Miranda Black and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Sirius Black's Daughter SEQUEL!)

Chapter 25 - Final Goodbyes

Harry took my hand once more as we went towards the door. Assuming everything had gone well, Hermione should be waiting on the other side for us. Fortunately for all of us, she was waiting right behind the door.

"We've got to hurry," she whispered as we closed the door behind us, shutting out the night air, "We have 10 minutes to get back to the Hospital Wing and make sure that no one sees us,"

Understanding that we had to move quietly and quickly, we took off down the tightly spiraling stone staircase. As soon as we reached the bottom, I could hear voices. Hermione, Harry and I all flattened ourselves against the nearest wall and listened closely. It sounded like Minister Fudge and Professor Snape, discussing the Dementors. 

"...only hope Dumbledore's not going to make difficulties," Snape was saying, "The Kiss will be performed immediately?"

"As soon as Macnair returns with the Dementors. To be very honest with you Severus, this whole Black affair has been highly embarrassing for us in the Ministry. It will bring me much joy to informing the Daily Prophet that we've caught him at last. I daresay they'll be wanting to interview you, and Harry too, once he's in his right mind, so he can tell them how you saved their lives,"

I clenched my fists in anger, reeling at Snape's lies of how he saved the day. Harry and Hermione looked mad too. A few moments later, Snape and Fudge had passed our hiding spot. We waited until their footsteps died away until leaving our spot and running in the opposite direction. We made it safely down one staircase, then another, then another corridor...until we heard a cackling up ahead. 

"Peeves!" Harry muttered, grabbing onto both Hermione and my own wrists. "In here!"

He pulled us into a deserted classroom in the nick of time. Peeves seemed to be bouncing down the corridors in high spirits, laughing his head off. 

"I dislike him very strongly," Hermione said, "I'll bet he's all excited about the Dementors going to finish Sirius off...we only have three minutes!"

We waited for Peeve's cackle to disappear almost completely before we took off again, focusing more now on being quick instead of quiet. My heart was racing as my feet pounded down the corridor. Harry was asking about what would happen if we weren't back, but Hermione shut him up by announcing we had only one more minute. 

"Hurry!" I urged, filled with panic that we wouldn't be back in time. Suddenly, I could hear Dumbledore's voice. Hermione place her hand in front of myself and Harry to slow us down. We peered around the wall at the door to the Hospital Wing. The door opened. Dumbledore's back appeared. 

"I'm going to lock you in," we heard him saying, "It is five minutes to midnight. Three turns should do it, Miss Granger. Good luck,"

Dumbledore backed out of the room, closed the door and took out his wand to magically lock the doors. Harry, Hermione and I ran forward in a panic. Dumbledore looked up as we approached him, and a wide smile appeared on his face. He didn't look surprised to see us. "Well?"

"We did it," Harry said, out of breath. "Sirius...Buckbeak...flew away together!"

"Well done. I think-" he paused and put his ear against the door, "- Yes, I think you've gone. Get inside, quick - I'll lock you in,"

We slipped back inside the Hospital Wing, the door locking behind us. The room was empty apart from Ron, Daniel, and Ginny still on their beds. We crept back into our own beds. I had to admit I was glad to be back in a warm, comfy bed after a long, long night. Hermione just tucked the Time-Turner back into her robes when Madam Pomfrey came back into the room.

"Did I just hear the Headmaster leaving? Am I allowed to look after my patients now?" It was clear she was in a bad mood. Not wanting to make her temper worse, I accepted my chocolate and began to chew on it numbly. I glanced and Harry and Hermione to see them nibbling on theirs. We didn't say anything to each other, but I could tell we were all waiting for the same thing...then it came. A distant roar of fury echoing from somewhere above us.