Chapter 147
On the other side
exactly inside Hagrid's hut…
Albert had just finished eating the sweets Hagrid had made for him!
Hagrid had gifted Albert the delicious treats as a token of gratitude for helping him learn through various lessons.
Albert didn't really want to accept the gift; he had told Hagrid that he never helped him in exchange for anything he had done it purely out of kindness.
After finishing the sweets, Albert bid Hagrid farewell, promising to meet him the next day.
But as soon as he stepped out of the hut, he remembered something very important that he had completely forgotten.
Albert muttered, "Damn it!! I forgot about Peter!! He'll escape once the moon rises!"
He quickly stacked the firewood to the side of Hagrid's hut until he was done, then broke into a sprint toward the Whomping Willow, which was still quite far away.
---
Inside the tree…
Peter Pettigrew was scrambling around the table, trying to avoid Sirius's aim. Whenever Sirius moved to the right, Peter darted to the left, desperate to stay out of reach.
Peter pleaded, "Please! Forgive me! I had no choice! I swear!"
But Sirius's wand stayed firmly trained on him. His voice thundered, "No choice? Was your betrayal forced too?!! Damn you, Peter! You won't leave this place alive!"
Just as Sirius prepared to curse him, Harry stepped in and shouted, "Sirius! Don't kill him! The only way is to make him pay for his crimes by locking him in Azkaban!"
Sirius didn't like that idea one bit. He wanted revenge. But then the thought struck him he was still a wanted criminal, and the only way he could be freed and return to his son was if the truth came to light. Reluctantly, he accepted the reality.
Peter's face twisted with relief. He crawled toward Harry, saying, "Thank you, Harry! Thank you!"
But Harry shoved him away in disgust, sending him crashing to the floor.
Lupin immediately restrained Peter with a spell, chaining his hands with the Ministry's well-known magical lock, which prevented criminals from casting magic.
Peter realized instantly there was no escape. He had to accept his fate.
Sirius then pulled Harry into an embrace, whispering, "I was so eager to finally see you with my own eyes!"
He cupped Harry's face in his hands.
Harry replied, "I misunderstood you at first… I thought you were the one who betrayed my parents and caused their deaths. I'm so sorry for doubting you."
Sirius smiled warmly. "Don't worry, my boy. Forget the past. Now, everything will be alright. Understood?"
Harry grinned through the tears and hugged him again.
---
Sirius turned toward Ron, who was still lying on the ground clutching his injured leg where Sirius had bitten him earlier.
He walked up to him and said, "I'm sorry, lad! I acted out of rage when I saw Peter in your hands I didn't think straight."
Ron brushed it off, saying it was fine, that the wound would heal soon enough.
Sirius turned back to Harry. "Harry! Help me carry Ron outside, will you?"
"Of course," Harry answered.
Together, they lifted Ron—Harry supporting one side, Sirius the other while Hermione followed close behind. They carefully made their way out of the tree, where Lupin and the restrained Peter were waiting.
---
The moment they stepped outside, they noticed the sky had darkened. Night had fallen.
Harry and Sirius gently laid Ron on the ground so he could rest. Then Sirius pulled Harry a little aside to speak with him privately.
"Harry…" Sirius began.
"Yes, Sirius?"
"Now that I'm close to you again… would you like to come live with me in my home, where I can protect you?"
Harry's heart nearly leapt out of his chest. The offer filled him with overwhelming joy.
He had always despised living with the Dursleys his aunt, her cruel husband, and their spoiled son. They mocked him every day for being an orphan, treating him like dirt.
Now, finally, someone he could call family was offering him a home. Harry accepted without hesitation.
The two hugged once again, happiness radiating between them.
---
But moments of joy never last long.
Hermione's voice rang out in alarm:
"Harry!!! The moon it's full!!"
Sirius froze, instantly realizing what she meant.
He knew what would happen. Lupin was a werewolf.
And when the full moon rose, the beast would take over.
Once transformed, Lupin would attack anyone in sight, driven by the uncontrollable urge to spread his curse.
Sirius rushed toward Lupin, desperate to stop the transformation.
He grabbed hold of his old friend, trying to restrain him. "Lupin!! Do you hear me?! Control yourself! It's me your friend!!"
But it was no use. The change was already underway.
Meanwhile, Peter seized the chaos as his chance. He threw the trio a mocking wave, transformed back into a rat, wriggled free of his clothes, and scurried off into the night escaping both the place and the school altogether.
Moments later, Lupin completed his transformation. With a feral snarl, he flung Sirius to the ground.
Sirius's wand slipped from his hand and rolled back into the tree.
Now, unarmed, Sirius positioned himself in front of the children to shield them from the raging werewolf.
Lupin let out a blood-curdling howl
then charged at Sirius and the three y
oung wizards.
To be continued …