Chapter Seventeen: Hermione Pulls Me Into the Plot
"I understand. Quick, come closer—there's no time to explain." Hermione pulled out the Time Rewinder and placed it on Harry's head. "And you, Professor Lockhart—duck inside as well. No, not in this room, or you'll see yourself. Step outside."
The three of them moved just beyond the doorway. Hermione activated the device, and Lockhart felt himself lifted into the air, tumbling backward through time. After a dizzying moment, the ground solidified beneath his feet.
"Hermione, what's going on?" Lockhart thought bitterly. Really, Hermione? Must you drag me into your story instead of finishing it yourself?
"We must go back in time," Hermione whispered. "We've reversed three hours."
Harry pinched his leg hard, testing whether he was dreaming.
"Where did you get this Time Rewinder?" he asked.
"It's called the Time Reversal," Hermione explained. "Professor McGonagall gave it to me on our first day back. I promised her—and the Ministry—that I would only use it for studying. But we had to use it to reverse time, so I could learn several years' worth of lessons in a single day. Do you understand?"
Harry frowned. "I get the mechanics, but why did Dumbledore want us to go back three hours? How does this help Sirius?"
"7:30," Hermione murmured. "That's where we need to be—on the way to Hagrid's house."
"Alright!" she said decisively. "We need to sneak over to Hagrid's. Don't get seen, Professor…"
They moved silently through the trees, reaching the edge of the forest. As they approached Hagrid's hut, a knock came at the door. They ducked behind a large oak, peeking out from either side. Hagrid appeared, pale and nervous, trying to see who was there. Harry heard his own voice:
"It was us. We were wearing invisibility cloaks. Hagrid let us in, and then we removed them."
"You shouldn't have come!" Hagrid whispered, stepping back and closing the door quickly.
"This is the strangest thing I've ever done," Lockhart muttered, trying not to imagine the absurd possibilities his mind kept conjuring.
"Let's move forward," Hermione whispered urgently. "We need to get closer to Buckbeak."
They crept through the trees and spotted Buckbeak, anxious and tethered to the fence in Hagrid's pumpkin patch.
"Now?" Harry asked quietly.
"No!" Hermione hissed. "If we rescue him now, the committee will assume Hagrid released him. We must wait until he's officially restrained outside before taking action."
"We only have sixty seconds," Harry murmured. "That doesn't seem likely."
"Don't worry. Hagrid and I raised him together. He'll follow my call," Lockhart said, recalling his experience with magical creatures.
Hermione shot him a surprised glance. "Professor, I truly can't think of anything that could stump you. If only Ron were half as clever…"
She turned to Harry. "Now, Harry—untie the ropes."
Lockhart approached Buckbeak, who perked up at the sight of him. The Hippogriff nuzzled against Lockhart, but he shushed it with a firm gesture.
"Professor, let's go!" Harry urged.
Harry wrapped the rope around Buckbeak's neck. The Hippogriff obediently followed Lockhart, and together, the three of them slipped into the forest.
Along the way, Hermione explained the situation: Black was innocent, and Peter Pettigrew was the true culprit. Lockhart had already pieced that together.
"What's our next step?" Harry whispered, scanning the shadows.
"We hide here," Hermione said, her voice tense. "We wait until everyone is back at the castle. Then, when it's safe, you—Professor Lockhart—catch Peter."
"Good heavens, so you called me here, Hermione. That's why I was involved," Harry exclaimed.
Lockhart rolled his eyes but said nothing.
Hermione peered nervously into the forest. The sun was beginning to set.
"We're about to move," Harry said, then paused. "We should be able to see the Whomping Willow—or we won't know what to do."
"Right," Hermione said, tightening the rope that tethered Buckbeak to a nearby tree. "We mustn't be discovered, Harry. Remember that."
"I can't be seen either, so why am I the one sent to catch Pettigrew?" Lockhart asked, perplexed.
Hermione explained, "Time-travelers can't be seen by their past selves, or they risk creating paradoxes. But Professor, you said you were in your office all night—so that danger doesn't apply to you."
"I see. That makes sense now."
Suddenly, Harry said, "That's Ron!"
They watched as Ron was dragged into a tree hole by a black dog.
"Lupin's here!" Harry whispered. A figure rushed down the steps toward the Whomping Willow. The clouds had obscured the moon completely.
Lockhart suddenly understood. "No wonder Lupin and Snape rushed out earlier today."
Sure enough, Snape appeared shortly after, moving quickly to the willow, checking the area, and slipping into the tree hole.
"That's it," Harry said. "We're all inside… now we just wait until they come out again."
"Well, now we wait," Hermione nodded, tying Buckbeak's rope securely to a tree. She sat on the dry ground, hugging her knees. Lockhart sat beside her, draping an arm over her shoulders to comfort her. Hermione leaned into him, trembling slightly.
Harry frowned. "I still don't understand—who drove away all those Dementors?" He paused, then realized. "Ah—it must have been Professor Lockhart! I thought I saw my dad!"
Lockhart broke into a cold sweat. "Unfortunately, I'm not skilled at the Patronus Charm. That's up to you, Harry. The spell requires a positive mindset, and… well, my mind isn't exactly clean."
"Harry, do you remember the incantation?" Lockhart asked.
"Yes," Harry said, hesitation flickering across his face.
"Don't be afraid, Harry. This time it will work—because you've been saved. Even if something goes wrong, I'll step in."
Harry nodded. "Okay… I'm ready!"
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