AN: Hello again everyone, I am glad to hear that you all enjoyed the last couple of chapters and to see your speculations of what Lucius is plotting. This story has had quite a few twists and turns and each has been an interesting bit to write. I am still on the search for a new Beta Reader to help with the story. As usual I do not own Harry Potter or the world created by J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros, I only one this story and the original characters created for it (Alexandrine Potter (nee Malfoy) and others to come). Back to the show.

Amelia sat in her office, stacks of paperwork upon her desk in front of her. Together with Rothbert and Arthur they had managed to go through everything to do with the arrest of Sirius and the supposed death of Petter Pettigrew. They had scoured every piece of parchment, every law and regulation that had enabled his imprisonment without a trial.

She sighed inwardly, today was the day, today they would be presenting the case to the Wizengamot and Sirius would be tried. She doubted that any would have a word against the innocent man, but she knew that there would be those who would attempt to find a way to keep him down. Luckily, she already knew that there were four votes that would be in his favor all from the same member of the Wizengamot.

The fact that the Prophet had announced that the trial was today only a few days ago was mainly due to the way in which she and the Minister had decided to keep things quiet. Cornelius despite having already admitted the Ministry was in the wrong to Sirius and everyone, had wanted to keep the trial a secret until just a few days before so that they could more easily work on the case without thousands of prying eyes and ears.

"We've got this." Harry said as he sat quietly in the chair before her desk.

She had been unsurprised when he had stated without hesitation the fact that he would personally be sitting in his seat on the Wizengamot for this trial. She had taken the time on Sunday when she had gone up to see Susan and the others moved into his private quarters to instruct him in the way of how the Wizengamot worked.

"We have the evidence yes, but there are still those who may refuse to believe it even with Pettigrew present." She said softly, not wanting to give Harry the impression that she believed that they would fail, they couldn't not with the unsurmountable evidence they had.

"Let them believe what they will, Siriu's own memories and what we have is already enough for him to walk free even without a trial." He said with a frown. "You already told me that even if the Wizengamot tries to incarcerate him again that he has the right to his freedom through means of challenging the Minister and you the try him personally without them."

She nodded. "Yes, though there is no overturning that decision if it comes to that, and the decision has to be unanimous."

He nodded and she could tell he was worried despite his confidence. "Minister Fudge has already admitted his determination that Sirius will be free, the night he proclaimed that Sirius would be receiving everything that he promised him."

Amelia smiled. "Yes, well, Cornelius has not seen all of the evidence yet and what he has seen is enough to at least convince him that Sirius is innocent of the charges of murdering Pettigrew, he could still be convinced that Sirius should sever time for being an unregistered Animagus."

Harry shook his head. "Per Magical Decree eight hundred and forty-three, subsection forty-seven in paragragh twelve it clearly states that Sirius' current time spent is enough to clear him of this and all other charges." He said, surprising her at his unexpected knowledge of the Law.

"That is true, now I see why you are so relaxed today." She said as she remembered the section of Law he was refering to. It hadn't come to her mind until now. "I didn't realize you had been studying the Law so intensly."

Harry grinned. "If it gets him free, I intend to know how we can do it." He said as he took a sip of the coffee she had made them twenty minutes ago. "Besides, if I am to eventually sit on the Wizengamot fully time then I have to know what I am using to proclaim someone guity or innocent."

She was still surprised at how quickly he was taking to his new role as Lord Potter, Fleamont and his Parents would be proud of how he was growing into himself and the family name. She wished that they could be here to see him in his steadfast and pure ways.

"How are the girls?" She asked, turning the conversation to a lighter tone. "Hopefully they aren't driving you too crazy all of you crammed into the same living space."

He laughed gently. "It's only been what, two days?" He said with a shake of his head. "Thus far it's been fairly quiet, mostly we talk or do our normal routines."

She nodded, she was glad to hear that at least they were all getting along. "That's good to hear, I would hate to think that you or they were causing issues."

He smiled. "No, we all getting along fairly well thus far." He said with a shrug. "I am sure there will be differences as time goes by, but with patience and understanding we will get through them."

She nodded, again surprised at how mature he was for such a young age. Taking a look at her watch she realized with a start that it was time to head down to the Courtrooms. She stood and he stood with her, she could sense his anxiety as they started toward the lower levels.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Sirius sat in the chamber he had been placed in upon his arrival from St. Mungo's, today was the day. He would soon know exactly what his long struggle would result in, despite the many reassurances that he would be free after today he still had his doubts. Sure there were laws that would grant him his freedom, but even then there was still something that could go horribly wrong.

He knew that somewhere in the holding chambers Peter was also being held under guard for his own trial today. It had been somewhat surprising when he had not been tried the previous week as Amelia had originally intended, but he understood that the work to prove his innocense had taken much more digging than originally thought. It had been overwhelming when he was told exactly how many doccuments they had gone through just to get to the bottom of why he was imprisoned without a trial.

He sighed. "Come on you, your finally getting the chance to be free and you're terrified of it." He said aloud to himself, trying to calm his nerves.

Amelia had presented everything she had found to him, providing him a chance to know and understand everything that this trial would entail. He knew that he would be facing the entire Wizengamot, to his suprise and hers Harry was going to be among his judges as he refused to allow anyone to stand in for him.

"That's Harry though." He said aloud proudly, he didn't seem to be the type to let anyone take his place in important moments. This alone proved that he was just like all of his ancestors, Fleamont and James as well as all of the others back to the founding of House Potter.

"It's time Mr. Black." The guard said as he stepped into the room. "Your being summoned to Courtroom ten."

Sirius stood as he inwardly sighed, this was it. He allowed the guard to take up his position beside him, somewhat surprised that he was not being handcuffed or otherwise restrained. It was a hopefully a good sign that indeed he was going to be walking out of here a free man today. Sure he would be returning to St. Mungo's for his continued treatment but he would no longer be facing having to return to Azkaban.

The guard led him through the dark halls of the underbelly of the Ministry, the air was stale and he could vividly remember the many times he had been through here all those years ago. As a former Auror he had often been in the place of this guard, leading prisoners to their various hearings or otherwise attending hearings as a member of the Wizengamot in his House seat.

The doors to the courtroom opened as they approached and he could hear the mass of voices that belonged to those within. He could see the seat in the center where he was to sit, knowing full well that at any moment the chains on that seat could spring to life and restrain him. Amelia had assured him that he would not be restrained, but he wondered whether others in the room would allow such freedom to him.

The guard ushered him in and lead him to the seat before taking up his position behind him as he sat. He looked up into the rows of those seated in the gallery, the entire Wizengamot stared back at him with a mixture of different expressions. Amelia and Fudge sat front and center, Dumbledore stood nearby as he had promised to stand as Witness for the Defense alongside Rothbert who was also going through a large file on the desk set aside for them.

Fudge banged his gavel loudly three times signifying that court was in session and the room fell silent. The weight of tension in the air was palpable as he looked about seeing several faces that he knew, then his heart strengthened as he saw Harry seated in the center of the crowd in the seat that had once been filled by Fleamont.

"The court calls forth the trial of Sirius Orion Black III, on this the First of November, ninteen ninety three." Fudge barked as the room waited in abated silence. "The defendant is charged with aiding in the Murders of Lily and James Potter by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Furthermore you are charged with the Muder of Peter Pettigrew, friend and ally to not only the Potters but also yourself."

Sirius listened intently as Fudge droned on about the charges against him, not wanting to miss anything that may present a path that could lead back to his imprisonment. To his surprise though Fudge ceased after that statement.

Dumbledore strode to the center of the room alongside Rothbert and they stated their full names as well as the fact that they were joined Witnesses for the Defense. He could feel the surprise of several of those in the audience, it was rare for an accused to have more than one and these two were both highly influential and respeted individuals of Society.

"Good, now that the formalities are over." Fudge said as he flipped through the pages before him. "How does the Defendant plead?"

"Not Guilty." Proclaimed Rothbert in his steady voice. "Further more we have the proof of several accounts that steadfastly proclaim his innocense."

Fudge nodded again and then looked to Amelia who took the proceedings. "Mr. Black, on the night of Halloween ninteen eighty-one, Mr. and Mrs. Potter were murdered in their home." She began and the silence in the room grew even further. "Can you take us back to that night and give us your story up through to the events of November First and the showdown in the streets with Mr. Pettigrew."

Sirius sighed and nodded, he had thought of nothing else but that night for so many years. "Yes, I was at the safe house that had been designated for myself after James and Lily went into hiding." He began, clearing his throat as he felt it start to constrict with the memories those two names invoked.

"I was supposed to go to visit them later that evening and to see Harry." He said, he knew that Harry would be listening intently to every word. "I spent most of the day with Remus Lupin who had come to visit until ten when I left to go to Godric's Hollow."

The various members of the Wizengamot were all watching him, he could read some of the faces while others were too well schooled for him. Lucius and the other 'Innocents' were all sneering as he recalled how he had found the cottage utterly destroyed, most of the roof had collapsed and there was a large gaping hole in the wall of the nursery where he had found Harry.

"It was immediately clear to me what had happened and how He had found them." Sirius said and he could feel the tears in his eyes as in his mind he once again saw James sprawled on the stairs, his lifeless body face up staring sightless at the ceiling. It had been harder to see Lily on the floor of the nursery, crumpled like a ragdoll, the cries of Harry calling for his mother who could never come again.

"Weeks prior we had swapped the Secret Keeper of the Fidelius Charm to Peter, I felt that I was too obvious of a target and figured that it would be easier for us to hide him away like we had them." Sirius said, looking directly at Harry before letting his gaze return to Amelia. "I was just about to take Harry from his crib and away to safety when Rubeus Hagrid arrived, declaring that Harry was to be taken directly to Dumbledore."

He sighed, again the memory washed over him of the gentle half-giant whom he had given his motorcycle to. "I gave him transportation and immediately made my way from the cottage to London where we had placed the Fidelius Charm on Peter's flat." He said as he pushed through.

"When I arrived Peter was not there, the flat did not show any signs of a struggle or indeed any other dangers." He stated, feeling the bitter taste in his mouth again that he had that night. "I knew immediately that he was the traitor we had been looking for in the Order, that he had joined Voldemort and had turned over Lily, James and Harry."

He wanted to scoff and reprimand the members of the Wizengamot when he heard the gasps and shrieks at the mention of Voldemorts name. He did not understand how they could still be so reckless, it was wrong to fear the name as it only increased the fear of the monster himself.

"I immediately began searching about for Peter, checking all of our usual haunts where we would meet for Order meetings, checkins, where he was known to frequent before." Sirius continued as he made his way toward the end of his tale. "I cornered him in an alley only a couple of blocks from Diagon Alley, he was surrounded by Muggles. As soon as he saw me he began screaming that I was a traitor, demanding to know why I had betrayed them and that I was there to kill him. He called out loud enough for all of the Muggles to hear and then before I could process his decrees he had drawn his wand and blasted appart the alleyway."

He saw it again, or more precisely felt it as he once more felt himself flung into the opposite wall. He had been so preoccupied with catching up to the Rat he had let his guard down, he wanted to speak to him and then turn him over to the proper authorities before returning to getting custody of Harry.

"While I was on the ground he transformed into his Rat form and slipped away into the sewers after cutting off his finger." Sirius finished, knowing that would take several moments to sink in. "It was only moments later that the Aurors arrived to find me defeated, nearly senseless in my grief and laughing at my stupidity."

Amelia smiled softly down at him despite her usual calm demeanor. "Thank you for your recollections." She said as she turned a few pages in the file in front of her. "So you were the original Secret Keeper?"

Sirius nodded. "Yes, James and Dumbledore both insisted, against my arguments, that I should be but once it became apparent that I was being following constantly by followers of the Dark Lord I insisted that we change it to Peter and that he go into hiding." He continued with a frown. "We made the change and now they're dead."

The room swelled as several of the members of the Wizengamot began to whisper amonst themselves. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but he knew that they were trying to tear appart the testimony.

"Well, I can confirm from an interview with Remus Lupin that you did indeed spend the day with him." Amelia said as she read aloud from the interview report. "Until ten that evening when he left to return back to his home and you to the Potters."

She continued on to reveal that they also had evidence in the Last Will and Testaments of Lily and James Potter to prove that Sirius was the legal Godfather of Harry. The fact that he had undergone the Godfather Ritual at his own insistance sat heavily as the whipsers continued to grow. It only further strengthened the case of his innocense he knew most of them would realize.

"Finally, we also have Mr. Peter Pettigrew in custody." Amelia stated and the room burst into uproar. "SILENCE!" she called out, amplifying her voice magically to ring above the din.

The room immediately fell quiety though several still averted their attention to their neighbors. "I personally have seen the revelation of Mr. Pettigrew's wellbeing and capture." She stated pointedly for the court scribe to record. "He is currently being held in the cells for his own trial this afternoon."

The room once more fell silent and he could see several of the faces pale at this revelation, the sheer horror on the faces of Malfoy and his cronies was priceless. He knew she was playing everything off so quickly so as to get directly through is trial and on to the real one. It was still surprising to find that they had not wanted any of his memories or to shove Veritaserum down his throat.

"The Ministry and this Court already stand firmly on two facts with the evidence provided. Mr. Black could not have willingly provided the Potter's whereabouts to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named due to his vows to protect his Godson, furthermore with Mr. Pettigrew in custody it is clear that he also did not murder him." She stated pointedly, looking about the courtroom, meeting several of the hardstares she received with an equally hard and exasperated one of her own. "However, to provide the proof Mr. Pettigrew will of course be brough in, Commander if you would."

He heard a set of boots near the door move and then the door itself opened and was shut. He sighed, this was going faster than he had expected, perhaps this was a good thing though. A few seconds later the door opened again and two sets of feet could be heard dragging something along.

"Mr. Pettigrew, how nice to see you again." She said as he was brought into view before him between two guards. "You will have to forgive the chains, it seems this was the only way to keep you present."

The balding, pudgy man cowered befor the podium as he stared up at the full court. "M-m-m-madam b-"

"That's enough I think, set him off to the side please." She said, waving a hand to indicate the bench that had just sprung up before the seats. "With this evidence in hand, Commander would you please provide your account of how Mr. Pettigrew came into your custody."

The Auror whom she addressed came to the front of the room and gave his recollections of how Peter had been delivered to him. He recounted how at first he had been handed a rat but on further inspection and under several tests they had indeed proven that the rat was not only a Wizard, but that he was in fact the long thought deceased Mr. Pettigrew.

As he finished his tale and returned to the back of the room Sirius once more looked about the faces in the Wizengamot. Aside from those who had escaped imprisonment by claiming to be under the influence of the Imperius Curse, all of the other faces registered the truth of the matter that he was indeed innocent and that they had been wrong. Shame and humiliation shone clearly on all of the face's but Harry's who he already knew believed his tale.

"I see no further reason to keep Mr. Black waiting for his verdict, members of the Wizengamot I now turn the vote over to you." She stated firmly. "If you feel that Mr. Black is Innocent and should be cleared of all charges simply raise your hand."

He felt relief as all but the hands of Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Burke, Borgin, and Carrow rose into the air. Even those who would have voted in favor of his conviction just with the proof of his having performed the Godfather Ritual realised that with Pettigrew alive there was no possibility of his guilt.

"Cleared of all charges." Fudge stated and slammed his gavel upon the podium. "Furthermore you have the full appology of the Minstry of Magic, all medical expenses to aid in your recovery from Azkaban will be taken upon the Ministry. Lastly you will be compensated for financially for the last twelve years in the amount that you would have received annually had you still been an Auror."

Sirius felt his eyes water as he stood, thanking the Minister, Madam Bones, Dumbledore and Rothbert for the work put in on his behalf. He accepted the Ministry's appology and then was escorted from the courtroom out into the hall where he found that another guard was standing with a suitcase and a small wooden box.

"What's this?" He asked of the guard with apprehension.

"In the suitcase you will find all of the personal belongings that were taken from you on the day of your arrest." The man said with a gentle smile. "This, is something you will find you probably never expected to see again." He continued as he indicated the wooden box.

Taking the box in his hands he opened it and nearly dropped it, there inside was his wand from all those years ago. The black oak was still perfect, shining in polished perfection as it had the last time that he had seen it. No signs of any damage could be seen and he could still feel the power within it as he lifted it gingerly from its resting place.

"It wasn't snapped?" He asked with a frown.

"No Sir." The guard said with a shrug. "As you had received a life sentence your wand was to be burried with you at the time of your death."

Sirius frowned and sighed as he took the suitcase from the guard who then lead him back to the Atrium and to one of the fireplaces he knew would return him to St. Mungo's. He thanked the guard profusely before stepping into the the fireplace and the Ministry vanished from his sight.