Chapter 12 Christmas at the Potters
The following morning, Eve awoke, fatigued from a sleepless night. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, rubbed her tired eyes, and let out a hearty yawn while extending her arms, observing the ensuing chaos in her room.
Dotty and the other girls were in a frantic rush, double-checking their belongings. Eve felt relieved that she had completed her packing the previous night. Standing up, she headed into the bathroom for a revitalizing shower to wash away the sweat brought on by a series of unsettling nightmares.
As Eve stepped out the shower, she caught Dotty's eyes in the mirror they both shared a soft smile "How'd you sleep" Dotty asked still looking into the mirror with a mouth full of toothpaste.
Leaning against the bathroom wall beside the sink, Eve responded, "Not great, I was tossing and turning all night." She paused, turning to face Dotty, and asked, "Do you think they are safe?"
Dotty spat out the remaining toothpaste and wiped her mouth before reaching for Eve's hand. She gently ran her fingers over Eve's hand, offering reassurance as she replied, "Yes, I believe they are." A silence lingered over both girls as they stood still staring at each other both inside their own heads.
"Changing the subject swiftly, are you looking forward to spending Christmas at Albus's house?" Dotty inquired, still holding her friend's hand. A faint blush tinged her cheeks, though Eve hadn't noticed, her mind preoccupied with other thoughts.
She nodded with a hint of hesitation. "Yes and no," she admitted. "I'm excited to spend more time with Albus, but I'm a little nervous about meeting his entire family. He mentioned that on Boxing Day, they all gather at his grandparents' house, and there are like 50 people there," Eve explained.
"It sounds better than my Christmas," Dotty sighed. "Another year with dear old Mum in the Bahamas. She says she hates the snow, so every Christmas, it's off to some warm destination. Same place, same routine—such a snooze fest," she groaned as her shoulders slumped.
Eve gently rubbed her friend's finger with her own, reciprocating the compassion that Dotty had shown her. This simple gesture made Dotty's cheeks flush a deeper shade of red. Suddenly, Dotty exclaimed, "Oh, would you look at the time! I've got to run." In an instant, Dotty whirled around and dashed out of the bathroom, leaving her toothpaste and toothbrush on the sink.
Eve stood there with a puzzled expression on her face, but she quickly shrugged it off and proceeded into the bedroom to prepare for their train ride home.
Fully prepared, Eve strolled into the bustling main common room to meet with her three friends. She couldn't help but notice the substantial heap of luggage neatly arranged to one side of the room. Professor Inkwood's authoritative voice rang out, "Students, please place your luggage over here. It will be transported onto the train; there's no need for you to carry it yourselves." Following the instructions, Eve positioned her own trunk, adorned with purple flowers, alongside the others before joining her friends.
Leaning over the sofa, she gently tilted Albus's head backward and planted a soft kiss on his lips before circling around the sofa to take her seat. Scorpius feigned disgust by theatrically placing his fingers in his mouth and pretending to gag. Dotty playfully slapped the platinum-haired boy on the arm with the back of her hand. "We don't do that when you and Rose are making out," she teased, adding with a mischievous giggle, "And you two go at it hot and heavy. I'm surprised you still have any lips left."
Dotty shot a brief glance in Eve's direction, the emotions from their earlier encounter in the bathroom still lingering. She had hoped that her feelings for her best friend would fade after Albus and Eve became a couple, but they hadn't. The longing and affection were still very much present. She couldn't help but feel a bit foolish, knowing that her best friend was in a committed relationship with a guy and identified as straight, yet she continued to fantasize about them being together.
Snapping her fingers to get Dotty's attention, Eve exclaimed, "Earth to Dotty! Are you ready to go? We need to grab some breakfast before we head out, so let's get moving." Dotty was jolted out of her reverie and nodded, though her mind was still not entirely in the present moment.
The group of four ascended the marbled staircase, rounded a corner, and climbed another flight of stairs. They paused at the entrance to the Great Hall, anticipating the arrival of a fiery redheaded Gryffindor. A sudden, high-pitched squeal of excitement echoed through the corridor, and the group turned to see Rose sprinting toward them with an exuberant smile adorning her lips.
Without hesitation, Rose dashed toward Scorpius, who was nearly knocked off balance by her speedy approach. She planted a swift kiss on his lips before taking his hand and guiding him into the Great Hall. Their three friends playfully mimicked Scorpius's earlier mock disgust, pretending to gag. Scorpius rolled his eyes at their antics before allowing himself to be dragged away by Rose. Albus, Eve, and Dotty followed suit, all three of them sharing giggles as they followed the lively couple into the Great Hall.
The Great Hall had been magically transformed into a Christmas wonderland. In the centre of the hall, an enormous pine tree stood adorned with a plethora of festive Christmas decorations and glistening tinsel. Fake snowflakes fell gracefully from the enchanted ceiling, creating a snowy spectacle on the floor, making it feel like they were in a winter wonderland. Enchanted instruments played traditional holiday tunes, filling the air with a soothing and festive atmosphere. The sight was truly spectacular and brimming with the spirit of Christmas.
The group of five swiftly devoured their breakfasts, bidding farewell to the teachers before making their way toward the carriages that would transport them to the Hogwarts Express. Albus and Eve, along with Scorpius and Rose, strolled hand in hand, while Dotty walked ahead of the couples. As they made their way, they reminisced about the eventful months they had experienced—the highs and lows, the adventures and challenges. "It's been a remarkably action-packed few months," Eve acknowledged, her voice filled with nostalgia.
As they approached the carriages, Professor Flitwick was in a frenzy, directing the students into the carriages as if he were herding cats, his arms flailing wildly. Eve came to an abrupt halt, her head cocked to the side as she fixated on the creature pulling the open-top carriage. It resembled a horse but with a much slender frame, and its dark, leathery skin revealed the prominence of its bones. A pair of substantial, bat-like wings were folded against its back. The creature turned its head towards Eve, pawing at the ground, and its hot breath billowed from its bony nostrils, creating a cloud of vapor that hung in the cold December air.
"What is that?" Eve asked, pointing at the space in front of the carriage.
"What is what?" Albus inquired, his expression filled with confusion as he couldn't see what Eve was pointing at.
"The creature pulling the carriage. It looks somewhat like a horse, but it's different," Eve explained.
Albus scratched his head and looked concerned. "Are you feeling, okay?" he asked, gently placing a hand on her forehead to check her temperature. "There's nothing there."
"Yes, I'm okay," Eve retorted defensively. "I'm not crazy. I can see a horse-like creature right in front of me. Why can't you see it?" Eve moved closer to the creature, her hands making dramatic gestures toward the spot where the creature stood.
The thestral observed the girl with purple hair as she cautiously approached. It took a tentative step backward, uncertain of her intentions. However, when Eve began to wave her hands around, the thestral felt threatened and started to rear, its powerful front legs kicking out in response.
Professor Flitwick, who was preoccupied with the numerous other students, wasn't aware of the conversation between Albus and Eve. However, from the corner of his eye, he noticed the thestral rearing up with the small girl directly in its path. With lightning speed, he twirled his wand in his fingers, aimed it at Eve, and swiftly moved her out of harm's way just as the creature's hooves came crashing down.
With a resounding thud, the thestral's hooves struck the cold, unyielding ground, and it began to snort and prance in a state of obvious agitation. Professor Flitwick stepped in, reprimanding Eve, "What are you doing, Miss Warren? thestrals are not creatures to be trifled with. You can see them, correct?"
After regaining her composure, Eve nodded and replied, "Yes, I can see them. But why can I see them and Albus can't?" She directed the question to her professor.
Professor Flitwick approached the spot where Eve had been moved and gently placed a hand on her arm. "It is because you have witnessed death, and Mr. Potter has not. I'm sorry, my dear, for what you've had to witness at such a young age," he offered her a sympathetic smile. "Now, you two, join your friends. We are about to depart for the train." With that, he guided Albus and Eve to the carriage, where the rest of their group had already gathered.
Albus extended his hand to Eve, assisting her as she climbed onto the carriage. Once settled in his seat beside her, he gently wrapped his arm around her, drawing her close. As the carriage began to move, Eve rested her head on Albus's shoulder. The Hogwarts castle slowly receded in the distance as they journeyed along the dirt path toward Hogsmeade station.
As they rounded the corner, the majestic Hogwarts Express came into view, its scarlet-red steam engine releasing billows of smoke from its metal stacks, enveloping the platform in a foggy haze. One by one, the students climbed aboard the train, found their seats, and settled in, ready for the long journey that lay ahead.
The four Slytherins and one Gryffindor discovered an empty compartment and made themselves comfortable. Eve leaned against the window, gazing across the black lake at the imposing silhouette of Hogwarts Castle. Its numerous turrets and towers stretched into the grey, wintry sky, and she couldn't help but let out a soft sigh, her thoughts drifting to her grandpa, who would be alone for the next two weeks.
Rose noticed Eve's wistful expression as she looked out the window. Silently, she placed her hand on Eve's leg, causing the purple-haired girl to startle slightly, her mind clearly lost in thought.
"He'll be alright," Rose whispered to Eve, her voice a gentle reassurance, careful not to draw attention to Eve's sombre mood, especially with everyone else in such high spirits.
Eve turned to meet her friend's comforting brown eyes and placed her hand on top of Rose's. She responded with a grateful smile, silently mouthing, "Thank you."
The train surged forward, its wheels churning, and the steam quickly obscured the view that Eve had just moments ago. She leaned her head against the back of the plush chair, observing her friends as they chatted about their Christmas plans.
In the quiet of her mind, she whispered to herself, "Everything is going to work out." She repeated this reassuring mantra, for she knew that if she didn't, she might crumble into a million pieces and remain forever broken.
The remainder of the train ride passed relatively uneventfully, except for a long period during which Dotty mysteriously disappeared. When she returned, she refused to discuss where she had been with the group. They swiftly changed the topic of conversation, but Eve couldn't shake the nagging feeling that her best friend was hiding something from her.
"I'm just heading to the toilet. I'll be right back," Eve announced, rising from her seat. She gave Dotty a subtle look that conveyed, 'Follow me.'
Dotty quickly thought of an excuse to follow Eve without raising suspicion. She pretended to pat her pockets, feigning the search for a lost phone. "Curses, I must have left my phone somewhere. I'll be right back as well while I go look for it."
None of the others questioned this, and they continued their conversation, debating which broom was superior.
As Dotty exited the compartment, a hand swiftly grasped her, pulling her into the empty compartment next door. Eve lowered the blinds to ensure their privacy and got straight to the point. "What's going on? You've been acting really strange," Eve said, her arms folded, her demeanour slightly standoffish.
Dotty glanced down at the floor and softly replied, "Nothing," her feet shifting, her fingers nervously twiddling. Eve took a step closer, placing a tender finger under her friend's chin and gently lifting her head to meet her gaze. "It's not 'nothing,' something is happening, and you shouldn't face it alone. Please, Dotty, talk to me," Eve implored, her concern evident in her voice.
A heavy sigh escaped Dotty's lips. She knew that Eve was simply trying to be a good friend. After a moment of contemplation, she decided to confide in her.
"I went to see Winter," Dotty admitted. She paused for a moment before continuing, "She's been helping me deal with my feelings and giving me advice."
Eve was taken aback; she hadn't anticipated Dotty's confession. The words stumbled out of her mouth as she asked, "What feelings, what advice?" Her breath was shallow, and she looked genuinely surprised.
Dotty's blue eyes bore into Eve's as she confessed, "My... my feelings for you." Her lip quivered slightly. Eve let out a small sigh and shook her head. "Dotty, we've discussed this before. I don't feel the same way about girls as you do, and besides, I'm with Albus now."
A soft tear slipped from Dotty's blue eyes as the pain of her friend's words struck deep. Dotty had always known that Eve was unattainable, but the words still hurt. Despite the reality, Dotty couldn't forget the brief but magical feeling she had when they first kissed.
Eve gently swiped away the tear tracing Dotty's cheek with her thumb. She offered a warm smile to her friend and lowered her hands, then took Dotty's hands into her own. Standing a few inches apart, they rested their foreheads together for a few moments, sharing a comforting silence.
In a barely audible whisper, Eve asked, "What advice did she give you?" Dotty took a deep breath and mustered the courage to respond, "This."
Slowly, Dotty leaned in, pressing her lips to Eve's. Their kiss felt tender and moist, with the taste of strawberries filling Dotty's senses. To her surprise, Eve didn't pull back; instead, she lingered in the kiss.
The tension between them intensified, the air growing thick with charged emotions. For Eve, time seemed to slow down as Dotty leaned in for their second kiss together, taking her off guard. But what surprised her the most was the tingling sensation that began to sweep through her body. Starting from her toes, it slowly rose through her belly and spread down her arms, creating a breathtaking feeling that she couldn't quite comprehend.
The kiss was electric, and Eve felt an unusual, undeniable pull toward Dotty. She had never been attracted to women before, but with Dotty, it wasn't about physical appearance. It was the deep connection they shared, the emotions at play. Their lips parted after a few seconds, but for Eve, it felt like hours. "I'm sorry," Dotty's quiet voice broke the spell, snapping Eve back to reality.
"Don't say that; you have nothing to apologize for," Eve whispered, their lips only centimetres apart. A wild smile graced Dotty's lip. "I had to know if there was something there, a spark, and I was right. You felt it too, didn't you?" Her warm breath brushed against Eve's lips.
Eve's heart pounded, and guilt gnawed at her. She stammered, "I'm... with Albus, and I can't." She gulped down the guilt, tears welling up in her grey eyes. Stepping back, she pressed herself against the window. "I don't understand what's going on," Eve confessed, gazing across the room at her best friend, the one she had just kissed.
""I'm sorry," Dotty repeated, observing the anguish in her best friend's features. "I didn't mean to confuse you." She paused, gathering her thoughts. "I thought you didn't like girls, and I did this for myself. I had to know before I moved on. But now I'm confused too." Dotty moved to sit down, her legs growing weary from the emotional exchange.
Eve remained standing, her eyes fixed on the ceiling, purple hair cascading down her front as tears streamed down her face. The room hung heavy with silence for several minutes before Dotty mustered the courage to speak.
"I should go," Dotty finally said, her voice wavering. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen." She began to stand and take a step toward the exit, but a hand stopped her. She turned to find herself face to face with Eve, who still had tears on her raw cheeks.
"I'm sorry," Eve said, her voice equally shaky. "I didn't expect to feel this way. But…" She hesitated, struggling to voice the next painful words. "I'm with Albus, and he means a lot to me. I can't leave him."
Dotty understood and nodded, though her words trembled in her throat, bearing the pain. "I know," she managed to say. "I'm going for a walk to clear my head." Dotty forced a faint smile, trying to mask her own anguish, but Eve saw through the facade.
Pulling Dotty into a tight embrace, Eve whispered into her ear, "Don't wait for me. It will hurt us both." After those words were spoken, Eve took a step back and released her grip on Dotty, allowing her to leave.
She gently pushed the door ajar and stepped into the corridor. Before closing it, she cast one last look back at Eve. Then, turning away, she walked in the opposite direction of their compartment.
As soon as Dotty was out of sight, Eve crumpled to the floor, drawing her knees up to her chest and draping her arms lazily over them. She sobbed alone in the dimly lit compartment. She was deeply conflicted, uncertain how to feel. The kiss had been amazing, but she was already committed to another, someone who was sweet and kind to her. Eve couldn't even fathom her own feelings. She wasn't gay, so why did she experience those intense, tingling sensations when she and Dotty kissed?
A thousand racing thoughts surged through her mind at breakneck speeds, becoming too overwhelming to bear. Not wanting to grapple with this tumultuous emotional storm any longer, Eve raised her hand to her temple. With a large sob, she attempted to remove the memories of the past ten minutes. Her hands clamped onto her head like a vice, the mounting pressure growing increasingly uncomfortable with each passing second. Her eyes began to roll backward, and then she surrendered to the overwhelming darkness, falling unconscious.
Her unconsciousness didn't persist for long, and she awoke a minute or two later, feeling extremely dizzy and disoriented. She couldn't recall how she ended up in this compartment; the last thing she remembered was her intention to go to the toilet.
Pushing herself up from the floor and straightening her appearance, she exited through the door and returned to her original compartment. Albus looked at her with a hint of concern in his voice as he inquired, "Were the toilets busy? You've been gone for like 15 minutes."
Eve rubbed her head as the dizziness slowly subsided. "Uh, yeah," she replied, her voice unsteady as she struggled to remember going to the toilet.
"Where's Dotty?" Rose inquired. Eve shrugged her shoulders and replied, "I'm not sure. I didn't see her pass by me."
Satisfied with the answer, Rose started a conversation with Scorpius about his Christmas plans, eagerly trying to persuade him to visit her during the break. Eve settled beside Albus, taking his hand in hers. They exchanged a warm smile and began to make plans for their time together during the upcoming Christmas break.
The Hogwarts Express gradually pulled into King's Cross Station, its loud horn signalling to the students that they could now disembark. As the group rose from their seats, Eve asked, "Has anyone seen Dotty?" The other three simply shrugged.
"She must have found someone else to chat with and lost track of time. I'm sure we'll see her on the platform," Rose suggested optimistically. Eve nodded in response, hopeful that she would have a chance to bid farewell to her friend before they went their separate ways for the two-week break.
Upon reaching the platform, Eve made an effort to stand on her tiptoes, hoping to catch sight of Dotty in the sea of heads, but her attempt proved futile as Dotty remained out of sight. With a pouted lip, she followed Albus, who took her hand as they made their way to find his parents.
While navigating the bustling platform, they encountered James. The three of them moved through the crowd to a quieter section where three familiar figures stood. There was a man with jet-black hair, a sliver of grey creeping in on the sides. A red-haired woman stood proudly beside him, and a small red-haired girl with a huge grin on her face.
As they approached, the little red-haired girl squirmed free from her mother's grasp and darted toward the two boys. They embraced in a heartwarming three-way hug, leaving Eve standing by herself. She felt increasingly uncomfortable, her hands retreating inside her sleeves as she absently tussled with the fabric of her jumper.
Both Harry and Ginny made their way slowly toward their children and joined in on the hug, sharing laughter at the silliness of it. After a moment, Harry noticed Eve standing alone and separated himself from the group. He approached her and knelt down, aligning himself with her gaze.
"It's good to meet you again for the third time," he greeted with a warm and inviting smile, effortlessly dispelling any lingering anxiety Eve felt.
Eve responded playfully, pointing to the side of her head to indicate Harry's greying hair, saying, "You look a little bit older than the last time I saw you." Harry chuckled at her jest and replied, "Well, 21 years is a long time. You haven't aged a day. You must tell me your secret remedy." His tone carried a hint of sarcasm, underscoring their light-hearted exchange.
Harry's joyful demeanour had lifted the tension that Eve was feeling tenfold. Happily, she walked alongside him as they rejoined the rest of the family. After greeting Ginny and Lily, the group of six made their way to the exit, traversing the muggle section of King's Cross Station and venturing into a nearby car park. Harry clicked a button on his key fob, and a distinct beep echoed in the distance.
"I told you to remember where we parked, and you said you had," Ginny tutted at her husband, casting him a scowling look. Harry looked sheepish, mirroring Albus when Eve scolded him. "It's just over here," Harry said, rubbing the back of his neck, as he led the way toward the source of the beeping, continuously pressing the key fob.
Once they arrived at the car, the children eagerly climbed into the minivan. Its interior was surprisingly spacious and neat, providing ample room for everyone. Meanwhile, Harry swiftly loaded the suitcases into the boot with a touch of quick magic, managing to fit them all in without any trouble.
As he rounded the car and took his place in the driver's seat, Harry turned back to address the excited group. "Who's ready for Christmas?" His tone exuded joy and love, making it clear that he cherished moments like this. In response, everyone except Eve joined in with a resounding, "We are, we are, Potters, we are!" Their brief chant concluded with laughter as the car started and pulled out of the car park, en route to their destination—an unknown place for Eve. She held Albus's hand tightly, feeling a bit uncertain about what lay ahead.
As evening fell, the Potter family arrived at their residence, a modest home just a short drive from King's Cross Station, situated in Fulham, London. The proximity to their workplaces at the Ministry of Magic made it an ideal location for Harry and Ginny. The car came to a halt, and the engine's rumble ceased.
Eve peered out of the window, gazing at what appeared to be an ordinary Muggle abode. There were no signs of magic anywhere. The house sat slightly elevated off the ground, with a set of steps leading up to a black front door. Two windows flanked each side of the entrance, and another three windows adorned the second floor. Two smaller windows jutted out from the roof. The bottom-story windows were adorned with flowerbeds, and the overall aesthetic of the house exuded quaint and lovely charm. It was not what Eve had expected from someone as famous as Harry Potter. She expected him to live in a lavish mansion.
Upon entering the house, Albus grabbed Eve's suitcase and began to head in the direction of his room, which was located on the top floor. However, before he could make any further progress, the stern voice of Ginny Potter stopped him in his tracks.
"Where do you think you're going with that, young man?" Ginny's tone held a sense of authority that made Albus freeze in his tracks. He hoped that remaining perfectly still might spare him from any further scolding. But when Ginny repeated her question with a tinge of frustration, Albus couldn't help but gulp.
With a hint of hesitation in his voice, Albus replied, "My room?" It was almost as if he was questioning his own words, clearly taken aback by his mother's reaction.
Harry laughed at first, but he quickly silenced himself when met with a cold stare from his wife. Ginny's stern tone cut through the jovial atmosphere.
"I don't think so. Eve can stay in Lily's room with her during her stay," Ginny declared firmly.
Albus, however, seemed reluctant to accept this arrangement and protested, "But, Mom, she's, my girlfriend."
Ginny folded her arms and tilted her head, releasing a short sigh. "That's exactly why she can't stay in your room. As long as you are under this roof, you will do as I say. Now, take Eve's suitcase to Lily's room, and no funny business."
Albus chose not to argue further and swiftly made his way up the stairs to the second floor, where Lily's room was located.
Throughout the ordeal between Ginny and Albus, Eve remained silent, feeling somewhat embarrassed and uncertain about what to do next. She decided to find solace by sitting on the sofa in the living room.
Her gaze wandered around the room, and her eyes fell upon a beautiful Christmas tree, the artificial kind, adorned with personal family ornaments. Among them were small baubles with floating images of each child, along with one containing images of both parents, seemingly suspended in mid-air.
Eve couldn't help but stare at the baubles. The images inside began to change, resembling a movie more than a still image. These baubles came to life, playing out scenes of the children's childhood moments. It was a beautiful and heartwarming sight, one that left her feeling touched and comforted.
Harry entered the room and noticed Evelyn closely studying the Christmas tree. He leaned against the doorframe, watching her for a moment before striking up a conversation. "Wonderful, isn't it?" he asked the girl. A little startled, Eve spun around with big eyes and responded, "Yes, sorry, I didn't mean to stare."
Harry waved off her apology. "No trouble at all. I adore those baubles. I get sentimental every year I put them out. My babies are growing so fast; before I know it, they'll be off on their own adventures." His mood seemed to momentarily shift to a more sombre tone before he quickly reverted to his peppy self. "Hot chocolate?" he asked. Eve nodded and followed Harry into the kitchen, where Lily, James, and Ginny were gathered.
As Eve entered the kitchen, Lily rushed over and embraced her with a bear hug, squeezing a bit too tightly for Eve's comfort. "We get to be roommates! I'm so excited!" the little girl squealed with enthusiasm. Eve responded with a gentle smile, thinking that she could have worse company for the festive season. Her mind started to drift to her parents, wondering what they were doing at that very moment and what kind of Christmas they would be having without her. She wished she could be with them now but understood it wasn't safe for them to be around her.
A steaming mug of hot chocolate was slid across the countertop to Eve, bringing her back to the present moment. "Here you go, dear," Ginny said with a warm smile. Eve took a small sip but quickly spat it back into the cup, finding it too hot. This unexpected reaction from Eve made Lily burst into a fit of giggles, and her laughter was so contagious that Harry, James, and Ginny all struggled to hold back their own laughter as well.
After nursing her hot chocolate for a few minutes and listening to the Potters chat, Eve couldn't help but notice Ginny giving her a sad look. Not wanting to cause any discomfort in front of everyone, she decided not to say anything and planned to ask Ginny in private if everything was okay. She suspected it might be related to Albus. Perhaps Ginny didn't approve of their relationship, Eve thought.
Just then, Albus entered the kitchen and sat beside Eve on one of the bar stools. He naturally took her hand into his, as he often did when entering a room where she was present. "Ewww, Mum! They're holding hands!" Lilly exclaimed, expressing her feeling of being grossed out by the display of affection.
"When a boy really likes a girl, that's what they do, sweetie. In a few years, you'll probably be boy crazy too, I'm sure," Harry explained, trying to offer a simple and age-appropriate perspective to Lilly's comment. Ginny gave him one of her cold stares, suggesting that he might have said something wrong.
"Or girl crazy, or anything you like. It's completely your choice," he added, this seemed to please his wife for the moment. Harry let out a small sigh of relief, glad that he hadn't made things awkward.
"Okay, kids, it's getting late, off to bed. We wouldn't want to upset Father Christmas by not listening to your parents," Harry said, winking at Lilly. The other Potter children rolled their eyes.
"Dad! I'm 9, I know Father Christmas isn't real. I saw you last year eating all of Santa's cookies that I left out and then putting presents under the tree," Lilly said, folding her arms and giving her dad a stern look.
Harry raised his hands in surrender, "Ah, you got me! But are you still going to put out those cookies again, just in case?" He chuckled at his own joke, even though no one else found it funny.
Slowly but surely, Eve, Albus, James, and Lily made their way upstairs to their respective bedrooms. Before Albus climbed the final flight of stairs to his room, Eve stopped him and planted a soft kiss on his lips. "Your family is so lovely. Thank you for inviting me," she said with a warm smile.
Albus's cheeks turned a bright shade of red. "It was no problem. Thank you for accepting. Just be ready for Boxing Day; it's going to be chaos," he replied with a mischievous smile, making Eve playfully swat at his shoulder.
"Goodnight, Albus Potter. I'll see you in the morning," she said, then turned and headed into the bedroom that was to be hers for the next two weeks.
24th December 2017
A few days passed by, and not much of note had happened at the Potter family home. However, today was the day the Potters and Eve planned to venture to Diagon Alley for some last-minute Christmas shopping. Eve still hadn't found gifts for her hosts, and she felt a twinge of guilt about it. So, she insisted they go shopping.
Donning her Slytherin woolly hat and scarf along with her winter coat, Eve was ready to brave the chilly weather. After spending a few days in this house, she felt increasingly comfortable to roam around on her own. The Potters had encouraged her to make it her home away from home.
Eve stood by the front door, patiently waiting as the Potters prepared for their outing to Diagon Alley. From the living room, she heard Albus calling her, which puzzled her as to why they needed to head to the living room to leave for Diagon Alley. Nevertheless, she decided to join her boyfriend.
Upon entering the living room, she found the Potters waiting for her, unaware that she had been standing by the front door. "There you are," Ginny said with a warm smile, and now with everyone present, Harry raised his wand towards the fireplace and muttered an incantation. The fireplace expanded, becoming large enough to accommodate a person.
One by one, James, Lilly, and Albus took handfuls of green powder and threw them into the empty fireplace while uttering the words, "Diagon Alley." Eve had seen this magical transportation method before, but the sight of the green flames still made her a bit nervous. "It's okay, dear. It's perfectly safe," Ginny reassured her as she guided Eve's hand to the bag containing the Floo powder.
With her comforting and motherly tone, Ginny explained to Eve, "Just clearly say where you want to go, 'Diagon Alley,' and then throw the powder at your feet. You'll arrive with the others." She flashed a reassuring smile at Eve, putting her at ease.
Eve nodded and followed the instructions provided. In a matter of seconds, her surroundings had shifted from the Potter's home to a small, windowless room. Inside, James, Albus, and Lilly waited patiently for Eve and their parents. She stepped out from the fireplace and moved to stand beside Albus.
"Dad doesn't like to use the main entrance as he's always swarmed by journalists, so he had this place built inside Diagon Alley, our own personal Floo network," James explained, offering some context to Eve regarding the peculiar location she found herself in.
Moments later, Harry and Ginny stepped through the fireplace with ease, as if they had done it thousands of times before. It appeared effortless for them. Harry was eager to get going and said, "Let's go; daylight's wasting away." He opened the door at the end of the room, which led directly onto the main street of Diagon Alley.
"We will take Lily with us, and you, Albus and Eve, go off, but make sure to watch them, James. Meet us back here in 2 hours," Ginny instructed her oldest son. She tapped her wand to her wrist, causing a watch to appear on James' bare wrist, which started to tick down as soon as it rested upon him.
"Let's go, guys. We have to stop off at Uncle George's shop first. You'll love it, Eve!" James said with excitement as he ran off in a particular direction, with Eve and Albus following him closely. They soon caught up with James, who was doing a terrible job of watching them both. Before them stood a brightly coloured shopfront, with a giant red-haired head sitting atop the entrance, playfully removing a wizard's hat to reveal a bunny rabbit. It disappeared when the hat rose again.
Eve couldn't help but smile; she was always excited by magic, even though she had been exposed to it for months now. As they entered the shop, the fun didn't stop. An overload of sensations hit them all at once—noises, smells, and sights of all varieties. The shop was much bigger on the inside than it appeared from the outside, stretching up four floors. A rainbow of colours covered everything in sight, and it was packed with last-minute shoppers, just like Eve, making the shop quite loud and bustling.
James ran off toward a tall, ginger-haired man sporting a red pinstriped suit. Albus chose to stay with Eve, guiding her around the shop, pointing out various products and explaining what they did. Eve was quite taken aback by the sheer selection of joke products and candies.
Something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. Turning and walking toward the candy section of the store, Eve picked up a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, but this one had a twist to it. Albus looked over her shoulder and tried to stifle his laugh.
"Those would be a great gift for James. They look just like Bertie Bott's Every Flavoured Beans, but every single flavour is a horrible one," he explained. Eve gasped, "Oh, that's truly evil. I'll get him two!" A mischievous grin played on her lips.
Paying for the gift and pocketing it so James couldn't see what they had bought, they headed over to where he was standing. The tall man James was talking to noticed them coming over, and Eve assumed this must be their Uncle George.
"Wait!" the man placed a finger to his temple and scrunched up his face. "Let me guess. You must be Evelyn Warren, Albus's girlfriend?" Eve was quite shocked that he knew her name without ever meeting her before. "How do you know who I am?" she asked.
"I am psychic, you see," he demonstrated by rubbing his temple with one finger from each hand. James couldn't keep a straight face and burst out laughing. "Sorry, Uncle, you're just too comical; I couldn't help myself."
Eve looked at the pair with a confused look on her face. James explained, "I told him who you were a moment ago, and he thought he should introduce himself with a prank. That's Uncle George for you."
George extended his hand for a more formal greeting. "Pleasure to meet you, Evelyn. I'm George Weasley, uncle to these two twerps." Eve smiled as she shook his hand. "Pleasure to meet you, and they aren't that bad," she said, giving a sideways glance to Albus, who blushed slightly.
"Have you had a chance to sample my wares? They are quite wondrous," George said with pride. Thinking on her feet, Eve shook her head and replied, "Erm, nope, I didn't see anything I wanted. Maybe next time," all the while forcing a closed-lip smile and swallowing the lie.
"Perhaps next time," George replied with a knowing wink. He was well aware of what Eve had concealed in her pocket and who her intended target was. Albus interrupted, "We should keep moving; there are more shops to explore. It was nice seeing you, Uncle. I'll see you on Boxing Day." After exchanging farewells and almost having to drag James out of the shop, they finally made their way back onto the alley.
The trio strolled down the alley, exploring various shops that piqued their interest. Eve had successfully picked out gifts for everyone except Albus, leaving her feeling disheartened. Her disappointment grew when she realized that the one person, she most wanted to choose a gift for remained unaccounted for.
However, her spirits lifted as she spotted a charming little shop adorned with all things Christmas-related. "I'll be right back. Please wait here; you can't see your gift," she declared before hurrying inside.
Stepping into the shop, Eve felt a rush of excitement as she gazed upon the wondrous Christmas decorations. She hoped they carried a particular item she had in mind. Approaching the counter, which towered over her, she placed her hands on its surface and stood on her tiptoes. An older man with a long, white beard leaned down to peer at her. His rosy, red cheeks and toothy grin gave him a warm, welcoming appearance as he said, "Welcome, little lady. How can I assist you today?" Eve replied with politeness, "I was wondering if you had any enchanted baubles."
The shopkeeper practically leaped with enthusiasm. "Of course, we do, young lady! Follow me," he exclaimed, opening the hatch to step onto the shop floor. He made his way to a sizable Christmas tree and plucked a clear glass bauble from its branches. Cradling it in his hand, he inquired, "Do you have a specific memory in mind that you'd like to place inside this?"
Eve nodded; her curiosity piqued. "I do, but I don't know how to do that," she admitted. The man smiled kindly down at her. "Not to worry, I can help. All you have to do is concentrate really, really hard on the memory, and then I'll copy it and place it inside the bauble. Does that sound like something you can do?"
Once again, Eve nodded, her mind fixated on the cherished memory she wanted to encapsulate. The man placed his wand against Eve's temple and extracted a golden strand of energy, which he delicately tapped against the outer surface of the bauble. Slowly, the energy seeped into the glass and filled its interior.
Eve marvelled at the magic in action; it was a mesmerizing sight to behold. She watched in wonder as the memory filled the available space within the bauble, playing out exactly as she had envisioned. In the memory, a girl gazed into the distance before slowly turning towards a boy beneath a grassy archway. He took her hand, and they both sat down, their eyes fixed on the setting sun. The clever design of the bauble obscured the faces of these figures from any angle, ensuring that Albus wouldn't recognize his potential future self. But Eve knew precisely who was in the memory, and each time she gazed at it, she swelled with fondness.
After Eve completed the purchase, the man handed her the bauble, neatly nestled in a decorative box. He bid her farewell, and Eve made her way back to where Albus and James had been waiting patiently outside.
"So, what did you get me?" Albus asked, curiosity dancing in his eyes as he inquired about his gift.
"I'm not going to tell you," Eve teased with a mischievous grin, "You'll just have to wait and see tomorrow." She playfully stuck her tongue out at her boyfriend, who pretended to pout. However, Eve was determined not to give in to his curiosity.
Suddenly, James's wristwatch started beeping, signalling that two hours had passed, and it was time to head back to the meeting spot where Harry and Ginny had parted ways with them.
Upon their return to the designated meeting spot, the Potters and Eve used the Floo Network to transport themselves back home. They settled in for the night, gathering around the television while sipping on warm milk and hot chocolate and indulging in oversized marshmallows. As Eve glanced around, she couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness. She excused herself for a brief moment to visit the bathroom.
As Eve left the bathroom, she unexpectedly bumped into Ginny, who had been waiting outside. "I'm so sorry; I didn't see you there, Mrs. Potter," Eve apologized with a hint of embarrassment.
Ginny playfully shook her head. "Again, call me Ginny. 'Mrs. Potter' is far too formal for my liking," she said, pausing for a moment. "I wanted to talk to you, actually. I haven't found a quiet moment to do so."
Eve's heart sank, anticipating that she might be told to stop seeing Albus. But instead, Ginny surprised her with words of genuine compassion. "Are you okay? I can imagine it's really difficult for you to be away from your family this Christmas." Ginny's voice held true empathy, providing comfort and understanding in the face of Eve's homesickness.
Eve was taken aback; that wasn't at all what she had expected to hear. After regaining her composure, she replied, "Not really. I wish I could be with them right now. I miss them so much and knowing that I can't be with them because of something I did... it hurts even more." Her voice trembled as she spoke, and she hung her head low.
Ginny stepped forward and enveloped Eve in a gentle hug, reassuring her that everything would be okay. "I think I might know a way to help your situation. If what Albus told me is correct, you have a connection with that evil witch, Hera, which gives her the ability to see and hear everything you can. Is that right?" Eve nodded in response, still unsure of what to say.
Ginny continued, "I happen to know someone at the Ministry who's an expert in mind-related problems, and he owes me a Favor. After the festivities, would you like to go see him with me?"
Eve didn't need a moment's hesitation to respond. The prospect of breaking Hera's hold over her filled her with unwavering hope. "Yes, a million times yes," she exclaimed. A shared smile between Ginny and Eve conveyed their mutual understanding.
"Fantastic! I'll make the necessary arrangements soon," Ginny assured as they returned to the living room. Ginny settled beside Harry, and Eve snuggled under a cozy blanket with Albus, watching the rest of a cheesy Christmas movie together.
Once the movie concluded, everyone retired to bed earlier than usual. They were eager to rise early on Christmas morning, filled with excitement about opening their presents and spending the entire day in leisure. However, Harry and Ginny would be the exception, toiling away in the kitchen to prepare a delightful family meal for the six of them.
Eve planted a farewell kiss on Albus as they parted ways at the staircase. However, James, who was acting rather obnoxious, puckered his lips and teased, "Where's my goodnight kissy-wissy?"
Albus couldn't contain his anger at such disrespect toward his girlfriend. He swiftly descended the step he was on and chased James down the hallway, leading to a raucous scuffle once they entered James's room.
Harry swiftly opened his bedroom door and marched down the hallway into James's room. "Albus Severus Potter, you let go of your brother's ear right now!" His voice was commanding, leaving no room for argument. Albus, with a sheepish expression, released James and stood up. "But Dad!" he began, but Harry cut him off, saying, "No 'buts.' Both of you, get to bed. It's Christmas tomorrow, and I won't tolerate any fighting. Is that clear?" In unison, both boys responded, "Yes, Dad."
Everyone returned to their respective rooms. Eve rested her head on the pillow, knowing that tomorrow promised to be a wonderful day. Despite not being with her own family, she had found a sense of belonging with the Potters, which brought her a measure of happiness.