"Moony!"
Sirius Black hadn't expected Lupin to tail him like this. He whipped around, staring at the other man.
Lupin steadied Sirius with a firm grip, his expression grave as he faced Argus. "Argus, I vouch for Sirius—as a Hogwarts professor. Everything he just told you is the God's honest truth."
Sirius shook off the lingering ache from the disarming spell and pulled himself free. "If you still doubt me, I'll put down a deposit right now. The Black family home is at Grimmauld Place. I'll take you there myself..."
"Padfoot! Have you lost your mind?" Lupin hissed. "The Aurors can't pinpoint the exact spot, but that doesn't mean they don't know where it is. Walking in there now is suicide."
"Then what? Beg the greasy git for help?" Sirius shot back.
He'd never been one for patience, and with talks grinding to a halt, his frustration boiled over.
After letting the two bicker for a solid minute, Argus finally cut in. "An Unbreakable Vow."
"I can swear one with Sirius. I capture Peter Pettigrew for you, and in exchange, he hands over the Black family's holdings—stocks, heirlooms, and library intact."
Lupin and Sirius traded a look, both feeling a bit foolish. Why had they wasted time squabbling? A Vow would settle it clean and simple—no more drama.
Lupin, especially, cringed inwardly. Had hanging around Sirius dulled his wits that much?
Sirius let out an awkward chuckle and drew a steadying breath. He extended his hand first, locking the Vow with Argus.
The terms were straightforward: Argus would track down Peter Pettigrew and deliver him personally to Sirius. Once done, Sirius would transfer the Black family's assets. To hedge his bets, Sirius tacked on a deadline—before the school year ended.
Of course, Argus had his own angles in play, but he played along without a hint.
Satisfied at last, Sirius cracked a grin. Lupin eased up too, the tension draining from his shoulders.
They'd been on edge before approaching Argus. What if he refused? What if he turned hunter, dead set on dragging Sirius in?
From the rumors—Argus soloing that basilisk—they knew he was no pushover. If he pushed, Lupin might buy Sirius an escape window, but he'd be the one left holding the bag. Hogsmeade hugged Hogwarts too close; one shout could summon half the staff. A mild-mannered professor? Manageable. Snape? They'd be dodging Unforgivable Curses.
"Now, Professor Lupin—any leads on Peter Pettigrew?" Argus asked, feigning total ignorance. He had the rat in his pocket, literally, but no need to tip his hand.
Sirius nodded at Lupin. "I'll fill you in."
Peter was holed up with Harry's mate, Ron Weasley—as his pet rat, Scabbers.
"Back in school, James, Peter, and I all became Animagi. I turn into a Grim—a big black dog. Peter's a rat."
Argus nodded sagely. "The Weasley twins mentioned Scabbers once—said the thing's ancient. No ordinary rat lasts that long. But an unregistered Animagus? Makes perfect sense."
He glanced between them. "Once I nab him, how do I get him to you?"
"Drop him with Lupin here," Sirius said offhand. "He'll pass him along."
Argus and Lupin stared at him like he'd grown a second head.
Sirius blinked, scratching his scalp. "What? Why the looks?"
Lupin sighed. "The Vow says you get him personally from Argus. Can't shortcut it through me."
He eyed his old friend with exasperation, then turned to Argus. "Head to the Shrieking Shack when you've got him. Sirius—lay low in Hogsmeade. Stick to the Shack as much as you can."
To Sirius: "I'll smuggle in food when I can. No risks."
With that, Sirius's immediate woes were sorted. Argus hashed out logistics with Lupin, then slipped away.
Once he was gone, Sirius slumped against the wall, wincing as he clutched his ribs. "Kids these days are brutal. That curse packed a wallop."
Lupin snorted. "Serves you right for charging in blind. Who raises a third-year like that?"
Sirius grumbled, unrepentant. "How was I to know? We were never that sharp at his age—even all four of us together."
He shuddered. "One wrong word, and I'd be Azkaban-bound."
Lupin nudged his leg with a boot. "Enough whining. I'll grab medicine, food—meet you at the Shack soon. Stay sharp; don't cock this up."
"Go on, then." Sirius waved him off.
It took a few minutes to shake off the pain. He tore open his shirt, hissing at the ugly bruises blooming across his chest. Grimacing, he pushed off the wall and limped toward the Shrieking Shack.
Minutes later, chaos erupted in Hogsmeade.
"Sirius! It's Sirius Black—the Azkaban escapee!"
"He's here for Harry—run for your lives!"
Sirius froze, mind blanking. In his rush, he'd forgotten the obvious: no Animagus form. He'd just strolled out in plain sight, bold as brass.
Cursing his thick skull, he bolted for the nearest alley, ducking into shadows until the coast cleared. Only then did he shift into the shaggy black dog, slinking toward the Shack under cover of dusk.
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