In A Grain of Sand

Prologue

Thema POV
I sit in History of Magic with the Gryffindors, trying to keep my eyes open through Professor Binns' droning voice. I notice the Golden Trio having an arguement that is slowly getting louder. I sigh, going back to taking notes as best I can. I look up just in time to see Professor Binns give them a dark look, then float to his desk.
"Well! If you won't learn history from me. Learn it for yourselves!!!" He wrenches a drawer open and throws a heaping handful of Time Sand onto all of us. I gasp, watching as a Gryffindor suddenly vanishes. Oh shit! I jump to my feet, the Golden Trio rushing past me, heading for the Headmaster's office. I sprint for the library. Pouring over all the books on Time Sand that I can get my hands on. When the rest of the 5th Year Ravenclaws enter, I push the books I haven't read towards them.
"Check those, I'll go back for more." Terry nods firmly, a determined glint in his eyes. After three hours of constant research, and one of us disappearing, we finally compare notes.
"So, from what we can tell so long as no one gets another dose, we should be alright." Su Li announces, looking around at all of us. When we sit down in the Great Hall for dinner, Dumbledore stands up.
"It has been brought to my attention that the 5th Year Ravenclaws and Gryffindors have had Time Sand dumped upon them by Professor Binns. There is no cause for concern, this has happened before in 1953, all students disappeared and returned in less than a month." I nod, going back to my food. The next day we hear that Hermione Granger has disappeared. I sigh, and turn my attention to the small amount of homework we have been assigned. The week continues moderately normal, with those who vanished, Neville Longbottom and Mandy Brocklehurst returning. So far, all the experiences have been alright. I keep my wand firmly in hand. However, as the days go on, I get more and more nervous. I can't shake the feeling that something is going to go terribly wrong. By the time of the second week, I am a ball of nerves. I have been reading every history book I could get my hands on. Trying to understand how to survive in a different time using books and skewed data. Our classes continue as normal, but the workload has lessened. Even Professor Snape eases up on us.
"I am not so idiotic as to believe that you will be able to hand in these essays if you vanish to another time. As such, all graded work will be done in class. If you are absent due to vanishing, you will be exempt and your marks shall not suffer." His kindness however, only extends to the Ravenclaws, the Gryffindors are expected to complete the work having gone to another time or not. They scowl at us on their way by, and my hand falls to my wand holster whenever I cross paths with one. Their glares are getting increasingly bitter. Finally after what must have been one particularly bad Potions class, Weasley screams at us and starts throwing hexes. I throw up a shield, while Terry returns fire.
"WHAT is going on here!" Professor Sprout demands.
"Weasley attacked us Professor." I respond, placing my wand back into the holster on my wrist.
"15 points from Gryffindor Mr. Weasley, and 5 from Ravenclaw. Duels are not allowed in the hallways!" Weasley scowls and stomps off, Potter and a newly returned Granger, going after him, berating him in strained whispers. I start to head to lunch, when suddenly there's a swooping feeling in my stomach, and I stumble. I'm in the Great Hall, how did I get here? Shaking my head, I walk to the Ravenclaw Table. Then I freeze. Oh shit, I don't recognize anyone! Everyone is staring at me. Oh, I must be in the past now. I look up at the Head Table. Dumbledore beckons me over, and I walk up to the table.
"Name please, my boy?"
"Thema Kaur." Dumbledore nods, dismissing me back to the Ravenclaw Table. Once there, I ask for a newspaper. I find the year, 1953. I slowly lower the paper. Right, stay away from the History classroom if I can help it. Unfortunately, not even three days later, Professor Mcgonagall asks me to take the History essays some of her students forgot in her class to the History classroom. I nod, running off, I'm at the front of the room, putting down the essays when I look over to see Professor Binns taking out the Time Sand, a thunderous expression on his face. He throws it at the students, and I am covered in it.
"Professor, what will happen to me?" I ask in a trembling voice. His face jerks towards me, an expression of worry beginning to appear.
"I'm sorry Mr. Kaur, I don't know."
"Fuck!" I shout, slamming my hand on the desk. There is a jerk in my stomach, and I disappear.