Harry's Godfather (A Father and Son Fanfic) Book 3

Chapter 13: The Whomping Willow, Sirius Black and the Truth Uncovered

All 3 stand there in shock under the invisibility cloak. Suddenly, they heard howling coming from Hagrid's hut. Harry looks back at the hut and said, "Hagrid...." Ron said, "We can't! He'll be in worse trouble if they knew we've been to see him." Hermione said, "How could they?! How could they?!" Ron said, "Come on." They set off once again towards the castle. The light in the sky was a ruby red now, as the light continued to fade. They were half way to the castle, now. The sun was finally gone the sky grew dark, when Ron stopped yet again. Ron said, "Scabbers, keep still!" The rat was moving around like crazy trying to escape. Ron said, "What's the matter with you, you stupid rat? Stay still.... OUCH! He bit me!" Hermione said, "Ron, be quiet! Fudge'll be out here in any minute..." Ron said, "He won't stay put!" Hermione said, "What's the matter with him?" Harry, on the other hand saw Crookshanks slinking his way towards them. Hermione spots Crookshanks and said, "Crookshanks! No, go away, Crookshanks! Go away!" Ron said, "Scabbers, no!" But it was too late. Scabbers manages slip through Ron's fingers and fall to the ground. Scabbers scampers away as Crookshanks chased after him. Before Harry or Hermione could stop Ron, Ron took off the cloak and went after his rat. Hermione shouts, "Ron!" Harry and Hermione look at each other, then ran after Ron. Harry pulls the cloak off and holds it as they chased after Ron. Harry stuffs the cloak in his pocket as they continue to chase Ron. Ron said, "Get away from him! Get away! Scabbers, come here!" They heard a loud thud as Ron said, "Gotcha! Get off, you stinking cat!" Harry and Hermione almost fell face forward over Ron as Ron puts Scabbers into his pocket and holds him there. Harry pulls out the cloak as Hermione said, "Ron! Come on! Back under the cloak! Dumbledore and the Minister! They'll be coming back out any minute!" Before they could cover themselves, they heard soft, huge paws, pounding on the ground. Something was running at full speed towards them.... It was a huge black dog with pale eyes! Harry instinctively went for his wand, but it was too late. The dog knocks him to the ground as it leaps over him. Harry felt dazed as the dog skids to a stop and turns around, growling. Ron was on his feet now, as the dog runs back towards them. The dog pushes Harry aside and knocks Ron to the ground. It grabs Ron's leg and starts pulling him away. Harry tries to pull the dog off of Ron, but it was no use. The dog was too strong for him, as it continues to pull Ron away like a rag doll. Out of nowhere, something hits Harry so hard that he was knocked off of his feet again. He hears Hermione scream in pain and fall to the ground. Harry pulls his wand out as he felt something warm and sticky slide down his face. Harry said, "Lumos!" His wand lights up and shows a trunk of a tree. It was one tree that Harry recognized all to well. Scabbers led them right to the whomping willow! The whomping willow was swinging its fist-like branches back and forth, preventing them from getting closer. There at the base of the trunk, was a hole. The dog was dragging Ron into the hole, but Ron was fighting back. Harry shouts, "RON!" Harry tries to follow, but a heavy branch swings in his direction, making him move back. All Harry and Hermione could see, was one of Ron's leg wrapped around one of the roots. In the hopes of stopping the dog from pulling him into the hole. Suddenly, a loud crack cut through the air. Ron's leg was now broken as he was finally pulled into the hole and out of sight. Hermione said, "Harry, we've got to go for help!" Harry said, "No! That thing is big enough to eat Ron! We don't have time!" Hermione said, "Harry! We're never going to get through the branches without help!" The whomping willow continues to swing its branches at them as Harry said, "If that dog can get in, we can." Harry starts to dart here and there, avoiding the branches as he attempts to get to the hole in the trunk. After trying for several minutes, Harry stops next to Hermione, panting. Hermione said "Oh! Help! Help! Please...." Crookshanks runs forward and moves through the swinging branches. He puts a paw on a knot on the trunk, then lowers his paw. The whomping willow suddenly stops moving and goes still. Hermione said, "Crookshanks! How did he know?" Harry said, "He must be friends with that dog. Come on and keep your wand out." If he learned anything from Snape, it was to always be at the ready and to be alert of your surroundings. They made it to the trunk within seconds. Crookshanks goes into the hole as Harry follows him. Hermione follows soon after, not realizing that Harry had dropped his cloak after getting knocked to the ground by the dog. Hermione said, "Where's Ron?" Harry said, "This way." They set off down the tunnel after Crookshanks. The ceiling was low, so they had to bend over to move through the tunnel. Hermione said, "Where does this tunnel come out?" Harry said, "I don't know. It's marked on the Marauder's Map, but Fred said and George said no one's ever gotten into it. It goes off the edge of the map, but it looks like it's heading for Hogsmeade." They moved as fast as they could as they followed Crookshanks. After a couple of minutes, the tunnel begins to go up until Crookshanks disappeared through, what looked like, a trap door. Harry and Hermione climb out of the tunnel and look around. They were in a very dusty room. Paper was peeling from the walls and there were stains all over. Every piece of furniture in the room, was broken. As if someone had smashed it to pieces. All the windows were boarded up as well. They saw that a door to their right was opened. The door lead to a hallway.  They walk slowly down it, their wands out and held at the ready. Hermione said, "Harry, I think we're in the Shrieking Shack...." Harry swallows as he spots a chair. One of its legs was completely ripped off. Harry said, "Ghosts didn't do that...." They suddenly hear a creak above their heads. They look up at the ceiling. Something had moved upstairs. They quietly leave the hall and go up the stairs. As they reach the dark landing they whispered in unison, "Nox." There was only one door opened. They hear a moan coming through that very door, along with the sound of Crookshanks purring. They nod to each other and hold their wands at the ready. Harry quietly goes up to the door with Hermione behind him. Harry kicks the door open and looks around. On a four poster bed was Crookshanks, purring. On the floor, holding his broken leg, was Ron. His leg was sticking out at a weird angle. Harry and Hermione ran to him. Hermione said, "Ron! Are you ok?" Harry said, "Where's the dog?" Ron said through the pain, "Not a dog.... Harry, it's a trap!" Hary said, "What?" Ron said, "He's the dog! He's an Animagus!" Ron stares over Harry's shoulder in fear. Harry whips around as the door shuts with a snap. There standing by the door, was Sirius Black.