A note for my readers: I'm so sorry for my absence. I've just finished moving into my first home, which was then followed by a family emergency. But now that life has settled into a slightly less chaotic format, I bring you the next chapter. Enjoy! And many thanks to Lady Vyxen and Mrs. Spicy for pushing me to continue this story.
Chapter Five – Leaping into the Future
"Are you ready?"
Marcus Featherstone craned his neck from left to right to meet the intense eyes of the two Aurors on either side of his short stature. Like silent pillars, the Aurors faced Marcus as a long, gold chain sat draped over their shoulders.
The shimmering chain encompassed the trio, the focal point of the object nestled in Marcus's hands. Standing in the center of the loop, Marcus fiddled with the time turner, slowly twirling the delicate elliptical rings as sweat beads formed at the base of his hairline.
"Hurry up, Featherstone." The Auror to Marcus's right remained still, but his tone suggested an obvious impatience.
Marcus paused his careful, deliberate work to send the Auror a cold stare. "This is the largest time turner in the world, Mr. Bexley. A miniscule error could dramatically alter our destination, thus negating our efforts. As one of the few people in the world capable of handling this instrument, as well as the Ministry official in charge here, I suggest you remain quiet and allow me to safely transport us to our destination. Am I clear, Bexley?"
"Sir," Bexley responded with a nod, his chin jutting outward in silent defiance. His dark green eyes met the stifled grin of the other Auror, Samuel Glass. The shadow from Benjamin Bexley's glare fell over the encompassed group, its obscurity forcing silence to once again take over.
Marcus's fingers made deliberate movements with the instrument for several more seconds, his neck craned downward so his eyes were within inches of the knobs and rings. Before his final step, he raised his head to stand straight.
"Are we clear on our objective, gentlemen?" Featherstone asked, looking once again from Auror to Auror.
"Yes," they replied simultaneously.
"Smith is the priority. As much as possible, do not touch or speak or interact with people or objects. The smallest shift in life can drastically alter the future, even moreso than it may already be." Marcus raised an eyebrow as Bexley chortled. "Remain as inconspicuous as you can. We do not separate, and once you locate Smith, we must exit the Hogwarts grounds, Apparate to a secure location, then return."
"And what will happen to Smith, sir?" Glass asked.
"That is for the ministry to decide. It is our duty to return her to the present time unharmed." Marcus lowered his eyes to the glinting object draped around his neck. "Ready?" Featherstone noted the nods in his peripheral vision.
With a final, delicate twitch of his fingers, the three men felt the world around them spin into an angry vortex of color, as if an invisible suction was forcing all tangible life into nothingness. The days, months and years passed in an impossible velocity as time remained still within the confines of the time turner.
*****
Andrea slammed her books down onto the sturdy oak, work table near the north end of the library. Several students jumped, their heads turning to send her an angry glare. Ignoring the annoyed sets of eyes, she fell into a chair in a heap.
How can he be so blind? So stubborn?
Resting her chin upon her hand, she watched a nearby student practice a complex organization charm, making his stack of books disappear, then reappear, each time in a different order. The stories he had were changing in a blink of an eye. If only it were that simple.
She felt an unwanted sting burn her glassy blue eyes. Perhaps this entire trip was a waste. What was the point? Severus was already being wooed by the power of the dark arts, his impatience and loathing of incompetence luring him to its lonely depths.
The feeling made her chest tighten. The feeling of failure, of solitude. He would continue down his dark path, and she would return to her mundane life. No purpose. And still no Severus.
*****
Snape rounded the corner past the Great Hall, his footsteps light and quick on the stone floor. As he navigated through the corridor, the monotonous sound of his repeating steps allowed his mind to ravage through his previous conversation with Andrea.
How dare she! The dark arts aren't some game I picked up in Knockturn Alley. They're complex. Challenging. Spells someone like me can handle. I don't think they can 'make me belong.' I don't need to belong. I never needed that.
Even as Severus thought the words, he knew they were a lie.
Why did her words bother him so much? Was there a chance she was correct? Had her statements touched a previously untapped nerve?
"It's no big deal, Lilly. Nothing that I haven't gone through before."
The sound of James Potter's voice caused Snape's steps to slow. He felt his stomach twist at the sight of Lilly's hand on James's arm, her perfectly straight, red hair falling in graceful wisps on her shoulder.
"That was a foolish thing to do, casting that spell—"
"I wasn't aiming it at her—"
"Does it really matter?" she shot back. Severus slowed his pace even more as they approached him, oblivious to his presence as their eyes remained locked on one another's. "A true wizard doesn't need to use magic like that – magic intended to cause harm or-or disable. Weaken. Humiliate—"
"Okay, okay, Lilly. I get it." James's voice rose in agitation, but his embarrassment over his actions became obvious as his shoulders slumped toward the floor.
"Look, I'm sorry you have detention." Lilly's voice had softened.
"Sorry if I . . . disappointed you," he said softly in response. "If it bothers you that much, I can try and . . . not do it anymore."
Lilly smiled at the strain in his voice. She didn't expect James to forever fulfill his pledge, but her cheeks flushed in reaction to his devotion to her beliefs.
"Thank you, James. That means a lot."
Snape heard his own scowl reverberate off the walls as he stalked away from the twosome, the anger in his head and the pain in his heart battling for victory in his soul. As Lilly looked at James, Severus knew his efforts to win her affections were useless. Lilly's green eyes reflected in James's before his eyelids closed as her lips grazed Potter's cheek. She belonged to him now.
But what followed was more surprising. Although the sight of their affection stung, the pain in Severus's heart was dull and subdued by an unexplained force. Losing Lilly would hurt, but perhaps gaining another could replace that pain. And maybe, like a good spell, the pain could vanish.
*****
Marcus kept a swift pace as he approached Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the two Aurors gliding silently behind him. With the invisibility charm surrounding him, Benjamin and Samuel, the clutter of students on the grounds were unable to gawk at the unexplained presence of three ministry officials. Coupled with an Imperturbable Charm, the threesome could discuss their mission as needed.
"As soon as we have Smith, I will need to activate the Time Turner immediately. When we find Smith, Bexley, I want you to detain the girl. Glass, you will cast the invisibility spell and Imperturbable Charm, and we will return to our present time at the ministry. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir," Glass responded.
"Aren't you at all boggled by this, sir?" Bexley asked. "How some young wizard managed to create the only time reversal spell in the wizarding world?"
"I am. But we will have time to question her back at the ministry—"
"But just think of what it could do. The changes we could make—"
"Not an option, Benjamin. We must ensure this spell's powers are never revealed."
*****
Andrea mindlessly flicked her wand above her head, the snowflakes she had conjured now collecting on the desk and atop her strawberry blonde tresses. The white crystals reflected off the nearby candlelight, casting an ironic glow over her gloomy face.
"A bit early in the year for snow, don't you think?"
Andrea jumped as Severus appeared across from her, standing like a black statue. She stared into Severus's dark eyes, her own orbs probing his, questioning his sudden change in demeanor. Her raised eyebrow portrayed her confusion as her nostrils received a whiff of his scent. No matter how irritated she was with him, she could never deny her attraction. And at this moment, his focus was on her.
"I'd like to see you do better," she replied softly, her cross tone far from hidden. With a flick of his wand, a sudden gust of wind tore across the desk, forcing every white flake to dash off the desk. Every nearby student's papers shot upward in a tornadic fury before caressing the air on their journey back to the floor.
"Doesn't qualify as dark magic, does it?" he said snidely.
"That's not funny."
"I'm not laughing. What is it with you girls and the dark arts?"
The tears once again came unwillingly to her eyes. She stood up and began gathering her books. "Look, if you came here to ridicule me—"
"Excuse me, Miss Smith?"
Andrea and the young Snape turned to look at Bexley. Benjamin tried to appear innocent and unnerving, his hands clasped politely behind his back as he gave the woman a smile. He had even transformed his robes to a calming deep purple to obscure his ministry status – normally portrayed by his more elegant, black robes.
Severus shot a glance at Andrea, then returned his focus to the unknown man that towered over her.
"Yes," she responded, her tone conveying confusion. This certainly was not a professor, nor anyone she recognized from her time at Hogwarts. Judging by the expression on Severus's face, he was having similar thoughts.
"My name is Frederick Blight," Bexley lied. "I'm assisting Professor Slughorn with his review of the Potions OWLs, and a question has come up regarding your exam. Might I have a quick word with you?"
Her lack of response prompted Benjamin to sense her distrust. "It's nothing serious. Just a question about wording – it could affect your score."
"Can't I clear it up right now? Right here? What's the question?" she asked, her suspicion flicking onward like a light switch.
Jesus, come on, woman. "No, I'm afraid you'll need to report with me to the Charms classroom—"
"I thought it was for Potions," Snape cut in. Andrea's mouth hung open in anticipation opposite Snape, the same question about to leave her mouth.
"Yes, forgive me. The Potions classroom. If you'll come with me, please."
Following another pause, Andrea reluctantly gathered her books and shot Severus a wary glance before following Bexley out of the library. As they marched silently down the corridor, Andrea noted the man's haste, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. They were traveling into the depths of the classroom, but in the opposite direction of the Potions classroom. A dreadful chill shot through her bones when Andrea realized the only two other humans within sight or earshot were two more unknown men behind them.
"Sir, the Potions classroom is not in this area of the castle—"
"Please be quiet," Bexley shot back at her. He grabbed her robes at the shoulder and forced her into an old, unused classroom, Marcus and Samuel following just steps behind. Samuel locked the door behind them with a flick of his wand.
"Ah, well done, Bexley!" Marcus nodded his head in appreciation as Samuel cast a Imperturbable Charm around the perimeter of the classroom.
"Who are you?" Andrea tried to make her voice as stern as possible as her eyes darted from man to man.
"We are from the Ministry of Magic, Miss Smith. The man beside you is an Auror, as is Mr. Glass here." Samuel flashed her his ministry badge.
"You have broken magical law." Marcus took a step forward to emphasize the severity of his statement. "As I'm sure you're well aware, it is illegal to perform any act of time travel. We will be returning you to 1981 immediately. From there we will review the allegations and charges against your actions. Benjamin, please escort Miss Smith into the confines of the time turner." Marcus carefully unraveled the time turner, wrapping a portion of the chain around Samuel's shoulders.
"Before I do, Featherstone, may I make one small change?" Bexley asked.
"What is it, Mr. Bexley?"
"Avada Kedavra!" With a swift strike, Bexley aimed his wand at Samuel, sending him falling to the ground to a lifeless heap. Andrea screamed, covering her mouth in horror.
Before Marcus could react, his mouth agape in shock, Bexley's wand turned to him. "Imperio!"
A flat stare morphed onto Marcus's face, his eyes staring straight ahead at an unknown object, his future equally mysterious. Bexley's lips twitched as he silently ordered Marcus to prepare the time turner.
"How could you! What—"
"Shut up, Smith. I've known you for five minutes, and you've already proven to be more annoying than any witch I've known. Y'know, what? Let's take care of that." With a spastic slash of his wand, Andrea was suddenly tightly bound in rope, her free ability to speak or scream stolen from her. Her body fell to the floor in an uncoordinated motion as the ropes tightened their grip around the majority of her body. "So much easier this way, wouldn't you agree?" Bexley stood over her and cocked his head, offering her a deceitful smile.
He grasped the rope and dragged her toward Marcus who was holding the central piece of the time turner in his right hand, prepared for departure.
"I know you're just dying to know what's going on, aren't you Smith?" Bexley once again grabbed the rope and forcefully pulled Andrea to her feet. As he draped the chain of the time turner around her shoulders, he continued. "I suppose it wouldn't shock you at this point to discover that I'm a Death Eater."
Andrea's eyes were still wide with terror, but her expression did not change. Her breaths were stifled within the tight confines of the rope, and it would not be wise to panic even more with such little air flowing through her lungs.
"Not very dramatic, am I?" Bexley said with a wicked laugh. "I know, I know. Too bad about Samuel, right? He was a pretty good Auror, actually. But collateral damage, I suppose.
"But being this double agent Death Eater and all, I found a way to make myself useful to my master. The Dark Lord is barely alive after what happened with the Potter child. Killing Lilly and James was so easy, but the boy . . .
"You see, your little escapades with time gave me a thought. Why should the Dark Lord suffer when we can travel back in time to murder the Potters? Quite simple, really. But just in case this whole time turner thing doesn't work, I have you as a backup. And we will continue going back and back until the Dark Lord succeeds." Bexley laughed again, the chortle causing Andrea to twitch. With another flick of his wand, his next words were directed at Marcus.
"Away Featherstone. To save the Dark Lord. To change the course of wizarding history."
As the familiar winds of time travel began to swirl around them, a flash of black leapt into the confines of the time turner's spell.
Even amidst the murder, the chaos, and the sheer insanity pouring from Bexley's mouth, for a moment Andrea felt strength in the sight of Severus beside her as the world shifted around them.
