Saturday morning arrived, and Sirius woke early in good spirits. It was time for an official Hogsmede visit, which meant he would be free to escape the monotony of the castle and school grounds for several hours. Namely, he'd be able to blow off several meals without his friends batting an eyelash. It was going to be their first Marauder outing with a plus one; despite everyone's request to have a boy's day in the village, James insisted on bringing Lily along.
"Honestly, Pads, she's not that bad," Remus had lectured him as Sirius had sulked, annoyed by the intrusion on their group.
"I just don't like change. You know this, Moony. And you should know that best of all, Prongsie," Sirius pouted, staring in James' direction.
Still, it was looking to be a lovely Autumn day, and Sirius was excited to get out. They'd visit Zonko's to get some inspiration for future pranks, visit Honeydukes to appease Remus' sweet tooth, and nip a few drinks at the pub, all for good measure. Sirius smiled to himself as he walked to the bathroom to wash up for the day. After a quick shower, he returned to the dorm, where James and Remus were just waking. He rummaged through his trunk, in search of clean clothes. He pulled on a muggle band t-shirt and a pair of clean jeans, smirking in satisfaction as he noticed he needed to use a tighter hole on his belt. Sirius sprawled himself out on his bed, waiting for his friends to finish getting ready. "So, shall we grab a bite to eat before we head out?" James questioned, once everyone was dressed.
"Might as well," Moony replied sensibly, "as nothing will even be open there until ten."
Sirius grabbed his leather jacket, following his friends out of the dorm and down to the Great Hall. He found himself seated next to Remus, strangely enough.
"James insisted I give Lily my seat," he explained, shrugging nonchalantly.
"Ah... There you go again, Prongsie, messing with my fragile mindset. I HATE change," Sirius mockingly whined, flashing James a smile as a sign that it was all in jest.
"So what's on the itinerary today, lads?" Peter asked, pausing only momentarily from his eggs.
Sirius looked to James, who raised his eyebrow and nodded back, indicating for Sirius to answer.
"Erm... I was thinking Zonko's first, then Honeydukes? Then a couple of hours getting sloshed over at the Three Broomsticks?"
"Oh yes, because I so enjoy watching the four of you make drunken asses out of yourselves," Lily said dryly, taking her seat next to James.
"What do you propose instead, Lils? Tea and scones at Madam Puddifoot's?" Sirius asked sarcastically, offering her a trademark Black family smirk.
"What I'd really love, Black, is some time alone with James. But no, he insists that you need him, and god forbid I cut in on your James time," Lily snapped, visibly irritated.
"Lils," James coaxed soothingly, gently placing his hand over hers.
"I mean Jesus fucking Christ, James. Sometimes I feel like you're in a bloody relationship with Sirius instead of with me!"
Sirius and the other three Marauders stared, mouths agape.
"Okay then, Lily. Whatever. We'll just be out of your way then," Sirius said sharply, standing up. He motioned to Remus and Peter to rise as well.
"Sirius, wait-" James said loudly, standing as well.
"No, no, James. Please, sit. Lily apparently needs your full undivided attention. Perhaps a bit of that will put your woman in line," Sirius hissed, eyes staring sharply at Lily.
Remus nudged Sirius in the ribs. "Pads, don't you think that was a tad uncalled for?" he hissed in his ear, still staring at the couple remaining at the table.
Lily rolled her eyes. "Sirius I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make a scene like that it's just... Can you blame me? For wanting a little alone time?" she asked, her voice gentler this time.
"So by all means, have your alone time," Sirius replied coolly, "come on lads, best be heading off."
With that said, Sirius stalked off, leaving Remus and Peter to hurriedly rush behind, in an effort to catch up.
"Isn't it so nice to be away from school and teachers and all that?" Peter asked enthusiastically.
Sirius shrugged. They had been wandering about Zonko's for a good hour now, but he was still sulking. "It's not the same without James here," he muttered, miserably.
"Sirius would you please stop pouting. We're trying to have a good time, trying to make sure you have a good time," Remus pleaded, placing his hand on Sirius' shoulder.
"I know... I'm sorry. I just-"
"You hate change, we know," Peter and Remus said in unison, sighing.
The trio exited the joke shop, wandering aimlessly through the village. They had already visited Honeydukes, where Remus had stocked up on chocolate and Peter had gorged himself on a variety of sweets. "To the pub?" Peter suggested.
Sirius nodded. He was starting to feel rather cold, after all, and the thought of getting quite drunk appealed to him.
"Sirius Orion Black," a female voice called out from behind him.
Sirius exchanged looks with his two friends, who turned along with him, in search of the owner of the voice. Coming up towards them was Evelyn, her long blonde hair looking windswept. She threw herself at him, wrapping her arms loosely over his shoulders as she placed a chaste kiss upon his lips.
"Evie, what are you doing in these parts?" Sirius asked, genuinely curious. He had always been under the impression that Evelyn stuck to her old stomping grounds in London.
"Looking for you, actually," she replied, grinning mischievously.
Sirius looked at her questioningly, taking in her appearance. She looked pale and thin as ever, dressed in a smart looking leather trench with a fur collar. She raised a single eyebrow, nodding slightly at Remus and Peter.
"Oh, um, lads, this is Evelyn Greengrass. She's an um, old family friend," Sirius said quickly, suddenly feeling quite tongue tied. "And Evelyn, these are two of my best mates, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew," he finished, nodding towards each of his friends as he said their names.
"Charmed, I'm sure," Evelyn replied politely.
"You graduated from Hogwarts two years ahead of us, right?" Remus asked her, curiously.
"Yes, I did," she agreed, digging through her coat pockets.
She removed a packet of cigarettes, carefully removed one, placed it between her lips, and lit it, inhaling deeply. She exhaled a a plume of smoke, blowing smoke rings in Sirius' face.
"We were just about to head over to the Three Broomsticks for a drink, if you'd care to join?" Sirius asked, offering her his arm.
"I thought you'd never ask," she replied, taking Sirius' arm and allowing him to lead her towards the pub.
Once inside, Peter and Remus volunteered to secure a table, leaving Sirius and Evelyn to gather the libations.
"So why exactly did you come looking for me?" Sirius asked, unable to contain himself or his curiosity.
" Well," she began, smirking at him, "I'm sure you've heard about Lucius and Narcissa's engagement."
Sirius nodded. He had, indeed, heard of his cousin's engagement to Malfoy.
"And?" he prompted, silently urging her to go on.
"Well, their wedding is the Saturday before Christmas, and I was wondering if perhaps you'd escort me as my date."
"You've got to be fucking me," Sirius choked, eyes wide.
"Can I get a butterbeer and three firewhiskeys, please?" he croaked, having gained the attention of the barmaid. "Make them doubles, if you could."
Madam Rosmerta nodded, busying herself with preparing the drinks.
"Come on, Sirius, please? I can't stand the thought of having to show up there alone given my..." Evelyn trailed off, looking pained.
"Why would you even want me as a date, anyway?" Sirius asked.
"You're a Black. You're handsome and we get along. It makes sense, for us to be together," she reasoned, not making eye contact with him.
Madam Rosmerta returned with their drinks. Carefully, the pair carried the glasses over to the table Remus and Peter had successfully procured.
"Would you excuse us a moment?" Evelyn asked, once the drinks were deposited onto the table.
Peter and Remus nodded, shooting Sirius confused looks. He shrugged and offered them an equally confused head shake before following Evelyn outside of the establishment. They walked a bit, finally pausing in a secluded alleyway. Evelyn lit a cigarette, looking moderately distressed.
"What's wrong, Evie?" Sirius asked softly.
She sighed. "You know that Lucius and I were a couple during our years at Hogwarts, right?"
Sirius nodded. "Of course."
"We were nearly engaged. But, he called it off because of my habits... He felt it was a liability, that it would interfere with my ability to provide him a male heir," she continued, taking a deep drag off her cigarette.
"So you want to have me as a date to make a point to Lucius," Black continued, trying to process what Evelyn was saying.
"It's not just that, Siri! It's just... Things aren't going so well. Everyone I know from school, all the girls from the families in our social circle are getting engaged and married and I'm just... Well, you know. My parents are distressed that I have been unable to secure an engagement with any appropriate partners from the right families," she muttered, taking another angry drag.
"I thought you weren't interested in marriage, that you were delaying the whole thing," Sirius asked softly, reaching out to touch her arm.
"That's not exactly the whole truth," she whispered, tears beginning to form in her eyes. "No one is interested in seriously dating me or marrying me because of the whole... anorexia. Everyone knows, and so they see me as... defective."
"I don't know what to do anymore, Sirius. I, fuck... I feel like everything is falling apart and I have no one and I can't do this anymore. I don't want to be alone. I don't want to be defective, worthless," she choked out, the tears beginning to flow freely.
Sirius pulled her into an embrace, unsure of what to say, how to respond. "You're not worthless, Evie. You're beautiful. And perfect," he whispered softly into her ear, stroking her hair.
"I just... I thought maybe if I showed up with you it would make a point to people that I'm not, I'm not a lost cause. That I'm capable of being wanted, desired. By a guy. Someone from the right sort of family. You," she finished miserably, gasping in between sobs.
Her emotional breakdown was unnerving to Sirius. Never in his entire life had he ever witnessed Evelyn Greengrass out of control. She was always calm and collected and completely in control of herself and her emotions.
"I'll go to the wedding with you, Evie," Sirius said finally, pulling away so that he could look into her eyes.
"R-really?" she asked, smiling, despite her tear-stained face.
"Of course. I mean... You're right. We make sense. You know I'd do anything for you," he replied, offering her a kind smile.
"Thank you Sirius," she said softly, smiling back. "We should be getting back, I suppose. Your friends probably think I abducted you or something."
Sirius laughed. "Doubtful, Evie. They probably just thing I'm fucking you in the bathroom or something."
"Maybe we could do that after a few drinks," she suggested, grinning wickedly.
"C'mon, let's head back," Sirius prompted, snaking his arm around her waist.
Sirius felt content, as they walked back to the pub. This felt good, right. Evelyn Greengrass was clearly as fucked up in the head as he was, but still. Didn't the old saying go, misery loves company? Perhaps, he thought to himself, the two of us together could make one another whole. Sirius sighed contently as he felt Evelyn rest her head on his shoulder. Getting a bit ahead of yourself, aren't you? She only asked you to be a date to a wedding, not her sodding boyfriend. Christ, you're pathetic he thought to himself, his inner monologue kicking in. Still, he considered, it was a start. The returned to the pub, joining Remus and Peter, who were now on what looked to be their second round of drinks.
Sirius and Evelyn seated themselves, each grabbing their respective glasses of firewhiskey. "Cheers," Evelyn offered, raising her glass.
The three Marauders followed in suit, clinking their glasses.
"So what were you guys talking about?" Peter asked, unable to contain his nosiness.
Sirius glanced at Evelyn, unsure of whether she wanted him to divulge.
"Sirius oh so kindly agreed to be my date to the Malfoy-Black wedding in December," Evie replied, offering Sirius a warm smile.
Remus and Peter exchanged looks, then stared at Sirius.
"You're going to willingly face your family?" Remus asked, looking confused.
"I suppose I am," Sirius agreed, trying to keep his voice as calm-sounding as possible. It hadn't dawned on him that his family, the family who had disowned him would be present at his cousin's wedding. Fuck.
"It'll be fine," he said calmly, attempting to assure his friends, himself of that. "It'll be fine. I mean... I'll have to face them eventually, won't I?"