downfall // marauders era

s e v e n

Soon enough, Eve and James were soaring through the sky. As she flew, she thought about how amazing it was. It was like she was a bird, her favorite animal, and she could do almost anything as she soared through the air. She looked at everything around her, especially at the beauty of the sky. The sun was setting behind the trees and the sky was a gorgeous pink-orange color. She could also see the sliver of moon sitting in the sky, wait for its turn to shine, all the while reminding her of what she named Callisto after.

James and Eve laughed together as they flew around, and James even taught her a few tricks. While they were hovering in the air, James taught her how to play the game of quidditch. Eve had to pretend that she didn't know how to play it, but in reality she knew every rule and piece of equipment.

"I'm a chaser, but I'd say you'd be more of a seeker considering the way you're flying now. They need to be quick and agile," James grinned.

"James! Eve! Time for dinner!" They both glanced down to see their dad walking back inside. Eve flew back down behind James, trying to copy his landing. However, she wasn't as graceful and ended up tumbling onto her face. They both laughed loudly at her fall before James helped her up and they both went inside for dinner.

The family sat down and ate the wonderful meal Mrs. Potter made. There wasn't one silent or awkward moment during dinner, much different from what Eve was used to at the orphanage. The whole meal was filled with laughter and happiness, and Eve was so happy to be apart of such a genuinely loving family.

After dinner, they all went into the large living room with James' first year books. They began teaching Eve the basics of using a wand, and started teaching her wingardium leviosa, accio, alohomora, lumos, nox, and many others. It didn't take Eve long at all to catch on to the simple first year spells as she had read all about how to do them in her old life. They began working on other subjects as well, and she caught on quickly to that. Her parents and James spent a good two hours giving Eve tips and helping her learn many different things before her parents decided to go to bed.

"You've done absolutely wonderful, my dear. We can do a bit more tomorrow," Mrs. Potter told her, "Dumbledore said he would find you a tutor in your house to catch you up. Speaking of houses, Dumbledore wants you and James to return to Hogwarts at 4:30 tomorrow afternoon so you'll be there in time for the feast and still have time for James to show you around. He said you will be sorted during the feast tomorrow evening. Oh, and don't worry about what house you get put in. Your father and I don't care if you're a Slytherin, you'll always be our daughter."

Eve smiled at her parents and gave them both a hug and then followed James upstairs. They talked the whole way up about what would happen the next day, and it wasn't awkward talk anymore. It was genuine, friendly talk, like they hadn't just met the day before. It was as though they had been together their whole life. Once they reached their rooms they gave each other a quick hug and said goodnight before going to sleep.

~~~

Eve woke up the next morning after having amazing dreams about what's to come at Hogwarts. Thankfully the dream wasn't a nightmare like it had been the night before. She sat in bed for a moment before realizing she would be going to Hogwarts later that same day and jumped up with excitement.

Or at least she tried to.

When Eve moved, she saw she had feathers. Black feathers. She didn't have arms anymore, but instead she had wings. And in place of her legs were two very small, twig-like legs. She wasn't sure how this happened. How did she become a bird?

She began flapping her wings in an attempt to fly to someone and somehow tell them about her predicament, but it was a lot more difficult than it seemed. She wasn't really sure what to do after that, so she decided to start squawking loudly so she would get someone's attention. She heard some shuffling from across the hall and then James knocked on her door, "Um, Eve? Do you need to give Callisto more treats?" Callisto then began yelling with Eve at the sound of his name in the same sentence as treats, and James grew confused. Why were there two birds in Eve's room?