Pinky Promise || Wolfstar

Chapter 6

B: SIRIUS

Harry used his fork to move his food around his plate, forcing himself to take another bite. Anxiety roiled in his gut as his mind returned to the topic of his adoption. It had been approved, but he had no idea when Dumbledore would find out, or how he'd react. Not only that, but the potential for a leak to the press loomed over his head, too. His case was supposed to be confidential, but The Daily Prophet was always finding ways to leak his personal information to the world.

He looked up from his dinner as a knock sounded at the door to Remus' quarters, and watched as Remus stood from his small desk to answer the door.

"Hey, Professor," Aspen Silverling, a second year, said shyly when Remus answered the door. "Hi, Harry," she added when she spotted Harry on the couch with his plate balanced on his knees. "Could you take a look at my essay? I'm not sure I'm understanding the differences between the different types of shielding charms."

"Of course, Ms. Silverling," Remus gave a quick nod to Harry before stepping out to speak with the student.

Harry continued to push food around on his plate for a few moments before glancing around the room in boredom. Remus had filled every inch of his quarters with bookcases, plants, and various knickknacks, often piling work onto already–high stacks of books on his desk. Harry's favorite trinket was the miniature replica of the Hogwarts grounds that sat on Remus' desk—it was enchanted to reflect the exact weather conditions outside. He stood to get another look at it. There were storm clouds gathering under the replica's glass dome, and a quick glance out the window told him it was accurate—a storm was definitely brewing.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted some familiar handwriting on one of the many essays strewn across the desk. No—that's not an essay, that's the Map! Harry couldn't help himself; he'd sorely missed getting to study it in his free time. It was already activated, so all Harry had to do was look at it. He studied it frantically, drinking in as many details as he could before Remus came back. Students were already leaving the Great Hall after dinner, and Harry felt a pang of guilt for abandoning his friends. They'd said it was alright—in fact, they'd insisted—that he spend some time with Remus.

He spotted Hermione first, leaving the Great Hall with Ron and Neville behind her, but there was another name right on top of Ron's—Peter Pettigrew.

Harry recognized the name, alright. It had taken a lot of questioning, but Remus had finally revealed to him what really happened the night his parents died; what happened when Sirius had betrayed Harry's parents. He'd heard about Peter, too—how his body was completely incinerated by Sirius' blasting spell, leaving behind only a finger.

So how is Peter Pettigrew on the Map? It could be a malfunction, but it was too specific to be a mere fluke. The obvious conclusion, therefore, was that Peter Pettigrew was alive and kicking. After all, no blasting spell would be able to completely destroy a body, bones and all.

Peter was a rat animagus, Harry thought in horror, Ron's rat, Scabbers—

Harry was frozen in place for one long second before coming to his senses and running for the door—I have to tell Remus, we have to make sure he can't get away—

He burst through the door, only to stop short when he realized Remus was still busy with Aspen. Harry waited impatiently, heart racing, as Remus quietly explained something to her, pointing to the parchment in several places while she nodded.

"Does that make sense now?" Remus asked Aspen, who nodded again, and Remus smiled warmly as he bid her farewell.

Remus furrowed his brow when he saw Harry at the door, eyes wide. "Is everything alright Harry?"