Chapter 60 - Truth of the past (2/2)
He snarled, ”I knew it. Lupin was the one who was helping out that Black. But where did Peter come from? Wasn't he supposed to be dead? They even have that brat, Weasley, as captive?” He roared in frustration, ”dammit. Harry just went right towards them. This Potter. Do I have to keep looking out for you? You and your damn father”.
After reaching the place, Harry saw a black dog dragging Ron into a borrow which is underneath the Whomping Willow. As Harry somehow managed to enter the underground passage and walked forward, he reached the inside of Shrieking Shack where he saw Lupin is sitting on a table as Sirius looking menacingly at Ron.
Later, as Harry got there and tried to attack Black in anger while they were trying to explain themselves, Snape arrived there in time, ”how wonderful. Vengeance is very sweet. How I hoped I would be the one to catch you... move away from there, Potter, Weasley”.
Then he looked around and asked, ”so, I'm seeing Pettigrew here. Did you already finished him off?”, When Lupin was trying to explain something, Snape raised his wand and pointed towards him, ”Shut up. I won't be hearing anything from you, a convicted murderer the one who was indirectly responsible for Lily's death”.
As Lupin tried to disarm him with ”Expelliarmus” all of a sudden which Snape evaded, Black changed into a dog and lunged at Ron. He stopped when Harry shielded him. Scabbers jumped off from Ron's hand and ran away from there. Sirius followed while Lupin kept Snape busy and tried to talk some sense into him.
As Harry ran after Sirius Black and Ron followed him, Lupin shouted, ”it's Peter, Ron's rat. An unregistered Animagus. He was the one who betrayed James and Lily and sold them to Voldemort. It isn't Sirius. Can't you see how desperate he is? Now stop being a brat and let go of me now.
But as they came up to the Whomping Willow again, both of them saw Sirius Black is on the ground while the Dementors feeding off his soul and when they attacked the nearby Harry too, he tried to defend him with the Patronus charm, but since there are too many, the corporeal form of his wasn't able to send them away and when they were slowly feeding away his happiness, Snape swirled his wand, ”Expecto Patronus”, a Silver doe appeared in front of the dementors and pulled away all the Dementors from there saving Harry and Sirius Black.
Lupin stood there amazed as well as shocked, ”that's lily's”. He looked at Snape in confusion while he picked up the unconscious Black and looked at Lupin, ”no questions now. I will tell everything to Dumbledore what I saw. You prove your innocence to him. He'll decide what to do with you. Pick up Potter and follow me to the castle now. Until then, Black will be imprisoned in the Dark Tower”.
Later Lupin and Snape went to Dumbledore and after hearing everything, he looked at Lupin apologetic, ”I believe you but the Ministry won't take a former Death Eater and werewolf opinions into consideration even if they are the Professors”.
Snape stood up, ”so, you knew that Pettigrew was the culprit from the start?”, Dumbledore sighed, ”yeah. Sirius and I changed the secret keeper at the last minute to Pettigrew. But no one expected that...”.
Snape replied coldly, ”I don't care if Black spends in Azkaban all eternity but you should have at least told me the truth. For the past thirteen years, I've proved my loyalty and you have kept me in the dark making me hate myself for not stopping Sirius Black back then. It seems like you don't trust me enough. Honestly, I am now disappointed in you, Professor Dumbledore”.
As he was leaving, Dumbledore asked, ”where are you going, Severus”, Snape replied, ”where else, back to my office. I will keep my promise of protecting Lily's son until he is in Hogwarts”.
Later, with Dumbledore's help, Lupin escaped Sirius Black from the prison cell at the dark tower after resigning from his job. He was then branded as a criminal by the Ministry for escaping Black. Although it shocked the students, still they missed him as he was the best D.A.D.A. professor ever they have seen and sighed while thinking about the jinx of the D.A.D.A. Professor's position.
After winning the summer cup, Slytherin once again won the House cup for the 9th time in a row with Neal getting additional personal points again for 140% academic scores overwriting Tom Riddle's record of 112%.
After that, they packed their luggage and returned to London in the Hogwarts Express. As they stepped down from the train, Neal and Tracey were surprised to see Dulcie and Edward didn't arrive at the station to receive them.
After saying goodbye to Malfoy and Draco's families, both of then board the taxi and reached their house. Tracey asked, ”do you think they are waiting inside to give us another surprise?”, Neal replied, ”maybe? You've got a new baby brother or sister?”.
As both of them stood before the door, Neal sighed, ”well, I will miss you guys. After my birthday, I have to leave this home soon”. She patted his back, ”c'mon. I'll be always with you in Hogwarts though. And You can stop by here during your practice sessions in Ireland”.
Neal smiled, ”I guess”. As they opened the door, they were shocked to see the things were messy in the hall downstairs. Seeing the destroyed things on the floor and burnt marks here and there, he mumbled, ”what the hell just happened here?”.