Chapter 148
Lupin, in his werewolf form, lunged at the group, his mouth dripping with saliva.
He nearly tore Sirius apart.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione cowered behind Sirius, too terrified even to look, covering their eyes in fear.
But Albert arrived just in time.
He cast Stupefy on the werewolf, and Lupin instantly collapsed, unconscious.
As was well known, the Stunning Spell forced any living creature into immediate unconsciousness.
With Lupin subdued, Albert turned quickly to his father.
"Dad! Take Lupin back to the school once the moon loses its hold, he'll return to normal! I'll be right behind you!"
Sirius stopped him, demanding to know where he was going.
Albert spoke quickly, urgency in his tone. "I'm going after Peter!!"
Sirius grabbed his son, his voice sharp with fear. "No! Leave him! I don't want you walking into danger on your own!"
Albert placed his hands firmly on his father's, meeting his eyes.
"Trust me, Dad. Don't worry I'll be back soon."
And with that, he Disapparated.
---
Sirius, with Harry's help, dragged the unconscious, fur-covered, long-limbed Lupin toward the school. Hermione supported Ron, who limped beside her, still weak from his injuries.
Meanwhile, Albert followed the faint tracks Peter had left in his Animagus form. The tiny pawprints led him quickly into the depths of the Forbidden Forest.
But suddenly, the trail stopped.
Albert frowned, scanning the ground then spotted a set of barefoot human prints leading away from the spot.
He sprinted after them.
Moments later, he caught sight of a figure lurking behind a tree. Of course, it was Peter Pettigrew.
Peter muttered to himself, cackling, "Keh keh keh… I didn't think the boy would fall for such a trick! Keh keh keh!"
He turned to retreat farther into the forest only to be struck hard across the skull. Albert had leapt down from a tree and slammed his foot against Peter's head.
Peter crashed to the ground, screaming in pain.
Albert's voice rang cold: "Did you think I was stupid? I sensed you easily. You thought I was still a child who couldn't track you?!"
He had known Peter would try to hide nearby. Every Animagus, upon reverting to human form, carried residual traces of magic around them something Albert could detect without fail.
Peter knew this truth himself, but he had underestimated Albert, never expecting him to be so skilled.
---
Now Peter dropped to his knees, raising his hands desperately.
"Please, boy! Spare me! Ask Sirius to forgive me! You're his son he won't deny you! Please, just tell him to "
BOOM!
Albert's fist smashed into Peter's face, slamming his head against the trunk of a tree.
Without hesitation, Albert cast the magical lock-binding spell on Peter's hands. This time, there would be no escape Peter would never cast magic or flee again unless Albert allowed it.
The last time, Lupin had used the same spell, but his sudden transformation had broken its effect and freed Peter.
Now, things were very different.
Peter tried crocodile tears, sobbing and begging for mercy the entire way back, but Albert was unmoved.
Fifteen minutes later, Albert finally dragged Peter to the gates of Hogwarts. The sky was still dark, the full moon gleaming above, its light reflecting off the Black Lake near the castle.
---
Fifteen minutes earlier…
At that time, Sirius and the trio had already reached the school with Lupin in tow.
Sirius knocked firmly at the great doors. To his surprise, they opened to reveal Professor McGonagall her face taut with tension.
When she saw Sirius Black standing before her, she staggered back in shock. She had no idea how a wanted criminal had appeared here and in the company of Harry and the others!
Harry quickly stepped forward to explain. "Sirius isn't the criminal! It's Peter!!"
McGonagall looked confused, unsure what to make of Harry's words. But as she studied the scene the way Harry, Ron, and Hermione stayed so close to Sirius she began to realize that he posed no danger to them.
Together with Sirius, she helped levitate the unconscious Lupin, still under Albert's spell.
"You frightened me half to death!" McGonagall snapped, glaring at the trio. "I was alarmed when I found your beds empty! Where on earth have you been?!"
Sirius cut in, "It's a long story. Could you please take me to Professor Dumbledore? It's urgent."
McGonagall's sharp eyes narrowed, studying him deeply. After a long pause, she finally nodded. "Very well. Follow me."
Before moving, she stepped closer and sniffed the air around Sirius.
Startled, Sirius asked what she was doing.
She replied calmly, "I had to be sure you weren't someone disguised with Polyjuice Potion. But your scent carries none of it you truly are Sirius Black."
Then she gestured to Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
"Take Professor Lupin to Madam Pomfrey at once. After that, return to your dormitories."
With that, McGonagall turned and led Sirius toward Dumbledore's
office.
To be continued …