The next morning, the Daily Prophet had the story on the front page.
Peter Pettigrew Alive. Sirius Black Innocent.
A startling development in the search for Sirius Black revealed the existence of one Peter Pettigrew. Pettigrew was thought to be killed the night of Black's arrest, but was found to be in hiding. He was captured while in his illegal animagus form of a rat, while at Hogwarts. His capture was facilitated by the current Defense Against the Dark Arts; Professor Remus Lupin, who recognized him in his animal form. After being questioned under Veritaserum, Pettigrew was found to be a follower of You-Know-Who and the secret keeper of the late James and Lily Potter. Sirius Black is asked to surrender himself to Ministry Aurrors for formal trial to resolve this matter.
Continued on page 3.
Harry's eyes went wide and a huge smile formed on his face as he read the article. He could not believe that Fudge was actually doing the right thing. He spoke to Hermione.
"I can't believe it. Sirius is going to get a trial and be freed." He said with profound happiness.
"I'm sorry I didn't believe you at first. Why did you let Professor Lupin take all the credit?" She asked.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, I would be skeptical to if I were in your place. It was part of the plan to let Remus take the credit. He knew Pettigrew back in school so it made sense." Harry said.
"When did you start calling your professor, Remus?" She teased.
"I've gotten to know him, while he was teaching me the Patronus Charm. He was one of my parents' friends."
"Harry, would you teach me the Patronus Charm?" She asked batting her eyes and caressing his arm.
"I don't know. It takes a really powerful memory to cast one. We may have to make some very happy memories before you try." He said craftily.
"Mmmmmm. You know how I love to do . . . research Mr. Potter." She said seductively.
They were pulled from their playful banter by Ron. He started filling his breakfast plate quickly then spoke to Harry.
"Oi Harry. I can't believe that Scabbers was a Deatheater all this time. Lupin just told me in the hall."
"He had everyone fooled for a long time. I'm just glad he didn't hurt your family." Harry said.
"Yeah. Mum's probably going spare right now. Percy's in a right state as it is." Ron said.
"He shouldn't be so down on himself. Pettigrew duped the Ministry, and he was even given an Order of Merlin First Class. He fabricated his own death to hide his treachery. I'm glad that justice is finally being served." Hermione said.
"I agree with Hermione. I hope he gets what's coming to him." Harry said.
Albus Dumbledore was not having a pleasant day. The article proved that Sirius Black was innocent and would soon be exonerated. With the Potter will unsealed, he knew there would be no chance to stop Black from receiving custody of Harry. He had lost his influence in the Ministry, his actions were being monitored by the Board of Governors and he has lost the trust of Harry Potter. Things were not going well and were about to get worse. Minister Fudge and Director Bones had just arrived in his office. Fudge spoke.
"I see you have seen the morning paper Albus."
"Yes. I must admit this is quite a surprise."
"Really? While we were questioning Pettigrew, we asked who cast the Fidelius Charm on the Potter house. Care to explain yourself." Amelia said venomously.
"Yes. Well. I knew that Peter was the secret keeper but I didn't know he was a Deatheater." Albus said defensively.
"Why didn't you say something sooner? Black was imprisoned for betraying the Potters." Bones spat.
"There was still some doubt as for the Muggles that were killed. It could have been Black, so I decided to, as they say, let it go." Albus said sweetly.
"Let it go, you say. The fact that he was Potter's godfather and rightful guardian had nothing to do with your decision. This is too much of a coincidence. Merlin's Beard Albus, you've made one hell of a mess. If I didn't need you to be here next year, you would be facing ten years in Azkaban for withholding information. What is this obsession with Potter?" Fudge said angrily.
"Cornelius please. I know I have made some mistakes but please believe me when I say, I only have Harry's best interest at heart. He is very important to our world and must be kept safe." Albus said cryptically.
"This obsession will be your undoing, Albus. For now we will do nothing about this, but mark my words, if you interfere with Potter's placement you will be charged." Fudge stated unconditionally.
"I understand. Thank you for telling me in person." Albus said defeated.
As the two visitors left, Albus felt older than he has ever felt. His world was crumbling around him, with no way to stop it. He thought to himself. Why is this happening now? Harry needs to trust me, Black will be a poor influence on him. I know I should have looked in on him myself, but Arabella was watching him. What happened to him this summer? I have no choice but to speak with him directly. I would rather he not learn of his destiny now but I have no other alternative. His safety is more important than his comfort.
Later that day, Sirius 'surrendered' to Remus and was handed over to Amelia Bones personally. She took him to St. Mungo's Hospital for treatment and then to a high security cell inside the Ministry. She took personal charge for his safety, with the article if anything happened to him there would be hell to pay. Harry donated some of his father's old robes to him so he would be more comfortable.
After dinner, Harry, Hermione and Ron were doing their homework in the common room. Ron had actually started studying and had improved. His acceptance in the Dueling Club, as it was now called, had improved his self esteem and spell work. He had come to accept his friends' new relationship, but he still had hopes. He was currently trying to woo Susan Bones but was not getting far. While they were finishing up, Harry received a visit from Professor McGonagall. She told him that they had a meeting with the Headmaster at this moment. He looked at her with worry in his eyes but felt relieved that she was coming along. They made their way to the Headmaster's office and entered. They both politely refused his offer of candy as they took their seats. Albus spoke.
"Well young Harry, I see this has been an interesting year for you."
"Yes sir. I had a feeling this meeting was going to take place sooner or later. I was hoping for later."
"I'm sure you had. I am here to ask you to return to the Dursleys this summer. I'm sure other arrangements could be made some time in August." Albus said in his grand fatherly tone.
"No thank you sir, I am not going back there. Those people hate magic and me because of it. Why was I put there in the first place?" Harry said respectfully but with spite.
"I placed you there because of a certain protection based on your mother's blood; her sacrifice made this possible. No one can harm you while you call it home." He said in his sweet tone.
"But the Dursleys harm me. Aunt Marge harmed me.What protects me from them? It may not be physical harm, but being called worthless or freak every day isn't the best for anyone. Being locked in a cupboard under the stairs or being fed through a cat flap isn't the best either. Are you telling me that the only safe place for me, in the entire world, is with people who hate me? Is that what my mum died for?" Harry said with conviction.
Albus sighed heavily. This was not going well. He knew that Petunia held a grudge against Lily, much like Severus against James, and Harry unfortunately inherited both. He said cautiously. "I know you don't like it there, but they are your family Harry. If you leave now, you my never make amends. If you like, I will talk to them on your behalf."
"If you did talk to them, once behind closed doors, I'll be a target for Vernon's wrath. They are the one's who caused this. I'm tired of being punished just because I didn't die. Why are you so set on me going there? Why can't I have a normal life? Why am I so important that I can't live like other people my age?" Harry stated with respect but some anger in his voice.
"Harry there are more important things than personal comfort. I don't expect you to understand, for you are far too young. The safest place for you is with your family. You are not being punished but you must stay safe. You may go elsewhere in August, I'm sure Molly would love to have you." He said sternly trying to intimidate.
"NO! I will not go back there willingly. Don't you even care? Why are you doing this to me?" Harry said angrily but quickly composed himself.
"I care about you a great deal Harry. I only have your best interests at heart. This is no longer open for debate. You WILL return to your family this summer." Albus said with authority. He released some magic to impress the seriousness of this matter.
After dueling with Master Filius, who doesn't play nicely, Harry was not impressed. He stated flatly. "You don't care about me, you only care about your precious prophecy."
Albus' eyes went wide at this statement. He said quickly. "Minerva will you please leave. We need to have a private discussion."
"Why Albus? I already know about the prophecy. Mr. Potter told me himself. We also know that it was originally given to you before he was born. I'm ashamed at you for putting him through everything you have. Just because he has to face You-Know-Who, doesn't mean he has to stop living. He should enjoy life not just watch it pass by him." Minerva said self-satisfied.
Albus was at a crossroads. If he pushed too hard, he could lose Harry forever. He always felt the best way to handle Harry was the 'out of sight, out of mind' cliche, like his own sister. If he was out in the open, he was vulnerable. He also believed Harry should have a normal childhood but the Dursleys would not provide that. Harry's time there did make him meek and easy to control, but it also made him want more. Albus needed to find some common ground and said.
"Harry I'm truly sorry that you discovered your destiny this early in life. I had hoped to tell you when you were older and could handle the burden. I agree that you should have a normal childhood but at the same time you must stay safe until it is time to face Voldemort. I had hoped that your aunt would have treated you as family should but she did not. I will not force you to return but you do need to take your safety seriously. The wards I placed on your family's home keep them protected as well as you. Since we are clearing the air, as it were, how did you hear of the prophecy?"
"A former Deatheater told me. He took a magical oath to never harm or lie to me. He wanted to make amends for his passed deeds; he overheard several others talking about it. I wouldn't worry about the Dursleys, they wanted to move anyway. Now I know why they couldn't. It was my fault, indirectly. In case you're wondering, this is the reason I've been more studious. I have two questions. Why didn't you encourage me to study harder? I know that my father help finance the first war, Is that why you wanted to control my vault?" Harry said.
"I suppose I should have encouraged you to study more, but I wanted you to have fun as well. I see now that you could have had both. Congratulations on your grades by the way, well done. As far as your vault, I never took anything from you, I just wanted to make sure you did not spend frivolously. I am concerned that you have been spending quite a bit on books and gifts for friends." Albus said.
"No worries. My godfather opened a vault for me. He wanted to return the money my father spent on him when he left home, but my father wouldn't accept it. So he gave it to me to spend freely. I haven't touched my school vault since summer."
"Well that was unexpected. I am willing to help you anyway I can but it seems that you are receiving assistance from others. I am sincerely sorry for what you went through and I hope that we can mend our relationship. I am concerned that you may make some rash decisions because of what you know." Albus said solemnly.
"If you're worried that I'll hold the prophecy against you, don't. I'm not like that. I'll admit I thought about it but I got yelled at because of it. I don't want to be treated like a prince or something, I just want some kind of normal life like everyone else. We both want the same thing, Voldemort gone. I would rather work with you, but I don't want to be controlled by you. I know I'm still young but it doesn't mean I don't understand. I need to make some of my own decisions, because when it comes time to make the big ones, I'll be better prepared." Harry said plainly.
"I'm relieved to here you say that. I didn't want to control you, per say, but I wanted to make things easier on you. I'm sure we will have other conversations like this in the future. Who else knows of the prophecy?" Albus said smiling again.
"Professors McGonagall and Flitwick. I also told Hermione."
"Very well. It's getting late so we will end this here. Good night to you both."
"Good night sir. Good night Albus."
The two Gryffindors left the Headmaster's office and the old Mage sat and pondered the conversation. That was unexpected. I had thought to intimidate him but he held his ground. He seems so calm and controlled, almost like he knows Occlumency. I will have to discuss that with him later. He knew about the prophecy, yet he seems serene and serious at the same time. How do I deal with this Harry Potter? Perhaps this won't be as bad as I thought, at least he is willing to listen but only to a point. He has Lily's brains and stubbornness but is no longer impetuous like James. I wonder why Severus didn't tell me that others knew of the Prophecy? It was much easier when he was still ignorant of all this.
On the way back to the common room Minerva spoke to Harry.
"I'm very impressed with your actions today, Harry. You showed remarkable maturity. Are you sure it was wise to tell Albus about your other vault? Something doesn't seem quite right."
"Thanks Aunt Min, I'm glad you were there. I needed to let him know that I'm not wasting my money. Besides he doesn't know about my 'other' vault." Harry said.
"I'm not sure I understand you correctly. You have three vaults?" Minerva asked.
"Yes. The third one was my grandparents' vault. That's where my library was stored .because it was the oldest Potter vault. It's the largest of the three and that's why I need a financial planner to help me. I want my kids to have the best, not spoil them, but I want them to have every opportunity I never had." Harry stated.
"Thinking of the future already? I see Hermione has had quite and impact on your outlook. I personally look forward to teaching the next generation of Potter."
"That won't be for a quite few years." Harry said playfully.
"I certainly hope not Harry." She said with a small grin.
Albus called for Severus to come to his office. Upon arrival, Albus wasted no time and spoke.
"Severus we have a slight problem, Harry has learned of the prophecy."
"So Potter knows. What does the brat want? His own wing. An army of House Elves at his beck and call. Or does he want me gone. He's as arrogant as his father ever was, and now he'll be worse." Snape said.
"Now. Now Severus. You know Harry is nothing like his father. I know James treated you poorly, but Harry doesn't go looking for trouble. It does, however, seem attracted to him. To answer your question, he has asked for nothing. The problem I am referring to is the fact that a former Deatheater told Harry of the prophecy. Who else knows about this?" Albus said plainly.
"I am aware that Lucius Malfoy knows of the prophecy. I suspect he may have told his sister-in-law Bellatrix. Other than that, I do not know."
"Why did you not tell me sooner?"
"It didn't seem important." Snape said.
"When it comes to Voldemort, everything is important. I am disappointed in you Severus."
"I am sorry Headmaster. It will not happen again." Snape said solemnly.
"Very well. That is all Severus, good night."
"Good night Headmaster."
Albus sat in his office pondering the events that just transpired and came to only one conclusion. Things just went from bad to worse.
Upon entering the common room, Harry was interrogated by his friends about his meeting. He told them it was about his summer plans but gave Hermione a look that said, We'll talk in private.
Later that evening, Harry met Hermione inthe common room. She took her place next to him, snaking her arms around his waist, as he put his arms around her. Snuggling each other had become very important to the young couple. Harry told her everything and she snuggled closer to him. They sat on the sofa for a time, holding each other in comfortable silence. Both knew things were going to get more complicated, but thanked the fates they had each other.
A/N: Sorry for the slow update. I had some Family issues to deal with, then caught the flu. There is a cannon fact that Dumbledore cast a charm on the Potter home. Whether or no it was, the Fidelius Charm does not matter, he knew who the secret keeper was. Did you all catch the reference to Dumbledore's sister? She was hidden away for her own good also.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything about Harry Potter.
