Nunquam Somnus: Never Sleep
Words: 9,401
Disclaimer: Own not, profit not. If you recognize it, darn good chance it isn't mine. Not for the closed minded. And it's only as canon as I want it to be. So nyah. Spoilers from all seven books, plus made up stuff where I don't like what they have. A bit of a "Super Harry" fic, in that he is competent. And yes, I am very much female.
Warnings: Spoilers from all books. DH and HBP ignored sometimes (such as in the cases of the Happily Ever After, Harry not taking the Elder Wand, he actually learned how to do wards and stuff from Hermione (as in not dumb enough to think that there was no chance she could die/get hurt while he was still alive), he's competent, etc). Dumbledore and Prewett/Weasley bashing. Mixed up genders. Mentions of child abuse and sexual abuse. Extra characters, mainly minor. Some characters have different names. May be more warnings in later chapters. Impolite language. Same sex pairings.
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Chapter 2: Quidditch Catastrophe
"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death." Robert Fulghum
The day of the cup came on swift wings. The Prewetts were leaving early that morning, and so Evan made sure to have Charlotte up just before dawn. The night before she had packed her backpack with everything she would need for the trip, so as soon as she had eaten breakfast (Evan had bought cereal for such busy mornings), he had gripped her tightly and apparated to the Prewetts' yard at Ottery St. Catchpole.
They were just heading out when they arrived. Markus Prewett looked rather surprised to see them... or, rather, that Charlotte had someone who apparated her to their yard just as they were leaving for the Portkey. Evan released her arm, and they both waved at the party of redheads. There were five Prewetts there – the twins, Samson and Aaron, Charlotte's tag-along Rhianna, Alexander, the youngest, and the paternal unit, Markus – as well as a boy with curly dirty blonde hair and slightly-too-big front teeth, Hayden Granger.
"'Lo there," Evan had a large grin on his face as he walked forward, Charlotte at his side. "Sorry if Charlotte's late, I was a bit long on getting breakfast to the table. Evan Pronghorn," he shook Mr. Prewett's hand quickly before continuing. "I wanted to make sure she wouldn't get lost in the floo, so I brought her myself." Of course, Charlotte blushed at that comment. How did he always know about those little things? And it had only been the once!
Mr. Prewett was completely flabbergasted, but Evan turned away from him to Charlotte. "Cheri, I expect to see you later today. We'll be coming by to show you where the tents are set up, in case you want to hang out with us old farts," Charlotte snorted lightly at this. He was only 18! Certainly no old fart. "And don't forget to keep your wand where you can reach it, not where a light hand can make a grab. I know for a fact you're sharing a box with the Malfoys, and you never know what they're up to, except that it's devious and underhanded, got it?" Charlotte rolled her eyes, but nodded. He'd gone over all of that multiple times over the past few days. "Good, I'll see you later then."
Evan gave a small salute before apparating away, and then the Prewetts (and Hayden) started questioning Charlotte about him. Of course they would. Maybe they should have just risked her getting lost in the floo!
"Who was that guy?" asked Rhianna, her eyes had a dreamy far away look.
"My cousin Evan," Charlotte responded. "I'm living with him now." It was best to get that out of the way. "He's going to be doing seventh year at Hogwarts this year."
"Really?" Rhianna was looking very excited by the idea, and it took all of Charlotte's self-control not to hit her head on a tree she was passing. Rhianna was more than a bit boy crazy, and it seemed that Evan was the next victim, despite him being several years her senior. It wasn't like he was terribly fit either! He was down right skinny, and not terribly tall. A bit weedy, like Charlotte, really.
"Why didn't he attend before?" asked Hayden, always the logical one. "I thought you only had the two cousins, Dudley and Delilah. I'd think you'd have told us if you had one you actually liked, and who was a wizard."
"He's been stateside," Charlotte informed him evenly. "He lived with a squib aunt on his father's side until June, and he learned magic from a local wizard who died of cancer about a year ago. He didn't look for a new instructor the past year because he was in a state of mourning though, so he's doing seventh year a bit late. And since he's eighteen, and thus old enough to do whatever he likes in the muggle world too, he got a passport and citizenship and moved here to see that I was alright. He's from Dad's side of the family, actually, so he's really Aunt Patricia's cousin, my second cousin, but he's very nice."
There were many similar questions throughout the whole thing. She knew Rhianna really only hung out with her for fame, and to Hayden she was a bit of a research project on the mind of an abused child celebrity or some such, but it was the twins who actually asked the in depth questions. Making sure that Evan was really a decent chap and that he wasn't taking advantage of her in any way (although that would be just wrong, as they were cousins).
It was after half an hour of this questioning that they finally arrived where they ought to, Charlotte being the least winded as she was not only in better shape than the rest (the nutrient potions and a fair bit of exercise over the past two weeks were really improving her health by a lot) but had had the foresight to cast a feather-light charm on her pack... though everyone else thought it was Evan who had done it.
"I found the Portkey!" The voice was familiar, and Charlotte looked about, trying to see who would have called. The party had just reached the crest of the hill, so it was obviously another group. A tall figure, shadowed against the rising sun, came up, obviously holding something.
"Ah! Markus! Good to see you!" Another voice, this one from a man on a broom who drifted up from around a boulder about ten feet away. The man landed by us as the other, who looked about sixteen or seventeen caught up, holding a weathered looking boot. The man was short, his nose too long, and wispy gray hair floated along his scalp.
"Amos, always a pleasure," Markus greeted. "Everyone, this is Amos Diggory, he works with me in the Department for Control of Magical Creatures. Amos, the redheads are mine, Sam and Aaron are the twins, Ria is my daughter, and Alex is the youngest. The other boy is Hayden Granger, and this young lady is –"
"Merlin's beard, you're Charlotte Potter, aren't you?" Mr. Diggory said, looking quite clearly in awe. Soon he'd be all up in it because he'd met Charlotte Potter, She-Who-Survived, she was sure.
"And you're Cedric's dad," she nodded. She knew Cedric, as he was her tutor for Herbology whenever Neville was unavailable. Until Evan, he'd been the closest thing to family for Charlotte, a sort of protective older brother. Cedric was now properly within the reach of the wand light, and he waved slightly from his side of the circle, boot in hand. "'Lo Cedric. How was your summer?"
Somehow, this surprised the Prewetts, that she would call him be his first name, especially Mr. Diggory was surprised. Of course, Cedric and Charlotte were not often seen together, their friendship not being common knowledge so that he could escape the tabloids.
"Alright enough, though you haven't written me as often since your birthday," His smile was playful. "We can talk when everyone's set camp though. Our boot is leaving in a minute, isn't it?" This jarred everyone, and soon the group, grown from seven to nine now, had gathered about the Portkey, crowded a bit because of the bulky backpacks. Charlotte was very much glad that Evan had given her a few practice runs with the Portkeys at home, saying that if she hurt her ankle and had to take a Portkey to St. Mungo's, it would be best not to aggravate it further by landing wrong. Though the training was dull, being transported from room to room in the house and all, she had to admit it was useful.
The first time she had taken a Portkey, her instinct had been to let go as something hooked her navel. The instinct had been so great, that her magic had reacted and she'd been splinched, her torso still in her room while her legs and left hand went into the Library. It had been a highly unnerving situation, though luckily charms were put on all children (even muggles) at birth to keep splinching from causing bleeding of any sort, or pain.
As the ground reappeared underfoot, Charlotte was the only one not already of age to keep standing, which rather impressed everyone, though they waited to comment until the boot was given to the proper authority, and they were told where to go for their campsite. It seemed that Charlotte and Cedric wouldn't have any time to talk, unfortunately.
"Where're you going to be seated?" Charlotte asked. When the reply was given, she smiled. "Alpha-B? That's Evan's section. I might be going there during the game, at least for a bit. If not, I'm sure he won't hesitate to say 'hello'. Evan is my cousin by the way."
With that, they split, going along separate ways to their campsites, the Prewetts being right next to the Apparition point and the woods leading to the Pitch. Directly across the walkway was, surprisingly, Evan, who was pitching a second tent with practiced precision, as though he'd done it a dozen times. Remus and the Polyjuiced Sirius were right in front of said tent making fire the muggle way: with a torch and gasoline.
"Told you we'd see you," Evan called across, without even looking up as he slammed in the last peg. He stood and stretched, his shirt lifting slightly to reveal a completely flat stomach, with only the slightest hint at a muscular structure beneath. With a fleeting glance at his fire builders, Evan walked across the small walkway. "I had our spot reserved for a month now, though I can't say I'm not surprised to see you lot so close by. I take it your Portkey went off without a hitch?"
"Of course," Charlotte replied, moving forward to give her cousin a quick hug. She'd seen him less than an hour before, but it seemed only polite. The gesture was returned, albeit awkwardly. He was, apparently, as unused to affection as she. "How'd you guys beat us here? It's only seven! I honestly can't imagine Cyrus waking up this early."
"The miracle of coffee... and cold water dumped on his head," Evan added with an impish grin while stepping out of the hug. "Cyrus" and Remus walked over, their fire going nicely. No one at the Prewett camp had started yet, obviously curious about the interactions. "Besides, we can apparate, unlike you. I suppose introducing them would be good... well, those of you who went to Hogwarts last year should know Remus Lupin, and this is my friend Cyrus Zwart from Australia. Cyrus, Remus, these are the Prewetts..." he paused a moment, then pointed to a twin. "That's Samson, the twin over there is Aaron... Alexander is the midget, Rhianna the girl, Markus is the man obviously, and that's... Hayden Granger trying to get that tent from the bag."
Again, the crowd was surprised. Charlotte was rather surprised too. How could he tell the difference between the twins? He'd never even met them before! The conversation the night previous with Sirius and Remus about the possibility of Evan being a seer was once more brought to mind. Either that or he could read minds... which he admitted that he could, but he said it was quite noticeable, and that he was a novice.
Regardless, everyone was quite surprised about this, and it made the Prewetts a bit on edge, excepting the prankster twins of course, who immediately got in the spirit of things and were trying to outwit Evan in a moment.
"Oh really, Mr. Evan was it?" Asked a twin. Charlotte thought this was Aaron, but was unsure, as she'd never been able to tell one from the other, and Evan had probably gotten it wrong when he pointed them out to Sirius and Remus. He'd never met the boy before!
"Quite really, really," Evan replied evenly. "And don't call me 'mister'. I'm not even two years older than you... besides, my last name is Pronghorn. If you absolutely must call me 'mister', at least use my last name, Aaron." A smirk flicked into place. "And I'd suggest just making a magical fire. There's a reason they drench the area in muggle repellent wards, and it's not because they think we'll all be burned at the stake. I'll admit part of the experience is lighting the muggle way, but you have to admit it's silly to bother. If you're going to use a magic tent, why bother with muggle fire starters, yeah?"
Charlotte smiled slightly, knowing that Mr. Prewett had been intending to use matches to start the fire. Probably would have used up the entire book of them too, actually. While he wasn't at all obsessed with muggles (unlike Mrs. Prewett, who was very much into anything and everything muggle), he did err to the side of caution. But then, why would Evan be advocating magical methods when Sirius and Remus had started the fire the muggle way (albeit a different muggle way than Mr. Prewett was intending)? The Seer theory was seeming more and more likely with each passing minute.
"I suppose," Mr. Prewett winced slightly. "No one will really notice with all the mayhem about here, hm?" He looked uncomfortable. Charlotte assumed it had to do with having been told the reasonable course of action by a teenager the same age as his third son, but then, so would most people. Charlotte found that Evan seemed to know just how to deal with a lot of adults in just the right way, being direct with some and not with others just as it was best to. He'd known just how to address Remus' fears and Sirius' suspicion. They said it was unnerving that he could always know how to talk to a person for the best results. That had been the start of the Seer debate a week and a half before.
"I think they'll be to busy making the Welsh get rid of the pygmy hippogriffs to notice a single fire charm," was Evan's reassurance. "Anyway, it was nice to meet you all, but I need to get to making breakfast. Anyone who wants to join us may, but I'm sure you've all got something planned anyway. See ya." He smirked then, turned about, and walked across the path to the fire, which was now quite sizable, and began pulling things out to cook with. Charlotte looked away and found herself face to face with an awestruck Rhianna Weasley.
"He can cook?" She was in absolute awe of Evan now. Charlotte felt something stir within her. Rhianna was so exasperating when it came to boys!
"Breakfast every morning," Charlotte clarified without thought. "Sometimes he'll help the house elves with lunch and dinner too, if he's not too busy. I mean, he's got to deal with running his house, and talking with the goblins about his investments, and a lot of other things, but he still manages to sit back and relax sometimes. It's really rather impressive."
"House elves?" Hayden was immediately there. "You keep house elves? As in tiny slaves with high pitched voices?"
"They aren't slaves," Charlotte responded. "Evan explained it all rather well to me. A house elf has to do something like cleaning or cooking to survive, and they feed off of the magic of a wizard that they bond to. Evan doesn't even order them to do anything, and he treats them very well. He doesn't pay them, obviously –" Hayden looked about to protest, but Charlotte cut him off. "Suppose you helped me with my homework. Would you want me to pay you for it? Of course not! It's like the elves in the Shoemaker's Tale. They get insulted if you try to pay them, and if you give them any clothes or gifts outside of the initial uniform – Springy told me that's what cements the bond – they can't work for you anymore. You can give them cloth and tell them to make themselves clothes or something, but otherwise it just doesn't work."
"Back to Evan! He can cook! And he's so nice! I'm so glad he's your cousin and not mine..." If Charlotte didn't know better (and she certainly didn't), she would say Rhianna was drooling... and she most certainly was.
Charlotte sighed, but quickly volunteered herself for wood-fetching duty, going into the forest for the firewood.
Later that day, at about two in the afternoon, everyone was bustling about even more, and Charlotte was practically bouncing with excitement, Brazilian rosette sitting proudly on her hoody. They were walking through the woods to stadium, and Charlotte had her semi-secret second ticket in her pocket, just in case she started to feel uncomfortable. As advised, she had tucked her wand into the wrist holster that Evan had given her, though quite why he had insisted she keep it there instead of her jacket pocket she didn't know.
"There's muggle repelling charms around the entire forest," Mr. Prewett explained offhand as they passed by the magical lanterns. "They remember an important appointment or something, if I recall what Stibbons was talking about last week. Of course, we get to sit in the Ministers' box, and we can talk to all sorts of experts on these things, not to mention the Ministers themselves up there." He cast a sidelong glance at Evan, who was apparently playing a muggle handheld video game (though how he'd made it work was beyond any of them). He'd been trying to get a one up on the teen all day, but was failing. The Prewett patriarch just couldn't comprehend how carefree Evan – being an adult and doing everything that any well off family head was needed to do – always seemed to be. Charlotte suspected that he was jealous of Evan's ability to keep on top of all these things at once, but kept the opinion to herself. She knew better than to say anything that would provoke rage. Her "savior" wasn't so great to make her unlearn so many "lessons" in just half a month.
"Really? That's nice," Evan murmured, still clicking away at his game. "I hear that Victoria Krum is sitting up in your box too. She's nice, and a wicked seeker. It's rather too bad that Brazil knocked Bulgaria out of the Semi-Finals last June. I think a Bulgarian match would have been a better one than Brazilian really." A rather defeated noise came from the contraption in his hands and Evan frowned. "Rats! I almost had a new high score..."
Charlotte just smiled vaguely and shook her head. Not caring about what others thought important, and then pouting over losing at a video game... that was definitely Evan. Or, she thought so. His personality wavered so much she could never be sure.
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The Prewetts (plus Charlotte) had just gone to sleep when the screaming started. Charlotte sat up quickly, eyes wide, and shook Rhianna awake from the cot beside her. "Rhi! Wake up!" An explosion sounded, and footsteps came quickly from in front of the tent. The door in the next room over was zipped open quickly.
"Cheri! Rhianna! Get dressed and outside, now! There's a riot!" Evan's voice called into the not-so-still air of the tent. Charlotte didn't need telling twice, and was casting a water spell on her friend to wake her before she grabbed a pair of pants to put on under her night robe. The pair was soon out, and Evan brought them to the edge of the woods. "The others have already gone in. Go about one hundred paces in, I'll get you when the Death Eaters are taken care of."
"Evan!" It seemed quite real, suddenly. "What about you?" What about her cousin? What was going to happen to him?
"Remus, Sirius and I are going to head them off," he said quickly, trying to turn them about. "You know Defense is my best subject, Cheri, and Sirius might as well have been an auror. We'll be fine. You two get in the forest, and keep your wits about you. Don't lose your wands, and hide your rosette Rhianna. You don't want to start a fight with a disgruntled Brazilian because you're still wearing the Welsh colors." A smile flicked up, and then pushed the girls away. "Go on. I'll be back in half an hour, tops."
And then he was gone, running in the direction of the flames and screams. Charlotte could just make out the fringe of the Death Eaters, and that a girl was being dangled upside down as a silhouette. With that in mind, Charlotte grabbed a panicked Rhianna by the arm and started dragging her through the woods, counting her paces as she went. Hardly ten steps in, the older of the pair tripped, almost taking Charlotte with her.
"Watch where you step, Prewett," Came the drawl of Draco Malfoy as the girl in question lifted herself up again. "Want to be showing your knickers off up there too? Well, I suppose a peep show is all you'd really have going for you, isn't it?" He scowled. Charlotte felt anger bubble up in her, but quashed it. Evan had said not to start fights that morning. And while it wouldn't really be starting one (as Malfoy had been the one to instigate anything), she'd rather keep herself in one piece.
"Not that your girlfriend has even that," Charlotte shot back, pulling Rhianna to her feet again. "After all, you're dating a pug, aren't you? Talk about animal cruelty, forcing yourself on a dog." Everything that she knew would have put her in Slytherin (she sometimes regretted not going into that house to begin with anyway, if only to get away from the blinding decor of Gryffindor) rose in her, not wanting to actually fight. Slinging mud was just fine; it meant she could rub the blond's nose in it.
He just sneered. "It seems the kitty grew some claws," Malfoy snapped back. "Another mark against you, I'm afraid. No one cares for a delusional half blood, especially one that's so... dumpy as you are, Potter."
Who would want me anyway? She wondered. I'm damaged goods, and a freak to boot. Everything is either pity or people trying to have a go at my fame. Try telling me something I don't already know Malfoy. But she didn't say that. It would have been defeat. Sure, Charlotte was a freak, she'd known that her whole life, but she was a defiant freak. That defiance was the only reason she'd been put in Gryffindor.
"Nice to know ferret face," Charlotte could have sworn that, in the dim lighting, she saw the Malfoy heir blush crimson at this. Evan had mentioned something about Malfoys looking like ferrets a bit, and she had to agree. She didn't like picking on people like that, but it was Malfoy. With him she had to fight fire with fire. "Not all of us keep our minds perpetually in the gutter though. I mean, do you think of anything besides screwing that dog of yours?" A smile flitted across her face as she saw him gape. "Kitty's got claws" her slippered foot! "Lioness' got fangs" was more like it. Charlotte was Gryffindor and Slytherin at once. A striking snake in a lion's pelt. Truly the epitome of freak. "Now then, Malfoy, Rhianna and I have to go somewhere. I'm sure you want to watch your father dangling muggles about. Tata."
Before there could be so much as a retort, Charlotte lost herself and Rhianna to the shadows. She felt the affair had been handled pretty well, despite the inner commentary. Evan had been helping her with her witty repartee lately, and she found the practice refreshing. She rather appreciated it, as of then.
After Charlotte had finally counted off one hundred paces, she stopped. Rhianna finally gained her footing and turned to the girl before her with wicked glee.
"You totally put Malfoy in his place!" Rhianna squealed. "That was the best thing ever! Those precious seconds will forever be engrained in my mind..." Her eyes were starry, looking out through the dense trees. There were very few wizards that Rhianna didn't lust for, at least, not attractive ones, and Malfoy, despite being one of the most fit fourteen year olds either had met, was very much not on the lust list (and there was indeed a list). Rhianna either adored a guy, he was family, or hated him, no gray areas. (Well, there was also an "ugly guys" category in there somewhere.)
"He deserved it," snorted Charlotte, but she grinned as she did. "I've got a new school year resolution though. We don't bug him unless he messes with us first, and when it does happen, we don't sling spells. Get it? Evan and I hashed it out. We always get in trouble for attacking Malfoy when he badmouths, but if we just badmouth back, what can he do? We won't lose points or sleep over it, right?"
"It's not our fault though!" And, technically, it wasn't. At least, not Charlotte's. Nine times out of ten she would either ignore Malfoy, or pretend to and hide out in the bathroom. That last ten percent, when she went insane pretty much, Malfoy was always in a bad way, and she usually had several detentions. But, then, half of those times where he came off worse (from her at least), he had tried to do more than just embarrass her and egg her into something. So she only really fought then. It was usually Rhianna who reacted and got them both in trouble. The best way to get Rhianna to agree to these sorts of things was to make it seem like Charlotte thought she was at fault too.
"I know," Charlotte had a placating tone as she said this. She knew that Rhianna really was just a tag along, that she wanted to bask in the vapors of her fame. But she couldn't say no to her. Evan had mentioned he'd noticed several compulsions on her. She wondered if that was one of them. "But if we keep letting him get to us, what happens then? We get Gryffindor in the negative points? It just means he wins, even if we send him to the Hospital Wing."
Rhianna, however, couldn't respond to this, as a shout was heard from the East, shouting an incantation that sounded like "Morsmordre!" Charlotte had heard that before, when Evan was telling her about Death Eaters. It was the incantation to send the Dark Mark into the sky. She paled and ran in the direction it had come from and arrived just behind the circle of people who appeared. They sent stunners, and Charlotte dove to the ground and heard a thud behind her. Rhianna had followed and been hit. A final crack came from three feet away, and a shout came from twenty feet before her.
"That's my daughter!" It was Mr. Prewett. He'd seen Rhianna get hit. A hand lifted Charlotte gently to her feet as a blue light streaked by her. "What are you doing here?" Charlotte looked and saw Evan, and she gave him a hug. It was all too exciting! Who had let it up? "Charlotte! Get away from him! He might be the one who did it!"
"Markus, you have got to be barmy," Evan sighed as he hung an arm loosely over Charlotte's shoulder. "Here, you can check my wand for any lethal or illegal spells. You won't even find a cutting hex." Two more pops, and Remus and "Cyrus" appeared as well, both panting, robes torn and slightly bloodied.
"Dear Merlin! I haven't had that much fun in ages!" Sirius piped happily, wiping blood off of this cheek. "'Lo everyone. Any suspects yet?" And everyone just stared. He was, after all, a supposed Aussie. Wasn't that the irony of it? Sirius Black, falsely imprisoned, was pretending to be from Australia, where criminals were once exported to. "What? I can't help that I like kicking... butt..." He trailed off as everyone continued to stare him down. A blush crawled across the cheeks of his false person and he shifted to stand behind Remus, who just shook his head, exasperated.
"Excuse him," Remus said calmly. "He's Australian. Can't help it." A snort came from in the circle, Amos Diggory.
"You don't have to tell me that. He was going absolutely mad during the match," he said after the derisive snort had brought attention from him. "Anyway, I don't think it's the short guy. Charlotte obviously knows him."
"And she is fourteen, prone to error," An old man that Charlotte remembered as being identified by the name Bartemius Crouch strode forward, frowning. "I'll take up that offer of looking at your wand history." Charlotte stepped out of the embrace finally, and Evan pulled out his wand, flicking it and saying "Priori Incantatem."
First out of the way was a jet of white smoke, a healing spell, then a lot of silver smokes and reds. All that showed was stunning and disarming spells. Those went for a full minute, then some household charms, fire starting, feather light charms, standard cooking and cleaning spells, basic warding. Nothing at all incriminating after twenty four hours worth of spells. Evan put his wand away into his pocket and rolled his shoulders, yawning.
"If any of you had been listening, you would have heard the thud over behind those bushes of a figure falling over. Mr. Crouch, why don't you come check it out with me if you're so cautious?" Evan gestured to a large oak and the bushes surrounding and tramped into them, Mr. Crouch following. They came out two minutes later bearing a house elf, Mr. Crouch's own, which held Rhianna's wand clasped in its hand.
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Evan didn't go to sleep that night. Sirius and Remus had given him odd looks, since they had done their celebrating for the Welsh win. Why would he just stay up and drink hot chocolate into the night? Why didn't he go to bed when he was supposed to have a meeting with the goblins early in the morning? But Evan wasn't a fool. He had made sure that the instant the first scream was heard, he was already running into Sirius and Remus' tent, where he was lucky to find them covered, if not clothed.
"Get up," he barked, making sure to turn away so he could toss clothes (and a Polyjuice Potion for Sirius of "Cyrus") at them. No way in hell was Evan going to accidentally look at them like... that. "Death Eaters are attacking the camp. Either hide or fight, your choice." He left as soon as he knew they were moving, and they said they would defend. He crossed the walkway to the Prewett tents, and he heard shuffling from the girls'. He ordered them up and moved on to the men's.
The boys were out faster, all still wearing their day clothes. Markus (he did remind Evan of Molly, if only because of his size and smile) was out running to the scene with Eric (who was the family Bill), Brandon (Charlie), and Percy (three guesses who?) in tow. Evan ushered the younger boys to the woods and told them to stay put until they were retrieved. He rushed back to the girls' tent as they were emerging.
"The others have already gone in. Go about one hundred paces in, I'll get you when the Death Eaters are taken care of," He said quickly as he pushed them into the woods. Charlotte stumbled a step as she turned around.
"Evan!" He needed to go, but stayed to hear her out. "What about you?" What about Evan? Of course, she didn't know he'd already been through worse. Having family was certainly nice, he decided, even if she was him... sort of. It was like having a Hermione who didn't know him quite as well. Kind of endearing in and of itself.
"Remus, Sirius and I are going to head them off," he informed them, trying to usher them away. "You know Defense is my best subject, Cheri, and Sirius might as well have been an auror. We'll be fine. You two get in the forest, and keep your wits about you. Don't lose your wands, and hide your rosette Rhianna. You don't want to start a fight with a disgruntled Brazilian because you're still wearing the Welsh colors." Evan grinned, knowing that the rosette piping "Giltry! Kruger! Bron!" would actually make them a bit easier to find. "Go on. I'll be back in half an hour, tops."
With that he gave them an additional push and ran off. Evan wondered if Rhianna would still trip over that root in the dark... but, then, Ron was pretty clumsy, and Rhianna didn't seem quite so much. He hoped. But he dared not to dwell on the matter; the screams were getting closer. He ran, quickly downing his third calming draught for the evening, and heard receding footsteps behind him as he sprinted down the main path to where the Death Eaters were dangling the camp manager's family. It didn't take long to get to the fight either. Not that it was much of one though. The Ministry people were running about screaming like headless chickens or else ushering away the straggling civilians, some putting out fires that the Death Eaters started. These Evan ignored, going straight for the head of the pack where Remus and Sirius were dueling with two daring Death Eaters. He caught hints of blonde hair from one, and noticed the other had a blade in one hand. Lucius Malfoy and Macnair probably. Evan's wand was up before he realized it, shielding him from a spell.
He couldn't lose. At first, he had wanted to not accept the Death Stick, the Elder Wand. Thing is, he wasn't a fool. He knew that the Elder Wand was his, and as well as the holly and phoenix feather wand worked, it couldn't compare to that wand, the rush of magic, the tingle as it sped through his fingers. It wasn't the same, but when Evan picked up the Elder Wand after it had returned to him, it had morphed into a replica of his perfect wand. It held Phoenix feather, and the wood turned to ebony. The feather he could tell was a mock of Fawkes', but the change in wood he didn't understand. No need to though; all he needed to know was that with this wand he could dive into battle with all these Death Eaters and come out on top as spell after spell was issued.
Undefeatable! Oh, it wasn't for pride of course, why should he care for that? No, it was that Evan was a protector. He had been told before that there was something wrong with him. He had a hero complex, and it often did him more ill than good. It lost his godfather to the Veil in the Department of Mysteries. His nobility lost Cedric to Wormtail (even if he had been using Voldemort's wand at the time). But now he wasn't on a foolish rescue, he was protecting the few people who were at all important to him. Charlotte had to stay safe. She didn't deserve her life anymore than Evan had, so he was going to do his best to make it better. And Sirius, Remus... he owed them too much! He had hardly gotten to know his Sirius; Harry Potter's own stupidity stole him away, which he wouldn't let happen to Charlotte and her Sirius. And Remus, well, Evan had never really made the effort to begin with. He knew he was a werewolf, that he valued friendship above everything, only the "big" things. He didn't even know the man's favorite color. As he dodged and sent a stunner at the Death Eater – for Evan was now fighting several who were out to protect their fun – he wondered why he should even have been made Teddy's godfather, since they hardly knew each other.
A hush fell over the Death Eaters, and then they all apparated away, en masse. The muggles fell, but the Ministry wizards caught them magically, except for the little boy. He fell straight into the arms of Eric Prewett before being set down. Ministry wizards apparated away as well, and Evan was left to direct the boy to the Obliviators. He apparated to where he knew the Mark had been sent up, not keen to watch Sirius give Remus a victory make out.
He came maybe only ten seconds behind the Ministry workers, enough to see as Rhianna Prewett finished her fall. He noticed Charlotte was on the ground, breathing heavily, and sighed. She heard the shout and had let her curiosity take held, just like Evan always did. He picked her up and ennervated Rhianna with a quick, silent spell.
"What are you doing here?" It was Markus, Evan realized as Charlotte hugged him around the middle. Evan was still ensconced in shadows, but Charlotte could doubtless tell his features in the dim lighting. Markus could probably only tell because he was the only one she really hugged of her own volition. "Charlotte! Get away from him! He might be the one who did it!" And Evan then rolled his eyes as he slung an arm over Charlotte's shoulders. Honestly! He was just as overprotective as Molly, if in a more vicious, potentially violent manner.
"Markus, you have got to be barmy," Evan sighed heavily, lifting his wand arm which still held the Elder Wand loosely. "Here, you can check my wand for any lethal or illegal spells. You won't even find a cutting hex." There was no reply as two pops indicated the arrival of Remus and Sirius. Obviously, they had finished their victory snog, and both were flushed, looking a bit worse for wear.
"Dear Merlin! I haven't had that much fun in ages!" Sirius piped happily, wiping blood off of this cheek, though it didn't stop the flow that came from just below his left eye. Evan made a mental note to give him some potions in the tents. In the meantime, he sent a quick "Episkey" his way. "'Lo everyone. Any suspects yet?" Evan sighed, exasperated. He was a bit of a fool, childish and what not, but at least his jovial curiosity could be taken for little more than being a bit... Gryffindorish. If that was a word. It probably wasn't, but he'd never bothered to look through a magical dictionary. Who knew what weird words they might have in there? "What? I can't help that I like kicking... butt..." At the looks everyone gave him, Sirius blushed and hid behind Remus. The man was not at all cautious, even though he was an escaped falsely-accused convict with no evidence to his innocence aside from the word of three underage witches and wizard in training, a young man of a background that definitely wasn't iron clad, and a werewolf. He couldn't be found out, or else.
Remus spoke up before anyone could speak the old "blame the Aussie." "Excuse him," Remus requested amiably, stepping aside to pat "Cyrus'" head. "He's Australian. Can't help it." Sirius scowled, but preened under the attention regardless. Amos Diggory snorted from within the circle.
"You don't have to tell me that. He was going absolutely mad during the match," he intoned lazily, eyes rolling in the wandlight. "Anyway, I don't think it's the short guy," Evan scowled. He couldn't help it if he was shorter than average! And it was only barely at that. Blame the bleeding Dursleys! "Charlotte obviously knows him." As if Charlotte hugged just anyone. Actually, the fact she hadn't pulled back yet disconcerted Evan some.
"And she is fourteen, prone to error," Barty Crouch Sr. had been working his way around the circle and stood not in front of Evan, his shadowed face being several inches over the teen's own. He met the official glare for glare. "I'll take up that offer of looking at your wand history." Finally, Charlotte left Evan's side, taking a few steps back. He just lifted his wand, swished it, and chanted quickly "Priori Incantatem."
First came the phantom of the healing spell, and after that the past five minutes' worth of stunning and disarming charms. The day's mundane spells and the fire spell he'd used to light the dinner fire (he didn't trust Cyrus with the torch, and Remus had informed him his nose was still hurting from it) were all that showed. Actually, even if Evan had used anything incriminating, this wand wouldn't have showed it under Priori Incantatem. It was made to win any battle, including one of virtue. He had probably cast more Unforgivables than anyone in the clearing, except...
"If any of you had been listening, you would have heard the thud over behind those bushes of a figure falling over. Mr. Crouch, why don't you come check it out with me if you're so cautious?" Evan knew he had to be there; Barty Crouch Jr. was there.
He led the older man away to the bushes and pushed them back for him after they had gone to where the house elf and halfway uncovered body of Crouch Junior. His fastening on the cloak had come undone, so the face, neck, upper chest and legs were visible. Crouch Sr. paled and was darting looks at Evan.
"I won't turn you in Mr. Crouch," Evan rolled his eyes. "Honestly, unless I was to stun you and take you out with your son, no one would believe me. I'm not inclined to get jailed for assault of a government official. So, you take your elf out there and I cast a disillusionment spell on this gormless piece of trash. However, I suggest you tread carefully from here on out, and perhaps learn to overcome the Imperius Curse in the next week? You won't want to overcome the curse until Moody is at Hogwarts though. Then you will break it and come to me. You will be missing, and it will be a blow to the Ministry, but look at it this way; you won't be dead, will you?" Evan sneered and turned from the man, who held the wand bearing elf in hand. With a swift tap he disillusioned the Death Eater and followed close behind Crouch, Sr. who was too stunned to respond at all. Evan didn't actually care if he went for the advice, but if he did... well, he could always get some good blackmail on other ministry officials.
"That's my wand!" Rhianna spouted indignantly from where she stood in her father's arms. Crouch's eyes narrowed, but Evan cut him off.
"Good thing it was found then," he said, sending Crouch a warning look as he took the wand. "You mentioned that you weren't sure where it was when you went into the forest, didn't you?" She didn't get the hint, but Charlotte did, and she agreed immediately. "Mr. Diggory, would you mind checking the wand's history? I'm no Ministry official, so nothing I do with another's wand can be trusted, right?" His lips twitched as he took the wand, and Evan finally was in the circle. One of the man sputtered.
"You! You're the guy who was fighting the Death Eaters!" Evan didn't know him, an old man in a dressing gown with a bald head.
"So were they," he said, pointing to Remus and "Cyrus", who seemed entertained to just stand about and watch. "Besides, someone had to stop them, didn't they?" Shuffling. There was absolutely no one here who had actually engaged any Death Eaters in a real duel outside of us three. Some of them might have tossed the odd spell in, but only from a safe distance. "Anyway, get on with it. I intend to get some sleep before I have to strike my tent tomorrow; it's almost midnight."
There was a bit more sputtering, but Amos performed the spell, and the Dark Mark came out of the wand. There was no other spell since Rhianna hadn't done any spell casting that day. The Diggory Patriarch nodded.
"Right, Mr. Crouch we'll have to question your elf as to why she had the wand of a young witch, but I'm sure she just picked it up or something when we apparated," He didn't even give the man time to be indignant. "Just a quick questioning to make sure. You can bring her by my office tomorrow, or Carter's, elves are usually his job anyway."
Everything dissolved quickly, people occasionally congratulating Evan for "upholding the standards of a brave Englishman" even though he wasn't, to their knowledge, actually British at all. Sirius and Remus apparated back to the tents to check on the Prewetts, and Evan walked with Charlotte.
"Thanks for coming for us," She murmured. He just shrugged off the appreciation. "I'm being completely serious here Evan! I mean... you do a lot more than you should have to! You took in Sirius, even though everyone thinks he's a murderer and you obviously knew Remus was a werewolf before you even sent him a letter! And... You saved me from the Dursleys." She sighed and looked up at him, curiosity in her gaze. "Why?"
"Why what? Why did I come for you after I told you I would? Why do I do so much? Why did I allow a notorious murderer into my home, despite the fact that he was completely innocent, or not fear a man who only turns into an easily controlled animal once a month for only four hours? Why did I save my blood from a family of child abusers?" Charlotte blushed as Evan said all of this, and he just shrugged. "Cheri, everything I do has a reason. Maybe not some 'good' reason that has to do with self-benefit, but a good reason anyway. Sirius was framed and spent twelve years locked away, his dreams of freedom were shut down in June. He didn't deserve that, it wasn't Karma at all. I gave him a semblance of a normal life and you an opportunity to know a man that, otherwise, you would know only through letters and the occasional peek at.
"As for Remus, he's always been a werewolf. Your parents were his friends anyway, and when he taught last year only Snape actually disliked him, right? He's a good man, he just has a bit of a furry problem that we tame with potions. I've made sure he has enough to last beyond the time until I would be out of school and available to continue to make them, so why should I be concerned about having him in my house? You are family, and you trust them, and love them, so they are family too. I couldn't just let the Dursleys continue what they were doing when I knew what was going on and where you were. Despite blood ties, I cannot in good conscience call them anything resembling family. They are monsters without a moon. Which is why I've been busy, actually. The court date to try them for Abuse of a Magical Minor is the day after the moon." Charlotte jumped and looked at him in shock. "I'm going to meet the goblins tomorrow after everything has packed up to finalize our evidence and witnesses. It'll be okay Cheri."
Evan turned and gave her a kiss on the forehead (which was easy as said forehead was mouth level anyway), causing her to blush. They stayed silent the rest of the way to the tents, where the Prewetts were having a chat. Rhianna saw them and waved.
"Evan! Charlotte! I'm glad you made it out okay!" She shouted, jogging over in the dark. The red head tripped about three feet out from them, and Evan caught her effortlessly. She really was as clumsy as Ron! Maybe bordering on Tonks level clumsiness, seeing as how she tripped over her own feet. Rhianna blushed as he stood her up. "Th-thanks Evan."
"Welcome Rhianna," he replied easily. But why was she blushing? He would never understand girls.
That night he set up the third tent with a quick spell, and Charlotte slept there. They were packed in the morning by seven and apparated home. Evan never would have chosen to go home when he was Charlotte's age over being at the Burrow, but then again, he hadn't had the Stag's Sanctuary. After making sure that everyone was completely healthy (Charlotte took a second phial of nutrition potion guiltily, having forgotten to have any with her dinner the night before), he left the house to visit the goblins.
Gringotts and Diagon Alley never changed. Some shops had different names, due to slight changes on lineage or gender of parents, but "Madame Janas" looked exactly the same as Madame Malkins had, and they shared the same trade. The Goblins didn't seem to suffer from the mixed up genders (though Evan could hardly tell), and he went to the goblin in charge of the Pronghorn Estate, Griphook. While it was true that he had pretty much tried to screw Evan over as far as destroying horcruxes went, he was a reliable goblin who was loyal to his people.
"Master Griphook," Evan bowed to the goblin behind the desk. He looked up. "I am here to finalize the evidence and witnesses for tomorrow's trial. Is the Master in charge of legal affairs available?" He had, of course, already set for this meeting, but he knew something of goblin culture by then, and to not take their time for granted was certainly one of them. It helped that he had read a book after the Sword debacle before actually doing any business with them about opening his vault or anything.
Griphook took his time going in through one of the doors and didn't come back for five minutes. "He is waiting for you, Mr. Pronghorn." Evan nodded in acknowledgement before setting off in his wake. He led the teen to a fine door of white oak and ushered him in. A wizened goblin received him.
"Mr. Pronghorn," The goblin stood slowly as Evan bowed deeply before him. "Precisely on time, something I come to expect only from the purest of families. I am surprised." Evan knew he was indeed surprised, but that was understandable. The nervous who didn't know how to deal with goblins showed early, those interested in business, especially the low class, late, but only the high end people with a lot of spare time bothered to show right on the dot. He thanked Merlin once more for the books on Goblins. It showed a knowledge of the goblin's strict discipline and an ability to tell time, which was better by them than wasting time that was either theirs or one's own.
"I suppose," an airy reply was always good to start. "Shall we get to business? I'm afraid this whole trial will be a lot harder to deal with since wizards haven't got actual solicitors, but our evidence is iron clad. Memories, truth serum, and muggle neighbors who can have their minds altered to believe it was a muggle trial secures the victory... but I know very little about the system, honestly. I've only been to a few trials, one of them my own for using a Patronus Charm to protect myself from a rogue dementor actually, and I know how stubborn the Ministry can be. But I haven't come to speak of the past, have I? What is your advice for evidence to be revealed, order, and policy on veritaserum?"
They worked well into the morning, finally stopping at one in the afternoon. The Goblin, Master Grabsnatch, had another appointment, and Evan had to get home. Charlotte had to be told of the proceedings for the trial, and he needed another calming draught.
X.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.X
A/n: Here's chapter 2, obviously. As you no doubt noticed, chapter 3 will be the trial, fun, right?
Wow! Humongous response from you guys! Seriously, I have a friend on here that beat me over the head when she saw my stats (I was at a sleepover at Purple Fuzzi Wumps' house a couple days ago, so... yeah...). Anyway, posted this a bit earlier than intended... don't expect an update for a while though. I do have a social life, and school, so, unfortunately, I can't spend all my time writing. And don't expect some great trial. I know very little of legal systems, and I'm not going to waste my life researching. I update at my leisure and/or convenience, not yours. Deal with it.
Hope you enjoyed it! Night
Edit: all chapters switched to full third person. See Author's Not number 7 for details... if you care. Which I doubt.