Lucy Jones 3: Blackbird

17 Back in Time Part 2

Snape takes the cloak and disappears. Everyone is in the shrieking shack. Harry, Hermione and Lucy wait until everyone comes out again.

'Why can't we do anything?' Harry asks again: 'Make sure Pettigrew can't escape or tell someone what's going to happen?'

'We don't know what that would chance.' Lucy repeats.

'It could be worse.' Hermione explains: 'We can't mess with time more than we must.'

'Ok.' Harry gives in. He doesn't look happy about it. Lucy squeezes his shoulder: 'It will be ok. We'll save Sirius.'

'It's happening.' Hermione says. There is movement by the tree. They see themselves trying to get Pettigrew back to the castle to explain what happened.

The moon rises again, and Lupin starts transforming. Lucy knows Sirius will try to protect them, but something will soon lead Lupin away. This is also the moment Pettigrew escapes.

Hermione moves and tries to howl.

Lucy remembers reading about how to distract a werewolf: 'We need to leave fast.' Lucy says, and Hermione nods.

They move to the other side of the lake and watch themselves arrive. Lucy looks astonished at how the dementors. Sirius and Ron lay down, eyes closed. Hermione falls down, and eventually, she sees herself falling. The light appears above her, rising from her mouth, but nothing else happens.

Harry stands up and takes his wand: 'Expecto patronum.' The light appears from his wand, spreading, driving the dementors away. The light pulsates.

Snape arrives a little bit later. He is the one that gets them back to the castle.

'You saved us, Harry.' Lucy hugs him: 'How did you do that.'

'I don't know.' He admits: 'I just know I did it.'

Good, it's almost time.' Hermione says: 'We have 45 minutes until Dumbledore locks us up in the hospital wing.'

'You're both ready to fly?' Harry asks, eager to do something to save his godfather.

'Yes, but I have no idea how we'll be able to pull this off?' Lucy tells them: 'Hermione?'

'I'll have to.' She whispers.

'You're afraid of flying?' Lucy asks her friend.

They help each other on Buckbeak's back. Harry gives Buckbeak the sign to fly, and off they go: 'This isn't fun. Not fun at all.' Hermione cries.

They fly towards the castle's upper levels, avoiding places where they can be seen. They stop when they hover beside the tower where Dumbledore said they would find Sirius.

'There he is.' Harry says when they see Sirius pacing. There isn't much place, four steps up, four steps down. Lucy sees the moment Sirius realizes that they are here. His mouth falls open, and he runs towards the window. He tries to open it, but it's locked.

'Aside Harry.' Lucy says and points her wand at the window: 'Alohomora.' The window opens, and Sirius starts climbing out: 'But how?'

'Doesn't matter. We don't have much time.' Lucy says.

'The dementors are coming.' Harry adds. Sirius nods and pulls himself onto the back of Buckbeak.

They land, and all get off Buckbeak's back: 'You can better leave this place and fast.' Harry says.

'First, how is that boy, Ron?'

'He is fine.' Hermione says.

Lucy looks around, but there isn't anywhere near them: 'Harry is right. It will only take so long before they realize you're gone.'

'And then they'll start searching.' Harry adds.

'You look just like your father, Harry.' Sirius tells him: 'But you have...'

'The eyes off my mother.'

'Yes.' Sirius looks away from Harry and glances at Hermione and Lucy: 'I don't know how I can thank you...'

'Go.' They all say at the same time.