Sign it [Lupin's Daughter]

Chapter 25

It happened somehow slow and fast at the same time. Maddy dropped the rat, and the blue-white light hit him in mid air. His small grey form was twitching violently as Maddy backed up, her eyes widening with every step. Ron was yelling as the rat hit the floor with a thump. There was a flash of light ―

It was terrifying, like watching something grow at double speed. First, it was a head, followed by two limbs sprouting, then two more limbs. Scabbers was no longer there, a man was in his place. Crookshanks was snarling on the bed; his hair on his back was standing up.

The man was short, Maddy reached a little higher than his shoulder. He seemed unkempt, and that he lost weight way too fast. He gave Maddy the thought that he was rat like, with his small, watery eyes and pointed nose. He was breathing quite fast.

"Well, hello, Peter," Remus said cheerfully. "Long time, no see."

"S-Sirius... R-Remus..." Peter's voice reminded Maddy eerily of a rat, very squeaky. "My friends... my old friends..."

Maddy had reached the wall, and stood up straight, her back to the wall, glaring intensely as Peter. Sirius went to raise his wand arm, but Remus seized his wrist, and shot him, a warning look.

"We've been having a little chat, Peter, about what happened the night Lily and James. You might have missed the finer points while you were squeaking around down there on the bed ―" His tone was light and casual.

"Remus," gasped Peter. He was noticeably sweating, "you don't believe him, do you...? He tried to kill me, Remus...."

"So we've heard," Remus retorted coldly. "I'd like to clear up one or two matters with you, Peter, if you'd be so ―"

"He's come to try and kill me again!" Peter squeaked, pointing at Sirius with his middle finger, due to the absence of his index. "He killed Lily and James and now he's going to kill me too.... You've got to help me, Remus...."

Maddy looked at Sirius's skull-like face, as he stared fathomless at Peter.

"No one's going to try and kill you until we've sorted a few things out." Remus informed him.

"Sort things out?" Peter squealed. Maddy stepped forward when she noticed his eyes darting towards the door, and the boarded windows. "I knew he'd come after me! I knew he'd be back for me! I've been waiting for this for twelve years!"

"You knew Sirius was going to break out of Azkaban?" asked Remus, voicing Maddy's confusion. "When nobody has ever done it before?"

"He's got dark powers the rest of us can only dream of!" Peter

Shouted shrilly. "How else did he get out of there? I suppose He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named taught him a few tricks."

Maddy stamped her foot, and all eyes turned to her. I can't speak for everyone in this room. But I can state that I sure don't dream of having dark powers. I think, if you were innocent, you'd say something along the lines of 'dark powers none of us can comprehend' or something that doesn't make it seem like you want dark powers.

Remus looked at Peter, "Maddy's right, you know. You do make sound like you aspire to have dark powers."

Peter shook his head quickly, "No! I am just saying it like it is. Your daughter must have just misinterpreted my meaning."

Sirius let out a horrible laugh that filled the room, "I don't think, Madeline... Maddy?... is interpreting anything wrong. Voldemort, teach me tricks."

Peter flinched violently at the name Sirius had said as Remus whispered, "Maddy will be alright for her."

"What, scared to hear your old master's name?" said Sirius, "I don't blame you, Peter. His lot aren't very happy with you, are they?"