𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 | 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘗𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳

46 || Owl Post Again

Hi there everyone.

I realize it's been more than a year since I updated this– I grew out of my obsessive phase about halfway through quarantine and entirely forgot about it. I do however remember all of the extravagant plans I had for this story, so I'll do my best to complete it. I'm happy to say that the quality of my writing has greatly improved during my hiatus so look forward to that.

Without further ado, welcome back to the story! Thank you all for 16.8k reads. What a dream come true ;)

"Harry, Ash, we have ten minutes until Dumbledore locks the door," Hermione said in a hushed voice.

"...Okay," said Harry, finally wrenching his gaze from the sky. We made eye contact, briefly, and I could see the sadness in his eyes, shining with tears.

We slipped through the doorway behind us and raced down a tightly spiraling stone staircase. As we reached the bottom of it, I heard voices--they sounded like Fudge and Snape. They were walking quickly along the corridor at the foot of the staircase.

"...only hope Dumbledore's not going to make difficulties," Snap was saying. "The Kiss will be performed immediately, I assume?"

I had to swat my locket as it buzzed again--Sirius was safe, I reminded myself. They couldn't get him.

"As soon as Macnair returns with the Dementors. This whole Black affair has been highly embarrassing. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to informing the Daily Prophet that we've got him at last... I daresay they'll want to interview you, Snape... and once young Harry's back in his right mind, I expect he'll want to tell the Prophet exactly how you saved him..."

I saw Harry's jaw tense as we caught sight of Snape's sneer. He and Fudge passed by our hiding place and we ran in the opposite direction once we were sure they were gone.

"Hermione," Harry panted. "What'll happen if...we don't get inside--inside before Dumbledore locks the door?"

"I don't want to think about it!" gasped Hermione. She checked her watch. I banged my locket with my palm again--I did not need to start glowing like a bioluminescent mushroom right now. We reached the entrance to the hospital wing and slowly crept towards the door. It opened, and Dumbledore's back appeared.

"I am going to lock you in," he said. "it is five minutes to midnight. Miss Granger, three turns should do it. Good luck."

Dumbledore backed out of the room, closed the door, and took out his wand to magically lock it. The three of us ran forward. Dumbledore looked up, and a wide smile appeared under his long silver mustache. "Well?" he said quietly.

"He's gone," I said softly. "On Buckbeak."

"Well done," he said, giving us a smile. I didn't have the heart to match his enthusiasm. "I think you've gone. Best get inside before Madam Pomfrey gets back."

Hermione gently unlocked the door to the wing and ushered me inside. I crossed the dormitory to my hospital bed and lied down as quietly as I could- Harry and Hermione did the same. Madam Pomfrey came striding out of her office, a scowl on her face.

"Did I hear the headmaster leaving? Am I allowed to look at my patients now?"

She was in a foul mood--I accepted my chocolate quietly. We sat in silence, waiting...then a roar echoed above my head.

"What was that?" said Madam Pomfrey in alarm.

Angry voices, arguing, growing closer and closer...

"He must have Disapparated, Severus. We should have left somebody in the room with him. When this gets out —"