The Reveal

 In the end he decided to take the cautious route. He still had no idea of how other people's magic was. Just looking at Petunia and Vernon's wouldn't be of any help. It was better to make sure that he got everything done before confronting Pettigrew. 

Dumbledore, Remus, and Aurors. That should be fine right?

Harry's mind raced as he continued his talk with the Weasleys. He had already used his magical energy to see that Ron had put the cage back in his room and it was locked properly. A plan began to form in his mind, and his eyes fell on a piece of parchment that was on the tea table. 

He quickly grabbed it and got a quill from his pouch and started writing. 

Mrs. Weasley, (do not read it aloud)

This is a matter of life and death. I need your help urgently and I hope you trust me enough to follow these instructions. Please announce that you're going out to the village shop to fetch groceries or something. Once out of sight, contact Dumbledore and Mr. Weasley immediately. Inform Dumbledore that he must come to the Burrow with Remus Lupin and an Auror as soon as possible. This concerns an innocent man's life, and the fugitive who framed him. 

Please do not alarm anyone. I'll explain everything once they arrive. And please keep on behaving normally. 

Harry folded the parchment neatly and passed it to Mrs. Weasley under the guise of handing her something he'd found on the table. "I think this might've been left here by one of the twins," he smiled. 

Everyone else was about to say that it was clearly something Harry wrote on it and handed it to her, when Harry looked at everyone and put a finger to his lips and shook his head to let them know that they shouldn't speak about this. 

Mrs. Weasley's eyes widened slightly as she unfolded the note and read it. Her hand flew to her mouth, stifling a gasp. She glanced at Harry, who met her gaze with a calm but firm nod. Quickly composing herself, she tucked the parchment into her apron pocket and smiled nervously.

"Oh dear," Mrs. Weasley exclaimed loudly, moving toward the kitchen. "I've just realized I'm out of a few key ingredients for lunch. I'll have to run down to the village shop and fetch them. Boys," she added, looking pointedly at the twins, "no chaos while I'm gone."

The twins gave exaggerated salutes, and Ron looked around confused, "Alright, Mum," he said. 

Percy was confused and asked, "You're always stocked, Mum. Since when do we run out of anything?" 

"Percy Weasley, do you want to eat lunch today or not?" Mrs. Weasley retorted, waving a wooden spoon at him. 

Percy was confused but said, "Yes, I do, Mum."

He looked at Harry in confusion, wanting some answers but Harry just nodded at him. 

Mrs. Weasley grabbed her bag and stepped out through the door, her steps deliberate and calm, but her pace quickened as soon as she was out of sight. Inside, the room fell into an awkward silence, the air thick with confusion and curiosity.

Harry leaned back in his chair, looking at the expectant faces around him. He sighed, raising his hand casually, and began tracing glowing words in the air with his fingers while seamlessly continuing a conversation about Quidditch.

"I mean, I know about Quidditch," Harry said, his tone light. "But honestly, I've never played it. I wouldn't know the first thing about strategy."

As he spoke, the glowing words formed in the air:

"Please continue the conversation as normal. After a few moments, Ron, offer me a tour of the house and take me to your room last. Please believe me for now. You'll know everything soon. Also, do not comment on what you just saw. It's important to act like nothing unusual happened."

The words hung shimmering in the air for a moment, casting a soft glow over the room. The occupants exchanged quick glances, their curiosity obvious, but no one dared speak up.

As the glowing letters faded, Harry smoothly redirected the conversation. "Quidditch," he said, his tone unchanged. "So, what's it like to actually play?"

Fred grinned, taking the cue. "It's brilliant! The rush of the wind, the thrill of a Bludger just missing your head—"

"—or not missing it," George added with a laugh, rubbing an imaginary bruise on his head.

"Of course, that's only if you're brave enough to play Beater," Fred continued. "Which, let's face it, Harry, you've got the look of a Seeker about you. Small, fast, quick reflexes—"

"Give it a rest, you two," Ron cut in, though he was grinning. "Harry said he's never even been on a broom, remember?"

"Details," George said with a dismissive wave.

Meanwhile, Ginny and Percy exchanged brief looks, but neither said anything about Harry's display of magic. The tension in the room began to ease as the twins continued to dominate the conversation, regaling Harry with exaggerated tales of their pranks.

Ron, catching Harry's subtle nod, cleared his throat. "Hey, Harry," he said casually, "want a tour of the house? It's nothing fancy, but it's home."

Harry smiled. "I'd love that."

As Ron pushed the door open, Harry stepped inside, his gaze immediately drawn to the bright orange walls. Or rather, what little of the walls were visible beneath the countless Chudley Cannons posters.

"Wow," Harry said, grinning as he turned to Ron. "You're quite the Cannons fan, aren't you?"

Ron puffed up a little, beaming. "Best team there is! Sure, they're not exactly... er, winning all the time, but they've got heart, you know?"

Harry nodded, stepping closer to the nearest poster. "They've got dedication, that's for sure. I think I've read that their team motto is 'Let's all just keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best,' right?"

Ron blinked, momentarily caught off guard, then laughed. "Yeah, well, it's not about the glory. It's about the love of the game!"

Harry chuckled and let his eyes wander to a small cage on Ron's bedside table. Inside, a fat, balding rat blinked lazily at him. Harry's smile didn't falter as he approached.

"Hello again, Scabbers," he said softly, crouching slightly to get a better look at the rat. Scabbers shifted, his beady eyes fixed on Harry as if he sensed something was off.

Harry extended his fingers toward the cage, making a show of attempting to pet the rat. As his fingers slipped through the bars, he channeled his magic and silently cast an advanced stunning spell, one that would render the rat completely unconscious without causing any external signs of harm.

A faint shimmer of blue light flickered briefly around Scabbers before fading. The rat let out a tiny squeak, then slumped to the bottom of the cage, motionless.

Harry let out a quiet sigh of relief and straightened up, his hands carefully reaching for the cage.

"Oi! What are you doing?" Ron demanded, stepping forward, his expression a mix of confusion and anger. "You can't just—what did you do to him?!"

"Relax, Ron," Harry said evenly, clutching the cage tightly. "Scabbers is fine. I'll explain everything downstairs, I promise."

Ron wasn't convinced. "You just poked your fingers in and now he's... he's not moving! What did you do? He's my pet, Harry!"

Harry glanced at Ron, his expression firm but apologetic. "I know how it looks, but trust me, this is important. Scabbers isn't what he seems."

"What are you even talking about?" Ron shot back, his voice rising. "That's Scabbers! He's been our pet for years! What are you trying to say?"

"I'll tell you everything, Ron. Just trust me," Harry said, his voice low and steady.

Ron hesitated, his fists clenched at his sides, but Harry had already turned and was heading out the door, the cage held securely in his hands.

Ron followed him, his indignation barely contained. "You can't just walk off with him! If something happens to Scabbers—"

"Nothing's going to happen," Harry interrupted, his tone unyielding. "Not to the Scabbers you know, at least. Not yet at least." 

The sound of the door opening drew everyone's attention. Mrs. Weasley stepped inside, looking flustered but determined. Behind her, Mr. Weasley appeared, dusting off his robes, his expression one of both curiosity and concern.

"Dumbledore will be here soon," Mrs. Weasley announced, her gaze sweeping the room before landing on Harry. "Now, what in Merlin's name is going on?"

Before Harry could open his mouth, Fred and George jumped in simultaneously.

"Well, you see, Mum—"

"—Harry here says Scabbers isn't Scabbers—"

"—but a wizard named Peter Pettigrew—"

"—and he's the one who betrayed Harry's parents."

"Not to mention framed Sirius Black," George added.

Mrs. Weasley's hand flew to her chest, her eyes darting to the rat in the cage. "What? Peter Pettigrew?"

"That's ridiculous!" Mr. Weasley exclaimed, stepping forward to peer into the cage. "Scabbers has been with our family for years. Percy brought him home from one of his friends' homes."

"That's what I said!" Percy interjected, his voice rising. "This is absurd, Harry. Scabbers is a harmless rat!"

Harry raised a hand to quiet the room. "I understand how hard this is to believe," he said, his voice calm but firm. "But it's true. Pettigrew is an Animagus who's been hiding as a rat for over a decade. He's the one who sold out my parents to Voldemort."

Everyone flinched at the name, but Harry pressed on. "Sirius Black is innocent. Pettigrew faked his death and let Sirius take the blame for everything."

Mr. Weasley rubbed his temples, struggling to process the information. "Harry, if what you're saying is true, then... this is huge. But do you have any proof?"

Harry gestured to the cage. "He's unconscious right now because I stunned him, but I've also placed him under a Full Body-Bind Curse to make sure he doesn't escape."

Mrs. Weasley looked pale. "Arthur, what do we do? If this is true..."

"Then we'll let Dumbledore sort it out," Mr. Weasley said decisively. "If anyone can confirm this, it's him."

Fred leaned toward George and whispered, "Quite the drama, isn't it?"

George smirked. "Who knew Scabbers was hiding such a dark secret?"

"Boys, this is serious!" Mrs. Weasley snapped, though her voice trembled slightly. She looked at Harry. "Are you absolutely sure about this?"

"I am," Harry replied."I can make him change back to his original appearance but I don't want to risk the lives of you guys here."

Just then a loud crack echoed through the air as Dumbledore arrived at the Burrow. Just after him one lady(who Harry recognised as Amelia) and another skinny man arrived. That guy was tall and imposing, with a wary look in his eyes. His clothes were tattered and worn, hanging off his thin frame. Remus Lupin.

So that's him, Harry thought. Not quite how I imagined, but even malnourished, he's undeniably handsome. No wonder Tonks falls for him in the future.

Dumbledore's sharp blue eyes surveyed the room, his face calm but questioning. "Molly, Arthur," he greeted, his tone measured. "I came as soon as I received your message. What is the matter so urgent that it required such company?"

Mrs. Weasley stepped forward, "It wasn't me who called for you, Albus. It was Harry. He insisted I contact you immediately," she said, pointing to Harry. 

Dumbledore's gaze shifted to Harry, "Harry Potter. It seems this is our first meeting face-to-face. Molly tells me you're the one who called for me. Quite intriguing. What is this unusual emergency you've encountered?"

Harry stepped forward, giving a respectful nod. "Professor Dumbledore," he greeted. "I wouldn't have called you if it were something grave." He pointed directly at the rat in the cage on the table. 

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, glancing at the rat with mild confusion. "I must admit, Harry, I fail to see how a rat could warrant such urgency. Have you summoned me to help with a magical pest problem?"

Harry shook his head, his expression resolute. "No, Professor. That's not just a rat. That's Peter Pettigrew."

At the mention of the name, Remus and Amelia stiffened. Remus' tired gaze shot to Harry, his face a mask of disbelief and confusion. 

Dumbledore's expression grew more serious but remained skeptical. "Peter Pettigrew, you say? Harry, that is quite a claim. I will need more than your word to believe it."

Harry sighed. Well this was expected. Without a word he picked up the cage and walked to Remus who seemed like he wanted to back away from Harry, and handed him the cage. Remus took the cage and peered inside at the unconscious rat. The room fell silent as everyone watched the transformation on his face—confusion turned to dawning horror, and then to blazing fury.

Remus's grip tightened on the cage and his other hand reached for his wand. "Peter…" he breathed, his voice raw with pain and anger. 

Harry quickly snatched the cage back, "I'm sorry Remus, I know you want to kill him. But I need to clear Sirius's name first."

He then turned to Dumbledore whose face was a mask of disbelief and fury and Amelia who was still skeptical but also confused. 

"I think that's enough to prove it, Professor." Harry said as he opened the cage and put the rat on the ground. "Why don't you cast the spell to change him back to his human appearance?"

Dumbledore nodded, his expression unreadable as he stepped forward. He raised his wand and muttered, "Very well, Harry." With a fluid motion, he pointed his wand at the rat. 

"Reverto Verum."

A blue light hit the rat and it was like watching a speeded-up film of a growing tree. A head shot forward; limbs sprouted and next moment a man was laying there unconscious in place of the rat. 

Gasps echoed through the room.

Mrs. Weasley staggered back into a chair, her face ashen. "Oh... oh my..."

Mr. Weasley's face hardened. "Peter Pettigrew. All these years..."

Fred and George looked utterly gobsmacked, while Percy and Ron were just frozen in place. Ginny looked horrified and moved closer to her mother. Remus looked like he just wanted to kill the man. Thankfully Amelia was holding him back. Her own face was a mask of disbelief and anger. Dumbledore looked expressionless but Harry could feel the slight surge of his magical energy which usually accompanied anger. 

An almost feral growl escaped Lupin. "You filthy, backstabbing coward!" he shouted as he struggled to escape from Amelia's hold. 

"Remus," Dumbledore said calmly, though his voice held an edge of steel. "Control yourself. We need him alive for answers."

Harry turned to Dumbledore, "I'll wake him up then."

Dumbledore was puzzled by Harry's statement. He looked at Harry as he raised his hand and pointed it at Peter. Then to his surprise, a small greenish light shot from his hand towards Peter. 

Harry observed the small greenish light as it connected with Peter Pettigrew, causing the man to stir and groan as he slowly regained consciousness. The room went silent, save for the soft rustling of robes and Pettigrew's shallow breaths.

"Everyone, step back," Harry instructed firmly, glancing at the Weasley boys, who were still standing far too close to the prone man. "I'm removing the Full Body-Bind Curse, and we don't want him trying anything."

The twins reluctantly pulled Ron and Percy back toward the far end of the room, with Mr. Weasley guiding a still-horrified Ginny closer to Mrs. Weasley. Amelia's wand remained trained on Pettigrew as she shifted into a defensive stance, and Remus's piercing gaze never left the man who had betrayed them all.

Harry flicked his wrist, and the Full Body-Bind Curse broke with a soft snap. Pettigrew jerked slightly, his limbs no longer rigid, and his watery, panicked eyes darted around the room as he fully regained consciousness.

For a moment, there was only silence as Peter Pettigrew processed the faces staring down at him.

Harry stepped forward, his emerald eyes glinting with icy resolve. A cold, almost predatory smile played across his lips. "Hello, Peter. Long time no see."

Pettigrew froze, his face blanching as recognition dawned. He opened his mouth but no words came out.

Harry sneered, his voice laced with venom. "Come now, Wormtail. It's impolite not to return the greeting of an old friend. Did Voldemort not teach you any manners? Tut-tut-tut, and here I thought he was a great leader for purebloods."

Gasps rippled through the room at Harry's casual use of Voldemort's name. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued, while Remus shot Harry a sharp look, his face a mixture of confusion and concern.

Peter stammered, his voice shrill and desperate. "H-Harry! Y-you're alive! I—Remus! Old friend, it's... it's so good to see you!"

Peter stepped toward Harry, his arms outstretched, but before he could get close, Harry flicked his hand. 

CRACK!

Peter was sent crashing into the opposite wall, where he crumpled to the floor like a broken marionette. Dust and bits of plaster rained down from the impact. 

Everyone present was shocked to see Harry perform such magic. Especially Dumbledore, whose expression was as if he was seeing Harry for the first time. 

Harry stepped forward, a cold smile on his face. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Peter. I seem to have lost control of myself there." Then a small growl escaped his lips as he said the next words. "I just couldn't bear the idea of the hands that murdered my parents touching me."

Peter groaned, trying to sit up, but before he could, Harry snapped his fingers. Wormtail jerked violently, his body rising off the ground as though seized by an invisible force. He clawed at his neck, his breath coming in desperate, choking gasps as if an unseen hand was gripping him by the throat.

"Harry… please… I'm innocent!" Wormtail managed to croak, his voice thin and strained. His legs kicked uselessly in the air. "It was Sirius—Sirius betrayed your parents! He tried to kill me!"

Harry tilted his head, his expression was like that of a predator, toying with it's prey. "Oh my, you have quite the tale to say, don't you, Peter?" 

His face went stone cold as he continued, 'Let's try that again, shall we. This time, no lies. Lying is such a nasty habit."

Wormtail gasped for breath as if that invisible hand was choking him. "You don't understand, Harry! I—I never meant it! You-know-who has powers you can't comprehend! If I disobeyed him, he would have killed me!"

Harry's lips twisted into a cruel smirk. "Oh, afraid to say Voldemort's name, are we, Wormtail? Quite some loyalty you've got there…"

Before Harry could say more, a feral snarl erupted behind him. 

"THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!"

Harry turned just in time to see Lupin leap forward, his fists slamming into Wormtail's face with the force of a hurricane. 

"YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!!" Remus roared, his voice trembling with fury and heartbreak as he rained blow after blow onto Wormtail's crumpled form.

Blood splattered across the floor as Wormtail whimpered, unable to defend himself against the onslaught.

"Remus, stop!" Dumbledore commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos like a whip.

But Remus didn't stop. He pounded his fists into Wormtail's chest, his eyes wild and unseeing. "YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED BEFORE BETRAYING YOUR FRIENDS, YOU COWARDLY BASTARD!"

It took both Amelia and Dumbledore to pull him off, their combined strength barely restraining the werewolf as he thrashed in their grip, still snarling.

"You should have died..." Remus growled, his voice breaking, his chest heaving with the effort of holding back sobs.

Harry stood still, his eyes fixed on the crumpled form of Wormtail, who was coughing and bleeding on the floor. His cold expression softened, just barely, as he glanced at Remus. He exhaled slowly. He couldn't let Peter die. At least not before Sirius had his name cleared. 

He waved his hand toward Peter. A soft, golden glow enveloped the bloodied man, closing his wounds and easing his labored breathing. Wormtail gasped, his chest rising sharply as consciousness fully returned, though the terror in his eyes only grew.

Before he could utter another word, Harry raised his hand once more, the faintest flick of his wrist sending a stunning spell. The impact was immediate—Wormtail slumped to the floor, unconscious once again. 

Turning away from the crumpled form, Harry faced Dumbledore and Amelia. "I trust you'll do what's necessary to clear Sirius's name," he said. "Also please keep in mind that Peter would run at the slightest convenience, so I suggest keeping him unconscious until his trial. And also I suggest using the Veritaserum during his trial to ensure that Peter tells the truth. It will save time and eliminate any doubt."

Dumbledore's piercing gaze locked onto Harry's, the faintest glimmer of approval shining in his otherwise stern expression. "You have my word, Harry. Sirius will be a free man by tomorrow."

Amelia, still grappling with the events unfolding before her, managed a stiff nod, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Harry then turned to the Weasleys. "I apologise for the trouble I've caused. This wasn't how I intended today to go." He offered a slight bow of his head, adding, "I'll take my leave now. Another day, perhaps."

In truth, Harry's anger was bubbling dangerously close to the surface, his magic thrumming in his veins, threatening to lash out for some reason. Harry thought leaving would be the best choice right now. 

Without another word, Harry disapparated without a sound. 

The room fell into stunned silence, everyone staring at the spot where Harry had stood just moments before. 

Amelia was the first to break the silence, her voice shaky. "Albus… he… just…"

Dumbledore's expression was grim, his eyes filled with a mix of awe and worry. "The magical world is going to be turned upside down in a few years," he said, his voice quiet but heavy with certainty. "And Harry Potter will be at the very center of it all."