The weeks leading up to Sirius and Pettigrew's trial were excruciating. Harry's emotions were high strung. As were Hermione's and Remus'. They wanted Sirius to be saved and Pettigrew to be punished, but things didn't always go as planned. The good thing was that Hermione was called in to be a witnesses of the crime. Hermione was held against her will by Pettigrew and that made her able to press charges to make sure Pettigrew was in jail. Harry was allowed to attend on the fact that Sirius was Harry's godfather.
On that certain day, Hermione was sitting in Potions class about to fall asleep. She had been researching all sort of laws and things to help Sirius. Added to that, the time turner was really wearing her out. Adding to those two reasons, Harry was constantly on edge and needing someone to calm his nerves. She knew she was stretching herself too far. Good thing that they were only taking notes that day. She was completely positive that if they were brewing, she would have screwed it up. She needed sleep. Bad!
Hermione slowed her writing and all she could hear was a slight buzzing noise. Snape's voice was completely drowned out and her eyes began to close. Just a second. She could surely just close her eyes for a second. Well, closing her eyes for a second meant passing out for a full five minutes.
She was abruptly awoken by the sound of a book being slapped closed. She jumped up from her stool and it promptly fell over with her on it. The class laughed loudly and she blushed, extremely embarrassed. Snape stood over her looking annoyed. She scrambled up from the floor and stood in front of the Potions Master. He narrowed his eyes at her and said "Last time I checked, Miss Granger, this was a potions classroom. Not your dormitory. So, pray tell why you are here sleeping?"
Hermione swallowed and answered quietly, "I didn't mean to fall asleep, sir."
He sighed and said lowly, "That wasn't what I asked Miss Granger. Are you getting any sleep?"
"Not much to be honest, sir."
"That's what I thought. Now, get out of this classroom before you snooze off again. You're no use tired."
Hermione nodded, not questioning him at all. "Thank you, sir." Hermione put the stool back in it's standing position and packed up her stuff. She was out of the classroom and in the Gryffindor common room in a flash. Hermione didn't even have enough energy to go all the way to her dorm. She just plopped on the couch and passed out.
Harry came in a while later and saw her sleeping on the couch. He didn't wake her. He just grabbed one of the throw blankets and covered her. She snuggled up in the warmth and Harry decided that she really needed the nap. When people began to come in, he would send her to her room. For now, he would make sure she wasn't awoken.
Harry had been worried about her lately. The school year was almost ending, but she was really running herself thin. Even dropping Divination didn't seem to lighten the load any. He was partly to blame as well. She was always there when he needed to talk which was usually late at night. She just needed a break.
When people began flowing into the common room, Harry woke her up and sent her to her dormitory. She didn't fight, just went. Next, he grabbed his notes he took the rest of the day and copied them. He stuffed them in her bag in the order she liked and sat back in his seat. Ron came in eventually and sat next to Harry. Ron asked Harry, "Feel like a game of chess?" Harry looked to his redheaded friend and thought about just how much of a jerk he had been to Ron. Harry would make it up some how. For now, he agreed to the game and the two played chess. Ron won every time.
A week passed and the trial had come. Hermione and Harry were escorted to Dumbledore's office by McGonagall in the early morning and floo'd to the Ministry with Professor Dumbledore. They walked through the shiny halls of the Ministry and rode the wonky elevator ride to the courts. Hermione and Harry were sent to sit on the side while Dumbledore went to his customary spot in the Wizmount seat. He was Supreme Mugwump after all. Minister Fudge sat at the judge's seat and Hermione was elated to see how nervous and twitchy he was. The man better feel guilty for never fixing this sooner.
Fudge cleared his throat and the room settled. He addressed the occupants of the room. "Ladies and Gentlemen. Today will be the trial for Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. First, we bring out Mr Pettigrew to tell his story under the influence of Veritaserum. Bring out the accused!" Pettigrew was brought out in a fit of whining, sniveling and begging. He was eventually chained to the steel chair that sat in the middle of the room.
Fudge addressed Pettigrew, "You are here today on suspicion of being a Death Eater, giving up Lily and James Potter's location which lead them to their demise, as well as killing thirteen muggles. Apply the Veritaserum." The liquid had to be literally shoved down Pettigrew's throat. When he finally swallowed, Fudge asked the questions. "What is your full name?"
Pettigrew answered in a dull tone, "Petter Robert Pettigrew."
"Are you or have ever been a part of the Voldemort's followers?"
"Yes."
"Were you the one to give up the Potter's location?"
"Yes."
"Were you the one that killed the muggles and framed Sirius Black?"
"Y-Yes."
"And did you hide in your illegal Animagus form in the Weasley home for the time that you were missing?"
Pettigrew, now almost balling, "Y-Yes!" The crowd was in outrage. Hermione grabbed Harry's hand and slipped him a small victorious smile.
Fudge cleared his throat and said, "We will need no more evidence. Bring out Sirius Black!" Pettigrew was taken away in tears begging for someone to listen to him. Screaming that he didn't want to get his soul sucked out. Once he was gone, Sirius was calmly taken to the chair and chained in. The Veritaserum was administered and the questions began in the same way. Fudge asked, "What is your full name?"
Sirius answered almost loftily, "Sirius Orion Black."
"Are you or have ever been a Death Eater?"
"No."
"Were you ever the Potter's secret keeper?"
"No."
"Even though you admitted to Murdering Lily and James Potter?"
"I haven't murdered Lily and James."
"Why did you confess then?
"I was delusional and guilty because I was the one that suggested Peter be secret keeper. Hence, blaming myself."
"Why did you suggest Mr. Pettigrew?"
"I believed it to be the ultimate trick. I thought that the Death Eaters would expect me to be secret keeper when infact, it would be Peter."
"Last question. How did you escape Azkaban?"
"By starving myself until I could fit through the bars." That made Hermione tilt her head. Was it that the Veritaserum had worn off or was it that it was technically true? Whichever it was, Sirius was surely to get a pardon. Sirius was sent away and the wizmount discussed their verdict. Harry turned to Hermione and whispered, "How did he get past the question?" Hermione whispered even quieter, "He was technically telling the truth. Just not the details of it." Harry nodded. It sounded genius.
After another ten minutes or so, the two accused were called in. Peter was still a weeping mess and Sirius looked at his old friend in disgust. He was a blubbering mess. If you were going to be convicted of murder, do it with some dignity. Fudge looked to both of them and began, "The court has decided it's verdict." Hermione could feel Harry shaking in nervousness.
Fudge continued, "Peter Pettigrew. You are hereby sentenced to receive the dementor's kiss for being a Death Eater, for murdering thirteen muggles and for three other serious offences." Peter screamed in agony and was dragged away. Only Sirius remained. Calm and ready for his verdict.
"In the case of Sirius Black. You are hereby pardoned from all charges and have the Ministry's sincerest apologies for wrongly imprisoning you." Sirius stood there in shock and Harry and Hermione had to restrain themselves from cheering.
Sirius was lead out of the courtroom to a small room off to the side. Harry was allowed to see him, but Hermione wasn't. To be honest, Hermione was a little pissed. She had done all that studying for a case and it turned out that all that was needed was Veritaserum? She was even pissed that she wasn't allowed to testify. She had been practicing for weeks!
While Hermione was lead back to Hogwarts, Harry had entered the room with his Godfather. First, they hugged each other. Both were joyed at what had happened. Sirius held Harry at arms length and sighed happily. "Thank you, Harry. Thank you so much!"
Harry smiled and told him, "Don't thank me. Hermione's the one that tied you to a chair and threatened you confess. I just helped a bit of planning."
Sirius snorted and replied, "You did enough. Give Hermione a kiss for me ya? Since I'm guessing you haven't yet." Harry blushed scarlet and Sirius laughed.
He ruffled his godson's hair and said, "I'll work on getting custody. I want you out of those god awful people's house."
Harry smiled and Sirius gave his godson one last hug. "I'll be seeing you this summer Harry. Right when you get off the express so I can scare some sense into the Dursley's." Harry smiled excitedly and Dumbledore appeared in the room through the floo to lead Harry back.
When Harry reached Dumbledore's office, he was attacked in a tight hug by Hermione. They hugged and Harry released her. He looked into her chocolate eyes and said, "Thank you."
She just shrugged and told him, "Anytime Harry." They went to the rest of their classes and when it was time for them to go up to bed. Harry looked at Hermione and swiftly kissed her on the cheek. He whispered to her, "From Sirius." He then ran up the stairs blushing a brilliant shade of red. Hermione lightly touched her cheek and smiled softly. Harry had kissed her on the cheek before, but that was different. It was a lot more….intimate? Hermione just blushed a bit and headed up to bed herself. The two went to bed in peace, knowing that Sirius was free and Harry's life would soon get better.