章 54: The Truth
Artland sat there for a bit and didn't say anything, "... so you are innocent? Why not fight for your innocence?"
"It was my punishment for killing the Potters and trusting Pettigrew." Sirius said defeated.
"That is a weak attitude. You should have fought, proved your innocence. Hunt down the escaped Death Eaters. Anything but rot in Azkaban to atone for your mistakes." Art shook his head in disappointment. He looked at Sirius with pity and stood up before walking away.
"Where are you going?"
"To prove your innocence." Art said, leaving Sirius tied up. He stopped and looked at Sirius, "My family was killed in front of me by Voldemort himself. I didn't hide from the world for 13 years. You were fearless and fought against Voldemort. Did losing your best friend destroy your will?"
Sirius' face contorted with rage then sadness before saying, "I don't know… with James and Lily dead… I felt like I needed to atone for not realize it sooner."
"So you atone by rotting in Azkaban? You're Harry's godparent, atone by taking care of him. Raising him instead of those abusive muggles. Being there for him instead of Azkaban where the world thinks you betrayed your best friend. You couldn't face the guilt and took the easy way out." Art said harshly, not sparing Sirius' feelings.
Sirius was about to argue but hung his head again. "... is he happy?"
"He is an excellent wizard. Little reckless but a good person even after being raised by those muggles." Art said with a smile, "I'll be right back."
Art saw that the Quidditch game was still going and ran by the pitch. He suddenly felt a cold chill in the air, looking up he saw black figures hovering over the pitch with dark clouds and rain. Art saw three patronuses appear in the air, two magpies and a wolf.
They chased some dementors away but there were too many. Art took out his wand and bellowed, "Expecto Patronum!"
A large Thunderbird erupted from his wand and flew towards the dementors. The dementors felt danger from the Thunderbird and started to flee. The coldness disappeared as the dementors vanished and Art put his wand appear with a sneer.
'Disgusting creatures.'
He left the pitch quickly and headed towards the Common Room. Taking out the map he looked for Peter Pettigrew. According to Sirius, Peter disguised himself as the Weasley's pet rat for 13 years.
He soon saw his name with Ron Weasley at the game and decided to wait for him to enter the Common Room. To Art's surprise Ron made his way towards the hospital wing with Fred, George and the rest of the Gryffindor team.
Art closed the map and headed towards the hospital wing. He sent a patronus to Dumbledore and Lupin that he needed to see both of them in the Hospital Wing. Art soon arrived and saw that Madam Pomfrey was kicking them out of the room. Seeing Ron, Art grabbed his arm and pulled him aside much to the confusion and curiosity of others.
"I need Scabbers." Art said plainly.
"S-scabbers? But why?" Ron stuttered a little surprised.
"I just need him Ron. Give him to me." Art's voice hardened.
Ron was about to refuse when Ron's pockets started to squirm and Peter quickly broke free and tried to make a break for it.
"Oh no you don't!" Art said, whipping out his wand.
Peter almost made it around the corner before he was stunned. Art then used magical bindings and made him fly into his hand.
"What are you doing with Scabbers!?" Ron said angrily, trying to take Scabbers from Art.
Art pushed Ron aside, causing him to fall over, and headed out of the hospital wing. He saw Dumbledore and Lupin walking together with concerned faces.
"Art, are you alright?"
"What happened?"
They asked at the same time.
"Please follow me." Art said in a low voice.
The quidditch team and Ron's gazes were on him as he talked to Dumbledore and Lupin. Ron was furious and turned towards the twins. "What the hell is wrong with your friend!?"
"Shut it Ron, can't you see something important is happening?" Fred scowled at him.
Ron didn't respond but he still looked pissed.
Exiting the castle, Dumbledore pulled his arm and stopped him. "What is it Art?" he asked seriously.
"I caught Sirius Black." Art said, shrugging off Dumbledore's grip.
Dumbledore looked shocked while Lupin paled slightly and his hands started to shake.
"You caught him?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes. But I am more interested on why he was sent to Azkaban."
"He is a Death Eater. He murdered many people." Lupin said weakly.
"What evidence? A few muggle witnesses? And no trial? You were head chief of Wizengamot and you didn't even give him a trial?" Art's temper seemed to be on the rise.
"Things were different back then Art… they were dark times." Lupin said weakly.
"Dark times? That's the excuse? Well I will let you tell Sirius that he spent 13 years in Azkaban because the times were dark." Art took out Peter from his pocket and showed it to Dumbledore and Lupin. "Sirius is innocent, this is your killer and the reason the Potters died."
Lupin stared at the rat before his eyes went wide. "P-peter!?"
Dumbledore's eyes seemed to flash and quickly took out his wand. Peter dropped out of Art's hand as he was forced to shift back into his human form. A small man in rags with a mousy face appeared in front of them.
"Dumbledore… you must save me. The boy wants to kill me!" he squeaked in fear, trying to crawl away from Art but the magical restraints were still in place.
"How are you still alive?" Lupin looked like he was i'll.
"It was you… you were the Secret Keeper for the Potters, not Sirius." Dumbledore muttered.
Art didn't want to say anything more and headed towards the forest, thinking that Sirius deserved to be part of the conversation. Dumbledore and Lupin followed him closely, wanting to get to the bottom of this.
They entered the forest and saw a man in rags with a gaunt face tied up with tree roots. Art waved his wand and released the roots, giving Sirius his freedom. His eyes darted to Dumbledore, fear and uncertainty on his face. When he saw Lupin his eyes went sad but had an edge.
He focused back on Artland and asked with a hoarse voice, "Did you find him?"
Art nodded and waved his wand, making Peter appear from behind a tree. Sirius' face contorted with rage and lunged at Peter who struggled against his magical bindings.
Dumbledore stopped him with a wave of his wand. "Sirius, we need to answer some questions now." he said softly.
"Now you want to ask questions!?" Sirius spat, not taking his eyes off Peter.
"Sirius, we need to find out what happened that night." Lupin said.
"Oh you believe that I betrayed Lily and James!? That I am Voldemort's number one follower!?"
Lupin's face went ashen as he couldn't look at Sirius.
Dumbledore cleared his throat and looked at Peter seriously. "Time for answers Peter."
"W-what do you mean? H-he tried to kill me so I hid for 13 years. He is the Dark Lord's f-follower." Peter stammered, giving fearful glances at Dumbledore and Sirius.
"Voldemort's follower!? Me!? Hahaha! What? Still don't like hearing your Master's name?" Sirius mocked, seeing Peter flinch at Voldemort's name.
"D-don't know what you're talking about." Peter muttered.
"You always liked powerful friends. In school it was Jame, Lupin and I but after you set your sights higher." Sirius sneered, "I should have seen you for the cowardly rat you are from the beginning."
Artland walked over and poured a few drops of Veritaserum in Peter's mouth.
"Now let's hear the truth."
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