A/N: Right, here is the next part. Yay! I don't have much to say except that
the idea for Sirius's hearing came to me in a dream. I was kind of half asleep
and it just came to me. Well, Fudge's part anyway. Anywho, I made a
mistake, lets say that instead of the hearing being the next day, let's have
it be the day the term ends. It would be great if I could have your
agreement on this little thing because it doesn't make sense to have all that
happen in their first two days of school. The majority of the last part
happens in the second day, the part where they're going to dinner happens
let's say, right after Halloween. And Sirius tells them that the hearing is on
the final day of the term. Thanks! Don't forget to review at the end!!!
I Knew I loved him Then: Part 4: Chapters 14 - 17
Chapter 14
The morning of the hearing, Harry, Ron and Hermione skipped
breakfast to go to the library to see if they could find any additional
information that would help Sirius.
"Harry, Mimi," said Ron from between shelves. He poked his head out
to look at them. "I think I found something useful." Harry and Hermione
followed him back through the bookshelves. Ron had found something
Hermione had failed to spot, even through her many sessions in the library.
In a corner that Hermione had never been to before were stacks and stacks
of Daily Prophets.
"Wow," said Hermione, going over to see the papers. "There must be
every Daily Prophet ever made here. Well, we'd better get going. We've got
Charms in an hour." They looked through the papers that were from when
Sirius first escaped and when he was first imprisoned.
An hour later, Harry, Hermione and Ron had enough evidence, that
along with the letter from Pettigrew, would probably clear Sirius's name, and
if it didn't then Fudge was dumber than they had all thought.
"Hey guys," said Ron. "Listen to this, 'Sirius Black, now famed
supporter of You-Know-Who, was the Potter's Secret Keeper. Earlier today,
he was cornered by a valiant and brave Peter Pettigrew, former friend to
the mad man and shouted for all to hear, "Lily and James, Sirius, how could
you?" There was a huge explosion, and when the dust cleared there were
shreds of robes everywhere and a finger, the only remnant of the late Peter
Pettigrew. Peter Pettigrew shall receive an Order of Merlin, First class but
this reporter doubts that it will be enough compensation to the distressed
Pettigrew family. The only survivors in a five meter radius to Black were the
rats that hurriedly scurried to the sewer.' Peter was with them, here Harry,
add this to the pile." Harry glanced at it quickly and stopped dead still.
Hermione hadn't a clue what was going on, but Ron suddenly went pale.
Hermione crawled over to where Harry was sitting on the floor and looked at
the front page.
She gasped. On the front page was a picture of Harry and his parents
when he was first born. Under the picture, the caption read: 'The Potters
happily celebrate the birth of their first born son, Harry, who a little over a
year after his first birthday was the downfall of the Dark Lord.'
"Oh Harry," Hermione said. "Harry." That was all she could say. She
put her arms around his neck, but he just sat there, looking at the picture,
mesmerized.
"Guys, we'd better get to Charms," said Harry in a choked voice. He
gathered up the papers. "We'll be late." He got up, stuffed the newspapers
in his bag and walked hurriedly to the exit of the library.
"Ron," said Hermione. She gathered up her bag and ran after him.
"I didn't mean to," said Ron after her.
"I know," said Hermione. "But you did."
Chapter 15
"Harry!" Hermione shouted after Harry. "Harry, wait!" Harry stopped
and turned around his face white as a sheet.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"Let's skive (A/N: sp?) off Charms," said Hermione. "Walk with me."
Harry stared at her as though she'd gone mad.
"I've created a monster," he muttered to himself. Hermione scowled.
"You have not," she pouted. "Let's go for a walk." Hermione grabbed
Harry's arm and dragged him out into the bright sunshine. It was unusually
warm for September.
"You wanted to talk?" asked Harry.
"Yes," said Hermione. "Ron didn't realize that you and your parents
were on the front page. Wow."
"What?" asked Harry.
"I got the weirdest flashback to last year," Hermione said. "You were
mad at Ron because he didn't believe that you hadn't put your name into the
Goblet of Fire. Anyway, He really didn't mean to, and he feels awful about
it." Harry reached into his bag and pulled out the paper.
"Look at us Hermione," said Harry, his voice strained as though he
were trying not to cry. "We look so happy." He reached up and quickly
rubbed his eyes.
"That's because you were," said Hermione. "Harry, it's okay."
"No," said Harry. "It's not. Everyone goes, 'Oh look, it's Harry Potter.
So famous and brave. The poor thing, without any parents.' No one actually
realizes what it's like not to have parents. I have this constant ache where
I'm all alone. You wouldn't understand Mimi." Harry walked away, wiping
tears from his eyes, trying not to let Hermione see. Hermione was left
standing alone in the warm sunshine.
"I realize better than you think," said Hermione, and she followed
Harry back into the castle.
Chapter 16
Right before lunch, Harry, Ron and Hermione met with the band of
people that were going to Hogsmeade for the hearing (A/N: This is really
weird. Okay, the idea for Sirius's little hearing/trial came to me in a dream.
I know that sounds corny, but it's true. I was sort of half asleep this
morning and I saw Cornelius Fudge sitting at a bar counter, oh, well, you have
to keep reading for the rest…). Included were Professor Dumbledore, Cat,
Professor Lupin, Professor Custos, Sirius (in dog form), Harry, Ron and
Hermione. When they told Professor Dumbledore what they had found, he
beamed down at them.
"Well, well, well," he said. "What the reporter took as a poetic end to
an article will actually help to clear Sirius. Brilliant."
"Professor Dumbledore?" asked Hermione. "How will this be done?"
"I'm not exactly sure," said Professor Dumbledore. "In our defense,
we'll be giving Sirius the same Veriteserum that we gave Bartemius Crouch
last year. I don't know what the Minister will be doing, but he seems to
believe that Voldemort is back now. He knows that Sirius would be a strong
man to have on our side, so maybe he'll do something to help." The hearing
was going to take place at the Three Broomsticks. Madame Rosmerta had
been willing to give the use of her bar for the day, in addition to the fact
that Fudge was paying her.
"Alright," said Professor Dumbledore. "Four to a carriage. Come on, we
don't want to be late." Harry, Ron and Hermione found themselves in a
carriage with Professor Dumbledore.
"Poor Professor Custos," said Ron. "Imagine being in a carriage with
Professor Lupin, Sirius and Cat. If what they did at school is true, I feel
sorry for her."
"Well Mr. Weasley," said Professor Dumbledore with a smile. "She
taught them for seven years, I think she should be able to handle them. If
I'm not mistaken, Professor Custos will be making mayhem along with them.
She used to get them out of trouble a lot, she said they brought out the
child in her. One never knows."
When we reached the Three Broomsticks, Cornelius Fudge was getting
out of his carriage.
"Good," he said. "We'll be ready to start as soon as we get set up."
Behind Fudge came a small, fat man carrying a large suitcase.
"Wonder what's in the suitcase," said Hermione to Ron and Harry.
"Harry, do you have the papers?"
"Yeah," said Harry.
"Are you okay?" asked Hermione.
"Yeah," said Harry. "I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Just wondering," Hermione replied. Harry and Hermione followed Ron
into the Three Broomsticks. There, the little man, who they soon learned
was named Mr. Smith, was setting up the contents of his suitcase at the bar
counter. Fudge was sitting at a stool, straightening a circular blue cloth with
silver stars. The cloth had a hole in the middle, Hermione didn't know what
for. Sirius transformed and the hearing was ready to start. Mr. Smith sat on
a stool, facing Fudge and took out a deck of cards.
"Here," said Mr. Smith. "Shuffle these twelve times. Then give them
here." Sirius took the cards with an expression of mild confusion, and
shuffled the cards with the expertise of a Casino dealer.
"He was the Gryffindor poker champion," whispered Cat to Hermione.
"He even beat Lily, and that's saying something. She taught him how." She
laughed and Hermione smiled weakly. "What's the matter with you?"
"Harry, Ron and I were looking through newspapers to help clear
Sirius and we came across something that would help, but it had a picture of
Harry and his parents to go with the article. He saw it and freaked out. I'm
just worried about him," explained Hermione.
"You're just like Lily," said Cat, thoughtfully. "Except without the
green eyes, red hair and temper to match."
Mr. Smith dealt out the cards in a strange formation. Hermione
realized that they were Tarot cards.
"Right," said Mr. Smith. "This side is what would have happened if Mr.
Black had been the Potter's Secret Keeper," he indicated one side of the
dealing, "and this side says what would of happened if he hadn't been the
Potter's Secret Keeper, as he claims." Mr. Smith slowly turned over the
cards for what would of happened if Sirius had been the Potter's Secret
Keeper. "Mr. Potter, you might not want to hear this."
"I do," said Harry. "I want to know."
"Well," said Mr. Smith uneasily. "The cards say that the Potter's would be
alive now. Voldemort would still be on the loose, stronger than ever. He would
have killed all of their closest friends: Miss Buckley, Mr. Lupin, and Ms.
Cutos included." He turned over the cards that said if Sirius hadn't been the
Potter's Secret Keeper. "This is odd. It says that you, Harry, and your
father would be dead, but your mother would be alive. Mr. Black would never
have gone to prison, and Mr. Pettigrew would have. But, I don't mean to be
frank, Mr. Potter your mother is, well, dead. This isn't right, something is
wrong with the cards."
"I can field that one," said Sirius. "Lily died to save Harry's life. It
was something no one had counted on, not even Voldemort himself."
"See, even the cards would pick that up. Something must be wrong.
Well, there is the evidence that says Mr. Pettigrew would have gone to jail,"
said Mr. Smith.
"Well, Dumbledore," said Fudge. "What's your defense?"
"There are three stages to our defense. First, Mr. Potter, Miss
Granger and Mr. Weasley have prepared a bit of evidence. Second will be
Victoria Custos, she was there when the Fidelus Charm was performed
because I couldn't go. Third, we will give some Veriteserum, the very same
we used on Bartemius Crouch last year, and questioning him. This is the
strongest truth serum we have, it was used on a very powerful Death Eater
that might have rejected a weaker one. There is no way Sirius could reject
this," explained Professor Dumbledore. "Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Mr.
Weasley, the floor is yours." Harry, Ron and Hermione stood up. Harry took
the newspapers out of his bag.
"These are all articles from when Sirius was first put in Azkaban and
from when he escaped," explained Hermione. "Also, there is the article about
the Weasley's winning that lottery a few years back. There was a picture of
Ron with Scabbers, also known as Peter Pettigrew, on his shoulder." Harry
and Hermione passed out copies of the picture of Ron and his family in
Egypt.
"As you can see if you look closely enough," said Ron. "There is a toe
missing on his front paw. What was the biggest piece of Pettigrew they
found and sent home in a box to his mother? A finger. There is a toe on this
rats front paw missing." Harry and Ron passed out another article.
"If you look at the bottom of this article," said Hermione. "You sill see
that the last line is: ' The only survivors in a five meter radius to Black were
the rats that hurriedly scurried to the sewer.' Peter Pettigrew was an
unregistered Animagus. His animal was a rat. He, Sirius and Harry's dad
were all unregistered Animagi. Sirius is a dog, Peter is a rat and Harry's dad
was a stag. I won't get into that know though. What the reporter took as a
poetic ending to an article, is true. The only survivors around Sirius were
rats. I can tell you exactly what happened. Sirius went to hunt down Peter
for killing Lily and James. He cornered Peter. Peter was too quick for him.
He shouted for all to hear, 'Lily and James, Sirius, how could you?' and blew
out the street behind him. He cut off his finger and slipped down into the
sewer with the other rats. Now tell me, in light of this new evidence, that
this doesn't make sense?"
"Miss Granger," said Fudge. "You'd make a good lawyer, but we need
more evidence. Yes, it does sound very convincing, but I need to know for
sure. I need to give the press reason enough that, one, Peter is still alive,
and that, two, I wasn't just bullied into saying that he's innocent. I need
hard, cold facts."
"Mr. Fudge," said Harry. "This may take care of that one." Harry
handed Fudge the letter Peter had sent to Dumbledore. "This is a letter
that Wormtail, that's Peter, sent to Professor Dumbledore. We know it's his
handwriting because Dumbledore himself did charms and spells to see if it
was the same to some writing he did in school. It hasn't changed a bit. Feel
free to do some more charms if you want to, but I don't think you'll be able
to find anything he didn't already. Also, take a look at this," Harry reached
into his bag and pulled out a leather bound book. "It's on the fourth page.
It's a picture of my parents on their wedding day. Sirius is there, too. Does
that look like someone who would try to hurt the people he's standing next
to. Look in his eyes. I've looked at the picture a thousand times. I don't see
it."
"Harry," said Sirius, speaking for the first time in his own hearing. "I
never knew you had that picture. Where'd you get it from?"
"Hagrid made me this in my first year," explained Harry. Fudge was
examining the photo.
"I don't think this qualifies as evidence, but it's a nice picture,
Harry," said Fudge. "Ms. Custos, what do you have? You three can sit down."
Now that Hermione thought about it, they hadn't given that much evidence.
"I was there when the Fidelus Charm was performed. It took weeks of
preparation. A potion had to be brewed, that took two months. James and
Pettigrew had to drink it and wait two weeks. I was standing guard as
Pettigrew and James clasped hands and muttered the incantation. Both went
away satisfied, James that he was safe and Peter that he could give
Voldemort something he wanted," explained Professor Custos. "Sirius would
never have betrayed Lily and James. I taught then when they were at school.
Believe me, I knew them much better than any other teacher. I was the only
one who knew all of what they did while they were here, and I know that
Sirius would never, ever, betray them. With Cat and Remus as my witnesses,
didn't I know everything you guys did? Would Sirius betray James and Lily?"
"Are you kidding me?" asked Cat.
"Yeah," said Remus. "You didn't know half of what we did." Cat hit him
very hard on the head.
"What my dear buddy Remus meant to say was that of course Sirius
would never betray James and Lily, right?" she asked with gritted teeth.
"With my new knowledge that you hit harder than Lily, yes, that's
what I meant," said Remus. "Have you ever hit me before?"
"No, I thought you were too nice," said Cat. "I only hit Sirius and
sometimes James. I actually hit Peter a few times. No regrets there."
Dumbledore cleared his throat loudly and stopped their trip down memory
lane.
"For our final presentation, Sirius has agreed to take Veritaserum,"
he said. "It is very important that everyone remain quiet while he is
speaking. Sirius, are you sure you want to do this?"
"Positive," said Sirius. He gulped and took the vial. "No asking rude
questions, now." He took the vial and drank it.
"Sirius," said Professor Dumbledore. "Can you hear me?"
"Yes," said Sirius in a monotonous voice.
"Were you the Potter's Secret Keeper?" asked Professor
Dumbledore.
"No," replied Sirius.
"Who was?" (A/N: This will just be a conversation between Sirius and
Dumbledore until further notice. Yes, believe it or not, the Tarot card thing
came in a dream. Weird, huh? Don't forget to review at the end!!)
"Peter Pettigrew."
"Who's idea was it?"
"Mine."
"Why did you switch places?"
"I thought it would be the perfect bluff. I was strong and Peter was
weak. I was sure Voldemort would come after me and not Peter. James
wasn't sure, but I convinced him in the end."
"Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"Spies."
"Can you elaborate?"
"Yes."
"Elaborate on what you mean by 'Spies.'"
"James knew there were spies everywhere. When he agreed, he told
me not to tell anyone."
"Why not? Not even Dumbledore?"
"No, because Dumbledore was sure to tell the rest of the league that
we were switching and we knew there was a spy among the league. We just
didn't know who."
"Thank you. Minister? Would you like to question him?"
"No thank you, Dumbledore," said Fudge. "This is enough. I'll need you
to send him over to the Ministry to sign some papers. I'll see him when the
effects of the Veritaserum wear off. Good day all."
Chapter 17
Harry, Hermione, Ron and Dumbledore got into one carriage and
Professor Lupin, Cat, Sirius (in human form), and Professor Custos got into
another carriage.
"So," said Ron. "Professor Dumbledore. What do we do now?"
"Stuff ourselves silly at a wonderful feast," said Dumbledore. "I have
been working hard for two years to either find Peter or clear Sirius and it's
happened. He's a free man."
The carriages stopped outside the front door and Harry, Hermione
and Ron jumped out and ran over to Sirius. The effects of the Veritaserum
had worn off by now and he was perfectly himself. Sirius's face lit up as he
saw Harry bounding toward him.
"Did they tell you in there?" asked Harry.
"Yeah," said Sirius. "I'm free. I can't believe it. For fourteen years,
people thought I was an evil person who committed a heinous crime. I'm
free. Harry, you have no idea how happy I am right now."
"Not as happy as I am," said Harry. "I get to leave the wretched
Dursley's I could sing!"
"Don't," said Ron quickly.
"I just thought of something," said Hermione, a smile playing on her
lips. "What will Squeaky say when he hears that Sirius is free?"
"Squeaky?" asked Sirius, as Ron and Harry cracked up.
"More formally called Squeaky Ferret. You'll see," said Hermione. "He
should be coming up for lunch by now." Sirius, Ron, Harry and Hermione
walked into the Entrance Hall. Everyone stopped talking when Sirius entered
the hall. A few people started pulling out their wands. Harry spotted Malfoy,
and dragged him over to introduce him to Sirius for everyone in the
Entrance Hall to hear.
"Sirius," said Harry. "This is my arch enemy, Squeaky Ferret. Squeaky
Ferret, this is my godfather, Sirius Black. You know, the one who 'murdered'
thirteen innocent people?" Sirius knew he was joking, but most of the hall
didn't, so more people pulled out their wands.
"Harry," said Sirius. "You flatter me. Only twelve people, the rat got
away remember?" Sirius caught sight of Malfoy. "Are you Squeaky Ferret
Malfoy? I went to school with your father. We didn't call him Sqeaky
Ferret, we called him D. E., for," he dropped his voice to a whisper, "Death
Eater," he raised his voice to normal again, "but I like Squeaky Ferret
better." Dumbledore came in at that moment, and saw that most people had
their wands out.
"Everyone into the Great Hall, I have an announcement to make," he
said. Everyone was filing into the Great Hall. As soon as everyone was
seated, Dumbledore stood up. "I have some very exciting and happy news for
all of you. Sirius Black, who was framed for the murder of the Potters and
thirteen innocent people, has been cleared. He was found not guilty by the
Minister of Magic and will be joining the rest of the teachers here in
teaching you defense against Voldemort. He is innocent. Anyone who wants
the full story, ask later because now, we have a feast in celebration." With
his words, the usual regular tableware was pushed to the ends of the table
by all the food that the tables were laden with (A/N: does that make sense?
I hope so. Oh well). Harry grinned at Hermione and she smiled back.
"Sorry I blew up at you," said Harry. "But I just get so fed up with
people who pity me."
"No offence, but I don't pity you," said Hermione. "Come here," and
Hermione kissed him.
the idea for Sirius's hearing came to me in a dream. I was kind of half asleep
and it just came to me. Well, Fudge's part anyway. Anywho, I made a
mistake, lets say that instead of the hearing being the next day, let's have
it be the day the term ends. It would be great if I could have your
agreement on this little thing because it doesn't make sense to have all that
happen in their first two days of school. The majority of the last part
happens in the second day, the part where they're going to dinner happens
let's say, right after Halloween. And Sirius tells them that the hearing is on
the final day of the term. Thanks! Don't forget to review at the end!!!
I Knew I loved him Then: Part 4: Chapters 14 - 17
Chapter 14
The morning of the hearing, Harry, Ron and Hermione skipped
breakfast to go to the library to see if they could find any additional
information that would help Sirius.
"Harry, Mimi," said Ron from between shelves. He poked his head out
to look at them. "I think I found something useful." Harry and Hermione
followed him back through the bookshelves. Ron had found something
Hermione had failed to spot, even through her many sessions in the library.
In a corner that Hermione had never been to before were stacks and stacks
of Daily Prophets.
"Wow," said Hermione, going over to see the papers. "There must be
every Daily Prophet ever made here. Well, we'd better get going. We've got
Charms in an hour." They looked through the papers that were from when
Sirius first escaped and when he was first imprisoned.
An hour later, Harry, Hermione and Ron had enough evidence, that
along with the letter from Pettigrew, would probably clear Sirius's name, and
if it didn't then Fudge was dumber than they had all thought.
"Hey guys," said Ron. "Listen to this, 'Sirius Black, now famed
supporter of You-Know-Who, was the Potter's Secret Keeper. Earlier today,
he was cornered by a valiant and brave Peter Pettigrew, former friend to
the mad man and shouted for all to hear, "Lily and James, Sirius, how could
you?" There was a huge explosion, and when the dust cleared there were
shreds of robes everywhere and a finger, the only remnant of the late Peter
Pettigrew. Peter Pettigrew shall receive an Order of Merlin, First class but
this reporter doubts that it will be enough compensation to the distressed
Pettigrew family. The only survivors in a five meter radius to Black were the
rats that hurriedly scurried to the sewer.' Peter was with them, here Harry,
add this to the pile." Harry glanced at it quickly and stopped dead still.
Hermione hadn't a clue what was going on, but Ron suddenly went pale.
Hermione crawled over to where Harry was sitting on the floor and looked at
the front page.
She gasped. On the front page was a picture of Harry and his parents
when he was first born. Under the picture, the caption read: 'The Potters
happily celebrate the birth of their first born son, Harry, who a little over a
year after his first birthday was the downfall of the Dark Lord.'
"Oh Harry," Hermione said. "Harry." That was all she could say. She
put her arms around his neck, but he just sat there, looking at the picture,
mesmerized.
"Guys, we'd better get to Charms," said Harry in a choked voice. He
gathered up the papers. "We'll be late." He got up, stuffed the newspapers
in his bag and walked hurriedly to the exit of the library.
"Ron," said Hermione. She gathered up her bag and ran after him.
"I didn't mean to," said Ron after her.
"I know," said Hermione. "But you did."
Chapter 15
"Harry!" Hermione shouted after Harry. "Harry, wait!" Harry stopped
and turned around his face white as a sheet.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"Let's skive (A/N: sp?) off Charms," said Hermione. "Walk with me."
Harry stared at her as though she'd gone mad.
"I've created a monster," he muttered to himself. Hermione scowled.
"You have not," she pouted. "Let's go for a walk." Hermione grabbed
Harry's arm and dragged him out into the bright sunshine. It was unusually
warm for September.
"You wanted to talk?" asked Harry.
"Yes," said Hermione. "Ron didn't realize that you and your parents
were on the front page. Wow."
"What?" asked Harry.
"I got the weirdest flashback to last year," Hermione said. "You were
mad at Ron because he didn't believe that you hadn't put your name into the
Goblet of Fire. Anyway, He really didn't mean to, and he feels awful about
it." Harry reached into his bag and pulled out the paper.
"Look at us Hermione," said Harry, his voice strained as though he
were trying not to cry. "We look so happy." He reached up and quickly
rubbed his eyes.
"That's because you were," said Hermione. "Harry, it's okay."
"No," said Harry. "It's not. Everyone goes, 'Oh look, it's Harry Potter.
So famous and brave. The poor thing, without any parents.' No one actually
realizes what it's like not to have parents. I have this constant ache where
I'm all alone. You wouldn't understand Mimi." Harry walked away, wiping
tears from his eyes, trying not to let Hermione see. Hermione was left
standing alone in the warm sunshine.
"I realize better than you think," said Hermione, and she followed
Harry back into the castle.
Chapter 16
Right before lunch, Harry, Ron and Hermione met with the band of
people that were going to Hogsmeade for the hearing (A/N: This is really
weird. Okay, the idea for Sirius's little hearing/trial came to me in a dream.
I know that sounds corny, but it's true. I was sort of half asleep this
morning and I saw Cornelius Fudge sitting at a bar counter, oh, well, you have
to keep reading for the rest…). Included were Professor Dumbledore, Cat,
Professor Lupin, Professor Custos, Sirius (in dog form), Harry, Ron and
Hermione. When they told Professor Dumbledore what they had found, he
beamed down at them.
"Well, well, well," he said. "What the reporter took as a poetic end to
an article will actually help to clear Sirius. Brilliant."
"Professor Dumbledore?" asked Hermione. "How will this be done?"
"I'm not exactly sure," said Professor Dumbledore. "In our defense,
we'll be giving Sirius the same Veriteserum that we gave Bartemius Crouch
last year. I don't know what the Minister will be doing, but he seems to
believe that Voldemort is back now. He knows that Sirius would be a strong
man to have on our side, so maybe he'll do something to help." The hearing
was going to take place at the Three Broomsticks. Madame Rosmerta had
been willing to give the use of her bar for the day, in addition to the fact
that Fudge was paying her.
"Alright," said Professor Dumbledore. "Four to a carriage. Come on, we
don't want to be late." Harry, Ron and Hermione found themselves in a
carriage with Professor Dumbledore.
"Poor Professor Custos," said Ron. "Imagine being in a carriage with
Professor Lupin, Sirius and Cat. If what they did at school is true, I feel
sorry for her."
"Well Mr. Weasley," said Professor Dumbledore with a smile. "She
taught them for seven years, I think she should be able to handle them. If
I'm not mistaken, Professor Custos will be making mayhem along with them.
She used to get them out of trouble a lot, she said they brought out the
child in her. One never knows."
When we reached the Three Broomsticks, Cornelius Fudge was getting
out of his carriage.
"Good," he said. "We'll be ready to start as soon as we get set up."
Behind Fudge came a small, fat man carrying a large suitcase.
"Wonder what's in the suitcase," said Hermione to Ron and Harry.
"Harry, do you have the papers?"
"Yeah," said Harry.
"Are you okay?" asked Hermione.
"Yeah," said Harry. "I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Just wondering," Hermione replied. Harry and Hermione followed Ron
into the Three Broomsticks. There, the little man, who they soon learned
was named Mr. Smith, was setting up the contents of his suitcase at the bar
counter. Fudge was sitting at a stool, straightening a circular blue cloth with
silver stars. The cloth had a hole in the middle, Hermione didn't know what
for. Sirius transformed and the hearing was ready to start. Mr. Smith sat on
a stool, facing Fudge and took out a deck of cards.
"Here," said Mr. Smith. "Shuffle these twelve times. Then give them
here." Sirius took the cards with an expression of mild confusion, and
shuffled the cards with the expertise of a Casino dealer.
"He was the Gryffindor poker champion," whispered Cat to Hermione.
"He even beat Lily, and that's saying something. She taught him how." She
laughed and Hermione smiled weakly. "What's the matter with you?"
"Harry, Ron and I were looking through newspapers to help clear
Sirius and we came across something that would help, but it had a picture of
Harry and his parents to go with the article. He saw it and freaked out. I'm
just worried about him," explained Hermione.
"You're just like Lily," said Cat, thoughtfully. "Except without the
green eyes, red hair and temper to match."
Mr. Smith dealt out the cards in a strange formation. Hermione
realized that they were Tarot cards.
"Right," said Mr. Smith. "This side is what would have happened if Mr.
Black had been the Potter's Secret Keeper," he indicated one side of the
dealing, "and this side says what would of happened if he hadn't been the
Potter's Secret Keeper, as he claims." Mr. Smith slowly turned over the
cards for what would of happened if Sirius had been the Potter's Secret
Keeper. "Mr. Potter, you might not want to hear this."
"I do," said Harry. "I want to know."
"Well," said Mr. Smith uneasily. "The cards say that the Potter's would be
alive now. Voldemort would still be on the loose, stronger than ever. He would
have killed all of their closest friends: Miss Buckley, Mr. Lupin, and Ms.
Cutos included." He turned over the cards that said if Sirius hadn't been the
Potter's Secret Keeper. "This is odd. It says that you, Harry, and your
father would be dead, but your mother would be alive. Mr. Black would never
have gone to prison, and Mr. Pettigrew would have. But, I don't mean to be
frank, Mr. Potter your mother is, well, dead. This isn't right, something is
wrong with the cards."
"I can field that one," said Sirius. "Lily died to save Harry's life. It
was something no one had counted on, not even Voldemort himself."
"See, even the cards would pick that up. Something must be wrong.
Well, there is the evidence that says Mr. Pettigrew would have gone to jail,"
said Mr. Smith.
"Well, Dumbledore," said Fudge. "What's your defense?"
"There are three stages to our defense. First, Mr. Potter, Miss
Granger and Mr. Weasley have prepared a bit of evidence. Second will be
Victoria Custos, she was there when the Fidelus Charm was performed
because I couldn't go. Third, we will give some Veriteserum, the very same
we used on Bartemius Crouch last year, and questioning him. This is the
strongest truth serum we have, it was used on a very powerful Death Eater
that might have rejected a weaker one. There is no way Sirius could reject
this," explained Professor Dumbledore. "Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Mr.
Weasley, the floor is yours." Harry, Ron and Hermione stood up. Harry took
the newspapers out of his bag.
"These are all articles from when Sirius was first put in Azkaban and
from when he escaped," explained Hermione. "Also, there is the article about
the Weasley's winning that lottery a few years back. There was a picture of
Ron with Scabbers, also known as Peter Pettigrew, on his shoulder." Harry
and Hermione passed out copies of the picture of Ron and his family in
Egypt.
"As you can see if you look closely enough," said Ron. "There is a toe
missing on his front paw. What was the biggest piece of Pettigrew they
found and sent home in a box to his mother? A finger. There is a toe on this
rats front paw missing." Harry and Ron passed out another article.
"If you look at the bottom of this article," said Hermione. "You sill see
that the last line is: ' The only survivors in a five meter radius to Black were
the rats that hurriedly scurried to the sewer.' Peter Pettigrew was an
unregistered Animagus. His animal was a rat. He, Sirius and Harry's dad
were all unregistered Animagi. Sirius is a dog, Peter is a rat and Harry's dad
was a stag. I won't get into that know though. What the reporter took as a
poetic ending to an article, is true. The only survivors around Sirius were
rats. I can tell you exactly what happened. Sirius went to hunt down Peter
for killing Lily and James. He cornered Peter. Peter was too quick for him.
He shouted for all to hear, 'Lily and James, Sirius, how could you?' and blew
out the street behind him. He cut off his finger and slipped down into the
sewer with the other rats. Now tell me, in light of this new evidence, that
this doesn't make sense?"
"Miss Granger," said Fudge. "You'd make a good lawyer, but we need
more evidence. Yes, it does sound very convincing, but I need to know for
sure. I need to give the press reason enough that, one, Peter is still alive,
and that, two, I wasn't just bullied into saying that he's innocent. I need
hard, cold facts."
"Mr. Fudge," said Harry. "This may take care of that one." Harry
handed Fudge the letter Peter had sent to Dumbledore. "This is a letter
that Wormtail, that's Peter, sent to Professor Dumbledore. We know it's his
handwriting because Dumbledore himself did charms and spells to see if it
was the same to some writing he did in school. It hasn't changed a bit. Feel
free to do some more charms if you want to, but I don't think you'll be able
to find anything he didn't already. Also, take a look at this," Harry reached
into his bag and pulled out a leather bound book. "It's on the fourth page.
It's a picture of my parents on their wedding day. Sirius is there, too. Does
that look like someone who would try to hurt the people he's standing next
to. Look in his eyes. I've looked at the picture a thousand times. I don't see
it."
"Harry," said Sirius, speaking for the first time in his own hearing. "I
never knew you had that picture. Where'd you get it from?"
"Hagrid made me this in my first year," explained Harry. Fudge was
examining the photo.
"I don't think this qualifies as evidence, but it's a nice picture,
Harry," said Fudge. "Ms. Custos, what do you have? You three can sit down."
Now that Hermione thought about it, they hadn't given that much evidence.
"I was there when the Fidelus Charm was performed. It took weeks of
preparation. A potion had to be brewed, that took two months. James and
Pettigrew had to drink it and wait two weeks. I was standing guard as
Pettigrew and James clasped hands and muttered the incantation. Both went
away satisfied, James that he was safe and Peter that he could give
Voldemort something he wanted," explained Professor Custos. "Sirius would
never have betrayed Lily and James. I taught then when they were at school.
Believe me, I knew them much better than any other teacher. I was the only
one who knew all of what they did while they were here, and I know that
Sirius would never, ever, betray them. With Cat and Remus as my witnesses,
didn't I know everything you guys did? Would Sirius betray James and Lily?"
"Are you kidding me?" asked Cat.
"Yeah," said Remus. "You didn't know half of what we did." Cat hit him
very hard on the head.
"What my dear buddy Remus meant to say was that of course Sirius
would never betray James and Lily, right?" she asked with gritted teeth.
"With my new knowledge that you hit harder than Lily, yes, that's
what I meant," said Remus. "Have you ever hit me before?"
"No, I thought you were too nice," said Cat. "I only hit Sirius and
sometimes James. I actually hit Peter a few times. No regrets there."
Dumbledore cleared his throat loudly and stopped their trip down memory
lane.
"For our final presentation, Sirius has agreed to take Veritaserum,"
he said. "It is very important that everyone remain quiet while he is
speaking. Sirius, are you sure you want to do this?"
"Positive," said Sirius. He gulped and took the vial. "No asking rude
questions, now." He took the vial and drank it.
"Sirius," said Professor Dumbledore. "Can you hear me?"
"Yes," said Sirius in a monotonous voice.
"Were you the Potter's Secret Keeper?" asked Professor
Dumbledore.
"No," replied Sirius.
"Who was?" (A/N: This will just be a conversation between Sirius and
Dumbledore until further notice. Yes, believe it or not, the Tarot card thing
came in a dream. Weird, huh? Don't forget to review at the end!!)
"Peter Pettigrew."
"Who's idea was it?"
"Mine."
"Why did you switch places?"
"I thought it would be the perfect bluff. I was strong and Peter was
weak. I was sure Voldemort would come after me and not Peter. James
wasn't sure, but I convinced him in the end."
"Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"Spies."
"Can you elaborate?"
"Yes."
"Elaborate on what you mean by 'Spies.'"
"James knew there were spies everywhere. When he agreed, he told
me not to tell anyone."
"Why not? Not even Dumbledore?"
"No, because Dumbledore was sure to tell the rest of the league that
we were switching and we knew there was a spy among the league. We just
didn't know who."
"Thank you. Minister? Would you like to question him?"
"No thank you, Dumbledore," said Fudge. "This is enough. I'll need you
to send him over to the Ministry to sign some papers. I'll see him when the
effects of the Veritaserum wear off. Good day all."
Chapter 17
Harry, Hermione, Ron and Dumbledore got into one carriage and
Professor Lupin, Cat, Sirius (in human form), and Professor Custos got into
another carriage.
"So," said Ron. "Professor Dumbledore. What do we do now?"
"Stuff ourselves silly at a wonderful feast," said Dumbledore. "I have
been working hard for two years to either find Peter or clear Sirius and it's
happened. He's a free man."
The carriages stopped outside the front door and Harry, Hermione
and Ron jumped out and ran over to Sirius. The effects of the Veritaserum
had worn off by now and he was perfectly himself. Sirius's face lit up as he
saw Harry bounding toward him.
"Did they tell you in there?" asked Harry.
"Yeah," said Sirius. "I'm free. I can't believe it. For fourteen years,
people thought I was an evil person who committed a heinous crime. I'm
free. Harry, you have no idea how happy I am right now."
"Not as happy as I am," said Harry. "I get to leave the wretched
Dursley's I could sing!"
"Don't," said Ron quickly.
"I just thought of something," said Hermione, a smile playing on her
lips. "What will Squeaky say when he hears that Sirius is free?"
"Squeaky?" asked Sirius, as Ron and Harry cracked up.
"More formally called Squeaky Ferret. You'll see," said Hermione. "He
should be coming up for lunch by now." Sirius, Ron, Harry and Hermione
walked into the Entrance Hall. Everyone stopped talking when Sirius entered
the hall. A few people started pulling out their wands. Harry spotted Malfoy,
and dragged him over to introduce him to Sirius for everyone in the
Entrance Hall to hear.
"Sirius," said Harry. "This is my arch enemy, Squeaky Ferret. Squeaky
Ferret, this is my godfather, Sirius Black. You know, the one who 'murdered'
thirteen innocent people?" Sirius knew he was joking, but most of the hall
didn't, so more people pulled out their wands.
"Harry," said Sirius. "You flatter me. Only twelve people, the rat got
away remember?" Sirius caught sight of Malfoy. "Are you Squeaky Ferret
Malfoy? I went to school with your father. We didn't call him Sqeaky
Ferret, we called him D. E., for," he dropped his voice to a whisper, "Death
Eater," he raised his voice to normal again, "but I like Squeaky Ferret
better." Dumbledore came in at that moment, and saw that most people had
their wands out.
"Everyone into the Great Hall, I have an announcement to make," he
said. Everyone was filing into the Great Hall. As soon as everyone was
seated, Dumbledore stood up. "I have some very exciting and happy news for
all of you. Sirius Black, who was framed for the murder of the Potters and
thirteen innocent people, has been cleared. He was found not guilty by the
Minister of Magic and will be joining the rest of the teachers here in
teaching you defense against Voldemort. He is innocent. Anyone who wants
the full story, ask later because now, we have a feast in celebration." With
his words, the usual regular tableware was pushed to the ends of the table
by all the food that the tables were laden with (A/N: does that make sense?
I hope so. Oh well). Harry grinned at Hermione and she smiled back.
"Sorry I blew up at you," said Harry. "But I just get so fed up with
people who pity me."
"No offence, but I don't pity you," said Hermione. "Come here," and
Hermione kissed him.