"We did it!" Harry said in an excited voice when he and Hermione returned. "Sirius has gone, along with Buckbeak…."
Dumbledore beamed at them.
"Well done, I think," Dumbledore said as he listened intently. "Yes, think you've gone now. Get inside, I'll lock you in."
Harry and Hermione stepped inside of the hospital wing.
The next thing Harry Potter knew, he was lying in bed, eyes wide open. It was his dormitory.
Harry blinked. He just stepped into the hospital wing as his past self, and Hermione's left. How in the hell could he be back into the Gryffindor's Boys Dormitory?
Ron's snores, along with Neville, Dean, and Seamus, cut through Harry's thought process. He literally could not even begin to process what just happened.
Harry moved to check the date. June 6th. It was just a few minutes after midnight.
Harry closed his eyes. He remembered the day that was. The man who he thought was a mass murderer had been innocent. And the man who committed the crimes and betrayed his parents, who framed Sirius, had been Ron's pet rat, Scabbers. Peter Pettigrew. For a minute, Harry thought he would be free of the Dursleys.
Then Lupin transformed into a werewolf because he forgot to take his potion. Tonight of all bloody nights. Pettigrew escaped in the confusion. Then there were Dementors showing up. Then Harry's future self saved his past self with an amazing Patronus spell. Then there was time travel. Sirius got away on Buckbeak, and they were free.
It most certainly was June the sixth. The day of Buckbeak's appeal. The day the truth had been revealed.
Had it all been a dream? A really messed up dream?
Harry fell back asleep, although he was not asleep, not really. For he could not fathom any of this.
The morning kind of disturbed Harry. Everything happened exactly how it played out in his dreams. Down to the part, where Malfoy was acting like a smug little shit about Buckbeak's incoming execution. To the point where Harry wished Hermione hit him harder. Or that he would have hit Malfoy himself.
With a beater bat.
Several times.
"You alright, mate?"
Ron nudged Harry.
"Just thinking about Buckbeak," Harry said.
"I don't…I wish I could say there was hope for Hagrid," Hermione said. "But, we can't worry about that right now. We've got exams."
Same old Hermione, no matter how many times Harry lived this day. Did he live this day?
It was time for Defence Against the Dark Arts exams.
"Watch the Hinkypunks," Harry murmured to Ron.
"What?" Ron asked.
"The Hinkypunks will trip you up in the exam," Harry said. "Watch the Hinkypunks."
"You haven't been hanging out with that Looney girl in Ginny's year, have you?" Ron asked.
Harry had no idea who that was. Then again, come to think of it, he did not know many people in Hogwarts and who they were.
Something to change starting tomorrow.
"It's good advice," Hermione said.
"Yes, and you better be careful around that boggart," Harry told her. "It's not real. It's playing off your insecurities."
"I'm not insecure," Hermione said in a huffy voice.
Well, Harry would beg to differ, but he knew he was not winning this battle with Hermione.
"Just remember, it's not real," Harry said.
Defense Against the Dark Arts class finals happened. Harry nailed it with flying colors yet again. Including the boggart Dementor.
Harry turned the Dementor into the exact image of a picture that he saw of Uncle Vernon from the 1970s. With an afro. Wearing a sequined disco suit.
Vernon threatened to throw Harry into the trunk of a car and bury him alive out in the wild if he spoke of it to anyone.
That was laughable, and Harry left the trunk, with a smile.
"Excellent, Harry," Lupin said. "Full marks."
"Thank you, Professor," Harry said. "Don't forget your potion."
Lupin just raised an eyebrow.
"How?" Lupin murmured.
"Just don't forget it," Harry said.
Ron made his way and did much better against the hinkypunks. And defeated the spider just how he did in class.
"Very good, Ron," Lupin said. "Full marks."
"Thank you, Professor," Ron said. "Top that, Hermione."
"I knew you could do it," Harry said with a confident smile.
Ron and Harry fist bumped and Hermione, brimming with confidence, just stepped in. Harry sensed that if she thought Ron could do it, there was no reason why she could not do it.
"Well, obviously I can't top it, the best I can do is tie it," Hermione said.
Hermione did her best. At least until she got to the boggart. Hermione screamed bloody murder.
She looked even more terrified the second time around.
"Hermione?" Lupin asked. "What's the matter?"
Hermione just broke down and started to cry. Harry just wondered if Professor McGonagall telling her to fail everything would really get this kind of reaction.
"We better get her to the hospital wing," Harry told Ron.
"No, I can't…Muggle Studies exam, I have to take it," Hermione gasped. "I'll be fine."
"What did you see?" Ron asked.
"She doesn't want to talk about it," Harry said.
"But, how can you face your fears if you ignore them?" Ron asked.
"She's right, I'm a failure," Hermione murmured. "I can't even fight one bloody boggart."
Now Harry wondered something, but it was Hermione's decision to tell them.
"It will be fine," Harry said. "You just missed the boggart. You still did pretty well."
"You don't understand," Hermione grumbled.
Well, obviously Harry did not understand, if Hermione was not telling him something.
Divination went exactly as it did. Right down to Trelawney going into that weird trance and speaking about the servant of the Dark Lord. Hermione, still shaken up from earlier, returned.
"Buckbeak lost," Hermione said.
Harry knew enough to know that Lucius Malfoy, likely with the combination of bribes and blackmail, already set Buckbeak's fate, no matter anything Hagrid liked.
Plans were made. Hermione went to retrieve the cloak, and they used it to visit Hagrid's hut. Hagrid was shaken up, just the same.
"It will be fine, Hagrid," Harry murmured.
Hagrid dropped the jug onto the ground.
"Why don't you let me take care of it?" Harry asked. "You've had a hard day."
Hermione smiled, gratefully. And then, Harry noticed the little rat poking out of the corner.
"Scabbers?" Harry asked.
"What?" Hermione asked.
Ron shot up, in surprise. Scabbers looked completely terrified, at the fact he had been discovered.
"He doesn't look good," Harry told him.
"He's alive," Ron said.
"I believe you owe someone an apology," Hermione said.
Hermione and Ron, as per tradition, started to argue. Harry looked at Scabbers.
"You've given us a lot of trouble, haven't you?" Harry asked. "We better get back up to the school. The Ministry will be here at any minute."
Hagrid promised to let him out the back.
"Harry, can I have Scabbers?" Ron asked.
"I'd…actually like to have him," Harry said. "I've always wanted a rat."
"Why?" Ron asked. "Even if he's still alive, I don't think he'll be around for much longer."
"I'll give you ten galleons if you don't ask any more questions," Harry said.
"That's not worth the money, mate," Ron said. "I can't accept that kind of money, not for…."
"Why do you want the rat?" Hermione hissed.
"Because, he's the key to figuring this all out," Harry said. "We got to get back to the school before were noticed."
"Figuring all what out?" Ron asked.
"Harry, what's going on?" Hermione asked.
"I'll explain tomorrow," Harry said.
"You'll explain now, Harry James Potter."
"You don't take that tone with me, Hermione Jean Granger. Especially with all of the secrets you've been keeping from us this year. With the time turner…."
"WHAT?" Ron asked.
"Keep your voice down, Ronald," Harry hissed.
"Mate, you're starting to sound like Hermione, and it's really starting to….Crookshanks…."
The ginger cat from Hell rushed them and knocked them over. Scabbers shot away.
Ron chased after Scabbers.
"How do you know about the time turner?" Hermione demanded.
"I'll explain later," Harry said.
"You're acting weird," Hermione said.
Ron chased Scabbers. And he got him. And then there was Sirius. Only this time, Harry deflected the dog's attack before he knocked Ron over.
Scabbers shot underneath the Whomping Willow.
"What was that?" Ron asked.
"I don't know," Hermione said. "But, Harry does, for some reason."
"We're really following a Grim down into the Whomping Willow?" Ron asked. "The tree that hits back."
Harry picked up a branch and stuck it on the knot to freeze the tree.
"How did you know to do that?" Hermione asked.
"Because, I've done it before," Harry said if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Harry made sure to collect the Invisibility Cloak and not leave it at the base of the Willow this time.
They went down into the tunnel, and with Sirius rising up from his Animagus Form. No wonder Harry thought he was guilty, he was looking like a slasher movie villain as he bared down at Scabbers.
"Sirius Black!" Harry yelled.
"Harry, we got to go!" Hermione yelled. "He's dangerous."
"Nah, he's fine," Harry said. "You're after Pettigrew, Peter Pettigrew, because he was the one who did this."
"Yes," Sirius said. "You figured it out."
"Because, we've done this before," Harry said to Sirius. "Because last time today happened, you dragged Ron into the Whomping Willow with Scabbers, breaking his leg, and then Hermione and I came down here. You disarmed us with Ron's wand. I wanted to kill you because I didn't know the truth. Then Lupin came down here…."
Harry continued to tell the story of what happened. All while keeping a close eye on Scabbers. The more Harry told the story, the more shocked Hermione and Ron looked.
"This is mental," Ron murmured.
"How did I know about the Hinkypunks?" Harry asked. "And how did I know how to freeze the Whomping Willow? And how did I know to do this?"
Harry copied the same spell which turned Scabbers into a man, Peter Pettigrew. Hermione and Ron both screamed.
"You went back in time?" Hermione asked.
"Well, not on purpose," Harry said. "Dumbledore had us use the time turner to go back, and once we returned, I entered the Hospital Wing. And then, I woke up in bed, midnight."
Hermione blinked.
"You don't believe me?" Harry asked.
"Do you realize how dangerous that is?" Hermione asked.
"Well, was I just supposed to let this day play out the same way?" Harry asked.
"You can't meddle in time," Hermione said.
"But, you can use a time turner to take a couple of extra classes," Harry said.
"I was completely careful."
"Did you or did you not accidentally forget to go to Charms because you lost control of things?"
"One time. I slipped up! One time."
Sirius looked almost amused. Ron rolled his eyes at Harry and Hermione bickering over who was being reckless.
"Great, Mummy and Daddy are fighting," Ron said.
"Now you know how I feel!" Harry snapped. "We'll discuss this tomorrow. Right now….hello, Professor Lupin."
Lupin almost paused when he came down.
"Sirius Black isn't who we think he is, we got it all wrong," Harry said. "You didn't take your potion like I asked you, did you?"
"Potion?" Ron asked.
"Wolfsbane Potion," Harry said. "Because, my dear Ronald, Professor Lupin is a werewolf."
This got the reaction Harry knew it would get. Harry shut Ron down quickly before he made too much of a scene.
"We'll deal with that later," Harry said. "Right now, we've got a problem. Lupin didn't take his Potion. And Moony left the Marauders' Map open on his desk where anyone, meaning Snape could get it."
"Professor Snape," Hermione said.
"Professor Snape?" Sirius asked as if the entire thing sounded absurd to him.
"Yes, unfortunately," Harry said.
"Moony, you always lectured us about leaving the map open out in the open," Sirius said.
And they were off, bickering like Ron and Hermione. Harry just cleared his throat.
"Gentleman, the moon's going to be out soon…nice try, Peter…."
"Please, Harry, show me some mercy. Lily would have…."
"You don't talk about them, Wormtail," Harry said. "I'm going to feed you to the Dementors, and Sirius is going to go free."
"That's…actually worse than what I wanted to do to him," Sirius said. "You remind me too much of Lily. Not sure if that's a good thing."
"We better hurry before Snape gets out here," Harry said. "Thankfully, I didn't leave the cloak this time around."
"This is strange," Sirius said.
"Peter, you and I are going to be best mates until I turn you in," Harry said. "Professor Lupin, stay here. Ron and Hermione stick with Sirius. I just hope I can summon Dumbledore. I have a feeling he'll hear me out."
"I don't know," Sirius said. "He didn't fight too hard for me not to have a trial."
"Wait, you didn't have a trial?" Hermione asked, aghast.
Harry honestly was not surprised with what he learned about how the Ministry worked over the past year.
"We'll deal with that once Peter's in the custody of the Ministry of Magic."
Everything was settled, Harry hoped. Peter had been chained to Harry. Harry dragged him like he was dead weight behind him. Ron and Hermione had their wands trained on Peter, and Sirius, with Lupin having lent his wand to him, had been in the back.
"One wrong twitch, Wormtail, and I swear…."
"Well, well, well, look what we got here?"
The one and only Severus Snape appeared. A bit earlier than Harry hoped for.
"Three students out of bounds, and taken advantage of by the notorious Sirius Black," Snape said. "Step away from them, Black. This is your only warning."
Harry doubted Snape would even bother listening to reason. But, maybe he could stall for time until he could draw Dumbledore's attention, somehow.
"Snape, you don't understand…."
"Professor Snape, Mr. Potter…."
"Oh blow it out your arse, you greasy bat," Harry said. "Dad and his friends made a fool out of you when you were at school. Grow up and get over it."
Snape looked more dangerous than he was, but Harry was not afraid of him. As far as Harry was concerned, Snape was just a greasier adult version of Dudley. A bully and a coward.
"Harry," Hermione murmured.
"I won't be talked to like that, Mr. Potter," Snape said.
"Look who I got here!" Harry yelled. "Sir. It's Peter Pettigrew. He was the one who betrayed my parents to Voldemort…."
"Don't say his name, Potter," Snape hissed.
"Oh, you can't handle hearing a name, sir?" Harry asked. "This is Peter Pettigrew. If you looked at that map, you saw his name on it."
"Obviously, it's some vagrant that Black kidnapped, confunded, and put underneath glamour spells," Snape said. "He'll be dealt with."
Hermione and Ron had been hit with red lights. Harry, using his reflexes honed as a seeker avoided Snape's spell. The chain was not so lucky.
Peter shifted back into a rat and disappeared into the night. Harry made an attempt to snatch Peter as Sirius and Snape faced each other.
"I've been waiting for this for a long time, Black," Snape said. "It's your fault she's dead."
"Oh, Lily would never be…."
"Sectumsempra!"
Sirius screamed in utter agony as that spell sliced him to ribbons. Blood spurted out of him and he was dropped down to the ground. Harry watched in horror as it appeared Snape tapped an artery and Sirius was bleeding out badly.
"Sirius," Harry said. "NO!"
While Harry's back was turned, while he was checking on Sirius, Snape hit Harry with a stunning spell.
Harry woke up in the morning. The last thing he remembered before blacking out was Sirius, his godfather, oozing blood because of that nasty spell that Snape gave on him. The look of how badly Sirius had been mangled along with the pure hatred in Snape's eyes would haunt Harry for many days to come.
Harry checked the time again.
Midnight.
June 6th.
He was back again.
It occurred to Harry that this time he should find some way to help Buckbeak as well, without having to use the time turner. And Sirius. And prevent Snape from sticking his greasy nose into what he was doing.
This was going to require some thought and planning.
To Be Continued.