The Raven's Call

Back to the Future

Alex and I wait, sitting against a large tree. As the sun goes down, Alex traces shapes in the dirt with his wand, and I hum a calming lullaby to myself. "That's a nice tune, where's it from?" Alex asks, looking over to me. "It's a song my mother used to sing to me. My real one... before they gave me away..." I say with a sigh. "It's the only thing I can really remember about her. That and her name..." I speak sadly, watching him draw. "What is it? If you don't mind me asking." Alex questions, turning back to his drawings. "Annalise Grey - well... Gaunt, I guess." I say, sighing once more, still not quite used to being a Gaunt. Not just yet. Alex opens his mouth to say something, but is interrupted. "Awoo!" The first howl rings throughout the forest. "Awoo!" The second follows. "It's time." I say, standing up, using the tree to keep balance. I dust myself off and pull out my wand. 

"And what is your plan, exactly, Atti?" Alex asks as he too stands to his feet. "I can't hurt the wolf too much. No matter how much I want to." I utter that last part. "And why not?" Alex asks. "Because it's Professor Lupin." I answer. "Sure, and I'm the Queen of England." He replies sarcastically. "You've used that line before, and it was almost as funny then, too." I say just as sarcastically. "Alright, then. And if this werewolf is Lupin, how in the bloody hell would you know that?" Alex questions, finally dusting himself off, now. "When Professor Snape taught our Dark Arts class. He set the essay on Werewolves. That's also why Lupin has been missing classes after every full moon." "Oh yeah.. I guess that makes sense.." Alex replies, a strange look on his face. 

"AWOOOOOOOOOOO!"

There it is. The howl before the storm. We hide, waiting for her footsteps. And footsteps we hear. Followed by heavier ones. Alex takes a step forward, his wand out, but I quickly pull him back. "No, Alex. She has to be attacked. Not fully, but just enough that our past selves hear her scream. Otherwise, we'll ruin the future as we know it."  I whisper to him. "Right, of course..." Alex nods, still not quite understanding. The wolf lunges at Asteria, knocking her to the ground. Everything is happening so fast, I almost miss my chance. The beast bites down on her forearm, causing her to let out a blood-curdling scream... And now, this is my chance. "Flipendo!" I call as a bolt of red light escapes my wand, hitting Lupin square in the chest and knocking him back about ten feet. He whines softly as he scampers away. We did it, we saved Asteria. Soon our past selves fly down from above the forest, and we make our escape, luckily we manage to meet back up with Harry and Hermione on our way back to the hospital wing as the clock begins to strike. "We saved Asteria! And you?" I ask as we run. "We saved Buckbeak AND Sirius! We did it!" Hermione exclaims.

We did it..! We did it!!

We run into Dumbledore just as he's closed the doors. "Well?" He asks, as he turns to us. "He's free. We did it." Harry answers triumphantly. "Did what? Good night." Dumbledore smiles and waves as he leaves down the stairs. Hermione and Harry open the doors in front of us, just as the past four of us disappear from view. "How did you get there?" Ron asks, pointing. "I was talking to you there... and now you're there..!" Ron rambles, pointing around the room frantically. "What's he talking about, Harry?" Hermione asks with a smile. "I don't know." Harry shrugs. "Honestly, Ron. How can somebody be in two places at once?" Alex says with a grin as the four of us chuckle. "Magic..." Asteria mumbles from under her blankets. "Now, shut up and let me sleep..." Without a moment's hesitation, Alex and I run over and give Asteria the biggest hug, causing her to groan in pain. 

We FUCKING did it!

***

Wednesday, June 1st, 1994 

Sitting in the Great Hall for lunch, a bunch of Gryffindors surround a table with a broom shaped parcel laying on it. Ron can't help but rip it open with his grubby fingers. Out of curiosity, I walk over, peering over Alex's shoulder. It's one of those new models of brooms. A Firebolt. Most of the males all get giddy over this lump of wood, as I look over to Hermione. "Who's it for?" I ask. "Harry." She replies with a sigh, just as disappointed as I am that Ron had been the one to open it. "Stand back!" Ron announces. "Stand back, I said! Or I'll take it upstairs if you don't settle!" "Harry!" Neville calls out, running over to The Boy Who Lived, who's just entered through the doorway. Seamus follows after him. "Wherever did you get it?" Neville asks in bewilderment. "Can I have a go, Harry? After you, of course." Seamus asks. "Calm yourselves, he's not even seen it yet!" I call out to them, a smile spreading along my face. "What are you talking about?" Harry asks, confused. "Quiet! Let the man through. I didn't mean to open it, Harry. It was badly wrapped. They made me do it!" Ron points to Fred and George, shifting the blame. "Did not!" The twins protest in unison. Harry opens up the flimsy bit of wrapping paper that was no longer hiding much. "It's a Firebolt." Fred announces. "It's the fastest broom in the world." George continues. "For me..?" Harry asks in a bewildered whisper. "But who sent it?" He asks, looking around. "No one knows." Ron replies with a chuckle. "This came with it." Hermione says with a smile, lifting a large feather from the package. I'd know that feather anywhere. Alex, Hermione, Harry and I share a knowing glance at one another, knowing now that this was sent by Sirius and Buckbeak.

We all then follow Harry to the front of the castle, as he's ready to try out his new broom. "Go on Harry!" Ron cheers. "Yeah, let's see!" I chime in, getting rather excited now. "How fast is it, Harry?!" Hermione asks. Harry mounts the broom and in a flash, he's gone, zooming through the air and past the clouds. This turned out to be another eventful year, though we already knew it would.