TRIO LEAVE HAGRIDS WHEN EXECUTION PARTY IS AT DOOR

WATCHES BUCKBEAK DIE

GOES TO SHRIEKING SHACK

Movement from the hallway was missed by everyone as Snape and Lynn ran in, wands out. Snape disarmed Black as Lynn blocked the door.

"Vengeance is sweet. How I hoped I'd be the one to catch you. I've been keeping an eye on your movements Remus and it's finally paid off. I told Dumbledore you were helping an old friend into the castle and here's my proof."

"Brilliant, Snape. As usual you put your kin mind to the task and as usual you come up with the wrong conclusion. Now if—"

"I don't have to be a Seer to know what the conclusion will be tonight. For both of you. A wanted killer and a traitorous deranged werewolf. It seems like I had forgotten to add a crucial ingredient to the potion I gave you this morning Remus."

A look of absolute horror then hatred grew onto Remus's face. And almost like a wolf, he growled, "Severus you—"

Snape pulled a small smoking vial from his cloak, "I have a dosage here. So you if don't want to kill us all, stand down!"

"You pitiful bastard," Black sneered, "It's one thing to seek revenge but to damn Remus to—"

Snape jabbed his wand into Blacks' neck, "Don't act innocent when all you've done is murder everyone around you. Both of you."

His wand twisted further into Blacks neck while his other hand hurled the vial to the floor. Remus's sweaty face turned pale as he watched the vial soar to the ground then stared in bewilderment at the unblemished floor. Everyone searched for the shattered vial, the spilled potion, but there was none, no where in sight.

"Honestly Severus…" Lynn sighed from the doorway, "I did not see that coming." Snape stared at her wand directed at him then his eyes bulged when she tauntingly swirled the vial of potion in her hand. Black snatched Snapes' wand from his hand and pointed it back at him. "Remus," she tossed the vial across the room and it landed where expected this time. Remus hurriedly swallowed the contents and retrieved his wand.

"You helped Black," Snape concluded.

Lynn didn't say a word as Black stepped out of the line of fire. "Do it Lynn," he said through clenched teeth. But she held her wand steady. Not able to wait any longer he gripped the wand tighter, "Fine I will!"

But Lynn directed her own wand onto Black in warning, "Don't let your school boy banter get in the way. We're here for Harry, but Snape should see this too."

Black scowled at her, "Who's side are you are?"

"Indeed," Snape hissed, "I wonder what with helping Black escape Azkaban while bearing the mark—"

"Expelliarmus!" Lynn suddenly yelled and Snape flew backwards into the rotten bed frame, it collapsing down onto him. Black and Remus trained their wands onto Lynn, uncertain of her loyalty with whatever compromising information Snape was able to reveal.

Lynn paid them no mind however as she turned her wand against Ron, "The rat, Ronald."

PETER IS REVEALED

(no explanation of how Black escaped or knew the rat was Peter)

"Then the Dementors can have you," said Harry, "You're the reason my parents are dead."

"And me…for twelve years," Sirius said with vacant eyes.

"Why now?" Harry turned to Sirius, "Why now come back now after all these years?" he turned to Remus, "If you knew he was innocent why didn't you help him?"

Remus looked down ashamed. It was Sirius who answered, "He didn't know I was innocent, and I don't blame you for that my friend."

"But if you were such good friends why did you believe it at all?" Harry asked.

Then something snapped in Remus, "I didn't believe it!" he yelled, "But three of my best friends died in a single night while another was sent to Azkaban for their murder. I lost everyone I loved that night!"

That's Harry saw it; the ragged and drained look in both Remus and Sirius, they both had been suffering on their own for twelve years. Just like him.

Sirius finished explaining, "The Ministry already believed what they wanted to believe and nothing could convince them otherwise. There was no evidence, no proof, until now."

"Then how'd you find out his innocence? How'd you escape?" Hermione asked.

Each of the men glanced back at Lynn, "Divination is a rare skill. Most in the practice, like Trelawney, have no control over it due to the limitations and rules set by the Ministry. Skeptics think that it's a waste of magic…that's what I count on. I knew Sirius was innocent but I had to prepare. Years of Ministry consultant work to grant a visit to Azkaban, to Sirius. Once I knew the inner workings…" her eyes fluttered for a second like she was dozing off before snapping open.

"But how?" Hermione pried.

"Another time maybe, but now we must go," Lynn urged.