Pup

Chapter 29

Roxy's POV

We started to walk towards the Whomping Willow when there was a swooshing noise and we all had the wind knocked out of us. The willow was awake and not willing to let us past. We dodged and ducked, leaped and dove, trying to get close to the base of the tree, when Hermione was lifted off her feet and, screaming was whirled around the top of the tree. Suddenly, she came plummeting towards us, still gripping the tree.

"Grab Roxy!" Hermione cried and Harry grabbed my arm while Hermione grabbed a handful of Harry's shirt and then, we were off! Me and Harry cried out in surprise and Hermione clung onto us then threw us into the hole.

We tumbled down the narrow passageway, me landing on Harry's legs.

"Sorry Harry!" I said and we both stood up, then Hermione came rolling down the tunnel, knocking us over again.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Hermione whispered sincerely and I just smiled at her to show it was al-right. I looked up and saw paw-prints.

"I think they're up there" I said quietly, and we started our ascent up the stairs.

It was quiet as we walked, and very eerie. Hermione and Harry were probably worried about ghosts, but I knew the whines and yelps from the shack were just Dad when he was at school, so the shack had been silent for years now, but people still feared it. That included Hermione as she her eyes were darting around the room as if expecting to see an unfriendly ghost pop out of no-where. Harry was intent on finding Ron so he wasn't showing any fear.

The paw-prints went under a closed door so I reached out and pushed the door open, seeing Ron lying on a bed, his leg propped up on pillows. Well, at least Uncle Sirius had tried to make him comfortable.

"Harry, Hermione, Roxy, it's a trap! It's him, he's the dog, an animagus! It's Sirius Black!" Ron trembled, panic-stricken and he raised an arm to point behind the door just as Uncle Sirius pushed the door shut, giving the impression that he had them trapped. I just rolled my eyes at his antics and he gave a slight smile in my direction. We all stood (or in Ron's case sat) in silence until Ron tried to get up and stand with us three.

"You aught to rest that leg you know, I'm no Madame Pomfrey but, it looks broken" Sirius said and I scoffed

"Oh and whose fault was that?" I asked, arching my eyebrow and trying to look disproving. Uncle Sirius just gave a chuckle.

"Yes, I guess I'm guilty for that one aren't I?" He chuckled and I gave him a weak smile, but it was at these words Harry seemed to have found his voice.

"That's not the only thing you're guilty of is it? Black." Harry spat vehemently and I sensed an oncoming storm, I think Hermione did too as she went to stand by Ron, who was looking very pale.

"Actually, if you listen to me, you will find that it is the only crime that I am guilty of." Uncle Sirius tried to explain, but Harry was having none of it.

"You're guilty of the murder of 12 muggles, Peter Pettigrew and my parents! You killed three of your best friends and 12 innocent people because you're a death eater!" Harry shouted

"NO! That's not right! I am an innocent man! What do you think kept me sane in Azkaban all these years! It was the knowledge that I was not guilty of the crime I committed!" Uncle Sirius said, almost pleading Harry to believe him.

It was then we heard someone walking around downstairs.

"HELP IT'S SIRIUS BLACK! WE'RE UP HERE!" Hermione all but screamed, I mentally face palmed at her actions, that could be anyone!

"Listen, Ron is it? Give me your rat and I can prove what I said is true!" Uncle Sirius said

"No way! Scabbers doesn't have anything to do with this!" Ron shouted, looking scared

"Actually, Scabbers has everything to do with this." Said the familiar voice from the corner, I turned around and gave them a warm smile.

"Professor Lupin help us!" Hermione pleaded and Dad just gave her a small smile.

"I would if you were in any danger Hermione" Dad said, walking over to Uncle Sirius, leaving Hermione looking dumbfounded.

"Remus, my friend, it's been too long!" Uncle Sirius said

"Indeed it has Padfoot" Dad replied and they gave each other a brotherly hug. I was smiling on the inside and doing a little happy dance whereas Harry looked murderous.

"You're his FRIEND! You've been helping him all this time! I knew we shouldn't trust him, he's a werewolf!" Hermione cried, that hurt. A lot.

"What?!" Ron gasped and he fell back, unable to get back up again.

"Here, let me help you..."Dad started back Ron cut him off.

"Get away from me werewolf!" Ron cried and a look of hurt flashed across Dad's face, and mine for that matter. Okay, they had just crossed the line.

"Take. That. Back." I growled at Ron, he looked taken-aback to say the least.

"W-what? You're defending him?! He's a monster!" Ron shouted

"So I'm a monster too then am I?" I asked him, my voice, dangerously calm and a look of pure terror crossed his face.

"You, you mean, you're just like, like him?!" Ron questioned

"Of course I am, he's my Dad!" I cried, silence met my response. Well, if he knew I was a werewolf, he might as well know I'm the daughter of the defence against the dark arts teacher.

"So, I've been best friends with a werewolf for three years-" Ron started but I cut across him

"And you're not dead yet are you? I'm not stupid, this is the reason I didn't tell you, you jump to conclusions and end up causing more damage than if I hadn't told you." I explained, and even though he looked less surprised, he looked more angry. I went and walked over to stand by Dad.

"Look, I think we just need to solve what we came here for, so, Ron, please hand me Scabbers." Dad said calmly and Ron just shook his head.

"Ron, give us the rat!" Uncle Sirius snapped and I turned to face him.

"It would probably help if you explained why you wanted the rat first." I whispered to Dad and he nodded.

"Listen, we owe you an explanation, you especially Harry, as to why we need that rat." Dad explained

"Remus, I can't wait for you to explain, I want to commit the crime I was imprisoned for." Uncle Sirius growled.

"You waited in Azkaban for 12 years, you can wait ten minutes more." Dad said sternly and they launched into the story of what really happened at Godrics hollow that fateful night.