The three of them had made it to open ground. Darkness was settling like a spell around them. Scabbers was struggling madly, though the trio did not know why. Soon enough, when they had only stepped a bit further, Scabbers bit Ron's finger and scampered away, even as Ron hollered in pain and cursed wildly.
"BLOODY HELL! SCABBERS!"
"No, Crookshanks! NO!" It was Hermione's voice.
In one bound, Crookshanks, who had been stalking them in the dark, was chasing after Scabbers. Ron threw the Invisibility Cloak off himself and ran pell-mell into the dark.
"Ron!" Hermione yelled.
They pulled the cloak off themselves as they ran after Ron, who had been screaming at the cat and cursing. The cloak trailed behind them like a banner. They could hear Ron's feet as it touched the grass and his shouts of anger.
It seemed like a millennium until Ron leapt and managed to grab Scabbers. Immediately, Crookshanks leapt for him, and together, the two hissed in their own language and rolled away.
Hermione and Harry almost fell over Ron. Hermione began to berate Ron for his foolishness, and was ushering him under the cloak again when Harry heard it.
The soft pounding of gigantic paws, something was coming for them…The footsteps of an enormous, pale-eyed jet black dog. But then there was another sound, another set of paws hitting the grass.
The dog made to leap for him, and was actually it midair when IT came…
It came flying at the living shadow, teeth bared, claws outstretched. Its white fur rippled in the moonlight. It slammed head on the black dog's side, and together, the two attacked each other, savage cries cutting the night air.
Dazed, Harry dared to breathe as the two fought it out on the grass, howling and growling like savage beasts.
But then they are. Harry thought as he watched them scuffle. Ron was on his feet and Hermione was staring at them to see if they were safe. He raised his wand.
"Lumos."
Abruptly, something hit him and Hermione, and blinking blood out of his eyes, he paled immediately. They were in range of the Whomping Willow…
There was a howl of pain, and then the black dog leapt for Ron and gripped at his arm. It tugged on Ron's sleeve, and the boy was forced to follow.
The guard had arrived. Angry, to be sure, but he glanced at them all once before leaping at Ron's leg, which had been jammed on a tree root, as Ron clearly did not like going down a tunnel with a dog biting on his arm.
Kakashi gripped Ron's pants just as Ron's leg gave way. Kakashi grabbed the root, and soon, he was tugged down.
Harry and Hermione did not see this, as they were being pummeled by the Whomping Willow. Finally, Crookshanks snuck over to the trunk and prodded a knot. The tree had gone deathly still.
Scared for their friend and the guard, Harry, Crookshanks and Hermione went down the tunnel and into the unknown.
Finally, the tunnel began to rise, and the three found themselves in a decrepit old house. Paper was peeling from the walls; there were stains on the floor. Every piece of furniture was either broken or smashed. The windows were all boarded up.
The room seemed deserted, but a door to their right stood open.
"I think we're in the Shrieking Shack." Hermione spoke, looking around. "But Harry, this place is haunted."
Harry gestured to one of the chairs. It was heavily damaged. One of the legs had been ripped off and the stuffing long gone.
"Ghosts don't to that." He spoke, a little scared. Crookshanks seemed to wait for them, and then he decided to go upstairs.
"Let's go." Harry gestured upstairs, where a creak had just sounded. Hermione nodded to Harry and together they followed Crookshanks upstairs.
To Sirius Black.
The scene that awaited them was not very reassuring.
The guard was right in front of Ron, protecting him. Black had his stolen wand pointed at the guard's heart. Crookshanks purred loudly at their appearance and beside him, Ron was gripping his leg, pain flooding his senses.
"Ron, are you okay?" Hermione cried out.
"It's a trap! He's the dog!" Ron yelled.
"Expelliarmus!" Black croaked, sending Harry and Hermione's wand and flying. Harry's kunai dug deeply into the wall opposite. Black took a step closer. "I thought you'd come help your friends...your father would've done the same for me." He smiled, showing yellowed teeth. "I'm grateful, it'll make everything easier."
Harry growled and stepped forward, but the guard stepped back slightly and blocked Harry's way. It was an unspoken no. Harry took it and stepped back, seething.
"If you want to kill Harry-kun, you'll have to kill me." Kakashi said in a calm tone, though he wanted to break that little stick and throttle him. Black shook his head.
"There will only be one murder tonight."
"Why's that?" Harry yelled in anger. "Didn't care last time, did you? Didn't mind slaughtering all those Muggles to get at Pettigrew…..What's the matter, gone soft in Azkaban?"
"Harry!" Hermione whimpered. "Be quiet…"
"HE KILLED MY MOM AND DAD!" Harry screamed, and with a huge effort, he broke away and ran at Black. The guard turned around and stopped him by curling both arms around Harry's waist and holding him as he knelt down.
"Sit down." Kakashi said, using the low silky voice he used when he was angry. "You are an idiot to even go against him, so you will do as I say and SHUT UP."
Harry glared at the guard and struggled against his iron hold. Harry was unusually light and small for his age, which was good. Kakashi had seen that fat girl over at Hufflepuff who could polish off three plates of food…
Finally, Harry obeyed, slumping in Kakashi's hold.
"Going to kill me Harry?" Black whispered, gazing at him. Harry glared at him, a small squeeze from the guard indicated he should shut up.
"You killed my parents…" Harry whispered.
Black shrugged. "I don't deny it, but only if you knew the whole story."
Kakashi was suddenly interested, as was Harry.
"Do tell." Kakashi replied in a silky voice.
There was a sound of footsteps outside and then the door burst open.
"Expelliarmus!" The newcomer cried. All their weapons flew off. All had time to gaze at the newcomer.
"Where is he, Sirius?" Lupin asked in a tense voice.