𝐒𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍 (Hermione Granger)

Chapter Twenty-Five

"HARRY?" Hermione called his name, hoping he'd wake up. He was in the hospital, sleeping after whatever happened after he chased Sirius.

"I saw my dad," Harry said as he woke up.

"What?" Lehla asked, confused about the statement he said.

"He sent the dementors away. I saw him across the lake," he lightly smiled.

"Listen, Harry, they've captured Sirius," Hermione broke the news. "Any minute, the dementors are going to perform the kiss."

"You mean they're going to kill him?!" Harry exclaimed, shooting out of bed.

"No, it's worse. Much worse," Hermione backed up. "They're going to suck out his soul."

The doors to the hospital opened and Dumbledore walked in. "Dad, you've got to stop them!" Lehla said, going up to her father as Hermione and Harry followed her. "They've got the wrong man!"

"It's true, sir. Sirius is innocent," Harry said as Hermione nodded.

"It's Scabbers who did it," Ron said from his bed. The four turned to the redhead who had his leg in a cast.

"Scabbers?" Dumbledore questioned.

"He's my rat, sir," Ron elaborated. "He's not really a rat. Uh, well, he was a rat. He was my brother Percy's rat. But then they gave him an owl, then I got..."

"Point it, we know the truth," Hermione turned back to Dumbledore. "Please believe us."

"I do, Miss Granger. But I'm sorry to say, the word of four thirteen-year-old wizards will convince few others. A child's voice, however honest and true, is meaningless... to those who have forgotten how to listen," Dumbledore's attention diverted as he heard the bell ring. "Mysterious thing, time. Powerful. And when meddle with... dangerous. Sirius Black is in the topmost cell of the Dark Tower. You know the laws, Miss Granger. You must not be seen. And you would do well, I feel, to return before this last chime. If not, the consequences are too ghastly to discuss. If you succeed tonight, more than one innocent life may be spared. Three turns should do it, I think." He then walked away, almost closing the door before remembering something. "Oh, by the way... when in doubt, I find retracing my steps to be a wise place to begin. Good luck."

"What the bloody hell was that all about?" Ron asked.

Hermione turned to the injured boy. "Sorry, Ron, but seeing as you can't walk..." Hermione took a necklace out from under her shirt, wrapping the long chain around her, Lehla, and Harry. Harry tried touching it, but Hermione slapped his hand away, focusing on the little gadget. She seemingly turned back time, seeing many people and movements through the past day. She unwrapped the chain from around the three, tucking it back into her jacket.

"What just happened?" Harry asked. "Where's Ron?"

"Seven-thirty," Hermione said the time. "Where were we at seven-thirty?"

"Going to Hagrid's," Lehla answered.

"Come on," she said, grabbing both of their hands. "And we can't be seen!"

The three of them ran to Hagrid's hut, being extra careful that they wouldn't be seen. They stopped, seeing themselves in front of Draco and his friends. "Hermione, will you please tell us what it is we're doing?" Harry asked the girl. "But... that's us," he realized. "This is not normal," he said, trying to move but Hermione pulled him back. Hermione pushed both of them against the wall, making them stay put.

"This is a Time-Turner," she explained to the two. "McGonagall gave it to me first term. This is how I've been getting to my lessons all year."

"You mean, we've gone back in time?" Lehla asked as Hermione confirmed. "Your dad obviously wanted us to return to this moment. Clearly, something happened he wants us to change."