Chapter 246
Chapter 246
“Harry’s parents’ home was protected by the Fidelius Charm.”
“Then Sirius Black was their Secret Keeper?” Hermione immediately looked at him, eyes shining.
“Originally, yes.” Suer nodded, then shook his head.
Hermione gave him a puzzled look. Rather than prolonging the suspense, Suer turned to another part of the story.
“Sirius was sent to Azkaban after Voldemort disappeared. He was accused of blowing apart a street with magic and killing more than a dozen Muggles, as well as serving the Dark Lord and betraying Harry’s parents.”
“I think I know that story. Do you remember when I was little and used to fold paper aeroplanes from my father’s old newspapers? I think I saw it…” Hermione frowned as she searched her memory.
“I remember. The report said there had been a gas explosion in a street and more than a dozen people died.”
“That was the place.” Suer nodded. “After Harry’s parents died, Sirius went there while pursuing Peter Pettigrew.”
“Did Pettigrew die?” Hermione blinked. “The whole street exploded.”
“That is where the problem begins.” An odd smile appeared on Suer’s face. “Everyone believed Peter Pettigrew was dead. The Ministry of Magic even awarded him the Order of Merlin, First Class, posthumously.”
“You mean…” Hermione covered her mouth with her free hand, eyes widening.
“You guessed correctly. Peter Pettigrew did not die.”
…
In the Gryffindor common room, Harry and Ron were busy consulting reference books. Professor Sinistra had ordered them to draw a planetary chart, and the two boys were tearing their hair out over Pluto’s proper position.
They could not even decide whether Jupiter belonged before or after Mars.
Hermione happened to enter from outside, and Harry immediately appealed for help.
Her mind was still filled with the other version of Black’s story that Suer had told her. In response to Harry’s plea, she absently pulled a stack of parchment from her shoulder bag and tossed it to him.
She gave Harry an unreadable look, then turned and climbed the staircase to the girls’ dormitory.
“What’s wrong with Hermione? That isn’t like her. She didn’t lecture us at all.” Harry held the parchment as though he had received an unexpected gift.
“Never mind her. Give it here. If we finish quickly, we can relax for the next two days,” Ron urged.
The two bent over the borrowed work.
Unfortunately, neither noticed Hermione emerge from the dormitory again with her large cat in her arms. She stood at the foot of the stairs and watched Harry for quite some time.
Hermione wanted to know whether the truth truly matched Suer’s account.
Tonight, Crookshanks would open the performance.
After parting from Hermione, Suer went to the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom.
Its theatrical decorations remained unchanged, continuing the style of Professor Lockhart’s tenure. The new professor had altered nothing except removing Lockhart’s framed portraits.
Professor Lupin sat pale-faced in an armchair, holding a cup of hot tea as he watched the boy enter.
“Did you need something, Suer?”
“Professor Lupin, do you remember the name Peter Pettigrew?” Suer asked quietly.
“What do you mean?” Professor Lupin’s hand trembled, and his smile froze. “How do you know that name?”
“That isn’t important, Professor.” Suer took out a roll of parchment and laid it gently on the table between them.
Professor Lupin tightened his fingers around the teacup and inclined his head. Surprise and grief flickered in his eyes.
“Yes, I know that name very well. Unless my memory has failed me, he died twelve years ago.”
“Where did you hear of him?”
“Black told me.”
Professor Lupin rose, no longer able to hide his shock.
“You saw Black? Where is he?”
“Yes, Professor.” Suer remained seated in his armchair and met Lupin’s gaze calmly. “I met Black and heard another side of the story from him.”
“In fact, I came here at Professor Dumbledore’s request. Tonight, everything hidden will be brought into the light. I would like you to help me find Mr Peter Pettigrew, who ought to be dead, and discover what truly happened.”
Suer drew his wand and tapped the parchment, then quietly spoke the incantation.
Nostalgia flashed through Professor Lupin’s eyes when he heard the familiar words. Then, upon the opened parchment, he saw a name he knew all too well.
“Inside Gryffindor Tower?” Professor Lupin asked in astonishment.
“Inside Gryffindor Tower,” Suer confirmed.
“Come and find me when it is time,” Lupin said solemnly.
He did not entirely believe the young wizard’s account, but the Marauder’s Map before him and Suer’s mention of Dumbledore gave it enough credibility. He was willing to accompany Suer that night and investigate the truth of events long past.
“I must also ask Professor McGonagall for her help tonight, so I won’t disturb your rest any longer, Professor Lupin.”
Suer rolled up the parchment and took his leave politely.
Night soon fell.
Suer arrived early in the Room of Requirement. Hermione was already waiting there with Crookshanks.
Suer stroked Crookshanks repeatedly from head to tail. His practised technique left the cat in bliss, its short tail tucked beneath it and swishing from side to side.
“What is this?” Hermione stared at the parchment spread across the table. Moving words covered its surface.
“The Marauder’s Map.” Suer watched it without blinking. “Sirius and his friends made it. It displays the name of everyone in the castle.”
At that moment, a name appeared in the upper-left corner and began moving towards Hogwarts. The letters were extremely fine: Sirius Black.
“Sirius is here,” Suer said softly. “It is time for us to move.”
Hermione nodded, slightly nervous. “What should I do?”
“Find Professor Lupin.” Suer pointed to the Defence Against the Dark Arts office on the map.
Remus Lupin’s name was pacing back and forth in a regular pattern, suggesting considerable agitation.
“Bring him to Gryffindor Tower.”
“I’ll wait for you there.”
“All right.” Hermione rose and left the Room of Requirement.
Suer scratched Crookshanks beneath the chin and stared into his amber eyes.
“You can bring Scabbers without alerting anyone, can’t you? Hunting rats is your speciality, isn’t it?”
“Meow…”