Darkest Hours (A Cedric Diggory Fanfic)

Chapter 25: Willow Trees and Time Turners

Two and a half months had passed since Kiara and Cedric broke up. He acted as though he did not know her which made most of their friends think he was under a spell, because ever before their relationship, the two of them were still friendly.

Kiara didn't know what to make of it. She was beyond hurt. Cho walked around with a smug on her face all the time and Kiara prayed Remus would get proof fast enough. There were no more incidents with Kiara's mum, so Kiara knew Cho was happy with the turn of events. Kiara just focused on the classes and made the effort to spend time with her friends. However, all she really wanted to do was go home to her bedroom.

After classes that day, Kiara decided to take a stroll down to the willow trees. She had caught up on her studies and she did not have patrol that night so she was free to do what she wished. Morgan had invited her to join the gang in the courtyard but Kiara passed. She wasn't in a socializing mood much these days.

That was when Kiara heard the screaming. It sounded like Ron. She started running toward his cries for help when she saw a big black dog drag him into the Whomping Willow.

"Ron!" Hermione shouted, but before Harry or Hermione could follow him, they both get thrown back by the Whomping Willow.

While the two of them battled the tree, Kiara slipped through and followed Ron into the hole at the tree's roots. Kiara knew where this led. It was a closely guarded family secret. Dumbledore had planted the Whomping Willow for Remus when he first came to Hogwarts as a child, so Remus had a safe place to transform every full moon.

Which reminded Kiara that it was a full moon night. They couldn't be here. But next thing Kiara knew, she was stumbling forward.

"Sorry," Hermione said and when Kiara looked back she saw Harry and Hermione both. As they stood up, Hermione asked, "What is this place?"

"I have an idea," Harry said as they followed Kiara. They entered the Shrieking Shack and heard Ron whimpering. They rushed to find him, pushing open a door. Ron was sitting on a couch, holding his pet rat.

"Ron!" Harry and Hermione rushed to him.

"Ron, you're okay!" Hermione said.

"Ron, where's the dog?" Harry asked.

"Harry, it's a trap!" Ron shouted, pointing past them with a shaky finger, "he's the dog. He's an animagus!"

Kiara turned slowly with Harry and Hermione to see her father standing behind the door.

But before Kiara could say anything, Hermione pushed Harry behind her and said, "If you want to kill Harry, you'll have to kill us too!"

"No, only one will die tonight," Sirius said, his gaze focused.

"And it'll be you!" Harry pushed past Hermione and tackled Sirius to the ground before pulling his wand on him.

Sirius starts laughing hysterically before saying, "Are you going to kill me, Harry?"

Just then Remus came in through the door and shouted, "Expelliarmus!"

Harry's wand flew out of his hand and Harry stumbled backward to Hermione. Remus had his wand pointed at Kiara's father. She watched them exchange a few words before Remus chuckled and helped Sirius up much to Harry, Hermione, and Ron's shock. The two of them hugged tightly.

"I found him!" Sirius said, laughing with childish joy. Kiara watched her father and it saddened her to see what Azkaban did to him.

"I know," Remus nodded.