The Potter Twins and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Chapter 22- Cat, Rat and Dog

Olivia's mind goes blank with shock as the five of them stand still, transfixed with horror under the Invisibility Cloak. The very last rays of sun are casting a bloody light over the grounds. Behind them Olivia hears a faint howl of a wolf.

"Hagrid," Harry mutters. Without thinking, he tries to turn back, but Ron and seize his arms.

"We can't," Ron says, who is as white as paper. "He'll be in worse trouble if they know we've been to see him..."

"How - could - they?" Hermione chokes. "How could they?"

"Come on," Tay says, her voice shaking.

They set off back towards the castle, walking slowly to keep themselves hidden under the Cloak. Light is fading fast now, and by the time they reach open ground, darkness has settles like a spell around them.

"Scabbers, keep still," Ron hisses, clamping his hand over his chest. He then comes to a sudden halt, trying to force Scabbers deeper into his pocket, "What's the matter with you, you stupid rat? Stay still - OUCH! He bit me!"

"Ron, be quiet!" Olivia whispers. "Fudge'll be out here in a minute -"

"He won't - stay - put -"

Scabbers is plainly terrified. He is writhing with all his might, trying desperately to break free of Ron's grip.

"What's the matter with him?"

"Crookshanks," Hermione suddenly moans. "No, go away, Crookshanks! Go away!"

Olivia looks around to find the small cat getting closer to them.

"Scabbers - no!"

The ray slips between Ron's fingers, hits the ground and scampers away. In one bound, Crookshanks springs after him, and before they can stop it, Ron throws the Cloak off him and pelts away into the darkness.

"Ron!" Hermione moans.

The three of them look at each other before sprinting after him; the cloak streams behind them like a banner as they hurtle after Ron; they can hear his feet thundering ahead and his shouts at Crookshanks.

"Get away from him - get away - Scabbers, come here-"

There is a loud thud.

"Gotcha! Get off, you stinking cat-"

Harry, Hermione, Tay and Olivia almost trip over Ron; they skid to a halt right in front of him. He's sprawled out on the ground with Scabbers safely back inside his pocket.

"Ron -come on- back under the cloak," Tay pants. "Dumbledore -the Minister- they'll be coming back out in a minute-"

But before they can cover themselves again, or even catch their breath, they hear the soft pounding of gigantic paws. Something is bounding towards them out of the dark - an enormous, pale-eyed, jet-black dog.

Olivia reaches for her wand, but it's too late - the dog makes an enormous leap and it's front paws hit her chest. It keels over backwards in a whirl of hair; Olivia feels it's hot breathe and see it's inch long teeth.

But the force of it's leap carried it too far; it rolls off me. Dazed and slightly winded, Olivia trues to stand up, feeling as if her ribs are all broken.

Olivia watches Ron climb to his feet as the dogs springs towards him, knocking Harry aside; the dog's jaws fasten around Ron's leg, knocking him to the ground.

Tay shouts, leaping forward and grabbing onto Ron's outstretched hand; the dog begins to drag them both, as if they're ragdolls.

Suddenly, something hits Olivia hard across the face and she's knocked off her feet again. Olivia hears Hermione and Harry shout in pain too, as they too fall. Olivia reaches for her wand, blinking blood out of her eyes.