Headstrong

Chapter 35

Sirius' face contorted in rage. "How dare you," he growled. "I, a spy for Voldemort? When did I ever sneak around people who were stronger and more powerful than myself? But you, Peter - I'll never understand why I didn't see you were the spy from the start. You always liked big friends who'd look after you, didn't you? It used to be us...me and Remus...and James..."

"Me, a spy...must be out of your mind...never...don't know how you could say such a-"

"Lily and James only made you Secret Keeper because I suggested it," Sirius hissed, "I thought it was the perfect plan...a bluff...Voldemort would be sure to come after me, would never dream they'd use a weak, talentless thing like you...it must have been the finest moment of your miserable life, telling Voldemort you could hand him the Potters."

Pettigrew was muttering things when Hermione piped up. "Professor Lupin? Can I say something?"

"Certainly, Hermione," Remus answered courteously.

"Well - Scabbers - I mean, this - this man - he's been sleeping in Harry's dormitory for three years. If he's working for You Know Who, how come he never tried to hurt Harry before now?"

"He's hurt me." Amanda muttered quietly.

"There!" Pettigrew said shrilly, pointing at Hermione with his maimed hand. "Thank you! You see, Remus? I have never hurt a hair of Harry's head! Why should I?"

"I'll tell you why," Sirius answered. "Because you never did anything for anyone unless you could see what was in it for you. Voldemort's been in hiding for twelve years, they say he's half-dead. You weren't about to commit murder right under Albus Dumbledore's nose, for a wreck of a wizard who'd lost all his power, were you? You'd want to be quite sure he was the biggest bully in the playground before you went back to him, wouldn't you? Why else did you find a wizard family to take you in! Keeping an ear out for news, weren't you, Peter? Just in case your old protector regained strength, and it was safe to rejoin him..."

"Guys, there is only one way we can prove if Pettigrew was a Death Eater or not." Amanda said, "But first, Pettigrew, do you recognize this?"

She lifted her sleeve up and the whole room saw the bright pink scar that ran over her left shoulder. Pettigrew looked up at her, scared.

"When I followed Sirius, I landed on the street. I saw everything. You knew that the Ministry wouldn't believe a four-year old girl, didn't you? But just to make sure, you made sure I would have a nice scar before you left." Sirius and Remus glared at Pettigrew and he shrunk back.

Amanda reached out and pulled up Pettigrew's left sleeve, and showed the others the Dark Mark etched into his arm.

"Death Eater much?" Amanda scowled. "Only a follower of Voldemort has the Dark Mark."

"Er - Mr Black - Sirius?" said Hermione timidly.

Sirius jumped at being addressed like this. Amanda smirked.

"If you don't mind me asking, how - how did you get out of Azkaban, if you didn't use Dark Magic?"

"Thank you! Exactly! Precisely what I -" Amanda and Remus shut Pettigrew up with a look.

"Let me guess, Padfoot?" Amanda smirked at Sirius and he nodded.

"How do you know all this?" Sirius asked her, stunned. She tapped the side of her nose.

"I don't really know how I did it." Sirius said slowly, "I think the only reason I never lost my mind is that I knew I was innocent. That wasn't a happy thought, so the Dementors couldn't suck it out of me...but it kept me sane and knowing who I am...helped me keep my powers...so when it all became...too much...I could transform in my cell...became a dog. Dementors can't see you know..." Sirius swallowed and Amanda nodded.