Hey everyone,
So apparently I almost had Harry tell the class about his name-change twice. Luckily enough I decided to check up on last chapter and I noticed this little mistake of mine in time. Now like I said in last chapter, this chapter is going to give Harry another chance to prove his worth to the Cooper name and is going to prove just why Carmelita is an Inspector for Interpol and why the ICW recognized her position officially in the HP world.
Let's have fun,

Venquine1990

Chapter 18
The Engineer And The Inspector

25th of November 1994
Charms Classroom
Harry's POV

Tennessee turns to look at the track as Flitwick banishes the whole structure. But then he stops the man as he wants to banish the broken bits of metal that we had shot at. "Just a moment, Professor. As you may or may not know my own boy Otto was a metal engineer and an aircraft mechanic. And like myself and my ancestors before me, I know that my boy taught Harry in his dreams as well. I would like to see Harry use these skills."
Professor Flitwick nods in excitement and so he levitates the three dozen pieces of broken metal over to my table. "What the hell is Potter even supposed to be able to do with that junk?" Ron exclaims, but most of us just ignore him. "Just do your best, Mr. Cooper." Professor Flitwick encourages me and I smile at him gratefully. I look down and I examine each and every piece of metal before me, from their size to their shape and the angle in which they broke.

Slowly but surely I start to envision a potential idea of what I can make out of the scrap metal. And the more I see the vision come together, the more I feel the power within me move over to settle within my hands. I feel them heating up and without knowing how, I am sure that I can use my fingertips to meld together certain bits and that I can also bend other bits certain forms or shapes. And with the whole idea clear in mind, I start to work.
My hands move with the same speed as my Firebolt and while it might look like a blur of motion to others, it again feels like time has slowed down around me. I feel like I am only moving at 5% of the speed that my hands are actually moving with. Thanks to this I can bend, shape and meld each piece into their perfect position and shape. My eyes also move left right, up and down as I work and I am sure that I am really confusing those around me.

Yet I don't care for this as my full focus is on my work in front of me and on the plan I have in mind. One step at a time I can see the plan in my mind taking shape in the form that I am creating with my hands. And finally after about ten minutes, I attach the two pieces that I turned into an old fashioned propeller to the front of my new toy plane. Finally my hands stop moving at incredible speed and instead I raise the plane up with my right.
"Wait what?""What?""How?""How did he –?""But it was just scrap metal.""How is that even possible?""That is just – what?" I try not to snicker at how incredulous and disbelieving most of my classmates sound. Tennessee, Carmelita and Professor Flitwick are grinning at me in pride and I mutter: "Time for a test flight.""Harry, there is no way you could have made a working engine out of that scrap metal."

Hermione objects, but I just use my finger to start the propeller on the front of the plane. I quickly check to see if the metal bar that I build to function as a steering poke is bend just right and then I throw the plane. And to the shock of my best friend and the awe of many of my classmates, the airplane actually flies and makes a turn around the whole room. Yet as I watch it turn, I grimace and I reach out to grab it as it flies past me.
"Hmm, not quite." I mutter and I use my nails to adjust the direction and position of the poke just a bit. I restart the propeller once more and throw the plane a second time. And this time the angle at which the plane flies through the room is much smoother and this makes me smile in pride. And just like a snitch, I easily catch it midflight as it reaches my seat. "Excellently done, Mr. Cooper. Your grandfather will be quite proud."

Professor Flitwick compliments me as Carmelita and Tennessee nod in proud agreement. Then the tiny man grins and says: "Now, back to class. Mr. Potter, because of the mistake made by the staff the other day, I have decided to teach as many students the Fireproof charm that you suggested the other day. If you want you can use your creation as a target to practice the charm on. If it works, you should be able to see a fog-like aura around your creation."
I grin at the man's ingenious idea and happily compliment him over his idea. The man smiles at me and then he guides my sister and ancestor over to his own desk. And while the three head back to the center of the classroom, I turn my focus on my newest task. I pull my wand from my pocket and for a moment I think: "I should have taken the cane I made in honor of Salim with me instead." But I ignore this and pull out my charms' book.
Hermione whispers: "Page 436." From the corner of her mouth before she casts the spell herself. I send her a quick grateful smile and page through the book. I read the aforementioned page and study the text there for a few minutes. I try to envision what the text says and what the Professor told me and thanks to the plane being in front of me, this is quite a bit easier. I smile and feel confident that I get what I need to do. So I get to work.

Half an hour later
Carmelita's POV

All the events of the last 23 hours feel like they might as well have taken a week instead of less than a day. It feels unreal to realize that just the other morning, Bentley and I were wrecking our brains for another way to find Sly while Murray was training. And all that has happened since then feels even more unreal. Even the fact that I am now surrounded by human beings instead of the beings I am used to doesn't quite help to settle that for me.
But the mental presence of my beloved Ringtail helps immensely, especially now that I am in Charms class while he's still in the Hospital Wing. During the period I've had about three mental exchanges with my new husband and while Harry was practicing the spell, I decided to try and practice my skill with the bond. And so I tried to mentally describe what I saw around me as if I was giving a tour to someone beside me.

This is an extremely pleasant experience as I can constantly feel Sly's intrigue and his excitement, yet what sells it for me are the other emotions. Over the last half hour, I did have a few short breaks where I didn't really have much to tell him and every time I had something new to describe, I could feel him growing elated over just hearing my voice in his mind. I also felt his love the entire time through and it felt divine beyond words.
"Yet it's still not the same, is it my gorgeous?" Sly mentally asks me just as there are another few minutes left in the class. I sigh and mentally reply: "No, I want to be with you as much as you want to be with me. But I need to do this. I need to get to work." I feel Sly's pride and it feels like a warm cup of my favorite blend of tea that fills me up from within. "I'm still right here, love. I've got your back, even if I can't physically hold onto it."

I giggle at this and I don't even care that some of the students look at me funny. Then a student next to them whispers: "They're bonded, remember. She must be talking to Cooper's brother over the bond. He must have amused her." Their classmates nod and return to their practice target. I turn to Harry and smile as he has finished practicing the Fireproof spell. As he tells the Professor this, Flitwick decides to test the strength of the spell.
Harry feels a little cautious as he hears Flitwick's idea, but he gives his consent and the look on his face speaks volumes. Even if his spell fails, Harry is determined to just fix his airplane back up again. But Professor Flitwick casts a fire spell and the metal of the toy-airplane remains steady and strong. Harry and Hermione are both very elated about this, but Harry also has a clear look of sheer relief on his own face.

I smile at my little brother and my smile turns into a grin as I feel my pride for him get a boost from my partner in heart and bond. Then I realize that I only have a few minutes left and Flitwick returns to his seat. "Professor, I would like to use these last few minutes of class to do my job, if that's okay with you? You see, I have a few questions for you in regards to one of my cases and a few for some of your students in regards to the other.
Like I said, I consider you witnesses, not suspects. And we of Interpol often consider witnesses to be of more importance than suspects." I know that that's not entirely true as most officers put equal value between both and only a rare few do this. But at the same time I can see a few students perk up as they hear this, their pride obviously triggered. And while I look at the Charms teacher, I think: "Thanks for that one, love."

I feel Sly's love for me and his amusement at the fact that his little scheme works and he tells me: "Just imagine. This is how we will get to work together from now on. Helping each other even when we're apart." I know that the distance is only a few hallways and not thousands of years anymore, yet I really can't help but agree with the raccoon. "I'm sure my students and I would love to be of assistance to you, Inspector Cooper."
This is definitely something that Sly and I share as each time I hear someone address me under my new title, my heart feels like it's about to burst into song with giddy elation. I try to pull myself together and pull my notebook from my pocket. I also quickly move over to Hermione and ask: "Can I have it back?" As I asked her to keep my manila folder while we were watching Tennessee and Harry's show of Cooper power.

The best friend of my little brother – who is actually born a year before me – hands me the folder and I quickly wink at her and Harry. I head back down and return to the seat Professor Flitwick provided for me at the start of the class. "Right, so there are three cases that the ICW asked me to take care of. And all three of them are linked, though I won't really bother with the third as there is no one here who can help me with that case.
However, in the last 24 hours, I have learned quite a lot about this school, its system and a few details about the events of the last three years. And when it comes to the previous year and the year before that, there is something that just – bothers and confuses me. I was hoping you could help me understand this situation, Professor." The smaller man nods and I notice that I have everyone's attention solely on me.

"As you deserve, gorgeous. Though I admit, you even have me curious. What are you trying here?" Sly asks me in my mind and I quickly mentally whisper: "Just wait for it, Ringtail." Before I return my focus to the here and now. "Right, according to what I learned, my little brother in law Harry saved the school for the Chamber of Secrets in his Second and through that from being closed. Is that correct?" Professor Flitwick grimaces, yet he nods.
I nod back and ignore Ron scoffing. Tennessee glares at the lad shortly but then he turns back to me. "Right, so here's my conundrum. You know that Harry is, in all aspects that matter, strong enough to go up against a mythical monster and beat it – but you won't tell him about his own past? Instead you, pardon my language, blather about it to a complete stranger in the middle of a busy pub? I'm sorry, but I fail to see the logic there.
Why would you not trust the boy who saved your job with the truth about how he became an orphan? Why didn't you just gather those that cared for the boy together and set up a course to help him get closure with this? And most importantly, why did you talk about it publicly if you wanted to keep it secret? Why didn't you check for privacy spells before you started to discuss it?" By now the man is quite red in the face.

"Before I answer – and I do feel pretty stupid about it all now that you put it like that – I would like to know how you know about this, Inspector? As far as I know, Mr. Potter was not allowed in Hogsmeade last year." I roll my eyes and answer: "No, but his friends were." And I easily just motion for Hermione, who guiltily waves and says: "We were behind the Christmas tree." Flitwick groans and buries his face in his hands.
I decide to take solace with the man and say: "To be honest, sir, I really don't blame you for this as much as I blame Professor McGonagall. She was, after all, his Head of House, so the fault really lies with her on this one. I just figured that as Head of Ravenclaw you would have a logical answer to all this. Plus, it kind of transitions nicely into one of the two cases I wanted to discuss." The man looks up and he asks:

"But what could you possibly want with the case of Sirius Black? I mean, other than to help the Ministry catch that murderous bastard." I grimace at this and think: "That whole event seems way more ingrained in their beliefs than the years that James Potter and Sirius Black were friends." Yet Sly easily encourages me and says: "Nothing you can't fix, am I right Carmelita my love?" I feel his words lift my spirits and then an idea strikes me.
"Allow me to explain this, Professor. My reason for wanting to take on the case is actually pretty similar to my desire to ask you the questions I previously did. I found inconsistencies with the story and felt the need to investigate." The man looks intrigued and I shrug as I say: "I am well aware that Harry was only an infant at the time, but it seems that you and the staff did an excellent job describing the previous war to him.

He explained that to my partner and me and then explained me the story as he heard it himself. But according to him, the war made people wary of everyone. Even siblings were cautious with what info they shared with each other if Harry's tales were to be believed. So if everyone was so beyond cautious, why did the Potters let everyone know who their Secret Keeper was? And why make their son's godfather their Secret Keeper?
It might just be the case back in my world, but I can't imagine any parent wanting to risk their kid's future like that. I mean, unless I'm wrong a godfather is just another term for a child's safety net in case something happens to the parents. So why risk that safety net?" A lot of the students around me are now whispering with each other and their curiosity is clear to all. Yet Flitwick doesn't seem convinced, just saddened.

"Unfortunately the Potters really did trust Sirius Black above all others, Inspector. They proved that again and again ever since 1976 when the boy ran away from home and moved in with them for about a year or so." This intrigues me and I quickly note it down in my notebook before I say: "That might be the case, Professor. But I'd like to believe that I know one fact that contradicts that theory. And that throws this whole case on its head."
The man looks curiously at me and I simply state five words: "James Potter – was a Prankster." Silence rings through the classroom for a few minutes and I notice that Harry, Hermione and Tennessee are all grinning at me excitedly. I grin back at them and say: "Not just that, we also recently found out that he was a Cooper. A trickster. So what if that loud exclamation that endangered everything James Potter wanted to protect –?"
I leave the sentence hanging, yet Professor Flitwick's wide eyes already prove that he is catching up with what I'm saying. And yet it's a student that continues and the young man that sits on Harry's other side mutters: "Was a trick to divide attention away from the real Secret Keeper. That's a prank that would serve to keep the whole family safe, including the Secret Keeper himself. But that would mean that Black was never the Secret Keeper."

I point my finger at him and ask: "Exactly. So who was?" And again silence reigns for a minute or so. I hear a school bell ring somewhere in the distance and a few students want to get out of their seats. "Stay here, everyone. I'll write you a note that will explain to your next teacher why you're late. Please remain seated while we help Inspector Fox solve her case." Professor Flitwick tells everyone. Hermione looks conflicted as she and two other girls return to their seats.
I thank the professor with a quick look and the man mutters: "Who was the Secret Keeper? Who betrayed the Potters and – framed Black. Wait –." I grin at the man as I feel quite impressed with how fast his mind works and catches up with him. I nod and say: "Exactly. Now, the two might not sound like they're related, but hear me out. Why did Sirius Black, twelve years after that fated night, attack the Fat Lady?

What did he hope to achieve with that? What could have been in Gryffindor Tower the one night every student is in the Great Hall for the Feast? Yes, I know some might think that he wanted to lay in ambush, but there are three factors that prove this not to be the case. Tennessee, if you would explain these, please?" The cowboy nods and everyone turns to him. To my personal amusement I notice a few girls look at him dreamily.
"At least I never went that far." I mentally giggle and I try not to laugh as I can feel Sly's despair course through me. "Don't remind me, love. Please, just don't. Not while I'm not able to hold you close and reassure myself." I try not to laugh at how my beloved almost sounds like he's whining and just focus on the room around me. "Right, so problem #1. Azkaban would have made Sirius way too emotionally fidgety for him to sit still long enough.
Problem #2, which might be unrelated to Problem #1 or connected. The journey from Azkaban to Hogwarts probably physically tired Sirius out enough that he'd have moments of falling asleep on the spot. No self-respecting thief or criminal would dare to take that risk. And speaking of risks. Problem #3. There was absolutely no way that Sirius could guarantee that Harry would be the first to return to Gryffindor tower after the feast.

And I know some of you might say he killed twelve Muggles. But to this I argue, those Muggles were killed, because they never saw the attack coming. If Black has to take on the whole of Gryffindor House, he would only have the element of surprise for so long. That's not something a person who is smart enough to escape Azkaban would willingly think of doing. No, Sirius had a different reason and target that made him go up there that night."
By now the students are silent with awe and wonder. And the look of dawning comprehension of Flitwick's face makes me feel pretty confident I can get this done. Yet then the man starts to look confused and he mutters: "But – wait, the only thing up there was the property of the Gryffindor students. Their books, their cloths and their pets." I nod at the man and say: "Indeed, and you just answered your own question, Professor.
Allow me to give you one hint to explain this conundrum. And please keep James Potter in mind as you try to solve this." The man nods and I happily count down the two worded hint on my fingers as I say: "Remus – Lupin." Instantly sounds of confusion are everywhere as the students turn to look at each other in confusion. "Wait, what?""Huh?""What does that werewolf have to do with all this?" One of them asks.

And just that question seems to give Flitwick the answer. His eyes widen and his whole face shows his comprehension and his shock as he mutters: "James Potter was a Transfigurations expert. He – he, Sirius Black and – and Peter Pettigrew – were Animagus. Animagus are not in danger of werewolves when transformed. That's how Black remained sane. And how Pettigrew survived the attack. He caused it himself and then – cut off his finger."
The students are gaping at their teacher, except for Harry who is grinning like a loon in excitement. I grin in pride at the Charms teacher and pull the picture from my manila folder. I lay it down on his desk and say: "Exactly. And this is an issue of the newspaper that Fudge took with him to Azkaban during his annual visit. And the pet you see here on this picture, Professor –." Yet the man interrupts me before I can finish.
"Is missing a finger. The same one that was found on the site where Black got arrested. Merlin's beard, after he got this newspaper, Black was heard muttering he's at Hogwarts. He never meant your little brother, Inspector. He meant Peter Pettigrew. The same Peter Pettigrew who he entrusted his friends' safety with. The same Pettigrew who betrayed him and got his brother killed. The same one who framed him for the whole thing."

I know, I know.
I'm horrible. But by cutting the whole thing off here,
Kidding,

Venquine1990

Shocked silence fills the room around me and Flitwick slumps down in his seat behind him. "It – it all fits. Black escaping after the Weasleys got into the newspaper. Black attacking the Fat Lady the one night every student was in the Great Hall. Him attempting to attack Ron Weasley the night of that one Quidditch match –." At this Tennessee clears his throat and says: "I would like to add a little something to that last fact.
Sirius Black spent twelve years in one of the darkest corners of this world. I think it's safe to say that his eyes developed themselves over the years. And this combined with the fact that Little Coon remembers that there were a few window curtains left open that night and that the moon was shining into the room that same night –." Flitwick wants to finish the unfinished sentence, but Tennessee holds up a finger and looks around.

And it's again the same boy as before who speaks up. "Black had perfectly acceptable vision of where was going. He was able to see the beds, the trunks and the initials that were on each. He didn't accidentally mix up Harry's bed with Ron's, he really did attack Ron's on purpose because he thought he could finally get Pettigrew if he did that." Tennessee and I nod and then Harry stands up. We all turn to him and he speaks out:
"Before we continue I just want to make one thing perfectly clear. I just want to remind everyone that Peter Pettigrew was able to trick even Albus Dumbledore during a time where everyone was suspicious of everyone and even trusting your own neighbor was a bad idea. If he can do that, if he was that good – what chance did the Weasleys stand when he decided to trick them into believing him a pet of theirs?"

This time even I am shocked at what I am hearing, but Tennessee whispers: "I don't think he's covering for the little rat behind us. I think it's more likely that he's trying to ensure that the rest of the family doesn't get slack over this. That older brother did stand up for Harry the other day, after all. Twice, even, remember?" I nod at the cowboy's logic and then mentally think: "That sure sounds like something you would do, love."
And instantly I feel Sly's elation filling me, which feels like bubbles that pop and tickle me from within. I try not to giggle at this and Flitwick nods as he says: "A very astute point, Mr. Cooper. And very much something your mother would be very proud of to hear you say. She too stood up for anyone who needed or deserved it, even if they themselves didn't always see it that way. And Inspector Cooper, thank you.
You opened my eyes and helped me to realize that I have been letting the events of that one night affect how I think about the eleven years that came before it. I now realize that this was wrong and that I should have looked at it the other way around. I should have never doubted the way I saw Sirius treat James for all those years. I should have remembered and believed in the bond the two of them shared." I smile and nod at the man.

I then pull up my notepad again and ask: "Which brings me to the most important part of my job. I already have a few testimonies and quotes that can help me prove exactly what you just said. That Sirius Black cared too much for the Potters to betray them. But if you have any other quotes or witness statements that can help with this, I would appreciate it." The man grimaces and leans back in his seat behind his desk.
"I'm going to be genuinely honest with you, Inspector. As much as it pains me, I was always closer with Lily than with James or Sirius. And what hurts even more to admit is that I let that relation water down after young Mrs. Potter graduated. I was still at her wedding, but – other than in battle and during one reunion, we hardly met." I nod at the man and silently tell him with just my gaze that I don't hold this against him.

"Perhaps something that was said or done during either the wedding or the reunion?" I ask the man and he leans back as he mutters: "Well, Sirius was James' best man and he did hold that one speech, but – unfortunately I wasn't able to be present for that. I had family issues on the other side of the country. I was only able to present for the ceremony, unfortunately. However, the reunion did take place about a month before Mr. Potter's birthday.
And – wait a minute. It's true that the Potters used the Fidelius Charm about a week before they were betrayed, but they were already trying different methods of hiding themselves the whole time after Mr. Cooper was born. It just failed several times over and they attended that reunion to get some new ideas on how to hide and protect themselves. And for most of the reunion, they were talking with other intelligent graduates, discussing ideas.

And the whole time they did this, Sirius was holding and tending to Harry. And even though he hid it well, he constantly held Harry in such a way he could gain easy access to his wand, which he would do if he felt like someone untoward was getting too close to him and his godson. He was protective to the point that it actually bothered a few of the other alumni. And in the end, because they agreed with Sirius' methods, the Potters left early."
The man's voice is full of disbelief and realization as he talks and it's obvious that he feels like a fool for forgetting about this. Yet I really don't agree with this sentiment as I am just grateful for the man and happily write down everything he tells me. "Thank you Professor. You say this reunion was a month before Harry's birthday?" I quickly verify and the man nods as he says: "Yes, late June. Four months before they were killed."

"That's definitely close enough. An event as significant as that will definitely help me prove Sirius' innocence. Thank you Professor. I won't hold your students up any longer. Their help in my other case can wait." The man nods and he quickly starts to scribble a couple dozen notes. He waves his wand and each note floats over to the desks around us. "Alright, off with you, all of you. And unless Inspector Cooper is around, not a word on this.
We don't want the wrong crowd to hear of this and attempt something that might hinder the investigations. If you want to discuss this, please check to see if you can't be overheard by anyone. And I mean even the portraits. That might sound overly precautious, but I would still recommend it. Now off to your next class, all of you." Professor Flitwick warns his students before he shoos them off. Yet as they leave, the same boy asks Harry:

"Harry, Ron's been betraying you and backstabbing you since your name came out of the Goblet. He is acting in the exact same way Pettigrew behaved to your father all those years ago. Why did you defend him just now?" A lot of the students that are heading out also look at Harry. The boy himself has a stone-like expression on his face and he confirms Tennessee's earlier words. "I didn't do it for Ron. I did it for his family.
The Weasleys don't deserve to have their name dragged through the mud more than Malfoy already tries to on the daily. They are as much a victim of Pettigrew and his trickery as my father and I don't feel like giving people a chance to say otherwise. And you're right, Neville. Ron did betray me. But that's why I've turned my back on him this time. I don't need him anymore, but I don't feel like letting his mistakes hurt his family."
Ron wants to speak up at this, yet he is almost on the other side of the large group of students that is walking behind Harry. And a lot of them nod in understanding and awe, while others seem to purposely make sure that Ron can't push his way past them to get to Harry. I send these students a grateful smile and then I follow Harry off to his next class. And I feel like silently thanking him as he whispers: "I've got a single hour History and then lunch."

Nice one, Harry.
Also I wonder if some of you have noticed the little change in my writing style. I've tried to put more descriptive text between each time someone says something. I can't guarantee that I will be able to keep this up or that it will always be like this. Sometimes, as you saw, there are a lot of students all giving nigh-similar reactions to something. Sometimes I write about an argument. And sometimes I write twin-talk between Fred and George.
That speaks for itself,

Venquine1990