Exam week descended on the castle, although Penny didn't share the same level of stress as the rest of her fellow students, the general mood in the castle dampened despite the sunlight outside. Hermione pretty much disconnected from Penny, and Ginny could only occasionally be dragged to revise outside as long as Penny was willing to quiz her. Despite most people being indoors studying Ginny was still anxious whenever Penny showed her any sort of affection, constantly looking about them. This particular morning Ginny was teaching Penny how to skip stones, holding Penny's wrists trying to show her the right technique.
'Anyone would think you were ashamed of me' Penny finally snapped after Ginny had rapidly increased the distance between them on seeing some fourth years walking in the distance towards the castle from the greenhouses.
'Of course I am not' Ginny snapped back as she skipped a stone four times 'I have already told you we have to be careful!'
'But why' Penny whined 'I hate it being like this, why don't we just tell everyone?' She asked. Ginny rounded on her, pale and panicked as another stone fell with a loud plop.
'Don't you dare! You promised you wouldn't!' Ginny shouted, her red hair fanning around her as sparks emitted from her wand tip. After this Penny kept her mouth shut, ignoring her irritation to avoid further arguments.
Draco had come back to life with the approach of Buckbeak's appeal, or rather execution Penny thought.
'You see, father has a great amount of influence within the Ministry' Draco boasted to the Common Room. Penny sat scanning a large library book and couldn't resist rolling her eyes. Draco glanced at her irritably before addressing her. 'You should really choose better people to associate with' He said stiffly.
'Well when you find anyone better let me know' Penny responded drily not looking up.
'I'm serious Persephone' He said scowling 'Hanging around with that big pathetic oaf, not to mention the Mudblood Granger and Weasel blood traitor, it won't do you any favours. And I will not have a member of my family associated with such people and bring dishonour upon our family.' He finished attempting to puff his chest out impressively. Penny rose to her feet, her head barely an inch below Draco's and scowled back at him.
'Maybe I should take a leaf out of Hermione's book' Penny said, clenching her fist as Draco's pale face, which blushed slightly. 'And don't think I haven't noticed you checking Ginny out. Maybe that's why you have such a vendetta against Hagrid, I bet every part of him is bigger than you!' Penny said cackling as Draco's face went a deeper shade of red and fury and with a flash he pulled out his wand. Penny deflected the curse he cast at her, hitting Heather straight in the face. Howling in pain Heather clutched at her face as her eyes began to swell in their sockets. As the brunette rushed out the entrance wall, feeling her way as her eyelids swelled shut, Penny and Draco glared at one another, their wands still raised. After a few seconds Penny lowered her wand, disregarding returning his own curse for daring to look at Ginny, and also went out the wall.
Walking into the grounds Penny headed to the edge of the lake, folding her arms and sighing when she reached the bank. A couple seconds later she jumped as the surface was broken by a girl, her blonde hair a mess and her clothes dripping.
'Luna!' Penny yelped as she staggered backwards slightly. The blonde flashed a pretty smile as she made her way towards the bank where Penny stood.
'Hi Penny!' Luna called in her usual sing-song voice. The specks of mud on her clothing and tangled weeds in her hair did not help diminish the loony vibe she gave off. Not that she seemed to realise this as she climbed onto the bank like swimming fully clothed in a lake were an everyday activity. Penny stood staring at her as she shook herself like a puppy.
'What on earth were you doing?' Penny asked perplexed.
'Playing with the Giant Squid' Luna said as if this was obvious. 'He likes having his tentacles tickled' She continued. Penny couldn't help but smile at the absurdity of the statement before noticed the blonde had goose bumps. Even in the summer the lake had to be freezing.
'You should get dry or you'll get sick' Penny said, pulling out her wand and tapping on Luna's robes. They quickly began to steam as she ran her wand over them. Glancing up she saw Luna was beaming at her. 'What?'
'You are very nice.' Luna said causing Penny to blush slightly.
'It's nothing' She mumbled as she flicked her wand to remove the debris from Luna's hair. 'Why do you swim with all your clothes on? Isn't it harder?' Penny enquired.
'Oh if I leave clothes on the bank people steal them.' Luna said matter-of-factly. Penny paused to consider her.
'That's not very nice' Penny said uncomfortably aware that it was precisely the sort of prank she and Ginny would play.
'Oh it's all fun and games but Daddy can't keep replacing everything.' Luna said in the same way as Penny fiddled with a dark lock of hair dangling around her temple. 'It's just something that comes with being different.' Luna said smiling again as she shrugged. 'Anyway I best go revise, see you later Penny.' She said brightly as she skipped up to the castle, leaving a bemused Penny behind. On entering the castle again Snape had found her and the corner of his lips curled as he considered her.
'It seems that you have been starting fights again' He stated, silencing her protest 'Another detention in the Hospital Wing? Unless you'd rather a more severe punishment for being rude to a teacher?' He challenged as she opened her mouth to argue. With difficulty she forced her teeth back together and nodded. Giving her detention where she went anyway was barely a punishment, which she was certain he knew. 'Next Thursday night, 9 o'clock sharp. Good day Persephone.' He said as he swept away.
Most of Thursday night involved helping Madam Pomfrey administer Calming potions to students. Most of whom were older students who were still working through their exams and becoming hysterical. A few other patients included a fifth year who during a Transfiguration examination had managed to transfer his own nose onto an owl. Darkness had fallen and the moonlight lit the school grounds when there was a large commotion outside the Hospital Wing. Penny's ears pricked up when she heard Snape panting as he spoke.
'Headmaster' He panted 'Black, Lupin, Potter, Weasley, Granger, Dementors' Was all Penny was able to make out. The doors of the Hospital Wing burst open as three stretchers floated in. She and Madam Pomfrey rushed forward immediately as Penny saw the three of them unconscious. At once she took over Hermione's stretcher, trying to be gentle as she lowered it on the bed. Brushing the brunette's hair out of her eyes, her hand meeting cold sweat on her forehead.
'Hermione?' Penny said in an uncharacteristically small scared voice. 'What's wrong with them?' She asked the matron who was busying around Ron.
'Dementors. Not much we can do for those two until they wake up.' She said removing the ginger boys trousers to examine the wounds on his leg better 'Help me clean his leg' The matron said, looking up at Penny when she didn't move from Hermione's side. Sensing her preoccupation Madam Pomfrey took on a gentler tone. 'Rinse her face with lukewarm water then make sure she is wrapped up, that should help her come round faster.' Penny blinked before quickly following the instructions. She heard the matron muttering spells under her breath as she worked on fixing the complicated fracture but didn't take her eyes off the brunette.
A little while later Snape returned with a portly man whom Penny recognised at the Minister for Magic from the newspapers. He did the usual double take when he saw Penny then proceeded as if he hadn't noticed her, although she noticed his sideways looks run over her several times. After briefly looking in on them the two of them returned outside the door to converse.
Straining to catch what they were saying Penny felt Hermione stir as Madam Pomfrey popped to the back cupboard. As Hermione blinked her eyes a couple of times her gaze fell on Penny, before flickering to the door. As Hermione went to speak Penny put a finger to her lips as they caught snatches of conversation.
'Extraordinary. And yet Black, and Harry and the girl...' They heard the Minister say. Penny looked over to Harry's bed as she heard him stir before glancing at Madam Pomfrey who pulled a green medical curtain around Ron's bed before she popped into her office. Following Penny's gaze, Hermione repeated Penny's gesture to Harry as Madam Pomfrey returned with a boulder of chocolate.
'Ah you're awake!' Madam Pomfrey said.
'How's Ron?' Harry and Hermione asked.
'He'll live' Madam Pomfrey said grimly 'Penny can you administer Essence of Dittany? Just a couple of drops a minute, mind. He has already had a fair amount, and we wouldn't want to give him an overdose.' Penny pulled a face behind the matron's back but bit back her reply and disappeared behind the curtain. In the next couple of minutes as she dripped the ointment gradually, she heard the commotion as Harry and Hermione tried to convince the adults that Sirius was somehow innocent. Snape on the other hand said that Black had Confunded them, and Penny couldn't help but agree with Snape, their version of events seemed so far-fetched. Penny remained behind the curtain as Dumbledore told everybody to leave, including an unimpressed Madam Pomfrey. He appeared to believe their tale, much to Penny's bemusement.
'What we need, is more time' Dumbledore said very slowly and deliberately. As Hermione gasped Penny felt her stomach drop out. The Time Turner.
'Remember, all three of you' Dumbledore said, Penny felt his gaze shift towards her, even through the curtain 'Even you Penny' He added 'you-must-not-be-see' He repeated before turning on his heel and locking the door.
'Penny?' Hermione enquired around the curtain clearly having forgotten she was there, where Penny reappeared, sheepish about eavesdropping. Fumbling with her necklace Penny helped her throw it over the three of them, slapping Harry's hand as he went to touch the hourglass. Hermione turned it three times and the three of them fell into the abyss.