Scarlet Darkbloom and the Secret Tower

Chapter 8: Secrets Don't Make Friends

I quickly run down the corridor, night falling quickly. I glance out one of the arched windows in the passageway and pause to watch the sunset, my heart calming down from before. I glance at my watch and realize I missed Orchestra with Pierre and sigh. He wouldn't be very happy with me, and soon he'd be like Serena - always mad all the time, even with no particular reason. I really wasn't excited about already losing two friends - I had just gotten them.

I hesitate and grab at my neck. It had been about two hours, right? What could it hurt? I thought about Hermione as I stared out into the Forbidden Forest, the sun soon to be setting above it, and realized she would've done the same thing. She probably did - to learn what she probably did, she would've had to use it a lot.

I slowly pull it out from under my Ravenclaw robes and hold it up to the sun, the sunlight making it glow a stunning color gold, the hourglass almost purposely tempting me to use it. I glance at my watch again and realize we have about 30 minutes until supper, which means I'd have to go back two turns. I glance around at in the open passageway and see no one, only the cat watching me with a peculiar look on its face. I hesitate but slowly walk towards her, but she sprints away, through another secret door. Before I can back myself out of it, I grab my book bag and everything I need and put my index finger and thumb onto the knobs on the side of the time turner.

Slowly, I turn it once, and then twice. I wait for something to happen, but then laugh. Of course it was fake... Hermione would never break a law or rule, on any matter.

But suddenly, I saw time go backwards. I saw me, from before, rewind back to where I was two hours ago. The sun slowly came up from the west, and the people way below backed up and disappeared into their last class.

Two hours ago.. I thought. I was on my way here. I hear the bell ring to let everyone else out of their last class, or for me, to go to orchestra and quickly start walking towards class, remembering Dumbledore's words from so long ago. "You must not be seen."

I slide my hood up over my head and rush out of the empty corridor, mixing into crowds of people fast, glancing back just in time to see my past self slipping out of the hallway on my own.

I sigh and walk quicker, arriving at the Great Hall, where I was supposed to be for my extracurricular music class in the perfect amount of time. I see Pierre setting up on his own - his dark, long, hair covering his face as he slowly tunes his cello.

The whole Great Hall was set up with chairs for the whole orchestra and the huge house tables were set against the wall. There was a stunning magical conductor box, which I assumed would make the teacher look like she was floating. The ceiling was a stunning blue today, this time matching outside. I hesitate, beginning to walk towards him, when Professor Summerby notices me.

The music professor was the kindest looking teacher I had seen yet. She had soft pink velvet witch robes on, her hair flowing down (which was quite irregular for teachers as I'd only seen hair up) in the most beautiful curls, accenting her caramel honey hair. Her dark brown eyes looked like chocolate and I was immediately aware of her kindness.

"Miss Darkbloom! Come see me, please! I have your violin for you, my dear." She sings, motioning me towards her. Her whole aura seemed calm and welcoming.

I smile and walk towards her, glancing back to see Pierre shaking his head in disappointment. I assumed he was upset because I had ditched him after our previous class - I shrugged and moved on, deciding to deal with it later.

"Ah, Miss Darkbloom, I see you've been playing a long time?" She glanced at my hands and I nod. "Yes, yes I have. How did you know?"

Professor Summerby smiles. "I've been studying magic and music for as long as anyone can remember. The way you hold yourself is only the way a musical witch shall do at such a young age as yourself." She says, looking through her stacks of different instruments. I hadn't brought my violin to Hogwarts, so I assumed we would be choosing or she would be picking an instrument for us.