"Shocking business…shocking… miracle none of them died…never heard the like…by thunder, it was lucky you were there Snape…"

"Thank you, Minister"

"Order of Merlin, second class, I'd say. First class, if I can wangle it!"

"Thank you very much indeed, Minister."

"Nasty cut you've got there…Black's work, I suppose?"

"As a matter of fact, it was Potter, Weasley, Weasley, Lupin and granger, Minister…"

"No!"

"Black had bewitched them, I saw it immediately. A Confundus charm, to judge by their behaviour. They seemed to think there was a possibility he was innocent, they weren't responsible for their actions. On the other hand, their interference might have permitted Black to escape…they obviously thought they were going to catch Black single-handed. They got away with a great deal before now…I'm afraid it's givin them a rather high opinion of themselves… and of course Potter has always been allowed an extraordinary amount of licence by the headmaster –

"Ah, well, Snape…Harry Potter, you know…we've all got a bit of a blind spot where he's concerned."

"And yet – is it good for him to be given so much special treatment? Personally I try to treat him like any other student. And any other student would be suspended – at the very least – for leading his friends into such danger. Consider, Minister: against all school rules – after all the precautions put in place for his protection – out of bounds, at night consorting with a werewolf and a murderer – and I have reason to believe he has been visiting hogsmead illegally too –

"Well, well…we shall see, Snape, we shall see…the boy has undoubtedly been foolish…"

Ginny groaned and snuggled deeper into the pillow… it was so soft… her head ached and the memories of the chamber flitted through her head. It's over she reminded herself, Harry saved you, remember?

"What amazes me most is the behaviour of the dementors…you've really no idea what made them retreat, Snape?"

"No, Minister. By the time I had come round they were heading back to their positions at the entrances…"

"Extraordinary. And yet Black, and Harry, and the girl-

"All unconscious by the time I reached them. I bound and gagged Black, naturally, conjured stretchers and brought them all straight back to the castle."

Ginny slowly opened her eyes, half expecting Harry to lean over her in that dark, dank chamber. Instead she saw the bright, cheery hospital wing. At the end of the ward she could see madam Pomfrey bandage Ron's leg, next to her Harry sat looking around squinting slightly. And next to Harry was Hermione, her eyes were open and she pressed her finger against her lips and pointed towards the door, that was open a jar.

Madam Pomfrey now came walking briskly up the ward to Harry's bed, he turned to look at her. She was carrying the largest block of chocolate he had ever seen in his life. It looked like a small boulder.

"Ah, you're awake" she said briskly. She placed the chocolate on Harry's bedside table and began breaking it apart with a small hammer.

"How's Ron?" the trio asked

"He'll live" said Madam Pomfrey grimly. "As for you three… you'll be staying here until I'm satisfied you're – Potter, what do you think you're doing?"

Harry was sitting up, putting his glasses back on and picking up his wand.

"I need to see the headmaster" he said.

Ginny took one look at his determined face and knew exactly what was going on. She got out of the bed ignoring Madam Pomfrey's cries.

"We need to see the headmaster" she said looking directly into the matrons eyes.

"Potter, Weasley" said Madam Pomfrey soothingly, "it's all right. They've got Black. He's locked upstairs. The dementors will be performing the kiss any moment now –

"WHAT!"

Harry jumped out of bed; Hermione had done the same and Ginny began to run towards the door. But their shout was heard from the corridor outside and the very next second, Cornelius Fudge and Snape had entered the ward, blocking Ginny's way out.

"Harry, and um Jenny, isn't it?" Fudge said looking agitated "you should be in bed – have they had any chocolate?" he asked Madam Pomfrey anxiously.

"Sir, please listen to me" Ginny pleaded ignoring the fact he forgot her name. "Sirius is innocent. It was Pettigrew, he faked his own death, and we saw him tonight. You can't let the dementors near Sirius."

"Jenny, dear. You are very confused, but it's all right, you've been through an ordeal. And that's on top of what happened last year. Don't worry your sweet little head; we've got it under control"

"YOU HAVEN'T" Harry yelled "YOU'VE GOT THE WRONG MAN!"

"Minister, listen, please" Hermione said; she had hurried to Ginny's side and was gazing imploring into Fudge's face. "I saw him, too. Ti was Ron's rat, he's an animagus, Pettigrew, I mean and-

"You see, Minister?" said Snape. "Confunded, the three of them… Black's done a very good job on them…"

"WE'RE NOT CONFUNDED!" Harry roared

"Minister! Professor!" said Madam Pomfrey angrily. "I must insist you leave. These children are my patients, and they should not be distressed!"

"I am not distressed. I'm trying to tell them what happened" Ginny snapped "if they'd just listen –

But madam Pomfrey suddenly stuffed a large chunk of chocolate into Ginny's mouth. Ginny began to choke and madam Pomfrey grabbed hold of her and dragged her back into her bed.

"Now, please, Minister, these children need care. Please leave –

The door opened again. It was Dumbledore. Ginny swallowed her mouthful and got up again but was instantly pushed down again by Madam Pomfrey.

"Professor Dumbledore, Sirius Black –

"For heavens sake!" said Madam Pomfrey hysterically "is this the hospital wing or not? Headmaster, I must insist –

"My apologies, Poppy, but I need a word with Mr Potter, Miss Weasley and Miss granger" said Dumbledore calmly "I've been talking to Sirius Black –

"I suppose he told you the same fairy tale he planted in Potter's mind?" spat Snape "something about a rat, and Pettigrew being alive –

"That, indeed, is Black's story" said Dumbledore, surveying Snape closely through his half-moon spectacles.

"And does my evidence count for nothing?" snarled Snape. "Peter Pettigrew was not in the shrieking shack, nor did I see any sign of him in the grounds"

"That's because you were knocked out, professor!" said Hermione earnestly "you didn't arrive in time to hear –

"Miss Granger, HOLD YOUR TONGUE!"

"Now Snape" said Fudge, startled "the young lady is disturbed in her mind, we must make allowances –

"I would like to speak to Harry, Ginny, and Hermione alone" said Dumbledore abruptly. "Cornelius, Severus, Poppy – please leave us."

"Headmaster!" spluttered Madam Pomfrey "they need treatment, they need rest –

"This cannot wait" said Dumbledore "I must insist"

Madam Pomfrey pursed her lips and strode away into her office at the end of the ward, slamming her door behind her. Fudge consulted the large gold watch dangling from his waistcoat.

"The dementors should have arrived by now" he said. "I'll go and meet them. Dumbledore, I'll see you upstairs."

He crossed to the door and held it open for Snape, but Snape hadn't moved.

"You surely don't believe a word of Black's story?" Snape whispered his eyes fixed on Dumbledore's face.

"I wish to speak to Harry, Ginny, and Hermione alone" Dumbledore repeated

Snape took a step towards Dumbledore.

"Sirius Black showed he was capable of murder at the age of sixteen" he breathed "you haven't forgotten that, headmaster? You haven't forgotten that he once tried to kill me?"

"My memory is as good as it ever was, Severus" said Dumbledore quietly

Snape turned his heel and marched through the door Fudge was still holding. It closed behind them and Dumbledore turned to the three of them. They burst into speech at the same time.

"Professor, Black's telling the truth – we saw Pettigrew –

"- He escaped when professor Lupin turned into a werewolf –

"- He's a rat –

"- Pettigrew's front paw, I mean finger, he cut it off –

"- Pettigrew attacked Ron, it wasn't Sirius-

But Dumbledore held up his hand to stem the flood of explanations.

"It is your turn to listen, and I beg you will not interrupt me, because there is little time" he said quietly "there is not a shred of proof to support Black's story, except your word – and the word of two thirteen year olds and one twelve year old will not convince anybody. A Street full of eye-witnesses swore they saw Sirius murder Pettigrew. I myself gave evidence to the ministry that Sirius had been the Potters' secret-keeper."

"Professor Lupin can tell you -" Harry said unable to stop himself.

"Professor Lupin is currently deep in the forest, unable to tell anyone anything. By the time he is a human again, it will be too late, Sirius will be worse than dead. I might add that werewolves are so mistrusted by most of our kind that his support will count for very little – and the fact that he and Sirius are old friends –

"But –

"Listen to me, Harry. It's too late, you understand me? You must see that professor Snape's version of events is far more convincing than yours"

"He hates Sirius" Hermione said desperately "all because of some stupid trick Sirius played on him –

"Sirius has not acted like an innocent man. The attack on the fat lady – entering Gryffindor tower with a knife – without Pettigrew, alive or dead, we have no chance of overturning Sirius' sentence."

"But you believe us"

"Yes I do" said Dumbledore quietly "but I have no power to make other men to see the truth or to overrule the Minister for magic…"

Harry stared up into the grave face and felt as though the ground beneath him was falling sharply away. He had grown used to the idea that Dumbledore could solve anything. He had expected Dumbledore to pull some amazing solution out of the air. But no…their last hope was gone.

"What we need" said Dumbledore slowly, and his light-blue eyes moved from Harry to Hermione, "is more time"

"but-" Hermione began. And then her eyes became very round "OH!"

"Now, pay attention" said Dumbledore, speaking very low, and very clearly. "Sirius is locked in professor Flitwick's office on the seventh floor. Thirteenth window from the right of the west tower. If all goes well, you will be able to save more than one innocent life tonight. But remember this both of you. You must not be seen. Miss Granger, you know the law – you know what is at stake… you – must – not – be – seen."

Before Dumbledore turned he said "I want Miss Weasley to stay here, just in case" and he started to walk towards the door, when he reached the door he turned to look at Hermione.

"I am going to lock you in. it is-" he consulted his watch. "Five minutes to midnight. Miss Granger, three turns should do it. Good luck."

"Good luck?" Harry repeated as the door closed behind Dumbledore. "Three turns? What's he talking about? What are we supposed to do?"

"Your guess is good as mine, Harry" Ginny mumbled "I wish I could go"

"You might get in the way" Hermione said pulling a very long and gold chain out of her robe. "This job is probably for only two people – and, well, I have this and it involves Harry… so –

"So I stay here" Ginny finished "just save Sirius, kill Pettigrew or even Snape, not bothered which"

Harry chuckled and quickly kissed her forehead. Hermione threw the chain round Harry's neck and turned the strange thing three times. Then they disappeared.

Ginny settled back into bed and was just about to help herself to more chocolate when the door banged open and in cam Hermione and Harry panting.

"Wow that was quick, what happened? Is Sirius safe? Did you actually kill Snape?"

Before Harry or Hermione could answer, Madam Pomfrey came in and pulled them into the bed, mumbling about cursing Snape, Fudge and Dumbledore. They accepted the chocolate and tried to hide their smiles.

"Come on guys, what happened?" Ginny begged

"Well-

Harry was interrupted by a scream coming from upstairs.

"What was that?" said Madam Pomfrey in alarm.

Now they could hear angry voices, growing louder and louder. Madam Pomfrey was staring at the door.

"Really – they'll wake everybody up! What do they think they're doing?"

Harry was trying to hear what the voices were saying. They were drawing nearer-

"He must have disapparated, Severus; we should have left somebody in the room with him. When this gets out –

"HE DIDN'T DISAPPARATE" Snape roared, now very close at hand. "YOU CAN'T APPARATE OR DISAPPARATE INSIDE THIS CASTLE! THIS – HAS – SOMETHING – TO – DO – WITH – POTTER!"

"Severus – be reasonable – Harry has been locked up-

BAM.

The door of the hospital wing burst open.

Fudge, Snape and Dumbledore came striding into the ward. Dumbledore alone looked calm. Indeed, he looked as though he was enjoying himself. Fudge appeared angry. But Snape was beside himself.

"OUT WITH IT, POTTER!" he bellowed "WHAT DID YOU DO?"

"Professor Snape!" shrieked Madam Pomfrey. "Control yourself!"

"See here, Snape, be reasonable" said Fudge "this door's been locked, we just saw –

"THEY HELPED HIM ESCAPE, I KNOW IT!" Snape howled pointing at Harry and Hermione. His face was twisted; spit was flying from his mouth.

"Calm down, man!" Fudge barked "you're talking nonsense!"

"YOU DON'T KNOW POTTER!" Shrieked Snape "HE DID IT, I KNOW HE DID IT –

"That will do, Severus" said Dumbledore quietly "think about what you are saying. This door has been locked since I left the ward ten minutes ago. Madam Pomfrey, have these students left their beds?"

"Of course not!" said Madam Pomfrey bristling "I've been with them ever since you left!"

"Well, there you have it, Severus" said Dumbledore calmly. "Unless you are suggesting that Harry and Hermione are able to be in two places at once, I'm afraid I don't see any point in troubling them further"

Snape stood there, seething, staring from Fudge, who looked thoroughly shocked at his behaviour, to Dumbledore, whose eyes were twinkling behind his glasses, Snape whirled about, robes swishing behind him, and stormed out of the ward.

"Fellow seems quite unbalanced" said Fudge, staring after him. "I'd watch out for him, if I were you Dumbledore."

"Oh, he's not unbalanced" said Dumbledore quietly "he's just suffered a severe disappointment"

"He's not the only one!" puffed Fudge "the Daily Prophet's going to have a field day! We had Black cornered and he slipped through our fingers yet again! All it needs now is for the story of that hippogriff's escape to get out, and I'll be a laughing stock!"

Ginny snorted, she has a feeling that buckbeak's escape has something to do with Harry and Hermione saving Sirius. After all Dumbledore did say they might save more than one innocent life.

"See, already got young Jenny laughing at me"

"And the dementors?" said Dumbledore "they'll be removed from the school, I trust?"

"Oh yes, they'll have to go" said Fudge, running his fingers distractedly through his hair. "Never dreamed they'd attempt to administer the kiss on innocent children… completely out of control…no, I'll have them packed off back to Azkaban tonight. Perhaps we should think about dragons at the school entrance…"

"Hagrid would like that" said Dumbledore.

Ginny burst out laughing.

It was now the end of the year and the golden trio and Ginny were settling in the carriage on the Hogwarts express. Sadly their favourite teacher (professor Lupin) has resigned due to the fact some greasy git let it slip he was a werewolf.

"It's not fair" Ginny said the thousandth time. "He was a great teacher and none of the students cared. I mean even the Slytherins were upset he was leaving."

"They were?" Harry asked raising an eyebrow

"Well, some…. Not Draco Malfoy and his gang but some of the first years and some of the older years. Lets face it after Lockhart; a werewolf is a blessing to them"

Harry nodded, understandingly and wrapped an arm round Ginny's shoulder.

"But, it's a good thing people care about this" Hermione said "I mean it shows that the prejudice is fading. Soon professor Lupin will have rights…. Because this generation cares."

"Course we care, he was the best teacher we ever had. Even Fred and George loved him, but then again, he was good with pranks"

"Yeah, but that's what made him a good teacher, he understood us." Hermione said "he was a Marauder, he knew exactly what we could do and he understood why"

"Bet you ten gallons that Hermione becomes a teacher" Ron said.

Harry and Ginny laughed while Hermione sulked.

"Hey, Hermione, why didn't you tell us about the time turner" Ginny asked when she sobered up.

"Professor McGonagall asked me to keep it a secret" Hermione said "however I won't need it anymore; I've given up muggle studies"

"Good on you" Ginny said "having a normal schedule"

"I still can't believe you never told us" Ron muttered darkly.

Harry turned to look outside. Something very small and grey was bobbing in and out of sight beyond the glass. He stood up for a better look and saw it was a tiny owl, carrying a letter which was 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 his arm and caught it. It felt like a very fluffy snitch. He brought it carefully inside. The owl dropped its letter onto Harry's seat and began zooming around their compartment, apparently very pleased with itself for accomplishing its task. Hedwig clicked her beak with a sort of dignified disapproval. Crookshanks sat up in his seat, following the owl with his great yellow eyes. Ron noticing this, snatched the owl out of harms way.

Harry picked up the letter. It was addressed to him. He ripped open the letter and shouted "it's from Sirius!"

"What?" said Ron, Ginny and Hermione excitedly "read it aloud"

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 falls into the wrong hands. I have some doubt about the owl's reliability, but he is the best I could find, and he did seem eager for the job.

I believe the dementors 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 round to telling you during our brief meeting. It was I who sent you the firebolt –

"Ha!" said Hermione triumphantly "see! I told you it was from him!"

"Yeah, but he hadn't jinxed it, had he?" said Ron "ouch!"

The tiny owl, now hooting happily in his hand, had nibbled one of his fingers in what it seemed to think was an affectionate way.

I got crookshanks to send the order for me, think of it as twelve birthdays and Christmas presents.

Tell Ginny thank you for the companionship and trust she has given me over the year. And that I knew you and her would to get together (Potters and their redheads – its curse).

Tell me if the muggles give you a hard time.

Sincerely

Sirius

Both Harry and Ginny blushed, while Ron and Hermione snickered. Harry searched the envelope and found an extra piece of parchment.

I, Sirius Black, Harry Potter's godfather, hereby give him permission to visit hogsmead at weekends.

"That'll be good enough for Dumbledore!" said Harry happily. He looked back at Sirius' letter. "Hang on, there's a PS…"

I thought your friend Ron might like this owl, as it's my fault he no longer has a rat.

"Really?" Ron asked looking excited "I get to keep it?"

Harry nodded and to the others amusement, Ron started to dance. Harry sighed at the thought of going back to the Dursleys and not living with Sirius.

Ginny patted him "hey, dad's got tickets for the world cup, and we might be able to get you to come."

Harry smiled weakly and continued to re-read the letter.

When they finally got to the station, Mrs Weasley had to peel Ginny off of Harry, because they were taking forever with their goodbye kiss.

"Honestly Ginevra, a happy as I am that you got a boyfriend, you shouldn't take so long saying goodbye"

"Yeah Gin, we –

"- Don't want to see –

"- you and Harry snogging"

The twins said grinning like maniacs.

"At least you didn't spend most of your time watching them be all couply" Ron said shuddering

"I am rather disappointed in you, Ginevra, I mean I never displayed public affection" Percy said

"Oh, right you and Penny never snogged in a classroom" Ginny said sarcastically

"Percy and Penny

Sitting in a tree

K – I – S –S- I – N- G"

The twins sang. Percy went bright red and stuttered a lot.

Ron snickered, just then Hermione went by and waved at him.

"See you later Ron" she said

"Ron and Hermione

Sitting in a tree

K – I – S – S – I – N – G"

Ron turned bright red and Ginny laughed

"What about Ginny and Harry?" Ron demanded

"Harry and Ginny

Sitting in a tree

K- I – S – S – I – N – G"

A pink tinge grew on her cheeks. She turned round and started to sing about the twins and their ladies of love (Angelina and Alicia).

Meanwhile, as aunt Petunia and uncle Vernon were trying to get over the shock of Sirius Black being Harry's godfather, Dudley turned to look at Harry.

"How the hell did you manage to get a girlfriend?"

Authors note: 11 pages – my longest chapter yet! Yes I know not letting Ginny go with Harry and Hermione is a cop out, but if I did, I think I would be here forever, never publishing this chapter…..