Well, here we have it - the last chapter in this story.

It has been fun - albeit long to write and if anything I think I did screw up somewhere in the middle - can never be to sure. For the forth I think I will be merging the fifth and sixth book with it seeing as it will take me forever to write if I did it one by one and with my time being cut short now, thought it might be easier, though it won't be as long, will try to make it so that It won't be a full on 500k novel.

Hope you all like it and enjoy reading as it's extra long just to finish on a good note.

Enjoy, :D

I don't own HP - none of it

Still sleeping, Hermione scrunched her face slightly at the sudden wash of light that seemed to ignore the fact that her eyes were closed and seemed to grow in its intensity, sometime after voices joined and were talking – chattering, it seemed none stop next to her and was annoying her to no end.

Vaguely she heard the words 'Black… Confounded… Dementors and a Merlin of first class…' What was it with idiots and getting those awards?

She than felt a hand touch the top of her head as it gently ran down the length of her face and to her cheek before coming to a rest just as she opened her eyes.

"Ah, you're awake"

She blinked a couple of times as her vision soon un-blurred itself and she turned to see the owner of the hand. Her eyes met the green ones of that of her Mother as Minerva looked down at her; she gave her a gentle smile letting her thumb run over her chin. She soon pushed herself into a sitting position with the help of the extra hands keeping her upright.

"How are you feeling?"

Taking a deep breath, she glanced back at her as the images and memories from what had happened started to come back to her. "Like I went a round with a few hundred Dementors and lost."

Minerva narrowed her eyes at the comment but stayed silent. Her hand left the young girls face only to lower as she than took up her hand. "I did hear about that."

Silence fell in between them as Hermione once again glanced at her to see the unreadable expression. "Are you mad"?

Minerva inhaled deeply. On hearing that she, Harry, and Ron had all been found scattered around the castle grounds. Mr Weasley with a broken leg and lying next to a strung up Snape, before on further searches found the rest near the lake on the edge of the forest. Her heart had crawled into her mouth as they had been found near the murderer who had stalked the outskirts of the school for months.

For so long she had tried to keep her away from places that he could have been. It was a long shot and damn near impossible for him to even know Hermione's true origins given his detainment and the fact Bellatrix had been hidden away. But she still felt panicky, it was his name and so she just had to try. But now they had been found side by side strewn out with Mr Potter.

So many feelings ran through her head when they brought them all back to the school. Fear, anger, heartache, complete worry for a number of reasons but once Black had been taken away to the tower and the children to the hospital wing; all those slowly receded as she took up the seat next to her.

Now all she felt was joy at seeing her open her eyes. She faced the younger witch and replied. "I can't say that I'm not disappointed, because this seems to be a yearly occurrence and though loathe to admitting – but something I'm now accustomed to."

Hermione seemed to sink into the bed. It was enough to make a person ponder their life priorities when life threatening danger became part of the curriculum but lifted her eyes to look at her.

"I'm also holding out that there is a very good explanation for why you and Mr Potter were found not only straddling the forbidden forest. But also in the company of a known mass Murderer."

She looked pointedly at the younger girl who did have the decency to look abashed before nodding. She went to speak but it seemed that was the moment when Harry decided to announce his awareness to his surroundings as he sat bolt upright slightly startling them.

"Mr Potter"

Harry turned to see their head of house sitting next to Hermione. He looked from one to the other before quickly grabbing his wand. "I need to see the headmaster,"

"Potter, it's all right. They've got Black. He's locked away upstairs. The Dementors will be performing the kiss any moment now —" Her words where cut abruptly when two simultaneous cries rang out as Harry jumped from his bed, she didn't have time to be shocked as wriggling at the side of her saw Hermione doing the same as she slipped from the covers.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" She stood and rounded on the two teens that had moved next to each other, "Hermione"

"Mam, Sirius is not the man they need… He's innocent. Its Peter, he was a rat for a long time-"

Two sets of talking started as the older woman looked on confused, she heard Pettigrew's name being thrown about and had slightly feared what Snape said to be true, that Black had indeed Charmed them both into believing his cockamamie story just as the door opened.

It seemed their shouts had been heard as soon Cornelius Fudge and Snape had entered the ward. They turned to look at the newcomers. "Harry, Harry, what's this? You should be in bed — has he had any chocolate?" He asked Madam Pomfrey anxiously. He ignored his remark and rushed over to him.

"Minister, listen! Sirius Black's innocent! Peter Pettigrew faked his own death! We saw him tonight! You can't let the Dementors do that thing to Sirius, he's —"

But Fudge was shaking his head with a small smile on his face, something that seemed very patronizing to Hermione as he spoke. "Harry, Harry, you're very confused, you've been through a dreadful ordeal, lie back down, now, we've got everything under control…"

"YOU HAVEN'T!" Harry yelled. "YOU'VE GOT THE WRONG MAN!"

No one spoke at hearing him rage at the Minister as Hermione soon joined the conversation neatly dodging the hand that tried to keep her still. "Minister, listen, please, we saw him too. It was Ron's rat, he's an Animagus, Pettigrew, I mean, and —"

Snape chose that moment to intercede as he stepped closer. "You see, Minister? Confounded, the both of them… Black's done a very good job on them…" She turned to the other man having had enough of his unwanted but in's

"YOU WHERE THERE YOU NARROW MINDED, FOOL YOU SAW HIM JUST AS MUCH AS WE DID!"

"Hermione!"

Minerva moved on hearing her all but scream as she pulled the angry girl back to her chest as she stared at her in shock. "It's true, he even bragged about how he was going to give them all over to the Dementors… Him, Black and Lupin."

Minerva looked at her daughter before looking to Snape as he was looking at her as well with his glittering beetle like eyes, she didn't like the look of barely tempered fury that lay in them and made sure to keep her that little closer, was what she was saying true? It did seem likely – he did after all hate the lot of them and if given the chance would have loved to have seen them all kissed.

More words were exchanged before Poppy finally put her foot down and after shoving chocolate into Harry's open mouth ignoring the splutter that came with it – she pushed him back to bed just as Minerva coaxed Hermione to do the same… Neither teen happy but did as they were encouraged.

It was all for nothing as soon the door opened again and Dumbledore made his way in – Harry jumped up again this time alone as Minerva was keeping a grip on the younger girl, her hand resting on her stomach in a subtle way of imploring her to stay put as Harry tried to reason with the headmaster.

In the end Albus put his hands up and stated he needed to speak to Harry and Hermione – alone. His tone brokered no argument, not even from the Minister who had nodded somewhat at a loss and turned to leave. Snape giving them both a last glare before following suit. Minerva stood and glanced to the other man wearily.

"Albus,"

"Please Professor." He gave her a small look that seemed to say a complete conversation as she reluctantly nodded. She moved but not before giving Hermione a kiss and swept from the room as Poppy followed after leaving them alone.

As soon as the door closed. They both burst into speech at the same time. Crowding

"Professor, Black's telling the truth — we saw Pettigrew — he escaped when Professor Lupin changed. He turned back into a rat and ran for it."

"He attacked Ron. Not Sirius"

"Crookshank's is innocent" Harry had to pause and look at her for that. She met his gaze and shrugged unconcerned. "What? I just wanted to get that on record. His good name has been besmirched – it needed to be cleared."

He went to respond but saw from the corner, Dumbledore holding up his hand as they turned back to face him. The older man looked at the two teens. "It is your turn to listen, and I beg you not interrupt me, because there is very little time. There is not a shred of proof to support Black's story, except your word — and that will not convince anybody. A Street full of eyewitnesses swore they saw Sirius murder Pettigrew."

He said the next part with a hint of regret lacing his tone. " I myself - gave evidence to the Ministry that Sirius had been the Potters' Secret-Keeper." He saw the younger wizard about to speak and so let him.

"Lupin! He can tell you – he can go and tell them everything, - He"

"Isn't here, Harry." He turned back to Hermione who was looking at him sadly. "He's in the forest remember, he can't speak to anyone much less defend Sirius against the likes of Snape… No doubt he's muttering in the Ministers ear right now."

Albus didn't reprimand her for the slight against the other man. He knew Severus, and it would be something he would try which was all the more reason to get on with the task ahead.

"Also, I might add that werewolves are mistrusted by most of our kind that his support will count for little next to nothing, and the fact that he and Sirius are old friends —"

Harry went to protest again. "Listen to me, Harry. It is too late, you understand me? You must see that Professor Snape's version of events is far more convincing than yours. It does disappoint me that he is willing to see an innocent man suffer all because of a childhood prank but I'm afraid I cannot make them believe otherwise – not when the proof is in front of them tells them different."

Harry stared up into the grave face and felt as though the ground beneath him were falling sharply away. He had grown used to the idea that Dumbledore could solve anything. He had expected Dumbledore to pull some amazing solution out of the air. Hermione looked on at his defeat face – such sadness in his eyes she felt bad. Like he had met his idol for the first time and came away disillusioned when they weren't what they expected.

She too felt disheartened at the thought of the man they had come to know wasn't at all what the Media had portrayed him as, and because of two men whose selfish attitudes took more precedence over their moral's, a good man was going to die that night.

"What we need," said Dumbledore slowly, and his light blue eyes moved from Harry to Hermione. "Is more time."

She had been looking out to the window but could feel his gaze on her and so slowly turned her head to see him staring, both met each other's gaze and as they looked at one another she could feel the heaviness of something weighing on her chest. It wasn't until she caught the glint of fire that seemed to sparkle in his eyes that she realized what he was getting at.

A slow smile crept across her lips as she laughed a little. "Just when I thought all hope was gone."

"Indeed, now, pay attention," He said, moving in a little and speaking very low, very clear. "Sirius is locked in the North tower. If all goes well, you will be able to save more than one innocent life tonight. But remember this, both of you: you must not be seen."

She didn't need to hear the rest. Having nearly had her ear chewed off by the older woman both Prior and after getting the time turner at the start of the year – she knew all too well what could come should she break the rules. But now it wasn't just her she was taking back as she undid the top button of her shirt and lifting the chain pulling it up as the small hourglass came into view

Harry didn't have a clue what was going on. He looked at the older man like he was mad, like this time he had seriously lost it and was about to ask Hermione if she knew what he was on about when all of a sudden she stepped closer and threw something around his head. Like a rope she made sure it fell down to his shoulder before tugging on the chain and pulling him inwards.

Startled, he looked down to see what she had lassoed him with as Dumbledore turned and made for the door. "I am going to lock you in. It is —" Checking his watch he turned back at the double doors,

"Five to eleven… Three turns I think should do it – good luck Miss McGonagall." He shut the doors after that leaving them alone.

"Good luck?" Harry repeated as the door closed behind Dumbledore. "Three turns? What's he talking about? What are we supposed to do?"

But Hermione wasn't looking at him her attention was fixed on the small item in her hand. It was than he remembered she had roped him with something and so turned to see what she was doing as he saw what it was she was holding.

"Is that a- "

"Uh-huh"

"But what's it for?"

"You'll see"

"What's happening, Hermione what's going on."

She sighed and stopped her finger as it rested on the top of the small glass, frowning she lifted her head to meet his stare with a sharp look of her own. "What's happening is that I am one step away from going back by myself and leaving you here to play guard duty to Ron"

He glanced at the knocked out red-head. "Though I might have to do the same to you once the time was up, but what the hell." He turned back to her his mouth open as she fixed him with another glare.

"Are you going to stop asking questions and just go with this most dangerous and law breaking plan that may or may result in a warrant for our arrest if all goes badly?"

The question – though sounded like it gave him a choice, really only had one answer and so he nodded still unable to work out what was going on, but judging by the slightly maniacal grin she was giving him that showed rather a lot of teeth – he knew he would have to call upon that blind Gryffindor stupidity most had labelled him as having as she looked back to the hourglass and gently moved it backwards.

Once… Twice… Three times.

The dark ward dissolved. Harry had the sensation that he was flying very fast, backward. A blur of colours and shapes rushed past him, his ears were pounding, he tried to yell to her but couldn't hear his own voice as soon the blurs started to slow down until eventually.

Everything stopped. He looked around finally being able to do so only to notice that it was lighter outside – he gaped at the window before noticing the empty bed that used to hold Ron now with its white sheet done up as he rounded on Hermione – tucking the turner back down her shirt.

"Hermione what the hell is going on?"

She looked up to see his determined face – the one he got when he wanted answer and nothing would budge him from getting them as she sighed. "I got a time turner at the start of the year, it's how I have been getting to all of my lessons throughout the day."

He face pinched in confusion as she nodded knowingly at him. "Yeah it is something to think hard about but we haven't got the time… Ironically, so I will tell you later but right now we have to hurry, and for Christ sake just… do what I tell you."

She turned to the door and moved across the floor leaving him standing still looking confused. It wasn't until she had done a quick look out and slipped outside that he saw her gone and rushed to catch up with her, chasing her down the hall from where she had walked cautiously looking about.

"It was eleven when we left." She said lowly on stopping at the end. He just nodded this time letting her do… Everything, he would pick it up when he needed to or she told him as she looked to the floor in thought.

"So that would make it eight… Where were we at eight?" She looked to him as he lifted his head thinking back three hours, "In the hall I think – it was dinner and you had come in to tell us,"

"That Hagrid had lost his case yes I remember now." Her eyes narrowed as she pondered on their next route of action. Why couldn't it have been twelve or something when they had gone back? Now students were walking about no doubt a lot of them having seen them in the hall. Plus their clothes were dirty and torn she noted with some displeasure, not the robes they had been wearing back then.

This was going to be harder than she thought

"What now." She held up her finger in thought for a few more minutes before finally turning to him. They had been in the hospital wing which was on the sixth floor, she knew that after dinner certain people such as Seamus, Dean and sometimes Neville went back to the tower to play exploding snap and so always said bye to them on leaving, if they were to proceed anymore then they would most likely end up meeting.

Mission blown before it could begin and so she waved that idea off. He was looking at her and waiting. "Hermione."

"Right, here's what we do." She smiled lifting her head to his expectant gaze. With much tiptoeing – some mad dashing whenever the sound of footsteps could be heard and dives into classrooms that had his shoulder and arm hurting from hurtling into doors. They finally made it to the fifth floor he stood lookout for any one coming as she moved over to the familiar painting they had used back in their first year.

She stood in front of them and smiled before reaching up – he listened to the cries and shouts of the men in the picture as she moved her hand over the top and caught the latch that opened it up, he turned to see the picture swing away from the wall and the passage that lay hidden behind it as she turned to face him.

"Coming."

He nodded and with one more glance up and down the hall he hurried over and followed her in making sure to close the door carefully after them as she lit her wand to see the narrow flight of steps that would take them to the third floor and the trophy room as they moved down the darkened steps. With one problem sorted they made their way down the third floor.

But that still meant they had to navigate their way down even more perilous ways now they got closer to the entrance hall. Harry's mouth was dry as they walked slowly along the hall, his heart was racing and each sound had him jolting. He couldn't imagine something as time travel and was still trying to wrap his head around the fact that he was now in the past.

How Hermione had done this for a year and never got caught only made his brain hurt trying to think it and so knew without a doubt that her title as the 'Smartest witch of their year and maybe above' was well-earned they had just gotten to the end when the laughter of who they both knew to be Dean Thomas had them both sprinting to the nearest alcove as they ducked just in time to see the other boy – along with Seamus as they made their way down to the moving staircase.

Punctual as always." She grumbled before sliding from her hiding spot. They waited a few more minutes just to be sure of no stragglers before carrying on their way.

Minerva had been sitting in her chair in the hall looking out over the masses of students who were sitting at their tables. She could see a full house of Gryffindor's which always made her relax slightly as it was good to know they were all were she could see them. She saw the black and red mops of hair who she knew so well sitting in the middle talking.

She had just begun to wonder where Hermione was when the door opened and in walked the girl in question. She watched her as she moved down to where they had sat just as Sinstra, who had been sitting next to her – engaged her in a small chat as her attention was momentarily accosted. When the talk was over and the other witch got back to her meal she looked back only to see them gone.

Frowning at the now absent three she pondered on where they might have gone as a small sliver of worry came to her, this was exactly how the first year played out. With the younger girl coming in only for them to vanish and be found on the third floor. She stared at the empty seats once more before shaking her head, there was no Voldemort this year to fight against and hopefully never again would be.

If only her rational sense of logic would allow her to be that naïve.

Feeling a little restless she decided to go a walk before returning to her chambers. Standing she bade the teachers goodbye before making her way to the small side door at the edge before slipping out into the entrance hall. She glanced around thanking it was empty before she changed shape to be replaced by the silver and striped tabby before trotting off.

She bounded up the stairs feeling good to work the kinks in her muscles out as she slinked down the hall. She did happen cross paths with a few students but none gave her trouble as they merely smiled at her before carrying on their way, good to she still held respect even in feline form.

She moved past portraits and rubbed up against the corners when she rounded them taking her time to just take in the walk. Just as she came to the tight spiral staircase she heard the hushed mutterings coming from halfway up the top, with her hearing she was able to work out there was two as they slowly got closer to the bottom. Deciding to carry on she was about to keep walking when the harsh whisper of someone's name made her pause.

"Harry! Will you hurry the hell up, we don't have all night."

Ears twitching she stopped, paw mid –air, she knew there were only a few Harry's within the school and the person who had spoken it sounded awfully familiar. Now curious she backed up under a hanging tapestry and waited.

Peeking out from under the material she saw indeed who it was and her eyes narrowed on seeing Hermione move down the steps. She watched the younger girl look out from behind the edge making sure to look both ways before looking behind to see Harry finally catch up - small ears pricked up at the mutterings they engaged in before she shook her head and looked back to the hall again.

She looked suspicious. They both did in fact – something that was getting more and more common with each passing year and to the older woman, it meant only one thing. She grumbled which normally would have put the fear of Nimueh into the but since she was in her cat form – it merely sounded like a tiny creaking of a door which did nothing to scare them as they carried on talking.

"Hermione – my foot hurts" She rolled her eyes and looked back to see the pitiful boy lifting his foot which had been hurt "I did tell you to hide and that someone was coming."

He shot her an irritated look. "It was Caddogan's dam pony that he had lost again – and you stood on it long before he shuffled his fat arse into the picture."

She waved his complaint off. "Semantics" Still wondering what they were up to she kept watching only realizing that they were missing a third of their group as she nodded to the left of them that led to the grand stairs.

"Come on – it's all clear." She stepped from around the corner and made to walk away only stopping when Harry, who had followed her albeit a slower pace, leant against the wall and lifted his foot again.

"It really hurts… Did you ever wear boots before now, because your heavy footed." He looked back to his toes not seeing the look of death she gave him for the remark as Minerva had to hiss her laughter. She watched as the younger girl closed her eyes and focused her breathing before she directed her attention to the whiny boy who was holding them up.

"Harry," He glanced at her fleetingly before back to his foot he was rubbing. "Remember the time I joked that you and Ron were sometimes both so stupid that you would fight your own reflection if you ever saw it?"

He paused in his ministrations on his foot and slowly lifted his head to look at her again. From her spot Minerva could see his face which slowly faded from the affronted look to quickly peeved, as he glared at her.

"No… I don't."

Hermione saw his dark stare and tilted her head to the side as she thought back to the time she had said it. "Really? Because I said it on our way to Hogsmeade."

"Which time?" She had to think at that. "That time we saw Justin Fall on his arse and slide down the hill, when his pants got ripped and we saw his boxers… Still don't know who Tweety is but he was plastered firmly on his behind when he stood up."

She had to laugh at the memory of the Hufflepuff boy not seeing the ever darkening look on her friends face. "No… I remember the trip, but we didn't go with you – we were late catching up and so you went with your little band of merry men."

She was about to respond to that. She knew who they were and she was in no way Robin Hood when it hit her what he meant – if he wasn't there then that meant she had said it to someone else, most likely Blaise or Antony…

Either way not Harry or Ron.

She smiled meekly in his direction as he stood tall. Foot forgotten he glared at her, "So you think us stupid?" He stared at her thinking his first thoughts right as he had spoken not hours ago to Sirius as she shook her head.

"Not stupid as in 'Oh your so dumb; I meant it in dense kind of way" She held up her hand at his outraged look as Minerva shook her furry head. Hermione may have been a genius but she was in no way adept at outside classroom situations as she stood facing the angry boy.

"It was the time we had just made up about the broomstick and we got talking and… It was out of context – look I was merely stating that you could be oblivious to danger sometimes and the fact you were risking your life in order to ride it just proved it more… I wouldn't call you stupid, your my friend and I only reserve that for Ron."

Under the large cover a tiny cat sat shaking her head. She might as well have just given her a shovel and watched her dig her own grave right there as Harry kept his gaze on her, finally he nodded – he didn't like that he found his suspicions right but at least it wasn't in a malicious way she made fun of certain others. On seeing his nod she smiled widely.

"Good, but what I said still stands now."

Minerva placed a furry paw to her face as Harry's outraged cry bounced off the halls. "The way you keep lagging behind and delaying our time – it will make it harder for us to keep up with our other selves – much less beat them to Hagrid's in time."

The cat had to snap her head back up at that. Her words reaching her ears she narrowed her eyes once more at the implication of what she meant. Now that she was fully focused she realized their appearance was vastly different to that of when they had been in the great hall. Back than Harry had been in his black robes and Hermione – well in the clothes she wore now but a hell of a lot more cleaner.

Now they looked like they had just gone outside and rolled in the dirt like dogs, also some places had been torn and shredded. She peered up to see the large scratch on Harry's face and the one on Hermione's shoulder and eye.

It all led to one thing and she let out a hiss at the conclusion. These were not the Hermione and Harry of present. She kept her sharp gaze on the pair as he finally stood and with a deep breath nodded as they set off this time faster as her words hit home and they got back to the task they had set out to do leaving the unnoticed cat behind to think about all she had learnt.

It was clear that Hermione had used the time turner. To what purpose she didn't know but she was mad, she had told her from the very moment it was in her possession, the danger that came with it and what not to do. She had nodded and said she understood, yet here she was and along with Harry who by now had discovered the magical item she had on her.

Fury erupted at the stupidity the younger girl, yes she had said not seconds ago that if they get caught the consequences could be unlike any other, but she thought her at least with some sense not to have taken a time travelling joy ride and bring a friend along with her!

She hissed once more and decided to follow them as she shot out from under the rug and in their direction. It seemed fate had given them a lucky break and for the rest of their journey they had seen no one else as they ran down the steps and out the doors with a small streak of black and silver following them.

"So let me get this straight… We have to save not only Sirius, but Buckbeak as well?" He called to her sceptically as they moved across the large bridge. She nodded over her shoulder never slowing in her stride as he muttered to himself and followed all the while none of them seeing the cat that was tailing them. They got to the end and to the sound of voices as she slowed down and signalled for him to do the same.

"What"

She cocked her head, listening before her eyes widened and without thought grabbed his shirt and pushed him over the small ledge as he cried out before tumbling off the side. She jumped the wall vanishing from view as Minerva stood shocked at what she had seen before hurrying across the wooden bridge. Slowly she shuffled under the ledge they had gone behind and passed to the end before peering around the corner.

What she saw further shocked her as all three were at the large stones along with Malfoy, Crabbe and Nott. They interacted for a couple of seconds as it seemed that Draco was smug about something – nothing new there she thought idly before her cat-like eyes opened to their fullest as she watched Hermione punched the young Malfoy before backhanding him in succession.

She saw Harry and Ron move a little closer – along with the other two Slytherin as she stepped into his personal space. Draco were pressed against the back of the sold stone as she spoke to him. She tried to hear but the slight wind made it impossible. In the end she could only watch as her daughter – from what she could only speculate – threaten the blonde boy before letting him go as he glared at her with ice-cold fury in his grey orbs before pushing away and past them.

She had to dart over to the other wall and jump across to avoid being seen as the blonde boy strode past her hiding spot spewing hate and profanities about the younger girl, she had half a mind to change back and give him detention for all he said but she had just witnessed an assault. It was clear she wasn't the only one that heard as soon scuffling had her peeking up to see the other two back on the bridge.

"Told you he was planning retaliation."

She brushed off the chalk like substance from her shirt and shrugged. "Like he could, as the many countless times before – he's all talk, no spine… Just like the lot of his useless family, if they all fell off a cliff tomorrow no one would miss them."

She tried hard to argue against that but she really couldn't as Harry shook his head. "Whatever may happen – just be careful." Minerva inwardly smiled at his concern for his friend as Hermione smiled and said something before they took off the way their counterparts did as she scaled the wall again and hurried to keep up.

Down near the middle it seemed they split - the other three moved on to the hut as pair cut off and went to the small patch of trees just at the other end near his pumpkin patch – where she could see the large shape of the Hippogriff that were meant for death. She looked on sad at the way he was tied up, not that he noticed anything was wrong as he was looking at the flying birds and was trying to catch one out the air.

Looking to the nearest tree she crouched low and jumped, clawing into the bark and hefting her body up until she was walking along the tree and was out of view just like the duo who had taken cover behind the trunk of a large tree.

Once hidden they had settled down sitting on the thick root. "This is the weirdest thing we've ever done," She looked to Harry who was sitting next to her and thought about it before nodding.

"Weirdest but the sad thing is, I don't think it'll be the last." He glanced at her face and saw the slight dismay along with wistfulness and laughed. From her resting spot Minerva silently heaved a sigh.

'Words to live by'

"By the way what are we waiting for? He's right there can't we just take him now." She shook her head and threw stick she had in her hand away before replying.

"If we steal him now, those Committee people will think Hagrid set him free. We've got to wait until they've seen he's tied outside" She exhaled loudly before picking up another stick and was picking it apart in her hands.

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 get a new one and find Scabbers in a moment —"

Sure enough, a few minutes later, they heard Hermione's curse word float out the window as he chuckled. "I think after this is over we need to set up a swear jar in the tower, I think you could fill it alone the amount you curse…"

He watched as she rolled her eyes and threw what she had left in her hands at him as he batted it away. Sometime later as Harry was in the middle of explaining the difference between the barrel roll and the Wronski feint not noting the look of absolute blankness on Hermione's face as she struggled to even look like she cared but really could even muster the enthusiasm to look bored.

She let her head rest on the trunk and hoped to god that they moved soon – she felt like this would be the final resting place of her best friend and she didn't fancy telling her uncle how she had saved the lives of a Hippogriff and Mass murderer but killed the boy who lived and buried him the pumpkin patch.

She glanced up and happened to spy movement as she smiled wide. "Oh that's good."

"I know right… Don't know what Wood was on about." The small stick bounced off his head as he looked up. "Look behind you,"

He did so and spotted the committee and Headmaster as he shuffled around. "That is good." He stood and helped her to her feet as they kept their eyes on the travelling party.

"It's also good that you've shut up to," He turned to look at her as she shrugged and moved. "Harry, really, when I have I evercared about that stupid game."

"Just wanted to pass the time." He muttered as she stretched out her muscles. "Oh you did that and more – think you've also passed the barrier of natural laws – made me hate the game on a whole new level."

She turned and smiled cheerfully "Well done Harry, didn't think it was possible."

He scowled but moved closer as the cat above them hissed again in laughter before shuffling closer. They watched as the small party entered the hut just as the three had gone out the back of the building and were now making their way through the large pumpkins – pausing to say hello to the on-looking Hippogriff before carrying ton their way.

They waited and watched as they made their way up the hill and out of sight at the top – knowing what would be awaiting them when they did but right now they had a creature to save as they moved around and very carefully made their way over to the large animal. Buckbeak looked up to see them and for one moment, they could have sworn he raised a brow in a quizzical look.

"Come on, Buckbeak," Harry murmured, "Come on, we're going to help you." Hermione waited as he moved over and after bowing to him – that he got in return he hurried to pick up the rope that had been tethered to the ground and pulled it up, before he started tugging in a bid to try to get him to move.

Harry threw all his weight onto the rope, but Buckbeak had dug in his front feet. Seeing the large creature refusing to budge Hermione sighed. "Of course it can never be bloody simple."

She looked around for something that could help and spied the belt of dead ferrets hanging from the hook. She looked at them for a moment before back to the struggling Harry.

"Move… you… stubborn… bird!" He had heaved the rope over his shoulder and was using all his strength to pull but to no avail as he panted and heaved before giving up, he glanced around wondering where Hermione had gotten to.

"Hermione – why the hell aren't you help—"He had to stifle his near yell when something furry and undeniably dead was shoved in his face. He held a hand to his chest fighting to get his breath as she laughed next to him.

"Really?"

She nodded still holding the small belt of rodents in her hand. "Why waste the opportunity."

He mock jeered and jabbed to the bird. "Just help will you."

She chuckled and moved over to where the Hippogriff was standing his ground before lifting one of the inanimate ferrets in her hands and began waving it teasingly in front of him. It seemed to work as he caught the sight of food and turned in her direction. She smiled lightly still waving it up.

"Yeah that's right… you want this don't you… Want the nasty little ferret face that caused all this, he's the reason you're here – want to show him how you feel," She yanked her away as soon the large creature darted closer and snapped it up out of her hand and shook his head, tearing into the small food item as she nodded.

"Yeah that's right… you tell him how you feel… round two." He chomped it down before noticing the rest in her hand and soon she was rushing backwards as he came closer, she took the rope from Harry who were bent over watching them as they passed and back into the shade of the tree.

He quickly moved after them as Minerva watched all from above as he got closer to see her giving him another ferret as he glanced from one to the other having heard her inspirational talk.

"You have serious issues, you know that."

She turned her head to see his slightly cautious look and shrugged a shoulder. "I promise to get them sorted in time for next year… How's that."

He snorted knowing full well she wouldn't… as he didn't think no amount of therapy – nay – anger management - could sort out her animosity for Draco as he nodded along with her false promise.

Soon they heard the door opening and froze as they listened to the others who had finally emerged. "Where is it? Where is the beast?" One of the older members said turning to the rest.

"It was tied here!" Said the executioner furiously. "I saw it! Just here!"

Dumbledore spoke next as they noted the amusement in his voice. They took that as a cue to move as they hurried down the small slope further into the forest. Minerva watched them go before standing; she waited a few seconds before taking a leap onto the next branch as she hurried along the tops after them.

"Now what?" Whispered Harry, looking around. "We'll have to hide in here; we need to wait until they've gone back to the castle. Then we wait until it's safe to rescue Sirius, but he won't be there for another couple of hours… Oh, this is way too long."

She sighed before handing another ferret to the prodding animal at her side. "We're going to have to move," Said Harry, thinking hard. "We've got to be able to see the Whomping Willow, or we won't know what's going on."

She nodded as they turned and headed off to the East with Minerva watching and wondering why they needed to get to the large tree but followed nevertheless. They moved around the edge of the forest, darkness falling thickly around them, until they were hidden behind a clump of trees through which they could make out the Willow.

"Here's a good a spot as any." She nodded and halted the large Hippogriffs movements as he came to a stop behind her. Still unknowing to the Animagus above them who was watching all.

"There's Ron!" Harry suddenly pointed as they watched a dark figure was sprinting across the lawn and its shout echoed through the still night air. Then two more figures materialize out of nowhere. Both watched themselves as they ran after him all the while not seeing extra set of eyes watching all as it played out. Soon the dog came out of the shadows and bounded over to them. They winced as he scattered them before pouncing on Ron, soon they had vanished from sight just as the tree they had unknowingly been getting closer to struck.

"It's kind of sad to realize just how bad we are at stealth when an overweight cat has us beat" She said lowly and unhappily as they watched themselves get tossed about by the tree before becoming immobile due to the actions of the cat reaching the base of the trunk and freezing it

"Shameful."

They stayed silent as they watched the whole thing like a movie. Soon Lupin came and vanished into the underground tunnel as a while later Snape arrived and did the same. That was as far as they knew as the rest came from within the shrieking shack but as they waited they heard it – the sound of song. It was Hagrid, making his way up to the castle, singing at the top of his voice, and weaving slightly as he walked. A large bottle was swinging from his hands.

They watched bewildered as his huge form moved past them tipsily as he carried on his joyful tune – they never took their eyes off him as he tottered up the hill and out of sight leaving them alone and in silence once more.

"Hmm, keeper of keys and events singer." She mused as he glanced at her, "Think we should hire him out for Ron's birthday." They broke into laughter at that as he added.

"Get him to jump out the cake to - see the look on his face." He chuckled only to stop on seeing the perplexed gaze she was giving him. "Why would he do that? It would just ruin the cake."

He went to reply but thought better and shook his head. "Never mind." She stayed silent trying to think why the half giant would do such a thing… Or why anyone would want him to do that before letting it fall from her thoughts.

They had bigger things to think off and with them all down there… They just had to wait as she loosely tied the end of the chain to the nearest tree as they settled down to wait.

After a while of silence Harry, who had brooded on something – turned to her, "Why didn't the Dementors get Sirius? I remember them coming and us trying to fight them off – but then, we passed out – surely they would have taken if they had overpowered us."

She turned to him as he spoke – her mind going back to the horrible picture of them being swarmed by the cloaked figures – the nightmarish beasts that had frozen her to the core. She couldn't really remember much but as he spoke he told her about the silvery specter just before he passed out. She frowned at that – she must have already passed out.

"There's only one thing it could have been, to make the Dementors go," said Harry. "A Patronus. A powerful one." She nodded, it was the only explanation and if it was silvery then it seemed all the more likely

"But who conjured it?" He shrugged – he had no idea, up above Minerva - in her furry form furrowed her cat brows – why were they talking about Patronus's, that wasn't third year work – it was highly advanced magic, she didn't even know they knew about them much less knew they could be used to fight of Dementors.

Maye she should start spying on her daughter more often. It was clear that she lived in a whole different world then the one she shared with the younger girl.

"So you didn't you see what they looked like?" He sighed and shook his head. Truthfully he did have one theory about who he thought it was, but he couldn't say it – not to her of all people, this was a girl who called out Trelawney on being a fraud and laughed at anything spiritual. If he told her chances are she would do the same to him.

But he didn't cover his expressions to well as she saw his look. "What is it?" He looked at her and sighed, he knew he couldn't really hide much from her, not when he stood in front of her and so with another resigning exhale he spoke.

"I think —" Harry swallowed, knowing how strange this was going to sound and getting ready for her to laugh "I think it was my dad."

Harry glanced up at her at hearing nothing from her end. There he saw the look she was giving him – it was a mixture of alarm, slight bafflement and pity all at the same time.

He would have preferred her laughing. He looked up at her before nodding along with his silent assumption that she found him crazy. "Well, aren't you going to say something?"

She sucked in a breath through her teeth before letting it out as she pondered on what she could say; finally she nodded lightly and spoke. "Harry, your dad's — well — dead,"

"I do know that." She ignored the slight snappy defensiveness in his tone and carried on. "Now, I'm going out on a crazy whim here – I mean why not it's been a night for it, but - you think you saw his ghost?"

"I don't know… no… he looked solid…"

"But then —"

"Maybe I was seeing things, but… from what I could see… it looked like him… I've got photos of him…" He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, he looked back to her and saw she was still giving him the fake smile – like one would give an escaped convict from the nut ward in a loony bin and was now just going along with his demands.

"I'm not crazy."

"I never said you were." He shook his head. He knew it sounded man even for him. But he couldn't help but believe. After all, the rest of the Marauders had been on the grounds so was it really so impossible for his dad to have done the same. He turned to look at Buckbeak, who was digging his beak into the ground, apparently searching for worms. But he wasn't really looking at him just something to focus on and not the burning look she was giving him.

The leaves overhead rustled faintly in the breeze. The moon drifted in and out of sight behind the shifting clouds. Hermione turned away from him as she sat looked toward the Willow, waiting.

And then, at last, after over an hour…

"Here we go" Hermione muttered standing as he did the same quickly, the cat above still on her branch looked ahead as they saw Lupin, Ron, and Pettigrew clambering awkwardly out of the hole in the roots. Then came Hermione… then the unconscious Snape, drifting upward. Next came Harry and Sirius. They all began to walk toward the castle as Minerva gave a tiny shudder.

They were so close. He could practically reach out and touch her shoulder if he wanted. She hadn't been this fearful since Hermione had been in the chamber and came face to face with Riddle, she was that nervous. Harry looked up to the sky, any moment now that cloud was going to move aside and show the moon…

"Harry," Hermione muttered as though she knew exactly what he was thinking, "We mustn't be seen. There's nothing we can do…"

"So we're just going to let Pettigrew escape all over again…" He spoke quietly.

"How do you expect to find a rat in the dark?" She snapped, a little irritable. "There's nothing we can do, besides even if the rat does go it doesn't matter, we are going to save him anyway"

He held up his hands in a show of surrender just as shouting had them looking to see Lupin changing. They stood idly watching as he transformed just as it began to dawn on them a new problem they faced.

"Hermione."

"Yep…"

"We're in the middle of the path to the woods aren't we?"

"Yes Harry…"

"He's going to run straight at us, isn't he?" He turned to see her nodding her head grimly. "…Aye,"

"Shouldn't we move?" She kept nodding. "That would be for the best."

Just like that they darted into action. Minerva watched as he ripped the chain from the tree and she picked up the last of the ferrets that she had kept from him as they lured him into the woods. It was a good thing as they heard the rapid footsteps of the wolf running behind them. The cat seen the large dog running past the place they had been and to set off bounding atop the branches.

"This…must… be how… rabbits… feel." She panted as they ran. They threw themselves into a dead sprint as they could hear the wolf gaining on them as they let go of the chain and rushed around the largest tree they could find.

"I think we'll be safe." She nodded out of breath and just waved before leaning up on the tree. Of course with it being them they were so wrong as the wolf had sniffed having caught the new scent had come up behind them as they focused on the other direction. It was only when they saw movement did they jump back as he moved closer.

"Nice doggy…"

"Really? That's what you're going with?" She shot him a dark look still moving back. "Got a better plan oh brainy one."

They carried on bickering still taking steps back as Minerva, who had stopped on seeing the wolf getting nearer – couldn't believe what they were doing. An argument right literally in front of danger, screw Gryffindor bravery what they were doing was downright idiotic.

When they got home she was going to have a really long and hard talk about priorities and how when one was in danger, the smart thing to do would be to run not stand around bickering.

She was about to make herself known when from the side – Buckbeak darted in front of them scaring them all as he reared up to fend off the threat. Lupin backed away but tried to swipe with his paw only to get a knock back with the hard hoof – he roared but it did little as the large Hippogriff moved undeterred and unafraid forcing him to retreat as he ran off.

Harry, who had held on to Hermione – his arms wrapped around her, let go of the breath he had been holding as she looked on wide-eyed. "Saved by the Hippogriff."

He let out a nervous laugh but it was cut off by the rustling of the trees which made him look up. And there were the Dementors. They were emerging out of the darkness from every direction, flying above them gliding around the edges of the lake…

"Hermione! Sirius!" At that he let her go and started running full pelt towards the lake as she ran after him but backtracked slightly as she ran up to the Hippogriff who was looking at the ground as she smiled when he looked up at her.

"Thank you, Mr Beaky" And proceeded to kiss his beak. Minerva sat astonished before Hermione took off running once more as she stared after her before realizing they had gone and dropped from the tree to the ground. She faced the Hippogriff that had looked at her as their gazes met before he went back to foraging ignoring her as she took off after them.

Harry, as he ran - had no thought in his head except his father… If it was him… if it really was him… he had to know, had to find out… The lake was coming nearer and nearer, but there was no sign of anybody. On the opposite bank, he could see tiny glimmers of silver — his own weak attempts at a Patronus — There was a bush at the very edge of the water. Harry threw himself behind it, peering desperately through the leaves. On the opposite bank, the glimmers of silver were suddenly extinguished. A terrified excitement shot through him — any moment now —

Hermione joined him not a few minutes later panting heavily as he grabbed her hand and pulled her down. She turned to look at him before back to the scene across the lake. They didn't hear the further rustling of Minerva as she crept along on her belly towards them just before jumping once more up the nearest tree as she moved along and settled down once more.

She looked up and spied the events as they unfolded with her enhanced sight. Eyes narrowed as she saw the younger boy using his wand as silver shot from the end. Now she knew why they had been discussing Partronus's as it hit her moments later. She gazed down to the unsuspecting others as they watched wondering how on earth he had learnt it.

Not that he was having much luck from what she could see. The black cloaks had started moving in on them as soon Hermione joined him and started her attempt to try to help but having the same amount of success she hissed angrily as a Dementor tried his luck and moved forwards leaning over as Harry yelled painfully.

"Come on!" He muttered, staring about. "Where are you? Dad, come on —" No one came. Harry raised his head to look at the circle of Dementors across the lake. One of them was lowering its hood. It was time for the rescuer to appear — but no one was coming to help this time — Hermione glanced at him and then back to in front of them where it wasn't looking good, as she knew.

"Harry what if it wasn't your dad you saw…What if it was you."

He turned to her, eyes scrunched in confusion as the cold had reached them and he shivered. "What do you mean?" She nodded her head in the direction of the horror show in front of them.

"I can't get into the rules of how time works and all its continuum – but us using the time turner was always going to happen – sort of like a temporal paradox."

"You have completely lost me." He was looking at her like it was the first time he was ever seeing her as Minerva leaned as far as she could trying to hear.

"There's this theory – Novikov self-consistency theory – basically anything a time traveler does in the past, must have been a part of history all along. A person in time can cause some casual influence as long as it's not too great that it would irrevocably alter the future too much or in case damage a person family line… There are many different theories, branching universe hypothesis, timeline corruption… What I was talking about before. – "

"Hermione - I know that you would love to tell me all of this and as much as I would like to hear it," She could practically see the lie in his eyes. "We don't have time… Just tell me what you meant about it being me."

"Oh, right – yeah – um well as I was saying, if we had used the time turner as we have done as soon Dumbledore told us to, then we would have already known what we would have been doing at this precise moment – if we had to save Sirius before he got caught then we would have had to have been in the place the second he was found… This spot, and we would have had to have changed the course of events somehow in order to prevent him from being having his soul taken."

He was staring at her as she spoke. She may have talked complete nonsense. Something he didn't think even Muggle's got half the time unless they were geniuses, but he was starting to see at least some small picture of where she was going with the story.

"Harry – what's currently stopping him from escaping?" She stared at him as he glance out as like lightning, it came to him and she smiled as his eyes lit up.

"The Dementors,"

"Right – and what's the one thing you said you saw just before blacking out…"

He didn't reply as she knew he was getting it – he gazed out over the water's edge just as the fire and steel she had seen when he went to face Voldemort that first year made its appearance, as she sat back smiling.

"Think happy thoughts Harry… The first time you arrived at the school, the picture book Hagrid gave you just before you left… The feeling of finally belonging."

Giving her one last smile and nod, he flung himself out from behind the bush as she watched him go; Minerva who had heard everything she had said was looking at the unknowing girl like she too was seeing her for the very first time. She had never felt prouder as a flash of silver had her looking and seeing through feline eyes, the large Patronus erupting from his wand.

A blinding, dazzling, silver animal. Harry screwed up his eyes, trying to see what it was. It looked like a horse. It was galloping silently away from him, across the black surface of the lake. He saw it lower its head and charge at the swarming Dementors… Now it was galloping around and around the black shapes on the ground, forcing them to flee away from the bodies on the other side.

The Patronus turned. It was cantering back toward Harry across the still surface of the water. It wasn't a horse. It wasn't a unicorn, either. It was a stag. It was shining brightly as the moon above… it was coming back to him…

Harry, so focused on the image in front of him – didn't see the lingering threat as Hermione who had watched on with slightly higher emotions than normal, chanced a look up to see the few floating cloaks that hadn't been caught by the Stag, she quickly looked to see Harry still standing with the corporeal form as she stood and took out her own wand.

Minerva – for the second time that night watched with wide eyes as the younger girl cast her own Patronus which burst from the light and flew high into the sky, the light caused her to lean back as the large bird flew past her and into the night lighting up the darkness as Harry finally looked up to see Xerxes flying as he spied the lingering cloaks that Prongs had missed.

He had called him Prongs because his dad was there… In this form and looked back to see Hermione looking at the bird as it reached the Dementors, screeching all three sets of eyes watched as it spread its wings wide and completely encompassed the nearest one as it shrieked in pain at being covered by light. Wincing at the noise the rest flew off fleeing the bird as it set off after them as they moved on and he dissolved into nothing once his job was done.

Finally it was just them as soon Harry turned back to Hermione smiling gratefully as he joined her once more just as noise had them crouching down once more. They peered at the newcomers who had emerged. They watched as they looked at the three together before conjuring stretchers and lifting 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 them, moved them away toward the castle.

"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…" She said breaking the silence as he nodded. They waited, watching the moving clouds reflected in the lake, while the bush next to them whispered in the breeze. Buckbeak, bored, was ferreting for worms again.

"Reckon he's up there yet?" Harry asked, checking his watch. He looked up at the castle and began counting the windows to the right of the North Tower. She nudged him and nodded to the castle "Who's that? Someone's coming back out"

Harry stared through the darkness. The man was hurrying across the grounds, toward one of the entrances. Something shiny reflecting in the dark. "Macnair, the executioner! He's gone to get the Dementors! This is it, Hermione"

They moved as Buckbeak – seemingly knowing his part in this moved to stand in front of them as Harry knelt to give her a boost up, she stared at the back of the large animal.

"Just so you know – you're like a feathery broomstick – so don't expect me to like you much after this." As if giving her a look of haughty derision Buckbeak merely stared at her before looking away again. As she reluctantly swung her leg over as Harry used the branches to heave himself up - climbed up in front of her. He pulled Buckbeak's rope back over his neck and tied it to the other side of his collar like reins. As loose as he could so it didn't choke him.

"Ready? You'd better hold on to me —"

"Way ahead of you," She slid her arms around his stomach as he gently tapped his flank. "Come on – we need to go,"

"Yeah, time to work off those worms-"She never said anything else as all of a sudden they were off - soared straight into the dark air. Harry gripped his flanks with his knees, feeling the great wings rising powerfully beneath them. Hermione was holding Harry very tight around the waist; he could hear her muttering stuff about bloody birds and how humans weren't meant to fly.

Minerva watched them go taking in all she had been witness to and not once regretting following them as she jumped from the tree and cut through the brush as she ran as fast as she could up the trail to the castle.

Urging him forward. They were gliding quietly toward the upper floors of the castle… He pulled on the left-hand side of the chain, as Buckbeak turned and lifted upwards past the windows until they got to the large tower and the small room where they kept the scopes for Astronomy – now being used to house Black as they came to a stop – Harry still keeping the bird in the air as he beat his powerful wings, moved closer allowing her to slide off.

"Back in a minute"

He watched as she ran over to the door as she spoke lowly to the man who had come to the bars as he nodded looking astonished at seeing her before she pulled out her wand, he winced as the spell she used hadn't only just opened the door, it seemed to blast it from the hinges she meekly looked apologetic as he very carefully moved the door now off the wall, to the side.

He came to stand in front of her as they faced each other. He took in everything about her and knew now in his instincts – the Professor was keeping something very big from the world, as he just knew by looking at her, aside from one or two differences – she was family.

Just how he had yet to deduce but it really all wasn't hard to guess. He would have to get further proof and not just from what his gut was telling him but he would do a little digging from wherever he ended up and if he had the resources.

She stepped back allowing him to see Harry. "How — how —?" He mumbled weakly, staring at the Hippogriff. As she urged him to walk. "We don't have much time so… Move will you,"

"You've got to get out of here — the Dementors are coming — Macnair's gone to get them." Harry said hurriedly as Black placed a hand on either side of the large animal in seconds, he had managed to fling one leg over Buckbeak's back and pull himself onto the Hippogriff behind Harry as he helped Hermione back into place. Their next and last stop was the courtyard as he flew back down and landed near the fountain.

As soon as he landed Hermione threw herself from his back glad to have both feet on land and swearing fealty to Gaia never to leave the ground again as Harry joined suit before turning back to his godfather.

"Sirius, you'd better go, quick, they'll reach the tower any moment, they'll find out you're gone." Buckbeak pawed the ground, tossing his sharp head.

"What happened to the other boy? Ron?" croaked Sirius.

"He's going to be okay. He's still out of it, but he'll be ok, quick — go."

But Black was still staring down at Harry.

"How can I ever thank you." Hermione who had kept lookout turned around and smiled brightly – her fake Harry knew as she spoke. "You can leave… that might help."

Black stared at her before chuckling as he wheeled Buckbeak around, facing the open sky. "We'll see each other again,"

He said before pausing and adding "You are — truly your father's son, Harry…" He turned to look at the younger girl whom he was more certain was a relative of his before looking her over once more – thinking on what to say, before finally speaking.

"The Professor really is a lucky teacher to have such wonderful daughter… "She gave him a small smile as he looked to the sky and squeezed Buckbeak's sides with his heels. They watched as he took off into the air, he and his rider became smaller and smaller as Harry gazed after them… then… They were gone.

"Harry"

She tugged his sleeve, looking at the clock. "We've got exactly ten minutes to get back down to the hospital wing without anybody seeing us — before Dumbledore locks the doors."

"Okay, let's go…" They turned around and rushed back through the doors just as movement from the side showed Minerva coming from the other end of the yard, it had taken a while and hell was she tired, but she made it – she had gotten back just in time to see them leave and watch the other two move back inside the castle before she made an appearance.

If she was right then they would have been taken to the hospital ward and so with another deep breath she bounded across the yard and back through the crack in the open door, she moved through the halls up and up until finally she made it to the sixth floor. She heaved a tired breath and stopped for a little rest as she rounded the corner at last to find the three at the bottom.

Dumbledore backed out of the room, closed the door, panicking, Harry and Hermione ran forward. Dumbledore looked up, and a wide smile appeared under the long silver beard

"Well?"

"We did it!" Hermione said 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"

She watched as they slid back inside the room just as he shut the door and moved down the set of stairs as she crept along the hall looking around she knew all was right and so changed back into her human form just as Poppy rounded the corner. She saw Minerva and walked over to her.

"Did I hear the headmaster leaving? Am I allowed to look after my patients now?" The other woman turned to her about to reply when all of a sudden they heard a distant roar of fury echoing from somewhere above them…

"What was that?" They both looked around as now they could hear angry voices, growing louder and louder. Turning, they looked to see just in time as they dodged the oncoming storm that was Snape as he barreled into the ward.

They watched shocked as all three men strode past them. Inside they could hear shouting as the nurse Matron rushed through – she may have been kicked out once but not anymore as Minerva soon followed.

"OUT WITH IT, POTTER!" He was bellowing. "WHAT DID YOU DO?"

"Professor Snape!" shrieked Madam Pomfrey. "Control yourself!" Moving around to check on her patients. But Snape wouldn't have it – he was furious as all his anger was directed at the two on the bed.

"THEY HELPED HIM ESCAPE, I KNOW IT!"

Minerva scoffed from her place by the wall. "If you're suggesting, Severus, that Mr Potter and Hermione have managed to be in two places at once –all the while having been shut up inside this room – which I might add, myself and Poppy have been outside the whole time… Then I think you need to get some rest."

Snape stood there, seething, staring from the woman who had spoken and looked slightly disgusted at his behavior, to Dumbledore, whose eyes were twinkling behind his glasses. Snape whirled about, robes swishing behind him, and stormed out of the ward.

"Fellow seems quite unbalanced," Fudge added, staring after him. "I'd watch out for him if I were you, Dumbledore."

They talked some more s finally Fudge said the Dementors could go back to Azkaban now that Black has escaped as he hurried out the door mumbling about the press and what a day they would have leaving them alone. Finally it was just the three of them left as Poppy had gone to get them some more chocolate and Albus had gone with Fudge, as some groaning had them looking to see Ron lifting his head weakly.

"What — what happened?" He groaned. "Hermione? Harry? Why are we in here - where's Sirius? Where's Lupin… What's going on?"

The other two looked at each other as Minerva had now taken up the seat by her side again just as Hermione lay back against the pillow and lifted her arm. "Not it… you tell him."

The next day – Poppy insisted on them staying the night – all three left the ward, with it being a hot day and neither one of them up to doing much Harry and Ron decided to go wander the grounds as Hermione cut off saying she wanted to go see the other woman for a while and would meet up later, they waved as they split and soon she found herself sitting on the sofa in front of the fire.

She wasn't alone for long as soon Minerva had come in and on seeing her sitting – all the thought about what she had seen came back to her, the lifting speech she gave to Harry, the Patronus she did… The lives she saved. All at once the love she felt increased tenfold and she moved quickly to sweep her up into a hug as Hermione found herself wrapped up in the arms of the older woman.

"I'm feeling better now, thanks." All she got as a tighter hug. "Oh hush, I know you were feeling alright – you were last night."

Hermione shrugged and just settled down – feeling content to be smothered by the hug she felt she was owed. She had after all broken the law and so if that wasn't enough to garner a hug then she might as well have joined them in exile.

"I'm proud of you." She lifted her head to look at the older woman. "You are?"

Minerva nodded never letting her go, "Don't get me wrong, I'm proud every year… but I find this year to have been the most eventful and after all you've been through – forgive an old woman for being that extra bit sentimental."

Hermione scoffed from her place in her arms. "You're not old, but I get why you would be sentimental." It was Minerva's turn to look at her, brow arched. "Oh?"

The younger girl nodded. "It's me – why wouldn't anyone be proud, I am amazing." Minerva looked at her mouth slightly open as she tilted her head a little until she saw the smile and rolled her eyes.

"And not at all, completely humble I might add." She chuckled before tucking her more under her chin as they sat in front of the fire. They talked for a little while about the ending of the school year, about what the others were doing and what they could do once they got home – Hermione actually didn't know what she wanted to do and so just hummed none committed which Minerva simply took in stride.

They left the room soon after. The older woman having to go see Albus and Hermione going to search for the others as they split off at the stairs as she made her way to the entrance. She found them sitting near the lake – near the large stones that she had sat on not too long ago and so took little time in reaching them as Ron nodded his head as she sat down next to them.

Glancing at the water she had to double take on seeing the long tentacles of the squid break the surface as it waved lazily at them – she couldn't help but be compelled to wave back as just then a shadow fell across them and they looked up to see a very bleary-eyed Hagrid, mopping his face with one of his tablecloth-sized handkerchiefs and smiled down at them somewhat dazed.

He joyfully told them that the Hippogriff escaped to which they played ignorance before he spread his arms wide and beamed happily, "Bin celebratin' all night!"

The two boys laughed as she pinched her face slightly and leant back she gave him a half-smile and waved her hand in front of her face. "Smells like you have as well."

He also went on to tell them how Lupin's secret was outed by Snape to their not so surprise – the half giant looked up to the large building before adding. He's packin' now, o' course."

That had them all alarmed until they found he had resigned which prompted Harry to scramble up before taking off back to the castle. He raced to the DADA room to find the other man indeed doing as Hagrid had said as he hurried closer to him.

"It's not true, is it?" The older man looked up and gave him a tired, sad smile. "I'm afraid it is, Harry."

"Why? The Ministry of Magic don't think you were helping Sirius, do they?" Remus shook his head. "No. Dumbledore managed to convince Fudge I was trying to save your lives… Miracle really considering, but I think it was a bit too much for Snape – what with the loss of the Merlin award and now my pardon – he let slip to his house this morning."

Harry scowled darkly at the thought of the other man who should have had more than a broken nose last night. "You can't leave because of one bitter man."

His words caused Lupin to smile wryly. "This time tomorrow, letters will start arriving from parents… They will not want a werewolf teaching their children, Harry. And after last night, I see their point. I could have bitten any of you… That must never happen again."

"Don't go!"

Lupin shook his head and didn't speak. He carried on emptying his drawers. Then, he did - "From what I've heard this morning, you and Hermione saved a lot of lives last night, Harry. If I'm proud of anything I've done this year, it's how much you've learned… Tell me about your Patronus."

"How did you know about that?" He was looking at him weird. Wolves couldn't think like humans without their potions right? Lupin laughed on seeing his face and knowing what he was thinking, spoke.

"What else could drive a hoard of Dementors back if not a Patronus?" He had to give him that and so told him as he finished to the other man smiling widely. "Yes, your father was always a stag when he transformed,"

He looked thoughtful for a moment before adding. "You guessed right… that's why we called him Prongs." He finished packing before he turned back to him. He gave him back what he had managed to retrieve as Harry took the map and cloak from his hands just as Dumbledore came into the room he smiled not surprised to see the younger boy there as he spoke.

"Your carriage is at the gates, Remus," Both turned to look at him as the older man nodded and smiled in return. "Thank You, Headmaster."

Harry was watch despondent as Lupin picked up his old suitcase and the empty Grindylow tank. "Well — good-bye, Harry,"

He said, smiling. "It has been a real pleasure teaching you. I'm sure we'll meet again sometime. Headmaster, there is no need to see me to the gates, I can manage…" With another nod he quickly turned and left the room. Harry sat down in his vacated chair, staring glumly at the floor. He heard the door close and looked up. Dumbledore was still there.

"Why so miserable? You should be very proud of yourself after last night." He moved closer as the younger wizard laughed harshly "It didn't make any difference, Pettigrew got away"

"Didn't make any difference? It made all the difference in the world, Harry. You helped uncover the truth. You saved an innocent man from a terrible fate." He looked down at the younger boy who was still indifferent to the actions he had taken to save his godfather as something stirred in Harry's memory. Greater and more terrible than ever before… Professor Trelawney's prediction.

"Professor— when I was having my Divination exam, Professor Trelawney - before … What happened to her, said something - very strange… Well more stranger than normal." At this Dumbledore looked more attentively at him. "Oh?"

"She said Voldemort's servant was going to set out to return to him before midnight… She said the servant would help him come back to power." Harry stared up at Dumbledore. "And then she turned normal again, and couldn't remember anything she'd said. Was it — was she making a real prediction?"

Dumbledore looked mildly impressed.

"Do you know, Harry, I think she might have been. Who'd have thought it?" Harry looked aghast. How could he joke at something like that? "But — I stopped Sirius and Lupin from killing him – it's my fault if Voldemort comes back!"

"It does not," Dumbledore said quietly. "Hasn't your experience with the Time-Turner taught you anything, Harry? The consequences of our actions are always so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is very difficult… You did a very noble thing, in saving Peters life."

"But if he helps Voldemort back to power…"

"Pettigrew owes his life to you. You have sent Voldemort a deputy who is in your debt… When one wizard saves another wizard's life, it creates a certain link between them that won't diminish until it's repaid in full."

The younger boy looked disgusted at the thought. "I don't want anything to do with him – he betrayed my parent's"

Dumbledore merely smiled as he fell silent again. They let the time simply pass before Harry spoke again. "Hermione said it to,"

"I'm sorry – said what?" He lifted his head to see the head staring at him sill with his smile as he replied. "Last night – in the shack. When Peter was revealed, he was arguing with the Professor and Sirius when Hermione cut it.

Albus chuckled at that but let him carry on. "She – well, was making fun of him and asked why he would be dreaming of having dark powers if he wasn't associated with Voldemort."

Albus had to tip his head to that - it did make one wonder and as always, had to credit the younger girl with the logic to think of the deeper details as he heard Harry speak again.

"She said that maybe him hiding all this time wasn't just so he could avoid capture. Peter said he knew that Black would be after him when he broke out – she asked how he knew—"

He frowned for a moment in thought trying to find the words as Albus looked on – "She said that it wasn't just about Sirius escaping, that merely was one small part in a link that would soon lead to something bigger at the end, something that would happen soon."

The more he spoke the more he focused on the floor. So much so he didn't see the change - slowly – his jovial expression turned into graveness, of slight alarm the more he heard and the amused glint dimming as his thoughts turned to something more solemn.

"It was like she knew –" He finished with a small chuckle before adding. "If I knew she didn't hate the lesson so much I would have said she had taken lessons from Trelawney and had made the same prediction…"

Albus did find that strange. He lifted his head now thinking on the younger girl who had all but pointed out the same thing but had come to a slightly altered conclusion – altered - but all leading to the same end. He had to wonder what had encouraged her to say those words as from what he had been told and had heard Hermione did indeed hate the lesson and the teacher giving it, so how was it she had made the same prediction?

He knew her to be very smart – border line prodigy given the right motivation… but as far as he knew Voldemort was no seer, and so couldn't have given her such a gift – Bella to was exceedingly powerful, but also no seer. He frowned, it was all confusing and it seemed he had been getting lax – he needed to start paying more attention to those around him and not just focus on Harry so much anymore.

Because it seemed whilst his attention had been diverted, he had let another potentially more dangerous child slip through the cracks and was now far more than what she was outwardly letting on.

If she had already called Peter out on his words and guessed his intentions than chances are he would – when he did find his master, tell him all about the girl who had seen right through him - any power was a possible ally to the dark lord and if he did get wind of her then the outcome would be one he dared not think.

She was already getting stronger by the year and soon – because he knew that Voldemort was on the rise – soon when he returned, she would be the first on his list.

"Professor?"

He was brought from his thoughts and looked to see Harry staring at him – on drifting off into his own private thoughts the younger wizard had looked on not hearing anything from him and was alarmed to see the slight seriousness of his face he furred his brow wondering what he could possibly have said to take him from cheery to looking like someone had died in a matter of seconds.

The older man saw the concern on his face and forced a smile in place of the slight grim frown he had seconds ago, he looked at Harry before patting him on the back a little as he stood.

"Well it seems that Miss Trelawney and McGonagall both indeed have said some rather insightful words – predictions or not they have yet to be determined - only when the truth comes out will the future truly be clear…That, my boy, is something we will all have to wait for."

He strode to the door and with one last smile took his leave as Harry looked on confused about the last five minutes before he too got up and left the room.

They met just in time to join the others for the end of year feast. Where once more they had won the house cup, the Quidditch cup went to Ravenclaw but he couldn't be to upset about that and instead joined in the cheers as some were thanking Hermione for her large and mostly one-sided contribution into keeping the cup theirs for another year.

Ron laughed at her as she waved them off as much as she could before the food appeared and he stopped – wasting no time in pouncing as soon small talk around the hall broke out as they ate.

The exam results came out on the last day of term. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had passed every subject. Something that greatly surprised him as he glanced over to Hermione.

"Not bad for a couple of dense idiots, hey?" She lifted her head to look at him and rolled her eyes before looking back to her marks, she had outranked them all once more which meant she could get that indoor cat bath she had eyed for Crooks since she had passed every one of her exams – it had little taps for the temperature so he didn't get too cold or too hot.

Might make wash time a little easier as she looked up and engaged in the conversation with the rest as they packed up their stuff – she sat on Neville's empty bed watching as they gathered their things before shoving them in their trunks, occasionally pointing things they missed.

She made the journey with them as they all set off for train as they joined Dean and Seamus before Ginny and her friend Luna tagged along – Hermione gave the female Weasley a smile – during the year they had got talking and she found her to not be a too bad of person once she got to know her and so wasn't all too fussy about her presence as she gifted the blonde with a curt nod.

As they walked she gave Harry and Ron some surprising news. "I went to see Mam this morning, just before breakfast. I've decided to drop Muggle Studies." They both turned to look at her,

"But you passed your exam with three hundred and twenty percent!" She nodded knowing all that, "I know, but I don't think I could take another year like this one. I gave in the time turner and Without Muggle Studies and Divination, I'll be able to have a normal schedule again."

"I still can't believe you didn't tell us about it," Ron added a little sullen. "We're supposed to be your friends"

"Oh aye, and what would I have said – 'Oh by the way, I'm messing with time and making the day a little longer just so I could learn more – but the jokes on you because you don't know it'"

She scoffed and rolled her eyes at the red-head who lifted his head in thought before nodding. "Seconds thoughts – your right, better not knowing."

They stopped on the platform along with the masses of other students as the large red train slowly rolled to a stop before they started clambering in to find empty carriages, she waited off at the side knowing the routine as she watched them jostle until at last it was only her as she looked up and down before moving to where Ron was waving out the window.

"So what you planned for holidays?" She opened her mouth before shaking her head. "Don't know yet. Just going to go home and see what happens then."

He nodded. "What about you?" They kept up the conversation with Harry joining in sometimes – she promised to write to him and not use the telephone – she aimed the last part at Ron who caught her smirk and sneered.

"Oh, ha - ha… How I was bloody meant to know? I thought shouting was what you were meant to do."

"Well either way I'll be doing my communicating by owl, should I hold out hope for a letter this holiday?" He lifted his head to see her expected look and gave her what she knew to be his 'Anything you say' grin which told her that she shouldn't wait by any windows in the near future.

The train gave the signal it was about to go as she stepped back. She glanced at the forlorn look the raven haired boy sported and spoke. "Cheer up, Harry."

He lifted his head to look out the window at her as she smiled. "If it helps, I can always send Noctis to scare your Aunt and Uncle again." He met her eyes as they sparkled with mirth and grinned chuckling lightly just as Ron shook his head remembering the bird, as he sat back down mumbling about his bacon.

The large red engine started to move – rolling off from the platform as they waved at her for was long as they could until the train built more speed and they were carried away. She watched as it vanished in the distance before heaving a sigh to no one on the deserted station before turning and making her way back up the path. As she did she happen to glance the paddock where the Hippogriffs stayed.

She looked to the grazing creatures now missing a member as she decided to take a small detour on her way as she climbed the fence and sat on the edge. She waited until they noticed her and after finishing eating one of them made its way slowly to the intruder as she gave it a small smile and tilt of her head – finally it got close enough she could reach out and touch its downy head.

She smiled wider as it moved right up close on feeling the touch as she stroked its silky feathers and thought about the year that had passed and the year ahead.

She knew something was bound to happen – given their track record she would go kiss Neville's toad if the next year they had, was normal and trouble-free – she was confident it wouldn't be as she didn't fancy kissing the green lump and sighed again as the large animals wing quivered.

With the almost certainty that trouble would occur she was actually looking forward to the peaceful holidays before the start of the new term as she looked up to the slightly cloudy sky.

She just both hoped and feared of what that might bring.