Standard Disclaimer: I own nothing belonging to J.K. Rowling nor any others in association with the Harry Potter books, movies, or franchise. I am making no money off of this work of fiction, and it remains as such: a work of fiction. Any characters or ideas I create however (crappy as though they might be) are mine. Everything else = Warner Brothers, J.K. Rowling and others.

The Mortality of James Potter

By: Bananamoonbelly

Prologue: Hourglass

James Potter knew from the moment that he stepped into the Headmaster's office that he was in trouble. In fact he had known the moment when Professor McGonagall had pulled him aside after his Advanced Transfigurations class and told him to go straight to the Headmaster's office. Then, she had given him her standard stern look and taciturn frown, and he knew that there was a slight possibility that she had discovered just who had set the chain of dungbomb explosion off in the Slytherin common rooms early this morning.

As Head Boy, James was fully aware that he was supposed to be improving inner House relations but surely this didn't mean that he couldn't get a good laugh or two in before graduating? Lily Evans, Head Girl this year, would be furious at him, of course, as she always was when he and his friends pulled pranks on the completely unsuspecting. And although he was just as determined as always to win her affections still, even after all of these years, this did not in any way suggest that he would completely change from his marauding ways.

James sighed as he took one of the two empty seats across from the large mahogany desk where the Headmaster would have been seated were he present. Upon reflection, James probably should have waited outside by the gargoyle, but he was already aware of Dumbledore's password. He had been in this office far too many times in the past to be bothered by the thought of Dumbledore reprimanding him and James was fully aware that Dumbledore also appreciated a clever joke ever so often. Hopefully he'll think this one wasn't detention worthy.

James stretched his legs out, yawning, before he settled to look about the room. It was extremely rare that the Headmaster was not currently present and James felt guilty again at entering the office alone. He figured that he wouldn't have been able to enter if Dumbledore had reservations on the matter. It was a brilliant opportunity to size the place up, and if James was anything, he was most certainly curious. Blowing a piece of hair away from his eyes, James glanced at the strange instruments lying around the office, wondering about them. Knowing Dumbledore they probably don't do anything, James thought, before his eyes landed upon a small silver chest that sat on the edge of Dumbledore's desk. He leaned forward to get a better view of it, curious at what could possibly be inside such an elaborate container. I'm really far too nosy.

It wasn't very large in size and appeared to be made of some type of metal. The sides were smooth and looked fairly worn but upon the lid of the box a small image was carved in the center, surrounded by what appeared to be words.

James leaned forward a little more, even going as far as to scoot his chair closer to the desk. He looked around the room, glanced at the surrounding portraits (glad that most of them were either empty or sleeping) and reached out a hand to turn the little silver box so that it was facing him. The image on the lid was of a small hourglass circled by the same repeating word.

"Tempus," James read aloud, tracing a finger lightly over the chain of words. Time.

JLLJ

Albus Dumbledore was running late. Minerva had called him back early from his appointment at the Ministry, seemingly frustrated that the Head Boy was not taking his new responsibilities seriously. In all truthfulness, Albus was relieved to leave the Ministry early; meetings with the Minister aside, he was rather tired from being in London all weekend and looked forward to returning to Hogwarts.

Albus was not in the least bit concerned about one Mr. James Potter, however, and was quite aware that Minerva would give him his own personal scolding for not being stricter with the boy and his marauding companions. Ever since the incident with Severus Snape and the Womping Willow wherein James saved Snape's life, the boys' antics had lessened somewhat, leading Dumbledore to believe that they would never go so far again. The years mellow out us all, he thought wistfully.

Albus had also chosen James for the position because he truly believed that James had all of the qualities and ability to perform the tasks of a Head Boy. There had been vast improvements in his character since he had started at Hogwarts, and although Albus did his best to avoid favoritism as a rule, he knew he would lying if he didn't also admit slight preferential treatment for some of his most gifted students. It was difficult to admit, and not something he prided himself in, but it was there nonetheless.

Just as he entered his office through a personal Floo connection, Dumbledore stepped fully into the room and made to brush off his purple robes before looking up.

"Ah, Mr. Potter—"

What he witnessed was a frightened looking James Potter, time-turner in hand, just before there was a terrible burst of raw magic. The explosion threw Dumbledore back but he glanced up just in time to see the scared expression of James Potter replaced by air.

Nothing.

James was gone.

JLLJ

James was trying not to be so curious about the small silver box and he was absolutely positive that he shouldn't open it. It's like some kind of Pandora's Box, James thought eagerly, it's really none of my business. But still…

James struggled to ignore his curiosity and forcefully made himself sit back down in his seat. This wasn't his office, these weren't his things, Dumbledore wasn't even here yet.

But James was bored, and things usually didn't bode well for anyone when he was bored. He tried humming a song under his breath, he counted to two-hundred seventy-three, he even threw together a quick speech of what he would tell Dumbledore in his defense of the whole dungbomb incident. When Dumbledore still failed to appear all these moments after, James released a frustrated sigh and made to leave. Just as he was turning toward the doors, a sharp light reflected off of the surface of the small silver box from the corner of his eye.

Ah, whatever, it's not like anyone is here watching me. James made a motion towards the box, picked it up in both hands (it was rather light) and flipped the simple latch on the lid. James glanced inside once he had successfully opened it, and felt his eyes go wide in surprise at the contents.

A Time-Turner?

James felt himself go rigid; just where had Dumbledore gotten his hands on this? Time-Turners were extremely rare, and not exactly legal to own. Surely Dumbledore wouldn't leave something this rare and valuable sitting out so vulnerably in the open? James couldn't help himself further as he reached in a hand to gently lift the little hourglass out of its container.

James played with the little chain on the end of the Time-Turner and bit the inside of his cheek in consideration. While time travel was highly illegal for any wizard to undertake (Marcel the Mad had been the last recorded case of failed time travel, resulting in a life sentence to Azkaban prison in the 1680s) James wondered briefly about the future. What person didn't, at least on occasion, ponder what lay ahead for themselves in the coming years? While he certainly couldn't be the first to ever wonder these things he was probably among a selective few who were actually in possession of a fabled Time-Turner whilst wondering them. It wasn't likely that he would be making any crazy mad time leaps anytime soon, however, as he wasn't even sure how to work a Time-Turner. These types of things were never taught to them at Hogwarts and had just barely been mentioned in History of Magic.

James gave the device a disappointed look before flicking his finger at the little hourglass softly. The glass reflected the light in a strange yellow glow, and James nearly dropped it in surprise as the glass and metal became hot to the touch. He felt something inside of him panic at the thought that he might have damaged the time travel device in some way. Before he was able to place it back in the small metal box however, something extraordinary occurred. Three things happened in the very next moment, two that James could later say he expected, and one that he did not.

First, the Floo network flared to life and Dumbledore stepped out into his office, instantly recognizing him. James threw him a worried look, but figured that this was how all mischievous 'looking-through-someone-else's-things' incidents ended.

Second, James was vaguely aware that Time-Turners rotated in some manner or another in order to work, so when the little hourglass at the center of its metal rings spun unusually fast from the gentle force of his flick, he knew he had accidently activated the device.

And third, what James did not expect, was that the Time-Turner would actually work, causing a huge burst of energy as a result, knocking him unconscious in the process.

James felt the room spinning, the image of an anxious Dumbledore rushing towards him as the very last image that he saw.

He felt a strange tug at his navel and knew no more.