Harry Potter and the Founders Vault

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Facebook: Fanfiction Millma Verse

Chapter Note 1: Like with previous chapters, this one is heavily influenced by both the book AND the movie. I had to pick and choose what I liked from both to make this chapter work for the additional characters and known factors – such as Sirius's innocence, Remus being a werewolf etc…

Chapter Note 2: Wands up for the recently departed Michael Gambon. You were a perfect Professor Dumbledore and will be greatly missed.

The Servant of Lord Voldemort

Hagrid had sent them a note that morning that Buckbeak's execution was going to be at sunset that night. It was heartbreaking given how tear-stained the note was too, but they had to be strong.

The four had decided they needed to go and see Hagrid before they even got the note, so after dinner Harry took out his Invisibility Cloak, intending to use it to get out of the castle.

"You know four people don't really fit under this," Harper complained. It was snug in their first year, with the three of them when they were smaller but now adding Neville and the fact that they have all grown made it worse.

"We're going to need to figure out other ways to sneak around the castle," Harry agreed with his sister; the four getting low when they saw Tonks with her Auror friend, Diego Caplan, pass near them.

"So, we're staying here until after the execution?" Diego asked Tonks.

"Orders from Madam Bones. The Minister wants some guards for the execution," Tonks said.

"This is out of hand for a Hippogriff," Diego sighed.

"I agree," Tonks said and then paused, as if she heard something. The four saw Ron Weasley walking close and tried to hide as he saw the Aurors but had nowhere to go. Harry grabbed the boy before the Aurors turned around and the five of them laid in a pile on the floor under the cloak; Harry putting a hand over Ron's mouth.

"What was that?" Diego asked.

"Probably just a cat," Tonks said. "Diego, go wait for the Minister of Magic and others to arrive. I'm going to monitor the Grand Hall. Make sure no kids are trying to sneak down," Tonks said, and Diego gave a nod moving off. "So, I will be in that direction," Tonks seemed to say to no one at all and pointed further into the castle. She then winked right in their direction before moving off.

When she was gone, Harry removed the cloak and let Ron go as the five got up.

"You have an Invisibility Cloak?!" Ron said as he got himself off the floor. "That actually explains a lot."

"What are you doing?" Harper asked.

"Going to see Hagrid and Buckbeak one last time. Buckbeak's feather is what was in my first ever wand I made," Ron said. "And you four?"

"Same, minus the wand thing," Neville said.

"Come on, Tonks is giving us time to get there," Harper said, putting the cloak in the bag she had with her.

"Speaking of, how did she know we were there?" Hermione asked confused on how Tonks knew to help them.

"Just be grateful she did," Harry decided as the five left the castle, heading for Hagrid's Hut.

As they reached the small Hut on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, they saw Buckbeak, chained in the pumpkin patch and Rosie, the other Hippogriff that Hagrid had introduced them to in class, was there with him.

Harry knocked on the door and, a moment later, Hagrid answered, with Fang at his heels.

"Ah, yeh shouldn've have come," Hagrid said, when he saw them, but the man allowed them in anyway, obviously grateful, although he looked like a man who did not know where he was or what to do. This helplessness was worse to watch than tears.

"Wan' some tea?" Hagrid's hand trembled so violently that the milk jug slipped from his grasp and shattered all over the floor.

"I'll do it Hagrid," Hermione said getting up to get the tea pot and cups. Hagrid sat down at this while Neville quickly jumped up to clean up the mess.

"I wanted to thank yeh all for yesterday," Hagrid said to the group. "It was real nice seeing all the love ger ol' Beaky."

"Is there anything else we can do to stop this?" Ron asked.

"No nothin'," Hagrid said, shaking his head.

"Why don't we just let him go?" Harper asked. "We can make it look like Rosie broke the chain and the two flew away together."

"What if they won't fly?" Harry asked.

"Stuff them in your trunk," Harper said.

"I can run up to the castle and get it right now," Harry said, knowing with the top speed he ran he could be there and back fast, and Harper could get the two Hippogriffs into the forest and cover up their escape.

"No, you two. I ain't letting yer risk that," Hagrid said.

"We'd do it willing," the two said together.

"So, would I," Neville said as Hermione passed out the tea.

"Nah," Hagrid said. "Bu' Ron, I do hav' summat for yer," Hagrid got up and went to a pot he had set aside and took out a rat familiar rat.

"Scabbers!" Ron said with a smile. Harry paused at this, seeing the rat being handed back to Ron.

"Take better care of yer pets," Hagrid said. The Fab Four, however, had figured they might see Pettigrew again today, but was surprised he was here.

"Ron, you know my deal is still on the table," Harper said quickly. "Phoenix feather for a few minutes with the rat…" As Harper said this Scabbers seemed to get scared, and Ron held on tight to him.

"Maybe some other time," Ron said, but before Harper could argue Harry called out in pain as he put a hand on the back of his head. Then the glass jar on the table broke.

Looking out of the open window to see if anything outside had thrown something at him, Harry saw the figures on the lawn making their way to the Hut.

"Hagrid!" Hagrid came up to the window followed by the others, all having a look. Minister Fudge, Albus Dumbledore, an older man with a large ax – and the two young aurors were heading towards the hut.

"They can't find yer here!" Hagrid said, quickly shooing the five towards the back door and opening it for them.

Without much option, the five student quickly exited the back door, going to hide behind some of the larger pumpkins as the adult group came up and knocked on the front door to the Hut – the students staying low, so they weren't spotted as Hagrid answered the door and spoke to the group; all of them heading into the Hut – seemingly to read over the execution order.

"Come on," Harry said, indicating for them to move and the five headed quickly back up the sloping lawn toward the castle. Harry stopped first, closer to the castle, with Harper and Hermione coming to either side of him. Neville came beside them, next to Hermione as Ron stopped near Harper.

They could just see the outline of the hut, even with the sun now setting, as the adult group walked out – Hagrid's giant form towering over the others. There was a jumble of indistinct adult voices, a silence and then, without warning, the unmistakable swish and thud of an axe. Harper and Hermione both leaned into Harry, who put an arm around them each.

Harry's mind had gone blank with shock. The five of them stood transfixed with horror. The very last rays of the setting sun were casting a bloody light over the long-shadowed grounds. Then they heard it – a wild howling, like an injured dog.

"Hagrid," Harry muttered. Without thinking about what he was doing, he made to move back, but Harper and Hermione were still holding on to him, now keeping him back.

"We can't," Harper said; she was paper white.

"He'll be in worse trouble if they know we've been to see him at all…" Hermione added reasonable, although her breathing was shallow and uneven.

"How… could… they?" Neville now choked. "How could they?"

As they contemplated what had just happened, Ron suddenly cried out and dropped the rat the others had momentarily forgot he was holding.

"Scabbers! He bit me…" Ron said, suddenly going to run after the rat.

"Scabbers Oh yeah," Hermione seemed to be shaken from her reverie as Ron moved away, Harry and Harper looking at each other now.

"I'm starting to think we should have stunned the rat the minute we saw it," Harper sighed as the four began to chase after their friend – and their foe.

It was getting dark, but they could still see where they were going thanks to the lights from the castle, but it seemed Ron wasn't paying attention as the four stopped near a familiar tree just as Ron leapt down, seemingly catching the rat.

"Guys, this is the…" Neville started.

"Whomping Willow!" Harry, Hermione, and Harper said together. It was the same tree that had damaged the Weasley's Ford Anglia at the start of their second year, when Ron had used the car to get to the school.

"Ron, get over here!" Harry called his dormmate, but Ron was looking over at them – terrified.

"Guys run!" Ron called, confusing them as he pointed. "The Grim!" The three turned to see a large black dog growling near them – but Harry had to smile. It was Sirius Black. It had to be.

Before they could say anything though, Sirius had run at Ron and grabbed him by the leg, dragging him towards the tree. Harry noticed Sirius press his snout onto a large knot on the tree stump, which caused the tree to momentarily freeze before he dragged Ron under it.

Harry ran, going to follow Sirius and Ron before the tree moved again – but even his speed wasn't enough as he was struck by a branch and sent flying backwards, winded.

"Any ideas on how to stop a Whomping Willow?" Neville asked Harper, stopping in their tracks.

"I only got an acceptable on my Herbology O.W.L.," Harper answered back as suddenly Hermione was struck too. Harper grabbed her dagger from her leg and as a branch came towards her, she stabbed at it with the dagger – her dagger was sharp now; Nicholas Flamel had taught her spells on how to care for it and the branch went away from her.

"Harry!" Hermione ran over to Harry, who was already on his feet, "we've got to go for help–" Hermione cried; she was bleeding too; the tree had cut her across the shoulder.

"No! I think I know how to follow them in!" Harry said, his eyes now on the knot in the tree as Harper and Neville tried dodging the branches, Harper slashing as best she could at the wood.

"We're never going to get through without help though," Hermione stated as another branch whipped down at them, twigs clenched like knuckles.

"If Sirius can get in, we can," Harry panted, summoning his sword now as he darted here and there, trying to find a way through the vicious, swishing branches so he could poke the tree knot with his sword, but he couldn't get an inch nearer to the tree-roots without being in range of the tree's blows.

"Harry, what are you doing?" Harper called but was distracted as Neville was struck – hard – by a branch. She ran over to help him.

"There!" Harry called triumphantly, dodging one last branch to hit the knot in the tree with the sword. Abruptly, as though the tree had been turned to marble, it stopped moving. Not a leaf twitched or shook. "Mione!" Harry called; his friend was closer than Harper or Neville now and Hermione ran to Harry, who was already slipping down the same hole that Sirius and Ron had vanished down.

"How did…?" Harper asked, unsure how Harry had momentarily stopped the tree. She had an arm now around an injured Neville and was about to follow her brother and friend, but the tree suddenly came back to life once more.

"I can't…" Neville muttered as the branches started swinging once more, and Harper realized that there was little she could do now. She had to give in now that, at least, Harry and Hermione had gone after Sirius and Ron. Especially now she had a very injured Neville to help.

Backing up and going into her bag – Harry having put his Invisibility Cloak into it earlier – she threw Harry's cloak over the pair of them.

"We need to get you to the Hospital Wing," Harper stated to Neville, who didn't complain at that. They didn't need to be detected getting back into the castle after dark.

The cloak fit better over the two of them than it had over the four early. But, as they slowly walked towards the castle, she saw Remus.

"Moony!" Harper said, making him stop and Harper lowered the fabric, so their heads could be seen.

"Oh, hello! James' old cloak," Remus smirked at the surprise appearance of the two students. "I saw Sirius and Pettigrew on the map near you. Where are they?"

"There's some type of tunnel under the Whomping Willow. Sirius took Ron and Wormtail. Harry and Hermione managed to follow them," Harper said.

"I know it well. Neville?" Remus asked.

"Getting him to the hospital wing," Harper said, and Remus gave a nod before heading past them, toward the tree and Harper continued towards the Hospital Wing.

-Harry Potter-

"What was Harper yelling?" Harry asked, looking back out of the hole he and Hermione had just entered, to find the tree was moving again.

"Not a clue," Hermione stated, "but she can't follow…" they looked for a moment to see Harper standing back with an injured Neville. Harper then reached into her bag.

"I think they're going back," Harry stated, disappointed his sister wasn't with them now. "Come on, there's only one way to go now…" he began moving forward; it seemed they were in a dark, early tunnel.

"Lumos," Hermione stated, lighting her wand, and Harry did the same – it was too dark now for them to see without some magic. "Where's Ron?" Hermione raised her wand, as if expecting to see him on the floor ahead of them.

"Got to be this way," said Harry, setting off, bent-backed, down the tunnel.

"Where does this tunnel come out?" Hermione asked breathlessly from behind him.

"No ide – but judging on the direction I think it might head towards Hogsmeade…" Harry mused, knowing the general direction of the village from where they had been.

They moved as fast as they could, bent almost double, and on went the passage; all Harry could think of was Sirius, and what his godfather had done to Ron. He was drawing breath in sharp, painful gasps, running now at a crouch with Hermione behind him… and then the tunnel began to rise and moments later it twisted a little.

Now Harry could see a patch of dim light through a small opening ahead of them.

He and Hermione paused, gasping for breath, edging forwards. Both raised their wands to see what lay beyond and above the hole at the end of the passage.

It was a room – a very disordered, dusty room. Paper was peeling from the walls; there were stains all over the floor; every piece of furniture was broken as though somebody had smashed it. The windows were all boarded up, too.

Harry glanced at Hermione, who looked scared, but nodded. He pulled himself out of the hole, staring around. The room was deserted, but a door to their right stood open, leading to a shadowy hallway. Hermione suddenly grabbed Harry's arm again. Her wide eyes were travelling around the boarded windows.

"Harry!" she whispered. "I think we're in the Shrieking Shack."

Harry looked around. His eyes fell on a wooden chair near them. Large chunks had been torn out of it; one of the legs had been ripped off entirely.

"Yeah, ghosts didn't do that," he said slowly, knowing the rumors of the house surrounded that of violent and dangerous ghosts. "You know, it's very possible Sirius has been staying here," Harry thought. It made sense – and Harry wondered why they hadn't checked it before. He then remembered all the warnings on eyes being on them.

At that moment, there was a creak overhead – something had moved upstairs. Both looked up at the ceiling. Hermione's grip on Harry's arm was so tight he was losing feeling in his fingers. He raised his eyebrows at her; she nodded again and let go.

Quietly as they could, they crept out into the hall and up the crumbling staircase. Everything was covered in a thick layer of dust except the floor, where a wide, shiny stripe had been made by something being dragged upstairs.

They reached the dark landing.

"Nox," they whispered together, and the lights at the end of their wands went out. Only one door was open.

Ron was in the room beyond, lying on a four-poster bed. His leg was at an odd angle and Scabbers was still, somehow, in his hands.

"Harry, it's a trap!" Ron called out. "He's an Animagus!" Ron pointed and Harry turned to see the door close – and there, finally, was Sirius Black. His clothes were raggedy, his hair a mess, and his teeth yellow. He looked like a mad man. He had Ron's wand in his hand. "Stab him, stun him, do something!" Ron called.

Harry, though, lowered his wand and his sword. "Padfoot," Harry said with a smile.

"So, Tim finally told you," Sirius said, to a confused noise from Ron.

"I'm sorry I ever thought you were guilty," Harry said, having to say that.

"No need to be sorry," Sirius said his eyes going to Hermione. "This isn't that lovely sister of yours?"

"Hermione Granger, actually," Hermione said, not confused, knowing the true history of Sirius Black. She had calmed down a lot now.

"My best friend – the brightest witch at Hogwarts," Harry said with a smile. "Harper is… well, she was left behind."

"Ah," Sirius said, giving the two a smile. "Well, I'm glad you came to join us. I wanted you here Harry, because you deserve revenge as much as I do," Sirius's eyes were on Ron.

"Revenge?" Ron asked, his voice suddenly high. "What's going on?"

"Oh, Ron just give over the rat," Hermione said, moving over and going to grab Scabbers from Ron's hand. Ron fought Hermione for a moment before she got the rat from his grasp. "Scabbers! What are you doing…?"

"Just –" but before Hermione could say anymore, the door opened and Remus Lupin came into the room, wand out. He paused at the scene before him.

"Harry, I'm glad you're safe," he smiled at Harry before he took in Sirius.

"Moony," Sirius said.

"Padfoot," Remus said the two smiling at one another as they took each other hands and hugged. "You look like hell," Remus then stated, standing back.

"You try surviving Azkaban for twelve years," Sirius stated, his voice hoarse.

"Very true. I'm sorry, Padfoot," Remus looked mournful at this. "But I know why we're all here. Where is he? Where's the rat?"

"I've got him," Hermione said, holding the rat up, but having trouble – it was squealing and squirming violently in her grasp. Ron had even tried to get off the bed to save it, but Hermione had managed to push him back onto the old mattress, much to his annoyance. "Missing toe and all."

"How did you know?" Harry asked Remus.

"I was watching the map as I have been of late, waiting for either one of these two to appear. I saw the five of you sneaking down to Hagrid hut. Then saw Sirius appear and drag those two in. I came running," Remus said, nodding to Ron and Hermione's direction.

"Two?" Ron voiced.

"What about Harper and Neville?" Harry asked.

"Their fine," Remus assured, Harry. "Now Hermione, please, give over the rat."

"What does my rat have to do with anything?" Ron asked, getting louder and clearly upset at being ignored.

"It's not a rat, Ron," Harry said, turning to his dormmate. "It's a wizard. An Animagus, to be precise. It's Peter Pettigrew."

"You're mental," Ron said. "He killed Peter Pettigrew," he pointed to Sirius at this.

"Ron, you were with us when the Minister of Magic admitted Sirius never got a trial," Hermione said. "Please stretch your mind and think. How long has Scabbers been in your family? 12 years?" Ron paused as he gave a nod. "Rather long life for a rat, don't you think?"

"But… But…" Ron said not sure what else to say.

"Let's show him," Remus said going to take the rat but before he could there was movement from outside the room and Severus Snape came storming in, his own wand out.

"I knew it!" Professor Snape called, surprising everyone in the room. "I've told the headmaster, again and again, that you've been helping your old friend Black into the castle, Lupin, and here's the proof. Not even I dreamed you would have the nerve to use this old place as your hideout–"

"Oh, Severus you're making a mistake," Remus sighed, looking to the other man. "You haven't heard everything. I can explain…"

"Two more for Azkaban tonight," Severus Snape smirked, not even listening to Remus.

"The joke is on him. So long as we bring the rat with us up to the castle, I'll happily go and see the headmaster," Sirius said.

"Up to the castle? I don't think we'll get that far. I can call the Dementors here," Severus stated.

"You won't," Harry finally said, deciding to step forward and pulling his sword out to Severus.

"What are you going to do Potter, stab me?" Severus asked.

"No," Harry said, his mind running a mile a minute and remembering something that would help them. "I… I invoke the life debt you owe me," Severus took a surprise step back. "James Potter saved your life. The debt you owe was passed to me when he died and I am calling it in. You will put your wand down, and you will listen. Then, you will help us bring the real traitor and murderer to justice."

"You waste your life debt on him Potter?" Severus said quietly, lowering his wand. "But it is invoked. Show me whatever it is you think you need to."

"Sirius, Lupin…?" Harry turned back to the adults at this.

"Hermione, please pass us the rat," Remus asked, very politely. Hermione was only too pleased to do so – the rat was almost violently trying to escape her grasp now and it seemed more than an effort for Lupin to hold him once handed over.

"Ready, Sirius?" Lupin asked, his grip firm on the rat.

Black had Ron's wand on his person as he approached Lupin and the struggling rat. "Together?" He said quietly.

"I think so," Remus said, holding Scabbers tightly in one hand and his wand in the other. "On the count of three. One – two – THREE!"

A flash of blue-white light erupted from both wands; for a moment, Scabbers was frozen in midair as Remus let go of him, his small black form twisting madly – Ron yelled out – the rat fell and then hit the floor. There was another blinding flash of light and then –

It was like watching a speed-up film of a growing tree a head was shooting upwards from the ground; limbs were sprouting; next moment, a man was standing where Scabbers had been, cringing and wringing his hands. He even wore old, disheveled clothes.

He was a very short man, however, hardly taller than Harry and Hermione. His thin, colorless hair was unkempt and there was a large bald patch on top. He had the shrunken appearance of a plump man who had lost a lot of weight in a short time. His skin looked grubby, and something of the rat lingered around his pointed nose, and his very small, watery eyes.

He looked around at them all, his breathing fast and shallow. Harry saw his eyes dart to the door and back again.

"Well, hello, Peter," Remus said, pleasantly, as though rats frequently erupted into old school friends around him. "Long time, no see."

"S-Sirius … R-Remus…?" Even Pettigrew's voice was squeaky. Again, his eyes darted towards the door, although avoiding Snape like he wasn't there. "My friends … my old friends…"

"You look pretty good for a dead man," Severus said, surprised by this turn of events.

"Severus! Believe me, I wasn't the Secret Keeper. I've been hiding from Sirius," Peter said, now acknowledging the man, like he was Peter's only hope.

"Cut the baloney," Harry said, holding a sword out. He could see Peter was going to try to talk himself out of it – although it was possible even Snape wouldn't believe the lies. "My parents left a will naming you as Secret Keeper. We know Sirius didn't betray them and was trying to get you that night."

"Severus, you were there! You were with the Dark Lord," Peter continued to Snape.

"I only ever knew that a friend of the Potters betrayed them. I didn't know who the spy was," Severus stated. "I'm under a life debt. You were the spy. It's clear now. I must take you to the castle…" Harry gave a smirk – even though Severus looked disgusted with himself, he had to admit the truth even when he saw it, and having Severus Snape on their side was a good thing.

"We'll kill him," Sirius said suddenly, and Peter moaned.

"No," Harry spoke up. "Wait. No one is killing him," he wanted Pettigrew dead as much as the others, but with the rat gone, Sirius would be as good as dead too with no evidence.

"Oh, thank you my boy," Peter said, moving toward him.

"Don't thank me," Harry took a step back from the former rat. "You're the proof we need of Sirius's innocence. We're bringing you to the castle and once there, give you over to the Aurors, we can let British justice system take care of you," Harry said, and Peter moaned again, knowing that either meant Azkaban or the Dementor Kiss.

"Very well," Remus spoke up. "Stand aside, Harry…" Harry hesitated at this. "I'm going to stun him," Remus explained. "That's all, I swear." Harry stepped out of the way. "Stupefy," Remus stated, and the spell hit the confused Peter. "He'll be easier to take to the castle stunned."

"That's what Harper's been saying," Harry mumbled as Remus now levitated Peter. Harry went over to Ron and helped him up. He was still in shock over everything that had happened this evening "Sorry we didn't tell you about Scabbers, but we only found out right before he faked his death."

"Right," Ron stated.

"And Sirius is my godfather," Harry added.

"Yeah, I know…" Ron muttered as Harry now helped support the boy off the bed.

Harry had never been part of the stranger group; Severus Snape had taken the lead back into the tunnel, with Remus behind him levitating the unconscious Peter; then Sirius, with Harry supporting Ron. Hermione was in the rear, her wand lit one more.

"I'm sorry about the leg," Sirius said, helping Ron himself. "I just needed the rat. I am actually a very nice dog – James once suggested I make the change permanent. I could get use to the legs and tail, but the fleas are hell."

"You… you don't really have fleas?" Ron asked.

"Maybe one or two," Sirius said with a wink.

"Ignore him. He's as big of a joker as your brothers," Remus informed Ron ahead of them.

The journey back seemed quicker than the journey to, as they reached the base of the Whomping Willow in no time – Severus even touching the knot in the tree as they exited to make the tree as still as marble once more.

"I don't think I can make it all the way," Ron said as they limped beyond the boundaries of the Willow. "Go on… without me."

"Drama queen," Harry muttered at this.

"We're not leaving you," Hermione added, elbowing Harry in the ribs for the comment.

"Certainly not," Professor Snape stated. "I'll see if I can heal the leg a little. Worst comes to worst we'll bandage it up and levitate you."

Sirius and Harry put Ron down as Professor Snape went to work on the leg. Remus lowered Peter, who was still unconscious. Hermione made an excuse to watch the healing magic and stepped back, giving Harry and Sirius a moment.

"You know Harry, I am still your godfather," Sirius said.

"I know," Harry said, having told Ron that a few minutes ago.

"I know you're happy with your adopted mom and dad," Sirius said. "Tim is a good fellow, but maybe there's room for an old dog...?"

Harry hugged Sirius at this. It felt nice to hug him after almost a year of knowing who he was to Harry, but not being able to see him.

"Of course, there is," Harry said. "When you're free, you can come to America. I can show you around the world which I grew up in. You can meet my mom, dad, Uncle Mato, my little brother Boyd, and you'll love Harper. She and the Weasley twins had a massive prank war this year."

Sirius gave a laugh that was almost like a bark. "I'd love that," Sirius said.

As the words were out of his mouth though, the clouds parted, and the group was bathed in moonlight. Remus cried out.

"He didn't take his potion," Severus suddenly said, standing up from his work and holding his wand out. "He was gone when I came to deliver it. It's how I knew you all were…"

"He's not safe," Hermione said, taking a step back as Professor Snape went in front of them, instinctively protecting the students, and Sirius jumped forward.

"Remus, my old friend…" Sirius tried as Remus was suddenly bent double, the transformation upon him. "Stay who you are. Fight the wolf!" It wasn't enough as there was a terrible snarling noise. Lupin's head was lengthening – so was his body. His shoulders were hunching, hair was sprouting visibly on his face and hands, which were curling into clawed paws.

As the werewolf reared, snapping its long jaws, Sirius too had suddenly transformed, back into his dog form, ready to attack the wolf.

"Run!" Severus said to the students; Harry and Hermione grabbing Ron.

"Pettigrew!" Harry said seeing Peter was now conscious, the spell broken, and had already transformed into the rat. But there was nothing they could do as the three moved away.

The dog and wolf were in full fight, the dog forcing the wolf away from them and into the darkness of the night, closer to the Forbidden Forest and the Great Lake.

"Come, we must get back to the castle," Professor Snape stated.

"But Pettigrew… Sirius…" Harry tried.

"There's nothing we can–" Professor Snape stated, sharply, but was cut off by a loud whimpering followed by a set of howls.

"Sirius!" Harry cried, letting go of Ron and sprinting from the small group, into the darkness.

He found Sirius in his dog form by the shores of the lake. Sirius was limp and turning back into his human form. There was no sign of the wolf, though.

"Sirius!" Harry called, coming up to him but as he did the air got cold.

He looked up from his godfather to a sight of pure horror – hundreds of Dementors were floating toward him across the lake and down the grass toward him and Sirius. His sword wouldn't be of help, he knew – he couldn't do as complicated of a spell as Expecto Patonum with it. He dropped the sword and grabbed his wand.

"No! You're not getting my godfather. Expecto Patonum!" Harry yelled holding up his wand. He knew how to produce a Patronus now, but only a whisper of light came out of his wand. The Dementors began to encircle him.

"Expecto – Expecto Patronum –" Harry tried.

Harry felt his knees hitting the cold grass. Fog was clouding his eyes. With a huge effort, he fought to stay conscious now.

"Expecto patronum!" he gasped.

By the feeble light of his formless Patronus, he saw a Dementor halt, very close to him. It couldn't walk through the cloud of silver mist Harry had conjured. But, a dead, slimy hand slid out from under the cloak. It made a gesture as though to sweep the Patronus aside.

"No… no…" Harry gasped. "Expecto – Expecto Patronum –"

He could feel them watching him, hear their rattling breath like an evil wind around him. The nearest Dementor seemed to be considering him. Then it raised both its rotting hands and lowered its hood.

Where there should have been eyes, there was only thin, grey, scabbed skin, stretched blankly over empty sockets. But there was a mouth… a gaping, shapeless hole, sucking the air with the sound of a death-rattle.

A paralyzing terror filled Harry so that he couldn't move or speak. His Patronus flickered and died.

White fog was blinding him. He had to fight but he couldn't see, and, in the distance of his mind, he thought of his godfather. He groped in the mist for Sirius and found his arm on the ground – they weren't going to take him!

But a pair of strong, clammy hands suddenly wrapped themselves around Harry's neck – they forced his face upwards… he could feel its breath – it was going to get rid of him first! He could feel its putrid breath.

And then, through the fog that was drowning him, he thought he saw a silvery light, growing brighter and brighter… he felt himself fall forwards onto the grass.

Face down, and too weak to move, sick and shaking, Harry opened his eyes. The blinding light was illuminating the grass around him, and the cold was fading away…

Something was driving the Dementors back. It was circling around him and Sirius so that the rattling, sucking sounds of the Dementors were fading.

With every ounce of strength that he could now muster, Harry raised his head a few inches and saw a bird amidst the light, flying away across the lake. Eyes blurred with sweat; Harry tried to make out what it was – it was bright as a unicorn.

Fighting to stay conscious, Harry watched it soar to a halt as it reached the opposite shore. For a moment, Harry saw, by its brightness, somebody welcoming it back… raising his hand to pat it… someone who looked strangely familiar…

Harry didn't understand. He couldn't think any more. He felt the last of his strength leave him, and his head hit the ground as he fainted.

-Harry Potter-

Harry woke up with a start and recognized he was in the Hospital Wing.

"Calm down," Harper said, who was sitting on the end of the bed.

Taking in the room he saw Ron with his leg up – clearly Madam Promfrey was starting work on fixing his damaged leg. Neville was also in a nearby bed clearly very injured as well and Hermione was sitting on the other side of his bed with Harper. His wand and sword were next to the bed; he grabbed the wand.

"Sirius! Where's Sirius?" Harry asked and the two girls looked at each other.

"They have him locked in Charms Tower. That old troll cage up there. They plan on giving him the Dementors kiss… tonight," Hermione said.

"No, they can't," Harry said getting up.

"Be calm, Harry," the new voice surprised him as Albus Dumbledore himself entered the Hospital Wing, immediately emanating a sense of power with his presence as he surveyed what was happening in one sweep of his x-ray like bright blue eyes.

"Professor! It was Peter. Professor Snape saw him," Harry said, jumping up and moving over to the headmaster, ignoring the weakness he still felt from the Dementors.

"And he has told that to the two Aurors on school grounds – and Minister Fudge. Unfortunately, as you saw with Buckbeak, the Minister of Magic can be a stubborn man. Without Peter Pettigrew in front of him he won't dismiss the kiss order," Albus Dumbledore stated, "and maybe even then… Harry, have some chocolate…"

"What…?" Harry paused at this as the headmaster produced a small chocolate bar.

"You won't be much use without it, have some chocolate," Professor Dumbledore insisted once more. Begrudgingly, Harry took a bite from the bar and instantly began to feel less weak. "Now… What we need… is more time…" his bright blue eyes met that of Hermione now.

"But–" Hermione started, but then her eyes grew large as realization spread over her face. "Oh!"

"Now, pay attention," Professor Dumbledore stated, speaking very low and very clearly. "Aa you know, Sirius is locked in the old Troll cage in the Charms Tower, he is without a wand now that Mr. Weasley has his back. If all goes well, you will be able to save more than one innocent life tonight. But remember this, all three of you: You must not be seen. Ms. Granger, you know the laws – you know what is at stake. You – must – not – be – seen."

"What?" Harper mouthed to Harry, who shrugged - just as confused as his sister. He had finished the chocolate and was feeling a lot better already.

"I am going to lock you in," the headmaster looked down at his watch, "It's five minutes to midnight. Miss Granger, three turns should do it. Good luck," he gave her a wink as he began to head back to the doors to Hospital Wing.

"Good luck?" Harry asked.

"Three turns?" Harper asked. "Has he lost his mind?"

Hermione, on the other hand, had grabbed Ron's wand.

"Hey!" Ron protested.

"It didn't choose you anyway," Hermione snapped. "Harry, Harper, come here…" Hermione took something out from under her shirt, it's chain long enough to put it over the three when they were close – but it wasn't the same chain she wore the Ravenclaw key on. This one was connected to what looked like a small hourglass.

"Sorry Ron, Neville, you two would slow us down," Hermione added to the other two, who looked completely confused.

"Ready?" Hermione asked.

"For what?" Harper questioned, but Hermione was already turning the hourglass over – three times…

Post-chapter note: Yes, this chapter had a lot of places it could stop at a cliffhanger, but I feel this was the best place to stop it. I hope you all liked – and liked the mix of movie and book, too…

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