The Prisoner of Azkaban (Hermione Granger X Male Reader)

33. Truths Revealed

(Y/N)'s POV

(Y/N)'s mind has gone blank with shock. The four of them stood transfixed with horror under the Invisibility Cloak. The very last days of the setting sun were casting a bloody light over the long-shadowed grounds. Then, behind them, they heard a wild howling.

"Hagrid," Harry muttered. Clearly without much thinking, he made to turn back, but (Y/N) seized his arm.

"We can't," said (Y/N), feeling lightheaded. "He'll be in worse trouble if they know we've been to see him . . ."

Hermione's breathing was shallow and uneven.

"How — could — they?" she choked. "How could they?"

"Come on," said Ron, his teeth seemed to be chattering.

They set off back towards the castle, walking slowly to keep themselves hidden under the Cloak. Light was fading fast now. By the time they reached open ground, darkness was settling like a spell around them.

"Scabbers, keep still," Ron hissed, clamping his hand over his chest. The rat was wriggling madly. Ron came to a sudden halt, trying to force Scabbers deeper into his pocket. "What's the matter with you, you stupid rat? Stay still —  OUCH! He hit me!"

"Ron, be quiet!" Hermione whispered urgently. "Fudge'll be out here in a minute —"

"He won't — stay — put —"

Scabbers was plainly terrified. He was struggling with all his might, trying to break free of Ron's grip.

"What's the matter with him?"

But (Y/N) had just seen — slinking towards them, his body low to the ground, wide yellow eyes glinting eerily in the darkness — Crookshanks. Whether he could see them, or was following the sound of Scabber's squeaks, (Y/N) couldn't tell.

"Crookshanks!" Hermione moaned. "No, go away, Crookshanks! Go away!"

(Y/N) was fixated on Crookshanks, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw jet-black fur slinking from their side.

He glanced over to see Soot, her eyes meeting his, the pair of them staring at each other for a few moments; despite (Y/N) being under the cloak, it was clear Soot knew where he was.

In a flash of black fur, Soot darted towards the Cloak and pounced at Ron, causing Scabbers to slip from his clutches, hit the ground and scamper away.

In one bound, both Soot and Crookshanks sprang after him, and before anyone could stop him, Ron had thrown the Invisibility Cloak off himself and pelted away into the darkness.

"Ron!" (Y/N) shouted, despite his wants to keep everything quiet.

The three left looked at each other, then followed at a sprint; it was impossible to run full out under the Cloak; they pulled it off and it streamed behind them like a banner as they hurtled after Ron; they could hear his feet thundering along ahead, and his shouts at Crookshanks and Soot.

"Get away from him — get away — Scabbers, come here —"

There was a loud thud.

"Gotcha! Get off, you stinking cat —"

(Y/N) almost fell over Ron; Hermione and Harry skidded to a stop in front of him. He was sprawled on the ground, but Scabbers was back in his pocket; he had both hands held tight over the quivering lump.

"Ron — come on — back under the Cloak —" Hermione panted. "Dumbledore — the Minister — they'll be coming back out in a minute —"

But before they could cover themselves again, before they could even catch their breath, they heard the soft pointing of gigantic paws. Something was bounding towards them out of the dark, something that (Y/N) recognised — an enormous, yellow-eyed, jet-black dog.