Cat, Rat, and Dog

By Matelia-legwll

A/N: I'm back! If you haven't chosen to read Chapter Thirty since it has been posted, I advise you do so before proceeding. Sirius is very blunt, but he doesn't cover it all.

Last chapter, Severus's mind was boggled.

Lily would have been able to explain the whole cat thing, why Potter had been in possession of a cat he claimed belonged to her, and even might have been able to hazard a guess at the Cenis tutoring disasters. There is nothing I wouldn't give for an explanation. Especially directly from her.

Wait now, what did Slughorn just say about McGonagall? "I suppose I'll leave you here for now, Severus. I've just remembered, I must talk to Filius about that essay he's assigned the fourth years. Regulus was complaining that it was a bit long for the subject matter."

With a pat on my shoulder, he left. Finally. Hm. Well that's just great. Now how was I supposed to find out where Lily is? Was I supposed to wander the corridors shouting, "Come out come out where ever you are," eh? I sighed. Can't I just have one moment of peace? I'd even try to find the cat if I knew where to look. Well, if I knew it was actually Lily's cat or could lead me to Lily.

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE: Sirius

We lost Evans.

We were just bantering back and forth while we took Evans to the kitchens for breakfast. It was turning out to be a rather normal morning. Or at least, as normal as things got for us Marauders. It still doesn't seem quite 'normal' to me to take Evans, in cat form, to the kitchens. And since I knew that, I was trying to keep my genius mind off of it so Prongs wouldn't suspect anything. In our conversation, we had been reviewing detention the night before, and the prank yesterday afternoon on Filch and the Slytherins; I think that was what we were talking about when Evans started darting ahead of us, then waiting for us to catch up.

I'd bet she was trying to get us to speed up, but we ignored her, and carried on with our conversation.

That was such a horrible choice to make.

I can't believe we lost Evans.

One of those times, which seemed just like the others, Lils darted ahead and around the corner of the corridor to wait for us there. I almost wish I had had some sort of premonition, some gut feeling, some prediction. But there was absolutely no warning.

All of the sudden we heard her yowl, as if in pain. Prongs and I exchanged a concerned glance, before cutting short the joke we were in the process of enjoying, and striding forward with purpose.

Prongs was muttering, "Please be a trick step," as my stomach dropped in anticipation and dread, and we turned the corner, wands in hand.

Nobody was there.

Nothing.

This was bad. This was so bad.

"Lils?" Prongs's concern made his voice raise its pitch. "LILS!"

What the newt had happened to her?!

Cats don't up and disappear. Admittedly, Evans is a rather good escape artist. But even she knows when to hide and when to come back to us. And by scaring the wits out of us, she would know to come back.

Er… What's the red stuff on the floor?

I crouched down and touched some of it. It was wet, and looked and felt horribly like blood. "Prongs?" I said weakly, calling his attention to it.

His eyes widened in horror, as he spotted what I had. "What the newt happened to her?"

I shook my head, still in shock. He doesn't even know the worst of it.

If something happened to Evans while she was a cat, it would be my fault. Utterly and entirely my fault. I was the one that was heartily enjoying forcing her to interact with Prongs, and tearing down some of her preconceived notions of him. But as a cat, she was much more vulnerable. She had no wand, no way to protect herself. Even if the situation ended up being harmless (which from the look of the blood, it seems someone was harmed) she would have had no way to contact us, or otherwise assure us that she was all right.

"Padfoot, where could she have gone?" Prongs was pacing up and down the corridor, searching for some passageway that might take us to her again.

I stood. Glancing around us, I stiffened my resolve to not let Prongs in on the secret Wormtail started. He'd only be that much more devastated. "I need to find the map," I muttered.

Somehow I need to persuade Prongs to head back to the dormitories with me, so I can rummage through all of our things and find the Map. Wormtail was off his rocker when he hid it from me.

"Who would have done such a thing?" Prongs asked, still searching for answers he knew I didn't possess.

"Let's—let's do a search of the corridor, Prongs," I suggested, trying to be sensible. "Utterly thorough."

He agreed, so we combed that corridor as if with a niffler searching for trinkets. Finding no clues or evidence to point us in any direction as to who the perpetrator was or where Evans disappeared off to, we systematically began to make our search wider and wider, eventually expanding to the entire floor.

I wonder if there's some spell that could tell you to whom spilt blood belongs, I was thinking as I walked past the spotted stones once more.

Well, that certainly won't help if its Evans's blood. I don't even want to suggest the possibility to Prongs that a spell could help identify the owner of the blood if, in the event that we find the spell and get it to cooperate, it identifies Lily Evans. I never want to have to try to explain that situation to Prongs.

That would be ruddy awful.

Prongs is torn up enough believing that we're only missing Evans's cat. I can't imagine what that would do to him if he knew that we are in fact missing the one and only Lily Evans.

But as I'm currently not on speaking terms with the only person that could help us discover a spell one way or another, I suppose it doesn't matter.

I looked around, suddenly acutely aware of my surroundings, and not sure what had drawn me out of my thoughts.

Good grief.

How long have we been searching now?

Moony's probably at the library by now. Wormtail was in the Great Hall, so he's most likely taking his time and still enjoying his meal.

I hate how suddenly I lost my appetite.

I'm going to be cranky later, but there's no way I could sit and eat breakfast right now. Absolutely not. I wonder if Prongs feels the same way.

"Prongs, do you just want to skip breakfast?" I asked, offhand.

His look was answer enough. That's what I thought.

"Really, Padfoot? Breakfast?"

I shrugged. "Thought I'd ask and confirm my suspicions."

"Well, if you want to eat breakfast, go ahead. I'll keep looking," he added darkly.

I shook my head. "I'll be right by your side," I said reassuringly.

Though really, we might be able to get a lot more done if I could actually find the map. I've already checked my bed curtains. Thought that was prudent since Wormtail is in the habit of storing his socks on top of his own. But I really still need to check the loose floorboard. And the windowsill. It's entirely possible that the map could be hidden there.

This would be so much simpler if I hadn't suggested we put an Anti-Summoning charm on the Map.

I might just have to take it off again.

Especially if Wormtail keeps on with his end of the world list.

Honestly, if he would just process that I could look at the map, and not let it fall into Prongs's or Moony's hands, and it would still keep the secret perfectly safe. For some reason, he doesn't remember that he already told me everything.

"Prongs?" I tried to grab his attention again.

"Hm?" he turned his head shortly.

"I think we'd be able to make more progress if I could find the map," I told him.

"You mean, it wasn't in my trunk?" he asked, confusion driving out his panic for the moment.

"No. Wormtail started on his end of the world list."

"Why would he do something like that?" Prongs was exasperated. Tell me about it.

I frowned. What would be a plausible reason from Wormtail's point of view? Ah, I know! "There was a cat living in his dormitory. For Wormtail, that would be the first sign of the Apocalypse." I'm brilliant, I know.

"True," Prongs muttered. "Hadn't thought of it like that."

"C'mon. I think we'd best check out the map."

"Fine," he agreed grudgingly, disheartened by our lack of success so far.

"If I can find it," I added in a mutter, still frustrated myself.

We took the stairs up to the common room, and as we went, Prongs asked, "Did we include animals on the map?"

"Certain ones, like Mrs. Norris, why?" I replied as I spotted the cat I just mentioned. Creepy. Speak of the devil and she shall truly appear.

"Just wondering," he murmured.

We tromped up to the Common Room, hardly talking further. Once we got there, I dashed up to the dormitory, not waiting to see what James was going to do.

I quickly tore up the loose floorboard, finding a couple Filibuster fireworks, a few Chocolate Frog cards, and some dungbombs. Still no map.

I strode over to my nightstand and quickly pulled out the checklist I had been making, so I could keep track of all the hiding place options I had already tried, and jotted down the loose floorboard on the list.

Then I went to the windowsill and checked all around that whole area, finding nothing but… my knife.

That could be useful.

I pocketed it, as I heard the Common Room portrait slam shut.

Where was Prongs again? I turned around. He hadn't followed me up the stair. Oh great. He's got a head start.

I hurried down the dormitory stair, quickly scanning the Common Room for his messy black hair. Not seeing him anywhere there, I continued on out into the corridor; my suspicions confirmed once again. I caught a glimpse of him heading around a corner at a brisk pace. I wonder what's got him riled up again.

I followed him at a reasonable pace, when all of the sudden he broke out in a dead run, and pulled out his wand.

I ran after him and found him hexing Snape. Pulling out my own wand, I called out and got his attention, "Prongs! What the ruddy newt!"

I was trying to figure out why he was taking his frustrations out on Snape, when Prongs asked Snivellus what he did with Lils. If Snivelly was the cat-napper he was going to pay.

And despite his supposed ignorance, which Snivellus of course was playing up, there was a certain true ring to Prongs's accusation that Snape had done something to the cat.

And so, I didn't feel anything amiss about being threatening towards Snivellus as I retold the story simply, of how our morning had gone, stopping with the mysterious disappearance of Evans. Surely some of that would jog a memory in Snape's mind. He was intimidated, for sure, but still defiant. And totally baiting Prongs.

Moony suddenly appeared from another corridor, apparently wanting to share information with Prongs, but he wasn't in the mood to be told that Snape had a viable alibi. I could tell that James really wasn't in a place to care about the facts. He wanted justice, revenge on whomever had thought to kidnap Lily's cat, and excuses to hex Snape. I can't say my desires were much different than that either, but I at least was listening to logic. Snivelly kept up a pretty good act of ignorance, in spite of the fact he was stuck on the possibility that during the cat-napping the cat died.

I was so close to giving away the fact that the cat was Lily Evans. Just to get him to shut up.

My growing headache and the fact that James and Remus kept talking about a certain someone really didn't help my mood all that much either. Or Snivelly's faux pas of questioning the ownership of the cat once again. Seriously, I thought we'd drilled that into his head by now.

But I had re-promised myself this morning, plus Wormtail happened upon us as well, as he had finally finished his breakfast. So I settled for torturing information from Snivellus as to why he kept insisting that death was the only option for a cat who had suddenly disappeared.

The topic was too much for Prongs who exploded at Peter, in spite of the fact that Snivellus was just messing with our minds and trying to bait all of us.

James explained himself with, "This was my chance, Sirius."

I think I was the only one who truly understood just how much James was banking on this whole Holiday experience lifting him in Evans's ranking. If he could endear himself to Lily's cat, and prove himself responsible and mature, she would have to admit that James Potter held some positive traits as well.

But what made this situation even more dramatic beyond what James knew, is the fact that Lily is getting this all first hand. Which, if she had heard our story of what happened during Easter Holidays to her cat, that would be one thing. She would be sure to assume the worst, and probably would come up with an explanation rather close to Snivelly's. However, I had found something that I could trust. Lily knew from her own experience what exactly happened, even if we didn't. It wouldn't hurt James's chances at all. Especially if we finally found the map, found Evans, and rescued her from the clutches of the maniac who had kidnapped her.

"And it still will be, Prongs. All we have to do is find her," I reassured him.

As much as I supported James, I had to finally acknowledge we really weren't getting anywhere with hexing information out of Snape. He was playing the scapegoat for Prongs's frustrations. And in spite of my own dislike and hatred of Snivelly, I was ready for a change of pace when Slughorn came jogging down the corridor towards us. I just didn't want to deal with Sluggy all that much either.

Slughorn gave us all the usual guilt-trip for avoiding his dull party with our detention. Not that I had actually been planning on going, but I was astounded at his audacity. He had not only been trying to get me to come, but to get me hooked up with Regulus. Honestly, he had no right to be pushing us together. That was a family matter.

In fact, that moves up the priority for getting detention on May fifteenth. I wonder how far out I could schedule those detentions Wormtail tried to get me.

Then Sluggy pulled Snivellus away from us, leaving us standing in the corridor, with almost nothing to do, and nothing really found out about the situation with Lily Evans, and the cat-napper. Except for, perhaps, being able to rule out Snape.

"So…" said Wormtail, breaking the near awkward silence, as each of us had gotten lost in our thoughts. "What just happened?"

Moony was patient enough to say, "The cat, Lils, is missing. Prongs thought Snivellus was the culprit, or at least had information that could lead us to the real perpetrator."

I couldn't be bothered with tact anymore. "Wormy, I need to see the map. We have to find Lils."

Peter pursed his lips, hesitating to grant my order, in spite of my outstretched hand demanding him to hand it over.

"Wormtail!" I whined.

"I need to eat something," Prongs muttered. "My head is killing me."

Wormy jumped in at that opportunity. "There's some very nice waffles that the house elves cooked up today, along with—"

"Wormtail," I interrupted with gritted teeth.

He gave me an apologetic wince. "Sorry Padfoot, I don't have it. I can't tell you, anyway," He shiftily looked between Remus and James. "Item seventeen."

"What's that one, don't talk?" I retorted. He gasped dramatically.

"What the newt are you two going on about?" asked Moony.

"Nothing," we said innocently and unified. Both Wormtail and Moony were still watching me warily.

"Well, we're not getting anything done standing around here," said Prongs briskly, suddenly seeming to pull himself together. "Moony, let's check the kitchens. Wormtail, go get the Map for Pete's sake and give it to Padfoot, and Padfoot, thanks mate."

"No problem," I muttered, watching the three go towards the kitchens. Why does that not make sense? Wait. Wormtail was supposed to go find the Map. That's what James told him to do. Why is he following the others? I'll strangle the little rat!

But first, I have to find the bloody Map.

I turned, a cloud of doom hovering over my head as I walked the passageways to get back to the Gryffindor common room. I feel pity on anyone who dares try to approach me.

Still, who kidnapped Lily Evans? And why the newt wasn't it Snivellus? He should still be listed as a prime suspect, if I had anything to say about it. I wish we had some sort of lead. How could we get a lead?

And if Mrs. Norris is in my way again, I'm kicking her, no matter that she's Filch's cat and he's drawn up some sort of stupid rule about not manhandling his pets. It might be my only way to vent my frustrations. And it might possibly get me a detention for May fifteenth.

This is not a good day. I can't believe we lost ruddy Evans.

My poor brain is working overtime now.

How could a cat disappear this thoroughly?

Peter's List

Check. Item one: Hide the map.

Check. Item two: Tell Sirius.

Check. Item three: Laugh off any weird questions.

Check. Item four: But don't laugh when an ironic situation comes up.

Check. Item five: Take a deep breath if the subject comes up.

Check. Item six: Don't hyperventilate when others are discussing cats or Evans.

Check. Item seven: Just stop reminding myself that the cat is Evans.

Check. Item eight: Change the subject if it is hitting too close to home.

Check. Item nine: Don't look suspicious.

Item ten: Don't tell anyone the real reason for this list.

Check. Item eleven: Don't show fear of the cat.

Check. Item twelve: Do be very, very careful around Moony.

Check. Item thirteen: Don't talk or have any conversation with Dumbledore.

Check. Item fourteen: In fact, avoid Dumbledore completely.

Item fifteen: Never look at Evans directly in case her glare makes you feel guilty.

Item sixteen: Make sure not to call Evans "Evans" around anyone who is not Evans.

Check. Item seventeen: Don't let James figure out the cat is Lily.

Check. Item eighteen: Steal Remus's chocolate.

Check. Item nineteen: Don't let Snape corner me about Evans or the cat.

Check. Item twenty: Interrupt Remus's thought processes as often as possible to prevent him from realizing the cat is Evans.

Item twenty-one: Don't hide any list or the map behind my back. Find a better hiding spot.

Check. Item twenty-two: Help Sirius get detentions to make him happy and keep him helping me.

A/N: A bit of a filler chapter, but hopefully this helps everyone remember where we were. What exactly happened to Lils? Will the boys succeed in finding her? If Severus was innocent, who was at fault? All these questions and more, I'm sure are mind boggling. Please tell me what you think. I'll enjoy reading all your theories. And if anyone guesses correctly, you'll get a special treat. The next chapter is already written. ^_^

Thanks to all my faithful readers for the reviews and the support. You really do have the ability to make my day! If anyone, and I mean anyone, has any ideas for Peter's list, go ahead and send me a PM or a review with your ideas. Cookies for reviewers!

Enjoy! And thanks for reading!