Beautiful Control
Part 3 Chapter 1:
Two Of A Kind
Evelyn sat in a window seat at her London home, looking out at the dry street filled with look-a-like houses. It was already too hot for her tastes and she seemed to be sticking to everything. She held a book loosely in her hands, trying to concentrate. With a sigh, she put the book down, giving up on trying to read the history book, and instead thought to herself of the previous year. After they made it out of the Chamber, Harry sorted out getting the story straight. Soon after, the mandrakes were ready and Evelyn helped Snape brew the medicine. In the end, everything was fine and Professor Lockheart was sent to Saint Mungos. She shivered in disgust at the thought of him. Vile man.
Ever since that event, Evelyn had taken up jogging in the hope to become more physically adept. Already she had toned up a little. She was still underweight, but she hoped if she put on muscle, she may get to a normal weight. Evelyn stood from her seat and stretched. The door burst open and Remus came in looking elated.
"I just got the best of news!" he exclaimed. Evelyn grinned.
"Oh? Did you find some anti-flea solution?" He temporarily frowned at her.
"No, even better. Can you guess?"
"You've decided to finally admit your undying love for 'Into The Woods'?"
"You're so bad at this," he joked. "No, Dumbledore has asked me to be the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor!" With a loud burst of excitement Evelyn jumped and hugged him, flinging what little body weight she had onto the man.
"That's fantastic news!" Though, she quickly sobered. "Isn't this dangerous though?"
"That's the best part! They've discovered a potion that will suppress that side of me on the full moon!" Evelyn's grin grew slowly, much like a cheshire cat.
"This is going to be great!"
"Now I can keep a closer eye on you, considering you never come home for breaks!" Remus pulled her into another hug. He was so happy at being able to go back to the school, and for this potion. He would never have to worry about hurting Evelyn ever again.
"We should celebrate!" Remus declared with a grin. Evelyn bounced on her toes.
"Hell yes!"
The father and daughter decided to go out to a restaurant for dinner. Evelyn got dressed in a lovely emerald dress, it was a little Slytherin, but green was one of the best colours on her as it suited both her eyes. It was a simple design made of silk. It had a V neck that emphasised her breasts, she didn't realise how much they had grown since she began putting on weight. The fabric hugged her newly formed curves that she didn't even know she could possess! Still, this was dinner with her dad, so she decided to put a sheer black shawl on as well. Her hair was a half up do of perfectly black hair that she had put into lose curls. Her makeup was simple, but put focus on her pretty face. As Evelyn looked into the mirror, she barely recognised herself. She looked so healthy! With a grin she left to go meet with her adoptive father. Remus told her she looked great and they left for dinner.
They decided to go to a new Italian restaurant, it was incredibly high class, hence the dress. It was nice to be able to do this, Remus couldn't hold down a job for long so they weren't very well off, this dress was bout the most expensive thing she owned, she had gotten it for her sixteenth birthday just these holidays.
"Now, this is a surprise..." a voice purred. Evelyn and Remus looked up to see Lucius Malfoy with his wife and son. All of them were dressed so elegantly. Lucius in a muggle suit, so as to suit the venue, his wife was in a gorgeous black number with silver bedazzlements and Draco was also in a suit.
"Mr Malfoy, a surprise to see you here," Evelyn replied in monotone. She felt awkward under the scrutiny of the powerful wizarding family.
"Remus Lupin...it's been years," Malfoy purred. Remus frowned.
"Yes, I must say I'm surprised to see you here."
"Not as much as I, what are you doing with young Evelyn Greyarc?" he questioned. Draco smirked at Evelyn, she simply stared at him blankly, not willing to give anything away on her face.
"This is my adoptive father," Evelyn replied. Lucius raised an eyebrow.
"Is that so? How...intriguing. At any rate, I must continue to have dinner with my family, we're headed to the private room for our meal," Lucius said snobbishly. Evelyn only barely refrained from rolling her eyes.
"I'll see you at school, Greyarc," Draco sneered. When his parents backs were turned Evelyn shot him a death glare that caused him to scurry back to his parents.
"How do you know Lucius Malfoy?" Remus asked her sternly.
"I don't really, I kept running into him last year. He's so creepy." Remus nodded.
"Try not to get too involved with him. At all. In fact, avoid him as much as possible," Remus warned. Evelyn peered suspiciously at her father.
"Why?"
"He's bad news. He used to be a Death Eater." Evelyn shivered.
"Oh," was all she could reply with. They finished their dinner, all unpleasantness forgotten. By the time they returned home they were full and jovial.
They had decided to train in to Hogwarts together, Remus was determined to catch the scarlet train once more. Evelyn, of course, had no qualms with this. They made their way through the muggles and ran through the wall onto platform 9 3/4. The werewolf stood in awe and nostalgia. It was surreal to be here again. Evelyn admired the look on Remus' face, it was so rare to see him so elated. If anyone knew what a tough life was, it was Remus. Sometimes, she wondered if Dumbledore paired them for that reason.
"Come on, Dad. We've gotta be on early," Evelyn gave him a light push and they continued. The platform was practically empty as Remus insisted he be there early. The two found an empty compartment and packed their luggage above their heads.
"You already look tired," Evelyn noted. He nodded solemnly. "You didn't sleep last night, didn't you?" Remus cast a tired smile over to her.
"You know me so well!" She shrugged.
"I know what it looks like to not sleep," Remus pulled her into a hug.
"This year, we'll be able to help each other," he told her softly. Evelyn smiled.
"That's true." Evelyn sat down opposite her father as he dosed off to sleep.
The train was already moving as Harry, Ron and Hermione came into her compartment, meaning they only just made it to the train. She smiled at them as they came in.
"Who do you reckon he is?" Ron whispered to Harry as they sat down.
"Professor R.J Lupin," Hermione stated. Evelyn smirked to herself.
"You know everything. How is it you know everything?"
"It's on his suitcase."
"How are you, Evelyn?" Harry asked casually, eyeing the sleeping man.
"Good,"
"You're looking great!" Ron exclaimed. Evelyn grinned at him.
"So, why are you in this compartment with him?" Hermione asked, gesturing towards Remus. Evelyn cocked her head.
"He's my Dad." The Golden Trio gawked at her.
"He- what? You don't have the same last name?" Ron gasped.
"I'm adopted," she told him, to which he blushed awfully and shut up.
"So this is your dad, eh?" Harry asked.
"Yupp," she agreed.
"Do you think he's really asleep?" Evelyn looked over to him. Possibly not.
"Sure. Why?"
"Close the door," Harry asked. Hermione shut the door and turned to him expectantly. Everyone turned to look at him as he began to explain that Sirius Black escaped Azkaban prion to find Harry. The other two's faces looked stricken, Evelyn remained calculating.
"So, let me get this straight. Sirius Black escaped Azkaban Prison to come after you?" Ron squeaked.
"Yes" Harry confirmed.
"But, they'll catch him wont they. I mean, eventually?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"Sure - Of course, no one's ever broken out of Azkaban before and he's a raving, murderous lunatic..." everyone turned to stare at Ron. Suddenly, the lights began to flicker and the train began to slow down. Evelyn's hand immediately went to her wand.
"Why are we slowing down? We can't be there yet," said Hermione. Harry poked his head out of the compartment to see everyone else doing the same. Confusion settled over the train, when- the lights went out.
Evelyn felt the bite of cold before ice even began to form on the windows. She had missed whatever it was the others were saying, as she nudged her father with her foot. The teenagers watched as the cloaked figure began visible behind the glass of the door. It's skeletal boned hand opened the door slowly. Evelyn felt as though happiness was being sucked from her as the two figures entered the compartment. One of them latched onto Harry, and the other onto her. The last thing she heard was Remus' voice casting a patronus. A memory flashed through her eyes, the one of the little boy at the Orphanage... his eyes staring unseeingly back at her in her plain room, blood oozing out of the back of his head...
When she awoke, she was aware that Remus was standing above her.
"Evelyn, are you okay?" he murmured.
"I think so, I don't feel well though," She shivered as the memory replayed in her head. She was vaguely aware of Harry talking. Remus gave her some chocolate and turned back to the trio. Yes, it was important to check on the younger children. Evelyn sat up in time to hear Harry.
"But someone was screaming. A woman."
"No one was screaming, Harry," Hermione told him with a hesitant expression on her face.
"Where's Dad?" Evelyn asked. The three looked at her with worried looks. She waved her hand at them to tell them not to worry.
"He went to go talk with the driver," Hermione informed her. She nodded and took a bite of her chocolate. The Ravenclaw and the Boy Who Lived looked at each other with wary expressions, but showing compassion to what the other had just been through.
Now at the castle, the entire student body looked on as the choir sung, something Evelyn recognised from Shakespeare's Macbeth. She couldn't tell whether she felt threatened by the message, warned by it or skeptical. As the choir finished, Dumbledore gave his speech. After a rather confusing start about something to do with flammable beards,
"First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor R.J. Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts. Good luck to you, Professor." I grinned at him widely. My eyes moved to gage the other professors reactions. Most seemed happy, until she got to Snape's scowl. He was looking from her to him with a deep seated frown. She gave him a warm, albeit awkward smile.
"As some of you may know, Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher for many years, has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be filled by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid!" Evelyn clapped heartedly. However, the cheery mood dropped as the Headmaster continued.
"Finally, on a more disquieting note, Hogwarts - at the request of the Ministry of Magic - will, until further notice, play host to the Dementors of Azkaban. The Dementors will be stationed at the entrances to the grounds. While they are under strict orders not to enter the castle itself, you will on occasion see them as you go about your daily activities. Under no circumstances are you to approach them. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving."
Needless to say Evelyn left the dinner feeling far less positive for the year. As she just left the great hall, she was stopped by Professor Snape.
"Hello, Professor! Hope you had a good holidays," She greeted. Snape raised a brow at her friendliness.
"The Headmaster wished me to find you and escort you to his office. We must have a meeting with you and your...father," he drawled. He could barely contain his disgust for the other man.
"Okay," she agreed and followed him as he turned on his heels, his robes arched up. Once again, the two shadows of Hogwarts made their way through the darkening halls. Once they reached the gargoyle, Snape spoke the password and they passed through.
Dumbledore was sitting behind a desk littered with paperwork. Portraits of previous professors lined the walls. She also spotted Remus sitting comfortably in a massive chair, neither of them seemed to be speaking, but rather, sitting in amicable silence. Of course, Remus and Snape both stiffened after acknowledging the other's existence. Evelyn suspected they had history.
"Ah, Miss Greyarc, nice of you to join us! Would you like a sour drop?" Evelyn approached the desk with a small smile.
"No, thank you, Professor. May I ask why I was summoned?" Dumbledore gestured for the two dark haired people to sit. Evelyn took the seat closest to Remus, and Snape remained standing, causing Dumbledore to give him a brief look of disapproval.
"As you have been informed, there has been a new potion created to suppress Remus' other side during the full moon. Professor Snape here has agreed to help brew the potions. I think it would be best if you helped him. The potions need to be made monthly, and there has to be quite a lot of gathering of ingredients. If you were to help out I would be very grateful."
"Wait- What?" Remus and Severus said at the same time. They looked at each other.
"I don't think this is a good idea, Headmaster," Remus pleaded, not at all pleased at the though of his daughter having to spend more time than was necessary with Snape.
"I really do not need the help," Severus sneered. Evelyn frowned.
"I don't understand why?" Evelyn imputed. Dumbledore looked upon the confusion with a small smile.
"Please, I do think it is for the best," He gave Remus a look, like a secret message, one that caused Remus to look at the floor then back at Evelyn with almost guilt. Evelyn frowned at the exchange. Severus however, still looked unimpressed.
"Please trust me," he looked from Severus to Evelyn over his half moon glasses. Evelyn felt an overwhelming urge to do as he said. She owed him everything. She looked to Severus who seemed to have the same expression. With a sigh he turned to her.
"Meet me on Friday after dinner and we can go through the details of this...arrangement." With that he left. Evelyn looked to his other two mentors. How was this needed. And why did Remus agree so easily with one look.
"Best get to bed, Evelyn," Remus told her, standing and ruffling her hair. He sounded so tired.
Evelyn wasn't too upset with the arrangement. She enjoyed Snape's company most times, she just didn't understand why.