Fear? Part II

Remus Lupin Pov:

I've never seen a boggart take so long to change into the form a person fears the most. What seemed like a minute later, the boggart just disintegrates on the spot. With a surprised expression I think, this… another weird event after another with this boy… Recovering from the unexpected event I speak up to the stunned class, "Right. Sorry about that. That's enough for today. Collect your books from the back. That's the end of the lesson. Thank you! Sorry!" As all the students scram from the class one of the students walks up to me. It was Hermione, she had a confused expression asking, "professor, what was that before.. with the boggart, that didn't seem normal."

"Indeed, I myself have never seen anything like this happen before, so I'm also in the same shoes as you. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be speaking with the Headmaster," I said. Seeing the doorway clear up, I head straight toward the Headmaster's Tower.

Harry Potter Pov:

When class was dismissed, I tried meeting up with Art, as Ron was on my tail. I wasn't able to catch up as the door was too crowded and he was already long gone. "Harry, what do you reckon that was… you know with the boggart?" asked Ron. I look towards him and reply, "don't know, I was trying to meet him so I could ask." As I was grouping up to attend Hogsmeade with Ron, my mind had constant thoughts of what happened in D.A.D.A class. What was that before? I'm glad at least I didn't have a turn with the boggart, or I'm afraid I would have thought of Voldemort. Arriving at the courtyard I spot most of the third-years and McGonagall lecturing them.

"Remember, these visits to Hogsmeade village are a privilege. Should your behavior reflect poorly on the school… that privilege shall not be extended again" said McGonagall. I ran forward to give McGonagall my permission slip and she continued to say, "No permission form was signed, no visiting the village. That's the rule, Potter. Those with permission, follow me. Those without, stay put." Hearing her words I tried my luck asking, "I thought if you signed it, then I could…" She interrupts answering, "I can't. Only a parent or a guardian can sign. Since I am neither, it would be inappropriate… I'm sorry, Potter. That's my final word."

With a dejected expression, I look over at my friends and say, "Forget about it, guys. See you later." A few minutes later, I met up with Professor Lupin at the footbridge. As we were walking I asked, "professor can I ask you something?" He replies, "you want to know what happened with the boggart before?" I watch him lean on the ledge support and he pauses for a moment. "Harry, I'm not sure myself to be honest with you. I did talk to Dumbledore about it… Dumbledore theorizes whatever Mr. Starscourge fears, it was so powerful that boggart could not take its form, and upon attempting this it disintegrated. It is only a theory Harry don't take my word for it. However, Dumbledore is a very intelligent wizard so I wouldn't be surprised to find out he was correct."

"Professor why are you telling me this, shouldn't this be kept.. You know.. Private," I said. Hearing my words he replies, "Harry, it's alright I trust you well enough to know you won't be gossiping around about this." Switching the topic I say, "Professor I've been meaning to tell you.. Before.. On the train when I fainted.. I heard something.. A woman.. Screaming." He mutters in reply, "Dementors force us to relive our very worst memories. Our pain becomes their power."

"I think it was my mother… the night she was murdered," I said. Professor Lupin gives me a look of empathy and replies, "The very first time I saw you, Harry, I recognized you immediately. Not by your scar, by your eyes. They're your mother, Lily's. Yes. Oh, yes. I knew her. Your mother was there for me at a time when no one else was. Not only was she a singularly gifted witch… she was also an uncommonly kind woman. She had a way of seeing the beauty in others… even, and most especially when that person could not see it in themselves. And your father, James, on the other hand… he… He had a certain, shall we say, talent for trouble. A talent, rumor has it, he passed on to you. You're more like them than you know, Harry. In time, you'll come to see just how much."

A few hours later, I was walking with my friends to the Griffindor common room, while Ron was telling me about Hogsmeade village. "Honeyduke's Sweetshop is brilliant, but nothing beats Zonko's Joke Shop. We never did get to go to the Shrieking Shack. Have you heard it's the most.. Haunted building in Britain," said Ron. I reply, "yeah I know." As we continue up the stairs I glance around and see the Griffindor entrance held up in a long line. I then say aloud, "what's going on?" Ron replies, "Probably Neville forgot the password again." I hear in an annoyed tone from behind me, "hey." Looking behind I see Neville and say, "oh, you're there.. sorry.. Neville"

The next moment I hear someone shout, "Let me through, please. Excuse me! I'm Head Boy! Get back, all of you. No one is to enter this dormitory until it's been searched." Ginny walks down towards us to say, "The Fat Lady! She's gone!" While Ron replies, "Serves her right. She was a terrible singer anyway." Hermione gives Ron an annoyed look saying, "It's not funny, Ron." Every nearby painting was making a ruckus with mourns and a baby crying in a woman's arms. The head boy continues to give commands saying aloud, "Be quiet. Make way. The headmaster's here. Come on, move. You heard. Move!" I see the Headmaster walk up the stairs through the open path with a concerned look. As he walks up to the painting, he inspects it while saying, "Mr. Filch? Round up the ghosts. Tell them to search every painting in the castle to find the Fat Lady." Not a second later Mr. Flich looking upward replies while pointing, "There's no need for ghosts, professor. The Fat Lady's there." The next moment the crowd makes it's way up a floor to get a closer look, as the head boy yells, "Mind where you're going! Slow down! You listen! I'm Head Boy! Come back here!"

When the crowd reaches the painting with the Fat Lady hiding behind a Hippo. Dumbledore asks, "Dear lady, who did this to you?" The Fat Lady rises from behind the Hippo crying and answers, "Eyes like the devil, he's got, and a soul as dark as his name. It's him, headmaster. The one they all talk about. He's here, somewhere in the castle! Sirius Black!" Hearing that Dumbledore gives out an order saying, "Secure the castle, Mr. Filch. The rest of you, to the Great Hall."

On that starry night with the glistening of the moon on the Great Lake. Outside Hogwarts castle a loud howl echoes in the forest. The sound of gears can be heard as all the entrance gates of Hogwarts lockdown with over hundreds of locks clicking into the massive wooden doors. The silhouette of dark-cloaked creatures hover just outside the castle, patrolling for Sirius Black and waiting for their next unlucky prey. All the lights go out in Hogwarts and it becomes deafening quiet. Inside the Great Hall, no tables are out and hundreds of students sleep on the floor, as professors patrol the area. Dumbledore stands still in the center seemingly deep in thought.

Dumbledore Pov:

How was Sirius Black able to get in undetected? And what is his goal here? I don't believe he is just after Harry there has to be more to this going on, that I don't know. Snape should know something, I'll need to ask him what he knows. Speaking of Snape I noticed him walking behind Filch and Flitwick into the Great Hall. Filch informs me that the Astronomy tower and Owlery are clear. While Flitwick says the third floor was clear as well. However, he informs me that Mr. Starscourge was absent. I already knew this as his friend sent me a message from him. At that time I raised my eyebrows thinking, the boy will be fine, after reading through the note. He's somehow figured out Sirius Black has left the castle, I'll have to ask him later about this. Just like his father a natural Seer, he was very intelligent and had a gift for predicting future events.

Snape walks up to me, and reports, "I've done the dungeons. No sign of Black, nor anywhere else in the castle." I reply, "I didn't really expect him to linger." Snape walks by my side speaking, "Remarkable feat, don't you think? To enter Hogwarts Castle on one's own… completely undetected? Any theories on how he managed it?" I stop and look at him answering, "Many. Each is as unlikely as the next."

We both continue to stroll the Great Hall. "You may recall… prior to the start of term I expressed concerns… about your appointment with Professor—" I cut him off saying, "Not a single professor inside this castle would help Sirius Black enter it. I'm quite convinced the castle is safe ...and I'm more than willing to send the students to their houses."

"What about Potter? Should he be warned?" asked Snape. I answered, "Perhaps. But for now, let him sleep. For in dreams, we enter a world that's entirely our own. Let them swim in the deepest ocean or glide over the highest cloud." Knowing full well the young Potter was eavesdropping on our conversation, I look over at Severus and nod as we both use the Muffliato Charm. I then continue to speak without being overheard, "there's something I'd like to talk to you about Severus it's about your duty as a double agent. Severus tell me.. What do you know about Sirius Black's sentence to Azkaban, was he really guilty?" Snape gives me a confused expression answering, "you mean the buffoon that betrayed Lily? He is guilty I'm quite sure of it. What brought this on Headmaster?"

"Severus, don't you think this whole case is a little odd, there was no trial for his sentence and he and James were both like brothers. I suspect something else is going on here, I can only theorize that he was framed somehow. The only question that lies is, who framed him?" I answered. Hearing my words makes him pause for a moment as he replies, "you think he may have been framed? As much as I don't like him, you may be right, I trust you, Headmaster. However, with the only proof we currently have, he still lies guilty." I shake my head and say, "Severus, that's just it there is no proof, there was only one witness and he's dead." My eyes widen for a second and Snape raises his eyebrows replying, "Headmaster?"

"... it's possible… that.. Peter Pettigrew may still be alive. If my theory is correct he was the one who framed Sirius Black, then faked his death. While somehow, hiding for over a decade," I said. Snape pauses as if realization hit him, replying, "Headmaster, you may be on to something here. But… how do you expect me to believe such a crazy story, even if it makes sense." I smile saying, "relax Severus, it is only a theory. However, if it turns out true Sirius Black could be innocent. This is a breakthrough, Severus, I'll be in my office if you need me, take control here.. For now… as I look more into this. I hear a loud thunder as I enter my office. That's odd was it storming? I look outside the window the sky was clear with no clouds, only the moon's reflection onto the great lake, and a passing shooting star. Strange…