AN: Hello there! Sorry this one took a while. Had a hard time deciding how to go about this one. Eh, not much else to say really. Just tell me what you think.

In unrelated news I have a Facebook page now. Link is in my bio... do with that what you will.

UNTIL NEXT TIME!

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It was the day of Buckbeak's execution. Apparently Draco's dad threw his political weight around and had the hippogriff declared a danger to the students of Hogwarts. Honestly, it seemed like a minor concern when compared to what had been going on recently. One could almost excuse Harry for letting it slip his mind given the other things he was dealing with at the moment. The current concern being a certain vision that had very cryptic terminology.

'Okay, so the shadow is the easiest to identify. It's either professor Emiya or Voldemort... the rat and the hound? Who are they?'

'We're certain they aren't actually a rodent and a canine?'

'No, she specifically stated (quote) "Three men stand." That means they have to be people... though I'm not sure if they have to be men, stupid divinity rules about wording.'

'As much as I'd like to spend all day on this, your friends are here.'

Before he could question how the voice in his head knew that Ron and Hermione walked into the common room. Maybe he should be trying to figure out what exactly the voice was, mostly because it seemed to act like an extension of himself rather than like he was just crazy. If there was a legitimate reason for this "extra conciousness" he might as well know what that reason is. It's equally important to understand yourself as it is to understand your enemy.

Wait, wasn't there a book on the Professor's reading list that said something like that? Eh, just something else that was for another day.

"...Harry! Are you even listening?"

"Oh, uh, sorry did you say something?"

"I asked if you wanted to join us to visit Hagrid?"

"Oh, okay yeah."

He knew the big guy could definitely use a friendly visit before the deed was done. It was actually pretty admirable how much he cared for the creatures under his watch.

Most of the walk to Hagrid's place was filled with silence which Harry didn't mind all that much. It gave a bit more time to think. Though the executioner in the courtyard was a bit melodramatic.

'I wonder if the crows are accidental or if he brings them in himself?"

'I know, right?'

As they were approaching the hill they saw Draco and Harry was treated to the sight of Hermione intimidating him with a raised fist. The scene both amused and confused him. Was there something he missed that explained why Draco would be afraid of her punching him? If so, why was fate so cruel as to deny him the experience? That "another day" list was starting to get kinda long... maybe he should start doing something about that.

Whatever, it that little annoyance out of the way.

"Why not set him free?"

"They'd know it was me..."

'Haha! That rhymed.'

'Not now!'

'Buzzkill'

"... Then Dumbledore would get into trouble. He said he wants to be there when they...when it happens."

Harry kept watch while his friends and Hagrid continued conversing (mostly because Hermione and Ron started arguing). Apparently Hagrid found Ron's pet rat scabbers. Of course Hermione instantly demanded an apology. The sound of a door closing caught their attention. The group noticed two things first being the absence of Harry and the second the approaching execution party.

Neither of the teens had time to question it as Hagrid was quickly rushing them out with bad excuses. It took a bit of manoeuvring but the duo made it back up the hill without being spotted. They were just in time to turn around and see the executioner swing his blade down. After a few moments of silence Ron asked the question both were wondering about (mostly as a distraction).

"Where's Harry?"

Hermione looked around a bit.

"I can't see him."

"Don't tell me he left us."

"Who left you?"

They both jumped at the sound of his voice. How he got behind them without a sound was confusing and kinda scary. This being the second time it happened coupled with his other strange behavior had them a bit on edge. What he said next just added to the mystery and concern.

"If you're worried about Buckbeak, don't be. I alerted took care of that."

Both looked shocked at that.

"What? How?"

Harry thought about telling them for a second until he remembered a lesson Professor Emiya taught him, 'Sometimes it's best to leave allies and assets in the dark so information can't spread. The fewer people who have knowledge of an operation the less you risk retaliation for it.' In the end he simply decided not to say anything about it. Plus, it saved him from having to explain how he got his hands on a Black Key (or what they even were for that matter). Not to mention were exactly he learned the skills he just used.

"It's best you didn't know."

This just added to their worries, what exactly had he done and why didn't he want them to know? When he started looking around suspiciously his friends got a little more concerned. Hermione wa the first to speak up.

"What is it?"

He still kept eyeing the treeline, there was just this unshakable feeling they were being watched. Something set off his instincts like a air raid siren, he just didn't know what.

"... Maybe we should get moving."

Just then, scabbers bit Ron's hand and started running. Of course the redhead chased after his family pet with Hermione right behind him. Harry checked their surroundings one more time before following suit.

He had a bad feeling about this.

...

Over in the treeline he had just scanned a set of binoculars followed the trio before speaking into a radio.

"Target sighted, this operation is a go."