First Virtue

"The Ministry didn't make anything right seven years ago," Harry turned away from the door. "They threw an innocent man in Azkaban."

Green fire flared through the office as Aurors walked out from Dumbledore's fireplace. The first, a broad-shouldered man with sharp features, scanned the room before focusing on Pettigrew. Behind him, a younger Auror with a long ponytail moved to secure the windows while the third - shorter and constantly blinking - stared at the chained man on the desk.

"Auror Robards," Dumbledore greeted the first man. "Thank you for responding so quickly."

"Chief Warlock." Robards nodded toward the crying Pettigrew. "I see the situation is well contained." His eyes caught the vial Harry had placed on the desk. "Is that-"

"Veritaserum!" The blinking Auror stepped forward. "Chief Warlock or not, unauthorized use of truth serum is-"

"As Chief Warlock, I have the authority to authorize its use in extraordinary circumstances, Auror Dawlish." Dumbledore's voice remained pleasant, but left no room for argument. "I believe finding a supposedly dead man living as a child's pet qualifies."

Dawlish opened his mouth to protest again, but Robards cut him off. "The serum's still active?" At Dumbledore's nod, he pulled out a notepad. "Williamson, document everything. Let's not waste this opportunity."

Harry moved to stand beside Fawkes' perch, watching as Robards approached Pettigrew. The rat-faced man whimpered, tears still streaming down his cheeks.

"State your full name," Robards commanded.

"Peter Patrick Pettigrew."

"Were you the Secret Keeper for James and Lily Potter?"

"Yes."

Harry's fingers dug into his palms. The room temperature rose slightly.

"How long were you spying for You-Know-Who before that?"

"Eight months." Pettigrew's monotone voice made the betrayal even worse. "I passed information about Order movements, safe houses, potential recruits..."

"Did you deliberately frame Sirius Black for your crimes?"

"Yes. I knew everyone would believe he was the Secret Keeper." A small smile crossed Pettigrew's face. "I laughed when I heard they dragged him away to Azkaban. The great Sirius Black, finally brought low..."

The fireplace roared to life next to him. Harry's whole body shook as he fought to contain the rage building in his chest. Fawkes trilled softly, and Harry forced himself to breathe. To listen. Every detail would help free Sirius Black.

Williamson's quill scratched rapidly across parchment as Robards continued the questioning. Each answer revealed new depths of betrayal - meetings with Death Eaters, information sold for protection, plans made to escape if anything went wrong...

"You chose the Weasleys deliberately?" Robards asked.

"Yes. Arthur works for the Ministry. I could hear any news about the Dark Lord's return." Pettigrew's glazed eyes stared forward. "And they're blood traitors. No one would look for a Death Eater in their home."

Dawlish cleared his throat. "We can't rely solely on this information. Veritaserum isn't completely reliable, and any decent lawyer will challenge such questioning." He glanced at Dumbledore. "We'll need more evidence to build a proper case."

"Then gather evidence," Harry snapped. All three Aurors started sweating from the heat as he stepped forward. "Check his arm for the Dark Mark. Test his wand. Interview Sirius Black. Do whatever you need to do, but don't let him escape justice again."

"Mr. Potter," Robards turned to face him. "I understand your frustration, but we need to follow proper procedures. Otherwise, we risk Pettigrew walking free on technicalities."

Harry opened his mouth to argue, but Dumbledore placed a hand on his shoulder. "Auror Robards is right. We must ensure justice is served properly this time."

"Fine." Harry glared at Pettigrew. "But I want to know everything you do with him. Where he's held, who guards him, what evidence you find."

Robards raised an eyebrow at Harry's demands, but nodded. "We'll keep the Chief Warlock informed of all developments." He gestured to Williamson. "Secure the prisoner for transport. Maximum security protocols."

Williamson approached with specialized restraints, and Pettigrew started struggling against the chains. "No! You can't- He'll kill me! The Dark Lord will-"

"Silencio," Dawlish flicked his wand, cutting off Pettigrew's protests.

Harry watched as the Aurors secured Pettigrew with additional restraints. The rat-faced man kept mouthing pleas, eyes darting between everyone in the room. When Williamson grabbed his arm to lead him to the fireplace, Pettigrew tried to transform again and was visibly stunned when nothing happened.

"Specialized cuffs," Robards explained, noticing Harry's expression. "He won't be escaping."

Harry nodded, watching as Williamson grabbed Pettigrew's shoulder. The betrayer stumbled toward the fireplace, still trying to mouth silent pleas. Robards threw in the Floo powder, green flames erupting around them.

"Ministry of Magic, Holding Cells," Robards spoke clearly. The flames swallowed them both.

Dawlish went next, carrying the documented confession. Williamson prepared to follow with Pettigrew, but Harry stepped forward.

"You betrayed them," Harry whispered, staring into Pettigrew's watery eyes. "You lived as a rat while an innocent man suffered in Azkaban. Now justice will come for you."

The moment the words left his mouth, Harry felt something shift inside him. The virtue energy flowing through his meridians surged, no longer just running parallel to his chi but filling every pathway completely. His understanding crystallized - justice wasn't about revenge or even punishment. Justice meant making things right, protecting the innocent, and ensuring the guilty faced consequences for their actions.

A clear ring of light blazed behind Harry's head. Not the faint glow from before, but a proper halo that illuminated the office. Williamson's eyes widened. He shoved Pettigrew into the flames with perhaps more force than necessary, calling out their destination as they vanished.

"Harry?" Dumbledore stepped closer. "Are you alright?"

"Better than alright." Harry touched his chest where the virtue energy flowed strong and pure. "I understand now. Justice isn't just about punishing the guilty. It's about protecting people. Making things right when they go wrong." He looked up at his grandfather. "And sometimes that means working within the system, even when we want to take matters into our own hands."

Dumbledore smiled, eyes twinkling as he looked at Harry's halo. "A wise observation. One many adults never manage to grasp." He walked to his desk and picked up some parchment. "Now, I believe we should inform Nicolas and Perenelle about today's events. They'll no doubt want to see you."

Harry blinked, but nodded. "Can I use your Floo?"

"Of course." Dumbledore held out the powder box. "And Harry? I'm proud of how you handled this situation."

Harry grabbed a handful of powder but paused before throwing it. "What happens now? With Sirius Black?"

"I'll contact Amelia Bones directly. She heads the Department of Magical Law Enforcement." Dumbledore sat down at his desk. "With Pettigrew alive and in custody, we can push for an immediate review of Sirius's case."

"How long will that take?"

"Normally? Months." Dumbledore dipped his quill in ink. "But given the circumstances and my position as Chief Warlock, I believe we can expedite matters considerably."

Harry nodded and threw the powder into the flames. "Flamel Cottage!" The familiar spinning sensation grabbed him, and he walked out into the Flamels' living room.

Nicolas looked up from his book. Perenelle set down her tea cup. Both stared at Harry's now-bright halo.

"I see you've had an interesting morning," Nicolas marked his page and closed the book. "What happened?"

Harry's legs suddenly felt weak. He stumbled to the couch and sat down hard, the events of the morning crashing over him. Perenelle moved to sit beside him while Nicolas leaned forward in his chair.

"We found him," Harry's voice cracked. "The person who betrayed my parents. He was alive this whole time, living as a pet rat in a Wizarding Family." His hands started shaking. "Peter Pettigrew. He was supposed to be dead, but he faked it. He cut off his own finger and transformed into a rat while Sirius Black got dragged off to Azkaban."

"Oh, Harry." Perenelle wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

"I almost killed him." Harry stared at his trembling hands. "When he confessed under Veritaserum, I lost control. The flames just came out, and I wanted him to burn. I wanted him to suffer like my parents suffered, like Sirius suffered..." Tears spilled down his cheeks. "But Grandpa stopped me. And he was right. We need Pettigrew alive to free Sirius."

Nicolas moved to sit on Harry's other side. "You showed remarkable restraint, all things considered."

"Did I?" Harry wiped at his eyes. "I'm eight years old, and I tried to burn someone alive. What kind of person does that make me?"

"A human one," Perenelle squeezed his shoulder. "One who just discovered a terrible betrayal."

"When they took him away," Harry took a shaky breath, "something changed inside me. The energy flowing through me transformed completely, filling every pathway with new understanding." He touched his chest. "I can feel it gathering here, teaching me about virtue and how to develop it. Seven virtues to master, each one building on the last." His voice grew quieter. "I chose Justice as my first. After today... it felt right. But I need to do better than just wanting to burn people who deserve it."

Nicolas nodded. "The halo is much clearer now."

"Justice without mercy is cruelty," Perenelle brushed Harry's hair back. "But mercy without justice enables evil. Finding the balance is what matters."

Harry leaned against her shoulder, exhausted. "An innocent man spent seven years in Azkaban while the real traitor lived as a pet rat. Where's the balance in that?"

"Sometimes there isn't any balance to find," Nicolas sighed. "We can only work to fix what went wrong and prevent it from happening again."

Harry closed his eyes, feeling the virtue energy flow through his meridians. Since breaking through to the Moral Codification stage and reaching its first layer, First Virtue, something fundamental had changed in how the energy was created. Before, it had simply flowed aimlessly. Now, a special kind of Justice virtue energy gathered within his dantian. The breakthrough had increased his amplification too, from fifteen to twenty percent when acting in accordance with virtue. He would need to gather enough of this Justice energy before he could progress further, but for now, this felt like the right path.

"I need to go back to Hogwarts soon," Harry straightened up. "Bill and Charlotte will want to know what happened. And Percy..." He rubbed his face. "Percy just found out his pet rat was actually a Death Eater who betrayed my parents."

"Percy will need support," Perenelle squeezed Harry's hand. "Just like you needed support when you learned hard truths."

"I know." Harry stood up from the couch. "I should-"

Nicolas pulled him into a tight hug before he could finish. Harry stiffened for a moment, then melted into the embrace as Perenelle wrapped her arms around them both. The emotions he'd been holding back burst free, and Harry pressed his face against Nicolas's chest as quiet sobs shook his small frame.

"It's not fair," Harry whispered between tears. "None of it's fair."

"No, it's not," Nicolas stroked his hair. "But you're helping make it right."

Harry nodded against Nicolas's chest, letting out all the anger and grief he'd suppressed during the interrogation. Perenelle rubbed circles on his back while Nicolas held him steady, neither of them commenting on the growing wet spot on Nicolas's robes.

After a few minutes, Harry's tears slowed. He pulled back slightly, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. "Thank you. Both of you."

"Always," Perenelle kissed the top of his head. "Do you want one of us to come with you to Hogwarts?"

"No, I'll be fine," Harry stepped back from the embrace. "I need to-"

His green eyes darkened. An offer appeared in his mind.

[Mantis Style - One Finger Death Punch] – Costs 0CP, 150CP available to spend.

Modelled from the movements of the aggressive praying mantis, created by legendary Shaolin Monks. This style uses hooked hands and whip like deflections with momentum to strike vital spots and nerve clusters. Speed and continuous attacks are paramount here.

Harry accepted without hesitation. Knowledge and instincts filled his mind - stance transitions, striking patterns, the exact pressure needed to paralyze or kill with strikes to nerve clusters. His muscles twitched as they absorbed the movements.

He blinked at the Flamels. "I know Kung Fu."

Nicolas raised an eyebrow while Perenelle covered her mouth to hide a smile.

"Just now?" Nicolas asked. "In the middle of our conversation?"

"Mantis Style," Harry held up one hand in the distinctive hook position. "Created by Shaolin monks based on praying mantis movements." He dropped the stance. "It was a free offer. Seemed useful for situations where I might need to be... subtle."

"Your life never stays boring for long, does it?" Perenelle shook her head fondly.

"At least it's useful," Harry shrugged. "Better than that jumping offer from a while ago."

"Before you go," Nicolas walked to his desk. "I'll write to some old friends in the Ministry. Make sure Sirius Black's case gets proper attention." He pulled out parchment and a quill. "Albus will do his best, but extra pressure from different directions won't hurt."

"Thank you." Harry moved toward the fireplace, then paused. "Do you think... will they let me meet him? Once he's free?"

"I've heard he's your godfather," Perenelle smiled. "I'm sure that will be one of the first things he asks for."

Harry nodded and grabbed some Floo powder. The thought of meeting Sirius, whom he had thought had betrayed his parents for all of his life, made his stomach twist with nerves, but in a good way. He threw the powder into the flames.

"Hogwarts, Headmaster's Office!"