Time-Turners are one of the most fascinating—and perilous—magical devices in the Harry Potter universe. These hourglass-shaped pendants allow witches and wizards to travel back in time, typically in increments of one hour per turn. Introduced in The Prisoner of Azkaban, they are tightly controlled by the Ministry of Magic due to the extreme consequences of misuse.

Rules:
Time-Turner usage comes with strict guidelines. Users must not be seen by their past selves or others, as any interference could cause catastrophic paradoxes. The Time-Turner is meant only for short-term, contained trips—like attending multiple classes, as Hermione did. Extended or careless time travel risks unraveling cause and effect.

Risks:
The biggest danger lies in the butterfly effect: a tiny action in the past could drastically alter the future. The Ministry even destroyed most Time-Turners after realizing the potential for reality-altering misuse, especially during the Second Wizarding War. In The Cursed Child, the device’s reappearance and reckless use demonstrate how even well-meaning interference can lead to alternate, often darker, timelines.

Time-Turners are a symbol of control, regret, and responsibility. While they offer the fantasy of fixing the past, they also serve as a cautionary tale: some events must unfold as they are meant to, and tampering with time can cost more than it saves.