A/N: I got my wisdom teeth out a couple days ago so I haven't been able to write, let's goooo. Also tysm to everyone that votes or comments, I try to reply to as many as I can but I love y'all

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Hermione and I were in the spa that had been recently installed this year near the girls bathroom and we were taking advantage of it like the broke teenagers we were.

"Ok, so after this massage we're doing facials?" I mumbled to her and she nodded dreamily as  she lay on the table directly next to me. My voice vibrated slightly from the almost painful kneading that the house elf was performing on my back.

Hermione had protested when she learned the workers were house elves, but was quickly persuaded by the luxurious facilities. 

"I can't believe it's taken us this long to come here. Magical massages are the best." I murmured.

She hummed in agreement and promptly fell asleep.

I soon joined her, submitting to the calming atmosphere and allowing myself to relax for the first time in a while. All this boy drama was too much stress for me; I was just going to enjoy myself and let things play out.

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After our facials, Hermione and I left feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. The treatment had involved a potion that would give us clear skin for the next couple weeks, which I thanked the heavens for because I tended to break out at the worst possible times. 

On our way back to the common room, we ran into Oliver Wood in the hallway.

"Y/N!" He called and grabbed my attention.

"Dumbledore told me to give you a message. He wants you to come to his office as soon as possible, and asks if you like cauldron cakes?" He seemed slightly flustered and was blushing but I didn't notice. 

"Huh, that's odd," I shot a questioning look at Hermione and she shrugged in equal confusion, "Well thanks Oliver, I'll head up there now."

He scratched the back of his head sheepishly, "It's nothing."

"Talk to you later, 'Mione." I waved goodbye to her and walked off towards the stairs that led to the Headmaster's office. When I reached the two stone griffins I thought back to Oliver's message and said, "Cauldron cakes." 

They spun apart with a grating noise to reveal a winding staircase.

This is so cool, I couldn't help thinking.

When I reached the top, the doors swung open automatically to reveal Dumbledore sitting at his oak table covered in knickknacks. He had a stony expression and his hands were steepled together like a Bond villain's.

"Come in, Ms. y/l/n. I've been waiting for you." He said gravely. My nervousness must have shown on my face because his stern tone only lasted a couple more seconds before he broke into a wheezing laugh.

"So sorry, I've always wanted to say that. Come in, come in." He stood up and beckoned me in. He took a seat on a plush armchair in the middle of the room and I sat on an identical one directly across from him. 

I coughed and started speaking awkwardly, "Sorry Professor, but why did you call me in exactly? I don't think my grades are unsatisfactory, and if this is about the squid incident then-"

He cut me off, "No, your schoolwork is completely up to snuff. I summoned you for a rather...sensitive and life-changing topic."

I gulped.

"I suppose I should probably just dive into it, shouldn't I? No point in sugarcoating it, then." He pushed his half-moon spectacles up his wizened nose. "I'd like you to participate in a most likely illegal and definitely top secret mission for me personally. The ministry can never know of this and before I elaborate further you must swear an oath to never reveal the information that is shared in this room today."

I nodded hastily, "Yes, I won't. I mean, I will. Whatever it is, I swear." I fidgeted nervously. What could be huge enough to make him so serious?

"I believe that I've found a way to prevent the deaths of thousands of people, wizards and muggles alike. It will involve some...questionable methods and most importantly, I will need your help."

I didn't even have to hesitate before answering, "I'll do it."

He looked surprised, "Are you sure? You haven't even heard what you'll have to do yet."

"If it will really save as many people as you say, who am I to refuse? I'm not narcissistic enough to think that my own wellbeing is more important than all those people's." I said firmly.

"That is a very admirable attitude, Ms. y/l/n. Although I do still need to tell you what it is that you'll be doing." He sighed deeply and I settled in, mentally preparing myself for whatever I'd have to do. My mind instantly jumped to the worst possible circumstances; would I have to sacrifice myself? Maybe I'd need to become an assassin and murder high-profile criminals?

His voice dropped several octaves. "The target of your mission is Tom Riddle. I assume you're aware with whom I am speaking of?"

"Yes, of course." My mouth became dry and I had difficulty swallowing.

"Your task sounds simple, but will be infinitely more complicated: you must befriend Riddle."

"But Sir, isn't he..." I trailed off and he nodded, "Dead, or possible resurrected? Yes. That is why you will be traveling back in time to when he lived here, in Hogwarts. I have spent much time thinking about it and I can't help but think that if only I were more welcoming or attentive, he would not have turned into the monster he is today."

"You couldn't have predicted what he'd become." I said, trying to be reassuring while on the inside I was screaming.

"Yes, but maybe I can prevent it." He stood up from the armchair and walked over to one of his shelves, picking up and bringing back a delicate yet simple golden wristwatch.

"You are familiar with how time turners work, yes?" He asked. I nodded. I saw that the watch face had the same general hourglass design as a time turner, but had hands marked with years rather than hours or minutes.

"This is the same concept, but on a much larger scale. It is no longer in production and the ministry has destroyed every copy ever made...or so they think." His eyes twinkled.

"You will use this to go back in time to Riddle's Hogwarts years and attempt to befriend Riddle. Although he had many followers in his teenage years, he never once made a personal attachment with another person; they were all either scared of him or they wanted something from him. I believe that if he was able to form a deep connection with someone, he could have learned to empathize and become compassionate, sparing the lives of thousands."

"But Sir...why me?" I asked helplessly. This seemed like such an enormous task, and I was a nobody fifth year.

"I have surveyed hundreds of students that walked these halls, and out of all of them you have been the single most genuine and resilient that I've seen. Although you were looked over and ignored for the first four years of your schooling here, you never once became bitter or resentful. And when you started getting attention this year, you didn't let it get to your head and you didn't become shallow, which shows that you are not easily manipulated and have strong values." He spoke with conviction and I became filled with an overwhelming desire to not disappoint him.

"I'll try my best, Professor." I said.

He smiled slightly, "That is all I can ask. You will pretend to be a transfer student from Beauxbatons and I will arrange it so that you will be sorted into Slytherin so that you will be able to have as much contact with Riddle as possible, but after that you will be on your own. Once you're ready to come back, simply press the button on the side of the watch three times and you'll be transported back to this day."

"Okay, befriend Riddle, prevent thousands from dying, press button three times...easy." I exhaled slowly.

"Where will I stay during when I'm not at school?" The thought occurred to me suddenly, "My parents won't even be born yet."

"Yes, it depends on how long you will have to stay but during breaks you will stay at Riddle's orphanage. It will maximize your interactions while also helping him to sympathize with you. Your story is that you are also an orphan, and moved to Hogwarts after your parents died in a fire."

Upon seeing my worried look, his gaze softened and he laid a comforting hand on my shoulder, "I have the utmost faith in you."

"So when do I leave?" I asked hesitantly.

"You will not miss any schooling, because you will be returned to this exact time, but I suggest that you go now and gather your belongings." He said.

"Okay. Thank you Professor." I was slightly in shock but left to the dormitories. When I got to my room, I started packing my chest in a stupor. 

"Y/N? What are you doing packing in the middle of the day?" Ron's voice came from behind me and I turned to see him and Harry standing in the doorway.

"How did you two even get up here, isn't the staircase enchanted?" I said bemusedly.

"Oh, Fred and George figured out how to get past that ages ago," Ron said dismissively, "But again, why are you packing?"

I hesitated, "I can't say."

"You're not allowed to say, or you don't know what to say?" Harry asked.

"Both." I replied. I finished stuffing my things into the suitcase and closed it, dragging it with me to the door.

"Neither of you will notice that I'll be gone, but I'll miss you." I hugged Ron and then Harry, burying my face into his sweater, "Please don't ask question. It'll only make this harder."

"As confused as I am right now, we'll respect your wishes." Harry squeezed me tightly and I felt my eyes start to well up. I knew that when I came back no time will have passed, but I would still feel it. Riddle was dangerous, and I'd be foolish to think otherwise; I only hoped that I'd come back alive.

I wanted to be able to say goodbye to Draco, Cedric and the twins as well but I knew I should hurry back. Besides, I hated goodbyes. They always made things more painful than they needed to be. 

"Bye guys." I sniffed and waved at them, forcing myself to smile. Ron and Harry stood there helplessly. The most frustrating part was how much they wanted to help her, but they knew that they had to step back and let her deal with whatever it was on her own.

I grabbed my things and left, letting the door swing closed behind me. I don't even remember walking back to the office, but the next thing I knew, I was standing in front of Dumbledore with my trunk, the golden watch on my wrist.

"I've already set the date to the correct time, so all you need to do is press the button once." Dumbledore said and I nodded.

"Professor, what if I can't do it?" My voice quivered slightly and I tried to steady myself, "What if I mess everything up even worse?"

"As much as I doubt that will happen, all that you can do is your best. Even if you are ultimately unsuccessful, you'll know that you tried." His ancient voice reassured me.

"Okay. Then...here I go." I looked around the office one last time before squeezing my eyes shut and pushing the button on the side of the watch.

I heard a rush of loud air, saw a flash of golden light and then...nothing.