The Dog and the Duckling//Blackinnon

Fall 1981

Halloween was an occasion where people were likely to drop by unannounced so Marlene, knowing the risk, stayed a duck. But it was the other birds that were acting peculiar that evening. Owls flying back and forth to the point Sirius felt the need to ask someone. He'd been informed of nothing.
"I have to see what all this is about. It's safer if you stay here. I'll be back soon."
She quacked in response, which was always a little funny. But Sirius was too worried to laugh right then. He made his way outside, hopped on his motorbike and flew off. He could have gone anywhere, but Godric's Hollow was always his first thoughts.
When he got there he saw the house's roof was blown off and Hagrid was outside.
"What... happened?"
The half-giant had tears in his eyes.
"He killed 'em. Lily and James. Harry's alive. We can' figure how it happened, but... You-know who's dead. Er jus' vanished."
Sirius felt sick. That rat was going to die.
"You have Harry? I'm his godfather. I have to take him. I can care for him. That's what his parents... would have wanted..."
"Dumbledore's got me droppin 'im with Lily's sister."
"I won't let them have him. I'll be back for you, Harry. I have to go see about a rat."
He kissed the little boy's face and saw the curse scar. That... it looked like a killing curse but... that was impossible.
He didn't take time to think about impossible things. He had to go kill Peter Pettigrew. Sirius felt sure he could do it when the moment came. He hadn't been born to be a good person. He wasn't decent or honorable like James. He would kill Peter without need and never regret it. Some people really deserved to die.
This... was all because he trusted the weak little bastard. If only he'd just done it himself... James and Lily would still be alive. 
He sent a patronus to Marlene. It was quick and to the point. But she should know.
When he tracked Peter down... Everything started spinning. Peter was trying to set him up? All those muggles dead and Peter cut off his own finger.... None of the images were that rapidly flashed before his eyes made any sense. Then the aurors dragged Sirius away.
What did they think he'd done? Was Peter really smart enough to frame him for this? Sirius felt out of touch with reality he might have passed out of maybe someone hit him with a spell. But he closed his eyes and there was nothing for a long while.
~~
Marlene, upon receiving Sirius's patronus about Peter Pettigrew's upcoming demise, ran from the flat in human form to find help. She sent out patronuses to both McGonagall and Dumbledore. They had no idea that she was alive, but none of it mattered.
Marlene understood what Peter Pettigrew had done. What he was doing. She wasn't going to let him frame Sirius for this betrayal. She'd been there. She'd seen the spell done herself. If she hurried maybe they'd catch Pettigrew. Lock him up in Azkaban. Or kill him. She didn't particularly care what happened to the scum, but she cared greatly what happened to Sirius.
She apparated straight to the damned Ministry of Magic. She didn't care that she was supposed to be dead for her own safety. She could worry about that later. She saw everyone... celebrating? What was going on?
She caught Mad-Eye Moody as he was leaving. He looked less than celebratory.
"I don't know if you'll remember me and I know I'm supposed to be dead, but Edgar Bones was my brother-in-law and you need to listen to me."
His grimace was unchanging as his magical eye looked her up and down.
"Well. Go on then. You've got my attention."
"Sirius Black didn't betray the Potters. Peter Pettigrew did. I saw the Fidelius transfer. I could show a memory in front of the wizengamot if I need to. Sirius went after Peter. He's not thinking clearly. Peter will want to make it look like Sirius betrayed the Potters."
"And he just happened to overlook that the Fidelius transfer had a witness? I know the boy isn't the brightest but..."
"I was a duck at the time. I know. I'm in a lot of trouble. Save it. I need you to help me. Do you know where Sirius is now?"
"Of course... she was a duck at the time." He mumbled under his breath as he gestured for Marlene to follow.
"He's already been placed under arrest. He was losing his mind when they picked him up. The report says there were 10 dead muggles and Peter Pettigrew's finger."
"Right. He'll have turned into a rat and run for it. You'll need to be on the lookout for a rat missing a toe."
"Is there anyone involved who is not a bloody unregistered animagus?" Mad eye rolled his magical eye.
"I'm sorry. I don't have time to give excuses... I know you were like a father to Edgar. Edgar was my family too. He believed in justice and fought for it. He wouldn't put a wizard in Azkaban without hearing me out. I have to help Sirius. Are you going to help me?"
"Alright girl. You've done enough convincing. You... look a lot like your sister. She was a great witch. I'm glad you made it out alive. Even if that means I have to write you up for being a duck at the time."
"Who do we need to convince in order to get Sirius out?"
"I have it on good authority that Crouch wants him thrown in Azkaban without trial. I think I can persuade him otherwise. You'll need to do the rest of the convincing at the trial. I'll send an owl to Dumbledore. He'll... well he'll be Dumbledore."
"Thank you. This means a lot to me."
"Don't go all soft on me girl. I have to go speak to Crouch. You'll...figure it out."