Not Alone After All

Chapter XXV

QUICK A/N

Okay I just wanted to say that the dialogue and the course of action from these next few (maybe more than few) chapters will probably not be as it is in the book. I wanted to write some things as they are exactly in the book, but in my house I only have the french version of the third one, which means I'm translating dialogue and actions as I go. So sorry if this looks like a sort of rephrased copy of the book :d

"I can't believe you followed me here!" Lupin said as they entered the Shrieking Shack. His breathing was laboured, and so was Laura's as they closed the door behind them. 

"We're here!" A voice suddenly screamed out. It was Hermione. She was one one calling for help, and by the looks of it, they were in the next floor. Remus and Laura didn't waste any time before they were running up the stairs. Remus opened the bedroom door in a swift kick to find Sirius Black on the ground; a few cuts on his face, Harry standing over him; his wand in hand, and Hermione standing by the bed on the other side of the room, standing in front of Ron, who appeared to have a very hurt leg. 

"Expelliarmus!" Lupin yelled out. For a second, Laura was scared he would attack Sirius, thinking that the man deserved to get punished for killing his best friends, but when Harry's wand flew towards them, along with Ron's and Hermione's, Laura froze. Did he believe her?

Harry stood in place, frozen at what had just happened. The one professor he had grown to trust had betrayed him. Laura soon walked past Lupin, to help Sirius up. She extended a hand, which confused just about everyone in the room. Harry wanted to scream. His own sister. Hermione had a twisted look on her face, and Ron looked as if he was about to pass out, although that could be from the blood loss. Sirius hesitated, but soon enough took the girl's hand, and was pulled to his feet. Remus, however, wasn't so convinced.

"Where is he, Sirius?" Remus spoke with a strangeness to his voice, as if he was trying to hide some emotion that he didn't want the other to know about. Sirius Black stood petrified in front of his old friend. The last time they had seen each other, Sirius had been acusing Remus of being a traitor. And now, he appeared calm. Slowly, Sirius looked at Ron, who let out a whimper when everyone's attention was turned towards him. "But that means...Why wouldn't he show himself before... unless..." Lupin's eyes widened as he realised something. "Unless it's him... Unless you swithced... without telling me?" He asked Sirius, who's eyes were still fixed on his old friend. Black nodded. 

Laura let out a small gasp when she realised that only now Remus had understood about the switch they had made in the secret keeper. She didn't understand, before, how everyone could have been blaming Sirius for betraying her parents, but now she did; everyone still believed he was secret keeper when they had been sold out to Voldemort. 

"Professor... what's...." Harry trailed off when Remus stepped forward and pulled Sirius in for a heartfelt hug. Laura watched as Harry's world fell. 

"You... you..." Hermione started. Oh, if looks could kill. Remus Lupin would have been completely obliterated. Laura watched the look of horror in Remus' face and realised that Hermione must have discovered the werewolf thing.

"Hermione.." Laura called her out. 

"And you!" she now yelled at the young witch. "You knew! I know you knew, you must have!"

"Hermione, please," Lupin tried to calm her down. 

"I didn't say anything!" She exclaimed, her voice sharper than normal. "I kept the secret..."

"Hermione, please, listen," Remus tried again. "I can explain-"

"I trusted you!" Harry suddenly spoke up, his eyes fixated on Remus.