Athena Potter 🎞

Chapter 16: The Prediction

Athena, Ron, and Hermione walk into the courtyard leading to the Covered Bridge

Hermione: Beautiful day.
Ron: Gorgeous. Unless, of course, you've been ripped to pieces!
Athena: Ripped to pieces? What are you talking about?
Hermione: Ronald has lost his rat.
Ron: I haven't lost anything! Your cat killed him!
Hermione: Rubbish.
Ron: Athena, you've seen the way that bloodthirsty beast of hers is always lurking about. And Scabbers is gone!
Hermione: Well, maybe you should learn to take better care of your pets! [Crookshanks climbs onto one of the stone walls behind them as they walk on to the Covered Bridge]
Ron: Your cat killed him!
Hermione: Did not!
Ron: Did.
Hermione: Didn't.
Athena: Guys seriously! I understand that you're upset Ron but Hermione isn't the only Gryffindor to own a cat

They meet up with Hagrid as he is skipping rocks at the lake.

Hermione: How'd it go, Hagrid? The hearing?
Hagrid: Well, first off, the Committee members took turns talking about why we were there. [throws another rock bouncing across the lake] Then, I got up and did my piece. Said how Buckbeak was a good hippogriff, always cleaned his feathers. And then, Lucius Malfoy got up. Well you can imagine, he said Buckbeak was a deadly and dangerous creature who would kill you as soon as look at you.
Hermione: [as Hagrid skips another rock] And then?
Hagrid: Then he asked for the worst, did old Lucius.
Ron: [obviously outraged] They're not sacking you?!
Hagrid: No, I'm not sacked. [skips yet another rock, then speaks with his voice breaking] Buckbeak's been sentenced to death!

All the animal lovers gasp, James, Sirius and Remus dramatically cry whilst Regulus, Rodolphus, Barty and Evan join in and start wailing "Not Beaky" "he is too young to die" "he has so much to live for"

He furiously throws his last rock in the water with a loud splash and sniffles; behind him, Athena stands up, shocked by the sound of these words; she, Ron, and Hermione walk up to the water's edge as Hagrid lets out a sad sigh. Athena takes off her shoes and socks and walks up to Hagrid, she wraps her arms around his waist.

Many "aww" at the sight.

Dark. Ominous. Dementors drift in the distance. Restless...

Everyone shivers.

Silent. A room of shadows. While those around her slumber, Athena lies awake, unable to sleep. Finally, she turns to her cupboard, takes the Marauder's Map.

Athena: [Whispering] I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.

The crooked corridors and serpentine passageways of Hogwarts radiate across the parchment, then... a TINY DOT catches Athena's eye. She frowns. It reads: "Peter Pettigrew."

The Auroras and Mad-eye look at Peter suspiciously whilst the Marauders and co stare at the screen in confusion.

Athena: What the fuck.....

Athena moves down a DARK corridor, map in hand, WAND AGLOW. In the PAINTINGS she passes, the subjects SNORE SOFTLY.

"Athena Potter" and "Peter Pettigrew" draw closer and closer.

Everyone holds their breaths and lean forwards on their seats.

Athena squints toward the end of the corridor. Down at the map. Pettigrew moves quickly down the adjoining corridor. Twenty yards away. Ten. Only seconds away... Wand trembling in her hand, Athena glances from the map to the dark corridor ahead, again and again. Then... as the two DOTS are about to collide... she looks slowly up... turns the corner... heart in her chest... and meets...HERSELF... reflected in a MIRROR.