So sorry this took longer than usuals Usual but I wanted to get it right.. Not sure if I did but that's for you Guys to decide so with that Enjoy!
As the group came out from the hole in the roots and began their ascent to the castle Harry kept silent, even as the cloud covering the moon moved bathing the area in moon light. When it hit him.
"Hermione! We have to move!"
"For the last time Harry, we can not interfere!" she said half annoyed, half pleading.
"Well fine you can stay here and have the transformed Lupin to deal with when he runs this way!"
Hermione's eyes widened in fear at the realization and she ran to untie buckbeak muttering under her breath.
"Where are we going to hide? He's going to be here any minute!" Hermione moaned.
Link drew his wand from his back and got into stance waiting, when Harry got an idea.
"Back to Hagrid's! It's empty now!" Harry said.
They ran as fast as they could, Harry and Hermione in the front and Link bringing up the back behind Buckbeak. Behind them they could hear the howling of the werewolf. As they reached the cabin Harry skidded to the door, wrenching it open and Hermione and Buckbeak flashed past him. Harry dashed in after them with Link coming in last and slamming the door shut. While Hermione quited Fang, Link moved towards the window.
"I think that I better go back outside," Harry said standing next to Link trying to see out the window. "So that we can know when it's time to head back."
Hermione shot him a suspicious look when he said this, while Link's eyes merely darted to him for a quick second.
"I know what you're thinking!" said Harry quickly noticing Hermione's look. "But i'm not going to interfere, if we don't know what's going on we won't know when it's time to save Sirius."
"Well. . . okay then. . . I'll wait here with Buckbeak. . . Just, Harry, be careful there's still a werewolf out there - along with dementors."
As Harry stepped out of the cabin he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning his head he saw Link give him a nod, a sign he was coming with him. The two edged around the cabin and into the woods. They heard yelping in the distance which meant the dementors were closing in on Sirius at the lake. He and Hermione would be running to him any moment.
As the two started off towards the lake Harry felt as if his heart was doing a drum roll in his chest. Whoever that person was who saved him from the grasp of the dementors and sent that Patronus would be appearing any moment. For a moment Hermione's words echoed in his head causing his step to falter "You must not be seen" but he didn't want to be seen this time, he wanted to do the seeing.
The dementors started to emerge from the silently towards the opposite bank away from the two boys. Harry broke out into a run the only thought in his head except to confirm his suspicions, to see if it really was him who sent the Patronus, he had to know. Link who was taken off guard by the sudden sprint had to dash to keep up with Harry.
As they approached the shore of the lake faint glimmers of silver could be seen on the opposite bank and much to Harry's disappointment no one else was in sight. Crouching behind a bush Harry peered through the leaves while Link looked over the bush next to him.
The silver light on the opposite bank disappeared but Harry could still make out the dementors and Link's green tunic. One of the dementors was lowering its hood which meant that the mysterious person would be appearing any moment.
Harry didn't see anyone come running out of the trees or fall from the sky but what he did see shocked him more than any of those things. He saw vaguely reach into a pouch on his belt and take out what he could barely make out as the mask Snape had taken from him that one time. But that wasn't the shocking part, what was is that he brought the mask to his face and put it on and turned into the dude in the silver armor.
Harry stared with a shocked expression as the transformed Link sliced the dementor that had its hood lowered in several places in seconds with such a large blade. The dementor fell and turned into dust which was swept away into the wind and "Link" moved on to the next dementor in the circle slicing one or two with the large double helix blade then crushing some of the others heads with his empty right hand before spinning in a circle which forced the dementors back.
Harry felt excitement course through him. Any moment now….
"Come on!" he muttered. "Where are you? Dad come on -"
Link heard Harry muttering but was to shocked from what he had seen. He had done those things. Even if it was to creatures as evil as dementors, the scene was so violent. Hacking and slashing them to bits crushing their skulls with his bare hands. Even if it technically wasn't him it was a part of him. Link was pulled out of his thoughts though when Harry flung himself out from behind the bush while taking out his wand.
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!" Harry yelled.
Out of his wand burst brilliant silver animal, but beyond that it was impossible to tell anything due to the blinding effect it had as it silently galloped across the surface of the lake towards the dementors which were starting to regroup and advance. The silver patronus lowered its head and charged the dementors as they once again surrounded the other "Link". The patronus circled the figures on the ground as well as the one remaining standing, causing the dementors to scatter and retreat back into the darkness.
As the patronus returned it could be made out more clearly and it turned out to be stag. It stopped on the bank in front of Harry and bowed its head. Then Harry realized…..
"Prongs." he whispered reaching his hand out to touch the creature, but as soon as he did it vanished and what Harry saw in place made his blood turn to ice.
On the opposite bank where a pair of glowing red eyes sticking out of the darkness staring at him with the utmost hatred. He knew who those eyes belonged to.. Standing on the other Bank was the other "Link" his once proud looking silver armor and tunic was stained black with the blood from the dementors and his eyes were blood red compared to blank white when first transformed. He took a step towards the water raising his blade, glowing with energy above his head. Harry closed his eyes expecting a blast of energy, but it never came, instead there was clang.
Harry opened his eyes to see that the blade had been dropped and that "Link" Had his hands on his face almost like he was trying to pull it off. he let out a scream before actually succeeding in pulling off the mask. There was a flash as Link turned back to normal. He stood for a second his eyes half open before collapsing onto ground.
Harry stood in shock for a moment before turning towards Link with his mouth hanging open.
"W-what was that!?" Harry asked, trying to read Link's face which was hidden in shadow due to his hair.
Before he could press for more answers though the sound of approaching hooves cut him off.
"What did you do!?"
Harry turned around and came face to face with a very angry Hermione.
"I just saved us? I think?" Harry said not quite sure how she would react. "Here behind this bush i'll explain."
Hermione listened to him with her jaw hanging open most the time as the story was told. He decided to leave out the thing with Link as that would require more discussion. Once he was finished Hermione started pestering him, "Were you seen" and "A patronus that powerful is super advanced". The only thing that really made him pay attention to her was when she pointed out Snape on the other bank.
Together they peered around the bush and watched as Snape conjured up stretchers and lifted the limp forms of Harry, Hermione and Black into them but when he got to Link he did something different. Instead of conjuring a stretcher he tied Link's hands and bent down next to his sword with the purple hilt and wrapped his hand around the hilt. As soon as he did this though the Link next to Harry and Hermione muttered something in a strange language neither of them understood but by the tone he had said it wasn't something nice.
After a few more tugs Snape gave up and simply waved his wand causing the sword to float into the air. Snape them moved to the mask that was lying in front of Link on the ground and even from across the lake one could see Snape's smile as he picked it up. As Snape turned around and conjured a stretcher for Link after removing his pouches from his belt, the sword floating behind him dropped a few inches before floating back up. This continued as Snape headed back up the castle with everyone floating in front him.
The trio had time to kill till it was time to rescue Sirius for Harry and Hermione, and for Link to retrieve his equipment as Snape had to get back to the castle and secure them. So they waited. Harry and Hermione fidgeted awkwardly as they both wanted to ask Link different things. Eventually the silence was broken.
"So, Link can I ask you a question?" Hermione asked. After a nod from the blonde she continued. "Why are your ears pointed?"
After a moment of silence he merely shrugged. Hermione Being the know it all everyone 'Loved' hated this answer, but she hid it and asked her next question.
"Whats with the sword that Snape took? You seemed pretty upset when he touched it."
Before Link could even think of an excuse movement from the corner of his eye drew his attention. Hermione noticed this and looked where he was looking and saw the figure leaving the castle.
"Who is that?"
Harry looked up and stared with her when he saw something silver flash from the belt the figure was wearing.
"That's Macinar! The executioner. He must of went to go get the dementors! This is it let's go!" Harry said, helping Hermione onto Buckbeak's back then turning towards Link.
"Come on!" he said to Link who hadn't moved.
Link turned to him and made a shooing gesturing with his hands.
"What?" Harry said slightly shocked.
Link gestured to his waist and back.
"Right your stuff. . . Be careful then, yeah?"
Link gave him a smile and a nodded before running up towards the castle, the shadows seemed to bend around him as he disappeared into the darkness.
"Harry! Were not going to make it at this rate!" Hermione said drawing him back to reality.
As soon as Link left the other two he took out his shadow stone and turned into a wolf so that he would have greater mobility and senses. Once he made into the castle Link started to head towards the dungeons where Snape's office was located. On the way towards the dungeons Link had to dart into the shadows behind one of the suits of armor to avoid Snape who was coming up from his office presumably, but he must noticed something because he stopped to look around for a moment before moving on.
Once at the door to Snape's office Link tried to nudge the door open with his head but it was locked. Backing up a few steps he charged head first into the door breaking the lock and door frame in the process. As soon as Link stepped inside he spotted the Master sword lying on the desk, as he approached it he felt himself returning to normal. Wrapping up the shadow stone back in its cloth Link put it back inside his shirt and then picked up his belt with the pouches attached and proceeded to put the Master sword and his shield inside. Finally he grabbed the Fierce Deity Mask and put it next to the shadow stone then left the office.
On his way out Link repaired and re-locked the door with a spell he picked up throughout his time at the school. Running Link made it back to the hospital wing nearly running into peeves who was signing about some nonsense as he usually found the ghost doing. As he approached Link saw Dumbledore with Harry and Hermione outside the door. They turned towards him as he approached.
"Ah, were we successful ?" asked Dumbledore.
Link nodded and Dumbledore nodded as well muttering excellent.
"Well then I think you've all left as well so, I'll lock you inside."
As Harry and Hermione slipped inside, Link stared at Dumbledore.
". . . ."
"Yes. Yes of course it should be fine, but tomorrow rest for now and you may leave tomorrow."
Giving a nod Link slipped inside as well, the door locking behind him. Heading towards his own bed Link quickly stuffed everything he had taken from the office under the mattress before putting back on his cap and lying down himself just as the nurse re-entered the room. As she started to administer her "Care" one could tell she wasn't in a good mood as she practically forced fed them chocolate, causing Poor Link to nearly choke. He wasn't be on sweets always he preferred milk.
Harry and Hermione ate their chocolate and watched as Madam Pomfrey attempted to get Link to eat the chocolate as he would just either spit out as soon as she turned or openly refuse it causing her to practically shove it down his throat like it was medicine a toddler wouldn't take. The whole thing was rather amusing till a distant roar of pure fury was heard. Now angry voices could be heard drawing nearer.
What the voices were saying could be made out as they drew closer.
"He must have disapparated, Severus. We should have left someone in the room with him. When this gets out-"
"HE DIDN'T DISAPPARATE!" Snape roared, they were nearly right outside. "YOU CAN'T APPARATE OR DISAPPARATE INSIDE THIS CASTLE! AND THE THINGS FROM MY OFFICE ARE MISSING! THIS - HAS - SOMETHING - TO - DO - WITH POTTER AND THAT BOY!"
"Severus, be reasonable now, both of them have been locked up-"
There was a loud BANG as the door of the hospital wing burst open.
Fudge, Snape and Dumbledore came striding into the ward. Dumbledore looked calm. One could say it was like he was enjoying himself. Fudge looked down right angry. And well Snape, let's just say he was far gone.
"OUT WITH IT, BOTH OF YOU!" he shouted "WHAT DID YOU DO?"
"Professor Snape!" shrieked Madam Pomfrey. "Control yourself!"
Fudge tried to reason with him but failed as Snape continued shouting, spit flying from his mouth as he accused the three of helping Black escape.
"That will do Severus," Dumbledore eventually said quietly. "Think about what you're saying. This door has been locked since I left the ward ten minutes ago Madam Pomfrey have any of these students left their beds?"
"of course not!" she replied. "I would have heard them!"
"Well, there you have it Severus." said Dumbledore calmly. "Unless you're suggesting that they could be in two places at once? If not I don't see the point in troubling them any further."
Snape stood there his eyes going from Fudge to Dumbledore as he seethed. He then turning on his heel and left the ward his robes billowing behind him.
The next day Link and the others were released from the wing at noon Link walked away from the trio towards the headmaster's staircase while they opted for wandering the grounds.
As Link entered the office he saw Dumbledore behind his desk straightening a stack of papers. A quick glance told told him no one else was here which he found odd as he could of sworn he heard voice before opening the door and it wasn't the paintings as they were all fast asleep in their frames.
"Can I help you something Link?" said Dumbledore kindly.
Link nodded and pointed out the window a questioning look on his face.
"Oh! Yes of course come I'll walk you to the gate, then you can leave." Dumbledore said getting up from behind the desk and walking towards the exit.
Down At the gates_
"Thank you for your help this year." Dumbledore said while Link was checking to make sure he had everything.
Link faced him before giving a bow. As Link straightened he saw Harry, Hermione and Ron farther away on the grounds. Turning to leave Link walked threw the gates and into the woods. When he reached the old broken down and decaying Clocktower he thought that this experience would make one hell of a story to tell Zelda when he got back.
Back at Hogwarts_
The trio ran to Dumbledore as he came back up from the gates.
"Professor! Where is Link going?" Harry asked. Ron and Hermione stood on either side of him with the same curious look.
"He had to leave a bit early, I'm afraid. You see i requested his presence here this year" said Dumbledore in his calm voice.
"Is he coming back next year?" Hermione asked.
"We shall see Miss. Granger. . . We shall see." Dumbledore trailed off and headed back up the castle just as Hagrid came along.
Final Chapter of Book 3 done Hoped you all enjoyed as always and Maybe the first Chapter of Book 4 will be up by Christmas!