The dementor attack had left all the residents of Abbott Manor feeling very uneasy. While the only people who had successfully accessed Abbott Manor since Heather had brought the Yellow Quartet to Abbott Manor had been people Heather had given permission to do so, the dementor attack left them feeling more vulnerable in their bubble than they had before.

The day after the attack, Amelia dropped in.

"I need to talk to Sirius, " said Amelia clearly, "It doesn't have to be in private, but I need to talk to him about a few things."

"Okay, " chorused Harry, Amy, Susan, Hannah, and Heather.

"Sirius, as I saw you transform into a dog on Halloween, I now know that you are an unregistered animagus. You won't get into any trouble for it, but it is my wish that you register your animagus form with the Ministry after your name is cleared just so that we have a record of your being an animagus and what your form is."

"Amelia, if you wish for me to register my animagus form, then I will do so. But, may I offer an argument as to why I think it is better if I don't register?"

"Sure, " smiled Amelia.

"My thinking is this, " said Sirius calmly, "If Voldemort ever does rise again, or if we end up involved in a wizarding war of some kind, be it because of some dark wizard or whatever, I believe my dog animagus could be a value disguise for our side."

Amelia sat back and thought for a minute.

"Sirius, " said Amelia slowly when she finally spoke up, "You are absolutely right. Heck, there could various situations and circumstances in which having an unknown animagus on our side could come in handy. I'll have to point the finger at myself here, since it didn't even occur to me that having an unregistered animagus on our side could actually be useful. "

"You know what you did do though, Amelia?" said Sirius gratefully, "You listened. Not everyone would have had the open mindedness or the humility to listen to my ideas the way you did. I know you by reputation and know you to be far, but my respect for you just went up tenfold."

"That's why the Ministry is so corrupt, " said Amelia fretfully, "There are too many arrogant people at the Ministry like Barty Crouch and Cornelius Fudge who always they're right about everything and are too arrogant to listen to opposing views."

"All too true, " sighed Heather.

"Sirius, " continued Amelia, "The good news I have found a time slot to schedule your trial on Monday morning. I'd like to give you some advice about how you present yourself at the trial."

"I'm listening, " replied Sirius.

"It's going to be particularly important that you present yourself in a calm and professorial manner in order to gain the trust of the Wizengamot. The impression you make on them matters. Stick to the facts, don't lose your temper, don't yell or cuss, and don't display or announce any desires for personal vendettas." explained Amelia, "You may feel the urge to go on a rant against Pettigrew or Dumbledore. Do not. Stay on topic, answer the questions s they are asked of you, and be calm."

"That all makes sense, " said Sirius matter of factly, "What time on Monday morning is my trial?"

"Nine, " said Amelia, "Also, after your name is successfully cleared, you will be allowed to adopt children if you can pass a sanity test. That might not seem relevant at this time but could become a time down the road when it could be very relevant."

"Anything else?" Sirius asked Amelia.

"Even after you are cleared, I want you to stay at Abbott Manor, " explained Amelia clearly, "There will be people who still believe in your guilt for awhile, so it wouldn't be safe for you to go into public or seek out a house of your own. Please remain here unless and until I tell you it's okay for you to leave."

"As long as Harry continues to live here, then so will I even if you do give me that permission, " promised Sirius, "I've got to stick by godson and the continued company of my favorite albino girl is a big plus. If I'm in the company of my godson and my favorite albino girl, why should I want to leave?"

Harry and Amy both grinned at Sirius.

"Well, " said Amelia with a hint of smirk, "Before James and Lily died, you had a reputation. Not as a bad person per se, but as an irresponsible guy who lived life on the edge."

"That was then, this is now, " said Sirius clearly, "All the same, I'll make the Unbreakable Vow with you to never leave Abbott Manor without your permission."

"NO!" said Amelia firmly, "I won't insult your integrity by asking you for an Unbreakable Vow. I do trust you to keep your word. But do give that promise."

"I, Sirius Black, do herby promise Amelia Bones not to leave Abbott Manor without her permission unless and until she says its safe for me to do so, " said Sirius in a crisp and clear voice.

"Thank you, Sirius, " said Amelia kindly, "I think things are looking up for you, Sirius."