Finding Time in a Long, Odd Day

"There's Lupin," Harry gestured. "If only he had grabbed the cloak. I'm going to get it," Harry said, moving to leave. Hermione grabbed his collar.

"No, Harry! You can't be seen! Look, See Hagrid coming? He would have seen you. You can't go right now. No, Buckbeak!"

Gohan and Harry had to hold Buckbeak back who was trying to get to the loudly singing, highly tipsy giant, who was staggering merrily toward the castle. He gave up when the castle doors closed, his head hanging sadly.

Less than two minutes later, Snape came barging out the castle doors, sprinting toward the Willow. He stopped and lifted the cloak from the ground. Harry growled angrily. Hermione sighed.

"So now we wait…until we all come back up," she said. "Harry, there's something I don't understand. Why didn't the dementors get Sirius when we were at the lake? I remember we were surrounded."

Harry sat down again. He explained how he, Ron, and Snape were the only ones standing, how Ron had managed to protect himself, Piccolo, and Vegeta with Gohan's wand, how neither he nor Snape could get a good patronus. He then spoke about the big patronus animal he had seen, and the man who had conjured it. "Hey Hermione, I…I think it was my dad."

She stared at him. "But Harry, your father's—"

"—dead," Harry finished for her. "But that's what I saw. Even Snape thinks so. I know it sounds crazy…" he trailed off.

A silence ensued.

"Er, so Hermione, is your real name Hermione, or do you have another name?"

"Well, yes, Hermione Granger is my real name. I was adopted. But I do have another name. I guess it's more like a title. Lady Lianna Kari Mori Subaru.

Harry smirked. "Lady?" He thought of Voldemort referring to himself as a Lord.

Hermione sighed. "It's a title, Harry. According to the genealogy, it dates at least as far back to the school's founders. According to legend, it has roots in King Arthur lore."

"But Hermione, we've studied Merlin and King Arthur…I've never even heard of Subaru—"

Hermione smiled. "That's probably because nobody referred to him to anything other than his first name. Merlin of Arandia-Subaru wouldn't be found in a common school book, because the writers probably didn't think it was significant. But it's easily traceable in the more diligent studies on the topic. Many pureblood families would immediately recognize the significance of the name, especially since most of them know Hogwarts estates were named after him." She said, nodding toward Ron.

Ron shook his head. "I can't believe you are actually related to Merlin. But I suppose that's less frightening than being related to You-Know-"

"Not helping!" Hermione said in a sing-song voice.

Ron grinned suddenly. "I reckon we all know why you're so bloody mental now."

"Oh, shut up," she said, grinning in spite of herself.

"Hey," Gohan said suddenly, "Here we come!"

Hermione whirled to them. "Okay, here's what we're going to do. When the time's right, I'll lure Lupin into the woods. Gohan—"

"The ape's mine," Gohan said, cutting in.

"But," Hermione began, but stopped.

"I have to, Hermione. Remember? Dumbledore had said you couldn't be seen. He said nothing about me. Besides, there's no way you, Vegeta, and Piccolo can handle me all by yourself. I have to go."

Hermione nodded. "Harry, you hide here and keep Buckbeak from running away. Ron, when everyone's away from the Willow, go back inside and get Harry's cloak. Put it on when you get it and come back to Harry, who will be staying with Buckbeak. Gohan, when you get finished removing your tail," she said with an ironic smile, "head to the castle and begin trying to locate the room Sirius is kept in. Wait outside until you can feel Sirius's ki, and he's alone. Fetch him and bring him to the top of West Tower. We'll meet you there with Buckbeak." She finished as they heard the other Gohan's loud roars.

...

The four split off and began their separate adventures. Gohan snuck through the trees and sprinted through the brush toward the roaring ape, which was already violently swinging and shooting at Vegeta and Piccolo. He froze momentarily as he saw other Hermione appear behind him and take a shot at his tail. The ape's excellent hearing allowed him to dodge easily and he swatted her away as though she were an irksome insect. Gohan gasped loudly as she struck the earth, causing a fair-sized crater. He desperately wanted to go to her side but something held him back. Certainly he wasn't afraid? Not yet, the voice said. He watched as the monster made its way over to her.

Piccolo forced his attention onto himself by yelling and shooting ki blasts into the ape's side. Vegeta added his own blast to the volley and was almost killed when the beast opened his mouth and shot a powerful beam toward the Saiyan prince. The ape punched them both away. Hermione was back in the air and yelling at the ape. What is she doing? Gohan thought as she waved her hands and yelled at the brute. It swatted at her with one hand, which she avoided. Then, she was grabbed by the other monstrous fist. Hermione!

...

Harry frowned as he watched his friends. Why do I have to be the hippogriff's babysitter?

...

Hermione moved herself into a position twenty meters behind Snape, Ron, and Pettigrew. She frowned, sorely tempted as she watched Pettigrew stammer at Snape.

"Silence!" she heard Snape snarl. She heard other words but she only managed to understand, "…I…LILY…UNFORGIVABLE!" She had to time it just right. She wanted to lure Lupin away, but not attract the attention of Harry or Snape. She looked into the distance, where the other she had just been grabbed by a large, furry fist.

...

Ron sighed as he approached the Willow from behind. He had one of the easier tasks, as far as he was concerned, and that was perfectly fine by him. He carefully prodded the knot and slipped inside.

Gohan watched as the ape examined Hermione's features. He's struggling to find himself, Gohan thought. Suddenly, Vegeta came from nowhere and blasted the ape with full force. The monster roared angrily and threw Hermione at him. Gohan powered up to an ascended level. If she hits, it could finish her, Gohan thought as he charged in her direction.

...

Harry tapped his foot in agitation. Hermione did this to me to keep me from going after Pettigrew, he thought bitterly. But she was probably right.

...

Hermione watched as Snape moved forward and Stunned Lupin, saving Harry from another attack. Just then, Pettigrew brought a freed hand around and grabbed Ron's outstretched hand, wrenching his wand from his hand. Two bangs followed. Ron fell back with a cry, and Crookshanks fell at Ron's feet. The cat had tried to pounce him; the spell had struck him in mid air.

Snape managed to disarm Pettigrew, but he had already begun transforming. Pettigrew scuttled away. Hermione growled angrily. She wanted Pettigrew so badly, but as Snape and Harry's forms passed her in the darkness, she knew it would leave the other Ron completely vulnerable to Lupin.

"Damn!" she whispered in frustration.

...

Ron stood in the upper room of the Shrieking Shack, watching the commotions play out. He held the shimmery cloak in his hand, a complete awe-struck expression filled his features as he watched the other Hermione fight Gohan the ape and the other Harry race into the forest after Pettigrew. He understood why Hermione had sent him after the cloak. Currently, he was the weakest of the team. He glared bitterly at his other self trying to sit up after being attacked by Pettigrew. I need to work on myself, he mused.

Gohan sailed behind the other Hermione and slowed her momentum. Her eyes slid open, and she gasped.

"HOW?" She blinked, completely shocked.

Gohan shook his head. "No time to explain, Hermione! We have to cut the tail off before—" He stopped and raced toward the ape fearfully, seeing that it was about to crush Piccolo. His punch caught the brute beneath the chin; the giant ape toppled to the ground in an earth-shaking thud.

Vegeta gasped loudly, gesturing at Gohan. "WHAT?"

Piccolo stared dazedly at him, muttering, "Impossible…"

The ape got to its feet, glaring menacingly at the boy. Gohan moved in to attack as the others stared in confusion.

...

Harry shifted nervously. He wanted to do something…anything.

...

The werewolf cantered angrily toward its last prey, the red-headed boy staring at him fearfully, shakily pointing Gohan's wand. Hermione stood. It's now or never… She cupped her hands over her lips.

"!" she called. The werewolf froze. Then it raised its paw again to strike.

"! She called again. The werewolf dashed toward her with a howl of his own. She remained only long enough for Lupin to get a glimpse of her before she took off in an easy trot into the forest. But she found she'd need to increase her tempo. Lupin was surprisingly fast.

...

Ron gasped and ducked back beneath the hole as he saw Hermione rush past; a furry thing followed in an equally fast speed, snarling menacingly. Bloody hell, he thought to himself as he thought about how fast Hermione had been running. This day keeps getting weirder and weirder.

Gohan dodged as the ape attacked relentlessly. What Vegeta had done had angered it into a power up, causing Gohan to only be able to dodge its attacks. He wasn't able to get in one single counter assault. Suddenly, the beast roared and swiped to its left. Gohan redirected its attention by slamming into its face. It grabbed Gohan by the leg; its eyes flashing angrily.

Just then, it roared in pain and let go, beginning to lose hair and shrink. The other Gohan let out one last, normal-Gohan-sounding snarl before he collapsed, snoring loudly. The other Hermione sank next to the naked body, deliberately looking away in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, Gohan." She whispered softly as Piccolo approached and conjured clothes on the snoring half Saiyan.

Gohan landed with a soft thud, chuckling and running his fingers through his sopping hair. He wiped the sweat from his face. "Man! I haven't had that much of a workout since fighting Frieza! Wow, Hermione, you've improved a lot!" He said, clearly impressed at the feat she had just accomplished. Hermione shrank away from the appendage she had just removed.

Piccolo spoke, pointing to the fallen lump. "Do you mind explaining how this is being accomplished?"

Gohan smiled knowingly. "I already have, but you just haven't heard it yet."

Piccolo frowned in his confusion. Hermione gasped and looked up at Gohan.

Gohan willed his blonde hair to become black again. "I have to go know. Don't worry. You'll understand pretty soon. See ya!" He shot into the sky and headed toward the castle.

...

Hermione doubled back, made sure that Lupin was still following, and raced toward the Whomping Willow. Before luring the brute inside, she double checked to make sure Ron was well away from the vicinity using her ki sense. She propped the stick to hit the knot. Then she crawled into the cavern, making sure that Lupin had seen her do it. Lupin followed, snarling viciously. She would wait for him to get within three meters of her before she would descend further toward the shrieking shack. Finally, she was there. She raced up the stairs. The last thing she heard in the house as she touched her middle and index fingers to her forehead was the thumping of clumsy animal feet trying to climb the steps.

...

"Whew! I made it, Harry," Ron said as he whipped off the cloak.

"Yippee," Harry said in a flat voice.

"What's the matter with you?"

"Nothing. I guess I'm just being stupid," Harry said, suddenly frowning. He stared into the distance. His eyes widened fearfully. As if on cue, several cries rent the air. Harry gasped. "The dementors! They're attacking us!" He sprinted through the trees.

"Harry!" Ron cried and almost took off after him, but he stopped. He knew he couldn't leave Buckbeak. He grabbed the rope. "Come on, Beaky. Maybe Harry won't get himself killed…or kissed before we can make it there."

Hermione teleported outside the Whomping Willow and removed the propped stick from the knot. She sensed Harry as he made his way toward the dementors and the others, not even bothering to mask his presence. She sighed. I knew he was going to do something like this. She sped around the bushes, suppressing her ki as much as possible.

...

Gohan was hovering a little below the window in Professor Flitwick's office when he sensed Harry racing in the direction of the dementors. Aw, man! What does Harry think he's doing? Bad timing, I can't even go look! He looked up anxiously above his head. Unfortunately for him, Professor Flitwick made an evening ritual of window-gazing. If Gohan moved even a bit, he could attract attention to himself. He sighed in frustration at his friend's impulsivity.

...

Harry reached the tree line opposite the bank. He could see that Ron, Snape, and the other him were the only ones left standing. He looked down at the bank. Surely his father would come and save them shortly.

But he didn't come. The other Harry fell to the ground. Snape's patronus dwindled as he called to the other Harry. Snape made another patronus. It waned. Snape sank to a knee. Cursing, he flung himself over the other Harry and clamped his hand over Harry's mouth as the dementors swooped down. Ron's patronuses faded, and he, too, was attacked.

"Come on, Dad," Harry said softly. A dementor pulled Snape's hand from the other Harry's mouth…

"Dad, please," The dementor tilted the other Harry's chin.

A realization struck him. His father wasn't coming, because his father hadn't cast the patronus. Harry had. He ran to the edge of the bank. "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

A giant, silver four-legged animal burst into being and galloped gallantly over the sparkling waters, charging the dementors and knocking them away. Hundreds of dementors were no match for the magnificent creature, and they fled.

The creature returned to him, bowing slightly. A handsome stag. Prongs.

Hermione and Ron had arrived at the same time, in time to see Harry's patronus. As Harry returned through the tree line, he jumped as he saw his friends waiting for him. Ron had a look of complete awe. Hermione, however, favored the expression of the exasperatedly amused.

"Well, I guess we don't have to wonder who you saw across the lake anymore, Harry," she said with a wry smile.

"I guess not." He grinned.

"So, I guess we need to head toward the top of the tower and wait for Gohan."

Harry and Ron rode Buckbeak to the top of the tower. Hermione had opted to fly up herself. Both Harry and Ron had seen her fly while she fought Gohan the ape but didn't have time to register the fact because they had been occupied themselves. Now that they had the time, they allowed themselves to gawk shamelessly as her graceful form alighted the battlements seconds before Buckbeak had. They all sat atop the battlements, awaiting the time Gohan would bring them Sirius.

Emotions ran high, and anxiety ran deep as they waited.

Hermione gasped suddenly and turned to them. "Ron, did you ever give Gohan his wand back?"

Ron jumped. He shook his head.

"Great," she muttered fearfully. "What if the window is locked?"

"Gohan could blast it," Ron said.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Ronald! Don't you think a sound like that would attract some attention?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

"Give me the wand. I'll go."

"Why you?" Ron said.

She sighed. "Because I'm the only one here besides the hippogriff that can fly unaided."

"Just give it to her, Ron."

Suddenly, Gohan and Sirius appeared, startling the three youths and the beast. Harry and Ron looked over at Hermione.

"Oh, I guess I forgot about Instant Transmission." She laughed, suddenly feeling sheepish.

Sirius looked incredibly giddy yet still anxious. "Gohan terrified me for a minute. I almost shouted when he appeared in the room. I didn't know how he managed to apparate inside Hogwarts. I guess I know it wasn't apparating. Instant transmission, you called—"

"Sirius, you have to leave," Harry said, cutting him off and pushing him toward the hippogriff. "The dementors will be here any minute!"

Sirius made a bow to Buckbeak, who sank into his own. "Thanks, Harry. I'll never forget this—"

"Go," Harry said, cutting him off again. Sirius climbed onto the back of Buckbeak.

"We'll see each other again. You truly are your father's son—"

"GO!" Harry and Hermione said together.

Sirius nudged Buckbeak, who clattered across the tiles and soared into the horizon. The four friends watched as he disappeared from sight.

"Harry, we've got ten minutes before Dumbledore locks us in." Hermione said urgently.

"All right. Why don't we take the staircases to the new corridor—"

"Or we could just use that Instant Transit thingy," Ron piped in.

Hermione smiled. "Perhaps we should. It would reduce the risk of being seen. In that case, we could wait here until the ten minutes are past."

"Or maybe wait in the stairwell," Gohan said, pointing at some swooping forms in the distance.

"I agree," Harry nodded quickly. "I've had enough dementors for one night."

Nine minutes later, Hermione turned to the others. "Okay, I can sense Dumbledore. He's alone, just outside the hospital wing. Ron, you're with me. Gohan, you can take Harry."

"Okay!" Hermione grabbed Ron's arm and teleported just outside the wing.

Dumbledore had his wand stretched out to lock the door when he jumped at their sudden arrival. "Ah, I see you have learned the Instant Transmission technique from your father? Wonderful. Wonderful."

Harry nodded. "We did it."

Dumbledore cocked his head, his eyes twinkling. "You know, Harry, I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Aren't you four supposed to be in bed? Madam Pomfrey would have kniesels if she saw you in the corridor. Now in! And pleasant dreams."

The four entered the room and snuck quietly into their beds; Vegeta and Piccolo watched with raised brows but said nothing. The four looked at each other and smiled knowingly. It had been one long, odd day.

Minutes later, Madam Pomfrey reappeared, looking rather peeved. She gave each of them a sizable chunk of chocolate. When Piccolo opened his mouth to refuse, she thrust the piece into his mouth causing him to sputter and swallow some. Hermione gasped, Gohan stared in horror, and Vegeta grinned evilly as the Namek began to stutter.

"Madam Pomfrey, that was a bad idea, giving Piccolo chocolate," Hermione began.

"Nonsense, dear. Why shouldn't—"

She was interrupted by loud laughter. "Hey! You have a giant white bat on your head! Ha ha!" Vegeta cackled as Piccolo pointed at Madam Pomfrey's hat, laughing uninhibited.

"Honestly, Mister Piccolo! You'll wake the entire castle!"

"Let's do that! Let's wake everyone up! Then we'll have a party and eat chocolate all night!" Piccolo smiled happily as though his wildest dreams had come true.

"What is wrong with him?"

"Chocolate make Nameks dr—" Hermione's voice became muffled as Vegeta's hand clamped her mouth shut.

"You know what, wonderful lady healing person," Vegeta said in a very flattering tone. "If you want to help the Namek, feed him more chocolate." Hermione stared up at Vegeta, who had a very unconvincing look of innocence plastered on his face.

"Yes, more chocolate! That will make me feel really good!" Piccolo said loudly.

Madam Pomfrey blinked stupidly.

Just then, the doors burst open. Dumbledore, Snape, and Fudge entered the wing, Fudge looking completely flustered.

Fudge opened his mouth to say something, but he was cut off. Piccolo pointed at Dumbledore. "You've got a crooked nose! Ha ha ha!"

"Mister Piccolo! Please—"

"You gave him chocolate, didn't you, Poppy?" Dumbledore said calmly, shooting a twinkling look in a very disappointed Vegeta's direction. Dumbledore pointed his wand into Piccolo's face.

"Uh oh. He's going to 'stick' it to me now!" Piccolo laughed.

"Sobrieto," he said calmly. Piccolo's expression of mirth was immediately replaced by horror.

"You're dead meat, Vegeta." Piccolo said quietly, glaring darkly.

"Really? I doubt that, Namek. Why don't you just admit that you like chocolate and be done with it?"

"I'll admit it…as soon as you admit the same about Bulma," Piccolo said shrewdly.

Vegeta glared. "Mind your own business, Namek!"

"I will if you will."

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

They both folded their arms and exchanged glares. Fudge stared from one alien to the other, blinking stupidly before collecting himself. Harry and Ron exchanged grins.

"Uh, Harry?" Fudge began hesitantly. "I don't know how to tell you this, but…Sirius Black escaped…again."

Harry hitched a look of mild alarm. "Really? That's too bad. I know how badly you wanted the dementors to kiss him."

Fudge stared. "You…didn't have anything to do with his escape, did you?"

Harry glared. "Of course I did. I apparated into his room and collected him, and apparated out," He said sarcastically.

Fudge gasped, pointing at Harry. "So you did—"

Snape sniffed. "Don't be silly, Minister. It's impossible to apparate or disapparate from within Hogwarts…as Miss Know-It-All Granger was about to tell you, no doubt." Hermione closed her mouth. Snape continued. "Potter, that's five points from Gryffindor for your cheek." Snape shot a shrewd look over at Gohan. He knew about Gohan's technique but said nothing.

Dumbledore nodded. "I believe you are also aware that under-seventeens are not taught apparation, because underage magic is illegal? Not to mention that I locked the door magically before I left."

Fudge stammered. "O-oh, of course, Dumbledore. I should have guessed…Harry here was just having a joke." But Fudge didn't smile. He scowled as he turned to Dumbledore. "I'm sorry, Headmaster. I'm afraid I will have to remove the dementors. I never thought they'd try to kiss a student. We'll have to figure another means for security. Dragons at the front entrance, maybe?"

"Hagrid would like that," Dumbledore said happily. He and Fudge strode from the wing.

Snape turned on them. "You helped Black escape," he said quietly. It wasn't a question.

Harry smiled, feeling in a funny mood. "Now whatever gave you that impression, Professor?" He winked and pulled his covers over his head.

Snape stared at him in shock. He recomposed himself. "Potter, if you ever wink at me again—"

"Yeah, yeah, I know…fifty points from Gryffindor. Good night, Professor."

The room echoed with a loud grumble. "I'm hungry, whoa!" Gohan said as he grabbed his stomach. Snape shook his head with a tiny smile and conjured a plate of sandwiches and a flask of Pumpkin juice.

Ron scrambled from his bed and joined the half Saiyan. Snape turned and walked from the scene, shaking his head in amusement. It had been one long, odd day.