Chapter 8

Two weeks later George was out of the infirmary and every Gryffindor officially hated the Ravenclaw beater, Robert. Even though most didn't know his name, while kids like Draco Malfoy were trying to get his autograph. Serena and Hermione were sitting in the Gryffindor common room when Harry and Ron burst in.

"Guys, we have to go down to see Hagrid," said Harry.

Hermione and Serena both looked up. Hermione said, "What's wrong?"

"Hagrid lost. They're going to-" Harry took a big breath; he and Ron were both breathing heavily from running.

"-kill Buckbeak," Ron finished for him.

"Kill him? When?" Serena asked.

"Today!" Ron and Harry said together.

Serena stood up, "Let's go!" Hermione followed suit and they walked hurriedly out of the common room down to Hagrid's hut. They followed the path and saw Buckbeak tied to a stake in the pumpkin patch. Harry when up to the cottage door and knocked heavily.

Hagrid opened the door, his eyes red and puffy and clutching a spotted handkerchief. "Ho. What are you four doin' here? I figured you was Professor Dumbledore with-" Hagrid sobbed loudly and pushed the handkerchief to his face. He left the doorway and they walked in, while Ron shut the door behind them.

Hagrid sat down heavily in a large chair and continued to sob into his handkerchief; Hermione walked over and patted his shoulder. Harry leaned against the table. "Isn't there something you can do? I mean-" Just then Harry cried out in pain and clutched at the back of his head. He stared out the window and another pebble came through the window and broke a pot on the table. "What is that?"

"Oh no." Hagrid mumbled, "You have to go, Professor Dumbledore is coming. Quick, out the back." Hagrid opened the door for them and they slipped out behind a pile of pumpkins. Professor Dumbledore arrived with the executioner and Cornelius Fudge in tow, they walked into Hagrid's hut and the four of them quickly ran up the path and up the hill.

They turned at the top and watched the executioner go out into the pumpkin patch; he raised his axe and swung down. There was a metallic swish as the axe went threw the air and hit the ground. Hermione sobbed, "That's terrible." Ron put an arm on her shoulder to comfort her.

Suddenly, Ron said, "Scabbers?" Ron pulled away and watched as his pet rat scampered across the grass. "Scabbers!" Ron took off running as the rat darted away.

"Ron! Come back!" Harry yelled. The three followed Ron and caught up to see him sitting in the grass, clutching Scabber's by his tail. "Oh crap, the Whomping Willow." Harry said.

"Ron!" Hermione yelled. "Get out of there!"

Ron looked up and a look of horror came across his face, "Harry, behind you!" Ron held up a shaking finger, "It's the Grimm!" The three turned around and a black dog stood behind growling and pawing at the ground. It lunged past them and went straight towards Ron.

Ron started screaming as the Grimm took him by his leg and started dragging him towards the Whomping Willow. The Whomping Willow started to stir above them and Serena took of running after Ron and the Grimm. She dived forward with her arms outstretched and grabbed Ron's arms. The Grimm snarled and dragged them both to the tree until they dropped through between the roots into a passage beneath the tree.

Serena lost Ron's arm and watched as they sped away, Ron still screaming. She tilted her head out through the roots to see Harry and Hermione trying to dodge the tree as it thrashed around. She ducked just as the tree swung a limb at the opening where her head was sticking out. I'd better go after Ron, I hope he isn't too hurt, she thought as she took off down the tunnel.

It wasn't long before the tunnel ended and there was a trap door above her head. She pushed open the trap door and pulled herself up onto a very dusty floor. All around her walls were shaking and making eerie groaning sounds. She was in the Shrieking Shack. On the floor were dragging marks through the dust and dirt, she followed them and soon heard yelling from up a set of stairs. She ran forward and found a door slightly ajar on the top floor.

Serena quietly stepped forward and pushed the door open. Ron was sitting on an old mattress, leg bleeding and hands still holding Scabbers. She walked in and Ron yelled, "Stay back! It's-" But before Ron could finish the door swung open the rest of the way and he was standing in the corner.

"Sirius Black," Serena whispered. She stepped in and stood over by Ron, speechless. "I can't believe you're actually here." Sirius Black leaned awkwardly against the wall and opened his mouth to speak just as Harry and Hermione burst into the room. Sirius moved quickly and shut the door to the room, while shouting, "Expelliarmus!" at Hermione and Harry.

Their wands flew from their hands. Serena still had hers and Harry stared at her, "What are you waiting for?" He shouted, "Do something!"

"No." Serena said, still looking at Sirius. An expression of shock and confusion came over Harry's face. His mouth opened, but before he could say anything the door flew open again and Lupin entered to room.

"Wait just a minute!" He shouted. He was breathing heavily, "No body move-"

"No body move!" Sirius shouted. "You think that little rat won't move! We have to kill him now before he gets away!"

"Sirius, he won't escape. We just have to explain it all to them first-"

Harry screamed at them, "EXPLAIN! EXPLAIN WHAT? THAT YOU WANT TO KILL ME?" Harry's fists were clenched tightly and he was gritting his teeth.

Hermione was next, "Professor Lupin? I can't believe you! I trusted you; I kept your secret and everything! And this whole time you've been helping him!" Hermione turned angrily to the three of them, "He's a-"

"Werewolf," Serena finished for her. Hermione looked at her in surprise. "Harry," Serena turned to him, "they aren't going to kill you. If we just listen then-"

"Oh my god," Hermione said. "He's your father, isn't he?" Serena nodded her head and looked at Sirius. His angered expression seemed to soften a bit. Harry and Ron's mouths dropped open and Lupin had to step forward.

"Harry, she's right. We aren't going to kill you."

"But he," Harry stumbled for the right words, "He betrayed my parents! He's the reason they're dead! He-"

"Sirius didn't betray your parents."

"Of course I didn't!" Sirius shouted. "But the real traitor is here, isn't he? Come out, come out!" Sirius pointed Ron's wand at Ron. Ron opened his mouth and shook his head bewilderedly. "Peter Pettigrew." A spell flew from the wand and Scabbers was blasted out of Ron's hand and onto the floor. Before their eyes Scabbers turned into a very dirty man.

Peter Pettigrew screamed and backed up against the wall. "Sirius!" He looked around the room, "Remus!" An expression of pure horror came across his face, "Wha-what are you going to do to me?"

"Exactly what you deserve!" Sirius yelled and pressed the wand to his throat.

Lupin walked over and pointed his wand at Peter, before turning to the four of them, "He was the one that betrayed your parents, Harry, not Sirius." A number of different expressions were on their faces. Harry's was shock, Hermione's was confusion, Serena's was blank, and Ron's was disgust.