Black Ruby

Waking up, I found myself in the hospital wing. Hermione, Harry and Ron were all lying on beds, Harry unconscious, Ron with his leg in plaster and Hermione with her ankle bandaged. On my bedside table there was a large lump of chocolate. Without caring what the others said or did, I got up, grabbed some chocolate and shoved it in my mouth, before running to the hospital wing door. I had to find Dad.

'Miss Tuesday...Black?!?' I stopped with my hand on the door handle to see Madam Pomfrey staring down at me. 'Get back into your bed this instant! You've just encountered several Dementors! You need your rest!'

She tried to push me back to my bed but I wouldn't have it. I could see Ron and Hermione just watching me.

'No!' I screamed. I didn't care if I woke Harry. 'I want to see my Dad! Let me see him!'

That was when Professor Dumbledore entered the room. He told Madam Pomfrey to leave him to have a word with me before turning to me as she went back to her office.

'I want to see my Dad,' I said to him, straight out. 'I have the right to see him.'

'Indeed, Miss Black,' he replied casually. 'I was actually hoping you had woken so you could speak to him.' I stopped and stared at him. 'Come along, time waits for no man.' and he took me out of the hospital wing, leading me to where Dad was being kept.

When we got there, I saw Dad was being kept in a small room with bars for a door. He was sitting crouched in the darkness. I ran over to him.

'Dad.' He looked up at me. 'I'm here.'

'Rhuben.' Dad got up and crouched in front of me behind the bars. He reached out a tired hand and gently touched my face. 'I thought the Dementors had killed you.'

'It takes more than Dementors to kill me,' I said. I was trying to hold back my tears again though I knew they were falling down my cheeks. I couldn't help myself .

'There's nothing you can do,' he told me. 'Fudge has been called and he's just dealing with the Dementors about attacking you and Harry. They'll be here soon.'

'No, there must be a way to prove you're innocent. We all know the truth. Lupin knows the truth. He can tell them.'

'Remus isn't able to tell them anything at the moment and what with Pettigrew gone again, there's no proof. Fudge will never listen to you all, not with Snape providing a more convincing story.'

I ran back to the Hospital wing tears still streaming down my face, when I got there Dumbledore was there waiting Harry was out of bed looking panicked as he didn't see me anywhere.

'Hold your tongue Miss Granger!!' Snape yelled

'Severus, I would like to talk to Harry, Hermione and Rhuben alone please...' Dumbledore stated.

Dumbledore left the room, closing and locking the doors behind him. Harry, Ron and I were completely baffled. Hermione, however, didn't seem unfazed.

'What the bloody hell was that all about?' Ron asked, saying what us three were all thinking. Hermione looked at him.

'Sorry, Ron, but seeing as you can't walk …'

Hermione pulled out a long thing gold chain and put it around mine and Harry's necks, fiddling with a small pendant. Harry was about to touch it when Hermione slapped his hand away. I watched as she gave the thing three turns with the small dial and the hourglass inside it began to spin. Around us, Ron disappeared as day came back, people moving around us backwards, even a person being wrapped back up in bandages. Seconds later, Hermione removed the chain from our necks and shoved it back in her jacket.

'Seven thirty,' she said quickly. What? We'd gone back in time? 'Where were we at seven thirty?'

'I don't know,' said Harry, 'going to Hagrid's?'

'Come on and we can't be seen.'

Hermione ran out of the hospital wing. Harry and I looked at each other before running after her, Harry yelling at her to slow down. We ran all the way down from the hospital wing to the entrance hall, Hermione then dragging us into a broom closet as another set of footsteps came our way. We waited there for a few minutes before peering out. The other Harry, Ron and Hermione had gone. Quickly and quietly, we ran out of the hall, across the bridge and into the grounds where we stopped in the archway. People were talking ahead of us.

'You! You foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach!' That was Hermione. We peered round the corner to see her, Harry and Ron out in the stone circle with Malfoy against one of them, Crabbe and Goyle with him.

'That's us,' mumbled Harry.

'Hermione, no!' said the Ron out there. 'He's not worth it.'

'This is not normal.'

Hermione quickly shoved Harry round the corner. I moved back to and covered his mouth, having already worked out what was happening.

'Will you keep quiet,' I hissed at him. 'We'll get caught.'

'This is a Time-Turner, Harry,' Hermione explained to him as I kept an eye on the other them. 'McGonagall gave it to me first term. It's how I've been getting to my lessons all year. She made me swear I wouldn't tell anyone. I've been turning it back so I could do hours over again, that's how I've been doing several lessons at once.'

'You mean we've gone back in time?' said Harry.

'Quick to catch on, isn't he?' I said, slightly sarcastically. Harry and Hermione then joined me at the archway. 'Dumbledore obviously wanted us to return to this moment. Clearly something happened he wants us to change.' Just then, I saw the other Hermione punch Malfoy. A pretty good punch too. Malfoy smacked his head on the pillar behind him.

'Good punch,' muttered Harry.

'Yeah you have a pretty mean right hook...' I mumbled grinning to Hermione.

'Thanks.' However, now Malfoy was running towards us with Crabbe and Goyle. 'Malfoy's coming!' Hermione grabbed us and pulled us out the arch on the other side where we crouched down round the corner as Malfoy ran past us with the other two. The other Harry, Ron and Hermione were just leaving. We crept out of hiding and ran over to the top of the hill and watched as they ran down the steps to Hagrid's.

'Look, Buckbeak's still alive,' said Harry. He was too.

'Of course,' said Hermione. 'Remember what Dumbledore said? If we succeed, more than one innocent life could be spared.' Harry, Ron and Hermione disappeared. Let's go.'

The three of us ran down the hill towards Hagrid's hut and remained crouched in the pumpkin patch as the other Harry, Ron and Hermione were inside. Behind us, Dumbledore, Fudge and the executioner Macnair were walking down the hill. Harry went to get Buckbeak but Hermione stopped him, explaining Fudge needed to see he was there. Inside the hut, Hagrid had given Scabbers back to Ron.

'That's Pettigrew,' growled Harry, starting to get up. Hermione pulled him back.

'Harry, you can't!'

'Hermione, that's the man who betrayed my parents,' he growled at her. I glanced at him. Least he did believe Dad now, I thought though he hadn't apologised to me yet. 'You don't expect me to just sit here.'

'Yes, you must!' said Hermione. She pulled us further behind the pumpkins as Fudge got closer. 'Harry, you're in Hagrid's hut now. If you just go bursting in you'll think you've gone mad. Awful things happen to wizards who meddle with time, Harry. We can't be seen.'

We waited for what seemed ages but Harry, Ron and Hermione weren't coming out of Hagrid's hut and Dumbledore and Fudge were getting closer. It was only when Hermione threw a couple stones in through Hagrid's window that they noticed and came out, us hiding in the woods behind them. It was a close call when the Hermione turned round but the three of them left and we came out of hiding.

As quick as possible, Harry coaxed Buckbeak to his feet and led him away with my help as Hermione enticed him with some dead ferrets that had been hanging up nearby. We managed to get him into the Forest, not sticking around to see if it had worked. It was already getting dark and Dad would be attacking the other Harry, Ron and Hermione by now. We went deeper into the Forbidden Forest and towards where the Willow was. I ran on ahead, leaving the other two with Buckbeak. I had to find out what was happening. They joined me a few minutes later.

'Look, it's Lupin,' said Hermione. He'd just a long branch to prod the knot in the trunks before disappearing into the tunnel.

'And Snape's coming,' said Harry as Snape too disappeared. 'And now we wait.'

'And now we wait.' I sighed and sat down next to them, hoping beyond hope what we were going to do would turn out all right.

An hour past and still there was no movement from the Willow. As the other two talked quietly, I sat thinking about what could happen if we failed. That Dad would suffer something worse than death, an eternity without a soul. I shivered at the thought. I only started listening when Harry mentioned the Patronuses that had saved us.

'But who conjured them?' Hermione asked him. 'Didn't you see what they looked like? Was it one of the teachers?'

'No,' said Harry. 'He wasn't a teacher. I didn't see the other person though.'

'According to Dumbledore, only a really powerful wizard could have conjured them.'

'I think –' Harry swallowed. 'I think it was my dad.' I looked up at Harry.

'Harry, your dad's – well –' said Hermione quietly.

'Dead, I know. I'm just telling you what I saw.'

'Harry, did you see what the Patronuses looked like?' I asked quietly. I was still a bit wary of him.

'It were really big animals,' said Harry. 'One looked like a Lion or something. I don't know what the other one was but I could see someone behind it.'

'And you thought it was your dad?' I asked. Harry nodded.

'Here we come,' I said.

Standing up we could see us all climb out of the tunnel: Crookshanks, me, Harry, Dad and Ron followed by Hermione, Lupin and Pettigrew. I watched silently as Dad spoke to me, Harry stood behind me. It was strange when Dad winked at Harry he blushed.

I walked away the moon come out from the cloud and Lupin start to transform. The fight began and the werewolf chased the dog away. We followed it from down the hill in the forest.

As we watched I saw how beat up Dad was getting and I remembered the howl we'd heard. Instantly, I let out a howl to attract Lupin's attention only to be stopped by Harry covering my hands and mouth.

'What are you doing?'

'Saving our lives!' I stated in exasperation.

'Great, now it's coming for us,' said Harry.

'Yeah, didn't think about that,' I said quickly. 'Run!'

The three of us turned tail and ran into the forest as the werewolf chased after us. We got separated. Hermione and Harry were still running from Lupin, I sliced open my hand with a sharp twig making a sufficient amount of blood to send me into a frenzy. I charged after them at vampire speed. I found them not far from where I was to begin with. Standing in front of Harry and Hermione I swiped at Lupin. Growling and screaming filled the air around us. I could feel myself getting weaker by the second every slash Lupin made connected with my flesh. I knew I couldn't hold out much longer, luckily I didn't have to. Buckbeak came to my rescue, chasing Lupin off for now.

'Ruby!!' Hermione yelled as she ran over to me, viewing all of my wounds up close she gasped. Buckbeak licked my face. I hissed as my wounds healed themselves, again Hermione gasped. Harry just let out a relived breath.

'Are you all right?' I asked. 'He didn't hurt you?'

'No,' said Harry. 'Poor Professor Lupin's having a really tough night.' I smiled a weak smile.

Just then a cold feeling began round us. We looked up to see the swarm of Dementors flying over the forest above us. Dad was going to be killed any second. Quickly the three of us ran up the hill and over to the lake. On the other side was Dad, Harry and me. It looked even worse from a distance as the Dementors came to attack us one at a time. Beside me Harry was still convinced that his Dad would come but no one did.

'You dying …' mumbled Hermione. 'All of you.'

And everything clicked into place in my mind.

'Harry, listen to me,' I said, standing in front of him. 'It wasn't your dad you saw. You saw you. That horse Patronus you saw was mine! We're here right now and we're dying over there! You conjured the other Patronus!'

I stared at him hopefully. If he didn't understand then we'd be dead for sure. Realisation seemed to spread over his face and he ran past me to the edge of the lake, regardless of Hermione's shout not to and drew out his wand. I did so too and we both shouted, 'Expecto Patronum!'

A bright light burst from mine and Harry's wands. Two Patronuses, full and solid, exploded from our wand tips, charging over the lake to the other us. The Dementors fled in every direction into the sky as the Patronuses charged them down. As I watched I realised why Harry had thought it was his dad who'd conjured it. Not only because he looked like his father but because of what his Patronus was: a stag. Prongs.

Soon, the Dementors had gone and Harry remained by the lake. Hermione and I joined him in time to see Snape appeared with the other Hermione, Ron on a stretcher, and conjure up three more for me, Harry and Dad. Once they were gone, we hurried back to where Buckbeak was, climbed on to him, and flew off towards the castle. I pointed out which tower it was he was in and we flew down to him, landing on the battlement.

We climbed off Buckbeak and ran to the door. Dad just looked amazed when he saw the three of us there. Hermione managed to explode the lock in the door and we flew off on Buckbeak, me running vampire speed as there wasn't enough room. I waited for them in a courtyard.

Dad pulled us under the shelter.

'I'll be forever grateful for this,' he said, 'to all of you.'

'I want to go with you,' said Harry instantly. I looked at him.

'One day, perhaps,' replied Sirius. 'For some time, my life will be too unpredictable.' I looked away feeling uncomfortable, knowing Dad was to leave me again as Hermione went to calm Buckbeak down. I remained listening to them though. 'And besides, you're meant to be here.'

'But your innocent.'

'And you know it. And for now, that will do. I expect you're tired of hearing this but you look so like your father. Except your eyes. You have –'

'My mothers eyes.'

'It's cruel that I spent so much time with James and Lily, and you so little. But know this: the ones that love us never really leave us.' At this I looked up at Dad. 'And you can always find them in here.' He'd put his hand on Harry's chest, over his heart. I guess he was right. Dad stood up again and turned to me. I couldn't looked at him, knowing I had tears in my eyes again.

'I've only just got you back,' I said quietly. 'Please don't leave me again.'

'You know I must,' said Sirius gently, lifting up my face to look at his. 'You're so your mother's daughter, stubborn, intelligent, brave and beautiful....'

I nodded. Then, Dad stood straight and walked over to Buckbeak, Harry and I following. He climbed on to Buckbeak and turned to us, adding, 'You really are the brightest witch of your age.' to Hermione, before kicking his heels and flying away. The three of us watched as they flew away when the bell started to toll.

We ran all the way back to the hospital wing from the courtyard, taking a detour into a deserted classroom as Peeves came floating along the corridor. When the coast was clear, we ran back out of it and down the corridor, just as Dumbledore left the room.

'He's free,' Harry said, panting. 'We did it.' Dumbledore gave us a strange look.

'Did what?' he asked, heading down the nearby stairs. 'Goodnight.'

We looked at each but shrugged this off and opened the doors to the hospital wing to see the three of us disappear in the centre of the room. As that us vanished, we strode up the aisle to Ron's bedside. Let's just say he was pretty startled, staring at us.

'How did you get there?' he asked nervously. He sounded like he was loosing his mind as he pointed at us, then pointed at the centre of the room where we had been seconds before. 'I-I was talking to you there. And now you're there.'

'What's he talking about, Harry?' said Hermione casually, turning to us.

'I don't know,' said Harry, equally as casual.

'Honestly, Ron, how can somebody be in two places at once?' I added and the three of us burst into laughter.

The rest of that night was spent in the hospital wing at the orders of Madam Pomfrey. Of course, Dad's escape hadn't gone unnoticed and about five minutes after we had got back, Snape stormed into the ward shouting that Harry had done something to help Black escape. Madam Pomfrey said it was ridiculous seeing as Dumbledore had locked us in. Once Snape had disappeared fuming, and Fudge had gone to call off the Dementors we were left in the ward alone.

'So anyone going to tell me what happened?' asked Ron.

Harry, Hermione and I looked at each other.

'You explain,' said Harry and he helped himself to a large chunk of chocolate.

The next day the fact that Black had escaped again had spread around the school like wild fire though the castle and grounds were virtually deserted due to another Hogsmeade visit. This time Ron and Hermione stayed behind with me and Harry.

The next day Harry and I went to go and visit Professor Lupin, tell him that Dad was fine and free.

'Are you alright Professor? It's just we...were worried about you.' I stated when we were seated. It was strange he was rushing around packing different things into different trunks.

'I've handed in my resignation...it's not safe for me to teach here after what happened....I hope you both understand' Lupin muttered with a pleading look in his eyes.

'I heard you two got attacked by Dementors?...I also heard that both Buckbeak and Sirius are free...' Lupin asked smirking. I nodded and Harry retold the story from start to finish.

'So Sirius got away with Buckbeak, Snape wasn't pleased but that just made all of this more worth while! He'll never work out what actually happened....' Harry stated a smug grin stretched across his lips.

'Part of the reason I resigned,' said Lupin tiredly. He got up out of his chair and flicked his wand to his trunk, making it open and start to pack itself. He noticed my curious look. 'Severus let slip that I was a werewolf in his House meetings this morning. It was only a matter of time before he did. Still …' Lupin heaved his briefcase on to the table and opened it. 'Now, you two can make yourselves useful and help me pack.'

'Now,' Lupin said, 'since I am no longer your teacher, I feel no guilt whatsoever about giving this back to you, as long as your careful with it both of you. Both your parents helped write it after all. So now I'll say goodbye, Harry. I feel sure well meet again sometime. Until then …' Lupin looked at the Map and grinned slightly. 'Mischief managed.' He flicked his wand at the Map and it folded itself up and cleared. Taking a walking stick, Lupin limped through the door and looked back at us.

'So when are you going to tell Ron and Hermione about your abilities?' Harry asked as we walked back to the Common Room.

'Hermione has worked it out already....and I'm sure Ron will find out eventually, Hermione may have told him already....who knows...' I stated half-heartedly.

The last week of term was full of rumours on how Dad escaped. Malfoy was furious that Buckbeak hadn't been executed but on the whole, when was he not livid about something? So things were back to normal and the main thing was I had my friends back. The last day and the four of us got a compartment together on the train back to London. And halfway there we got a little surprise.

Outside our compartment window was a tiny owl, the size to fit in your palm, fluttering madly around us when we let it in. It had a letter from Dad, explaining what he was doing and what was happening and also that he had sent Harry his Firebolt. He also wrote that Ron could keep the owl if he wanted to in replacement of Scabbers but the best thing for me and Harry was permission to go into Hogsmeade. And the thing was, I had a feeling I'd see Dad again soon enough which made me even more happy.

The train pulled into the station and Harry, Ron, Hermione and I said our goodbyes and that we hoped to meet up for the Quidditch World Cup, something which was to be the biggest wizard gathering of the century according to Ron. I couldn't wait to see my Mother again and tell her about my year. I had forgiven her earlier on in the year when she explained that she didn't want me to be an outcast, and in the Three Broomsticks she was just acting to see what Fudge had to say about Dad. Only a few weeks and I'd be seeing Harry, Ron and Hermione again for the world cup.