Disclaimer: HP belongs to JKR/OCs belong to me

Chapter 35: A Rodent Riddle

January 19th 1995

Harry could not help but feel excited about the first practical lesson in DADA, even though he had spent hours at Remus' home practicing defensive spells up until Christmas Day. Realizing he had forgotten to ask Remus something about the class, he put up his hand and responded when invited to do so.

"Will we be having many practical lessons, Professor?"

"I've currently included at least two per month in my curriculum," Remus revealed, and he could see from the faces of the students that they obviously approved of this decision. "Now if you would all like to push the desks to one side, stow your bags and other personal belongings against the wall, and then stand in front of this cupboard."

The class hurried to do as instructed, some jostling going on as pupils tried to get prime position.

"Now what you're about to face is called a boggart." Remus stopped talking and tapped the tall oak cupboard that had two doors and several drawers below them. The class recoiled slightly when the cupboard began to shake. "For five points can anyone tell me what a boggart is?"

Hermione's hand shot up before most students had even registered the question, and she was therefore asked to answer.

"A boggart is a shapeshifter that likes to live in dark, confined spaces, and it takes the form of the thing most feared by anyone who comes across it."

Remus smiled at Hermione's textbook answer. "Five points to Gryffindor. And now all of you should be aware that whatever frightens you the most, even if you don't realize that it does, will be the form the boggart will likely take."

This time Justin put up his hand. "Can it be killed?"

"It can be vanquished by the use of the Riddikulus spell," Remus answered, before going on to explain what the spell did. "You have to imagine your worst fear as something amusing and non-hostile while incanting the spell. The wand movement is like thus."

Hermione watched Remus do the movement before copying him, earning her some sniggers. Remus was reminded very much of Lily Potter, and he threw Hermione a lifeline.

"If you'd all copy Miss Granger, who's gotten the wand movement perfectly correct, earning Gryffindor another five points, and also say the word "Riddikulus" while you do so."

Hermione flashed her now favorite teacher a grateful smile, and began to do as he said, the class falling into line with her.

After a few minutes spent practicing, Remus decided that they were ready. "Please form a line and we'll begin."

Now that they knew what they were up against, most of the class did not want to go first, and Seamus Finnigan found himself pushed forward.

Remus smiled encouragingly at him. "Now don't forget the wand movement and the spell, and most importantly don't forget to imagine your fear as something funny."

Seamus hoped no-one could see his knees knocking as Remus opened the door of the cupboard, particularly when a white garbed woman with floor length hair swept out. He had no idea that his face turned pasty white as he realized what it was when she opened her mouth to scream.

Remus called out to him, "The spell, Mr. Finnigan."

Seamus closed his eyes against the vision of the Banshee and imagined her as a mummy, her entire body, including her mouth, wrapped up tightly. "Riddikulus."

He opened his eyes up in time to see her fall to the floor, any chance to scream now gone. Remus winked at him.

"Five points to Gryffindor. Now you, Miss Patil."

More than half of the class had tackled the boggart before it was Hannah's turn, and she braced herself, not quite sure whether she would be attacked by bats or bees, as she feared both. It turned out it was neither, as the vampire that Justin had just fitted with standard Muggle dentures turned into Hannah's baby brother David. But this was not the happy smiling boy she was used to seeing; instead it was a lifeless body lying in a coffin. Hannah could not hear Remus' gentle encouragement over the sound of her heartbeat and she dropped her wand and began to scream.

Next in line, Harry stepped forward, pushing Hannah to the side and taking her place. The toddler and coffin began to contort before it formed a very familiar figure, and Harry stepped back in shock as Petunia Dursley advanced on him and hissed, "Freak!" Like Hannah, Harry also forgot the spell he was supposed to be using, and he stepped backwards again as Petunia moved forward.

"You're nothing but a freak, a freak whose hands are soaked in blood."

Before things could escalate, Remus dashed in front of Harry and the image of the vile woman vanished, transforming momentarily into a silvery-white sphere. As it did so, Remus dispatched it by turning it into large lump of cheese, which fell to the ground and was subsequently devoured by mice, that seemingly came out of nowhere, before going 'pop' and vanishing completely. He then turned around to face the class.

"I'm afraid that you weren't all quite as prepared as I would've liked. Please move the desks back and re-take your seats."

Still standing in line, Hermione's blood ran cold as she worked out what the silvery-white sphere was and what it meant. Shaking herself when Remus addressed the class, she mechanically did as he had asked but her mind was on what she was sure she now knew. Deciding that she needed to warn Harry about it, she forced herself to turn her attention back to what was going on at the front of the classroom, where Remus had sat Hannah down and was currently checking on her.

"Would you like to go the hospital wing?"

Hannah, who was still pale but no longer crying, shook her head. "No, thank you, Professor. It was just a shock. I didn't expect to see David like that."

"Your baby brother," Remus softly said, remembering what Harry had said about the toddler.

"Yes," Hannah said, swallowing hard as she tried to erase the image from the forefront of her mind. "Dad's always fussing over him, particularly if he has a cold or something."

Harry frowned in bewilderment. "But your dad's a doctor."

"I think sometimes that makes people worse, and given how many people currently have the flu, I'm not surprised Miss Abbott is so concerned." Remus fished in his pocket and pulled out a bar of chocolate, which he split into two and offered to the two children. "Chocolate always makes me feel better."

Harry immediately took the chocolate. "Thanks."

"No, thanks." Hannah shuddered as she refused. "I'm not that fond of chocolate."

Remus put Hannah's share back into his pocket, but not before snapping off a piece and eating it, chocolate being one of his weaknesses. "More for me then. Back to your seats."

After the lesson, Hannah told the others to go on and she waited for Harry to come out. "Can I talk to you?"

"Wait until everyone's gone," Harry said, and he then told Hermione he would see her later when she attempted to corner him to speak to him.

Harry and Hannah waited until they were the only two remaining pupils in the corridor, before any of them said anything, Harry asking, "What do you want to talk to me about?"

"I wanted to thank you for what you did in the lesson," Hannah said, before leaning forward and kissing Harry, slowly and deliberately.

Harry blushed as they parted. "I'm not sure we should be doing this in the corridor."

Hannah giggled as she slipped her arm through Harry's. "But I like kissing you, especially when you've been such a knight in shining armor."

Harry was glad that she felt that way. "I wouldn't go that far, but I like kissing you too."

"So you've said before," Hannah told him, before she became serious. "Harry, do you want to talk about what you saw in class?"

"Not right now. Why spoil a perfect moment?" Harry hoped his diversionary question would prevent Hannah from pursuing the subject; he had already decided that he would talk about it with Justin later that day as he felt uncomfortable discussing his aunt with Hannah.

Thoroughly diverted, Hannah grinned as Harry kissed her again, blushing when she saw Remus coming up the corridor. "I think we've been caught, Harry."

Remus deliberately turned and went the other way, making Harry smile. "I know Nev thought Remus was mad but I think he's brilliant. I couldn't imagine Lockhart ever leaving to allow us to do this."

Harry's mention of madness made Hannah ask Harry as to his thoughts on what had happened with Lockhart. "Doesn't it bother you that no-one knows why Lockhart went mad?"

Harry nodded. "Yes, and although I know it doesn't make me a nice person to say so, I was glad when I found out that Lockhart had died."

"Harry, he not only tried to kill you and the others, but he managed to kill Meredith Harker," Hannah reminded her boyfriend. "I'm glad he's dead, but I don't think that makes me horrible."

"You're not," Harry hurried to answer, and he stopped walking when he realized that they had reached the entrance to the Great Hall. "Hannah, before we go in, I just want to say that I'm glad you're my girlfriend."

"I'm really glad too," Hannah said as she smiled brightly and went to walk into the Hall, only for Harry to stop her. "What is it?"

Harry still had one thing he needed to bring up. "Could you help me with Charms homework tonight? Hermione normally does it but I know she's busy."

"If you help me with my Defense homework, then I will, or maybe I'll hold you to ransom for more kisses," Hannah announced. Then she grinned. "Or perhaps I should be like Colin Creevey and ask for more than that."

Just as he had when Pansy Parkinson had helped save him, Harry had felt that he owed both Colin and Susan a life debt for their help in identifying the entrance to the Chamber, which had eventually led to his and Hermione's rescue.

When Susan had refused any such thing from either of the children, Harry had instead reminded her that under the pure-blood rules that had governed her gift of justice, her family was now free of any debt to him, as she had technically saved his life, although the cufflinks would, of course, remain in his possession.

However, Colin had used the opportunity to demand that Harry first pose for pictures with him and then go into Hogsmeade with him to have lunch together, Harry having to reluctantly agree to both demands. He had been more than relieved when he had fulfilled his part of the deal.

Harry shuddered as he recalled what he had gone through. "I hope not."

"Then we can settle on a simple exchange and maybe a few kisses?"

Harry wanted to kiss Hannah at that moment but with an audience he decided he could wait. "Maybe, but right now I'm hungry."

"Then we'll wait until later." Hannah slipped her arm through Harry's and gently tugged him into the Great Hall.

February 18th 1995

Harry pointed to the rune on the last page. "I can't get this right. It looks like Ehwaz but I know it's not."

Bending over Harry, Hermione identified the rune. "It's Mannaz." She stepped backwards when the rat on Harry's shoulder rose up, Harry having taken him out of his cage as the rat had almost been freaking out inside of it, only calming down when it was on Harry's person. "Did you have to bring Scabbers to study?"

Harry reminded Hermione of where the rat's master was. "Ron's playing in a match in case you've forgotten."

"He could've left Scabbers in his bedroom." Hermione gave the rat another look of distaste as she returned to her seat, the two children having taken up Remus' offer of using his rooms to do their homework in comfort, given that everyone else seemed to be outside, including Remus himself.

"He's a little worried that Scabbers might be a tad off color again." Harry had readily agreed to take the rat with him as he only had one piece of work on runes to do, and he had eschewed watching the match in favor of picking Hermione's brains, as she had decided it was too cold to watch a game she fully expected Gryffindor to win anyway.

"I'd say he's more than a little off color; he looks about ready to be put down." Hermione gave a shudder of disgust as she looked at the rat, which had lost weight, had big patches of skin showing through where fur had dropped out, and kept scratching itself.

"Ron would be heartbroken if that happened." Harry lifted the rat off his shoulder and placed it on the desk, where it scanned the room with its beady eyes, before shifting slightly closer to Harry again. As it did so, Harry noticed Nagini staring hungrily at it. "Don't even think about it."

"But I'm hungry," Nagini complained.

Hermione was not bothered by Harry's speaking Parseltongue, but she frowned nevertheless. "And why did you bring Nagini to a study session? She's most definitely not ill."

Harry looked a little sheepish. "She complained that I was letting Hedwig come with me."

Hedwig gave a rare hoot at the sound of her name. Since she had been reunited with Harry, just like Justin, she had spent most of her time at his side, eschewing the owlery in favor of staying with her master.

Harry then made a good point as he pointed at the ugly cat that Hermione had been bought by her parents. "Anyway, you've brought Crookshanks along."

"He keeps scratching the other girls' beds," Hermione said as she picked up the cat and scratched him behind his ears. "And he gets bored on his own."

"Fine but just keep him away from Scabbers," Harry warned. "He's already tried to have a go at him."

"This would be far easier if the other girls had agreed to study with us instead of tagging after the boys; they could've done a little animal sitting themselves," Hermione said as she placed Crookshanks back in his basket. "Be a good Crookshanks."

Harry refrained from rolling his eyes as Hermione tenderly tucked the cat up with a blanket. "Hannah likes quidditch, Susan wanted to see the match with Neville, and Luna being Luna, she wants to make eyes at Remus."

Hermione found this rather disconcerting. "Professor Lupin must know that she's gaga over him, the way Luna moons around him. I don't know why he puts up with her behavior sometimes."

"Because he knows that it's just a crush, even if it's a humongous one," Harry said, he and Remus having already talked about it. "And it could be worse; it could be someone like Lockhart that she's crushing on."

Hermione had the decency to blush. "I know I was wrong about Lockhart, just like I was wrong about Professor Lupin being a danger to you."

Having finally been able to share her fears with Harry the day after the boggart lesson, Harry had immediately denied what Hermione suspected, until she had produced all of the evidence she had pulled together. And so, afraid of what Hermione might do with this knowledge, Harry had gone to Remus, who had told him that he would speak to Hermione.

Once she had discovered she had been right and that Harry had already been aware of the situation, Hermione had been annoyed that Harry had lied about knowing that Remus was a werewolf. However, Remus had defended Harry, saying that it had not been Harry's secret to share, before explaining to Hermione about how he had been bitten as a child as well as the precautions he now took.

Even so, Hermione had felt uncomfortable when Remus had offered his rooms for her to study in comfort while everyone else was watching the quidditch match. It was only Harry's offer to keep her company that had led to her acceptance, Harry also being a little behind in his work due to his additional private lessons with Remus and quidditch practice.

Then, aware he should get on with his own homework, Harry looked back down at the page and sighed. "I still can't work this out even knowing that this is Mannaz."

Hermione moved forward once more, and as she reached out to point to a symbol that Harry should have been transposing, she accidentally knocked Scabbers across the table and on to the floor. "Drat."

It was too much of a temptation for both Nagini and Crookshanks, Nagini slithering off the table just as Crookshanks shook free of her blanket. Almost as one, the pair shot forward in a race to reach their prize: a very frightened Scabbers.

Harry swiveled around in his chair as the rat bolted across the floor, and he yelled at Hermione, "Grab Crookshanks!"

Hermione dove forward at the same time as Harry, both trying to get to Scabbers, and the pair of them ended up on the floor, their heads smacking sharply together. Unfortunately their mishap meant that they were both too late to save Scabbers, and it was Nagini who won the race between the two animals, Hermione managing to grab Crookshanks by his tail. Free of interference, Nagini reared up and sank her fangs into the rat.

Despite the fact that he was probably too late, Harry still hissed out a loud 'NO!' hoping to save Scabbers from his mealtime fate. "Nagini, drop him."

Nagini purposely ignored Harry. Being a snake, she did not understand about homework and the pressure it put on Harry, and she was therefore more than a little resentful that Harry had been neglecting her, and so she continued with her feast.

On the floor, Hermione let go of Crookshanks, who slowly sauntered back to his basket, and she then closed her eyes and lay back on the floor. "How is Ron going to feel about the condition of his rat now?"

Harry dropped his head on to the floor as well. "Mad at me, I think. I should never have let Nagini out of her cage."

"You couldn't have known she'd disobey you." Hermione lifted her head and tentatively opened one eye. "Yuk."

Harry looked over at Nagini where the back end of the rat was slowly disappearing down her throat, and he waggled his finger at her. "You are never being allowed out again."

With a full mouth, Nagini was unable to answer, but if she could have laughed she would have. She had what she wanted and she would worry about Harry's warning later.

Harry groaned as he lay back down. "I'm not looking forward to telling Ron."

"I'll tell him with you," Hermione offered. "And then I'd better go to see Madam Pomfrey." Hermione touched her sore head. "You have one solid skull."

Even though his own head felt fine, Harry realized he must have hurt Hermione, so he rolled over and leant over her to check the damage. "Let me take a look." Harry then gently parted Hermione's hair, his fingers softly brushing over the bright red lump that was already forming. "You've got quite a beauty there."

Suddenly the door burst open and Harry pulled his wand without thinking. Ron backed up, his hands held out in front of him. "Whoa, it's just us, mate."

Almost running into Ron, Hannah's voice was strangled as she asked, "What are you doing on the floor with Hermione?"

The question went unanswered as Neville, who was right behind Ron with Susan and Luna, shouted out, "We won and Ron caught the snitch!"

Still not having answered his girlfriend, Harry helped Hermione up, and it was then that Hannah noticed the lump on Hermione's forehead, and she was immediately embarrassed that she had thought that her boyfriend had been cheating on her. "Are you all right, Hermione?"

"Not exactly," Hermione said as she shook her head and winced. "I got this trying to stop Crookshanks going after Scabbers."

Ron looked around the room. "Where is Scabbers?"

"I'm afraid Nagini ate him," Harry hesitantly said. "I'm really sorry, Ron."

"How could this have happened?" Ron asked as he slumped into a chair.

Hermione and Harry told the group the full story, with both of them taking the blame. "We tried to save him, but it was too late. We'll get you another rat."

"Don't bother. He was old anyway." His face crumpled slightly. "Excuse me."

Neville was about to follow Ron out, but stayed behind to make a suggestion. "I don't think you should get Ron another rat. He's always wanted an owl."

"How do you know that?" Hermione asked, as she sat down.

"He's always moaning about how Scabbers is really useless," Neville told them. "And that he would rather have had an owl."

"Ron didn't look as though he thought Scabbers was useless just then," Hermione observed. "He was really upset, but I think your suggestion is a good idea."

Harry decided that his best option would be to simply go out and buy an owl, rather than asking Ron if he wanted one. "I'll ask Remus for a catalogue."

"I'd better stay with you," Hermione said, since she had been the one to knock Scabbers off the table, although it had been Harry's snake that had dealt the fatal blow. "It's only fair I contribute half."

No longer worrying about Harry and Hermione being alone together, Hannah kissed Harry's cheek and left the room, following Neville and the others out. "See you later, Harry."

"I shouldn't be too long," Harry said, flashing his girlfriend a smile before sitting down next to Hermione. "Don't you think you should get that looked at before we ask about the catalogue?"

"A catalogue for what?" Remus asked, as he sniffed the air as he walked in.

"Nagini killed Scabbers," Harry quickly said. "So we want to buy Ron an owl."

More observant than Hannah, Remus immediately noticed Hermione's head. "That looks painful."

"We hit heads," Harry said, "but Hermione got the worst of it."

Remus absently took out his wand and cast a healing spell on Hermione's head, even as he was still sniffing the air. "That should be okay, but you might want to get some bruise salve from Nurse Pomfrey. Now about that catalogue: I can help you sort something…" He broke off to sniff the air once more.

"What's up?" Harry asked, exchanging a confused look with Hermione.

"It's a smell I can't place," Remus said in explanation, before he headed into his kitchen. "I've smelt it on Ron before but this time it seems so much stronger."

"It could be that disgusting aftershave he keeps wearing," Harry said, grinning. "He thinks Parvati sent it to him when really it was Fred and George. It's got cat repellant in it."

Remus gave a shout of laughter, unable to help himself. "I sometimes think those boys are worse than I ever was." He noticed Hermione packing up. "Have you both finished?"

Hermione shook her head, and so she and Harry were told to stay where they were and finish their homework. However, both children could not help but notice that Remus kept on sniffing the air.

In the end, since he had finished his homework, Harry turned around and asked, "You can still smell it?"

"Yes, and what's irritating me most is that I can't place what it is that I'm smelling. I know it's not cat repellant, but I don't know what it is," Remus said, in frustration.

Harry sat down opposite Remus to wait for Hermione to finish up her homework as he knew she would be far from happy if he left her alone with Remus, even though she had accepted what her professor was. "Perhaps it's all of the animal smells." Hedwig had now left but Nagini was locked back in her cage and Crookshanks was sleeping in her basket.

Hermione swung around in her chair. "Or perhaps you can smell what Nagini did to Scabbers."

It was only then that Remus realized he had no idea how Nagini had killed Scabbers or what Scabbers was. "Did she bite this Scabbers or crush him?"

"She bit him and then ate him."

Hermione shuddered. "I can still see his furry body disappearing down her throat in my mind, tail and all."

"He was a mouse?" Remus asked.

"A rat," Hermione answered. "And even though he was really, really old, Ron is really cut up about it."

Remus remembered Molly mentioning a rat some years ago. "This isn't the same Scabbers that used to belong to Percy, is it?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah, Ron said that he's been in the family for about ten years or something like that."

Remus whistled. "Ron's lucky that Scabbers lasted that long; most rats, even magical ones die after about six years." He then got up and scowled as he sniffed the air again, before he turned back to look at Harry. "You've already said you're going to replace him, so I wouldn't feel too guilty. It's only natural for a snake like Nagini to go after Scabbers, and, as you said, he was old."

"And sickly and missing a toe," Hermione added, trying to make Harry feel better. "And…"

She got no further as Remus tersely interrupted, saying, "Which toe?"

"One from his right front paw," Harry interjected, having heard Ron complain that everything he ever got was usually secondhand and damaged, even his pet.

"It can't be," Remus said, before he turned to Harry and Hermione. "Stay here until I get back."

Hermione watched as Remus grabbed his broomstick and ran out of the room. "What's going on?"

Harry was just as confused as Hermione. "I don't know."

Remus returned less than twenty minutes later, his hair windswept. He placed a bowl on the table and locked his door. "Harry, I need to see a memory of Scabbers."

"Okay," Harry said as Remus withdrew his wand and touched it to Harry's forehead.

Hermione stared in fascination as a strange stream of what looked like protoplasm was withdrawn from Harry's head. "What are you doing, Professor?"

"Withdrawing my memory to put in that bowl," Harry explained. "It's called a pensieve." He then grabbed her hand and followed Remus into the pensieve to view the memory.

Remus said nothing as he watched the memory of Nagini attacking Scabbers. He ran it back several times, freezing it on the part where the rat was on Harry's shoulder. When he finally spoke, he was pale. "This should be impossible."

"What should?" Harry asked, more than a little confused.

"Peter Pettigrew had a scar on his back, just below his shoulder, where he injured it as a boy and it wasn't healed in time," Remus said, pointing at the front of the rat. "And he also had a kink in his tail, just like Scabbers did, and of course, a toe missing from the same spot that Peter lost his finger."

Both Harry and Hermione moved closer to the frozen visage and peered at the rat. Hermione gasped. "The rat has a scar on its back..."

Harry finished her sentence. "…and a kink in his tail." He glanced over at a still pale Remus. "But why would Peter hide and pretend to be Scabbers?"

Remus pulled both children out of the pensieve as he responded, "I don't know."

"Is this the same Peter you mentioned was killed by Sirius Black?" Hermione asked Harry.

Harry nodded. "Yeah."

"Perhaps he was frightened that Black would escape and come after him," Hermione suggested.

"Why didn't he come to me after Sirius was imprisoned?" Remus asked, more than a little perplexed by what he had uncovered.

"You did say that you fell under suspicion at the time because you were a werewolf," Harry reminded him. "Perhaps Peter thought you were in league with Black and would kill him if he came forward."

This brought to mind another problem, one that Hermione brought up. "If Scabbers was this Peter, then why didn't he change back when Nagini was attacking him?"

Neither Harry nor Remus could answer this, and Remus decided he had to leave Hogwarts yet again. "I don't know but I do know that I need to report this to Ignotus."

"Isn't Ignotus the head of the Unspeakables?" Hermione questioned.

Remus scowled as Harry foresaw what he was also about to do and stood in front of Hermione. "Please let her keep her memories."

Hermione paled as she saw the wand that Remus had drawn without her noticing. "You're going to take my memories away?"

Remus nodded. "I have to."

Harry remained where he was. "Please, Remus. I really want someone I can talk to about everything, and you're not always free."

Letting out a long sigh, Remus tapped his wand against his leg. "I'll have to get permission to make this permanent but while I'm gone you can fill Hermione in." He then touched his wand to his heart. "I, Remus John Lupin, free Harry James Potter from his oath to remain silent about anything we've discussed so that he can speak freely to Hermione Granger." As a white light covered Harry, rather than Remus this time, Remus holstered his wand. "If the permission is refused though, I'll have to obliviate her."

Harry understood this and nodded. "Thanks."

"I'll be back as soon as I can. Do not leave these rooms, no matter what," Remus warned as he picked up the pensieve.

It was almost two hours later when he returned, and it was with good news. "Ignotus has agreed that Hermione can keep her memories, although he wasn't very happy about it."

Hermione was both relieved and delighted, her interest more than a little piqued by what Harry had told her. "I couldn't believe it when Harry said he was an Unspeakable."

"I take it that unlike when I first told Harry, you have some idea what being an Unspeakable means, especially given you knew who Ignotus was," Remus said as he placed his pensieve on the table.

Hermione's head bobbed up and down excitedly. "After seeing an Unspeakable when Madam Bones came to interview me before Harry's relatives' trial, I looked them up."

"That was me," Remus revealed, as he presumed quite rightly that Harry had forgotten to tell her that.

Hermione was not exactly surprised, and she had quite a few questions for Remus that Harry had been unable to satisfy, all of which Remus patiently answered.

Harry eventually got fed up and interrupted. "What did Ignotus think about Scabbers?"

"After viewing my own memories of Peter's Animagus form and your memory, he agrees that it was likely that that was Peter," Remus said heavily.

Now that it had been confirmed, Hermione blanched. "What a horrible way to die."

Harry agreed, but he was still more than a little confused by Peter's failure to identify himself. "Yeah, but he didn't have to. He could've told someone who he was and they would've helped him."

"Ignotus believes that perhaps Peter had become locked in his Animagus form and couldn't change back," Remus said, filling the two children in on some of the discussion he had had. "I can remember Molly saying that the twins were forever trying to experiment on Scabbers, and perhaps something happened when they did."

Remus was actually right; the twins had managed to brew up a potion in their second year that they had believed would turn Scabbers into a small ferret but it had failed, or so they thought. Instead it had locked Peter into his Animagus form.

After batting some ideas back and forth, Remus noted that it was time for curfew. "I'll escort you both back to your houses."

Hermione's stomach rumbled. "We missed dinner."

Remus realized he had also forgotten about it. "We'll make an unscheduled stop then."

Hermione was a little scandalized when Remus took them to the kitchens, but her indignation ended as she spotted the strange creatures at work there. "What are they?"

"House-elves," Harry answered. "Remus has one."

One of the house-elves rushed over. "What can Mishka get for Mr. Remus?"

"We've all missed dinner, so I'd like three baskets of food."

Hermione watched as the house-elves rushed around to fill three baskets with a selection of cold meats, bread, butter, fruit, several beverages and some apple pie. "There's enough to feed of all us in just one basket."

"I imagine your roommates would probably be happy to help you out if you can't eat it all," Remus said as he picked up his basket.

Hermione suspected differently. "I doubt it. They're always going on about their figures."

"Then Ron probably will," Harry told her, Ron's appetite being somewhat legendary. "Just like Justin, he's always ready to eat."

Hermione was handed a basket and she smiled nicely at Mishka. "Thank you so much."

Mishka trembled a little. "Missy is very kind in thanking Mishka."

"It's just good manners," Hermione responded and she turned away, Harry and Remus following her. On reaching her dorm, she realized something. "You didn't ask me to swear an oath. I know from what you said to Harry that you must have made him do so."

Remus felt a little embarrassed that he had forgotten in his turmoil over Peter. "I forgot."

"Should I do it now?" Hermione asked.

Remus nodded and watched as Hermione made an oath, before Remus made a counter-oath similar to the one he had made for Harry. Unlike Harry, Hermione immediately guessed why Remus had made the counter-oath.

"Thanks. It's nice to know that I won't die if I make a slip-up, although I doubt that I will."

"I'm quite certain you won't," Remus said, and he and Harry both bid her goodnight and headed off towards Hufflepuff. "You do realize that I'm going to be in very big trouble if Hermione does slip up. Ignotus wasn't exactly happy with your request. It's only because you're the Boy Who Lived that he said yes."

Harry hated using his alter ego to get what he wanted, but this time he was grateful for it. "I need more than you I can talk to when I'm here. You won't always be around in school and Hermione will."

"I understand the pressure you're under," Remus replied. "And that's another reason why you're being allowed to have Hermione as a confidante, although I'm surprised you didn't ask for Hannah to be let in on the secret."

Harry looked around before answering. "I really like Hannah, Remus, a lot. But even though it sounds bad, Hermione is one of the few friends I have who I trust totally to keep a secret, Justin and Ron being the other ones."

Remus had expected Harry to include Luna. "So you don't trust Luna or Susan?"

"I do but Luna has a bad habit of saying things she's not supposed to if she thinks it'll help me, and Susan is loose lipped, although she's gotten much better lately," Harry said, wishing he could tell the two girls. "But I'm mostly not telling Susan because she's going out with Neville, who I honestly can't say I trust."

Remus could understand this. "Then you should stick to your guns, but you should know that I can't include Justin or Ron as much as I would like to. Hermione is the exception just like you were."

Harry accepted this. "That's okay, but will Hermione be able to be like me?"

Remus guessed immediately he was talking about Harry's status as an Unspeakable, and he shook his head. "As I've just said, you really were an exception, Harry, and Hermione's damned lucky she's been allowed to keep her memories."

Harry subsided. "I was just hoping."

"Sorry, but you truly are an exception," Remus reiterated, as he felt Harry's disappointment.

Harry understood that but he had a question. "Why did you forget to ask for an oath? Was it because of Peter?"

Remus nodded. "I hate mysteries, especially unsolved ones, and I let my mind wander."

"Why don't you question Black again?" Harry asked.

"I'm going to but Ignotus doesn't feel it's an urgent matter," Remus told him. "So the day after we leave here for Easter, you'll finally get a chance to see Azkaban."

Harry's eyes lit up – ever since Ron had been to Azkaban, Harry had wanted to visit as well, even though Remus had assured him that it was an awful place. "Really?"

"It's not a pleasant place, Harry," Remus reminded him as he drew to a halt and let the privacy bubble fail that he had been using since leaving his room. "But we'll talk more about it at Easter. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Harry said, and he disappeared through the doorway.

Azkaban - Easter

Sirius once again found himself being questioned by an Unspeakable, who he suspected was the same one who had taken him to task over Harry's disappearance, although he had no idea who the much shorter Unspeakable was. "I know you can't be here to talk about Harry this time, so what do you want?"

Remus indicated that Harry should sit before doing the same. "To talk to you about a man named Peter Pettigrew."

Sirius looked hopeful as he responded, "Have you found him?"

"Considering you killed him, that would be very difficult," Remus said, not giving anything away.

Sirius' face contorted into anger. "As I've tried telling everyone who'll listen, I did nothing of the sort, and if you'd all take your heads from up your arses and give me a proper trial, I'd prove it."

"I've seen the memory of that day," Remus told him, having done so. "And if, as you say, he didn't die, then how do you suppose he escaped the fate you had in mind for him?"

Sirius leant forward in his chains. "I don't know but what I do know is that I bloody well didn't kill him."

Remus was completely unaffected by Sirius' anger. "Let's put aside your supposed innocence for the moment, and instead I'd like you to try to answer my question as to how Pettigrew escaped his fate."

Sirius sank back into his seat and decided to try to use Remus' interest to his benefit. "What's it worth if I answer your question?"

"Certainly not another trial," Remus responded, guessing that this was what Sirius was angling after. "But I'd be willing to barter up to a point if you agree to answer my question."

"How about a move to the less secure area of Azkaban?" Sirius asked, not expecting Remus to say yes.

"Absolutely not."

Not willing to push his luck too far, Sirius downgraded his request quite considerably. "In that case I'd like a daily newspaper, some quality clothing and bedding, some nice toiletries, and the same food that my warders receive."

Sirius had always been a bit vain about his appearance, so Remus was totally unsurprised by the clothing and toiletries request, and the newspaper and food were not exactly asking for much. He therefore decided to grant Sirius' request. "Agreed. Now please answer the question."

"Pettigrew was an unregistered rat Animagus," Sirius revealed, having no idea that Remus already knew this. "I believe he blew off his own finger to fake his death and disappeared into the sewers, where he belongs."

"And why would he do such a thing?" Remus asked.

"Because he was the Potters' secret-keeper and not me," Sirius tiredly said. "I know you don't believe me but it's true." He then lifted his head up to peer at where the cloaked figure's face should be. "Why are you so interested in Pettigrew anyway?"

"That's none of your business," Remus said as he climbed to his feet, indicating that Harry should again follow. "This interview is terminated. I'll arrange for the items we agreed upon."

"Come again," Sirius said, leaning back in his chair. "And if you need to know anything else, I'll be glad to share the information for a price."

Remus ignored the comment and left. Once on the boat back to the mainland, he put up a privacy bubble and spoke to Harry. "He believes he's right about his assumption, and I could detect no deceit when he said he wasn't your parents' secret-keeper."

Not able to contemplate that it might be the truth, Harry began to argue. "Look at what he did to Snape, Remus. Black is evil, and he's just trying to twist things."

Remus sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't know what to think right now, and I need to review the memory we have of the attack on Peter."

"Can I see it?" Harry asked.

"Let's go see it now," Remus decided and he shivered as they passed through the wards that surrounded Azkaban Island. "We can apparate from here."

Harry took Remus' arm and let him side-apparate him, Remus having promised to give Harry apparition lessons during the holidays, something to which Harry was looking forward.

After an hour, Harry had watched the memory closely as many times as Remus and the head of the Unspeakables, Ignotus, had, and, just like them, he still was unable to see if Peter had done as Sirius had suggested. "I think Black was lying."

"I don't know," Remus said, his face looking strained.

Ignotus made a suggestion. "Given the possible resurgence of Pettigrew, I believe that the only fair way to deal with this is for a trial to take place and for Black to be questioned under Veritaserum. By now any immunity he once possessed should have worn off."

"Veritaserum, that's the truth drug, isn't it?" Harry asked, recalling it from the trials he had viewed of his family and teachers.

Remus nodded. "Yes. A trial wasn't held when Black was thought to have killed Peter as most Death Eaters are believed to be immune to it, and given the evidence, it was an open and shut case."

"He didn't get a trial?" Harry asked in surprise. "But even my relatives got one, and they were as guilty as Black."

"As I've told you on several occasions, the wizarding world is a very different kettle of fish from the Muggle one," Remus reminded him, "particularly in how our laws work."

"And even though it's a little late, Black will now have to have a trial," Ignotus declared. "I'll speak to Madam Bones about setting one up."

"But he's guilty," Harry snapped, hating the thought that his family's killer might walk free. "Remus said it was an open and shut case."

"That was before the new evidence of Pettigrew's possible survival was brought to light," Ignotus pointed out. "And if that happens, then a trial must be granted. I'm sorry, Harry, but while I understand your distress, I have to follow the law."

Harry visibly sagged. "I understand."

Ignotus decided to dismiss Harry. "Remus, take Harry home. I'll deal with setting everything up for the trial."