Sorry! I had this chapter written, as I said last chapter, but then I ended up scrapping the whole thing and rewriting because I didn't like it anymore. So here is the final product! It is nice and long, so I hope that makes up for the wait!

This chapter takes place a little while after the twins are born and then a time jump to a little over two years after Ivy Rose and Caelum are born, in 1987. There will be significant time jumps to get Harry and Hermione to school. Yay, Hogwarts is coming soon! Thank you all for sticking through all the pre-Hogwarts chapters. I may start a new fic for the Hogwarts years. Let me know in the comments if you agree. If I do in fact decide to do that, I will put an announcement at the end of the next chapter or create a new chapter entirely for it.

Enjoy some steam and well deserved justice!

Please read and Review!

Remus brought his hand up gently to brush the hairs away from Addy's face as he kissed her. He pulled back, a small, burgeoning smile pulling at the corners of his lips as she looked up at him. Her eyes seemed to look right into his soul, her arms wrapped around his waist as she buried her face into his chest, feeling his heartbeat against her cheek.

"I have to get to work… I'll see you tonight?" She whispered, raising her eyes to his. He nodded and his arms slipped from around her as she stepped back. He watched as she went out into the yard and turned, gone with a snap. He fought a smile as he made his way back upstairs to Lily and Sirius. He walked to the open door, glad to see that the blood was gone. They both looked up at him as he walked in, Sirius was standing by the window and Lily, still in bed, looking exhausted but happy. She held her hand out to him and he stepped forward, taking it and sitting on the edge of the bed. He looked down into the faces of the twins as Sirius joined them, letting his smile unfold.

"They are so tiny." He said, his smile much bigger than it should have been. Lily gave him a knowing look, but said nothing about it.

"Do you want to hold him?" She asked. He nodded, carefully taking the infant into his arms.

"What is his name?" The little boy's eyes were staring right at him.

"Caelum." Sirius replied. "And this is Ivy Rose. Saw you take off immediately once you weren't needed. I don't envy you being on that end. Are you scarred for life? Did you vomit?" Sirius teased and Remus simply shook his head as Lily made an affronted noise at her husband. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head as Remus carefully kept his eyes on the little boy in front of him, trying in vain to remove the images he had seen in this room from his mind. Lily winced a little as she sat up straighter.

"So– that was Adelaide, huh?" Sirius asked. He smirked as Remus looked in his direction. "Feisty. If looks could kill, you would have been dead hours ago. She was not happy with you." He paused as he looked at Remus, whose face was flushing ever so slightly. "But she didn't look all that angry when she left a few moments ago. You two have a nice chat?" His smirk grew into a wide grin and Remus ignored the question.

"She said she would be back after work." He told Lily, who was smiling, but not in the same way that Sirius was. "To check on the children." He added hastily. "I'll go and collect Harry from the Grangers, shall I?" He handed Caelum back to Lily and kissed the side of her head. He heard Sirius's laugh as he made his way down the stairs, shaking his head. His smile felt like it was permanently plastered on his face as he walked down to the Grangers and collected Harry, telling Robert and Nancy that they were twins. A boy and a girl. That they could visit tomorrow, maybe. He watched as Harry ran on ahead and into the house to meet his siblings. The smile was still on his face when he closed the door behind him and made his way back upstairs.

Harry was fascinated by the twins. He watched avidly as Ivy Rose's eyes and hair changed color with every mood. Insisting that Caelum needed extra stories and that he wanted to tuck them both in at night. They traveled back home after a few days, stepping into the fire, shielding the faces of the infants. Charlie was overly curious, licking their faces and fingers and Miri slept in the crib with them most nights. They slipped into a routine, however, neither Sirius or Lily got all that much sleep. Remus and Addy made a routine of their own, continuing on right where they left off with easy afternoons that ended with a searing kiss as Remus said goodnight before heading into work.

After the next full moon, Adelaide walked into the house in the early evening. All was quiet now that Lily and Sirius and the children had gone home nearly three weeks ago. The basement door stood ajar and the windows opened to the back to let in a breeze. She kicked off her shoes and walked into the kitchen, set her bag on the counter and started a pot of tea. She headed upstairs, cup of tea in hand with a pain potion and pepper up potion. She nudged open the door to a room where she could hear snoring.

Remus lay under the sheet on his stomach, his back bare. She winced at the sight of old faded scars. His soft brown hair falling into his eyes, his face open and calm in sleep. The room was darkened by a curtain loosely pulled over the window. She set down the tea and sat on the edge of the bed, pulling her legs onto the mattress. She gently ran her fingers through his hair, brushing it back from his face. He stirred slightly, his eyes groggy.

"Hello, there." She said, smiling down at him as he looked up at her, his hand coming up to rub his face. His movements were slow with a grimace on his lips as he rolled over slightly. She handed him a pain potion and he raised himself onto his elbow to drink it down.

"Thank you." He sighed slightly and laid back down, his eyes closed, and pulled the sheet up to his chin. Addy took the vial from him and set it on the table and then scooted down so that she was laying across from him. He peaked over at her, a smile coming to his lips as he saw hers growing. "Can I help you?" he asked, shifting a little, trying to ease some of the soreness in his limbs.

"I was thinking that I could help you, actually." She said with a cheeky grin. She scooched a little closer, her head on the same pillow as his. He glanced down her body. She was wearing a loose fitting shirt and tight pants, the shirt hanging off of one shoulder. His eyes stayed on her bare shoulder for a moment too long and she noticed. Her grin grew bigger, her blue eyes sparkling as she scooched closer still. Her face only a few inches from his. He looked at her lips.

"Help me with what?" He asked, eyes on her mouth. She tilted her head and pressed those lips to his, and he smiled, pulling back a little to press a kiss to the tip of her nose. She snuggled in closer against him and he draped an arm over her, his chin resting on her head.

"Are you feeling any better?" She was pressing her fingers gently into his back, massaging the muscles and he sighed in answer. She pulled back and sat up. He turned and looked at her questioningly. "Sit up and turn around." She instructed and he did. She settled herself behind him and her hands started at the small of his back and he groaned at the pressure. She slowly made her way up to his shoulders and down his arms, her chest pressing to his back.

"Does that feel a bit better?" She breathed in his ear and he shivered ever so slightly as her lips pressed to his neck. He leaned back into her as her arms wrapped around his shoulders, his eyes closed. He felt her move around to the side and he opened his eyes again just as she leaned in, pressing a hasty kiss to his lips. He kissed her back in a knee jerk reaction, turning towards her, his left hand coming up to cup her face. Encouraged, she put her hand to his face as well, deepening the kiss and raised herself onto her knees. He pulled away slightly, but she just pressed closer, ending up halfway in his lap. She pressed him back into the mattress and he let her, caught up in the feel of her hands on his face, tracing the contours of his chest, running through his hair. But then he reached up and stayed her hand movements, eyes searching her face.

"What is it? What is wrong?" Addy asked, her eyes still heavy. He looked away.

"I don't think– we shouldn't–" Remus started to say, but Addy placed a hand on his cheek, turning him back to her. He stared at her. How was he supposed to tell her? Was he supposed to just blurt it out? That would probably not be the best course of action, but his heart still skipped a beat and his hands felt slightly shaky. He hadn't done this before. He opened his mouth to speak again, but she beat him to it.

"I very much think we should" She slipped her arms around him, a cheeky grin on her face, her hands splayed on his bare skin and he leaned forward slightly.

"I could–what if I… hurt you?" He leaned into the hand she placed on his cheek. Still not having said it. Losing his nerve to say it.

"You won't. Why would you think that you would?" She smiled at him again.

"I don't have…. You could get pregnant…" His mind flitted to Sirius and Lily for a brief moment. She looked at him seriously, her hands running up and down his chest stilled.

"I won't. I'm on birth control." He could infer what that meant and his face relaxed a little and her hands continued. Her body was pressed against his and he let himself get lost in it for a moment, his hands running down her back and settling on her hips. His breath coming quicker as he pressed his lips hard against hers.

He felt her hitch her leg and she was suddenly straddling him, his cock going stiff in response as his tongue swept into her mouth. His hands slipped under her shirt, against her bare skin and he groaned as his fingers slid their way up her back, realizing she wasn't wearing a bra. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and rolled so that he was on top of her, his tongue sliding against hers. Her hands were in his hair, her lips moving with his. She moaned as his hips pressed into her, her legs wrapping around his waist, her center clenching at the feel of him tight against her, stiff as a board.

He continued to kiss her, one hand exploring the contours of her body while the other supported his weight above her. He pulled back slightly as she pushed her hips upward and ground herself into him with a heady sigh. He let out a shaky breath and her eyes opened, her fingers traced their way from his neck to his waist and he shivered. She pulled him back down, kissing him again and encouraging the hand that was halfway up her shirt. She slipped a hand down his back and beneath the band of his boxers, her fingers digging in slightly to press his hips tighter to hers, a gasp of breath coming out of his mouth.

He moved his lips from hers and kissed along her jaw and down her neck, his fingers still inching upwards, pushing her shirt up as he made his way to her breasts. He felt Addy's hand move along his hip and down until she wrapped her small hand around him. He gasped again at the feeling and pressed himself into her hand wanting more, wanting more of her against him as she slowly stroked him. He sat up and pulled her with him, lifting her shirt slowly.

"Is this alright?" he asked in a breathy deep voice. Her response was to lift her arms above her head. He slipped the fabric over her and looked down, his mouth going a little dry as she laid back, a seductive smile on her face, pulling him back to her. She licked her lips and he lowered himself down against her bare skin, pressing another kiss to her neck, a hand tentatively moving up to cup her breast. She arched into his kiss and his touch, her breath quickening. Her skin was soft and supple, her nipples hardening under his hand. His lips moved further down, kissing the hollow of her neck, her collar bone, her hand in his hair to push it away from his eyes. Her head went back as his lips fell between her breasts and then to the swell of one of them, her breath coming out in a puff of air.

Remus looked up at her, his mouth open slightly, in awe of her reaction but his eyes still a little uncertain as he moved his lips over her nipple, just barely making contact. She hummed, arching her chest to make more contact as his tongue darted out. The hand in his hair tightened and he let out a breathy laugh.

"You are teasing me, Remus." Addy said, her eyes still shut and her jaw set. He moved up, his chest dragging along hers until he was raised up on his arms above her. Her eyes popped open.

"Am I?" he asked, genuinely curious, but the thought was fleeting and he leaned down and mashed his lips against hers in a bruising kiss. Her mouth opened and she grabbed hold of his lower lip, biting down hard enough to hurt but not enough to break the skin, all the while her eyes bored into his. He hissed at the sensation and he felt the challenge in a different part of his mind, but he pushed it down, he wouldn't give in to that part of himself. He pulled his lip from between her teeth and rubbed the edge of his jaw along hers, his lips going to the skin just under her ear. She turned her head to give him better access and he nipped at her ear lobe gently, not daring to do anything harder.

Remus's mouth met the swell of her breast again, but he kept going downward, between her breast and down her stomach. He wondered if he could slip off her pants as he hooked his thumb into the waistband. He must have asked out loud because she nodded, said yes, and lifted her hips as he pulled them down, standing so he could free her feet, leaving her underwear in place. It wasn't very smooth, but she didn't say anything about it. Her breath was faster now as he knelt back onto the bed, his knees between her legs. Her hand moved up to his face again and he noticed his own breathing was just as fast as hers, his chest heaving slightly against her breasts.

"Your eyes… they are so beautiful. Golden." She mumbled, her own blue eyes hazy in the moment.

"Are they?" he breathed, not being able to manage anything else as her gaze continued to penetrate his. A small came to her lips as she nodded. He pressed a kiss to the underside of her jaw, his fingers at the top of her panties, not sure if he should keep going. Remus felt Addy's hand on his, guiding it down below. He watched her face the moment he touched her, her back arched into him and her hand slid up his arm and settled on his chest. He gently pressed his fingers against her and she licked her lips again, trying to control her breathing. She jolted as his exploration met that very important bundle of nerves, her wetness making him even harder, but he startled at her reaction. He looked into her face, his hand very still.

"Keep going, Rem. Stop teasing." She gasped. He grinned as she opened her eyes, there was need in that look. He slowly moved his fingers along her opening and her eyes closed again, a small sound came from the back of her throat. "Yes," she sighed. He slid his fingers up to the bundle again and pressed, her legs trembled and she sucked in a breath so he kept doing it. He slowed, thinking of something.

"Can I…?" He felt his face heat up as her unsteady gaze met his. She waited. "Do you want me to…ahem…" He cleared his throat, wishing his breathing was more steady. He inclined his head towards where his hand was. He watched as her eyes crinkled with mirth and something else he couldn't quite place, a chuckle escaping between her lips. She pulled his face closer and slid her tongue against his in a heated kiss, a hand on his shoulder gently pushing him down, breaking contact. She watched as he sporadically pressed kisses to the skin on her stomach, pushing her panties down her legs and finally pulling them off and dropping them to the floor, settling himself between her thighs. Her legs trembled ever so slightly as his breath washed over her. He watched her face as he lowered his lips to just above that bundle, his nerves threatening to overtake him. He pressed his mouth against her before he could stop himself and involuntarily groaned. She responded immediately, her fingers wound into the sheets beneath her.

Adelaide watched as Remus kissed his way down her body, his eyes boring into hers. He seemed nervous, he kept asking if it was alright that he do things. She had tried to hold in the laugh at the look on his face when he stutteringly asked if he could go down on her. Her gaze was hot on his, the urge to laugh leaving her as his mouth came down on her, making her grip the sheets. He tentatively pressed his tongue to her slit and she gripped the sheets harder. She had realized something, the moment he had asked. He's never done this before. She itched to wind her fingers through his hair and press his lips harder against her. She settled for the sheet instead. She didn't want to force him into anything. She watched him, his eyes still on hers.

His tongue pressed deep inside her and she gasped, her legs tensing, one thigh coming up to press against his shoulder unintentionally. She felt a laugh rumble through him and it vibrated against her, she threw her head back and tilted her hips up, giving in, a whimper escaping her. She felt his hand grip the thigh that was against his head, his fingers digging in gently but insistently as his mouth kept moving against her. She could feel the tension building in her, her breath came fast. He seemed to realize what was happening because his fingers went to her clit and rubbed gently, driving her closer.

Remus heard her breath quicken and he smiled against her, raising his hand to continue rubbing. What he wasn't expecting was her hands to grip his shoulders and pull him upward. He blindly obliged, wiping his chin hastily as he went. She kissed him greedily as she shoved at his boxers uselessly, too short to push them down in any meaningful way. He hurriedly pushed them down, his heart skipping several beats, or perhaps it was beating so fast that it felt like it was skipping. Addy's hands were at his hips, trying to hurry up the process. He smiled nervously down at her as he rose up and positioned himself, his arms shaking slightly as he guided himself down to her with one hand.

He gasped as he felt her wetness meet the tip of his cock, her chest heaving below him, her eyes steady on his as she watched his face. He rocked forward, bracing himself on either side of her as she met him halfway, her hips lifting. He saw her mouth open and heard the intake of breath as he felt his tip slide into her. His eyes closed at the sensation and he thrust forward, wanted to be deeper. He slid all the way in and a sound he had never made before climbed out of his throat as he exhaled, between a gasp and a growl, around a singular word:

"Fuck." at the same time she whispered, "oh god yes!" Her fingers dug into the skin of his back. The soreness after the full moon had left him completely, his skin sensitive to every touch from her. Her thighs rubbed against his hips as he thrust against her again, pulling out just to slide back in. He could feel her clench around him tighter and he lost himself in the feeling of her, his mind giving over the more primal side of his being. He felt her tighten even more.

"Oh… fuck… faster…please….I'm… almost there…" She said between gasps as he thrust into her. He watched her face as he sped up, her head thrown back in ecstasy as she came. Her fingernails dug into the skin of his back and his movements caused them to drag down a few inches. He grunted, barely registering the pain, as he watched the woman below him. Her breath stopped and her back arched, her mouth open. He kept moving, pressing his hips tight to hers, buried deep in her and just used the friction of their closeness to stimulate her further.

"Oh my god." he gasped when she finally gasped in a breath, her fingers relaxing and he started moving again, kissing her lips. She panted with him, their breathing in sync as he felt his own building, his movements hasty and irregular, rough. He grunted as he thrust once more and came, his arms trembling at the exertion. His body shuddered and he thrust back against her, eliciting an "uhn" from Addy with the force of it, her eyes widening as she watched him, her fingers pressing into his lower back. He lowered himself to his elbows, his strength starting to give out and she pressed a kiss to his forehead, a hand in his sweat-dampened hair.

He gently pulled out of her and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, trying to hide a grimace as she repositioned her legs. She pressed his face to her chest and he adjusted himself so that he wasn't putting his full weight on her. Her heart was still racing and her chest moved up and down with each breath. She stroked his hair as they both regained control over their breathing. She felt so small against him. Already being a fairly tall man, it never registered to him just how small she actually was. She barely came up to his chin when standing.

Neither said anything for a while. Even after their breathing returned to normal. Remus, mostly because he didn't really want to move, stayed right where he was as the soreness came back in full force. He could feel his muscles spasming in protest and he tried to hold still.

"Are you alright?" Addy whispered, a hand smoothing out a jumping muscle in his back.

"Yea… I'm alright. I'm just…the full moon was last night. I'm… my muscles are tired." He gritted out as he felt her move from beneath him. He rolled off and watched as she reached for the potion on the bedside table and handed it to him.

"I…umm… somehow forgot." She gave a sheepish smile as he drank the potion and then laid back. She pulled the sheet up over both of them and looked at the window. Remus also looked and noted that the sun had fallen behind the trees, the room was getting darker.

"Rem?" She asked tentatively, looking over at him. Glad the room was getting dark. She couldn't say why she wanted to be sure, but she just had to be.

"Hmm?" his eyes were half lidded, almost asleep. She rolled onto her side and he turned his head in her direction. He saw her face get slightly abashed.

"Was that…" She paused. His eyes registered what she was about to ask and she saw his cheeks get pink. He just nodded and looked up at the ceiling. She chewed on her lip for a moment before laying back.

"Was it that obvious?" He finally asked, not looking at her, determinedly staring up at the ceiling. Addy couldn't help the smile that tugged at her mouth.

"Not obvious. It was the asking part instead of just doing." He grunted in response and she rolled back onto her side so that her chest was against his. "It was the way you asked, not the fact that you asked. It isn't a bad thing… to ask. To make sure." She lifted her head from the pillow and placed a kiss on his shoulder. She went quiet, listening to his breathing. Waiting for him to speak. He turned his head, a tired smile on his face.

"Was I any good?" She laughed and his smile grew and he chuckled quietly as he watched her laugh.

"You don't need me to answer that question." She laid her head back down and sighed as she snuggled into Remus's side when he lifted his arm, inviting her closer, her head pillowed against his chest, her fingers gently stroking his chest hair. After a while, he murmured something to her, but when she looked up, his eyes were closed and he was asleep. She smiled and got out of bed, heading for the bathroom to clean up and then climbed back into bed with him and settled in for the night.

They visited South Carolina often, but it only took the very first visit after that night for Sirius to put two and two together. He shot surreptitious looks at Remus all through dinner. They had ordered in, surprised by the visit. Adelaide had checked on the twins when she first got there and then helped to put them down. The twins were finally asleep and the reprieve was much needed. Remus's face just kept getting stonier and stonier as dinner went on and Sirius kept shooting smirks in his direction. Lily noticed and kicked him and it stopped. Adelaide simply smiled, choosing to ignore the two men having a silent war between them.

September, 1987

Harry was laying on the living room floor, replying to a letter from Hermione, and Lily was reading a book, Miri on her lap purring contentedly. Sirius was playing with Ivy, Caelum and Charlie, making sparks fly from his wand to amuse them as Charlie jumped to try and catch them. The radio played quietly as Harry finished his letter and sealed it. He placed it on the fireplace to be delivered the next time Remus visited. He had just joined Sirius when there was a flash of light and they all turned. A note was floating in the air and Sirius rose to grab it. Harry curiously looked up at him, standing at his elbow, unable to see who the letter was from. Sirius turned to Lily as he opened it. She had stood up. The gentle sloped scrawl of Albus Dumbledore's writing clear on the parchment.

"Who is it from?" Harry asked, also curious, looking up at his parents. Lily read over Sirius's shoulder, but he still voiced what he read out loud in a half whisper.

"I– I have a court date. There has been a change of Minister and Dumbledore has convinced him to give me a trial…" His voice trailed off as he looked at Lily.

"A trial for what, Sirius?" Harry asked just as the fireplace behind him erupted. He spun around and saw Remus step out of the fire, a folded up paper in his hands, a wary but victorious look on his face.

"Remus!" Lily gasped, going to Ivy and Caelum, who had started to fuss. Remus stepped up to Sirius.

"You got the letter from Dumbledore?" He looked at the parchment in Sirius's hands. He handed him the paper and they put their heads together to read it.

"A trial for what?" Harry asked again.

"Can it be trusted, Remus?" Lily asked.

"I would think so. Dumbledore sent me a message as well and I have been talking to Shacklebolt. It is a legitimate trial. With the change of Minister, Dumbledore was able to secure you a trial. Shacklebolt is waiting for your letter with your whereabouts." Harry was getting impatient at the adults that were ignoring him. His fists clenched and the paper suddenly flew out of their hands and across the room. They all looked over at Harry.

"What's happening?" He looked at them. "A trial for what?" Lily stepped forward and placed a hand on Harry's arm, crouching down beside him.

"Harry, you remember when we moved here? And why?" Harry nodded his head. "Well, some people think that Sirius did some really bad things. They want to talk to him about it. They want him to prove he is innocent. We need to go back to London." She stood then and turned, but Sirius was already moving. He grabbed the diaper bag and Ivy Rose and was talking with Remus very quickly. Lily stooped to grab Caelum and Harry watched as the adults packed Harry some clothes and books, then they all stepped into the fire and they were brought back to their house in the suburbs of London. Harry stepped out and looked around. It had been a while since they had been back. Lily grabbed Harry's hand as Sirius sent an owl, a look of trepidation on his face. Harry started to feel anxious. He hadn't seen Sirius look this way in a long time. Not since the week they had left London behind.

"But, what do they think he did? What is going to happen if they don't believe it?" Harry asked, grabbing his mother's hand, watching Sirius stand quietly in the living room. She ignored the question. Harry could see the tension on her face as well.

"Harry, you are going to go over to Hermione's with the twins. Come along, please." Harry hesitated to do as his mother asked. Still frowning at Sirius, who had turned to him. His face broke into a small smile as he knelt down next to Harry.

"We don't have to worry about that right now, mate. Ok? Listen to your mother. Go to the Grangers." Harry nodded reluctantly, even if he wanted to go see Hermione, he didn't like the situation. They weren't telling him something and even as young as he was, he knew something wasn't right. Sirius steered him toward the door and nodded for him to follow Lily. He walked behind her slowly, looking back at the house. Lily knocked on the door and waited for it to be answered. Nancy opened the door and a smile split her face.

"Lily! What a surprise, we weren't expecting you…" Her voice trailed off as she took in the distressed look on Lily's face and she quickly ushered them in and Hermione gave a squeak as she and Harry embraced. Harry was still watching his mother as Hermione took his wrist and dragged him over to the newest book she was reading. The one she had written to him about. She went into great detail about it and he listened politely, sneaking glances behind him as Lily spoke in low tones to Mrs. Granger. He caught the last of her conversation.

"-please watch Harry and the twins? I'll explain everything later in more detail. Please?" Taken aback at the abruptness, Nancy just nodded, looking confused and concerned. The little girl smiled in her arms and she hoisted her up as Lily left through the front door. Harry got up to watch her through the window as she walked down the walkway, her shoulders shaking ever so slightly.

"Children, let's get something to eat. Then we can have ice cream out on the steps." She set Ivy down next to Caelum on the living room floor and made them sandwiches and then they went out to eat a bowl of ice cream on the front stoop. The cool autumn air blowing across Harry made him shiver even though the sun was warm.

"How long are you staying, Harry?" Hermione asked him, looking at him in concern, noticing that he was very quiet, and he shrugged.

"I don't know." He watched as a car turned down the street. And then another and then another. They parked in front of his old house.

"Who are they?" Hermione asked, squinting. Her eyes widening as a large group of people exited the cars and raced up to the house. Harry's eyes were riveted to the front of the house. Hermione looked around at the neighbors. Nobody seemed to notice this strange and different occurrence on the normally quiet street.

"I'm not sure, Hermione, but I don't like it." He answered her, not even glancing in her direction. Suddenly, Sirius was being dragged from the house. He wasn't fighting back. He should be fighting back. Why wasn't he fighting back? Lily stood in the doorway but Harry couldn't see her face. Why wasn't she stopping them? He jumped to his feet, the bowl shattering against the walk as it fell from his hands, and started to run toward Sirius.

Sirius stood in the living room, waiting. He didn't move. He just stood and waited. He saw the cars pull down the street and finally he moved. He turned to Lily and pressed a kiss to her lips, his eyes resigned for whatever would come next, and turned as the Aurors entered the house. He stepped forward and held his wand out, lowering himself to his knees. He heard Lily shout as they roughly pushed him to the ground and bound his hands behind his back. He grunted as they yanked him to his feet, he saw Lily was being restrained, but there was nothing he could do as the Aurors roughly shoved him through the door. He saw Kingsley standing just outside, waiting. He wished they would let him walk on his own, he couldn't get his feet under him with the way they were pushing and pulling on him.

He looked over as he heard a crash from next door and saw Harry running for him. Kingsley held up his hand as a few Aurors went to stop the child. The Aurors that had hold of Sirius stopped, and he finally stood up straight as Harry ran into him, his arms wrapping around his middle. He knelt down with difficulty as the Aurors did not loosen their hold and Harry wrapped his arms around his neck.

"Where are you going? Where are they taking you!?" Harry cried, tears in his eyes. Not fully understanding what was going on.

"I have to go, Harry. Take care of your mother, ok? I'll be back soon. Go to your mother, now." The men dragged him to his feet again and threw him into the backseat of one of the cars. He grunted as his head hit the other door. They tore out onto the street and Sirius rolled and cursed, trying to sit up.

"Sorry about this mate, it is protocol." Kingsley said when Sirius cursed again as he was flung to the floor. "They were not supposed to be quite as rough, for that I apologize." He chuckled as he took a turn fast and Sirius slid around the back, cursing again.

Sirius was brought forward in chains, blinking in the sudden brightness. He didn't know how long he had been subjected to the dementors, but was glad to be away from them. He shivered. The room was round and full of people in black robes, all staring down at him, but he was unconcerned with them. There was only one face he wanted to see. He searched it out and his eyes met Lily's and he took a deep, steadying breath as he was bound to a chair in the middle of the room. He turned as the new Minister of Magic started to speak.

"We are here today to determine the innocence or guilt of one Sirius Orion Black. The charges are as follows: two counts of conspiracy to divulge the wizarding world, the murder of twelve muggles in a London street, the murder of one Peter Pettigrew, to crimes committed in service as a Death Eater, and for escape from Azkaban Prison." Sirius blinked at this last one, finding slight humor in the moment that he was actually guilty of one of the charges. "How do you plead your case, Mr. Black?" Sirius's throat was dry and his head ached from being in the presence of the dementors, yet again. He tried to swallow. Minister Fudge was glaring down at him. He was clearly only doing this trial as a personal favor to Albus Dumbledore. His decision of whether he was guilty or not was already decided in this man's mind.

"Innocent for all but the last charge, that was just a stroke of luck." His voice sounded gravelly to his own ears. He tried to clear his throat again. The minister simply looked down at him.

"We are here to correct the mistake made under the last Minister of Magic by giving you a trial to prove your innocence. We will take your escape into consideration as the act of a man trying to escape the injustice of the punishment that was handed. Only if you are found innocent. If found guilty of these crimes, you will be subject to the Dementor's Kiss. Do you understand the charges and consequences as they have been read to you?" Sirius simply nodded, his breath betraying his fear. "Furthermore, do you understand the consequences of your involvement with Mrs. Lily Potter will, if found guilty, indict her and she will be brought forth under charges of aiding and abetting a felon?" Sirius swallowed and involuntarily looked over at Lily. Her face was set and her chin was raised. He didn't want this, but she jerked her head in a nod.

"I do understand, Minister." He replied quietly.

"Do you consent to provide evidence of proof for your innocence in the form of memory when asked?"

"I do consent." He really wished he could have a glass of water. He looked back up at Lily, sitting next to Remus, and then turned back to Fudge. Dumbledore had risen from his seat and was making his way down to where Sirius sat in chains and stood next to him, a calm look upon his face.

"On the first charge of conspiracy to divulge our world to muggles, you plead not guilty. The incident in question involved two muggle police officers and a chase on a muggle vehicle known as a motorbike. This is your opportunity to explain your actions."

"James Potter and I were staking out a known Death Eater haunt when we were discovered. We took off on my motorbike and they chased us through London. It was an unlucky happenstance that the muggle police were involved. I had assumed that the ministry would have taken care of it, but it appears that I was mistaken in that assumption as I was recognized by that same policeman seven years later." Sirius said, looking up into Fudge's face as the man glowered down at him.

"Do you consent to provide this memory?" Sirius nodded and Dumbledore turned to him, wand raised and a vial in hand.

"Think of the memories in question, Sirius." He obeyed and Dumbledore pulled a strand from his temple and placed it in the vial. Sirius tried to take a steadying breath.

"The next charge is the death of 13 people, 12 muggles and 1 wizard. You plead not guilty on all accounts. You do not need to provide an explanation, simply the memory." Sirius nodded, however he spoke anyway.

"Peter Pettigrew was the secret keeper of the Potter's whereabouts and he betrayed them. I had intended to kill him that day, but he escaped, Minister." Fudge looked down at him and his lip curled as he provided the next memory to Dumbledore.

"There is no doubt what your intentions were. We shall see if they ring true. Furthermore, the assumption that you betrayed the Potter's is widespread. Provide proof of the contrary." Sirius turned to Dumbledore again. "On charges of being a Death Eater, loyal to He-Who-Must-Not-be-Named–" Sirius interrupted him with a sarcastic laugh, his eyes flashing.

"Pardon me, Minister. But I'm not sure how to provide proof of not being a Death Eater other than not having his mark branded on my skin. I was a member of the Order of the Phoenix. So was Pettigrew for that matter, but he turned spy. Only he knows why he chose to betray the people he called family." He felt the anger rising in him again, just at the thought. "He was an animagus. He could take the form of a rat. Very fitting, actually. We should have known then what that meant about his true character. I saw him blow up a street of muggles and then disappear into the sewer." There were murmurs amongst the crowd.

"That does not provide evidence that you are not a Death Eater, Mr. Black–" he was interrupted by Dumbledore.

"Forgive me, Minister, for the interruption. I can vouch for Sirius Black's allegiance on the matter, having… interviewed several known Death Eaters myself. All have denied Sirius Black being a Death Eater. In fact, calling him a "blood traitor" for his refusal to succumb to the blood purity rhetoric taught to him from his elitist pure blood family. Furthermore, when asked about the spy amongst the Order, it was said that it was a close friend to the Potter's. A man that went by the name of Wormtail, a nickname given to him by his friends. I can provide my own testimony on the matter." Fudge glared at Dumbledore for a moment before blustering a little.

"That won't be necessary, Headmaster." He turned back to Sirius. "Lastly, your escape from Azkaban Prison. You plead guilty to this charge."

"I do, because I did escape." He paused and looked at Dumbledore briefly. "I didn't know how long I was there. I only knew that I was innocent and was refused the decency of a trial. That innocence kept me more sane than the others. The night I escaped, there was a commotion amongst the other prisoners. I believe one of them hung themselves and there was screaming and shouting. It was dinner time and the dementors had just opened my cell door. In the confusion, I was able to slip away unnoticed by them. I grabbed my wand and escaped into the night and did not look back."

"Very well, steps will be taken in the future to prevent such an occurrence. I remind you, if you are found guilty of these crimes, the crime of your escape added onto these charges will incur the consequence of the Dementor's Kiss to ensure you do not escape again. Do you understand this?" Fudge asked with finality. Sirius swallowed, but a haughty look had come on to his face. He nodded.

"That is all. You are dismissed to holding until we have deliberated." He banged the gavel and Sirius was yanked to his feet and dragged across the room, unable to get his feet under him as he was whisked away and thrown into a cell surrounded by dementors. He shivered and curled in on himself and waited, praying to whatever gods there were that Lily would be left out of this. He would claim he forced her, anything, if it meant he could protect her. Her and their children: Harry, Ivy and Caelum. He sat and he waited.

Back in the courtroom, Lily was called to the stand. She walked forward, her back straight as she glared at the witches and wizards of the Wizengamot, and took the seat that Sirius had vacated. She stared at the door that they had dragged him through. A bang of the gavel brought her back to the moment and she looked back up at Fudge.

"You are here to speak on behalf of Mr. Black's innocence, Mrs. Potter. If these proceedings prove Sirius Black guilty, you will be sentenced to time in Azkaban for your involvement in his crimes. Will you consent to share the memories that we ask of you, starting with those of whom the secret keeper was chosen, as cross reference?"

"Yes, Minister." She turned to Dumbledore, just as Sirius had, and he smiled down at her, triumph in the old man's eyes and an encouraging smile on his face.

"You also attest that Sirius Black was not a follower of He-Who-Must-Not-be-Named?" Lily nodded. "You may speak freely on this account." Lily stared up at the minister for a brief moment.

"Other than the evidence that Sirius himself has provided? I have nothing further to add other than this: Peter Pettigrew is the reason my husband, James Potter, died on the 31st of October, 1981. We should have noticed his actions as those of a man of deception. He was only too happy at the possibility of being Secret Keeper. He was normally a very nervous man, fidgeting all the time, rubbing his left forearm as if it bothered him greatly, now that I think of it. A calmness came over him when he was chosen. We thought it was pride that we would trust him with such a task. But it was in victory that he took the responsibility, for he could then hand us over to Lord Voldemort." There was a collective flinch among the Wizengamot at the name. Fudge stared down at her, a strange look came into his eyes.

"Explain the night that you were attacked, Mrs. Potter." Fudge said abruptly and Dumbledore froze and looked up at the man, a dangerous look in his eyes. Lily had gone pale.

"What does that have to do with proving Sirius's innocence?" She asked and Fudge did not reply right away.

"It is important because it needs to be known–"

"I don't think that it is. Voldemort came to our house after Peter betrayed us. He killed my husband and tried to kill me and my son." She had stood up, fire in her eyes. "Sirius rescued us that night. I was unconscious and Harry inconsolable. He brought us to safety. He tried to avenge us, avenge the death of his brother. I would be here, standing in his defense even if he had killed Peter. The travesty of this whole thing is that the man responsible still walks free while an innocent man is charged with his crimes. The travesty is that it took almost 7 years for him to receive his right to a trial. The travesty," she took a steadying breath, "is that there is even a trial required in the first place. That he was sent to prison without question." She sat back down, glaring at the man in front of her.

"The sins of my forebearers are not mine, Mrs. Potter. We are here to rectify that today and we need the answers. If that is all, then we conclude the questioning portion of this hearing and dismiss you until we have made our decision." He banged his gavel again and Dumbledore helped her to her feet and walked her to the door, a small comforting smile on his face as Remus joined her.

Sirius waited and Lily and Remus waited. The clock ticked slowly as over an hour went by. Finally, they were called back into the room. Sirius being brought in from the side. His face drawn and drained as he was thrust back into the chair, the chains clanking. It seemed like a dream when the charges were read to him again, followed by a vote. All charges were dropped and he looked up at Lily and Remus as his chains dropped to the floor. He could barely breathe as he watched them make their way past all the people filing out. He hugged them each in turn and held Lily close, his arm around her shoulders, face buried in her neck. Remus handed him a chocolate bar, a broad smile on his face.

"Let's go home." He said, handing Sirius his wand as well and they walked out of the Ministry, Sirius finally a free man.

Let me know if you would be interested in me starting a new fic for this story to continue or if you would like it to continue under this story. Let me know in the comments!