Hey everyone,
So we already have quite a few votes, but I have also adapted the poll sometime this month because I forgot to add that, even if they only read one or two books, there will still be plenty of storyline to follow it with, even if only one person so far has voted on whether or not there should be a prophesy about Pettigrew.
Also, because the major vote seems to be for all of the books, have I worked on a little storyline that will transpire if that indeed becomes the winning vote. Personally, I had been hoping for just the third book, but I can definitely see why so many of you would want to have all books read as JK's content is just amazing.
Here's the storyline: third book read – the school goes at war against Pettigrew and retrieve all of their lost memories and their kidnapped friends. Fourth book read – the school organizes a smaller form of the tournament with certain awards appointed to each of the winners and separate contests for each of the houses.
Fifth book read – the Order gets reborn and works alongside the Ministry to make sure everything from Diagon and Knockturn Alley to Hogwarts and Hogsmeade are clean of any and all followers or believers of either Pettigrew or Voldemort. Sixth book read: the adults share certain memories with their loved ones.
And finally, as the seventh book is read, does the Order work alongside the Department of Mysteries and Gringotts to get all of the Horcruxes and see them destroyed, thus ending the prophesy and any attempt of Voldemort to return to the power – though I might change that and have him return before the book is finished.
Also, YES, Harry will discover that he is more than just a Shadow Elemental and the Elementals themselves will play vital roles in the end of the third, the fifth and the seventh books. I created them for this sole purpose, but I also hope that, one day, they will become a series all of their own, no Harry Potter, just them.
You like,
Venquine1990
Chapter 13
A Minister Reads
Amelia's POV
Just by going by the atmosphere around me do I feel it would just work against me if I were to prosecute the creature that supposedly attacked the young Malfoy Heir, yet while I have never before let such a thing affect me, do I also feel my favor turning to Hagrid's side, especially because of what is about to happen.
I stand up, breaking the tense silence that has fallen over the Great Hall like a blanket of pain and loss, something that for some reason makes me want to look at the last three of the five books before I ask: "Mr. Potter, Professor Sprout, when you're ready." And while the boy himself looks a little prickly, do they both nod and stand up.
We then move over to the Antechamber and there I cast several spells on the door to keep others from going through or listening in before changing a loose owl feather lying around into a quill and another floating in the air in a roll of parchment, enchanting the parchment and quill before I turn to my two fellow guests and say:
"I, Amelia Susan Bones, just enchanted this parchment and quill to write the truth, only the truth and nothing but the truth, so recognized by Lady Hogwarts and Lady Magic respectively." And then show them both the paper, which has my words written down to the letter. This settles Harry's worries and he smiles as he nods and says:
"Madam Bones, like I said, I can bring you a firsthand witness account of what Draco Malfoy said before he got attacked and that is for one reason and one reason only. I myself had flown on Buckbeak and had been standing besides it and a chestnut colored one when Draco Malfoy approached it and spoke the up following words."
And while I feel very proud of how the boy is making sure we have a full written confession on paper, do I feel incredulous about the fact that the boy had flown the beast before the attack had also been something that had not been reported before and then the one thing I feel most intrigued about comes as Potter says:
"This is very easy. I knew it must have been, if Potter could do it... I bet you're not dangerous at all, are you? Are you, you ugly great brute?" Each of these words Potter pronounces as if he is reading a dictionary to kids much younger than him who are learning how to speak, yet of all that I hear one thing astounds me the most.
"That is certainly a lot more than that Lucius Malfoy said his son had been able to say before the attack – plus it certainly gives the Hippogriff plenty of reason for attacking, especially if you take several Ancient Creature Laws into account. Yes, yes, there is only one solution for this here problem, I see that now."
Yet while I don't speak these thoughts, do I instead tap the scroll of parchment, which stops writing, the ink drying itself off instantly upon a second tap and the last makes the scroll roll itself up, allowing me to catch it from mid air, which I follow with a heart-warming wink at Potter and a very significant stare at Pomona.
The woman, like so many times when I was still a student myself, understands the meaning behind my stare instantly and nods at me with a warming smile before she says: "Leave the rest to us, Mr. Potter. You just go and focus on the books. If you get involved, your past with Mr. Malfoy might affect the outcome of all this."
Potter himself looked a little hesitant when he saw me put the scroll in my robe without a word, but now the lad seems relieved and nods with a smile as he says: "Okay, good luck, both of you. Oh, and Madam Bones, don't worry, your Aurors know what Malfoy tried last year, so I doubt he'll try again." Making me feel relieved.
Cornelius' POV
I don't know what could be the problem, but it seems as if young Draco gets more and more nervous the longer Pomona, Potter and Amelia are having their meeting in the Antechamber. Yet when the three of them return, do they all retreat back to their seats, not glancing at each other or even saying a single word.
This brings everyone from their saddened, heartfelt slump and instantly the rumor mill of Hogwarts seems to light up, yet it seems as if the teachers are not in the mood for this as Albus silences everyone with a bang from the tip of his wand before he says: "It is finally time. The chapter we have been waiting for – is here."
And instantly a blanket like before seems to settle over the entire hall, only instead of saddened or pained, is it this time a blanket of tension and anxious anticipation, all eyes focused on the teachers and the books in the corner, all of their eyes gleaming and their bodies tense, tense with a need to see this chapter read.
This makes me not only know that the kids have been waiting for this chapter, probably since the arrival of the books themselves, but also that a lot of things, such as the true motive behind Black's escape, will probably come to light in this chapter and that makes me believe one thing; a leader must read this chapter.
And so, if only to prove that I feel the same sense of anticipation as all those younger and older around me, do I stand up and move over to where Filius has left the book, many eyes around me starting to gleam as happiness joins their anticipation and while Albus sends me a short, proud nod, do I smile in pride as I start to read.
Cat, Rat … could they?"
To this do I turn to Amelia, but the woman shakes her head and I nod, understanding that the event that was just read about will not repeat itself. Others also see her shake her head and while young Draco scowls at this, do others, especially the younger ones, sigh softly, all of them feeling extremely relieved as I read on.
"Come on," … bit me!"
This makes the other Weasleys look worried and confused, yet the youngest of the males seems unfazed by this, while he still keeps his arms tense across his legs, the only ones who apparently understand why being his two friends who are seated opposite of him and to his right, both of them looking very serious as I read on.
"Ron, be … couldn't tell.
This makes Black smirk and he says: "If Crookshanks is there –." And while Amelia and I feel confused, does Harry gasp and say: "Then you must be there too. You were with him before my Final match, so you must be close, right?" And while I feel shocked that Black is working alongside a cat, does he nod as I read on.
"Crookshanks!" Hermione … the darkness.
This however doesn't seem to amuse the man as he turns grim and says: "You would have been better off not doing that, Ron. My hiding place is a little too well guarded." And while I wonder where the man has been hiding this whole time, does Remus' moan of: "No, not there." Make me know he already knows as I read on.
"Ron!" Hermione … at Crookshanks.
"Do you think you used your shadow powers to hide it in the darkness of the night?" One of the strange teens asks, but Harry shakes his head and says: "Seeing that Hermione was right beside me and I thought I should hide it from others, I highly doubt I did that." The teenager, one with soft silver-white hair, nods and I read on.
"Get away … quivering lump.
"I would love to say good catch, Ron, but while this might be the future, am I pretty sure what will happen next, so I can only say this. I, Sirius Orion Black, wish to formally apologize to Ronald Billius Weasley for all actions following the last paragraph read." This shocks us, yet while he remains seated, does Ron say:
"I, Ronald Billius Weasley, formally accept the apology of Sirius Orion Black on the base of shared knowledge regarding life-important and – most likely – life-changing facts that will be read about in the coming chapters." Yet while his words confuse me and after the two formally acknowledge the oaths, do I read on, feeling stunned.
"Ron – come … jet-black dog.
This makes both Amelia and I look at the man who has been speaking the last few times in great shock, but said man shrugs and asks: "How else do you think I stayed sane in that rotten place?" And while he still seems to suppress a shudder at remembering where he spend the last twelve years, do I read on yet again.
Harry reached … rag doll –
"BLACK!" The Weasleys shout as they all spring up, but then I see that Ron has not as he follows the shout with one of his own and says: "I SAID I FORGAVE HIM NOW SIT DOWN!" And while it seems more shock than anything else that makes them comply, do the three older brothers follow their sibling's order as I read on.
Then, out … going nearer.
This shocks me senseless and McGonagall asks: "You've been hiding there this whole time?" To which Sirius asks: "Would you, before this reading, have even thought to go look there?" And when the woman shakes her head, does Black smirk and answer: "Exactly." Yet this code language makes no sense to me as I read on.
And there … from sight.
At this practically everyone who knows the boy cringes in pain and Ron sighs as he says: "I really wish I knew in the books at that part what I know now." Yet while many of those around him look at the boy in the silent question to tell them what he knows, does the boy just focus on how his arms are covering his legs as I read on.
"Harry – we've … spot, "Please…"
"Is this where Hagird, Dumbledore and Cornelius show up and stun the tree?" Amelia asks, but I read ahead and get wide-eyed, while Harry shakes his head and says: "They wouldn't have gone after Ron, they would have taken us to the castle and I doubt we'll get our answers there." And while I have to give the boy right, do I read on.
Crookshanks darted … or shook.
This shocks the entire hall and then Sirius asks: "What are you all so shocked about? That genius cat chased Pettigrew to the tree, of course he knew how to get in and how to stop that mad thing." And while I wonder how he managed to teach this to someone else's cat and others nod in understanding, do I read on.
"Crookshanks!" Hermione … wand out –"
"You've got a good set of surviving skills, kiddo, though they're completely unnecessary at the moment. I'd never even dream of harming you, but I am very proud of you for thinking like that nonetheless." Black then tells his godson and while Harry smiles at the black-haired man for his words, do I read on.
They covered … boarded up.
"Was that your work?" One of the older Gryffindors asks and Black shrugs as he says: "Some of it was. After finally getting there, I needed some time to vent my anger at being played like I had been or I would have seriously hurt others in my need to get revenge. Most of it wasn't mine, though." And with that I read on.
Harry glanced … Shrieking Shack."
This shocks everyone around me, but also makes me understand the secret code between Minerva and Black. "Lupin used to use that place for full moons. Because we thought Black a traitor to his friends, no one would think of searching for him in the hiding place of one of them. It's simple logic, but genius." And I read on, highly impressed.
Harry looked … said slowly.
"Nope, I wrecked that thing after the Fat Lady wouldn't let me in. I had believed everything perfect, Halloween night, all the students in the Great Hall, no one there to stop me – and then she came, believing me some lunatic and not even listening to my warnings of the danger inside her very own rooms. It aggravated me beyond words!"
The man almost shouts at the end, startling and shocking everyone around us and then Percy asks: "Wait, the person that – how is that possible if everyone was in the Great Hall?" But the man seems too aggravated to speak and while Lupin wraps a calming arm around his steaming friend, do I feel worried as I read on.
At that … Sirius Black.
This makes many of the younger years and several female students shiver and softly squeak, yet Black seems uncaring as he shrugs and says: "Heh, my picture in the prophet looked worse, really." To which I can't help but think: "Yes, but that doesn't play on imagination like this description does." Before I read on.
"Expelliarmus!" he … much easier…"
"Wait, what?" Some of the teachers ask in shock and Sirius says: "Sorry, it sounds as if book-me is still as obsessed with getting even as I was when I attacked the Fat Lady a few days ago. So, sorry, but it sounds as if the full explanation might take a while." And while this makes me worried for the three teens with him, do I read on.
The taunt … to kill.
This shocks me, yet Black seems to get why as he sighs and says: "Well, this is certainly helping the theory I made in the meeting yesterday." And while this confuses most of us, does it make those who were apparently at said meeting smile at the man, their worries over what I read at ease, making me feel a little calmer as I read on.
Without knowing … of us!"
"The only one who will be killed is that filthy lowlife traitor." Black hisses, the dark furious tone of his silent voice making a shiver run through practically everyone, but apparently some of those near him as Ron confuses the lot of us as he says: "Don't worry, Sirius, that traitor's not going anywhere." Before I read on.
"There'll be … in Azkaban?"
This makes all of us gasp, none of us able to believe that Harry Potter would say such a thing, but then Sirius rolls his eyes and says: "Hello, he behaves like any Muggle-raised witch or wizard who hasn't grown up with tales of Azkaban's horrors or a visit there would. Yes, he has the Dementors, but still – others react no different, you know."
And while most of us are shocked that the man is actually standing up for his godson saying such things, does the man shrug and say: "Plus, the more we read this chapter, the more my theory gets proven. And sorry, but I am still bound by the rules of the file, so my lips are sealed." And while disappointed, do I read on.
"Harry!" Hermione … in return –
"Ugh, not that urge again. I thought we got that out of you a year before you went to Hogwarts." The eldest of the Misfit Gang then groans and Harry mutters: "Yeah, and facing what I did in the last three years made me feel as if that urge was a requirement everyone expected of me. At least here." Making the teen hit himself on the head.
"Mr. Potter, I don't believe –." Minerva then tries to intervene, yet Harry stands up and says: "I faced a Mountain Troll, an Enchanted Mirror, monsters in the Forbidden Forest, traps and tricks that were supposed to protect valuable treasures and what do I get? Awarded points and awards for special services to the school.
Forget that I almost got a concussion, several mental and emotional traumas, a fear for anything forest-like and dark, nightmares that sometimes lasted weeks, a core that needed a fortnight to heal and a second scar on my arm. I played the hero and everyone loved me for it. WHAT ELSE WAS I TO THINK?" He shouts at the end.
By this time several students look shocked at all the boy has suffered in less than two and a half years time, while Minerva herself is silent with horrified shock and even Severus seems to show some guilt through his usual mask of hate, yet the way that Albus has his head down in guilt makes me really feel for the man as I read on.
Perhaps it … glasses askew.
This actually shocks even Black and he quickly moves over to sit with Harry and pull him close, whispering apologies and soft pleas for the boy to forgive him, yet Harry reminds those angry of something very important: "This is the future, it's okay, it's not needed now." And while Black calms down, do I read on.
Then he … broken leg.
"That you actually moved across the room on a broken leg. Seriously brave – and really stupid at the same time. Damn, you're just like me at your age. And knowing what I do, that's not fully meant as a compliment." Black ends his strange spiel of words and while Ron nods to show that he understands, do I read on.
Black was … whole story."
"Wait, WHAT?" Sounds through the entire room, but Ron shouts: "NOT THE WAY THAT WE THINK!" Everyone looks at him and says: "Think of what Sirius has been saying this whole time. He wants revenge! Why? Because something he planned went wrong and that is why he thinks he killed them. Because of a plan gone wrong.
That's why he wants Harry to know the full story. Because there is way more behind all of this than any of you know.""And you do?" His twin brothers chorus and Ron nods as he says: "Harry, Hermione and I figured it out after the Gryffindor-Ravenclaw chapter. You'll see." The twins nod, looking impressed and I read on.
"The whole … Black's heart.
"Okay, I can get that you have respect for Minerva even though you both are of rivaling species as Animagi, but how the heck did you get a cat to like you enough to want to protect you?" Lupin asks, a hint of amusement sounding through his shocked voice and while Sirius sends him a mock-angry look, does Ron say:
"It's probably because Crookshanks knows the actual truth. He must know that, if Sirius dies, the truth dies with him and sees the lies that are covering Harry and Sirius as a threat to both Harry and Hermione. And because Hermione is his owner, does he want to protect the truth – and with that Sirius – at all costs."
"Okay, I'm just going to go and ask. Minister, how many more pages are there before we hear this so-called truth? Cause all these little hints and whatnot are driving me up the bloody wall here!" A Ravenclaw fourth year shouts and I page through before I say: "Five more pages." Making the teen groan as I read on.
Black blinked … Harry's parents…
"Or that there was more to who Black really cared about than you knew – or at least, than that book-you knew, don't you agree?" Granger then asks, her eyes showing how proud she is of her cat wanting to protect her so badly and while Harry snickers does he still nod, all of us feeling lightened by this little talk as I read on.
Harry raised … quite silent.
"You won't do it." The strange woman who arrived at Hogwarts before me then happily says and Harry lets out a sigh of relief as practically everyone in the room had become tense while I read this part and while he then follows this by happily cuddling into Black's side, the man smiling down at him with pride, do I read on.
And then … moving downstairs.
"Was that either of us, Cornelius?" Albus asks, yet his tone is not as light-hearted and kind like it usually is and I know that the man is worried as he is still no further into the actual truth than I am, yet I read ahead and shake my head as I say: "No, one of your staff." The man nods, looking slightly more calm and I read on.
"WE'RE UP … and ready.
"Am I the only one who finds it somewhat poetic justice that it's Remus who came in?" Amelia then asks and everyone around me smiles as they shake their heads before the woman asks: "Still I have to ask; how did you know they were there?" Yet while the man's smile proves he knows, does he keep quiet, making me read on.
His eyes … his chest.
"Eeeeh Remus, did you go to protect your friend or to discover the truth?" Minerva asks and Lupin answers: "Because of how I knew where to find them, do I think book-me is already onto the actual truth and I guess I just wanted everyone wandless to make sure we could calmly get to the bottom of it all." The woman nods and I read on.
Harry stood … the Dementors.
"That will never happen." The man then suddenly growls and the sound of the werewolf within is clearly ringing through his voice, making us all feel highly frightened, yet Snape seems to find some kind of humor in hearing this as he asks: "Going feral, Lupin?" But the werewolf ignores his jibe as I continue to read.
Then Lupin … he, Sirius?"
"Wait!""He?""He, who?""Who is Lupin talking about?" And other questions and speculations are sounding through, one of the Misfit Gang asking: "Are you using your shadows?" Yet Harry shrugs and says: "Maybe to hide out of instinctual shame, but I doubt it." The teen that asked this nods and when all is quiet, do I read on.
Harry looked … looked bewildered.
This makes everyone in the room look at the boy in shock, yet the boy himself just shrugs and then finally moves his arms. Yet he then shocks us as he seems to grab something that is hidden under what I can only assume is Harry's Invisibility Cloak as he pulls it up and sets it down in the middle of the table before tapping it with his wand.
Everyone looks at whatever is hidden there and the Weasley that apparently wants to work for the Ministry asks: "Is the actual truth in there?" Ron nods and the twins ask: "Why hide it?" And Weasley answers: "Because the book hasn't revealed the truth yet." Making everyone look at me, bar Albus who looks at Ron and asks:
"How did you manage to cloak your legs with the Invisibility Cloak without making them disappear, Mr. Weasley?" To which Harry raises his hand and says: "The Cloak is made of light and shadows. When something gets hit by light it gets seen, when something isn't, it hides in the shadows. I used my powers to help Ron hide it."
This shocks many of those around me and Ron smile as he says: "Thanks for that, mate. But how come we haven't heard the truth making any sounds yet?" To which Hermione answers: "Harry told me what you did and I told Professor Lupin who cast a silencing charm on it." The redhead smiles at his teacher and I read on.
"But then…" … telling me?"
"Wait." Albus whispers and I follow: "Switched?" Before the both of us look at each other, Amelia in between us and her eyes just as wide as we finally get what Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black and Harry Potter have known this entire time. And this mind-boggling fact makes me read on quietly.
Very slowly … a brother.
This shocks many of those around us, yet Albus, Amelia and I can fully understand why and we all smile at the two, glad that the truth has reunited them even if still not everyone understands what is going on and while the two share a smile of pure camaraderie at hearing this, is everyone else still confused as I read on.
Harry felt … Hermione screamed.
"That sure sums up how I would have felt had I been there." A boy who I know as Ricardo Darrin of the House of Darrin, whose father works for the Auror Department, then says and many of those around him nod in agreement, some still with wide eyes as they gaze at the two friends sitting at the Lion Table before I read on.
Lupin let … and him!"
This makes the two cringe and then Remus says: "Sorry Hermione, but apparently, I used to be happily married – until that little bastard went and stole my wife, my kids and my memory of my life with them from me." And while many now look shocked and as if they feel with the angrily growling man, do I read on.
"Hermione, calm … for you –"
"Wait, covering? Covering what?" A Fourth year Ravenclaw named Marietta Edgecombe asks and Harry groans and says: "Exactly that which Professor Snape tried to reveal to the Third years in the first chapter. Remember his so-called homework essay?" The girl nods and then whitens with shocked fear as I read on.
"Hermione, listen … a werewolf!"
"He's a WHAT?" Several students shout and while I had tried whispering the very last word in the hopes that none of them would hear, do I still cringe at the evidence that my plan failed but then Harry shouts: "IRMA, THE FILE! Had anyone, at that point of the year, been affected by Professor Lupin's lycanthropy?"
And while many of those who had probably wanted to shout insults and threats at the man now look fearful and worried, making the man in question look down with pained guilt, does Irma happily read her answer: "No, but the essay had been set for all years and practically everyone in sixth and seventh year knew, even Percy."
This shocks me and the boy in question, the fear on the faces of those who had risen out of their seats now replaced with shock, but then Percy smiles and says: "Well then, if I had, by that time, known and not used my duties as Head Boy to make a report on this, then that means that Professor Lupin proved himself trustworthy.
And besides, take a look at Black. He's the Lord of the Darkest family known to England and he's actually innocent of everything we accused him of, a Gryffindor to boot and he's been nothing but great to the one person we thought he wanted to kill. Proves to me that not everything is as black and white as we may think, right?"
This makes those who had risen out of their seats sit back down, some of them smiling in relief, others grumbling as they do so, but then Sirius shocks us as he smirks: "Sorry Percy, I may be a Gryffindor, but so is the actual traitor, so I learned that that fact means nothing to someone's loyalty." The redhead looks shocked and I read on.
There was … me, werewolf!"
"Sorry about that, I'm guessing it's all the stress and confusion, not to mention how quickly all of this happens after the whole thing with Buckbeak." The boy says to his teacher, while Snape had actually smirked in victory when I read this, the smirk vanishing at the end of the boy's speech and Lupin nods with a smile as I read on.
Lupin stopped … saw me?"
This shocks some of the students who had obviously not realized why Snape had set such an essay to so many years, while at the same time the teachers all glare at their colleague, who seems to suppress a cringe of pain before sneering back at them, as if daring them to insult him, yet before an argument can start, do I continue reading.
"Both," Hermione … staff do."
"And that is only because Remus gave me permission to tell them, as you well know, Severus." Albus then says, the sheer disappointment clear in his voice and while another cringe can be seen fluttering over the man's face, does he keep his face passive before he says: "Sorry for trying to protect the students, Headmaster."
But while Lupin cringes at this, does Albus glare at the man as he hisses: "There is protecting the students, Severus and there is breaking someone's rights to privacy. A lesson I thought you had learned in your sixth when I kept you in my office after letting the Marauders return to their dormitories. Or was I mistaken?"
Yet while the man speaks can I not help but notice something about him and tentatively ask: "Albus, are you okay? you look like you're in pain." The man grunts and says: "The memory I am referring to is significant to Severus' past, yet it seems as if the Magical Mind Block is fighting my attempts to see if this is indeed a true memory.
I was hoping that if I spoke of it, I could use the magic of words and chants to further power up my mental magic and fight the spell, but it doesn't seem to be working. And yes, Severus, I have studied the magic enough to recognize that this is yet another altered memory." The head of Slytherin nods, looking troubled and I read on.
"Dumbledore hired … I'm trustworthy –"
"For reasons I am now seeing might not be as historically correct as we first thought." Albus then says, his gaze still aimed at Severus, yet his voice having returned to that good-old kind, grandfather-like sounding voice that we all know him for, yet the man he looks at keeps quiet out of personal pride as I read on.
"AND HE … examining it –"
"You know how to open it?" The twins ask in shock and Remus smirks as he asks: "Remember how I said that we met the Marauders a few chapters ago?" The twins nod, their eyes gleaming with excitement and then shock when the man says: "I lied." And just the easy, cheerful tone of his voice makes me read on with snickers.
"You know … at school."
"That was WHAT?" The twins shout in pure shock and then Harry laughs and asks: "You guys were ingenious enough to come up with something as amazing as the Marauders Map, but you couldn't think of a better nickname than Moony? Sounds a little obvious, don't you think?" And while others snicker, does Lupin say:
"That's because it deserved to be obvious, pup. Trust me, you'll see soon enough why we picked our nicknames the way we did." And when Black growls: "And he certainly earned the meaning behind his nickname." Do the twins share a shocked and worried look, obviously wondering which Marauder the man means as I read on.
"You wrote –?" … hand again.
This makes Black shake his head and say: "If you had just taken the time over the rest of the year to better get to know Harry and let him know you were his father's friend, he wouldn't have had so much trouble understanding all of this. You really made this harder on the both of us, pal." Remus blushes at this and I read on.
"The point is … we weren't!"
Many of those around me look as if they agree, all of them shocked and confused and some even sending questionable looks at Lupin, while Snape seems to have regained his happiness, yet it's what is being done by Harry and his friends that confuses me as they just stare at the center of the table while listening to my reading.
"I couldn't … said evenly.
"Wait – Scabbers?" Percy asks shocked and then he gasps and says: "That's why you wanted extra protection on his cage. You asked for it after we read the Gryffindor-Ravenclaw chapter. You already knew what Lupin is talking about." Yet while his younger brother nods, does he keep his gaze at the invisible item as I read on.
"What?" said … Peter Pettigrew."
And with that do I feel as if the entire ceiling of the Great Hall just came down on me, the atmosphere around us all so thick with silence the actual breathing of some of the students sounding as if they're having a screaming match with each other before every single eye turns to where the three were previously gazing.
Yet instead of something invisible is there now an actual cage shown on the table, Harry being seen putting his cloak back in his robe pocket while his wand is in his other hand, alongside the wands of Ron, Hermione, Albus, Sirius and Remus and all of the Elemental kids have also gone to stand around them and the caged rat.
Or better said, caged criminal as, even without having really read anything regarding the man's guilt, I have no doubt that the person hiding behind that scurrying little rodent transformation is responsible for everything; the Magical Mind Block, the betrayal and murder of the Potters and the murder of twelve Muggles all those years ago.
To this Amelia seems to read my mind as she stands up and says: "Peter John Pettigrew, you are hereby under arrest for the crimes of a Nation Wide Magical Mind Block, the betrayal of James, Lily and Harry to the one known as the Dark Lord, the murder of twelve Muggles and the framing of Sirius Orion Black for your crimes.
You would have been allowed a trial, a stay at the Ministerial Sentencing Cells until your trial and a lawyer, but due to you having also hidden yourself from the law and the general public and therefore posing a danger to the House of Weasley and, through your stay here, all the students of Hogwarts, have you officially lost that right.
Instead of that will you be sentenced as soon as this reading is over and will you be held in captivity in your illegal form until the reading has finished. Also note that if we find any crimes committed by your person in any of the other books that those shall be used to further strengthen your case and sentence. Is that all clear?"
Yet the rat seems too terrified to respond as he is almost climbing the bars of his cage, almost being the strong word as his clawed little hands seem incapable of sticking to the bars and Harry smirks as he says: "Washed the cage with soap before heading for the reading. Just forgot to rinse it afterwards. Sorry, little traitor."
And the fact that the boy thought this far ahead shocks me, yet it makes those around him smirk in glee, but this glee is short-lived as suddenly – out of absolutely nowhere – the strangely attractive woman who had grabbed her wand as the cage had been revealed screams in pure agony as she reaches for her mind with her hands.
Wow, what happened?
Well, Rosie is seeing what she needs in order to come true to her words, that's what. I was actually, originally, planning for this to be Jeffrey, but there is one vital difference between the two; Rosie knows where Pettigrew's old address is whereas Jeffrey doesn't. For further info in what I mean, read chapter 11.
Also, next chapter Harry will read the file and yes, it will prove what Sirius thinks, yet it will also cause a little something else. Something that will, completely, bring the OC characters into the HP universe, but might also look as if it's a repeat of chapter 11. I will try not to let this happen, but I can't promise anything.
Hope you enjoy,
Venquine1990
