Shadow and Flame

Seeing Thestrals

Sea foam eyes stalked creatures pulling the carriage. Their angular bones jutted and creaked. She peeled herself away, rubbing her thumb across the scar along her wrist.

Eden Carrow's final year had begun with death.

She tucked her sleeves over her hands, the girl before her sniffling. Thick arms wrapped around a bundle of herbology books. The Hufflepuff attempted to use the stack to push her glasses up her nose.

They hit a bump, a copy of the Prophet smacking Eden's leg. She must have seen the cover a hundred times in the last day. A quidditch match ended in tragedy over the weekend.

Extending the paper to the Hufflepuff, their fellow occupant snickered.

"Rookie mistake, if you ask me."

She focused back on the thestrals, at the road, anything else.

"I'd reckon you'd know a thing or two about mistakes, Carrow."

"Just as you'd know a thing or two about being an idiot, Orson."

She bit the inside of her cheek, not willing to give him the satisfaction of a smile.

As the carriage halted, the young Hufflepuff scampered off. The other occupant brushed past, voice low.

"Wouldn't want to keep your boyfriend waiting."

"When will you ever get a brain?" She stood, straightening her skirt. He leapt off, swiveling with an extended hand. She smacked it away, helping herself down.

"Well, at least I'm a gentleman."

"A brainless gentleman."

His smug grin fell into an exaggerated grimace. Gold and crimson waved her over.

"Eden! Over here!"

"I should probably go see what he wants."

Tucking a white strand behind her ear, she backed away.

"You know where to find me." Her brows furrowed together, as she left the troublesome Slytherin behind.

What was that?

Catching up to her usual group, she found herself wrapped under another's cloak.

"We wondered where you went." They headed toward the castle.

"I thought I'd lost my wand."

"Wait til you hear what we have in store." Tuning out plans of pranks and mischief, she stole a sideward glance at the place she'd left Wesley Orson.

Where'd he gone?

With a squeeze on her shoulder, lips grazed her ear. "Perhaps we'll have a moment alone tonight."

"It's been a long day. I was hoping to get to bed early."

"Are you dodging me, Eden?"

Yes.

"Of course not. I'm just tired. Maybe tomorrow?"

He slipped his arm down, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"Yeah, sure." He ran ahead, catching up with the others. She pulled her robes in, hugging herself as she followed them up and into Hogwarts.

            

After the great feast, Professor Mcgonnagal summoned her. "I wanted to see how you were coming along in your studies this summer. Your extracurricular assignment?"

She gathered the mentally rehearsed words.

"I'm afraid I lacked the will to finish."

"Yes, I did hear of the tragedy. How're you faring?"

"It hasn't been easy, but I'm getting by."

"Don't hesitate to ask anything of your professors. As for the assignment, would you care to continue your study here?"

"I do appreciate your guidance, but I wouldn't want it to take away from my other studies. Especially in my last year."

"I've always admired your ambition, Carrow. If you change your mind, you'll inform me?" Mcgonnagal seemed to study her, and Eden smiled her response as confidently as she could muster.

"Absolutely, Professor."

When she returned to her dormitory, everyone gathered in the Ravenclaw common area. She snuck off to her room, situating herself onto the wide windowsill. Watching moon-dipped owls fly across the expanse of Hogwarts, a secret burrowed in. She cuddled it, allowing the fear to wash over. Had Mcgonnagal seen right through her with that cat-like stare?

Had they all?

Wrapping her arms around her knees, she rested her head on them.

No one can ever know what really happened this summer.