@FAPRYIt took a few seconds for the absurdity of this statement to sink in. Then Ron voicedwhat Harry was thinking.
“You're both mental.”
“Ridiculous!” said Hermione faintly.
“Peter Pettigrew's dead!” said Harry. “He killed him twelve years ago!” Hepointed at Black, whose face twitched convulsively.
“I meant to,” he growled, his yellow teeth bared, “but little Peter got the betterof me…not this time, though!”
And Crookshanks was thrown to the floor as Black lunged at Scabbers; Ron yelledwith pain as Black's weight fell on his broken leg.
“Sirius, NO!” Lupin yelled, launching himself forwards and dragging Black awayfrom Ron again, “WAIT! You can't do it just like that — they need to understand — we've got to explain —”
“We can explain afterwards!” snarled Black, trying to throw Lupin off. One handwas still clawing the air as it tried to reach Scabbers, who was squealing like a piglet, scratching Ron's face and neck as he tried to escape.
“They've — got — a — right — to — know — everything!” Lupin panted, stilltrying to restrain Black. “Ron's kept him as a pet! There are parts of it even I don'tunderstand, and Harry — you owe Harry the truth, Sirius!”
Black stopped struggling, though his hollowed eyes were still fixed on Scabbers, who was clamped tightly under Ron's bitten, scratched, and bleeding hands.
“All right, then,” Black said, without taking his eyes off the rat.
“Tell them whatever you like. But make it quick, Remus. I want to commit themurder I was imprisoned for…”
“You're nutters, both of you,” said Ron shakily, looking round at Harry andHermione for support. “I've had enough of this. I'm off.”
He tried to heave himself up on his good leg, but Lupin raised his wand again, pointing it at Scabbers.
“You're going to hear me out, Ron,” he said quietly. “Just keep a tight hold onPeter while you listen.”
“HE'S NOT PETER, HE'S SCABBERS!” Ron yelled, trying to force the rat back intohis front pocket, but Scabbers was fighting too hard; Ron swayed and overbalanced, andHarry caught him am pushed him back down to the bed. Then, ignoring Black, Harryturned to Lupin.
“There were witnesses who saw Pettigrew die,” he said. “A whole street full ofthem…”
“They didn't see what they thought they saw!” said Black savagely, still watchingScabbers struggling in Ron's hands.
“Everyone thought Sirius killed Peter,” said Lupin, nodding. “I believed it myself — until I saw the map tonight. Because the Marauder's map never lies…Peter's alive. Ron's holding him, Harry.”