Chapter 13

Repetition

A/N: Okey, so I got some questions about the whole "Sebby gone for 9 months" thing. I tried to make it understandable in the flashback, but I'm not sure I succeeded. Anyways, here was a question I got concerning that topic (this just happened to be the first one I read):

Q: Why didn't Ciel say he was a demon too? AND STILL CONFUSED ON THE WHOLE CIEL NOT KNOW HIS BUTLER WAS MISSING FOR probably 9 MONTHS AT A TIME!

A: Ciel didn't say he was a demon because he was trying (subconsciously) to protect whatever little friendship he had left with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. He also did know that Sebastian was gone for 9 months, as said in the flashback. I know that was a bit confusing, flashback-wise, so I may re-upload.

That being said, I will probably see what I can do to de-confuse my readers. Like I said, I kinda write off the cuff, so not everything is planned out or makes sense. I try to write myself OUT of these little boxes I trap myself in, but I think I just got everyone (myself included) more lost. Sowwyz!

I FINALLY updated Chapter 10 and fixed the Whomping Willow scene, so if you haven't read that yet, I recommend reading it since I made the scene in this chapter fit the new Ch. 10.

Also, I apologize for not updating since... when? January 2nd... eh heh... Aaaaaanyways... please enjoy chapter 13!

-AA

Ciel's POV

I was barely awake as I heard voices from somewhere nearby.

"Shocking business...shocking...miracle none of them died..."

I blinked once, then noted my eye patch was missing. My eyes widened. Did they see...?

"...by thunder, how lucky you were there, Snape!"

"Thank you, Minister."

"Order of Merlin, Second Class, I'd say. First Class, if I can wrangle it!"

"Thank you very much indeed, Minister."

I glared through my eyelids. You damned snake. How dare you...

"Nasty cut you've got there. Black's work, I presume?"

"As a matter of fact, this is the work of four students. Potter, Weasly, Granger, and Phantomhive."

"No!"

"Black had them bewitched, I spotted it in an instant. Most likely a Confundus Charm. They seemed to think he was innocent, so he must have done something to their minds. They cannot be held responsible for anything they have done. However, thanks to their interference, Black nearly escaped. They seemed to believe they could catch Black on their own. The children have gotten away with far to much in the past, especially Potter, Granger, and Weasly. It rather concerns me on what their previous actions could do to their future decisions."

"Ah, well, where Harry Potter is concerned, we all have a bit of a blind spot, eh Severus?"

"Personally, I treat him as any other student so as not to lead him under the impression that he can do as he pleases. Any other student would be suspended for leading his friends into such danger. I'm also rather concerned for Phantomhive, for reasons previously discussed."

"Ah yes... Professor Michaelis... I knew there was something rather off about him, though I never imagined it would be something so drastic... The boy knows nothing?"

"Or so he says. I cannot verify anything without the use of Occlumency, so the results will be postponed."

I wanted nothing more than to jump up and throttle that bat and end his life right here. But the bed was so soft...

They continued talking, but my mind blotted out the remainder of the conversation. Slowly, I sat up, one hand covering my right eye.

I found my eye patch lying on the side table and quickly put it on.

I saw Harry blink awake and was about to say something when Madam Pomfrey came over.

"Ah, boys! You're up, wonderful," she said, smiling kindly. "You both need rest, so lay back once more, yes?"

Harry put on his glasses and reached for his wand.

"Potter, what on Earth are you doing?" she snapped.

"I need to see the headmaster."

I sat straighter. "I need to as well."

"Both of you, it's all right," she said soothingly. "They have Black. He's locked away upstairs. The dementors will be performing the kiss any moment now-"

"WHAT?!" he yelled, his voice echoing around the once-quiet room.

We both jumped to our feet, but before we could get more than three steps, Cornelius Fudge and Snape entered.

"Harry, my boy, what's all the racket for?" he asked, agitated. "You should be in bed. Has he had any chocolate?"

"Minister, listen! You have the wrong man! Sirius Black is innocent! Peter Pettigrew faked his own death, and we saw-"

Fudge just shook his head, smiling slightly.

"Harry, Harry, you're simply confused. You've been through a dreadful ordeal and I'm sure after some rest then-"

"YOU'RE WRONG!" Harry yelled again. "YOU'VE GOT THE WRONG MAN!"

Hermione, who had woken up, and I walked quickly over, so as not to lose the case completely.

"Minister, please, listen for a moment. I was there as well, and everything Harry is saying is correct," piped up Hermione.

She was stopped short as Snape spoke up.

"You see? Confunded, all three of them. Black did a very good job."

"WE'RE NOT CONFUNDED!" Harry and I roared in unison. I gave up, and attempted to break through Snape and run for the door, but a pale hand shot out from it's sleeve and grabbed my collar.

Perhaps a bit too harshly, I was shoved back, stumbling as I hadn't fully recovered yet.

Snape glared at me, sneering.

Before another move could be made, Madam Pomfrey seethed, "Minister, Professor, I ask you both to leave. Potter and Phantomhive are my patients, and you are distressing them!"

"We're not distressed!" Harry said just I growled, "If they would listen!"

"Now if both of you would please leave at-"

Just then, Dumbledore walked swiftly into the room.

"For Heaven's sakes! Is this a hospital wing or not?! Headmaster, I must insist-"

"My apologies Poppy, but I must speak with Mr. Potter and his friends."

"Professor, Black is-" Harry started, but Dumbledore held up a hand to silence him. Was it me, or were people getting cut off a lot today?

"I've already been to see Black," Dumbledore said.

"Oh, and I suppose he's told you some fairy tail about Pettigrew?" Snape sneered.

"Yes, that was his case," Dumbledore said, watching him evenly from his half-moon spectacles.

"Does my witness account for nothing?! Pettigrew was nowhere on the grounds anywhere."

I spoke up angrily, "If you recall, Professor, you were knocked out and couldn't have seen-"

"Phantomhive, HOLD YOUR TONGUE." Snape glared at me, and I matched him, fed up to the brink of violence. If one more person cuts me off to tell me I'm crazy...

"Now Snape," Fudge said, obviously startled. "The boy is not right at the moment. Surely some leeway...?"

I glared.

"I'm afraid I must insist to speak with these students alone. If you would." Dumbledore nodded to the doorway.

Madam Pomfrey looked as if she were about to argue, but instead huffed and walked out briskly, muttering.

Fudge nodded once, then nudged Snape, turning to the door.

Snape shot Harry and I twin looks of loathing before sweeping after the minister.

The three of us launched into speech at the same instant, me in a clear, unwavering tone, Harry in his determined, stubborn way, and Hermione almost pleading.

"Professor, hear us out."

"What he's saying is true!"

"Please, Professor. Listen to us!"

"Pettigrew was there-"

"-he's an animagus that turns into a rat-"

"-HE attacked Ron, not Black-"

He simply held up a hand and we fell silent.

"What I need is for you to listen, as we have very little time," Dumbledore began, looking at us evenly. "There is no proof or support to your case other than your word- and the word of three thirteen year old wizards does not amount to much. A street full of eyewinesses saw Black-"

"-thought they saw Black."

"-kill Peter Pettigrew." Dumbledore gave a look to Harry. "I myself told the Ministry that Sirius was the Potter's Secret Keeper."

"Professor Michealis can tell you-" Hermione began.

"Professor Michealis has been exposed as a demon and the Ministry has him held in a section of the school away from the students. He cannot tell anyone anything, and even if he could, no one would believe him."

"But-"

"Listen to me, Harry. It is over. Professor Snape pleads a far more convincing story than your own."

"It's because he's sore about a trick Black and his friends played on them as children," I said bitterly.

"Sirius Black is not an innocent man. Entering the school, shredding the Fat Lady's portrait, coming into Gryffindor tower with a knife. I cannot change the way others see things, despite believing you myself." He sighed.

"What we need..." He looked at us carefully. "Is more time."

"Wha..." Hermione looked confused, then, "OH!"

"Now, pay close attention. Sirius is locked in Professor Flitwick's office on the seventh floor. Thirteenth window from the West Tower. If all goes well, you will save more than one innocent life tonight. But remember, all three of you: you must not be seen. Miss Granger, you know the law and what is at stake. You- must- not- be- seen."

Before I could ask what the bloody hell he was talking about, Dumbledore spun on his heel and walked to the door.

"I am going to lock you in. It is-" He consulted his watch. "five minutes to midnight. Miss Granger, three turns should do it. Good luck."

The door closed.

"Good luck?" I echoed. "What in the hell does that mean?"

Harry was about to say something when Hermione cut him off.

"Both of you, come here, quickly." She fumbled with the neck of her robes and pulled out a small, gold chain. As we stepped forward, she looped one ring of the chain around both the necks of Harry and myself.

"Wha..." Harry started, but Hermione shushed him.

She turned a small hourglass at the end of the chain three times, and the world dissolved.

I rarely felt vertigo anymore, but the sensation was much like while I was dangling off the Holy Bridge in London, all those years ago.

I shut my eyes, but in a moment, there was solid ground beneath my feet.

Hermione grabbed our arms and dragged us into a broom closet.

"Hermione, what is going on?" Harry said.

"We've gone back in time- three hours."

"How?" I said, my head spinning. This was possible? Since when?

"It's a Time-Turner. Professor McGonagall gave me one at the beginning of the year to keep up with my classes. Only the Ministry is supposed to have them, so I couldn't tell anyone. Now shhh! Someone's coming."

I heard light footsteps outside.

"I think... it's us," Hermione whispered. "Yes, definitely us, not more than four people. But we had to be quiet... I think we were on our way to Hagrid's hut..."

She looked as confused as us, which only puzzled me more.

"I don't understand what we're supposed to do. How is going back three hours supposed to save Sirius?"

Harry said slowly, "Well, three hours ago we were walking to Hagrid's hut-"

"Harry, this is three hours ago and we are going to Hagrid's. But what are we supposed to change...?" She furrowed her eyebrows.

"Dumbledore said we would be able to save more than one innocent life..." I said, thinking.

Who else was innocent that would be marked for death? No one else died or is going to die but-

"Buckbeak!" Harry said, suddenly. I jumped out of my thoughts.

"What?" I asked, bewildered.

"We have to save Buckbeak! Today is his execution!"

Oh, that's why I didn't think of him. After that stunt with the lake, he wasn't exactly marked for innocence in my mind.

"How does that help Black?"

Hermione spoke up.

"Dumbledore said that Sirius was locked in Flitwick's office. We'll have to fly up there on Buckbeak."

I felt myself pale. Not again...

"I think we're gone," Hermione said. "And remember: stay hidden at all costs."

We nodded and ran out the doors, keeping to the walls and shadows so we don't run into anyone. Luckily, we seemed to be the only ones out here. Almost.

Malfoy turned.

"Ah! Come to see the show?" he laughed.

"You! You foul, lothesome, evil little cockroach!" Other Hermione shrieked, grabbing her wand and pointing it at his throat.

"Hermione, no! He's not worth it," Ron said. Malfoy whimpered in agreement.

We watched quietly from the shadow of a stone overhang.

Hermione lowered her wand. Malfoy snickered.

Wait for it...

WHAM!

I grinned as Malfoy's head smacked against the stone.

"Nice punch," muttered Harry, smiling as well.

Hermione looked rather smug.

"M-My father will hear about this!" Malfoy yelled, running.

"Oh, shoot, he's coming!" Hermione whispered, and grabbed our arms, yanking us out of view.

The three morons departed, and Other Us continued to Hagrid's Hut.

We took the other way and made a break for the treeline of the Forbidden Forest.

I watched as we entered the house, finally out of view. Hagrid closed the curtains.

"Alright, what do we do?" Hermione whispered.

I glanced at the rack of dead ferrets nearby. Ew.

I nodded at them, and Harry quickly understood.

We went out to the Pumpkin Patch (Seriously. Will someone explain HOW there are pumpkins in April?) and Hermione picked up a ferret.

"Here Buckbeak. Here boy. Who wants a nice, dead ferret?"

I gagged.

Harry and I quickly started undoing the chains from the post. Then, I realized.

"Wait! We can't take him out of here until the Minister and Dumbledore come. Otherwise..."

"... Hagrid will get blamed," Harry muttered, finishing my sentence. Hermione nodded, and we quickly escaped back to the cover of the trees.

Buckbeak squawked at us, and I realized Hermione was still holding the ferret.

"Hermione!" I whisper-yelled.

She noted the ferret and threw it. The dead rodent smacked into Buckbeak's head.

"Sorry, Buckbeak!" she called softly, hands clasped to her mouth.

He was too happy with his ferret to notice.

Harry nudged my arm as four figures made their way up to the Hut.

"We should be leaving..." Hermione muttered, watching the door.

Nothing was happening, and the group was getting closer.

"Why aren't we leaving?" She looked apprehensively at the figures.

I made a split-second decision and bolted from the forest, dashing to a nearby rock.

I picked up a pebble and, using the supernatural strength and aim that I had, threw it so that it smacked firmly against Hagrid's door.

Moments later, the back door opened and four third years came dashing out, hiding behind Hagrid's Hut as the group of adults knocked on Hagrid's door.

Using the trees, I made it back to Harry and Hermione.

"That was absolutely brilliant," Harry whispered.

"That was absolutely stupid," Hermione seethed. "What if you were seen?"

"But I wasn't," I pointed out quietly.

She glared and I smirked.

The Other Us came over and hid behind a group of pumpkins.

"Is that..." Hermione said, stepping out slightly. "Is that really what my hair looks like from the back?"

I facepalmed. A branch snapped under her foot.

Harry, who was hiding behind the same tree as her, grabbed her arm and yanked her back.

Other Hermione's brow furrowed. "That's odd.. I thought I saw... never mind."

Honestly. She's just like Lizzy...

When the door was shut, the Others made their way away from the pumpkin patch.

As soon as we were out of sight, the three of us set to work.

Hermione grabbed a ferret and Harry and I undid the chain, tugging it.

"Come on, Buckbeak," Harry strained, trying to make the creature move. "Please, come on!"

"Psst! Buckbeak, you want a ferret? Come and get it!" Hermione whispered, waving the dead rodent around.

I looked nervously at the door, then, got fed up.

"Buckbeak."

He turned to me, probably curious to see how I would try and coax him.

"Get up. Now." My eyes flashed red and Buckbeak lept to his feet. He quickly followed Hermione and her ferret food.

When we finally got his behind into the trees and out of sight, the door opened and Fudge, Dumbledore, the Comittee member, and the Executioner stepped out.

Fudge looked, baffled.

"Wh-wha... what is going on here? It was just there!" the Minister spluttered. He rounded on Hagrid. "Where is it then?!"

Hagrid looked so overjoyed he couldn't answer.

"Minister, Professor Hagrid was entertaining us the entire time. You yourself saw it was here when we arrived." I could see his eyes twinkling from here.

"Someone stole him! It most have been!" the Comittee member wheezed.

"Well... Search the grounds, then!" Fudge demanded.

"Search the skies, if you must," Dumbledore laughed. "Now then, Hagrid. If you wouldn't mind, a cup of tea would be in order, or, perhaps, a nice brandy, yes?"

I couldn't help but stare. That man seemed to know and plan everything...

Buckbeak strained against the chain, trying to get to Hagrid.

I clenched the rope tighter, willing him not to drag the three of us into open sunlight.

After the group left, we finally relaxed.

"So, now what?" Harry asked.

"Now, we wait until they go back to the castle, and then fly to Flitwick's office. Oh... Sirius won't be there for a few more hours..." Hermione looked up and the slowly fading sun.

"We should be by the Whomping Willow. Otherwise, we won't know what is going on," I suggested.

The two nodded, and we quickly made our way to a different part of the forest.

We hid behind some rocks and waited for the Others to arrive.

I saw the rat scamper across the grass only a second before Harry did. I grabbed his arm the moment he moved.

"Harry, no!" I whispered. "You can't mess with the past!"

"Ciel, he killed my parents! I have to! This may be my only chance," Harry said, glaring.

I shook my head. Though I understood fully well his feelings and would have the same train of thought if it had been me, I stopped him anyway.

"Harry, I know you feel like you need to, but you can't." Hermione looked up at him, pleading.

He hung his head and I loosened my grip on his arm.

Ron snatched up the fleeing rat, then his eyes grew wide.

"Th-th-th-th-th" he stuttered.

"What?" Other Us called.

"THE GRIM!"he screamed as a large, black dog came rushing at us from behind.

Other Harry grabbed Other Hermione's wrist as Other Me shoved them both out of the oncoming path of the canine.

Black grabbed Ron by the foot, dragging him into the Willow's base.

"Oh no," I muttered, knowing what was going to be next. I hurt already.

The following bashing by the Whomping Willow put me through such a pride-dent that I refuse to recount it. So there.

Hermione blushed after the willow settled down as her past self was lying on top of me.

Harry raised his eyebrows, smirking lightly, and I glared.

Finally, at long last, the Other Us entered the Whomping Willow.

"And now we wait?" I asked the other two.

"And now we wait."

What seemed to be days later, the Others finally emerged from the Whomping Willow. I noted the expressions of the Gryffindors with a pang. Distrust was etched onto their faces as they followed behind me, whispering.

I kept my eyes trained on the scene, determined not to look at the two beside me.

Harry was called over by Black, and the two stood talking for a while.

"You see there? Black just asked me to come live with him after he gets proven innocent," Harry said, more to Hermione than me. I can hear the smile in his voice and another pang of loss and envy runs through my heart.

"That's great, Harry!" Hermione beamed.

I stayed silent.

I saw Other Me look to the sky and then Ron yell, "DEMENTORS!"

Pettigrew shifts in a second's time, disappearing into the forest.

Harry's eyes blazed as he ran after the rat.

"Harry!" Hermione and I yelled, dashing after him.

The forest was dark and cold, moonlight barely seeping through the thick branches.

We caught up with Harry, who was standing beside the lake.

"My dad," he said suddenly.

I gave him a quizzical look.

"My dad, I saw him." He pointed to the opposite side of the lake. "He'll be over there, I know it. I saw him."

Hermione looked at him sadly. "Harry... your dad's..."

"Dead, I know. But he was here, Hermione. Come on."

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her over to the other side of the lake. We crouched there, waiting.

"He'll show up and save us. Right, Ciel?" Harry looked at me and I couldn't bring myself to say anything.

But wait.

My mind flew back to the white... somethings that came across the lake that night.

"Was that..." I muttered under my breath.

I see Other Harry arrive, glaring. His wand was out, watching the grass closely for any signs of Pettigrew.

I watched as the dementors slowly started to arrive, one after the other.

Other Harry paled, eyes wide as the dementors arrived. He tried to cast Expeco Patronum but I saw him fumble.

I knew something was wrong. His eyes were fearful and lost, the dementors messing with his mind and bringing back memories of his past.

Other Me arrived, trying to call out to Harry. I watched myself trip and go down.

Other Me tried to cast the spell, but failed.

Harry fell and the dementors now swarmed overhead, flying over both of us.

Other Me cast a blue shield, and the dementors were pushed back.

Other Me was able to keep it just long enough to think I'd won. Then, the tiredness hit and I watched my wand lower.

No! I screamed in my head. Keep it up! You can't lose!

But my wand fell from my fingertips, unable to hold on any longer.

"He should be coming," Harry said. "Any moment now."

The dementors are stealing our happiness as they continue to swarm above us.

I watched both of us struggle to hold on, but the eyes of Other Me began to close.

"Harry... He's not coming..." Hermione whispered. "You're... dying."

No one appears, but a jolt of realization hit me. Hit both of us.

In the same moment, Harry and I jumped to our feet, standing in front of the bush.

In unison, we yell, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

Our wands bursted into light at the tip.

An elegant stag and a Doberman flew across the lake.

The stag tossed its antlers and dementors went flying.

My guard dog snaped at the capes of the dementors and they went flying away.

The two bounded gracefully together, running- no, gliding- across the surface of the lake, like a game of chase.

Finally, every single dementor had been whisked away.

The stag and dog turned to us, noble and proud.

I noticed the dog's right eye has a pentagram on it and I smiled. Contracts run all the way to the soul, I guess.

The spirit animals bowed their heads, then, with a final leap, ran forward and dissipated right before us.

I staggered, unused to using that much magical energy.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, steadying me.

I looked up, and Harry's smiling. His grin is infectious and I can't help but smile back.

"Sorry it wasn't your dad," I said, softly.

He shook his head. "No. It was something even more amazing."