Immortal Magic (Book 1)

Chapter Ten

Allison's Point of View. 

As soon as the boys walked ahead down the corridor, Hermione and I exchanged a quick look. Without a word, we both reached beneath our robes and pulled out our Time-Turners.

The golden chains glinted softly under the torchlight. "One turn?" Hermione whispered. I nodded. Together, we turned the hourglasses once.

The world spun around us instantly. A second later, we were hurrying through another lesson entirely before racing across the castle once more to catch back up with the boys before Defence Against the Dark Arts.

By the time we reached the corridor outside the classroom, Hermione and I were both slightly out of breath.

"Well, they were right behind us," I heard Ron say suspiciously. Hermione shot me a look. Apparently, he had noticed. "There they are," Harry said suddenly, pointing us out.

Hermione and I hurried over, trying to act normal despite the fact that we had technically just lived through an extra hour. "How did you two do that?" Ron asked immediately.

Hermione blinked innocently. "Do what?" Ron looked deeply offended by the question. "One minute you were behind us," he said slowly, "and then suddenly you were back downstairs again."

I opened my mouth to answer, RIIIP. Hermione's bag suddenly split open, sending books and parchment spilling across the corridor floor. "Oh no!"

I immediately dropped my own bag and knelt beside her to help gather everything. Unfortunately, several of my books fell out as well. "Why are you carrying all of these around?" Ron asked while helping reluctantly.

"Allison is, too," Harry added quietly. I glanced up and saw him picking up several of my books carefully before handing them back to me. There was concern written clearly across his face.

"You know how many classes we're taking," Hermione answered vaguely while grabbing an essay from Ron. Ron frowned while looking at one of the books.

"But you don't even have these subjects today," he pointed out suspiciously. "You only have Defence Against the Dark Arts this afternoon." Hermione and I froze briefly.

"Oh, right," I said quickly. Hermione immediately jumped in. "I hope lunch is good. I'm starving."

"Same," I agreed immediately. Before Ron could continue questioning us, Hermione and I hurried off down the corridor. As we walked away, I heard Ron mutter quietly to Harry.

"Do you get the feeling they're hiding something?" Guilt twisted painfully in my stomach. Beside me, Hermione sighed softly. She had heard it too.

After lunch, the four of us headed toward Defence Against the Dark Arts. To our surprise, we actually arrived before Professor Lupin.

We settled into our seats while students slowly filtered into the classroom around us. A few minutes later, Professor Lupin entered, carrying a battered suitcase.

"Good afternoon," he greeted warmly. The class replied enthusiastically. "If you would all kindly put your books away," he continued, "you will only need your wands today."

That instantly got everyone's attention. Even Hermione looked intrigued. Once the books were packed away, Lupin smiled slightly. "Right then. Follow me."

The entire class trailed after him through the corridors. On the way, we narrowly avoided Peeves attempting to drop a bucket of water on a group of second years before eventually arriving outside the staff room.

Lupin pushed open the door. "Inside, everyone." We filed into the room curiously. Most of the chairs were empty. Except one. Professor Snape sat stiffly in an armchair, glaring at all of us like we personally offended him by existing.