Just as they were about to enter the Auditorium, Kael suddenly stopped. He glanced at Fred and George beside him and asked, "Do you have the Marauder's Map with you?"
"Of course." Fred casually pulled a piece of parchment out of his pocket. "We always keep this thing on us. Why?"
"Nothing much, can I borrow it for a bit?" said Kael. "I might need it."
"Be my guest." Fred didn't care and handed the Marauder's Map to Kael, then walked off toward the Gryffindor table.
"We've got plenty of ideas, but it's too late today—let's talk next time," George said, hurrying to catch up.
If it had been any other time, they might have been curious about what Kael was up to—maybe he was going for a night stroll. But now, the two, starving all day, just wanted something to eat, even if it was merely a cold boiled potato.
Kael put away the Marauder's Map and headed over to the Hufflepuff table.
...
After dinner, Kael went straight back to his dormitory and immediately opened up the Marauder's Map, closely studying the comings and goings of names on it.
There was less than a week until school let out. He wasn't sure what Sirius Black had in mind, but if he wanted to catch Peter, this week was his last chance.
Of course, he could also wait until the holiday, since there were no Dementors in Ottery St Catchpole, nor Dumbledore or the professors. Making a move there would definitely be much safer than inside the castle... He'd just have to wait until Mrs. Weasley left the house.
Or, just like Peter, he could sneak in disguised as an ordinary pet.
But Kael thought Sirius probably didn't have that kind of patience—and Ottery St Catchpole wasn't exactly close to Hogwarts. If Black didn't know the way, by the time he found the place, Hogwarts might have started the new term again.
Kael watched the map, but right up to curfew, nothing unusual happened. Ron stayed put in the common room the whole time.
"Maybe not tonight," Kael murmured, stretching his stiff neck.
But just as he was about to put the Marauder's Map away, he unintentionally noticed Professor Lupin leaving his office.
Remembering Lupin's recent odd behavior, Kael froze. He wanted to see what the professor was up to.
On the map, Professor Lupin walked straight to the eighth floor, the entrance to Gryffindor common room—Ron's, Harry's, and Hermione's names started moving toward him.
After a few minutes, Professor Lupin left, now accompanied by a new name: Peter Pettigrew.
So he's met Black?
"Looks that way..."
Kael quickly realized—Lupin had been running off to Hogsmeade a lot lately, and it was definitely not for what was rumored in school, that he was pursuing Ms. Rosmerta at the Three Broomsticks… He was looking for Sirius Black.
As his former best friend, Professor Lupin would surely know where Black would likely hide if he was nearby.
Hogsmeade wasn't that big. If he kept searching, he was bound to find him.
And he must have learned from him that Ron's rat was actually Peter Pettigrew.
Now, he was likely planning to confront Black.
With that, Kael closed the Marauder's Map.
As he was thinking how to get rid of Mikel and Ryan, the two happened to be discussing heading outside for a game of Gobstones.
Once they were gone, Kael cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself and slipped out of the dormitory.
He needed to hurry, or Professor Lupin and Black would probably end up fighting.
The common room was lively as ever—even when the main door opened for a moment, nobody paid attention, figuring someone just went to the kitchen for food.
Only Conna, sitting in the corner, turned her head, gazing thoughtfully at the empty corridor.
Elsewhere, when Kael reached the entrance hall, Professor Lupin was just leaving the castle.
He walked quickly, still looking preoccupied... so much so that he didn't even notice a half-visible arm floating not far behind him.
"He's left the castle."
An anxious voice rang out in the empty entrance hall—it was Ron: "Does he need to leave the castle to treat a pet? Don't tell me he's going to..."
"Quiet, Ron!" Hermione said. "Or we'll get caught. Hurry up and follow!"
As she spoke, that half-arm floated out the door too.
No need to guess, that was obviously Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The Invisibility Cloak couldn't cover all three of them completely, which was why an arm was showing.
What happened next outside the castle was quite a sight.
Professor Lupin, looking grave, walked briskly at the front. An exposed arm trailed behind him, and Kael followed after the arm...
When Professor Lupin reached the Whomping Willow, a massive black dog suddenly shot out from the side, its cold eyes fixed on the rat frantically struggling in his hand.
"You shouldn't be here. Go back!" Professor Lupin barked sternly.
The big dog gave a few loud growls, and in the next instant, its body twisted and transformed into a skinny man.
"I can't wait any longer..." His voice was hoarse. "Remus, I waited twelve years, in Azkaban..."
"No, we must—"
"So it was you!"
In Kael's disbelief, the three ahead of him suddenly burst out from under the Invisibility Cloak.
Harry pointed at Professor Lupin and shouted, "It was you who helped Black get into the castle—twice! You're his accomplice!"
"I trusted you so much!" Hermione was shaking all over with anger.
Ron didn't even hesitate and lunged forward. "Give Scabbers back to me!"
"What a sight," Kael muttered under his breath.
Clearly knowing the guy was deadly dangerous, but instead of hiding, they just tossed off their cover and chose to face him head-on... These three really are true Gryffindors—Sorting Hat knew what it was doing.
Well, it was Sirius Black they were dealing with... If it had been someone else, say Barty Crouch Jr. or Bellatrix, the three of them would probably be hanging with the Whomping Willow forever after.
Still, Harry and his friends' sudden appearance startled Professor Lupin. While he hesitated, Black snatched the rat from his hand and dove straight into the tunnel beneath the Whomping Willow.
"Sirius, come back!" Professor Lupin, regaining his senses, immediately chased after him.
"Scabbers!" Ron rushed after them.
"Ron..." That was Harry and Hermione.
In the blink of an eye, Kael was the only one left outside.
"Sorting Hat knew what it was doing..." Kael muttered again, finally walking up to the Whomping Willow.
The usually violent Whomping Willow was uncharacteristically calm. Kael studied the thick, leafy branches, but finally suppressed his curiosity and jumped into the tunnel without looking back.
Forget it, now's not the time. Maybe next time.