The day Harry had been working toward had finally arrived.
He had no idea how to describe what he was feeling.
His emotions were a chaotic storm—acceptance mixed with dread, grief tangled with fragile hope.
He had come to terms with the fact that he was leaving, but that didn’t make it any easier.
In his heart and mind, he carried memories and feelings for people who would no longer exist in the world he was returning to.
Still, he held himself together.
The thought of seeing his family—actually getting to know his parents and Sirius—had become his anchor.
It was the one bright light he clung to whenever the weight of what he was sacrificing threatened to crush him.
He freely admitted he was terrified.
He finished packing his trunk and gently placed Hedwig back in her cage before making his way to the time room for his final instructions and the journey of no return.
He was grateful Croaker had insisted he bring his owl.
Hedwig would be his only living connection to the life he was leaving behind—a comfort he desperately needed.
He had asked why he had to go alone.
The answer involved complex calculations he only partially understood.
In simple terms, the room could only send one person that far back.
Adding anyone else would drastically reduce how far they could travel.
Hedwig, being a small, ordinary owl, made a negligible difference according to the formulae.
Harry accepted it as best he could, though the finality of it was hard to swallow.
Because of the prophecy, it had to be him.
He shrank all his belongings, pocketed them, and headed to the time room one last time.
Croaker, Filmore, and the rest of the team were there, making final checks to ensure everything was ready.
“How are you feeling, Mr. Potter?” Croaker asked, concern evident in his voice.
“I don’t know,” he answered honestly.
“Sick. Scared. Everything.”
“I understand,” Croaker said with a sympathetic smile.
“What you’re doing is extraordinarily brave. I cannot express how much respect I have for the sacrifice you’re making.”
“I agree,” Filmore added gruffly.
“It’s been a damn hard road, but you’ve impressed the hell out of me and my team. There’s nothing more I can do to prepare you. I wish you all the best, kid. You’re a fine wizard and a damn good man.”
Harry nodded gratefully, not trusting himself to speak.
Croaker handed him a set of dark grey robes and a leather wallet.
“You’ll likely arrive in the Department. These will help you get out. Show them the badge and keep your hood up. No one will question you.”
Harry pulled on the robes and examined the badge.
It was a simple gold plate engraved with Unspeakable – Class 1.
“It’s temporary,” Croaker explained.
“It will vanish once you leave the Department.”
Harry nodded.
“The first thing you should do is go to Diagon Alley and buy a newspaper to confirm the date,” Croaker continued.
“You should arrive around mid-August 1976, give or take a few days. Have you removed everything that could give you away?”
Harry nodded, a sharp pang hitting him at the memory of leaving his Firebolt behind.
At least he had been allowed to keep the photograph of the DA that Colin had taken.
“And you have the clothes we provided?” Filmore asked.
“Though you’ll probably need more once you’re there.”
“I have everything—gold, clothes, all of it,” Harry confirmed.
“Good.” Filmore gave a reluctant sigh.
“Good luck, Potter. It’s been a pleasure working with you.”
“You too, sir,” Harry replied with a small grin.
“Even though I still hate you for what you put me through.”
Filmore chuckled.
“That means I did my job properly. Stay safe.” He and his team each gave Harry a final nod before leaving the room.
“I wish you all the luck in the world, Mr. Potter,” Croaker said, offering his own hand.
“Thank you, Mr. Croaker. For everything.”
“After all we’ve been through, I think you’ve earned the right to call me Clarence.”
Harry managed a small smile.
“And I think ‘Mr. Potter’ makes me sound older than I am.”
Croaker laughed softly.
“I’m praying for your success, Harry.”
“I’ll do my best, Clarence.”
“That’s all we can ask.” Croaker gave him a pat on the back and left the room, leaving Harry alone with Hedwig.
“Things are going to be very different from now on, girl,” Harry whispered, stroking her feathers through the bars of the cage.
Hedwig hooted softly and nibbled his finger affectionately.
A few minutes later, a low disturbance began building around him.
The room started to shake violently.
The tremors grew stronger, and Harry feared the entire chamber might collapse.
Then, without warning, a powerful jerk yanked him into nothingness.
He couldn’t open his eyes.
The sensation was far more intense and physical than any Time-Turner journey he had experienced before.
It seemed to stretch on forever.