Disclaimer: The Potter Universe & all it's characters belong JK Rowling. I make no claim on them & no profit from it.
Authors Note: Hello everyone. Hope you've enjoyed the story to this point. This is the last chapter of Third Year.
Chapter Twenty Four: Quidditch Final, Buckbeaks Execution, Exams & Showdown
It was now the last Saturday in April. The day was cool but sunny.
'Perfect Quidditch weather' thought Harry as he went for his customary jog around the grounds being sure to keep away from the Dementors.
He still could not believe that the dark creatures had not been removed and knew that his Dad and Ron's Dad among others had argued the point with the Minister only for her to insist that she was under pressure to catch Fletcher and needed the dark creatures to do so.
As the Quidditch match did not start until around two pm Harry decided to visit Hagrid in his cabin.
Neville, Ginny, Draco, Luna and Hermione all went with him as did a reluctant Ron who they'd dragged on their jog with them.
"Well hello there you lot" said a smile Hagrid.
His beetle black eyes looked happy and Harry wondered what could have put their half-giant friend in such a good mood.
Hagrid bustled about the kitchen area gathering up spoons, mugs and everything else needed for tea.
Once the kettle had brewed it brought the water over in a tea pot.
Setting the tray down on the table he said "help yourselves to sugar and biscuits".
They did so and as Harry went to dunk a rich tea biscuit into his mug their large friend said with a grin "I think I've got something here that belongs to ya Ron".
Harry's best friend frowned slightly in confusion only for his face to light up as Hagrid reached into one of his coats inside pockets and pull out a ferret with what was unmistakably a bald head.
"Minky!" Ron exclaimed in delight.
Hagrid handed over the ferret and Ron clutched him to him looking joyful "are you alright little buddy?" he asked stroking the creature which looked terrified.
Turning his attention to Hagrid he asked "where did you find him Hagrid?".
Hagrid smiled "in me vegetable patch as a matter of fact. Poor thing looked starving and was nibbling on one of me raw carrots, so I brought him inside an gave him somethin ta eat".
Ron beamed at their large friend and said happily "thanks so much Hagrid. I really appreciate you caring for him".
Hagrid smiled and waved it off "t'was nothin" he said though Harry could see he was pleased to be thanked.
Harry was surprised when his best friend then turned to Hermione and said "I'm sorry I behaved like an idiot Hermione".
Harry couldn't believe he was hearing his friend apologise!.
Ron never apologised unless forced.
"I was an idiot and i jumped to conclusions".
Harry held his breath hoping Hermione would accept the apology with good grace.
To his great relief she did so, smiling and saying "it's fine Ron. You were upset and I accept the apology".
'That's one issue settled for good' Harry thought thankfully.
Conversation then turned to the Quidditch match that afternoon and Hagrid revealed that he had a little bet on with Professor Flitwick Head of Ravenclaw on who would win the match.
According to Hagrid, the diminutive Professor believed that their Seeker would catch the snitch instead of Harry.
From what Harry had seen of Cho Chang having caught both of Ravenclaws matches against Hufflepuff and Slytherin he knew he was in for serious competition and would need to be at the very top of his game in order to bring the trophy home for Gryffindor today.
He was very conscious that losing would mean they had to play another game against Slytherin in June.
It wasn't that he was afraid of Slytherin it was merely that he wished to end the season now and be able to then devote his time to his studies.
James was working like a man possessed as he tried to speed through the mountain of paperwork on his desk.
He kept glancing anxiously at his watch and noting that the time was passing by much too fast for his liking.
It was already twelve o clock and the Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw was at two which gave him less than two hours if he wanted to have lunch before heading to Hogwarts.
He was amazed and proud of Harry so much.
His Son was an amazing Quidditch player better than him and considering he'd been approached to play at both club and international level that was saying something.
As he worked through his paperwork he mulled over the fact that despite this natural talent, Harry had not said anything about turning pro.
It made him wonder what his Son planned to do for a career.
There were certainly no shortage of careers if he continued to do so well academically and at Quidditch.
Harry could become a Professor, a Quidditch player or even an Auror.
James had promised himself and first Lily and then Lucy one thing, whatever career path his Son chose he would love him and support him unconditionally.
"Don't you have somewhere to be soon" said a deep voice.
James looked up and saw one of his Senior Aurors and a close friend Kingsley Shacklebolt standing in the doorway of his office.
He grimaced at these words and gestured to the absurdly high stacks of parchment "I would but the Minister needs these reports filled in before I leave".
Kingsley laughed, a deep booming sound from deep within "you're the boss for a reason James. If you can't delegate once in a while then what's the point of being in charge".
James smiled "no one would change places with me that's why I was named Head Auror".
Kingsley laughed again "James you head off to lunch and then you watch Harry's Quidditch game. I'll fill in the reports".
James felt so grateful he could barely express it "are you sure Kingsley?".
The black wizard grinned "go on get out of here before I change my mind" he said as he moved across the room to the desk.
James grabbed his wand, said "thanks Kingsley I appreciate it" and left the office in a rush as he headed for lunch.
an hour and a half and a change of clothes later and James was standing at the gates of Hogwarts.
He strode up to the gates and said to Dawlish who was the duty Auror "make sure you scan me" the Auror did so finding that he was definitely James Potter.
As James headed through the school gates he felt glad that he had put the scanning system in place.
Anyone whether they be Professor, Student, Caretaker, Auror or relative could not get through the gates without being scanned.
This coupled with the other security measures in place such as Aurors in Hogsmeade just a firecall away, he hoped would ensure the safety of everyone in Hogwarts and Hogsmeade though he still worried for his Son, Nephew and their friends.
As James headed to the stadium something barked loudly behind him.
He jumped and looked around wildly with his wand drawn for the source of the sound.
When he saw it was shaggy black dog he glared at the creature "Padfoot you bloody idiot change back" he said sharply.
In an instant, where the dog had been, stood Sirius his curly black hair messy as always, he was wearing red and gold clothes including a scarf all of which had the Gryffindor Griffon emblazoned on it proudly.
"Bit over dressed aren't you Padfoot" he said quirking an eyebrow.
His best friend shrugged carelessly "so what? I support my team".
James shook his head and rolled his eyes and turned to walk away.
The two men walked in silence down to the Quidditch stadium.
As they entered it they found that most of the spectator seats were already filled.
He headed over to the section where Ron, Draco, Neville, Hermione, Ginny and Luna all sat.
As James sat down he felt surprised that Luna would be there given she was a Ravenclaw and he had thought she would show House loyalty.
As he looked closer however he noted that she was wearing a scarf that was part orange and red and part blue and bronze with the badges of both Houses at separate ends.
And as James thought about he realised it made sense for her to be there with them.
Her boyfriend was a Gryffindor as were all of her other friends.
The teams walked onto the pitch and as James saw Harry striding on looking serious and a bit nervous he applauded and cheered loudly.
He saw his Son flick his eyes up to the stands and gave Harry a reassuring smile.
The match that followed was an amazingly close affair made very entertaining by the commentary of Lee Jordan and the attempts of Professor McGonagall to take the microphone from his grasp.
He watched as the game seesawed back and forth. At one stage Gryffindor was thirty points up only for Ravenclaw to peg them back and then surpass them on the scoreboard.
The back and forth went on for two hours and the scores by the two hour mark read "Gryffindor two hundred and fifty - Ravenclaw two hundred and fifty.
It was neck and neck. James had a feeling that the match would come down to the Seekers.
Whoever caught the snitch would win the game for their team.
He could see Harry flitting through the sky above the action as he and his opponent tried to find the little golden ball.
He watched on in dismay as Gryffindor went down by fifty points and seemed unable to score more goals.
The score was now 300 for Ravenclaw to Gryffindor's 250.
"Come on Harry!" James said feeling desperate.
As if his Son had heard his words he saw him descend into a steep dive which was matched by his opposite number.
Harry was just ten feet from the ground when he pulled up.
His opponent was forced to jump and roll as her broom closed on the ground.
Harry emerged triumphant holding the golden snitch.
The Gryffindor section and part of the Hufflepuff section erupted in jubilation.
For the second time in two years Gryffindor had won the Quidditch Cup and placed themselves closer to a third successive House Cup.
As James, Peter (who was there representing himself & Celia), Remus, Janice and Sirius hurried over along with Draco and the others, James couldn't help feeling so proud of his Son.
After Harry had been hoisted on the shoulders of the Gryffindor's and cheered as Wood held aloft the Quidditch Cup, James grasped his Son in a tight hug.
"I'm so proud of you my boy" he said tearfully.
The party that followed was, rightly so, raucous.
James stayed for a few hours alongside Peter and Sirius before the three of them had to leave.
He said goodbye to Remus and Harry's friends and then hugged Draco and Harry "I'll see the two of you in June at Kings Cross alright?" he said with a smile and then left.
Harry hugged him back fiercely.
Time moved on swiftly at Hogwarts. Despite the Quidditch season being over Harry still had little free time due to revision and the piles of homework set by most of the Professors in the lead up to the exams.
June arrived and with it sweltering heat.
Some said it was the hottest June in decades and judging by how humid it was in the Great Hall where Harry was currently sitting his History of Magic exam, he couldn't disagree.
It wasn't just the heat that made him feel drowsy, it was also due to the extremely boring and predictable exam topic set by Professor Binns. Goblin Rebellions.
Not only had Harry never been interested enough to pay attention in Binns' class, the subject matter was so dull and repetitive that he had done almost no revision.
'And in any case, in no job or career could I possibly have a use for history' he thought as he stifled a yawn with the back of his hand.
He stared at the exam paper which asked him to give the date of the most recent Goblin Rebellion, where it had occurred, why and what the end result had been.
He then glanced at his parchment upon which he had so far only written two words: "who cares" and punctuating it with an exclamation mark.
Harry knew he should try harder. He knew that his Parents would not be happy about his lack of effort and he knew too that Hermione would have some choice words about slacking when he spoke to her later.
But at this point he really didn't care.
He personally considered History of Magic or at least the way Binns taught it, to be the most pointless subject at Hogwarts next to Divination.
Harry smirked as he recalled Ron grumbling about the Divination exam and how he'd failed as he'd been unable to find anything when gazing into the crystal ball.
Harry had only had three words for him "serves you right".
Ron had been annoyed at this and had ignored Harry for the rest of the day.
Sighing, Harry dipped his quill into his ink pot and lowered it to the parchment where he proceeded to draw snitches and other Quidditch related pictures.
Finally the bell rang to signify the end of the lesson and Binns floated between the tables collecting up the exam papers.
Harry exited the Great Hall and was immediately waylaid by Hermione who said brightly"well...that was easy" and followed that up with: "I thought it would be more difficult".
As Draco, Neville and Ron caught them up Hermione asked him "how did you do Harry?".
Harry grinned and shrugged "I'll have failed" he said nonchalantly.
Hermione gaped at him in astonishment.
Her face became a mask of horror "you did try didn't you Harry?" she said.
Harry shook his head and laughed "I was so bored I spent the entire exam daydreaming and drawing things on my parchment" he explained.
Hermione looked furious and ran her hands through her bushy hair "you have to try harder!" she snapped "am I the only one who took it seriously?" she demanded of the others who had varying expressions on their faces.
Ron looked terrified, Neville was smirking and Draco laughed.
Hermione rounded on him "please tell me you tried at least Draco" she said desperately.
Draco laughed again in response "sorry Hermione but I think I speak for everyone here when I say it's the only subject I don't mind failing in".
Hermione huffed and stormed off looking upset.
"She needs to lighten up" Draco commented.
Harry and Neville laughed while Ron looked embarrassed.
A week later Harry was about to take what he was sure would be his favourite exam. It was for Defence Against The Dark Arts his favourite subject bar none.
As Harry, looking forward to it, waited for Remus to arrive, his thoughts turned to the rest of his exams which had varied per subject in enjoyment and success.
His Potions exam which had taken place on the same day as his History of Magic exam had gone better (though it couldn't have gone much worse) and he had managed to make a potion to cure boils though it was less effective than some.
He had earned a pass which was good enough for him. As much as he liked Severus he had no real interest in Potions.
As a matter of fact he held much more interest his Charms exam which had been the first one on Tuesday.
In said exam he managed to correctly cast a cheering charm on Ron.
The same unfortunately could not be said of Ron's charm cast on Harry which had been over done causing Harry to break into fits of hysterical laughter for a good five minutes until Professor Flitwick had managed to calm him down.
The afternoon exam on Tuesday was one that had made Harry very nervous.
He greatly enjoyed Transfiguration and was generally among those in his class to do well but he still worried that he had not done enough revision on the subject, especially given that the task set was to detail the process of transfiguring furniture into other furniture and to take into consideration factors which could interfere with the process.
Harry had had a bit of panic at the start of the exam when he struggled to recall what he'd read, but he soon recalled most of it and managed (he hoped) at least to get an Exceeds Expectations.
Wednesday morning saw his Ancient Runes exam in which he had had no issues recalling the revision and breezed through the questions laid out on the parchment.
That night at midnight was the one exam he hated aside from History of Magic.
Instead of being allowed to go to bed and get some much needed rest, he and all the other Third Years were stuck up on top of the Astronomy Tower taking their Astronomy exam.
He spent five boring hours charting the constellation of Orion, noting down the features he could spot through his telescope.
More than once he had fallen asleep and been prodded awake by either an irritated Hermione or Professor Sinistra.
Harry promised himself that after such an experience he would definitely be dropping the subject after Fifth Year.
He could see from the disapproving look given to him by the Professor that he probably hadn't done very well.
After a much needed sleep Harry had got up at eleven am, had some food, gone for a jog and crammed in much needed revision for the Thursday exam which found Harry and friends standing by Hagrids cabin in the sunshine for what Harry could only describe as an awful exam.
Disheartened by the soon to be execution of Buckbeak, Hagrid had not had the heart to create an exciting exam for them.
It didn't help of course that he still worried over his job despite the personal backing of Dumbledore and most students.
The task that was set for them was to look after a few Flobberworms each. If all yours lived then you'd doubtless get the highest grade, if some died but most lived then you'd get the second highest, if most died then you'd get a pass and if none lived then you'd get one of the fail grades presumably.
Harry thankful that Hermione had constantly pestered them all to do some reading on Flobberworms and what they ate as well as other basic way to take care of them.
It was thanks to having such information that Harry, Draco, Hermione, Ron and Neville all had a completely surviving group of Flobberworms each and Harry felt confident that he'd managed the highest grade possible or at least an Exceeds Expectations.
Friday morning arrived and the Third Years were in Greenhouse Two for their Herbology exam.
Harry was not fussed by this exam but he was partnering with Neville who loved Herbology and Harry had resolved to do his very best to not let his best friend down.
The students had been tasked with potting Mandrakes.
This was not an easy task due to the high pitched wailing sounds emitted by the plants prior to being potted.
Each student had to wear a pair of earmuffs tight over their ears or risk fainting.
Neville had done so once in Second Year but had luckily learned from the incident and together with Harry, handled the plants with much care.
They managed to plant all of the plants within the exam time which made Harry hopeful that the two of them had done well grade wise.
Harry was brought back to the present as a voice said "well is everyone ready?", he looked up from the ground and found that Remus had arrived and was beaming at the assembled students.
"Very good, follow me" he instructed.
The group were led from the DADA classroom, through the castle and through the grounds to the slopes near Hagrids cabin.
Harry's eyes popped out in shock.
set out on the slops was a vast assault course containing old tires, ditches and a deep paddling pool.
His Uncle explained to them all that the objective was to defeat, confuse and avoid as many of the dark creatures as possible.
Harry grinned.
You don't live with two Aurors and two more experts at DADA without picking up a few tips and tricks.
Harry had no idea how Remus had managed to create such a course in such little time but he had a feeling he'd enjoy the task immensely.
And so he did.
To start with he managed to throw a stunner at the Grindylow and leap over the pool to avoid being attacked.
He moved swiftly on to a series of potholes on the hill within which, hid a group of Red Caps.
Using his lightning quick reflexes and knowledge of defensive and offensive spells he managed to avoid and blast his way past the Red Caps and moved on to a patch of marsh on the other side of the assault course.
As he was carefully trying to pick his way over the murky ground a Hinkypunk made itself know and began gesturing with it's hands, pointing to the the trees on the edge of the Forbidden Forest and shouting "it's over this way! quick! go this way!".
Harry shook his head "I'm not going to fall for it" he told the creature and then walked off in what he was sure was the right direction.
Sure enough he had been right to ignore the Hinkypunk as he found himself at the end of the assault course.
Nearby stood Remus beaming happily.
Harry took a breath and climbed into the old trunk in front of him to take care of the final task, a Boggart.
After just ten seconds Harry shouted "Ridiculous!" opened the trunk and stepped out.
The Boggart had been transformed into a rather fat clown wearing ridiculously oversized shoes.
Harry grinned as he saw his smiling Uncle tick Harry off of his list and write something down.
He knew for certain that he'd got at least an EE if not an O grade.
Harry moved to the side with the others who'd already taken the exam including Draco and Neville.
They watched as Ron whizzed round the course and seemed to be doing well until he rather unfortunately fell for the misleading directions from the Hinkypunk and fell into a pond.
suffice to say, Harry and the others teased him mercilessly for that for weeks afterwards.
The final one of their friends to take the exam was Hermione.
She managed everything perfectly including the Grindylows and Red Caps, until she reached the Boggart at the very end of the course.
She climbed into the trunk as everyone else had but jumped out moments later crying and shouting.
Harry learned later that her Boggart had turned into Professor McGonagall who had proceeded to tell her that she'd failed all of her exams.
It took Remus, Harry and the others ten minutes to calm her down and assure her that it was a Boggart and that she hadn't failed the exam.
After that she finished the exam well and Harry and the others applauded her.
The day after the final exam was Draco's Fourteenth birthday.
Harry and everyone else (except Luna) pretended that they had completely forgotten about it, not even giving him presents or wishing him a Happy Birthday.
He was led into the common that early that Saturday afternoon by Luna feeling totally miserable and was stunned when everyone leapt out and shouted "surprise!" at him.
Most of the students of Gryffindor were there along with a number of students from other Houses including Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones, Justin Finch Fletchley and Daphne Greengrass of Slytherin
Draco knew that despite her family having been Slytherins for centuries they didn't believe in the superiority of purebloods and had no problems mixing with non purebloods.
As it happened, her Father Mr Greengrass worked for the Ministry as head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and from what Draco knew did a good job.
He was even friends with Draco's own Dad and Uncles and often came to the Manor for dinner.
The party was a noisy affair and very fun.
There was music, Fred and George entertained everyone with a display of improvised joke products and there was much food.
He was touched when he found that Harry and the others had bought him a Firebolt broom.
Being that he was not on the main Quidditch team he was surprised to get such a gift but he was happy to get an upgrade on his Nimbus 2001.
The day after Draco's birthday was a very sad day for the New Marauders and if they were feeling sad he was sure it was nothing compared to their friend Hagrid.
It was the date of Buckbeaks execution an action wholly unjust in Harry's eyes as he had not been very badly hurt by the creature & in any case Buckbeak had not meant to hurt him.
He cursed that arrogant Nott for riling up the gentle proud creature, if he hadn't then this wouldn't be happening.
That evening at eight thirty, the New Marauders, or rather the five who could fit under the cloak, went down to Hagrids cabin to try to cheer him up and give him some moral support.
When they arrived Harry could hear the distinct sound of crying from within and was certain the others had all heard it too "it must be Hagrid" Harry said sadly.
Draco stepped up and knocked on the door for them all and then stood back.
For a few moments there was no reaction but then there was the sound of heavy boots clumping across the wooden floor to the door.
The door opened and the five of them came face to face with a red faced, puffy eyed Hagrid "H'llo" he said weakly "come in".
Harry could tell Buckbeaks execution had understandably got him very upset as he was usually a very cheerful person.
Once again cursed Nott and his family for doing this to his friend.
"Want tea?" Hagrid asked them all.
They nodded and Hagrid went over to the sink to fill up the kettle.
His hands shook so badly however that water began to spill everywhere.
Ron stood up, walked over to Hagrid and said gently "let me do it Hagrid" the red haired boy turned to Hermione and Neville "get him to a seat" he instructed.
The two of them went over to Hagrid and gently guided him into a chair situated at the table.
Once he was sat down they both hugged him, attempting to comfort him while Draco patted him on the shoulder.
Harry looked on sadly as he scratched Fang the boarhound behind the ears.
His thoughts turned to a way to free Buckbeak but no plan came to mind save for a mad dash to free the creature and escape through the trees and he knew it would be impossible to run far with such a creature before the Ministry personnel found them.
The five of them plus Hagrid and Fang sat in an uneasy silence drinking their tea and lost in their own thoughts.
Harry had just finished his tea when there came a sudden knock at the door.
Harry glanced down at his watch and mentally cursed himself. It was eight fifty five pm. Just five minutes until Buckbeaks execution, he looked at Hagrid sadly.
"Go all ye. I don' want ye seein this" the half-giant insisted as Harry knew he would.
Harry was about to argue the point but Draco grabbed his arm and with the help of the others hauled him out of the back door of the hut, down the steps and into the trees from where they watched as a solemn Minister for Magic Amelia Bones, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and a man wearing an executioners hood and carrying a large axe, stood outside the front door of the cabin waiting to speak to Hagrid.
'No doubt' Harry thought 'so they can give him the documents pertaining to the execution.
At nine pm precisely four people emerged from the hut, the three who had come down earlier plus Hagrid.
If Harry knew his friend as well as he thought he did, he was sure that Hagrid wanted to say a last goodbye to the proud Buckbeak.
Harry watched along with Ron, Draco and Neville as the three men and one woman approached Buckbeak.
The Executioner raised his axe. Hermione cried out and hid her face in Ron's jumper not wanting to see the actual execution.
Harry glanced at Ron who in normal circumstances would have been startled at such a display but in this instance could only hug Hermione tightly with a solemn look on his freckled face.
The axe came up and swished down.
Buckbeaks head fell from his body. The proud beast was no more.
Harry saw and heard Hagrid cry out in distress.
Watched as the Minister said some words to the Executioner who left and then followed Headmaster Dumbledore inside the hut as the elderly wizard attempted to comfort his friend.
Harry felt sick about the whole thing.
What was more, he couldn't shake off his anger and hatred for the Minister.
He knew that she had only been acting in her duty as Minister of Magic and carrying out the hearing panels sentence but that didn't stop him being angry.
Solemnly he turned to the others and said quietly "lets go".
He threw the cloak over them all and they began to walk back up to the castle in silence.
Halfway across the grounds however, something very strange happened.
"Argh!" Ron cried out in pain.
Harry turned to his best friend looking concerned "what is it?" he asked.
Ron showed Harry his finger which had blood dripping from it and bite marks "he bit me!" Ron said in disbelief "Minky bit me!".
Before Harry could say or do anything his friend then shouted "Minky come back!" having evidently spotted the ferret running across the grounds.
Without warning Ron threw himself out from under the cloak and tore off after the animal.
Harry shook his head briefly unable to fathom why his friend would be so bothered by a pet he'd only had since September.
"We'd better get after him" he told the others and reluctantly took the cloak off himself in order to give chase, calling out "Ron come back! come back you idiot!".
They ran for a few minutes until, horror of horrors, Harry and the others could see the whomping willow nearby.
And Ron was heading straight for it still pursuing his pet "Harry that's the whomping willow!" Draco exclaimed unnecessarily.
"I know" Harry replied.
Turning back to Ron he bellowed "Ron look out!".
His friend paused in confusion and as he stood there staring at them, a branch swung down at him and knocked him flying.
Ron lay on the ground crying out in agony.
Harry was certain that he'd broken something.
He and the others ran towards Ron but were stopped in their tracks by the whomping willow which was in their way.
They dodged and ducked and dipped in an attempt to avoid the branches.
Harry managed to successfully but was unable to stop Neville and Draco being grasped by one of the branches.
They were flung about like rag dolls. Hermione cried out in horror while Harry tried to think what to do.
As he was thinking the tree flung Neville and Draco from it's grasp and the two of them flew through the air landing painfully near each other and Harry knew they'd been badly hurt.
Suddenly before Harry's horror struck eyes, the ferret that Ron had been chasing changed and in it's place was a man. The man was short, fat, bald and ugly.
It was a face Harry would recognise anywhere. It was Mundungus Fletcher.
"You coward!" Harry shouted at the man "you traitor!".
In response the man merely smirked as he grabbed an injured Ron and pulled him down through the roots of the tree and inside it "no!" Harry shouted an ran forward only to be pulled back by a distraught Hermione "Harry no!" she said firmly though he could tell she was upset "it's what he wants".
Harry calmed down slightly.
He was still angry but his friend was right.
All he'd accomplish by blindly charging in would be to fall into a trap.
Or at least that was his thought until he heard Ron cry out in pain.
His resolve to wait faltered and he found himself ignoring Hermione's shout of "stop! wait!" as he leapt towards the tree and slid under his branches.
To his great surprise and judging by her gasp, to Hermione's also, Crookshanks was beside Harry.
Harry was sure the cat was saying "let me" he pushed the thought aside as crazy only to be stunned when the orange fur ball touched the base of the tree on one of the roots and the vicious branches stood moving.
The tree was still and Harry could enter.
He beamed at the cat widely "Ron was right!" he exclaimed "you are really clever".
The cat purred happily in response to this compliment and stood back as Harry slid in through the hole at the tree's base.
He landed heavily but on his feet in what seemed to be a tunnel made of dirt and stone.
He heard a thud beside him and knew that Hermione had followed him.
He turned to her and nodded.
She raised her wand and murmured "Lumos".
The tunnel was illuminated before them.
As they began to walk Harry kept his wand at the ready for the least sign of danger.
"We must be moved under Hogwarts right now" Hermione remarked as they kept walking.
The tunnel was very long, seeming to stretch on interminably into the distance.
Indeed, they walked for so long that Harry thought they had to be under Hogsmeade by now.
Eventually, they found what looked like a door.
Harry was surprised by this development, pushing Hermione behind him he turned the handle.
The door opened and they stepped into the most rundown house he had ever seen in his life.
There was dust everywhere and cobwebs hanging from the ceiling and from the dilapidated furniture.
Harry knew that the house itself had been a normal house lain empty for a long time until used during his Uncle Remus' time at school for his werewolf transformations.
They found a staircase wide enough to walk two abreast and climbed it all the while looking around warily.
They tried the first door they found.
As they opened the door Harry could see the room was as dirty and rundown as the rest of the house.
Looking around he saw, lying on the bed, Ron.
Ron seemed to be in tremendous pain and was clutched at his leg and crying out.
"Ron!" Hermione gave a shout and ran to him.
Harry forgetting all about defence, took off across the room as well, anxious to make sure his friend was ok.
When they reached the bed Harry was about to speak only for Ron to gasp out "trap. It's a trap!".
Harry then heard a voice that turned his bloody to ice and chilled him to the bone "Harry Potter. I've been waiting for this day for twelve years".
As Harry turned around he heard "Expeliarmus!" and could only watch helplessly as his and Hermione's wands sailed out of their hands and landed in the outstretched hand of the traitor Mundungus Fletcher.
Authors Note: As this chapter has run to just over six thousand words already it would be too long to finish Third Year so I will instead write up another chapter to finish off Third Year which may include part of the summer as well.