Harry's¡¡head£¡¡¡Why¡¡should¡¡I£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨I'll¡¡tell¡¡you¡¡why£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Black¡£¡¡¡¨Because¡¡you¡¡never¡¡did¡¡anything¡¡for¡¡anyone¡¡unless¡¡you¡¡could¡¡see¡¡what¡¡was¡¡in¡¡it¡¡for¡¡you¡£¡¡Voldemort's¡¡been¡¡in¡¡hiding¡¡for¡¡fifteen¡¡years£»¡¡they¡¡say¡¡he's¡¡half¡¡dead¡£¡¡You¡¡weren't¡¡about¡¡to¡¡mit¡¡murder¡¡right¡¡under¡¡Albus¡¡Dumbledore's¡¡nose£»¡¡for¡¡a¡¡wreck¡¡of¡¡a¡¡wizard¡¡who'd¡¡lost¡¡all¡¡of¡¡his¡¡power£»¡¡were¡¡you£¿¡¡You'd¡¡want¡¡to¡¡be¡¡quite¡¡sure¡¡he¡¡was¡¡the¡¡biggest¡¡bully¡¡in¡¡the¡¡playground¡¡before¡¡you¡¡went¡¡back¡¡to¡¡him£»¡¡wouldn't¡¡you£¿¡¡Why¡¡else¡¡did¡¡you¡¡find¡¡a¡¡wizard¡¡family¡¡to¡¡take¡¡you¡¡in£¿¡¡Keeping¡¡an¡¡ear¡¡out¡¡for¡¡news£»¡¡weren't¡¡YOU£»¡¡Peter£¿¡¡Just¡¡in¡¡case¡¡your¡¡old¡¡protector¡¡regained¡¡strength£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡was¡¡safe¡¡to¡¡rejoin¡¡him¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡Pettigrew¡¡opened¡¡his¡¡mouth¡¡and¡¡closed¡¡it¡¡several¡¡times¡£¡¡He¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡have¡¡lost¡¡the¡¡ability¡¡to¡¡talk¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨Er¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Black¡¡¡¡Sirius£¿¡¨¡¡said¡¡Hermione¡£
¡¡¡¡Black¡¡jumped¡¡at¡¡being¡¡addressed¡¡like¡¡this¡¡and¡¡stared¡¡at¡¡Hermione¡¡as¡¡though¡¡he¡¡had¡¡never¡¡seen¡¡anything¡¡quite¡¡like¡¡her¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨If¡¡you¡¡don't¡¡mind¡¡me¡¡asking£»¡¡how¡¡¡¡how¡¡did¡¡you¡¡get¡¡out¡¡of¡¡Azkaban£»¡¡if¡¡you¡¡didn't¡¡use¡¡Dark¡¡Magic£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨Thank¡¡you£¡¡¨¡¡gasped¡¡Pettigrew£»¡¡nodding¡¡frantically¡¡at¡¡her¡£¡¡¡¨Exactly£¡¡¡Precisely¡¡what¡¡I¡¡¡¨
¡¡¡¡But¡¡Lupin¡¡silenced¡¡him¡¡with¡¡a¡¡look¡£¡¡Black¡¡was¡¡frowning¡¡slightly¡¡at¡¡Hermione£»¡¡but¡¡not¡¡as¡¡though¡¡he¡¡were¡¡annoyed¡¡with¡¡her¡£¡¡He¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡be¡¡pondering¡¡his¡¡answer¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡don't¡¡know¡¡how¡¡I¡¡did¡¡it£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said¡¡slowly¡£¡¡¡¨I¡¡think¡¡the¡¡only¡¡reason¡¡I¡¡never¡¡lost¡¡my¡¡mind¡¡is¡¡that¡¡I¡¡knew¡¡I¡¡was¡¡innocent¡£¡¡That¡¡wasn't¡¡a¡¡happy¡¡thought£»¡¡so¡¡the¡¡dementors¡¡couldn't¡¡suck¡¡it¡¡out¡¡of¡¡me¡£¡£¡£¡¡but¡¡it¡¡kept¡¡me¡¡sane¡¡and¡¡knowing¡¡who¡¡I¡¡am¡£¡£¡£¡¡helped¡¡me¡¡keep¡¡my¡¡powers¡£¡£¡£¡¡so¡¡when¡¡it¡¡all¡¡became¡¡¡£¡£¡£¡¡too¡¡much¡£¡£¡£¡¡I¡¡could¡¡transform¡¡in¡¡my¡¡cell¡£¡£¡£¡¡bee¡¡a¡¡dog¡£¡¡Dementors¡¡can't¡¡see£»¡¡you¡¡know¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¨¡¡He¡¡swallowed¡£¡¡¡¨They¡¡feel¡¡their¡¡way¡¡toward¡¡people¡¡by¡¡feeding¡¡off¡¡their¡¡emotions¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¡They¡¡could¡¡tell¡¡that¡¡my¡¡feelings¡¡were¡¡less¡¡¡¡less¡¡human£»¡¡less¡¡plex¡¡when¡¡I¡¡was¡¡a¡¡dog¡£¡£¡£¡¡but¡¡they¡¡thought£»¡¡of¡¡course£»¡¡that¡¡I¡¡was¡¡losing¡¡my¡¡mind¡¡like¡¡everyone¡¡else¡¡in¡¡there£»¡¡so¡¡it¡¡didn't¡¡trouble¡¡them¡£¡¡But¡¡I¡¡was¡¡weak£»¡¡very¡¡weak£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡had¡¡no¡¡hope¡¡of¡¡driving¡¡them¡¡away¡¡from¡¡me¡¡without¡¡a¡¡wand¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡then¡¡I¡¡saw¡¡Peter¡¡in¡¡that¡¡picture¡£¡£¡£¡¡I¡¡realized¡¡he¡¡was¡¡at¡¡Hogwarts¡¡with¡¡Harry¡£¡£¡£¡¡perfectly¡¡positioned¡¡to¡¡act£»¡¡if¡¡one¡¡hint¡¡reached¡¡his¡¡ears¡¡that¡¡the¡¡Dark¡¡Side¡¡was¡¡gathering¡¡strength¡¡again¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡Pettigrew¡¡was¡¡shaking¡¡his¡¡head£»¡¡mouthing¡¡noiselessly£»¡¡but¡¡staring¡¡all¡¡the¡¡while¡¡at¡¡Black¡¡as¡¡though¡¡hypnotized¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨¡£¡£¡£¡¡ready¡¡to¡¡strike¡¡at¡¡the¡¡moment¡¡he¡¡could¡¡be¡¡sure¡¡of¡¡allies¡£¡£¡£¡¡and¡¡to¡¡deliver¡¡the¡¡last¡¡Potter¡¡to¡¡them¡£¡¡if¡¡he¡¡gave¡¡them¡¡Harry£»¡¡who'd¡¡dare¡¡say¡¡he'd¡¡betrayed¡¡Lord¡¡Voldemort£¿¡¡He'd¡¡be¡¡weled¡¡back¡¡with¡¡honors¡£¡£¡£¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨So¡¡you¡¡see£»¡¡I¡¡had¡¡to¡¡do¡¡something¡£¡¡I¡¡was¡¡the¡¡only¡¡one¡¡who¡¡knew¡¡Peter¡¡was¡¡still¡¡alive¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡Harry¡¡remembered¡¡what¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Weasley¡¡had¡¡told¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Wealsey¡£¡¡¡¨The¡¡guards¡¡say¡¡he's¡¡been¡¡talking¡¡in¡¡his¡¡sleep¡£¡£¡£¡¡always¡¡the¡¡same¡¡words¡£¡£¡£¡¡'He's¡¡at¡¡Hogwarts¡£'¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡was¡¡as¡¡if¡¡someone¡¡had¡¡lit¡¡a¡¡fire¡¡In¡¡my¡¡head£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡dementors¡¡couldn't¡¡destroy¡¡it¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¡It¡¡wasn't¡¡a¡¡happy¡¡feeling¡£¡£¡£¡¡it¡¡was¡¡an¡¡obsession¡£¡£¡£¡¡but¡¡it¡¡gave¡¡me¡¡strength£»¡¡it¡¡cleared¡¡my¡¡mind¡£¡¡So£»¡¡one¡¡night¡¡when¡¡they¡¡opened¡¡my¡¡door¡¡to¡¡bring¡¡food£»¡¡I¡¡slipped¡¡past¡¡them¡¡as¡¡a¡¡dog¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¡It's¡¡so¡¡much¡¡harder¡¡for¡¡them¡¡to¡¡sense¡¡animal¡¡emotions¡¡that¡¡they¡¡were¡¡confused¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¡I¡¡was¡¡thin£»¡¡very¡¡thin¡£¡£¡£¡¡thin¡¡enough¡¡to¡¡slip¡¡through¡¡the¡¡bars¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¡I¡¡swam¡¡as¡¡a¡¡dog¡¡back¡¡to¡¡the¡¡mainland¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¡I¡¡journeyed¡¡north¡¡and¡¡slipped¡¡into¡¡the¡¡Hogwarts¡¡grounds¡¡as¡¡a¡¡dog¡£¡¡I've¡¡been¡¡living¡¡in¡¡the¡¡forest¡¡ever¡¡since£»¡¡except¡¡when¡¡I¡¡came¡¡to¡¡watch¡¡the¡¡Quidditch£»¡¡of¡¡course¡£¡¡You¡¡fly¡¡as¡¡well¡¡as¡¡your¡¡father¡¡did£»¡¡Harry¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡He¡¡looked¡¡at¡¡Harry£»¡¡who¡¡did¡¡not¡¡look¡¡away¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨Believe¡¡me£»¡¨¡¡croaked¡¡Black¡£¡¡¡¨Believe¡¡me£»¡¡Harry¡£¡¡I¡¡never¡¡betrayed¡¡James¡¡and¡¡Lily¡£¡¡I¡¡would¡¡have¡¡died¡¡before¡¡I¡¡betrayed¡¡them¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡And¡¡at¡¡long¡¡last£»¡¡Harry¡¡believed¡¡him¡£¡¡Throat¡¡too¡¡tight¡¡to¡¡speak£»¡¡he¡¡nodded¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨No£¡¡¨
¡¡¡¡Pettigrew¡¡had¡¡fallen¡¡to¡¡his¡¡knees¡¡as¡¡though¡¡Harry's¡¡nod¡¡had¡¡been¡¡his¡¡own¡¡death¡¡sentence¡£¡¡He¡¡shuffled¡¡forward¡¡on¡¡his¡¡knees£»¡¡groveling£»¡¡his¡¡hands¡¡clasped¡¡in¡¡front¡¡of¡¡him¡¡as¡¡though¡¡praying¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨Sirius¡¡¡¡it's¡¡me¡£¡£¡£¡¡it's¡¡Peter¡£¡£¡£¡¡your¡¡friend¡£¡£¡£¡¡you¡¡wouldn't¡¡¡¨
¡¡¡¡Black¡¡kicked¡¡out¡¡and¡¡Pettigrew¡¡recoiled¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨There's¡¡enough¡¡filth¡¡on¡¡my¡¡robes¡¡without¡¡you¡¡touching¡¡them£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Black¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨Remus£¡¡¨¡¡Pettigrew¡¡squeaked£»¡¡turning¡¡to¡¡Lupin¡¡instead£»¡¡writhing¡¡imploringly¡¡in¡¡front¡¡of¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¨You¡¡don't¡¡believe¡¡this¡¡wouldn't¡¡Sirius¡¡have¡¡told¡¡you¡¡they'd¡¡changed¡¡the¡¡plan£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨Not¡¡if¡¡he¡¡thought¡¡I¡¡was¡¡the¡¡spy£»¡¡Peter£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Lupin¡£¡¡¡¨I¡¡assume¡¡that's¡¡why¡¡you¡¡didn't¡¡tell¡¡me£»¡¡Sirius£¿¡¨¡¡he¡¡said¡¡casually¡¡over¡¡Pettigrews¡¡head¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨Forgive¡¡me£»¡¡Remus£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Black¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨Not¡¡at¡¡all£»¡¡Padfoot£»¡¡old¡¡friend£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Lupin£»¡¡who¡¡was¡¡now¡¡rolling¡¡up¡¡his¡¡sleeves¡£¡¡¡¨And¡¡will¡¡you£»¡¡in¡¡turn£»¡¡forgive¡¡me¡¡for¡¡believing¡¡you¡¡were¡¡the¡¡spy£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨Of¡¡course£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Black£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡ghost¡¡of¡¡a¡¡grin¡¡flitted¡¡across¡¡his¡¡gaunt¡¡face¡£¡¡He£»¡¡too£»¡¡began¡¡rolling¡¡up¡¡his¡¡sleeves¡£¡¡¡¨Shall¡¡we¡¡kill¡¡him¡¡together£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡I¡¡think¡¡so£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Lupin¡¡grimly¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡wouldn't¡£¡£¡£¡¡you¡¡won't¡£¡£¡££»¡¨¡¡gasped¡¡Pettigrew¡£¡¡And¡¡he¡¡scrambled¡¡around¡¡to¡¡Ron¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨Ron¡£¡£¡£¡¡haven't¡¡I¡¡been¡¡a¡¡good¡¡friend¡£¡£¡£¡¡a¡¡good¡¡pet£¿¡¡You¡¡won't¡¡let¡¡them¡¡kill¡¡me£»¡¡Ron£»¡¡will¡¡you¡£¡£¡£¡¡you're¡¡on¡¡my¡¡side£»¡¡aren't¡¡you¡£
¡¡¡¡But¡¡Ron¡¡was¡¡staring¡¡at¡¡Pettigrew¡¡with¡¡the¡¡utmost¡¡revulsion¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡let¡¡you¡¡sleep¡¡in¡¡my¡¡bed£¡¡¨¡¡he¡¡said¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨Kind¡¡boy¡£¡£¡£¡¡kind¡¡master¡£¡£¡£¡¨¡¡Pettigrew¡¡crawled¡¡toward¡¡Ron¡¡¡¨You¡¡won't¡¡let¡¡them¡¡do¡¡it¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¡I¡¡was¡¡your¡¡rat¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¡I¡¡was¡¡a¡¡good¡¡pet¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨If¡¡you¡¡made¡¡a¡¡better¡¡rat¡¡than¡¡a¡¡human£»¡¡it's¡¡not¡¡much¡¡to¡¡boast¡¡about£»¡¡Peter£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Black¡¡harshly¡£¡¡Ron£»¡¡going¡¡still¡¡paler¡¡with¡¡pain£»¡¡wrenched¡¡his¡¡broken¡¡leg¡¡out¡¡of¡¡Pettigrew's¡¡reach¡£¡¡Pettigrew¡¡turned¡¡on¡¡his¡¡knees£»¡¡staggered¡¡forward£»¡¡and¡¡seized¡¡the¡¡hem¡¡of¡¡Hermione's¡¡robes¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨Sweet¡¡girl¡£¡£¡£¡¡clever¡¡girl¡£¡£¡£¡¡you¡¡¡¡you¡¡won't¡¡let¡¡them¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¡Help¡¡me¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡Hermione¡¡pulled¡¡her¡¡robes¡¡out¡¡of¡¡Pettigrew's¡¡clutching¡¡hands¡¡and¡¡backed¡¡away¡¡against¡¡the¡¡wall£»¡¡looking¡¡horrified¡£
¡¡¡¡Pettigrew¡¡knelt£»¡¡trembling¡¡uncontrollably£»¡¡and¡turned¡¡his¡¡head¡¡slowly¡¡toward¡¡Harry¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨Harry¡£¡£¡£¡¡Harry¡£¡£¡£¡¡you¡¡look¡¡just¡¡like¡¡your¡¡father¡£¡£¡£¡¡just¡¡like¡¡him¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨HOW¡¡DARE¡¡YOU¡¡SPEAK¡¡TO¡¡HARRY£¿¡¨¡¡roared¡¡Black¡£¡¡¡¨HOW¡¡DARE¡¡YOU¡¡FACE¡¡HIM£¿¡¡HOW¡¡DARE¡¡YOU¡¡TALK¡¡ABOUT¡¡JAMES¡¡IN¡¡FRONT¡¡OF¡¡HIM£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨Harry£»¡¨¡¡whispered¡¡Pettigrew£»¡¡shuffling¡¡toward¡¡him£»¡¡hands¡¡outstretched¡£¡¡¡¨Harry£»¡¡James¡¡wouldn't¡¡have¡¡wanted¡¡me¡¡killed¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¡James¡¡would¡¡have¡¡understood£»¡¡Harry¡£¡£¡£¡¡he¡¡would¡¡have¡¡shown¡¡me¡¡mercy¡£¡£¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡Both¡¡Black¡¡and¡¡Lupin¡¡strode¡¡forward£»¡¡seized¡¡Pettigrew's¡¡shoulders£»¡¡and¡¡threw¡¡him¡¡backward¡¡onto¡¡the¡¡floor¡£¡¡He¡¡sat¡¡there£»¡¡twitching¡¡with¡¡terror£»¡¡staring¡¡up¡¡at¡¡them¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡sold¡¡Lily¡¡and¡¡James¡¡to¡¡Voldemort£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Black£»¡¡who¡¡was¡¡shaking¡¡too¡£¡¡¡¨Do¡¡you¡¡deny¡¡it£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡Pettigrew¡¡burst¡¡into¡¡tears¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡horrible¡¡to¡¡watch£»¡¡like¡¡an¡¡oversized£»¡¡balding¡¡baby£»¡¡cowering¡¡on¡¡the¡¡floor¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨Sirius£»¡¡Sirius£»¡¡what¡¡could¡¡I¡¡have¡¡done£¿¡¡The¡¡Dark¡¡Lord¡£¡£¡£¡¡you¡¡have¡¡no¡¡idea¡£¡£¡£¡¡he¡¡has¡¡weapons¡¡you¡¡can't¡¡imagine¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¡I¡¡was¡¡scared£»¡¡Sirius£»¡¡I¡¡was¡¡never¡¡brave¡¡like¡¡you¡¡and¡¡Remus¡¡and¡¡James¡£¡¡I¡¡never¡¡meant¡¡it¡¡to¡¡happen¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¡He¡Who¡Must¡Not¡Be¡Named¡¡forced¡¡me¡¡¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨DON'T¡¡LIE£¡¡¨¡¡bellowed¡¡Black¡£¡¡¡¨YOU'D¡¡BEEN¡¡PASSING¡¡INFORMATION¡¡TO¡¡HIM¡¡FOR¡¡A¡¡YEAR¡¡BEFORE¡¡LILY¡¡AND¡¡JAMES¡¡DIED£¡¡¡YOU¡¡WERE¡¡HIS¡¡SPY£¡¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨He¡¡¡¡he¡¡was¡¡taking¡¡over¡¡everywhere£¡¡¨¡¡gasped¡¡Pettigrew¡£¡¡¡¨Wh¡¡¡¡what¡¡was¡¡there¡¡to¡¡be¡¡gained¡¡by¡¡refusing¡¡him£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡was¡¡there¡¡to¡¡be¡¡gained¡¡by¡¡fighting¡¡the¡¡most¡¡evil¡¡wizard¡¡who¡¡has¡¡ever¡¡existed£¿¡¨¡¡said¡¡Black£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡terrible¡¡fury¡¡in¡¡his¡¡face¡£¡¡¡¨Only¡¡innocent¡¡lives£»¡¡Peter£¡¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡don't¡¡understand£¡¡¨¡¡whined¡¡Pettigrew¡£¡¡¡¨He¡¡would¡¡have¡¡killed¡¡me£»¡¡Sirius£¡¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨THEN¡¡YOU¡¡SHOULD¡¡HAVE¡¡DIED£¡¡¨¡¡roared¡¡Black¡£¡¡¡¨DIED¡¡RATHER¡¡THAN¡¡BETRAY¡¡YOUR¡¡FRIENDS£»¡¡AS¡¡WE¡¡WOULD¡¡HAVE¡¡DONE¡¡FOR¡¡YOU£¡¡¨
¡¡¡¡Black¡¡and¡¡Lupin¡¡stood¡¡shoulder¡¡to¡¡shoulder£»¡¡wands¡¡raised¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡should¡¡have¡¡realized£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Lupin¡¡quietly£»¡¡¡¨if¡¡Voldemort¡¡didn't¡¡kill¡¡you£»¡¡we¡¡would¡£¡¡Good¡bye£»¡¡Peter¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡Hermione¡¡covered¡¡her¡¡face¡¡with¡¡her¡¡hands¡¡and¡¡turned¡¡to¡¡the¡¡wall¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨NO£¡¡¨¡¡Harry¡¡yelled¡£¡¡He¡¡ran¡¡forward£»¡¡placing¡¡himself¡¡in¡¡front¡¡Pettigrew£»¡¡facing¡¡the¡¡wands¡£¡¡¡¨You¡¡can't¡¡kill¡¡him£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said¡¡breathlessly¡£¡¡¡¨You¡¡can't¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡Black¡¡and¡¡Lupin¡¡both¡¡looked¡¡staggered¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨Harry£»¡¡this¡¡piece¡¡of¡¡vermin¡¡is¡¡the¡¡reason¡¡you¡¡have¡¡no¡¡parents£»¡¨¡¡Black¡¡snarled¡£¡¡¡¨This¡¡cringing¡¡bit¡¡of¡¡filth¡¡would¡¡have¡¡seen¡¡you¡¡die¡¡too£»¡¡without¡¡turning¡¡a¡¡hair¡£¡¡You¡¡heard¡¡him¡£¡¡His¡¡own¡¡stinking¡¡skin¡¡meant¡¡more¡¡to¡¡him¡¡than¡¡your¡¡whole¡¡family¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡know£»¡¨¡¡Harry¡¡panted¡£¡¡¡¨We'll¡¡take¡¡him¡¡up¡¡to¡¡the¡¡castle¡£¡¡We'll¡¡hand¡¡him¡¡over¡¡to¡¡the¡¡dementors¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¡He¡¡can¡¡go¡¡to¡¡Azkaban¡£¡£¡£¡¡but¡¡don't¡¡kill¡¡him¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨Harry£¡¡¨¡¡gasped¡¡Pettigrew£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡flung¡¡his¡¡arms¡¡around¡¡Harry's¡¡knees¡£¡¡¡¨You¡¡¡¡thank¡¡you¡¡¡¡it's¡¡more¡¡than¡¡I¡¡deserve¡¡¡¡thank¡¡you¡¡¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨Get¡¡off¡¡me£»¡¨¡¡Harry¡¡spat£»¡¡throwing¡¡Pettigrew's¡¡hands¡¡off¡¡him¡¡in¡¡disgust¡£¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡not¡¡doing¡¡this¡¡for¡¡you¡£¡¡I'm¡¡doing¡¡it¡¡because¡¡¡¡I¡¡don't¡¡reckon¡¡my¡¡dad¡¡would've¡¡wanted¡¡them¡¡to¡¡bee¡¡killers¡¡¡¡just¡¡for¡¡you¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡No¡¡one¡¡moved¡¡or¡¡made¡¡a¡¡sound¡¡except¡¡Pettigrew£»¡¡whose¡¡breath¡¡was¡¡ing¡¡in¡¡wheezes¡¡as¡¡he¡¡clutched¡¡his¡¡chest¡£¡¡Black¡¡and¡¡Lupin¡¡were¡¡looking¡¡at¡¡each¡¡other¡£¡¡Then£»¡¡with¡¡one¡¡movement£»¡¡they¡¡lowered¡¡their¡¡wands¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨You're¡¡the¡¡only¡¡person¡¡who¡¡has¡¡the¡¡right¡¡to¡¡decide£»¡¡Harry£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Black¡£¡¡¡¨But¡¡think¡£¡£¡£¡¡think¡¡what¡¡he¡¡did¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨He¡¡can¡¡go¡¡to¡¡Azkaban£»¡¨¡¡Harry¡¡repeated¡£¡¡¡¨If¡¡anyone¡¡deserves¡¡that¡¡place£»¡¡he¡¡does¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡Pettigrew¡¡was¡¡still¡¡wheezing¡¡behind¡¡him¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨Very¡¡well£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Lupin¡£¡¡¡¨Stand¡¡aside£»¡¡Harry¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡Harry¡¡hesitated¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡going¡¡to¡¡tie¡¡him¡¡up£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Lupin¡£¡¡¡¨That's¡¡all£»¡¡I¡¡swear¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡Harry¡¡stepped¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡way¡£¡¡Thin¡¡cords¡¡shot¡¡from¡¡Lupin's¡¡wand¡¡this¡¡time£»¡¡and¡¡next¡¡moment£»¡¡Pettigrew¡¡was¡¡wriggling¡¡on¡¡the¡¡floor£»¡¡bound¡¡and¡¡gagged¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡if¡¡you¡¡transform£»¡¡Peter£»¡¨¡¡growled¡¡Black£»¡¡his¡¡own¡¡wand¡¡pointing¡¡at¡¡Pettigrew¡¡too£»¡¡¡¨we¡¡will¡¡kill¡¡you¡£¡¡You¡¡agree£»¡¡Harry£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡Harry¡¡looked¡¡down¡¡at¡¡the¡¡pitiful¡¡figure¡¡on¡¡the¡¡floor¡¡and¡¡nodded¡¡so¡¡that¡¡Pettigrew¡¡could¡¡see¡¡him¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨Right£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Lupin£»¡¡suddenly¡¡businesslike¡£¡¡¡¨Ron£»¡¡I¡¡can't¡¡mend¡¡bones¡¡nearly¡¡as¡¡well¡¡as¡¡Madam¡¡Pomfrey£»¡¡so¡¡I¡¡think¡¡it's¡¡best¡¡if¡¡we¡¡just¡¡strap¡¡your¡¡leg¡¡up¡¡until¡¡we¡¡can¡¡get¡¡you¡¡to¡¡the¡¡hospital¡¡wing¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡He¡¡hurried¡¡over¡¡to¡¡Ron£»¡¡bent¡¡down£»¡¡tapped¡¡Ron's¡¡leg¡¡with¡¡his¡¡wand£»¡¡and¡¡muttered£»¡¡¡¨Ferula¡£¡¨¡¡Bandages¡¡spun¡¡up¡¡Ron's¡¡leg£»¡¡strapping¡¡it¡¡tightly¡¡to¡¡a¡¡splint¡£¡¡Lupin¡¡helped¡¡him¡¡to¡¡his¡¡feet£»¡¡Ron¡¡put¡¡his¡¡weight¡¡gingerly¡¡on¡¡the¡¡leg¡¡and¡¡didn't¡¡wince¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨That's¡¡better£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said¡£¡¡¡¨Thanks¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡about¡¡Professor¡¡Snape£¿¡¨¡¡said¡¡Hermione¡¡in¡¡a¡¡small¡¡voice£»¡¡looking¡¡down¡¡at¡¡Snape's¡¡prone¡¡figure¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨There's¡¡nothing¡¡seriously¡¡wrong¡¡with¡¡him£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Lupin£»¡¡bending¡¡over¡¡Snape¡¡and¡¡checking¡¡his¡¡pulse¡£¡¡¡¨You¡¡were¡¡just¡¡a¡¡little¡¡¡¡overenthusiastic¡£¡¡Still¡¡out¡¡cold¡£¡¡Er¡¡¡¡perhaps¡¡it¡¡will¡¡be¡¡best¡¡if¡¡we¡¡don't¡¡revive¡¡him¡¡until¡¡we're¡¡safety¡¡back¡¡in¡¡the¡¡castle¡£¡¡We¡¡can¡¡take¡¡him¡¡like¡¡this¡£¡£¡£¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡He¡¡muttered£»¡¡¡¨Mobilicorpus¡£¡¨¡¡As¡¡though¡¡invisible¡¡strings¡¡were¡¡tied¡¡to¡¡Snape's¡¡wrists£»¡¡neck£»¡¡and¡¡knees£»¡¡he¡¡was¡¡pulled¡¡into¡¡a¡¡standing¡¡position£»¡¡head¡¡still¡¡lolling¡¡unpleasantly£»¡¡like¡¡a¡¡grotesque¡¡puppet¡£¡¡He¡¡hung¡¡a¡¡few¡¡inches¡¡above¡¡the¡¡ground£»¡¡his¡¡limp¡¡feet¡¡dangling¡£¡¡Lupin¡¡picked¡¡up¡¡the¡¡Invisibility¡¡Cloak¡¡and¡¡tucked¡¡it¡¡safely¡¡into¡¡his¡¡pocket¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡two¡¡of¡¡us¡¡should¡¡be¡¡chained¡¡to¡¡this£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Black£»¡¡nudging¡¡Pettigrew¡¡with¡¡his¡¡toe¡£¡¡¡¨Just¡¡to¡¡make¡¡sure¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¨I'll¡¡do¡¡it£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Lupin¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡me£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Ron¡¡savagely£»¡¡limping¡¡forward¡£
¡¡¡¡Black¡¡conjured¡¡heavy¡¡manacles¡¡from¡¡thin¡¡air£»¡¡soon¡¡Pettigrew¡¡was¡¡upright¡¡again£»¡¡left¡¡arm¡¡chained¡¡to¡¡Lupin's¡¡right£»¡¡right¡¡arm¡¡to¡¡Ron's¡¡left¡£¡¡Ron's¡¡face¡¡was¡¡set¡£¡¡He¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡have¡¡taken¡¡Scabbers's¡¡true¡¡identity¡¡as¡¡a¡¡personal¡¡insult¡£¡¡C