the case of dawna flynn - r.j lupin

nine

"Harry would you come with me please?" Remus spoke as he tucked the parchment piece into his pocket. Red was feeling manic and was swatting at Remus shoulder persistently he pat her foot gently telling her to stop before he rounded Harry up. "Goodnight Severus." he spoke as the pair walked towards the DADA classroom.

The cat persisted to swat his shoulder on the way there and Remus gave her a stern scolding and she jumped off his shoulder in annoyance and ran ahead and she was waiting on the desk when Remus and Harry entered the room. As soon as they walked in, Red began that funny walking show she done when she first found the Marauders map and Remus had a look of realization when he pulled the map from his pocket.

"Ah right, I understand now Red." He said and pulled a treat from the jar beside Red and handed it to her. It was dried fruits and Red moved to mind her own business and gnaw on the treat.

"Now, Harry, why you didn't turn this map in the moment it came into your possession is beyond me." Remus spoke as he leaned against the desk and Harry stood before him, looking almost ashamed as he avoided eye contact with the professor and Remus sighed.

"Listen, Harry, I understand the curiosity when it comes to an artefact such as this;" Remus spoke as he waved the map in the air before placing it on the desk beside him. "But I know that you are fully aware of all the dangers in the castle right now and if you lost this map and one, let's say Sirius Black, found this map and figured out how to use it. Then there is a path leading straight to you." Remus scolded. He knew that Sirius Black knew how to use the map afterall he was one of the founders of the map but he wasn't in the right mind to disclose that information to Harry.

"I'm sorry Professor, I didn't think"

"Its not sorry, you put your life in grave danger by keeping hold of this map boy." Remus said and picked up the map again. "Of course you didn't think, you're thirteen and hold the curiosity expected of your age but you're no ordinary wizard boy, you're Harry Potter and as long as you are who you are you will be at danger so you need to be careful Harry. If not for your own sake but for your friends. And your parents who gave up their lives to preserve yours."

Both fell silent for a good few moments after that, Remus fuming with smoke practically ejecting from his ears and Harry staring at the ground embarrassed and ashamed.

"Now, I will not cover up for you again Harry. Go to your dorm and stay there." Remus said and watched as Harry turned to walk away. "And don't take any detours," the man unfolded the map. "I shall know."

Harry nodded solemly and walked to the door. As he opened it he paused and turned to face Lupin one last time.
"I don't think that map always works Professor," Remus looked at him with raised brows, "Earlier, it showed someone wondering that I know to be dead." Remus put the map down and walked towards Harry.

"I find that hard to believe Harry, who might that be that you saw?" Lupin asked and Harry paused for a moment before turning out of the room.

"Peter Pettigrew."

The moment the door had shut Remus darted for the map and unfolded it completely, tapping his wand on it and muttering the spell. He watched as the map came to life but he couldn't find the name he was looking for.

It was impossible that Peter was alive. Sirius Black had murdered him, the finger left behind was evidence of that. Red came and sat by the map and stared at Remus in concern. Remus stared back at Red for a few minute before waves of realization hit him.

He had to sit down.

Remus collapsed into his chair and Red climbed onto his lap in an attempt to comfort him.

All they found of Peter was a finger, no other remains. Nothing. Sirius Black was found to be guilty of the murder a few days after. But if Peter was alive and roaming on the map that meant he was alive and Sirius wasn't a murderer.

He remembered Sirius' begging for Remus to believe he hadn't done wrong. That it wasn't him. Remus didn't believe him because he blamed Peter and Peter was dead. But now if Peter was alive, Remus realised in his animagus form the pudgy man could have gotten away undetected and thats how he's wandering the castle undetected.

Maybe what Sirius had said 12 years ago was true. Maybe it really was Peter that betrayed Lily and James Potter. Which meant Sirius Black was innocent.

He looked at Red and he was crying.

"Sirius is innocent Red, he's innocent." The man cried hysterically as he held his own cheeks. "And Peter is alive."

The man was truly astounded and he wasn't sure what to do but he knew he couldn't tell anyone. They'd accuse him on conspiring with Sirius and that would do him no good in trying to help and prove his only remaining friends innocence.

"I'm so sorry Sirius," Remus spoke to the empty room and then he heard a howl from the woods outside his windown and he jumped up and threw it open. That was a howl that belonged to a dog he knew all to well and he could just about see the shaggy black dog run through the trees.

"Sirius."