Part Three:

Forest:

Peter raced across the field, Fang at his heels. He could feel the dog's breath against his fur as they ran. Suddenly, a flash of lightening crashed between them, flinging Fang into a tree. Not even sparing a moment to thank his master for the rescue, Peter dashed on, seeking entrance into the castle.

Professor McGonagal glanced outside and saw Hagrid kneeling on the ground. With a frown on her face, she opened the door, never seeing the rat scurry inside. Using her wand, she caused an umbrella to form over their heads. "What are you doing out in this miserable weather?" She asked, walking briskly over to him.

Hagrid looked up at her. "It wasn't like this when I first came out."

"Is Fang all right?" She asked him, helping him move the dog into a more comfortable position.

"He'll be fine. Professor, you didn't notice anything run by you, did you?" Hagrid scratched his head.

"I don't believe so. Why?"

He answered, petting Fang reassuringly. "We were chasing something before the storm started. The thing is, I could've sworn it was a rat."

Professor McGonagal froze, something tickled her mind. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah," he responded. "Why?"

"I must see Poppy," she didn't answer his question in her hurry to leave. Practically flying up the stairs, she paused with her hand at the door and changed her mind. Transforming, she retraced her steps and sniffed the air. There was the faintest trace of rat in the air and she followed it.

She was not surprised when Mrs. Norris joined her. Together, they stalked their prey. Its scent led them down into the dungeons. Now why would a rat be outside the potions classroom? She asked herself, unless Voldemort sent it. Even now, she couldn't think of his name without shivering.

Mrs. Norris crept up behind the rat, springing upon it suddenly. Peter felt the sharp claw hit his back and squeaked. Professor McGonagal just sat back and let it happen. She knew that this was Peter, the one who betrayed them and would not help him. In fact, she stood up and stalked over to them, determined to help get rid of him.

Unfortunately, one of the potions exploded in the classroom. In the confusion, the rat was able to escape. They raced after him, leaving Severus behind to regain control of his screaming class. Peter scurried away, trying to think of the best place to hide from the cats. Their sense of smell is almost perfect, he thought bitterly. He had hoped that being near the potions class, he'd be able to avoid detection from them.

Well, he thought desperately, I might be able to lose them in the kitchens or the hospital. Deciding that the infirmary was his best option, he changed course and dashed that way.

Professor McGonagal saw him change direction and quickly figured out where he might go. Her blood chilled and she left Mrs. Norris. Changing form once more, she quickly opened one of the passages, hoping to get there before the other two. "Poppy!" She called through a thought link that Albus had recently established for all the staff. It was a handy thing, if darned inconvenient at times.

"What?" Her voice was cross, but there was worry in it as well.

Minerva winced, hoping she hadn't interrupted something that couldn't wait. "I'm sorry but we've got a spy on the premises. He's headed your way, followed by Mrs. Norris. Hide Septina."

Though her voice changed tones, her anxiety was not lessened. "You need to hurry. I've got a patient." Poppy cut off the connection then. The transfiguration teacher quickened her pace.

In The Infirmary:

"What was that about?" Mr. Filch grumbled, trying to move his cut arm away from her prying fingers.

"Be still, you foolish man, or I'll body bind you." Poppy scolded. Her expert hands quickly found and pulled out shards of poisoned glass from his arm. "I don't understand how you did this. Harry, sit back down." She ordered, not turning her head. "As for my momentary distraction, seems there's a spy on the premises. You'll see your precious Mrs. Norris soon."

Filch's eyes widened fractionally. He was well aware about the staff's feelings for his cat. "A spy?"

"Minerva's in charge of tracking it down."

"Don't you think you should move her before you continue to do this?" Filch asked.

She glared at him. "No. You would not stay here if I did. And I have no intention of tracking you down. Harry Potter, what are you doing?" Again, this was said without her turning around.

"I was going to help you with her?" Harry tried, not really thinking that would work with Poppy. She was one of the only people with authority here who didn't really trust his motives, Snape was the other one. Professor Snape, he mimicked Professor Dumbledore in his mind.

"Fine. Move her into my office, quickly. Then you come right back here. Understood?"

"Yes." He pulled out his wand and walked to the form on the bed, taking a good look at her. If not for her dark hair, she would have disappeared into the bed so pale and lifeless was she. Something familiar about her tugged at his mind, but what was it?

Black eyes snapped open suddenly and focused on him with unnerving intensity. A surprisingly strong hand grabbed him. "Potter." The voice hissed low, weak from disuse but oddly familiar to his ears.

It was a voice that taunted him. A voice he associated with one person. "Snape?" He questioned in disbelief, unable to move. There was no answer and the grip had loosened on his arm. Looking down he saw that the eyes were closed once more.

"Potter! If you aren't going to help, sit back down." Poppy's stern voice broke into his confused thoughts.

He quickly levitated her and guided her into the empty office. Placing her on the couch, he stepped back and closely studied her. In the light of the office, he could see the resemblance better. He left when Poppy's voice called to him again, closing the door tightly behind him.

Sitting down, he casually asked. "Who was that?"

Poppy turned to look at him then. "That is none of your concern." Her voice was sharp, she turned away and finished with Filch's arm.

In Dumbledore's Office:

Albus stood up suddenly, "There is only one person who can explain things to you. I don't know why I didn't remember it before." He walked to the closet and began to riffle through his things.

Remus shrugged at his friend, a 'don't ask me' look on his face.

"Sirius, would you put this on my desk for the moment? I don't want it to get lost." Albus asked.

Sirius took the pensieve from Albus nervously and walked to the desk, putting it down quickly. He had never touched one before and was afraid he might damage it. The liquid swirled restlessly for a moment, before settling down. It caught his eye and before he knew it, he was pulled inside it.

Remus gasped and stood up to pull his friend away but he too was caught by it.

"Ah, here it is." Albus said, withdrawing what looked like a muggle tape recorder from the back of the closet. "Now, why don't we...Oh no, not again." He exclaimed, seeing that his pensieve had been activated and his friends were missing.