Sorry for the long wait. Life's been difficult.

To say Lucius was not in a good mood was an understatement. Not only had his son disgraced the Malfoy name by losing to a disgusting half-blood, but now he had to deal with Pettigrew.

All the Death Eaters still roaming free had wondered whether Sirius had indeed killed Peter all those years ago. They knew the rat betrayed the Potters to their Lord, and then Sirius Black had taken it upon himself to chase down and kill Pettigrew landing him in Azkaban. Which was perfect for Lucius, as that meant that the Black Lordship would fall to his son whenever the man finally croaked, but even after a decade in Azkaban the man was still alive and well, which meant he could reclaim Lordship if he got released, and even if he didn't Lucius had to find some way to shut up Pettigrew.

He knew the type of man Pettigrew was, very few of them lasted in Voldemort's ranks once their usefulness was up. Pettigrew was a coward with no loyalties except to himself, and with what the man knew he couldn't be allowed to appear in court.

Lucius had immediately gone to see Minister Fudge upon hearing that Pettigrew had been detained to try and persuade him to get the trial postponed. It worked, he managed to get his postponement, but not for as long as he would've hoped.

The most annoying thing was that Madame Bones placed both Pettigrew and Black under the constant vigilance of none other than Alastor "Mad Eye" Moody, meaning he couldn't do anything. Never had he felt so useless that he needed one of the lesser Death Eaters…

At the holding cells, a half hour before the trial

Sirius stared past the enchanted bars at his former friend, Peter Pettigrew. He had been moved from Azkaban upon Peter's capture to answer questions. He had no idea how Pettigrew got caught, nor who to thank for it, and despite his best efforts, Remus couldn't get in to visit Sirius due to the increased security. He didn't know exactly what would happen in the courtroom, but for the first time in a decade the man felt hope.

Pettigrew on the other hand was filled with fear. He had hoped to get a visit from one of his Lord's followers, but none had come to help. He worried what would happen to him, not helping was the glare his former friend gave him at almost all hours of the day. 'Doesn't he sleep?' Pettigrew thought to himself. As the time for the trial drew ever closer, Peter could almost imagine the cold torturous experience that awaited him in Azkaban. 'Maybe if I give them a few Death Eater names, they'll be merciful.'

Soon two men came to help guide the two men to the trial Auror Rufus Scrimgeour took Black, and Auror Harlow Selwyn took Pettigrew. As they walked to the courtroom Selwyn took the opportunity and pressed her wand against Pettigrew's head.

"Wha…" he began to say before he was quickly silenced.

"Obliviate," she whispered, wiping his memory of the other Death Eaters. She let him keep the memories of betraying his friends. He was going to Azkaban, she knew it, as did all the other Death Eaters. Now that their safety was assured, who cares about the miserable rat?

Meanwhile

'Isn't it time to get the trial started?' That's what Harry was thinking to himself. Unlike at Hogwarts the many people in the room made Harry feel on edge. 'So many Witches or Wizards who could kill me if they found out what I was… why am I feeling like this? I go to a school filled with wizards and witches every day. But they're young and naïve, these are grown wizards who would put down a creature like me, even if I am the Boy-Who-Lived.'

He didn't have long to wait as the two men, Sirius and Peter, were brought into the room.

"This court will come to order," Minister Fudge said. There was a quick reading of the charges, and the lawyers representing the two stood up to present themselves.

"Andromeda Tonks, as council for the defense of Sirius Black," said the first.

"Mason Hearth, as council for the defense of Peter Pettigrew," said the second.

"Our first order of business will be regarding Lord Sirius Black's list of crimes of which it has been found he was never officially tried for. As evidenced by the attendance of Peter Pettigrew, the charge of murder shall be reduced to attempted murder," Fudge explained, "As a sign of good faith the ministry will allow the defense to go first."

Andromeda stood up from her seat, "I would first like to call Lord Black to the stand." Sirius was led to the seat in question. "Lord Black, your list of crimes stems back to that fateful night oh so many years. The 31st of October 1981. Would you care to walk me through the events of that night?"

"I was going to visit Peter in his hideout and found no sign of him. I had a bad feeling and went to see the Potters to make sure they were safe. When I got there, I noticed their roof was blown to pieces. I ran inside and found James and Lily dead. Harry miraculously, was still alive in his crib. I picked him up and took him out of the ruined house. At that time Rubeus Hagrid showed up to take Harry to safety. I didn't even bother asking any questions as I handed him over to the man. I gave him my enchanted Motorbike and I went on a hunt. I was filled with rage; Peter had betrayed us all. I tracked him down as I cornered him, he cut off his finger, blew up the street and ran off as a rat into the sewers. I knew I couldn't chase after him as I was arrested shortly thereafter, and I lost it. They were dead and it was my fault.

"Why do you say it was your fault?" Andromeda asked.

"For safety reasons, we placed the Potters under the Fidelis Charm to hide them from Voldemort."

"Were you the secret keeper? Did you tell Voldemort or a Death Eater?"

"Yes, and no. When Dumbledore cast the charm, I was the secret keeper. However, soon after that me and James changed the secret keeper to Peter. I was too obvious. No one would've suspected Peter of being the keeper."

Andromeda took her seat signifying it was Fudge's turn to ask questions. "You don't deny going to kill Pettigrew."

"No, I don't. In hindsight I should've stayed with Harry, I am… was his godfather. It was my job to look after him, but James wasn't just my best mate; he was a brother to me and Lily a sister. If someone you trusted killed your siblings wouldn't you be filled with murderous rage?" There was some nodding amongst the Wizengamot.

"Do you have any evidence to prove that Pettigrew was the second secret keeper?"

"No, I do not. The only witnesses to the event in question are dead."

"You speak about how much you trusted Pettigrew," Fudge said, "Why? Because you were friends at Hogwarts?"

"During our years at Hogwarts we were thick as thieves, we did everything together from pranking, to one of our biggest kept secrets, becoming Animagi."

"You are admitting to being an unregistered Animagus?" Fudge asked for clarification.

"Yes. My form is that of a dog, Peter's is a rat, as you well know, and James was a stag."

"What of Remus Lupin? I've heard he was also friends with the three of you."

"Remus was never able to become an Animagus, due to medical reasons," Sirius explained though Harry knew there it was a lie. Remus had told him that they all were Animagi, but he never said what his form was.

Harry had looked upon the Marauder's Map many times to the point where the names which appeared on the paper were well known to him. Mooney, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs. 'As a rat Peter's tail is worm-like. As a dog Sirius would have padded feet. As a stag dad would have antlers, Prongs. So, that means Remus is Mooney. It has to be a wolf. That would explain his smell…'

"Very well Lord Black, do you have anything else to say in your defense?" Fudge asked.

"All Death Eaters have one thing in common Minister, what is it?"

Fudge looked confused at the question before answering, "The Dark Mark."

"Look at my arm and Peter's and tell me who is the traitor," Sirius said. The minister gave a nod and the guards holding the two prisoners lifted the sleeves. Black had no mark, while Pettigrew did.

"I was forced to do it!" Peter claimed.

"Nice try Pettigrew, but the Fidelis charm is enchanted, you can't be imperioused into giving away the secret." Peter looked like he was about to cry, "Considering the evidence as Minister I submit the change be made to transfer the charge of Murdering the Potter Family to Peter Pettigrew, all those in favor?" Most of the hands shot up. "Very well," Fudge said, "You are cleared of all charges. We'll consider a few of your years in Azkaban as punishment for failure to register as an Animagus."

Peter however was indefensible. Hiding from a man who had been imprisoned? Not a good excuse. Not to mention the laws he broke by pretending to be a family pet and intruding into the dormitories of a school. He would be going to Azkaban for a long time, and poor Peter couldn't think of a single Death Eater name to offer to reduce his sentence.

Later when questioning Dumbledore

"You are the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is that correct?"

"Yes."

"Are rats allowed as pets at Hogwarts?"

"Well, I didn't see a reason to not allo…"

"Let me simplify the question, in the letter given to students before the start of their first year, what are the listed allowed pets?"

"Cats, Owls, and Toads."

"Just those three?"

"Yes, but there are some exceptions."

"As was the case here, what made you accept a rat as an exception, I don't think I need to remind you that two of three listed animals EAT rats do I?"

"I felt it would be nice for the boys to have a little bit of home with them while they attend school, plus there are not so many cats as their used to be and the owls are well trained not to attack other pets."

"Did you not inspect the animal in question? Did you not test for enchantments? Animagi? Anything?"

"Alas, I did not deem it necessary at the time."

"Not necessary? A man posing as a rodent has been gallivanting all around the student dormitories which you are responsible for, and it wasn't necessary to check? A few simple spells would've taken you ten minutes tops…" Fudge said, "Despite this one screw up you are a good Headmaster, but that is not the only position you hold is it?"

"No, I am also Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and Supreme Mugwump," he said proudly.

"You've held those positions for quite a few years now, haven't you?"

"Indeed, I have."

"During that time, the trial of Sirius Black was not held, care to explain why?"

"It seemed an open and shut case at the time, me and Minister Bagnold felt it unnecessary."

"Could it be that holding all these positions is getting to be too much for you, causing you to make mistakes in both your duties as a Headmaster and as the Chief Warlock?"

It wasn't long after that, it was determined Dumbledore had to make a choice, Chief Warlock or Headmaster of Hogwarts. The old wizard was not happy but chose Headmaster. He was allowed to stay as Supreme Mugwump. Peter got life in Azkaban for his crimes and Sirius was freed from his bonds.

Snape didn't let Harry speak to Sirius, grabbing the young wizard and rushing out of the courtroom as soon as the trial was over.