A/N: And here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Godzilla. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 42: A Sirius Discussion
A few days later, the Daily Prophet arrived with the headline that comfirmed the suspicions Harry had had earlier this year.
Peter Pettigrew Arrested!
In a shocking turn of events, one Peter Pettigrew was found alive. It was discovered that he had been masquerading as the pet of an unnamed Hogwarts student. Upon questioning, and under the effects of Veritaserum, Pettigrew revealed he had been the Potter family's Secret Keeper, having switched with Sirius Black on the suggestion of Albus Dumbledore. Additional checks of records revealed that Lord Black was never actually convicted of any crime, and his record stated he was still 'pending trial'. In an act of good faith, Minister Cornelius Fudge has rescinded the 'Kiss on Sight' order for Lord Black, and ordered the recall of all Dementors to Azkaban Island. Additionally Minister Fudge has issued a full pardon for Mr. Black for his escape from Azkaban, and requests he turn himself in to properly clear his name.
Harry smiled seeing this, he knew something fishy was going on. Across the table Ron Weasley looked dour, having been questioned (as had the rest of his family) about his now former pet. Though whether it was the loss of Scabbers or the questioning that bothered him more Harry didn't know. The Weasleys weren't in any trouble, as none had suspected Scabbers to be anything but a strangely long lived rat.
Meanwhile, at the head table Dumbledore was quietly seething. Due to a dumb luck chance encounter, Pettigrew had been caught. Now dealing with Lupin would be that more difficult! Somehow, Potter had been in the right place at the right time, and managed to get Lupin and McGonagall to put the pieces together. Well, there were plenty of other plans, and once he was able to properly test his new spell, all the world would be in his debt!
Remus looked at Dumbledore, and examined him closer than ever before. The more he considered the events he knew of involving Dumbledore, the more he realized the man had been playing the long game. While Dumbledore had allowed him to attend Hogwarts, and had the Shrieking Shack built for him, the Headmaster had also left the ward open enough for any student to slip in and potentially get attacked… like what almost happened to Snape. As well, Albus became obsessed with that prophecy, despite the fact that everyone knew that prophecies are often extremely vague and only hold power so long as enough people believe in them. It was almost like he wanted this particular prophecy to come true. As well, putting Harry with Petunia when there were far more capable caretakers, such as the Tonks or the Bones families on the Wizarding side of things seemed bizarre. Why would Dumbledore place Harry with someone he would have known was strongly anti-magic? Did he want him weak, easily controlled? Well, now that would never happen, Harry was something that could destroy Dumbledore with a single claw if he so desired. However, Dumbledore still had great political power, and could destroy everything he cared about with a single vote, and turn the world against Harry and his… fellow kaiju. His wolf growled, sensing the old bearded one was a threat to his pack, but one the alpha-pack-cub would deal with in his own time. Before that, they needed to find the laughing-dog-pack.
A couple of day later, Remus checked the Marauder's Map, and spotted what he was looking for: S. Black just vanished under the Whomping Willow. He headed out, making sure he wasn't being followed, and ducked into the secret passage under the tree. He moved through the passage, and emerged in the Shrieking Shack. A growling caught his attention, and he turned to see a large black dog.
"Hello Padfoot," said Remus calmly, "I've been looking for you. We need to talk".
The dog suddenly transformed, and a disheveled black haired man stood in its place, a desperate look in his eyes.
"Moony, please listen!" pleaded Sirius, "I'm innocent, Wormtail's alive!"
"I know Sirius," said Remus.
"He's hiding with the Weasley boy!" said Sirius, "wait, what did you say?"
"I said, 'I know Sirius'," repeated Remus, "We've already caught him. Haven't you seen the Prophet?"
"No," said Sirius, "what happened?"
Remus just rolled his eyes, and handed the newspaper over. Sirius began reading, hope returning to his eyes.
"This… this is great!" shouted Sirius, "I'll need to head to the Ministry! What about Harry? I haven't seen him since this summer!"
"...And when exactly did you see Harry?" questioned Remus, a teasing note in his voice.
"I… may have tracked his scent to Potter Manor," said Sirius, "I don't think he recognized me".
"Well of course not," said Remus, "the last time you saw him he was an infant, no one can remember properly at that age. Anyway, you should get yourself to the ministry, I need to get back to the castle, don't want to leave the class waiting".
"Class… you're teaching?" said Sirius, "huh, suits you. You always were the studious one".
"Well, I guess you should know," said Remus, holding up the map "someone's taken up our Legacy".
Sirius just grinned, saluted his friend, and hurried off.
About a week after this, Sirius finally got the trial he deserved 12 years ago, and was cleared of all charges (though he did have to register his Animagus form). After that, he was placed in St. Mungo's for treatment for long term Dementor exposure.
Around Christmas, he was determined to be well enough for visitors. Remus and Minerva went to visit him, with Harry in tow. When Harry saw him, he recalled that hazy image from his dreams: the laughing man.
"Mr. Black," said McGonagall.
"Minnie?" said Sirius, "it's good to see you".
"Mr. Black… what you did was foolish, reckless, and nearly permanently ruined your life," chided McGonagall, "but given the circumstances, it is understandable that you would act as such in a moment of grief. I hope your recovery goes well, and that you will be able to fulfill your role as Mr. Potter's godfather properly this time".
McGonagall said her piece to her former student, and the let Remus and Harry have their privacy.
"You must be Sirius," said Harry.
"Harry… I," said Sirius, "I'm sorry".
"For what? Trying to catch that rat who tricked you all?" said Harry.
"For not being there," said Sirius, "I'm supposed be your Godfather, and Merlin knows, I've not been doing a very good job".
"Hardly your fault for getting stabbed in the back by two of the people you trusted most," said Harry.
"Two people? Well, Peter was one," said Sirius, "who was the other?"
"Think, Sirius," said Remus, "who convinced you to swap for Peter?"
"Dumbledore," said Sirius, then he realized what they were getting at, "wait you mean…"
"Unfortunately, it seems like it might be the case," said Remus, "The more I think on it, the more suspicious his motives become. I realized that throughout the last wizarding war, we were at a stalemate, if not losing ground. Then suddenly Dumbledore became enamored by that prophecy. Look where that got us, the Potters killed, the Longbottoms tortured into madness, and you in prison without a trial. I think… we might need to find a different side".
"Whose side?" asked Sirius.
"I'll tell you more details later," said Remus, "but I assure you, we'd be choosing a side which has our well being, and that of the world as a whole in mind… we'd be choosing Harry's side".
Harry stepped closer, and leaned close to Sirius.
"What do you know about the kaiju?" whispered Harry.
Sirius' eyes went wide, remembering stories he heard about monsters the size of skyscrapers. Didn't the Muggles make some movies about them? Why did Harry mention them… and why did Harry's eyes shift to something distinctly non-human for a moment? Harry pressed something into his arms, and Sirius glanced down to see a book: The book was titled 'Daikaiju: a study on Earth's greatest protectors (Revised edition). On the inside of the cover, there was an image of a massive blue dragon, gently holding a person on its outstretched paw.
"What?" muttered Sirius, "why do I need this?"
"Just some light reading to keep you busy while you recover. In any case, you'll find out next summer," said Harry slyly, "Trust me, it will be worth the wait".
A/N: And there we go! Next time, A Meeting in the Chamber. See you then!