Things had gone downhill for Ron and Hermione since Scabbers went missing. Ron was now rarely speaking to Hermione at all, and whenever he did, he spitefully shamed her about Crookshanks eating his rat. Brooklyn did his best to try and settle things between them, but Ron had taken Scabbers' loss pretty hard to lose all sense of reason.

Once again, they were arguing, with Hermione even yelling at Harry, who tried to point her to the evidence, leading her into a breakdown.

"Oh, sure! Side with Ron! Everything's always my fault, isn't it?! First the Firebolt, now Scabbers! Just leave me alone, Harry and Brooklyn! I've got a load of work to do!"

Just seeing her running away crying like that, made Brooklyn snap at Ron.

"Okay, Ronald, I've tried to remain calm trying to fix you two, but you've taken this too damn far! You've said plenty of times that he was useless and was getting old anyways!"

Ron replied by giving Brooklyn a cold glare.

"Just stay out of it! You didn't know him like I did! And what about you? You could've kept that darned cat out of the dormitory! With your appearance like a devil, I bet you could've scared any kind of predator away from Scabbers, but no!"

Brooklyn flinched from his cold words, especially at the insult, devil. None of this was his fault! Sure, he was the Guardian of Hogwarts, but it was the owner's job of keeping an eye on his pets, not his! His hands balled into fists in anger.

Fred glanced back and forth. "Uh, okay, guys. Let's just take it down a notch—." He started, but Brooklyn was on the precipice with his anger. He once again had been called a devil, and that was the word to set him off.

"That's it, I've had it with you, Ron! Sort this out yourself!" he snarled, swishing his tail in fury, as he stalked away, leaving Ron, Harry and the twins looking quite stunned, and maybe with Ron looking a little guilty at calling him a devil.

Harry gave Ron his own glare after Brooklyn left, and Ron looked down in shame, now wishing he could take that insult back.

...

Brooklyn found himself sitting near his and Sirius' usual meeting place by the black lake, now glad he escaped the suffocating dormitory before he accidentally hurt anybody physically out of his anger. The soft wind blew on him, calming him down a little, though he still felt flecks of tears coming as that word devil rang in his ears.

He was unaware of Sirius approaching him.

"I haven't seen you for a couple days, Brook. What happened?" he asked, somewhat surprised at the sight of the gargoyle's angry look.

"Nothing too serious, mostly from two of my friends fighting over a stupid cat and rat, but other than that, just peachy." Brooklyn grumbled, throwing a rock in the lake, and a Grindylow, a water demon, broke the surface and chittered at him furiously before diving back under.

Sirius sat down with him. He didn't know if he could fix the Ron and Hermione problem, but instead, he did something else.

"Hey, did I tell you that besides James, I had two other friends?" he asked. Brooklyn looked over, a little surprised. This was a story that Sirius hadn't told him yet, most of them were about Harry's father.

"We formed a small group of making mischief together, called the Marauders. There was Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. It was the closest thing I had to a real family."

Then Brooklyn remembered something. "Hold on, Fred and George gave Harry something during Christmas called the Marauder's Map. It was really yours? Harry and the twins will go nuts once I get the chance to tell them!"

Sirius looked quite excited about all this, but he had to keep his story going. "Well, it was after we joined the Order of the Phoenix, a group founded by Dumbledore." He explained to Brooklyn's confused face.

"So it is like a clan," Brooklyn put in, this Order of the Phoenix sounding like how his clan was put together. Sirius grinned a little. "Yeah, in a way, the Order was kind of like a gargoyle clan, helping innocent people, and taking care of each other."

"After a time when we joined, we found out there was a spy, a traitor in our midst, so we all suspected one another," Sirius continued, causing Brooklyn to growl a little. Sounded like how Demona and that old human captain betrayed them. "At first, Lily and James wanted me as their Secret Keeper, but I told them it would be quite obvious to Voldemort's followers, so I had them choose the least likely person: Peter Pettigrew. Little did I know what a huge mistake that would be."

The gargoyle tensed a little, now knowing where this was going, and he wouldn't like the ending. For he had heard Dumbledore's version of the story, but never the part of where there had been a traitor!

"Lily and James had the Fidelius Charm, something that allowed you to hide in plain sight. Unless the Secret Keeper tells you, you would never know where the people were until they came out of hiding, or if they were killed."

Brooklyn was somewhat interested in this hide in plain sight charm. He only wished that they had that when the Vikings attacked Wyvern in the first place!

If you did, you wouldn't be in New York with your clan or here with Harry right now, his voice of obvious reason pointed out. He then knew it was right. Life would be different if the Vikings hadn't destroyed them. Either for better or worse.

"When I came to check on them on Halloween, the house was completely destroyed, with no sign of a struggle. And no chance that they got to safety. And as soon as I saw it, it destroyed me on the inside. I realized it was Peter who betrayed us. Betrayed his family. My best friends are gone, and it is my fault!" Sirius exclaimed in sadness and guilt, but Brooklyn couldn't believe it was Sirius, when it was clearly that bastard, Peter.

"Sirius, it doesn't make sense when you say that you did it," Brooklyn protested.

"You don't understand. If I hadn't made the switch, if I'd known—."

"Stop right there. You were only doing it because you thought it was right and Peter fooled everybody into believing he was gonna help. Look at me, Sirius. I didn't tell you before, but I once thought I was helping my clan when another gargoyle, Demona, made me believe that the only way to have my leader see the truth about humans was to open his eyes, but all she wanted to do was mind control him. Now does that sound familiar?" Brooklyn explained, folding his arms.

Sirius was shocked at Brooklyn's story, and how similar they were. Not word for word, but elements of it were certainly there: one that you thought was a friend manipulating you and then stabbing you in the back.

"I've been guilt ridden like you when I realized I had been tricked, but Harry helped me realize it was never my fault, but Demona's. She had planned it all along. He called it learning from your mistakes, and to never be guilt tripped by them." Brooklyn finished, smiling a little as he remembered that day Harry comforted him and reminded him to keep moving forward.

Sirius felt somewhat better at Brooklyn's words, but he still won't forgive Peter quite so easily. He still had yet to figure out why that bastard had betrayed them at all.

There was a sudden rustle in the bushes, and Brooklyn was surprised to see Crookshanks. He trotted towards Sirius, who transformed into a dog and spoke to him.

Okay, this is weird. Since when does Hermione's cat know Sirius? He thought in confusion. Why hadn't he seen this before?

Sirius turned back into a human. "Brooklyn, this rat of Ron's, he wasn't gray, with a missing toe, was he?" he asked, growling a little.

The gargoyle then had vague memories of how Scabbers had a toe missing, but never really acknowledged it as he nodded.

"Well, it would apparently seem that the slime has gotten good at faking his death, for he is not a rat, Brooklyn. He's an unregistered Animagus by the name of Peter Pettigrew."

Brooklyn froze, his eyes wide, as he remembered Ron mentioning Peter being killed by Sirius. But now, if that rat was still alive, and roaming the castle…

"Sirius, I will try and bring Peter for you. But in exchange, you'll have to reveal you're innocent to my brother. I won't let another traitor go free like Demona!" he proclaimed, going into protection mode.

Sirius looked pretty happy about it, but then he said something else.

"Brooklyn, if Peter really is alive, he could be dangerous. I don't want you taking him on alone. If there's a way I can help investigate—." He offered, but the gargoyle immediately shook his head.

"No way. You already almost got caught last time. Just leave this to me. And I still wish to hopefully reunite you with Harry and convince him that you are innocent. No more reckless stunts until then. Can you do that?" He didn't want Sirius to get hurt, for he knew now that he was a good man and was willing to do anything to protect or avenge family like Brooklyn would.

The man frowned, folding his arms like a scolded child, but reluctantly nodded.

It had been four days since Brooklyn found out that Pettigrew was still alive and was unsuccessful so far in trying to find the traitor. Now he was sitting with Dean and Seamus in the Quidditch stadium, who were happy to let him sit with them. Ron and Hermione were still at each other about Scabbers, and he just needed to get away from them for a while, even with Ron trying to apologize for calling him a devil.

For it was now time for the match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, and Brooklyn was happy to see his brother in the air once again, looking forward to finally catching the real traitor and bringing another one of Harry's family back into his life, a godfather.

His Patronus lessons felt like they were getting worse though, with the added worry of not catching Peter and lack of sleep because of it. And to be honest, he really did miss hearing Goliath's voice, even if it was just screaming, it was his only way of being able to hear it again.

Hearing echoes of him won't bring you back home. You need to suck it up and keep trying! His inner voice had scolded him countless times.

As he watched Harry zooming around looking for the Snitch on his Firebolt, with the Ravenclaw Seeker, Cho Chang right behind him, he wondered if things would ever settle down after this whole Black, Dementor, Buckbeak, and Peter affair would finally come to an end.

"Gryffindor leads 80 points to zero! And look at the Firebolt go! Chang's comet is just no match for it! The Firebolt's precision-balance is really noticeable in these long—."

"JORDAN! ARE YOU BEING PAID TO ADVERTISE FIREBOLTS? GET ON WITH THE COMMENTARY!"

Brooklyn couldn't help but smirk and shake his head, with Dean chuckling hysterically next to him. Yeah, leave it to Lee to focus on a fancy broom rather than the game itself!

Harry continued to try to find the Snitch, but the girl Cho kept coming out of nowhere, blocking him every time. Wood flew up next to Harry.

"HARRY! THIS IS NO TIME TO BE A GENTLEMAN! KNOCK HER OFF HER BROOM IF YOU HAVE TO!" Wood bellowed, as Cho simply smiled at Harry who looked like he was turning red.

It looked as though Ravenclaw could be winning, from Dean's comments about the score, and Brooklyn felt anxious. This was Harry's chance to impress the team with his new broom, and if they lost…

That's when Cho suddenly screamed, pointing down, and Brooklyn saw his nightmares coming to life: four tall black-hooded dementors were staring up at Harry. He braced himself for the screams of Goliath and the terrible cold, but nothing happened, mostly due to Harry's quick thinking as he drew his wand.

A silver stag erupted from Harry's wand, going right for the Dementors. Brooklyn was thunderstruck with shock. Did his little brother just conjure a corporeal Patronus in just a few seconds? Harry also managed to grab the Snitch, ending the game with thunderous cheering. They won!

Brooklyn raced down with Dean and Seamus, who were cheering their heads off: Wood was sobbing, as well. Lupin also appeared behind Harry, a hand on his shoulder.

Brooklyn's own eyes were still round with disbelief at what Harry had done. "Harry, did you just—." He gaped, with Harry grinning at him.

"Yeah! And the Dementors didn't affect me at all! I didn't feel a thing!" That's when Lupin looked a little awkward.

"That's because they, er, weren't dementors. Look."

He guided Harry and Brooklyn over to where they were.

"You gave Mr. Malfoy quite a fright."

And the gargoyle was shocked and outraged to see Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle, and his rival, Marcus Flint all struggling in their robes, trying to stand up. He growled, wanting to give them a piece of his mind, but was spared as McGonagall beat him to it, looking as furious as he was.

"Detention! And 50 points from Slytherin! An unworthy trick, trying to sabotage the Gryffindor Seeker!" she shrieked, while Brooklyn gave a smirk at Flint, who had a humiliated and angry look on his features. He deserved having a stag Patronus knocking him to the ground.

It was quite a big party later that evening, Brooklyn enjoying butterbeer with Harry and the others, until he noticed how many books Hermione had opened, and dark bags under her eyes. He felt concerned for her, so despite his avoiding this situation, he couldn't ignore Hermione if her health was on the line.

"Hey, don't you want to join us? I'm sure some butterbeer could cheer you up," Brooklyn offered in a gentle tone, holding out his hand. But Hermione shook her head.

"I can't, Brooklyn," she gasped, a little hysterical sounding. "I've got to finish this tonight! And I'm not so sure he wants me to join."

Ron had heard her, looking over with narrowed eyes, and chose that moment to say loudly, much to Brooklyn's annoyance:

"If Scabbers hadn't just been eaten, he could've had some of those Fudge Flies. He used to really like them!"

Feeling his heart burn with anger and a little sadness, he watched Hermione running away to the girl's dormitories, sobbing. Not saying anything back, Brooklyn stalked away, now knowing the perfect revenge: revealing Scabbers' true colors right at Ron's stupid face and make him apologize to Hermione once this was all over.

Brooklyn had a troubled sleep that night, dreaming of himself following a silver Phoenix, who gave a small squawk at him, flying away. He ran after it in curiosity, wondering where this silver bird came from.

He was led out onto a frozen lake, the Phoenix flying in circles, until it was joined by a silver stag, a doe, and a wolf, a strange looking wolf that stood on its hind legs. Brooklyn shielded his eyes as the silver animals began to glow brighter, until he was jerked awake by a noise from near Ron's bed.

Ugh, what the heck even was that dream? He thought groggily, looking over, and gasped at the sight of a man standing over Ron with a knife. And it was the last person he wanted to see, after telling him not to!

"HEY!" Brooklyn bellowed, jumping up sharply, and Ron awoke, screaming and causing Sirius to stumble back and make a break for it before Brooklyn could even stop him.

Everybody else was startled awake by this, and Ron looked quite terrified, gripping his sheets to himself, and shaking. Brooklyn could probably relate that near-death experiences weren't fun.

"Black! Sirius Black with a knife!" yelled Ron in panic.

"What's happening?" Harry asked Brooklyn.

"I saw him, and he ran when I yelled," Brooklyn explained. Almost all the students were now awake, looking confused, except for Fred and George.

"Alright! Are we still partying?"

Brooklyn rolled his eyes as McGonagall came in, still in her hairnet and bathrobe, looking quite flustered.

"Now really, I'm glad Gryffindor won, but this is too much! And Percy, I expected better of you!"

Percy was indignant. "I didn't authorize this, Professor! Ask Ron! He had a nightmare—"

"IT WASN'T A NIGHTMARE! I WOKE UP AND SIRIUS BLACK WAS STANDING OVER ME WITH A KNIFE!"

McGonagall stared down at Ron, her eyes looking disbelieving. "Now really, Weasley. Surely it was just a nightmare! How could he have gotten in?"

Now Brooklyn immediately knew who else was at fault, and his eyes glowed.

"I think I might know who to blame, Professor," he growled, leading her to the portrait hole. Sure, he was mad at Sirius, but this portrait definitely crossed the line this time!

Sir Cadogan smiled down at them both.

"Did you let anybody into the Gryffindor Common Room?" Brooklyn demanded, pointing an accusing talon at Cadogan.

"Why, yes, Guardian of Hogwarts! He had all the passwords down on a piece of paper that he found!"

McGonagall looked quite deranged, even for Brooklyn to acknowledge. She could probably scare Demona.

"Who... was irresponsible enough to write down passwords and leave them lying around?"

And Brooklyn then recognized the timid hand that rose up.

Oh, Neville...