Chapter 4: Operation Revenge
Life at Hogwarts was great. Hermione's dormitory was nice and cozy, and the Gryffindor common room was even better. I could go wherever I wanted to while Hermione and her friends were at classes. The only thing that annoyed me was Mrs. Norris. She was a piece of work.
Well, her and Peter. He was always with Long-and-Gangly (I'd learned his name was Ron, but to be perfectly honest, I liked Long-and-Gangly better. I wasn't a big fan of that kid, whether he was Ron, or Long-and-Gangly), pretending to be his poor rat who needed to rest. I know what you're thinking: Why don't I just go get him? I didn't because I was reluctant to get on Hermione's or Harry's bad side. If I attacked Long-and-Gangly's "pet," they might not like me, and I didn't want that.
Anyway, one day in October, I was walking through the castle corridors. I didn't know where exactly I was going, but I didn't want to sit in the dorm all day.
It was kind of weird when you think about it. James and Sirius once walked these exact same hallways. And so did Peter, pretending to be their friend. Or maybe he actually was their friend back then. If he was, I wonder what happened that made him… y'know… pretty much kill James.
I was so lost in thought that I didn't even realize I was outside. It was nice outside. Cool and cloudy. Some of the leaves were changing colors and a slight breeze rustled in the grass. I was standing a few hundred yards away from this giant tree, whose branches were… moving? Weird. But, after a few weeks at a Wizarding school, I'd learned not to be surprised.
I laid down on the grass and was about to close my eyes when something barked at me. I looked around curiously.
Then, this giant, black dog came out of a bush. Its teeth were bared, and its yellow eyes were hungry. But it didn't seem completely dog…
It barked at me again as it moved towards the tree with the moving branches. I hissed at it, still unsure if it was really a dog.
And then something clicked. It wasn't a dog. It was an Animagus, and Sirius's Animagus form was a giant black dog.
Sirius bounded up to the tree, nimbly dodging several branches. He reached the base of the trunk and touched a knot at the bottom. The branches stopped moving and Sirius went into what looked like a tunnel and was gone.
I shook myself out of my trans and lept up, eager to catch up with Sirius. The branches were still unmoving, so I just ran as fast as my stubby legs could carry me and darted into the tunnel.
The tunnel had pretty high ceilings. It was big enough for a man to walk comfortably through. The walls were made of dirt, and there were rocks and leaves littering the floor. A couple cobwebs glistened in the faint light.
I ran forward, following the tunnel. After a few minutes, I finally reached an opening. I climbed through a hole and into a house. It was really old and dilapidated. Broken furniture was strewn about the floor, the wallpaper was ripped and peeling, the floorboards were rotted and splintering, and they creaked as Sirius paced back and forth.
"He's at Hogwarts, he's at Hogwarts. Well, now I'm at Hogwarts," he muttered, rubbing his hands together, "Watch out Peter, you're going to pay for what you did…"
I meowed to get his attention. He turned and stared at me with those dark eyes. They seemed different than they had before he went to Azkaban. Not cheerful, just kind of blank. But also slightly crazy.
"A cat…a cat followed me… I wonder if…" Sirius muttered as he started pacing again. "Cats chase rats. Peter is a rat…"
He turned towards me again. Then he walked over and picked me up, carrying me to a torn couch and sitting down.
"Can you do me a favor…?" he asked. Now, even though I can understand him, humans don't know that. And looking at it that way, well, it seemed a bit weird to be asking a favor of a cat.
I hesitated. I wanted to help Sirius, but I was slightly hurt he didn't recognize me. Looking back on it, that seemed kind of silly, I mean, I had aged quite a bit in those twelve years; I wasn't a kitten anymore. But there was another reason. If Sirius had just stayed Secret-keeper, well… this little episode wouldn't be happening right now.
Sirius sighed and started pacing again. "I'm asking a cat. Look at me, I'm asking a cat for help."
He sounded so desperate, that, despite my doubts, I meowed to tell him I would help.
Sirius seemed to understand that, because his eyes widened, and he sat down. "Was that a yes?" he breathed.
I meowed again.
Sirius almost smiled. "James had a cat. James also had a son, a wife and the rest of his life to look forward to. But Peter took that away. No, I took that away… I made James change Secret-keepers. It was my fault." Sirius put his head in his hands.
I nuzzled against his knee and purred, sorry that I had hesitated and doubted him. I meowed sympathetically to say, It's not your fault Sirius. It's Peter's. Let's get him.
Sirius looked at me. "I need you to catch me a rat. The rat belongs to some red-haired guy. I saw his picture in the Daily Prophet. The rat only had one toe. And he's an Animagus. He's actually a person. A person who betrayed his friends and killed innocent people. I need you to kill him just like he killed James."
I didn't need convincing. I meowed and lept off the couch, ready for Operation Revenge.
Man, I was stupid not to attack Peter before. I mean, yes Hermione and Harry might not like me, but honestly, who cares? If they knew what Peterhad done, they wouldn't be so sympathetic for him. Harry would think I was a hero for killing the rat that killed James.
And that is what I intended to do.
I walked through the tunnel, and I caught a spider for practice.
Hermione, Harry and Long-and-Gangly were sitting in the common room talking.
"Ron!" Hermione scolded. "Harry's supposed to stay in school—"
"He can't be the only third year left behind," Long-and-Gangly said, "Ask McGonagall, go on, Harry—"
"Yeah, I think I will," Harry decided.
Hermione was about to argue when I lept up onto her lap, still clutching the spider in my mouth. I fixed my gaze on Long-and-Gangly and started slowly chewing the spider.
"Does he have to eat that in front of us?" he scowled.
"Clever Crookshanks, did you catch that all by yourself?" cooed Hermione.
I just kept staring at Long-and-Gangly. It was fun to annoy him.
"Just keep him over there, that's all," Long-and-Gangly said testily. "I've got Scabbers asleep in my bag."
Harry yawned.
"You can copy mine if you like," Long-and-Gangly said, handing something to Harry. Hermione looked at them disapprovingly and I kept watching Long-and-Gangly.
And then I attacked.
"OY! GET OFF, YOU STUPID ANIMAL!" Long-and-Gangly roared as I pounced on the bag and began ripping and tearing feverishly, desperate to get to Peter. I hissed and slashed.
Hermione squealed, "Ron, don't hurt him!" Ha. Hurt me. Peter was the only one getting hurt today.
Peter came flying out of the top of the bag. "CATCH THAT CAT!" Long-and-Gangly shouted as I flung myself furiously after him.
I chased Peter around the common room, dodging in and out of legs and arms of those who tried to catch me. Peter bolted around a chair leg and then lunged himself under an old chest. I slid to a stop and began swiping ferociously under it with my front paw.
Hermione grabbed me by the middle and pulled me away. I was still boiling with rage and hissing at Peter. Long-and-Gangly pulled Peter out from under the chest.
"Look at him!" he spat, "He's skin and bone! You keep that cat away from him!"
"Crookshanks doesn't understand it's wrong," Hermione said shakily. "All cats chase rats, Ron!"
"There's something funny about that animal! It heard me say Scabbers was in my bag!"
Uh huh, because I have ears, genius.
"Oh, what rubbish," said Hermione, "Crookshanks could smell him, Ron, how else d'you think—"
"That cat's got it in for Scabbers!" Ron protested.
Dang right I did.
A/N: Hoped you liked it and feel free to leave reviews! :) Thanks for reading.