Diary of an Orphan (re-written)

by StrangeLittleWeirdo

Jenna grew up alone in an orphanage with no knowledge of who she was or where she came from. It wasn't until an owl arrived with a letter for her, and a man named Remus Lupin walked into her life, that she learnt she was so much more than she originally thought and her life would never be the same again.

20. Innocent Lives Spared

Chapter 19

Innocent Lives Spared

'I got there to find the four students with the werewolf and Black. They had them cornered. I was lucky I got there in time …'

'Yes, indeed, Severus, a few moments later and we could have had the deaths of four students on our hands …'

I scrunched my eyes closed at the sound of the voices. They sounded unpleasantly loud. I tensed and let out a small moan. I moved my head as my neck ached from the position it was in. It was hurting so badly. My entire body felt like it had taken a beating from a bunch of Red Caps. I tried to shift my position to make myself more comfortable. The feeling of bed sheets and pillowcases brushed my skin. Confused, I forced my eyes open. Slowly they came into focus and I saw the familiar sight of rows of metal beds. I was in the Hospital Wing. Ahead of me I could see the doors. They were open and there was someone on the other side of them. I recognised the black robes belonging to Snape as he spoke with another man dressed in a pinstriped suit and carrying a lime green bowler hat. It was the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge.

'Black must have managed to lure them all down to his old hideout,' Snape was saying. 'My suspicions are that he'd managed to somehow contact his daughter and convince her to come to the Shrieking Shack. Naturally, Potter, Weasley and Granger must have tried to stop her, the four of them always being found together in whatever trouble they get into. Of course, being naïve to what Black had done, the girl led them straight to him as he wanted. The offer to see her father for the first time would have been all too tempting to a susceptible and easily influenced girl such as her.'

'Yes, yes,' agreed Fudge. 'She would have been the perfect tool for him to use to get to Harry Potter.'

'Black always was very shrewd, even at school, a heartless thug.'

I sat up as if a bolt of electricity had been sent through me. I looked round startled as suddenly everything from earlier in the evening came flooding back to my mind. The Shrieking Shack; Peter Pettigrew being forced to show himself then getting away; Lupin transforming into a werewolf and attacking me as I tried to defend the others; and Dad, down by the lake with me and Harry, Dementors swarming around us as they tried to take our souls. Harry –! My eyes scanned the room for him. He was lying unconscious in the bed opposite mine. Beside him sat Hermione who looked less worse for wear than the rest of us. At the far end of the room, Madam Pomfrey was bending over an still unconscious Ron, his leg now strapped in plaster while she mended his bones. I felt my head swirl from the sudden rush when I'd sat up. I looked to my right. There was a large lump of chocolate on my bedside table, just like I'd hoped. I grabbed a handful and shoved it into my mouth then got up out of my bed and strode towards the doors of the Hospital Wing. I had to find my Dad.

'Miss Black!' I stopped with my hand on the door handle to see Madam Pomfrey staring down at me. 'Get back into your bed this instant!' she reprimanded. 'You've just encountered several Dementors and have been attacked by a werewolf! You need your rest considering how lucky you are to still be alive!'

Madam Pomfrey marched over to where I was. With her hands on my shoulders she tried to steer me back towards my bed but I wouldn't have it. Hermione watched silently as I fought against her.

'No!' I screamed. I didn't care if I woke Harry or Ron, or if my hysterics were causing a scene. 'I want to see my Dad! Let me see my Dad!'

'Miss Black, your father Confunded you,' said Madam Pomfrey firmly. 'You're confused. You need to get back into bed.'

'I'm not confused,' I shouted. 'Dad –!'

My shouts had aroused the attention of Snape and Fudge outside the room. They pushed open the doors to see what all the commotion was. With them, having been hidden behind the half-closed doors, was Professor Dumbledore. His eyes peered at me through his half-moon spectacles and he walked into the room.

'Ah, Miss Black, I see you've woken up,' said Professor Dumbledore, his tone as light as ever.

'Professor, now is not a good time,' said Madam Pomfrey. She stopped trying to force me back to my bed but kept a firm grip on my shoulders so I couldn't run from her. 'These children need rest.'

'I understand that, Poppy, but, if I may, I need to have a word with Miss Black,' said Professor Dumbledore. I started, taken aback. I knew if I had asked him, Dumbledore would have listened to me, but I didn't expect this. He needed to have a word with me? Madam Pomfrey gave him a disapproving look.

'Albus, Miss Black has gone through a harrowing ordeal tonight,' said Madam Pomfrey firmly. 'Being attacked by her uncle, and her father, using her like that –'

'I'm afraid I must insist, Poppy,' said Professor Dumbledore.

'Very well, Albus.'

Madam Pomfrey released my shoulders. She walked round me and strode off into her office, shutting the door behind her.

'I want to see my Dad,' I said to Dumbledore straight away. 'I have the right to see him.'

'Indeed, Miss Black,' said Professor Dumbledore wistfully. 'I was actually hoping you had woken so I could take you to see him when I heard your protests.' I stared at him, taken aback once more. 'Come along now, time waits for no man.'

Dumbledore turned on his heel and walked back up the length of the room and out of the Hospital Wing. Quickly I followed. Snape and Fudge were still just outside in the corridor. When they saw us, I saw Snape's eyes were focused intently on me. I kept my own lowered though I sent him a glare from beneath my fringe. Upon seeing that I was with Dumbledore, having moments before been unconscious, Fudge stopped us.

'Now really, Albus,' said Fudge. 'Miss Black should be resting. She's been through a distressing ordeal tonight.'

'That I am aware of, Cornelius, having just been reprimanded by Madam Pomfrey with the same statement,' said Professor Dumbledore curtly, 'however, I feel it is important that she face the man responsible. Therefore I am taking her to see Sirius Black.'

Fudge stared at Dumbledore, stunned by the decision.

'Are you sure that's wise?' he asked. 'He has already lured her into one trap. We don't want him attempting to trick her again.'

'I am in agreement with the Minister, Headmaster,' said Snape. 'Played by both a murderer and a werewolf –'

'Whom I have already countered for, Severus,' interrupted Dumbledore. I noted the slight edge in his voice. 'Remus Lupin is a more than capable guardian for Miss Black and has assured me on numerous occasions that he has had no association with Black for many years apart from the occasional visit while he was in Azkaban in order to get answers to questions that have plagued him for years in regards to his sister's murder. As for Sirius Black, he has no wand on him and with myself present as well, he will not be able to deceive Miss Black a second time.'

'Albus –'

'If Miss Black is to understand the truth, it is best for her that she confronts it herself,' said Dumbledore, a note of finality in his voice. 'Come along, Miss Black.'

With the conversation over, Dumbledore strode off. I gave Snape another dark glance from beneath my fringe then hurried after him. I didn't know where he was taking me, only that it would be to my Dad. We walked through the castle in silence. Being so late at night there was no one else about. After a while I realised we were walking towards the seventh floor, having gone up both familiar staircases that separated the Hospital Wing in the Clock Tower from the main castle and unfamiliar passageways hidden behind tapestries, and we seemed to be heading in the directions of the West Tower. Sure enough, a few minutes later, Dumbledore turned the corner and strode down the next corridor to where I knew Professor Flitwick's office was. That must have been where they were holding my Dad. In the distance I could hear the sounds of owls as they flew in and out of the Owlery for their evening hunts.

Professor Flitwick was stood outside his office door.

'How is our guest, Filius?' asked Professor Dumbledore when we reached him.

'Quiet,' replied Professor Flitwick. 'Hasn't said a word since he regained consciousness and we brought him up here from the grounds.'

His eyes caught sight of me, still in my ripped clothes and bandages just visible under my t-shirt and jacket, and he seemed to ask Dumbledore the same silent question as Fudge. Was it wise to let Black see me? Dumbledore seemed to notice this too as he gave Professor Flitwick a pointed look then took out his wand. He gave the doorknob a light tap and cancelled the spells locking it. He stood to one side to let me in. With a cautious glance at him, I walked past Dumbledore and into the office. Dad was crouched in the far corner of the room beneath the window. Attached to his wrists was a set of manacles, the other ends connected to the stone wall he leant against. He didn't look up when I entered.

'Dad …' I breathed.

The sound of my voice stirred him. He looked up, his eyes widening at the sight of me standing there.

'Jenna …'

Dad made to get up to reach me but the manacles held him back. I hurried over to him. I fell to my knees as I threw my arms around him, close enough so he could hold me too. I held on to him tightly, scared of what would happen if I let go. After a minute or two I felt Dad released me and I looked up. There was a sad look in his grey eyes and his sunken face looked older than his years once more. He gently touched my cheek.

'I was so worried,' said Sirius. 'I thought the Dementors had killed you. I was so scared I'd lost you again.'

'It takes more than Dementors to kill me,' I said. I was trying to hold back my tears again but my shaking voice betrayed me, and I knew they were falling down my cheeks. I tried to sound brave in the face of what was going to happen but I couldn't stop myself saying it. 'I don't want you to die.'

Dad closed his eyes. His thin chest heaved a sigh.

'There's nothing you can do,' he told me. 'Fudge has called for the Dementors. They'll be here as soon as he's dealt with them for attacking you and Harry when they found me.'

'No,' I said firmly, shaking my head, 'there must be a way to prove you're innocent. We all know the truth. Lupin knows the truth! He can tell them!'

'Remus isn't able to tell them anything at the moment,' said Sirius heavily, 'and they are unlikely to trust him given his condition and his connections to me. And with Pettigrew gone, there's no proof. Fudge will never listen to you all, not with Snape providing a much more convincing story.' He stopped, just looking at me. 'I'm so sorry, Jenna.'

I couldn't believe it. He was giving up. Just like that, after everything we had been through tonight, he was giving up.

'Dad, don't say that,' I responded. 'I'll get you out, I promise.'

'Don't make promises you can't keep, Jenna,' said Sirius. 'I learnt that years ago, when I lost you the first time around, and when I lost Tala. I promised I'd protect you both and I couldn't. Just remember this: I always hoped you were alive. I never gave up that hope and I've always loved you.' Dad stroked my cheek. I held on to his hand, gripping his fingers in mine. 'I have something I want to give you.'

Dad lifted something from beneath his shirt and unclipped it from around his neck. He took my hand and placed whatever it was in my palm. I looked at it. It was a necklace made up of tiny brown wooden beads that looked like they'd been individually hand carved. In the centre was a tiny white and grey mottled feather. It looked like it had come from an owl.

'It was your mother's,' Sirius told me. 'I gave it to her as a birthday present when she came of age. She added the feather to it herself. It's rightfully yours.'

'Miss Black.' I looked round when I heard Dumbledore call me. 'I'm afraid that's all the time I can spare you. I must get you back to the Hospital Wing otherwise Madam Pomfrey will have my wand.'

'What? No –' I felt Dumbledore take hold of my arm and gently lift me so I stood up, pulling me from Dad's arms. 'Please, Professor Dumbledore,' I pleaded, 'my Dad is innocent. Peter Pettigrew is the one who betrayed Harry's parents! He's an Animagus. He's been hiding as a rat for the last twelve years. Dad never killed him!'

Dumbledore eyed me carefully. I knew what I said sounded like the crazy ramblings of a child desperate to have her father back but he had to believe me. Dumbledore was always a man who seemed to know more than he let on. Maybe he had already known that Dad, James and Pettigrew had been Animagi. If he did then he had to believe what I said.

'Sirius?' said Dumbledore. He and Dad stared at each other for a few silent seconds before Dad gave a single nod.

'We became Animagi in our fifth year to help Remus,' Sirius explained. 'Pettigrew's form was a rat, a rat that he's been hiding as since the day I cornered him, when he blew up the street with his wand hidden behind his back, when he killed all those Muggles. I recognised him the moment I saw him on that boy's shoulder in the Prophet. I made the mistake in thinking that he would be a better choice of Secret-Keeper than me, convinced James to change to him, thinking Voldemort would never think to go after him. Little did I know that the coward had a stronger protector of his talentless self than James and I were at school, and that he was the traitor who'd been passing information to Voldemort all that time. '

'Please, Professor Dumbledore, it's the truth,' I insisted. 'Ron's rat was Pettigrew. We saw him.'

'There is little time,' said Dumbledore. 'We must leave, Miss Black.'

Dumbledore turned on his heel to leave. I reluctantly followed, my eyes not leaving Dad.

'Dad!' I called. 'Dad, I'll save you! I promise!'

My words felt futile. I knew there was nothing I could do that could save Dad now. With no evidence and no reliable witness, Dad was as good as dead. I walked in silence back to the Hospital Wing, Dumbledore leading the way ahead of me. Everything felt so hopeless. After all I'd found out, after all that had happened this evening, I had run out of time to save him from the Dementors. He would be worse than dead soon enough. Dumbledore turned the corner and continued down the fourth floor corridor. As we approached the Cloak Tower and ascended the spiralling staircase leading to it, I could hear the voices of Snape and Fudge talking, audible in the silence of the castle. They must have still been outside the Hospital Wing. I dragged myself from the dark thoughts in my head long enough to focus on what they were saying.

'Order of Merlin, Second Class, I'd say. First Class, if I can wangle it!'

'Thank you very much indeed, Minister.'

'Nasty cut you've got there … Black's work, I suppose?'

'As a matter of fact, it was Black's daughter along with Potter, Weasley and Granger, Minister …'

'No!'

'As I said earlier, Black had bewitched them, I saw it immediately. A Confundus Charm, to judge by their behaviour. They seemed to think there was a possibility he was innocent. They weren't responsible for their actions.'

My eyebrow arched in curiosity. Normally Snape didn't hesitate to reprimand Harry – or any of us – for any bad behaviour. Of course, as Snape continued, I could tell it was only to solidify the idea that Dad could in no way be an innocent man and our actions were the result of a Confundus Charm.

'On the other hand, their interference might have permitted Black to escape … they obviously thought they were going to catch Black single-handed when they went after his daughter. They've got away with a great deal before now … I'm afraid it's given them a rather high opinion of themselves …'

There it is, I thought to myself. Same old Snape.

'… and of course Potter has always been allowed an extraordinary amount of licence by the Headmaster –'

'Ah, well, Snape … Harry Potter, you know … we've all got a bit of a blind spot where he's concerned.'

'And yet – is it good for him to be given so much special treatment? Personally I try to treat hum like any other student. And any other student would be suspended – at the very least – for leading his friends into such danger, even if it were to save one of them. Consider, Minister: against all school rules – after all the precautions put in place for his protection – out of bounds, at night, consorting with a werewolf and a murderer – and I have reason to believe he has been visiting Hogsmeade illegally, too –'

'Well, well … we shall see, Snape, we shall see … the boy has undoubtedly been foolish … though his motives were admirable in going after his friend …'

I frowned. Snape clearly had twisted the story so much in order to convince Fudge of Dad's guilt. But as he said, Snape was providing a much more believable story than the others or I ever would. Without Pettigrew as proof anything we could say would be instantly dismissed as us being confused or bewitched.

'What amazes me most,' continued Fudge's voice, 'is the behaviour of the Dementors … you've really no idea what made them retreat, Snape?'

'No, Minister,' replied Snape. 'By the time I had come round they were heading back to their positions at the entrances …'

'Extraordinary. And yet Black, and Harry, and the girl –'

'All unconscious by the time I reached them. I bound and gagged Black, naturally, conjured stretchers and brought them all straight back to the castle.'

Well that explained how I'd gotten to the Hospital Wing then.

Dumbledore and I appeared at the top of the staircase. Fudge and Snape fell silent when they saw us. I saw Snape give me a cautious look, his eyes narrowing. The door to the Hospital Wing was still slightly ajar from when I had left it earlier and I could hear voices coming from inside. Madam Pomfrey was talking to someone. Had one of the others woken up?

'WHAT?'

I jumped when I heard Harry's voice. His outburst not only drew my attention but also that of Snape and Fudge. Fudge and Snape pushed open the door and entered the Hospital Wing. I saw Harry was now awake. Both he and Hermione were on their feet while Madam Pomfrey was looking exasperated and the new commotion that had started. I made to enter when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Dumbledore looked at me out of the corner of his eye, silently telling me not to enter yet. Confused by his instructions, I stayed where I was. Fudge was now talking to Madam Pomfrey.

'Harry, Harry, what's this?' Fudge was blustering. 'You should be in bed – has he had any chocolate?' he asked Madam Pomfrey.

'Minister, listen!' said Harry urgently. 'Sirius Black's innocent! Peter Pettigrew faked his own death! We saw him tonight! You can't let the Dementors do that thing to Sirius, he's –'

'Harry, Harry, you're very confused, you've been through a dreadful ordeal, lie back down, now, we've got everything under control …'

'YOU HAVEN'T!' shouted Harry. 'YOU'VE GOT THE WRONG MAN!'

I blinked. OK, Harry was defending my Dad, that was all well and good but what exactly was it that Dumbledore wanted me to hear? I glanced at him for any sort of hint of why he was making me wait. But why? Time was against us as it was but with Harry and Hermione now telling Fudge that they had the wrong man, it was vital I spoke up now if there was any chance of saving him. With all three of our stories coinciding with each other, there was a hope that we could overturn Dad's sentence and give him a second chance. But there was no time! The Dementors would be at Dad's temporary cell as soon as Fudge was done here. We needed more time!

Something suddenly clicked into place in my head.

'Time,' I said to myself. For some reason, images of Hermione throughout the year played through my head. How she would be with us one moment, then disappear, then reappear again seconds later but in a slightly different place. I had always wondered how she had the time to fit in all her classes when so many of them overlapped and she was required to be in two places at once within the same hour. Did that mean … did Hermione have the answer to helping Dad? 'If only we had more time …'

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Dumbledore smile.

'Minister, listen, please,' came Hermione's voice. 'I saw him, too. It was Ron's rat, he's an Animagus, Pettigrew, I mean, and –'

'You see, Minister?' said Snape. 'Confunded, both of them … Black's done a very good job on them …'

'WE'RE NOT CONFUNDED!'

'Minister! Professor!' objected Madam Pomfrey. 'I must insist that you leave. Potter is my patient, and he should not be distressed!'

'I'm not distressed, I'm trying to tell them what happened!' said Harry angrily. 'If they'd just listen –'

Harry's voice cut out. A moment later Madam Pomfrey spoke.

'Now, please, Minister, these children need care. Please leave –'

At that moment, Dumbledore decided to announce himself. He strode forwards and through the Hospital Wing doors. I followed after him. Everyone looked round to see who had entered. Madam Pomfrey looked almost beside herself at this new interruption in her care.

'Professor Dumbledore, Sirius Black –'

'For heaven's sake!' said Madam Pomfrey hysterically. 'Is this a hospital wing or not? Headmaster, I hope you are simply returning Miss Black to my care because I must insist –'

'My apologies, Poppy, but I need a word with Mr Potter and Miss Granger,' said Dumbledore. His voice was remarkably calm. 'I have just been talking to Sirius Black –'

'I suppose he's told you the same fairy tale he's planted in Potter's mind?' spat Snape. 'Something about a rat, and Pettigrew being alive –'

'That, indeed, is Black's story,' confirmed Dumbledore.

'And does my evidence count for nothing?' Snape snarled. 'Peter Pettigrew was not in the Shrieking Shack, nor did I see any sign of him in the grounds.'

'That was because you were knocked out, Professor!' said Hermione. 'You didn't arrive in time to hear –'

'Miss Granger, HOLD YOUR TONGUE!'

'Now, Snape,' said Fudge, startled by Snape's outburst. I wasn't; he knew the three of us knew what really happened down in the Shrieking Shack and Hermione, to be honest, was the most reliable person to ask about what happened as she had the cleanest track record. Snape didn't want our story being believed and his chance for revenge on my Dad being taken away from him. 'The young lady is disturbed in her mind, we must make allowances –'

'I would like to speak to Harry and Hermione alone,' said Dumbledore abruptly. His calm tone had vanished. 'Cornelius, Severus, Poppy – please leave us.'

'Headmaster!' spluttered Madam Pomfrey. 'They need treatment, they need rest –'

'This cannot wait,' said Dumbledore. 'I must insist.'

Madam Pomfrey pursed her lips then once more strode away into her office. Fudge pulled a gold pocket watch from the pocket of his waistcoat to check the time. Snape didn't move.

'The Dementors should have arrived by now,' said Fudge. 'I'll go and met them. Dumbledore. I'll see you upstairs.'

Fudge crossed the Hospital Wing and opened the door, holding it for Snape. Still Snape didn't move.

'You surely don't believe a word of Black's story?' whispered Snape to Dumbledore. A shiver ran down my spine at his tone. It sounded almost deadly. I watched their exchange nervously.

'I wish to speak to Harry and Hermione alone,' repeated Dumbledore.

Snape took a step closer to Dumbledore. When he spoke his voice was even lower, even more dangerous.

'Sirius Black showed he was capable of murder at the age of sixteen. You haven't forgotten that, Headmaster? You haven't forgotten that he once tried to kill me?'

'My memory is as good as it ever was, Severus.'

Snape stared at Dumbledore a second more before turning on his heel and marching out of the open door Fudge held for him. Fudge gave Dumbledore a curt nod then he too disappeared, the door closing behind him. With them both gone, Dumbledore turned to us.

'Professor, Black's telling the truth – we saw Pettigrew –'

'– he escaped when Professor Lupin turned into a werewolf –'

'– he's a rat –'

'– Pettigrew's front paw, I mean, finger, he cut it off –'

'– Pettigrew attacked Ron, it wasn't Sirius –'

Dumbledore held up a hand to stop Harry and Hermione's stream of garbled facts. They fell silent.

'It is your turn to listen, and I beg you will not interrupt me, because there is very little time,' said Dumbledore. 'There is not a shred of proof to support Black's story, except your word – and the word of three thirteen-year-old wizards will not convince anybody. A street full of eye-witnesses swore they saw Sirius murder Pettigrew. I myself gave evidence to the Ministry that Sirius had been the Potters' Secret-Keeper.'

'Professor Lupin can tell you –' started Harry but Dumbledore once again stopped him.

'Professor Lupin is currently deep in the Forest, unable to tell anyone anything. By the time he is human again, it will be too late, Sirius will be worse than dead. I might add that werewolves are so mistrusted by most of our kind that his support will count for very little – especially when the fact he attacked his own niece this evening is taken into account – and the fact that he and Sirius are old friends –'

'But –'

'Listen to me, Harry,' pressed Dumbledore. 'It is too late, you understand me? You must see that Professor Snape's version of events is far more convincing than yours.'

'He hates Sirius,' said Hermione desperately. 'All because of some stupid trick Sirius played on him –'

'Sirius has not acted like an innocent man. The attack on the Fat Lady – entering the Gryffindor Tower with a knife – without Pettigrew, alive or dead, we have no chance of overturning Sirius's sentence.'

'But you believe us.'

'Yes, I do,' said Dumbledore. He lowered his voice. 'But I have no power to make other men see the truth, or to overrule the Minister for Magic … What we need is more time.'

'But –' Suddenly Hermione's eyes widened. 'OH!'

I looked between Hermione and Dumbledore. Was I right? Did Hermione have the answer on how to help my Dad?

'Now, pay attention' said Dumbledore, speaking very low and clearly. I had never heard him sound serious before. 'Sirius is locked in Professor Flitwick's office on the seventh floor. Thirteenth window form the right of the West Tower. If all goes well, you will be able to save more than one innocent life tonight. But remember this, all of you. You must not be seen. Miss Granger, you know the law – you know what is at stake but if you succeed then more than one innocent life can be spared … you – must – not – be – seen.'

I swallowed. In my three years at Hogwarts never had I felt so scared in what I was about to face. My Dad's life depended on whatever Dumbledore wanted us to do. No matter what though, we had to succeed. Dumbledore turned on his heel and headed for the door.

'I am going to lock you in. It is –' Dumbledore consulted his watch, '– five minutes to midnight. Miss Granger, three turns should do it. Good luck.'

With that the doors of the Hospital Wing shut and the locked clicked.

'Good luck?' repeated Harry. 'Three turns? What's he talking about? What are we supposed to do?'

I ignored Harry and turned to Hermione. A silent look between us told her that I already knew what Dumbledore had hinted to her and Harry, having worked it out myself only minutes before while I'd been outside the Hospital Wing with Dumbledore, though I had absolutely no idea how we were going to do it. Hermione instantly reached inside her jacket. From beneath her collar she pulled out a long thing golden chain. Attached to it was a small circular pendant. Upon closer inspection I saw that the pendant was actually a device. Encased in two circles was a small hourglass; at either end were two little dials that looked like they could spin. Hermione ordered me and Harry to get closer to her and threw the chain that had magically lengthened around our necks. Harry, clearly confused as to what was going on and what Hermione and I knew that he didn't, made to touch the strange pendant only to have Hermione slap his hand away.

'Ready?' she asked.

'What are we doing?' asked Harry but she gave him no answer.

Hermione turned the tiny dial. Once – twice – three times the miniature hourglass turned over. Slowly the device began to spin.

The dark ward of the Hospital Wing slowly began to dissolve around us. I watched, my eyes wide, as it vanished from view, figures appearing and retracing their steps as time was rewound. Soon everything surrounding Harry, Hermione and I was a blur of colour and shapes. I felt the ground beneath me vanish and felt my body being pulled in some unknown directions. The further time rewound the faster everything spun. I started though when Harry and Hermione disappeared from my side. After what felt like an eternity but was mere seconds my surroundings came back into view and I saw I was once again standing at the base of the Dark Arts Tower. At first I was confused; how was I on the third floor and where were Harry and Hermione? It was then I realised whatever that thing was Hermione had used had taken me back to where I was at whatever time it was now and the reason we were no longer together was because I hadn't been with them at that time. It must have been when I was still with Lupin in his office and Harry, Ron and Hermione were heading down to Hagrid's Hut. Remembering Dumbledore's words of "you must not be seen" I ran off to return to the Clock Tower in hopes I would catch Harry and Hermione before the left wherever they had re-materialised.

Luckily being on the third floor meant I didn't have too far to run to get back to the fourth floor. I ran through the empty corridors and up the staircase I had walked up with Dumbledore a mere half an hour before. I checked the coast was clear then made my way down the wooden staircase within the Clock Tower to the ground floor and out into the Courtyard. Although I hadn't been with them, I didn't want to run into the other Harry, Ron and Hermione – something I never thought I'd find myself thinking or doing – and had to be careful not to be seen by anyone. I jumped down the last couple of stairs and wheeled round the banister to head for the doors.

'Jenna!' I heard someone call my name. I looked round. Hermione's head was sticking out of a broom cupboard door just to my left. 'In here! Quick!'

Hermione held the door to the cupboard and I hurried inside. She closed the door firmly behind us. Beside her, Harry still looked confused about what on earth was going on.

'Hermione – now will you tell me what's going on?'

'We've gone back in time,' Hermione whispered. She kept her head to the door, listening for something. 'Three hours back …'

'But –'

'Shh! Listen! Someone's coming! I think – I think it might be us!' Hermione fell silent as she listened. 'Footsteps across the hall … yes, I think it's us going down to Hagrid's!'

'Are you telling me,' said Harry slowly, 'that we're here in this cupboard and we're out there, too?'

'Yes,' said Hermione. 'I'm sure it's us … it doesn't sound like more than three people … and we're walking slowly because we're under the Invisibility Cloak –'

Hermione stopped. Harry and I waited for her to speak again.

'We've gone out into the Courtyard …'

With the other "them" supposedly gone, Hermione took a seat on an upturned bucket. Seeing as we weren't going anywhere yet, I leant back against the wall to wait until Hermione was ready to go. Harry, however, still had some questions he wanted answered.

'Where did you get that hourglass thing?' was his first.

'It's called a Time-Turner,' said Hermione, 'and I got it from Professor McGonagall on our first day back. I've been using it all year to get to all my lessons. Professor McGonagall made me swear I wouldn't tell anyone. She had to write all sorts of letters to the Minstry of Magic so I could have one. She had to tell them that I was a model student, and that I'd never, ever use it for anything except my studies … I've been turning it back so I could do hours over again, that's how I've been doing several lessons at once, see? But …'

Hermione paused. I had been wondering if she was going to take a breath during that explanation.

'I don't understand what Dumbledore ants us to do,' she burst quietly. 'Why did he tell us to go back three hours? How's that going to help Sirius?'

Hermione had a point. We had gone back three hours. That was more than enough time before we encountered Dad in the Shrieking Shack. If anything it seemed like we'd gone back too far. What else was it Dumbledore had wanted us to do?

'There must be something that happened around now he wants us to change,' said Harry. 'What happened? We were walking down to Hagrid three hours ago …'

'This is three hours ago, and we are walking down to Hagrid's,' said Hermione. 'We just heard ourselves leaving …'

Harry frowned. Hermione too looked frustrated that she couldn't figure out Dumbledore's plan.

'Maybe we should follow – yourselves – down to Hagrid's,' I suggested, feeling slightly stupid as I said it. It did sound absurd after all. 'Maybe if we watch you, we'll figure out what it is.'

Hermione frowned but nodded nonetheless. She pushed open the door and peered outside. The Clock Tower entrance was empty. Satisfied that we were alone Harry, Hermione and I left the broom cupboard. We walked quickly out of the doors and across the Courtyard towards the Stone Circle. Ahead of us I could hear voices. We hurried over the Wooden Bridge, stopping when we reached the archway at the end. I peered round the edge of the stone arch. Having disposed of the Cloak now they were out in the grounds, I saw Harry, Ron and Hermione standing in the Stone Circle and they weren't alone. The voices I'd heard belonged to none other than Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle.

'You!' Hermione – the other Hermione – was shouting. I watched as she strode towards Malfoy, Harry and Ron just behind her, and drew her wand. 'You foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach!'

Hermione pointed her wand at Malfoy who had his back against one of the Stones. Malfoy cowered with his back against one of the Stones as she aimed it directly at his face. It was almost pathetic to watch him whimpering like that.

'Hermione, no,' said Ron. 'He's not worth it.'

'That's us,' said Harry, the Harry beside me. 'This is not normal.'

'Quick to catch on, isn't he?' I muttered to myself, rolling my eyes, as I kept watching the others. 'Dumbledore wanted us to return to this moment,' I whispered next. 'Clearly something happened that he wants us to change. But what?'

Hermione had lowered her wand but was still glaring at Malfoy with a look of pure disgust. It looked like she was going to walk away when all of a sudden Hermione span round and Malfoy square in the face. Malfoy's smirk at Hermione backing down was immediately wiped from his face when her fist connected with his nose, his head smacking back against the Stone. My jaw dropped open; I had to admit, I was impressed, I didn't think Hermione had it in her.

'Good punch,' I muttered, having not seen it the first time.

'Thanks,' said Hermione though I noticed her blush. 'Quick, Malfoy's coming.

Hermione grabbed mine and Harry's arms and pulled us away from the arch and through another to our left. We jumped off the platform and crouched down at the base. Just in time too. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle ran up the footpath and in through the arch we had previously been standing in, Malfoy assuring the other two that he'd "get that jumped up Mudblood". I frowned at that. Their footsteps pounded along the Wooden Bridge and disappeared into the distance. When it sounded like they'd gone, Harry, Hermione and I crept forwards to peer round the corner again. The other Harry, Hermione and Ron had set off down the hill towards Hagrid's Hut. With them away from the Stone Circle, the three of us came out of hiding. We hurried over to the Stone Circle and looked down the hill. They were about halfway down it. At the bottom in his vegetable patch lay a giant grey bird with a chain tied round its neck and attached to a fence post. Buckbeak.

'Guys, look,' I said, pointing at him. 'Buckbeak's still alive.'

'That's it!' gasped Harry. I looked at him. 'Dumbledore just said – just said we could save more than one innocent life … We're going to save Buckbeak!'

'But – how will that help Sirius?' asked Hermione.

'Dumbledore said – he just told us where the window is – the window of Flitwick's office! Where they've got Sirius locked up! We've got to fly Buckbeak up to the window and rescue Sirius! Sirius can escape on Buckbeak – they can escape together!'

Hermione and I stared at Harry. I was the first to speak though.

'You're joking, right? We're going to steal Buckbeak from under Hagrid's and the Ministry's noses and use him to help Dad escape?'

'If we manage that without being seen, it'll be a miracle,' said Hermione.

'Well, we've got to try, haven't we?' said Harry.

I didn't like this. I didn't like this at all. But what other option did we have?

'Well then we better get going,' I said. 'Dumbledore and Fudge will probably be here any second.'

'If anyone's looking out of the window –' Hermione squeaked, looking up at the castle.

'We'll run for it,' said Harry. 'Straight into the Forest, all right? We'll have to hide behind a tree or something and keep a lookout –'

'OK, but we'll go round by the greenhouses!' said Hermione. 'We need to keep out of sight of Hagrid's front door, or we'll see us! We'll be at Hagrid's Hut any moment!'

The three of us ran off around the edges of the castle and towards the greenhouses. We kept as close as we could to the edge of the building, using the shadows being cast on the grounds by the setting sun to keep out of sight. I kept glancing down the hill as we got further and further away from Hagrid's Hut. The grounds were getting steadily darker. We had to hurry. When we reached the greenhouses we diverted to the edge of the Forest to skirt back round towards Hagrid's. We raced through the trees until we reached Hagrid's pumpkin patch. Crouching down behind them, we watched and listened for any sign of what was happening inside his Hut.

'Yeh shouldn've come!' came Hagrid's loud whisper. They were inside all right.

'This is the weirdest thing we've ever done,' muttered Harry.

'You think?' I replied.

'Let's move along a bit,' whispered Hermione. 'We need to get nearer to Buckbeak.'

Buckbeak was a few feet ahead of us, tethered to the fence post of the gate of the pumpkin patch. There was a small pile of dead ferrets beside him for him to eat. Carefully the three of us crept round some of the larger pumpkins to get a bit closer to him. In the distance I could hear more voices. I glanced back up the hill to see Dumbledore, Fudge, Edmund Fawley and the executioner were heading down the hill. I nudged the others and pointed them out.

'Now?' asked Harry.

'No!' said Hermione. 'If we steal him now, those Committee people will think Hagrid set him free! We've got to wait until they've seen he's tied outside!'

'That's going to give us about sixty seconds,' said Harry.

'That's not much time,' I said. I glanced once more at Dumbledore and the others. 'They're coming,' I breathed. 'And you aren't leaving. Why aren't you leaving?'

'I haven't found Scabbers yet,' said Hermione. 'We don't leave until we've found him. And Hagrid's milk jug has got to break.'

You had to be joking. If the them in Hagrid's Hut didn't get caught being in there and out of bounds, the us out here certainly would be caught by Fudge breaking the one rule Dumbledore told us not to break. To not be seen. I looked back at the window, shifting my position to get a better view. Something touched my hand. A stone. I picked it up. If the milk jug had to break … Quickly I threw the stone through the window. Harry and Hermione looked at me startled; I merely ducked down when I heard a smash, meaning I'd somehow managed to hit Hagrid's milk jug.

'You did that?' asked Hermione. I shrugged. I didn't know I'd done that. I'd only just thought of it. 'So I'm going to find Scabbers in a moment –' and sure enough, seconds later we heard Hermione scream.

'Hermione,' said Harry suddenly, 'what if we – we just run in there, and grab Pettigrew –'

'No!' said Hermione, aghast by the suggestion. 'Don't you understand? We're breaking one of the most important wizarding laws! Nobody's supposed to change time, nobody! You heard Dumbledore, if we're seen –'

'We'd only be seen by ourselves and Hagrid!'

'Harry, what do you think you'd do if you saw yourself bursting into Hagrid's house?' asked Hermione.

'I'd – I'd think I'd gone mad,' said Harry, 'or I'd think there was some Dark Magic going on –'

'Exactly! You wouldn't understand, you might even attack yourself! Don't you see? Professor McGonagall told me what awful things have happened when wizards have meddled with time … loads of them ended up killing their past or future selves by mistake!'

'What about Jenna?' Harry then asked. 'She's not with us. She can go get him.'

'And say what?' I asked. 'I can't just burst in there and go after Scabbers claiming it's Pettigrew when at this current moment you three still don't even believe me about Dad's innocence. What if you cursed me or something? The me with Lupin would get injured too with no explanation how.'

'OK!' said Harry. 'It was just an idea, I just thought –'

The Harry, Ron and Hermione in Hagrid's Hut still hadn't moved and Dumbledore, Fudge, Fawley and the executioner were getting closer. We had to hide and they had to get out of there. Impatient with the lack of progress and the fact we would get caught in minutes, I picked up another stone and lobbed it through the window. It arced over the window frame and connected with the back of Harry's head.

'So you're the one who threw that stone at me,' said Harry. He rubbed the back of his head as if the stone had just hit him as well as the other Harry. 'That hurt.'

'Sorry,' I muttered. But it had done the trick. The Harry in the Hut had seen Dumbledore and Fudge and alerted the others. Buckbeak had also seen them and let out a squawk of agitation. 'Quick, it looks like you're coming out!'

Harry, Hermione and I got up and ran back into the nearby trees. Just in time too as the back door opened and Hagrid appeared while Dumbledore and Fudge were just rounding the corner of the footpath.

'Go on. Get goin'.'

'Hagrid, we can't –'

'We can tell them what really happened –'

'They can't kill him –'

'Go!' insisted Hagrid. 'It's bad enough without you lot in trouble an' all. Go quick. Don' listen …'

Harry threw the Cloak over himself, Ron and Hermione just as Dumbledore knocked on Hagrid's front door. We watched as footprints appeared in the mud as the three of them snuck through Hagrid's vegetable patch, past Buckbeak, and headed off back up the hill. With them out of the way, the three of us crept back out from cover. Hagrid had let Dumbledore and Fudge into his Hut. He had left the back door open allowing us to hear their conversation.

'Where is the beast?' growled a voice I didn't recognise. I presumed it was the executioner.

'Out – outside,' croaked Hagrid.

'We – er – have to read you the official notice of execution, Hagrid,' said Fudge. 'I'll make it quick. And then you and Macnair need to sign it. Macnair, you're supposed to listen too, that's procedure –'

Seeing his opportunity, Harry told Hermione and I to wait behind the pumpkins as he attempted to coax Buckbeak to come with us. Harry came out from behind the pumpkins and approached the Hippogriff. I watched with my breath held and my eyes darting between Harry and the window. Carefully, Harry walked up to Buckbeak and proceeded to bow. The creature looked up from where it lay. Buckbeak's eyes peered at Harry for a moment or two before lowering its head in return. With Buckbeak's consent, Harry started to untie the chain from the fencepost.

'It is the decision of the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures that the Hippogriff Buckbeak, hereafter called the condemned, shall be executed on the sixth of June at sundown, sentenced to execution by beheading, to be carried out by the Committee's appointed executioner, Walden Macnair, as witnessed below.'

'Come on, Buckbeak,' murmured Harry. He gently tugged on the chain but Buckbeak wouldn't budge. He squawked, irritated, and attempted to settle back down. 'Jenna, help me!'

'Cornelius, I do believe I should sign as well …'

'Oh, well, very well. Just sign on the dotted line. Your name will do.'

'Well it is a very long name …'

Conscious of how much time we had, I ran from cover and grabbed hold of Buckbeak's chain. Together we put our combined weight behind it and pulled the chain. Buckbeak squawked a second time but got to his feet. He dug his claws into the mud, determined not to be moved. It was only when Hermione enticed him with some of the dead ferrets that Buckbeak finally began to move.

'One moment, please, Macnair,' interrupted Dumbledore's voice again. 'You need to sign, too.'

'Harry, hurry!' gasped Hermione.

Waving the ferrets behind her, Hermione ran back towards the trees. Tempted by the food Buckbeak allowed Harry and I to lead him into the Forest. The door to Hagrid's Hut banged open behind us. Now obscured from view by the first band of trees, I span round to see the adults exit the house with Macnair in the lead, axe in hand, and Hagrid bringing up the rear. Harry stopped Buckbeak so he could watch, Hermione feeding him a ferret to keep him quiet. We all remained very still as we waited to see if we had pulled this off. There was a moment of silence then –

'Where is it?' growled the voice of Fawley. A small smirk graced my face at that. After how he'd treated Lupin last year when he'd inspected our home, it was nice to see him being foiled a second time. 'Where is the beast?'

'It was tied here!' said Macnair. 'I saw it! just here!'

'How extraordinary,' said Dumbledore. I could hear the note of amusement in his voice.

'Beaky?' Hagrid was looking worriedly round the vegetable patch. 'Buckbeak?'

Buckbeak tugged at the chain when he heard Hagrid call him. Harry and I quickly seized the chain and held him back. There was the sound of a blade cutting through the air and the thud of an axe hitting the ground. The executioner must have swung his axe in frustration that the creature had got away. The "Oh" that came from Hermione told me they must have seen it from the top of the hill, making them think Buckbeak had been executed. Hagrid, meanwhile, through howls of tears was sobbing in joy that Buckbeak was gone.

'Gone! Gone! Bless his little beak, he's gone! Musta pulled himself free. Beaky, yeh clever boy!'

Buckbeak snapped his beak and pulled again against the chain. Harry, Hermione and I all dug our heels into the ground to hold him.

'Someone untied him!' shouted the executioner angrily. 'We should search the grounds, the Forest –'

'Macnair, if Buckbeak has indeed been stolen, do you really think the thief will have led him away on foot?' asked Dumbledore airily. 'Search the skies, if you will … But now, Hagrid, I think I could do with a nice cup of tea. Or a large brandy.'

'O' – o' course, Professor,' said Hagrid. He was dabbing his eyes with his large spotted handkerchief. 'You'll find no small glasses in this house. Come in, come in …'

'Macnair,' Dumbledore added, turning back to him, 'your services are no longer required. Thank you.'

I smiled at Dumbledore's almost mocking retort to the executioner. He always did have such a way with words. With a snap of a door and the cursing of a cheated man, Dumbledore and the Ministry officials separated.

'Now what?' whispered Harry.

'We'll have to hide in here,' said Hermione. Her face was pale, clearly relieved we'd gotten away with it. 'We need to wait until they've gone back to the castle. Then we wait until it's safe to fly Buckbeak up to Sirius' window. He won't be there for another couple of hours … oh, this is going to be difficult …'

'Hermione, we've just stolen a Hippogriff right from under Fudge's nose,' I said, meaning it to be reassuring. 'If we can pull that off without being seen, we just might be able to get away with this, as crazy as it is.'

I glanced into the grounds. The Whomping Willow was just visible in the distance. We had to get over to it so we could see when we emerged from it in a couple hours' time. The sun was beginning to set in the sky and darkness falling over the school.

'We're going to have to move,' said Harry, saying aloud what I was thinking. 'We've got to be able to see the Whomping Willow, or we won't know what's going on.'

'OK,' said Hermione. 'But we've got to keep out of sight, Harry, remember …'

With her warning once again of not to be seen, Hermione picked up the dead ferrets and got Buckbeak's attention. Harry and I kept hold of his chain and together we walked around the edge of the Forest back towards the Whomping Willow. The darkness got steadily thicker as time ticked on and soon the only light we had to see our way was the sun disappearing over the horizon's edge. When the Willow came into view, Harry stopped Buckbeak and tied his chain to a nearby tree trunk that was thick enough to hold him if he tried to break his bonds. While Harry did that, I ran on ahead. I had to find out what was going on. I stopped at the very edge of the trees when I saw the large black shadow cast on the ground and the Willow stood before me. Harry and Hermione joined me moments later. We watched as Ron came into view when he broke cover of the invisibility Cloak to go after Scabbers, Harry and Hermione then chasing after Ron. We watched as the dog appeared and attacked them, the wolf leaping from above to protect them and the fight breaking out between the two animals. The wolf was knocked away and the dog seized Ron's arm to drag him into the passageway beneath the tree.

'Looks even worse from here, doesn't it?' said Harry. 'Ouch – look, I just got walloped by the tree – and so did you – this is weird –'

'That reminds me,' said Hermione suddenly. She looked over at me. 'Why didn't you tell us you were an Animagus, Jenna?'

I blinked, unprepared for the question. I turned away, not really wanting to discuss it right now.

'The same reason I didn't tell you who my Dad was,' I muttered. 'Because you wouldn't understand …'

Harry and Hermione looked at each other, surprised by my response. I shifted uneasily on my feet and focused my attention back on to the tree. Its branches had stopped their violent whipping, indicating that Crookshanks must have pressed the knot in the roots. That meant the dog had pulled Ron into the tree's base with the wolf following closely afterwards. Harry and Hermione would be doing so too in the next few minutes. Sure enough, the Willow's branches began to sway again moments later. We were all down in the passage. Barely seconds afterwards, voices started in the distance. I looked back towards Hagrid's Hut to see Dumbledore, Fudge, Fawley and Macnair were returning to the castle.

'Right after we'd gone down into the passage!' said Hermione. 'If only Dumbledore had come with us …'

'Macnair and Fudge would've come too,' Harry pointed out. 'I bet you anything Fudge would have told Macnair to murder Sirius on the spot …'

A shiver ran down my spine at those words.

'Thankfully, Macnair would only be licensed to carry out the executions of creatures,' I said bracingly.

'How d'you know that?' asked Harry.

'Lupin's dealt a lot with the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures' Beast Division,' I answered. 'For … obvious reasons. Everyone who works there is specially licensed to ensure that no one abuses their power, especially when it comes to dealing with situations where the subject's status of "beast" or "being" comes into question. They can't carry out any unlawful killing on someone whose status falls into the "being" category. Fudge couldn't order Macnair to kill Dad even if he wanted to.'

The scene before us had fallen silent for now. Then, coming round from the back of the castle, Lupin came sprinting across the grass towards the Whomping Willow. My heart jumped when I saw him, knowing that he hadn't taken his Wolfsbane Potion and that in an hour or so he'd become a dangerous creature. Lupin picked up a large branch off the ground and used it to prod the knot in the roots. The tree's branches stopped once more and Lupin descended into the hole.

'If he'd only grabbed the Cloak,' said Harry, watching him. 'It's just lying there …' He glanced at Hermione. 'If I just dashed out now and grabbed it, Snape'd never be able to get it and –'

'Harry, we mustn't be seen!' repeated Hermione firmly.

'How can you stand this?' retorted Harry. His voice had become fiercer, revealing his frustration at the situation. 'Just standing here and watching it happen?' He hesitated. 'I'm going to grab the Cloak!'

'Harry, no!'

Hermione and I grabbed Harry's arms and held him back. Just in time too. Not a moment later, preceded by the tones of a very off-key song, Hagrid came striding up the hill. His walk was swayed slightly from side to side which I presumed to mean he had perhaps had something to drink in celebration of Buckbeak's "escape". At the sound of Hagrid's drunken singing Buckbeak lifted his head. Releasing Harry, the three of seized the chain to keep him from running off. We couldn't let him get loose, not when we were so close to saving Dad. Hagrid's footsteps and singing slowly faded away. He was gone. Buckbeak clicked his beak but stopped resisting us. His head drooped at the sight of his master gone.

'It's OK, Buckbeak,' I told him, stroking his feathers. 'You'll see him again.'

More footsteps sounded. I watched as Snape charged across the grounds towards the Whomping Willow and to where we were all currently gathered. He paused briefly then bent down to pick something up off the ground. It must have been Harry's Invisibility Cloak. Harry clenched his fists and glared in Snape's direction.

'Get your filthy hands off it,' growled Harry.

'Shh!' hissed Hermione.

Cloak in hand, Snape seized the same branch Lupin had used and pressed the knot in the roots. Seconds later he vanished beneath the Cloak.

'So that's it,' said Hermione. 'We're all down there … and we've just got to wait until we come back up again …'

I sighed, 'And now we wait …'

I sat down on the muddy ground, my knees pulled up to my chest and my head resting on my arms. It was a few minutes before Harry and Hermione joined me. I had a feeling that they were unsure of what to say to me about everything that had happened tonight, about how I felt about watching my father get brutally attacked by his friend before being captured once more. Eventually they sat down beside me as we watched and waited. Time began to tick by, minute by agonisingly slow minute. I sat silent and still, my eyes never leaving the Willow.

'Harry, there's something I don't understand …' said Hermione after a while. 'Why didn't the Dementors get Sirius? I heard Madam Pomfrey saying that you were all passed out by the time Snape found you but the Dementors had fled before they'd … you know …'

A shiver ran down my spine, knowing all too well what she meant.

'Down by the lake,' began Harry, 'the Dementors just kept attacking us. Jenna had passed out and I kept trying to cast a Patronus to protect us but there was too many of them. One after another they attacked us until one of them got close enough to me to lower its hood, and I saw its mouth. It was going to take my soul. Then, across the lake, I saw something. It looked like some kind of animal, all bright and glowing. There were two of them, and they charged across the lake at us forcing the Dementors to retreat. Whatever it was saved us.'

I glanced at Harry. Large silver animals? Could it be …?

'But what was it?' asked Hermione, her eyes wide in shock.

'There's only one thing it could have been, to make the Dementors go,' said Harry confidently. 'A real Patronus. A powerful one.'

'But who conjured it?' Harry didn't respond. 'Didn't you see what they looked like?' persisted Hermione. 'Was it one of the teachers?'

'No,' said Harry. 'They weren't teachers.'

'They?' I repeated.

'There was someone else further back,' replied Harry. 'I think they were helping him, whoever he was …'

'But it must have been a really powerful wizard, to drive all those Dementors away … If the Patronuses were shining so brightly, didn't it light whoever it was up? Couldn't you see –?'

'Yeah, I saw one of them, a man,' said Harry slowly. 'But … maybe I imagined it … I wasn't thinking straight … I passed out right afterwards …'

'Who did you think it was?' insisted Hermione.

'I think –' Harry swallowed, 'I think it was my Dad.'

I blinked, then said, 'Your dad? But Harry –'

Hermione too looked lost for words, 'Harry, your dad's – well – dead.'

'I know that,' said Harry quickly.

'You think you saw his ghost?'

'I don't know … no … he looked solid …'

'But then –'

'Maybe I was seeing things,' shrugged Harry. 'But … from what I could see … it looked like him … I've got photos of him …'

I stared at Harry curiously, then said, 'Lupin always said you looked like him.' Harry smiled.

'I know it sounds mad,' he then said but he left his sentence unfinished.

I watched Harry carefully for a few more seconds then looked back towards the Whomping Willow.

An hour had soon past and still there was no movement from the Willow. While the other two talked quietly between each other, I sat there in silence. My thoughts were replaying everything that happened in the Shrieking Shack almost as if it was giving me a blow-by-blow recount of the events of tonight. As if I needed reminding. They then moved on to thoughts of what could happen next. How were we going to save Dad? Did we just have to watch and wait? Or do we try to get to Dad before Snape finds us? A million questions were rushing through my head. I let out a frustrated breath and rubbed my forehead.

'Here we come!'

I looked up when Hermione spoke. The three of us got to our feet, all watching the Whomping Willow for any sign of movement. From the depths of the tree roots I saw myself climb out of the secret passageway beneath it, followed shortly by Lupin, Pettigrew, Ron and the others. They began to walk towards the castle, the shadowy figures of Dad and myself stopping to talk to each other. I felt my throat constrict. That was the moment I had told him I was his daughter, the moment we were introduced to each other for the first time. Beside me, Hermione warned Harry once again that we couldn't be seen, which unsurprisingly he didn't like. Reluctantly I tore my eyes away from the scene before me and looked into the sky. The cloud slowly shifted and revealed the full moon. Its light bathed the grounds in a bright glow. My body tensed as I stood there and watched Lupin transform all over again, as Dad and I fought against him and he tossed us around like toys, and as Pettigrew broke free of his binds and escaped amongst the chaos. The werewolf threw me aside before attacking Dad once more.

'There goes Lupin,' breathed Hermione, also watching the fight.

I winced each time I saw the werewolf swiped at the dog, its claws creating deep wounds in its fur. I couldn't stand how useless I felt. Dad was being beaten viciously. He could get killed if we didn't do something to distract the werewolf. I blinked. Distract the werewolf, I thought. That's it! I remember the werewolf getting distracted by the howl from another werewolf. Not sure if it would work, I concentrated on how the werewolf's howl sounded as if I hoped thinking about it enough would allow me to replicate the sound through my abilities; I put my hands round my mouth and took a deep breath, letting out a long howl to attract Lupin's attention. Harry and Hermione looked at me, startled by my actions clearly drawing attention to us when we were meant to stay hidden. Harry grabbed me, covering my mouth with his hand.

'What are you doing?' hissed Harry.

'Saving our lives,' I replied, freeing myself. 'He's a werewolf. They only respond to the call of their own kind. I've lived with Lupin for three years now, I know what I'm doing!' and I howled again.

My howls did the job. I saw the werewolf look away from the dog, it's head raised in the sky. It howled in reply. With its attention drawn away from the dog, the werewolf ran off down the hill. Straight towards us … Oops.

'Great, now it's coming for us,' said Harry.

'Yeah, didn't think about that,' I replied. 'Run!'

We had mere seconds before the werewolf would reach us at the speed it could run. Quickly Hermione released Buckbeak's chain from the tree it was attached to.

'Quick!' she gasped. 'Quick! Where are we going to go? Where are we going to hide? The Dementors will be coming any moment –'

'Back to Hagrid's!' shouted Harry. 'It's empty now – come on!'

Buckbeak free, the three of us ran off back through the Forest towards Hagrid's Hut. Behind us I could hear the sound of the werewolf ripping through the bushes and trees, getting closer with every second. I kept glancing behind me knowing at any moment it would burst through them and attack us. With less than a second to think, I made my decision and skidded to a stop.

'What are you doing?' Harry shouted. 'Jenna, run!'

'Get to Hagrid's!' I shouted back. 'Leave the werewolf to me!'

'Jenna, don't –!'

I didn't listen as I'd already transformed back into the wolf and sprinted off in the opposite direction to where Harry, Hermione and Buckbeak were heading. A glance behind me and I saw a flash of grey fur through the trees. I stopped long enough to let out another howl to attract its attention. The werewolf stopped when it heard me. It raised its head to follow the sound then ran in the direction I had gone. I darted off, leading the werewolf as far away from Hagrid's Hut. I ran as fast as I could but I knew the werewolf was faster. It was going to catch me any minute. I barely had a second to think about what to do. Not knowing if it would work, I skidded to a halt and turned around. I cleared my mind and returned to my human form, quickly transforming once more but into a much larger animal this time. A palomino horse with a cream coloured coat and a brilliant golden mane and tail, exactly like the one Mum used to transform into, hoping there might be the slightest chance it would recognise it. I stood ready just as the werewolf appeared in front of me. It charged full speed towards me but I stood my ground. The werewolf leapt. I reared up on my hind legs and brayed loudly. I used my front hooves to block the werewolf's attack, knocking it to the ground. It snarled at me then attempted to attack once more. I stomped with my hooves to keep it back, finally kicking it hard in the face with my back hooves. The werewolf was thrown back with a whimper, and finally it scarpered off into the trees. With the werewolf gone I changed back.

'Poor Lupin's having a really tough night,' I breathed. I felt guilty for what I had done but I knew it had been necessary. Still, with the werewolf now deep in the Forest, I ran off through the Forest but not to Hagrid's. Instead I ran off towards the secluded part of the lake where I knew Dad would probably now be.

I sprinted through the Forest, my heart now hammering hard in my chest and I was desperate for breath but the adrenaline kept me going. I pushed my way through the low branches and weaved through the tree trunks searching for it. It was only when I felt the chill of the Dementors overhead that I knew I was getting close. I followed the unsettling feeling as it deepened until I reached the clearing to find Harry was already there. On the opposite shore I saw Dad, Harry and myself all fighting to stay alive as the Dementors attacked us. Harry was struggling to fight them back, the wisps of his Patronus barely holding them at bay. I walked up to stand beside Harry. He didn't look at me nor did I look at him, the both of us watching ourselves across the water.

'Come on,' breathed Harry. 'Where are you? Dad, come on …'

But Harry's dad wasn't there. I stared at the sight before me.

'We're dying …' I said quietly. It was strange watching it happen before us. 'All of us …'

'He'll come,' said Harry again. 'Dad'll come.'

'Harry, he can't,' I said. 'The only way he could be here was if –' and suddenly it all fell into place.

Harry and I looked at each other, sharing the same shocked look as we realised who had saved us. It hadn't been Harry's father or a teacher – it had been us! We were watching ourselves now because we'd saved ourselves before! That other Patronus Harry must have seen was mine. But I had never conjured a Patronus before, no matter how much Lupin tried to help me learn it. The only time I had was by accident because I'd been in danger, almost as if I'd willed myself to produce one. Whether I could repeat the accident, I wouldn't know until I tried.

Harry and I burst out from behind the bush and drew our wands. I brought up the strange memory from before, of me and my parents happy and healthy, hoping and willing myself to power the spell. With one voice, we shouted –

'EXPECTO PATRONUM!'

A bright light burst from the ends of mine and Harry's wands. Two Patronuses, both full and solid, exploded from our wand tips in a blinding flash of light in the form of two large silver animals. Together they charged over the lake towards the other us. They pushed back the Dementors causing them to flee in every direction back into the sky, cantering round the lake and emanating a powerful shield to protect us. As I watched I realised why Harry had thought it was his dad who had conjured the Patronus. Not only because he looked like his father, but because of what form his Patronus took: a stag. Prongs. Side by side with the stag cantered my own Patronus, a beautiful mare, representing my own Mum. With the Dementors gone, the stag and horse returned to us. I smiled at the sight of them, a reassuring warmth inside me at their presence. They stood together, a strange silvery form that seemed to be made up of wisps of light and air. The horse pawed the ground with its hoof while the stag bowed its antlered head.

'Prongs,' said Harry.

'Yeah,' I breathed. 'And Hooves.'

Harry made to reach out to Prongs. But before his fingers could touch it, they vanished.

'What did you do?' screamed Hermione's voice. I spun round to see her and Buckbeak hurrying over to us. 'You said you were only going to keep a lookout!'

'I just saved our lives …' said Harry. 'Get behind here – behind this bush – I'll explain.'

The three of us moved away from the bank and back into the protection of the trees. I glanced behind me at the other us, glad to see that we were all right. While Harry explained to Hermione about what had happened, I watched as a dark figure rushed down the hill towards where we were all collapsed. It was Snape. He must have regained consciousness. Behind him came a still-standing Hermione and an unconscious Ron floated on a stretcher. He knelt down on the ground and started to check over Harry and myself before moving on to Dad. No doubt he'd be conjuring some sort of restraints for him before he takes us back up to the castle.

'Harry, I can't believe it – you both conjured Patronuses that drove away all those Dementors!' said Hermione, clearly impressed by it. 'That's very, very advanced magic …'

'I knew I could do it this time,' said Harry, 'because I'd already done it … Does that make sense?'

'I don't know – Harry, look at Snape!'

Snape conjured more stretchers for our unconscious forms and Levitated are bodies on to them while Hermione watched. With his wand held out in front of him, Snape lifted up the three stretchers carrying us and guided them in front of him. The floated back up the hill and the group disappeared from view. I let go of the branch I'd been holding to see them, then pocketed my wand. Now it was only a matter of time before we had to pull off the most insane rescue of the night.

'Right, it's nearly time,' said Hermione. She checked her watch. 'We've got about forty-five minutes until Dumbledore locks the door to the Hospital Wing. We've got to rescue Sirius and get back to the ward before anybody realises we're missing …'

'How will we know when Sirius is in the Tower?' asked Harry.

'I can see to that,' I replied. Harry and Hermione gave me a curious look. 'I can transform into a bird and fly up to the Tower to keep watch. Dad's going to see me before we leave the Hospital Wing. I can wait outside the window to see when I'm gone and alert you two when the coast is clear and you can rescue him with Buckbeak.'

'Jenna,' started Harry, unsure, 'are you sure you're up to it? You've – you're still injured from earlier.'

I glanced at the bandages on my chest. The scars beneath them had stung every time I'd transformed tonight.

'I'll be fine,' I said.

I cleared my thoughts and transformed. With a flap of my new wings, I flew off as an owl back towards the castle.

I soared through the night sky around the tall towers of the castle. Very few lights were left illuminated this late in the evening and the building was dark and silent. I weaved between the tall pointed roofs and over the bridges and courtyards until I found the West Tower. A single window glowed brightly through the darkness. That had to be Flitwick's office, where they were keeping Dad. I flapped my wings to speed up. I reached the Tower window and landed carefully on the sill. I hopped forwards and peered inside. It seems like I was just in time. Dumbledore was just telling me we had to leave and pulling me from Dad's arms. He paused briefly to hear Dad out then turned his back and we left. Hoping that Harry and Hermione were somewhere nearby on Buckbeak, I flew off in search for them so we could get Dad out of there.

I found them flying nearby the North Tower. I swooped over to them to gain their attention then led the way back to the West Tower. When we reached it Harry halted Buckbeak until they were hovering a few feet from the window. Harry reached out and rapped on the glass. I saw Dad's head appear through the glass, his jaw dropping open at the sight of us. Hermione, who was clearly not enjoying riding Buckbeak considering how tightly she was holding on to Harry, pulled out her wand and opened the window. I shot through it and transformed, landing back in human form with a thump on the floor.

'Jenna – how –?'

'Now's not the time,' I said over him. 'We need to go!'

'Get on – there's not much time,' called Harry. 'You've got to get out of here – the Dementors are coming. Macnair's gone to get them.'

I pushed Dad over to the window. He placed his hands on either side of the frame and hauled himself up on to the sill. Carefully Harry edged Buckbeak closer. Dad reached out and grabbed on to Buckbeak's makeshift reins then swung his leg on to Buckbeak's rear so that he was sat behind Hermione. Harry kicked his heels. Buckbeak flapped his massive wings and they rose upwards and away from the window. Quickly I pulled myself on to the sill, carefully balancing myself so I could turn round and pull it closed again behind me. I then transformed back into an owl to follow the others. They had landed on the Tower's battlements. I flew over to them and landed to transform once more. Dad looked amazed to see us all, hugging me even tighter than he had before.

'I'll be forever grateful for this,' said Dad, releasing me after a few moments, 'to all of you.'

'Thank us later,' said Harry. 'Sirius, you'd better go, quick. They'll reach Flitwick's office any moment, they'll find out you've gone.'

'What happened to the other boy? Ron?' asked Sirius.

'He's going to be OK – he's still out of it, but Madam Pomfrey says she'll be able to make him better. Quick – go!'

Harry handed Buckbeak's reins to Dad. Before I could stop myself, I heard myself speak the words I was holding in.

'I want to go with you,' I said. I swallowed, immediately hearing just how stupid I sounded. I lowered my eyes, not wanting to see the looks Harry and Hermione had to be giving me. I could feel Dad's eyes upon me as he took in my bold statement. He handed Buckbeak's reins back to Hermione then approached me. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and another touch my face.

'One day, perhaps,' said Sirius gently. He knelt down in front of me. 'For some time, my life will be too unpredictable. Besides, your meant to be here.'

'But you're innocent –' I began but Dad stopped me.

'And you know it,' said Sirius. 'And for now, that will do.'

Dad stood up. He looked between Harry and me, his grey eyes observing us both, his child and godson. I glanced at Harry; never had I felt so separate from him when the strongest connection between us stood before us. Dad turned to Harry, bending down in front of him as he had with me. He held Harry's face, raising it to look at it closely.

'I expect you're tired of hearing this,' said Sirius, smiling, 'but you look so like your father. Except your eyes. You have –'

'– my mother's eyes,' said Harry, smiling just as broadly. Dad laughed then stood up. Next he spoke to both us, taking our hands.

'It's cruel that I got to spend so much time with James and Lily and you so little, and with Tala too,' said Sirius. 'But know this: the ones that love us never really leave us.' I started slightly at those words; they were the same words Lupin had said to me too. 'And you can always find them in here.' Dad touched our hands to our chests over our hearts. I felt mine lift slightly at the thought. I guess he was right. But even so I couldn't help the sad look on my face or how I felt about him leaving again.

'I've only just got you back,' I told him. 'Please don't leave me again.'

'You know I must,' replied Sirius, his tone soft in comparison to hours earlier. Once again he held my face, his thumb stroking my cheek. 'You're so your mother's daughter, Jenna. Soon I'll be back and be able to explain, but for now, you must stay with Remus. Just keep that spark inside you,' Dad told me, winking as he said it, 'that reckless bravery I know so well.'

I swallowed and nodded.

Dad smiled one last time. He climbed on to Buckbeak's back and held the reins tightly in his hands. Hermione stepped back from Buckbeak to give them a clear space to take off.

'You really are the brightest witch of your age,' he said. Hermione smiled at the compliment.

Dad looked up into the night's sky. With a kick of his heels Buckbeak squawked, rearing up on to his hind legs. He spread his enormous wings and took off at a run. They soared high into the sky, a dark form growing smaller and smaller until they could no longer be seen. They were gone.

'Harry! Jenna!' gasped Hermione. She was looking at her watch. 'We've got exactly ten minutes to get back down to the Hospital Wing without anybody seeing us – before Dumbledore locks the door –'

'OK,' said Harry, 'let's go …'

At the top of the battlements was a single door leading back inside from the platform. Quickly we slipped through the door and down the tightly spiralling staircase until we reached the lower corridor that would take us past Flitwick's office and back to the Hospital Wing. At the bottom Harry stopped us, holding his arm out so we were flattened against the wall. We could hear voices. It sounded like Fudge and Snape. They must be on their way to Flitwick's office to get Dad.

'… only hope Dumbledore's not going to make difficulties,' Snape was saying. 'The Kiss will be performed immediately?'

'As soon as Macnair returns with the Dementors,' confirmed Fudge. 'This whole Black affair has been highly embarrassing. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to informing the Daily Prophet that we've got him at last … I daresay they'll want to interview you, Snape … and once young Harry's back in his right mind, I expect he'll want to tell the Prophet exactly how you saved him …'

I frowned but let their comments wash over me, considering I knew Dad was safe, even if he was once again on the run. It didn't stop me, however, wanting to see the looks on their faces when they found the office empty and they realised Dad had escaped. Harry peered round the corner of the corridor entrance to check if the coast was clear. Snape and Fudge had passed by where we were hidden, their footsteps echoing away down the corridor to Flitwick's office. With them gone, the three of us came out of hiding and ran back the way they'd come. We tore through the empty corridors and down the silent staircases, diverting only briefly into a classroom to avoid Peeves who was bouncing along the fourth floor corridor just before the Hospital Wing. Once we were sure he was gone, we ran down the corridor, only one last staircase separating us from the ward.

'Hermione – what'll happen – if we don't get back inside – before Dumbledore locks the door?' panted Harry.

'I don't want to think about it!' Hermione replied. 'One minute!'

We dashed up the staircase. Only a few feet left.

'OK – I can hear Dumbledore,' said Hermione. 'Come on!'

We slowed our run to a fast walk, moving as quickly and as quietly as we could. I could see the Hospital Wing door before us. It opened and out stepped Dumbledore with his back to us.

'I am going to lock you in,' I heard him say, speaking to the us inside the ward. 'It is five minutes to midnight. Miss Granger, three turns should do it. Good luck.'

Dumbledore backed out of the room, closed the door and took out his wand to lock it. Quickly Harry, Hermione and I ran forwards to stop him. Dumbledore heard our footsteps and looked round. His smiled when he saw us, his silver moustache twitching with delight.

'Well?'

'We did it!' said Harry breathlessly. 'Sirius has gone, on Buckbeak …'

Dumbledore beamed.

'Well done,' he said brightly. 'I think –' he listened for any sound coming from inside the Hospital Wing. 'Yes, I think you've gone, too. Get inside – I'll lock you in –'

Harry, Hermione and I slipped back inside the Hospital Wing. It was empty apart from Ron lying in his bed and Madam Pomfrey was still in her office. The doors shut behind us, and the locked clicked shut. Harry, Hermione and I crept over to our beds and got back into them. I lay down so it looked like I had given up on my earlier protests. I set my face to look downcast, making sure I looked like I would have no idea about Dad's escape. I lay there silent with my head on my pillow and my eyes averted from everything else. I heard the door of Madam Pomfrey's office open.

'Did I hear the Headmaster leaving?' she asked, striding back up the aisle between the beds. 'Am I allowed to look after my patients now?'

I made sure not to respond to her handing me some chocolate to solidify my despondent state at the idea of my Dad's impending execution. She left it on my bedside table then went to treat Harry and Hermione. Suddenly in the distance I heard a roar of fury echo from somewhere above us. Instantly I sat up to imitate shock at what the noise was. Harry and Hermione were doing the same, looking around with confusion on their faces. Madam Pomfrey looked astounded by the new disturbance.

'What was that?' she asked in alarm.

Angry voices were growing louder and louder. They were getting nearer to the Hospital Wing.

'Really – they'll wake everybody up! what do they think they're doing?'

I listened, trying to pick out what the voices were saying, but made sure to keep the confused look on my face.

'He must have Disapparated, Severus, we should have left someone in the room with him. When this gets out –'

'HE DIDN'T DISAPPARATE!' roared Snape's voice. 'YOU CAN'T APPARATE OR DISAPPARATE INSIDE THIS CASTLE! THIS – HAS – SOMETHING – TO – DO – WITH – POTTER!'

I looked across at Harry, again making sure I looked surprised at Snape's words, just as the doors to the Hospital Wing burst open.

'OUT WITH IT, POTTER!' bellowed Snape. He stormed into the Hospital Wing, his face set with fury. Fudge and Dumbledore came striding in after him, Fudge looking flustered with the new development while Dumbledore looked remarkably calm. In fact, it almost looked like he was enjoying himself. Snape strode up to Harry's bed, his black eyes focused on Harry with the greatest hatred in them I'd ever seen. 'WHAT DID YOU DO?'

'Professor Snape!' shrieked Madam Pomfrey. 'Control yourself!'

'See here, Snape, be reasonable,' said Fudge. 'This door's been locked, we just saw –'

'THEY HELPED HIM ESCAPE, I KNOW IT!' shouted Snape.

'Calm down, man!' barked Fudge. 'You're talking nonsense!'

'YOU DON'T KNOW POTTER!' bellowed Snape. 'HE DID IT, I KNOW HE DID IT, HIM AND BLACK'S DAUGHTER –' he yelled, pointing between Harry and myself.

'That will do, Severus,' said Dumbledore quietly. 'Think about what you are saying. This door has been locked since I left the ward ten minutes ago. Madam Pomfrey, have these students left their beds?'

'Of course not!' said Madam Pomfrey. 'I've been with them ever since you left!'

'Well, there you have it, Severus,' said Dumbledore calmly. 'Unless you're suggesting that Harry and Jenna are able to be in two places at once, I'm afraid I don't see any point in troubling them further.'

Snape stood there, seething, staring from Fudge, who looked thoroughly shocked at his behaviour, to Dumbledore, whose eyes were twinkling behind his glasses. Snape whirled about, his black robes sweeping behind him, and stormed out the ward.

'Fellow seems quite unbalanced,' said Fudge, staring after him. 'I'd watch out for him, if I were you, Dumbledore.'

'Oh, he's not unbalanced,' said Dumbledore. 'He's just suffered a severe disappointment.'

'He's not the only one!' puffed Fudge. 'The Daily Prophet's going to have a field day! We had Black cornered and he slipped through our fingers yet again! all it needs now is for the story of that Hippogriff's escape to get out, and I'll be a laughing stock! Well … I'd better go and notify the Ministry …'

'And the Dementors?' said Dumbledore. 'They'll be removed from the school, I trust?'

'Oh, yes,' muttered Fudge, 'they'll have to go. Never dreamed they'd attempt to administer the Kiss on innocent children … completely out of control … No, I'll have them packed off back to Azkaban tonight. Perhaps we should think about dragons at the school entrance …'

'Hagrid would like that,' said Dumbledore, and I saw him give Harry, Hermione and I a very quick smile.

Fudge and Dumbledore left the Hospital Wing, Fudge still muttering about the humiliation he and the Ministry would face at Black's escape. Madam Pomfrey made sure to lock the door behind them so no one else could disturb us. Muttering angrily to herself about all the interruptions tonight, she went back into her office. From the opposite side of the ward to me I heard a low moan. Ron had finally woken up. He sat up dazedly and looked around, rubbing his obviously aching head as he asked what's going on. With everything over, I didn't reply, instead lying back down in my bed to go to sleep, as I heard Harry's reply.

'You explain, Hermione.'

The next day I was impatient to be allowed to leave the Hospital Wing. I had to find Lupin and find out if he was all right. Madam Pomfrey finally discharged the four of us (albeit reluctantly with me considering my injuries) at noon. I left straight away without waiting for the others and headed straight for the Dart Arts Tower. The castle was deserted now that the stress of exams had ended and the majority of students were taking advantage of the sunshine down in Hogsmeade. It meant I was there in a matter of minutes, climbing the long spiralling staircase to the top of the Tower, walking through the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom and up the small staircase at the back to his office. The door was ajar. I peered round it. Lupin was sat in his desk chair, his head back and eyes closed. I noticed his office wasn't in its usual organised state and his trunk was standing open in the corner. It looked like he was packing.

No, I thought as I realised why.

'Lupin?' I spoke quietly in case he had a headache.

Lupin sat up and opened his eyes. A look of relief seemed to sweep over him. He heaved himself to his feet and walked over to me, using his desk to steady himself. Quickly I went to steady him so he wouldn't fall over. The moment we reached each other, Lupin fell to his knees and pulled me into his arms. He held me so tightly that I almost winced at the pressure it was putting on the scars on my chest. I felt his hand stroke the back of my head and I could hear him muttering something I couldn't quite hear. When Lupin finally released me, I was stunned to see tears in his eyes. They examined my face, taking in the scratches on my cheek.

'I'm so sorry,' breathed Lupin, pushing back my hair to see the scars. 'I never meant to put you in danger last night.'

'Lupin, it's OK,' I told him. 'You didn't hurt anyone –'

'Jenna, I hurt you,' said Lupin firmly. 'I'm meant to protect you –'

'– and I had to protect the others,' I said over him. 'Dad was too weak to stop you on his own. I had to do something.'

Lupin closed his eyes, a sigh escaping him.

'You really are like your mother,' he said, 'the same reckless bravery.'

'I know, Dad said so too.' I looked round Lupin's office a second time. I could see his books were in piles out of their shelves and there were stacks of paperwork on his desk. 'You've resigned, haven't you?' I then asked.

'I had to.' Lupin heaved himself to his feet and walked unsteadily back to his desk.

'But you're the best teacher we've ever had!'

'Jenna, it's dangerous. I could have killed any one of you last night. The number of times I could have killed you in the past –' Lupin stopped, clearly not wanting that thought in his head. 'Besides, it seems that the loss of his Order of Merlin hit Severus quite hard.'

'What d'you mean?' I asked.

'He let slip that I'm a werewolf this morning at breakfast. It'll be a matter of hours until parents learn from their children what I am as well.'

A swift rush of anger at Snape's actions for exposing Lupin for what he was. However, I knew how Lupin felt about putting others at risk because of being a werewolf and so I didn't argue in his decision. So I helped Lupin pack up his office and gather his things together so he could leave as soon as possible. He sorted through his possessions, emptying his shelves and drawers, and packed them into various cases that would later be sent on to Moonlake. As I took the parchment out of his desk drawers I came across a large old scrap I recognised: the Marauder's Map. Lupin took it from me, laid it open on top of his desk and activated it. I didn't ask why but it seemed like he was waiting for someone to appear either welcome or not. As we worked Lupin did have an important question for me; he had heard about the Dementors attacking Harry and me down by the lake and about the Patronuses that have saved us. Lupin was impressed that both of us managed to produce such powerful charms.

'I don't know how I did it,' I shrugged when he asked. 'I just remember wanting to save us and it worked.'

'They say, like with all magic, that belief in oneself and your abilities can make a lot of difference,' said Lupin. 'A wizard's will is a powerful thing after all.'

Lupin's suspicion that someone was going to visit his office was confirmed. A short while after I arrived the door to Lupin's office was pushed back to reveal Harry standing there. His eyes took in the scene before him of Lupin's office in disarray. Before he could knock Lupin had turned around to greet him. I stayed silent, still unsure about what to say to Harry. We had yet to speak about the events of last night as I had left the Hospital Wing before he could speak to me, nor had he made any effort yet to do so.

'I saw you coming,' he told Harry, pointing at the Marauder's Map lying open on his desk. Harry stepped inside the office but I could see the apprehension on his face. Lupin must have too, as he then said, 'I've looked worse, believe me.'

'I just saw Hagrid,' said Harry. 'And he said you'd resigned. It's not true, is it?'

'I'm afraid it is,' said Lupin. He flicked his wand at a small chest. Its drawer slid inside and the doors on it swung shut. Lupin then turned to the fire to throw some ripped up parchment into the flames.

'Why?' asked Harry. 'The Ministry of Magic don't think you were helping Sirius, do they?'

Lupin crossed to the door and closed it behind Harry.

'No, Professor Dumbledore managed to convince Fudge that I was trying to save your lives. The fact Jenna was implied to be a key victim in last night's events meant that it was a bit easier to convince Fudge I was not on Black's side.' He sighed. 'That was the final straw for Severus. I think the loss of his Order of Merlin hit him hard. So he – er – accidentally let slip that I am a werewolf this morning at breakfast.'

'You're not leaving because of that!' said Harry, shocked.

Lupin smiled wryly. He zipped up his briefcase then placed it on the floor.

'This time tomorrow the owls will start arriving from parents – they will not want a werewolf teaching their children, Harry. And after last night, I see their point. I could have bitten any of you – injured Jenna more than I did … that must never happen again.'

'But Dumbledore –'

'Dumbledore has already risked enough on my behalf. Besides, people like me are … well, let's just say I'm used to it by now.'

Lupin flicked his wand again. His open trunk sprang to life. Books slotted into place, shoes and clothes folden themselves away beneath a protector, the lid swung shut and the locks clicked shut.

'You're the best Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had!' said Harry. 'Don't go!'

Lupin didn't respond. With a few more flicks of his wand the rest of his things packed themselves away. Once that was complete, Lupin finally spoke again.

'From what the Headmaster told me this morning, you saved a lot of lives last night, Harry. If I'm proud of anything, it's how much you've learned. Tell me about your Patronus.'

'How d'you know about that?' said Harry.

'What else could have driven the Dementors back?'

'When I was down by the lake, I saw someone appear. He conjured a Patronus that saved me, Jenna and Sirius. I – well – at first I thought it was my Dad. When Hermione, Jenna and I went back in time, we watched as the Dementors attacked the other us. I realised as I stood there I couldn't have seen my Dad and that I saw myself and that I conjured the Patronus. Because I'd already seen it, I knew I could do it this time. It's form was a stag, like my Dad.'

Lupin smiled.

'Yes, your father was always a stag when he transformed,' said Lupin. 'You guessed right … that's why we called him Prongs.'

Harry nodded, however, he still had a dejected look on his face.

'Why do you look so miserable, Harry?' asked Lupin.

Harry sighed, then said, 'None of it made any difference. Pettigrew escaped.'

'Didn't make any difference?' repeated Lupin, surprised. 'Harry, it made all the difference in the world. You helped uncover the truth. You saved an innocent man from a terrible fate. It made a great deal of difference, and in time you'll see just how much.'

Lupin bent to pick up his suitcase. Next, he pulled something from his robe pocket, a long silvery piece of material: Harry's Invisibility Cloak.

'Here – I brought this from the Shrieking Shack last night. And …' Lupin hesitated, then picked up the Marauder's Map from his desk, 'I am no longer your teacher, so I don't feel guilty about giving this back as well, as long as you share it with Jenna. Her mother and father helped write it after all. It's no use to me, and I daresay the two of you will find uses for it.'

Harry took the Map. A grin was spread across his face.

'You told me Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs would've wanted to lure me out of school … you said they'd have thought it was funny.'

'And so we would have done,' said Lupin. He placed down his wand to pick up his travelling cloak, slung it across his arm, then picked up and pocketed his wand. 'I have no hesitation in saying that James and Sirius would have been highly disappointed if their children had never found any of the secret passages out of the castle.'

There was a knock at the door. It was Professor Dumbledore. He didn't look surprise to see either Harry or me there. He informed Lupin that his carriage had arrived. Lupin said goodbye to Harry and turned to leave. I did so too, wanting to make sure he was OK getting down to the Entrance Hall. It saddened me that Lupin had been forced to give up a job he clearly loved so much but for people like him there was very little option. I now fully understood why werewolves were loathed so much but at the same time I hated how much bad attention they received for a condition that wasn't there fault and the person was as much a victim of it as anyone else. With Lupin safely in his carriage, I waved goodbye knowing I'd see him when term had ended.

I didn't see Harry again for the rest of the day. I didn't return to the Gryffindor Tower after seeing Lupin off, nor did I go into the grounds or to the Library for some peace and quiet. I found myself wandering around the castle, going through silent corridor and staircase without much thought as to where I was heading, until I found myself up in the Astronomy Tower. I stepped out on to the platform and stared out into the grounds. The sun was shining brightly in the distance, a beautifully clear and warm summer's day. I rested my arms on the wall of the platform, content to stay there until dinner in the peace and quiet. I wasn't sure how Harry ended up finding me, whether he had been purposefully looking for me or not, but a short while after I arrived I had heard footsteps approach me and I turned round to see him standing awkwardly behind me.

'Hey,' was all he said.

'Hey,' I replied.

There was an awkward silence between us. While I did have things I wanted to say to Harry, I wasn't the one who had shunned their friend for the best part of a year and who needed to apologise for their actions. I waited to see if Harry would swallow his pride and admit that he had been wrong. He seemed to stand there not knowing what to say or do. So, to try and make it a bit easier for him, I took the first step.

'Thank you for saving my Dad,' I said quietly.

'Well I couldn't –' Harry started, 'I couldn't let that happen to Sirius.' I nodded. Harry seemed to hesitate. Then, finally, he couldn't stop the words coming from him and burst, 'I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't believe you.'

I raised my eyebrow, curious to see if he'd say anything else.

'I should have listen to you,' continued Harry. 'I shouldn't have been so stubborn. If I'd have just listened then maybe Pettigrew wouldn't have got away and Sirius's name could have been cleared. He wouldn't have to be on the run again. I'm sorry I let my anger cloud my judgement and I'm sorry it ruined our friendship.'

I thought through Harry's words before I replied.

'Yes, you should have,' I said. Harry stared at me, taken about by my blunt response. But that was the thing about the nature of our friendship; we could both be brutally honest with each other having known each other for so long. 'You shouldn't have jumped to conclusions based on information spread by rumour and tabloids. You shouldn't have judged me because of who my father was. I had my reasons why I didn't tell you, because I wanted to find out as much as I could about what happened from the people who knew him best – my Mum – before I told you who he was, so this wouldn't happen. You should have trusted me.'

'Jenna, I do trust you,' insisted Harry. 'I trust you more than anyone.'

'Then why did you do it?'

'Because …' Harry began, 'for years I wondered what my parents had done to be murdered by Voldemort. Whether they were killed just because they were there and refused to join his followers, or because it was for some other reason. To hear that their best friend handed them over to him – it gave me someone to blame for their murder. And while I couldn't do anything about Voldemort, I could get revenge on Black thinking he was the one responsible. Make him pay for what he did to them.'

I thought through Harry's words, feeling a sense of understanding of how he'd felt. I remembered back to when I first met Lucius Malfoy and I realised he'd been the white-haired Death Eater who'd killed my Mum. I had wanted to attack him, shout and scream his crime out loud, but I had done nothing knowing that my protests would go unnoticed. Even so, I understood how Harry had felt when he blamed Dad for James and Lily's deaths, as I had blamed Malfoy. It showed a difference between Harry and myself though, a difference that in time I saw just how much it balanced the two of us out and made our friendship as strong as it was.

'Do you think killing him would have solved anything though?' I asked.

'No.' Harry shook his head. 'I know that now.'

The corner of my lip lifted into a small smile from Harry's apology. To show that I forgave him, I walked over to him. I put my arms around him and gave him a hug. At first Harry seemed taken aback by my gesture but soon he was hugging me back, our friendship restored. We broke apart a few moments later.

'So are we good?' he asked.

'We're good,' I replied, smiling. Harry beamed.

As the end of term approached, rumours flew around the castle as people tried to work out what had happened that night that the wild Hippogriff and escaped murderer had escaped. None of them were anywhere close to the truth. Malfoy was understandably furious Buckbeak had got away and was convinced Hagrid had something to do with it but one of the facts that was true was that Hagrid had been with Fudge the entire time and so couldn't be implicated. Percy also had a lot to say on the subject, if only people would listen to him, which not many would apart from his girlfriend, Penelope. But for all the cheerful atmosphere and sunny weather, I couldn't really enjoy that end-of-term feeling. Lupin had lost his job and Dad was on the run again. For all the good things that had happened, I felt somewhat deflated by the whole experience.

Our exam results came out on the last day of term. I was pleased to see Harry, Ron, Hermione and I had all passed our exams although I was surprised my Potions mark had remained as high as it was. After Dad's escape I'd had a suspicion that my Potions mark might suffer if Snape was feeling vindictive enough. Then again, he had got Lupin to resign so maybe that was revenge enough. It didn't stop me noticing Snape's dislike for Harry and myself had increased an alarming amount; you certainly couldn't miss the muscle twitching in his jaw whenever he saw the two of us. It was probably a good thing the summer holidays were just round the corner. Percy got top marks in all his N.E. while Fred and George both managed to pass a handful of O. . Finally, the end-of-term feast was decorated with banners of scarlet and gold as Gryffindor once again took the House Cup, largely thanks to the final Quidditch match against Slytherin that we'd won despite all the dirty tactics that had been involved.

The following morning I packed my remaining things back into my trunk and left it in my dormitory to be taken down to the Hogwarts Express. Hermione and I met Harry and Ron in the common room and we walked together down to the station along with the rest of the school. We made our way through the crowds until we found an emptier carriage where we got on and found a compartment to ourselves. We settled down in the seats for the journey back, a reassuring thought that at least this time we wouldn't be invaded by Dementors. As the train pulled away from the station, Hermione broke the silence to give us some unexpected news.

'I went to see Professor McGonagall this morning,' she told us, 'just before breakfast. I've decided to drop Muggle Studies.'

'But you passed your exam with three hundred and twenty percent!' said Ron.

'I know,' sighed Hermione, 'but I can't stand another year like this one. That Time-Turner, it was driving me mad. I've handed it in. Without Muggle Studies and Divination, I'll be able to have a normal timetable again.'

'I still can't believe you didn't tell us about it,' said Ron grumpily. 'We're supposed to be your friends.'

I glanced at Ron out of the corner of my eye when he said that. I think we'd had more than enough of what we should tell each other just because we were friends; some things need to be kept private after all.

'I promised I wouldn't tell anyone,' said Hermione. 'Oh, cheer up, Harry!' she then said.

I looked round to see Harry staring solemnly out of the window.

'I'm OK,' said Harry quickly. 'Just thinking about the holidays.'

'Yeah, I've been thinking about them, too,' said Ron. 'Harry, you've got to come and stay with us. I'll fix it up with Mum and Dad, then I'll call you. I know how to use a fellytone now –'

'A telephone, Ron,' groaned Hermione. 'Honestly, you should take Muggle Studies next year …'

Unsurprisingly, Ron ignored her.

'It's the Quidditch World Cup this summer!' Ron continued. 'How about it, Harry? Come and stay, and we'll go and see it! Dad can usually get tickets from work.'

'Yeah … I bet the Dursleys'd be pleased to let me come … especially after what I did to Aunt Marge …'

The train journey passed by in the way it always did. Harry and Ron whiled away the hours playing several games of Exploding Snap while Hermione, who had clearly been bursting to ask since she first found out, questioned me about being an Animagus. It was slightly unnerving how interested she was in what I could do. Even the boys paused their game long enough to hear me to explain about how I was different from normal Animagi like McGonagall but the same principles were involved, just that I could change into more than one animal.

'So, you don't have one particular form?' Hermione asked, her eyes wide. 'You just have to think of what you want to transform into and you will?'

'Pretty much,' I shrugged. 'I mean, its not as easy as that, but I have my favourites. I always transform into a wolf when I'm with Lupin during the full moons. But generally I just transform into whatever won't be noticed. It's not about flaunting what I can do so when I do use it, it's either to be an animal that is suitable for the situation I'm in or one that won't look out of place. Lupin taught me that I had to keep what I can do secret. There are too many people out there who wouldn't understand and just see me as some sort of … freak.'

'Is that why you didn't tell us?' asked Harry. I nodded.

'Remember when you found out Lupin was a werewolf?' I said. 'How you felt? Disgusted to have trusted someone whose reputation in the wizarding world is marred by others like him? It's the same for me. Unlike you, the Ministry doesn't see me as a human. I'm still a witch, but I'm in the same group as werewolves, goblins, even some giants. I'm the lowest of the low in acceptable beings. I'm a half-breed, all because of some genetic abnormality from my ancestors, which means I can be viewed as a danger to others. That's why I didn't tell you, because what I am or what I can do shouldn't matter.'

Hermione was about to respond when something caught her eye outside.

'Harry, what's that thing outside your window?'

I followed her gaze to see something very small and very fluffy bobbing in and out of sight behind the glass. It looked like a tiny owl and it seemed to be carrying a letter that was way too big for it to do so. Adding into account how small it was and that it was flying as fast as it could to keep up with the train, it wasn't surprising that it kept getting thrown off course by the drag caused by the train. Quickly Harry opened the window and grabbed the tiny owl. Once inside it dropped its letter then proceeded to zoom about the compartment like a tiny fluffy bullet, evidently proud in successfully completing its delivery. Above us, Hedwig clicked her beak disapprovingly at the little owl's undignified behaviour. I, however, found it quite amusing and the owl was very cute indeed. It also got the attention of Crookshanks, who sat up in the seat beside Hermione. Noticing this, Ron snatched the owl safely out of harms way.

Harry picked up the letter and turned it over. Both mine and Harry's names were on the front.

'It's from Sirius!' shouted Harry, ripping it open and pulling out the contents. My eyes read its words, seeing that there were bits directed at Harry while other bits were directed at me.

Dear Harry and Jenna,
I hope this finds you both before you reach King's Cross Station, and your aunt and uncle
pick you up, Harry. I don't know whether they're used to owl post.

Buckbeak and I are in hiding. I won't tell you where, in case this falls into the wrong hands.
I have some doubt about the owl's reliability, but he is the best I could find, and he did seem
eager for the job.

I believe the Dementors are still searching for me, but they haven't a hope of finding me
here. I am planning to allow some Muggles to glimpse me soon, a long way from Hogwarts,
so that the security on the castle will be lifted.

There is something I never got round to telling you, Harry, during our brief meeting. It was
I who sent you the Firebolt –

'Ha!' said Hermione triumphantly. 'See! I told you it was from him!'

'Yes, but he hadn't jinxed it, had he?' said Ron. 'Ouch!'

The tiny owl, who had been hooting happily in Ron's hand, had given his finger what I assume he thought was an affection nip.

Crookshanks took the order to the Owl Office for me. I used your name but told them to take
the gold from Gringotts vault number seven hundred and eleven – my own. Please consider
it as thirteen birthdays' worth of presents from your godfather. For you, Jenna, there will be
a delivery waiting for you when you get back home that I have asked Remus to take care
of. I hope you like it, and that it'll make up for all your birthdays I missed as well.

I would also like to apologise for the fright I think I gave you, that night last year when you
left your uncle's house. I had only hoped to get a glimpse of you before starting my journey
north, but I think the sight of me alarmed you. I also must apologise for Diagon Alley, when
I mistakenly attacked you. It wasn't until I looked into your eyes that I realised who you
could be, but Remus denied me finding out for sure when I visited your home, for understandable
reasons.

I am enclosing something else for you both, which I think will make your next year at Hogwarts
more enjoyable.

And sure enough there were two more pieces of parchment saying the same thing:

I, Sirius Black, Jenna Black's father, hereby give her permission to visit Hogsmeade at weekends.

'That'll be good enough for Dumbledore!' beamed Harry at me.

'Hang on,' I said, pointing at the letter. 'There's a P.S. …'

I thought your friend Ron might like to keep this owl, as it's my fault he no longer has a rat.

Ron's eyes widened as he looked at the tiny owl, who was still hooting with pure ecstasy.

'Keep him?' he repeated. He looked warily at the owl then, to our surprise, he held it out for Crookshanks to sniff. 'What d'you reckon?' Ron asked him. 'Definitely an owl?'

Crookshanks purred in response.

'That's good enough for me,' said Ron. The owl hooted loudly. It finally wriggled out of Ron's hand and went zooming around the compartment once more. 'He's mine.'

The Hogwarts Express pulled into Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. We gathered our various trunks and owls, the tiny new addition having to be stowed away in Scabbers' former cage that Ron still had, and disembarked from the train with the rest of the students. We joined the queue and were allowed to cross through the barrier and back into the Muggle world. Ahead of us I could see the familiar red hair of Mr and Mrs Weasley as they waited for Ron and his brothers and sister; a good few feet away from them I saw Harry's aunt and uncle, both of whom looked decidedly suspicious of the nearby Weasleys; Hermione's parents were talking to a nearby elderly lady with a strange hat on I recognised, and I guessed that might have been Neville's grandmother; finally, making his way towards us, I saw my Granddad coming to collect me as Lupin was probably in bed recovering still.

'I'll call about the World Cup!' Ron yelled as he and the Weasleys departed. Hermione also waved goodbye and left with her parents. Harry remained with me as I waited for my Granddad to reach us, pushing his trolley over to his uncle. In his hand, he still had Dad's letter.

'What's that?' snarled Vernon when he saw it. 'If it's another form for me to sign, you've got another –'

'It's not,' said Harry cheerfully. 'It's a letter from my godfather, Jenna's dad.'

'Godfather?' spluttered Vernon. His beady eyes stared between the two of us. I was surprised that Vernon recognised my name, considering the last time he probably saw me was when Harry and I were in primary school together. He clearly hadn't forgotten me though, the weird child who used to hang around with Harry. 'You haven't got a godfather. And wasn't this girl,' he said, pointing at me, 'that orphan from your school?'

'Yes, she is,' said Harry, 'and her father is my godfather. He was my Mum and Dad's best friend. He's a convicted murderer, but he's broken out of wizard prison and he's on the run. He likes to keep in touch with us, though … keep up with my news … check I'm happy …'

The look of horror that crossed Vernon's face was quite priceless I had to admit. But as he turned away, grabbed Harry's aunt by the arm and dragged her back up the station, I turned to Harry.

'Was that really necessary?' I asked quietly. My Granddad had just reached us.

'To see the look on his face?' said Harry. 'Definitely.'

I rolled my eyes and picked up my trunk to hand to my Granddad. Taking Gizmo's cage, I waved goodbye to Harry and followed my Granddad out of the station while he ran after his aunt and uncle. Before we even left the station, I was already wondering what the next year would bring, hoping that maybe – just maybe – we might have a quiet year at Hogwarts next year.

---

AN: Well that is Prisoner of Azkaban finished. I am aware about the slightly pointless decision to remove the Invisibility Cloak when they got out into the grounds when Harry, Hermione and Jenna are rescuing Buckbeak, but the way I see it, as the others don't, which will hopefully clear this up is that Hermione heard Malfoy's voice and broke cover to confront him with Harry and Ron ditching the Cloak to chase her, and then the infamous punch that I couldn't leave out. I hope you have enjoyed the new and improved POA chapters, I certainly have, and I have enjoyed writing the newer bits even more, especially developing Jenna's relationship with Lupin and her independence away from the trio. Let me know if you've enjoyed it too.