Hogwarts Forrest, a few hours earlier

"So, the target has taken to evasive tactics. He prefers running.."

"The man always was a complete coward."

Kiritsugu noted then ignored the snide remark.

"So based on his preferred method of operation, he's likely to try and put something between us and him. A safety assurance of sorts."

They were in the basement of the mercenaries' temporary base of operations. Currently, the trio were trying to discern what their target (Pettigrew) might do next and develop a plan of attack. The man seemed to be an evasion expert, having avoided all attempts at a live capture thus far. Sirius was starting to get frustrated but maintained a level enough head to see the reasoning. Merely killing Peter would only serve to make him look even more guilty. If the man was alive then he could admit to what he did and clear Sirius's name. Maiya chimed in next, bringing him out of his thoughts.

"He's most probable course of action is likely to be returning to the children. Using them as a sort of human shield."

"He knows that Harry is a safe bet seeing as I'm his teacher and therefore cannot harm him. Not to mention Black cares for the boy."

Sirius noted something as well.

"He's probably also wagering on the fact that Harry hates me at this point."

"Why would Harry have a reason to hate you?"

Sirius was actually surprised at the question. Though, we looked at the other two all that met his gazed was two stonefaced expressions. Damn these people were hard to read (probably by design). All he could do was sigh and explain himself.

"The crime I was framed for was the betrayal of his parents. Someone is bound to have told him by now."

"While I can see how that'd be troubling, you should also note Harry has no knowledge of this..."

Again shock took over Black.

"...The only person he knows to be involved is Voldemort himself. It seems that any other information about the death of his parents is a closely guarded secret."

"Oh, well that changes things."

Present time

Harry and Hermione were running after Ron, Harry lagging a bit due to his unease about the situation. He had no idea why he was so paranoid at the moment but knew better than to just let it go. When they finally caught up to the redhead Hermione was the first to notice where he was sitting.

"Ron!"

Apparently the sentient tree wasn't the only danger present because Ron looked up at them and immediately gained a look of fear. Harry felt it before Ron said anything, turning around to see a black dog...the same one he saw that night he ran from home (well, "home" might be a bit of a stretch but...whatever). It was just standing there, growling at them...but, not, at the same time. The creature's attention seemed to be on something else and they were just in the way.

By now all three had their attention on it, forming a kind of stand off. For every slow cautious step the duo took backwards, it took a measured menacing step forward. It was like the creature was playing with them (at least to Ron and Hermione). Harry couldn't help the itching feeling that it was waiting for something, something specific (like it had a carefully laid plan). Whatever it was seemed to have came and went as the black hound (that just sounded right for some reason) pounced and went straight for Ron.

Or rather, after the rat that had just, once again, escaped the redhead's grasp. As the two animals ran something none of the students expected happened. A burst of automatic gunfire soared past the trio and in the direction of the creatures. Professor Emiya ran past without even acknowledging the students.

Nothing about this situation sat right with Harry, not one bit. His friends may have been saying something, he didn't know, too wrapped up in his head trying to make sense of things.

'Now why would Professor Emiya be perusing the hound?'

'Hmm... Not to mention it seemed like the thing waited until Ron's pet tried to flee.'

'And the professor's arrival seemed a little too timely'

'It's almost as if th-'

His trains of thought were cut off by another burst of gunfire coming from the direction for the chase.

Instinct hit him before common sense and he took off running in the direction of the conflict. This was of particular annoyance to his friends who were about ready to bolt in the opposite direction. When they made to run after him (or hobble in Ron's case) he surprised them even further.

"You guys should wait here... Better yet, go and see if you cam get another professor here."

He totally brushed them off!

Okay, so he was definitely changing just like they both feared. They decided it was in Harry's best interest they follow after him, if for no other reason than to be sure sure he didn't do something incredibly stupid.

As the canine pursued the rodent with the Mage-Killer on both their tails, Harry trailed behind. He deliberately kept his distance from the action, trying figure out what was really happening. Once he had a good vantage point Harry stopped his own pursuit entirely.

Immediately something looked off. None of the bullets were hitting either animal (not even close). Professor Emiya never missed that wide...unless...

Then it clicked for the boy.

He was missing on purpose. Most likely he had a trap set up and simply was using the bullets to steer the target on course. But... Who was it? And what was the trap exactly?

As he was wondering that, Kiritsugu stopped chasing and gave the signal. Reaching into his trench coat, the man pulled out his trusted Thompson Contender.

'Round is already in the chamber. Line up the sights. Adjust for moving targets. Aim off center... Pull'

A loud bang was heard for quite a distance, then silence followed. A few tense seconds that felt like hours gave way to something none of the students had anticipated. The hound turned into a person and flicked his wand in the direction of the rat (who consequently did the same thing).

It was Emiya and Black's turn to be surprised as Pettigrew pulled a wand both were absolutely sure he didn't have and blast them back with a simple repulsion spell...

He started to run, unaware he'd seal'd his own fate.

Emiya reached a hand to his ear.

"Maiya, are you in position?"

"Roger"

""Take the shot"..