Severus Snape was not a morning person and he chose to sit before the cold fireplace while the teenagers were seated at a table covered with a luxury of breakfast foods. With his hands around a large cup of coffee, he did his best to ignore the four students he would be putting up with on a regular basis. To his blessed relief, Draco, Hermione, Harry and Ron chose wisely to keep their conversation low as they ate. After a second cup of the bitter brew, he was drawn into the day and indulged in some eggs, bacon and a honey biscuit. He seated himself between Draco and Harry.

"I, for one, am glad I don't have to go to Divination today," snorted Draco with a gleeful grin as he bit into another piece of bacon.

Ron chuckled. "But Trelawney's made some fantastic death prophecies for you, Malfoy."

"Yeah," smiled Harry. "I think the one where your head is supposed to be eaten by the squid was amazing!"

Draco shook his head. "No Potter, I liked the one where I was going up in flames while catching the snitch against Gryffindor."

Ron's eyes widened. "Oooo yeah. That was particularly descriptive!"

Honestly!" chided Hermione. "Why do you encourage her? It's such a load of rubbish anyway!"

"Once you get used to the incense," said Ron as he ate some orange slices, "it's not that bad. She's crazy, but fun."

"Hey! I don't have to take Professor McGonagall's test in Transfiguration today!" Potter grinned as he grabbed the last honey biscuit.

"I suppose you'd studied rather diligently for the exam, Mr. Potter?" Snape drawled. Harry only had a moment to scowl at Snape before his lovely expression was interrupted by an anguished cry.

Hermione's face fell. "I had a test in Arithmancy today. I studied for it all week!"

Draco scowled. "What is it with you and your books, Granger?"

"Hey!" Began Harry, but he paused. That same question had been on the tip of his tongue.

Draco eyed Harry. "Don't play innocent on that one, Potter. Everyone knows Granger is a know-it-all teacher's pet."

Snape looked up from his breakfast just in time to catch a flash of fire in the Potter boy's eyes and he spoke slowly, "Unlike the three of you, Miss Granger intends to make something of her life. At the rate you boys are going, I expect to see you cooking greasy food for the patrons at the Leaky Cauldron and Miss Granger will have published her second paper in the Wizarding Journal of Academic Magic."

Hermione's blush dipped down to her toes and Ron scoffed, "Too right about that, Professor!" Harry laughed and Draco glared darkly then rolled his eyes.

"I'd just like to see her play at least once," the blonde boy growled as he glanced quickly at Hermione.

"Sir, what are we going to do until we get back home?" Harry asked.

Snape poured himself a third cup of dark brew. "Research, Mr. Potter." With the exception of Hermione, the general reaction around the table was one of disgust. "It is our only way to return, Mr. Potter."

"Professor Snape," Hermione began tentatively. "What about a Time Turner? I know it allows for turning time back and forward, so wouldn't it..."

Snape shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Miss Granger. A Time Turner is very limited in regards to how far forward or how far back it can go. Time Turners also work upon a 'reciprocal balance' method." He caught the blank stares, took a sip of his coffee and continued. "What that means is if a Time Turner is turned back by three hours, it must then be balanced by turning forward three hours."

"So if we used a Time Turner to take us forward 96 years it would have to go back 96 years," Harry spoke carefully as he tried to understand. He then shrugged. "So why wouldn't that work?"

"There are two problems with your reasoning, Mr. Potter," lectured Snape with a slight tone of exasperation. "The first is that a Time Turner is restricted to going forward or back by no more than 12 hours. The second problem is that the person who went forward 96 years would then be forced to go back 96 years."

"Back to square one, mate," muttered Ron. Harry scowled and flipped a cold bit of egg on his plate.

"While I work upon the circumstances that precipitated our journey to the past, Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley will be researching the Vohlfayr in relation to time travel. As for you, Miss Granger," Snape aimed his gaze at Hermione and she gulped like a skewered fish. "I want you to expand your research on the Dispercio charm. Look for all three variations, with their gestures and prepare an essay on the differences."

"An assignment?" she asked in disbelief.

"Certainly, Miss Granger. Did you not just voice disappointment in missing your schoolwork?" The girl nodded amidst muffled snickering from all three boys. His smile was a smug one. "Then I have just given you what you desire most." His smile quickly vanished and was replaced by a very serious expression. "I also want to impress upon you the error of inadequate research."

Ron grinned cheekily at Hermione and she gave him a glare that Snape approved of. "Yes, Professor."