At five till half-past seven, Harry and Hermione stood Disillusioned in the broom closet waiting for their past selves to leave through the Entrance Hall. They had spent much of the last few hours studying their memories of the events of that evening and of the initial travel through time. Both were sure they were confident they could succeed with tonight's mission.
Realizing that she and Harry hadn't slept in several hours, Hermione had suggested the both of them take a short nap. So for an hour-and-a-half before it was time for the evening's events, they napped together in a bed requested in the Room of Requirement. They awoke due to an Alarm Charm Hermione had set. After the nap, on their way downstairs, Hermione summoned two Invigoration Draughts from the Hospital Wing, that would help them stay awake for a few hours. It was dinner time, so there was likely no chance of seeing the floating vials.
'Hermione?" Harry asked, "Are you sure there isn't anything we can change this evening?"
"Pettigrew must escape," Hermione said, "I feel bad for Remus, but it is because he turns into a rabid wolf that Pettigrew escapes. Believe me, I wanted to place Wolfsbane on Remus' desk, and it was all could think about all afternoon. But we can't because it changes too much."
"What about Snape?" Harry asked. "We could prevent him from going into the Shrieking Shack."
"Not possible," Hermione said, "He had the same discussion with Fudge as he did last time. We confirmed that in the Pensieve. Believe me I'd like nothing more than to Stun him and place him in here, but we can't."
"Unless we place an Imperius Curse on him to have that conversation as if the events went that way'" Harry said.
"While I compliment you on the brilliance of the idea," Hermione said, "I also say we can't do it. Snape may be able to fight it off like you can. Besides, Sirius was captured. If Snape didn't do it, who did? Also, he brought us to the Hospital Wing. If we changed something tonight, that would not have happened."
"True," Harry said, sighing.
"Sirius won't be on the run for long," Hermione said, "We'll speak to Amelia soon enough. She'll be meeting you to talk about Susan's contract sometime soon."
"Couldn't we send her an anonymous letter to be here this evening before Fudge can send the Dementors to Sirius?" Harry asked.
"Again, another brilliant plan, but it might not work," Hermione said, "The letter might not get to her in time, or she might not get here in time."
"Also true," Harry said.
"We just need to repeat history just this once," Hermione said, "Then we can begin to change the future tomorrow."
"Alright," Harry said.
Hermione raised a hand to silence Harry. "I think I hear us! We're walking slowly because we're under the Invisibility Cloak -"
She broke off, still listening intently.
"We've gone down the front steps," Hermione said, "Come on. If we make a beeline we can beat them to Hagrid's, and hide in the tree line near Buckbeak. Will be easy since we're Disillusioned. We must be careful since we – they – our younger selves are under the Cloak and we can't see them."
She opened the door and made sure there was nobody in the Hall. She was about to step out when Harry heard footsteps, and pulled her back. A voice spoke up.
"Headmaster, I need to speak with you," Severus Snape said.
"If you make it quick, Severus," Albus Dumbledore said, "I must go collect Minister Fudge and the executioner. Did you give Remus his medicine tonight?"
"I put it on his desk in his office but he was not there," Snape said, "If he didn't take it, that is not my problem. Albus, I plan to reveal his secret tomorrow at breakfast. I held off long enough so he could teach, just as you said, but his lessons are over."
"Do what you must," Dumbledore said, "just make it look like an accident that you did not mean to say. I must meet Cornelius. Will you travel the Grounds and make sure no students are roaming?"
"I will do so shortly," Snape said.
Two sets of feet walked off in different directions.
"Is Snape going outside? " Harry whispered.
"No he's going to the dungeons," Hermione said, "Hall's empty. We need to go."
Harry nodded and crept out of the closet with Hermione. They made their way out the front Entrance and took off running across the grounds, straight toward the tree line of the Forbidden Forest. When they reached it, they jogged along the tree line until they neared Hagrid's hut. Buckbeak was laying in the garden, a rope around his neck and tied to a post. They ran over to a crop of large pumpkins and hid behind them. Harry concentrated, trying to see if he could hear his younger self or Hermione or Ron. He could only hear one thing – Hagrid's loud sobs that echoed through the window.
"Poor Hagrid," Hermione said, frowning
"Guess we haven't arrived yet," Harry said.
"Guess again," Hermione said, "Look."
Harry looked toward the hut's front door and saw an arm appear out of thin air and knock on the door. Hagrid had appeared in his doorway, shaking and white, looking around to see who had knocked. And Harry heard his own voice.
"It's us," younger-Harry said, "We're wearing the Invisibility Cloak. Let us in and we can take it off."
"Yeh shouldn've come!" Hagrid whispered. He stood back, then shut the door quickly.
"Gosh it is weird to think about isn't?" Hermione asked, "Those versions of us don't know anything about what we went through in the future."
"Yeah," Harry said, "So young and innocent, weren't we?"
"Maybe not so innocent," Hermione said, with a smirk.
Harry laughed, then sobered up. "So it seems Dumbledore knew of Snape's plans to out Remus."
"Dumbledore knows the post is cursed," Hermione said, "He knows the announcement will make Remus resign. And Remus also knows, or will know that Sirius is innocent. If he is outed as a werewolf then -"
"- then nobody would believe him if he told them about Sirius," Harry said, "Due to the prejudice against werewolves."
"Yeah'" Hermione said. "I don't think Dumbledore wants to see Sirius free. Freedom means he becomes your guardian. He'd lose Magical Guardianship over you, and you could leave the Dursleys. Or that would be so if you weren't Emancipated. In the old timeline, when we freed Sirius tonight, he was still a fugitive."
Harry scoffed. "Dumbledore must have known that, which is why he told us to do this."
"That and it presented me with a second shot of getting killed by Remus or the Dementors tonight," Hermione said.
"Not going to happen," Harry said.
At that moment, there was a crash of breaking china from inside Hagrid's cabin.
"That's Hagrid breaking the milk jug," Hermione whispered. "I'm going to find Scabbers in a moment —"
Sure enough, a few moments later, they heard Hermione's shriek of surprise.
"Strange," Harry said, "I have no desire to go in and nab the rat. He needs to escape. He will believe he is doing it for his Master, when really, it will culminate in Voldemort's defeat in the cemetery."
"If everything goes right," Hermione said. "Murphy's Law seems to love you."
"Didn't need to hear that tonight, Hermione," Harry said.
Hermione winced. "Sorry."
She nudged him and pointed toward the castle. Harry moved his head a few inches to get a clear view of the distant front doors. Dumbledore, Fudge, the old Committee member, and Macnair the executioner were coming down the steps.
"We're about to come out!" Hermione breathed.
And sure enough, moments later, Hagrid's back door opened, and Harry saw himself, Ron, and Hermione walking out of it with Hagrid. Hermione nudged Harry again, then dragged him behind the trees in the shadows. Harry realized why she had done this. Even though they were Disillusioned, their younger selves could have walked right into them.
"It's okay, Beaky, it's okay," Hagrid said to Buckbeak. Then he turned to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "Go on. Get goin'."
"Hagrid," younger-Harry said, "We can't —"
"We'll tell them what really happened," younger-Hermione said.
"They can't kill him," younger-Harry said.
"Go!" Hagrid said, "It's bad enough without you lot in trouble an' all!"
Harry watched the Hermione in the pumpkin patch throw the Invisibility Cloak over him and Ron.
"Go quick'" Hagrid said, "Don' listen."
There was a knock on Hagrid's front door. The execution party had arrived. Hagrid turned around and headed back into his cabin, leaving the back door ajar. Harry watched the grass flatten in patches all around the cabin and heard three pairs of feet retreating. The younger trio had left. Hermione nudged Harry forward and they moved back toward the pumpkin patch. They could now hear what was going on inside the cabin.
"Where is the beast?" came the cold voice of Macnair.
"Out — outside," Hagrid croaked.
Macnair's face appeared at Hagrid's window, staring out at Buckbeak. Macnair's gaze passed by Harry, and it was a tense moment. But Macnair could not see the Disillusioned pair. Then they heard Fudge.
"We — er — have to read you the official notice of execution, Hagrid," he said, "I'll make it quick. And then you and Macnair need to sign it. Macnair, you're supposed to listen too, that's procedure —"
Macnair's face vanished from the window. Harry made to move, but Hermione was faster. She used a Cutting Curse on the rope, then used another spell."
"Confundus Charm to make them think he escaped on his own," Hermione explained, "Come, Beaky. I know you can't see us, but you can smell us. We're friends."
Buckbeak looked around, then sniffed the air. He then stood and walked over to Harry and Hermione. Hermione cast a Disillusionment Charm on him, and Harry took the rope and led Buckbeak into the trees and shadows.
"That was so much easier than last time," Harry said. "Where should we go?"
"The lake," Hermione said, "We know the exact position we and Sirius get attacked by Dementors. We can wait it out in the general area."
Harry agreed. As they trekked through the forest with Buckbeak, they heard Hagrid's celebratory whoops of joy from Buckbeak's escape. Harry and Hermione exchanged grins at that. Ten minutes through their trek, they reached the shore of the lake. Hermione tied Buckbeak's rope to a tree, and joined Harry as they sat down at the edge of the tree line, in perfect sight of the action that would take place soon enough.
"The Pensieve was an excellent idea," Hermione said, "We didn't need to go through all that drama when we know the end-game."
"Yeah," Harry said.
A brisk, cool gust of wind made Harry shiver. Hermione noticed and moved into his lap to cuddle against him.
"Is that just to keep me warm?" Harry asked, "Or did you want cuddle time?"
"Mmm, both," Hermione said.
Harry smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist, and she relaxed against him.
"I forgot how unruly your hair was at this age," Harry said.
Hermione laughed. "Yeah, I'm going to get it cut to a manageable size this summer. Maybe turn it into ponytail. Ugh, and I have buck teeth again. I need to fix that tomorrow. You must felt like you kissed a beaver!"
"Hmm... I'm not sure," Harry said, "You might have to kiss me so I can be sure."
Hermione giggled. She turned her body so that she was facing him. He smiled and kissed her softly. She melted against his lips as the kiss turned passionate. He licked her lips and she parted them, allowing entrance. Harry dipped his tongue into her mouth and slid it along her own as their tongues danced. He teased his tongue along her protruding teeth, and she giggled at the feeling.
She backed away. "That felt odd. I think it is best if I shrink them tomorrow."
She then turned her body again and relaxed in his lap. They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, as they thought about the events happening now elsewhere. By now, the younger trio were talking to Sirius and Lupin, and were learning the truth about Pettigrew and the Marauders.
"Harry," Hermione said, after about five minutes of silence, "I wonder if we're wrong about not revealing your Emancipation."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"Sometime in the next few days, Ragnok and his associates are coming to Hogwarts to harvest the Basilisk," Hermione said, "Dumbledore's going to realize you somehow contacted him, and he may blame me on encouraging you. Besides, when he realizes you're Emancipated, he can't force you to live with the Dursleys."
"He'll still try to force me to go back," Harry said. "Because of the blood wards. I know how to get around that."
"Well, I imagine Amelia Bones, Mr. Lovegood, and Daphne's family received the active Betrothal notices," Hermione said, "You could write to them tomorrow. Ask Amelia if she can meet you here before the end of term. You can discuss the Betrothal and we can tell her about Sirius. We'll take the Pensieve along and show her the memories."
"How will that help us against Dumbledore?" Harry asked.
"We'll need to mention the Will to reveal the Godfather Ritual," Hermione said. "In the same conversation, we can reveal that Dumbledore was never your suggested Magical Guardian and that you are an Emancipated Lord now. Amelia might volunteer to tell Dumbledore to leave you alone."
"Hmm... it might work," Harry said. "Alright, I'll write the letters tomorrow. Hey... Hedwig's alive! I'll be so happy to see her again."
"Yeah," Hermione said, "What are you going to do about Ron? Our friendship with him will more than likely end tomorrow, but you'll still be dorm-mates."
"Hmm, how long was he in the Hospital Wing for the broken leg?" Harry asked.
"A couple days," Hermione said.
"You could Confound Madam Pomfrey into keeping him in the Wing until the end of term," Harry suggested.
"That isn't a bad idea," Hermione said. "You know... I think there are Lord and Lady's quarters near the Guest rooms in the castle. Once your Lordship is revealed, you could move out of Gryffindor Tower."
"Well, then," Harry said, "As my Vassal, I'll demand you join me."
"Sounds like a fine idea," Hermione said, "What about your Betrothed?"
"Hmm... I'll think about inviting them as well," Harry said. "Ironic, you know. I have girls from all four houses."
"Yeah," Hermione said, "Might be a fine way to show House Unity. By the way, Daphne's nicer than your average Slytherin. She's friendly to me in Ancient Runes and Arithmancy."
"I'll keep an open mind," Harry said, "Speaking of those classes, "I think I'm going to talk to McGonagall and drop Divination. I'll take Arithmancy and Ancient Runes."
"Brilliant," Hermione said, "I'll help you this summer so you can test out of third year of those classes."
"Thanks," Harry said.
"I'll meet with her at the same time to give up Muggle Studies," Hermione said, "and hand in the Time Turner."
"Do we have to?" Harry asked. "It could come in handy in many scenarios. You could make a fake, convincing copy to give to her."
Hermione remained silent for a minute as she pondered this. 'You're right. It could be useful. It could be risky, but we're already technically messing with time by by changing the future as we know it. I'll do it."
"Brilliant," Harry said.
They returned to a companionable silence and waited. And waited.
And waited some more.
Then they heard a sharp, loud werewolf howl across the wind. Then it began to get much, much colder than it already was.
"It is nearly showtime," Hermione said, as she and Harry stood up.
Sure enough they saw a figure on the other side of the cove. It was Sirius! Harry and Hermione watched as their younger selves neared Sirius as well. Then the lake began to freeze up as Dementors swooped in on the three figures. Harry watched with wide eyes as his younger self tried to do feeble Patronuses.
He knew he needed to wait until the perfect moment, but it was difficult. It was especially difficult to watch Sirius and Hermione collapse. As his younger self too collapsed, Harry ran forward toward the lake, his wand ready for action.
'EXPECTO PATRONUM!" he yelled.
He watched as the silver stag, Prongs, emerged from his wand and galloped toward the Dementors. It lowered its head and charged at the swarming Dementors. Now it was galloping around and around the black shapes on the ground, and the Dementors were falling back, scattering, retreating into the darkness. They were gone.
The Patronus turned. It was cantering back toward Harry across the still surface of the water. It then stopped in front of Harry and he bowed his head.
"Thank you, old friend," Harry said.
The stag bowed then vanished.
Harry turned and walked back over to Hermione. Her eyes widened and she pointed across the lake, Harry turned and saw the familiar Silver Doe cantering near Sirius and their younger selves. And in the light of the Patronus, Harry saw another familiar figure.
"Holy shit!" Harry breathed.
It was Severus Snape. Snape was the owner of the Silver Doe Patronus.
"It was him," Harry said, "He lead me to the Sword of Gryffindor in the Forest of Dean. Snape helped us!"
"It certainly seems so," Hermione said.
"I should have remained here last time," Harry said, "I would have known who owned the doe Patronus."
Snape conjured three stretchers and lifted the limp forms of Harry, Hermione, and Black onto them. A fourth stretcher, no doubt bearing Ron, was already floating at his side. Then, wand held out in front of him, he moved them away toward the castle.
"Right, it's nearly time," said Hermione 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 realizes we're missing."
"I reckon we should take Buckbeak and fly around the Grounds," Harry said, "We're Disillusioned, nobody will see us."
Hermione nodded. "Alright."
Twenty minutes later, they were circling the Grounds, careful to avoid the Dementors. Harry was quite surprised Hermione wasn't panicking. But he realized... after riding a dragon, a hippogriff wasn't scary at all. Suddenly, Hermione pointed at the ground.
"Macnair is going to the Dementors," she said, "Time to go!"
Harry tugged gently on the harness they had transfigured from the rope, and commanded Buckbeak where to go. He gently guided the large creature toward the correct destination, and soon they arrived at the correct window.
Hermione lifted the Disillusionment Charms. Harry reached out, and tapped sharply on the glass. Sirius looked up. Harry saw his jaw drop. He leapt from his chair, hurried to the window and tried to open it, but it was locked.
"Stand back!" Hermione called to him, and she took out her wand, "Alohomora!"
The window sprang open.
"How — how — ?" said Black weakly, staring at the hippogriff.
"Get on — there's not much time," said Harry, gripping Buckbeak firmly on either side of his sleek neck to hold him steady. "You've got to get out of here — the dementors are coming — Macnair's gone to get them."
Black placed a hand on either side of the window frame and heaved his head and shoulders out of it. It was very lucky he was so thin. In seconds, he had managed to fling one leg over Buckbeak's back and pull himself onto the hippogriff behind Hermione.
"Okay, Buckbeak, up!" said Harry, shaking the rope. "Up to the tower — come on!"
The hippogriff gave one sweep of its mighty wings and they were soaring upward 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, listen to me," Harry said, "We did this using a Time Turner. We went back twelve hours and went to Gringotts. We read my parents' Will. We know about the Godfather Ritual. We're going to speak to Amelia Bones in the next few days. We'll tell her you're innocent and you should get a trial. Stay in Great Britain somewhere. I'll write to you soon enough after we sort it all out."
Sirius' eyes were wide as he listened to Harry's explanation. He nodded. "Okay. I know where to go."
"Then go before someone sees you," Hermione said.
Sirius wheeled Buckbeak around, facing the open sky.
"We'll see each other again," he said. "You are — truly your father's son, Harry..."
He squeezed Buckbeak's sides with his heels. Harry and Hermione jumped back as the enormous wings rose once more. The hippogriff took off into the air. . . . He and his rider became smaller and smaller as Harry gazed after them... then a cloud drifted across the moon.
They were gone.
"Got to go, Harry!" Hermione said.
They slipped through the doorway behind them and down a tightly spiraling stone staircase. Then they raced toward the Staircase and toward the appropriate floor. Harry recalled from the memory that, before, they had run into Snape, Fudge and Peeves by now. None of that happened this time. He didn't know if that was a good thing or bad thing.
Soon they reached the end of the corridor with the hospital wing entrance.
"Okay — I can hear Dumbledore," said Hermione, "Come on, Harry!"
They crept along the corridor. The door opened. Dumbledore's back appeared.
"I am going to lock you in," they heard him saying. "It is five minutes to midnight. Miss Granger, three turns should do it. Good luck."
Dumbledore backed out of the room, closed the door, and took out his wand to magically lock it. Harry and Hermione ran forward. Dumbledore looked up, and for a second, Harry thought he saw the old man frown in Hermione's direction, before a wide smile appeared under the long silver mustache.
"Well?" he asked, quietly.
"We did it!" said Harry breathlessly. "Sirius has gone, on Buckbeak..."
Dumbledore beamed at them.
"Well done. I think —" He listened intently for any sound within the hospital wing. "Yes, I think you've gone too — get inside — I'll lock you in —"
"Professor?" Hermione asked, "I have a feeling Professor Snape will try to blame us for Sirius' escape. Could you ward him off. We just want to sleep."
Dumbledore stared at her for a moment. "I will do that. Go on."
Harry and Hermione slipped back inside the dormitory. It was empty except for Ron, who was still lying motionless in the end bed. As the lock clicked behind them, Harry and Hermione crept back to their own beds, Hermione tucking the Time-Turner back under her robes. A moment later, Madam Pomfrey came striding back out of her office.
"Did I hear the headmaster leaving?" she asked, "Am I allowed to look after my patients now?"
She was in a very bad mood. Harry and Hermione thought it best to accept their chocolate quietly. Madam Pomfrey stood over them, making sure they ate it. Harry and Hermione ate as they nervously looked at each other, and the doors at different intervals. And as they ate their fourth piece of chocolate, they could hear nothing but their chewing and Madam Pomfrey murmuring quiet rants.
"Alright," she said, "I think that is plenty of chocolate to get you through the night. Bedtime. I need to do some brewing. I realized recently I ran out of Invigoration Draught."
Hermione's eyes widened and Harry did his best not to laugh. They laid down on their beds and the nurse walked away. When she vanished behind her office door, Harry laughed out loud.
"You're laughing because I stole her last two Invigoration Draughts, aren't you?" Hermione said. "I hate you sometimes. But I also love you."
"I love you too, Hermione," Harry said.
Ron snored loudly, and Harry and Hermione glanced at each other. They rolled their eyes, relaxed in their beds and finally fell asleep, happy at the Snape-less silence.