For the next several days, the strange conversation in the corridor lingered in Albus's mind like an unfinished spell.
Classes continued as usual at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
But something had changed.
The castle felt heavier somehow.
More watchful.
Albus found himself thinking about Delphi's words again and again.
*What if the past could be changed?*
---
One evening after dinner, Albus and Scorpius sat in a quiet corner of the library.
Towering shelves stretched in every direction, filled with ancient magical books.
Candles flickered softly above their table.
Scorpius was studying a thick volume titled *Defensive Charms and Their Counter-Curses.*
Albus, however, had barely read a single line.
"You're doing it again," Scorpius said without looking up.
"Doing what?"
"Thinking too loudly."
Albus blinked.
"That's not a thing."
"With you it is."
Scorpius finally closed his book.
"You're thinking about her."
Albus didn't bother pretending otherwise.
"Delphi."
Scorpius nodded.
"She was odd."
"That's one word for it."
They sat quietly for a moment.
Then Albus said something carefully.
"What do you know about Time-Turners?"
Scorpius raised an eyebrow.
"The time-travel devices?"
"Yes."
"They were destroyed years ago."
Albus frowned.
"How do you know that?"
Scorpius tapped his book.
"My father collects historical records. I've read a few."
He lowered his voice slightly.
"During a battle at the Ministry of Magic, almost every Time-Turner in existence was destroyed."
Albus leaned back.
"Almost."
Scorpius noticed immediately.
"You're thinking there might still be one."
Albus hesitated.
"I don't know."
But even as he said it, the thought refused to leave his mind.
---
Later that night, Albus and Scorpius walked through one of the quieter castle corridors.
The torches flickered softly against the stone walls.
Footsteps echoed behind them.
A familiar voice spoke.
"I was wondering when you two would start thinking about it."
They turned.
Delphi stood at the end of the hallway.
Her silver hair shimmered faintly in the torchlight.
Delphi smiled calmly.
"You've been busy," Scorpius said cautiously.
"Thinking about time travel?"
Delphi laughed softly.
"You boys are clever."
She stepped closer.
"I suppose it's time to explain something."
Albus folded his arms.
"Explain what?"
Delphi looked around the empty corridor to make sure they were alone.
Then she lowered her voice.
"Some mistakes in history were never meant to happen."
Scorpius frowned.
"That sounds very mysterious."
Delphi's eyes darkened slightly.
"Do you know who Cedric Diggory was?"
Albus nodded immediately.
"Yes."
Cedric Diggory had been a Hogwarts champion during the Triwizard Tournament years ago.
He had died during the final task.
Killed by Lord Voldemort.
"He wasn't supposed to die," Delphi said quietly.
The corridor fell silent.
Scorpius shifted uneasily.
"That's… not how time works."
Delphi tilted her head.
"Isn't it?"
Albus's heart began to beat faster.
"What are you saying?"
Delphi leaned against the wall.
"I'm saying there might be a way to change it."
Scorpius stared at her.
"You're talking about rewriting history."
Delphi nodded slowly.
"And saving someone who never deserved to die."
Albus felt a strange excitement rising inside him.
Cedric Diggory.
A good wizard.
A hero.
Someone who died because of a war his father had fought.
"What would happen if he lived?" Albus asked quietly.
Delphi smiled faintly.
"The world would be a little kinder."
Scorpius shook his head.
"You're assuming time wouldn't fight back."
Delphi's eyes gleamed.
"That's a risk."
Then she said the words that changed everything.
"There is still a Time-Turner."
Both boys froze.
Scorpius whispered,
"That's impossible."
Delphi shrugged slightly.
"Hidden things are rarely impossible."
Albus stepped closer.
"Where?"
Delphi looked directly at him.
"At the Ministry."
Inside the offices where your father works.
The weight of the statement filled the corridor.
Scorpius spoke first.
"You're suggesting we break into the Ministry of Magic."
Delphi smiled.
"I'm suggesting something far more important."
She stepped closer.
"Saving a life."
Albus felt the idea exploding inside his mind.
Changing time.
Fixing the past.
Proving that he could do something important.
Something heroic.
Something worthy of the name Potter.
Scorpius watched him carefully.
"You're thinking about it, aren't you?"
Albus didn't answer.
But Delphi saw the answer in his eyes.
And she smiled.
Because the first step of her plan had just worked perfectly.
---
## Far away in London
Inside the headquarters of the wizarding government, a man stood alone in his office.
Papers covered his desk.
Reports about illegal magical artifacts.
Security alerts.
Time magic warnings.
Harry Potter rubbed his eyes tiredly.
Something about the recent reports troubled him deeply.
A rumor about a surviving Time-Turner.
And a strange feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong.
---
Meanwhile, at Hogwarts…
Two boys had just started considering the most dangerous idea imaginable.
Changing time itself.
---