The Burrow had settled into its usual quiet hum by the time Harry found himself sitting in the darkened kitchen, long after the rest of the Weasleys had gone to bed. The clock on the wall ticked softly, its many hands pointing to various labels— "Home," "At Work," "In Danger"—but none of them pointed to “Asleep.”

Harry, however, wasn’t thinking much about the clock. His thoughts were swirling like a storm, his mind unwilling to rest. His appetite had vanished after dinner, replaced with the heavy, gnawing worry he couldn’t shake off. The looming trial, the unanswered questions about his parents, Sirius, and Pettigrew—it all felt too big, too confusing to ignore any longer.

He didn’t even realize he wasn’t alone until the faint shuffle of footsteps broke through his thoughts.

"Can’t sleep, Harry?"

Harry glanced up to see Mr. Weasley, his expression soft with understanding, standing in the doorway. The older man made his way over and took a seat across from Harry, the dim light of the Burrow’s enchanted candles flickering faintly between them.

"Sorry, Mr. Weasley. I didn’t mean to—" Harry began, but Arthur shook his head, offering a small smile.

"No need to apologize, Harry. I know there’s a lot on your mind," Arthur said gently. "I figured you might have questions. About the trial... about your parents."

Harry swallowed hard, his throat tight with unspoken words. "I—yeah, I do. Mrs. Weasley didn’t seem to want me to know much."

Arthur’s face grew more serious at the mention of his wife, but he nodded. "Molly means well, but I believe you deserve to know the truth. It’s been hidden from you for too long."

Harry’s heart pounded in his chest, the anticipation almost unbearable. "Please... tell me everything."

Arthur leaned back in his chair, his eyes distant as though he were sifting through memories he hadn’t revisited in years. "It all goes back to the night your parents were murdered, Harry."

Harry felt his body go rigid at the word, the raw ache of loss he rarely spoke of resurfacing all at once. He had heard stories before, of course, about how Voldemort had killed his parents, but there were always pieces missing—things no one seemed willing to explain in full detail.

"That night," Arthur continued, his voice measured, "was the beginning of everything. You already know that Voldemort attacked your family. But what you might not know is how Sirius Black was involved. He was your parents’ closest friend—your godfather

"They said Sirius killed Pettigrew," Harry whispered, his fingers curling tightly around the edge of the table. "And that he was a traitor, working for Voldemort."

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"That’s what everyone believed," Arthur said, his voice heavy with sadness. "The evidence pointed to it. Sirius was caught laughing like a madman in the middle of the wreckage. They said Peter Pettigrew—who was also a close friend of your parents—was trying to stop Sirius from escaping. But then Sirius killed him, leaving only a finger behind."

Harry shivered, the gruesome image flickering through his mind.

Arthur took a seat across from him. "It’s a lot to take in. More than anyone your age should have to deal with."

Harry looked down, the familiar ache of loss tightening in his chest. "I don’t understand why the trial is such a big deal now. Pettigrew was caught, right? But... why is it so important?"

Arthur’s expression grew more serious. "Pettigrew was caught in an illegal Animagus form. He had been living as a rat for years, hiding from everyone. The Ministry reopening the case is a significant development because it challenges the original conviction of Sirius Black. Pettigrew’s actions are directly connected to the false charges against Sirius."

Harry’s brow furrowed. "So... Pettigrew’s being tried for being an illegal Animagus, and that’s why Sirius’s case is being reopened?"

"Exactly," Arthur confirmed. "The Ministry had initially thought that Pettigrew was dead. His reappearance and capture have made the whole case much more complicated. The evidence against Sirius, based on Pettigrew’s supposed death, is now under scrutiny."

Harry nodded slowly, absorbing the information. The realization that Pettigrew’s capture had led to a reevaluation of Sirius’s conviction was both troubling and intriguing. "And... what does this mean for Sirius?"

Arthur’s eyes softened with sympathy. "It means that there’s a chance for Sirius to clear his name. If Pettigrew’s testimony reveals the full truth of what happened, it could exonerate Sirius. But it’s a long process, and we don’t know yet how it will turn out."

Harry sat in silence, his mind racing with the new information. The idea that Sirius’s name might be cleared, that the truth about his parents’ deaths could come out—there was hope in that, but also fear of what might be uncovered.

"Thank you for telling me, Mr. Weasley," Harry said quietly, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.

Arthur placed a comforting hand on Harry’s shoulder. "You deserve to know the truth, Harry. It’s a difficult situation, but you’re not alone in this."

As Harry absorbed the weight of the conversation, the burden of the unknown and the flicker of hope mingled in his heart. He knew that the upcoming trial would bring many answers, and he was determined to face whatever lay ahead with courage and resilience.