The Herbology Assistant

Chapter Forty Five

It's been a few weeks and the castle was more quiet than usual. Clarice was tidying up in her greenhouse one night when Remus knocked on her door. Allowing him in, Clarice put the kettle on her stove for a quick cup of tea. 

"I bet you're wondering why I'm here." He said. 

"To visit your best friend, right?" Sirius said while coming out from the bathroom in a bath robe, having just showered. Clarice had been living in Severus' chambers to give Sirius privacy. She was usually only here to tend to her creatures and plants.

"Er- not exactly," Remus chuckled and Sirius frowned as he sat at the table with the pair.

"Where's Severus?" Sirius asked. 

"Probably failing papers." Clarice muttered. 

"Everything alright?" Remus asked her and she nodded her head quickly. 

"All is well. I think he's just overwhelmed at the moment." She said. "Anyways... Remus?"

"Right." He said as he laid down the marauders map on her table and pointed to it. Specifically at Hagrid's Hut where there were five names. 

"Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hagrid... and Peter." Clarice gasped and grabbed her black cloak quickly. 

"We need to go. Now!" She yelled at Remus who had already grabbed his jacket. Sirius quickly transformed into his dog form and followed the two out into the corridors, leaving the door open. 

Sirius was much faster than Remus and Clarice as he sprinted down to Hagrid's. By the time Clarice and Remus had made it down the large hill, they couldn't seem to spot Sirius. The pair pounded on Hagrid's door and when he opened it, he looked shocked.

"Where are the children?" Clarice huffed out of breath. 

"They er- just left. I dunno where they were headed." He shrugged. "Do you want to come in for some tea?"

"My apologies Hagrid. I wish we could, but the kids could be in trouble. We'll talk later." Clarice said while backing away from the hut. She closed her eyes and tried to listen for their thoughts. 

"Remus. Come on. This way! Ron's hurt!" She ran and nearly bumped right into Severus. 

"Sev! What are you?" She shook it off realizing now wasn't the time to be asking questions. They paused in front of the whomping willow and Severus looked at the woman who nodded, confirming they were in fact in there. 

As they walked along the hidden passage, Lupin lead the way, saying he was most familiar with these tunnels. 

"How did you know where to find us?" Clarice finally asked Severus. 

"You left your door opened and the kettle was on. I went in and saw the map on the table. Showing you lot by Hagrid's. The kids heading to the shack with Sirius and Pettigrew." Severus said as they entered a room that resembled a bedroom. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were in a corner, Ron was whimpering while clutching his leg. In the other corner, Sirius had a filthy man in his grasp, choking him. 

"Sirius!" Remus yelled at the man, but he did not loosen his grip. 

"Sirius," Clarice spoke calmly which somehow caused him to look at the woman. "You can't kill him."

"She's right. We need him to clear your innocence." Harry spoke. 

"We'll bring him to Dumbledore." Hermione chipped in. 

They all made their way out, back to Hogwarts. The night had fallen quickly and as they stepped out into the field, Clarice's eyes flashed as she looked up to the sky. It wasn't the stars she was fixated on though, it was the moon. Full and bright of life.