To Catch a Rat
The arrival of October brightened Harry's mood as Quiddich season had arrived. The captain of Team Gryffindor, Oliver Wood, called a team meeting the first Thursday evening. A Quiddich team had seven members: three Chasers whose job was to put the quaffle – a red, soccer ball sized ball through one of three hoops fifty feet above the playing field. Two Beaters whose job was to protect their team mates from the two Bludgers – black balls that tried to knock the players off their broomsticks. They used short, heavy bats to hit the Bludgers, preferably at the opposing players. The Keeper guarded the goals, and his job was to intercept the Quaffles to prevent scoring. The Seeker had the toughest job: to capture the Golden Snitch – a walnut sized ball that flew on silver wings at high speeds, and the ability to make sharp turns. Capture of the Golden Snitch automatically ended the match, and earned the Seeker's side 150 points.
Oliver Wood was seventeen, in his seventh, and final, year at Hogwarts. It was well known that he had ambitions for turning pro after graduation. He paced before his team mates.
"This year is my… our... last chance at that Quiddich Cup", he began his presentation. "I'll be graduating at the end of this year; I'll never get another shot at that Cup. I don't need to remind you, the last time Team Gryffindor won was seven years ago". Saying that brought a lump to his throat, as though that was too painful to mention.
"Yes, we've had the absolute worst luck with injuries. Then the whole season got called off last year with the petrifications and the school's almost getting closed.
"We still have the Best. Ruddy. Team. Period. Full stop. We have three excellent Chasers..."
He indicated Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, and Alicia Spinnet.
"Two unbeatable Beaters…"
Referring to Fred and George Weasley.
"Awwwww, c'mon Ollie…", Fred began.
"… You're embarrassing us"
The Twins did a fake blush of extreme humility, to laughter from the rest of the team.
"And we have a Seeker who has never lost us a match!", meaning Harry. He indicated him with a sense of fierce pride.
"And me", he added last.
"We think you're pretty good", Fred said.
"Spankin' good Keeper", George agreed.
"The point is", Wood continued, "that Cup should have had our names on it for the last two years running… ever since Harry joined the team. I thought we had it in the bag…"
"Oliver: this year belongs to us!", Fred called out.
"We'll do it!", Alicia said.
"Definitely", Harry agreed.
The team, filled with determination, hit the Quiddich pitch three evenings a week. The weather was getting wetter and colder, twilight coming increasingly early with each passing week. However, no amount of rain, cold, mud or dark of night dulled Harry's anticipation of Team Gryffindor's hoisting the large silver Quiddich Cup with his name, and his team mates' names on it.
After a particularly grueling session on the Quiddich pitch, Harry entered the Common Room. It was immediately obvious that something was up. The mood was celebratory, lots of excitement.
"'Sup?", Harry asked.
"First Hogsmeade Weekend!", Ron told him. "The announcement just went up!", as he pointed to the bulletin board. "End of the month: Samhein".
"Excellent!", Fred said as he followed Harry through the entrance. "I need to visit Zonko's, I'm running low on Stink Pellets".
"Terrific", Harry said gloomily.
"You don't know you won't be allowed", Hermione pointed out.
"I'm expecting that call to Dumbledore's office any minute now. Given how Fudge and Dumbledore treat me, they won't allow it".
Hermione's objection was cut off as Crookshanks leaped lightly into her lap. He had a large spider hanging from his mouth.
"Clever Crookshanks, did you catch that all by yourself?"
"What kind of question is that?!", Ron called out. "Yeah, I'm sure he just sauntered up to a student or professor: 'Excuse me, but could you lend a hand with this spider?'", Ron said with heavy sarcasm. He looked away as Crookshanks began to eat the spider.
"Just keep him over there", Ron said irritably. "Scabbers is sleeping in my bag".
Harry still had his star chart to complete. He took out his quill, parchment, ink pot and book.
"You can copy mine, if you like", Ron said as he finished listing the last star with a flourish. He slid his chart across the table.
"Thanks, Ron. Appreciate this".
"Harry, you should do your own work…"
"Look, Hermione, I'm not in the mood for a lecture. I've just had practice, I'm dog tired, and all I wanna do is go upstairs for some well earned sleep. Besides, it's not like we're actually learning anything useful in Astronomy. It's all constellations, asterisms, and the visible planets. Sinistra has not once mentioned anything about Kepler's Laws, how to plot an orbit, how to calculate an orbit. All we do is peer through these next to useless telescopes. Hell, she hasn't even assigned something as basic as plotting the orbit of the Moon. Not word one about the latest observations from the Hubble. I learned more when I was in the fourth grade. So kindly back off".
"Fine", she said through narrowed lips.
"OY!", Ron called out as Crookshanks leaped onto his bag. He tried pulling it away, but Crookshanks had latched onto the fabric with four sets of claws. He went with the bag, hissing and slashing. The rest of the students present stopped what they were doing and saying to watch the show.
Ron swung the bag around: "GET OFF YOU STUPID CAT!"
"Ron, don't hurt him!", Hermione squealed.
Scabbers flew out and hit the floor running. Crookshanks let go and was in hot pursuit.
"STOP HIM!", Ron ordered as Scabbers ran a maze of twenty pairs of legs.
George tried tackling Crookshanks, but missed. Scabbers shot under an old cabinet. Crookshanks skidded to a stop, and began swiping under the cabinet. Ron's foot flew out, but his kick missed.
"RON!", Hermione called out in shock.
"DAMMIT! DAMMIT! DAMMIT!", Ron's foot connected with the edge of the cabinet. He was hopping on one foot.
She went to the cat, and pulled him away and picked him up. Ron threw himself flat on the floor. With difficulty, he finally pulled Scabbers out by the tail before holding him in his hands.
"LOOK AT HIM!", he ordered Hermione. "He's just skin and bones! You keep thatGOD DAMNcat away from him! I thought you were gonna keep him in your dorm".
"He doesn't understand it's wrong! All cats chase rats…"
"There's something off about that animal. He heard me say Scabbers was in my book bag!"
Ron was trying to put a squirming Scabbers into his pocket
"Oh what rubbish, Ron! He could smell Scabbers, how else do you think he'd know?"
"That cat has it in for Scabbers! He was here first, and he's ill!"
Ron headed for the stairs to the boys' dorms.
The next morning brought the dreaded excuse slip, delivered by McGonagall herself. The Headmaster wanted him in his office before class started. After breakfast, everyone headed to class, while Harry headed the other way.
At the gargoyle that guarded the entrance to the Headmaster's office he gave the password: "Fizzing Whisbees" (Dumbledore's passwords were always confections.)
"Enter and be welcome", the gargoyle stepped aside to reveal the ever spiraling spiral staircase that doubled for an escalator. At the top of the stair case, the heavy oak double doors to the office. Harry was reaching for the door knocker, a heavy bronze gryphon.
"Come in, Harry", Dumbledore called from behind the closed doors.
The doors opened. Dumbledore's office had two levels, the larger, the lower. Here, the walls were lined with book cases, the portraits of headmasters past hung on the walls. Fawkes, on his perch, looked and chirped.
"Hello, Fawkes", Harry greeted.
The floor space held numerous spindly tables where silver instruments whirred softly.
Harry crossed the lower level, and climbed a short staircase to the alcove where Dumbledore was waiting behind his desk.
"Welcome Harry, have a seat", he invited.
Harry took a seat before the desk: "You wanted to see me, Professor?"
"Lemon drop", Dumbledore offered from a silver tray.
"Thanks, don't mind if I do". Harry popped one of the drops in his mouth.
"You are probably wondering why I sent for you".
"I can guess, it's about the Hogsmeade Weekend".
"How perceptive of you. Yes, Harry, this is about the weekend. I'm sorry, but I must deny your approval to leave the castle".
"Does this have anything to do with the Express, when I fainted?"
"Not at all. It's that Minister Fudge believes it best if you do not leave the castle while Black is at large. After all, he was heard threatening you".
"What if he wasn't?"
"There is no arguing the point, Harry. You are to stay here in the castle. Hopefully, Black will have been apprehended and sent back to Azkaban by the next Weekend, then you can go. That will be all", Dumbledore dismissed him.
Ron avoided Hermione for the next few days; he refused to sit with her or talk to her. There were tense moments during Herbology. They were working of puffapods for Professor Sprout. They were stripping the bright pink pods from the plants, opening them, and dropping the beans in a wooden pail.
"How's Scabbers?", Hermione asked as a peace offering.
"He's still hiding at the foot of my bed, still shaking", he told her in an unpleasant tone. Ron was still shaking with rage that he missed the pail, spilling beans across the greenhouse floor where they burst into blooms.
"Careful, there, Mr Weasley", Sprout reprimanded, "careful".
"Yes, Professor", he apologized. He glared at Hermione.
During the morning break, Harry was in the Common Room, composing another letter.
Dear Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon:
I need some advice, so could you pass this along to Tom, next time he drops by? I received some bad news from Madam Bones. The Wizengamot voted against reopening Sirius' case. I don't see any alternative but to expose Wormtail. If Pettigrew turned up alive and well, the Wizengamot couldn't ignore that. Scabbers is getting more antsy by the day, and I don't think it's all due to the unwanted attention Crookshanks is giving him. I believe we need to advance the time table, we can't wait for Christmas.
Yesterday, Crookshanks went after Scabbers yet again. That's when Ron said something that makes me wonder: 'That cat has it in for Scabbers'. That's what he said. Is it possible Crookshanks could know that Scabbers isn't an ordinary rat? Could Pettigrew figure that out? I expect him to do a runner any day now. I'm surprised he hasn't already. Or maybe he's tried, only to have Ron catch him?
Malfoy is still pretending that his arm is badly injured. I was wondering if I should have a word with Prof Snape. He is Malfoy's godfather, and just about the only adult he trusts around here.
Onto happier news, Quiddich is starting. Our team captain seems confident that Team Gryffindor can win the Quiddich Cup this year. He's desperate to win it, seeing how he graduates this year. He said we have an outstanding team, and I agree: we do. Now all that remains is to prove it to the rest of the school.
Love,
Harry
"Professor, may I have a word?", Harry approached Snape after Potions.
"What do you want, Pot-ter?", he sneered with that drawl that emphasized every syllable.
"In private, please".
"Pot-ter, I am a busy man. Now move along", Snape dismissed him.
Ron was waiting for him: "What was that about?"
"I wanted to discuss something with Snape. He refused".
"All for the better, if you ask me, the less I have to do with him, the better".
The next morning, Hedwig landed in front of Snape at the staff table. He took the letter, glanced at it, and crumpled it. Harry also got an owl.
He didn't get the chance to read it until the morning break.
Dear Harry,
I concur: we can't wait. You may very well be right about Pettigrew. Animagi definitely fool humans easier than animals. He could flee at any time. You should contact Madam Bones ASAP. Suggest that the aurors take Pettigrew in the Great Hall. The more witnesses the better.
As for discussing the matter of Draco Malfoy with his god father, I agree. I must warn you against revealing too much to Snape. As for the background, when he was at Hogwarts with your parents, James and his friends singled out a young Severus Snape as the target for their pranks and bullying. The other reason he hates James Potter is that James "stole" Lily Evans from him. Yes, Harry, that's right: your father was almost Severus Snape.
James, in particular, took pleasure in calling him "Snivellus". He cites this when questioned about why he treats you the way he does. As for what you reveal, I'd stay away from that prophecy. As for anything else, and how you reveal it, I leave that to your judgment. I would also beware of Legilimancy during any meeting with Severus.
Yours,
Tom
Harry got busy on the letter to Amelia. One quick trip to the library for the back issue of the Prophet.
Dear Madam Bones:
In reference to your letter, I can provide evidence that the Wizengamot will not be able to ignore, and if they do, it would prove far more embarrassing than reopening Sirius' case may or may not prove to be.
The case against Mr Black revolves around the supposition that Peter Pettigrew died in the attempt to bring Black to justice for betraying my parents. He was posthumously awarded an Order of Merlin, First Class. I have evidence that Pettigrew did not, in fact, die that day. All the aurors found was his right, index finger. I believe him to be an animagus who has been concealing himself as Ronald Weasley's pet rat. You can see in the enclosed photo that his rat is missing an index finger from his right paw. I believe Mr Black saw this photo, recognized his old school chum, Pettigrew. The Azkaban guards heard Black's saying "He's at Hogwarts" in his sleep. This started about the same time this photo appeared in the Prophet. Minister Fudge can confirm the date he visited Azkaban.
He couldn't have been talking about any of the people in that photo. Regardless of what Minister Fudge thinks, he couldn't be referring to me as he would have known I started Hogwarts two years ago, so why now? He had to be referring to Ron's rat. If he's out to get anyone, it's his old friend: Pettigrew. He betrayed the Potters, he's the one responsible for putting him in Azkaban. Revenge is a powerful motive, wouldn't you agree? I'm convinced that if you send the aurors to Hogwarts, they will be taking Pettigrew into custody. I suggest that the arrest be made in the Great Hall during one of the meal times. The more witnesses, the less likely anyone can cover this up. He finally gets the justice he deserved, and Sirius Black's name is cleared.
Respectfully,
Harry J. Potter
0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Outside the classroom for Transfiguration, there seemed to be a disturbance of some sort. Lavender Brown was crying as Parvati, Dean, Seamus, and Ginny were around her. Harry and Hermione were catching up from Divination.
"I miss something?", Harry asked.
"What's the matter?", Hermione asked.
"It's Lavender's pet rabbit, Binky – a fox got into the hutch and killed him", Dean said quietly. "She just got the letter from home".
"Sorry for your loss", Hermione said.
"I… I… I… should've known!", Lavender sobbed. Red eyed, she looked up: "You know what day it is?"
"Errrrr…"
"The fifteenth! Friday the fifteenth of October! She was right. She was right: 'That thing you're dreading will happen on Friday the fifteenth'!"
Hermione paused, deep in thought.
"You were dreading a fox would kill Binky?", Hermione asked.
"Well, maybe not a fox, exactly", Parvati hugged Lavender tighter.
She paused again.
"Was Binky an old rabbit? Did he have any health issues?"
"He was just… a bbbbaby!", she sobbed again.
"So you had no reason to believe Binky was in any danger of dying?"
"I must have, the prophecy..."
Hermione addressed the assembling group: "She couldn't have been dreading Binky's death. Look at what a shock the news was. Besides, Binky didn't die today, it was today when she found out about it".
Lavender sobbed all the louder.
"Don't mind her", Ron called out, "she doesn't give a rat's ass about other people's pets".
The Trelawney fans were murmuring in agreement.
McGonagall opened the classroom door, which was excellent timing as Hermione and Ron looked about to start an argument.
"What's wrong?", McGonagall asked Lavender.
"It's her pet rabbit, a fox killed him, and she just got word", Seamus explained.
"I see", McGonagall paused. "Miss Brown, you are excused from class today. See Madam Pomphrey for a Calming Draught. Miss Patel, would you see her to the infirmary?"
Parvati led Lavender off to see Madam Pomphrey.
"Thank you, Professor", Parvati said.
"Break it up", she called out. "We have work to do today".
Everyone filed into the classroom, Ron taking a seat well away from where Harry and Hermione were sitting.
There was a post instruction announcement: "One moment please", McGonagall called out. "All members of my House will need to turn over to me your permission slips before Samhein if you want to visit Hogsmeade…"
Neville had his hand up.
"Professor… I… seem to have lost my…"
"Your grandmother owled your permission to me directly, Mr Longbottom. She seems to think that would be safer".
"If you are not in my House, you should turn in your permissions to your respective Faculty Advisors. That is all".
0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
"Pot-ter: would you see me after class", Snape ordered at the end of Potions.
Finally, after four mornings of Hedwig's dropping off notes to Snape, he got the appointment he needed.
"Uh-oh", Ron said. "What did you do this time?"
"No idea, catch up with you later".
Harry followed Snape into his office. Snape sat behind his desk, while Harry pulled up a chair.
"Pot-ter, you are persistent, I will give you that. What do you want, and I warn you: you had better not be wasting my time".
"No, Professor, I'm not. Let's get the preliminaries out of the way. There's no one here, just the two of us, so you can drop the act".
"Whatever are you talking about?", he replied as though the comment meant nothing.
(He's good)
"The act, you know…"
"I don't know", Snape drawled. "If there's a point in there, would you kindly get to it?"
"The act where you pretend to hate me because I remind you of James whom you blame for stealing from you the love of your life, Lily – my mother. Among other things that happened before I was ever born and had absolutely nothing to do with. That act… Sir".
"You think you have it all figured out, eh Pot-ter. You are as arrogant as your father, but with little of his talent…"
That's when Harry felt that prickle on the back of his neck.
(Snape found himself drifting in a featureless sea of blue and green. Suddenly, something stringy and white shot out of nowhere, latching onto Snape. More and more were coming, immobilizing him, sapping his magick. He pulled out of Harry's mind.)
"Don't try that again, Professor. You do know that you are not permitted to use Legilimancy on the students without the permission of a parent or legal guardian? I don't have it all figured out, just enough. I know Dumbledore is setting me up to be led like a lamb to the slaughter to clear his way to take out Voldemort".
"POT-TER! You aren't supposed to know! You have endangered my life…"
"I have no reason to endanger your life, or get you kicked out of Hogwarts, or see you sent to Azkaban. Dumbledore doesn't need to know I know. Now, I'd like to discuss why I'm here. It's about Draco…"
"And why would you be discussing Mr Malfoy?"
"He's about to make a mistake, the kind of mistake he'll likely regret for a lifetime. You are the go-to expert on regrets of a lifetime, are you not?" Harry didn't wait for an answer. "You've known Professor Hagrid longer than I have, and even I know how he feels about his 'critters' (finger quotes). If Draco gets Buckbeak put down, you know how that will devastate him. For Hagrid, it would be like losing a son or daughter. Draco will have that on his conscience for the rest of his life.
"You're Draco's god father, he'll listen to you. Draco is the closest to a teacher's pet you have ever had, or likely will ever have".
"And why would you care, Pot-ter? You don't get along".
"That doesn't mean that I want to see him come to harm. It's partially my fault. I was brought up by a muggle and a squib. There was a lot I didn't understand about the Wizarding World. The first time I was on the Express as a Firstie, I blew Draco off when he tried giving me advice that clashed with my muggle understanding. I didn't know how to treat the heir of a noble house, and inadvertently offended him. I should have at least done him the courtesy of listening, even if I didn't agree with what he had to say".
"I see".
"Will you, discuss this with Draco?"
"How did you learn Occlumancy? That's rather advanced magick, and isn't taught until the fifth year".
"I have connections"
"What connections, Pot-ter?"
"The kind that I could tell you about, but then I'd have to kill you".
"Ummmm… What did I just see?"
"I got the idea from this old movie, Fantastic Voyage, I think. It was about these guys in a submarine that was shrunk down to microscopic size so's they could be injected into the president as that was the only way to save his life. It was the attack of the antibodies scene".
"How do you know about James and his school boy antics?"
"This summer, I had a most enlightening visitor, the agent of an author who's working on a biography of the Professor. He wanted to interview me, get my version of the events of the past couple of years. In exchange, he told me some of what he'd learned during his research".
"And who is this agent?"
"I can't name either the agent or the author, he insisted on the Fidelius before we began the interview".
"Very well, be on your way. Understand this: nothing you said will change how I deal with you in class".
"Thank you for seeing me, and I hope you consider what I told you".
Harry congratulated himself on his way back to Gryffindor Tower. He avoided mentioning the prophecy, he implied he was getting his information from the Unspeakables, and sent Dumbledore on a wild goose chase as he had no doubt that Snape would tell Dumbledore about the biography. It was highly unlikely he'd ever discover Skeeter as The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore wouldn't be written for several more years.
London: Ministry of Magick
Amelia Bones poured herself another firewhiskey. A simple case was getting very complicated and mysterious. She didn't like complicated, and she abhorred mysteries. First there was the on-going failure of her department, the Azkaban guards, and the muggle police to apprehend Sirius Black. It was becoming an embarrassment for Minister Fudge, as his repeated promises to the Prophet of Black's imminent apprehension went unfulfilled. How he continued to evade the law, she hadn't a clue.
Then there was the bombshell Potter just dropped in her lap. If Pettigrew was still alive, it would prove highly embarrassing to high officials such as Barty Crouch, the former Minister, Millicent Bagnold, the Chief Warlock: Albus Dumbledore. The case against Black would collapse, "confession" or no "confession". Then the Ministry would be placed in the embarrassing position of explaining how an innocent man was allowed to remain in Azkaban all these years.
Try as she might, she couldn't dismiss Potter's claims. She talked with Cornelius Fudge, and he confirmed: he violated the prison's rules and gave Black back issues of the Prophet, including the one with its self promoting blurb about the Weasleys and their vacation. It was indeed that very night, the guards heard Black say "He's at Hogwarts" for the first time.
Hogwarts: Gryffindor Common Room:
"It's too bad about Hogsmeade", Ron was commiserating, "you might want to talk to Fred or George: I bet there isn't a secret passage in or out of Hogwarts they don't know about".
"Ron!", Hermione called out, "The Professor made his position clear, Harry is to remain in the castle".
"You could use the cloak…"
"Didn't you hear the Professor? He said dementors aren't fooled by disguises or invisibility cloaks! He also said that all passages are being patrolled by the dementors. It's not worth the risk!"
"Don't worry about me, I'll get along somehow. Just promise me you'll bring back something from Honeyduke's".
"You sure?"
"Ron: I'm not about to even attempt something that will get the dementors after me. Just promise me one thing".
"Sure, anything".
"Just don't eat all my Honeyduke's goodies before I get a chance to taste them".
The least helpful one was Percy, whose social ineptitude rivaled Ron's.
"There's always the Samhein feast", he said. "It's always excellent. There's even an after dinner show!
"Don't worry about Hogsmeade. Take it form me, it's not all it's cracked up to be. Sure, there's the sweet shop, Honeyduke's, and Zonko's is kind of dangerous, the Shrieking Shack's always good for a visit. Other than that, you aren't missing much".
"I'll keep that in mind, Perce", Harry said with sarcasm that went right over his head,
"That's the spirit; always happy to help my Lions"
Percy was so thick he didn't remember that Samhein was also the anniversary of his parents' murders. That was why Harry was down on the first floor during his first year, the year he confronted a mountain troll in the girls' loo where Hermione was having a private cry after Ron insulted her in front of the Charms class. It was the tenth anniversary of James' and Lily's deaths, and he wasn't feeling all that festive.
Three days before the Hogsmeade Weekend, Harry received a message from one of the house elf message runners that got him dismissed early from Divination.
"Pepper Imps", he gave the password to the gargoyle. He went up to Dumbledore's office, the Professor invited him in before he knocked.
"Prof…", he started before realizing he wasn't alone.
"Harry, come in", Dumbledore invited.
He did the introductions.
"Madam Bones from the Ministry".
"Madam Bones", he offered a hand, and she took it.
Amelia didn't look a day over thirty, too young to be the director of a major department. She also tried to cover up her looks while on duty. She wore a severe expression that would give McGonagall's stern look a run for its money. She emphasized this by wearing a masculine accessory: a monocle.
"So we meet again, Mr Potter", she greeted.
"You two know each other?", Dumbledore asked.
"Last summer", Harry said.
She got right to business: "I would like to interview Harry, in private".
"I'm afraid I can't allow that. As Headmaster, it's my duty to be present. It's in the by laws: no student can be interviewed without the presence of the Headmaster, the Head of House, or parents or guardians".
"What did you want to ask?", Harry said.
Amelia and Harry took the seats Dumbledore conjured.
"According to your latest letter, you claim that Pettigrew is an animagus, and that he's Scabbers. How do you know that?"
"Professor McGonagall's first lesson was animagi. She demonstrated by transforming herself into her animagus form: a cat. Secondly, Ron has said repeatedly that Scabbers is old. He said he inherited Scabbers from his brother Percy.
"When we were doing our school shopping this year, we stopped by the Magical Menagerie where the counter lady told us a common garden rat like Scabbers wouldn't live for more than five years. I looked it up, and she was correct about the life span of rats. Scabbers is far older than that. Percy should be able to tell you more…"
"Albus, would you be so good as to send for this Percy?"
"Right away, Amelia".
"While we're waiting, I must ask again: have you been in contact with Sirius Black?"
"Of course not. How could I? Hogwarts is lousy with those dementors. He couldn't get near the place"
"Yet we have a report that Black was seen in the immediate area".
"By a normie, who may or may not have been right. Neither the normie police nor the aurors found anything. Isn't that right? Even if it was his intention to drop in for a visit, he would have seen and felt the dementor patrols. He wouldn't stick around if he had any sense, would he?"
"Very well", she said that like she didn't believe it.
"Professor?", Percy the Head Boy asked.
"Madam Bones, what an honour this is!", he offered his hand.
"Mr Weasley", she said as she shook hands.
"I just need to ask one question", Amelia said, "then you're free to go. When and how did you acquire your pet rat: Scabbers?"
"I found him hanging around the back porch. At first, I shooed him away, but he kept coming back. I fed him some table scraps, he was so persistent. He seemed friendly enough, so I sort of adopted him. He was sort of beat up, his ear was tattered, and he was missing a toe, so I named him Scabbers".
"And this was?"
"I'd guess ten… maybe twelve… years ago. It was a few weeks after the big celebration, you know, when Hewhomustnotbenamed fell from power. What's this all about?"
"That will be all, you can go", Amelia dismissed Percy. "Under penalty of law, you are not to discuss anything you've seen or heard here, is that understood?"
"Yes, of course, Madam Bones".
Percy took his leave.
"One final question, Mr Potter: how did you figure out Scabbers was Pettigrew?"
"I'd rather not say, Ma'am"
"I must insist. If you're protecting anyone, I will keep what you tell me confidential".
"It was Mr Weasley".
"Arthur Weasley, Director of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts?"
"Yes. He told me that it wasn't reported in the Prophet, that the guards heard Sirius say: 'He's at Hogwarts'. The Minister simply assumed he was referring to me, but he couldn't have could he?"
"Why would you say that?"
"Look at that picture that was in the Prophet. It couldn't've been any of the Weasleys. Arthur, Molly, Bill, and Charles already graduated. Fred and George, Ron and Ginny, and Percy started long after he was sent to Azkaban, so he couldn't know them. Who does that leave?"
"The Minister believes he was referring to you".
"But that makes no sense! Sirius would have known I started two years ago, so why wasn't he saying that two years ago? Why would he say that after seeing a photo of a family he didn't even know? It had to be Scabbers. In the photo, you can clearly see that Scabbers is missing a right, index finger. Sirius would also recognize his old friend from school, wouldn't he?"
"Are you sure you're telling me everything? You haven't discussed this with Mr Black?"
"I already said…"
"I think we're done here".
After Harry left the office: "Albus, it's just a formality, but I have to say it. Under penalty of law, you are not to discuss with outside parties anything said here, or seen here".
"Of course, Madam Bones"
0xFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
The next morning, Dumbledore stood at the podium: "Serving will be delayed…"
There was grumbling from the tables.
He raised his hands: "I beg your indulgence. This shouldn't take too long".
"Hell's this about?", Ron asked.
Just then the doors to the Great Hall opened. Three new guests were arriving. Harry recognized Amelia Bones, of course.
"Aunt Amelia?", Susan Bones called from the Hufflepuff table.
The trio stepped up to the podium, said something too quietly for any student to hear.
"Ron Weasley, would you come up front?", Dumbledore said.
"Hell'd you do?", George asked.
"Oh Ronniekins", Fred said, "the Directrix of the DMLE heerself: I'm impressed!"
Percy looked every bit as anxious as his brother. If Ron screwed up badly enough to involve the Directrix of the DMLE, it would reflect badly on the entire family… and Percy.
More murmuring, speculation as to what he did wrong, how much trouble he was in.
"Mr Weasley, you need not worry. You aren't in any sort of trouble", Dumbledore reassured, to Ron's visible relief. "Allow me to introduce you to Madam Bones…
"John Dawlish.
"Clive Williamson", wearing scarlet robes, and a pony tail down his back offered a hand.
"We need to see your pet rat", Amelia told him.
"Scabbers? What d'you want with him?"
"If you would accompany these gentlemen", Amelia said.
"Ummmm… OK…", as he led the way to Gryffindor Tower.
About five tense minutes later, they returned, Scabbers had been stunned before they opened his cage.
"What're you doing to him?!", Ron called out. "Don't hurt him!"
"If Scabbers is who you think he is, this won't hurt him".
Williamson and Dawlish cast together, and a white light hit Scabbers, suspending him in midair. Ron looked on, slack jawed, as Scabbers began to change. He was growing, then a short little man dropped to the floor. His rough cloak reminding everyone of Scabbers' fur coat. The eyes watery and beady, his front teeth long and he was buck toothed. His face pointed. He looked like he'd been a rat for so long he couldn't quite shake the rattish features.
Not a word from around the tables; an entire school rendered speechless.
"Peter. Pettigrew", was all Amelia said.
Lupin came down from the staff table. Harry, then Ron, joined him.
"Remus! My old, dear friend!", Pettigrew reached out and Lupin recoiled.
"Harry! How you've grown! You look just like James…"
"Don't you dare say my father's name"
"Don't… touch me", Lupin threatened. "Don't call me 'friend'; I feel dirty even knowing I once called you 'friend', not after what you did! You betrayed James and Lily to your Dark Lord, who murdered them in cold blood, and leaving Harry an orphan".
"It wasn't me!", Pettigrew protested. "It was Sirius! He was the spy! He was the Secret Keeper!"
"If that's true, then why did you fake your own death?"
"Ssssss… irius! Lllllook at what he did! I was afraid he was gonna kill me!"
"And why would he do that, Peter?"
"He's the Dark Lord's spy!"
"Who was in Azkaban where he couldn't do a damn thing to you. Here's how I figure it, Wormtail, you betrayed the Potters, then the Dark Lord somehow gets banished. It looks a lot like a double cross. You take the Dark Lord to the Potters, and he meets his downfall. It looks like James and Lily died unintentionally, and the betrayer of the Potters becomes the betrayer of the Dark Lord himself. I imagine you're not too popular among his followers, are you?"
"NO…"
"Sirius wasn't the Potters' Secret Keeper: YOU WERE! You betrayed James and Lily".
"Yyyyyou… remember how it was? He was taking over everything!"
"So you switched your allegiance from the Marauders to a bigger bully on the play ground? What a sniveling little coward you are".
"He would'a killed me!"
"Then you should have died for James and Lily. The same as they, and I, would have died for you! I'll see you in Azkaban. There are a lot of Youknowwho's followers waiting to have a word with you"
"Ron, you're not gonna let them take me, are you? I was your pet, your Scabbers. Wasn't I a good pet?"
"EWWWWWW! I let you sleep in my bed!", Ron recoiled.
"Peter, saying you were a better rat than a man isn't much of a brag, yannow"
"Come on, you", Williamson said as he and his partner led Pettigrew away in magick suppression cuffs.
Suddenly, there was raucous cheering, clapping, foot stomping around the tables.
"SI-LENCE!", Dumbledore called out. "Let's all calm down and finish breakfast. We still have a whole day ahead of us".
