𝐀𝐈𝐌 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐘𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐘┊ᴴᵃʳʳʸ ᴾᵒᵗᵗᵉʳ

56 ✥ 𝙶𝚘𝚘𝚍𝚋𝚢𝚎𝚜

࿔₊° ࿔₊° ࿔₊°
❝ Be prepared. . . Everything is about to change. . . ❞
࿔₊° ࿔₊° ࿔₊°

"𝖄ES," 𝕳ARRY 𝕽EPLIED, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and disbelief. "Haven't you been listening? I saw me and Crystal, but I thought it was my dad and Aunt Avi! It's okay, no one saw!"

Hermione couldn't help but be in awe of their extraordinary feat. "Harry, Crysie, I can't believe it. . . You conjured up a Patronus that drove away all those dementors! That's very, very advanced magic. . ."

“I knew I could do it this time,” Crystal said, feeling a surge of confidence, “I’d already done it. . . Does that make sense?”

Harry shared the same sentiment, his eyes reflecting a deep understanding. He nodded in agreement, acknowledging that he, too, had felt the same sense of familiarity and assurance.

“I don’t know — look at Snape!”

Together they peered around the bush at the other bank. Snape had regained consciousness. He was conjuring stretchers and lifting the limp forms of Harry, Crystal, Hermione, and Black onto them. A fourth stretcher, no doubt bearing Ron, was already floating at his side. Then, wand held out infront of him, he moved them away toward the castle.

“Right, it’s nearly time,” said Hermione tensely, looking at her watch. “We’ve got about forty-five minutes until Dumbledore locks the door to the hospital wing. We’ve got to rescue Sirius and get back into the ward before anybody realizes we’re missing. . . ”

"You guys carry on, I have got something very important to do. Meet me near the hospital door when it's time." Crystal declared suddenly, taking a few steps backward from Harry and Hermione. Her eyes held a determined gleam.

"Crystal, no, you can't do this," Harry moved after her slowly.

"I know you guys can do it without me. Just let Mr. Black know that he can expect to hear from me within two days!"

With those words, she swiftly turned and broke into a sprint, her figure rapidly receding as she headed back toward the castle.

A sense of urgency hung in the air as Hermione voiced her concern, her voice laced with worry. "She's going towards the castle! I hope she doesn't encounter Professor Lupin on her way in these woods!"

"Crystal! Just don't get killed or I'll kill you myself!" Harry couldn't help but shout after Crystal, with concern.

Hermione, still perplexed, wondered aloud, "What do you reckon she's going to do?"

"Don't ask me!" Harry's frustration evident in his tone, replied bitterly, "Has she ever told me anything? She has this notion of keeping things secret not just from you but me too,"

"Oh, Harry. . . " Hermione said with empathy, "I know you like her but maybe— just give her some time—"

"Like her? Who? Me? No, of course not!" Harry instantly denied.

"Who are you lying to? Me or yourself?" Hermione confronted, "Your actions speak louder than your words, Harry. When those dementors were closing in, you instinctively thought and moved to protect her first before anything!"

Harry's heart thudded in his chest, his inner turmoil apparent as he wrestled with the bare truth Hermione slapped him on his face. He reluctantly revealed his inner conflict.

"That's—no, it's not like that! I'm with Rozelle now—tell you what—do you think I'd like a girl like her who doesn't have a free moment for herself, who is ominously unpredictable and secretive about the things she does—on top of that her being the Head of the Calisto is a lot to deal with! I don't want to get into any of that mess—never. Not possible!" Harry's words flowed with an urgency that betrayed his efforts to convince himself.