Alta lurked in the shadows watching the Womping Willow and waiting for any sign of life from the tunnel that she knew lay beneath. It was the full Honey moon, the warm moon of June. She had missed being at school, it had been one year since she left Hogwarts and she was seriously reconsidering her life long dream of being an Auror. All she had done so far was learn very complicated spells, study, lose a lot of sleep and do everything she was told to do.
This was her first field assignment and hopefully it wouldn't disappoint. But Dumbledore had encouraged her ferociously over her last two years at school to learn all that she could. "I have a feeling you'll be some use to us in a few years" he had said to her in the beginning of her seventh year.
She still wasn't completely sure what that meant and it frightened her a bit. Her thoughts wandered to dark wizards and war. Still Alta felt special in a way. Dumbledore had requested that she to come back to Hogwarts this year instead of continuing her apprenticeship at The Ministry of Magic. He had told the head of the Auror department that he needed extra help watching after the school since the break out of Sirius Black but that it was unnecessary to send a fully trained Auror. She was top of her studies and ahead of all of the other trainees at Department of Defense. She had to tell herself that this was why none of the others wanted to be her friends, because they were jealous. But Alta was smarter than that. The reason that every Auror in the ministry looked down their noses at her was because she had been in Slytherin. But that didn't matter now. She didn't need friends like that; she was involved in much bigger things. She had a mission. She smirked, self satisfied, then shook her head and made a look of determination.
Dumbledore had sent her here to watch after Harry Potter and his friends and she would do just that and not get caught up in her thoughts as she usually did. Dumbledore had trusted her with a secret and she had to grin proudly when she thought about it. She knew that Sirius Black had been the monstrous black dog that had dragged the Weasley boy away. She had still winced when she had heard the crunch of Ron's leg breaking, but Dumbledore had ordered her to wait until they resurfaced from the secret tunnel, then to watch carefully and intervene if things got sticky. Which she couldn't really see happening. She had wanted to stop Snape from following the group into the tunnel and ruining everything, but she had to keep quite. Dumbledore had said that Lupin and Black where going to explain to Harry. Convince him as no others could.
When Dumbledore had told Alta that Sirius Black might not be trying to kill Harry Potter she was sure that he was joking. "Might Not" wasn't good enough. Harry Potter needed to be protected form this mad man. Black was a Death eater right? …Right? But Dumbledore had been right. She could barely believe it. But Lupin had met with Dumbledore and her weeks before and explained. Black wasn't insane. Black was Potters Godfather. How had that happened? She didn't know why Dumbledore hadn't just told everyone it was fine, but trusting him was just natural now. Now she just went with it and didn't ask questions unless it was dire. Maybe that's why he had chosen her to work with him.
She inhaled and exhaled impatiently, pulling herself from her thoughts and checked the tree again for the party. She gathered her black cloak closer around her and pulled the hood up. It shouldn't be much longer. It had been at least an hour since they went under.
No more than a minute later the branches of the willow stopped waving and stayed perfectly still despite the breeze that rustled the leaves of the surrounding trees. She gripped her wand, ready for any trouble. Then she saw the fluffy orange cat pop up out of the hole followed by Lupin, Pettigrew and Ron. Then she saw Snape floating slightly off the ground emerge form the opening being held back by Black. Her eyes locked on him at his sight. She barely noticed Granger and Harry coming out of the hole.
She tilted her head to the side, distracted by the man that been a mystery to her for weeks. This was the first time she had seen him, well, as a human. Dumbledore and Lupin said he wasn't a criminal but he looked shifty to her, but she supposed that after so many years in Azkaban anyone would look a little mad.
Yet under the starved, gaunt face she could see how he could be attractive. His hair was midnight black and if washed she could imagine it tousled and thick. His eyes matched his hair and had a depth to them that Alta had never seen in any other. He was tall and lanky, a bit starved looking, but he still moved solidly, like a stalking wolf. She guessed that he probably spent a lot of time as the fierce black dog she had seen earlier. She shook her head. What was she thinking, getting distracted by Sirius Blacks good looks? No! Wait! Not good looks, bad, gross looks. But the smile he gave Harry made him look so much younger and happy. She had to wonder what he was thinking. Er… no. Harry! Right protect them at all costs.
Suddenly the clouds shifted and the moon shone down upon the party. Lupin seemed to convulse and Black froze, a look of horror on his face.
"Oh, my-" Hermione Gasped. "He didn't take his potion tonight! He's not safe!"
Damn! Damn! Damn! Now why hadn't she thought of that? Alta knew Lupin was a werewolf. She mentally kicked herself and drew her wand.
"Run," she heard Black whisper. "Run. Now." But Ron and Pettigrew were chained to Lupin. They couldn't run. Harry ran at the chained people but Black held him back.
"Leave it to me- RUN!" Alta almost smiled at how he was protecting Harry. Then she noticed that Lupin was changing. Suddenly Black had turned into the big black dog again and was fighting the werewolf-Lupin. Alta began to run towards them to help, to get Harry out of there, but then she saw Pettigrew transform into the rat and scurry off. The wolf and the dog had disappeared from sight for the moment and the teenagers were left with Snape still hanging unconscious. They would be safe for a moment; she changed directions and sprinted after the rat. To late in realizing that Black in dog form was searching as well. He made for the great lake and she followed, trying to keep up. But then he seemed to disappear. Damn, she had lost him and the rat.
She jogged around hopelessly. Then suddenly she was knocked off her feet into some tall grass as something large, black and furry pounced on her. It was Black growling ferociously. She squeaked, terrified, then came to her senses and jabbed him hard in the stomach with her wand. He yelped in pain. He bit her shoulder hard and she felt blood soak her robes then he swiped at her with his paw and she was out. She woke up in the same place a moment later; she must have had a fainting spell and come right out of it just in time to see Harry rushing past her towards where black had stopped yelping in undeniable pain and was once more in the form of a man. He was crouched on all fours, his hands over his head.
"Nooo," she heard him moan. "Noooo…please…." Alta looked around franticly trying to see what was frightening him so. Then she saw the Dementors. Tons of them coming strait for Harry, Black and Hermione.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Harry yelled.
Finally getting over the shock of so many Dementors and the bite she had obtained thanks to Black; she realized Harry was trying to do the Patronus charm. She ran down just as Harry began to lose consciousness. Black and Granger were already out. She was about to perform the charm when she saw it. A silvery Patronus in the shape of the stag was warding off the Dementors. She froze. But who was casting the charm… she still had her wand raised when it galloped away and she saw that Harry had passed out and that the Dementors had fled. Her eyes wide with shock and fear. She hurriedly cast her Patronus, a massive raven, and sent a message for Dumbledore. Then hurried down to kneel in front of Harry; Feeling for a pulse. She sighed in relief. Thank Merlin. He was alive.
She looked over at Hermione and Black to make sure they were alive. They were both breathing. She felt dizzy as she stumbled to her feet. She realized that her shoulder was still bleeding and put a hand to it. Why had he bit her? She pulled back her hood and- oh. The hood. Her face must have been covered making her look rather dark and ominous. Add that to chasing him like a mad woman and he probably though she was trying to attack him. Well she'd get a chance to explain now that things would be cleared up. And he would get a chance to apologize she thought while frowning.
"Wow," she swayed unsteadily on her feet just as she heard footsteps rushing towards the lake she felt herself falling then being caught by someone and the next thing she knew she was in the hospital wing. She heard the Ministers and Snapes' far away voices but couldn't seem to open her eyes.
"What amazes me most is the behavior of the Dementors… you've really no idea what made them retreat, Snape?" she heard the Ministers voice as if her ears were full of cotton.
"No Minister… by the time I had come 'round they were heading back to their positions at the entrances…" Snape answered.
"Extraordinary. And yet Black, and Harry and the girl-"
"All unconscious by the time I reached them. I bound and gagged Black, naturally, conjured stretchers, and brought them all strait back to the castle." Snape said a bit too proudly, Alta thought. Wait! Hang on! Gagged Black? What did that mean? Didn't they know he was innocent?! Hadn't anyone told them? Ah! Why couldn't she open her eyes? She couldn't even move. Was she in a coma? Oh no...
She began to panic. I have to get up. Must… Tell... Someone... then she heard Madam Pomfreys voice.
"…The Dementors will be performing the kiss any moment now-"
"WHAT?" she heard Harry scream. She relaxed a bit. That meant he was up, he would explain. She heard him get out of bed.
"Harry, Harry, what's this?" Fudges voice came into the room. "You should be in bed- has he had any Chocolate?" he asked someone, probably Madam Pomfrey.
"Minister, listen!" Harry screamed. "Sirius Black's innocent…" yes! He's right! Ask Dumbledore! Why won't you ask Dumbledore!? Alta screamed in her head trying to bring the words to her lips.
"WE ARE NOT CONFUNDED!" she heard Harry shout, she was having trouble staying awake. She slipped out of reality for a few moments and woke up to Dumbledore's voice. Oh thank god.
"I am going to lock you in. it is-" he paused, "five minutes to midnight. Miss Granger, three turns should do it. Good luck." Alta heard the door of the ward shut and the lock turn. What was all that about?
"Three turns? What's he talking about? What are we supposed to do?" Harry said urgently. Alta found that she could open her eyes, just a crack; she was surrounded by white hospital bed curtains.
"Here-" Hermione said. "Ready?"
"What are we doing?" Harry asked. Then there was silence and Alta began drifting again. No… must stay…awake.
"What- what happened?" it was Ron. "Harry? Why are we in here? Where's Sirius? Where's Lupin? What's going on?" Alta had similar questions but lay very still. She figured they'd talk more freely about what had transpired if they thought they were alone, except for an unconscious girl.
"You explain," Harry's voice said curtly.
She listened while Hermione explained how they had used a time turner to save Black. How the hell had she gotten a time turner? Dang, I wish I had one of those… Alta thought. Hermione finished her tale. Black had gotten away. But he wasn't proven innocent? Did Dumbledore not tell Fudge? Or did he believe that Fudge wouldn't believe him anyway and it would be best to bide his time? It made Alta's brain hurt. But why should it matter to her anyway? Black was nothing to her. Harry was safe, that was her mission right? Harry, Ron and Hermione. Yes, yes. That was all. She just wanted Sirius Black to be proven innocent. It was only fair after all. Why did he have to go into hiding? She needed to talk to Dumbledore.
Alta forced herself awake and blinking she struggled to get up. Her shoulder felt stiff and sore but it the skin was healed and she didn't see any scar. She loved magic. She reached over with her good arm and pulled the curtains back drawing the attention of the dream team. They looked horrified.
"You! You're awake!" Hermione stood up angrily, "why are you here! How much did you hear!?" she demanded bossily.
She frowned. The students knew her, she had been at school last year and they had seen here around this year. But she hadn't socialized with them much. They knew she was from the ministry and she was usually too busy patrolling the grounds in secret or doing work for anyone to really notice her and none of the students actually knew why she was there.
"I am here because Sirius Black bit me," Alta said defensively. "And it doesn't matter how much I heard, Granger, I've been following you all night." she smirked at the look of surprise on Hermione's face. Harry and Ron looked too shocked to speak. Alta sighed and leaned back on some pillows. Had she said too much? Harry shook his head as if waking up from a dream.
"Uh… what?" he asked. Alta giggled.
"I'm working for Dumbledore," They all looked stunned and Harry a little annoyed.
"He thinks I need to be followed around?" Alta shook her head.
"It's not like that. It was just tonight. I was supposed to make sure you didn't get killed." She looked down and picked at a loose string on her shirt. "I guess you didn't need my help." She looked up. "It was my first field assignment as an Auror and-" Harry suddenly looked at her with curiosity.
"You're an Auror?" he asked. She nodded. "So you catch dark wizards?"
"Well, haven't had the pleasure of doing that yet, but," she crossed her fingers and raised them into the air. "I hope to soon." Harry laughed.
"But then you know that Sirius is innocent, right? I mean, you heard that whole conversation."
"Yes… er…" she paused, about to tell them that she had know for weeks, but she didn't get the chance because Madam Pomfrey came bustling into the room with a glass of strange lumpy, purple liquid on it. Alta crinkled her nose. Novus cruor vinum. She must have lost a lot of blood. Becoming an Auror wasn't just about being able to perform powerful curses and fighting monsters. She had, had to go through six months of magical healing studies and potion making. Novus cruor vinum was the blood replenishing potion and she remembered that it tasted a lot like how dirty socks smelled.
"Ah, good you're up." Madam Pomfrey handed her the glass. Alta held her breath and drained it, trying not to think about the taste.
"Ugh," she handed the glass back to Madam Pomfrey and wiped her mouth. "Madam, I need to speak to Dumbledore I know its very late but-" Alta got cut off.
"No! No! Professor Dumbledore will not be interrupting any more of my patients rest!" she shook her finger at her and Alta glared. "Now go to sleep all of you." You can leave in the morning!" and with that she hurried out of the ward.
"Summer Holliday starts tomorrow," she said flatly to anyone who was listening.
"I know, right!" she heard Ron say excitedly. "World cup!" Alta grunted.