I don't see what else it could have been other than the time-turner, but that seems like an awfully unsatisfactory way to resolve what is a major plot point in canon.
I don't think it was meant to be the equivalent of saving Buckbeak. I still think they'll need it for the Snape/Sirius confrontation. Maybe Harry helps one of them escape? Or maybe he saves Buckbeak, though I don't think he has as much motivation to do it in this universe.
no subject
Date: 2011-05-31 04:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-05-31 11:08 pm (UTC)