𝑩𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 || h.potter

eleven || Year 3 ✔️

Harry, Amelia and Hermione make their way through the primitive passageway, ducking the roots that dangle overhead. Then, abruptly, the tunnel ends. Confused, They glance about, then as one peer up. There was a small opening. Harry reaches up, hoists himself through.

Harry helps Amelia up, then Amelia helps Hermione. They look around and Amelia sees paper peels from the walls. Stains (suspiciously similar to dried blood) blot the floorboards. Shattered furniture lies strew everywhere.

"We're in the Shrieking Shack, aren't we?" asked Hermione. None of them answer, Amelia stares at the dog prints in the dust on the floor. The ceiling freaks and they dash to the stairs.

They come out, look down. A wide, shiny stripe cuts through the Dust-laden floor -- as if something has been dragged -- to the end of the hallway, where a light seep from a door.

"Nox." whispered Harry. His wand-light dies. Slowly, they step to the door. Amelia and Harry Exchange a look. She nods, wand ready, and Harry kicks the door aside.

Ron sits upon a sagging bed, clutching his bloody foot.

"Ron! You're okay—" started Hermione.

"The dog—where's the—" harry asks.

"He's the dog. Is a trap, Harry. He's an Animagus." said Ron, in panic.

Amelia & Harry looks down, follows the paw prints on the floor to a pair of filthy human feet. They look up slowly at the man standing in the shadows.

Filthy, matted hair hangs to his shoulders. His skin like a corpse. Amelia stiffens, and looks at the mans eyes, they were similar to hers. The hair colour and the nose.

Sirius Black.

He studies Amelia's face keenly. Harry draws his wand.

"If you want to kill Harry and Amelia, you'll-you'll have to kill us, too!" said Hermione, moving in front of us.                                

"No. Only one will die tonight." said Sirius.

"Then it'll be you!" yelled Harry.

"Harry! No!" said Hermione. Amelia walks beside Harry.

Just then, footsteps sound. Black wheels toward the door, edgy. Harry eyes Black, wand hand shaking violently. As Sirius turns back, he stops, regards Harry cautiously.

"Going to kill me, Harry?" asked Sirius.

"Yes." replied Harry, determined.

"Both of us will." said Amelia, threateningly.

Harry raises his wand, the door opens.

"Professor Lupin!" The four of them said in unison.

Lupin ignores them, eying Black intensely. "Looking a bit ragged, aren't we, Sirius? Finally the skin referents the madness within."

"You'd know all about the madness within, wouldn't you, Remus?" questioned Sirius.

The two regard each other, the moment taut with tension, then Lupin steps forward and embraces Sirius like a brother.

"No! I trusted you! I covered up for you. And all this time you've been his friend." Hermione points. "He's a werewolf! That's why he's been missing classes."                                
Harry and Ron stare, dumbfounded,at Lupin. While Amelia knew, because he told her. Black howls then, bitterly amused. Lupin eyes him, then turns back.