Scabbers was plainly terrified. He was writhing with all of his might, trying to break free of Ron's grip. They didn't understand what was wrong with him. Before long they saw the reason. There came Crookshanks lurking towards them, which caused the rat to slip from Ron's grasp.
Ron pulled the Invisibility Cloak off and sprinted after the runaway rat. Harry and Hermione had thrown off the cloak to race after him, while Calleigh disabled the charm and followed. It wasn't long before Ron had caught Scabbers and he was back in his pocket.
"We have to get out of here, other they will find us."
But before they could cover themselves again, before they could even cath their breath, they heard the soft pounding of gigantic paws…. Something was bounding toward them, quiet as a shadow – an enormous, pale-eyed, jet-black dog.
Harry reached for his wand, but it was too late. The dog made a leap that knocked Harry backwards and continued towards Ron and Scabbers. The dog was dragging Ron away and it made it look so easy.
"No don't!" Calleigh yelled after the dog. Looking around, Calleigh shouted again, "Get down!"
Harry and Hermione immediately complied and just narrowly missed a swinging branch. They had landed right next to the Whomping Willow. The dog was dragging Ron into a large gap in the in the roots.
Soon all they could see was one of Ron's leg, which he had hooked around a root in an effort to stop the dog from pulling him farther underground – but a horrible crack cut the air like a gunshot; Ron's leg had broken, and a moment later, his foot vanished from sight.
"Harry – we've got to go for help –" Hermione gasped; she was bleeding too; the Willow had cut her across the shoulder. The willow started pounding the ground more and it became harder to avoid it.
"No! That thing's big enough to eat him; we haven't got time – "
"Harry – we're never going to get through without help –"
"He isn't going to eat Ron, he just wants the rat!" Calleigh screamed. "Here. Hermione, will you distract the willow, I will stop it so we can get inside!"
"How did you know to do that?" Harry asked angrily.
"I have my ways. C'mon now, and be careful will you?" Calleigh replied haughtily.
"Calleigh, I hate to say. But I am starting to doubt you," Hermione asked breathlessly. "Where does this tunnel come out at exactly?"
"Shrieking Shack."
"Wait, how do you know this? And how do you know that that dog won't eat Ron?" Harry growled.
"Because," Calleigh hissed. "I will explain later."
Despite the constant reassurance from Calleigh that Ron was alright, Harry couldn't help thinking what that dog could be doing to Ron. Before Harry realized it, the tunnel began to rise.
Just as Calleigh had said, they were in the Shrieking Shack in a very disordered, dusty room. Paper was peeling from the walls; there were stains all over the floor; there were stains all over the floow; every piece of furniture was broken as though somebody had smashed it. The windows were all boarded up, as well.
Soon they heard a creak overhead. Something had moved upstairs. Both of them looked up at the ceiling. Hermione's grip on Harry's arm was so tight he was losing feeling in his fingers. He raised his eyebrows at her; she nodded again and let go.
Quietly as they could, they crept out into the hall and up the crumbling staircase. Everything was covered in a thick layer of dust, except the floor, where a wide shiny stripe had been made by something being dragged upstairs. Before long they reached the dark landing.
Only one door in was open. Calleigh went in first and the other two followed silently. They heard movement from behind it; a low moan and then a deep loud purring. They exchanged a last look, a lat nod. When they got to the doorway Harry kicked it wide open.
Inside was Crookshanks purring loudly on a magnificent four-poster bed with dusty hangings. ON the floor beside him, clutching his leg, which stuck out at a strange angle, was Ron.
"I hate you, Calleigh. Why didn't you call him off?" Ron spat. "And why didn't you tell us he was an Animagus!"