A Potter Secret

A Trial?

          Sirius is brought in by two Aurors and chained to a chair. He looks around wearily before seeing Harry and Hermione with a kitten. "Harry? What's going on? Are you alright?" He asks, looking between Harry and the kitten.

Harry nods. "I'm okay," Harry assures as he reaches over and takes the pillow cradling the kitten. "She is why you're here," Harry explains. "This little kitten manages to catch Pettigrew and drag him back by his tail. She got a little hurt but she'll be alright." The kitten looks at Sirius and meows quietly to him. "Would you like to hold her?"

Sirius nods and holds out his arms but it stopped by the chains. "I don't believe the chains are necessary," Amelia says. The Aurors look at her before nodding and unlocking the chains. Sirius rubs his wrists for a moment before taking the pillow and running a gentle hand through the kitten's fur. "Mr. Black, I have just recently been told of a great injustice towards you. Were you or were you not given a trial before your incarceration in Azkaban?"

"I was never given a trial, Madam," Sirius replies.

Amelia nods and sighs. "In that case, if you submit to veritaserum and answer our questions, we shall determine if there is sufficient evidence to charge you. Mr. Potter here claims you'd be more than willing to answer every question I ask."

Sirius nods, quickly. "I would greatly appreciate it," Sirius replies, smiling. "Please."

Severus strolls into the room, holding a small vial. Veritaserum. The Aurors watch as Severus administers the proper dose and Sirius's eyes glaze over. Sirius's hands pause over the kitten and Hermione steps forward, collecting the kitten once more. Amelia questions Sirius thoroughly, making sure to get every detail. They've had to administer more veritaserum four times. Finally her questions come to a close and she continues again with Pettigrew, receiving the same story Sirius told. By the next morning, Amelia is signing the release papers for Sirius Black and making sure that he is compensated for his wrongful imprisonment.

Sirius, for the most part after his questioning, has sat there dazed. They moved him to a couch after he fell off the chair a few times and Harry sat beside him with Isabella. As if on instinct, Sirius reached out and started running his hand through Isabella's fur once more. Carefully, Harry set Isabella in Sirius' lap and watched them both cautiously.

Amelia hands Sirius a copy of the papers making his exoneration official. As she starts to explain, Dumbledore interrupts her. "Perhaps it would be best if you returned this afternoon to speak with Sirius. Five full doses of Veritaserum seem to have taken its toll of him for the time being. It's been a long night."

Amelia watches Sirius for a moment before nodding. "Then I shall be on my way after a quick visit to my niece if you wouldn't mind."

Dumbledore smiles. "But of course." Dumbledore leads her out, closing the door behind him.

Severus kneels before Sirius and does a quick examination of him. "He's been given quite a bit of veritaserum. He needs a good rest but he'll be fine in a few hours."

"We can't bring him around the castle," Hermione reminds. "Everyone still thinks he's a criminal."

Harry stares at Isabella for a moment as they talk. "Isabella can apparate with him," Harry says.

"Not in their conditions," Severus says. "She's injured and he's loopy. One or both of them would be splinched. Mr. Potter, where is your invisibility cloak?" Harry digs into his pocket, pulling it out and handing it to Professor Snape. Severus covers Sirius and himself in the cloak. "Come to my rooms, Isabella will tell you the password."

Harry and Hermione nod and walk out, rushing through the halls to the potion master's quarters. Once there, Harry sets Isabella on the bed and she transforms into her human form. "Ow!" Isabella cries as she lies there. Harry and Hermione try to help her feel comfortable. Severus and Sirius appear after a few minutes and Isabella transfigures a chair into a bed for him in her room. Severus lays Sirius on the bed, using a couple sticking charms to keep him there before spelling half a dreamless sleep into his stomach.

Severus walks over to Isabella with the other half. "Did Pomfrey even look you over?"

Isabella nods. "I asked her to wrap me up, I had to help," Isabella explains, grimacing. Severus begins running his wand of Isabella, healing her injuries in a flash before giving her the other half of the dreamless sleep. "Papa," Isabella mutters.

"It's for the best. You need to rest and recover," Severus replies.

Isabella reaches out and takes Harry's hand, attempting to pull him closer. He crawls in beside her and Isabella curls into him before letting the potion take over.

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Isabella stirs the next morning, looking around her room. She sees Harry first, then Hermione and Sirius. "Harry?" Isabella whispers, trying to wake him up. "Harry!"

He jolts up after a moment before looking at Isabella. "Hey, Izzy," Harry whispers. "How do you feel?"

"Better," she replies. "Let me up, I need to check on Sirius."

Harry nods and rolls out of the way. Isabella runs a quick scan over Sirius before curling back into Harry's side. Snape enters a moment later. "Padfoot's alright," Isabella yawns. "The effects are gone, he's just exhausted. He finally doesn't have to worry about his future. He's free."

Severus steps closer to Isabella and checks her over. "You should rest for the day. I'll give you a couple potions and you'll feel a little woozy for the day, but you'll be fine for tomorrow."

Isabella's brow furrows as she looks up. "What's tomorrow?"

Severus smirks and sets his hand on her head, ruffling her hair. "You'll see." He snaps his fingers and a house elf appears. "Eat your breakfast and take your potions. Mr. Potter, I expect you to stay with Isabella or come get me if you need to leave."

Harry nods and sits up, leaning on the wall beside Isabella. They eat with quiet chatter, talking about their summer to come. After they finish, Isabella quickly takes the potions, not giving herself time to taste them. Harry catches her as she sways, setting her back on the pillows. "Wh-whoa," Isabella mumbles. She blinks owlishly before closing her eyes and sighing. "I can feel it working but my sights kind of going in and out."

Harry moves the hair from her face and puts his hand on hers. "You are going to stay there all day," Harry instructs. "If you need anything, you tell me, alright? Let me take care of my little sister."

Isabella smiles and nods, her eyes still closed. "Can you just talk to me? Tell me about your year. We haven't spent enough time together this year."

Harry lays down beside her and she curls into his side once more. He talks for hours and Isabella jokes about pieces with him. It's almost dinner time when Sirius wakes up. Harry moves to stand beside him, helping Isabella stay on her feet. She's less dazed but still pretty woozy and her stomach is twisting.

Sirius' eyes blink open and he looks around. "Prongslet? Bambi?" Sirius asks. "What's going on?"

Isabella wraps her arms around his neck and hugs him tightly. "You're free, Sirius," Isabella assures. "The papers came this morning to make it official. You are free."

Tears come to Sirius' eyes and he hugs her tightly. "I- I can't believe it," Sirius says. "I don't have to run anymore."

Isabella nods and waves Harry forward and he joins in on the hug. "We're gonna help you, Sirius," Isabella reminds. "You'll be back on your feet in no time."

"Does- Does Moony know?" Sirius asks.

Isabella looks at Harry who pulls back. "You'll be alright for a couple minutes?" Harry asks. Isabella nods and starts talking to Sirius as Harry leaves.

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