Chapter 69: 69
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After finishing their last Potions exam, Chris, Ginny, Luna and Colin sat together for lunch. After a few minutes Harry, Ron and Hermione sat beside them. Ron and Harry were controlling their laughs and Hermione looked like she had seen a ghost.
"How were your exams?" Ginny asked Hermione.
"Uh —" Hermione didn't say anything.
"Nice. Especially the last one. Defence Against the Dark Arts." Ron said and started laughing again.
"Ron!" Harry elbowed him as Hermione glared at them.
"What happened?" Luna asked curiously.
"Lupin gave us the most interesting exam. We had to cross a few obstacles and at the end, had to face a boggart," Harry explained.
"And Hermione came out after few minutes screaming, her boggart changed into Professor McGonagall." Ron howled with laughter. "She said Hermione failed in all subjects."
Hermione shivered again and hit Ron with a book. Luna laughed a bit as well, Ginny and Colin controlled their laugh with heavy efforts. Chris couldn't help but laugh like Harry.
"Hmph!" Hermione stuffed her mouth with food.
"It's alright Hermione. My boggart was my evil mother. She was scolding me." Chris gave a fake smile. Everyone looked at her, she started eating. "Moral of the story we're still young so we've very stupid fears."
"My fear was not stupid," Hermione said seriously.
Chris didn't say anything anymore. If Chris understood anything about Hermione this year, that she was very stubborn.
After sometime Chris tucked the map inside her robes, then went towards the DADA classroom, and came face to face with a terrified Harry.
"Harry!" Chris said. "You ok?"
"Professor Trelawney," Harry panted, "just told me — that the Dark Lord will rise again and today before — midnight his faithful servant will reunite with him."
"What?" Chris asked surprised.
"What should I do? I think it's Black. I think —" before Harry could finish, Ron and Hermione came out.
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"Oh! Harry, we have to meet Hagrid. Buckbeak is ill and so is Hagrid. He needs help." Hermione said.
"I'll come," Harry said suddenly.
"Don't. Hagrid asked not to bring you. And don't forget what happened last time," Ron said.
"I'll take the invisibility cloak. Don't worry." Harry said and dashed towards the Gryffindor common room.
"Professor?" The light was out in the DADA classroom. Chris lit up the lights by her wands and waited.
'The Dark Lord's faithful servant? Who is it? Harry thinks it's Black so can it be Scabbers? But where is he?' After a few minutes, she got bored and took out the map.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." She tapped her wand and the ink started to spread.
She looked for Lupin but saw Harry, Ron and Hermione were going towards Hagrid's hut. She ignored them and saw Lupin in his office. She watched people walking around the castle for some time. It was already six o'clock, so she decided to go to Lupin's office to check if he forgot about the detention. But as she was about to close the map, she saw a dot named Sirius Black coming out of the passageway.
'What the —? Why is he coming out?'
Chris saw Harry, Ron and Hermione were coming back from Hagrid's hut and someone else was with them.
'Peter Pettigrew? How —? Wait! Scabbers — Scabbers is Peter Pettigrew. That's why they're coming with him. He betrayed Harry's parents. He — he is Dark Lord's servant. Damn it.'
Chris was about to leave the classroom when the classroom door opened, Professor Lupin came in.
"Sorry Christina, I was got busy with some work — I think you're waiting —" Lupin stopped at the sight of Chris's shocked face and the map in her hand.
"Christina, how did you get that?" Lupin asked angrily.
"Peter Pettigrew." Chris blurted out. "He's alive. He's Scabbers. Sirius Black is innocent, Professor."
"What? What're you —?" Lupin asked confused. Chris showed the map to Lupin. "See. He's with Ron, Harry and Hermione. Look."
Lupin took the map and looked closely. "That's impossible. He's dead. Black killed him."
"No. He didn't. He wasn't the secret keeper. He made Peter Pettigrew the secret keeper. But why?"
"Who told you this?"
"I met Black that day at Shrieking Shack. He —" Chris stopped as she saw the dot name Sirius Black was running straight towards Ron, Harry and Hermione. They collided and then, he dragged Ron and Peter Pettigrew into the passageway. Harry and Hermione followed them.
"There is no time. I've to go. Christina goes back to your dormitory —" Lupin said taking the map.
"No. I want to go."
"Christina, no. It can be dangerous."
"I met Black before. Nothing will happen. Please, Professor, Professor Trelawney said today, the Dark Lord's faithful servant will re-united with him. It can be Pettigrew, he'll try to escape and if he succeeds, it'll be a disaster."
Lupin stared at her with a surprised look on his face, then said with a defeated expression, "Fine. Let's go."
They ran out of the classroom.
Lupin and Chris pulled themselves out of the passageway and entered the Shrieking Shack. There was silence. They looked around when a screaming sound came, "WE'RE UP HERE! WE'RE UP HERE – SIRIUS BLACK – QUICK!"
It was from Hermione.
"Hermione" muttered Chris angrily. "She still thinks it's Black."
They ran upstairs. Lupin cast a spell at the door of the room and it burst open in a shower of red sparks and Harry wheeled around.
Chris and Lupin entered and Chris looked around, Harry, Hermione and Ron looked surprised to see her. Ron, lying on the floor, Hermione, cowering next to the door, Harry, standing there with his wand covering Black, and Black crumpled and bleeding at Harry's feet.
"Expelliarmus!" Lupin shouted.
Harry's wand flew once more out of his hand; so did the two Hermione was holding. Lupin caught them all deftly, then moved into the room, staring at Black, who still had Crookshanks lying protectively across his chest.
"Were you really trying to kill him, Harry?" Chris asked loudly.
"Yes," Harry said with hatred in his voice.
Lupin spoke, in an odd voice, a voice that shook with some suppressed emotion. "Where is he, Sirius?"
Harry looked quickly at Lupin. Black's face was quite expressionless. For a few seconds, he didn't move at all. Then, very slowly, he raised his empty hand and pointed straight at Ron.
"I knew it. I knew it." Chris uttered punching the door.
"But then —" Lupin muttered, staring at Black so intently it seemed he was trying to read his mind, "— why hasn't he shown himself before now? Unless —" Lupin's eyes suddenly widened, as though he was seeing something beyond Black, something none of the rest could see, "so really he was the one — you switched — without telling me?"
Very slowly, his sunken gaze never leaving Lupin's face, Black nodded.
"Professor Lupin," Harry interrupted loudly, "what's going —?"
Lupin was lowering his wand. Next moment, he had walked to Black's side, seized his hand, pulled him to his feet so that Crookshanks fell to the floor, and embraced Black like a brother.
Chris smiled.
"I DON'T BELIEVE IT!" Hermione screamed.
Lupin let go of Black and turned to her. She had raised herself off the floor and was pointing at Lupin, wild-eyed. "You — you —"
"Hermione —" Chris tried to talk.
"— you and him!" Hermione ignored her.
"Hermione, calm down —" said Lupin.
"I didn't tell anyone!" Hermione shrieked. "I've been covering up for you —"
"Hermione, listen to me, please!" Lupin shouted. "I can explain —"
"I trusted you," Harry shouted at Lupin, his voice wavering out of control, "and all the time you've been his friend!"
"You're wrong," said Lupin. "I haven't been Sirius' friend for twelve years, but I am now — let me explain —"
"NO!" Hermione screamed, "Harry, don't trust him, he's been helping Black get into the castle, he wants you dead too — he's a werewolf!"
There was a ringing silence. Everyone's eyes were now on Lupin, who looked remarkably calm, though rather pale.
"Not at all up to your usual standard, Hermione," he said. "Only one out of three, I'm afraid. I have not been helping Sirius get into the castle and I certainly don't want Harry dead —" An odd shiver passed over his face. "But I won't deny that I am a werewolf."
Ron made a valiant effort to get up again but fell back with a whimper of pain. Lupin made towards him, looking concerned, but Ron gasped, "Get away from me, werewolf!"
Lupin stopped dead.
Chris felt a fit of strong anger rising inside her. "He is still a Professor, Ron."
"Not anymore. He's a —"
"FINISH THAT SENTENCE AND I'LL FORGOT THE FACT THAT YOU'RE INJURED AND YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER," Chris growled at Ron. "YOU'LL GET A BROKEN NOSE WITH YOUR BROKEN LEG."
Ron, Harry and Hermione looked at Chris horrified.
"Calm down, Christina," Lupin said looking at Chris. Then he turned to Hermione and said, "How long have you known?"
"Ages," Hermione whispered. "Since I did Professor Snape's essay —"
"He'll be delighted," said Lupin coolly. "He set that essay hoping someone would realise what my symptoms meant. Did you check the lunar chart and realise that I was always ill at the full moon? Or did you realise that the Boggart changed into the moon when it saw me?"
"Both," Hermione said quietly.
Lupin forced a laugh.
"You're the cleverest witch of your age I've ever met, Hermione."
"I'm not," Hermione whispered. "If I'd been a bit cleverer, I'd have told everyone what you are!"
"But they already know," said Lupin. "At least, the staff do."
"Dumbledore hired you when he knew you were a werewolf?" Ron gasped. "Is he mad?"
"Silencio" yelled Chris pointing her wand at Ron. Ron tried to talk but failed.
"Chris?" Harry looked shocked.
"What? I'm trying not to hit him but he is making it very difficult. It's the only other option." Chris said coolly.
Black chuckled. Lupin shook his head in disbelief.
"Ron you are not alone, some of the staff thought Dumbledore is mad too," said Lupin. "He had to work very hard to convince certain teachers that I'm trustworthy —"
"AND HE WAS WRONG!" Harry yelled. "YOU'VE BEEN HELPING HIM ALL THE TIME!"
"WHY ARE YOU ALL SO STUPID? I EXPLAINED THAT BLACK HAD NO REASONS TO BETRAY YOUR PARENTS AND NOW YOU'RE BLAMING PROFESSOR LUPIN WITHOUT KNOWING ANYTHING? STOP ASSUMING THINGS, WILL YOU?" Chris shouted. "I DRAGGED PROFESSOR LUPIN HERE. BECAUSE I BELIEVED SIRIUS BLACK IS INNOCENT AND PETER PETTIGREW IS THE ACTUAL CRIMINAL HERE."
"Peter Pettigrew's dead!" said Harry. "He killed him twelve years ago!"
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After finishing their last Potions exam, Chris, Ginny, Luna and Colin sat together for lunch. After a few minutes Harry, Ron and Hermione sat beside them. Ron and Harry were controlling their laughs and Hermione looked like she had seen a ghost.
"How were your exams?" Ginny asked Hermione.
"Uh —" Hermione didn't say anything.
"Nice. Especially the last one. Defence Against the Dark Arts." Ron said and started laughing again.
"Ron!" Harry elbowed him as Hermione glared at them.
"What happened?" Luna asked curiously.
"Lupin gave us the most interesting exam. We had to cross a few obstacles and at the end, had to face a boggart," Harry explained.
"And Hermione came out after few minutes screaming, her boggart changed into Professor McGonagall." Ron howled with laughter. "She said Hermione failed in all subjects."
Hermione shivered again and hit Ron with a book. Luna laughed a bit as well, Ginny and Colin controlled their laugh with heavy efforts. Chris couldn't help but laugh like Harry.
"Hmph!" Hermione stuffed her mouth with food.
"It's alright Hermione. My boggart was my evil mother. She was scolding me." Chris gave a fake smile. Everyone looked at her, she started eating. "Moral of the story we're still young so we've very stupid fears."
"My fear was not stupid," Hermione said seriously.
Chris didn't say anything anymore. If Chris understood anything about Hermione this year, that she was very stubborn.
After sometime Chris tucked the map inside her robes, then went towards the DADA classroom, and came face to face with a terrified Harry.
"Harry!" Chris said. "You ok?"
"Professor Trelawney," Harry panted, "just told me — that the Dark Lord will rise again and today before — midnight his faithful servant will reunite with him."
"What?" Chris asked surprised.
"What should I do? I think it's Black. I think —" before Harry could finish, Ron and Hermione came out.
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"Oh! Harry, we have to meet Hagrid. Buckbeak is ill and so is Hagrid. He needs help." Hermione said.
"I'll come," Harry said suddenly.
"Don't. Hagrid asked not to bring you. And don't forget what happened last time," Ron said.
"I'll take the invisibility cloak. Don't worry." Harry said and dashed towards the Gryffindor common room.
"Professor?" The light was out in the DADA classroom. Chris lit up the lights by her wands and waited.
'The Dark Lord's faithful servant? Who is it? Harry thinks it's Black so can it be Scabbers? But where is he?' After a few minutes, she got bored and took out the map.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." She tapped her wand and the ink started to spread.
She looked for Lupin but saw Harry, Ron and Hermione were going towards Hagrid's hut. She ignored them and saw Lupin in his office. She watched people walking around the castle for some time. It was already six o'clock, so she decided to go to Lupin's office to check if he forgot about the detention. But as she was about to close the map, she saw a dot named Sirius Black coming out of the passageway.
'What the —? Why is he coming out?'
Chris saw Harry, Ron and Hermione were coming back from Hagrid's hut and someone else was with them.
'Peter Pettigrew? How —? Wait! Scabbers — Scabbers is Peter Pettigrew. That's why they're coming with him. He betrayed Harry's parents. He — he is Dark Lord's servant. Damn it.'
Chris was about to leave the classroom when the classroom door opened, Professor Lupin came in.
"Sorry Christina, I was got busy with some work — I think you're waiting —" Lupin stopped at the sight of Chris's shocked face and the map in her hand.
"Christina, how did you get that?" Lupin asked angrily.
"Peter Pettigrew." Chris blurted out. "He's alive. He's Scabbers. Sirius Black is innocent, Professor."
"What? What're you —?" Lupin asked confused. Chris showed the map to Lupin. "See. He's with Ron, Harry and Hermione. Look."
Lupin took the map and looked closely. "That's impossible. He's dead. Black killed him."
"No. He didn't. He wasn't the secret keeper. He made Peter Pettigrew the secret keeper. But why?"
"Who told you this?"
"I met Black that day at Shrieking Shack. He —" Chris stopped as she saw the dot name Sirius Black was running straight towards Ron, Harry and Hermione. They collided and then, he dragged Ron and Peter Pettigrew into the passageway. Harry and Hermione followed them.
"There is no time. I've to go. Christina goes back to your dormitory —" Lupin said taking the map.
"No. I want to go."
"Christina, no. It can be dangerous."
"I met Black before. Nothing will happen. Please, Professor, Professor Trelawney said today, the Dark Lord's faithful servant will re-united with him. It can be Pettigrew, he'll try to escape and if he succeeds, it'll be a disaster."
Lupin stared at her with a surprised look on his face, then said with a defeated expression, "Fine. Let's go."
They ran out of the classroom.
Lupin and Chris pulled themselves out of the passageway and entered the Shrieking Shack. There was silence. They looked around when a screaming sound came, "WE'RE UP HERE! WE'RE UP HERE – SIRIUS BLACK – QUICK!"
It was from Hermione.
"Hermione" muttered Chris angrily. "She still thinks it's Black."
They ran upstairs. Lupin cast a spell at the door of the room and it burst open in a shower of red sparks and Harry wheeled around.
Chris and Lupin entered and Chris looked around, Harry, Hermione and Ron looked surprised to see her. Ron, lying on the floor, Hermione, cowering next to the door, Harry, standing there with his wand covering Black, and Black crumpled and bleeding at Harry's feet.
"Expelliarmus!" Lupin shouted.
Harry's wand flew once more out of his hand; so did the two Hermione was holding. Lupin caught them all deftly, then moved into the room, staring at Black, who still had Crookshanks lying protectively across his chest.
"Were you really trying to kill him, Harry?" Chris asked loudly.
"Yes," Harry said with hatred in his voice.
Lupin spoke, in an odd voice, a voice that shook with some suppressed emotion. "Where is he, Sirius?"
Harry looked quickly at Lupin. Black's face was quite expressionless. For a few seconds, he didn't move at all. Then, very slowly, he raised his empty hand and pointed straight at Ron.
"I knew it. I knew it." Chris uttered punching the door.
"But then —" Lupin muttered, staring at Black so intently it seemed he was trying to read his mind, "— why hasn't he shown himself before now? Unless —" Lupin's eyes suddenly widened, as though he was seeing something beyond Black, something none of the rest could see, "so really he was the one — you switched — without telling me?"
Very slowly, his sunken gaze never leaving Lupin's face, Black nodded.
"Professor Lupin," Harry interrupted loudly, "what's going —?"
Lupin was lowering his wand. Next moment, he had walked to Black's side, seized his hand, pulled him to his feet so that Crookshanks fell to the floor, and embraced Black like a brother.
Chris smiled.
"I DON'T BELIEVE IT!" Hermione screamed.
Lupin let go of Black and turned to her. She had raised herself off the floor and was pointing at Lupin, wild-eyed. "You — you —"
"Hermione —" Chris tried to talk.
"— you and him!" Hermione ignored her.
"Hermione, calm down —" said Lupin.
"I didn't tell anyone!" Hermione shrieked. "I've been covering up for you —"
"Hermione, listen to me, please!" Lupin shouted. "I can explain —"
"I trusted you," Harry shouted at Lupin, his voice wavering out of control, "and all the time you've been his friend!"
"You're wrong," said Lupin. "I haven't been Sirius' friend for twelve years, but I am now — let me explain —"
"NO!" Hermione screamed, "Harry, don't trust him, he's been helping Black get into the castle, he wants you dead too — he's a werewolf!"
There was a ringing silence. Everyone's eyes were now on Lupin, who looked remarkably calm, though rather pale.
"Not at all up to your usual standard, Hermione," he said. "Only one out of three, I'm afraid. I have not been helping Sirius get into the castle and I certainly don't want Harry dead —" An odd shiver passed over his face. "But I won't deny that I am a werewolf."
Ron made a valiant effort to get up again but fell back with a whimper of pain. Lupin made towards him, looking concerned, but Ron gasped, "Get away from me, werewolf!"
Lupin stopped dead.
Chris felt a fit of strong anger rising inside her. "He is still a Professor, Ron."
"Not anymore. He's a —"
"FINISH THAT SENTENCE AND I'LL FORGOT THE FACT THAT YOU'RE INJURED AND YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER," Chris growled at Ron. "YOU'LL GET A BROKEN NOSE WITH YOUR BROKEN LEG."
Ron, Harry and Hermione looked at Chris horrified.
"Calm down, Christina," Lupin said looking at Chris. Then he turned to Hermione and said, "How long have you known?"
"Ages," Hermione whispered. "Since I did Professor Snape's essay —"
"He'll be delighted," said Lupin coolly. "He set that essay hoping someone would realise what my symptoms meant. Did you check the lunar chart and realise that I was always ill at the full moon? Or did you realise that the Boggart changed into the moon when it saw me?"
"Both," Hermione said quietly.
Lupin forced a laugh.
"You're the cleverest witch of your age I've ever met, Hermione."
"I'm not," Hermione whispered. "If I'd been a bit cleverer, I'd have told everyone what you are!"
"But they already know," said Lupin. "At least, the staff do."
"Dumbledore hired you when he knew you were a werewolf?" Ron gasped. "Is he mad?"
"Silencio" yelled Chris pointing her wand at Ron. Ron tried to talk but failed.
"Chris?" Harry looked shocked.
"What? I'm trying not to hit him but he is making it very difficult. It's the only other option." Chris said coolly.
Black chuckled. Lupin shook his head in disbelief.
"Ron you are not alone, some of the staff thought Dumbledore is mad too," said Lupin. "He had to work very hard to convince certain teachers that I'm trustworthy —"
"AND HE WAS WRONG!" Harry yelled. "YOU'VE BEEN HELPING HIM ALL THE TIME!"
"WHY ARE YOU ALL SO STUPID? I EXPLAINED THAT BLACK HAD NO REASONS TO BETRAY YOUR PARENTS AND NOW YOU'RE BLAMING PROFESSOR LUPIN WITHOUT KNOWING ANYTHING? STOP ASSUMING THINGS, WILL YOU?" Chris shouted. "I DRAGGED PROFESSOR LUPIN HERE. BECAUSE I BELIEVED SIRIUS BLACK IS INNOCENT AND PETER PETTIGREW IS THE ACTUAL CRIMINAL HERE."
"Peter Pettigrew's dead!" said Harry. "He killed him twelve years ago!"
After finishing their last Potions exam, Chris, Ginny, Luna and Colin sat together for lunch. After a few minutes Harry, Ron and Hermione sat beside them. Ron and Harry were controlling their laughs and Hermione looked like she had seen a ghost."How were your exams?" Ginny asked Hermione."Uh " Hermione didn't say anything."Nice. Especially the last one. Defence Against the Dark Arts." Ron said and started laughing again."Ron!" Harry elbowed him as Hermione glared at them."What happened?" Luna asked curiously."Lupin gave us the most interesting exam. We had to cross a few obstacles and at the end, had to face a boggart," Harry explained."And Hermione came out after few minutes screaming, her boggart changed into Professor McGonagall." Ron howled with laughter. "She said Hermione failed in all subjects."Hermione shivered again and hit Ron with a book. Luna laughed a bit as well, Ginny and Colin controlled their laugh with heavy efforts. Chris couldn't help but laugh like Harry."Hmph!" Hermione stuffed her mouth with food."It's alright Hermione. My boggart was my evil mother. She was scolding me." Chris gave a fake smile. Everyone looked at her, she started eating. "Moral of the story we're still young so we've very stupid fears.""My fear was not stupid," Hermione said seriously.Chris didn't say anything anymore. If Chris understood anything about Hermione this year, that she was very stubborn.After sometime Chris tucked the map inside her robes, then went towards the DADA classroom, and came face to face with a terrified Harry."Harry!" Chris said. "You ok?""Professor Trelawney," Harry panted, "just told me that the Dark Lord will rise again and today before midnight his faithful servant will reunite with him.""What?" Chris asked surprised."What should I do? I think it's Black. I think " before Harry could finish, Ron and Hermione came out.Find authorized novels in Webnovelfaster updates, better experiencePlease click www.novelhall.com www.webnovel.com for visiting. "Oh! Harry, we have to meet Hagrid. Buckbeak is ill and so is Hagrid. He needs help." Hermione said."I'll come," Harry said suddenly."Don't. Hagrid asked not to bring you. And don't forget what happened last time," Ron said."I'll take the invisibility cloak. Don't worry." Harry said and dashed towards the Gryffindor common room."Professor?" The light was out in the DADA classroom. Chris lit up the lights by her wands and waited.'The Dark Lord's faithful servant? Who is it? Harry thinks it's Black so can it be Scabbers? But where is he?' After a few minutes, she got bored and took out the map."I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." She tapped her wand and the ink started to spread.She looked for Lupin but saw Harry, Ron and Hermione were going towards Hagrid's hut. She ignored them and saw Lupin in his office. She watched people walking around the castle for some time. It was already six o'clock, so she decided to go to Lupin's office to check if he forgot about the detention. But as she was about to close the map, she saw a dot named Sirius Black coming out of the passageway.'What the ? Why is he coming out?'Chris saw Harry, Ron and Hermione were coming back from Hagrid's hut and someone else was with them.'Peter Pettigrew? How ? Wait! Scabbers Scabbers is Peter Pettigrew. That's why they're coming with him. He betrayed Harry's parents. He he is Dark Lord's servant. Damn it.'Chris was about to leave the classroom when the classroom door opened, Professor Lupin came in."Sorry Christina, I was got busy with some work I think you're waiting " Lupin stopped at the sight of Chris's shocked face and the map in her hand."Christina, how did you get that?" Lupin asked angrily."Peter Pettigrew." Chris blurted out. "He's alive. He's Scabbers. Sirius Black is innocent, Professor.""What? What're you ?" Lupin asked confused. Chris showed the map to Lupin. "See. He's with Ron, Harry and Hermione. Look."Lupin took the map and looked closely. "That's impossible. He's dead. Black killed him.""No. He didn't. He wasn't the secret keeper. He made Peter Pettigrew the secret keeper. But why?""Who told you this?""I met Black that day at Shrieking Shack. He " Chris stopped as she saw the dot name Sirius Black was running straight towards Ron, Harry and Hermione. They collided and then, he dragged Ron and Peter Pettigrew into the passageway. Harry and Hermione followed them."There is no time. I've to go. Christina goes back to your dormitory " Lupin said taking the map."No. I want to go.""Christina, no. It can be dangerous.""I met Black before. Nothing will happen. Please, Professor, Professor Trelawney said today, the Dark Lord's faithful servant will re-united with him. It can be Pettigrew, he'll try to escape and if he succeeds, it'll be a disaster."Lupin stared at her with a surprised look on his face, then said with a defeated expression, "Fine. Let's go."They ran out of the classroom.Lupin and Chris pulled themselves out of the passageway and entered the Shrieking Shack. There was silence. They looked around when a screaming sound came, "WE'RE UP HERE! WE'RE UP HERE SIRIUS BLACK QUICK!"It was from Hermione."Hermione" muttered Chris angrily. "She still thinks it's Black."They ran upstairs. Lupin cast a spell at the door of the room and it burst open in a shower of red sparks and Harry wheeled around.Chris and Lupin entered and Chris looked around, Harry, Hermione and Ron looked surprised to see her. Ron, lying on the floor, Hermione, cowering next to the door, Harry, standing there with his wand covering Black, and Black crumpled and bleeding at Harry's feet."Expelliarmus!" Lupin shouted.Harry's wand flew once more out of his hand; so did the two Hermione was holding. Lupin caught them all deftly, then moved into the room, staring at Black, who still had Crookshanks lying protectively across his chest."Were you really trying to kill him, Harry?" Chris asked loudly."Yes," Harry said with hatred in his voice.Lupin spoke, in an odd voice, a voice that shook with some suppressed emotion. "Where is he, Sirius?"Harry looked quickly at Lupin. Black's face was quite expressionless. For a few seconds, he didn't move at all. Then, very slowly, he raised his empty hand and pointed straight at Ron."I knew it. I knew it." Chris uttered punching the door."But then " Lupin muttered, staring at Black so intently it seemed he was trying to read his mind, " why hasn't he shown himself before now? Unless " Lupin's eyes suddenly widened, as though he was seeing something beyond Black, something none of the rest could see, "so really he was the one you switched without telling me?"Very slowly, his sunken gaze never leaving Lupin's face, Black nodded."Professor Lupin," Harry interrupted loudly, "what's going ?"Lupin was lowering his wand. Next moment, he had walked to Black's side, seized his hand, pulled him to his feet so that Crookshanks fell to the floor, and embraced Black like a brother.Chris smiled."I DON'T BELIEVE IT!" Hermione screamed.Lupin let go of Black and turned to her. She had raised herself off the floor and was pointing at Lupin, wild-eyed. "You you ""Hermione " Chris tried to talk." you and him!" Hermione ignored her."Hermione, calm down " said Lupin."I didn't tell anyone!" Hermione shrieked. "I've been covering up for you ""Hermione, listen to me, please!" Lupin shouted. "I can explain ""I trusted you," Harry shouted at Lupin, his voice wavering out of control, "and all the time you've been his friend!""You're wrong," said Lupin. "I haven't been Sirius' friend for twelve years, but I am now let me explain ""NO!" Hermione screamed, "Harry, don't trust him, he's been helping Black get into the castle, he wants you dead too he's a werewolf!"There was a ringing silence. Everyone's eyes were now on Lupin, who looked remarkably calm, though rather pale."Not at all up to your usual standard, Hermione," he said. "Only one out of three, I'm afraid. I have not been helping Sirius get into the castle and I certainly don't want Harry dead " An odd shiver passed over his face. "But I won't deny that I am a werewolf."Ron made a valiant effort to get up again but fell back with a whimper of pain. Lupin made towards him, looking concerned, but Ron gasped, "Get away from me, werewolf!"Lupin stopped dead.Chris felt a fit of strong anger rising inside her. "He is still a Professor, Ron.""Not anymore. He's a ""FINISH THAT SENTENCE AND I'LL FORGOT THE FACT THAT YOU'RE INJURED AND YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER," Chris growled at Ron. "YOU'LL GET A BROKEN NOSE WITH YOUR BROKEN LEG."Ron, Harry and Hermione looked at Chris horrified."Calm down, Christina," Lupin said looking at Chris. Then he turned to Hermione and said, "How long have you known?""Ages," Hermione whispered. "Since I did Professor Snape's essay ""He'll be delighted," said Lupin coolly. "He set that essay hoping someone would realise what my symptoms meant. Did you check the lunar chart and realise that I was always ill at the full moon? Or did you realise that the Boggart changed into the moon when it saw me?""Both," Hermione said quietly.Lupin forced a laugh."You're the cleverest witch of your age I've ever met, Hermione.""I'm not," Hermione whispered. "If I'd been a bit cleverer, I'd have told everyone what you are!""But they already know," said Lupin. "At least, the staff do.""Dumbledore hired you when he knew you were a werewolf?" Ron gasped. "Is he mad?""Silencio" yelled Chris pointing her wand at Ron. Ron tried to talk but failed."Chris?" Harry looked shocked."What? I'm trying not to hit him but he is making it very difficult. It's the only other option." Chris said coolly.Black chuckled. Lupin shook his head in disbelief."Ron you are not alone, some of the staff thought Dumbledore is mad too," said Lupin. "He had to work very hard to convince certain teachers that I'm trustworthy ""AND HE WAS WRONG!" Harry yelled. "YOU'VE BEEN HELPING HIM ALL THE TIME!""WHY ARE YOU ALL SO STUPID? I EXPLAINED THAT BLACK HAD NO REASONS TO BETRAY YOUR PARENTS AND NOW YOU'RE BLAMING PROFESSOR LUPIN WITHOUT KNOWING ANYTHING? STOP ASSUMING THINGS, WILL YOU?" Chris shouted. "I DRAGGED PROFESSOR LUPIN HERE. BECAUSE I BELIEVED SIRIUS BLACK IS INNOCENT AND PETER PETTIGREW IS THE ACTUAL CRIMINAL HERE.""Peter Pettigrew's dead!" said Harry. "He killed him twelve years ago!"
