Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. All characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

At breakfast the next morning, Harry noticed that Hermione and Ron were not sitting together at the Gryffindor table. He slid into the seat next to Hermione. "Is Ron mad at me?" He asked quietly.

"No, he is mad at me." Hermione said in an angry voice. "Scabbers is missing. Ron thinks Crookshanks ate him because there were a couple of drops of blood in the broken cage."

"Oh no." Harry murmured. He saw Ron shooting dark looks at Hermione. "He must be really upset. He pretends otherwise but he really cares about Scabbers."

"I know he does." Hermione sighed. "And I feel awful for him but we have no proof that Crookshanks hurt him. Scabbers could have escaped and is hiding somewhere."

"That's true." Harry said as he took a bite of toast though he thought it likely that Crookshanks was the culprit. He had seen the way the orange cat had stared at Scabbers with a gleam in his eyes. "Maybe we could offer to look for Scabbers after breakfast." He suggested.

Hermione nodded and glanced over at Ron. "Okay."

"I'll be right back." Harry said and got up to go sit next to Ron. "Hey mate, I heard about what happened."

"Crookshanks murdered poor Scabbers." Ron said loudly, glaring down at Hermione.

Harry took a deep breath. "Ron, we don't know that for sure." He held up his hand when Ron opened his mouth. "I'm not saying that it isn't true but in case it isn't, we are going to look for Scabbers after we eat. Okay? All three of us."

Ron sighed but grudgingly nodded. "So I confronted the twins about the map." He confided. "They said they felt bad for you not getting to go to Hogsmeade and that's why they thought you should have it. They also said that after the escapades of our first and second year, you could use a map like that." He grinned slightly.

"It would have come in handy." Harry laughed.

Ron nodded in agreement. "Listen, I'm sorry about how I acted last night." He said uncomfortably. "I was a little…jealous, I guess."

Harry shrugged. "I get jealous of you too." He admitted.

Ron's blue eyes widened. "You do? Why?"

"You are part of a big family that loves you; you have both your parents." Harry said quietly.

Ron felt a surge of guilt flow through him. He sighed. "Your jealousy makes more sense than mine." He smiled ruefully. "Forgive me?"

"Of course. What are best friends for?" Harry grinned.

HPHPHPHP

After breakfast the trio went through the boy's dorm and looked through the comforters, the trunks, and under the beds. Hermione examined the cage Scabbers had been in. "It really looks like he broke out rather than the cage being broken into." She said thoughtfully.

"Come on Hermione, why would he break out?" Ron rolled his eyes. He paused. "Unless he saw Crookshanks coming after him and he broke out to get away? Except he didn't and instead ended up in your blasted cat's stomach!"

Hermione dropped the cage. "Stop being a prat Ron. You were acting like a git last night to Harry and now again today towards me." She huffed.

Ron's mouth dropped open and Harry struggled to keep from laughing. "Let's check the common room." He suggested.

Before they knew it, it was time for lunch so as soon as they ate; the three friends started walking the hallways, looking for any sign of Scabbers. Ron was even asking people as they walked. "Have you seen a rat? Or fragments of one?"

"Ron!" Hermione scolded in disgust.

"You better be careful Weasley, Granger has a mean right hook."

"Sod off Malfoy." Ron snapped as the blonde sauntered up to them.

Draco widened his eyes innocently. "That's not very polite. No wonder your rat ran off."

"I still say Crookshanks ate him." Ron kicked the wall in frustration.

Draco shrugged. "So get another rat." He made a face. "Or something better, like an owl. A rat as a familiar is almost as bad as having a toad."

"Your compassion is astounding Draco." Harry said dryly.

"Harry."

Harry turned to see Professor Lupin looking at him in concern. "May I talk to you for a moment? It won't take long." Remus assured him.

Harry bit his lip and nodded slowly. He turned to his friends. "I'll catch up with you."

"We'll make our way to the Grand Staircase as we look for Scabbers and meet you there." Hermione said. "Come on you two."

Draco looked surprised. "What makes you think I-"

"Oh, come on!" Hermione pulled Ron and Draco with her.

Harry would have laughed if he wasn't apprehensive about talking with Professor Lupin. "Yes Professor?" He asked quietly.

Remus felt his heart constrict at the nervous look on Harry's face. The last thing he had ever meant to do was upset his childhood friend's son. Lily would have his head if she was here. "Harry, I am deeply sorry for how I reacted yesterday." He began. "I was only thinking about your safety with Black being on the loose but I should have listened to you and believed you."

Harry relaxed a bit. "It's okay." He said softly.

Remus sighed. "No it's not. And what I said about Lily and James, I never meant to make you feel guilty or anything. Again, I panicked about your safety and didn't even realize what I was saying. I do hope you can someday forgive me."

Harry saw the sorrow on the Professor's face and knew he meant every word. "I forgive you." He said simply.

Remus gave a rueful laugh. "You truly are Lily's son." He said fondly with a shake of his head. "Thank you Harry." He hesitated. "Also what I told you during our Patronus lesson, I just want you to know that I am not at all proud of how we treated your father in school. I regret not standing up to James and Sirius during their pranks on him."

"I don't like that he was bullied. I know what it feels like to be ganged up on." Harry said. "But I know James tried to save me as a baby. So I guess he changed."

"He matured a lot." Remus agreed. He smiled at Harry. "Thank you for hearing me out." He checked his watch. "I need to go to your father's office; he has a potion for me."

"Are you sick?" Harry asked in concern.

Remus paused. "Sort of." He quickly changed the subject. "So you are looking for something named Scabbers?"

"Ron's familiar is missing so we're trying to find him." Harry explained.

"I see. Good luck, I hope you are successful." Remus said. "I will see you tomorrow."

"Bye." Harry watched the Professor walk away and then went to turn the corner when he almost ran into Professor Trelawney. "Sorry Professor." He said, eager to get away from her. From what Ron had told him, she still would predict his death in her classes even though he himself wasn't in them.

"Don't worry about it dear." Professor Trelawney said airily. She stopped right in front of Harry and when he looked up at her, her eyes had glazed over. "It will begin tonight…The Dark Lord lies alone and friendless, angry that he has been abandoned. Two servants will set out to rejoin their master. Moments will twist and turn, and darkness and light will fight once again…if the Dark Lord rises he will become more terrible that ever he was…It will begin tonight…" She shook her head and then walked away as if nothing unusual had happened.

Harry just stared after her in shock. What was that? It couldn't be a real prophecy could it? Everyone knew she only made false ones…Harry suppressed a shudder at the thought of Voldemort coming back and being even more terrible than before. She's probably just trying to get attention like she does with the predictions about me, Harry assured himself. He made a mental note to tell his Dad about it just in case and then continued walking to join his friends.

"No luck?" Harry asked when he found them.

"No. This is pointless, Scabbers is gone forever." Ron glared at Hermione. "Thanks to your bloody cat!"

Draco rubbed his hand over his face wearily. "Weasley, I will personally buy you the best rat in the world if you will just shut up about it!"

Before Ron could respond, Hagrid walked by them. "What are yeh four doin' inside on such a beautiful day?" He asked jovially.

Harry looked out the window. It was a nice day out. "Do you guys want to go outside for bit?"

"Are you allowed to go?" Hermione asked him quietly.

"As long as I am with an adult." Harry shrugged. "Do you mind keeping an eye on us Hagrid?"

"Course not!" Hagrid grinned. "Snuffles will want to see yer."

"Who is Snuffles?" Draco asked as they followed Hagrid down to his hut.

"My new dog." Harry said proudly. "I found him and Hagrid tried to locate his owners but no one responded so my Dad said I could keep him." He laughed as Snuffles ran up to them and circled around Harry. Hagrid had continued on to his hut where Buckbeak was wandering in the garden.

"Next time we go to Hogsmeade we should get him some dog toys." Hermione said as she patted Snuffles on the head.

Draco looked at the dog a little distastefully. "He's kind of scruffy looking."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Don't mind him, Malfoy's are just snobs." He said jokingly to his dog. He laughed at Draco's expression. "Just kidding Draco." Sort of, he thought.

Snuffles eyed Draco suspiciously and gave a slight snarl in his direction.

"Doesn't look like he likes you." Ron said cheerfully. "Good dog." He told Snuffles.

"The feeling is mutual." Draco muttered.

Harry noticed Hermione staring up the hill towards the Whomping Willow. "Hermione?"

"Crookshanks is out here." Hermione frowned and began heading towards her cat. "Why is he- Crookshanks no!" She suddenly yelled.

The four students looked on as Crookshanks crouched down ready to pounce on a familiar looking rat.

"Scabbers!" Ron shouted and then began running. He quickly scooped up Scabbers and held him protectively. "Back off you-hey!" He gave a yelp as Snuffles knocked into him, growling. Ron held tighter to Scabbers as Snuffles suddenly bit Ron's leg and began dragging him to the Whomping Willow with Ron crying out in pain.

For a moment, Harry, Hermione and Draco stared in shock and then began running after them. "Snuffles stop!" Harry shouted as he watched his dog and best friend disappear into the Whomping Willow. He came to a stop as the branches, which had frozen momentarily, began waving around again.

"Why would Snuffles do that?" Hermione asked worriedly. "How are we going to get to Ron?"

"I don't know." Harry said in frustration.

"We need to get a Professor." Draco said seriously.

"You guys go ahead. I'm going to find a way in there." Harry said in determination. He didn't know how though as every time he took a step forward; a branch would come swinging his way. "How did they get in?" He wondered.

Draco cleared his throat. "Um, guys?" He pointed to where Crookshanks had maneuvered his way to the base of the tree. The three teenagers watched as Crookshanks pressed the bottom of the tree with his paw and suddenly the branches stilled. They could clearly see a tunnel.

"How in the world did he know to do that?" Hermione asked, perplexed.

"I don't know but I'm going in." Harry said.

"Harry," Hermione started, her eyes filled with worry.

"We need an adult." Draco spoke up.

"It's just Snuffles acting out for some reason, I can deal with it." Harry began walking down the tunnel. He stopped, knowing his Dad wouldn't want him walking into an unknown situation. But it's just Snuffles, he reasoned with himself. "Get my Dad though. Ron's leg is probably hurt." He called over his shoulder. A second later he heard footsteps and Hermione was walking with him.

"Draco is going to get your Dad." Hermione said as they traveled down the dark passageway. "Do you think Ron is alright?"

"He better be." Harry said. "Snuffles has never acted out like that before, I don't get why he would now."

Hermione looked out a window as they came to a small room. "Harry, I think we are in the Shrieking Shack." She whispered.

They heard a cry from upstairs and Harry bolted up the stairs with Hermione right on his heels. They entered a very dusty room that held a four-poster bed, a broken chair and boarded up windows. Sitting on the bed was Ron, his blue eyes wide with fear and his hand grasping his leg where Snuffles had grabbed him.

"Ron you're bleeding!" Hermione said as she ran over to him to examine his leg. "Harry, we need to get him to the infirmary."

"Harry." Ron whimpered as he pointed across the room.

Harry followed his gaze, noting the dusty paw prints on the floor that led to…Sirius Black! "No, it can't be." Harry whispered. Black was wearing torn up dirty clothes and was shockingly thin with lines on his face making him look older than he actually was.

"He's an Animagus!" Ron yelled as he struggled to get up but he winced and fell back down. "Ow!"

"Harry Potter." Sirius Black said quietly. "I'm glad you're here."

Harry glared hatefully at Sirius. "My last name is Snape!" He said as he held Black at wand point.

"You are not a Snape!" Sirius snapped. "You have been lied to Harry! There is no way you are Snape's son!" He stared at Harry. "But none of that matters anymore." He began laughing. "Finally this will be over and what I tried to do twelve years ago will be finished!"

"Leave Harry alone!" Hermione stood up and also had her wand out. "Ron, where is your wand?" She hissed.

"He took it." Ron muttered.

Harry looked and saw Sirius dangling Ron's wand. "Oh, I'll return it once he's dead." Sirius laughed again.

"You're mental!" Harry exclaimed. He frantically thought of what spell to cast. "Petrific-"

"Expelliarmus!"

Not only did Harry's wand fly out of his hand but so did the wand Sirius was holding.

"Hey!" Sirius complained. He glared hatefully at the man who walked in. "Snivellus! What are you doing here?"

"Black!" Severus hissed. He smirked slightly. "Looking as sane as ever, I see."

Sirius narrowed his grey eyes. "Why does Albus even have you here at Hogwarts? Of what use could you possibly be?"

"I am the potion's professor and Slytherin head of house." Severus said evenly.

"Merlin, Albus let you loose on poor innocent children?" Sirius asked in horror.

"Shut up mutt!"

"Dad, you know Sirius was really Snuffles?" Harry asked as he glanced between the two men.

"I do now." Severus gritted his teeth.

Sirius opened his mouth to say something but then his weathered face lit up. "Remus! He's here, he's right here! We can make him pay now!" He said gleefully.

Harry looked and saw Professor Lupin was actually grinning at Sirius. "It's been so long old friend!" Remus said fondly.

Harry missed the dark look Sirius threw them as his Dad pulled him in for a hug. "Harry, are you all right?" Severus asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. I can't believe Snuffles was really Sirius." Harry said as he was still in a little shock over that particular detail.

"Nor can I." Severus glared at Sirius. "You have a lot of explaining to do." He said darkly.

Sirius's mouth dropped open. "I have a lot of explaining to do? What about you Snivellus? You stole James and Lily's child!"

"He is my son!" Severus said fiercely, pulling Harry closer to his side.

"Sure he is." Sirius scoffed. "You're lying to everyone Snape and I will prove it!"

Remus sighed. "Sirius, Severus is Harry's father. It's true." He said quietly.

Sirius shook his head. "You're probably all confounded or on some sort of potion. I'll fix everything once I kill Pettigrew."

"Pettigrew!" Harry, Hermione and Ron gasped.

"Peter Pettigrew is dead." Harry said carefully. How crazy was Sirius Black?

Sirius snorted. "Yes, he would like everyone to believe that but the truth is he is right there!" He pointed to where Ron was sitting.

"What? I'm not Peter Pettigrew!" Ron protested.

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Not you, your rat!"

"Scabbers?" Ron looked down at the squirming rat he was still holding. "That's not possible! He's been with my family for twelve years."

"Ron, that is rather a long life span for a rat don't you think?" Remus asked gently as he kept his eyes trained on the rat.

"Pettigrew is an Animagus as well." Severus stated. "Professor Lupin and I saw his name on the map leading out of the castle. We began searching and then Draco found us and told us what had happened."

"I'm sorry I thought you were guilty Sirius." Remus said as he hugged his friend.

"I don't blame you mate." Sirius assured him. "The only one to blame here is Pettigrew."

"Wait. So you didn't betray my Mum and James?" Harry asked, still feeling confused.

"I would never have betrayed them! Never!" Sirius said fervidly. "James was like a brother to me!"

"You were never after Harry then." Hermione piped up. "You were trying to get to Scabbers all along!"

Sirius nodded. "I saw his picture in the newspaper over the summer. I recognized him right away and I was able to break out by becoming a dog and have been living as one since." He smirked at Severus. "Thanks for agreeing to keep me, by the way." He said mockingly.

Severus scowled.

Ron let out a yelp when Scabbers managed to bite his finger and freed himself. "He's getting away!" Ron cried.

Severus quickly waved his wand emitting a blue light and stopped the rat in his tracks. A head began to form and shot upwards, limbs sprouting out and soon a man was standing where Scabbers had been.

TBC: Getting closer to the end of the series. About four more chapters to go!