Author's Note: *Obligatory Denial of Ownership* I'm a bit hyperfixated at the moment.
3rd Year:
"Mia, what are you waiting for?" Harry asked, seated astride Buckbeak.
Hermione, who'd just spent the entire night insisting that time was limited, was actually stepping backward with her bottom lip between her teeth. "I… I think I can make my way back on foot. I shouldn't take too long," she said.
Harry wanted to remind her that Lupin was still roaming the forest, that Buckbeak was all that kept them from being mauled earlier, that they didn't have time to argue, but one glance at her eyes had Harry silenced before he even opened his mouth. He could see the fear in her eyes, knew the memories swimming in her head, Malfoy jumping between her and Buckbeak, all the blood, and the comment Harry recalled from their first train ride together, 'I've never understood how you lunatics can tolerate being so high off the ground.'
"Hermione, do you remember the first time I told you that I trusted you?" Harry asked softly, to which she answered with a nod. "I willingly put my life in your hands, didn't I?" Again, she nodded. Harry stretched out his arm, offering her his hand and locking eyes with her. "I know it's a lot to ask for, but I need you to do the same for me now."
To Harry's dismay, Hermione still looked incredibly hesitant, but she still took his hand and allowed Harry to help her onto the hippogriff's back, right behind him. "Hold on tight, Mia," Harry instructed and she wrapped her arms around him as tightly as she could. "Ready?" Harry asked.
She nodded her head against his back and choked out, "hurry." Harry didn't hesitate, urging Buckbeak into the air and toward the school. Hermione whimpered, muttering, "I don't like this, I really don't like this."
As much as Harry wanted to comfort her somehow, they simply didn't have time. Instead, Harry focused on searching the windows and quickly found Sirius. Harry brought Buckbeak to a stop and tapped sharply on the glass to alert Sirius to their presence. Sirius came rushing to the window, but it was locked. Hermione drew her wand with a shaky hand, still clinging to Harry as tightly as possible, and whispered, "Alohomora." The window sprung open.
"How?" Sirius gasped, gesturing to the hippogriff.
Harry shook his head. "No time to explain. Hurry, MacNair is bringing the dementors!"
Sirius quickly pulled himself through the window, and though Harry would have preferred to see his godfather looking healthier, with more meat on his bones, Sirius' current emaciated state was actually an advantage. In seconds Sirius had successfully seated himself on Buckbeak's back right behind Hermione.
They soared upward, high as the top of the West Tower. Buckbeak landed with a clatter on the battlements, and both teenagers slid off of him at once. "Is the Malfoy boy alright?" Sirius asked.
"He's fine," Harry answered. "Nothing Madam Pomfrey can't fix. Now hurry, you have to get out of here before they catch you!"
Sirius nodded and slid forward on Buckbeak's back, taking hold of the flimsily fashioned reigns. He looked back at Harry with a hopeful smile. "We'll see each other again soon, and I promise we'll be a real family." He then turned to Hermione. "Keep an eye on him for me, won't you? Potters are a handful, and I don't trust anyone else with my godson."
Before either teen could respond, Sirius squeezed Buckbeak's sides with his heels. Harry and Hermione jumped back as the enormous wings rose once more. The hippogriff took off into the air, and in moments, Buckbeak and Sirius had vanished into the night sky.
"We did it," Hermione whispered and grinned. "We did it!" She cried and threw her arms around Harry in celebration. Harry wrapped his own arms around Hermione, eager to make the most of her hugging him with the understanding that she'd likely pull away sooner than usual to remind him that they were short on time.
But Hermione didn't pull back. Her gaze seemed to shift from his eyes to his lips, and she leaned forward to kiss him. Despite his shock at the unexpected touch of her soft lips against his, Harry responded instantly, raising his hand to cup her cheek in his palm, gently pulling her closer and angling his head to kiss her deeper.
Hermione shivered as tingles ran through her skin. She could feel her heart fluttering in her chest as her entire body flooded with warmth. The sensations assaulting them both were phenomenal, more amazing than either of them could have imagined, and all too soon it came to an end. She and Harry slowly pulled back from each other, their faces thoroughly flushed, and Hermione's eyes widened as she remembered the limited time they had and checked her watch. "We have ten minutes!" She said, "Come on Harry! We need to move!"