Apologies for the late update. As you may know I'm more committed to the For a Better Future series on my profile, as well as the real novel I'm writing. I intend to write this at my own pace, but I will finish this however long it may take

Mr. Weasley said in Order of the Phoenix that the Ministry used to use Owls to deliver memos instead of the floating paper airplanes so I decided to put it in.

Also I have a vague notion of the layout of London so please correct me if I'm wrong about geography

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or am affiliated with Scholastic.

Kingsley tuned out the undercurrent of chatter as he shoved another push pin into the map of London on his cubicle wall. Hit Wizards had combed Piccadilly Circus, but there was no sign of Peter Pettigrew or Sirius Black. Everything north of the Thames was covered in differently colored pins, showing the lack of progress they had made in locating them.

The fireplaces in the Auror office were all occupied; Aurors and Hit Wizards were in a constant state of flux, Flooing back and forth across London and the Ministry. Stenographers were feverishly jotting down notes as updates poured in and owls flew over everyone's heads delivering memos and leaving droppings by the score. Kingsley swore as another letter dropped down next to him, accompanied by a sudden wet stickiness on his shoulder. He Scourgified the mess off and glanced at the note.

Tower Bridge: No sign of either.

A red push pin went into the appropriate spot as he sighed. He itched to be out in the field, not here updating a chart and dodging owls. The hunt had taken nearly a day and they were no closer to finding them than they had before. If Pettigrew should escape London, it would be extremely difficult to track him down, and they also needed to find Sirius and tell him his name had been cleared, something which he fervently wished to do. He had been two years ahead of the group known as the Marauders, and fondly remembered his fellow Chaser, James Potter. He had grown to like James's friends as well; they'd always been cheering on James, even in practice, and their enthusiasm made their practices go smoother.

He couldn't believe that either Sirius or Peter would betray their friend, especially the former. But it appeared that little Peter Pettigrew, the afterthought of the Marauders, was a spy for You-Know-Who, thanks to Lily Potter's evidence. It wasn't in his job description to wonder about the motives of his targets, but he couldn't help but wonder what had driven the small man to turn his close friend and his family over to the recently departed 'Dark Lord'.

"I did warn you that desk jobs were boring," said an amused voice next to him. Kingsley turned to behold the grizzled features of Rufus Scrimgeour, his lion mane of hair drenched wet in sweat.

"Just got back?" he asked his superior.

"Yes," Scrimgeour replied, while heaving a bag to the floor. "Robards and I checked out Tottenham Court Road, but we found nothing. We're going to search Wandsworth after we've freshened up and had some tea."

"Wish I was out there," Kingsley grumbled.

Rufus smiled. "Like I said before, I warned you."

"I needed the extra money now that Emma's pregnant," Kingsley replied ruefully.

"Well, I've heard tell that we're all in line for big raises now that You-Know-Who is gone," said Scrimgeour with a smile. "So you can transfer back to the front lines when you're done."

"I might do that," said Kingsley thoughtfully. "It'll be a lot less dangerous now that the war's over."

"Don't let Mad-Eye catch you saying that, he'll give you a twenty minute lecture on why it'll never be less dangerous."

"And then he'll randomly attack me throughout the day to prove his point, just like he did to Dawlish," Kingsley chuckled.

"Oh he'll do that to you eventually," Scrimgeour replied. "Alastor does that to everyone, eventually."

They looked at each other as the chaos in the office continued.

"It's really over, Shacklebolt," said Scrimgeour, a swift grin passing over his face. "I've spent eleven years fighting this damn war and now he's gone, thanks to a one year old kid."

"It doesn't feel real," Kingsley replied. "You-Know-Who declared himself in my third year at Hogwarts. His menace was in the background all throughout my school years, and now he's defeated. I wonder if this is what the rest of Europe felt when Professor Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald."

"I wish I'd asked my father," said Rufus. "I was born only a couple of years after his fall, but it never occurred to me to talk to him about it."

"Was…was You-Know-Who responsible for his death?" Kingsley asked hesitantly. It didn't seem like an appropriate topic to discuss with his superior, but the entire day had been full of surprises.

He was relieved to see that Scrimgeour took no offense to the personal question.

"Rabastan Lestrange, actually," he replied. "My mother had already passed on years before, but I had been involved on a raid on the Lestrange mansion in Shropshire back in '75." His eyes widened in suppressed fury. "Evidently, he wanted to teach me a lesson. Merlin take pity if I catch up to him."

Kingsley nodded grimly. There were a great many people who would have to pay their debts now that the war was over, foremost among them the Lestrange family. His heart twisted. In a way, the war would never be over. The wounds would be always left bare for the world to see, no matter what fate befell the Death Eaters and their supporters.

"You were saying something, Kingsley?"

To his surprise, Kingsley realized he'd been muttering to himself.

"I was just thinking, the war's not going to be over. Take the Potters for example," he said as Rufus looked at him in confusion. "Their war is just beginning."

"Ah," replied the senior Auror in understanding. "Yes, it's sickening that this war had to end in one more murder, and that it had to be James Potter's for it." They both looked toward the office door where they knew that far beyond in Minister Bagnold's private quarters, Harry and Lily Potter slept.

This shared thought brought both of them back into reality. The noise in the room seemed to grow louder as they adjusted back into real time.

"Well then," said Scrimgeour awkwardly. "I'm going to grab some tea."

"Yeah, I should get back to updating this chart," said Kingsley but before Scrimgeour could move, a sooty, panting figure tumbled out of the central fireplace, drawing every eye to his movement. At the same time, a Hit Wizard came bursting into the office

"We f-found 'im" choked William Proudfoot as he rose to his feet in front of the fireplace "Sirius Black! He's been spotted in Southwark on Waterloo Road."

"Pettigrew too!" cried the Hit Wizard as he jumped up and down. He's on Borough Road near the intersection with Waterloo Road!"

The office was thrown into chaos. Desks and chairs were knocked over as every Auror clambered to their feet, demanding access to the fireplace that linked closest to the Southwark District, lusting after the glory of capturing Pettigrew.

"QUIET!" came a familiar shout. Alastor Moody had appeared, rugged as ever, his magical eye spinning in its socket as he glared at everyone with his whole one.

"Set an example for the Hit Wizards!" he growled, as everyone sat down where they were.

"Right then!" he barked taking in everyone. "Rufus you still going for tea, or you want in?"

"I can wait a few minutes," said Scrimgeour with a grin, stepping forward to join his own superior.

"Good." Moody's magical eye searched the room. "Proudfoot informed us all so he should come. Savage, you come as well and we should get a desk jockey here as well."

Every Office Auror perked their heads up, but Moody had already made his decision.

"Shacklebolt! Front and center!"

"Yes sir!" Kingsley said automatically as he jumped up and joined the others on the hearth. He'd had to mentally restrain himself from snapping a salute. His colleagues would never stop taking the mickey out of him if he did.

"The other disappointed Aurors turned away, pretending to do work while they all listened in, living vicariously to the lucky ones who had been chosen to apprehend the traitor.

"All right," said Moody when his team had been assembled. "Remember, do not harm Black. He's out for revenge and he's liable to hurt someone. The target is Pettigrew, though if Black goes off his rocker we might have to Stun him as well. There's a backup Hit Wizard Squad in the area in case things get too hairy, but I know what all of you can do, so that shouldn't be a problem.

"We should just let Black finish off the traitor," said the Auror Leon Savage.

"Even traitors deserve their rights, Savage," Moody replied coldly. "Besides, he may be able to lead us to the Lestranges and other Death Eaters on the run."

"Very well," replied Savage. "Anything we should know about Pettigrew?"

"He wasn't a good student if I recall," said Kingsley. "Then again Crabbe and Goyle are dangerous and they're essentially trolls."

"If he's working for Voldemort, then he's presumed dangerous," said Moody, ignoring the flinches at the Dark Lord's name. "What? He's dead now, why are you all still afraid of his name?"

"Let's just go," said Scrimgeour as he stepped toward the fireplace. Within half a minute, the five Aurors had disappeared from the Auror office, twisting their way towards Southwark, London.

"Mum, look at the puppy!"

"Melissa, get away, it's a stray dog! You don't pet strange dogs especially if they don't have an owner! How many times do I have to tell you this?"

Padfoot spared the girl a quick wag of his tail, and a low growl for her mother as he pushed past the family. He sniffed the ground rapidly, the scent of his old friend fresh in his mind.

Turn the corner, scent getting stronger. Peter's close by.

He dashed around lazy pedestrians, dodging strollers and feet with expert ease. He would have to hurry now, he'd been too careless establishing his bearings when he'd Apparated to Southwark, checking up on the store Peter had worked at during the summer before his seventh year. It was just a glimpse, but he was fairly sure he'd seen William Proudfoot, and that Proudfoot had seen him. He knew Proudfoot was an Auror; the man had come to speak at their Defense class during Seventh year so he'd quickly changed to his dog form to buy himself more time if Proudfoot decided to call reinforcements.

James and Lily were the only ones who knew of the switch and their deaths had sealed Sirius's own fate. He'd been lucky that Hagrid hadn't known Sirius was supposed to be Secret-Keeper, he would've been beaten half to death if he had known.

Scent getting stronger…stronger…just around the corner now!

Padfoot bounded around the corner onto Borough Road, craning his dog head all around, desperate to find his prey.

Got him!

Peter was standing at a bus stop, anxiously checking his watch. Sirius could only surmise that his former friend was eschewing magical transportation to blend in as he raced towards the bus stop.

Crash!

He smacked into the legs of a businessman, bowling him over and causing everyone to look at him…including Wormtail.

Peter stared for just one moment before he jumped up and began to run as fast as he could. Sirius disentangled himself from the businessman and leapt to his feet.

"Stop that dog!" he heard the fallen man call as he ran after the rapidly disappearing traitor. The street was full of idle gawkers, and he found himself trapped between numerous pairs of feet.

Swearing inwardly Padfoot forced his way through the crowd, ignoring annoyed shouts and attempts to pet him. He reached the next block, only to see Wormtail try and escape down the nearest alley, but he was not alone.

Sirius watched with surprise as Peter ran smack into a group of four men who had walked straight out of the alley

"Peter Pettigrew!" cried one. "By the order of the Ministry you are hereby placed under arrest!"

What?

In his surprise, Sirius changed back into his regular form, elicting gasps from the nearest group of Muggles. But he didn't care. The Statute could go to hell for all he cared if it stopped him from getting Peter.

"Did he just-?"

"What was in that wine we drank last night?"

"Mommy, mommy look!"

"I know Melissa, I saw!"

Sirius ignored them all as he raced towards the growing struggle.

"What's going on?" he demanded as he stopped in front of them, watching Pettigrew squirm in the grasp of the two largest wizards.

"Ah, Sirius Black," said the largest of the two, tipping him a wink.

"Dennis Spinnet?" Sirius said in surprise. "You were Head Boy during my Second year!"

"I know I was," chuckled the tall man. "I'm second in command of the Hit Wizards now."

"But-but, what's going on? I thought you were all after me!"

Dennis looked at him in surprise, but quickly smiled.

"That's right, you didn't hear. Lily Potter's alive!"

Sirius gripped Dennis's arm hard. "But-but the entire house was destroyed. I didn't even think Harry made it!"

"She did," Dennis said with a smile.

"And James…?" asked Sirius, feeling foolish. He had seen James's body before Hagrid had come, but if Lily could make it…

"I'm sorry, Sirius," Dennis replied sadly.

Sirius lowered his head in sorrow, but immediately brought it back up, eyes flashing towards Pettigrew.

"You hear that you stinking rat? Lily and Harry lived! The only person you managed to kill was the man who let you into our group in the first place!"

For a second Sirius thought his words had struck home. Peter had stopped whimpering and struggling with the Hit Wizards.

And then Sirius's world was rent apart.

He never heard the explosion, but he was thrown spinning through the air straight into a wall. His ribs splintered with the impact dropping him in a crumpled heap onto the floor.

He fought desperately to keep himself conscious but he kept on slipping in and out of lucidity. Pieces of the three other Hit Wizards littered the floor as screams split the air. Dennis lay on the ground, glazedly looking into his eyes.

"H...h..help," whispered Sirius, his body screeching in agony as he tried to form words. It was a moment before he realized that he top of Dennis's head was gone, exposing the mixture of blood, brains and bone beneath.

A shadow fell over him. Sirius raised his eyes to see the small beady ones of Wormtail looking back at him, his wand raised.

"You shouldn't have come after me Sirius," Peter gasped. "You should have left me alone."

"F…fuck you…" Sirius murmured. If he was to die know, he wouldn't let that traitor see any fear.

A drop of sweat fell near Sirius's face. It was a second before he realized that Peter was twisting his wand in dismay.

"W..what's the matter Wormy?" Sirius spat. "Can't kill your friend in c..cold blood? Had to use Voldemort to kill J..James."

"Stop it!" Wormtail shouted, bringing his wand up level with Sirius's face.

Sirius gave him one last hate filled glare, but to his astonishment, Peter went flying into the same brick wall he had.

"Stop!" roared a familiar gravelly voice, but Peter was already up, twisting to fire a curse at Alastor Moody. Sirius stumbled to his feet as he saw Peter dodge two expertly aimed curses and make for the crater.

Kingsley Shacklebolt fired a desperate Disarming Spell as Peter dove for the cracked hole in the street. For a second he thought he'd missed completely, but he was ecstatic to see Pettigrew's wand go spinning harmlessly into the air

"Freeze!" called Scrimgeour as he rushed up behind , his wand trained on Pettigrew. The traitor turned…and waved?

To the Aurors' astonishment, Pettigrew began to shrink. Recovering quickly, they sent Stunners after him but they flashed harmlessly around him as Pettigrew's head reached the street.

"Oh no you don't!" shouted Sirius as he ran up to the Aurors

"Pettigrew's an Animagus!" Proudfoot called uselessly, but in the next second he was knocked down as a black blur rushed by him.

"What the-?"

"It's Black!" Kingsley shouted, who had seen the man transform out of the corner of his eye. The dog ran down in the hole as the Aurors ran up.

The street was devastated. The crater reached the depths of the street, cracking the sewer below and exposing the pipes. Screams flew through the air around them as Muggles pointed at the debris and body parts littering the street.

"I'm going to call for backup," said Moody. "We need Obliviators and St Mungo's personnel here immediately.

"Wait!" Kingsley shouted as he pointed down into the exposed sewer below. A large black dog came into view, its tail wagging ferociously. Its teeth were bared into something like a grin, and in between his teeth they could see a struggling rat trapped in the dog's jaws.

"He has him!" Scrimgeour cried.

"All right," said Moody. "Get Black and Pettigrew to the Ministry right now, Kingsley and William. "Rufus, Leon and I will stay here to coordinate this…cleanup."

"And find a box to put that rat in," said Scrimgeour. "We don't need him escaping into the Ministry!"

"Very well," said Kingsley as he nodded at Proudfoot. He stooped to pick up the dog, ignoring the chaos around him.

"I wonder if it's improper to say 'good boy,' he said dryly as he scratched Sirius's head. "Especially to an illegal Animagus."

Kingsley wasn't entirely sure if he could read a dog's emotions, but he could have sworn he saw a smirk come across Sirius's face. In the next moment, the two humans, dog and rat, had turned on the spot and Disapparated.

Dennis is Alicia's uncle in my made up world. Rest in Peace random OC who I created :(

Hope you enjoyed. Please read and review!