Just as a disclaimer - I had to take a bit of dialogue from JK at the beginning of the chapter. So, if you recognise some of the sentences, that's why.

Also, thank you for the lovely reviews! :) I hope everyone has a nice day and enjoys this chapter too!

1 September 1993

Minerva scanned the Entrance Hall trying to spot Harry and Hermione amid the waves of students entering the castle. After a few minutes of searching, her eyes finally landed on Remus who raised his eyebrows at her and gave a slight nod in the direction of three third years following the rest of the students into the Great Hall.

Minerva marched briskly towards them. "Potter! Granger! I want to see you both!" she barked. Remiscenent of Fred and George Weasley when she caught them doing something untoward, the three third years paled as she approached them, and their eyes widened slightly. "There is no need to look so worried," Minerva said, eyeing their anxious faces, "I just want a word in my office. Move along now, Weasley."

Ron looked at her for a minute, then gave a noncommital shrug, and continued to the Great Hall, his shoulders hunched and his hands in his pockets.

"Professor-"

"Not here, Miss Granger," Minerva said, ushering the two students away from the Hall and down the corridor towards her office.

Hermione held back her question and gave Harry a confused look. Harry pulled a face as though saying how should I know what McGonagall wants with us, then turned his attention back to his feet. Minerva herself did not dwell on that small and silent interaction, but rather continued swiftly to her office and unlocked the door quickly when they arrived.

"Professor Lupin sent an owl ahead to say that you were taken ill on the train, Potter," Minerva said matter-of-factly, not wanting to beat about the bush.

As expected the boy did not appear pleased that this topic had been brought up. He opened his mouth but before he could say anything there was a knock at the door and Poppy walked in.

Looking even more uncomfortable than he had previously, Harry took a step back. "I'm fine! I don't need anything—"

"Oh, it's you, is it?" Poppy said in a tone that could not be mistaken as anything other than a tired but unsurprised one. She rolled up her sleeves before bending over Harry, his attempts to protests being completely ignored, and staring at him. "I suppose you've been doing something dangerous again?"

"It was a Dementor, Poppy," Minerva cut in gently.

Poppy turned to look at her and they briefly caught each other's eye. Finally, Poppy clucked her tongue and looked back at her patient who, in that time, had tried to move slowly towards the exit.

"Setting Dementors around a school," Poppy muttered, pulling Harry back towards her and then feeling his forehead. She glanced back at Minerva briefly. "He won't be the last one who collapses," she informed her, before turning back to Harry. "Yes, he's all clammy. Terrible things they are, and the effect they have on people who are already delicate—"

"I am not delicate!" Harry burst out, earning him a warning look from Hermione.

Poppy seemed to have taken no notice of this small outburst, however. She moved her hands to his wrist and took his pulse. "Of course you're not," she told him in a well-practised tone.

"What does he need? Minerva asked. "Bed rest? Should he perhaps spend tonight in the Hospital Wing?"

Harry looked outraged. "I'm fine!" he said hotly, standing back up from the chair Poppy had pushed him into.

Poppy sighed, then went to peer into Harry's eyes again. "Well, he should have some chocolate, at the very least," she told Minerva.

"I've already had some," Harry said grumpily. "Professor Lupin gave me some. He gave it to all of us."

"Did he, now?" Poppy said, straightening and raising her eyebrows. "So we've finally got a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who knows his remedies?"

Minerva gave an imperceptible tut then looked at Harry. "Are you sure you feel all right, Potter?" she asked him briskly.

"Yes."

Minerva narrowed her eyes however did not press him. "Very well. Kindly wait outside while I have a quick word with Miss Granger about her course schedule," she told him, noticing in her peripheral vision that, at those words, the girl look up sharply, "then we can go to the feast together."

Harry looked relieved, although did shoot a mildly curious look at his friend, before being ushered out by Madam Pomfrey who looked far from pleased again.

"Now, Miss Granger I do not want to spend long discussing this," she said, indicating with her left hand that Hermione should take a seat while simultaneously using her right to take out a small pouch, "seeing as we have already written throughout the summer about your heavy schedule."

She opened the small bag and took out the time turner she had placed on a chain herself for Miss Granger's benefit.

"A time-turner!" whispered Hermione quietly, looking in awe at the small golden device. "How—"

"It was incredibly difficult to procure," Minerva said, answering the girl's question before it had been properly asked. "I had to speak to the Headmaster, Unspeakables, and the Minister for Magic himself in order to get permission for you to use this."

"Goodness..." murmured Hermione.

"Indeed. Now, this device is only for you to be able to attend all of your classes. Although I do not expect any less of you, Miss Granger, I will still say it now that I will be most displeased if I learn you have used this for any other reason than getting to your classes on time. Not only because it would put my position as a Professor on the line," she added carefully, "but because a Time-turner can have disastrous, and often irreversible consequences if misused," she added. "Have I made myself clear?"

"Yes, Professor McGonagall."

"Good. Now," she said, putting the necklace back in the bag, "you must tell no one that you have a Time-Turner. Not even Mr Potter or Mr Weasley."

"I understand."

"The first two weeks of term will be somewhat of a trial run," Minerva added. "If at any time you feel that taking 12 classes is too much for you Miss Granger, you need to be absolutely truthful with me. And if I feel that you are pushing yourself too hard, I will take back the Time-Turner and return it to the Ministry."

"It won't come to that, Professor," Hermione assured her. "I promise."

Minerva eyed the girl carefully. "Acknowledging our own limits is a valuable lesson, Miss Granger, one that we all must learn."

Hermione sank down in her chair a bit and nodded.

"I have organised weekly meetings so that we can assess the situation and how you are coping," Minerva continued slowly. "The first one will be tomorrow morning immediately after breakfast. I will show you how to use the Time-Turner then."

"Thank you, Professor," Hermione said gratefully.

Minerva nodded. "You are most welcome, Miss Granger," she said, beginning to stand up. "Now, I think a spot of dinner and then bed seems like a good plan. After all, you have a busy day ahead of you tomorrow."

Hermione smiled and Minerva returned it very briefly, before ushering the girl out of her office and walking both Potter and Granger to the Great Hall.