Anxiety [hp]

- 3.13

[Harry wakes up in a bed in the hospital wing. It's still night.]

Hermione: Harry?

Harry: I saw my dad.

"Where?" Dorcas questioned.

"Yeah. I don't remember seeing James' ugly arse anywhere on the screen." Marlene added.

"Let's not say things we don't mean." James advised to the blond, who just looked like she wanted to hex him.

Hermione: What?

Avery: I'm sorry, what now? [getting up from and unconscious Jasper's bed]

Harry: He sent the Dementors away. I saw him across the lake.

Hermione: Listen, Harry, they've captured Sirius. Any minute the Dementors are going to perform the Kiss.

Harry: [scrambling out of bed] You mean they're going to kill him?

Hermione: No, it's worse, much worse. They're going to suck out his soul.

Avery: And not in the good way.

The twins snickered and groaned, "She's too quick."

Harry: [tilts his head] What's the good way?

[The girl blushed and opened her mouth to speak but stumbled. Thankfully, Dumbledore enters.]

Avery: [sighs] Saved by Dumbles.

"What is the good way?" Neville and Luna asked.

Jasper was about to answer, but Avery kicked his shin.

"Don't destroy their innocence!" Ariel angrily whispered to the boy, whining about his leg hurting.

Hermione: Headmaster, you've got to stop them! They've got the wrong man!

Harry: It's true, sir, Sirius is innocent.

Ron: [in bed with his leg still broken] It's Scabbers who did it.

Dumbledore: Scabbers?

Ron: He's my rat, sir. He's not really a rat. Well, he was a rat. He was my brother Percy's rat, but then they gave him an owl and--

Avery: [groans and mutters] For fuck sakes!

Hermione: Point is we know the truth. Please believe us.

Dumbledore: I do, Miss Granger, but I'm sorry to say the word of three thirteen-year-old wizards will convince few others. [walks up to Ron's bed] A child's voice, however honest and true, is meaningless to those who have forgotten how to listen.

Avery: [huffs] Bones just had to retire.

"Don't worry, Miss Lupin. I'm not retiring anytime soon." Amelia declared. The Dynamic Duo silently high-fived each other.

[As Dumbledore speaks he absentmindedly taps Ron's broken leg, causing Ron to yelp in pain. The Clock Tower starts chiming, and Dumbledore moves back towards the entrance.]

Dumbledore: Mysterious thing, time. Powerful. And when meddled with, dangerous. Sirius Black is in the topmost cell of the Dark Tower. You know the law, Miss Granger and Miss Lupin. You must not be seen, and you would do well, I feel, to return before this last chime. If not, the consequences are too ghastly to discuss. If you succeed tonight, more than one innocent life may be spared. Three turns should do it, I think. [steps into the doorway but then turns back for one last comment] Oh, by the way: When in doubt, I found retracing my steps to be a wise place to begin. Good luck. [leaves]