Escape: Into the Potterverse [18+]

Chapter 26

After a peaceful two weeks it is time to go back to Hogwarts. The Weasleys had all been really accepting about you and Hermione's relationship, but you were worried how everyone else was going to react when you get back to Hogwarts. Hermione keeps trying to reassure you, but you are still a little scared.

As you enter the courtyard, Hermione reaches out to take your hand for reassurance. You smile at her, then you walk together through the courtyard, holding hands. You can see some of the other children staring and whispering as you walk past, but no one says anything to you.

Suddenly Ron comes running over to you.

"Hermione, have you seen Harry anywhere?" Ron says. "Hagrid is back."

"He went ahead, looking for Cho," says Hermione, excitedly. "I'll find him."

Hermione looks around and spots Harry up ahead walking together with Cho. "Come on," she says to you and drags you forward to catch them.

"Harry," she calls out as you both get closer to them. "Hagrid's back."

"Hagrid!" Harry says and looks overjoyed.

Soon the four of you are running quickly down the path towards Hagrid's hut. As you all approach the door, you can hear voices inside. You all take a peek in the window and see that Professor Umbridge is inside. Harry quickly ushers everyone round the corner to hide until she has left.

Once the coast is clear, everyone sneaks out again and goes into Hagrid's hut. When you go in, you see Hagrid up close for the first time. He is huge, much bigger than you imagined. He has a frown on his face, but as soon as he sees Harry and the others it turns into a smile.

"Hagrid," says Harry with a grin.

"Harry," says Hagrid smiling. "Ron, Hermione," he says shaking their hands warmly. "Oh, and who's this one?" he asks, looking down at you.

"This is y/n," says Hermione. "She's... my girlfriend."

"Ah, nice to meet you y/n," says Hagrid and reaches out one of his huge hands to shake yours.

"Hello," you say.

"So Hagrid, where have you been all year?" Harry asks.

"Well.." says Hagrid. "It's a secret, but Dumbledore sent me to speak with the giants. Trying to convince them to join the cause."

"How did it go?" Hermione asks.

"Well.... not so good. You-know-who was also trying to get them to join his side" says Hagrid. "But don't you worry about that, you should get back to the castle for your breakfast."

You all bid Hagrid farewell, and then head back to the Great hall. When you arrive, the post owls have just been and delivered the latest copies of the Daily Prophet. Everyone seems to be looking worried as they read it, and are all talking in hushed tones. The four of you all sit down at the table near Neville.

"Hey, Neville," says Harry. "What's going on?"

"There's been a breakout at Azkaban," says Neville. "Ten high security prisoners have escaped."

"That sounds serious. It must be Voldemort who's behind it," says Harry. "We need to take the training to the next level."

Soon breakfast is over and all the members of Dumbledore's Army start sneaking off towards the Room of Requirement. When everyone has arrived, Harry gathers you all in the centre of the room.

"Right, we are going to try conjuring a patronus charm," says Harry. "You need to focus on your happiest memory."

Hermione is stood next to you when he says this. She reaches out for your hand and gives it a squeeze. "I know what my happiest memory is," she says with a wink.

"Yeah, me too," you say with a smile.

You watch Hermione as she takes out her wand. She closes her eyes for a moment, and a big smile spreads across her face.

"Expecto Patronum," she says, and some silvery threads come from the end of her wand and form the shape of an otter floating through the air. Hermione opens her eyes, and watches her otter skip about in the air in front of her.

You take out your own wand and hold it up on front of you. You close your eyes and try and picture your happiest memory. You think about Hermione, and about that first time you were together in bed. You picture the touch of her skin and the feel of her breath. You sigh at the thought of her, and grip your wand firmly.

"Expecto Patronum," you say. You open your eyes to see the silvery threads coming from the end of your wand and form the shape of your/patronus.

"You did it," Hermione squeals excitedly beside you.

"Yeah, luckily I had such a great memory to help me," you say, then you lean in to give her a quick kiss.

As Hermione looks at you smiling, Harry comes round. "That was a great looking patronus, y/n," he says as he keeps walking past.

You and Hermione turn and look around the room at the others trying to conjure their patronus. You see Ginny form a patronus of a small horse that gallops around her merrily. As you smile in her direction, suddenly the lights flicker.

Everyone stops what they are doing and look around. The lights flicker again and you hear a noise from the door. Everyone starts to feel worried and move closer to the door. The banging becomes louder. As Harry gets close there is another loud bang and large cracks appear in the door. Another loud bang and a hole appears in the centre of the door. Hermione pits her arms around you and you hug each other in fear.

Harry looks through the hole and can see Professor Umbridge and the Inquisitorial Squad.

"Nearly there, just once more," she says. Then there is a big bang and the rest of the door explodes.

When the smoke clears, Professor Umbridge walks in with the Inquisitorial Squad following close behind.

"Grab them all," Umbridge orders.

Hermione hugs you tightly then looks into your eyes. "Whatever happens, just remember this," she whispers, "I love you."

"I love you too," you say, just as you feel strong arms grabbing you and pulling you away from Hermione.