Just a warning, there are lots of time jumps in this chapter, each one only a month or two, but I'm hoping to wrap up this alternate version of PoA really soon.

"Luna! Luna!" Ginny and Elizabeth whisper yelled as they ran through corridors. Elizabeth had sprung out of bed when she got the note of Novo's collar and quickly shook Ginny awake. Five minutes later and they were rushing through the school, eager to get to their friend.

Ginny had told Elizabeth that Luna often watched the sunrise in the Astronomy Tower, so that was where they were going to try first.

Unfortunately, there was a roadblock in their path. Miss Norris, Filch's cat. She hissed when she saw them and ran off to wherever Filch was.

"Darn that cat! We need to get out of here." Ginny whispered. Elizabeth nodded, and they snuck a bit more carefully, though just as quickly.

Thankfully Luna was in the Astronomy Tower, also in her pajamas. (Changing clothes was not something Elizabeth or Ginny had wasted time with)

"Luna! A note from Sirius came!" Ginny whispered excitedly, careful not to speak too loudly so their secret stayed a secret.

The blonde's face twitched to one of curiosity and joy.

"Here, Ginny, you read it this time." Elizabeth said, passing her the unopened parchment.

Ginny excitedly unfurled it and began to read.

"Whatever I tell you would not be believed. I'm afraid my reputation precedes me. We? Who else is writing to me?"

"He rhymed it." Luna said dreamily.

"Why? And why would it take him so long to write back?" Elizabeth asked the group.

"He'd want mental stimulation while being on the run. And perhaps he was in debate over whether to respond. As he said, his reputation precedes him." Luna responded.

"Good point. Should we tell him our names? If we do, he may open up to us." Elizabeth inquired.

"No, if we write our full names he could come after us if he is guilty. How about initials?" Ginny suggested. They agreed upon her idea and crafted the note.

The second one was harder to write than the first, because they had to be more specific, and gain his trust in order to find out the truth. Also, to keep up the game, they did it in rhyme.

The end product was this:

SB,

We have questions about that night on Halloween. Is everything as it seems? Did the Potters die from your loose lips? Or was it another who caused their blood to drip? Speak honestly, we want the truth, and we believe we can get it from you.

-LL, GW, EG

And just like last time, they waited. And waited. And waited.

During that time, they did more research for Hagrid, though often Hermione was too busy with her studies to help. She seemed to be taking more courses than time would allow, and the workload spoke for itself, but she still somehow found time to help. Hermione and Luna often butted heads over creatures Luna believed to be real, but Hermione disbelieved. Elizabeth stuck up for Luna, saying what she said was true, and that in a world full of magic, who was to say Crumple-Horned Snorcacks were real or not real?

They were all able to get along after that comment, and the topic of debated mythical animals was avoided to keep it that way.

Another thing that Elizabeth spent time on aside from school, art, and proving a Hippogriff's innocence was Patronus lessons. Remus had decided to teach her and Harry without using boggarts as dementors, and they simply practiced the spell.

The memory Elizabeth used was of her helping resolve Minerva and Malcolm's fight, and being accepted into the family. It was a tricky memory since it also contained some melancholiness of missing her birth parents, but she tried not to focus on that when she could.

"Excellent, Harry! Well done, Elizabeth! A non-corporeal Patronus is something not even some grown wizards and witches can do! You've both made tremendous progress!" Remus said during one lesson in April. They had both achieved a white foggy cloud substance to come out of their wands, which Remus said was a feat in and of itself for pupils so young.

"Thanks!" Elizabeth said brightly.

"Thanks, professor," Harry said, smiling.

"If anything happens during your Quidditch match this weekend, Harry, you'll be able to hold your own quite well this time," Remus told him. Remus walked over to his desk and pulled open a drawer.

"I don't suppose either of you has tried butterbeer before? I have this bottle here and we do have something to celebrate." Remus offered, pouring them each a cup.

"I've never had this before," Elizabeth replied, taking a sip. The flavor danced across her tongue and was pleasant.

"I haven't either," Harry said quickly. Elizabeth could hear the uncertainty in his voice. Maybe Fred and George had brought him some. It was odd that he lied about it though.

Two days later it was Saturday, the day of the Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw quidditch match. Harry had gotten his broom back, and everyone was eager to see the Firebolt in action.

"I'm telling you, Minerva loves quidditch more than teaching. She was talking all about the Firebolt last night." Elizabeth told Ginny at breakfast that morning. Harry had allowed them to touch his broom, and they had been talking about it ever since.

"Good luck, Harry!" Ginny said a bit too loudly when the team left the Great Hall.

"Nice going, Weasley! I don't think you were loud enough!" Malfoy jeered as he passed by.

"Shut it, Malfoy!" Elizabeth and Ginny called back at the same time. That had been happening a lot.

The sun was shining down on Elizabeth's neck as she sat down in the stands before the match started.

"I hope Harry does well today," Hermione said as she sat next to Elizabeth.

"Why do you care? He lost his broom because of you." Ron said a few seats away.

Hermione scowled.

After that uncomfortable minute, the game began.

Elizabeth cheered on her fellow Gryffindors and paid special attention to the Chasers, Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnet, and Angelina Johnson. She'd love to be in their shoes one day.

The game continued, and the Firebolt was quite a sight to see. Harry zoomed and dove so fast he was just a blur of red and gold. The commentator, Lee Jordan, spent most of his time talking about the Firebolt than what was happening in the game.

Then, something odd happened. Black cloaked things were flying right towards Harry. People immediately started talking about whatever they were. Many thought they were dementors, but Elizabeth had her doubts. She felt no shivers down her spine, she honestly felt fine, if not a little nervous.

Harry finally seemed to notice whatever the cloaked things were, and that they were surrounding him. Elizabeth could just make out something in Harry's hand and then saw a silvery mist come from it.

His Patronus! It had gotten bigger! Elizabeth grinned.

The three creatures seemed to lose control of their flight and unsteadily flew back to the ground.

Professors came onto the field, and it was soon revealed that the creatures were actually four Slytherin boys in cloaks on brooms: Draco Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Marcus Flint, Slytherin quidditch team captain. Their plan had been to scare Harry and ruin his chances of getting the snitch, ensuring Gryffindor wouldn't win the Quidditch Cup.

But they failed. Gryffindor won the match and was to play against Slytherin next, and whoever won would win the Quidditch Cup.

Minerva was furious that night. She lamented over how dangerous their plan was while Elizabeth and Malcolm sat silently on the couch.

"Is she usually this angry when she's mad?" Elizabeth whispered to Malcolm.

"It's been a while since she was this angry. Last time was when we were kids, and Robert accidentally made her bald." Malcolm whispered back. Elizabeth giggled.

Minerva eventually cooled down. And even if she hadn't, Elizabeth had a much bigger problem at hand.

Hagrid had lost the case.

Buckbeak was to be executed.

Elizabeth could hardly believe it. They had put so much work into his case, they were certain Buckbeak would be fine.

Hagrid had delivered a note to all four of them, explaining what had happened. The only good thing to come out of the horrible situation was that Ron and Harry were talking to Hermione again.

Hagrid took the news the hardest, naturally. Ginny, Elizabeth, and Luna went to see him a few times and often comforted him when he started to bawl. Hermione dug her nose further into books, Harry and Ron now joining her.

As sad as they were, they couldn't stop time from passing. All too soon it was time for the end of year exams.

The girls spent most of their time studying, usually in Minerva's quarters because of the rather intense atmosphere in the common room. Percy was attempting to study for twelve N.E.W.T's and no one was quite sure how many classes Hermione was taking, even after dropping Divination.

"Just one more exam!" Ginny said half-heartedly one night as they were studying in Elizabeth's bedroom.

"If only it wasn't History of Magic. That's the most boring class ever, even if it is taught by a ghost." Elizabeth said in response as she lazily flipped through her textbook.

"Even the way he died was a bit dull. If I had a choice over how I would die, I'd make my death much more interesting." Luna replied.

"How would you go about it?" Ginny asked.

"I'm not sure. Maybe the Flowering Gaflornas would finally catch up to me." Luna responded.

Then, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in!" Elizabeth called.

Minerva then walked in and surveyed the study area.

"It is almost curfew, so Miss Lovegood and Miss Weasley best be getting back to their dorm rooms. You as well, Elizabeth, if you are staying there tonight." She told them.

"Yes, professor." Ginny and Luna said at the same time. "I think I'll stay there tonight, too," Elizabeth said. There was nothing wrong with her bedroom, but she liked sharing a room with other girls and knew there was only a week left of term to seize the opportunity.

The next morning found third year Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs standing outside the History of Magic classroom bright and early in the morning. Professor Binns allowed them in and they reluctantly started their exam.

One hundred and forty-seven questions later, it was finally over. They were free!

Ginny and Elizabeth happily left the classroom and went to lunch, and after that met up with Luna by the Great Lake.

The weather was perfect, and they were all lazily lying on the grass, watching the third years take Lupin's exam. It appeared to be an obstacle course of many different magical creatures that they had to encounter. It was entertaining to watch, even from far away.

"And I thought our exam was weird." Ginny commented. Their exam also consisted of magical creatures, Cornish Pixies. They weren't exactly dark, but they were quite destructive. Each student had to keep their Cornish Pixie from destroying anything in the classroom, but the pixie had to be let free to roam about for the whole hour. Marks depended on how long you lasted.

After dinner, the three girls were walking into the courtyard when they saw Hermione punch Malfoy right in the nose. They dissolved into laughter before catching sight of Hagrid's hut and remembering the reason they came down.

Today was Buckbeak's execution.

It was Luna's idea to say goodbye to Buckbeak, and help him stay calm before the Ministry workers came.

"What are you all doing here?" Ron asked when he saw them.

"Same as you. We wanted to check on Hagrid. Nice shot, by the way, Hermione." Ginny responded.

"Thanks, Ginny." Hermione replied.

The six ventured towards Hagrid's front door. Harry knocked, and Hagrid opened it after a moment.

"Yeh lot shouldn't be 'ere. Ministry will be 'ere soon." He blubbered through tears.

"We wanted to check on you, Hagrid. You shouldn't go through this alone." Hermione said.

"Professor Dumbledore will be 'ere any minute. Yeh'll need to go, now." Hagrid said.

"But-" Elizabeth started.

"No buts! Yeh've all done yer best, and yeh've helped me a lot. But yeh all are too young to be seeing something like this. Out, come on, out." Hagrid said, shooing them away.

He was adamant, and they were all forced to walk back up to the school when Ron stopped suddenly.

"Scabbers!" Ron yelled. He reached into the grass and pulled out the rat they all thought had died.

"How is he still alive?" Harry asked.

"I dunno. Hermione, I'm really sorry I was so awful to you. I was a jerk to blame Crookshanks." Ron apologized.

Hermione grinned. "It's alright Ron."

"Ow!" Ron cried. Scabber's dropped to the ground and Ron held his finger in pain.

"He bit me!" He said in anger.

"Where's he gone off to?" Ginny asked, knowing the old rat couldn't run far.

But he apparently could. Elizabeth spotted him right by a dangerous place.

"The Whomping Willow." She said.

"What? The Whomping Willow?!" Ron sputtered. He took off running to Scabbers.

"Ron is nuts!" Elizabeth said as they took off running.

"Not new information!" Ginny replied.

They saw Scabbers run down some kind of hole right by the tree.

The Whomping Willow was still for a few moments as they began their search for the hole, but its notorious speedy and quick blows started up again. Ron was smacked in the leg with a sickening crack, and he screamed.

He lay helpless on the ground, but things quickly got worse. A large black dog appeared from the woods and dragged him into the same hole Scabbers went down.

That was the perfect distraction for the tree, and it started once more with a vengeance. Hermione was hit in the lip, Harry in the stomach, and Elizabeth saw Ginny stumble over moving roots right before she was smacked in the back.

Luna was the only one who was safe, and that was because Elizabeth saw her hugging a branch as it flew through the air, trying to get her to fall. When it flew over the hole, Luna let go and fell right into it.

Elizabeth tried to copy her, but after a few bad attempts she ended up crawling towards it, and after a few minutes, they all ended up in the cold tunnel, anxious for what was to come.