Argus spotted both Harrys on the Marauder's Map in the Gryffindor common room and instantly realized the real Harry was about to loop back using the Time-Turner. But he couldn't barge in just yet—the professors were inside, assessing the rattled students and soothing frayed nerves after the Dementor scare.
Though many had stepped up bravely, most hadn't mastered the Patronus Charm. The Dementors' breach hadn't caused mass chaos, but a few kids had come perilously close to a nasty bite. Argus held back; the students might miss his Disillusionment Charm, but a sharp-eyed professor wouldn't. He wasn't scared of getting caught anymore—just the hassle of explanations. Better to skip the time sink.
He waited until the professors filed out. Then, two redheaded shadows slipped away— the Weasley twins on their nightly prowl. Seizing the moment, Argus slipped inside under his charm.
The hour was late, but the lounge buzzed with chatter, the Dementor rout still fresh.
"That was brilliant! Saw that Dementor? Didn't even get near me before my Patronus sent it packing!"
"Pfft, that's nothing— I conjured a full Patronus! I'll stand with Argus's unicorn to guard Hogwarts!"
"Good thing I ignored Ron and the others. If I hadn't picked up the Patronus Charm from Argus, I'd have been defenseless."
"Not every Slytherin's rotten. Argus is solid—if not for him, we'd have been ambushed a dozen times!"
"Yeah, he saved us in the Room of Requirement last time, and plenty more."
Argus tuned it out, weaving invisibly to the spot where the time-lost Harry waited for his device to reset. Neither Harry knew about the drama outside.
The looped Harry was primed to rejoin the timeline, but he'd miscalculated: the original activation time wasn't factored in, creating a temporal snag that stranded him.
After close study, Argus pinpointed the glitch. Now, to yank him back on track. The Time-Turner demanded a precise return to the starting point—not just within the hour, but exactly synced. One slip, and you're adrift, like Harry.
But how to vanish him the instant his original self arrived? The looped Harry had to stay put per events, while the original entered. Hogwarts' anti-Apparition wards ruled out vanishing spells...
Apparition! Argus's mind raced. Hogwarts had one workaround: phoenix travel.
Dumbledore had shared Fawkes' tears during the valley business—and a feather too. Fawkes could pull it off flawlessly: instant vanish, no personal risk.
"Dumbledore... sending your cherished pet on a jaunt. Poetic justice."
Argus gripped the phoenix tail feather, channeling magic. Flames whooshed above him.
Fawkes appeared, eyeing the singed feather with bafflement as Argus beckoned.
"I'll cloak you with a Disillusionment Charm. Slip inside. The second the door cracks, Apparate Harry here to me. Got it?"
He simplified: "Apparate in, grab Harry when the door opens, bring him here."
Harry's Invisibility Cloak hid sight and sound, but not scent or pulse—Fawkes would sniff him out easy.
The phoenix cocked its head, perching on Argus's shoulder, then took wing in understanding.
"I knew you got it. You were there in the valley with Dad and Dumbledore, right? That old fox probably ribbed you mercilessly."
Argus waved his wand, shrouding Fawkes in the charm. The bird blinked in surprise, preening at its faded form.
"Enough fooling—plenty of time later."
Fawkes vanished with a flap.
Inside, Harry sensed a flutter overhead but saw nothing.
"Imagination? Place was empty when I checked—why else pick it?"
"Nearly time. One more spin on the Time-Turner, and we're golden."
Fawkes hovered, gazing down curiously, then perched to rest, fixing Harry with a stare.
Minutes ticked by. On the Map, the original Harry's dot stirred—activation imminent.
"Pinching his mate's brother's gadget. Wonder how Harry'll square that with Ron, Percy, and the Weasleys once he's back."
Mrs. Weasley doted on him like another son.
A smirk tugged Argus's lips. "Not my mess. Harry's headache—and Dumbledore's too. The ally I groomed for him? One slight, and the Weasleys won't jump as quick next time."
Footsteps echoed softly in the hall. Argus glanced up.
"Harry... incoming."
---
Enjoying the story? You can read 3-5 chapters ahead right now on Patreon!
New chapters drop there much earlier than Web Novel.
Join P@treon & Read Ahead → https://[email protected]/c/Ren_Saga
Thank you for your support! ❤️