A Potter Secret

Pettigrew the Rat

Harry and Hermione make their way through the primitive passageway, ducking the roots that dangle overhead. Then, abruptly, the tunnel ends. Confused, Harry and Hermione glance about, then, as one, peer up. A small opening. Harry reaches up, hoists himself through.

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Harry pulls Hermione up. Looks about. Paper peels from the walls. Stains, suspiciously similar to dried blood, blot the floorboards. Shattered furniture lies strewn everywhere. "We're in the Shrieking Shack, aren't we?" Hermione asks.

Harry doesn't answer, staring at the dog prints in the dust on the floor. The ceiling creaks. They dash to the stairs. They come out, looking down. A wide, shiny stripe cuts through the dust-laden floor, as if something has been dragged, to the end of the hallway, where a light seeps from a door. "Nox," Harry casts. His wand-light dies. Slowly, they step to the door. Exchange a look. She nods, wand ready, and Harry kicks the door aside. Ron sits upon a sagging bed, clutching his bloody foot.

"Ron! You're okay-" Hermione smiles.

Harry turns to him. "The dog, where's the-"

"He's the dog. It's a trap, Harry. He's an Animagus-" Ron cries, clutching Scabbers.

Harry looks down, follows the paw prints on the floor to a pair of filthy human feet. Harry looks up slowly at the man standing in the shadows. Filthy, matted hair hangs to his shoulders. His skin like a corpse. Sirius black. He studies Harry's face keenly. Harry draws his wand. "If you want to kill Harry, you'll, you'll have to kill us, too!" Hermione assures.

"No. Only one will die tonight," Sirius Black mutters.

"Then it'll be you!" Harry shouts.

"Harry! No!" Hermione calls.

Just then, footsteps sound. Black wheels toward the door, edgy. Harry eyes Black, wand hand shaking violently. As Black turns back, he stops, regards Harry cautiously. "Going to kill me, Harry?" Sirius asks.

"Yes," Harry assures.

Harry raises his wand. Blam! The door crashes open. Remus Lupin stands there. "Professor Lupin!" The trio cheers.

Lupin ignores them, eying Black intensely. "Looking a bit ragged, aren't we, Sirius? Finally the skin reflects the madness within," Remus jokes.

"You'd know all about the madness within, wouldn't you, Remus?" Sirius asks.

The two regard each other, the moment taut with tension, then Lupin steps forward and embraces Black like a brother. "No! I trusted you! I covered up for you. And all this time you've been his friend!" Hermione surmises. She points at Remus. "He's a werewolf! That's why he's been missing classes!"

Harry and Ron stare, dumbfounded, at Lupin. Black howls then, bitterly amused. Lupin eyes him, then turns back. "How long have you known?" Remus asks.

"Since Professor Snape set the essay," Hermione explains.

"You're the brightest witch of your age I've ever met, Hermione," Remus smiles.

"Yes, you glow like the sun. And you howl at the moon. Enough talk! He dies. Now. If you won't do it with me, Remus, I'll do it alone," Sirius assures.

"Wait, Sirius-" Remus tries.

"I did my waiting! Twelve years of it! In Azkaban! Trust me, you wouldn't have lasted a week!" Sirius cries.

Lupin eyes Black, then nods, handing him the wand. "All right then. As you wish."

"No!" Harry cries.