Coin of Life
Time is the coin of life. Only you can determine how it will be spent.
(Carl Sandburg)
"Good morning, Professor Umbridge!" The class chanted in unison.
Only the years of hiding his reactions from the Dursleys kept Harry from jerking in shock.
Automatically, he flipped open his copy of Slinkhard's appalling text and bent his head over it, careful not to catch Umbridge's eye.
So, this was where he'd ended up? Back in the beginning of his fifth year?
It was just this morning he'd awakened in Grimmauld Place, miserable and alone.
Only a few short months ago, the war had ended, and possibilities seemed endless. Kingsley Shacklebolt, new Minister of Magic, had fast-tracked Harry and Ron into the auror program, Ginny was planning to move in, and the wizarding world was on the path to recovery.
Then…he'd found out what Ginny had been up to while he was horcrux hunting, and his world came crashing down around him.
Breaking up with Ginny hadn't been the worst of it. That had been the Weasleys siding with Ginny and blaming Harry for the split.
Even Hermione, now firmly Ron's girlfriend, advised Harry to forgive and forget.
"Remember, Harry, you were not together at the time! Neither of you made any promises of fidelity."
He might have taken her advice if Ginny, in a blazing temper, hadn't said some things that were unforgivable. Harry made up his mind that he wouldn't live with that temper for the remainder of his life, and ended their relationship for good.
Ginny had reacted with tears and shock. Apparently she had never imagined he'd break up with her, and her tantrums had convinced her relatives that he'd treated her badly.
The Weasleys hadn't forgiven him. He was no longer on speaking terms with anyone in the family, and Hermione had found it too awkward to maintain a public friendship with Harry, although she had privately assured him she would always care for him.
Harry, still brooding, had gone to the Ministry, planning to head to the class for auror trainees, when he spotted Ron through the open doorway…and kept right on walking. The last thing he wanted was a confrontation with his former friend, and he knew the redhead had been itching for a fight.
Somehow, he'd found himself in a room he recognized: the Ministry Time Room.
He remembered Hermione's time-turner, which had saved Sirius…at least on that occasion.
He shook his head and turned to go, wishing those devices had never been destroyed, when he spotted a glimmer under one set of shelves.
Could it be?
Harry cast a summoning charm, and the object flew into his hand.
It was a time-turner, all right, but damaged beyond repair.
Disappointment swept over Harry; angrily, he flung it against the farthest wall, enjoying the sound of the smash.
And then…he was whirling, his senses caught up in the vortex, his mind unable to process anything at all until he heard: Good morning, Professor Umbridge.