Chapter 19 Time passing by
Her eyes gradually opened, the intense brilliance of the white surroundings causing Eve to squint and instinctively shield her eyes. She couldn't help but notice the peculiar sensation of moving her arm, as if it were gliding through water, despite the absence of any water in sight. Lifting her head to survey her surroundings, an immense pressure suddenly built in her forehead, a sharp and precise pain that left her mind reeling and her vision momentarily blurred. Overwhelmed by the discomfort, she instinctively dropped back down to what felt like solid ground.
Eve explored her surroundings with her hands, realizing she was indeed suspended in a sea of whiteness with nothing supporting her body. Her mind began to churn with thoughts about where she could possibly be. Recalling touching the hourglass before her sudden arrival in this surreal place, she puzzled over the fact that Hera had carried the hourglass without experiencing a similar occurrence.
Perplexed and feeling too dizzy to move, Eve opted to lie still. She closed her eyes, granting them a much-needed respite from the overwhelming brightness of the new world that had enveloped her.
In her dream-like state, vivid images flashed at the forefront of Eve's mind—her grandfather soaring through the air and colliding forcefully with a statue. Uncertain of his well-being, her lips trembled, and a tear escaped past her closed eyes. "Grandpa," she whimpered, wrapping her body in a tight embrace. Overcome with emotion, she began to sob, mourning not only for her grandfather but also for Professor Inkwood, a man she had grown fond of during her classes and after-lesson training. He was a good man, and the undeserving fate that befell him weighed heavily on her heart.
Guilt consumed her as she held herself responsible for his death. If only she hadn't been so stubborn and had heeded her friend's advice, he would still be alive, ready to teach them defence against the dark arts on Monday. Now, he was gone. "Because of me," she whimpered once more, a heavy burden of regret in her voice. Determination sparked in her eyes as she uttered, "I can fix it. I just need to go back."
Eve wiped the torrent of tears streaming down her cheeks, harnessing her profound sadness to fuel her magic. With determination, she drew it up from her core, only to abruptly halt. There was an unsettling absence—she couldn't feel the magic. Undeterred, she attempted a second time, yet the result remained unchanged; it was gone.
Bringing her hands in front of her eyes for inspection, she made a startling discovery. The cuts and gashes inflicted by the shattered glass had vanished, leaving her hands devoid of scars and perfectly healthy.
"What is this place?" she whispered to the emptiness surrounding her, her words lingering and echoing back as if a second person were responding. Eve made an effort to lift her head once more, battling through the dizziness until she managed to sit up. As she rotated her body in a full 360-degree circle, she found no one else present. She was alone in this vast void of nothingness.
Eve rose to her feet, her confusion mounting. She realized she had pushed off from something, although her hands now hung in the empty air. There was a momentary connection with a solid surface that had vanished. Swatting her hands through the surrounding space in an attempt to make sense of it only deepened her bewilderment, leaving her with more questions than answers.
Scratching her head in perplexity, she pondered her next move. Unfamiliar with her surroundings and uncertain about their nature, she could only answer the question of how she got there. "The sands of eternity," she mused aloud. "Maybe I am inside the sands themselves?" Her speculative query echoed and reverberated all around her, repeating over and over again. Eve then commenced recollecting the events that unfolded the moment she touched the hourglass.
'An unseen force tugged at me, drawing me closer to the hourglass. It wasn't my physical body that felt the pull; instead, it seemed to be something within me, perhaps my magic or my soul—I couldn't be certain.' Pensively, Eve pressed a hand to her mouth and rested the other on her hip, drawing small circles with her feet as she walked around lost in thought. "If my soul is here, what happened to my body? Is this like the other visions I've experienced, where only my mind is transported while my body remains stationary?"
She continued to recollect the events that unfolded before, "Mine and Hera's eyes met. In that moment, I could see deep into her, as if my life was hers and hers was mine. I witnessed everything she had experienced throughout all her years—the horrors she had caused and the heartache she had felt. I lived her life in what felt like a mere second, but it had to be longer." Raising her hands to inspect them once more, she questioned, "Is she part of me?" Her face began to contort in horror at the unsettling thought of being fused with Hera.
Without her knowledge, what felt like a mere few minutes had stretched into months. She found herself caught in an endless loop, repeating the same conversation with herself thousands of times, with each repetition erasing the memory of the previous iteration. Unaware of this cycle, she did not realize she was trapped in an eternal loop that threatened to confine her here forever. Breaking free from it became imperative.
In the course of this recurring loop, Eve's attention was seized by a peculiar glint in her peripheral vision—something entirely unprecedented in her previous repetitions. Intrigued, she walked over to investigate, discovering a strange golden tear suspended in mid-air. As she encircled the tear, she realized it remained unchanged, maintaining its mysterious presence regardless of the direction from which she examined it.
Driven by curiosity, she prodded the peculiar tear with her finger. It pulsed slightly, sending ripples of golden light across the white backdrop. Undeterred, she prodded it again, this time with more force. A powerful shockwave pulsed through, propelling Eve backward. The golden tear began to expand rapidly, engulfing the whiteness with a strong ferocity. Eve blinked rapidly, struggling to believe what she was witnessing. She yelped as the gold spread beneath her feet, causing her to jump slightly, apprehensive that she, too, might succumb to the golden transformation.
After the expansive transformation ceased, the space settled once more, yet Eve's heart persisted in its rapid beating against her chest. Surveying her surroundings in this newly altered environment, she noted the striking resemblance to the previous setting, now bathed in a resplendent golden hue.
Startled by echoing footsteps from behind, she swiftly turned her head toward the source of the sound. A man, donned in a pearl-white suit with a golden undershirt, strolled casually towards her. His hands were tucked into his trouser pockets, and his relaxed demeanour had a calming effect on Eve, instantly soothing her pounding heart. Though inexplicable, the effect was undeniable profound.
"Who are you?" Her words reverberated around her, much like before. The man casually withdrew his hand from his pocket and raised it into the air, halting the echoes as if he plucked the words from the very atmosphere. "Who am I?" the man pondered, his voice deep and melodic. "That is a good question, Evelyn. I have been called many names over the eons, but most know me as Time." He paused, ceasing his stride to stand before Eve. He towered over her, a brilliant smile radiating down at her.
Eve studied the man's features; they were sharp and uniform, his face strikingly identical, yet she couldn't shake the eerie sense of familiarity. His perfectly cascading white hair framed a face that seemed entirely mortal, except for his eyes. When Eve looked into those orbs, she felt transported across the universe at an indescribable speed. She witnessed the birth of planets, the death of stars, the beginning of it all, and the ending of everything. She had to divert her gaze before being lost in the mesmerizing cosmic journey forever.
With a simple wave of his hand, Time conjured two white chairs that stood out vividly against the golden backdrop. Eve sank into the chair designated for her, her mind flooded with questions, evident to Time. He offered her a warm smile, assuring her that she was safe in this place.
"I don't understand what's happening. Why am I here?" Eve asked, her voice trembling. Time's melodic voice resonated, its vibrations rippling through Eve's body, causing the fine hairs on her arms to stand on end. "First, let me explain where 'here' is. We are in a plane of my design—an in-between realm where time acts differently. I sometimes come here to think when something troubles me. As for why you are here, that is a simple question to answer." Time shifted his gaze towards Eve, who glanced away, avoiding getting lost in those deep, captivating eyes of his.
"When both you and Hera touched the hourglass simultaneously, your magic fused with the Sands of Eternity. The sands delved into both of your souls, determining that the feud between you two was cataclysmic. It chose to bring you here, sparing the world you both call home."
"Hera is here?" Eve gasped, her face losing colour. Time shook his head. "She is not here, well, technically not here. She is in her own separate instance. Don't make me explain; it will most likely melt your mortal brain." The colour remained absent from Eve's face; she didn't want her brain to melt. Gripping the edge of the chair, she dared not ask another question.
Time observed the apprehension in Eve's demeanour. "Would you like to know why you have my magic?" he inquired. The timid, purple-haired girl nodded slowly.
"I took a piece of myself and entrapped it into the hourglass, placing it inside that cavern many, many eons ago when your world was still an infant. Many tried to seek out my power and claim it as their own, but only an extremely powerful wizard or witch would be worthy of what I had to offer. Hera was the first to take my power, becoming my chosen champion. The day she took this power is etched into history: the 29th of February. Any child born on this day by Hera or any of her offspring would be granted my gifts. That is the contract she unwittingly agreed to when claiming my power. Also, she stopped aging at the age she found my hourglass, a condition that transcended to the others born on that fateful day."
"23," Eve whispered, receiving a nod from Time.
"Yes, that is correct. You will never age past 23 years old. You can decide for yourself if that is a blessing or a curse." Time's expression remained blank, leaving Eve unable to discern whether it was a good or bad thing. Regaining her voice, Eve posed another question. "Why do you look different? In the vision you showed me, your form was much different."
Time smiled softly. "I chose this form to speak with you because it seemed calming and less intense than my other form." Eve nodded, affirming that Time was correct in his assumption.
Silence hung in the air as both figures sat motionless. Eve absorbed the weight of the information she had just received, her mind methodically compiling and digesting each piece of the revelation. Time remained patient, having all the time in the world for Eve to pose another question.
"What happens if I return the hourglass to the pedestal in the chamber?" Eve asked. This question held no surprise for Time; he could perceive every possible conversation they could have, knowing everything she would ever do. Although he knew the end to her story, divulging it would alter it in a way he did not desire.
"That is a good question, Evelyn. When you return my hourglass to its rightful place, the magic I have granted will be reclaimed," he explained. He paused for emphasis. "Yes, that means you, Hera, and your grandfather will have my magic stripped from your core, and it will be returned to me. As you see, I am growing weak without it. Hera was quite the crafty witch; during her extended stay inside the void, she devised a way to slowly drain me of my own magic. Somehow, I did not foresee this happening, otherwise, I would have put an end to it. By returning the hourglass to me, my control over my magic will once again be restored, and the balance of the world will be aligned." Time gazed into the distance; his mind seemingly transported elsewhere.
"How do I leave this place?" Eve inquired in a hushed tone, reluctant to disrupt his contemplation. He spoke without turning to face her, "Simple, I allow it. I don't see any reason to keep you here. The Sands of Eternity may be its own sentient being, but this time it chose wrongly to bring you and Hera here. I have seen how it ends, and it doesn't conclude here for both of you." Time ascended from his chair, turning toward Eve with a grave and serious expression.
"I must apologize to you, my child, but being within my presence has had a serious side effect I cannot undo. You see, your physical body remains in the earthly plane, but your soul and mind are here with me. Time here flows much more slowly than in your reality. A few moments here equate to days and weeks in your world. We have been talking for at least 10 to 20 minutes, so I'm afraid in your reality, it has been 5 and a half years since you touched the hourglass in Rookwood Manor."
Eve's mind raced, desperately attempting to make sense of the incomprehensible revelation. How could five and a half years have elapsed when it felt like mere moments ago that she arrived in this bewildering place? The air around her seemed to thicken with each passing second, and the weight of the truth pressed heavily on her chest. The calm surroundings she had become familiar with transformed into a suffocating cage, as if the walls were closing in around her. She grasped at the arms of the chair, trying to anchor herself to anything physical. The hard leather beneath her grip provided no solace; instead, it only served as a reminder of the times spent in the Slytherin common room, in those green leather chairs, and the many years she had missed sitting in them.
"No, this can't be happening!" she cried, a tumultuous blend of denial and panic coursing through her veins. The golden void seemed to echo her disbelief, amplifying the sound of her trembling voice. Memories of recent events flashed before her eyes; everything she knew was slipping from her grasp, and she felt powerless to stop it.
Tears welled in her eyes as she grappled with the profound loss of time. The world had passed her by in the blink of an eye, and she would be 17 when she returned. All those experiences and memories she had missed out on overwhelmed her, and she couldn't comprehend the magnitude of everything all at once; it was too much to bear. She slipped off the chair and slumped to her knees, kneeling motionless. Her breath became shallow as she struggled to steady herself, haunted by a lingering question in the recesses of her mind: What had transpired during those lost years?
She redirected her gaze to meet his profound eyes once more, their intense stare penetrating her being. She resisted the urge to avert her eyes, yearning to immerse herself in the depth of his gaze. She longed for a reality where the future wasn't bound by truth, where simplicity and carefree moments prevailed. Silently, she pleaded with him, a desperate desire to return to a time when life was uncomplicated.
Yet, he remained unyielding, refusing to succumb to her wishes. "It's time to return, Evelyn. You've spent enough time here, I do hope you have asked every question you wished to know the answer to, for we will not meet again. I am afraid to inform you that I must also send Hera back; your fates are entwined in this realm, and for one to depart, the other must follow."
Time paused momentarily before continuing, "But before I send you back, there's one last thing." His cold hand touched Evelyn's forehead, and a torrent of knowledge surged through her mind. Every conceivable spell embedded itself in her consciousness, each one a hook sinking deep. Agony consumed her as her mind felt on the brink of explosion. Time withdrew his hand, and in an instant, the golden void contracted, plunging her into darkness. Eve felt as if she were plummeting into the abyss, descending into the unknown depths.
[August 20th, 2023]
She became aware of a hard surface against her back, and her head throbbed with pain. A pervasive numbness enveloped her, making every attempt to move a struggle. Her entire body felt stiff and sluggish, as if betraying her with each effort. Trying to open her eyes was akin to lifting cinder blocks; after the third attempt, they sluggishly parted. The space in front of her appeared blurry and indistinct, preventing her from discerning her surroundings. A bright light overhead forced her eyes to squint in pain.
Amid the haze, a blurry black shape moved before the light, peering down at her. "It can't be," a soft voice uttered in pure disbelief, followed by an excited squeal and, soon after, unfiltered sobbing that reverberated through the room. Eve's eyes continued to struggle; her hearing slightly muffled. Amidst the chaos, she could distinguish the distinct ring of a phone and a woman's voice conversing with someone on the other end.
Eve attempted to speak, but her throat rebelled with soreness and constriction. It seemed as if an invisible force were constricting her, choking back the words as they sluggishly ascended into her mouth, only to falter at the edge of her parched lips. The effort to articulate pained her, prompting a swift abandonment of the endeavour.
Next, she attempted to raise her arm, but its feebleness betrayed her. Despite summoning all her strength, her arm remained weak and ineffectual. With determined resolve, she willed her muscles to cooperate, yet all she managed was the lift of a solitary finger.
"Yes, she's awake. No, it's not a false alarm like last time. You have to get here right now; your sister is awake!" her mother's voice exclaimed urgently over the phone to her brother. Eve experienced a comforting reassurance, knowing that her mom had been vigilantly watching over her, tending to her needs. A faint smile played across her lips at the heartening realization.
Her head throbbed with intense pain as the knowledge bestowed by time manifested, causing her distress once more. Her mind and vision became inundated with intricate wand movements and dazzling colours, overwhelming her senses. The strain of keeping her eyes open became unbearable, prompting her to shut them for relief.
In the newfound darkness, she found a measure of comfort. Allowing herself to drift off, she embraced the peaceful rest that awaited, seeking solace in the respite from the overwhelming sensations.
In her dream, she revisited the enchanting memory of stepping onto the Hogwarts Express for the first time. The recollection of encountering Rose, James, and Albus filled her with warmth, a nostalgic reverie she wished could stretch on indefinitely. It was a beautiful dream, a refuge from the complexities and challenges of her present reality. Reliving those simpler, carefree times, she hesitated to open her eyes and confront the unfamiliar world she now inhabited. Five years had elapsed during her absence, and the uncertainties of what transpired in that span hung over her, intensifying the reluctance to awaken.
Sensing a gentle jolt on her shoulder, she mumbled, "Just a few more minutes, please. I don't want to leave them; I'm not ready to let go." The tender voice of her mother gently shattered the dream, grounding her in reality. "It's okay, sweetie. You're safe here. We're here for you—Sebastian and I."
Summoning strained effort, Evelyn reluctantly opened her eyes. The room came into focus, clearer than before. Her mother and brother stood beside the bed, wearing happy expressions that contrasted with tears in their eyes. "Hi," she managed, opting for simplicity in her words.
"Hi," her mum replied, tilting her head slightly with a trembling smile curving her lips. As she reached for Evelyn's hand, her eyes welled up, and she began to weep, gripping Evelyn's hand tightly.
On the opposite side of the bed, Sebastian placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We missed you, little sis," he confessed, turning his head to fend off the tears that threatened to escape his eyes. On the other side, Jodie, Eve's mother, could no longer contain herself. She surged forward, enveloping her daughter in a tight embrace, her entire body trembling as if releasing five years of accumulated grief and worry in a single moment. Uncontrollable tears streamed down her face.
Eve, too, couldn't hold back her emotions. Witnessing her mother's deep distress, she felt a profound sadness and guilt, realizing she was the cause of the pain endured in recent years. Yet, in this very moment, she also became aware of the immense joy she brought to her family. It was a surreal, bittersweet sensation.
"I have so many questions," Eve's voice croaked. Jodie released her grip on her daughter and fetched a small chair, positioning it beside the bed. With an inquisitive stare, she silently conveyed her readiness to address any queries Eve might have.
"Where am I?" Eve asked.
"The local hospital in Chester, the long stay ward. You've been here for quite some time. After spending a few weeks at the Hogwarts infirmary, the headmistress and all of us thought it best for you to stay closer to home," Jodie explained, placing a tender hand on top of Eve's.
Eve surveyed the room, realizing that two crucial figures were conspicuously absent. "Where's Dad and Grandpa?" she inquired, sensing an unspoken weight in the air. Both Jodie and Sebastian exchanged a sombre glance, causing Eve's expression to falter. Instinctively, she braced herself for the news she didn't want to hear, her heart already beginning to ache.
"Grandpa said he'll come later when he can take a break from his homelife. He didn't want to overwhelm you. And your dad..." Jodie hesitated, the words hanging in the air. Eve silently released a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, relieved that her mother didn't utter the expected news of her grandfather's passing due to the head injury sustained in that vivid collision with a statue – an incident etched in her memory, yet one that apparently occurred five and a half years ago.
Jodie resumed speaking, her voice carrying the weight of a difficult revelation. "Your dad and I divorced two years ago. The strain of witnessing you in a coma became too much for him. We argued incessantly. He believed it was inhumane to let you live in a feeble state and wanted to end your suffering permanently. I opposed him every step of the way, and it eventually led to our divorce. Now, he has started a new family without us, and I've forbidden him from seeing you again. However, as you're nearing adulthood, you can make that decision for yourself."
Eve tightened her grip on her mom's hand, acknowledging the pain reflected in her eyes as she broached this challenging topic. It was evident that discussing this matter was emotionally taxing for her mother.
She turned to her brother, whose new beard and hair tied up in a bun at the back of his head gave him a decidedly handsome look. "You look great, Seb, truly. How have you been?" Her question held genuine concern and hope, a desire for her brother to lead a fulfilling life despite the unexpected five-year hiatus that might have altered his path.
"Things are going well, except, you know, having a sister in a coma is kind of a mood killer most days," he chuckled, though his laugh carried a hint of pain. "I have a fiancée, by the way. You can meet her once you start to feel better." A warm feeling enveloped Eve as she smiled, captivated by the genuine joy in her brother's expression as he spoke about his fiancée. "I would love that," she replied.
Turning back to her mother, Eve posed the most pressing question, "What happened while I was gone?" Jodie let out a sigh. "That's going to take a while to explain, but I'm not planning on going anywhere" she gestured towards her daughter, "it doesn't look like you are," she said with a smile.
Jodie and Sebastian embarked on a comprehensive retelling of everything that transpired during Eve's five-year coma—unveiling tales of the broader world, their personal lives, and enchanting stories from Hogwarts and the magical community. The hospital room, once laden with the weight of uncertainty, now brimmed with joy. For the first time in five years, laughter and smiles filled the air as the three of them recounted tales, creating a truly memorable moment that resonated with warmth and connection.
Just as Sebastian was about to deliver the punchline of his humorous story, the door swung open, revealing Robert with a shocked expression. Eve greeted him with a beaming smile, and he sank to his knees. "I can't believe it," he stammered, tears streaming from his eyes. Clambering to his feet, he moved to the bedside where Eve lay.
Taking her hand in his, he brought it to his lips and kissed it softly. "How are you feeling, kiddo?" he laughed. "Not much of a kid anymore, are you?" he remarked, gesturing towards her matured face. Eve realized she hadn't seen her own reflection and made a mental note to explore that once everyone left for the night.
Jodie and Sebastian each gave her a kiss before deciding to give Eve and Robert some privacy. Jodie had been there most of the day and needed to grab some food, while Sebastian had a fiancée waiting for him at home.
While waiting for her mom and brother to exit, Eve responded, "I'm just relieved to be here, and I'm glad you're okay. I was so worried about you. When you collided with that statue, I feared the worst. For me, it feels like it happened only a few hours ago, not five and a half years." She offered him a weak smile. Confusion flickered across Robert's face as he asked, "What do you mean? It's only been a few hours?"
She nervously twisted her fingers around each other. "Um, you might want to sit down for this, Grandpa," she began, unravelling the tale of everything that occurred during her journey to Time's plane. Although her explanation was concise, it contained a wealth of information. Robert sat in speechless absorption, completely engrossed by Eve's account.
"You met Time," he muttered, his words slipping out unintentionally. Eve nodded, "Yes, I did. It's hard to describe how being in his or its presence makes you feel. You're just in awe the whole time." Eve gently placed her hand on top of Robert's, which was slumped over the edge of her hospital bed. He sat in total shock, grappling with the realization.
Shaking his head to dispel his stupor, he resumed speaking. "I have something for you." He reached into his jacket's inner pocket and produced Eve's masterpiece of a wand. "My wand!" she exclaimed, quickly gripping it in her other hand. It felt warm to the touch, more sensitive than before, tingling as if reconnecting to her magic after so much time apart. She mouthed a silent "thank you."
"I should let you get some rest; you look tired, sweetheart," Robert observed. As he moved to stand up, he felt a squeeze on his hand. "Please stay, tell me about the last five years for you. I want to hear it all," her pleading look melted him, and he gave in to her wishes.
"Well, where do I begin?" He paused, reflecting on the past. "I got the job of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor after the untimely death of Professor Inkwood." He gave Eve a sideways glance, mindful that for her, he had only recently passed away. He noticed a tear appear in her eye, wiped it away, and offered a soft smile before continuing.
"Me and Minerva are now married, and we have a child." His face instantly lit up as he began to share the news of their new family addition. "I can't wait to meet her," Eve spoke in a hushed, soft voice, expressing her anticipation.
Robert continued to recount everything that had transpired during Evelyn's prolonged coma, the narrative extending well into the evening before reaching its conclusion. Placing a soft kiss on her forehead, he retrieved his jacket from the back of his chair, slinging it over his arm as he moved toward the door. However, he halted before leaving.
"School starts in just over a week. Do you think you'll come back and finish your last year? You've missed a lot in your time away, but if what you tell me is true and Time gifted you a plethora of knowledge, I'm sure Minerva can find you a spot in Year 7," he suggested, awaiting her response with bated breath. Evelyn gave him a small nod. "Yes, I want to go back."
Robert smiled. "See you tomorrow, kiddo," he said before turning and exiting the room. It seemed like her grandpa took all the warmth with him.
The room gradually grew colder and quieter, causing Eve to feel uneasy. Her eyes darted around the well-lit space, half-expecting Hera to emerge from any dark shadow at any moment. For a while today, she had completely forgotten about Hera's existence, and now it consumed her thoughts. Somewhere out there, Hera lingered, and Eve realized she had forgotten to inquire about what had happened to her. Making a mental note to address it tomorrow, she pondered on Hera's whereabouts, an unsettling thought lingering in the quiet room.
Determined not to let Hera ruin her great day, Eve shoved that thought into the small space in her mind where nothing could escape. Instantly, she felt better; the room filled with warmth, and her spirits soared once again. Eve lowered the railing, swung her legs off the bed, and the weight of her taller body felt unfamiliar. She sat for a few moments, recalibrating her brain to the changes, before standing. Wobbling slightly, she steadied herself.
Entering the adjoining bathroom, she pulled the light cord, and the bright tube light flickered into existence, casting a hot white glow over everything in sight.
Turning to her left and placing her palms onto the sink, she hesitated before the small bathroom mirror, nerves tingling as she prepared to view her image. Slowly lifting her gaze, she gasped at the sight of her 17-year-old self, instinctively bringing her hands to her face. It was like looking at a stranger; she couldn't believe that was her.
Her fingers gently explored her face. She found herself to be pretty—her once-soft, rounded features had evolved into a more slender and angular countenance. Her lips were plump, and her eyes, once grey, now held small flecks of hidden gold. The signature purple hair she was accustomed to had faded back to its original platinum shade, not having grown much—Eve suspected her mother had it trimmed on occasion.
Turning to the left and then to the right, she took in her new beauty. An uncontrollable smile spread across her face. She was a woman now, and a beautiful one at that.
Stepping back from the mirror, Eve took a moment to admire the rest of her womanly body. She noticed the perfect balance of curvature—just enough, not too much, not too little. An unexpected giggle escaped her; she was content with how puberty had unfolded for her, having seemingly skipped the less pleasant aspects. Feeling a touch vain in that moment, she continued to appreciate herself for a few minutes before returning to the other room.
She picked up her wand from the end table, experiencing the familiar tingling sensation once again.
With a plethora of spells whizzing around in her mind, Eve felt the need to release some of the magical pressure. Now that she was 17, she was allowed to cast magic outside of Hogwarts. Aiming her wand at the uncomfortable hospital bed, the wand almost instinctively understood her desire and responded on her behalf. In a split second, the bed transformed into a luxurious four-poster bed with a plush king-size mattress. Eve gasped, taking a step back; the transformation happened so quickly that she hadn't expected her magic to be this potent.
She cast a quick glance out the window at the building across the road. Before she could grasp what was happening, she found herself outside, breathing in the open air on top of the building. A shocked squeal escaped her, almost causing her to leap off the ground with a little hop. Swivelling on the spot, she realized she had no idea how she ended up here, except for merely staring at the spot.
Eager to experiment further, she focused on the window of her room. In an instant, she landed back next to her bed, her breath escaping in exhilaration as she bent over, taking in large breaths. "I can teleport!" she squealed, tapping her feet on the ground happily.
Eve fell back onto the bed and gazed up at the ceiling, a smile gracing her lips. Initially fearing that missing 5 and a half years would be the worst thing that could ever happen, she realized it had, in fact, been an unexpected gift. However, in that moment, a pang of guilt washed over her. She recognized the selfishness of her perspective— to her, it had only been a short time, and now she found herself in a much better place than before. Yet, for everyone else in her life, she had been unresponsive for a long time, an unknown fate hanging over her, with each passing day carrying the weight of the possibility that it could have been her last.
Her radiant smile quickly faded, casting a sombre shadow that enveloped the room once more. A subtle shift in the atmosphere accompanied her emotions, as if her very magic influenced the temperature and lighting to mirror the depths of her mood. Collapsing onto the bed, she grappled with the weight of her actions, realizing the gravity of her perceived selfishness. Clutching a pillow tightly, she surrendered to tears, questioning herself until sleep mercifully embraced her, leaving her to face the night's uncertainty in solitude.
The impending return to Hogwarts for her final year loomed just over a week away, a prospect that both excited and terrified her. The anticipation of reuniting with friends masked the underlying fear of the changes that time might have wrought. Alone in the darkness, with the future uncertain and varied, she pondered the unknown path that lay ahead. Whispers of doubt and curiosity echoed in her mind, wondering how much her friends had evolved in her absence and what she might have missed. As she slipped into a deep slumber, her final utterance lingered in the air like a question mark: "Albus."