Chapter 1: The Time-Turner and the Werewolf's Bite

The stillness of the night outside the hospital wing was broken only by the distant hooting of owls and the occasional rustle of the wind against the windows. Inside, Harry lay awake in bed, unable to stop replaying the night's events in his head. They had been so close to freeing Sirius—so close to capturing Pettigrew—and yet everything had gone wrong. Pettigrew had slipped through their fingers, and Lupin had transformed, putting everyone at risk.

Next to him, Hermione sat tensely, her fingers gripping the Time-Turner that hung around her neck. She hadn't spoken since they'd been admitted to the hospital wing, her face pale and worried. Across from them, Ron lay in a bed, unconscious and oblivious to the urgency that had begun to swell between Harry and Hermione.

"We need to go back," Hermione finally whispered, her voice laced with determination. She held up the Time-Turner, its small hourglass catching the faint moonlight streaming through the window. "We have to change what happened."

Harry nodded, his heart pounding. "What about Ron?"

Hermione glanced at Ron's sleeping form before shaking her head. "He'll be alright. Madam Pomfrey will look after him. We don't have much time."

She stood up, looped the Time-Turner's chain around both their necks, and gave Harry a determined look. "Ready?"

He swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the moment settle on his shoulders. "Ready."

With a flick of her fingers, Hermione spun the hourglass three times. The hospital wing dissolved around them, replaced by the dizzying whirl of time as it reversed. Colors and sounds blurred together until, finally, everything stopped, and they found themselves standing outside on the grounds of Hogwarts once again.

The warm, golden light of late afternoon bathed the castle, casting long shadows across the grassy grounds. It was peaceful, as if nothing had ever gone wrong. But Harry knew what was coming.

Hermione tucked the Time-Turner back into her robes and glanced around quickly, orienting herself. "We've gone back three hours. That should give us enough time."

Harry nodded, his gaze already scanning the grounds. They were far from the castle, close to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. In the distance, near Hagrid's hut, he spotted their past selves, walking toward the pumpkin patch. A sense of déjà vu hit him as he watched his younger self, Hermione, and Ron approach Malfoy, who was standing smugly with Crabbe and Goyle.

The past Hermione marched right up to Malfoy, fury in her eyes. Harry grinned as he saw what was coming, remembering how satisfying it had been the first time. The punch was just as impactful the second time around. Malfoy's expression of shock and humiliation as he fell to the ground was priceless, and Harry couldn't help but smile.

Hermione, standing beside him, flushed slightly, embarrassed but resolute. "We've got to stay focused," she whispered, pulling his attention away from the scene. "Hagrid's hut is next. That's where we'll free Buckbeak."

Harry nodded, his thoughts racing. He could already picture the next part of the evening—Buckbeak's rescue, their past selves entering the Whomping Willow, and finally, the moment Pettigrew escaped and Lupin transformed.

They stayed hidden behind the trees as they followed their past selves at a distance. As they reached Hagrid's hut, Harry felt a familiar ache in his chest. This was when everything had started to unravel.

Soon, they watched as their past selves hurriedly left Hagrid's hut after delivering the bad news about Buckbeak's impending execution. The executioner, the Minister of Magic, and Dumbledore were approaching, and Harry could see the worried look on his younger self's face as he and Hermione led Ron back toward the castle.

The Time-Turner duo crept closer, staying hidden in the underbrush. This was their moment.

Hermione quickly led Harry toward Buckbeak's paddock, where the massive Hippogriff stood, tethered and unaware of the danger that awaited him. Without a word, Hermione worked swiftly, undoing the chains that bound Buckbeak to the post. The Hippogriff let out a soft grunt as they freed him, and with a gentle nudge from Hermione, he took off into the trees, his enormous wings flapping as he disappeared into the forest.

Harry felt a surge of relief as he watched Buckbeak vanish. At least they had managed to save him.

But the real challenge was still ahead.

They followed the path toward the Whomping Willow, where they knew their past selves were already being dragged into danger. Past Ron was pulled beneath the thrashing branches of the tree by Scabbers—no, Pettigrew—and Harry's stomach twisted as he remembered the fear that had gripped him when he realized his friend had been taken.

From their vantage point, Harry and Hermione watched as their younger selves darted under the lashing limbs of the Whomping Willow, just narrowly avoiding the tree's deadly swings. They disappeared into the secret passageway below, and moments later, Snape arrived, slipping unnoticed into the tunnel after them.

"We have to wait," Hermione whispered, tugging Harry back a little farther into the cover of the trees. "We can't interfere yet."

Harry's heart raced as they crouched behind a boulder, waiting for the events to unfold. His mind buzzed with anxiety. Pettigrew was down there, ready to escape. Sirius's fate was hanging by a thread, and Lupin was minutes away from losing control.

The sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting long shadows over the grounds as they waited in tense silence. Finally, the doors to the secret passage opened, and Harry's heart skipped a beat.

Their past selves, Sirius, and Lupin emerged from beneath the Whomping Willow, Pettigrew bound and stumbling ahead of them. Harry could see the exhaustion on his own face—the weight of everything they had just discovered about Sirius, about his parents, about Pettigrew's betrayal. But there was no time to dwell on it.

Because then it happened.

Lupin's head jerked up toward the sky, his eyes wide with sudden realization. The full moon had risen, casting its silvery light over the grounds, and Harry could see the fear and resignation on Lupin's face as he backed away from the group.

"No…" Harry whispered, dread clawing at his chest. He knew what came next.

Sirius tried to help, to calm him, but it was too late. Lupin's body convulsed, his hands clawing at the ground as he began to transform. Bones cracked, his face elongated into a wolfish snout, and fur bristled over his body as he dropped to all fours.

Sirius was knocked aside, tumbling down the hill, and Pettigrew, seeing his opportunity, transformed back into a rat and darted away into the underbrush, escaping into the night.

It was all falling apart.

Lupin, fully transformed into the monstrous werewolf, turned his wild eyes toward the past trio—Ron, Hermione, and Harry—who stood frozen in shock.

And then, Snape appeared, emerging from the tunnel with his wand raised, trying to shield the students. It was brave but futile. The werewolf snarled, crouching as if ready to pounce.

Harry knew they had only seconds before Lupin attacked. Without thinking, he acted.

"Do it, now!" he hissed to Hermione.

Hermione's hands were trembling as she cupped them around her mouth and let out a high-pitched howl, mimicking the call of a wolf. The sound echoed through the night, cutting through the chaos.

Lupin's head snapped up, his attention drawn away from the past trio and toward the forest. His nostrils flared as he caught the scent of the time-traveling duo.

"Run!" Harry yelled, grabbing Hermione's hand and pulling her toward the trees.

The forest was dense, the ground uneven beneath their feet as they sprinted deeper into the shadows. Branches whipped at their faces, and the cold night air stung their lungs with every ragged breath. Behind them, Lupin's heavy paws thudded against the earth, his growls growing louder as he pursued them with terrifying speed.

Harry's heart pounded in his chest, fear clawing at his throat. He knew they couldn't outrun a werewolf. Not for long. The trees blurred past as they dodged roots and rocks, the shadows dancing ominously around them.

"We're not going to make it!" Hermione gasped, her voice breaking with fear.

Lupin was gaining on them, the massive shape of the werewolf visible just beyond the next line of trees. Harry could hear his snarls, feel the weight of the beast's presence closing in.

And then it happened.

Lupin lunged, his claws outstretched.

Without thinking, Harry shoved Hermione out of the way, taking the full force of the werewolf's attack. Lupin's jaws clamped down on Harry's ankle with brutal force, the pain shooting up his leg like fire. Harry screamed, his body collapsing under the weight of the werewolf, but through the haze of pain, he kicked out with his free leg, slamming his foot into Lupin's nose.

The werewolf let out a sharp yelp, staggering backward, releasing Harry's leg. Blood trickled from Harry's ankle, but there was no time to think about it.

Hermione, pale with fear, scrambled to her feet and grabbed Harry by the arm, dragging him away from the werewolf. But in her panic, she tripped over a root, falling behind him. They both tumbled against the rough bark of a nearby tree, pressing their backs to the trunk as they huddled together.

Harry's vision blurred, the pain in his ankle throbbing, but he reached for Hermione's hand, gripping it tightly. They both knew there was no escape. Lupin was just feet away, his eyes gleaming with hunger, his growls low and menacing as he crouched, ready to pounce.

They braced themselves, holding each other's hands tightly, waiting for the end.

And then, with a rush of wind and a furious screech, Buckbeak appeared, swooping down from the trees. The Hippogriff's powerful wings flapped, creating a gust of wind that knocked Lupin off balance. Buckbeak let out a mighty cry and swung his taloned claws at the werewolf, driving him back with swift, precise strikes.

Lupin snarled, swiping at the air in frustration, but Buckbeak was relentless. The Hippogriff's sharp claws and beak lashed out again, forcing the werewolf to retreat deeper into the forest. With one final screech, Buckbeak sent Lupin fleeing into the shadows.

Harry let out a shaky breath, collapsing back against the tree as Buckbeak stood guard over them, his massive wings spread protectively.

They were safe… for now.