Harry Potter and the Soul of the Serpent
Chapter 4
Serpents and Secrets
Standard Disclaimers Apply
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The battle was harsh. From the moment it began to the moment it ended, everyone present knew that it marked a turning point in the war, as the first open battle between the two sides. Fortunately, there had been no fatalities for the Order; unfortunately, the same had been true of Lord Voldemort's allies. No fatalities, but it had been a clear win to the Order. They had caught a Death Eater.
How ironic, Snape thought. In just a few days, the one who had returned Voldemort to the physical world would aid in his destruction. Hopefully.
His trial was to be strictly before the Wizengamot, no reporters, no viewers. He and Remus Lupin would be there as witnesses.
Peter Pettigrew was not one to stand up to authority figures. He had started spouting secrets the second Minister Bones looked at him. Still, Veritaserum was necessary in the end.
"Peter Pettigrew," Bones had begun, "you are accused of being a follower of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Is this true?"
"I am a follower of the Dark Lord," the chubby, pale man had whimpered.
"Did you knowingly return said Lord to his physical form, therefore initiating the second rising?"
"Yes."
"What other crimes have you committed?"
"I have aided other followers of the Dark Lord in the torture and murder of muggles and mud-bloods. I betrayed Lily and James Potter's whereabouts to the Dark Lord, as their Secret Keeper."
Outraged voices interrupted him. Amelia Bones spoke again.
"Sirius Black was innocent?"
"Yes. When he cornered me in the Muggle district, I blew up the street and escaped in my rat form. I am an unregistered animagus."
Bones began to speak again, but Pettigrew spoke over her.
"I have stolen valuable information from the Ministry of Magic, for use by the Dark Lord. I have used Unforgivables against wizards who do not follow him, and I helped to frame Harry Potter."
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In a cell a thousand miles away, The-Boy-Who-Lived jerked awake as pain seared through his scar. I had been many months since he had felt negative emotions through his link with Voldemort. Something good must have happened. But why should he care. He wasn't a part of that world anymore, maybe he never would be.
Why then, did he cling to that small sliver of hope?
Knowing I was innocent kept me sane.
Harry remembered Sirius words, and now he fully appreciated what they meant. But what happened when you started to doubt your innocence? He had replayed the events of that night so many times he was no longer sure that he hadn't done it. It didn't matter now, anyway. Voldemort could be as happy or unhappy as he liked, and he was still a murderer.
Azkaban was beyond words to describe. It was perpetually darkness, coldness, fear, all rolled into one. Harry did little except lean against the wall, staring straight ahead, or laying sprawled unconscious on the floor. As the pain in his head subsided, he reverted to the former, scrunched up in a useless attempt to repel the cold.
Harry had long since accepted the fact that this was his life. His friends had betrayed him, or had he betrayed them? When he had first come here he had believed that they betrayed him, but now he wasn't so sure.
And it still did not matter. The thoughts went round and round, always winding up in the same place. Whether in Azkaban or not, he would die alone and in pain.
It was his destiny.
oOoOo
Snape stared at Pettigrew in shock. Silence reigned in the large room.
An insane smile spread on Pettigrew's face. He laughed. It rolled up through the silence, echoing off the walls, falling on deaf ears.
"SILENCE!" Minister Bones yelled. He continued to laugh.
"Silence! I hereby announce the innocence of Sirius Black. I announce the innocence of Harry Potter, and order his immediate release from Azkaban Prison."
The war began in earnest.
oOoOo
Harry shivered. Voldemort had been here just days ago. He had felt him, stronger than ever. He was unsure of whether he would rather be in Azkaban or have to face him.
Memories from his previous meetings with Voldemort rushed through his head, concluding with his vague recollection of his parent's deaths. It was no less painful than the first time he had remembered it, though it had less of an effect on him now. But he would not cry. He had never cried, not since that day he had learned of his history. Dark thoughts flew through his head constantly, as they had since he came here. Everyday the fight to stay sane became harder, and he wondered how Sirius had managed for so long.
Today was a good day, though. Most times he wasn't capable of thinking of others. He drowned in the misery of his own life until unconsciousness claimed him, or until he was given a reprieve by a vision of Voldemort. Harry was brought out of his musings by footsteps heading in his direction, and with a coarse grating sound, a key tuned in the lock and his door opened.
"Harry?"
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At his name, the boy had turned his head slowly towards them, and they had been met by dead green eyes that held none of the emotion they once had.
Snape stood to the back of the delegation that had been sent to retrieve him, but he could see nonetheless. The Auror who had been on duty stepped away and Dumbledore took his place. Snape saw Harry look away again.
It hit him then. The boy didn't care anymore. He had lost all faith in the world he had once known.
"Harry?" Dumbledore tried again.
He didn't answer.
Snape wondered if his mind was still intact. A year in Azkaban, for an innocent fifteen year old, and considering all the things he had seen in his short life, it was highly unlikely he would escape unscathed.
"Albus, just stun him and take him back to Hogwarts if he's not capable of walking on his own," Snape snapped.
"We may have to," said the old man softly.
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A/N: I think this chapter was a bit disjointed, but I detest stories that have long chapters with lots of talk and no actionJ.
Chapter 5: A Necessary Evil