Unloveds learning love

Daniel Granger was seething. Not jealous—why would he be jealous? Sage was free to do whatever she wanted, and he certainly wasn’t upset that she hadn’t told him about sharing her bed with someone named Peter Pettigrew. Absolutely not.

The image on the Marauder’s Map had been burned into his mind for weeks: Sage’s name beside Peter Pettigrew in her dormitory. He’d discovered it during one of his late-night escapades with the Weasley twins, only for Professor Lupin to confiscate the map before he could investigate further.

Who even was Peter Pettigrew? The name didn’t belong to any Hogwarts student Daniel knew, and he’d made a point of knowing everyone. He told himself it didn’t matter. Sage didn’t owe him an explanation. It wasn’t like he cared.

Daniel Granger was pacing near Great Hall, his thoughts churning as he stared out the window. Sage had been missing again. It wasn’t unusual for her to disappear for hours without a word, but something about tonight unsettled him.

His mind drifted to the Marauder’s Map, the enchanted parchment that could track every person within Hogwarts. Earlier in the year, he had been foolish enough to sneak out with the Weasley twins and had gotten caught by Professor Lupin, who confiscated the map.

Before losing it, though, he had spent countless nights watching the names appear and vanish, tracing paths and movements. One name, in particular, had caught his attention—Peter Pettigrew. The name had hovered alarmingly close to Sage’s every night, sometimes even sharing her bed.

He had told himself it didn’t matter. He wasn’t jealous. Not at all. Sage could do whatever she wanted. She didn’t owe him an explanation. Why should it bother him? Why should the thought of some idiot boy named Peter Pettigrew sharing her bed make his chest tighten with a strange, bitter ache?

“Daniel!”

Ron, Draco, and Neville came running toward him in the hallway, their faces pale and their breaths labored.

“We can’t find Sage anywhere,” Neville panted, his voice trembling with worry.

Daniel’s stomach twisted. He tried to keep his voice calm. “What do you mean you can’t find her?”

“She’s missing,” Draco snapped, his usual composure gone. “We’ve looked everywhere. She’s not in the library, the common room, the grounds—nowhere.”

The unease in Daniel’s chest hardened into cold dread. Without hesitation, he said, “We’re going to Lupin.”

Without another word, the four of them took off toward Professor Lupin’s office.

The door burst open, startling Lupin as he looked up from grading parchments.

“Professor, we need your help,” Daniel said, barely keeping the panic out of his voice.

Before Lupin could respond, they were already rifling through his desk. Draco pulled out the Marauder’s Map, its enchanted ink shimmering on the parchment.

“Where did you get—” Lupin began, his brow furrowing, but Daniel cut him off.

“We need to find Sage,” he said.

The professor sighed but stood, stepping around his desk to join them. “Alright,” he said, pulling out his wand. “Let’s see what we can find.”

As the map unfolded across the desk, its ink flowed, revealing every corner of Hogwarts and its grounds. They scanned the parchment desperately, searching for Sage’s name.

“There!” Neville exclaimed, pointing.

A dot labeled Sage Potter hovered near the Whomping Willow, and their hearts collectively stopped as they saw another dot rapidly approaching her—Sirius Black.

“No,” Draco breathed, his face ashen.

Without waiting for an explanation, all five of them bolted from the room, the map forgotten in their haste.

Meanwhile, Sage had no idea of the chaos unfolding in her absence. She had returned to her dormitory to drop off her bag before heading to the lake to meet Pafoo.

The moment she entered, she froze. Scabbers was on her bed again, his beady eyes gleaming in the dim light.

“Shoo,” she said, swiping her hand to send the rat scurrying off.

As he skittered to the floor, Sage knelt to place her bag in her trunk. She never saw the wand aimed at her back, nor the curse that hit her seconds later.

Her body went rigid as the Stunning Spell took hold, and she fell, her head striking the corner of her trunk with a sickening thud.

A man stepped forward, his grin wide and maniacal. He was fat and bald, with watery eyes that gleamed with malice. Peter Pettigrew.

“Well, well,” he muttered, his voice dripping with contempt. “James’s little brat.”

He reached into her open trunk, pulling out James Potter’s Invisibility Cloak. Draping it over her unconscious body, he cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself before levitating Sage into the air.

“Let’s go,” he whispered, his voice cold.

Peter moved through the castle with care, avoiding students and staff alike.

He passed Ron Weasley, who stormed toward the Slytherin common room, his face red with agitation.

Next came Draco Malfoy, his sharp eyes darting around as though searching for something—or someone.

Then Peter spotted Daniel Granger biting his nails, his expression anxious. For a terrifying moment, Daniel’s eyes seemed to lock on him—on Sage’s invisible, floating body. Peter froze, holding his breath. His wand trembled in his hand.

But Daniel turned away, scanning the corridor as he muttered something under his breath. Peter wasted no time, hurrying toward the Whomping Willow.

The massive tree loomed ahead, its branches thrashing wildly in every direction. Peter stopped Sage’s floating body just long enough to stab the base of the tree with his wand. The branches stilled instantly, and he cursed the tree to lash out more aggressively once he was inside, ensuring no one could follow.

Peter hoisted Sage’s small frame into his arms and disappeared into the tunnel beneath the tree’s roots. Behind him, the limbs resumed their violent dance, cutting off any pursuit.

Far across the grounds, a massive black dog bounded toward the Whomping Willow, its paws pounding the earth. Sirius Black had spotted Peter Pettigrew, though he was moments too late to prevent his entry into the tunnel.

The dog growled low in his throat, circling the thrashing branches. He would not let his goddaughter slip away again.

Back in the Defense classroom, the Marauder’s Map lay open on Lupin’s desk. Five dots labeled Remus Lupin, Daniel Granger, Draco Malfoy, and Neville Longbottom moved rapidly across the grounds toward the Whomping Willow, and Ron Weasley moved towards the Headmasters office.

No one noticed the ink shift again.

Peter Pettigrew was gone.

And Sage Potter had disappeared with him.

Chapter 19: The Shrieking Shack

Peter Pettigrew hummed softly to himself as he walked into the decrepit Shrieking Shack, his arms trembling slightly as he levitated Sage Potter’s unconscious form behind him. The room was as he remembered it—dusty, with peeling wallpaper and broken furniture littering the floor. It had been years since he had set foot here, but now, it felt like a sanctuary.

He lowered Sage onto a sagging bed, the springs creaking under her small frame. For a moment, Peter simply stared at her, his watery eyes tracing her features. Her black, wavy hair framed her pale face, the red tips a striking contrast to her porcelain skin. The scar that marred the left side of her face caught the dim light—a lightning bolt that spread jaggedly down to her cheek.

“So much like them,” Peter whispered, his voice tinged with an unsettling fondness. “James’s determination... Lily’s fire.” He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face with his stubby fingers.

Sage stirred slightly, her lips parting as a faint groan escaped. Peter snatched his hand back, muttering to himself. “No, not yet. Not yet.”

He paced the room, wringing his hands nervously. “This will all be over soon. The Dark Lord will rise again, and I’ll be rewarded... yes, rewarded for this.”

Sage groaned as she returned to consciousness. Her head throbbed viciously, and a warm, sticky sensation trickled down her face and into her hair. She winced, trying to lift her hand to touch the source, only to realize with growing horror that her wrists were bound above her head. Her legs were restrained as well, the ropes biting into her skin with every movement.

Panic gripped her as she began to thrash, pulling desperately at the bonds that held her in place. The ropes burned against her wrists and ankles, but she didn’t care. She needed to get free.

A shadow loomed over her, and she froze, her breath hitching.

“Ah, you’re awake,” Peter said, his tone almost tender as he tutted softly. He crouched beside the bed, his watery eyes gleaming with a sickly light. “You shouldn’t struggle, my dear. It’ll only hurt more.”

Sage’s heart raced as recognition dawned. She knew this man. Fuzzy memories from her childhood surfaced—of him standing in her parents home, his rat-like smile sending shivers down her spine. She remembered throwing things at him, desperate to keep him away.

“You,” she whispered, her voice trembling with fear and anger.

Peter chuckled, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from her face. She flinched, recoiling from his touch, but the ropes kept her in place.

“You remember me,” he cooed, his hand trailing down her cheek. “Good. It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? I’ve missed you, little one. Missed the days when you were so full of fire, throwing food at me like a wild kitten.”

Sage’s disgust turned into fury, and she jerked her head away, her emerald eyes blazing despite her fear.

“Don’t touch me!” she spat, her voice hoarse but defiant.

Peter’s smile faltered for a moment before he sighed, as though disappointed. “Such a temper,” he muttered. “Just like your father.”

Before he could say more, a low growl reverberated through the room, freezing him in place.

A black blur burst into the shack, teeth bared and eyes blazing with fury. Sirius Black, in his Animagus form of a massive black dog, lunged at Peter, sinking his fangs into the hand that had dared to touch Sage.

Peter screamed, trying to wrench his arm free, but Sirius was relentless. The dog dragged the balding man across the floor, his growls echoing through the room like a storm.

Sage watched, wide-eyed, as Pafoo—her Padfoot—fought to protect her. Relief flooded her chest, mingling with the pain and fear that still lingered.

“Padfoot,” she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.

The ropes binding her loosened as Peter flailed, his wand clattering to the floor. Sirius released him just long enough to kick the wand out of reach, his massive paw pinning Peter to the ground.

Sirius turned his head toward Sage, his dark eyes softening for a moment as they met hers.

“Padfoot,” she sobbed, her voice cracking.

Sirius growled low in his throat, turning his attention back to Peter, who whimpered under the dog’s weight.

Just as Sirius prepared to strike again, the door to the Shrieking Shack burst open, slamming against the wall with a deafening crash.

“Sage!”

Daniel, Neville, Draco, and Professor Lupin stood in the doorway, wands drawn and eyes blazing with determination.

Sirius looked up, his tail wagging briefly in recognition before he stepped off Peter, who scrambled to his feet, clutching his bleeding hand.

“You—” Peter began, but his words were cut off as Draco raised his wand.

“Stupefy!” Draco bellowed, sending Peter flying backward into the wall.

Daniel rushed to Sage’s side, his hands trembling as he untied the remaining ropes. “Sage, are you alright?”

Her tear-streaked face broke into a weak smile as she nodded. “I’m... okay,” she murmured, her voice barely audible.

Lupin stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Sirius. “It’s you,” he said, his voice filled with equal parts disbelief and hope. “Sirius.”

Sirius shifted back into his human form, his gaunt face and wild hair unmistakable. “Remus,” he said hoarsely, his voice laden with emotion.

But before they could say more, Peter groaned, stirring on the floor.

“Bind him!” Lupin commanded, his voice sharp.

Neville stepped forward, his wand steady. “Incarcerous!” Ropes shot from the tip of his wand, wrapping around Peter’s body and pinning him tightly.

The room fell silent except for Sage’s ragged breathing. Daniel wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as her trembling subsided.

“You’re safe now,” he whispered, his voice thick with relief. “We’ve got you.”

And for the first time that night, Sage believed him.

The tension in the Shrieking Shack was palpable as Sirius began to speak. His voice was hoarse, each word weighed down by years of pain and loss.

“I never betrayed James and Lily,” he began, his gaze fixed on Sage, who had all but burrowed into Daniel’s side. Her small frame trembled as she clung to him, her face buried in his chest while Daniel’s hand rubbed soothing circles on her back.

Sirius’s hand hovered over Sage’s shoulder, hesitating before resting there gently. She turned her head, her tear-streaked face meeting his anguished eyes. Without a word, she crawled into his lap, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face in his chest. She dragged Daniel along with her, and he didn’t resist, staying close as if to shield her from the horrors being recounted.

“I convinced James to make Peter their Secret-Keeper,” Sirius continued, his voice shaking. “I thought... I thought no one would suspect him. He was weak, cowardly—who’d think he was the one hiding them?”

Remus, standing nearby, looked stricken, his lips pressed into a thin line.

“On Halloween, Peter betrayed them. He sold them to Voldemort,” Sirius spat the name, his anger flaring. “He let them die!”

Sirius’s voice cracked, and Sage tightened her hold on him, her small hands clutching his robes.

“I tried to find him,” Sirius continued, his tone quieter now. “When I cornered him, he faked his own death, killed twelve innocent people, and left me to take the blame.”

Remus placed a hand on his shoulder. “We believe you, Sirius,” he said firmly, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his eyes.

At Remus’s instruction, a silvery wolf Patronus shot from his wand, streaking off into the night to summon Amelia Bones and the Aurors.

The group began their cautious journey back through the tunnel, Peter Pettigrew bound tightly and floating ahead of them. Sirius walked beside Sage and Daniel, his hand on Sage’s shoulder as she walked between them.

Far away in the castle, Ron Weasley stormed into Dumbledore’s office, breathless and panicked. “Professor! Sirius Black has Sage! He’s dangerous!”

Dumbledore’s face betrayed no surprise, though his eyes twinkled with a calculating light. He had known Sirius was innocent all along, but keeping him imprisoned had been necessary—necessary to keep Sirius away from Sage and ensure his plans for the greater good remained unthreatened.

Without hesitation, he flooed Minister Fudge, his tone urgent. “Cornelius, send every Dementor to Hogwarts immediately. Sirius Black is here, and the school is in grave danger.”

As the fireplace flared green, Dumbledore turned to Severus Snape. “Perform the spell,” he said coldly. “The one that will... incapacitate Remus, make him go wild, lose his mind when the moon rises.”

Snape hesitated, but only briefly. He knew better than to question Dumbledore.

Remus had long ago learnt to come at peace with his werewolf form, as a result he had werewolf strength, smell, keen eyes, quick reaction even in his human form, the plus side, he kept his mind when he transformed into the wolf under full moon. Thus, he never attacked anyone and as docile. So, Remus was not worried about the full moon.

When they emerged from the Whomping Willow, they were greeted by Amelia Bones and a group of Aurors moving toward them, their wands raised and expressions grim. Relief flickered in Sirius’s eyes, but it was short-lived.

Remus stumbled suddenly, collapsing to the ground with a guttural groan. His body twisted, his skin tearing and his bones elongating.

“No,” Sirius whispered, his face pale. “Not now.”

Before their eyes, Remus transformed into a feral werewolf, his human mind consumed by the spell cast from afar.

Peter seized the chaos, transforming into a rat and darting away. The Aurors gave chase, their shouts fading as they pursued him into the darkness.

Sirius wasted no time. He shifted into Padfoot and lunged at the werewolf, trying to restrain him. But Moony, lost to his feral instincts, fought back savagely, tossing Padfoot aside like a rag doll, not even caring that Padfoot was a member of his pack. Sirius’s body landed heavily near the lake’s edge, unmoving. All the while Remus kept fighting for control within his mind.

Moony turned toward Draco and Neville, shoving them aside with frightening ease. Then his glowing eyes locked onto Sage and Daniel.

“Sage, stay behind me,” Daniel said, stepping in front of her.

“No,” Sage protested, trying to shield him in turn.

Sage stepped in front of Daniel instinctively, her small frame trembling but determined. Daniel immediately moved to shield her, the two of them shifting back and forth in a desperate attempt to protect one another.

Moony loomed over them, his teeth bared and saliva dripping. His claws flexed, ready to strike.

But something shifted. Moony sniffed the air, his glowing eyes flickering with recognition. The feral growls softened as he caught their scent—his pack’s only pup and her mate.

The protective instinct won out. Instead of attacking, Moony licked both Sage and Daniel, his massive tongue swiping across their faces. Then, with a pained whimper, he turned and bolted into the forest, disappearing into the shadows, before he could again lose control of his mind.

“Sirius!” Sage cried, sprinting toward the lake. Daniel followed close behind, his heart pounding as he knelt beside Sirius’s still form.

“Sirius, wake up!” Sage shook him, her voice breaking.

Daniel knelt beside her, his hand on her shoulder. “Sirius...”

The air grew colder, and their breaths began to fog. The lake’s surface started to freeze, and the encroaching blackness sent chills down their spines.

At least a million Dementors descended upon them, their skeletal hands outstretched, their rattling breaths echoing like death.

“Dementors,” Daniel whispered, his voice trembling.

Sage and Daniel raised their wands, but their Patronuses failed to form. The sheer weight of the Dementors’ presence was suffocating.

Daniel collapsed, clutching his head as dark memories overwhelmed him. A silvery-blue orb began to leave his mouth, the beginnings of his soul being torn away.

“No!” Sage screamed, watching in horror as a glowing blue orb began to drift from Daniel’s mouth.

Something primal ignited within her, a fire fueled by desperation and love. She gripped her wand tightly, her body shaking with exhaustion as she summoned every ounce of her strength.

“Expecto Patronum!”

A blinding light erupted from her wand, and a procession of figures emerged—Prongs, Tiger, Padfoot, Moony, a phoenix, a heberdian black, a raven, and a lion. They charged the Dementors with ferocity, their silvery forms tearing through the darkness and destroying the dementors.

The Dementors shrieked in fear, fleeing as the Patronuses destroyed many of their kind.

The blue orb hovering above Daniel returned to his body, and his eyes fluttered open. He looked up to see Sage, her wand still raised, before she collapsed beside him, unconscious.

“Sage!” Daniel’s voice cracked as he pulled her into his arms, cradling her small frame against his chest.

Above them, the moonlight broke through the dissipating darkness, bathing them in its soft glow. For now, they were safe.