"Incarcerous."
Rowan's fingers flicked, and the charging black dog collapsed mid-lunge, unconscious before its teeth could close. He followed immediately with a counterspell, stripping away the Animagus transformation. The great hound shrank and twisted, resolving into the gaunt, unmoving form of Sirius Black.
Rowan suspended him in the air and led the way back through the tunnel beneath the Whomping Willow.
They emerged to find Professor Lupin already there, with Harry, Ron, and Hermione close behind.
"That's him," Rowan said calmly. "He's been hiding beneath the Willow."
Lupin stared at the unconscious man, his expression tangled with shock, disbelief, and something far heavier.
"You subdued him alone," Lupin said quietly.
Rowan only nodded.
Harry stepped forward, rage blazing across his face. He raised his wand and pointed it straight at Sirius's head.
"That's him," Harry said hoarsely. "I'll kill him."
Rowan didn't intervene. He knew Harry wouldn't follow through.
Harry's hand shook. Seconds passed. No spell came.
"Expelliarmus."
The red light came from Lupin.
Harry's wand flew from his grip. So did Ron's. So did Hermione's.
Lupin caught them all in a smooth motion and dispelled the spells holding Sirius suspended. Sirius slumped to the ground, stirring.
When he opened his eyes, Lupin's wand was already trained on him.
"I never believed you betrayed us," Lupin said. "I want the truth. All of it."
"Professor?" Harry said, stunned. "What are you doing?"
"Stopping you from making a mistake," Lupin replied. "Let me handle this."
Rowan placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Listen first."
Lupin's intervention surprised Rowan. In the original chain of events, Lupin had only acted after confirming Pettigrew's survival through the Marauder's Map. That map was currently in Rowan's possession.
Which meant this choice came from loyalty, not proof.
Sirius pushed himself upright, exhaustion etched into every line of his face.
"It wasn't me," he said. "We changed the Secret Keeper. I suggested Peter. I thought he was safer. Smarter. When I reached Godric's Hollow, there was nothing left but ruins."
His voice cracked.
"I knew Peter had betrayed us. I hunted him down. He blew apart an entire street, cut off his own finger, and vanished."
Harry shook his head violently. "Then why didn't you explain any of this when you were arrested?"
Sirius lowered his gaze.
"Because it was my fault. If I hadn't suggested Peter, your parents would still be alive. Azkaban was what I deserved."
Hermione frowned. "Then why escape now? Why come to Hogwarts?"
"To kill Peter," Sirius said, fury flashing through his hollow eyes. "I thought he was dead until last year. Fudge brought a newspaper to Azkaban. There was a photo of your family in Egypt."
He turned to Ron.
"The rat. The one missing a toe. That's Peter Pettigrew. He's been hiding in Animagus form all along. Following you. Staying close to Harry."
Ron recoiled. "That's ridiculous. Scabbers is just a rat."
Lupin took the old newspaper Sirius handed him and stared at the moving image.
The recognition was instant.
"He's telling the truth," Lupin said softly. "Pettigrew is alive. And that rat is him."
He stepped forward and pulled Sirius into a tight embrace, years of doubt finally lifting from his face.
...
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