A/N: Thank you all for the great comments, suggestions and theories! Keep them coming - they sometimes inspire me to write something totally different than what I had planned ;)

Beyond Hope: I like those too but I kind of wanted a good Ron for once ;) If I write another one I'm sure the pairings will be slightly different ;) I have a few ideas but I want to finish this one first ;)

Mephistopeles: Thanks for your awesome review! Now that you say it, it kind of does resemble bugs bunny or the ducktales or something ;) Oh how I hate abandoned fics... I'll let you in on a secret: I'm actually a Hufflepuff and I am really loyal. I thought a long time before I updated the first time and I knew if I started this I would carry on until the end. No matter how hard (streching my update scedule). If I could send you a pic of my desk just now there is a pot of tea and chocolate right next to me... as well as a cat on my lap :D I started writing in Feb and uploading in March - it seemed ages ago. 2017 was okay for me - my grandpa died and that was actually the push I needed to start all this. I needed a way to escape for a while. Otherwise it was great :D Hope your year was good as well.

Kanisha Agarwal: You are welcome ;) Yeah it always refreshes my mind as well during study sessions. I have a few more exams but the worst will be next Friday... Hope yours went well :)

Lyra: Oh he has no idea at all ;) He got himself into the claws of the goblins and they are vicious :D

JasminSky: Sure as hell! A Marauder doesn't give in to anyone!

mizzrazz72: It's falling ;) And he is in for quite a hard landing once he reaches the bottom :D

Dixie.f.9: Yes he did. The goblins are not as easily impressed by words as humans are ;)

ThePhoenixandtheDragon: Wow! Very vidictive streak you have there ;) We'll see what will happen :D

Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling - I just played a bit in her universe.

Thanks to miu-sama95 for prereading, betaing and helping with the storyline ;)

Chapter 34: Interrogation

Words: 3113

Amelia, Kingsley and Tonks had arrived in the auror apparition room and quickly made their way through the office area. Without stopping and notifying the head auror on duty they made a beeline for the medical wing.

None of the witches and wizards in the open office space dared to intercept them but one of the seniors fell into step behind Tonks while another went to get the head auror.

Madame Bones decided not to bother knocking on the healer's office door and simply stormed inside, startling the healer so much that he fell out of his chair.

"M…m… Madame Bones!" He exclaimed surprised. "What can I do for you?"

Seeing the wizard sprawled on the floor paused Amelia's momentum long enough for her to remember her manners.

"I apologize for surprising you, healer…"

"Frank. Healer Andrew Frank, ma'am."

"Healer Frank. A wizard was brought here last night by auror Dawlish. I wish to speak to him."

"Yes. He regained consciousness a few hours ago."

The healer moved towards the door that was guarded by his desk and indicated to everyone to follow him through. While they were all walking down the medi wing the head auror on duty managed to speak quietly to his boss.

"Madame, what is the reason behind your visit?"

"I believe I know the identity of the wizard. And if he is who I think he is then John has stumbled upon the suspect we have been looking for the last few days."

"May I ask who you suspect him to be? And which investigation are we talking about?" The head auror asked confused. He hadn't read any reports about a sought-after suspect.

"It's a top secret investigation. The goblins approached me directly and the fewer people know the better. Otherwise there might be unwanted interference."

It was clear to the auror, by the tone of his boss's voice alone, that this was a very delicate matter that probably concerned some very influential people. He gave her a small nod in understanding before issuing some orders to all the people that had trailed after them (there were a few more than before – nosy brats).

"Alright, people! Clear out! This is none of your business!" When none of them moved right away he leveled them with his most feared glare that had Death Eaters crying and shouted. "NOW! Before I sign you all up for archive duty!"

That sent them all scrambling and only the healer, Madame Bones, Kingsley, Tonks and he himself were left standing in front of the only closed door in the corridor.

Head auror Thomas had been an auror long enough to have known the department head during her time as an active auror. In all his time here he had never seen or heard of such a secret investigation and he had seen a lot. Thus he decided to question his boss a little more – just to be sure.

"Madame… Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, what about protocol?"

"It is a necessary step. Not the best option but the only one we have. I know that we should wait for Dawlish but he won't be back until tonight and we need confirmation as fast as possible."

"Alright. If you are sure, boss."

Amelia gave him a calculating look before turning to the healer.

"Did the suspect say anything when he first woke up?"

"No. He was rather confused before falling back asleep. He only said that he was sorry." The healer said before leading the group of investigators into the room.

"Good morning, mister. I brought some people who wish to talk to you. How do you feel?"

"Good morning, healer." The man on the bed answered quietly. "I have a bit of a headache but otherwise I am alright."

All of the aurors assessed the wizard on the bed while the healer did his job. The man was rather small, with a bit of extra weight around his middle. He looked timid and jumpy at every loud noise.

If he had spent a long time in his animagus form he would have taken the better hearing of the rat back into his human body. All together he looked a bit grey as if he were under a lot of stress and in Amelia's opinion he looked older than the 35 he should be.

Meanwhile Andrew had run a few diagnostics to check his patient's vitals. At the wizards questioning look he elaborated his findings.

"You are completely healthy. The lingering headache is from the minor concussion you received in yesterday's explosion. It will be gone by tomorrow."

"Who are they?" The patient asked the healer.

Madame Bones took this as her cue to step forward and introduce herself.

"Good day. My name is Amelia Bones and these are my colleagues Kingsley, Tonks and Thomas. May I ask your name?"

"Peter… Peter Pettigrew."

It was suddenly so quiet in the room, one could have mistaken the aurors for statues. After a moment of shock there was a flurry of activity and called out commands.

"Thomas call Dawlish for an emergency!" Amelia began taking control. "Kingsley we need the potion. Tonks get us a room!"

After all her aurors left the room in a hurry she turned all her attention back to the healer and Pettigrew.

The head of the DMLE had listened to their conversation before with one ear so just to be sure she asked the healer.

"Is he alright for a talk?" She put emphasis on 'talk' to convey that they were going to question him under Veritaserum.

"Yes. He's perfectly alright. From a medical point of view he is free to go after your talk."

"So I can go home?" Peter asked.

"Not yet. We still have to find out what happened yesterday. My colleagues are just getting a room ready for us to talk in."

"Oh… Alright."

Before their suspect could ask any more questions Tonks returned with Dawlish in tow.

"Room's ready. Thomas is keeping our path clear." Tonks reported.

"Thank you for calling me in. Thomas filled me in. Is that really Peter?"

"It is still your case. At least partly. That's what he said. We'll find out soon enough." Amelia told him quietly before addressing the healer and Pettigrew again. "Are you ready to move to the other room for our talk?"

"Yeah… sure." Peter said and got out of his bed. Thankfully Andrew had transfigured his hospital gown into robes.

The two aurors flanked the wizard while Amelia marched ahead with the healer bringing up the rear. They always had a medic on hand in the observation room when they questioned someone with the truth serum.

The small group quickly made their way to the interrogation room where they met up with Thomas and Kingsley.

The head auror on duty helped John to situate their suspect in a chair while Kingsley kept watch over the serum and started the recording orb. Tonks and the healer stayed in the observation room next door while Amelia calmly took her seat opposite Peter Pettigrew.

"Recording or the interview with Peter Pettigrew. Friday, July 7th 1995." She told the recording orb the basic information. "Interview by Amelia Bones, head of the department of magical law enforcement. Witnessed by head aurors Dawlish, Shacklebolt and Thomas."

Madame Bones turned her deadliest stare on Pettigrew and asked the first question.

"Do you consent to the use of Veritaserum?"

"Why do you need that?" Peter asked confused and a bit scared. "Isn't that only used by the ministry..?"

All aurors watched with hidden amusement as the wizard finally realized where he was and that he was in deep trouble. Before he could even try to move shackles materialized and bound him to the chair.

"Since you claim to be someone everybody thought dead for the last 14 years we need to be sure." Dawlish stated. It was not a lie… just not the whole truth either.

A moment later their suspicion of Pettigrew's brightness was confirmed when he relaxed and agreed to the truth potion.

"Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt, please administer three drops of the brew to the suspect's mouth."

"Of course, ma'am."

They all waited for a moment for the potion to take effect. When Amelia noticed his dilated eyes and their glassy sheen she began the interrogation in earnest.

"What is your name?"

"Peter Pettigrew."

"Was this the whole name you were born with?"

"No. My middle name is Augustus."

"Were you a follower of the Dark Lord Voldemort?" There were gasps behind her but Amelia had her full concentration on the wizard opposite her.

"Yes." More gasps.

"What happened on the night of Halloween 1981?"

"I exposed the Potters to my Lord. He promised me eternal glory."

"How did you know the Potter's hideout? They were under the Fidelius."

"Easy. I was their secret keeper." Pettigrew stated smugly.

"Not Sirius Black?"

"Black? Pah! That idiot persuaded James and Lily to make me their secret keeper because he would be a too obvious choice."

"Who knew about the switch in secret keepers?"

"Only us four and of course Albus."

"Dumbledore?"

"The one and only. He had to teach me the spell."

There was an exchange of meaningful glances between Amelia and Kingsley (who had sat down beside her) before the head of the department collected her thoughts again and continued.

"How did you escape Sirius in that muggle street?"

"I blew up the muggles and cut off my finger before transforming and escaping with all the other rats through the drains."

"Where have you been ever since?"

"I was found by a small boy who took me home and kept me as his pet."

"Which family did you stay with?"

"The Weasleys." He sneered. "I was at first Percy's and later on Ron's pet rat."

"Why are you not with them anymore?"

"Black." Peter spat. "A year ago Ron and his little friends found out who I am when Black was at Hogwarts. They nearly got me but I managed to escape."

Amelia looked at Pettigrew shocked. She had never heard of Black actually making it onto school grounds - only that he had been seen around Hogsmead - or Ron and his friends (probably Harry Potter and Hermione Granger) finding out about Peter.

It looked like this case would cause quite the uproar in the ministry in the next few weeks.

"What have you been doing this past year?" She asked after a short while.

"I tried to resurrect my master."

"How did you do that?"

"I made the Triwizard Cup into a portkey and transported Potter to my Lord's father's grave."

"Wasn't Cedric Diggory there as well?" Amelia asked confused.

This was getting more complicated by the minute. She had only planned to get enough evidence to proof Blacks innocence. This was so much more… and her throat was getting sore from asking all these questions. Stupid rules. What difference did it make if there were two people asking questions?

Shaking her head mentally at her thoughts Amelia turned her attention back to the suspect in front of her.

"I don't know. There was a second boy there. No idea what his name was."

"What happened to him?"

"I killed him. He was in the way."

"What happened next?"

"The Potter brat managed to escape and I failed my Lord!" He cried.

"What were you doing at the manor?"

"It was my Lord's families. I was hiding there and tried finding different ways to bring him back."

"Which were you trying out yesterday night?"

"An ancient African potion. It needed the bone of the father."

"What happened with the potion?" Finally there was an end in sight – at least for now.

"Something went wrong and it blew up. You see I'm not very good with potions but I had to try something to get my Lord back!"

"Do you have the Mark?"

"No. To keep me hidden he never marked me. But he would if I could bring him back!"

"One last question. "Which other Death Eaters do you know?"

"None. My Lord only contacted me separately."

"Alright. Kingsley please administer the antidote."

Shacklebolt handed Pettigrew a vial which he drank down without protest.

They all waited until the effects of the Veritaserum were gone before speaking again.

"Peter Pettigrew?" Amelia asked one last time.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"You are under arrest for murder, being a Death Eater, being an illegal animagus, using the unforgiveables and treason."

"No! Madam you don't understand! He would have killed me! Please!" He stuttered but his words fell on deaf ears.

"Oh I understand quite well. You are a coward of the worst sort!" Amelia spat before she got up and left the room.

The three head aurors had their hands full with the slippering, sniveling rat animagus when they took him to the cells.

More than once he tried to transform but since he was still wearing the suppressing cuffs he didn't stand a chance. Still it took them half an hour to get the wizard booked correctly. Afterwards they met up with the others back in the department head's office.

When everyone involved was in her office Amelia shut the door and raised every single privacy ward the room possessed. They were on a tighter lockdown than the Queen's crown jewels.

Marvolo had tried to make a dent in all the paperwork that had piled up on his desk over the past few days but his mind wandered away all the time. After reading the same letter for the fifth time he gave up with a sigh.

He was still thinking of a present for his husband. Not only was it their anniversary tomorrow but they were also going to renew their vows. Not that he had told Severus about that yet. So the party would already be a nice surprise but Sev hated parties and attention. What to get him?

The Potions Master was really hard to find presents for. He loved books but their two story library was already overflowing with books. He was passionate about brewing but simple potions ingredients felt somehow uninspired and cheesy. It had to be something special. Maybe Harry had an inkling.

Since he also still needed to talk to the teen the Dark Lord got up from his desk and left this study to search for his son. It didn't take him long to find the boy curled up on the library sofa with a book in his lap. His godfather was with him but he was caught up in his own story.

"Harry?" Marvolo asked quietly as to not startle his son but Harry still jumped a bit at the voice behind him. He turned slightly and saw his Papa behind him.

"Hello, Marvolo."

"Do you have a few minutes for me? I need to discuss something with you."

"Sure. Here or in your office?"

"My office is more private." Harry frowned at Marvolo's comment but he just nodded and followed the older wizard out of the room.

Once they were situated comfortably in the study and Marvolo had ordered them some tea, Harry couldn't stand the quiet anymore.

"What is it, Marvolo?"

"Your father and my anniversary is tomorrow." The Dark Lord began nervously (not that Dark Lords were ever nervous!).

"Okay? So?"

"After everything that has happened I wish for us to renew our vows. I have been planning it all behind Sev's back. It shall be a surprise."

"Alright. What do you need me to do?"

"How do you know I need you for anything?"

"Oh, please!" Harry snorted. "As if you would have told me otherwise!"

"True. Well for a magical bond renewal to take effect all participants must be at least of the same blood as the originals were."

"I don't understand. You married before I was even born."

"Yes, but your mother was Severus witness."

"Oh."

"Exactly. Mine was Lucius and there was no official bonder – we did that ourselves. Would you stand in for your mother?"

"Err… Okay." Harry agreed a bit unsure. Stepping into his mother's shoes was a big deal for him. As if Marvolo could read his mind he tried to soothe the teen's nerves.

"You'll be great. Thank you for making this possible."

"You are welcome, Marv. Was there anything else?"

"Do you maybe have an idea what I could get your Dad as a present? I mean he gave me a freaking castle!"

"Hmmm…" Harry thought for a moment before his face lit up with a mischievous smile as something came to his mind.

"You know, I never got a chance to explore the Chamber of Secrets. I bet the basilisk is also still down there since it's mine by right of conquest."

Marvolo got a knowing smirk on his face when he understood the hidden meaning behind Harry's statement. How very Slytherin of the boy. They were having a good influence on him if he already started being this cunning.

Harry just grinned and with a wave over his shoulder dashed out of the study, leaving a brooding Marvolo behind.

Now how to get into the Chamber…

Amelia Bones surveyed each person currently in her office and assessed their liability if she told them everything.

Tonks and Kingsley were in on it already so she didn't have to worry about them. They had also sworn an oath.

Dawlish was more dark than light aligned but he was no Death Eater. Still he would never help Dumbledore.

The healer, Andrew Frank was also under oath. It was a healer's oath but he still wouldn't talk about this to anyone.

Thomas was difficult to assess. He was a head auror on his own and she had never had a reason to doubt him so she wouldn't start now.

Making her decision she opened her mouth and was just about to tell them everything when a letter popped into existence right in front of her. It had the Gringotts seal so she quickly opened it and read it.

While the others watched her face drained of all color and she thankfully sank down into the chair behind her.

"Albus Dumbledore was just arrested by the Goblins for attempted line theft."

"Does that mean we can tell the others?" Kingsley asked and after Amelia gave him the go ahead he briefed the others in the room.

Madame Bones meanwhile was too shocked to process it all. Albus had managed to get himself arrested by the goblins. Not even he could talk his way out of that hole. They had – kind of – won. Albus had been conquered.

Thank Merlin for goblin laws!

TBC

We are nearing the Wizengamot meeting on Saturday!

What do you think will happen?

First posted on: 10. December2017

Next update planned: 24. December 2017