Sirius Black's Escape and Pursuit of Harry

The narrative of Sirius Black breaking out of Azkaban, his secret hunt for Peter Pettigrew, and his eventual confrontation at the Shrieking Shack.

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Black escapes Azkaban

The Prison Break The First Escape from Azkaban Sirius Black, a notorious prisoner believed to have murdered thirteen people with a single curse, becomes the first wizard ever to escape Azkaban fortress. The Dementors, who guard the prison, are baffled; Black's ability to transform into a dog allows him to slip past them, as they cannot detect his emotions in that form. The Ministry of Magic is thrown into panic, and Cornelius Fudge personally informs the Muggle Prime Minister, warning that Black is armed and extremely dangerous. The Media Frenzy The Daily Prophet covers the story obsessively, publishing Black's gaunt, sunken-eyed photograph. The public is warned to be vigilant. Harry Potter, unaware of the connection, sees Black's face on the Muggle news and later on the Knight Bus, where Stan Shunpike recounts Black's supposed crime: murdering thirteen people in a crowded street, then laughing. The story terrifies the wizarding world, and Black becomes the most wanted man in Britain. The Hidden Motive What no one suspects is that Black's escape is not to harm Harry, but to find Peter Pettigrew, the real traitor who betrayed the Potters. Black has discovered that Pettigrew is alive, disguised as a rat, and living with the Weasley family. His obsession to clear his name and kill Pettigrew drives him north to Hogwarts, where he believes Pettigrew will be with Harry.

Black stalks the grounds

The Lurking Shadow Living in the Forbidden Forest After escaping, Sirius Black makes his way to Hogwarts and lives as a dog in the Forbidden Forest, subsisting on scraps and avoiding detection. He watches the students from a distance, especially Harry, whose Quidditch matches he attends. The Dementors stationed around the school cannot sense him in his Animagus form, so he remains free. The Grim Sightings Harry sees a large black dog on multiple occasions: first in Magnolia Crescent the night he runs away, then in the stands during the Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff match, and later near the Whomping Willow. He believes it is the Grim, an omen of death, but it is actually Sirius in his dog form, trying to get close to Harry. The dog's presence causes Harry to fall off his broom during the match, leading to the destruction of his Nimbus 2000. Crookshanks the Ally Hermione's cat, Crookshanks, recognizes Sirius as a fellow intelligent creature and helps him. The cat steals the password list from Neville's bedside table, allowing Sirius to enter Gryffindor Tower. However, Sirius's real target is Scabbers, the rat who is actually Peter Pettigrew. When Sirius enters the dormitory, he is startled by Ron and escapes, but not before slashing the curtains.

Confrontation at the Shrieking Shack

The Truth Revealed The Trap Sprung Sirius finally captures Ron and Scabbers, dragging them into the Whomping Willow tunnel that leads to the Shrieking Shack. Harry and Hermione follow, and they find Sirius in the shack, holding Ron's wand. Sirius attempts to explain, but Harry is furious, believing him to be his parents' murderer. The confrontation is interrupted by Remus Lupin, who arrives and, to Harry's shock, embraces Sirius as an old friend. The Marauders' History Lupin reveals that he, Sirius, James Potter, and Peter Pettigrew were the Marauders — Moony, Padfoot, Prongs, and Wormtail. They were all Animagi (except Lupin, who was a werewolf). He explains that Sirius was never the Secret-Keeper; they switched to Pettigrew at the last moment, and Pettigrew betrayed the Potters. Sirius was framed for Pettigrew's fake death, and the real traitor has been living as Scabbers ever since. The Exposure of Pettigrew Lupin forces Scabbers to transform back into human form. Peter Pettigrew, a small, balding, rat-like man, appears and confesses through cowardly excuses. He admits he was Voldemort's spy and that he framed Sirius. Sirius wants to kill him, but Harry stops him, insisting they hand him over to the Dementors. However, during the struggle, Lupin transforms into a werewolf, and Pettigrew escapes. Sirius is left to face the Dementors alone.

Sirius's escape on Buckbeak

The Rescue Dumbledore's Plan After the confrontation, Sirius is captured by Snape and locked in Flitwick's office, awaiting the Dementor's Kiss. Dumbledore, knowing the truth, gives Harry and Hermione a Time-Turner that Hermione has been using all year. He instructs them to go back three hours and save Sirius. They must not be seen by their past selves. Saving Buckbeak Harry and Hermione travel back in time and hide in the forest. They watch their past selves visit Hagrid, then witness the execution party arrive. As the execution is about to happen, Harry sneaks out and unties Buckbeak, leading him into the forest. The executioners find the Hippogriff gone, and Hagrid is overjoyed. The Flight to Freedom After the past selves have gone into the Whomping Willow, Harry and Hermione bring Buckbeak to the lake shore. They see their past selves being attacked by Dementors, and Harry realizes that he himself conjured the stag Patronus that saved them. Then they fly Buckbeak up to the tower where Sirius is imprisoned, break him out, and send him and Buckbeak away into the night, free at last.

Summer before third year

Autumn, during the school year

Night of the execution of Buckbeak

Late night, after the confrontation