HARRY POTTER and the Prisoner of Azkaban CHAPTER 20
Chapter 20
THE DEMENTOR’S KISS
Harry follows Lupin, Black and Ron out of the house and into the tunnel. They are going back to Hogwarts. Crookshanks walks in front of this strange group. Snape hangs in the air like a puppet. Black pushes him forward with his wand. Lupin points his wand at Peter Pettigrew. Both Lupin and Ron are tied to Pettigrew with a rope.
The tunnel is low. They move slowly through it. Snape keeps hitting his head on the top of the tunnel. Black does not seem to care. He does not help Snape. “Do you know what this means, Harry?” asks Black. “Do you understand what will happen when I give Pettigrew to the dementors?” “It means you will be free,” says Harry. “Yes,” says Black, very serious.
“When I am free, I can go back to the wizarding world.” He says nothing for a moment. Then, “I don’t know if you know this, Harry… I am your godfather.” “Yes, I knew that,” says Harry. “Your parents wanted me to take care of you if something happened to them,” says Black. “When I am free, I would like you to live with me… if you want a new home.” Harry does not say anything.
“I understand if you want to stay with your aunt and uncle. But… well, please think about it.” Harry cannot believe what he is hearing. He feels something strong in his stomach, like an explosion of emotion. “What? Live with you?” says Harry, almost too surprised to speak. “You mean, leave the Dursleys?” “I didn’t think you would want to live with me,” says Black, “after all that has happened.”
“Are you crazy?” says Harry, very excited. “Of course I want to leave the Dursleys! When can I move in with you?” Black looks at Harry. Snape’s head hits the top of the tunnel again. “You want to come and live with me? Really?” says Black. “Absolutely!” says Harry happily. Black suddenly smiles. It is the first time Harry sees him smile. Black’s face changes. He looks almost like a normal man.
They keep walking in the tunnel for a long time. At last, Crookshanks stops. Then he runs up a hill and disappears. Harry thinks he has touched the secret part of the Whomping Willow. The tree is not moving now. They all come out of the tunnel and walk onto the dark grass. The castle is far away. Many windows have lights on.
They walk toward the castle. Harry feels very happy. He will live with Sirius Black, his parents’ best friend. He wonders what his aunt and uncle will say when they find out he will live with the criminal they saw on TV! “Don’t even think about changing form, Peter,” says Lupin. He points his wand at him. As they get closer to the castle, the dark clouds move. The moon comes out. It is full and bright.
Suddenly, Lupin stops. Ron and Pettigrew walk into him, and almost fall down. Black looks up at the moon, then at Lupin. “Harry, run!” he shouts. Lupin starts shaking. His arms and legs begin to grow. His face gets longer. His fingers turn into claws! Hermione screams, “Professor Lupin didn’t take his potion! He’s not safe!” “Run, Harry. Now!” yells Black. There is a terrible snarling noise. Lupin’s body is changing fast.
Crookshanks makes a loud angry hiss. Lupin does not look like a man now. He looks like a werewolf! The werewolf howls and opens and closes his mouth. His teeth shine in the moonlight. Black pushes Harry back. There is the sound of clothes ripping. Black is gone. A big black dog, the size of a bear, stands in his place. The dog jumps at the werewolf! The dog bites the werewolf on the neck. The werewolf cries out in pain.
The two animals bite and scratch each other. Harry cannot move. He watches the fight in fear. Suddenly, Hermione screams. Harry turns. Pettigrew has pushed Ron. He has picked up Lupin’s wand. There is a loud noise and a flash of light. Ron falls down. He does not move. Another loud noise and flash. Crookshanks falls to the grass!
“Expelliarmus!” Harry shouts, pointing his wand at Pettigrew. Lupin’s wand flies from Pettigrew’s hand and falls to the grass. “Don’t move, Pettigrew!” shouts Harry. But it is too late. Pettigrew quickly turns into a dirty old rat and runs into the night. Then, there is a loud howl and growl. Harry turns. The werewolf runs into the forest.
“Sirius!” shouts Harry. “Pettigrew transformed! He ran away!” Harry points to the place where the rat went. The large black dog is hurt. He is bleeding. There are cuts on his face and body. But he hears Harry. He sees where Harry points. He runs after Pettigrew. Harry and Hermione run to Ron. His eyes are open, but he cannot see. He is still breathing. “He’s not dead,” says Harry, relieved. “But what did Pettigrew do to him?” “I don’t know,” says Hermione, worried. Harry looks around. Black and Lupin are gone.
