Nobody slept in the tower that night. They were all too anxious to hear about the result of the search. At a little after six in the morning, Professor McGonagall strode back into the tower to tell them that Sirius Black had once again escaped from their clutches. All the through the following day, there were signs of tighter security around the castle. Filch spent the day boarding up everything from windows to mouse holes, and Harry had seen Professor Flitwick teaching the front doors to recognize a large photo of Sirius Black. Sir Cadogan was summarily fired, and the Fat Lady was returned. Her portrait had been restored, and in an effort to offer extra protection, she had been given a handful of surly-looking security trolls. With all the security, Harry couldn't help but notice that the one-eyed witch remained untouched. Though he was loathe to use the exit again.

He'd taken to practicing in the History of Magic classroom almost nighty. Twice, Sirius Black had snuck into the castle, and twice, he had been thwarted. Harry was not willing to try his luck a third time. It was clear that Black was going to go to great lengths to get to him, and while he wasn't going to go looking for the man, Harry would be prepared the next time Black came after him. He was also spending nearly every night pouring over the Marauder's Map, checking and triple checking until well into the night for any sign of Black. Harry had half a mind to give the map over to Professor Jackson. But he was loathe to part with such an incredible tool. Besides, Harry figured that if he did see Black on the map, he'd use the necklace again to summon Professor Jackson.

Hermione had cornered Harry and Ron the morning after the break-in to Gryffindor Tower. With tears in her eyes, she apologized to Ron. Telling him that she was sorry that she had not taken his complaints about Crookshanks seriously. She said that the break-in had shown her how they were all in danger, and how scared she'd been for Ron. Ron, meanwhile, apologized for how rude he'd been to Hermione. Harry was beyond relieved, he had been going spare with how the two had been acting, and couldn't be happier to have both of his friends back at his side.

They spent the next several days discussing how they thought Black had managed to sneak into the castle for the second time. But each of their theories seemed as unlikely as the last. Meanwhile, their lessons were growing in intensity. In spite of the fact that they were still months away from their exams, their professors all seemed under the impression that a greater workload was the appropriate approach to the mounting stress of Black's second successful break-in.

As the weeks drew on, and their assignments grew in intensity, Harry was becoming increasingly wary of Professor Lupin. The man was uncommonly kind to Harry, and every lesson with the man on the patronus was better than the last. But Harry was becoming certain that his suspicions were correct. Once a month, always when Harry had to roll his die, on the full moon, Professor Lupin fell ill. Almost always the man would return the following day looking as though he were incredibly ill, and in tremendous pain. Harry had done enough research on Werewolves to know what the signs were. Harry didn't want to believe it, didn't want to even consider the possibility that his professor turned into a monster once a month. But Harry couldn't ignore the signs. He kept trying to broach the topic with the man, but every time he tried, Professor Jackson's warning about being nosey voiced its opinion in the back of Harry's head. So he tried to push the thought from his mind. But it kept lingering, and the more Harry tried to fight it, the more Harry became certain that his suspicions were correct. But as Harry considered it more, the more he decided that it didn't matter. Anna was a vampire and Professor Jackson trusted her. They seemed to even care for one another far more deeply than they let on. If Professor Jackson could trust a vampire, then Harry was going to trust Professor Lupin. The man was good, and kind. He wouldn't hurt anyone if he could help it, and Harry implicitly trusted the man. Harry resolved to keep Professor Lupin's secret to himself, and to talk to the man about it when he could.

It was late the night after the final Hogsmeade trip for the year, and Harry was sitting up in his bed, as he'd done every night for weeks, pouring over the map. He had just finished watching a prefect stride past a corridor on the third-floor, when Harry paused. He blinked, and rubbed blearily at his eyes. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. There was no way that he was reading the map correctly. On the page, attached to a small set of feet, was the name "Peter Pettigrew."

But that couldn't be right. Pettigrew was dead. Harry knew that he was dead. He had died confronting Black twelve years ago. The map had to be incorrect. It had to be defunct. But Harry couldn't stop staring at the name. Before he knew what he was doing, he'd slipped out of bed, and was sneaking out of the Tower. So quick in his desire to discover the truth of the matter Harry didn't even think about grabbing his invisibility cloak.

Using the map to avoid roaming professors and prefects, Harry picked his way to the third floor. Checking the map, he saw that Pettigrew's dot was moving quickly in his direction. Harry strode forward, his eyes flicking between the darkened hallway in front of him and the map. Pettigrew's name was moving quicker in his direction. Almost as though he were running, but that didn't make sense, because there was still nothing in front of him. He thought briefly that maybe the man was using an invisibility cloak. But Harry had no way of knowing. Waving his wand, which he'd been using as a makeshift torch, he waved it blindly in front of him, just as Pettigrew drew even with Harry, but his wand hit nothing. As Pettigrew's name raced past his own, Harry whirled around, raising his lit wand above his head, but all he saw was a rat turning the corner down the next corridor. Confused, Harry turned around, only for his heart to stop. There, striding down the corridor quickly, was the name Severus Snape. Thinking quickly, Harry tapped his lit wand against the map and whispered

"Mischief Managed," And the map went blank. He didn't even have time to try and make an escape, as all of a sudden Snape materialized out of the darkness. Harry was standing nose to chest with Snape. He was sneering down at him, a look of utter triumph on his face.

"Out for a midnight stroll, Potter?" Snape said silkily. Harry's heart hammered against his chest, as he took a step away. He didn't know what to say, he couldn't think of any reasonable excuse for why he was out of bounds so late.

"So," he said, pacing around Harry. "Everyone from the Minister of Magic downward has been trying to keep famous Harry Potter safe from Sirius Black. But famous Harry Potter is a law unto himself. Let the ordinary people worry about his safety! Famous Harry Potter goes where he wants to, with no thought for the consequences."

"You," Snape said as he advanced on Harry, "Are so extraordinarily like your father. Strutting about the castle, too arrogant for his own good. Thinking that a minuscule amount of talent on the quidditch pitch made him something he was not." Snape's teeth bared into a snarl, "The resemblance truly is uncanny,

"My father." Harry said between clenched teeth, "Did not strut. And neither do I,"

"Your father didn't place much stock for following the rules either." Snape pressed, his sunken cheeks flushing with fury, "After all, who needs to follow the rules when you think you're above them, when you place yourself so much higher than the rest of us mere mortals,"

"Shut up!" Harry roared, unable to take it anymore. For nearly three years, he had put up with the man's bullying. Harry had taken it all, not willing to stand up to the man, in spite of his incessantly pathetic behavior. Harry wasn't going to stand for it any longer. Snape's body went rigid, and he trembled in rage, Harry saw him withdraw his wand from an inner pocket of his cloak.

"What did you say to me, Potter?" He hissed through clenched teeth,

"I told you to shut up!" Harry bellowed, "You're pathetic! My father makes a fool out of you at school and then he saves your life and you can't stand it!" Harry had read stories from his parents friends about his father at school. He had read enough to know that his dad and Snape were enemies at school. That on more than one occasion his father had gotten the better of Snape. Harry couldn't believe that the man could be so weak willed that he was still holding onto a grudge from when he was a child.

Snape looked like he was barely keeping himself from cursing Harry.

"Just like him," Snape snarled, "Speaking of things you know nothing about. For your information Potter, I never would have needed saving if your father hadn't been in on the joke. The only reason he saved my life was because he got cold feet."

"Right," Harry said with a roll of his eye, "Because I'm going to trust anything you have to say about my dad. Got it." Snape growled, before he reached out and swiped the blank map from Harry's hand.

"What's this?" Snape demanded,

"Spare parchment," Harry spat, not bothering to hide the sarcasm in his voice. Snape glared at him.

"Let me see, let me see…" he muttered, taking out his wand and smoothing the map out on his desk. "Reveal your secret!" he said, touching the wand to the parchment. Nothing happened. Show yourself!" Snape said, tapping the map sharply. It stayed blank.

Snape glared over to Harry, who just shrugged at him,

"Professor Severus Snape, master of this school, commands you to yield the information you conceal!" Snape said, hitting the map with his wand. As though an invisible hand were writing upon it, words appeared on the smooth surface of the map,

"Mooney presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business."

Snape froze. Harry stared, dumbstruck, at the message. But the map didn't stop there. More writing was appearing beneath the first.

"Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Mooney and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git." Harry had to bite down on his tongue to keep himself from laughing too hard, but the map wasn't done,

"Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that an idiot like that ever became a professor." Harry closed his eyes in horror. When he'd opened them, the map had had its last word.

"Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape good day, and advises him to wash his hair, the slimeball."

Snape was breathing heavily, "Where did you get this?" Snape said, his voice calm, and all the more terrifying for it.

Harry didn't back down, "Zonko's," Harry said, "Picked it up the first weekend when I got to go,"

"Don't be smart with me boy," Snape snarled, and Harry felt something in him curl. He hated being called boy. Uncle Vernon called him that. A rage threatened to overcome him, but Harry forced himself to remain calm, to not rise to the bait, "Tell me where you go it you insolent, petulant little-"

"Professor," Came a new and familiar voice. Professor Lupin stepped out of the shadows, flanking Snape.

Snape whirled around, pointing his wand at him, "Well, well, well," He said, "Out for a little…walk in the moonlight…Lupin?"

Professor Lupin just gave him a smile, and craned his neck to look at Harry.

"Harry," He said, "Are you all right?"

"That remains to be seen," Said Snape, waving the parchment, "I have just confiscated this. It's a rather curious artifact from Mr. Potter. Take a look, Lupin, it is supposedly your area of…expertise." Snape couldn't have been more condescending if he tried, but Lupin ignored it and snatched the parchment out of the man's hand. "Clearly, it's full of dark magic," Snape said smugly,

"Oh, I seriously doubt it, Severus." Professor Lupin said. As he looked at the parchment, his face seemed to become overcome with nostalgia for a moment. Before he chuckled, "It looks to me as though it's little more than enchanted parchment, meant to insult whoever tries to read it." He was smiling as he looked at Harry, "A Zonko's product I presume,"

"Yes sir," Harry said, "Bought it on Halloween," Professor Lupin nodded and jerked the parchment away as Snape tried to grab it,

"Nevertheless, I shall investigate it thoroughly, for any hidden qualities it may possess." He began folding up the pages and tucked it into a pocket in his sweater, "It is, as you have suggested, my area of expertise." He turned to Harry, "Harry, would you come with me, please." Without another word, Professor Lupin turned around and strode through the dark hallways. Harry was quick to follow. They didn't have to go far, and soon they were in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

"I have no idea how this map came to be in your possession, Harry, and yes, I know it's a map, don't ask how I know." Professor Lupin said as he strode towards his desk at the front of the room. "But quite frankly I'm astounded that you didn't hand it in. Especially after what happened only a few weeks ago, when another student left information about the castle, lying about. I can't give it back to you, I hope you know that,"

"Of course, sir," Harry said,

Professor Lupin sighed, as he leaned up against his desk, "You know your father never set much store in the rules either," Harry flinched. The words coming from Snape had enraged him, but coming from Lupin, it felt like a slap. "But he and your mother gave their lives to save yours. And gambling their sacrifice away by wandering around the castle, unprotected with a killer on the loose, seems like a pretty poor way to repay them," Harry flinched again,

"I know sir," Harry said quickly, wishing to defend himself, "it's just that-I look at the map at night, to make sure Black isn't trying to sneak in again, because if I saw him, I have a way getting a hold of Professor Jackson. But earlier tonight, I saw…"

"Not Black, surely," Professor Lupin said tersely, "Because I know you're not that foolish,"

"No sir!" Harry said fast, "No but…well…I saw something on the map that I knew couldn't be right…but I had to check sir."

"And what might that be?" Professor Lupin asked warily,

"Peter Pettigrew," Harry said.

Professor Lupin seemed taken aback, and he glanced down at the map, as though unsure of something,

"That's not possible," He whispered softly,

"It's just what I saw, sir," Harry replied, "I thought the map might be broken, but it had never lied before…"

Professor Lupin was silent as he stared down at the map in his hands,

"I-" Professor Lupin began, lost himself for a moment but recovered, "I want you to return to your dormitory, Harry, and stay there. Don't take any detours," He gestured lightly with the map, "If you do, I shall know," Harry nodded, and made to leave the room, but before he reached the door, Harry came to a decision. Professor Lupin had covered for him, and Harry wanted the man to know how much Harry appreciated that, and that just like Professor Lupin was watching out for Harry, Harry would be watching out for him.

"Sir," Harry said, turning around,

"Yes?" Said Professor Lupin,

"I just wanted you to know…I won't be telling anyone,"

Professor Lupin chuckled, "I should hope not. It would look bad for both of us it people found out I was covering you,"

"Not-not that, sir?" Harry said with a shake of his head, "I know sir,"

Professor Lupin stiffened, and he glanced around the room, as though checking for potential eavesdroppers,

"Know-know what, Harry," He said, his voice shaking somewhat,

"I know," Harry repeated, "About your…monthly issue,"

Oddly, Professor Lupin looked somewhat relieved for a moment, before he tilted his head curiously at Harry,

"How did you learn about that, Harry?" Professor Lupin asked casually.

"Professor Jackson," Harry said, then after Lupin looked affronted. Harry, realizing how that sounded, amended the statement, "It was his assignment," Harry clarified quickly, "His project. I was assigned as a werewolf. It…it wasn't too hard to notice the signs. Every time I had to roll my die, you were gone from class. And I recognized your symptoms from my readings when you got back,"

Professor Lupin sighed, "That man always has the best of intentions, but he really didn't think that through," He said, sounding somewhat annoyed, before he looked back at Harry, regarding him warily. "You would be right, Harry. I am a werewolf. The teachers all know, though obviously none of the students do. Not to worry though, Harry. Professor Snape has been giving me Wolfsbane potion monthly to help me control the transformation." He paused, and seemed to regard Harry for a moment, "How do you feel, now that you know the…truth?"

"I…I was worried at first, sir." Harry admitted, "But was I thought about it, the more I realized it didn't matter!" Harry said firmly, "Professor Jackson has a friend and she's a vampire. She-well she's not exactly nice, but she doesn't hurt anyone. So-so I trust you. Besides, we'd have heard if people were being attacked. No sir, I trust you. Completely," Professor Lupin looked as though Harry had physically hurt him for a few moments. Harry was confused by the reaction, but Professor Lupin shook it off, and smiled at him. "You may look like your father, Harry, but you have your mother's heart." Harry smiled at the man, who quickly ushered him off. Despite the fact that he'd lost the map, Harry felt lighter after talking to his professor. As though a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders.

He knew that he could trust Remus Lupin.

BREAK

Spring gave way to early summer. Gryffindor played Slytherin for the quidditch final. The entire team flew better than Harry could ever remember seeing them play, and for the first time in years, Gryffindor took home the Quidditch Cup. But they didn't have long to celebrate. Before they knew it, exams were upon them, and they were all stressing themselves half to death. Though no one was more stressed than Hermione. Harry learned from Ron that she had outright walked out of Divination, and dropped the class right in front of the teacher. But even after dropping the subject, she was still taking more subjects than anyone and she had exams in almost every subject Hogwarts offered. It became clear to everyone that disturbing the peace and quiet of the Common Room was to consider themselves hexed by the stressed witch.

Their first exam, transfiguration, had gone about as well as it could have. Only Harry and Hermione were able to successfully transform their turtles into tea cozies. Harry had put a little too much effort into his cheering charm during their charms final, and Ron had needed to be led away to a quiet room for twenty minutes before he was capable of casting the chair himself, though Professor Flitwick seemed more amused than disappointed. Ancient Runes had been his most difficult exam, but Harry still felt as though his enchanted pot had turned out well. Only Hermione, and Susan had better enchantments than Harry. Even Potions had gone well, in spite of Snape hovering directly overhead for the entire class, he didn't have anything to say when Harry turned in as near a Confusing Concoction as Daphne and Tracey. History of Magic was their most fun exam. Their discussions over the year had not gone well for the townsfolk. In spite of both Hermione and Malfoy being inquisitors, Harry, Tracey, and the magicals - Ron, Crabbe, and Pavarti - had all gotten away scot free. Their reward was an absurdly large stack of Honeydukes candy each and one hundred points a piece to each of their houses.

Hagrid had been a nervous wreck during their Care of Magical Creatures final. Buckbeak's trial was set to take place later that night, but Hagrid had told the three as they observed their flobberworms, that Sarah had been working tirelessly. Apparently the Committee had tried to block her request for trial by pensive, but she had petitioned the Wizengamot, which Harry learned was the governing body of the Ministry, and had managed to secure the trial. In spite of his terrified nervousness, Hagrid seemed fairly confident that Buckbeak would come out on top.

As Hermione dashed off for her Muggle Studies final, Ron went off to the library for some last-minute defense studies, leaving Harry to wander the halls alone. He was just turning a corridor on the seventh-floor, when he came across something incredibly odd. On the floor, laying against the far wall, was an older-looking woman. Harry approached cautiously, he thought he recognized her as the Divination professor. As he approached, Harry was overwhelmed with the sudden and strong scent of cooking sherry.

Reaching out, Harry gently shook her shoulder,

"Professor," He asked, "Are-are you ok?"

Her eyes shot open, and Harry jumped back in fright. Her eyes were wide, and glassy, and she was looking at him, she opened her mouth to speak, and when she did, her voice was hoarse, and she sounded as though she were possessed.

By thirty-three years, he missed his mark.

The God's Chosen Hero, makes the future dark.

For the past twelve years, alone he lay

For the past twelve years, the Dark Lord kept at bay.

At midnight hence, his servant stirs crisis

The rat escapes, the Dark Lord rises

She gave an enormous shudder, and her head fell onto her chest. She gave a grunt, and she jolted awake. She looked around her, incredibly confused, for a moment. As she shakily got to her feet.

She finally noticed Harry, who staring at her bug-eyed.

"So sorry to worry you my dear," She said, and her voice had lost its edge, and instead sounded very dreamlike, "Must have dozed off, is everything all right?" She asked, looking suddenly concerned. Harry was white and shaking. He didn't know what was more disturbing, the fact that she had just been…possessed by something, or that she couldn't seem to remember it. Deciding to keep it to himself for the moment, Harry just nodded. She regarded him for a moment, before she shuffled off. Harry watched her as she disappeared around the next corner, before he finally allowed himself to breath.

Shaking his head, Harry decided he'd talk to Professor Jackson about the strange situation later. Checking his watch, Harry swore, hurrying from the hall, and made off to the Defense Against the Dark Arts final.

Their last final, Defense Against the Dark Arts, had been something of an obstacle course, where they had to battle their way through the monsters they'd studied. Harry had cleared the course the fastest, receiving top marks from Professor Lupin, and both Rona and Hermione had finished the course as well, though they'd both struggled considerably against the boggart.

As they strode away from the obstacle course, Ron checked his watch. "Hagrid should be back by now, let's go check in with him!" Nodding their agreement, the three took off at a run for Hagrid's Hut. Hermione's fist had barely pressed against the door before it burst open, and Hagrid scooped the three into his large arms. He sobbing uncontrollably as he hefted them into the air,

"'e got off!" Hagrid sobbed happily, as Harry felt his air being squeezed out of his lungs, "Those gargoyles couldn't say nothin' to Ms. Sarah!"

"That's-great-Hagrid" Harry gasped out, his face turning slightly blue,

"Hagrid," Laughed Sarah from the inside of the Hut, "Put them down, I don't think they can breathe," Hagrid released them. Harry took in deep lungful's of air as they pushed into the hut. It looked as though Hagrid was having a makeshift party. Sarah and Professor Jackson were looking comfortable as they sat at the table, sipping from large tankards. Hagrid had apparently gone through several himself, as the large barrel of mead beside his side of the table was looking suspiciously empty.

"Hey you three," greeted Professor Jackson, as they sat down around the large table,

"Hey all," Said Sarah with a wave, "Done with exams?"

The sat and talked for some time, before Professor Jackson and Sarah had to excuse themselves. It was getting late, and Professor Jackson wanted to see Sarah off. After giving each of them a hug, Sarah departed with Professor Jackson close behind.

"I think you've had enough Hagrid," Hermione said, as Hagrid, slipped and fell out of his chair. Standing up, Hermione grabbed his cup and took it over to the sink. She'd just finished putting the tankard in the sink when she let out a scream,

"Ron!" She shouted, pointing at a large urn next to the sink, "Scabbers!"

"What?" Ron asked, bewildered, Hermione grabbed the urn and dashed over to the table. Overturning it, there was a scuttling sound, and a madly squeaking Scabbers fell out of the urn, and fell into Ron's waiting hands.

"Scabbers!" Ron breathed out, looking astonished, "What are you doing here?" The rat, which was unmistakably Scabbers, had never looked worse. He was thinner than ever, and large tufts of his fur was falling out. He was writhing around in Ron's hands, fighting desperately to free himself, but Ron managed to subdue him.

"Yeh three should get outta 'ere," Hagrid slurred, looking up at the darkening sky.

"S'getin' late. Can't be outta tha castle this late. 'Specially you 'Arry. Thanks again fer coming you lot." Hagrid said, as they cleared away from the cabin. They were nearly back to the gates of the castle when Ron stopped abruptly.

"Scabbers!" He hissed,

"What's up?" Harry asked,

"It's Scabbers!" Ron said, fighting with the rat, "Bloody idiot won't. Sit. Still. What's the matter with you, it's me. It's Ron. You stupid little-ouch!" Ron hissed "He bit me!" Ron said, startled, holding up a finger that was bleeding. But he was still fighting with the rat.

"What's wrong with him?" Hermione asked, but Harry thought he knew exactly what was wrong. There, slinking through the grass, his yellow-eyes gleaming in the darkness, was Crookshanks. Hermione saw Crookshanks and groaned,

"Crookshanks," She moaned in annoyance, "No! Go away, Crookshanks! Leave!" But he didn't listen. He crept closer and closer, his body low to the ground.

"Scabbers! No!" Ron yelled, but it was too late, the rat had slipped between his fingers and was scurrying away as fast as he could. Crookshanks leapt after him, but missed, and before Harry or Hermione could do anything, Ron had taken off after his rat. There was a scuffle, as Ron chased after Scabbers, Crookshanks hot on his heels. They turned a corner around the far side of the castle, just in time to hear a loud thud, and for Ron to cry out in triumph. Just as Harry and Hermione rounded the corner, they saw Ron toss Crookshanks off his chest. Scabbers back in his arms. Harry caught the sight of movement out of the corner of his eyes. Turning around Harry saw something moving in the shadows. There was a loud pounding of something gigantic. Out of the shadows, burst an enormous, shaggy-black dog. For a moment, Harry thought that Mrs. O'Leary had appeared for a moment, but the dog was slightly smaller than Mrs. O'Leary. And its fur was so much shaggier and matted. Its eyes were pale and faded, and it was snapping its massive maw menacingly.

Harry didn't know what was happening, as he reached for his wand. But he was too late, the dog leaped, and Harry felt the massive paws hit him square in the chest, bowling him over. Harry fell backward into Hermione, the massive dog's hot breath washing over his face, and Harry caught the briefest glimpses of razor-sharp teeth, before the dog pushed off of Harry and took off at a run towards Ron. Harry pulled himself to his feet as Ron screamed in pain, the dog had clamped its enormous maw around the hem of his pants, and was dragging him backwards, towards a small hole a few yards away. Harry aimed his wand, be had no way of hitting the dog without hitting Ron as well. Harry made to run after them, but before he could take two steps, something enormous slammed into him, and he went sprawling across the grass.

Harry felt something wet and warm trickle down the side of his head, and he had to blink blood out of his eyes, as he scrambled to find his glasses. He found them, miraculously unbroken, and looked up. His blood drained from his face. Ron had unknowingly chased Scabbers right to the trunk of the Whomping Willow. Harry dived out of the way, as one enormous branch slammed into the ground where had been only a few moments before. As he fought against the branches jumping out of the way as the Willow tried to smash him. Harry grabbed Hermione and pulled her back, until they were both a safe distance from the Willow's branches.

At the base of the trunk, Harry saw the large dog drag Ron into a small hole at its base. Ron's leg caught around one of the roots, there was a painful sounding 'CRACK' that sounded like a gunshot, and Harry watched in horror as Ron's leg snapped in the other direction.

Harry shared a look with Hermione, before she sighed dejectedly and nodded. "Why does it always have to be us?" She moaned,

"You chose this," Harry shouted over his shoulder as he darted towards the hole in the tree, dodging branches as he did so.

"Doesn't-mean-I-have-to-like-it!" Hermione panted, as she darted in and out of the twigs and branches. No matter how hard they tried though, they couldn't get any closer to the base of the tree. There was a blur of orange, and Harry watched in fascination as Crookshanks darted between branches. He reached the base of the tree, and pressed a paw against the base of the tree. Instantly, as though the tree had been petrified, the branches stopped moving.

"How-" Hermione stammered, "Crookshanks! How did you-how did he?"

"I have no idea," Harry said, already making his way to the tree, "But come on, get your wand out, let's go find them." Crookshanks had already slipped through hole, it was just big enough for a grown man to squeeze through, and Harry slid into the hole. The inside of the tree turned into a slide, and Harry shot to the earthy soil below. Hermione followed immediately after him.

"Lumos," Harry muttered, and his wand erupted in light. They were standing in a large hole, Harry could just see the tip of Crookshank's tail bobbing up and down ahead of him.

"Where's Ron?" Hermione asked, raising her own lit wand,

"No idea," Harry muttered, "Come on, they had to have gone this way," The tunnel shrank, and they had to double over to make their way through. The passage seemed to go on for ages, and Harry was certain that it was, at least, as long as the tunnel to Honeydukes. Harry felt his heart hammering, as sweat trickled down the back of his neck, he was moving as fast as possible, but it wasn't fast enough. He couldn't help thinking about whatever Ron was being subjected to.

Eventually, the floor began slowing upward, and Crookshanks disappeared into a small entryway that was dimly lit up ahead. They came through the entrance, and found themselves in a large room. It was old, dilapidated, and falling apart at the seams. The few windows that weren't broken, were boarded up and the furniture was broken and falling to pieces on the floor. One of the far chairs looked as though it had been torn apart by something viscous. There were slash marks through the legs, and what looked suspiciously like teeth marks in the seat.

"Harry," Hermione said, grabbing him by the arm, "I think we're in the Shrieking Shack."

"If we are," Harry said slowly, "Then I don't think it's as haunted as people say. Ghosts didn't do that," He said, gesturing at the chair. There was a creaking of floorboards above them, and Harry and Hermione jumped. Moving as quietly as possible, they crept around the hall and up the crumbling staircase. The building was covered in a thin layer of dust, all bust a thin, white line, that was clearly made by something being dragged across the floor. Reaching the dark landing they extinguished their wands. They could hear movement in the room beyond, as well as what sounding like a moan of agony. Harry and Hermione exchanged a look, before nodding resolutely, and pushing into the room, wands at the ready.

The room was fairly empty, all except for a once beautiful, four-poster bed. Crookshanks sat on the dusty covers, purring loudly. On the floor beside the bed, clutching his leg in pain, was Ron. Forgetting all about the dog, Harry and Hermione rushed to his side,

"Ron!"

"Are you ok?"

"Harry," Ron moaned, "It's a trap, he's not a dog, he's an Animagus."

The door slammed shut, and Harry whipped around, as a man stepped out of the shadows. His hair was long, and shaggy. His cheeks, sunken and hallow. He was so thin, that the skin around his face and arms made him look more skeletal than man. The man, his hair still hiding his face, raised his arm, and with Ron's wand held tightly in his grip, he disarmed Harry and Hermione. Their wands soared through the air, and the man caught them. As he stepped out of the shadows, Harry came face to face with Sirius Black.

Harry took a halting step back, as panic fought with overwhelming rage. He wanted to hurt. To rip. To tear. To kill. He wanted to kill the man before him. Wanted to make his suffer for what he'd done to Harry's parents. But he kept hearing Daphne and Professor Jackson in his ears.

"Revenge often feels as though it's the only option available to us." It consumes us, fills us with a desire so strong that we become blinded to the world around us. But if we sink into the temptation, we become the thing we hated most."

"It takes a strong man to recognize what you have. To realize that there are alternatives to petty vengeance."

Harry refused to become what he hated. He refused to be anything like the man in front of him, worse still, he refused to be like Voldemort.

"I thought, you'd come for your friend." Black said, his voice was low and hoarse from disuse. "Your father, would have done the same. Very brave of you not to get a teacher. I'm…grateful. It will make all of this…so much easier."

Harry was jolted by the mention of a teacher, and he suddenly felt the necklace sitting against his chest. He raised a hand to his neck, his fingers squeezing so tightly around the bead necklace that Harry was felt like he were close to breaking it.

"Seaweed Brain," He roared.

Once more, there was a sudden flow of mist in the room. Black took an abrupt step back, confused and bewildered by what was occurring. The mist congealed for a moment, before Professor Jackson appeared, his wand in hand, and his face contorted into a look of absolute fury. In one swift motion, Professor Jackson disarmed Black, as enormous chains flew out from the tip of his wand, and wrapped themselves tightly around Black. Black yelped in pain and surprise, as he fell to the floor with a dull thud.

Professor Jackson dared a look at Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Seeing Ron's leg, his face turned ugly with hate. With another wave of his wand, Ron's leg was wrapped and splinted in a conjured cast. Another wave of his wand, and Ron sighed in relief, Harry supposed Professor Jackson must have cast some kind of pain relief spell.

Professor Jackson turned his attention back to Black, who was thrashing against the chains,

"Are you all right, Harry?" He asked through barely suppressed rage. Harry could have sworn that his eyes were glowing in the pale moonlight shining through the window.

"Yes sir," Harry said, trying to fight through the shaking in his voice. He pointed at Black, "He's an Animagus, that's how he's been sneaking in and out of the castle,"

Professor Jackson released a heavy breath through his nose, as he slowly advanced on Black.

"Remind me to give Dean some extra credit," Professor Jackson muttered,

"NO!" Black roared from the ground, "You're ruining everything! I was going to kill him! I was finally going to kill him!"

"Harry's not dying tonight, and not any time soon if I have anything to say about it," Professor Jackson spat at the man, Black stopped thrashing for a moment, and stared up at Professor Jackson,

"Harry?" He croaked, "Why-why would I kill Harry? No-no Harry won't be dying tonight. It's all about him, it's all about Pettigrew, I need to kill him!" He started thrashing against his chains again, "You hear me you rat bastard, I'll gut you! You'll pay for what you did! James trusted you! I trusted you! We all trusted you and you turned them over to Voldemort! Let me go! Let me go so I-can-kill-him!"

Professor Jackson stopped his advance on Black for a moment.

"Pettigrew is dead," Professor Jackson said, his wand pointed at Black's temple.

"No, you idiot," Black hissed, "He's a rat. That boy's rat. He's an Animagus too! We all were!"

Professor Jackson froze, and he took his eyes off Black for a moment, to gaze back at the rat wriggling in Ron's hand. Then he shook his head,

"You're insane,"

"I. AM NOT. CRZAY!" Black bellowed, "I'm more sane than I've been in twelve years. That boy's rat is Peter Pettigrew. I'd recognize him anywhere."

Harry shared a look with Ron, and they both seemed to come to the same conclusion. Black was utterly mad. There was a slam downstairs, and they all turned their attention to the doorway. Someone was running up the stairs, not even trying to be quiet. The door to the room flew open, and Professor Lupin burst through, his face flushed and sweat shining on his forehead.

He looked between Professor Jackson, and Black, before he raised his wand and bellowed, "Expelliarmus!" at Professor Jackson. But it was odd, the wand didn't so much as wiggle as the spell it hit Professor Jackson.

Harry's blood went cold. Why did Professor Lupin try to disarm Professor Jackson? Maybe he was worried about Professor Jackson killing Black? But that wasn't right. Professor Jackson wasn't a killer. He was powerful, sure, but he wouldn't hurt anyone. At least, he wouldn't hurt an unarmed, restrained prisoner. But then, why did Professor Lupin do that? What was going on?

Professor Lupin stared at the wand in his hand, his expression one of utter shock. He turned a shaky look over at Professor Jackson, who's expression had turned from surprise, to outright fury.

"Percy," Lupin pleaded, pointing his wand at Professor Jackson again, "Please, I don't want to hurt you, but you have the wrong man,"

"Remus," Professor Jackson said, "You'd better lower your wand, and start talking, or I'm going to go from mad, to pissed, real godsdamned quick."

"Percy, I'm telling you, you've got it wrong. We all did, but please, lower your wand, I don't want to hurt you," Lupin said,

"Hurt me?" Professor Jackson said, "Hurt me? Lupin lower your damn wand!" Professor Jackson turned his wand off Black, and pointed it at Lupin,

"Percy, I'm warning you. Stop what you're doing, Sirius has the right of it,"

"So it's Sirius now?" Professor Jackson said, his voice rising, "What the hell is going on here Lupin! Last warning, lower your wand!"

"I'm sorry about this Percy, but you'll thank me later. Stupefy!" A jet of bright red light shot out of the tip of his wand and slammed into the chest of Professor Jackson, who once again, did not move. His face turned into the ugliest expression Harry had ever seen. He waved his wand and Lupin, who was staring in muted horror at Professor Jackson, went rigid. His arms spread down to his sides at an odd angle, his palms up. His wand clattered uselessly to the ground. Professor Jackson waved his wand in the air, and slammed the man painfully into the far wall. The entire Shack shook from the force of the slam, and Lupin yelped in pain.

"I covered for you," Professor Jackson seethed, "I had your back! I convinced the staff you could be trusted! I was your biggest damn supporter in the whole damn castle! And Snape was right! This whole time you were his godsdamn friend?" He slammed Lupin against the wall again.

Harry couldn't believe what he was seeing, couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had trusted Lupin implicitly. He had trusted the man only after Professors Jackson and Dumbledore. He had been one of Harry's biggest supporters. His friend. And that bastard had been working for Black the whole time!

"You bastard!" Harry screamed, white-hot rage overcoming him, "I trusted you! I covered for you! You were my friend!" He pointed a shaking finger over to Black, "And you were working with him, this whole time! You said you were my parent's friend! You said my mother was there for you! And you spit on her and my dad's graves by working with the man who handed them over to Voldemort!"

"I didn't hand Lily and James over to Voldemort!"

"I wasn't working with Sirius!"

Both Lupin and Black said at the same time,

"Shut up!" Both Harry and Professor Jackson roared at the same time.

"Harry," Lupin pleaded, his voice coming out slightly choked, "I didn't betray you, I promise! I thought Sirius was James and Lily's Secret-Keeper all this time too, up until you told me you saw Peter Pettigrew on the map," It was then that Harry noticed the thin piece of parchment that Harry recognized as the Marauder's Map, poking out of a pocket in Lupin's sweater. It must have been how he'd found them at the Shack.

"Enough with the lies!" Harry screamed, "I'm done listening to you, Werewolf!" Hermione and Ron both gasped, and Hermione's hand's went to her mouth,

"He's a what?" Hermione said, looking shocked,

"Harry," Professor Jackson snapped, "Him being a werewolf has nothing to do with making him a piece of shit human being. Don't let your anger cloud your judgement," Professor Jackson lectured, but it was hard to take him seriously when he had the man in question pinned to the wall. He turned his attention back to Lupin,

"Why is everyone talking about Pettigrew? What is so damn important about a dead man, and what's this about a map?"

"The Marauder's map," Harry said through clenched teeth, still not taking his eyes off Lupin, "It shows where anyone is in the castle at any given time. But Pettigrew is dead, the map was lying!"

"The map doesn't lie!" Sirius yelled from the floor,

"He's right, Harry," Lupin said, "The map never lies, I would know, I helped make it. I'm Moony." Harry made to interrupt, but Professor Jackson waved him off, the man clearly wanted to hear more, and Lupin obliged,

"It was my nickname your father and Sirius gave me at school. They found out about me being a werewolf, about me coming here ever month to transform, and they became Animagus so they could help me through the process. We gave each other nicknames based on our transformations. Sirius was Padfoot," Black flinched slightly at the nickname from his place on the ground, "-because he turned into a dog. James was Prongs, because he was a Stag. And Pettigrew was Wormtail, because he could transform into-"

"A rat," Professor Jackson finished, though he wasn't looking impressed by the story. Over in the corner, Harry could hear Scabbers squeaking more ferociously than ever before.

"A fantastic story Lupin," Professor Jackson said, "What the hades does that have to do with anything?"

"It's everything!" Black bellowed,

"It's important, because of what happened with Lily and James," Lupin explained, his eyes squeezing tight in pain, "Please, Percy, let me down, and I'll explain everything, please, I promise, but it's getting hard to think,"

Professor Jackson narrowed his eyes, then he summoned Lupin's wand from the ground, and dropped the man unceremoniously to the floor. Lupin pushed himself onto his rear, and propped himself up against the wall, rubbing anxiously at his wrists.

"I apologize," Lupin said, looking at Harry, "I don't know the whole story, only what I've been able to piece together. But when James and Lily cast the charm, we all thought that they used Sirius as Secret-Keeper, but clearly we were wrong," Black let out something of a whimper, on the floor,

"It's all my fault," He croaked, "I convinced them to change keepers, I convinced James that I would be the first person they went to. That they would never suspect Pettigrew,"

"Indeed," Lupin nodded, resting his hands on his knees. "So they switched Keepers. And Pettigrew became Secret-Keeper for Lily and James. We never could have known that he was really a traitor. After Voldemort was defeated, Pettigrew fled."

"The night Lily and James died," Black said, his voice shockingly quiet and full of self-loathing, "I went to check on Pettigrew, I was worried, and no one had seen him in days. I didn't like it, but when I got to his hiding place, he was already gone. It felt wrong, and I was so scared, so I left for their home in Godric's Hollow, but when I got there, and I saw the ruins, I knew what must have happened." Tears were streaming down his sunken cheeks, but then his expression morphed into something evil,

"I tracked the bastard down, confronted him. The rat son of a bitch yelled out for the whole street to hear how I had been the one to betray Lily and James, before he cut off his finger blew the entire street apart. Then, he transformed into a rat, and escaped into the sewers."

Professor Jackson was very silent for a moment, as he regarded, Black for a moment. Then he marched over to the skinny man. Using his foot, Professor Jackson rolled Black onto his back, so he was staring straight into Professor Jackson's eyes. Professor Jackson pointed his wand directly in between Black's eyes.

"Legilimens" Professor Jackson said softly, and Black's entire body went rigid for a moment, as his eyes glazed over. They stayed like that for several moments, Lupin was watching the interaction in muted fascination. Finally, Professor Jackson blinked, and Black shuddered, as his entire body relaxed.

"I didn't know you were a legilimens, Percy," Lupin said, but Professor Jackson ignored him. Harry wanted to ask what they were talking about, and what Professor Jackson had just done, but he refrained himself. Professor Jackson was looking at the ground for a moment, before he turned to Ron.

"Ron, can I see your rat, for a second," He asked,

"What?" Ron asked, looking stunned, "Sir?"

"Please Ron," Professor Jackson said, doing his best to give Ron his best, reassuring smile, "I promise, I'm not going to hurt him, I'm just going to check for something."

Ron hesitated for a moment, but eventually he just nodded, and handed Scabbers over to Professor Jackson. The rat squealed and squirmed, as it fought against Professor Jackson, but the man's grip was iron-clad. He pointed his wand at the rat, and a beam of red-light shot out and Scabbers went limp in his hand,

"He's just unconscious Ron, he's fine," Professor Jackson said over Ron's yell of indignation. Professor Jackson inspected the rat in his hands,

"His right paw." Black said, his voice even more hoarse, "He should be missing a finger,"

Professor Jackson grabbed the aforementioned paw, and inspected it, Harry could see from across the room, that there was indeed, a missing finger from the paw.

Professor Jackson laid the unconscious rat on the ground, and took a step back. He waved his wand over Scabbers, and Harry's eyes almost fell out of his head. Scabbers the rat began to stretch. His head, arms, and legs, all began to elongate, fur turned to pale, white skin. It would have been interesting, if it weren't so revolting. Within moments, Scabbers the rat was gone, and a man lay on the ground in his place. He was very short, Harry didn't think he could be much taller than Harry or Hermione. His hair, thin and colorless, was thinning and there was a large bald spot on the back of his head. He had the slovenly appearance of a man who had lost a lot of weight in a very short amount of time. His skin, pale as marble, looked as grubby and patchy as Scabbers fur had. Something of the rat stayed with the man, as his nose was wet-looking and printed.

Black let out a snarl, and started thrashing against his bonds again, as Crookshanks stood up on the bed, his hair standing on end as he hissed and spit in fury.

Harry didn't know what to say. Didn't know what to feel. If that was truly Peter Pettigrew, if Black had been right about that, his eyes jumped to Black, who was still thrashing against his chains. But, as his eyes met Harry's, he stopped thrashing, and his features morphed into something more. He was looking at Harry, silently imploring Harry to believe him, and as Harry looked down at the mess of a man on the floor, the man who had once been Scabbers, Harry met his godfathers eyes for the first time, and he believed him.

Ron let out a noise that was a mix between a scream, and a gag. "I let him sleep in my bed!" He moaned softly, and a fresh wave of nausea rushed over Harry. The man that had betrayed his parents had been sharing a bed with his best friend for years. He'd been in Harry's room for years. Harry felt disgusted, and unclean. But once again, he felt angry.

Professor Jackson roughly kicked the unconscious man onto his back. Before he pointed his wand at each of the man's knees. There was a pair of sickening crunches, as the knees contorted and buckled as they broke. The pain was clearly enough to jolt the man out of his state of unconsciousness, as he jerked away, howling in agony. But he was silenced with a wave of Professor Jackson's wand. He waved it again, and Harry heard a tinkling of chains, as Sirius' bonds fell to the floor and he stood up.

Professor Jackson reared a leg back, and stomped hard on the man's nose, which shattered. Pettigrew howled in silenced pain. as Blood flowed form his shattered nose. With another wave of his wand, the chains that had been binding Sirius, flew across the room, and wrapped themselves around Pettigrew, who appeared to be whimpering.

Sirius and Lupin strode over to the man. Lupin had collected his wand, and Professor Jackson handed Ron's wand over to the man.

"Hello Peter," Sirius said, kneeling down beside the man, who was quite literally shaking in fear,

"I've waited twelve years to see you again. Let's get reacquainted, yeah?"

AN: So things really starting to hit their peak now! What do you think is going to happen next? What's going to happen to Sirius? What's up with Trelawney's prophecy? Let me hear your theories folk! I love 'em! We've only got more chapter left, and it's a hell of a good one I think, you're all going to enjoy it! Until then, thanks for all the love and support; stay healthy, stay positive, and test negative.

Love,

LilDB