Harry stared blankly at the golden sand slipping through Delphi's fingers. Fine shards of glass pattered onto the floor like his heart, frozen and shattered.
It was over!
Everything was over!
Delphi had destroyed their Time-Turner. Forget completing the task Professor Dumbledore had given them—they had even lost all hope of returning to the future!
"You're forcing my hand."
Amosta breathed hard for several moments, and when he looked at Delphi again, his eyes were brimming with killing intent.
"Oh, why would you think that?"
Delphi opened her palm, and the Time-Turner's dial fell to the floor with a clatter.
She smiled happily.
"I'm helping you avoid that future of death, Breen. Think about it—"
Delphi took two steps forward, wearing an earnest expression.
"According to normal history, you would indeed become a respected wizard.
"But what use would that be to you? Your reputation, your power... all of it would become nothing but illusions. You would sleep forever in death's embrace.
"But if you made a different choice and didn't oppose Voldemort—"
Delphi continued smiling as she tempted Amosta.
"You wouldn't need to submit to Voldemort. So long as you didn't stand with Dumbledore, you could still become a powerful, free wizard. Voldemort respects talented Slytherin wizards. You could have a complete life, even conquer death—"
"If the price of conquering death is turning yourself into a mindless monster with Horcruxes—"
Amosta's eyes darkened.
"That's up to you, Breen—" Delphi said. She sneered at the three stunned Harry and his friends. "But no matter what, the history they know has already changed. Harry Potter is trapped in time, and Voldemort will be the ultimate victor!"
"You despicable woman!"
Harry roared at Delphi, drawing an unhappy glare from Amosta.
"Make your choice, Breen—"
Delphi opened her arms to Amosta, smiling