Chapter 9: Time IS Dangerous

Erika woke up and was aching just about everywhere. She sat up with difficulty. "Hermione?" She asked seeing the pink sweatshirt. "Oh, what happened?" She looked around. "Wait, I'm not dead..."

"No, thank goodness. How do you feel?" Hermione asked, taking her friends hand.

Erika grinned. "I'm great"

Hermione smiled, happy her friends were both alive, but they weren't out of the woods yet so to speak...She heard a groan from the bed beside them. "Harry." Hermione left Erika to look over at the person beside her. "I saw my dad..." He muttered. Hermione glanced at Erika. "What?" she asked.

"Harry, what are you talking about?" Erika asked getting up and regretting it. She sat down heavily on Harry's bed knowing she must look a real sight.

Harry began to really open his eyes at the sound of Erin's voice. "He sent the Dementor's away..." He claimed. "I saw him across the lake."

Hermione glanced at him strangely before shaking her head. "Listen, Erika...Harry, they've captured Sirius. Any minute now the Dementor's are going to perform the Kiss." She said urgently, bringing them back to reality.

"What? No!" Erika said. "They can't! He's innocent! No!"

"You mean they're gonna kill him?" Harry asked, sitting up a little too fast.

Hermione shook her head negatively. "No, it's worse. Much worse. They're going to suck out his soul." She looked up as Dumbledore came into the hospital wing. "Headmaster, you've got to stop them. They've got the wrong man."

Harry looked to him as well. "It's true, Sir. Sirius is innocent."

"It's Scabbers who did it." Ron said.

"Scabbers?" Dumbledore asked.

"He's my rat." Ron said. "He's not really a rat, he was a rat. He was my brother Percy's rat. But then they gave him an owl-"

"The point is we know the truth. Please, believe us." Hermione pleaded.

"I do, Miss Granger. But I'm sorry to say the word of four 13-year-old wizards will convince few others."

Erika groaned. "Sir, it doesn't matter what age we are."

Dumbledore chose not to listen to her. "A child's voice, however honest and true is meaningless to those who have forgotten how to listen." He patted Ron's injured leg and Ron made a face whimpering out in pain as the bell tower starting chiming. "Mysterious thing, time. Powerful and when meddled with, dangerous." He looked at Harry, Erika and Hermione. "Sirius Black is in the topmost cell of the Dark Tower. You know the law, Miss Granger, Miss Black." Erika was slightly surprised he used her real last name. "You must not be seen. And you would do well, I feel, to return before this last chime. If not, the consequences are too ghastly to discuss. If you succeed tonight more than one innocent life may be spared." He closed the door to the hospital wing. "Three turns should do it, I think. Oh, and by the way. When in doubt, I find retracing my steps to be a wise place to begin. Good luck." He closed the door the rest of the way.

"What the bloody hell was that all about?" Ron asked.

Hermione stood up, taking Harry and Erika with her to the center of the room. "Sorry, Ron, but seeing as you can't walk…" She threw the long chain of her time turner around their necks and held it up, turning it three times precisely. Harry reached out to touch it but she slapped his hand away. She held it up and stared at it as this began to go quickly in reverse around them. Harry couldn't be more confused.


Eventually things slowed down and when they stopped again, Hermione pulled the chain off over their heads and hid it back under her sweatshirt. "What just happened? Where's Ron?" Harry asked bewildered.

"7:30. Where were we at 7:30?" Hermione asked them both.

Erika looked at Harry. "Where were we at 7:30?"

"I don't know." Harry said, looking between them "Going to Hagrid's?" He offered.

Hermione nodded. "Come on. And we can't be seen." She said, grabbing Erika's hand before she began running. Harry hurried to keep up. "Hermione? Erika? Hermione! Hermione! Wait! Erika! Will one of you please tell me what it is we're doing?" He called after them.

They ran through the courtyard and across the bridge. Hermione drew them back before they got out of the bridge. They saw themselves fighting with Malfoy. "Ok," Erika said. "Do you want to explain or should I?" She asked glancing at Harry.

"You explain. I'll keep watch." Hermione said.

"Ah, come to see the show?" They heard Malfoy say.

And Hermione, another Hermione charged towards him. "You foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach!" She shouted, pointing her wand.

Harry was so lost by now. "Hey, that's us. This is not normal." Harry grimaced.

Erika pushed Harry back against the side of the bridge taking out her own Time Turner. "Ok, Harry, this is a Time Turner. McGonagall gave both Hermione and I one first term. This is how we've been getting to our lessons all year. Fortunately, I'm a little bit better with time travel then Hermione."

Hermione turned and stuck out her tongue at Erika before going back to watching. Harry glanced from her to Erika. "You mean we've gone back in time?" He asked.

"Yes." Erika said. "Obviously we were meant to come back to this moment. Obviously, Dumbledore wants us to change something."

Harry nodded, uncertainly but he'd go along with it. They rejoined Hermione. WAM! The other Hermione punched Malfoy right in the nose. Hermione smiled. "Good punch." Harry said over her shoulder.

She grinned. "Thanks... quick... Malfoy's coming!" She said pushing all three of them back behind the wall as the Slytherin trio ran up the hill.

"Run!" Draco sneered.

"Wait for me!"

Draco was so beyond mortified. "Not a word to anyone, understand?"

"OK." The others agreed. He ran passed the hiding time-jumpers.

"I'm gonna get that jumped up, Mudblood! Mark my words." He sneered as they disappeared.

"That felt good." The other Hermione said.

"Hermione, that was the best punch I've ever seen, and I throw a lot of them!" The other Erika cried.

"Not good, brilliant." Ron said. The four ran down the hill, when they were far enough away the other three ran out to the same spot.

"Look, Buckbeak's still alive." Harry said, looking down to Hagrid's.

"Of course!" Hermione said, looking to Erika. "Remember what Dumbledore said? If we succeed more than one innocent life may be spared. Let's go."

"Right behind ya." Erika said. They ran down the hill and snuck out behind the Pumpkin Patch to hide from sight.

"How long were we in there, anyway?" Erika asked trying to peer over the pumpkins and still not be seen.

"I'm not sure." Hermione said. Harry glanced up in time to see Fudge, Dumbledore, and the executioner coming.

"Here they come." He whispered, putting one hand on Erik's shoulder. "I'd better hurry." He said, ready to go and steal Buckbeak away.

"No, Harry!" Erika said grabbing his arm and pulling him back down. "They have to see Buckbeak; first, otherwise they will think Hagrid set him free."

Harry nodded and settled back down waiting. "Scabbers, you're alive!" Ron cried happily from Hagrid's.

"Keep a closer eye on your pet, Ron." Hagrid said.

"That's Pettigrew." Harry said flatly, ready to charge out once again.

"Harry, you can't!" Hermione insisted.

"Hermione, that's the man who betrayed my parents. You don't expect me to just sit here."

Hermione nodded. "Yes, and you must! "Harry, you're in Hagrid's hut now. If you just go bursting in, you'll think you've gone mad. Awful things happen to wizards who meddle with time, Harry. We can't be seen."

"Fudge is coming." Erika said ignoring their little argument. "And we aren't leaving...Why aren't we leaving?"

Hermione picked up a stone she happened to notice and took a lucky throw through the window hearing the pot smash. "Are you mad?" Harry exclaimed.

Erika picked up another stone seeing that they weren't looking in the right direction. She threw it and winced as it hit the other Harry in the back of the head.

"OW!" Harry said. "OW!" The Harry next to them said, rubbing the back of his head. "That hurt." He said looking at Erika.

"Sorry." Erika said.

Harry smiled at her. Hermione began pushing them up towards the trees. "Come on! We're coming out the back door! Go! Go!" She whispered, running after them, hiding behind a tree.

Erika pulled back a branch. "Is that really what my hair looks like now?"

"Did you see my hair?" Hermione whispered over at her.

"Quiet, you two!" Harry said just as Hermione snapped a twig. They all hid as fast as possible. The other Hermione whirled around, peering into the trees.

"What?" The other Harry asked.

"I thought I saw-Nevermind." She said.

"Let's go!" Ron said. The four of them hurried back up the hill.

"OK!" Erika whispered. "Go, Harry!"

Harry hurried over towards the chain as Buckbeak glanced up at him. Crows pecked at his hands preventing him from freeing Buckbeak's chain. "Get Away! Get Off!" He shooed them away, allowing him to pull Buckbeak's chain loose. Harry looked towards the window.

"Minister, I really think I should sign as well." Dumbledore said.

"Yes, very well. Perhaps it would be-" Fudge was saying.

"Ok, Buckbeak.

"Come quickly. Come with us now. Come on." Harry urged, tugging on the chain a little. The hippogriff mostly ignored him.

Erika looked around. "Hermione! The ferrets!"

"Keep trying." Hermione said to Harry as she went about getting the ferrets down.

"Buckbeak. Ok? Quickly. Hurry up. Ok?" Harry tugged on his chain insistently. The hippogriff ruffled his feathers, and squawked a little at them.

"Your name only." Fudge was saying.

"It's such a very long name-" Dumbledore was claiming as he wrote.

Harry tugged at Buckbeak more insistently. Hermione came to the rescue. "Come. Come on, Buckbeak. Come and get the nice dead ferret." Hermione said waving the ferret and tossing one to the hippogriff. It caught it and munched happily. "Come on. It's here. Come, Beaky." She urged, luring Buckbeak away to the woods.

Erika followed them quickly hiding behind on the trees watching as Dumbledore, Fudge, Hagrid and the executioner came out. She couldn't hear what they were saying but they had their backs to them for a time and then they turned to see Buckbeak was gone. Erika grinned as the executioner raised his axe and chopped a pumpkin in half in anger. Erika looked at Hermione and Harry.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Come on." Hermione whispered. Harry took one of Erika's hands, and led Buckbeak with the other.

"This way. This way, now." Harry said urging Buckbeak deeper into the woods. Eventually they stopped, it was darker and Hermione gave Buckbeak the last ferret. "Now what?" Harry asked as he let go of Buckbeak's chain, letting him be free now.

"Now we save Sirius." Hermione said as they moved on through the trees together.

"Any ideas, guys?" Erika asked.

"No idea." Hermione said shaking her head as they peered out at the Whomping Willow. "Look, it's Lupin."

"Immobolus." Lupin said, pointing his wand.

"And Snape's coming..." She added, pointing. Harry watched, glancing at Erika.

"And now we wait?" He asked.

"Now we wait." Erika said sitting down and checking her bandages.

"How are you feeling?" Harry asked sitting down next to her.

Erika smiled. "Like I fought with a werewolf. I think the odds were slightly in Remus' favour."

"Slightly." Harry said with a wry grin.

"I bet he'll be plenty sore in the morning. Poor Lupin..." Hermione said. She had something of a little crush on her professor. Nothing serious though, after all there was still Ron.

Erika sighed. "Harry...were you wondering about me being a werewolf?"

"Actually..." Harry began.

Hermione frowned. "Oh, right...I forgot to tell him...you better explain it." She said glancing at Erika.

Erika shot Hermione a look. "Since, last year when professor Dumbledore told me about all my powers he forgot to mention one, shape shifting, I can change into anything or anyone, like being a metamorphosis is only meant for small changes a shape shifter is meant for large. With me so far?"

"Yes." Harry said, listening attentively.

"Well I remembered what Snape said about shape shifter in DADA, so I gave it a go." Hermione sighed watching Buckbeak catching bats. "At least someone's enjoying himself."

Erika leaned against Harry ducking her head. "Oh, I hate bats!"

Harry gently shielded Erika from the bats chuckling. "Yeah..." He glanced at Hermione while still holding Erika. "Hermione?" He asked.

"Yeah?"

"Before, down by the lake when I was with Sirius I did see someone." He said. "That someone made the Dementors go away."

Hermione nodded. "With a Patronus. I heard Snape telling Dumbledore. According to him only a really powerful wizard could have conjured it."

Harry suddenly smiled. "It was my dad. It was my dad who conjured the Patronus..."

Hermione looked questioningly at him. "Harry, but your dad's-"

Harry nodded. "Dead. I know. I'm just telling you what I saw."

Hermione had no more time to wonder about what he really did see. "Here we come." She said patting their shoulders.

Erika reluctantly sat up watching what was going on. She smiled. "Harry..." She was watching them talking with her Dad. She squeezed his hand in hers.

Harry squeezed back, smiling too. "You see Sirius talking to us, there?" He asked Hermione.

She nodded. "Mhhmmm."

Harry grinned. "He's going to go and talk to Erika's mum about us all living together him, Hailey, me and Erika."

Hermione smiled over at them both. "That's great!"

Harry nodded this time. "When we free him, I'll never have to go back to the Dursley's. It'll just be the four of us. We could live in the country; someplace you can see the sky. I think he'll like that after all those years in Azkaban." Harry said fondly.

Erika laughed. "I already live in the country. Yes, Hermione just imagine...me, mum, Harry and Dad...all alone in the country..."

"It sounds perfect, just as long as Ron and I can come visit often." Hermione said just as she heard herself shouting Harry's name in the distance. They all stood up.

"Run! Run!" Sirius was yelling at the kids.

"Let's go." Harry said, watching the scene, clutching Erika's hand, ready to move.

Erika followed them through the undergrowth and to the bottom of the hill where they looked up. Erika let go of Harry's hand remember Hermione's words, 'They only respond to the call of their own kind...' Erika put her hands to her mouth. "AWOOOO!"

"What are you doing?" Harry cried. Hermione looked as though she already knew, but was no less frightened.

"What I can do!" Erin cried. "AWOOOO!"

"Thanks." Harry said smiling, but then... "Oh, no, now he's coming after us.

"Yeah." Erika said. "Didn't think about that. Run!"

They ran through the forest trying to elude Remus. They hid behind a tree watching Remus move away from them. They inched around the tree backward. Behind them they heard a growl. Erika whirled around and changed into werewolf form. Erika growled and sprang at the wolf that was charging.

"Erika, no!" Harry cried worried about what would happen if she took on the werewolf already injured.

Erika didn't pay any heed to him. She bit down hard on the werewolf's snout. He whimpered and ran after hitting her across the head. Erika changed back holding her head.

"Erika!" Harry ran to her, almost instantly letting her use him as a crutch.

"Are you okay?" Hermione asked worriedly.

Erika took her hand from the side of her face seeing the blood. She swore under her breath. "I need to get up to the castle" She said leaning against Harry.

"We can't, not right now." Harry said. "Poor Professor Lupin is having a really tough night." Harry said with a sigh, walking Erika over to a nearby tree.

Erika suddenly looked up. "No…" She said. "Look just leave me here...go, Harry...we need you..."

"No, I won't just leave you out here alone, wounded. Lupin might come back." Harry said.

Erika sighed. "Ok...ok." She leaned against him. "Then you'll have to take me with you. Let's hurry though."

"Come on." Harry picked her up, ignoring any protests; they hurried on through the woods towards the Lake.

"Look!" Hermione said pointing to the sky where Dementors were flying off somewhere.

"Come on." Harry said, moving faster, still carrying Erika. He didn't put her down until he found a safe enough spot in the clearing by the lakeside. There they saw the Dementors feasting on themselves and Sirius. "This is horrible!" Hermione said, almost unable to watch such a thing.

"Harry..." Erika looked at him and swallowed. "Harry...we have to do something..."

"Don't worry. My dad will come. He'll conjure the Patronus." Harry insisted confidently, watching and waiting. A minute passed, maybe, more, but no one showed up. "Any minute now. Right there, you'll see!" He promised.

"Harry...we're dying..." Erika said seeing herself take Harry's hand in hers and whisper to him.

"No one is coming, Harry." Hermione said softly. "She's right... You're dying. All three of you..." Harry didn't understand it…it didn't make any sense. He was so sure but... he couldn't wait any longer. "Harry!" Hermione called as Harry strode down the point, revealing his wand.

A great wind picked up before he had barely raised his wand. "Expecto Patronum!" He cried and out of no where a huge burst of light and energy was conjured and almost seemed to throb in waves out over the lake and sky, over themselves, driving away all the Dementors with it's intensity.

"Well, Snape was certainly right about one thing. It took a great wizard to conjure that Patronus." Erika whispered loud enough for them to hear. Hermione had to agree. What Harry just did was the most amazing thing she had ever seen in her life.

On their way back, riding Buckbeak to the castle Harry was suddenly very excited. "You were right, Hermione. It wasn't my dad I saw earlier. It was me! I saw myself conjuring the Patronus before. I knew I could do it this time because, well, I've already done it. Does that make sense?"

Hermione held on for dear life. "No. But I don't like flying!" She squealed as Buckbeak took a rolling dive towards one tower. Of course Harry and Erika were enjoying the magnificent flight.

From within his cell, Sirius heard sound and the beating of wings and soon a familiar face appeared to free him. Erika took out her wand and waved it through the air. "BOMBARDA!" She yelled and the lock exploded.

The four of them rode down on Buckbeak to the courtyard where they dismounted and Sirius led them to an overhanging. "I'll be forever grateful for this to the three of you." Sirius said as stood under the moonlight together.

"Dad...Go to mum...please...?" Erika asked.

"We want to go with you." Harry said.

Sirius sighed, leading them both over to a bench. He had them sit down. "One day perhaps. For sometime my life will be too unpredictable. And besides you're meant to be here, with each other." He said kneeling down before the both of them.

"But, Dad..." She started to cry, which only served to irritate her wound all the more.

"But you're innocent." Harry finished for her, looking much happier with the decision.

Sirius nodded. "Yes... And you know it. And for now that will do." He glanced at Harry first. "I expect you're tired of hearing this but you look so like you're father, except your eyes. You have-"

"My mother's eyes." Harry added, already knowing what he would say.

"It's cruel that I got to spend so much time with James and Lily, and you so little. But know this: The ones that love us never really leave us. And you can always find them in here." Sirius told Harry and tapped the boy on the chest over his heart, smiling before he turned to his daughter. "My little girl" He said, picking up her chin. "Please don't cry..."

Erika wiped away the tears. "I just got you and now you have to leave me..." She threw herself into his arms. "It's not fair! It's not fair at all!"

"I know... I know it isn't." Sirius said, holding her, rocking her, and gently running his hands over the back of her hair. "But it's what has to be for now, but our time...it isn't now. We will have it, but there are still things you are needed for here at Hogwarts...with Harry...and your friends. I'll try to come and see you over the summer" He said.

Erika drew back and took his hand, she smiled at him, before she let her vision go blank.

Erika saw Hailey standing at the front door gaping at the grinning man on the other side.

"Hello, luv, miss me" he asked putting his arms out. Hailey then threw herself into his arms and started kissing him.

Erika pulled out of the vision "I'll see you in the summer, I just checked it was something I've wanted to test out for a while" she told him

He closed his hand around her, holding both her small shoulders. "You are so much like your mother. You are so much like her...one day I can tell you everything there is to know. But until then trust me, You've still got your mother. I see her in your eyes looking out at me. I'm sorry I wasn't around watching you grow up." He said, his eyes full of tears, a bright smile lighting up his face.

Erika nodded. "I'm told I'm more like you." She said "I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, sweetheart." He said stealing away one last hug for now. "So much."

The tears threaten to overflow again when he left her going over to Buckbeak. Erika took Harry's hand clasping to it as if for dear life.

Harry looked at Erika and stepped back, holding onto her tightly as Sirius mounted Buckbeak. He smiled, then he took the lead that Hermione had been holding for him the whole time. He readied himself to leave. "You know...you really are the brightest witch of your age." He said to Hermione, which she grinned at in response.

He glanced at Harry and then Erika one last time before finally he and Buckbeak had to leave. He led the Hippogriff into a running charge and took off into the night.

Erika whirled around as the clock tower started to chime. "We have to go..." She pulled the others after her and they ran through the courtyard and up the stairs just making it to the hospital wing. They saw Dumbledore in front of the door closing it.

Dumbledore turned to them. "Well?" He asked looking at them.

"He's free." Harry said cheerfully as they stood before Dumbledore. "We did it." He said.

"Did what?" Dumbledore asked leaving them there. "Good night."

Harry looked at the girls confused. Hermione just glanced at him before she pushed passed him, opening the doors to the hospital wing, the three of them returning to a very confused Ron Weasley.

Ron looked flabbergasted. "How did you get there? I was just talking to you there. And now you're there." He was pointing everywhere.

Erika laughed and looked at Harry and Hermione.

Hermione smiled, playing dumb. "What's he talking about, Harry?" She asked. Harry shrugged helplessly in response, a smile on his face as well. "I don't know. Honestly, Ron, how can somebody be in two places at once?" He asked to the chorus of the two girls giggles.

"Something is going on here and you'd bloody well tell me! I'm injured I almost had my leg chopped off!" Ron whined. Erika grinned at him.

"Yes-well, Ron, there is something I'd like to do" she said and grabbed Harry jacket pulling him to her, she smashed her lips onto his, he was shocked for a moment then he kissed her back his arms going to her waist. Ron and Hermione both were looking at them with their mouths agape.

Erika swallowed. "Harry James Potter, do I have to ask you out or are you going to?" she asked grinning at him.

"Erika Jenifer Black, will you please be my girlfriend?" he asked.

She smiled and hugged him tighter. "Of Course I will Harry."

"Good." He said, wrapping her in his arms, smiling to himself.

Harry walked into the Defense Against the Dark Arts room and up to Remus' study. He raised his hand to knock but Remus spoke. "Hello, Harry. I saw you coming." The Marauders' Map lay open on his desk. "I've looked worse, believe me." Remus' face was all scratched up and he was pale. He was also packing.

Harry looked around in disbelief. "You've been sacked."

Remus smiled blandly. "No. No. I resigned actually."

Harry stood there completely dumbfounded. "Resigned? Why?"

Remus sighed. "Well, it seems that someone let slip the nature of my condition. This time tomorrow owls will start arriving and parents will not want a…uh well, someone like me teaching their children."

Harry looked away for a moment thinking about everything he would like to do to Snape. "But Dumbledore-"

Remus interrupted. "Dumbledore has already risked enough on my behalf. Besides, people like me are-well, let's just say I'm used to it by now. Why do you look so miserable, Harry?"

Harry shrugged looking depressed. "None of it made any difference. Pettigrew escaped."

Remus looked surprised and just a little agitated. "Didn't make any difference? Harry, it made all the difference in the world. You helped uncover the truth! You saved an innocent man from a terrible fate. It made a great deal of difference." He paused and went over to Harry putting his hands on Harry's shoulder. "If I am proud of anything it is of how much you have learned this year. Now, since I am no longer your teacher, I feel no guilt whatsoever about giving this back to you." He indicated the map. "So now I'll say goodbye, Harry. I feel sure we'll meet again sometime. Until then: mischief managed." He tapped it with his wand.

Harry paused taking the map as it was offered. "Are you going to see Erika before you go?"

Remus shook his head and leaned against his cane. "Sadly not, but I'll go and visit her over the summer I expect" Harry watched him walked down the stairs and out of the room.

"Stand back, I said! Or I'll take it upstairs if you don't settle." Ron was saying, trying to shoo other students away.

"Harry! Wherever did you get it?" Neville asked.

"Can I have a go, Harry? After you, of course." Seamus asked.

Other students surrounded Harry almost immediately. "What are you talking about?"

"Quiet. Let the man through. Oh, I didn't mean to open it, Harry. It was badly wrapped. They made me do it!" Ron accused.

"Did not!" Fred and George cried in unison.

Harry looked at the incredible gift on the table. "It's a Firebolt." George told him.

"It's the fastest broom in the world." Fred added.

Harry could hardly believe it. "For me? But who sent it?" He asked.

"No one knows." Ron said, shaking his head.

Hermione stepped forward, smiling. "This came with it." She told him, placing a gray feather in his hand. Harry grinned.

Erika remained in the background just watching the scene in front of her. She smiled seeing the gray feather and knowing that it came from her dad.

Ron turned around. "Erika, what are you doing back there? Don't you want to see the broom? You love stuff like this."

Erika protested. "No, it's ok, Ron." She noticed some of the looks that came from her fellow Gryffindors when they looked at her and saw the bandages and cuts that were still healing.

Harry and Hermione noticed her too. Harry came through the crowd, carrying his new broomstick, the gray feather already tied to the handle. "I believe I owe you a fly?" He asked Erika with a smile.

Erika grinned. "With you? Any time." Then in an undertone she said, "I have to tell you something."

Harry looked curious, though he noticed everyone was kind of bearing down on them because of the broom and well other reasons. "Yeah?" He asked, wondering if it was something she'd rather wait to tell him or not.

"Mum, said you might be able to come and stay with us" She whispered in his ear

"That super" Harry said grinning.

Erika hugged him. "We'll have to talk to Dumbledore and your Aunt and Uncle."

Harry ignored the others too, hugging her in return. He nodded his head. "Yeah, I can't wait."

"Come on, let's go for a ride." She said taking his hand.

Harry led the way out into the quad area, leading Erika by the hand, the other students close on their heels.

"Go, Harry!" A student called.

"Yeah, let's see it." Neville cheered.

"How fast is it, Harry?" Another asked along with something rather impolite from Fred and George.

But Harry didn't listen. He got on first then himself then Erika got on right behind him. "Hold on." He said and would've said more, but before he could get out another word they were hurtling through the air at an incredible speed.

Erika heard, Harry's laugh from in front of her.

Harry took them into a steep dive over the lake coming in low and slowing the broom letting it drift over the water. Erika put her head on Harry's shoulder and closed her eyes, she felt Harry's lips on hers. "Well, I have Harry Potter as my boyfriend and Sirius Black as my father and Remus Lupin for my godfather, what could be better?" Harry answered her by kissing her again.

When they got back they found out just how much of the ride everyone knew about. "Was it good?" Ron asked. Harry grinned at Ron and nodded.

"Hey, Oliver!" Harry said. The Captain of the Gryffindor team turned to Harry. Harry tossed Oliver the broom. "Take her for a ride."

Oliver looked at the broom in his hands in amazement. "Really?" He asked.

"Yeah, go ahead." Harry laughed.

As everyone was interested in Erika and Harry, Harry led Erika away from everyone.

"So I get to really come and visit you over the summer?" Harry asked.

"Mhhmmm." Erika murmured. "I'm so happy" Erika laughed.

Harry smiled pulling her closer to him. "I'm happy too"

"You know I'd want you there with us." Erika said. "I don't want to leave you, Harry, but I don't think we have much of a choice. As long as we spend as much time together as we can well two months isn't that long…"

Harry knew that she was making the best of a pretty good situation. "Two months…" Harry murmured. "Erika, when you knew you felt this way about me, how did you get through it?"

Erika smiled. "Harry, I've felt this way about you since the Leaky Cauldron."

Harry brought her chin up and kissed her. He loved that feeling he got when he was this close to her…and the feeling just intensified when he kissed her. Erika was beautiful, he never really noticed it but ever since they had started at Hogwarts Erika had been turning heads. "Erika?"

"Yeah?" She whispered with her eyes closed just resting against him.

"Why me?" He paused. "I mean why did you choose me, if you could have practically any guy at Hogwarts?"

Erika sat up and smiled at him. "Because you're you. You're funny, smart, quick, kind and so much more. I like no matter what" she said kissing him.

"Oi, break it up we saw her first" Fred said, coming over.

"Do you think we will ever get a girl like Erika?" George asked.

"No, because she's one of a kind" Ron said

"How many people do you know that kiss like that?" Oliver asked obviously back from his ride.

"Not anyone I know." Lee said.

"Maybe we could trick her into kissing one of us." George said.

"You guys are pathetic." Hermione said. "Go get girls of your own!"

"I tried." Lee said. "Angelina won't go out with me."

"Maybe if you kissed like Harry I would." Angelina called out.

Harry pulled back very reluctantly. "Why is it that every time we kiss or have a moment we have an audience?"

"Interesting to watch, mate." Ron said. Everyone laughed.