Hey guys sorry about the wait, been really crazy going full time and all with my job, so updates are going to be slow for a while.
Now in this chapter Remus and Charlotte catch Pettigrew, so this will mainly be about freeing Sirius Black but Harry's part will come in the end. There is a slight time skip, but towards the end will be more of an update on how Harry is taking everything. I will say though, Remus will have to bring Dumbledore in but only because it would look strange if he did it himself with the Ministry.
Written by myself and my sister author AnnaBoleyna1536, and we don't own Harry Potter.
Enjoy!
A month later, Hogwarts corridors:
A large, fat brown rat ran through the dark halls of Hogwarts, trying to find its way back to a certain common room. It had been chased by that ugly ginger cat again, and this time the cat searched until sunset making it difficult to run around with students everywhere. After all the students disappeared the rat slowly but surely took its course until it made a wrong turn towards the Slytherin dungeons.
"Gotcha!" the rat suddenly found itself inside a cage, and it was warded with spells. "Is this him?" aftera woman's voice a light was shined brightly on the rat made it squeak loud and flinch away.
"It is, he's missing a toe and he's much older than twelve." a man's voice, a recognizable one. "Let's hurry to my office, but first…" the rat suddenly felt sleepy, and then saw nothing but blackness.
Remus Lupin's office:
"He's out, won't wake for at least twenty four hours." Remus Lupin set down the cage with the rat, also known as Peter Pettigrew, asleep inside.
"Then by this time tomorrow you must take the rat to old graybeard and it will all go down from there."
"Padfoot will be innocent and freed?"
"Yes but with him gone it will make things a little complicated. No worries though, Madame Bones will do her job well." Charlotte Prewett pulled off her purple hood and glared nastily at the rodent. "Once the truth is found out Black will be freed and have everything he's lost back."
"I cannot tell you how…" she stopped Lupin.
"Don't thank me until it's done, I will stick around long enough for this to happen."
"True, you will know regardless right?" Charlotte nodded. "This time tomorrow morning, after breakfast of course, I will take this to Albus. My classes are covered for the day, but when I return they'll get a pop quiz."
"Of course, what better way to see if they learned anything?" they both laughed. "Tell me…how has the bat been acting?"
"He's quiet most of the time, but he snaps at the students for miniscule reasons. Dumbledore has about had it with him but unfortunately can't fire him without finding a suitable replacement." it was true, Snape had been going off the handle but Dumbledore warned him if he didn't stop he would fire him at the end of the term, though most of the students would likely appreciate that.
"Hmph, I could care less what happens to him." Charlotte had kept Snape out of her visions, but if it involved him possibly showing up to hurt Harry again she would act. "I must go, you know what to do and believe me it will work out as I've seen and don't forget the map."
"Alright." Charlotte disapparated from the room, and Remus Lupin set the cage down in his own quarters before getting into his bed. "You will regret what you've done Peter, I knew you were a coward before but this is lower than ever." he made sure the wards around the cage were intact, and went straight to sleep.
The next day:
"Remus…why on earth do you have a rat with you?" the day after the rat was caught Remus managed to get McGonagall, Dumbledore, Flitwick, and even Snape in the headmaster's office. It wasn't even a minute after breakfast, and maybe Remus seemed a bit desperate but what else could he do to get their attention?
"We all have better things to do than look at a rodent Lupin." Severus gave a dark glare.
"Perhaps you do, but this isn't just a rat." the rat was awake and frantic. "Petrificus Totalus!" he went still as a statue. "This rat is the final piece of James and Lily's deaths."
"What rubbish is this?"
"Severus." Dumbledore gave a slight glare. "Care to clarify Remus?"
"I've been doing some research, other than looking for Harry but I was using James' old Marauder's map when I spotted a name, one of whom we all thought was dead."
"Marauder's Map…?" Minerva was confused.
"It was a map James made of the whole school, to keep an eye on things or cause mischief more likely but anyway the map shows everyone in the school and everywhere including old passageways. It never lies either, and it cannot be deceived." he pulled the petrified rat from the cage and set it on the floor. "Look at the rat closely, what can you see?" they looked in.
"It's balding…" Minerva saw.
"Yes and…?"
"It's fat." Flitwick said. "Old definitely."
"Anything else?" Dumbledore looked much closer, and then slowly looked up to meet Remus' eyes.
"He's missing a toe."
"Exactly." Remus pointed his wand at the rat again, and with a quick wave there stood a petrified Peter Pettigrew, alive and in the flesh. Minerva nearly shrieked but pulled out her wand as did everyone else. "Hold on…" Remus unfroze Pettigrew and the man dropped to the floor.
"R-R-Remus…S-Snape…" he tried to run, but Minerva managed to bind him with 'Incarcerous'. Peter continued to struggle but it was useless.
"It's impossible…" Minerva stared at him. "He was alive this whole time…"
"But how did we miss this?" Filius looked at everyone.
"Sirius Black didn't kill Pettigrew; my guess is that Sirius knew Pettigrew had sold the Potters out to Voldemort but when he went to confront him Pettigrew faked his death and has lived as a pet rat to the Weasley family for twelve years."
"Twelve years, all this time he was with them…oh my lord Albus…"
"First thing's first, Severus I don't suppose you have any veritaserum on you?" Snape was too shocked to move. "Minerva, summon Cornelius tell him it's about Sirius Black and tell him to bring some aurors with him. I have a feeling this is going to be a shocker for all of us."
"Yes."
"Filius you had best get to your classes, tell Minerva and Severus' first ones their classes are cancelled until tomorrow morning."
"No problem Albus, fill me in later." Filius and Minerva left off to do as told, but Albus stared at Remus strangely.
"How on earth did you manage to catch him?"
"Easy, follow the map." that was all he needed to say, now they just had to wait on Fudge to show up.
Some minutes later:
"They're here." Dumbledore and Remus stood still in the headmaster's office when Fudge, two Aurors known as Kingsley Shacklebolt and Dawlish, Minerva, and Snape all came back in. Fudge gaped when he saw Peter, tied up and purely terrified.
"Albus what in Merlin's name…?"
"Cornelius, this is Peter Pettigrew but seeing as you might not be convinced Severus will administer some Veritaserum."
"Hold on!" Fudge stopped him. "How can this be Pettigrew, he was killed by Sirius Black twelve years ago?"
"He was found by Professor Lupin Cornelius, accidentally but found no less. For any questions I suggest you let us administer the serum so we can get this over with." Fudge nodded hesitantly, and after Pettigrew's mouth was wrenched open Severus administered the potion and forced him to swallow.
"Alright then…" Fudge looked to Shacklebolt, one of the best aurors on the squad. He stepped up, knelt down to Pettigrew's level, and put on a straight face.
"What is your name?"
"Peter Pettigrew." he tried to hold back but couldn't.
"When were you born?"
"June 7th, 1960."
"What house were you in?"
"Gryffindor." Kingsley looked up to Dumbledore.
"Looks like it's working." he looked back to Pettigrew. "Did Sirius Black betray James and Lily Potter?"
"No." he struggled still.
"Who did?"
"Me." everyone gasped at that.
"Why, Sirius Black was the secret keeper?"
"No, no we switched, he thought Voldemort wouldn't come after me but he did. He was a decoy, but the Dark Lord knew he wouldn't be swayed." Kingsley's eyes closed for a moment.
"Did you take the dark mark?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I was afraid at first, but then I decided to stop being weak and I took the mark. I was always the 'lump of a boy' following after my friends while they got all the glory and everything else. Even Remus…" he looked up at Remus' angry eyes. "Was the smart one of us, and I know they liked him more than me. I was fed up with everything…" Remus looked ready to kill, but he held his ground.
"How did you fake your death?" Pettigrew gave up the struggle, and stared directly into Kingsley's eyes.
"Black confronted me that night they died, he told me…I was a traitor and he was going to turn me in. I took advantage of it all, and I blew up the area killing muggles and I severed my own finger. I took my rat form, and I've been a rat ever since."
"One more question, do you know where Harry Potter is?"
"No, I haven't seen him since before he vanished. I was there when the Weasley boy told him they weren't his friends anymore, and then he was gone." Kingsley stood up.
"I think that's enough." Fudge nodded and Snape gave the antidote to Pettigrew.
"Send the Dementors back to Azkaban, and take Pettigrew with you. Be sure he doesn't transform or get close to a wand, we'll have a trial next week."
"What about Black?" Dawlish spoke up. "He's still out there."
"Seeing as Pettigrew is the real traitor I suppose once word gets out he'll come forward. We will clear him, he will be compensated, and a free man."
"I'm surprised at you Cornelius; I would've thought you'd have him in Azkaban for escaping?" Minerva stared in awe.
"Well, it turns out that Black wasn't given a trial at all. Seems only fair we don't put one up when we have the real culprit here." Remus nearly snorted, Fudge just didn't want to take the blame for all that happened. After all most trials went through him, he didn't even hesitate to lock Sirius away without a trial. "Let's be off then, but if Black shows up do tell him to see Amelia Bones soon." now he was referring Amelia, knowing if he'd asked to see Sirius himself he'd never show up.
"Very well." Dumbledore nodded and all Ministry officials left with Pettigrew in tow. "Well…that actually went better than I thought."
"Better? Forgive me headmaster but the only reason Fudge didn't lash out was because he's already at fault, he didn't give Sirius a trial and no one bothered looking into it until now." Remus had to say it.
"Be that as it may, he's free now so wherever he is he won't have to hide anymore. I'm pretty sure he'll go to you Remus, so if you see him please tell me."
"I will." old Sirius was actually hiding out in the Shrieking Shack, and Remus had been sneaking him food with trips into the city. He had a monstrous appetite so no one ever questioned the many snacks and meals he took, but he gave them to Sirius and he was appreciative of it. "Good day everyone." Remus left but tried to remain steady and quick at the same time. He had to send word to Sirius, knowing once this was done he could be free…and take a damn shower.
Later that night, 9:00 pm.:
Charlotte was waiting in the house she'd taken as shelter for the time she'd been back in London. It was in a muggle neighborhood near Hogwarts, but the school and any town near it was obscured from muggle eyes. She had bought the house some years before, but only when she came to London did she use it. It was small, like a cabin, with one bedroom and a bathroom with little furniture but it had enough food and a basement.
She was waiting on Lupin and Black to arrive, she knew once Black was cleared he'd want to know about Harry, but he would have to wait until Christmas time and that was only a month away from now. She knew the man had been through hell, but he had to recuperate for a while and regain his health.
Knock Knock Knock
Charlotte pulled out her wand, and went to the door slowly to be sure it was them.
"What creature befalls this night?" she whispered.
"Dark shadows loom over this land, but the light shines no matter how small." yes it was them, they had to use codes only they knew, to make sure no spies lurked around.
"Welcome." she let them in, and she could tell Black was cleaned and shaved. No more horrid dog smell, even if Charlotte loved animals Sirius' stench was overwhelming at times as told by Remus. "Are you both hungry?"
"I am." Sirius nodded.
"Here then." Charlotte unwrapped three chicken sandwiches she bought in town, the best ones she'd ever had. She also brought out three sodas, she hadn't thought to cook and it was late. "I also have cake for dessert, would've cooked but I forgot."
"Oh well, this looks great." Sirius dove into his food, and they ate in silence. Once they finished Charlotte served the cake but then the questions came. "How is he?"
"Doing much better, his headmaster has told me he's done well in his classes, and he's made some great friends."
"Is he still playing Quidditch?" Charlotte nodded.
"He plays pretty much all positions, but he loves being seeker and beater. Viktor Krum has taken a liking to him."
"Good, maybe he can go pro one day, at least for a year if he wants. When can I see him?"
"You'll have to wait until Christmas Sirius…" Remus answered him. "You still have to fully heal; your magic is a bit wonky too. You'll want to be in full health once you see him." Sirius frowned, but nodded knowing Remus was right. He'd already told him about Charlotte adopting Harry, and what happened after everyone found out the truth about Snape.
"You'll love Paris in Christmas Sirius, it's lovely and beautiful plus you'll get to spend the whole day with your godson." Charlotte knew Sirius would be good for Harry; he would need his godfather back before anything else happened.
"Does he know about me?" Charlotte nodded.
"He doesn't know everything, but he knows you were innocent and I'll surprise him with your return."
"I can't move to Paris though, if I just up and vanish after all this everyone will think something's amiss. Besides I need to get back and find a home to live in."
"What about old Grimmauld Place?" Remus asked, Sirius hadn't been there since he ran away.
"It's probably in horrid shape, knowing Kreacher it's likely rotted away."
"Perhaps, so just get a new home. You can visit Harry as often as you wish in the summer."
"Really?" Sirius almost couldn't believe it.
"Well yes, he'll need you and I've seen with you back in his life he'll be able to heal better. So yes, you can stay at the castle up until New Year begins because that's when Harry will return to Durmstrang."
"Will I be able to write to him?"
"Only if you're careful." he understood why. "You know how the Ministry is with letters. So you're cleared now?" she already knew the answer.
"Yeah, a free man at last. They gave me 50,000 galleons for my wrongful imprisonment, but I gave some to Remus."
"For?" she had already given Remus some money, why need more?
"I'm actually trying to save for a home of my own, one far out in the country, but suitable for someone like me." he meant the lycanthropy.
"Remus don't start, you aren't evil and you don't hurt innocents. Now you two are more than welcome to use this cabin until you can find a good home. Don't worry about rent either, because I know you won't like being around muggles for very long."
"Maybe not but I know how muggles live." Remus laughed a bit, his mother was a muggleborn and his father was pureblood.
"Either way boys, this is a new beginning for you both."
"Yes…it is." they kept talking about what to do for the holidays, and they all knew once Harry came home it would hopefully be his best Christmas ever.
Durmstrang Institute, Harry's bedroom:
"Hey Harry mate did you finish the report from Montclair?"
"Yeah, you?"
"Almost, here look it over for me please?" Max handed Harry his scroll and with a quick skim over Harry nodded.
"Looks good, but work on your penmanship a bit."
"Duly noted, wouldn't want another D on this again." he finished up the last bit of his essay, and all the other boys finished as well. Max, Devon, Viktor, and even a friend of Viktor's Bernard Bertram were all in Harry's room to finish up their homework for the weekend.
Harry had been in Durmstrang for a few months now, and he still couldn't compare it to Hogwarts. No one judged him here, no one worshipped him over some stupid reputation, and no one faked being his friends hell even Jean seemed to be alright with him but they still quarreled a bit.
"Someone pass the tarts, and the juice I'm starving." snacks went around.
"Oh…sorry guys I gotta go I need to finish up studying for that Potions exam. If I get another A my dad will skin me." Devon got up.
"What's wrong with an A?" Max asked.
"He's tired of me getting A's, I need to get EE's or O's from now on or he won't let me go to the Quidditch World Cup this summer."
"Oh, well get to it!"
"Seeya tomorrow!" Devon grabbed his books and ran out the room.
"I gotta go too, forgot I have that extra credit from potions so I need to get moving." Max stood. "See you guys."
"G'night!" he left and then Bernard left just wanting to get to his room. Only Harry and Viktor were left, but no tension in the air.
"Well that was fun, you tired too Harry?"
"Not really, you?"
"Eh, not really." they laughed. "I'm glad you like it here, you have definitely brought life into all this."
"Well I don't know about that but thanks." Harry got up to sit on his bed. "You know Jean would be furious if he found you were here."
"He'll get over it, it's no secret that he likes me."
"Yeah well he's annoying when he blames me."
"Even so, he'll get over it." Viktor sat on the right side of Harry.
"Why haven't you ever returned his feelings?" Viktor sighed.
"Because he's too feminine for me, if he were a girl I think he'd be like a spoiled princess." he shuddered a bit.
"I see what you mean." Harry laughed. "I'm surprised you don't have any relationships stashed away."
"Well that's because I haven't found the right person, see when I find the guy I want I want it to last and not just be a fling or have my heart torn out. I want to find a soul mate, but it may need to wait since I have so much going on."
"Really? I can understand your reasons though…but what kind of guy do you like?"
"You really want to know?" Harry nodded. "Well, he has to be smart, funny, cute of course, loyal, friendly, like Quidditch, but most of all…trusting and loving."
"And those are hard to find aren't they?"
"Yes, but there…there might be one I can think of." Harry stared at him. "He's not as tall as me, but he's new, he's intelligent, he's a kickass Quidditch player, but most of all…he has the most adorable green eyes I've ever seen."
"Viktor…are you…?" Viktor leaned in.
"It's you Harry."
Uh oh surprise cliffy! I know I didn't plan on the two getting together for a bit but they can start off slow can't they?
Well now that Sirius Black is freed we can only imagine how Christmas will turn out to be. That will take place in the next chapter, Harry gets his first real Christmas with a family that loves and cares for him. Might mention something on the other Weasleys not sure yet, and a little fluffiness for our boys.
R&R
Later!
