Raven (Fred x oc)

21. Rats!

My back began to ache as I kept my small form crouched down in the opening of the Whomping Willow. Spotting movement at the edge of the wood, I stood up and glanced towards where the others would be coming from. Seeing nothing, I went to check out what I had seen. Confident it was probably just a squirrel, I went back to my spot.

I crouched even lower as I saw the gigantic dog form of Sirius. He leapt forward, grabbed onto Ron's foot and dragged him into the opening. I followed behind, out of sight of Ron. Dad dragged him into a small room with a bed and let go of Ron on the floor beside it as Crookshanks jumped on the bed.

Changing forms, Sirius said, "You were supposed to get Harry in here."

"You dragged in Ron," I retorted. "He'll come. He's got his whole hero-complex thing going, always has."

"You're with him?!" Ron exclaimed, glaring at me and getting to his feet painfully.

"Ron, it's not what you think-" I began, but Sirius cut me off.

"Shh," he hissed, a small creaking noise coming from downstairs. I drew my wand and so did Dad as we waited for what was to come. Harry and Hermione dashed across the room to Ron.

"Ron - are you okay?"

"Where's the dog?"

"Not a dog," Ron moaned. "Harry, it's a trap and she's with him! They were right!"

"What?" Harry replied.

"He's the dog," Ron yelled, wincing. "He's an animagus." Harry wheeled around. I stepped across Dad and shut the door, standing in front of it.

"Expelliarmus," Dad croaked, ridding them of their wands and handing them to me. "I was going to have Raven lure you in, but she know you'd come for your friend. Your father would have done the same for me. Brave of you, not to run to a teacher. I'm grateful...it will make everything much easier..." Harry lunged forward, but Hermione held him back, still staring at me with hurt and disbelief.

"If you want to kill Harry, you'll have to kill us to!" Ron shouted fiercely.

"Told you," I muttered bitterly.

"Lie down," Sirius said softly to Ron. "You'll damage that leg even more."

"Did you hear me?" Ron said weakly, looking like he was about to pass out from the strain of standing. "You'll have to kill all three of us."

"There'll be only one murder tonight," I retorted lowly.

"Why's that?" Harry spat angrily. "Didn't care last time, did you, Black? Didn't mind slaughtering all those muggles to get at Pettigrew." My fist clenched. "What's the matter, you two go soft in Azkaban?"

"Harry," Hermione hissed, terrified. "Be quiet!"

"HE KILLED MY MUM AND DAD!" Harry shouted, his anger boiling over. He got free of Ron and Hermione and lunged forward. He grabbed hold of Sirius' wrist, forcing away Ron's wand in his hand and punching him in the side of the head.

"Dad!" I screamed, ripping Harry off of him. "What is wrong with you?!"

"Shut up!" Harry screamed, managing to wrestle the three wands from my hand and pointed them to my throat. Gripping my wrist, he twisted my arm behind my back, the wands still at my throat. "Move and I'll kill her," Harry threatened, staring down Dad. I tried to struggle but even at thirteen Harry was about the same size as me and physically stronger.

"Dad," I said quietly. Harry accidentally pressed the wands into my throat, causing the tips to burn and scorch my skin. Against my will, a faint whimper left my lips, causing Sirius to flinch.