The Other Hale.

Chapter Theirteen: The Escape.

"Potter!" Screamed a voice, as the hospital wing doors flew open.

Snape, McGonagoll, Dumbledore and Cornelius Fudge were all standing in the doorway. Madam Pomfrey ran forward, trying to discover the cause of this visit.

"What's going on?" Asked Ron as he propped himself up.

"He helped him!" Spat Snape, pointing at Harry.

"Helped who?" Hermione asked as she moved closer to Ron, leaving me and Harry in the open.

"Sirius Black has escaped." Informed the Minister.

I couldn't help but be shocked. He had after all, just been caught, locked in a cell severely ill. "How?" I asked the group.

"POTTER!" Screamed Snape once more.

"I didn't do it Professor!" Harry shouted back.

"Albus, I really do need to inform the others, I shall have to leave you." McGonagoll said before she left the room.

"I'll join her, you can handle stuff here Katrina?" Madam Pomfrey asked me.

I nodded before she followed suit and exited the room. Dumbledore sat down on a spare bed whereas the Minister turned to face Harry.

"Now, Mr Potter, did you or did you not help Sirius Black in escaping?" He asked him.

"I'm sorry sir, but why would I want to save someone who escaped Azkaban to kill me?" Harry replied.

They argued back and forth, Snape and Hermione occasionally joining in. I noticed Ron watch the conflict with amusement whereas Dumbledore was watching me. As I listened to their argument, I began to tell that Harry was lying, he did help Sirius Black escape.

"Enough!!" Screamed Snape, as he staggered towards Harry. "You were defending him in the forest tonight! You attempted to save his life against the Dementors! And you helped him escape earlier!" He continued.

Before he could hit Harry, I placed myself between the two of them.

"Madam Hale, what are you doing? Get out of my way, let me get my hands on him!" He screamed, he grabbed my shoulders and attempted to move me.

"No. You listen to me. Mr Potter, or Miss Granger did not have any hand in the escape of Sirius Black. They have been in here the whole time, getting treated themselves, assisting us on treating Mr Weasley or sleeping. So will you kindly step out of my personal space." I snarled at him.

A look of fear passed over his face before he stepped back.

"Severus. My office please." Dumbledore ordered, standing up from the bed.

"My apologies Mr Potter." Apologised the Minister before he and Snape left.

"A good night sleep." Wished Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling as he followed them out.

I waited until everyone was out of ear shot before I rounded on the three kids. "Now who is going to explain?" I demanded.

"We told the truth.." Whispered Hermione, avoiding eye contact with me.

Laughing, I checked Ron's temperature. "I've always had a way of knowing when people are lying, and I'm afraid you got caught out." I replied while doing so.

"Then why did you stick up for us?" Asked Harry, looking slightly puzzled.

"Because, I don't like Snape, and you obviously have your reasons." I smiled.

Harry and Hermione were sat on the chairs next to Ron's bed, and I on the bed next to them. They had just explained to me how Sirius was innocent and the real killer was Ron's rat, or Peter Pettigrew.

"So did you know Sirius?" Ron asked me.

"Not personally, but I know that he is related to one of my friends."

"But you knew that Professor Lupin was a werewolf?" Hermione asked me.

"Yes, I did know that." I replied, with a smile.

"Why did you come this year specifically? Tell the truth please?" Harry asked.

Sighing, I began to tell the truth.

"So you're like my babysitter?" Harry asked with disgust.

"No." I laughed. "I'm here to protect you against any form of danger, support you in any decisions. I am a friend, mentor and a staff member." I told him.

"I don't mean to cause any offence or anything, but if You-Know-Who came in here, and you started duelling with him, my money would be on him." Ron joked.

"Well, we would need him to come back for that to happen, and don't give up on me just yet, I'm tougher than I look." I joked back. "Now get to sleep, all of you." I ordered.