Chapter 228

Chapter 228

After dinner, Suer slipped away alone to the eighth floor, avoiding the small groups of pupils returning to their dormitories.

It was time to see whether his gamble had paid off.

Black had enjoyed more than enough time during the day to leave through one of the castle’s secret passages.

“I need a room where I can brew potions.”

Suer walked three times across the empty space before the tapestry. An old-fashioned door appeared in the wall.

Just as he had thought…

A smile touched Suer’s lips. His judgement had been correct. After attacking Gryffindor Tower the previous night, Black had hidden here.

The recording orb had worked perfectly. The shifting images revolving within its heart showed that it had faithfully captured the entire day.

Suer sat in the chamber the Room of Requirement had prepared for him, brought his eye close to the orb and began to watch.

Apart from several bold young couples who had chosen the corridor near the Headmaster’s office for secret kisses, the area had remained quiet all morning.

Then, at noon, while every pupil in the castle was busy eating in the Great Hall, something changed.

A door appeared in what should have been a blank wall. Out stepped a black dog with matted fur, so thin that its skin seemed stretched directly over its bones.

Others might not have recognised it, but Suer knew perfectly well that the black dog was Black’s Animagus form.

He put the recording orb into the small cloth pouch he wore close to his body. Resting one arm on the table, he tapped its surface absently while he considered his next move.

He was not surprised that Black knew of the room’s existence. More importantly, although Suer had failed to catch him, he now possessed solid evidence that he could take to Professor Dumbledore.

Anyone who knew the story would want Peter to receive the punishment he deserved. Suer certainly did. Whether Peter was essential to Voldemort’s return, or whether his capture might change everything that came afterwards, hardly mattered.

Would Voldemort abandon his plans for resurrection merely because Peter was gone?

Impossible.

The flesh of a servant?

Oh, Voldemort had no shortage of lackeys. It did not have to be Peter.

The real question was whether Black should be exonerated now. Perhaps it would be better to wait a little longer.

Professor Snape was probably the person least willing to see Black’s name cleared. He might even greet Black with Avada Kedavra the instant they met.

Strictly speaking, Black had played an indirect part in the death of the woman Snape loved.

What a dilemma. If Peter was caught, Black’s innocence would inevitably come to light — unless Peter escaped.

Ah, of course. After the attack on Gryffindor Tower, Peter, who possessed even less courage than an ordinary rat, would surely be trying to flee.

With Dementors stationed at every entrance, when would his best opportunity come?

The next Hogsmeade weekend?

Yes, that would be ideal. Given how much Ron cared about Scabbers — or Peter — he was certain to take the rat with him next time he visited Hogsmeade.

There was not much time left.

Under normal circumstances, there would be one more Hogsmeade weekend this term, probably just before Christmas.

In that case, Suer would make this Harry’s Christmas present. Harry ought to like it very much indeed.

That settled it.

Forgive me, dear Professor Snape. I offer my deepest sympathy for your suffering, but however unpleasant it may be to see your old enemy, surely you would rather catch the man truly responsible for your beloved’s death. Wouldn’t you?

Before Suer went to Professor Dumbledore, however, there was one more thing he needed.
The Marauder’s Map.

That remarkable magical artefact would be perfect for tracking Scabbers — no, Peter Pettigrew. It would also provide a convincing explanation for how Suer had discovered Peter and prove that he was telling the truth.

Its new owners should be the Weasley twins.

The question was how Suer could borrow it from them without arousing suspicion.

George and Fred were probably the sharpest members of the Weasley family. They were nowhere near as easy to fool as Ron. If Suer simply asked for the Marauder’s Map, the twins would want to know how he knew they had it.

He could hardly tell them that he came from another world and had read the original story.

Wait. Perhaps he could do this…

Once he had an idea, Suer wasted no time. At breakfast the following morning, he cornered the Weasley twins at the Gryffindor table.

George and Fred were discussing how Black had entered the castle with their good friend Jordan. When they saw Suer approaching, they swiftly trapped him between them, each throwing an arm around his neck.

“Oh, our dear friend.”

“What can we do for you?”

“Found the Acromantulas?” one of them whispered. Suer could not tell whether it was George or Fred.

“It’s not about that. I couldn’t get Hagrid to reveal where their new home is. I have a history, as you know.”

George and Fred sniggered. They too remembered Suer’s magnificent feat of setting fire to the Forbidden Forest the previous year. It took them quite some time to stop laughing.

“Then what do you want?”

“I’ve heard you have a way of getting to Hogsmeade,” Suer said, lowering his voice.

“How do you know?” The red-haired Weasley on his left glanced around nervously.

“We won’t lie to you. We do have a way,” the one on his right admitted with a nod.

“That’s wonderful.” Suer put on a delighted expression. “Would you take me there? I need to visit Honeydukes.”

“If all you want is sweets, I can write to them on your behalf. They’d arrive tomorrow,” said the twin on his left.

“We have a Honeydukes order form,” added the one on his right.

“Oh, it isn’t only sweets. There’s also…” Suer rapidly changed his excuse, allowing his eyes to dart about as his words trailed off.

Whatever the twins imagined, they exchanged a look and smiled in perfect understanding.

“All right. Meet us after dinner on the second floor. You know the place.”

“We’ll take you then.”

“We need to restock at Zonko’s Joke Shop anyway. We didn’t bring enough money with us at the weekend.”

“Make sure you bring plenty,” Fred said with a wink while George chuckled beside him. Their expressions declared that they knew exactly what Suer intended to buy.

Suer had no idea what the two of them were imagining or why they looked so delighted, but he nodded all the same.

“See you after dinner.”

The twins offered their hands, and Suer slapped each palm to seal the agreement.

George and Fred walked away with their arms around one another’s shoulders. Smiling, Suer sat beside Hermione. Hufflepuff and Gryffindor happened to share Herbology later that morning.

“What are you planning?” Harry asked curiously. He had noticed Suer whispering with George and Fred.

Suer saw Hermione’s little ears prick up beside him.

He lowered his voice, waved the two of them closer and pretended he truly had a great secret to share.

“Ron and I are going to blow up Hogwarts!”

“What?!”