When Sirius escaped from Azkaban, he knew there was a possibility he would end up going back. The Dementors were after him as well as the Aurors. He knew it was a possibility they would find him. But going back willingly—that was just insane. Yet that was exactly what Albus Dumbledore was suggesting.
"I'm sorry," Sirius blanched. "You want me to what?"
When Albus had shown up with a smile on his face, Sirius was sure he was there to tell him he was free. He never expected this.
"It's only until tomorrow." Albus reasoned. "I tried to get you a trial today, but unfortunately, I was unsuccessful. I'm sorry, but it's the best they can do."
"And what about Peter?" Remus asked. "Where will he be? Surely not Azkaban? If Sirius managed to escape, a rat will easily squeeze through those bars."
"You needn't worry about Peter." Albus assured him. "The ministry has him in a locked cage until tomorrow's trial. There is no way he's getting out."
Sirius stood from his chair and began to pace the room. All his worries from the previous evening had returned. He was going back to Azkaban.
"Is it possible for Sirius to remain here until tomorrow?" Remus asked, seeing his friend's worry.
"I'm afraid not." Albus replied. "Bartemius Crouch was adamant that he be the one to come here tonight to arrest Sirius; however, I was able to convince him to let me be the one to give him the news. I told him that Sirius would come willingly. If he does not come willingly, Bartemius and a number of Aurors will break down this door and take him by force." He paused and looked directly at Sirius. "I assume that is something you do not want to happen, especially seeing that they won't take kindly to Harry being here."
Sirius knew that Albus was right. If the ministry found out that Harry was staying with a registered werewolf, they wouldn't hesitate in taking him away. As of right now, they didn't know that Harry was here. Sirius was hoping that by the time they found out, he himself would be cleared of all charges and could gain custody. But he knew that the only way to get his name cleared was to play by the ministry's rules.
"I'll go." Sirius croaked. "I'll go back to Azkaban."
"Excellent," Albus said. "We will leave for Azkaban, and tomorrow morning, you will have a hearing with the Minister for Magic, Millicent Bagnold. There is no doubt in my mind that you will be a free man by tomorrow afternoon."
Sirius turned to Remus. "You'll look after Harry?"
"Of course I will, Sirius. You don't have to ask."
"Alright," Sirius said. "Let me just say goodbye."
Albus nodded. "Make it quick, Sirius. I don't know how long we have before the Aurors decide to show up."
Sirius headed into the living room where his godson lay fast asleep on the couch. He had made a promise to James and Lily that he would look after Harry if anything happened to them. He had failed them the last time, and he couldn't help but feel like he was failing them again by leaving.
Sirius bent down and gently brushed the hair out of his godson's face, revealing the scar left from the curse that had failed to kill him as a baby. His forehead was still warm to the touch, but not nearly as warm as it had been before.
"He'll be okay, Sirius." Remus promised. "And so will you. You'll get through this."
Sirius closed his eyes, fighting hard to hold back the tears. Once he was sure he wasn't going to break down, Sirius stood up and headed for the door. "Let's get this over with." He sighed.
Bartemius was waiting for them at Azkaban, and he didn't look at all pleased to see Sirius. According to Albus, Bartemius hadn't been convinced of Sirius's innocence, and if it were up to him, Sirius would be thrown back in prison without a trial.
"This is where I leave you." Albus said as they made it to the outside of the prison. "I know this decision wasn't easy, Sirius, but it will be worth it in the end."
Sirius was led through the doors and down the long, dark hallways, back to his old cell. As they walked, Sirius could hear the anguished cries and agitated moans of the other prisoners. He was sure he could hear his cousin, Bellatrix, laughing hysterically from the other side of the prison.
"Here we are." Bartemius said as he opened the cell and shoved Sirius inside. "Don't get too comfortable. Due to your clever escape, Dementors will be stationed outside your cell all day and night. And should tomorrow's trial not go as you plan, you won't have to worry about returning. They'll suck your soul right out."
Sirius shivered as Bartemius slammed the cell shut and turned the key in the lock. Sirius watched as he walked away, leaving him alone, with nobody but the Dementors for company.
Sirius backed himself into the far corner and sat down, wrapping his arms around his body to keep himself warm. It didn't do any good, however. Not with the Dementors.
Any happy thoughts that Sirius had managed to find after his escape were now gone. He couldn't think of Remus or Harry. All he could think about was death and sorrow. Sirius tried to tune out the moans of the other prisoners, choosing instead to focus on the dripping of water that leaked through the roof. As he listened, he counted. One drop. Two drops. Three drops. Four.
Bartemius returned the next morning, waking Sirius from a fitful sleep as he flung open the cell door. "Get up, Black." He barked. "I have orders to bring you to the ministry. Your hearing starts in less than an hour."
Sirius got up, and Bartemius put handcuffs on him. Then they walked down the long halls and out the doors. Once far enough away from the building, Bartemius grabbed Sirius roughly by the arm and turned on the spot. A moment later, the two arrived just inside the ministry.
"Keep moving." Bartemius ordered as he pulled Sirius down the hall. Several heads turned to stare, and there was no doubt in Sirius's mind that the terrified faces were looking at him. He could hear the whispers as he was dragged down the hall, and he knew they were talking about him. Normally the gossip of others didn't bother Sirius. When he was still in school, he simply would have made a fool of himself, just to give them something better to talk about. But this was different, and he was no longer a child.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, they arrived just outside a large room. Bartemius opened the door and dragged Sirius over to a table in the middle of the room and shoved him into the chair. Looking up, Sirius found that he was in the presence of many people, both in front of and behind him.
"We present the case of mass murderer Sirius Black." The minister for magic, Millicent Bagnold said from her seat at the front of the room. She was a rather tall woman with dark hair pulled back in a tight bun and dark eyes. Hanging in front of her neck were a pair of glasses. "He is accused of the murder of twelve muggles and one wizard. How do you plead, Mr. Black?"
Sirius swallowed the lump in his throat. His mouth was dry and his throat scratchy from lack of use. "Not guilty." He croaked.
"Did you, or did you not, murder twelve muggles on the night of October the 31st, 1981?" She asked.
"I did not."
"Did you or did you not kill Peter Pettigrew on the night of October the 31st, 1981?"
"I did not."
"Were you or were you not the secret keeper for James and Lily Potter, and did you or did you not betray them to he who must not be named?"
"I was not." Sirius said firmly. "I didn't betray them."
Millicent Bagnold put on her glasses and looked down at the papers in front of her. "Is Albus Dumbledore present?"
Albus stood up from the front row directly behind Sirius. "I am."
"It says here," Millicent began, "that last night, you showed up at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley to confiscate the pet rat of their son? It also says that you performed a spell on said rat to prove that he was not a rat, but Peter Pettigrew. Is this correct?"
"Yes," Albus said. "That is correct."
"My records don't show Peter Pettigrew as an animagus. Is there reason to believe he was one?"
Sirius fidgeted nervously in his seat as Albus recounted the story of the marauders turning into unregistered animagi. What they had done all those years ago was meant to be fun. It was meant to help their friend. But it was illegal. What would his punishment be? Would he be sent back to Azkaban for that alone?
"It is highly illegal to become an animagus without registering as one." Millicent said sternly. "Are you aware of that, Mr. Black?"
"I am." Sirius said, licking his dry lips.
"It is also extremely advanced magic. Far beyond the capabilities of most fifth-year students." For a moment, Sirius was sure he saw a look of wonder and even astonishment cross her face. Then she turned to Bartemius. "It says that the rat, who is said to be Peter Pettigrew, is here with us today. Would you bring him in?"
Bartemius left the room, returning moments later with a small cage. Inside the cage was a rat. But not just any rat. This one was missing a toe. As Bartemius brought the cage forward, the rat scurried nervously about the small space, squeaking madly.
"If I may say something before you continue." Bartemius said.
"You may."
Bartemius turned to the audience. "I believe Mr. Weasley, the owner of this rat, is here with us today?"
A tall red-haired man stood from the back. "That would be me, sir."
"Would you step forward, please?"
Arthur walked past everyone else in the room and up to the front stand.
"Are you the owner of this rat?" Bartemius asked.
"I was." Arthur spat.
"And did this rat ever give you any reason to believe that he was anything but an ordinary rat?"
"No," Arthur said. "He did not. That is until last night when Albus Dumbledore showed up and turned him into a man right in front of my eyes."
Bartemius turned red, and Sirius knew that things were not turning out how he would have liked. He had been at fault for arresting Sirius without a trial. It was his job on the line. His reputation.
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley." Millicent said kindly. "You may sit down."
Sirius watched as the Minister for Magic unlocked the cage. Wormtail scurried out of the cage and attempted an escape, but before he made it past the table, he was swept up into the hands of Millicent Bagnold. She took out her wand, pointed it at the rat, and a moment later, a plump man was sitting on the table.
"I c...can explain." Pettigrew stammered.
"Please do."
"Sirius tried to kill me. I had no choice but to hide. He would have killed me."
It took everything in Sirius not to stand up and start shouting. Instead he stayed in his seat as Albus Dumbledore stepped forward. "May I suggest veritaserum?"
Millicent asked Bartemius to fetch some, which he did. Moments later it was being poured down Pettigrew's mouth.
"Were you the secret keeper for James and Lily Potter?" She asked. "Did you betray the Potter's to he who must not be named?"
"Yes," Peter said, his voice lacking any emotion.
"Did Sirius Black have anything to do with the murders of the twelve muggles?"
"No,"
"I believe that sums everything up." Bagnold said. "Peter Pettigrew will be sentenced to a lifetime in Azkaban. He will be held in a special cage, making it impossible for him to escape. He is charged with the murders of twelve muggles and for being a death eater."
Sirius watched as Peter was handcuffed and taken away.
"Sirius Black," Bagnold said. "Let me sincerely apologize for your wrongful conviction. You will be released immediately. You will not receive any punishment for being an unregistered animagus, as I believe your time in Azkaban was enough. However, you will be required to register yourself or I will be forced to reconsider. We would also like to offer you a large sum of money for the inconvenience. If you require any medical attention, it will be at our expense. Your name will be cleared in the papers as soon as possible."
Bartemius sulked over to where Sirius was sitting and undid his handcuffs. Sirius rubbed at his sore wrists and then looked up. "There is only one thing I want." He said. "I want custody of my godson. Harry Potter."
There were several gasps throughout the room, and Bartemius was looking at him as if his request was insane.
"Mr. Potter lives with his muggle relatives, correct?" Bagnold said.
Albus Dumbledore took a step forward. "He did until the other night, when it became apparent that he was being abused. He is now staying with a close friend of Mr. Black's. Sirius is Harry's godfather, and I believe it would be in Harry's best interest to remain with him."
"But he's a madman." Bartemius argued. "Innocent or not, he was in Azkaban for three years. He cannot be fit to raise a child."
"He has done a great deal for Harry over the last day." Albus said firmly. "He has put the needs of that boy before his own, even when it meant going back to Azkaban for the night. He also has the help of Mr. Lupin."
"A werewolf!" Bartemius scoffed. "You can't be serious."
"If you look in your records," Albus said, "you will find that Mr. Lupin does not have a criminal record. He was a good friend of James and Lily as well as a strong fighter during the war against Voldemort. Harry couldn't be in safer hands or a more loving household, and I believe that removing him from where he is now is a big mistake and will only damage him further."
Bartemius opened his mouth to argue but was cut off by the minister. "We unfortunately don't have time for another trial at this time," she said, "however, I will award temporary guardianship of Harry Potter to Mr. Black, assuming he is fit to raise him. However, another trial will need to be scheduled so we can make sure that Harry is in safe hands and to convict the muggles who abused him, assuming you wish to press charges."
"I do," Sirius said.
"I grant you temporary guardianship of Harry Potter; however, I give you until the next hearing to find a suitable home for the two of you, away from Mr. Lupin's household, and if any harm comes to that child at the hands of the werewolf, I can assure you that Harry will be taken away. Is that understood?"
Sirius wanted to yell at the woman. Who did she think she was? She didn't know Remus. But he knew that if he did, he would be risking losing custody. So instead he bit his tongue and nodded.
"The hearing for the permanent custody of Harry will be decided at a later time." Millicent said. "You are dismissed."
As Sirius left the ministry with Albus Dumbledore, he barely noticed the fearful looks that people were giving him. He was a free man and he was one step closer to gaining custody of the one person he loved more than anything. He was happier than he had been in a long time.
