Chapter 14: Confession of a Cowardly Mind
I have been in what the Minister dubbed "protective custody" since the day Harry Potter came looking for me at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. That was three years ago. My former Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, had the brilliant notion to have a double pretend to be me while I was in another part of the castle pretending to be someone else. Potter arrived much sooner than even Dumbledore anticipated and thrashed the aurors that had been charged with my "protection". When Potter fled the castle I was escorted to another part of the castle but I saw the bodies of the aurors as the medi-wizards worked on them. Several were missing their wand hands; others were just bruised and unconscious. Regardless, I was terrified to think of what Harry Potter would do to me when he found me.
Harry Potter, the only son of James and Lily Potter. My close friends. Decades ago I sold them out to ensure my safety and to secure a position of power with the person I thought would be ruling the world very soon. Unfortunately my master failed in his effort to kill the youngest Potter and was himself defeated. During his third year at Hogwarts Harry himself found out about my role in his parents demise. He spared my life when my friends Remus and Sirius were about to kill me that night oh so long ago. How then some might ask did I repay this act of kindness?
Simple, I helped frame him for murder.
Now, after being transferred from one safe haven to another, I find myself back at Hogwarts. I pray that this time there will be no chance encounter with one Harry Potter, but I know fate has other plans for me this day.
~~**~~ ~~**~~ ~~**~~
"I'm here to talk to Peter Pettigrew." Sirius Black informed the auror guarding Peter's holding cell.
"I'm sorry sir. I'm under strict orders not to allow anyone into the cell without proper authorization." The auror announced.
Sirius moved towards the man, a growl coming from his mouth when a hand grasped his shoulder. Albus Dubledore and Remus Lupin were standing behind him. Remus had been the person who was holding Sirius from the poor unfortunate man simply doing his job.
"We all wish to talk to Pettigrew." Dumbledore stated.
The auror knew better than to question "the" Albus Dumbledore. As a former Hogwarts student he had always held the man in awe. Unlocking the door he stood aside and allowed the three men in.
"Good morning Peter." Albus announced.
Peter looked up and saw the trio and nodded. Over the past year Peter had lost a considerable amount of weight. He was by no means thin but he was no longer the pudgy little cretin they once remembered. He was now a slightly cubby little cretin.
"You don't look well." Remus stated.
"I. I haven't had much of an appetite these past few years." Peter replied.
"Why is that?" Sirius asked. He knew the answer but he wanted to hear it from the man who had sent him to Azkaban for twelve years.
"Because for the past few years I've lived in fear of your godson finding me. and taking his vengeance upon me for betraying his parents." Peter answered.
"Is that all you are afraid of Peter?" Albus asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Harry braved the ministry's aurors, his former teachers, and friends to find you. If he had wanted to kill you I'm sure he simply would have killed the auror masquerading as you. but he didn't. He wants something from you. What is it?" Albus requested.
Peter didn't answer.
"Peter, it would behoove you to answer. It may go a long way to keeping you alive." Sirius informed the animagus.
"Wha.. what are you talking about?" Peter asked.
Remus looked at the man. "If you don't tell us what we want to know we will ensure that next time young Potter finds you."
Peter looked terrified. "Albus. shhh. surely you would not allow this to happen."
"Alas Peter, last time Harry was here he cause considerable damage to the school. Should he return I'm sure he'd do significantly more and I can not in good conscience allow this." Dumbledore replied.
Peter looked between the three men. He knew that it was all a play to get the information in his head but the fact was he didn't know if they were bluffing or not. After seeing the devastation Harry caused when he was here last time it was a wonder Peter was allowed back at the castle.
Peter, knowing that he had to look out for his own best interested, sighed.
"I'll need you to bring the Marauder's Map." Peter replied.
"Accio Marauder's Map." Sirius said aloud. Moments later the map flew into Sirius' hand.
"The evidence against Harry was purely circumstantial which was enough with someone like Fudge presiding." Peter stated.
"You all believed him to be as bad as the dark lord himself. Well he is not." Peter stated. "Harry Potter is the apitimy of selflessness. He is kind and generous and as noble as anyone I have ever met. He is a true hero, and that is why he was framed."
Before anyone could comment Peter Pettigrew continued. "Lucius & Draco Malfoy planned the whole thing with the blessing of you-know-who and was aided by me. The first step in framing Harry was the map in your hand. Now you may be asking yourself. how is that possible?" Peter stated. The three men looked at him awaiting the answer.
"Simple. that is not the original Marauders Map." Peter stated. Remus and Sirius looked at him.
"The night that we finished making the map I made a duplicate of it for myself." Peter said. It was rather simple, just like copying a parchment. I didn't have any plans for the copy myself. I just wanted to kept it as a memento of our greatest work." Peter stated.
"How do we know you're telling the truth?" Remus asked.
"Shut down the map and use it again only when it begins, ask the scroll for its creation date."
Remus did as the former marauder instructed and his eyes flew open when he saw the date listed. It was created the day after James, Sirius, Peter, and he had made the map.
"I made the copy after midnight so it lists the date as the following day. If you check the map again you'll find that there is a particular spell on that map."
Remus handed the map to Sirius and awaited his response.
"A misdirection spell. What was the misdirection?" Sirius asked.
"Anyone using Polyjuice would appear as H. Potter." Peter answered. "Feel free to test it if you don't believe me."
"Who framed HARRY???" Sirius asked grabbing the short man by his shirt collar.
"The person specifically responsible would be Draco Malfoy. He was the person who used all the unforgivables. and killed poor Hagrid." Peter said.
"How is it that you managed to switch the original map with the copy?" Remus asked.
"Think back Remus, can you remember who you had detention with the week Harry was framed Remus?" Peter asked.
"Draco Malfoy." Remus said in sudden realization. It could be no other person.
"He had the map in hand, his associates in Slytherin then created a diversion that called for all the staff in the area to check it out. With your attention diverted, Draco switched the maps and you were none the wiser. Two days later, pretending to be Harry he executed the plan to tarnish Harry's image. A job he did quite well and thoroughly enjoyed I understand."
Sirius was fuming at the information he had been listening too. Remus looked sick and Albus looked rather pale.
"How is it that Harry wasn't around for any of this?" Albus asked.
"He had received a letter he though was from Ginny Weasley. When he arrived at their meeting spot Lucius Malfoy stunned the poor boy. He then placed a preprogrammed portkey in his hand that would transport him to a location for you to find him at."
"So Harry is innocent." Albus reiterated.
"Yes. Harry Potter is innocent. You helped send an innocent boy to Azkaban. The one person who could defeat the dark lord was broken, humiliated, and after his escape hunted like a rabid animal." Peter stated.
Sirius, who had not released his hold on Peter, slammed the man against the stonewall. "You did it again. You sent another innocent person to Azkaban."
Peter struggled but finally managed to say, "Yes. but this time. you helped put him there. Voldemort was counting on all of you to believe what you knew to be true, rather than follow your hearts. There is no doubt in my mind that had the three of you in this room made every effort to check all the facts, or even use veritaserum, Harry would never have been found guilty."
Sirius let Peter fall to the ground. Peter, while being a miserable traitor spoke words that rang truer than any even Albus had ever spoken. The three present never gave Harry the benefit of the doubt. Now, so many years later, the three didn't know if they'd ever find a way to make it up to him.
"She was right." Sirius finally stated to Remus and Albus. The two looked at him wondering who she was.
"Ginny. she said he was innocent. For the past fourteen years she never wavered in her belief he was innocent. She even risked everything to be with him. and she was right." Sirius stated.
"We have to get the Minister of Magic." Remus stated. "We have to get Harry's name cleared immediately."
"It won't do you any good." Peter stated.
"What are you babbling about?" Sirius asked.
"Oh don't get me wrong. sure you'll clear Harry's name and he'll be able to walk around without a disguise, however do you think he'll ever forgive you Sirius? Or you Remus? Or even you Albus?" Peter asked.
"You sent him to Azkaban for a decade. an innocent young man, and you condemned him to hell. No, you'll be luckily if he doesn't end up back there for killing the three of you for what you allowed to happen to him."
"What about you. do you think he'll show you mercy again?" Sirius stated.
"I'm dead no matter what Sirius. If not by Harry then by you-know-who's servants. I've been on borrowed time for too long. No. after all is said and done I'm a condemned man. but now that I've told my tale I no longer care." Peter said and then slowly fell to the cot in his cell.
"I sold out Lily and James for a place of power that never came. I framed the boy that spared my miserable life. I've betrayed V-V-Voldemort one to many times now. no, I'm prepared for death now. I think I'll even welcome it." Peter stated.
Before any of the men could respond Severus Snape appeared in the doorway.
"Headmaster. you should come immediately. We have visitors that require your immediate attention.
Professor Dumbledore, Remus Lupin, and Sirius Black left immediately to see what was going on.
As the auror locked the door Peter Pettigrew looked up at the ceiling.
"It is like he said it would occur. When my story ends Harry Potter's begins. and the world will never be the same again.
I have been in what the Minister dubbed "protective custody" since the day Harry Potter came looking for me at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. That was three years ago. My former Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, had the brilliant notion to have a double pretend to be me while I was in another part of the castle pretending to be someone else. Potter arrived much sooner than even Dumbledore anticipated and thrashed the aurors that had been charged with my "protection". When Potter fled the castle I was escorted to another part of the castle but I saw the bodies of the aurors as the medi-wizards worked on them. Several were missing their wand hands; others were just bruised and unconscious. Regardless, I was terrified to think of what Harry Potter would do to me when he found me.
Harry Potter, the only son of James and Lily Potter. My close friends. Decades ago I sold them out to ensure my safety and to secure a position of power with the person I thought would be ruling the world very soon. Unfortunately my master failed in his effort to kill the youngest Potter and was himself defeated. During his third year at Hogwarts Harry himself found out about my role in his parents demise. He spared my life when my friends Remus and Sirius were about to kill me that night oh so long ago. How then some might ask did I repay this act of kindness?
Simple, I helped frame him for murder.
Now, after being transferred from one safe haven to another, I find myself back at Hogwarts. I pray that this time there will be no chance encounter with one Harry Potter, but I know fate has other plans for me this day.
~~**~~ ~~**~~ ~~**~~
"I'm here to talk to Peter Pettigrew." Sirius Black informed the auror guarding Peter's holding cell.
"I'm sorry sir. I'm under strict orders not to allow anyone into the cell without proper authorization." The auror announced.
Sirius moved towards the man, a growl coming from his mouth when a hand grasped his shoulder. Albus Dubledore and Remus Lupin were standing behind him. Remus had been the person who was holding Sirius from the poor unfortunate man simply doing his job.
"We all wish to talk to Pettigrew." Dumbledore stated.
The auror knew better than to question "the" Albus Dumbledore. As a former Hogwarts student he had always held the man in awe. Unlocking the door he stood aside and allowed the three men in.
"Good morning Peter." Albus announced.
Peter looked up and saw the trio and nodded. Over the past year Peter had lost a considerable amount of weight. He was by no means thin but he was no longer the pudgy little cretin they once remembered. He was now a slightly cubby little cretin.
"You don't look well." Remus stated.
"I. I haven't had much of an appetite these past few years." Peter replied.
"Why is that?" Sirius asked. He knew the answer but he wanted to hear it from the man who had sent him to Azkaban for twelve years.
"Because for the past few years I've lived in fear of your godson finding me. and taking his vengeance upon me for betraying his parents." Peter answered.
"Is that all you are afraid of Peter?" Albus asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Harry braved the ministry's aurors, his former teachers, and friends to find you. If he had wanted to kill you I'm sure he simply would have killed the auror masquerading as you. but he didn't. He wants something from you. What is it?" Albus requested.
Peter didn't answer.
"Peter, it would behoove you to answer. It may go a long way to keeping you alive." Sirius informed the animagus.
"Wha.. what are you talking about?" Peter asked.
Remus looked at the man. "If you don't tell us what we want to know we will ensure that next time young Potter finds you."
Peter looked terrified. "Albus. shhh. surely you would not allow this to happen."
"Alas Peter, last time Harry was here he cause considerable damage to the school. Should he return I'm sure he'd do significantly more and I can not in good conscience allow this." Dumbledore replied.
Peter looked between the three men. He knew that it was all a play to get the information in his head but the fact was he didn't know if they were bluffing or not. After seeing the devastation Harry caused when he was here last time it was a wonder Peter was allowed back at the castle.
Peter, knowing that he had to look out for his own best interested, sighed.
"I'll need you to bring the Marauder's Map." Peter replied.
"Accio Marauder's Map." Sirius said aloud. Moments later the map flew into Sirius' hand.
"The evidence against Harry was purely circumstantial which was enough with someone like Fudge presiding." Peter stated.
"You all believed him to be as bad as the dark lord himself. Well he is not." Peter stated. "Harry Potter is the apitimy of selflessness. He is kind and generous and as noble as anyone I have ever met. He is a true hero, and that is why he was framed."
Before anyone could comment Peter Pettigrew continued. "Lucius & Draco Malfoy planned the whole thing with the blessing of you-know-who and was aided by me. The first step in framing Harry was the map in your hand. Now you may be asking yourself. how is that possible?" Peter stated. The three men looked at him awaiting the answer.
"Simple. that is not the original Marauders Map." Peter stated. Remus and Sirius looked at him.
"The night that we finished making the map I made a duplicate of it for myself." Peter said. It was rather simple, just like copying a parchment. I didn't have any plans for the copy myself. I just wanted to kept it as a memento of our greatest work." Peter stated.
"How do we know you're telling the truth?" Remus asked.
"Shut down the map and use it again only when it begins, ask the scroll for its creation date."
Remus did as the former marauder instructed and his eyes flew open when he saw the date listed. It was created the day after James, Sirius, Peter, and he had made the map.
"I made the copy after midnight so it lists the date as the following day. If you check the map again you'll find that there is a particular spell on that map."
Remus handed the map to Sirius and awaited his response.
"A misdirection spell. What was the misdirection?" Sirius asked.
"Anyone using Polyjuice would appear as H. Potter." Peter answered. "Feel free to test it if you don't believe me."
"Who framed HARRY???" Sirius asked grabbing the short man by his shirt collar.
"The person specifically responsible would be Draco Malfoy. He was the person who used all the unforgivables. and killed poor Hagrid." Peter said.
"How is it that you managed to switch the original map with the copy?" Remus asked.
"Think back Remus, can you remember who you had detention with the week Harry was framed Remus?" Peter asked.
"Draco Malfoy." Remus said in sudden realization. It could be no other person.
"He had the map in hand, his associates in Slytherin then created a diversion that called for all the staff in the area to check it out. With your attention diverted, Draco switched the maps and you were none the wiser. Two days later, pretending to be Harry he executed the plan to tarnish Harry's image. A job he did quite well and thoroughly enjoyed I understand."
Sirius was fuming at the information he had been listening too. Remus looked sick and Albus looked rather pale.
"How is it that Harry wasn't around for any of this?" Albus asked.
"He had received a letter he though was from Ginny Weasley. When he arrived at their meeting spot Lucius Malfoy stunned the poor boy. He then placed a preprogrammed portkey in his hand that would transport him to a location for you to find him at."
"So Harry is innocent." Albus reiterated.
"Yes. Harry Potter is innocent. You helped send an innocent boy to Azkaban. The one person who could defeat the dark lord was broken, humiliated, and after his escape hunted like a rabid animal." Peter stated.
Sirius, who had not released his hold on Peter, slammed the man against the stonewall. "You did it again. You sent another innocent person to Azkaban."
Peter struggled but finally managed to say, "Yes. but this time. you helped put him there. Voldemort was counting on all of you to believe what you knew to be true, rather than follow your hearts. There is no doubt in my mind that had the three of you in this room made every effort to check all the facts, or even use veritaserum, Harry would never have been found guilty."
Sirius let Peter fall to the ground. Peter, while being a miserable traitor spoke words that rang truer than any even Albus had ever spoken. The three present never gave Harry the benefit of the doubt. Now, so many years later, the three didn't know if they'd ever find a way to make it up to him.
"She was right." Sirius finally stated to Remus and Albus. The two looked at him wondering who she was.
"Ginny. she said he was innocent. For the past fourteen years she never wavered in her belief he was innocent. She even risked everything to be with him. and she was right." Sirius stated.
"We have to get the Minister of Magic." Remus stated. "We have to get Harry's name cleared immediately."
"It won't do you any good." Peter stated.
"What are you babbling about?" Sirius asked.
"Oh don't get me wrong. sure you'll clear Harry's name and he'll be able to walk around without a disguise, however do you think he'll ever forgive you Sirius? Or you Remus? Or even you Albus?" Peter asked.
"You sent him to Azkaban for a decade. an innocent young man, and you condemned him to hell. No, you'll be luckily if he doesn't end up back there for killing the three of you for what you allowed to happen to him."
"What about you. do you think he'll show you mercy again?" Sirius stated.
"I'm dead no matter what Sirius. If not by Harry then by you-know-who's servants. I've been on borrowed time for too long. No. after all is said and done I'm a condemned man. but now that I've told my tale I no longer care." Peter said and then slowly fell to the cot in his cell.
"I sold out Lily and James for a place of power that never came. I framed the boy that spared my miserable life. I've betrayed V-V-Voldemort one to many times now. no, I'm prepared for death now. I think I'll even welcome it." Peter stated.
Before any of the men could respond Severus Snape appeared in the doorway.
"Headmaster. you should come immediately. We have visitors that require your immediate attention.
Professor Dumbledore, Remus Lupin, and Sirius Black left immediately to see what was going on.
As the auror locked the door Peter Pettigrew looked up at the ceiling.
"It is like he said it would occur. When my story ends Harry Potter's begins. and the world will never be the same again.