Once more and again.

Disclaimer: Anything you recognise belongs to JKR I am merely borrowing them without permission.

Summary: It's Harry' s 6th year and he's in DADA practicing some new spells, once goes wrong and he is sent back 4 years ago, what happens when he knows that he shouldn't change the past but then certain circumstances escalate out of his control. . . .

AN: Yes I am very well aware that the last chapter was incredibly boring but no matter I don't care I had fun playing chess and being beaten by the computer.

Chapter Four

The remainder of Harry's third year past in much the same way as it did for Harry the first time round. Harry and Ron still argued with Hermione over the firebolt, and over Scabbers. The only thing that didn't happen was Harry asking Remus for defence against the Dementor lessons. But now, the trio's friendships were rejoined and they were currently being shushed out of the back door of Hagrid's cabin. Ron was trying to hold onto Scabbers and he was succeeding for the moment. They set off around the side of the cabin, slowly making their way over the sloping lawns of the castle grounds.

Not even halfway over the grounds Ron stopped dead.

"Oh, please, Ron," Hermione began.

"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.

"Scabbers, its me, you idiot, its Ron," Ron hissed.

They heard a door open behind them and men's voices.

"Oh Ron, please let's move, they're going to do it!" Hermione breathed.

"OK – scabbers, stay put -"

They walked forwards; Hermione was trying not to listen to the rumble of voices behind them. Ron stopped dead again.

"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.

Hermione swayed on the spot.

"They did!" she whispered to Harry. "I d-don't believe it – they did it!"

'Sorry Buckbeak' Harry thought to himself. The very last rays of the setting sun were casting a bloody light over the long-shadowed grounds. Then, behind them they heard a wild howling. Slowly they set off back towards the castle, walking slowly to keep themselves hidden under the cloak. Light was fading fast now. By the time they reached open ground, darkness was settling like a spell around them.

"Scabbers, keep still," Ron hissed, clamping his hand over his chest. The rat was wriggling madly. Ron came to a sudden halt, trying to force scabbers deeper into his pocket.

"What's the matter with you, you stupid rat? Stay still – OUCH! He bit me!"

"Ron, be quiet!" Hermione whispered urgently. "Fudge'll be out here in a minute -"

"He won't – stay – put -"

Scabbers was plainly terrified. He was writhing with all his might, trying to break free of Ron's grip.

"What's the matter with him?"

But Harry had just seen – slinking towards them, his body low to the ground, wide yellow eyes glinting eerily in the darkness – Crookshanks. Whether he could see them, or was following the sound of scabbers' squeaks, Harry couldn't tell.

"Crookshanks!" Hermione moaned. "No, go away, Crookshanks! Go away!"

But the cat was getting nearer –

"Scabbers – NO!"

Too late – the rat had slipped between Ron's clutching fingers, hit the ground and scampered away. In one bound, Crookshanks sprang after him, and before Hermione could stop him, Ron had thrown the Invisibility Cloak off himself and pelted away into the darkness.

"Ron!" Hermione moaned.

She looked at Harry, then they both followed at a sprint; it was impossible to run full out under the cloak; they pulled it off and it streamed behind them like a banner as the hurled after Ron; they could hear his feet thundering along ahead, and his shouts at Crookshanks.

"Get away from him – get away – scabbers, come here -"

There was a loud thud.

"Gotcha! Get off, you stinking cat -"

Harry and Hermione almost fell over Ron; they skidded to a stop right in front of him. He was sprawled on the ground, but scabbers was back in his pocket; he had both hands held tight over the quivering lump.

"Ron – come on – back under the cloak -" Hermione panted. "Dumbledore – the Minister – they'll be coming back out in a minute -"

But before they could cover themselves again, before they could even catch their breath, they heard the soft pounding of gigantic paws. Something was bounding towards them out of the dark – an enormous, pale-eyed, jet –black dog.

"Sirius" Harry breathed. As he watched the dog spring at Ron and closing its huge jaw around Ron's outstretched arm, before it dragged Ron off as easily as if he were a rag-doll –

~S~

AN: this chapter is pretty much the same that JKR wrote in POA pages: 242 –246.