Hogwarts: Starting with full Unforgivable Curses

Chapter 175 Time Converter

Professor McGonagall's gaze swept between Dylan and Hermione.

"This item is very precious and extremely difficult to obtain—only exceptionally outstanding students are qualified to use it."

Professor McGonagall's tone was serious, and her expression was somewhat grave.

—It looked even more stern than the attitude she displayed in class.

“I know you are excellent—and you are well-qualified to use them to complete the time-conflicting courses you have chosen.”

“But I still need you to keep this a secret—a complete secret. You must not tell anyone other than each other—not even Dumbledore.”

Hermione blinked. "Professor, what do we need to do?"

“Swear to me—with an unbreakable oath—that you will not reveal this thing.”

Professor McGonagall stared at Dylan and his companion.

"You have to swear an oath with a magic charm?" Hermione asked, somewhat surprised.

“This is a necessary procedure. If this thing were to be leaked while you have it, it would have a significant impact—it could make you a target for some people, and I have to be careful about this,” Professor McGonagall said.

"All right……"

"But don't worry, by the time you finish the course, this thing will most likely be invalid, and then you won't have to keep it a secret anymore."

Under Professor McGonagall's guidance, Dylan and Hermione took turns making vows.

Only after confirming that the oath was unbreakable did Professor McGonagall nod, lean slightly forward, and open the drawer beside her.

I searched through it for a while.

Finally, Professor McGonagall took out a small, exquisite box.

The box has an antique sheen, and its dark brown texture gives it a sense of stability and weight.

She gently placed the box on the table, opened the lid, and revealed two necklaces lying inside.

Dylan looked over.

The two necklaces appeared to be made of pure gold, their chains shimmering with golden light.

The central pendant is a strangely shaped hourglass.

Glistening golden sand flows slowly through it.

The hourglass was steadily surrounded by two concentric golden rings.

Dylan examined it closely and discovered that the ring was engraved with fine and intricate runes.

“This is…” Hermione asked with curiosity.

“A time converter.” Professor McGonagall spoke slowly and deliberately, each syllable carrying a heavy weight. “It can help you travel through time to complete courses with time conflicts.”

"What?!" Hermione's eyes widened suddenly, her mouth opened uncontrollably, and a gasp seemed to escape her throat.

But the next second, she quickly raised her hand and covered her mouth.

Harry and Madam Pomfrey were outside the door, and Hermione didn't want her exclamation to attract their attention.

Professor McGonagall's expression remained serious.

She did not hand the time converter directly to the two of them.

"The time converter can help you travel through time. Remember, you can only use it to complete conflicting assignments on your schedule."

Professor McGonagall continued to stare at the two: "I demand that you swear again that you will not use it to change the past and cause irreversible consequences!"

"Time travel is not a safe thing; on the contrary, it is extremely dangerous! Arbitrarily altering the past can cause the collapse of the present and the future, resulting in catastrophic consequences!"

"The Time-Turner can only be used for academic purposes and cannot be used to arbitrarily alter the past. This is an ironclad rule set by the Ministry of Magic, and violators will be subject to the most severe punishment."

Professor McGonagall repeatedly warned him.

Dylan and Hermione nodded repeatedly.

Whether this works or not, even though we've sworn an oath, in the end, it all depends on Old Deng, doesn't it?

Moreover, Professor McGonagall only said that we cannot change the past while causing irreversible consequences.

Doesn't this mean that the past can be changed?

After all, they wanted to travel back in time to learn the lessons they had already completed on another timeline.

This in itself is an act of changing the past.

Therefore, if Professor McGonagall makes them swear that they cannot use the Time-Turner to change the past.

What's the point of giving this back to them?
Dylan certainly wouldn't change history arbitrarily.

He just wanted to get his hands on a time converter so he could use it for research.

—What if I use the Time Converter to unlock an achievement related to time, and then trigger some kind of critical reward?

He might even unearth a powerful artifact even stronger than the Time Converter!

This is Dylan's ultimate goal!

He watched until the two of them finished making their vows once more.

Professor McGonagall then handed the two necklaces from the box to Dylan and Hermione, respectively.

The moment Dylan got his hands on the time converter, he held it in his hands and examined it carefully.

Each of the two rings surrounding the hourglass has a sentence written on it.

"I mark the hours, every one, nor have I yet outrun the sun."

“My use and value, not to you, are gauged by what you have to do.”

"I mark every moment of time, but I have never surpassed the sun."

"My value to you is measured by what you urgently need to accomplish."

Dylan held it in his hand.

He clearly sensed that the time converter seemed to contain some incomprehensible magic, which was leaping within it.

"I must reiterate that the Time Converter is an extremely sophisticated and dangerous magical device. The one in your hands can only rewind time by a maximum of five hours."

Professor McGonagall stood solemnly in front of her desk, her gaze sweeping over Dylan and Hermione in turn.

"Remember, after reciting the incantation, each time you turn the hourglass, you are reversing time. One turn represents going back one hour. You absolutely cannot turn it more than that!"

Professor McGonagall paused slightly and looked at the time converter in Dylan's hand.

At this moment, Dylan was shaking the chain, and the golden sand in the hourglass rippled gently.

"In addition, when using it, make sure that no one around you notices."

"If the timeline becomes disordered, it will not only lead to serious magical disasters and time accidents, but you yourselves will also suffer irreversible damage, and may even disappear from time."

"—Completely vanished!"

Professor McGonagall's stern voice echoed in the office.

Hermione was initially playing with the Time-Turner in her hand with great curiosity, but after hearing Professor McGonagall's instructions, her expression became serious.

"Remember this: time is a very fragile bond; don't try to jump over it."

“We understand, Professor.”

Hermione and Dean nodded again.

After writing down the key points Professor McGonagall mentioned, I realized that she had even written them down in her notebook.

Professor McGonagall then let them go.

The three of them walked out the door and followed Harry and Madam Pomfrey toward the Great Hall.

The group walked quickly.

—The main problem is that Professor McGonagall's strides are too big; she walks like the wind.

This forced the others to quicken their pace in order to keep up.

After returning to the auditorium.

Despite rushing, the Sorting Ceremony was already over.

Dylan glanced at it.

Since Professor McGonagall had been with them the whole time, the Sorting Ceremony was conducted by Professor Snape.

Dylan looked at the first-year students.

—These poor little guys, especially the other three houses besides Slytherin.

They all seemed to have been intimidated by Professor Snape.

His posture was tense, his face was pale, and he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.

Those first-year Slytherin students weren't much better off.

They had clearly witnessed firsthand Professor Snape's venomous words.

Dylan quickly walked to his seat.

Professor Snape, who had already finished the Sorting Ceremony, was also walking back when he saw him and his gaze swept over.

Dylan smiled and met Professor Snape's gaze—his eyes were full of friendliness.

Professor Snape, however, slightly raised his chin, turned his head away, flicked his black robe, and strode back to his seat.

Then he glanced coldly at the guy sitting next to him, before turning his head away again.

"Old arrogant brat."

Dylan's smile remained unchanged, but after sitting down, he silently grumbled to himself.

We haven't seen each other all summer.

That old bat must be missing him terribly, right?
Otherwise, why would he have looked over here the moment he got back?
Inside the auditorium.

The candlelight flickered in the dome, illuminating the long tables as if they were flowing gold.

Dylan's fingers unconsciously rubbed the time converter hidden in her robe, the sharp edges of the hourglass digging into her palm through the fabric.

Hermione was explaining the course selection arrangements for the school year to Harry in a low voice, but every time her gaze swept over Dylan, she would unconsciously press her hand to her collar.

"You two have been acting strange ever since you came back from the infirmary," Ron said, poking at his empty plate with his fork. "Professor McGonagall didn't make you sign some kind of devil's contract, did she?"

"For example, making you study non-stop for the entire school year?"

“It’s just some course selection guidelines,” Dylan chuckled. “For example, we have to memorize a full twelve pages of ‘Advanced Transfiguration Safety Rules’.”

Hermione pursed her lips and remained silent.

“Okay.” Ron clicked his tongue.

At this moment, Dumbledore slowly stood up.

He looked very tall, and the hem of his clothes swayed gently with his movements.

Dumbledore raised his hand and then pressed it down.

The slightly noisy sounds immediately quieted down.

Everyone turned their gaze toward the head seat of the teachers' section.

Dumbledore's gaze swept gently across every young and innocent face in the audience, and he raised his voice with a smile.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts, everyone!"

I don't know if Old Deng actually used a sound amplification spell.

It's still just about having a loud voice.

The voice was quite loud.

And he didn't sound like an old man at all. —His voice was extremely energetic.

"The orientation ceremony is over. Dear freshmen, welcome to the school. The banquet is next, but before that, I must tell you a few things."

"One thing in particular is extremely important, and I think I need to make it clear before everyone gets too full from eating."

Dumbledore coughed lightly, the smile still lingering on his face, but it faded considerably.

"I imagine you've all already encountered those Dementors from Azkaban on the Hogwarts Express."

"These special guests will be on official business at our school—they are sent by the Ministry of Magic and will stay until Sirius Black is caught."

"Until then, the Dementors will guard every entrance."

Old Deng's expression didn't look so good when he said this.

—They are even quite dissatisfied with this.

This is also why Dylan dared to grab several Dementors directly from the car without worrying about whether anyone would come after him.

Whether anyone will realize that they captured the Dementor is another matter.

Even though some people have noticed that the number of Dementors has decreased.

Would Fudge dare to go and ask Old Deng?

Even if I asked.

Old Deng would probably only respond with – you sent the Dementors to carry out official business, do you expect the Academy to protect the safety of those non-existent beings?
Perhaps they were dissatisfied with the Ministry of Magic's control and escaped!
"Although the ministry assures you that their presence will not affect our daily activities, I must warn you again—as long as the Dementors are in the school, no one is allowed to leave the school without permission!"

"They cannot understand any explanations or pleas for mercy, nor can they distinguish between prey and those blocking their way. No disguise or trick can fool them—not even an invisibility cloak."

"So don't give these evil creatures a reason to harm you; Dementors are born without the ability to forgive."

At this point, Dumbledore paused slightly.

"Prefects of each college, and the incoming presidents of the male and female student councils, you must do everything in your power to prevent any student from having any conflict with those terrifying creatures!"

Dylan quietly took out a piece of chestnut cake and put it in his mouth.

He understood Old Deng's rambling, but didn't care much.

Regardless, even if the Invisibility Cloak couldn't evade the Dementors' pursuit, it didn't mean his Shadow Ring couldn't avoid them.

Even if the Shadow Ring doesn't work—the Animagus can still fool the Dementors.

"It's my Animagus... Sigh!"

Dylan was really looking forward to the system unlocking a reward for him: the second form of Animagus.

However, he hasn't made any progress for so long after completing Animagus, so it's probably in jeopardy.

"Hey! Dylan, where did you get this chestnut cake?"

Ron, sitting opposite, glared at Dylan when he saw him sneaking a bite.

Dylan paused, swallowed the pastry first, and then extended an index finger and placed it in front of his lips.

"I brought it myself, don't worry, we'll be able to eat in a little while."

Ron pouted.

"Everyone, don't be so serious. As long as you attend classes normally, those evil creatures have no reason to harm you."

Dumbledore's tone rose again.

"Now, I am happy to announce something else to you all - we have two new teachers who will be teaching you this school year."

Dumbledore first looked toward the teachers' seat on his left.

"At my invitation, Professor Lupin has agreed to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts—good luck, Professor."

Dumbledore reached out his hand.

Lupin, who was sitting next to Professor Snape, also stood up.

A round of applause rang out in the auditorium.

The applause was not enthusiastic, and even seemed sparse, with most of the clapping coming from first-year students.

—It was obvious that the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor from last year's class had left a very deep impression on everyone.

However, even though the students' applause wasn't very enthusiastic, Professor Lupin's expression remained friendly.

He straightened his slightly tattered clothes and nodded to the students.

The professors in the faculty section also applauded.

Only Professor Snape, with a cold face, a rigid expression, and reluctant movements, patted his lower hand three times before immediately lowering it.

Dylan clearly sensed that Professor Snape's feelings toward Lupin were tinged with hostility and hatred.

Of course, most of them just disliked it.

"It's a real shame that our professor for the Magical Creatures Conservation class has decided to retire—but the course can't be put on hold."

"I am pleased to announce that the person who will succeed him and fill the vacancy is Rubeus Haig—he kindly agreed to my request to help us take on this teaching position in addition to his duties as a forest ranger."

For Hagrid, compared to the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

Everyone here is quite familiar with each other.

Secondly, Hagrid's problems were cleared up.

All the young wizards changed their opinion of this big guy who was always so friendly to everyone.

Therefore, this time the applause was much louder than before.

In particular, some people in the Gryffindor seats even stood up.

This made Hagrid, who was sitting in the teacher's seat for the first time, a little nervous, and his face turned an alarming red—the redness spreading from his cheeks all the way to his ears.

Hagrid involuntarily grinned, his smile both honest and shy.

He raised his large, fan-like hand and scratched his head awkwardly—making his already fluffy hair even more tangled.

"Alright everyone, let's begin enjoying the food before us—the banquet is now open!"

Old Deng clapped his hands.

The students' wine glasses were instantly filled with all sorts of drinks.

The golden platters on the table were also filled with countless kinds of food.

"Finally, we can eat!"

Dylan immediately picked up his knife and fork and began to devour his food.

Until they were full and satisfied.

I'm so full I feel dizzy and lightheaded.

Dylan then stopped.

"Although my mom's cooking is delicious, the food made by house-elves tastes even better!"

Dylan touched his stomach.

The wand was lifted slightly.

"Digero Cibus (Quick Digestion)!"

The intense feeling of fullness has slightly diminished.

Dylan didn't digest all the food at once.

After all, we had just finished eating.

He didn't want to get hungry again in no time.

The banquet is over.

Dylan stood up.

Following behind the Gryffindor group, they slowly walked out of the Great Hall.

Hermione walked beside him, leaning closer and speaking in a low voice.

"Can you feel it? The sand in the hourglass seems to be alive!"

Dylan nodded.

He had already sensed it when he obtained the time converter.

At the core of this supermodel item, the gold dust floats in a way that defies the laws of gravity, and as it flows, it actually forms a kind of ancient runic script that is constantly changing.

“Remember, don’t always observe this thing,” Dylan said. “Professor McGonagall mentioned the observer effect—your observations have a chance of making the cracks in time visible.”

Hermione nodded: "Of course I know that, I will use it carefully."

"Actually, it doesn't make much difference if it's a minor accident. It's just a matter of probability—in most cases, such extreme situations shouldn't happen."

"Dylan said softly."

The two were preparing to leave with the group.

Suddenly, an older student walked over and blocked their way.

Dylan looked at the badge embroidered on the other person's wizard robe.

—It's Slytherin House.

Unlike Malfoy, who spoke with an air of superiority, this upperclassman simply addressed Dylan in a very calm manner.

"Professor Snape asked me to tell you that he is in his office and you should go there as soon as possible."

"Hmm?" Dylan raised an eyebrow slightly.

He was about to ask something else, but the other person had already turned and left.

His head tilted slightly.

Dylan was a little puzzled.

What did Professor Snape want with him this time?
He shouldn't have any courses that need to be approached on the first day of school, right?

However, this is a small matter and there's no need for divination.

Professor Snape couldn't possibly kill him the moment they met.

"The professor is looking for you. You can go ahead now. I'll head back to the lounge," Hermione said.

"Yeah, classes start tomorrow, so go back and get some rest today." Dylan nodded and turned to leave the group.

They made their way to the basement of Hogwarts.

The place was dimly lit, with torches flickering on the walls and water droplets seeping from the cellar walls gleaming like turquoise in the firelight.

A faint scent of magic potion lingered in the air.

They arrived at the door of Professor Snape's office.

The door is open.

He raised his hand and gently knocked on the door before going inside.

Professor Snape was sitting at the table, draped in a black robe, his figure seemingly hidden in the darkness in the dim environment.

However, Dylan still noticed the other person's gloomy expression, as rigid as the portraits on the surrounding walls.

"Professor, are you looking for me?"

Professor Snape raised his hand, and his expression relaxed slightly when he saw Dylan.

But it was still very cold—the hooked nose cast a long shadow in the dim light.

(End of this chapter)