3.harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban-第46章

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check。　I　doubt　whether　any　Hogwarts　students　ever　found　out　more　about　the　Hogwarts　grounds　and　Hogsmeade　than　we　did。。。。　And　that's　how　we　came　to　write　the　Marauder's　Map；　and　sign　it　with　our　nicknames。　Sirius　is　Padfoot。　Peter　is　Wormtail。　James　was　Prongs。〃
　　〃What　sort　of　animal　？〃　Harry　began；　but　Hermione　cut　him　off。
　　〃That　was　still　really　dangerous！　Running　around　in　the　dark　with　a　werewolf！　What　if　you'd　given　the　others　the　slip；　and　bitten　somebody？〃
　　〃A　thought　that　still　haunts　me；〃　said　Lupin　heavily。　〃And　there　were　near　misses；　many　of　them。　We　laughed　about　them　afterwards。　We　were　young；　thoughtless　　carried　away　with　our　own　cleverness。〃
　　I　sometimes　felt　guilty　about　betraying　Dumbledore's　trust；　of　course。。。　he　had　admitted　me　to　Hogwarts　when　no　other　headmaster　would　have　done　so；　and　he　had　no　idea　I　was　breaking　the　rules　he　had　set　down　for　my　own　and　others'　safety。　He　never　knew　I　had　led　three　fellow　students　into　being　Animagi　illegally。　But　I　always　managed　to　forget　my　guilty　feelings　every　time　we　sat　down　to　plan　our　next　month's　adventure。　And　I　haven't　changed。。。〃
　　Lupin's　face　had　hardened；　and　there　was　self…disgust　in　his　voice。　〃All　this　year；　I　have　been　battling　with　myself；　wondering　whether　I　should　tell　Dumbledore　that　Sirius　was　an　Animagus。　But　I　didn't　do　it。　Why？　Because　I　was　too　cowardly。　It　would　have　meant　admitting　that　I'd　betrayed　his　trust　while　I　was　at　school；　admitting　that　I'd　led　others　along　with　me。。。　and　Dumbledore's　trust　has　meant　everything　to　me。　He　let　me　into　Hogwarts　as　a　boy；　and　he　gave　me　a　job　when　I　have　been　shunned　all　my　adult　life；　unable　to　find　paid　work　because　of　what　I　am。　And　so　I　convinced　myself　that　Sirius　was　getting　into　the　school　using　dark　arts　he　learned　from　Voldemort；　that　being　an　Animagus　had　nothing　to　do　with　it。。。　so；　in　a　way；　Snape's　been　right　about　me　all　along。〃
　　〃Snape？〃　said　Black　harshly；　taking　his　eyes　off　Scabbers；　for　the　first　time　in　minutes　and　looking　up　at　Lupin。　〃What's　Snape　got　to　do　with　it？〃
　　〃He's　here；　Sirius；〃　said　Lupin　heavily。　〃He's　teaching　here　as　well。〃　He　looked　up　at　Harry；　Ron；　and　Hermione。
　　〃Professor　Snape　was　at　school　with　us。　He　fought　very　hard　against　my　appointment　to　the　Defense　Against　the　Dark　Arts　job。　He　has　been　telling　Dumbledore　A　year　that　I　am　not　to　be　trusted。　He　has　his　reasons。。。　you　see；　Sirius　here　played　a　trick　on　him　which　nearly　killed　him；　a　trick　which　involved　me　〃
　　Black　made　a　derisive　noise。
　　〃It　served　him　right；〃　he　sneered。　〃Sneaking　around；　trying　to　find　out　what　we　were　up　to。。。　hoping　he　could　get　us　expelled。。。。〃
　　〃Severus　was　very　interested　in　where　I　went　every　month。〃　Lupin　told　Harry；　Ron；　and　Hermione。　〃We　were　in　the　same　year；　you　know；　and　we　　er　　didn't　like　each　other　very　much。　He　especially　disliked　James。　Jealous；　I　think；　of　James's　talent　on　the　Quidditch　field。。。　anyway　Snape　had　seen　me　crossing　the　grounds　with　Madam　Pomfrey　one　evening　as　she　led　me　toward　the　Whomping　Willow　to　transform。　Sirius　thought　it　would　be　　er　　amusing；　to　tell　Snape　all　he　had　to　do　was　prod　the　knot　on　the　tree　trunk　with　a　long　stick；　and　he'd　be　able　to　get　in　after　me。　Well；　of　course；　Snape　tried　it　　if　he'd　got　as　far　as　this　house；　he'd　have　met　a　fully　grown　werewolf　　but　your　father；　who'd　heard　what　Sirius　had　done；　went　after　Snape　and　pulled　him　back；　at　great　risk　to　his　life。。。　Snape　glimpsed　me；　though；　at　the　end　of　the　tunnel。　He　was　forbidden　by　Dumbledore　to　tell　anybody；　but　from　that　time　on　he　knew　what　I　was。。。。〃
　　〃So　that's　why　Snape　doesn't　like　you；〃　said　Harry　slowly；　〃because　he　thought　you　were　in　on　the　joke？〃
　　〃That's　right；〃　sneered　a　cold　voice　from　the　wall　behind　Lupin。
　　Severus　Snape　was　pulling　off　the　Invisibility　Cloak；　his　wand　pointing；　directly　at　Lupin。
　　CHAPTER　NINETEEN
　　THE　SERVANT　OF　LORD　VOLDEMORT
　　Hermione　screamed。　Black　leapt　to　his　feet。　Harry　felt　as　though　he'd　received　a　huge　electric　shock。
　　〃I　found　this　at　the　base　of　the　Whomping　Willow；〃　said　Snape；　throwing　the　cloak　aside；　careful　to　keep　this　wand　pointing　directly　at　Lupin's　chest。　〃Very　useful；　Potter；　I　thank　you。。。。〃
　　Snape　was　slightly　breathless；　but　his　face　was　full　of　suppressed　triumph。　〃You're　wondering；　perhaps；　how　I　knew　you　were　here？〃　he　said；　his　eyes　glittering。　〃I've　just　been　to　your　office；　Lupin。　You　forgot　to　take　your　potion　tonight；　so　I　took　a　gobletful　along。　And　very　lucky　I　did。。。　lucky　for　me；　I　mean。　Lying　on　your　desk　was　a　certain　map。　One　glance　at　it　told　me　all　I　needed　to　know。　I　saw　you　running　along　this　passageway　and　out　of　sight。〃
　　〃Severus　〃　Lupin　began；　but　Snape　overrode　him。
　　〃I've　told　the　headmaster　again　and　again　that　you're　helping　your　old　friend　Black　into　the　castle；　Lupin；　and　here's　the　proof。　Not　even　I　dreamed　you　would　have　the　nerve　to　use　this　old　place　as　your　hideout　〃
　　〃Severus；　you're　making　a　mistake；〃　said　Lupin　urgently。　〃You　haven't　heard　everything　　I　can　explain　　Sirius　is　not　here　to　kill　Harry　〃
　　〃Two　more　for　Azkaban　tonight；〃　said　Snape；　his　eyes　now　gleaming　fanatically。　〃I　shall　be　interested　to　see　how　Dumbledore　takes　this。。。。　He　was　quite　convinced　you　were　harmless；　you　know；　Lupin。。。　a　tame　werewolf　〃
　　〃You　fool；〃　said　Lupin　softly。　〃Is　a　schoolboy　grudge　worth　putting　an　innocent　man　back　inside　Azkaban？〃
　　BANG！　Thin；　snakelike　cords　burst　from　the　end　of　Snape's　wand　and　twisted　themselves　around　Lupin's　mouth；　wrists；　and　ankles；　he　overbalanced　and　fell　to　the　floor；　unable　to　move。　With　a　roar　of　rage；　Black　started　toward　Snape；　but　Snape　pointed　his　wand　straight　between　Black's　eyes。
　　〃Give　me　a　reason；〃　he　whispered。　〃Give　me　a　reason　to　do　it；　and　I　swear　I　will。〃
　　Black　stopped　dead。　It　would　have　been　impossible　to　say　which　face　showed　more　hatred。
　　Harry　stood　there；　paralyzed；　not　knowing　what　to　do　or　whom　to　believe。　He　glanced　around　at　Ron　and　Hermione。　Ron　looked　just　as　confused　as　he　did；　still　fighting　to　keep　hold　on　the　struggling　Scabbers。　Hermione；　however；　took　an　uncertain　step　toward　Snape　and　said；　in　a　very　breathless　voice；　〃Professor　Snape　　it　it　wouldn't　hurt　to　hear　what　they've　got　to　say；　w　　would　it？〃
　　〃Miss　Granger；　you　are　already　facing　suspension　from　this　school；〃　Snape　spat。　〃You；　Potter；　and　Weasley　are　out…of…bounds；　in　the　pany　of　a　convicted　murderer　and　a　werewolf。　For　once　in　your　life；　hold　your　tongue。〃
　　〃But　if　　if　there　was　a　mistake　〃
　　〃KEEP　QUIET；　YOU　STUPID　GIRL！〃　Snape　shouted；　looking　suddenly　quite　deranged。　〃DON'T　TALK　ABOUT　WHAT　YOU　DON'T　UNDERSTAND！〃　A　few　sparks　shot　out　of　the　end　of　his　wand；　which　was　still　pointed　at　Black's　face。　Hermione　fell　silent。
　　〃Vengeance　is　very　sweet；〃　Snape　breathed　at　Black。　〃How　I　hoped　I　would　be　the　one　to　catch　you。。。。〃
　　〃The　joke's　on　you　again；　Severus；〃　Black　snarled。　〃As　long　as　this　boy　brings　his　rat　up　to　the　castle〃　　he　jerked　his　head　at　Ron　　〃I'll　e　quietly。。。。〃
　　〃Up　to　the　castle？〃　said　Snape　silkily。　〃I　don't　think　we　need　to　go　that　far。　All　I　have　to　do　is　call　the　dementors　once　we　get　out　of　the　Willow。　They'll　be　very　pleased　to　see　you；　Black。。。　pleased　enough　to　give　you　a　little　kiss；　I　daresay。。。　I　〃
　　What　little　color　there　was　in　Blacks　face　left　it。
　　〃You　…you've　got　to　hear　me　out；〃　he　croaked。　〃The　rat　　look　at　the　rat　〃
　　But　there　was　a　mad　glint　in　Snape's　eyes　that　Harry　had　never　seen　before。　He　seemed　beyond　reason。
　　〃e　on；　all　of　you；〃　he　said。　He　clicked　his　fingers；　and　the　ends　of　the　cords　that　bound　Lupin　flew　to　his　hands。　〃I'll　drag　the　werewolf。　Perhaps　the　dementors　will　have　a　kiss　for　him　too　〃
　　Before　he　knew　what　he　was　doing；　Harry　had　crossed　the　room　in　three　strides　and　blocked　the　door。
　　〃Get　out　of　the　way；　Potter；　you're　in　enough　trouble　already；〃　snarled　Snape。　〃If　I　hadn't　been　here　to　save　your　skin　〃
　　〃Professor　Lupin　could　have　killed　me　about　a　hundred　times　this　year；〃　Harry　said。　〃I've　been　alone　with　him　loads　of　times；　having　defense　lessons　against　the　dementors。　If　he　was　helping　Black；　why　didn't　he　just　finish　me　off　then？〃
　　〃Don't　ask　me　to　fathom　the　way　a　werewolf's　mind　works；〃　hissed　Snape。　〃Get　out　of　the　way；　Potter。〃
　　〃YOURE　PATHETIC！〃　Harry　yelled。　〃JUST　BECAUSE　THEY　MADE　A　FOOL　OF　YOU　AT　SCHOOL　YOU　WON'T　EVEN　LISTEN　〃
　　〃SILENCE！　I　WILL　NOT　BE　SPOKEN　TO　LIKE　THAT！〃　Snape　shrieked；　looking　madder　than　ever。　〃Like　father；　like　son；　Potter！　I　have　just　saved　your　neck；　you　should　be　thanking　me　on　bended　knee！　You　would　have　been　well　served　if　he'd　killed　you！　You'd　have　died　like　your　father；　too　arrogant　to　believe　you　might　be　mistaken　in　Black　　now　get　out　of　the　way；　or　I　will　make　you。　GET　OUT　OF　THE　WAY；　POTTER！〃
　　Harry　made　up　his　mind　in　a　split　second。　Before　Snape　could　take　even　one　step　toward　him；　he　had　raised　his　wand。
　　〃Expelliarmus！〃　he　yelled　　except　that　his　wasn't　the　only　voice　that　shouted。　There　was　a　blast　that　made　the　door　rattle　on　its　hinges；　Snape　was　lifted　off　his　feet　and　slammed　into　the　wall；　then　slid　down　it　to　the　floor；　a　trickle　of　blood　oozing　from　under　his　hair。　He　had　been　knocked　out。
　　Harry　looked　around。　Both　Ron　and　Hermione　had　tried　to　disarm　Snape　at　exactly　the　same　moment。　Snape's　wand　soared　in　a　high　arc　and　landed　on　the　bed　next　to　Crookshanks。
　　〃You　shouldn't　have　done　that；〃　said　Black；　looking　at　Harry。
　　〃You　should　have　left　him　to　me。。。。〃
　　Harry　avoided　Black's　eyes。　He　wasn't　sure；　even　now；　that　he'd　done　the　right　thing。
　　〃We　attacked　a　teacher。。。　We　attacked　a　teacher。。。〃　Hermione　whimpered；　staring　at　the　lifeless　Snape　with　frightened　eyes。　〃Oh；　we're　going　to　be　in　so　much　trouble　〃
　　Lupin　was　struggling　against　his　bonds。　Black　bent　down　quickly　and　untied　him。　Lupin　straightened　up；　rubbing　his　arms　where　the　ropes　had　cut　into　them。
　　〃Thank　you；　Harry；〃　he　said。
　　〃I'm　still　not　saying　I　believe　you；〃　he　told　Lupin。
　　〃Then　it's　time　we　offered　you　some　proof；〃　said　Lupin。　〃You；　boy　　give　me　Peter；　please。　Now。〃
　　Ron　clutched　Scabbers　closer　to　his　chest。
　　〃e　off　it；〃　he　said　weakly。　〃Are　you　trying　to　say　he　broke　out　of　Azkaban　just　to　get　his　hands　on　Scabbers？　I　mean。。。〃　He　looked　up　at　Harry　and　Hermione　for　support；　〃Okay；　say　Pettigrew　could　turn　into　a　rat　　there　are　millions　of　rats　　how's　he　supposed　to　know　which　one　he's　after　if　he　was　locked　up　in　Azkaban？〃
　　〃You　know；　Sirius；　that's　a　fair　question；〃　said　Lupin；　turning　to　Black　and　frowning　slightly。　〃How　did　you　find　out　where　he　was？〃
　　Black　put　one　of　his　clawlike　hands　inside　his　robes　and　took　out　a　crumpled　piece　of　paper；　which　he　smoothed　flat　and　held　out　to　show　the　others。
　　It　was　the　photograph　of　Ron　and　his　family　that　had　appeared　in　the　Daily　Prophet　the　previous　summer；　and　there；　on　Ron's　shoulder；　was　Scabbers。
　　〃How　did　you　get　this？〃　Lupin　asked　Black；　thunderstruck。
　　〃Fudge；〃　said　Black。　〃When　he　came　to　inspect　Azkaban　last　year；　he　gave　me　his　paper。　And　there　was　Peter；　on　the　front　page　on　this　boy's　shoulder。。。　I　knew　him　at　once。。。　how　many　times　had　I　seen　him　transform？　And　the　caption　said　the　boy