"Albus, this is a powerful magic artefact… And the boy is only fourteen! Are you sure he can take on such responsibility?"

"Minerva, I have no doubt that young Master Weasley will prove himself to be a most capable carrier. After all, he has proven himself of several occasions to be fiercely loyal and to keep a cool head under pressure. With Mister Potter competing in the tri-wizard tournament I'm sure he will be eager to prove himself, this may well be his chance."

"But what if he is waylaid? What if someone takes the device for themselves, they could change anything! This is no mere time turner; they couldn't just flit back a few hours, they could go back years! Decades, even! What if they decided to go back to Godrick's Hollow fourteen years ago, stop You Know Who from being destroyed?"

"As usual Minerva you have hit the nail directly on its head. Which is exactly why Mr Weasley is the perfect candidate; a visit to his Father would arouse no suspicion. No dark wizard would think to stop him. The device needs to be carried by a Weasley, and I believe Ronald to be the best choice."

"Well… On your own head be it! Let's hope for all our sakes no one goes back and changes your history. I bid you good day, Headmaster"

"Good day, Professor."

"Why me?" Ron thought to himself as he made his way to Dumbledore's office. "Why not Percy? He's Head Boy! I'm just Ron…" Just as his thoughts begin to trail off, he spotted Professor McGonagall storming down the corridor in the opposite direction.

"Professor" he nodded.

"Weasley." She replied, staunchly.

"What's up her knickers?" he thought to himself as he approached the gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's office. He spoke the password, mounted the stone platform at the gargoyle's feet and watched as the world seemed to spiral away, giving way to the cacophony of whirring gizmos and fantastical oddments that awaited. Professor Dumbledore was stood just in front of his desk, waiting patiently. As he saw the ascending platform, he stiffly moved forwards to greet Ron.

"Hello, Ronald."

"Professor Dumbledore, sir." replied Ron.

"I understand that your Mother has explained to you why I've called you here today, and why secrecy in this matter is of the utmost importance." his face seemed to darken at that last part, as he looked at Ron over the top of his half-moon glasses.

"Uh, yeah. Yeah I get it, don't tell anyone."

"This unfortunately includes Mister Potter and Miss Granger."

"Well, that's not exactly a problem… Harry's being a right fowl git at the moment, and I think if Hermione knew about a super-time-turner I'd never hear the end of how fascinating it is."

Dumbledore gave a small laugh.

"Yes, yes I suppose that is for the best, hm? I digress. The artefact I'm entrusting you with, this 'super-time-turner', is in fact an oscillating crystal enchanted with a flux capacitor charm. By now I believe crystal oscillation has been explained to you in muggle studies class, and the flux capacitor charm I'm sure Professor Flitwick will have taught you about?"

"Uhhh…."

Another small laugh.

"Oscillating crystals form the basis of most muggle timepieces; they emit a signal at a very reliable rate, which muggles use to measure time very precisely. And a flux capacitor charm is of course the charm by which time-turners are created; and can only be cast by lightning willow wands like the one in that cabinet over there" Professor Dumbledore gestured to a cabinet set into one corner of his office, in which could been seen a blackened wand, gnarled and twisted, set on a pedestal in the middle of its shelf.

"This particular artefact" said Dumbledore, as he took from his pocket a small golden object "combines the two to create a very powerful time turner. Mr Weasley, if this artefact fell into the wrong hands…" Before he could finish, an almighty crash could be heard from above. One of the windows in the upper levels of Dumbledore's office had been smashed open, and a dark shape had apparated inside.

"Great Scott!" exclaimed the professor.

"Who is it, professor?!" cried Ron.

"Who do you think, Ronald? The Libyans!"

"Holy shit!" Ron cried, as a green flash shot from the dark figure's wand, narrowly missing Dumbledore and shattering a nearby globe.

"I'll draw their fire!" shouted the professor, strafing away from Ronald and firing mighty bursts of orange flame from his wand. However, before Ron could so much as react, the intruder fired another green flash from his wand. This time the incantation was audible.

Avada kedavra!

The spell hit Dumbledore directly in the chest. The professor's body seemed the burst open, as flames shot from the point of impact; as if all the powerful magic in him was leaving his body.

"Nooooo, bastards!" yelled Ron at the dark figure, who fired off a curse at him. Thankfully Ron ducked for cover just in time, but this gave the intruder time to escape. They dissolved into a black cloud and shot back out the window into the evening sky. As the dust settled on the quiet destruction of the headmaster's office, Ron crawled over to Dumbledore's corpse. His robes had burst open at the front, revealing an ash covered chest. His beard and hair had been singed at the edges, and his eyes were closed. Ron looked down to the professor's outstretched hand; he was still holding the time turner. This gave Ron an idea.

"24 turns, 24 hours. I can go back 24 hours and stop this happening. Warn McGonagall and the other professors, be prepared this time." Ron began turning the time turner. 1… 2… 3… he wiped a tear from his eyes. 9… 10… 11… He thought about what Harry would have done 17… 18… 19… Why couldn't this happen when there was someone else there? Someone who could have helped? 22… 23… 24. The world spun as 1994 disappeared into a blurry haze.