Chapter 18
Executions and Revelations
Since Lupin had entered the castle, security had increased everywhere. Lily had been told that even in Hogsmeade, everyone was on high alert. On top of that, everywhere Lily went, not only was she with Ron, and sometimes Hermione when she wasn't disappearing, Fred and George were following her. Surprisingly, so was Percy, and at least one member of the Gryffindor quidditch team.
Lily didn't mind the extra security. She found it hard to admit to anyone else aside from Hedwig, but she was terrified. A werewolf, one responsible for her parents' murder and the attack on her as a baby, was after her. She didn't want to let anyone else know, otherwise she knew she'd have even more escorts, and it was annoying enough to be followed everywhere, no matter how hilariously extravagant the twins were in their duties.
The two made Lily and Ron lose 10 points in Charms for sniggering at them, particularly when they mimed out about Lupin and a Dementor falling in love in a disgustingly overreacted manner.
The year proceeded exceptionally well however, with Lily helping win the Quidditch cup for the team. It was almost not surprising, her Firebolt easily better than the other brooms, but every time Lily saw the cup in the common room, she felt a rush of pride.
Things weren't without problems, of course. Hagrid's appeal on behalf of Buckbeak had failed, and the date of the execution was near. Draco Malfoy gloated at every opportunity he could, reminding everyone that he was attacked and how he was making the Wizarding world a better place by having such a dangerous beast killed.
Hagrid walked around in a near constant state of tears and his lessons were being affected. Nobody wanted to learn from him, and the gentle, loving man's lessons were quickly becoming one of the most dreaded after Professor Bins. The accumulation of seeing one of her closest adult friends being so upset, Malfoy's constant smugness and the tensions of Lupin's hunting was making Lily angry, so much so that she wanted to give Fudge a piece of her mind.
"Err, I think that might be the hormones talking, Lily," Lavender pointed out one evening. "I get it, I really do, but maybe don't make an enemy of the Minister?"
"I won't," Lily promised weakly. "I just think he's being a pompous idiot for allowing an innocent creature, who was provoked, to be killed! All I want to do is talk to him about it."
Lily's chance came as she, Ron and Hermione finished their exams for the year. Deciding to stretch their legs in the castle grounds, the three saw Cornelius Fudge speaking with Dumbledore near the peaceful lake.
"Ah, Lily. Albus was just telling me of your transition," Fudge said in greeting. "Beautiful day, isn't it?"
"Not really, Minister. Why are you killing Buckbeak?" Lily demanded. "It wasn't his fault! He doesn't deserve this. Hagrid doesn't deserve this!"
Fudge sighed. "Lily, I wish this wasn't the case, I really do," Fudge said, and to his credit, he looked genuinely distressed. "Whilst I understand your feelings, this isn't something I have full control of."
"But you're the Minister of Magic!" Lily exclaimed. "You can do anything you want. Please, just… stop this."
"That doesn't give me the right to do anything I want to do. Even I must follow the laws and rules," Fudge clarified. "When a trial is held, it is up to the jury, or in our case, the Wizengamot, to decide the case based on the evidence. Lucius Malfoy presented the evidence, and everything, including the injuries of his son, showed the creature as guilty. By law, I have to oversee his execution."
"But Malfoy provoked the creature! He ignored Hagrid's instructions, and was rude to it, which caused it to attack," Lily pleaded. "You know Hagrid would never hurt any of us."
"The case was made that the creature should never have been allowed near a student in the first place. I know Hagrid wouldn't have intentionally gotten a student hurt, and that he understands Magical Creatures rarely seen since Newt, but the fact remains that, in his lesson, someone was injured." Fudge said. "I'm sorry, Lily, I truly am."
"An apology without change isn't an apology. An innocent creature is going to be killed because of the Malfoy family," Lily said bitterly. Behind her, she heard Ron stifle a gasp.
Fudge sympathetically sighed. "Maybe you will understand when you are older. For now, try and celebrate the end of your exams," he said.
Dumbledore gave the students a wave, his eyes kind and approving, before joining Fudge in their stroll to the castle.
"Malfoy is nothing but a disgusting little cockroach," Hermione growled as soon as the two men were out of earshot. "If he was in front of me right now, I'd punch him!"
"You and me both," Ron agreed, just as angrily.
"We should go and see Hagrid, see if he's okay." Lily suggested.
"Good idea," Ron and Hermione concurred at the same time. As they made their way towards Hagrid's hut, the three saw Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. They were standing near a set of stone pillars located on the way to Hagrid's hut, laughing and pointing at the chained Buckbeak.
"Ah, come to watch the show?" Malfoy asked, with glee.
Hermione responded by punching him hard in the face. Blood spilled from Malfoy's nose and the blond gagged as it began dripping into his mouth.
"But your blood is pure, Malfoy," Ron snarled. "Surely a nasty little flea like you likes the taste of his own blood?"
"Guys," Lily pleaded, torn between being amused and horrified. Hermione lowered her wand, her hand still tight around it. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle fled back to the direction of the castle.
"Blimey Hermione, I never thought you actually would punch him," Ron complimented as they resumed their descent to Hagrid's hut. Lily approached Buckbeak, who looked miserable, and made eye contact with him, before bowing. Buckbeak returned the bow, and let Lily pet him.
"Hey Buckbeak, how are you?" Lily asked softly, as Hagrid came out of the hut, his face wet from tears. "I'm sorry Hagrid," Lily immediately said. "We're here for you, okay?"
"Thanks Lily," Hagrid sniffed. "I thought he should see th' sun once more."
"This isn't fair Hagrid," Hermione protested. "I wish we could do something…"
"Life isn't fair, but there isn't much we can do about that," Hagrid replied. He stood up, indicating that the three should follow him, and went to a clay pot near the fire. "But summat good can come of today," he added, opening the pot and pulling out a familiar grey rat.
"Scabbers!" Ron exclaimed, accepting the rat from Hagrid. Scabbers immediately went up Ron's sleeve. "I'm so glad to see you! And I'm sorry I accused Crookshanks of killing him," he looked at Hermione.
"I'd have thought the same thing, Ron. We all saw blood and ginger hairs," Hermione replied. "He must have gotten injured. I'll pay for any treatment he needs."
"I looked him over. He's skinny and has a scab on his him but otherwise, in perfect health," Hagrid informed them.
Lily let out a yelp of pain. She looked down and saw a stone on the floor. As she felt a second stone hit her, she looked out the window and into the rapidly setting Sun. Was it that late already?! Lily blinked in surprise, seeing Fudge and Dumbledore approaching with a person in black, carrying a deadly looking scythe.
"You three better go. You can't let them see you, you're not meant to be out this late," Hagrid warned, his voice thickening with fresh tears. "Thank you for being here for me and Beaky."
Lily, Ron and Hermione snuck out of the back door, running past the vegetable patch, and back towards the school. They caught their breath where Hermione had punched Malfoy, just in time to hear Hagrid begin howling.
Before any of them could say anything, however, a large animal came crashing through the nearby forest, running towards them. It was on all fours, furry like a massive dog. It's large, mad yellow eyes were flashing dangerously and was quickly gaining on the students.
"RUN!" Ron cried out. They weren't fast enough, though, and within moments the dog like creature leapt and grabbed Ron's leg. He cried out in agony as the dog dragged him towards the nearby Whomping Willow. Before either Lily or Hermione could do anything, the dog dragged Ron down into a tunnel located near the thick, twisting roots.
It took a few goes but the girls managed to dodge around the flailing branches and threw themselves down the tunnel after their best friend. They could just about hear his shouts echoing in the distance, along with spine curdling growls.
They followed the noises. "Wait, is this the Shrieking Shack?" Hermione asked breathlessly, as they found themselves climbing rickety stairs into an old, boarded up house.
"The what?" Lily wheezed, confused, wiping sweat from her brow.
"It's a supposedly haunted house in Hogsmeade," Hermione explained. "You ready?" They ran up the stairs in the abandoned shack after hearing Ron cry out, but as they rushed into the bedroom, they saw him sitting against the wall on some rags. He was clutching his leg, the dog nowhere in sight.
"TURN AROUND! RUN, IT'S A TRAP!" Ron cried out when he saw them. Hermione and Lily turned around, finding themselves face to face with no other than Remus Lupin.
"Oh my god!" Hermione yelped. Lily went to draw her wand, but Lupin held up Ron's wand at the two of them.
"Please don't try anything Lily, I don't want to hurt you," Lupin warned. He looked haggard, gaunt and had long, tangled hair. His face was marked with scabbed cuts, and his clothes must have been held together with magic, with how disintegrated they were. He was trembling, tired eyes wild and nails long and dirty.
"Don't try anything?! You came here to kill me!" Lily yelled, her heart hammering inside her chest. "Wait, you know my name?"
"Wrong on the first, and right on the second," Lupin explained. "I've been watching you all year, Lily. You're an incredible young woman. And no, I'm not here to kill you. Any of you."
"But you escaped from Azkaban," Hermione said, confused as Lupin handed Ron's wand back to him. "You followed You-Know-Who!"
"I'm sorry about your leg, Mr. Weasley, I didn't mean for my conjured dog to hurt you so badly. Madam Pomfrey will be able to help you, I'm sure," Lupin said apologetically. "I have an interesting tale to tell you, and I hope you'll listen."
Lily kept her wand pointed near the convict, confused. "I know I'm angry… But I know Uncle Sirius loved you. I think he still does."
"As I do him, Lily," Lupin sighed. He nodded to a small cage on the opposite side of the room, where Scabbers was furiously trying to escape. Lupin sat down on a chair, leaning back. The room was sparce but spotless, as if it had been cleaned every day. "Please, sit down. I have a long story to tell you."
"You can tell it to all of us," Sirius demanded coldly from the doorway. Lily turned and saw Sirius and Minerva blocking the door, Sirius looking murderous and Minerva ashen.
"I'm glad you're both here. Please, do sit down," Lupin requested, his voice catching in his throat. He was staring at Sirius. "Sirius, I… I've dreamt of seeing you for so long."
"Even after what you did, Remus?" Sirius challenged. His wand was steady as it pointed as his former lover.
"I did do something wrong years ago, but not what you thought," Lupin explained calmly. He set back in the chair with a small wince. "Years ago, when James and I were going to perform the Fidelius Charm, I had an idea. You see, I knew Voldemort would go after you or I, Sirius, and so I thought we should throw him off the scent. That we should choose a different Secret Keeper, one that nobody would expect."
"You… you changed keepers?" Sirius repeated, mouth opening in surprise. "Why should I believe you?"
"We all knew there was a spy in the Order. We had no idea who, though… which is why, when the change happened, only four people knew. Me, James, Lily and the keeper," Lupin clarified. His face looked more solemn as he spoke. "I am naturally more resistant to some magics, thanks to my lycanthropy. It also gives me additional strength and enhanced senses. It would make sense that Voldemort and his followers would go after me. And, truthfully, that terrified me. But I was willing to act as a decoy, so that my best friends, my family, would stay safe."
"How do we know you're not lying? You killed Peter Pettigrew," Ron spoke up, sounding bitter. His knuckles were white on the hand clutching his leg.
"Peter is alive. The sneaky little fucker faked his death. You see, Peter was the one we chose to be the Secret Keeper, and he's here in this room," Lupin began to snarl, pointing to the cage.
"Scabbers?" Ron, Hermione and Lily echoed, their voices full of disbelief and scorn. Lupin nodded.
"Have a look at his paw. You'll find one of his toes missing. He cut it off before yelling about James and Lily, and caused the explosion, in order to make everyone think he was dead. That way, no one would ever believe my story on how he was the Secret Keeper. And of course Barty Crouch sent me straight to Azkaban without a trial. After all, I'm a werewolf." Lupin spat.
"But… we've had him…"
"For twelve years?" Lupin pointed out coolly. "I'm not sure why he chose your family to hide at, Mr. Weasley. Perhaps it was random or something, but he made his way there and hid, masquerading as a common rat. If he was a real rat, he'd have died years ago, since they only live two to three years."
"I… well… we just…" Ron stuttered, with Lily realising Ron had never imagined that before.
"How did you know where he was? And how did you get from Azkaban?" Minerva asked, her eyes on Scabbers, studying him.
"Well, for the whole time I was at Azkaban, the Dementors had no effect on me. I believe it's because I knew I was innocent, and it wasn't a happy thought, but it allowed me to keep my sanity. The dementors hated it, especially when I transformed every month, but whilst I was there, I was also able to retain my mind when I did transform," Lupin said.
"Wait, what?" Sirius asked, his eyes widening. "You controlled your transformation?"
Lupin nodded as Minerva frowned at her former student. "If what you say is correct, then why didn't Sirius or I see Pettigrew's name on the map?"
Lupin blinked in surprise. "You have the map still?"
Lily looked at him, aghast. "You know of the map?"
"I helped write it. I'm Moony, your father's nickname for me when we were at school, Peter was Wormtail, Sirius was Padfoot and your father was Prongs," Lupin explained sadly. "As for why Peter's name never showed up, he helped create it. It isn't too farfetched to say that he knew a way to trick it into hiding his name."
"Not always, though," Lily said, thinking back to the night that she saw the flickering name.
"Peter was never too great at the more… advanced, magics, shall we say," Sirius explained. He was staring at Lupin, his wand slowly falling lower and lower. "You were saying about controlling the transformation?"
"How could I retain my mind? Again, just a theory, but I believe that when I transformed, the wolf mind kept being drained by the Dementors, allowing my human mind to retain control. Even since my escape, I haven't lost control every full moon, which has been extremely useful," Lupin stated, shrugging. "And, thankfully, I was able to procure a wand soon after my escape. It was annoying that the papers revealed my sleep talking, though. If they hadn't, I'd have been able to capture the traitor a lot sooner and with a lot less panic…"
"Why didn't you tell me?" Sirius asked, distress etched onto his face. "You could have come to me."
"Sirius, as much as I loved you, we knew that Voldemort could have gotten to anyone, and for all we knew, you could have been imperiused and not even known it…"
"How do you intend to prove this?" Minerva inquired. She looked pale as she stood in front of her students, hand still tight around her wand by her side.
Lupin stood up and nodded at the cage. The old rat was frantically throwing himself at the cage, long yellow teeth trying to bite through the bars.
"Peter, I put an unbreakable spell on that cage, so don't even try it," Lupin told the rat wearily. "Minerva, if you would do the honours?"
The Transfiguration Professor stepped forward and cast a spell at the cage.
Before their eyes, Scabbers began to grow, shattering the cage into pieces. In moments, crouched before the group, was a man. He was shorter than Lupin and Sirius, stubbled and with the gaunt appearance of dropping a lot of weight in a short amount of time. Despite now being human, he was hunched in a way that resembled when Scabbers tried to hide from Crookshanks. His small, dark eyes darted around the room, taking in the shocked faces staring at him.
Sirius spoke first, his words full of venom and hatred as the true villain and traitor behind Lily's parent's death was finally revealed.
"Hello, Peter."
