MINISTRY OF MAGIC – COURTROOM TEN – EXIT
The doors creak open as Sirius Black, now free of chains, steps out into the Ministry's stone corridor. Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody is at his side, wand in hand, ever alert. Reporters haven't been informed yet—Amelia Bones made sure of that.
Just behind them, Albus Dumbledore rises from his seat, moving as though to speak.
"Sirius…!"
Sirius pauses—but Moody steps between them, his magical eye snapping toward the Headmaster. "Not today, Dumbledore. Black here needs to be taken to safe house before press comes swarming in like mosquito! Excuse us"
Albus stops. His face bears the unmistakable weight of guilt and regret. Alastor is correct, if he keep him and Sirius here, people would surround them, He wouldn't have a chance to properly speak with Sirius. He wants to apologize to the boy who he failed so badly, How couldn't Albus saw it? Of course it's something boys would do and yet he wasn't informed about the changed in exchange keeper. "But... I..."
Moody sees it. He doesn't care. "You left him to rot. Don't pretend you didn't know." It's impossible that Albus didn't try. No, Moody remember it like it's yesterday. Albus didn't even tried to step forward and spoke up for the lad, Sure, At that time, Even he didn't spoke, He was too much in grieve and anger blind him.
He forgot Sirius isn't like that, He would never harm James, His own but all in blood brother. Moody has his own faults, He admits. And he will be damn if he is easily forgiven, He would work hard for the forgiveness.
On top of that, James boy. Moody has years of training, The moment he had saw Albus he almost had his wand draw out and ready to hex the bastard into oblivion. For what he did to the poor lad. Moody wouldn't forgive Albus too easily for what he did.
Never.
Albus says nothing. Moody's disgust is written in the curl of his lip. He turn to Sirius. "Come on, Lad, Don't make me repeat it again!"
Sirius doesn't look back as he follows after moody however he is curious to know what exactly has pissed older man off other than glaring at headmaster? It seems like there is more than that.
And boy, Was he right.
BONES MANOR – NIGHT
A well-warded estate nestled in quiet countryside, glowing softly beneath the stars. A protective enchantment pulses faintly along its borders—layers of magic humming with strength.
Moody and Sirius Apparate to the front, where Amelia Bones waits in robes of deep blue, wand at her side waiting for them. "Welcome, Sirius. This place is secure. Until your name is cleared in the papers, no one will find you here."
"Thank you." His voice fill with grateful but hoarse. "But... Are you sure your family is okay with me staying here...?"
"My niece's away at her friend's, so it's quiet. You'll have space. And it's just her and I. She wouldn't be returning back for a while anyway..."
Moody pats Sirius on the back—just hard enough to rattle his ribs. "You're free, but you're not whole. Not yet. We'll get some Mind Healers in tomorrow. You've had a Dementor buffet on your soul."
Sirius looks down, eyes hollow for a moment. His voice is tight, but clearer. "I want to see Harry. Please. I need to—he must've thought I abandoned him."
Amelia and Moody exchange glance, Well, there is so much to explain to Sirius, Right now, he isn't in strong mind and would probably deny much worse than Moody did, Like it's hard to believe. Who says, James didn't told Sirius about this fact? That his godson has other parent who is also dead but has a half brother?
Yeah, a lot of things to unfold and tell.
"You will. But only after you're cleared, clean, and stable. He's been through hell himself. No point loading more weight on the kid right away." Moody says.
"What... Do you mean?"
"You understand, Sirius. I promise. However right now, You need to heal yourself. Don't wanna scare him with your appearance like this? And let's not forget you need a mind healer... There are something's that needs to stay a secret... We cannot let anyone know..."
Sirius clenches his jaw but nods slowly. "He's all I've got."
"And you're all he's got too. That's why we don't screw this up" Well, he also have more people but they talk about it later.
Amelia walks him inside as wards re-seal behind them.
Inside Bones Manor, the light is warm, the air still. A far cry from the cold stone walls of Azkaban. Sirius takes a breath that isn't tainted with salt or despair—and for the first time in twelve years, it feels real.
REMUS LUPIN'S STUDY – NIGHT
Dim light filters through the window, casting long shadows across bookshelves packed with worn volumes on magical creatures and defensive spells. Remus Lupin sits at his desk, a letter in hand. The soft crackle of the fireplace is the only sound.
This old house belongs to his parents, that was left by them for him.
He reads the official Ministry communiqué, eyes narrowing as he takes in the words: "Sirius Black has been declared innocent of all charges relating to the betrayal of the Potters and the murder of Peter Pettigrew."
Remus exhales slowly, a mixture of disbelief and relief flooding his chest. "Sirius… innocent. After all these years, all the pain… was it all a lie? Or worse—did we let him suffer for a crime he didn't commit? How did I not see it sooner? I was always cautious, always doubted Sirius could be the traitor, but the evidence… the Ministry… even Dumbledore himself seemed convinced. Yet now—"
Remus's fingers clench the paper tighter.
"Sirius spent years in Azkaban, And all because we were wrong. All because we believed the worst, because fear made us blind. No... I was wrong... We were closed... And I didn't even went to visit to ask him... No, I didn't even bother..."
He need to see Sirius. He need to hear from him. And he need to be there for Harry, now more than ever.
Remus folds the letter carefully and sets it down on the desk. His gaze drifts toward a framed photo on the shelf—a younger Sirius, laughing and wild, before the years of imprisonment and heartbreak along side was James, Remus and that blast Rat. That traitor!
A single, quiet resolve settles in Remus's eyes. He is going to hunt down that bloody rat.