Note: I do not own anything in this story that may come from or has a likeness to the movies and/or books. I also do not own any of the characters except for my own (I.e. Crystal, her sister Melody, and their parents.) Enjoy and please comment with any changes (I'm open for improvements) and opinions. Thank you Destined Love.
Chapter 2
Second year flew by quickly. Voldemort was at it again somehow; this time with the help of Ginny Weasley. A first year and Ron's younger sister; a rumored room called the Chamber of Secrets had been opened after many years and Harry, Ron and I ventured down there to slay the basilisk, a large snake that can kill anyone who looked it in the eyes. Hermione had been frozen or petrified from seeing the reflection of the snake. We had learned of the snake through Hermione's many trips to the library and with the help of Aragog; a huge spider hidden in the Forbidden Forest. Ginny had been talked into opening the chamber with the help of Voldemort whose real name was Tom Marvolo Riddle. She had found his diary and it told her what to do. Harry had stabbed the diary in the end with one of the venom filled fangs he'd taken from the dead basilisk. It destroyed the image of Riddle that showed itself to Ginny and Harry.
After that risky year, we were on to our third year at Hogwarts which would prove to be just as risky. I received the Daily Profit, the main newspaper of the magical world and it stated in large bold letters on the front page, that Sirius Black, a serial killer, had escaped from Azkaban. I was shocked. Nobody could escape Azkaban and live. The place was surrounded by hooded figures called Dementors. These Dementors were masters of depression; they sucked the happiness out of everyone they meet. They weren't very merciful creatures and would attack anyone who got in their way. My sister took me to a tavern in London called the Leakey Cauldron. Within this tavern was the entrance to Diagon Alley. The place where we got everything we needed for school. My books and new robes were waiting for me as I arrived. Being greeted by Ron and Hermione, I gave them both a hug. "Have you guys seen Harry yet?" I asked but they shook their heads. I noticed Ron was holding a rat in his hands. "And who's this little guy?"
"This is Scabbers, I forgot you hadn't met him yet, Crys. He's been in my family for 12 years." Ron said allowing me to hold the animal. I scratched its ears and handed it back. Hermione showed me her cat Crookshanks and then I headed up to my room with my things. I headed back downstairs and waited for Harry, reading at one of the tables in the tavern. Suddenly after Hermione and Ron were arguing over their pets, I heard Ron say "Harry," I turned around and sure enough, Harry stood on the landing up the stairs smiling down at us. He was much taller than he used to be but everything else about him was the same. Same glasses, same green eyes, and same lightning bolt scar. His messy black hair was cut short and looked really good on him.
He came down the stairs and I ran to him. "Oh, Harry, I've missed you!" I said excitedly, hugging him. He laughed,
"I missed you too Crys," He said, his voice had gotten deeper too. I smiled as I let him go,
"We heard what happened with your Aunt. Nice one Harry, what'd she do?" I was eager to know what she did to make him so angry.
"Let's just say she deserved it." He said, his voice brimming with anger.
"Your parents were great people, Harry. Don't let anyone tell you differently." Hermione spoke up from behind me. I nodded in agreement and we sat down at one of the tavern's tables to catch up on each other's summers. Ron's dad, Arthur Weasley, pulled Harry aside to talk to him. I watched them out of the corner of my eye and saw Harry look at one of the wanted posters on the wall. My sister, Melody, placed her hands on my shoulders and smiled when I looked up at her. Her hair was the same shade as mine but while my eyes were a dull blue, hers were a beautiful chocolate brown just like our mother's eyes. When Harry returned I introduced him to her, and she of course gushed about finally meeting the Boy Who Lived. I rolled my eyes and he chuckled. After everyone else had gone to their rooms, Harry and I remained at the table.
"I'm sorry about Melody. She's been dying to meet you ever since I told her you were a friend of mine." I said, shaking my head. He smiled,
"Don't worry about it, Crystal. I'm used to it by now." He explained looking at a newspaper clipping Ron had left on the table. The Weasley's had taken a trip to Egypt.
"What was Mr. Weasley talking to you about?" I asked curiously. Harry shook his head, not wanting to talk about it. I didn't say anymore about it after that. Once we got on the train for Hogwarts, Harry was explaining again to Ron the story of his Aunt Marge. Once we found a compartment we all could fit in, we sat down and made ourselves comfortable.
"Who do you reckon that is?" Ron asked about the man sitting in the corner of the compartment, apparently sleeping.
"Professor R. J. Lupin." Hermione answered right away.
"You know everything, how is it that you know everything?" Ron asked,
"It's on the suitcase Ronald," She replied, with a heavy sigh. Ron grew red as he looked at the case above the man's head. I tried to hold back a laugh. Harry's hand brushed mine as he leaned over to make sure the man was really sleeping. My thoughts went straight to the Mirror of Erised and what I saw our first year; Harry holding me in his arms and kissing my cheek.
"You think he's really asleep?" He asked softly. I looked at the man and nodded,
"I think so," I said, and Harry stood up, closing the compartment door, murmuring that he had to tell us something.
A few moments after Harry revealed what Mr. Weasley had talked to him about; Ron spoke up, "Why would Sirius Black be after you?" Harry shrugged saying he didn't know. Suddenly the train jerked to a stop. "Bloody hell," Ron said surprised, "What's going on?" I jumped when the train jerked again and my hand grasped Harry's. I grew red in the face and moved my hand away quickly. I could see that he had moved his hand too.
"Maybe we've broken down." Harry said; I could hear something in his voice that seemed to me he was upset that I moved my hand away. The windows were covered in ice, and the lights went out when it boarded the train. I started to shiver as the cloaked figure approached our compartment. It opened the door and looked in. The Dementor looked right at Harry who was sitting closest to the door. After a moment he blacked out, falling against the glass.
"Harry," I said worried, shaking him gently. He finally opened his eyes and sat up slowly. He looked around, and then at the man who had been asleep in the corner. He was now wide awake and was breaking off a piece of a chocolate bar.
"Here, eat this, it'll help." He said handing Harry the chocolate. I smiled at Professor Lupin, and Harry thanked him.
Once we got to the school, I kept a hold on Harry making sure he was okay to walk. We got into the carriages, third through seventh year students were to take, and he seemed fine. First and second years had to take boats across the lake. These carriages were pulling themselves which seemed to interest Harry. In the Great Hall the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore proceeded with announcements before we ate. He explained that the castle would play host to the Dementors this year until Sirius Black was apprehended. As Dumbledore spoke, we heard an unpleasant voice behind us. "Potter, POTTER!" The voice hissed. He turned to look at Draco Malfoy. "Is it true you fainted, you actually fainted?" Malfoy asked with a sneer. I glared at him and Ron turned Harry back around.
"How'd he find out?" He whispered, Embarrassed. I touched his shoulder comfortingly.
"Just forget about it." Hermione said and we began eating. After dinner we headed to the common room where the portrait guarding our door would not open to the password. The Fat Lady in the portrait was trying to break a glass with her horrible singing. After Neville tried a few times, Harry stepped forward and after a few more tries she finally accepted the password and her portrait swung open to reveal the common room. I shook my head as I entered, my hand holding my mother's locket my sister had sent me during first year. After we unpacked and got settled Ron, Harry and I headed to Divination, our first class. Once there, Professor Trelawney was explaining how tea leaves work in telling the future. "That's rubbish." Hermione said suddenly.
"When'd you get here?" Ron asked, confused,
"I've been here the whole time." Hermione said surprised that Ron hadn't noticed her. I shook my head and continued to listen as Trelawney instructed to take the cup of the person sitting opposite us. Hermione and I traded cups while Harry and Ron did the same. Ron was reading Harry's leaves all wrong saying that he would suffer but be happy about it. Trelawney took the cup, gave out a cry of fear and dropped it.
"My boy," She said, addressing Harry, "You have…the grim." Half the class gasped in shock. Seamus Finnegan spoke up,
"What's the grim?" he asked. Another student read aloud from the book we'd been given.
"The grim takes the shape of a giant spectral dog and is possibly the worst omen of our world. It is an omen of death." He said. I felt my heart skip a beat. Harry picked up the cup and looked at it, his face looking worried.
After Divination it was time to head to Hagrid's hut for our next lesson on magical creatures. As we headed down the path Hermione was laughing at Trelawney's methods, "Divination is a useless subject," she said still laughing, "Now Ancient Runes, that's a useful class."
"Ancient Runes," Ron asked, "Exactly how many classes are you taking?" He stopped walking as he thought about it.
"A few, Hermione explained continuing to walk.
"Hang on, "Ron said starting to move again, "Ancient Runes is the same time as Divination. You'd have to be in two places at once." He said, confused. Hermione scoffed, I stifled a giggle and Harry was smirking, trying to hold back a laugh himself.
"Honestly Ronald, how can one person be in two places at once?" Hermione asked as we neared Hagrid's hut. The class began with a short hike to a wooded area where Hagrid instructed us to open our books to page 49. These books were unlike the others. If opened too quickly it would snap and snarl at us.
"Exactly how do we do that?" Malfoy asked rudely, Hagrid turned to face him.
"Just stroke the spine of course." He said and as we opened our books, Neville of course opening it too quickly, Hagrid called us to attention and showed us an astonishing creature. It had the head of an eagle, or hawk, the body of a horse and wings. Its front legs were talons, its back legs…hooves. "Everybody say hello, to Buckbeak."
"Hagrid, what is that?" I asked, fighting the urge to hide behind Harry.
"That, Crystal is a Hippogriff. Very proud creatures; you do NOT want to insult a hippogriff. It may just be the last thing you ever do. Now, who'd like to come and say hello." Everyone backed up except for Harry. I felt guilty about not stepping up, because Harry was looking back at us with an expression that showed nervousness. "Very good, Harry." Hagrid said with glee. Ron nudged Harry forward and he moved gingerly. "Now, you have to let him make the first move. So step up, and make a bow, nice and low, and if he bows back, you can go and touch him. If not….well we'll work on that later." He explained as Harry moved closer. "Make your bow," Harry looked at Hagrid then bowed low, moving slightly forward. Buckbeak reacted by squawking and flapping its wings in warning. "Back off Harry, back off." Hagrid whispered fiercely. Harry backed up and stepped on a twig which snapped.
I grew nervous and held my breath. Hermione caught me and a small smile flew across her lips. "What?" I demanded, glaring at her,
"You're a little TOO worried, Crys." She said holding back a laugh.
"As if you're not worried that at any moment, that thing could kill him," I said, watching Harry again,
"Yes, I'm worried, but you're literally freaking out." She said and Ron even snickered,
"You like him, Crys." He said, and I shot a glare at him.
"It's not a bad thing. Tell him how you feel." Hermione said, but I shook my head,
"He's my best friend. I wouldn't want to freak him out." I said. Harry was frozen in his bow and finally Buckbeak bowed back. I breathed a sigh of relief as Hagrid tossed a dead animal to the Hippogriff and Harry stood up relieved himself.
"You can go and touch him now." Hagrid said and Harry looked at him, nervous. He stepped forward again holding out his hand. Buckbeak snapped a little as he moved too quickly, but finally allowed Harry to stroke his beak. "Well done, Harry well done." Hagrid said clapping his huge hands together in booming applause. "I think he might let you ride him now." Harry and I both shot nervous looks at Hagrid.
"What," Harry started to say, but Hagrid lifted him and carried him to Buckbeak. "No, Hagrid, wait!"
"Try not to pull out any of his feathers," Hagrid said putting Harry on the hippogriff's back, "He won't thank you for that." When Buckbeak took off, I waited nervously. I guess I wasn't doing a very good job of hiding my nerves, because Ron and Hermione looked at me with reassuring smiles.
"It's alright, Crys. Harry will be fine." Ron said squeezing my shoulders in a one armed hug. I nodded unable to stay still.
When Harry finally returned he was beaming. Hagrid lifted him and set him on the ground. Malfoy shoved his way through the group of students cheering for Harry, and approached Buckbeak way too quickly. "You're not fearsome at all are you, you great big…" He didn't finish. Buckbeak reared up on his hind legs and scratched Malfoy's arm causing him to fall back.
"Buckbeak," Hagrid scolded, trying to calm him down. "Away you silly creature," He tossed one of the dead animals he had slinked around his shoulders toward the farthest tree and Buckbeak chased after it eagerly.
"Hagrid, he has to be taken to the hospital." Hermione said reluctantly. I tried to look sympathetic but I couldn't help but smile. Malfoy may have been the richest student at Hogwarts but he definitely wasn't the smartest. After Hagrid left with Malfoy, dismissing class as he went. The students started clearing out except for Ron and Hermione who watched as I slowly approached Harry who was still standing next to Buckbeak. He didn't even wait for me to bow but came right to me and nudged my hand. I stroked him gently and smiled.
"Wow, seems he likes you," Harry said joining in petting the hippogriff.
"Yea, strange; I thought every new person he met needed to be respectful." Buckbeak squawked happily as we continued to stroke him. When Hagrid returned he was so shocked he stopped dead in his tracks and watched. I had my back to him so I didn't see him. Harry's hand drew closer to mine with each stroke until finally he rested his hand on top of mine. I froze and looked up into his green eyes. He was smiling, but I had never seen that smile before. It was a smile that wasn't meant for a friend, but more for a lover.
I didn't move my hand at all and his fingers slowly entwined with mine. "You did a great job with him." I whispered and he nodded,
"Thanks, it wasn't too bad…the flying I mean." He said. Ron cleared his throat and we both came back to reality. He released my hand and I dropped it to my side, my face turning red. When I turned to face our friends, Hermione was glaring at Ron as if to say 'bad timing'. Ron shrugged and looked at Harry who gave Buckbeak one last scratch then joined the group. We headed to Defense Against the Dark Arts. I couldn't help but sneak glances at Harry and a few times I thought I caught him looking at me. When we entered the room, the desks were gone. In the center of the room sat a mirrored cupboard. Something was moving inside it…trying to get out. The cupboard jumped and trembled. The teacher, Professor Lupin walked in and began the class.
"Does anyone want to tell me what is inside?" He asked walking to the front of the class. Dean Thomas spoke up,
"That's a Boggart that is." He said and Lupin nodded,
"That's exactly right, and who can tell me what a Boggart looks like?"
"No one knows," Ron hadn't noticed Hermione yet again and I started to think that maybe he was losing his head.
"When'd she get here?" Ron had asked, but Hermione continued.
"Boggarts take the shape of whatever we fear the most which makes them so…" Lupin finished her sentence,
"So terrifying, yes; luckily there is a simple spell to repel a Boggart. Say it with me please, Rediculous." We repeated the incantation. "Good, but there's one more trick. The one thing to really finish off a Boggart is laughter. You must turn it into something you find truly amusing. Let me explain; Neville will you come forward please?" Neville Longbottom stepped forward nervously. "Now what scares you the most?" Neville mumbled his answer, but no one understood him. "I'm sorry, what was that?" Lupin asked
"Professor Snape," Neville said and we all chuckled. Lupin smiled,
"Ah yes, he'd frighten us all. And you live with your grandmother is that correct?"
"Yea, but I don't want that Boggart to turn into her either." More laughter,
"No, it won't," Lupin replied with a chuckle, "I want you to picture her clothes, and only her clothes you understand?" Neville nodded,
"She carries a red hand bag," Lupin shook his head,
"No need to say it out loud. If you see it, we'll see it." He said and whispered something in Neville's ear. He looked at Lupin with a weird look on his face but nodded.
When Lupin opened that cupboard, Professor Snape came out of it. Neville pointed his wand and shouted "Rediculous!" Snape's cloak disappeared and was replaced by a green dress, a disgusting brown hat and a red handbag. I couldn't help but laugh. Lupin put us into a line still laughing.
"Wonderfully done Neville, Wonderfully done! To the back please. Next, Ron!" Lupin said excitedly. Ron stepped forward and Snape disappeared completely being replaced by a giant spider. Ron whimpered and pointed his wand.
"Rediculous" He stammered and the spider gained roller skates. We all burst into laughter as the spider stumbled and fell over and over and Ron hurried to the back, smiling, high fiving Harry as he went.
"Well done Ron, Next, Pavarti!" Lupin called and Pavarti Patil stepped forward. The spider disappeared and in its place slithered a giant snake. Pavarti started to back up but pointed her wand, said the incantation and the snake turned into a Jack in the Box. I stepped forward after her still laughing. My laugh stopped as the Boggart changed. A pale faced man stood before me, eyes like a snake's, blonde shoulder length hair glistening. I couldn't breathe. The man who killed my parents approached me, sneering. I fell back too scared to do anything. Tears fell from my eyes as Lupin jumped in front of me forcing the Boggart back into the cupboard. Breathing hard I remained on the floor. I heard laughter behind me, and I knew who it was.
As Malfoy laughed, I scrambled to my feet and ran out of the room crying. I kept running even when I heard Harry's voice behind me, "Crystal," I finally collapsed against the wall and just sobbed. Harry kneeled next to me and put his arms around me. "It's okay," He whispered, "It wasn't real." I turned in his arms and buried my face in his shoulder. He held me while I cried. Ron and Hermione had turned the corner and just stood there, and then Hermione pulled Ron back around that same corner, leaving us alone in the hallway. The next day was a day off. It was also a day for a trip to Hogsmede Village. Third year through seventh year students were allowed to go into Hogsmede if they had gotten the permission slip form signed. I was walking with Harry looking over my permission slip. I had stayed up all night crying and Harry had stayed up with me. I felt bad about that but he kept assuring me that it was okay. "Who was that anyway?" He asked referring to the Boggart.
"He was the one who killed my parents." I whispered, hanging my head. "I don't know his name,"
"Lucius Malfoy," Harry said, angrily. I looked at him. "He's Draco's father and now what I thought is true; follower of Voldemort. I met him last year in Diagon Alley." I pretended to continue studying my permission slip making sure Melody had signed it in all the right places, as I thought that over. Was that why he laughed? Once we reached McGonagall in the courtyard, I handed mine to her, but Harry asked a question I couldn't hear.
"I'm sorry Potter, but no permission slip signed, no trip to the village." She was saying,
"But Professor, I thought if you would sign it," Harry started but McGonagall held up her hand stopping him,
"I can't; only a parent or guardian can sign and since I am neither it would be inappropriate." She said and started walking toward the village. She stopped briefly and turned back to him, "I'm sorry, Potter. That's my final word." She said placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Harry looked at me, Ron, and Hermione
"Sorry guys," He said sadly. Ron and Hermione followed McGonagall, but I didn't move. I looked at Harry and he shook his head. "Go on, Crys, I'll be fine." He said. I finally moved, but towards him.
"I'm staying. You stayed up with me all night last night. I think I owe you this much." I said heading back inside. We spent the day talking. Harry wanted to know about my summer and I told him everything. After Ron and Hermione returned from Hogsmede, we headed up to the common room. The stair way was crowded with many Gryffindor students. "What's going on?" I asked, trying to look around the students.
"Neville's probably forgotten the password again." Ron said,
"Hey," We turned to see Neville standing behind us. Percy was pushing his way through the crowd.
"Excuse me, EXCUSE ME, I'm head boy!" He said sternly. "Everyone back away. No one is to enter this room until it has been fully searched." his tone turned worried. I grasped onto Harry's robes, scared. "Alright make way, let the Headmaster through." Dumbledore approached the portrait where we could finally see the Fat Lady was gone, the painting slashed.
"Mr. Filch," Dumbledore said to the caretaker. "Round up the ghosts. Tell them to search every painting in the castle, find the Fat Lady."
"There's no need for ghosts, Headmaster." Filch replied, and pointed, "The Fat Lady's there," We hurried up the stairs following Dumbledore. She was in a wildlife painting, shaking with fear.
"Who did this to you?" Dumbledore asked her kindly, she shuddered as she spoke,
"Eyes like death; it's him Headmaster, the one they all talk about! He's here, somewhere in the castle, Sirius Black!" She stammered. Dumbledore ordered all Gryffindor students to the Great Hall and told Filch to seal the castle.
I shot a worried glance at Harry and he looked back at me, equally worried. We slept in the Great Hall that night. The next morning Harry decided to slip into Hogsmede under his cloak. I was with Ron and Hermione near the Shrieking Shack on the outskirts of the village, when we found out. Draco Malfoy had decided to bother us as we were looking at the old abandoned building. "Well, what have we here?" He jeered; I sighed in exasperation and turned to face him. "Shopping for a new home? It's a bit grand for you isn't it Weaslebee?"
"Shut up Malfoy," Ron said, fed up with his bullying. I crossed my arms,
"Shove off Malfoy! Don't you have better things to do than bother us? Like oh I don't know, crying to daddy for every little thing that happens to you?" I said. Ron and Hermione laughed.
"How dare you speak to me that way," Malfoy snarled grabbing me by the coat. I shoved him off,
"What are you gonna do about it?" I said; Malfoy made to hit me, then Hermione stepped in,
"Just get lost Malfoy," She said, "Nobody wants you here,"
"How dare you speak to me, filthy little mudblood," I couldn't take anymore. I tackled Malfoy and started punching him,
"Apologize now, you jerk!" I shouted, hitting him. Hermione pulled me up and I kicked at him when he scrambled to his feet. He made to come after me, but then a snowball smacked him in the back of the head. He turned around, but no one was there.
Another snowball came flying out of nowhere and smacked him straight in the face. He started to run, followed closely by his minions. My anger vanished as I watched Hermione's hair and Ron's hat move. Hermione laughed and said, "Harry," He pulled off the invisibility cloak, laughing himself.
"Blimey Harry, that's not funny," Ron said, his voice shaking. Harry folded the cloak and approached me.
"That was some punch you threw," He said, I blushed,
"Thanks, I don't know what came over me." I said with a laugh. But I did know; Hermione was a muggle-born witch, just like my mother. I was very sensitive when it came to the term Mudblood. Harry put up the hood on his jacket and we made our way back into the village. We stopped by the pub and saw a woman hammering up a sign.
"Oh, look, it's Madame Rosemerta!" Hermione joked, "Ron fancies her!" Ron gently shoved Hermione, turning red,
"I do not." Harry stood still as the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, approached in a carriage, greeting Rosemerta, as he stepped out.
"Hello Rosemerta my dear! I hope business is well," He said cheerfully. Rosemerta shook the hammer at him,
"It would be a lot better if the Ministry wasn't sending Dementors into my pub every other night!" she said.
Fudge proceeded to explain, "Just precaution my dear. We have a killer on the loose after all."
"Oh, you mean Sirius Black. Why on earth would he come here?" She asked as McGonagall joined them. Fudge whispered something in her ear which she said again out loud, "Harry Potter?" McGonagall and Fudge both shushed her and hurried her inside. I noticed that Harry was no longer standing next to me.
"Harry," I whispered, then saw foot prints appearing in front of me. We followed him to the door but were informed that no underage wizards were allowed in that day and had to wait outside. It wasn't long before the door opened again and the footprints appeared, but moving fast. "Oh no," I said and followed him. Ron and Hermione ran to keep up as I followed Harry into the woods near the Shack. There the foot prints stopped at a log where a dent had formed in the snow. I heard him crying and stepped forward. I reached out, found the hem of the cloak and gently pulled it off of him. "Harry," I asked; he didn't look up.
"He was their friend," He whispered, and then finally looked up, "HE WAS THEIR FRIEND!" He shouted, "And he betrayed them!" Tears fell from his eyes. I sat beside him, "I hope he finds me! When he does, I'm gonna be ready! When he does, I'm gonna kill him!" When we got back to the school, it was seven thirty in the evening. It was time to go see Hagrid and say goodbye to Buckbeak. As we headed out, I already felt hurt and sad. Once we got there, Harry and I stayed with Buckbeak for awhile before heading in to see Hagrid.
"We're gonna miss you pal." I whispered as I stroked his beak. Harry pulled me into a hug when I started to cry, "Harry, there must be something we can do!" I said, but he sighed,
"I'm sorry, Crys, there's just no way to avoid it. We just have to say goodbye and move on." He said resting his chin on my head. We stood there for a few more moments then headed inside. Earlier Ron was complaining to Hermione that her cat ate Scabbers while they were in Hogsmede, and Hagrid was handing the rat over, still alive, when Harry and I walked in, Harry still had his arm around me. Hagrid looked at me comfortingly as he explained that Dumbledore was going to come down and be with him when they took care of Buckbeak.
"We'll stay too Hagrid." Hermione said but Hagrid shook his head,
"You'll do no such thing. You think I want you seeing somethin' like that. No, just drink your tea and be off." We did as we were told but just before we finished the tea he had made for us. Fudge and Dumbledore were heading in our direction. "It's getting dark." Hagrid said worried, "If you are caught on the grounds after dark you could be in big trouble, particularly you Harry." There was a knock on the door and Hagrid shooed us out the back.
"Hagrid," Harry said, "It'll be okay," Hagrid nodded then shooed him again, and I grasped his hand and pulled him out the back door. We ran out into the pumpkin patch Hagrid had planted and hid behind the abnormally large pumpkins. Hagrid greeted the minister and Dumbledore and we listened for awhile. There was a crack behind us and Hermione turned around. "What," Harry asked,
"I thought I just saw…" She began, but then shook her head, "Never mind," and we ran for the trail back to the castle. Once near the entrance we stood and watched as the executioner made his way into the pumpkin patch where he stood for a moment, then raised his large axe and brought it down with a clump. Hermione and I started crying and the boys comforted us.
Suddenly Ron gave a cry of pain, and dropped Scabbers, "He bit me," He said in surprise and started chasing after the rat. "Scabbers come back!" He called, we ran after them both.
"Ron," Harry said once we caught up. Ron was sitting on the ground cradling Scabbers in his arms.
"Harry," Hermione said, frightened, "You do realize what tree this is?" Harry and I both looked at the tall tree under which Ron was sitting. The Whopping Willow began to move slowly.
"That's not good," Harry said then yelled, "RON, RUN!" Ron looked up but did nothing but point and shout,
"HARRY, CRYSTAL, HERMIONE RUN! IT'S THE GRIM!" We turned around and there stood a black dog snarling at us. We backed up slowly, but the dog leapt over us and grabbed Ron's leg instead, dragging him closer to the Whopping Willow. I lunged and grasped Ron's arms. I was dragged along with Ron down a hole at the base of the tree.
The dog dragged us until we found ourselves in an old rickety bedroom. It then let Ron go and moved away from us, shivering as it went. I grabbed onto Ron's shoulder as the dog started to shift until a dirty man stood before us. He was dressed in what looked like prison clothing and his hair was scraggily and filthy. Sirius Black smiled at us, his grizzly teeth made me want to puke. I screamed and latched onto Ron who was just as scared. He started to advance then heard a thump. He hid behind the door as Harry and Hermione burst into the room. Harry had a cut on his face from one of the tree's branches and Hermione looked windswept. "Where's the dog?" Harry asked, and Ron pointed,
"There, he's the dog, he's an animagus!" Ron shouted and Sirius emerged from his hiding place. Hermione jumped in front of Harry,
"If you want Harry, you'll have to go through me first!" She said nervously, I stood up and joined her.
"Me too," I said, trying to hide my fear. Sirius shook his head,
"Only one will die tonight," He said in a hoarse, crazy voice. Harry pushed us aside,
"THEN IT'LL BE YOU!" He shouted running forward and grabbing him by the collar. He pulled Sirius to the ground and pulled out his wand. The psycho laughed,
"Are you going to kill me Harry?" He asked, and just then, Professor Lupin burst through the door.
"Expelliarmous," He said calmly and Harry's wand flew out of his hand. Lupin flicked his wand and Harry stood up, backing away back to where we were. I grabbed the sleeve of his jacket and pulled him beside me. Lupin pointed his wand at Sirius.
"Looking a bit crazy aren't we Sirius?" He asked, "Now the face matches the personality."
"You haven't changed much yourself, Remus." Sirius responded. Lupin lowered his wand, and helped him up. Sirius hugged him briefly, "I found him," He whispered,
"I know," Lupin said,
"Let's kill him!" Sirius laughed again. Hermione stepped forward,
"NO, I trusted you!" She said, "And all this time, you've been his friend." She turned to us, "He's a werewolf! That's the reason he's been missing classes." Lupin didn't seem too surprised,
"How long have you known," He asked her.
"Since Professor Snape set the essay." She replied.
"Well, you certainly are the brightest witch of your age, Hermione." Lupin said with a smirk. Professor Snape had been subbing for Lupin the past few days because for some reason Lupin had disappeared. The first day he subbed, Snape decided to each the class about Werewolves and set and essay. Those days were rough, with the essay and not to mention Harry being in the hospital wing after a nasty brush with Dementors during a Quidditch match. His broom was destroyed as well. That scared me so much when he fell from the clouds, unconscious. I'd sat by his bed until he woke up, holding his hand. Sirius was growing impatient,
"Oh come on, enough with the chatting, let's kill him!" He said, Lupin held up his hands,
"We will, but just wait…" Sirius cut him off,
"I DID MY WAITING!" He shouted, "TWELVE YEARS OF IT, IN AZKABAN!" Lupin looked at us and sighed. He handed over his wand,
"Alright, but just wait one minute; Harry deserves to know the reason why." He said, Harry spoke up,
"I know why. You betrayed my parents. You're the reason they're dead!" He said, holding back tears. Lupin looked at him with reassuring eyes,
"No it wasn't him. Someone DID betray your parents but it was a person who until quite recently I knew to be dead."
"Who was it then?" Harry asked, Sirius answered,
"Peter, Pettigrew; He's in this room! Right now," Then he called, "COME OUT COME OUT PETER! COME OUT AND PLAY!" Just then Snape burst through the door,
"Expelliarmous," He said, knocking Lupin's wand out of Sirius' grasp, "Oh vengeance is sweet. How I'd hoped to be the one to catch you," Lupin stepped forward,
"Now Severus," he started but Snape pointed his wand at him,
"I told Dumbledore you let your old friend in the castle and now here we are. The Dementors are waiting." Sirius' eyes widened and Snape noticed, "Do I detect a hint of fear? Oh yes, they're eager to see you. I'm sure the Dementor's Kiss will set you straight. I've heard it is almost unbearable to witness, but I'll do my best!"Then he waved his free hand at the door, "After you," Harry stepped forward with Hermione's wand in hand.
"Expelliarmous," He said and the charm sent Snape crashing into the bed behind Lupin. Hermione was flabbergasted,
"You attacked a teacher!" She said, shocked. Harry ignored her.
"Tell me about Peter Pettigrew," He demanded, pointing the wand at Lupin.
"He went to school with us. We thought he was our friend." Lupin explained. Harry was breathing hard,
"No, Pettigrew's dead," He shifted the wand to Sirius, "You killed him!" Sirius backed away shaking his head,
"NO he didn't," Lupin spoke up again, "I thought so too, but then you mentioned seeing Pettigrew on the map."
"SO, the map was lying," Harry said logically,
"The map never lies!" Sirius said finally, "He's alive….and he's right there," He pointed toward Ron,
"Me," He stammered, "He's mental!" Sirius grew irritated as he said,
"No not you, your rat!"
"Don't be ridiculous! Scabbers has been in my family for…" Sirius cut Ron off,
"Twelve years; that's an abnormally long time for a common garden rat! He's missing a toe isn't he?" Ron looked at us, then back at Sirius,
"I don't see why that makes any difference!" He said, holding Scabbers close.
"All they could find of Pettigrew was his…" Harry began, Sirius finished,
"FINGER; HE cut off his own finger to stage his death and then he transformed, into a rat!"
"Show me," Harry demanded. Sirius looked at Harry for a brief moment then attempted to wrench the rat out of Ron's hands. 'Give it to him Ron." Harry said as Ron protested. I stood up,
"Harry, I hope you know what you're doing?" I whispered in his ear as Lupin and Sirius tried to transform the rat back into Pettigrew. They finally succeeded just as the rat tried to escape through a small hole.
They pulled him out by his ankles. Peter Pettigrew was a small fat man with hardly any hair and even had a face that resembled a rat. I couldn't bear to look at him. He ran to Harry and grasped his shoulders. "Harry, you look just like your father! Like James!" He said. Sirius pulled him away from Harry,
"How dare you speak to Harry; How Dare you speak of James in front of him!" He shouted. Pettigrew tried to make a run for it but Sirius and Lupin chased him around a piano. "You sold Lily and James to Voldemort, didn't you?" Lupin asked harshly,
"I didn't mean to! The Dark Lord and the weapons he possesses, Sirius what would you have done?" Pettigrew sobbed.
"I would have died! I would have died rather than betray my friends!" Sirius snarled, as Pettigrew tried crawling under the piano. Harry moved in front of the door so He couldn't escape. Pettigrew grabbed him once more,
"Harry, please, spare me. Your father wouldn't have wanted this! He would have shown me mercy!" Lupin and Sirius pulled him away again; Lupin pointed his wand right at Pettigrew's face.
"You should have thought, Pettigrew that if the Dark Lord wouldn't kill you, then we would!" he said, Harry interrupted,
"No," we all looked at him, Lupin sighed,
"Harry, this man is…" Harry cut him off,
"I know what he is….but we'll take him to the castle." Pettigrew crawled toward him, kissing his shoe,
"Oh thank you," He said cheerfully, Harry pulled his foot away,
"Get off!" He snarled, "I said we'd take you to the castle, after that the Dementors can have you." Pettigrew shivered in fear.
As we headed back out to the grounds, I was shocked. Harry was a completely different person in there. I'd never seen so much hate in him. He looked at me and the hate vanished, being replaced with something I knew later to be love. Hermione and I followed as Sirius and Harry supported a bleeding Ron out from under the tree which stood very still. They set him down on a root that had sprung up from the ground and Sirius took a deep breath of fresh air. He looked toward the castle which seemed to be miles away. Harry was focused on Ron's bleeding leg. I touched his hand and he looked at me. I looked over my shoulder at Sirius and he followed my gaze. He stood up and lingered for a moment. I kissed his cheek and whispered for him to go talk to Sirius. He nodded and headed over to where the innocent man stood looking at the castle. Hermione and I attended to Ron who was trying to make a big deal about his minor wounds. Lupin dragged Pettigrew out and he tried to plead with us, complementing us but we ignored him. I was looking closely at the bite marks on Ron's leg when Hermione suddenly called, "HARRY!" He turned to look and I looked up. The full moon was emerging from the clouds. I gasped and shifted my gaze to Lupin who had frozen.
Sirius and Harry ran over, Harry to me, Sirius to Lupin, "Remus, my old friend; have you taken your potion tonight?" A special potion existed which had the power for werewolves to at least keep some control over themselves during the full moon. It was called Wolf's Bane. Apparently Lupin hadn't taken his dose, because he started to change. Soon a giant wolf stood before us and Peter Pettigrew transformed back into a rat and scampered off. Professor Snape emerged from the tree then, looking rather weary. He immediately started to scold Harry but was cut off by the wolf's fiendish howl. He turned around to face Lupin, and then flung his arms out, shielding us. The wolf clawed at him, knocking him down and then the black dog that was Sirius lunged at it. The fight continued, and when they moved out of sight, Harry took off after them
"HARRY, WAIT!" I called after him, following.
"NO, STAY THERE CRYSTAL! I'LL BE FINE!" He called back and picked up a rock. He chucked it at the wolf and it turned to face him. He back up slowly as the wolf came after him, then a howl came from somewhere in the trees. The wolf perked up, and then went running after the sound.
I saw Harry disappear among some tall grass and ran after him. When I found him he was lying next to Sirius, by a lake. They didn't move. I started to cry as I kneeled beside Harry, "Oh god, Harry, please be okay!" I whispered, brushing his hair back. I saw his chest move and was relieved to see him breathing. "Thank god," Hermione and Snape had come down the hill and Hermione was now standing next to me with her hand on my shoulder. Snape checked Harry over and said he should be fine. He didn't even bother checking Sirius which upset me, so I checked him myself. I felt his heart beating steady and strong when I felt his neck for a pulse and let out a sigh of relief. Soon after that I was sitting by Harry's bed in the hospital wing, waiting for him to wake up. I had a hold of his hand and was stroking it gently when he finally opened his eyes.
"Crys," He whispered weakly, lifting his other hand to rest on my cheek. I closed my eyes and covered his hand with my free one. "Where are Ron, and Sirius? Is Hermione okay?"" He asked, dropping his hand. I shushed him,
"Ron and Hermione are okay, but Sirius…." I couldn't bear to tell him, but He had to know, "The Dementors have him. They're going to perform the kiss any minute now." Harry sat up,
'You mean they're going to kill him," He said, getting up. I shook my head, still seated by the bed,
"Harry, it's worse than that." I whispered, standing, "They're going to suck out his soul." A single tear fell from my eye.
Hermione was sitting beside Ron's bed, which was wide awake and examining his freshly bandaged leg. Hermione stood when Dumbledore came into the wing. I walked briskly to him, "Headmaster, you have to stop them! They have the wrong man!" I said, Harry joined me,
"It's true sir," He said, "Sirius is innocent." Dumbledore smiled,
"I believe you," He said, "But I fear that the words of four thirteen year old wizards will convince few others." Harry and I exchanged glances, the clock started to chime the hour and Dumbledore seemed lost in thought. "A mysterious thing, time," He said then turned swiftly to face Hermione who had joined us, "You know the laws Ms. Granger. You mustn't be seen. And it would do well to be back here by this final toll. I think three turns should do it." He started to leave the wing, "If you succeed more than one innocent life may be spared." He stopped at the door. "Oh and by the way. When in doubt, I find retracing my steps to be a great place to start. Good luck," He exited the wing and Hermione nodded. She looked back at Ron,
"Sorry Ron, but seeing as you can't walk." She then turned to me, "Crys, can you stay with Ron?" She asked as she took the golden chain around her neck in her hands. I nodded, giving Harry's hand a good squeeze before heading over to Ron's bed. She flung the chain around Harry's neck and picked up the small talisman connected to it.
In an instant they were gone, vanished into thin air."Where'd they go?" Ron asked, looking at me.
"They'll be back soon," I said. And sure enough within the same time they had vanished, they came walking through the door. Ron was surprised but I knew what had happened. Hermione had used her Time Turner. A necklace that allows the wearer to travel back in time; it was the only way she was getting to all her classes that year. "Well," I said eager to know. Harry nodded, beaming,
"He's safe, so is Buckbeak." I felt relieved. "He's my Godfather," he said, "It's nice to know that I have somebody who cares." I hugged him,
"We care, Harry," I whispered. I felt his arms circle my waist,
"I know," He whispered back.
The end of the year had fallen upon us after that day. I didn't want to leave. I didn't want Harry to go back to that horrible house. "I wish we never had to leave," I said as the four of us stood in the courtyard. Ron and Hermione laughed, Harry smiled,
"You'd miss your sister way too much." He said, "And Ron and Hermione would miss their families." I shrugged,
"Yea, but, I'll miss you guys." I said and they all hugged me,
"We'll miss you too, Crys," they said in unison. Harry pulled out a piece of parchment on the ride back to London. I asked him what it was and he showed me. He pulled out his wand, tapped it and said,
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Immediately words and pictures appeared on the map, it read 'Messer's Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, proudly present the Marauder's Map.' I smiled as he opened it to reveal every crack and crevice of Hogwarts castle. I saw footprints of the teachers moving around the halls with their name printed following each set of footprints. When I'd finished looking at it, Harry tapped it again saying "Mischief managed," and the parchment was blank once more.
"That's cool," I said,
"This helped me sneak into Hogsmede, where I learned that Sirius was my godfather." He said, "I think he was one of the creators, along with my dad." The rest of the train ride was spent chatting about what we'd do over the summer.
Here's chapter 2 from my friend. Hope you like it as much as the last chapter. Okami out.