Question: Near the end of the film, from Buckbeak's execution, there are things that relate to Harry and Hermione going back in time, like the stones being thrown through Hagrid's window, and the wolf howl etc. But if they had already gone back in time to do these things, then wouldn't Buckbeak and Sirius have already been saved, meaning that they wouldn't have to go back and do all that in the first place?
Garlonuss
16th Aug 2009
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
1st Mar 2004
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
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Answer: Yes, they had already been saved. But the kids didn't know about either of them. And Dumbledore didn't yet know about Sirius. He did know that Buckbeak had mysteriously vanished, but the fact that these things had already happened didn't mean they didn't have to do them. To the contrary, it formed a bit of a prophecy, telling Dumbledore that they not only had to do it, but that they would succeed, at least in the areas he knew had already happened. When time travel is involved, you are not allowed to assume your job is done just because a task has already been completed. In fact, that it actually locks you into a path that eventually leads to performing that same task.
Garlonuss ★