New chapter here, sorry it's been a while... well 13 days to be exact.
But I was busy and than had no energy to write and basically just procrastinated until I said enough and just got on with it... so here it is and I hope the length makes up for my laziness.
Just one more chapter after this so I hope to have that up before I make a start on my next one. Happy reading and I don't own HP. :D
It had been a few weeks since the nightly excursion by which time Hermione had fully perfected her Patronus Charm. She had even come to terms with the fact that her animal was an Eagle – something she did have an inward sulk at but slowly got used to it the more she conjured the transparent creature. She watched as it would fly about, its massive wings spreading and powerfully projecting its body further into the sky lighting the dark clouds.
She had given him a name like Harry had for his – he had called it Padfoot in honor of his dad and so she took a few minutes to think on a name that would not only be fitting for a bird such his status but also be proud and respected.
She named him Xerxes.
A fine name for such a proud animal, Xerxes was the epitome of what a Patronus should be and with only a few students being able to conjure a fully corporeal one before they left school – much less their third year, she was pretty damn smug with herself.
She had sat in the hall silently lording over the lesser that surrounded her chatting and babbling – all smiles and laughing not realizing that once more she had beaten them. It didn't help that she had to share glory with Harry much less accept that he had been the one to show her – but she figured he had an unfair advantage with the help of a teacher, and if he hadn't than she would have found the spell eventually.
"Hey Hermione"
Lifting her head from where it had been buried in the paper. She glanced over to Ron who is munching on his fourth piece of toast. "What you got next?"
Rolling her eyes at the subtle way he exudes his table etiquette she looks back down. "Ancient Runes"
The red-head scrunched his face as he pauses his eating – toast halfway to his mouth as he replies. "Eh? What you on about we don't have that class this year."
Realizing her mistake she halts her pre – scold before looking back up. She can see them staring at her, "What day is it?"
"Thursday" She lifts her eyes to the ceiling doing a mental calculation of lessons. She did have that class just not first – that honor went to Charms before she used the hour turner, looking back to them she gives a passing smile.
"Silly me… must have looked at Cedric's table instead." It was true, she had compared timetables with the Hufflepuff boy in a bid to work out what lessons they had and when so that she could create schedules in which he could join her study group in the library – he and a number of his friends sometimes came along and sat with them.
At first they had been wary, what with the two Slytherin's she had sitting with them but she assured them that they were about the same as the rest of the stereotypical house than she was a flobberworm. They had taken her word only slightly hesitantly and joined them for an hour in which they found her to be right. In fact they got along with the two Snakes rather well.
They found that Blaise was a fun guy to be around once they got past his innuendos and dry humour – they also discovered that Daphne's icy facade was really just that – she only used it as a front to get the lecherous idiots who she lived with off her back and to avoid talking to the other girls, only ever doing so if she really had to.
It had them wondering if their opinions of the silver and green house were wrong and that all they had known was mixed up – she had heard them talking to which she replied to that the hat made its choice based on the traits that were more dominant, everyone had the capacity to be in either of the houses it was just what it picked up on first.
After that they had tried to meet as much as they could but with all they had and at different times it was hard to do so she came up with the small table that she and written and given the fifth year. She hadn't with everyone else seeing as the rest was all in most of her classes and Blaise was in most of her advanced ones.
"Pff – Cedric, pretty boy what you doing looking at his lessons for? You're not in any of them." That time she did scald him and felt better for it, when she didn't it was just left to fester… something she couldn't have."
"Doesn't hurt to look Ron – never know what lessons we might have come OWLS…" That did it and on hearing about the exams he had no intention of even thinking of for the next two years he waved his hand and looked away. She smirked and about to read on when she caught Harry's eye and shared in the chuckle.
Yep – overlord of the mortals. She shuffled the paper and got back to her reading.
If she had known just how vital that spell would be mere hours from now than she most likely would have thanked Harry instead of imagining him and the rest aweing her superiority.
After Charms they made their way to double Herbology with Hermione once more waiting for them to leave – she had come to learn some third time in using the small hour-glass that her energy ducking and hiding was a complete waste of time as she found that they didn't even look back once they set off down the hall, all she had to do was stand around until they turned the corner before she used the turner and vanished.
She spent the next backed up hour talking to those in her advanced class as they all sat in a small group and talked about different things ranging from weekend plans to the end of the school year – what they had planned for that down to the celebration feast and who would win the cup this time.
She jested with Terry that it would be her house once more as he mockingly jeered that he had been getting good points in his other classes so Ravenclaw stood just as good a chance as any. It was doubtful though as none knew about her extra aid and so what point's he earned could never match the extra she had been getting which added to the ones in her normal hours, Gryffindor were a shoe in.
Blaise talked about his Mother getting married for the seventh time and sighed when he got the letter telling him so. They had to laugh at his morose attitude to yet another wedding he would be forced to attend and the monkey suit he no doubt would be stuffed into.
She looked around her small circle and couldn't help but compare. She loved Harry and Ron she really did, but if she had to hear about Quidditch and national teams' one more time she would dissect his beloved broom in front of him and make them both eat it – twig first.
Here she had a completely new set of topics to discuss and converse over. Coupled with the fascinating subject Sinstra taught them… she was almost as no-nonsense and straight to the point as her Mother making her joint first favorite in the school.
But this right here – was what she loved most of all - a change of pace from the norm she always had. The two boys would always be her top in the list of friends but it was nice to have a choice instead of it just being them all the time and she found herself not nearly as frustrated or taxed when Terry or Antony asked her something that was actually about something of importance and not which spread to have on which food item or help with essays that should have been handed in that day.
Sometimes she wondered if she had thought noble thought's that day the hat put her in Gryffindor, because she looked pretty darn good in a blue and bronze tie… not that anyone was supposed to know that.
Once Runes was over and she had put away her assignment for that hour – getting the essay they had been set before heading out the door following on after Daphne, Michael and Padma. She nodded to them as they went their separate way in the entrance hall just before she ducked into the corridor that led to the dungeons and behind an alcove.
"Sure magic happens all the time but people vanishing in corridors just randomly… no – no have to hide." She muttered and pulled a face as she spun the turner once before setting off to Herbology with the rest once they had caught up enough she could slide back into the group.
Once the morning lessons were over they trudged back to the castle and into the hall for lunch. Hermione was going back to the tower to change – having Ron slip on an adolescent vine weed being tricky and upchucking the tray of liquid samples they had collected from the weeping wallflowers which hit her as she had stood behind him at the station over, well she wasn't happy.
So climbing the stairs she abruptly waved off his apologies and stormed up the corridors mumbling angrily about stupid plants and careless morons who didn't look where they were going. She all but yelled the password at the fat lady who gave her a look of indignation before opening the door as she made her way across the room and up the stairs.
She pushed on the door harshly before yanking off her robes mid walk and pulling at the top as she chucked it on the floor angrily kicking the trunk at the bottom of her bed open and diving through, rummaging for something decent to put on now her good shirt was ruined for that day. She muttered under her breath still annoyed at the red-headed boy for his carelessness until she emerged triumphant with a light silver shirt that she liked.
"Thank Morgana for astronomy tonight" Before pulling it over her head and straightening it out. She smiled happier than before and shut her trunk only to jump like the cat next to her as she turned to see Crookshanks sitting at the side of her – hand to her chest she looked up confusion clear as she saw the door had shut from where it had banged back against the wall.
"How the hell did you get in?"
The fat bellied cat didn't answer – not that she expected he would but he did lift his head. She peered down at his furry face as he had something in his mouth. Frowning, she reached down and tried to tug it from his jaws but found he was keeping hold of it tight.
After a small war in which she gave up exasperated she glared down at his smug little face. "You and fat mouth… feel sorry for any birds you catch."
He simply jumped on to her bed in reply as she rolled her eyes and heaved herself to her feet. "Fine – play hardball, ruin your dinner as well you Buda belly." Stretching she reached over and pulled his treats from the small drawer before lying back on her pillow and jiggled the bag as he moved up the pillow closer to her and his prize as she smiled.
He dropped the note as soon as he was within striking distance and used his paw to pull her hand closer as he snagged the small niblets from her palm. She giggled lightly as he hoovered up the treats as she reached for the note he had in turn given up, flicking it open she let her eyes cross the paper as her expression changed from amused to frowning to grave as she sat up Crookshanks falling from her knee before digging under her for the bag as she lifted her head.
"Well Fuck"
She stood gracefully from her spot by the headboard and moved for the door leaving the cat who in his mind has done his duty for that day and so was free to eat his reward which to his silly mistress – wasn't just a treat – it was the whole bag as he spread out over the cover and gorged not paying attention to the fact she had gone as she had already swept from the tower and was now making her way back to the large hall.
She looked down at the note again and the large dabs of dried parchment where it was obvious he had been crying and sighed. Those dam governors, all far too stupid and weak-willed for the positions of power they held and easily overruled by the blonde headed bastard that Malfoy was.
One of these days everything they did was going to come back and hit them where it hurt. She could only hope that they lost everything when it did.
She pushed on the doors and moved inside. Walking through the middle rows to where they had been sitting as she tapped Harry on his shoulder, the raven haired boy twisted round to see her and gave her a small smile and nod only to let it fall as he took in her facial expression.
"Hermione what is it." He turned fully so he was looking the other way as Ron had to now turned his head to see her as he swallowed what he had in his mouth. "Hey, Mione – sorry again about your clothes."
"Oh stop it now Ron it was nothing." He frowned but nodded as he saw the note in her hand." What's that?"
"What I've come here to tell you." She eyed the horrible paper in her hand as Harry spoke. "Hermione"
Licking her lips she lifted her head to look at him. "The ferret strikes again" Both furred their brows as she handed him the message. He gave her one more cautious look before flipping it open.
"Hagrid lost his case. Buckbeak is going to be executed"
Ron dropped what it was he was holding and spun right around. Harry griped the parchment as he read the words that clearly had been hard to write if the squiggles and tear splodges.
'Dear Hermione,
We lost. Execution already fixed. Beaky has enjoyed London.
I won't forget all the help you gave us.
Hagrid'
"They can't do that!" Ron near yelled as he yanked the note from his hands as Hermione scoffed derisively. "Of course they can… being the corrupt and pathetic assholes they are, Malfoy just did what he wanted and they took it."
"We have to go see him." Harry said firmly looking up at her as she nodded. "First you need to get changed." With that they quickly stood, with Ron even putting down the last strip of bacon as he hurried after them and back to the tower where she waited for them to change from their robes to normal clothing before they hurried out and back to the entrance as they slipped out the doors.
"They can't just kill him like that… there has to be an appeal or something." Ron spoke as they made their way to the small hut near the woods. "Nah – there isn't, it says the date has already been fixed. Deemed him too dangerous for any kind of reprisal." She finished looking thoroughly disgusted.
They carried on talking until they got to the end of the bridge just as Harry pulled back. his sudden stop had them crashing into him as Ron had to hold her side to stop from falling further into her, not that she noticed as she was busy scowling.
"Harry, what the hell?"
He waved his hand to cut her off and crouched down. With the others confused they peeked round the corner to find the unwelcome sight of Draco, Nott and Crabbe by the large stones as they hid behind them looking down on the hut. They were smirking and gleefully laughing with made the others burn with hatred as Ron cracked his knuckles.
"Arrogant git… Smack him once day."
"Apparently the sight was hilarious. When they told him the news it was enough to make him blubber!"
They heard his joyful boast as she grabbed hold of Harry's top to stop him from jumping down as he turned to Nott." "Next time I think I should say that the oaf himself attacked me, he's half giant right? Creature enough… maybe they'll put him down and we can have a competent teacher and not some disgusting half-breed."
She let go of his shirt and stood. "Let's make that today shall we Ron?"
She moved past the two leaving them watching on as she jumped down and on to the grass before they scrambled after her, the three were still unawares of what danger was behind them as she moved towards them. It was only when Nott turned and paled on seeing them did he shake Draco's arm and he turned.
Not in time though as soon as he did his face went slamming to the side from the force of the punch Hermione had given him. All four boys stood in shock as they watched her hit the Malfoy heir, it wasn't enough for her though as she swung her hand again this time back handing him before their eyes met and she pushed him harshly as his back hit the stone.
She stepped closer crowding his body and he stood on his tip toes as her wand – unseen to the others – was digging painfully into his rib. Grey eyes met stormy green as she sneered at his fast paced breath and spoke.
"Look at you, you're a waste of magic you pathetic, jumped up –inbreed." He swallowed hard as he replied. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?"
She smirked at the wavering in his tone before twisting the wand further making him wince. "Something someone should have done a long time ago… teaching you a lesson on how a real wizard is supposed to act. And not the tragic, twisted ways your defect genes have taken hold… though I suppose with the way your all related I don't think you stood much of a chance."
His face contorted angrily at hearing her slight his family and tried to push her away but was held in place as the pointed end was getting warm against his skin. Still watching, the rest could only look with wide eyes as she leaned in a little and whispered in his ear.
"One of these days Draco, you and your whole family will get what's coming to them. Your nothing but a smear in this community and no matter what your entitled arse thinks, a lot of people wouldn't be sad to see the back of you, now if that were me – I would use this friendly warning - as a sign to start changing how I treated the people around me… because it only takes a stray curse and before you know it… you're at the bottom of the stairs with a broken neck."
His eyes closed and he swallowed the painful lump in his throat as his breath hitched making her smile icily once more, finally Harry was the first to break out of his stupor as he moved forwards and clasped her arm.
"Come on Hermione – enough" She didn't move despite his tugging as she stared at the blonde haired boy for a few seconds longer before stepping away and taking her wand from his rib, yanking it back making him wince.
"So think about what I said Malfoy – it may help it may not but either way it will always be there to remind you."
She kept her gaze on him once more as he glared. Now free from being pushed and without a wand in his stomach he openly looked at her with hatred as he narrowed his eyes. She knew he didn't have the guts to attack her now… even if he did she had two more spells to use and so was just waiting until he finally lowered his head.
"C'mon." He muttered, and in a moment, all three of them had disappeared he sent her a scathing look of loathing as he passed her to which she merely lifted her lip in a parting grin waiting until they had finally gone before rounding on her, Harry took in the calm demeanor of his friend.
"What the hell was that?"
Drawing herself up she allowed her gaze to meet his hard one as she saw the slight alarm in his expression and shook her head. "Just a little warning. Something long overdue and sorely needed."
"Yeah but- you hit him… you"
"Yes I hit him… again sorely needed and it will make him think twice before he speaks out of term again." He scoffed knowing the blonde he was seething and would most likely be plotting some sort of revenge,
"Or he will try to get back at you." It was her turn to scoff as she moved past him. "Please, the worst he will so is write a strongly worded letter to his rat father telling him the injustice that someone saw fit to wound his undeserving ego, trust me he won't be attacking anytime soon."
He didn't say anything. Still doubtful about her claim he knew the blonde boy to be spoiled and very conceited, but he also knew him to be petty and vengeful when wronged, it wasn't like his friend couldn't take care of herself but he was worried that now she may have the full contingent of the Snake house after her back when they heard what she did.
She rolled her eyes at the look of concern in his eyes. It was sweet, really it was but not warranted, she wasn't the best in their year for nothing and so chose to brush it off as she moved past them and carried on down the hill.
Both boys watched her go still too much in shock at seeing her nearly beat Draco all without the use of her wand as Ron licked his dry lips. "Bloody hell!"
Harry nodded but moved to follow on as they all descended the hill to his little hut. She reached the door and knocked without waiting, he was a minute in answering, and when he did, he looked all around for his visitor, pale-faced and trembling. As he spotted them standing at his porch.
"Yeh shouldn've come!" Hagrid whispered, but he stood back, and they stepped inside. Hagrid shut the door quickly making sure no one saw them as he did. He was not crying, nor did he throw himself upon their necks. Much to their relief as they took seats by the fire. He did look – however, like a man who did not know where he was or what to do. This helplessness was worse to watch than tears
"Wan' some tea?" he said. His great hands were shaking as he reached for the kettle.
"Where's Buckbeak, Hagrid?" She asked as none of them had taken to speaking and so chose to break the tension
"I — I took him outside," Said Hagrid, spilling milk all over the table as he filled up the jug. "He's tethered in the pumpkin patch. Thought he oughta see the trees an' — an' smell fresh air — before —"
His hand's trembled so violently that the milk jug slipped from his grasp and shattered all over the floor. "I'll do it, Hagrid," She said on seeing him flounder, hoisting herself out her chair and over the other side to clean up the mess as he smiled gratefully.
"There's another one in the cupboard," He said to her as she nodded and took a seat next to the others who were looking at him with a mixture of helplessness and pity.
"Isn't there anything anyone can do, Hagrid?" Harry asked fiercely, sitting down next to him. "Dumbledore —"
"He's tried," said Hagrid. "He's got no power ter overrule the Committee. He told 'em Buckbeak's all right, but they're scared… Yeh know what Lucius Malfoy's like… threatened 'em, I expect… an' the executioner, Macnair, he's an old pal o' Malfoy's… but it'll be quick an' clean… an' I'll be beside him…"
They heard a scoff from the small cupboard as she rummaged through in search of a new teapot. "Dumbledore's gonna come down while it — while it happens. Wrote me this mornin'. Said he wants ter — ter be with me. Great man, Dumbledore…"
Harry nodded and smiled sadly as Hermione turned back round new pot in hand and used her foot to shut the door. "We'll stay with you too, Hagrid," She began, but Hagrid shook his shaggy head.
"Yeh're ter go back up ter the castle. I told yeh, I don' wan' yeh watchin'. An' yeh shouldn' be down here anyway… If Fudge an' Dumbledore catch yeh out without permission, Harry, yeh'll be in big trouble."
She nodded silently. truthfully she had no idea why she said it but no one was doing anything and so she felt she had to. Thanking that he had said no as she didn't think she would want to watch such a thing, she turned and lifted the lid from the pot and looked down ready to fill it with water but halted on what she saw inside.
"… Little rat bastard."
They all turned on hearing her sudden outburst. "Hermione?" She lifted her head on hearing Harry's part quizzical part affronted tone. But she didn't look at him; she was staring at Ron who all the cause of this started.
"You sir, owe Crookshanks one apology"
Ron gaped at her. "What are you talking about?" Moving, she carried the milk jug over to the table and turned it upside down. With a frantic squeak, and much scrambling to get back inside, Scabbers came sliding out onto the table. All three stared at the small animal with blank looks.
"Scabbers, what are you doing here?" He grabbed the struggling rat and held him up to the light. Scabbers looked dreadful. He was thinner than ever, large tufts of hair had fallen out leaving wide bald patches, and he writhed in Ron's hands as though desperate to free himself, as the red-headed boy tried to keep him calm.
"It's okay, Scabbers!" said Ron. "No cats! There's nothing here to hurt you!" Hermione scowled from her place on the other side, "Hey! What did I just say?"
Hagrid had stood midst their small discussion and focused on the window. His face draining of color and the sound of their chattering drowning in his ears.
"They're comin'…" All three heads spun to the window as if being pulled by strings. A group of men was walking down the distant castle steps. In front was Dumbledore, his silver beard gleaming in the dying sun. Next to him trotted Cornelius Fudge. Behind them came the executioner, Macnair.
"Yeh gotta go," said Hagrid. Every inch of him was trembling. "They mustn' find yeh here, go now…" On his words they sprung to movement. Shoving the tea cups and pot away so not to attracted attention as the taller man moved to the back door and opened it, waving at them as one by one they all flew out the door and round the corner, just as the headmaster knocked on the door.
They waited and edged that little further the more they moved around the other side. Soon it was clear for them to leave as they darted into the garden. On stepping behind a large pumpkin, they stopped at seeing the creature that all this revolved around - Buckbeak a few yards away, tethered to a tree behind Hagrid's pumpkin patch. He seemed to know something was happening. He turned his sharp head from side to side. All three cast looms of discomfort before tenderly moving further as it was the only way they could go, each trying to show their happiness at seeing him but at the same time tried not to show their condolences at his fate.
They bolted as soon as it was ok and started up the sloping lawn toward the castle. The sun was sinking fast now; the sky had turned to a clear, purple-tinged grey, but to the west there was a ruby-red glow, suddenly Ron stopped dead in his tracks making them pause behind him.
"Ron what the hell? Hurry up!"
"It's Scabbers — he won't — stay put —" Ron was bent over, trying to keep Scabbers in his pocket, but the rat was going berserk; squeaking madly, twisting and flailing, trying to sink his teeth into Ron's hand. She snarled under her breath at the trouble the stupid animal was causing and glared wishing now she hadn't found him.
"Just grab him by his tail and hold him in front of you," Ron graced her dark look with one of his own as he wrestled the panicky rat. They heard a door open behind them and men's voices.
"For Circe's sake Ron, hurry up." She prodded him in his back" If we get caught my cat will be the least of that silly rodents problems… Just leave him he's clearly sick."
They squabbled quietly as Harry turned back to the bottom. He wondered why Ron had stopped and half thought that she was right. There was something scaring him and he did look half near death anyway, would had it been so bad if he did just let him go, but before he could get that across he heard the door open and so grabbed both their arms and pulled them to the shade of the trees.
"I can't hold him — Scabbers, shut up, everyone'll hear us —"
The rat was squealing wildly, but not loudly enough to cover up the sounds drifting from Hagrid's garden. There was a jumble of indistinct male voices, a silence, and then, without warning, the unmistakable swish and thud of an axe, there was no sound after that as all three had gone quiet with only Scabbers making any noise.
"They did it" Harry mumbled from behind the tree. I don't believe it."
None of them moved. All their minds either blank with shock of replaying the horrid thud, Harry wanted to go back down and so was all for going when Ron shot his hand out – somehow managing to keep his grip on his rat and his arm at the same time.
"He'll be in worse trouble if they know we've been to see him." The other boy looked at him but knew he was right and so reluctantly nodded before stepping back.
"Come on – we need to leave." She didn't like saying it as she knew Hagrid could have done with company but she also knew that they wouldn't linger, she turned to head back to the bridge when Ron yelped out.
"OUCH! He bit me!" They looked back at the other boy, she really was considering just hexing the rat out of his miserable existence as he was far more trouble than he was worth. But before she could, Ron shouted again as his grip on the rat slipped, — the rat had dropped from between Ron's clutching fingers, hit the ground, and scampered away.
Before either could stop him Ron had taken off at a run. After the rat and away from the castle as they stared on at his retreating form. She sighed as his back vanished from sight.
"Well, He's the forest's problem now."
Harry turned to scowl at her before pulling on her arm as they ran off after him. They could hear this pounding feet and calls for the rat to come back as he followed the fleeing creature all the way across the grounds.
"Stupid…. Stupid rat, if he's not dead by tonight then I will make what's left of his life painfully miserable for this," She puffed as they pushed themselves faster, they sprinted all the way across the flat of the ground and was gaining on him until she stopped – suddenly all too aware of just why they had been getting so close.
"Fuck, Harry, stop – abort the mission – abort the mission!" He was about to ask what the hell she was on about when a side tackle knocked him to the ground just as a large, heavy object swung close to where they had stood. He gasped for breath and looked up to see her sitting half on his body.
"The whomping willow." She nodded grimly as they scrambled to their feet. They looked for Ron but it seemed he had managed to get on the other side without injury, must have been ignorance or luck that he had as they cautiously shifted from one spot to the other.
"Ron! Are you ok!" He called as the other boy was on the floor wriggling and rolling. They watched as he eventually staggered to his feet, triumph in his face as he held up the long running rat.
"Good now!" He turned around to face them but stopped. They watched with curiosity as the smile and glee in his eyes and face fell rather fast and in its place was horror, shock and a complete pale face. he lifted his hand and tried to speak, but no words came."
"Ron!"
Nothing but whimpers was his reply as they looked at each other in confusion. "RON WHAT IS IT!"
He tried to speak. Really was trying as he opened and closed his mouth. With Harry keeping his attention on the stammering boy Hermione was looking around suddenly wary of what it was he might have implied to, than she saw that he was pointing at them and so turned her body halfway around to see before the cussing slipped involuntarily from her lips.
"Oh, bollocks."
Hearing her, Harry let his focus drop from Ron and round to her as he now saw her attention elsewhere. But before he could she had dived once more back on his person and back to the ground. He grunted as the breath left his body once more and on-going to ask what the hell was wrong with her, a large passing blur of black suddenly jumped over them.
He lifted his head quickly and peered as best he could before his eyes went wide with shock. Before them stood a massive black dog that was facing them. Pale-eyes examined them from their spot on the ground as they leapt to their feet again. The dog stood to alert and growled loud, its rumblings echoing in the still of the night.
The two of them never took their eyes off its frame. Harry was inspecting the animal with dread in his heart, was this was Trelawney was talking about before she went mad? This here – was this the grim she had seen. As if thinking the same thing, Hermione groaned low.
"This doesn't prove a thing, she wasn't right." He gave a small smile part out of sheer fright and part at how it was like her to still think the other woman a crazy bug-eyed fraud though it looked certain she had been spot on about this.
"Whatever you say." She glanced at him and frowned before turning back to the dog that was now looking between them and Ron. Two sets of eyes narrowed slightly at the dog looking at their friend, why? It wasn't like the grim was after Ron – but he did look interested in something before turning back to them. They stood alert ready to attack If need be but it looked like they needn't worry as with a bark, the large dog turned and made a run for him.
They watched open-mouthed as he managed to slink his way past the waving limbs of the angry tree and over to the terrified boy as Ron yelled and tried to run but at the last-minute. They moved forward when the massive animal – lunged and clamped its jaw around his arm.
"RON!"
Harry screamed on hearings his pained yell as the dog turned them around and started dragging him closer to the entrance that led underneath the tree. He struggled, trying in vain to escape but it was no use and the last they heard was his cry as he and the dog vanished from view leaving them to stare at the space they had just been.
Harry was breathing heavily as his shoulder shook with something Hermione didn't know but to was feeling despondent at why the dog took Ron as she felt his hand on her arm once more.
"Come on, we need to go save him."
She nodded not bothering to resist or try talking him out of it – what good would it have done to wait as carefully they edged closer and towards rescuing their friend.
Well they had done it – they managed to get round the large and dangerous tree. But not without casualties as they slid down the small ramp that led under the huge tree as they helped each other to their feet. Harry was trying to blink the blood out of his eyes as she wiped the slow stream from a gash on the side of her head.
She had another large wound on her shoulder, from where it had struck her on pushing him out of harms path and he was limping a little but nevertheless they didn't stop and pulled their wands from their pockets as they lit the way. Keeping a hold of his waist she helped him down the narrow pathway that took them further from the school. The tunnel began to rise; moments later it twisted, ahead Harry could see a patch of dim light through a small opening.
He and Hermione paused, gasping for breath, edging forward. Both raised their wands to see what lay beyond. It was a room, a very disordered, dusty room. Paper was peeling from the walls, there were stains all over the floor; every piece of furniture was broken as though somebody had smashed it. The windows were all boarded up.
Harry glanced at Hermione, who looked very disturbed to be in such a filthy room. "Could you imagine the insurance on a place like this?"
Harry rolled his eyes and gaped at her lack of focus as he pulled them through. The room was deserted, but a door to their right stood open, leading to a shadowy hallway. Hermione to was looking around the room, her eyes were traveling around the boarded windows.
"I think we're in the Shrieking Shack." Harry looked around. His eyes fell on a wooden chair near them. Large chunks had been torn out of it; one of the legs had been ripped off entirely.
"Only Ghosts didn't do that," She said slowly as he held his wand tighter. At that moment, there was a creak overhead. Something had moved upstairs. Both of them looked up at the ceiling, as he nodded silently at her - Quietly as they could, they crept out into the hall and up the crumbling staircase. Everything was covered in a thick layer of dust except the floor, where a wide shiny strip had been made by something being dragged upstairs.
She pulled her nose inspecting the decrepit area as they ventured on until coming to a door. They could hear movement and some moaning coming from behind as they looked at each other, with another small nod still both resolute in going on – he kicked the door hard as he crashed open.
"Ron –are you ok?" They ran across to where he was lying painfully and at an odd angle. He was sucking breath in through his teeth and shook his head.
"Where's the dog?"
"Not a dog," Ron moaned. His teeth gritted with pain. "Harry, it's a trap —"
"What —"
"He's the dog… he's an Animagus." Both now aware at how quiet it had gone. Slowly turned to look at the door as it slowly shut to show the man they had seen all over the wanted posters through the village – the man who had everyone fearing for their safety and had dementors after his every move.
Sirius Black
Without really thinking on what she was doing. Hermione stepped in front of Harry as Sirius moved closer, on seeing her protecting the boy he stopped his moves halted at the sight of her as he peered intensely.
"If you want to get to him than you have to get through me." Harry tried to move her but she wouldn't budge and stamped on his foot. The older man watched as Harry winced in pain before his attention focused back on her as she smirked.
"But I doubt you have what it takes – I hear Azkaban makes you crazy, so much in fact that you can't think of much else other than the total misery of the sad little lives you lived before being stuck in that hell whole… so I really have nothing to worry about do I"
The way she was speaking and the mocking arch of her brow reminded him painfully of the one woman who he had the utter misfortune of being family with – holidays spent in each other's company which was torture in itself and even worse – the same level of cells they shared in prison. He winced a little at how uncanny it was that she was standing the way she did, the way she was holding herself like she did.
The taunting of her voice and the fact that she was poking fun at the fact his magic wasn't what it used to be which was true as in that place it never was, it reminded him to much of her and the fact that they looked so eerily similar it all made him shiver.
"Only one will be mine tonight little girl, and I really don't want collateral so move aside." She tilted her head to the side. Not knowing whether it was the adrenaline she was running on or the fact that this wizened man in front of her thought he could take her and so the competitive side was making itself known – but she laughed,
She laughed and her lip curled at the sides showing a little teeth as the two behind her watched on with stunned gazes. "… Try it, we'll see whose collateral by the end of the night… wont we?"
His shock was enough of a distraction for Harry to run round the girl in front of him and pounce on the motionless man. Ron yelled as she watched with an eager smile as Harry punched the wanted man before moving to sit on his body. Fury pounding through his veins as he finally came face to face with the man who caused his parents deaths.
"Going to kill me, Harry?" He whispered.
Harry stopped right above him, his wand he had in his hand pointing at Black's chest, looking down at him. A livid bruise was rising around Black's left eye and his nose was bleeding,
"You killed my parents."
Black stared up at him from sunken eyes. "That I don't deny, but if you knew the truth."
"The whole story," Harry repeated a furious pounding in his ears as he shoved his wand closer, "You sold them to Voldemort. That's all I need to know."
"You've got to listen to me," Black said, ""You'll regret it if you don't… You don't understand…"
They heard a scoff from the side as he glanced to the familiar girl who was watching with keen eyes, he took in the slight glint to them and swore he was standing in front of his cousin again but only a much younger version as she lifted her lip again in a cruel smile.
"I understand a lot better than you think," said Harry, and his voice shook more than ever. "You never heard her, did you? My mum… trying to stop Voldemort killing me… and you did that… you did it…"
"No, you don't understand" The way he replied was so pathetic, so pitiful that Harry's hate came surging back and he gripped his wand tighter, Black saw his movement and licked his dry lips… he was now starting to think that Harry might actually hurt him the loathing was so bad but before he could even think of a spell, the door burst open once more startling them all.
Professor Lupin came hurtling into the room, his wand raised and ready. He caught sight of Ron lying on the floor, Hermione standing in the middle of them both – an unreadable expression on her face as she seemed to guard the injured boy and stand cover for Harry who had Sirius pinned to the floor. He pointed his wand at him.
"Expelliarmus!"
Harry's wand flew once more out of his hand; Hermione quickly slid hers up her sleeve. No way in hell was the traitor getting hers as she glared at him. Harry was left wandless and looking speechless at the newcomer who was standing above them.
"Where is he, Sirius?"
Harry looked quickly at Lupin. He didn't understand what Lupin meant. Who was Lupin talking about? He turned to look at Black again. Black's face was quite expressionless. For a few seconds, he didn't move at all. Then, very slowly, he raised his empty hand and pointed straight at Ron. Mystified, Harry glanced around at Ron, who looked bewildered.
"But then…" Lupin muttered, staring at Black so intently it seemed he was trying to read his mind, "… why hasn't he shown himself before now? Unless" — Lupin's eyes suddenly widened, as though he was seeing something beyond Black, something none of the rest could see, "— unless he was the one… unless you switched… without telling me?"
Both Harry and Hermione had looked to see what it was that the fallen man had pointed to and once again it was at Ron as they looked back to the two older men.
"Professor," Harry interrupted loudly, "What's going on —?"
His question died on his tongue when Lupin strode forward and pulled Black of the floor dislodging him from his sitting position. Harry felt like lead as he watched as they then embraced like best friends just as Hermione quietly moved closer and helped Harry to his feet still staring at Lupin with fiery eyes.
"There we have it."
Both men turned to look at her as she faced them. She was standing next to Harry, ready to help or defend him pretty much like Remus was with Black as she switched from one to the other – a knowing look in her blazing gaze coupled with the cold look she was giving.
"Have what Hermione" His tone – laced with false innocence made her scoff with derision as she waved a hand carelessly in their direction. "Animals… helping animals"
Four sets of eyes were on her as she moved away from and was lazily pacing the small space in front of them as Lupin followed her movement.
"Tell me, professor – was you always planning on selling out your students who supposedly, were under your care - or is it a side effect of your… disposition that turns you into a spineless backstabber."
Sirius, who had been also watching the girl move bared his teeth at hearing her call his best friend a coward and made to move forward but was stopped by Lupin who shook his head and faced her again.
"I'm not here to cause harm Hermione – surely a smart girl like you could understand that," She laughed her mocking, throaty chuckle again and looked back at him.
"Pandering to what is admittedly true won't do you any good here sir, the fact is – you're here… to help him how is that not causing any harm?" She asked questioningly
"I assume you mean for him to escape once all this is over, you are here after all because he's your friend… one who murdered a lot of people not to mention my friends parents, by doing that you'll be hurting Harry who has waited for a long time for this moment – a chance to get his answers and justice for the wrong done against him."
"Hermione-"
"He trusted you, Professor, we all trusted you… by coming here to teach you took an oath to make sure no student under the Hogwarts roof got hurt in any way shape of form – by not only siding with a known criminal you've broken that oath and the trust of those who saw fit to give you what so many other's wouldn't and haven't given you in the past."
Remus was silent as was all as they listened to her. Harry was confused to hell as he looked from one to the other, Ron was sitting open-mouthed still holding the struggling rat as Sirius was still gazing at her with a hint of something unknown.
"And those who didn't know surely would be right in seeing their trust in you misplaced."
"Hermione" She turned to look at Harry. Whose eyes were on her and narrowed in confusion with a quizzical look shining from his eyes. "What are you talking about?"
She glanced once more at the now crestfallen looking man who had let his wand hang loosely at his side before replying. "Professor Lupin is a werewolf Harry,"
Everyone's eyes now turned to the man who she had just outed, as he nodded in resignation and defeat. "How long have you known?"
"Ages," She replied, still wearing a hint of her triumphant smirk though it had been toned down. "Not hard to figure out, and it wasn't like you were trying to cover it up – the Boggart in class, missing one day every month, particularly on a full moon - why sir if you hadn't of just admitted it I would have merely said you a teenaged girl with innate selenophobia."
Small noises of confusion came from Ron as he listened to what she was saying. Even in times such as this she still used big words but it seemed to make Lupin laugh as he chuckled and nodded again.
"You really are the brightest witch of your age Hermione." She shrugged and made a non-committal noise as she moved back to Harry who was still looking at the pair of men.
"Perhaps, but if I had been that little smarter I might have let this be known a long time ago."
Harry who had been quiet up to then. Suddenly shouted making her jump a little. "YOU'VE BEEN HELPING HIM ALL THE TIME!" He yelled angrily pointing to Black who had wandered away and was now sitting by the bed near Ron who was valiantly trying to move further to the side he cringed as something furry and large flew past him once more making him shut his eyes.
Harry finally stopped ranting to the sound of loud purring as they turned to the source of the noise and found Crookshanks sitting on Blacks knees. Once more having snuck in undetected as Hermione's jaw dropped on seeing her cat settling himself on the older man's lap and narrowed her eyes in betrayal, it seemed he really would whore himself out to whoever gave him attention.
"Et tu, Crookshanks"
Once again Lupin couldn't help but chuckle at the phrase as he watched the fat cat purr happily as his chin was stroked, she crossed her arms and looked away from the cat that clearly had no qualms about cheating on her.
It took some time... a long time. But they did the impossible and finally managed to convince Harry to listen and not blow up on them as they explained everything as best they could to the silent boy as his thoughts flew all over the place, he was so confused and he backed up to the wall and allowed his body to slide to the floor as he rested his head on his arms
"But you were now accompanied by somebody else." He had let his voice drown out as he thought but that had him looking up, "What? No, we weren't!"
"I couldn't believe my eyes," Lupin, still pacing, and ignoring Harry's interruption. "I thought the map must be malfunctioning. How could he be with you?"
"No one was with us!" Said Harry, getting angry again "And then I saw another dot, moving fast toward you, I knew it was Sirius, he must have known which was why I got here as fast as I could,"
"I watched as he pulled two of you into the Whomping Willow —"
"One of us!" Ron said angrily joining in, Remus turned to him shaking his head.
"No, Ron," said Lupin. "Two of you," He glanced down to the rat in his hands "Could I possibly see him for a moment?"
"What's Scabbers got to do with it?"
"Everything," said Lupin. "Could I see him, please?"
"Take him" Hermione, momentarily forgetting the seriousness of the situation turned back from where she had paced, all she heard was that someone wanted to see the rat – take the rat... kill the rat, she didn't care as long as he was out of her sight.
Ron hesitated, then put a hand inside his robes. Scabbers emerged, thrashing desperately; Ron had to seize his long bald tail to stop him escaping. Crookshanks stood up on Black's leg and made a soft hissing noise making her look at him.
"That's not a rat," Ron looked at Sirius who had spoken and scoffed. "What d'you mean — of course he's a rat —"
"No, he's not," said Lupin quietly. "He's a wizard."
"A wizard by the name of Peter Pettigrew." There was silence for a few minutes as they all processed what he had claimed before Ron snorted again.
"You're both mental."
Harry had looked at them all. He hadn't said anything but his face was showing disbelief as Hermione to hadn't spoken just looked on as Lupin shook his head.
"It's true, we thought he had died that night along with… James and Lily." He winced and cast an apologetic glance to Harry whose face was unreadable. "It seemed though that little Peter got the better of us all, he was the one that betrayed your parents that night – he was the one that blew up that street killing those Muggles , before vanishing into his rat form which he has been in ever since."
Apparently that was all it took for Black to snap as he threw the cat down and lunged once more for the rat as a mini brawl soon erupted once more. Hermione didn't care what was happening, she had rushed to retrieve her beloved cat that - in spite of his grievous turncoat ways, was still the most precious thing in her life as he was quickly scooped up into her arms and hurried over out of harm's way.
"It's alright – we can get through this, we can talk it over." She kissed his head as he rested over her shoulder watching the action as soon Lupin had managed to pull a struggling Black off of Ron who had been unlucky enough to have his broken leg squashed in the tussle. Before it all calmed down once more as he spoke again of Unregistered Animgaus and how Peter was one of them much to Ron's denial as he shook his head.
"HE'S NOT PETER! HE'S SCABBER'S!"
"Can we prove it to you?" Remus asked calmly as if back in class. He turned to Ron with the rat that was clawing at his face in a desperate bid to escape, something that didn't go unnoticed by Harry who had watched. Normally he would have put it down to him just being scared by all that was going on but he had been like this for hours now, back in Hagrid's hut.
Maybe there was a slight hint of truth to all the madness they were telling.
It took a few more words but eventually Ron did let up his grip on the rat that was squealing like a pig to get away, he frowned and slowly handed him off to Lupin who smiled his thanks, he took the rat and moved into the middle to get ready with the spell as all three watched even with all their differences it was still fascinating as Black joined him wand at the ready and a hungry look in his eyes.
Holding the flailing rat away they muttered something as a jet of yellow shot from both ends and hit the animal dead on, Ron went to protest but was hushed by Hermione who was still holding a fat Crookshanks in her arms with his beady eyes on the red-headed boy who shuffled under his glare.
The rat dropped from his hand and it fell to the floor and ran. They watched as he twisted and squirmed and rippled much to their shock as he moved through the gap of the door only to the sound of a large crash on the other side. Both men looked at each other with victorious grins on their faces as they went outside as they tried to see, a few seconds later, a fat balding man was thrown in the middle of the room.
In the place the rat had been only seconds ago to all three astonished looking faces as they gazed down on him. They couldn't deny, he did look like a rat – to the pointed ears and the sharp nails and teeth – a side effect from having spent so long in his animal form. He was scrunched over and shivering as the other two men stood in front of him.
He lifted his head slowly to peer up at them through his piggy little eyes and blinked adjusting to using human eyes once more.
"Remus, Sirius?" Both men nodded. "Hello Peter."
No one spoke as they finally came to the truth that what they had been saying all along was the truth. Harry was stunned as he gazed upon the real killer of his parent's, Ron was both shocked and grossed out that he had let a man sleep next to him for years without realizing it and Hermione was observing his features.
She didn't mean to but with the way he was and the weight of the cat in her arms. She felt wronged, both for her and her cat and so with a haughty sniff – looked down at the flabbergasted red-head.
"See Ron" He lifted his head on hearing her speak.
"Like my cat would eat something as distasteful as this." She looked back to Scabbers now Peter who was still on the floor.
"Clearly anyone could see that this is fatty food."