Chapter 30
Harry was in absolute shock. Wormtail confessed! He admitted everything, even faking his death and betraying his friends. He had admitted to knowing about the plot against Daisy and Harry. He even publicly claimed to serve Voldemort.
The press was in an uproar. Remus and Harry had testified about the events in the Shrieking Shack at the end of Harry's third year.
For his complete confession, Pettigrew asked to go into hiding, with Ministry protection. He was, in effect begging for his life.
"Hey Potter," Malfoy said, bringing Harry out of his own world. "Watch the curb."
Harry muttered thanks and kept walking. He completely missed the sarcasm in Malfoy's voice.
"Mister Potter," Snape said now, "if you don't pay more attention to where you walk, your bound to hurt yourself, or someone else!"
"Right, sorry, Professor," Harry said. "It's just that, I had expected Wormtail to fight for his freedom."
"Freedom to do what, Potter? The man was utterly pathetic. He had no freedom serving Voldemort. As it is, he is taking quite a risk. The Ministry was probably infiltrated. If one of the Dark Lord's minions gets to Pettigrew before he's safely hidden, it's all over."
"I suppose your right, sir," Harry said. "But I still expected more from him."
"Why Harry?" Peggy asked now. "He was a traitor and scum. Not worthy of anyone's 'better' thoughts."
Harry just noticed now that Remus was supporting her as the walked down Diagon Ally back to the Leaky Cauldron.
Once back at the Leaky Cauldron, Harry sat to have a cup of tea with Sirius as he was prodded for information by the two left at the pub. Harry noted how chummy his friend and godfather had seemed. He also noticed Professor Snape did not seem pleased.
"We need to be getting back for the sentencing," Remus reminded. "Sirius, Albus has gotten permission for his dog to join us. We'll be speaking to the judge afterwards."
Sirius sighed. "Best to get it done with then."
"So you're just going to walk right in?" Harry asked. "Sirius that's, that's, what if they don't listen!"
"Potter," Snape said, "you seem to have forgotten that Professor Dumbledore has vouched for him already. Black will be released into the Headmaster's custody, and staying at the castle."
Harry looked really hopeful now. "Really?" he asked.
Remus smiled at him. "That's where the Headmaster and Guy are right now, arranging everything."
"Time to face the music then," Daisy said. "Let's see how bad it is."
"Aren't you the optimist," Malfoy said.
"Not today, Draco. Maybe tomorrow, or if I changed my glasses, but the way I See things now, there isn't much cause for optimism."
Harry saw Sirius frowning at her and shaking his head. "I though we had straighten you out," he said.
She shrugged at walked out of the room. Sirius transformed and followed.
Sitting in the courtroom, they must have been an odd sight. Draco, Daisy and Harry were sitting in front again, with Snuffles sitting on the seat next to Harry. He seems to be a very well trained dog. The row behind them sat Albus Dumbledore, Guy Blanc, Severus Snape, Peggy Morris, and Remus Lupin. The first three professors at Hogwarts, Peggy something of an unknown, and a notorious werewolf with connections to the confessed defendant.
The press seemed fascinated anyway. Daisy looked up to her Great-Uncle Albus. "Is everything worked out?" she asked, nodding at Snuffles.
"Yes, a few papers to be signed, and I'll have a new pet at the castle it seems."
Snuffles must of over heard and voice his displeasure at being called a 'pet' by anyone. The headmaster chuckled.
Soon they were standing as the judge, defendants, and finally the jury re- entered.
"Have you reached a verdict?" Judge Hanes asked the forewitch.
"We have your honor," she said and stood.
"How do you find?"
"We the jury find Lucius Malfoy guilty in two counts of conspiracy to kidnap, and order him to pay damages in the amount fifty thousand Galleons each, as well as two years at the Ministry's Detention facilities.
"Not guilty on the two counts of attempted murder, as there is no indication that was his intent or that his knowledge of the kidnapping precluded any harm to either party.
"Guilty in accessory to fraud. The defendant, Lucius Malfoy is ordered to spend an additional year in the Ministry's custody.
"Guilty in assault and battery of Harry Potter. The defendant is order to pay an additional twenty thousand Galleons for assault and twenty thousand Galleons for the battery. As well as two additional years in Ministry custody.
"And finally on the count of mayhem, we the jury find Lucius Malfoy guilty and order damages paid to Harry Potter, Daisy Dumbledore, and Rubeus Hagrid in the amount of sixty thousand Galleons...each. As well as an additional three years in the Ministry's detention facility."
Daisy let out low whistle. "That's three hundred and twenty thousand Galleons!" she said. "Plus eight years in the MDF. That puts him up for parole in two, right?"
"By MDF standards first parole comes up after one quarter of the sentence is served," Peggy said. "But he can apply for special consideration and be up for parole in as little as eight months."
Remus, and Severus, and even Snuffles looked at her. "What, you think when you boys disappeared my life stopped? I've studying law. I work for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
"And you're consorting with a known criminal?" Draco asked in mocking.
"Don't sass your elders," Daisy admonished.
Harry laughed. "This from the girl who simply refused to show any respect to her DADA teacher for a week!"
"That was different," she said.
"Ha," was Harry's eloquent reply.
Remus was looking at the pair with an odd expression.
"Settle down," Guy said. "They'll be announcing their recommendations for Pettigrew in a moment."
Daisy frowned. "Recommendations?"
"Yes," Peggy proceeded to explain that when a defendant pleads guilty before the Council of Magical Law, the jury could only recommend a sentence. Ultimately his fate would be left to those he wronged, in this case, Daisy, Harry, Remus, who would be acting on Sirius' behalf, and Professor Dumbledore acting for Hagrid.
This made Daisy and Harry both extremely uneasy. Neither thought that Pettigrew's life would actually be placed in their hands. As the only injured partied present, and speaking for themselves, their words would carry much more weight.
The forewitch now began to read the jury's recommendation for Pettigrew. "We the jury believe the defendant, Peter Pettigrew, to be in violation of not only the laws of our government, but also in being a decent human being. Unfortunately, we can not pass judgment on his humanity, though living twelve years a rat can't have helped."
Daisy leaned over to Harry. "They really don't seem to like him much," she whispered.
"Neither do I," he whispered back. "Besides, they're right."
The forewitch went on, "we can however recommend that for the crimes committed, Mr. Pettigrew be incarcerated for no less than twelve years in Azkaban.
"We understand the fear the Dark Lord can invoke and that you acted to save yourself, but I believe Mr. Lupin testified as to something Sirius Black said to you two years ago. You should have died rather then betray your supposed friends, Lily and James Potter, and their son of one year in age, Harry."
At this point Daisy reached over and took Harry's hand. He looked at her, but for some reason she seemed fuzzy. It was then Harry realized he'd been fighting back tears. He smiled feebly at her and squeezed her hand back. He put his other hand on Snuffles as the forewitch continued.
"This jury would offer the apologies of the wizarding world to Sirius Black if it was within its power to do so.
"As to your more recent actions, they were no less reprehensible and further showing your lack of basic human decency, but this time, with one redeeming act. You did try to protect Daisy Dumbledore from further harm at the hands of Vincent Timoldi. For this we see perhaps hope for rehabilitation. With this in mind we the jury recommend that no further prison time be served in Azkaban, and the sentence stand at twelve years.
"Thank you."
Judge Hanes instructed Harry, Daisy, Remus, and Professor Dumbledore to retreat to a small anteroom of the courtroom. Snuffles was allowed to come with Harry. In this tiny room they would decide Peter Pettigrew's fate.
Daisy looked around at the tiny room. "Very Twelve Angry Men," she said.
"So we'll make this quick," Remus said with a smile. "Life in the deepest hole Azkaban has!"
"No more than he deserves," Harry said.
Professor Dumbledore just looked sad, and very deep in thought.
"We can't," Daisy said.
"Sure we can," Remus said.
Sirius, who had transformed from Snuffles, also seemed to be thinking very hard, thought without the same sadness that plagued the Headmaster.
"It'd be nice though," Harry said.
Remus sat in a chair by the small table. "I suppose you're right. So how about life as a rat."
"Too late," Sirius muttered.
Daisy shook her head. "You just can't help yourselves, can you? Fall straight back into the same patterns. Wormtail won't be of any use after twelve days with the Dementors, let alone twelve years. For get the personal grudges at put the rat faced, scum sucking, err, man to use."
Harry noticed Professor Dumbledore looking proud for a moment. At least until he slipped back into thoughtful.
"How can we put him to use?" Harry asked.
"Well, he's bound to have loads of information about Voldemort," Daisy offered.
"He's a traitor!" Sirius shouted. "We, I trusted him once and people were killed because of it."
"She said to use him, Sirius," the Headmaster spoke now, "not trust him."
"Do you have a plan then, Albus?" Remus asked.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Don't I always?"
Once back in the courtroom the four people, and faithful dog, retook the same seats. The entire room seemed to stare at them. They looked to Albus Dumbledore.
When the Headmaster stood there was silence all the way to Gringott's, perhaps even in Diagon Ally, but they were never sure. The world seemed to stand still.
Dumbledore, for his part, drew the silence out as long as he could. When he finally spoke, it was in his low kind, and clam voice that sentence was pasted on Peter Pettigrew.
"Peter, you were once my student, once friends with Remus Lupin and Sirius Black, as well as James Potter and his wife Lily. You were there when their son Harry was born." Dumbledore shook his head sadly. "You betrayed us all, as well as every witch and wizard on the planet.
"If it were not for your actions concerning Mister Timoldi I would say you were beyond hope. That does not however appear to be the case.
"I offer you this chance Peter, hand yourself to the Dementors for the rest of your natural life, or help set things right. Help us stop Lord Voldemort by going into Ministry protection and serving what ever capacity we see fit."
When Dumbledore sat, Remus Lupin stood. "Peter," he said, his voice shaking slightly, "there were four of us together at school. James was the best of us. We all knew it. The man had more honor than you could possibly conceive of. If it had been your life at stake, he'd never have wavered. You completely buckled. You're weakness not only killed the best man I ever knew but also took the life of Sirius Black.
"Sirius, who would never let anyone insult you in school. Sirius, who would stand up to anyone who spoke a word against you, even James or me. What was it Peter? Did he say, "Lay off the kid" one too many times? Did you think that because he had always shielded you before, you could use him to do that again?
"Then your were in a position to get at Harry." Remus looked at the son of his lost friend.
Peter took this opportunity to speak. "I never wanted to hurt Harry!"
Remus looked at his boyhood friend with all the rage a werewolf could muster. "Maybe not, but given the opportunity, you would have! But I can't pass judgment on what you might have done. While I was the one who suggested life in Azkaban," the entire court, including Peter, looked shocked, "I will defer to Albus Dumbledore. You heard his choices, either way, your life is forfeited now, as it should have been fourteen years ago."
Remus seemed to soften here, "chose to help, Peter. Do what good you can."
It was Harry's turn now. Harry had to face the man who betrayed his parents, who had used his best friend and the kindest family he had ever known, who had helped Voldemort return to power, and who had tried to deliver both Harry and Daisy to the Dark Lord.
Harry stood. "Peter Pettigrew. The first time I heard that name it was spoken in reference to a hero, a man who had given his life chasing the man who had betrayed my parents. I pitied that man. I silently thanked him for what he tried to do.
"Scabbers. That was the name of my best friends pet. My first true friend! For three years I would see this fur ball sleeping in a pocket or on a pillow. Fe bit the hand of some one who posed a threat to my friend and my self. When Scabbers died, it caused my friend pain.
"I had a hard time reconciling those people to you. To me, you are Wormtail. You are Voldemort's servant. His deliverer. Someone who betrayed his best friends, and left me not only orphaned, but without a wizarding guardian. You left me to grow up away from my world. The man who would tie a fourteen-year to a gravestone so that you could take his blood. And a man who would try to take me again from my friends just a year later.
"You say you never meant to hurt me. What did you suppose the Dark Lord intended for me? Was there a tea party I was unaware of?"
At this few people actually smiled. Harry didn't really notice. All he saw was Wormtail, crying like a baby.
"I don't want to give you a choice. I want you to know suffering like I have my entire life. The Dementors would do a fair job with that. When I get to near a Dementor, Wormtail, I hear my parents."
This earned Harry quite a few looks of surprise.
"I hear them standing up to Voldemort just moments before their deaths. Then I hear their deaths, and Voldemort cackle. That was my most tangible memory of my parents.
"But if you were to help in the new struggle against Voldemort, I would be on hand personally to tell you all of the other nasty little nightmare's I've had to live through.
"And honestly, I probably wouldn't say anything about it. But you'd know I could.
"Professor Dumbledore has never steered me wrong in five years. Either way, you'd be suffering. I don't care what happens to you, Wormtail, but helping to defeat Voldemort would certainly be a step in toward being a better man than rat."
Harry scowled as he sat.
"Where did that come from?" she asked him.
When he looked at her, Harry saw Daisy had been crying. In fact many people were crying.
"Two years of anger at the rat and fourteen years with the Dursleys," Harry answered, but his face had softened a bit. "It's your turn now."
Daisy had forgotten she still had to speak. What was left to as?
"Mister Pettigrew, I don't have any personal knowledge of you," she began. "But I know the people you hurt very well. I know Hagrid, whom you had bound and gagged and unconscious. And I know Harry, whom you, you, well, Harry stated eloquently what you did to him.
"I don't like when people who try to hurt my friends. For some reason, that bothers me a great deal. But I don't want to see another life, any life, wasted. Even you.
"I don't know where it came from, but you seem to have at least a shred of decency. I suppose you can't have helped it after twelve years with one of the best families I know.
"Harry has charged you to be a better man than rat. Remus Lupin, on behalf of Sirius Black, as also consented to this even after all you done to his loved ones. And Albus Dumbledore has given you a way to do it.
"They offer you hope Mr. Pettigrew. Who am I to argue with such illustrious wizards? Take your only chance of hope, Mr. Pettigrew, and may the Light give you strength. What ever road you choose will not be easy."
Judges Rupert Hanes had never heard such a sentence pronounced, of that Daisy was sure. Giving the culprit a choice, it was quite astonishing. Not really surprising considering Albus Dumbledore had a hand in deciding Pettigrew's fate. The fact she, Harry, and Remus had gone along with it might have been shocking though, especially Harry and Remus.
Now it was up to Pettigrew to make his choice. He looked rather rat like too, she noticed. Daisy watched as Pettigrew stood.
"I, I am not sure what make of this choice," he said haltingly. "But Remus is right, my life is forfeit now, no matter what I choose.
"I know what you all think of me. I won't pretend you're wrong, but it was a hard choice the first time and I did want to protect the Potters. The, the Dark Lord didn't give me a choice.
"I'll help. I'll do what ever you ask, if only so no one else has to become as despicable as I have."
As Pettigrew sat Daisy took a quick look at Harry. He was scowling again.
"If you're not careful, your face will freeze like that," she whispered.
Harry looked at Daisy, shocked. How could she make jokes at a time like this? But she smiled brilliantly at him, and his heart just melted. He smiled despite himself.
Judge Hanes had dismissed the court. Everyone was standing now.
"Severus, Guy, please take the children back to school," Professor Dumbledore said. "We still have things to sort through here."
AN: Three chapters left! Yay! I don't think would really have said all that about his parents, but it made for a good scene when I was writing. Toodles all!