Re: Start of Term (Hogwarts)
Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2021 6:00 pm
Eve Travers
The last night at the seashore, Eve lay curled up in a cocoon of blankets that Cambria had tucked around her before going to her own repose in sphinx form nearby - the Maledictus curse that Eve still fully intended to break for her. Wind whistled around the cottage outside, but inside was cozy and warm, with the last embers of a fire dying slowly on the hearth.
Eve realized she was the happiest she'd ever been.
She had two true friends in Rosemary and Cambria. Her son was back in her life, and had a girlfriend he adored. Eve had Shelby and Basil, too. Even the thought of returning to Hogwarts the next day didn't fill her with dread, because despite what a hard place it had been for her in childhood, now it was finally becoming a home.
The happiest she had ever been... she would cherish every moment of it.
***
When they arrived at the castle, Eve and Cambria unpacked their belongings, only to be interrupted by a rather flustered-looking McGonagall.
"I'm afraid we have misplaced Mr. Bale again," the headmistress said through pursed lips. "He is somewhere in the castle, but no one has seen him, and his housemates are becoming worried. It seems we must search for him yet again."
Eve managed not to comment that 'Bale has bailed,' and felt bad for thinking it at such a time. Still, she was sure the lad was fine. The castle had a lot of nooks and crannies to hide in, but not a tremendous amount of actual danger... for the most part. Though now that she thought about it, there were quite a few ways an overly curious Third Year might manage to imperil himself...
She and Cambria agreed to help look for the boy a second time. As Eve peered into an empty classroom, Auror Barclay suddenly appeared behind her, making her jump. He grabbed Eve by the wrist, pulled her into the classroom, and slammed the door behind them.
"What do you think you're doing?" Barclay snarled at her.
"Looking. For... student." Eve was having trouble forming sentences. Barclay intimidated her too much - not so much the man himself, but the power he wielded over her.
Barclay shook his head impatiently. "I don't mean right at this moment, and you know it."
Eve had not known it, and now had no idea what the conversation was about.
"Then... what?" she asked, genuinely baffled.
"Your parameters were communicated very clearly!" Barclay's face was livid pale, except for bright red spots on his cheeks. He brought his face very close to Eve's, and took a step toward her when she drew back. "You were not to have any unnecessary contact with the students or faculty! You had no reason to leave the castle! And then I find out you... went on holiday? You are a criminal on a tenuous parole, Travers. Very tenuous. Never forget that."
She didn't expect that he would actually hit her, so it took her by surprise when the backhand made her see stars.
Barclay puffed like he'd just run a marathon - seemingly as shocked as Eve that he had gone so far. He showed no remorse, though. His features hardened.
"You will tell no one about that. It's your word against mine, and I will see you behind bars immediately for lying about an Auror. Do you understand?"
Eve nodded, regarding him with wide eyes.
Barclay went on, "I think we have given you far too much leniency, Travers. From now on, you have no reason to leave the dungeons. Your classroom is there, as is your bedchamber - your own chamber. I do not want to hear any more reports that you're spending your nights in the Muggle Studies professor's room. As for your meals, I am sure the House Elves can manage to provide them in your quarters; there is no need for you to disrupt the Great Hall with your presence. You will remain in the dungeons at Hogwarts... or you will return to Azkaban. Is that clear?"
The thought of being trapped in the dungeons made Eve's heart beat faster with panic. But she told herself there was no need. She could still teach her classes. Her room was not a cell - it was warm, dry, and safe. Surely her friends would find excuses to come visit her from time to time. Hogwarts was much better than Azkaban. She needed to make sure she stayed here.
"I understand," Eve replied, in a voice that sounded rusty and distant.
Barclay departed without another word, leaving her leaning against the blackboard, gasping for breath and fighting back tears.
The last night at the seashore, Eve lay curled up in a cocoon of blankets that Cambria had tucked around her before going to her own repose in sphinx form nearby - the Maledictus curse that Eve still fully intended to break for her. Wind whistled around the cottage outside, but inside was cozy and warm, with the last embers of a fire dying slowly on the hearth.
Eve realized she was the happiest she'd ever been.
She had two true friends in Rosemary and Cambria. Her son was back in her life, and had a girlfriend he adored. Eve had Shelby and Basil, too. Even the thought of returning to Hogwarts the next day didn't fill her with dread, because despite what a hard place it had been for her in childhood, now it was finally becoming a home.
The happiest she had ever been... she would cherish every moment of it.
***
When they arrived at the castle, Eve and Cambria unpacked their belongings, only to be interrupted by a rather flustered-looking McGonagall.
"I'm afraid we have misplaced Mr. Bale again," the headmistress said through pursed lips. "He is somewhere in the castle, but no one has seen him, and his housemates are becoming worried. It seems we must search for him yet again."
Eve managed not to comment that 'Bale has bailed,' and felt bad for thinking it at such a time. Still, she was sure the lad was fine. The castle had a lot of nooks and crannies to hide in, but not a tremendous amount of actual danger... for the most part. Though now that she thought about it, there were quite a few ways an overly curious Third Year might manage to imperil himself...
She and Cambria agreed to help look for the boy a second time. As Eve peered into an empty classroom, Auror Barclay suddenly appeared behind her, making her jump. He grabbed Eve by the wrist, pulled her into the classroom, and slammed the door behind them.
"What do you think you're doing?" Barclay snarled at her.
"Looking. For... student." Eve was having trouble forming sentences. Barclay intimidated her too much - not so much the man himself, but the power he wielded over her.
Barclay shook his head impatiently. "I don't mean right at this moment, and you know it."
Eve had not known it, and now had no idea what the conversation was about.
"Then... what?" she asked, genuinely baffled.
"Your parameters were communicated very clearly!" Barclay's face was livid pale, except for bright red spots on his cheeks. He brought his face very close to Eve's, and took a step toward her when she drew back. "You were not to have any unnecessary contact with the students or faculty! You had no reason to leave the castle! And then I find out you... went on holiday? You are a criminal on a tenuous parole, Travers. Very tenuous. Never forget that."
She didn't expect that he would actually hit her, so it took her by surprise when the backhand made her see stars.
Barclay puffed like he'd just run a marathon - seemingly as shocked as Eve that he had gone so far. He showed no remorse, though. His features hardened.
"You will tell no one about that. It's your word against mine, and I will see you behind bars immediately for lying about an Auror. Do you understand?"
Eve nodded, regarding him with wide eyes.
Barclay went on, "I think we have given you far too much leniency, Travers. From now on, you have no reason to leave the dungeons. Your classroom is there, as is your bedchamber - your own chamber. I do not want to hear any more reports that you're spending your nights in the Muggle Studies professor's room. As for your meals, I am sure the House Elves can manage to provide them in your quarters; there is no need for you to disrupt the Great Hall with your presence. You will remain in the dungeons at Hogwarts... or you will return to Azkaban. Is that clear?"
The thought of being trapped in the dungeons made Eve's heart beat faster with panic. But she told herself there was no need. She could still teach her classes. Her room was not a cell - it was warm, dry, and safe. Surely her friends would find excuses to come visit her from time to time. Hogwarts was much better than Azkaban. She needed to make sure she stayed here.
"I understand," Eve replied, in a voice that sounded rusty and distant.
Barclay departed without another word, leaving her leaning against the blackboard, gasping for breath and fighting back tears.