Chapter 56 - Expelled from Hogwarts? (2/2)

Only after defeating them and knocking them out, I saw a Time-Turner around Hermoine's neck. I didn't know which time they're from and for how long they were in the forest. So, I just pressed the return buŧŧon on it and sent them back to the present and waited for them for two hours until they appeared before me.

Since they've broken the rule, I confiscated Time-Turner and handed it over to Prof. Snape”: Dumbledore who believed Neal, ”I guess it's the side effect of breaking an important rule of time. Time is really mysterious and profound”.

As Dumbledore is admiring time, Prof. McGonagall cleared her throat and looked sternly at Hermoine, ”Ms. Granger, do you know what is the most important rule you've broken?”. Hermoine replied while looking down at the floor, ”yes. When using Time-Turner, one must never be spotted by someone from the past. It may lead to drastic consequences”.

Prof. McGonagall then replied, ”One, you went to the Forbidden forest without permission. Two, you used Time-Turner for personal use. Three, you were discovered by Neal. And Four, Hermoine, you betrayed me by telling them about it in the first place.

You promised me you will keep it a secret. From the moment, you joined the school, you are constantly breaking the school rules again and again. I have no choice but to expel you”. As the three of them are shocked, Dumbledore spoke out, ”Prof. McGonagall, if I may say so, the fault lies partly with you too. You gave Hermoine, a 13-year-old girl, a Time-Turner so that she can attend all the classes. You used your power as Deputy Headmistress to give her Time-Turner without my permission.

It was blatant favoritism on the girl as it is clear that Neal is the top student in the school. Choosing several electives is her choice and she has to face the consequences of its burden. You shouldn't help her like that in the first place.

If you wanted to support her, then you should have given her access to the restricted section or give her notes, etc... there are other ways to do so. I'm the one who was disappointed in you, Prof. McGonagall. So, I think expelling them is too much of a punishment for them”.

As everyone looked at Dumbledore in a surprise who completely shifted the blame from the trio to Prof. McGonagall, Dumbledore continued, ”But still, they have to be punished. So, I'm taking away all the points of Gryffindor and confiscating the Time-Turner. And All of them will serve detention every week until the term is over as the punishment”.

As Dumbledore announced his final decision, Neal kept silent and didn't say anything more. As they nodded silently and exited the office, Ron and Harry looked at Neal in hate while Hermoine apologized to him, he replied, ”be grateful that I'm still upholding my word to reduce Hagrid's punishment. I hope you don't involve in my affairs in the future”.

After warning them, he turned back and walked towards his dormitory with a smile while thinking, ”Edward is right, after all. The world believes half-truth more than a complete one”.

Previous day,

After Neal suċkėd the Hippogriff inside the suitcase, he slowly started to fly with his flying shoes. But suddenly, he spotted the trio were watching him from a distance secretly and as their eyes met, Neal immediately landed and attacked them first and knocked them out before even giving them a chance, after disarming them.

Then, as he went near their unconscious bodies, as he saw the chain and hourglass on Hermoine's neck, he mumbled, ”isn't this, a Time-Turner? These fools. Did they hear from Hagrid and wanted to fill their curiosity?”.

After sending them to present, Neal then went to Hagrid to ask what did he say to the trio. After listening to his explanation, he accepted his apology and said, ”ok, then. Be careful from now onwards. You should know Dumbledore's job is at risk here if it leaks out to the ministry”.

As Hagrid nodded and told that he will be careful, Neal returned to the place he sent them and waited until they appeared. After they returned to the present unconsciously, He looked at them seriously, ”did these three wanted to expose my secret? Let's see how will you be punished”.

He pointed his wand at them, ”Obliviate”. Then he erased all the memories of them worth five-six hours and took away the Time-Turner and moved them into somewhere in the middle of the Forest. After telling about them to Hagrid, he handed over the Time-Turner to Snape, later.

Back to the present, as close to near 1000 points got disappeared in one night, commotion raised at Gryffindor House. Meanwhile, Draco slapped his thɨġh in excitement and praised Neal in his mind, ”Damn. What an ingenious plan”.