Bella and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Chapter Forty-Seven

Hey guys, I'd appreciate it if you read this author's note before reading:

So I haven't been updating because I've been taking some time for myself, trying to come to terms with my mental health, dealing with problems and trying to sort out the mess I call life...However, while I've been doing that, I've been thinking about the future of my Wattpad account.

Nothing is set in stone yet but I've been thinking about stopping writing once the 'Bella and the...' series are finished. My account will remain open so people can continue to read my works but there won't be any more updates. My heart is breaking just thinking about this but I need to do what's best for me and my health. I just don't have time anymore, my mental health is just taking over everything. I hope you understand but like I said, nothing is set in place yet. I'm just thinking about it. 

Anyway, enjoy this chapter:

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It took a few seconds for the absurdity of this statement to sink in. Then Ron voiced what I was thinking. 

"You're both mental"

"Ridiculous!" Hermione said faintly.

"Peter Pettigrew's dead," Harry said. "He killed him twelve years ago!"

Harry 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!"

And Crookshanks was thrown to the floor as Black lunged at Scabbers; Ron yelled with pain as Black's weight fell on his broken leg. 

"Sirius, NO!" Lupin 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 explain -"

"We can explain afterwards!" Black snarled, trying to throw Lupin 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!" Lupin panted, still trying to restrain Black. "Ron's kept him as a pet! There are parts of it even I don't understand! And Bella and Harry - you owe 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," said Black, 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 both crazy," I whispered. 

"I've had enough of this, I'm off," Ron said shakily, looking around at us for support. He tried to heave himself up on his good leg, but Lupin 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 too hard; Ron swayed and overbalanced, I caught him and pushed him back down to the bed. Then, ignoring Black, I turned to Lupin. 

"There were witnesses who saw Pettigrew die," I said. "A whole street full of them..."

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

"Everyone thought Sirius killed Peter," Lupin said, 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, Bella"