Chapter 20 Seventh year
The rain pelted forcefully against the train window, creating a rhythmic percussion as the train swiftly traversed the British Countryside en route to London. Eve rested her elbow on the window ledge, cupping her face in her hand, lost in thought as the lush scenery blurred past, her mind retracing the events of the previous week.
Returning home for her final week before school, she exuded an aura of strength and vitality—a striking change from the previous week when she felt like a mere vegetable. She began to venture out to rediscover her city after a hiatus of five and a half years, only to find that, despite the passage of time, not much had changed.
Eve discovered from her grandpa that when the Aurors apprehended Hera, Rookwood, and Rute, they seized the hourglass, deeming it an ancient artifact. Acting on their own initiative, they promptly delivered it to the Ministry's Department of Mysteries for thorough examination and study.
Since waking up, she hadn't texted or written to her friends, and an overwhelming sense of guilt gnawed at her with each passing second of silence. Yet, every time she confronted the blank text box with its blinking cursor, words failed to materialize. She felt compelled to communicate with them in person, despite despising herself for choosing this approach. In her view, a text seemed too impersonal for conveying something of this magnitude.
Another intriguing incident unfolded when Eve experienced her first period, and it completely slipped her mother's mind to prepare her for it. The shock and horror etched on her face upon waking to bed sheets stained with blood made Eve feel like she was in a state of crisis, not comprehending what was happening. Fortunately, her mother promptly filled her in on everything there was to know about periods, providing much-needed reassurance and putting Eve's mind at ease.
Eve was jolted from her reverie by a boy who appeared to be not much older than her. He sat across from her, lips moving, but Eve couldn't hear him. Slowly, she removed her over-the-ear headphones, which effectively muted the world around her.
"I'm sorry, I missed what you said," Eve politely addressed the stranger, tapping her headphone to convey that she wasn't intentionally ignoring him, but rather immersed in her own world moments before.
The boy flashed a smile. "I just asked if it's okay to sit here, but I guess I've already taken a seat, and you haven't yelled at me, so it's, okay?" he queried, prolonging his question.
Eve responded with a gracious smile. "Since you've already settled in, it would be rude of me to ask you to leave. I suppose you can stay," she said with a playful smirk, reaching for her headphones she attempted to gently place them back over her head.
"Kai Chang, pleasure to meet you," the boy introduced himself, extending his hand for a formal greeting. Eve tried to conceal any hint of frustration on her face, her desire to simply gaze out the window and immerse herself in music evident.
"Pleasure to meet you," Eve responded delicately, accepting his hand for a brief shake. She then settled back into her uncomfortable train seat, swiftly securing her headphones around her ears once more, effectively drowning out the outside world.
Eve retrieved her phone and launched the messages app. As she stared at the screen, her gaze fixed on the hundreds of messages accumulated over the past five and a half years. Among them were annual birthday wishes from family and friends, heartwarming novels of messages from close friends, and a consistent stream of updates from Albus, who had written to her nearly every day for a few years. His messages ranged from sharing random facts to detailing his daily activities and expressing how much he missed her.
Unbeknownst to Eve, tears had welled up in her eyes, smudging her makeup. She found herself gazing longingly at her phone, lost in a sea of emotions, when a small white handkerchief suddenly materialized in her field of view.
Slightly startled, she pulled back, only to realize her cheeks were damp. Attempting a smile that resembled anything but, she accepted the handkerchief from Kai and dabbed at her eyes and cheeks. Removing her headphones, she spoke, "Thank you. I'm so sorry about this; I don't usually break down in front of strangers."
Kai offered Eve a sympathetic glance, sensing her distress. "Well, you know my name. If I knew yours, we wouldn't be strangers anymore," he mused, beaming a friendly smile, attempting to lighten the heavy moment.
A weak chuckle escaped from Eve's lips as she found a small bit of humour in his joke. With a final dab at her eyes, she extended her other hand. "Evelyn Warren."
Kai hesitated for a split second, realization dawning on him. Taking her hand in his, he gently shook it, a look of bewilderment spreading across his face. What should he say to her, he wondered. The two of them sat in awkward silence, gazing at each other, unsure of how to break the tension.
Eve couldn't fathom why Kai seemed fixated on her, staring as if she had something on her face. Growing increasingly annoyed, she shot him a glare. Examining his features, she took note of his piercing green eyes, the tousled black hair with shaved sides, and the chiselled jawline that highlighted his Asian heritage. Strangely, Eve couldn't help but notice a few similarities between Kai and Albus.
A passionate fire ignited within her as she trailed her eyes up and down Kai. Swiftly suppressing the feeling, she reminded herself to maintain the glare she had fixed on him.
After enduring as much as she could, Eve finally spoke up. "Why are you staring at me like that?" She gestured to his face with her hands. "It's weird. Stop."
Kai shook his head, suddenly aware that he had been staring at her. With a mix of surprise and curiosity, he couldn't help but blurt out, "Are you the coma girl? I thought you were gone; it's been ages since anyone got any updates about you."
A surge of hot, red embarrassment flooded Eve's cheeks. She couldn't quite pinpoint why she felt embarrassed, considering the coma was beyond her control. Yet, the question lingered in her mind – was she truly known as the coma girl?
Lowering her head with a noticeable dip in confidence, she mumbled, "You must go to Hogwarts then. What house are you in?" Kai, sensing the shift in the girl's mood, felt a sudden rush of embarrassment, realizing he hadn't intended to blurt out those words. However, now that they were out, he couldn't retract them.
"I'm in Ravenclaw, seventh year, same as you. I think I remember you from your first year. Didn't you used to have purple hair?"
Eve nodded in confirmation to his question. "I did, but it's grown out now," her voice remained low and hushed. Kai responded with sincerity, "It looks nice the way you have it now. The parting down the middle suits you."
Attempting to conceal her already flushed cheeks, she turned away from him. "I have to go to the toilet. Don't steal my stuff," she quickly added, rising and stumbling down the narrow aisle. Her shaking hands fumbled with the lock on the toilet door, and once secured, she crumbled onto the seat. "What's happening to me?" her voice was faint and stuttered.
Her emotions were in disarray, anxiety reaching an all-time high. The prospect of returning to school as the 'coma girl' felt overwhelmingly daunting. As her breath caught in her throat, beads of sweat formed on her skin. Desperate to maintain balance, she clutched the handrail beside her.
Closing her eyes, she sensed something stirring within, a potent magic yearning to be unleashed. Unable to contain it any longer, she felt compelled to let go. And she did.
Upon reopening her eyes after a few minutes, everything appeared as it should. There were no gaping holes in the wall or deteriorating objects; the effects of whatever magic she had released were not immediately apparent.
After readjusting herself in the mirror and taking a few deep breaths, Eve gracefully exited the restroom and made her way back to her spot. Approaching it, she observed that Kai had vanished. Silently scanning the tops of the occupied chairs, she couldn't locate his messy black hair anywhere. With a sigh, she settled back into her seat, murmuring, "Can't blame him, to be honest. I wouldn't want to sit next to me either."
A voice echoed over the intercom, "We are about to pull into Stafford. Connections to Birmingham and the East, please exit here." Eve scanned the overhead screen displaying the current journey, convinced she had recently passed through Stafford.
Even more perplexing was the sight of Kai walking down the aisle, searching for an empty seat. As he looked down at her, and she back up at him, he took a seat, asking, "Is it okay if I sit here?" Eve mouthed the words silently with him, staring blankly for a few moments. The disbelief washed over her — if she had inadvertently travelled back in time, there should have been a duplicate of herself occupying the seat, but there was no one.
Reality struck her like a sudden revelation. She had, in fact, reversed the entire world back by at least ten minutes. A small scoff escaped her as the realization set in. She had achieved the seemingly impossible. Bringing her hands to her face, she stared at them, the raw magic beneath her skin ready to be unleashed. In that moment, she felt unstoppable.
"Hey, miss, can I sit here, or are you going to be weird the whole trip to London?" Kai's voice carried a slight volume to capture Eve's attention. "Sorry, yes, you can sit here." An awkward silence lingered for a while until Kai finally broke it with his next words.
"Are you heading to Hogwarts too?" Kai quizzed her. "What makes you think I'm going to Hogwarts?" Kai pointed his finger upwards toward a brown leather case adorned with purple flowers, a prominent Slytherin crest sticker on the side. "That," Eve mouthed an 'Oh' and looked back down toward Kai. "I'm pretty sure I haven't seen you before. What year are you?" He wore a curious expression, as if he were trying to piece together a puzzle.
"I'm in seventh year," Eve said quietly, twiddling her fingers under the table. She hoped, this time around, he wouldn't figure out who she was. She didn't want to be labelled as 'the coma girl'; she just wanted a peaceful train ride. Kai's expression became even more perplexed. "You must be a transfer, right? I would remember if you were in my year." Eve nodded, "Yeah, something like that," quickly averting her gaze to conceal the lie flickering in her eyes.
A fluid conversation enveloped both of them, settling into a pleasant rhythm for the remainder of their journey. They delved into discussions about magical topics, sharing the new spells they had learned over the summer break. The excitement of turning 17 and being able to use magic outside of Hogwarts added to their animated dialogue.
Upon arriving at King's Cross Station, they walked together to platform nine and three-quarters. Eve began to sweat and tremble as they approached. On the other side of the barrier awaited numerous people she cared about, and she was about to shake their world. Immersed in a self-loathing feeling for not reaching out since she woke, Eve took out her phone, hovering her finger over a saved message meant for all her friends. She blankly stared at the screen; time began to freeze around her. Unbeknownst to her that the world around her had stopped, her eyes remained fixated on the phone screen.
The temptation to press send lingered, but a voice in her mind questioned the cold and impersonal nature of such a message. "'Hey, I've been missing for five years, but I'm back; here's a text.' How impersonal and cold would that be?" she pondered silently.
The hesitation gnawed at her, and at last, she locked her phone and slid it back into her jeans pocket. Time suddenly resumed its flow. At least, she mused, she had made a new friend on this journey; there was something positive today. Glancing at Kai as they walked, she attempted to recall him from her time as a first year, but nothing surfaced in her memory. The realization weighed on her, feeling like a lapse of character not to remember someone she had shared classes with for nearly a year. It struck her then that they hadn't even introduced themselves in this reality. Eve shouldn't know Kai's name, and he doesn't know who she is.
She halted them just before stepping through the barrier. "Hi, I'm Evelyn, by the way." Kai was taken aback, but the realization dawned on him. "Oh, whoa, I never told you my name, did I? It's Kai, by the way." He extended his hand for a formal handshake, and Eve took it, playfully shaking his arm a little too wildly, but Kai found it amusing.
Eve, attempting to dispel the growing pit in her stomach, turned to face the barrier. She swallowed down the rising unease and muttered to herself, "You can do this." With one determined stride, she broke through the barrier and stepped onto the wizard side of King's Cross Station.
The melodic whistle of the Hogwarts Express resonated through the bustling station, where hundreds of students and parents engaged in a chaotic dance of farewells. Amidst the throng, Evelyn stood, hyperventilating and feeling swallowed by the crowd. A hand suddenly clasped around her shoulder, causing her to shudder. However, when she turned around, a bright smile greeted her.
"Grandpa! What are you doing here? I thought you would already be at the school, getting everything ready," she exclaimed. He nodded and replied, "Well, I should be doing that, but your mother mentioned how distant you seemed this morning, and I wanted to see you off and make sure you're okay." With those words, he pulled her into a tight embrace, and she found solace within his arms, her anxiety gradually subsiding.
Whispering into her ear, he reassured her, "You're one of the strongest people I know, kiddo. You can conquer anything." After a brief pause, he added with a chuckle, "And if you mess up anything, remember, you can always redo it." Breaking their embrace, he looked into her eyes and mouthed, 'You've got this,' before turning her around and giving her a gentle push toward the open carriage doors.
Timidly strolling down the platform, Eve observed that most of the cabins were already occupied, prompting her to venture further down where students were congregating. She kept her head low and eyes averted, attempting to blend into the background. Suddenly, a booming, somewhat familiar voice echoed, "Last year! Let's go!" The entire seventh year erupted in cheers and began boarding the train. As the crowd thinned, Eve caught a clear view of the boy who had shouted. Her heart fluttered, thumping against her chest. "Albus," she whispered.
In her eyes, he appeared incredibly handsome—his features had matured, a perfectly sharp jawline with a hint of stubble, and his hair was the perfect mess she remembered. In that moment, she found herself falling in love with him all over again. The urge to run over, kiss him until her lips were sore, was strong, but she resisted. Reminding herself that he hadn't seen her in five years, she knew she had to take things slow.
After a few deep breaths, she took a step in his direction, only to halt abruptly. A beautiful black-haired girl approached him from behind, covering his eyes playfully. Albus turned, lifting the girl by her waist, holding her in the air momentarily before lowering her to the ground. His fingers trailed over her body as he planted a sultry kiss on her lips, dipping her slightly. The chemistry between them was unmistakable, clear as day.
A plethora of emotions surged through Eve, with anger and despair standing out as the most intense. The desire to gouge her eyes out and never witness the scene before her again clawed at her, but she found herself unable to look away. It was as if she compelled herself to endure this suffering as punishment for leaving her friends in the dark. The urge to scream and cry fought for dominance within her. The magic within her, already stirred earlier in the day, now made its presence known again. She felt a loss of control, her emotions too potent to contain, the sheer power she held threatening to unleash.
"It was always supposed to be me," she uttered through sobs, her gaze fixed on the women beside Albus. A potent surge of magic erupted from Evelyn, spreading through the station at a rapid pace, freezing everyone in place.
She crumpled to her knees, succumbing to the weight of overwhelming emotions. The release she sought came in the form of unrestrained sobs and screams that echoed until her lungs burned. Changes were anticipated, but the magnitude of what unfolded caught her off guard. A wreck of trembling despair, she cried until her eyes reddened, and her soul felt shattered.
Amidst the abyss of her turmoil, a pair of footsteps approached, and a comforting voice enveloped her. "It's okay, sweetheart. It's okay." As if lifted by an unseen force, she found solace as Robert, her grandfather, gently raised her from the ground. "I can't," she sobbed, to which he responded, "Yes, you can. You are so strong, sweetheart," whispering reassurance into her ear while tightening his embrace. In that embrace, time seemed to stand still for a long time, long enough for Eve to regain composure.
"You'll have to confront your demons eventually, kiddo," Robert spoke softly, echoing his father's advice. "Rip the band aid off and cry later. If you want to come back to school, it's going to be inevitable that you see your friends." Slowly releasing his grip, Robert and Eve stood in the midst of the bustling station, the only two souls in motion. "Oops, I think I've made the train late," he playfully remarked.
Closing her eyes, Eve drew the magic back within her, and life returned to the station. She shared one last heartfelt hug with her grandpa before boarding the train, finding a seat on a padded wooden bench in rows along the carriage. She couldn't spot Albus and the girl, surmising they must be farther back. Attempting to banish the image of their kiss from her mind proved futile; it persisted, replaying before her eyes. With a long sigh, the train jolted forward, and she resigned herself to the realization that this would be a long, introspective journey.
The train raced through the British countryside, emitting white billows of steam from its stacks. The autumn sun cast a radiant glow on the red train, and Eve, leaning against the window's edge, welcomed the distraction from the haunting images in her mind.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted behind her, drawing the attention of everyone, including Eve, who swivelled in their seats to witness a confrontation. A tall, ginger-haired boy had just been slapped by a girl, and she stormed off down the carriage, closely followed by her friends. The boy, seemingly unfazed, raised his hand to his freshly slapped cheek and laughed. His friends erupted in cheers, with one exclaiming, "Hugo, you're the man!"
A light bulb flickered to life in Eve's mind. "Hugo, that's Rose's brother, I think," she mused to herself. Leaning over to the two people behind her, she whispered, "What's that about?"
A girl with tousled dirty blonde hair turned to face Eve, her eyes widened, and her lips were poised for gossip. "Oh my gosh, don't you know? I thought everyone was in the loop about Hugo and Jasmine," she exclaimed, eagerly anticipating Eve's reaction. However, Eve only met her with a blank expression.
"You don't know?! Here's the tea, girl. So, last year, Hugo and Jasmine were a thing, but that dirty dog Hugo was also secretly seeing Jasmine's best friend, Olivia, at the same time. Can you believe it? They were caught red-handed, half dressed, making out in one of the broom cupboards. It became the talk of the entire school; I'm genuinely surprised you haven't heard about it!"
"Yeah, me too. The gossip must have missed me," Eve fibbed, and the girl seemed to buy it without further inquiry. Just as everyone was settling back into their own conversations, a door slammed open at the back of the carriage, and a fiery red-headed storm named Rose barged in with daggers in her eyes.
"Hugo Rubeus Granger-Weasley, what in the actual fuckery are you playing at?" Rose's scream echoed through the carriage, causing a seismic shift in the atmosphere. The once jovial laughter and smiles of Hugo and his friends evaporated instantly, replaced by expressions of fear. Hugo attempted to respond, but his words stumbled out incoherently, prompting Rose to mockingly repeat his fumbled phrases.
"I had Jasmine's sister seek me out to spill the beans on what went down. What the hell, Hugo? You can't pull stunts like that. If you're not into a girl, just end it—don't resort to cheating behind her back. Mum and dad raised us better than that," she chided, disappointment etched across her face. As she turned to walk away, Hugo's friends began to taunt him, labelling him a wimp.
Suddenly, Rose pivoted on her heels and strode back, fixing Hugo's friends with death stares. They cowered and whimpered under her intense gaze. Everyone in the school knew not to cross paths with Rose Granger-Weasley. Satisfied that her message had hit home, she resumed her march toward her cabin in the next carriage.
Spotting a potential chance to talk to Rose privately before reaching school, Eve swiftly got up from her seat, skilfully navigating through the curious onlookers clustered around the group of intimidated boys. As Rose stood on the verge of shutting the carriage door, Eve couldn't let her opportunity slip away. Without much finesse, she blurted out, "Rose!" It might not have been the most elegant introduction, but time was of the essence, and Eve had to act swiftly.
Rose stood frozen, the hairs on her neck prickling. The voice sounded eerily like Eve's, but uncertainty held her in place. "Yes?" she cautiously responded without turning, her hand trembling on the door handle. Eve's whispered plea broke the silence. Her mind wrestled with doubt, dismissing the possibility. Yet, unable to resist, Rose uttered a name, "Eve?" — a desperate need for confirmation lingering in the air.
"Yes, it's me," Eve confirmed, edging closer to the doorway. With hesitant slowness, Rose turned around, her expression shifting to disbelief and tears welling in her eyes at the sight of her friend. "This can't be real; I'm dreaming, right?" Rose questioned amid sobs. Eve gently shook her head, denying the dreamlike notion. Drawing nearer, she placed a trembling hand atop Rose's own trembling hand. "How?" Rose murmured, the word escaping softly from her lips.
Instinctively, Eve led them to the nearest seat. "I woke up just over a week ago. For you, it's been five and a half years, but for me, it's only been an hour. When I touched the hourglass with Hera, I was transported to another plane where time behaves differently, and that's where I met him. Time works in peculiar ways there, and when I returned, five years had passed in the blink of an eye for me," she explained. Squeezing Rose's hand, Eve sensed that her friend needed time to process everything. They sat in silence for a few minutes, the weight of the revelation hanging in the air.
"You've been awake for a week and didn't let me know?" Rose expressed a mix of hurt and frustration. Eve sighed, unsure if her approach was right. "I wanted to see you in person and explain everything. A text felt too impersonal for something this major. I hope you're not mad at me for that?" Rose slowly shook her head, "I'm not mad. I just wish I knew the moment you woke up; I would have come to visit you. I think I'm still in shock that you're sitting right in front of me. Its surreal" Taking a moment to truly look at Eve, Rose added, "You're stunning! I love the hair; your natural colour suits you so well, it matches your eyes." She placed her other hand in Eve's giving it a comforting squeeze accompanied with a smile. "You are too; you really filled out," directing her gaze to Rose's chest. Both girls shared a soft giggle. "I suppose I did, yeah," Rose paused. "You have to come see everyone else; they're going to lose their minds when they see you."
Eve shifted her gaze away from Rose's penetrating eyes. "Can it just be me and you for a little while? I'm not ready to see everyone else yet, not ready to see him," she admitted. Rose, sensing her friend's mood, nodded understandingly and granted her request. The duo spent the majority of the train ride catching up, with Rose recounting as much as she could about the last five years. As they wrapped up, there was only an hour left until their arrival.
The girls, now laughing and restored to happiness, found themselves in need of a drink. Rose tracked down the trolley lady, securing two pumpkin juices for them. Amidst sips, Rose inquired, "Do you think you're ready to come and see everyone?" Eve playfully raised her hand in the air, wiggling it slightly. "Maybe?" she questioned her own response. "Only if you go in first and explain to everyone that I'm back, and then come and get me. I don't think I can just walk in and say hi."
"Okay, I can do that. Give me like 10 minutes, and I'll come back and get you," Rose assured. She hurried off, swiftly disappearing from Eve's sight. Those 10 minutes felt like an eternity to Eve, every second filled with racing thoughts and emerging fears. The anticipation for Rose's return was almost unbearable. Suddenly, she felt a soft hand on her shoulder. Expecting Rose, she quickly spun around, only to find two emerald orbs full of tears staring back at her.
She heard Albus gasp as she faced him, gripped by anxiety that clawed at her, dragging down her throat her words unable to reach her lips. Albus leaned in, embracing her tightly, oblivious to onlookers. "I missed you so much," he sobbed. Eve, conflicted by comfort and the unsettling thought of his new girlfriend, reciprocated the hug. Rose, appearing over Albus's shoulder, silently mouthed 'Sorry.' Eve replied with a hesitant 'it's okay, I think,' offering a small smile. According to Rose, Albus began dating his new girlfriend around the start of year 5, coinciding with the halt in their communication.
"I never thought I'd see you again, not like this." He tightened her embrace, prompting Eve to tap Albus. "Albus, I can't breathe," she managed to say. He apologized, loosening his grip and taking a step back while still holding onto her elbows and forearms. "I visited every summer but seeing you so cold and unresponsive was tough." A still silence enveloped them.
"You have no idea how happy I am to see you," he shared, resting his forehead against hers.
Jolts of electricity surged through Eve's entire body, a conflicting storm of emotions. She yearned to harbour resentment, yet she couldn't; he believed she was gone, he had waited three years for her, three long hard years before he moved on. She mused to herself, recognizing the complexity of her feelings.
"You can't do this," she whispered so softly it was almost inaudible. "Rose mentioned that you saw me with Isabella. I'm sorry you had to witness that; it just happened; I wasn't seeking it." Eve raised a hand to halt him. "You don't need to explain, Albus. I understand, truly. It's not okay, but I'll eventually move on. Or maybe I'll just send her back in time to be eaten by a dinosaur; I haven't decided yet," she said with a smirk, attempting seriousness but ending up giggling. Albus joined in, laughing. "Please don't do that," he pleaded.
Awkwardly standing in the background, Rose coughed, capturing their attention. "Shall we go see everyone else?" she motioned with her head. Albus and Eve trailed behind her down the narrow corridor into one of the cabins, finding it pretty crowded with seven people. As Eve entered last, everyone stood up, except for Isabella. Glancing around the cabin, she smiled at her friends, who appeared more mature than the last time she saw them. Scorpius, Dotty, Rose, Albus, and even Lilly—Albus's little sister—were present.
Dotty swiftly crossed the small space, propelling Eve back against the hard glass and wooden door with the force of her hug. "Sorry," she squeaked. Her beautiful blonde hair was tied up in a ponytail, and her blue eyes were as brilliant as ever. She had grown even more beautiful than before, if that were possible. They embraced tightly, shedding happy tears on each other's shoulders. Scorpius shuffled over, awkwardly wrapping his arms around Eve and Dotty, joining their hug. "So glad you're back; we all missed you so much," he said, squeezing her shoulder and exchanging smiles. As he sat back down, he pulled Rose onto his lap with a squeal, making space for Eve to join them.
During the brief remainder of the journey, the group of seven laughed and chatted, catching up on everything Eve had missed. Her anxiety and fears melted away, and she felt at home again with her friends. However, a slight hiccup occurred. Glancing at Isabella, Eve noticed she had pulled Albus closer during the conversation. Despite not wanting it to bother her, deep down, it did. She wore a composed expression, revealing nothing on her face. Eve continued to smile and laugh, masking any hint that something in her world felt awry.
During the welcome back meal in the Great Hall, Headmistress McGonagall made an announcement. The 7th and 5th years were informed about upcoming exams, urging them to study diligently and avoid distractions. Additionally, she revealed that the entire 7th year would be learning how to Apparate just before the Christmas break, with the training concluding at the Ministry Training Centre. Eve mused that this presented a perfect opportunity to pursue the Sands of Eternity. Despite the looming exams, her end goal was clear – nothing mattered more. Stopping Hera and saving time in the process took precedence above all else.
As the evening settled, the Slytherin group returned to their common room. A sudden realization struck Eve upon entering; she remembered Isabella from her first year – one of her former roommates. The thought crossed her mind that Isabella might have been elated when Eve went missing, seizing the opportunity to claim Albus for herself. Eve shot a disdainful look in Isabella's direction, who had her back turned and remained oblivious. However, Dotty caught Eve's expression.
Her friends swiftly ushered her to the side. "You can't come between them, Eve. They're genuinely happy, they been together for two years now. Isabella is great if you give her a chance; she might seem cold at first, but she warms up. As your best friend, I wouldn't lie to you. You have to let him go." With a sympathetic look, she took Eve's hands. "It's tough. He was my boyfriend just a week ago, and now..." She paused, taking a deep breath. "Now, he's with her."
Dotty sighed, realizing her efforts were in vain. "Eve, you're stunning. Any guy—or girl—in this school would be lucky to have you." A hint of a blush tinted Dotty's cheek, swiftly concealed. "I'm not so sure, but there was this cute guy on the train today." Eve enthusiastically recounted her encounter with Kai during the journey to London. "He's clearly into you. You should ask him out. The best way to get over someone is to get under someone else," Dotty suggested, drawing on her own past. Eve gasped, "Dotty!" "It's true. It helped me after Winter and I broke up," Dotty reminisced, her mind wandering to a spicy memory of the girl she fooled around with after her upsetting break up. Eve brought her back, "I don't know how to navigate that. I'm clueless in that department." Dotty, blushing, offered, "I could help explain some things and maybe show you a bit. It's not my expertise, but I've heard things that might help." Oblivious to Dotty's blush, Eve considered, "Wouldn't Rose be better given your preferences?" Dotty stumbled over her words, unprepared for Eve's suggestion. "Well, yes, she knows more, but you two don't share a bedroom like you and me. We have privacy, and she's shared everything she's done with Scorpius. It's kind of gross, but I know how to help." "A little guidance wouldn't hurt. Maybe tomorrow you can help me? I need to move on from Albus," they both agreed. Making a silent agreement, finished with their conversation they went to rejoin the others until bedtime.
Startled, Eve awoke in a panic, sweat-soaked and gripping her wand tightly. The room's pitch-black darkness left her uncertain whether she was still caught in a dream or fully awake. Using her pyjama sleeve to wipe away the sweat on her brow, she sighed, sinking back onto her plush pillow. Frustrated by the persistent night terrors, Eve resigned herself to the fact that sleep would elude her once again tonight.
This nightmare delved into another haunting memory of Hera's, vivid and visceral. Eve experienced it as if she were looking through Hera's eyes, witnessing the gruesome scene unfold. Hera had mercilessly tortured a wizard and his muggle family, tying up the wizard and forcing him to watch as she meticulously carved the word "traitor" into the flesh of his wife and children with her wand until they bleed from their numerous wounds. The brutality was so intense that it evoked a visceral reaction, inducing a sense of nausea. The perspective of seeing it through Hera's eyes intensified the horror, as if Eve herself were the one committing the unspeakable acts.
Gazing up at the bare canopy bed, she sought solace in the memory of the little stars she had placed there during her first year. However, they were nowhere to be found. A small smile graced her lips as she pondered whether anyone else appreciated the stars she had left behind.
An hour of listening to the other girls' soft snores convinced Eve that sleep was elusive. Sitting up, she swung her legs off the bed, feeling the cold floor assault her bare feet. She hissed momentarily until she acclimated to the temperature.
Sitting in the hushed room, Eve contemplated her options. Checking her phone, she discovered it was 3:45 am—far too early for breakfast. Pondering for a moment, images of Hera resurfaced, and she snarled at the intrusive thoughts. Then, a realization struck—she needed to train, to be better than the last time when she was disarmed in seconds. She refused to let that happen again. With a resolute push, she stood, donned her robe over her pyjamas, and slipped out of the common room as quietly as possible.
Stealthily navigating the halls and sidestepping the resident ghosts, Eve reached the Room of Requirement. The space was already equipped with training dummies, padded flooring, and targets against the far wall—a perfect training room. Cradling the intricate wand in her hand, she shifted her weight onto her back foot, making her front agile. Posing her arm in a striking position, she took a deep breath before commencing.
"Reducto" she cried out, a sharp, pointed white light surged from her wand, obliterating the target dummy into tiny pieces of straw. Swiftly pivoting on her back foot, she crouched low, skilfully mimicking the evasion of a spell. In the next breath, she commanded, 'Confringo,' and a fiery orange and red flame erupted from her wand, engulfing the next unlucky target dummy in a spectacular explosion of burnt straw and cloth, scattering remnants across the room. Spotting her third victim, she resolved to challenge herself with nonverbal casting.
Focused on the spell, she stalked toward the dummy positioned about 20 feet away. Lifting her wand high above her head, she executed a swift slashing motion across her front. A thin, red blade-like spell curved from the tip, hurtling with immense speed toward the dummy and cleanly cleaving its head in two. The separated head thudded to the floor. With a determined glint in her eye, she repeated the motion rapidly, unleashing four precision-crafted red blades that spiralled through the air, cleanly severing all limbs of the dummy.
"Again!" Eve's commanding shout echoed, compelling the room to reset the mangled dummies. Swiftly acquiescing, the room reconstructed the dummies in seconds, poised for another dismantling. A smirk graced her lips, harbouring a desire to test a previously theoretical concept. Tapping into her time magic, she placed her free hand against her wand, channelling the magic to fast-forward any spell invoked. Confidence surged as she unleashed spells with impossible speed, each leaving her wand and traversing space in mere milliseconds, leaving no time for reaction. The second round concluded, leaving nothing but scraps on the floor.
"I need a challenge; attack me," Eve commanded, and the room complied. The dummies swiftly reformed, animatedly wielding wands as they encircled her. They initiated the assault, casting a flurry of stunning curses from all directions. Unexpectedly, as Eve surveyed the room, she felt her magic surging from within, inducing a slow-motion effect on the world. The incoming spells became easy to dodge, sidestepping stunning curses with leisure. "Expelliarmus," she incanted, anticipating her spell to share the slowed pace, only to be pleasantly surprised as her spell zipped towards her opponent's wand with incredible speed, unaffected by the surrounding slow-motion effect.
Eve sustained this remarkable display for another hour before fatigue set in. Deciding to call it a day, she exited the Room of Requirements. Hearing six soft chimes from the belltower, she knew students would soon awaken for breakfast. Transforming her pyjamas into her school uniform, she headed to the Great Hall, prepared to embark on her first day of classes.
The initial day of classes unfolded predictably, with a fair number of distractions and limited academic progress. In the blink of an eye, Eve found herself seated in the Slytherin common room, observing the clock striking 8 pm. She shook her head in disbelief; the day had passed with bewildering speed. Clutching her book closer, she attempted to drown out the raucous common room and immerse herself in her studies. From the corner of her eye, Eve witnessed Isabella pulling Albus away, their shared laughter and playful touches almost unbearable for her. Despite the inclination to avert her gaze, Eve couldn't help but watch as they exited the main area, a wave of sadness enveloping her.
Fingers encircled the top of her head, turning it back toward the fireplace. "Hey!" Eve yelped, meeting the sky-blue eyes of Dotty, who smiled at her. "You aren't going to kill Isabella, are you? The way you were staring, I couldn't be sure." She attempted to replicate Eve's glare. "Gosh, was that really what I looked like?" Dotty nodded and gracefully jumped over the back of the sofa. "I'm sorry, Dotty. I know you told me to try and make things better, but every time I see them together," she paused and sighed, "you know it's hard," she finished.
Dotty gently placed her hand on Eve's shoulder. "I understand how tough it is to move on from an ex. That's why I recommended what I did yesterday; it truly makes a difference," she assured. Eve, appearing nervous, twiddled her fingers and suggested, "Can we practice, you know? The thing. The sooner I re-enter the dating scene, the better I'll feel." Dotty enthusiastically responded, clasping Eve's hand and guiding her to the bedroom. "I'll take that as a yes," Eve said with a grin. She chuckled as she was playfully pulled along.
The duo settled onto the bed, and as the curtains were drawn closed, Eve's nervousness was evident—her flushed cheeks and fidgeting with the sheets betrayed her unease. "What do we do now?" she asked, seeking guidance. Dotty responded with confidence, "The first step is learning where to touch your partner. Touch is the initial signal of your intentions." Eve began to Mentally note everything down and store it away for future use. "Can I give you an example?" Dotty tilted her head inquisitively and Eve nodded, granting permission without fully grasping what she was agreeing to.
With a gentle touch, Dotty reached for Eve's hair, delicately brushing it behind her ear, inadvertently tickling her in the process. "This spot," Dotty explained, "behind the ear, is one guys often enjoy being touched." She then traced her fingertip down the back of Eve's ear, following the path along the soft skin of her neck. The sensation sent shivers down Eve's spine—strange yet exciting. Recognizing the potential impact, Eve made a mental note of that particular move, envisioning that a boy might feel similarly intrigued.
Gently guiding her finger along Eve's neck and down to her collarbone, Dotty traced the path with precision. A wide smile formed on Dotty's lips as she softly breathed out, "Here is another great spot; it's very sensitive." Sensing the tension building between them, Dotty continued to glide her finger back and forth over Eve's tender, pinkish skin. The actions left Eve with a mix of uncertainty and excitement as sensations stirred within her. With her stomach doing somersaults, Eve, feeling overwhelmed, blurted out, "Can I try?"
Interrupted from her actions, Dotty swiftly withdrew her hands and moved a bit closer so Eve could practice on her. Eve began by brushing Dotty's hair behind her ear, noticing a shiver, more pronounced this time. "Does it feel good?" she asked. Dotty responded with a subtle nod. Continuing her practice, Eve lowered her pointer finger down Dotty's slender neck, moving it in small circles. Engrossed in watching her fingers, Eve missed the fact that Dotty bit her bottom lip to stifle a moan from escaping.
Eve followed Dotty's lead, moving her finger down to her collarbone and replicating Dotty's motion, running her finger back and forth. Suddenly, a hand clasped around her wrist. "I think that's enough for now. It's getting pretty late, and it's really hot in here with the curtains closed, right? Or is it just me?"
Eve gently withdrew her hand as Dotty's grip lightened. "Uh, yeah, I suppose it's pretty hot," Eve replied, awkwardly scratching the back of her neck and avoiding eye contact with Dotty. She wasn't entirely sure what had just transpired. Entranced by the movement of her fingers, Eve found Dotty's skin sublime under her touch, feeling the heat radiating off her. The rapid beating of Dotty's pulse, as she passed over it, sent tingles through Eve's entire body.
"I'm going to take a shower before bed," Dotty quickly exclaimed, breaking the unnoticed silence that enveloped them as both were lost in thought. Without a response from Eve, Dotty hastily left the bed, rushing to her drawers to retrieve something discreetly hidden among her towels. Entering the bathroom, she didn't reappear until the next 30 minutes had passed.
Eve lay in her bed, grappling with the aftermath of the unexpected encounter. While aware of Dotty's orientation, she found herself unable to explain her own unique reaction—different from anything she had felt with Albus. Closing her eyes, Eve vividly felt Dotty's touch, almost as if tracing imaginary fingers along her skin. The tingling sensation washed over her, leaving her feeling weightless and ethereal.
Despite the usual struggle to sleep early, fatigue settled in, and Eve quickly succumbed to slumber, still donned in her uniform and robes. Unbeknownst to her, each approaching morning brought her closer to the day she would confront Hera, a day arriving sooner than she had anticipated.