Chapter 8: Something is in the air.

As she raised her head, it bore a weight, an insistent pressure that seemed to push against her skull. The recollections of the recent events swirled in her muddled mind. She had just travelled back 20 years in time, a peculiar and specific leap. Her thoughts wandered to the purpose behind this journey – had she been intentionally sent to witness that pivotal moment? The only reason she entertained this notion was the peculiar way she had returned to the present.

The reverberations of a powerful voice still resonated in her ears, a stark reminder of how it had physically intervened to halt her pursuit of Harry. "How?" she wondered aloud; her mind awash with unanswered questions. Perhaps X, with their deeper understanding of the subject, might provide some clarity. However, she wouldn't see X for an entire week, and in the ever-shifting sands of time, anything could happen between now and then.

A nervous giggle escaped her as she entertained the tantalizing notion of journeying millions of years into the past to encounter an actual dinosaur. Could such an extraordinary feat even be within the realm of possibility?

Her amused reverie was abruptly quashed as Eve slowly comprehended her surroundings. She'd opened her eyes a while ago, yet all she could perceive was an unyielding, all-encompassing darkness. A profound chill began to seep into her, signalling that she had once more been ensnared by the void. She struggled to fathom how she'd arrived here this time; she hadn't laid hands on any potent magic artifacts.

Eve's thoughts abruptly shattered by a distant voice that seemed to materialize from the shadows. "Why did you come back?" The voice grew nearer at an unsettling pace. "You shouldn't be here. You need to leave." It evolved into a mere whisper, brushing her ear with its urgency. Startled, Eve turned to her side, her eyes discerning a faint figure within the obscurity.

Before her stood a young man, his presence only partially illuminated. A streak of platinum blonde hair cascaded across his face, revealing a pair of profound, grey eyes. He gazed upon Eve with a resolute intent, stepping forward into the dim light. As he fully emerged, his tall, slim frame became apparent, swathed in a meticulously tailored robe of black and dark green that clung to his form.

"Why are you here?" he inquired, his towering presence casting a shadow over Eve. She swallowed hard before responding, "I don't know." Her gaze fell to the ground, recognizing that this wasn't the response the man sought, but it was the only truth she could offer.

The man emitted a contemplative hum as his eyes combed through the abyss surrounding them. Eve remained uncertain about what he could possibly be searching for; after all, everything appeared unchanged, a void of darkness in every conceivable direction.

"It seems we have more time than I initially anticipated. I cannot sense her presence anywhere," he mused, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "In fact, I do not know how long it has been since I last laid eyes on Hera. Time in this place is a peculiar concept, almost non-existent. It could have been 500 years since our last interaction, but your unchanging appearance assures me that this is not the case."

Mention of Hera's name prompted Eve to swiftly scan her surroundings, anxiety building as her fingertips tapped nervously against her legs. Observing the shift in the girl's demeanour, the man offered reassurance by encircling her shoulders with a comforting arm. "I won't allow her to harm you. I feel much stronger than the last time," he assured, his infectious smile imparting a warmth that began to ease Eve's apprehension.

"As we seem to have all the time in the world," he chuckled softly at his own jest, "I shall offer a formal introduction." He extended a slender hand, saying with pride, "I'm Robert Sinclaire." Eve took his hand, her own appearing small within his grasp, and replied, "Evelyn Warren."

"Since we have plenty of time, is there anything you would like to know? I remember when I first arrived in this place, I had a million and one questions, so please, feel free to ask away," he said casually, settling into the boundless void, his legs crossed and his posture relaxed as he leaned back on his arms.

Eve sensed Robert's relaxed demeanour, which, in turn, helped her find a sense of ease. Following his lead, she settled onto the black expanse, positioned across from him, and couldn't help but observe the striking similarities in their appearances. "How did you find yourself here?" she inquired, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

"That's a long story, but I'll give you the condensed version," he began, clearing his throat. "I possess a unique form of magic—time magic. I assume, since you're here, that you also wield this extraordinary power." Eve nodded in agreement, encouraging the man to continue.

"The reason I find myself trapped here is due to the consequences of my use of that magic," he explained, his expression growing sombre as he recounted the tale. "I had just broken into Gringotts bank for the... 15th time. Everything was proceeding smoothly, as it usually did, but I failed to notice a guard who had spotted me from a distance. While sneaking past the dragon that guarded the most valuable vaults, a loud horn blared right behind me." He winced as though the sound still echoed in his ear; the memory vividly etched in his mind. "The dragon instantly reacted, dropping from its perch and positioning itself between me and the guards. Before I even had a moment to think, fire erupted from its maw, reducing the guards to ash. As the dragon turned its attention toward me, I raised my hands and reversed the recent events."

"Now that I was conscious of the guards watching me, I intended to chart a different course to remain unseen, but things took an unexpected turn," he reflected, a momentary pause allowing his memories to catch up with his words. "When I travelled back and took that new path, my fate was sealed. I had altered the destiny of those 12 guards; they were no longer destined to meet their end. The higher-ups," he emphasized, pointing upwards, "frown upon us mortals meddling with such matters."

"There's time, death, and fate; they're as real as you and me," Robert explained. Eve's eyes widened with shock as realization dawned. "The voice," she muttered.

Robert nodded; his expression thoughtful. "Low and ancient-sounding, yes, that's Time. We've conversed. That's how I learned why I ended up here." He playfully attempted a mocking, deep voice, "Robert Sinclaire, you have been bestowed with my essence, and the misuse of such a gift has compelled me to confine you to this eternal void. You mustn't disrupt the balance of death and fate any longer." He couldn't help but chuckle at the memory. "It was something like that. So, remember this as the number one rule of time magic: Do not go back in time to prevent a death. That death happened for a reason."

Eve found herself utterly speechless, the weight of the information she'd just received causing her mind to explode with thoughts and questions. She remained seated, her mouth hanging open in astonishment. Robert playfully mimed closing his own mouth, subtly hinting for Eve to follow suit. She blushed, feeling a tinge of embarrassment, realizing that her expression must have appeared rather comical.

"I'm sorry, but that story is incredibly unbelievable," she remarked, gesturing to their bizarre surroundings. "However, given the fact that we find ourselves in this peculiar place, I'm extremely inclined to believe you. Have you attempted an escape?"

Robert responded, "I've made numerous attempts, but regrettably, my efforts have all been in vain. What I truly need is a wand. With it, I can merge my unique magic and potentially counter the magical restraints that hold me here. In theory, at least. How it will play out in practice, I can't say."

"Why don't we give it a shot?" Eve suggested, a trace of excitement in her voice. Completely oblivious to her surroundings she drew her wand, exposing the magic to the surrounding darkness, and a palpable chill enveloped them both.

"She knows we're here," Robert's voice took on a sharp and concerned tone. "I can only hold her off for so long. You need to get out of here."

"How!?" Eve exclaimed her voice raked with fear as she trembled

Before Robert could respond to her inquiry, a second voice emerged in the void. "I knew you would return. Oh, how I've waited for you," the noxious voice echoed through Eve's ears, filling the void with its sinister presence.

Eve swiftly stashed her wand back into her robe pocket and focused all her energy on constructing an Occlumency shield, gradually forming an impenetrable steel wall around her mind. Suddenly, a dark, rapid figure shot out of the blackness like a speeding bullet, and a skeletal hand closed around Eve's head, causing her shield to crumble instantaneously.

"Impressive," Hera's cold voice intoned. "But not sufficient." She delved once more into the young girl's mind, sifting through memories and thoughts in search of the free will Eve clung to.

Before she could achieve her goal, a radiant cascade of golden light enveloped both Eve and Hera, causing the darting figure to retreat into the distance for just a brief moment. she reappeared in a blink of an eye to fast to comprehend, but before she could reach Eve again, a golden line of glowing sand wrapped around Heras leg dragging her backwards. Eve watched as a radiant battle of golden streams between Robert and Hera erupted, their confrontation unfolding mid-air and filling the surrounding darkness with dazzling sparks and radiant light.

With her free hand, Hera pointed it toward her hand casting the spell, with a slight twist the spell being cast accelerated exponentially in speed and power. It bore down upon Robert, causing an immense explosion of blinding light to burst forth from his location. Following the searing display, Eve witnessed Robert standing upright, his eyes ablaze with fiery gold. He gazed at her with an expression fraught with pure terror.

Robert realized he couldn't stall Hera for much longer; her proficiency in the realm of time magic outmatched his own. Swiftly considering his options, he understood that only one choice was the correct path.

With both his hands raised, one behind the other, Robert channelled every ounce of magical essence he could muster into a reversal spell aimed at Eve. He concentrated intensely on the desired outcome – to transport her back in time before she ventured into the void, while retaining all the knowledge she had acquired.

A scorching beam of golden light erupted from his outstretched hands, hurtling across the empty space at the speed of light. It struck Eve squarely in the chest, enveloping her in a dazzling cocoon of light that permeated the surrounding darkness entirely. She sensed herself being drawn backward faster and faster until everything went white.

"NO!" Hera's scream echoed through the void as she lunged forward, her hands wreathed in golden flames, desperately trying to counteract the spell that had been cast. However, she was just milliseconds too late, as Eve abruptly vanished from existence.

Eve's eyes snapped open, and she instinctively clutched her chest, a lingering burning sensation still present. Wincing from the pain, she attempted to rub the sore spot, the sting intensifying. As she sat up, she scanned her surroundings, realizing she was once again atop the astronomy tower.

Eve quickly rose to her feet and sprinted down the spiral staircase, through the hallway, and down the ever-shifting staircases. She wasn't entirely sure where she was running to, but the urgency of her escape drove her onward. As she passed a group of Ravenclaw students, she panted and asked, "What year is it?" Their confused glances met hers, but one of them responded, "2017?"

Eve felt an overwhelming rush of relief as she sprinted off once more, her heart pounding at an alarming rate. As she reached the entrance of the Great Hall, she heard someone calling her name.

"Eve!" Her head whipped to the right, and she glanced down the staircase to see her friends approaching. With a sigh of relief, she finally allowed herself to catch her breath.

"Are you okay? You look like you just ran a marathon," Albus inquired, his tone filled with concern. Her friends gathered around her; their faces etched with worry.

"We've been searching for you since this morning, ever since Headmistress McGonagall took you," Dotty explained, her voice tinged with both relief and a hint of sadness, the joy of finding her friend quite evident.

Pulling them all into a heartfelt group hug, Eve felt a surge of happiness at being reunited with her friends after the harrowing experience she had just endured. "Come on, let's sit down. I have a lot to tell you guys" she said with a warm smile.

The group of five made their way to the tables in the Great Hall. After they settled in, Eve took a moment to collect herself. She looked around at her friends' eager faces, recollecting the morning's events. She began to share her story, leaving out the details of her meeting with X.

As Eve recounted her story, the expressions on each of their faces ran the gamut of emotions, from fear to sadness, happiness, and even anger. Once she had shared every detail, they all sat in silence, collectively absorbing the weight of the information and allowing it to settle in their minds.

"Can someone say something? I'm freaking out," Eve exclaimed with a high-pitched, anxious tone. Dotty and Rose, who were seated on either side of Eve, enveloped her in a comforting three-way hug, their embrace an attempt to soothe her jitters. "It's okay, we're here. It's safe now," Rose assured as she squeezed Eve's arm reassuringly.

"Twenty years? That's an awfully long time to go back. Can that really be possible?" Scorpius questioned, raising a sceptical eyebrow. An irate glance shot across the table from Rose, who retorted, "Did you not just hear Eve? It happened to her, so yes, it is possible!" Her response had a sharp edge, causing Scorpius to turn his sheepish gaze away, clearly embarrassed by his initial scepticism.

Albus cut in "I can't believe you met my dad when he was a teenager. That's pretty cool," he remarked with genuine enthusiasm. He added, "You know, meeting the man I'm named after is pretty incredible also." After he finished his sentence, he placed a quick hand over his mouth realising what he had just said

Eve stared at him with a blank expression, a profound sadness engulfing her when Dumbledore's name was mentioned. She had met him for only a few minutes, yet she felt a deep sense of loss that she couldn't quite comprehend.

In an attempt to change the subject Albus said "I'll write to my dad. If any of this time stuff is like 'Back to the Future,' he should remember you, right?" He shrugged with uncertainty.

The group collectively shrugged, and Scorpius chimed in, "It's worth a shot."

Albus rose from the table, declaring, "I'll go do that right now. I'll see you three later in the common room." With a wave, he bid everyone goodbye and hurried off to send the message.

""Shall we take a walk around the grounds?" Rose suggested, glancing at Eve, who appeared despondent.

Eve nodded without uttering a word. The four of them rose from their seats, exited the Great Hall, descended the steps, and ventured into the grand courtyard. Dotty lagged a few steps behind the others, her mind racing ever since Eve had spoken of the man in the void. He now had a name, a name that curiously matched her grandpa's.

Dotty considered the magnitude of this revelation, recognizing that discussing it with Eve would be a delicate and challenging task. The last time her grandfather was mentioned, Eve had vehemently denied his existence. She pondered this dilemma as they strolled across a wide bridge adorned with cast-iron braziers on either side, their small flames gently licking at the rims.

Eve continued to walk arm in arm with Rose, her gaze drifting to the beauty of the afternoon sky. The clouds were scattered and sparse, the sun high and radiant. As she conversed with her friends and walked, she felt herself relaxing, the racing of her heart gradually subsiding.

As they ambled through an archway into another courtyard, a towering stone statue commanded their attention at the centre. It was a moment's pause before Eve recognized the man it depicted, and she quietly breathed, "Dumbledore." The group advanced slowly toward the statue, and as they approached, Eve's gaze fell upon a wreath laid at its base, in the midst of a gradual decay. She knelt down, her hand held a few inches away from the withering memorial, her focus intent upon its transformation.

With the image of the man carved in stone above her fresh in her mind, she envisioned the wreath in its full, vibrant bloom. Closing her eyes, she turned her hand 90 degrees to the left, allowing the emotions swirling in her mind to travel down to her fingertips. Slowly, she released the energy into the world.

Upon opening her eyes, she beheld the wreath in all its renewed beauty, adorned with lush greenery and vibrant flowers. Rose noticed the change in Eve's mood from the moment they had entered the courtyard. As Eve began to rise from her kneeling position, Rose gently nudged Scorpius forward so that he stood beside her. He cast an unsure glance back at Rose, who mouthed, 'Comfort her, you idiot,' with a subtle and knowing expression.

With a slight nod, Scorpius encircled his arm around her back, and Eve leaned into his embrace, a solitary tear trailing down her cheek as she whispered, "Rest in peace, Professor." The two of them stood like this for a few minutes, unsure if any words were necessary. Scorpius simply held her while she remained still in his comforting presence.

Breaking the silence Eve spoke in a voice devoid of emotions "We should go check on Albus, don't you think?". Her friends nodded in agreement. "I think I'll head back to my common room; it's just over there," Rose mentioned, gesturing in a direction to her right.

Eve smiled as she approached Rose with open arms, embracing her and whispering into her ear, "Thank you." Rose responded by squeezing her in return, offering silent support. After Rose had given, everyone hugs, the three Slytherins went their separate way heading in the direction of the dungeons

"Where is my blasted bird?" Albus exclaimed, his voice filled with frustration, as the group entered the common room. The messy-haired boy started pacing back and forth, repeatedly throwing his arms up in exasperation.

"Lost something, have you, mate?" Scorpius quipped, finding the situation quite amusing.

"Yeah, my bird," Albus admitted, looking bewildered. "He must've flown out of the common room somehow. I have no idea how it happened, but I've scoured every nook and cranny in search of him." Albus slumped onto the sofa in defeat, beads of sweat glistening on his brow from his frantic search.

""Maybe he flew to the owlery," Dotty chimed in, a sudden realization brightening her expression. In an instant, Albus sprung forward in his seat, his face a picture of determination. "What if he's at the owlery?" he declared adamantly as he jumped up, seized Scorpius by the collar, and hurriedly headed for the stairs, dragging his friend along.

"That's what I just said. I swear, he doesn't listen to me," Dotty grumbled, turning to Eve, who had taken a seat across from the cozy fireplace. Dotty settled in beside her friend, her stomach tied in knots about the topic she wanted to broach.

Dotty took a deep breath before beginning to speak. "Eve, do you recall this morning when we had that memory mix-up? I described one sequence of events, and you had a different recollection." Eve blinked in contemplation and replied, "Yes, I remember. What about it?"

Dotty took another deep breath before continuing. "Well, you mentioned your Grandpa Robert. I can't help but find it rather peculiar that you met a man named Robert Sinclair, a man who happens to have platinum blonde hair and grey eyes, just like you."

Eve appeared perplexed, her thoughts visibly churning behind her eyes. "It can't be. It just can't be him, surely not," she whispered, attempting to persuade herself that the situation was simply not possible.

"I think it is; everything adds up," Dotty said, laying a reassuring hand on Eve's. Their eyes locked onto each other; a fleeting moment of silence passed before Eve spoke. "I have a grandpa, and he is alive."

Dotty smiled as her friend finally came to the realization. "Yes, he is, and we need to figure out how to get him out of the void. What did he say again?"

Eve scratched her head, trying to recall the details. "I think he mentioned something about needing a wand to fuse it with his own magic, which would allow him to escape. Hera believes the same as well. Every time I've visited the void, she wants my wand, but she can't take it from me; I have to willingly give it to her."

"Leave it with me. I'll conduct some research and work on finding a way to make it happen. We're going to save your grandpa; I can promise you that. I won't let you down."

The two girls shared a lingering hug, and afterward, they discussed their weekend plans. Eve intended to return to the library to delve further into the mysterious book and perhaps even test her broom-flying skills with Albus on Sunday. Dotty, on the other hand, had an invitation from some older Slytherin girls to take a swim in the Black Lake before it froze over, and she was eager to join them.

After a while of chatting, the two boys returned to the common room with looks of pride on their faces. Albus spoke up, "We found the owl. He was perched in the owlery. We're still not sure how he got out, but the letter's been sent, and I should be hearing back from my dad soon."

Both girls smiled at Albus and Scorpius as they settled in. "Good, I'm excited to see if he remembers me at all," Eve expressed with anticipation.

For the remainder of the afternoon and well into the evening, they engaged in lively conversation around the fireplace. At one point, a group of fifth-year Slytherins joined their discussion, sharing a few intriguing spells related to pushing and pulling objects they had been studying. After a few attempts, they all managed to slide their hot cocoa mugs across the coffee table. It might have been feeble, but it was a successful endeavour.

As evening transitioned into night, the group dispersed – the boys to their bedroom and the girls to their own. In a moment of solitude, Eve felt the need to call her mum. Dotty had relayed her version of this morning's events, and she felt remorseful for abruptly hanging up on her mother.

As she dialled her mother's number, Eve absently twirled a loose strand of hair that dangled in front of her face. When the call connected, she greeted her mum, "Mum! Before you say anything, I'm so sorry I hung up on you this morning. I was really upset, and I overreacted, but I'm okay now." She hurriedly expressed, determined to get her apology in before her mother could respond.

"I'm so relieved you're okay, sweetheart. I was beside myself, but your headmistress assured me you would be safe and fine."

"Yes, we managed to get everything sorted out. I have some news to share with you, Mum. Are you sitting down?" Eve's voice carried a hint of seriousness as she spoke.

"Yes, you're scaring me. What's going on?" Her mother's voice trembled with a touch of fear.

"This might sound unbelievable, but it's the truth. I found Grandpa."

Silence enveloped the phone line, and Mrs. Warren was left utterly speechless. It was indeed an unbelievable revelation, but her daughter wouldn't lie about something as significant as this. Tears welled up, and she began to sob down the phone line.

"Really?" Her mother's voice quivered with emotion as she asked, tears streaming down her cheeks. "How did you find him, and where is he?" Her questions were punctuated by sobs, as the realization that after 35 long years, her father had been found and she might see him again overwhelmed her.

As Eve began to recount the events within the void to her mother, a profound stillness settled over the conversation. Mrs. Warren sat in silent contemplation, taking in every detail her daughter shared, holding back her own tears as she listened to the remarkable story of her long-lost father.

"He protected you?" Eve nodded, though her mother couldn't see it. "Hold on, I have a picture of him here somewhere. Give me a second." Eve could hear her mother rustling around in the background until the phone was picked up again. "I just sent you a picture. Check that out."

Eve opened her message app, and on her screen, she saw, clear as day, the man she had seen in the void. There was no question about it; this was her grandpa. But he looked the same age as in the picture.

"Mum, how old is Grandpa in this picture?" Mrs. Warren paused for a moment, recalling the details.

"He must be 26 in this picture. It was taken not long before he disappeared, and I was just 6 years old at the time. But he looks younger than his age, something that seems to run in our family."

Eve was left pondering. The man she had seen in the void didn't appear to be 61; he didn't look a day older than 23. "Erm, Mum, this is the man I saw in the void. He looked exactly like this, but that's impossible. He should be 61. He did mention that the void is a place where time stops, so it could be possible that he doesn't age while he's there," she theorized.

Her mother's response came slowly, "I believe you, sweetheart. This magical world is full of strange and wondrous things, and in it, anything seems possible."

They sat in a comfortable silence, both lost in their thoughts about everything they had learned. After a while, Mrs. Warren broke the silence. "When do you get to come home? I miss you so much."

Eve let out a long sigh, her heart aching with the longing for her family. Despite the enjoyment she found in her new home, she missed them fiercely. "Christmas. I know it's a long way away. I'll have to make our calls regular."

Her mother replied, "I would very much like that."

"Me too. I should head off to bed; I have a lot to do tomorrow. Love you, Mum. Please send my love to Dad and Sebastian."

"Love you too, and I will. Sweet dreams, darling. Thank you for calling me back and sharing your news. I really needed this call tonight. Goodnight."

With their farewells exchanged, Eve hung up the phone and placed it on charge. Before she lay her head down, she glanced over toward Dotty's bed, where she could see her friend engrossed in a book. A faint night light hovered and bobbed slightly in mid-air.

Eve wondered if Dotty was already researching ways to save her grandpa. The thought brought a warm smile to her lips. She hadn't known Dotty for very long, but she had proven to be an excellent friend.

"Goodnight, Dotty," Eve whispered softly, not wanting to disturb the other girls. Finally, she laid her head down and succumbed to sleep.

The next morning unfolded in a reassuringly ordinary manner, and Eve relished the simplicity of it. There were no wild time-travel adventures or encounters with frightening ancient half-skeleton ladies trying to possess her. It was just a day of normal, everyday things.

A smile graced her lips as she pushed open the door to the library, still impressed by the grandeur of the large room. She walked over to the spot where she had left the mysterious book during her last visit. Retrieving the book, she carried it over to an empty table.

She slowly flipped to the golden page with the hourglass in the centre. A tingling sensation coursed through her fingers, electric and exhilarating, as she delicately traced them down the page. It was as if there was an unspoken connection to the magic within the page, an irresistible call beckoning her, urging her to keep searching, to never cease.

Eve attempted to lift her hand from the page, but she found herself unable to do so. It was as if an unseen force held her hand firmly in place, refusing to let her go.

The longer her hand remained on the page, the stronger her urge to search for the hourglass grew. The book seemed to bewitch her, attempting to exert control over her thoughts and desires. In response to this uninvited influence, a sudden surge of her own magic radiated from her arms, traveling down to her fingertips, where it mingled with the book, infecting it with her unique energy. Eve didn't intend for this to happen; it was as if her subconscious had sensed the threat and acted on its own.

Her magic seeped into the book, making it subservient to her will. The bewitching influence ceased, recognizing a stronger force in control. Once Eve had tamed the book, it relinquished its most profound secret.

Eve's head flung back as she gazed upward at the ceiling. Her eyes shimmered with a dangerous, golden hue. In her mind, a vision unfolded—a swift glimpse of an hourglass positioned atop a pedestal, bathed in brilliant light. The room was empty except for the hourglass, shrouded in darkness, and tension hung heavily in the air. Her vision pulled away from the hourglass, and the room grew smaller and smaller until it was nearly imperceptible, and then, abruptly, the vision vanished. She returned to the library.

"Are you alright, Miss?" inquired an elderly woman who was slightly hunched over, struggling to manage an excessive load of books for her age.

"Yes, I'm fine, I'm learning some new magic that's all" she lied feeling the guilt fill her throat, she was in fact not fine she had just seen the Sands of eternity it existed and someone was in the possession of it, it was not in some snowy covered cave. But put on display like a trophy.

"Very well, dear. Take care," the lady spoke gently as she hobbled away.

Once the library curator departed, Eve's focus returned to the book. Page after page, she flipped, but there was no further mention of the hourglass to be found. With a sigh of frustration, she closed the book.

Tapping her fingers on the table as she pondered her next move, the image of the hourglass wanting to be found lingered in her mind. She couldn't shake that thought. "But how? Where could it be?" she muttered to herself.

Growing frustrated with her lack of progress, she rose from her seat and returned the book to the shelf. Just as she did, the curator appeared around the corner. "Interesting book, that one," she remarked, gesturing toward the shelf where the book was stored. Eve cocked her head, curious. "How so?"

"I heard it whispering to me this morning, just before I opened the library. As I got closer, its pull grew stronger, and I've never felt so powerless before. I managed to regain my senses and quickly moved in the opposite direction. You should exercise caution with it; the magic it holds is indeed strange, very strange."

The older lady turned to leave, but Eve couldn't resist interrupting her. "Miss, could you assist me in finding a book for my astromancy classes?" It was another fabricated request, and Eve felt a twinge of discomfort rise in her throat, but she swallowed it down.

"Of course, dear. What's the name of the book?" she asked. "Sands of Eternity," Eve replied. She knew it was a long shot, but she had to start somewhere. The curator slowly made her way back to her desk, and Eve followed behind her. What felt like an eternity later, they reached the desk.

"Let me see, let me see," she said, carefully removing her already large glasses and replacing them with an even larger pair. Her gaze travelled down a seemingly never-ending piece of parchment that continued to unroll, trailing across the floor as she read.

"I can't seem to find the book you asked for, dear. Are you sure you have the title, right?" Eve hung her head in defeat. "I must have gotten it wrong. My apologies. Thank you for your assistance."

The lady beamed at Eve, her oversized glasses giving her a friendly, joyful appearance as she delighted in being able to assist a student.

Eve offered a restrained smile in return as she made her way out of the library. She felt deflated, having found no answers, only more questions. In need of cheering up, she decided that her friend Albus would be the best person for the task. "He should be at the Quidditch pitch right now," she thought to herself, determined to seek his company.

As Eve traversed the deserted halls of Hogwarts and the grounds, she found herself arriving at the Quidditch pitch with remarkable speed. Contrasting with the castle's emptiness, the pitch was alive with activity. Over a hundred students were present, soaring on their brooms, engaged in impromptu Quidditch matches, and chattering among themselves.

Eve bounced on her tiptoes as she scanned the crowd, attempting to spot her friends. In a fleeting moment during her bounce, she caught a glimpse of red and platinum blonde hair. She pushed her way through the bustling crowd, determined to reach her friends.

"Eve!" Rose exclaimed as she sprinted toward her friend, enveloping her in a warm, tight hug. "That's so strange. We were just discussing you, wondering when you'd make an appearance." They both shared a giggle as they strolled back toward Scorpius, who appeared somewhat nervous.

""Hey, Eve, glad you could make it. Did you come to watch the Quidditch game?"

Rose leaned over and whispered something into Scorpius's ear, prompting a mischievous smirk. As Eve replied, she shrugged, "I didn't know there was a game today. I actually came down here to see if Albus could show me a few things with his broom."

Noticing the odd behaviour of her friends, Eve crossed her arms and questioned, "What's going on with you two? You're acting strange." They both chuckled, and Rose stepped closer, placing her hands on Eve's shoulders. "Nothing's going on. You're overthinking things, silly. Now, let's go find our Quidditch superstar. He must be around here somewhere." As she spoke, a blur zipped over their heads, almost knocking them off their feet from the gust of wind.

"Go, Albus!" Scorpius shouted, thrusting his fist into the air. Rose twirled Eve around and guided her toward the stands to secure good seats. As they made their way, she shot a meaningful glance over her shoulder at Scorpius, silently conveying a message that said, "Don't tell her anything."

Scorpius stuffed his hands into his trouser pockets and trailed after the two girls, feeling uncomfortable about being in the midst of this peculiar dynamic with Eve and Rose.

"Is this a genuine Quidditch game? It seems a bit chaotic," Eve remarked, her expression puzzled as she observed the lively scene.

Rose chuckled and replied, "No, this isn't a real game. The season doesn't start until October. This is just for fun." As she finished her sentence, she cheered, and Albus zoomed past them, performing a graceful spin on his broom as he went.

The crowd on the field gradually congregated in the stands as the game commenced. An older student flung a red ball high into the air, and the game was underway. A swarm of brooms dashed off in every direction, in hot pursuit of the red ball. Simultaneously, four smaller, darker balls zipped around, emitting high-pitched, screeching sounds as they flew. And then there was one minuscule, nearly imperceptible golden glint, vanishing the very moment it was released.

"Could someone please explain the rules to me? I have no idea what's going on," Eve admitted, shifting her gaze toward her two friends. Scorpius, who sat beside her, wrapped his arm around her shoulder and leaned in a little. He proceeded to point out various players and elements on the pitch, explaining their roles and the purpose of each. After about five minutes, Eve nodded, saying, "I think I understand how it works now."

Rose fidgeted in her seat, her gaze briefly drifting toward her two friends. In response, she quickly refocused her attention on the game, attempting to ignore them both. The closeness between them created a sense of unease in the pit of her stomach, a sensation she found unfamiliar and unsettling.

"So, when Albus catches that golden ball, they win?" Eve inquired, looking somewhat puzzled.

Rose clarified, "Not exactly. When he catches the Snitch, they earn 150 points, and the game ends. But if that 150 points doesn't put them in the lead, they still lose. So, it's crucial for the chasers to score as much as possible because the game doesn't conclude until the Snitch is caught."

Eve nodded as she grasped the concept. Suddenly, she sprang to her feet, cheering for Albus as he flew near the stand where they were perched.

Albus expertly spun his broom around, spotting the girl with her vibrant purple hair, her enthusiasm evident as her hair bounced off her shoulders. He shot up into the air and returned in a looping, graceful fashion. As he swooped past, he gave Eve a subtle wink. Her response was an even louder, more exuberant cheer.

"Any room for one more?" a gentle voice whispered into her ears. Eve turned around and found herself locking eyes with James. A sudden blush rushed to her cheeks as she realized he must have witnessed her making a bit of a fool of herself. "Uh, yeah, you can join us," she stammered, looking to her friends, who both nodded, and they shifted down the bench to make space for James.

Tension engulfed the bench, not solely due to the closely contested game.

Albus, leading a team comprised of students from every house, held a narrow 10-point advantage over the opposing team. "Why aren't you out there playing, James? you're even better on a broom then Albus," said Scorpius. Before James could respond. To everyone's surprise, Rose interjected, "I can tell you why he's not playing. He was too busy sharing a canoodling with a fifth-year in the common room this morning. I saw everything, it was so gross." Eve gasped, Scorpius offered a sly nod and extended a nonchalant high five to James, who felt incredibly embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck. He swiftly attempted to shift the focus, saying, "Look, there goes Albus, he's after the snitch!" As he stood from his seat with passion, he watched his brother's graceful manoeuvres. skimming the grass, weaving with finesse, mirroring the snitch's every move, while the opposing team's seeker remained nowhere to be seen.

The snitch shot skyward in a vertical ascent, with Albus closely trailing it until both vanished into the clouds. Moments later, Albus descended rapidly, hurtling towards the ground at breakneck speeds. "OH MY GOD, HE'S GOING TO CRASH!" Eve screamed, shielding her eyes with her hands.

Albus expertly glided across the grass, executing a controlled slide, his leg and the tail of his broom brushing the ground but miraculously keeping him on it. With an outstretched hand, he lunged forward and snatched the snitch, coming to a skidding halt, his broom emitting a wisp of smoke from the friction with the ground. His left trouser leg was shredded, and his leg bore several nasty cuts and scrapes.

He triumphantly raised his hand into the air, a radiant expression illuminating his face. The crowd erupted with cheers, and Eve lowered her hands from her face, realizing that Albus was unharmed and had caught the snitch. She sprang to her feet next to James and let out a deafening scream of joy. She hadn't noticed what was happening right beside her.

As Albus secured the snitch and jubilation swept through the crowd, Rose and Scorpius couldn't resist the elation. In the heat of the moment, they embraced each other, their faces mere inches apart, their eyes locked in a shared gaze, their lips crashed together in a hot burst of passion. For a few seconds, they lingered in that intimate connection, and when they finally drew apart, both sported rosy-red cheeks, their emotions palpable.

Eve whirled around to find her two friends locked in an intense gaze. Without hesitation, she leaped at them, pulling them both into a tight hug. "YOU GUYS, THAT WAS INCREDIBLE!" she shouted above the boisterous crowd. As she embraced them, Rose and Scorpius found it difficult to maintain eye contact, their glances darting away and then returning to each other. Scorpius gulped, a nagging feeling that things were about to get complicated settling in his thoughts.

The four friends descended onto the pitch to celebrate with Albus, who was being carried by his exuberant teammates, parading him around like a hero. Once they gently set him down, Eve rushed over to embrace him, exclaiming, "You were incredible!"

Albus, still riding the adrenaline, replied, "Thanks, that was such a rush. I thought I'd missed it right at the end, but luck was on my side." James approached from behind and playfully thumped him on the back of the head. "That was quite foolish, Al. If Dad saw you..." He then pulled his brother into a heartfelt hug. "I'm just glad you're okay. And by the way, that was amazing. I'm not sure I could pull that off."

After Albus received hugs from everyone, he looked around, his tone turning sombre as he inquired, "Where's Dotty? I thought she'd be with you guys." Eve replied with hesitation, "I think she's gone swimming with some older kids."

Albus glanced at the ground briefly, his expression shifting, but then he raised his head with a bright smile. "Let's celebrate, shall we? Pumpkin juice for everyone! To the Great Hall!" His enthusiastic call set off a thunderous cheer as players and spectators alike made their way to the Great Hall.

As they strolled, Eve engaged in conversation with James, while Scorpius and Rose discreetly moved apart from each other. Both of them were unsure about the significance of their recent moment and were lost in their thoughts.

Meanwhile on the other side of the castle, Dotty sat nervously in the main common room area, her gaze fixed on the large glass windows that framed the inky depths of the Black Lake.

Today, Dotty was joining a swim with a dozen other Slytherin girls from various years who had chosen not to watch the Quidditch match. While she longed to be there to witness Albus soaring on his broom around the pitch, a pang of guilt washed over her. It wasn't that she didn't want to go; she genuinely did. However, she couldn't help but feel that Albus had been getting a little too close for comfort these past few days, leaving her uncertain about how to interpret his actions.

So, she chose to avoid the situation altogether. Swimming wasn't her favourite activity either, but when the other girls extended an invitation, she didn't want to decline and find herself sitting alone in the common room.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a shout, "Are you coming, Dotty? We're all set to go." She quickly grabbed the floral towel she had draped over the back of a nearby chair and followed the other girls.

Following a lengthy descent down the twisting and winding staircase, clinging to the side of the cliff face, they finally reached the boathouse.

The building didn't boast the grandeur that Hogwarts was known for; it was a simple wooden structure with pane glass windows along the bottom. The roof had a graceful arch, starting low and ascending to a peak. It was connected to a plain wooden dock, mirroring the bland nature of the boathouse itself.

"Follow me!" shouted a seventh-year girl as she led the way into the boathouse. Dotty and the other girls followed closely behind.

The interior of the boathouse mirrored its unremarkable exterior. They were greeted by a small landing area, and as they descended a brief wooden staircase onto stone piers, a spacious opening at the back of the building revealed a path leading out to the lake. A solitary boat rested between the stone piers, gently rocking back and forth, producing a soft thud as it brushed against the stone.

Following the other girls along the left side of the building, she was led out onto a lower section of the wooden pier, positioned just above the water's surface.

The other girls spread their towels towards the back of this section, then reached into their pockets to retrieve their wands. With a fascinated gaze, Dotty observed as they waved their wands in a complex pattern over their bodies. In a remarkable display of transfiguration, their robes shifted into a variety of swimwear, ranging from one-pieces to bikinis.

Dotty couldn't resist stealing glances at the older girls, who had developed more than she had, their curves accentuated in all the right places. The swimwear they wore left little to the imagination, covering barely anything. As she continued to gaze, a tingling sensation washed over her, and she found herself unconsciously biting her lip.

The girls securely fastened their wands to their ankles using thin leather straps and leaped into the water, creating a resounding splash. Dotty's attention snapped back to her own robes as she observed their grace and confidence, making her feel somewhat inexperienced and inadequate.

Taking a step back, she began to turn, her desire to leave growing. However, as she pivoted, she collided with another girl who was not facing the same direction she was walking.

Both of them rubbed their temples, sharing a laugh over the silly accident. Dotty's gaze, however, fixated on the half-naked girl with a stunning milk chocolate complexion adorned in a pink bikini sprinkled with white polka dots. The way it hugged her curves so perfectly was captivating, and the view in front of her made Dotty gulp as the tingling sensation returned.

"I'm really sorry about that. I should be more careful." The girl momentarily gazed out at the lake, with the hills rolling in the distance and the first hints of autumn painting the trees. "The view is absolutely breath-taking, don't you think?"

Dotty nodded, attempting to avert her gaze from the girl, but her eyes unwittingly followed the girl's line of sight. The view was nothing short of breath-taking, with sunlight casting a hypnotic dance upon the water's surface. In the far distance, Hogsmeade Station appeared quaint and charming, while the wisps of smoke rising from the few buildings in the hamlet added to the idyllic scene.

"Where are my manners?" She extended her hand gracefully toward Dotty. "Lady Winter Hanover." Nervously, Dotty accepted the offered hand and engaged in a delicate handshake. "Dorothy Trupe," she introduced herself.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, and again, I'm truly sorry for bumping into you," Lady Winter said, pausing to observe Dotty's apparent nervousness.

"Is everything alright?" Winter inquired.

Dotty gulped and replied with a shy voice, "I feel embarrassed. I don't look like the other girls; I don't fit in here. I think I'm going to leave." She hung her head low, trying to pass by the girl.

Winter extended her arm, gently blocking Dotty from moving any farther. "It's alright. We've all been there when we were young, and you don't have to feel ashamed of your body. You'll grow and change in your own time. Besides, when you're in the water, the only part anyone sees is your head," she assured Dotty with a soft, compassionate tone.

"It's alright," Winter reassured.

Dotty, with a sense of self-acceptance, gradually removed her uniform, revealing a white one-piece swimsuit adorned with a captivating pink and blue swirl design that gracefully encircled the skin-tight latex.

Instinctively, Dotty wrapped her arms around herself, seeking a bit of comfort and security.

Winter extended her hand, patiently waiting for the nervous girl to take it. "Come on, Dorothy. The weather is splendid today, and you won't find another day this nice for a while. Let's make the most of it," she encouraged, nodding toward the inviting lake.

Dotty took Winter's soft hand, their eyes locking in an intense gaze. In that moment, Dotty's eyes seemed to flare up, transforming into a vibrant blue. Winter, captivated by the change, pulled Dotty in closer, her free hand gently tracing along Dotty's cheek. As her fingertips moved, a blush followed their path. Playfully, Winter booped Dotty on the nose and said, "I want you to come into the water with me. Let's have some fun."

Dotty soon became aware of what was happening. she has putting Winter under her trance. The touch of the older girl sending sparks of electricity all over her body. She whimpered when winters finger left her cheek. Dotty knew what she was doing to Winter was wrong but it felt so good. With all her might she forced her eyes shut to end the trance she was placing Winter under.

"I'm so sorry Winter I didn't mean to"

With a foggy head, Winter replied, "Didn't mean to do what?" She paused for a moment, momentarily puzzled about the situation. But with a casual shrug, she dismissed it and proceeded to pull Dotty into the chilly waters.

Both girls shivered as the sudden temperature change took hold. "Keep swimming, it'll warm you up," Winter suggested as she treaded water.

Gradually they both grew accustomed to the water. Dotty Felt more confident now that she was covered by the water's surface she smiled again and started to enjoy herself as she treaded water.

She swam toward a cluster of other girls with Winter by her side, and as they drew closer, a girl with black hair, porcelain skin, and a beauty mark just above her lip, gracefully joined them.

The newcomer and Winter circled each other like predators, their intense gazes never leaving one another. In an instant, they lunged at each other, their lips locking, hands entwined, as they bobbed rhythmically in the water.

Dotty couldn't tear her gaze away from the two girls, the tingling sensation intensifying into a burning, powerful discomfort. She couldn't help but envy them for what they shared. She had always sensed something was different about herself – when she looked at boys, there was never that spark, but right now, it was like witnessing New Year's Eve fireworks!

The scene unfolding before her confirmed her suspicions about her feelings for girls. She was on the verge of screaming with joy but caught herself, mindful of her surroundings. Instead, she expressed her happiness by joyfully wiggling her legs in an underwater dance.

"Dorothy, meet my girlfriend, Roxanne," she introduced the girl, who greeted her with a polite smile and said, "Hey, I've seen you around the common room before. You're friends with the possessed girl, right?" Winter playfully slapped Roxanne on the shoulder, unintentionally splashing water in the process.

"Roxy that was so rude!"

"Sorry I meant the purple haired girl." She replied with a hot breath and an angered stare towards her girlfriend.

"Erm. Yes, she's my friend."

"I heard a rumour that she's got this weird time magic or something like that, is it true?" Roxanne said looking hopeful at dotty.

Trying to maintain her composure, Dotty replied, "No, that's not true. Whoever told you that was lying. Eve is just as ordinary as you or me." She didn't want to lie, but she felt the need to shield her friend. Dotty was aware of the hurtful things people said about Eve behind her back and didn't want to contribute to that hurtful chatter.

"That bitch!" Roxanne spun in the water and swam quickly towards another group of girls, where she proceeded to dunk another girl's head under the water multiple times.

"shouldn't you go and stop her?" Dotty inquired.

"Nah she's got a fiery temper it's best to let her calm down on her own" Winter chuckled. Her laugh is adorable thought Dotty.

"Why is she so mad I don't understand what just happened" dotty said swimming past winter so her blush was concealed.

"From what I was told, she was told, that Eve had this kind of time magic and then someone else bet her that she didn't so Roxy took the bet thinking she was going to be 10 galleons up when she asked you. It's all very confusing"

Dotty let out a little snort as she laughed "that sounds very confusing."

More screams could be heard as both Roxanne and the other girls started fighting in the water pulling at each others hair.

"Looks like I need to go and rescue my girlfriend, I loved meeting you Dorothy, don't stay a stranger" she leaned in and gave her a soft peck on the cheek.

Attempting to speak she managed to stammer out "its Dotty that's what my friends call me." "Goodbye Dotty" Winter swam away towards the frenzy of fists and splashing of water.

Dotty returned to the dock, cocooning herself in her own towel and briskly drying off. As her dry hand touched her cheek, a radiant smile graced her face. It was her first kiss from another girl, and the sensation was exhilarating. Her thoughts drifted to Eve, she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to share a kiss with her, much like the passionate embrace she had just witnessed between Winter and Roxanne.

Once dressed, she sauntered back up toward the castle in a dreamlike state.

The great hall buzzed with excitement, as every student revelled in high spirits following the first unofficial Quidditch match of the year. Albus stood atop a table, proudly clutching the golden snitch in his hand, and proclaimed, "With me as the Seeker, no one can halt Slytherin's path to winning the House Cup!" His declaration elicited a mixed response, with a scattering of cheers but an even larger chorus of playful boos. Some students went so far as to toss bits of food in jest.

Scorpius playfully nudged Eve in the side, teasing, "I didn't think his head could get any bigger," as he puffed up his cheeks, imitating Albus and his inflated ego. Eve couldn't help but join in the laughter, mimicking Scorpius by puffing up her own cheeks in a playful manner.

Their eyes locked in an intense gaze, both of them simultaneously furrowing their brows. An unspoken contest had begun, a silent battle to see who could coax a laugh from the other first, and thus deflate their cheeks.

Scorpius widened his eyes as far as they could go, placing both hands on the sides of his head and wiggling his fingers, convinced this would break Eve's resolve. However, Eve remained solid.

It was now Eve's turn. She pivoted on the beach so that her back faced Scorpius. With one hand, she pulled her eyelids upward, and with the other, she pushed her nose upward. The result was anything but aesthetically pleasing.

As she twirled around resembling an Inferi, Eve exuded confidence in her victory. The moment Scorpius's grey eyes beheld the comical sight before him, he couldn't contain his laughter and tumbled off his chair, exclaiming between chuckles, "You win! You win!"

Eve rose with a sense of accomplishment and offered Scorpius her hand to help him back on his feet. There was a momentary awkward pause as their hands briefly intertwined before she assisted him. Scorpius casually brushed his loose hair from his face, feeling a blush creeping in. He hurriedly resumed his seat, hoping no one had noticed.

"What are those two up to?" Dotty inquired as she settled down beside Rose at the table, positioning herself on the opposite side from Eve and Scorpius.

Rose turned her attention to her friend and let out an eye roll. "No idea, probably just being silly," she replied, her tone carrying a subtle undertone of irritation or something else that Dotty couldn't quite place. Choosing to disregard it, Dotty changed the subject, asking, "So, how was the Quidditch match?" She gestured toward the evidently happy Albus, who was dancing at the centre of the table.

"It was a fantastic game, super close right up until the end, when my foolish cousin nearly risked his life to catch the Snitch," Rose said, shooting a disapproving look at Albus. Albus must have felt the intense heat of her gaze on the back of his neck because he swiftly turned around. His expression shifted from fear to elation when he noticed the girl seated beside Rose. Albus gracefully hopped off the table and strolled over to join them both.

"Dotty! I missed you at the game. How was your swimming, did you have fun?"

Dotty warmly smiled at Albus, appreciating his kindness. "It was wonderful," she began. "The water was a bit chilly at first, but I got used to it, and I met a really cool girl named Winter. Do you guys know her?" When Dotty posed the question, Rose shook her head in response. Albus furrowed his brow, rubbing his chin as he pondered. "Is she the fifth-year girl with the dreadlocks." He said unsure of himself

Dotty nodded; her excitement evident. "She's really nice, and I think I made a new friend today," she shared with a smile. Rose and Albus both beamed at her. "That's awesome," Albus chimed in, reaching into his robe pocket. He retrieved a metallic golden ball, its size akin to his palm, adorned with intricate lines circling the sphere. "I won this today, and I want to give it to you," he offered, extending the Snitch toward Dotty. Her face registered pure shock. "Really? You want me to, have it?" she gasped, her hand instinctively rising to cover her astonished expression.

Springing from her seat, Dotty enveloped Albus in a warm, enthusiastic hug. As Rose observed the exchange, she caught Albus's gaze over Dotty's shoulder and responded with a cheerful thumbs up and a playful, cheesy grin.

They settled down on the long bench, and Dotty was utterly captivated by the golden ball as she rolled it between her fingers, her face radiating with a wide smile. Albus, equally beaming, observed her with delight as she played with the gift, he had presented to her.

"Oh, sweet, you gave Dotty the Snitch! That's supposed to be good luck, you know," Scorpius commented as he returned his attention to those sat across from him.

She cradled the Snitch in her hands, a fleeting glint of worry crossing her expression so briefly that it went unnoticed. Dotty knew she would need all the luck she could get for what she was about to do tonight.

"That's great, maybe I'll be lucky and figure out Transfigurations tomorrow," Dotty remarked with a chuckle, and those at the table joined in, except for Eve.

"It's not that difficult, watch," Eve stated confidently. She smoothly slid her wand down her robe sleeve into her open hand, pointed it at the Goblet on the table, and swiftly transfigured it into a replica of the Snitch, though a shade duller in colour.

"I wanted some good luck too," she giggled. Scorpius shook his head, muttering something under his breath, and the rest of the table collectively rolled their eyes.

As the evening progressed, students began to disperse from the Great Hall. The four Slytherins bid farewell to Rose, knowing they would see her again tomorrow in their Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions classes.

Upon entering the Slytherin common room there wasn't much time to hang out so everyone went to their respective bedrooms for the night.

The two girls entered the bedroom and then proceeded to the bathroom to brush their teeth and change into their pyjamas for the night. Dotty's nerves were particularly heightened, standing next to Eve. Dotty frequently cast sidelong glances into the large mirror that Eve was positioned in front of, trying to capture glimpses of her beauty.

Eve shot a sideways glance at the mirror in front of Dotty and found herself locking eyes with two captivating blue orbs. She responded with a quick smile as she spat out the last of her toothpaste, lifting her head from the sink and heading back toward the bedroom. However, she was halted in her tracks by Dotty's body, which blocked her way.

The girl licked her fingertip and said, "You've got some toothpaste right here." Dotty leaned in very close to Eve, her slender fingers delicately removing the lingering trace of toothpaste from the corner of her mouth.

They stood just inches apart, their warm breath mixing in the small space between them. Dotty summoned her courage, realizing it was now or never.

Without warning, Dotty pressed her plump lips onto Eve's, eliciting a startled gasp from her. Eve was briefly paralyzed, her mind processing the unexpected moment. After a moment, she took a step back, her eyes locked onto her friend's face, where she saw a mixture of emotions alternating between fear and passion.

Eve found herself in a whirlwind of emotions, uncertain of what to feel or how to react. In a moment of panic, she stammered out, "Thanks," and immediately buried her face in her hands. Mortified, she couldn't believe that she had responded with a simple 'thanks' after her first kiss.

Dotty, uncertain about what to do next after the kiss, inched closer to Eve and gently rested a hand on her forearm. "Are you okay?" she inquired. Eve slowly lowered her hands from her face, her expression a complex blend of emotions, with confusion being the most prominent.

"Eve, please say something," Dotty implored, her hand trembling as it softly grasped Eve's forearm. "I wasn't expecting that, and I'm sorry, but I'm at a loss for words. Give me a moment." The two of them stood in silence, with Dotty not moving away and still holding onto Eve's forearm.

Eve started to speak but stopped, exhaling as her thoughts continued to race. She gently placed a hand on Dotty's. "I don't fully understand how I feel. The kiss caught me by surprise, but it wasn't a bad thing," she admitted, pausing. "However, I'm not certain I see you in the same way. I value our friendship, and I'm afraid that things might change between us now." Dotty's expression shifted, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She raised her bright blue eyes to meet Eve's own grey ones.

She gazed at Eve for what seemed like an eternity before finally speaking. "I don't expect you to fully understand. Even I only just realized today what I've been feeling all this time, and it's starting to make sense to me now. I got lost in the moment, and I shouldn't have kissed you, but I also don't regret it," she confessed. Another prolonged silence followed, their physical connection remaining unbroken.

Eve let out a deep sigh and leaned her forehead against Dotty's. "What do we do now?" she asked, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

Dotty, her voice trembling, replied, "I don't know, but I don't want to lose you." As she sniffled, Eve tenderly wrapped her arms around her, holding her in a tight embrace. Dotty wept, allowing her pent-up emotions to flow freely, while Eve soothingly ran her fingers through her hair. "It's going to be okay; it's going to be okay," Eve repeated in a comforting mantra.

After Dotty pulled away from the hug, she let out a soft chuckle. "Gosh, I feel so dumb. I knew you didn't like girls; you've never given me any indication. But I still did it anyway."

Eve playfully slapped her arm. "Hey, you aren't dumb. You let your emotions cloud your thinking, that's all. And there's nothing wrong with that. This will stay between us, and you don't have to worry about anyone else finding out. Okay?"

Dotty nodded in understanding, relieved that Eve was handling the situation gracefully. "We should head to bed. We can talk more tomorrow if you like." They exchanged smiles, realizing the unique connection they now shared. Returning to the bedroom, they each settled into their own beds and swiftly changed into their pyjamas.

"Goodnight, Eve," Dotty whispered softly across the room. She turned over onto her side, and in the quiet darkness, a single tear slipped down her cheek. Suddenly, an unexpected arm wrapped around her, and it was Eve's.

"Shh, I can't let you go to sleep alone tonight," Eve whispered. "You're my best friend, Dotty, and I won't let you feel pain." She rested her head on the spare pillow as she embraced her friend.

Sleep came quickly for Eve, but for Dotty, her mind raced through every possible scenario of what had happened tonight. It wasn't until she reached a sense of acceptance that this was the best outcome – keeping her best friend and not losing her over this – that she felt a soothing calm wash over her. With that comforting sensation, she closed her eyes, and at last, sleep found her.