Chapter three
October 31st, 1981
The next month passed by quickly, and without much incident, aside from Renee's constant detentions from Snape. Andie had come close a few times to joining her. And yet, she had managed to weasel her way out each and every time. Much to Renee's annoyance. Andie had become used to the layout of the school, to the point that she didn't need Renee's help anymore. She would attend her first class, head to the second room, use the time turner, then attend her second class; all while avoiding her past self. At times, Andie got so tired from having to do this. She was glad for the weekends, where she could catch up, or just to sleep in. Just like today.
Andie stretched, not wanting to wake up just yet. If she woke, she would have to get stuck into her class work straight away. With a groan, she rolled over. A cold wind blew on her face. It stopped after a few seconds, then started again. Andie cracked an eye. A face was a few inches from hers. With a scream, Andie jumped back. She misjudged how much bed space was behind her. She fell out, landing on the floor with a solid thud. Her legs were still tangled up in her sheets; successfully locking her in place with no escape.
Someone walked around the bed. Renee. She looked surprised for a moment, before fully seeing the sight before her. She burst out laughing. Andie annoyingly kicked her legs free from her bedding, before getting to her feet.
"Laugh it up," she growled out.
"Sorry," was all Renee could wheeze out.
"Take it outside," groaned a voice from one of the other beds. "Some of us are trying to sleep."
Andie grabbed hold of Renee's arm and dragged the still laughing girl out of the dorm. Upon reaching the, surprisingly empty, common room, she let go and whirled on her.
"Alright what do you want. No, scratch that, how did you get in here?"
Renee stood up straight, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Right, right," she said. "Don't worry about how I got in. It's not important. What's important is today."
"Today?"
"Yeah. Do you even know what day it is?"
"Saturday…"
Renee shook her head.
"Well, yes, but no. It's October thirty-first. Halloween."
Renee hesitated, trying to see if Andie would catch on. When she didn't, Renee continued.
"I've come to collect on that debt you owe me for helping in September."
"But-"
"Uh, uh. No backing out. It's just a little help to make this Halloween…better than past year's."
"What happened last year?"
"Not important. Will you help?"
"I don't have a choice, do I?"
"Nope. Not if you wanna keep your…little item a secret."
Andie heaved a sigh.
"Fine. Lead the way."
Renee pumped her fist.
"Let's go," she said, excitedly.
"Hold on," Andie spoke.
"Hey, no backing out."
"I'm not. Can I get dressed first?"
Renee waved her hand in a go-ahead gesture. Andie rushed back up to the dorm. She quickly changed into her uniform. She placed her wand into her robe pocket, then glanced at the time turner. She thought for a second about leaving it behind. Instead, she grabbed it and placed it around her neck. They might need it, in case they got caught. No. When they got caught. She then made her way back down, where Renee was inspecting the statue between the two staircases. Renee quickly stood up, hearing Andie return.
"All set," Andie informed her.
"Alright. Follow me."
Renee led Andie out, through the school, and outside, through the clock tower entrance. They began down the cobbled path, which led to Hogsmeade. Andie opened her mouth to speak, but Renee beat her to it.
"Not heading to Hogsmeade. Where we're going is halfway to it though."
"Halfway?" Andie thought for a moment, before stopping in her tracks. "We're heading for the forbidden forest?! No way! It's named that for a reason."
Andie began to turn around, ready to head back to the school. Renee jumped in front of her.
"Whoa, you promised."
"Not at the risk of our lives."
"It's not dangerous where we're going. It's just at the edge. I promise we won't go in completely." Andie shot Renee a look of disbelief. "I swear. I'm just getting some things I left behind last year. Granted they are kinda banned, but please trust me."
Andie heaved a sigh, giving in.
"Fine."
"Thank you, thank you, thank you."
"But I'm warning you. Any sign of trouble, and we leave."
"Hey, scout's honor."
Andie had no idea what that meant but didn't want another explanation on another muggle thing that made no sense. She followed Renee down the path, until it split into two directions. They turned left, heading for the forest. It was early enough that no one was even out walking yet. Which was lucky. Andie didn't know what she would do if they had been scolded by someone who wasn't even a teacher. As promised, Renee only led her a few meters into the forest. They wandered over to a tree. A tangle of roots made a den underneath it. Renee knelt down and whistled a small, soft tune. Almost at once, the roots moved around opening another small burrow. A small bag poked out from the darkness. Renee reached in and pulled it out. As she stood, the roots moved back to their original position.
"How on earth did you discover that?" Andie asked.
"Exploring. There is so much stuff around. All you have to do is look."
"Huh, okay."
"Anyway. Did you bring the time turner?"
"Why…?"
"I need the time to set everything up. Please. It's just one time."
"What?! No! is that the only reason you brought me along?"
"No!" Renee yelled. She then paused before going on. "It's just… the main reason."
Andie threw her hands up.
"Unbelievable. I should've known. I'm going back."
"What?! No!" Renee grabbed Andie's robes, stopping her from leaving. "You've been able to play around the past month. Why can't I use it just this once?"
"Cause I'm not playing around. I'm being sensible, unlike you."
Andie ripped her robes from Renee's grip. Renee didn't move for a second, until she spotted the time turner's chain poking out from Andie's uniform. It was then that anger filled her. She lunged for the chain. Her fingers wrapped out it, and she pulled. The device popped out from Andie's uniform. Andie reached up to snatch it back.
"Stop!" she yelled out.
"Just let me have a go!" Renee yelled back, her tone slightly higher than Andie's.
The two then started a rough game of tug-of-war; complete with screaming and name calling. With a final tug from the two, the chain snapped. They could only watch as the time turner fell free from its chain and fell to the ground. The glass shattered and the sand inside spread out in a large circle. It then began to swirl, trapping the two in its wake. A hard breeze whipped their hair and clothes around them. The world warped. First going forward, then backward. The blurry shapes of people and creatures flew around them. Some moving forward, some moving backward. The forest leaves kept changing colours. Green, orange, bare, orange, green, orange, bare. Andie's stomach flipped over and over. She was going to be sick. A large wave of blue magic exploded outwards. Both Andie and Renee were hit. They were flung free from each other and thrown in opposite directions.
Andie landed awkwardly on a tree's roots. Pain flooded her body. She took shallow breaths, trying to stop the pain. After a few minutes, she finally called out in a shaky voice.
"Renee! I'm going to kill you!"
There was no answer. With a bit of effort, she pushed herself up into a sitting position. Her eyes glanced around the area, trying to locate her friend. The forest was empty.
"Renee?!" Andie called out louder this time.
Still nothing. Groaning, she got herself to her feet, using the tree as an aid to stay up. She clutched her stomach. Something was coming up. Unable to keep down anything, she leaned over and wretched. Not much came up, as she had forgone eating before even coming to the forest. A few more dry heaves, and she began to feel better. Andie stood up straight. She took a tentative step forward. Getting her balance back, she took a few more. Finally, she let go of the tree. She looked back to where she had been standing just moments before being thrown. A symbol had been burnt into the dirt. The shape of a spiral. Right in the center was the outer ring of the time turner. The only evidence of it ever being there.
Andie picked it up. It was cold to the touch. Not hot, like Andie had initially thought. It was only then that a knot formed in her stomach. Renee was gone, and Andie had no idea where she had ended up; or even when. Andie chewed her lip for a moment, trying to think of what to do. She didn't know who to tell, or even if she should. Finally, the guilt grew too big. She had to tell Dumbledore. If anyone knew what to do. It was him. Even if it meant that she would be expelled. Or even sent to Azkaban for recklessness. She had to tell him. She walked out of the forest and back down the path. Back towards Hogwarts. With each step, the knot grew tighter. She navigated the halls, and up to the headmaster's office.
She stopped at the phoenix gargoyle that guarded the entrance to the office. It was only then that she realized she had no idea what the password was to get in. The panic was getting too much for Andie. What was she going to do? Her breathing quickened, as her heartbeat sped up. It was then, that a voice spoke from behind her.
"If you're after Professor Dumbledore, he's not in right now."
Andie spun to face the speaker. Professor McGonagall stood there. The transfiguration teacher. She looked different to what Andie remembered. It wouldn't be until later than she would know why.
McGonagall gave a small frown, as she looked over the young student before her. The curly, red hair was disheveled. Dirt and sticks stuck in odd spots. Her robes, even though were correct for a Ravenclaw student, were covered in dirt and some form of blue…sand? It was almost like the student had been rolling in the dirt for some unknown reason. The child's green eyes were moving around in a panicked motion. All in all, the child looked guilty about something.
"Who-" McGonagall began to speak.
She was cut off by Andie bursting into tears. The guilt and adrenaline working in tandem was too much for the girl.
"Hey, what's wrong?" McGonagall asked.
She wasn't expecting this. Normally, a guilty student wouldn't even come close to Dumbledore's office; let alone any teacher. They tended to hide until whatever they did died down.
Between sobs, Andie tried to explain in broken sentences.
"Broke the time turner. Lost my friend. In big trouble."
A fresh wave of tears washed over Andie. The waterworks leaving clean streak in the dirt that clung to her face. She kept wiping her nose with the sleeve of her robes.
"Okay," McGonagall said, trying to speak in a calming tone. "Let's get you into Professor Dumbledore's office to wait." She moved over to the gargoyle and, with a wave of her hands, said the password. "Sherbert Lemon."
The statue spun. As it did, it moved upwards. Stairs came from the ground, spiraling up to follow the path of the gargoyle. McGonagall led Andie up and into the office. A large room, with a desk in the center. Bookshelves decorated the sides, even up past the stairs at the far end. A few large windows let in the light from outside. Bits and bobs cluttered up everything else, making it seem more homely than it should.
McGonagall had Andie sit at one of the chairs in front of the desk. A quick flick of her wand, and some tissues appeared. McGonagall handed them to Andie.
"Here," she said. "Take a few deep breaths and try to calm yourself."
Andie took them from the Professor, with a quiet thanks. She used them to dry her eyes, and wipe her nose. She sniffled, trying to stop anymore tears from falling. McGonagall used some paper and a quill to write a quick note. She rolled it up and tapped it with her wand. The note vanished. Sent off to wherever McGonagall wanted it. She sat in the seat beside Andie, leaning forward slightly. Trying not to be overly intimidating.
"Can we start with your name?" she asked, her tone gentle. Almost like a mother talking to her child.
"Andrea." Another sniffle from Andie.
"Good. That's good. And your last name?"
"Price."
"I take it you're related to the Price family in France?" Andie nodded. "Okay. That's good. At least we have someone to contact if we need to." McGonagall paused. Then continued. "Are you hungry? Thirsty?"
Andie shook her head.
"No. I don't feel well," she admitted.
"That's okay. If you do want something, let me know."
The doors to the office opened. Andie didn't have to look to know that it was Dumbledore. She kept her head low. Getting ready for the yelling that was sure to ensue. Dumbledore strode across the room and sat behind his desk. He rested his elbows on the table, interlocking his fingers in front of his face. He studied the girl in front of him. An almost pitied look crossed his features.
"Sir," McGonagall said, "This is Andrea Price. From what I've been able to understand, a time turner was involved."
Dumbledore hmmed.
"Why don't you start from the beginning. Tell us what happened," he said.
His voice was kinder than Andie was expecting. She wrung her fingers as she retold what had transpired. McGonagall and Dumbledore listened. Neither of them said a word. A few times, Andie had to stop and compose herself again, before going on. Once Andie had finished, silence hung around the three.
"That is quite the story," Dumbledore finally said. "I have one question though. Just a small piece of information that is important." He hesitated, trying to find a way to ask gently. "What year did you start Hogwarts?"
"Nineteen-eighty-one," Andie answered.
"I had a feeling that was the case. This is going to be a little tricky." Dumbledore leaned back.
Andie's green eyes, finally looked up. Looking into Dumbledore's kind, blue ones.
"I don't want to worry you. And I certainly don't want to panic you. When the time turner broke, I'm afraid you went back ten years in time. The year is nineteen-seventy-one."
Andie's eyes widened.
"What?!" Her breathing quickened, and she physically paled. "No. I don't believe it. I…I never chose how long to go back."
"I know. Unfortunately, time turners are very unpredictable. Especially when they break. There have been tales of witches and wizards going back centuries. It was that very reason that time turners had to be registered and monitored closely. You're very lucky that in your case its only ten years."
"No. I have to go back. Please. There must be a way."
Dumbledore shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Miss Price. Unfortunately, there isn't any way to go forward in time. I'm afraid this is where you are to stay."
Andie hung her head. New tears falling from her eyes. Her body shook, as she tried to stifle the sobs. She was never going to see her family again. Unless they believed she was really who she said she was. She was never going to see Renee again. Who knows what happened to her. The guilt began to pile up again.
"What do I do?" she asked.
"For now, I'll contact your family. Explain the situation. See how they would like to handle this. In the meantime, I'll put you into a spare teacher's room. At least until we hear from your family."
Dumbledore looked to McGonagall, who gave a nod of acknowledgement.
"Come along, Miss Price," she said. "I'll take you to the spare room."
The two rose and left the office. McGonagall led Andie through the halls. Andie felt like she was dreaming. As if she'd wake up any second and this would all be a bad dream. She kept hoping that was the case. McGonagall stopped at a door. She opened it and let Andie in first. It wasn't large. A few bookshelves around the edges, filled with books. A simple desk and matching chair sat in the center, a little to the left. The carpet was a dark red, with matching colour curtains hanging over the windows. A door sat at the opposite side of the room. McGonagall crossed over to open it. Inside was a single bed and a dresser inside.
"It's not much," McGonagall said. "It's only a spare for any substitute teacher we may need throughout the year. It'll do for now."
"Thank you, Professor," Andie answered, her voice still quiet. Almost as if she spoke any louder than she would get a glare or a snapping comment.
"I'll leave some sandwiches and juice for you, if you're hungry. And I'll check on you in a little bit. There is a bathroom just across the hall that you can use. I'll scour lost and found for some spare clothes you can use."
Another swish of her wand, and a plate of sandwiches, a pitcher of juice, and an empty glass appeared on the desk.
"I'll be back after two. Please don't wander around too much. It's best we keep this quiet for the time being."
Andie nodded in acknowledgement. She had no desire anyway to go anywhere. McGonagall shot her a friendly smile, before leaving the room. The door shut with a soft click. Andie went over to the desk and poured herself a glass to sip from.