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Hidden Family	By : vinsmouse Category: Harry Potter Crossovers > General - Misc Views: 17507 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Biggles, not making any money, just cheap thrills.

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Chapter XLIII
9th November, 1993
Hogwarts Defence Office
A foot from the cage Remus came to a sudden stop, staring hard at the rat within the cage. It looked like, but how could this rat be Peter when everybody knew Peter was dead? Casting lumos Remus moved a bit closer, examining the rat as closely as he could without removing it from the cage. He must have gasped for Ron spoke, breaking the strained silence.
"What is it Professor? Scabbers isn't going to die is he?"
Only if my suspicions prove out, Remus thought. He didn't say this, however, no need to alarm the child yet. "I don't believe Scabbers is suffering from anything fatal. I'm not sure exactly what is wrong with him though, would you mind if I kept him for a bit? I may need to consult with some of the other professors."
Ron glanced between his obviously upset rat and Professor Lupin. He didn't like the idea of leaving his pet behind when he was so agitated. On the other hand Ron wanted his pet's health to improve and he certainly had no idea what to do for the thing. "I guess that would be okay Professor, how long do you think it will take?"
"That's difficult to say Mr. Weasley but I shouldn't think it would take more than a day or two at most to determine your pet's difficulty."
"That should be alright then," Ron agreed. Without another word he handed the rat, cage and all, over to his teacher. "It'll be alright Scabbers, you'll see," he soothed the rat as he relinquished the cage. "You'll let me know when you've fixed him up?"
"Of course Mr. Weasley," Remus assured the boy. "Off with you now." The moment the child left the room Remus closed and locked the door. Though he knew the rat couldn't transform within the cage; that is if he was in fact Peter Pettigrew, Remus stunned the creature as a precaution before setting the cage on his desk.
Picking up the bowl of floo powder he tossed some into the fire, sticking his head into the flames after they turned green. "Professor McGonagall," he called.
Minerva looked up from the book she was reading. It wasn't often that she had the time for private pursuits and hated any interruptions. She deftly hid her irritation as she turned to the fire. She could only hope whatever the problem it would be quickly solved. "Yes Professor Lupin, what can I do for you?"
"Could you step through to my office please?"
"Of course." Minerva waited for Remus to move aside before flooing through to the defence office. If she was surprised to see her former student glaring at a small rat lying in a cage she hid it well. "What seems to be the problem Professor?"
Remus sighed. Where to begin? "I have a bit of a story to tell you Professor."
"And does your story involve this rat?"
"Yes, but it is a bit long if you would care to take a seat," Remus pulled out a chair for the older woman.
"Well I must say I'm curious." Minerva sat and patiently waited for Remus to gather his thoughts.
"You will know, of course, of my affliction," Remus began after several minutes had passed. At a nod from Minerva he continued. "I was very lucky, much more so than others of my kind. I had thought nothing better could ever happen to me when Headmaster Dumbledore arranged for me to attend Hogwarts, I was exceedingly grateful for the chance at an education. I never imagined, couldn't allow myself to think, that I might find friends here as well."
Minerva smiled sadly, she well remembered the friends Mr. Lupin had found at Hogwarts.
"I would have considered myself blessed to have found one friend; instead I found three of the best friends anybody could ever hope to have." Remus unashamedly brushed aside a stray tear as he thought of their fates. "What you didn't know, nobody knew, was the lengths they went to as my friends."
"What do you mean Remus?" Minerva's curiosity was growing with each word the man spoke.
"When James and the others found out about my condition I expected them to turn their backs on me. It is what most adults would do and we were only children. They surprised me, however, Sirius," Remus had trouble getting the name out, "asked why I should expect them to leave just because I had a furry little problem once a month." Remus paused here, needing to get himself under control. "The three of them began working immediately, researching ways to help me. Not surprisingly, given their determination, they found one. It was, frankly, an insane idea and only those boys could have managed it."
Minerva raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly did they manage Mr. Lupin?" she asked in her most stern manner.
"They became animagi," Remus replied, grinning as his old teacher's mouth fell open.
Minerva floundered, her mouth opening and closing of its own accord as she struggled to believe what Remus had told her. Three boys, not yet out of school, had managed to become animagi? That in itself was an unheard of accomplishment, that they had done so without instruction and survived the experience was nothing short of miraculous. Looking once more at the rat a sudden thought occurred to her, bringing her to her feet, wand in hand. "This rat, is it who I suspect?"
"I doubt that very much. You suspect he is Black?"
"Of course, who else?"
"Peter," was the simple answer.
"Pettigrew? But he's dead," Minerva was astonished, "isn't he?"
"I believed so, until a student brought me his pet rat."
Minerva directed a questioning look at her former student.
"To begin with this rat was found by the boy's older brother twelve years ago. I've never heard of a rat living so long, not even a magical one, have you?"
"No," Minerva directed her attention back to the rat, glaring hard.
"Secondly when I began to approach the cage the rat became quite agitated. This behaviour seemed curious but it was only when I was closer that I realized the creature looked familiar and then I saw that one of his toes is missing. You'll remember that all that was found of Peter was a finger. I didn't think of it at the time but I did wonder later why they found such a small piece of my friend when none of the other victims were so thoroughly obliterated?"
Minerva turned startled eyes to Remus, "But why should Peter hide in his animagus form all these years?"
"That is precisely what I am left wondering. What do you think we should do?"
"I think first we must determine if this rat is an animagi or a simple rat." Waving her wand Minerva removed the stunned rat from its cage and cast a spell that would force it to transform if it wasn't a rat. If it was a rat it would do it no harm. She wasn't overly surprised when the rat transformed into a short, fat, balding man. "Merlin, it's true," she whispered.
Seeing the rat Remus growled. There was no logical reason for Peter to hide like this or fake his death. Knowing now that Peter lived Remus' agile mind quickly made the connections which led to a horrifying conclusion. But if Sirius was innocent how could a trial have failed to uncover that fact?
"Calm down Remus," Minerva commanded. If they were to learn the truth then Peter must continue to live. "I think we must contact Amelia Bones and allow her to question Mr. Pettigrew."
"Yes, yes of course," Remus said, pulling in his anger with difficulty. "Shall I do that?"
Minerva shook her head. "It would be better if I make the request. You will be alright?"
Remus knew what she was really asking. "Don't worry, I won't kill him. I want answers after all myself."
Minerva offered him a humourless smile. "I shall see to contacting Amelia then." Minerva turned back suddenly. "I do have one question Remus."
"Yes?"
"If you were aware Sirius is an animagi why didn't you inform anybody?"
Remus blushed, "I honestly didn't think of it. I didn't suppose he could still transform after more than a decade in Azkaban."
Minerva nodded, she couldn't fault the reasoning. Turning back to the fire she went through to her office where she would see to contacting Amelia.
TBC...
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Hidden Family