By: Sailoranime
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Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters. The first part of the script, you'll recognize it, is directly from the 3rd book, Harry potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
AN: Okay, I should be working on Dwelling, but I'm taking a small break. Come on, it's only been like a week since the last update. I really had to write this, because if I don't I get all the little plot bunnies procreating and stuff, and that's never good. Anyway, this is an au fic, and uh... I'll try to make the chapters as long as I can. I know I have a habit of taking out small little 5 page chapters... Ah, well, I'll save any more notes for the bottom.
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Black and Lupin stood shoulder to shoulder, wands raised.
"You should have realized," said Lupin quietly, "if Voldemort didn't kill you, we would. Goodbye Peter."
Hermione covered her face with her hands and turned to the wall.
"NO!" Harry yelled. He ran forward, placing himself in front of Pettigrew, facing the wands. "You can't kill him," he said breathlessly. "You can't."
Black and Lupin both looked staggered.
"Harry, this piece of vermin is the reason you have no parents," Black snarled. " This cringing bit of filth would have seen you die too, without turning a hair. You heard him. His own stinking skin meant more to him than your whole family."
"I know," Harry panted. "We'll take him up to the castle. We'll hand him over to the dementors.... He can go to Azkaban... but don't kill him."
"Harry," gasped Pettigrew, and he flung his arms around Harry's knees. "You - thank you - it's more than I deserve - thank you-"
" Get off me," Harry spat, throwing Pettigrew's hands off him in disgust. "I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing it because - I don't reckon my dad would've wanted them to become killers - just for you."
No one moved or made a sound except Pettigrew, whose breath was coming in wheezes as he clutched his chest. Black and Lupin were looking at each other. Then, with one movement, they lowered their wands.
"You're the only person who has the right to decide, Harry," said Black. "But think... what he did...."
"He can go to Azkaban," Harry repeated. "If anyone deserves that place, he does...."
"Very well," said Lupin. " stand aside, Harry."
Harry hesitated.
"I'm just going to tie him up," said Lupin. "That's all, I swear."
LUPIN'S POINT OF VIEW
I couldn't believe what Harry was asking of me. Or rather, us. For years, I had cursed Sirius, often wishing I had caught him before the Ministry so I could have killed him. But it hadn't been Sirius. And now, the person responsible for everything was in front of me. All it would take would be 2 words and my wand, and I could punish him. But Harry wanted to stop us. He didn't want us to kill the bastard that betrayed his parents, killed 12 muggles, and put his godfather in Azkaban.
I heard Sirius telling Harry something, but I was still in a sort of daze. I had to respect Harry's decision. Didn't it? It was really his call. I came out of my thoughts in time to hear Harry speak.
"If anyone deserves that place, he does...."
Sirius is contemplating going against Harry's wishes, I can tell. I make myself speak before Sirius does anything rash.
"Very well, stand aside, Harry."
The boy looks hesitant. But how can I blame him?
"I'm just going to tie him up, that's all, I swear." I promise him. He still looks hesitant, but he obeys.
I want to kill Pettigrew. But I can't do it, because it's Harry's choice. I force myself not to think of everything Peter did. I force myself to ignore my anger, and remain calm. That, of course, only makes me think about things even more. But I can't kill him. My anger is still growing, but I've promised Harry. I raise my wand and open my mouth to mutter the curse to tie him up, but the entirely wrong words come out.
"Avada Kedavra."
So simple. I didn't mutter them as I meant to. Hell, I hadn't meant to say them at all. I didn't yell them either. They were calm, almost as if I was telling Harry he'd passed his test for my class. I hear a thud as Wormtails body slides from the wall and falls on the floor. It hadn't quite struck me until that moment. I had killed him. I didn't feel regret. Not even for breaking my promise to Harry. But I was still surprised. My eye widen and I turn to Sirius, who has an understanding look in his eyes. Then slowly, I turn to Harry, who is still staring as Pettigrew in horror. I'm dreading the moment he turns to look at me. But it comes, as all things do.
" You... you killed him." he says shakily.
" I'm sorry, Harry-" and I really am, suddenly.
" You killed him! You promised... and you said you were only going to tie him up. You killed him." Harry says shakily, pointing at me and backing up.
" Harry, I didn't mean to-" I'm not sure I can understand why Harry is upset. Wormtail killed his parents. He should be... well, not happy, but not reacting like this either.
"YOU DON'T JUST RAISE YOUR WAND AND KILL SOMEONE WITH A SPELL THAT'S MEANT TO TIE THEM UP!" Harry roars. And I think I understand why he's upset. He's just seen someone killed. He has just seen someone he trusted commit murder. Sirius walks over to him and puts and arm on his shoulder.
THIRD PERSON POV
" Calm down, Harry. Pettigrew killed your parents. He deserved. You know that." Sirius said, putting his arm on Harry's shoulder and speaking soothingly. Harry turned to Hermione and Ron, who were still looking at Pettigrew, their eyes wide. When Harry spoke, there a hint of a pleading tone in his voice.
"He... he promised... I trusted him, Sirius." Sirius sighed.
" I know... but Harry, think about it..."
Before Harry could answer, Ron spoke in a shaky voice, still staring at Pettigrew.
" Can we go now? Please?"
Sirius nodded. " Yeah... we need to get you to Madame Pomfrey... Then we have to take him," he said, motioning at Pettigrew, " to Dumbledore. Better drop Snivelly off at the infirmary too... And you and the girl too Harry. I... uh... tackled you a bit too hard." He then walked over to Lupin. " May I borrow your wand?"
For a second, Harry had the strange idea that Lupin was going to curse Sirius too and kill them all, but he knew Lupin wouldn't do that. Lupin merely handed Sirius the wand, almost as if he was glad to get rid of it. Sirius turned to Ron and muttered a spell that bandaged Ron's leg.
" I could do more... but I haven't done magic in a long time. I don't want to risk hurting your leg. Do you think you can walk?" Ron nodded.
"Good. Uh... take your wand back, Remus, we'll levitate Wormtail and Snape up to the castle. Uh... I need a wand.... Snape's wand snapped....."
Lupin spoke, his voice slightly shaky. " You can take my wand." Sirius shook his head and thrust the wand into Lupin's hands. Harry, his previous fear of Lupin killing them suddenly nagging at his brain again, handed his wand to his unarmed godfather. Sirius looked surprised, but took it. Slowly, Ron got up and Harry walked over to him so he could lean on him for support on their way to the castle. Hermione finally took her eyes off of Pettigrew and joined Harry in helping Ron, though she still kept glancing at Wormtail every once in a while.
" I... uh... better take Peter." Lupin said quietly, levitating Wormtail. Sirius nodded and levitated snape. Harry picked up his cloak quickly. Slowly, they made their way out ouf of the house and into the tunnels leading back to the Whomping willow.
About half an hour later, they reached the exit, and crookshanks touched the knot on the tree, making it freeze. They made it out in a single file line, Harry, Ron, and Hermione at the very back, where Sirius and the floating Snape covered Pettigrew from his sight. He was about to open his mouth to speak to Sirius, when Lupin inhaled sharply.
"Sirius..."
Sirius looked at Lupin, who was now bathed in the light from the full moon. " Run! Go!" he yelled, handing Harry back his wand and taking Lupin's and thrusting it in Hermione's hands. Ron's eyes widened, and they began to try to run, Harry and Hermione still supporting him and levitating the two lifeless figures. Sirius Black transformed and ran at Lupin, chasing him into the woods.
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AN: Something of a cliffhanger, huh? Well, I figured it'd be a good place to end it. I think I'm going to like writing this story. ^_^ Btw, OotP NEVER, EVER happened. As soon as I'm done with Dwelling and Blame, I will go into deep denial and go back to thinking J.K. hasn't released the fifth book and keep waiting for it. he he... now for a shameless plug. ^_^
Okay, if you're a fan of the Marauders, Moony (Lupin), Wormtail (Peter) *grumbles*, Padfoot (Sirius)*sad sigh*, and Prongs (James), and a member on neopets.com, then join Marauder Mayhem. ^_^ It's under the account 'sailor_melody', so go ahead and check that out... We offer some stuff, including contests, links, and guild jobs.... but I won't go into detail here.... Ah.... well, don't forget to review and stuff... Um... Good night, New York! Er... good night even if you don't live in New York.... *hands out chocolate* Don't you just feel like reviewing now?