C25 Remus
For the first time in twelve years I feel a flicker of doubt. The story isn't what does it, but the emotion in Sirius' eyes and voice. But before I can say anything Charlie interrupts with a question.
"So what's my family got to do with anything?" He asked, gesturing wildly at the paper. Sirius continued:
"Fudge comes round the prison and checks on us every so often and this time he had the prophet with him. I asked if I could have it – said I missed the crossword," his eyes flicker to mine and I know that like you he is remembering late-night crossword sessions with James, "I looked through it, it was the first news of the outside world I'd had in so long. And then I saw this picture, I didn't recognize them, my mind was too far gone but I recognized the rat on the boys arm." I reach over and gently tug the photo out of the woman's – Dora's – hands. I peer at the small blob on Ron's shoulder which I can now see is in fact a rat. A rat that looked like Peter. A rat that was missing a toe. I gasp. Sirius looks at me and then continues his story. "It was Peter, Peter who had betrayed Lily and James, orphaned Harry, sentenced me to hell and made sure that Remus would be left alone." He turns back to you, "Suddenly I had a purpose, I had to get out of there and I had to kill Peter, to protect Harry."
"So when you were saying 'He's at Hogwarts' you meant Peter?" Says Dora curiously; she at least had no trouble believing his tale.
"Yes." Sirius' voice was raspy and cracked; he probably hadn't spoken this much in years. "I wasn't happy about this so the Dementors couldn't suck it out of me. When the Dementors next came to feed me I slipped through the bars as a dog, and then err...floated to the shore. From there I tried to make my way to Hogwarts but I got a little lost and ended up here. I didn't intend to stay this long but when I realized that Dorrie lived here I just couldn't go; I already abandoned you once." He directs this last bit to Dora.