"But Professor Lupin, that can't be right," Hermione said, her voice steady but firm. "Scabbers can't be Peter Pettigrew. He can't be an Animagus."
Her refusal wasn't emotional. It was academic.
"After Professor McGonagall taught us about Animagi, I researched it for homework," she continued. "The Ministry keeps official records. Every registered Animagus is listed, including their animal form. Professor McGonagall is there. A cat. There have only been seven Animagi this century. Peter Pettigrew isn't one of them."
"That's because we never registered," Sirius replied.
In an instant, he transformed. A massive black dog stood in his place, then shifted back into Sirius once more.
"That still doesn't prove Scabbers is Pettigrew," Ron said stubbornly. Harry hesitated, clearly torn.
Hermione took a breath. "Professor… I've kept quiet about this for a long time. But I can't ignore it anymore. You're a werewolf. And you're defending Sirius Black. That makes it very hard to believe everything you're saying."
"A werewolf?" Ron and Harry blurted out together.
Lupin looked genuinely surprised. "How long have you known?"
"For a while," Hermione answered. "Since Professor Snape assigned that essay on werewolves. The symptoms lined up too well."
Lupin let out a faint, resigned smile. "He set that essay hoping someone would notice. You checked lunar cycles, didn't you? Realized I'm always ill during the full moon. And the boggart… it turned into the moon when it saw me."
"Yes," Hermione said quietly. "All of it."
"You're the sharpest student I've ever taught," Lupin said.
"This isn't the time," Sirius interrupted, scanning the darkness. "Someone's coming. I can't be caught before Pettigrew pays."
That was when Rowan Mercer finally spoke.
"If you're innocent," Rowan said calmly, "then stop running. Let the headmaster hear you out."
"They won't believe me without Pettigrew," Sirius snapped. "They'll send me straight back to Azkaban."
He transformed again and bolted toward the Whomping Willow.
Rowan raised a hand. "Stupefy."
The spell struck mid-stride.
Lupin reacted instantly, firing a counterspell in shock. Rowan deflected it with a casual flick of his wrist.
"Wordless magic…" Lupin murmured.
"I'm sorry, Professor," Rowan said evenly. "But I can't take your word alone. Expelliarmus."
Lupin's wand flew from his hand.
"Levicorpus. Incarcerous."
Lupin was hauled upside down, ropes snapping tight around his arms before he could recover. Bound and suspended, he could no longer cast.
Lupin looked at Rowan, amazement undisguised. "So this is why the headmaster allowed you to graduate early."
"I'm not saying you're lying," Rowan replied. "But the truth needs witnesses."
Hermione suddenly pointed ahead. "Rowan. The headmaster's coming."
Torches flickered through the trees. Dumbledore's tall figure emerged, flanked by professors and Ministry examiners.
Rowan nodded and forced Sirius back into human form.
"Relax," Rowan said quietly. "If you're telling the truth, tonight won't end badly."
Footsteps closed in as the clearing filled with light.