chapter five ... TOUGH LOVE

(and stuff...)

       AFTER THE QUIDDITCH cup chaos, Eve and her family return to Peregrine House.

       Her cousin and his boyfriend slumber away the events of the night somewhere in one of the many rooms in the home. Saul comes much later, looking worn out and troubled where he'd usually be cool and collected. Eve's hears his snores down the hall after a while...

      Eve doesn't sleep though.

      She lays in her bed and watches the ceiling, focusing on the starry night enchantment Saul had put in her bedroom. She w sees it twinkle away but she does not sleep. She loves sleep. But how can she? Every time Eve tries to close her eyes, she's met with the sound of her own screams. Mocking laughter. The smell of the dirt in her fingernails as she clawed at the ground, trying to get away from the pain and those laughs. She minded her words too well and it nearly costed her life at the wand of two Death Eaters. The cold reeling of being put under Crucio has her doubling blankets, jaw clenched to prevent her teeth from chattering, and forcing herself not to cry too loud for anyone to hear.

      Eve wants to run to her dads room and cry, just absolutely break and tell him what she went though as he holds her. But she can imagine the look on his face after... Eve loathes making Saul feel sad. It seems it's all she's done since last term after her expulsion. She's sick of it. For once, she wishes his sadness had nothing to do with her but she was his world and if he were to learn that someone dared cursed her, unforgivably at that, Eve knows his sadness would completely destroy the last shreds of fight shes got...

      Betelgeuse runs into her room.

      He jumps into her bed, meowing.

      "Sweet boy," says Eve, hugging him as he settles into her arms. Her cat licks her nose with his sandpaper tongue. She wants to cry again. "Beetz, beloved... I couldn't get you a little gift this time." A meow. "Oh, I know. But so much happened..." Her tears fell down easily then. "I'm sure all the stands were burnt to crisps anyway. Terrible, isn't it? Handmade things are just lovely. But I'll get you a lovely knit sweater from Hogsmeade when we go to school, believe me."

        Her cat gives her a loving nudge.

       Eve braves a tiny smile at him, "We start school on Thursday." She pauses. "Well at least, I do. You get a new home for a few months. You don't actually need to learn like me..."

      Beetz states her, as if waiting for her to continue. 

     "Right, so, Hogwarts you saw - it's all very different from Beauxbatons," She tells the cat, trying to get her mind off the fact that she is too scared to sleep. "You'll love it more than the French getaways we had... But those were pretty fun, too, though, yes? I'll miss everyone being so well dressed..."

      Beetz meows again.

      Fight face for the rest of your days.

     (She thinks: look where that got you...)

      Her bracelet feels warm again.

     "I can't tell dad," Eve wipes her eyes. "He'll blame himself you know him. He always blames himself when it comes to me... but this time it was my fault, I was too scared and I didn't really have my fight face on..."

      Beetz purrs as he cuddles up against her.

      With her cat in her arms, Eve finally closes her eyes.

⭑

      EVE'S BIRTHDAY CAME and went, with plenty of the usual fussing and love over another year tallied on her annual existence. The cake (a delicious red velvet with homemade buttercream, all churned by Gráinne herself) was her favorite part of all, no surprise there. Yet, with about a dozen of presents all suited to the girl everyone knew as Caoimhe Roe Peregrine, her cousins singing around her and her fathers beaming smile never failing - Eve couldn't help but feel the need to christen it as a somber affair. Unfortunately, to her utter disappointment, what happened to her with the Death Eaters could not escape her.

      Whilst her nightmares remained full of the same horror, the cold pain of Cruciatus... Everyone else, especially Saul, could only chalk it up to his darling daughter reliving the frightening experience of seeing the Dark Mark over and over again.

      He had no clue of what experience haunts her, though.

      (Eve hasn't the heart to ever tell him.)

      Not when these days, Saul looks so very different to her. Older almost, weary. She's a trooper. A people pleaser. She's been this way her whole life. Whether it be to make people look behind the whole Charmspeak thing or just the way she was built, Eve didn't know. She does know that, as a certified super trooper, (she'd change the ABBA meaning but also, it could mean the song too, if she's gonna pull off the performance of a century by acting like everything is cool-) she won't burden her dad with things she can handle...

     "So! I think it's safe to assume you're all packed," Saul says, on the weekend before Eve is off to Hogwarts. Current trauma included, she's so excited. She hopes the tea for nightmares Gran gave her will work. "You've got everything tucked away all nice and tidy - oh, I hope that endless packing charm I gave your trunk worked..." He grins.

        "It worked, thank you," Eve says, beaming.

        "Glad to hear it."

        "Strangely, it doesn't weigh more than a feather."

        "Weightless Charm."

         "I need that actually. Especially after a big dinner," She goes on, smiling wide, "But yes, I'm all packed and proper. All my hair potions and extra uniforms, my Hogsmeade outfits...I'm so excited. Honestly, daddy, If clothes were weapons I'd have an arsenal."

        "I'm sure you would, sweets," Saul humors her.

         Eve smooths out her skirt. It's brand new, (well, it's sorta vintage but new in that it's hers now) brown and lovely and from Sirius. She got it for her birthday. He said he found it in the room where most of the Grimmauld clutter is... Currently, she's in Diagon Alley with her dad; they've just finished picking up her last stack of books for school. Again, she's so excited.

         "I'll practice the one I learned about from my friend in Beauxbatons..." Eve tells him.

         Saul smiles. "Oh yeah? Which one is-?"

        "It's so neat - you can go into your trunk, back home, so that you never have to pack too much," Eve is silently giddy the hope she'll master it. She will. She's a good witch; nearing ace status. "Because like, say you forget something super necessary? Your favorite pair of Repettos or ugh, that hair blowout potion you left on your dresser? No problem! It's fine! You can just go into your trunk and go get it from your room or wherever it is..."

         "Sounds very useful for no one more than you, brains."

         "Exactly what I said."

         "Lucky girl."

          "Sure, sometimes."

         Saul leads them to Florians for a cold treat. They sell frappés, too, which are Eve's favorite but she settles for an iced latte. Thank Madonna for Muggles. "I'll say... speaking of, you, um, how's the night going for you lately, sweets? I haven't heard you-"

          "Oh, gone," Eve lies. "Sleeping soundly again. Like Sleeping Beauty. Except, no one kisses me." Her dads eyes widen at the words. "Because I don't even know how to, so, it's like Princess Aurora, but if she was never awoken but here it's not a bad thing because I'm sleeping. Soundly. I love sleep. You know that... Daddy, I've never kissed anyone in my life-"

          "Are you sure, beauty?"

          Eve pales. "...Sure I haven't kissed anyone?"

          "No, that's good, but, I meant - Are you alright? I know it was chaos a few days ago, I can't imagine, sweets. You've only had stories of those pricks but to finally see-"

          "I'm so over that, daddy."

          Shes make an effort not to look at anything other than the butterscotch cream cake she's got in front of her. It's quite a sight. Unfortunately, her dad notices this - obviously. It's Saul. He's not dumb. Unfortunately for her, right now.

          "Honest."

          "You sure sound convincing," Saul frowns.

          Eve knows she'll have to turn it up a notch. "I'm being honest. It was messed up - the World Cup. I was just mad because that absolute loser boot-licker cult ruined our big father-daughter outing," Eve is trying to be more convincing here, since it was the truth anyway. "I was scared, too, seeing what they did to all the Muggles there... it's scary. Muggles don't do any harm as they are..."

         She realizes what she says too late.

         Saul doesn't hate Muggles, he was simply hurt by two.

         Her dad was adopted by these super wealthy Muggle people, New Yorkers, old money developers who were super religious and super god fearing that they didn't allow their adopted son back into their home when magical stuff began happening to/around him...

        Saul looks at his hands. "Well No-Majs are notoriously better at discriminating better than Voldemort ever tried," He reminds lightly. "They of course worry about more ridiculous things - it's all blood for our world. Wizards on top over everyone else. Being a No-Maj is worse than being a Giant or a Werewolf or Elf to those fuckers-'scuse my French... in the states, No-Majs are less curious and more fearful, so MACUSA teaches everyone to be wary. It's got to do with their Witch Trial days..."

         Eve scrunches her nose at her dad's use of American terminology. Again, she couldn't blame him. It's all he knew because of his background.

       Teenage Saul took to conning his way through life to survive and Eve will never be ashamed of knowing that. He learned his real parents (the long deceased French-Irish wizarding couple Oona and Rhys Peregrine) had only given him up once they realized their fatal diagnosis of Dragon Pox would eventually leave baby Saul, named Ruairi at birth, their only son and living relative, orphaned. They left him everything for when his magic came - a manor in Cork, a vacation home in France, and enough galleons that his great-great-great grandchildren wouldn't have to lift a foot to work a day in their lives. Owning the best lumber company for wand wood will do that. He went back and forth from Ireland to London to New York. His riches didn't mean he stopped conning in the Salem District (think like, American Diagon Alley with plentiful Jersey accents and an unnecessary amount of cowboy related merchandise? Eve never questioned it...) and opened a booth, offering information on anything and everything-for a good price of course...

       Eve's dad was the bees-fucking-knees when the war started; everyone was willing to pay anything to know something. And Saul Peregrine knew everything. Basically, Eve's dad is this cool guy. She knows how that sounds, but frankly, everyone her age seems to think their parents are embarrassing and yeah, maybe there are (they really sometimes are) but not Saul Peregrine. Her dad isn't not a office job kinda guy; no offense to the office job guys. He wears sharp suits in various hues of brown, he's got a pin with an falcon on his tie, and he keeps his business wherever his daughter is.

        Eve decides to ask him, "...How about the war from back then? Did MACUSA worry about all the stuff going on here?"

        As usual Saul looks a little off put at questions from a time when Eve wasn't around. From the time where her mother apparently reigned as a queen of mean and her father used not so ethical ways to get his information...

         "I know you," Eve says to her dad. "You probably know what went on at the Quidditch Cup. I'm a big girl - you'd surprised to know what I can handle, dad." She means it literally. "I know I scared you last term with those girls I Charmspoke... but I'm stronger than you think."

         "You didn't scare me, kid." Saul sighs.

         "Worry you, then." Eve amends.

         "It's my job - I worry about you."

         "Not as much as I worry about you. You're still eating steak and eggs," say Eve, crossing her arms. "Gráinne told me what she made you this morning. It's like you want to orphan me. We had a deal, remember? You cut back on red meat and I'd cut back on clothes and stuff..."

         "Sweets," Came her dad's voice, coaching and wise as always, "How many times do I gotta tell you? Don't say 'and stuff' - just say, 'Dad, you cut back on the steak and I'll leave some clothes for the rest of the girls in the world'..."

         "I'm not a over-consumer! I consume healthily."

         "Then why would I say it?"

         "Because you're trying to stall from telling me what you know about anything," says Eve.

         "Geez, nothing goes past you," says Saul.

         Eve snorts. "I'm my father's daughter."

         "Well it's good for you isn't it? That way, you can say you're not just anyone..."

         "True," Eve waits a little more before saying, "But it's also not easy, you know? Being her daughter."

         Her dad huffs, nodding. "I think it's hard no matter whose daughter you are." Saul meets her eyes and stares at her face, as if he's trying to get his words in order. "I know you're made outta sterner stuff like your aunt Andromeda says... but I'm still your father. There are still things I want to protect you from but you are a little older now, much to my sadness." He smiles weakly, showing just how sad he was. "I suppose you're big enough to hear it?"

         Eve steels her spine. "I asked for it. I'll take it."

         Her dad breathes in. A few moments pass, the wind blowing around the near empty Diagon Alley before he speaks up again, "There were rumors... back then the war was stuck here. It never made it as far as the states, people were spooked of course but not enough to help. Coming to the states were the plans of his followers though-"

           "Sure, classic world domination," says Eve, picking at her ice cream.

          "-but then the Potter kid, well, he lived. Voldemort was gone and save a few rogue Death Eaters, it went quiet. Everything of theirs was gone." Saul explained. He goes to finish his hot coffee. Steals some of her ice cream. Then he clears his throat to continue, "Everyone thought we dodged a bullet-that's the tiny thing you put in a gun, No-Majes use-oh yeah, you saw Goodfellas with me-anyway. But a lot don't believe that bastard and his followers are truly gone, like me and your uncles, while others..."

        Eve blinks. "Some do?"

       "The stupider ones, yeah." Saul looks annoyed.

        "But the Quidditch Cup - the Dark Mark, his mark-!"

        Saul's face darkens. "The Ministry won't hear it. Oberon is furious and Dain's already been warned not to speak on it. Fudge chalked it up to some big joke pulled by kids. But no kid would've been alive back then to know that spell..."

        "The only joke is their lack of sense," says Eve, frowning.

          Both of them stay quiet for a bit.

         "So - I spoke to Sirius."

         Eve raises her brows. "Well. Feel free to share - this is a safe space, Peregrine."

          With an almost pained look, Saul says: "It's about Marcela."

         "Marcela..."

          "Sirius, he ... he tells me the article was not far off about Marcela's charm but none of those sources were in any way close with her." Saul explains. "From what your uncle says... your mother really seemed to be making amends." At Eve's curious looks, he nods, "Not just with Oberon and Andromeda... with her brothers, too. Apparently she believed the younger one, Regulus, to be in some trouble. Marcela was the one who introduced him to that crowd. Sirius thinks she tried to help him but of course this was all Death Eating situations..." Her dad sighs real heavy. "Sirius never heard from her after Regulus had died and then next he knew, Oberon was talking about your birth and supposedly Marcela... Marcela seemed to want to make everything right in the end."

         Saul picks out something from his pocket.

         It's a small piece of paper - it's aged beyond belief.

           Selbst ist die Frau.

           German. Eve knew those words.

          The woman is herself.

           But the meaning of them?

          "Your mother left this to Sirius before she..." Saul couldn't say left or died or ran away because now, it seemed he wasn't sure either. "Apparently they all spoke German a lot. Something they learned with Andromeda and Oberon to talk in secret from the adults, kinda like you monsters and your French." He gives her a small smile. "Sirius won't tell me what the words mean to the two of them but he let me have it nevertheless."

         Eve holds the paper, "...Does Sirius think my mum is out there somewhere?"

        "Sweets-"

         "Because no one knows what happened to her." Eve rushes out, feeling a ramble coming on. "They never found a body or no one's seen her since, well since she had me. But she left me this bracelet and she had you go take one to Theodore. Sorta sweet for a supposed husband killer. Right? And Sirius says the prophet article is rubbish which, we've been knew, so maybe-?"

         "Eve, breathe. You're going light years in words."

         "But dad-"

         "I'm looking into it, beauty. I promise."

         The words remind her of what her brother told her, when she asked Theo about the Death Eaters probably looking for her. I'll look into it. Because of her mum. Eve realizes something that makes her heart sink. Maybe... it's all connected? Every bit of it - the Quidditch Cup and the Death Eaters trying to snatch her. Her mum being talked about in a (sorta) good way and her dad looking like he has a theory about it all, too. Eve can only sum up all this knowledge with a sentence.

           Eve looked up at the sky. "Mum sounds ... very complicated." She wished she was like that. But what you see is what you got with Eve Peregrine. Kinda.

          At that, Saul laughs.

         "Oh, Mara practically invented the word."

          Eve smiles a little. "You know, that's the second time you've called her Mara...?"

          "Old habits die hard," Her dad shrugs. "She just never liked being called Marcela very much..."

      Eve didn't know that. Eve didn't know her. Maybe she never would and her hopes of meeting Marcela and seeing who she was for herself were just a girls dream. She picked at her ice cream; she wasn't in the mood to eat anymore. Nothing her dad told her really gave her anything else to feel but stumped. In thought, she played with her bracelet, looking down at the four dragonflies on it... Eve really stares it, seeing that it once looked like there were five-

       "We should get going," Saul tells her. He stood up, reaching over to pinch her chin softly. "Finish up the last bit of shopping for your school things. You got a train to catch Thursday, beauty." She gave him a look that said, uh that's it? To which he replies, "That's all you need to know. For now. I think it's better for you to just let all your worries go... enjoy your new school. Find some more friends that see how good of a person they'll have near them..."

        Eve only looks away.

        Saul hugs her. "Welcome to tough love, kid."

        She stood up, smoothing her skirt once more. She made sure to hug her dad back. Eve would always hug him back, no matter if she was a little miffed with him. "Not a fan of it."

        "Didn't think you would be..." He laughs.

         "Oh, to be known."

         Two Peregrines walk side by side, into the alley.

⭑

      THE DAY of Eve's start at Hogwarts was here.

      With all prior worries about, well, her whole life still swirling around in her mind, she still managed to make sure today would be totally good. The day before, or the eve (ha) of the big day, she spent primping. Her cousin Tonks says using that word is offensive to people in their twenties. Since, supposedly there's nothing to primp when Eve's got skin like a babies butt. Tonks' words - of course. Regardless, the day before was spent with Eve going to get her fringe trimmed, her color refreshed, and hair blown out. Her hair currently looks amazing, more so than usual, it's so bouncy she's semi-channeling a Muggle shampoo commercial. Ignore the fact that she showed the hairdresser witch at the salon in Diagon Alley a magazine photo of Cindy Crawford. When the woman asked who it was, Eve panicked and said it was her mother...

        Eve didn't think the hairdresser believed her.

        Fair enough.

        She knows that she'll have to change into her uniform before she gets to Hogwarts, but for now, she's dressed to impress. Todays outfit: red boots (she's got her wand in them), white button-up with a frilly pattern, and a black miniskirt. She's already caused two cart bump accidents. It's gonna be a good day. Eve just absolutely wants to make a good first impression. She must. Everyone will be at the platform to go back to school and witness with their own eyes, Eve Peregrine.

        How very.

        At the platform, Eve notices there is a heightened amount of suited Aurors lurking about Kings Cross. She grips the handle on her trunk tighter, Beetz even began meowing from his carrier. Something tells her it's about Sirius and the other half worries her by saying it's for whatever went on at the Quidditch Cup. They're world is on edge even though they're staunchly denying any trouble whatsoever... she continues walking on, stopping once she gets to a good place that is near where her uncles Oberon and Dain are busy wrangling their fluttering brood.

        "So much for a practical joke," Eve says facing her dad with a frown. "How subtle for the Ministry..."

        "Not their strong suit," Her dad agrees, "They're only here trying find someone of importance," He says pointedly, speaking of Sirius, "But with the event that's going on this year at your school... I imagine they'll be crawling all over that place. I don't think I need to tell you to be cool-"

      "Well you might. That's me, remember?" Eve gives him a look, "Problem witch daughter of the year."

      "That's not what I meant, sweets."

       "I'm kidding - I'm a kidder. Ha ha."

       "Right," says Saul, looking amused. "Don't pay them any mind, Eve... Now, lemme get a real good look at you," He looks at her, really looks, like if he's taking in her face for the last time. "I can't even begin to tell you how much I'll miss you, kid. Seriously. I might just cry - I won't, I'm cool, but I'm just proud of you." Eve could cry. "You're so brave, starting a new school like this, with everything going on... But I really think you're gonna blow them all away."

         Eve beams. "I have to - I'm a Peregrine witch."

        "Damn straight." says Saul, grinning.

        "I'll miss you lots."

         Betelgeuse meows.

        "Aww, see?" Eve grins. "Even Beetz agrees..." Saul made a face at the cat he never had a problem with but his general dislike of animals was apparent here. "So come see us during Christmas! Or at least write to me a lot..."

        "Yes on the writing and a we'll see on the visit..." Saul pulls her to him. She buried her face in his chest and held on tight. "I know I don't gotta tell you this but I'm sure your uncles will appreciate the sentiment now that you're going to the same school - help Jaime watch over Lorelei, yeah? You never know how it'll be for her without Quidditch going on this year and no outlet for her to use..."

      Eve didn't think saying that Lorelei could scare a Boggart and was more than capable of watching herself was in the best interest of the conversation. Eve only gave her dad a big smile and nodded. Trooper. They didn't say more on it as Oberon and Dain walked over to where stood. They were doing the parent thing and choosing to ignore the scene behind them as young Tiberius began chasing Lorelei around the platform (haven stolen her wand) (typical) whilst Jaime hollered after them to behave and Cecily covered her eyes, choosing not to watch-

       Weary looking Dain only laughs, clasping Saul on the shoulder, "I swear I need to find out how to make that boy a Squib or get parental control on his magic. World will turn upside down when he gets his wand." He sighs. "Not even the chaos of today and days past can make that lot behave..."

      "I don't know, love," says Oberon, "This is exactly the kind of ancient nobility I had in mind to further when I kept my name..." He smiles fondly, looking at Eve and her father.

        "I'll curtsy for that," says Eve.

        "Eve, our sweet girl-" Oberon leaned over and kisses both her cheeks. He looks to be another piece of clothing Eve had picked up for him. "Look at you... I saw you two days ago but you look so grown just now that I'm watching you all ready and holding that trunk. Dain caught me crying this morning over my toast when I remembered how all the kids will be together in school forevermore," He tells Saul, then frowns a little bit, "I also would've liked it much more if all of you were attending another school or even homeschool but-"

       "Here we go," says Saul.

       Oberon huffs, "Well-"

       "He's right, Oberon," Dain cut in. "Keep the peace."

        Her uncle bristles, "I'm only saying Dumbledore has allowed too much to slip-ugh, oh, nevermind. You're looking at me like I'm talking madly again..." Oberon crosses his arms but calms when Dain presses a kiss to his temple.

       Eve still doesn't know what or where exactly the animosity her uncle Oberon has for Dumbledore came from. She can feel the air get ever so tense so, expertly, Eve changes the subject when she notices neither of her uncles are carrying the cutest baby in the wizarding world aka the youngest member of their family.

      "Um, so where is the angel baby today?"

       "Sir-someone is watching Astrid today," Dain quickly recovers, his eyes widening comically, looking around them to make sure no one was listening. They weren't so he continues on. "We thought it best she stay in, with what everything that's been going on..." He looks apologetic, "She's with you in spirit though. I put her in that darling little matching red dress and green headband you got her. She looked like a strawberry this morning." Eve beams  at the picture in her mind.

         "Now, Eve - I wanted to give you some advice, as a former Slytherin, believe me when I say," Oberon holds her shoulders. "Be yourself." She blinks at her uncle. "Cliche, I know, but for you it's the secret ingredient. Everyone is so dulled by their purist upbringing, I have good authority on this of course. They're erm, well, they're all a rather melancholy bunch with their dreary home lives no doubt-" Her dad snorts at this.

        "Very moving, Obie," says Saul.

         Dain and Eve laugh.

         "-But you'll be there, Eve love, and let's face it you're an ABBA song personified if anyone's ever seen one..." Oberon ignores him, smiling wide. "They could sorely use you." 

          Eve is flattered by the words of course.

          A French boy did tell her she had angel eyes once...

          "Well, lets hope they're not too miffed with me and my glowing presence," Eve says, "You know, mucking up their Citizen Salazar plans..."

          "Some might - you'll make them better."

           "I don't think MI6 agrees with you either, uncle," says Eve, jutting her thumb behind them where the Aurors were lurking. "Although the M in this case being for the Ministry if that wasn't clear. Ministry. Not whatever the British government has it stand for..."

        "Military," says Saul.

        "No, the Ministry."

        "I meant that's what the M in MI6 stands for."

         "Oh!" Eve clicks her fingers.

        "The Aurors here for precaution, if you'd believe it," says Dain, giving them a terse look. With a lower voice he informs Saul, "Some of them know Harry Potter is Sirius' godson. One of my co-workers Arthur-you'll know his kids soon, Eve, sweetling-tell me that the Ministry is certain they'll catch him lurking about for the boy."

         Oberon makes a face, hissing low, "Well, they aren't wrong are they?" Everyone turns to him, surprised at his sudden burst of anger. "Well. With the way that cousin of mine has been acting around the house... It's as if he considers himself in timeout. Sulking. Pouting. He was like a child yesterday when I asked him to go back and wait at our home in Devon. A child, that's what he is..."

        "Oberon, darling-" Dain frowns.

        "He's complaining of being restless - as if it's our fault."

        "I would be, too, if I was cooped up with Grandma Walburga's portrait," says Eve, surprising her uncles.

         Saul chuckles.

         Oberon sighs, "Yes, Eve, love but-"

          "-Are my fathers giving you the grand lecture of '94, as well, poppet?" It's Jaime. His soothing voice. Eve's cousin was wearing his usual bright smile as he walked over to them. Saul clasped Jaime's shoulder fondly, happy to see him like every adult usually is. Jaime went and embraced Eve tightly, a big kiss smooched on top of her head. "Eve, tell them that we got this year and even with the whole World Cup stuff and those Citizen Snakes running around, they don't have to worry one bit."

           To their family, Eve says, "Do not worry one bit."

           Saul grins at her. "Such conviction."

          "I'm minding my words."

          "And your word is God," says Jaime, grinning at her before asking, "Fancy grabbing us a cappuccino...?"

          Eve hugs her dad and uncles one last time.

          Before coffee can get bought, Tiberius comes rushing towards her, an exasperated Lorelei and Cecily behind him. All wands retrieved and no harm or damage done by Eve's little menace of a cousin. She bends at the knee to get a long hug from Ty- "Our train leaves in a few minutes. You'll have to let me go sooner or later," Eve teases him, squeezing, "Or else we'll have ourselves a stowaway."

         "I don't see a problem with that!" Ty protests.

         "No," Eve smiles, "I know you wouldn't."

         "Hide me in your trunnnnk..."

          Jaime manages to pull him off. Lorelei kisses his nose and Cecily gets his cheek, the siblings all hugging their little brother in farewell. Eve's heart swells - it's like sadness but not at all. She knows she has love from her cousins of course but a hug from a brother...? Her eyes dart around the sea of students and parents all giving their last goodbyes. She can't help the frown that tugs at her lips. Theodore was nowhere amongst them.

         Eve waves goodbye to her father - he smiles, proud.

        Jaime purchases three cappuccinos for her and Cecily and himself; Lorelei not being a fan of Eve's literal lifeblood is given a hot cocoa. They board the train, and Eve is very aware of the way people are turning to stare at her. She pays them little mind and chats away with Jaime, hoping they'll just keep their curious gazes to themselves and not say a word. Her face wasn't in the Prophet, they can't know about her, can they? Then again, it's not like they've ever seen her before, and most of these kids have known each and every one of each other since their first years... Regardless, Eve straightens up, pushing her hair over shoulder and walks on, knowing that anyone she passes will see a stylish girl with amazing hair, a sweet enough face, holding her cousins arm and a coffee cup.

       They won't know Eve Peregrine is this very girl.

       Not yet.

important filler chapter!! not much happened but i do always want to let you in the workings of eve's mind!! harry meets eve next chapter ⭐️☺️ finally!