Disclaimer: I don't own a thing. Not a single thing to do with Harry Potter. And I'm glad for it. As much as I adore the series, I don't want to make any money off of it.
Author's Note: Thank you all so much for the amazing reviews! I'm so glad you're still enjoying the story!
As for Bill examining Harry for curses, I'd honestly never thought of it. Harry's connection to Voldemort is so unique, and I've never seen any fics with that angle explored. I'm sure there are some of them like that out there, though.
You're absolutely right about the reasons Sirius didn't have a healthy mind. The poor guy has been through so much. And Azkaban is so brutal - I can't imagine how horrible it is to spend even a day in that prison, let alone twelve years. And that's perfectly okay - I think it's amazing that you're writing that spin-off fic! I'm so looking forward to seeing it!
Oh yes, I have the scene where Sirius discovers what happened to Regulus all planned out. I wish that he had discovered it in canon - I wonder how he would have reacted. Well, I get to explore that in this fic, and I will love writing that scene, even though it will break my heart.
And yes, a Snape POV chapter will definitely be in the works. It won't come up until later in the story, but I'll definitely write it. If you want to read a story with lots and lots of Snape POV, my other fic, No Laughing Matter, has it in spades. I love writing one story with lots of Sirius, and one with lots of Snape. They are such vastly different characters with such extremely different backgrounds, and they both have had experiences which have shaped who they are. They are truly two of the most fascinating, yet heartbreaking, characters to explore in fanfic.
Sturgis also plays a large part in this chapter. Some of you might be wondering why he's so important to this story, and believe me, you'll find out as it goes on. In this chapter, you'll find out something about him that wasn't in the books. But in the original series, we honestly knew nothing about him, so who knows? It might have been true in canon too. I'm just expanding on a character we knew nothing about. I'm really looking forward to writing all about him in this story. He's essential.
Anyway, here's the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it.
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It was incredibly hard for Sirius not to flinch as it seemed like thousands and thousands of eyes were staring at him. He sat in the chained chair, and all he wanted was to spring out of it and run from the courtroom. He hadn't been in a room with so many people for so long that he had almost forgotten what it was like. And now, the room was focused entirely on him, and it made his heart race frantically within his chest.
But he couldn't escape, and it wasn't only because the chains bound him securely to the chair. He couldn't escape because this was his chance to tell the world what had happened to him. This was his chance to prove his innocence once and for all, and to get his life back. To get his life with Harry back.
Harry. His eyes found the boy's again, and he drew strength from the look his godson was giving him. Merlin above, how did he deserve the love of a boy like Harry? He wouldn't have blamed him if he'd decided not to come - he would have understood completely. After what the boy had been through, Sirius could only imagine what it had been like for him to step into the atrium and be confronted by the eyes of all those who had accused him of murder. If it was anything like the looks he was being given right now ... oh, he wanted nothing more than to run over and hug the boy. He saw Harry's friends and most of the other Weasleys there, and he felt incredibly grateful that they had been taking care of him while he could not.
Amelia Bones was standing ramrod straight, making her introductions. Sirius watched her, and he felt very reassured by her strong presence. He could tell that Amelia was not one to mince words, and her demeanor was very serious as she spoke. "Almost fourteen years ago, Sirius Black was sent to Azkaban without a trial," she said. "There is no justification and no excuse for what we in Law Enforcement put him through. It does not matter that the case seemed to be cut and dry. It does not matter that the wizarding world was seeking vengeance for all the wrongs done during the First War. It is up to us to do better, and to truly hear Sirius's side of the story. The truth is that now, the evidence that has been discovered is that Peter Pettigrew fooled the entire wizarding world. Sirius Black is an innocent man, and deserves the chance to live his life again."
The entire time Amelia was speaking, Harry had his eyes on Sirius, conveying so much in just one gaze. I'm here for you. You can trust me. You're not alone.
"John Dawlish will now make an opening statement," Amelia said, and Sirius watched as an Auror he recognized walked to the stand. Sirius didn't like the look of him - he remembered him all too well. Dread wormed its way into his system as John Dawlish began to speak, and Sirius had a bad feeling concerning what he was about to say.
"Sirius Black might be an innocent man, but this is not the issue that concerns us here today," Dawlish said, his posture stiff as he gave off an air of arrogant superiority. "The fact of the matter is that he was locked up for twelve years. It has been proven that Azkaban Prison is not conducive to a healthy mind. Even people who have been subjected to it for short periods of time are never the same once they are released. Their mental health leaves ... a lot to be desired."
No shit, thought Sirius bitterly. He knew exactly where Dawlish was going with this, but he couldn't deny that this was all true. In his head, he could hear the deranged cackles of the prisoners as they sat in their cells. He heard the screams and sobs as they called out for friends and relatives. He could smell the stench of bodily fluids as the Dementors passed the cells, the prisoners unable to cope with the memories the foul creatures brought forth. He could see James's lifeless eyes, the tear tracks staining Lily's cheeks as she lay on the floor, her own eyes wide open and staring at nothing. He could see the crater in the street that Peter had created, the lifeless bodies of Muggles lying on the ground, the screams of their loved ones filling the air.
And Harry. He could hear Harry's cries as he handed him over to Hagrid. He could see the blood trickling down Harry's forehead and running into his eyes. He felt the excruciating guilt and the burning, frothing rage as he truly understood that the little boy was newly orphaned.
But he could see the fifteen-year-old Harry looking at him while Dawlish was droning on and on, and it somehow gave those memories less power. The longer their eyes were locked, the less strength the memories possessed. Harry was here. Harry made everything bearable. He could do this. He could deal with Dawlish questioning his mental stability, as long as Harry was here - he was an eternal comfort.
"There are several incidents which I'm sure you all remember," Dawlish was continuing. "Sirius Black should be locked up in Saint Mungo's for his own good. He is a danger to both himself and others, and cannot function in regular society. After all, one of the legendary paintings at Hogwarts was injured by his hand. And I do not want to imagine what might have happened to Ronald Weasley if he had not awoken at that moment and screamed. I am speaking on behalf of every magical person here, and especially Harry Potter, who has gone through more than so many of us combined. He is Sirius Black's godson, and needs to be protected from him."
There was no mistaking the look on Harry's face; he looked the angriest Sirius had ever seen him. He was glaring at John Dawlish, his green eyes blazing. They wandered back to Sirius, and he gave him a look of reassurance. Sirius felt regret swell up inside of him - he remembered those incidents too well. He recalled the rage, hate, and desperation he felt, knowing that Peter was within his grasp and wanting nothing more than to murder him. He remembered standing over the bed of Ronald Weasley, seeing the boy snoring and knowing that Peter was right ... bloody ... there. He'd never forget the loud, terrified shriek the boy emitted when he saw Sirius standing over him. To have Dawlish speak those memories out loud ... there was truly nothing like it. And he was terrified that these incidents would keep him away from Harry.
It wasn't like he hadn't been warned about this. Sturgis had told him plainly that these things would be mentioned, but he hadn't truly realized how painful it would be. Sturgis had reassured him that the Wizengamot would not force him to stay away from Harry, but that there might be stipulations he had to agree to. Seeing a Mind Healer ... to say that he was uncomfortable with that was an understatement. To tell a stranger, most likely Healer Dixon, about everything he had been through ... it scared him more than he was willing to admit. And as much as he had absolutely despised the fact that Walburga and Orion Black were his parents, the lessons they had drilled into him about strength and weakness had stayed with him. Being cared for by a Mind Healer was off-limits - Blacks were expected to deal with everything on their own. A Black should never ask for help. A Black was never as weak as that.
But Sirius had spent his entire life defying his parents. What was one more defiance? And if trusting Healer Dixon meant that he could look after Harry, he would do it, no questions asked. Harry was his whole world. And if it truly meant that he could have assistance with fighting the demons that were locked inside of him, waiting for an opportune time to strike, he would grasp that chance.
Sirius had been so lost in thought that he had missed the end of Dawlish's statement, and he was glad for it. The Auror had brought up too much bitterness, and Sirius couldn't stand it. He was not surprised to see agreement on several of the faces in the courtroom, but he took comfort in the fact that many others were looking at him with sympathy.
He looked for Remus's face in the crowd, but didn't see him. Anger took over his being, but it wasn't directed at his old friend. Despite the problems they had had in the past, he knew that Remus would have been here for him today, if he'd been allowed. Unfortunately, no amount of cajoling would allow a werewolf to enter the Ministry premises - even the best of the Aurors could not persuade Rufus Scrimgeour, the new interim Minister of Magic. Sturgis had said he'd tried, and he'd explained that Amelia had, as well. But Remus was strictly forbidden from entering the building. This was one of those things where even pulling the right strings wouldn't get the desired result. Merlin, it made Sirius livid. He closed his eyes, thinking of his old friend and how he was so relieved that they had truly made up. He was sure that Remus felt his own bitterness about not being able to attend the trial.
"I call Sturgis Podmore to the stand. He will provide testimony," said Amelia, and Sirius watched as his old mentor, looking very dignified and confident, made his way to the stand. As always, he held himself in such a way that it made everyone somehow sit straighter on their benches.
"My name is Sturgis Podmore," said the man, his eyes intent as he spoke. "When Sirius first joined the Auror core at eighteen years old, I was his mentor. I had the pleasure of working with him for two years. Due to the war, the program was truncated, but I saw right away that his skills were exemplary. He was a great asset to us, and was always willing to do whatever it took to assist us in fighting Voldemort."
There were gasps throughout the courtroom at the casual use of Voldemort's name, and Sirius scowled. He and Harry had discussed this during their time together, and both had agreed that there shouldn't be this stark terror surrounding the man's name. After all, how could the wizarding world fight him if his very name sent shivers down their spines?
"Once the training was over, Sirius went out into the field. Even though I wasn't his mentor anymore, I watched over him," Sturgis explained. "I was extremely impressed with his prowess, and was very proud of him for stepping apart from so many in his family. It just goes to show that anyone can be their own person. Sirius was strong, motivated, and ready to see Voldemort be taken down. At least, I had thought so."
Sturgis looked straight at Sirius then, and he could see that the man's eyes were swimming with guilt and regret. He felt his own mixed emotions battling inside him - there was the complete, utter betrayal he had felt when Sturgis had looked at him with the purest of anger, his powerful Stunner aimed straight and true. There were the years of wondering why a man who had gotten to know him so well, a man that Sirius had told much of his story to, had thought the worst of him. There were the endless questions, wondering why in Merlin's name Sturgis had never visited him in Azkaban when he was more than capable of arranging it. But then, there were the memories of the last six days, when Sturgis had visited him every single day without fail, even on Saturday and Sunday. There was the fact that he had apologized, the look on his face showing how completely sorry he was for all of it.
"On November 1, 1981, me and several other Aurors were told that there had been an attack in Muggle London perpetrated by a wizard. Five of us were sent to investigate. When we got there, Sirius was standing in the middle of the street, surrounded by the bodies of twelve Muggles, a pile of bloody robes, and a finger. And Sirius was laughing. I ..." Sturgis swallowed, and Sirius could see that he was having trouble discussing it, even almost fourteen years later. Sirius was now reliving the scene as well - he remembered the sheer madness that had consumed him, the maniacal laughter that just would not cease. The lifeless eyes of the Muggles stared mockingly at him, accusing him just like Lily and James's had done. He saw the tail of the pathetic little vermin, the true culprit, as he disappeared into the filth of the sewers. He heard the shrill screams of Muggles who had survived, calling out the names of their now deceased loved ones. One of them, a little girl who was barely five years old, was calling out the name of a dead girl who looked like her big sister. Those Muggles had been men, women, and children who had been caught up in something they never should have. It would always be one of Sirius's very worst memories, one which the Dementors made him relive over and over and over again.
"I took one look at the scene, and came to the worst possible conclusion," Sturgis said. "It's a moment that I know I can't take back. Despite the fact that I had spent two years working with him, despite the fact that he had shown himself to be trustworthy ... I thought him guilty. I was the one to Stun him, to tie him up in magical ropes. I instructed the other Aurors to assist me in bringing him into the Ministry. Twelve hours later, he was transferred to Azkaban."
Sturgis's eyes locked with Sirius's then. "It was one of the worst days of my life, and the worst mistake I ever made," he said quietly. "I never dreamed that Sirius would be sent to prison without trial, but I should have suspected it. The days after the end of the First War were ... tumultuous to say the least. Amidst the celebrations, there was much grief and mourning. The wizarding world as a whole wanted to move on, and the Ministry was very quick to punish anyone who was a Death Eater or anyone who was known to associate with them. When I heard that Sirius wasn't even getting a trial, I argued against it, but I let it drop much quicker than I should have. In all honesty, I was content to let him go to Azkaban. I just wanted to forget. I wanted to forget that I had been the one to mentor him, and that apparently, all my efforts had failed. And I know that is no justification for what I did. I cast the spell that condemned a man to twelve years of needless suffering.
"Since I found out about his innocence, people have told me that if it had not been me who Stunned him, it would have been one of the other Aurors. But that doesn't help me sleep better at night. That does not discount the fact that it was indeed my spell that started him on that horrific journey. My own feelings regarding my mentorship of Sirius made me act in a way that I very much regret now. And now, fourteen years later, I will do whatever is within my power to ensure that Sirius receives his freedom.
"If you are worried about his mental condition, I have been speaking with him for the last six days. I won't deny that he has much healing to do. But locking him up in Saint Mungo's will only hinder him further. He needs to be around all those who he cares for, and who care for him. Please, give him the chance to return to wizarding society. We have much to make up for." He then whispered something that Sirius knew was for his ears alone. "Especially me."
Sirius looked around, and saw that many people looked emotional at Sturgis's heartfelt confession. Others were glaring at him, including Sirius's little cousin, Nymphadora Tonks, whom Remus had told him had joined the Order. His heart filled with both joy and sorrow at seeing her again - the last time he had seen her, she had only been a little girl, asking Sirius all kinds of questions about what it was like to be an Auror and fight bad wizards. His heart ached at the thought of Andromeda, and he looked around for her, only to not see her there. He felt his stomach sink - Blacks were known for holding grudges. Did Andromeda hate him even though he was innocent? He promised himself that if this trial went the way he hoped it did, he would owl her and try for a reconciliation. The woman had always been his favorite cousin, and he needed her back in his life.
His eyes landed on Harry then, and he was looking at Sturgis in shock, trying to digest what he'd heard. Of course, Harry hadn't known that Sturgis had been the one to Stun Sirius and was in charge of taking him to the Ministry that day. He saw the hurt and confusion in the boy's eyes, and knew that he wasn't sure how he should feel. I'm with you, kiddo, Sirius thought. It was obvious that Sturgis was sincere, and everything he had done in the preceding six days definitely struck a chord within him. It was because of him, too, that Sirius hadn't had to be reacquainted with the Dementors this morning as he was steered into court. He'd also gotten a good, hearty breakfast, which was courtesy of him, too.
And Sturgis hadn't been the only one that had judged him. The entire wizarding world had presumed him guilty without asking questions. He was just another Black, after all. Even if he said he wasn't like the rest of them, he would end up just like them one day. Of course he wouldn't have been able to resist the power of the Death Eaters. Of course he'd hunger for power, and see the solution in Voldemort. It didn't matter that everyone who had been at school with him had seen how close the Marauders were. It didn't matter that he had trained to be an Auror, whose job it was to hunt down and catch people like his own cousin, Bellatrix, and his own brother, Regulus. It didn't matter that Lily and James had trusted him enough to make him Harry's godfather. It didn't matter that he'd have given up the whole world, given up his own life, to keep Harry safe. None of it mattered, because his last name was Black and therefore, the apple didn't fall far from the tree.
The bitter thoughts surrounded him like a swarm, but then he thought of Harry - the boy gave him a reassuring smile. He heard Sturgis, who was now answering questions that were being asked by Amelia Bones, his voice earnest and his eyes still guilt-stricken. He didn't want to be angry with a man who was not going to stop trying to atone for everything he had done wrong. And hadn't he always judged people unreasonably quickly as well? The boy he had been at school had done nothing but. Perhaps it was karma deciding to play games with him. Perhaps he had deserved to go through all of this.
He, after all, had judged Peter as weak, stupid, pathetic, and too slow to have an original thought. And Peter had been his friend. In the Shrieking Shack, he had spoken the words in anger, but he couldn't deny that they had been true when he'd made his decision about who should protect the Potters. "Voldemort would never suspect that we'd use a weak, talentless thing like you to be Secret Keeper." He'd spat those words with pure venom, but they hadn't been a lie. Sirius had judged Peter and been very, very wrong. Sturgis had judged Sirius and been very, very wrong. They had been wrong in different ways, but they were both wrong nevertheless.
And what Sturgis had said about failing him struck something in Sirius as well. The closest Sirius had ever come to mentoring was when he, James, and Remus had tutored Peter in several subjects at Hogwarts, and they'd also assisted him in learning the Animagus transformation. They had tried to make him a better wizard. The amount of aggravation and frustration he had caused Sirius over the years had been indescribable, but Sirius realized that this was because he was not at all a patient person. And James had not been the paragon of understanding when it came to Peter, either. Remus had always done better with that kind of thing.
But when Peter had turned around and joined Voldemort ... a part of Sirius thought he had failed him. He had failed to help Peter become better. But you didn't try very hard, he heard a strong voice in his head argue. You teased him. You bullied him. You ridiculed him. You made him resent you.
It just went to show what self-reflection could cause a person to realize. The hatred and anger he still had for Peter was ever-present, and it would never fade. But what his mind told him in the darkest hours of the night did not present a good picture of who Sirius was as a person. And now that he had Harry in his life, he needed to fix it. He could not make the same mistakes again.
And this was how Sirius and Sturgis were different. Sturgis had always been patient in his teaching style, and Sirius had envied his intelligence. Sturgis had never once ridiculed him or made him think he was a lesser person. Sirius remembered the times when he had flown off the handle during training, especially when he heard about how brutal the Death Eater attacks had gotten. When he wanted nothing more than to destroy those who were hurting the people he cared about most in the world, Sturgis was the calming influence that saved him from himself countless times. Their mentorship had turned into a friendship and respect that Sirius hadn't thought he could live without.
And when he thought about it from Sturgis's end of things, he realized how the other man must have thought about Sirius's supposed betrayal. After everything Sturgis had taught him, it must have looked awful to see him in the street like that, laughing wildly over a mass of crumpled, lifeless bodies, and Peter's puny little finger lying there for all to see. For the first time, Sirius truly understood how Sturgis must have felt. And he realized that if he'd been in the other man's position, he would have done a hell of a lot worse than just look enraged, Stun him, and take him into custody. And he had. He'd tried to kill Peter.
Sirius tuned back into the conversation - he had been so lost within his thoughts that he hadn't paid attention to Amelia's questions. Now Dawlish was speaking to Sturgis, doing a pretty damn bad job of a cross-examination. Sturgis was answering his questions with his normal aplomb, something else Sirius had admired so much about him fourteen years ago. He could counter anyone's points without even a blink - the man didn't know how to miss a beat. Watching him in action was truly astounding.
"So you're saying you're not the slightest bit concerned about this man being out in public, after being in the company of Dementors for twelve years?" Dawlish asked with clear frustration in his voice.
"No, I am not," Sturgis answered him promptly. "Later in this proceeding, you will hear Sirius himself speak of his time with the Dementors. Did they affect him? Yes, definitely. Is he the same man he was fourteen years ago? No, he is not. But everyone changes due to events in their lives that they have come through."
Sirius did not like the look on Dawlish's face at that moment. "I suppose you'd know a little something about that, wouldn't you?" he drawled, a distinct hostility in his tone.
"Excuse me!" Amelia Bones boomed out. "Auror Podmore is not the one on trial here!"
"It's all right, Madam Bones," Sturgis said, still incredibly calm. "I understand why that statement was made, and I respect Auror Dawlish's right to make it. Yes, I would know a great many things about making up for past mistakes."
This was not the first time Sirius had heard Sturgis say a thing like this, and he wondered yet again what on Earth the man was referring to. He had sometimes made such comments during their mentorship, but Sirius never asked about it. It was Sturgis's business, and he didn't have to tell Sirius anything if he didn't want to. Sirius had his own skeletons in his closet, after all.
Dawlish smiled at Sturgis, but it wasn't a nice smile. "So you're saying that you're now trying to be the kind of father your son could be proud of, and you're sure that because of this, Harry Potter will have the kind of godfather that he can be proud of?" he said in a soft, silky tone.
There were gasps throughout the courtroom, and Sirius felt a mixture of shock and fury. Sirius had no clue that Sturgis now had a son - that must have happened in the fourteen years that he hadn't been part of wizarding society. He saw the look on the man's face at that moment, and it was the same look Sirius himself wore when anyone mentioned Harry. And Merlin, how dare Dawlish mention his godson so casually, like he was nothing but a prop to be used during the trial!
For the first time Sirius had seen during the proceedings, Sturgis looked angry. "You have gone too far, John. You will NOT mention my son," he said with a growl in his voice that promised an endless amount of pain if John Dawlish dared to bring up his son again. The courtroom pounded with the waves of energy Sturgis was giving off, and in that moment, Sirius understood him perfectly.
"I agree," Amelia said. "That was completely uncalled for, Dawlish. You will not continue this line of questioning."
"Very well, Madam Bones," Dawlish scowled. "I have no further questions."
Sturgis returned to his seat, the sudden fury he had displayed disappearing as if in a puff of smoke. Sirius had always thought it was amazing how quickly the other man could calm down. But obviously, Sturgis's son was off-limits, just as no one could mention Harry in a negative light without Sirius doling out consequences.
"I now call Ronald Weasley to the stand," said Amelia Bones, and the courtroom fell into a silence so profound that Sirius could feel it all around him. He watched as Harry, Hermione, and the Weasleys whispered reassuring words to Ron as he got up from the bench and made his way over to Madam Bones. It was plain to see that he was nervous, but he also looked prepared. He glanced one more time at his friends and family, who all smiled at him. Ron drew strength from those smiles, and he stood straight and tall, looking ready for anything.
"My name is Ronald Weasley," he said strongly, looking out at the crowd of people around him. His eyes fell on Sirius, and he smiled at him. He remembered all the positive things Harry had said about his best friend, and Sirius had seen all those good traits for himself. He knew Ron was going to help him.
"I'm one of Harry Potter's best friends," Ron continued, and Sirius could hear the pride in his voice. "And I'd like to set the record straight about a few things. Many of you have heard about several incidents concerning Sirius, and it's the second one that I'd like to talk about."
Sirius held his breath as the memories rushed in again. He remembered his heart racing wildly as he searched each bed for the boy he sought. He was desperate to lay eyes on Harry, but he needed to seek out Ron first. Pettigrew was there. He knew it like the back of his own hand. He needed to destroy Pettigrew. The anger boiled within him - his blood was singing with it. Killkillkillkillkill, destroydestroydestroydestroydestroy. Peter. Peter. Peter. Peter. Peter.
He found Ron. There he was, lying there sleeping. He matched the picture Sirius had seen perfectly - that picture that had become an obsession for him, the picture that was his motivation to escape the evil fortress of Azkaban. The freckles, the red hair, the gangly build - it was Ronald Weasley. Every part of his body was thrumming with life - he had to get to Peter.
But the boy had sensed that someone was leaning over him. He woke up abruptly, saw Sirius, and screamed. The shriek was ear-piercing and it woke up all of the other boys in the dorm.
And Sirius ran. He had no other choice. The rest of that night was a blur, and he couldn't remember his escape from Hogwarts. All he knew was that once again, he'd failed. Peter was still alive. And he could still murder Harry. The one last memory Sirius did recall was standing in the Forbidden Forest as a dog, and howling, howling, howling into the night, howling until his vocal cords could not take anymore.
And Ron was now explaining all of it from his perspective, and Sirius tuned back in after coming out of that awful, vivid memory. "Was I scared?" Ron asked as his eyes connected with Sirius's. "Yes, of course. But do I understand now? Yes, I do. No, of course it doesn't make it right. At the time, Sirius wasn't doing well. I didn't know that I was harboring the man who had betrayed my best mate's parents to their deaths and framed Sirius for it. I didn't know that I currently owned him as a pet. Peter Pettigrew could turn into a rat."
There were more gasps in the courtroom, and the shock was extraordinary as what felt like thousands of eyes swiveled to Sirius. Ron had revealed Peter's dark secret - he was an unregistered Animagus.
Sirius knew that soon, his own secret would come out - he had known it would. There was no way this trial would come to completion if that was not revealed. He also knew that there was a good chance that he would have to pay a significant fine for becoming an illegal Animagus.
There had been witches and wizards who had broken that law throughout the years, and the punishments they were given were decided by what they did with their abilities. During the six days that he had been in the Ministry holding cell, he had confessed to Sturgis what he had done. Sturgis had reassured him that he would not receive more prison time for that transgression. "The Ministry will not subject you to more time at that place. I can promise you that," he had said, and Sturgis Podmore was not a man to make promises lightly.
In the courtroom, people were still reacting. "A rat?" a woman shrieked. "But if that's the case, no one will be able to catch him! Do you have any idea how many rats there are?"
"There will be order in this courtroom!" Amelia shouted. "Do not interrupt this testimony! Mr. Weasley, please continue."
"He doesn't look like a regular rat," Ron explained. "He has a missing finger as a person. When he's a rat, he has a missing toe."
"A missing finger," someone in the courtroom muttered, and Sirius saw sudden comprehension dawn on many of the faces there - comprehension, and a terrible understanding.
"All Sirius was trying to do was protect my best friend," Ron said passionately. "Please, don't make Sirius stay away from Harry. He's had a lot of time to heal from what happened to him. I've seen it myself." He took a deep breath, and Sirius knew he was about to drop a bombshell.
"After all," he said, and though his voice was quiet, it carried through the courtroom with more force than if he'd shouted it. "He was the one to take Harry Potter into hiding."
The gasps that erupted in the courtroom this time were louder than any that had come before, and shouts followed. Many people rose from the benches where they had been seated, screaming and yelling.
"THERE WILL BE ORDER IN THIS COURTROOM!" Amelia yelled, trying to bring some semblance of calm back into the proceedings, but to no avail. Sirius felt a morbid kind of amusement take hold as he observed the absolute hysteria that Ron's words seemed to have created.
Eventually, after several seconds had passed and the room still refused to heed her orders, Amelia raised her wand and sent red sparks flying into the air, and a loud BANG followed.
That seemed to do the trick; everyone in the room quieted, although it was apparent they were loathe to do so. Ron waited for several seconds, the expression on his face fierce and uncompromising as he looked out at everyone's gaping expressions.
When he continued, his voice was strong, and it was clear that he meant every single word he said. "Harry needed to be with someone who truly cared about him. And you know what? Sirius helped him. He took care of him. He let him be a kid. You lot have never let him be a kid, have you? Whenever he does something right, he's the hero. Whenever you think he's done something wrong, even if it's something he hasn't done at all, he's the villain. And I'm sick of it.
"I used to be really, really jealous of Harry, and I was an incredibly stupid idiot for it. I used to think that Harry had it all - the fame, the fortune, the smarts. I felt like a worm compared to him. I didn't know why he wanted to be best friends with the likes of me."
Ron had the entire courtroom at attention now, and Harry was looking at him in shock. Sirius was rooted to the spot, listening to the words of a boy who was clearly guilt-stricken over his past actions - that seemed to be a running theme of today's trial.
"But I realize now that there's nothing to be jealous of. I know that Harry wishes for nothing more than to have his parents back. He'd give up the fame in a heartbeat if that could happen. But when I saw him with Sirius, after everything you tossers have put him through, I knew that he had gotten what he wished for - a family. No, it isn't the Potters, and Harry will always miss them. And Sirius isn't trying to replace them in any way. But the two of them have found a family in each other. Both of them have been through hell. Merlin, if I'd gone through anything like they have, I'd have given up by now. And all you want to do is take them away from each other.
"You've accused Harry of murder when he wanted nothing more than to save Cedric Diggory's life. You said he was lying about You-Know-Who coming back, and now you know he was telling the truth. Do you think he wanted that monster to come back? You fools have no idea how broken up he's been about all of it. You call Sirius deranged, insane, and a hazard to Harry's health. You don't ever quit, do you? Why can't you let Sirius and Harry just be happy?"
Sirius's gaze fell on Harry. He was fighting back tears, obviously emotionally overwhelmed by Ron's heartbreaking speech. Sirius felt his own throat constrict, his eyes filling up as well. Hermione, Ginny, and Mrs. Weasley had all succumbed to their own sobs, and many others in the courtroom looked torn apart with guilt over their past accusations.
"Please," Ron said, his face naked with the desire to do nothing more than help his best friend and his godfather. "Just ... please. Sirius is innocent. Harry is innocent. They need each other. Let them be a family."
There was complete silence in the courtroom, except for the sniffles of those who were reacting emotionally to Ron's testimony. Any negative thing Sirius had ever thought about Ronald Weasley evaporated like dust in the wind.
"I think," Amelia Bones said, and she was having trouble keeping emotion out of her own voice, "that this can continue after we have taken a recess. Be back here in thirty minutes."
And with that, she banged her gavel, signaling the end of the first part of the trial. And as everyone filed out of the courtroom, Sirius was left in the chained chair, feeling a mixture of shock, awe, and a deep respect that would never waver. Ronald Weasley might not think of himself as a hero, but in Sirius's eyes, he always would be.