Hindsight

Summary: "Ten years," James whispered to his wife. "We've been dead for Ten years… how is this possible?" Ten years after the tragedy at Godric's Hollow, James and Lily come back to life and find their world turned upside down.

Chapter 3

Despite their insistence, Dumbledore and Fudge convinced the Potters that they would have to wait a day or two for a trial to take place. They weren't pleased in the slightest, but it would have to do. Having learned everything they could about their friends and their son, they finally left Hogwarts and returned to one of the Potter houses. The place was dusty, which was easily fixed with a quick wave of Lily's hand. The wandless magic was starting to tire her, however, and she couldn't keep Snape's wand hostage forever- Dumbledore having taken it back from her before they left, assuring them that he had their wands and would return it to them the next morning when they returned. "I need to ensure you don't storm in to Azkaban yourselves," he had explained good-humoredly.

"This house feels empty without him," Lily mumbled forlornly.

James gave her a quiet laugh. "We moved out and went into hiding before Harry even had a chance to see these walls, Lils."

"But he was still here," she responded defensively, patting her stomach. "We were already a threesome."

"That we were."

"Think we can be again?"

James softened and stroked her cheek softly. "Oh, Lily. Of course. You'll see. Harry will be happy to see us."

"But what if Vernon and Petunia did treat him right? I'm not saying that wouldn't make me happy, but would he want to leave them? For people he doesn't even know?"

That made James pause. Lily was right. If Vernon and Petunia gave their son the childhood he deserved, what was to say Harry would want to leave them? "We'll accept his choice, of course," he finally answered. "And we'll visit, show him we love him just as much as his aunt and uncle. Tell him how happy we are that he grew up loved and taken care of."

"Oh, James… I really hope they cared for him. I hope they treated him as their own."

"I hope so too." His voice carried much doubt. "God, I just want him out of that house. Who knows what they're doing to him. I need him, Lily."

"I do too," she said, just as miserable as James was feeling.

"Two days until Sirius' trial. What can we do till then if we can't help him or our son escape their prisons?"

"Remus. We should find Remus tomorrow. He needs to know we're back."

"Remus… that fool."

James kicked the chair that was sitting near him. Lily jolted in surprise and gave her husband a reproving click of her tongue.

"What was he thinking, not taking what we left him? He could be dying, living off crumbs, because of that damn pride of his."

"I don't think it's just pride, darling. We died, James." She sounded like she was still trying comprehend it herself, but she carried on. "You know, Remus. He was ready to kill himself from guilt when you first convinced him to let you take care of him. He'd sooner rot than take our money when we died."

"We left it to him so he wouldn't rot!"

"Would you take anything of his if the role was reversed?"

James huffed, crossing his arms petulantly. "He's a fool, nonetheless. He should've known I'd want him alive and healthy! Not struggling because of his stubbornness." Lily rolled her eyes, knowing she wouldn't win the argument just yet. Not until they saw Remus at least. "So, where should we look for the idiot?"

"I'm sure Albus can give us some information tomorrow, hopefully an address. Let's rest for now."

But they didn't get any sleep in their old bed. They kept their eyes closed and pretended to be asleep for each other's sakes as they both lay awake, their minds plagued by thoughts of Sirius suffering in prison and Harry being abused by Petunia and her husband. When morning light came in through the curtains, they finally sagged against each other in relief. Their closet was empty, besides a few spare clothes they had left behind in their haste to go into hiding. James gave them a quick cleaning charm and they changed before heading back to Hogwarts.

Dumbledore was siting at his desk, ready for their arrival. He gave them a kind smile and called for a house elf to bring them tea and breakfast. All their instincts told them to berate Albus for looking so happy when their family was suffering, partly at his hands, but the sight of the food was mesmerizing. They didn't realize how hungry they were until the first whiff of it all assaulted their senses and they attacked their plates like they would disappear if they didn't eat fast enough. "I assume you want to look for Remus while we wait for Sirius' trial?" he questioned knowingly as they ate their food.

They nodded eagerly.

"I sent him an owl last night, which was responded to rather quickly. It seems Remus is indeed in Durham, living in a tiny apartment above a bookshop he works at. He's informed me that most of his wage goes to his rent, but that he's living comfortably."

"Comfortably," James grumbled into his tea, seeing straight through his friend's lie. "I'm going to wring his neck when I see him, the bloody bastard."

The corner of Dumbledore's lip twitched upward violently. "I told him he should be expecting me to drop by a for a visit today, along with two guests. I feel it would be wise for me to be there to help you explain this… return."

Lily nodded. "And do we know what caused the return yet?"

"Not as of yet, but believe me when I tell you that some of my professors will be looking into this the moment we break news to them. I've managed to convince Cornelius to wait in announcing your revivals. It would be prudent to keep quiet about this, after all. We may not want prying ears to receive this news." They were thankful to hear this. They'd have enough on their plate dealing with their family alone. They didn't need the entire wizarding world at the front door as well. "Be that as it may, we now have to come up with a reason to suddenly put Sirius on trial. Cornelius and I have come up with an idea. It'll be rather tricky but we believe it will work… enough of that for now. Once you finish you're breakfast, we can head to Durham, but take your time. Wouldn't want to upset your stomach."

Despite Dumbledore's suggestion, Lily and James wolfed down the rest of their meal and hurried him off Hogwarts grounds. When they were finally at a point where they could apparate, Dumbledore took their arms and transported them to a secluded part of a Durham street. "We're close," he told them as he guided them towards a busier area. "Ah, and before I forget." He pulled two thin boxes out of his pocket and passed it to them.

"Our wands," James rejoiced. "How did you get them in the first place?"

"Hagrid," he answered simply, continuing forward. "I sent Rubeus to retrieve Harry that night, and though he couldn't take your bodies with him, he picked your wands up and gave them to me for safe-keeping. He didn't want them to fall into any unsavory hands."

"Bless that man," Lily said gratefully. "You must thank him for us."

"I'm sure you both will do that yourself when you see him again," Dumbledore chimed.

They continued their walk, turning a few more corners, before they saw a bookshop sitting in the middle of various other stores. The Potters allowed Dumbledore to go in first, hoping that if he told Remus everything first, their friend wouldn't have a heart attack at the sight of them.

There wait was much longer than they anticipated, nearly reaching a full hour, and they were starting to get antsy. "You don't think he's… mad or something, do you?" James asked Lily worriedly.

"You were just about ready to tear his head off, and now you're worried he's cross with us?"

James glared at her. "Well, fine, if you aren't going to offer me any comfort."

Lily chuckled and rubbed the man's back. "It'll be fine, James. He's probably had a bit of a shock. Dumbledore must be in the middle of calming him back down right now."

Proving her guess correct, Albus peeked out of the door next to the bookshop, looked across the street at them and waved them over. James was on his feet first, racing past people with hurried apologies and shimmying past Dumbledore who still stood in the doorway. "Moony!" he shouted out as he ran up the steps two at a time.

"James!" Lily scolded. "You'll chase him away if you go on like this!"

"Oh stop, Lily! We haven't seen him in weeks!"

"Try, a decade," she called back wryly. He grabbed her wrist and dragged her down a hallway once they reached the top of the stairs.

"All the more reason to see him sooner rather than later!"

In the middle of the hall were two doors facing each other. One was slightly ajar, which they took to be Remus' flat. They gave each other a supportive nod before walking in as calmly as they could.

Remus was sitting in a makeshift kitchen, his shaking hands folded on top of a square table. The man looked much older than his age, gray strands littered around light brown hair atop his head, and his face had quite a lot of lines running along them. He looked up at them in wonder, clearly having a hard time accepting what he was looking at.

"Remus," Lily greeted almost reverently.

"Moony, you look forty!" James gawped.

Lily, annoyed that their reunion had been ruined by her husband's tactlessness, slapped his chest with a loud thud. "You idiot! He's just seen us for the first time in years and that's the first thing you say?"

"I'm sorry!" he said indignantly. "But look at him! Look at those robes! If you had just taken the damn money!"

Her jaw dropped. "And now you're going to start a fight with him? You're unbelievable, Potter!"

"Lily, come on! You have to take my side in this!"

"Of course I do, but that doesn't mean you can just berate him like a child!"

"I wouldn't have to berate him like a child if he didn't refuse the help we left for-"

James grunted and caught Remus when the man rammed him into a wall with his forceful embrace. The werewolf reached over and pulled Lily into their hug. "You're back," he whispered into their hair. "I can't believe it. I thought he was lying or, or mistaken- dear God, it's really you!"

"What convinced you then, mate?" James laughed, throwing his free arm around Remus' shoulders.

"No one on this earth could possibly argue like you two do. It has to be you or I'm not a wizard."

Lily giggled while burrowing herself between Remus and James. "Oh, Remus! It's wonderful to see you!"

"You're kidding, right?" The man countered. "At least I was breathing the last time you saw me. Ten years… Merlin. And you both look so…"

"Alive?" James supplied.

Remus grinned, shaking his head with amusement and incredulity. "Amazing… this is amazing! Have you seen Harry yet? I swear, James, I tried my best to at least visit him but-"

The redhead's angry growl cut him off. "We know. The Minister told us. And no, we haven't seen him yet, but we plan to in a few days time."

"I did see him, once," Remus admitted. "Snuck a glance at him a few years ago before moving away again. Looks just like you, James."

"Did he look all right? Healthy?" the man questioned immediately.

Lily pushed away from them to look at their friend. "He didn't look like he was being harmed, did he?"

"Not that I could tell but… you never know with Tuney and her clan," he sighed. "I hate to change the subject, I know how anxious you must be about him, but Dumbledore told me you had something to tell me? About…" Remus' throat was suddenly very dry and he opened and closed his mouth a few times before he was finally about to force the words out. "About Peter?"

James stiffened and looked away. "Maybe we should sit, Remus."

Lily gnawed at her bottom lip. "Can't this wait? We were just so happy…"

"It's best to do it now, Lily. The trial. Remus should be there."

Remus looked at both of them, even more worried than before. "Trial? What's going on?"

Lily gave in and took Remus' hand, walking him to the worn out couch in his living room. "Remus… we need to tell you the truth about Peter and Sirius."

"Black… Black… Black!"

Sirius jolted awake, pressing himself against his cell wall. He immediately noticed the warmth around him, and though it was still rather dark, he didn't feel quite as hopeless as he usually did. "Dementors," he whispered to himself. They weren't there, obviously because of the men standing in front of his cell. They would never subject visitors to a dementor's presence, especially important looking men like the ones that were here for him now. "Can I help you?" he rasped. "I was just getting some much needed rest, you see? It's rather hard to sleep around here…"

The man in front gave him a wary stare before reaching through the bars and handing him a set of prison garb. They weren't new, still worn and old looking, but they seemed much cleaner than the ones he was wearing now.

"What is this?"

"Put them on," another ordered. "The Minister won't be happy if you show up looking like you are now."

"The Minister?" Sirius gaped. "Show up? Show up where?"

"Just do as your told." The man tossed him the clothes and they all turned and waited for him to change. Sirius gawked at them a few seconds more before finally deciding it would be in his best interests to listen to them. Why was he being brought in front of the Minister? Were they sending him to another cell, a worse one, maybe? Were they going to give him the Kiss? He was suddenly thankful for the new clothes. Maybe if he looked a tad bit presentable, they'd leave him alone. "Are you done yet, Black?" He ignored them and didn't answer. If this was going to be his last few minutes of peace, he was going to enjoy them. Would his new cell have a permanent dementor guard? Two? Three? Would they let him see Harry before sending him to his death?

He felt his breath catch in his throat at the thought of his godson.

No. Of course they wouldn't let him see the boy. Maybe a picture if he begged? For a moment, he allowed himself to believe they'd actually give him a picture. Would Harry look like James? Like Lily? Were the Dursleys treating him right?

"Black?"

"Yeah," he finally responded. "Yeah, yeah I've just finished."

With that, they entered the cell, shackled him so that his cuffed hands were attached to his cuffed ankles by a long chain, and then guided him out and down the corridor.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll find out soon enough," someone said from behind him.

"Ludicrous," he heard the other man mutter. "Ten years and they call for this now? I don't know what they expect to find."

Ten years? He'd only been in Azkaban for ten years?

Sirius allowed them to tug him around corners and down stairs until they were finally at a long row of fireplaces. "It'll be easier for you to just get him out of here at the apparition point. I'll meet you there," the grump told them before disappearing through one of the floos.

"Weak stomach, I assume?" Sirius mocked. They raised a brow at him, reminding him that he was still a prisoner despite being out of his cell for the first time since he was thrown in. "Right. Apologies. Shall we?"

They pulled him over to a large circle drawn on the ground. All three of them just fit standing sit by side next to each other, so that both his arms were locked in theirs. He closed his eyes when felt himself being pulled from their spot on the ground, and opened them again just in time for a flash of light to blind him.

"Sirius Black! Sirius Black!"

He blinked rapidly, trying to make his vision work, but more and more flashes continued to destroy his attempts. "Back! Get back, I said!" the man next to him shouted.

"Unbelievable," the other ground out as he pushed them through the crowd. "How did the papers find out?"

"Black! Why did they take you out of Azkaban?"

"Are you receiving the Kiss?"

"Are you trying to buy your way out with the fortune still sitting in your vaults?"

It didn't take long for Sirius to realize they were at the Ministry, surrounded by journalists and reporters. What in Merlin's name was happening? Feeling claustrophobic, he nearly led his guards out of the crowd himself, desperately pushing past everyone until the two men were able to gain control once more. "Come on, Black. This way," one of them told him, shoving him through a door. The moment it was closed, they released him into the tiny room and fell back against the door, physically holding it shut until they pulled their wands out and locked it together. "Who even let them back here?" he snapped.

Sirius looked around. The square room was too small to walk around in freely. There were two chairs sitting on either side of the door. A round, steel cage was in the center of the space, and peering in, he could see a dark black tunnel leading upwards above it. He was no doubt in one of the holding rooms, where criminals were brought to before facing the Wizengamot. He wondered why they were holding him here? Was the Minister that scared of an unarmed, bedraggled man much weaker than he? It wasn't like they were about to duel. The Minister's guards would never even allow him the chance to shake his hand, not that he would want to.

His ponderings were cut short when the man himself walked into the holding pen.

Sirius' eyes widened noticeably. Cornelius Fudge was alone, no wizards at his side to protect him, and smiling at him. Was this it? Had he finally gone mental? Was he still in his cell, having some sort of odd hallucination? Of all the things to be imagining, he wondered why it was tea with the Minister and not something like chasing Harry around a backyard as Padfoot.

"Fudge," Sirius greeted quietly. "It's been a while, hasn't it? Judging by the rather garish 'M' pin on your lapel, I see that you've become Minister… Congratulations."

"Never mind that, Mr. Black," Fudge laughed nervously. "I see you're looking… maybe we ought to clean him up a bit? They won't be pleased to see him like- no they wouldn't."

Sirius tried not to look disturbed by the man's obvious franticness. "What exactly is going on? Am I being let out for good behavior?" he joked dryly, but tensed when he saw the others glance at each other. "… Am I?"

"There isn't any time to clean him up anymore than he already is, Minister," one of his guards stated calmly. "It will start any second now."

"And how exactly did those reporters get down into the holding area?" the other bit. "What if they distracted us enough that Black was able to escape our grasp? He struggled, nearly did it, mind you."

Sirius wanted to see how Fudge would react to being spoken to that way, but instead decided to defend himself. "I did not," he retorted hotly. "If you haven't noticed, I've been on my own for a while. The crowd made me uncomfortable. Now, is someone going to tell me what's going on?"

"I suppose you're right," Fudge muttered to the man who denied his request to clean Sirius. "Go on, put him in the riser."

"Now, hold on!" Sirius shouted. "What-"

He didn't have time to finish his sentence. The two men who took him out of his cell pushed him into the cage, locking him up as Fudge walked out the door and into the now empty hallway.

"Tell me what's happening," he demanded. He banged the bars in front of him when they studiously ignored him. "Why have you dragged me out of Azkaban and into the Ministry? What's all this about?! Is it Harry? Is he all right?!"

He felt the cage rattle around him and began to move upward.

"Wait! Just wait! Whatever it is, I didn't do it!" he begged. "You have to believe me!" The two men walked out of the room as his cage ascended up into the black tunnel. "Stop!"

But it was too late. Sirius was swallowed by the darkness once more. He held onto the bars, stopping himself from collapsing in panic. What was happening? What were they going to do to him? It was obvious that the Wizengamot wasn't going to be up there when his cage finally reached its destination. There were only a few possibilities he could come up with, and most of them ended with some form of his death. He was panting by the time his ascent finally slowed, and he squinted at the harsh brightness of the room he found himself in this time.

To his absolute shock, the Wizengamot was there, all in plum-colored robes with expressionless faces, sitting high in a circle around him.

He turned slowly, taking in the many faces of the court. He stopped breathing when he saw Albus Dumbledore, his former headmaster and mentor, standing where the Chief Warlock was meant to be. If Albus was the head of the Wizengamot, maybe he stood a chance.

He glanced at the visitors box and saw most of the reporters who were down in the holding area, but that wasn't what caught his eye.

There, in the front row, sitting next to a blond couple who seemed just as distressed as him, was Remus Lupin.

"Remus," he whispered before throwing himself into the bars as far as he could press himself up against it. "Remus! You're- Remus, you have to listen to me! I'm-"

"Mr. Black," he heard Albus call.

"Remus! Please! I'm begging you! Forgive me for not trusting you, for lying to you, my friend, my only friend-"

Remus' face twisted in sadness and the blonde woman sitting next to him hugged him around the shoulders tightly.

"Mr. Black," Albus called again, this time more firmly.

Sirius tore his eyes away from Remus and looked back at Dumbledore.

"Sirius Black, you have been brought here before the Wizengamot today, the twenty-third of June, nineteen ninety-one, to face trial for your crimes against James and Lily Potter."