'No one else in Gryffindor has anything even close to a ginger cat,' said Y/N as they sat around in the Transfiguration Classroom. Y/N had told his mother what he'd done and, after a very stern telling off, having points deducted from him and several detentions the following week, she'd allowed them to spend the evening in her classroom whilst she stayed in her office, so the three of them could avoid the pointed stares of their classmates.
'And you're sure Crookshanks has been in your room all day?' asked Hermione.
'Positive,' said Ginny as she watched the ginger cat now lying lazily on one of the nearby desks. 'There's no way he could have gotten out. Remember, the Dormitories are locked by all means bar the door, which I locked myself and stayed in with him all day. I skipped classes to make sure everything was okay.'
Hermione span around to look at Y/N, aghast.
'You didn't say-!'
'It was the only way! You saw how Crookshanks was with Scabbers? I wasn't exactly going to leave him with two mice unattended. I offered at first, but Ginny said you'd notice and bite my head off.'
'It was better if I did it. I still get to use last year as a partial excuse,' said Ginny. 'Just say I'm feeling off and they tell me to take the time I need.'
'But that's lying! You could get in so much trouble!'
'We will if you don't keep it down,' hissed Y/N, nodding over towards his mum's office door.
'And besides, you two helped me catch up on all of it immediately. We needed to know how he'd react. It was my dorm and Y/N couldn't have done it anyway. Boys can't get into the girls' dormitory.'
'Someone else has actually read 'Hogwarts, a History'?' asked Y/N, raising his eyebrows at her.
'You two are a bad influence on me,' said Ginny with a shrug.
'You can't say that when you just told us you skipped a day of classes,' hissed Hermione. 'We don't do that!'
'Anyway,' said Y/N pointedly, dragging the conversation back, 'Crookshanks has now deliberately not gone for the mice nor Ves. And yet the moment Scabbers' name is even mentioned, he's waiting around and watching. It's something specifically about Scabbers that Crookshanks seems to not like.'
'Maybe it's the fact that he's ill? Crookshanks sees him as easy prey?' suggested Hermione.
'It's possible,' said Y/N, 'but like I said before, they hunt for fun. Hunting a sick animal isn't really sport to creatures like him. I imagine if he needed the food, it's just whatever you can get, but you feed him so he isn't exactly going hungry.'
'I don't really know how much we can do with all of this,' said Ginny. 'It's all well and good to sit here stirring the rumour mill, but we don't even know if Scabbers is alive. And whilst we know it wasn't Crookshanks, there is the question of how it happened. That was very real blood, and Scabbers is definitely missing.'
'So then it's the question of where he's gone if he is still alive. He's a rat, he could be anywhere,' said Y/N.
'There has to be a reason for it,' said Hermione. 'It's not like Scabbers could fake it himself. Someone must have done it, so there must be an end-goal.'
'Maybe they'll send a ransom note and Ron will regret yelling in your face,' muttered Y/N darkly.
'Be surprised if you get anything out of him for a while,' said Ginny. 'He is mildly afraid of both of you. Mostly because he knows you can duel circles around him.'
''Mione can duel circles around most of the school. There are 5th years who can't do some of the things she can.'
'Oh stop,' said Hermione as she tried to hide her smile.
'You two are sickeningly sweet,' said Ginny casually as she turned the page in her Charms book.
'Dumbledore said something similar over Christmas. Was a bit more friendly, but the end message was the same,' said Y/N casually.
'I mean you aren't making out in the corridors so no one can complain. I think most of the school thinks you're a good couple. You aren't in everyone's faces about it.'
'The school talk about us?' asked Hermione
'Vaguely. It's mostly our house, the older students who think you're adorable. Doesn't help that the chasers caught you in the Common Room that one time.'
'How do you know that?' hissed Y/N at once, looking around instinctively before remembering they weren't in the Common Room.
'They told me in confidence, don't worry. They know we're good friends and they wanted to know whether I had any more gossip,' said Ginny.
'And what did you tell them?' asked Hermione cautiously.
'I told them about your first kiss in Hogsmeade,' shrugged Ginny.
Hermione went scarlet and Y/N could feel his face burning too.
'What are you getting embarrassed about?' snapped Ginny. 'You're in a relationship, people are going to gossip. Wouldn't you rather they heard the truth instead of making it up? From what you told me it was quite romantic. Hermione couldn't stop talking about it for days.'
'Ginny-!' said Hermione, looking mortified.
'Would either of you change what you did?'
Hermione and Y/N looked at each other and both cracked a smile as they shook their heads.
'Then stop being worried. If it's working for you, then who cares what other people think.'
'I'm proud of you, y'know,' said Y/N. 'You've come a long way since last year. Your confidence is so much better.'
'Don't give me too much credit. This is how I normally am, I just trust you two enough to show it.'
'You barely even go red in front of Harry anymore though,' said Y/N.
Ginny's head snapped up as if she was expecting it to be mockery but her face relaxed as she saw the look of sincerity on Y/N's face.
'Well. I guess I've got you to thank for that. I don't know where I'd be if not for you two. Last year…'
'Yeah,' said Y/N, 'I know.' He leant over and pulled Ginny into a hug which she returned.
'Stop it now, or you're going to make me cry,' said Ginny, leaning back and fanning her face.
'Yeah wouldn't that be a shame,' sniffed Hermione.
Y/N wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulders and she let her head fall sideways onto him with a contented smile.
He dragged his mind off Scabbers and instead let it wander onto other things. His time with Ginny and Hermione.
'Hey Ginny, you want to come visit us over the Summer holidays?' asked Y/N absent-mindedly.
'I was actually meaning to speak to you about that,' said Ginny, looking up. 'Dad reckons he's going to be able to get tickets to the final of The Quidditch World Cup. The guy commentating owes him some favours. I know Quidditch isn't really your thing Hermione, but if you guys were interested I can get him to invite you both.'
'Think you can deal with watching some people on brooms for a couple of hours?' asked Y/N.
'It'll be an experience. It'll be interesting to see how much different it is to the Quidditch matches here.'
'Then if he's willing to take us, we'd be delighted to come,' said Y/N.
'Brilliant,' said Ginny brightly. 'I'll probably get them to invite you guys around early. Charlie and Bill are going to be coming to so you get to meet the whole family. I think you'll get along with Bill, Y/N. You two seem similar.'
'I'll wait till I meet him to decide whether I'm insulted or complimented,' said Y/N.
'What are your feelings on Quidditch, Ginny?' asked Hermione.
'Honestly? Love it. I'd love to be able to play professionally one day.'
'No way!' said Y/N. 'Why didn't you ever say anything? I could have gotten you in for try-outs.'
'Too nervous,' said Ginny. 'Besides, I'd really like to play Chaser and they've already got three and you in reserve. It just wouldn't work.'
But Y/N waved her comment away.
'I'm getting you into try-outs next year. What broom do you use?'
'Well… um…' said Ginny, going pink. 'I tendtostealFredandGeorge'souttheshed…'
'Excuse me?' said Y/N.
'I… I tend to steal Fred and George's out of the shed.'
'Okay, let me reiterate then. Which one would you like to have?'
'Well, obviously a Firebolt would be a dream come true but that's top end stuff. The Nimbus series always seem fun. I really like the look of your 2001.'
'Well, next time we're down at practice, come down and you can have a fly around once it's done. See what you think of it.'
'Really?' asked Ginny, her eyes lighting up.
'Yeah, of course,' said Y/N. 'If it's managed to convince 'Mione she doesn't hate flying then it'll work a dream for you.'
'I don't hate flying with you,' specified Hermione. 'The rest of the time, walking works just fine.'
It wasn't long before the three of them began packing away their stuff and getting ready to head back up to the Common Room. They stepped out of McGonagall's classroom and turned to head up.
Y/N's mind had been wandering again following the end of their last conversation, back onto the book that Hagrid had gotten him. One passage in particular had been drawing his eye for most of the year now. He'd fought down reading it but finally caved the other evening.
'Once bitten, no cure is available for those who have been attacked by another werewolf. If attacked outside of a full-moon the victim may simply take on traits of the wolf. Improved sense of smell and a preference towards raw meats. However, if bitten under a full moon by a werewolf who is transformed, there is nothing that can be done to reverse the effects.'
Y/N made up his mind.
'I'll catch you both later,' he said, turning around and beginning to jog away.
'We've got half an hour till curfew!' called Hermione after him.
'I'll be fine!'
He sprinted up a floor and came to a stop alongside a door and knocked.
'Enter,' came a voice from inside. He pushed open the door and slipped inside, closing it behind him.
'Ahhhh, Y/N,' said Remus, looking up from his desk. 'To what do I owe the pleasure.'
'I wanted to ask you something, sir. Feel free to turn me away or anything but I'm really quite interested. I've read a lot about it and-'
'You are welcome to ask anything, Y/N. Here.' And Remus waved his wand, 2 bottles of Butterbeer appeared in mid-air and span to a halt on his desk. Y/N took a seat and said:
'How did you become a werewolf?'
Remus nearly choked. His eyes widened with shock and he looked at Y/N in alarm. Y/N had been expecting that kind of reaction, but he did not break eye contact. He trusted Remus.
'I… well… How did…?'
'Professor Snape's essay,' said Y/N. 'I thought it was weird that he was forcing werewolves on us. When me and Hermione were doing the work, we looked at the cycles of the moon and discovered a pattern between you being off that week and the full moon being the day before the trip on the Hogwarts Express. We used that to guess and confirmed it when you were off over Christmas. Harry told us about the potion Snape brought for you over Halloween. It was Wolfsbane, wasn't it?'
'Who else…?'
'No one, Professor. We promised we'd keep it a secret. I trust you and I know you wouldn't be here unless Dumbledore knew. I've just been reading a lot about them and… it's not every day you get to speak to someone so friendly about it.'
Remus' face was difficult to read. He looked a mix of frightened and… happy?
He sighed, shook himself slightly and then said, 'You and Hermione are the brightest Witch and Wizard of your age that I have ever known. Severus set that essay hoping that someone would figure it out. The way he said someone made me fully aware of who he wanted to learn. He knows of our classes and wants you to tell on me to the school.'
'What? Why?'
'Because of an old school grudge,' said Remus with a sigh. 'You remember me saying that I knew Harry's father, James? Well, James and Severus hated each other in school. It is the reason Severus hates Harry. It would appear as though that honour also falls onto me. By being associated with James, I am now hated. He would not openly speak of it for fear of Dumbledore's repercussions, however if a student was to do so then…' he trailed off with a slightly bitter tinge to his voice.
'Well don't worry. Only me and Hermione actually finished the essay, and your secret is safe with us. I won't tell another soul.'
Remus held Y/N's gaze and then smiled.
'I am not surprised that your Patronus is a Phoenix, Y/N.'
'What do you mean, Professor?'
'There is only one other person who has spoken to and treated me the way that you are now. And his Patronus is exactly the same. Well, I suppose… there's no harm in me answering your questions.'
Remus readjusted himself in his seat and then continued.
'My father, Lyall Lupin, was a member of the wizarding court, the Wizengamot. Not long after I was born, a man by the name of Fenrir Greyback was put on trial for the murder of two muggle children.'
'I've heard of him,' said YN quietly. 'Mums told me about him. A man who prides himself on being a werewolf and believes Wizards are to be wiped out or turned.'
'Yes,' said Remus darkly, 'and if Voldemort hadn't fallen, I fear he'd have gotten his way. However, when Fenrir was on trial, he attempted to sell himself as a homeless muggle. A man who had no idea where he was and who's unkempt features were simply because he had nowhere to stay. He convinced almost everyone.'
'Guessing your dad saw through it?' asked Y/N.
'He did. He called Fenrir out in front of the whole Wizengamot. Declared that the man was obviously a werewolf and the rest were fools for not seeing it. His claims fell on deaf ears and Fenrir was declared innocent. After the trial, he spoke of how Greyback deserved nothing but death.'
'I imagine Fenrir didn't like that.'
'No. He didn't. Fenrir stole into my room whilst I slept and bit me. My father drove him away before it could get any worse but still, I was infected and there is no cure. The only help is the Wolfsbane potion which is a recent discovery. At the time, I had no choice but to lose myself to the transformation. I felt sorry for him at first, thought it was some lost werewolf who'd accidentally stumbled across me. That they now sat in a house somewhere lying awake, knowing and regretting what they did to that five-year-old boy.'
'But Fenrir would have said he'd done you a favour,' growled Y/N.
'It wasn't until I entered Hogwarts that I found that out,' said Remus. 'By that point, Lord Voldemort was nothing more than whispers on the wind, we weren't quite into open warfare yet. But several small pockets of his allies were appearing. One of them being the werewolves, led by Greyback. When my father read the article on them, he was furious.'
'How did you manage at Hogwarts? If you don't mind me asking.'
'The Shrieking Shack,' said Remus. 'There is a passageway from the grounds that takes you right to it. They planted the Whomping Willow over it the year that I began at Hogwarts. And I was taken in there to transform.'
'Do you remember anything when you transform?'
'Afterwards, yes. When transformed, you lose all sense of yourself without the potion. But upon turning back, you remember everything, including all you did as a werewolf. I am lucky that I have never harmed anyone, though there have been some near misses.'
Y/N sat in silence for a few moments, feeling something rising in him.
'How can you willingly bite a child?' he said after a few moments, staring down at his bottle of Butterbeer. 'Subject someone to that for their entire life…?'
'I don't pretend to know the way Fenrir's mind works, Y/N. But I know that I have no choice but to live with what I've been given. I hate it, I hate it with all my being. But I also can't get rid of it. It follows me everywhere, makes it very difficult to find a job. I'm very lucky Albus offered me this one.'
'You deserve it,' said Y/N. 'You're the best Defence teacher we've ever had. Werewolf or not, you're clearly not a bad person. And you're putting in the effort to make sure you don't attack anyone. You could have easily gone on a rampage and yet not only do you not, but you're sitting here in front of me telling me about how grateful you are that you never have.'
'That's very kind of you,' said Remus. 'Now, you'd probably best be heading off to bed. I'll escort you back, it's almost curfew.'
The two of them made their way out of Remus' office and through the corridors, Y/N's mind reeling and his blood pumping. That was another one to add to the list. Dolohov, Bellatrix, and now Fenrir Greyback. They'd all pay.
As they got to the portrait of Sir Cadogan, Remus stopped Y/N.
'Y/N… thank you. For showing me the respect as your peer, and professor, instead of the disdain with what you know. And for letting me talk about it, it's therapeutic sometimes to let it out again.'
'You are my peer and Professor, sir. Whatever you are underneath that doesn't matter. We can't choose what happens to us, it's what we do with it. And I'm always happy to listen if you need to again.'
Remus gave Y/N a warm smile before turning and moving away up the corridor.
'Codswallop,' said Y/N to Sir Cadogan, who swung open.
()()()()()()
'I'll catch you later,' said Y/N to Ginny and Hermione. The two of them waved him off as they began their ascent up the steps into the Quidditch stands. Y/N meanwhile ducked into the changing rooms. Nimbus in hand.
Whilst he didn't need to attend this practice, he felt like he wanted to. Work was beginning to feel like a constant drill in his head and getting to the skies should help shake it. He greeted the team and began to change.
'Hey Y/N,' said Fred, sliding over next to him. 'You okay?'
'Yeah? Why?' asked Y/N.
'Because you sliced our brother's cheek, that's why,' said George as he slid up to Y/N's other side.
'Ah…' said Y/N, suddenly worried.
'Don't worry,' said Fred. 'He was being a prat by refusing to listen to you. And I assume it wasn't just that, I haven't seen you that angry since the Basilisk.'
'He's just been like that all year. Wore me down a bit,' sighed Y/N.
'Trust me, we get it,' said George. 'He is our brother.'
'But just wanted to make sure you're okay. You were gone for most of the evening after that.'
'Yeah, all fine,' said Y/N. 'Just need some time away from people staring.'
The two twins nodded and moved off just as Harry stepped into the changing rooms. He glanced around and saw Y/N. The two of them held each other's gaze. They hadn't actually spoken since the incident.
'You swear that Crookshanks was in Ginny's room the entire day? Entirely certain?' asked Harry.
'One hundred percent,' said Y/N. 'I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it, Harry.'
'I know,' said Harry. 'That's why I want to believe you. I do think it was a bit much-'
'And him yelling in Hermione's face wasn't-?' began Y/N, but Harry held up a hand.
'I do think it was a bit much to cut him,' he continued, 'but I get it. He was in the wrong. He didn't need to be hit that hard, but he wasn't exactly listening to reason.'
Y/N bit his tongue. He wanted to say that what he'd done was deserved, but he didn't want to fall out with Harry as well. Not with the Quidditch match right around the corner.
'He's here, in the stands, wants a go on the Firebolt after practice,' said Harry.
'I have no intention of doing anything other than practicing,' said Y/N.
'For what it's worth. I'm not happy things need to be this way. But I'm all he's got,' said Harry.
'Well, maybe if he changes his attitude then we can change that. But until then.' And Y/N followed the rest of the team out onto the pitch.
Harry hurriedly got changed and joined them a moment later. He zipped around on his Firebolt, sometimes catching the snitch before the Quaffle had even changed hands. This spurred on the rest of them to fly even better, pushing themselves to keep up. At one point, Y/N even slid past Angelina and snatched the snitch out of the air much to Harry's annoyance. And by the end, they all felt incredible. It had been a perfect practice.
'I can't see what's going to stop us tomorrow!' said Wood, beaming around at all of them. 'Even if the worst happens to one of our chasers. Not unless… Harry, you've sorted your Dementor problem, haven't you?'
'Yeah…' said Harry, looking unsure at Y/N.
'If he hasn't, I have,' said Y/N. 'I've been learning how as well.'
'The Dementors wouldn't show up again, Oliver. Dumbledore would go ballistic,' said Fred.
'I'll leave the broom in the changing room for you,' Y/N said to Katie as the team began to make their way inside. 'I promised a friend a test flight.'
Y/N ascended the stands alongside Harry and bid him goodbye about halfway up. Harry split off to go and meet Ron, whilst Y/N continued up to the top of one of the tower podiums that surrounded the stadium.
He dropped himself down into the bench alongside Hermione and leant over to kiss her.
'That was amazing,' said Ginny as Y/N pulled back from Hermione and leant against the side of the booth. 'You guys flew perfectly.'
'Best practice we've had all year. They're going to crush it tomorrow,' said Y/N. 'Now I'm happy for you to have a go on the Nimbus, but Ron and Harry are using the pitch so we'll need to go elsewhere.'
'I know just the place!' said Ginny. 'Come on!' The three of them descended the steps and made their way into the castle proper. They wound their way up through the corridors and staircases before Ginny pushed open the door into the Astronomy Tower. 'I heard from Fred and George that the space around here allows brooms. You just need to be careful. Fly too far and you run straight into Dumbledore's enchantments.'
'How have those two not gotten themselves hurt yet?' said Hermione exasperatedly.
'They have, they just shrug it off,' said Ginny. 'You should see George. Slipped off his broom at one point and landed on the stands. Says he's got a massive scar across his-'
'-are we going then?' asked Y/N, holding out his broom.
Ginny beamed as she took it and jogged over to the edge of the tower. She threw a leg over it and kicked off, zooming straight down and out of sight. Y/N moved up to the edge and watched her fly down level with the trees of the forbidden forest. She pulled up out of her dive and began twisting and spiralling through the air as though she'd been flying for years.
'She's very good. Better than me,' said Y/N, watching Ginny begin a dive towards the ground and disappear in the growing darkness.
'I'll take your word for it,' said Hermione, looking cautiously at the edge of the tower. 'Just please be careful.'
Ginny stayed out of sight for a few more moments before Y/N saw her come rocketing back up towards him. He stepped back and she came to a sudden halt right in front of the edge.
'You coming?' she asked, spinning the broom around.
'You going to be alright Hermione?' he asked, looking back at her.
'You two go on ahead,' she smiled. 'I'm almost done with these Rune translations anyway.'
Y/N clambered onto the broom behind Ginny and wrapped his arms around her stomach. Ginny pressed herself low and forced the broom into a dive.
It was an odd experience for Y/N. He'd ridden a broom before, and this broom especially, but he'd never ridden it whilst someone else was in control. His heart was pounding heavier than ever, the adrenaline coursing through him.
He heard Ginny's laughter come flying back on the wind, and then a woop as she yanked them out of the dive. They flew low over the tops of the trees of the forbidden forest. Y/N felt his shoes skating along the top of them. Then, with practiced ease, Ginny span the broom around and drove them towards the castle wall. She yanked up last second and they twisted straight up and began soaring upwards. Then finally, she pressed herself flat to the broom, turning it straight back into the opening in the Astronomy Tower and they drifted inside.
'That was incredible!' squealed Ginny as they dismounted. 'I've never flown anything like that.'
'You handled it brilliantly,' said Y/N. 'How often did you steal Fred and George's brooms?'
'Every time they weren't looking. Which is surprisingly often if you know how.'
'Come on,' said Hermione as she rolled up her homework and got to her feet. 'We don't have long before curfew.'
'I'll meet you up there. Promised Katie I'd leave this in the changing rooms,' said Y/N, hopping back on his broom and soaring out of the Astronomy Tower.
The atmosphere the next morning was electric. All of Gryffindor house was anxious. This match needed to be won for them to stay in the running for the Quidditch cup. All eyes seemed to be on the team, but the team were dealing with the pre-match nerves better than ever. Fred and George were still cracking jokes.
'You've got this, guys,' said Y/N reassuringly as he stood in the changing rooms alongside the team. 'Get out there and kick Ravenclaw out of the running.'
The team all gave appreciative nods and Wood began his pre-match pep-talk. Y/N stepped outside the tent and made his way up into the stands. He slid along the bench and sat down alongside Hermione with Ginny and the stuffed lion head that announced Luna in the row in front of them.
The teams made their way out onto the pitch a short while later and made their way towards each other.
'Ravenclaw are running a new seeker,' said Y/N absent-mindedly. 'Wood told us yesterday. She's called Cho Chang.'
'I can see her down there,' said Ginny, pointing at a girl with quite long black hair.
'Wonder how good she is,' said Luna curiously.
'She's on your team?' asked Y/N.
'Yes and no,' said Luna. 'We haven't seen her play before. She's new. And anyway,' she twisted in her seat to look at Y/N, 'I'm supporting Gryffindor today.'
'I'd have thought you'd be on Ravenclaws side with them being your house,' said Hermione.
'Friends are more important than houses,' said Luna matter-of-factly. 'And reserve or not, one of my friends is on the Gryffindor team. So I support Y/N.'
Y/N felt a warm rush through his body and he beamed at Luna.
The two captains shook hands and the two teams kicked off, soaring into the air.
Gryffindor played as well as Y/N had seen them the night before. The match had barely been going on five minutes and Gryffindor had already scored twice. Harry meanwhile was circling the pitch, his eyes wandering everywhere and Cho Chang was right behind him.
'She's tailing him,' said Y/N, watching them fly past. 'She knows she's not going to win a race to the snitch herself so she's following him. It's clever.'
'And dangerous,' said Ginny. 'If she loses track for one second, he may pull away, and there's no way she's going to keep up.'
'She's smart though,' said Y/N as Cho took a slight detour and used it to cut Harry's course off. 'She's forcing him to pay attention to her. And distract him from the snitch.'
Harry span his broom around and pushed it forward, putting distance between himself and Cho.
'Is he blushing?' Hermione whispered as Harry soared past them.
Y/N had seen it too.
'Ohhhh Potter… you poor, poor soul,' said Y/N.
'What are you planning?' asked Hermione, looking suspicious.
'Nothing. Just remembering the promise I made to Mr Potter over the summer. That when he got a crush on someone, I would extend him the same courtesy he showed me.'
'I'd feel sorry for him, but he was awfully keen to take the mick out of us for it,' said Hermione. The rest of her sentence was cut off as a groan rippled through the Gryffindor supporters. Harry had gone into a dive, eyes clearly on the snitch, but a bludger had been sent spiralling across his path and the snitch had vanished.
The match pressed on, Harry circling high above the game and Cho floating around just below him. Meanwhile Angelina, Alicia and Katie, the latter spurred on by the Nimbus 2001, were playing perfectly and Wood was doing incredibly, leaving the score as Gryffindor 80 – 30 Ravenclaw.
It was at this point, Harry sped off towards the Gryffindor goal post. Y/N could see it too, the tiny flickering golden ball hovering by the post. But the stands once again let out a groan as Cho swerved in front of him and blocked him. Harry span off and looked around, but had lost sight of the Snitch. Y/N turned his eyes upwards and watched the Snitch circle around the pitch and speed off towards the Ravenclaw goal posts.
Harry went into a dive. Miles away from where the snitch was.
'What is he doing…?' asked Y/N.
'Think he's seen the Snitch?' asked Hermione, her hands over her face.
'No. It's by the Ravenclaw goals, I just saw it.'
'Well then maybe-' began Hermione.
'It's a bait,' said Ginny suddenly.
Sure enough, Harry pulled out of the dive and sped off towards the Ravenclaw posts. Cho, who had followed him, tried to react but was too slow. Harry was far ahead and still putting distance between them, then suddenly he watched Harry draw his wand and something silver went soaring towards the floor. Y/N followed it and saw three Dementors drifting slowly across the pitch towards them.
'Again?' said Hermione.
'No…' said Y/N slowly. 'They aren't real Dementors.'
Real Dementors brought the chill and the cold with them, that horrible icy feeling. They also didn't have feet. The three Dementors staggered as the Patronus came barrelling towards them and one toppled over, he watched as a flash of pale blonde hair reflected off the sunlight.
'Malfoy,' snarled Y/N.
And then a tumultuous cheer racked the Gryffindor stands as Harry rose into the air the snitch held high in his hand.
The stands were applauding and stamping their feet. Y/N grabbed Hermione by the hand and dragged her out of the stands. They skirted around the outskirts of the stadium and slipped into the Gryffindor changing rooms. They were waiting for a couple of minutes before the team came in.
'You did brilliantly!' called Y/N as they entered.
Katie smiled radiantly at Y/N as she passed him his broom back. 'I owe a lot of it to that. Pulled off some tricks I never thought I'd be able to do today.'
'What was the deal with the Dementors?' asked Y/N.
'Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle and Marcus Flint,' said Fred, looking angry. 'Tried to stop Harry from getting the Snitch, don't think they were expecting him to know how to stop them.'
'At least Harry showed them,' said Y/N, thumping him on the back.
'Yeah, lets party!' said George.
The team made their way up to the Common Room where they found the rest of the house already heavily indulging in the celebrations. They may as well have already won. The celebrations were thunderous. Y/N, Hermione and Ginny stuck to a corner and simply chatted amongst themselves. Hermione was attempting to read through 'Home Life and Social Habits of British Muggles'. She seemed quite contented, just lying with her head on Y/N's shoulder whilst Y/N and Ginny spoke about her favourite Quidditch Team, The Holyhead Harpies.
Finally, the party was dragged to a halt by Professor McGonagall appearing at one in the morning to demand they all go to bed. Y/N bade goodnight to Hermione and Ginny but did not yet head off himself. Instead, he settled into the armchair by the fire and stared into its flames.
It had probably been the quietest year he'd had, and yet somehow it felt like the most had happened. His old friend group had been sundered and now he had a new one. He had a girlfriend. He was becoming stronger and stronger with each passing week.
'I need to hang out with Neville more,' he muttered as he watched the flames dance around. 'It's been a while.' He remembered the Remembrall that Neville had given him back in their first year and pulled it out, spinning it around in his hand. He didn't really have much use for an item like this. Something that told you that you forgot something but not what it was…
His train of thought was cut off as he heard a voice from outside mutter something. Then Sir Cadogan spoke.
'And a pleasure to meet you sir!'
And he heard the Portrait swing open. He sprang to his feet and drew his wand, backing up against the wall.
Who was coming into the Common Room at almost half past 1 in the morning, when everyone had gone to bed?
But the last person Y/N could have expected came around the corner and stepped into full view of the Common Room.
He had a gaunt sunken face, very waxy skin, yellow teeth, and long matted black hair. He looked a little bit like a walking corpse. Sirius Black took in the Common Room and then his eyes fell on Y/N. Y/N immediately moved between Black and the Boys Dormitory.
'Get out of the way,' said Black. There was warning in his voice, a lot of it. And Y/N watched as he seemed to withdraw a knife from inside of his tattered robes.
'So you can go upstairs and kill Harry?' said Y/N. 'No deal.'
'I am not here to kill Harry.'
The sentence took Y/N by so much shock he actually paused for a second, before remembering who he was face to face with and composing himself.
'How did you get in here?'
Black took a step forward, but Y/N twitched his wand.
'I am talented. At least enough to slow you down till the teachers get here. Answer my questions and maybe I won't yell.'
Black paused, and then said, 'I had the passwords stolen from one of your classmates. I thought to use them when no one would see me.'
'So you could kill Harry without anyone knowing?' snarled Y/N.
'I told you, I am not here to kill Harry.'
'Then why are you here? And why are you holding a knife?'
'I am here to kill the rat.'
'What,' said Y/N blankly. There was only one rat he knew of.
'The red-headed boy's rat. The Weasley boy from Harry's year.'
'Scabbers? He's not here. Ron found his bed sheets covered in blood with a few hairs from a cat a few days ago.'
'A ginger cat?' asked Black quickly. 'Face a bit squished?'
'Yeah, he's half-Kneazle. How do you know him?'
'He stole this list for me,' said Black, holding up a list. Even in the low fire light, Y/N recognised Neville's handwriting. 'Off one of the boy's bedside tables. He is after the rat too.'
'I've noticed,' said Y/N. 'He belongs to my girlfriend and has been after Scabbers since we first encountered him. But why are you speaking as if you know him?'
'Because I do,' said Black. He'd seemed anxious when he first stepped in, but since he'd heard Scabbers wasn't here, he'd seemed to have relaxed. The knife now hung loosely at his side and he spoke as though distracted. 'He's been helping me try to track him.'
'So, you're not trying to kill Harry? Bring back You-Know-Who?'
He gave a laugh, it sounded only like a bark.
'Me? Bring back You-Know-Who? I'd sooner throw myself back to the Dementors. I am after the one who truly betrayed my best friend.'
'Harry's dad. James, we heard about it from Fudge. So you didn't betray them?'
'No. No it was that rat. That filthy, stinking, rat.' Black's voice was raising now, and Y/N heard some movement from up the stairs behind him.
'Blast it,' he snarled. 'I want to know why you want Scabbers, but we don't have much time. I think someone's moving. Promise me, right now, that you are after Scabbers and not Harry.'
'I promise,' said Black. 'I don't want to harm Harry. I'm his Godfather.'
Y/N took a deep long sigh, then lowered his wand.
'Like I said, he's not here. Leave the list and go. I won't stop you nor call for help.'
'What's your name?' asked Black.
'Y/N L/N.'
'Well Y/N, thank you.' Black turned on the spot, and slipped out of the Common Room.
A few moments later and Neville's round face, came poking out from the doorway.
'Oh, hiya Y/N. What are you doing up?'
'Wrestling this off of Crookshanks,' said Y/N, walking over to where Black had dropped the list and scooping it up. The blood was still pumping in his ears and it was a miracle he could even hear Neville. 'I believe it's yours.'
'Yeah!' said Neville. 'It's because Sir Cadogan keeps changing the passwords. They're really difficult to remember. Thanks Y/N. I owe you one.' Neville took the list and moved back off up the stairs.
Y/N moved back over to his armchair by the fire and collapsed into it. All at once his energy left him and he felt drained. He'd stood toe-to-toe with Black. Blocked his path. And then, in spite of everything he'd seen and heard, Black spoke to him. Listened to him, left when prompted, gave up his way in and out of the Common Room. He'd been reasonable. And his story added up with Scabbers' disappearance and Crookshanks' obsession. Black could have easily battered him aside. Whilst he could have put up a fight, Black was much older and stronger, even if Azkaban hadn't been kind to him. It wouldn't have taken much. Yet Black didn't. He even relaxed once told Scabbers was gone.
'But then… why is he after Scabbers…'
Part of the conversation drifted back into his head.
'Harry's dad. James, we heard about it from Fudge. So you didn't betray them?'
'No. No it was that rat. That filthy, stinking, rat.'
So Scabbers had betrayed Harry's parents? But Scabbers was a rat. Something had clearly happened to Scabbers, hence his disappearance. But Scabbers was nothing more than an ordinary…
Something clicked. Ron had said previously that Scabbers had belonged to Percy. Percy was 4 years older than them, and apparently it had been Percy's present for coming to Hogwarts, however Scabbers was nothing more than an ordinary Muggle rat.
He reached into his bag and pulled out 'The bestial bestiary of Magical Beasts across the globe', flicking through the pages before arriving on the paragraph about Rats. It was a very small paragraph, but he read nonetheless.
'Rats are commonly declared as pests by many parts of both the Wizarding and Muggle worlds. Whilst it is possible to domesticate Rats most don't tend to, instead choosing an animal that they believe to be prettier to look at. This does not mean that they are not useful however. Rat tails and spleens are key ingredients for the Shrinking Solution and can also be used as a type of food for Dragons. Muggles perform tests on Rats and other animals in an attempt to learn more about how things they create may affect humans. The average lifespan of a Rat is two to three years.'
He read this last line again, several more times.
'The average lifespan of a Rat is two to three years.'
Scabbers is at least seven years old. Whilst that didn't explain exactly what Black was after, it did send another strand of thought. There's a difference between being looked after and living to up to three times your normal lifespan. And Scabbers definitely hasn't been deteriorating since Crookshanks was bought. Because again, he's the reason they were in there.
It had only been happening since the start of this year.
Only since Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban.
