Chapter 3 ~ Clocks, Rats and Dogs
Dumbledore looked sternly at Harry over his half-moon glasses. Harry stared back silently, as the Hogwarts Headmaster held up the letter Harry had written him in his hands.
"These are at the same time most troubling as well as wondrous news, Harry. If Pettigrew was truly capable of finding out your general location, here in Little Whinging, then certain security measures around your house seem to loosen their effectiveness."
Dumbledore looked at Harry, who was sitting on the bed in his cramped room while the old wizard occupied the only chair at Harry's small desk. He then gazed down at the still petrified form of Wormtail.
"And he attacked you seemingly out of nowhere on your way home?" Dumbledore asked and Harry nodded.
"He seemed out of his mind," Harry added, "talked to someone who wasn't there and always mumbled something I couldn't quite understand. And he had this crazed look in his eyes." Harry gave a fake shudder.
"He already had me down, but I was able to get a rock and smash him in the face with it. I managed two or three hits until he finally let go and I could grab my wand. Then I stunned him."
"How was that?" Harry thought in his mind, never taking his eyes off the Headmaster to look at the one other person in the room, only visible to him.
Myrana, who was leaning against his desk, gave a mangled "Nah..." and made a so-so gesture with her hand.
She looked down at the Professor and said, "You better be hoping, that the old goat is naive enough to believe it."
"So be it, Harry, at least now, thanks to you, we have secured a good chance for Sirius to be allowed back into Wizarding Britain as a free man again. I'll be taking Pettigrew to a holding cell at the Ministry and make the necessary arrangements for a trial for both him and Sirius."
Dumbledore stood up and with a wave of his gnarly wand Pettigrew's stiff form levitated up. He placed a hand on him, but before he disapparated he turned to Harry one last time.
"I hope, that the next time you go out on your adventures alone, it will be something less unhealthy than running after a serial killer, Harry," said Dumbledore with a tone that held some disappointment but soon changed to something else, "but rest now, knowing that you are one step closer to finally bringing the ones responsible for your parents death to justice. Tomorrow I shall pick you up, so that you may see the result of the trial. Until then try to find some sleep."
"Ooh, he saw through that!" cackled Myrana.
He then added with a twinkle, "I imagine Sirius might keep you up all night long tomorrow with the celebrations. Until then, have a good night, Harry."
"Good night, Sir," Harry said with a nod.
Dumbledor disapparated with a silent crack and Harry let out a relived sigh.
"Well that went better than I expected, right?" Harry asked.
"Considering the fact, that while he might have dropped the subject of you fighting a death eater alone in the middle of the night, the old coot is most likely doing his best right now to search everything he can from the rat's mind, then yeeeeees, everything is fine," Myrana said and scratched her chin.
Harry paled. Dumbledore would be able to see how Wormtail was ambushed by Harry in some creepy graveyard in the middle of nowhere?
"Oh relax," Myrana said while stretching her wings, "I did you a favor and locked the most important parts of the night behind some very secure bars in the corners of his mind."
She looked at him with her horned head tilted to the side. "Though, why did you write him and made him come over here in the middle of the night? You could have just gone over to the Ministry yourself to deliver the rat in person."
Harry blushed and mumbled, "I don't even know where the Ministry of Magic is, much less how to get into it. Dumbledore just seemed like the best choice, you know."
Myrana raised an eyebrow in irritation. "You do realize, that you could have just asked me, do you?"
"Okay, maybe I didn't think of that," Harry fumbled over his words, "I have been awake for more than 18 hours now, give it a rest will you?"
"Ugh, fine, you mortals and your silly little need for sleep. I'll have to fix that in time or I might kill myself out of boredom while watching you waste your time away in dreamland."
"Don't devils need any sleep?" Harry asked curiously, by now already getting used to ignoring her little taunts and slights against anyone that wasn't her.
"Oh, devils do sleep, but we don't do it as often as you have to. In fact, we don't have to do it at all, we just do it for the relaxation. If we feel like it, we just do. For example nothing beats a good nap after a few sweaty rounds in the sheets," Myrana said.
Harry blushed hard at the last sentence and desperately tried to keep his imagination from going haywire. Quite the task, if you had a sinfully looking devil with slitted robes right in front of you. Even more so, if said devil looked a you with a devious smirk. Somehow, Harry barely managed.
"But due to your species' weakness your Headmaster may suspect something isn't quite fitting, especially since his gnarly old fingers won't find anything worthwhile in the little traitor's head."
Harry snapped his fingers and blurted, "But he can easily organize a trial to be held in short time, he's the chief warlock after all. Merlin knows how long that would have taken without him. And any additional day would give Wormtail more opportunities for an escape!"
Myrana clapped her hands and said, "Bravo, the little pet starts to use his brain. We may make something out of you yet. And stop you from going around embarrassing me, you now also represent me since I am your patron."
Harry asked, "But there is no one who can actually see me with you. No one knows that you are here with me." Harry frowned and said, "Well, besides Uncle Vernon, but he won't talk since you blasted him into next week."
Myrana had a uncharactariscly serious look on her face as she answered him, "Harry, remember this and remember it well: Devils are in constant competition with one another. There is always a chance of one trying to usurp my standing by any means, including you. You are now my champion, meaning you and me, we're connected now. Whatever you do, it reflects back on me, so don't show any weakness whatsoever!"
Harry gulped as the agitated devil seemed to calm down somewhat. What in the sweet name of Merlin had he gotten into?
She suddenly opened her mouth and out came a cloud of blood red smoke. It hit Harry right in the face. He felt his eyelids grow heavy and his vision darken around the edges. "Now sleep, you look like a walking corpse. No, I have seen corpses looking better than you."
But Harry didn't quite registerer her words as he fell onto the bed and darkness succumbed him.
Harry looked around slightly in awe at what he was seeing. Hundreds of wizards and witches buzzled around him like flies, all going on and about their daily work in the Ministry of Magic.
Just after a late breakfast Dumbledore had arrived at his door again. Thankfully the Dursley's had fled to Uncle Vernon's sister after his recent nightly escapades and Harry suspected they would not return until the end of the holidays. So without any incident Harry had side-along apparated with Dumbledore to London and followed him to a certain red telephone booth.
And now they were here, walking through the masses right past a sign that read "Visitors are required to have their wands registered." Harry shrugged and just followed Dumbledore. There seemed to be some advantages to travelling with the most powerful wizard alive.
Just shortly after they passed the impressive golden fountain that adorned the Ministry's entrance hall, the two entered an elevator and went down. At a stop in between a dark skinned wizard in purple robes joined them in the otherwise empty elevator.
"Ah, Kingsley," Dumbledore said with his trademark twinkle in his eyes, "how are you today? Harry, this is Kingsley Shacklebolt, one of the most talented aurors around here. Kingsley, this is Harry Potter."
"Was searching for you, Dumbledore," said Kingsley while shaking Harry's hand with a nod. "The trial has been delayed. Fudge has ordered the entire wizengamot to be present and they will need some more time to rally them all up."
"I had hoped only Amelia and the Department of Magical Law Enforcement would be required for this," Dumbledore sighed. "It seems that the Minister wants to make a spectacle out of this."
"Well, whatever it may be, I just wanted to let you know that the time table has changed up to three p.m. Oh, and it's held in courtroom ten now."
"Thank you Kingsley," Dumbledore said and then turned to Harry, "It seems that we will have to spend some time waiting for all the members to show up. I would suggest we sit it out in my office."
"Very well, Sir. Better then going back to the Dursley's house, I think," Harry said with a nod.
Turns out Dumbledore's office in the Ministry of magic wasn't as impressive as the one in Hogwarts. Bookshelves cowered the wall and a sturdy oak table stood in the middle. Harry lounged on a couch Dumbledore had conjured up for him and watched on as the old wizard reviewed some documents. He had at least explained to Harry, that he would most likely not have to do anything while Dumbledore handled the important parts.
Harry looked at the clock on the wall and sighed. He would have to still wait some time. The seconds ticked and Harry felt himself slowly dosing off to the sound of Dumbledore's quill scratching away at the parchment on his desk.
Interestingly enough, the old man had never commented on Harry's recent lack of glasses.
Of course sleep would not be granted to him when he heard a familiar heat rush over him for a moment and a female voice spoke, "Still tired from our little nighttime adventure, Harry?"
Harry did all he could to supress a startled yelp at Myrana's appearence here in the office. He looked over to Dumbledore, who thankfully was still not looking up from his desk.
"What are you doing here?" hissed Harry in his mind.
"Oh, that hurts, dearest. I am only here to help you," said Myrana and mockingly put a hand over her heart. Or were her heart should be. Did devils even have hearts?
"What do you mean? We already have Wormtail, what more could there be? Don't tell me he's escaped!"
"Calm your horses, he is still in his cell. Hasn't said a word since he was thrown in there by the way. No, I am here to offer you a little deal to ensure that the hearing will go in your favor and your godfather truly will be free."
"Wormtail is the only piece of evidence we need to free him! How is there even a chance that Sirius will still be considered guilty after that?" asked Harry angrily.
Myrana shook her head with a giggle. "Oh poor thing, still so young and naive, so unversed in the ways of politics. You do realize, that there will be the whole Wizengamot present, yes? Including all the Lords and Ladies of the darker families who might a have grudge against you, including the father of your little pal, what was his name? Malfoy?"
Harry paled at the thought of Lucius Malfoy possibly interfering with the trial. Harry didn't know much of politics, Myrana was right on that front, but he knew enough about the man that was the father of Draco Malfoy. He knew that Malfoy Senior had a lot of important people in his pockets, either through blackmail or bribery and that he had a considerable influence on the Minister. While Dumbledore had assured him of Amelia Bones' fairness and neutrality, Harry wasn't sure about Fudge. Not after he had blatantly disregarded everything Harry had to say about Sirius' innocense the last time they had met.
"What do you want," Harry gritted out, "the rest of my soul? If so, forget it!"
"Nah, I have something else in mind. You will have to aquire something for me, here in the Ministry," Myrana said with her divious smirk.
"You want me to steal something for you? Out of the Ministry? Are you crazy? Besides, Dumbledore is right there!" Harry thought back, already cursing himself for actually considering this.
"Tch, don't be a such a sissy, Harry. Since when are you such a fanboy of the Ministry?" Myrana said and strolled over to Dumbledore's table. The wisened old man gave no inclination of knowing that a devil was looking over his shoulder.
"Why can't you just do it yourself? I thought you are all-powerful or something? Or was all that rambling about devil superiority just for show?" Harry asked.
Myrana laughed as she sat right on the corner of Dumbledore's desk, her legs dangling off the ground and her wings just inches away from the Headmasters crooked nose. "We are superior and don't forget that. All-powerful however I am not, there are very real limitations to my abilities. And due to the eh... nature of some the artifacts down there I will not enter that particular part of the Ministry."
"What do you even want me to steal anyway?" Harry thought with sigh.
Myrana looked at him, her eyes glowing with hungry desire. "You, my dear, will enter the deepest bowels of the Ministry of Magics and aquire a time turner for me."
"A time turner?" Harry thought in alarm. He knew from experience how bad these things could potentially screw with almost anything and anyone after all.
"Come on, Harry, Sirius' freedom guaranteed or beeing a good boy for the Ministry and don't take away one of their toys? Please, the choice should be obvious. These morons even gave one to your thirteen-year old friend, what damage could I cause with one if they would give one to child?"
"Quite a lot, I'd say. Playing with time is dangerous," Harry thought.
"And Sirius will most definitely be freed?"
Myrana nodded. "On my most unholy word, I swear I'll do everything necessary to undo the damage Lucius Malfoy has done with his influence."
"And I want you to swear, that you'll never cause harm to me or anyone of my friends using that time turner!"
Myrana raised and eyebrow. "Careful there, you wouldn't want to overstep your boundaries, would you?"
Harry held firmly held her gaze.
"Ugh, fine I swear, that neither you or your dearest will experience harm by my hand using a time turner to do so. Not that I could harm you anyway, not as long as you don't break the rules of our pact," Myrana said with a roll of her eyes.
"Now, do we have a deal?"
Harry gave a tiny nod, so that Dumbledore wouldn't see anything.
"Splendid," Myrana said with a smile and snapped her fingers, causing a tiny flame to appear on top. "Now to get you out and about..."
Just after she said that Harry saw one of the tiny paperplanes the Ministry employees used instead of owls squeezing through the doorslit and flying right on top of Dumbledore's desk.
Dumbledore opened the memo with a raised eyebrow, which only rose further as he read it's contents.
"My apologies, Harry, but there seems to be a matter that needs my immediate attention. Don't worry, I should be done when the trial is about to begin. In the meantime I suggest you wait here. Feel free to browse the books in my collection here, though most of them might be to dry of a tasty for you, my boy," Dumbledore said and rose up.
Harry gave him a grin and a wave as the Headmaster walked out of the door, a grin that immediately slid of his face as he looked to Myrana.
The she-devil smiled and gestured to the door. Just after a minute passed he stood up and cautiously opened the door. Only an empty corridor was there to greet him. Ignoring the sweat running down his neck and Myrana humming the melody of some muggle spy movie in his head, Harry walked down the corridors of the Ministry towards the elevator.
"You know what would have been really great? If you just warned me beforehand, then I could have taken my invisibility cloak with me!" Harry mentally hissed as he slipped down the narrow labyrinth of corridors towards the elevators of this level.
"What's done is done and can't be changed, now quit your whining. Turn left here," said Myrana who's flickering image projected herself right in front of him.
Harry did as he was told. He had to momentarily press himself against one of the cold stone walls to avoid being seen by one of the ministry workerks that came down the hallway.
"All the way down," said Myrana's projection who appeared next to him.
With a huff Harry finally walked down the corridor and finally reached the elevator. He slammed on the button for the second lowest accessible level. The elevator went down and Harry prayed that no one would try and join him in between. His luck seemed to hold and a monotone female voice said, "Department of Mysteries" before the doors slid open.
"Good," stated Myrana's image, "now down the hall and right through the big door, can't miss it even if you tried."
Step by step Harry walked down the hallway. He was just about to reach the door, when its handle turned. Harry froze, his mind rattling and searching for some corner he could press himself into, in a desperate attempt to hide.
If he was seen here... Oh, the scandal! The Boy-Who-Lived tries to break into the Ministry's most mysterious department! He could already see the headlines.
Muffled voices sounded behind the door and became louder. "... never said it was, Croaker."
"Yes, yes. Now let's get out of here. Bode has everything covered till later."
The door opened and Harry took it his wand, preparing himself for an attempt at at overwhelming the the Ministry officials.
"Ah, ah," sounded Myrana's voice as another projection appeared next to him. "Let's keep this quiet," she said and snapped her fingers, a sound Harry heard a little to many times in the last few hours.
A feeling of dark and coldness overwhelmed Harry, encompassing his entire being. It felt similar to when he manipulated the shadows, only stronger. Darkness clung to him like a blanked and Harry felt himself becoming less material.
The door opened and to men came out, dressed in the grey robes of the Unspeakables.
"Hope there's at least not the same shit at the cafeteria as yesterday. Wouldn't even give that to my kneazle," mumbled one of the men and other only laughed.
"You know it will be. Never understood you, not bringing your own food."
"You only have some because your wife insists on preparing your food for you."
"Then get one for yourself," replied the other.
"Food for myself?"
"A wife, Croaker," replied the other one as the men walked down the hallway. They never noticed the humanoid looking shadow that was on the wall. Quite understandable since Harry's shadow was about as dark as the dark marble stone wall.
Harry only dared to move as the two went around a corner and he heard a last "Shut up, Higgins," before everything went silent again.
"What the Hell is this?" hissed Harry, not quite sure how he could even speak, since his vocal cords didn't feel quite solid. Or anything else about him for that matter.
"A little boon for you, from me. Yes, I am truly gracious, I know," said Myrana. "As long as you are in this form, you are a living shadow, allowing you great stealth due to being almost indistinguishable from the darkness around you."
Harry tested his movement and tried to touch his own face. To his astonishment his hand, slipped right through his skull.
"You are also no longer truly material, you are a walking abscence of solid matter. Thus, physical attacks and attempts at contact are now useless against you. But, beware, for magic can still be dangerous to you, especially the spells of light and fire."
Harry nodded in understanding. This would be quite useful. He just hoped Myrana would allow him to keep this ability.
When he tried to open the door in front of him, his hand was again, slipping off the surface, changing from a three dimensional cloud of blackness to a two dimensional shadow on the wall.
He frowned and tried to concentrate on turning himself solid again. It happened surprisingly easy. Then, Harry opened the door and quickly stepped inside.
The chamber he had entered was round, still made of the black marble and only lit by ghostly pale torches. A number of identical door adorned the walls and Harry looked around in confusion.
"Myrana?" he calles out loud. No answer. He huffed and then purpose stepped towards the door right in front of him. He touched its handle, tried to will it open, but in the exact same moment the doors begun spinninh around him like some mad circus attraction. Or was it the wall that was spinning? Harry's mind couldn't comprehend it.
Finally the doors stopped after a few rounds and Harry carefully opened up the door in front of him. He had absolutely no idea where the door he was trying to open before was now. Or was it the same one?
The door swung open without resistance this time, revealing a dimly lit chamber. Harry cautiously entered, unbothered by the lack of proper lighting. However something shimmering in the corner drew his attention, something that looked like a huge pool of some strange green liquid. Some weird shapes were swimming in there. Was this where the Ministry kept their time turner? In some weird green tank?
Harry took a step closer and looked quizzically at the odd shape. It was weirdly fleshy and... oh sweet Merlin, brains!
Harry nearly puked as he realized just what was in there. The brains were moving in the green water as if they had a mind of their own, like jellyfish adorned with black ribbons.
Suddenly one of the brain's black tentacles shot out of the surface in an attempt to strangle Harry. Harry instinctively snapped back, but it seemed that was unnecessary.
Apparently he had reflexively become intangible again and the black ribbons harmlessly slipped through him and soon vanished under the green surface of the liquid.
Harry breathed heavily and then quickly hurried through the door, eager to get the Hell out of the brain room. He found hinself back in the circular room, another spin and another door later and he seemed to be at the right place.
Clocks and hourglasses adorned every wall if the room and in the corner stood a glass dome. In it an egg was placed on a red silk sheet. Harry watched in awe as a chick scrambled out of the egg, aged within seconds until it reversed and became younger again until the only thing there was an egg.
Harry shook his head and looked for the time turners. There! In a relatively simple cabinet there where dozens of the magical artifacts.
Harry's hand, solidified, shot forward but then he hesitated before he touched the handle. Could it be so easy? The cabinets glass door opened without resistance and Harry was free to take one of the little hourglasses on a slim golden chain out.
Was the Ministry truly so arrogant to think that no one would dare to break in here?
"Maybe they recently lowered the security standarts and are working on new ones," Harry thought as he shook his head, "There is after all no way a Hogwarts student could break in here and steal stuff while a "dangerous mass murderer" is running around, right?"
Harry's hand slipped and another time turner was pulled out with the one reserved for Myrana and fell on the floor. With a frown he was just about to put it back, when a thought suddenly came to his mind.
He was already stealing one, what difference would another one make? And these tiny trinkets could prove to be bloody useful as his adventure last year had proven.
He made up his mind and not one, but two time turners made their way into his pockets. Quickly he closed the closet door and slipped back into the circular chamber.
"Now, where to go?" Harry thought.
He decided, that in the end he would just have to try doors until he found the exit and opened the next one.
The sight that greeted him was a giantic chamber. Rows upon rows of roughly craved stone steps filled the room, like an acient amphitheater. And in the middle was on of the strangest things Harry had ever seen in his lifetime. He took few steps closer into the chamber to get a better look at the strange stone arch, that was placed in the middle of the chamber.
Strange runes covered the stone surface, that looked more ancient than even Hogwarts. The hole of the arch was covered by something that looked like a ghostly cloth, that soundlessly moved in the windless air.
Harry could have almost touched it. When had he stepped so close to it?
Harry tried to shake himself out of it, but then he heard the voices, the whispers. They called out to him, yet he couldn't understand them. The noise seemed to come from behind the arch, maybe if he could go closer...
Suddenly burning heat cursed like a flood through his body. Harry grew rigid and gasped, as he realized his hand was already stretching out to touch the eerie material of the cloth.
Another surge of burning flames through his veins and Harry snapped his hands back.
"Get out of there, now!" hissed Myrana's voice in his mind, far from her sensual and playful tone.
"What? What is this even...?" Harry tried to ask, but was immediately interrupted.
"Get. Out. Now. You have no idea how close you just came... Doesn't matter, now be a good boy and leave!"
Harry decided, that just maybe, it would be the best for his health if he just did what she told him to do and went back to the door. Fortunately he found the right exit this time and silently made his way back to Dumbledore's office, lost in thought about the strange stone arch.
Harry was unable to resist the shudder as he looked upon the cold, clothed faces of the Dementors.
He had gone back to the office and tossed Myrana, who was already waiting for him there, her time turner.
Barely a second after she had vanished without anything but a silent, approving nod, Dumbledore had entered the office again, announcing the start of the trial.
They had entered the courtroom and Harry had been directed to a seat at the sidelines and not, as he had already suspected one of the nefarious looking chairs with chains on them in the middle of the room.
It was filled with the silent talking of the members of the Wizengamot. Harry had already spotted the blonde head of the Malfoy patriarch in the mass, who looked back at him with a sneer.
Fudge was seated also in there, sitting above the mass of Lords and Ladies. Next to him was a rather stern looking woman with a monocle, who reminded him of Susan Bones back from school. Her aunt, Amelia Bones, most likely.
Dumbledore had vanished from his sight in the brief moment of sitting down on his chair and looking around.
Harry barely held in a curse as Myrana materialized out of nowhere. She folded her wings behind her and took a seat next to him. Harry wondered what would happen if someone would try to sit in the same seat. Maybe they would die of a heart attack before they could touch the devil.
"You will be glad to hear, that I have undone what that blonde Lordling could achieve in the meantime, in regards to any threats, bribing and blackmailing."
Harry gave a little sigh of relief. "Hey, what was that in the chamber down in the Departement of Mysteries? That stone arch you wanted to keep me away from?"
Myrana scowled and said, "I'll tell you later. Now, keep quiet, the show is about to start."
Amelia Bones, clad in dark robes, stood up and drew her wand. "Expecto Patronum."
A silver eagle burst out of her wand and illuminated the entire side of the courtroom Harry was sitting in with its glorious light.
Myrana's scowl grew into a grimasse as the light touched her. "Try to change into a living shadow now, Harry, and that light will burn half your body away."
Harry glanced at her out of the corner of her eyes. He was however distracted, as he felt a very familiar cold wash over him. It was less intense then usual, negated partly by the patronus' presence, but he immediately recognized the presence of the Dementors.
The doors opened and in came two of the guards of Azkaban, dragging the sorry form of Peter Pettigrew with them. The rat was shivering madly, constantly struggling to get his arms away from the Dementor's death grip on his arms, but it was all for naught.
He was placed into one of the chairs and the chains rattled, came to life and wrapped themselves around the rats arms like snakes constricting their prey.
Wormtail cried and pleaded, until one of the aurors at the sidelines silenced him with a flick of his wand. Harry allowed himself a moment of satisfaction as looked upon Wormtails deathly pale face, still adorned with some of the wounds Harry had brought upon him. He looked even worse now, since he was clad in a thin prisoner's robe.
The Dementors howered over Pettigrew, ever watching silently. Harry stared at the amortal creatures and had the uncomfortable feeling that they stared back.
"They are confused, you know," said Myrana next to him, her hand stroking her chin.
"Why would they be?"
"They have most likely never encountered one like you. Dozens of souls are gathered here in this room, all complete, except for you. Your soul is fractured and they can feel it."
Harry tucked at his own collar uncomfortably.
"Hereby, this court session is announced to begin. The court recognizes Amelia Bones, Head of the Departement of Magical Law Enforcement as well as Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic," Madam Bones began, all whispers dying off in the room.
"The accused is Mr. Peter Pettigrew, annouced dead in 1981. Accusations: The murder of thirteen bystanders on a street, the detonation of said street, treason, swearing fealty to a recognized dark wizard and terrorist as well as selling out the location of former Auror James Potter and his wife, Lily Potter, to said dark wizard."
"The accusers..." she began, but was interrupted as the doors slammed open and a voice overshadowed her own.
"... Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore," said the silver bearded wizard as he strode into the courtroom. Next to him stood someone, looking pale and gaunt, and Harry gasped as he recognized the face of his godfather.
"As well as Harry James Potter," continued Dumbledore as if he hadn't just walked in here, late, with a not yet free Sirius with him, who grew rigid at the sight of the two Dementors, "and Sirius Black," ended Dumbledore his interruption.
"Oh, and we should also add the false imprisonment in Azkaban of Mr. Sirius Black to our list of accusations," added Dumbledore.
Madams Bones and Minister Fudge gave a simultaneous sigh at Dumbledore's entrance.
"The court recognizes Albus Dumbledore, Chief Warlock," said Amelia and looked at Pettigrew, ignoring Fudge's wary gaze at Sirius Black.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief, when Dumbledore's presence seemed to placate Fudge enough as to not immediately sent the Dementor's or the aurors stationed in the room after Sirius.
"How does the accused plead?" Madam Bones asked, as the silencing charm was removed from the rat.
"Not guilty, Madam," Wormtail squeaked out, "I just, I just, just had to hide from him, him, Sirius," he shook his head with a manic look in Sirius' direction who threw a hatred look back at his former friend.
"He's a crazy killer, you know. He, he even broke out of Azkaban, just to hunt me, hunt me down, like the mad man he is! He killed all those muggles" he rambled.
"Do the accusers have any validated proof of their accusations?" asked Fudge.
"I don't deny breaking out of Azkaban to kill him," said Sirius, his voice surprisingly strong, "but I did not kill these muggles on that street. As for the other things, I was accused of: I was not the secret keeper of Lily and James Potter, he was!" Sirius said and pointed at Pettrigrew.
"Objection, your honor," came the silky voice of Luscious Malfoy and Harry scowled as the man stood up from his seat, "but these are neither evidence of Black's innocence nor are these proof that this man," and he pointed at Wormtail, "is who they claim to be. Pettigrew died years ago, everyone knows that. He is clearly just an inpostor. Additionally there is no proof of who was in fact the secret keeper of the Potters until their tragic demise."
Madam Bones looked back over to Dumbledore and Sirius.
"Mr. Pettigrew cut off his own finger in an attempt to let everyone else think he died at the hands of Sirius Black," said Dumbledore calmly, his face much stonier than usual and causally flicked his wand. Wormtail's hand was forced upwards, the missing finger clear for all to see.
"Additionally," said Dumbledore and flicked his wrist which resulted in Pettigrews robes being sliced and revealing his dark mark to the courtroom "we have proof that this man is a devoted follower of Lord Voldemort," Dumbledore continued ignoring the many gasps at the name mentioned out loud.
He turned to Sirius and nodded, who revealed his own unblemished left forarm to the room.
"He forced me, I didn't want to do it, he forced me to take it, please you have to believe me, you don't understand..." cried Wormtail in his seat.
"So you did follow You-Know-Who, at least out of fear?" asked Madam Bones.
Pettigrew grew silent again.
"In order to squash any other disbeliefs," said Dumbledore, "Mr. Black has agreed to be questioned under Veritaserum right here."
Whispers broke out in the room. "What is Veritaserum?" asked Harry Myrana silently.
"The most powerful truth serum known to mankind," she answered "not as good as good bit of nail pulling, but efficient nonetheless, I must admit. Three drops and your beloved Headmaster could have you spilling all your dirtiest and darkest secrets to this whole room."
"Dumbledore would never do that to me!" Harry hissed.
"You are right, of course, because I am protecting your cute head," she said and patted his hair.
Harry focused his mind back on Sirius who spoke up.
"We have nothing to hide, Wormtail, do you?"
Wormtail paled even more. He looked pleadingly in the direction of where the darker families were seated.
"Objection, your honor, a prisoner can not be forced to answer questions under veritaserum," called out Malfoy again. Harry grit his teeth. That slimy bastard.
"Oh, I know the law very well," said Dumbledore and then added with a twinkle, "in regards to the rights of the citizens living in Britain. But didn't we just establish, that Mr. Pettigrew is not a living citizen? Or did I misshear that, Madam Bones?"
The Head of the DMLE glanced at Fudge, who just shrugged and said, "We shall allow it."
An auror stepped forward, a vial of clear liquid in his hand. Sirius accepted it without any struggle, but gave a shudder when he drank it down.
Wormtail on the other hand kept his mouth shut and shook his head frantically. Fudge nodded at one of the Dementors, who immediately floated right in front of Pettigrew. A singe grey arm shot out, foul looking like that of a corpse that had lain in the water for a long time.
Ice cold fingers grabbed Pettigrews jaw and brutally forced his mouth open. The unfortunate auror had to step closer and administer the veritaserum to Wormtail as well.
"What are your names?" asked Madam Bones the two.
"Sirius Black," came one monotone reply, "Peter Pettigrew," came another.
She scribbled something down on her parchment.
"Was Sirius Black the secret keeper of Lily and James Potter?"
"No," they answered both.
"Was Peter Pettigrew the secret keeper of Lily and James Potter?"
"Yes," they both said. Whispers broke out in the entire room.
"And did Peter Pettigrew betray the location of Lily and James Potter to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?"
"Yes," they said, though Sirius almost shouted it out.
"And did Peter Pettigrew cause an explosion on a street full of thirteen innocent bystanders?"
"Yes," they answered both monotonous.
"That will be all we need," said Dumbledore. Amelia Bones nodded and both got the antidote administered to them.
"Members of the Wizengamot, we will now vote on the sentence. All those who vote for guilty in regards to the fate of Mr. Peter Pettigrew?"
Almost all hands shot up. Harry glared at any that didn't, including Mr. Malfoy.
"Remember their faces, Harry, they are your enemies," said Myrana next to him.
Madam Bones and Fudge both nodded, not even asking for those who thought him not guilty.
"And those who think Mr. Sirius Black is not guilty?"
Less arms shot up this time, but it was easily still more then three quarters of all the members.
"Then Mr. Black is hereby cleared of all charges against him," Madam Bones said and slammed her hammer down.
Harry couldn't hide his grin as he looked at Sirius who grinned right back.
"For being wrongly imprisoned Mr. Black will receive a compensation of 1000 galleons for every year he was in Azakaban," continued Madam Bones, "as well as having all costs for any treatment at St. Mungos covered in regards to recovering from the after effects of Azkaban."
Fudge stood up.
"In regards to Mr. Pettigrew: He is found guilty of all charges. For the murder of thirteen Muggles, causing the unlawful imprisonment of a man in Azkaban, following a Dark Lord and terrorist as well as being responsible for the death of Lily and James Potter, the parents of Mr. Harry Potter," Fudge paused to look at Harry, "the jury sentences Mr. Peter Pettigrew to be administered the Dementor's kiss."
Wormtail trembled and screamed, "No, no please, everything but that please!"
"The sentence is to be caried out immediately," said Fudge and slammed his own hammer down.
Dumbledore looked like he wanted to object, but one of the Dementors already shot down to greet Wormtail.
Harry watched on, partly with a disturbed stomach and partly in morbid fascination as the Dementor pulled the lower part of the hood back, still not showing its face, but revealing some sort of twisted hole, that was its mouth.
Harry couldn't look away, as Pettigrew struggled with all he had, his eyes wide open and buldging in panic.
He screamd the most soul ratteling scream Harry had ever heard, but realized his mistake to late. It had only made it easier for the Dementor to force his mouth open and press its own face against the man's mouth.
Harry thought he saw a small, golden light leave Wormtail's mouth, but he wasn't sure.
Wormtail convulsed, screaming till it sounded like his vocal cords had snapped into until he suddenly fell silent. The Dementor pulled back and brought a hand to its so called mouth, as if enjoying the lingering taste of Wormtail's soul.
Harry stared at the empty husk, that had once been Peter Pettigrew. He had been told, that the Dementor's kiss was a fate worse than death, but couldn't really understand it back then. Now he could.
He saw Pettigrew's chest still heaving up and down, if only just barely. A little bit of spit escaped his open mouth. But those eyes, there was nothing behind those eyes. They had lost their light and only stared into the empty darkness.
Myrana chuckled next to him.
"What a spectacle. I myself have only seen the Dementor's kiss been applied once. A truly most exquisite choice of punishment," she purred and licked her lips.
Harry had a bad feeling in his stomach. Had she anything to do with this sentence? Did she want him to see it?
"Now go on, pup," Myrana said and stood up, stretching her wings, "go greet your godfather. You have much to celebrate, hm?"
And Harry stood up and walked over to his godfather who took him up in a bone crushing hug. Not once did he look back at the husk of Peter Pettigrew, still bound in the chair with the chains.