I Am Not Simply.
by ny_zed
Disclaimer: My name is not J. K. Rowling, and I do not own Wizarding World and Associates in any way.
A/N: I had to make up some spell names, and some middle names. I apologize if it is very obvious, too cringe, or in any way you don't like.
Chapter 5
Harry spent the next two weeks thinking about what Sirius had told him.
"The permanent stinging hex on my finger might have broken some compulsion charm."
If what Sirius had said was true, it meant that his family didn't really hate him. More like Albus "the Old Codger" Dumbledore being an manipulative git. For whatever reason the Headmaster decided to do this, Harry didn't know. He sighed mentally.
How would he face his family, after these seven years? He recalled the two sets of twins he had seen the year before. He was sure the younger set didn't even know of his existence. And then there was James Potter. How would he react to the loss of the Heir title, one year on?
He also remembered that it was only a very powerful and lasting stinging hex that had finally cancelled the compulsion on Sirius. What will it take to do the same on the Potters?
This was a topic to ponder later.
He was still living in Grimmauld Place. Sirius had moved back in and he was determined to "make it all up to him". To be very honest, Harry did not need an adult to take care of him, but Sirius had insisted.
Speaking of adults, Harry made a fist in frustration as he recalled how the emancipation effort had almost not gone through.
Apparently, according to the Charter of House Black, one needed to be recognized by magic as emancipated to take up the position of Lord. Harry had happily took up the role of Lord Black. However, the Potter title came with some annoying legal hurdles. Apparently, you needed to be recognized by the Ministry or Wizengamot and you needed to be physically aged seventeen. While this would normally be cancelled out by the Last-of-the-Line clauses, Harry was unfortunately not the last of his line.
Hoot. Harry turned to see a gray owl with a scroll tied to its leg. Harry retrieved the scroll and the owl flew off. He opened the scroll and smiled—a letter from Percy.
Dear Harry,
Congratulations on ascending to your new title! It is a shame that the Ministry interfered with the process, but I can already dream of what you can do as Lord Black. My mother wants to meet you, somehow. It is somehow a Weasley tradition for every child in school to explain and share their year. Of course, when my sister heard the name Potter, she went absolutely nuts. Imagine her disappointment when I told her it was Harry instead of Evan Potter! Anyways, if you can come along, make sure you send a response back with Errol—he's the family owl.
~ Percy
Harry grimaced of the thought of meeting the large and likely loud Weasley household. From what he read, the youngest Weasley seemed to be a fangirl. He especially didn't like fangirls. However he decided that he'd like to meet the twins that Percy had been complaining about all year. Harry ripped some parchment and scribbled a quick response.
Percy-
I'd love to be there. I'll see you tomorrow night.
Harry
Harry watched as the gray owl flew off. Now he had something to look forward to. He only hoped that it would go well.
7 July 1988
Harry spun into the fireplace and was pushed out. He landed unceremoniously on his rear end. He stood up as he tried to hide his embarrassment; he never really did well when it came to magical transportation.
"Harry!"
Percy was running toward him and gave him the secret friends' handshake.
"Welcome to the Burrow. It's weird but it's home."
Judging on the crooked appearance of the main stairwell, Harry couldn't help but agree. The place had the warm feeling of coziness and welcome.
"Why, hello there Harry." Harry turned to find the Weasley matriarch walking toward him. He slightly winced as he took in the features of Molly Weasley. Red-headed, plump, seemingly ordinary, and all coupled with a sense of authority. She also seemed to have a very strong will, and seemed willing enough to impose it on all that crossed the front door. Harry didn't like these type of people, and from looking at Percy's careful expression, Percy didn't like it either. Holding up his Occlumency shields, he willed his facial expression to turn into a very unnatural cold and Mrs. Weasley immediately winced at his expression.
"I do not recall allowing you to call me by my given name, especially when this is the first time we have met."
Mrs. Weasley's face reddened. She pointed at Harry, indignant at the disrespect she was shown. "You are in my house, Harry, and I will call you whatever I want. You will follow whatever rules I set for you. Who do you think you are? Some Lord of the Wizengamot?"
"Uh, precisely that, Weasley." By now, the entire Weasley family had gathered around.
"Empty words! How dare you?"
Percy started silently pleading for his mother to stop her ranting.
Luckily, Bill Weasley stepped in before things got ugly.
"Mum, it's alright. Harry here is a Lord though, so—"
"LIES! HOW COULD YOU BELIEVE SUCH LIES? HE'S ONLY ELEVEN FOR MERLIN'S SAKE!"
Harry smirked as he willed the Black Lord ring to appear, then purposely put it in a position where everyone could see. Then he spotted the Weasley girl. Ginny Weasley was currently staring at the ring, and in her eyes, Harry could see a glint of longing. He groaned. He would have to watch out for this girl. It would not do for a fangirl to get into his future path.
Charlie Weasley very helpfully pointed out; "Well, there's a ring right there, Mum."
Molly Weasley stopped, and then very aggressively started an attempt to pull the ring off the finger.
"IT. MUST. BE. A. FAKE! NO CHILD CAN HAVE A RING!"
It took the efforts of Bill, Charlie, and Percy to keep their mother from attacking the Lord Black. Harry smirked again. He stuck out his left hand and said, "Do it." With an triumphant grin, Molly Weasley broke free from her restraints and immediately started tugging on the ring.
The ring wouldn't come off. Molly Weasley's face reddened ever so slightly. "There must be a very powerful sticking charm on it! FINITE!"
The ring didn't even budge. By now, Harry had enough. He stood, and he said; "You should be fortunate that I, Lord Black, didn't have the heart to sue you for attempted line theft." Suddenly, all the red in Molly's face had gone and was replaced with paleness. She did not expect the Black Lord title.
"You have broken my trust, thus I shall not return for the foreseeable future. It is no wonder why Percy faces so much pressure." Then, with a flick of his finger, a trunk and a rat floated down the stairwell. "C'mon Percy. You can live with me for the summer."
Percy was nervous. "Are you sure about this, Harry?" Harry dismissed the concern. "Don't worry, you need a bit of time away from that scarlet woman."
"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?"
"Well, we best be off. After me, Percy."
Harry stepped into the Floo with most of Percy's belongings. "Grimmauld Place!" and he vanished.
Percy was very divided. On one side, he longed for time away from his mother and his noisy family. There was also the infamous Black library he had heard about. Imagine having access to it for a whole summer! But on the other hand, he was worried about how his mother will react. These thoughts were interrupted as Bill pushed him into the Floo.
"We'll deal with Mum, now get the bloody hell out of here."
"Grimmauld Place!" and he vanished.
For the next few days, Percy got introduced to Sirius Black, who treated Percy as a drinking partner, quite literally. Percy was ecstatic about living at the Black Manor and spent most of his days exploring the library. Things were going well—except Percy's rat was acting up. Scabbers had not felt good since their arrival at Grimmauld Place, but Percy shook it off as 'Floo trauma'.
However, Harry had already deduced that the rat Scabbers was in fact Peter Pettigrew, his fugitive "uncle". He had learned a few years ago that there had been a Fidelius Charm over Potter Cottage, and since Uncle Wormtail was the Secret-Keeper, he was responsible for the death of his grandmother, and thus a traitor.
"I SWEAR I WILL KILL THAT TRAITOR RIGHT NOW—"
"Sirius, no! Your recklessness can allow him to escape!"
"You do not understand the pain!" Sirius stopped when he realized what he had just said.
"On the contrary, I believe I do." Harry said coldly.
"Fine. Do it your way, then."
"Percy! Mind if I borrow Scabbers? What for? I need to test my theories on animal transfiguration, mate. Your rat is the only thing short of the mangy mutt we currently house in this gloomy arse building." Harry smirked as he heard Sirius mutter curses behind his back.
About a few minutes later, a certain rat found itself bound to a large wooden chair with two people standing in front of him. He recognized one of them and started squeaking.
"Oh, Peter! How nice of you to join us this very fine evening. Animagi Reverto!" Limbs sprouted out of the rat as it grew into a humanoid shape, and then it's fur fell out producing a very familiar face.
"Sirius!" Peter shouted. "I demand you free me right now! You are assaulting the free will of a wizard! And you, betraying Lily and James! What are you doing here?"
Then Peter turned and saw Harry. "HARRY! You must listen to me! Sirius betrayed your parents! He betrayed their location to the Dark Lord! You caught the wrong—" Peter was then silenced.
"I notice you said Dark Lord instead of the term You-Know-Who." Peter paled at his slip-up, but recovered quickly. He attempted to cut himself loose. "It is no use, Pettigrew." Peter registered the use of his surname and struggled even more against his bindings. "I was notified that you were the Secret-Keeper."
Peter felt the little invisible handkerchief around his mouth wear off. He changed tactics. "I had no choice! The Dark Lord was threatened my life! Who wouldn't do so for self-preservation? Please, Harry, hear me out!"
"What's that black lining on the left forearm?" And before Peter could react, the left sleeve was pulled up, revealing a very faint Dark Mark.
Harry looked at Peter in the eyes. "Is this when you plead the Imperius?"
Peter knew the jig was up. He continued to struggle with his bindings, and in sheer desperation, he managed to use wandless magic to get the ropes off him. He transformed and ran for his life.
"GET THAT RAT!"
Peter considered his options. He could either seek sanctuary in Percy's belongings, walk out the door into Muggle London, or use the Floo. He decided to go into Muggle London. It would be harder to find him that way.
That was when his plans were ruined as he heard Harry loudly declare "LOCKDOWN!" and he heard the looming front door lock with a snap. Curses! He would try the Floo. He slipped through the hands of his former friend, and heard him curse. "He's heading for the Floo!" He heard Sirius say. "Shut it down!"
CURSE THE BLACKS! He now had no choice but to return to his owner, hoping he is naïve enough to protect him.
He found the redhead and jumped into his arms, catching the redhead by surprise. "Scabbers? What are you doing here?"
The door almost exploded open and in came Harry and Sirius, the latter looking livid.
"Percy," Sirius said panting. "You might want to hand over that rat."
Percy suddenly realized that Scabbers might have been frightened of the insane transfiguration experiments that Harry must have been conducting. He turned to Harry. "What have you been doing to my Scabbers?" Peter felt a slight surge in hope.
"That rat is not a rat. It's an Animagus by the name of Peter Pettigrew, the fugitive."
Percy stared at Harry for a second. "You've gone mad! Scabbers is just a rat! He's been in the family for a very long time!"
Sirius coughed out a emotionless laugh. "What rat lives for seven years?" While Percy thought about this, the rat flew out of his arms and into some ropes, which then tightly bound him.
"Animagi Reverto!" Percy froze as his trusty pet rat became rat no more. He pointed. "Peter Pettigrew!"
Now Peter knew he was truly defeated and caught.
The trial of Peter Pettigrew was a very well publicized affair. Hundreds turned out to see justice served to the man who indirectly killed the beloved Euphemia Potter. Amelia Bones, new head of the DMLE after the retirement of Polan Hitchins, was confident that she would get a conviction. It had been known for a while now that Pettigrew hosted the abomination that was the Dark Mark on his left arm. While he could plead the Imperius like countless other backward purebloods did, there was the Fidelius charm on the Potter Cottage that successfully negated the Imperius excuse. If one studies the Fidelius enough, one would find that the Secret may only be given by free will; the Imperius or Legilimency would not work. Simply speaking, Pettigrew was a dead rat.
Amelia was a bit nervous. This would be her first high-profile trial as the new head of the DMLE, and that subsequently mixed in with the prosecutor role. But she was determined. It was to keep her country safe. If she succeeded, not alone would she be elevating her status, but she would put a dangerous criminal away for good.
It was time. She heard the gavel bang. "Seal the doors, and bring in the defendant!"
She watched as the prisoner was marched into the room and forced into the chair in front of her. The chair immediately activated it's restraining techniques. Then he heard the temporary Chief Warlock, Tiberius Ogden say:
"Trial of the tenth of July, of one Peter Ludovic Pettigrew. Peter Ludovic Pettigrew, you face the Wizengamot today to hear criminal charges put against you; they include the following: conspiracy to murder, murder, high treason by attendance in the terrorist group known as the Death Eaters, and betrayal of House Potter to aforementioned group. How do you plead?"
She noted the absence of the usual Chief Warlock. Amelia thought her old Headmaster would do anything to be able to preside over this meeting, but apparently, "ICW business" got in the way. At least, that was the official excuse.
"Not guilty."
"Very well, let the plea of not guilty be noted. Let the prosecution begin its case." Amelia took a deep breath, and began.
"The given charges all really hinge on one subject, whether Mister Pettigrew was a Death Eater, or not."
Amelia walked up to the prisoner, and forcefully pulled at his left arm, revealing a very faint mark.
"On the day of his capture, Aurors found this mark on the left forearm of Peter Pettigrew. One should remember that the presence of said mark is proof of serving the Dark Lord Voldemort."
Countless people in the room winced at the mention of the Dark Lord's name.
"Objection, Chief Warlock! My cilent was forced to take the Mark under the Imperius Curse! He was not a willing member of the organization!"
Murmurs broke out, and Amelia observed many of the Dark faction nodding rigorously. She smirked, though. The Imperius excuse was bound to be used. However, the investigation had found the perfect safeguard against it.
"That may be true, Mister Yaxley, as accounted for certain members of our esteemed body, however there is something else that adds to this case. You might have noticed that one of the charges include the betrayal of House Potter. Allow me to explain. During the war, House Potter went into hiding under a Fidelius Charm." Amelia heard gasps. She could understand why. The Fidelius was not a easy bit of magic. In fact, only the most powerful wizards were able to cast such a charm without magical exhaustion. I now call Mister James Potter to the stand."
The Chief Warlock nodded and James Potter made his way to the witness stand. "I will now request the use of Veritaserum, on our witness, if permitted by the Chief Warlock and by the witness."
"Allowed." "Go ahead."
James Potter stuck his tongue out and three drops of clear liquid was dropped on his tongue. His eyes took on an empty look.
"What is your full name and birthdate?"
"James Fleamont Potter, born on 27 March 1960."
"Did you or did you not use the Fidelius charm to hide your family and location during the period of 1980 to 1981?"
"I did."
"Who casted the Fidelius charm?"
"Albus Dumbledore."
"Who was the Secret-Keeper?
James looked at Peter and pointed at him. "That rat right there, Peter Pettigrew."
"Is there any other way to confirm that Peter Ludovic Pettigrew is indeed the Secret-Keeper of your property at the time?"
"Yes. Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Frank Longbottom, and my wife Lily were other witnesses."
"Your witness, Mister Yaxley."
The Defence barrister took out a sheet of parchment and began reading.
"Do you believe that the defendant would betray you?"
"I didn't at the time."
"How did you know Peter Pettigrew was the secret-keeper?"
"We were there when the charm was cast, you can clearly see it being that rat if you were there."
Yaxley gulped. This was not helping at all. Amelia Bones had already asked all the questions he had wanted to ask. He thought he could get it off easily with the Imperius, but hopes were starting to dim.
"No more questions, Chief Warlock."
"Madam Bones will now continue her prosecution."
Amelia coughed, and then retook the reins. "Now, one should know that in the Fidelius Charm, the Secret must be freely given by the Secret-Keeper. That is the reason why the Fidelius is so powerful. A practiced master of Legilimency would not be able to force the knowledge out of the mind. I now ask our resident Unspeakable the question of whether the information I gave is true and accurate."
A hooded figure lifted their head slightly, their emotionless and toneless voice being broadcast across the chamber. "It is true."
Amelia nodded at the figure. "So be it. Now, it is easy to connect the dots. Mister Pettigrew is the Secret-Keeper of the Potter residence. The Dark Lord Voldemort goes and kills the matriarch before ultimately failing to kill the children. We all know how that day went. The Dark Lord Voldemort would not have been able to find out where the Potter residence is, without the Secret being willingly divulged. It is thus that Mister Pettigrew is guilty."
The rest of the trial went easy. After the evidence of the Fidelius threw the Imperius excuse right out the window, things were looking up. Now, the Wizengamot were returning from their delibrations.
Chief Warlock Ogden raised his voice. "All in favor of conviction?"
"And all against?"
"The result is 164 for guilty, none for not guilty, and 36 for abstained. Peter Ludovic Pettigrew, for your guilt in these heinous crimes against Wizarding Great Britain, you are henceforth sentenced to death via the Veil." There were gasps and then immediate protests, from both sides of the political spectrum. Amelia grumbled. So much for justice when politics couldn't even agree on punishment.
"You shall be sent through the Veil in approximately fifteen minutes. Adjourned." The Chief Warlock banged his gavel and immediately there was pandemonium.
Somewhere in the visitor's gallery, Harry Potter and Sirius Black shared a vicious grin. The traitorous rat was soon to be dead meat.