Squib On The Run (sequel to Squib In The basement)

30. The Rat

"No!" Shouted Harry.
Sirius sighed, "Harry, he has to die. You heard him, his own life mattered more to him that your entire family. He doesn't deserve to live".
"Maybe not. But if you kill him then there is no evidence to prove that you're not guilty. If we hand him over to the Ministry then you will be a free man" explained Harry.
Peter dropped to his knees, bowing at Harry's feet, "Thank you Harry. Thank you".
"I didn't do it for you. I said I would let you live, but it won't be a very pleasant life. Once the Ministry has dealt with you, you'll get thrown to the Dementors" spat Harry.

Remus lowered his wand, "I suppose if anyone has a say over his fate, it's you Harry".
Sirius stared between Harry and Peter, before eventually lowering his wand.
"I could really walk away a free man" he said quietly.
"You could. You both could" beamed Harry, as he looked from Sirius to Cassiopeia.
"I can't Harry. Because unlike my brother, I am not innocent. I really did kill my mother and my son" reminded Cassiopeia.
"But killing your mother was self-defence, and killing your son was an accident" insisted Harry.
"And you know that, which is the important thing. But I know that the Ministry will not see it that way" sighed Cassiopeia.

Sirius placed his arm around Cassiopeia's shoulders, "Don't worry Harry, once I'm a free man I will keep Cassie safe".
"Good" replied Harry.
"I suppose we had better take Peter up to the castle and hand him over" announced Remus.
"Yes, we should" agreed Harry.
Remus waved his wand, wrapping Peter up in thick rope. He then picked up one end and tied it around his wrist, so that Peter couldn't escape.

"I'll take the other end" offered Ron, as he carefully stood to his feet.
"Are you sure? You can barely stand" reminded Harry, pointing at Ron's mangled foot.
"I want to help. Especially as he's been living in my bedroom for three years" admitted Ron awkwardly.
"Fair enough" mumbled Harry, as he tied the other end of the rope to Ron.

"We had better take Professor Snape with us as well" said Hermione, as she pointed to where Severus Snape was lying on the floor.
"Do we have to?" Asked Sirius with a grin.
"Yes Sirius, we do" Remus said sternly.
"Fine" grumbled Sirius, as he waved his wand at Snape, making him rise into the air.

The group them began making their way down the tunnel under the Shrieking Shack, which would lead them to Hogwarts.
Snape kept bumping his head against the ceiling, and Sirius was making no attempt to correct this by lowering his wand, as he wanted Snape fo suffer.
"I could take a look at that foot for you Ron, but I'm sure that Madam Pomfrey can patch you up faster than I could. I may be a pretty good Healer, but I've heard that she's the best" admitted Cassiopeia, as she watched Ron limp along the tunnel.

"You're a Healer?" Asked Harry.
"Sort of. During the war I worked with lots of Healers, helping those who got hurt on secret missions for Dumbledore. And since my mother used to hurt me and Sirius often, we became good at dealing with injuries. But I could never train as a proper Healer at St Mungo's, because I'm just a Squib  so they wouldn't let me" explained Cassiopeia.
"I think the way the wizarding world treats Squibs, is very unfair" replied Harry.
"As a Squib, I would have to agree with you" sighed Cassiopeia.

"You know Harry, once we've cleared my name, you could come and live with me and Cass if you like?" Sirius offered awkwardly.
"I could come and live with you!" Gasped Harry.
"Of course I understand if you don't want to, and would rather live with your aunt and uncle-"
"You've got a house? When can I move in?" Interupted Harry.
"You want to live with me?" Asked Sirius.
"Of course I do. The Dursleys are awful".

"Harry's got a point. I've got a lot to catch you up on Siri. One thing being that the Dursleys have not treated Harry very well. And if I had not been homeless, I would have taken him with me in a heartbeat" admitted Cassiopeia, as the group cleared the tunnel and stepped out into the moonlight.
"Well, once I get my old house back and spruse it up a bit, you can move in with me Harry. Of course, we'll have to keep Cassie's presence there a secret. But I'm sure I can figure out a few spells to keep her safe" said Sirius.
"It sounds like a good idea to me" grinned Harry.

Cassiopeia felt truly happy for the first time in a long time.
She knew that she could never be a part of the wizarding world again. But if she had Sirius and Harry to take her mind of things, her life would start to feel worth living.
She allowed herself to smile as she watched Sirius and Harry getting to know each other for the very first time.
Even though it would take a while, she felt sure the boys would get to know each other in no time.

As Cassiopeia turned her head to make sure the rest of the group had exited the tunnel OK, she saw Remus's body stiffen.
"Remus are you alright?" Asked Cassiopeia.
Remus didn't reply, instead he began to shake violently and scream in pain.
Cassiopeia looked up at the moon and swore loudly when she realised it was a full moon, which meant that Remus was about to turn into a werewolf. And every single one of them was now in extreme danger.