Chapter Text
Sirius stares numbly at the lawyer sitting across from him.
“I’m sorry,” the woman says, not sounding sorry at all. “There’s nothing more I can do. The evidence is overwhelming.”
Sirius can’t bring himself to feel anything about the fact that he’s about to be locked up for the next twenty-five years. There’s nothing left but numbness.
He’s repeated himself so many times. I’m innocent over and over. I didn’t do it.
And still, not even his state-assigned lawyer believes him.
His gaze drifts down to the metal tabletop. “Can I make a phone call?”
He can feel the woman’s piercing gaze on him. “Fine,” she says at last. “I’ll arrange it.”
Twenty minutes later, Sirius is clutching the phone receiver, waiting for James to pick up.
It goes to voicemail.
“James,” he says, the word coming out on another strained exhale. “It’s Sirius. And- and I’m really sorry, but I don’t think I’m gonna make it home for Christmas.”
Oh, god, he’s not going to go home. Harry’s going to be twenty-six when he gets out of here (if he gets out of here). He’s not going to get to see his godson grow up.
Sirius pauses, leaning his head on the wall, trying to pack down the overwhelming feelings so he doesn’t break down. “So, uh- don’t laugh, but I’ve been arrested for murder. And I didn’t do it but- but they don’t believe me, so- so I’m gonna be in here for a while. Like, twenty-five years, a while.”
The phone beeps, reminding him of how little time he has left.
“Look, I- I’ve gotta go, just- I miss you, mate. And I’ll try to call you again sometime.” He closes his eyes. “Please don’t give up on me.”
~~~
“He doesn’t have any other family to go to.”
Petunia Dursley scowls, glaring at the squirming wailing thing in the car seat the social worker placed in the middle of her clean entryway. “I always knew she’d come to a bad end,” she sniffs.
“You’ll be reimbursed, of course, for keeping him in your home.” The man adjusts his half-moon spectacles. “The exact amount depends on your financial situation, however I’d estimate you’ll receive an average of three hundred pounds per week.”
“Hm.” She presses her lips together. “Not going to be easy with two young children, and me alone here.”
“He could be placed elsewhere…”
Well, the payments do seem generous. And besides, maybe they can do a service. Train the child out of his parents’ odd ways.
“I’ll take him, I suppose.”
~~~
twelve years later
Sirius stares at the papers, struggling to comprehend the words.
It’s been so long.
“This-” He takes a breath, throat aching. “This is real?”
“Yes, Mr. Black.” The lawyer- Murdock, he thinks his name was- is smiling, albeit barely. “Your release is effective immediately, and you’re entitled to reparations-”
“I don’t understand.” He doesn’t mean to interrupt, but he can’t help it. “I- the evidence, they told me- and why are you even bothering? I mean, why me?”
“Your previous attorney was discovered to have been taking bribes to commit legal malpractice.” He gestures. “Your case, among them.”
Sirius… isn’t actually surprised by that. He’d long suspected his parents of having something to do with the whole debacle. Confirmation is… it’s good, he supposes.
“When my firm reviewed your case, we found that your previous attorney had purposely suppressed evidence that would have proved your innocence. Which leads us to this.”
The papers. The release papers.
“It’s been so long,” Sirius says, stupidly.
Murdock nods, expression understanding. “There are some excellent rehabilitation programs. If you’d like, we would be glad to arrange that for you.”
Sirius thinks about the twelve years he spent in that cell, changing until he doesn’t recognize himself. Thinks about the people he left behind in England, his family and friends- his godson, he doesn’t want Harry to meet this husk of his godfather.
He nods, then remembers that the lawyer is blind. “Yes,” he says. “I- I would appreciate that. Thank you.”