The Moon necklaces
Chapter4: The maddens of a Court trial
~Remus~
That morning I sent a letter to tell my father explaining everything that had happened, that I was safe and well but I didn't know what he was going to think about the court meeting I wouldn't be surprised if I got a Howler back, or if I got a letter at all. I also asked him to send Jinks, my cat back to me. I was so nervous about the trial me and Sirius had to go up against, would they think we were lying to them? Would we be allowed to go back to Hogwarts? Would we have to up in front of Barty Crouch the minister of magic? Well I would find out soon enough it was only three days away and also on that morning our letters from Hogwarts came with the new list of ingredients and books, but I didn't see the point I probably would never get to step foot in Hogwarts again.
We told Mrs Potter what had happened last night, Mr Potter was also there too, all cleaned up and well rested it was probably good to get his mind of Chloe and Dan for a bit.
"But why would the Dementors attack?" Mrs Potter said more to herself "I mean they never leave Azkaban, I'm not even sure they are allowed to."
"Have you ever had a Dementor attack before?" asked Mr Potter.
We shook our heads, we couldn't tell them what happened in Scotland we had to do this ourselves.
"I see" sighed Mr Potter rubbing his chin "but I still think they would let you off, it not like you used magic on your school bully, there is not much to protect yourself against a Dementor besides the Patronus charm and I think they would understand that."
"You think" blurted out Sirius.
"Well it is not definite, but I still think we should go to Diagon Alley."
"It's too soon love," complained Mrs Potter "How about you boys go out for while," she waved to us and we stood up and sprinted outside.
The weather was nice and warm the golden sun shone high over the houses were some kids were playing football in someone's garden "So are we going to Diagon Alley then?" asked Sirius as we walked down the street.
"I don't think so," answered James "mum always gets her way."
"But she is right though,." I moaned "there is no point going to Diagon Alley if we're going to get expelled anyway"
"I wouldn't think so," snapped Sirius, "you heard what Mr Potter said the only way to protect yourself against a Dementor is the Patronus charm, it not like you can punch it in the face."
We laughed, just then out the corner of my eye I saw a bright blue bird fly off into the fluffy white clouds.
Two days went by and I still didn't get a reply from dad, not even Jinks back or the owl that sent the letter, I was starting to worry the court hearing was tomorrow and Mrs Potter had kindly brought me and Sirius some suits, we were very grateful. I was so nervous I haven't slept properly since the howler but Sirius, however, was how you say ...cool about it, he didn't think we were going to expelled, he told time after time that it would be alright but it didn't make it any better.
The day had arrived and we were sitting having breakfast at the Potter house, I couldn't eat anything no matter how much Mrs and Mr Potter told me to and I was surprised that Sirius wasn't eating that much either. Mr Potter had taken some time off from work to take me and Sirius to the ministry where the court will be held and also to make sure we come out safely.
"I should be able to come," sulked James.
"Sorry but have to stay with your mother," apologised Mr Potter. James sighed and turned to me and Sirius.
"Good luck guys, you will make it out alive."
"We know," smiled Sirius and we jumped into Mr Potter's car and drove to the ministry of magic.
The car stopped by a long busy road with tall grey building around us. We climbed out and followed Mr Potter to a red telephone box standing in the middle of the grey cobbles of the street. Was this telephone box our way into the ministry of magic? Mr Potter beckoned us in and shut the door behind us so we were all crammed into that little space.
"I have never used this entrance before," said Mr Potter cheerfully "It should fun" then he pressed some buttons. I couldn't see because Sirius was in the way and then I heard a clanging noise like what a lift does and like a lift we went down leaving the sights of the dull grey muggle buildings behind and saw only darkness, I felt Sirius grip my arm as we moved lower and lower until we came down into light, and the sound of footsteps and voices rang though my ears.
I looked down and saw I being lowered onto black splendid floor, I saw witches' and wizards in smart clothes busselling about on their business with stacks of paper under their arms and suitcases in their hands, it would of been like a muggle office if it weren't for the stunning scenery of black tiles on the floor and walls along with tall, wide fireplaces where wizards and which's were coming out of its green flames. But for me what stood out most of all The Fountain of Magical Brethren but I had no time to look at it clearly because Mr Potter had hastily pushed us out of the phone box and pushed us past the crowds of workers, who would want to work at a place this busy I don't know.
As soon as we were passed the crowd I found myself in another lift, luckily we weren't too crammed this time. Sirius leant his head against the wall and sighed.
"I don't think I've seen the Ministry so busy before."
"It because of the war," said Mr Potter gravely as we went up for our hearing.
We stood waiting in a long narrow corridor in front of the entrance to a very large courtroom were people were taking their seats.
"Nervous boys?" asked Mr Potter.
"Yeah" I answered, he had no idea.
"No," said Sirius but by his expression I could tell he was lying.
"You will be ok," whispered Mr Potter "you haven't done anything wrong," and then a man in a muggle suit came up.
"We're ready for you now," he said, "come with me, you can go now sir," he said to Mr Potter, who nodded and whispered good luck to us as the man in the suit lead us into the dark dismal court room and sat us down in two chairs in the middle of the room. I just managed to look up to see Barty Crouch looming over us under his nose.
"Sirius Black and Remus Lupin," he addressed us , "If I am correct." My mouth was to dry to speak.
"Yes we are," said Sirius boldly, why couldn't I be brave as him?
"You have been seen performing a Patronus charm in Heron Street" continued Crouch.
"Yes ,but..." interrupted Sirius, but was cut off by a woman sitting on the Crouch's side.
"Young man" she said gravely "you can only speak when you are told to."
"Do you plead guilty?" asked Crouch.
Sirius looked a bit taken back, so was I because we had not even told our side of the story yet?
"Yes but the Dementors attacked us," started Sirius and whole room went silent.
"Dementors?" stared the woman "are you playing us for fools boy, because it not like it the first time you have used magic outside school."
"I know, I've had the warning so I wouldn't do magic if it weren't necessary"
Crouch laughed hard, "Why would Dementors attack school children like you, answer me Lupin you haven't said anything yet" my heart stopped I felt myself being to shake.
"I'll ask you again shall I?" said crouch leaning over in his chair to get a closer look at me "Why would the Dementors attack you?"
"W...we don't k..Know" I stuttered and I took a deep breath to calm me down "they came for Sirius I was passing by and I saved him when one of the Dementors was about to suck out his soul."
"And what did this Dementor look like?"
"Cloaked like all the others," Sirius answered, "there were three at least."
"But why would the Dementors move away from Azkaban?" asked Crouch, but before I was about to say we don't know I was interrupted by a 'Hem-Hem' sound and we turned to face a plump woman with brown curly hair wearing black like all the others, she but had some kind of brooch on.
"If you forgive me for interrupting minster" she stared in a clear posh voice, "the boys are obviously lying."
"We're not!" cried Sirius standing up from his chair, "the Dementors attacked three days ago in Heron Street under a subway."
The woman just giggled and rolled her eyes, no one did that to Sirius. There were mutters from the court, Sirius had gone bright red and his hands clenched in fists, he looked like he was going to murder this woman even the entire court and to my astonishment Sirius took his wand and pointed it at the giggling woman the whole room gasped and before the body guards could arrest him I jumped out of my seat and took Sirius wand hand and pulled it away from the woman and I whispered in his ear.
"What's wrong with you do you want to be sentenced to Azkaban" but Sirius didn't stop struggling until a voice could be heard by the end of room.
"Mr Black, could you please put your wand down before you kill Mr Lupin or anyone else, thank you."
"Headmaster" Sirius gasped and there stood Albus Dumbledore. My mouth was hanging open what was he doing here?
"Dumbledore" greeted Crouch "forgive me but I don't think this is a good time" shooting daggers towards us
"Oh but forgive me minister but I think came at a very good time," as Dumbledore eyed us "so what is this about a Dementor attack?" so Sirius and I for the first time were able to explain what happened and what we said must of sounded true (because it was) to the minster because he said he would check with Azkaban to if any of the guards were out during that time and we had another meeting with him around Christmas, so it looks like we weren't expelled...yet. And Dumbledore left the court room without another word.
We told Mr Potter everything what had happened in the court meeting when we were on our way home. I was so happy we weren't expelled it was unbearable all we had to do is get thought the second one at Christmas then were clear. Mrs Potter was happy for us she let Sirius have his motorbike back and said we could use it to get to Diagon Alley tomorrow, but trust me our troubles were far from over.
This was very, very hard to writeI'll try to get the next chapter up soon. Please review Please! And if you guessed it was Umbridge who said Remus and Sirius was lying we will see more off her.