downfall // marauders era

t h i r t e e n

"I need to know what you and Mr. Black were discussing yesterday when the...incident occurred," Dumbledore told Eve as they sat together at his desk.

"He flew up to me to ask me about Sirius. They aren't close and he felt awkward going up to ask him himself and he was curious, so he just came to me," Eve kept as straight of a face as possible, trying to act like she always did whenever she was speaking to the headmaster. She didn't want to tell Dumbledore what they had really been discussing because she wasn't sure if he would let her go talk with Regulus that night.

"I see," Dumbledore merely nodded, and Eve knew that he probably didn't believe her, but he wasn't going to pressure her into telling him what actually happened. "I only called you in here because I was afraid that this happened on purpose, but I suppose it was somehow an accident." Yeah, Dumbledore definitely didn't believe her story.

"You may go, Ms. Potter. I'm glad you're feeling better," Eve smiled at the headmaster before getting up and walking out of his office.

She had just been released from the hospital wing no more than half an hour ago, and immediately went to Dumbledore's office as he had requested her too.

Eve sighed with relief when she exited the office, seeing that the three were still standing there waiting for her.

"What'd he ask you?" James asked her as he walked up, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

"Just about what Regulus and I were talking about. He wanted to know if maybe someone made his broom explode on purpose," Eve said.

"Obviously someone did that on purpose! Broomsticks don't just randomly explode," Sirius commented. Eve smiled to herself as she thought Sirius sounded angry that someone might have tried to kill his younger brother even though he claims he doesn't like him.

"It's actually more common than you might think, at least according to the books I've read about Quidditch it is. And Regulus and I were only talking about you, so..."

"Eve is right, Sirius. It was probably just an accident. As long as her story is what she says it is, then there's no reason to believe it wasn't," Eve gulped as Remus spoke. Her story wasn't what she said it was, and she couldn't help but wonder if maybe somehow was listening in on their conversation somehow and blew up his broomstick to keep them from continuing it.

No one spoke a word the rest of the walk to the Great Hall. They walked in for dinner, and many people looked up and began whispering things. She could see them looking between her and the Slytherin table, where Regulus was already sitting. He smiled slightly at her, and she smiled slightly back before being pulled away by James as he glared at the people who were staring.

"You haven't eaten anything since breakfast yesterday, Raven, you must be starving," James commented as he helped Eve sit down.

"I wouldn't be if you gits actually thought to, I don't know, bring me food!" Eve replied sassily as the boys smiled sheepishly in response. She jumped as she felt a hand on her shoulder, but looked up to see it was just a worried Lily.

"How are you feeling, Eve? You look much better," the redhead smiled warmly at her.

"I'm fine, Lily, thanks," she returned the smile while pushing up her glasses. She then proceeded to hungrily stuff soup into her mouth, and on one particular spoon full she ended up dropping it on herself, causing Remus to chuckle at her before swishing his wand to clean it up, "And thanks to you too, Moony." Eve blushed as Lily nudged her discreetly.

"Well, I'm glad to hear it. While you were gone, they posted an announcement in the common room. A spring ball is being held for fourth years and up! We can go dress shopping when we go down to Hogsmeade closer to the dance, I suppose. If that's alright with you, I mean. Oh, and the first Hogsmeade trip is next weekend!" Lily spoke so quickly, Eve struggled to keep up with her, and from the corner of her eye, Eve could see James staring at her in fascination as she rambled.