"However, it seems that someone has already considered all of this." Ravenclaw glanced at Nicolas again, and her figure disappeared into the painting frame.
No one saw how she left, just as no one saw how she arrived earlier.
Outside, the voices of Professor McGonagall and Minister Bones arguing could be heard once more.
Kael looked up.
"Don't worry about them, it doesn't matter." Nicolas said, picking up the Time Turner and pressing it lightly, "You have more important things to do now."
As he moved, a strand of red light spread out from the Philosopher's Stone inside the Time Turner, extending along the patterns on the surface until it evenly covered the five hands.
"Alright." Kael said nervously, taking the Pocket Watch. "Which time should I go to find Professor Dumbledore?"
"To when everything began." Nicolas softly replied, "If Albus is rejected by time, you'll definitely find him there."
"What should I do?"
"Just turn the longest hand around once, I made a mark on it." Nicolas pointed at the Time Turner where there was a newly drawn scale, which was obvious.
"This is the time I calculated. You may not hit it precisely when you turn it, but as long as it's not too off, it's alright, maybe just means waiting a few more days."
"Okay."
Kael took a deep breath, placed his finger on the longest hand, and gently exerted some pressure.
The hand started to move, initially smoothly, but as it approached halfway, resistance grew, becoming stronger near the mark.
"Don't stop…" Nicolas reminded from beside him, "You can go slowly, but you absolutely can't stop."
Kael pushed the hand to the position of the mark in one go... Not bad, at least it looked aligned with the mark.
As he released his fingers, the red light on the hand seemed to find an outlet, rushing into the corresponding scale immediately, and the Time Turner started vibrating violently, escaping Kael's grip, floating in mid-air.
Yet Kael wasn't surprised, after all, he had seen this scene once before... This happened also during the time Dumbledore used the Time Turner.
Nicolas stepped back slightly, suddenly slapped his forehead while looking at Kael.
"Oh, I forgot, I shouldn't have let him return here."
"What's wrong?" Armando asked.
"Because he's likely to appear in the Headmaster's Office of 1899, which is the year Albus graduated." Nicolas frowned, "Who was the headmaster back then?"
Everyone turned to Phineas Black.
"Why are you looking at me?" Phineas instinctively retreated two steps.
"If I remember correctly," Armando squinted, "back then the headmaster was indeed you, as I only assumed office in 1927."
"It's indeed me," Phineas said, "but even so, I can't go back…"
"Oh!" He suddenly exclaimed, "I think I've seen him, that Kael… No wonder I always found that boy familiar."
"You didn't trouble him, did you?"
"How would I know, that was a hundred years ago, I see so many people every day, can't possibly remember them all… Wait, what are you trying to do?"
Armando immediately took out his weapon, "Kael went to save Albus, if you dare to interfere, we won't let you go."
…
However, by then Kael could no longer hear them.
He found everything around him starting to blur quickly, countless scenes flashing by rapidly, as if he was watching a movie in reverse at a thousand times speed… Nothing could be seen clearly, only countless lines of different colors quickly passing by before his eyes.
This was a very long process, not quite pleasant; Kael felt his eardrums swelling, wanting to shout, maybe he already did, but couldn't hear his own voice.
Finally, he didn't know how long had passed, he felt his feet touch solid ground, everything became clear again…
He saw the familiar yet strange Headmaster's Office.
The layout was similar to his impression, but those notable pieces of Silverware and the large photos behind the desk were gone, replaced by several ugly statues and a terrible color scheme.
"Who are you!" A stern shout came from behind.
"You must be a seventh-year student, it's exam time now, why aren't you in the exam hall, what are you doing in the Headmaster's Office, planning to steal something?"
Kael instinctively turned his head, saw a face both unfamiliar yet familiar.
Phineas Black… much younger than in the photo, hair black, with a neat little beard.
But his attitude was still clearly annoying.
The first reaction upon seeing a student appear in his office was to suspect theft, a truly groundless and nasty accusation.
Kael smirked and gave a standard smile, "Dear Headmaster Black, do you think I'm a seventh-year student?"
"What else?" Phineas said impatiently, "Are you trying to say you're a first-year?"
"No, I'm indeed a seventh-year." After confirming Phineas truly thought so, Kael was relieved, at least didn't need to fabricate an excuse.
"Do you know me?"
"Why would I know you?" Phineas frowned, "Why would I know you, hurry up and tell me which house you belong to."
"Hufflepuff." Kael said.
Upon hearing Hufflepuff, Phineas's impatience became even more evident, losing the interest in further conversation, "Why aren't you preparing for exams, what are you doing in the Headmaster's Office, planning to steal something!"