Obliviate {Book 1--EDITING}

23. Remus' story^

Ron voiced what I was thinking. "You're both mental."

"Ridiculous!" said Hermione faintly.

"That's the spell for getting rid of boggarts." Gennie said dryly.

"Peter Pettigrew's dead!" said Harry. "He killed him twelve years ago!" He pointed at Black, whose face twitched convulsively.

"I meant to," he growled, his yellow teeth bared, "but little Peter got the better of me... not this time, though!"

Black lunged at Scabbers; Ron yelled with pain as Black's weight fell on his broken leg.

"Sirius, NO!" Remus yelled, launching himself forwards and dragging Black away from Ron again, "WAIT! You can't do it just like that — they need to understand — we've got to explain —"

"We can explain afterwards!" snarled Black, trying to throw him off. One hand was still clawing the air as it tried to reach Scabbers, who was squealing like a piglet.

"They've — got — a — right — to — know — everything!" Remus panted, still trying to restrain Black. "Ron's kept him as a pet! There are parts of it even I don't understand, and Harry — you owe Harry and Rory the truth, Sirius!"

Black stopped struggling, though his hollowed eyes were still fixed on Scabbers, who was clamped tightly under Ron's bitten, scratched, and bleeding hands.

"All right, then," Black said, without taking his eyes off the rat. "Tell them whatever you like. But make it quick, Remus. I want to commit the murder I was imprisoned for..."

"Wow, you're such an admirable person," Gennie sneered.

"You're nutters, both of you," said Ron shakily, looking round at Harry and Hermione for support. "I've had enough of this. I'm off."

He tried to heave himself up on his good leg, but Remus raised his wand again, pointing it at Scabbers. "You're going to hear me out, Ron," he said quietly. "Just keep a tight hold on Peter while you listen."

"HE'S NOT PETER, HE'S SCABBERS!" Ron yelled, trying to force the rat back into his front pocket, but Scabbers was fighting too hard; Ron swayed and overbalanced, and Harry caught him and pushed him back down to the bed. Then, ignoring Black, Harry turned to Remus.

"There were witnesses who saw Pettigrew die," he said. "A whole street full of them..."

"They didn't see what they thought they saw!" said Black savagely, still watching Scabbers struggling in Ron's hands.

"Everyone thought Sirius killed Peter," said Remus nodding. "I believed it myself — until I saw the map tonight. The map never lies... Peter's alive. Ron's holding him, Harry."

They were both mental—how had I ever thought Remus was a sane, normal person?

"Dad, that's great and all, but it can't be true." Gennie said.

"Why can't it?" Remus said, sounding like a teacher.

"All animagi have to be registered with the Ministry—you know how long it took me to get registered. And Peter Pettigrew isn't on the list." Gennie said firmly.

Black laughed. "You had her register her animagi form? That's funny Remus, honestly."

Gennie glared at Black. "Some of us like to follow the rules."

"Gennie, three animagi used to run around Hogwarts twenty years ago—but they weren't registered." Remus said softly.

"Well tell them, Remus, we don't have all night." Black snapped.