Chapter 14- Revealing the Animagus
Snuffles and Crookshanks kept a close eye upon the terrified squeaking occupant of the cage that was set upon the Headmasters Desk while the teens sat upon soft comfy chairs that Dumbledore had transfigured for them and waited anxiously for the adults to finish their discussion.
"Quit drooling Snuffles, as much as it is very tempting to let you- you are NOT going to harm, torture, mutilate or eat him." Severus snapped when he looked toward the black dog who had poked his nose against the cage with his mouth open and sharp canines showing, which caused the rat to squeak loudly in terror.
Snuffles made an indistinguishable sound which could have been interpreted as a disgusted snort when he backed off sullenly and sat down beside Harry who reached down and ran his hand over the ruffled fur across Snuffles shoulder.
"Well now,I must say- these past few weeks have been most interesting." Dumbldore said as he watched the interactions between the cat, dog and rat. "I have flooed the Ministry to send over Aurors who are experienced with controlling Animagus."
"There are?" Severus asked as he glowered at Snuffles who gave him a most innocent look. "I take it those particular Aurors were on leave at the time of Black's escape."
"Now Severus let it go." Dumbledore said soothingly, "Once they are here we will force the transformation or the rat back into Pettigrew and he will be taken into custody and delivered to Azkaban.
" And with the capture of Pettigrew—My God-fathers innocence will be proven." Harry was delighted and reached over to hug the massive dog who woofed and slurped a very large wet tongue across Harry's face to Snapes disgust.
"And you will be able to live with him once his name is cleared. Isn't that right Headmaster?" " Hermione said quietly as she picked up and gave Crookshanks a well deserved hug and then let him back down to continue his vigil over the caged rat with Snuffles who was quietly staring into the cage with a wolfish grin.
Before Dumbledore could either deny or confirm her question there was a whoosh nearby as one by one, three Aurors stepped out of the fireplace. The Minster of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour had sent Kingsley Shacklebolt along with two others who looked very large grim and foreboding.
"You have an illegal animagus for us to pick up?" Shacklebolt asked casually as he glanced over at the large black dog and Orange cat who were standing guard near the cage containing the terrified rat.
"Yes, we do. I believe that this rat is Peter Pettigrew. The true betrayer of James and Lily Potter." Dumbledore explained as he tapped the top of the cage while the rat was racing around hysterically while gnashing his teeth.
"Pettigrew? I thought we were picking up the scoundrel Black." one of the other Aurors looked confused.
"No not Black... Pettigrew! I have recently discovered that he was the secret keeper not Black as was originally believed." Dumbledore confirmed. "Pettigrew is a rat animagus and after blowing up that street full of muggles he had chopped off his own finger before transforming so as to mislead us into believing him dead."
"Okay then sir, if you don't mind I would like to confirm this new fact by transforming the rat back into Pettigrew." Dumbledore agreed as Shacklebolt then took his wand and immobilized the rat before opening the cage, levitating the stiff form out and placing it within a confinement spell on the floor.
Everybody watched him intently as he forcibly transformed the rat animagus back into human form.
"Incarceous" ropes flew out from the end of his wand and bound the rat faced man who was still immobilized. "Thats just an extra precaution. We don't want the little beast to escape now."
"Peter Pettigrew!" the furious narrow eyed expression on Snapes face as he spat out the name was enough confirmation in Shacklebolts opinion as to the identity of the immobilized wizard.
"Well I guess we need not ask for further confirmation of this ones identity." He said jovially to his fellow Aurors before turning to look at Dumbledore. "We will take him directly to Azkaban and make a report to The Minster of Magic Rufus Scrimgeour who will undoubtedly rescind the order to capture the Animagus Sirius Black."Shacklebolt glanced at the large dog beside Harry Potter, "Though I think he should be made aware that he will have to register his animagus form after his name has been cleared."
"I will make sure he does." Dumbledore answered calmly before the three Aurors took the immobilized animagus with them back through the floo.
Dumbledore then summoned a House Elf and calmly asked it to bring some refreshments for him and his guests. Seconds later platters of food and drink for everyone including Crookshanks and Snuffles was sitting on several nearby tables. Ignoring the deepening scowl on Snapes face he looked over the lemon pies, rice and sponge puddings, bars, squares and poppyseed cakes. Smacking his lips he chose one of the Lemon flavoured delicacies upon which he pored some extra strong lemon sauce that the House Elves knew he adored and said, "We must celebrate this momentous turn of events."
"Thank you sir, But this is a feast that could feed all of us five times over." Hermione said with amazement.
"Not with Ron around it won't. Two times maybe." Harry commented teasing his friend who was piling his plate full of delicacies from the table that had an identical mixture of treats piled high..
"Thanks mate for your vote of confidence." Ron drawled as he picked up a thick slab of chocolate cake with inch thick icing.
Shuddering slightly-Snape picked up a steaming hot cup of coffee and concentrated on stirring it, as he tried to keep from watching Weasley cramming food into his mouth or the Lemon coated crumbs from the extra large square falling into Dumbledores beard. "You do know that here seems to be a situation here at Hogwarts that needs to be addressed."
"I believe you are right Severus." Dumbledore answered once he finished swallowing ."I will most definitely have to strengthen the wards against dark Practitioners. We can't have just anybody being able to come into the school without our knowledge."
"Unless you happen to have hired him." Snape said with a faint sarcastic tone which the Headmaster patently ignored.
"Sorry my boy but I really don't think of you as dark. Misguided as a youth yes but not dark." Dumbledore aid in comforting tones while savouring the aroma of his hot chocolate.
Not happy with the Headmaster talking about his past in front of the three Griffindors, Snape scowled as he glowered at Dumbledore with a Death glare that would have sliced, diced and roasted any other wizard.
"Cough Quirrell Cough"
"That sounds like a nasty cough you got there." Dumbledore 's eyebrow rose questioningly as he looked over at Ron who was coughing into his hand and handed over a handkerchief. "Shall I get Madame Pomfrey for you Mr. Weasley?
"No sir,thank you anyway, I just had a bit of food go down the wrong way." Ron responded quickly as he took the proffered handkerchief and then wiped his mouth before reaching out and snagging a bowl of thick rice pudding.
"Ron, I know your Mum taught you some manners...use them!" Hermione scolded him as she pursed her lips together slightly.
"Sorry Mione.." an abashed Ron apologized and looked at her with sad puppy dog eyes.
"Do eat up my children." the Headmaster encouraged them before Hermione could say anything more. "We don't want any of this excellent food to go to waste!"
Snape closed his eyes and groaned slightly while Hermione sighed and picked up a few treats which she delicately placed on her plate while the two boys tucked into the feast with even more gusto as did the Headmaster who, to the teens delight not only ate with them but also merrily entertained them with some stories about the historical mysteries of Hogwarts that were barely known.
Now that Peter Pettigrew was on his way to Azkaban, Snuffles and Crookshanks agreed with each other that there were more important items at hand to attend to then listening to the discussions between the humans- as far as either of them were concerned. That being eating the specialized treats which the House Elves had caused to appear in front of them.