Chapter 9: Getting into trouble
The following weeks passed at a sluggish pace, with the thrill of the first week slowly fading into the background, the mundane reality that is schoolwork took over. Even in a magical school, there were still those times when things got a bit dull.
Eve diligently carried on with her daily Occlumency lessons, though her progress was only gradual. However, her weekly sessions with X yielded much more significant results. She absorbed a wealth of knowledge from him, even though he didn't possess time magic himself; his expertise in the subject was truly remarkable.
She could now effortlessly rewind a single person, albeit not by a substantial amount. What X had emphasized was the significance of consistency, and that's what she learned.
The initial days following the kiss between Dotty and Eve were marked by awkwardness, as they both grappled with uncertainty about how to interact with each other. However, as the discomfort gradually dissipated, they found themselves sharing laughter over the cherished memory they had created together. This moment served to strengthen their friendship, making it even stronger than before.
Over the passing weeks, Scorpius and Rose made deliberate efforts to steer clear of each other, with the mounting tension between them becoming increasingly palpable. More often than not, it was Rose who channelled this tension into aggression, snapping at Scorpius over minor matters. However, beneath her fierce exterior, a scared and bewildered young girl concealed her true feelings, expertly concealing them behind a well-worn mask.
30th October 2017
"Alright, you bunch of slackers, let's try that again. I swear, the only one on this team with any real talent is Albus, and he's just a first-year!" bellowed Erick Zabini, a sixth-year student.
He shook his head, making his way over to Albus and giving the young player a hearty pat on the shoulder. "Only one week left until our first game, and you're the only one who seems prepared. At this rate, we don't stand a chance," Erick grumbled, releasing a pent-up sigh of frustration.
"You can count on me, Erick. I'll catch the Snitch within the first minute of the game!" Albus proclaimed confidently, holding his head high.
"That would be a sight to behold, for sure. Now, go on and chase after that Snitch – it won't catch itself," Erick replied with a reassuring grin.
With a single nod, Albus mounted his Thunderbolt and shot off at breakneck speeds, encircling the entire pitch in less than 20 seconds.
Perched on his broom, high above the action below, he observed as his teammates fumbled with the quaffle and missed bludgers, shaking his head in disbelief.
The Slytherin team had been practicing tirelessly for a whole week after try outs, and this was the best they could muster? Albus thought, once more shaking his head in disappointment.
His train of thought was swiftly disrupted as a minuscule golden ball whizzed past his ear, goading him into immediate pursuit.
Albus maintained a flat position on his broom as he chased the elusive Snitch. It darted left and right, zigzagging through the players, Albus in hot pursuit.
During the thrilling chase, the Snitch led Albus through all three goals on one side of the pitch and around each grand stand.
Allowing the Snitch to revel in its playful antics for long enough, Albus decided it was time to bring this chase to an end. He went in for the decisive move, feinting left and swiftly snapping back to the right, forcing the Snitch to alter its flight path.
With the opportunity he had created now wide open, Albus wasted no time and surged forward, closing his hand around the Snitch.
A lone cheer echoed in his ears. As he glanced up into the stands, he spotted a girl with vibrant purple hair, bundled up in a green and silver woolly hat and scarf.
Eve couldn't contain her excitement when Albus caught the Snitch. Watching him on a broom, she couldn't help but muse to herself about his fantastic flying skills. She was still looking forward to a flying lesson from him, but it seemed every weekend he was occupied with Quidditch or other commitments.
"That was incredible! So, when are you going to find time to teach me those things?" Eve inquired with a playful grin as Albus approached, hovering on his broom.
He chuckled in response, "You ask me the same question every week, and my answer is still the same – I don't know."
Eve folded her arms and playfully slumped back, giving Albus an exaggerated pouted look.
"Where is everyone else? I thought they would come watch me practice," Albus said, looking slightly disappointed that no one else had shown up.
Seeing his disappointment, she dropped her playful expression. "Well, Dotty is still buried in her research, taking every free minute she can find. Scorpius thought Rose was coming, so he decided to skip it, and Rose thought the same, so she passed too," Eve explained, taking a deep breath. Albus began to respond but was interrupted by Eve. "I just don't understand why they're so mad at each other. One minute they were fine, and now they hate each other. It's like a constant rollercoaster with them, and it's driving me bonkers," she exclaimed, gesturing wildly with her arms.
"Maybe it's a lover's quarrel," Albus said with a playful grin. But Eve's face turned pale at his words, and it hadn't occurred to her that it could be a possibility. She mulled the idea over in her mind, Rose and Scorpius dating, it made her physically shudder, Scorpius wouldn't do that to me. He likes me, right? She thought to herself
She began to speak but stumbled over her own words, and Albus picked up on it. "Wait a minute, don't tell me you have a crush on Scorpius. The way you're acting right now, it's so obvious. You're jealous of the possibility of him and Rose being together," he remarked, looking concerned. Bringing his broom down, he settled on the bench next to Eve.
Embarrassment washed over Eve, and her cheeks blushed a deep shade of red, like a ripe strawberry. She hadn't fully come to terms with her feelings for Scorpius, but there was no denying that things were heading in that direction. She found his company delightful, appreciating his sense of humour and the sheer joy he brought to her life.
However, the boy sitting next to her possessed all those qualities too. She was torn between them, unsure of her own heart's desires. She looked up into Albus's eyes, which bore a tinge of sadness, and she could tell he was hurt by her lack of denial.
"Really? Him? I thought you and I would, you know, eventually... we have so much fun together." He gazed down at his feet, a mixture of disappointment and sadness in his eyes.
"What about Dotty? I thought you were interested in her," Eve inquired cautiously, mindful of preserving Dotty's trust and avoiding the true reason for her recent avoidance of Albus.
Albus let out a heavy sigh. "She doesn't want to talk to me. Every time the conversation veers even slightly toward the romantic, she suddenly has somewhere else to be and makes a quick exit," he admitted, his gaze falling back to his feet.
Eve felt his pain deep within her, his disappointment, as if it had seeped into her own heart. Wanting to ease his suffering, she knew of only one way to do it. With a hesitant hand, she pointed at Albus and turned it counterclockwise. She watched as Albus moved backward in time.
She didn't want to do it, but knowing her words had caused him pain was gnawing at her heart. With this simple remedy, she hoped to set things right again.
Eve stopped turning her hand the moment she finished her sentence. Instead of revealing her own feelings about Scorpius and Rose, she gave Albus the chance to speak.
Albus scratched his head thoughtfully. "I'm not sure what's going on with those two. It's like I can't even leave them alone in the same room without Rose losing her temper at him," he said, shrugging. His balance on the broom was so impeccable that he didn't need to hold on to it to stay steady.
Eve nervously rubbed the back of her neck. "Yeah, no clue about those two," she replied, trying to mask her nervousness with a chuckle.
Albus sighed as he glanced back at the pitch. "I'd better get back; I think they're discussing 'tactics' " he said, making air quotes with his fingers.
Eve waved him goodbye before making her way back to the castle, wrapping her arms around herself to ward off the chilly autumn breeze. She sought comfort from the embrace as her thoughts drifted to Scorpius. She wasn't sure what to make of the situation; perhaps he was involved with Rose, or maybe he wasn't. She knew she would have to find out the next time she saw him.
Eve meandered through the Hogwarts corridors, attempting to pass the time until her upcoming lesson with X. Anticipation welled within her because this session promised to teach her the art of influencing multiple people at once with her magic. Thus far, she had only succeeded in affecting one person at a time.
Eve found a vacant stone bench in the heart of the main Atrium and settled down. She took in the expanse of the large room, with its central floor and two lower levels extending in different directions. One led out to the courtyard adjacent to the Transfiguration classroom, and the other led to the Herbology greenhouses. Behind her, a majestic staircase ascended to multiple floors, granting access to various parts of the castle.
This area served as a bustling hub of the school, and even on a Saturday, many students passed through, chatting with friends and catching up. Eve relished this moment of tranquillity, sitting in solitude and observing the world bustling around her. She couldn't help but notice two seventh-year students playing playful pranks on the younger ones, who remained blissfully unaware of the source of the sparks striking their backsides.
Eve couldn't help but giggle as she observed the prank, pondering whether she should intervene or let it run its course. Ultimately, she decided to just enjoy the show.
Suddenly, a quick blonde blur caught her attention from the corner of her eye. She swiftly turned her head to the left and spotted Dotty hurrying with a stack of books clutched tightly in her arms. Eve jumped to her feet and called out to her friends, who had yet to notice her presence. "Dotty!" Startled, Dotty lost her grip on the books, which tumbled to the floor in a chaotic heap. She gasped and turned her head in the direction of the voice.
""Eve, you startled me. I thought you'd still be at Quidditch. I'm really sorry I couldn't make it. I'm so close to a breakthrough, I can feel it," Dotty spoke rapidly, as if she had somewhere urgent to be.
"Don't worry about it. I know what you're working on is crucial," Eve said as she knelt down to assist Dotty in picking up her scattered books. She closed one of them and read the title, 'Time Turners Through the Ages.' Eve was pleased to see how dedicated Dotty was to their mission. With her help, she felt confident they could rescue her grandpa.
As Eve handed the book to Dotty, their fingers brushed, and a subtle spark danced across Dotty's complexion. She smiled, and so did Eve. Without a word, they shared an unspoken understanding of the moment.
"Erm... Eve, could you do me a huge favour?" Dotty asked, her eyes filled with pleading sincerity. Eve couldn't resist that expression. "How can I resist that face?" she replied, then added, "Of course, what do you need me to do?" Dotty glanced around cautiously. "Not here. Follow me." They collected the remaining fallen books and walked to a secluded corner of the Atrium, ensuring they had the privacy they needed.
Dotty carefully set her books on the floor, casting another quick glance over her shoulder. She leaned in, her voice a hushed whisper in Eve's ear. "I need your help breaking into the caretaker's office." Eve's eyes widened, and she took a small step back, her voice equally low as she stammered, "Break into the caretaker's office? Are you serious?" Dotty nodded firmly. "Absolutely. I've received a tip that there's something inside that we need for my plan to succeed."
"What's inside that we need?" Eve inquired, and Dotty shifted her gaze to the topmost book on the pile, drawing Eve's attention as well. "A time turner!" Eve instinctively covered her mouth to stifle a gasp. In a hushed tone, she whispered, "A time turner? Aren't those things illegal?"
Dotty placed a reassuring hand on Eve's arm. "Yes, they are. That's why it's locked away in the caretaker's office. But we need it. Speaking of the caretaker, he should be leaving for lunch any minute now. We need to hurry." With a sense of urgency, Dotty quickly pushed the stack of books into a shadowy corner, hoping no one would notice them until her return.
With rapid steps, the two girls dashed toward the caretaker's office. After a ten-minute sprint through various winding corridors and up and down different flights of stairs, they finally arrived, panting and sweating.
Both of them hunched over, gasping for air. "Now what?" Eve managed to say between sharp inhales. After regaining some of her composure, Dotty moved toward the locked door and pointed at the hefty iron lock. "I have one idea that might work. I'm really glad I ran into you because I had no clue how I would get in without you."
Eve joined her friend by the door, and they both stared at the lock. "Is there an unlocking spell?" Eve asked.
Dotty replied, "Yes, but the person who gave me the tip said the lock is enchanted to resist that spell. So, my alternative idea is..." She glanced at Eve from head to toe. "You."
"Me? What can I do?" Eve inquired; her hand placed across her heart.
Dotty explained, "Well, I thought you could use your unique magic on this lock and, I don't know, make it rust or something so we can break it."
She wasn't sure how long it took iron to rust, but she decided to give it a try. "I can attempt it. Make sure no one is coming," Eve said, shaking her head at her daring friend. "You are a bad influence on me," she muttered under her breath.
Placing her hand over the imposing iron lock, she focused on a joyful memory, allowing it to flow down her arm and into her fingertips. Golden threads of light radiated from her hand, wrapping around the lock, and rust began to creep over the dark iron, transforming it into a deep shade of orange.
Dotty turned around and pulled out her wand. "Hold it still," she instructed. Eve wasn't sure what spell Dotty was about to use, but she scrunched her face and held it to the side. To her surprise, there was no spell incantation, but she heard the sound of wood striking metal. Opening her eyes, she was astonished to see Dotty using her wand as a makeshift hammer. "Careful! You're going to break your wand!" she cautioned. As soon as she spoke, two things happened: the lock cracked open and flew from the door, and a spark flew out of Dotty's wand, creating a crackling bang above their heads.
Both girls exchanged anxious glances. "I hope no one heard that," Dotty whispered, her eyes scanning the empty hallway.
"We don't have time to find out. Let's get this done as quickly as possible," Eve replied. She pushed the door open and entered the room, her heart pounding against her ribcage, adrenaline propelling her into action.
The room appeared to be a small office, with only one window that allowed a pitiful amount of light to filter in. Without hesitation, Eve retrieved her wand and whispered, "Lumos," causing the tip of her wand to emit a soft glow. The room was cluttered with various items, including stacks of books and scattered papers, leaving little space to move around.
"We're searching for a small, silver, circular object with a tiny hourglass in the centre," Dotty explained as she began to clear some items from a table and set them on the floor.
Dotty leaped back in a startled state. "Oh my gosh, that thing scared me," she exclaimed, pointing to a small cage hidden behind the items she had just moved.
Eve turned to see what had startled her friend. "Is that a dragon?" she asked, tilting her head to get a better look. The poor dragon cowered inside the cage, and as Eve approached, it backed up until it couldn't move any farther. The dragon lowered its head in a threatening manner, opening its mouth to emit a puff of smoke, but no flames emerged. "I think it's a pygmy dragon. They can't breathe fire and don't grow much bigger than this," Dotty explained. Both girls peered inside the cage with sympathetic eyes, realizing that the poor pygmy dragon was terrified of them.
"We should set it free," Dotty suggested, scanning the room for a key.
Eve placed a reassuring hand on her friend's arm. "Dotty, as much as I want to save the dragon, we can't afford to get caught. Let's hurry and find the time turner so we can leave." With one last regretful glance at the dragon, Dotty took a deep breath and refocused her efforts on locating the time turner.
After shifting a large stack of fireworks aside, Eve gained access to a small cabinet. She began to rummage through each drawer with haste, showing little concern for the mess she was making. On the third attempt, she pulled the drawer out with a bit too much force, causing it to slip from its rollers and crash onto the stone floor. Its contents scattered across the ground.
Eve raised her hands to the back of her head and gazed down at the pile of jewellery. Quickly, she dropped to her knees, sorting through them, spreading them out in the hope that the time turner would somehow reveal itself. As her hand passed over a particular section of the pile, she felt a faint tug on her own magic.
She knew it had to be there, and with increasing determination, she worked even faster, tossing the non-time turner pieces of jewellery in every direction. "I found it!" Eve exclaimed, triumphantly holding the small item aloft. However, as her gaze swung around to locate Dotty, she was taken aback.
"What are you doing?" she hissed. Dotty stood over the dragon's cage, clutching a ring full of keys and wearing a guilty expression.
"I'm trying to save the dragon!" Dotty replied frantically, attempting another key in the lock. The lock popped open, and for a moment, both girls froze. Dotty hadn't planned beyond freeing the dragon, which, while unable to breathe fire, still possessed razor-sharp teeth and the ability to fly.
Dotty cautiously opened the gate of the cage, hoping the pygmy dragon would choose to exit on its own. But instead, the frightened creature retreated further and huddled in a corner. "What are you doing!" Eve exclaimed with panic as Dotty extended her hands into the cage, gently wrapping them around the trembling dragon. She held the dragon close to her chest, soothingly stroking its spine. As Dotty offered her kindness, the trembling gradually subsided, and the dragon stopped shaking. It nestled into her embrace and looked up with its big yellow eyes. To Eve, it seemed as though the dragon was expressing its gratitude through those eyes.
The heartfelt display was abruptly disrupted by approaching footsteps echoing down the hallway outside. Both girls' heads snapped towards the doorway, panic immobilizing their legs. There was no escape route other than the door they had entered through. Before they could formulate a plan, a menacing figure appeared in the doorway.
"Caught red-handed. It will be expulsion for both of you," Filch, the caretaker, taunted with a smirk. He stepped forward, making an attempt to grab both girls. Eve let out a squeal as her hands instinctively raised in self-defence.
In an instant, her palms emitted a brief flash of golden light. Filch suddenly began to speak in reverse, then turned and exited the room, heading back down the hallway from where he had come. With a quick exchange of glances, no words were necessary. They both bolted from the room, sprinting down the hallway in the opposite direction of Filch's impending arrival. They didn't look back, running as fast as their legs could carry them, with the sound of Filch's angry shouts echoing behind them.
While running, the pygmy dragon had found refuge inside Dotty's robe pocket. They continued to sprint until their feet could no longer carry them, finally collapsing in a heap on a grassy hill that sloped towards the Quidditch pitch.
As they lay on their backs, panting and trying to catch their breath, Dotty broke into laughter. "That was too close. Thank you for what you did, you're incredible," she said, leaning on her side and gazing at Eve.
"Yeah, it was too close. I'm just glad we're both okay, and that we managed to get the time turner," Eve replied, slowly pulling out the delicate piece of jewellery and dangling it between her fingers for Dotty to see.
"Do you know how it works?" Eve inquired. Dotty offered a slight nod. "Partly. I still need to read more about them, but once I do, I should understand."
A silence hung over them both as they both stared at the time turner, both girls deep in thought.
Dotty perched her lips and peered into Eve's misty grey eyes. "Thank you," she whispered softly, her lips barely parting.
"For what?" Eve asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"For being okay with me," Dotty admitted, her eyes momentarily flicking to Eve's feet before returning to her face. Her hands nervously picking at the grass they lay on.
"Of course, I'm okay with you. I would never turn you away. You're my best friend, Dotty," Eve reassured her, placing a comforting hand on Dotty's slumped shoulder.
Dotty melted at her touch, her heart fluttering, and a tingling sensation building inside of her. She had to look away from Eve's lips, those soft, kissable lips.
"We, erm..." Dotty paused, her eyes returning to Eve's face. "We should, erm..."
"Go," she blurted out.
Eve let out a little chuckle, noticing her friend's awkward behaviour. "I think we should, and we also need to get rid of that dragon. If you're caught with it, we are so busted!"
Dotty fished into her pocket and pulled out the curled-up dragon, its black scales glistening in the sunlight. "But he's so cute. How can I get rid of him?" she cooed, using a baby voice.
"I'm not sure how, but you have to. We absolutely cannot be found with him," Eve stated firmly as she pushed herself up to her feet and offered a hand to her friend. With a pout, Dotty reluctantly accepted the hand. "Fine," she grumbled.
The two girls brushed the grass stains from their skirts and made their way back to the Slytherin common room. With one dragon and a time turner acquired, the time turner heist had been partially successful, thanks to Eve's quick thinking, Dotty mused to herself as they walked.
With just an hour remaining until Eve's lesson with X, she opted for some quiet time in the common room until it was time to leave. "Fluffy, where are you?" she called out. A white cat materialized on the floor beside the chair, and Fluffy rubbed up against Eve's leg, purring in contentment.
Picking up Fluffy and cradling her like a baby, Eve settled back in the green leather chair, gazing out of the underwater window at the murky depths of the Black Lake, lost in thought.
She wasn't entirely sure of the details of Dotty's plan to save her grandpa, but now that they had acquired a time turner, it seemed she would find out soon enough. The prospect of reuniting her mother and grandpa left Eve in a dream-like state, and the excitement of seeing her grandpa again was nothing short of fantastic.
Her fingers ran through the soft white fur of Fluffy as she petted her cat, lost in her thoughts. A voice interrupted her reverie. "Mind if I sit down?" Eve turned her head toward the source of the voice.
"Sure," Eve replied, though she didn't particularly relish the idea of conversing with Scorpius as much as she usually did. The morning's jest from Albus about Scorpius and Rose possibly having a romantic connection lingered in her mind, adding to her unease.
She sat in silence, waiting for him to speak first, feeling somewhat slighted by his recent behaviour. Their connection had been developing well, and it was clear to anyone who observed them that something significant was growing between them. She couldn't help but wonder why he seemed to be throwing it all away.
Rose was one of her best friends, and she had never shown any interest in Scorpius, whereas Eve had hinted to Rose that she thought something might happen between them at some point.
The anger bubbling up due to her friend's betrayal, her gaze bore down on a nervous-looking Scorpius. The silence between them grew awkward. "A knut for your thoughts?" he said, though it was the wrong thing to say in that moment.
After gently placing Fluffy on the floor, Eve shot up with a burst of energy. She took a single determined step toward the chair Scorpius was perched in; her face etched with fury. "You want to know what I'm thinking, do you?" She pointed a trembling finger in his face. "How dare you! Rose, really..." She had no concrete evidence, but her mind was clouded by a red mist, and she didn't care whether she was right or wrong—she had to say something.
Scorpius trembled under her fury. "I... I didn't plan for it to happen. It took me by surprise."
Eve seethed with anger. "What happened?" she snapped.
Scorpius looked anywhere but into those Eves grey orbs, hesitant to say his next words, in fear of the girl's reaction.
"We kissed at the Quidditch match a few weeks ago, and it's been really awkward since. It didn't mean anything. She took me by surprise."
Eve slumped back in the chair, her face draining of colour. Had she just heard him, right? "Kissed," she whispered, her thoughts escaping her lips. Her eyes began to fill with unshed tears, her vision growing blurry. She glimpsed a blurry shape attempting to hold her hand, she instinctively shied away. "No," she whimpered, her voice weak. "I need to be alone."
Without waiting for a response, she left a dumbfounded Scorpius sitting on his own.
Eve rushed out of the common room, tears stinging her face. Once she was beyond the common room, she slowed her pace to a walk, using her robe sleeve to wipe her eyes. As she regained her composure, she glanced at the time and continued toward the seventh floor. Soon, she found herself in front of the Room of Requirement, ready for her weekly lesson with X from the Ministry of Magic.
Sitting patiently in the room's solitary chair, she suppressed her emotions, determined not to appear vulnerable in front of her teacher.
Twenty minutes later, the room's fireplace erupted in a blaze of green flames, and two figures emerged. Laughter filled the air as they stepped into the room. X, his hand on the headmistress's back, gently guided her across the room.
"Eve, how wonderful to see you. Do you mind if I relieve you of the chair?" Her smile was broader than usual.
Without a word, Eve rose from the chair and moved to the centre of the padded floor, ready to receive her instructions.
"Are you ready to begin, Evelyn?" He paused for a moment, allowing Eve to nod. "Very well. Today, we will practice, with the aim of achieving a successful dual time reversal."
X produced his wand and, with an effortless flick, two melons materialized out of thin air, landing gently on the padded floor.
"In a few moments, I'll launch these melons into the air, and let them smash on the ground. Afterward, I'd like you to reverse the melons, preventing both of them from being smashed in the first place. This time, it's not just about perfecting one, but both," he said with a fond smile directed at his pupil.
For a brief moment, X's thoughts drifted into the past as he gazed at Eve with affection.
When X first received the letter from Headmistress McGonagall, he couldn't help but be highly sceptical. "A child with the ability to manipulate time, that's absurd," he thought to himself. Everyone who had ever tampered with time had either met a grim fate or lost their sanity. The knowledge of such magic had been lost for a very long time, and for it to suddenly emerge in a Muggle-born child was utterly unfathomable.
For his entire 35-year career at the Ministry, he had been dedicated to the Department of Mysteries, specializing in the field of time oddities. He was an expert, having revolutionized our modern understanding of time through his influential books and research papers. His identity remained a closely guarded secret, for if this inner knowledge were to fall into the wrong hands, it could lead to catastrophic consequences. This was precisely why he always wore a grey cloak enchanted with a concealing spell.
"Let's begin," the cloaked man declared, raising his wand. Without a spoken word, the two melons soared into the air, only to descend with a resounding crash.
Eve nodded in an understanding manner, raising both hands, each pointed at a melon. She concentrated on her memories, specifically the joyful ones she had been employing all along. A golden glow materialized in her palms, and the energy wafted through the air like a delicate mist. As it reached the melons, Eve twirled her hands counterclockwise in unison.
For a moment, there was no apparent change, but then, gradually, small fragments of melon began to roll back from their landing spots, reassembling part of the shattered fruit. Maintaining the energy on both objects was starting to sap Eve's strength. She could feel sweat trickling down her brow, and her arms grew increasingly weary.
In defeat, her arms dropped to her sides, and the rolling pieces of melon came to a halt, no longer influenced by the magic. "I can't do it," she whispered in a tone of disappointment, feeling upset that she had let her teacher down.
X strolled over and gently placed a gloved hand under Eve's chin, slightly lifting her head to meet his shrouded face. "You can do it," he reassured her, his words filled with confidence. "I've witnessed magic that no child should be able to wield in this very room. You, Evelyn, are stronger than you think. Now, let's try again. Attempt to tap into different emotions this time. I assume you used happiness again?" He tilted his head inquisitively.
"Yes, I used my happy memories again, but I'll attempt to tap into a different emotion to see if there's any other effect," Eve responded determinedly. With her new goal in mind, she readied herself once more.
Pointing her hands at the separated melons, she delved deep into her mind, searching for a memory that would evoke a different emotion. Her thoughts flooded with memories of Scorpius, the sadness and anger she had felt melding into a more intense and unpleasant emotion. She felt it surging through her, like a whip, compelling her energy to perform beyond its usual capacity. Her hands trembled slightly under the strain of this newfound force; it was noticeably stronger.
The golden light, now even brighter than before, willed the melons to come back together. The broken pieces began to roll toward the centre once more, and they converged with increasing speed. Soon, both melons were fully formed.
Eve found herself completely absorbed in her own thoughts, her mind drawing her deeper into her memories of Scorpius. The day at the Quidditch match played out vividly. She recalled turning around and seeing them mere inches apart, wearing strange expressions on their faces. Back then, she hadn't thought much of it, but now she knew that was the moment they had kissed. "And I hugged them right after," her mind whispered.
She felt herself sinking, the weight of sadness pulling her deeper into the abyss. Suddenly, a red jet of light pierced the darkness, igniting fiery forces that propelled her back to the surface of her consciousness. Anger had taken hold. The thought of her best friends kissing now disgusted her. "How could they do this to me?" she fumed silently. "She used my inaction against me. She knew how I felt about him but chose to act anyway!" A burst of crackling energy accompanied her thoughts, particularly when she thought of Rose.
'"He had weeks to tell me, yet he didn't. He didn't even want to kiss her, but it happened, and I can't forgive him," she seethed with resentment. Another surge of energy crackled within her at the thought of Scorpius's betrayal of her feelings.
Amidst her inner turmoil, she heard a faint voice screaming, "Evelyn, stop! STOP!" The voice was distant, but she could sense the urgency in it. With determination, she pushed through the red mist, navigating the blue webbing of her emotions, until she reached a white edge. Peering over, she saw nothing but whiteness, which exuded a calming and safe aura. Feeling welcomed by the whiteness, she took one small step over the edge, descending back into reality and the chaos that surrounded her.
Meanwhile:
As Eve raised her hand, McGonagall sat forward in her chair, her eyes filled with anticipation. She gripped the arms of the chair tightly as the energy radiating from the child intensified. Slowly but surely, the melons began to reform. A shared smile passed between her and X; they both knew she had it in her, just needing a change in approach.
Both of their gazes returned to the melons as they levitated in the air, gently settling back into their original spots. X clapped his hands together in approval, saying, "Well done..." However, his words were abruptly cut off as the melons continued to diminish in size until they transformed into seeds and eventually faded into nothingness.
"You can stop now!" X shouted, but it became evident that Eve could not hear him. Her eyes took on a deep red glow, with faint wisps trailing from them, and her outstretched hands radiated a matching red hue, still channelling a potent magic.
"She's lost in her mind! We have to stun her!" McGonagall shouted urgently. The entire room trembled, a low rumble filling the air. X raised his wand, aiming it at Eve. "I'm sorry, child," he murmured. With a flick of his wand, a white spark shot through the air, gaining momentum. Suddenly, a red mist formed, swirling protectively around Eve. The white spark collided with it, creating a burst of light that scattered in all directions before dissipating.
The aftermath was intense. The shockwave sent both McGonagall and X to their knees. The energy emanating from Eve felt ominous, heavy, and oppressive. Lifting his head was a struggle; the air itself felt thick and viscous.
Eve's scream echoed, "How could they do this to me?" The red mist surged, enveloping the room and reversing everything inside it in time, including McGonagall and X.
Headmistress McGonagall gazed at her hands, watching as the wrinkles gradually tightened, her breath becoming easier, and her eyesight improving with each passing second. A sudden realization struck her; if this continued, she would end up just like the melon, reduced to nothingness, atom by atom. "Evelyn, stop! STOP!" she cried out, her younger lungs exhaling the plea. A few seconds later, the mist was drawn back into Eve and disappeared entirely.
Eve's eyes scanned the disarrayed room, taking in the charred red spot where she stood, with the walls and ceiling bearing the same unusual charring. Her gaze then settled on a woman she initially didn't recognize, her long auburn hair veiling her face. "Headmistress?" Eve inquired, a hint of worry in her voice.
"It is me, dear. Something has happened to me," she responded, lifting her head to allow her hair to cascade from her face, revealing a young and beautiful woman with unblemished skin. The Headmistress raised her wand, pointing it at a pile of scattered debris that had once been a chair, transfiguring it into a large mirror.
McGonagall rose and gazed at her reflection in the mirror. She gasped as her slender finger traced over her face, finding it hard to believe what she saw. "My God," she muttered, her voice filled with astonishment. "I must be in my thirties again, that's 50 years..." Her voice trailed off as she turned to the spot where X had stood. A small boy, dwarfed by the black clothing and grey cloak, replaced the tall figure.
She quickly concealed her gasp, rushing over to the young boy. "Charlie!" she exclaimed; her voice tinged with panic as she dug through the heap of clothes. "Ow! That was my head," a high-pitched, pre-pubescent voice emerged from within the garments. Slowly, he emerged, appearing to be of a similar age as Eve. He had short black hair, brown eyes, and an unremarkable appearance.
Eve stood there, her face displaying utter disbelief as she gaped at the unfolding situation. "I sent you both back 50 years?" she blurted out in a rhetorical question. "How is that possible?" she asked again, still in shock.
The high-pitched boy spoke up, "I believe it was anger you tapped into, clearly a very unstable emotion to mix with your own magic. It seemed to amplify your magic tenfold, hence..." He motioned between the young woman and himself. "Is there anything we can do to reverse it?" McGonagall pleaded with the time expert. He shook his head from side to side. "The only way we can get back to our correct age is through Eve. No other time device exists that could fix this."
Eve stammered, "But... I don't know how to do that." The small boy, wearing the oversized clothes which made him look quite comical, chimed in, "You don't know how to do that. YET!" His voice tried to sound confident but squeaked instead.
"We can only carry on as we were, until you are ready to correct this mix-up," he pondered, shaking his head with a faint chuckle. "At least our memories and knowledge remain intact; only our appearances have changed. This will certainly be a challenge to explain at the office."
McGonagall turned her wand in her hand, resizing the clothes to fit the boy more appropriately. "That's better. We should head back to my office and plan the next lesson. I assume there is a lot of research you need to do for it."
Charlie nodded, "Yes, there is. I shall see you next week, Eve. And please, promise me something." He waited until he had her full attention. "Do not get angry." She nodded in response. "I do not want to experience that again; you don't have to tell me twice." With those words exchanged, the two much younger figures exited through the green flames.
Taking a moment to process what had just transpired, she smoothed out her jumper and then left the Room of Requirement, making her way back to the Slytherin common room as evening was giving way to night.
On her way back to the common room, she passed through the atrium, recalling the books Dotty had stored earlier in the day. It occurred to her that she could collect them and surprise Dotty. Upon reaching the spot, the books were nowhere to be found. "I hope Dotty is the one who collected them," she muttered to herself while scanning the deserted area.
Something then caught her eye—a cloaked figure attempting to remain in the shadows. Her gaze tracked the figure as they stealthily moved across the hall and through the door leading to the Transfiguration courtyard. Eve's curiosity piqued, and the residual energy inside her gave her the much-needed confidence to follow the mysterious individual.
Eve maintained a safe distance from the mysterious individual as she continued to follow them. They had now left the castle grounds and were headed toward the Forbidden Forest. The sun had set, leaving the night sky eerie and cold, with moonlight sporadically breaking through passing clouds, casting an unsettling darkness along the forest's edge.
Tall, ominous trees began to sporadically spread out, but the deeper they ventured into the forest, the closer the trees pressed in. Eventually, the moonlight was entirely smothered by the dense canopy of the trees. A thick layer of fog rapidly descended, obscuring Eve's vision, and all she could discern was a faint glow in the distance. She assumed it was the cloaked figure's wand and continued in that direction, maintaining a safe distance.
Despite her growing unease, she felt a persistent whisper in her ears, urging her on. "Keep going, don't turn back." It wasn't her own voice but another, one that seemed to be inviting her to push further into the forest. She listened to the mysterious call, her curiosity overriding her apprehension.
In the distance, Eve noticed that the faint glow had come to a halt. She, too, stopped in her tracks and took refuge behind the base of a towering tree, nestled within the exposed roots that protruded from the ground. Peering through a gap in the earthy wood, she watched as the fog slowly receded, granting her a clearer view of her surroundings.
In the near pitch-black surroundings, a solitary figure stood motionless, their presence illuminated solely by the faint glow of a wand. Without it, Eve was certain they would be shrouded in darkness. Suddenly, the figure's head snapped to the right as two more cloaked individuals approached. Both appeared to be large men, their faces concealed beneath their hoods.
"You are late," a feminine voice with a slight rasp sounded out. Eve immediately recognized the voice. "Professor Rute," she whispered, her curiosity piqued even further.
One of the tall men growled in a low voice, "Had a little trouble with an Acromantula, but nothing we couldn't handle. It won't happen again, boss." He sounded slightly afraid, which puzzled Eve. Professor Rute wasn't the most pleasant lady, but she didn't strike Eve as particularly intimidating.
"Crucio," she hissed, the tip of her wand erupting in red lightning that whipped around the man who had spoken. He dropped to the ground instantly, writhing in pain, his screams silenced. After a few seconds, she relented the spell, but the man still convulsed on the ground. The second man stood up straighter and stammered, "Miss, do you have the goods? We should be off any minute now to make the drop on time." Fear emanated from him, and it was unmistakable.
Professor Rute reached into a brown satchel bag, retrieving five vials of clear liquid. "This batch of Veritaserum has a little extra punch, a new recipe I'm working on. Once consumed, the drinker won't be aware they're divulging secrets. After five minutes, a mind-wipe tonic within the serum will erase all previous events," she explained, passing the vials to the trembling hands before her.
"Make sure you inform the buyer of this new feature. I anticipate these will sell faster than I can produce them. Soon, we'll have a monopoly on the illegal potion market," she declared with a sinister cackle that reverberated through the desolate woods.
"Off with you both, I'm sick of seeing you," she snapped, flicking her hand dismissively in their direction. Her wand gently pushed them, and the downed man was dragged by the other until they vanished once more into the enveloping fog.
After witnessing the cruelty of her potion's teacher, Eve didn't dare move, afraid of being caught. As she observed Professor Rute beginning to walk away, Eve leaned against the roots, exerting a bit too much force. With an audible snap, a loud sound resonated through the forest floor.
Instantly, Professor Rute spun on the spot, aimed her wand, and without hesitation spoke clearly, "Avada Kedavra." The emerald jet of light briefly illuminated the darkness for just a moment, the green stream moving in slow motion toward the exact spot where Eve crouched. Instinctively, Eve shielded her face with her hands, and a warm energy escaped her fingertips. It reached out toward the green light, wrapping and encasing the beam, pulling it back from the wand from whence it came.
Slowly, the golden energy closed in around the witch, moving her backwards in time before realising her. Eve felt a strange tug as something seemed to escape the woman, her memories of hearing Eve breaking the roots. She had just prevented her own murder.
The witch continued to walk in the same direction as before, with one notable difference: she didn't turn to face Eve, as the noise had only occurred in Eve's reality. To Professor Rute, it never happened. With a swift step, professor Rute vanished into the fog.
Eve remained crouched, motionless, and unable to even process what had just transpired. She felt numb, realizing that she had come within inches of death. She recalled what happened when Dumbledore was struck by the green spell; it was instant and chilling.
With her arms wrapped around her body, Eve lowered herself onto the cool forest soil. She closed her eyes, attempting to divert her thoughts from the traumatic event, but all she could see was a recurring flash of green light. The urgency to return to the castle and warn the headmistress about Professor Rute was pressing, yet her legs refused to obey. She felt paralyzed, gripped by fear.
As Eve remained motionless, the forest around her seemed to come alive. A cacophony of clicking and chirping sounds filled the air, accompanied by bone-chilling screams and the rustling of leaves. The forest's sounds echoed from every direction, creating an eerie symphony that surrounded her.
In an effort to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, Eve huddled into a compact ball, tucking her head between her knees. The chilling air of October felt like shards of ice cutting into her skin. She knew she had to move; otherwise, she might freeze in the open woods. However, once more, her legs seemed paralyzed, unresponsive to her will.
Retrieving her wand, Eve attempted to recollect her last Charms class. They had learned the Warming Charm, and without it, she knew she would surely perish. She softly incanted, "Focilo," while gently tracing the tip of her wand over her body. A gentle warmth spread through her, instantly making her feel better.
After a few minutes of warming herself up, the shock from the near-death experience began to wane, and her mind unlocked her frozen legs. Eve quickly crawled out from among the roots. However, as she looked around, none of the directions seemed familiar.
Squinting into the distance, she noticed a faint glow. Panic surged through her, fearing it might be Professor Rute returning. In her anxiety, she dropped to the ground, trying to make herself as small as possible. Then, she heard an unusual noise, unlike human footsteps on soil. It was the sound of hooves.
As she looked up, she saw a brilliant white stallion with a golden horn towering above her. Its large, black eyes bore a quizzical expression as it gazed at her.
Eve carefully moved onto her bottom and began shuffling backward, putting some distance between herself and the unicorn. The graceful creature, still curious about the young girl, followed her at a leisurely pace.
Eve eventually stopped moving, and to her surprise, the unicorn did the same, and they found themselves locked in a mutual gaze. In that moment, something extraordinary occurred. A soothing aura enveloped Eve, causing all her worries to melt away. She felt a deep sense of happiness and contentment. Standing up, she approached the unicorn and gently stroked its soft mane. The majestic creature responded with a delighted neigh, forging an unexpected connection with the girl.
Uncertain about her next move, Eve jokingly spoke to the unicorn, "I'm lost. You don't happen to know the way out of here, do you?" To her astonishment, the unicorn nodded in response and gracefully lowered its body, inviting Eve to climb onto its back.
With a hint of hesitation, Eve began to climb onto the unicorn's back. Once she was securely seated, the majestic beast let out a low, affirmative neigh and surged forward with astonishing speed. It gracefully weaved between the towering trees, the wind whipping Eve's hair into a wild tangle behind her. In the blink of an eye, she spotted the castle on the edge of the forest, its turrets illuminated by the moonlight. The unicorn's horn gleamed like a radiant beacon, guiding her safely back to the castle.
The unicorn gently lowered its body, permitting Eve to disembark safely. As soon as she had both feet on the ground, she affectionately stroked its mane and whispered, "Thank you, sir," expressing her gratitude to the noble creature. In response, the unicorn pawed at the ground and then swiftly retreated into the forest, the soft glow from its horn vanishing behind the dense trees.
Eve, dirt-covered and appearing dishevelled, carefully navigated her way through the castle, keeping an eye out for Filch, who was known to patrol the halls during nighttime. Her journey was uneventful, and she eventually reached the deserted common room. All the other students were tucked away in their beds.
She tiptoed into the bedroom, shedding her soiled clothes and depositing them into the magical laundry basket. In the bathroom, she dampened a cloth and gently dabbed at her face. She contemplated taking a shower, but the late hour dissuaded her; it would be too noisy, even though she desperately needed one. The damp cloth would have to suffice for the time being.
Partially cleaned up, she crawled into bed with the utmost care, attempting to make as little noise as possible. Eve knew she should seek out Headmistress McGonagall and warn her about professor Rute, but sleep quickly enveloped her, exhaustion from the evening's events draining her energy. Her eyes gently closed, and she drifted off into the embrace of slumber.
In the early hours of Halloween day, Dotty's eyes opened with a sense of urgency. She instinctively turned her head towards Eve's bed and let out a sigh of relief. "She's safe," Dotty whispered into the tranquil, still room.
Quietly, Dotty navigated her way to Eve's bed, making every effort not to disturb any of the other girls. As she reached Eve's bedside, she gazed down at her friend, noticing her hair tangled with tiny twigs and looking akin to a literal bird's nest. Her face was partially covered in dirt. Dotty leaned in closer and gently whispered to herself, "What happened to you last night, Eve?"
Eve stirred in her sleep, sensing a looming presence near her bed, watching her. With a sudden burst of speed, Eve shot up to a sitting position, startling Dotty, who leaped backward, accidentally bumping into another girl's bed. "Ouch!" Dotty exclaimed as she rubbed the back of her head, which had collided with the bedpost.
Thankfully, no one had been roused from the commotion. In a low, hushed voice, Eve inquired, "Dotty, is that you? It's too dark to see. What are you doing creeping around?"
"Yes, it's me," Dotty confirmed. She silently and gracefully made her way to the bed, sliding underneath the covers and sitting up beside Eve. She gently placed a warm, soft hand on Eve's cheek, and a single tear trickled down her porcelain skin. "I'm so glad you're okay. I was worried sick, and so was everyone else," she admitted, pausing to brush a bit of dirt from Eve's face with her thumb. Dotty smiled at her best friend, relief washing over her.
"When you didn't return yesterday, I found Professor Inkwood, and he went out searching for you. But a few hours later, he came back empty-handed and told us to wait up and hope you came back soon," Dotty explained. Eve placed her hand upon the one on her cheek as she listened to her friend, feeling the warmth radiating into her soiled skin.
"Scorpius, Albus, and I were worried sick," Dotty continued. "We waited up until midnight, but you still didn't show. We were all getting tired, so we decided to head to bed and pray that you would come in later. Thank goodness our prayers were answered." Dotty leaned in, wrapping her friend in a tight hug and resting her head in the nook of Eve's neck.
Eve gently rubbed Dotty's back to soothe her, and in the quiet moment, she could hear her friend crying. "It's okay, I'm safe now," she whispered into Dotty's ear, providing comfort and reassurance.
"What happened to you?" Dotty inquired, her eyes locking onto Eve's, although unshed tears clouded her vision. Eve quietly cleared her throat and began recounting the events of the previous night. "I was on my way back to the common room when I remembered that you left your books in the atrium, so I went to look for them." Dotty nodded, choosing not to interrupt the story. "I couldn't find the books, but what I found was a shadowy figure lurking in the dark, trying not to be seen. This really piqued my curiosity. Not sure if it was brave or stupid, I decided to follow the figure." Eve took in a deep breath.
"I was led into the Forbidden Forest, and I know what you're thinking, 'Eve, the Forbidden Forest is forbidden for a reason,'" Dotty nodded once again. "I know that, but I had to know what this person was doing. It was a strange, compelling feeling that forced me to go on. So, we travelled in the forest for a while. It was getting very, very dark, and I was having trouble seeing." Dotty noticed Eve's hands beginning to tremble, and she took them in her own to help her relax.
Eve gently rubbed her fingers over her friend's hand and smiled at the comforting gesture. "I wanted to turn back, but every direction I turned looked the same, and I was truly lost. So, all I could do was follow the figure some more. Once we came to a large clearing, I found a spot to hide and waited. A few minutes passed by, and I could see the person getting increasingly agitated. Suddenly, two rough-looking thugs, emerged from the fog. I heard the person talk for the first time, and right away, I knew who it was." Dotty gasped, "Who was it?"
"Professor Rute," Eve coldly uttered, her feelings about their potion's professor simmering hot in her mind. The vision of her attempted murder flashed once again, the green light etched in her memory, causing Eve's hands to clamp tightly on Dotty's. "Ouch," Dotty exclaimed, wincing. "I'm sorry. You'll see why her name caused me to do that. So, these thugs appear, and they're late. Professor Rute doesn't like that one bit. She hits them with a horrid spell. It was red and cracked like lightning. The man squirmed on the floor, trying to cry out in pain, but no noise would come out." Eve shook her head, attempting to erase the gruesome image, but it stubbornly persisted. Again and again, she saw the man writhing in pain, his eyes rolling back in his head, the veins in his face and neck bulging, about to burst from pressure."
"That sounds awful," Dotty said, cutting her sentence short in anticipation of what happened next in the story. "After that, they talked about selling illegal potions. I knew something wasn't right when I caught Rute trying to cover something up. Remember I told you about that," Dotty nodded as she recalled. "Well, after that, the men left, well one did. He had to drag his friend off; he still couldn't stand. As Professor Rute was leaving, I tried to get a better view to see which direction she went, but I broke a root that I was hiding behind."
Eve suddenly stopped, her expression going blank, and her gaze looking past Dotty's face. Dotty instinctively turned around, but nothing was there. "Hey, are you okay?" she asked. There was a brief pause before Eve nodded. "Yes, I'm fine now. Where was I?" Another pause as she searched her memories. "Ah, yes, I broke the root, and then the professor spun and fired the green killing curse at me." Dotty gasped, this time louder, her hand clenching Eve's. "No... but you're not dead?" she questioned, puzzled. "No, I'm plenty alive. I deployed my unique magic to counteract her curse, sending it and her back in time before I broke the root. She ended up walking straight past me and off into the fog."
Both girls sat holding each other's hands, not saying a word but feeling everything the other was experiencing. It was a harrowing ordeal. Eve finally broke the silence. "I thought I was going to die in that forest. I was lost, cold, and had trouble moving. It was the most scared I've ever felt." A tear slid from her eye, making a distinctive path through the dirt still on her face.
"Once I figured out how to warm up, I got moving again, and then the strangest thing happened. I found a unicorn, and he took me back to the edge of the forest. Well, the rest is me coming back here and going to sleep," Eve explained. She could tell Dotty was processing everything, her mind's gears and cogs turning as she made sense of the story she'd just heard.
Silence lingered in the air as Dotty looked down at the bed, clearly deep in thought. Her head shot up, and she said, "We need to tell Headmistress McGonagall right now. Not later, right now. She needs to know there is an evil witch running her potions class."
Eve hesitated, "You think she will listen to us? What if she thinks we are making all this up just to get rid of the most unliked teacher?"
Dotty furrowed her brow. "I've heard of a magical technique that lets you delve into people's memories. I'm certain Headmistress knows how to perform it. Once she glimpses your memories, Professor Rute won't be a problem anymore."
Eve grinned. "That could be our solution. Hurry, get dressed – we need to leave right away." Eve swiftly donned her uniform and robe, but her heart skipped a beat when she checked her phone; it was at a mere 5% battery. She'd forgotten to charge it and quickly noted the time: 4:49 am. "The Headmistress won't be thrilled to see us at this hour," she muttered under her breath.
Once the two girls were fully prepared, they slipped out of the room as quietly as possible. The castle was under curfew, and students were strictly prohibited from being out of bed at this hour. If they were caught, they would be in deep trouble. With determination etched across their faces, they made their way up the steps to the entrance of the common room. They pushed open the stone wall and stepped out, ready to face whatever lay ahead.