The Gryffindor vs. Slytherin match was underway, and the excitement in the air was almost tangible. Harry, Luna, and Neville sat among the Slytherins with Theo and Blaise, the five of them enjoying the match from a different perspective than usual. The first-year Slytherins were gathered around them, eagerly listening as Harry and Blaise explained the finer points of Quidditch.
Harry found himself enjoying the role of mentor more than he expected. Over the past year, he had been helping both Slytherin and Ravenclaw first-years navigate Hogwarts, shielding them from bullying, especially from Gryffindors. Despite house rivalries, he saw no reason to allow younger students to suffer for the pride of others.
Midway through the match, a shift in the atmosphere made Harry's skin prickle. The sky darkened ominously, and a bone-chilling cold swept through the stadium. Whispers of fear rippled through the crowd as Harry's sharp gaze caught sight of shadowed figures circling the pitch. Dementors.
Panic erupted in the stands as the hooded creatures swooped down, their presence draining all warmth and light from the world. Students screamed, clutching each other, their breaths visible in the frozen air. Harry and Theo immediately gathered the first-years, keeping them close as the creatures advanced.
Luna had frozen, her wide, silvery eyes locked on the approaching darkness. Harry barely had time to react before Neville grabbed her, pulling her along toward safety as she trembled in his grasp among the first-years. Harry sent him a thankful look.
The Dementors moved past the pitch, drawn by the large number of young souls huddled together in fear. Harry's pulse pounded in his ears. The first-years were vulnerable, and the Professors were too far away to intervene in time. He had to act.
Swallowing his fear, Harry forced himself to focus on the happiest memories he could summon. Luna, his sister in all but blood. Nox, his sweet hatchling dragon. The unwavering loyalty of Theo, Blaise, and Neville. Tilly and the Pritchards. And—Sirius. The warmth of that hug, the security of knowing someone wanted to protect him, care for him, be there for him.
The Dementors drew closer, and suddenly, silence engulfed the chaos.
He whispered with all the feelings he had conjured, "Expecto Patronum!"
A bright light erupted from Harry's wand, illuminating the pitch with rings of brilliant white mist spreading out sending the dementors away from the students. The mist thickened, glowing brighter, pushing against the darkness. Then, from the very core of the light, something burst forth—a magnificent, silver stag.
Gasps of awe rippled through the stands as the stag galloped forward, antlers shining with ethereal light. It charged the swarm of Dementors, its very presence banishing the despair they spread. More Dementors arrived, drawn by the energy, but the Patronus did not falter. It leaped, driving them away with powerful strides, sending them scattering beyond the stadium's borders.
The oppressive cold lifted, replaced by the warmth of Harry's magic filling the air. The students shivered, not from fear, but from the overwhelming sense of safety that the Patronus left in its wake. The stag stood before Harry, its deep, intelligent eyes locking onto his. With a graceful bow of its head, it nudged his shoulder before turning, galloping away into the mist, and fading from sight.
Silence fell upon the stands. Then, suddenly, the first-years burst into tears and scrambled toward Harry, clinging to him as if he were their lifeline. Even the older students were left speechless, some murmuring their thanks in reverence.
Harry, flustered by the attention, tried to brush it off. He hadn't done it for the recognition—he had simply refused to let those monsters hurt anyone, especially the younger ones.
Finally, the Professors arrived, panting from their sprint across the pitch. Flitwick's expression was one of sheer pride, his eyes twinkling as he approached. "Mr. Potter, that was a truly magnificent Patronus. I daresay that is an achievement few adult wizards could match."
Remus Lupin stood beside him, his usual calm demeanour shaken by awe and recognition. "That was—extraordinary, Harry. The power behind it… I knew you had potential, but this…"
Flitwick beamed. "One hundred points to Ravenclaw for your outstanding magical prowess."
Before Harry could respond, the crowd surged forward, moving toward the castle in case the Dementors returned. Dumbledore attempted to approach Harry, but he was quickly pushed aside in the commotion.
Harry turned to Flitwick, his voice steady despite the lingering tremor in his limbs. "Professor, I think it would be best to take the first and second-year Slytherins to Madame Pomfrey. They were hit the worst."
Flitwick nodded, his sharp mind already moving to act. "An excellent suggestion, Mr. Potter."
Harry glanced toward Luna, who was still trembling slightly. He placed a steady hands on her shoulder, moving them to cup her face and make her look at him. "Luna, you alright?"
She blinked up at him, her usual dreamy expression momentarily replaced with something distant. Then, slowly, she nodded. "The wrackspurts were particularly cruel today, but your dad was very bright" she murmured. What she said made Harry confused, but he pushed it aside to focus on her welfare.
Neville stepped up beside her, his grip firm but reassuring. "We should all head inside."
Harry cast one last glance at the sky, his jaw tightening. He had stood against the darkness today. He had protected his friends. And he would do it again.
Because no one—no one—would take away what he had fought so hard to keep.
The next day in the chamber, everyone was telling Sirius what happened at the match, and when Harry produced his patronus again, Sirius burst into tears.
Stopping long enough to whisper, "Prongs". Officially naming Harry's great guardian.
~
The night air was thick with the scent of summer grass and the lingering warmth of the day. The sun was setting quickly, the grounds of Hogwarts covered in a light evening glow. Harry, Theo, and Blaise moved silently across the grounds, with Sirius as Padfoot trotting excitedly beside them the cloak carefully draped over his body, barely containing his glee at finally being outside after four long months in the Chamber of Secrets.
"You better not start howling," Theo muttered under his breath as Sirius wagged his tail, brushing against them.
Harry sighed. "Just stay under the cloak until we reach the trees, then we will try and save Buckbeak."
They maneuvered carefully across the grounds, heading towards the edge of the Forbidden Forest. They were passing the whomping willow when a loud voice cut through the night.
"Oi! What are you doing sneaking around with them, Potter?" Ron Weasley's voice was unmistakable, filled with self-righteous anger.
Harry turned, gritting his teeth, and saw Ron and Hermione emerging from the path leading from Hagrid's hut. Ron had a smug, self-satisfied look on his face, arms crossed as he glared at Harry. Hermione, on the other hand, looked slightly unhinged, her hair frizzing wildly as she clenched her wand.
"What do you want, Weasley?" Theo asked coolly, stepping forward slightly to shield Harry.
"What do I want? I want to know what Potter's doing skulking around with a bunch of slimy Slytherins!" Ron shot back, his face red. "What are they giving you, huh? What are you doing for them to keep you around?" His face leering slightly, making Theo and Blaise look angry.
Harry stiffened. "Excuse me?" A small growl could be heard from his right, luckily drowned out by Hermione's grating voice.
Hermione sniffed. "Honestly, Harry, I don't understand why you're keeping company with someone like Nott. We all know what kind of spells his family deals in. Dark Arts, right?"
Theo smirked coldly. "Oh, Granger, do enlighten me about the Dark Arts. What exactly do you think I do? Sacrifice first-years to my cauldron?"
Before Hermione could respond, Ron suddenly shrieked, "SCABBERS!"
All eyes snapped to where the rat scurried frantically in Ron's hands, its tiny body writhing in his grasp.
Harry's heart leapt into his throat. "Ron, pass him to me—"
But before Ron could react, Padfoot burst from under the Invisibility Cloak, lunging at the rat with a deep, guttural snarl.
"WHAT THE—?" Ron shouted as he dropped Scabbers in terror as the grim pounced on him, teeth digging into his arm making him drop the rat.
The rat hit the ground running, making a beeline for the Whomping Willow. Sirius was after him instantly, Rons wand in his mouth.
"Wait!" Harry shouted, taking off after him. Theo shoved Hermione aside when she grabbed at Harry's arm, and Blaise shot a parting glare before sprinting after them, subtly pocketing the fallen cloak.
Harry reached the tree just in time to see Pettigrew darting towards a gap in the roots. Thinking fast, he directed a sharp burst of wind at the base of the tree, striking the knot that froze the Whomping Willow in place that Sirius told them about. The branches stopped their furious thrashing, and Sirius wasted no time in barrelling inside after Pettigrew.
Harry and Theo exchanged a quick look before diving in after him, Blaise following quickly after.
The tunnel was dark and smelled of damp earth and decay, the narrow path sloping downward into what was unmistakably the entrance to the Shrieking Shack.
They emerged into a dusty old room just as Sirius, now human, held Ron's wand at a quivering Peter Pettigrew, who was backed against the wall, his small, watery eyes darting around like a cornered rat.
"Please, Sirius," Pettigrew whimpered, shaking violently. "You don't have to do this. I was scared—he would've killed me!"
"You sold them out!" Sirius roared, his face contorted in rage. "You handed James and Lily over to Voldemort like they were nothing!"
Pettigrew fell to his knees, sobbing. "I—I didn't want to! I had no choice! Please, you have to understand—"
"Oh, I understand plenty," Sirius growled, his grip tightening on the wand.
Harry stepped forward. "Sirius, stop! We need him alive! If we kill him, you'll never be free."
Sirius' expression twisted, his breathing ragged. He turned sharply to Harry, his wild grey eyes softening. "Harry, he's the reason you grew up alone. He deserves—"
"I know what he deserves," Harry interrupted, voice firm. "But you deserve justice. We need to take him to the Ministry." He said, pulling the complete warded rat box out of his extended pocket.
Sirius hesitated, then slowly lowered his wand, though his hands were still shaking with fury.
Theo stepped closer, glaring down at Pettigrew. "He still killed all those Muggles, though."
Pettigrew's head snapped up. "No! No, that wasn't me! I—I blew up the street, yes, but it was to escape!"
"So you admit it," Blaise sneered. "You framed Black, faked your death, and left him to rot in Azkaban while you ran free."
Pettigrew shrunk under their stares. "It—it wasn't personal—"
"NOT PERSONAL?!" Sirius bellowed, making the room shake. "You destroyed everything! My best friends—my family! You left Harry an orphan!"
Harry clenched his fists, magic simmering under his skin. The air grew charged, as if the room itself was responding to his fury.
"He's coming with us," Harry finally said, voice like steel. "We'll make sure people see him then make him transform back and put him in the box, then call for the Aurors."
Sirius nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But if he tries anything—"
"We'll deal with it," Theo finished.
Blaise conjured bindings, and they secured Pettigrew tightly before Harry turned to Sirius. "You trust me?"
Sirius stared at him for a long moment before nodding. "Yeah. I trust you."
As they were leaving the shack, Hermione and Ron intercepted them again, blocking their path with furious expressions.
"You're helping Black!" Hermione accused, her voice shrill. "You let him into the castle, didn't you? You've been sneaking around with him this whole time!"
Ron, red-faced and shaking, jabbed a finger at Harry. "I knew you were up to something! I knew you were dodgy, but this? Helping a murderer? How could you?!"
Harry clenched his fists, his patience snapping. "You don't know the whole bloody story!" he shouted. "That 'murderer' isn't the traitor! Your pet rat, Ron! Scabbers! He's an Animagus! He's Peter Pettigrew, the real betrayer of my parents!"
Ron's face contorted in confusion and horror. "That's not—That's insane! Scabbers is just—he's just—"
"He's been hiding for twelve years as a rat!" Theo cut in coldly, eyes sharp as he watched Ron flinch back. "Think about it, Weasley. Why would a normal rat live that long? Look at the proof!" He shouted, pointing to the fat rat-like man next to them.
Hermione still looked sceptical, but before she could open her mouth, the night suddenly grew even colder.
The chill slithered up Harry's spine in warning. Then, without another second's notice, the shadows around them thickened as a swarm of Dementors descended upon them, dark and suffocating, a tide of pure terror.
"Run!" Harry ordered, heart pounding. He turned to Sirius. "Run now! Get out of here!"
"I'm not leaving you, pup!" Sirius shot back, his ragged face twisted in defiance.
The Dementors came in waves—three times as many as during the Quidditch match. Harry raised his wand, a powerful mist already forming around them, but the sheer number pressing in suffocated the warmth his Patronus was meant to provide.
Pettigrew, in the chaos, stumbled into Hermione, and before she could react, he wrenched her wand from her grasp and into his bound hands. There was a sickening pop—Peter was gone, replaced by a rat once more, his beady eyes gleaming in desperation.
Blaise cursed, his restraints on Pettigrew excellent, but an Animagus transformation seemed to be a loophole. The moment Pettigrew regained his rat form, he scurried away into the underbrush.
"No!" Harry snarled, wrenching the enchanted box from his pocket. He hurled it to Blaise. "Trap him in there!"
Blaise fumbled for a moment before launching himself after the rat, Theo following right behind him.
They came back moments later unable to get past the dementors. Harry's Patronus mist flickered under the growing swarm of Dementors. "GO! Take Sirius and go!" he shouted again, forcing all the strength he had into the spell. "I'll hold them off!"
Blaise and Theo hesitated. Their eyes darted to Harry, raw fear and frustration evident. "Harry, we have to go!" Theo screamed.
But Harry could see it. The way the Dementors shifted their focus. They were moving towards Sirius.
"Blaise, Theo, run! Get Sirius out of here!"
For a moment, Theo looked torn, but Blaise grabbed his arm and yanked him away. With a curse, they vanished into the dark, a struggling Sirius in tow.
Harry gritted his teeth, forcing his Patronus to take more shape and bring forth Prongs, but it wasn't strong enough—not yet. He could feel the despair creeping up on him, the cold clinging to his very soul. It was worse than the quidditch match. In his other hand he conjured flames hoping to catch some of the tattered cloaks, but it moved through them like smoke.
Then a sharp, snarling bark cut through the air.
"NO!"
Sirius had broken free from Blaise and Theo leaving them safe but unable to make their way back. He bolted back towards Harry, his large black dog form moving like a blur across the ground.
"SIRIUS! NO, RUN!" Harry screamed, but Sirius didn't listen.
The momentary lapse in Harry's concentration caused his Patronus to flicker and weaken. The Dementors seized their opportunity.
The darkness closed in, thick and heavy. The air was too cold to breathe, the shadows pressing against him.
Then—screaming.
His mother's scream.
Not Harry, please not Harry! Take me instead! Not Harry, please!
It tore through his mind like jagged glass, the pain and fear so overwhelming that he fell to his knees. The wand slipped from his fingers, and he barely registered Sirius collapsing beside him, writhing as his soul was pulled toward the void.
The edges of his vision darkened. His body felt unbearably heavy, the pull of unconsciousness undeniable.
A small ball of light—Sirius' soul—began to slip away.
Harry barely had the strength to whisper a final thought.
I hope the others got away…
Then—
Blinding light.
Warmth.
A presence so powerful it pushed the darkness away.
And then—nothing.
~
Pain. That was the first thing Harry registered. A dull, aching throb in his limbs, as though he'd run a marathon before being trampled by a hippogriff. His body felt heavier than usual, his mind foggy. Slowly, he cracked his eyes open, the bright candlelight of the infirmary stinging his vision.
A sharp gasp rang out beside him, and suddenly, four figures surged forward.
"Harry!"
Before he could react, Luna launched herself at him, arms wrapping tightly around his shoulders. She was shaking, and when she pulled back, Harry saw her pale blue eyes were rimmed red, tear tracks still visible on her face.
"I—I didn't see it," she whispered, voice thick with anguish. "There were too many branches… too many threads of fate. The vision was tangled, obscured… I—I should have tried harder to untangle it. I should have known."
Harry's confusion only deepened at Luna's cryptic words, but before he could ask, Theo cut in, his face a mask of anger and grief. "We lost, Harry." His voice was thick with restrained emotion. "Sirius has been captured… and Pettigrew got away in the chaos."
Harry's stomach dropped. "What?"
"We tried, Harry," Blaise muttered, running a hand through his dark curls in frustration. "We told Dumbledore, told everyone what happened—that Peter Pettigrew is alive, that Sirius is innocent. But he said that there was no proof and theres a Kiss on Sight order still."
"It's not your fault." Harry clenched his fists so hard his nails bit into his palms. "Dumbledore?"
"Came in with his usual cryptic wisdom," Theo scoffed bitterly. "Told us how disappointed he was that you didn't feel like you could go to him with this information, and how unfortunate it was that the Ministry wouldn't listen to our claims. And then he dropped the real bomb." Theo looked Harry dead in the eye. "Sirius is being Kissed within the hour."
For a moment, the words didn't register. Then they crashed into him like a tidal wave. His breath caught in his throat. His chest tightened painfully.
"No," he croaked, voice barely above a whisper. "No, we—we can't let that happen."
"We tried, mate," Neville said softly, his face drawn with grief. "There's nothing more we can—"
The temperature in the room seemed to drop suddenly as Luna's entire body stiffened. Her irises flickered silver, her pupils dilating unnaturally. And then she spoke—not in her usual whimsical tone, but in a voice layered with something ancient and powerful.
"The stars do not lie, and fate is not set. The past is the key to the present, the present the key to the past. A prisoner undeserving, a traitor escaping. Time bends, but trust wrongly and the rat will slip away once more. Two lives hang in the balance, yet only one stag will shine."
A silence fell over them like a thick, suffocating blanket. The air itself felt charged, as though the castle had momentarily held its breath. Harry swallowed thickly as Luna swayed on her feet, Theo quickly reaching out to steady her and making her lie on Harry's bed. All of them looking in shock at her sudden change.
Harry pulled her close. "You're okay Luna. It's okay, just let it pass." He had never seen her speak a prophecy like this before. This was something beyond the usual intuition she would share in the form of riddles and dreams. It took a larger toll on her body too; he could see her limbs rattling with the force of the prophecy.
She blinked up at Harry, her voice softer now, carrying that familiar dreamy lilt. "You need more time."
Neville was the first to break the silence, repeating Luna's words under his breath. And suddenly, Harry knew exactly what she meant.
His head snapped toward Hermione's unconscious form. Ignoring the pain in his limbs, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and padded toward her. Gently, he reached for the delicate chain around her neck, lifting the small, hourglass-shaped pendant into view.
"A Time-Turner," Blaise breathed, realisation dawning in his sharp eyes.
Harry turned back to the others, heart hammering. "We can fix this. We can go back and do it right."
Theo, who had been eerily quiet since Luna's prophecy, suddenly straightened. "You'll need a second person."
Harry hesitated. "Theo—"
Theo's jaw was set with determination. "No arguments. The prophecy said two lives can be saved. That means we need to make sure Buckbeak doesn't get executed either."
Blaise frowned. "The problem is, we don't know how far back to go."
"Three hours should do it," Luna murmured, staring at the device in Harry's hand. "Enough to make the difference we need."
Harry turned to Theo, their gazes locking. "You sure about this?"
Theo smirked faintly. "You're not leaving me out of this adventure, Potter."
Harry nodded, shifting the chain so that it looped around both of their necks. As they positioned themselves, Luna suddenly reached forward, grasping Harry's hand.
"Be careful, Harry," she whispered.
He squeezed her hand in return. "I will." He turned to Blaise and Neville, "can you make sure she stays in bed…we can explain everything later." Referring to Luna's prophecy. They had never fully divulged her gifts to them before, but they had also never hid them fully waiting for the right time to tell them.
Theo gave Blaise and Neville a nod before grasping the Time-Turner. Harry inhaled sharply, then, together, they turned the hourglass three times.
The world around them spun, colours blending into a chaotic whirlwind before everything snapped back into place.
They were back.
Theo exhaled shakily. "Right. Step one—find Buckbeak."
Harry nodded. "And step two—save Sirius."
They shared a determined look before slipping into the shadows, time itself now bending to their will.
~
Harry and Theo stood in the shadowed cover of the Forbidden Forest, waiting for the figures of Dumbledore, the Minister of Magic, and the executioner to approach the hut. They had roughly twenty to thirty minutes before they needed to be in position to stop the Dementors. Buckbeak stood tethered nearby, rustling his wings in agitation.
"We need to wait for them to see Buckbeak first," Theo murmured. "If we act too soon, they'll notice he's missing before we even get him away."
Harry nodded, his gaze sharp as he scanned the area. "We'll cause a distraction when the time is right. You lead Buckbeak away while I keep them occupied."
As they waited in silence, Theo turned to Harry, his expression unusually serious. "Harry... about Luna. What happened back there? That prophecy... she looked like she was barely holding on."
"No one can know," Harry said firmly. "Not Dumbledore, not your father, and definitely not Voldemort. No one."
Without hesitation, Theo nodded. "I swear, Harry. On my magic, I will never reveal what you've told me." A pulse of magic flaring between them.
A small wave of relief passed over Harry. "Thank you, Theo."
Harry exhaled heavily, recalling Luna wanting to tell the others the truth. "Luna has a special bloodline," he admitted carefully, choosing his words. "It's been getting worse, the visions. If we don't find a way to stop them, they could take her sanity, just like those before her who had the gift."
Theo stiffened beside him. "Does anyone else know?"
Their attention was snapped back to Hagrid's hut when they saw movement. Ron and Hermione were leaving, walking a short distance away. Harry and Theo crouched lower, listening carefully as their voices carried through the quiet night.
"We should follow Potter again," Ron grumbled. "Dumbledore will want to know what he's up to. Where he's been going."
Hermione, looking frustrated, snapped back, "We don't have time for that, Ron! I need to finish my research and find the missing books before Dumbledore finds out I lost them."
Harry and Theo exchanged dark looks, confirming what they had long suspected—Ron and Hermione were actively spying for Dumbledore.
"Figures," Theo muttered. "I knew they were watching you, but to hear it straight from their mouths..."
Harry clenched his fists, forcing himself to focus. He would deal with Ron and Hermione later. Right now, they had a mission to complete.
Once the two disappeared down the path, the Minister, Dumbledore, and the executioner entered Hagrid's hut.
Harry took a steadying breath. "Alright. They're inside. Now's our chance."
They hurried over to Buckbeak, who eyed them warily. Bowing quickly in respect, Harry took the lead in coaxing him forward. The hippogriff shifted, hesitant, until Theo held up a bundle of ferrets Hagrid had left hanging outside. The promise of food won Buckbeak over, and he began following them into the dense cover of the forest.
"Come on, Buckbeak," Theo murmured, leading him deeper into the trees. "Just a little further."
Their hearts pounded as they maneuvered their way toward the clearing near the Shrieking Shack, where they would hide until it was time for the next part of their plan.
Harry glanced up at the sky, measuring the time left. They were cutting it close, but if all went well, they'd save both Buckbeak and Sirius before the night was over.
The cool night air clung to Harry's skin as he crouched low behind the thick underbrush of the Forbidden Forest. He and Theo had watched as the past versions of themselves and their friends played out the night's events, unable to interfere too soon.
Harry's fingers curled into the dirt as frustration surged through him. He could see it all now, the mistakes he had made—things he should have done differently. He should have forced Pettigrew to transform in the shack instead of letting him remain human. He should have bound him properly, taken every precaution to ensure he never escaped. But instead, he had let his emotions dictate his actions, and now they were here, trying to fix the damage.
Theo, beside him, was tense, his grey-blue eyes flicking between Harry and the unfolding chaos near the Whomping Willow. "What's the plan?" he whispered.
Harry was about to answer when movement caught his eye. A small, scurrying figure darting through the underbrush.
Pettigrew.
The rat was desperately making his way toward them, unaware of their presence. It was pure luck—fate, even—that he had run right into their path.
Harry wasted no time. Summoning the rune box that had been dropped by Blaise in the earlier commotion, he reached for his magic. The ground beneath them trembled slightly as thick, twisting vines burst from the earth at his command, wrapping around the rat in a matter of seconds.
Pettigrew let out a high-pitched squeal, struggling violently against the enchanted vines.
Theo exhaled sharply. "Merlin—"
Harry didn't hesitate. He grabbed the squirming rat and shoved him inside the rune box, sealing it shut with a burst of magic. A pulse of protective energy rippled through the air as the runes activated, ensuring that Pettigrew would remain contained. The Oxygen runes Newt Scamander told him about ensuring he wouldn't suffocate.
For a brief, fleeting moment, victory settled over him.
Then the temperature plummeted even more.
Harry's breath hitched as his magic faltered. The oppressive, soul-draining presence of the Dementors pressed down on him, and his stomach turned at the overwhelming sense of dread that came with them.
A cold sweat formed on Theo's brow. "They're coming," he whispered, barely audible over the distant echoes of past screams.
Harry turned his gaze toward the distant figures by the lake. His past self was struggling against the Dementors, Sirius barely conscious beside him. He knew what was coming—he had lived it. The hopelessness, the weight of his own despair crushing him into the ground as the Dementors closed in.
He had to act.
The wand in his hand felt like an extension of himself for once, as he lifted it high, but for the briefest of moments, doubt crept in. Could he do it again? Could he produce a Patronus strong enough to fight off a whole swarm?
His heart pounded.
Theo's hand clasped his.
Harry blinked, glancing at him in surprise. Theo's grip was tight, grounding, and despite his pale complexion, his expression was unwavering. "You can do this, Harry."
Harry swallowed hard, pushing everything else away. He closed his eyes, forcing himself to reach deep into his core.
Happy memories.
He thought of Luna—the first friend he ever made, the sister of his soul. He thought of Nox, his beautiful, wild, mischievous dragon, and the first time she had curled against him, calling him Mother. He thought of all the times he had spent with Blaise, Theo, and Neville, laughing, training, scheming together in their secret sanctuary.
He wasn't alone anymore.
He thought of Sirius, his godfather, the first adult who had ever wanted him, who had offered him something he had never dared to hope for—a family.
And above all, he thought of the love his parents had for him. They died for me. They loved me.
He had made his own family now.
The magic surged, burning through him with an intensity he had never felt before.
A soft whisper echoed in his mind.
"Always."
His eyes snapped open, and he shouted, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
Light exploded from his wand.
Brilliant, pure, dazzling. Rings of white mist pulsed outward in powerful waves, filling the night air with a chiming resonance so strong that the Dementors recoiled. The radiant energy grew, taking shape, solidifying—
A magnificent silver stag, Prongs, erupted from the tip of Harry's wand.
The creature landed with an earth-shaking impact, its antlers gleaming like moonlight, its presence exuding untouchable strength. It stood between Harry and the Dementors, lowering its head before charging.
The Dementors screamed.
They were thrown back, the force of the Patronus sending them scattering like shadows under the sun. Wherever the stag went, the darkness receded. It drove through the thick swarm of monsters, its powerful hooves crushing any remnants of despair in its path.
By the lake, Harry saw his past self collapse, his Patronus fading.
He clenched his teeth, pouring every ounce of his strength into the spell.
The stag thundered forward, reaching the dying Sirius, standing protectively over him. It lowered its head once more and unleashed another wave of light, pushing back the last of the Dementors.
The darkness lifted.
For a long moment, there was silence.
Harry's body trembled as his magic settled. His Patronus, still glowing softly, turned back toward him.
His breath hitched.
The stag walked forward with deliberate, regal grace. When it reached Harry, it nudged him gently, its intelligent eyes filled with something knowing—something almost familiar.
Harry swallowed past the lump in his throat.
The stag bowed.
Then, like mist caught in a breeze, it faded, dissolving into threads of silver light that vanished into the night.
Harry staggered slightly, breathless.
Theo caught him, steadying him with a firm grip. His expression was unreadable, a mixture of awe, concern, and something else Harry couldn't quite place.
"Bloody hell," Theo muttered. "That wasn't just a Patronus this time, Harry. That was power. Tangible."
Harry let out a shaky breath. "Yeah," he murmured. "I think… I think I understand now."
Theo tilted his head. "Understand what?"
Harry glanced toward the lake, where his past self lay unconscious, Sirius barely clinging to life beside him.
The realisation settled over him like a gentle weight, remembering what Luna said the first time he manifested Prongs.
"My father," he whispered. "That Patronus… it wasn't just mine. It was his too. Part of his soul within my guardian."
For the first time in his life, Harry felt a true connection—not just to his magic, not just to his parents, but to something greater. He would remember this.
~
Time was slipping through their fingers like grains of sand.
Harry and Theo crouched in the shadows of the Forbidden Forest, cloaked by Harry's magic, as they watched Dumbledore and Snape rush toward the lake where Harry's past self and Sirius lay motionless but alive.
Harry's breath was coming fast and sharp.
This is it. We have one chance.
Dumbledore and Snape came to a halt at the scene, both momentarily stunned. Snape's lip curled into a sneer, but Harry's eyes were on Dumbledore—on the strange, almost hungry look in his piercing blue gaze.
"A most spectacular Patronus," Dumbledore murmured, stroking his beard. His eyes gleamed in the dim light. "Yes… a power beyond anything I have seen in decades…"
Harry's stomach churned. The way Dumbledore spoke, the way he looked towards Harrys prone body—it wasn't admiration. It was want. And it made him decidedly uncomfortable.
Beside him, Theo tensed. "He's not talking about the Patronus itself," Theo whispered. "He's talking about you."
Before Harry could reply, Snape took a step forward and, with a gleeful smirk, kicked the unconscious Sirius in the ribs.
Harry saw red.
His fingers twitched at his side, and shadows curled at his feet, responding to his rage.
"Shame about the criminal," Snape drawled, his voice dripping with false concern. "It would be a waste to let the Dementors kiss him before we get some use out of him."
Dumbledore sighed dramatically, as if burdened. "Yes, it is unfortunate. But he will have to be… out of the way."
Harry stiffened, every muscle in his body locking up.
Out of the way.
The words rang in his ears like a death sentence.
Dumbledore continued, his voice gentle, almost grandfatherly. "We cannot have him interfering, leading young Harry astray. It is vital that the boy remains in the Light. His destiny must not be compromised. He has strayed too far already."
Theo sucked in a sharp breath beside him.
Harry barely breathed.
So that's it.
Sirius had never mattered to Dumbledore. His innocence had never been a factor. All that mattered was keeping Sirius away from him.
Dumbledore turned to Snape. "Take Black to the dark tower. Ensure he is… comfortable until the Dementors arrive."
Snape smirked, flicking his wand, and Sirius's unconscious body lifted into the air like a ragdoll. As they walked away, Snape made a deliberate effort to let Sirius's body knock against the stone path—once, twice—until they disappeared into the darkness.
Harry's hands trembled with suppressed fury.
Theo placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Now we know," he whispered. "Now we know what kind of man he really is."
But there was no time to dwell on it.
They had one hour.
Harry's mind sharpened like a blade. "Come on. We need to move."
They made their way swiftly back to the trees where Buckbeak was waiting, the proud hippogriff watching them with keen eyes.
Theo exhaled. "How the hell are we getting him into the tower without being seen?"
Harry grinned grimly. "We fly."
Theo gave him a look but didn't argue.
After quickly untying Buckbeak, they mounted, and with a powerful surge, the hippogriff took off into the night sky. The wind whipped at their robes as they soared higher, the castle looming beneath them.
"There!" Theo pointed. "That's the tower."
Harry adjusted their angle, urging Buckbeak forward. The window to Sirius's cell was barred, but that wasn't a problem.
Raising a hand, Harry summoned his elemental magic. The very stone of the tower groaned and cracked as he commanded it to break. With a final pulse of magic, the stone shattered, the fragments dissolving into dust leaving a hole near the door.
Sirius barely had time to react before they landed. His eyes widened as he saw them.
"Harry?"
Harry barely had time to breathe before Sirius was in front of him, grabbing him by the shoulders. "How—"
"No time," Harry cut in. His heart was pounding. "We caught Pettigrew."
Sirius froze. "You—" His breath hitched. "You caught him?"
Harry nodded. "We have him in the warded box. We're going to take him to Madam Bones—"
Excitement lit up Sirius's tired face. "Then I'm free. I can finally—"
"No," Theo interrupted.
The happiness flickered. "What?"
Theo's voice was grim. "We overheard Dumbledore talking to Snape."
And in quick, clipped words, Theo told Sirius exactly what they had heard.
Sirius's expression twisted with fury. "That bastard," he whispered. "He was never on our side. He never cared about justice—only about keeping Harry under his thumb."
Harry's chest tightened at the raw anger in Sirius's voice. He didn't want this for him. He didn't want him to feel hopeless again.
"Sirius," he said, voice softer now. "You have to go."
Sirius's head snapped up. "No. I'm not leaving you."
"You have to," Harry insisted. "We don't have time—Dumbledore will make sure you never walk free. We need time to get to Bones, to build a case. If you stay, they'll take you tonight."
Sirius clenched his jaw. "Harry—"
"Live today," Harry cut him off. "Fight tomorrow."
Sirius's expression crumbled, a deep vulnerability showing. "But we were going to be a family."
Harry swallowed thickly, blinking back the sting in his eyes. "We still will be."
Sirius looked like he wanted to argue. To fight. To rage at the injustice of it all.
But he didn't.
Because he knew Harry was right.
Harry reached into his pocket, pulling out a slip of parchment and quickly writing on it and imbuing his magical signature into the paper. "Here." He pressed it into Sirius's hand. "Coordinates. It's a safe place. Get to the edge of the wards and call for Tilly. She'll let you in. Keep the paper on you until you pass."
Sirius frowned, glancing at the paper. "What's this place?"
"The Cove."
Sirius narrowed his eyes. "Harry, what's in this Cove?"
Harry hesitated. He didn't have time to explain everything.
So he settled for a bit of humour, "My Nox."
Theo shot him a suspicious look. "Even I don't know what's in the Cove."
Sirius eyed him warily. "You're not throwing me into a death trap, are you?"
Harry smirked slightly. "Not intentionally."
Sirius groaned. "Brilliant."
Harry squeezed his arm. "Just don't forget to call for Tilly before you go in. Otherwise…"
"Otherwise?"
"Nox will probably eat you."
Silence.
"What."
Harry grinned.
Even Theo looked confused. "What the hell is a Nox?"
"No time!" Harry shoved Sirius toward Buckbeak. "Go!"
Sirius swore under his breath but climbed onto Buckbeak. Before he could say another word, the hippogriff took off, carrying him away into the dark sky.
Harry watched until he was just a shadow on the horizon.
A knot loosened in his chest.
Theo tugged his sleeve. "We need to go."
Harry exhaled.
They ran.
The clock was ticking.
They made it back to the infirmary under the invisibility cloak just in time, slipping inside to see their past selves use the time turner and disappearing.
Theo pulled out the Time-Turner. "We made it," he murmured.
Harry let out a breath and hurriedly placed the time turner back on Hermione's neck. No one can know what they did, he thought.
Sirius was free.
Pettigrew was captured.
And now, they just had to set things right.
~
The infirmary was quiet.
The only sound was the soft, even breathing of the unconscious patients. Luna lay curled on her side beside Harry, deep in sleep, recovering from her episode. Across the room, Ron and Hermione occupied separate beds, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing around them.
Harry, however, was wide awake.
A silencing charm surrounded his bed, shielding their conversation from prying ears. He, Theo, Blaise, and Neville sat in a tight circle, voices hushed but urgent as they recounted everything that had happened.
"So, what you're saying," Blaise murmured, arms crossed, "is that Dumbledore basically admitted to needing Black out of the way?"
Theo nodded. "He can't have Sirius influencing Harry. He needs him dependent. Isolated."
Neville's hands clenched into fists. "That bastard."
Blaise exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "I knew Dumbledore was manipulative, but to keep an innocent man imprisoned just to control you? That's a whole new level of vile. We suspected, but to have it confirmed."
Harry, who had been quiet throughout their recap, finally spoke. His voice was low, but steady.
"I don't trust the minister. I don't trust Dumbledore. And I don't trust that Sirius will be safe unless we make sure of it."
Theo frowned. "Are you thinking of telling Bones?"
Harry hesitated. "Maybe. But I want to be sure she will get Sirius a trial before we do. I want something they can't ignore."
Blaise, ever the strategist, tapped his chin. "And in the meantime?"
"We wait," Harry said simply. "We watch. We play their game until we have the upper hand."
A beat of silence passed between them, each lost in their own thoughts.
Then, suddenly, Harry felt it—magical signatures, pressing against his senses.
"Get rid of the silencing ward," he muttered. "Now."
Theo flicked his wand, dissolving the charm just in time.
The infirmary doors slammed open.
The sudden noise made Neville jump. Blaise merely straightened, his face carefully blank. Theo tensed beside Harry, his expression cool and unreadable.
Luna didn't stir.
Harry schooled his features into something neutral as he turned to face their visitors.
Minister Fudge.
A handful of Aurors.
And Dumbledore, with his twinkling blue eyes set firmly on him.
Showtime.
"Young man," Fudge barked, stepping forward with the air of someone who thought himself very important. "I believe you and your friends have some explaining to do."
Harry feigned confusion. "About what, Minister?"
Fudge huffed, flustered at being questioned so easily. "About everything, Potter! Black's escape! Pettigrew's supposed return! And what in Merlin's name you children were doing in the middle of it all!"
Blaise gave a practiced pause before speaking, as if considering his words carefully.
"We already explained it to Professor Dumbledore," he said, voice calm. "I assume he gave you the full report?"
Dumbledore, silent until now, finally spoke. "Perhaps, it would be best if Harry told the story himself."
There it was.
The push.
Harry bit back a scoff. He'd learned enough from watching Slytherins over the years to recognise exactly what Dumbledore was doing.
He wanted to control the narrative.
Fine.
Let's play.
Harry sat up straighter, schooling his face into something appropriately innocent yet serious.
"We were going to Hagrid's," he began, carefully measured. "To tell him how sorry we were about Buckbeak's execution."
The mention of Buckbeak made Fudge grimace.
Harry noted that and felt a small victory.
"Before we got there, we were stopped by Hermione and Ron. Ron saw his pet rat—Scabbers," Harry continued. "He was alive. Ron had thought he was dead, but he wasn't."
Fudge waved his hand impatiently. "Yes, yes. And then?"
"Then a large dog lunged at Ron," Theo picked up smoothly, voice neutral. "It startled him, and he dropped the rat. Scabbers ran toward the Whomping Willow."
Fudge frowned, exchanging a glance with one of the Aurors.
Harry kept his voice steady, "We followed the dog because… well, it had Ron's wand."
A small lie.
A necessary one.
"We didn't want to leave a Gryffindor wand lying around, even if it belonged to a prat." Neville added helpfully.
"Language, Mr Longbottom." Dumbledore hummed, as if considering their words. "And then?"
Harry exhaled. "We followed the dog into the tunnel and found Sirius Black holding a man at wandpoint."
A sharp intake of breath from one of the Aurors.
Fudge frowned. "A man?"
Harry nodded. "Peter Pettigrew."
Silence.
Fudge stared at him.
Dumbledore, however, was unreadable.
Harry pressed forward. "Black forced Pettigrew to tell the truth. About how he wasn't the secret keeper. About how he faked his own death, cutting off his finger before escaping to the sewers and living as the Weasleys pet rat for 12 years. About how he killed those Muggles."
The Aurors whispered among themselves.
Fudge, ever the idiot, scoffed. "Preposterous!"
Harry tilted his head. "Is it?"
"Yes!" Fudge snapped. "I refuse to believe it! If Pettigrew was alive, where is he now?"
Harry hesitated.
The weight of the warded box in his pocket was heavy.
He could hand it over.
He could.
But as his eyes flickered to Dumbledore—at the carefully crafted disappointment on his face—he made his decision.
He wasn't ready to play that card.
Not yet.
"I don't have proof," Harry said, watching Dumbledore's face closely. "But I do know one thing."
He met Fudge's gaze, unblinking.
"Sirius Black never received a trial. Until he does, I refuse to believe anything."
Fudge turned red. "You dare question—"
"I dare to ask for justice," Harry interrupted, voice sharp.
Silence.
Dumbledore's twinkle had faded.
Harry saw it.
Not approval.
Not even concern.
But anger.
Dumbledore sighed, shaking his head like a disappointed parent. "Ah, Harry… I do wish you had come to me with this information."
Harry clenched his jaw.
Dumbledore gestured toward Hermione and Ron. "I imagine your friends would have wanted to help you."
Harry smiled thinly. "I did have my friends."
A beat of silence.
Dumbledore's jaw tightened.
Fudge waved them off, clearly uninterested. "Hmph. This is all nonsense. Likely some big Confundus mess."
Theo snorted softly. "Of course, Minister."
Fudge nodded, pleased. "Stay out of adult affairs, Potter. Do not meddle again."
With that, the Minister and Aurors left.
Dumbledore lingered.
"I do hope," he said lightly, "that you will be careful at your relatives this summer, Harry. Black is still on the loose, after all. I would appreciate it if you inform me of any contact you may have."
Harry didn't flinch.
Dumbledore left, his robes sweeping behind him.
The moment the door shut, Harry exhaled.
Theo scoffed. "That man is a snake."
Blaise smirked. "I thought we liked snakes."
Neville groaned, rubbing his face. "What the hell just happened?"
Harry ran a hand through his hair. "We won."
Theo smirked. "For now."
But they all knew the truth.
The real fight was just beginning.
~
The late afternoon sun slanted through the high windows of the Defence Against the Dark Arts office, casting long, golden streaks of light across the cluttered wooden desk. Books were stacked haphazardly, parchment rolled and bundled into his old briefcase, and Remus Lupin stood by a half-packed trunk, carefully folding his threadbare robes with tired hands.
Harry hesitated at the threshold. He wasn't sure what had brought him here—perhaps curiosity, or maybe something deeper, something like guilt.
Lupin must have sensed his presence, because he turned with a small, tired smile.
"Ah, Harry," he said, voice soft. "I thought you might stop by."
Harry stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "Is it true? You're leaving?"
Lupin sighed, giving a small nod. "Yes. Word got out about my... condition. Parents started writing in their complaints before breakfast even ended. I imagine the Howlers will be arriving by morning."
Harry scowled. "That's ridiculous. You're the best Defence professor we've had! Exams haven't even started yet."
Lupin chuckled. "Thank you, Harry. But I've learned not to fight battles that are already lost."
A heavy silence settled between them, and Harry knew now was the time.
He took a steadying breath before saying, "I need to tell you something, Professor."
Lupin paused in his packing, giving Harry his full attention.
"Sirius is innocent," Harry said, the words feeling heavier than he expected.
Lupin stiffened. "What?"
"Pettigrew is alive. He's been hiding as Ron's pet rat for the last twelve years."
Lupin's face paled, his hands tightening around the fabric of the robe he had been folding. "Peter?" His voice cracked slightly. "Harry, are you certain?"
"Yes," Harry said firmly. "Sirius didn't betray my parents. He wanted people to think he was the Secret Keeper, but it was Pettigrew all along."
Lupin slowly sat down, rubbing a hand over his mouth as he absorbed the information. "Where is he now? We have to go to Dumbledore at once—"
Harry's stomach twisted. He had expected this, but it still grated on him.
"Professor," he interrupted carefully, "do you really think we can trust Dumbledore to do the right thing?"
Lupin blinked, visibly thrown. "Of course. Dumbledore—"
"Dumbledore knows Sirius is innocent," Harry said coolly, watching Lupin's reaction closely. "We already told him everything."
Lupin's face was a mixture of confusion and denial. "That's impossible," he whispered.
"Is it?" Harry challenged.
Lupin stared at him, looking almost... lost.
Harry took a step back, expression carefully neutral. "I don't know where Sirius is now. He broke out of the Dark Tower and fled Hogwarts without saying anything." A well-practiced lie. He didn't trust Lupin's blind faith in Dumbledore, and he wasn't going to take any risks.
Lupin exhaled shakily, gripping the edge of his desk. "Merlin..." His voice was thick with emotion. "All these years..."
"I thought you should know," Harry said simply.
Lupin swallowed hard and looked away. "Thank you, Harry," he murmured.
For the first time, Harry saw something flicker in his eyes—doubt.
Maybe, just maybe, Lupin wasn't as blind as he thought.
~
The weeks leading up to the end of term passed in a blur of exams and restless anticipation.
Luna, who had spent so much of the year lost in tangled visions, seemed lighter.
"The branches have finally stopped shifting," she murmured one evening, tracing absent patterns in the air with her finger. "Everything feels... clearer."
Harry exhaled in relief. He had been worried. Luna's headaches, the strain of so many overlapping timelines because of Hermione's reckless time travel, had weighed heavily on both of them. He had kept her secret close, guarding it fiercely, but it had taken a toll on them both.
"Does that mean she's stopped using it?" Theo asked from where he was flipping lazily through a book.
Luna nodded. "Yes. The Wrackspurts aren't so loud anymore."
Neville looked confused. "What exactly was causing the problem?"
Harry answered. "The Time-Turner. Every time she went back, she added more layers to the timeline. Too many possible futures at once, and Luna could feel them all."
Luna tilted her head. "It was like standing in a hall of mirrors, but instead of reflections, they were all futures."
The group fell silent, letting that sink in.
Eventually, Blaise huffed. "Well. At least that's over."
"Finally," Harry muttered, rubbing his temple.
Luna leaned against him, eyes half-lidded. "I'm sorry for being such a mess this year, Harry."
Harry shook his head, squeezing her hand. "You're not a mess, Luna. You're you. And I wouldn't trade that for anything."
Her smile was small but real.
On their final night at Hogwarts, they made one last trip to the Chamber of Secrets.
The flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows along the ancient walls as Harry called for Tilly, who popped into existence with a cheerful crack.
"Young Master!" she greeted brightly.
Harry smiled. "Hi Tilly. How's Sirius?"
Tilly huffed. "That one! He is... how does the young master say it? A menace!"
Blaise smirked. "That sounds about right."
"He keeps trying to sneak out!" Tilly grumbled. "But Young Nox keeps nipping at his heels. He is not sneaky enough!"
Harry chuckled. "Nox is chasing him?"
Tilly nodded furiously. "The Black is most dramatic about it! Falling over and whining like a puppy!"
Theo and Blaise burst into laughter.
Harry grinned. "Serves him right."
The conversation lulled, and a weight settled between them.
There was something left unsaid.
Harry inhaled deeply. "I think it's time we're honest with each other."
The others looked at him curiously.
But Luna spoke first.
"I should go first," she said dreamily, but there was something in her voice. A seriousness, a weight.
Harry nodded. "Alright. But first—" He lifted his wand, magic humming in the air. "Swear on your magic that you will never share what is said here without permission."
There was no hesitation.
One by one, they spoke the oath.
When the last vow was sealed, Luna turned to them.
"I see things," she murmured. "Not just in the way you see the sky or the trees, but deeper. Further."
Blaise frowned slightly. "You're... a Seer right?"
Luna tilted her head. "Not quite. A Seer receives glimpses. I live in them. I am..." She hesitated, then whispered, "an Oracle."
The air shifted.
Blaise looked startled and Neville's mouth parted slightly, stunned.
Harry stayed silent, watching their reactions carefully. Theo of course knew some of it already.
"An Oracle?" Blaise repeated, voice softer than usual. "That's... rare. Rarer than an elemental even."
"It's more than rare," Theo murmured. "It's dangerous."
Luna smiled slightly. "That's why no one can know."
Harry's grip on her hand tightened. "And no one ever will."
His voice left no room for argument.
The Chamber of Secrets was quiet, filled with the soft crackling of torchlight against stone and the occasional rustle of parchment as they all settled in. The weight of Luna's revelation still hung in the air, heavy yet oddly comforting.
Harry shifted, exhaling slowly before deciding it was his turn now.
"Since we're all sharing secrets," he started, watching their eyes sharpen with curiosity, "I suppose I should tell you about Evan Birch."
Blaise, Theo, and Neville sat up straighter at that, all looking equally intrigued.
"Your alias?" Theo asked. "You actually have one?"
Harry smirked slightly. "Yeah. I've been using the name Evan Birch whenever I go to Knockturn Alley, since I was 8. Dumbledore's spies are all over Diagon, but in Knockturn, no one really cares who you are if you mind your own business."
Blaise let out a low whistle. "You've been to Knockturn Alley?"
"More than a few times," Harry admitted. "I've actually been working there, learning a few things from this really nice couple who owns the bookshop—wandless spellwork, curse-breaking, enchantments, warding. It's how I started making real money outside of Gringotts."
Theo blinked. "You have a job?"
Harry chuckled. "Of course. I like having extra that Dumbledore definitely can't track."
Blaise looked highly impressed. "You, my friend, are the definition of a true Slytherin."
"That's not even the best part," Luna chimed in, humming lightly as she leaned her head against her palm.
Harry smirked. "Right. The best part is that I bought a property."
Silence.
The boys all stared at him, completely gobsmacked.
"You bought a property?" Neville asked, looking as though he might choke on his own breath.
"Yep," Harry said smugly. "Right by a secluded beach, warded against everything. I named it The Cove."
Blaise and Theo exchanged a look, something dawning in their expressions.
"Wait a minute," Theo muttered.
Neville's mouth dropped open. "Harry—"
"You mean to tell us—" Blaise cut in.
"That The Cove is real?!" Neville finished, looking completely betrayed.
Harry couldn't help himself—he laughed at their expressions.
"You guys have been so curious about where I disappear off to at least once or twice a week," he teased. "And Luna always knew where I was but never told you?"
Theo groaned, rubbing his temples. "You evil man."
"Honestly, Harry, we've been dying to know," Blaise said, shaking his head. "And all this time, you owned a place and just didn't say anything?"
Neville looked torn between exasperation and awe. "You bought a beach house?!"
"Technically, it's a heavily warded cottage by the sea," Harry corrected, amused. "But that's not the most interesting part."
Theo narrowed his eyes. "I knew there was more. When you sent Sirius to the Cove I thought it was code for something. Who is Nox?"
Harry tapped his chin in thought, feigning hesitation. "Maybe I should wait to show you instead of telling you…"
Three collective groans filled the chamber.
"Harry, no—"
"Just tell us—"
"We're begging you—"
Luna giggled into her sleeve, clearly enjoying their suffering.
Harry grinned before finally relenting. "Alright, alright. You remember back in first year, Neville? Hagrid had an egg in his hut?"
Neville frowned, clearly thinking back. "Oh, yeah. A dragon egg, wasn't it?"
The realisation must have hit him all at once, because his face drained of colour. His eyes widened in complete disbelief.
"Harry. Harry, you didn't—"
Harry smirked. "I might have taken an interest in that egg."
Theo and Blaise leaned forward, completely engrossed now.
"Wait, are you serious?" Theo demanded.
"You stole a dragon?" Blaise asked, eyes practically sparkling with excitement.
"Not stole," Harry corrected. "It hatched when Hagrid wasn't around, and I… well, I guess you could say it imprinted on me."
Luna grinned. "She was calling to you, but you didn't know it yet," she said dreamily.
Harry ran a hand through his hair, feeling slightly sheepish now. "So, yeah. The dragon understands Parseltongue. She's very intelligent, and there was no way I was just going to let Hagrid hand her over to the Ministry when she eventually burnt down his hut. So… I kept her."
A stunned silence filled the chamber.
Then—
"YOU HAVE A DRAGON?!"
The three boys exploded at once, looking at Harry like he had just announced he was the reincarnation of Merlin himself.
Neville started laughing, pure disbelief written all over his face.
Blaise and Theo, on the other hand, were practically vibrating.
"What kind of dragon?" Theo asked eagerly.
"How big is she now?" Blaise demanded.
Harry crossed his arms, looking a bit smug. "She's about fourteen feet tall now."
Theo whistled.
Blaise looked positively gleeful. "This is amazing."
Luna suddenly nudged Harry. "Tell them the best part."
Harry groaned, rubbing his face. "Luna—"
She giggled behind her hand.
Theo and Blaise perked up again.
"What?" Theo asked suspiciously.
Harry sighed, looking supremely embarrassed. "She calls me 'Mother'."
There was a brief pause before laughter erupted.
Neville actually fell off his chair, clutching his stomach.
Theo and Blaise were practically in tears.
"Harry Potter…mother of dragons," Theo gasped between laughs.
Harry scowled. "I tried to get her to call me 'Papa' or just 'Harry'! But no, she wouldn't have it!"
Blaise wiped a tear from his eye. "This is officially my favourite thing I've ever learned about you."
Harry grumbled under his breath, but he couldn't help but laugh along with them.
The teasing went on for another good five minutes before they finally calmed down.
"So…" Theo grinned. "Can we meet her?"
Harry smirked. "If you behave yourselves, maybe this summer."
A collective yes! filled the chamber.
The next morning was a blur of activity as they packed their trunks and prepared to head back home for the summer.
Harry was stuffing the last of his belongings into his trunk when Luna wandered in, twirling her wand between her fingers. "Are you excited for the summer, Harry?"
Harry hummed. "Yeah. It'll be nice to have a break from all the chaos."
She smiled, but there was something knowing in her gaze. "I think there will be a different kind of chaos waiting for you."
Harry snorted. "With Sirius and a dragon? Absolutely."
Maybe—just maybe—this summer would finally give him the peace he'd been searching for.