Chapter 11 The escape of the void
Time seemed to pass quickly over the next month and a half, and before Eve knew it, Christmas was fast approaching. It was the last week of the term, and students were preparing to head back home for two weeks to reunite with their loved ones.
Eve found herself nestled by the warm fire, reflecting on all that had transpired since Halloween. It had been an exhilarating period, brimming with new experiences and a wealth of valuable lessons.
A few days after Halloween, Albus finally granted Eve her first private flying lesson. Initially, she grappled with getting the broom off the ground, but with Albus's steady hand, he expertly guided her upward. Though she managed only a few feet above the ground, it marked the start of her progress. In the following lessons, her improvement was rapid, and soon she was soaring alongside everyone else. Her fear of heights lingered, but the reassuring presence of Albus, ready to catch her if she faltered, provided a significant source of comfort.
Eve's lessons with Professor Inkwood had been put on hold due to the increasing mental exhaustion it was causing her. As a result, her studies in other subjects had suffered a slight decline, although she planned to pick them up after the break. On a brighter note, her progress in defence against legilimency had improved. She could now block his legilimency attacks for at least 30 seconds before he could breach her mind.
After extensive practice and many gruelling hours spent in the Room of Requirement with Charlie, Eve had mastered the skill of fast-forwarding objects. Unlike rewinding, where Eve could predict the outcome, fast-forwarding was a much riskier endeavour. Charlie cautioned her to use it sparingly.
Between Halloween and the present, Eve and Charlie had collaborated to reverse the effects of the time magic that had plagued him. Unable to replicate the event that had initially caused his de-aging, Eve was left with only one option: to gradually age Charlie during each session they met. While they managed to age him slightly by a few months, it was slow, painstaking work. But, as Charlie always said, it's a marathon, not a sprint, and Eve was determined to continue improving over time.
Romance appeared to be in the air in November as Rose and Scorpius reconciled and began dating each other. In light of their newfound happiness, Albus and Eve decided to share the news with their group that they, too, were in a relationship. Everyone seemed thrilled, except for Rose, who playfully commented, "I think this is all a con. Who would want to date my dorky cousin? He's weird." She was, of course, just jesting and was genuinely very happy for them both.
The crackling of the fire was accompanied by a soft meow, which gently interrupted her reverie. She reached down to pick up Fluffy, placing the white cat in her lap, and started to stroke her soft fur. The soothing purrs from Fluffy and the comforting sound of the crackling fire combined to create the perfect ambiance for winding down in the evening.
As she settled into relaxation, her mind began to wander toward Hera. Ever since she had discovered that Hera was lurking in the depths of her mind, observing and eavesdropping on her every thought and action, Eve had been using her skills in Occlumency to shield her thoughts. This was especially crucial when she contemplated the plan to rescue her grandpa. Eve couldn't afford to let Hera catch wind of her true intentions to leave her in the void and secure her grandpa's release.
"I've done it!" A high-pitched squeal reverberated off the walls, hitting Eve like a brick, prompting her to cover her ears. Fluffy leaped from her lap and darted clear across the room. "I've figured it out!" Another exuberant squeal pierced her covered ears. Dotty appeared by Eve's side, visibly bouncing with excitement. After regaining her composure, Eve inquired, "You've really figured it out, haven't you? When can we go?"
Dotty hopped up and down like an excited bunny. "Right now, if you want!" she squealed again. However, sensing a probing pain in her head, Eve quickly blocked her thoughts about the plan she was mulling over. "Shouldn't we wait for everyone, just in case something goes wrong?"
Dotty waved her hand to placate Eve. "Pfft, I've triple-checked everything; nothing will go wrong," she beamed a smile at Eve, clearly eager to see her handiwork in action. Dotty retrieved the small silver time-turner from her pocket. It looked similar to the one Eve had found in Filch's office, but it had been slightly modified, sporting an entirely new, smaller ring. "I added this second turner," Dotty explained. "You mentioned that what felt like hours or days in the void was only a few seconds in reality. So, turning you back one hour would keep you in the void for a long time, and I don't think you would want that."
Eve shook her head from side to side. "Nope, that would be awful. So, explain to me exactly what I have to do."
Rounding the chair and sitting down, Dotty slipped the necklace with the time-turner attached around Eve's slender neck, flashing her a coy smile.
"So, when you're ready to go, push the smallest handle counterclockwise one tick," Dotty instructed, "It might be hard to get, as it's so small, so be careful not to catch any of the other handles. Once you've done that, spin the centre piece one turn, and whoosh!" Dotty wobbled her arms to simulate the 'whoosh.' "That seems straightforward enough. And to get back?" Eve inquired.
Dotty smiled at her friend. "That's easy. After a few seconds, the device will click backwards, and it should transport whatever part of you that gets sent to the void, back."
Eve looked at her with a blank stare. "Should?" she inquired.
Dotty rubbed the back of her neck nervously. "Well, yeah. I don't know with 100% certainty if it works because this is the first test with the void. I've tested the rest of the device, and it works flawlessly. But I don't have your magic, so the time turner doesn't interact with me the same way it will with you."
After sighing and getting comfortable on the sofa, Eve quipped, "If anything happens to me, look after Fluffy. She needs a good home. Off I go, see you in a few seconds."
Eve clicked the smallest handle once counterclockwise, and the time turner started to hum. She took one final deep breath, inhaled, and exhaled. Then, she spun the centre piece once, and her body began to tingle with radiant magic. The time turner glowed golden, and in an instant, Eve slumped onto the sofa, and everything turned pitch black. She was in the void on her own terms this time.
Eve focused all her energy into her occlumency shield. She couldn't let Hera know what she was about to do; otherwise, everything could be ruined. "Robert!" she shouted into the darkness, but no sound returned to her. Again, she shouted, "Robert!" Starting to feel desperate, she ran in one direction, continuously calling out for what felt like an eternity. She knew she didn't have much time until Hera found her, and panic started to set in.
"Robert, where are you? I need you!" she screamed, her lungs hurting and her throat feeling sore. A warm energy shot out from the darkness, the faint glow growing brighter as it approached, so intense that Eve had to shield her eyes.
As the glow dimmed, her grandpa stood tall in the spot where the light had emanated from. "You called, Evelyn?" She nodded eagerly, rushing over to give him a big hug. Looking up at him, she urgently declared, "I'm here to rescue you, but we don't have much time. We need to leave right now."
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Robert swiftly urged, "Quickly, your wand, hand it to me." Eve reached into her sleeve and retrieved her white wand. Robert's impatience was palpable, as if he anticipated something fast approaching, though Eve, caught up in the rush, failed to notice this. She extended her arm across the void and placed the wand into Robert's waiting hand.
The moment he clenched his fingers around the wand's shaft, magic energy surged through his body, igniting the dormant magical fires within.
A male scream erupted from the darkness, startling Eve. She swiftly turned her head toward the source and was met with the sight of another replica of her grandpa, her mouth hanging open in bewilderment. "What?" she muttered under her breath, perplexed by the unexpected sight.
As she redirected her gaze to the man, she had just handed her wand to, she realized it was no longer her grandpa but Hera who stood in his place. Her countenance fell, and she couldn't help but wonder what she had done.
"You foolish child," her voice dripped with venom and bitterness, "underestimating my power, thinking I couldn't breach your Occlumency shield. Pathetic." Her words reverberated in Eve's ears. "I knew precisely what you intended to do, so I exploited it, manipulating your mind into believing I was your grandpa." She cackled, emitting a sinister, malevolent laughter.
Robert raised his hands, directing them towards Hera, as the radiant light of time gathered in his palms. In a split second, the magic shot across the expanse, encircling Hera's form, only to be countered by her even darker red time magic. It erupted from her with such overwhelming force that it sent Eve tumbling to the ground.
Another wicked laugh escaped Hera's lips. "You truly believe you're a match for me?" she hissed, a sense of invigoration coursing through her, now that she felt the wand's power surging within her. She felt whole again, as if the missing puzzle piece had finally been located.
Hera advanced toward the fallen girl, her head swaying slowly from side to side. "I had higher hopes for you, my child, but you've shown that you'll never stand by my side. For that, you must be punished," she declared, pressing the wand against her chin as she contemplated her next move. "Perhaps I'll pay a visit to your wretched Muggle parents first. I'll relish watching the life drain from their eyes. How I've missed that so much."
Eve couldn't suppress the tears that flowed at Hera's declaration, the tracks of her tears staining her complexion. A complex storm of emotions raged inside her, with anger and sadness dominating the mix. Something within Eve compelled her to rise and confront the monster before her.
She sprang to her feet with a sense of urgency, red time magic – the kind she had vowed not to use again – surging from her eyes. Without a moment's hesitation, Eve raised her hands with a singular objective in mind: to reclaim the wand.
The red magic crackled across her fingertips, resembling lightning more than energy. With her hand outstretched, Eve released the magic, watching it rapidly race toward Hera's wand hand. It assumed the form of an outstretched hand as it coiled around Hera's own.
Hera was caught slightly off guard, and in response, she swiftly yanked her arm up in an attempt to break free from the grip of the formidable magic. Realizing her efforts were futile, she used her free hand to engage the opposing magic. As the two red energies clashed, a powerful burst of energy erupted, forcing both Hera and Eve to slide apart.
Two substantial red streams of pure energy clashed in mid-air, giving rise to smaller arcs of energy that lashed out into the void as the intensity of the confrontation escalated. Eve interlocked her fingers with her second hand, infusing her magic with additional power. With one last, determined push, she poured every ounce of her being into it. Yet, it seemed futile, for Hera was undeniably stronger, possessing the advantage of years of experience. Still, Eve refused to give up; she couldn't.
Just when she was on the brink of surrender, a stream of golden energy intermingled with her own red stream, their energies embracing each other harmoniously. With a swift glance to her side, she spotted her grandpa, who had joined her in bolstering her efforts.
Hera began to feel the strain of the pressure she was under, a faint smirk touching her lips. "The child is stronger than I thought. Perhaps within a few hundred years, I might still convince her to join me," she mused.
"Enough!" Hera screamed, pointing her wand at the two figures in front of her and unleashing a spell from its tip. "Noctis Atherealis." Ethereal black fog shot out from her wand at the speed of light, tightly entwining around both Eve and Robert, instantly immobilizing their arms by their sides. A peculiar magic prevented them from using their own magic any longer.
"You are indeed stronger than I had anticipated, child. I won't underestimate you again," Hera admitted. With those words spoken, she raised her wand, wrapping her other hand around it to infuse it with her own time magic. The white wand became etched with red, glowing runes. Hera slashed the wand downward, creating a rift into the void. She took a deliberate step into the tear, casting one final bone-chilling gaze at Eve before vanishing entirely.
The instant she disappeared, the black fog dissolved, and the rift she had entered sealed itself. Eve collapsed to her knees, tears streaming down her face, sobbing uncontrollably. "Mom... Dad... Sebastian," she wailed between heart-wrenching sobs, a profound sense of loss engulfing her.
Her grandpa gently placed a reassuring hand on her back. "We'll ensure she can't harm them," he assured, but he couldn't shake his uncertainty. He paused, hesitating, before finally asking what had been on his mind. "Am I truly your grandpa?" Eve could only nod in response, confirming the truth of their connection.
A surge of emotions overcame Robert. While his life had come to a standstill the moment he entered the void, the lives of his family continued without him. He thought of his son-in-law, his granddaughter, and his grandson. He imagined his once-bouncy six-year-old daughter, now all grown up, and a tear slid from his eye. The anticipation of reuniting with her overwhelmed him with a deep sense of longing and love.
Robert lifted Eve from the ground and enveloped her in a tight, comforting embrace, holding her in that still moment as if time had stopped completely. "Now that you don't have your wand, how do we escape from this place?" he asked softly, genuine concern etched across his face.
Eve buried her head deeper into her grandpa's chest, trying to avoid dwelling on her failed rescue attempt. "I don't know," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. Suddenly, a strange tingling sensation washed over her body, and a small, bright light radiated from her chest, gradually encircling both Eve and Robert, cocooning them in its radiant embrace.
Eve gasped, realizing that this must be the time turner's doing, bringing her back. She looked up at her grandpa and said, "Hold on tight, this might work." Without a moment's hesitation, Robert intertwined his arms around Eve's back, squeezing her tightly as they braced for what lay ahead.
A peculiar sensation of being pulled through a hole too small to fit through washed over them both as they were swiftly carried away by the magic of the time turner. The void was left empty and devoid of life for the first time in 1500 years.
Dotty observed as Eve twirled the centrepiece of the time turner and then collapsed onto the sofa. Before she could even release the breath, she'd been holding, Eve's eyes reverted to their original grey colour. But what left Dotty most astounded was the sudden appearance of a man in his early twenties, materializing out of thin air right next to her friend. Overcome with joy and excitement at the successful rescue attempt, Dotty let out a delighted squeal, bringing her hands up to her mouth to contain her emotions.
"You did it!" Dotty squealed with joy, but Eve didn't respond. She sat motionless on the sofa, her mind haunted by dreadful images of her family being massacred. Seeing her friend's lack of excitement, Dotty sensed something was amiss. "What's wrong?" she asked quickly, a look of terror on her face.
Before Eve could respond, Robert suddenly tumbled from the couch, his body convulsing as he writhed on the ground. In an instant, Eve dropped to the floor, instinctively shielding his head from striking the unforgiving surface. "What's happening?" Dotty asked, her voice going unnoticed by Eve, who was so deeply lost in her own thoughts that she hadn't heard a single word Dotty had uttered.
After a few agonizing minutes, Robert's convulsions subsided, leaving him lying almost lifeless. The only sign of life was the shallow rise and fall of his chest with each breath. Dotty persisted, her concern growing. "What's happening?" she asked once more. Eve turned her raw, tear-filled eyes toward Dotty. "She escaped," Eve's words hung heavily in the air, carrying the weight of the dreadful reality they now faced.
Fresh tears welled up in her eyes as she continued to speak, her voice trembling with anguish. "She's going to kill my family, and there's nothing I can do to stop her," Eve confessed, her hand gripping her grandpa's limp one, still lying motionless on the ground. "I don't know what's wrong with him. He was fine just moments ago before we left the void."
Dotty gazed at her friend with a deep sense of sympathy, feeling helpless in the face of the unfolding crisis. Then, a sudden idea crossed her mind. "Where is your phone?" Dotty inquired. Eve raised her head, her expression a mix of confusion and hope. "It's on my bedside table. Why?" she asked, her voice tinged with anguish.
"I'm going to warn your parents," Dotty declared, moving toward the bedroom. Eve gently placed a hand on Dotty's wrist, stopping her from leaving. "Wait, don't let me hear your conversation..." Eve hesitated, fear evident in her words. "Hera is inside my head, she can see and hear everything I can." Dotty gasped at this startling revelation, nodding in a way that conveyed her understanding.
Dotty picked up Eve's mobile phone, unlocked it, and tapped the contact labelled 'Mum.' The phone began to ring, and with the ongoing crisis, Dotty's heart pounded in her chest, her anxiety intensifying.
"Hello, dear, how are you, sweetie? It's been a few days since we heard from you. How are you?" Mrs. Warren asked over the phone, unaware she was speaking to Dotty and not her daughter.
"Hello, Mrs. Warren, this is Evelyn's friend, Dotty. She's not here at the moment, but I need to give you a warning. Please listen carefully; it's incredibly important," Dotty rapidly conveyed, not wanting to waste a moment.
The hushed silence that enveloped the call assured Dotty that Mrs. Warren was fully engaged. She continued, her tone urgent, "A horrible evil witch named Hera has escaped from a prison known as the Void. She's targeting you and your family because she and Eve are enemies. To get back at your daughter, Hera is after you all." Dotty paused, allowing the gravity of the situation to sink in. "You must pack up and leave as swiftly as possible. And whatever you do, do not disclose your location to Eve. Somehow, she and Hera are connected."
Shock overwhelmed Mrs. Warren as she sat, gripping the mobile phone tightly in one hand, the other pressed firmly against her mouth, struggling to fathom the gravity of what was being conveyed. "My... my daughter has made enemies with an evil witch. Why didn't she ever tell me?" Dotty's voice broke the silence on the other end of the line once more. "Mrs. Warren, please, this is no time for questions. You have to leave right away; your life depends on it," she pleaded urgently.
The call abruptly ended, with neither side uttering another word. Dotty sat there, staring at the phone in her hand, her heart filled with hope that she had provided enough warning for them to escape in time.
Meanwhile.
Hera ventured through the tear in the void, uncertain of what awaited on the other side. With a vivid image of the destination, she sought in her mind, she pushed through the blackness that had been her home for a millennium.
Blinding light assaulted Hera's eyes, instantly driving her to her knees. Her senses were overwhelmed, rendering her blind and deaf to the world around her. She clutched her head as it began to spin, the magic saturating the air in this plane now absorbing into her skin once again. It was so potent that her body couldn't handle it all at once, and she started convulsing on the ground, writhing in agony as the magic penetrated her very atoms. A millennium without magic had taken its toll on Hera, and now she felt the full force of it once more. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head, darkness enveloped her, and in those last moments of consciousness, a sense of comfort washed over her as the darkness, her old friend, welcomed her once again.
Hera lay sprawled on the unfamiliar muggle streets of London, her form eerily still, resembling death. A compassionate passerby noticed her and quickly dialled for an ambulance. Paramedics arrived promptly and made valiant efforts to revive her at the scene, but it became evident that their efforts were in vain. They expedited her to the nearest hospital.
The doctors at the hospital found themselves baffled by Hera's condition. She remained unresponsive despite their best efforts. Concerned that some bodily injury might be at the root of her condition, they carefully removed her black cloak, which concealed her grotesque figure.
Her skin presented a haunting spectacle, a ghastly sight that lacked the vibrancy of the living. It bore the telltale marks of decay: patches of rot, open wounds, and a texture that felt rough and leathery to the touch. The skin appeared mottled and uneven, displaying discoloration, bruises, and unsettling signs of the relentless grip of death. One doctor gingerly peeled back a loose piece of skin, revealing the putrid tissue underneath. In all his years of medical experience, he had never encountered anything quite as grotesque.
In a swift panic, the entire medical staff fled the room, fearing the potential contagion of whatever flesh-eating parasite this woman might harbour. A hazardous sign was promptly affixed to Hera's room door, with strict orders that no one could enter without wearing a complete hazmat suit.
Throughout all the many tests and surgeries, Hera remained utterly still, showing no signs of movement. She was in the process of recuperating from a millennium devoid of magic. The reconnection of her magical fibres was a long and uncharted journey, and the exact duration of her complete recovery remained a mystery. This offered Hera an ample span to contemplate and devise her next moves.
Back at Hogwarts, Robert had been relocated to the hospital wing. His condition showed no signs of improvement; he remained entirely motionless. Madam Pomfrey was in a state of worry and frustration, as all her treatments and remedies had thus far proven ineffective. With a heavy sigh, she set down her latest failed remedy as Eve entered the room. She took her place beside her grandpa, the chair showing signs of wear from her constant presence over the last few days. With only one more day before her departure on the Hogwarts Express for the Christmas holiday, her hope for her grandpa's awakening was waning.
Eve gently clasped her grandpa's hand in her own, sending faint, pulses of their unique shared magic in a desperate attempt to trigger any response within him. Yet, nothing changed. She hung her head in defeat, realizing she might have to leave without him. "Home," Eve whispered to herself, knowing she couldn't return to Chester for the two-week holiday. She feared Hera might use their connection to locate her family.
Eve's contemplation was abruptly interrupted by a noise—the infirmary door creaked open. A brown-haired, green-eyed boy stood sheepishly in the doorway. His presence brought a gentle smile to her face, and she gestured for him to approach, all the while still holding her grandpa's hand.
Albus approached Robert's bedside and planted a soft peck on Eve's cheek. "Any change?" he asked in a hushed and sorrowful tone. Eve shook her head, her gaze still fixed on her grandpa. "No. Madam Pomfrey can't figure out what's wrong with him," she replied, her voice tinged with disappointment.
In an effort to lift the mood a bit, Albus chimed in with a cheerful tone, "Are you all packed and ready for an eventful Christmas at the Potters'?"
Eve shifted her gaze to Albus, a smile gradually breaking through the emotional turmoil. "Not quite. I've been a little scatterbrained these last few days," she admitted, "but I'll be ready by tomorrow morning, don't worry." Albus smiled warmly at her and said, "I'll leave you two alone. Come see me later, okay?" After placing one more peck on her cheek, he departed the way he had come.
Eve remained seated in the well-worn chair until the darkness outside had firmly settled in, and the tiny flicker of hope she clung to had finally faded. Her grandpa had shown no sign of waking up, and she would have to leave him alone for the next two weeks. Rising to her feet, she made her way toward the infirmary's exit. She cast one last, fleeting glance at the bed where her grandpa lay and whispered softly, "See you soon." With that, she left the room.
Eve made her way back to the Slytherin common room to hastily finish packing her bags, realizing she had left herself very little time by staying with her grandpa longer than intended. Unfortunately, this meant she couldn't meet Albus as he had wished.
Dotty waved Eve over as she passed by, but with a pitiful shake of her head, Eve quietly glided past her three friends. She didn't feel up to socializing right now; she needed solitude. Upon entering her bedroom, Eve swiftly packed her few belongings and climbed into bed. Drawing the drapes around her bed, this signalled her desire to be left alone. She rested her head on the pillow and closed her eyes. Her mind was a turbulent whirlwind; Hera was out there, searching for her family, and Eve felt powerless to stop her.
Sleep eluded Eve that night, and she tossed and turned as the day's events replayed in her head. The memory of handing her wand directly to Hera would haunt her in her waking hours. She had inadvertently unleashed evil onto the world, disrupting the hard-won peace that had become a staple of life for the wizarding community. Evelyn Warren couldn't help but wonder how she could live with herself after shattering that peace.