Chapter 33
Before The Feast

Sunday, January 3rd, 1993 – Early Evening
(T-Minus One Hour until Start-of-Term Feast)

Ron Weasley was sulking. He was sitting alone in one of the carriages, and staring out the window as the Hogwarts Express continued to inch closer to Hogsmeade Village. He had been alone in the carriage for about four of the nearly-eight hours of the trip.

At the start of the trip, he had been in a different carriage. Luna Lovegood had offered to join him, and since he was alone, he had said yes. Luna lived a walking distance from Ron's home, known as the Burrow. He had known her most of his life, due to the fact that his mother would babysit her from time to time when they were younger, and she came over to the Burrow to play with Ginny sometimes. However, Luna was so barmy, that he could only sit with her for an hour before he thought he'd go mad from the stories she told.

So he had made an excuse that he needed to go to the bathroom, then found another carriage, the very carriage he was currently in. Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas, his dorm-mates and fellow Gryffindors, had been in the carriage so he had joined them. They had asked him what he was doing on the Hogwarts Express, since they knew he had been at Hogwarts when most of the students left for Christmas Break. His father had forbid him to talk about anything concerning why he had been sent home, so he simply made up an excuse, and said he had gone home later than the rest of the students had. For three hours, he had hung out with Seamus and Dean. However, after coming back from the bathroom, he had found that Seamus and Dean were no longer in the carriage. He remained in the carriage, thinking they would return. They hadn't.

So he had been alone for the last four hours or so – he had lost track of time about an hour ago. Nobody else had visited him – Draco Malfoy and his goons were still at Hogwarts, so that explained why they hadn't visited, which he was thankful for. But he wished someone would have visited to talk to him, because he was bored out of his mind.

And he was hungry. He had finished his paper-sack lunch of corned beef sandwiches about three hours ago – his mother knew he hated those sandwiches, and still made them for him – and hadn't eaten anything since. The snack lady had come by, and had asked him if he wanted to buy something. But he had no money. So for the first time in his memory of riding the Hogwarts Express, he hadn't been able to have any snacks from the snack cart. Usually, he could count on Harry buying him a few things. But Harry wasn't on the train.

His father had spoken to him about the subject of Harry Potter several times ever since he had been home. Each time, he made sure that Ron understood he could no longer have contact with Harry or Hermione. He couldn't speak to them, he couldn't sit with them in the Great Hall, or sit near them in classes. If he did any of this, he would probably get detentions at the very least, or even be suspended or expelled. It wasn't his father's words that had made the message clear, however. It was the fact that Harry was not sitting with him in that carriage, talking and laughing with him, and sharing snacks and sweets Harry bought with his own money. No matter how much he could deny it, the message was now quite clear. Harry Potter, The Boy-Who-Lived, was no longer his best friend.

He couldn't care less for Hermione Granger. The know-it-all annoyed him. How many times had he told Albus Dumbledore he couldn't put up with her. Faking a friendship with Hermione was next to impossible. It was only the fact that she helped him with his homework that kept him continuing to pose as her friend. But Harry... that was a blow. No longer was he the best friend of The Boy-Who-Lived. He had relished in the fact that everyone was jealous that he was Harry Potter's best friend. That he was the one Harry hung out with, joked with, and talked to most of the day. And then there was the fact that he had been getting paid for it with Galleons, sweets and good grades. Losing that would be a big blow.

Earlier that morning, he had read the Daily Prophet article about Dumbledore. Dumbledore had been cleared of all charges. But McGonagall had been made Headmistress. He had asked his father why Dumbledore was no longer Headmaster and his father told him that Dumbledore had lost all three of his prestigious roles when he had been arrested. The School Governors had given the role to McGonagall instead.

Ron was angry at the thought that McGonagall would be Headmistress. She was the one who had sent him home. She was the one who ordered him to avoid Harry. She was the one who had ordered him to get good grades, lest he be suspended or expelled. How was he supposed to get good grades when he no longer had Hermione there to help him with his homework?

He had begged his mother to let him leave Hogwarts. But it was his father who told him he needed to return, and he needed to work hard to improve his grades. His father told him that if he was expelled, he'd either have to go to one of the less prestigious schools, or maybe even Brighton Junior Academy. He knew what Brighton Academy was. It was a military school of sorts. Most students who graduated from there would join the Brighton Auror Academy. That wouldn't be too bad, except that at Brighton Junior Academy, students had to run a mile every morning before breakfast and every evening before dinner. Ron didn't think he could do that.

And yet, either the Academy, or a school less grand than Hogwarts, would be his fate if he got expelled.

The only really good news about going home for the latter half of Christmas Break – aside from his mother's good home-cooking – was that his parents had discovered what had happened to his wand. When his father had lectured to him that he needed to get better grades, he asked how he could do that with a broken wand. A couple days later, his second-eldest brother, Charlie – who the wand had belonged to - had sent him a Christmas present, a large envelope with a letter and seven Galleons, so he could buy a new wand. The letter had a strict warning that he better not break this wand, and he better use it to get good grades. So, the day before, on Saturday, his parents had taken him to get a new wand from Mr. Ollivander.

"The Hogwarts Express will be arriving at Hogsmeade Station in ten minutes," the conductor's voice rang overhead. "Be dressed in your school robes for the Feast. Please leave your belongings on the platform. They will be sent to your dormitories."

Ron gazed at his clothing and realized he wasn't in his robes. He stood and proceeded to change, though doing so sluggishly. He had barely finished up before students began passing outside his carriage. He grabbed his trunk, and his rat Scabbers' cage, then joined the throng of students. He looked around for Seamus and Dean, but couldn't find them anywhere.

The train slowed to a stop, and the doors slid open. Ron followed the students onto the platform, and his eyes widened at what he saw. Several figures in Auror garb, and others dressed in strange robes, were ordering students to get in queues. Ron set down his trunk near a group of other trunks, and turned to join the other students when he saw one of the figures, a tall, black man, approach him. Ron recognized the man as one of the Aurors who had been in Madam Bones' office when he was there with his parents.

"Please place your pet's cage with your trunk, son," the Auror said, in a deep voice.

"Scabbers usually joins me during meals," Ron said, "He likes staying in my pockets, and I feed him crumbs."

"Not this time, son," the Auror said, "All belongings are to be checked before they enter the school."

"Nothing's wrong with my rat!" Ron complained.

"I'm sure you're right," the Auror said, "We still have to check."

Ron grumbled and set the cage on top of his trunk.

"Now follow me, and I'll help you find a carriage," the Auror said.

"You're an Auror, aren't you?" Ron asked, as he walked toward the queue of students. "What are you guys doing here?"

"All will be explained during the Feast," the Auror said.

Ron nodded. A couple minutes later, the Auror led him over to one of the carriages. He groaned under his breath as he entered. Luna Lovegood and a couple of students which appeared to be first years were there.

"Hello, Ronald," Luna said, "It is nice that the Aurors and Unspeakables are escorting us to Hogwarts, isn't it?"

"Unspeakables?" Ron asked.

"From the Department of Mysteries in the Ministry of Magic," Luna said.

Ron nodded. He remembered his Dad telling him a bit about the place.

"Why are they here?" Ron asked.

"The Chamber of Secrets, of course," Luna said, "I think they're about to find out who the culprit is."

"I could tell them that," Ron said, "It is one of the Slytherins, of course! Expel them all, and we'll all be safe!"

"Oi!" one of the other first years said, "I'm a Slytherin!"

Ron groaned under his breath again. He'd have to hang with Loony Lovegood and a Slytherin for the next ten minutes or so? Maybe expulsion was the better option.


Sunday, January 3rd, 1993 – Early Evening
(T-Minus 45 minutes until Start-of-Term Feast)

Kingsley Shacklebolt, Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, and several other Aurors, as well as a few Unspeakables – those who weren't escorting the carriages to the castle – were currently at Hogsmeade Station, using Secrecy Sensors to detect any untrustworthy items that the students had brought with them. Kingsley's team was doing the escorting job, but he had remained behind for this job. As Kingsley was using his Secrecy Sensor on some items in a student's suitcase, another Auror hurried over to him. He was carrying what appeared to be an animal's cage.

"Auror Shacklebolt?" the Auror said, "I found something you need to see."

"What is it, Auror White?" Kingsley asked.

Auror White held up the cage, where the rat inside was scurrying around wildly.

"I ran the Sensor over this rat," he said, "And it went nuts! I was trying to figure out what might be wrong with it, and I remember reading something in the Daily Prophet today. There was an article regarding Peter Pettigrew being alive and a fugitive. In the article, it said Pettigrew was a rat Animagus."

Before Kingsley could say anything, Mad-Eye Moody appeared at his side, as if he had Apparated over.

"I assume when you figured that out," Moody said to White, "you enchanted the cage so the rat couldn't transform if your theory is correct, yes?"

"I don't know how to make an Anti-Animagus Ward, sir," White said, "But I made the cage Unbreakable."

"Good looking out, son," Moody said, "If you're correct, I'll let Madam Bones know you were the one who found him. Hand it over and go back to your task."

"Sir!" White said.

He handed the cage over to Moody, then turned and walked away. Moody waved his wand around the cage.

"Placed a few more enchantments on the cage," Moody said, his magical eye was looking down at the rat, as his normal eye looked at Kingsley "He won't get away if this is Pettigrew. What do you think, Shacklebolt? You think it is him?"

"I think it is possible, Moody," Kingsley said. "And I think that rat belongs to Arthur Weasley's youngest boy. Recognized the boy from when we spoke to him in Amelia's office the day before Dumbledore and Snape were arrested. Confronted him trying to bring the rat up to the school instead of placing it with his trunk as was instructed. If this is Pettigrew, I doubt the boy knows it though. Called him Scabbers, I think."

Moody snorted in disgust. "If this is Pettigrew, it appears he's been living with the Weasleys for who knows how long. If so, then they're lucky he did nothing to them."

"I agree," Kingsley said, grimly, "We need to take the rat to Madam Bones, Moody. She's in charge of Pettigrew's case."

"Aye," Moody said, "We'll go up to the castle together, and leave the rest of team to finish searching amongst the students' belongings."

"Hopefully we can find a carriage, or we won't get there before the Feast begins," Kingsley said.

"Then let's not waste another moment yapping our jaws!" Moody grunted.

Kingsley agreed, and the pair of Aurors headed out to find a carriage.


Sunday, January 3rd, 1993 – Early Evening
(T-Minus 40 minutes until Start-of-Term Feast)

While her brother was riding up to Hogwarts in a carriage, and Aurors Shacklebolt, and Moody were making their way to Hogwarts with her brother's rat, Ginny Weasley was sitting on the sofa in front of the fireplace in the Gryffindor Common Room. A few minutes prior, one of the portraits in the Common Room had informed the students that members of the staff would be escorting the students to the Great Hall. There were only about a dozen Gryffindors who had stayed at Hogwarts during Christmas Break, and all of them were waiting for their escorts in the Common Room.

Well, all of them except Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. Ginny's twin brothers, Fred and George, had told her that Harry and Hermione were no longer living in the dormitory, but they couldn't tell her where they were living instead. They had said that both Harry and Hermione had spent a couple days in the Hospital Wing, but when Ginny went to the Hospital Wing to look for them, they weren't there. She figured she'd find out sooner or later. If where they were living now was a secret, then secrets didn't last long around Hogwarts.

One of the Gryffindors in the Common Room at that moment was Ginny's fellow first year, Colin Creevey. Ginny had been so happy when Colin had returned after being cured. Colin was one of the few people, aside from her brothers, who had been friendly to her since she had entered Hogwarts. Colin was a fan of Harry Potter, and so was she. So the two always had much to talk about. He had been pretty busy ever since he had returned. He had been working on assignments most of each day. He had accepted Ginny's help, and Ginny was happy to waste a few hours a day helping him.

Ginny's reverie was broken as her twin brothers, Fred and George, plopped down on the sofa on either side of her.

"Hi, Ginevra," they said in unison.

"Don't call me that," Ginny muttered; though there was little heat, since she knew they were teasing.

"Whatever you say, Ginny-kins," Fred said.

"Why are you just sitting here staring at the fire?" George asked, "Thought you'd be writing in that diary of yours."

Ginny shrugged. "I've stopped writing in it over Christmas Break. I'll probably continue tomorrow when classes start."

That was perfectly true. The diary had been locked away in her trunk since her father had come and taken Ron home. He had even offered to bring her home, commenting that she looked sick and pale. He thought she might be homesick, and some good home cooking would help her. But Ginny told him she wanted to stay. Fred, George and Percy promised they would keep an eye on her, and ever since then, they had kept their promise. She barely could go anywhere around Hogwarts over the past few days without one of her brothers tailing her. Sometimes they joined her on the ground and they played snow ball fights, which was always fun. They just did things to distract her, and it had really helped her. She had been ignoring her diary since then, and she hadn't really thought about it, unless her brothers mentioned it to her.

"Unless," Ginny continued, "You're going to keep trying to distract me from it."

"She caught us, Fred," George said.

"She did," Fred agreed. "She's good at that."

"You're right, Ginny," George said, "We have been distracting you. But now you'll have Ron to distract you."

Ginny grimaced. "Why me?"

"Because you're the youngest," Fred said.

"And you're a first year," George said, "Ron can't hang around Harry and Hermione anymore. Dad said he can't. So he won't be sitting with the second years at meals. So he'll either sit next to Percy, or near the first years."

"The first and second years always have lunch together during the week," Fred said, "So... he'll be joining you instead of sitting with the second years most of the time."

Ginny groaned. "Fine. But you owe me."

"Name it," the twins both said.

Ginny smirked. "Not yet. I'm going to hold onto it for a while."

Fred mocked wiping a tear from her eye. "Our little Gryffindor has finally learned how to be a Slytherin, George. I'm so happy, I am crying. Look at me."

"We've taught her so well," George said.

"Prats," Ginny muttered.

Ginny heard somebody clearing their throat very loudly. She looked around and saw Hagrid standing near the entrance to the Common Room with another adult, whom Ginny didn't recognize, standing near him.

"Blimey," Fred said, "How in the hell did Hagrid fit his way into here?"

"A definite mystery," George said.

"He probably ducked," Ginny said, "Or crawled in here."

"Mystery solved," Fred and George said.

"Attention Gryffindors!" Hagrid said, loudly, "I'd like ter introduce ya ter yer new Transfiguration Professor, Professor Lupin. 'E's also the new 'Ead o' Gryffindor, since 'Eadmistress McGonagall couldn't keep the title since she's in charge. Please treat 'im as well as ya treat me, eh?"

"Thank you, Hagrid," Professor Lupin said, "As Hagrid said, I am Professor Lupin. As the new Head of Gryffindor, I've been instructed – along with Hagrid – to escort you down to the Great Hall for the feast. Please keep any and all belongings in your dormitory. There is no reason to take them."

"Why do you have to escort us, sir?" Percy asked, "I'm Prefect. I could have done it."

"I'm sure you could," Professor Lupin said, "But all students currently in the school are being escorted by staff, just the same as you. All will be explained during the feast. Is everyone present who remained at Hogwarts over holiday?"

"All Gryffindors present except Harry Potter and Hermione Granger," Percy said, "But I haven't seen them in the Tower for about a week now."

"I was already informed of their situation," Professor Lupin said, "Under special circumstances – which I'm sure will be explained sometime in the near future – they are no longer residing in Gryffindor Tower. Alright then, if everyone will follow Hagrid, I will follow in the back. If you wish to help, young Prefect, you may assist us by keeping an eye on everyone. Especially those twins over there I believe are your brothers?"

"Us, Professor?" Fred asked.

"We're the best behaved students in this castle!" George said.

"If you heard any differently," Fred said.

"You've been lied to!" George said.

Ginny snorted. "Come on, idiots."

She stood, and the twins followed in suit. They all joined Percy and Professor Lupin near the back of the queue, and followed Hagrid out of the tower.


Sunday, January 3rd, 1993 – Early Evening
(T-Minus 25 minutes until Start-of-Term Feast)

Dressed in their school robes, Harry and Hermione were currently seated on one of the sofas in their Quarters. A few minutes prior, McGonagall's House-Elf, Sasha, had informed them that Dora would be meeting them soon, and would be escorting them to the Great Hall. They told Sasha to tell Dora to meet them inside the Quarters. Dora was the only one aside from the two of them who had full permission to enter their Quarters. That would soon change later that evening. Padma Patil, one of Harry's Betrothed, would be living with them starting that evening.

"Odd that the Quarters hasn't transformed to accommodate a third bedroom yet," Harry commented, as he looked around the sitting room, also known as the Common Room.

"It will probably do so after Padma has permission to join us," Hermione said.

"Good point," Harry conceded. "That will be strange, huh? Having a new roommate living with us."

"It will certainly change things," Hermione said, "I've been wondering if I need to stop sleeping in your bed at night now that Padma will be here."

Harry frowned. "Will you?"

Hermione sighed. "I don't know. I think we need to talk to Padma about the sleeping arrangement after the feast, and before we go to bed. By then, she'll... she'll know I'm a Neko, along with the rest of the school. We'll tell her I'm your girlfriend. I suppose if she reacts well to the fact that her Betrothed has a girlfriend, then I suppose we could tell her that we sleep in the same bed. Maybe we won't tell her about our sexual relationship... unless she brings it up."

"Alright," Harry agreed.

"I do know one thing," Hermione said, "No more 'us time' in here, Harry. Bedroom only."

Harry snickered at her phrasing for their intimate times. She refused to call it 'shagging', and thought 'us time' was far more romantic. Apparently it was something she had gotten from her parents.

"We haven't tried out the bathroom yet," Harry said, grinning.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Maybe the bathroom too, but only if Padma isn't in the Quarters. The bedrooms have silencing charms on them. So she won't hear us. Thank goodness."

"Indeed," Harry agreed, "So... less than half-an-hour until everyone finds out about your new lifestyle. How do you feel?"

"Nervous, of course," Hermione said, "But also excited. I know there will be some people who aren't going to like it at all. They're going to hate me. I know that. But it can't be too much worse than the whole Mudblood thing. But I think most people will be okay with it, or – you know – hardly have an opinion about it. Besides, I know Headmistress McGonagall will explain everything to the rest of the students, and she'll prevent them from being too mean."

"And I will too," Harry said, "I promise. As your best friend, boyfriend and mate, it is my sworn duty to protect you. Even if you weren't a Vassal to my House, or any of the above – aside from perhaps, best friend – I'd still do it."

Hermione smiled and pecked him on the lips. "Thank you, Harry."

Harry grinned and leaned back toward her lips. They kissed for nearly half-a-minute, before they heard the front door open and close. They jumped apart, and turned to find Dora standing near the entrance.

"I'm starting to regret giving you full permission to come in here," Harry said.

"You were only snogging," Dora said, grinning, "We're all lucky I didn't find you doing anything other than that."

Harry thanked his Metamorph training, which was the sole reason he wasn't blushing. Hermione was blushing lightly, however.

"Time to head on down?" Hermione asked.

"Almost," Dora said, "First I need to do something. Headmistress McGonagall suggested a way to control the moment in time the students discover that you're a Neko."

"How?" Hermione asked.

"A Notice-Me-Not Charm," Dora said, "If I apply it to your cat-ears, tail, eye color, fangs, et cetera, with a modifier which would allow Harry and Headmistress McGonagall to see them, nobody else will notice them, until you remove the charm. Unfortunately, it has a dangerous side-effect. Put it on yourself too many times, and it could backfire. There has been a history – ever since the charm's invention – of people disappearing. Not actually disappearing, but simply the Charm causes them to be permanently unnoticed by almost everyone aside from those who can see past it. They become entirely dependent on those types of people, and are forced to live in seclusion for their own safety and the safety of others."

Hermione grimaced. "Well, we wouldn't want that to happen. So, how long will it be on my features?"

"Less than an hour, according to Headmistress McGonagall," Dora said, "She'll announce it, and you can lift the charms with a simple Finite!"

"Okay," Hermione said, "So, only Harry will see my features? Why not you?"

"I am the tester to make sure it works," Dora said, "After it is done, simply ask me if you notice anything strange about you. Even though I know you're a Neko, that knowledge will temporarily allude me until the Charm is lifted."

"Alright," Hermione said, "So, what do I do?"

"Stand in front of me," Dora said.

Hermione did as was instructed. Dora pointed her wand at Hermione's various Neko features, and said "Nonanimadverto," a few times. When she was finished she blinked rapidly.

"Do you notice anything strange about me, Dora?" Hermione asked.

"Is that supposed to be a trick question?" Dora asked, "You're cute as ever."

Hermione blushed, and Harry snickered. It had apparently worked. He could see Hermione's usual features, thanks to Dora's modification of the charm giving him permission. But Dora had excluded herself from it, so she couldn't see it.

"Let's get going, shall we?" Dora asked.

Harry and Hermione agreed, and followed Dora out of the Quarters.


Sunday, January 3rd, 1993 – Early Evening
(T-Minus 20 minutes until Start-of-Term Feast)

Amelia Bones and Unspeakable Croaker were currently standing against a wall in the Entrance Hall. Nearby, Minerva McGonagall was greeting students as they either entered from the dungeons, the Grand Staircase, or the front doors, and steered them into the Great Hall.

Amelia remained neutral-faced as she looked at each and every student. Anyone of these students could be the culprit they were looking for. Occasionally a student would look in her direction for a moment, before making their way into the Great Hall. The only student that said anything, however, was her niece, Susan Bones. As Susan entered from the Grounds, talking animatedly with her friends,.she saw her Aunt, waved and said hello, with a smile. Amelia smiled and returned the greeting before shooing her into the Great Hall.

Amelia then noticed Aurors Moody and Shacklebolt entering amongst the throng of students from the Grounds. As they approached her and Unspeakable Croaker, Amelia noticed Moody was carrying a cage with a rat inside it.

"What's going on?" Amelia asked the Aurors.

"You're not going to believe this," Moody said; his voice was gruff, yet quiet so none of the students would overhear him, "One of the Aurors, a young man by the name of White, found something suspicious about this rat, when he ran the Secrecy Sensor over it. He had a theory, Amelia. He believes this rat is an Animagus... by the name of Peter Pettigrew."

Amelia's eyes widened momentarily in surprise, then her expression brightened as she stared at the rat.

"If it is him," she said, "He's been masquerading as a student's pet. Which student?"

"Arthur Weasley's youngest son," Auror Shacklebolt said, "Saw the young man, and recognized him to be the same young man we met in your office with his parents."

"Ronald Weasley," Amelia said; she looked toward Minerva, "Headmistress McGonagall? Would you please come over here?"

Minerva nodded, and walked over to them. "Yes, Madam Bones?"

Amelia quickly explained in a hushed voice what was going on. Minerva's eyes widened, and then narrowed as she looked toward the rat.

"We need to perform a transformation charm on the rat to see if our suspicions are correct," Amelia said, "And we need to do it before the Feast begins."

"We'll step into Mr. Filch's office," Minerva said. "I doubt he'll mind if we use it."

"Unspeakable Croaker, Auror Shacklebolt," Amelia said, "Would you remain out here and make sure all the students make their way into the Great Hall."

Croaker and Shacklebolt nodded.

"Algie?" Minerva said, "When Remus Lupin arrives from escorting the Gryffindors, would you please point him our way?"

Croaker nodded. Minerva led Amelia and Moody into Filch's office.

"Auror Moody," Amelia said, "Stun the rat then place him on the floor."

The rat squealed loudly as Moody pointed his wand at it. It tried dodging Moody's wand, but the Auror was able to stun it in one attempt. Moody opened the cage, grabbed the rat by its tail, and took it from the cage. Then he placed it in an empty portion of the floor. The door opened, and Remus Lupin stepped into the office.

"Haven't been in here in several years," Remus commented, "Greetings Madam Bones, Auror Moody. Headmistress, what can I do for you?"

Minerva pointed at the rat currently laying in the middle of the floor.

"I am curious about whether or not you may recognize this rat?" she asked.

Remus looked at the rat for the first time. Then his eyes narrowed and he became tense.

"I would recognize that rat anywhere, Headmistress," Remus said, "That is Wormtail – Peter Pettigrew."

"You're sure?" Amelia asked.

"I have not seen him in over eleven years, Madam Bones," Remus said, "Before yesterday, I had thought he was dead. But he looks the same as he did over a decade ago. I saw that rat many times in my late teens and early adulthood. I am one-hundred percent positive that is Peter Pettigrew. Where did you find him?"

"It appears he's been masquerading as Ron Weasley's pet," Amelia said. "I intend to find out more from the young Mr. Weasley, but that can be done after the feast. For now, we're going to use the Animagus Reversal Charm, and confirm it is him. He will remain stunned. Once that is done, we'll transform him back into his Animagus form. Then Alastor, you and Auror Shacklebolt will move him to a more secure location here in Hogwarts until after the feast. Watch him until you can get two other Aurors to take over the watch, then you can join the Feast to resume your part of our original investigation."

Moody nodded.

"Remus?" Amelia said, "Do you know the Animagus Reversal Charm?"

"I do, ma'am," Remus said.

"You may do the honors," Amelia said, "I think you deserve this more than anyone else here."

Remus nodded and pointed his wand at the rat. He muttered the Animagus Reversal Charm under his breath. Half-a-minute later, the rat began to twitch and shake. Another half-a-minute later, they were all staring at the Stunned human form of the long-thought dead, Peter Pettigrew.

"That is him," Remus said, "Age has changed his features slightly, but it is him. Congratulations on finding him."

"Couldn't have done it without the Auror who discovered it," Amelia said, "Auror White, you said?"

"Aye," Moody said.

"I'll make sure to thank him myself," Amelia said. "Alright, Moody. You have your orders. The Professors and I need to join the Feast. We'll see you there shortly."

Moody nodded.

Amelia noticed Remus staring at his former friend. "You alright, Lupin?"

"I will be," Remus said, "Let me know when you speak to the young Weasley about him. I want to be there."

"Of course," Amelia said, "Let's go."

Amelia and Remus followed Minerva back out of the room and into the Entrance Hall. Students were still making their way into the Great Hall. Shacklebolt and Croaker made their way over to them.

"Is it him?" Shacklebolt asked.

"It is," Amelia confirmed, "Join Auror Moody, Shacklebolt. He'll tell you what to do next."

Shacklebolt nodded and stepped into Filch's office. Amelia then noticed Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Nymphadora Tonks enter from the Grand Staircase. She noticed a slightly blurry haze around Hermione, and instantly realized it was due to the effects of Notice-Me-Not Charms. She had trained herself to recognize the use of the Charm, but it had taken several months of training to do so. She recalled Minerva telling her that Hermione's Neko appearance would be temporarily hidden from the student body until the Headmistress could make the announcement on her own terms.

"Madam Bones," Minerva whispered to Amelia as she saw Harry, Hermione and Dora, "As Ron Weasley was their former friend, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger both may also have knowledge about his pet rat. Also, if Remus agrees, I think it would be appropriate to tell Harry about Pettigrew."

"I think so too," Remus said.

"It can be done after the feast when we speak to Mr. Weasley," Amelia said. "For now, let's focus on the main investigation."

As Remus followed Harry, Hermione and Dora Tonks into the Great Hall, Argus Filch stepped out. The recently revived Mrs. Norris, Filch's cat, was strutting behind him.

"All students present in the castle are now in the Great Hall, Headmistress," Filch said.

"Thank you, Mr. Filch," Minerva said, "Let us get underway then."

"Algie," Amelia said, "Would you please draw an Age Line at the entrance to the Hall? No student leaves without my permission."

Croaker nodded. As she followed Minerva into the Great Hall, Amelia smiled to herself. Peter Pettigrew had been captured! The investigation was barely twenty-four hours old, and she had captured her target! This had to be a record, she thought.

Now if they could find the human culprit that evening, Madam Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, would be one very happy witch!


Chapter finished! Well, who saw that coming? I considered two ways of Pettigrew getting discovered. The other way was Harry finding Pettigrew's name on the Marauder's Map. But when I decided that the Aurors and Unspeakables use Secrecy Sensors on the students' belongings, I realized there was no way they wouldn't discover Pettigrew. So that's why it happened in this chapter.

Some readers may have been wondering why Tom Riddle's Diary hasn't been playing a huge part during the whole storyline involving the closure of the Chamber of Secrets investigation. Why isn't the diary interfering and making Ginny do something? The answer: she isn't writing in the diary right now. It has been in her trunk during most of Christmas Break. Her brothers were distracting her, and she didn't have a desire to write in the diary when she had her brothers to talk to. She was writing in it because she was lonely. That is canon. She hasn't been lonely lately.

Next chapter: The Start-of-Term Feast! So much happens! I won't spoil any of it for you!

This is the last chapter I wrote during the hiatus. I'm still working on the next chapter. It is proving to be difficult, because it is so important. So unfortunately there will be no more one-a-day, or two-a-day consecutive chapter updates, at least for a while. We're back to one chapter updates every few days.

Hope you liked this chapter!