Disclaimer: that I own nothing to do with Harry Potter and that it all belongs to the amazing JK Rowling.
Also my apologies that this chapter is short but I just had to get a chapter posted tonight in honor of my favorite character from there series, Sirius Black's birthday! Stick with me it's about to pick up I promise! Happy Friday, and I hope you enjoy this installment :)
"Have you completely lost your minds!?" Hermione shouted, her eyes wide as she stared at the time turner gleaming in the sunlight. She quickly composed herself, her eyes darting around to make sure no one was drawn to them by her outburst. Harry glanced around them casually too, pretending to smile like Hermione had been kidding, he watched as she caught on and forced a fake smile and awkward laugh. There was a small group of second year Slytherins a few feet away who had been glancing over curiously. They promptly lost interest when they believed there to be no real drama going on, and continued to walk the other way.
Neville and Harry had trudged out of Gryffindor tower in search of Ron and Hermione, checking the Library and Great Hall before finding them down by the lake. They now sat in a small circle, Hermione's book lay forgotten on her lap as her attention was now fully on the Time Turner Harry had just pulled out of his pocket to show her. Checking to see that no other students were in proximity of overhearing them, Neville quickly did a recap of the story he'd already told Harry. Hermione's mouth hung open, and for once to Harry's surprise, she seemed lost for words. Ron on the other hand seemed to be taking the news differently.
"Let me get this straight, you Neville Longbottom, nicked this Time Turner from the Ministry of Magic?" Ron demanded, his face was full of amusement and pride. Neville nodded sheepishly with a small smile, that quickly faded however, as Hermione slowly turned her stunned face towards them and shot them both dirty looks.
"This is hardly funny Ron! You do realize this is an extremely dangerous device that you stole from the Ministry of Magic, and mostly likely if the rumors are true, the last one in existence." She whispered, her voice furious but also tinted with fear as she checked that no one was listening to them once more with a look over her shoulder. Harry felt a rush of gratitude towards Hermione, she cared about the rules so much and here she was always getting mixed up in his drama simply because she was his friend.
"Well what was your plan when you took this?" She demanded staring daggers at Neville who looked like he very much regretted searching out Hermione at the moment.
"I thought of my parents and how I could change what happened to them." Neville started to explain, and Hermione's face immediately softened but this only made Neville strengthen his voice with determination "I know I can't go that far back though, I've been researching in the library the past few nights and I would seriously alter time and probably screw stuff up." Hermione stared at him with bewilderment as Ron looked over at Harry with an incredulous look on his face.
"I think we've had an influence on you Neville. Doing crazy stuff and even fact checking it in the library like Hermione." Ron said looking impressed, Neville laughed a little.
"The point is, I've come to terms with not being able to use it for what I had in mind when I stole it. So that's when I came to Harry earlier this afternoon." Neville said, looking over at Harry with his eyebrows raised, Harry got the jist that this part of the story Neville thought should be told by him. He didn't need to though, as he opened his mouth to speak he promptly shut it because Hermione's eyes had gone wide with realization as she looked between Neville and himself.
"You want to use this Time Turner, to save Sirius." She stated, it was not a question but simply saying fact. Harry nodded slowly, while Neville nodded with more determination.
"Sirius died just three days ago! Nothing incredible has happened since and Bellatrix got away anyways, all we would have to do is push him out of the way!" Neville whispered fast as he explained his plan to Hermione, but she turned to Harry instead who braced for impact of what she would have to say about this.
"Oh Harry, I understand what you're trying to do, but this is so dangerous and completely against the law. Not just like Hogwarts rules, but the actual Wizarding law!" Hermione cried out in a low voice looking stern.
"After everything the ministry did to Harry, I think they owe him one! We practically led them to catching all those filthy Death Eaters that night too!" Ron said defensively, shooting a Harry a look that clearly told him that he was on board with the plan. "Besides last time you guys used the Time Turner my leg was broken and I couldn't come along!" Hermione looked positively livid now.
"You really think this is some kind of game? Time Turners are extremely dangerous, and just three days ago, in case you have already forgotten, we all almost died!" Hermione said, it was the first time she had mentioned the mishap at the ministry since it had happened, she'd been too busy coddling him to dare speak of it. Harry felt his stomach drop, maybe she wasn't willing to help this time, and maybe she had a point not to.
"Hermione… it's Sirius though." Ron muttered with a sly glance at Harry that didn't go unnoticed by him.
"Yes but this is exactly why he died that night, we're just in our 5th year of school and we always think we can solve these problems ourselves, it's amazing no one else has gotten hurt thus far." Hermione ranted, slamming her book in her lap shut with force.
"You know maybe she's right guys." Harry said in a quiet voice, keeping his voice defensively cool and calm.
"Harry it's just that, we you tend to make these brash decisions." She said softly, not meeting his eyes. Ron looked shocked and Neville almost angry.
"Actually he didn't, I convinced him when he said no." Neville said defensively, but Harry had had enough. He felt as if she had slapped him across the face. He knew he shouldn't feel this way, that she was just being honest. How could she know about the constant dreams of Sirius falling through the veil, or the level of guilt that crushed him daily? Hermione looked regretful as she watched him tentatively. Quickly with his mind whirling he stood up, he needed to get away from this conversation.
"Harry…" Hermione started but Harry shook his head and reached into the pocket of his robes. He pulled out the Time Turner and shoved it into an unsuspecting Neville's hand. Before anyone could protest he quickly strode away from his group of friends and towards the castle, and safety of his four post bed. He tried to leave thoughts of the Time Turner and Sirius behind him as well.