Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter franchise. I do own my right to fantasize. See what I did there?
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"Existence. A state of being." I answered carefully, like saying the words is an arduous but relieving process.
"What was that my dear?" Dumbledore asked.
"To exist. To exist is more infinite and powerful than time." I clarified, more sure of my answer.
"Why do you say so?"
"Because to exist is the beginning of it all. Time on the other hand, is the end of what began. Without existence, time would be void. Time is real, because of existence." I explained avidly.
Dumbledore adjusted his glasses, a sign that I have answered his question.
"Your title truly reflects you, Miss Granger. You are correct, as usual." The Headmaster responded.
"I'm not always right, sir. I may have answered your question, but I still have no idea why I am here." I told him, a little impatient to know his reasons for this discussion.
"As you have stated, existence is greater than time. And existence is the power that resides in a Time Turner." Dumbledore effortlessly told me, like it was normal for him to share this outstanding information.
"Existence..resides in a Time Turner?" I questioned, finding it hard to believe that existence, a state of being, would actually physically reside on a trinket.
"Without existence, Time Turners cannot bring us back to past events. Hence, such is the importance of existence to be the essence of such devices." Dumbledore further explained.
Existence is the key on how Time turners work? Existence is the essence of a Time turner?
Thankfully Dumbledore refrains from adding more to the information that I have to absorb.
Scrutinizing what he stated to me, I find such an idea to be quite difficult to believe. Outrageous really.
Even though the trinket is a Time Turner, existence is not something you can just store in an object.
Such a phenomenon is impossible.
I know, nothing is impossible in the wizarding world.
But existence..that is life itself. Existence is..the manipulation of life.
"Sir, are you saying that a Time turner holds power that has greater potential than the crossing of time and space? And this..greater power, is..Existence?"
"Precisely." The Headmaster simply answered, standing from his seat to have a better look at the view from the outside.
"How is possible Sir? How can…existence be controlled and expelled modestly from a Time Turner?"
"We exist, Miss Granger. Our bodies expel existence as we begin and end every day in our lives. Even in inanimate objects, existence is confirmed by how that inanimate object was made. Therefore, existence to have been stored in a Time Turner is manageable yet difficult to accomplish." He stated, watching the Phoenix that is perched nearby, noticing that the bird has bowed its noble head in order to sleep.
The Phoenix is a fascinating creature, and even though I have seen it many times, I have yet to see the bird's transformation of dying and then living once more. Harry has seen it for himself, how a Phoenix dies and is born. Harry said that the Phoenix burned in fire, and then is born again from the ashes.
Burned in fire..to live once more.
As if we were thinking the same thing, I looked at Dumbledore to find him looking back as well.
"For existence to be instilled in an object is not an easy feat. Like all incredible and ghastly relics of the wizarding world, such great power is created with the cost of tremendous sacrifice." The Headmaster explained, answering my question even though I did not have to verbally state it.
Throughout my research on Time Turners, the origin of such objects was not properly stated. I went through hundreds of books in the library, sneaking into the restricted section repeatedly in order to know more of the Time Turner that I possess, but I always get vague information on how they exist.
I have read many books on relics, and only now did I learn of the possibility that the origin of Time Turners would have the similar process of how relics are created.
The answer is so simple. I am actually disappointed at myself for not realizing any sooner.
I guess, having my own Time Turner which I have used like it is a simple tool, I find it difficult to associate such an object as a relic that is created by means of taking the life of another human being.
For Time Turners to be relics is logical. After all, Existence is life.
When I opened my eyes, I saw the slow motions of what appears to be wooden figures that are tied to a string. The objects are blurry and thus hard to identify. Only when I hear the soft chiming of the objects in front of me, did I realize that I am staring at a toy usually used to calm or sooth babies on a crib.
And then it occurs to me, like the flicker of light that is caused by a distant hovering light bulb.
I am lying on a crib. My body would not have fit perfectly in an infant's bed, let alone a crib; which means that either I am having a nightmare, or my body has shrunk into the size of a baby.
Overwhelmed and panicked, I oddly started to cry. I cried, and true enough, I cried like a newborn child.
Almost instantly, a portly lady entered the room and brought me to her arms, making swaying motions and patting my back. I could tell from the way she handled me that she has done this numerous of times, perhaps too much since her movements lack the gracefulness or timidity of a new mother.
This lady is rather large, and bulky. Although she tries her best not to hurt me, her gruff movements hints that she is strong built and perhaps quite stubborn.
"There there little one. Everything's going to be alright, you're at a warm place. Safe and sound." She pretending I could understand what she is saying. When in truth, I truly can.
I calmed myself, admittedly reassured of safety by the lady who is holding me. I managed to focus on my current observations, the situation that I am in. I find that this woman does not appear to be a person who would hurt me purposely; the place that I am in evokes a caring child-friendly atmosphere.
Pleased that I appear to be in a safe and secure environment, I then focused on the details.
I recall that as this lady was about to take me from the crib, I noticed what appears to be a hat on her head. It is a white hat, white like the color of her clothes. Now that I think about it, the hat looks more like a ribbon. Her clothes, which I feel with my cheek, have the texture of a worn out canvass.
Her clothes feel old from constant use, but white like it was bleached repeatedly. Along with the ribbon on her head, it does not take much to conclude that this lady may be someone employed in order to ensure health and well-being. This stout woman might be a nurse or a care giver of some sort.
My assumptions of my current caretaker is confirmed when another visitor entered. As I am being handled like a frightened small animal, another woman entered the room. Compared to the lady holding me, this lady is thin and shorter than the one carrying me. She is also wearing white and a white ribbon.
"That's a gorgeous one, Miss Merida. We wouldn't have difficulty giving her away." The newcomer comments as she gazes at me with an impressed look, stating a clue about where I am located.
Based from the thin lady's emotionless suggestion to 'give me away', and from the unsurprised stance of the stout one who carries me, I may be at an orphanage.
"I sure hope so. God knows I don't want her here for too long." The fat lady, who I learn is named Merida, comments.
"She's a bit too young, don't you think?"
"Her mother died giving birth to her, her father died in the war. No family has claimed her." Merida answers with a hint of empathy.
"That's awful." The thin nurse comments, looking at the watch on her wrist and rubbing her eyes.
"Let's hope she grows to be as angelic as she is now, that way she would be gone as soon as possible." Merida states before bringing me back down to the crib, seeing as I stopped crying.
"We best get going; our shift will start again in a few hours." The thin lady tells Merida, disappointing my expectations for more information.
"Alright, you go on right ahead. I'll just tuck her in." Merida replies, already pulling a small blanket over me and then folding the edges so my body is well covered from the cold.
"Get big and strong, little girl. And then, you would be lovely enough to leave St. Agatha." The stout lady tells me like she has a personal vendetta for this person called, 'St. Agatha'.
Before she leaves, she turns off the lights, leaving me in the darkness wherein I couldn't see the hovering objects but I could still hear the soft chiming movements of the toy above my crib. I take this time to think about what happened to me, where I could be currently, and how did I get here.
The only facts that I have gathered so far, based on my interaction with the two women, is that I have the body of an infant, I am at an orphanage or residence for children, and I have been categorized as a new orphan of this facility due to the recent death of my mother who I will never know or meet.
After going through dozens of stocked knowledge and ruminating on theories, I can honestly assume that the Time Turner worked, but in ways that I am yet to decipher. I still have more questions that need answers, such as the reason why I was sent to this particular place in an infant's body.
Feeling the temptation to sleep, I decided to think about my situation in another day. For now, I am safe in this room and I need the rest. I still have a lot of adjusting to do, and I can get my answers as I go throughout my adjustments. Besides, by the looks of it, I have plenty of time to answer my questions.
"Existence is a higher power, complicated but with extravagant potential. Time turners however, restrict existence in order to simply bring us back to our past."
"Alright..okay..so the essence of Time Turners is Existence. And Existence is far greater than the vessel that it resides. But Sir, what is the importance of knowing the essence of a Time Turner?" I finally asked.
Dumbledore chose not to answer me right away, gazing at wall of glass that was painstakingly stained and adorned with flowers at the edges.
"Existence is so powerful, so great; so much so that without the control of a Time Turner, Existence may enable an individual to live at another era or period of history." The Headmaster replied like he was simply stating an idea that crossed his mind which may or may not answer my question.
"Of course. If Existence is as great as it is, crossing decades is possible." I added, considering his peculiar suggestion.
"Do you agree, Miss Granger?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Do you agree that Existence can bring an individual back to an early time? Far longer than a day or a week? More so than years?" He questions as he turns from his position and walks towards me.
Before I could even answer, he adds another question.
"Do you believe that Existence, which resides in the Time Turner that you own, has the potential to make you live an entire life in another point of history?" He asks with a serious voice, looming from the side of the seat that I am in.
"Sir..why are telling me this?" I ask in return, refusing to answer his string of questions due to my growing frustration on the fact that he has yet to reveal the relevance of our discussion.
Having noticed my impatience, he returns to his seat and bring one sleeved arm to rest on his desk while his other hand combs through his long white beard. He looks at me like he is solving a puzzle, perhaps trying to figure out how to give an explanation. After a short while, he brings both of his elbows to his desk and linked his hands in a manner that Ron would do when he is about to make a move in chess.
"When the opportunity presents itself Miss Granger, I want you to use your Time Turner for a different purpose than simply changing moments of time."
"What do you mean, Sir?" I ask the Headmaster, despite having a twinge of growing awareness on what he is requesting from me, an awareness that is slowly scratching my gut like an ulcer.
"If we lose the war, I want you to break your Time Turner to change our fate."