He was pretty sure he would dig through the ground of this place sooner than later with his heels. Sirius walked up and down in the small room he was held in, pacing like a caged animal. He didn't like being in a small space or inside at all. It made him twitchy, reminded him of the dark cell at that godforsaken place. Still, this was much much better than his former place of captivity. It was a room of about four by four meters, with a bed, a small shower and toilet, an armchair and a thick rug. There was also a bookshelf and Bones told him, he would get other books if he requested these. From what he gathered this was a holding cell usually used for someone fancy to be held till their trial. First, he thought the Ministry was trying to make up for the twelve years in Azkaban but he realized it had more to do with Amelia being nice to an old school friend.
He had tried to read, sleep, everything. While he did wolf down every meal he got, he couldn't keep seated for much else. He was restless and he knew why. It was the familiar feeling of being trapped and uncertainty whether or not he would come out of this with his head on his shoulders. Not for himself, he couldn't care less about himself, but for Harry. Harry had been what kept him going back in that filthy prison. He had only held him about four or five times as an infant, but that was enough for him to be ready to bend the world for the little guy. Now he was thirteen and still that hadn't changed a bit.
A white and silver bird popped into the room and after a moment, Amelia Bones voice was to be heard in it, with a slightly echoing effect to it.
"Mr Black, you have a visitor."
Sirius stopped pacing, looking at the Patronus charm for a moment before it blew away in a non -existent whiff of wind. Sirius looked himself over once in the mirror. He wore a simple robe, nothing too fancy, but miles better than the tatted scraps he had worn for the past year. He had shaven and had combed, but his eyes were still bloodshot and had deep rings underneath them. You can't make up for twelve years of living hell with two weeks of rest and a comb. He chuckled a little to himself. Still, his shirt was high buttoned, hiding his chest and the Azkaban tattoo on it. Before he went there he often had buttoned-down, frowning on the stuck-up fashion and knowing the witches liked the look of it. Those days were over now and would never return. He had caught himself scratching at the marking, trying not to look at it in the mirror. It made him sick to the core.
A knock on the door made him turn around. No one came in and he frowned for a moment.
"Yes?" The handle turned and into his small room stepped his old friend, Remus. Behind Lupin, Sirius saw Shacklebolt, one of the Aurors that worked at his case, but the man didn't step in but closed the door behind Remus. A soft click and they were alone in the room. For a moment, they looked at each other, not sure what to do, after twelve years. The short encounter at the Shrieking Shack was mostly powered by adrenalin. They hadn't figured out where they stood.
After that short moment, both of them suddenly rushed to each other, hugging closely. Remus let out a burst of hoarse laughter, smiling into the shoulder of his friend. After a moment they stepped both back, little tears in their eyes.
"Damn Remus it feels so good to see you again. I ...I..."
Remus nodded, putting his hand on Sirius' shoulder.
"Yeah, I know. It feels the same. I..." He stopped a moment, his eyes cast down.
"I am sorry, I should have believed in your innocence. I...I never would have expected Peter to do something like that."
Sirius grin was wiped from his face, while he nodded slowly.
"Me too. I mean I have known for twelve years but the thought still feels...alien. Like I would wake up and see James and Lily there, smiling at each other, with Harry, you know?" Remus nodded. This fantasy about a safe and happy world had often crossed his mind over the years. It still made him not feeling a lot better about Sirius. He felt extremely guilty, while he knew from a logical point of view, that there was no reason to blame himself. He gripped a little firmer on Sirius' shoulder, nodding again.
"It feels so good having you back mate." Sirius smile returned a little, but it seemed a little fake. He stepped back sitting down on his bed, offering Remus the armchair. His old friend sat down, sighing for a moment when Sirius spoke again.
"Let's hope I will be around after the trial." Remus shook his head, folding his hands over his knee.
"Don't you worry. Peter's...confession will make you a free man. You will be out of here in no time. Amelia just keeps you here so no one can argue with your release due to misconduct." Sirius sighed, sliding up the bed until his back rested against the wall.
"I know, still...the thought about the small possibility is still there. Also I...I don't like being in a small room really."
Remus nodded, his head tilted to the side in worry.
"Understandable, considering what happened to you. So, let's change the subject."
Sirius nodded, knowing only one subject he wanted to talk about really.
"How is Harry?" The name of his godson rolled from his tongue with this special feeling. It made his heart jump just a little bit. He had said it like a mantra while being in Azkaban and the year after, but now it felt different, almost more real. Remus smiled, while a little strained.
"I would say okay, considering the circumstances." Sirius raised an eyebrow, gesturing for his friend to elaborate.
"Well, first of his godfather is still standing for trial, so there is that. Also, he has to deal with his fact that a follower of You-know-who has been sleeping in the same room as him for the past three years, which is of itself is creepy. Also being back at these muggles house isn't helping."
Sirius frowned deeply. He has met Lily's sister twice and her husband once, at James' and Lily's wedding. It hadn't been a pleasant experience for both parties and the two muggle had left the wedding quite early, Petunia pulling her yelling husband away to their car.
"The Dursleys are...not pleasant people." Sirius answered carefully, shuffling on the bed a little. Remus nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, they are not. From what I have been told by Mr Granger and Mr Weasley as well as Minerva, they neglect and scorn Harry. He is underfed and had shown up at Hogwarts at his first year apparently skinny, with still healing bruises and in scruffy clothes."
Sirius didn't realise he had to stand up before he stood in the middle of the room turning to the door.
"I have to get out of here. HEY SHACKLEBOLT!" He slammed his hand against the door. Remus' hand pulled him back from the door.
"Calm down Sirius, I know it sounds bad and I think it is, but.." The door opened.
"What is it, Mr Black?" Sirius stepped closer to the door. "Let me out of here, I have to get to my godson."
Shacklebolt crossed his arms, shaking his head.
"Sorry Mr Black, can't do. Orders from Madam Bones."
Sirius tried to push his way around the much broader Auror, with not much success.
"I don't care about your orders or that stupid trial. I have to find my godson."
Behind him, he heard Remus voice.
"Oh for god's sake. Petrificus Totalus." Suddenly a jolt went through Sirius body, forcing him to stand tall and still and he felt like he couldn't even move a muscle. Shacklebolt caught him before he could slam down at the floor.
Remus helped him manoeuvre Sirius onto the bed.
"Sorry about that. He is still a little agitated." Shacklebolt chuckled, before holding out his hand.
"It's okay. You should see the boss when it comes to her niece. Still, would you kindly explain to me, how you managed to smuggle your wand into the restricted area of the DMLE?" Lupin shot him a lopsided grin, before holding up his finger.
"One moment." He waved his wand and murmured a phrase. Suddenly Sirius could feel his face and head again, still unable to move his body but at least his head. Remus handed his wand to the Autor.
"Mischief managed. The how will be my little secret." Shacklebolt just shrugged and left the room.
"Traitor!" Sirius hissed with a huff, making Remus chuckle a little.
"Yeah, sorry about that, but breaking out ...again, wouldn't be good for your case. Also, while I do get you to want to have Harry out of there, he is tough and has survived for twelve years, he will survive two more weeks."
Sirius let his head fall back after tilting it up in an uncomfortable manner. The last time a Petrificus Totalus has caught him off guard had been in the first year at Hogwarts. How embarrassing being caught by an early second-year spell.
"Fine."
Remus leaned closer carefully picking out his next words.
"Sirius, I don't know how to tell you this, but that muggle has denied Harry coming to your hearing." Quite a few curses and insults left Sirius mouth at that moment. For a minute he yelled and cursed then he grumbled into himself.
"I should have known these muggles were bad news. I don't get why Dumbledore had sent Harry there." Remus shook his head, sighing for a moment.
"Me neither. He said he wanted Harry to grow up far away from the fame, and saving him from the pressure or the big head that would result from a child growing up famous around the world. Still, that is no excuse for what he has suffered through."
"Stupid old geezer." Sirius grumbled.
Remus smirked at the statement. He knew Sirius had always been a little uncertain about Dumbledore, ever since James had brought him into the Order.
Then Sirius huffed, blinking towards the ceiling. He had a stern look on his face, determined.
"I will get him out of there. Maybe he doesn't want to live with me, which I would understand and I wouldn't blame him but I don't want him in there. I don't know how I will make it happen, but I will do it. I will take up any work, take any flat, I don't care, as long as Harry doesn't need to go back there!" So much determination so much focus was in Sirius' voice. The twitching of his eye had stopped and he seemed deep in thoughts when Remus cleared his throat. Sirius turned his head to his friend.
"Yeah about that, this is the main reason coming here, besides seeing you old friend." He stopped to smile for a moment.
"You have been contacted by Ragnok the thirteen asking to see you the moment you trial is over." Sirius raised his eyebrow, while Remus rubbed the back of his neck.
"I took care of your official correspondence over the years. Well, that would be too much to say, I was simply the person who got a letter once a year from Ragnok, telling me he wishes to speak to you for the last nine years."
Sirius raised his head slightly, frowning deeply.
"Did he said what this is about?"
Remus shook his head, crossing his arms.
"No of course not, you know Goblins and because I thought you were guilty I never really dug into it, but there is one thing." Sirius raised his eyebrow while he did know what would come next.
"Nine years ago was when your grandfather died and after that, the first letter came."
Sirius let his head fall back onto the pillow. Dumbledore, his grandfather, old wizards heckling with his life.
What did that old geezer do this time, making his life complicated again?