Methods and Rent

In the alchemy classroom, Kyle stared blankly at the Time-Turner on the table.

This was too unbelievable. The Time-Turner that Dumbledore should have taken away had suddenly returned, and it had even been delivered to Professor Viktor at Beauxbatons.

To be honest, Kyle's trip to Beauxbatons had been a completely spur-of-the-moment decision, one he had made only after arriving in France.

Besides Beauxbatons, he might have gone to other well-known places, such as Bordeaux, to the magical opera house Cedric had strongly recommended.

Nicolas was also a regular there, though he preferred Muggle opera... He believed Muggles had greater ambition and creativity. In that regard, wizards were comparatively lacking.

Aside from the opera house, France also had the Red Cap Magic Trick Troupe and wine bars beloved by bards and traveling wizards... Any of those could have become Kyle's destination.

He had chosen Beauxbatons entirely because of what he had seen in the shops, as well as Fleur's influence.

In other words, only a few short hours had passed between his making that decision and setting out.

If he had made a different choice, or never come to France, would he have never seen this Time-Turner at all?

After all, Viktor had just said that the envelope had been mixed in with a pile of failed products. If Kyle had not told the truth in time, Viktor might not even have remembered it...

Kyle did not know how Beauxbatons ultimately disposed of failed alchemical products, but they certainly would not be carefully stored somewhere. When the time came, a single Cleaning Charm might take care of them.

"Who exactly sent this thing?" Kyle asked again.

"If I knew, I would have told you immediately." Viktor laid the envelope flat on the table.

Apart from Viktor's name and address, there was