Marauders' Godson Book 3: Prisoner of Azkaban

Chapter Twenty-one

Edward ran down to the grounds, with Remus on his heels, the sky darker than usual with clouds covering it. When they reached the Whomping Willow, he found Harry's cloak on the ground just outside the branches' reach. Remus picked it up.

"That's Harry's. He must have followed Sirius inside," Edward said anxiously. "Which must mean they're all in there as well...."

Remus bit his lip. "How are we supposed to touch the knot?"

There was a gentle meow behind them, and they turned to see a familiar golden cat padding toward them. Sunny slipped past the lashing branches and pressed her two front paws against the knot at the base of the trunk.

The tree stilled.

"That's odd," said Remus as the two of them quickly walked forward. "She looks a bit like Gem's Animagus...."

Edward picked up the cat and slipped into the tunnel after Remus.

The tunnel was long and low. After a long while, they reached steps up to a trapdoor. Remus opened it, climbed inside, and helped Edward up after him, Sunny clutched in one arm.

"Upstairs, do you think?" Edward whispered to Remus as they hurried forward through the Shrieking Shack.

"Probably," said Remus.

At that moment, a shout echoed from upstairs, a familiar one.

"YOU SHOW UP AFTER TWELVE YEARS AND ALL YOU CAN SAY IS SORRY?" Ruby shrieked.

Sunny leaped out of Edward's arms and rushed up the stairs. Remus and Edward exchanged glances and ran after the cat.

Ruby and Harry were standing over Sirius Black, their wands pointed at his chest, where Crookshanks was sitting. A much paler Draco was holding Ron in a rickety bed, his leg scratched, bleeding, and crooked. Onyx, Hermione, and Topaz were in one corner of the room, staring at Black with wide eyes.

Sunny shot into the room ahead of Edward and plopped onto Sirius Black's chest beside Crookshanks, giving Ruby a mournful look.

"Expelliarmus!" Remus said sharply, raising his wand.

Ruby's and Harry's wands flew out of their hands and Edward caught them.

"WHAT?" Ruby shrieked, giving Edward a furious, pained look. "YOU'RE SIDING WITH-"

Edward held up a hand to tell her to wait a moment, then turned to his foster father. "Remus, was that really necessary?"

"Ed," said Sirius on the floor. "It's been a while. You've grown."

"Oh really, I have?" Edward asked dryly. "It's been twelve years, of course I've grown. Remus?"

"They can have their wands back, as long as they give Sirius a chance to explain," Remus answered.

"Explain what?" Harry growled. "I thought you were on our side, Edward."

Edward sighed. "Harry, has anyone ever told you about all that remained of Peter Pettigrew?"

"No," said Harry shortly.

"A finger," said Ruby. "Zabini was taunting us about it a few weeks ago."

"And Scabbers," said Edward calmly, "is missing a toe."

"That was quick," said Sirius.

"Twelve years is not quick, Sirius," said Edward.

Remus strode forward and grasped Sirius' hand, then helped him to his feet.

"I DON'T BELIEVE IT!" Hermione shrieked. Topaz looked shocked.