A Potter Secret

Evidence

Hermione's shadow ripples against the curtain that encircles Harry's bed. A hand reaches out, Harry's hand, and sweeps the curtain aside. Ron lies opposite, his leg bandaged. Hermione paces. Stops. "Harry-" Hermione calls.

"I saw my dad," Harry says.

"What?" Hermione asks.

"He sent the Dementors away I saw him. Across the lake," Harry continues. Hermione exchanges a private glance with Ron, turns back.

"Listen, Harry. They've captured Sirius. Any minute the Dementors are going to perform the Kiss," Hermione explains.

"The Kiss?" Harry questions.

"It's what Dementors do to those they want to destroy. They clamp their jaws over the victim's mouth and suck out his soul," Hermione says.

"You mean, they're going to kill Sirius?"

"No. It's worse. Much worse. You go on living. But you have no memory. No sense of self. You're just a shall. An empty shell-" As Harry reacts, the door opens and Dumbledore enters. "Headmaster! You've got to stop them! They've got the wrong man!"

"It's true, sir. Sirius is innocent-"

"It's Scabbers who did it!" Ron interjects.

"Scabbers?" Dumbledore asks.

"My rat, sir. Only he's not really Well, he was a rat. You a rat. See, he used to be my brother Percy's-" Ron starts.

"The point is we know the truth. Please, sir, you must believe us," Hermione pleads.

"I do, Miss Granger. But I'm sorry to say the word of three thirteen-year-old wizards will convince few others. A child's voice, however honest and true, is meaningless to those who have forgotten how to listen," Dumbledore explains. As Dumbledore turns to the window, a shooting star plummets silently through the sky. "Ah a shooting star. If ever one was to make a wish, now would be the time. But time, I'm afraid, is precisely our pro-" The door is pushed open, interrupting Dumbledore as they all turn.

A small creature, covered from head to toe in mud limps in. A rat is dragged along by its tail behind the creature. The creature sways a little as it walks through the hall before stopping in from of Harry and Hermione. Hermione grabs the rat carefully looking it over as Harry looks over the creature. "Izzy?" he whispers. Harry grabs a sheet quickly and picks Isabella up, trying to wipe off the mud. "Izzy, what happened? You're hurt." Isabella looks up at him for a moment before her eyes flutter and she falls limp in Harry's arms. "Izzy? Izzy?!"

"Madam Pomfrey!" Hermione cries as Harry continues to try and clean her up. "Madam Pomfrey!"

Madam Pomfrey runs in and immediately recognizes the kitten in Harry's arms. "Set her down on the bed. I'll need to force her out of her Animagus form."

Harry does as he's instructed and sits beside her as Madam Pomfrey works. "Harry," Hermione says. "She- she did it. This is Pettigrew! We can free Sirius!"

Harry smiles and stands up. "Professor-"

"Well, isn't it great that the Minister of Magic himself and Amelia Bones will be here to discuss Sirius's crimes," Professor Dumbledore says, transfiguring a cage. "I'll make sure things are worked out to the best of my abilities."

"I'd like to be there, sir," Harry insists.

Dumbledore nods. "Of course, Harry, but shouldn't you stay with your sister. Isabella needs you right now."

Harry looks between Peter and Isabella, conflicted. "I'll stay with Isabella," Hermione assures. "She'll be alright. You need to be there." Harry nods and follows Professor Dumbledore out.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Harry sits in the office with Professor Dumbledore, Minister Fudge and Amelia Bones. He sits silently as they argue and it's looking like Dumbledore is losing the fight. It's almost over as a knock sounds through the door. "Come in," Dumbledore calls. Hermione walks in, carrying Isabella on a pillow in her arms. She seems to be bandaged heavily but she's awake. "Ah, I see we have our furry hero," Dumbledore smiles. "Minister, Amelia, this is the kitten who managed to catch and drag Pettigrew to the castle."

"Izzy," Harry calls mentally. "Izzy, it's not working. They're still going to give Sirius the kiss."

Izzy's head pops up slightly. "Repeat after me, Harry. Verbatim, alright?"

"Got it," Harry replies mentally. Izzy starts feeding him words and he repeats them. "As heir to the Ancient and Noble house of Potter, I ask to see the transcript of Sirius Black's trial, which is my right as the last remaining family of his victims through betrayal," Harry states. "Also as my right, I wish to have the chance to look over these pages prior to further punishment of the defendant in order to ask any questions I may have after reading the file."

Minister Fudge gapes, not expecting someone from the muggle world to understand wizarding politics. "You can't do that. You're underage."

"As the last remaining wizarding relative to his victims, my parents, Lily and James Potter, I have every right to see the evidence against the man my parents trusted enough to make my godfather. If I have any questions, as the family of the victims, I am allowed to question the defendant," Harry continues.

Fudge starts turning colors. "Mr. Potter-"

"Is completely accurate in his statement and the request is completely within his rights," Amelia assures. "As this is the case we came here to discuss, I'm sure we can have this settled before tomorrow. Minister Fudge, please give Mr. Potter the files."

Fudge shakes his head. "And if I refuse."

Amelia crosses her arms. "Must we go through this, Minister? It is within his right to see the trial transcripts. If I must order you, then so be it."

"I believe I know why the minister won't let me see the transcripts," Harry says, still repeating after Isabella. "It's because there are none, are there? Sirius Black was never given a trial. He was assumed to be a Death Eater despite the fact that he has no dark mark and my parent's will, sealed by the Minister directly after their death, clearly states that Peter Pettigrew was the secret keeper. As family of the decedents, I was given access to the will on my eleventh birthday."

"Is this true, Minister?" Amelia demands. "Has Sirius Black been in prison- in Azkaban- without a trial?"

"He is guilty!" Fudge cries. "He killed those people."

"I assure you, Sirius Black will gladly submit to questioning under veritaserum if you can assure him a fair trial and not to send him to Azkaban until after the trial if for some very unlikely reason he is found guilty of a crime he didn't commit," Isabella feeds Harry who continues to copy.

"I will agree to those terms," Amelia assures.

Minister Fudge stands straight. "You will do no such thing. Black is about to receive the kiss within the hour."

"I am placing you under investigation and you will no longer have any say in Sirius Black's trial," Amelia declares. "Professor Dumbledore, if you would please retrieve Mr. Black from his cell on the grounds and bring him here. I believe we have much to discuss."