Chapter Twenty Nine: Revelation

Captain Grissom watched from the deck of the frigate as Remus Lupin walked toward the ship with the Somerset twins in tow as well as Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Something was afoot and the Groundskeeper clearly wanted to make sure it was a private conversation. He greeted them as they came aboard, then offered to remain out of the way.

"This is your ship, Peter," Remus said with great familiarity. He looked at his adoptive nephews and added, "perhaps you should join us." Harry nodded, but Robert paused, then nodded as well.

Everyone went below deck to the Captain's Quarters, which was in fact the entire hold since there were no crew on the ship. It looked more like a comfortable living room than anything else. As everyone sat down, Remus Lupin prepared himself a cup of tea before turning to Robert.

"You said you had something important to tell me, and to tell Harry, concerning Sirius Black."

Robert nodded. "Yes, Uncle. The night we literally ran into him."

"The night you were hiding in the bushes," Remus asked. Hermione blushed slightly as both Lupin and Grissom gave the two a bemused look.

"They are close," Ron said sarcastically, then mumbled an apology when both adults gave him a scowl.

Remus looked back to Robert. "You said he knocked you down as he ran away. Are you telling us you lied?"

"That part was true enough," Robert admitted, "but when he ran into us he was in the form of a large black dog."

"It seems he's also an illegal animagus," Hermione added, then looked in surprise when Remus nodded. "You already knew."

"We were close friends at one time," Remus admitted. "But you described him accurately to Professor Sprout. I assume he changed back to human form to continue his flight."

"No, Sir," Robert and Hermione admitted. They related the true events as carefully as they could, trying to leave nothing out.

"But that doesn't make sense," Harry told his brother when they finished their tale. "If Sirius Black is trying to kill me, and he thought you were me . . ."

"That is curious," Remus acknowledged. "Unless he is completely mad."

"I took the liberty of writing Lord Darcy," Robert continued. "We received his reply this morning. We told him everything we knew about Black, and he said it was absurd. He told us that if Black were rational, then on the night he broke into Gryffindor he must have meant to attack Ron."

Ron was surprised. "Why would Sirius Black be after me?"

Hermione gave a slight grin. "Lord Darcy said that Black was trying to kill whomever it was you slept with."

Ron understood the implications. "That's insulting. I wouldn't sleep with anybody else in my bed."

"We know," Robert answered diplomatically. "And if you did, you could not keep it a secret anyway, not with four other boys in the dorm with you." Robert smirked. "I did suggest to Hermione that Black was after Scabbers but . . ."

Everyone stopped as a cup crashed to the floor. Remus Lupin had turned deathly pale.

Grissom had his hand on Remus's arm. "What is it?"

Remus pulled out his wand and waved it, whispering "Reparo." The cup reformed itself and Remus picked it up. "Ron, could you describe Scabbers."

"What's to describe? He was old and gray. He slept most of the time."

"Did he have any distinguishing features?" Remus spoke in a quiet but firm voice. "Markings? Scars?"

Ron thought briefly. "Nothing really."

"He was missing one of his toes, on his front paw," Harry pointed out. "Is that what you mean?"

Remus nodded heavily. "That is exactly what I mean."

It was Hermione who understood. "The wizard that tried to stop Black. You said he was blown up, along with a lot of muggles."

"That is right," Harry said. "Uncle Remus, you said that all they found of him was part of a finger."

"Black is an animagus," Hermione reminded everyone. "THAT'S IT. That man was also an animagus. He could change into a rat."

"Scabbers?" Ron asked in both surprise and disgust.

"Peter Pettigrew," Remus replied in an anguished voice. "We called him Wormtail."

Harry and Robert looked at each other. Harry spoke first. "Then Sirius Black is innocent."

Robert picked up his train of thought. "Pettigrew framed him and hid. That was the reason Black laughed when he was caught."

"He knew no one would believe him," Harry concluded.

"And he was right," Remus said sadly. A tear rolled down his cheek. "Oh, Sirius, how wrong we were."

Everyone paused as Remus made an effort to control himself. As he calmed down, Ron asked a question.

"You said you called him Wormtail?"

Remus nodded. "We were all close friends in school, myself, Sirius, Peter, and of course James, your father, Harry."

"But how did Peter Pettigrew know where to find my father? You said Sirius Black was his secret keeper. Would he have told anyone?"

"That is a mystery," Remus admitted. "Sirius was supposed to go into hiding and not tell anyone, even me."

"It is obvious to me," Captain Grissom said. "It was a case of misdirection." He smiled when everyone stared at him. "I've used it before, Harry, if you remember? I had the Polish captain looking at my cannons when he should have been watching my crew. If I understand what happened, Sirius Black claimed he was the secret keeper, so that everyone would be watching him."

Remus frowned. "And James Potter unwitting gave that task to Voldemort's spy."

"But Scabbers is dead," Robert pointed out. "Crookshanks ate him."

Harry shook his head. "He could easily have turned back into a man and killed Crookshanks. We found a patch of blood and a few hairs, and we saw Hermione's cat in the dorm."

"Another misdirection," Hermione said. "But where could he be?"

"He could be anywhere," Remus pointed out.

"If he's in the school or on the grounds, we can find him," Ron told everyone. "Fred and George gave me a birthday present but I haven't had a chance to use it much."

Harry smiled, then gave Ron a surprised look. "That's where we know the name."

Ron smiled. "And I figured something else out. All of you were animagi. Peter Pettigrew was Wormtail. I'm guessing Sirius Black was Padfoot. That sounds like a dog's name. Mr. Lupin, were you Moony or Prongs?"

Remus smiled. "You have our map."

"Map?" Hermione asked.

"The Maurader's Map," Remus explained. "It was our best work. The map can show you where everyone in the school is at, as well as the secret passages and, if need be, their passwords."

Harry nodded. "Ron offered to let me use it to sneak into Hogsmeade."

"But you did not, of course," Robert replied.

"Of course not."

"Nor did you ask me if I wanted to go." Robert gave Harry a knowing look.

"He told me you said no," Hermione offered. Both she and Robert were grinning.

"I never went," Harry said firmly. He turned to Remus. "Uncle, which animal do you turn into?"

"You don't have to tell us," Hermione said hastily.

"But you already know, Hermione?" Remus asked and received a sullen nod. "You were always a bright student. Was it Professor Snape's lesson on potions to repel Werewolves." Hermione nodded again. Remus looked at Harry. "I was Moony. Because of the full moon."

Harry took the remark in stride. After the string of surprises unleashed at him, this one seemed almost obvious. He noticed that Robert and Ron also shared surprised looks, but Captain Grissom did not. Harry made a mental note that the Captain was clearly knowledgeable of a great many things about this world, including Remus's background, as well as his own.

Remus paused, then continued. "Your father and his friends became animagi so that they could safely be with me when I transformed. If either you or Robert are curious, your father was a stag, hence the nickname Prongs."

"My Patronus is a stag," Harry pointed out.

Remus smiled at a memory.

"Excuse me," Captain Grissom said, after clearing his throat. "I believe we have a criminal to catch."

Remus nodded. "We do, but you don't have to be involved, Peter."

"Remus. If it concerns Harry or Robert, I am involved. What are your plans, if you have any?"

"First," Remus said mockingly, "I will admit to being a fool. I know where one of our quarry will be. Robert and Hermione told me when they told what direction he ran off. I think I will pay Sirius Black a visit."

"You know where Sirius Black is?" Harry asked in surprise.

"I do, Harry. I went there many times as a student. I know the place well."

Harry paused, but Remus waited. It was obvious the boy wanted to say something but was trying to gather his thoughts. What he once thought true had been shown to be lies. Slowly, Harry said, "Give my love to my Godfather."

"I will."


Remus left the ship and walked toward the Whomping Willow. There was a secret passage there which led to the Shrieking Shack. With a surprising lightness to his step, he quickly walked through the tunnel then up the staircase to a dimly lit room. Remus paused, then said quietly, "Hello, old friend."

"You won't stop me," Sirius Black said angrily.

"From murdering him? I will. From capturing Peter? I plan on helping you."

"You know? How long have you known? Who else knows?"

"An hour. Two at the most. Captain Grissom knows. I assume you've seen the ship. Harry knows, of course. He sends his love, by the way." Remus paused as a joyous look engulfed Sirius' face. "As soon as I realized where you were hiding I knew I had to see you, to let you know. You aren't alone anymore."

Sirius Black looked stunned. All those years in Azkaban, knowing he had no proof. And now his oldest living friend appears suddenly and showers him with hope. He slid to the floor and began to cry in relief.


Albus Dumbledore sipped from his cup of tea as he pondered what Remus Lupin had told him. It was an amazing story but had not yet proved true. If the rat, Scabbers, was in fact Peter Pettigrew, he was not within the school.

"Remus, about the map that you made." Albus smiled as his friend was overcome by a hint of schoolboy embarrassment. "Have you tried to find Mrs. Norris with it?"

"I've thought about that, Albus. I haven't, but Ron Weasley has, for obvious reasons."

Albus chuckled. "Please let Mister Weasley know that he is excused from any punishments in this matter. His willingness to reveal the map makes up for any mischief he, or his friends, may have done."

"He will appreciate it." Remus smiled, then paused with a frown. "I've had a thought." He pulled out his wand and the map. He tapped the map and said, "I solemnly promise I am up to no good."

Albus stood up and walked around his desk and peered over the shoulders of the Groundskeeper as Remus Lupin said, "Show me Scabbers."

Both men smiled when a dot labeled Scabbers appeared in the dungeons.

"Brilliant thinking," Albus commented. "He has been called Scabbers for so long the map recognizes him by that name. And he is hiding in the safest place in the school. Amongst the other rats."

Remus nodded. "With your permission, Albus, I would like to hunt him down."

"Can you do this quietly? The Minister will be here later today and we are not on the best of terms. If he has any suspicion that his escaped prisoner is nearby he will not hesitate to act against him."

Remus was surprised. "Is it about the hippogriph? I thought that matter was settled months ago."

"It was, but when Captain Grissom insulted the Malfoys at his hearing with the Wizarding Council, someone thought it would be a good idea to reopen the case. The reasons are petty, I am sure, but Hagrid and I must assure the Minister that the hippogriph in question will be made available."

Remus scowled at the thought. Cornelius Fudge was becoming fixated on obtaining a control stone. The reasoning behind such a move was obvious. Having failed to embarrass the Empire with the inquiry, the Minister had to show strength in some form. He might even go so far as to destroy the hippogriph just to prove his point.

"Does Fudge actually believe this will help his case?"

"It will, but not with the Empire. It will show that he is still the one to make the decisions in this world. He is doing this to show US that he still has control."

"Albus, how far is he prepared to go? Surely he must realize by now that these people will not give up their only advantage over us."

"Only advantage?" Dumbledore smiled. "Remus, I have lived among these people. Only for a few weeks, I admit, but enough to take stock of them. The Daily Prophet calls them backward and barbaric but they are far from that. They are much more advanced, and more powerful, than we are. Remember this: In their world, Harry Somerset does not have enough magic within him to make it worthwhile to train him, yet here he is already showing himself to be a powerful wizard."

"Albus, I never . . . Then he is in their Navy so that he has a profession?"

"Exactly so. Harry may be the son of a nobleman in that world, but he is counted as a younger son. He will not inherit anything and must make his own way in the world. Fortunately, he is a natural sailor."

Remus smiled at the thought. "How powerful are they that Harry Potter is not good enough to be a sorcerer?"

"Remember, Remus," Albus said, drawing him back to the point of the discussion, "search for Pettigrew as quietly as you can, and be careful. Once he knows you are after him, he will try to run. And if he is cornered he may prove very dangerous. After all, he has hidden under our very noses for years."

"I will remember." Remus stood up and went to leave the office.

"And Remus," Albus called as a reminder, "Do not stay out too late. Remember what night it is."

"I will visit Professor Snape for my potion before I do anything else. He might even forget to sneer at me this time."

Grinning, Remus left the Headmaster's office. He would talk to Peter Grissom after he visited Snape. Then he would ask Sirius Black to play bloodhound for him.


Harry had his sword raised in time to block the saber. He parried the blade and then dropped his own as his opponent changed tactics and swiped at a leg. Harry then tried to bring his saber up in a quick thrust and received a stinging blow as the flat of his opponent's blade slapped his hand and sent his own sword to the ground. Harry took a deep breath as he looked at the sword at his throat.

"You need to choose your attacks better," Captain Grissom said as he lowered his blade. "But at least you have the courage to try to attack. Pick up your sword and try again."

The one thing Harry did not like about his dueling lessons was the audience. He liked the idea of learning how to use a saber but, now that the weather had turned warm and the days were long enough, Captain Grissom had decided that the lessons should be held on the grass. The result was that a crowd formed to watch every mistake.

Robert, on the other hand, reveled in the crowd. He tried to explain to his brother that should they ever need to use their swords there was sure to be a large group in the area. Harry should appreciate that this group only wanted to watch.

"Barbaric," muttered an older voice from the crowd. "Fighting half-naked with clubs."

Robert turned from watching Harry spar with the Captain to look at the man. He was a stranger, but the man next to him was well known. It was Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, smiling in agreement.

"It's sad that Potter lets himself be degraded this was," Fudge said, sotto voce. "We had such hopes for him."

"I like watching him make a fool of himself," Draco Malfoy said from the crowd of students, then looked up in feigned surprise. "Minister! I apologize. I shouldn't have interrupted." Draco started to get to his feet but the Minister put a hand on his shoulder.

"No need to stand because of me, dear boy. Enjoy the spectacle." As he walked away, he added loudly. "Can you imagine, MacNair? They're teaching the boy not to use a wand."

"That boy. Malfoy, had the right of it, Minister. It is amusing to watch."

Both men laughed lightly as they walked onward to the school.

Captain Grissom chose that moment to dismiss Harry. Robert unsheathed his sword and stepped forward as Harry sheathed his. Grissom signaled Robert to stay where he was and called Colin Creevey forward. Robert watched with curiosity because Colin had mentioned earlier that he had been practicing on his own.

Colin and Grissom saluted each other. A ripple of laughter went through the watching crowd because of the sight of the tall man and the small boy. Grissom stepped forward and brought his sword down in a quick attack. Colin put up his sword to block but fell to the ground from the force of the blow. Colin fell to one side and the Captain's momentum carried him forward as his blade was not parried. Then Grissom let out a surprised yelp as the flat of Colin's blade slapped against his calf.

Colin had not fallen at all. He had dropped and rolled, bringing his own saber to bear while his opponent was off balance. As the Captain turned, Colin was already on his feet, and his sword pointed at Grissom's chest.

"You will never get away with that trick a second time," Grissom laughed, "but you only need to do that once. A good move, Lieutenant." He paused to look at the beaming boy. "Remember, Colin, it is a fine trick, but it will not work once you begin to grow. Back to your mark."

Robert and Harry cheered Colin's move, as did most of the crowd. Then Harry picked up his shirt and jacket. "Do not forget," he reminded his brother, "We are both wanted in the headmaster's office after dinner." The twin boys grinned at each other. They would soon meet Sirius Black. Robert turned back to watch Colin as Harry walked back to the school, Ron and Hermione joining him. Both twins were happy that the two had made up and were friends again.


Remus was kneeling as he looked at the Map. The reason for this was so that the black dog had a clear view of it as well. The rat that was Scabbers had caught their scent and had begun to flee the castle. Pettigrew would quickly find out that the easy exits had been blocked and his only avenue of escape would leave him open. Two ways had been left open and Remus was waiting for the rat to discover his predicament.

But rats are small and Pettigrew was clever by half. He knew how he had been found and he had made his own escape plans. As Remus waited to see which way the rat would run, the rat ran in a third direction. Somehow, he was heading straight for the Gryffindor Tower, which was in the opposite direction. Both man and dog ran quickly in pursuit, unsure if they could still trap their former friend.