Brother's Keeper (wtm)

Sirius Black

As the trio exits through the back door, Fudge, Dumbledore, and the Executioner enter through the front. A veil of crows flutters onto the roof. More drop into the patch and begin to circle Buckbeak slowly. Harry and the others duck behind the pumpkins and watch Hagrid solemnly greet the others.

Fudge appears at the window and picks his nose. Just then, a Shhh! is heard. Hermione turns. The branches of the trees behind her are dancing oddly. Harry looks at her strangely as he asks her, "What?" Hermione looks confused before shaking her head, "It's Nothing. I just thought I saw... Never mind."

The trio slips silently into a stand of trees. Beyond them, Hagrid's hut glimmers desolately in the dying sun. High in the clock tower, a bell begins to DING! DING! DING! The trio stops, fighting their tears.

CAW! CAW! -- The crows shriek excitedly and the Executioner separates from the others, disappearing behind a low tree stand. DING! The wind loses its voice... DING! Sunlight kicks off the axe as it rises over the trees into view... DING! The ax hangs seemingly forever, etched against the sky, then drops from sight. A sickening CHOP! fouls the breeze and Ron and Harry stare toward the trees in numb disbelief. Hermione turns her face into Ron and trembles... a frenzied spray of crows stains the bloody sky, their primal shrieking rising like a curse.

Many around the hall jump at the loud chopping sound. Some become emotional and cry into their friend's shoulder. All feeling some kind of pity for the creature that was innocent in all of this.

Iris who saw Hagrid full-on sobbing decided to spoil that Buckbeak was ok and everything worked out. Hagrid's shoulders instantly relax when he understands what she was mouthing to him and sends her a grateful smile.

Klaus who seemed to be the only other person to notice the exchange looked to his best friend mockingly saying "Look at you being sweet and all." Iris scoffs at him "Please I am always sweet... except with idiots." Klaus and Cedric who caught on to what she was insituating yelled out in defense. But before they can say anything further the memories start up again causing Iris to smirk and rest back into Kol's arms.

Slowly, Hermione's hand falls onto Ron's shoulder and the camera pans down the length of Ron's arm to his hand, where a drop of blood hangs from his finger and drops like a tear... Ron stares at his hand. At the blood running down his finger in shock he says, "He bit me..." His eyes shift as he sees Scabbers streaking away.

Hermione yells out "Ron! No!" As Ron pelts after Scabbers, Harry and Hermione give chase after him. Ron reaches the summit and disappears over the top. Hermione and Harry follow behind. Harry and Hermione reach the top of the ridge and stop. Hermione looks at Harry as she sees the tree "Harry. You do realize what tree this is..."

The Maurders who recognize the tree very well start yelling various warnings. No! Run away! Oh god, run! Their eyes glued to the screen all three feeling worried for the children. Except a now wide-eyed Peter who is hoping his true plans are not revealed knowing he already has taken the mark and couldn't pretend to change.

Iris who notices his nervous expression smiles widely she cannot wait to see his face when everything is revealed. But one look at her dad has her feeling bad all over again. She knew he would be devasted at the betrayal that would soon be revealed.

James who sees his daughter's frown becomes worried and sends her his best reassuring smile. He didn't know what was about to happen. But he knew one thing he hated seeing his little princess upset.

Ron nabs Scabbers, and cradles him in his bloody palm while sternly saying "Now behave yourself." Ron is kneeling under the Whomping Willow Harry notices and says "That's not good. [yelling] Ron! Run!" Ron spins. Looks toward Harry "Harry! Run!" Harry's eyes shift and widen when he sees an enormous, pale-eyed, Jet-black... dog running straight at him. Harry shields himself when... the dog leaps clear over him. Ron shouts out "Aaaahhh!" As the dog's teeth flash and -- SNAP! -- close on Ron's foot, dragging him towards the trunk like a rag doll.