THIS IS IT! This is the final chapter of part 3. I decided not to make this any longer, especially after the almost 40'000 words in just two chapters :p (That Marauders Special was insanely long .-.)
So let's get to it... Reviewers!
Little Lottie - I'm happy that you think Athos is an awesome father - I do too. :p I love him, poor thing is just too nice for his own good. And yes, Becky's dead :( I almost cried while writing it (mostly because I know more about Becky than my readers do :p). Originally I wasn't going to have an AthosXBecky kiss, but I just started writing and eventually couldn't help it. They were adorable together.
MeganAllard - Eu tambem acho que parte 2 ficou melhor que parte 1. O Josh ja é Marauder total sem saber dos detalhes - porque o Athos se recusa a ficar contando da epoca dele na escola ne, tadinho :( E é, é muuuuuuito triste quando o Athos se toca mas a Becky nao percebe que ele se toco . Mas ele tambem, nem pra berrar um - BECKY DON'T GO! I LOVE YOU! D: Aish... (hehehehe... Isso porque sou eu quem criou esse ser ne? kk) "versao pocket" PHSAHIPSHIPAS isso ainda me faz rir - efeitos PUDIM! :x (e eu ri btw). Narcissa - lindona. Fim. PHASHPAISHIPAS. EPA! Jason Isaacs que faz o Lucius nao é feio :o (mas okay, o Lucius é tao... Urgh... Que ele fica feio :p Draco, ainda bem que voce puxou a beleza da sua mama).
BlueGreen216 - I hope so too! lol. I know you're not a big fan of the idea, but I'm really thankful that you're still reading the story! ^^
Mercy - NEVER! I've got my Naruto story to update, and it's taking me forever. But I never abandon my stories. Especially this one, I mean... I'm almost halfway there! :o I'd be crazy to leave it after all the thought I've put into it -.- As for the Yule Ball... I know who she's going with... ~.~
IN FACT! Take a guess, dear readers. Who do you think Jessica will be going to the Yule Ball with?
Will it be:
A) Another OC that I might decide to introduce that will have a big impact on the entire series *o*
B) Draco Malfoy
C) Cedric Diggory
D) Harry Potter
Those who guess correctly... Will find out if they guessed correctly when they read it! *o* (muahahaha) But for now, enjoy the last chapter of Part Three!
Turn Back Time
Athos paced outside Dumbledore's office. He'd crossed half the corridor and back, at least four times already. Joshua was lazing against the stone wall, silently watching him. He'd given his father a brief explanation as to why he was pestering the Minister, but it was hard to tell whether it had been convincing or not.
"Ah, glad to see you're already here, Athos." Dumbledore smiled. Joshua adjusted his posture – he hadn't noticed the Headmaster approaching them.
"Albus-"
"I'm assuming Joshua has told you everything by now." Dumbledore said, with the usual twinkle in his eye.
"It can't be Albus. Sirius was James's secret keeper. He-"
"Peter became their secret keeper at the last minute. It was Sirius's idea. Peter's alive, Athos. He is the true traitor. I was wrong – we were all wrong." Dumbledore sighed.
"If that's so, then we must do something-"
"I believe the Dementor's were going to have their way right after midnight." Dumbledore said, unusually calm.
"That's it then?" Joshua exclaimed. "He's practically dead, when it wasn't even his fault?"
"You two should step into my office for a while." Dumbledore smiled. "I have a feeling you will be seeing Sirius again. Though, I cannot stay too long. I still must head down to the Hospital wing to check up on the children."
"That's alright, Professor. I'd much rather head to bed." Joshua said, giving him and his father a short wave. Dumbledore smiled and nodded.
"He's not going to bed, is he?" Athos sighed, once Joshua had disappeared from view.
"If he's anything like you, most certainly not." Dumbledore smiled.
x.x
"What are we going to do?" Jessica whispered.
"We can't sit here and wait for him to wake up." Hermione said, quietly but desperately. "We need to do something about Sirius. This isn't fair!"
Harry lay listening with his eyes shut tight. He felt groggy. The words he was hearing seemed to be travelling very slowly from his ears to his brain, so that it was difficult to understand.
"Fudge still thinks he's to blame, and Snape said we were under the Confundus Charm. I heard them whispering about it. I hope Josh manages to get through to them." Jessica said.
"Obviously Snape wouldn't believe us." Hermione sighed. "He bound and gagged Sirius and brought him straight back to the castle."
There was a pause. Harry's brain seemed to be moving a little faster, and as it did, a gnawing sensation grew in the pit of his stomach. He opened his eyes, slowly. Everything was slightly blurred. Somebody had removed his glasses. He was lying in the dark Hospital wing. Harry moved his head over on the pillow. In the bed to his right, Jessica sat crossed legged, on a pillow. Hermione sat opposite her, toward the end of the same bed.
"Harry!" Hermione said, urgently, as she jumped off the bed.
"I saw my dad." Harry said, his voice hoarse and his throat sore.
"What?" Jessica asked, visibly confused.
"He's the one that sent the Dementor's away." Harry said, he was certain he had a stupid grin on his face. He couldn't help it, though. It was his father.
"Listen, Harry, they've captured Sirius. Any minute now they'll perform the kiss." Hermione stated.
"And we can't let that happen." Jessica nodded. Only then did Harry spot Ron lying opposite his bed; he seemed to be sleeping quite soundly.
At that very moment, Professor Dumbledore entered the Hospital wing, urgently, awaking Ron with a start.
"Headmaster, you've got to stop them!" Hermione said, desperately.
"You've got the wrong man!" Jessica said, on her knees – she was still on the bed and clinging to the railing at the end.
"It's true, Sir, Sirius is innocent!" Harry said, quite breathlessly.
"It's Scabbers who did it!" Ron said, startling everyone.
"Scabbers?" Professor Dumbledore asked, curiously.
"He's my rat, Sir! He's not really a rat..." Ron said, thoughtfully. "He was a rat! He was my brother Percy's rat! But then they gave him-"
"The point is, we know the truth!" Hermione said, interrupting Ron's train of thought.
"Please believe us!" Jessica begged. She got off the bed and stood beside Harry.
"I do... But I am sorry to say that the word of three thirteen year old wizards will convince few others." Dumbledore sighed. Jessica, Harry and Hermione frowned instantly. They had to find a solution; they had to make everyone see the truth! Dumbledore strode over to Ron's bed and stopped beside him. "A child's word, however honest and true, is meaningless-" Dumbledore tapped Ron's injured foot, making him whimper. "-to those who've forgotten how to listen."
"But there must be something we can do, Headmaster." Jessica pleaded. Dumbledore opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when he heard the clock chime. It was midnight. Dumbledore strode back toward the Hospital wing's doors. He spoke without facing them.
"Strange thing... Time. Powerful, and when meddled with, dangerous. Sirius Black is in the top most cellar of the Dark Tower." He turned back toward them, abruptly, and slowly walked further into the room once more. "You know the laws, Miss Granger, you must not be seen. And you would do well, I feel, to return before this last chime. If not, the consequences are too ghastly to discuss. If you succeed tonight, more than one innocent life may be spared."
"What is he on about?" Jessica whispered to Harry. He shrugged in response, keeping his eyes on Dumbledore at all times.
"Three turns should do it." Dumbledore winked. With that, he turned once again and headed out the doors. He had almost fully closed them, when he stopped to give them a final look. "Oh! By the way, when in doubt, I find tracing my steps to be a wise place to begin. Good luck!"
"What the bloody hell was that?" Ron asked, bewildered. Hermione spun round to face Harry and Jessica, and gave Ron a short nod.
"Sorry, Ron, but seeing as you can't walk-" She said, before facing her two friends once more and pulling out a golden chain from underneath her shirt.
"I knew you were hiding something in there." Jessica smirked.
She lengthened the chain and placed it around Jessica and Harry. The two watched Hermione, both visibly confused, as she turned a tiny, sparkling hourglass over three times. The dark ward dissolved. Jessica felt like she was flying very fast, backward. A blur of colours and shapes rushed past her. And then, she felt solid ground beneath her feet, and everything came into focus again. The three stood in the deserted entrance hall and a stream of golden sunlight was falling across the paved floor from the open front doors. Harry looked wildly around.
"Hermione, what-"
"In here!" Hermione seized both Jessica and Harry by the arm and dragged them across the hall to the door of a broom closet; she opened it, pushed them inside among the buckets and mops, and then slammed the door behind them.
"What have you done to us?" Jessica asked, quite terrified and almost breathless.
"We've gone back in time." Hermione whispered, adjusting the chain back into her shirt.
"But-"
"Shh! Listen! Someone's coming... I think – I think it might be us." Hermione had her ear pressed against the cupboard door. "Footsteps across the hall... Yes, I think it's us going down to Hagrid's!"
"Okay... This is strangely weird and creepy." Jessica whispered, her eyes wide as she stared at Hermione.
"Where did you get that hourglass thing?" Harry asked.
"It's called a Time-Turner." Hermione whispered. "Professor McGonagall gave it to me on our first day back. I've been using it all year to get to all my lessons. Professor McGonagall made me swear I wouldn't tell anyone. She had to write all sorts of letters to the Ministry of Magic so I could have one. She had to tell them that I was a model student, and that I'd never, ever use it for anything except my studies."
"Until now, of course." Jessica smirked.
"I've been turning it back so I could do hours over again, that's how I've been doing several lessons at once, see? But... I don't understand why Dumbledore wanted us back so far. How will this help Sirius?" Hermione said, quite troubled.
"Well... We're heading over to Hagrid's right now, right?" Harry said thoughtfully. "And Dumbledore wants us to change something that happened then..."
"BUCKBEAK!" Jessica exclaimed, eagerly. "More than one innocent life could be spared. He wants us to save Buckbeak!"
"That's it! How are we going to do that, though?" Hermione wondered.
"We know where Black is. We'll fly up with Buckbeak and then they can escape together." Harry grinned.
"Wait... Did you just say we would fly up?" Jessica said, nervously. Harry nodded. "Oh... No, no, no, no, no – NO WAY! I AM NOT FLYING ANYWHERE!"
"Jess, we have to!" Harry said, almost pleadingly.
"No... We, with me included, do not have to do anything." Jessica huffed and crossed her arms.
"I don't like the idea either, Jess, but it's the only way to save Sirius. We also need to be extremely cautious. We cannot be seen!" Hermione said.
"I'll go with you – but I'm not flying Buckbeak!" Jessica said, giving them all a menacing glare. Harry sighed.
"Straight into the forest, alright?" Harry said, determinedly. "We'll have to hide behind a tree or something and keep a lookout-"
"But we'll go around by the greenhouses. We need to keep out of sight of Hagrid's front door, or we'll see us. We must be nearly at Hagrid's by now!" Hermione said, breathlessly.
They set off at a sprint. They tore across the vegetable gardens to the greenhouses, paused for a moment, then set off again, fast as they could, skirting around the Whomping Willow, tearing toward the shelter of the forest.
"Right." Hermione gasped. "We need to sneak over to Hagrid's."
They made their way silently through the trees, keeping to the very edge of the forest. Then, as they glimpsed the front of Hagrid's house, they spotted them entering Hagrid's hut.
"This is seriously weird." Jessica muttered.
"Let's move along a bit." Hermione whispered. "We need to get nearer to Buckbeak!"
They crept through the trees until they saw the nervous Hippogriff, tethered to the fence around Hagrid's pumpkin patch.
"Now?" Harry whispered.
"No!" Hermione said, urgently, grabbing hold of Harry's arm to make sure he wouldn't rush off.
"If we steal him now, the Committee will think Hagrid set him free." Jessica whispered.
"We've got to wait until they've seen him here, outside." Hermione added.
"That won't give us much time, though." Harry groaned. This was starting to seem impossible. Then, they suddenly heard a crash coming from inside the hut. Harry was just about ready to sprint into the hut. "Hagrid's going to find Pettigrew any second now."
"Harry, don't you dare do anything!" Hermione warned. "We're breaking one of the most important wizarding laws! Nobody's supposed to change time, nobody! You heard Dumbledore, if we're seen-"
"But we'd only be seen by ourselves and Hagrid!" Harry said, almost pleadingly.
"I'd rather not get locked up in Azkaban, thank you very much." Jessica mumbled.
"It was just an idea." Harry sighed.
"A very bad one!" Hermione said, exasperated.
"Hermione... We've got a problem." Jessica whispered. "They're coming... Dumbledore and the others, and we're not leaving."
"Why aren't we leaving?" Harry wondered.
And then, quite suddenly, Hermione caught a glimpse of a black pebble – the one that had mysteriously crashed into one of Hagrid's vases and then Harry's head. With a wide grin, she grabbed the pebble and threw it through Hagrid's window. They all ducked when they heard the crash. Hermione found another pebble on the ground, right by her foot, and threw it once again – landing perfectly on the back of Harry's head.
"Ow..." Harry said, quietly, as the Harry inside yelled.
"Sorry." Hermione said, sheepishly.
"Brilliant, now we're coming out." Jessica groaned.
"Quick! Behind the trees!" Hermione whispered.
Jessica, Harry and Hermione hid behind three different trees. They soon caught a glimpse of themselves, rushing to hide behind the pumpkins.
"Can you hear anything?"
The three remained frozen as they heard Jessica's voice. Jessica remembered that moment and held in the urge to groan – she hadn't been able to see over the pumpkins. Sometimes it sucked being so tiny. Hermione suddenly took a step forward, moving the branch that was blocking her view.
"Is that really what my hair looks like from the back?" Hermione wondered.
"Mione, now's not the time for that!" Jessica whispered, urgently.
They froze when the other Hermione turned around, curiously. Hermione quickly returned to her spot behind the tree and smirked to herself. She should've realised sooner that they'd be doing this.
"What is it?" They heard the other Harry speak.
"I... I thought I saw..." Hermione's voice echoed, and then it paused. "Never mind."
"Let's get out of here." They heard Ron say.
As soon as the past four left, Jessica, Harry and Hermione moved back toward the pumpkins.
"He's outside." They heard Hagrid speak.
"We – er – have to read you the official notice of execution, Hagrid. I'll make it quick. And then you and Macnair need to sign it. Macnair, you're supposed to listen too, that's the procedure." They heard Fudge say.
"Alright, it's now or never." Hermione said, anxiously.
"I'll do it, Buckbeak likes me." Harry whispered.
As Fudge's voice started again, Harry darted out from behind the pumpkins and approached Buckbeak. Careful not to blink, Harry stared up into the Hippogriff's fierce eyes once more and bowed. Buckbeak, who was lying on the ground, simply bowed his head in acknowledgement. Harry began to fumble with the knot of rope that tied Buckbeak to the fence.
"Come on Buckbeak... Let's go." Harry whispered, urgently, but the creature refused to move. The poor thing was too depressed to do anything.
"Mione... Look..." Jessica said, nodding toward a pile of dead ferrets.
"Of course!" Hermione grinned.
"Come on, Buckbeak! We're going to help you!" Harry said, as he put all his weight onto the rope.
"Well, let's get this over with." Said the reedy voice of the Committee member.
"Minister, perhaps I should sign it too?" Harry heard Dumbledore's voice. It was almost as though Dumbledore knew what they were doing and was buying them some time.
"Buckbeak! Look at what I have... It's a delicious dead ferret!" Hermione said, waving the dead animal at Buckbeak's face. The Hippogriff got on his feet instantly. Hermione allowed him to chew on one of the ferrets, but held onto the others. Harry tugged on the rope once again and Buckbeak followed them back into the trees. They could still hear Dumbledore's voice talking from within the cabin. Jessica grabbed hold of the rope also, throwing all her weight onto it and helping Buckbeak move faster.
"Stop here, otherwise they'll hear us!" Hermione said, suddenly. Harry looked over his shoulder; they were now safely out of sight.
Hagrid's back door opened with a bang. They stood like statues – even Buckbeak.
"Where is it?" They heard the Committee member speak. He sounded irritated. "Where is the beast?"
"It was tied here! I saw it!" The executioner said.
"How extraordinary!" Dumbledore sighed. The three glanced at each other – they had all noticed the amusement in Dumbledore's voice.
"Beaky!" Hagrid said, huskily.
"We must search the grounds!" The Minister said.
"Well search the skies, if you must, Minister. Meanwhile, I'd like a nice cup of tea... Or a large brandy." Dumbledore said. "Oh, and Macnair? Your services are no longer required. Thank you."
They heard the executioner groan a few curse words and then – without much warning – they heard the swift sound of his axe cutting through some pumpkins.
x.x
The sky was now fully dark. The three had made it back to the Whomping Willow, with Buckbeak close behind them at all times. It had been surprisingly nice to just sit and watch the sunset for a change – while Buckbeak chewed down a few more ferrets. They had watched silently as Lupin approached the Willow.
"Immobillus!" They heard him say.
"Of course! Why didn't I think of that spell? So simple!" Hermione gasped.
"Should we kill her now or later?" Jessica murmured to Harry.
"Later." He replied with a smirk. Not long after, they saw Snape and Joshua.
"How do you suppose they kept hidden?" Jessica wondered.
"They used a Disillusionment charm." Hermione stated. "Josh told the Minister afterward."
"Oh..." Jessica nodded.
"What does that do?" Harry asked, curiously.
"It works like a chameleon." Hermione said.
Finally, after over an hour, they saw sign of movement once more. They quickly got to their feet, even Buckbeak raised his head. They saw as, one by one, they climbed out of the hole in the roots. Any moment now, the cloud was going to move aside and show the moon...
"Pettigrew..." Harry practically growled.
"We can't Harry, not now." Jessica sighed.
"So we're just going to let Pettigrew escape all over again?" Harry said, quietly.
"How do you expect to find a rat in the dark?" Hermione snapped. "There's nothing we can do! We came back to help Sirius; we're not supposed to be doing anything else!"
At that very moment, the moon slid out from behind its cloud. They saw the tiny figures across the grounds stop. Then they saw movement –
"There goes Lupin." Hermione whispered.
"We have to move." Harry said suddenly. "Lupin's going to run into the forest, right at us!"
The three ran across the trees, jumping over roots and pushing past branches. They could hear the soft cries and howls in the distance, gradually getting louder. The werewolf was much faster than they were. Hermione stopped suddenly, making Harry and Jessica stop soon after.
"Buckbeak! I left him behind!" Hermione panted.
"Hermione, there's no time!" Harry said, urgently.
"No... There is. Just keep moving forward and I'll catch up with you!" Hermione said, as she dashed back. Jessica was just about to run after her, but Harry grabbed her by the sleeve.
"I can't let her go on her own!" Jessica said, almost angrily.
"You can and you will. Come on." Harry said, as he dragged her along.
They ran farther and farther, but the werewolf was still getting closer. Harry stopped just behind a large tree, pulling Jessica closer to him. They held their breaths as they heard the soft rustling of the leaves and twigs on the ground – the werewolf was right behind them. It then cried and began to move once again.
"Okay... I think we can go now." Harry whispered.
Very slowly, they moved around the tree until they finally found their original path once more. They were just about to start running when they heard rustling again. The werewolf was back and now there was no point in hiding. It had seen them.
"Oh... Sh-"
"Jessica, move!" Harry said, grabbing her arm and pulling her back toward him. His heartbeat quickened as the werewolf approached them. That was it. They were done for. This was the end of their journey. Harry somewhat hoped it would be quick and painless. He protectively put himself in front of his friend and wrapped his arms around her. The werewolf took a few more steps forward –
And then Buckbeak roared, ferociously. Hermione was on top of him as he galloped into view, scaring the werewolf away.
"Are you two okay?" Hermione asked, as she jumped down from Buckbeak.
"That... Was... Terrifying." Jessica said, breathless.
"Lupin's having a really tough night." Harry sighed. Then, before they could think of their next move, everything went cold. A sudden sorrow spread upon them, so quickly, that it could only mean one thing. Harry instinctively pulled out his wand. "They're here... The Dementor's."
"The lake..." Jessica said, thoughtfully.
"Come on!" Harry said, already dashing ahead.
They ran, faster than ever before, fighting off the gloomy feeling the Dementor's brought to them. Harry kept yelling back at the two girls – "Think only happy thoughts!" – and then, suddenly, they stopped. They were on the other side of the lake. They had a clear view of Sirius lying on the ground and Harry hovering above him. Sirius was injured, badly.
"This is horrible!" Hermione gasped.
"Don't worry." Harry said, with a small smile. "My dad will come."
"Harry, that's not possible." Jessica sighed. "He's dead. He can't simply-"
"I saw him!" Harry said, desperately.
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked. "Are you sure it was him you saw?"
They paused when they saw the other Harry attempt a Patronus. It wasn't strong enough, however, and he soon became outnumbered.
"Harry, nothing's happening." Hermione said worriedly.
"You're both dying." Jessica whispered.
One of the Dementor's was lowering its hood. It was time for the rescuer to appear – but no one was coming to help this time. And then, Harry gasped. He hadn't seen his father.
"Of course!" He said, as he ran forward a little. He took a deep breath and raised his wand – "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
Out of the end of his wand burst, not a shapeless cloud of mist, but a blinding, dazzling, silver animal. Jessica covered her eyes slightly, which were immediately blinded by the sudden light. She managed to squint slightly, and noticed the animal – was it a horse? Harry watched as the Patronus galloped silently away from him, across the black surface of the lake. He saw it lower its head and charge at the swarming Dementor's. Now it was galloping around the black shapes on the ground, and the Dementor's were falling back, scattering, retreating into the darkness. And then, they were gone. The Patronus turned; it was cantering back toward him, across the still surface of the water. It wasn't a horse – it was a stag. It was shining brightly as the moon above... It stopped on the bank. Its hooves made no mark on the soft ground as it stared at Harry with its large, silver eyes. Slowly, it bowed its antlered head, and then Harry realised...
"Prongs..." He whispered; but as his trembling fingertips stretched out to touch the creature, it vanished.
"You did it, Harry!" Jessica beamed.
"You saw yourself... It was good thing you thought it was your father, though. Otherwise that would've been hard to explain." Hermione sighed.
"I think seeing my father would be even harder." Harry smirked.
"Right, we've got to go." Hermione said, as she nodded out toward the lake. Snape had just arrived and he was placing Sirius on a stretcher. "We've got roughly about forty-five minutes to save Sirius, before midnight."
x.x
They still had some time to kill before Sirius was locked in the tower, but that gave Harry just enough time to convince Jessica to get on Buckbeak. The Hippogriff already seemed to like her, for being one of reasons he wasn't executed earlier that day.
"No!" Jessica huffed and crossed her arms, stubbornly.
"Think of Sirius! He needs our help; we can't do this if we don't do it together." Harry pleaded.
"Jess, if there are more people up there, we're going to need at least three wands to give us a decent chance of fighting." Hermione said.
"If there are more people up there, then we'll also end up in Azkaban." Jessica glared.
"No one's going to Azkaban, but Sirius will die if we don't save them." Harry said, calmly.
"I'm not going. I'll meet you back in the Hospital wing." Jessica said, her arms still crossed against her chest.
"I'll buy you the largest packet of Pumpkin Pasties I can find." Harry said, wriggling his eyebrows. Jessica gasped at him, incredulously, but he could see the interested glimmer in her eyes.
"That's unfair!" Jessica whined. "You can't use my weakness against me like that! Besides, I can just go and buy the largest packet, whenever I feel like it!"
"No you can't... I doubt your mother would let you." Harry smirked.
"Well... I... Oh, Harry this is really mean!" Jessica groaned. "Buckbeak's cute and all, but he really scares me most of the time."
"Believe me, he's harmless." Hermione nodded.
"Easy for you to say, you didn't fly it." Jessica mumbled, irritably.
"Come on." Harry said, as he easily jumped on Buckbeak. "You can even go in the middle if you want, that way there's no risk of you falling."
"Exactly." Hermione grinned.
"I hate you both." Jessica huffed.
Harry grinned and jumped up on Buckbeak, and then reached out a hand to help his friend up. Jessica held out a shaky hand to grasp Harry's and pushed herself up against the Hippogriff's large body. Harry expertly pulled her up and she flipped on leg over to the other side. Once she sat down – she panicked. Her eyes were wide and watery, and she felt like screaming.
"Okay... Can I get off now?" Jessica said, her entire body shaking. Harry calmly grabbed both her hands and wrapped her arms around his waist. Without registering her movements, she tightened her grip around him and buried her face on his back.
"Let him breathe, Jess." Hermione laughed. She too jumped up on Buckbeak and secured her arms around Jessica. "You won't fall, we promise."
"If I do fall, I'll kill you both." Jessica said. By the sound of her voice, Harry could tell she was already crying.
"Alright, Buckbeak. Let's go." Harry said.
Jessica whimpered when Buckbeak began to move. He galloped around for a while, gathering speed. He then suddenly, without warning, soared into the air, almost vertically. Jessica was now screaming – as was Hermione. Harry suppressed the urge to laugh at their reactions. How could they not love the sensation of flying? Jessica was somewhat thankful that the Hippogriff was a reasonably fast creature. She soon felt him slowing down and then he came to halt at the top of the upmost tower.
"Thank goodness, someone please get me down." Jessica said, dramatically, in a quivering voice.
Hermione was the first off, and she quickly dashed over to the cellar where Sirius was – slumped against a wall, with no life in his eyes.
"Cover your face, Sirius!" Hermione whispered urgently. The man suddenly jumped to his feet – his mouth hung open. He was saved. He grinned widely as he saw Harry and Jessica appear right behind Hermione. "Bombarda!"
"You three are insane!" Sirius beamed. "Where's Ron? Is he alright?"
"He'll be fine." Harry nodded.
"We have to go, now. They'll soon be here and we can't be seen." Hermione said, breathless.
"Wait, we're flying him back down?" Jessica breathed, glancing back at Buckbeak.
"What a magnificent creature! It's a Hippogriff, isn't it?" Sirius grinned.
"Yes and it's super fast, super big... And it flies." Jessica said, with a little shiver.
"She doesn't like flying." Harry said, with a teasing tone. "Come on."
Sirius eagerly climbed onto the Hippogriff, Harry jumped up afterward and helped Jessica back up – who was whimpering and muttering incoherent words under her breath the entire time – and then finally, Hermione climbed.
"Alright! Where to?" Sirius grinned.
"The entrance grounds." Hermione said.
Jessica reopened her eyes when she felt Buckbeak touchdown. Never again was she going to fly. Ever! Harry dragged Sirius into the shadows, so he wouldn't be spotted by anyone. Sirius rested his body against a wall and sighed.
"You and Buckbeak are going to escape together, alright?" Hermione said, breathlessly.
"Alright." Sirius nodded.
"Well, this is interesting... I bet the Dementor's are in for a treat."
They froze when they heard the voice approaching them. They all noticed Sirius's breath get faster and faster – if he were caught now, they'd kill him on the spot. And then – quite suddenly – Joshua came into view. He had an amused look on his face and a box on Every Flavour Beans in his hand.
"What are you doing out here?" Hermione asked, desperately. "You can't tell anyone-"
"About your time turner?" Joshua smirked.
"How did you-"
"I accidently saw you use it back in September. I assumed you were using it for classes, because... Well, because you're you. You love to study." Joshua shrugged. "Now I'm assuming you used it to save Sirius's life-"
Buckbeak made a slight noise.
"-and Buckbeak." Josh smirked.
"Joshua, if you tell a single soul, I will make your life a living hell!" Jessica glared.
"You should know me better by now." Joshua said, rolling his eyes. "Come on Jessica, Hermione... These two need a few minutes to talk."
"We want to talk to him too!" Jessica said, with a pout.
"I'll be forever grateful for this!" Sirius said, before Joshua managed to drag the two girls away. "To all of you."
"I want to go with you." Harry said, determinedly.
"One day, perhaps. My life will be too unpredictable for a while. Besides, you're meant to be here." Sirius said, with a smile. Harry sighed and took a seat on the nearest bench.
"You're innocent though." Harry frowned.
"And you know it!" Sirius beamed. He approached Harry and dropped to his knees. Joshua ushered the two girls away so they could have some privacy. Harry could see the tears forming in the corner of Sirius's eyes. "For now, that will do. I expect you're tired of hearing this, but you look so much like your father... Except your eyes... You have-"
"My mother's eyes." Harry completed, with a smile. Sirius nodded and sniffed a little.
"It's cruel... I got to spend so much time with James and Lily, and you so little. But know this, the ones that love us never really leave us, and you can always find them – in here." Sirius said, poking Harry's chest. He then stood and walked over toward the others. Unfortunately for him, he couldn't stay any longer.
"Ready to go, Sirius?" Joshua asked, as he stroked Buckbeak's head.
"Ready." Sirius grinned.
"I told him... My dad." Joshua said, turning to face the man. "It might take him some time to get used to it, but he'll come round, and when he does, you'll be a free man."
"I always knew your father would be big among the Ministry." Sirius smirked. "Just as I am certain you will be too, someday. You're a fine wizard, Joshua, always have been."
"Yeah well..." Joshua shrugged. "It's a natural talent."
"As is the arrogance." Jessica said, teasingly.
"Go, Sirius." Harry nodded.
"Alright!" Sirius pulled Harry into a very tight hug. He reluctantly let go when Joshua tapped him on the shoulder. He then spun round and pulled the remaining three into another hug.
"Alright, alright." Josh said, irritably. Sirius chuckled and pulled away. Joshua rolled his eyes at him. "Next time take a bath before you hug me."
"Josh!" Jessica glared, slapping him across the arm.
"It's alright; he gets that from his mother." Sirius smirked. Joshua rolled his eyes again.
Sirius gave Harry one last hug before climbing onto Buckbeak. He took a deep breath and focused his eyes on the sky. This was it. This was the beginning of the rest of his life. He'd have to hide for a while, but it wouldn't be forever. Harry felt quite lonely as they watched Buckbeak kick off the ground, and fly high into the sky, toward the full moon – and then, they were gone. They were free.
"Well, good night to you all, I've had a fantastic day, but now I really need to rest." Joshua said, nonchalantly, and strode back into the castle.
"I seriously can't believe your brother sometimes." Hermione chuckled.
"What time did we have to be back?" Harry wondered – just then, the clock chimed.
"NOW!" Jessica and Hermione screamed in unison.
They desperately dashed into the castle, skidded across the halls, and were very much thankful Filch was nowhere to be seen. They reached the Hospital wing's doors just as Dumbledore closed them. They stopped abruptly as the Headmaster turned to face them.
"Well?" He said.
"He's free. We did it!" Harry said, excitedly but breathless.
"Did what?" Dumbledore asked, quite amused. They all noticed the sparkle in his eyes as he smiled at them. "Good night!"
They casually entered the room and spotted their past selves fading away into nothing. Ron glanced over at them, his eyes wide.
"How did you get there? You were standing over here! Now you're over there!" He said, pointing desperately.
"What is he talking about?" Hermione wondered.
"I have no idea." Jessica sighed and shrugged.
"Honestly, Ron, how could we be in two places at once?" Harry said, rolling his eyes. Jessica and Hermione snorted.
x.x
As usual, the entire school was well aware of what happened the previous night – without the full details, of course. To make matters even worse, Professor Snape had accidently told the entire Slytherin house that Lupin was a werewolf. It didn't take long for the news to spread, so Lupin decided it was best to resign before he received angry letters from parents. All the exams were finished, so there wouldn't be any actual lessons until the official end of term. Jessica met Harry just outside the Great Hall and they walked together over to Lupin's classroom. They weren't going to beg the man to stay, because they both knew it would be quite useless, but they would at least say goodbye and make sure he was alright. Lupin's office door was open when they arrived. He had already packed most of his things. The Grindylow's empty tank stood next to his battered old suitcase, which was open and nearly full. Lupin was bending over something on his desk and looked up just as Harry was about to knock on the door.
"I saw you two coming." Lupin smiled. He pointed to the parchment he had been poring over – The Marauder's Map.
"You can't resign." Jessica frowned – forgetting completely that she wasn't going to beg him to stay. He couldn't leave them.
"The Ministry don't think you were helping Sirius, do they?" Harry asked. Lupin crossed over to the door behind them and closed it.
"No. Professor Dumbledore managed to convince Fudge that I was trying to save your lives." He sighed. "That was the final straw for Severus. I think the loss of the Order of Merlin hit him hard. This time tomorrow, the owls will start arriving from parents... They will not want a werewolf teaching their children. And after last night, I see their point. I could have bitten anyone of you. That must never happen again."
"But it didn't happen and you're the best DADA teacher we've ever had!" Harry said, almost desperately. It was quite terrifying to think what sort of teacher they'd have during their fourth year. Lupin shook his head and didn't speak. He carried on emptying his drawers. Then, while Harry was trying to think of a good argument to make him stay, Lupin turned back to them.
"From what the Headmaster told me this morning, you both saved a lot of lives last night. If I'm proud of anything I've done this year, it's how much you've learned. Harry, tell me more about your Patronus."
"It's a stag!" Jessica grinned. "James's was a stag too, wasn't it?"
"I guessed that when I saw it." Harry said to Lupin. Jessica nodded knowingly. Harry then told Lupin everything, in much more detail. Lupin listened attentively – and even commented a few times. Overall, he was extremely proud Harry was capable of conjuring an accurate Patronus.
Lupin threw his last few books into his case, closed the desk drawers, and turned to look at his two students.
"Here-" He said, holding out the map. "I am no longer your teacher, so I don't feel guilty about giving this back to you. It's no use to me, and I daresay, you two, Ron and Hermione will make good use of it."
"Oh, we definitely will." Jessica smirked, mischievously.
"James would've loved to see the two of you together – friends, causing havoc during their time at Hogwarts. He was certain you two would be great friends." Lupin smiled. "Just promise me, whatever you get yourselves into, you'll always be safe."
"Yes, Sir." Jessica and Harry grinned in unison.
"Good." Lupin said. "Mischief managed!"
"You still need to tell us how you all created this." Jessica said.
"Perhaps you should ask your father." Lupin said, with an amused tone.
x.x
"Dumbledore said I found my father inside myself." Harry said, as he sat down next to Jessica by the lake. He'd just been to Dumbledore's office, mostly to get a few things off his chest. He still couldn't believe Pettigrew escaped him – twice.
"I was actually reading about that, in the library." Jessica said.
"Is your name Hermione Granger now?" Harry teased. Jessica rolled her eyes, but smiled.
"They say when your Patronus is the same as someone else's, it means you're somewhat connected to them. To be honest, I didn't quite understand it. I might actually have to get Hermione to explain to me later... But maybe James lives on, inside you." Jessica said, thoughtfully. "I know it sounds weird... But-"
"No... It kind of makes sense." Harry nodded. "I wonder what they were like when they were in school."
"Fantastic purveyors of mayhem." Jessica smirked.
"Aside from that." Harry laughed.
"Great wizards." Jessica nodded, slowly. "Loyal and true... Fearless and defiant. I mean, they did become Animagi on their own."
"Maybe we should try it." Harry grinned.
"Forget it, Harry Potter." Jessica rolled her eyes and stood up. "With Hermione as one of our best friends, we'll never manage to convince her to break that law."
x.x
The school year soon came to an end and the four friends found themselves loading their luggage into the Hogwarts Express. As usual, it took them a while to find an empty compartment, but once they did, they all lazily threw themselves inside and waited for the train to start moving.
"You must come over this summer, Harry." Ron said, eagerly. "I'll arrange it with mum, and then I'll call you. I know how to use the fellytone now."
"Telephone, Ronald." Hermione sighed. "You should take Muggle Studies next year. In fact – I dropped that class. I turned in the Time Turner and I'll be getting back to my normal schedule."
"Yey, no more crazy Mione!" Jessica grinned.
"As I was saying..." Ron huffed. He was still partially irritated for being left out of their time-travelling adventure. "It's the Quidditch World Cup this summer and dad usually gets tickets from work. We must go."
"I can get tickets for us, if you want." Jessica shrugged.
"Really?" Ron beamed. "Well, I mean, if you don't mind... Dad will be forever grateful!"
"Sure. I'll let my dad know as soon as we meet up. Send me a letter on which seats you want – unlike you, I'm not allowed a telephone at home." Jessica nodded.
"So... It's settled then, we're all going?" Hermione asked, curiously.
"Sure." Harry grinned. "The Dursley's won't mind, especially after what happened with Aunt Marge."
"You can always come back to mine if they bother you." Jessica smiled.
"And risk having your mum yelling at him again?" Ron asked, raising an eyebrow. Hermione nudged him roughly.
"Oh, we'll just lock her in cupboard or something." Jessica said, with a wave of the hand.
Further into their journey, Hermione spotted something very small and gray, bobbing in and out of sight beyond the glass window. Harry stood up for a better look and saw that it was a tiny owl, carrying a letter that was much too big for it. The owl was so small, in fact, that it kept tumbling over in the air, buffeted this way and that in the train's slipstream. Harry quickly pulled down the window, stretched out his arm, and caught it. It felt like a very fluffy Snitch. He brought it carefully inside. The owl dropped the letter onto Harry's seat and began zooming around their compartment, apparently very pleased for accomplishing its task.
"It's the cutest little thing ever!" Jessica said, amazed by the tiny creature. Jealous, Brownie hooted irritably.
"Read it aloud!" Ron beamed.
Dear Harry,
I hope this finds you before you reach your aunt and uncle. I don't know whether they're used to owl post. Buckbeak and I are in hiding. I won't tell you where, in case this owl falls into the wrong hands. I have some doubt about this reliability, but he is the best I could find, and he did seem eager for the job. I believe the Dementor's are still searching for me, but they haven't a hope of finding me here. I am planning to allow some muggles to glimpse me soon, a long way from Hogwarts, so that the security on the castle will be lifted.
There is something I never got around to telling you during our brief meeting. It was I who sent you the Firebolt –
"Ha! Told you it was him!" Hermione grinned.
"Yes, but he hadn't jinxed it, had he?" Ron said – and Hermione slapped him. "Ouch!"
Crookshanks took the order to the Owl Office for me. I used your name but told them to take the gold from my Gringotts vault. Please consider it as a thirteen birthdays' worth of presents from your godfather. I would also like to apologise for the fright I think I gave you that night last year, when you left your uncle's house. I had only hoped to get a glimpse of you before starting my journey north, but I think the sight of me alarmed you.
I am enclosing something else for you, which I think will make your next year at Hogwarts more enjoyable. If you ever need me, send word. Your owl will find me.
I'll write again soon.
Sirius
Harry looked eagerly inside the envelope. There was another piece of parchment in there. He read it through quickly and felt suddenly as warm and contented as though he'd swallowed a bottle of hot butterbeer in one gulp.
I, Sirius Black, Harry Potter's godfather, hereby give him permission to visit Hogsmede on weekends.
"That'll be good enough for Dumbledore." Hermione smiled.
"Oh... There's a PS..." Harry said, as he looked back to Sirius's letter.
PS
I thought Ron might like to keep this owl as it's my fault he no longer has a rat.
"Darn... I was hoping to keep it." Jessica pouted.
"You already have Brownie!" Ron said.
"Can I name it then?" Jessica pleaded.
"I bet it'll be chocolate, or something." Harry teased.
"He's small... So why not Beans?" Jessica grinned.
"Alright, alright. Beans it is!" Ron said. Then, much to everyone's surprise, Ron grabbed the owl and held it for Crookshanks to sniff. "What do you reckon, definitely an owl?"
Crookshanks purred in response and Ron grinned.
x.x
Jessica and Joshua only had each other's company on the ride back to Selwyn Mansion. It was quite likely their father was being held up at the Ministry, solely focused on Sirius Black's case. They had no doubt their father would want to know much more about all of this. After a long ride in the car, the driver pulled up just outside the grand house.
"Forgive me..." The driver said, as he unloaded their trunks. "But it would be wise if you two head straight to your rooms."
The siblings exchanged confused looks, but said nothing in response to their driver. With a short nod, they opened the large doors and entered their home. It didn't take long for them to understand what their driver had meant. In the distance, possibly upstairs – either in their mother's drawing room or their father's office – they could hear it. They were yelling at each other.
"Brilliant. This summer's going to be fantastic." Jessica groaned.
Uh-oh... Sounds like something's goin' down at la casa de los Selwyns! (random Spanglish moment, please ignore)
So - THIS IS IT! THIS IS THE END! D:
Well, at least until I post up Part Four :p I will go round, sending PM's to all my reviewers... Except for the ones who don't have accounts, of course. But I doubt it will take too long for me to get started, because I kind of already know how I want the first chapter to start. ~.~ So... Just keep an eye out on my profile, or the actual site... It'll be here soon! For now... XOXO!
PS
Terribly sorry if there are any mistakes. I did re-read this, but I've been sooooo sleepy all day, that it actually took me forever. I THINK I managed to correct everything that had to be corrected. I will come back and re-read this later, though. Promise!