Chapter 2:
A/N: To make the storyline clearer I've decided to indicate a character is thinking by putting thoughts in bold, it's just easier that way.
Albus retired to his office after portkeying Eveline and most of her belongings to the castle and then chatting with her and moving most of her things into the room he'd arranged for her. He then sat down and collected his thoughts as he looked through his pensieve. Flashes of Eveline when she was tiny with her parents, flashes of her parents learning at Hogwarts and flashes of Eveline delighting in magic lessons danced in the pensieve while he reflected on the job he had done godfathering her. I taught her almost everything I could of magic, maybe I should have kept her in the castle her whole life even though there was the threat of Voldermort and the bigoted witches that didn't understand her mothers animagus powers. She would've been happier and I would've been able to see her grow up more completely. I miss the fact that I didn't get to see her grow out of her awkward body those last two years and I missed other milestones. However, I was cautious as always. Harry needed me to be here and Eveline is alive and unscathed by anyone, probably because she lived so far away.
With a twinkle in his eye, he thought of both Harry and Eveline. Dumbledore regarded both of them as his as own children. He had a funny feeling when he thought of both of them, it would be marvelous if there were to be a romance. He had noticed Harry's failed attempts at love with Cho and he sensed that Eveline had been lonely all her life. Both of them are so similar, high school is a funny place, mostly because of hormones. But you never know what great things might happen.
Eveline had never seen anything like Hogwarts. When she first saw the castle it was nightfall and all the lights of the castle illuminated the smooth waters of the lake. The huge castle had beautiful towers and lovely architectural details such as moldings of the planets or vines and cherubs dancing with fruits. The giants clock in the highest tower amazed her. When she passed over the ornate oak doorway into the school all the beautiful paintings and stained glass made her sigh and squeal with delight. It's interesting how much and old stone castle can have the feeling of being in the woods. All the sculptures and carvings are so complicated and naturalistic. This ceiling in this great hall is perfect. The castle combines nature with knowledge perfectly. I love it.
" Are you sure it's O.K. for me to live here Dumbledore? It's so incredibly beautiful! I'm sure I'll cause some sort of commotion and break everything. What if I change unexpectedly in the school? What if…?" At that point Dumbledore cut her off with laughter that sounded like bells ringing to Eveline.
" My dear, you will be fine here. This is your home and soon you'll feel that way. You can go wherever you want as long as it's not one of the teacher's quarters and you don't have their permission to enter. Other students aren't allowed in the forbidden forest, but I actually have a task for you to accomplish that I'll talk to you about later that requires you to spend lots of time there. Regarding the transformations, come with me to my office, I'm willing to bet the temporary remedy for your shape shifting is a relic in your mother's trunk.". He then led Eveline to a stone gargoyle and muttered the worlds "Caramel Cricket" and the gargoyle began to revolve upwards and reveal a spiral staircase.
"Wow" Eveline breathed.
Dumbledore opened the door to his office and headed to his comfy desk chair. He then clearly said, with his wand raised " Accio trunk". Eveline moved to let the trunk whiz by her and she moved around the office to look at all the magical objects scattered around the room. All these instruments are top of the line and look almost new. The pensieve is so beautiful, and this is a beautiful set of runes. Dumbledore is such a fascinating wizard. Maybe with his help I can get rid of this curse. Changing into a panther must be a curse that's in my mother's blood, all the evidence seems to be pointing towards that. After coming to that conclusion one of Dumbledore's portrait's broke into Eveline's thoughts because he said something rather rude to a portrait of a very proper old lady. The old woman looked very flustered and the sight made Eveline giggle.
Dumbledore triumphantly removed his upper body from almost being swallowed by the trunk and came out with a jewelry box in his hand. " Aha! Magnificent my dear. I have found you the Amulet of Ceridwen. Make no mistake child, you are endowed with a great gift from mother earth. Ceridwen was an ancient celtic witch, or magician as the legends say. She was a powerful witch in the days before magic was really taught like it is today.. She was a master of shape-shifting and potions and she fashioned this token as a ward to prevent her enemies from being able to shape-shift like her. However, we can use this weapon as a tool. If you wear the amulet around the school you won't change even in the most excited states. However, in order to maintain your ties with the magical forces that give you your powers you will have to practice shape shifting. Myself and Professor Snape can perform a ritual with you that will bind you from using any unpredictable for while you're a panther and you can roam the grounds."
Evelines head was spinning. I know you keep referring to this as a gift, but surely there's a way to change it. I don't think I could ever effectively control myself while I was roaming free. I don't even know if that's the point of roaming free. I just don't know Dumbledore." Dumbledore looked at her with infinite reassurance and trust and said "Eveline, you come from a wonderful line of witches and you are an excellent student who can do anything amazing you set your mind to. But I'm sure I've shocked you with this huge castle and these revelations" he paused for effect and then after a beat he said "My dear, let's get you to bed. I have given you a temporary tower near the clock since you liked it so much, however after you're sorted into a house you'll live in a tower off Gryffindor or Ravenclaw tower, perhaps the tower near the Slytherin common room or the tower near the Hufflepuff dormitories overlooking the quidditch fields." Eveline merely sleepily followed him. Ever since he suggested sleep she realized how much had happened in this one very long day. " You will be in a tower for privacy in case you begin to cast spells in your sleep or any other outbursts of power occur while you're going about your business. Also, because there was no rooms in the dorms for your year of course."
With that he unlocked a door and turned to face her expectantly "Well, well let's get you on your way. Into your room and then into bed. You'll certainly need your rest, I have wizarding and school traditions to catch you up on and lessons to catch you up to year sixers at Hogwarts." Eveline tried not to wonder about lessons or power outbursts (which sounded particularly troubling, actually) and distracted herself with the beautiful room decorated with different shades of purple fabrics and with a comfortable looking bed with a light gray, soft comforter. Her thoughts drifted away and she slept.
A/N: By the way, if there's a question of spelling any magical items just tell me. I certainly don't know everything. Harry Potter is not my story, it belongs to J.K. Rowling, however, the storyline of this fanfic and my original character is mine. To borrow anything from my story, ask and you shall receive. Please drop me a review to let me know what you think! Suggestions! Predictions! Anything goes.