Hermione blinked, occasionally glancing at the smiling Professor Breeze and then at the moving shadows on the wall, and in silence, awkwardly opened her mouth.
"You saw everything, Professor?"
"Clearly, it is so."
Amonast twists his fingers and puts them on the table, staring at Hermione with sparkling eyes, and says in a deep voice.
He is completely unaware that his appearance is almost identical to that of Dumbledore, who spends most of his time in the office and does not appear often.
"I noticed something was off when you walked into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. I thought it was Black at first and was ready to run into Professor Babbington's class nearest to this office to pull you out, and then go to Professor McGonagall and Victor..."
But fortunately, I stopped myself in time from doing that; otherwise, I simply can't imagine what kind of aftermath this would have had on you, Hermione. Perhaps you might have been trapped in the cracks of time forever!"
Looking at the terrified little witch, Amonast sighed and said,
"I had warned you last semester, Hermione, when you tried to sign up for all the elective courses, that human energy is limited. Even I or Headmaster Dumbledore can't be all things to all people..."
With your intelligence, it's not logical for you not to have anticipated that, since Fred and George thought of me restarting the surveillance. However, with so many subjects demanding your attention, it's no wonder your mind isn't as clear... Otherwise, you should have given me a heads-up in advance.
When Professor Breeze spoke of what he was going to do, Hermione gasped in horror.
She knows very well that being trapped in the time loop and unable to get out could lead to what consequences, as there are many precedents... Some wizards tried to use time-turners to change something, but the result was that they mistakenly operated on the original self. The outcome was that they were pushed downstream in time and killed by themselves who did not know what was happening.
"I can't do that, Professor!"
Hermione let out a sob and screamed in a state of complete breakdown,
"Harry had also persuaded me to give up some courses, but I couldn't ignore those interesting knowledge. Besides, Ron's brother, Percy, had also used this before. I think I...
Tears rolled clearly in the pale green tea liquid in her hand, creating a ripple effect around and around. Hermione lowered her head and choked out,
"I just wanted to prove, Professor..."
It's no easy task to persuade a young witch in her adolescence, whose emotions are sensitive and prone to breakdowns. But fortunately, Amonast has a fair amount of patience, constantly soothing her with soft words, listing her virtues one by one. After half an hour, Hermione gradually calmed down and wiped away her tearful eyes.
"Thank you, Professor, I feel much better now--"
"As I said, Hermione, even Merlin might not be as good a cook as a humble house-elf. We must make some sacrifices--"
Exhaling secretly, Amonast spoke decisively, but from the twinkling eyes of Hermione across the table, Amonast knew she wasn't likely to give up on a few courses.
"I've summoned you over, Hermione..."
Amonast was somewhat helpless in the face of Hermione's stubbornness. He took a sip of tea, and his tone softened.
"It's to ask you to provide me with your schedule."
Amonast explained to her, a little confused look on Hermione's face.
"Although today's incident didn't lead to serious consequences, it doesn't mean that similar misunderstandings will occur in the future. I must figure out whether the you who appeared on the surveillance screen is truly you or a criminal who has sneaked into the castle and impersonated you."
This is a reasonable request, and Hermione had no reason to refuse.
"In addition, there's another request I have for Hermione--"
Pointing his wand at the schedule Hermione handed over, Amonast copied it into double and looked at the thin gold chain faintly visible on Hermione's collar with great interest.
"This is a personal request, Hermione. The time-turner... such objects are strictly controlled by the Ministry of Magic. In the real world, I've never seen one before and don't know if it's appropriate..."
Hermione blinked, watching the curious expression on Professor Breeze's face, her lips suddenly raised in a smile. She suddenly realized that all the comforting and lecturing she had received from Professor Breeze, who had pretended to take her schedule, might all be cover-ups. His real intention was probably to see this time-turner!
"Oh, no problem, Professor--"
Although Professor McGonagall had explicitly prohibited her from revealing this time-turner to others, since Professor Breeze had already sorted out the situation... Hermione took off the golden chain from her neck. In the process of being a little clumsy, the link on the chain got caught in a few brown curls on her head, which made it hurt and made her nose feel very sour.
"This thing--"
Amonast carefully held the exquisite little hourglass that shone with a glow on its surface, gazing into the slightly hazy space inside with squinted eyes as he tried to catch a glimpse through the few weak rays of sunlight that were struggling to penetrate the clouds...
The power of time--before entering Hogwarts earlier this year, Amonast had no knowledge of this force in the real world. However, after experiencing the chaotic timeline on Avron Island, he gained some understanding of it...
In the magical world, regarding the possession of the time-turner, the Ministry of Magic has established hundreds of laws based on millennia of experience. At the same time, strict laws and punishments are imposed on the abuse of time-turners. According to Amonast's understanding, all time-turners are public items and are not allowed to be held by individuals for a long time. Only in special cases can you write an application letter to the relevant departments of the Ministry of Magic.
The craft of making time-turners is something that even the Ministry of Magic has not been able to master, but it is said that a certain pure-blooded family, which invented this contraption, still retains some knowledge about it.
"How far back in time can it take you?"
Fiddling with the little hourglass, Amonast asked in interest.
"It can only take you back a maximum of twelve hours, Professor Breeze."
Hermione worriedly watched as Professor Breeze twirled the hourglass between his fingers, fearing that he might accidentally transport himself.
"This is what Professor McGonagall told me when she handed it to me at the time, but I haven't tried it yet. So far, I've only managed to go back two hours with it..."
At the answer, Amonast's forehead furrowed with a few fine lines, his eyes deepened in thought, and his moving fingers stiffened for a moment.
After nodding in agreement, Amonast asked casually with a tone.
"The book I gave you before, Hermione, have you been reading it recently?"
"Oh!"
Hermione's cheeks turned crimson all of a sudden. She couldn't help but stare at the brick seam, stammering and stammering to explain.
"I'm sorry, Professor. The book covers a lot of knowledge related to... 's' level spells that are only taught in advanced courses. I... um, I researched it during the summer break, but after school started..."
"You don't have to be nervous, Hermione. I wasn't expecting you to memorize that book by heart. I just hope it will help you in some way in the future."
Amonast smiled gently and then tossed the little hourglass and the clearizer towards Hermione, indicating that she could leave.
"Oh, by the way, there's one more thing--"
Grateful Hermione stopped in her tracks when she suddenly remembered something. Amonast called after her,
"Professor Lupin's Defense Against the Dark Arts class, uh... where have you learned to?"
"We've learned about Boggarts, the Headless Horseman, Cabiria, and Grindylow, Professor!"
In a loud voice controlled by her instinct, Hermione replied, "Next, we should learn about Incarcerous, Professor--"
Hermione asked in confusion, "Is there a problem, Professor Breeze?"
"Oh, Incarcerous. Alright, I see. I understand."
What a strange coincidence, Amonast smiled to himself, waved goodbye and closed the door directly...
