THE ROAD TO CHOZA GRITANDO
Harry wasn't sure how he had made it back to the Gryffindor tower. He'd been dazed and quiet for the whole time that he walked Daphne back to the dungeons. But if she had noticed his sudden sullen mood, she had had the decency to not mention it.
Was it really Pettigrew whose name I saw on the map? Harry wondered. How long has he been here? Has he always been in the Gryffindor Tower and we just never noticed? But… how is that even possible?
His head was reeling with such unending thought; he found himself moving into the Common Room and up the stairs as if his body was on autopilot. Opening the door to the dorms, he stepped in cautiously, half-expecting a stranger to be standing in the middle of the room. But no, only Ron was in the dorm, laying on his bed, with a copy of The Chudley Cannons: The Complete Chronicles.
"Hey, Harry," Ron began casually, trailing off as he noticed the other's distracted state of mind. "What's up?"
"Nothing," Harry replied, mindlessly moving through the motions of setting aside his things before pausing. He debated the merits of pulling out the map to check once again. He was beginning to doubt whether he'd actually seen Pettigrew's name but for what reason would he see that name in particular?
It was becoming hard to keep his expression under control, evidenced by the growing alarm on Ron's face.
"Woah, did something happen?" Ron asked, standing up to come sit next to Harry instead. "Weren't you on a date with that girl… Daphne, was that her name? What's got you so riled up?"
Should I tell him? Harry wondered. He's the only one who knows about the whole Sirius-is-innocent thing… Wait, Sirius! He would know more about the map than anyone else!
"I think I need to talk to Sirius-" Harry began but before he could elaborate he was interrupted by a loud, terrified squeak and the sound of scuffling. Both Harry and Ron jumped, befuddled as Scabbers climbed out of Ron's pyjama shirt pocket and made a run for it. Ron reached to grab at the rat but before he could secure his grip, the animal dug its teeth into Ron's fingers and escaped.
Left staring dumbfounded, Harry watched as Ron cursed loudly and followed after it; the door slamming shut behind him. Just as Harry was deliberating about whether or not to follow Ron downstairs, the redhead emerged, his mouth set in a disgruntled frown.
"He's nowhere to be found!" Ron exclaimed. "I bet he's going to get swallowed up by that nasty cat, Crookshanks." Grimacing at the gory image that sentence produced, Harry moved so that Ron could collapse into the bed beside him.
As Ron shoved his face into Harry's pillow, the latter turned his attention back to the unopened map in front of him. "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good," he muttered and watched the ink spill out and form hallways and walls. Beside him, Ron sat up and peered over Harry's shoulder.
"You think we can find Scabbers' name on there? Does the map work on animals?" Ron asked, his tone considering but not nearly as upset as Harry would have expected. Maybe he wasn't as fond of the rat as I initially assumed…
"I don't think so," Harry answered truthfully. "I'm honestly not thinking 'bout Scabbers at all."
"Oh, right," Ron said, apparently having remembered their prior conversation. "What did you need to talk to Sirius about?"
"I think I saw someone on the map who isn't even supposed to be there," Harry said, biting his lip in thought.
"Mate, just speak clearly," Ron said, a little exasperated. "There's no need to talk in riddles."
"R- Right, sorry," Harry blushed. "I saw Peter Pettigrew's name on the map while I was coming back from Hogsmeade."
A pause and then- "WHAT?"
"Yes and it was right in the Gryffindor Tower too!"
"Peter Pettigrew? You mean, the coward who ratted out his best friends to You-Know-Who and then proceeded to frame his other best friend for their murder and also murdered about a dozen Muggles? That Peter Petigrew?" Ron questioned as he drew back to look at Harry incredulously.
"Yes, Ronald, him. How many other Peter Pettigrews do you know?" Harry snapped back.
"Are you absolutely sure you saw him?" Ron asked, his tone doubtful. "Because there's not a single sign of him being anywhere on the map right now."
"I don't know!" Harry breathed, frustrated. "I don't know what to tell you, Ron. I know what I saw but I don't believe it either. If he's really here, shouldn't we capture him and turn him in?" So that Sirius can be absolved and live freely, went unsaid.
"We aren't doing anything," Ron said firmly. "I'm quite sick and tired of you putting your arse on the line for stupid reasons, thank you very much. We're going to McGonagall right this instant."
"What?" Harry protested. "We can't go to her!"
"She's the only teacher who knows about Sirius. And we're not going straight to Sirius because I don't think he'd be able to hold himself back from murdering Pettigrew with his bare hands. And then he'd be in Azkaban with an actual reason this time around."
"Maybe he should," Harry muttered.
"Do you or do you not want your godfather out of prison, Harry?" Ron stated flatly. He softened at the affronted look on Harry's face, "You and I both know Professor McGonagall is gonna be the best choice for tackling this whole situation. I'm just making sure we don't have to deal with unnecessary risks even though my own gut is screaming at me to go to Sirius."
Ron stood up, tugging Harry to his feet as well, ignoring the faces Harry was pulling at him, and began walking towards the door.
"Um, Ron. You're still in your pyjamas…"
A pause. "Right. Give me a minute."
"You're telling me you have evidence that Pettigrew is alive and in the school?" asked McGonagall, a sterner-than-usual expression adorning her face.
"Yep," Harry chirped, holding out the map to her.
"And this map supposedly shows the name and location of everyone in the school…?" she asked, examining the old parchment.
"Yes. It's never given false information." replied Harry, confidently.
"Right. First of all, this is a major breach of school rules, so I'll have to confiscate the map. I'm going to speak to Professor Dumbledore about this matter, meanwhile the both of you must remain here."
"NO! We're going with you! This concerns us as well." Harry exclaimed as he grabbed Ron's shoulder.
"Y-yes, we have every right to be there!" said Ron, startling at the sudden grab.
"No, absolutely not! I will not have the two of y-" McGonagall was cut off by Ron speaking in a suspiciously sweet tone.
"But Professor… hypothetically, Harry could go off hunting Pettigrew by himself and I'd assist him, wouldn't you want us in your sights? Hypothetically, of course," spoke Ron, a coy glimmer in his eyes.
McGonagall simply sighed and gestured for the boys to follow her. She knew Ron's words had a point. It would be better to keep the two troublemakers in sight. Hopefully, she won't regret that choice.
Harry was amazed how incredible Ron was at sweet-talking others. Despite his emotional immaturity at times (not that he could talk much), Ron was surprisingly good at knowing exactly what someone needed to hear.
Struggling to keep up with McGonagall's lengthy strides, Harry and Ron kept a hurried pace behind her, following the swish of her robes. Abruptly, she came to a halt in front of a giant gargoyle, stationed directly in the middle of the corridor.
Before the two Gryffindors could even exchange confused glances, McGonagall barked out, "Licorice wands!"
Bewildered, the two watched as the gargoyle blinked, before spinning into the wall to give way to a long, winding staircase. Without pause, McGonagall proceeded up the stairs, leaving Harry and Ron scrambling behind her.
When they'd finally reached the office, their jaws hung open.
The space was huge, the room circular in design with tall ceilings and large windows. Right above the Headmaster's desk were several portraits, all embossed with the names of the previous Headmasters. Curious faces peered down at the three as McGonagall paced the room.
"Albus!" She finally called, a thin thread of impatience clear in her tone.
A door to the right opened and the man strode into the room, his robes a garish orange and his hat askew on his head.
"Why, Minerva!" Although his tone conveyed surprise, his eyes didn't, twinkling in that ever-present omniscient manner. "What a sudden visit! With Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley, nonetheless. Lemon drop?"
"No, thank you, Albus," said McGonagall, her stern timbre returning. "According to this map that Potter and Weasley have so kindly shown me, Peter Pettigrew is alive and currently roaming the Hogwarts grounds."
Harry winced as McGonagall tossed the Marauder's Map onto Dumbledore's desk. He shot Ron a reproaching glare; there was no way they'd be able to get the map back now. Ron simply shrugged, shooting Harry an apologetic but determined smile.
Dumbledore hummed, picking the parchment up with delicate fingers. His eyes betrayed nothing as he examined it, his eyes peeking over his half-moon glasses. Eventually, he placed the parchment down and smiled at Minerva, his expression unruffled.
"It seems Peter has left the premises then," he stated, his words pulling a noise of outrage from Harry. "For his name is no longer visible on this parchment."
"But then-!" Harry burst out.
"Just a minute, Potter," McGonagall interrupted, her voice sharp and prodding. "Albus, you believe that this map speaks the truth then?"
"Indeed, I do," the old wizard conceded, his voice beaming with something akin to knowing pride. "After all, the makers of this map were rather persistent in their efforts in honing their creation. It's an extraordinary showcase of magical prowess."
"Albus," McGonagall started, exasperated. "It's not about the quality of the invention. There could be a criminal on campus, with undeniable access to the students."
Dumbledore made a noise of acknowledgement, his eyes scrutinising the map once more as if to verify its trustworthiness. "Well, I do believe Peter will hardly make a move tonight," he said finally. "As such, we should have some time in tackling this problem."
"Albus, I have shared with you my memories of Sirius Black under Veritaserum. Surely, you do not need reminding that Pettigrew is a conniving mass murderer-"
"Minerva," Dumbledore said, his voice gentle. "Please."
Wide-eyed, Harry and Ron exchanged looks as McGonagall visibly exhaled, her shoulders straightening out and untensing. There was no doubt that Professor McGonagall was a storm to reckon with, once she was angered.
"Well." She began, her words choppy and harsh, clueing to her uncharitable thoughts about Dumbledore's decision to stall. "Shall I or shall I not inform staff about this development?"
"Thank you, Minerva. But that will not be necessary. I shall do so at a later time."
An awkward pause erupted, Dumbledore and McGonagall staring at each other. Harry squirmed in place, wishing he could just leave. The frigid aura radiating off of the witch was simultaneously the most uncomfortable and terrifying sensation he'd ever felt in his life.
McGonagall nodded once, the tense pressure dissipating. Yet, her tone remained cold and impersonal as she spoke. "Well then, Headmaster. Excuse me."
With that, she turned on her heel and exited, her robes flaring out behind her in an eerie reminiscence of Snape's walk. Harry hesitated, wondering if that was their cue to leave as well.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore began before either of them could follow McGonagall out. "I'd like to ask the two of you a question."
Blanching, he could hear Ron gulping beside him. What could he possibly want to ask us?
"Would you like the map back? I believe this belongs to one of you."
Harry blinked, caught off-guard. He could feel Ron drilling holes into the side of his head with his intense stare. He replied, his tone confused but unwavering. "It's mine, sir."
"I see," Dumbledore nodded, a secretive smile overtaking his face. "Very well, Mr. Potter. You may take the map back before going."
Once Harry had shoved the map back into his cloak, he met the Headmaster's eyes making Dumbledore smile at him encouragingly. Taking it as the dismissal it was, he began striding to the door, almost running in his haste to get out. Ron matched his hurried pace.
Just before the office door swung shut behind them, Dumbledore's voice rang out.
"Remember, the slipperiest of rats require the tightest of knots."
Harry kept tapping his foot on the carpeted floor, unable to contain his anxiety. He had to have checked the Map over a hundred times by now, but Pettigrew's name hadn't appeared once. It had been dark outside for hours by then, and Harry had had enough. He decided that if Pettigrew hadn't shown up even once by then, he wasn't going to anymore.
But just as he was about to fold the parchment up, he caught a glimpse of a pair of footprints on the Map. Peter Pettigrew was in the Shrieking Shack. Shrieking Shack? Where was that, again? It didn't matter to Harry, as he clenched his jaw and ruffled through his clothes, trying to find the Invisibility Cloak.
He stopped and pondered for a moment. Pettigrew is a dangerous criminal, who has murdered twelve Muggles in cold blood… I should probably have some backup with me.
Luckily for Harry, the best candidate for his backup just happened to be sleeping in the four-poster next to him.
"Psssst, Ron, wake up!"
"Noooo, Mum! Have Percy chop the vegetables…"
"Ron! Get up, we have to go!"
"Bugger off George… I know you're pranking me…"
Harry leaned in close to Ron's ear and whispered, "Pettigrew is in the Shrieking Shack."
Ron bolted awake, blinking rapidly and looking around. "Wh- What?"
"He is in the Shrieking Shack, I wasn't mistaken. Get dressed, we have a traitor to catch." hissed Harry.
Harry and Ron hung on to their winter cloaks as a cold breeze blew by them; nights in Scotland tended to grow cold. As they approached their destination (according to the Map), a huge silhouette began to materialise. A quick Lumos showed them that it was the Whomping Willow, its branches swishing with the wind, deceptively calm.
"Bloody Hell… THAT is where the Shrieking Shack is?" Ron gasped, as he stared at the large, whip-like branches of the Whomping Willow.
"Looks like it… How do we make it in?" asked Harry.
"Woah, isn't the Shrieking Shack haunted?" questioned Ron, halting behind Harry.
"Maybe…? Look, all I know is that the traitor who sent my Godfather to Azkaban is in there. I am going in, regardless of whether you come with me or not." said Harry, looking at Ron.
"Chill out, mate. I'm coming in with you. How are you planning on getting past that blasted tree, though?"
"I don't think we can permanently damage it without getting expelled…"
Ron looked at the tree, staring at it for what seemed to be a long time, before he reached for his wand.
"Petrificus Totalus!"
The curse simply bounced off the tree, having no effect.
"Hmm, I think it only works on wizards." commented Harry.
"Hold up, I saw Dumbledore pull this one." said Ron, as he waved his wand yet again.
"Arresto Momentum!"
The spell hit the thick trunk of the animated tree. Harry and Ron watched in amazement as it began to slow down, its branches moving lento as if wading through a thick swamp.
"Quick! Run for the opening, Harry!"
"Wait! Ron, put on the Cloak and wait downstairs. You're the element of surprise, catch him off guard with a Body Bind Curse." finished Harry with a slight growl, as he tossed the Cloak towards Ron.
They both ran inside the entrance and not a moment too soon, as the tree started moving again just as they made it in. Harry quietly gestured for Ron to stay hidden, as he softly inched upstairs. Wand clutched tightly in hand, Harry surveyed the upstairs room. It seemed mostly empty, with the exception of some dusty furniture. Perplexed, Harry checked the Marauder's Map once again. Sure enough, Pettigrew's feet were still in the Shrieking Shack, along with Harry's and Ron's.
He lit his wand with a soft Lumos and began checking each nook and cranny of the room, until he noticed something peculiar on the windowsill.
"Scabbers…? What're you doing here?"
Author's Note:
McGonagall: *very angry* "ALBUS!"
Dumbledore: "This is fine."
McGonagall: *calmly* Headmaster.
Dumbledore: "THIS IS NOT FINE, THIS IS NOT FINE."
xoxo
We're so sorry for being this late! There's really no excuse but exams were kicking our asses for a very long time, although we both got into colleges! Hopefully we should be able to get back to more or less regular updates now!
Love,
Cel & Val