What If?

Chapter 3

Third Year
Harry sat in the compartment which Hermione and Ron had chosen, his mind buzzing with the information Mr Weasley had given him. After some time he noticed the fourth person in the compartment. "Who's that?" He asked hoarsely. "Professor R.J Lupin." Replied Hermione. He nodded. A minute later he started feeling cold. He could hear Ron's teeth chattering. "What's going on?" Asked Harry as he looked out of the window. Just then the Professor said in a hoarse voice," Stay down and keep quiet." As he held blue flames in his hand. The door to the compartment opened and a figure glided in. "None of us are hiding Sirius Black here. Go away." But the figure didn't move. Harry heard someone woman screaming as he passed out. He was woken later by someone slapping his face. "I'm up. I'm up." He groused and opened his eyes. He saw Hermione, Ron, the Professor, Neville and Ginny looking at him in concern. "Who was screaming?" Asked Harry. "No one screamed Harry." Said Hermione with concern.

The Next Day
Harry was walking to the Astronomy Tower to meet up with Daphne. He was thinking about how the dementors affected him and who the woman was. As soon as he reached the tower, he was pulled into a hug. Knowing that the Slytherin Ice Queen didn't get scared, he simply melted into the hug. "Malfoy was going on and on about you and the dementors in the Common Room. I so wanted to remind him that even he almost wet his pants when they came into his compartment. But then I realised that this is blackmail Material. So I'll hold on to it." He just smiled as she rambled on knowing that this was one of her coping mechanisms. He simply pulled her into another hug. He felt her shaking with tears as he was hugging her. She calmed down after some time. "I would like to tell you something." He said. " What is it Harry?" She asked. "I think I know why Sirius Black broke out of Azkaban." "Why?" " To finish his work for Voldemort. He wants to kill me." She laughed loudly. Whatever reaction he was expecting this wasn't it. "Harry you idiot. He's not coming to kill you." "What do you mean?" "Harry, Sirius Orion Black III, Lord of the Ancient and Noble House of Black, is your sworn Godfather. He couldn't have betrayed you or your family, because if he had done so, his magic would've killed him." "And how do you know this?" "Because my mother Isabella Greengrass neé Thompson and my aunt Alice Johanna Longbottom neé Thompson are your sworn Godmothers." "Neville's mother?" "Yes. Neville's my cousin. We meet each other in secret. So as not to create issues for him. Anyway. Did you know Sirius didn't get a trial?" "What? How would you know that?" "Harry for the past 13 years I've listened to my father and mother lament the fact that they couldn't get their best friend a trial, because they couldn't find evidence of his innocence. They know something was off that night. They suspect Peter Pettigrew." "Who's Peter Pettigrew?" "Peter Pettigrew is the one person who according to facts is dead. How did they conclude this? On the day your parents died, Sirius went to confront Peter. They think that Sirius overpowered his blasting curse that 13 muggles and Peter died. They heard Peter yelling,"Lily and James, Sirius how could you." They found only his finger, there." "Daph, can you contact your parents and ask if there was anything special about my parents? Like if they were animagi or something? Because I have a hunch. And I think Professor Lupin knows." "Wait. The New defence professor? His name is Lupin?" "Yeah. Why?" "Harry, my parents were a part of a group called the Marauders. Potter, Black, Lupin, Greengrass, Longbottom and Pettigrew and the ladies were Evans, McKinnon, Sinistra, Thompson and Thompson." "Do my ears deceive me Gred?" Asked a new Voice. "No they do not Forge. For even I heard the name Marauders." Said another new voice. Both Harry and Daphne jumped, pulled their wands out and turned. "It's us Harrikins. Gred and Forge." Said two identical twins. "What are you two doing here?" Asked Harry. "We were passing by and heard two voices. So we decided to check them out. And lo behold, we saw the Gryffindor Prince talking to the Slytherin Ice Queen. So we decided to wait and see what happens. Why were you talking about the Marauders." Asked Fred. "Why does it matter to you Weasley?" Asked Daphne. "Wait guys. Allow me to introduce them. Daphne these two lovable idiots are Fred and George Weasley. Boys this is Daphne Greengrass. She's a friend." Said Harry. " Pleased to meet you Ms Greengrass." Said the twins and bowed. "Pleased to meet you too Messer's Weasley." Said Daphne. "Guys what do you both know about the Marauders?" Asked Harry. " They were the best pranksters the school has ever seen. Why do you ask Harrikins?" Asked George. "Messer's Weasley allow me to present to you, the next generation of the Marauders, Daphne Isabella Greengrass and Me, Harry James Potter." Said Harry. "Prove it." Said Fred as he removed an old piece of Parchment. Daphne removed her wand and tapped it while saying," I solemnly swear that I'm upto no good." "Messer's Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, Prongs and Mogul are pleased to present the Marauders Map." "You really are the next generation." Said George in awe. "So how can we help you?" Asked Fred. "We need you to look for anything strange." Said Harry when Daphne squeaked. "Daph what is the matter?" He asked. She and George pointed to a name which was not expected to be there. Peter Pettigrew.