Sirius didn't retreat into the shadows like he usually did. Instead, he grabbed the cold metal bars in front of him, using them to brace himself as he struggled to stand as well. Though he looked gaunt and worn, there was strength in the way he pulled himself up, strength fueled by purpose.
"I want to tear that rat to pieces with my own hands!" Sirius growled. He stepped forward and grabbed Alex by the collar, his voice low and fierce. "Alex, can you get me out of here? If not, I'll find a way out myself. I swear, if I don't kill that bastard, I'll never be able to face James and Lily again!"
Alex blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected Sirius to turn around so quickly, let alone start talking openly about escaping right in front of him. But what truly caught him off guard was how Sirius said it all without even lowering his voice, completely forgetting his own situation.
After a brief pause, Alex chuckled and said, "If that's what you want, I'd be glad to help. Though if you ask me, it's best we do it the legal way." He turned his head toward the empty space beside the cell, adding with a smirk, "Isn't that right, Minister?"
Sirius frowned, confused. "Minister?" he echoed. Then, as if out of nowhere, a figure shimmered into view by the cell door. It was Millicent Bagnold, the Minister of Magic, someone Sirius had only seen a few times, but recognized instantly.
"I have no problem supporting justice," Bagnold said coolly, her eyes narrowing on Sirius. "But let me make one thing clear. If you escape before proving your innocence, I will put out a warrant for your arrest."
"You've been here the whole time?" Sirius asked, still trying to wrap his head around the sudden appearance of the Minister.
But Bagnold's warning didn't shake him. In fact, it only seemed to fuel him more. "I don't care what happens to me," Sirius snapped, voice rising. "I just want to find that filthy rat. Even if the whole world turns against me, I don't care, so long as I can avenge James and Lily."
"What he means," Alex interrupted quickly, trying to smooth things over, "is that he's willing to cooperate with the Ministry's investigation. If he's proven innocent, he'll gladly work with you to capture the fugitive, Peter Pettigrew."
He gave Sirius a side glance, silently pleading for him to go along with it. Clearly, Sirius was still running hot, but at least he was alive again. Passionate. Determined. That was something.
Turning back to Bagnold, Alex spoke more seriously now. "Minister, Sirius wasn't able to say the Potters' address, even though the original Secret-Keeper is supposedly dead. That proves the Fidelius Charm is still active, and Pettigrew is still alive. Isn't that enough to grant Sirius a temporary release, at the very least?"
Bagnold's expression remained unreadable as she considered the question. After a long pause, she finally shook her head. "Not necessarily," she said quietly, though her voice held a certain weight. "It's compelling… but not conclusive."
"Why?" Alex looked at Bagnold in confusion. In his mind, the logic was simple and clear, Sirius couldn't reveal the Potters' address, which meant he wasn't the Secret Keeper. That could only mean Peter was still alive.
"I believe Sirius is innocent," Bagnold said, her tone calm, "but convincing others won't be that easy. You see, for anyone who knew the Potters' address back then, Sirius was supposed to be the Secret Keeper. Since he's alive, people assume he still holds the secret. And because of that, the magic hasn't transferred, which seems normal in their eyes."
"So if we just use the fact that Sirius can't speak the address as proof," she continued, "others could easily say he's faking it, pretending not to reveal it to deceive us."
"I'm willing to undergo a memory examination!" Sirius cut in urgently, his voice raw with emotion. "They won't find the address in my mind. You know how the Fidelius Charm works, it locks the secret so only the true Keeper can reveal it. I was never the one!"
"That might help," Bagnold admitted with a nod. Then she turned to Alex. "But I still need to talk this over with Dumbledore and Amelia. I believe they'll be open to hearing Sirius out. As for convincing the Wizengamot… that's going to take time. We'll need a solid plan."
Alex caught the way Bagnold emphasized the words "take time." It wasn't just about lacking evidence. There were other forces at play here, political ones, no doubt.
"What do you mean 'take time'?" Sirius snapped, stepping forward, eyes blazing with frustration. "I have to rot in here while the man who actually betrayed the Potters is walking free? How do you expect me to stay calm?"
He clenched his fists. "Why not just let me out now? I'll find Peter myself, bring him back! I'm not afraid of Azkaban, I've already lived through worse! But I can't just sit here doing nothing!"
"What do you think this is, Sirius? A place you can come and go as you please?" Bagnold shot him a sharp look.
Alex stepped in, siding with Bagnold. "She's right. If you're released now, it won't look like a second chance, it'll look like you escaped. That makes you a fugitive. You'll be hunted, and good luck catching Peter while dodging the entire Ministry. Besides, it's been years. Do you even know where to start looking? You're not alone in this, Sirius. Getting justice for Lily and James isn't just your burden, it's ours too."
"Then tell me what I'm supposed to do!" Sirius barked, pacing restlessly in the small cell. His voice cracked with frustration, raw and desperate.
"You need to stay put, recover your strength, and wait for us to act," Alex said firmly. He turned to Bagnold again. "Can you make sure Sirius is treated better while he's here? He's already suffered enough, especially with those dementors constantly around."
"I can handle that," Bagnold replied, nodding. "I'll arrange for the dementors to be removed from this section and ask the house-elves to bring him more food."
"Thanks," Alex said before turning back to Sirius, his expression solemn. "Listen to me. Bagnold and I will do everything we can to clear your name. But you need to hold on. Be patient. Let us work through the system."
He took a step closer, his voice low and serious. "And above all, don't try anything reckless. If you try to escape, whether it works or not, it gives them the perfect excuse to brand you guilty. No matter what the truth is, the Ministry will label you a criminal. And then? Then you'll never get the chance to take your revenge."