The Missing Piece ||°Theseus Scamander °

°A Package and a Letter°

The cold stone walls of Hogwarts seemed to whisper haunting secrets as Lydia's footsteps echoed through the desolate corridors. It was May 2, 1998, the eve of the great battle against the malevolent forces of Lord Voldemort. The once vibrant castle now lay in ruins, mirroring the shattered hopes of those who still clung to the belief in victory. But with Harry's mysterious disappearance, optimism had faded into the darkness.Lost and disoriented, Lydia navigated the shadows, the air heavy with grief and despair. Hollow gazes met her, faces worn by the weight of impending doom. The suffocating silence was broken only by mournful sobs that reverberated through the empty halls. Fear had silenced even the bravest souls; no one dared to speak, fearing the power of their words to shatter what little hope remained.

In this grim moment, Professor McGonagall emerged, a lone figure striding purposefully toward Lydia. 

"Lydia, I must ask you to come into my office immediately," her voice rang out with a rare intensity.Lydia followed the professor, her heart pounding as they ascended to the headmistress' office. The gargoyle guarded the entrance, its stony features reflecting the gravity of the situation. "Lemon Drops," McGonagall uttered, and the pair was granted entry.

The office, while still standing, bore the scars of the ongoing battle. Portraits of former headmasters appeared disoriented, their once-wise eyes now filled with terror. Behind Dumbledore's desk, Professor McGonagall's face was etched with lines of worry, adding years to her appearance."Miss Dow, I have a request for you," McGonagall began, her voice trembling slightly, "or rather, Dumbledore has a request for you.""Dumbledore?" Lydia interrupted in disbelief."Yes, Miss Dow, Dumbledore," McGonagall responded with impatience. "I don't know all the details, secretive man he was, but he left you this package and a letter. He foresaw this situation, and we must act accordingly. We cannot afford to let Voldemort triumph. If Harry is truly," her voice faltered, "gone, then we must resort to other means."Lydia's disbelief lingered, but she accepted the parcel and unsealed the letter, bearing the red Hogwarts Crest.

Dear Miss Dow,

I imagine you must be feeling overwhelmed and lost in these dire times. I had hoped to spare you this burden, but alas, fate has decreed otherwise. Voldemort now wields the Elder Wand and approaches the gates of Hogwarts. The situation seems bleak, and hope is waning.          Thus, I come to my request.                                                                                                                                        You are well aware of your ancestry and the potential danger Voldemort poses to someone like you. You must leave Hogwarts. Inside the package, you will find a Time-Turner. I urge you to travel back in time to the summer of 1927. There, you will encounter a younger version of myself and deliver a letter enclosed within the package. My younger self will then guide you further. This task is of utmost importance, and I believe in your abilities, Miss Dow. You were one of the brightest students of your year and have proven yourself as a skilled Witch and Auror. It is for these reasons that I have entrusted this mission to you.

The fate of our world lies in your hands.Sincerely,Albus Dumbledore

The weight of Dumbledore's words settled heavily on Lydia's shoulders. The gravity of the mission, the need to travel through time, and the responsibility to alter the course of history bore down on her. Darkness enveloped her heart as she contemplated the sacrifice and uncertainty that lay ahead.Yet, in this bleak hour, Lydia knew she had no choice but to accept the task. Clutching the Time-Turner in her trembling hands, she steeled herself for the journey into the unknown, desperate to prevent Voldemort's reign of terror and honor the legacy of the fallen. Hogwarts, once a sanctuary of magic and hope, now stood as the last bastion against darkness, and Lydia was determined to do whatever it took to change the course of destiny.