In the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Bruce had returned as swiftly as lightning.
This time, Kathoom refrained from any tricks, like dropping him off at the doorstep of some orphanage.
Instead, the owl landed near the Granger family home.
"Well played this time," Bruce sneered. "I've already got a mother, so your jokes can't get to me anymore."
"Don't be so smug!"
Kathoom hadn't planned to argue, but Bruce's provocation roused his competitive spirit.
"You think going to the Flashpoint universe will lead to some happy ending? Don't forget, Martha spilled plenty of blood as the Joker. Do you really believe a joyful family reunion is waiting for you?"
When it came down to it, Martha was still the Joker.
Once she began kidnapping children, there was no turning back.
Was reconciliation with Thomas even possible anymore?
"That's not my concern," Bruce replied with a stoic expression. "I have a no-kill rule, so killing is off the table. And that goes double for my mother."
"Such flexible moral principles," Kathoom muttered with a sigh, choosing not to press further.
Bruce was well aware of Martha's crimes. Perhaps more than anyone else. But he didn't know how to deal with it. Striking at his mother wasn't an option, so for now, he simply avoided thinking about the problem.
Kathoom understood this avoidance all too well.
If Bruce didn't visit the Flashpoint universe, he wouldn't have to face any of it. Martha would likely follow her predetermined fate and take her own life, leaving nothing unresolved.
But was that really what Bruce wanted?
The answer was self-evident.
---
Back at the Granger household, Bruce finally had the chance to stand tall amidst a warm welcome. He proudly presented his gifts and declared,
"These are souvenirs I brought back from America!"
Although, to be fair, he'd said the same thing last time.
Hermione had grown accustomed to Bruce's annual trips to America during summer breaks. Her plans to take him to the beach had been postponed yet again—unless they both decided to head to America together one summer.
Meanwhile, Kathoom had barely returned home when he shot straight into the living room. Spotting a ragged doll lying on the couch, he pounced and began tearing at it with his claws, venting his frustration.
"You treacherous witch! You've been a spy for Barbatos from the start!"
The poorly crafted doll, named Mewn by Hermione, contained the sealed essence of a witch from the DC universe.
After being bound by Rowena Ravenclaw, the witch had lost the ability to speak.
Now, under Kathoom's relentless assault, Mewn could only emit faint, garbled cries that seemed to plead her innocence.
But Kathoom wasn't buying it.
Even now, you dare to deny it? You deserve worse!
He intensified his clawing.
Seeing Kathoom about to shred the doll to pieces, Hermione rushed over, screaming,
"Kathoom, what are you doing?"
She snatched Mewn away from his grasp. "If you keep acting like this, I'll stop talking to you!"
Kathoom scoffed silently, still holding a grudge over Hermione's failure to build him a statue in her dreamscape.
"While we were in America, Kathoom had an accident," Bruce explained as he entered the room, his face serious. "He fell from the sky and hit his head. Since then, he's been… well, a little eccentric. I think he might be a low-IQ owl now."
Kathoom's eyes widened in disbelief.
Bruce, you little—just because I can't explain myself doesn't mean you can spread lies about me!
Sigh!
Kathoom felt the weight of the world's malice. It seemed everyone was out to get this poor owl.
Drooping his head, he flew away.
On his way out, he made sure to swipe at Mewn again, prompting renewed cries from both the doll and Hermione.
---
As summer break neared its end, Bruce found himself enjoying breakfast one morning, cracking the shell of a soft-boiled egg. Suddenly, he asked,
"Any big news from the wizarding world this summer? It's hard to stay updated on UK affairs while in America."
"Oh, plenty! Just a moment," Hermione replied, jumping up and heading to her room.
She returned shortly with a stack of newspapers and spread one out on the table.
The Daily Prophet's front page featured a photo of a gaunt, long-haired man who blinked slowly at Bruce from the page.
"This is the biggest news of the summer," Hermione said. "It's got everyone on edge. Even Hogwarts sent letters to warn students to be careful."
Bruce picked up the paper.
"Black Still at Large"
The Ministry of Magic confirmed today that Sirius Black remains at large, one of the most dangerous prisoners ever held in Azkaban.
"We are doing everything in our power to recapture Black," Minister Cornelius Fudge announced this morning, "and we urge the wizarding community to remain calm."
Members of the International Confederation of Wizards criticized Fudge for notifying the Muggle Prime Minister about the crisis.
"An escaped prisoner?" Bruce asked. "I thought Azkaban was supposed to be the most secure prison. How did someone escape?"
"Well, it's called the most secure prison," Kathoom chimed in from the table, sipping his bowl of porridge. "But I looked into it. Turns out Azkaban started that rumor about itself."
Hermione shook her head, uncertain how Sirius Black had managed his escape.
"I've heard that claim too, but I've never believed it," she said. "No fortress is impregnable. Azkaban's been around for a long time. The moment everyone assumes it's unbreakable is the moment it falls apart."
She continued, "You can't just throw prisoners into a cell and wash your hands of it. The real challenge begins after they're locked up.
"Prisons are complicated places, filled with criminals of all sorts. Without proper management, what happens if they start sharing expertise?
"Imagine, all those prisoners learning from each other. Sooner or later, one of them would emerge as the ultimate criminal mastermind."
Hermione cast a worried glance at Sirius Black's photo.
"What if Sirius Black has already learned everything Azkaban's inmates had to offer? Who would be able to stop him then? Especially if his target is—"
Harry Potter.
Bruce's eyes scanned the article, which labeled Sirius Black as Voldemort's most loyal servant. He'd allegedly killed thirteen innocent people in broad daylight and was now on the loose, likely seeking revenge for his fallen master.
If that were true, his target would undoubtedly be the Boy Who Lived—Harry Potter.
Folding the newspaper, Bruce noticed Kathoom still sipping his porridge, utterly unconcerned about Sirius Black.
"All you do is eat!" Bruce scolded. "Harry's our friend. Can't you worry about him for once?"
In different worlds, Bruce realized, his mindset shifted.
In The Boys or Logan's universes, killers were everywhere, and he'd hardly bat an eye. But in the Harry Potter world, a single escaped convict felt like a looming disaster.
Kathoom lifted his head from the bowl, speaking nonchalantly.
"There's nothing to worry about. It's all a misunderstanding. Harry doesn't need to fear Sirius Black.
"If anything, the one who should worry is Snape."
"Snape? Why?" Bruce asked, puzzled.
"It's hard to explain," Kathoom mused. "Maybe because Snape seems hellbent on erasing every trace of James from Harry."
James? Harry's father?
Bruce was about to press for details when a tapping sound came from the window.
Turning, he saw a small owl perched on the sill, carrying a package tied to its leg.
Bruce opened the window, allowing the owl inside.
"Oh, it's my thirty-sixth underling!" Kathoom proclaimed pompously. "Have you eaten?"
The smaller owl respectfully saluted its self-proclaimed king.
Kathoom nudged a half-empty bowl toward it. "You're in luck! Feast on my leftovers!"
Bruce cut short the theatrics.
"Enough. Let's see what the package is about."
Untying the string from the owl's leg, Bruce examined the parcel and saw the Ministry of Magic's seal.
Opening it, he found a letter and two gleaming hourglasses attached to delicate gold chains.
"Time-Turners!" Kathoom exclaimed, immediately recognizing the objects. He flew over, trying to snatch one.
Bruce, anticipating this, spun away and handed one to Hermione.
"I was wondering when these would arrive," Hermione said, studying the Time-Turner. "Professor McGonagall mentioned in her letter that the approval had come through. She reminded us of the promise we made."
Engraved on the hourglass were the words:
I mark every moment but never surpass the sun. My value lies only in your purpose.
"What promise?" Bruce asked, feigning ignorance as he opened the letter.
It contained instructions and warnings about the Time-Turner.
Its approval had come thanks to endorsements from Professors McGonagall and Sprout, with strict warnings from the Ministry not to use it for anything outside academics.
"Hermione, this letter's for you." Bruce waved it off. "I suddenly feel dizzy and can't read a word. No idea what it says."
Hermione rolled her eyes, taking the letter to read carefully.
"It says turning the hourglass allows you to travel back in time briefly," she explained. "One turn equals one hour. The maximum safe limit is five hours to avoid serious harm to the traveler or time itself.
"And under no circumstances can you be seen during your time travel. If you are, the Ministry will confiscate the Time-Turner."
Bruce couldn't help but ask, "What happens if you go beyond five hours?"
"Who knows?" Kathoom replied absentmindedly. "But I wouldn't mess with it. Playing with time never ends well."
Kathoom had seen enough to know better.
Time always brings trouble.
If everything could be undone, then something irreversible was bound to happen this year.
---
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