If I could Turn back Time

Draco's POV

After patching up my arm (again), I decide to do some research. Maybe...there's something there that could help me...F҉o҉r҉g҉e҉t҉ w҉h҉a҉t҉ I҉v҉e҉ d҉o҉n҉e҉...I shake my head, and walk to the library.

It's quiet there.

Peaceful.

I haven't felt peace in a long time. I take a deep breath and walk to the restricted section of the library. Hopefully, something there can help me. I trace my fingers over the spine of the books, leaving dust marks. It's clear these books haven't been read in a long time. I stop in front of a book that catches my eye. "'The Time Turner and What to Know about it'." I say quietly, making sure nobody will hear me. My eyes widen. I've heard about the Time Turner, and even saw it once, but...I've never used it...and...after the Battle...I heard that it was hidden. Maybe even destroyed. I stare at the book for a few moments before taking it, and reading it.

---hours later---

I've read everything I can, but no book says where the Time Turner is. Dammit. Dammit, dammit! I slam the book closed, and put my head down, holding back tears. Why can't I find anything? Why doesn't anything say where it is!? I take a deep breath, regaining my composure. Okay...I remember hearing that Hermione destroyed the Time Turner so it wouldn't get into the wrong hands.

I might be able to talk to her about it. She'll understand. She almost always does.

---the next day---

I asked Hermione to meet me in the Quidditch field. Hopefully, she isn't upset.

Hermione walks up to me. "What do you want?" She asks, almost annoyed. She crosses her arms.

I take a deep breath. "Where's the Time Turner?"

Hermione seems surprised at that question, and unfolds her arms. "Why?" She asks skeptically.

I expected this. I sigh. "I...want to see if I can save Harry..." I look away, expecting her to laugh.

Instead, she just sighs. "I'm sorry but I destroyed it."

My eyes widen, and they well up with tears. I look back up at her. So it's true? "You...really destroyed it?"

Hermione nods, her expression unreadable. "I'm sorry, Mal—"

I cut her off, tears rolling down my cheeks. "B-but there has to be a way! Th-there has to be! I-is there another one!? A-another Time Turner!?"

Hermione shakes her head. "No. I'm sorry."

By this point, tears are streaming down my face uncontrollably. "B-b-but...th-that can't be right! Th-there has to be a way to— to bring him back to do something!"

Hermione looks away, implying that she knows something, but she doesn't say anything.

"Granger..." I say, a pleasing expression on my face.

Hermione keeps looking away, still silent.

"Hermione..." I say her first name, something that I've never done before. It feels...odd.

Hermione sighs, and looks back at me. "I...know where it is..."

My eyes widen, and I look at her expectantly.

"It's in the Forbidden Forest," Hermione says, and takes out a map folded in two. "I made sure to mark where it is. But just know, that if you do turn back time—"

I cut her off. "I-I don't care! I-I just wanna see Harry again!"

Hermione sighs. "Okay..."

I start to walk away, but what she says makes me stop dead in my tracks.

"Be careful, Draco."

I turn around and look at her, then suddenly hug her tightly.

Hermione seems taken aback by the sudden hug, but she hugs back.

"Thank you..." I whisper.

"You're welcome, Draco," Hermione says.

"I'm sorry," I mumble, burying my head in her shoulder. "I really am. I didn't want to call you a Mudblood, I didn't want to do any of the horrible, horrible things that I did. My parents forced me. I'm so sorry."

Hermione stays silent for a couple moments, and I get scared. I get scared that she's going to yell at me, scream at me. "I forgive you." She says.

This only makes me cry harder, and I soak her clothes with my tears. "Thank you..."