Happy Valentines to all – especially singles, like me!
We need to stick together on this day
Summary:
What if Harry ran away from the Dursley's? What if Harry always knew he was magical? What if Harry decided not to go to Hogwarts? What if the wizzarding world thought Harry was dead? What if the founders weren't actually dead? And… What if Harry had known of Dumbledore's manipulations all along?
Disclaimer:
I do not own any of the characters, scenes or rights to Harry Potter. They all belong to J.K Rowling!
Warnings:
There may be some mild cursing. This story is a total AU story. So don't complain about the differences in the story to the original, because it is an AU. You have been warned.
Chapter 4: The Plan Commences
Remus and Harry, along with a bound Pettigrew, appeared in an alley outside of the Visitor's entrance of the Ministry.
Remus took out his wand and changed his appearance slightly, doing the same to Harry, and also adding a charm that will make him older for up to 3 hours. It was not as powerful as the aging potion, but it would have to do.
The duo entered the phone box, and typed in the code: 62442.
'Welcome to the Ministry of Magic, what are your names and what is your business here today?' A cool voice asked them.
'Adam and Jack Tsuki, here to report a disturbing discovery to Madam Bones.' Remus replied, thinking of a couple of names quickly.
The lift started to move as two badges popped out of the phone.
'Please attach your visitors' badges to yourself, and have your wands registered. Thankyou for choosing the Ministry of Magic – have a nice day.' The voice cu off as the lift reached the atrium.
Harry and Remus both had badges on : Adam/Jack Tsuki – Info for Madam Bones
They approached the guard who registered the wands. Remus handed his over, but he had no idea what they were going to say about Harry having no wand.
'Been in use for 21 years?' The guard asked in a bored voice.
'Yes.' Remus replied dutifully.
'Your wand?' The guard asked of Harry.
'It was broken in our fight to restrain this man and bring him in for questioning.' Harry said simply, gesturing to Pettigrew.
The man's eyes widened when he caught sight of Pettigrew, and he gestured for them to enter the lift.
By this time, many others in the Atrium had noticed Pettigrew as well and where shocked and confused at what was going on.
Remus and Harry had a good chuckle in the lifts, wondering how people in the Wizarding World could be so thick.
'Moony?' Harry questioned, when they were travelling in the elevator.
'Hmm?' Remus acknowledged.
'How am I going to go to Hogwarts? I mean, I want to go, because that's where you, Padfoot, mum and dad went, but I don't want DumbleDuck knowing.' Harry questioned, eyebrows furrowed in concentration.
'I actually thought about that Harry,' Remus said with a smile. 'Dumbledore ought to know that you have disappeared from your Aunt's by now, and if not, he will soon – so I thought, that maybe if Padfoot and I blood adopt you, it may change your looks enough for us to pass you of as someone we adopted, wanting to fill the space you left behind, and to our surprise you had magic. Dumbledore loves his pawns so much, he would act like the caring grandfather and accept you in, or, we could all disappear, change all of our appearances and names, and send you to Hogwarts that way. I actually think that one may work better, considering it would mean we can change last names, so Dumbledore won't have any idea.'
Harry looked thoughtful at Remus' suggestion, and agreed to be blood adopted, simply because he wanted to be closer to his 'uncles.'
'I like the sound of the second option better, but I think we should let Padfoot have a say too.' Harry answered as they stepped out of the lift.
They approached Madam Bones' secretary, ignoring all the staring Aurors – even a smirking Nymphadora Tonks, and asked to speak with the head of the DMLE.
'You can go right in, Madam Bones is expecting you. The registry wizard, informed us that you were on your way up.' The secretary said, offering them water or tea as she ushered them into the office.
'Thankyou Sarah, you may go now.' Madam Bones said to her secretary, after she had shown the two to their seats.
Once she had left, Madam Bones turned to the new arrivals in her office, piercing them with a hard stare.
'May I please have the story behind – this?' Madam Bones asked, gesturing to the still stunned Pettigrew, lying on the floor.
'Well basically Madam,' Remus started, 'We were out for lunch in a local restaurant by out home, when we saw this man enter and take a seat beside us.'
'We couldn't believe it Madam,' Harry continued. 'We had both heard the stories and read the papers all those years ago, we believed him to be dead – at the hands of one Sirius Black, but this man fit the picture in the Prophet exactly.' Harry added some wide, disbelieving eyes, to make the story more convincing.
'We thought it was a little strange, especially when we heard the waitress refer to him as Mr. Pettigrew – we took that to mean he may have been there more than once, but obviously we cannot be sure. We wanted to bring him in just in case, but for all we know – this could be a long lost brother of his.' Harry finished – looking thoroughly confused.
'When we asked him to come with us to the Ministry,' Remus picked up again, 'We of course didn't mention magic, just in case, he started panicking, and ran out the door. We followed him, until we came to an alley. He drew his wand, and we noticed one of his hand's had a missing finger. We both drew ours, now determined to bring him in. when I told my brother here, to go and fetch the Aurors, Pettigrew managed to disarm him, and then broke his wand.' Remus looked to Harry, who had flinched when the broken wand came up, putting up the perfect act of a wizard who lost his companion.
'He let his guard down, so I quickly shot a stunning spell, bound him – and we came straight here.' Remus finished, patting Harry on the back in comfort.
Madam Bones listened to their story intently, eyes widening slightly when she heard of the broken wand. She looked over to Pettigrew again, eyes narrowed.
How could something like this happen? How did Pettigrew fake his death so spectacularly? Shouldn't this have been found out in Sirius Black's trial – suddenly her eyes narrowed, and she went to the part of her office that contained copies of all the trials that head ever been held. Coming up empty, Amelia Bones began to feel angry. Did he even get a trial?
Harry and Remus watched Madam Bones shuffle through papers, and watched as she seemed to become more frustrated and angry by the second. They exchanged a glance, and had to hide their grins – their plan was working.
Madam Bones sent off a quick message to Azkaban, telling them that an Auror would be there soon to pick up one Sirius Black. She summoned one of her most trusted – Kingsley Shackelbot, and informed him of the bare details, and he was off immediately, going to retrieve one Sirius Black, and bring him back to Court Room 10. Madam Bones then sent a message to all those needed for a Wizengamot meeting, and told them that it was for an emergency trial.
She then levitated Pettigrew, and gestured for Remus and Harry to follow her.
When they entered the court room, most of those summoned were there. All they were waiting for was Dumbledore – the Chief Warlock and Sirius Black himself.
There were gasps all around as those there saw Pettigrew being strapped into one of the chairs by Madam Bones.
Dumbledore entered as this was happening, and mentally started cursing. Shit – if they were questioning him, Sirius would be freed, and would most likely get custody of Harry, he was going to go see Petunia as soon as this trial was over.
He took his seat and waited for Madam Bones to explain what was going on, but it seemed as if she were still waiting on someone.
His questioned was answered seconds later as the doors of the courtroom were opened again, and Sirius Black came in looking worse for wear, and dangerously thin, guided by an Auror he did not know.
'What now? Am I being Kissed?' he looked around and noticed the assembled crowd.
'Oh, a public Kissing 'eyy? I wouldn't complain if the person I was kissing was just that – a person!" Sirius was ranting as he came into the court room. Despite his appearance, he seemed to be very much sane.
'You are not here to be kissed Mr. Black.' Madam Bones said, gesturing for him to take a seat in the comfortable looking chair she had just conjured.
'Really?' He asked, zeroing in on her, but as he turned to look at her – his eyes landed on Pettigrew, unconscious and strapped into the wooden chair.
'The rat!' Sirius yelled in rage, trying to charge at the man that had caused him so much pain.
'Please, Mr. Black.' Madam Bones approached him, as Kingsley held him back.
'Pettigrew was found by two people who were having lunch, and they brought him here. You and he are here to receive questioning.' Madam Bones told him, relaxing slightly when Sirius stopped struggling against Kingsley's grip.
'What year is it Madam?' Sirius asked in his hoarse voice.
'1991 – July to be exact.' Madam Bones replied, confused at the question.
'So it took you almost ten years to give me a trial?' Sirius asked, causing those gathered to gasp.
'Unfortunately, until this afternoon, I didn't even know that you had not had a trail, which is why I called for this so quickly. Normally it would have taken a few weeks.' Madam Bone replied mournfully.
Sirius looked at her intently, before nodding and sitting in the chair provided.
'What have you called us here for exactly, Amelia?' Dumbledore questioned, raging at the fact that Sirius was out of Azkaban already.
'For an injustice to be fixed.' Madam Bones replied. She gestured to Harry and Remus, who were the only two sitting in the 'audience' area.
'Just under 45 minutes ago, these two men came to me, and had Mr Pettigrew along for the ride…' Madam Bones continued explaining what had happened, including the story as to how Pettigrew was discovered, everyone in the hall winced when it was told that 'Jack' had, had his wand broken.
After the explanation was finished, Dumbledore reluctantly granted for the use of Vertireserum on both Sirius and Pettigrew.
'What is your name?'
'Peter Arthur Pettigrew'
'What colour is your hair?'
Brown
'Are you a Death Eater?'
Yes
'Did Sirius Black betray the Potters to You-Know-Who?'
No
'Who did?'
Me
'Did Sirius Black kill thirteen Muggles on the first of November 1981?'
No
'Who did?'
Me
'What is your name?'
Sirius Orion Black
'Who was your best friend/s?'
James Potter and Remus Lupin
'Are you a Death Eater?'
No
'Do you sympathise with them?'
No
'Did you betray the Potters to You-Know-Who?'
No
'Who did?'
Peter Pettigrew
'Did you kill thirteen Muggles on the first of November 1981?'
No
'Who did?'
Peter Pettigrew
'Did you have a trial before going to Azkaban?'
No
During the simple, short – but seemingly never ending questioning, the crowd had grown more and more horrified. How could an innocent man be sent to Azkaban of all places – especially without a trial?
Dumbledore sighed, realising that Sirius would be set free; he definitely had to get to Petunia's as soon as possible. (Dumbledore doesn't know such things as ASAP.)
'All those in favour of freeing Sirius Orion Black, raise your hand.' The entirety of the Wizengamot raised their hands, and Sirius grinned, glad to be released at last.
'All those in favour of Peter Arthur Pettigrew gaining a life sentence in Azkaban, raise your hands.' No one raised their hands, confusing Dumbledore, until one member stood up.
'I move for Peter Arthur Pettigrew to be sentenced to the Dementor's kiss. We can not be sure if he will escape again or not, and cannot allow him the chance to hurt others.'
Another member stood and seconded the motion.
Dumbledore sighed, realising that he was going to loos a possible spy.
'All those in favour of Peter Arthur Pettigrew to receive the Dementor's kiss, raise your hand.'
Before Dumbledore had even finished the sentence, every hand in the room was raised.
'Peter Arthur Pettigrew is hereby sentenced to the Dementor's kiss.'
Pettigrew was then taken away by a couple of Aurors who had been summoned, crying and pleading for mercy.
'Mr. Black, on behalf of the ministry, I would like to apologize for this injustice, and we will compensate you immediately. 10 million galleons shall be transferred to your vaults, which shall be unfrozen as well. Was there anything else we could do for you?' Minister Fudge questioned.
'Yes,' Sirius stated, looking at the crowd. 'I want custody of my godson – Harry Potter.' Before Dumbledore could even begin his 'blood ward' speech, Minister Fudge had granted him custody, saying it would take a couple of days, but he would soon have Harry in his care.
Dumbledore left after having a brief talk with Sirius, offering him his congratulations on his freedom and his apologies for his unfair imprisonment.
As soon as he got to the Atrium, he apparated to Privet Drive, and walked briskly towards the door of number 4.
A piggy little boy opened the door.
"Hello. May I please speak to Petunia?" he queried.
The pudgy boy nodded, not paying attention, trying to get back to what he was doing before.
A few moments later, a horse faced, giraffe necked woman came to the door, holding a piece of paper.
"Petunia, dear! Wonderful to see you again. I am here to take young Harry off your hands."
"The Freak ran away a while ago, haven't seen hide nor hair of him since. This is all he left,' she shoved the paper in his hand. 'Probably dead - good riddance!" she then slammed the door on his face.
The old man stood there, face frozen in shock.
One thought was running through his mind...
'She slammed the door in my face???!!!'
Sirius approached the two who sat in the audience section of the court. They were both grinning about something, but looked at him curiously as he approached.
'As I understand it, I have you two to thank for finding Pettigrew and getting me free.' Sirius said, smiling at the two.
'Don't worry about it.' One of them said, waving his hand a little.
'Yeah, all you have to do is come with us, so we can get you cleaned up. You want to be clean for your godson, right?' The other questioned.
Sirius grinned, and nodded. He followed them to the Atrium, where his arm was grabbed, and he was apparated away.
Remus, Harry and Sirius had arrived back at Moony's Hideaway not a moment too soon, for as soon as Harry had gained his balance, the aging charm wore off, and he was back to his midget-self.
Sirius blinked stupidly for a moment, mouth gaping. Before he could say anything though, Remus dragged him inside, with Harry pushing him from behind.
Remus cast a scorgify on him, and pushed him on the couch, sitting on the one opposite with Harry next to him.
'Your not really Jack and Adam Tsuki, are you?' Sirius asked suspiciously.
'No' Harry answered honestly. To be honest, even though he was excited to see his godfather again, he was kind of scare as well. He knew that Moony and Padfoot would take care of him – but was it the same way his aunt and uncle took care of him?
Harry…an exasperated sigh came from his mother.
Sorry. Harry sent back, sheepishly. He was trying, but it was going to take time.
We know. His parents replied.
'Then, who are you?' Sirius asked with narrowed eyes, wishing more than anything that he had a wand.
Remus sighed and waved his wand, making Sirius tense, and removed the charms on him and Harry.
'Ok, so you may or may not look like Moony and a mini – JamesXLily.' Sirius said, but as what he actually said sunk in, his eyes widened.
'Moon … Harry?' Sirius questioned, tears in his eyes.
'Heyy Paddy – sorry I didn't believe you.' Remus said, smiling softly. Harry just waved a little.
'Don't worry about it Moons.' Surprising himself and Remus, Harry ran to Sirius and gave him a hug.
'Never – ever leave me again!" Harry shouted at him, hitting his chest.
'Never Prongslet, never ever.' Sirius whispered to him.
An hour later, Sirius had been filled in on everything, and once he calmed down a little after finding out about Harry's abuse, he had Harry's head on his lap, and he was stroking his hair.
'I'm in with plan number 2.' Sirius said. 'We should go to Gringotts and inform them of all of this, and I think we should all get block checks and Harry should get a lineage test.' Sirius said seriously.
'Why?' Harry questioned sleepily, echoing both his parents questions as well.
'With all the power both your parents had, especially Lilz, for all we know, you could be descended from some very powerful people, and you may not be a half-blood after all, which would help our plans immensely.' Sirius replied, looking at his godson lovingly.
'K.' Harry said, drifting off into sleep.
"ALBUS I TOLD YOU! I TOLD YOU NOT TO PUT HIM THERE! HE WAS SO MISERABLE THAT HE RAN AWAY! AND IT IS YOUR ENTIRE FAULT!!! I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR THIS, AND YOU BETTER HOPE HE IS ALIVE!"
One Minerva McGonagall stormed out of the Headmaster's office, slamming the door behind her.
"I hope he is alive too. If he isn't, all my plans go down the drain." Dumbledore sighed.
Fawkes looked down at his companion and trilled a low sad note. He never bonded to this man, as he was assigned by Greater Powers to watch over him, so he was not the familiar to him. Fawkes was hoping that over time, he would forget about the power, and just go back to how he was as a child, before he attended Hogwarts. But unfortunately the power he has been blessed with has gone to his head, and he started to manipulate more and more lives, and is just heading towards the evil more and more each and every day.
Fawkes would have to leave soon, no matter what the Greater Powers said, as he just couldn't survive around him for much longer.
Albus Dumbledore's soul has been damaged beyond repair.
Fawkes let a single tear drop, as he thought about the irreversible damage done to this man, who is admired by the Wizarding world.
But Fawkes did have hope, for the new era was drawing ever closer.
The heir to the Throne of All, was approaching.
A/N: Heyy everyone. I am going to be working on all my stories really diligently now, because I am sick of them not being updated, and it helps me with improving my writing – which my mum thinks is my future – and it kills time I have to spare (cough, school) as well as I am sure you guys would really like them to be updated and I hate disappointing people – even if I haven't met them.
Finished on 2010-02-14
Posted on 2010-02-15