Hermione's Secret Part 2
And sure enough... and watching himself in the pumpkin patch.
Bode nodded. He could remember his first time using time magic. That feeling never really left you.
"It's Okay, Beaky... throw the Invisibility Cloak over him and Ron.
Everyone sat forward. This could all go horribly wrong and very quickly.
"Go quick... staring out at Buckbeak.
"Right, so he's seen Buckbeak," Remus said. "You're not going to have much time."
"Especially if he stays at that damn window," Moody growled.
Then they heard Fudge... It was now or never.
Everyone in the chamber seemed to hold their breath in anticipation.
"Wait here," ... and approached Buckbeak.
Hagrid frowned. He really hoped Harry remembered how to approach Buckbeak or this could all end horribly.
"It is the decision... rope tying Buckbeak to the fence.
"Well done, Harry," Sirius said quietly.
". . . sentenced to execution... Buckbeak had dug in his front feet.
"That's not good," Hagrid groaned.
"Well, let's get this over with," ... I don' wan' him ter be alone -"
Several people glanced pityingly towards Hagrid.
Footsteps echoed... "You need to sign too. "
Amelia frowned. Did Dumbledore know what was going on even then? Surely not. But he did seem to buying them time.
The footsteps stopped... "Harry, hurry!" she mouthed.
Several people in the chamber looked like they might be on the verge of a panic attack.
Harry could still hear... "They might hear us. "
They all sighed in relief. They'd done it.
Hagrid's back door had opened... "I saw it! Just here!"
The twins looked ready to sing a little song about the disappointed executioner.
"How extraordinary,"... a note of amusement in his voice.
Amelia glared at the headmaster. Yes, the man was highly suspicious.
"Beaky!"... Beaky, yeh clever boy!"
"That was fortunate," Bode muttered.
Buckbeak started to strain... "We should search the grounds, the forest. "
"He has wings," Fred said. "What's to say he didn't fly off?"
"Macnair, if Buckbeak has indeed been stolen... "Search the skies, if you will.
Amelia tutted. She couldn't deny she was happy the hippogriff wasn't unduly executed but still... this was all so highly illegal.
Hagrid, I could do with a cup of tea... and then silence once more.
"I believe that was the easy part," Bode murmured.
"Now what?" ... Oh, this is going to be difficult. . . . "
The adults clearly agreed with her. This was not a task for two teens.
She looked nervously over her shoulder... or we won't know what's going on. "
"Good idea," Moody growled.
"Okay," ... Harry, remember. . . . "
Several people looked like they wanted to tell Hermione to stop badgering Harry but Bode was nodding in agreement. It was imperative that they not be seen.
They moved around the edge of the forest... "Gotcha! Get off, you stinking cat -"
The younger ones looked less impressed that they'd have to listen to this part of the story all over again.
"There's Sirius!"... "We're in."
The adults eagerly anticipated what would happen next. Although they imagined it would mostly be a lot of waiting.
The moment they disappeared... making their way up to the castle.
That was surprisingly close. If they'd waited only a moment longer they could have had adults helping them. Amelia rolled her eyes. Fudge and Macnair wouldn't be much help at all.
"Right after we'd gone down into the passage!... Macnair to murder Sirius on the spot. . . . "
Amelia couldn't help but wonder if the boy was right.
They watched the four men... Clouds were obscuring the moon completely.
"That was fortunate," Remus moaned. He couldn't believe how foolish his older self had been.
They watched Lupin ... Snape'd never be able to get it and -"
Bode sighed. This was why you weren't supposed to try and change time. Adding more time to your day was one thing, especially when you go into that day knowing you'll have the extra time. But this... This was reckless. The only argument he could make is that Dumbledore already knew Buckbeak had somehow escaped and so suspected they'd used the timeturner to rescue him, and that's why he'd suggested it. The fact that Buckbeak hadn't been confirmed to be executed was the only reason any of this was possible without creating a paradox.
"Harry, we mustn't be seen!"... "I'm going to grab the cloak!"
"NO HARRY!" the adults all shouted as one.
"Harry, no!"... A large bottle was swinging from his hands.
Bode sighed in relief. That had been close.
"See?" Hermione whispered. ... His head drooped sadly.
Hagrid looked close to tears as he remembered how relieved he'd felt that night.
Barely two minutes later... "Get your filthy hands off it," Harry snarled under his breath.
Severus frowned. He knew a lot of his students didn't like him. But to think Harry at thirteen hated him. And it was all his own fault.
"Shh!"... he put on the cloak.
"Definitely not something to leave lying around," Moody muttered.
"So that's it,"... arms around her knees.
The kids all sighed. This book had a lot of sitting around and talking.
"Harry, there's something I don't understand... there were so many of them. . . . "
"That's what we all want to know," Draco groaned. "Who cast the patronus?"
Harry sat down too... "A real Patronus. A powerful one. "
"But who cast it?" Theo asked.
"But who conjured it?"... but how could it have been?
"WHO?" several people demanded in frustration.
"Didn't you see what they looked like?" ... to drive all those Dementors away. . .
"That's true," Tonks said quietly.
If the Patronus was shining so brightly... I passed out right afterward. . . . "
They were all leaning forward now eager to hear who Harry thought it was.
"Who did you think it was?"
The mind healers glared at the book. It wasn't fair to try and force it out of him. He was clearly upset about whatever he'd seen.
"I think -" ... "I think it was my dad. "
The chamber was suddenly quiet. No one knew quite what to say.
Harry glanced up at Hermione... a mixture of alarm and pity.
Sirius rolled his eyes.
"Harry, your dad's - well - dead," she said quietly.
"And you say I lack tact," Ron muttered.
"I know that," ... I've got photos of him. . . . "
No one said anything. Sirius tightened his grip on Harry.
Hermione was still looking at him... "I know it sounds crazy," said Harry flatly.
"Not crazy," Claudius said. "Your parents sacrificed themselves to save you. It makes sense that in a moment of genuine danger you would see them as your protector."
He turned to look at Buckbeak... for a moment, before he'd lost consciousness. . . .
The mothers all had tears in their eyes and Harry refused to look at anyone. He didn't want their pity.
The leaves overhead... "Here we come!" Hermione whispered.
"Finally," muttered young Lee Jordan.
She and Harry got to their feet... There's nothing we can do... "
The adults glared at Albus. This was an unreasonable expectation to put on a thirteen year old Harry.
"So we're just going to let Pettigrew escape... "All right!"
Sirius glared at the book. He didn't appreciate the way she was constantly telling Harry what to do. Yes, of course, they needed to keep the rules, but they'd already broken the law. It was perfectly reasonable for Harry to find this situation frustrating.
The moon slid out from behind its cloud... "We've got to move!"
The change in tone made everyone sit up a little higher. Something was wrong.
"We mustn't,... right at us!"
Mrs Weasley let out a hoarse sort of cry.
Hermione gasped... They could hear the werewolf howling behind them...
Remus had gone pale and looked ready to vomit.
The cabin was in sight... "That was really close!" she said to Harry.
Sirius was drinking yet another calming draught.
"Yeah... we won't know when it's time -"
"That's a terrible idea!" Mrs Weasley grumbled.
Hermione looked up. Her expression was suspicious.
Sirius rolled his eyes.
"I'm not going to try and interfere,"... and the Dementors. "
The adults were all nodding in agreement. This seemed like a terrible idea. The kids on the other hand seemed to think it was a brilliant adventure. Young Harry might be the only exception. He was hiding his face in his godfather's side.
Harry stepped outside... appearing at any moment...
George eyed the adults. He didn't think he could get away with placing bets on this.
For a fraction of a second he stood... He had to know. . .
Hermione eyed Harry, her eyes tear-filled.
And there were the Dementors... his own attempts at a Patronus -
Sirius and Remus both drew in a sharp breath. They'd worked it out.
There was a bush... "Where are you? Dad, come on -"
Albus had tears in his eyes now.
But no one came... but no one was coming to help this time -
"Your rescuer is already there," young Luna said knowingly.
And then it hit him... he had seen himself -
Bode frowned. Oh, this could be so bad.
Harry flung himself out... They were gone.
"AMAZING!" several people cried.
"At only thirteen!" Tonks cried excitably.
"Unprecedented," Amelia whispered, awe clear in her voice.
The Patronus turned... It was a stag.
Sirius and Remus exchanged a look. James.
It was shining brightly... "Prongs," he whispered.
More than one person was crying now.
But as his trembling fingertips ... "You said you were only going to keep a lookout!"
Sirius tutted. "He just saved your life."
"I just saved all our lives... That's very, very advanced magic. "
Remus shook his head. He couldn't believe it.
"I knew I could do it this time,"... he moved them away toward the castle.
"Looks like your older self was more respectful with my body than my older self was with yours," Sirius said to Severus. "Sorry about that."
Severus brushed it off.
"Right, it's nearly time,"... before anybody realizes we're missing... "
"This is the difficult part," Amelia groaned.
They waited... He's gone to get the Dementors!
"It's time then," Moody growled.
This is it, Hermione -"... He nudged Buckbeak's sides with his heels.
Both of Hermione's mums looked like she wanted to scream.
Buckbeak soared straight into the dark air... toward the upper floors of the castle...
"Lucky he followed your directions," young Hagrid said. "They don't tend ter do that."
Harry pulled hard... was able to tap sharply on the glass.
"Bloody lucky they got the right window," Bode said between gritted teeth.
Black looked up... "Alohomora!"
"A first year spell?" Amelia actually laughed. If that worked, she'd say this whole thing was the minister's own fault.
The window sprang open.
The aurors all groaned as one. As happy as they were that an innocent man wasn't about to be kissed, they couldn't help but be disappointed in the level of security.
"How - how -?"... onto the Hippogriff behind Hermione.
"This is insane," Draco said in bewilderment. He knew Potter got up to a lot, but this was just... mental.
"Okay, Buckbeak, up!"... they'll find out you're gone. "
"No time to waste," Moody agreed.
Buckbeak pawed the ground... Quick - go -"
Mrs Weasley gave Sirius a watery smile for caring about her son.
But Black was still staring... "We'll see each other again," he said.
Sirius smiled at that. This time he'd be free and would spend plenty of time with Harry.
"You are - truly your father's son, Harry. . . "
Severus looked like he wanted to say something about that but he held it back. He didn't think Harry was at all like his father.
He squeezed Buckbeak's sides... They were gone.
The kids all cheered. Finally something good had happened.
Professor Flitwick glanced at the book. "There's only one more chapter."
"I guess we can finish the book before lunch," Mrs Weasley said with a sigh as she glanced down at her watch.
"Aren't we going to shout at Headmaster Dumbledore?" Tonks asked Kingsley under her breath.
"I imagine that will wait until we've finished the book," he said with a chuckle.