Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the wonderful wizarding world and all credit must be given to Ms. JK Rowling, however, anything unrecognisable is of my own creation.
Chapter 22: The Truth - Part 2
The rocky landscape and dark pine trees surrounding the Whomping Willow came into focus. Sirius squeezed my hand, as we watched Me, Harry, and Ron chasing Wormtail down towards the old tree. I could tell Sirius was feeling anxious, but there was also a glint of excitement in his eyes. I spoke, explaining the things he needed to know.
'Wormtail was posing as Ron's pet rat... since you escaped Azkaban you've been attempting to kill him. Crookshanks had been helping you... In this timeline, I'd brought Crookshanks from Diagon Alley the previous summer.' Ron dived to catch Wormtail at this point, and the older Sirius appeared. I squeezed Sirius's hand, because he'd flinched as his older self attacked Ron.
'What the hell am I doing?'
'You were aiming for Wormtail.' The older Sirius then dragged Ron into the base of the Whomping Willow: I spoke again. 'Come on... let's get to the Shrieking Shack, you don't need to see me getting my arse handed to me by a tree.' Sirius smirked, but followed me as I lead him down to the opening at the base of the Whomping Willow. We entered the tunnel, walking along hand-in-hand: Sirius spoke.
'What happens to Moony? You've not mentioned him.' I chuckled.
'Remus. I don't know what happened... but for some reason you didn't trust him, and thought he was spying for the other side. Therefore, when the Potters went into hiding, you and James didn't tell him that you'd made Wormtail their Secret Keeper. He thought you'd betrayed James and Lily. I don't know what happened to him after that: he became our DADA professor in third year.' Sirius seemed to think for a moment, before speaking.
'Does he forgive me?' I smiled.
'Yes, completely.' Sirius grinned, and as he did we reached the end of the tunnel, where Sirius allowed me to ascend the ladder first. Once inside the Shrieking Shack, we followed Ron's wailing, until we entered the bedroom, which was just as dilapidated as always. Sirius's voice pulled me from thought as I relived the room.
'Where'd I go?' I glanced towards Sirius, before pointing towards the door.
'You're behind the door... but you have to promise me something, before you see the next part.' Sirius nodded. 'No freaking out, remember you've been in Azkaban for 12 years, you're not looking your best.' Sirius didn't have chance to respond, because Harry and my younger self burst into the room a moment later. Ron screamed, and Sirius's older self disarmed me and Harry. I'd been watching Sirius as the memory unfolded: he looked mortified, and a moment later he spoke.
'Bloody hell, that can't be me!' I smirked.
'It is, Sirius meet the wanted murderer, Sirius Black.' I let Sirius wonder over to get a better look at his older self.
'Please don't let this happen to me.' I chuckled.
'I solemnly swear...' The brief scuffle then occurred, where Harry attacked Sirius's older self: Sirius spoke again.
'Wow, Prongs Jr. has some guts.' I grinned, watching Harry pointing his wand at the older Sirius, and the next second, Remus burst into the room. Sirius's eyes widened. 'Merlin, Remus looks rough...' Sirius wondered over to stand beside me. '...He's professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts, you say?' I nodded: Sirius smirked. 'Good to see Dumbledore's still got a sense of humour.' I let Sirius listen as Remus and his older self explained everything to Harry. I was watching Sirius's reaction; though, as I did he kissed me.
'What was that for?'
'Protecting Remus's secret, and making sure I didn't stuff up this time around.' Snape appeared at this point, and my memory of Remus bickering with Sirius's older self occurred: Sirius frowned.
'Do Moony and I really sound like that when we bicker?' I laughed; the look on Sirius's face was priceless.
'Yes, hun.' Sirius pulled a face, though, as he did Harry hexed Snape, making Sirius grin.
'Yes! That's my boy, Prongs would be so proud.' The memory moved quickly after that: Peter was revealed and we watched him beg for mercy. Sirius watched silently, and I think that's because he's struggling with the realisation that James wasn't there. I noticed that he keeps staring at Harry, looking hurt. I knew the truth would hurt him, because James is like family.
I'd edited my memory at this point, meaning the Shrieking Shack faded away and we appeared beside the Whomping Willow again. Sirius looked around the scene, as everyone appeared from the base of the Whomping Willow. I spoke.
'This is where Wormtail gets away.' Sirius glanced towards me.
'How?'
'The full moon... Remus forgot to take his Wolfsbane Potion.' Sirius's face fell.
'You've seen Moony?' I nodded, and as I did, the full moon rose above the mountains: Remus began to transform; Wormtail scampered off into the forest; and the older Sirius sprung into action. I closed my eyes, flinching as Sirius's older counterpart fought off Remus. I felt Sirius squeeze my hand.
'Oh man... that looks like that hurt.' I nodded.
'This is the scene that I have nightmares about when you're out with Remus during the full moon.' Sirius frowned.
'Sorry.' I smirked.
'It's not your fault... besides I will get the Wolfsbane Potion to work: and then I won't have to worry.' Sirius grinned, and the memory faded. 'I needed you to see that, I've been wanting to tell you about that nightmare for a while.' Sirius wrapped his arms around me.
'So... what's next?' I pressed my lips to Sirius's as the forest materialised around us.
'Harry and I went back in time to save you, after that last scene you were caught.' Harry and my younger self hurried past as I spoke. I lead Sirius after them to the edge of the forest, where we could see Moony and the older Sirius fighting, and then Moony approaching Harry. I watched my younger self howl to distract Moony. Sirius glanced towards me with a dumbfounded expression.
'Bloody hell, you're insane.' I laughed.
'I was saving you and Harry, thank you very much.' Sirius didn't look convinced.
'Yeah, but who saves you.' We followed myself, Harry, and Moony through the forest: and watched as Buckbeak scared Moony off. Sirius flinched, watching as Buckbeak kicked Moony.
'Ouch.' I smirked. I told Sirius that I had one last thing to show him in this memory. I wanted to show him Harry's patronus. I lead Sirius down to the water, where the Dementors were attacking Sirius's older self and Harry. Sirius's eyes widened as he saw all the Dementors: I pointed across the shore.
'Harry and I are over there, watch Harry scare the Dementors away.' Sirius raised his eyebrows, though, before he could speak, I heard Harry shout the spell. Harry's patronus filled the clearing, and as the ghostly blue stag appeared, Sirius grinned.
'It's a stag... just like Prongs.' I nodded.
A/N: Part 2 for you all... there's one more part which I will publish as soon as I have proofread it. Hope you all like Sirius's reaction to his older self. Love RoxannetheLaugh x.
