Chapter 52:
Banging the gavel, Madam Bones called for order as Sirius was brought out. He looked bad, worse than Harry remembered, but not as bad as the first time Harry had seen him. His skin was white and shallow, hanging of his skeletal frame. His hair was long and ragged and he had a scruffy beard, which looked almost patchy in places. The striped Azkaban robes hung of his frame and dragged slightly as he was walked to the stand. Harry felt awful for him; however, he had gotten him out as quickly as he could.
"Sirius Black, you are accused of the betrayal of James and Lily Potter to the Dark Lord V-Voldemort, who you assumedly served, resulting in their deaths and the murder of twelve muggles and Peter Pettigrew," Amelia said, slightly wavering in her naming Voldemort. Sirius opened his mouth, but Edgar nudged him and sent him a look which Harry could read from where he sat which clearly said 'shut up'.
Edgar stepped forward. "My client was wrongly imprisoned without a trial, and is innocent of all crimes here accused. He has agreed to be place under veritaserum for the duration of his trial to prove this innocence."
The courtroom broke out in whispers again and Harry saw how Dumbledore stiffened slightly.
"Very well. Bailiffs, please administer the serum," Amelia said. Watching as Sirius took the potion without complaint, Harry was relieved. He knew how hot-headed Pads could be.
"I will ask a few basic questions to ascertain the potion is working correctly. Please state your full name," she asked Sirius.
"Sirius Orion Black," Sirius said, his voice raspy but holding the obvious daze associated with veritaserum.
Madam Bones sighed. "Please provide the defendant with some water," she said.
Sirius looked grateful and took a sip when the glass materialised. "Mr. Black, what is the date of your birth?" she asked.
"3rd of November, 1959," Sirius said, his voice still raspy but much clearer.
"And what is your blood status?" she asked.