The Future

31: Jamie

Chapter 31 (kinda Chapter 30 part 2)

"The whole story?" Harry repeated, a furious pounding in his ears. "You sold them to Voldemort. That's all I need to know."
　　"You've got to listen to me," Black said, and there was a note of urgency in his voice now. "You'll regret it if you don't.... You don't understand...."
　　"I understand a lot better than you think," said Harry, and his voice shook more than ever. "You never heard her, did you? My mum... trying to stop Voldemort killing me... and you did that... you did it...."
　　Before either of them could say another word, something ginger (No, it's not Ron... I took the responsibility of sitting on him so he couldn't get up) streaked past Harry; Crookshanks leapt onto Black's chest and settled himself there, right over Black's heart. Black blinked and looked down at the cat.
　　"Get off," he murmured, trying to push Crookshanks off him.
　　But Crookshanks sank his claws into Black's robes and wouldn't shift. He turned his ugly, squashed face to Harry and looked up at him with those great yellow eyes. To his right, Hermione gave a dry sob.
　　Harry stared down at Black and Crookshanks, his grip tightening on the wand. He looked ready to kill the cat as well... Hopefully I don't mess this up too much, I thought.
　　Harry raised the wand. Now was the moment to do it. Now was the moment to avenge his mother and father. He thought he was going to kill Black. Not on my watch.
　　The seconds lengthened. And still Harry stood frozen there, wand poised, Black staring up at him, Crookshanks on his chest. Ron's ragged breathing came from near the bed; Hermione and Anna were quite silent. I was about to get up and pull Harry up, when another sound came.
　　Muffled footsteps were echoing up through the floor -- someone was moving downstairs.
　　"WE'RE UP HERE!" Hermione screamed suddenly. "WE'RE UP HERE -- SIRIUS BLACK - QUICK!"
　　Black made a startled movement that almost dislodged Crookshanks; Harry gripped his wand convulsively, the footsteps were thundering up the stairs and Harry still hadn't done anything.
　　The door of the room burst open in a shower of red sparks and Harry wheeled around as Remus came hurtling into the room, his face bloodless, his wand raised and ready. His eyes flickered over Ron and I, giving me an odd look, lying on the bed, over Hermione and Anna, cowering next to the door, to Harry, standing there with his wand covering Black, and then to Black himself, crumpled and bleeding at Harry's feet.
　　"Expelliarmus!" Lupin shouted.
　　Harry's wand flew once more out of his hand; so did the two Hermione was holding, and Anna and mine. Remus caught them all deftly, then moved into the room, staring at Black, who still had Crookshanks lying protectively across his chest.
　　Harry stood there, looking suddenly empty. He hadn't done it. His nerve had failed him. YES! Was all I could think at that moment. Black was going to be handed back to the dementors. Oh dear Merlin no.
　　Then Remus spoke, in a very tense voice.
　　"Where is he, Sirius?"
　　Harry looked quickly at Remus. He didn't understannd what Remus meant. Who was this mysterious person, you may ask? Why, Peter Pettigrew of course! Harry turned to look at Black again.
　　Black's face was quite expressionless. For a few seconds, he didn't move at all. Then, very slowly, he raised his empty hand and pointed straight at Ron. Mystified, Harry glanced around at Ron, who looked bewildered.
　　"But then..." Remus muttered, staring at Black so intently it seemed he was trying to read his mind, "... why hasn't he shown himself before now? Unless" -- Remus' eyes suddenly widened, as though he was seeing something beyond Black, something none of the rest could see, "-- unless he was the one... unless you switched... without telling me?"
　　Very slowly, his sunken gaze never leaving Remus' face, Black nodded.
　　"Professor," Harry interrupted loudly, "what's going on --?"
　　But he never finished the question, because what he saw made his voice die in his throat. Remus was lowering his wand, gazing fixed at Black. My godfather walked to Black's side, seized his hand, pulled him to his feet so that Crookshanks fell to the floor, and embraced Black like a brother.
　　Harry looked as though the bottom had dropped out of his stomach.
　　"DON'T BELIEVE IT!" Hermione screamed. I almost laughed. Well, I kinda did, which made everyone look at me weirdly.
　　Remus let go of Black and turned to her, used to my oddness and ignored me. I stuck my tongue at his back, and Sirius chuckled. Hermione had raised herself off the floor (again, how do I miss this stuff?) and was pointing at Lupin, wild-eyed. "You -- you --"
　　"Hermione --"
　　"-- you and him!"
　　"Hermione, calm down --"
　　"I didn't tell anyone!" Hermione shrieked. "I've been covering up for you --"
　　"Hermione, listen to me, please'" Remus shouted. Well, this is quite the odd day. "I can explain --"
　　Harry was shaking, but not with fear, with a fresh wave of fury.
　　"I trusted you," he shouted at Remus, his voice wavering, out of control, "and all the time you've been his friend!"
　　"You're wrong," said Remus. "I haven't been Sirius's friend, but I am now -- Let me explain...."
　　"NO!" Hermione screamed. "Harry, don't trust him, he's been helping Black get into the castle, he wants you dead too -- he's a werewolf!"
　　There was a ringing silence. Everyone's eyes were now on Remus, who looked remarkably calm, though rather pale.
　　"Not at all up to your usual standard, Hermione," he said. "Only one out of three, I'm afraid. I have not been helping Sirius get into the castle and I certainly don't want Harry dead. An odd shiver passed over his face. "But I won't deny that I am a werewolf."
　　Ron made a valiant effort to get up again but fell back with a whimper of pain. Lupin made toward him, looking concerned, but Ron gasped, "Get away ftom me, werewolf!"