Chapter 69: Peter Pettigrew (2/2)
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!”