Finished!
And not long after the first one.
You guys should be proud of me!
"That rule right?" Lyla said, the three of them hiding behind a knot of roots, the Whomping Willow in sights, Buckbeak tied close by. "The one about not being seen. Does that apply to me? As well?"
"Well, we never saw you..." Harry said.
"But that still doesn't mean that you should." Hermione pointed out.
"But I could?" Lyla asked.
"Well...Yeah," Hermione said, "But you still shouldn't."
Lyla decided to think about it.
"There's Ron!" Harry said, pointing to a running figure in the distance, shouting.
"Get away from him - get away- Scabbers, come here-"
Two more figures appeared, chasing Ron. Lyla knew it was Harry and Hermione. Suddenly Ron dived to the ground.
"Gotcha! Get off you stinking cat - "
"There's Sirius!" Harry said, just as a great big black dog leaped from the hidden roots of the Whomping Willow.
They saw him bowl Harry over, then seize Ron...
"Looks even worse from here, doesn't it?" Harry said watching Sirius dragging Ron down into the Whomping Willow. "Ouch - look I just got walloped by the tree - so did Hermione - this is so weird."
The tree thrashed it branches around, trying to hit the two dodging figures. The it froze...
"That was Crookshanks pressing on the knot," Hermione said. "My cat," she added for Lyla.
"And there we go..." Harry muttered. "We're in..."
The moment they were, the tree started moving again. Then Dumbledore and the three other people appeared beside the tree, making their way up to the castle.
"Right after we had gone into the passage." Said Hermione, frustrated. "If only Dumbledore came with us..."
"Macnair and Fudge would have come too, "Harry said bitterly. "I bet you anything Fudge would've told Macnair to murder Sirius on the spot..."
They watched the four men climb the steps and disappear from view. For sometime everything was deserted.
"Here comes Lupin!" Harry said.
And sure enough another figure appeared. He grabbed a fallen branch and then pressed the knot on the tree, it going still, then went down into the hole.
"If he'd only grabbed the cloak," said Harry. "It's just lying there..."
He turned to Hermione.
"If I just dashed out now and grabbed it, Snape'd never be able to get it and - "
"Harry, we mustn't be seen!"
"How can you stand this?" he asked Hermione fiercely. "Just standing here and watching it happen?"
"He's got a point," Lyla said.
"Not helping, Lyla," Hermione hissed.
"I'm going to grab the cloak!" Harry said.
"Harry, no!"
Hermione grabbed Harry's robes. Then Hagrid, singing at the top of his voice, came swaying up to the castle. A large bottle in his hands.
"See?" Hermione whispered. "See what could have happened? We've got to keep out of sight! No, Buckbeak!"
The Hippogriff made frantic attempts to get to Hagrid. All three of them pulled onto the rope, stopping him. Until Hagrid had gone. Buckbeak drooped his head sadly, no longer fighting.
Then a few minutes later, Snape appeared, running down to the Whomping Willow. They watched as Snape stopped near the tree and started looking around until he found the cloak.
"Get your filthy hands off it," Harry snarled as Snape picked it up.
"Shh!" Hermione hissed.
Snape used the branch Lupin had used, prodding the knot and then vanishing as the cloak covered him.
"So that's it," Hermione said. "We're all down there...and now we've got to wait until we come back up again..."
She tied Buckbeak's rope to the nearest tree before sitting down again. Harry and Lyla joined her.
"Harry, there's something I don't understand..." Hermione began. "Why didn't the Dementors get Sirius? I remember them coming, and I think I passed out... there were so many of them..."
Harry recounted to them both, the events of before. Both Hermione's and Lyla's mouths hanged open by the end.
"But what was it?"Hermione asked.
"There's only one thing it could have been, to make the Dementos go," said Harry. "A real Patronus. A powerful one."
"But who conjured it?" Hermione asked. Lyla thinking the question too.
Harry didn't answer going into deep thought.
"Didn't you see what they looked like?" said Hermione eagerly. "Was it one of the teachers?"
"No," Harry said. "He wasn't a teacher."
"But it must have been a really powerful wizard, to drive all those Dementors away...If the Patronus was shining so brightly, didn't it light him up? Couldn't you see - ?
"Yeah I saw him, "Harry said cutting off Hermione. "But...maybe I imagined it...I wasn't thinking straight...I passed out right afterwards..."
"Who do you think it was?" asked Lyla.
"I think - " Harry swallowed. "I think it was my dad."
But that wasn't possible? Was it? Lyla thought. She knew that Harry's parents were dead...so how?
"Harry, your dad's - well - dead," Hermione said quietly.
"I know that," Harry said quickly.
"Was it a ghost?" Lyla asked.
"I don't know...no...he looked solid." Harry said frowning.
"But then - "
"Maybe I was seeing things," Harry said. "But...from what I could see...it looked like him."
Hermione looked worried, but Lyla wasn't sure whether to be. Growing up in the forest, you tend to see things, which you think was one thing then turn out to be another...So really it could of been the trick of the light.
"I know it sounds mad," said Harry flatly.
Lyla decide to change the subject, "Tell me what happened inside the Whomping Willow."
Hermione went into a long speech, detailing the events, Harry, speaking every now and again.
"Sounds like a rough night..." Lyla said at the end of the speech.
"And it's about to end again," Hermione said. "Look!"
There, coming out of the Whomping Willow, was them. They saw Lupin, Ron and Pettigrew clambering out awkwardly first, followed by Hermione, then Sirius, Harry and an unconscious floating Snape.
Harry glanced up at the sky, Lyla's eyes following, only to look at the still hidden moon. She knew it wouldn't be long until that cloud moved to revel the moon...
"Harry," Hermione murmured, "we've got to stay put. We mustn't be seen. There's nothing we can do..."
Lyla wanted to help as well, rushing forward and stopping everything, but she knew...Hermione was right.
"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?" snapped Hermione. "There's nothing we can do! We came back to help Sirius. We're not supposed to be doing anything else!"
"All right!" Harry said annoyed.
The moon slid out from behind it's cloud. They saw the tiny figures across the ground stop. Then they saw movement -
"There's goes Lupin," Hermione whispered. "He's transforming - "
"Hermione! Lyla!" Harry suddenly said. The girls heads whipping around to look at him. "We've got to move!"
"We mustn't. I keep telling you - "
"Not to interfere! But Lupin's going to run into the fores, right at us!"
Hermione gasped and Lyla's eyes wondered to the howling figure in the distance.
"Quick!" Hermione said, panicking, dashing to untie Buckbeak. "Quick! Where are we going to go? Where are we going to hide? The Dementors will be coming any moment - "
"Back to Hagrids!" Harry said. "it's empty now - come on!"
They sprinted as fast as they could, Buckbeak cantering along them. They could hear the werewolf howling behind them.
The cabin was in sight. Harry skidded to the door, wrenched it open, everybody else filling into the cramped cabin.
Lyla heard Harry shut and bolt the door, then Fang the boarhound barked loudly.
"Shh, Fang, it's us!" Hermione said, going over and scratching him behind the ears, quieting him.
"That was really close!" She said.
"Yeah..." said Harry.
"Isn't it a bit obvious?" Lyla said resting against the wall, only to have Fang wonder over and lick her face.
"Gross..." Hermione said.
Lyla just shrugged, wiping the slobber off, "I've had worse..."
Buckbeak sat down in front of the fire, folding his wings, looking very contempt.
"I think I'd better go outside again, you know?" Harry said slowly. "I can't see what's going on - we won't know when it's time - "
Both Lyla and Hermione looked at him suspiciously.
"I'm not going to interfere," said Harry quickly. "But if we don't see what's going on, how're we going to know when it's time to rescue Sirius?"
"Well...Okay then...but Lyla you go with him, I'll wait here with Buckbeak...But both you be careful - there's a werewolf out there - and the Dementors - "
Harry and lyla both stepped outside the cabin, into the freezing night air.
"So what are we actually going to do?" Lyla asked knowing that what he was saying wasn't the complete truth.
"Well, we are going to make sure that we know how far we are..." Harry began.
"And?" Lyla questioned.
"...We're going to see who cast that Pratronus." Harry reluctantly said.
"Okay," Lyla said, "let's go..."
They started making there way towards the lake, when they noticed the Dementors gliding in.
"There's so may of them..." Lyla trailed off.
"Yeah..." Harry agreed.
They got closer and closer, until they could see small whispers of a failed Pratronus - most likely Harry's attempts.
They stood at the opposite side of the lake, facing Harry's and Hermione's past selves and Sirius.
They waited...no one coming...
"Come on!" Harry muttered. "Where are you? Dad, come on - "
No one came and they watched as the Dementors started to close in on their prey, one sweeping down towards Sirius - ready to make the kiss...
"It was me," Harry said suddenly and before Lyla could do anything, he stepped forward and yelled,
"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
A huge silver stag erupted out of his wand galloping towards the Dementors, light shining brightly from it.
Lyla decided, she should have a go.
Aiming her hands at the Dementors, she shouted, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
A silver snake coiled out of her hands, extending it's self, then slithering towards the Dementors, helping the Stag chase them away.
Then they both returned to their masters, the Dementors fleeing leaving the three unconscious people alone...Safe.
Harry reached out to touch is stag, just as he said.
"Prongs?" The the stag faded into the night.
Lyla didn't know what to think...she knew what a Pratronus was and she didn't like her Pratronus...at all. It sacred her to think what it might mean...
Then suddenly the sound of footsteps and hooves approached them and Lyla and Harry both whirled round to be met with a very angry Hermione...
"What did you do?" she said fiercely. "You said you were going to keep a look out! Lyla! I thought you would stop him!"
"We just saved our lives..." Harry said. "Get behind here - behind this bush - we'll explain."
And so they told Hermione what happened...
Hermione's mouth was yet again hanging open.
"Did anyone see you two?"
"Yes, haven't you been listening? I saw me but I thought I was my dad! It's okay!"
"Harry I can't believe it - you conjured up a Pratronus! And you," Hermione said turning to loom at Lyla, "You conjured one without a wand!"
"Uh...Yeah?" Lyla said confused.
"That's really advance magic Harry!" Hermione said excitedly. "I wonder how you do it, Lyla...Maybe because you never had a proper wand - and you've just got on with out one! That's really - "
Lyla clamped her hand over Hermione's mouth.
"Hermione shh!" Harry whispered as Snape appeared assessing the scene, then producing stretchers for each person. As he walked back, they bobbed behind him, following.
"Right, it's nearly time," Hermione said tensely, looking at her watch. "We've got about forty-five minutes until Dumbledore locks the door to the hospital wing. We've got to rescue Sirius and get back into the ward before anybody realises we're missing..."
They waited, watching the moon drift in and out of the clouds. Lyla swinging on a near by branch, Buckbeak digging for worms.
"Lyla," Hermione asked, Lyla stopping in mid swing to look at Hermione. "How do you survive in the forest?"
Lyla jumped down from her perch sitting down in front of Hermione. "Why do you ask?"
"Well," Hermione began, "it's just that you've been here a long time and...well I'm just curious..."
Lyla eyes lingered on Hermione before answering.
"I can tell you I don't do it on my own...But that's all. I'm - well - not allowed to tell...it's for my own safety..."
Hermione nodded in understanding.
"D'you reckon he's up there yet?" Harry said, checking his watch.
"Look!" Hermione suddenly said. "Who's that? Someones coming out of the castle!"
Squinting in the darkness, Lyla saw a lone figure dashing across the ground, something gleaming against it's waist...
"Macnair!" said Harry. "The executioner! He's gone to get the Dementors! That's it, Hermione, Lyla - "
They all climbed onto Buckbeaks back, Harry and Hermione needing a push. Harry then grabbed Buckbeak's rope, acting as reins.
"Ready?" Harry whispered to them. "You'd better hold on to me - "
Lyla gripped Hermione's waist, Hermione doing the same to Harry.
Harry dug his heels into Buckbeak's sides, Buckbeak instantly took a running leap into the air, extending his ginormous wings.
Lyla could feel his wings beating underneath them as they rose higher.
Harry pulled on the reins, directing Buckbeak to one of the towers of Hogwarts.
Lyla could hear Hermione muttering in front of her.
"Oh, no - I don't like this - I really don't like this - "
While Hermione hang on for dear life, Lyla started to loosen her grip on Hermione.
Then held her arms out wide, a grin plastered on her face. She loved it.
"Whoa!" Harry said. Buckbeak jerking and then halting in mid air.
"He's there," Harry shouted and bringing Buckbeak up to that window. Lyla could just see a crouching man, only for him to look up...and his mouth drop open.
Sirius ran to the window and tried to open it, but the window wouldn't budge.
"Stand back!" Hermione called to him, he following the order.
Hermione whipped out her wand, pointed it at the window's lock and said,
"Alohomora!"
The window sprang open.
"How- how - ?" Sirius said weakly, staring at the hippogriff.
"Get on - there's not much time,"Harry said holding Buckbeak steadily. "You've got to get out of here - the Dementors are coming. Macnair's gone to get them."
Sirius squeezed out of the window and in seconds had his legs over Buckbeak behind Hermione. Lyla moving over.
"Okay, Buckbeak, up!" said Harry, shaking the rope. "Up to the tower - come on!"
The hippogriff gave one sweep of it's mighty wings and they were soaring upwards again, high as the top of the West Tower. Buckbeak landed with a clatter on the battlements and Harry and Hermione slid off him at once.
"Sirius, you'd better go, quick," Harry panted. "They'll reach Flitwick's office any moment, they'll find out you've gone."
"What happened to the other boy? Ron?" said Sirius urgently.
"He's going to be Okay - he still out of it, but Madam Pomfrey says she'll be able to make him better. Quick - go!"
Sirius was still staring at Harry, Lyla was about to grab the ropes herself.
"How can I ever thank - "
"GO!" Harry and Hermione shouted together.
Sirius wheeled Buckbeak around, facing the open sky.
"We'll see each other again," he said. "You are - truly your father's son, Harry..."
Sirius squeezed Buckbeak's sides and then Buckbeak took off into the night, carrying his two passengers.
"See ya Lyla!" Harry shouted after them.
"See ya Potter boy!" Lyla shouted back, watching as they both, he and Hermione disappeared into the castle.
Buckbeak soared up, coming over the Forbidden Forest.
"Sorry, but I don't believe we've been introduced." Sirius said, pulling Buckbeak's ropes to send him well away from the castle. "Sirius Black!"
"Lyla!" Lyla shouted, the wind carrying her voice behind them.
"Just Lyla then?"
"Yep, just Lyla."
"Obviously aren't a student with the clothes your wearing!" Sirius said. "Where do you want to me to drop you off!"
"In the forest!" Lyla shouted.
"Right then," Sirius said. "Down we go!"
Buckbeak swerved down into the depths of the Forbidden Forest.
Lyla didn't know if she will ever get a normal day with Harry.
She probably may never will...
Hopefully you guys enjoyed this chapter.
The next one might be longer, or I might split it into two chapters, like the other two.
I'm not sure yet, so we'll find out.
It may be a while until I update that one, so prepared for a long wait...
So Review! And I might update quicker.