Hermione's Secret

Snape awoke not long after Sherlock cast his flare. Sherlock pointed him in the direction of the lake, where Harry and Hermione had gone. He hurried away just as the castle doors burst open, and Professor McGonagall flew down the steps towards them.

'I saw your flare. What happened here?'

Sherlock didn't even know where to begin, but McGonagall didn't press the issue, especially when she saw Dean's wounds.

She conjured stretchers for Dean, John and Ron then, just as they were leaving, Snape returned with three floating stretchers of his own, occupied by Harry, Hermione, and a gagged and bound Sirius.

'Goodness, Severus, is that Sirius Black?' McGonagall gasped.

'Indeed it is, Minerva, but perhaps it would be wise to save explanations for the Minister. In any case, Winchester needs immediate attention.'

'Yes, yes, of course.'

Sherlock narrowed his eyes at Snape, but the throbbing in his shoulder convinced him to hold his tongue at least until it had been healed.

Madam Pomfrey was not impressed when they arrived. She saw to Dean first, but there was not much she could do besides give him a potion to replenish his blood. Castiel took charge of this, gently lifting Dean's head and dripping the potion into his mouth. His skin was grey all over, but a tinge of red returned to his lips after a few drops of the potion.

Madam Pomfrey then removed the curse that Pettigrew had put on Ron, then healed Sherlock's shoulder, though Ron remained unconscious.

Sirius was taken away, presumably somewhere he couldn't escape. Then Mycroft arrived.

'Sirius Black is innocent,' Sherlock said before he could ask, 'but we have no way of proving it.'

Mycroft nodded. 'Ah, yes. Peter Pettigrew faked his death, did he?'

'Yes. He and Sirius are Animagi.'

'Animagi, of course. Well, I've just come from Dumbledore's office, where Snape is regaling them both with tales of how Black Confuded the lot of you. Unfortunately, that means that there is almost no chance of them believing you.'

'But you believe us?'

'Yes. I have always suspected something more to this case. There was not a sufficient investigation at the time, judging by the notes.'

'What about John? He's a Seer.'

'An untested and unproven Seer. You could try.'

'That's all we can do.'

Mycroft nodded again. 'I can't help you. I came dangerously close to losing my position trying to free the Hippogriff. Sirius Black is too much. If you'd given me a few more years, I might have been able to do something.'

'I understand.'

With that, Mycroft left again.

John, meanwhile, had begun to pull himself out of his paralysis with the help of a calming potion from Madam Pomfrey. He sat up slowly.

Dumbledore the entered the ward and sat on the chair next to John, leaving Sherlock to hover awkwardly at the foot of the bed.

'John,' said Dumbledore.

'Sir,' he replied.

'You have been given quite the responsibility, I hear.'

John snorted softly. 'Whoever gave it can take it back.'

'Understandable, of course.' Dumbledore said nothing for a moment. 'Did you see him? Voldemort?'

John cringed. 'Yes,' he said. 'Don't make me do it again, it's too horrible.'

'It's all right, John, that's all I need to know,' Dumbledore said gently. 'Don't be afraid. Now that we have some warning, we'll be better prepared,' His eyes flicked up to Sherlock. 'You're always welcome in my office, should you need assistance interpreting your visions, though I suspect that Sherlock will be more than capable.'

'Professor?' said John.

'Yes?'

'They're not going to believe me, are they?'

'I suspect not.'

'Then- then I'd rather not tell the Minister about my – this, if you don't mind.'

'But, John-' Sherlock began.

'It's my decision, Sherlock,' John said firmly. 'If he's not going to believe me, I'd rather not waste my time trying to convince him. At least until after I learn how to use it properly.'

'A wise decision,' said Dumbledore, eyes twinkling. He rose from his seat. 'I shall return later to speak to Harry and Hermione. I've already heard Professor Snape's version of events, so it'll be quite, shall we say, illuminating to hear what they say.'

He swept out of the room and Sherlock took his seat.

'You look exhausted,' Sherlock said sympathetically.

'I am. Something's stopping me sleeping though.'

'What do you mean?'

'I don't know. Something about Hermione, I think. I suppose we'll find out when she wakes up.'

Sherlock nodded slowly. 'Here, this may help.' He pulled a spare mug out from the drawer in the bedside table. Muttering under his breath, hot chocolate streamed from the end of his wand into the mug, which he handed to John.

It tasted awful, but Sherlock seemed so proud of it, so John sipped at it while they waited. 'How's he doing, Cas?' John called over when Castiel went to wash the blood off his hands.

'He'll live,' Cas said grimly.

Madam Pomfrey then returned from where she'd been treating Sirius and gave them all large chunks of chocolate, then continued trying to revive Ron.

Harry and Hermione woke up around half an hour later, and the peace of the hospital wing was broken by the entrance of Snape and Fudge. John had only just managed to ask them both not to say anything about his powers when they came bursting in.

'Ah, Harry, you're awake. Excellent,' said Fudge. 'You'll be pleased to know that we have apprehended Sirius Black, and the Dementors will be administering the kiss any moment now.'

'WHAT?' Harry shouted, jumping out of bed. 'You can't! He's innocent!'

'Minister, please listen,' Hermione said, joining Harry. '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!' Harry roared.

'Minister, Professor, please, these children need care,' Madam Pomfrey said angrily. 'Please, leave-'

The door opened again and Dumbledore came in.

'For heaven's sake!' Madam Pomfrey exclaimed. 'Is this a hospital wing or not? Headmaster, I must insist-'

'My apologies, Poppy, but I need a word with the students, alone,' Dumbledore said calmly. '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 and strode away to her office.

'I'd best go meet the Dementors,' said Fudge, checking his pocket watch. 'Come, Severus.'

Snape didn't move, glaring at Dumbledore.

'Severus,' Fudge prompted, uncertain.

Snape then left with Fudge, and Dumbledore waited until the door snapped shut to say anything.

Harry and Hermione immediately launched into explanations, but Dumbledore held up a hand. 'I have no power to make other men see the truth, or to overrule the Minister for Magic…'

'I think we need Hermione's Time-Turner,' said John suddenly. 'That's what it's called, right?'

They all looked at him in surprise, Dumbledore smiling slightly. 'Correct, John,' he said.

'Hermione's what?' said Harry, but Dumbledore continued on.

'Now, pay attention. Sirius is locked in Professor Flitwick's office on the seventh floor. Thirteenth window from 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, you must not be seen. Miss Granger, you know the law, you know what's at stake… you-must-not-be-seen.' Dumbledore went back to the door. 'I'm going to lock the door. It's currently five minutes to midnight. Three turns should do it.' He closed the door behind him.

Hermione fiddled with the front of her robes.

'How did you know?' Sherlock asked John.

'You told me,' he said, suddenly embarrassed. 'I heard you in my head. It wasn't words, exactly. More like an image or- or an impression?'

'You did? Really?'

'Yeah,' said John, allowing himself a small smile. 'You have some leaves in your hair.' John reached out and brushed them away, fingertips tingling at the contact with Sherlock's soft curls.

Hermione then threw a fine gold chain around Harry's neck and spun the hourglass shaped charm attached to it. The two of them then vanished, leaving the ward in silence.

Welcome back everyone! Thanks to CSIRide-Kirk and Sherlock Harry Winchester for the reviews :)

We're almost there guys! The next chapter is the last one for this book, so see you then!