Turning Time (A Harry Potter Fanfic)

Prank Wars, pt. 2

James was the last to arrive at practice. He said there was a confusion about time, but Harry would find out later he'd just stayed in the common room too late, as he'd waited to convince Lily to come watch him after breakfast. Harry knew Lily had slept in late on purpose so she wouldn't see James. 

James wore black dragon skin gloves, looking smug as he looked from his Nimbus to Harry's, thinking that Harry had lost his advantage. 

"Okay, now that everyone's here...finally," she looked at James, who merely smiled, "we can get started." 

She split them into two groups for a warm-up. Harry was on James' team. Harry noticed, as the practice went on, that James was a pretty decent flyer, and was able to catch and pass, but he lacked any team skills. He would try a complicated move that was quite unnecessary and lost him the Quaffle in the end. 

When the team had touched down for the final time in early afternoon, James' ego had deflated a bit. 

"Let's go eat, everyone! Don't forget we have practice Tuesday, right after class!" Violetta poked James' shoulder as he walked with the rest of them. "Can I talk to you for a moment?" 

James straightened, looking smug again. "Sure." He glanced halfway at Harry, before sauntering off beside Violetta.

Weeks later, Raven revealed to Harry, "I know about the Animagus project."

Harry shushed her, looking around, but no one was listening. "So, what are you going to do?" And how had she found out?

"I want to be a part of it, too. The only thing stopping Severus from telling is knowing you're in on it. And...he doesn't want to become an Animagus, since he doesn't want to have anything to do with James and them." Raven's eyes were determined, scrutinizing his reaction.

Harry knew if he said no, Raven or Severus might give away their plan.

"I suppose so...but they won't be happy, with me or you."

Raven nodded quickly, about to thank him when Harry continued, "You can't tell anyone. And you'll spend at three hours a week researching." That part was an exaggeration, as Remus ended up doing most of the research, but wanted her to change her mind.

"I don't mind at all. Thank you so much!" Raven grinned and hurried to catch up with Severus.

One morning in October, Harry was jolted awake by the water. 

It rained, hard, from the ceiling, frigid and...green?

"What the hell?" James was already at the door, trying to escape, but it wouldn't budge. "Alohomora!" Nothing. James pushed back a lock of now bright green hair and gritted his teeth in frustration, only for them to be dyed as well. 

Sirius rushed to the window, throwing every spell he knew at it. Nothing would open or break the glass. Lupin threw his schoolbooks in his dresser, and ran to do the same for everyone else.

"Finite Incantatem!" Harry yelled, wand at the ceiling. Nothing happened. 

"Impedimenta!"

Harry watched as a raindrop in front of his face slow. It looked like an emerald, or stained glass. Lupin gasped a little in wonder.

"Incendio!" The door burst into flames that shot up, black and menacing. After the wood had burned through, the rain started up again and extinguished the tendrils that had worked their way across the floor. 

The six boys ran out of the room, only to meet more rain. 

"James, Sirius; get the first Professor you can get to. Professor Darcer, if you can."