Redamancy (d.m)

Chapter sixteen- an old friend

I've met death before. He isn't as scary as most people believe. He's welcoming, and understanding. He greeted me kindly, and with a smile, excited that I would be joining him, and respectful when I changed my mind, and parted with him.

Death is what we as human beings fear beyond all fear, but we shouldn't. Death is not a violent, heart wrenching occurrence. Death is calming, death is peaceful. Death is eternal serenity. This, however, was not death. Death did not smell like crisp cotton sheets and chemicals. Alas, I have slipped through death's fingers once again. Do not fret, my friend;

I will see you again someday

Hermione lay to my right, Harry to my left and Ron across from me. Hermione smiled from across our beds, and Harry looked over and saw that I was awake, jumping up from his bed to mine, inspecting my properly bandaged side. I rubbed my weary eyes and was about to fall back asleep, until I heard the distinct voices of Cornelius Fudge and Snape drifting from outside the hospital door.

"We need to see the headmaster" I said as Madam Pomfrey rushed over to my bed with a large block of chocolate 
"It's all right, dears, they've got Black safely locked away, the dementors'll be performing the kiss any minute-"
"WHAT" Harry bellowed, and I looked at him panicked before grabbing his arm and pulling him out of bed.

The minster looked startled at the sudden presence of three teenagers

"WE HAVEN'T BEEN CONFUNDED!" I screamed hoarsely, after failure to make Fudge believe the truth
"YOU'VE GOT THE WRONG MAN, IF YOU WOULD JUST LISTEN" Harry yelled angrily, but at that moment, the one man I knew would believe us entered the corridor.

"Professor Dumbledore, Sirius Black!"
"I have just been talking to Sirius Black" he began, but was interrupted,
"I supposed he told you the same fairytale he's planted in potter's mind?" Snape drawled, "Simething about a rat, and Pettigrew being alive?"
"That, indeed, is Black's story" Dumbledore confirmed, far calmer than myself.
"And does my evidence count for nothing?"
"Considering you got yourself knocked out cold for most of it, I would say that just about dismisses your credibility" I spat, to which Snape glared at me, opening his mouth to no doubt take points from my house, Fudge spoke up

"Now, this young lady is clearly disturbed in her mind, Severus, we must be patient"
"I'll disturb something if you don't listen-"
"That will do, Miss Lestrange, thank you"

I pressed my lips together, not wanting to disobey the Headmaster as he ushered the rest of the crowd away, leaving him alone with myself, Hermione, and Harry. Ron was still fast asleep in bed. As soon as Snape closed the door behind him, all three of us burst into speech

"Professor, we're telling the truth!"
"He's alive, he's a rat!"
"Pettigrew, his finger, and scabbers'-"

He held up a hand to silence us, and said calmly

"I believe you, however I am afraid that the word of three thirteen year old wizards will not convince anybody. What we need, Miss granger...is more time"

I stared at Hermione as she gasped and nodded at the headmaster, and I turned to Harry, shooting him a look that said

Do you know what the hell they're going on about?

He shrugged response as Dumbledore said sternly

"You must not be seen, Miss granger, you know the law". He turned and placed one hand on each door handle, pulling them to a close as he said

I am going to lock you in. It is five minuets to midnight. Miss granger, three turns should do it. Good luck" and with that, he shut the doors.

"Good luck? 'Mione what" I said bewilderedly, but Hermione had beckoned us towards her, holding a gold chain in her hands, a small hourglass swinging with it.