Harry Potter and the Poodle of Magic Alcatraz
Chapter 18
What if Harry Learned Something Else About his Dad?
By
Jason Richard
So Harry and Hermione flew on Buckbeak and broke Sirius out of the cell he ended up in. They flew from the tower to the edge of the dark forest, and there Harry prepared to say goodbye.
"It's funny," said Harry. "Just a little while ago I thought you were a mass murderer who betrayed my parents. Now I'm sad you're going away. And...you know...wanted for crimes you didn't commit."
"Well," said Sirius. "That's how it goes. But I'm eternally grateful, for rescuing me. And believe me. Your parents would be so proud of you."
Harry beamed with pride.
"Well," said Sirius. "I'll be going now. I'll take good care of buckbeak."
"Actually," said Harry. "I'm surprised Buckbeak warmed up to you so quickly."
"Well what can I say," said Sirius. "We've both been put away for things we don't deserve, and we'll both go up against a werewolf without flinching. I think we're going to get along just fine."
He stroked Buckbeak's neck, and the Hippogriff rubbed his beak against Sirius's shoulder.
"Yeah," said Harry. "Even if all you do is yip at it as a poodle, you're still pretty awesome."
"Thanks," said Sirius.
Sirius mounted Buckbeak and looked back.
"Goodbye Harry," said Sirius. "If you ever need me, I'll be there in a heartbeat."
"Likewise," said Harry.
And Sirius flew away.
"I think he'll be alright," said Hermione. "Come on. Let's get back to the hospital room before they notice we're missing."
…
They got back to the hospital wing just in time, passing Dumbledore, who just winked at them. They got inside just as their past forms disappeared.
Ron, still laying in his hospital bed, said, "Tell me everything."
And so they did.
…
The next day Harry went up to Lupin's office and found him packing his things. Harry didn't like that. He didn't like that at all. Lupin looked up and saw Harry's expression. He smiled cheerfully, though couldn't hide the weary look in his eyes.
"Yes Harry," said Lupin. "I'm not going to be defense against the dark arts teacher after this year. Apparently, someone let slip I was a werewolf and...well...we don't want to risk the wrath of the student's parents."
"Bet it was Snape," said Harry.
"That's Professor Snape," said Lupin. "And he's not as bad as you think."
Harry rolled his eyes.
"Anyway," said Lupin. "I'd best be off."
Before Lupin left, however, Harry had one more question for him.
"Professor," said Harry. "My dad, his Animagus form, I think I know what it is."
Lupin: "Oh?"
Harry: "It was a deer, like my patronus. And prongs stood for the antlers."
Lupin laughed and said, "Oh no Harry. It wasn't that."
Harry: "Then what?"
Lupin: "His animagus form was a lobster."
Harry stood dumbfounded for a few seconds.
Harry: "But...but you said he could keep a werewolf in line! How's a lobster supposed to do that?"
Lupin: "With his claws of course. Didn't read the material Snape assigned? Werewolves hate getting nipped."
And Lupin left, leaving Harry dumbfounded.
Did Lupin really expect Harry to believe that a poodle and a lobster were enough to keep a werewolf in line? That all it took was a bunch of yipping and nipping…
And suddenly, werewolves became significantly less cool.
And then Dumbledore came in.
"How are you Harry?" said Dumbledore.
"Depressed," said Harry. "I had a chance to leave the Dursley house, and that's gone. I also had the best defense against the dark arts teacher, and now he's gone. My life is still terrible, and I'm not sure I made much of a difference."
"Harry," said Dumbledore. "You saved an innocent man from a fate worse than death. It made a great deal of difference. Makes me feel better about sending underage children into terrible danger on a regular basis.
"Um…" said Harry. "Thanks?"
"No problem," said Dumbledore, and then he left, making Harry question his choice of school.