Sirius seemed unaware of them at this moment, staring in wonder at the castle,which shone radiantly under the bright bowl of the night sky. Lost in memories of long ago.
" Beautiful, isn't it? I'll never forget the first time I walked through those doors. It'll be nice to do it again. Freely." He turned to Harry. "That was a noble thing you did back there. He doesn't deserve it."
Harry studied Pettigrew briefly, before glancing away, lost in thought. Finally he said, "I don't reckon my father'd want his best friends to become killers for a worthless piece of vermin like Pettigrew. Besides: Dead,the truth dies with him. Alive... you're free."
Sirius studied Harry's profile, greatly moved by his words. "I don't know if you know, Harry, but when you were born, James and Lily made me your guardian..." He paused, unsure how to go on.