AN: Again, I'd like to note that I do not own any of the characters, (besides Evangeline Phillips) they belong to their rightful owners. Please feel free to give a free words of advice, criticism, or of encouragement. It would be greatly appreciated!
CHAPTER 2:
The last couple of days Draco had seemed to be avoiding me. At least I had homework and lessons to keep me busy. I was walking to Herbology, to me, it was bad enough that I had Draco annoyed with me, but I had this lesson with the Gryffindors. Harry and Ron were still annoyed with me, Ron more so than Harry, and no doubt they had told Hermione, as she too, kept her answers short and made less of an effort to see me. I now wished I had more lessons with Luna, she seemed to be the only person totally against judging anything I did. I walked into the classroom and sighed. Oh, how I hated Herbology. I found a bench to the side of the classroom, out of the way, and took the stool out to sit on. There were only a few Gryffindors in the classroom already. It was known that Slytherin's thought Herbology was a waste of a lesson, which I thought was silly, Slytherin's thought most lessons were a waste of time. I noticed Neville Longbottom walk in and smile. This was the only lesson Neville truly loved. He took a seat at the bench behind me. I turned to face him, although he was friends with Harry I had never really spoken to him.
"Hello Neville." I smiled. He looked nervous, as usual, and smiled back.
"Hi." He said simply and looked down. I sighed, I couldn't even get much from Neville. I turned back to the front. The classroom then began to fill with many students. I wasn't really paying attention and simply noticed the flashes of green and red from the robes of the other students. I felt someone pull the stool out next to me. I looked up and smiled at the person, out of politeness. I nearly cried when I saw Draco sit down next to me. I looked around, there were plenty of empty desks, so he had chosen to sit next to me. I felt a lump in my throat.
"Hi Evangeline," Draco nodded. He still seemed a bit cold, but we could work on that.
"I'm so sorry Dray." I whispered.
"What is done, is done." He simply stated. I nodded. I had no idea what to say to him. This was the first unwanted silence Draco and I ever had in our entire friendship. I looked at the door and saw Harry walk in. He looked at me, hurt. I smiled sadly, and mouthed 'sorry' to him. He nodded and took a seat next to Ron, who continued to glare at me. A tear ran down my cheek. Draco noticed. "Why are you crying?" He asked slowly. I couldn't speak so I glanced at Ron. Something sparkled in Draco's eyes. Oh no, what is he up to? "Hey, Weasel-bee! Shame Evangeline rejected you. I guess she knows who the real men are around here." Draco taunted, making sure the other students had heard, whilst lazily draping an arm over me. I heard a few giggles from Slytherins, and sighs from the Gryffindors. I didn't understand why Draco was bringing up what happened last year. Ron and I decided that maybe us getting together would be a bad idea as we were friends.
"Draco, stop it!" I hissed, glancing back and forth between him and Ron. Ron stood up from his stool and stormed over to us. At that moment Professor Sprout walked in.
"Everyone to your seats please!" She announced with a grin on her round, red face. By this time Ron had reached our bench. I look terrified, whilst Draco had his classic smirk plastered to his face.
"Did you want something, Weasel-bee?" Draco drawled.
"Don't think we don't know what you are." Ron snapped. I felt Draco's arm tense around my shoulders. Draco stood up, he was only an inch or so taller than Ron. For once, Ron didn't back down or look scared, his glare transfixed on Draco and I.
"Ronald Weasley, I will not tolerate arguing in my classroom. Now, as I've already asked I should hope you are going to sit down. NOW!" Professor Sprout pressed firmly. "You too Mr. Malfoy." She glanced at Draco. Ron had proceeded back to his seat next to Harry, whilst Draco slumped down in his seat. I looked at my desk. This can't be happening.
"Thanks Dray, but that really wasn't needed." I whispered. Draco shrugged. The lesson felt like it was never going to end, but, most Herbology lessons were like that. Draco and I left together. He grabbed my hand for a moment or two before letting it go. I smiled up at him, it was the best feeling in the world to have him back. Someone barged past me and hit my shoulder. "Ow." I squealed, due more to shock, than the pain. I looked to see it was Ron who had done it. He turned to see my reaction.
"Ah, nothing to say this time Phillips?" Ron sneered.
"Just stop, Ron. I know I shouldn't have freaked out on you like that but I was hurt and I'm sorry." I sighed. His brows furrowed, he then chuckled.
"Don't make me laugh. How can the Slytherin Princess care for anything or anyone other than herself and her precious best friend?" Ron sneered. I was shocked at his 'Slytherin Princess' remark, I didn't very often get called that, only when people commented on how close me and Draco are, seeing as he is known as the 'Slytherin Prince'.
"That's enough Weasley!" Draco snapped, leering at Ron. I was exhausted with all of the hate so I stayed quiet.
"Come on, Ron." Harry grabbed Ron's arm, trying to pull him away.
"I don't know how you can forgive her after what she said, what she did!" Ron sneered. I rolled my eyes, I was done with this. If Ron didn't want to be friends with me, then so be it. I walked away from the situation, not even stopping Draco from taunting/mocking/attacking them, whatever he decided he wanted to do. Next lesson was Divination, great, another pointless lesson. It would be remotely interesting and useful if Professor Trelawney didn't teach us 'The Art of Reading Tea Leaves' every lesson, and the fact she is completely off her rocker doesn't help. I walked in the direction of the class when I heard footsteps from behind me, I half expected it to be either Draco or Pansy, but to my shock, it was Hermione. I smiled at her.
"Hey Hermione, are you okay?" I was glad to speak to someone who wasn't likely to argue with me.
"I heard what you said to Ronald and Harry the other day." She snipped. Oh, great. I rolled my eyes.
"And what of it?" I asked, just exhausted of the situation.
"I didn't believe that Malfoy had become a Death Eater until I heard of your behaviour and his for that matter. Do you have anything to tell me Evangeline?" Hermione asked in her motherly-I'm-disappointed-in-you kind of way.
"I do actually." I stopped and faced her. Hermione looked shocked, she obviously thought I was about to admit to being a Death-Eater. "I want to tell to you stop listening to rumor and actually listen to your friend. I also want to say, that, Ron and Harry judged before they even knew the lives Draco and I live. Do you know how miserable we are with having Death-Eater families?" I whispered, so passersby couldn't hear. "And they say you're the smartest witch of our age." I laughed. Hermione looked shocked.
"What happened to you?" She snapped.
"My friends stopped trusting me, that's what happened to me." I snapped bitterly. "I have Divination to get to, so I better go." I said angrily and walked away. I felt anger bubbling inside of me. I hardly ever got angry, and recently it seemed like it was the only thing I could feel. I walked into the classroom and sat at one of the little tables. I rested my arms on the table and rest my chin upon my arms, staring into the orb on the table. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Draco sit with Blaise. Typical. After our last lesson Trelawney had predicted that Draco and I were going to be an 'item'. To say the least, the Slytherin Prince, known womanizer, was not impressed as this could destroy his reputation and no longer sat with me.
"Hello Evie." Luna smiled.
"Hey Luna, sit with me?" I asked, at least I know for certain Luna wouldn't bring anything up that I didn't want to speak about.
"Of course Evie, may I ask, are you okay?" She asked, seeing the sadness in my eyes.
"Everyone thinks I'm a Death-Eater." I kept my voice low.
"Well, I know you. People will see soon enough how good you are inside." She smiled. Luna always had the best way of putting things, it made me smile.
"Thanks Luna." I mumbled, my head still resting on my arms. Professor Trelawney soon walked in and clumsily dropped her books. She moved to the books, ready to pick them up, she then decided against it and walked away. That woman was a true nut-case.
"Hello class, now today, we are going to continue to look into the Fine Art of-" She was cut off by the whole class, in unison saying:
"Reading Tea Leaves!" She stood back for a moment. How could this woman not expect us to know what we were doing? We had been reading tea leaves for years. She smiled nonetheless and passed everyone a cup.
"Now, I'm going to go around the class and see what everyone see's in each others' cups." She clapped to herself, as if this was her most ingenious idea. I sighed. Me and Luna swapped cups, knowing the routine. This time Trelawney decided to go around the class alphabetically, how spontaneous! I ignored what most of the other students were saying, in fact, we were all so bored of her lessons that I don't think anyone knew what they were saying either. I only really listened to Blaise, who read Draco's cup. His read mixed emotions, from love, to fear, to hatred, to grave sadness. I was concerned for him, it must have referred to his mission, although, most of this tea reading stuff didn't seem to work most of the time. Trelawney has on many occasions told Neville Longbottom in past years that his Nan was going to pass away and as far as I knew she was still fighting and strong.
"Lovegood, Luna!" Trelawney called. Luna looked shocked, not ready to read the leaves. "Go on dear, you're good at this!" She persisted. This woman obviously gave up on the alphabetical idea.
"Evie's leaves read… that she is going to go through many emotions. I can see, love, fear, sadness and anger or hatred." She looked disapproving at the cup. So mine was pretty much the same as Draco's.
"Oh, brilliant work there! Oh, and next is… uh, Phillips, Evangeline!" I sighed.
"Luna has a wilting flower, which indicates…" I stopped, realising what it symbolized.
"Go on dear!" Trelawney urged.
"The wilting flower indicates, distance and betrayal of someone close to her…" I whispered.
"Brilliant reading, Evangeline! You really are a natural at this." Trelawney was getting way too excited about this. Most of the leaves that were read weren't very nice outcomes. I looked up at Draco worriedly, he winked at me.
At the end of the day I sat out by the Black Lake, watching the wind making ripples on the water's surface. I was starting to believe that maybe I truly was evil. I pushed away Harry, Ron and Hermione, and I had used 'Mudblood' as in insult. I was starting to turn into a true Slytherin. I heard footsteps in the wet grass, coming towards me. I didn't even make the effort to see who it was. The person sat next to me.
"Are you okay Eve?" Harry asked.
"Everyone thinks I'm a Death-Eater, don't they?" I asked. Harry stayed quiet for a while. I was starting to think he actually believed it too.
"I know how much you love Malfoy, but Eve, there's something not right." Harry sighed. My head snapped up to look up at him.
"What do you mean, 'not right'?" I asked.
"Well, just before the year started, Hermione, Ron and I noticed him with his Mum at Borgin and Burkes and they all looked very… Shifty." Harry admitted.
"You were following Draco and Narcissa? Harry, you have no right!" I snapped.
"I know, I know, but we believe that's when Draco was, well, branded." He worded it so he wouldn't have to mention the words that we all feared. I was ready to lose my temper, but I didn't have the strength anymore.
"So because they were acting 'shifty' that means Draco has the Dark Mark? You do realise they were feeling very aware that someone was watching them? That would make anyone nervous!"
"But Malfoy's Mum-"
"Don't you dare talk ill of Narcissa Malfoy!" I snapped, she was like a second Mother to me.
"Oh, uh…" Harry stuttered.
"You have never met her, you don't know her. Narcissa is one of the most caring, understanding, purest women I know! Don't you ever think about saying a bad word about her around me again, do you understand?" I growled. Harry looked shocked.
"I just think Malfoy is up to something, is all. He acts all nervous around me." He pressed.
"Well, he would. You would act nervous around people who are making false accounts of them with no proof." I stated. Harry sighed.
"Eve, he is up to something. I know he is." Harry urged.
"Harry, wouldn't you think I knew if he was up to something? I spend most of my time with him!" I snapped.
"Then why have you suddenly changed?" Harry asked.
"Changed? How so?" I asked.
"Your emotions have been up the wall, one minute you're calm, the next you're ready to rip Ron apart. Well, you aren't happy anymore." He sounded concerned.
"You all think I'm a liar. None of you trust me. Do you know how it feels to not be trusted by the people you considered your best friends?" I looked at him, fiercely.
"I trust you." He put a hand on my shoulder.
"No, you don't. I've just told you that Draco isn't a Death-Eater and that he isn't up to anything. Why is that not good enough for you?!" I snapped.
"I, I don't know." He mumbled. "I'll leave you alone now, sorry." He continued to mumble. He leant towards me and placed a soft kiss on my cheek. I faced him, confused. Harry had never been the affectionate type. This made our lips only inches away from the others. He leant forwards again and placed a gentle kiss on my lips. He then tried to deepen the kiss, only to receive a push from me.
"Harry, what the hell are you doing?" I squealed, standing up.
"I, uh, I don't know. I'm sorry Eve." Harry's face flushed crimson. He stood up slowly. "I'm really sorry." He looked at his feet. I looked in any direction that wasn't Harry, and noticed platinum blonde from the corner of my eye. I looked to see Draco standing in the distance. He looked furious. I let tears spill from my eyes.
"I can't do this anymore." I sighed and walked away. Harry, for once didn't try and push things further. I walked to the Slytherin Common Room and sat down in one of the chairs in front of the fire. I must have been sitting there for a while as I felt my eyelids become heavy and I felt drowsy. Just as I was about to fall asleep I heard Draco's voice.
"You kissed Potter?!" He asked in disgust.
"He kissed me Dray." I yawned. "If you didn't see, I actually pushed him away."
"I bet you wanted him to, it's always about Potter, isn't it?" Draco snapped. I looked up at him. Was he serious? I hardly ever spent any time with anyone but Draco or Luna. I stood up swiftly, causing me to lose my footing slightly as I was tired. I looked up at him.
"Are you jealous Malfoy? Can't handle having my attention on another boy for what? 5 minutes?" I glared.
"Malfoy? It's going to be like that, is it?" He snapped. I then realised what I had just said to Draco. I never got angry with him. "In that case, Phillips… Here!" He thrust the leather bound bracelet I had bought him for his 13th birthday into my hand. I stared at the bracelet, lying limply in my palm. I looked back up to Draco sadly. I saw sadness in his eyes too.
"Dray, I…" I started, I didn't know what to say. He stood, waiting to hear what I had to say. "I didn't mean it, you're my best friend." I started to cry. Draco sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
"I know Evie." He pulled me into a hug and I cried into his chest.
"I'm so scared." I sobbed into his chest. He simply stroked my hair and kissed the top of my head. I pulled away and gave him his bracelet back. He looked at it for a moment.
"Here." He drawled, he lifted my hand and fastened it around my wrist.
"But Dray, this is yours." I breathed.
"See it as a promise that we'll always be best friends, and that I'll look after you." He smirked. I traced my fingers around the leather strap.