Harriet Lily Potter

Chapter Twenty Five

Chapter Twenty Five

I took a few moments for the absurdity of this statement to sink in. Harriet didn’t know what to believe now; she personally thought Black was going mad along with Uncle Remus, something Ron voiced out.

“You’re both mental.”

“That is just…” Harriet started, not able to think of the appropriate word “Impossible.”

“Pettigrew’s dead!” said Harry “He killed him twelve years ago!” he pointed at Black, whose face twitched convulsively.

“I meant to,” he growled, his yellow teeth bared, “but little Peter got the better of me… not this time, though!”

Black lunged at Scabbers who was currently in Ron’s hands. Ron yelled with pain as Black’s weight fell on his broken leg.

“Sirius, NO!” Uncle Remus yelled, launching himself forwards and dragging Black away from Ron again, “WAIT! You can’t do it just like that – they need to understand – we’ve got to explain –“

“We can explain afterwards!” snarled Black, trying to throw Uncle Remus off. One hand still clawing the air as it tried to reach Scabbers, who was squealing like a piglet, scratching Ron’s face and neck as he tried to escape.

“They’ve – got – a – right – to – know – everything!” Uncle Remus panted, still trying to restrain Black. “Ron’s kept him as a pet! There are parts of it even I don’t understand, and Harry and Harriet – you owe both of them the truth, Sirius!”

Black stopped struggling, though his hollowed eyes were still fixed on Scabbers, who was clamped tightly under Ron’s bitten, scratched and bleeding hands.

“All right, then,” Black said, without taking his eyes off the rat. “Tell them whatever you like. But make it quick, Remus. I want to commit the murder I was imprisoned for.”

“You’re nutters, both of you,” said Ron shakily “I’ve had enough of this. I’m off.”

He tried to heave himself up on his good leg, but Uncle Remus raised his wand again, pointing it at Scabbers.

“You’re going to hear me out, Ron,” he said quietly “Just keep a tight hold on Peter while you listen.”

“HE’S NOT PETER, HE’S SCABBERS!” Ron yelled, trying to force the rat back into his front pocket, but Scabbers was fighting hard; Ron swayed and overbalanced, and Harry caught him and pushed him back down to the bed. Ron looked like he wanted to protest but Harriet had had enough.

“Just shut up Ron.” She said; she then turned to Uncle Remus. The only person she ever trusted ever since she was a kid, she wasn’t so sure about that now though “Are you sure you aren’t about to lie?”

“I speak the truth Harriet,” he said softly “You know I would never do anything that would endanger you.” They locked eyes, and for a moment Harriet knew he was telling the truth.

“There were witnesses who saw Pettigrew die.” Said Harry, Harriet looked back at him and nodded in agreement. She looked up at Uncle Remus once more

“True.” She said

“They didn’t see what they thought they saw!” said Black savagely, still watching Scabbers struggling in Ron’s hands.

“Everyone thought Sirius killed Peter,” said Uncle Remus, nodding. “I believed it myself – until I saw the map tonight. Because the Marauder’s Map never lies… Peter’s alive. Ron’s holding him. Harriet, Harry I’m telling you the truth.”