the_debt_of_time

Happy Birthday.

Always,

Remus

But it was not the tag that drew her attention—it was the neatly folded square of
parchment beneath it, nestled at the bottom of the small box. Hand shaking, she retrieved
the square and slowly opened it.
Her worst fears were confirmed. This was not some underhanded plot by an enemy.
This was not a prank by the Weasley twins. This was not a burst of accidental magic.
It was Remus.
He had done it on purpose.

Dearest Hermione,

First of all, you are safe. I plead for your forgiveness for what I've

done, but in all honesty, I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. Either

betray you, my dear friend, by tricking you into accepting this gift, or betray

someone I loved a long time ago who made me promise to betray you. Please

know that I've spent years conflicted over the choice.

When I was much younger, I was given knowledge that I've protected

for many years. Knowledge, instructions, and a mission. That mission has

now been fulfilled, and you hold in your hand the fruit of my labours. You

might recognise the Time-Turner in your hand from when you entered the

Department of Mysteries to rescue Sirius. Once I saw it and recognised it for

what it was, I knew it was almost time. You needed to go back.

If I've charmed it properly, the instrument in your hands is not only

a Time-Turner but also a Portkey. Very clever, those Unspeakables.

Hopefully, you've been taken to Hogwarts, specifically the Defence Against

the Dark Arts classroom if I've done my calculations correctly. It should be

the first of August, 1971.

Again, I beg your forgiveness and hope that in time you'll

understand and forgive me. I'm only following the instructions of someone

who understood time better than I ever did. She told me that time was a loop.

Every action we take is the causation of destiny, time travel won't change

anything.

You remember in your third year when you went back in time to

save Sirius? You mentioned that the only reason Harry was able to conjure

his Patronus is because he'd already seen it conjured. This is how time works.

Which, unfortunately, means that nothing you do will change what is meant

to be. It breaks my heart to know this. To know that you will be your brave,