The Doctor and the Wizard ch. 9
The blue wall-like cylinders felt more like a prison cell more than a means of transport. There was a laser beam bouncing all over the place and they couldn't do anything but pray it wouldn't find a target.
As soon as the four companions began wondering if they would ever actually land anywhere, their journey came to an abrupt end. The blue began fading and Hogwarts Castle began forming in front of them, or, in reality, they began forming in front of it. It was now more than any other time this day that the Doctor felt a pang of loss for his TARDIS. She always calmed him with that groaning, aching sound as they landed. She would've made sure he would be okay.
With a thud, they landed on their stomachs in the grass, all too stunned and breathless to think or feel anything for a moment. Then, as if hit in the face with realization, they all jumped to their feet, asking everyone if they were okay and if the laser had hit anyone and oh my goodness we're alright.
"Shall we get to work?"
The Doctor's question, under ordinary circumstances, would have had nearly no response other than a shake of the head or a simple "yeah, 'course". However, after running and dodging and feeling their hearts skip about fifty beats that day, every one of them began laughing. How odd a simple a laugh can be. You laugh because you're happy. You laugh because someone dropped ice cream on themselves. You laugh because someone made some stupid pun. And sometimes you laugh because you're alive. Because the simple fact that you made it is enough to keep you going. Because the laser didn't hit anyone. They could go and save Hogwarts. They had survived.
Harry led the way into the castle, him being the expert on getting through those front doors without being noticed thanks to his late nights under the invisibility cloak, and the other three followed, the reality of what they were about to do flaring through them once more.
Once they made it into a closet in the Entrance Hall, they began their whispered conversation of who would go where.
Ron's tie was barely staying around his neck, but he seemed to be the most awake. "Harry and I can light fireplaces in the Gryffindor wing and Hermione and you can get to the kitchens."
The Doctor but his lip and stared into space for a moment. Could he let two kids go off on their own when he knew they'd be in danger? Then again, this was Ron Weasley and Harry Potter. Two of his favorite literary characters. Gosh, he needed to find out what was happening here. Why were they here? Why was he talking to people who weren't supposed to be real?
"Doctor!"
"Huh? Oh, sorry, right. Sounds like a plan. But Ron; Harry...stay safe, alright? Get in, get out. We'll meet back here in half an hour."
Harry and Ron nodded their heads in agreement, then slipped out of the closet and crept through the Hall. The Doctor and Hermione followed slowly behind them, watching out for any Autons that could sneak up on their two friends at any second.
"Doctor, do you really think we have a chance?"
The Doctor looked down at Hermione and forced out an encouraging smile even though his hearts were in his throat and he was on the verge of calling Harry and Ron back so he could do this all himself. "There's always a chance, Hermione. And I think we've got a pretty good one."
She seemed satisfied with that response, even if she saw right through his calm facade, and the pair walked along the wall to the door of the Great Hall. The Doctor had a sudden thought. "Where exactly is the kitchen?"
Hermione smiled back in reply and nodded towards the Great Hall. "There's a door in there that nobody knows about. I'll lead the way."
"Why doesn't anybody know about it?"
With a sly smirk, Hermione began walking through the doors. "Because I haven't made it yet."