Chapter 11 - Interviews, Part 2
On Saturday morning, it seemed like everyone went down to breakfast at the same time. The room seemed uncharacteristically crowded, Saturday usually being a morning for lying-in and lazing about.
As Harry was eating, Ron looked at him. "Is Quidditch practice starting this morning?"
"No, Wood gave us until next weekend off, since school only started a few days ago."
"I think Professor McGonagall made him. We do need time to get acclimated to our new classes," Hermione piped in.
"Acclimated?" Ron asked with confusion.
Hermione ignored him and Harry smiled approvingly at her newfound willingness to avoid arguments with Ron. He was not going to get drawn into that either.
After a moment, Ron asked, "So, what do you plan to do today, Harry? You want to go flying instead?"
"Maybe later this afternoon. I need to talk to a couple of the professors this morning." He ate some breakfast as normally as possible and hoped Ron did not ask any more about his morning. He preferred to keep it to himself and his bond-mates at the moment.
Ron gave a questioning look as if he could not understand why Harry would do that, but did not ask anything else.
The morning owls choose that time to come in. Hermione received her copy of the Daily Prophet. Hedwig flew in and landed in front of Ginny, who took the rolled-up letter and gave Harry's owl a long strip of bacon. Harry gave her a good petting before she flew off.
Harry looked at her, but Ginny smiled and whispered, "After breakfast," as she stowed the letter in a pocket. Harry shrugged and returned to eating. Ginny was very pleased and could barely wait to read what had been sent to her. She dearly hoped her idea had been a good one.
When she finished breakfast and saw that Harry and Hermione were done too, Ginny rose and tapped Harry on the arm so he would follow her. Hermione naturally followed.
Ginny noticed that Ron got up and started to follow as well. She knew she needed to take care of this. "Hey, Ron, I didn't know you wanted to come discuss Charms with us. Are you behind and wanting to be tutored?" she asked innocently.
Ron's eyebrows went up. "I thought you were joking about talking to a professor."
"Nope," Harry confirmed, struggling to keep his face natural.
"Oh, well, I'll let you take care of that. I'll just go take care of something else." Ron hurried away.
Harry started to snigger. "You're funny, cruel, smart, and sneaky."
"Thanks," Ginny said brightly and flashed him a big smile.
Hermione just shook her head, although a small grin did leak out. "So, Professor Flitwick first?"
"Actually, Ginny said we need to read the letter she received first." Harry directed them to an unused classroom.
Hermione put up an Imperturbable Charm over the door. At the other two's questioning looks, she explained, "A fourth-year spell I picked up the other day specially for times like this. It prevents people from listening to our conversation through the door."
Harry nodded appreciatively. "Nice one."
They pulled three chairs together and Ginny sat in the middle.
"Who's this letter from?" Hermione asked. Harry was intrigued too.
"After our discussion about not knowing everything and about truth versus common knowledge, I decided to write a letter to Sirius Black…"
"And it worked?" Hermione half-shouted.
"Surprisingly, yes. I would have thought he would have prevented that too. But now we can see what he says. Hopefully he will be truthful with us," Ginny said as she opened the letter. It had small print on both sides - a long letter. There was also an old newspaper clipping included.
"I told him that we had some doubts about what happened and that we were searching for the truth. I told him that if he told us his side of the story, maybe it would help." Ginny held the letter up. They all began to read.
Dear Ginny (and Harry too),
I believe you're the first person to ever ask me for my side of the story, ever. That has been hard to do lately, as I've been hiding, but you have a very clever and persistent owl. Also, thank you for providing the writing materials, I didn't have any.
You said you're trying to find the truth of what happened the night Harry's parents were killed and shortly after. I can only give you my story, although I will say that if you gave me Veritaserum or I gave you an oath for honesty, this would still be my story. So it's the truth as I know it.
To start, I must go back to my days at Hogwarts. I was sorted into Gryffindor along with three other boys and five girls. That was a shock to my family, as the Blacks have historically been Slytherins. You'd have to go back several hundred years to find an exception. But I disagreed with my family's views even before I was 11 and started school.
I quickly became friends with James Potter, and then the other two boys: Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. We found that while we came from different backgrounds, we all liked to have fun. If you've heard of the Marauders there at school, I'll confess that was us, although I'll ask that you not spread that around. Some of the teachers there know, but it might be best to keep that to yourself, lest you get labelled like us. I understand that Remus is teaching there this year. You could ask him for verification.
By the time we finished Hogwarts, Lily Evans had joined us as an unofficial Marauder. At the end of our seventh year, she and James had been dating for a year and looked like they would always be together.
That turned out to be true as they married a year later. Being out of school for a year also allowed us to separate a little. James and I went to Auror school together, so we and Lily still saw one another frequently, but Lupin and Pettigrew were seen less frequently. Lupin has an excuse. While I didn't see it at the time, Pettigrew became much more distant from us, even though he continued to visit us monthly.
When Harry was born, there was much rejoicing from everyone. I was almost as happy as James, and just as proud of Harry. (Harry, James asked me to be your godfather. I am so sorry I have failed you in that regard, but I'm getting ahead of myself.)
From the time we finished Hogwarts until the summer of 1981, the war progressively got worse. It appeared we were going to lose unless something spectacular was done or we got lucky. To make it worse, Albus Dumbledore (your Headmaster) came to James and Lily and told them some bad news. I don't know what it was, but they decided to go into hiding. We were all fighting as part of a special group to gather information, and we knew we had a leak or a spy in our midst. I believed that was the information Dumbledore told them, but I really don't know. Coincidentally or not, the Longbottoms went into hiding at about the same time.
Now we are getting to the heart of your question.
To hide them, Dumbledore used a charm called the Fidelius Charm. It allows you to hide something by placing the secret of where it is within a single person. So as long as you choose that person wisely, you'll always be safe. As James's best mate, I was the obvious choice for becoming the Secret Keeper. And much to my everlasting shame and horror, here's where things went horribly wrong.
Because I felt I was such an obvious choice, and because there was a spy in our midst, and because there was concern that Lupin was it (he wasn't, as it turned out), I convinced James and Lily to make someone else the actual Secret Keeper. We were to keep pretending that I was the one, to provide a false lead and to protect the real Secret Keeper.
Lily cast the Fidelius Charm to hide them and made Peter Pettigrew the Secret Keeper. Yes, it really wasn't me, even if I hinted to people that I was.
So on that horrific Halloween night, Pettigrew gave the secret of the Potters' hiding place to Voldemort, because it turns out he was really the spy in our midst.
There was an alarm at the house to let me and others know if the Potters were attacked, despite their hiding. When the alarm went off, I flew my motorcycle to their house only to find it in flames along with the bodies of James and Lily in the front garden. Hagrid was there holding baby Harry and would not let me have him, even when I told him I was Harry's godfather. He said Dumbledore told him to get Harry and return to Hogwarts to keep him safe.
Harry, I must apologize to you again. I was in such a state of mind from seeing my best friends lying there dead that I simply lost it. Nevertheless, that does not excuse me from not being the godfather to you that I promised. I never should have left you. I should have given the information I knew to someone like Dumbledore or Moody personally. However, in my mad grief, I left Hagrid my motorbike and took off to search some of Pettigrew's hiding places.
I caught up with him in London the next day on a Muggle street. Pettigrew shouted for everyone to hear that I had killed James and Lily. Then, I'm afraid I can't tell you how he did it, but he cast a spell that somehow caused an explosion as I fired a Stunning spell at him. The explosion knocked me back and turned me daft for a bit so I couldn't think straight. I couldn't help it, but I started to laugh because it was like something out of a bad, cheap novel.
That was how the Aurors found me. Before I could say anything, I was stunned. When I awoke, I was in Azkaban and they told me I had killed twelve Muggles, as well as told Voldemort where to find the Potters. I was called a traitor, spit upon, and punched a few times as I was taken to my cell. My protests of innocence fell on deaf ears.
I thought I could endure that for a few days until my trial, when I could straighten everything out. How wrong I was. Barty Crouch, who was the head of the MLE at that time, and Millicent Bagnold, who was Minister, did not bother to give me a trial. So there I was, in prison without a trial for crimes I didn't commit.
I believe that answers your question and I hope it helps you find the truth. I would dearly love to have my name cleared so that I can live normally, and more importantly, be there for Harry as I should have been all along.
There is one other story that will help you, perhaps even more than the history. The question behind that is: I was in prison for twelve years, why did I break out now? Why not in my first year?
There are several reasons. First, the prison has guards called Dementors. They are horrible, foul, evil creatures that I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy, other than Pettigrew who deserves that hell and more for betraying everyone. So it took me years to learn how to deal with that. Thinking of my innocence was a good defence. Secondly, it was not until recently that I had the motivation to try to break free. To actually escape was very difficult, and was essentially a one-time chance with a high probability of failure. But Fudge came by on his yearly visit recently and had some compassion on me by leaving me his newspaper. I'm sure that to him, it was punishment to show me the life I was missing, but I didn't see it that way.
To my great surprise, I saw the reason for me being in prison on the front page. In the picture with the Weasleys in front of their home, illustrating the story of how they had won the Galleon Draw, was the betrayer. Pettigrew was alive and I could clear my name and go to my godson. He was living with the Weasley family and he would be at Hogwarts in September.
This is where history is important. You see, Pettigrew is an unregistered Animagus. He can take the form of a rat. They told me that all they ever found of Pettigrew was a finger, and in the picture with the youngest Weasley boy was a rat that I knew all too well, and it had a finger missing on its front paw. I've enclosed the picture. If you need confirmation, show it to Lupin. He should even volunteer to help you capture the rat. Capturing the rat is why I've headed towards Hogwarts.
If you do try to capture him, be very careful because he can be extremely dangerous (he did kill 12 Muggles and helped Voldemort to kill others). I would suggest stunning him in his rat form, then lock him in a cage with an Unbreakable charm on it. Once you have him, show him to Dumbledore or perhaps McGonagall. They can test to verify he's an Animagus, and then can call the Aurors in.
If they suggest letting him go because there is no evidence, then ask him why he's been hiding for the last 12 years if he was innocent. Also, hiding in the Weasley household without their consent is a crime. And be sure to have them check his left arm for a Dark Mark. While I'm handing out cautions, I'd also suggest being careful of Fudge. He seems the type that will try to prevent this unpleasant truth from being told, as it could be politically bad for him. If you can't find a way to make him look good from it, you'll want to get someone like Amelia Bones in the MLE to do all of the interrogating first before Fudge can become involved. I would prefer you didn't show this letter to anyone else until Pettigrew is found and charged with the crimes I was, but you may if you must to get them to understand my story and to investigate Pettigrew.
Please don't write unless you have important news, as I must still hide, but now that I know what your owl looks like, I will accept a letter from her.
Yours very truly,
Sirius Black
They had all gasped and asked "What?" at various times during reading it, but Harry thought he summed it up well when he said, "Bloody Hell! And I thought my life was messed up!"
Hermione looked at him with a frown and opened her mouth, but she closed it after a few seconds.
"It is appropriate," Ginny said with a giggle.
"Sadly," Hermione agreed. "That confirms and explains most of the inconsistencies."
"Assuming we can trust him," Ginny pointed out. When Harry started to object, she quickly said, "Yes, I know he said he'd make an oath to this, but it's one thing to write it and another to do it."
"So we act as if it's probably true but be cautious?" Harry asked.
"I think that would be best." Ginny looked at Hermione who agreed.
Harry thought about it. "Being cautious can't hurt. All right, let's assume it's true but be on the lookout for information that either supports it or conflicts with it. Hermione, I can't think of anything we know so far that conflicts with this. Can you?"
"No, and it matches Hagrid's story perfectly."
"Right, so on to Flitwick and Lupin, although I now have a few more questions for Lupin. Ginny, can I see that photo please?" He took it from her and looked at it carefully. "It's not the clearest photo I've ever seen, but it does look a lot like Scabbers." He shivered briefly. "And to think I've stayed in the same dorm room with him for two years."
Ginny raised an eyebrow at him before she gave a distasteful look at the photo. "I remember that photo being taken and it is Scabbers. To think I had to live with him in the same house for nineyears - eww!"
"I think we should talk to Professor Lupin before we do anything and let him look at the photo and see if he recognizes the rat. But first, we have that appointment with Flitwick," Harry suggested. The two girls agreed with him, so they left the room in search of the Charms teacher.
"Luna said it should be over here," Ginny said as she led them to near where the Ravenclaw tower was.
"Who's Luna?" Harry asked.
"She's a Ravenclaw in some of my classes," Ginny explained. "She's very smart and lives not far from me, although I didn't know that until this year. That would have been nice to know before, as maybe I could have had a friend to play with when I was younger."
Hermione shook her head. "You know, that means that none of us had close friends to play with when we were growing up. Ginny had her brothers, and I wished I could have had a brother, but it wouldn't have been the same."
"No, it's not the same, believe me," Ginny said fervently. "Ah, here we are." She walked to the door that said "Flitwick" on it and knocked.
The door opened a moment later. "Miss Weasley, Miss Granger, Mr Potter. What I can I do for you?"
"We were hoping you had a few minutes to tell us some things," Ginny said brightly.
"Certainly. Please, come in." The short man led them to a room that looked very lived-in. It was not messy, but there were personal effects and many books in view, including one that was open on a small table. He waved them to a couch while he sat in a small chair that fit him perfectly. "What can I do for you?"
Harry swallowed, suddenly a little nervous. "Professor, I'm looking for information on my family and I thought that you might be able to tell me about what happened to my parents, as well as anything you might know about that night and me. Anything you could tell me about Sirius Black would be helpful as well."
The Charms professor raised an eyebrow. "I'm afraid I can tell you very little, Mr Potter, beyond the normal story that is in the history books. While I can tell you about your parents while they were here, I never really saw them after they finished their seventh year. I believe they were doing some work with Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, and Professor Lupin was their close friend. You should check with them."
"I see," Harry said slowly.
"So you don't know, as opposed to you can't tell us? No disrespect meant, Professor," Hermione added quickly.
"None taken, Miss Granger." Flitwick sighed. "I suppose it won't hurt to tell you that the Headmaster encouraged all the teachers not to seek you out with your family information, on the basis that living in the past wasn't good for anyone. However, he did not forbid it if you should come to us," he said with a smile.
"Professor McGonagall told us something similar," Harry said.
"Ah, good, then I was not the one to let the cat out of the bag," the professor said jovially. "Your parents were fine people, Mr Potter. You father was not quite as well-mannered when he started school as you are, but he grew up and became an outstanding young man. Your mother was a little shy but very gifted in both Potions and Charms. I offered her an apprenticeship so she could gain her Mastery Certification but, unfortunately, she didn't have time to do that."
Harry smiled. In some ways, the fact that they were not perfect made them feel a little more real. "And Sirius Black? There are so many rumours about him. Was he really my father's best friend?"
Flitwick looked a little pensive now. "While he was in school, it would be fair to say that he and your father were like brothers. Given that, I find the normal explanation about his guilt to be unrealistic. In the three years that followed their departure from Hogwarts, I'm afraid I can't say because I don't know if their relationships may have changed. Professor Lupin could give you a better answer, I'm sure."
"I plan to visit him next," Harry acknowledged. "Professor, did my parents ever talk to you about me, like taking care of me if something should happen to both of them?"
The professor chuckled. "No, but the thought of me caring for a baby is amusing. I'd have found a nanny house-elf for when I'm busy in class, but otherwise it might have been great fun to have you around as you became older, say from about four onwards." He gave Harry a look that almost put Dumbledore's twinkling to shame. "I might have even made you a Ravenclaw." Everyone chuckled at that.
"So, it would surprise you to learn that you were third on the list of people to take care of me?" Harry asked, curious about the man's reply.
"Very much so. Lily never mentioned it to me at all. I assume the list was Sirius Black, your aunt, and then myself?"
"No." Harry decided it would not hurt to tell him. "The list was Sirius Black, the Longbottoms, and then yourself before two others, neither of which were my aunt."
Flitwick's good-natured demeanour instantly vanished. "Do you know that for a fact?"
"Yes, sir. I found a copy of my parents' Will this summer. It was very specific." Harry watched the man think that through.
"It sounds as if your parents' Will was not executed. Do you also know who your parents' solicitors were? Not that I'm trying to take advantage of this, Mr Potter — I understand the Grangers are now your guardians and I would not change that — but I wonder what else was missed."
"Uh, the letter with it said Wilkes and Wilkes," Harry told him.
Flitwick sadly nodded. "That would explain it. Bradford and Penelope Wilkes were killed a day or two before your parents, and their law firm was burnt to the ground. It is quite possible your parents did not know of this and so they were unable to make changes. I would highly recommend you take your parents' Will to another solicitor and get professional help with it."
Harry looked at Hermione and then Ginny, receiving two nods. "Do you have any suggestions for me, Professor? I don't know of any solicitors." He also noted that Hermione was writing in her little notebook again.
"I too did business with the Wilkes before they died. I took copies of all my documents to Ted Tonks, he's married to Professor Tonks. I've been very pleased with his work. If you talk to her, I'm sure she could make arrangements for you and her husband to meet and explore options."
"Thank you, Professor. If you have a few more minutes, could you tell me a few stories about my parents, especially my mother?" Harry asked hopefully.
"Of course, Mr Potter. She was a very sweet young lady and a gifted student, much like your two friends."
Hermione and Ginny blushed.
"Hmm," Flitwick murmured thoughtfully. "I remember one time when I went to breakfast a few days after your mother had taken her NEWTs. Much like the ceiling shows the outside sky, the four walls had been charmed to show the outside in the appropriate direction as well. It was a phenomenal bit of magic that even I would have had trouble duplicating without a lot of study. No-one took credit for the prank and I couldn't prove she had done it, or I would have awarded her points for it." He shook his head. "She must have researched that all year. I truly disliked having to dispel her work, it was so well done."
"That's, that's…" Hermione just shook her head as she thought about that.
"That's how brilliant she was. Almost as good was the Halloween Feast of her seventh year. As soon as the Headmaster bid everyone to 'tuck in', one of the candelabras on the side of the hall walked to the front and started singing a fun little ditty. As it did that, the plates and the silverware became animated and started to dance around with the other candles joining in as choral backup." He sighed. "The charm work was beautifully done and it was fun to watch." A mischievous look came over him. "I got her to admit to me in private that she'd pulled that prank. I gave her fifty points for it!"
Hermione was wide-eyed. "Do you remember what song she used? That sounds very familiar."
"I can't remember all the words, but it started something like this…" The little professor sang with a surprisingly-good tenor voice, putting on what Harry assumed was an exaggerated French accent:
Be our guest,
Be our guest,
Put our service to the test,
Tie your napkin 'round your neck, cherie
And we'll provide the rest…
"Ah, a truly fun time…"
Hermione clapped. "I knew it! It's from a movie and it's one of my favourite scenes in it."
"Truly grand, Miss Granger. I shall have to track down a Pensieve and we can all see your version as you watched the movie and then I can show you what happened when Lily did it. I believe you will be truly amazed."
"Thank you, Professor. I look forward to that," Harry said. "Do you have any other stories?"
"I also remember when…" Flitwick continued on for the next half an hour. All three students enjoyed the stories, but Harry the most.
At the end, Harry thanked the professor and they left.
As they walked to the next professor, Hermione looked at Harry.
"Nothing new in our search, other than it confirms my opinion something strange is happening if Flitwick also didn't think Black did it," Harry answered the question from the girl's look.
"He seemed to think your parents' Will not being executed seemed important," Ginny pointed out.
"Right," Harry agreed. "We'll need to add that to our list of things to do."
Without breaking step, Hermione pulled out her notebook and pen and placed a star in the margin where she had noted Flitwick's comments.
Harry looked at Ginny and they both smiled at each other about their bond-mate's habits.
When they arrived at Professor Lupin's door, Harry knocked. He stood in front of the two girls as they waited.
The door opened revealing a surprised-looking professor. "Mr Potter? This is a surprise, what may I help you with?"
Harry did not miss that he was still being treated just like all the other students. "Professor, I'd like to speak with you for a few minutes … about my family."
The man froze for a moment before he gave an uncomfortable smile. "Won't you come in then? That would not be a conversation to hold in the corridor."
The trio walked in and Lupin showed them to a couch in a room that was very neat with few personal effects, much like McGonagall's was. Without asking, the professor found a tea set and served them. Harry could not help but notice that the man's hands shook slightly, making Harry think the man was even more nervous than he was.
"I must say that I'm surprised, Mr Potter. I didn't expect this to happen, or at least not so soon." Lupin was paying careful attention to what he was doing and did not look Harry in the face.
"Oh, why is that, Professor? I understand you were good friends with my parents, especially my father." Harry was not sure why he was being so bold, but he felt like he should take advantage of the situation.
Lupin handed out the cups of hot drink. "The Headmaster led me to believe that you would not seek out your past."
Harry shrugged. "I think it's only natural to want to know about your family. Is it true that while you were here at school that you, along with my dad and two others, were part of a group known as the Marauders?"
The Professor choked slightly on his drink and quickly set his tea down so he could grab a napkin and dab at his chin. "Where did you hear that?" He looked at Harry in great surprise.
Harry grinned. "There are a lot of rumours and I'm merely trying to find out which are true and which aren't."
Lupin studied the three students very carefully. All three were looking at him raptly. He signed. "Yes, I was Moony. Your father was Prongs. Our friend Peter Pettigrew was Wormtail, while the last was named Padfoot. Our last year, your mother was made an honorary Marauder, but she didn't have an official name. I hope you don't mind, but I'd prefer not to discuss our activities. I can't do that in good conscience as a professor."
"So at least some of the things I've heard are true," Harry said with a grin, happy he had verified part of Black's story.
"It would depend on what you've heard, obviously," Lupin said with a wry grin, his wits starting to return to normal as his initial shock wore off.
Without missing a beat, Harry said, "I've also heard that Pettigrew was a rat Animagus…"
Lupin's shock returned. "Where did you hear that?" he asked in a whisper.
Harry nodded to Ginny, who pulled out the newspaper clipping and handed it over. "We don't know what his form looks like, but we thought you could verify it."
The professor's hand began to shake as he looked at the clipping. "I … It can't be, but…" He stared some more before he handed the clipping back to Ginny. "I'm reasonably certain that's him." He shook his head for a moment before he froze. "Then … that means that Sirius is innocent! Oh Merlin… What have we done?" he whispered in horror.
Harry looked at Ginny and held out his hand. She didn't have to ask before handing the letter over, which Harry passed to the professor. "Perhaps this will help you understand."
Lupin, his hand shaking more than ever, took the letter and began to read. Harry looked at Ginny and they shrugged, not knowing what else to do. Hermione had pulled out her little notebook and was checking things, as well as making extra notations.
When he finished reading, Lupin put the letter back on the low table in the middle. His hand continued to shake as he picked up his cup of tea and with great difficulty took a drink. He then stared blankly into his cup.
"Professor Lupin?" Harry called to get his attention.
"I'm sorry, Mr Potter, I…" He stopped and brushed unshed tears from his eyes.
"I understand, but before we do something about that, can you tell me anything about the night my parents were killed?" Harry asked when the silence dragged out.
Lupin pulled himself together and shook his head. "No, I'm afraid I can't. For personal reasons, I didn't spend much time with anyone after Hogwarts. I will say that I was very distressed when I heard of their murder. I'm sorry - Harry."
Harry nodded. "Thank you, Professor. Erm… after they died, you were the last of my parents' friends. Why haven't I met you before now?"
The professor looked down and looked very ashamed, or so it seemed to Harry.
"It's not easy to explain, Harry." He paused but did not look up. "May I call you that since we're not in class?"
"Yes," Harry said softly.
"I have … personal reasons … for not involving myself with people, at least not very much. It would have been quite impossible for me to have raised you."
"I won't ask any more about that, but why didn't you at least come and visit me from time to time? You know, pretend you were my uncle or something and see how I was doing?" In some ways, Harry was not completely sure he wanted the answer to that question, but he was curious enough to ask.
Lupin finally raised his head and looked at Harry. "By the time I thought of that, you were hidden by Dumbledore. I approached him to find out where you were, but he refused to tell me. He said that your guardians had been promised no interference from us until it was time for you to come to school. I did try, Harry."
Harry realized that more and more came back to Dumbledore. He looked at his girls and each gave him a sympathetic look. Ginny also momentarily covered his hand with hers. He welcomed the support.
"Thank you, Professor, I appreciate you telling me that you tried. I really wish you'd been successful, but I've been told that life isn't always fair."
"No, it's not … not at all," Lupin agreed just as solemnly.
"Err, Professor, would you do two things for me? Well, three really." Harry hoped he would say yes.
"If I can…" Lupin said with kindly smile.
"Can we get together and talk sometimes?" Harry tried to make it sound like he was not pleading, even if he was. "I'd like to know more about my parents and you probably know them the best of anyone here at the castle."
Lupin smiled. "Of course. I'll be busier as the year progresses, but perhaps once a month or so would work."
Harry grinned hugely. "Brilliant. Second, since you're the Defence professor, do you think you could teach me how to defend against the Dementors? I never want to have them win over me like they did on the train!"
Hermione backhanded him lightly on the shoulder. "Us, Harry, teach us." Ginny nodded.
Lupin grimaced. "I understand your feelings, truly I do, but the Patronus Charm is a seventh-year spell at the earliest; it's really something that only those who go on to become Aurors normally learn."
"Teach us, please," Harry begged. "I want to learn. Even if it takes longer than normal, I really want to learn."
"Me too," Ginny fervently agreed, looking a little pale, obviously thinking about her experience on the train.
"Yes, definitely," Hermione quickly added, also looking a little less than her best.
"It is rare to see anyone your age react as you did, Harry," Lupin said after a moment. "We can try and perhaps you can make a mist shield. That's not a full Patronus, but enough so that you'll get some relief until an adult can help."
"Thank you, Professor," Harry said very gratefully. The girls echoed him. "There's one more thing, if you could?"
"If I can…"
"I know where Pettigrew the rat should be, but I don't know the Stunning spell."
Lupin jerked and sat straight up. "You know?" he whispered, as if not fully believing Harry.
"Can you teach me the Stunning spell?"
"I … I can, but it would be much better if I came with you. He would be quite dangerous if he thought you knew about him," Lupin said with much concern.
"But can you teach us the spell first?" Hermione asked. "It would be safer if all of us knew it instead of just you," she reasoned.
Lupin lost some of his seriousness and a trace of a smile came to him. "Lily would have said the same thing." Hermione blushed. He looked at Ginny. "You remind me slightly of her, Miss Weasley, at least in the sense that she was a redhead. Do you have a mighty temper?"
Ginny nodded. "At times. I have six brothers and I can keep most of them in line if I have to."
Lupin laughed. "Much like Lily as well. She kept the four of us in line more times than I care to admit." He smirked at Harry and shook his head. "You have interesting friends, Harry." Lupin's voice had finally returned to normal after all of his surprises this morning.
Harry could only nod, feeling that almost anything else would get him in trouble later.
"Now, pull out your wands and let's try it," Lupin directed them as he drew his wand. "Pick a stone in the wall over there as your target. The incantation is 'Stupefy' and the movement is a corkscrew swirl with a jab at the end. Like this: Stupefy!" he snapped, and a red light shot out of his wand and hit the stone wall. "Harry?"
Harry concentrated and tried it. A strong red beam shot out of his wand.
"Very good! Miss Granger, you're next."
Hermione also concentrated and cast. A weak red beam shot out of her wand.
"Good for a first try. That would stop a rat, no problem. Why don't you try a few more times to see if you can improve your power, but aim at the wall over there while I work with Miss Weasley." He turned to the redheaded girl and nodded.
Ginny took aim, thought about what Tom had done to her, and cast. A strong red beam, only a little less than Harry's, came out of her wand.
"Excellent! You surprise me, Miss Weasley, this is normally a fourth-year spell. Did you think of anything else other than the incantation and wand movement?"
She nodded. "I thought of something that made me angry last year and how I wanted revenge."
Hermione was listening carefully.
"Indeed. Many spells can be helped along with emotion as it increases the intent. For this spell, anger would be appropriate." Lupin looked back over. "Miss Granger, one last time before we go."
Hermione thought for a moment. She could think of nothing that made her truly angry. Perhaps an imagined emotion, she considered. Taking aim, she thought about how she would feel if someone tried to hurt Harry. "Stupefy!" The red beam that came out of her wand this time was much stronger than before.
"Very good, Miss Granger. As this is informal and I don't want to play favourites, I'm sorry I can't make this more, but three points to Gryffindor for each for you for learning this spell." He looked at them very seriously. "I must also caution each of you to use this spell responsibly. We don't teach offensive spells until the fourth year for a reason. That gives you time to become a little more mature so you can be a little wiser as you learn the more dangerous spells."
"Yes, Professor," they each told him.
"Very good, then let's go see if we can catch a rat." Lupin led them out of his quarters and towards the Gryffindor Tower.
A small part of Harry wondered at Lupin doing this with him and his friends and not telling McGonagall or Dumbledore. Another part of his mind realized that this "way" seemed normal: a Gryffindor saw a problem and took it upon himself to fix it. This brought home the fact that Lupin had been a Gryffindor.
As they were walking up the long stairs from two floors down, Lupin turned to them and spoke quietly. "Do not mention what you're doing to anyone … lie if you have to. He could be anywhere in the Tower. We can't let him know we're onto him or we may never catch him. Talk about something normal as you go into Harry's dorm room. Also, I'm going to Disillusion myself when we go in so I'll be almost invisible. If he sees me, then he'll twig something is wrong. Because you'll have trouble seeing me, you'll need to be very careful with your spells, so only shoot if you have a clear shot at the rat!" He grimaced slightly. "This is also a good lesson on why wizards don't fight when invisible - it's far too easy to hit your own team-mate."
When they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, the woman looked at Lupin and smiled. "Remus Lupin! Or should I say 'Professor'? It's been a long time."
"That it has, my Lady. If you could do me a favour, I'd appreciate it."
"Certainly, Professor."
"Please send word to Professor McGonagall through the other portraits and tell her that I'm helping Harry with a problem in his dorm room and that I request her help. After you open for us, of course."
The Fat Lady smiled. "At once, Professor."
Lupin tapped his head with his wand and promptly disappeared. "Lead on, Harry, but when you get to the boys' stairs, draw your wand and keep it hidden as best you can. You too, ladies."
They all nodded seriously and walked in. As was common for late Saturday morning, about a dozen people were present. Most were playing games, but a few were reading a book of some kind.
"Hey, Harry!" Ron called out. "Come and play some Exploding Snap?"
"Uh, thanks Ron. Let me just nip up to the dorm and I'll be back in a few minutes," Harry lied.
Ron waved and turned back to the game with Dean, Seamus, and Neville.
Harry felt a poke in his back, so he started up the stairs to the boys' dorm rooms. Hermione and Ginny quickly followed, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. He stopped at the door and looked back. The girls both had their wands out and he had to hope Professor Lupin was there too, as he could not see him at all.
He walked into his dorm room. After the girls walked in, the door seemed to close on its own. Only a little nervously, Harry walked over towards Ron's area. Luckily, Scabbers was there, but he was not in his cage. Instead, the rat was lying in the middle of Ron's bed.
Realizing exactly who this was and what he had done, Harry whipped his wand out and shouted, "Stupefy!" A strong beam of red light hit the rat and flung him off the bed and across the room until he rolled under Dean's bed.
"Accio Wormtail!" said an adult male voice from behind Harry and the rat came flying out from under the bed. The small animal body hit the wall behind Harry and fell to the floor, not moving at all. Lupin rippled into view. "Well, I think we were both a little overly enthusiastic," he said with a big grin, "but task accomplished. Someone get his cage?"
Ginny hurried over to Ron's nightstand, picked up the cage, and handed it to Lupin.
Lupin put the rat in it and cast a few spells on it. "I think that will hold him and..." He looked satisfied as he examined the rat, "That's definitely him." He turned for the door and then stopped and looked back. "Harry, I'll let you present this to the Headmaster if you want, but I think it would be best if I carry it for now."
Harry nodded and walked after the professor. Hermione and Ginny followed too. This was all going so much faster than Harry had envisioned this morning, but Sirius's letter had truly changed things. If this was his parents' betrayer, then Sirius could be free. He wondered how that would affect him. Would he stop living with Dan and Emma? Did he want to? His head swirled with thoughts as they walked down the stairs into the common room.
"Hey, that's my rat!" Ron yelled and hurried over.
At that time, Professor McGonagall hurriedly walked in through the portrait hole. "You needed my assistance, Professor Lupin?"
"Yes, indeed." He turned to Ron. "Mr Weasley, I'm very much aware that this rat has been your pet; however, I'm afraid that I must take him into protective custody for the moment. If things work out as I think they will, then I know someone who will buy you almost any pet you can find in Diagon Alley."
Ron looked at him in confusion before his eyes narrowed a little. "Why?"
"I'm sorry, Mr Weasley, but I can't explain at the moment. Mr Potter will explain it all to you later today. I promise, this is of the utmost importance." He turned. "Professor McGonagall, I don't believe your assistance is needed here after all, but you will want to join us in the Headmaster's office." She nodded and the party of five left behind very puzzled Ron, who the other Gryffindors began to question as to what was happening.
"What is this about?" McGonagall asked as they walked through the corridors.
"Do you recognize him?" Lupin asked as he held up the cage.
"That's Mr Weasley's rat, and his brother Percy's before him," she answered.
Lupin smiled. "Then we were more successful than I imagined." He said nothing more, even when she scowled at him, demanding an answer with her look.
The students looked at one another and smiled, working hard to hold their laughter and giggles in.
"Gumdrops," Lupin told the gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's stairs, then turned to McGonagall again. "He is here, isn't he?"
"To my knowledge," she answered, still scowling.
Lupin had barely finished knocking when they all heard "Enter!"
Dumbledore was alone and raised his busy white eyebrows high as the five walked in. "Oh my, what has happened now?" He did not seem upset in the least, merely curious.
Harry had been debating on what to do during the walk. He had had a plan for their visit tomorrow. He decided to execute it today. "Professor," he looked up at Lupin, "may I answer that? It will take a few extra minutes, but I believe it will be worth it."
"As you wish, Harry," Lupin said. "The hard part is over and explanations may be helpful." He set the small cage on the edge of Dumbledore's desk and the old man looked at it carefully but said nothing. His expression indicated some concern, however.
"Do you recognize this rat, Headmaster?" Lupin asked.
"Not specifically, but I have a suspicion, which I hope is wrong, for if it is not…" Dumbledore finished on an ominous note. He looked around the group before him. "Everyone, please have a seat and help yourself to a lemon drop," he indicated his candy dish. "Mr Potter, I believe you volunteered to explain."
Harry smiled, ignoring the candy there. "I need to start several years before I was born." That earned him an interested look from each of the professors, and Dumbledore leaned back in his chair and got comfortable.
"I understand when my father came to Hogwarts, he became close friends with the other three boys of his year and they did many things together. Of them, Sirius Black was the closest to my father."
"I assume Professor Lupin told you that?" Dumbledore asked.
"No, sir, but he did confirm it. I've been researching my family history for several months now."
Dumbledore's eyebrows shot back up for a moment, but he said nothing this time.
"After Hogwarts," Lupin seemed to relax a little, which Harry found amusing, "Sirius and my father went to Auror school and my mother had me. I understand the war was not going well at the time."
Dumbledore inclined his head slightly.
"Then in the summer of 1981, something happened and you, Professor Dumbledore, talked to my parents and because of what you told them, they went into hiding." Looking him right in the eye, Harry asked, "What did you tell them, Headmaster?"
Dumbledore blinked, as if not expecting that question. "While I will explain a good many things to you, Harry, I'm afraid I can't explain that one at this time. I must ask you to trust me to wait until the time is right."
"Actually, my parents want you to tell me. They said so in a letter."
Dumbledore sat up, looking almost shocked. "May I ask where you got such a letter?"
"Why didn't you ever tell me I had a family vault, Headmaster?" McGonagall and Lupin looked surprised at Harry's question and then looked at Dumbledore expectantly.
The old man sighed. "Until you turned seventeen, it did not matter, Harry."
"But it was mine and my family's. I deserved to have it, just like I deserved the key to my trust vault and my father's cloak, which you had." Harry's voice had been even, but the accusation could not be missed.
"I'm sorry, Harry, but I can not tell you why your parents went into hiding at this time," Dumbledore said, sounding older than normal for a moment. "I must ask though, what does that have to do with this rat?"
Harry shook his head and looked at Hermione. She nodded and pulled out her notebook and pen. He knew she would mark the question down to be answered later. "During the summer of 1981," Harry continued the story, "you used a hiding spell called the Fidelius Charm. My mother cast the spell to protect them. According to the commonly-believed story, they picked Sirius Black to be the Secret Keeper. Then on Halloween of 1981, he betrayed them and gave the secret to Voldemort, who came to our house and killed my parents and tried to kill me. Something happened and he apparently died. I'm told there were alarms on the house, so when it was attacked, various people knew, including you, Headmaster."
"That is true," Dumbledore acknowledged. "I sent Hagrid along first while I gathered other forces to help," he supplied, adding to the story.
Harry nodded. "Hagrid pulled my parents' bodies and myself out. Sirius Black showed up and tried to take me, as it was his duty as my godfather, but Hagrid wouldn't let him. Assuming I would be safe for a short time and thinking he could retrieve me later, Sirius left his motorbike with Hagrid and took off."
"Impressive. I assume you've spoken with Hagrid?"
"Yes, sir. While Hagrid took me to Hogwarts for a day, Sirius went to London, and the next morning he trapped Peter Pettigrew. Pettigrew shouted at Black about betraying my parents before Black fired an explosive curse that killed Pettigrew and twelve Muggles. Aurors soon found him and took him away. Meanwhile, that evening you left me with the Dursleys to be raised by my aunt until I got my Hogwarts letter. Would you agree that's what happened, Headmaster?"
Dumbledore looked at Harry for a moment. He knew there was something wrong here. He had his suspicions about the rat, but he was not sure. Also, his Legilimency told him something was off with the story but, surprisingly, he could not fully read Harry with a gentle passive probe as he had the first evening Harry had shown up at school two years ago. Harry should not have been able to learn Occlumency, but it was as if the boy had partial shields. "I would agree that's what's known and probably as close to the truth as we can get." He almost added they would never know, but stopped. If his suspicions of the rat were true, they were about to find out.
"I'm sorry, Headmaster, but you're actually quite wrong and I can tell you the real story." Harry's tone was almost boastful.
Lupin looked very impressed and smiled, making himself more comfortable. McGonagall looked like she wanted to say something, but did not.
"Alas, I've been wrong before and I'm sure it will happen again. Please enlighten us, Harry." Dumbledore leaned forward in his chair and leaned his elbows on the desk, paying closer attention.
"In researching my family, the letter I told you about from my parents was written only a month or so before their death. At that time, they trusted Sirius Black. Everyone I've talked to said that Black turned on his birth family and was more of a brother to my father than to his real brother. So I had to ask how such a huge character change could come to be." He looked to Lupin.
"That has always been my biggest question," the man admitted.
"There's also the question of why he didn't get a trial." Harry looked at Dumbledore.
"I was not Chief Warlock at the time, Harry. I was a normal Wizengamot member. Barty Crouch and Minister Bagnold personally dealt with all the high-profile cases, including Black's. All the evidence pointed to Black being guilty, so I'm afraid I did not pursue the matter."
"What evidence, sir? I'm not trying to be rude, but there's no real evidence other than one person yelling that Black did it." Harry waited.
"I'm sorry to have to dredge this up, Harry, but he was your parents' Secret Keeper and he betrayed them."
"No, sir, that's your assumption, and Sirius may have hinted at it to make everyone think that, but do you know that he was the Secret Keeper for a fact?" Harry waited and wondered.
Dumbledore sighed. "No, Harry, I don't know for certain."
"And do you know that Black really killed Pettigrew and the Muggles? What evidence is there?"
Dumbledore sighed. "That is much clearer. Multiple Muggles saw him cast a spell just before the explosion. Of that, there is no doubt."
Harry nodded and smiled. "What was the last spell cast with Black's wand?"
"That's unknown. I believe the Aurors snapped his wand there at the scene after they stunned him."
"Again, no evidence, sir."
"Harry," Dumbledore said a little tiredly, "I realize you may want him to be innocent, but there is really no doubt about what happened in London."
"Actually, this action has always been Hermione's biggest doubt." He looked at her and she smiled.
"Headmaster," Hermione said respectfully, "according to the story, the explosion that killed so many people left nothing recognisable of Pettigrew's body except a single finger. What spell would have been used to do that?" she asked innocently.
"There is no spell directly, but the Aurors believed a Blasting curse was used and it hit some Muggle gas pipe which exploded. That easily solves it."
"I'm sorry, Headmaster, but it doesn't," Hermione said. "You see, explosions cause things to break apart, not vanish. At best, or worst depending on your point of view, there should have been a lot of Pettigrew left behind, all different body parts," she said a little squeamishly, but did not back down. "But all they found was a finger. That's illogical and impossible. Therefore, that's not what really happened. It would be same as if a Blasting curse was used on a door. The door would not disappear, instead there would be a lot of splinters and door parts."
"That's very well-reasoned, Miss Granger," Lupin said, looking very impressed. "I really should have thought of that as well."
"Then what do you believed happened?" McGonagall asked when no one else said anything.
Hermione looked pleased she was asked. "Everyone forgets to think about there being at least two wizards there, both of whom had wands. I believe Sirius fired a spell, but it was probably a Stunning spell, although a Cutting curse would work as well. At the same time, Pettigrew cut off his own finger or else a Cutting curse hit his finger, then he cast the Blasting curse before he disappeared. Apparation would have been the easiest way, although there is another method available to him."
"Oh, but of course," Lupin groaned. "I'm so stupid for not thinking of that."
"I suppose it's time for me to ask about my suspicions," Dumbledore said. "I assume you're going to tell me that this rat is the Animagus form of Peter Pettigrew."
"Yes, Headmaster, it is," Harry answered. "Black was not my parents' Secret Keeper, but a decoy. Pettigrew was the Secret Keeper. He was also a spy against you and gave secret information to Voldemort. Lastly, he framed Black for what he did before he went into hiding."
"I see," Dumbledore intoned as he thought it through.
"The worst part is, Sirius Black spent twelve years in prison for crimes he never committed, innocent the entire time just because justice was thrown aside and people were never questioned." Harry shook his head.
"But we never had Pettigrew," McGonagall countered.
"I've never talked to him either, Professor. I talked to you, Hagrid, Professor Lupin, the Headmaster, and Sirius Black."
The adults all looked at him in shock. "You've talked to Black while he was a fugitive?" Dumbledore said with great concern.
Harry was impressed with the Headmaster's look, the power he radiated. It gave him a much better indication why people thought he was a powerful wizard. "We exchanged one letter, Headmaster. I was never in any danger."
Dumbledore looked much relieved, as did McGonagall. Lupin merely looked amused as he watched.
"Before we give him to the Aurors, I have another question about something that happened at that time, Headmaster." Harry looked at Dumbledore and waited.
Dumbledore looked back a little uncomfortable, but nodded.
"Headmaster, the night after my parents died, Hagrid took me to my aunt's house where, after Professor McGonagall advised against it, you left me there on their doorstep with nothing more than a letter." Now Harry leaned forward. "I'd like to know why."
Dumbledore did not like this question either, but it was not as bad as one he could have asked about his curse scar. "The simple answer is for your protection. By taking you there, I could enact the ancient magic of Blood Wards. Because of your aunt and mother being sisters, as long as you could call it home, it would create a protection that anyone magical desiring to do you harm could not penetrate. The wards I erected are based on the shared blood of your aunt and mother. Voldemort might have not been among the living, but his followers were very much alive and dangerous. In fact, a week after your parents were killed, another family was attacked by Death Eaters and were tortured into insanity."
Harry suddenly understood a mystery. "Neville's parents…"
"Yes, Harry. However, I ask that you, as well as Miss Granger and Miss Weasley, do not bring it up with him unless he speaks of it first. I know that it is a difficult subject for him," Dumbledore solemnly requested.
Harry nodded and saw the girls agreeing as well.
"I'm sorry to say that you failed in your task, Headmaster. The Blood Wards never worked. I was 'harmed' many times while I lived there."
"Not magically and not by Death Eaters," Dumbledore countered.
"Sir, harmed is harmed, whether it's by a Death Eater's wand or my cousin's fist or my uncle shoving me into walls or my aunt starving me." He heard an intake of breath and looked over to see McGonagall with her eyes closed and a pinched look on her face. Lupin did not look much better.
"I was trying to protect you from harmful wizards and I thought it was for the best, Harry…"
"The best for who, Headmaster? Not for me. But there's one other problem. My parents' Will was completely ignored. Why did you do that, Headmaster?"
Dumbledore grew very concerned. He could not honestly answer this or he would have to tell Harry several other things he needed to wait on. "As I said, I had to hurry to get you to a safe place and I did not know where your parents' Will was."
"Did you ask Black? He was my godfather and if he didn't have a copy, he probably knew where one was." Harry did not let up. He really wanted to know about this.
"I'm sorry, Harry, I really don't have a better answer. Sirius was believed to be a spy for Voldemort and responsible for your parent's demise, so that was not something I was thinking about when I thought of him." Dumbledore watched several expressions go across Harry's face, and none of them looked good. He would have to find a way to smooth this over soon. "We do have another problem which must be solved now. I think I need to call Madam Bones. As head of the MLE, she can put Pettigrew into custody and start the process of clearing Sirius Black's name of all charges."
Harry slowly shook his head at how his problem was being swept under the rug. Well, there would be time for that later. "Black suggested that we contact Madam Bones and he also said that the matter needs to be taken care of before Minister Fudge can become involved. He didn't trust the Minister and thought he would make Pettigrew disappear before Black could be freed."
"I believe that is very insightful," Lupin agreed as he shook his head in consternation. "I owe him a very big apology for doubting him."
"We all do," McGonagall said ruefully.
"True," Dumbledore said as he got up and walked to his fireplace.
A minute or so after he completed his Floo call, the Director of the MLE stepped through along with two Aurors. Dumbledore conjured three chairs for them and went through the Sirius Black story, from Secret Keeper decoy through the battle in London and to his non-trial.
The first words Bones spoke after the story were, "Take him out of the cage and put him in the middle of the floor." Lupin did that and every wand in the room was trained on the rat. No one wanted him to get away. Dumbledore performed the spell to force an Animagus back to his human form. Only Bones and the Aurors were surprised.
"Shi…" Bones suddenly coughed. "Excuse me."
Harry grinned as did Ginny, Lupin, and Dumbledore.
"Use your manacles, Hughes, and then search him. He won't be able to change now," she commented as her orders were followed. The Auror found two wands on him and a little money.
"Ollivander can verify it, but I expect him to tell you that other wand is Voldemort's," Dumbledore said.
Bones shivered but said nothing. The two Aurors looked very upset at hearing that.
Harry shook his head. "This is ridiculous. You're afraid of a name and it's only a made-up one at that."
"Hey kid," one of the Aurors sneered. "You don't know what you're talking about. I lived through the end of that war…"
"And I had to listen to Voldemort explain where he got his name from before I killed him again last year," Harry retorted.
The Auror snorted. "Right, pull the other one. I don't care if you did stop him as a baby, there's no way you could have … what did you say … killed him 'again'?"
"Would a Pensieve memory prove it to you?" Harry challenged.
"I would be interested in that, but it will have to wait," Madam Bones cut in. "You're right, Dumbledore. We've got to take care of this and get it rolling before Fudge can stop it."
"Last I checked, Cornelius usually comes into the office a little later than most. Tomorrow being a Sunday may make a difference too. Also, you only need twenty-four of the Wizengamot to try a case of this magnitude. A full summons isn't needed," Dumbledore commented dryly.
A predatory grin slowly came over Bones' face. "Interesting observations, Dumbledore. Can you hold him here for the next twelve hours? I'll leave the manacles on him and we're the only ones with a key."
"I'd be happy to." Dumbledore waved his wand and a door on the side of his office opened up. He floated the unconscious Pettigrew into the room and closed the door. "That's the only way into or out of that room." He waved his wand and the door squelched shut. "And now it's locked."
"Excellent," Bones said with a smile only slightly less feral. "I'll be by personally to pick him up at seven in the morning." She turned a little. "Mr Potter, you won't be needed at the trial tomorrow, but I'll see you here next Saturday at ten in the morning to view a memory. Please meet me in the entrance hall."
"Yes, Director."
"I'll be sure he's there and then take us to a private room," Dumbledore smoothly said.
Harry was not sure he appreciated that and it looked like Madam Bones did not either, but she did not argue.
"Thank you, everyone," Bones said before she led the Aurors away via the Floo network.
"I also thank you for correcting an injustice Harry, Miss Granger, and Miss Weasley. As it is not for a school function, I can not give points, but perhaps if I can talk Professor Lupin into it, would a day for the four of you in Hogsmeade be a suitable reward?"
Harry looked back and forth. Seeing two bright smiles, he answered, "Yes, Headmaster, that would be very nice. If my godfather could make it, that would be even better."
Dumbledore chuckled. "I'll see what I can do. You three run along and enjoy your day. I believe you can still make lunch if you hurry." Harry led the girls out.
As they neared the Great Hall, Hermione could not wait any longer. "Harry, you realize there were two questions he wouldn't answer?"
"Yes," he calmly said.
"How can you be so calm about it?" Ginny asked.
"Because I think I can get one answer out of him soon, and I have a feeling he wouldn't answer because the two questions are related. So if I can get him to answer one, I'll have the answer to the other one as well."
Ginny started to giggle. "Don't look now, Harry, but I think Hermione is rubbing off on you. You're starting to sound just like her." The other two blushed.
Harry led them into the Great Hall and over to their usual places. Ron moved over as they sat down. "Well?" he asked.
"Give us time to eat, and we'll go somewhere and explain. This is too public," Harry told him.
Ron looked a little upset, but nodded.
After lunch, the three and Ron found an unused classroom, where Harry explained that Scabbers was really Pettigrew. Ron did not want to believe them, so Harry took him to see McGonagall. When their Head of House confirmed it and asked Ron not to say anything, he finally understood they were not pulling a prank on him. At the end, he got mad at the Animagus for tricking him. Harry smoothed Ron's ruffled feathers by telling him Sirius would get him a new pet at the store in Diagon Alley. If Sirius did not, Harry would.