Chapter 37

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April 13th 1994

It has been two weeks since Hermione snuck out to see Sirius and as far as she can tell Pettigrew isn't on Hogwarts Grounds, and even though she is terrified about what the rat would do to her if given the chance she is hoping he comes back because it's the only way to clear her Dad's name.

It is Easter Holidays, earlier on a Wednesday Morning and Harry and Neville are the only ones awake, in the common room and they have been for a little while.

"I don't know, Neville. It feels like we're telling on her." Harry says, sounding worried.

"I know it does, but what if someone happens because we didn't tell." Neville says, looking upset, "She almost died a few weeks ago, Harry what if next time it's worse and we could have stopped it by telling Remus?"

"I'd hate myself." Harry realises, "But it's not like we have much to tell Remus."

"We know Mione's used your invisibility cloak, twice, on full moons, and she won't tell us what she's doing because she is trying to protect us and that she she'll tell us everything when she can, at the end of the school year." Neville says, "It is a lot."

"When you say it like that it kind of is." Harry says with a frown, "Okay we go to Remus, and hope Hermione doesn't hate us."

"Let's hope."


Half an hour later Harry and Neville are walking into Remus's quarters where they find him sitting at his table drinking a cup of tea.

"Harry, Neville, it's early." Remus says, sounding surprised, "Is something wrong?"

"We're not sure." Harry admits.

"And we're not sure whether coming to you is the right thing to do, but it's about Hermione." Neville explains looking concerned.

"What about her?" Remus asks worry in his voice.

"The last two full moons Hermione's borrowed my invisibility cloak, she said that she was safe, but she didn't tell us much more than that." Harry reveals.

"How long was she gone when she borrowed it?" Remus asks, with a frown, trying to make some sense of what is going on.

"An hour the second time, I don't know about the first." Harry admits.

"Did she ask you to borrow the cloak the night she was hurt?" Remus asks.

"No, I would have given it to her if she asked, I didn't even know she was out of tower; we agreed that she'd hold on to the map." Harry reveals, guilt in his voice as he thinks he should have helped Hermione that night.

"Has Hermione told you anything about what she's been doing?" Remus asks, his worry growing.

"That she's trying to protect us, that she'll tell us everything she can which is by the end of the school year." Neville reveals, causing Remus's frown to increase.

"I know it's not much, but Neville thought, and I agreed, that we should tell you." Harry explains.

"I'm glad you did." Remus tells the pair, "This is worrying, very worrying." Remus admits with a frown, wondering what his daughter is up to.

"What do you think is going on?" Harry asks curious.

"I'm not sure." Remus admits, "But I am going to find out." Remus assures the two boys.


Ever since Harry and Neville came to see him about Hermione a few hours earlier Remus has been worrying about his daughter, which is why he is glad to hear the door to his quarters open and Hermione walk in.

"Hey, Papa. You wanted to see me?" Hermione asks.

"I did." Remus confirms, "Sit down, Hermione." Remus tells his daughter.

"I'm in trouble, aren't you?" Hermione asks as she sits down on the couch.

"That's what I want to know." Remus admits, "Harry and Neville came to see me this morning, they're worried, Hermione, worried about what's going on with you, what you're doing." Remus explains.

"I'm fine." Hermione lies.

"Then why have you been borrowing Harry's invisibility cloak on full moons, the one night when you know I won't be watching the map?" Remus asks his daughter, "What are you doing?" Remus asks his daughter and as she sees the look on her father's face Hermione realises that she isn't going to get away with giving him no answer so she decides to give away one of the less dangerous secrets she is keeping.

"I'm trying to learn to become an Animagus. As you probably remember step one involves a lot of meditation, to get yourself ready for the next steps, my Dorm Room wasn't exactly working well for me, I thought an empty classroom would be better." Hermione says, though in truth she has already finished step one, and will start step two when she has less work.

"Hermione that is soo dangerous." Remus tells his daughter sounding worried, "Do you know how wrong that can go?" He asks worried and disapproving.

"Yes, I do." Hermione answers, "I'm being careful Papa, I promise."

"Being careful would mean not doing it! Learning Animagus transformation under supervision is dangerous enough, but doing it completely alone is just reckless! Damn it, Hermione, why would you risk all the danger?" Remus asks, panic in his voice.

"For you." Hermione says simply, "I know I can't help you as a human during full moons, but I can if I become an Animagus."

"Oh, Hermione." Remus says, sounding touched as he sits down next to her, "That means a lot to me, Hermione, so much, but I want you to be safe." Remus tells his daughter, "I want you to spend the rest of the school year focusing on your work, and over the summer we'll talk about this again, okay. Don't try to make any more progress until the summer." Remus requests.

"I won't." Hermione says, being pretty sure that she won't have time to make any more progress anyway, not with everything else she has going on.


A little while later Hermione returns to the Gryffindor Common room where she finds Harry, Neville and Ron sitting together in their normal seats.

"Are you mad?" Harry asks worried as she approaches.

"No, I can't blame you for being concerned." Hermione admits as she takes a seat.

"You know we're here for you, Mione, right?" Neville asks.

"I know." Hermione says with a smile, "I also know that I have to get to the library." Hermione says, before heading up to her dorm room.


May 26th 1994

It has been six weeks since Hermione admitted to Remus that she is trying to become an Animagus so that he doesn't question what else she is doing and since then Hermione hasn't been able to go and visit Sirius again as she can't ask Harry to use his cloak again without him being extremely suspicious. Something else that has happened in the last six weeks is Gryffindor winning the Quidditch cup.

It is exam week and for Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville they are on their last day of exams. Something which Harry, Ron and Neville think is a good thing because in their opinion Hermione looks close to a break down.

For the foursome their second last exam is Defence Against the Dark Arts where Remus has constructed the most unusual exam any of them have ever completely an obstacle course in the sun. They have to wade across a deep paddling pool containing a Grindylow, cross a series of potholes full of Red Caps squish their way across a patch of marsh while ignoring misleading directions from a Hinkypunk and then climb into an old trunk and battle with a new boggart.

As he knew that Hermione had to be last because of the possibilities for what her Boggart could be Remus arranged for Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville to be the last in the class left so that they are the only ones around. Out of the foursome Ron goes first and does quiet well until he reached the Hinkypunk which managed to successfully confuse him. Neville was second and managed everything pretty okay, though the Grindylow did provide him with a lot of trouble that lead Remus to intervening. Harry was third and did everything perfectly and Hermione is currently in the course, facing the boggart when suddenly she starts screaming as she bursts out from the trunk.

"PAPA." Hermione yells, sounding terrified, tears rolling down her face.

"Hermione." Remus says, racing over to his daughter, "What's wrong?"

"I saw you, you were dead, the full moon had killed you." Hermione explains, sounding horrified.

"It's okay you're okay. It was just a Boggart." Remus tells his daughter as he hugs her.


It takes a while, but eventually Remus manages to calm Hermione down enough and the foursome head back up to the castle.

As they do they find a man in a pinstripe cloak that they know to be the Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, a tough looking wizard with very short, wiry grey hair, another wizard that is so ancient that he appeared to be withering before their very eyes and a third man who is tall and strapping, with a thin black moustache.

As the foursome really don't want to be seen, for a variety of reasons, they try to walk past the group without being noticed, but all a sudden they hear,

"Harry, Harry Potter." Being said by Fudge and Harry has to stop and turn around, "I am Cornelius Fudge, Harry. The Minister of Magic, it's a pleasure to meet you." Fudge says as he takes Harry's hand and shakes it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you to, Sir." Harry responds, sounding awkward as he has no idea what else to say, "Why are you at Hogwarts? If you don't mind me asking?" Harry asks, it being the first thing he can think of.

"I'm here on an unpleasant mission, Harry. The Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures required a witness to the execution of a mad Hippogriff. As I needed to visit Hogwarts to check on the Black situation, and be updated about the other security threats, I was asked to step in." Fudge explains and as he does Hermione avoids looking right at the minister, just in case he sees the Black resemblance.

"Does that mean the appeal's already happened?" Ron interrupts, stepping forward.

"No, no, it's scheduled for this afternoon." Fudge says, looking curiously at Ron.

"Then you might not have to witness an execution at all!" Ron says heavily, "The Hippogriff might get off!"

"Harry, if we don't go we're going to miss our next exam." Neville says, saying what Hermione whispered in his ear.

"Right, I better be going it was a pleasure meeting you Minister." Harry says and the group head inside, Hermione doing her best to hide her face as she goes as she figures that if there is anyone who will pick up on the Black Family resemblance then it will be Fudge.


A couple of hours later Harry, Ron and Neville are sitting in the common room, waiting for Harry to finish his Divination exam as Professor Trelawney is seeing everyone individually and the trio have just got horrible news from Hagrid.

"Professor Trelawney," Harry pants as he comes running in, "Just told me…" he says and as he does he sees the looks on Hermione, Neville and Ron's faces.

"Buckbeak lost." Ron reveals in a weak voice, "Hagrid's just sent this." He says passing over the letter that Hagrid sent, saying that Hagrid's going to be executed at Sundown and they're not to come down.

"We've got to go." Harry says at once, "He can't just sit there on his own, waiting for the executioner!"

"That's exactly what we were saying." Neville comments.

"Sunset, though." Ron says as he stares out of the window, "We'd never be allowed, 'specially you two." Ron says, looking between Harry and Hermione.

"We have the cloak though." Harry points out, then realises something, "But your Papa has the map." He realised, "Would he be watching it tonight?" He asks Hermione putting a little bit of force on 'tonight' as he, Hermione and Neville all know what tonight is.

"For a little while." Hermione answers, "But as long as we just go to Hagrid's and back I don't see him getting us in trouble, but only if we used the cloak."

"So, we use the cloak." Harry says and the others nod in agreement.


A little while later, after dinner, the foursome snuck into an empty chamber of the entrance hall, just listening until they can be sure that the place is deserted. Once they hear what they think is the last two people hurrying across the hall Neville pokes his head around the door.

"Okay." Neville whispers, "No one's there, cloak on."

As they are now taller and bigger it isn't quite as easy as it once was for all four of them to walk together under the cloak, but the foursome manages by tiptoeing and walking very closely together.

Due to how close they have to walk it takes the foursome a little while to get to Hagrid's hut but once they finally get there they knock and within a minute Hagrid answers, pale-faced and trembling.

"It's us." Harry hisses, "We're wearing the Invisibility Cloak. Let us in and we can take it off."

"Yeh shouldn've come." Hagrid whispers, but he stands back and they step inside, quickly Hagrid shuts the door and Harry pulls the cloak of them.

Once the foursome have the cloak off Harry, Hermione, Neville and Ron are able to properly see Hagrid and as they do they realise that he looks like a man who doesn't know where he was or what to do, honestly to the foursome the helplessness is worse to watch than tears.

"Wan' some tea?" Hagrid asks, as his great hands shake as he reaches for the kettle.

"Where's Buckbeak, Hagrid." Hermione asks, sounding hesitant.

"I… I took him outside." Hagrid says as he spills the milk all over the table as he attempts to fill up the jug, "He's tethered in me pumpkin patch. Thought he oughta see the trees an', an' smell free air… before." Hagrid starts to say before his hands trembles so violently that the milk jug slips from his gasp and shatters all over the floor.

"I'll do it, Hagrid." Hermione says quickly as she hurries over and starts to clean up the mess, needing to do something.

"There's another one in the cupboard." Hagrid says, as he sits down and wipes his forehead on his sleeve.

"I'll get it." Neville says, getting up.

"Is there anything anyone can do, Hagrid?" Harry asks, "Dumbledore…"

"He's tried." Hagrid admits, "He's got no power ter overrule the Committee. He told 'em Buckbeak's all right, but they're scared. Yeh know what Lucius Malfoy's like, threatened 'em, I expect, an' the executioner, Macnair, he's an old pal o' Malfoy's, but it'll be quick an' clean, an' I'll be beside him." Hagrid reveals as he looks around for some sign of comfort, "Dumbledore's gonna come down while it, while it happens. Wrote me this mornin'. Said he wants ter, ter, be with me. Great man, Dumbledore."

As she finishes cleaning up the broken jug Hermione puts the broken pieces in the sink and turns towards him

"We'll stay with you too, Hagrid…." Hermione starts to say, but Hagrid shakes his shaggy head.

"Yeh're to go back up ter the castle. I told yeh, I don' wan' yeh watchin'. An' yeh shouldn' be down here anyway. If Fudge an' Dumbledore catch yeh out without permission, Harry, Hermione, yeh'll be in big trouble." Hagrid says.

"Ron, I don't believe it, it's Scabbers." Neville says, sounding shocked.

"WHAT?" Hermione and Ron ask together, both sounding shocked and Neville carries the milk jug over to the table and over to the table and turns it upside down. With a frantic squeak and much scrambling to get back inside, Scabbers the rat comes sliding out onto the table.

As soon as she sees the rat Hermione pulls her wand with one hand and presses Dumbledore's button with the other while saying,

"Petrificus Totalus." As she points her wand at The Rat

"Hermione, what are you doing?" Ron asks confused.

"That's Scabbers, but he's so much more." Hermione answers as the door to Hagrid's hut bursts open and Albus, with his wand drawn, runs in, "He's on the table Albus."

"Who's he? It's just my rat." Ron says sounding completely confused.

"Hermione, are you sure it's him?" Albus asks, wanting to be sure.

"Look at his front foot." Hermione says as she keeps her wand pointed at The Rat and Albus also moves towards the rat and checks the foot.

"He cut off his finger." Albus realises, "That's how he did it." He says to the confusion of everyone but Hermione.

"Yes." Hermione confirms and as she does Fudge and the two younger men hurry into the hut.

"Albus? What is going on?" Fudge ask.

"What's going on Cornelius, is something a lot bigger than an execution." Albus says as he places Scabbers back in the milk jug and casts several charms on it so that Peter can't transform or escape, "I believe we should move this conversation to my office." Albus says, as he doesn't want to risk Fudge calling the Dementors before the complete truth has been revealed, "Cornelius, believe me when I say that you won't want to miss this conversation."

"Fine." Fudge says, even though the executioner looks angry and the other man looks confused, "We'll postpone the execution, temporarily." He says, stressing the temporarily, and Hagrid looks completely thrilled.

"I'll take Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville back to the tower." Hagrid offers.

"No, they will come to my office. This involves them, Harry and Hermione especially." Albus says as he picks up the jug, once more confusing everyone, but Hermione.

"Albus, what could four teenagers have to do with whatever this is?" Fudge asks, sounding confused.

"It will become clear." Albus comments, "But Hagrid I will need you to get Professors McGonagall and Snape and ask them to join us and please ask Professor Snape to bring Veritaserum." He says, knowing that Remus will likely catch up with them before they get to the first floor.

"Yes, Sir." Hagrid says before leaving.

"Hermione, you can put your wand away. He can't escape, he won't hurt you again." Albus promises, his voice kind, and shaking slightly Hermione puts her wand back in her pocket, "Let's go." Albus says and The executioner, the other man and Fudge leave the hut and Albus signals to Harry, Hermione, Neville and Ron to follow, and as they do none of them grab the cloak as it would be too difficult to explain, and Albus leaves last.

"Mione, what is going on?" Harry asks in a confused whisper.

"The last piece of the puzzle is failing into place, the words going to know the truth, you're going to finally know the truth." Hermione explains, her voice also a whisper and even though he has a lot of questions Harry doesn't ask them as he doesn't even know where to begin.


Just as Albus suspected Remus is in the entrance hall when the group enter.

"Albus, it's…." Remus starts to say, but Albus cuts him off.

"I know." Albus assures him, "Please join us, Remus." He requests, knowing that Remus won't be able to stay for long as the moon is coming, but he should be able to stay long enough to confirm a few things.

"Of course." Remus says and he waits a few seconds before he continues to walk, so that he can walk besides Harry, Hermione, Neville and Ron.

"Are you four okay?" Remus asks worried and he gets four nods in response.

"I'm sorry, about lying." Hermione tells Remus, wanting to do that while she can because who knows what Fudge is going to do when he finds out who she is, and what she's done.

"It's okay, Hermione, but we're definitely going to talk about it." Remus says and the group continue to walk in silence.


A few minutes later the group consisting of Albus, four students, three ministry officials, as the fourth is going to somewhere he can wait, and Remus arrive at Albus's office.

As the do Albus walks over to his desk where he places the jug and puts charms on the table to prevent Peter from escaping.

"Remus." Albus says as he takes the rat out of the jug and puts it on the table and Remus steps forward, "Do you recognize this creature?" Albus says, giving Remus an 'it's okay' look.

"Yes." Remus confirms, "It's Wormtail, otherwise known as The Animagus form of Peter Pettigrew." Remus answers.

"Peter Pettigrew is dead." Fudge says.

"Remus, how can you be sure?" Albus asks, ignoring Fudge's comment.

"I was there when he learnt to transform, I have seen him countless times. I will always recognize him." Remus reveals.

"Good, thank you." Albus says, "Considering the time I believe it would be best for you to go to your office." Albus says knowing that the moon will be out soon, "Everything will be okay." he says, reassuringly.

"Yes, Headmaster." Remus says as even though he doesn't want to leave his daughter, or Harry, with ministry officials he knows that he can't stay with the moon being so close, and so he heads out the room, giving his daughter a comforting look before he walks out, doing so just as Severus and Minerva walk in.

"Your potion is on your desk, drink it." Severus says as they walk past one another.

"Albus you cannot be serious; this can't be what you wanted to talk about." Fudge says angrily, "Pettigrew is dead and the word of a Werewolf who is the mate of the person who killed him doesn't change anything." Fudge says annoyed, causing Ron to gasp as he didn't know that.

"Remus's words isn't the only proof you're going to get." Albus comments and as Severus and Minerva are now in the room Albus locks it down to make sure Peter can't escape. Once he is sure that the office is secure Albus uses a spell to tern Pettigrew into his human form while keeping him unconscious, causing several people around the room to gasp and jump back, while Ron looks horrified, "Hermione?" Albus asks.

"It's him, the man who hurt me, Peter Pettigrew." Hermione answers, and Harry starts to glare at the person, realising exactly what is going on.

"If it is Peter Pettigrew why would he want to hurt you?" Fudge asks, "Who are you?" he asks looking at Hermione in suspicion and as he does Hermione looks to Albus who moves his head a fraction as if to say yes, answer.

"To most people; Hermione Granger. But my real name is Hermione Lupin-Black." Hermione reveals, "I'm the daughter of people Pettigrew betrayed and framed, and if you don't believe me you can ask Lucius Malfoy to confirm my identity."

"Dawlish, take Miss Lupin-Black into custody. You will help us get your father." Fudge informs Hermione, there being no room for questioning in his voice.

"You will not!" Albus says firmly, moving so that he is standing in front of Hermione, "Hermione is a child, a student under my protection, and you will not hurt her or use her in any way." Albus says, his eyes blazing slightly, "Tonight you will get answers, find out the truth about everything, but if you try to hurt or use one of my students will have a problem." Albus informs Fudge, it being clear that he is telling the truth, "Now, Severus, did you the potion?"

"Yes, Headmaster." Severus answers as he pulls a clear bottle out of his pocket and hands it to the headmaster. As he takes the potion off Severus Albus pours several drops into Pettigrew's mouth.

"I will wake him up now, and I have put charms up so that he can't transform, but he will still attempt to escape, and we cannot allow that." Albus reveals and everyone nods in agreement, and all the adults pull their wands once he sees the nods, and the drawn wands, Albus wakes Pettigrew up, while Hermione moves close to Harry, Neville and Ron and Harry takes her hand.

The second he wakes up Pettigrew looks around the room, trying to figure out a way he can escape but he quickly realises that that would be impossible.

"Do you know who I am?" Albus ask.

"Albus Dumbledore." Pettigrew answers.

"What is your name?"

"Peter Pettigrew."

"How are you Peter Pettigrew when Pettigrew died twelve years ago?" Fudge asked, not believing that he is seeing this

"I faked my death, cut off a finger to make it seemed like I died in the explosion I caused." Peter answers.

"And who did you frame for the explosion you caused, the deaths?" Albus asks.

"Sirius Black." Peter says and several people around the room mutter.

"Did you spy on the light side for Voldemort during the war?" Albus asks.

"Yes." Peter answers, shivering at the name, trying to resist, but failing.

"Did Sirius Black?" Hermione asks, before she can stop herself as she wants people to know that her Dad is innocent.

"No." Peter answers, "He would have rather died first." And hearing that Harry squeezes Hermione's hand.

"Did you betray Lily and James Potter?" Albus asks.

"Yes." Peter answers, and Harry, and even Snape both have to fight not to react to that, so this time Hermione squeezes Harry's hand.

"How?" Albus asks, "Exactly how did you betray them?"

"Lily and James knew the Dark Lord was after them so they went into hiding, Black was going to their Secret Keeper, but he thought he would be the obvious choice so he suggested that the switch to me. They didn't tell Lupin because Black wanted to protect him, stop him from being a target, and they didn't tell Dumbledore because they thought the less people who knew the better." Peter explains, doing so even though he doesn't want to, "As soon as the Fidelius Charm was cast I went to The Dark Lord and told him I could get him the Potters." Peter explains, causing everyone but McNair to look at him in disgust.

"What did you do after Lily and James Potter were dead?" Albus asks.

"I tried to run, but I knew Black would find me no matter how far I ran so I let him. I yelled that he betrayed the Potters, caused an explosion, cut of my finger and transformed." Peter reveals.

"What have you been doing for the last twelve years?" Albus asks.

"Hiding, as a rat, with a Wizardng Family, the Weasley's, I had a good life, I was a good pet I just want to go back." Peter reveals.

"I let you sleep in my bed!" Ron says, disgusted, "I can verify that Minister. My brother found him as a rat, and gave him to me when I started Hogwarts, he was my pet." Ron reveals, looking at Fudge who nods.

"Did you use the Cruciatus Curse on Hermione Lupin-Black?" Albus asks.

"Yes! Twice and I'll gladly do it again! She found out who I was, where I was hiding after I ran from Ron, she was going to bring me to you, she was going to ruin everything!" Peter reveals, as Harry tightens his hold on her Hermione's hand, "But when Black burst into the room I knew that it was my one chance to get away, so I used a curse that would kill her slowly because I knew Black would rather save her than kill me, so I got away." Peter reveals.

"Why did you come back to Hogwarts after you got away from Hermione and Sirius?" Albus asks, "Why did you hide in the same place."

"I wanted my life back. I knew Hermione wouldn't tell anyone who I was because she would want to protect her father I thought enough time had passed that I could get back to my old life without her giving me trouble, and if not I would have dealt with her." Peter explains.

"Minister, did you have any questions?" Albus asks curious.

"Did you commit every crime that people believe Black did?" Fudge asks.

"Yes. Perfect, hot headed Sirius Black, with his family, always making me feel like less than I am, there was no better person to blame." Peter reveals, looking biter.

"Now, Minister I believe this should be more than enough evidence to clear Sirius Black." Albus comments, looking at Fudge.

"You mean Dad will get a trial?" Hermione asks, sounding hopeful.

"I don't think that will be necessary, I believe a full pardon signed by myself and Minister Fudge, as well as a public announcement, can be completed right now." Albus comments, wanting to do that as it means that Fudge will have less of a chance to go back on his word, "That will be much less hassle Don't you agree Minister?"

"We need Black first, get his side of the story, and then yes, I believe that can be done." Fudge reveals, "But I don't see that happening any time soon."

"If Sirius Black were to walk into this office right now do we all have your word that you will not harm him or order anyone or anything to harm him, including Dementors?" Albus asks.

"Yes, but that's not likely to happen." Fudge comments, not seeing that ever happening.

"Hermione?" Albus asks.

"I can get him here, as long as he'll be safe." Hermione answers.

"How long have you been working with your father?" Fudge asks angrily.

"Only since I knew he was innocent." Hermione answers.

"How did you discover that? How did you know about Pettigrew?" Snape asks, and Hermione looks to Albus who gives her a small nod.

"After Dad's first attempted break in to Gryffindor Tower I knew something wasn't right. I had always been told that Dad was smart so I knew that everything had to have been planned and that he wouldn't have picked a night where the Tower was empty unless that is exactly what he wanted." Hermione explains, "I started to wonder after that. Before Christmas I discovered that Dad got a paper before he escaped so I worked on getting that paper. In early February I got my hands on the paper, but things still weren't making sense. After Dad's second break in where he went to Ron's bunk I knew that Ron had something to do with what was going on so I took another look at the paper and it was like everything fell into place when I remembered that Peter Pettigrew was a Rat animagus, something which my Papa told me." Hermione explains, "On the first full moon after I discovered everything I snuck out, I choose then because I didn't want Papa to know what I was doing, or what I knew, because I wanted to protect him. I got down to the grounds and I found my cat, that is half Knezle, Crookshanks, he had been going after Scabbers all year and so I realised that he knew the truth, and he lead me to my Dad." Hermione explains, "I talked to Dad and I realised that he was going to kill Pettigrew if he found him, so I attempted to find him first so that I could get him to Albus and get Dad's name cleared. I came close and that's when I was attacked." Hermione reveals, "After the attack I assured Dad that I was okay, but that was the only contact we had and I never told anyone."

"You have been working with Black, your Father, a fugitive?" Fudge asks angrily.

"I've had contact." Hermione corrects.

"Considering Sirius is innocent, and you can't really blame Hermione for talking to her father, I believe that Miss Lupin-Black shouldn't be punished in any way, don't you agree minister?" Albus asks, "I mean further bad press wouldn't be good at this stage."

"No, It wouldn't." Fudge says, looking like he swallowed a lemon.

"Hermione, I think it's time for you to go get your Dad." Albus says.

"Dawlish, go with her." Fudge instructs.

"Yes, Sir."

"Dad won't come if someone he doesn't know or trust is with me." Hermione reveals, knowing that.

"You can't very well go alone." Minerva comments.

"Harry, I think you should go with Hermione." Albus says.

"Yes, Sir." Harry answers and he and Hermione start to walk across the office.

"I need to make some calls." Fudge says, "Albus, I'll use your fire."

"Of course." Albus answers and as Hermione and Harry walk out of the office, Fudge walks over to the fire and Albus, Severus, Minerva, Dawlish, and McNair keep their wands trained on Pettigrew, while Ron and Neville stand in the corner, neither sure what they should be doing.


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