At that very moment, the Golden Trio was following the original course of events.
On their way back from Hagrid's hut—after Buckbeak had injured Draco and been sentenced by the Ministry—they were driven away by Hagrid. Soon after, they encountered Sirius Black in his Animagus dog form.
Beneath the Whomping Willow, in the abandoned shack, a long conversation unfolded.
They learned the truth—
The one who betrayed Harry's parents was not Sirius Black…
But Peter Pettigrew.
After Harry knocked Snape unconscious, they bound Pettigrew and prepared to leave.
They walked quietly across the grounds. The castle lights glowed brighter in the distance.
Snape floated ahead, still unconscious, his chin slumped against his chest.
Then—
Clouds shifted.
Shadows stretched across the ground.
Moonlight poured down.
Snape, Lupin, Pettigrew, and Ron collided into a tangled heap as Lupin suddenly stopped.
Sirius froze.
He raised his hand, signaling Harry and Hermione to stop.
Lupin had seen the full moon.
He went rigid.
Then—he began to tremble.
"Oh my God…" Hermione gasped, breathing rapidly. "He forgot his potion tonight—he's not safe!"
"Run," Sirius whispered urgently. "Now!"
But Harry couldn't run.
Ron was still chained to Pettigrew—and Lupin.
Harry rushed forward—
—but Sirius grabbed him and threw him back.
"I'll handle this. Run!"
A terrifying roar erupted.
Lupin's transformation began.
His skull elongated. His shoulders hunched grotesquely. Fur sprouted across his face and hands. His fingers twisted into claws.
The werewolf lifted its head, licking its elongated snout.
Sirius vanished—
and transformed mid-stride.
A massive, bear-like black dog charged forward.
The moment the werewolf broke free of its restraints, Sirius lunged, clamping his jaws onto its neck, dragging it away from Ron and Pettigrew.
They rolled across the ground—
teeth snapping, claws tearing.
Harry stood frozen, captivated by the brutal struggle—
until Hermione's scream snapped him back.
Pettigrew was running.
Toward Lupin's fallen wand.
Ron collapsed, unable to stand on his injured leg.
A flash of light—
Ron went unconscious.
"Peter!" Harry shouted, raising his wand. "Stop right there!"
Too late.
Pettigrew was already transforming.
His bald tail slipped free from the cuffs on Ron's wrist—
and then—
he vanished into the grass.
At that exact moment—
Lockhart appeared.
No one saw where he came from.
With a flick of his wand—
the escaping rat was struck mid-motion and fell, motionless.
"Professor Lockhart—you're here!" Hermione cried in relief.
A low growl echoed.
Harry turned—
just in time to see Sirius, in dog form, flung through the air by the werewolf before sprinting into the forest.
Lockhart picked up the rat and slipped it into his pocket.
"Go! I'll handle the werewolf—I specialize in this!"
He fired a Pain Curse.
The werewolf howled and turned, charging after him.
Harry and Hermione ran in the opposite direction—toward the forest, chasing Sirius.
Inside, they encountered a swarm of Dementors.
Before losing consciousness, Harry saw—
his "father" casting a Patronus to save them.
They later awoke in the hospital wing.
Dumbledore informed them:
Sirius Black had been captured—and was awaiting execution.
Then he gave Hermione a meaningful look.
They needed—
time.
Hermione pulled out the Time-Turner, looping it over Harry's neck.
They were about to go back—
when Harry suddenly froze.
"Wait!"
"Hermione—Professor Lockhart caught Pettigrew! He can prove Sirius is innocent!"
Hermione smacked her forehead.
"Oh no—I completely forgot!"
"We don't know what happened to Professor Lockhart—or Professor Lupin!"
"Come on—we need to find him!"
They left Ron behind in the hospital wing and rushed to Lockhart's office.
Inside—
Lockhart was calmly reading a complex spellbook.
The door burst open.
Harry and Hermione stood there—covered in injuries.
Lockhart stood up, startled.
Before he could speak—
Hermione rushed forward and threw herself into his arms.
"Professor, I'm so glad you're okay!"
Lockhart froze.
Wait…
Didn't this already happen earlier today?
Same pose. Same line.
Hermione, if you want to get closer to me, there are less repetitive ways…
"…What's going on?" he asked, confused.
"Professor!" Hermione pulled back urgently. "Black's been captured! Where's Pettigrew? He's the only one who can prove Black's innocence! And Professor Lupin—he transformed! You didn't hurt him, did you?"
A barrage of questions hit him.
Lockhart blinked.
"…What are you talking about? I've been here reading all evening."
Silence.
"…What?" Harry's mouth fell open.
"Then… who was that Professor Lockhart?"