Chapter Eleven: Accusations
'CALEB AND AIDAN POTTER, GET DOWN THE STAIRS THIS INSTANT!' Evangeline bellowed from the bottom of the stairs. She stood with her hands on her hips, her expression clearly not amused. A creak at the top of the stairs told her that her twins were lurking close by. Two mischievous faces peered around the banister and looked down at her. 'Would either of you care to tell me why the sofas have sprouted legs and are now wrecking havoc in the living room?' she asked, tapping her foot impatiently. She raised her eyebrow suspiciously as the twins remained silent.
'Well, you see, Mum … Caleb and I – eh – ' Aidan began, as he fumbled with the hem of his shirt and looked slightly guilty. He glanced down at his Mum, he felt that trying to convince her that they hadn't charmed the sofas, was a lost cause. And because he was apparently the smarter of the twins – according to Caleb – he should be the one to make up the excuses. Their Mum was a hard one to fool though. And seeing as she knew every trick in the book, it was hard to outsmart her.
It had been a year since Caleb and Aidan had began Hogwarts, and just as Evangeline had expected, they had been trouble – but more so than she had expected. It turned out that they already had a worse record that the Weasley twins. But she found herself worrying more about Harry. In his first year at Hogwarts, he had battled a mountain troll, he had become Gryffindor's seeker – the youngest in a century – and then he had trouble with his broom being jinxed and all that before saving the Philosopher's Stone from Voldemort. She had almost had a heart attack when Dumbledore owled her to tell her that Harry was in the hospital wing after being face to face with the Dark Lord. From then on, she knew Harry would be the one putting her through more grief. Of course, it wasn't his fault that Voldemort constantly strived to return to power and Harry just so happened to be in the middle of it all.
Harry, was rescued from the Dursleys' by his best friend, Ron, that Summer before he started his second year. Evangeline had sent him almost a dozen letters, he hadn't replied to any of them – which made her suspicious. But when he finally replied to her he explained everything. Evangeline and the twins met up with the Weasleys in Diagon Alley, where Harry told her about the house elf that had visited him in Little Whinging. Then twins finally left to go to Hogwarts, Evangeline went with them to Platform nine and three quarters which brought back many memories of her own. She was surprised not to see Harry, but assumed he was already on the train. Caleb and Aidan owled her as soon as the feast was over, and she was relieved to find that they were both placed in Gryffindor. But she received another letter informing her that Harry and Ron had missed the train and that they had flew an enchanted car to Hogwarts – and not to mention that they were seen by no less that seven muggles. This, she laughed at. It sounded like something James would have done. Evangeline felt almost left out. She received a letter each week from both the twins and Harry and each time they had something interesting to tell her about. Of course, she had her own things to worry about as she had rejoined the Auror Department. Harry told her all about the Chamber of Secrets and how it had supposedly been reopened – this made her slightly anxious. What made her even more anxious was when Harry told her that he, Ron and his friend Hermione where concocting a Polyjuice Potion in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. She learnt all about mysterious diaries, giant spiders and many people being petrified. Caleb and Aidan seemed to be interested in what was happening and had told Evangeline that they were suspicious of Harry and his friends being up to something. She found this incredibly humorous as it was normally the twins who were causing the trouble. The last letter of the year from Harry was adventurous to say the least – he uncovered the Chamber of Secrets, came face to face – once again – with Voldemort, only this time, his younger self and then he successfully killed a Basilisk with Godric Gryffindor's sword. From then on Evangeline knew that she would have to expect something dangerous to happen to Harry every year.
Evangeline sighed and shook her head. She could only imagine how the Professors at Hogwarts coped with her twins – they had drove her up the wall each day since they had come home for Summer. Every day she found something new; moving furniture, frog spawn in teacups, Monty with red and gold fur – the list was endless. 'Right, I get it – you thought it would be amusing. Have you got your trunks packed? We're headed for the Leaky Cauldron in about ten minutes; Harry's already there,' she said, heading into the living room and surveying the mess before her while the sofas galloped around the room. With a quite wave of her wand the sofas immobilised and everything was back to normal.
There was a loud, repetitive banging as Caleb and Aidan wheeled their trunks down the stairs. She was surprised the hadn't thought of levitating them and making them race down the stairs. Still, she was glad they hadn't. 'Why's Harry at the Leaky Cauldron? Isn't he meant to stay at the Dursley's?' Caleb asked as he pulled his trunk into the living room.
'He blew up his Aunt Marge.'
'Wicked! What spell did he use?' Caleb questioned, his eyes wide in fascination.
'Harry's not that irresponsible, Cal. I don't think he did it on purpose,' Aidan said, rolling his eyes. 'She probably just made him mad – you know how Harry gets. And … I'm guessing it was an inflation spell, but the Ministry would have everything covered.'
'Exactly, Aidan,' Evangeline said, walking in from the kitchen, her own bag over her shoulder. It was still early in the morning, but she wanted to see Harry before he left for Hogwarts – she was afraid, like last time that he would either already be on the train, or mysteriously miss it. The twins also left for Hogwarts that day, she was shocked at how quickly the Summer had passed. 'Harry's already been in the Leaky Cauldron for a couple of days now. He got the Knight Bus there.'
'The Knight Bus? Isn't that the one – '
'That goes insanely fast, has a Jamaican shrunken head hanging in the driver's area and the muggles can't see it at all,' Aidan finished quickly without taking a breath. He grinned as Caleb shot him an annoyed look. 'Oh – and the conductor is called Stan Stunpike.'
Caleb glanced with agnosticism towards his brother. 'How did you know that?' he asked him. Sometimes he hated how his brother could be a know-it-all, but it did come in useful when they were devising their pranks.
Aidan smiled simply and shrugged. 'Harry told me,' he replied plainly.
'Harry's been sending you letters? Why hasn't he sent me any? I'm his cousin too!' Caleb complained, attempting to take a seat on the sofa but it kept moving every time he went to sit down. He growled, annoyed that Harry hadn't sent him any letters and the fact that their own prank had backfired on them. 'Stupid sofa,' he muttered irritatedly.
'Well, you shouldn't have charmed it in the first place,' Evangeline responded, picking up the pot of Floo powder from the holder and holding it out for Caleb to take a pinch. 'Here. Remember to speak clearly,' she warned him as he stepped into the fireplace, his broom held tightly against his body. 'I'll send your trunk after you.' She watched him as he threw the Floo powder into the ashes and shouted; The Leaky Cauldron, before a green flame engulfed him and he disappeared. With Aidan's help she hoisted Caleb's trunk into the fireplace, threw a pinch of powder over it and shouted exactly what Caleb had shouted just moments before. The trunk vanished. After Aidan and his trunk had disappeared, Evangeline grabbed some Floo powder and climbed into the fireplace. She threw the green powder down, 'The Leaky Cauldron!' she shouted and immediately the green flame surrounded her and she began spinning around rather violently. With a sudden blast, she found herself skidding across the wooden floor of the Leaky Cauldron, covered in dust.
'Evie? Are you alright?' a voice asked from above her. She looked up to see Harry standing above her, his hand outstretched. She grinned, took it gratefully and he hoisted her to her feet. 'Good to see you again, Aunt Evie.'
'Harry!' Evangeline cried, pulling her nephew into a bone-crushing hug. 'Good to see you again, mate – and honestly, blowing up your aunt! I hope I'm not next,' she said, nudging him with her elbow suggestively.
Harry laughed, but shook his head and returning his expression serious once more. 'Oh no, I save that for more special occasions,' he said, the corners of his mouth turning up into a smile. He knew he could always count on Evangeline to make a joke out of a serious situation. Last year, when he and Ron flew the enchanted car to school, she sent him a howler – in which she was laughing, she also called the Potions Master an uptight moron. Professor Snape did not find it amusing, and ordered him out of the Great Hall.
Evangeline laughed, 'At least I know I don't have to watch my back,' she said, deliberately walking around the other side of the table and away from the walls in which there were posters of her husband, plastered upon. Caleb and Aidan hadn't noticed them, and she was praying they didn't. He didn't look anything like what he used to, she barely recognized him. But yes, Sirius had escaped from Azkaban again. She didn't know why. Unless he just couldn't cope with it any more and decided he'd had enough. He had been missing for three weeks, no signs of him whatsoever and the whole of the wizarding world was looking for him – even her. But she knew why no one could find him. Only she and one other person knew about him being an Animagus. Of course, as an Auror she was more involved in the case than she had wanted to be. She didn't want to pretend that she thought he was a mass murderer though. Everyone acted like she had never been married to him, either that or they were too scared to say anything about it. Hearing people say the most terrible things about him, almost every day, it was painful to say the least. She made her way towards the counter but was almost tripped up by ginger cat that was pouncing after a strangely familiar-looking rat. She rolled her eyes, whipped out her wand and within a flash the cat and the rat where rooted to the spot.
'Honestly, Ron. Crookshanks is acting like a normal cat! You shouldn't have let Scabbers wander around if you knew I had let Crookshanks out,' Hermione snapped her wavy hair bouncing about her shoulders as she stalked into the room.
'You should keep that thing locked up! It attacks anything that moves!' Ron said, following closely behind her, scanning the floor for his rat presumably. That's where she had recognized the rat from – it was Ron's. 'No wonder it's been in that shop for so bloody long – nobody wanted it! I mean … who would?'
Evangeline cleared her throat, 'If you're by any chance looking for a bandy-legged cat chasing after a rather skinny rat – they're over there,' she said, nodding towards Crookshanks and Scabbers who were frozen in mid-action. Ron halted immediately and stared confusedly at the sight before him. 'I took the privilege of stopping them before they destroyed the whole pub,' she informed him in a witty tone.
'Thanks, Evie – that bloody cat would have had Scabbers for breakfast if you hadn't of stopped it,' Ron said, walking over and picking up his rat. Evangeline flicked her wand and Scabbers was back to normal again – well, normal as in squeaking and moving. 'He hasn't been the same since we got back from Egypt,' Ron said, holding the rat up to his face. 'Still, I got him some rat tonic from the same Menagerie where Hermione bought that monster.'
Hermione had retrieved Crookshanks who was now in her arms. Evangeline flicked her wand as she had done for Scabbers and instantly the cat began to move once more. He purred in Hermione's arms. 'Oh – he's not a monster, Ron,' Evangeline said, stroking Crookshanks' fur. Ron snorted and walked off towards where Harry was talking with Mrs Weasley. 'Have a good time in France then, Hermione?' she asked. Hermione glanced questioningly at her. She chuckled, 'Harry tells me everything.'
Hermione laughed. 'It was amazing – so fascinating! I learnt so much about the local history of witchcraft there, which helped me with the essay I had been assigned by Professor Binns. I ended up rewriting it and making it two rolls of parchment longer,' she said quickly – it was a good thing Evangeline had good hearing, because when Hermione spoke about something interesting, if you could see it, it would be a blur. 'I don't suppose you went on holiday, did you? I guess you have so much work in the Auror Department, what with Sirius Black escaping from Azkaban and not to mention the twins being at home.'
Evangeline had been hoping that she wouldn't have to discuss that topic. 'Yeah, I guess I have been pretty busy – but the guys at the Auror Department understand that I had have two unruly teenagers to look after as well so I get days off occasionally,' she said, anticipating that Hermione would not ask any more questions about Sirius. 'You start studying new subjects this year, don't you?' Evangeline asked, deliberately changing the subject.
'Yes, I'm taking Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes, Divination and Muggle Studies,' Hermione said, ticking off each subject with her finger. 'I'm looking forward to studying Arithmancy and – '
'Arithmancy is more useful than you think. I studied it all the way to NEWT level – got Outstanding in both my OWL and my NEWT exams. But, Hermione, aren't you Muggle-born? Why are you taking Muggle Studies?' Evangeline asked. Surely, having Muggle parents meant you knew all about the Muggle world – what would be the point of studying for an extra subject.
'Yes, I am – but I thought it would be really interesting to study it from a wizarding point of view,' Hermione explained to her – she seemed to know what she was talking about.
'That's a good plan actually,' Evangeline said, nodding her head in agreement. 'You could get a job very easily in Muggle Relations – your knowledge from having Muggle parents would help greatly. Not to mention you would be able to see problems wizards may have with them, from a wizarding point of view. Good choice. Have you any idea what you want to be at all?'
'Not really, I haven't really thought about it,' Hermione replied honestly. 'I thought maybe a Healer, but then they work so many hours and – '
'THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, CALEB! YOU CAN'T JUST GO AROUND MAKING ACCUSATIONS! ACTUALLY GO AND TALK TO HER BEFORE YOU BITE HER HEAD OFF IN FRONT OF EVERYONE! AND ANYWAY, THIS IS OUR MUM WE'RE TALKING ABOUT – WOULD SHE EVER LIE TO US?' Aidan roared, backing into the room pointing his finger at Caleb who was looking just as furious. The whole pub went quiet and turned to watch. Evangeline knew what this was about.
'I DON'T KNOW, WOULD SHE? SHE'S NEVER TOLD US ANYTHING ABOUT HIM!' Caleb yelled back, throwing his hands in the air in frustration. 'If he – if he is my Dad, I'll – ' immediately he went quiet, but his mouth was still moving. He glanced around angrily, looking for the person who had put the Silencing Charm on him. His eyes finally rested on his mother, who had her wand drawn; her expression was livid.
Evangeline stood up straight and swallowed – she knew this was going to be tough. 'Please excuse me, Hermione. I have to go and sort out my sons,' she said, striding towards Caleb and Aidan. She glanced furiously between them, grabbed them by the collars of their shirts and dragged them into the room beside the main pub before slamming the door shut behind her. She spun around, 'If either of you ever have anything important to talk to me about, I suggest you speak to me quietly rather than shouting it out … IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE PUB!' Evangeline shouted, glaring angrily at her sons.
'Well, you should have told us our Dad is a bloody mass murderer!' Caleb yelled back. 'If you had told us that ages ago, we wouldn't have kept wanting to know about him! God, who'd want an insane mass murderer as a Dad?!'
'DON'T EVER SPEAK OF YOUR FATHER LIKE THAT AGAIN!' Evangeline roared, she couldn't decide whether she was furious or whether to break down in tears. She stared at Caleb, he was angry, but she saw him wince when she shouted back at him – he wasn't as brave as he thought he was. 'And don't ever accuse him of being something he isn't,' she said calmly, throwing herself down on the chair closest to her.
'What do you mean?' Aidan asked. Evangeline felt glad that he had the sense to not jump to conclusions like Caleb had. Caleb was just too hot-headed to even stop and think about things.
Evangeline sighed, finally defeated. She was definitely going to have to tell them everything now. 'He's not a mass murderer,' she said, looking up at them. 'I know, that Sirius could never kill thirteen people – he just couldn't – he's not like that. He was never like that. Even when he was angry, he would never think of killing someone.'
'But how do you know that? How do you know he didn't change?'
'Because I married him, Caleb,' Evangeline said, the twin's expression's immediately conveyed confusion. They knew she had married, but why was she still using her maiden name? 'In exchange for me to visit him in Azkaban and tell him that I was pregnant with you, I had to change my surname back to Potter,' she explained sadly.
'But who made you do that? That's not fair,' Aidan snapped.
'The Minister for Magic, Milicent Bagnold – and Aidan, life's not fair. I know all about life not being fair, that was just another notch in the bedpost,' Evangeline said acidly. She glanced between her sons, they seemed to have calmed down which was a good thing, because she hated arguing with them. She could see the doubt on Caleb's face though. 'You have to believe me, Caleb. Your Dad – Sirius – he's innocent. You've seen all the photos, does he look like the type of person who would kill someone?'
Caleb broke eye contact with her and glanced towards the floor. 'I guess not,' he said quietly.
'But, guys, you have to keep this quiet – not many people know that Sirius Black is your Dad,' Evangeline began seriously. 'If – if certain people found out then … you have to – you have to – '
'We have to keep it secret – we know, Mum,' Caleb said, helping his mum out before smiling feebly. 'But, why didn't you tell us? We would have understood. If you say he's not a murderer then he mustn't be – you knew him best after all.'
'I didn't think you would believe me,' Evangeline said quietly, 'Remus doesn't believe me – but he doesn't bring it up any more.'
'Uncle Moony doesn't believe you – but – he's your best friend!' Aidan exclaimed irritatedly. 'Some best friend he is,' he snorted, folding his arms stubbornly. 'Where's he been lately anyway? He didn't come around once all Summer! He practically lived with us last year.'
'He's been busy, Aidan,' Evangeline said, the corners of her mouth tweaking up into a smile. 'And, I don't want you to start accusing him of not visiting us over the Summer – he had his reasons not to,' she said, getting to her feet.
'What do you mean – '
'Just don't start yelling at him,' Evangeline interrupted, as the twins glanced between each other, baffled expressions upon their faces. 'Oh, and if I don't see him – say hello and give him a hug for me,' she mused, turning her back on them and walking towards the door. She almost laughed out loud at their confused faces. Of course, Remus had told her at the beginning of the Summer that he had got the job as Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. She had been thrilled for him – the twins couldn't understand why their mother was so happy. Evangeline was about to open the door, but she stopped and turned around. 'Guys … remember, you can't tell anyone what I have told you – no one – not even Harry,' she said sternly, her expression sincere.
As the twins nodded in agreement, Evangeline opened the door and walked out into the pub. She could see the majority of the Weasley family gathered around the middle table – Hermione was talking to Ginny. But she couldn't find Harry anywhere. She glanced around, but could not see him anywhere. '… And that is why he has escaped from Azkaban. To find you and – '
'Kill me.' Evangeline recognized Harry's voice immediately. She listened carefully – angered by the fact that Harry was being told lies.
'Yes – you must promise not to go looking for Black, Harry.' It was Mr Weasley. Why hadn't he let her tell Harry – it would have been more appropriate. Although, she knew it would be hard to tell him what she knew as such an untruth.
'But, Mr Weasley, why would I go looking for someone who wanted to kill me?' Harry replied – that was were the conversation ended and both Harry and Mr Weasley appeared from the other side of a pillar. She smiled to Harry, as he walked towards her. 'Get the twins sorted out, then?' he asked with a smirk.
'Oh, yes – um – why don't you get ready to go, Harry? We'll be leaving soon, won't we, Mr Weasley?' Evangeline said, glancing over Harry at Mr Weasley. She caught eye contact with him, her eyes dark with pique. He stared back darkly. Harry nodded and walked off into the main room of the pub. 'You know I don't feel very happy about what you told him, Arthur – and I understand that –'
'He needed to know, Evangeline. He couldn't go to Hogwarts not knowing that a mass murderer –' Evangeline closed her eyes and bunched her fists, '– I know you believe differently, Evangeline. But you are probably the only person who doesn't think that Black is raving mad,' Arthur said. Evangeline glared at him, that was her husband he was talking about. 'It would be better if Harry got the same impression as everyone else – not from Black's former wife.' Evangeline shook her head in disgust. 'And … Harry also doesn't know that you were once married to him either. I didn't think it would be my place to say. He will find out though, Evangeline. You know what those three are like –'
'There's nothing that could possibly give him even the slightest hint that I was once married to Sirius,' Evangeline said, before narrowing her eyes. 'Unless someone might tell him – and anyway, I am still married to him actually, Arthur,' she stated, much to Mr Weasley's surprise. 'I changed my name, that's all – did you really think I would divorce him? You know I don't believe any of this, Arthur. In my opinion, he's innocent –'
'Innocent? The last time Fudge visited Azkaban the guards told him that Black had been talking in his sleep. Do you know what he was saying?' Arthur snarled, and Evangeline shook her head. ''He's at Hogwarts … he's at Hogwarts' that was what he was saying! And if that doesn't say he's after Harry, then what does?'
'He would never want to kill his own godson, Arthur!' Evangeline exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air in frustration.
'Everyone knows he was a follower of You-Know-Who, Evangeline! He wants to kill Harry so there is a chance that You-Know-Who would come back to power! That's why he escaped … to murder Harry –'
'That's rubbish, Arthur! Sirius was not a Death Eater – he was not in league with Voldemort! I know he wasn't – do you even think that a Dark Mark on his arm would go unnoticed when I lived with him, shared a bed with him?' Evangeline said, she didn't want to loose her temper, knowing what it could do to her. She sighed as Arthur looked like he refused to reply. 'I don't want to argue with you, Arthur. We both care about Harry's protection – and it's best if we stick together on this, even if we do disagree. From now on, Harry's all that matters – not Sirius.'
Arthur nodded, 'I think that's best – Harry is what matters, not our disagreements,' he said, as he and Evangeline walked into the main room of the pub. Evangeline nodded and smiled, glad that she and Arthur had settled their differences. The entire Weasley family, Harry, Hermione, Caleb and Aidan were gathered around the large table in the middle of the room. Arthur clapped his hands loudly, causing Evangeline to jump in surprise behind him. 'Right, are we all ready to go? The Ministry cars should be waiting outside.'
He was right. Two Ministry cars were waiting outside the Leaky Cauldron, awaiting to be loaded with numerous trunks, brooms and Hogwarts students. Evangeline got into the car in which she knew the driver; John who she seen nearly every afternoon in the Auror Department. She sat in the front with Arthur Weasley whilst Harry, Ron, Hermione and Percy. Caleb and Aidan had got into the back of one of the other cars with Fred and George Weasley whilst Mrs Weasley and Ginny sat in the front. The journey to Kings Cross wasn't exactly eventful. Harry, Ron and Hermione seemed reluctant to start conversing between themselves – they must have known that both Evangeline and Arthur were listening in. It didn't take long before they reached Kings Cross and their trunks were unloaded from the cars. Arthur seemed particularly determined to stick very close to Harry's side as they walked down the platform. Evangeline walked with her sons towards the barrier between platforms nine and ten. She glanced around, checking no one was watching before walking straight through, Caleb and Aidan following her. The Hogwarts Express, the gleaming red train billowed steam onto the station where parents were seeing off their children. Caleb and Aidan raced past Evangeline, pushing their trolleys in front of them.
'Honestly, you two – be careful!' Evangeline called after them as they raced towards a porter who was loading luggage onto the train. She followed them, excusing herself past the crowds of people. 'It's nearly eleven,' she said, glancing down at her watch before looking back at Caleb and Aidan. She grinned, at the thought of embarrassing them in front of everyone, and pulled them into a hug, before kissing the tops of their heads. 'Now, be good – please –' they rolled their eyes at her, '– don't pull too many pranks and don't go getting yourself into trouble –'
'But, Mum, we always get into trouble' Caleb interrupted her.
'That's not what I meant, Caleb,' Evangeline said, her eyebrow raised. 'Secrets are meant to be kept and I don't want you to go looking for trouble. Pranks are okay, but I don't want you to –' she sighed, '– just be careful.' She pulled them into a hug once again.
'God – Mum! Seriously! It's not as if you'll never see us again,' Aidan said, freeing himself from his mother's grasp. 'We'll be fine – it's Harry you need to worry about, you know what he's like.'
'That reminds me, I need to speak to him before he goes,' Evangeline said, looking up and glancing around, finally finding Harry talking with Ron and Hermione. 'Okay, have a good time,' she said, as Caleb and Aidan climbed onto the train. 'OH – and say hello to Remus for me, and give him a hug too if you don't mind – I haven't seen him in ages!' The twins looked down at her, baffled. 'See you soon!' she said, waving goodbye and blowing them kisses, much to their disgust.
Evangeline scurried off through the crowds once more towards where the Weasley family had gathered. She found Harry, getting onto the train after Ron and Hermione. 'HARRY!' she shouted, and he glanced around trying to identify who had shouted his name. She ran up to the door where he was standing. 'Just thought I'd come to see you off – the twins are already on the train,' she explained, as he hopped down off the train. Evangeline smiled, and pulled him into a hug, 'Be careful, Harry,' she murmured into his hair, before letting go of him and putting her hands on his shoulders. 'Don't go getting yourself into trouble – you know it's not safe. And … remember what Arthur told you,' she said, although she regretted it instantly.
'You know I don't go looking for trouble, Evie,' Harry said, with a small smile. 'Trouble normally finds me.' Evangeline couldn't help but agree, and she nodded to show that. 'Anyway, the twins will keep in order – they found out about us brewing the Polyjuice Potion last year and I don't know how,' he said with a chuckle before scratching the back of his head.
'Oh, God only knows,' Evangeline mused, 'Anyway – if you need to talk to me Harry, just say and I'll meet you in Hogsmeade or something. Or owl me, or ask me to come and see you or something. I'll be around school anyway, what with the Dementors being there – someone has to keep them in check,' she said quickly, as she knew the train was about to leave any minute.
'But, Evie – Oh – you couldn't sign the slip for me could you? The Hogsmeade slip?' Harry said, rummaging in the pocket of his jeans before finally pulling out a crumpled slip of parchment. He smiled hopefully and handed it to Evangeline. She pulled a quill out of her pocket, licked the nib and quickly scratched her name down on the parchment. 'Thanks, Evie,' Harry said gratefully, putting the slip back in his pocket.
Immediately the train let out a loud whistle and the guards began to walk down the train, slamming the doors shut. 'Now, Harry – please be safe – and don't cause me too much grief. Look after yourself, Harry – '
'HARRY! OH – Thanks goodness,' Mrs Weasley cried, jogging towards them looking frantic. 'Ron forgot Scabbers,' she said, holding the rat up to show them.
Evangeline took the rat from her to hand it to Harry, and instantly she noticed it was missing a toe. It squeaked wildly and wriggled about, before nipping her finger with it's sharp teeth. She gasped and threw it into Harry's arms. 'I don't think it likes me,' she said, bringing her finger up to her face and examining it. The steam was billowing out of the train, and soon it began to move out of the station. 'Have a good year! You can come to mine at Christmas if you like, just ask! Bye, Harry! And remember – don't go looking for trouble!'
Hope you liked the chapter (: REVIEWS are very much appreciated (: Hmmm … its quite a short chapter, but we're getting to the good parts and it will finally be a story where Sirius is actually in it. This was sort of a filler chapter .. well, most of them have been tbh ): Next chapter, Evangeline might just be reunited with Sirius – I'm not giving too much away xD
Thanks for reading! Review, add my story etc. And visit my other stories if you want (:
