chapter fifteen : explanations needed

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Juniper had never been part of a more stranger group. Crookshanks, Hermione's cat, lead the way down the stairs; Remus, Pettigrew and Ron went next, looking like contestants in a six-legged race. Next came Professor Snape, drifting creepily along, his toes hitting each stair as they descended, held up by his own wand, which was pointed at him by Sirius.

"You look just like your father," Sirius told her, glancing at her. "I mean — you don't look like a man or something —" He went with his hand through his hair. "— oh Merlin, I'm missing this up, aren't I?"

June smiled. "Well, you did spend twelve years away from the world so I'll forgive you."

Sirius grinned and shook his head. "You're truly your mother."

"You're not the first one to point out."

"So . . . You're a fifth-year, right?" Sirius asked, as the two of them brought up the rear.

"Yeah, I just had my O.W.L.s," June replied, nodding.

"How did it go?"

June shrugged. "Good I guess, but I'm pretty sure I failed Divination."

"Well . . . There are worse things than fail Divination," Sirius pointed out.

"Like being in Azkaban innocently for twelve years?"

Sirius pursed his lips.

"Too soon?"

He smiled. "Give it a day or two."

His grey eyes darted towards Harry and he hesitated.

"Go," June said, nodding at her cousin, "I know he'll be thrilled to talk to you."

She gave him a gentle push and he walked over to Harry, making Hermione fall back.

"How tactful of you," Juniper said, grinning.

"I just wanted to give them some privacy," Hermione replied, shrugging.

They reached the end of the tunnel rather quickly. Crookshanks darted up first; he had evidently pressed his paw to the knot on the trunk, because Remus, Pettigrew and Ron clambered out without any sound of savaging branches.

Sirius saw Snape up through the hole, then stood back for Harry, Hermione and Juniper to pass. At last, all of them were out.

The grounds were very dark now, the only light came from the distant windows of the castle. Without a word, they set off. Pettigrew was still wheezing and occasionally whimpering.

"One wrong move, Peter," Remus said threateningly, ahead. His wand was still pointed sideways at Pettigrew's chest.

Silently they tramped through the grounds, the castle lights growing slowly larger. Snape was still drifting weirdly ahead of Sirius, his chin bumping on his chest. And then —

A cloud shifted. There were suddenly dim shadows on the ground. Their party was bathed in moonlight.

Snape collided with Remus, Pettigrew and Ron, who had stopped abruptly. Sirius and June froze. He flung out an arm to make Harry and Hermione stop.

June could see Remus' silhouette. He had gone rigid. Then his limbs began to shake.

"Oh my —" Hermione gasped. "He didn't take his Potion tonight! He's not safe!"

"Run," Sirius whispered. "Run! Now!"

But Juniper couldn't run. Ron was chained to Pettigrew and Remus. Harry, who was thinking the same as she did, leapt forwards but Sirius caught him around the chest and threw him back.

"Leave it to me — RUN!"

There was a terrible snarling noise. Remus' head was lengthening. So was his body. His shoulders were hunching. Hair was sprouting visibly on his face and hands, which were curling into clawed paws. Crookshanks's fur was on end again, he was backing away —

As the werewolf reared, snapping its long jaws, Sirius disappeared from Harry's side. He had transformed. The enormous, bear-like dog bounded forwards. As the werewolf wrenched itself free if the manacle binding it, the dog seized it around the neck and pulled it backwards, away from Ron and Pettigrew.

They were locked, jaw to jaw, claws ripping at each other —

June stood, transfixed by the sight; too intent upon the battle to notice anything worse. A look of pure horror appeared on her face upon seeing Remus turn into a werewolf. It was Hermione's scream that alerted her —

Pettigrew had dived for Remus' dropped wand. Ron, unsteadily on his bandaged leg, fell. There was a bang, a burst of light — and Ron lay motionless in the ground. Another bang — Crookshanks flew into the air and back to the earth in a heap.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry yelled, pointing his own wand at Pettigrew; Remus' wand flew high into the air and out of sight. "Stay where you are!" Harry shouted, running forwards.

But it was too late. Pettigrew has transformed. June saw his bald tail whip through the manacle on Ron's outstretched arm, and heard a scurrying through the grass.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

Juniper was relieved to see her aim didn't fail her as the curse hit the small figure of Pettigrew.

The black haired girl leapt forwards, scooped the rat up and put him into her pocket, making sure to close it so he couldn't escape.

There was a howl and a rumbling growl; Juniper turned to see the werewolf taking flight; it was galloping into the Forest —

"I've got Pettigrew!" June exclaimed.

Sirius was bleeding; there were gashes across his muzzle and back, but at her words he scrambled up again, and turned back into his human form. He stumbled and June rushed towards him to support him.

"Are you alright?"

Her hazel eyes were observing him worriedly.

"I'm fine," Sirius mumbled, staring at her, as if enchanted by the hazel in it.

"Ron!" Hermione squealed from behind them, making them turn around.

Ron's eyes were only half-closed; his mouth hung open. He was definitely alive, they could hear him breathing, but he didn't seem to recognize them.

"We'd better get them up to the castle and tell someone," Harry said, pushing his hair out of his eyes. "Come on."

While June levitated both Snape and Ron as Harry and Hermione supported Sirius. When they entered the castle, June suddenly hesitated.

What if they didn't believe them?

However, she hadn't much time to think about the consequences as they encountered Professor McGonagall.

The elder witch halted abruptly, her eyes darting from Ron to Snape to eventually land on Sirius.

"Black," she said, eying June, "I do hope you have a good explanation for all of this."

"Sirius is innocent, it was Peter who betrayed uncle James and aunt Lily," June summed up. "And Remus is a werewolf, but I think you already knew that."

For a moment, no one spoke up.

"That's ridiculous," Professor McGonagall said, shaking her head.

"I have prove, Professor," June replied, taking Peter out of her pocket. "This is Peter Pettigrew. He's an animagus."

"You're talking nonsense, Black."

"She's not," Harry spoke up. "Sirius is innocent."

"I shall bring you to Dumbledore with this," Professor McGonagall eventually said, her eyes staying on Sirius.

"How about Ron and Professor Snape?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"Take them to Madam Pomfrey," Professor McGonagall ordered before looking at Harry, Sirius and June. "You three, follow me."

With a flick of her wand, the bodies of Snape and Ron started flying towards the hospital wing, closely followed by Hermione.

Juniper took Hermione's place under Sirius arm, after she had put Peter back into her pocket, and supported him while they made their way towards Dumbledore's office.

"Acid Pops," Professor McGonagall told the gargoyle. It moved and they climbed the stairs. The door to his office was open and as they walked in, Professor Dumbledore looked up. June couldn't tell whether he was surprised or not.

His blue eyes darted from Professor McGonagall to Juniper, to Sirius to eventually fall onto Harry.

"I think this needs some explaining," was the only thing he said.

Juniper gestured at Harry, since he had heard the whole story, and helped Sirius sit down onto one of the chairs as her cousin started to explain.

"May I see Peter?" Dumbledore questioned.

June took Pettigrew, who had started to move again, and handed him over to Dumbledore, who examined the rat closely. Then, he pulled out his wand from his robes and pointed it at the rat, who was squeaking loudly.

The spell hit him and slowly, Pettigrew transformed back into his human form.

Professor McGonagall gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. Juniper didn't move as she watched Pettigrew look around in fear.

"And so we meet again, Peter," Dumbledore said calmly. "Looks like I have a lot to talk about with Cornelius."

Peter shivered in fear under Dumbledore's blue eyes.

"Minerva, would you please escort Harry, Juniper and Sirius to the hospital? I'll join you as soon as I have contacted Cornelius."

Professor McGonagall nodded. "Follow me, Potter, Black and — er — Black."

June and Sirius exchanged an identical grin.

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Juniper leaned back in her chair as she watched Madam Pomfrey patch Sirius back up. Professor McGonagall had enlightened her about what had happened and Madam Pomfrey had been fussing over him ever since.

Harry sat next to her, looking very tired.

"Why don't you go and lay down for a while?" Juniper suggested. "You look like you need a nap."

Harry yawned before nodding. He stood up and laid down onto the bed next to Sirius'. Soon enough, he was asleep.

Juniper glanced at Sirius, who was know cleaned up.

"Hello, kid," he said, smiling tiredly at her.

"Hi," June replied, shuffling onto her chair so she was now facing him. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, Madame Pomfrey can heal everyone," he said, loud enough for the matron to hear.

"Still as charming as ever, I see," Madame Pomfrey replied, a small smile playing on her lips, before she bowed over Ron.

Sirius looked back at Juniper. "Now, let me have a good look at you. The last time I saw you, you were three, almost four."

Juniper smiled sadly.

"And now I'm sixteen, almost seventeen."

"Time flies," Sirius hummed.

Juniper tilted her head, suddenly remembering something.

"Where you the one who gave me the ring?"

Sirius nodded. "Your mother asked me to give it to you."

"Thanks for giving it to me."

Sirius smiled. "Anytime, kiddo."

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Published 8.10.2020

I hope you enjoyed it & tell me what you think of it!

Uncle Sirius is in the house!!