DISCLAIMER I DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER OR ITS CHARACTERS

Idea inspired by Tumblr posts from User Cherryslyce

The story is Called "Second Son" and a really good read.

Persephone POV

It's late into the month of May. This past school year has been nothing but chaos. Between an escaped convict breaking in multiple times to dementors stationed everywhere, I wouldn't be surprised if every fifth and seventh year had a nervous breakdown.

I decide to take a walk around the grounds, enjoying the cool spring air. Just as I'm heading back inside, I see a large dog drag one of the Weasleys, Ronald I believe, into a passage under the Whomping Willow. Intrigued, I hide myself in the treeline of the Forbidden Forest, watching Potter and Granger struggle to gain access. Not long after they go inside, Professor Lupin nudges a knot in the tree, halting the branches long enough to crawl through. Then, around five minutes later, here comes Professor Snape, copying Lupin's actions.

I'm unsure how long I wait for someone to come out, but when they do I am shocked. Disillusioning myself, I sneak closer to the group, eavesdropping on Potter and the escaped Sirius Black. It seems that Sirius was innocent, framed by the man Lupin has tied up.

Moonlight shines down from the clouds causing me to still. Tonight is a full moon, and there are at least four students within attacking distance of our rapidly changing Professor. Mr. Black goes to talk Remus through the change, trying to keep him from attacking the children when two things happen.

First, Professor Snape exits the tree, and seeing the wolf, puts himself between the students and an imminent threat. The second thing I notice is that the strange man held captive grabs a discarded wand, shrinking into a rat. As he runs past me, determined to escape, I brandish my wand. A nonverbal 'Immobulus' freezes the animal in place. Picking it up, I sneak back to the castle.

When I get back to the Slytherin Common Room, I ask around for a cage. One of the older students, Adrian Pucey, offers to transfiguration a cage if I get him something to use. I run to my dorm, grabbing a few items I don't mind parting with. I cast a body bind on the rat, just to be cautious. When I return, he gets to work, easily casting the transformation spell. He even adds an unbreakable charm for safe measure.

"Thank you for your help. Is there anything I can offer in return?" Usually, help like this or tutoring is repayed in Honeydukes candy.

"No chocolate this time," he says with a smirk. "Information is more valuable. What's with the rat?"

Glancing around, I quietly explain that he's an illegal animagus wanted for murder. "I'll turn him into Professor Snape in the morning, but for now, please don't say anything."

He agrees to keep quiet, then leaves with a, "Goodnight, Princess." The whole House has taken to calling me that since last year, which is honestly weird. First and second year, I'm some poor orphan girl. Then suddenly, I'm Slytherin's Princess after Lockhart's pitiful dueling club meeting. All I did was help Potter calm the snake down, before Snape vanished it.

The next morning, I wake up extra early. Checking that my prisoner is still in his cage, I quickly shower. Grabbing the cage, I head to my Head of House.

It's an hour before classes start when I knock on his office door. He tells me to enter. "Ms. Gaunt, what can I do for you?"

"Hello, Professor. I came to admit to a bit of rule breaking. You see, I was out after curfew last night, and well..." I trail off, holding up the cage.

"You caught Pettigrew. Come, we must speak to the Headmaster at once."

The rest of the day is a blur. Dumbledore questioned me about the event, and then called the Ministry to request an urgent meeting with Minister Fudge. The four House Heads are watching the school, so that Dumbledore can escort me to the Ministry.

Stopping out of the floo, we are greeted by a long haired man who looks constipated. The Headmaster asks how this 'Rufus' guy has been, before said Auror leads us to the Minister's office. Due to an anonymous tip, the Director of the DMLE, Madame Bones, is waiting just outside his door.

The three of us walk inside. When Fudge questions Dumbledore about the meeting, the old man looks to me. "Hello, Sir. My name is Persephone Gaunt. I have evidence of multiple crimes being committed, as well as evidence to the falsification of another crime," I tell the room. Madame Bones leans forward in her seat, intrigued by my accusations. Placing my prisoner's cage on the desk, I continue, "If you don't mind casting the Animagi Reversal spell, you'll find an unregistered animagus." Madame Bones looks to Fudge, who gives a nod of approval. Bringing out her wand, Amelia Bones removes the disguise. "Let me introduce Peter Pettigrew, the real murderer of the Potters, twelve muggles and the false imprisonment of Sirius Black."

The minister spits and sputters about impossibilities, but the proof sits on the floor by his desk. "Bones, take him in for questioning." Walking out to his secretary, Fudge orders her to send a message out to the Daily Prophet, requesting a reporter's presence immediately. By the time Director Bones finishes her questioning, Rita Skeeter shows up. Exchanging a look with Dumbledore, I quietly cast a truth charm on her quill. No need to muddy the story when the facts are scandalous enough.

Two hours after walking out of Hogwarts, I'm back in the headmaster's office. "Ms. Gaunt, I don't think you truly know the results of your actions. You saved a man's life today, and the Blacks are loyal to those willing to help them. You might expect some form of gratitude in the coming weeks."