Big Problem, Small Problem

"Sirius? Remus? My friends…my old friends…" Pettigrew stammered, his eyes darting around anxiously.

Sirius made a movement, but Lupin stopped him, shooting him a look. He continued in a casual, light voice. "Hello, Peter. Sirius and I have been having a little chat…about what happened the night James and Lily died. You might have missed the details while squeaking about—"

Pettigrew choked. "Remus…you don't…you don't believe him, do you? He tried to kill me…Remus!"

"So, I've heard. If you don't mind, Peter, we'd like to clear a few things up…"

"He's going to try again," Pettigrew said frantically, pointing at Sirius with his middle finger. "He's going to try to kill me…just like he did to Lily and James. You've got to help me!"

Lupin sighed. "No one's going to try to kill you, Peter. Not until we've sorted a few things out."

"Sorted things…" he repeated in disbelief before looking about wildly toward the windows and door. "I knew he'd come! I knew he'd be back for me! I've been expecting it for twelve years!

Lupin raised his eyebrows. "Really? You expected Sirius to escape Azkaban…a feat that had never been accomplished in history?"

"He's got dark powers that nobody could ever dream of. How else did he escape? You-Know-Who taught him some tricks—"

Sirius laughed hollowly. "Ha! Voldemort teach me tricks? You're the one who rolled over and played dead, Peter!"

Pettigrew jumped and squeaked at the sound of the name. Gohan looked at Harry. For the first time, Harry appeared a little more relaxed. Deep down, Harry knew that a follower of Voldemort wouldn't dare speak his name. It would only be a matter of time before Harry would be convinced of Sirius's innocence.

Sirius continued. "-his lot aren't so happy with you right now, are they?"

"D-d-d-d-don't know what you mean, Sirius?"

"Course you do, Wormtail," Sirius said like he was speaking to a child. "You haven't been really hiding from me. You've been hiding from all of your former comrades, the ones who think you betrayed them? You see, they believe you had something to do with Voldemort's demise. You did send him to the Potters, after all. I've heard some pretty nasty things from the Death Eaters in Azkaban, Peter. Just imagine what the free ones think of you now!"

"Donno…what you're talking about…Remus! He's a madman! You don't believe him, do you?"

"I donno, Peter. I'm having increasing difficulty understanding why an innocent man would choose to hide twelve years as a rat."

Pettigrew nodded desperately. "Innocent, but scared, Remus! If his supporters were after me, it was because I put away his best spy, Sirius Black!"

Sirius snarled. "How dare you? I, a spy for Voldemort? Since when did I ever sneak around and volley for connections around people stronger than myself? But you…I'll never know why I didn't see it from the start…You've always liked to be in with the strongest..."

"Me…a spy? You're completely out of your mind…" Pettigrew stammered.

"James only agreed to make you the secret keeper after I suggested it. I thought the plan was perfect…making you the secret keeper while Voldemort pursued me…thinking it was me! I never thought he'd use a weak, talentless wretch like you, must have been the best moment of your entire life, giving him the Potters!"

Pettigrew sputtered incoherently.

"Professor Lupin?" Hermione said hesitantly. "Can I ask you something?"

"Certainly, Miss Granger."

"If this man was working for…him, why didn't he harm Harry? He's lived in Harry's dormitory for three years—"

Peter pointed at her. "Yes! Thank you! Why haven't I harmed Harry?" Hermione made a face.

Black smirked. "That's an easy one. You never hurt Harry because there was nothing in it for you. Voldemort's been hiding for fifteen years…considerably weakened by his encounter with Harry. No…I imagine you chose the Weasleys to hide among so that you could pick up information. Probably anxiously awaiting any news whether your protector had regained strength…hoping you could rejoin…"

Pettigrew stammered.

Hermione inhaled calmly. It was best if they understood every detail. "Er…Mister Black…Sirius, sir?"

Sirius flinched and stared at her, clearly unaccustomed to being addressed in that manner.

"How did you escape from Azkaban…if you didn't use Dark Magic?"

"Ha! Thank you! Exactly! How did you—?" Lupin shot Pettigrew a look that silenced him.

Sirius frowned at her thoughtfully. "I donno. I think the only thing that kept me sane in that nuthouse was that I knew I was innocent. That wasn't a happy thought, so the dementors couldn't suck it out of me. I guess that allowed me to keep my powers, because I began turning myself into the dog. A dog's emotions are less complicated than humans, so the dementors left me alone, thinking I was going insane like the rest. Then I got that newspaper. I was the only person that knew Peter was inside…with Harry. I didn't know what he'd do if he got word of a strengthening…he might have tried to deliver Harry to him. I had to do something! So, I reverted into the dog and slipped through the bars when my food was delivered. God knows, I was certainly thin enough.

"I followed Harry to Diagon Alley. I met Gohan at the Magical Menagerie. He didn't know who I was, of course. He left me some food…I ate like I hadn't in ages. I also met Crookshanks there. I then went to Hogwarts and hid in the forest, awaiting my opportunity to find t I found Gohan again in the outskirts of the forest…I tried to warn him about Pettigrew, knowing he was friends with Harry. I gave him the paper and showed him the rat. Gohan was remarkable…even in my dog form he seemed to understand what I was getting at.

"He frightened me when he offered to get Piccolo involved. I didn't want anyone to know the dog was Sirius Black. I went to the Quidditch game to see you fly, Harry. You're every bit the seeker your father was. I almost died when I saw you fall. I tried to get to you…I didn't know what I was going to do, but Piccolo stopped me. By that time Gohan already had you…I guess you aren't the only one in your group with talents. I was shocked to learn that Piccolo knew everything, even that I was innocent! I guess being Kami has its advantages."

Gohan pursed his lips. "I knew Piccolo knew more than he was sharing."

Sirius nodded. "I asked him not to betray my confidence. I was terrified that someone would get wind of my animagus form."

Harry frowned. "Gohan, I'm so sorry. I should have listened to you. You've been trying to tell me for ages—"

"So…you believe me? You believe that I never meant to hurt Lily and James?" Sirius looked at Harry hungrily, desperately.

Harry nodded.

"No!" Pettigrew bellowed. He sank to his knees and crawled toward them. "Sirius, it's me…your friend Peter, you wouldn't…"

Sirius jerked away. "I'm filthy enough without you touching me."

"Remus! You don't believe this…you don't think Sirius really changed the plan and not tell you—"

Lupin glared down at him. "Sirius wouldn't tell me if he thought I was the spy, would he? That is why you didn't tell me, Sirius?"

Sirius nodded. "I'm so sorry, Remus! Please forgive me."

"I shall, Padfoot, if you forgive me for suspecting you." He began rolling up his sleeves.

Sirius mirrored Lupin's actions. "Of course. Shall we kill him together?"

"I think so."

Gohan looked from one to the other. He didn't know how he felt about it. He wanted Peter to face justice, but he couldn't bring himself to want Pettigrew dead.

Pettigrew looked horrified. "You wouldn't…no…no!" He crawled toward Ron.

"Ron, I've been a good pet, haven't I? You won't let them kill me…please! You're on my side, aren't you?"

Ron stared at him, completely revolted. "I let you sleep in my bed!"

"Kind boy, good boy…you won't let them hurt me…I was your rat…a good pet—"

"If you make a better rat than human, it's not something I would boast about." Sirius spat. Ron yanked his injured leg away.

"Sweet girl, clever girl…you won't let them kill me? My Lady?" Pettigrew simpered. Hermione pulled her robes from his hands and stood behind Gohan with a look of horror on her face.

His beady eyes found Gohan. "Dear boy! I know you have a good heart. You have to save me!"

Gohan balled his fists and closed his eyes. Growling, he turned his head away, not wanting anyone to see the struggle he was going through. Hermione placed her hand on his shoulder.

"Please, Gohan! Help me!" Pettigrew looked desperately at the half Saiyan.

"I'm…sorry," Gohan managed between his teeth. "This…this isn't…my decision to make." He dropped his arms, turned to Hermione, and buried his face into her shoulder. He felt his wand lurch reproachfully beneath his robes. He tried to shut it out, everything he was hearing. It was true. If the decision belonged to anyone, it belonged to Remus, Sirius, and especially Harry. But that didn't keep Gohan from wanting to save Pettigrew. Maybe it was genetics...or maybe it was his father's influence, but Gohan also wanted to give Pettigrew a second chance…if only it were his decision to make—

"No!" Gohan looked up to see Harry between Pettigrew and the two would-be killers. "You can't kill him! You can't."

Gohan sighed in relief.

"Harry, this vermin is why you no longer have parents! He would have seen you die, too, without any remorse! His own life means more to him than your entire family."

"I know! We'll…take him to the castle. We'll hand him to the dementors. He can go to Azkaban…but don't kill him."

"Thank you, boy! Thank you! It's more than I deserve," he said, clinging to his knees.

Harry wrenched away. "Get off! I'm not doing this for you! I'm doing it because…I don't think my dad would want his two best friends to become killers."

Sirius and Lupin hesitated, then lowered their wands. "It's your decision, Harry. But are you sure? But think…what he did…"

"He can go to Azkaban. He deserves to go there, if anyone does. Besides, he's proof of your innocence."

Lupin nodded. "Very well. Stand aside, Harry. I'll tie him."

Black stepped forward, looking menacing. "If you transform, Peter, we will kill you! Harry agrees?"

Harry nodded.

After securing Ron's leg into a splint, Sirius shackled a bound and gagged Pettigrew between Lupin and Ron. Then they made their slow ascent through the tunnel.

Hermione smiled. "It's hard to believe it's almost over. In a few hours, Harry will know everything."

Gohan looked over at her. "Really? You're going to tell him?"

"I've learned a really valuable lesson today, Gohan. Trust. If you can't trust your friends, who can you trust? Besides, Harry deserves to know. I'd hate for anyone else to tell him, before I get the chance."

They broke the surface. "One wrong move, Peter," Lupin said warningly. Slowly the party made their way toward the castle.

A cloud shifted, suddenly bathing them in light. Harry collided with Lupin as the three stopped abruptly.

"Oh, no," Hermione said, gasping.

Gohan blinked. "Huh?" What's going on?"

"Run," Sirius said sharply. "Run! Quickly!" The group stared in horror as Lupin stared up into the sky, his eyes narrowing, drooling.

"Hey, what's Remus looking at?" Gohan said, turning his head upward.

"No, Gohan! Don't look!" Hermione shrieked.

"Oh, it's a full moon. I thought that—" Gohan cut off mid-sentence as his pupils narrowed and turned red. Harry and Hermione gasped in alarm as Gohan's ki shot up dramatically.

"Run, everyone!" Hermione screamed. "Gohan's becoming an oozaru!"

Sirius blinked. An oozaru?

"Damn it! I knew this was a bad idea!" Vegeta scowled angrily as he and Piccolo shot toward the growing form of Gohan.

Piccolo gasped, pointing at Lupin. "What's happening to him?"

"Never mind, Namek! We need to lead the ape away from the school!"

"Oh, what fun!" Piccolo said sarcastically as they shot in front of the enlarging beast.

Both Lupin and Gohan continued changing. Hermione blasted the shackle binding Pettigrew from Lupin and grabbed Ron and Pettigrew, sprinting back toward the forest. Harry grabbed Sirius and Snape and pulled them after.

Harry panted. "Well, I guess we guess we no longer have to wonder what Gohan 's ape transformation looks like," he said in an unconvincing light tone. Snape moaned feebly.

Sirius glared. "I'll kill Piccolo! Why didn't he tell me?"

Pettigrew whimpered.

"Black!" Snape rushed toward Sirius, but Hermione caught him.

"This isn't the time, Professor! We've got a huge problem!"

Snape glared. "Let me tell you something, little girl—w-what the hell is that?" He pointed, completely horrified.

"Vegeta and Piccolo are having a bad time of it," Harry said.

Hermione bit her lip. "I wish I could help, but I can't leave you alone to deal with Lupin and Pettigrew."

Sirius snorted. "Well, if the greasy big shot potions master gets his head out of his ass, maybe we can manage something! This goes way beyond our common quarrel, Snape."

"Maybe if Vegeta and Piccolo keep him distracted, I can sneak around Gohan and cut off his tail—"

Snape spluttered. "Gohan? That's Son?"

Black nodded. "Go on. Don't worry about us." Hermione nodded and placed to fingers to her forehead.

Snape pointed, completely shocked. "That's Pettigrew."

"I told you I was innocent!"

Hermione appeared right behind the ape. She took aim, firing a disk at its tail. But suddenly, the beast jumped away; the disk lodged into the ground, causing a sizable incision. Gohan swung his large hand and swatted Hermione. She fell away and struck the ground at an incredible speed. A crater formed where she hit. A few moments and she sat up, gasping and coughing, her eyes watering. She had never been hit that hard before. She winced as she moved her hands up her right side. She was certain she had cracked some ribs. She looked up dazedly to see him coming at here.

"Over here, Gohan!" Piccolo yelled, throwing ki blasts into his side. The ape opened his mouth and shot a ki blast at him, narrowly missing. Vegeta blasted him from the right, his wild blond hair blowing from the power of the blast. Gohan aimed a punch, which struck Vegeta, throwing him hundreds of yards.

"Vegeta!" Hermione cried.

Snape's lips curled. "Innocent?" But a snarling noise caught their attention. Snape shielded Harry and Ron as werewolf-Lupin bore down upon them. Suddenly, a dog struck Lupin's torso, latched onto his neck and forced him away. Lupin swiped him with a mighty paw. Sirius yelped and skid to Snape's feet, motionless. Harry ducked around Snape's arm.

"Potter! Get back here!"

But Harry dodged Lupin's lunge and sent him flying with a kick. Snape's eyes popped in surprise. Harry's eyes fell upon a piece of Gohan's tattered gi and a slightly green stick. He snatched it up and held it to his lips.

"Help us, please," he whispered. Gohan's wand glowed reassuringly. Taking out his own wand, Harry held one in each hand and chose a fighting stance.

Her cry had attracted the ape's attention. She threw caution to the wind. "GOHAN! STOP THIS! WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS!" The ape roared. "LISTEN, GOHAN! WE DON'T WANT TO HURT YOU! PLEASE!"

The ape swiped at her, which she managed to dodge. Then she felt a large fist close around her body. She squealed as he pulled her close to his face, examining her terrified features.

"Gohan?" she said softly, panting fearfully.

"Grrrrrrr!" he growled as he stared at her.

"It's me, Gohan. It's Hermione."

He grunted as he continued to stare.

Snape looked over at Pettigrew, who was shifting in his bonds anxiously. "So you're alive?"

He wheezed. "Severus! You've got to help me! It's Black! He's framing me! You've got to do something!"

"SHUT UP!" Ron bellowed. Looking at Ron, Snape pulled out his wand. "Professor, please, Sirius is innocent!"

Snape stared between the boy and the whimpering man. He pointed his wand.

"Gohan? Please-" The ape pulled her closer to his face to study her, looking as though he were trying to remember something.

Suddenly the ape roared as a light bathed him. He threw Hermione at whoever had blasted him. Hermione felt herself shooting out of control toward Vegeta—

Harry panted. As a werewolf, Lupin was surprisingly fast. He lunged at him, howling angrily. Harry dodged three times when the fourth paw swipe struck. Harry skidded ten meters. He sat up, his vision swimming, as the werewolf bounded swiftly on his position. Harry saw a black flash as something black jumped in front of him, snarling viciously at the werewolf.

"Sirius! Are you okay?"

"Legilimens!" Snape cried, pointing the wand into Pettigrew's face. Flash. He didn't have to dig far to see the information he wanted. He saw Pettigrew approach the Dark Lord fearfully.

"What is it now, Wormtail?" The Dark Lord said impatiently.

Pettigrew stammered. "M-m-m-my Lord, the Potters…they've made me secret keeper?"

The Dark Lord leaned forward. "Oh? Is that so? And why would they make you secret keeper? Surely it's isn't because they think you're brave…or clever." He laughed coldly.

"I d-donno," Pettigrew said fearfully.

He smirked. "I suppose they thought I'd continue to pursue Black, thinking he was the keeper. The fools. I won't need to chase Black now," he finished sardonically, rising quickly. "Tell me where they are, quickly!"

"I-i-in a cottage just past the graveyard in G-Godric's Hollow, my Lord."

Voldemort smiled his demented wild smile. "You have done well, Peter. I will see to it that you are well rewarded." With a swish of the cloak, he was gone.

Snape retreated from Pettigrew's mind. "S-S-Severus…" Pettigrew stuttered. "Please, you need to understand—"

"Silence!" Snape snarled. "I understand plenty, Wormtail. As much as I loathe Black…I…LILY…UNFORGIVABLE!"

Pettigrew whimpered.

Hermione opened her eyes. Someone had caught her before she struck. She looked up into a familiar boy's face with spiky blond hair.

"How?" She said, blinking stupidly.

"No time to explain, Hermione! We have to cut the tail off before—" He cut himself short, flying toward the giant ape.

His punch toppled the giant, just before it had almost crushed Piccolo. Vegeta started in shock. Piccolo stared, mesmerized.

"WHAT?" Vegeta shouted.

"Impossible," Piccolo murmured, staring from ape to boy.

Hermione stared as the boy fought the ape. This is getting just plain weird!

Harry shook the limp black dog, panting heavily. "Sirius!" The werewolf raced toward him, his paw extended.

"Stupify!" He heard from behind, causing the werewolf to yelp and skid backwards. Harry looked behind to see Snape pointing his wand.

"Thanks," he said, staring at the wand tip in a daze. It had been one odd night.

They both heard Ron cry out. Pettigrew had freed himself and took Ron's wand.

"Expelliarmus!" Snape shouted, causing the wand to fly away. But Peter had already transformed. He scuttled away. "Damn!" Snape cried, and the two gave pursuit.

"Ron, catch!" Harry shouted, tossing Gohan's wand at him as he and Snape chased the rat. He never would have guessed that he'd actually spend the night working with Snape trying to catch Ron's old rat. Harry snorted at the thought. Snape's eyes darted over momentarily, smirking about the ironic ludicrosity of it all.

Harry would have to thank Vegeta someday for teaching him how to sense ki. "You're going to have to pick it up, Professor. We're losing him."

Snape scowled at him. "I'm not as young as you anymore, Potter!"

Harry grimaced. "You mind if I carry you, then? I can run much faster."

"WHAT? You jest, Potter! You can't carry me and run faster!"

Harry snorted. "Or I can just leave you behind, old timer."

Snape spluttered, panting from the effort of speaking. "Old timer? Watch you cheek, Potter! Certainly not…I'm coming!"

Harry grabbed him by the collar, threw him on his back, and increased his tempo. Snape gasped at the speed.

"I never would have imagined Pettigrew could run this fast," Snape said, not admitting the obvious feat that Harry was accomplishing. "By the way, if you tell anyone about this piggyback, Potter, you will live to regret it!"

Harry smirked. "No offense, Professor, but the feeling's mutual."

Hermione sat in the grass, panting heavily as she sat next to a naked teen sleeping face down in the grass. She averted her eyes, blushing furiously as Piccolo conjured a Namekian gi for the tailless child.

The blond-headed teen sat down lightly, panting and brushing sweat from his face. "Man! I haven't had that much of a workout since fighting Frieza! Wow, Hermione, you've improved a lot!"

Piccolo frowned as he stared down at the sleeping youth and up at the smiling teen. Gesturing, he said, "Do you mind explaining how this is being accomplished?"

"I already have, but you just haven't heard it yet."

Piccolo blinked stupidly. Hermione gasped suddenly. Did we use the—

The boy powered down, smiling. "I have to go now. Don't worry. You'll understand pretty soon. See ya!" He shot into the sky and sped toward the castle.

Vegeta smirked sardonically as he watched the fleeing form. "I'm beginning to really like this place."

Piccolo and Hermione stared. Vegeta laughed at their faces.

Harry skidded to a halt, fearfully staring at something in the treetops.

"What, Potter? Why did you stop?" Snape asked as loud clicking sounds surrounded them.

"It's the giant spiders!"

"The what?" Snape cried sharply.

"Damn it! That's why Pettigrew went this way! He knew the spiders wouldn't be bothered by small fry like him!" Harry dropped Snape on the ground. "Stay close. I don't know how many I can hold off."

Harry drop-kicked the first, punched the second, and ki-blasted the third, but more kept coming. I wish I was only a tenth as strong as Vegeta, he thought desperately as he continued to beat the monsters away.

Speak of the devil, "Need a hand, boy?" Piccolo shielded the two and Vegeta leveled the entire area.

Harry sighed in relief. Piccolo scowled. "What were you two thinking? I would think that a Professor wouldn't encourage such irresponsible behavior!"

Snape flinched. He had been so obsessed with Wormtail that he had forgotten his duties as a Hogwarts teacher.

Harry gestured wildly. "Pettigrew! Peter Pettigrew! He escaped!"

"What?" Piccolo's eyes narrowed. Then, he sighed. "I guess I expected this. Come on."

Harry shook his head. "I'm looking for Pettigrew."

Snape stepped forward. "No, you're not! This is my fault for getting carried away. You're going to the castle with the rest of us!"

"No, I'm not!"

"Don't argue with me, Potter! I'm a teacher! Now move!"

"No!"

"Potter—"

"NO!"

Snape heard a thumping sound. Harry's eyes snapped in surprise before they closed. Vegeta tossed Harry's body over his shoulder with a smirk. "Well, are we going?"

Snape stared.

Vegeta rolled his eyes. "He's fine. I find this the easiest way to communicate with belligerent, bull-headed adolescents. Let's go." He flew into the sky with his cargo without another word.

Piccolo cleared his throat. "I guess that means you will be flying with me."

Snape smirked. "I don't think so." He shot up into the sky after Vegeta, leaving a stunned Piccolo behind.