I dragged myself down to the Great Hall Christmas day, exhausted. I'd spent the night gathering up newspapers and scouring through them for Peter Pettigrew with little success, and lost track of time. McGonagall didn't look pleased with my heading downstairs for lunch in my night clothes—a simple robe tied shut around my lithe form that just had my underwear on—but I wasn't about to get dressed when my plans for the day revolved around sleeping. It was the one nice thing about the holidays. I got Christmas Day off to do what I wanted, which was usually recovering from being unable to sleep.

I hadn't expected the tables to all be set aside other than one, where Dumbledore already sat with a few other professors and students. He smiled at the sight of me when I sank onto a chair and sprawled my body across the table with a sigh of exhaustion.

"Good morning to you too, Farlan. Merry Christmas."

I mumbled my own greeting into the wood of the table as McGonagall huffed.

"If you weren't sleeping well you should've requested potions from Madam Pomfrey."

"I have potions," I grumbled back, getting a glance from her. "I was busy."

She rolled her eyes as the doors opened again and the familiar trio of Gryffindors walked in to join us. Harry sat beside me as Ron and Hermione took the other side of the table, a hint of tension between the group members that I picked up on idly while Dumbledore popped open a Christmas cracker with a familiar vulture hat within. Snape perused his lips, having undoubtedly heard what happened with Neville's boggart, and Dumbledore switched out his hat with that one before telling everyone to dig in.

I was happy the house elves knew I wasn't really feeling up to eating much, accepting the soup that appeared before me with a soft sigh. Then, the doors opened again and a more unfamiliar face stepped into the Great Hall.

"Sibyll, this is a pleasant surprise," Dumbledore chirped, drawing my gaze to the slim woman in her green sequined dress and overly large glasses.

"I have been crystal gazing, headmaster, and to my astonishment, I saw myself abandoning my solitary luncheon and coming to join you. Who am I to refuse the promptings of fate? I at once hastened from my tower, and I do beg you to forgive my lateness," she replied, letting me know she was the Divination professor.

We hadn't met given she remained holed up in her tower most days. I'd heard rumors of her eccentricity but most people who dove fully into Divination were rather strange. McGonagall disliked her as well, which grew more apparent when Dumbledore brought her a chair between McGonagall and Snape—both of whom scowled. The woman didn't sit, however, and I wasn't sure why until Harry gave my side a small nudge, drawing my attention.

She had glanced up and down the table and froze, staring directly at me and the Grim lying under my seat. Knowing what sort of death omen a Grim was to those who focused their time on Divination, I felt the awkward urge to reassure her but couldn't get a word out before she lifted a shaky finger at me.

"Y-You! You are followed by death itself!"

I glanced down at the Grim and back to her, grunting with a nod as I brought another spoonful of soup to my mouth. "Yeah. He's harmless but won't exactly leave."

Trelawney shook her head, somehow not getting a crick in her neck with how fast and jerky the motion was. "No, no, no! You cannot just walk around with such a thing! You'll bring death upon us all!"

"You're welcome to try and get rid of it," I replied, making her stiffen as she faced the Grim who had peered open its eyes to stare at her calmly. "Merlin knows nothing I've done worked."

"I-I can't. I cannot stay here, headmaster! Such a dangerous omen! The man, himself, so full of darkness!"

"He's fine," McGonagall huffed. "Strange with an odd assortment of creatures following him but hardly a Dark Lord out to harm someone."

I frowned lightly at McGonagall but Trelawney wouldn't have it and rushed from the room while rattling on about a cleansing and death. Harry leaned over toward me with a small smile though, once she was gone.

"I'm glad I didn't take Divination or I'd probably be getting death omens too."

I sighed, gesturing to the Grim. "If he'd go away it wouldn't happen… probably."

McGonagall scoffed as she grabbed another bite of food. "Sybill always gives out death omens. Every year it's another student, so you can imagine how pleased I was when I heard she got so few this term. I suppose I have you to thank for that, Farlan."

I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly. "Sorry. I just gave an overview of the electives. Divination requires having a gift and so few people have it and become enthralled in it that I simply suggested students take the elective with caution."

"Don't apologize. I'm sure you saved quite a few students the hassle of sitting through her… prophetic lectures."

The trio smiled into their food as I fidgeted and returned to mine. Once finished, Harry and Ron left but Hermione stayed to request something of McGonagall and myself. I glanced at her curiously as she shuffled awkwardly, looking almost ashamed of what she was going to mention.

"I… Well, I-I was hoping you both might look at something. Harry got a broom for Christmas and we don't know who it was from. We thought maybe Professor Lupin but it's… it's a brand-new broom that just came out. I'm just worried it might have… might have come from…"

"You believe it came from Sirius Black?" McGonagall questioned, surprised as Hermione nodded.

"I-I don't want it taken away! Just… Just maybe looked at?"

McGonagall nodded and turned to me. "I assume you might have a way to look it over? Otherwise, I can ask Professor Flitwick…"

I shook my head. "I have runes that will search for anything wrong with it. No need for us to tear it apart to get results."

Hermione let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you. It… It won't take long, will it? I… I feel bad saying something when he's…"

"Only a moment," I replied as McGonagall gave Hermione permission to use the password to the tower to let me in.

"Could you also… Ron has this rat and my… my cat has been kind of chasing it. It looks really sick."

I nodded as I stood and she got up as well. "I can take a look. Being constantly chased can cause stress but it usually wouldn't be too bad. Especially if the creature is given plenty of time in between to recover."

She nodded, looking relieved and I dropped by my shed for my runes and a quick change of robes before we headed up toward the tower.

"The cat has been the source of tension between you all then?" I asked on the way and she bowed her head with a nod.

"I try to keep him away from Ron but he needs to get out too. I just thought it was instinct and poor Scabbers was just a victim of it. I don't want him hurt though, and Ron has been very upset. He won't talk to me some days."

I hummed. "I'll see what I can do." Might have a peek at the cat as well. Legilimency is handy for these sorts of things.

We got up to the tower and Hermione said the password to the drunk Sir Cadogan; who now guarded the common room until the Fat Lady was ready. Hermione stepped through with me following, undoubtedly surprising the two boys though they were quick to give Hermione accusing glares.

"Hermione was concerned about the broom," I informed them as she bowed her head with her cheeks flushed, myself placing a hand on her shoulder. "As well as concerned about your rat, Mr. Weasley."

Ron huffed muttering something under his breath but Harry was a little more relaxed.

"It didn't come with any card," he said, hesitant about handing over the broom in his hands. "But if it was Sirius…"

"If we're correct about him," I reminded him, "then it may merely be a gift to his godson. If we're mistaken then there's always a chance we will have a repeat of your first year. He might not have sent it at all."

Harry winced, knowing I was right and begrudgingly held out the broom. "You're just going to check, right?"

I nodded but didn't take the broom, simply digging through my pouch of runic stones and heading toward a table to sort through them for what I needed. "You should be happy she asked for me and that my runes are adequate enough to search for jinxes and enchantments quickly. Otherwise, Professor Flitwick would have borrowed it for a few weeks to strip it down."

"Strip it down?" Harry breathed, a hint of fear making him hold the broom tight as I drew my wand and flicked a few armchairs out of the way.

"Brooms have a number of underlying charms on them. It's what makes them so prized as transport. Speed, maneuverability, and durability among other things. Without all the charms they would be nothing more than a muggle's broom for sweeping. Striping them down to a base component ensures there's no charm hidden amongst the rest." I looked up, realizing he and Ron looked petrified at the thought. "A-Ah, but it is easy to repair a stripped-down broom and re-enchant it so long as you know the right order of things. Professor Flitwick is highly skilled at what he does and would've returned it in perfect condition, I'm sure."

"Y-You're not going to… to…"

I shook my head at Ron's question, placing runic stones in a circle on the ground. "No, no. My skills in charms are nowhere near that level. However, runes are more than capable of detecting magic and determining the types of magic being used. It can't tell you what charms exactly but will reveal enough to show their intention."

"Who's intention?" Hermione asked, intrigued.

"I explained before in class and during the dueling club how even normal spells can be used for terrible things. The only difference between light magic and dark magic is the intent placed behind the spell," I explained with a hum, looking over the stones before adjusting some things. "Runic magic is old, ancient in comparison to what we use today. But runic magic is also the basis for a lot of spell work. What were once runes are now wand movements. Runic language is now the incantations used for verbal magic.

"Runes are heavily involved in the intent of the person using them. I can pick up a stone with the rune for fire on it and based on my intent, can make it a nice hand warmer or an actual flame that can be thrown and cause harm. Because they're so heavily focused on intent, runes can be used to determine the intent behind charms and enchantments placed on an object. One just needs the right pattern to ensure the runes are searching in the right places and for the right things."

I nodded at the circle and looked over at Harry, who slowly put the broom down in the center of it. I drew my wand and muttered the spell under my breath, moving around the circle and trailing my wand between the stones I'd placed, ignoring the runic words I was scorching into the wooden floor in the process. One full revolution and a rap on the largest stone, and I stood to stare at the results. My gaze trailed over each runic symbol on the ground and the stones, taking in the brightness of them and the color before humming and flicking my wand to cut off the magic.

The glowing stones grew dim and the wood was cleaned up with another flick of my wand. The stones were gathered and returned to my pouch and I gave Harry a small smile when he went to grab his broom.

"A perfectly safe broom, Harry. A gift from an anonymous source," I informed him as he breathed a sigh of relief and I then turned to Ron, who stiffened. "Now, I've been told you have a sick rat."

He hesitated as well but nodded, going to get the rat from his room. He returned and hesitantly offered him.

"You're not gonna do something weird, right?"

I shook my head, accepting the shaking creature from him. "No. I find runes are not as well adapted to diagnosing people or creatures. Magical creatures have magic of their own and runes get confused sometimes as they weren't made to understand a creature's intent. A hands-on approach is far more useful and I've had my fair share of creatures to deal with."

The rat squirmed in my hands but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle in comparison to other unruly creatures I'd held. A look over told me very little. The rat was old, losing hair in patches, and obviously very on edge.

"Where is the cat currently?" I asked idly and Hermione replied softly.

"I have him shut in the girl's dorm."

Yet, he's still on edge. "How long has he been like this?"

"Since before school," Ron replied. "He was getting thinner and losing hair. I thought he was just old, you know?"

"How old?" I hummed, holding the rat's head so it wouldn't bite me while checking its teeth.

"He's been in the family for about twelve years."

That surprised me and I nearly dropped the rodent when it bit me. "Twelve years?"

"Um, Farlan?" Harry said, gesturing to where the rat had grabbed hold of my hand with its mouth but I easily got it to release me with a frown.

"That's impossible. Way too long. Normal, well-bred rats live three years max. Magical ones maybe five, six years if you're lucky. Twelve is unheard of. And he's been in this shape the whole time?"

"Just the last few months," Ron corrected. "We took a trip to Egypt over the summer and when we came back he was getting all weird. I got a rat tonic from the shop before coming here. Been giving it to him when I can."

I hummed, dropping a runic circle of rope and stone onto the table and placing the rat in it, much to its displeasure. It was a simple containment shielding charm that would allow me to see the rat without it biting me again.

"Y-You're, um, bleeding, Farlan," Harry reminded me but I waved off the hole punched in my hand for the moment.

"Doesn't make sense," I muttered. "All the signs say something is stressing him out. Overgrooming can cause hair loss, caused by stress. Environmental or otherwise. It can't be the cat causing this since it started before the school term—"

"But he's been constantly attacking him!" Ron argued.

"Then, your definition of 'constant' is different than mine, Mr. Weasley," I replied shortly, brows furrowed as I watched the rat. "Constant implies no break for the creature. Yet, the cat isn't in here and hasn't been near him since this morning, I'm assuming. That is plenty of time for the rodent to relax. The cat isn't the main issue, though it isn't helping the situation. The rat's strange reaction only happening recently means it isn't environmental either. He's been to Hogwarts before and shouldn't have an issue. No, there's something else I'm missing…" I turned to Hermione. "Can you let the cat out?"

"What!" Ron complained, but I lifted a hand to stop him from snatching his rat back.

"I can help but only when I understand the full situation. I have my wand and will interfere if anything happens but right now the rat is perfectly safe. He cannot get out and nothing can get into where he is because of my runes. I need to see the interaction between them."

Ron didn't look thrilled but Hermione went to let the cat out and said cat followed her downstairs idly. He was quick to spot the rat on the table—who had been trying persistently to escape the runes—but then the cat's eyes shifted to me. Oh, interesting. There's something different about him.

"He's not your average cat," I noted, drawing the students' attention.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

"Did the shop owner tell you anything about him?" I asked, still eyeing the cat as it watched me in return.

"No. Just that he hadn't been chosen in a while. Why?"

"I believe he's part Kneazle," I informed her, giving the group a glance. "A very intelligent magical cat that is often used to guard houses as they're very loyal to those they like. Though the Ministry requires licenses for pure Kneazle owners, they're considered XXX Beasts due to how fiercely protective they can be."

"That explains a lot," Ron scoffed, flinching when Crookshanks jumped on my lap.

I pet the cat though, earning a purr even as his eyes drifted past me to the fearful rat on the table. I wonder… I closed my eyes for a moment before giving the cat a light mental nudge. It whipped around to me and I offered a small smile. Why do you want the rat so much? You're smart, cunning, why focus on just this one rat? The rush of distrust and suspicion I got from the creature was surprising and my smile faltered as my glance shifted to the rat briefly. How? What makes you think he's a threat? I winced lightly when an image was brought to mind. The image was that of a large black dog not unlike my Grim somewhere in the forest.

The dog he could trust. The dog said the rat was the problem. The dog wants the rat. The rat is dangerous. He has to get the rat.

I grimaced as my head ached, surprised by the intensity of the cat on my lap who jumped down but proceeded to sit at my feet and stare at the table anyway.

"Farlan?" Hermione asked in worry but I hastily waved her off.

"Sorry. I'm fine." My gaze went to the rat though before I turned to Ron. "Would you mind if I hung onto him for a bit?"

"What? Why?"

"I can keep him away from Crookshanks for a while, give him a quiet place to recover, and offer him the care he needs," I replied though the suspicion the cat held for the rat lingered. And the dog… It's strange. Communication like that between species isn't usually so… clear. "I will keep you updated of course. I know he's important to you but it might help his health. I will even pull you from lessons to see him if anything happens."

Ron hesitated but gave in with a nod and I hummed in return, using my wand to encase the rat in a bubble charm so I could gather my runes.

"Then, I will be borrowing him for now. I'll get him set up. Do enjoy your broom, Harry."

The group nodded as I walked out and brought the rat up before me as it cowered in the bubble fearfully. I wonder what I'd get from you… The walk to my shed didn't take very long, though the chill of the weather outside the castle sent a shiver up my spine anyway. Once in my shed, I placed down the containment rune chain again and set the rat back into it, dispelling the bubble charm and setting my wand down as I eyed the creature.

A furrow settled between my brows as I watched the rat try to scramble out of the containment again, silently waiting for it to relax. It didn't. Not for several minutes and I honestly considered knocking it out to save it the added stress. But why is it stressing now? Yes, it's an unfamiliar environment but it's calm and quiet and there's no reason to be like this. All other creatures have relaxed within moments except him.

I sighed lightly, not wanting to use legilimency on him. Trying to use it on an already frantic animal gave both of us a headache, especially if the other creature was magical and had the capability of booting me out of its head. I doubted the rat would have the strength—between his poor health and how much magical ability a rat could have—but it didn't make me any more eager to use the mind arts on an already-panicking creature. But I need to know why it's so frantic and if worse comes to worst, I can knock it out. I rubbed at my forehead and took a deep breath, letting it out and turning my gaze onto the panicking rat.

"I really am sorry about this," I muttered, making my mind as small as possible to not overwhelm the small creature as I used legilimency.

What I saw was nothing that I expected. I was walking through Hogwarts again, wearing red-lined robes and trailing after two laughing figures as a third beside me tried to get them to let the Slytherin down from a tree. A feeling of unease flickered through me as well as one of joy at seeing the snake getting his punishment for a remark made in the hall earlier.

Then, I was being bullied, jinxed by a different group of Slytherins, and absolutely helpless until one of the Gryffindors rushed over and got rid of them. I was ashamed. I could never be like them. Surely they would abandon me at some point. I was weak and once we graduated they wouldn't even remember me. These very thoughts were hissed at me by a Slytherin in one of the restrooms before he gave me a once over and scoffed, telling me I had better reconsider my options and look at switching sides. The Dark Lord would be far more powerful than them and would actually care about me. I had talent he could use. I was needed by him.

He gave me a task. I felt joy well up in me and a hint of guilt. It required a lot from me to betray the people I once thought were my friends but to be needed, wanted, and given a task of this magnitude… It was empowering and I knew I could do it. My master knew where to go because of me and I thought I could easily get away. I just… I hadn't expected him to find me.

Sirius Black stared down at me from the street ahead, eyes blazing with pain and betrayal. He would kill me, I knew. I wasn't as skilled with a wand but I was smart. He'd given me an opportunity as he snarled hateful words. I raised my voice, summoning the muggles in the town to step out and see what was happening as I claimed he had betrayed Lily and James. He was confused, obviously, but then a swipe of my wand severed my finger from my hand before I destroyed the street and any muggle who was too close. Then, I transformed into a rat and dove into the sewers as Sirius cackled madly and the Aurors appeared.

I was free and no one was the wiser.

I jerked back then, sucking in a lungful of air as I toppled out of my seat, back in my shed, and staring at the rat in shock. My head throbbed at the use of legilimency on a wizard—something I'd never done before—especially when I had made my presence small enough for a rat. It was as though I'd been dragged along by my ankle across the road by a wayward hippogriff. My head was still spinning when the rat—No, Peter Pettigrew realized what had happened and shifted back. My rune containment was easily broken out of with the shift and I hastily reached for my robe pocket for my wand. I remembered belatedly that it had been on the table and it was now in the grubby hands of the stressed, rat-like wizard before me.

His eyes swiftly went to me and then the door, swiping my wand at me and making a break for it. I jerked away from the cutting curse, but not far enough as it sliced deeply into my shoulder. It was a blessing though, and I wiped my hand over the wound and slapped it to the floor, instantly activating the runes carved into the wood that secured my shed. While few people could get in without my access, anyone could get out unless I did this. This shut us both in here with only my own magic capable of letting us out. Of course, my addled mind failed to realize that I had just trapped myself in a small room with a man who'd killed thirteen people and destroyed a muggle town. A man who now held my wand and realized that he couldn't escape.

He whipped around to me and I jerked one of the runic chains off my hip, throwing it before me with my blood activating it as he tried to hit me with a blasting spell. The shield rattled but didn't fall and he lifted his lips in a snarl, my own wand still aimed at me as I shuffled back—holding my bleeding shoulder and breathing hard as I tried to figure out what to do.

"Unlock the door," he spat, hands shaking and sweat sliding down his balding head. "Do it!"

"O-Or what?" My mind helpfully replied, the man making me cringe as I pressed myself further back when he took a step toward me, knocking down some of my things angrily.

"Open the door, now!"

"Y-You can't kill me," I said, mind racing as I searched for a way to stop him. "That magic will hold up e-even if I'm dead. You'll be trapped here until they come looking a-and they will. I've got a… a knack for overworking. They go searching for me i-if I'm not back after a few hours."

His own eyes looked around frantically, searching for another way out as he began knocking more of my things down. A water basin I used near the door was splashed onto his legs and the floor and a brief idea came to mind. Knocking him out was my only option here and doing so without a wand would've been impossible normally. But… My gaze shifted to the table I was leaning up against, seeing a few other stones scattered on top. I only kept the more useful ones in my pouch and hadn't had a need for the others. There was one that would do the trick though. I just need to get to it…

There was a roar of frustration from the man as he upended a table of my work and I used that to throw myself upward to grab at the stones on the table. The movement drew his attention to me and he panicked, shouting one of the few spells even my runes couldn't protect me from.

"Crucio!"

I cried out as pain wracked my form. My body burned as though every nerve was on fire and I fell to the ground in agony, curling in on myself and screaming as tears streamed down my face. The stones fell to the ground as well and then the spell was cut off as the screeching creatures locked up nearby fought to be released at my cries. I shook violently on the ground, struggling to recover as my gaze landed on the stone I needed. Pettigrew was speaking again, stepping toward me slightly and demanding the door be opened or he would do far worse. I didn't doubt it and for a moment I considered it.

This was what I had been avoiding for years. Upon entering Hogwarts I had been given safety, hidden away from the forces of the Dark Lord. I never wanted to be in this position for any reason and the fact that I was now had me questioning why I was fighting so hard for a man I didn't even know. Sirius Black meant very little to me. He was an innocent man, sure, but one I never knew or got to know. I hated the position was in but didn't start applying myself toward discovering his innocence until… Harry, I realized. Harry had been the one who wanted to know about him, about his father, and I gave him what I knew because… why?

He was the Boy Who Lived, sure but that didn't mean much to me, who had managed to avoid most of the fighting against the Dark Lord anyway. He was a hero but that wasn't why I had gotten close to him while he was here. He dragged me into more trouble than I wanted, honestly, and yet… I wanted to do something for him. Maybe it was the fact that he was rather small for a boy, innocent and curious in a way that I wished I had been when I was at Hogwarts. Maybe because he was a student who sought me out when he didn't have to or was someone who admitted that he trusted me with even his most prized things and secrets.

No… No, it's… it's because he needs me, isn't it? I remembered the same feelings that Peter had when I'd incidentally intruded on his past. The urge to be useful and wanted by others. After everything I'd been through, I'd felt as though there was nothing left for me until Magnus proved me wrong. Now that he was gone, it was the kids here that gave me that, and Harry provided it the most because he needed someone who didn't care about who he was other than young, innocent Harry.

Another curse slammed against my runic shield, more and more spells being deflected until Peter spat a curse and caused the same agony to me as a moment ago. My mind was hazy when he stopped the spell, vision shifting dangerously threatening to knock me out if I didn't do something soon. I didn't want to experience hours of this and when Peter lifted my wand again, I cried out.

"W-Wait! Wait… I-I'll do it."

He eyed me, untrusting, as I slowly pushed myself up on shaky limbs. He didn't see the runic stone I grabbed tightly in the process nor the vial that had tumbled to the floor with it.

"T-Take down the shield first," he commanded, eyes flickering around me to ensure I wasn't doing anything stupid.

Except I was. I was definitely doing something stupid and could only hope that it would work. I nodded to him and reached for the stone chain in front of me, knowing I would need it taken down in order to throw anything out anyway. My fingers wrapped around the chain and I jerked it the same moment I threw the vial. It shattered with a sweep of my wand but Peter spat and cried out as the liquid splashed over his face. He didn't have long to think about the Bulgeye potion I'd been attempting to dilute for the twin's usage before I skipped my runic stone off the wood and into the water at his feet. It sparked when it bounced off the wood and upon landing in the water there was an unearthly scream from Peter as its sparks skipped and jumped off the water.

Peter collapsed a moment later and my wand clattered to the ground before me. I snatched it up quickly and aimed it at him but he was unmoving. I used my wand to flick the energy rune out of the water and conjured some ropes to tie him up before sagging against the cabinet nearby with a shuddering breath. I shook violently from the Cruciatus Curse that felt as though it were still rolling through my system and my mind took a moment to figure out what to do now.

It took a few times to summon my fox patronus, my mind struggling to conjure any happy memory and my hands shaking so badly it was a wonder I could do the right wand movements. It rushed off with my message; a simple one because I could hardly think right much less speak more than a few words about what just happened. Then, I realized I would have to get up to release the blood runes that secured my shed.

My body screamed in protest as I stumbled about and got to the door, nearly tripping over Peter in the process. I cleaned up my blood and ended the magic, shoving my uninjured shoulder into the door and hastily closing it behind me as I sagged to the ground. I pressed my forehead against it, breathing hard, shuddering breaths before I heard the fast-approaching footfalls of a couple of people and the voice of one concerned witch.

"Farlan!"

I turned, seeking out McGonagall's green robes as she hurried over and grabbed my arm in worry. Dumbledore was right behind her and Snape as well, surprisingly enough, all with their wands drawn as I gazed up at the headmaster and spoke.

"I-I seemed to have incidentally… had an incident w-with the man who framed Sirius Black."

Dumbledore had always had his own thoughts about the rumors of Sirius Black but he kept them to himself. He doubted the man had betrayed his close friends but it was a time of war where anyone could turn at any time. He hadn't bothered to look into things but should the truth happen to present itself, he always wondered what he would do. He just never expected it to occur like this.

Farlan was seated before him in his office, shirt removed for Madam Pomfrey to deal with his injury, and—despite her having finished and left—he'd yet to gather the energy to replace his robes. Dumbledore didn't mind, seeing that more had occurred than just the one injury, but it left McGonagall on edge until she finally reached over and draped his robes over his shoulders. Dumbledore never expected her to gain such a motherly affection for the young man he'd allowed to take refuge at Hogwarts but the dynamic was interesting and refreshing. Minerva needed more companions other than himself, the other professors, and the few Order members who stayed in contact.

Snape stood nearby as well; the frown marring his features deeper than usual as he kept his wand trained on the unconscious man tied before them. The group recognized him even without Farlan's identifying him but they'd yet to hear what occurred for the once-dead man to be in their midst. Farlan's recovery had come first and the only warning he'd given them was that the man was an Animagus—which was why Snape had a firm eye on him and was keeping him knocked out.

"I would offer a stronger drink than tea, however, I do believe we need to hear what has occurred first, Farlan," Dumbledore hummed, eyeing the young man whose eyes held both exhaustion and an uneasiness that he hadn't seen since Farlan had first arrived at Hogwarts.

"I… I went to check on the broom Harry had gotten for Christmas," he started, getting an acknowledging nod from McGonagall who'd been there for that discussion. "It wasn't jinxed or anything of the sort."

"Did it come from Sirius?" McGonagall asked, concerned.

"Even if it had, I never…" Farlan frowned, turning his gaze to the ground. "I-I never thought what happened was the truth."

Dumbledore raised a brow, curious. "Thirteen killed and multiple witnesses and you thought he was innocent?"

Farlan curled into himself further but nodded. "T-There was no trial, no wand examination, and… and no one listened to his side. I knew him a bit from school. He was the last one who would change sides and I…" His gaze shifted toward Peter. "I always thought that if anyone from their group would, it would be him."

The group eyed the defeated man before Farlan continued.

"At Hogsmeade, we… we overheard you talking about the Secret Keeper," he admitted sheepishly, making McGonagall sigh.

"Yes, well, Hagrid is hardly the quiet type."

"We?" Dumbledore questioned instead and Farlan nodded hesitantly.

"Harry was with me. I… concealed him to avoid the Minister's attention."

"He wasn't supposed to find out," McGonagall muttered, looking between Farlan and Dumbledore as the headmaster hummed.

"Yes, well, Arthur informed me that Farlan had taken a few liberties in explaining Sirius Black's relationship to Harry."

McGonagall sent a glare at Farlan but he frowned, not backing down from the look.

"He wanted to know about his father and his father's friends. Ignorance of the situation could be more dangerous than him knowing. I told him what others thought and what I thought a-and left it to him to choose what he wanted to believe…"

"And?" Dumbledore pressed, curious as to what the young boy Farlan had taken a liking to thought.

"He, um… H-He agreed with me after we heard about the Secret Keeping. He thought about it for a while and came to ask me what I thought. I… I came to the conclusion that if Sirius was innocent then perhaps… perhaps James knew he would be suspected as the Secret Keeper and they changed to someone else. It would explain him giving the motorbike to Hagrid after ensuring Harry was safe and then going to confront the real culprit: Pettigrew."

"But the Aurors saw him on the scene! There were witnesses!" McGonagall argued, not in defense of Pettigrew but not understanding Farlan's reasoning.

"Magic can alter memories and… a-and it felt like he was framed from the start. I-It's hard to explain."

Farlan winced and brought a hand to his head, undoubtedly needing to rest but they hadn't heard everything yet and Dumbledore feared they wouldn't get what they needed if he was let go.

"Regardless of your thoughts about Sirius, do explain how you came upon Peter."

Farlan nodded, taking a second to gather his thoughts. "I-I had finished checking the broom and went to look at the rat of Mr. Weasley's. It was—He was losing fur and there was tension in the group because Mr. Weasley placed blame on Miss Granger's cat despite the animal being sick before she got it. He… He told me the rat had been with the family for twelve years which is unheard of even for the magical breeds. The creature was stressed without the cat in the room a-and I wanted to see the interaction between them.

"I requested the cat be let out and… used legilimency on him. He was part Kneazle, highly intelligent and it made no sense why he would fixate on one rat. What he showed me was… strange."

"You can view a creature's thoughts?" Snape questioned, knowing about Farlan's studies but not how far he'd progressed.

"N-Not typically. Feelings and impressions usually but… the intelligent ones can share images briefly. It's… not pleasant a-and I cannot force it on my end. Not like using legilimency on wizards."

Snape hummed, going silent once more as McGonagall spoke.

"What did he show you?"

Farlan fidgeted a bit. "He… He showed me that a large black dog wanted the rat. That the rat was suspicious and dangerous somehow."

"A dog?" Dumbledore asked and Farlan nodded.

"I found it strange. Inter-species relations are shaky at best. Animals communicate with their own species in a certain way and a lot of that gets confused or missed between species. A cat understanding a dog isn't unheard of but less likely than one would think," Farlan explained. "But I didn't understand really and chose to try removing the rat from the situation entirely. He hadn't stopped stressing out since I took him and looked him over."

"So you took him to your shed," Dumbledore concluded, getting a nod.

"I wanted him to calm down before attempting legilimency. Panicked creatures can cause harm to us both if I'm not careful but… he just wouldn't calm down. I-I chose to risk it anyway and would knock the rat out when I finished but…" Farlan grew pale, gaze distant for a moment. "B-But the mind I entered wasn't of a rat."

He glanced at Peter as Dumbledore hummed.

"You intruded on his thoughts and memories then. Those of Peter Pettigrew."

Farlan bowed his head, tearing his gaze away from the rat. "I saw him here as a student, felt his inadequacies and doubts regarding the friendship he held with the others of his group. He was approached by someone in school about the Dark Lord and betrayed James and Lily easily. He wanted to be needed and useful s-so badly that he was easily swayed. Then… Then he faced Sirius and framed him, removing his own finger and destroying the street before hiding as a rat in the sewers. There was no chance for Sirius to escape before the Aurors arrived and no one he could blame if Peter was thought dead. I… M-My thoughts about Sirius were correct."

"You had him contained, didn't you?" McGonagall questioned. "How could he… Did he have a wand?"

Farlan winced, shrinking into himself a bit. "N-No. I-I-I was startled by what I saw… M-My wand was on the table and when he unshifted… H-He broke out of my runes. They were meant for a rat or small creature, not a human. Then, he…"

McGonagall sighed heavily, dragging a hand down her face at his negligence.

"I am surprised you are not more harmed," Dumbledore mused, making Farlan flinch and lightly grab at the robe resting over his injured shoulder. "What happened?"

"I-I sealed my shed after he hit me with a cutting curse. I-I also had my runes with me. I could shield myself against… most."

Dumbledore's expression softened, knowing now what had happened and why Farlan had been so jittery and on edge. "Yes… Shield spells cannot protect against everything. Your runes assisted in disarming him then?"

"He spilled water on the ground a-and I had an energy rune nearby. I-I got lucky. Distracted him with a potion and used the stone to…"

The headmaster hummed, leaning back in his seat to think for a moment. "Then, I suppose we will need to summon the Minister."

McGonagall stood, ready to do so when Farlan interrupted, surprisingly.

"C-Could…" He winced as eyes went to him for stopping them. "Could we… a-ask for a reporter as well?"

That made Dumbledore raise a brow, curious. "Why would you request such a thing?"

Farlan flushed, looking embarrassed as he hesitantly explained. "T-The Ministry failed once already. S-Sirius Black was innocent and he didn't get a trial or anything. I-If a reporter was present…"

Dumbledore grinned, surprised by the stroke of brilliance from the young man. "Then, they could hardly hide this information away. He would be cleared whether something happened to Pettigrew or not."

"Not cleared," McGonagall huffed but looked impressed herself. "But at the very least they would have to address it. Sirius Black couldn't be held accountable should the story get out onto the Daily Prophet."

"Given your… previous endeavors with Mr. Lockhart, I take it you have someone in mind, Farlan?"

Farlan nodded, drawing his wand and taking a blank paper off Dumbledore's desk. It shifted into a sparrow and was quick to dash out the open window.

"I-I'm sure she will be pleased for another story, though the Minister will not be happy."

Dumbledore just smiled away. "I will deal with the Minister once they arrive. You will simply handle the reporter. Minerva, if you could?"

McGonagall nodded and sighed, gathering the Floo powder and moving to Dumbledore's fireplace as the man himself withdrew a pensive for later use. Snape eyed the process momentarily and once McGonagall vanished through the green flames, he spoke.

"And Mr. Pettigrew?"

"Will remain right where he is until we need to wake him. I have some Veritaserum we can use and he cannot hide his memories after Farlan so easily viewed them. It is great to hear your progress though, Farlan," he praised, though Farlan was less than pleased. "Have you used legilimency against a wizard before?"

Farlan shook his head. "No, sir."

Dumbledore hummed, unbothered and assuming as much from the usually sheepish young man. "It is no easy task and I am surprised that you received so little resistance. Either Peter was taken very off guard and had little mental defense of his own or your abilities far exceed what he was capable of. We should look into it later, perhaps."

Farlan was even more displeased by that but Dumbledore held a bit of amusement at his blatant dislike for him. The young man was naturally untrusting but always seemed to hold his distrust toward Dumbledore the highest. It was understandable but also something the headmaster enjoyed. It wasn't often people were so obvious with their uneasiness toward him. It was… refreshing and he enjoyed teasing the young man in return.

The fireplace glowed green once more and McGonagall reappeared just as a paper butterfly fluttered in the window. Dumbledore unfolded it and hummed as the Minister stepped in behind McGonagall.

"Now, Albus, I was about to be in a meeting with the dementors about Sirius Black! Why are you dragging me here for some nonsense about his innocence? I expect there to be proper proof sir. Thirteen dead and multiple witnesses!" The Minister complained as Dumbledore smiled calmly and the fireplace flared green once more.

"I assure you, Minister, that we did not bring you here without the evidence you seek. I do believe your meeting with the dementors will not be needed, however."

"Not needed? Ha! Spit it out then!"

"As soon as our last guest arrives," he replied, drawing the Minister's gaze to the fireplace as he huffed.

"And who else do we need involved? I'll have you know, any new information should be held private until—"

"Apologies!" A feminine voice came from the fireplace as a woman stepped in with a big grin on her face; a quill and parchment already floating beside her. "Your notice was rather urgent and I hadn't expected my interview to be put on hold, but I simply couldn't resist. Rita Skeeter at your service once again, Mr. Daggrow," she chirped, facing Farlan as he offered a hesitant smile. "What delicious story have you brought me this time?"

Dumbledore's grin widened at the sight of the woman and her immediate effect on the Minister who grew the darkest shade of red and violet he'd seen yet. "Well, Miss Skeeter, how would you like to hear the truth behind Sirius Black and his innocence?"

The woman turned to him with a wicked smile as she sat on the arm of Farlan's chair; poised and ready. "Do tell."