I Open at the Close

4

"This is Peter Pettigrew." Harry glared at Peter, "He killed my parents." His wand still pointed at the pathetic man cowering in front of him.

"What?" Younger Ron stumbled back from Peter, a horrified expression on his face.

Peter looked around the room, four wands were pointed at him. He'd fallen to the floor when he transformed back, he up sat on his hands and knees. Dumbledore glared down at him, a fire behind his eyes.

"Tell me Peter." Dumbledore said calmly, "What were you doing posing as Mr. Weasley's pet rat?"

"Sirius Black!" Peter choked out, still on the ground, "He wanted me dead! I was afraid for my own life!" He clasped his hands together, "Please Dumbledore! He killed James and Lily! I didn't want to be next!"

"Liar!" Harry screamed

Peter flinched, "What's going on?" He whimpered

"We're from the future." Ron growled, still holding his wand up, "We found out about you ages ago."

Peter's hands shook, he inched backwards towards the door. His eyes tearing up as he looked around the room. He finally landed on Younger Ron.

"I was a good pet." He reached a shaking hand towards the boy, "Didn't you think?"

Just before he could reach Younger Ron, red sparks shot by his hand.

"Stay away from him." Harry warned, "I won't miss next time."

"Will someone tell us what's going on?" Younger Harry demanded, "Who do you mean he killed my- your parents? Voldemort killed them!"

Harry ignored Peter's whimper at the sound of Voldemort's name, "He told Voldemort where they were hiding." He kept his wand on Peter but moved his head to look at Younger Harry, "If he hadn't Voldemort wouldn't have been able to find them."

Snape walked forward, his wand trained on Peter. A strange fire was in his eyes.

"Sirius Black," Harry paused, "Our godfather, was framed because everyone thought he was the one keeping their secret," He glanced at Dumbledore who was nodding solemnly, "Now that we've got Peter we can get Sirius out of Azkaban. He'll be able to explain the details of it all better."

"What Azkaban?" Younger Hermione furrowed her eyebrows, looking at her friends

"Wizard prison." Younger Ron said, "Dad says it's real bad."

Hermione stepped forward as well, swishing her wand. Suddenly Peter's hands and feet were bound by invisible rope.

"Did you contact the ministry?" Ron looked at Dumbledore

Dumbledore smiled, "The moment Harry opened the door."

"Good." Harry squeezed the wand, being sure to not drop it or allow Peter to snatch it.

The paintings on the wall had their attention fixated on the scene taking place. Harry could hear that the faux snoring had stopped.

"The three of you can be off now." Dumbledore said behind Harry, "Enjoy the rest of your free period."

"That's it?" Younger Ron asked, "We give you my rat, you tell us he's a murderer and we're supposed to go on about our day?" He demanded

"Ron." Younger Hermione pleaded

"What did you mean by he killed my- your parents?" Younger Harry said in a quiet voice, the first he'd spoken since Peter was revealed

Harry sighed, taking his gaze from Peter, to look at his younger self. Younger Harry was looking up at him. He was so small. Those green eyes seemed so large on that small body.

Harry felt a pang in his chest. This was who he was really trying to save, wasn't it? To keep himself from experiencing all he'd experienced. And yet, here he was. Forcing himself to experience something that still haunted him. At so much younger.

"I'm sorry." Harry said, "I'm sorry I did this, this way. You deserve answers."

He glanced back at the other four adults in the room. Ron, Hermione and Snape all still had their wands pointed at Peter. A part of Harry regretted telling Snape about what Peter had done. Snape may have held a portion of the responsibility, but so did Peter and Snape wouldn't be able to forgive that.

"Is there somewhere I can take him?" Harry asked Dumbledore, gesturing towards Younger Harry, "To explain this?"

"Why not the Room of Requirement?" Ron asked

Hermione nodded, "None of the students know about it yet." She said, "None that we know anyway." She added

"A good idea." Dumbledore nodded, "Best to go now. While most of the students are in class." He looked at Younger Harry, "I will let Professor Flitwick know you won't be able to make it due to personal reasons."

"Can we come too?" Younger Ron asked

"No." Harry said, "I'm sorry," He added before Younger Ron could protest, "But I know he'll tell you two immediately anyway. This needs to be just us."

Harry gave one last cold look to Peter, then escorted Younger Harry out of the room.