Chapter 18

My heart began to race as I stared at the cold dark man that was Sirius Black. All the anger and resentment I had for him began to flare up. So maybe I did blame him for my parents' murder. Suddenly, Hermione and Amanda pushed themselves in front of us and Hermione stated, "If you're going to kill them, you're going to have to go through us."

"No, only one will die tonight," Black replied in a cold voice. I was confused. He was only going to kill one of us? He had to have known there were two remaining Potters. After all, he was my parents' friend. Maybe he had evil plans for the other…ok, never thinking that thought again. Apparently, Harry didn't care because he pushed Hermione out of the way and shouted, "And it's going to be you!"

Harry tackled Sirius and held his wand so it was pointing at his forehead. Black laughed and smiled, "You're not going to kill me, Harry."

Just when I thought he would, the door opened and Lupin came running in, his wand pointed at Harry and shouting, "Expelliarmus!"

Harry's wand jumped from his hand and Lupin motioned for Harry to get off. Harry did so as Lupin stared down at Black and said, "Looking a bit ragged, aren't we, Sirius? Finally the skin reflects the madness within."

"You would know everything about the madness within, wouldn't you, Remus?"

And then, something happened I did not expect. Lupin smiled and helped Black to his feet, giving him a brotherly hug. I couldn't believe my eyes, especially after Black said to him, "I've finally found him, Remus. Let's kill him!"

Hermione then cried, "No! I trusted you! And after all this time, you've been his friend."

Lupin and Black stared at us. Then, Hermione pointed her finger at Lupin and turned to us, saying, "He's a werewolf. That's why he's been missing classes!"

Now I was really confused. I thought it was some joke until Lupin asked, "How long have you known?"

"Since Professor Snape set the essay."

"Well, you certainly are the brightest witch of your age, Hermione."

"Wait, you're a werewolf?" I asked.

Lupin simply nodded. Then, Black shouted, "Yes, she glows like the sun and he howls at the moon. Enough talk! Let's just kill 'em."

At least, I think that's what he said. I couldn't tell if he said "him or them." Lupin turned to Sirius and said, "Now wait, Sirius…"

"I'VE DONE MY WAITING! TWELVE YEARS OF IT! IN AZKABAN! You wouldn't last a week, Remus."

We all stared at Black as Lupin nodded and handed Black his wand. "Now wait one moment, Harry and Elliot deserve to know why."

"We know why! YOU BETRAYED OUR PARENTS!" replied Harry.

"And my mother!" shouted Rachel. I completely forgot about her mother and the fact Lupin was her godfather. "I would've never betrayed James and Lily, or Andromeda!" shouted Sirius.

"Someone did betray your parents, but it wasn't him. It was someone, who until quite recently, I believed to be dead," replied Lupin.

"If it wasn't him, then who was it?" I asked.

"Peter Pettigrew! And he's in this room right now! Come out, Peter! Come out to play!" shouted Black like a raving mad man. Just then, the door opened again and Snape came running in, his wand pointed at Sirius and shouting, "Expelliarmus!"

Black and Lupin turned and stared at Snape, who had his wand held threatenly at Black. "Ah, vengeance is sweet. How I had hoped I'd be the one to catch you," Snape sneered at Black.

"Severus," stated Lupin, causing Snape to now point his wand at Lupin. "I told Dumbledore you were helping an old friend into the castle, and here's the proof."

"Brilliant! And, as usual, dead wrong. Now give us our wands back. Remus and I have unfinished business to tend to," replied Sirius, causing Snape to return his wand pointing to Sirius.

We all just stared in wonder at the events in front of us. Sirius took a step towards Snape as Snape thrust his wand closer to Black's throat. "Give me a reason, I beg you."

"Don't be a fool, Severus!" stated Lupin.

"He can't help it. It's habit by now." I stifled at laugh at this. I should have been terrified, but Sirius was right in that aspect. Apparently Lupin didn't find it as amusing because he ordered, "Quiet, Sirius!"

"Stay out of this, Remus."

Lupin turned frustrated and rubbed his forehead with his hand as Snape chided, "Listen to you two, quarrelling like an old married couple. The creature and the criminal."

"Why don't you go play with your chemistry set!"

Apparently Snape took that as an insult as he thrust his wand closer to Black's throat. "Witty as ever, I see. Tell me, will you be so irreverent when I turn you over to the Dementors?"

It was hard to see Sirius' face as Snape said this, but I could tell he became fearful, especially as Snape went on to say, "Do I detect a flicker of fear? One can only imagine what it must be like to endure the Dementor's Kiss. It's said to be unbearable to witness, but I'll do my best."

Something told me I couldn't let Snape do this, so slowly, I slipped my wand out of my pocket and pointed it at Sirius. Sirius, Snape and Lupin stared at me as I quickly turned it on Snape and shouted, "Expelliarmus!"

The spell sent Snape flying back into the four post bed that lay on the other side of the room. It did feel good to hit Snape with a spell, I might add. However, the others were horrified as Amanda stated, "Elliot, you attacked a teacher!"

But I paid them no heed as I pointed my wand back at Sirius and said, "Tell us more about Peter Pettigrew."

"He was our friend. He went to school with us. We thought he was our friend, but he betrayed your parents to Voldemort and is in this room. You can ask him yourself," replied Lupin.

"No, Pettigrew's dead. He killed them!" replied Harry, pointing at Sirius.

"I thought so too, until you mentioned seeing Pettigrew on the map," stated Lupin.

"The map was lying then," stated Rachel.

"THE MAP NEVER LIES!" shouted Sirius.

"How would you know?" I asked.

"Because we created it! Me, Remus, Pettigrew and your father," Sirius replied.

Now I was confused. "Then...then that means you're the Marauders!" I sighed with awe.

Lupin nodded. "When they found out about my…condition, they wanted to help. They learned to become Animagi and went with me through the passage in the Whomping Willow to here where they kept me from hurting anybody. We created the map so that way, we would know if anyone was following us and the coast was clear. Your father and Sirius became a stag and a dog to keep me off and Pettigrew a rat to hit a not on the tree to keep it from killing us," explained Lupin.

I couldn't believe it. My father was one of the Marauders! "But that still doesn't explain how Peter is alive," stated Amanda.

"After he told Voldemort where your parents were, he faked his own death and turned into a rat. Pettigrew's alive, and he's right there!" replied Sirius, pointing to Ron.

I was confused, as was Ron. "M…me? You're mental!" replied Ron.

"Not you…you're rat!" said Sirius.

"Scabbers? Scabbers has been in my family for…" began Ron.

"Twelve years! A curiously long life for a common garden rat. He's missing a toe, isn't he?"

"So?" asked Ron.

"All they could find of Pettigrew was his…" began Harry.

"His finger! Dirty coward cut if off so everyone would think he was dead. Then, he transformed into a rat!"

So I was right! He was an Animagus! "That can't be possible! If you are Animagi, you had to have registered and your names weren't in the registry!" stated Hermione.

"Again, clever, but you also had to have been of age to become an Animagus. We never registered because we were well under seventeen."

"If you're telling the truth, then prove it," I said.

Sirius turned to Ron and grabbed Scabbers from Ron's hand. "What are you going to do with him?" asked Ron, instinctively keeping Black from taking him.

"Give it to him, Ron," ordered Harry.

Ron let go as Lupin picked up his and Snape's wand, handing one over to Sirius. After Sirius set Scabbers on the piano without letting go, he turned to Lupin and said, "Together."

Lupin nodded and, quickly, Sirius let go. Scabbers tried to run as Sirius and Lupin sent spells at the rat. Before the rat could get away, Sirius pointed his wand and suddenly, Scabbers turned into a fat man with very little hair and a disgusting face that no mother could ever love. So they were telling the truth. I glanced at Ron, who looked terrified at the man. Sirius and Lupin grabbed the man and forced him to face them. The moment he saw them, he smiled, "Sirius? Remus! My old friends!"

But just then, he tried to run for it. We stood rooted as Lupin and Sirius held him off. Then his eyes fell on us. He twitched ad said, "Harry! Elliot! Look at the two of you! You look just like your parents. We were the best f friends!"

Then he saw Rachel and something else twitched. "Rachel…my, you look so much like your mother…"

Before he could go on, Sirius ordered, "Shut up! How dare you speak of Lily and James in front of them!"

"How dare you bring up Andromeda in front of Rachel!" continued Lupin.

Sirius and Lupin went to grab Pettigrew, but he ducked and stood behind the piano. Lupin and Sirius kept their wands trained on him as Lupin said, "You betrayed Lily, James and Andromeda to Voldemort, didn't you!"

"I didn't mean to! The Dark Lord, you have no idea the weapons he possesses! Ask yourself what you would have done, Sirius. What would you have done?"

"I would have died! I would have died rather than betray my friends!" shouted Sirius as Peter scrambled under the piano and darted for the door.

Before he could go anywhere, Harry stood in front of the door. Peter ran up to him and said, "Your father wouldn't have wanted me dead. Have mercy!"

But Sirius and Lupin dragged him off Harry and all I could do was watch as Sirius said, "You should have realized, Peter, if Voldemort didn't kill you…"

"We would. Together!" finished Lupin.

I stood, waiting for them to do it, but Harry then shouted, "NO!"

We all turned and stared at Harry. I was shocked. "Harry, this man…" began Lupin.

"I know what he is, but we'll take him to the castle," said Harry matter of factly.

Peter smiled and sighed, "Bless you, boy! Bless you…"

Before Peter could touch his feet, Harry said, "Get off! I said we'd take you to the castle. After that, the Dementors can have you."

I then realized what Harry was doing and as he looked at me, I smiled and nodded at him back. Peter whimpered as Lupin grabbed Peter by the collar and hoisted him to his feet, pointing his wand directly at him. Harry and Sirius went to help Ron as Amanda and Hermione went to help Rachel. I was left to lead the way. As we walked through the tunnel, me in the lead followed by Harry, Sirius and Ron, then Amanda, Rachel and Hermione and finally, Lupin and Peter, I heard Sirius say to Ron, "Sorry about the bite. I reckon it twinges a bit."

"A bit? A bit! You nearly tore my leg off!"

I smiled as Sirius replied, "I normally have a sweeter demeanor as a dog. On more occasions than one, James suggested I make the change more permanent. The tail I could live with, but the fleas…they're murder."

I laughed as we emerged and Harry and Sirius set Ron down by the tree. As Hermione and Amanda set Rachel down, Lupin emerged with Peter and quickly, Peter ran towards Ron and said, "Ron! Haven't I been a good friend? A good pet? You won't let them kill me, will you? I was your rat!"

That wasn't going to be a very good argument as Lupin pushed him away. I then noticed Sirius walking away, staring at the castle. Hermione motioned for us to go talk to him, and we did. As we approached, Sirius sighed, "Beautiful, isn't it? I'll never forget the first time I walked through those doors. Now, I'll be able to do it again as a free man."

He then turned to Harry and smiled, "That was a noble thing you did back there. He doesn't deserve it."

"I don't reckon our father would want his two best mates to become killers for a worthless piece of vermin like Pettigrew. Besides, dead, the truth dies with him. Alive, you're free."

"And Rachel won't have to visit her godfather in Azkaban," I replied.

Sirius smiled and said, "I don't know if you both know, Harry and Elliot, but when you were both born, James and Lily made me your godfather."

"Oh trust me, we know," I smiled.

"And, well, I'll understand if you choose to stay with your aunt and uncle, Harry, and you with the Weasleys, Elliot, but, so you know, you could…"

"Come live with you? When?!" asked Harry enthusiastically.

I didn't blame him. The Dursleys were horrible. Sirius simply replied, "Soon as my name is cleared."

Just then, Hermione shouted, "HARRY!"

All three of us turned as Hermione pointed to the sky where the full moon came out from behind the clouds. That wasn't good. Lupin stared at the moon and suddenly began to tremble. Sirius ran to him and asked, "Remus, old friend, did you take your potion tonight?"

Lupin continued to twitch as Harry and I ran to Rachel and Ron, getting ready to hoist them up and take them to safety. Sirius turned to us and shouted, "Run, all of you! NOW!"

But we didn't. Sirius held his hand over Lupin's heart and said, "You know the man you truly are, Remus. Flesh is only flesh! This heart is where you truly live. This heart, here!"

Remus dropped his wand and Pettigrew retrieved it, pointing to his head. I pointed my wand and shouted, "Expelliarmus!"

The wand flew from his hand, but it was too late. Pettigrew transformed into a rat and ran away. However, Lupin slowly began to transform into a werewolf, and, in the final bit, he threw Sirius down the hill and all that was left was a tall, lanky werewolf whimpering. I went to help Rachel to run, but Hermione said, "Wait!"

"Hermione, we have no time!" I shouted, but Hermione approached the werewolf and asked, "Professor?"

The werewolf looked at us and then let out a howl before advancing. We slowly backed away as Snape came from the tunnel and glared at me, grabbing my arm and sneering, "There you are, Potter!"

The werewolf growled and Snape turned around, quickly making him forget his anger at me and shielding us from him. Before the werewolf could do anything, the black dog ran and jumped at the wolf, biting his back. The werewolf turned and attacked Sirius, fighting him until they chased each other. Snape went to guide us away, but Harry and I broke through and chased after them. When we reached the top of the hill, we saw Sirius thrown against a tree. Harry picked up a rock and threw it at Lupin, hitting him on the head and causing him to run towards us. Before we could run, another werewolf howl echoed and Lupin chased after it. We were saved. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the dog limp and tumble, then stand up as Sirius. Quickly, we raced after him and found him lying unconscious at the lake. We skidded and kneeled next to him, me whispering, "Sirius!"

Sirius slowly opened his eyes, but when he opened them, he yelled. Harry and I looked up and fear overwhelmed us. Hundreds of Dementors hovered above us, coming down hard. Harry and I drew out our wands and shouted, "Expecto Patronum!"

Our shield did very little against them and before we could do anything, a Dementor approached us and began to suck out our happiness. We collapse as Dementor after Dementor approached Harry, Sirius and me, taking a little bit each time. Just then, after a Dementor attacked Sirius, a glowing orb escaped from Sirius' lips. It was his soul. My sight was hazing, but before another Dementor approached, two glowing lights caught my eye. Harry and I turned and saw a stag and wolf run across the pond and swept the Dementors away in waves of light. Behind the light, I could see a man with jet black hair and a woman with red hair. It couldn't have been…could it? As soon as the two animals disappeared, I tried to see who they were, but I became too weak and slowly drifted off into darkness.

TBC…

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