Magical Origins

Year 3: Wolf, Dog, Rat

For a time, all Hogwarts could talk about was the strange relationship Harry Potter had with Liliana "Lily'' Morris. As far as anyone could understand, the two could barely tolerate each other most of the time. So it was hard to imagine the two were even friends. It was unmistakable. Lily could be seen hanging with Potter more during classes and in between classes.

This was also shocking, as a Gryffindor and a Slytherin has never, not ever in fifty years had a healthy relationship.

Some people even thought blackmail was involved. That Lily had something on Potter, but that was quickly dismissed as Lily and Harry could be seen laughing and enjoying each other.

Some Slytherins weren't sure how to take this relationship, but they realized it wasn't their business. They knew Harry always spoke of having better relations with the other houses, and it would seem he was staying true to his own words.

When some Slytherins asked if he would be friends with Ron Weasley, Harry laughed at them for even thinking that.

As for Gryffindor, they knew Lily made the right choice in the Quidditch match. Slytherin had pulled ahead, and if the game had resumed, they would have eventually buried them under a mountain of points. It didn't matter if Lily had caught the snitch, really. If Slytherin had completely overtaken them, then the only thing they could brag about was they caught the Snitch.

It didn't make Wood happy, as he really wanted to win the Cup, but he respected Lily's judgment. He seemed to have accepted the fact that Slytherin would have just pulled away in sheer points, making catching up impossible.

More importantly, with the End of Year Exams, everyone had much more important things to worry about. Artemis had to worry about her N.E.W.T.s, which would take two weeks to finish. This meant she was seen studying long hours and couldn't spend as much time with Harry as she wanted.

In Gryffindor Tower, Lily wasn't going her notes, she was reading her Book of Shadows.

"Lily," Hermione said as she tried to speak to her former best friend.

"What?" Lily snaps. She slams her Book of Shadows shut. Hermione flinches at her tone of voice.

"I want to say I'm sorry…"

"Sorry for what? That you took away one of the greatest gifts, I have ever gotten in my life. Or to the fact that you went behind my back to get it taken away." Lily snarls.

"I swear, I thought Sirius Black had sent those broomsticks…"

"How?" Lily growled out.

"I'm sorry?"

"How could have Sirius Black, the most wanted man in the country, get a hold of a pair of Firebolts? Where did he get the gold in the first place? Better yet, why would he have even bothered to send ME anything?" Lily asks.

"I thought…"

"I warned you, Hermione, some people care more about their friendship then they do about rules. You chose the latter. Instead of telling me your suspicions and getting me to hand it in, you went behind my back. You lost my trust." Lily snaps.

"I'm really sorry, I didn't mean…"

"I can see why you've never had a friend before." Lily snaps as she opens her book and returns to reading it.

Hermione felt the tears building up in her face as she turns to walk away.

Lily rubs her temple and could feel herself getting angry and frustrated. She said nothing as she gets up and puts her book away.

Finals were almost over, but that didn't mean they could rest. For some, it was the toughest year they've had, but the most fun and active.

Lily said nothing as she gets up, deciding to go visit Hagrid since it'd been a while since she'd last seen the friendly half-giant.

No-one stopped her or bothered to remind her that it was dark, and she shouldn't be out.

Lily knocks on Hagrid's door, and he opens.

"Oh, Lily, come in," Hagrid said as he gestures her in. Lily walks in only to pause to see who was inside.

Ron and Hermione.

"What are they doing here?" Lily asks, her hand erupted into a ball of fire.

"Calm down, I don't need you burning my hut down," Hagrid said.

Lily's fire died down. She still had a dark look on her face as she stares at her former friends.

"Can't you three make it up?" Hagrid said slowly.

"I want to…" Hermione began.

"Harry always told me I could find better friends," Lily said.

"Why do you even talk to Potter?" Ron growled. "He's a dark wizard. He carries the mark of a dark wizard…"

Lily raised her wand at Ron, who suddenly gulped.

"What makes him a Dark Wizard Ron?" Lily hissed. "Ever since he turned you away because you insulted him, all you've done if called him a dark wizard. And if you say it's because he's a parselmouth, I will curse you." Lily warned.

Ron glares at her.

"He attacked me," Ron mutters.

"And I don't blame him for attacking you. 'Harry, do you remember what happened? What did You-Know-Who look like? Can I see your scar?' I would have cursed you too had you badgered me the same way."

Ron flushed.

"Ron, you don't go asking someone those questions. It's impolite and considers very rude." Hagrid said.

"Harry hit Ron with a knockback jinx to get him out of our compartment. I've checked the spell books, and it's in the Grade 1 Spell Book that allows all students to learn. It was not Dark Magic." Lily said in a cold voice.

"She's got yer there, Ron," Hagrid said.

"Lily, I'm really sorry," Hermione said.

"You should have told me in the first place. You went behind my back. Do you really think I'm going to trust you again?" Lily snaps as she turns her attention to her.

Hermione flinches as she looks down.

"Lily, Hermione may have done so, but you can't deny she was worried about yer safety. She only was thinking about…." Hagrid began.

"Don't make excuses for her. I know a lot of people say Hermione told me because she was jealous. I outclass her in all practical work, and she has always been frustrated with that."

"Hold on…" Hagrid began.

"It's true," Hermione said, brokenly. "In all our classes, you do the practical work in record time. It gets to the point you and Potter are competing over who can finish first. I've always been jealous over that fact as I'm not excelling where I want to." Hermione said softly.

"For that, you ratted me out," Lily growled.

"I'm sorry, I swear I didn't think you would be this upset over a broomstick, I mean…" Hermione began.

"Don't you dare," Lily growled out dangerous. "Don't you dare act like you understand Quidditch. You have no idea what this sport means to those that play, and for those who wish to play. Don't you start saying you were thinking of my position in Quidditch!" Lily snaps.

"Look, you three have been friends since you got here. Surely you can make up? Start fresh?" Hagrid said in a pleading tone of voice.

"I want to," Hermione said softly.

"Yeah, Lily, I'm really sorry…" Ron began.

"Don't give me that crap. You called me a Mudblood because that's how you think of me." Lily snaps.

"I swear, I don't dislike you because you're muggle-born." Ron protested. "It's just that…"

"It's what? That I defend Potter. How many times have you painted him in a picture and accuse him of things he doesn't do only to be proven wrong."

"He's a…" Ron began.

"He saved your sister's life!" Lily shouted. Causing the room to fall silent. "Does that not mean anything to you? Would you have preferred had he not gone down to the Chamber of Secrets at great personal risk to rescue your sister? Would you have preferred he left her down there to die?" Lily finished as she sent a hateful glare at Ron as if he wanted to challenge her.

Ron mutters something.

"What?" Lily barks.

"He did it to save his…"

"You're still on that? Get it through that thick skull of yours. Harry is not dark, and he is not evil! Just because you want him to be doesn't make him so." Lily shouted.

"If I stop, will you agree not to burn me?" Ron asks.

"You better stop. Cause if I hear how evil Harry is one more time, I'll burn you to the point your skin will literally melt off." Lily warned.

"Hold on Lily, if ya do that, you'll be expelled…" Hagrid said.

"I don't care," Lily said in a loud voice.

The hut was silence as everyone stares at Lily.

"Okay, try not to burn anyone, Lily," Hagrid said softly. "Oh, before you go back to the castle, I have something for you, Ron," Hagrid said as he turns and pulls out a cage holding a rat.

"Scabbers!" Ron shouted in delight.

"You need to keep a better eye on your pets, Ron," Hagrid said softly.

"I think someone owes someone an apology," Hermione said.

"Right, next time I see Crookshanks, I'll be really nice…" Ron said.

"I meant to me." Hermione snaps.

"Oh, right, sorry…" Ron mutters.

"Get back to the castle, the three of you," Hagrid said.

Night had fallen, and they weren't allowed out after dark.

The trio said nothing as they turn tail and return to the castle.

They walked up the path only to stop at the sight of a large dog. It was growling and snarling as it made its way towards them. They slowly back away. The dog looked menacing and was the size of a wolf. It had black eyes as it stares at them.

"Nice doggy." Ron whimpers as he backs away. Scabbers started to wiggling even more violently in Ron's hand.

The dog, or wolf snarls as it advances upon them.

"Can you burn it, Lily?" Ron asks.

"I can try…" Lily said as she raised her hand. At her movement, though, she has knocked aside. Lily landed hard on her back, with the wind knocked out of her. Coughing, she tried to regain her focus and immediately rolls to the side as the Whomping Willow's branch came crashing down at her.

The dog leaps at Ron and Hermione. Hermione was knocked down. She looks up to see Lily was dodging the Whomping Willow's attack.

The dog leaped on Ron and tried to bite his hand.

Ron cried out as he rolls over and begins to crawl away. The dog tried to roll him over, but Ron kept crawling.

Finally, the dog bites down on Ron's leg and starts to drag him through a previously unnoticed hollow through the Whomping Willow roots.

Ron screamed as the dog drags him down a tunnel through the Whomping Willow.

"Immobulus!" a voice shouted.


Absentmindedly, Harry was looking over the Marauder's Map in his dorm and noticed Lily entering Hagrid's hut. Curious about what she was doing there, he checked the names all huddled inside.

Rubeus Hagrid, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, Liliana Morris, and…Peter Pettigrew. Harry stares hard at the map. After a few minutes, the four of them were walking up to the castle step near the Whomping Willow.

Then Harry saw something, someone was approaching them.

Sirius Black.

Remembering that the map revealed you even in your animagus form, Harry could only assume that both Sirius and Pettigrew were in their animagus form.

Sirius was slowly advancing upon the trio and Pettigrew.

Fearing his godfather would kill the traitor before they turn him over to the Ministry, Harry puts the map back in his trunk and rushes off. He didn't stop to say hi to anyone. Not even to a passing Lupin who said hello.

Harry arrived just in time to see his godfather dragging the worthless Weasley through the Whomping Willow's secret entrance.

The tree branches seem to have Lily busy struggling to avoid them.

Harry shouted out the freezing charm, forcing the tree to become still.

Harry pulls up Lily to her feet.

"Harry, what are you doing here?" Lily asks in confusion.

"I have to stop that idiot," Harry said as he rushes forward and sliding down the tunnel.

Upon reaching the bottom, Harry turns around at some shifting coming from behind him. Soon though, Lily and Granger appeared, appearing to have followed him.

"We're coming," Lily stated.

"You are not going to like what lies at the end of this journey," Harry warned.

His piece said, he took off down the tunnel with Lily and Hermione following him.

They reached the end and climb the latter before entering what appeared to be an abandoned house.

"Where are we?" Lily asks.

"If I had to guess, inside the Shrieking Shack," Harry said as he gets up. Walking forward, he saw Ron on the ground with his back to the wall, whimpering.

"Ron, are you okay?" Hermione asks.

"Where's the dog?" Lily asks.

"Not a dog… it's a trap." Ron whimpers out.

They turn around to see Sirius Black standing there with Ron's wand.

Lily raised her wand.

"Expelliarmus," Sirius Black said as Lily's wand flew out of her hand.

"Thought you would come." Sirius Black said.

"If you're here to kill Potter, can you let us go? We'll say we never saw you." Ron whimpers.

Lily raised her hand, and fireball appeared.

"There are many things you know nothing about me." Lily hissed.

"No," Harry said as he grabs her hand, freezing the flame in her hand.

"Harry?" Lily said in shock. The ice melted as she looks at him in shock. She rubs her defrost hand in shock.

"You really had me begging Weasley." Harry amusedly commented as he turns to face Ron. "I offered you a large sum of gold. All you had to do was give me that god damn rat." Harry snarled as he looks at Ron. Everyone turns to look at him in shock. "Now, we'll have to do this the hard way."

"You really hate each other." Sirius Black said in amusement.

"You should talk. I was afraid you were going to do something stupid and kill the bastard before I got here." Harry said, without looking at Black.

"You two… are…" Ron said in surprise.

"You could say that. I've been trying to help Black for…" Harry began.

"I knew it. You are a dark wizard!" Ron shouted.

"Merlin, must you be loud?" Harry mutters.

"Harry, what's going on?" Lily asks.

"Expelliarmus," Lupin's voice could be heard as Ron's wand flew out of Sirius Black hands.

"Remus." Sirius Black said.

"Well, well… looking a bit ragged, aren't we?" Lupin asked, sadly. "Finally, the flesh reflects the madness within."

"Jokes on you, Remus. If you knew the truth…"

"Expelliarmus," Harry shouted. Lupin's wand flew out of his hand.

Lupin looks at Harry in shock.

"Harry, what is the meaning of this?" Lupin asks in confusion.

"He's joined up with Sirius Black," Ron shouted.

"Shut up, Weasley," Harry shouted.

"What is going on?" Hermione said.

"Professor Lupin," Harry said quickly before anyone could say a word. "Did you hear what happened to me over the summer?" Harry asks.

"I heard rumors," Lupin said slowly.

"Then let me set it straight. Over the summer, my aunt tried to kill me. She put two bullets in me." Harry said.

"No," Lily said in horror.

"Explain," Lupin said.

"Granger, you love being a know-it-all. Let me give you some advice and a warning. Not all knowledge is power. Sometimes it's a burden. Because once you learn it, you can't unlearn it. Things you've once learned cannot be unlearned. Do you really want to hear how my life has been before I entered Hogwarts?"

"I already know. The books…"

"Are filled with lies. I have read them, and the authors are only using me to tell a grand tale. None of it is true." Harry snaps.

"You rarely speak of your life with your muggles relatives. You've always avoided that topic." Lily said slowly.

"What does this have to do with what's going on here?" Hermione asks.

"Everything. Once you learn, you can't unlearn. Do you really want to know?" Harry said.

Hermione said nothing as she looks at him.

"Let us hear it. The grand, glorious life of Harry Potter…" Ron snarls in a nasty tone of voice.

"Fine, you want to hear it. I'll say it. My muggle relatives hate magic. They hate anything to do with magic, including those who use magic. Since I arrived in their care, my bedroom has been a cupboard under the stairs, just big enough to hold one of your precious wizard trunks. I was forced to clean, garden, cook for them. When I was allowed to eat, I was always given leftovers. FOR TEN YEARS!... I do not have one happy moment with them. They've hated me… simply for existing. And this was before I even knew anything about magic being real." Harry said.

No one said a word.

"This summer was worse. My uncle's sister decided to visit, and one of her favorite things to do is me miserable by insulting my parents, mocking, and degrading them into people they are not. I lost it and cursed her. I grabbed my things and was going to leave when my aunt put two bullets in me." Harry said.

"She actually tried to kill you," Hermione said in shock.

"She really hates magic. She hates me cause I use magic." Harry said. "As I left, I collapsed in a muggle park and would have died from blood loss alone. You know who found me? Sirius Black."

"Are you saying?" Lupin said slowly.

"I was at Sirius Black's mercy for nearly six hours before my Vassals found me. He saved my life." Harry said.

"In the report…" Lupin said.

"I lied. I had to, it would look strange if I told the Aurors that it was Sirius Black who found me and nursed me back to health. Though I did get to question Sirius about the truth. Not this lie. Everyone seems intent on believing." Harry said.

"What's the truth, then?" Lupin asks.

"I'll make it simple. Weasley, give me that rat." Harry hissed.

"Get your own rat." Ron cried out.

"You really want that rat Harry, why?" Lily asks.

"Because that rat is the key to winning my godfather his freedom," Harry said darkly.

"Explain Harry, I'm afraid I don't understand," Lupin said.

"You should know by now Moony, after all, Weasley's rat is an old school friend of yours," Harry said.

Lupin looked ghastly shocked. It was written on his face.

"No…" He said slowly. "It cannot be."

"It is Remus." Sirius Black said. "When I cornered the little bastard, he shouted for everyone to hear that I betrayed Lily and James before he blasted the street with a wand that he had hidden behind his back. He then cut off his finger before he transformed and disappeared down the sewers. It was only this summer I found out he's been hiding in the Weasley's family." Sirius Black said.

"Who are you talking about?" Hermione asked in confusion.

"They're talking about the man who betrayed my parents and sold them out to Voldemort," Harry said. "The real wizard who is a traitor. Peter Pettigrew."

The shack was filled with silence for several moments.

"Impossible!" Hermione shouted.

"Black killed him twelve years ago!" Lily said.

"I intended to." Sirius Black growled. He turns to look at Ron.

"Weasley is holding him in his hands," Harry said.

"You're nuts, all of you. Scabbers has been in my family for…"

"Twelve years!" Sirius Black said in an excited tone of voice. "That's an unusually long life for a common rat!"

"But, Professor, it doesn't make sense," Hermione said slowly.

"Why doesn't it?" Lupin asks softly as if they were in class.

"How could Scabbers be Peter Pettigrew?"

"Because he's an animagus," Harry said.

"That's what I mean. I know the names of every witch and wizard who are animagus as I look them up during Professor McGonagall's class. I look at all the names in the past twenty years. Pettigrew's name wasn't on the list."

"Was my name on that list?" Sirius Black asks.

"Well… no." Hermione admitted.

"Granger, I believe Lily has already told you this, but not everyone gives a damn about rules and regulations," Harry said. "I'm sure they're lots of unregistered animagus out there. Sirius Black is one of them. So is Peter Pettigrew. He became one in his fifth year at Hogwarts."

"Harry's right Miss Granger," Lupin said with a smile.

"But that doesn't make sense."

"I can't really tell you why without…" Lupin began, but Harry interrupted him.

"He's a werewolf," Harry said plainly.

"I knew it," Granger proclaims in a loud voice.

"When did you know?" Lily asks Harry.

"Sirius Black told me over the summer," Harry said.

"Sirius did? I thought your Vassals…ah… I see." Lupin said with a smile.

"You should be executed!" Ron shouted.

"Why?" Harry asks.

"Werewolves are dark creatures. They're a danger to society," said Ron.

Harry turns to Lupin.

"Would it be too much to ask if you could bite him?" asks Harry.

Ron looks at Harry in horror.

"I'm afraid it would," Lupin said softly. "For your information, Dumbledore already knew what I was before he hired me. I was a werewolf as a boy too. It was because of Dumbledore's kindness, I was allowed to attend Hogwarts. I also met three friends that I would cherish forever. Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, and James Potter." Lupin smiled sadly. "At first, I would lie to my friends about my condition and makeup stories. That I was sick, or studying, or just sneaking about the school for fun. But, when they found out, they did something that would make my transformations those days the best time of my life. They became Animagi. Like animals, they were immune to the werewolves bite and violent instincts, they spent those nights keeping me company and exploring the Forbidden Forest with me. It took two years of study and practice before they were successful."

"But that doesn't explain…" Hermione said.

"Twelve years ago, Peter Pettigrew sold out my parents to Voldemort. He's also a Death Eater. Ron is holding and harboring a fugitive." Harry said.

"Scabbers isn't Peter Pettigrew," Ron shouted.

"I'll make this really simple, Weasley," Harry said coldly. Ron turns to look at him. "Give me that rat, or I'll take it off… your… dead… corpse." Harry finished as his eyes turn silver once again.

"You're insane," Ron exclaimed.

"Give him the rat Ron," Lily said as she suddenly leaps on Ron and struggles to get the rat out of his hands.

"No…Scabbers!" Ron howled as Lily finally rips Scabbers from Ron's grasp.

She hands the rat to Harry.

"Let me…" Lupin began.

"No, we're going to Professor McGonagall," Harry said. "If she undoes the transformation, then it will clear Sirius Black name. If you do it, then it will look suspicious since you and Sirius are old friends."

Lupin nods his head. Harry grabs Wormtail by the tail, and the rat was literally squirming to get away. Harry, only tightens his grip. It was taking everything he had not to crush the traitor to death.

"Hold it," Snape said as he arrives with his wand pointed up.

"Snivellus," said Sirius, turning to his own schoolmate.

"How I wanted to be the one to catch you Black," Snape said smugly.

"Severus, there is no need…" Lupin tried to placate Snape but was cut off by the hooked nosed professor.

"I've been telling Dumbledore that you've been helping your old friend Black and now here's the proof."

"Professor!" Harry snaps. Snape turns to look at him. "We were just returning to the castle. Once there, can you get Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore." Harry said.

"You are out of bounds Potter, do not presume to tell me what to do," Snape said.

"Then we're wasting time. Let us return to the castle…" Harry said but was cut off but a loud voice.

"Reducto!" Lily cried, blasting Snape off his feet. Snape was blasted into the old bed and did not get up. Lily had, during the confusion, taken Hermione's wand.

"Lily, what did…" Ron said.

"You.. attacked a teacher," Hermione said in disbelief.

"He had it coming. Now let's get back before we have any more future delays. Granger helped Weasley get up." Harry snaps.

They said nothing as Harry ventured forward. Holding the rat firmly in his hands.

Harry said nothing as he looks at the castle the moment he was out of the Whomping Willow.

"You know James once suggested I make my transformation permanent." Sirius Black said as he stood next to Harry.

"That would have been amusing," Harry said in an amusing tone of voice.

"Yes, it would have. You know the tail I could live with, but the fleas… they're murder."

Harry smiles as he tried hard not to laugh out loud.

"In a couple of hours, you'll be a free man," said Harry.

"I know, it seems almost hard to believe," replies Sirius.

"Guys… something is wrong with Professor Lupin." Lily said

Harry and Sirius turn around to see Lupin was in some kind of trance.

He let out a strange cry. It didn't sound human.

"Remus!" Sirius cried out. He rushed to his friend.

"Did he forget to take his potion?" Harry mutters, watching Professor Lupin's body start to behave very strangely.

"Remus… fight it." Sirius said, but Remus started to change. He thrusts his arms up, throwing Sirius Black over the hill.

The transformation looks painful. Lupin look like he couldn't stand it and was in a great deal of pain.

Lupin's head snaps back and forth as he slowly started transforming.

"Potter!" Snape called out as he climbs out the Whomping Willow.

Lupin gives a roar, and Snape turns around to look at him and immediately takes a step back.

Before they stood a Werewolf.


Author Notes: I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. Things, as you can see, are getting interesting. So, will Peter be brought before the Ministry to answer for his crimes? You'll find out in the next chapter.