3rd Person's POV

Slowly, in a kind of horrified trance, Harry, Ron, and Hermione set off silently around Hagrid's house. As they reached the other side, the front door closed with a sharp snap.

"Please, let's hurry," Hermione whispered. "I can't stand it, I can't bear it...."

They started up the sloping lawn toward the castle. The sun was sinking fast now; the sky had turned to a clear, purple-tinged grey, but to the west there was a ruby-red glow.

Ron stopped dead.

"Oh, please, Ron," Hermione began.

"It's Scabbers-- he won't-- stay put--"

Ron was bent over, trying to keep Scabbers in his pocket, but the rat was going berserk; squeaking madly, twisting and flailing, trying to sink his teeth into Ron's hand.

"Scabbers, it's me, you idiot, it's Ron," Ron hissed.

They heard a door open behind them and men's voices.

"Oh, Ron, please let's move, they're going to do it!" Hermione breathed.

"Okay-- Scabbers, stay put--"

They walked forward; Harry, like Hermione, was trying not to listen to the rumble of voices behind them. Ron stopped again.

"I can't hold him-- Scabbers, shut up, everyone'll hear us--"

The rat was squealing wildly, but not loudly enough to cover up the sounds drifting from Hagrid's garden. There was a jumble of indistinct male voices, a silence, and then, without warning, the unmistakable swish and thud of an axe.

Hermione swayed on the spot.

"They did it!" she whispered to Harry. "I d-don't believe it-- they did it!"

Harry's mind had gone blank with shock. The three of them stood transfixed with horror under the Invisibility Cloak. The very last rays of the setting sun were casting a bloody light over the long- shadowed grounds. Then, behind them, they heard a wild howling.

"Hagrid," Harry muttered. Without thinking about what he was doing, he made to turn back, but both Ron and Hermione seized his arms.

"We can't," said Ron, who was paper-white. "He'll be in worse trouble if they know we've been to see him..."

Hermione's breathing was shallow and uneven.

"How-- could-- they?" she choked. "How could they?"

"Come on," said Ron, whose teeth seemed to be chattering.

They set off back toward the castle, walking slowly to keep themselves hidden under the cloak. The light was fading fast now. By the time they reached open ground, darkness was settling like a spell around them.

"Scabbers, keep still," Ron hissed, clamping his hand over his chest.

The rat was wriggling madly. Ron came to a sudden halt, trying to force Scabbers deeper into his pocket.

"What's the matter with you, You stupid rat? Stay still-- OUCH! He bit me!"

"Ron, be quiet!" Hermione whispered urgently. "Fudge'll be out here in a minute--"

"He won't-- stay-- put--"

Scabbers was plainly terrified. He was writhing with all his might, trying to break free of Ron's grip.

"What's the matter with him?"

"Scabbers-- NO!"

Too late, the rat had slipped between Ron's clutching fingers, hit the ground, and scampered away.

"He bit me." Ron said looking surprised.

Before Harry or Hermione could stop him, Ron had thrown the Invisibility Cloak off himself and pelted away into the darkness.

"Ron!" Hermione moaned.

She and Harry looked at each other, then followed at a sprint hurrying after Ron. Ron reaches the summit, disappears over the top. Harry and Hermione reach the top of the ridge.

"Harry. You do realize what tree this is..." Hermione stops and looks at the tree shifting in the wind nervously.

"Uh oh..." Harry says as he watches the Whomping Willow.

Ron nabs Scabbers, cradles him in his bloody palm, "Now behave yourself."

"That's not good. Ron! Run!"

Ron spins and looks toward Harry, "What? Why?"

"Harry! Run!" Hermione says pulling him down the hill.

Harry's eyes shift. Bounding toward him in the gathering gloom is an enormous pale-eyed black dog. Harry shields himself when the dog leaps clear over him.

"Aaaahhh!"

The dog's teeth flash and snap closed on Ron's foot, dragging him towards the tree trunk like a rag doll. Instantly, Harry dashes forward, leaps out, and grabs Ron's hands but he and Ron just keep skudding along the ground.

"I've got you--" Hermione pitches herself onto Harry's feet and the three of them go scudding along.

"Harry!"

Harry raises his chin. The dog vanishes into the gap at the base of the tree, begins to pull Ron through.

"Hold on, Ron!" Harry yells as he tries his hardest to pull.

But it's no use. The dog is too powerful. Harry glances around desperately, then finds himself looking directly in Ron's eyes. He can read his mind.

"No, Ron..."

One by one, Ron releases his fingers from Harry's forearm. Sacrificing himself.

"Nooooo!!!"

But Ron closes his eyes, releases his hands fully, and disappears. As his voice echoes deep into the earth. Harry and Hermione rise to peer into the hole when WHOMP! The Whomping Willow sweeps first Hermione, then Harry, into the air and-- FLOOMPH -- drops them on their backsides.

Swaying beautifully against the dusky sky, swishing softly. As one, they rise. Run back toward the gap in the tree. A branch swoops down. Hermione ducks. Harry doesn't. WHOOSH-- he is flung one way, his glasses the other.

Hermione hops over another branch, looks briefly pleased with herself, only to find herself swept high in the air by a second branch. She looks down, sees Harry searching the ground for his glasses.

"Haaaaaaarrrrrr!!!!!!!!!"

Harry squints up, sees a pile-driving fist of a branch screaming straight down for his head. He rolls away just as-- WHOMP!-- the branch pulverizes the ground. Hermione, still clinging on for dear life, and Harry rises. FLUMPH!-- he's promptly knocked to the ground again. Hermione goes crashing through the high branches, Harry spies his glasses and grabs them.

Rising, he fits them to his face and just in time to see Hermione flying madly toward him.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

The two scream as Hermione reaches out, grabs Harry's shirt and riding the branch in tandem, the two boomerang back, hurtling toward the trunk of the tree, through the gap, and into the darkness... below.

OOMPH!

Harry hits the ground hard.

OOMPH!

Hermione falls on top of him, "Thanks."

"Don't mention it. Lumos."

As the tip of Harry's wand glows, it reveals a long, snaking tunnel.

"Where do you suppose this goes?" Hermione asks shaking while holding onto Harry's arm tightly.

"I have a hunch. I just hope I'm wrong..."

Harry and Hermione make their way through the primitive passageway, ducking the roots that dangle overhead. Then, abruptly, the tunnel ends.

Confused, Harry and Hermione glance about, then together peer up to see a small opening. Harry reaches up, hoists himself through.

Harry pulls Hermione up. Looks about. Paper peels from the walls. Stains suspiciously similar to dried blood blot the floorboards. Shattered furniture lies strewn everywhere.

"We're in the Shrieking Shack, aren't we?"

Harry doesn't answer, staring at the dog prints in the dust on the floor. The ceiling creaks as they dash to the stairs. They come out, look down. A wide, shiny stripe cuts through the dust-laden floor, as if something has been dragged to the end of the hallway, where a light seeps from a door.

"Nox."

His wand-light dies. Slowly, they step to the door and exchange a look. She nods, wand ready, and Harry kicks the door aside. Ron sits upon a sagging bed, clutching his bloody foot.

"Ron! You're okay--" Hermione squeals and runs over to him.

"The dog-- where's the--" Harry asks but is interrupted by the fear stricken look on Ron's face.

"It's a trap, Harry. He's the dog. He's an Animagus."

Harry looks down, follows the paw prints on the floor to a pair of filthy human feet. Harry looks up slowly at the MAN standing in the shadows. Filthy, matted hair hangs to his shoulders. His skin like a corpse.

SIRIUS BLACK.

He studies Harry's face keenly. Harry draws his wand.

"Expelliarmus!" he croaked, pointing Ron's wand at them.

Harry's and Hermione's wands shot out of their hands, high in the air, and Black caught them. Then he took a step closer. His eyes were fixed on Harry.

"I thought you'd come and help your friend," he said hoarsely.

His voice sounded as though he had long since lost the habit of using it.

"Your father would have done the same for me. Brave of you not to run for a teacher. I'm grateful, it will make everything much easier...."

The taunt about his father rang in Harry's ears as though Black had bellowed it. A boiling hate erupted in Harry's chest, leaving no place for fear. For the first time in his life, he wanted his wand back in his hand, not to defend himself, but to attack... to kill.

Without knowing what he was doing, he started forward, but there was a sudden movement on either side of him and two pairs of hands grabbed him and held him back.

"No, Harry!" Hermione gasped in a petrified whisper.

"If you want to kill Harry, you'll-- you'll... have to kill us, too!" Ron shouts from the couch.

"No. Only one will die tonight." Sirius Black taunts.

"Then it'll be you!" Harry shouts.

"Harry! No!" Hermione pulls him back.

Just then footsteps sound. Black wheels toward the door, edgy. Harry eye black his hands shaking violently. As Black turns back, he stops, regards Harry cautiously.

"Going to kill me, Harry?" Sirius taunts again while holding his hand and Harry and Hermione's also.

"Yes."

Just as Sirius opens his mouth to speak the door crashes open to Lupin.

"Professor Lupin!" The Golden trio cheers.

Lupin ignores them, eying Black intensely, "Looking a bit ragged, aren't we, Sirius? Finally the skin reflects the madness within."

"You'd know all about the madness within, wouldn't you, Remus?"

The two regard each other, the moment taut with tension, then Lupin steps forward and embraces Black like a brother.

"No! I trusted you! I covered up for you. And all this time you've been his friend! He's a werewolf! That's why he's been missing classes!" Hermione yells then looks over at Harry and Ron who stare dumbfounded at Lupin.

Black howls bitterly amused. Lupin eyes him, then turns back, "How long have you known?"

"Since Karina had done research and Professor Snape set the essay."

"You're one of most the brightest witches of your age, Hermione.

"Yes, you glow like the sun. And you howl at the moon. Enough talk! He dies now. If you won't do it with me, Remus, I'll do it alone." Sirius spits angrily moving toward the three.

"Wait, Sirius--" Lupin pulls him back but Sirius jumps away and looks at him in a crazed manner.

"I did my waiting! Twelve years of it! In Azkaban! Trust me, you wouldn't have lasted a week!"

Lupin eyes Black, then nods, "All right then. As you wish..."

"No!" Ron says as he raises his wand.

Quickly Lupin wheels and with a flick of his own, disarms him.

Furious, Harry eyes Black murderously, "You betrayed my parents! You sold them to Voldemort!"

"It's a lie! I never would've betrayed James and Lily!"

"Harry! You've got to listen--" Lupin says in a pleading way.

"Did he listen! When my mother was dying! Did he hear her screaming!"

"No! I wasn't there! And I'll regret it the rest of my life!"

Harry's eyes flash to Black's, glittering with pain.

"Someone else betrayed your parents, Harry. Someone in this room right now. Someone who, until quite recently, I believed to be dead." Lupin says looking around curiously.

"He's as good as dead." Sirius spits at Lupin angrily.

"What're you talking about? There's nobody here." Harry says looking at the two who have seemed to be mentally insane.

"Oh yes there is..." Black turns then, to Ron, and croons in a cruel sing song:

"Come out, come out, Peter. Come out, come out and play..."

Ron draws back from Black's demented gaze, "You're mad..."

Harry's eyes shift from Ron's face to his hands, where Scabbers twists violently. As a curious expression befalls, Lupin and Black, as one, raise their wands when...

"Expelliarmus!"

The wands fly from their hands. The others turn, find Snape and Karina standing in the doorway.

"Oh my god Ron are you okay?!" Karina runs over to the golden trio then pulls off her sweater and tightly wraps it around Ron's bloody foot.

"Karina!? What are you doing here? And with Snape?" Harry yells in a threatening tone.

"Well Professor Snape was looking for Lupin since its a full moon tonight. And we saw Sirius Black as a dog running towards the Whomping Willow so we followed."

"That still doesn't explain why you were with him."

"Later Harry if you didn't notice we are all in quite the predicament."

The two look back to see Snape smiling smugly at Sirius Black.

"Ah, vengeance is sweet. How I hoped I'd be the one to catch you."

"Severus--" Professor Lupin moves towards him slowly only to be met with the wand at his chest.

"I told Dumbledore you were helping your old friend into the castle. And here's the proof."

"Brilliant! And as usual dead wrong. Now give us our wands back. Remus and I have a bit of unfinished business to tend to."

As Black approaches, Snape puts his wand to Black's neck, "Give me a reason. I beg you."

"Don't be a fool, Severus!" Lupin argues.

"He can't help it. It's habit by now." Sirius teases while slightly laughing.

"Quiet, Sirius!" Lupin scolds him.

Snape looks back and forth between the two, clucking his tongue, "Listen to you two. Quarreling like an old married couple. The creature and the criminal."

"Piss off." Sirius says.

"Witty as ever I see. Tell me, will you be so irreverent when I turn you over to the Dementors?"

As Black reacts he continues, "Do I detect a flicker of fear? One can only imagine what it must be like to endure the Dementor's Kiss. It's said to be unbearable to witness. But I'll do my best.

Snape's eyes harden. He gestures to the door, "After you."

As the others start to go, Harry glances around for anything to use as a weapon and then looks over at Karina who is distracted. Looking at her back pocket, he sees that she has her wand in her jeans. Slowly he pulls the wand out her jean pocket, making her glance over at him in confusion but she stays quiet.

In a flash his hand flicks the wand toward Snape, "Expelliarmus!"

Snape soars into the air, hits the raggedy bed with a thud, making the top wood pieces fall on top of him. Karina, Ron, and Hermione stare in shock.

Hermione glares at Harry for a second, "You attacked a teacher."

Harry looks a bit shocked himself, then turns to Black, "You said Peter before. Peter who?"

"Pettigrew. He was at school with us. We thought he was a friend." Lupin says holding his hands up.

"No. Pettigrew's dead. He killed him."

As Harry points at Black, Black laughs mirthlessly.

"I thought so, too. Until you mentioned seeing Pettigrew on the Map." Lupin confirms while moving closer to Harry.

"The Map was lying then--" Harry stammers trying to figure out what in the world could possibly be going on.

"The Map never lies. Pettigrew's alive. And he's right there." Black points at... Ron. Ron goes white with fear.

"M-me? It's lunatic..."

Sirius rolls his eyes, "Not you, you idiot. Your rat."

"Scabbers? Scabbers has been in my family for--"

Sirius interrupts bitterly, "Twelve years. A curiously long life for a common garden rat. He's missing a toe, isn't he?"

Black unfolds a dog-eared clipping from The Daily Prophet: it shows Ron in Egypt with his family, Scabbers on his shoulder.

"So what?" Ron shrugs.

"All they could find of Pettigrew was his--" Harry starts to answer while looking at the clip.

"Finger. Dirty coward cut it off so everyone would think he was dead. Then he transformed into a rat."

Harry stares into Black's sunken eyes. Wanting to believe. Desperate to believe. Glances at Ron, his agonized face. Scabbers squirms violently.

"Show me." Harry says while pointing the wand at Sirius.

Lupin and Black turn to Ron. He holds Scabbers protectively.

"What are you going to do to him?"

"It's okay Ron." Karina whispers to him then looks back at the two.

Sirius and Lupin exchange a glance.

"Together." Sirius says while handing Lupin his wand from the floor.

With that, Lupin and Black cast a stream of blue-white light. Scabbers twists madly in midair, then-- FLASH!-- transforms into a very short man with thinning hair and grubby hands.

Peter Pettigrew.

"S-Sirius... R-Remus. My old friends."

Neither speaks. Pettigrew's small, watery eyes dart toward the windows and door. Suddenly, he makes a break for it, but Sirius merely shoves him back. Pettigrew's nose twitches, his gaze finding Harry. His hands flutter nervously, reveal a missing index finger.

"Harry! Look at you! Y-you look just like your father. Like James. We were the best of friends, he and I--"

"Shut up!" Sirius yells angrily making everyone jump in fear.

Pettigrew cries out dramatically, "I didn't mean to! The Dark Lord, you have no idea the weapons he possesses! Ask yourself what you would have done, Sirius. What would you have done!

"Died! Died rather than betray my friends! And you should have realized, Peter, if Voldemort didn't kill you..."

"We would." Lupin declares.

"No... please... you can't..."

His eyes darting, trying to find an escape, "Ron! Haven't I been a good friend? A good pet? You won't let them kill me, will you? I was your rat..."

Ron draws back in disgust. Pettigrew turns to Hermione.

"Sweet girl. Clever girl. Surely you won't let them..." Hermione just scoffs and looks away.

Pettigrew turns and takes a double take. Seeing Sally and Avalon's child, he saunters over to her.

"Karina Grey... you out of everyone should know what kind of power the Dark Lord possesses. You know. I had no choice just as your parents didn't."

Harry stays quiet but looks at the two in confusion. How does Peter know about her parents and what happened to them; are the questions that he asks himself over and over in his head.

"Shut up. I don't know what you're talking about."

Pettigrew glances between her and Harry seeing the two standing very close to one another, "Oh I see trying to keep it a secret. The truth will come out soon and when it does-"

SMACK!

Karina looks angry as she holds her hand which had just hit Pettigrew across the face.

"Why you little-" Pettigrew makes a step towards her but is stopped.

"Don't even think about it." Harry says as he quickly stands infront of Karina.

Not even a second later, Lupin and Black raise their wands then point them directly into Pettigrew's face. He shrinks back trembling, closing his eyes in fear, when...

"No." Harry replies.

Pettigrew's lids lift. Lupin and Black turn staggered.

Professor Lupin stares as if doubting what he had just heard come out of Harry's mouth, "Harry, this man..."

"I know what he is. But we'll take him to the castle."

Pettigrew throws himself onto Harry's arm, "Bless you, boy! Bless you--"

"Get off! I said we'd take you to the castle. After that, the Dementors can have you."

As Pettigrew emerges from the gap, he prattles desperately, "Turn me into a maggot. A dung beetle. A Flobberworm! Anything but the Dementors... Ron! Haven't I been a good friend? A good pet? You won't let them kill me, will you? I was your rat..."

As Ron draws back in disgust, a sleepwalking Snape bumps his head against a low limb.

"Don't worry. He's under the Somnambulist Charm." Karina grins as she walks past Harry.

Hermione turns to Harry, "It's primarily used to transport the seriously deranged."

As Harry nods, Pettigrew's pleading eyes find Hermione, "Sweet girl."

Hermione tugs her robes from Pettigrew's sweaty grasp. Harry turns, sees Black staring in wonder at the castle, shining radiantly under the bright bowl of the night sky.

"Beautiful, isn't it? I'll never forget the first time I walked through those doors. It'll be nice to do it again. Freely."

Sirius turns to Harry, "That was a noble thing you did back there. He doesn't deserve it."

Harry studies Pettigrew briefly, looks away. Lost in thought.

"I don't reckon my father'd want his best friends to become killers for a worthless piece of vermin like Pettigrew. Besides: Dead, the truth dies with him. Alive... you're free. "

Sirius studies Harry's profile, moved by this, "I don't know if you know, Harry, but when you were born, James and Lily made me your guardian..."

"I know."

"And, well, I'll understand if you choose to stay with your aunt and uncle, but, so you know, you could--"

"Come live with you? When!" Harry's eyes light up.

"Soon as my name's cleared..."

Harry looks at Hogwarts and grins. Sirius does the same. Together the two walk in silence. Karina walks up to the two making them stop where they are.

"So Potter, I think I'm going to go ahead and help Professor Snape to the infirmary. He shouldn't remember anything that happened. I guess I can make up a story or something like that."

She smiles at the Harry then looks over to Sirius, "It was nice to meet you. Although not in the best terms but until next time."

Sirius nods while secretly smiling looking between the girl and boy. Karina nods back then turns to walk away until her name is called.

"Hey Karina."

"Yes Harry?"

"Your wand..." Harry holds her wand out in front of him making her laugh slightly.

"Oh right how could I forget."

Taking her wand, she then turns around and takes two steps just to be interrupted again.

"Um Karina."

"Yes Harry?"

"Thank you."

Karina smiles watching Harry's face light up while also smiling at her.

"For what?"

"For caring... for helping... for understanding." Harry shrugs.

Sirius puts his hands on his hips staring at the two in shock wondering what could possibly be going on between them.

"Of course... You're welcome."

Harry nods then Karina turns around once more and takes one step but is again stopped.

"Rina!"

"Yes Harry?" Karina giggles at the confusing boy.

Harry doesn't say anything he just pulls her into a huge hug. She hugs him back then pulls away looking at the tired boy.

"Harry Potter you are so silly."She laughs then gives his shoulder one last squeeze. She turns and starts to walk away.

Once she gets to Professor Snape, she looks back one last time at Harry and smiles while shaking her head then the two disappear down the other side of the hill.

"Soo..." Harry is knocked out of his thoughts as he turns to see a smirking Sirius Black.

"So?" Harry says then tries to walk away from the conversation he knows that he is going to regret.

"What is going on between you and Karina Grey?"

"Nothing."

"Doesn't seem like nothing."

"Well it is. She is dating Draco Malfoy."

"Lucius Malfoy's son?"

"Ugh don't remind me."

"Hmm well that is just weird."

"That's exactly what I thought."

"She seems so nice..."

Harry looks over at Sirius who has question on his face and bursts out laughing, "Yes that's what everyone thinks at first. Don't mess with her. She can be scary."

Sirius opens his mouth to speak but then, Hermione's voice rises on the air, quavering with fear.

"Harry..."

He turns, see Hermione staring at the FULL MOON. His eyes shift to Lupin, who is a rigid silhouette, his fingers twitching and his eyes changing color.