Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Gryffindor was still ecstatic about the win from the Quidditch Match over Ravenclaw, now they only had to beat Slytherin in a match and the cup would be theirs! Of course this made the Slytherins become more nasty and bitter to them. Hermione had made up with Harry and they were talking again, but Ron was still ignoring her for the whole Crookshanks incident. Hearing how badly Hagrid's case for Buckbeak went, the golden trio and Jamie threw themselves into gathering information and notes for an appeal telling Hagrid not to give up hope. But they couldn't do much as they had their exams, which were taking up most of their time. Jack also hadn't returned yet which worried Jamie greatly though Harry seemed almost happy Jack wasn't around.

Finally it came the glorious day when their exams were finished and the students could go into a state of relaxation again. One morning Harry and the others sat at the table eating breakfast while waiting for the post to arrive. As Fred and George were telling jokes the owls swooped into the Hall. One owl dropped a folded not into Harry's lap addressed to him, Hermione, Ron and Jamie. Gesturing them over he unfolded it. The handwriting was very messy and smudged by big drops of water, which looked like tears, but the message was still clear.

'Appeal lost. Buckbeak is going to be executed this afternoon. Thank you for all your help but don't come down.

Hagrid'

"They can't do that!" snarled Ron, "I spent so much time studying and gaining information for his appeal!" Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Well, I'm going down to see Hagrid," Harry said, "Anyone else coming?"

Jamie, Ron and Hermione nodded gravely, and Harry quickly put the note back in his pocket. The day passed slowly until when classes were finished they changed out of their robes and uniform. As they exited the courtyard with Baby Tooth they came across Malfoy and his friends watching from the top of the hill.

"Oh no," groaned Jamie

Malfoy heard them, "Ah come to see the show?"

"You!" shouted Hermione, "You foul and evil little cockroach!" pointing her wand at his neck.

"Hermione no!" cried Ron, "He's not worth it."

Hermione slowly lowered her wand, to swiftly slug Malfoy in the jaw. Malfoy quickly ran back to the castle with his friends behind him. Hermione shook her hand to get rid of the sting before turning to Harry.

"Harry you better win the Quidditch Cup! Because I can't stand it if Slytherin wins!"

"Hermione," Ron said quietly, "That was brilliant!"

Hermione smiled but started sobbing, throwing herself into Ron's arms and clutching her arms around his neck. Ron stood there unsure what to do, but then hugged her back. "I'm sorry about Scabbers," Hermione sobbed.

"Eh it's ok," Ron grinned, "He was getting old anyway."

"It's great to see you as friends again. But if we're going to see Hagrid we better get a move on," said Jamie

When the group arrived Hagrid seemed upset to see they had come, but his watery eyes said he was glad they came. As Hagrid made them a pot of tea and they sat down Harry looked at Buckbeak from the window. He was in the middle of the pumpkin patch tied up with his head bent gloomily.

"Hagrid. Can't we just set him free?"

"Eh no Harry. Dumbledore will get in trouble, he's coming too. Gonna be here when…when it happens. Great man Dumbledore. Oh and Ron, I have something for you."

Hagrid pulled a box out of his cupboard and pulled a familiar looking rat out of it.

"Scabbers!" Ron cried joyfully taking Scabbers, "You're alive!"

"Keep a better eye on your pets Ron."

Ron nodded and turned to Hermione, "Guess I owe Crookshanks an apology."

Before Hermione replied one of the jugs on the table broke. "Blimy!" Hagrid exclaimed, "What was that?"

Hermione saw it was a black stone shaped like a snail shell when another hit Harry's neck. "Ow!"

Baby Tooth started squeaking earnestly and Jamie poked his head out the window, "Guys. Professor Dumbledore, the Minister of Magic and a man with an axe are heading this way!"

"Quick head out the back door!" Hagrid whispered urgently, "None of you can be seen here, especially you Harry."

An impatient knock sounded at the door, "Be there in a minute!"

As Ron, Hermione and Jamie made their way out Harry paused, "Hagrid, it'll be alright." Hagrid nodded, "Go!" and Jamie pulled Harry out the door.

The foursome quickly behind the huge pumpkins as Hagrid let the men in. SNAP! Hermione turned around to look at the forest staring intently.

"What is it?" Harry asked

"I thought I saw," Hermione replied, "Never mind."

Ron started running up the hill, "Come on lets go."

The others followed with Harry looking at Buckbeak one last time. When they reached the top of the hill they could see the executioner raising his axe above his head. As it came down the crunch echoed loudly. Hermione hugged Ron again sobbing while Jamie hugged Harry. They weren't expecting what happened next.

"Ow!" Ron cried holding up a bleeding finger, "Scabbers bit me!" and he chased after his pet rat, "Scabbers come back!"

When Ron finally caught him he didn't notice he was too close to the Whipping Willow. "Ron!" shouted Harry, "Get away from the Willow!"

Ron started running but it was too late, one of the Willow's branches whipped around and hit him. Ron went flying until he hit one of the walls of Hogwarts. Hard. After a sickeningly crunch Ron fell to the ground.

"Ron!" shouted Jamie as they ran to him, Ron didn't move.

"Come on!" Harry shouted, "We have to get Ron to the hospital ward!"

As Hermione pulled out her wand she spotted Scabbers about to run away again. "Oh no you don't! Petrificus Totalus!" The rat froze allowing Hermione to pick him up and put him in her pocket. "Wingardium Leviosa!"

Ron's body began to gently float in the air and the others quickly rushed him to the hospital.

"Madam Pomfrey!" cried Harry, "We have an emergency!"

Madam Pomfrey rushed out of her office, took one look at Ron and immediately took over setting him on a bed and casting spells over him. In a few minutes all of Ron's bruises and injuries were gone but he still wasn't waking up.

"I'm afraid he's in a coma. I'll see if I have anything in my office."

As Madam Pomfrey left Harry and the others sat around Ron. A cold breeze swept into the window and Jack arrived.

"JACK!" shouted Jamie slamming into him for a hug with Baby Tooth resuming her usual place on Jack's shoulder.

Jack hugged Jamie back before going to see Ron, "I saw him get hit by the Willow as I was flying back, and I couldn't fly any faster. I'm sorry."

'You hear that? Another excuse. Just like all the other guardians have been making all your life.'

"Damn right you're sorry!" Harry shouted, "If you're meant to help protect us why weren't you back huh? What was so bloody important that you had to leave Hogwarts when Sirius Black is out there!"

'Yes, he should have been here protecting Hogwarts.'

Hermione stepped in front of Harry, "Harry! Calm down! I know you're upset about Ron, I am too, but blaming Jack isn't going to help. We had no control over what happened."

"Buckbeak shouldn't have had to die. He was innocent and now Ron's in a coma," whispered Jamie, "If only we could change the past."

"Though normally tampering with time is forbidden," said Professor Dumbledore entering the hospital, "There are times when it is essential.

"The minister is on his way to receive treatment for spraining his ankle. He decided it would be fine for him to take a shortcut through Hagrid's garden and got his leg caught in those trap vines Hagrid uses for security. You have until then to get back to the hospital before he arrives, I will lock the doors behind you. Remember the rules Miss Granger you mustn't be seen, and I suggest you leave Scabbers behind with Ron."

Walking out the door Dumbledore began to close them before adding, "Oh and in times like these I find retracing my steps most helpful." Then the doors shut and locked.

"Ah, did anyone get what he was talking about?" Jamie asked, "I'm kinda lost here."

Hermione pulled the frozen Scabbers out of her pocket and placed him in Ron's pocket, "We'll be back soon Ron. Just hold on," she whispered. "Ok guys huddle around me."

The boys did and she pulled from around her neck a necklace with a golden hourglass. Looping the chain over their necks Jack turned to Baby Tooth on his shoulder, "Baby Tooth stay with Ron and watch over him. If the spell wears off Scabbers shut him up fully in Ron's pocket." Baby Tooth nodded and flew to Ron giving a kiss on the cheek to all of them.

Hermione turned the hourglass three times and all around them everything blurred and they could see faint outlines of people moving backwards. When it stopped Hermione tucked the necklace back under her hoodie. The others looked around at the now empty hospital ward.

"What just happened? And where's Ron?" Harry asked worriedly

"It's 3:15. Where were we at 3:15?" Hermione asked

"Um going to Hagrid's."

Hermione pulled on Harry's hand, "Come on and we mustn't be seen."

The four ran out to the grounds but hid behind a wall. To Harry and Jamie's shock they saw themselves, Ron and Hermione approaching Malfoy.

"What the…" Harry started loudly before Hermione pushed him back against the wall showing her necklace to all of them. "This, guys, is a time turner. Professor McGonagall gave it to me first term; it's how I've been getting to all my classes."

"So we're back in time?" said Jamie

"Yes. Dumbledore knew we could save Ron and Buckbeak from their fates."

The four watched as Hermione slugged Malfoy, "Great punch!" Jack complimented

Hermione smiled, "Thanks."

Seeing Malfoy and his friends heading towards them Harry, Hermione and Jamie jumped out the window and Jack flew up to the ceiling. As Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle passed they could hear Malfoy muttering, "Gonna get that little mudblood, wait till my father hears about this!"

Rolling their eyes the group quickly followed the past selves down to Hagrid's hut taking refuge behind the giant pumpkins. Jamie moved to get Buckbeak when Hermione pulled him back, "We must let Professor Dumbledore and the minster see him first before releasing him, otherwise they'll think Hagrid set him free."

Seeing Ron get Scabbers back Harry frowned, "Hermione couldn't we just run in there and grab Scabbers now so Ron doesn't get hurt."

"No!" cried Hermione loudly. Lowering her voice she continued, "No Harry. If you saw yourself run in what would you do?"

"Probably think I was mad or it was someone impersonating me."

Hermione nodded, "Horrible things happen to wizards who mess with time Harry. We mustn't be seen!"

"Hey guys," Jack whispered, "People are coming down now."

They saw it was Dumbledore, the minster and the executioner. "They're coming and we're not leaving," Hermione pondered, "Why aren't we leaving?"

Spotting a familiar black rock in the shape of a snail shell she took two and passed one to Jack, "You've got excellent aim Jack. Throw it through the window and aim for the jar."

Jack nodded and threw it; true enough it hit and broke the jar right on impact. Hermione threw the second one which hit Harry's neck.

"Ow!" Harry cried rubbing his neck, "That hurt!"

"Sorry!"

As the past selves came out of the hut Harry and the others ran into the forest hiding behind the trees. Peeking through the low-hanging branches Hermione observed her past self, "Is that really what my hair looks like from the back?" she said not noticing the snap of the twig she stepped on.

"Get back!" whispered Jack as the past Hermione turned around. Hermione hid behind the tree again.

They could hear the past Harry asking, "What is it?" and past Hermione replying. "I thought I saw, never mind". Hearing the past Ron saying, "Let's go" and the three running up the hill Hermione pushed Harry forward, "Now go and get Buckbeak. Be quick!"

Harry approached Buckbeak bowing, when Buckbeak bowed back Harry quickly untied the chain and pulled at Buckbeak to get up, "Ok Buckbeak, come on! You need to get up!" Unfortunately Buckbeak didn't want to move and protested loudly. Hermione ran up with the line of dead ferrets around her neck tossing one to him, "Come on Buckbeak! Come and get the nice dead ferret!"

As Buckbeak moved forward for more ferrets Jack and Jamie helped pull on the chain with Harry and they managed to get the hippogriff into the forest just as the minister, executioner, Dumbledore and Hagrid came out.

"Where did the beast go?" exclaimed the minster

"Must 'ave freed himself! Good boy Bucky!" sobbed Hagrid in relief, Buckbeak hearing Hagrid's voice tried going to Hagrid and it took all of the boy's strength pulling on the chain and another dead ferret to keep him still.

"We must search the grounds at once!" cried the minister in a huff

"Search the skies if you must but I would like a cup of tea or a brandy" Dumbledore said going back to Hagrid's hut, "Executioner I believe your services are no longer needed."

In anger of not having the hippogriff to kill the executioner raised his axe and brought it down on the fence. The loud crunch made Hermione gasp, "That's what we heard earlier! Not Buckbeak!"

Taking Buckbeak to a nearby clearing they tied him to a tree with the dead ferrets next to him, "He'll be fine here until we can come back for him" said Harry, "Now we just have to stop Ron from getting hit by the Willow."

As they ran up the hill Scabbers had just bit Ron and run away, Jack promptly sent a blast of frost at the rat which froze him. As Ron picked him up happily he was still close to the Whipping Willow.

"Ron!" shouted the past Harry, "Get away from the Willow!"

As the branch came down and hit him, it only hit his arm. Ron groaned in pain as his arm was broken. Past Hermione got out her wand and performed the body lock spell on Scabbers putting him in Ron's pocket.

"Petrificus Totalus! Now he won't be able to run away again, but why is he covered in frost?"

Ron shrugged holding his arm, "I don't know but I'm glad it was otherwise I'd be too close to the Willow and…" he shuddered.

Past Harry called to the others, "We better get you to Madam Pomfrey for your arm."

The past selves made their way to the hospital while Harry sighed in relief, his friend was ok!

Jamie pulled him out of his thoughts, "We better get to the hospital before the minister arrives with his sprained ankle". The group ran, or flew, to the hospital ward and arrived to see Dumbledore exiting.

"Professor we did it! Ron's ok!" Harry cried

Dumbledore smiled, "Well done, now get inside before I lock the doors."

As Harry and the others entered they saw Ron sitting up in bed with a cast on his arm and Baby Tooth on his shoulder, the past selves of Harry, Hermione, Jamie and Jack just disappearing.

"How you'd get over there. First you were there, now you're there!"

Jack smirked, "It's a long story!"

Sitting around Ron they had just settled when the minister burst in groaning loudly being supported by Hagrid. Madam Pomfrey quickly came out of her office and set the minister on a bed muttering about how much fuss he was making for a simple sprained ankle.

Spotting them Hagrid came over beaming, "Did you hear? Buckbeak escaped! He's free!"

Harry and the others smiled at each other, "That's great Hagrid. We're glad he escaped, what happened to the minister?"

"Oh he tried to take a shortcut through my garden and didn't listen when I told him not to. One of the security plants, the trap vines, tripped him over and he sprained his ankle.

"Well I better get back to my hut. Have a lot of work to do" and he left whistling happily.

Madam Pomfrey came over, "You five can leave now. Just be careful of your arm Mr. Weasley and if it hurts come back."

The five left and headed down to the courtyard, telling the story of what happened to Ron on the way.

"Ron" Hermione asked, "If we stopped you from going into a coma from the Willow why did our past selves go back?"

"Oh Dumbledore told you guys that an innocent life should be spared as you never know when it would help. Then you pulled out a weird necklace and put it over Jack, Jamie and Harry then disappeared. You said I should stay behind since my arm was still hurting badly and Jack had Baby Tooth stay behind with me."

As they entered the courtyard Jack seemed to remember something and turned to Harry, "Oh Harry I have something to tell you. It's why I had left Hogwarts."

Just as Jack reached into his hoodie pocket suddenly dozens of nightmares and dementors swarmed from the Forbidden Forest towards Hogwarts.

The yetis that had been patrolling the school started ushering everyone into the Great Hall with the teachers, some of them tried to cast their patronus but like before, the patronus was blocked by a shield of black sand. As the students, teachers and even the minister ran into the Great Hall, Jack quickly swooped up any first years lagging behind.

"Professor Dumbledore, Harry, Jamie! We need to use the snow globes!"

Taking his out he whispered "The Warren" and tossed it on the ground. Harry and the others followed suit with Dumbledore saying "North Pole", Harry saying "Sandy's Island" (I looked up on ROTG wiki and apparently Sandy lives on an island somewhere) and Jamie saying "Tooth Palace". The portals opened and the other Guardians stepped out.

"Jack!" boomed North, "What's the trouble?"

"Long story short, Pitch's attacking. There's dozens of nightmares and dementors out there. The yetis have started fighting but they need help"

North nodded, "Professor Dumbledore! Stay with the kids and keep everyone in here until we come and tell you it's safe. Don't come out whatever you do!"

As the Guardians left the hall Jack gave Jamie a hug, "Don't worry Jamie I'll be alright."

"Just come back. Ok!" Jamie replied

Professor Lupin hurried over, "Here Jack" he said handing over a bunch of chocolate, "Try to keep some in your mouth and give to the other Guardians. It won't stop them completely but it should decrease their effect on you."

"Thank professor. Man chocolate being helpful? Tooth's going to have a fit!"

With that Jack flew through out the door and it shut. Outside Jack sealed it with frost so not even a nightmare could slip through any of the gaps, "Time to kick butt!" he muttered joining his fellow guardians, Baby Tooth squeaked in agreement.

As the students huddled together inside the hall the sounds of the continuing fight kept going on and on. No one dared speak. Just as the sounds died down, CRASH! Two nightmares flew though the window and entered the hall. Everyone shrieked and dove for cover but the nightmares paid no attention to them darting between the panicking people. Before anyone could cast a spell one of them swooped up Jamie and the other swooped up Harry, holding them by their collars with their teeth. As the nightmares with their captives in tow ran back towards the broken windows the teachers cast spell after spell at them to no avail till the nightmares jumped through the air, out the window and out of sight. Hermione blasted open the doors and she, Ron, Ginny, Neville and the twins ran out of the hall, ignoring the minister's cries to come back.

They found the guardians fighting with the yetis, many of the nightmares had been destroyed and it was the dementors they were still having trouble with. The dementors suddenly stopped fighting and headed back towards the Forbidden Forest. Jack saw Hermione and the others and frowned, "What are you guys doing out here? We told you to stay in the hall!"

"But Jack!" Neville cried, "Two of those black sand horses came in and took Harry and Jamie! Look!"

In the distance they saw the nightmares carrying off Harry and Jamie into the forest. Jack's grip tightened on his staff in anger and he flew after them.

"You guys stay here. We'll handle this and we'll get them back" Bunny ordered before he and the other guardians rushed after Jack.

Ginny looked at her brothers, "They'll save Harry and Jamie. Won't they?"

Fred and George hugged her tightly, "They will, they have to."

The guardians entered the forest following the nightmares. When they came to a clearing where Jamie and Harry were bound in black sand they rushed forward when suddenly black sand caught them and the dementors formed a close ring around them. Instantly they felt the affect as their happiness was drained and grew weak, not even the chocolate they had in their mouths could help with this many dementors so close to them. To weak to move Tooth whispered urgently to Baby Tooth, "Go get help! Quickly!" The fairy squeaked unhappily but obeyed her Queen zooming back to Hogwarts.

As Jamie struggled to get free a familiar but spine-chilling laugh that haunted his dreams echoed around the clearing. Out of the shadows appeared Pitch Black gliding silently towards them.

"Finally all the pieces have come together," Pitch said looking at his captives.

He smiled, "Now the real show can begin."

Pitch has them captured! What will he do next and can Baby Tooth reach the others in time? Find out in the next chapter where Pitch reveals his plan. Please review as I love hearing your thoughts and reviews encourage me to write faster!