Sirius stepped forward when he heard his cue. He hadn’t been paying any attention to the rest of the courtroom until then. He was a bundle of nerves and was trying to reassure himself that he wouldn’t have to go back to Azkaban. But the time had come to face the music and he would not shirk back. He was a proud Gryffindor after all. He took the chair for the accused placed in front of the court and sat down. The chains lazily travelled up his arms and bound his arms in place.

Some people believed the chains themselves were an indicator of the guilt of the accused. The guiltiest accused and the unrepentant often had the chains binding them I a flash and holding them tight but in other cases they only loosely bound the prisoner. Nobody could verify this to be true or untrue for certain but it did sway the thoughts of a few members of the court in Sirius’ favour.

Sirius started to scan the courtroom. He looked over the rest of the Wizengamot. Augusta Longbottom was in her son's seat. Sirius knew from Bellatrix's shouting in Azkaban what had happened there. He flinched when he spotted Andromeda. Damn, he'd forgotten how much she looked like her sister. And there was Narcissa sitting in his seat! Barty Crouch and Cornelius Fudge were there, too, glaring at him. There were many others in the audience too. Alastor Moody was standing guard. He seemed to have lost an eye since Sirius last saw him, and he now had a creepy-looking magical replacement that constantly roved around the room. Beside him was a pink-haired girl who could only be Nymphadora. An Auror in training? He could almost have laughed. Further down, a blond newspaper reporter in hideous lime green robes was looking increasingly gleeful at the proceedings as a quill was writing by itself in front of her.

Darius took the chance to stick it to Barty Crouch.

“I object to Mr Barty Crouch taking position as prosecutor. He has shown himself to disregard due judicial process and has ample reasons for biased judgement. I ask for a fair and impartial proceeding, as is my client’s right.”

There was a small clamour but Fudge didn’t have much of a choice in the matter after I laid out the reasoning, without admitting that he himself was a biased individual as regards to the case.

“Then I ask Madam Bones to assume the seat. She will be quite suitable to handle the proceedings. Let the scribe note the switch of prosecutors to Madam Amelia Bones.”

Madam Bones spoke up again. As she did so, she gestured at an Auror near the door and a short pudgy man, obviously Pettigrew, was brought in and placed on another chair a few feet from Sirius Black.

“Peter Pettigrew was apprehended just a few days ago by our department-”

"What!" shouted Sirius, and he wasn't the only one shouting.

"Order!" Bones roared with another crack from her wand.

"As a result of that arrest, Mr. Pettigrew has so far been charged with failure to register as an animagus, criminal use of unregistered animagus ability, and membership in a banned terrorist group."

Before anyone could react to that last bit, she called out.

"Auror Shacklebolt!"

The large Auror strode over to the bound Pettigrew and tore back the man's sleeve, revealing the Dark Mark. The hall erupted into total chaos.

"Evidence for the defence, exhibit one," in reference to Peter's Mark, since Lucius Malfoy and his cronies were loudly protesting anything they could make stick, while half of the liberals and moderates were demanding to know how a Death Eater had evaded capture for so long.

When Madam Bones finally calmed the Council again, she went straight ahead with the trial.

"Lord Sirius Orion Black, you are hereby charged with the following crimes - membership in a banned terrorist group, high treason, two counts of accessory to murder in the first degree of Lord James Potter and Lady Lily Evans Potter, conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree of Harry James Potter, gross breach of the Statute of Secrecy, illegal use of dark magic, attempted murder in the first degree of Peter Pettigrew, and twelve counts of murder in the second degree of…"

And here Madam Bones named the twelve muggle victims of Peter's curse.

"Lord Black, how do you plead?"

Sirius's voice became quiet and tired, but he looked determined as he responded, "Not guilty to all."

"Will you submit to questioning under Veritaserum?"

"I will."

It was at this point that Lord Malfoy stood again.

"I must object, Madame Bones. Lord Black is a suspected occlumens based on both his record and the fact that he is coherent just days after escaping from Azkaban. Therefore, his testimony under Veritaserum cannot be considered trustworthy."

There was more shouting from the hall as many liberals protested this move, but the Azkaban card was a good one, Sirius had to admit. Most prisoners took weeks to recover after long sentences. It raised just enough suspicion to kill the idea. Granted, he did know some Occlumency, but not enough to beat Veritaserum.

“I call for a vote on the admissibility of Lord Black's testimony."

"Seconded," spoke a witch whom Sirius didn't recognise.

"Very well," said Madam Bones.

"On the admissibility of the testimony of Lord Black under Veritaserum: all those in favour…all those opposed…"

The vote was close, but a definite loss.

"The motion is not carried. I remind the Council, though, that we have a witness to the events in question. Peter Pettigrew, will you submit to questioning under Veritaserum as witness for the defence?"

"N-no, no I will not. I will not defend that traitor," the rat said.

No surprise there. If he'd had money or political allies, Peter could have spilt everything and claimed Imperius, except that Sirius would still kill him. But since he didn't have either of those he didn’t have the luxury that of that.

“We are not asking you to defend him. We merely ask you for a true account of the events on the night of the murder of the Potter family. I am also obliged to tell you that without having the status of being a Lord, you may be forcefully administered Veritaserum and your refusal would only hurt your case further.

Pettigrew still resisted and Auror Shacklebolt was called forward to administer the required 3 drops of Veritaserum.

Amelia Bones's voice began speaking.

“What is your name?"

"Peter Pettigrew."

"Are you a Death Eater?"

"Yes."

"When were you marked as a Death Eater?"

"The thirtieth of October, 1981."

"What did you do to receive the Dark Mark?"

"I betrayed the Potters to the Dark Lord."

There were gasps in the hall at this as the renewed suspicions about what had happening in 1981 began to be confirmed.

"How did you betray the Potters?"

"I told the Dark Lord the location where they were hiding under a Fidelius Charm."

"You were the Secret Keeper?"

It was Shacklebolt's voice that asked that one.

"Yes."

"It wasn't Sirius Black?" another voice asked, presumably Auror Scrimgeour's.

"No."

Sirius looked back over at Fudge. A look of horror was on his face, and the people around him didn't look much better.

“Why were you the Secret Keeper when it was believed to be Sirius Black?"

"James and Lily wanted Sirius to be the Secret Keeper, but Sirius believed that was too obvious. He said he would claim to be the Secret Keeper, but would secretly switch with someone else. He suggested me as the least likely person."

Sirius started crying. He couldn’t imagine that one little decision would cause such damage.

"Did anyone else know about this change?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"They wanted as few people to know as possible. They were on to the fact that there was a spy among them.

"Why did you betray the Potters?"

"The Dark Lord ordered me to bring him any available information on their whereabouts."

"Why were you working for You-Know-Who?"

"I was afraid. The Dark Lord tracked me down and threatened me a year earlier. He said I must serve him as a spy or else die painfully. I already thought he was going to win, so-"

"Coward!" Sirius shouted.

"Be quiet!" snapped Shacklebolt, prodding him with his wand.

"What did You-Know-Who do after you told him the Potters' location?"

"The Dark Lord marked me that night and said he had plans to make. The following night, he ordered me to escort him to the cottage, which I did. He ordered me to wait outside while he went in…"

"What happened next?"

"After that, I saw the light from two more Killing Curses," Pettigrew continued relentlessly.

"But after the second one, the cottage exploded. I ran inside, but I found no sign of the Dark Lord. I immediately apparated away."

"Did you kill twelve muggles in Salisbury?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"I cast a Confringo at a gas valve cover on the street, causing an explosion."

"So our cover story of a gas explosion was for an actual gas explosion?" Scrimgeour said.

The question wasn't intended for Pettigrew, but he answered, "Yes."

"How did you escape?" Bones asked.

"I used a Shield Charm to protect myself, cut off my finger as a cover, transformed to rat form, and escaped through the hole into the sewers."

"You are a rat animagus?"

"Yes."

"Are you registered?"

"No."

"Did you see Sirius Black kill anyone that day?"

"No."

"Did you see Sirius Black attempt to kill anyone that day?"

"Only me."

"Did you see Sirius Black break of the Statute of Secrecy that day?"

"Yes."

"How so?"

"He apparated, brandished his wand, and attempted to curse me in front of muggles."

"Was Sirius Black ever a Death Eater, to your knowledge?"

"No."

Madam Augusta Longbottom spoke up after this.

"Madam Bones, I move that all charges against Lord Black be dropped immediately."

Many of the Lords and Ladies looked to be in favour of that already.

"Madam Bones, that is preposterous!" Barty Crouch growled, doing his best to save face.

"Mr. Pettigrew's testimony clearly indicates that Lord Black did attempt to murder him and also violated the Statute of Secrecy. Furthermore, we have no definitive proof that he is not a Death Eater."

"Well, why don't you roll up my sleeves and actually check for once, Barty?" Sirius demanded.

"That's enough, Lord Black," Bones said.

"Auror Shacklebolt, do it."

The Auror quickly pulled back both of Sirius's sleeves, revealing bare forearms.

"I move that all charges against Lord Black be dropped except minor breach of the Statute of Secrecy and attempted murder in the first degree of Peter Pettigrew," Lord Smith suggested.

The Lords and Ladies started talking over each other again.

"Madam Bones, Lord Black was employed as a Hitwizard at the time, and as such was authorised-"

"I second Lord Smith's motion-"

"Order! Order!" Amelia Bones silenced the hall.

"I have a second on Lord Smith's motion to drop all charges except minor breach of the Statue of Secrecy and attempted first degree murder. All those in favour…? All those opposed…?"

The motion carried easily.

"Lord Black, would you like to revise your plea at this time?"

Sirius stared at the monocled witch in confusion. That wasn't normal procedure. She must want him to do something. Of course, if he was found innocent, then he could be reinstated, and then she was technically his boss. Maybe she's on my side. But what could he do? He knew a thing or two about Cornelius Fudge, and with the right leverage, it just might work. It would be a small price to pay, all things considered. After all, if he was Lord Black now, he certainly didn't need the money. All he really wanted was to see his godson.

"Madam Bones, that morning, I was overcome by grief at James and Lily's deaths, and I was not thinking clearly. I felt like I was responsible, and I could only think of revenge. I should have seen to Harry instead of going after Peter. Yes, I tried to kill him - Peter, that is - but I certainly wasn't in my right mind when I did it. When he escaped, I lost it entirely. That's why I was laughing in the street, which I assume is why I was just presumed guilty and shipped off to Azkaban without so much as a questioning, which was not just a perversion of justice, but shoddy law enforcement work."

Crouch was glaring at him again, but Fudge was definitely starting to sweat. Good.

"But from what I can tell, that was under the previous administration. I'd really rather put this all behind me and not drag it out, ma'am, so I am willing to plead guilty to a minor breach of the Statute of Secrecy, and I am also willing to waive any right to file criminal or civil charges against the Ministry for denial of rights and wrongful imprisonment in this case - that in exchange for dropping the attempted murder charge."

"I move to accept Lord Black's plea bargain immediately," Lord Smith said at once.

"Seconded," said Madam Longbottom.

"I have a second," Bones said before too much debate could start up.

"All those in favour…?"

The liberals in the Wizengamot gradually raised their wands and lighted them, apparently being persuaded by Sirius's story, though few people seemed to want to be seen as the first. A few moderates did the same, while Malfoy's conservatives remained steadfastly motionless. But gradually, more and more wands were raised until, under the weight of the stares, Cornelius Fudge raised his, and many of the moderates followed, though Barty Crouch conspicuously didn't.

"All opposed…?"

The conservatives and many of the moderates lit their wands. There were plenty of people who weren't happy to see the attempted murder charge go as a political matter, even if they weren't particularly against him personally. It would be a close vote. Sirius held his breath as he waited for the verdict.

"By a vote of thirty-two to twenty-six…" said Bones, "the motion carries."

Sirius smiled as actual cheers erupted from his supporters and from the gallery. Hearing Peter's interrogation must have given him some good allies and unlikely ones - light side ones. It was good to be back, he thought for the first time.

"Lord Sirius Orion Black, you are hereby fined one hundred galleons for a minor breach of the Statute of Secrecy, and all other charges will be struck from your record," said Bones.

"I apologise deeply for the actions of this body twelve years ago. You're free to go, and may I be the first to say, welcome back."

The chains fells away from Sirius's arms, he rose slowly, shakily to his feet, taking in another round of applause. He didn't bother even looking at the rat as he took a few uneasy steps forward. After twelve long years, he was a free man. And he knew he owed it to that young man, Ted Tonks and Madam Bones.

Dumbledore was not happy. The whole incident had a sort of scripted feel to it. Somebody was pulling the strings from the back, and was as good at it as he was. It couldn’t be Madam Bones, she was too straight-forward for this. Ted Tonks and his assistant only came into the picture recently, so were not likely suspects. He would have to put some thought into this. Keeping Sirius apart from Harry was not an option either. Sirius wouldn’t hear of it. He would have to go over his plans again.

Darius could see the gears in Dumbledore’s head spinning from where he sat. The meddling old fool must be plotting something again. But now was not the time to have sad thoughts. It was time to introduce Harry, who was in disguise with the viewing gallery, to his Godfather.