Turn Back the Clock

Chapter 1: Blame James

It wasn't as if James Potter looked for trouble. No, actually he did. It happened to be his favorite pastime, causing mischief and mayhem. So no one was surprised when one lazy Thursday afternoon in the middle of a warm July day, James and Fred had snuck into Harry's office to snoop around, having become bored hanging with the rest of their cousins in the sitting room.

"I don't get why Dad won't let me in here." James wonders out loud, holding up a sneakoscope that had started to go off. "This stuff is great!"

"Probably because he doesn't trust you." Fred points out, as he examines a strange-looking necklace. "That sneakoscope isn't going off, because you're a trustworthy person James."

"I am so trustworthy," James says, tossing the sneakoscope carelessly behind him. It breaks into two as it smashes to the ground. James seemed unphased. "What's that you've got there Freddie?"

"Don't know. I found it in that box hidden in that compartment in your dad's desk. You know the secret compartment, he thinks we don't know about." Fred chuckles mischievously.

"Must be really dangerous if he put it in there." James grabs the necklace from Fred's hand and examines it closely.

It was like no type of jewelry he'd seen before. It was a simple golden chain that held a tiny hourglass on it. The hourglass itself was surrounded by two sets of rings, like Saturn, but what was so unusual about it was the power that seemed to radiate off of it.

"Wonder what's so special about it?" Fred mutters, leaning in to check it out.

The two boys stare at their discovery with many thoughts and prank opportunities running through their mind. Meanwhile down in the sitting room five wizards sat, each taking turns trying a Bertie Bott's every flavored bean, unaware of the complete chaos that was ensuing just over their heads.

"Earwax." A pale blonde boy, spits out in disgust. "Why do I always get all the gross ones." He pouts, glaring, at the red head that had handed him the bean.

"Well, Scorp, maybe if you weren't a complete git, your luck would be better!" Rose Weasley replies sweetly, but nothing in her facial expression seemed sweet..

"I'm a git?" You're the one th"

Hugo, Lily, and Al, sigh as the two continue to argue. They were constantly like that, but recently things had only gotten worse between them. Al, being their best friend, was stuck in the middle of their constant arguments, the only problem was he wasn't sure what they've been arguing about all summer.

"Guys." Lily says, halting Scorp and Rose's fight, realizing that they were missing two people. "Where are the boys?"

"Oh no." Mutters Hugo, standing up and rushing to the stairs, everyone else following behind him.

It wasn't uncommon for Fred and James to sneak off. They usually snuck off to James's room to plan a prank or went out to the quidditch pitch to pass a quaffle around, but whenever they were left unsupervised they always headed to one place.

"Dad told them not to go in his office!" Al exclaims.

"Which is exactly why they always try and break in." Scorp says, as they reach the top steps.

Al reaches the door and tries the handle, finding it locked.

"JAMES!" Lily shouts outside the study, slamming her fist angrily against the closed door.

James and Fred jump in shock.

"FRED!" Hugo screams. "WHAT ARE YOU TWO UP TOO?"

The sneaky boys look at each other worriedly. "Bloody hell!" They yelp, trying to clean up the mess they had made to get rid of all evidence that they vandalized the office.