Chapter 15:: The Troubling Vision
While studying one afternoon in the library, Swan came bustling around the bookshelves trying to be as quiet as she could. She pulled on Eva's arm and gave a large gesture for her to follow.
Eva left her books where they were and followed Swan out of the library. When they were away from the silent room Eva decided to ask, "What's going on?"
"Apparently, Professor Hagrid has brought a real griffin for the fifth years to examine," she said continuing to scurry down the hall.
"What's a griffin?" Eva asked exasperated.
"What? You don't know what a griffin is?" Swan stopped running and raised an eyebrow but eventually she shook her head, having realized that this was Eva who she was talking to. "A griffin has the front and wings of an eagle and the back and tail of a lion. They are very rare but he brought one just for this year. I have never seen one in person." Swan got a little giddy and then pulled Eva into another sprint through the school.
Soon they arrived at the class. Several younger students stood a few yards off from the class hidden by the arch ways of the school. Eva and Swan stood on their tip toes trying to get a look. Sparrow had room in the front and waved them forward. The pushed through the crowd and students. Eva took her place next to Sparrow and squinted down at the class.
They were all huddled together though Professor Hagrid could be made out perfectly as he towered over all the students. They all were looking at something and listening to Hagrid's booming voice but there was no griffin to be seen.
Suddenly, the hoard of fifth year students quickly parted as something bolt between them. With a strong leap it flew into the air and out of sight.
Instantly, all of the younger students ran out of the building to get a view of the sky. Eva followed suit and found herself searching through the clouds for the creature. In the distance she heard of the call of a large bird and turned to see it making a nose dive towards them.
In an instance the griffin flew directly over their heads causing everyone to duck at the same time. As the creature flew back towards the fifth years, everyone began to clap and cheer.
Professor Hagrid must have noticed them at that point because he yelled over to their, "What are ye all doin' out here? Get back to class!"
Quickly, all of the young students ran back inside so as to not get in trouble. Eva was one of the last ones to get back into the school but she looked back one more time. Oddly, the creature seemed to be staring right back at her from a distance. She waited and watched but the griffin made no movement to return to the Professor.
"Eva, come on," said Swan which broke her from her trance. She walked back to the library with Swan who decided to join her in studying. Unfortunately, when the two of them were together they never got much done.
"Can you believe that most muggles haven't even seen half the creatures that we have? They have this crazy fascination with mythology but they don't even realize that a lot of that is not even myth. It is real," Swan began.
"Just like witches and wizards are a myth, right?" Eva said with a smile. When she thought she was a muggle all of those things seemed to be figments of her imagination. Now they were real, even the things that were frightening.
"I guess you right," Swan said with a giggle. "Wouldn't it be incredible to ride on such a creature. By so high up in the air, feel the wind in your hair. Pardon the rhyme."
"But Swan, we can be in the air, we can fly on brooms," Eva questioned.
"Brooms should be left to the quidditch players and the Daily Prophet Delivery boys," Swan said fixing her hair.
"What should be left to quidditch players and the Daily Prophet Delivery boys?" came the voice of Sparrow as he made his way over with a pile of books.
"Brooms apparently," said Eva.
"I might actually agree with my twin on this one," Sparrow replied and Eva remembered their flying classes. These two still couldn't get very far off the group and maneuvering was far worse. "So, what are we studying for?"
"Shufflebottom's test over the Soap Blizzard of 1378. Thrilling, let me assure you," Swan interjected.
"I still have yet to complete that paper for Charms over the different charms we have learned. I am better at producing the charm than I am at explaining how I did it," Sparrow said opening a book with a piece of parchment stuck in it.
"You know that was due, like, a week ago," Swan retorted.
The twins continued to argue as Eva went back to her studies but she started to feel strange. The scent of rain filled her nostrils and her vision became blurred. Darkness surrounded her except for the faint reflection of herself staring back. The reflection grew clearer still but then the fists came flying against it. The time she did not wake up, she was still standing there looking at her reflection. Slowly, a figure began to approach. He was very familiar. As he came closer, Eva suddenly realized who he was. The man from her vision, the man that had argued with Michael. Soon, his image could be seen towering over Eva in the reflection. She quickly turned around but he was gone. In the distance she could hear screaming. She followed the sounds and then found herself in a large area. In front of her kneeled the man again, Holt, she remembered. He was staring at something but then would begin to scream and hold his head. She tried to approach him but with every step he grew farther and farther away. Soon, he disappeared. Suddenly, she was looking at a mountain from up in the air. She could hear the sound of rushing water and waves and the smell of salt.
Soon, she could hear herself say, "The Nanum Mountains."
Eva could feel herself getting shaken. Her eyes fluttered open and she was looking at Swan and Sparrow who stared wide-eyed at her.
"Eva, are you in there?" Swan asked giving her another shake.
"Yes, yes, I'm here," Eva said quickly adjusting herself in her seat. She wondered how long she was in her vision.
"Eva, that was really weird," Sparrow began moving closer. "You just blanked out and then all of a suddenly you were saying something."
Eva's breath got caught in her throat, "What did I say?"
"Something about a mountain. Nanum, I think it was," he said still concerned.
"I probably just fell asleep. I should probably just go lie down," Eva began to pick up her books but Swan sat her back down.
"No, you were in a trance. I have noticed that you say strange things when you sleep too. What is going on? I knew something was up after the sorting ceremony but now I am worried." Swan said.
Eva thought about her options but didn't know how reconcile this. She was having a battle with herself and eventually became too overwhelmed.
"Okay, okay but please do not tell anyone, and I mean anyone," she waited for their responses and then sighed. "I, sort of, can see things."
"So, can we," Swan began but Sparrow shushed her.
"I mean, I can see things that have already happened even though I might not have been there. Madame Duquette calls it the Sight," Eva said cautiously. Both Sparrow and Swan's eyes were bulging at the sound of this.
"Some people have a strong inner eye but not many can actually see stuff. Mainly it is just intuition. This is incredible," Swan would have continued if Sparrow hadn't placed his hand over her mouth.
"You can see anything you want?" Sparrow asked.
"No, not exactly. I can't just think about what happened during the Soap Blizzard. It just kind of happens randomly, like just now. I keep seeing the same thing except this time it was a little more than usual. This man named Holt, that I had a vision about before is stuck somewhere, I can't tell but he is in pain. It has something to do with mirrors and that mountain," she began.
"Eva, wait. Did you say Holt?" Swan asked this time not stopped by her brother. "As in Holt Von Foxstrand, our Headmaster." Eva shook her head in confusion and Sparrow leaped out of his chair and ran away. Eva grew scared, she knew that this would be too much for them and began to regret what she had done. Soon, Sparrow returned with a book entitled Headmasters of the Great Schools of Magic. He flipped through the pages and then placed the book in front of her and pointed to a picture.
It was a wandering Holt, who seemed to wave as Eva looked down at him. Beneath the picture is stated, "Holt Von Foxstrand, 73rd Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (2011-present)."
"Oh my goodness," Eva said. She wasn't sure if she was more surprised that she had been having visions of the Headmaster all this time or of the fact that he was somehow involved in Michael's past.
"So, you believe the Headmaster is trapped in this mountain," Sparrow asked.
"I don't know, this is all new. I can't seem to wrap my mind around it," Eva began still gawking at the picture. "Have you ever heard of these mountains."
"No, but I think I know who does," Sparrow said. With that the trio were walking down the school corridor. Defense Against the Dark Arts class would be starting soon but none of them seemed to care.
Sparrow led the way, though neither of the girls knew where they were headed. It wasn't until they reached the double doors of the History of Magic room that they knew what he was thinking. He popped his head around the door to see if class was in session.
Shufflebottom must have released them early because no one was in the room. They made their way to his office which was hidden behind mountains of books, as usual.
Sparrow looked back at Eva and Swan one last time before he knocked on the door. There was the sound of movement and then a frazzled Professor came to the door.
"Yes, yes, what do you want?" he said rather quickly.
"Hello Professor, we were wondering if you could help us locate something. We know that you have a lot of maps and thought to ask you first," Sparrow began.
"Yes, yes, of course I have maps. What are you looking for?"
"A mountain, something Nanum."
The Professor stood up taller as his brain processed the word. "Nanum, yes, Nanum." He pushed through the three of them and made his way for the stack of maps in the corner. He buried himself in the papers, searching for the one he wanted. "Ah-ha!"
The three walked over to him and looked over his shoulder. It was a map but it didn't look like any part of this country that she was familiar with.
"The ancient tribe of Nanus live in the mountain called Nanum. A proud race, but they have been dormant for years. No telling if they still live down there. A great production, yes..." The professor began to trail off.
"But Professor, where is this mountain? It doesn't look like it is in a non-magic area, if I'm correct," questioned Sparrow again as he eyed the map further.
"No, of course not. You need a skilled witch or wizard with the knowledge of the area to guide you into there."
` "But where could we find such a person?"
"Well, I could lead you straight into that mountain," he stopped and finally looked up at the students, "but I won't! No, no! Too dangerous! Yes, yes." He grabbed the maps and went back to his office.
"Well, now what?" Swan asked defeated.
"I'm not sure," Sparrow replied, "even if we did find someone that knew where it was, they are not stupid enough to take three kids into it."
Eva paused and looked at her friends. "What do you mean take three kids?"
"Well, we would be going with you, of course," Swan said.
Eva at first was concerned that she brought the twins to deep into her messed up magical life, but then again she started feeling warm that they would be willing to help her in such a large way.
The trio went to dinner that evening still pondering their dilemma.
The only place where they could sit together was near the front of the hall next to some third years which seemed to block them from the teachers whose classes they missed.
Swan sighed while cutting up a turkey leg, "What if we just told the Deputy Headmistress? She would be able to get a hold of authorities, right?"
"Are you kidding Swan? I thought we discussed this earlier. She might have been the one that put him there," Sparrow retorted.
"Well, I don't know what to do any more," Swan yelled a little too loudly.
Eva looked down at her filled plate, too confused to eat. She soon caught the conversation of a very loud Professor Hagrid with his booming voice. He was speaking with Professor Fowl about the griffin.
"Oh yes, these there griffins are fine creatures. They's got stamina, agility, and the memory of a banshee. If they been there, they know how to get back and if they met ya, they could see you again fifty years later and say your name. Well, I mean if they can speak in your language they'd say it."
Eva drifted back to the twins conversation but still thought about what the professor had said.
"What if we write the Daily Prophet and hint that we know where he is?" Swan suggested.
"But there is a chance they wouldn't even look at it, especially if we can't explain..." Sparrow began to point at Eva but then stopped mid sentence. "Eva, I don't know how to help you. Maybe you will have another vision and we can know more. I'm afraid if the Headmaster is stuck in that place we are not going to be able to help him."
Eva returned back to the room in deep thought. Sparrow departed to the boy dormitory and the two girls went the opposite to their dormitory.
They knew that they couldn't say anything in front of the other girls, so they were mostly silent for the rest of the evening.
As all of the others went to sleep Eva was left awake. She decided to go down to the common room since Swan's small snores were distracting her. She pulled on the blue dress Gran had given her and a pair of warm boots.
Myster who had been stirred awake followed her down to the common room and found himself a chair near the fire to curl up in.
Eva sat on the sofa and watched the dying flames. Her thoughts were chaotic as she tried to determine what to do.
"Eva, you are never going to figure anything out in that tiny head of yours," Myster complained propping himself up. "So, you might as well talk it out."
Eva sighed, "It's just that I know where to find him and I don't know how to do it. I know that no one will believe me and even if they did would they do anything? What if I tell the wrong person, the person that put him there? I am just so...scared. Even if I could go, how could I find him."
"Eva, I have found that there are two types of wizards or witches in this world; the ones who go about their lives, taking all of their magical gifts for granted and then there are those who use their gifts to make a difference in this world. You have a gift beyond what most other have. If you use it and learn from it, you will be unstoppable."
She wished she could squeeze him right now but she knew that he would not enjoy that. "How do I get there? I have no means of travel except for my broom but even then I can barely stay afloat and I wouldn't even know which direction to head in first. If only someone who knew where it was could fly me there."
Myster stopped up and leaped off the chair and made his way on to the table in front of her. As he did though, Eva began to think of something.
"Professor Hagrid said that griffins have great memories and can fly anywhere," Eva began to say.
"Did he also mention they were a bunch of stiffs? But I guess that is what happens when you live to be 500 years old," Myster replied starting to give himself a bath.
"The griffin that is here; you don't think it might know, do you?" Eva asked.
"It couldn't hurt to ask."
"Can you ask? I don't really speak griffin," Eva said and watched as Myster pondered.
"I can't see why not, I can speak with most animals. Why don't we go down there tomorrow and chat with him?"
"No, we need to go now. This feels right," Eva said standing up. She checked that the wand was in her long socks under her boot and then made her way towards the school.
Myster began to protest as he followed her but she didn't seem to notice.
At every turn Eva was afraid that someone would be there waiting for her. Myster padded behind quietly, every so often bringing up the point that they should not be doing this.
Eva wondered down the path towards where the Creatures class was held. She wasn't sure if the griffin would be there but it was her best bet.
She found herself in a field of overgrown grass and pressed through it towards the edge of the Forbidden Forest. In the distance she could see Hagrid's hut, aglow with a fire light.
There was no griffin to be found. She turned back to see Myster struggling through the grass. He was definitely not an outdoor cat. She picked him up and held him up so he would be out of nature.
"Wait, I can smell something birdlike," Myster said sticking his nose out and sniffing. "Go that way." He began leading Eva along the edge of the forest away from Hagrid's hut. Soon, his directions turned her towards the Forbidden Forest.
"I can't go in there," Eva began.
"Well, we don't have to find the griffin tonight, so let's go back, I can take a bath and then we can go to bed."
Eva debated over what she should do but then resolved herself. She stepped a careful foot into the forest and waited for something bad to happen. Another step and wait. Another step and wait. Nothing happened but in the distance she could see that it was not going to be easy to take more steps.
Cautiously, with Myster as her guide, she stepped through the forest, alert for anything that moved. The forest creaked around her, every time making her freeze and shiver.
"I don't smell anything," came Myster as they had stopped in the middle of a small clearing surrounded by trees.
"It's gone," Eva asked.
"I'm not sure, it just disappeared.
Eva looked around the forest, she didn't even know how she would get back to the school. They waited there, hoping that Myster would get another lead.
Suddenly, from the trees, they heard a loud crack. Eva spun around nearly dropping Myster.
"What was that?" Eva asked.
"How am I suppose to know? I'm a cat who can talk, not a cat with x-ray vision," Myster replied.
Eva listened closely for another sound, her heart pounding and her feet ready to run. There was a faint rumbling sound building behind the trees. Slowly, Eva began to back up, her eyes never leaving where the sounds came from. The rumbling grew louder with every step. She nearly screamed as the sound grew so close but then it stopped in an instance. There was the breaking of branch and the all was quiet.
Eva let out a great sigh. "I don't know what that was and I don't want to find out."
She turned around but was met with a unwelcome face. Its black eyes stared at her, its beak sharp, open and ready to strike.
Eva screamed and back away slowly as the griffin approached upon her. Myster was frightened enough to climb on to her shoulder and hold on by his claw digging holes into her skin.
"Please, please don't hurt us," Eva said, partially to the creature but also to some unknown being out there that might protect her. The griffin just snapped its beak at her and continued to approach.
Myster released his claws and rotated on her shoulder. She could still feel his tension as he balanced on her nervously. He began to meow over her which seemed odd from his normal conversation voice. The griffin halted its approached and propped its head up looking side long at the cat. Eva waited, frozen to her spot, as the two seemed to share in a conversation. The griffin made bird like sounds as if to reply to Myster's meow.
"What is it saying?" Eva said trying not to move her lips.
"It is not an it, it is a she," Myster began.
"Sorry, does she know anything about the mountain?"
"Why don't you ask her yourself? She seems to be able to understand you," Myster said.
Eva looked up at the griffin, though not making eye contact. "Excuse me, I am looking for the Mountain of Nanum. I believe that the Headmaster of Hogwarts is being held there against his will. Professor Hagrid said that griffin have the best memory of the magical lands. Would you know where to look?"
The creature began to make sounds at her and Eva looked to Myster for translation.
"She says that she can take you there but you will have to find your way back. In the future, she says she may come to you for help and you must repay your debt," Myster recited.
"My debt?" Eva thought what a griffin would want from her. She couldn't imagine it being anything too serious. "Okay, I agree."
Myster finished his recitation and then they both looked on as the griffin turned and lowered one large paw so that its back was close to the ground.
"You have to get on Eva," Myster said.
Eva looked at him. "Myster, I think you should stay. Just watch out for Swan and Sparrow. I feel awful leaving them."
Myster nodded his head and jumped down. Eva walked slowly towards the griffin and reached out to touch its fur and feathers. It was course unlike Myster's soft fur. She grabbed a hold and hopped on her back behind her wings. She jostled about adjusting to Eva's weight.
Eva turned to look at Myster, "You'll be able to find you way back?"
"I will manage. You take care of yourself," Myster replied almost a tearful voice.
The wings began to spread, ready to take off. Eva's breath became heavy. Before the creature took off she turned to Myster one last time.
"Wait, what is her name?"
The griffin screeched and thrusted its wings.
"Fara!" Myster called as Eva rose high into the air.
The wind whipped by her head and she ducked as to not be thrown off. Fara flew quickly over the trees, growing higher at every powerful movement of her wings.
Eva was more nervous the higher she went. They were moving too fast for her comfort as she tried not to look down.
Slowly but surely, though, the movement became smoother and Fara coasted over the winds.
Eva lifted her head and sat up straight for the first time. She could see everything for miles around her. It looked so beautiful and at the same time deadly, if she ever dropped.
She tried to keep her mind off the heights and looked to maybe chat with her new companion.
"Fara? Have you been to these mountains before," Eva asked. The griffin bucked its head and squawked. Eva didn't know what that meant but she continued. "Is it far away?" The griffin did the same gesture.
Eva felt useless and almost wished that Myster had gone with her. She laid her head down and wrapped her arms around Fara feathered neck. She shut her eyes and wished she was back at the castle where it was safe. As she did, she drifted into darkness.
Her eyes opened wide and she was looking at the sky. She looked down and saw that the ground was miles below her but she wasn't atop the griffin any longer. Eva could feel her wings flapping as she moved quickly through the air. She then began her decent to the ground. Landing with a thud, Eva broke into a run, her large paws beating against the soft grass. She entered into a forest and weaved her way through many trees. The forest grew thicker and thicker until finally there was a clearing. In the middle of the clearing laid another griffin, much larger than her. She slowly approached and as she came closer she saw the blood and the missing feathers from its neck. Her heart filled with sadness and she crowed out a sad cry.
Eva suddenly jerked herself awake and found that she was still atop the griffin, flying through the night. She looked down at the creature below her and felt a deep sympathy. Something had happened to Fara that left her alone.
Eva laid down once again and began to stroke her fur and feathers as they continued on their journey.