Harry awoke from the most peaceful sleep he had in as many as four years. Harry could not remember how this happened till he saw Fawkes laying on his back passed out. Harry chuckled to himself at the sight, instead of looking at a very powerful creature that commanded respect Fawkes now looked like a dead turkey. Turning his attention to his desk he saw the last thing he wanted to see. The letter from Gringotts lay open on his desk, just daring him to ignore it. Thinking about it no it did not cause the same amount of grief that it did the night before. Now in hind sight Harry no longer felt guilty about Sirius's death. He still felt the sadness when he thought about it but it was not as intense as before.
'Strange' he thought as he re-read the letter.
"I guess I will have to take care of this won't I, Hedwig" he said to his now sleeping owl
Resolving to bring closure to this whole mess today Harry set off to his morning routine. After pulling out his clothes for the day Harry set off to the shower intent on taking a real good one before his aunt and uncle woke up.
After a long luxurious shower Harry stood in front of the mirror trying to tame his wild locks in a fruitless battle. Giving up very soon Harry finished his battle and set about brushing his teeth. Looking into the mirror and finally taking stock of him self Harry noticed he looked much healthier. His skin had a healthier complexion than it did just last night. No longer was he deathly pale, he was once again sporting a healthy tan of someone who spent years working in the blazing sun. The hideous purple bags under his eyes were gone, not completely there was a slight droop there but they no longer had that color being only slightly reddish now. His eyes that had become dull and lifeless now were once again shining with warmth and brilliance that they had before his fourth summer.
"Wow! I guess a good nights sleep can do that" Harry said as he headed back to his bedroom.
Emerging a few minutes later dressed in his school robes ready for what ever the day had to offer. Walking down the steps Harry smelled breakfast being cooked. It smelled wonderful for a change. Harry wanted to ignore it and be about his business but his stomach gave a troubled lurch forcing him back toward the kitchen. Upon entering He saw something he never thought he would see. Standing over the stove was his cousin Dudley wearing his father's barbecue apron. He apparently was cooking up a storm judging by the amounts of food that were already done sitting on the table. On the table were two plates one was piled with sausage, bacon, fried potatoes, a short stack of pancakes and toast. The only thing missing were the eggs. On the other plate were the same thing just with smaller portions. As Harry stared at the plates longingly Dudley finally finished and turned around.
"You hungry Harry?" Dudley asked
"Starving, like I haven't eaten in days" was Harry's reply
"That's because you haven't" Dudley said cautiously.
"No, I ate lunch yesterday, remember?" Harry was getting confused now
"Harry, I remember eating lunch almost five days ago. You've been asleep all that time."
"How is that possible?" Harry asked now even more confused.
"I don't rightly know. After the first day when none of us saw you Mum & Dad went to make sure you were still alive. When they opened the door they saw a red and gold bird in there with you. Naturally Mum fainted, Dad freaked and chaos reigned for about an hour after that. Dad after he saw the bird he tried to kill it then he was going to go after you, but before he could go in a white light filled the room and he couldn't get in. After that Dad rushed to his room and packed everything into some bags grabbed Mum and rushed out the door. Only after they got to Aunt Marge's did Dad realize that he left me behind. Dad called saying he was going to send me money to catch the train there, but I asked what would happen if you woke up. He said he didn't care because we wouldn't come back till after the start of your school year. I told him no, that I would be staying here till you woke up."
Harry listened while he dug into the largest plate not really caring about his uncle's reaction.
"After about 20 minutes of yelling over the phone he finally calmed down and told me Fine, but that I was no longer a child of his and to leave when you did." Dudley finished his story with a down trodden look.
Harry finally realized what that look meant. Dudley had stood up to his father and Vernon took that as siding with the enemy. After all the years of doting Dudley had received from his parents came to an end with one word "No". Dudley would no longer feel the love his parents had to offer him. Never knowing what a real parents love was other than what Molly Weasley had given him. Harry couldn't truly understand what it was like to feel what Dudley was going through. Even though Dudley's parents spoiled him rotten only for the purpose of making Harry feel unwanted, the still loved him. Now all of that was gone and Harry knew it was never coming back.
"Thank you" Harry managed with a small voice.
Dudley looked up from his plate surprised that Harry would thank him for any thing
"You don't have to thank me. I should have done it years ago. That was me trying to make amends" Dudley announced looking back at his breakfast.
"No Dudley, you don't understand. It's a great deal for someone to lose something as precious as you had, but you were willing to stand by your guns and tell him you were doing the right thing. For that I thank you. Also I want to thank you for the letter you sent to my headmaster. That bird was the reason I slept for so long. It's his pet phoenix and its song was able to sooth me into a very pleasant dream filled sleep. Something I haven't had in a long time. Thank you for everything you've done over the last two weeks and I'll try to make it up to you I promise." Harry vowed.
"Are you daft? I don't need compensation for my actions. I was only doing the right thing." Dudley argued. "Plus it was the least I could do after all the years we've lived together."
"Listen Dudley, for the past two weeks you have been my friend. That more than makes up for everything you have ever done. The message with Dumbledore was more than anyone would have done for me. I only have two friends at school…well two good friends anyway, but that isn't the point. Despite that most anyone cares about me during the summer is that I listen to Dumbledore and stay walled up in the house until I can leave again. You have been my friend, you made sure I got something to eat everyday, you shared your computer with me, which by the way helped me a lot. And then you stood up to your parents for me, giving up what I think would be the hardest thing to give up. Sometimes no matter how much good we do we don't get what we want and you are no exception. So today I am going to give you a reward for just doing what you did. Whether you want it or not." Harry stated firmly
"Fine…" Dudley sighed. Harry left no room for argument. "What did you have in mind?"
Harry thought for a minute before he answered. "I have some business to take care of in London today. You can come with me and afterward you can join me for some frivolous shopping in Diagon Alley. When we're done I will treat you to dinner and a butter beer at the Leaky Cauldron. Sound Good?" Harry asked.
"Sure, when do we leave?"
"As soon as we finish this great food you made us." Harry finished while pouring on the maple syrup.
They spent the next half hour eating in an agreeable silence. When they finished they dropped their dishes in the sink not caring they're washed or not. Once outside Harry pulled his wand out and tried to summon the knight bus. Nothing, there was no sign of the knight bus anywhere. After trying for 15 minutes Harry growled in frustration. He thought that the bus would just appear like it did in his third year, but he resigned to the fact that they would have to take the underground. The only problem was that he had no muggle money in which to buy tickets.
Not really understanding what Harry was doing decided to try and copy him and see what would happen. Dudley picked up Harry's wand and mimicked Harry's movement and still nothing happened.
"Don't try Dudley, only a wizard or witch can call the knight bus…."
BANG!
Harry's sentence was cut off and they were staring at a violent purple, triple-decker bus.
"Well I'll be" muttered and astonished Harry
"What?" asked Dudley as the stared at the bus in fear.
Before Harry could answer a familiar voice rang out from the back of the bus
"Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. Just stick out your wand hand, step on board, and we can take anywhere you want to go. My name is Stan Shunpike and I will be your conductor this mor…" Stan stopped his monotone speech when he laid eyes on Harry who was still sitting on the ground looking dumbfounded.
"Oy! 'arry did 'choo fall over again?" Stan asked
"No Stan I was just sitting here this time. What took you so long?" Harry asked with anger still present in his voice.
"Sorry 'arry, we were over in Whale's we've been busy today. 'ad to pick up this sorry looking bloke running for 'is life."
"that's OK. We need to get to the Leaky Cauldron as fast as you can manage." Harry said pointing to Dudley who was still looking petrified with fear.
"Sure ting 'arry. That'll twenty-two sickles then" Stan said holding out his hand.
Harry grabbed Dudley and started pulling him onto the bus. As they entered the bus Dudley got over his fear and marveled at the crystal chandelier hanging down from the ceiling. As Harry led him to the bed Dudley saw something that made him stop. Sleeping on the first bed was a man who had his eyes covered with his right arm. The odd thing about this man was the fact that he had a silver hand attached to the arm. Harry didn't seem to notice or if he did he didn't think anything of it. After all, the Wizarding world was much different than the muggle world. This must be a common thing there if Harry didn't seem to care, but Dudley had to ask just to satisfy his curiosity.
"Harry, why does that guy have a silver hand?" Dudley asked.
"What?" Harry asked not really hearing him.
"That man over there on the bed. He has a silver hand. Is that common"
Harry whipped around so quick his eyes took a minute to catch up. When they did he saw the last person he ever wanted to see. Lying there peacefully sleeping was Peter Pettigrew, not knowing he was about to lose his freedom. As Harry stood there staring his blood rushed to his head, he could hear it pumping through his ears Pulling out his wand and pointing straight at Peter's heart. With all the hatred he had ever felt he yelled a spell to insure his capture.
"Stupify!"
The force of the spell was so great that Peter flew off the bed and straight into the wall behind Ernie Prang. Stan rushed up to the man as soon as Peter hit the ground.
"What 'ave 'ou done? You'll go to Azkaban for this. This poor fellow did nufink to 'ou!" Stan yelled as Harry put his wand away
"That man is the reason I have no parents. My godfather had to rot in Azkaban for twelve years because of him. and a very good friend is dead directly by his hand." Harry said his voice was dripping with venom.
"Stan, Dudley and Ernie, I am here by placing Peter Pettigrew under citizen's arrest. My new destination is the Ministry of Magick and if you can call ahead and ask for Kingsley Shacklebolt and a team of Aurors to have this filth turned over to there custody immediately" Harry said this last part as he sat down on the bed next to Peter to keep an eye on him.
As the knight bus sped along the streets of Great Britain Dudley and Stan sat and looked on in fear of Harry as he himself was boring holes into Peter with his gaze. Dudley had never seen Harry angry like this before. The only time he remembered coming close was when Harry had blown up Aunt Marge two years ago and that paled in comparison in what Harry was no projecting. Stan had never heard that "The – Boy – Who – Lived" had such a temper. Good thing he had never made this kid angry.
"This farce justice will end today" Harry kept saying to himself all the way to London.
As the bus came to a halt outside the phone booth that lead into the Ministry of Magic 15 people led by Kingsley Shacklebolt and Alistair "Mad Eye" Moody stormed the knight bus. Expecting a fight both went in first wands raised. When they saw Harry sitting on a bed staring down at lump of flesh they both took Harry by the shoulder to let him know they arrived.
"What are you doing here Boy?" Moody's gruff voice cut through Harry's thoughts.
Harry could do nothing but point at the heap of flesh on the floor. As Kingsley levitated Pettigrew off the floor; Moody led Harry and Dudley off the bus. As the exited there was a flash of light and wisps of purple smoke in his vision. Some how the press had been notified of the event taken place on the bus
Sighing Harry knew what he had to do.
"People, listen because I am only going to say this once." Harry yelled over the crowd
There was a hushed silence that fell over the crowd.
"Today I have placed Peter Pettigrew under citizen's arrest."
The reporters started whispering amongst them selves. This couldn't be, they all thought in unison. Peter Pettigrew was murdered by Sirius Black15 years ago.
"He is to be questioned for his involvement in the death of my parents, Lily and James Potter. The framing of Sirius Black, the murder of Cedric Diggory also he will be questioned about the return of Lord Voldemort."
There was a collective gasp from the crowd, even a few of the younger aurors.
As Harry tried to walk through the gathered reporters he was stopped by Moody's tight grip on his shoulder.
"Sorry kid, but you have to come with us Before Madam Bones and Mafalda Hopkirk for questioning about your use of magick" Moody whispered into his ear.
"Fine, they can snap my wand for all I care. Just so that bastard can be given the kiss." Harry said firmly as he was led into the building flanked by Aurors and one unconscious body.
Four Hours Later
"Harry who was that guy you shot?" Dudley asked finally finding the nerve to speak to his enraged cousin
"That was Peter Pettigrew. He was the one responsible for my parents' death. He also killed a friend of mine" Harry said numbly. Dudley couldn't ask anymore when they were interrupted by the opening of Madam Bones office door.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Dursley, Madam Bones will see you now." Said some clerk who was staring at Harry's scar.
They both entered the office and their behind a large oak wood desk sat Amelia Bones head of the Magickal Law Enforcement Division looking very somber when she offered them a seat. Standing next to her was Harry assumed Mafalda Hopkirk from the Underage Wizards office looking very stern just like Professor McGonagall. She was the one to speak up first.
"Mr. Potter, this is the third time you broken the Decree of Reasonable Restriction of Underage Wizardry. This is very serious. What do you have to say for your self?" she said with her best glare on the boy.
"Mrs. Hopkirk I presume?" Harry asked
With a swift nod for her he continued.
"Well if you paid closer attention to my activities in the past you will realize that my first offence was not even my own doing. It was the Malfoy's then house elf Dobby. The second time was to defend myself and my cousin here from dementors last year sent to attack me by the very own ministry that you work for. This is only the first time I broke it for something other than my own protection, not counting my little accidental magick the summer before my third year. Which by the way was cleared by the Minister of Magick himself" Harry stated calmly
Hopkirk started sputtering angrily, but Harry continued.
"As I told Auror Moody a couple of hours ago, I do not care what you do to me so long as Pettigrew was captured and convicted for the atrocities he has caused." Harry stated firmly ready to face whatever they wanted to do to him.
"Be that as it may Mr. Potter, you have used it to apprehend a person that was not even wanted for anything by this office." Madam Bone said before Mafalda could retort with her on ranting. Harry just looked at her calmly waiting for her to continue.
"Why is it that you felt it necessary to bring in a potentially innocent man?" Amelia asked.
Harry closed his eyes before he answered. "I have heard from his own mouth about his involvement in my parents' death. I have witnessed him sacrifice his own arm to bring back his master, and then I witnessed him kill Cedric my self. That is reason enough. If you have any doubt to my claim you can view my memories in a pensive and you can question me using veritaserum. Either way that will prove his guilt and Sirius' innocence."
The two ladies looked to one another before Madam Bones spoke to them again.
"Mr. Potter, thanks to the charges brought about by yourself, we have interrogated Peter Pettigrew and have officially charged him in the death of your parents, Cedric Diggory, his general involvement in Death Eater activities and bringing about the second rise of Lord Voldemort. "
Harry was in shock never in his life had he been granted what he wanted the most. It was an unreal feeling. He had to make sure he wasn't dreaming so he went and pinched himself as hard as he could.
As if adding an after thought madam Bones began speaking again. "Also thanks to his own confession Sirius Black will be found innocent on all charges and his record cleared. Peter's Order of Merlin Award will be stripped and presented to you. Thanks to you we have gained a good source of information on Voldemort's plans. All recent charges brought about you today will be dropped for you invaluable services to this office and government. "
Harry was too shocked to move or speak.
"Well Mr. Potter, Mr. Dursley you're free to go and might I suggest that you return in two days to receive your reward." Madam Bones said with a smile.
Dudley jumped to his feet and began to drag Harry out of the office, as he was still too shocked to move. As they made it to the threshold of the door Mafalda Hopkirk spoke again.
"Mr. Dursley, might I suggest a wand while you're in Diagon Alley today. It will be a big help in the future" she said with a smile.
Dudley nodded mutely and continued through the door with out a word.
Once out of the building they were greeted by Shacklebolt
"Where are you kids headed?" he asked
"Diagon Alley" Harry said once again being able to speak. "Where is Moody?" Harry asked.
"Went to headquarters to tell the order what you did today. Great job by the way" Kingsley complemented them.
"Thank you, but I have a favor to ask. Could you get us to Diagon Alley, I have some shopping to do." Harry said
"Sure take a hold of this" Kingsley said pulling out a spatula
Without hesitation Harry grabbed the utensil. Dudley just took hold copying Harry. Then with a pull behind there naval all three vanished, headed strait for the premier shopping market in all of Great Britain.
"So how did everyone like this one? It took me a long time to figure out a unique way of capturing Wormtail. Tell me how I did and what you think"
By the way I don't own Harry Potter