"After the feast, he left that very night."
Professor McGonagall's eyes unconsciously revealed a trace of worry as she looked at Wade and said:
"Where exactly he went and what he intends to do, I neither asked nor know... But you should understand that this needs to remain confidential."
Her voice dropped even lower. "Do not tell anyone else, not even your friends, or... even those who might seem like they ought to know."
Wade nodded silently.
"Go on."
Professor McGonagall forced a smile. "I should be getting to class. If you have any questions about Transfiguration, ask me next time."
"Yes. I'll come find you another day, Professor."
Wade picked up the package, turned, and left.
When he reached the door, he looked back once more.
Professor McGonagall sat at her desk, supporting her forehead with one hand. Sunlight from the window fell across her face, making the shadows beneath her eyes especially pronounced.
Wade gently closed the door.
He returned to the dormitory and opened the brown-paper package. Inside the box were two items.
One was glittering golden light. Its hourglass was enclosed in an exquisite pure-gold frame, but the sand that had once shimmered gold was now grayish white, lying silently at the bottom of the hourglass.
The other was a letter.
Wade unfolded the paper. Dumbledore's distinctive slender handwriting covered it:
``` [Dear Wade:
I had originally intended to speak with you about the Time-Turner on the second day after term began, but I received news at the last minute and had no choice but to leave in haste. I can only explain with this letter, and I hope you can understand my decision.
Just as you told me before, there are indeed people in Kosovo making dangerous attempts. At present, I have only uncovered a