The Turning of Time

The timelord made her way quietly and carefully through the darkening woods until she spotted Harry and Hermione in the trees some distance from the whomping willow. Buckbeak had gone into the forest probably after something to eat. The pair of students seemed to be waiting for something.

“Hey guys,” she said, sneaking up and joining them in their vigil.

Harry and Hermione nearly jumped out of their skin. “Mika! How…” Hermione began, but Mika put her finger to her lips. She then took the time turner in her hand and examined it. Hermione looked almost scared as if she were in big trouble now.

“A time turner eh?” Mika said sternly. “These things should not be allowed let alone given to young witches. Highly dangerous.” She handed it back to her friend and tapped it twice. A small panel opened up to reveal an inscription.

‘To M from M, maybe now you can be on time for a change!’ Hermione read aloud. She looked up at Mika questioningly.

Mika grinned. “Where do you suppose it came from?”

“To M from M,” Harry repeated. “I know, to Minerva from Mika!”

Hermione rolled her eyes. “You could’ve told me! I’ve been dying to talk to you about it all year. Did you know I was using it to get to my classes all along?”

Mika just smiled and touched her finger to her nose. “I was the one who suggested that Minerva could trust you to use it properly and keep it a secret. And I’m happy to say that you haven’t disappointed me.”

Hermione beamed. Her new friend was always surprising her no matter how much she thought she knew. “It’s been a real help,” she said, “But I think I’ll do it the ‘normal’ way from now on.”

“Good girl,” Mika said. “There’s no point in growing up too fast. Take time and enjoy life. That’s what it’s all about.”

Just then a movement by the whomping willow caught their eye. Things had started to happen. “Now, what’s going on?” Mika asked, her hearts beginning to beat rapidly as she realised that she was watching a large black dog drag Ron into a passage hidden beneath Clarence, Hermione and Harry following close behind.

“Are you sure it’s ok to let her in on what’s going on?” Harry asked nervously. Dumbledore and Hermione had both warned that they must not be seen by anyone.

Hermione shook her head. “Mika’s a timelord. She understands these things so it shouldn’t hurt the time line.”

“I am extratemporal – I exist out of time, so to speak. But normally, yes, Harry, it would be VERY dangerous to be seen.”

The pair then proceeded to fill Mika in on what had happened and what they were waiting for. They explained how Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, James Potter and Peter Pettigrew had been friends in school and how they all learned how to become animals to keep Lupin company during his monthly ‘episodes’ for a werewolf will only harm humans. They also explained how when everyone thought that Sirius Black had been the one to betray the Potters to Voldemort and kill Pettigrew – the crime for which he had spent the last 12 years in Azkaban prison – it was actually Pettigrew who had been the betrayer and who had killed all those muggles. He escaped by cutting off his own finger and transforming himself into a rat.

“In fact, Ron’s rat Scabbers wasn’t a rat at all,” said Hermione.

“He was a rat… the rat that is responsible for killing my parents!” Harry seethed.

Suddenly there was movement by the base of the whomping willow. “What’s happening now?” Mika whispered.

They all stood up. Sirius Black was emerging from the passage with a ratty, pudgy man at wand point followed closely by Ron who was limping and being helped by Harry and Hermione. They watched as Lupin brought up the rear with an unconscious Snape levetating behind him. Lupin lowered Snape to the ground none too carefully then looked skyward. Harry and Sirius stood talking while Hermione looked after Ron.

Suddenly, the clouds parted to reveal the bright disc of a full moon. Lupin went white then started to groan and convulse. Sirius turned his attention to Lupin. At that moment, Pettigrew took advantage of the situation and made a run for it, changing before their eyes into his usual rat shape and scampering off into the darkness. Black was torn between giving chase and helping his friend. He knew full well that if Lupin had not taken his potion that everyone there would be in danger.

Mika watched with growing horror and pain, tears welling in her eyes as her beloved Remus transformed before her into a huge, snarling, ravenous beast. She started to move forwards but Hermione held her back.

“No, Mika, we mustn’t. Come with us.” She and Harry took off dragging her along into the forest. They could hear the snarls and roars as Sirius, having transformed himself into his usual black dog shape, fought with Lupin to protect the children and Snape, who was still unconscious nearby for not being in his own mind, the wolf that was Remus Lupin would surely kill them.

Harry, Hermione and Mika circled around through the dark woods, keeping an eye on the ensuing battle between dog and wolf, Sirius getting the worst of it. Harry feared for his godfather’s safety whilst Mika feared for that of her fiancé. Just as it looked like the wolf was about to finish off the dog, Hermione had an idea and gave an imitation wolf howl. Harry clamped his hand over her mouth quickly.

“What are you doing?” he cried.

“A werewolf only answers the call of its own kind,” she quoted. Then she howled again.

“But that’ll bring him here.”

“Oh, I hadn’t thought of that.”

They took off as the werewolf that had been their teacher left a wounded Sirius to limp away and come towards them.

Harry and Hermione threw themselves behind one tree, Mika behind another. The wolf drew nearer and began searching for them, sniffing the air for the scent of human. As it closed in on the children, Mika came out from her hiding place to draw Lupin’s attention to her. It worked. The snarling beast growled and headed for her, baring its teeth.

“Harry, Hermione, go now!” Mika hissed, trying to keep a distance between her and the werewolf’s sharp teeth.

At the sound of her voice the creature reared up and leapt at Mika, who dodged sideways just in time. The wolf began circling her, sniffing as if unsure of what she was. Slowly, it drew nearer, growing calmer as it approached.

“Remus?” Mika said softly. “It’s me, Mika. You know me,” she said holding her trembling hand out towards the creature that her beloved had become.

Slowly, the wolf backed down and Mika approached until she was actually able to touch the wolf gently on its face.

“Mika no!” Hermione cried out in warning.

“It’s all right, Hermione, see? He knows me…” It was true, the werewolf was now almost cowering, whimpering as she gently stroked its fur.

Then suddenly, it growled and bared its teeth again. Hermione let out a scream as the beast roared, its face mere inches from Mika’s. The timelord froze, tears escaping from her eyes as she trembled in fear. Then a loud squawk ripped through the night as a huge pair of hooves and wings came from out of the forest and knocked the werewolf aside. Mika stood, still frozen, her eyes shut, tears streaming down her face as Buckbeak drove the beast away from them and deeper into the forest. The sounds of their battle faded into the night.

“Mika, are you all right?” Hermione ran up to her taking her by the hands.

She managed to nod as she forced her muscles to relax, the immediate danger now past.

“Remember, Mika,” Harry said softly, joining them. “It’s not really Lupin. He doesn’t have his mind when he turns into a wolf.”

“Harry’s right,” Hermione agreed, trying to console their friend.

“But he didn’t attack me. He could have several times but he didn’t.”

Suddenly it dawned on them why. “Because you’re not human,” Harry spoke what they were thinking.

Just then a cold air hit them and the temperature began to drop suddenly.

“Dementors!” gasped Hermione.

“Sirius!” Harry grabbed Hermione’s arm and began dragging her away. “ We must help him!”

Mika watched as they began to hurry away. She looked towards the forest where Buckbeak and the werewolf had disappeared. Wiping the tears from her eyes resolutely with the back of her hand she began to follow.

Hermione turned just in time to see her fading into the darkness. “Mika!” she called out. “Harry wait. Mika!” she started forward but Mika turned and held out her hand stopping her.

“No, Hermione. Go with Harry.”

“But where are you going? The moon is still out; he’s still dangerous.”

“I must find him,” she said immovably. “I must find him and bring him back.” And with that the timelord melted into the darkness of the forest.

“Come on!” Harry grabbed Hermione and they ran to rescue the earlier Harry and Sirius from the swarm of Dementors.