My Godfather is an Innocent Convict (Rewrite)

Trial and Verdict

The office of the head of Gryffindor House was one of the larger, much more comfortable than the two-toilet-stall wide office of Professor Snape. Perhaps that was why he was so grouchy most of the time.

It didn't matter in that moment, because the office seemed way to small. There were several aurors, many official and three teachers. The headmaster wasn't present, something Harriet was grateful for.

In the middle of the room, sat a man she had seen only in two or three pictures before. There was no doubt about it. This was Peter Pettigrew.

An official turned around. "Wonderful," he said. "Now we can begin. If you would be so kind to had over the evidence and the truth potion."

Harriet gave him both obediently and shuffled over to Remus Lupin who was staring down Pettigrew with an ice cold glare.

"Professor Snape," the official said, "Please assess this potion."

Snape took the vial and studied it, holding it to the light and listening to the contents swish around. Harriet shrank into Remus' side. She kind of wished she wasn't there. Unconsciously, she grabbed onto his sleeve.

"It's good work." Snape said. "I would expect nothing less from my students."

He stepped back.

The ministry official held out the potion. "Are you going to drink this willingly?" he asked Pettigrew.

"Sir- " Pettigrew sniffed, "Please - I-"

"Give it to him," the official ordered.

A man, probably an auror stepped forward and forced the potion into Pettigrew's mouth, covering both that and his nose so he had no choice but to swallow it.

"I- "Pettigrew tried again.

"Commence questioning." The official took a seat. Harriet noticed a woman scribbling into a notepad. A court sonographer?

"Were you Lily and James Potter's secret keeper?" The first question was asked.

Pettigrew looked like he was struggling, "Yes."

"Did you betray them?"

"Yes."

"Who did you tell their location to?"

"I was ordered to give it to Li Cheng and  Courtney Whitmore." Pettigrew looked like he was in pain.

Harriet didn't care. He deserved it. What caught her attention were the names Cheng and Whitmore. Specifically Cheng. Perhaps this could be a way to keep Amina's parents in prison.

"Who ordered it?" That was a good question. Harriet listened up.

"A - a benefactor." Pettigrew said.

"You didn't know the name?" The official frowned.

"Yes."

"What was the name?"

"Lord Phoenix." Pettigrew said.

That was cheesy. Really cheesy. Harriet knew finding an alias was difficult but really? Lord Phoenix? That was all too easy to connect.

Still, it did complicate things.

If Dumbledore had ordered Pettigrew to give information to two well known deatheaters, then that was a reason to give them parole.

"Did you kill those muggles?" The official then asked.

"Yes. I blew up the street."

"So Sirius Black is innocent?"

"Yes, I framed him." Pettigrew gasped.

If Harriet hadn't been holding onto him, Remus would have attacked him. Right then and there. No fucks given. Judging by the way she tightened her grip, he figured she must have known. He glanced ate her. She was pale and it was unclear wether she was shaking in fear or anger. Gently, he pulled Harriet behind him a little more.

The ministry asked more and more questions until, finally, their curiosity had been satisfied.

Pettigrew was marched out of the room in chains, still pleading pitifully. Harriet just watched, not sure what to do.

The verdict had been pretty clear. Sirius Black was innocent and would be paid in retribution. Peter Pettigrew was the real criminal and would be condemned to a dementors kiss.

"What's a dementors kiss?" Harriet asked quietly, from where she was sitting.

"A dementors kiss is possibly the worst punishment the wizarding world has." Professor McGonagall said evenly. "It means that a dementor sucks out the soul of a person through their mouth."

"Do they die?"

"No, but they aren't exactly alive either." McGonagall declared, "This can have numerous issues. The first is that, in the unlikely event that someone's magic doesn't leave with their soul, you get a cursed corpse. The second is that the person can become a soul eater if not handled properly. The third is even less likely than the first two."

"What is it?" Harriet asked curiously.

"It's forbidden to speak of."

"Oh."

Why had she mentioned it then?

"Now," Professor McGonagall set her teacup down, "You have the next two days off. So do your friends. Don't take this as a reward for the reckless stupidity you have shown over the past three years and instead use it to reflect. That's all. You are dismissed. My colleagues and I need to have a chat."

Harriet nodded glumly and left the room. Why was she being scolded for saving the day?

Lupin gave her an encouraging smile on the way out.