Secrets and Consequences

Dumbledore had been trying to find a way to argue his way back into an advantageous position with Harry but he couldn't find one. As he looked into Harry's green eyes he could see the determination that had led the young man through the struggles of the last few years. But he also noticed the eyes had a look of fatigue as well. He could only surmise the young man was truly on the verge of breaking from Hogwarts and possibly magical Britain altogether. Finally he sighed and said. "Follow me then Mr. Potter, Miss Granger. We shall see what Pettigrew has to say," He looked at McGonagall. "Minerva, I'd like to do this privately. Thank you for your assistance and I'll call for you later."

McGonagall glanced from Harry to Dumbledore before finally nodding. "I shall be in my office," She said.

"I'd like to call Sirius. I'm sure he'd like to know we have Wormtail," Harry said as Dumbledore levitated the unconscious traitor and started toward his office.

"I'd prefer that you wait until we hear what Peter has to say," Dumbledore replied. "Though if Sirius were to attempt to assault Pettigrew in revenge, it would allow me to show the Minister that he is unsuitable to be Harry's guardian and guardianship could be returned to the Dursleys," Dumbledore glanced at Harry as they walked down the corridor. "I'm sure that we can invite Sirius to my office before we call the authorities though."

"Thank you sir," Harry answered automatically but looked at Hermione who was walking beside him holding his hand. "Did I mention inviting Sirius here? I only wanted to tell him."

"Probably trying to make an overture to you," Hermione replied. "Make it seems he's giving you more than you asked for."

"I guess."

They walked silently along the corridors and steps, passing a few students who looked curiously at the group. Harry and Hermione were going over the story they had made up just to make sure they were ready for any explanations required. As they passed the Gargoyle and started up the steps, Harry grinned at the thought of Sirius finally getting to see Pettigrew and knowing that he would be there when Wormtail was turned over to the DMLE.

"I just wished Sirius would have had a chance at him. After all of those years in Azkaban he should but we really need this for now. But Peter being in his old cell will feel pretty good for him too. Though I think if he had an equal choice he'd prefer to rip the rat to pieces and feed him to an Acromantula," Harry thought to Hermione.

"We need to stop thinking like that," Hermione insisted. "Yes Peter might deserve it, but I'm afraid if we let revenge start controlling our thoughts we will lose ourselves. Yes those who we know will murder innocent people later need to be dealt with and I imagine we will be responsible for a few more deaths, but we can't start killing people purely for revenge. Besides Pettigrew has done much worse than just betraying Sirius and your parents, he betrayed everyone. He really does need a public trial; let everyone hear from his own mouth what he did."

"You're right," Harry admitted after a couple of seconds. "Though if Dumbledore is going to invite Sirius in, maybe he can at least give the rat a good thumping before the Aurors show up," Harry smiled as he thought of the look on Dumbledore's face if Sirius were to punch the traitor right in front of him. He knew Dumbledore would never allow it to continue and would stop Sirius from actually killing Peter. Harry stumbled as the steps made it to the level of Dumbledore's office as he realized what would happen next. "Love, what do you think Dumbledore would do if Sirius were to attack Peter in his office?"

"He'd stop him of course."

"And…"

Hermione looked at Harry questioningly and then her eyes flew open as she made the same logical conclusion. "He might turn him over to Madam Bones to be prosecuted and that would leave a pathway…"

"For me to return to the Dursleys."

"We're starting to get paranoid now," Hermione said. "He wouldn't really stoop that low would he?"

"Maybe we are," Harry agreed. "But we need to be on guard anytime we're around Dumbledore. I hope once those damn blood wards fail, he'll stop trying to get control of me."

"We can hope."

"Now if you're going to be here," Dumbledore started as he put Pettigrew in a chair and magically bound him. "You must not mention Severus. That's why I did not request Veritaserum from him. There are spies in the Ministry that would hear if Peter tells people that Professor Snape helped me in questioning him."

Harry and Hermione both nodded. They could understand the necessity to leave Snape out of this questioning unlike the end of the fourth year when he helped question Crouch Junior. At that time Snape had not rejoined Voldemort and no one was quite sure what had happened.

The office door closed and the lock sounded with a loud click as Dumbledore sealed his office. "I'm going to bring him around now," Dumbledore said. With a flick of his wand and a softly spoken 'Ennervate' Peter started stirring.

Peter Pettigrew's eyes opened slowly, sluggishly but when he saw the long grey beard of the person in front of him he instantly tried to change into his animagus form.

"Hello Peter," Dumbledore said. "While bound in that chair, you will not be able to change so it does no good to keep trying."

Pettigrew's eyes looked around the room in panic and came to rest on Harry and Hermione. "Harry, so like your father…."

"Shove it Wormtail," Harry snarled. "Yes I'm like my father and if he was here right now, I'm sure he'd kill you on the spot. I should have let Sirius and Remus kill you two years ago. You betrayed your friends."

"I…I had no choice," Peter whined.

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