Chapter 34: Finals, First Meetings, and Rats

After Gryffindor won the House Cup, time once again seemed to race past them. Soon they were staring down the barrel of their finals for the year, and no one had more work to do than Hermione.

Hermione never left the library it seemed, and even Remus had to admit he was worried. She felt like her head was going to explode from everything she needed to know for her classes, but she couldn't risk not knowing the information.

"Hermione," George whined, "Come on take a break."

"Finals start Monday," Hermione scoffed.

"Yep, and you need sleep," Fred said tucking her hair behind her ear frowning as Hermione swatted his hand away.

"I'll sleep when it's over," she mumbled.

"Potter," Cedric called walking over ignoring the twins especially Fred.

"She doesn't want to be bothered Diggory," Fred snapped.

"So then why are you here Weasley?" Cedric asked.

"What do you want Ced?" Hermione asked cutting off the two boys before they could start fighting.

"Got you a treat." Cedric rocked on the back of his heels.

"What'd you get me?" Hermione asked her eyes lighting up.

"Your favorite," Cedric grinned holding up a pack of Sugar Quills and Hermione grinned.

"Thank you!"

"Ah, not so fast Potter you've got to do something for me before you get them," Cedric said holding up his hand to keep Hermione sitting.

"You slimy git," Fred growled.

"Shut up Weasley," Cedric said shooting the redhead an uncharacteristically cold glare.

"What do I have to do?" Hermione asked rubbing her eyes.

"Go with these two to Gryffindor tower and go to bed Potter," Cedric said softly, his eyes warming as he looked down at Hermione.

"I have too much work." Hermione frowned staring at the parchment full of notes.

"Then, I guess, I'll go find someone else to give these to," Cedric said moving to put the candy back into his pocket. George was watching the encounter with interest while Fred was glaring.

"No." Hermione moved to gather her things.

"So you'll go to bed? I'll know if you don't," Cedric said with a laugh.

"Yeah, because you're a stalker."

"More like Fay's just as worried about you as I am Potter." Cedric grinned.

"Okay... I'm going to bed, can I have them now?" Hermione yawned.

"No. I'll give these to you at breakfast provided you sleep more than four hours tonight."

"That was a brilliant plan mate," George said grinning.

"Hermione can be very motivated by food." Cedric laughed.

"Yeah, comes from not knowing when you're going to eat next," Hermione grumbled leaving the library and the three boys behind her stunned.

"She's joking right?" Cedric asked his eyes wide.

"Oh, I thought you knew everything about her Ced," Fred stepped forward, "I thought you understood everything about her you're both such good friends," Fred's voice was dripping with malice and sarcasm.

"I never claimed to know everything about her," Cedric said his eyes narrowing.

"Could've fooled me," Fred spat.

"Freddie," George frowned at his twin, "Hermione doesn't talk about this stuff, don't get mad at him for not knowing."

"Not knowing what?" Cedric asked his eyes shifting between the two.

"It's not our story to tell pretty boy," Fred snarled taking off after Hermione.

When Monday rolled around Hermione was finally well rested and anxious for her Finals. She'd gotten the sugar quills from Cedric just as he'd promised, and was reading over her notes one final time before going to find Harry and Ron to go to Care of Magical Creatures.

The final was simple if you kept the Flobberworms alive for the two hour period you passed. Flobberworms thrived best when left alone anyway, so, no one had much to do.

"The Ministry ha' set the appeal," Hagrid whispered to the trio.

"When?" Ron asked, "We'll be prepared Hagrid, I've been researching and I've got good notes on cases like this."

"It'll be Friday," Hagrid sighed, "They're bringin' an executioner."

"What?" Ron gasped making several Gryffindors glance back at them. "I've worked too hard."

"Shh," Hermione whispered.

"It'll be okay Hagrid," Harry comforted the giant man.

"O'course i' will," Hagrid smiled teary eyed.

The rest of the final passed by agonizingly slow, but at the end of the period, all three Gryffindors had a living Flobberworm still in their care. Ron was complaining about the pointlessness of Flobberworms on the walk back to the castle when Malfoy and his gang finally caught up.

"That brute is going to executed," he bragged, "I only wish I could be there to see that oaf cry."

Crabbe and Goyle sniggered with him as they walked for once ignoring the trio.

"I might even have the bird's head stuffed on my mantlepiece," Malfoy grinned.

"He's not going to die Malfoy," growled Ron.

"Oh look at that it's the Weasel."

"You-" Hermione started walking forward, "foul, evil, loathsome little bug." Before anyone could react Hermione slapped Draco across the face as hard as she could.

"You filthy-" Draco started to say with his hand clamped firmly on his red and stinging cheek, but Hermione stepped forward again sending Draco running up the hill.

"Hermione," Ron gasped in awe.

"That was amazing," Harry said grinning at his sister.

"That felt good." Hermione grinned back at them.

"Bloody brilliant," Ron crowed as the three of them continued their walk to the castle.

Hermione was taking more classes than any other 3rd year, and as such had more finals to study for than all the other 3rd years; Despite this fact, she considered most of her finals easy, the only class that caught her unaware was Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Hermione had managed to get through the majority of the Obstacle Course without issue, but when she entered the room with the boggart, Hermione found she was defenseless against the creature whose only weakness was laughter.

Her wand was at the ready, and the spell was on the tip of her tongue. She felt ready to laugh at whatever form the Boggart inside would take, but as soon as the boggart sensed her, it fell into a crumpled heap on the floor.

Hermione inched closer to see just what form the boggart had taken, but the closer she got the more her stomach turned. She was nearly on top of the creature when she realized that Remus was lying unnaturally still on the ground. His eyes were open and unmoving locked in a lifeless staring contest with the ceiling. Purple bruises had blossomed on Remus' neck in the shape of fingerprints. At the sight of Remus dead Hermione's breath started to come out wildly making her wand hand shake.

"Riddikulus," Hermione whispered, but instead of being able to laugh the body changed. There was a mop of jet black hair and startling green eyes in the same lifeless stare unable to see anything. "Harry," Hermione whispered crumpling to her knees only able to crawl to her brother's side touching his could face.

She felt the scream as it ripped itself from her throat, but she couldn't hear it, all she could do was hold the corpse tightly trying not to notice that the handprints on his neck matched her own.

Remus heard the scream and ran inside the room not bothering to check to make sure the other students were okay. The sight of Hermione clutching a broken body to her was almost too much for Remus to take. Quickly he moved to wrap his arms around her, but Hermione didn't react to his presence as she should have. It was like he wasn't even there that she was alone.

Remus pried Hermione from the Boggart with some difficulty pulling her behind him. The Boggart instantly transformed into the moon that Remus once again turned into a balloon. Quickly he ushered the shaking girl from the room and up to his office sending for Minerva.

"I'll be right back Mione," Remus put his hand on her cheek so that she'd look at him.

Hermione didn't seem to realize he was there, and her lips were moving as she muttered something he couldn't quite hear.

McGonagall walked into the office not paying any mind to Remus as she walked straight to Hermione. He knew he needed to be with the other students, but he couldn't leave her alone in a state like this.

"Go, Remus," Minerva said softly putting an arm around Hermione. "I'll take her to Poppy, and you can visit her there."

Hermione didn't know how long she'd been transfixed unable to move or speak, but finally, she realized she was warm and safe, that feeling allowed her to see other things as well like the rest of the Hospital wing.

"Hermione?" Remus called running into the wing.

Hermione looked up at the sound of her name, "Remus," she breathed his dead body flashing through her head. Her eyes started welling up with tears. "Remus," she said again her voice breaking tears welling in her eyes.

"I'm here," Remus promised pulling her into his arms.

"Where is she?" Demanded a boisterous redheaded boy followed closely by his twin brother.

"Freddie," Hermione smiled rubbing at her eyes tiredly.

"We heard you had a breakdown love." George smiled.

"We figured you were using it as a way to get out of taking your finals," Fred teased making Hermione laugh.

"Either way, we are here to take you to dinner," George looked at Remus. "Hello, Professor."

"Good evening George, Fred," Remus smiled letting Hermione go.

"You know me so well," Hermione rolled her eyes.

"You need to drink this before you go, Potter," Madame Pomfrey huffed handing over a restoration potion.

"Thank you," Hermione said drinking the potion down, and immediately feeling better.

"I'll see you at dinner," Remus smiled at Hermione and the twins going to leave.

"Remus," Hermione called, "Don't forget to go see Professor Snape," Hermione looked at him and Remus nodded.

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"Why does Lupin need to see that git?" Fred asked walking out of the hospital with Hermione and George.

"Don't worry about it," Hermione shrugged.

"Since when do you keep things from us?" George frowned.

"Don't worry about it," Hermione repeated.

Hermione knew she'd be having nightmares after facing the Boggart, but luckily it seemed that Remus had come to the same conclusion. After dinner Remus had even slipped her a vial of Dreamless Sleep.

"So, you screamed because McGonagall said you failed your finals?" Ron asked skeptically.

"We all have our own fears Spider-boy," Hermione said before going to her dorm and taking her potion.

After Hermione's Arithmancy final she went down to meet Snape in the Dungeon. "Hello professor," Hermione practically sang.

"Potter," Snape snarled.

"I'm here to get the potion," Hermione said.

Snape nodded curtly at her showing he understood. He led her to his office where a cauldron was on sitting on the fire in the corner behind his desk. He ladled some of the thick and disgusting potion into a goblet for her to take to Remus.

"Thank you," Hermione called already skipping off to Remus' office knocking on the door.

"Come in Hermione," Remus chuckled flicking his wand at the door causing it to open.

"How did you know?" Hermione pouted at him watching as Remus tapped the map.

"The map always know." Remus offered a wry smile.

"I brought you a present," Hermione sang.

"You did?" Remus sighed looking at her as Hermione brandished the goblet filled with smoking potion.

"Drink it all," Hermione warned making Remus chuckle.

"Yes ma'am," he teased gulping the Wolfsbane potion down in heaping gulps. "Mmm my compliments to the chef." Remus grimaced at the bitter taste.

"I'll see you at the feast?"

"You will," Remus said watching the witch in front of him, "How are you?"

"Nothing to worry about Remus it was all fake." Hermione tried to smile at him.

"But it didn't look fake to you Hermione," Remus said standing up.

"I know what's real Remus," Hermione said brushing off the man's worry for her. Remus had enough problems in Hermione's mind, and he didn't need to add more to his already extensive list.

After their finals, Hermione, Harry, and Ron made their way to the Great Hall. "I'm telling you, Hermione, it was different," Harry said.

"All her predictions have been fake so far Harry this is just another bit to make you believe she can see the future."

"I don't know Hermione I've never heard her voice change like Harry says he heard," Ron said walking into the Great Hall.

"Don't be shocked that the old fraud has learned new tricks, Ron." Hermione rolled her eyes walking slightly ahead of the boys.

As the trio was walking to the Gryffindor table, a tearful Hagrid stepped in front of them handing Harry a note before rushing off lest he'd start crying again.

Harry opened the note making Ron and Hermione crowd around him to get a better look at the parchment in his hands.

"Oh no," Ron groaned.

"We have to go to him tonight," Hermione said frowning.

"We can't," Harry mumbled, "I don't have the cloak," he said his voice barely above a whisper.

"Where is it?" Hermione frowned.

"In the One-Eyed Witch passage," Harry sighed, "I had to leave it there, or Snape would've busted me for sneaking out to Hogsmeade."

"I'll get it, just eat fast and meet me at the doors." Hermione sat down fixing her plate.

The three Gryffindors barely ate anything at all and Hermione was the first of the trio to excuse herself from the table.

The boys met Hermione at the front as promised, and quickly they threw the cloak over them. It was a steady walk to Hagrid's hut, none of them so much as daring to talk. They didn't want to risk alerting someone to their presence.

Hagrid opened the door after the first knock his face ruddy and eyes watering even then.

"It's us Hagrid," Harry whispered.

"You shouldn've come," Hagrid sniffed moving aside to allow them into his home.

"We couldn't leave you alone," Hermione said softly throwing the invisibility cloak off.

"I-I can make some tea," Hagrid offered.

"Where's Buckbeak?" Ron asked.

"He's out back in the Pumpkin Patch. I thought he might like to feel the fresh air," Hagrid admitted.

"I'm sure he's loving being back outside," Hermione said kindly.

Hagrid just nodded along to her words picking up a jug of milk, but his hands were shaking so hard he dropped the entire thing, the jug shattering into pieces and spilling milk everywhere.

"Here, Hagrid, you sit down," Hermione said getting up casting a cleaning charm and getting out the second jug of milk.

Hermione was about to pull the jug from the icebox when she saw the beady eyes and screamed.

"What is it?" Harry was standing

"It's- Ron it's," Hermione tried to say as she pulled out the dreadful looking rat.

"Scabbers!" Ron said jumping up and taking the balding rat into his hands.

Hermione only shook her head moving to look out the window. Outside two figures were making their way to the hut, one was wearing pinstripes and a bowler hat, and the other was carrying a shiny ax.

"Guys," Hermione hurriedly grabbed the cloak, "They're coming."

"We'll stay with you," Harry told Hagrid hurriedly as Ron held Scabbers close to his chest hurrying to Hermione and getting under the cloak.

"No," Hagrid shook his head, "I don' wan' ye to see somethin' like tha'. Now go."

"C'mon Harry," Hermione said holding the cloak up for him.

Harry looked back to Hagrid hugged the giant man once and dived under the cloak.

"Go ou' the back," Hagrid shooed the invisible trio off.

"Let's go," Harry told the other two urgently.

Hermione nodded and hurried to keep up with her brother and stay under the invisibility cloak.

Ron was lagging behind grunting slightly in annoyance as he wrestled with the rat in his hands.

"Ron stop," Hermione hissed.

"Scabbers won't stop squirming," Ron hissed back, "Ow! He's just bit me," Ron growled throwing off the cloak.

"Ron we've got to go," Hermione groaned.

Suddenly, there was the sound of something rushing through the air and a dull thud echoed back to them. Buckbeak was gone, the execution was over.

"Hermione," Harry whispered, but Hermione only shook her head looking down at her feet.

"Stay still," Ron growled at the rat.

"Ron," Harry gasped looking up to see the grim, a snarling black dog inching closer to them.

"Snuffles?" Hermione asked raising her eyes to the dog.

Ron clutched the rat closer to him backing up, and Hermione ran forward in front of her friend. "Snuffles," Hermione said sternly holding a finger up. "Stand down he's a friend."

The Black dog walked up to Hermione and pushed her back gently with his massive head just as Scabbers got away. The black dog vaulted over the Redhead boy and scooped the rat up by its scruff bolting into the tunnel in the tree.

"What is it with your pets and my rat," Ron gasped.

"Oh no," Harry stared up at the branches of the tree. "Duck!" he yelled dodging a rather wicked swinging branch.

"Oh you've got to be kidding me, first my rat, again, and now the bloody whomping willow."

"We'll get Scabbers back," Hermione promised.

"I hate being your friend, both of you," Ron grumbled jumping as a thin branch swept over the ground.

"Is that-" Harry frowned seeing an orange cat with a squashed face run over.

"Crookshanks," Hermione gasped.

The orange cat ran up to the trunk of the tree pressing a knob, and suddenly every limb on the tree froze, not even the leaves trembled at the sudden halt in movement.

Ron frowned hanging back as the twins ran forward to follow Crookshanks into the tunnel.

"Are you coming?"

"No, I'll uh- keep watch," Ron said.

"C'mon Ron, we need you," Harry frowned.

"Oh, alright," Ron grumbled grabbing the invisibility cloak they'd nearly left behind, and sliding into the tunnel creeping behind the orange cat.

The tunnel was narrow and twisted dangerously at times, but Crookshanks' bushy tail was always easy to spot despite the darkness. Suddenly, the tunnel broke into an old dilapidated house they'd never seen the like of it in Hogwarts before.

"Where are we?" Ron asked his voice cracking slightly.

"I think, it's the Shrieking Shack," Hermione said.

"Look Crookshanks is going up the stairs." Harry frowned.

"Let's go." Hermione moved to follow the cat."

"Hermione," Ron caught her hand, "What if it's a trap?"

"It's not," Hermione said determined as she ran to catch up with the cat the boys giving each other a look.

"Snuffles," Hermione frowned at the empty room.

"Hermione, you can't run off alone," Ron said running behind her.

Harry ran in and followed Hermione's frozen stare, and there he sat clutching the squealing rat. A man who looked more skeletal than human. His eyes screamed madness; however, his hair, clothes, and body, were covered in filth and grime.

"Sirius Black," Harry spat feeling hatred heat his chest holding his wand out, but Hermione threw out her arm to stop her brother.

"You? Where's Snuffles?" she asked.

"I am Snuffles," Sirius said calmly.

"You've been around us for a while then." Hermione frowned.

"I have," Sirius said.

"Gauging how best to get close to us then?"

"Not quite."

"Hermione what are you doing?" Harry growled, "He killed them, he killed our parents, he's the reason we're alone."

"Harry, he's an animagus." Hermione turned to her brother.

"So?"

"So, he's the black dog that saved us," Hermione said plainly.

"No, no he's not, he wants to kill us, to kill me."

"If you want to kill Harry then you'll have to kill me too," Ron said moving to shield his best friends.

"Only one will die tonight," Sirius growled glowering at the trembling Rat in his hands.

Then the door burst open and there stood Lupin, his wand was pointed at Sirius his eyes looking over the other three, before falling on the Rat struggling to get out of Sirius' hands.

"You switched that night didn't you?" Remus whispered.

"Yes," Sirius said quietly. At his words, Remus almost ran forward embracing the man in front of him.

"He killed our parents Remus," Harry yelled.

"You're right, I as good as killed them. It was my decisions that led to their deaths." Sirius Black stood up revealing a tall man in desperate need of proper nourishment.

"Harry we were wrong, I thought so too until tonight," Remus said looking at the boy.

"He's been with that boy all this time," Sirius whispered pointing to Ron.

"Someone needs to start making some bloody sense, and they need to start making it now," Ron yelled still standing in front of Harry his wand pointed at the two men.

"Language Ron," Remus mumbled.

"Harry, If Snu- I mean Sirius was around us in Little Whinging, and he was trying to kill you, then why didn't he do it there? He could've killed both of us and the Dursley's no one would've been there to stop him."

"That doesn't matter, it doesn't change what he did," Harry said coldly.

Remus looked at the twins and Ron, "Everyone sit down," he ordered, "If you trust me, Harry, you'll listen."

"Why should I trust a monster like you?" Harry snarled viciously making Remus flinch at his words.

"Harry James Potter," Hermione gasped.

Harry blinked realizing his words. "I-I didn't mean-"

"No, you're right," Remus said quietly looking at Sirius. "Just, let me explain first," he told the gaunt man.

"I've done my waiting," Sirius gripped the rat so tight it squeaked.

"No! Let him go," Ron gasped.

"Harry and Hermione deserve to know," Remus said calmly.

Sirius looked at the twins his eyes softening, and finally, he nodded at Remus.

"The Whomping Willow was planted when I started at Hogwarts. The tree was planted for me as a cover to keep students from getting close to me on nights of the full moon..."

"Bloody hell he's a werewolf," Ron gasped.

"It's okay Ron," Hermione told the boy, "Go on Remus."

Ron didn't look at all calm, even after her reassurance, but Remus continued his story. "In those days I had three wonderful friends, who became animagi so that I wouldn't be alone any longer during the Full Moon. It was dangerous and reckless, but we were young and thought that no harm could ever befall us. There was Prongs, that was your Dad Harry Hermione, and Padfoot," Remus looked to Sirius, "and then there was Wormtail or Peter."

"Peter Pettigrew?" Harry asked with a frown, "but Remus, Black killed him too, and all those muggles."

"I thought so too Harry, until tonight," Remus looked at the rat. "I knew you'd all be going to see Hagrid, so I was watching the map to make sure you got there and back safely. You couldn't begin to imagine my surprise when I saw that Peter was with you when you'd left Hagrid."

"The map had to have been lying." Harry shrugged at the coincidence.

"The map doesn't lie," Sirius growled, "he's here." Sirius lifted the rat once again by its scruff.

"That's mental," Ron said, "Scabbers had been in our family for twelve years."

"Didn't you wonder why he'd lived so long? He's missing a toe, and did you know all they could find of Pettigrew was his finger," Sirius shook the rat in his hand glaring hatefully at the creature.

"My brothers have had that map since their first year. Even if Scabbers was this Peter person they would have seen him in my bed at some point."

"I'm afraid you're wrong," Sirius said coldly.

"Sirius is right we created the map to hide our positions. In case the map ever got into the wrong hands, no one but a Marauder would be able to see the other Marauders."

"Clever," Hermione praised and looked at Sirius, "but that doesn't explain how you know Scabbers is Peter."

"She's right Sirius, how did you know?"

Sirius paused a moment before pulling out a copy of the Daily Prophet from his filthy robes. The front picture was the Weasley family in Egypt and featured prominently right in front of the group was Ron holding Scabbers.

"I asked Fudge for the paper to do the crosswords, and I saw him right there. The article said the boy would be going back to Hogwarts where Harry and Hermione were."

"How did you escape?" Hermione asked her eyes filled with curiosity.

"I knew I was innocent, and that wasn't exactly a happy thought so they couldn't take it from me. After I saw the picture, I waited until the door opened one day, and slipped past the dementors as a dog. I swam back to land and set off to find the two of you."

"Show me it's him," Harry said suddenly.

Sirius and Remus looked at one another before seeming to come to a silent agreement.

"Don't hurt him," Ron wailed.

"Ronald," Hermione frowned.

Sirius handed the rat to Remus who pointed his wand at Scabbers looking to Ron, "If we're wrong Scabbers won't be hurt," Remus promised the redhead boy. Remus then turned back to the rat murmuring a spell that none of them could quite make out.

Suddenly, a bright blue light temporarily blinded them all as it flooded into the dark room. When the light faded Scabbers was still in Remus' hand, and it seemed that nothing had changed, for a moment. Then a very human head sprouted out from Scabbers' body, at the same instant the rat grew arms and legs and more human parts until Scabbers became a chunky, balding man, with watering eyes, and a twitching nose.

The man was missing his right middle finger, and he was sniffling pitifully. "Sirius, Remus, my old friends," he gasped. But his eyes, Harry noticed, were darting to the windows and doors trying to find an exit.

"Why, hello Peter," Remus said pleasantly, "care to explain why you're still alive?"

"Don't tell me you believe him, Remus, he betrayed us, and he forced me into hiding," Peter's eyes locked onto Hermione. She was staring at him her eyes and face unreadable, her jaw tight, and her arms crossed over herself in a tight embrace. It hadn't been Harry's godfather who'd betrayed their parents at all. It was her godfather who'd gotten their parents killed, in another roundabout way life had proven once again that Harry's life might've been better without her.

"Don't you believe me? Dear girl, I don't know if you know this, but I'm your godfather. They made me responsible for your safety, that's why I went into hiding. I was afraid Black would come after you if you were with me. I couldn't save you from your fate, because you were only safe if I was far away." Peter moved towards her only to be cut off by a near growling Sirius.

"Don't you touch her," he snarled brandishing his wand.

"You betrayed James and Lily to Voldemort didn't you Peter?" Remus asked strangely detached.

"O-of c-c-course not, Remus I would never hurt my friends. It was Sirius he betrayed them, he betrayed us all. He has dark powers that were given to him by the Dark Lord himself, powers that we know nothing of." Peter moved to step away but Ron blocked his exit. "I've been in a position close to Harry for years and I've never hurt him, I was a good rat," Peter looked at Ron hopefully.

"You- I let you sleep in my bed," Ron sputtered his face contorting with disgust.

"You hadn't hurt him yet, because there was nothing in it for you. You know when I told James and Lily to choose you over me I thought it was the perfect plan. You were never what I'd consider a good or even a talented wizard Pete. No, you just liked to have powerful friends, didn't you? I should have seen it from the start, I should never have doubted Remus, but you... I thought you were far too spineless to even think about betraying us."

"So you thought I was the spy?" Remus asked quietly.

"Can you ever forgive me for that Moony?" Sirius looked to the man who'd been like a father to Harry and Hermione.

"Of course Padfoot, don't spend another thought on it," Remus soothed.

"I'm just angry that I didn't sniff out the real rat," Sirius stalked towards Peter pointing his wand at the man's heart. "He's never changed Moony. Why didn't I see it? He never cared about us or Prongs or Lily. You saw him when the twins were born he could hardly stomach holding them."

"Sirius," Remus said reaching out to the man he'd despised for twelve years.

"No, Remus he betrayed us the moment it looked like Voldemort would win, and I trusted him over you," Sirius cleared his throat. "Everything he has ever done was to save his neck. Isn't that right you spineless disgrace to Gryffindor."

"You sold James and Lily to Voldemort didn't you?" Remus held up his wand to Peter's heart too.

"I didn't mean too," Peter finally broke down. "The Dark Lord, he would've killed me. You have no idea of his power, what would you have done?"

"I would've died," Sirius proclaimed, "I would have died rather than betrayed my friends."

"You should've realized this Peter, if Voldemort didn't kill you then we would, together," Remus said looking at Sirius, who was standing at his side, the two men shared a nonverbal agreement at that moment.

"No!" Harry ran forward throwing himself in front of the sniveling man.

"Harry," Remus' wand lowered a bit, "This man..."

"I know what he is," Harry interrupted.

"Harry stop," Hermione said sternly, and for a moment all eyes were on her.

"Hermione we can't just let them kill him," Harry frowned.

"He's my -" Hermione paused she looked ill for a moment before breathing again, "he's my godfather."

"Hermione," Ron put his hand on her shoulder and she shook him off.

"I should have the final say," Hermione looked around her at the room full of men and boys.

"Hermione, don't sentence him to death," Harry whispered, "They wouldn't have wanted us to be executioners."

"I don't know what our parents would've wanted Harry because I never got the chance to know them."

"Neither did I," Harry's eyes narrowed. The two twins seemed at odds for a moment before Hermione took a deep breath whipping her wand out again.

Harry's jaw set and he crossed his arms over his chest refusing to move as Hermione stepped towards the man behind him.

"We'll take him to the castle," Hermione said her eyes never once leaving Harry's. "You're right, it's not my job to sentence him, and you two can't do it because Harry deserves the chance to get to know his godfather. I don't think we could take losing Remus, or you for that matter Sirius."

"Bless you girl," Peter fell to his knees sniveling and crying his face on her shoes, while a gnarled and filthy hand reached out to her.

"Don't touch me," Hermione jumped back from him and looked to Harry.

"She said we'd take you to the castle, after that, the dementors can have you." Harry looked to the two men to see if they'd agree.

"We'll need to tie him up then," Remus said.

"No," Hermione moved and pointed her wand at the man. "Stupefy," she said quietly with no remorse as the man dropped to the floor. "Can we turn him back into a rat? he'll be easier to carry that way," Hermione said.

"I suppose we could," Remus hummed, "Sirius a little help if you please?"

Sirius and Remus each pointed their wands at the stunned man on the ground, and the same bright blue light flashed into the room blinding them temporarily. Sirius snatched the rat off the floor the moment he could see and looked to Hermione.

"Sirius put on the invisibility cloak," Hermione commanded, "and let's go," she told the others.

"What's the plan, Mione?" Ron asked with a frown.

"We just need to get Sirius and Pettigrew to Professor Dumbledore's office," Hermione said calmly.

"What about the other Professors?" Harry frowned.

"I could escort you all there," Remus offered.

"It's the full moon, Remus," Hermione said softly.

"You kids need to get out of here," Sirius said his face darkening as he realized what that meant.

"No, Sirius, it's okay, Remus took his potion tonight he'll be okay," Hermione promised.

"Potion?" Sirius frowned, "The Wolfsbane potion, so it works then, last I heard it was only a prototype."

"It works," Remus smiled raggedly, "and luckily Professor Dumbledore has promised me a continuous supply free of charge, of course."

Sirius looked like tears might spring from his eyes, but he quickly cleared his throat giving a short stiff nod in recognition. "Well let's get a move on then," he said throwing the cloak over himself Peter still in his hand.

"Remus, will you find a safe spot to sleep for tonight?" Hermione asked.

"I'll be fine Hermione," Remus smiled, "now go and set things right clear Sirius' name."

The quartet plus the stunned rat, and the Ginger cat made its way back out of the tunnel under the whomping willow slowly.

"I hate this path," Ron muttered bumping his head again.

"Yeah well, at least there aren't any spiderwebs," Harry offered.

"You three don't have to do this for me," Sirius said quietly.

"Why wouldn't we?" Harry asked frowning.

"You're an innocent man, and it's not fair that you live life in exile for a crime you never committed." Hermione looked as if this simple statement completely settled the matter.

"Innocence doesn't always matter, and justice isn't always black and white, not with politics and reputations playing a part."

"I know that," Ron practically growled as they came out of the tunnel. Crookshanks had pressed the knob on the Whomping Willow, and everything was deceptively peaceful.

"Hagrid introduced us to Hippogriff's first term," Ron started his story as the quartet walked up the hill away from the black lake, and to the castle. The gleaming and glittering lights of Hogwarts beckoning them home.

"So, I spent all this time trying to prove Buckbeak is harmless and Malfoy's father gets him executed," Ron grumbled as they got to the door.

Quietly Hermione pushed into Hogwarts, it was a bit of a walk still to Dumbledore's office, and the three of them didn't have the map since Remus had confiscated it.

"This is a pain," Hermione grumbled.

"Honestly how did we ever do anything without that bloody map," Ron groaned halting and listening hard for the sound of footsteps.

"Potter?" Cedric frowned looking at the group, "What are you doing out of bed?"

"Cedric," Hermione breathed, "I need you to take us to Professor Dumbledore."

"Potter, I can't just take you to Dumbledore, you need to go to your dorm before you get caught," Cedric hissed.

"Ced, please, I'll explain everything later, but I'm begging you..."

Cedric looked at her for a moment groaning, "Fine, but I want you to explain everything to me later."

"I promise," Hermione said.

"Alright follow me," Cedric sighed looking at Ron and Harry for a minute before turning away and leading them up the stairs and straight to Dumbledore's office.

"Fizzing Whizbee," he said to the gargoyle, "Up you go then."

Hermione climbed onto the stairs followed by Ron, Harry, and she hoped Sirius. Cedric wasn't far behind the four of them. Hermione stopped at the heavy wooden oak door knocking as hard as she could.

"Hermione, he might be asleep," Harry frowned.

"Well tough," Hermione said once again banging on the door.

"Potter," Cedric took her hand, "You need to go to bed."

"No." she growled just as the door opened and Albus Dumbledore stood in his robes looking down on them.

"Forgive me, I was speaking to the minister," Dumbledore smiled indulgently at the children.

"We need your help, sir," Harry said as he moved in front of Hermione and Cedric.

"With what Harry?" Dumbledore smiled kindly.

"Let us into your office, and then we'll explain," Ron interrupted.

"I see, Mr. Diggory I think it best if you go to sleep," Dumbledore said moving aside to let the three teenagers and the felon into his office. Dumbledore shut the door behind them and then crossed to his massive desk stroking Fawkes as he passed the Phoenix.

Sirius took this opportunity to throw off the invisibility cloak. "Good to see you again," he mumbled clutching Peter close to his chest.

Dumbledore betrayed no feeling as he looked at Sirius, "Mr. Black, it's been a while hasn't it?"

"Indeed it has Professor," Sirius seemed tense his stomach twisted into knots at the sight of the old man.

"I must say, I'm surprised to see you in the company of the children you orphaned," Dumbledore said bluntly.

"We have proof that Sirius wasn't the one who betrayed our parents, Professor," Hermione said making Dumbledore's eyebrows raise.

"Please, explain," Dumbledore said sitting behind his desk his half-moon spectacles halfway down his long nose.

"It was my rat," Ron spoke up.

"Are you feeling well Mr. Weasley?" Dumbledore asked.

"No the boy is right Albus," Sirius said his voice hoarse and rough from years of silence. "The rat is Peter."

"Peter Pettigrew? But why would he be an unregistered animagus?"

"We all were," Sirius said quietly, "James, Peter and I became animagi to help Remus through his transformations. Surely you aren't surprised, you commented more than once on the mandrake leaf we each kept in our mouth the month before Christmas."

"Severus, of course, had his suspicions, but I never dreamed," Dumbledore breathed. "I had Minerva keep a close eye on the four of you after I noticed the Mandrake, but nothing seemed to come of it."

"It's how I escaped, and it's how Peter escaped me. I cornered him after Hagrid took them from me. The second he saw me he started yelling about how I killed Lily and James, and then he blew up the street and killed those muggles. I guess you can guess what comes next," Sirius said glaring at the rat. "He cut off his finger and transformed just as the Aurors arrived I was so shocked I couldn't stop laughing."

"Do you mind if I?" Dumbledore gestured to the rat.

"Take him," Sirius growled.

Dumbledore gingerly took the rat setting him on the floor and prodding him with his wand. Immediately the rat squealed loudly and grew into a human man once more.

Hermione stared down at Wormtail her eyes cold, "Incarcerous," she said tying the man up.

"Thank you, Miss Potter," Dumbledore smiled, but Hermione didn't acknowledge the old man. Her eyes never left her godfather who was struggling against the restraints.

"Professor Lupin was there when Pettigrew confessed as well," Harry said.

"I believe we need to call the minister back," Dumbledore stood up, "And I need Severus," he mumbled walking to the fireplace.

Hermione watched the flame turn green, and Dumbledore put his face into the fire.

"He'll be fine," Sirius assured reading the worry on Harry's face. He stared down at the man he'd once called a friend in disgust.

"Did Mum and Dad make me his goddaughter because they believed we were alike?" Hermione asked her eyes never leaving Dumbledore's back.

Sirius frowned walking over to her, "Hermione, no I promise you that's not what your parents thought at all. Peter is only your godfather in title I'm your true guardian, both you and Harry were to go to me when your parents died. It was Dumbledore who decided that you'd be best off in that shit hole house with your Aunt and Uncle."

"That shit hole house you're referring to Sirius is the best protection these two can have," Dumbledore said with a smile, but this time the smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I can protect them."

"No, you can't, Harry is only safe when he and his sister are with his Mother's blood, it creates a barrier that Voldemort could never hope to pass," Dumbledore said calmly. "Harry is of course protected with Hermione as well, but Petunia and Lily were sisters making her blood connection less muddled and the protection stronger when they are near her."

Suddenly there was a loud woosh coming from the Fireplace. Everyone turned expectantly as the Minister walked out stopping short at the sight of Sirius. "You've caught him!" Fudge gasped.

"All isn't as it seems Minister," Dumbledore said pleasantly.

"What are you babbling about Dumbledore, we must get the dementors at once," Fudge bolstered.

"Don't even think about it," Hermione said stepping in front of the skeletal man.

"We won't let you hurt him," Harry stood beside his sister.

"He's an innocent man minister, the one you want is there," Ron pointed to the man still on the floor straining to talk through the bonds over his mouth.

"Pettigrew," Fudge gasped turning pale as if he was looking at a ghost.

"I'm having Veritaserum brought up this instant, but we will question him and see if Sirius is correct."

"So, Pettigrew is alive, Black was still the Potter's Secret Keeper, Pettigrew being alive doesn't change Black's betrayal and the murder of all those Muggles," said Fudge and Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Wrong again, Minister because Peter and I switched places at the last moment. I knew I was too obvious a choice, and at the time I thought Remus was the traitor. So, I convinced James and Lily to use Peter as their Secret Keeper."

Fudge frowned as the door burst open and in walked Severus Snape with the Veritaserum. Snape's already sullen disposition only soured further at the sight of Sirius Black.

"I trust that you remember Veritaserum will not work on Black, sir, he is a talented Occlumence and can fight off the potion's effects."

"You are correct Severus, Sirius is skilled at Occlumency, but Peter is not." Dumbledore gestured to the man now trying to scoot his way to the door.

Fudge looked at Black and then at Peter, "Oh, very well Dumbledore let's get this mess settled then."

"Relax Snivellus," Sirius quipped moving to stand protectively behind Harry and Hermione. "Now I think it's time the three of you go to bed," Sirius said looking down at the twins and Ron.

"You can't just send us away!" Hermione argued.

"Hermione," Sirius said, "No matter what happens next you don't need to see it. You don't need to see the Minister deciding I'm guilty and ordering a dementor to perform the kiss, and you don't need to see your godfather being dragged to Azkaban kicking and screaming."

"No... I need to be here," Hermione argued and Harry took his sister's hand.

"We both do," Harry said looking up at Sirius.

"We need to protect you, to help prove your innocent," Hermione said quietly.

"You two have done more than enough," Sirius gently put a hand on each of their cheeks. "You both know I'm innocent, and that's all that matters to me. No matter what happens next, it's not your fault, whether you're here or you aren't."

"Sirius please," Harry said quietly.

"I believe Sirius is right," Dumbledore said looking at the two. "I'll make sure he is unharmed if Peter's story coincides, but for now, the three of you have had a long night. Good night, and if Sirius is innocent I promise he will be here tomorrow to talk to you all."

Hermione blinked and threw her arms around Sirius Black. She didn't care that he smelled of filth and sweat, and she didn't care that he was three sizes too thin for a man of his size. She couldn't bear to say goodbye, but Dumbledore had spoken.

Almost as soon as Hermione hugged Sirius Harry threw his arms around the man as well, "We'll see you in the morning," Harry said determinedly making Sirius smile.

"Of course you will, I'm much too handsome to execute" Sirius agreed, hugging them both before letting go.

"I believe you'll find Mr. Diggory waiting downstairs," Snape sneered, "He'll escort you three to Gryffindor tower."

Hermione moved to the door a feeling of dread collecting in her stomach.

"Miss Potter," Dumbledore called and Hermione looked back, "Once you get to the tower, well more than one innocent life can be saved tonight; Three turns should do it, and I think you'll be needing this back as well." Dumbledore smiled holding out the cloak.

Hermione took the cloak turning away and walking downstairs with Harry and Ron, her mind racing with the possibility of who else would need saving.

"How'd it go?" Cedric asked from his spot at the bottom of the stairs.

"As good as could be expected I think," Harry said cheerily trying not to think about what would happen if Fudge decided not to believe Wormtail.

Hermione didn't say anything the entire walk, until she saw the time, "Where were we going at 7:30 tonight?" she asked walking into the common room.

"We were going to Hagrid's," Harry said.

Hermione's eyes lit up in understanding, "He wants us to save Buckbeak..."

And that's the chapter! I hope you've all enjoyed this chapter. Only 1 more chapter and it's the end of book 3. Also Review, favorite, follow, whichever you like :)