AN:  I know I promised to have this fic done by August, but the baby came early and ruined that plan!  In case you didn't hear, my son was born on July 31…and no, I'm not kidding.  He's an honest to God HP baby!  So I'm sorry about the delay, but I hope you all can understand.

Many thanks again to Durayan for spurring me on and alpha reading my fic.  And thanks to JK for the beta read.  Thanks to my readers for actually sticking with me this long.  And lastly, thanks to all the wolves at the Werewolf Registry for one year of howling good fun!  You ROX!

Old Acquaintances Return

The excitement from the Quidditch final lasted for several days with all of Gryffindor House, even those that weren't on the house team, being applauded for ending the Slytherin reign on the Quidditch Cup.  A slight commotion would erupt every now and then at meal times in the Great Hall, but after a few days of general excitement, emotions began to return to normal. 

Once the euphoria of the moment passed, reality set in that the end of term was near.  June brought warm weather, along with the longing for lazy days beside the lake.  However, as much as everyone wanted to just lounge around, there was loads work to be done.  Students weren't the only ones with great responsibilities, as teachers were busy planning for exams and marking reports.

Remus began preparations for his own final exams by making lists of all the spells and defense techniques he had introduced to each class this year.    It was his intention to test the students in a way that would allow them to prove how well they mastered their lessons.    Being able to recite spells from memory or discuss techniques on parchment was the easy way out, and did nothing to test the students' abilities to defend themselves under pressure.  These students needed to demonstrate that they could perform the task at hand.  Naturally, the sixth and seventh years would have the most difficult course to overcome, but the third and fourth years weren't going to have an easy time either. 

But there were other things plaguing Remus' thoughts.  First off, Hagrid's hippogriff was scheduled for an appeal at the very end of the term.  Since the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures would be sending an executioner to the appeal, it was almost certain that Buckbeak would be killed.  It bothered Remus greatly to know that an executioner would be on Hogwarts grounds.  It wasn't just for Buckbeak that Remus felt concern, but also for himself.  He had lived his whole life with a nagging fear of the Committee, and their hatchet happy minions, and tried to maintain a good distance from anyone who worked for them.

Another item of concern for Remus was the vision of the large black dog he thought he had seen in the forest.  He had replayed the moment over and over again in his mind, trying to convince himself that indeed it was his mind playing tricks on him, but he just couldn't.  The more he thought about it, the more worried he grew that he had indeed seen Sirius in his Animagus form.  His only comfort was that if it had really been Sirius, another break-in would surely have been attempted.  However, with the work load Remus had currently he really had very little time to focus on anything but the exams and getting his final grades posted.

The week of the final exams was more stressful than Remus thought it would be.  He, of course, remembered being under pressure as a student, but he didn't expect to feel that same pressure as a teacher.  His nervousness stemmed from the longing to have each of the students perform well on his or her tests.  Not only that, but the moon would be full at the end of the week and that meant that Remus would be in less than top form himself, as always this close to a transformation.  But the tests couldn't be postponed or avoided.  Remus would simply have to grin and bear it.

In all, the tests went well.  It looked as if all of the seventh years would pass their N.E.W.T.s in Defense.  One of the fifth years, Miranda Hawk, got a perfect score on her O.W.L.s, which pleased Remus exceedingly.  However, there were a few minor problems along the way.  First year student, Adam Waddling, couldn't remember the spell for disarming his attacker and ended up in the hospital wing with a broken arm.  And in his last test of the year, Hermione Granger lost her fight with the boggart, which surprised Remus greatly as Hermione seldom failed at anything. 

Once all the third year students had taken the exam, Remus headed to the staff room for a break and a bit of quiet.  He wanted to clear his head before he set about marking the last of his exams.  As he rounded the corner and headed for the staff room, he could make out four people walking towards him.  Two he recognized instantly as Professor Dumbledore and Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic.  Dumbledore called out to him as they drew closer. 

"Professor Lupin, just the man we were talking about.  What a coincidence."  Dumbledore smiled.

"Headmaster," Remus said with a nod, "can I help you with something?"

"Indeed you can.  Cornelius was just asking me about the security of the castle and the other precautions we have set up to help guard against any more break-ins."

Fudge puffed out his chest importantly.  "Many people at the Ministry have been worried about the safety of the students.  I need to assure them that everything is under control."

Remus glanced at the other two men standing behind the Minister and the Headmaster.  Remus didn't recognize the younger one, but the elderly gentleman seemed very familiar.  He pulled his focus back to the conversation.  "There has been no sign of Sirius Black since the last break-in.  With the term being so close to its' end, I don't think we have anything to worry about."

"Very good, very good indeed," Fudge said with a curt nod.  "At least that's some good news today.  After all, we will have an unpleasant task to perform this evening."

"What task is that?" questioned Remus.

"Unfortunately, we are here to er…take care of a certain hippogriff that injured a student earlier this year."

With a sharp intake of breath Remus realized just how he knew the older man.  "You're from the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures," he said gravely, looking at the elderly wizard.

"Yes, they are," said Fudge.  "Allow me to introduce you to Walden McNair, our executioner and Randolph Eblin, our committee representative.  McNair, Eblin, this is Remus Lupin."

Hesitantly, Remus extended his hand to shake the feeble, wrinkled hand being offered him.  "Good day," he said looking deeply into the brown eyes of the old man.

"Lupin, did you say?" the man asked curiously.

"Yes, Remus Lupin," Remus said slowly.  Eblin's tired eyes widened in recognition, as he looked Remus up and down.  There was a silence that hung in the air for a moment.

"Have you two met before?" Fudge asked.

"Yes, we have," explained Remus.  "But it was a very long time ago."

"Ah.  Well then, you two can catch up for a moment while the Headmaster and I go over the procedure for this evening with McNair.  Shall we use the staff room?"

"That would be acceptable," said Dumbledore gesturing for the men to enter the room.

Remus kept eye contact with Eblin, not knowing what to say.  It was Eblin who spoke first by asking, "You're the werewolf involved in that…incident… all those years ago?"

"Yes."

"If memory serves me correctly, it was Sirius Black that took most of the blame for the incident."

"Yes."

Eblin shook his head with a small smile.  "We all thought you were the dangerous one.  We should have seen Black for what he was.  But look at you now – a Hogwarts teacher!"  Remus swallowed hard as Eblin sized him up once more.  "I would think you would be teaching Care of Magical Creatures, but I already know that Hagrid has filled that position.  What do you teach?"

"Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"My my…quite impressive.  To think that you were so very close to being executed and now you hold a position that many witches and wizards aspire to.   You should be proud."

"Thank you, sir, but I don't deserve such praise."

"Nonsense," he said with a stern look in his eyes.  "You of all people should know how difficult it is for an accused creature to achieve a verdict in their favor.  You are one of the lucky ones."  He cast his eyes downward and sighed, "You are one of the few, I'm afraid."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Over the last ten years or so I have begun to rethink my position on many of the cases.  I fear that often times we have been too harsh and have cast an unfair judgment.  Even now, with this execution, I have to wonder if we're doing the right thing."

Puzzled Remus asked, "Then why do you stay with the Committee?  Why not leave?"

Eblin chuckled.  "Because, my dear boy, someone has to fill my position.  Better it be I than someone else who might be a crueler judge.  My opinion does hold some weight still.  Perhaps, if I feel strongly about the beast, I might persuade the others to settle on a ruling that doesn't involve killing the creature."

Remus smiled at the man with a new respect.  His opinion might not have saved Buckbeak, but it might save some other creature in the future.  "Well," sighed the old man, "I better join them in the staff room.  McNair has a tendency to make executions more painful than they should be.  I'll need to look over his plans."

"Yes, of course."  As Eblin opened the door Remus stopped him and said, "Thank you.  It was good to make your acquaintance again."

"Likewise," he said with an honest smile before disappearing into the staff room. 

***

Remus spent the remainder of the day in his office.  He kept himself busy marking exams and talking to the occasional student or teacher who passed by.  He had hardly noticed that evening was upon him and it was time for dinner.  If it hadn't been for a rumble from his stomach, he might have missed dinner altogether.  Setting his work aside, he headed down to the Great Hall to take his meal with the rest of the staff. 

The noise level in the Great Hall was above normal, which could be expected as students were celebrating the end of the exams.  Remus took a seat next to Professor Flitwick and soon the two men were busy comparing notes on how well the students did throughout the year.  Remus explained how very pleased he had been in Neville Longbottom's progress stating that he was his most improved student.  Flitwick was very pleased with Brendan Reed, a first year who showed great talent in Charms in spite of his Muggle up bringing. 

In the middle of the conversation, Remus paused to look out at the students and saw something quite peculiar.  Harry was sitting all slumped over with one arm crossed over his stomach as if he were hiding something.  Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley sat with him, looking anxious.  They would whisper every now and then and glance around to see if anyone was watching them.  They were up to something; Remus just knew it.  And he had a fairly good idea just what they were going to try to do, too.

Slowly, the students finished eating and left the Great Hall.  Remus took his time in leaving, as he wanted to watch Harry and his friends in order to confirm if his suspicions were correct.  He watched as they slipped out of the hall and headed for the entryway.  Following them, Remus was careful that they wouldn't spot him. Sure enough, he saw them sneak into an empty chamber just off the entrance hall where he was certain they would wait for the coast to be clear before emerging.

Determined to see what the three of them were up to, Remus headed for his office.  The Marauder's Map was tucked away in his desk drawer.  If his suspicions were correct, Harry and his friends would soon be seen heading for Hagrid's hut.  

Reaching his office as quickly as he could, Remus opened his drawer, pulled out the blank parchment, and pointed his wand at it.  "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."  The lines of the map appeared and Remus watched as three dots wandered to what was the edge of the map.  Hagrid's hut was just far enough away from the castle that it didn't appear on the map.  But Remus knew that there was nowhere else they could be going. 

He looked the map over and spotted Fudge, Dumbledore, McNair, and Eblin in Dumbledore's office.  Hopefully, Harry, Ron, and Hermione would be smart enough to leave Hagrid's hut before the execution party showed up.  They would certainly get into trouble for being out of bounds if they were seen on the grounds this late in the evening.  Then a thought struck Remus.  Maybe they wouldn't be seen.  After all, Harry had use of James' invisibility cloak.  It would certainly be useful to three students who didn't want to get caught breaking the rules.

Remus watched the map patiently.  His eyes followed several students from room to room as he waited for Harry and his friends to return to the castle.  After a few minutes, he heard voices out in the hallway. 

"He'll probably break out into a flood of tears.  Wish I could be there to see it." 

Remus didn't' need to look at the map to know to whom the voice belonged.  Walking over to the door Remus could hear the boy laughing and teasing with his friends.  When Remus looked down the hall, Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle had already passed his doorway, so he called out to them.  

"Excuse me, Mr. Malfoy."  Draco jumped and turned around, startled.  "Might I enquire as to what you find so humorous?"

Draco pursed his lips together in obvious thought.  "We were talking about a fellow we know that er…didn't study for his exams."

It was a bold faced lie and Remus knew it.  "Is that so?  And you think his failure is something to laugh about?"

Draco didn't have a reply for that one.  His eyes fell to the floor, not in shame for laughing at someone, but in shame of being caught. 

"I think it would be best of you all returned to your common room now.  After all, it is growing late."  That much was certain.  Students weren't supposed to be out in the hallways after dinner.  Remus wasn't sure what these three were up to nor was he sure he really wanted to know. 

"Yes, sir.  We'll be going right away," Draco said.  Remus nodded and the students began walking away.  Remus could just make out their conversation at the end of the hall. 

"That was close," said Goyle.

"Yeah, he could have taken away points or given us detention for being out of bounds," replied Crabbe.

"I know.  Professor Lupin is odd that way," Draco said, glancing over his shoulder at Remus.  "Let's hurry before he changes his mind."

Remus waited until the boys were out of sight and then returned to his desk.  He casually looked down at the map and gasped.  The execution party was leaving the castle and heading for Hagrid's.  Remus looked at the edge of the map but didn't see any sign of Harry, Ron, or Hermione.  His eyes darted from the group of dots representing the execution party and back to the edge as he waited for Harry and his friends to appear.  It only took a moment, but it seemed like an eternity.  Remus breathed a sigh of relief as Harry's dot appeared with the others and began moving toward the castle. 

But before he had a real chance to relax, something else caught his eye.  There were three dots with Harry instead of two.  "Ron Weasley" and "Hermione Granger" were with him, but there was also another dot – a dot that shouldn't have been there – a dot belonging to a dead man.  Right next to the dot labeled "Ron Weasley" was a dot labeled…

"Peter Pettigrew?" Remus said out loud to himself.  "How in the world…?"  It was impossible but there was no denying it.  Remus ran a hand through his hair in thought, never taking his eyes off of the dot.

His brain began to run through a series of possibilities.  Perhaps the map is malfunctioning.  After all, Peter has been dead for twelve years.  How could he be out on the Hogwarts grounds?  Even if he were a ghost, we certainly would have seen something from him by now.  No…it can't be a ghost…but then who could it be? 

Remus didn't quite understand what was going on with the three students, but he could tell that Ron was now chasing after the unexplainable figure of "Peter Pettigrew."  He must be trying to get away from them.  What the devil is going on?  Then another dot joined the group.  "Crookshanks", as the map pointed out, must be some kind of an animal.

An animal!  That's it!  That's not Peter Pettigrew out there with Harry!  It's WORMTAIL!  But even still…

With his heart racing Remus stared wide-eyed as another dot bounded towards the group.  The sight of this dot sent a chill up Remus' spine, for this dot was labeled "Sirius Black".

"Good God."

Remus couldn't believe his eyes.  He shook his head in disbelief but never once looked away from the map.  It looked as if a struggle between all the figures was going on.  Sirius seemed to be focused on Ron and Peter mainly and eventually managed to separate them from Harry and Hermione.  "He must be dragging them," Remus said under his breath as he watched Sirius, Peter, and Ron head for the Whomping Willow.

Remus gasped.  "He's taking them to the Shrieking Shack!"

Sure enough, Sirius managed to get Ron and Peter into the underground tunnel.  Harry and Hermione were left behind, but not for long.  The animal that was with them soon found his way into the tunnel and Harry and Hermione followed behind. 

Remus took a step back from the desk, still trying to get a grasp on what he was seeing.  He quickly thought over the events of the past year.  The message on the blackboard…"Peter is Here"…and Sirius didn't attack Harry, he attacked Ron…

Oh hell!  Sirius hasn't been after Harry!  He's been after Peter this whole time.  Peter was never dead.  And I would guess he's been here the whole time, living as a rat! 

He looked back at the map to see the dots for "Harry Potter", "Hermione Granger", and "Crookshanks" vanish off the edge of the map.  They would soon be in the shack with Sirius and Peter - and there was no telling what Sirius was going to do to any of them.  Without another thought, Remus darted out of the office and raced down the corridor.  He had to get out there before…before…

Before what? Would Sirius try to kill Peter?  After all, he tried to kill him once before.  It just doesn't make sense!  I have to stop him!