Sirius couldn't argue.

He had one month, one month to find a way to make a completely safe home for his Godson. One month to do right by Lily and James. He stood and strode from the courtroom.

As he made his way down the hall he felt a strong hand pull him round to face them. Even without looking he recognized that grip.

"Sirius, I-I don't even know what to say." Remus said, tears in his eyes.

"You aren't going to say anything. Give me two hours and I will have my stuff removed from the flat. It is yours, keep it, I won't go back." He said harshly, finally feeling the anger at his only remaining friend set in.

"Sirius you have to listen to me." Remus begged.

"Like you listened to me? Sure I would be glad to pay you the same kindness, we are friends after all." Sirius scathed before turning and walking from the ministry.

0o0o0o0o

Sirius stood in the atrium of the ministry, he had just watched the most hated person in his life be led away by dementors. He would serve a life sentence in Azkaban. One of his biggest worries was gone, now he just had to find a way to raise Harry in safety.

"Sirius." He turned automatically to the voice. His reflexes taking over in his despondent state he looked at Remus, all the sadness from the last month showing on his face.

"You have to let me help you. I know you are angry with me, I do. I don't blame you, but Harry needs us both. You have to let me help you."

"And how are you supposed to help me?" Sirius replied, too tired and emotionally worn down to even show anger or venom.

"Just come with me." He said.

"You don't deserve for me to come with you."

"You are right, I don't. But Harry does. What are you planning on doing? Raising him in a room over the Leaky Cauldron? I know you have been staying there for the last week. Do you think they are going to give you custody of Harry if you don't even have a place to live with him?"

"What do you care? You don't want me to get Harry, you could care less where I stay. I am a traitor."

"Of course I want you to have Harry. Be realistic here Sirius, no matter what you know I want you to get Harry from those muggles."

"You gave him to Dumbledore." Sirius growled.

"I thought you murdered his parents! Of course I gave him to Dumbledore. You would have done the same thing if Peter had him."

"No, I would have killed him." Sirius said firmly, he refused to even say the name.

"Well then be glad that I am not you. Just come with me, for Harry."

Defeated, and knowing that no matter how angry he was, he couldn't and wouldn't keep Remus out of Harry's life he followed his friend. Once they made their way to the apparition point he held out his arm, Sirius took it and was sidelonged away.

He stood in front of a cottage, not unlike the one that once stood in Godric's Hollow. It was made of old stone and appeared to be two stories high. He stared in amazement at the well manicured lawns, you could hear water rushing from somewhere close by.

"Where are we?" he asked.

"We are in Chateauroux, about two hours south of Paris. This was my childhood home. This is where we lived when I got attacked." Remus said softly.

"You brought me to France?" Sirius said, stunned.

Remus shrugged. "Look, you can't raise him in England, that much is clear, everyone will flock to him and you, anyone that knows-knew P-P- James will know who he is instantly. Not to mention you are Sirius Black, nearly everyone knows you, even if they don't recognize Harry. It has to be safe. We can set up wards. It sits a bit back from the river, he won't get that far out on his own I am sure, at least not for a few years, but we will ward it too, it will act as a natural barrier. The town is great. They speak a lot of English, you will do fine. There is even an old castle. You will feel right at home."

"But, if you have this house why aren't you living here?"

"I can't, I just can't. I would like to come stay some, but this would be perfect for you and for Harry. Come on, let me show you inside." Remus said, pulling him behind him and through the front door.

"It is already warded against intruders, you have to be the home owner or live here to open any door or window. The cellar is a safe room, it was built for me as a kid but we can respell it to keep others out rather than keeping you in. It will be a good point to bring up to the ministry."

Sirius was quiet as they made their way through the home, the main floor held a full bath and a bedroom, as well as an eat in kitchen, a sun poarch and a sitting room. The small scullery off the back had a door that opened into a large garden, complete with a tire swing that hung from an old tree.

"You might need to reinforce that rope before he uses it but knowing Harry, he will love it."

Remus pushed Sirius back into the house and up the steps to the second story. Sirius couldn't help but think of the last time he had walked up steps like these. He shuddered involuntarily. He watched as Remus pushed open the first door to the right, it was a nice sized bath. The door next to it was a large bedroom with a rather large window. You could just see the river a ways back.

"This will be your room." Remus said confidently before leading him across the hall to a smaller bedroom, it overlooked the side garden. "Harry's room, we will have to paint everything of course." He said. He pushed open a door to the smallest room on the landing, the walls were lined with built in shelves and had the same view as the smaller bedroom. "And a study. It will be good for when he is sleeping and you have work to do. The whole house is hooked up to muggle utilities. Electricity and all, you won't need fire light or lanterns, we will go buy you some lamps, just like the flat. With just you and Harry your magic won't overload it. We can get you a telly and everything." Remus said with a glint in his eyes.

"You won't stay with us?" Sirius asked again.

"I won't live here. Firstly, they will never give you Harry if you live with a werewolf. Secondly, I just can't live here all the time again. But I would like to be here two or three days a week. Just enough to help, and be a part of his life, and yours. Of course this is saying you will let me."

"I can't take your house." Sirius said, exasperated.

"It isn't my house. It is yours, I already signed over the papers. You bought the flat, you gave it to me. This is now yours, and Harry's. We have a lot of work ahead of us though, so I think you should get used to the idea now, we only have two weeks to have it ready for a toddler."

Sirius thought of Harry and then of the promise he had made to James and Lily the day he agreed to be Godfather. He remembered how honored he had been and he swallowed his pride. "Let's get started."