Harry ran towards the Whomping Willow, he quickly tapped his wand to his head disillusioning himself. Then he waved his wand in a circle, getting rid of his scent. Hermione had taught him that a week ago, or four years into the future. It was confusing to think about.
As he approached the tree he could see Remus transforming. He quickly crouched into the tall grass he remembered Wormtail disappeared into. Sirius was pushing the past Harry away.
"Leave it to me - Run!"
Present Harry watched Wormtail, waiting for him to transform. He knew he couldn't change what he knew the past Harry saw. Past Harry saw Wormtail disappear into the tall grass, but he didn't see what happened to Wormtail afterwards. Of course, Present Harry knew that eventually Wormtail found Voldemort, but he figured that dying and going back in time is different than using a time turner. After all, why would Dumbledore send him back if he couldn't change anything?
He saw Wormtail reach for Remus' wand.
"Expelliarmus!" Past Harry forced Remus' wand out of the traitor's hand. "Stay where you are!"
Wormtail didn't listen and started to shrink, transforming into a rat. Ron reached for him but missed, the rat slipped into the grass. Fortunately, the rat ran right into Present Harry's hands. Harry help his shout of glee as he quickly stunned the rat. Then he quickly looked up making sure no one saw the flash of red.
Remus and Sirius had both ran off, while Past Harry and Hermione were checking on Ron.
A yelping noise came from by the lake. The Past Harry recognized it as Sirius and with a last glance at Ron both him and Hermione ran towards the noise.
Present Harry stuffed the rat into his pocket, much like how Ron use to. He ran towards the lake but went around on the other side away from Past Harry and Hermione. He could hear his younger self screaming the patronus spell, trying to drive the dementors away.
As he arrived he saw himself across the lake wand in hand pointing at the dementors that kept creeping closer. Harry knew he had to wait until his future spirit inhabited his body before chasing the dementor. Younger Harry started to fall, the dementor caught him with its bony hand, then used the other hand to lower its hood. Suddenly a blue mist surrounded younger Harry's body, the dementor froze, and if Harry didn't know better he'd say it was confused. The blue mist smoothly settled into Harry's body, present Harry knew that was his cue.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM"
A brilliant white stag leapt from his wand quickly galloping towards the dementors pushing them away. The dementor that had almost kissed Harry quickly dropped him and flew away the stag on its heels. Present Harry watched the younger Harry hit the ground, his eyes barely open, a smile on his face.
"Harry?" Hermione's voice came from behind him. He turned around to see Hermione looking confused eyes darting everywhere looking for him. He quickly took of his deception spells. Her eyes landed on him wide eyed.
"Hermione" Harry greeted her, he wasn't sure what to say.
"What did you do?" her hesitancy disappeared as she grabbed his arm and pulled him behind the trees.
"You weren't supposed to be seen!" she scowled him.
"I wasn't! I promise!" he reassured her "and I got Pettigrew!" He pulled the rat out from his jacket pocket.
"What?! Harry!"
"I grabbed him when he went into the grass, the past us thinks he disappeared, so it's ok." He explained to her.
Her mouth dropped and she was silent. After a minute she closed her jaw and put her head into her hands.
"Hermione?"
"It's ok, the universe hasn't exploded yet," she mumbled to herself, then looked up at him. "The universe better not explode!"
"It won't, Hermione, don't worry," he smiled to himself, she was acting like her older self, then he frowned remembering he would never see that Hermione again. Oh sure, this one will get older but hopefully he could save her from experience the things the other Hermione went through.
"When do you think Sirius will be at the tower?" she asked pulling Harry out of his thoughts.
"Er, I don't know, let me check," he peeked around the tree trunk. "Snape's got us, probably going to take us back to Hogwarts."
"Will have to wait a little while then," Hermione said. Harry nodded.
"Let's move somewhere where we can see the Astronomy Tower," said Harry.
Together they untied Buckbeak and started to walk towards Hogwarts, Snape had already made it into the castle.
"Harry what was that blue thing that surrounded your body?" she asked as they walked.
Harry wasn't sure how to respond to her, so he decided to play ignorant. "I don't know, do you think it was something bad?"
"Do you feel bad?" she gave him a knowing look, she knew something was up with him.
"No, I mean I was really confused when I woke up, maybe the dementor did something to me?"
"Hmm, well I never heard of a dementor causing confusion when they are no longer around."
"Maybe it has something to do with time travel," technically he wasn't lying there.
"Maybe," she sounded doubtful. "But I wasn't surrounded by mist."
"But you didn't cast a spell maybe it was a magic thing."
"I'll have to look in the library tomorrow," she started planning her research in her head. Harry was relieved, he wasn't sure why he was lying to her, but it was probably the wrong time to drop the dying and other time travel on her, anyways.
"It's time, look there's Macnair getting the dementors," he pointed at the executioner. He quickly stopped Buckbeak and climbed onto his back, then helped Hermione up. She nervously wrapped her arms around Harry. Harry nudged Buckbeak to move forward and soon they were flying in the air. Hermione's hair whipped around her and constantly hit Harry's neck making it itch, but he was too distracted by the rush of adrenaline that ran through his body. Hermione was grumbling into his shoulder her dislike of flying, he laughed. He steered Buckbeak towards the Astronomy Tower, counting the windows to Flitwick's office. He got as close as he could then waved his wand, unlocking the window.
"Sirius!" Harry could hardly contain his excitement at seeing his godfather up close for the first time in two years.
"Harry? Wha-?" Sirius' jaw hit the floor, "how?"
"No time to explain, hop on"
Sirius scrambled out of the window onto Buckbeak, sitting behind Hermione. Harry nudged Buckbeak again and they flew towards the courtyard. Both Sirius and Harry shouted with joy as the hippogriff flew. Finally they landed and Harry and Hermione got off.
"Harry thank you—"
"Listen Sirius, you need to go hide in the caves in Hogsmead. Tomorrow leave Buckbeak there and come to the Gryffindor common room as Padfoot using the passage in the Whomping Willow."
"Harry shouldn't I leave the country?"
"No I am going to prove you innocent, I know where Wormtail is – no I won't tell you where, just trust me please?" Harry looked into Sirius' eyes willing him to agree.
"Ok, I trust you Harry," Sirius agreed. Harry sighed in relief.
"Thank you Sirius, I'll see you tomorrow then," Harry smiled.
"Yes, and Harry—you truly are your fathers son." With those last words Sirius dug his heel into the hippogriff and flew off into the night.
"Come on we need to get back," Hermione pulled on Harry's arm leading him into the castle.
They quickly started to run towards the Hospital Wing. They were running down a stair case so fast that they almost ran in front of Snape and Fudge. Harry managed to stop himself and Hermione in time and they pressed themselves into the wall in the hope that they would not be seen.
"—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. 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."
Harry rolled his eyes, after they had passed the two teens continued running, going down many hallways and only slowing around corners. They could hear Peeves cackling ahead, so Harry pulled Hermione into a classroom.
"Harry we only have three minutes," Hermione whispered anxiously.
"We'll make it." Harry hoped his extra seconds of conversations with Sirius hadn't affected the time the time they had to get to the wing.
After Peeves went past them, they continued running. Finally they could hear Dumbledore.
"I am going to lock you in," they heard him saying. "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 magically lock it. Harry and Hermione ran forward. Dumbledore looked up, and a wide smile appeared under the long silver mustache. "Well?" he said quietly.
"Done!" Harry said, breathlessly. "Sirius is gone, on Buckbeak."
Dumbledore beamed at them.
"Well done. I think—" he listened intently for any sound in the hospital wing. "Yes, I think you've gone too, get inside. I'll lock you in."
Harry and Hermione slipped back into the hospital wing. It was empty except for Ron, who was still lying motionless in the end bed. They crept back to their beds.
"You didn't tell him about Wormtail" Hermione stated.
"Don't worry, I have a plan," Harry said then gestured for her to be quiet.
Madam Pomfrey came striding out.
"Did I hear the Headmaster leaving? Am I allowed to look after my patients now?"