The dog that was Sirius Black sat on his haunches, howling at the window of his cell, just as he did every day. He canine thoughts raced incessantly. Harry was dead. James was dead. Lily was dead. Sirius was stuck in this miserable hellhole. Peter had betrayed them all. Harry was dead. James was dead. Lily was dead. Sirius was stuck in this miserable hellhole. Peter had betrayed them all. Harry wad dead. James was dead. Lily...
The dark cloud of the Dementors lifted a bit, and the dog stopped howling. He heard footsteps outside the door of his cell and transformed. The door swung open, revealing an Auror. "Come with me Mr. Black," the Auror commanded. Sirius followed him meekly through the winding corridors of the prison until they finally came out in a brightly lit waiting room, where another Auror was standing alongside an elderly witch that Sirius had not seen in many years. "Aunt Cassie?" he said in confusion. "What are you doing here?" The witch said nothing, but the second Auror stepped forward and unrolled a scroll. "Sirius Orion Black," he read. "At ten-thirty this morning the Wizengamot voted on procedural grounds to clear you of all charges and order your immediate release from Azkaban. All your rights are hereby restored. The ministry of Magic will deposit fifty thousand Galleons in your Gringotts vault, with their apologies on the condition that you sign a waiver promising never to bring a lawsuit against the Ministry of any past or present Ministry officials over this matter. Do you agree to the waiver?"
Sirius was stunned. He thought he must be dreaming. "Do you agree to the waiver?" the Auror repeated. Sirius nodded dumbly, and signed the parchment the Auror held out to him. His hand shook terribly. "On behalf of the Ministry of Magic," the Auror continued, "allow me to express our sincerest apologies for the mistakes made in your mistake and incarceration, and to wich you all the best in your future endeavors." "Congratulations, Sirius," Aunt Cassie said, and motioned Sirius to go with her. They stepped into another room with a single large fireplace and Flood directly to the Ministry. At the other end a couple of Aurors asked for their papers. Aunt Cassie handed over a roll of parchment, and the Aurors let them leave. Aunt Cassie led Sirius to a discreet fireplace that was used only for the departure of released convicts, and they Flooed to a familiar flat. It was the flat Sirius had inherited from Uncle Alphard and shared with James after they finished Hogwarts.
"Welcome home, Sirius," Aunt Cassie said, and Sirius broke down in tears. The old witch showed him little sympathy. "For Merlin's sake, calm yourself, Sirius." He continued to weep. Cassiopeia rolled her eyes. "There's no time for this, Sirius. You have your godson to think of, after all," "Harry's dead," Sirius said bitterly. "No, he isn't," Aunt Cassie replied crisply. Sirius stopped crying and looked at her hopefully. "He isn't? Where is he? What happened?" Aunt Cassie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Harry Potter is well for the time being. If you value his life, you must listen carefully to me and do exactly as I say." Sirius looked at he great-aunt firmly in the eyes. "I'm listening."