Chapter 53:
After a few moments, the seats refocused and Amelia retook her chair. Harry sensed eyes on him and looked up. Lucius inclined his head towards Harry slightly before he refocused on Amelia. Harry was pleased and intrigued by the new dynamic in his relationship with the Malfoys.
"Mr. Black, we, the members of the Wizengamot, do hereby find you not guilty of all the charges laid against you. You will be immediately released from Azkaban prison and are also to be given two million galleons in compensation. Any medical treatment you also require will be covered by the ministry for the gross injustice you have faced. I know nothing can be done to recover the time you have lost, but the ministry will do its best to compensate you in any way we can," Madam Bones said. "There will also be a trial for Peter Pettigrew, who is now in ministry holding cells, which you are invited to attend to ensure that justice is done correctly this time."
Harry watched as Sirius sagged in relief. "Thank you," he whispered.
Harry and Remus shared a relieved look and stood when the court was adjourned. Instead of going back out the way they came though, they went down to where Sirius was standing with Dodge and Madam Bones. Dumbledore was also there, but he was off to the side, most likely trying to gain some composure.
"Mr. Black, might I introduce the young man who attained me for you and brought to light the injustice of your sentence," Mr. Dodge said, moving so that Sirius and Amelia would see him approach.
"Harry?" Sirius whispered, shocked at the boys appearance and his involvement.
Hearing Harry's name, Dumbledore turned sharply and Harry saw his face tighten and eyes grow hard. Dumbledore moved quickly, jumping in front of Harry with surprising amount of agility for a man of his advanced years.
"Harry, my dear boy, what are you doing here?" he asked, full of grandfatherly concern.
Harry narrowed his eyes and barely stopped them from rolling. "As Mr. Dodge said, I hired him for my godfather. I would not have missed the trial for anything."