DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER.

Molly and Emily were in the backyard of the Bones residence, watching their children play in and around the treehouse. Percy was pushing Ginny in the tire swing and Harry, Ron, Susan and Hannah were fighting each other with pretend swords in the ship. Ron was pretending to be an evil dragon trying to eat Hannah and Susan, and Harry was pretending to be a knight trying to save them.

"I'm an evil dragon!" Ron shouted.

"No eating Hannah, no eating Susan!" Harry shouted as he swung his pretend sword.

As for the twins, they were on the ship as well, fighting each other with pretend swords.

Fred spoke, "Harry will win."

George spoke, "No, Ron."

"No Harry."

"No Ron."

Just then, they noticed Harry getting cornered near the steering wheel by Ron.

They rushed towards Ron saying, "Don't worry, we'll fight him. Run Harry."

Harry and the twins won against Ron and soon, the 'dragon' was on his back, being tickled mercilessly by the twins.

By the time Molly, Arthur and Emily had taken the children and left the fair, it had been nearly 1:45 pm. Due to some traffic jam on the way, they had gotten back to the house at 2:30 pm. Harry, Ron, Susan, Hannah and Ginny who had travelled in Emily's car had fallen asleep on the way.

After reaching the house, Arthur had apparated to get to the Ministry.

Around 3:30, Emily and Molly had woken up the children that had fallen asleep and had gotten them to finish the rest of their lunch which they had saved up.

Afterwards, Molly had read out a couple of story books.

Currently, it was almost 6 pm. The children were playing in the backyard.

Amelia had not come back so far. There had been no news.

Suddenly, Molly and Emily heard sounds coming from the living room fireplace which meant someone had just flooed over.

Molly went to check what was happening and was surprised to see none other than Snape in the living room.

She uttered, "Oh". Snape spoke, "Good evening. Don't worry. It's just me, Severus Snape. I have a message to give to you from Dumbledore."

Molly replied, "Good evening to you too Snape. What's happening?"

Snape replied, "The trial for Sirius Black will be underway in an hour. Black has just been brought from Azkaban and is in a Ministry cell for the moment. Peter Pettigrew was interrogated and sentenced to Azkaban. It turns out he was the secret keeper for Harry Potter's parents and had joined the Dark Lord's ranks. He was the one who betrayed Lily and James and killed those Muggles. He is being transported to Azkaban as we speak."

Molly replied, "That's good to hear. I can't believe he managed to deceive us by posing as a harmless pet."

Snape spoke, "And by the way, you should know this. When Crouch found out how Pettigrew had been in hiding, he tried to arrest your husband."

"WHAT? NO! IT CAN'T BE!" Molly screamed in horror.

Snape continued, "Luckily, Dumbledore and Amelia managed to stop him, but both Amelia and Crouch ended up arguing for an hour over the issue."

Molly breathed a sigh of relief. She then asked, "Anything else?"

Just then, Harry who wanted to ask his Aunt Molly for something to drink came into the living room and found her talking to the man in black that had now become nice and had been his Mama's best friend.

He called out, "Hello Uncle Sev."

Snape ruffled Harry's hair and politely responded, "Hello Harry."

Molly turned to Harry and asked, "Harry, do you want something?"

Harry replied, "I'm thirsty."

Molly replied, "Feeling thirsty? Don't worry. I'll get you something to drink. Would you like juice or milk?"

Harry replied, "Juice."

"Juice it is then," Molly replied and led him to the kitchen where she proceeded to pour out some orange juice into a cup and give it to him.

Harry said, "Thank you."

Molly kissed Harry's cheek and said, "Now, go sit down at the table and drink your juice."

Harry suddenly asked, "Where's Mummy?"

Molly replied, "Mummy will be coming back soon. She's just a little late. She had to send a bad man to jail."

"Okay," Harry replied, feeling disappointed that his Mummy was going to take some time before coming back.

He went and sat at the table in the dining room, and Molly returned to the living room.

She asked, "Anything else? Could I get you some tea or coffee?"

Snape replied, "No thank you Mrs. Weasley, I must be on my way. Oh, by the way, Amelia wanted me to tell you that your house is still being searched. It's taking quite a long time."

Molly replied, "Thank you for that update. I hope everything turns out to be alright."

Snape said, "Hopefully, everything will be alright. Well, I must be going. Goodbye Mrs. Weasley."

"Goodbye Snape." Molly replied.

Severus then stepped into the fireplace and flooed over to Hogwarts.

At 7:15 pm, Courtroom Ten in the Ministry was packed with several members of the Wizengamot and even non-Wizengamot members of the Ministry. Dumbledore sat in his appropriate seat in the centre of the assembled wizards as the Chief Warlock. On his right side, sat Crouch, and on the left side, sat the Minister, Millicent Bagnold.

Some distance away on Dumbledore's left side, sat none other than Lucius Malfoy. On the other side, facing Lucius directly was Amelia who was going to speak in Sirius' defense. Remus was seated behind her in case he had to make a statement.

And then, a cage rose up from the middle of the floor, with spikes inside it, containing none other than a convict whom Amelia was fighting for.

It was none other than Sirius Black.

Sirius Black was looking gaunt and weary due to his time in Azkaban. He was still in his prison robes, or rather rags as they were. His face bore a haunted, yet hopeful expression.

Amelia felt her heart cringe when she saw the man she loved in such a state. How could Crouch have been so cruel as to put an innocent man in the high security section of Azkaban without a trial or proper interrogation?

As the cage rose up and stopped, Dumbledore, as Chief Warlock, spoke, "Sirius Orion Black, you have been brought here, to be tried properly for your actions. You have been charged for being a Death Eater and a spy for Lord Voldemort and betraying the Potters. How do you plead?"

Sirius croaked, "Not guilty."

Dumbledore replied, "Peter Pettigrew was captured and has been sent to Azkaban. We know now who killed those twelve Muggles. Still, we require your statements regarding the matter to be sure. Do you accept this?"

Sirius replied, "I do."

Dumbledore sighed. As soon as Peter Pettigrew had been sent to Azkaban, Sirius should have just been released. But of course, Crouch with his stubbornness was unwilling to release him without at least interrogating him. And he wanted it to be a full scale criminal trial. Dumbledore knew that Crouch still wanted to be popular on a large scale and humiliate Sirius as much as possible.

So the only thing he could do right now, was to try and help Sirius as much as possible.

Crouch asked condescendingly, "Is it not true that you are from the Black family?"

Sirius replied, "It's true that I was born into the Black family, but I have always been against its policies."

The head of DMLE sneered, "Well of course, a likely tale. You were the one that spoke the words 'I killed them' and laughed like a maniac after You-Know-Who killed Harry Potter's parents. Do you expect the Wizengamot to believe that?"

Amelia seethed with rage upon hearing that.

She raised her hand and spoke, "Sirius Black was always against the beliefs of the Black family. Why would he suddenly turn out to be Death Eater?"

Dumbledore spoke, "Madam Bones has a point. What do you have to say about that, Black?"

Sirius responded, with tears in his eyes, "I could not stand their pureblood mania. The only one that was different was Andromeda Tonks. And she was disowned from the family because of her marriage to a Muggleborn wizard. As for family, I would like to personally state that Fleamont Potter and Euphemia Potter were my real parents who loved me for who I was. James Potter was my brother in all but blood, and I swear that I would have died for him if necessary. As for why I was laughing, Peter Pettigrew had successfully framed me and escaped, and I could not avenge James and Lily by killing the man who betrayed them. Yes, Peter Pettigrew was the spy. I went mad with grief because I had lost my family. My godson Harry Potter was sent to live with his Muggle relatives instead of being given to me, his godfather. I had nothing left to live for. All I wanted was revenge. It was the only thing I could think of. And I wanted Harry to be safe and secure. I wanted to take care of him, but I couldn't. As for why I said those words, 'I killed them', I felt responsible for James and Lily's deaths because I was the one who suggested using Peter Pettigrew as the secret keeper. I thought I was an obvious choice. I should have just been the secret keeper myself."

He ended his response in sobs.

Some of those gathered, particularly Amelia and Dumbledore felt sorry for Sirius. Even the Minister felt a twinge of compassion for Sirius.

Suddenly, Crouch spoke up, "Why do you think Harry Potter was not given to you? Because of your being the one who betrayed the Potters. Obviously, this story is a likely one. What's to say you and Pettigrew didn't work together? Or that he really was the secret keeper and you just wanted the blame to be on him?"

At this point, Amelia lost her patience. She stood up and yelled, "Enough! How dare you be so heartless! I know Sirius more than you do! He has risked his life to save me several times! I know him! He would have died for James, Lily, and Harry, for me if he had been given the choice! Even after Pettigrew was found out to be the traitor, even after Sirius explained everything, you still belittle him and berate him! Lucius Malfoy, a Death Eater, was given a trial. Sirius never even received one. But I know he is innocent! I love him!"

Crouch yelled, "Silence! I am your superior!"

"ENOUGH!" the Minister suddenly spoke up, "Enough is enough. You really went too far with that last statement. Can't you see Black's state? Have some respect."

Crouch retorted, "Minister, he is a criminal who deserves no respect."

Dumbledore raised his hands and yelled, "SILENCE!"

He wanted this to end. He now knew that Sirius was innocent. Sirius shouldn't have been subjected to such humiliation by this cruel head of DMLE.

He said, "Sirius Black, do you consent to being administered under Veritaserum?"

Sirius replied, "Most willingly."

Bagnold spoke, "Let the Veritaserum be administered at once."

Amelia spoke up, "I will administer it."

Dumbledore said, "Very well."

Amelia went and brought a phial of Veritaserum. She had the cage door opened and brought out Sirius to place him in a chair with restraints. She whispered, "Sirius I'm sorry you have to go through this. I know you're innocent."

She then poured the fluid down his throat and saw to it that he was fastened to the chair (although unwillingly). She then returned to her seat.

A few moments later, Crouch began to fire the questions.

"Are you Sirius Orion Black?"

"Yes."

"Are you a Death Eater?"

"I was never one."

"Did you betray James Potter and his wife Lily Potter to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?"

"No."

"Did you kill those Muggles?"

"No, Peter Pettigrew did."

"Were you ever in league with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?"

"No."

"Why did you switch to Peter Pettigrew?"

"I thought I was an obvious choice and I felt that no one would suspect Peter because he was not strong."

"Were you aware of Peter Pettigrew being a Death Eater?"

"I had no idea that he was one."

"Peter Pettigrew revealed that you are an unregistered animagus. Is this true?"

"Yes. James, Peter and I managed to become animagi in our fifth year."

"What is your form?"

"A dog."

Crouch was just about to ask another question when Dumbledore cut in, "Enough, we have enough proof that he is innocent. He has already suffered enough."

"No," Crouch spoke angrily, "He is not innocent. This can't be. Something is wrong. Maybe he's fighting off the serum."

"ENOUGH!" Dumbledore roared in Crouch's face.

Crouch, taken aback, went silent.

Dumbledore then looked around and spoke, "All those in favor of clearing the accused of all charges."

A majority of the Wizengamot, including Amelia, the Minister and Dumbledore himself, raised their hands. Remus himself raised his hand, although he was not a Ministry official.

Dumbledore then spoke, "Those in favor of conviction."

Some other Ministry officials, including Crouch and Lucius Malfoy, raised their hands.

Dumbledore banged his gavel and declared, "Sirius Black, you are hereby cleared of all charges."

The Minister spoke, "On behalf of the Ministry, as Minister of Magic, I humbly apologize for all that you have been through. You will be given compensation for your wrongful imprisonment. You will be required to register yourself as an animagus. However, you will not face any punishment from the Ministry."

The restraints were removed and Sirius stood up with joy calling out, "Thank you very much. I am free at last."

Amelia rushed down to Sirius and hugged him saying, "I knew you were innocent. I knew it."

Sirius whispered, "Amy, thank you."

Just then, Crouch yelled, "THIS CANNOT BE!"

Suddenly, someone yelled, "Hey, wasn't it Crouch who imprisoned an innocent man? What kind of head of enforcement is he? That man should be fired!"

That started a huge uproar in the courtroom. Many gathered began yelling insults at Crouch.

"That man should be fired!"

"He deserves Azkaban!"

"I knew Sirius was good!"

"He's worse than incompetent!"

"He should be demoted at least!"

Suddenly, Dumbledore stood up and yelled, "SILENCE!"

Everyone went silent upon hearing him.

Dumbledore softly spoke, "Let us all keep calm."

Chirp chirp chirp…

Just then, he looked to the left side, and in one of the higher rows in the bleachers in the courtroom, there was a man, raising his hand.

Dumbledore looked at him and spoke, "Cornelius. Is there something you wish to say?"

Cornelius Fudge, the man raising his hand had a stern expression on his face.

He had always envied Crouch, and now this was his chance to get to him.

He spoke, "If I may suggest, why not have him shunted into the Department of International Magical Cooperation?"

Chirp chirp chirp…

Crouch yelled, "THIS IS A DISGRACE! I WILL NOT AGREE TO THIS!"

The Minister spoke, "All those who agree with Cornelius."

Many including Amelia, and surprisingly, Lucius Malfoy, raised their hands.

The Minster then said, "All those who do not agree."

The answer was a clear minority.

Crouch yelled, "THIS CANNOT BE! THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE! I HAVE WORKED TO PROVIDE PEACE AND STABILITY TO THE WIZARDING WORLD!"

Bagnold said, half apologetically, "I'm sorry Crouch, but you have gone too far. I cannot do anything about this. From today, you are no longer the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

Many chorused in agreement, and with that, the session was concluded.

As the assembled began to disperse, Amelia pulled Sirius into an embrace.

Sirius spoke, "Thank you so much Amy. Is Harry safe, is he alright?"

Amelia spoke, "He's with me Sirius. He'll be so happy to see you."

Just then, they heard someone clear his throat and turned around to see Crouch glaring at them.

"Amelia," Crouch yelled, "I should have known you were out to ruin my career!"

Amelia, who had been repressing her feelings of resentment and anger towards Crouch for a long time, moved forward and slapped him yelling, "You are no longer my superior Crouch! You imprisoned an innocent man for two and a half years! You wrongfully imprisoned Harry's godfather, and because of that, he had to be with his aunt and uncle who mistreated him! You're partially responsible for what Harry has been through, not that it should matter to you should it, to one who is so cruel, so heartless!"

Crouch was taken aback to hear that. As for Dumbledore, who was standing nearby, he had a guilty look on his face.

Amelia hissed, "I finally found out when I went to check up on him myself and took him away from there. I had to hide him from you because you, being so ruthless, would have tried to take him from me."

Crouch steeled his expression and said, "I don't deny it. I would have seen it as a kidnapping and taken him away from you. It's only because of Dumbledore that I did not ultimately oppose you."

Amelia hissed, "You disgust me."

With that, she took Sirius' left arms and walked away from him.

Crouch was looking crestfallen.

Even Dumbledore did not give him a compassionate look. He looked at him with anger in his eyes and walked away from him.

Amelia and Remus who had joined her escorted him out of the courtroom, past the throng of reporters who were firing questions.

"No questions please, this man needs to get home." Amelia called out.

Just then, they were accosted by someone they did not wish to see, Lucius Malfoy.

"Ah, Sirius Black," Lucius drawled arrogantly, "You have been released, given a trial and released. Crouch is very kind."

"So kind that he sent an innocent man to Azkaban," Amelia spat bitterly before leading Sirius away from him.

Soon, Sirius, Amelia, Remus, and Dumbledore were standing in the atrium along with Dennis and Arthur.

It was already 8:30 pm and there was hardly anyone in the atrium save for a few guards.

The Minister had apologized profusely and had promised to award him compensation before leaving a minute ago.

Remus hugged Sirius saying, "Sirius, I'm so sorry, I should have tried to…"

Sirius hugged Remus back saying, "Moony its okay. I thought you were the spy. I know you would have thought the same way had you been in my place."

Dennis spoke up, "Congratulations on your release Sirius Black."

"Thank you, Mr., uh…" Sirius replied.

Dennis said, "My name is Dennis. Dennis Abbott. I'm an auror."

Sirius said, "Oh, you are, that's nice. I was an auror during the war. I think we've met before."

Dennis said, "Yeah, I think I remember doing a couple of missions with you and James Potter, Alastor Moody too."

Arthur spoke up, "I am Arthur Weasley. You may remember me from the war. Peter Pettigrew was with us for those two and a half years as a rat. We had no idea about it. I'm so sorry about all that has happened."

Sirius replied, "Don't worry Mr. Weasley. You couldn't have known. You didn't know he was a Death Eater. The only ones I'm really angry with are Peter Pettigrew and Crouch."

Arthur said, "Please, just call me Arthur."

Sirius replied, "And please just call me Sirius."

Just then, a tall, bald, black wizard joined them.

"Madam Bones," he spoke, "The Burrow is all clear. The Weasleys can move back in now."

Amelia replied, "Oh that's great Kingsley. Thank you."

Kingsley bade them goodnight and left.

Sirius then asked, "So, where are we going to go?"

Amelia smiled and said, "Well first, to a fair that we took the kids to today, to get my car."

Dennis replied, "Yes, you'd better. Arthur and I will floo back and inform everyone."

Dumbledore said, "Sirius, Amelia, Remus and I would like to accompany you, that is, if it is alright with you."

Amelia replied, "Oh sure, no problem. It'll be wonderful to have you with us."