Hermione and Harry stood near the door in case they needed to stop Peter from escaping. They kept their eyes on the rat as Madam Bones cast her first charm.
'Well, it's definitely a wizard, so I will make sure there are a couple of aurors outside the door, in case we need it.'
Harry and Hermione nodded then watched as Madam Bones use something like an office intercom to speak with her secretary. When she got the signal that there were two aurors outside her door she removed the stunned rat from the cage then placed the rat at the side of her office. Harry and Hermione smiled when she cast a charm to keep Peter locked inside the shield. The moment she cast the reversal animagus spell the rat began to change into a balding fat man.
'Peter Pettigrew,' Amelia glared then hit the button on her desk, she gestured for Harry and Hermione to move then she removed the locking spell from her door. The two aurors stepped into the room with wands in their hands, 'This is Peter Pettigrew who we all believed was murdered by Sirius Black. Now, Mr. Potter here has a letter that his father left him stating that Peter was the secret keeper not Sirius Black. Auror Shacklebolt, check him for the dark mark.'
The tall Black auror moved just inside the shield charm then pulled up the sleeve of the stunned man. Even though it was faded, everyone could see the dark mark on his arm.
'It's time to get Sirius Black out of Azkaban and give him another trial.'
'Um, ma'am, my mother told me her cousin, Sirius Black, never received a trial. He wasn't even questioned, just sent to Azkaban. My mother tried to see about getting him a trial but Mr. Crouch and Minister Bagnold said he was guilty.'
'So you're mother never believed Sirius joined the death eaters?'
'No ma'am, she said Sirius would have died for James Potter.'
'We have much work to do. Auror Shacklebolt, I want him to be shackled using magic supressing ankle shackles.'
'I will go retrieve a pair now ma'am.'
'Even though children your age normally cannot perform the animagus revealing spell I have to say that I am pleased you were able to bring this information to light. Now the real murderer and the one that betrayed your parent's Mr. Potter, will finally get what he deserves.'
'We're glad to help ma'am, I just didn't realise how helpful we were going to be. I hope it means my parents can rest in peace now he has been caught.'
'I'm sure they will. Now, I will need to take your statements on how you found Peter Pettigrew and if it's alright with you, I would like to make a copy of this letter.'
'Oh sure ma'am. Will we have to testify in court?'
'Not in court, no, but as you are both minor's you will be questioned on the day of the trial in a room connected to the court room.'
'Will I be able to see my godfather?'
'I will arrange a meeting then send you an owl.'
'Um, ma'am, I noticed you use an intercom and what looks like a phone. We live in a non-magical house with a phone,' Hermione said acting all nervous.
'Then I will get your phone number and ring you. But if I may ask, why is Mr. Potter living in your home Miss Granger?'
Hermione looked at Harry who lowered his head as he nodded, 'Harry was being abused by his muggle relatives. When my parent's saw it they intervened. They gave up their rights to Harry then my parent's adopted him. The Dursley's headed overseas before they could be charged.'
'I'm sorry you had to go through that Mr. Potter. I know you said you were raised by muggles so even though I was curious it is not my place to ask why. If you are happy with Miss Granger's family then I'm pleased your situation was sorted out.'
'I am happy with the Granger's ma'am.'
Harry and Hermione finished their business with Madam Bones, they left the ministry and headed straight home.
'She's going to make sure Sirius is cleared. But Tonks, I didn't know she knew he was innocent until after Dumbledore formed the order of the phoenix.'
'Maybe that's why she joined. I know she wasn't happy with some of Dumbledore's decisions but she got to spend time with Sirius and Remus. Let's hope they still get together in this life.'
'I'm sure they will.'
Harry and Hermione went outside to have a swim, but Hermione could tell there was something on Harry's mind.
'Talk Harry.'
Harry sighed, 'Okay, Sirius will be free, we know that. We got the rat so he can't help Voldemort return. We've worked out how to get McGonagall to see Crouch. Its Snape and people like Malfoy. I don't want to put up with that man Hermione, if I have to I'm sure I will do something to make the old man suspicious.'
'Then let's make sure he's dealt with. Snape killed Dumbledore so we know he's really not on our side so he needs to be taken care of. He was also the one who told Voldemort about the prophecy in the first place. We've said it Harry, it's time we did whatever we have to or things could end up dangerous again. We're willing to use things like the imperius curse and the dark potion, so let's just make sure that man is punished since he got away before. With Malfoy, well, we could try a few things to give him a warning but a dangerous warning. We could make sure he knows that if he doesn't change his way then he will find the punishments getting worse.'
'Fred and George were joking one day, they said they would like to hang him outside from one of the towers. Not hang as it killing him, but by his ankles. They knew he would piss himself when he woke up.'
'Then we do that, but we plan others as well. We could have him spread eagle and stuck to the wall in the great hall, but he's naked, or just in his underwear.'
Harry grinned, 'Okay, that's Malfoy taken care of, now Snape. If we want to make sure he can't be at Hogwarts then we need to do something, like damaging his hands.'
'I believe we need to get rid of him completely Harry. Like I said, he killed Dumbledore, he helped Malfoy. He wanted Sirius kissed just because he couldn't let go of his grudge. He was also the one that relayed the prophecy to Voldemort which got your parent's killed.'
'I want him punished and if we kill him then I wouldn't lose any sleep about it.'
'Now that's worked out, let's have a swim and enjoy ourselves. Mum and dad were right, taking a few hours away from all our plans does help us relax and it helps us work on other plans.'
For the rest of the afternoon, Harry and Hermione had a good time in the pool. They both hated the fact they were in eleven year old bodies especially after the time they spent in the tent. They got used to seeing each other naked and even sleeping with each other every night. Now they had to keep their clothes on and sleep in separate rooms.
Harry ended up speaking about an idea to get rid of Quirrell, shoot him. So Dan ended up teaching not just Harry how to shoot but also Hermione. Dan thought if they needed to escape or fight then using something that most magicals didn't know about would give them an advantage. It didn't take them long to learn, then Dan was able to get them a small gun each. They planned to keep them at the Grangers, but use the cabinets when it was time to deal with Quirrell. Harry still wasn't sure if his touch would do anything so they needed a backup plan, the gun was that plan.
Hermione and Harry got their letters about the trial for Sirius. In Harry's letter from Madam Bones, she wrote that Harry would be able to spend some time with his godfather, which might be in St Mungo's, depending on how the man's health was. Harry and Hermione knew Sirius would be fine but they had to act like they didn't know he was an animagus.
The Grangers couldn't go into the ministry with Hermione and Harry, but Madam Bones wrote that they would have two aurors escorting them and one staying with them the whole time. Hermione had worked on a charm to help her parent's, Harry had performed the magic. They worked on two charmed necklaces so Dan and Emma could see magical things like Hogwarts, even magical creatures, like thestrals and dragons. The necklaces were also charmed to be a port key. They did that mainly so the Grangers had what they needed, if it was needed, but they didn't want anyone to know if they didn't have to.
Hermione and Harry used the floo in the Leaky Cauldron this time. When they stepped into the ministry, the two aurors who had been in the office the day Peter was revealed were standing there. Both aurors smiled then stood on either side of Harry and Hermione. They explained where they were going and how no one will be permitted in the room with them. They will have an enchanted wall where they can watch the proceedings and also answer questions if it was needed.
Harry and Hermione took their seats, the two aurors left but auror Tonks would be standing outside the door. They could see into the courtroom, it was already filling up with members of the wizengamot, the press and just some people that wanted to see the court case.
Once Madam Bones began speaking about the evidence she had it had many people asking why Sirius Black wasn't given a trial ten years ago. Fudge tried many ways to discredit Bones and Black, it just made him look incompetent then it made him look like he was trying to hide something.
Once Peter Pettigrew was shackled to the chair and given veritaserum, he instantly told the truth about the Potters and the muggles he killed. Sirius was cleared of all charges, he was also going to be compensated for the ten years he spent in Azkaban. Five thousand galleons for every month he spent in the wizard prison. He would have all his belongings returned to him along with his wand. Peter Pettigrew was sentenced to the dementors kiss. Harry and Hermione could tell Dumbledore wasn't happy that Sirius was free, so they knew the old man was either involved with Sirius going to Azkaban or he just didn't bother trying to get him free. It wasn't proof but to Harry and Hermione, it was enough for them to know the old man did try to keep Sirius and Harry apart.
Harry and Hermione looked up when the door opened, Harry couldn't contain himself. The last time he saw Sirius was when he was killed. He got up and he ran to Sirius, throwing his arms around his godfather.
'Paddy.'
'Harry,' Sirius began to cry as he held his godson.
Hermione, Tonks and Madam Bones watched as Sirius Black and Harry Potter were reunited. Hermione knew this would be emotional on Harry, especially after seeing Sirius killed in the department of mysteries.
Hermione caught a glimpse of Albus Dumbledore who looked like he wanted to interrupt, but four more aurors were outside the door, preventing him from entering the room.
'It's time to for you three to leave,' Amelia held out a drink bottle, 'It will take you to your back garden, Miss Granger.'
'Thank you ma'am,' Hermione smiled then stood with Harry and Sirius, 'Let's go home.'
'I'll explain soon Sirius, let's just get out of here.'
'I'm with you there pup,' Sirius turned to Amelia, 'Thank you again Madam Bones.'
'You're welcome, now go, get to know each other.'
Harry, Hermione and Sirius felt the pull the moment Amelia tapped the bottle with her wand. She smiled as she left the room. The three that disappeared fell into a heap when they arrived in the garden.