I do not own Harry Potter. Charlotte Potter is my OC.

Direct quotes from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban will be in bold.

Trelawney's Prediction

The Ravenclaw team personally brought the Quidditch Cup to Flitwick's office, where he proudly put it front and center on display. For the first time in a while, Charlie felt properly lucky. Not only did she cinch victory, but as April melted to May and then to June, there were no more attempts by Sirius Black to get into the castle. Charlie also didn't see the Grim, which she had decided to nickname the large black dog. It seemed appropriate and Charlie was still convinced that the creature was following her for some reason.

She wasn't overly concerned. She'd seen it three times and was still alive, and she thought that was pretty lucky in the face of a death omen.

Charlie didn't think it was humanly possible for Hermione to study any more than she had been. But once June hit Hermione refused to lift her head from her dozens of textbooks. Charlie managed to sneak a glimpse at her exam schedule and discovered that Hermione would be taking two exams at the exact same time.

Charlie couldn't take the mystery anymore. She needed to know how Hermione was pulling this off. Hermione wouldn't answer her questions, so it was up to her to investigate. It was also, she thought, a decent reason to avoid cramming for a little bit.

She went to most likely place that would provide her with the answer she was looking for—the library.

"Hey, Charlie."

The raven-haired girl paused her browsing of the shelves to smile at Ron. "Hey! What are you doing here? You don't usually come here on your own."

"Figured I better start studying," said Ron, holding out his Potions textbook. "If I stay in my common room I'm just going to play Gobstones and Exploding Snap with Dean, Seamus and Neville."

"That's very responsible of you."

"I know." Ron pulled a face. "I don't like it. What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to figure out how Hermione's been able to attend all those classes. I just checked her exam schedule—she has two exams at the same time. I don't understand how that's possible." She frowned at the shelves. "I just don't know where to start."

Ron looked thoughtful. "Maybe Percy might know something. He's a right know-it-all."

"Could you ask him?" asked Charlie hopefully.

"I guess. He's probably in his dorm. I'll be back."

Ron disappeared and Charlie found a chair to wait in. It was twenty minutes when Ron returned, looking a mix of triumphant and exasperated. "Did he have the answer?"

"Yeah, in between bouts of blowing hot air," he said, rolling his eyes as he sat across from her. "I can't ever get a straight answer out of him. And it's not really an answer, more of a rumour."

"A rumour?"

"Apparently he's heard that the Ministry of Magic has these things called Time-Turners."

Charlie's eyes widened. "Wait. Time travel?"

"Er, yeah, they make you travel through time."

Time travel exists. Will the wonders of the wizarding world ever cease to amaze me?

"That has to be how she's doing it," said Charlie in awe. "That's why she would keep disappearing from us in one spot and reappearing in another."

"What a waste of a Time-Turner," said Ron with a shake of his head. "Percy said the Ministry doesn't give them out to just anyone—I think he was suspicious that I wanted one. But I can't believe they gave Hermione a Time-Turner just so she could take extra classes."

"I wonder why Hermione refused to tell us."

"She was probably told to keep it a secret. Otherwise every student in this castle would be pestering for one. I sure would."

"Geez, me too." Charlie rested her chin against her knuckles. "That was a mystery that was solved much quicker than I thought. Guess it's back to studying."

"Want to study together?" asked Ron. "We can share my textbook." He pointed out the large glass windows, which showcased the golden summer light drenching the emerald grass. "And we can study outside. That way I won't feel like I'm wasting the day by learning."

"Funny," said Charlie with a snort. "Sure, but I have to be back in the castle before dusk."

"No problem," said Ron confidently.

They walked out of the castle and settled on the hill overlooking the lake. Charlie leaned against the bark of the tree and perused the text over Ron's shoulder. The silence was occasionally interrupted by Ron asking a question and Charlie answering it. The sun warmed her body and she found her eyelids growing heavy. When she opened them again, she was stunned to see the light was gone and the first stars were starting to glimmer in the sky.

"Oh, no!" She looked frantically at Ron, who was sleeping soundly against the grass. "Ron! Wake up!"

Ron stirred with a soft groan. "What?" he asked with a yawn.

"It's dark! I have to get back in the castle!"

"Bugger," muttered Ron, grabbing his textbook and getting to his feet.

They sprinted for the castle and Charlie felt a frigid cold wash over her. Her mind started to go foggy and she spun around. Three Dementors were swarming towards them and Ron made a terrified noise in the back of his throat. Charlie whipped out her wand, her heart racing and her legs going wobbly.

"Expecto patronum!"

She was thrown back, startled by the brilliance of her Patronus as it charged from her wand. It collided with the Dementors and sent them flying away. Ron, so pale his face could almost be seen in the darkness, knelt down to haul Charlie to her feet.

"Let's go!"

They turned around, only for Ron to reel backwards and cling to Charlie's shoulders as one very furious Professor Snape loomed over them.

"Come with me," he hissed. He kept his wand out, should the Dementors return, and forced the children to walk ahead of him. Charlie and Ron eyed each other nervously as they made the trek to Snape's office.

When they entered the dull and damp space, Ron and Charlie automatically lowered into the hard wooden chairs across from his desk. Snape paced in front of them, his nostrils flaring with anger. "Would one of you please tell me why you were outside, in the dark, during a time when you're not supposed to step one foot outside the castle doors?"

"It was an accident!" said Charlie desperately. "We were out while it was still light! We were going to come back well before dusk, but we…we fell asleep without meaning to."

Oh, that sounds so stupid. Guess the lucky streak is over.

"Has it not penetrated your thick skulls yet?" Snape demanded. "There is a serial killer after you, Miss Potter, and it is crucial that you not leave this castle! And you, Mr. Weasley, were already attacked by Black once. Has it ever occurred to you that he may aim to finish the job?"

"It really was a mistake," muttered Ron.

"A mistake that nearly got your souls removed from your body."

"I'm sorry," said Charlie helplessly. "I thought since it was daytime, it would be okay if I left the castle for a bit. I just needed some air."

"The next time you feel these walls are going to suffocate you, seek out a professor to supervise your stroll," said Snape flatly. "Since the two of you seem to lack common sense, you will both spend the next few evenings in detention with me. Starting tomorrow, right after dinner."

"Yes sir," the two kids chorused.

"Do anything idiotic like that again and the consequences will be dire."

Ron and Charlie quickly left his office and Ron rubbed at his chest. "That was terrifying."

"Come on, we better go to dinner," said Charlie with a sigh. "Do you think, if I happen to get caught doing something I shouldn't for the sixth time, they'll just give up and expel me?"

"I would," said Ron with a snort.

"Gee. Thanks."

They entered the Great Hall and separated to go to their respective tables. Hermione managed to pull herself away from her Arithmancy textbook to ask, "Where were you?"

"Studying outside with Ron," she answered. "Well, we spent a bit of the afternoon studying, anyway. We accidentally fell asleep and didn't wake up until dark. Professor Snape caught us and now we have detention."

"How could you be so stupid?" Hermione cried.

"I didn't mean to!" Charlie started to scoop some potatoes onto her plate. "Things just happen to me."

"Most of the time you're responsible for said things," said Hermione in irritation. "A letter arrived from Hagrid while you were out."

She dug a piece of parchment from her pocket and handed it over. Charlie read it over and gasped in horror. "Why are they bringing an executioner to Buckbeak's appeal?"

Hermione was forlorn. "They've already made up their mind. It's not going to matter what we say."

"So much for justice," said Charlie bitterly.

...

The exams went underway and as each one went by Hermione looked more and more relaxed. Hagrid was completely despondent during their Care of Magical Creatures exam and they knew there was nothing that could be done to cheer him up.

Harry, Ron and Charlie left Hermione to attend their Divination exam. There was a line of their classmates standing by the ladder and one by one they entered the room. No one mentioned a word of what they had to do, leaving the three to stare at each other curiously. Finally, it was Ron's turn and when he came back down the ladder, he was shaking with silent laughter.

"What?" Harry asked.

"She said I did excellent. Honestly, I just made the stuff up."

Harry was relieved. "Oh, good. I can do that."

Giggling, Charlie climbed the ladder when Trelawney called her name. The room was thick with a cloud of perfume and the professor sat behind one of the low tables. Charlie perched on one of the cushions and stared at the crystal ball in front of her.

"Go on, dear. Tell me what you see."

Charlie stared at the swirling fog. Knowing there was no way it would actually take shape, she decided to say what was on her mind. "I see a dark form. It's in the shape of a Hippogriff."

Trelawney sat up straighter. "You might very well be seeing the outcome of the trial to come this afternoon! Is the Hippogriff squirming on the ground, with no head?"

Geez. You need to start thinking happier thoughts.

"I see the Hippogriff, and it's missing a foot. Yes, the executioner swung the axe, and Buckbeak dodged. It went through the rope, and his foot, but he got away, leaving a trail of blood behind him."

Yikes. Maybe I need to start thinking happier thoughts as well.

Trelawney looked so astounded Charlie had to bite back a laugh. "That was incredible, darling! You and Mr. Weasley have the makings of true Seers. I wonder if Mr. Lupin shares that with you...a pity Miss Granger did not. You are dismissed."

"Thank you, Professor." Charlie got up and started for the trapdoor.

"It will happen tonight."

Charlie froze and slowly turned around. "I beg your pardon?"

Trelawney was slumped back, her eyes rolling back and her voice deep and serious. Concerned, Charlie was about to call for Harry to get Madam Pomfrey when she spoke again.

"The Dark Lord lies alone and friendless, abandoned by his followers. His servant has been chained these twelve years. Tonight, before midnight... the servant will break free and set out to rejoin his master. The Dark Lord will rise again with his servant's aid, greater and more terrible than ever he was. Tonight... before midnight... the servant... will set out... to rejoin... his master..."

When she finished, Trelawney sat up and blinked. "Oh, terribly sorry. I must have nodded off."

Charlie opened her mouth and then shut it again. She was completely flabbergasted.

She made an honest-to-gosh prediction.

Nodding silently, she climbed down the ladder, where she found Harry awaiting his turn.

"What's wrong? You look like you've just seen a ghost!"

"Nope. Just awaiting death. Again."

Harry and Ron sent her worried looks, but Trelawney called Harry's name and he went up the ladder. "What's that supposed to mean?" demanded Ron.

"I'll tell you when we're all together."

Twenty minutes later they rejoined with Hermione and Charlie told them what happened. Hermione frowned. "But that's…that's impossible. Prophecies aren't real, and she's a fraud."

"I know what I saw," said Charlie quietly. "It wasn't a show."

"But what does that mean?" asked Harry fearfully.

"It sounds like Sirius Black is going to seek out Voldemort tonight."

"Isn't there anything we can do?" demanded Ron.

"The Ministry of Magic and Dumbledore haven't been able to do a thing against him," said Harry. "What could we possibly do?"

As they fell into silence, an owl swooped into the library and landed on the table in front of them. Charlie's stomach sunk. "From Hagrid?"

Hermione stiffly took the letter and the owl flew off. She read through it and her eyes closed. "He lost the appeal. Buckbeak is going to be executed at sunset."

My lucky streak is most definitely over, thought Charlie.