A/N: hello all, srry for the late update but to make up for such a long update u will be getting this chapter and the next :D...so hopefully that'll make up for my long absence (after this will be 2 more chaps before Book 3 is done...so, here's a tidbit: Book4 is done but will need to be typed up then beta'd and Book5 is WIP so hopefully done soon)

Chapter Six

"Did your Dad ever say what was going on? Or who ripped up the Fat Lady?"

Ember shook her head as she moved a chess piece, "Nope. They won't tell me anything. All I know is from what I overheard. Someone actually escaped Azkaban and that's who everyone is blaming. They tried blaming it on Uncle Sirius but Mum and Dad weren't having it."

Ron and Hermione glanced at each other, "Did they say who he was?" Ember shook her head, knowing they knew something she didn't. Ron leaned forward, trying to be quiet about what he was sharing, "My dad did. He wasn't suppose to tell but Fred and George got him to. They said some wizard named Peter Pettigrew escaped but no one in the Ministry can figure out how. He gave them the slip even with tracking charms and spells. He didn't even have a wand."

Ember frowned, that name was familiar. "I've heard of him from somewhere." Then it hit her, "Oh! Mum and Dad knew him! I remember, barely, the very few stories Uncle Sirius had told me and Harry when we were little about four friends. But those stories weren't repeated because every time Sirius tried to explain, Mum would start crying and Dad would yell. Then we wouldn't see Sirius or Remus for awhile. I don't remember much but from what little I do, this Peter guy seemed to be close to them when they were kids. The one and only time I had asked who he was and why we never saw him around was something I never did again. Mum's emotional outburst destroyed our kitchen. I hid in my room for days. They never told me who he was. But I know they know because Dad had given me this before I started here." She held out a bundle of parchment, "They made this when they were in school. Dad calls it The Marauders Map. Peter's name was included on the map. They haven't figured out a way to remove it. It's the only evidence I have that proves they were once friends."

"But if he escaped Azkaban, he had to been a Death Eater!"

Hermione huffed before smacking the redhead, who hissed in pain and glared at her, "Honestly, Ronald! You can go there for any number of reason although it is true most who went where during You-Know-who's reign."

"But why would he come here after escaping?"

**Later**

Ember was still worried about what she learned. With her heart troubled her lessons with her uncle weren't very easy. She had to have a clear happy memory to perform the Patronus charm but for now she had nothing but troubled thoughts clouding her judgment.

Remus had cancelled their nightly lesson, thinking maybe it was stress. In return she wandered the halls, lost in thought. Some of it was on what she had learned, the rest on her desire to never feel weak. Trying to distract herself, she tried practicing the spell on her own. All she had ever gotten was wisps of smoke. How could she produce a powerful guardian when the only thing that saved her was Harry? How was it possible to do anything when his guardians aided her as well?

Then again, if I'm stronger, Harry won't need them much longer. The selfish part of her saw them as in the way. She didn't realize they were also another reason as to why the flames have yet to awaken fully. Like her, they forced it back each time it tried to break free. They still saw their king in the boy's eyes just as much as they saw the boy's mother in his every action.

All three had power of one small boy. All three had the influence to chose which way he would fall. But only one had the absolute power to free him.

**Next day**

Ember blinked as a school owl dropped its burden into her raised hand. Curious as to who would write her in school since Mum had refused to leave until the Dementors were fully gone, she read it, "Appeals?"

Hermione snatched the letter from her confused grip, ignoring her gasp of pain, "Oh no! Oh, Ron, we failed!"

"Uh," Ember sucked on the paper cut her friend gifted her with, staring at two saddened people with confusion.

"Oh, that's right. You weren't there." Hermione fell into lecture mode, "Remember that Slytherin that got hurt? The one who was stupid enough to insult the Hippogriff even though the book quite clearly states one should not do that." A nod, "Well, he convinced someone in the Ministry that Buckbeak," she elaborated, "the hippogriff, was a dangerous beast. And really, the only one with such clout was Malfoy. They scheduled Buckbeak for execution. Ron and I scoured the library for anything the could help Hagrid but nothing we did worked. We lost our last appeal today."

"Um, should we visit Hagrid then? Cheer him up?"

"He doesn't want us too. Someone from the Ministry is coming later today."

Ember snorted, "I still say we should go. Hagrid needs to know we're there for him. He shouldn't do this alone."

Eager, the three friends finished the lunch and rushed outside to the little cottage on the grounds. Thankful it was a weekend, they planned to spend the entire time, until the Ministry got there, with Hagrid to try and cheer up their friend.

**With Harry**

Up above, in the clock tower, emerald eyes watched the scurrying of three lions racing across the grounds. "Hello, Harry." He never made a sound nor moved, staring down as the group made it to their chosen destination before turning to his Godfather. "Harry?"

He held out a familiar packet to the man, "Ember left this behind." He walked off but at the last minute turned back, "For the last time tonight, he will show up."

"Harry?" But the boy was gone. Confused, Remus stared at the empty clock tower before glancing down. Trembling, he opened the map to discover it was active. "What did you do?" Harry said Ember left it but he knew his Godson. Harry never did anything without reason. And that reason suddenly flickered momentarily upon the map. Fear rising high, he raced away, never seeing reddish green eyes watching him flee.

**Hagrid's**

Ember tried to enjoy her visit with Hagrid and her friends. But thoughts of the past few weeks were tugging at her. Her heart had not settled. If it was not one thing it was another. Something was wrong, very wrong. First it was the Dementors, determined to hurt her brother. Then it was this thing with Peter Pettigrew, who ever he was. Finally, she remembered a faint memory she tried to bury, His servant has been chained these twelve years. The servant will set out to join his Master. Staring into her teacup, she could picture all her problems drowning in the dark liquid.

Run! She jerked, spilling the warm tea. The others questioned her. Something called to her. But what? Confused, she twirled about trying to find it. Then she saw, "Oh!" Coming down the stone walkway were two Ministry members following a chatty Headmaster.

"Out the back!" Hagrid rushed to push them out his back door while cleaning up their mess. He hadn't wanted them down but couldn't deny it felt warm to have such caring friends.

They ran, only to hide at the edge of the forest. They did feel a little fearful knowing Hagrid lived so close but it was the safest place until the adults went inside the hut before they could flee. Rushing the walkway, they made it far enough way that they could just see the hut, knowing just behind was a lounging Buckbeak. Both girls sobbed on Ron's shoulder, faces buried, as blue eyes determinedly watch, blinking rapidly away tears, as the executioner stepped outside and around. It was as if the world knew with how silent it was. Swish! Crack! Thud! Three sounds made them shudder, knowing it was over.

He looked away, then wished he hadn't. "Potter!" Ember jerked from him, looking too. Harry Potter seemed to be following something unless he was taking a stroll in the opposite direction of Hagrid's hut, uncaring to the world. Ember immediately raced after him, rubbing away her tears and ignoring their frantic cries. They had no choice but to follow her. Neither of them still trusted the faith and love she had in Harry Potter.