Discoveries

Hey…I finally got a chapter that I can name. YAY! Oh…and I'm pretty much changing a lot of things so like…yeah. I don't have the book with me right now so I can't get stuff out of it.

"You shouldn't have come." Hagrid said as he stood back and let the four teens in. They yanked the cloak off.

"We had to Hagrid…we can't let you go through this alone." Leah said. "Where's Buckbeak?"

"Outside." Hagrid said. Leah walked over to the window and looked out at the Hippogriff. The others talked a bit and Hermione went to make tea. She screamed and Leah's head snapped in the direction. Hermione came over to everyone, looking in the milk jug.

"What's wrong?" Leah asked.

"Ron…it's Scabbers." Hermione said.

"What?" Ron said. "It can't be. Scabbers is dead." Hermione tipped the jug upside down. With much squealing and scampering to get back into the jug, Scabbers the rat fell out. "SCABBERS!" Ron scooped him up. "It's ok Scabbers, no cat here."

"Their here!" Hagrid said, standing up. He rushed them out the backdoor and didn't listen to their protests so Hermione threw the cloak over the four of them and they hurried back to the castle. They were half way there when out of nowhere the sound of an axe being swung through the air and hitting the ground…then the sound of Hagrid crying.

"They did it…I can't believe they did it." Hermione said. Leah closed her eyes then opened them. Ron was making noises and twisting a bit.

"Ron…cut it out…their gonna hear us." Leah said.

"It's not me…Scabbers won't stay still." Ron said.

"That's why." Harry said. They looked down and saw Crookshanks slinking towards them.

"No Crookshanks." Hermione whispered. "Go away."

"OW! He bit me!" Ron said. Leah looked at him just as Scabbers managed to get away from him and took off. "NO SCABBERS!'

"RON!" The other three shouted as Ron took off after the rat. Leah chased after him. She stopped running when she saw something move by the willow.

"Gotcha!" Ron said. "Get off you stupid cat." Leah watched as the dog bounded towards them.

"Ron come on…back under the cloak…Fudge…Dumbledore…they'll be here soon!" Hermione said. Harry grabbed Leah's arm and tried pulling her. Just then he saw the dog and pushed Leah out of the way as the dog jumped on Harry but rolled off.

"Harry!" Leah got up and went over to him, helping him up as the dog came back. This time it was Ron that did the pushing. "Will everyone stop pushing me?" She let out a small scream when the dog grabbed Ron's arm and started pulling him to the tree. "Oh no! RON!"

"Come on!" Harry said. The three of them ran after Ron and the dog and watched the dog pull Ron through the hole. Ron's foot was hooked on a root but the next second there was an awful snap and the foot disappeared. "We have to get in there." Harry and Hermione tried dodging the tree's branches while Leah just stared at the hole. All the memories of following Crookshanks down through there came back with such force that Leah fell over from the rush. Harry and Hermione, both bleeding, helped her up.

"Oh please someone…help!" Hermione muttered, dancing on the spot.

"Crookshanks!" Leah said, as the cat darted forward, dodged the branches and tapped the knot at the base of the tree. Instantly the tree froze.

"How did he know?" Hermione whispered.

"He's friends with the dog. I've seen them together." Harry said.

"Let's go." Leah said, following the cat down the tunnel, leading her friends. There is no way Sirius would hurt Ron…right? Leah was trying to figure out why Sirius had pulled Ron into the tunnel. She watched Crookshanks go up into the house and followed.

"Where are we?" Harry asked, helping Hermione through the hole.

"We're in the shrieking shack." Leah said. She heard Hermione gasp and turned to see her squeezing Harry's arm. "Hermione…Harry needs his arms." Hermione nodded and let go.

"Thanks." Harry said. "Look." He pointed at the floor that was covered in dust. There was a strip leading up the stairs that could only be made by someone being dragged. "Come on." They all ran up the stairs, following the trail and into a room.

"Ron!" Leah said, rushing to Ron who was lying on a bed. "Are you ok?"

"Where's the dog?" Harry asked.

"He's not a dog…it's a trap." Ron said, staring at the door. The other three turned to see the door get closed and standing behind it was Sirius. He looked slightly shocked that Leah was there but that was gone. Leah looked at him with a bit of fear…he looked menacing now. All the times she had been here…he didn't look as insane as he did now.

"You." Harry said.

"Harry…" Leah said, but she was ignored.

"I knew you'd come after your friend." Sirius said. Leah stood next to Harry. "Your father would have done the same." Leah's grabbed Harry's arm to stop him from moving. If he could do it to her…then she could do it to him. She watched as Sirius seemed to taunt Harry then mention something about someone dying. That was when Ron heaved himself up and moved in front of Harry.

"You'll have to kill us to get to him." Ron said.

"Only one will die tonight." Sirius said.

"You didn't seem to have a problem killing all those people to kill Pettigrew did you?" Harry said angrily.

"Harry." Hermione said in a fearful tone.

"You don't understand." Sirius said.

"What I understand is you killed one of your friends." Harry said, his voice rising. "And you betrayed my parents. You handed them to Voldemort." Ron and Hermione both flinched and Leah rolled her eyes at their reaction. "I understand a lot more then you think."

"Harry please." Hermione said, she had tears in her eyes.

"He killed my parents." Harry said, looking at Hermione then at Sirius. Without warning he broke out of Leah's hold and jumped at Sirius. The two rolled around on the floor. It looked like Harry was winning.

"No…I've waited too long." Sirius said. Harry grabbed hold of his throat and Sirius chuckled a bit. "Are you going to kill me Harry?" Harry made an angry noise and his grip tightened.

"Harry don't!" Leah said, finally finding her voice.

'Why not?" Harry asked, looking at her.

"Because he's my father!" Leah said. Everyone went quiet…except for Scabbers who was trying to get away from Ron.

"WHAT!" Harry shouted. Leah avoided looking at him. Sirius pushed him off. There was footsteps from the floor below.

"WE'RE UP HERE! WITH SIRIUS BLACK!" Hermione yelled. Leah felt like hitting her for some reason. There was running then the door blew open revealing Remus.

"Expelliarmus!" He said. All the wands flew into his hand. Leah moved forward to help Harry but he got up on his own and gave her such a dark look that Leah moved away from him. "Where is he Sirius?" Everyone looked at Remus then at Sirius who very slowly pointed at Ron. Remus helped Sirius up and embraced him like a old friend…which was true. Another silence fell.

"You…you've been helping him!" Hermione said. Remus and Sirius both looked at her.

"Hermione." Remus said.

"I didn't tell anyone…I kept your secret." Hermione said.

"Hermione!" Remus said with more urgency.

"I trusted you!" Harry said. "And all this time you've been friends with him." He pointed at Sirius.

"You're wrong…I haven't been friends with Sirius for thirteen years…until now." Remus said. "If you just let me explain."

"NO! Harry don't believe him." Hermione said. "He's been helping Black into the castle…he wants you dead too…he's a werewolf!" Once again there was a silence as all eyes went to Remus who, surprisingly, looked calm.

"Too many silences." Leah muttered. Remus smiled slightly at her before looking at Hermione.

"Not at all up to your usual standards Hermione." He said. "Only one of three, sadly, is correct. I haven't been helping Sirius and I certainly do not want Harry dead…but I won't lie that I am a werewolf." Ron made a noise of pain. Remus and Leah looked at him and Remus started towards him.

"Stay away from me you werewolf!" Ron said. Remus stopped dead.

"God Ron…can you jump to anymore conclusions?" Leah said. Everyone looked at her in surprise.

"How long did you know?" Remus said to Hermione just to stop another silence from growing.

"Ages…ever since I did Professor Snape's essay." Hermione said shyly.

"He'll be pleased." Remus said. "He set that assignment in hopes that someone would figure out my ailments. Did you figure out that I was only away on a full moon…or that the boggart turned into a moon when it saw me?"

"Both." Hermione said.

"You are, without doubt, the smartest witch of your age." Remus said, smiling.

"I'm not. If I were smarter, I would have told everyone." Hermione said.

"But they already know. At least the staff do anyways." Remus said. "I guess if you think about it…Snape's been right all along."

"Snape? What's he got to do with anything?" Sirius asked, making everyone remember he was there.

"He's here too Sirius. He works here as well." Remus said.

"And he knew you were working along side with him!" Harry said, pointing at Sirius. Leah rolled her eyes and Remus' smile dropped.

"God Harry…you're as bad as Ron." Leah said.

"You could have at least told me that the guy who was trying to kill me was your bloody father!" Harry yelled at Leah.

"WELL SORRY IF I DIDN'T FIND IT IMPORTANT!" Leah screamed. "HE WASN'T TRYING TO KILL YOU!"

"LEAH STOP!" Remus shouted. Leah went quiet but glared at Harry.

"Leah's right. I wasn't trying to kill you." Sirius said. "And I'm not trying to kill the Weasley kid."

"Then you're trying to kill Scabbers?" Hermione asked.

"Scabbers?" Sirius laughed and Leah shivered at the noise. "They may be what you know him as…but I know him as…"

"Peter." Leah said suddenly. "Peter Pettigrew."

"Yeah…" Sirius said.

"That could be why I never liked him." Leah said, looking at Ron.

"Get of it Le!" Ron said. There was a struggling noise and everyone looked to see Remus holding Sirius back from attacking.

"No Sirius!" Remus said. Leah stepped in and helped by grabbing hold of Sirius' arm. "You can't just kill him…not until they know the truth. You owe Harry the truth as well."

"Tell them later." Sirius said, struggling to get free.

"Dad…I want to know what the hell is going on!" Leah said. Sirius suddenly stopped but kept his eyes on Scabbers. Leah held a tight grip on his arm and looked at Remus. "So talk. No one tells me anything and I wanna bloody well know."

"Starting from where?" Remus asked.

"Well…from the beginning normally helps. Tell how you got bit." Leah said.

"Alright." Remus said, looking at Harry, Ron and Hermione. Leah turned her attention to her father. She already knew Remus' story because Sabrina had told her. Sirius' eyes followed every movement Scabbers made. Leah was sure that, had Sirius had some kind of supernatural power, he would burn a hole right through Scabbers…and more then likely Ron as well. Leah tugged on Sirius' arm and he just grunted to show that he acknowledged that she was there. She sighed. Something didn't seem right. Leah then realized that Sirius was talking and was out of Remus' grasp as well as her own.

"I convinced Lily and James to change to Peter at the last second." Sirius said. "I knew Voldemort would be after me. The night Lily and James died I went to Peter's hideout to see that he was ok. When I got there I saw no sign of a struggle. Something wasn't right. When I got to James' house and saw what had happened…I knew what Peter had done…what I had done." Sirius' voice broke and he turned away. Leah stared at her father, hardly believing that he was actually crying.

The door opened and everyone looked at it.

"Nothing there." Leah said.

"This place is haunted." Ron said.

"It is not." Remus said.

"Yeah…if you were listening…you'd know it was Remus making all the noises." Leah said. At the moment she really didn't care that Ron was her best friend. If he was going to be stupid then she would be rude.

"Yes…and right now it's you making all the noise." Leah jumped back at the sound of Snape's voice and bumped into Remus. Snape appeared from under the invisibility cloak. "That was a very touching story. And this cloak…very useful Potter." He threw the cloak to Harry. "I should have realized this is where you'd be. Using this old hang out of yours."

"God you really are paranoid." Leah muttered. Unfortunately Snape heard her.

"Miss Black…if I were you…I would not be speaking." Snape said.

"Serverus you don't understand." Remus said.

"Oh yes I do." Snape said. "Two more for Azkaban tonight."

"Don't be a fool." Sirius said.

"The dementors will be very happy to see you." Snape said, looking at Sirius. "So happy they might even give you a little kiss." Sirius' face went paler then it was before.

"Listen…you don't understand…the rat…look at the rat." Sirius said. Thin cords shot out of Snape's wand and wrapped around Remus. Snape pointed his wand at Sirius.

"Give me a reason…and I swear I'll do it." He said quietly. Snape looked at the teens. "Come along now…I'll drag the werewolf." The ends of the cords were in Snape's hand and he turned to leave but found Leah in front of the door still. "Move out of the way Miss Black."

"You are such a pathetic loser." Leah said, putting her hands on her hips. A second later Harry joined her.

"Move out of the way you two." Snape said.

"You're pathetic. Just because they made a fool of you in school." Harry said.

"Don't discuss things you don't understand." Snape said.

"Just listen to us." Remus said.

"I don't need to listen." Snape said.

"Professor…would it hurt to hear them out?" Hermione asked. Snape looked like he was going to blow. If he wasn't insane already, he was going to be there very soon.

"Miss Granger…you and your classmates are already facing suspension for being in the presence of a werewolf and a murderer…for once in your life…HOLD YOUR TONGUE!" Snape said.

"You're the one who should hold their tongue." Leah said. "You and you're holier-then-thou attitude."

"Like father like daughter." Snape said, grinning at Leah. "What can you say that will convince me not to hand you over to the dementors as well? For all I know you could have been helping him…given him the password so that he can get into Gryffindor tower."

"OK…A) You are a sick, twisted little man." Leah said. "B) I so would not give out the password. And C) I wouldn't help my father kill my best friend if he was trying to. He didn't want to kill Harry. He wanted to kill Ron's rat."

"That is not very convincing." Snape said. "If it wasn't for the fact that my wand was already on your father, I would wrap you up as well as the werewolf."

"Expelliarmus!" Four voices called. Snape was lifted off his feet and slammed into the wall next to the door. He slid to the floor…a trickle of blood coming from under his hair. Leah looked at Harry, Ron and Hermione who all had their wands out as well. Sirius untied Remus.

"Thank you." Remus said, rubbing his wrists.

"I still don't believe you." Harry said.

"Then it's time we prove it to you." Sirius said. He looked at Ron. "You…give me the rat."

"What are you gonna do to him?" Ron asked, holding Scabbers closer.

"Force him to reveal himself." Remus said.

"If he really is a rat…it shouldn't hurt him." Leah said. Remus nodded. Slowly, Ron handed Scabbers to Leah, who held him as far away from herself as she could. Scabbers twisted frantically, trying to get away.

"Are you ready?" Remus asked Sirius, who nodded and retrieved Snape's wand from the bed. "On the count of three." Sirius nodded again. "One."

"Two." Sirius said.

"Three." Leah said. There was a flash of light and Scabbers went completely stiff. Leah dropped him, making Ron yell. Another flash of light and Scabbers started turning into a man that Leah recognized…barely. She backed away before feeling Sirius' arm pull her safely behind him.

"Why hello Peter." Remus said politely.

"Sirius…Remus…" Peter said, twitching. Spending thirteen years as a rat obviously does something to people. "My old friends." Sirius raised his wand arm but Remus shot him a look that made him stop. Leah moved so that she was between her father and Remus.

"We've been having a little chat…about the night Lily and James were killed." Remus said, still calm and polite. Leah had the sudden urge to pinch him. "You might have missed the finer details while you were squealing around on the bed."

"He's come to kill me!" Peter said suddenly, pointing at Sirius with his middle finger since his index finger was gone. "He's broken out of Azkaban to kill me." Leah and Sirius both growled at him and were caught by surprise by their similar reaction.

"So we've heard." Remus said, losing his politeness and making Leah smile.

"I've waited for this day to come." Peter said.

"Wait…hold on…rewind." Leah said. "You knew my dad was gonna break out of Azkaban?"

"Of course…he has dark powers most of us can't even dream about." Peter said. "I expect he got some tricks from he-who-must-not-be-named."

"Voldemort…teach me tricks?" Sirius said with a bark of a laugh. Peter flinched. "What's wrong Peter? Scared to hear your old boss's name? I don't blame you…a lot of people on that side aren't very happy with you."

"I-I have no clue what your talking about." Peter said.

"Oh give it up." Leah said.

"You always hung around people who were strong enough to protect you." Sirius said. "First it was me and James…then it was Voldemort." Again Peter flinched, as did Hermione and Ron. Leah would really have to teach them out to get used to the name.

"Don't know what you're talking about." Peter said.

"Admit it…you sold Lily and James to Voldemort." Sirius said.

"I had no other choice." Peter said, bursting into Tears. Leah looked at him with disgust. "He was going to kill me. What else could I do?"

"You could have fought." Remus said. "You could died…as we would have done for you."

"You should have realized something Peter." Sirius said. "If Voldemort didn't kill you…we would have." Leah watched as Peter's eyes darted to the door then the window, then to Ron.

"Good boy…kind master." Peter said, crawling towards Ron. "You won't let them hurt me will you? I was your pet…I was your friend."

"If you made a better rat then human…that's not something to brag about." Remus said.

"Smart girl…pretty girl…" Peter said, turning on Hermione. Leah rolled her eyes. This was both pathetic and amusing. "You believe me don't you?" Hermione backed away, looking terrified. Peter very slowly turned to Harry. "Harry…you look just like James…just like you." Sirius was gone from Leah's side and was throwing Peter away from Harry.

"How dare you! How dare you talk about James to Harry!" He said. Leah moved next to Harry.

"Harry…James wouldn't have wanted me killed." Peter said. "He would have understood." He looked at Leah. "You're mum trusted me…I was the first to hold you."

"My mum made a mistake…with both things." Leah said, rubbing her arms as if trying to get rid of something.

"Don't you dare talk to my daughter." Sirius said. "You have no right to talk to her…to either of them."

"Good-bye Peter." Remus said, somehow winding up next to Sirius. He and Sirius raised their wands.

"Stop!" Harry said, running around the two and standing between them and Peter. "Don't kill him."

"What?" Leah and Sirius both said in disbelieve.

"Harry…this piece of scum is why you don't have any parents." Sirius said. "You heard him…his own skin was more important then your whole family. He would have seen you die without even caring."

"I know…we can bring him up to the castle…we can turn him over to the dementors and he can go to Azkaban. Just don't kill him." Harry said.

"Harry…thank you. It's more then I deserve." Peter said, throwing his arms around Harry's waist.

"That's for sure." Leah muttered.

"Get off me!" Harry said, pushing Peter away. "I'm not going this for you. I just figured my dad wouldn't want his two best friends to become murderers."

"It is your decision." Remus said. "Move out of the way Harry." Harry looked at him. "I'm going to tie him up…that's all…I swear." Harry moved out of the way and cords shot out of Remus' wand.

"What do we do with Professor Snape?" Hermione asked.

"Leave him here." Leah said.

"Much as I'd like to do that…" Sirius said. "We'll take him back like this." He muttered a spell and Snape rose into the air.

"Two of us should he strapped to this thing." Leah said, kicking Peter none too gently.

"I'll do it." Remus said.

"Me too." Ron said. Remus conjured up some shackles that bound him and Ron to Peter. Ron had a resolve look on his face. He seemed to have taken the identity of Scabbers as a personal insult.

"Well…let's get out of here…please and thank you." Leah said. Crookshanks jumped off the bed and led the way.

They were the weirdest group ever. Crookshanks leading, followed by Remus, Ron and Peter, then Snape who was floating eerily, being held up by his own wand that was pointed at him by Sirius, Harry and Hermione followed behind Sirius and Leah was at the end, preferring to be a few steps behind everyone so that she could be lost in her thoughts. Peter was going to Azkaban for the crime her father was committed for. Sirius would be free…and Leah could have a whole family again…and Harry. Harry would undoubtedly want to leave the Durslies, and he could live with Leah, Sabrina and Sirius. Sirius and Sabrina were technically his rightful guardians. Leah still didn't know why Harry wasn't sent to live with Sabrina and herself when James and Lily died. That would have made more sense then sending him to live with the Durslies.

"Lost in thought?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah." Leah said, looking at her.

"You know what this means." Sirius asked, looking over his shoulder.

"You're free." Harry said.

"Yeah." Sirius said. He looked at Leah before turning his gaze back to Harry. "I'm also you're godfather."

"And mum is your godmother." Leah said. "But for some messed up reason, Dumbledore wanted you to live with the Durslies."

"Yeah." Sirius said. "Well…once my name's been clear. Well…I'll understand if you want to stay with your aunt and uncle…"

"Dad…have you met those people?" Leah asked. "Their the worst muggles imaginable." Leah caught up to him. "You'll be free…then we can go to the Durslies, get Harry's stuff, and go home…all three of us." She looked at Harry.

"You want me to move in with you?" Harry asked. "I'd love to." Sirius turned all the way around and walked backwards. Leah smiled at the look on his face.

"Really?" Sirius asked.

"Really." Harry said, laughing. Leah heard cracking and looked up to see Snape's head hitting the ceiling of the tunnel. She laughed but gently lowered Sirius' arm a bit. Sirius' face broke into a huge smile and it caught Leah by surprise. She couldn't remember the last time she saw him smile.

Getting out of the tunnel was a little awkward. Remus, Ron and Peter had to turn sideways to get out. Once everyone was out Sirius let Snape fall to the ground.

"Ok…I know you hate him…but even mum wouldn't let him just drop." Leah said.

"Yeah…but he never caused her trouble until the end of fifth year." Sirius said.

"Good point." Leah said. She was getting that weird feeling again…like she knew something bad was going to happen…but she wasn't sure what it was that was going to happen.

Stopping it there because A) this chapter is long enough, B) trying to have more third year chapters then first year, and C) Just wanted to stop it there. I WANT REVIEWS!