Chapter 13 – The Truth

"Cleared of all charges" stated Harry to Mr Weasley who was waiting for Harry when he came out of the courtroom, he was leaning against the wall tapping his fingers anxiously. Relief flooded his face as he saw Harry come up the stairs from the courtroom. He pushed himself off the wall and guided Harry along the corridor walking past some of the wizards and witches who had stopped to talk afterwards. Once they were in the lift going back down to Mr Weasleys office Mr Weasley finally spoke.

"That's great! Well done! They really had nothing against you Just you wait until everyone hears"

"Thanks Mr Wesley"

"Since its still early do you want to floo back home or are you alright with staying around here?"

"I don't mind, if you are busy, I'm happy to stay quiet and out of the way"

"Well, if your trial was moved forward Sirius' might be too, perhaps I can do some digging" proposed Mr Weasley as they walked back into his empty office, Perkins had obviously been called out to sort a problem out. "Take a seat a sec and I will go and talk to some people" Harry nodded and took a seat in the office in the spare chair he was using earlier.

Mr Weasley then left leaving Harry alone with his thoughts. Waves of different emotions overcame Harry, relief from his own trial, excitement to be going back to Hogwarts, worry about Sirius, what if they convicted him again? What if he had to go back to Azkaban? Anxiety filled his chest again, the knot that had been released a bit earlier returned at full intensity, the dark cloud and weight that had been relieved returned also making it difficult think straight.

Harry sat in silence, not even having the motivation to look at the interesting modifications to muggle items around the office. He brought his good leg up to his chest and leaned his head on his knee making him feel a bit more safe and less vulnerable. He didn't notice when Mr Weasley came back into the office and sat in his chair fussing with some papers.

"The trial has been moved forward, I will floo Molly quickly to let them know, do you want to go back home or stay here and want to go?" asked Mr Weasley

"Yeah, I think so, what time is the trial now?"

"In about an hour, I'll let them know" he said again as he took some floo powder off the grate and threw it into the fire, he then knelt down and stuck his head into the flames "Ah Molly, Remus, Sirius glad to catch you."

"Is everything okay? Is Harry doing okay, he must be nervous now not long until it starts"

"Everything is fine, they changed the time of his trail to this morning, we just got there in time but he wasn't in there long and was cleared of all charges"

"Yes!" shouted Sirius

"That's great news" called Remus

"Ah wonderful Arthur" replied Mrs Weasley "Is that all you flooed for? Or was there something else?"

"Yes, Sirius' trial has been moved forward too; you will receive an owl shortly to tell you but be prepared to get here quickly. Remember to floo to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and we will see you in there. The trial now starts at eleven, I hope you are prepared"

"Thanks for letting us know, is Harry coming back with us or is he wanting to be present at the trial?"

"He wants to stay"

"Alright, we will see you soon" replied Mrs Weasley before Mr Weasley took his head out of the fire and stood up making his way back over to his desk.

"Not long now Harry, Sirius is on his way here, I just have to write up some case files, do you want anything while you wait?"

"I'm okay thanks" Replied Harry. Mr Weasley nodded and then sat down to work on his case files. Harry sat watching him for a bit before letting his mind take over once again, now focusing on Sirius' trial up ahead. If Sirius was convicted that meant that he would go back to Azkaban and he wouldn't have anywhere to go, he would go back to the Dursleys.

Harry was in a small dark space, he couldn't get out, he knew where he was, he was on his cupboard. The door was thrown open and a large beefy and reached him and grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. Harry was lifted out of the cupboard and thrown up against the wall, the breath of the man holding him stunk of alcohol as he spluttered "Thought you were done for today BOY! Thought you'd got away without punishment!" the large man shouted as he threw him o the floor and kicked him in the ribs so that he was now flat on the ground. A large tug, rip and finally cold air running over his back told him his Uncle had ripped his shirt off. Harry heard the metal of a belt being undone before the whip.

"Harry!" called Mr Weasley bringing him back to reality.

"Huh, yes sorry Sir"

"Are you alright Harry?"

"Yes, sorry Mr Weasley, I didn't get much sleep last night so I must have dropped off"

"No wonder, come on, Sirius has just arrived, so let's get you down to the courtroom. I think it's the same as your one. We will have to enter through the public seating though and not through the entrance from this morning. I do have to warn you, the press will be here looking for a story"

"They can write what they like, its clear the Minister for Magic does not believe he is back so I'm not expecting anything good to come out of the papers this year" replied Harry as they started to make their way to the lift again.

"hopefully Fudge will come to his senses" replied Mr Weasley his voice dropping to barely an audible whisper now, obviously not wanting to be heard as the lift opened and its contents filled out, everyone on their right floor. Harry and Mr Weasley stepped into the lift and they were soon travelling back up to the department of Magical Law Enforcement.

Once onto the right floor they went past the entrance Harry used earlier that day and used the staircase to the left. Harry took his time on the stairs, the day of rushing around on his crutches making him feel incredibly tired and sore. Once up the stairs they went down into the stands. The room was a lot different to what it was earlier, for one it was almost full, secondly about 10 different photographers and journalist were making notes and hurriedly setting up. The witches and wizards with the W on their robes had re-seated and Percy took the stand to the ministers right and Amelia Bones to his right once again.

Mr Weasley found the other members of the order who had saved them both a seat, even Snape sat there looking curious about what the outcome would be. Harry took the seat on the edge so he could sit somewhat comfortably with his leg stuck in the position in the brace. Opposite Harry on the other side of the room was Remus who was sitting as a witness to the defence along with Dumbledore. Remus gave Harry a small nod which Harry returned before Fudge stood up and everyone went silent.

"Today we gather to discuss the incident of the 1st November 1981 at 4:09 am. During this time, we were at war and the Ministry did not provide a suitable trail for the accused. Due to new evidence arising from this attack the ministry has had to reconsider this decision and therefore we stand here today for the trial of Sirius Orion Black. Black has been accused of the murder of 13 muggles and one wizard, hundreds of galleons of repairs and working for the Dark Lord. The wizard everyone thought was dead is Peter Pettigrew. Peter is actually alive and here ready to be questioned about the attack. Please bring out the accused" called Fudge

Two dementors had Sirius held tightly with their bony horrible hands on his upper arms. He was placed on the seat in the centre and unlike Harry the chair bound him. Sirius looked up and around at the room looking drained from the dementors.

"Sirius Orion Black you are hereby accused of killing 13 muggles, damage and working for the Dark Lord. Before questioning can begin is there anything you wish to say" asked Fudge

"I would like to trial under the influence of veritaserum" Sirius stated

"Very well, administer the Veritaserum" Fudge stated as an auror walked into the centre carrying a bottle before dropping three small drops onto Sirius' tongue. The auror then left. "State your name"

"Sirius Orion Black"

"On the Halloween night 1981 did you go after Peter Pettigrew"

"Yes, I chased after him after I found Lily and James dead. I knew Pettigrew had betrayed them; he was their secret keeper, so I went after him. I leant Rubeus Hagrid my motorbike so he could take Harry to the safety of his Aunt and Uncles house. After hours of searching, I found him, Peter. He was trying to escape as a Rat, he is an Animagus you see, we all are James was a Stag, I am a dog and Peter is a rat. I cornered Peter so he had nowhere to go, so he cut off his finger and used a bombarda maxima spell to blow up the street killing all 13 muggles and injuring many more. He had transformed into a rat and had escaped. I had nothing else to do, I had no one left, it was too late so I let myself be captured assuming I would have a trial. I did not, I was thrown in Azkaban"

"Very well, did you see Pettigrew cut off his finger?"

"Yes, he used a dagger"

"The court is aware that you escaped Azkaban two years ago, why did you escape then and not when you first got there? Why did you wait?"

"When I was in Azkaban, I thought I had lost everyone, James was dead, Remus I didn't know what had happened, I thought he hated me, Pettigrew was dead, I had no contact with my Godson, he didn't even know me, so I had nothing to live for, for twelve years until you came into Azkaban that one time and I asked to see the newspaper. You see on the front of that Daily Prophet was a picture of the Weasley family after they had won the lottery. On the youngest male Weasleys shoulder was obviously Peter Pettigrew in his Animagus form. The article stated that the children were at Hogwarts, I knew my Godson would also be there, so I needed to go and save him from the man who betrayed his parents. I managed to keep myself sane by staying in my Animagus form since the dementors are blind and cannot see if I were a dog or a human. I was so thin back then I could slip through the bars of my cell and swim ashore."

"So you escaped Azkaban to protect your godson?"

"Yes"

"What happened on the night of the full moon when you were recaptured?"

"The very smart cat who I was working with at the time had told me that Pettigrew was currently hiding in the milk jug in Hagrid cabin, i had a plan to quickly capture him while Hagrid was at dinner that evening. But it didn't happen like that, Peters owner found him while he as visiting Hagrid with Hermione and my Godson Harry, I followed the three of them carefully making sure I wasn't seen but Peter could sense me, he started biting Ron. I thought that he was going to take this moment and attack Harry, so I had to act, I aimed for Peter but missed and took the pair down with me down the secret pathway to the shrieking shack. It wasn't long until I was there with Peter in my sight but was stopped by Harry and Hermione as they thought I had come to kill them. Remus soon joined us and we explained how Peter gave up the Potters to Dark Lord, Severus joined us but was knocked out by a combination of spells, Ron, Hermione and Harry finally believing us we planned to kill him there and then but Harry decided that he wanted to bring Peter to the castle, so the truth could come out. That unfortunately didn't happen as it was the full moon meaning that Remus transformed into a werewolf, Peter took that opportunity to escape and I was captured by after being swarmed by dementors"

"Understood, since you escaped once again from ministerial custody where have you been?"

"In hiding, all around Britain, initially I went south to ensure the dementors were lifted from the castle, since then I moved about almost weekly, living in caves as a dog until I managed to make my way back to my safehouse. I have remained there ever since"

"Very well. Did you have any part in the capture of Peter Pettigrew?"

"No"

"End of questions please administer the antidote and take him back to the holding cell" called Fudge. An Auror administered the antidote before two dementors came and took Sirius away again. Harry wished they wouldn't do that as the dementors ice cold demeanour sunk into Harrys stomach and sat there making the small glimmer of hope he had for Sirius' freedom extinguish. "May I call Peter Pettigrew to the stand" again two dementors entered the courtroom this time holding a shaking and terrified small mousy man who looked like his hair had started to fall out, he looked like he had lost a lot of weight in a small amount of time. He was placed down onto the chair which bound his wrists and ankles.

"I didn't do anything!" he cried desperately, he looked around the room "Harry! You saved me from him before, don't let them take me, I'm innocent I didn't sell James and Lilly to Voldemort!" Harry was taken aback, the feeling he had from Sirius' honest encounter still ringing in his ears, and now his own dark thoughts overwhelming him and now that rat trying to talk to him.

"Silence!" shouted Fudge "You do not speak unless spoken to. Is there anything you wish to say before questioning begins?"

"I I I'm innocent!" he spluttered

"about what? Ts not you on trial" Pettigrew was stunned into silence "Let the questioning begin. What happened on the evening of the 31st of October 1981?"

"Black was after me, he wanted me dead, he chased me into a muggle street, tried to blow me up, I managed to escape as a rat, I didn't now where he went after that, so I hid"

"For twelve years even after it was reported Black was in custody?"

"I didn't know, I thought I was safe!"

"But you conveniently found yourself a wizarding family, so you knew what was going on in the wizarding world. So, you could keep an eye on where your master was?"

"NO!" Pettigrew shouted panicking.

"Then what?"

"I needed my kind of people"

"You would have been found out eventually, twelve years is rather a long time for a common garden rat? What was your plan? Find another wizarding family, fake your own death?"

"Uh, I don't know, find another wizarding family"

"You don't seem sure. Anyway, when Sirius blew you up how come your finger was perfectly severed but not anything else, surely you must have been extremely injured?" Pettigrew was spluttering all over the place, the fear overwhelming him, it wasn't a pretty sight. "that's enough administer verituserum" Fudge called. Once again, an auror hurried forward and forced open Pettigrew's mouth as he wasn't cooperating before dropping three drops of the potion into his mouth. Once they had given a minute for the potion to work Fudge restarted the questioning. "State your name"

"Peter Pettigrew"

"What happened on the 31st October 1981?" asked Fudge

Unlike Sirius where the speech was fluent and unforced Pettigrew was a different story he was forced to speak in a very monotone voice, completely different from his panicked state a few minutes previously "Our master called a meeting, all death eaters were called, I obeyed and apparated to his side. When he asked if any of us had information, I told him the Potters location, he told me I would be rewarded greatly and left to pursue the Potters at Godric's Hollow. I then went home and packed a bag knowing Sirius was going to be after me once he had fond out. I wasn't quick enough, Sirius hunted me down and cornered me, so I cut off my finger and transformed into a rat. I then ran to a known light Wizarding family location as I knew the other death eaters would come after me"

"So, you sold the Potters to the Dark Lord?"

"Yes, I had to you see he would kill me otherwise"

"Why didn't you report it to the ministry"

"He would have killed me anyway"

"But you could have saved James and Lily Potters lives. You purposefully sold Mr and Mrs Potter to the Dark lord, you then framed Black for a crime he did not commit. It was you who killed thirteen muggles and injured many more. Administer the antidote" an Auror administered the antidote "Bring in Black he called as two dementors brought Sirius back into the courtroom. A chair was erected, and he was placed in the chair, his hands and ankles were bound. Sirius sat there politely.

"Wizenganmot, considering the two accounts witnessed today please raise your hand of you find Sirius Orion Black guilty of killing thirteen muggles, injuring many ore and damage"

Not one of the wizard or witches raised their hands.

"Raise your hands if you find Sirius Orion Black not guilty of the charges" Everyone raised their hands "Sirius Orion Black, you are cleared of all charges. The law states that compensation must be made if a witch or wizard is wrongfully imprisoned. A sum of 500,000 galleons per year of imprisonment will be paid into your Gringotts account. You are free to leave once the court has been closed"

"Thank you Minister"

"From the questioning this day the court is holding Peter Pettigrew accountable for the happenings of the 1st November 1981 at 4.09 am. You are accused of killing 13 muggles, injuring many more, damaging muggle and wizarding property, lying in court and purposefully availing custody. Wizenganmot raise your hand if you find Pettigrew Guilty"

All of the wizards and witches in the Wizenganmot raised their hands. Fudge quickly counted the hands before nodding.

"The majority of hands raised means Peter Pettigrew; you have been found guilty. You will spend the remainder of your life in Azkaban and your property will be reinstated. Do you have anything to say before the dementors deliver you to Azkaban"

By this stage Pettigrew was crying and oblivious to everything going around him, he didn't struggle when the dementors lifted him out of the seat and out of the courtroom.

"That's it for today everyone. Sirius you are free to go you will receive an own regarding your compensation over the next few days"

Sirius nodded and stood up not knowing what to do wit himself except run over to Harry and embraced him in a hug. A tear rolled down both their cheeks as Sirius whispered "We are a proper family now"